The Three Kingdoms Voyage

Chapter 183 Set Sail and Go Overtaken
Sun Jiao and Mi Fang breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the news that Xu Huang's entire army was withdrawing to the north. Xiangyang was finally safe now. , One letter will solve the problem.What does it mean to win without fighting?This is called winning without fighting.Sun Jiao originally had some reservations about giving up the command to Sun Shao, but now he has no hesitation anymore.

Sun Shao smiled wryly.Xu Huang left, the crisis in Xiangyang was resolved, but the crisis in Guan Yu intensified.Xu Huang will either attack Wancheng—Wancheng is dilapidated, and now only Cui Qian and Zhou Xun lead more than 5000 people and 2000 rebels to guard it. It sounds like a lot of people, but the combat power is actually limited, or they can join Xiahou Dun, Cut off Guan Yu's retreat.It stands to reason that he should follow up now, but he has no soldiers at hand, so not only will he not be able to solve the problem, but he may also be intercepted by Xu Huang.He didn't believe that he could deal with Xu Huang's [-] army with only [-] men, not to mention that the Jiangdong army was inferior to Cao's army in field battles on foot and cavalry.

"General Mi, please write to Mr. Liu immediately, asking him to send some troops to Jingzhou no matter what." Sun Shao said to Mifang, "Our troops are seriously insufficient. Before Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun arrived, Guan Gong We can still make some achievements, once their army arrives, Guan Gong may fall into a tight siege at any time, and we can't break out of the siege with our troops, we need his assistance."

Although Mi Fang was not interested in Guan Yu, but this matter related to the gains and losses of Jingzhou, he did not dare to neglect, immediately wrote an urgent report according to Sun Shao's intention, and sent people to Chengdu day and night.

Three days later, Liu Feng rushed to Xiangyang with 5000 troops, and then Lu Su also sent news that he had arrived in Shaxian with [-] troops under the order of Sun Quan, and he would arrive in three or four days.Sun Shao was overjoyed, he discussed with Sun Jiao, and then replied to Lu Su, telling Lu Su the latest battle situation, asking him not to come to Xiangyang, and immediately take Jiangxia to Xiyang and Strider County, and do everything possible Harass Xiahou Dun, don't let him encircle Xu Huang smoothly.

After all this was arranged, Sun Shao and Liu Feng followed Xu Huang with more than 7000 people. He was a little afraid of Xu Huang and didn't dare to get too close. He walked very carefully along the way, and sent more than 50 scouts to Those who are far away are sent to hundreds of miles, and Xu Huang is not given any chance.It's just that in this way, the speed is very slow. After several trials, Xu Huang found that he couldn't take advantage of him, so he let go and headed north.

Seeing Xu Huang leave, Liu Feng got a little angry.He had just won a battle in the Jiange area recently, and his spirit was very high, he only wanted to come to Nanyang to make meritorious service, now seeing Xu Huang in front but unable to catch up, made him very annoyed.He felt that although Sun Shao was only a few years younger than him, he was much less ambitious and courageous, as timid as an old man.

"I want to catch up." Liu Feng said directly to Sun Shao: "I can't just watch General Guan being surrounded by Cao Jun."

Sun Shao looked at Liu Feng and thought it was very funny.He knew that Liu Feng was worried that Guan Yu was a fake, and that he wanted to make meritorious deeds was true—because Guan Yu had always disliked Liu Feng, and he felt that Liu Bei's fake son would be trouble for his son Liu Di in the future, and he had shown this in front of Liu Bei many times. The meaning, of course, Liu Feng himself is very clear.He said that just because he didn't want Sun Shao to reject him. In fact, he didn't need Sun Shao's consent, because he was not controlled by Sun Shao at all.

"Are you sure you can deal with Xu Huang?" Sun Shao smiled and looked at Liu Feng who was eager to try.Liu Feng is 27 and eight years old. He is tall and strong, with piercing eyes and an air of fearlessness.

"What happened to Xu Huang?" Liu Feng dismissively snorted, "When I followed my father in Jiange, Xu Huang was in Cao Jun's formation. I challenged him, but he didn't dare to come out to fight."

