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

Chapter 142 Liu Bei's Four Camps March Out Simultaneously, Closing the Gates and Beating Yuan Shu (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Upon learning that Sun Jian was at Wuguan, Liu Bei had already intended to have Zhang Wen persuade Sun Jian to withdraw his troops.

Liu Bei wanted to beat Yuan Shu, not Sun Jian.

Liu Bei actually intended to befriend Sun Jian.

Given the power of the Yuan family, Liu Dai, who was appointed governor of Yangzhou, might not be able to defeat Yuan Shu.

If Sun Jian can be persuaded to defect, he can also be persuaded to assist Liu Dai, thus strengthening Liu Bei's plan to divide and control Yuan Shao.

As for whether Jiangdong will once again become a three-generation legacy of the Sun family, that is not something Liu Bei should be considering now.

Although Liu Bei could not obtain the specific situation of the various prefectures and counties in Guandong in a timely manner, given the current situation where Yuan Shao was powerful in the north and Yuan Shu was showing off his power in the south, Liu Bei could easily guess that Liu Biao, Liu Dai, Gai Xun, Cao Cao, and Huang Wan were in a difficult situation.

It is no joke that Yuan's disciples and former officials are spread all over the world.

It is not that you can command all the prefectures and kingdoms just because you are the governor.

Before the reform of history and the establishment of governorships, the power in various prefectures and counties was openly held by the governors and prime ministers, while the power in secret was held by powerful families and clans.

The Yuan family was the most powerful among them, wielding the greatest power both openly and covertly.

It was almost impossible for someone to command all the prefectures and kingdoms simply by obtaining the title of governor, let alone rebel against the Yuan family.

Since Liu Bei had sworn a blood oath with Cao Cao and others in Luoyang, he couldn't just do whatever he wanted.

Even if you can't directly help, you should still look for opportunities to create opportunities for everyone.

Whether it was luring Yuan Shu into Guanzhong and giving him a sound beating, or simultaneously turning Sun Jian against Yuan Shu, it was all part of Liu Bei's strategy to create an opportunity for everyone.

To avoid missing the opportunity, Liu Bei sent Jian Yong to Hongnong to persuade Zhang Wen to convince Sun Jian to withdraw his troops. Even if Sun Jian was forced to withdraw due to Yuan Shu's military orders, he should still make Sun Jian feel reluctant to fight.

after that.

Liu Bei then ordered Guan Yu to lead troops to Yaoguan Pass to garrison it.

We can do without Wuguan Pass, but we cannot do without Yaoguan Pass. If we lose Yaoguan Pass, the southeastern gateway to Chang'an will be wide open, and we will have to be wary of Yuan Shu in everything we do.

Play around as you please, but the gates and checkpoints that need to be guarded must not be neglected.

At the same time, Liu Bei ordered Zhao Yun to lead troops to garrison Lantian to prevent Yuan Shu from bypassing Yaoguan Pass and attacking Lantian County.

The assumption that Liu Bei's Chang'an was undefended is completely incorrect.

Four battalions—Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Dian Wei—were stationed in Chang'an for extended periods, while Xu Huang's battalion was stationed in Huaili, the southwestern gateway to Chang'an.

That adds up to 10,000 soldiers.

It may not sound like much, but it was 10,000 troops after Liu Bei streamlined his administration.

Moreover, there were also three hundred heavy cavalrymen assembled from the horse armor that Liu Bei obtained from Luoyang.

Even if Zhang Liao went to Hedong, he still had 8,000 soldiers.

If that's still not enough, Liu Bei could directly recall Huangfu Jianshou and Zhang Yang's four thousand troops as well.

Is Chang'an empty?

Who gives you confidence?
As for the sneak attack.

Liu Bei did not set up defenses at Wuguan, but Xu Huang's troops had been hiding between Wuguan and Chang'an during this period.

It appears to be full of flaws, but in reality, it has no flaws at all.

After all tasks were assigned.

Liu Bei then went to the city to find Huangfu Song and invited him to help defend Chang'an.

