Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 149: War in Xiliang

Jiangdong was just settled, and a lot of work needed to be done.

Liu Bei established the Jiangdong Legion, which was under the jurisdiction of eight counties in total, including the six Jiangdong counties, Jiangxia and Nanyang, spanning Yangzhou and Jingzhou, and managing thirteen ports including Jiujiang, Xiakou, Jiangjin, Wulin and Zhonglu. He ordered Guan Yu to supervise the legion's political, military, and financial affairs, and ordered Lu Xun and Ma Liang to assist Guan Yu in the legion. The surrendered generals of Jiangdong were also assigned positions.

Liu Bei wanted to win over Ma Liang, so he rewarded him for his meritorious service in governing Xiangyang by giving him a nominal position, while still keeping him under Liu Cong's command. This move not only changed Ma Liang's attitude towards Liu Bei, but also to some extent alienated Ma Liang from the Cai family.

After the establishment of the Jiangdong Legion, Liu Bei's overall military strategy shifted to internal development, resting with the people and preparing for a decisive battle with Cao Cao in the future.

Cao Cao was not idle in Jizhou. On the one hand, he took the time to train the navy, and on the other hand, he prepared to attack Chang'an and Xiliang area, preparing to cross the river from the upper reaches, and then attack Yanzhou in a roundabout way.

Liu Bei's navy was unable to go up the river and reach the upper reaches, which gave Cao Cao an opportunity to cross the river from Hukou and attack Chang'an.

Liu Bei urgently ordered Zhao Yun and Wei Xiaobao to lead their troops from Wancheng to attack Tongguan.

Ever since Guo Si was defeated in his last attack on Wancheng and fled back to Chang'an, he has been harassed by Ma Teng and Han Sui, unable to develop his army with peace of mind, resulting in a shortage of soldiers and food in Chang'an.

Although Ma Teng and Han Sui were enemies, they both knew that they could not defeat each other in one fell swoop, so they treated Chang'an, which was occupied by the unlucky Guo Si, as a granary and robbed it every once in a while.

It was because Cao Cao saw clearly the situation of the three factions in the Xiliang region that he decided to seize Chang'an while Guo Si was weak.

When Guo Si heard that Cao Cao had already landed on the Wei River, he stopped struggling and took the initiative to lead his subordinates to surrender.

When Zhao Yun and Wei Xiaobao arrived at Tongguan, the garrison had been replaced by Qingzhou soldiers under Cao Cao.

Looking at the big flag with the word "Cao" on the city wall, Zhao Yun already knew that Cao Cao had occupied Chang'an, and hurriedly sent a letter to Zhuge Liang, asking about the next plan.

Zhuge Liang believed that even if Tongguan was captured, it would be difficult to defend because the grain route between Tongguan and Wancheng was too long, so he ordered Zhao Yun and Wei Xiaobao to retreat.

After Zhao Yun and Wei Xiaobao received Zhuge Liang's reply in the military tent, they were both a little depressed.

Zhao Yun said, "We have marched day and night for thousands of miles, yet in the end we have returned empty-handed. How pathetic!"

Wei Xiaobao said, "Brother, when we let Ma Teng go last time in Wancheng, didn't he promise to help us in the future?"

Zhao Yun nodded, suddenly understanding Wei Xiaobao's intentions. However, he changed his mind and said with embarrassment, "When Guo Si occupied Chang'an, he, Ma Teng, and Han Sui were able to form a three-way balance of power in Xiliang. Now that Cao Cao has taken control of Chang'an, I'm afraid Ma Teng won't dare to attack Chang'an again."

Wei Xiaobao said: "When three people fight each other, what are they most afraid of?"

"What are you afraid of?"

"Of course I'm afraid the other two will join forces."

Zhao Yun pondered for a moment and said, "Are you saying that Ma Teng is also worried about Cao Cao and Han Sui joining forces?"

Wei Xiaobao shook his head and said, "Ma Teng and Han Sui are both worried that the other will join forces with Cao Cao to destroy them, but isn't Cao Cao afraid of Ma Teng and Han Sui joining forces?"

