My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 20: Cao Cao: What? Liu Bei is back to life again?

Liu Bei was in a dilemma.

The gains and losses of Fancheng are related to survival.

It took a lot of courage to let Huo Jun, who had no outstanding military achievements and was a recent surrender, replace Guan Yu to defend Fancheng.

It can even be said to be a risk.

If we want to be safe, Guan Yu must naturally guard Fancheng.

But as Yi Ji reminded him, commanding the navy is also a matter of life and death. Letting a general who is not familiar with naval warfare other than Guan Yu command the navy is also a risky thing.

He was having a hard time making a choice.

While Liu Bei was struggling and hesitating, Zhuge Liang was gently waving his feather fan and secretly observing Xiao He.

Just to get the job done, Xiao He recommended Huo Jun and then went on to enjoy the wine and food.

From time to time, he would pick up a few pieces of food and take a sip of wine, looking like a foodie.

It seemed that Xiao He was not worried at all whether Liu Bei would use Huo Jun.

"He was confident in his decision, anticipating that the Lord would definitely use Huo Zhongmiao. He had complete faith in the person he recommended..."

Zhuge Liang figured out Xiao He's thoughts, and with a determined look, he bowed to Liu Bei:

"My Lord, Bowen knows all about the people and affairs of Jingzhou so well, I believe the person he recommends will be a good one."

"With Wei Wenchang's example, why should my lord worry?"

Liu Bei was shocked and suddenly enlightened.

Yes, Wei Yan was just a military commander, but Xiao He recognized his talent and helped him capture Xiangyang.

Compared to Wei Yan's obscurity, Huo Jun is at least somewhat famous.

Xiao He, the talent scout, could recognize Wei Yan as a good horse, so how could he have misjudged Huo Jun?
The hesitation in Liu Bei's eyes disappeared in an instant.

"Military Advisor Kong Ming reminded me that the person recommended by Bo Wen must be a rare talent in the world!"

Liu Bei's eyes were full of determination, and he shouted:
"Where is Huo Zhongmiao?"

Huo Jun, who was still immersed in a daze, was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses and hurriedly stood up and stepped forward to listen to the order.

Liu Bei stared at Huo Jun and asked seriously:
"Huo Zhongmiao, Bowen recommended you to replace Yunchang and guard Fancheng. You heard it all just now."

"Let me ask you, do you have the courage to lead 10,000 soldiers to defend Fancheng and resist Cao's 100,000 troops for me?"

Everyone in the hall was shocked.

Not to mention newcomers like Ma Liang and Chen Zhen, even old brothers like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei all changed their expressions.

Liu Bei was respectful to the wise and humble, and he trusted those he employed, so they naturally knew it.

However, they did not expect that Liu Bei could trust his subordinates to such an extent.

A man who had just surrendered for one day dared to hand over 10,000 troops to the other side, asking him to take on the heavy burden of guarding Fancheng!
What kind of courage does this take?

Everyone looked at Liu Bei and then at Xiao He.

These two masters and ministers, one dares to recommend, and the other dares to use, both are ruthless people...

"My Lord, I, I..."

The person involved, Huo Jun, was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a while.

"Why, Huo Zhongmiao, don't you have the courage to take on this important task?"

Seeing that he hesitated, Liu Bei resorted to provoking him.

Huo Jun's heart was shaken, and the shock in his eyes instantly turned into determination.

"Although Jun doesn't understand why Xiao Congshi trusts me so much, Jun's military talent is far inferior to General Guan's."

"But Jun thought to himself that he had some experience in defending a city."

Huo Jun stood up and walked to the front of the hall, bowing to Liu Bei generously:
"I am grateful for your trust, my lord. I am willing to take on this important task and defend Fancheng against Cao Cao!"

Huo Jun took on the task.

This courage gave Liu Bei more confidence.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave Fanchengwu to you, Zhongmiao."

Liu Bei laughed and waved his hand happily:

"In addition to your own troops, I allow you to select the ten thousand soldiers guarding Fancheng. You can choose the best and brightest men."

Huo Jun's expression has returned to calm.

After thinking for a moment, he bowed and said:

"Our army is limited in strength, and my lord still needs troops in many places. Jun does not need 10,000 troops to defend Fancheng, only 5,000 will be enough."

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall.

