The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 140 Show to the East, Attack in the West
The Wei army's sudden attack caused a sudden tension among the officials of Qishan Xingzai, who were already considering returning home.

This tension has two levels.

First, was the sudden move by the Wei army, which had been silent for half a winter, a premeditated military operation?

If so, how many troops were mobilized besides attacking the Fu clan?
From which direction did the troops come?

Secondly, Fu Jian's troops were intercepted on their way south, so Liu Bei should have avenged him, both morally and logically.

Otherwise, who would dare to go south and submit in the future?
Have you not seen how, upon hearing of the Fu clan's plight, the Di chieftains, whose tribes were still on their way, immediately changed their expressions, revealing a fearful and wretched demeanor?
"Has the Wei army shown any unusual activity recently?"

Liu Bei looked at Mi Wei.

Mi Wei stepped forward and said:
“My troops have been conducting reconnaissance recently and have not found any unusual movements by the Wei army. On the contrary, because my troops have destroyed several camps, there are signs that they are retreating northward.”

"That's strange," Liu Bei said, frowning.

"What is the Wei army's intention in retreating northward while simultaneously launching an attack southward?"

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that can both demonstrate the imperial power to the various barbarians and ascertain the strength and weakness of the Wei army!" Huang Quan suddenly spoke up.

Liu Bei chuckled and said, "I knew Gongheng would have a brilliant plan. Tell me!"

Huang Quan walked to the map drawn by Mi Wei's men, pointed to the two cities north of Qishan, and said:

"Lucheng, Xixian, is the location of the pass on the northern route of Qishan."

"If the two cities are lost, Ji County will have to face the onslaught of our army directly."

"I understand what you mean," Liu Bei said knowingly.

"Send troops to launch a feigned attack on these two cities. If the two cities resist resolutely, it means that they have already been preparing for war and are planning a surprise attack. We should take a long-term view of what to do next."

"On the contrary, it means that this Wei army was only doing this occasionally and may not be planning any major operation. That would be perfect for avenging the Fu clan!"

He then prepared to personally lead his army north to capture the two cities.

But before any deployment could begin, Ma Dai suddenly rushed in and handed a military report to Mi Wei.

Miwei immediately began to examine it.

As Liu Bei's "Attendant-in-Ordinary," he naturally had the authority to handle confidential documents and helped Liu Bei summarize and organize them.

Liu Bei: "Shishan, what happened?"

Miwei pointed out the key points in his answer:
"It is an urgent report from General Ma and General Wei Zhenbei. Both generals have discovered unusual movements of the Wei army in their respective directions."

"The General of the Cavalry plans to head north to Lintao to probe the Longxi Commandery and test the movements of Su Ze and Zhang Ji."

"Wei Zhenbei also plans to send troops to Xiegu to meet with the Wei army in Weinan as a necessary distraction."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Quan's expression changed slightly:

"Your Majesty, you must be wary of the Wei army in Ji County deliberately luring the imperial carriage northward!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed, and they all looked at Liu Bei.

To catch a thief, catch his king; to capture a thief, cut out his heart and gut him.

For Ji Han, wasn't this trusted confidant Liu Bei himself?
Liu Bei paused for a moment, then sighed softly:

"If that's the case, I'm afraid it will disappoint the leaders and chieftains of the various tribes!"

“Not necessarily!” Mi Wei suddenly spoke up.

"I believe we can continue to follow Lord Huang's advice and send troops to attack the two cities of Xi and Lu."

"It's just that the subsequent response should be reversed."

Seeing everyone looking at him with curiosity, he continued:
"If the two cities put up a strong resistance, it means that the local Wei troops are holding their ground and waiting for reinforcements."

"If that's the case, we should launch a rapid attack and open a passage for more Di people to move south before the reinforcements from the east and west arrive."

"If necessary, we can even besiege Jicheng!"

"On the contrary, it means that the Wei army deliberately lured the enemy deep into their territory. Even if they could capture two cities, they would still harass the Di people who were moving south in order to lure our army north."

"If our army continued north at that time, it would be dangerous. If we did not go, it would damage the prestige of the court."

"In that case, it would be better to take what you've got and head south."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

Huang Quan clapped his hands in praise.

The generals, who were already eager to volunteer for the battle, once again became more enthusiastic.