Zhao Yun waved his hands and said, "How could Ma Teng and Han Sui join forces? After Han Sui captured Wuwei, he killed Ma Teng's wife and clansmen. How could Ma Teng join forces with the man who murdered his wife?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "Sun Quan was able to gather strength by joining forces with the murderer of her husband. Wouldn't Ma Teng, facing his life or death, also let go of his wife's murder? Moreover, Ma Teng and Han Sui were once sworn brothers. The people of Xiliang only care about profit, not friendship. Since Ma Teng and Han Sui were both worried that the other would defect to Cao Cao, why couldn't they join forces to drive Cao Cao out of Xiliang? Cao Cao crossed the river from Jizhou to capture Chang'an, intending to attack Yanzhou and Yuzhou from the west. So, how could Cao Cao, after only occupying Chang'an, fight us?"

Zhao Yun slowly understood Wei Xiaobao's point and said, "If we rely on Jizhou's grain, we must establish a waterway, which can be easily cut off by us. Even if Cao Cao's navy is strong enough to protect the grain route in the future, transporting the grain from Jizhou to Chang'an will consume a large portion of the food and fodder for the men and horses along the way." Wei Xiaobao said, "That's right. Cao Cao will definitely occupy Xiliang before engaging us in a decisive battle."

The two of them looked at the map for a long time. Zhao Yun pointed to Hanzhong and said, "Once Cao Cao captures Xiliang, Hanzhong will be in danger. As long as Hanzhong is captured, Cao Cao can not only attack Luoyang and Yanzhou from Chang'an, but also Shangyong and Jingzhou from Hanzhong. It seems that Cao Cao is determined to capture Xiliang."

Zhao Yun immediately decided to let Wei Xiaobao go to Tianshui to persuade Ma Teng to form an alliance with Han Sui, and then he would retreat to Wancheng to rest before advancing to attack Shangyong.

On his way back, Zhao Yun received a letter from Zhuge Liang, agreeing with his suggestion to attack Shangyong from Wancheng. At this time, Wei Xiaobao had also entered Tianshui City.

After finding out Ma Yunlu's residence, Wei Xiaobao sneaked into her house at night.

Ma Yunlu's house was right next to the prefect's residence. Ever since Ma Chao's wedding, Ma Teng had arranged for the Ma brothers and sisters to live separately.

Wei Xiaobao climbed over the wall and entered Ma Yunlu's house, and saw two female soldiers walking towards him from a distance.

Wei Xiaobao quickly hid in the flowers nearby and carefully observed the situation in the yard.

The yard is not big, with only two entrances.

Wei Xiaobao's hiding place was just outside the second gate.

"The young lady has been depressed every day since she came back from Wancheng."

Wei Xiaobao heard the conversation between the patrolling female soldiers.

Another person sighed and continued, "I heard that he was bullied by someone in Wancheng."

The man from before then asked, "Who dares to bully our young lady?"

"I don't know. I just heard about it. Miss didn't take us to the front, so we can only hear these things from other people."

"That shouldn't be the case. Who would dare to bully the young lady with her violent temper? Even if someone did bully her, wouldn't the general skin him alive?"

"That's right, maybe he's feeling down because of the Second Madam's matter!"

"Don't talk nonsense. The Second Madam is not the young lady's biological mother. She was not good to the young lady. She deserved to die. If I were the young lady, even if I couldn't celebrate happily, I wouldn't be depressed."

The sound of their conversation grew increasingly distant. Wei Xiaobao emerged from the bushes and muttered to himself, "That woman Ma Yunlu looks so heartless, but could she possibly have something on her mind?"

Wei Xiaobao avoided the patrolling female soldiers and sneaked into the backyard. Soon he heard Ma Yunlu's voice.

"Go get another jar of wine!"

"Miss, you can't drink anymore. If the general finds out you're drunk, we'll be beaten again."

Wei Xiaobao secretly pried open the window and saw Ma Yunlu sitting at the table, holding a wine jar and cursing: "If you keep talking nonsense, I will beat you up right now!"

(End of this chapter)