Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 167 Liu Bei's willingness to die, the spirit of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu (Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes)
Despite the large number of rebels, Liu Bei was not afraid.

The strength of an army does not depend on its size, but on the command and deployment of its commander.

Moreover, the ten battalions of Liu Bei's Lingyan Army were composed of fierce warriors selected from various prefectures and counties, and they possessed the finest weapons, armor, and warhorses of the Han Dynasty.

In addition, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Lü Bu, and Xu Chu are all brave and fierce generals with a martial prowess of over 90.

Although individual bravery cannot match that of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield, soldiers without a valiant general cannot be compared to those with a valiant general.

The general is the courage of the soldiers, and the courage of the soldiers also depends on the courage of the general leading the troops.

Inside the big tent.

Liu Bei sat in the main seat, leaning against the table.

Generals and officials such as Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, and Xu Chu were lined up on the left and right.

The army clerk, Fa Zheng, explained in detail the intelligence gathered by the scouts regarding the three routes of rebel forces, and concluded by saying:
"The rebel army in the Yanzhou direction has set up camp at the foot of the mountain and controls the northwest of Xiaopei, with a force of about 60,000 to 70,000; the rebel army in the Xuzhou direction has set up camp at the foot of the river and controls the southwest of Xiaopei, with a force of about 70,000 to 80,000."

"The rebel forces in both directions established their strongholds in strategic locations with natural defenses, and were extremely cautious."

"Only the rebel army in the direction of Yuzhou has been looting and plundering along the way, and taking civilians hostage. According to the scouts this morning, the number of rebels in the direction of Yuzhou is no less than 200,000, and this number is still increasing."

When Fa Zheng spoke of the Yuzhou rebels looting and robbing civilians along the way, he couldn't help but gasp.

“Yuan Shu is a descendant of the Yuan family, yet he acts like the Yellow Turbans!” Xu Chu said indignantly, then pleaded, “Uncle, please allow me to go into battle.”

If they plunder and kidnap people along the way from Runan to Xiaopei, they are very likely to kidnap Xu Chu's old neighbors as well. How could Xu Chu not be angry?
Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and other generals were also indignant.

The predecessor of the Lingyan Army was the Yongzhou Army, whose core motto was "We would rather freeze to death than dismantle houses, and starve to death than plunder."

After the Lingyan Army was established, it inherited and continued this slogan.

Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and others, who were used to not demolishing houses or looting, naturally disapproved of Yuan Shu's behavior of letting his troops become bandits.

"Although the rebels are numerous, they are like chickens and dogs, easily defeated. We can take advantage of the fact that the three rebel armies have not yet joined forces and defeat them one by one," Guan Yu stepped forward and proposed.

Zhang Liao also said, "The rebels in the directions of Yanzhou and Xuzhou have the advantage of mountains and rivers, making them difficult to defeat quickly."

“Yuan Shu is coercing the people, and the common people are suffering. If we do not defeat him quickly, the refugees will surely steal our army’s food in order to survive. Killing him would damage the Emperor’s benevolence, but not killing him would allow Yuan Shu to succeed.”

"It would be better to bypass Yuan Shu's vanguard and attack his central army directly. Once we defeat Yuan Shu, even if he has more than 200,000 troops, he will not be a threat."

Zhao Yun and the others also expressed their own opinions.

Although the enemy outnumbered us, not a single person felt fear.

Just as Guan Yu said, although the rebel army was numerous, they were all like clay chickens and earthen dogs, and would collapse at the first touch.

What is there to fear?
"Xiaozhi, what's your opinion?" Liu Bei turned his gaze to Fazheng.

As a student, one should naturally keep an eye on him.

Ma Chao has now been assigned to command the army by Liu Bei. Although he is young and lacks prestige, he has exceptional martial prowess and the assistance of Pang De, who is a few years older, so he is doing quite well.

Fa Zheng was primarily engaged in literary matters. While in Luoyang, he worked odd jobs at the Imperial Secretariat. On this expedition, Liu Bei appointed him as a military scribe to participate in confidential matters.

While intelligence is innate, developing it requires a significant amount of resources.