Sun Shao almost laughed out loud.This Liu Feng is really courageous. He thought that famous generals are those who can fight, and they are as famous for their bravery as Zhang Liao and Cao Ren. It is determined by bravery. Although Xu Huang is not famous for his bravery, his ability to use soldiers is not as good as Liu Feng's.

"He has twice as many troops as you now." Sun Shao provoked him deliberately: "If you are defeated, how will you save Guan Gong? I only have 2000 men, and I am pointing at you to break their siege and respond to Guan Gong." He said Spreading his hands, shaking his head like a rattle: "Gongye (Liu Feng), I think it's better to be safe, just follow behind them and attract his attention, why take risks."

Liu Feng snorted, he was too lazy to talk to Sun Shao, turned around and went out of the tent, not long, he led his 5000 people and chased after him.When Sun Shao heard the news, he let out a long sigh.Chen Hai rushed over angrily, and complained: "General, Liu Feng is so ignorant, what if he falls into an ambush by Cao Jun? Our strength is already insufficient. If we lose these thousands of people, I am afraid it will be even more dangerous. .”

Sun Shao asked back, "Then what do you say?"

Chen Hainong's eyebrows were furrowed like Sichuan characters, and he clenched his big hands tightly: "Oh, although Cuifengying is elite, but there are too few people. If there are 1000 more people, how can we let him be so free."

Sun Shao waved his hand and interrupted his complaint: "Let the soldiers rest well."

Chen Hai was taken aback for a moment, but then became excited again.Usually what Sun Shao meant by saying this was that there was another task coming soon.Although he felt that the troops were insufficient, and although the Fengfeng Battalion had horses instead of walking, compared with the real cavalry, there was still a lot of distance, but as long as there was a battle, he still had confidence.

Deng Ai watched Chen Hai leaving in a hurry, and then asked worriedly: "General, are we going to catch up?"

Sun Shao turned his head to look at him, twitched the corner of his mouth, and asked, "What do you think?"

Deng Ai licked his lips habitually, and smiled embarrassingly: "Judging from the confrontation for more than half a month, Xu Huang is very cautious in using troops. He probably won't give Liu Fengli many chances. General Chen is worried. It makes sense, if Liu Feng is bitten by Xu Huang, should we save or not? Save, we may also fall into it, if not save, the entire army of 5000 people may be wiped out."

"If the whole army is wiped out, the whole army will be wiped out. What does it matter to me?" Sun Shao shrugged disapprovingly: "He is Liu Shijun's men, not my subordinates. If he dies, he will die."

Deng Ai was dumbfounded. He had thought about many possibilities, but he had never thought about this possibility at all. Sun Shao was actually indifferent to Liu Feng's life and death.

"Then... what should we do?"

"What should I do? Salad!" Sun Shao pointed to the horse outside the account, "We have horses, Xu Huang can't catch up with us, if we can't beat them, just run away."

Deng Ai was completely overwhelmed. Not only did Sun Shao not care about Liu Feng's life and death, but he didn't even care about Guan Yu's life or death.

"Shi Zai, guess where Guan Gong should be now?" Sun Shao asked with a smile.

"It should... be in Xu County." Deng Ai pondered for a moment, then laughed, he understood what Sun Shao meant.Now Sun Shao's task is not to defeat Xu Huang at all, and it is impossible for him to defeat Xu Huang - it is not impossible to win more with less, but facing a cautious person like Xu Huang, such a chance is very small - similarly, Xu Huang Huang's task is not to defeat Sun Shao, but to try to block Guan Yu's retreat. It would be even better if he could take back Wancheng.However, he only has more than 1 people, and it is not easy to regain Wancheng. His biggest possibility is to occupy Guan Yu's possible retreat road—such as Xinye City—to wait for the encirclement of Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun's army. He took great pains to hunt down Sun Shao.What's more, although Sun Shao's Destroying Front Battalion is not a regular cavalry, but with horses instead of walking, it is more than enough to escape.

In the final analysis, Sun Shao only needs to harass Xu Huang, but Xu Huang cannot be harassed by Sun Shao, otherwise he will be unable to perform his mission and let Guan Yu go.Under the guidance of this kind of thinking, he may not even spend energy to surround and kill Liu Feng, let alone use Liu Feng as a bait to lure Sun Shao into being fooled, at best he can defeat Liu Feng.

