People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 523 Dilemma
The Yellow Turbans' attack retreated, and when the navy of the Wu-Shu coalition rushed to the battlefield to rescue them on the river, the Yellow Turbans stopped fighting and immediately withdrew their troops back to the camp. A great battle was soon ended in thin air.

The result was just as everyone expected. The Yellow Turbans' attack was not enough to pose a threat to the current Wu-Shu coalition.

But no one could be happy at this time. They all understood that this was just the Yellow Turbans on the other side expressing their attitude. As long as the Wu and Shu armies withdrew from Xiangyang, they would start to attack Xiangyang in earnest.

"These Yellow Turbans are so cunning and hateful. They knew that our army was going to return to support Yangzhou, but they forced us like this. No matter what, we have to leave some troops in Xiangyang. We can't give it to the Yellow Turbans on the other side in vain!" Sun Quan slapped the railing in front of him angrily, and he looked gritting his teeth, as if he wanted to eat the Yellow Turbans on the other side alive.

At this time, Liu Bei came back to his senses from the battle report in Shuzhong. His face became particularly gloomy. "The military strength of Shuzhong is also very tight. I don't know how the Yellow Turbans managed to drive Zhang Lu to send troops. Now the military strength of Shuzhong is also insufficient. Even if we have the natural barrier of Jianmen Pass to keep the enemy out, it is not completely safe. I should send troops back to help."

At this moment, both Emperors Sun Quan and Liu Bei looked at each other in silence. They felt as if something was on fire everywhere. The Yellow Turbans would either not move, or be difficult to resist if they moved.

All three are under threat and none of them can be ignored. The already insufficient troops have to be divided up. This makes them feel ominous about the future direction of the war. The situation is so bad now that they can't be optimistic at all.

Of course, Sun Quan could also understand Liu Bei's current difficulties. Shuzhong was the base camp of the Han Dynasty and was even more important than Jingzhou. It was impossible for Liu Bei not to save it.

"Shu cannot be lost. I am afraid I cannot leave Wei Yan here. I can only transfer him to Jiange!"

Liu Bei found it difficult to balance the pros and cons. He had to defend both Xiangyang and Jianmen Pass, and Wu State also had to provide assistance. His own troops and generals were not enough. After weighing the pros and cons for a long time, he finally valued Jianmen Pass more.

Shuzhong must be preserved at all costs, it is the last resort!
Sun Quan heard this and sighed: "I understand the Emperor's difficulties. In this case, I will also leave more than 10,000 elite soldiers in Xiangyang for defense, and select generals to stay here to garrison and cooperate with your army to fight together, perhaps we can stabilize Xiangyang."

Liu Bei quickly understood what Sun Quan meant. Now that fires broke out on three fronts, everyone had to use their troops wisely.

After all, Xiangyang is blocked by water, and Jianmen Pass is a most dangerous pass. A small number of elite soldiers can be stationed in these two places, supplemented by general troops, and they can be used barely. If there are no good generals, then we can just make do with what we have, not seeking merit but avoiding mistakes.

After nodding, Liu Bei looked at the camp behind him and saw one of the generals. "Since Wei Yan is going back to support Jianmen Pass, Liao Hua will lead the army to guard this place together with the Wu army. Do you have the confidence to ensure that Xiangyang will not be lost?"

There was no general in Shu, Liao Hua, to serve as the vanguard. At present, Han was short of generals, so Liao Hua took the lead and immediately stepped forward: "With your minister here, Xiangyang will be safe!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei nodded. Since the Wu army had left 10,000 elite soldiers, the Shu army led by Liao Hua did not have to be too strong. The saved combat power could be distributed to other places.

He was so calculating that he even wanted to split the soldiers into two halves, which made Liu Bei feel sad.

But at this juncture, no matter how dire the situation is, I can only move forward.