Whether it was doing odd jobs at the Imperial Secretariat or participating in confidential matters as a military scribe, Liu Bei was essentially exploiting Fa Zheng's intellectual talents.

Fourteen volumes of the year?
From ancient times to the present, and into the future, which great figure has not been involved in corruption?

If you don't use your physical strength, your brainpower, and your resources, how can a big shot become a big shot?
Just as the so-called "happy education" in the barbaric state is limited to the lower class, while the upper class of the barbaric state is involved in all aspects of education.

Just like Jin Midi, the former prince of a barbarian state, who became Emperor Wu of Han's regent despite his status as a barbarian prince, all of these were cases of corruption.

If even a prince from a barbarian state is so timid, how could an outstanding young man from the Central Plains, a land of propriety, not be timid as well?

Fa Zheng was thrilled. This was a test from his mentor, and also an opportunity to demonstrate his talent.

After a moment of contemplation, Fa Zheng said in a deep voice, "The art of war says, 'Use the orthodox to engage, and the unorthodox to win.' I agree with launching a surprise attack on Yuan Shu's central army."

"The art of war says: 'To use the unexpected, first use the suspicious.' When the rebel generals of Yanzhou heard that the Imperial Uncle had arrived, they abandoned the siege and chose to set up camps in the mountains. The rebel generals of Xuzhou dared not approach Xiaopei and only dared to set up camps in the water. Both of these forces are wary of the Imperial Uncle. We can use a feint to restrain them."

"We can have Commandant Zhao lead a battalion of troops to challenge Qiao Mao. Qiao Mao has witnessed Commandant Zhao's martial prowess in Luoyang, so he will surely not dare to accept the challenge. We can also have Commandant Lü of Xiaopei go out of the city to challenge Tao Qian. Commandant Lü has the prestige of his initial victory, so Tao Qian will certainly not dare to make any rash moves."

"While the two armies are still hesitant, the surprise attack can strike directly at Yuan Shu's central army, kill the generals and seize the flags. In one battle, Yuan Shu will be terrified and collapse."

Liu Bei nodded approvingly.

Under normal circumstances, when outnumbered, it is better to concentrate forces rather than divide them up.

However, if it can contain the rebel forces in Yanzhou and Xuzhou, then dividing the forces is also an option.

After a brief moment of thought, Liu Bei made his decision and then solemnly gave the order.

"Zhao Yun, listen to my command!"

"exist!"

"You lead your troops to set up camp northwest of Xiaopei, and challenge Qiao Mao to battle, thus misleading the rest of the army!"

"Order!"

____
"Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, Xu Chu, heed my command!"

"exist!"

"Each battalion selects a thousand elite infantry and cavalrymen; the central army will await orders in half an hour."

"Order!"

____
"Ma Chao, Fa Zheng, heed my command!"

"exist!"

"Raise my banner and quickly enter Xiaopei! Order Lü Bu to challenge Tao Qian, and you and Cao Yanzhou will defend the city."

"Order!"

____
"Xu Huang, listen to my command!"

"exist!"

"You lead the remaining troops to guard the grain and supplies; they must not be lost!"

"Order!"

"."

A military order was issued.

Guan Yu quickly sensed something was wrong: "Uncle, who will be the commander of the surprise attack force?"

Without hesitation, Liu Bei replied, "Naturally, I will personally lead the troops there."

Guan Yu was greatly alarmed and hurriedly advised, "Uncle, your body is of noble birth, how can you go in person? I am willing to take command of the troops in your stead and we will surely defeat Yuan Shu."

Zhao Yun and others also offered their advice.

After all, Liu Bei's status is different now; the safety of the court and the army rests on his shoulders, and he cannot afford to fail. "Times have changed," Liu Bei stopped everyone's advice, saying, "If it were only to save Xiaopei and Xiapi, I wouldn't need to personally lead the troops; but now, although the rebels appear to be besieging Xiaopei and Xiapi, in reality, hundreds of thousands of troops are rushing towards me. How can I show weakness?"