At this moment, Meng Da, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke:

"Your Majesty, my late father was appointed Governor of Liangzhou by Emperor Ling. At that time, the territory of Liangzhou included several counties in present-day Longyou."

"Many of the sons and nephews of former officials are still serving in prefectures and counties. I request to go and persuade them to surrender!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let's give it a try."

Meng Da was overjoyed.

……

Fufeng County, Chencang Ferry.

You Chu, the former governor of Xing Prefecture of the Han Dynasty, who was about to take up his post in Longxi, was squatting on a Hu bed.

Play a game called "chū pú" with your friends who are seeing you off. The core gameplay of chū pú involves throwing five black and white wooden pieces (similar to dice).

Alternatively, one could directly compare the results of both sides' throws.

Or, based on this result, make moves on the chessboard.

Therefore, this game is also known as "Five Woods".

The game has now reached its final stage.

You Chu held a wooden cup and shook the five dice, making a clicking sound.

While shaking, he shouted "Lu, Lu, Lu".

Snapped!
You Chu pressed down on the wooden cup and opened it.

Five dice, all with the black side facing up.

It is the best result among the throws, and is called "Lu".

"It really is Lu! Wang Cai, Wang Cai! Hahahaha..."

You Chu shouted and yelled as he circled the folding chair.

He was as excited as a country bumpkin.

My friend found it both funny and helpless, and said:

"The Prefect is about to take up his post in the west, why is he still so engrossed in gambling and reluctant to board the ship?"

You Chu said confidently:
"It is precisely because I have no one to accompany me in this play after I go to Longxi that I must enjoy myself to the fullest before I leave!"

My friend is puzzled:

"The tricks of Chupu can be simple or complex."

"If we don't add horses (chess pieces) and arrows (chips), and only throw five wooden pieces, even an illiterate countryman can learn to play. How come no one wants to play with you, sir?"

"Because from now on, Hexi and Longyou will probably never have a peaceful day again!" You Chu sighed as he packed up the theatrical props.

"Longxi is the gateway to Longyou; how can it remain unaffected?"

The friend was startled upon hearing this:
"Didn't the imperial court appoint Zhang Derong as the new governor of Liangzhou? Is this man not capable of stabilizing the region?"

You Chu Dao:
"I don't doubt Zhang Gong's abilities."

"In fact, the reason I was willing to go to guard Longxi County was because I learned that Lord Zhang was going to pacify Hexi."

"What I'm worried about is the Shu bandits!"

"The one furthest away is Liu Bei; the one closer is Wei Yan!"

My friend understood.

But what I find even more puzzling is:
"Cao Zhenxi has already dispatched the Left General south to intercept Wei Yan. I have heard that Guo Huai, Guo Boji, who has succeeded Zhang Gong as the governor of Yongzhou, is also a general with both wisdom and courage."

"With such capable ministers and generals, why should we worry about not being able to quell the rebellion of Wei Yan?"

Upon hearing this, You Chu stopped tidying up and looked up, saying:
"Let me ask you, does the imperial army have more soldiers, or do Wei Yan's soldiers have more?"

My friend said without hesitation:

"Of course, the imperial army has more soldiers!"

You Chu asked again:

"Is Guanzhong richer in money and grain, or Hanzhong?"

Friend: "Of course, it's Guanzhong!"

You Chu shrugged and said:
"Wei Yan has few soldiers and little food, and his base in Hanzhong is unstable. Doesn't he know this himself?"

"To knowingly do something impossible and still insist on doing it, isn't that because there's some ulterior motive?"

Friends:

"I understand."

"The Shu bandits want to take the western frontier, so they sent Wei Yan to show them the east!"

"Isn't that exactly what they mean by showing off in the east while attacking in the west?!"

You Chu sighed heavily and swept the "Lu" he had finally managed to throw into the wooden cup with a snap.

"I won't take your money for this 'Lu' bet; consider it a good omen for my defense of Longxi!"

He then bid farewell to his friend and boarded the ship.

But the oars had just started to move.

Downstream, an army appeared, traveling by both water and land, slowly making its way westward upstream.

A banner bearing the character "Guo" fluttered in the wind, standing out prominently.

You Chu's eyes lit up, and he rushed to the side of the boat, shouting to his friends who had not yet left the shore:

"See that? I summoned 'Lu'! Hahahaha..."

(End of this chapter)