The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

"Third brother, you don't need to worry about anything, you don't need to get involved in this!"

Liu Bei snorted coldly. Zhang Fei was a master at killing enemies on the battlefield, but he was a complete mess when it came to interpersonal relationships. He would resort to violence at the drop of a hat, which was really a headache.

He then smiled broadly and continued to persuade the magistrate on the city wall, hoping that the other party would allow his army to enter the city to rest. However, before he could speak, the magistrate of Ancheng County seemed to be frightened by Zhang Fei's reckless behavior and took the initiative to offer a win-win solution:

"General Liu, I cannot allow you to enter Ancheng County, but I can provide you with two days' worth of food and send a messenger to inform the governor. As long as the governor gives the order, I will definitely allow General Liu to enter the city."

What do you think?

The magistrate was afraid that Liu Bei and his men would suddenly attack the city, so he came up with this method. As for why two days' worth of food was provided, it was because the city's food reserves were insufficient; otherwise, there wouldn't even be enough food for one meal.

The amount of food consumed by four or five thousand people is not a small amount. It is close to the food consumption of the entire population of Ancheng County for nearly three months. Any more and we really won't be able to supply enough.

As for whether people will starve to death, we can't worry about that now. We've already done everything we can. If Liu Bei doesn't agree, we'll have to fight to the death.

"Very well, then please send word to Liu Jingzhou on horseback, and I will personally lead the army to set up camp outside the city and await him!"

After quickly considering the matter, Liu Bei gritted his teeth and agreed to the magistrate's method.

The fastest round trip from Ancheng to Xiangyang would take ten days. Although two days' worth of food was far from enough, there were no large-scale military operations, so food consumption was less than during wartime. If all else failed, they could go hunting in the mountains and grit their teeth to hold out until news of Liu Biao arrived.

Afterwards, Liu Bei led his army back ten miles and set up camp in the mountains to await news from Liu Biao.

When the magistrate of Ancheng County saw Liu Bei lead his army to retreat ten miles, his tense heart finally relaxed. He wiped the cold sweat from his head with trembling hands and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

He immediately dispatched a messenger on horseback to Xiangyang to report the matter to Liu Biao.

The tense atmosphere lasted for ten days until good news finally came from Jingzhou. Liu Biao was overjoyed to learn that Liu Bei had led an army of 5,000 to join him. He immediately invited Liu Bei to Xiangyang and ordered all counties along the way to do their best to ensure the supply of food and fodder for Liu Bei's army. Every place they went was required to prepare enough food and fodder for Liu Bei's army to consume as he moved to the next area, with no more and no less.

When the magistrate of Ancheng County told Liu Bei the news, Liu Bei showed no expression, but simply nodded calmly, and then ordered his army to break camp and head to Xiangyang.

In December, Xiangyang was bitterly cold, with fine snowflakes falling from the sky. Liu Bei, leading his 5,000-strong army, finally arrived in Xiangyang at the end of the year.

On the official road less than ten miles outside Xiangyang City, Zhang Fei chattered excitedly about his hopes for the future:

"Big brother, second brother, now that we've come to Jingzhou, will Liu Biao let us govern a region?"

"If we were in charge of a region, wouldn't we be able to expand our power in a short time? Then we'd have a chance to get revenge, hahaha!"

In his view, the three brothers could achieve great things wherever they went, and if Liu Biao didn't let them govern a region, it was because he looked down on them.

"Third brother, shut up! Don't say such things again. Whatever arrangements Liu Jingzhou makes, we should follow them. We must not speculate or complain."

"We must seize every opportunity, no matter what it may be. When the time is right, we brothers will naturally have our chance to shine!"

Over the past year, Liu Bei has come to understand the importance of keeping a low profile and biding his time. He realized that being too flashy is not good; the only way is to develop one's strength in a low-key manner.

"Understood, big brother!"

Zhang Fei muttered something under his breath, then fell silent.

When they arrived outside Xiangyang, they found Liu Biao and his civil and military officials waiting to greet them, showing Liu Bei great respect.

"Brother Xuande, welcome to Jingzhou! Please follow me into the city quickly. I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared for you!"

When Liu Bei's horse came within 20 meters of them, Liu Biao immediately stepped forward and said a set of common pleasantries.