Seeing Deng Ai's sudden realization, Sun Shao secretly praised him. This kid really has the aptitude of a famous general. The speculation he can only draw by combining his two lives is easy to understand in his opinion.

"General, Sun and Liu have divided their troops." Yin Shu hurriedly walked into Xu Huang's big tent, and said with a smile on his face, "Liu Feng doesn't know how to live or die, and only 5000 people dare to tease the general's beard. It's really sent to your door." thanks to

Xu Huang glanced at Yin Shu: "Do you have any suggestions?"

"Of course I hit him back." Without thinking, Yin Shu replied, "Surround Liu Feng, and then lure Sun Shao here, and we can catch them all in one go, so that they won't be troubled by following behind."

Xu Huang nodded, and ordered people to invite Zhao Yan, Sima Yi and others. Zhao Yan was also a little moved. Sima Yi pondered for a moment, but shook his head again and again: "No."

"Why?" Yin Shu was anxious.Along the way, apart from conquering Fancheng, they have not done any meritorious service. This time, they finally have a chance to fight, so should they let it go for nothing? "Liu Feng has only 5000 troops, not even half of our troops. Can't we defeat him?"

Sima Yi smiled: "With the talent of General Xu and the bravery of the other generals, it will not be difficult to defeat Liu Feng."

Yin Shu beamed, said a few words of humility without any sincerity, and waited impatiently for Sima Yi's next words.Sima Yi smiled: "However, if we want to wipe out Liu Feng, we will inevitably suffer losses. There are already more than 1 people going deep alone. Isn't it unwise to act rashly because of a small profit at this time?"

Yin Shu's face sank, and just as he was about to refute, Sima Yi said: "Liu Feng is just Liu Bei's fake son, just a partial general, but Guan Yu is Liu Bei's brother. He is Liu Bei's right-hand man and the general of Jingzhou. , This time, they captured Nanyang again, and possibly even Xudu, forcing the king to withdraw his troops from Hanzhong. The general said, is it the capture of Guan Yu or the killing of Liu Feng that deserves the most credit?"

Yin Shu was stunned for a moment, and then he understood.He looked at the others, and Xu Shang and others nodded in agreement with Sima Yi. Compared with Guan Yu, Liu Feng was just a small fish, and it was not worth wasting time for him.He was a little embarrassed: "Then... just let Liu Feng follow behind?"

Sima Yi shook his head: "It's not necessary. I didn't say that the general's idea is unacceptable. I just don't approve of using Liu Feng as bait to lure Sun Shao. Defeating Liu Feng and teaching him a lesson, for you generals, It shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Yin Shu rolled his eyes for a long time before he understood what Sima Yi meant, and nodded his head in agreement.Xu Huang saw that everyone agreed, so he didn't say anything more, and immediately arranged people.He made a posture of marching forward quickly, and then lay in ambush near Chaoyang.Excited Liu Feng didn't think too much after receiving the news, and plunged into the ambush circle. When Cao Jun charged out from all directions, he was dumbfounded.

After a bloody battle, Liu Feng fled with more than 2000 people, but Xu Huang didn't chase him, and turned around and rushed to Xinye with his people.

The hundreds of defenders in Xinye didn't have the courage to resist at all. Without saying a word, the whole city surrendered.After Xu Huang entered the city, he sent people to strengthen the city defenses and made preparations to hold on, and at the same time sent people to inquire about Wancheng and Xiahoudun, and informed Xiahoudun that he had occupied Xinye and was ready for battle, and asked Xiahoudun to support him in time.

When he saw Sun Shao again, Liu Feng was ashamed. Sun Shao didn't say much, but comforted him. Xu Huang is a famous general under Cao Cao, and his strength is more than twice yours. It's normal for you to lose .However, you only have 2000 people left now, and your morale is low. Should you send a message to Liu Bei and ask him to send someone to help?Liu Feng didn't dare to hesitate anymore this time, he obediently followed Sun Shao's suggestion, sent someone to send an urgent letter to Liu Bei, and then followed Sun Shao quietly.