Upon learning that Yuan Shu was planning a surprise attack on Chang'an, Huangfu Song was also astonished: "Who gave Yuan Shu this idea? Is it to kill Yuan Shu in Guanzhong? It is the dead of winter now. If Yuan Shu cannot break through Yaoguan and Lantian, it will be difficult for him to withdraw his troops."

Liu Bei scoffed and laughed, "I guess it's some strategist who thinks Yuan Shu has the aura of an emperor and wants Yuan Shu to emulate Emperor Gaozu's conquest of Qin. If he can capture Chang'an, there will definitely be people advocating that the Yuan family has the Mandate of Heaven."

"Uncle, you've been underestimated." Huangfu Song also smiled and replied, "I will defend Chang'an for you. You can go ahead and deal with Yuan Shu."

Liu Bei cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your trouble, General Zuo."

Huangfu Song shook his head and said, "I am only responsible for defending the city, but you, my uncle, are going to send troops out in the dead of winter. I'm sorry to trouble you, my uncle."

After arranging everything in the city, Liu Bei waited for Dian Wei to return, and then he and Dian Wei led their troops to Lantian County.

In Hongnong City.

After learning the details from Jian Yong, Zhang Wen replied without hesitation, "Sun Jian is known for his loyalty and righteousness. If he knows that the Imperial Uncle is not forging an imperial edict, he will certainly not help Yuan Shu again. Huang Guang has also met with Sun Jian. I will have Huang Guang take my letter to Sun Jian, and he will surely be able to persuade the Imperial Uncle to withdraw Sun Jian's troops."

Jian Yong bowed and thanked him, saying, "In that case, I will trouble Zhang Sili."

Zhang Wen laughed and said, "Consultant Jian, you are too polite. My relatives have already moved from Nanyang to Chang'an. From now on, I will stand with you, Imperial Uncle. Your affairs are my affairs."

"I've heard that Your Majesty has decided to marry Cai Yong's daughter. I wonder if Your Majesty has any intention of taking a concubine? I have a niece who is very virtuous. I also consulted a fortune teller who said she has the signs of a noble person."

"Could you inquire privately for me, Mr. Jian?"

It is said to be an auspicious sign of a noble person, but only the person involved knows whether it is true or not.

However, in such arranged marriages, people would usually hire sorcerers to create some strange phenomena to show that the woman was different from others.

Zhang Wen, a seasoned veteran of officialdom, clearly saw through certain clues and wanted to invest in advance.

Just then, Liu Bei needed Zhang Wen's help, and Zhang Wen wanted to take the opportunity to gain some benefits.

“Zhang Sili, I advise you to put away these thoughts.” Jian Yong said solemnly, “What Xuande hates most is anyone interfering in his affairs with his wives and concubines. If Xuande is truly interested, he will consider it without Zhang Sili even having to say it.”

"If Xuande mistakenly believes that Zhang Sili is taking advantage of his vulnerability, he would rather eliminate Sun Jian through warfare than suffer such humiliation."

Zhang Wen's expression changed, and he quickly added, "Thank you for reminding me, Officer Jian. I will not bring this matter up again, and I also ask Officer Jian to forget what I just asked for."

Watching Jian Yong's departing figure, Zhang Wen sighed, "It seems that this path is blocked, and we have to start from another way."

Subsequently.

Zhang Wen sought out Huang Guang and handed him the letter persuading Sun Jian to withdraw his troops. He carefully instructed Huang Guang, "Although I don't know why the Imperial Uncle asked me to persuade Sun Jian to withdraw his troops, I do know that even without my letter, the Imperial Uncle can handle Sun Jian."

"Therefore, when you go to find Sun Jian this time, besides delivering this letter, please also tell Sun Jian for me that although the Yuan family can be relied upon, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are too hasty and will hardly succeed. Now that Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji are dead, I predict that the two will inevitably fight each other. Please ask Sun Jian to think carefully." Huang Guang asked doubtfully, "Since Lord Zhang has given these instructions, why not write them directly in the letter?"

