Han family achievements

Chapter 599 Good News

Not in a hurry?
Xiahou Yuan was repelled by the rebels and entangled by foreign tribes such as Qiang and Di. He was like being stuck in a quagmire and unable to move.

Zhao Yun and Zhang He's troops have been deep behind enemy lines and have not received any news for over a month. News of their annihilation could come at any time. Isn't this urgent?

Their Majesty's patience is too good! ?
Liu Bian saw the expressions of the crowd, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "According to the time, there should be news soon. Let's wait a few more days. If there is still no news, or the news is not good, the Grand Marshal and the Right Marshal will lead the troops to provide support."

Seeing that Liu Bian finally gave in, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

Xun You saw the opportunity and immediately said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that one group go out from Qishan and head directly north to attack Jicheng, and the other group go out from Sanfu and continue westward along Zhao Yun's route."

In the final analysis, we still need to continue the strategy of going around and surrounding.

Liu Bian smiled noncommittally and said, "You two should settle down first. Huang Zhong, you should train the troops and be ready to go to war at any time."

"I obey your order!" Huang Zhong replied in a deep voice.

When the others saw Liu Bian "agree", they looked at each other and nodded secretly.

After everyone left, Huangfu Jianchang said beside Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, the latest news is that Zhong Pushe is lobbying many tribes to surrender. Judging from what Zhong Pushe said, there is hope, but the cooperation of the government army is needed."

"At least there should be some victory,"

Liu Bian understood what Zhong Yao meant. After a moment of silence, he said, "Now, it's up to them."

Huangfu Jian nodded silently.

Originally, the imperial court's plan for this battle was to attack Jicheng directly with an unstoppable force and sweep away the Three Qiang and other ethnic groups. However, Xiahou Yuan was defeated and retreated, which completely disrupted the imperial court's plan.

He looked at Liu Bian again, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

He knew that the person who was under the most pressure was His Majesty in front of him.

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Xun You and others returned to the war room again, staring at the sand table and studying it, preparing to readjust their strategies and tactics.

Time passed little by little, and a silent, depressing atmosphere permeated the city of Hanzhong.

After seven days, there was no news from Zhao Yun, Zhang He and others. Instead, bad news came one after another from Luoyang City.

First, bandits suddenly emerged near Mount Tai, and under the banner of the Yellow Turban Army, they attacked counties and prefectures.

Then the engineer inspected the river and canal and believed that there was a risk of flooding and dike breaching this summer.

In addition, the remnants of Yuan Shao's forces rose again, causing trouble in Wuling County, and once became powerful, causing panic in the court and the public.

In Hanzhong, under the eaves outside Liu Bian's bedroom, Liu Bian and Cao Cao were playing chess.

Behind Liu Bian were the second son and Dian Wei, and behind Cao Cao were Liu Bei, Xun You and others.

The black and white chess pieces are clearly distinguished, and the confrontation is vaguely visible.

The reason is that His Majesty the Emperor broke his promise.

There is still no news about Zhao Yun and Zhang He, but His Majesty the Emperor does not approve of their new tactics.

Liu Bian drank his tea leisurely and said with a smile: "After this trip, I found that you gentlemen have less patience than me. Is there something else bothering you?"

Cao Cao, Xun You, Liu Bei and others seemed not to have heard it. They just had a stern face and felt like there was something stuck in their throats.

It's been almost two months, and there's no news about Zhang He and Zhao Yun, and Xiahou Yuan is still busy. Shouldn't we send troops to support them?

Huangfu Jian glanced at Cao Cao, Xun You and others calmly, thinking back to what Liu Bian said last night: Some people don't seem to want me to conquer Liang Province, and even less want me to succeed.

Huangfu Jianchang was frightened at the time, and now looking at these important figures in front of him, he subconsciously took out an apple from his arms and bit it gently.

"Your Majesty," Cao Cao finally spoke after enduring for a long time, "Xiahou Yuan is incompetent and has ruined the plan, but there is still a chance to remedy the situation. The three Qiang forces can be divided into two groups. If a special force is sent, it can not only rescue Zhao and Zhang, but also launch a surprise attack on Jicheng and change the situation..."

"Report!"

Before Cao Cao finished speaking, a soldier strode in, covered in blood and panting, and knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang He defeated Han Sui outside Jicheng, beheaded more than a thousand people, and has occupied Jicheng!"

Everyone's expression changed.

Xun You took two steps at a time and stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Is it true? Is there any other news?"

The messenger said, "Not yet."

Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bian, his expression unchanged, and asked, "Have you encountered the main force of the Three Qiang? What is the situation now? Where is Zhao Yun?"

The messenger said, "It's not the main force. Lieutenant Colonel Zhang He has occupied Jicheng, and the nearby counties have surrendered. Lieutenant Colonel Zhang He is currently collecting the equipment and food left behind by the rebels, and is awaiting further orders. Lieutenant Colonel Zhao Yun, I don't know yet."

Liu Bei looked relieved, glanced at Liu Bian, and said with a smile: "This is good news. Now, there should be no need to send more troops."

Cao Cao lowered his head, looking at the chessboard, his face full of thought.

He had keenly sensed something was wrong. He had determined the strategy and tactics for conquering Liang Province, but not everything was in his hands.

Xiahou Yuan's failure was beyond his expectations, and Zhang He's sudden capture of Jicheng was beyond his expectations.

The missing Zhao Yun had already left his chessboard.

The one playing chess is always the person opposite you, no one else, not even Cao Cao.

Liu Bian waved to the messenger, and then raised his hands backwards.

Huangfu Jian was stunned at first when he saw Liu Bian's hand, then he reacted quickly, took out an apple from his arms, put it on top, and whispered: "Your Majesty, don't worry, they are all freshly washed."

Liu Bian took a big bite and chewed it hard, then said to Cao Cao across from him, "Cao Qing, it's your turn."

Cao Cao quickly came to his senses, holding the black piece, and dropped it without thinking.

When playing chess, the emperor on the opposite side often considers the long-term and ignores the present. But for Cao Cao, an experienced chess player, he can see through it at a glance and win easily.

Liu Bian stared at the chessboard and began his daily meditation.

He is not good at playing chess, but he likes it. However, he just likes it, so he is not good at it.

Suddenly, he looked up at Xun You and said, "Xun Qing, do you want to go back to Luoyang?"

Xun You's eyes tightened, and he bowed and said, "I will follow you to conquer Liang Province, and I will not return until I win."

Liu Bian bit the apple, shook his head and said, "Then don't regret it."

Xun You lowered his head, actually regretting it in his heart.

A lot of things happened in Luoyang City. For example, Wang Lang was relocating court and local officials on a large scale. As the leader of the "Yingchuan Party", he was not in Luoyang, and it was unknown how much loss he would suffer.

But Your Majesty went to the battle and brought him with him on purpose. Was this a plan that had been planned in advance?
Even if Xun You wanted to go back to Luoyang, he couldn't leave at this time!
Liu Bei secretly exchanged a glance with Xu Shu, and after Xu Shu shook his head imperceptibly, he stood quietly aside.

Zhang He's sudden attack on Jicheng changed the situation again. Now, it is time to send reinforcements to Xiahou Yuan, so that he can get rid of the entanglement of foreign tribes, send troops to Jicheng, and join Zhang He.

"Report!"

Another messenger came running over. Compared to the previous one, he was dressed neatly and cleanly, and looked much less dusty. He came straight to the eaves, knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, General Zhao Yun defeated Ma Teng thirty miles north of Jieting and beheaded two thousand people."

(End of this chapter)