"The enemy forces are overwhelming. Even if you are not afraid, some soldiers are. If I do not lead by example, how can the soldiers be expected to fight bravely? This matter need not be discussed further!"

Seeing that Liu Bei persisted.

Although Guan Yu and the others were unwilling, they dared not disobey Liu Bei's military orders and went to make preparations.

"Uncle has arrived."

After everyone had left, Liu Bei summoned Chen Dao, the Commandant of the Imperial Guards, and gave him instructions.

After reorganization, Liu Bei's ten camps of Lingyan Army did not include Liu Bei's personal guards. Liu Bei renamed his personal guards the White Feather Soldiers, using white feathers inserted on their helmets as their identifier.

Although both were White Feather Soldiers, Liu Bei's White Feather Soldiers were more elite than those recorded in historical texts.

The White Feather Army, led by Chen Dao, now numbers only three hundred cavalry.

The squad leaders, lieutenants, military commanders, and deputy clerks of the squad leaders, lieutenants, and military commanders all wore fish-scale armor.

Their mounts are all fine horses from the Western Regions, and they wear horse armor. Their main weapon is a long spear, and their secondary weapon is a short-handled ring-pommel sword. They are also equipped with a small round shield, a light bow, thirty arrows, a horse crossbow, and ten crossbow bolts.

The remaining soldiers wore two-piece armor, rode slightly inferior but still fine horses, wore horse armor, their main weapon was a long spear, their secondary weapon was a short-handled ring-pommel sword, and they were equipped with small round shields, light bows, and thirty arrows, but no crossbows.

The horse crossbow was designed specifically for cavalry. Compared to the cleaving crossbow, the taut crossbow, and the large yellow crossbow, it placed more emphasis on stability on horseback and rapid reloading, but its range and power were relatively low.

Because it placed higher demands on the user and the mount's load-bearing capacity, Liu Bei only equipped the squad leaders, captains, and deputy clerks of the squad leaders, captains, and military commanders with crossbows.

Half an hour later.

Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and Xu Chu selected five thousand elite infantry and cavalry to come to the central army, while Chen Dao also led three hundred White Feather soldiers to form a battle formation.

Liu Bei ascended the general's platform with his sword drawn, and glanced at the fierce warriors of the Lingyan Army lined up below.

As Liu Bei had predicted, not all of these brave warriors were without fear.

The rebels were powerful, and these 5,000 men were going to directly attack Yuan Shu's central army. It was inevitable that they would have negative thoughts.

After all, not everyone is like Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, or Xu Chu, who can contemptuously call Yuan Shu's army of no less than 200,000 as mere chickens and dogs.

Not everyone can analyze that most of these 200,000 people were temporary conscripts rather than skilled warriors.

Subsequently.

Then, soldiers carried earthenware bowls of wine into the field, the aroma of which was so enticing that it made one's mouth water.

Liu Bei waved his hand, and the wine was distributed to the assembled men.

"You are all brave warriors of the Lingyan Army, and I have never questioned your courage." He slowly addressed the crowd:

"In the Battle of Kunyang, Wang Mang's army was said to number a million, while Emperor Guangwu's army under Gengshi numbered less than 20,000. Yet, in this battle, Emperor Guangwu, outnumbered, decisively defeated Wang Mang's million-strong army. How magnificent!"

"The rebel army we are facing now, though numbering in the hundreds of thousands, is far smaller than Wang Mang's million-strong army; and the weapons, armor, and warhorses we use are far superior to the Gengshi army led by Emperor Guangwu in the past."

"Throughout history, it has always been the later generations who surpass the earlier ones. Our weapons, armor, and warhorses are superior to those of Gengshi's army, while the rebels are far fewer in number than Wang Mang's army. If we cannot defeat the rebels, what face do we have to call ourselves warriors?"

As the atmosphere shifted, Liu Bei's tone also changed.

"Although I dare not compare myself to Emperor Guangwu, I do have the same courage to lead from the front. Therefore, in this battle, I will personally lead you to kill the enemy!"

"As the art of war says, 'The general is the courage of the soldiers.' I dare to lead the charge; are you all willing to join me in attacking the rebels?"