Zhang Wen glared and said, "Foolish! If I had written it in a letter and you had been captured by others, or if Sun Jian was determined to take Chang'an, how could you have survived? The letter contained only some simple daily greetings and nothing else. Even if you were unlucky, you could have lied and said that I was Sun Jian's inside man."

"If it weren't for the fact that no one around me knows Sun Jian, I would really be afraid that you would mess things up. It doesn't matter if you mess things up and die, but if the Imperial Uncle thinks that I am not willing to do my best, how can my relatives and brothers be respected by the Imperial Uncle in the future?"

Huang Guang lowered his head in shame: "I am deeply grateful for Lord Zhang's protection."

"Alright. Go and do it quickly, and be careful!" Zhang Wen sighed and gave him a few more careful instructions.

the other side.

Because Sun Jian only seized Wuguan and did not rush to Chang'an, Yuan Shu, upon hearing the news, urged his troops to hurry to Wuguan and arrived with a cold face to demand an explanation.

"Prefect Sun, did you not understand my military order?" Yuan Shu suppressed his anger.

If Sun Jian weren't the most knowledgeable and capable military leader among his men, and hadn't gathered over 30,000 troops, Yuan Shu would have wanted to simply kill Sun Jian and annex his forces.

Yuan Shu hated nothing more than people who disobeyed his orders, as this made him feel that his authority had been challenged.

Zhang Xun, who followed Yuan Shu, was also indignant.

Before Sun Jian could speak, Zhang Xun, speaking indirectly to Huang Yi, said, "Huang Yi, is this the Marquis of Wucheng you said had more guts than me? If I were to raid Chang'an, I would have captured Liu Bei alive by now!"

Huang Yi was also puzzled at this moment, and hurriedly leaned close to Sun Jian and asked in a low voice, "Prefect Sun, what do you mean by this? Our lord originally wanted to send Zhang Xun to raid Chang'an, but I asked our lord to send Prefect Sun instead."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

Just as he was wondering what was going on, he saw Sun Jian staring intently at him, his gaze cold and terrifying.

"Prefect Sun, you?"

Before Huang Yi could finish speaking, Sun Jian suddenly clasped his hands in a fist and pleaded with Yuan Shu, "Please, Lord Yuan, execute Huang Yi!"

Huang Yi jumped up in shock and shouted angrily, "Sun Jian, how could you be so unreasonable! I recommended you to our lord, and instead of repaying your kindness, you want to kill me? Don't you have any shame?"

Yuan Shu was also somewhat bewildered by Sun Jian's words, his brows furrowing as he scanned Sun Jian and Huang Yi with suspicion.

Sun Jian said fiercely, "Huang Yi! If you don't understand military strategy, don't offer advice to Lord Yuan! What are you really up to, making me travel eight hundred li to raid Chang'an?"

"If you have the ability, then teach me how to lead an exhausted army on a 800-mile mountain road to Chang'an, and still ensure that we are not defeated by Liu Bei?"

"Do you think Liu Bei is just like you, an incompetent fool who doesn't understand military affairs, and that he would panic and abandon the city when he sees my army approaching Chang'an?"

"If you want to kill me, just say so. There's no need to beat around the bush!"

Huang Yi was stunned by the rebuttal, wanting to refute but not knowing how.

Seeing Huang Yi's humiliation, Zhang Xun felt immense satisfaction. Seeing Sun Jian's cowardly words, he was even more disdainful: "Liu Bei has wantonly slaughtered powerful clans in Guanzhong. If the people of Guanzhong saw Lord Yuan's heavenly army suddenly arrive, they would surely welcome the king's army with food and drink. Your failure to do so is your problem, not Yang Changshi's plan. You ruined Yang Changshi's plan, and now you shamelessly try to shirk responsibility. Lord Yuan appointed you as his vanguard, and you have wasted his trust."

Sun Jian's fierce gaze fixed on Yang Hong again, causing Yang Hong to subconsciously take a few steps back.

Yang Hong wasn't stupid either; he realized his tactics were out of touch with reality when Sun Jian got angry.

Sun Jian had served in the military for many years and was familiar with the terrain of Guanzhong. If even Sun Jian said it was impossible, then others certainly couldn't do it either.