Liu Bei was also surprised. If it were someone else, they would have wanted to bring more troops, and at least 20,000 or 30,000 would have been ideal.

Good man, Huo Jun still thinks the soldiers and horses are too many.

They only want five thousand!

With only 5,000 men, he resisted Cao's army of over 100,000!
What a loud tone!

If we can hold on to this, it will be a miracle in the history of war and will be recorded in history!
Having personally experienced Cao Cao's strength, how could Liu Bei not be surprised by Huo Jun's confidence?

Even Xiao He, who was busy eating and drinking, raised his head and glanced at Huo Jun with a little surprise.

Then he laughed.

Huo Jun is quite arrogant, but he has the capital to be arrogant.

Not only did their 800 men hold Jiameng Pass for a year, blocking the attack of 10,000 Shu troops, they even led the army in an outrageous counterattack and killed the main general of the Shu army.

Five thousand soldiers and horses blocking one hundred thousand Cao troops might be a huge disparity in strength for others, but for Huo Jun, it should be more than enough.

Thinking of this, Xiao He smiled:
"My lord, if he wants five thousand soldiers, then give him five thousand soldiers."

Xiao He spoke again.

The surprise and doubt in Liu Bei's eyes faded, and after a moment of hesitation, his eyes were filled with heroic spirit.

"Okay, five thousand soldiers and horses is five thousand soldiers and horses."

"Zhong Miao, select five thousand elite soldiers and go to guard Fancheng."

"I will stay here in Xiangyang City and watch you accomplish unparalleled feats!"

...

Nanyang County, Xinye City.

A short and fat man wrapped in a red robe, with narrow eyes and a long beard, was standing on the top of Xinye City with a sword in his hand.

The man stroked his thin beard with his hand, and his hawk-like eyes were looking far away in the direction of Jingzhou.

On the avenue beside the city, a huge army, led by countless battle flags with the word "Cao" on them, was marching southward.

The end of the team extends northward to the end of the horizon, with no end in sight.

That was nearly 150,000 Cao troops, heading south towards Jingzhou.

"Liu Biao and I fought for over ten years, but he died of illness at the critical moment of my southern expedition to Jingzhou. Without this, how could I have taken Jingzhou without a fight?"

"This is God helping me. It seems that my southern expedition will not only take Jingzhou, but also go east along the river and take advantage of the situation to recapture Jiangdong."

"I will conquer Jiangnan and unify the world in one fell swoop!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and pointed to the south, his brows and words revealing his domineering attitude.

Behind him, Cheng Yu, Liu Ye and other counselors looked at each other secretly, with a hint of worry flashing in their eyes.

Arrogant and conceited!

The counselors vaguely saw these four words from Cao Cao.

This was something that had never happened to Yuan Shu, Lu Bu, Yuan Shao, or the two sons of the Yuan family.

He pacified Hebei, destroyed the Yuan family, and beheaded Tadun...

After defeating all the enemies in the north, their Prime Minister Cao has become a little arrogant.

"Although Liu Cong surrendered, Liu Bei stationed his troops in Fancheng, commanding 10,000 soldiers and horses, and was only a stone's throw away from Xiangyang."

"I'm afraid Liu Bei won't just sit back and wait for Liu Cong to surrender Jingzhou. He will definitely make a desperate struggle."

"The longer the night, the more dreams there are. Yu thought the Prime Minister would lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry ahead lightly, and suddenly attack Xiangfan before Liu Bei could react, catching him off guard."

Cheng Yu spoke calmly.

Hearing the word "Liu Bei", a hint of vigilance immediately flashed across Cao Cao's conceited expression.

"Zhongde's words make sense. The Big Ear Thief has fought me for most of my life, and he always manages to rise again. I can't sleep peacefully until he's dead..."

Cao Cao's eyes lit up with murderous intent, and he raised his whip and shouted:

"Pass the order down. I will lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and march lightly ahead. Within two days, I will—"

"Report——"

The loud shouting interrupted Cao Cao, and the scouts rushed into the city and climbed onto the city wall.

"Prime Minister, urgent news from Jingzhou!"

"Liu Bei launched a surprise attack on Xiangyang a few days ago. Liu Cong was defeated and fled south."

"Xiangyang City has been captured by Liu Bei!"

Cao Cao's expression suddenly changed.

(End of this chapter)