Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 55: Xu Huang meets Guan Yu, and they understand each other
Zhao Yan’s words made Cao Ren fall into deep thought.

True.

Taking advantage of Guan Yu's illness to kill him would help Cao Ren to wash away the humiliation he suffered in Fancheng.

But in this way, Cao Cao's goal of making Guan Yu and Sun Quan fight each other would not be achieved.

Capturing and killing Guan Yu can only be considered a partial victory.

Letting Guan Yu and Sun Quan fight each other is the overall consideration.

Man Chong pondered for a moment and echoed Zhao Yan's opinion, saying, "If Guan Yu dies, Sun Quan will not only get Jingzhou, but also Guan Yu's troops, food, and weapons in Jingzhou. Yu Jin and his 30,000 men will also fall into Sun Quan's hands."

"After this battle, if we treat the surrendered soldiers well and nurture them for another year or two, Sun Quan will be able to add 60,000 to 70,000 troops. If Sun Quan defeats Guan Yu and then relies on the navy to cross the river, and we don't have the advantage of the navy, Xiangyang will be threatened again."

"I agree with Zhao Yilang's plan. You can quickly send this letter to Luoyang to ask the King of Wei for a decision. At the same time, strengthen the defense in Xiangyang, Fancheng and Shangchangcheng to prevent Sun Quan from taking advantage of the opportunity to attack."

Seeing that Xu Huang, Zhao Yan and Man Chong all agreed to release Guan Yu temporarily, Cao Ren also put away his anger.

Cao Ren just had a personal grudge against Guan Yu, he was not a foolish person who did not understand the general situation.

Although he shouted that he wanted to destroy Guan Yu and seize Jingzhou, with Cao Ren's current military strength it would be difficult for him to compete with Sun Quan, who had an advantage in naval forces, in Jingzhou.

Think of this.

Cao Ren made a decision: "Since that is the case, we will follow everyone's opinion. On the one hand, we will send this letter to Luoyang to ask the King of Wei for his decision, and on the other hand, we will strictly guard Xiangyang, Fancheng and Shangchangcheng."

"Xu Gongming, send someone across the river to deliver a letter to Guan Yu, informing him of our decision, so that he can withdraw his troops and fight Sun Quan without worry."

Zhao Yan said, "Why not let General Xu personally cross the river to carry out the mission for Guan Yu, to show his sincerity. This will preserve the friendship between General Xu and Guan Yu, and also help Guan Yu calm the troops."

Zhao Yan is worthy of being a counselor who is good at political intrigue.

As soon as these words were spoken, Cao Ren and Man Chong's eyes lit up.

In particular, letting Xu Huang help Guan Yu calm the morale of the troops was a unique move.

If Jiangling was captured, Guan Yu's military morale would inevitably be seriously damaged. With unstable military morale, it would be difficult for Guan Yu to compete with Sun Quan.

If Xu Huang were to go in person to carry out the mission on Guan Yu's behalf, given Guan Yu's ability, he would certainly use Xu Huang to appease the troops.

This way.

If Guan Yu had stabilized the morale of his troops, he would not have been defeated so quickly.

Cao Ren and Man Chong are both shrewd men.

When you are able to be a fisherman, you hope that the snipe and the clam can be evenly matched.

Cao Ren immediately adopted Zhao Yan's suggestion and asked Xu Huang to go and practice with Guan Yu.

Although Xu Huang is not as shrewd as Zhao Yan, Cao Ren and Man Chong, he is not stupid either.

After just a little thought, I understood Zhao Yan's intention.

From a personal perspective, Xu Huang also did not want Guan Yu to be driven out of Jingzhou by Sun Quan.

Therefore, Xu Huang did not refuse to cross the river personally to carry out Guan Yu's proposal.

Cao Ren also specially took out some fine wine from his collection and asked Xu Huang to take it with him.

Xu Huang crossed the river overnight to meet Guan Yu.

Upon hearing that Xu Huang was coming, Guan Yu was surprised and happy. He immediately put down his military duties and went to the river to greet him in person.

Seeing that Xu Huang only brought a few boatmen and no guards, Guan Yu was even more surprised: "Brother, why are you crossing the river alone?"

Different from the cold and ruthless Battle of Four Tombs, Xu Huang seemed particularly relaxed today.

Shaking the wine jar in his hand, Xu Huang said with a smile: "I heard that Yunchang was going back to Jiangling, so I came here to see him off."