Although Liu Bei's inspiring words were very ordinary, when paired with his body language and tone of voice, they made these ordinary words sound grand and passionate.

The soldiers, who had initially been somewhat fearful, then put their lives on the line.

Who is Liu Bei?

Grand Commandant, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Governor of Yuzhou, and Imperial Uncle—if someone of such high status dares to lead the troops at the risk of their life, how could the soldiers not have the courage?
The general is the courage of the soldiers; this is not just a saying.

Only when soldiers truly witness their general's bravery and fearlessness will they develop the courage to be invincible.

Guan Yu shouted loudly, "I am willing to join the Imperial Uncle in attacking the rebels!" Inspired, the soldiers responded in kind, and their morale soared to its peak.

"it is good!"

Liu Bei raised his wine bowl and shouted, "Drink this bowl of wine, and in this battle I will live and die with you all, and I will never abandon you!"

After drinking the wine in one gulp, Liu Bei smashed the earthenware bowl on the ground, the sound of it shattering symbolizing his determination at that moment.

The soldiers followed suit, and the sound of the shattering pottery bowls shattered their fear of death just like the bowls. Their roar of "We will live and die together, and never abandon each other" seemed to pierce through the clouds and break the dawn.

Liu Bei once again raised his arm and shouted, "There's plenty of meat and rice for everyone today. Rest and recharge your energy. Tomorrow morning, follow me to defeat the enemy!"

Seeing how a few words from the general's platform had dispelled the fear of the soldiers, Guan Yu felt both admiration and shame.

What I admire is Liu Bei's unique charisma, and what I am ashamed of is that I dared to presume to lead troops for Liu Bei.

Although Guan Yu didn't take Yuan Shu's supposed 200,000-strong army seriously, he knew he couldn't raise the morale of his soldiers to its peak like Liu Bei could, nor could he instill in them the courage to face death.

Liu Bei's status and position determined that when he took the lead, even the most timid soldiers would feel genuine respect.

Subconsciously, Guan Yu recalled asking Liu Bei in private when the world would be at peace.

Liu Bei's answer was simple and direct: If civil officials do not love money and military officials do not fear death, then the world will be at peace.

Liu Bei was both a civil official and a military general, and he embodied the spirit of "civil officials do not love money, and military officials do not fear death" by setting an example for others.

Guan Yu also knew that although his elder brother liked to amass wealth, liking to amass wealth did not mean loving money.

Liu Bei amassed wealth for the sake of the restoration of the Han Dynasty, for the peace and prosperity of all people, and for the purpose of dealing with various natural and man-made disasters.

Today, Liu Bei, with a few heartfelt words, truly put the phrase "a military officer is not afraid to die" into the hearts of every soldier.

Even I, as the emperor's uncle, do not value my life, so why do you all value yours?

Not only Guan Yu, but also Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and Xu Chu felt the same way.

Even Xu Chu, who had just joined, felt a deep sense of admiration: How fortunate he was to be able to follow the Imperial Uncle!

As military orders were gradually implemented.

The next morning, Liu Bei personally led three hundred White Feather Soldiers and five thousand elite infantry and cavalry, including Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and Xu Chu. With men gagged and horses bridled, they took a roundabout route towards Yuan Shu's central army.

And on the other side.

Zhao Yun was also ordered to lead his two thousand men to the northwest of Xiaopei and set up camp directly in the road with no fear.

Even more audacious, while arranging for his soldiers to set up camp, Zhao Yun led only fifty cavalrymen to the foot of the mountain where the rebel general from Yanzhou had established his camp, and shouted loudly:
"I am Zhao Yun, a captain in the Lingyan Army under the command of the Imperial Uncle. Who dares to leave the camp and fight me?"

"You have seventy or eighty thousand men, while I only have two thousand. You outnumber me by dozens of times. Why not fight quickly?"

"Don't be afraid. I have no ambush troops, nor do I bother with them. I have already set up camp along the road. Do not hesitate, come and fight quickly."

"Is Qiao Mao here? Does he still remember Zhao Yun, who fought Lü Bu alone beneath the walls of Luoyang?"

(End of this chapter)