Goose Three Kingdoms

Chapter 549: A Round of Exchange

Kebi could run very fast, and the army that had gathered together dispersed that night.

This way they can run faster and return to their tribes to prepare for the great migration.

Survival is the most important thing. Only by ensuring the continuation of the tribe can there be a future.

However, the collapse and withdrawal of the Kebineng tribe did not change the position of the powerful people in Dai County.

Daidi is actually divided into two parts.

For example, Pingcheng is actually right next to Dai County, but it belongs to Bingzhou in terms of administrative planning.

But since the chaos in the world, the Xianbei and Wuhuan people migrated to the Great Wall to graze, farm and live, and Pingcheng became the core city of Dai.

Liu Bei evacuated Chanhebi and moved to Pingcheng, dozens of miles away in the west, which further unlocked the power of the local tyrants in Dai.

Like other counties, Dai County also had powerful people who supported the Yuan family. They were not in Xianyu Fu's loose autonomous alliance, so they did not follow Xianyu Fu into battle.

Kebi Neng's retreat did not shock them much. They thought that it was the arrival of the Wuhuan people that scared Kebi Neng away.

Tadun was younger. After inheriting Qiuliju's position, he became more powerful over the years with the support of the Yuan family.

If it weren't for the loose alliance led by Xianyu Fu blocking the way, Tadun would have fought with Kebineng long ago.

Isolating the two tribes and preventing them from fighting each other is the survival wisdom of the Youzhou gentry.

Supporting and instigating them to go to war will result in the strong becoming stronger until they swallow up the other side... then the good days of the Youzhou powerful will be over.

Xian Yu Fu's presence effectively maintained the regional balance.

Tian Yu's letter was delivered to the powerful people in Dai County and also to Liu Bei.

Almost immediately, Zhang Fei's letter was delivered to Liu Bei.

Tian Yu estimated that the remaining combat strength of Black Bear was less than 2,000, which was consistent with Liu Bei's knowledge. However, Zhang Fei confidently told him in his letter that the main force of the Guanzhong army was intact, and he generously gave him 3,000 knights who surrendered from Youzhou.

The hall was brightly lit. Guan Yu held Zhang Fei's handwriting and looked at it carefully, frowning from time to time.

Xu Shu was holding Tian Yu's letter, and he was puzzled. When Liu Bei looked at him, he said, "My lord, I think Tian Guorang is caught up in a dispute and can no longer see the situation. When the Grand Marshal conquered the Xiongnu, he relied on only 3,000 newly assembled knights from Guanzhong. They were under the command of Li Jue, Ma Teng and others. Although they were able to dominate the Western Province for a while, they were far from having the fighting power to sweep away all the Hu people like mowing the grass."

Liu Bei understood what he heard and pondered, "Military Advisor, are you saying that the surrendered troops that Grand Marshal has just obtained can also play the role of the 3,000 elite cavalrymen in Guanzhong back then?"

Xu Shu nodded, "Yes, in the past, when the Grand Marshal was not well-known, he led 3,000 suspicious people and was able to defeat the Xiongnu. Now, even though only 2,000 people are left, we have gained more than 10,000 knights from Youzhou, which is several times stronger than before."

Liu Bei nodded slowly: "If that's the case, even if Tian Guorang's prediction is correct, this battle can still be fought."

This account can be easily calculated. Guan Yu also said: "That's right. From my perspective, the Grand Marshal is more capable of fighting now than before. He has Yide and Wenyuan to help him, and he has made great contributions in pacifying the Xiongnu and Xianbei. The surrendered soldiers from Youzhou will fight hard. Tian Guorang is not unaware of this, but he probably deliberately ignored this reason."

Liu Bei forced a smile, and even he wanted to ignore Tian Yu, let alone him.

It's completely a case of using force to defeat clever tactics, it's brutal and unreasonable.

As long as they can win on the battlefield, their forces will increase and the external environment will become better and better. Liu Biao of Jingzhou is a good example. He was confused and watched the enemy grow rapidly and was helpless. In the end, he was so angry that he died when he saw that the Sima easily subdued Yizhou.

Not only Liu Biao, but I myself am also feeling depressed.

This topic also made Guan Yu a little unhappy, so he skipped it and said, "The only thing that restricts the Grand Marshal now is food and fodder, and our army is also short of food and fodder."

Liu Bei said nothing and looked at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun bowed to everyone and saw Xu Shu and Guan Yu looking at him. Then he said, "Lord Yun, many heroes in this generation have responded to the Yuan family. When the Grand Marshal arrives, how can they be short of food and fodder with their strong attack power?"

He then looked at Liu Bei and said, "My lord, I think we should divide our forces to seize the Gaoliu Fortress. If we delay for a moment, the heroes of Dai will gather here and block the passage for the Grand Marshal to leave the fortress."