After arranging his own side, Liu Bei looked at Sun Quan, and Sun Quan also understood and looked at the camp behind him, obviously wanting to retain some generals as well.

At first glance, the situation of the Wu army's generals was not much better than that of the Shu army. The important generals had to be taken back by themselves to fight the main force of the Yellow Turbans, and the middle-level generals below were barely of use.

It was at this time that one of the Wu army generals' heart began to pound, and he was Deng Dang.

At this moment, Deng Dang realized that it was time for him to make a decision. If he was really determined to join the Yellow Turbans, then now would be a great opportunity, and perhaps he could make great contributions to the Yellow Turbans.

But is this really the right choice? Deng Dang may not be considered a gentleman, but he is not ashamed to be a treacherous villain. However, on one side is the Wu Kingdom to which he is loyal, and on the other side is his wife's brother who is waiting for a drink on the other side of the river. This dilemma is really a torment for him.

Moreover, deep down, he understood that Wu and Shu were just a sinking ship, which inevitably made him doubt how much meaning his loyalty had. It would be fine if he could defy fate and change his destiny, but the reality was that he could not change anything.

After all, he was not a true hero who could serve his country with all his heart. He was just a hired hand in the Wu Kingdom.

Subconsciously, Deng Dang glanced behind him, and his eyes met with someone's. That person was the Yellow Turban spy who had thrown this dilemma to him.

The Yellow Turban spy obviously understood what Deng Dang was thinking at this time. He nodded imperceptibly when they looked at each other, and the meaning was self-evident.

Well, now that the Yellow Turbans have entered Yangzhou, I don’t have to worry about my family anymore.

Although Deng Dang's psychological activities were very intense, in fact, time was only a flash of lightning. Even his family's last concern was no longer a problem. Deng Dang could make a choice without any worries.

"Your Majesty, Deng Dang is willing to lead the troops to garrison Xiangyang. As long as I am here, there will be no worries in the rear of my army!" Deng Dang made up his mind, walked out directly, and volunteered to stay and garrison.

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on him. At first they all frowned, but in the end they all fell silent.

Sun Quan also glanced at Deng Dang, his expression clearly showing some distrust, but he still pondered for a while.

The reality is that Xiangyang is under certain pressure but it is not that great. As long as the generals stationed there do their job well, it will be enough to deal with the enemy.

The really fatal place is the main force of the Yellow Turbans in Yangzhou. The Wu-Shu coalition forces must put as much force as possible into the Yangzhou battlefield, which includes not only the most capable troops in the coalition forces, but also the best generals.

The Wu army could only use its good generals where they were most effective, and all the outstanding generals had to be taken to the battlefield in Yangzhou, so there were no extra people to be placed in Xiangyang.

Although Deng Dang's ability is not as good as the above-mentioned Wu army generals, it is still sufficient and he should have no problem dealing with the situation in Xiangyang.

Even so, Sun Quan was still a little worried, and finally looked at the veteran Wu general Huang Gai and asked, "General, do you think Deng Dang is capable of taking on this important task?"

Huang Gai, Deng Dang's immediate superior, glanced at Deng Dang, considered the current situation, hesitated for a moment, and nodded: "I think this is also an option. Deng Dang's military tactics are fair and just. Relying on the natural dangers of the waterways and strong fortifications, he can cooperate with the friendly forces to defend Xiangyang."

Sun Quan nodded: "In this case, the arrangements have been made in Xiangyang, Shuzhong, and our army should set out immediately to provide assistance!"

Liu Bei also agreed, but his heart was full of worries.

Can transferring Wei Yan to Jianmen Pass really ensure that there is no worry in Shu?
Unfortunately, he can only lead the army to fight against the main force of the Yellow Turbans together with the Wu army, and can only endure this kind of anxiety.
The only thing that could give him enough psychological comfort was the natural barrier of Jianmen Pass itself.

We must not let the Yellow Turbans knock open the gate to Shu!
(End of this chapter)