When Sun Shao learned that Xu Huang had occupied Xinye, he naturally knew Xu Huang's intentions, so he crossed Bishui in the east of Xinye City and settled down in a small town called Huyang. At the same time, he sent someone to inform Cui Qian and Zhou in Wancheng Xun, let them guard the city carefully, and don't be taken advantage of by Xu Huang.Two days later, Cui Qian sent back the news. He told Sun Shao that he and Zhou Xun had already made preparations to settle down the people. Guan Yu brought back a lot of food. A year and a half is not a problem.In the letter, he praised Zhou Xun full of praise, saying that although he was young, he was very organized, and that Zhou Xun should be the first to complete the repair of Wancheng in a short period of time.

After reading the letter, Sun Shao smiled. Cui Qian is a person who has done great things. He can recognize Zhou Xun so much, which shows that Zhou Xun really has confidence.Looking at it now, it was worth throwing Zhou Xun to the Destroying Feng Camp for a few months, otherwise he would not be able to integrate into this circle, and no matter how great his skills were, it would be difficult for him to get the approval of people like Cui Qian.

After Xu Huang established a foothold in Xinye, he sent Sima Yi to supervise the Yin Department to guard Xinye, and rushed to Jiyang and Nieyang by himself. After Guan Yu took Nanyang, he did not leave many troops here. When Xu Huang arrived, the officials of these counties fled Fleeing, surrendering, Xu Huang regained three or four counties without bloodshed.It used to be where Nanyang Diannong lived. Although most of the food had been scraped away by Cui Qian and Zhou Xunshou, there was still some left, which was enough for Xu Huang to replenish his army rations.With food, Xu Huang felt more at ease. He set up a big camp outside Wancheng, and did not attack the city, but just waited quietly.Cui Qian and Zhou Xun seemed to have a tacit understanding with Xu Huang, they did not go out of the city to attack, but quietly guarded Wancheng, and arranged for the rebels who defected to reinforce the city defense every day.

……

Guan Yu looked at the city walls of Xu County with emotion. During the fourth year of Jian’an, he stayed with Liu Bei in Xu County for a period of time. During that time, life was like years. In order not to arouse Cao Cao’s suspicion, Liu Bei planted vegetables in the backyard every day. Later, he escaped from Xu County with great difficulty and took Xuzhou, but before he could sleep peacefully, Cao Cao personally led his army and killed him.At that time, Liu Bei took dozens of people out of the city to inspect. As soon as he heard that Cao Cao was coming, he ran away and forgot to send him a message. As a result, he was blocked by Cao Cao in Xiapi, together with Mrs. Gan and Mrs. Mi. He became a prisoner of Cao Cao.In the fifth year of Jian'an, during the Battle of the White Horse, he beheaded Yuan Shao's general Yan Liang, and then got the news that Liu Bei was in Yuan Shao's army. The lady stayed away.

Thinking of this, Guan Yu felt a little grateful to Cao Cao. If Cao Cao hadn't ordered the release, no matter how brave he was, he would not have been able to walk out of Cao Cao's jurisdiction safely.It's just that such gratitude can only be hidden in the bottom of my heart and cannot be shown on my face.

In just a few months in Xu County, Guan Yu formed a deep friendship with Xu Huang and Zhang Liao under Cao Cao, but they never saw each other again after five years in Jian'an.Now Zhang Liao is famous all over the world and guarding Hefei. Although Xu Huang is not as good as Zhang Liao, he is also a famous general.Once upon a time, Guan Yu felt a little ashamed to see his old friend again, but today is different. With less than [-] troops, Guan Yu was captured, defeated Fancheng, and took Nanyang County within two months. When they arrived in Xu County, they defeated Cao Cao's left-behind troops.

He took back the Son of Heaven from Cao Cao.

Guan Yu was very excited.He knew that before Liu Bei fled from Xu County in the fourth year of Jian'an, he had accepted a Yidai Zhao, and he had accepted the Yidai Zhao together with Dong Cheng and others to hunt for thieves. Twenty years have passed, and Liu Bei was the only one who accepted the Yidai Zhao One, and now that he welcomes the emperor back, he has fulfilled his mission for Liu Bei, a mission that has haunted his heart for 20 years.

My lord will be very happy to hear this news.

"Kong Xiu, tidy up and follow me into the palace to meet the emperor."