Guan Yu laughed: "I am so happy to have my elder brother to see me off!"

Xu Huang jumped off the boat and asked the boatman to wait on the shore.

Guan Yu took Xu Huang's arm and entered the camp, and shouted to those around him: "This is my old friend Xu Huang from the same hometown. He heard that I was withdrawing my troops today, so he came to meet me!"

Xu Huang also cooperated and greeted Guan Yu left and right.

The Battle of Sizhong made Xu Huang's name spread throughout Guan Yu's army.

Now Xu Huang crossed the river alone to meet Guan Yu, and the news quickly spread in the army.

Xu Huang and Guan Yu both knew each other's purpose.

Guan Yu bowed to Xu Huang again and said, "I will never forget your kindness in helping me."

Xu Huang sighed, "Yun Chang, our friendship doesn't need to be like this. I have urged you to return to Jiangling several times, but you always refused. Now Sun Quan has taken advantage of you. Even if the King of Wei wants to intervene, it will be very difficult for you to take Jiangling back."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled: "Man proposes, God disposes. I am lucky that you are willing to pass on the message for me. Whether I can recapture Jiangling depends on God's will. I haven't seen you for many years. Today we should talk more about personal feelings and less about official business."

Xu Huang also smiled: "Yun Chang is still as confident and calm as before. Thinking back to the past, you and Wen Yuan showed your prowess on white horses and stabbed Yan Liang in the midst of thousands of troops. It was amazing. The bravery of the past is still before my eyes."

Guan Yu also said with nostalgia: "It is my great honor to have met you and Wenyuan in this life. I also heard that Wenyuan killed Tadun at Bailang Mountain and defeated Sun Quan at Xiaoyaojin. I only regret that I can't drink and chat with Wenyuan again in this life."

Life is too short.

Guan Yu and Xu Huang were not only fellow townsmen and old friends, but also brave generals who rose up from thousands of grassroots military academies in difficult life-and-death battles.

There are too many similarities between them.

The same is true for Zhang Liao.

The two of them were drunk and talked about the past and present, and before they knew it, it was already late at night.

Guan Yu said, "The river is dangerous at night. You can stay in the tent today. I will personally escort you across the river tomorrow morning."

Xu Huang did not refuse.

Whether personally or publicly, Xu Huang had no reason to refuse.

That night.

Guan Yu and Xu Huang stayed in the same tent, sleeping with their feet touching.

This news was also known to the soldiers in the army.

Early the next morning.

Guan Yu took Xu Huang around the camp again.

On the one hand, it allowed Xu Huang to see that the army was withdrawing, and on the other hand, it allowed the soldiers in the army to see Xu Huang.

Xu Huang also tacitly cooperated with Guan Yu to stabilize the morale of the army.

It's noon.

Guan Yu personally escorted Xu Huang across the river to the other side.

Xu Huang jumped off the boat and landed, bowing and saying goodbye: "Yun Chang, I am going to Jiangling, please take care of yourself, I will wait for good news in Fancheng."

Guan Yu also bowed and said goodbye: "Thank you for your concern, brother. When the matter of Jingzhou is settled, I will talk with you again."

A cold wind blew across my face.

Although Guan Yu and Xu Huang were both reluctant to part, they now served different masters and were destined to only have a brief reunion.

Watching Guan Yu leaving, Xu Huang stood on the shore for a long time.

It was not until Guan Yu's warships disappeared from sight that Xu Huang sighed and turned to head for Fancheng.

Personal affairs are personal affairs.

Xu Huang had received a lot of favors from Cao Cao and would not delay official business for personal reasons.

This was the case when the four generals advanced straight into the battlefield and defeated Guan Yu, and it is still the case now.

After receiving the news that Guan Yu was withdrawing his troops, Cao Ren also breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite all the hardships, Xiangyang and Fancheng were finally saved.

Cao Ren called Man Chong again and told him, "Although Guan Yu has retreated, the danger has not yet been completely resolved. Bo Ning, you must quickly enter Xiangyang to calm the people."

Man Chong had been the governor of Runan, so he was naturally better at pacifying the people than Cao Ren.

Man Chong also acted decisively.

After all Guan Yu's troops had withdrawn, they went straight into Xiangyang City.

Xu Huang still stationed troops outside Fancheng to guard against unexpected events.

(End of this chapter)