Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 773 Liu Bei's Decision: Lead the People to Retreat to Maicheng!

Upon hearing Liu Bei's words, Xu Shu became anxious and said, "My lord, it is not advisable to bring the common people with you at this time!"

"Firstly, there simply isn't enough time to organize them!"

"Secondly, they may not be willing to follow!"

"Thirdly, even if we have time to organize their escape to Maicheng, the people there are families, the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled. If they go to Maicheng, they will definitely be a burden to us!"

The other generals also looked at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei sighed as he met everyone's gaze.

After a long pause, he said, "Given the current situation, as long as the people remain in Xiangyang, they may suffer from the effects of the war."

"I also believe that the General is a benevolent and righteous ruler."

"However, he could not oversee every aspect of the march."

“These people, after the death of my brother Liu Jingzhou, resolutely chose me, Liu Bei, instead of those powerful families. Now that I, Liu Bei, am in danger, would I abandon them? Would I, Liu Bei, still be human?”

"I, Liu Bei, have traveled the world with chivalry since I was a child."

"If the people do not abandon me, I, Liu Bei, will not abandon them either."

"Notify them."

"The General's eight thousand cavalry are about to attack."

"Tell the people honestly that the general is known for his benevolence and righteousness, and he may not kill them."

"However, no one knows whether the general can control these cavalry."

"Those who are willing to trust the General can remain in Xiangyang."

"Those who are willing to follow me, Liu Bei, to Maicheng for refuge, set off immediately."

“I, Liu Bei, will personally cover their rear.”

When the generals heard Liu Bei say this, they all fell silent.

Xu Shu looked at Liu Bei's appearance and hesitated to speak.

In the end, he didn't say anything.

The reason I chose Liu Bei in the first place was precisely because of his benevolent and righteous heart.

Now that the crucial moment has arrived to demonstrate Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness, should I force him to become a cold-blooded and ruthless ruler?
Absolutely impossible.

The country is easy to change and the nature is difficult to change.

Moreover, if I really did that, wouldn't I have chosen the wrong person?

Thinking of this, Xu Shu sighed and respectfully bowed to Liu Bei, saying, "Today, Xu Shu is willing to accompany my lord through this difficult time!"

After saying this, Xu Shu called to the generals and they rushed away.

Zhang Fei and Wei Yan were left to lead 5,000 elite troops to guard the southern camp of Fancheng, while the rest of the troops retreated rapidly toward Xiangyang.

Liu Bei gazed towards Xuchang, then glanced at Zhang Fei, Wei Yan, and the others who were busy at work, and his expression darkened.

These people are all talented individuals who are loyal to themselves.

Whether it was Zhang Fei, who had followed him in battles across the country for over a decade, or Wei Yan, who had just joined him.

They are exceptionally talented, courageous, and resourceful.

Now that Cao Cao has been defeated, the fate of the world is sealed, and it will surely belong to the Great General.

As a human being with flesh and blood, I should, in principle, spare their lives.

They deserve to serve under the general and achieve great things.

however--

Liu Bei looked up at the azure sky, which seemed to be covered by a pot lid, and laughed self-deprecatingly.

If they were capable of walking, they would have left long ago.

Over the years, what difficult situations haven't I experienced?

But, which of the others, Yun Chang or Yi De, has left?

It’s just a pity!
They follow their own path, wanting to achieve great things and return in glory.

But they themselves were unworthy of their talents, squandering their best years and leaving them with nothing until their deaths.

While Liu Bei was instructing his soldiers to organize the people of Xiangyang to retreat to Maicheng, a group of garrison commanders were inspecting the fortifications on the walls of Fancheng.

The leader was none other than Kuai Yue, the head of the Kuai family, who had dealt with Zhang Sui in Xiangyang.

Next to Kuai Yue was Chen Zhen, the registrar.

As the group was diligently inspecting the fortifications, someone pointed to the enemy's encampment outside the city and said, "Look, their men are withdrawing!"