Yin Guan didn't move, the corner of his mouth trembled, and he winked at Guan Yu.Guan Yu glanced at him puzzled, although he was a little unhappy, he waved his hand to make the people next to him back down.Yin Guan lowered his voice, and persuaded softly: "General, this matter... it is better to ask Liu Yizhou first." He paused, and then said: "As a general, it is not appropriate to ask to see him without an edict."

Guan Yu is now the general of the gangsters, but he was named by Liu Bei himself, and he has not been approved by the court, and the general of the gangsters recognized by the court is Zhang He, Cao Cao's subordinate.Besides, even if Guan Yu's status as a rogue general is fine, a general like him cannot take the initiative to enter the palace to see him.Yin Guan said this to give him enough face, but in fact Yin Guan was worried about a bigger problem: Is Liu Bei willing to welcome the emperor back?This question is very difficult, because on the surface, Liu Bei has always called for the respect of the emperor, and of course he wants to welcome the emperor back, but these days, it is too normal to have one thing on the surface and another on the back. Cao Cao also said that he did not usurp What about the heart, but who would believe it?

If Liu Bei also has this idea, then Guan Yu is probably not a merit, but a crime for welcoming the emperor back now.It's hard for Liu Bei to say anything on the face, but their 40 years of friendship between monarchs and ministers has come to an end.

Therefore, Yin Guan advised Guan Yu to be cautious, and not to act on his own until Liu Bei's approval, so as not to be caught in a difficult situation.They have reached Xu County so smoothly now. Although Sun Shao took the credit for capturing Xiangcheng by surprise, the whole thing still looks very strange-Xiahou Dun arrived late, Cao Cao is still on the way, these are understandable, but stay behind Cao Pi in Yecheng has not moved yet, which is hard to understand.

If there is a reasonable explanation, it can only be one. In order to get rid of the emperor, the Cao family would rather take the risk of becoming a rebel.They have strength, and morally adding and subtracting points can no longer reverse the overall situation. They are happy to throw the burden of the emperor on Liu Bei.From this point of view, it seems quite understandable for Sun Shao to rush back from Xiangcheng to Fancheng so readily, ignoring the fact that he was so close at hand.

Yin Guan thought a lot, but he also knew Guan Yu's temper well, and was afraid that if he said it too bluntly, Guan Yu would feel uncomfortable, so he turned a corner and reminded Guan Yu not to do bad things with good intentions.

Unfortunately, he still underestimated Guan Yu.

Upon hearing Yin Guan's words, Guan Yu's crouching eyebrows were raised, and he was furious: "Since the Yellow Turban, the lord has fought for more than [-] years, with hundreds of battles, big and small, and countless times of death. Is he doing it for himself? He is a nobleman of the royal family, with the blood of the emperor Gaozu flowing through his body. He has always cherished the Han family all these years, and weeps bitterly when the emperor is held hostage by treacherous ministers. Now that the emperor is right in front of him, if he listens When I hear the news, I will come to see you day and night. Although I am just a general who is a traitor, I am a king and a subject. Brother En Ruo, how can I not understand his mood? I will go to see the emperor and see him What's the difference, Son of Heaven?"

Guan Yu involuntarily reprimanded Yin Guan, leaving Yin Guan speechless. These principles sounded plausible, but Yin Guan knew that these were Guan Yu's own thoughts, not necessarily Liu Bei's.Guan Yu's characteristic is that he is too self-righteous. He always feels that among Liu Bei's subordinates, he is the only one who knows Liu Bei best and Liu Bei trusts him the most. Others are not as close as they are. Even Zhang Fei is a little inferior. Therefore, he is absolutely loyal to Liu Bei. It is better to say that he is Liu Bei's brother than Liu Bei's courtier, and he is not Liu Bei's clan.The problem is that this is just his own opinion, who knows if Liu Bei sees it that way?For such a big matter, don't say that you are not a real brother, even if you are a real brother, you can't do it for Liu Bei and make decisions for Liu Bei.

Yin Guan was so annoyed that he tried his best to persuade Guan Yu, but Guan Yu didn't bother to listen any more, and only gave him a chance to make amends: see you in the city.

Yin Guan looked up to the sky and sighed.

(End of this chapter)