Liu Bei then quickly dismounted and went to Liu Biao, bowing in return:

"Many thanks to Governor Liu for taking me in; I am deeply grateful!"

"Oh, Brother Xuande, you're too kind. We're both members of the royal family, why are you being so formal? I'm a few years older than you, but if you don't mind, you can just call me Brother Jingsheng!"

Liu Biao waved his hand, trying to get closer to Liu Bei with great enthusiasm, and corrected Liu Bei's way of addressing him.

"Okay~~okay!"

Seeing how cooperative Liu Biao was, Liu Bei was overjoyed. He had thought that Liu Biao was not welcoming him or was just putting on a show, but he did not expect the other party to be so enthusiastic towards him.

Afterwards, Liu Biao introduced Liu Bei to the civil and military officials of Jingzhou who were behind him. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two arrived at the governor's mansion.

At the banquet, Liu Biao extended a warm welcome to Liu Bei. After several rounds of drinks, he appointed Liu Bei as the governor of Nanyang on the spot, and Liu Bei took up his post in Nanyang that very day.

Upon hearing this news, the expressions of the people at the banquet varied. The civil and military officials of Jingzhou expressed their incomprehension at Liu Biao's decision, while Liu Bei and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were overjoyed.

They had only just arrived when a great gift was prepared for them. Nanyang was the most populous prefecture in the Han Dynasty, with nearly a million households and a population of over two million.

Based on the maximum ratio of soldiers to civilians of one to ten, more than 200,000 could be conscripted.

Even if Liu Biao tried to restrain him, Liu Bei could still recruit 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers after occupying Nanyang, which would exceed the total number of troops Liu Bei had previously possessed. This would be a sure-fire deal for Liu Bei.

Immediately, Liu Bei stood up abruptly and bowed deeply to Liu Biao to express his gratitude.

After the banquet, most of the civil and military officials of Jingzhou, as well as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, left one after another. However, Kuai Liang, the chief clerk under Liu Biao, did not move for a long time, and in the end, only he and Liu Biao remained at the table.

"Zirou, are you trying to persuade me not to let Liu Bei become the governor of Nanyang?" Liu Biao was a shrewd man. He could tell that Kuai Liang was staying behind for this reason, so he took the initiative to point it out.

"That's right, my lord, I beg you to reconsider and it would be best to rescind your order!" Kuai Liang pleaded, bowing his hands.

"Oh, I saw all of you here opposing it. I'd like to hear your opinion, since you represent them. Why do you oppose my appointment of Liu Bei as the governor of Nanyang?"

Liu Biao asked.

"My lord, Nanyang Commandery is the largest commandery in the land, with a large population. If Liu Bei occupies Nanyang, he will definitely recruit soldiers and expand his power."

"Besides, he has only recently pledged allegiance to our lord; appointing him as the governor of Nanyang would likely cause resentment among the civil and military officials of Jingzhou!"

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Kuai Liang rattled off several reasons, all stemming from the negative consequences Liu Bei's appointment as governor of Nanyang had brought to Jingzhou. He concluded with a solemn request:

"Please, my lord, rescind your order!"

"Zirou, you still don't understand my true intentions!" After listening to Kuai Liang's words, Liu Biao shook his head and then explained to him the reason for appointing Liu Bei as the governor of Nanyang:

"Although Nanyang Commandery is under the control of Jingzhou, we lack a brave and capable general to guard it. Nanyang Commandery borders Cao Cao to the north, Hanzhong to the west, and Yuan Shu, a terrifying wolf, to the east. I really don't know who would be the best choice to guard Nanyang!"

"Wen Ping is now missing, and Cai Mao is incompetent. Are we going to let Cao Cao and his men occupy Nanyang?"

"Liu Bei's two sworn brothers once terrified Hulao Pass. With them defending against powerful enemies from all directions, I feel very at ease!"

This was Liu Biao's true intention. Nanyang's strategic location was extremely important. Rather than handing it over to someone else, it would be better to appoint the newly arrived Liu Bei as the governor of Nanyang, so that he wouldn't have to worry so much.

As for whether Liu Bei would rebel against him, Liu Biao still needed time to find out.