All the generals looked towards the outside of the city. Sure enough, the enemy troops besieging Fancheng were retreating rapidly.

Kuai Yue stroked his dark beard, lost in thought.

Chen Zhen immediately said to the general beside him, "Go and check the other three city gates!"

The general fled in haste.

Chen Zhen looked at Kuai Yue and said, "Lord Kuai, judging from this situation, it's possible that the Great General is coming!"

"It definitely can't be Cao Cao."

"The reason we haven't received a reply from the General is most likely because the messenger he sent was captured alive, and the news leaked to Liu Bei, who then withdrew his troops."

Chen Zhen gazed in the direction of Xuchang and said, "Judging from this, the General has already taken Xuchang?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of massive army the General will lead to attack, one that could defeat Cao Cao so quickly!"

"We must also prepare provisions and supplies immediately; we cannot neglect the general's army."

Kuai Yue said, "The General has arrived rather quickly. In such a short time, he has already reached a conclusion with Cao Cao."

"If we had known, we shouldn't have supported Liu Biao's entry into the territory; we should have supported the General instead."

"In that case, we can at least be considered as subjects who followed the emperor."

"Given the current situation, at best we can become high-ranking officials."

Chen Zhen laughed and said, "Master Kuai is joking."

"When Liu Biao took up his post, the General was still working as a clerk in the Zhen family in Wuji County, Zhongshan. Who would have thought that someone like him could achieve this in less than ten years?"

"Indeed, in times of chaos, those who ultimately prevail are often the least noticeable at the beginning."

"Just like our dynasty's founding emperor."

"Who would have thought that a petty, thuggish village headman from Sishui would eventually sweep across the land?"

Kuai Yue nodded heavily.

The two did not have to wait long before a general reported that the enemy forces besieging Fancheng had withdrawn from three of the four sides!

Currently, only the enemy camp south of Fancheng City has a large number of enemy troops.

Chen Zhen and Kuai Yue exchanged a glance and nodded.

Kuai Yue addressed the surroundings sternly: "Fellow soldiers!"

"The Great General and his army have arrived!"

"This battle may very well be the last!"

"Although my Jingzhou is prosperous, it is ultimately just a small corner of the land."

"Now that the Great General and his army have arrived, the chaos is about to end!"

"The last chance to make a name for yourself is now; don't miss it!"

"Those who want to bring honor to their ancestors should be on their toes."

"Let the General see your spirit of fighting to the death!"

Kuai Yue drew his sword from his waist, raised it high, and roared, "Let the General see that the men of Jingzhou are unstoppable!"

On the city wall, the soldiers in the midst of their busy work were all roused to their feet.

After being besieged for so long, the last reinforcements have finally arrived!

Chen Zhen quickly organized the defending soldiers to organize the grain and supplies.

He personally sat at the east gate of the city, waiting for Zhang Sui's army to arrive.

Liu Bei did not immediately retreat to Maicheng.

He stood alone on the watchtower, gazing towards Xinye.

He still clung to a last shred of hope: Xinye had not been attacked by the general's army.

Although he knew the possibility was very small.

However, the next morning, just as Liu Bei took a bowl of cold water from a soldier and drank it, he heard the soldier point towards Xinye and scream, "Smoke signal, my lord!"

The porcelain bowl of cold water in Liu Bei's hand fell directly to the ground.

Looking at the smoke rising straight up from the direction of Xinye, Liu Bei gave a wry smile.

This was the agreement he made with the scout yesterday.

When the smoke signals rise, it signifies that the general's army is in Xinye!
Sure enough, fate didn't give him a chance.

The army that attacked Xinye was indeed the Great General's!
Liu Bei glanced down at the broken porcelain bowl on the floor, sighed, quickly climbed down from the watchtower, and brought Zhang Fei and Wei Yan over.

(End of this chapter)