Xu Shu immediately raised his hand to interrupt: "We must not divide our forces. There are nearly 30,000 Han and Hu tribes outside the city. As long as the lord does not make a statement, the Han and Hu leaders among them will have a chance of survival. If our army does not move, it can delay these 30,000 people for the Grand Marshal. Although Gaoliu City is strong, it has been in disrepair for many years, and the surrounding barriers have also been abandoned for a long time. Even if the heroes of Dai gather their troops to defend it, it will be difficult to stop the Grand Marshal's attack."

Xu Shu looked at Liu Bei again and said, "Besides, with the divine horse under the Grand Marshal's saddle, if he wants to leave, there are many obstacles in Daidi, so there is no place he cannot go. Now the most important thing is to gain the Grand Marshal's trust and reach a tacit understanding with him."

Guan Yu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Xu Shu. Seeing that Liu Bei did not express his opinion, he spoke: "Military Advisor, the Shangshu Xingtai has sent an imperial edict to remove Gongyou from his post as prefect of the county. This was issued by the Grand Marshal when he passed through Yanmen Pass. It was issued after he went to Guanzhong. I believe that through the court reports this month, the whole world has known about it. It can be seen that the Grand Marshal has a deep prejudice. If he does not move his troops, the Grand Marshal can tolerate us, but what about others?"

Xu Shu said firmly, "Lord Yunchang, our army's standing by and watching is the best support for the Grand Marshal. Once we leave the city, Dai County will immediately confuse the enemy and ourselves, which will be disadvantageous to the Grand Marshal. If my prediction is correct, General Ma Teng of Du Liao has led a large army to help. Now Dai is a hopeless place, and the only safe place is Pingcheng."

Seeing Guan Yu looking at him sideways, Xu Shu could only look at Zhao Yun: "General Zilong followed the Grand Marshal to fight the Xiongnu, so he naturally knows that the Grand Marshal's use of troops is swift and fierce, and often causes accidental injuries."

Zhao Yun nodded slightly and explained to Guan Yu: "When the Grand Marshal was fighting the Xiongnu Chanyu, he ordered me and the reinforcements to guard the passes of Huoyi and Queshu Valley tightly, and neither allowed the Jingzhou soldiers to go north to help nor the Hongnong soldiers to join the battle. The Hedong soldiers also came to help at first, but were blocked by us and took the small road of Han Xinling. Before they arrived, the Grand Marshal had defeated the Xiongnu and Hedong coalition forces of more than 200,000 people, and captured and killed countless people."

Xu Shu followed up with an explanation: "Among all the reinforcements, the Grand Marshal would rather trust Zhang Yan's troops than the Hongnong and Hedong troops. Today, there is no difference between our army and the Hedong and Hongnong troops. Therefore, we must keep our troops firmly in the city to gain the Grand Marshal's trust. If we leave the city, no matter how many explanations we give, it will not be enough to dispel the Grand Marshal's suspicion. Once we make a mistake in the battle, there will be no turning back."

Guan Yu's expression did not change, he just nodded slowly, and said regretfully: "Killing the Hu and making meritorious deeds is right before my eyes, but I envy Yide for following the Grand Marshal to kill the traitors and destroy the Donghu."

Liu Bei also said: "Yunchang, don't be discouraged. There will be opportunities in the future. From the letters of the Grand Marshal, we know that he regards the Dongyi as a major threat to the country. Now that Gongyou is removed from his position, it is also convenient to put pressure on Gongsun Kang. Let's wait and see. If Gongsun Kang raises his troops to join the rebellion in this battle, it will be convenient for the Grand Marshal to clear Liaodong in one fell swoop. After resting up, the opportunity for us to serve the country will not be far away."

"Yes, I will be patient for now."

Guan Yu responded, and Liu Bei ignored Zhao Yun's thoughts and said to Xu Shu: "Although I have a deep friendship with Guo Rang, he has now turned to the rebellion, so we should not think about the old friendship. The military advisor should look for a candidate and pretend to reply to Tian Yu. When he arrives, he will report directly to the Grand Marshal."

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment and said, "Tell the Grand Marshal that our army will hold Pingcheng firmly. If any trouble occurs to the troops outside the city, we will attack them."

Seeing that Guan Yu had no objection, Xu Shu bowed and said, "Yes."

All in all, in this battle, they and the troops outside the city canceled each other out.

As for whether Xu Shu would resort to tricks in the process of replying to the letter, Guan Yu believed in his own deterrent power and Zhang Fei's violent temper.

Liu Bei, on the other hand, believed in Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun.

If Xu Shu really wanted to commit suicide, there would be no need for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun could make Xu Shu die of a sudden illness.

The attitude of the military here is clear. It is a pity that they cannot make it in time for this battle, and the anger has been suppressed.

Xu Shu wanted to die, and even Liu Bei could not save him or help him.

What's more, this involves a matter of principle, and Liu Bei would take action himself.

(End of this chapter)