The thought that Zhang Xun might be killed by Liu Bei if he advanced recklessly with light troops made Yang Hong break out in a cold sweat.

fortunately!

fortunately!

Yang Hong dared not blame Sun Jian at this moment, and hurriedly apologized to Sun Jian: "It was my oversight, I did not mean to harm Prefect Sun. Although Prefect Sun did not rush to attack Chang'an, he quickly took Wuguan, and he must also think that now is the time to launch a surprise attack on Chang'an."

"Now that Lord Yuan has arrived, we can discuss right and wrong after we take Chang'an. I would like to ask Prefect Sun to tell Lord Yuan, based on his understanding of Guanzhong, how we should deploy our troops next?"

Yang Hong was also a shrewd person. After realizing that the situation was unfavorable to him, he decisively admitted his mistake and then quickly changed the subject, leading the conversation to the issue that Yuan Shu cared about most.

For Yuan Shu, the process was not important; the result was what mattered most.

Arguing about who is right and who is wrong now is obviously meaningless. As long as we can take Chang'an, any unpleasantness in the process can be discussed.

Ultimately, the credit for this scheme still went to Yang Hong.

Sun Quan suppressed his anger and turned to Yuan Shu, saying, "Lord Yuan, it's not that I'm unwilling to launch a raid on Chang'an, but I believe that as long as we capture Wuguan, we can use our main force to intimidate Chang'an without the need for a risky raid. If we fail, it will only dampen the morale of our army."

“Lord Yuan has more than 30,000 troops in Luyang, and I have also gathered more than 30,000 troops along the way from Changsha. Even if Lord Yuan wants to divide his troops to make a show of force in Luyang, he can still have 50,000 troops when he enters Guanzhong.”

"Yuan Gong can feign an army of 100,000 to first sow discord among the people of Guanzhong, and then advance towards Yaoguan in a step-by-step manner. If Yaoguan can be breached, then breach it; if not, then the enemy can bypass Yaoguan and attack Lantian."

"Once Lantian is captured, Lord Yuan can confront Liu Bei there and then send envoys to persuade the powerful clans in Guanzhong. Liu Bei has killed too many people in Guanzhong, so they naturally wouldn't dare to rebel against him. But if they see Lord Yuan stationed in Lantian, they will surely respond to him."

"At that time, all it takes is to defeat Liu Bei's main force in a single head-on battle, and Guanzhong will fall into Yuan Shao's hands!"

A few words.

This also dispelled Yuan Shu's doubts.

However, Sun Jian's disobedience displeased Yuan Shu, who said, "If you have any ideas next time, you can tell me in advance. Don't wait until I question you to make excuses. This time, considering that you had a reason, I will not pursue the matter further, but this will not happen again."

Sun Jian hesitated, his heart filled with resentment.

What does "this will not happen again" mean? What does "no accountability" mean?
Is there some idiot trying to harm me?
Shouldn't Huang Yi be held accountable?
Just because Huang Yi is your son-in-law?
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Yang Hong quickly tried to ease it by saying, "My lord is right. Actually, I was also at fault. If I hadn't been so inconsiderate, I wouldn't have angered Prefect Sun so much. Since Prefect Sun has a good plan, we can follow it. How about we ask Prefect Sun to be the vanguard to attack Yaoguan?"

Sun Jian didn't want to stay there and suffer any more humiliation, so he asked Yuan Shu for permission to take over.

Before Yuan Shu could respond, Zhang Xun interrupted, "I could also offer the same strategy as Prefect Sun. If a surprise attack fails, the only option is to use regular troops. Isn't that obvious? How did it become Prefect Sun's achievement?"

“Since Prefect Sun has too many concerns about being the vanguard, I should take over the vanguard position to attack Yaoguan. Otherwise, Prefect Sun’s cowardice will jeopardize Lord Yuan’s important plans. Lord Yuan, I request to be the vanguard.”

Why does Zhang Xun talk so much?
Yang Hong repeatedly tried to signal to Zhang Xun with his eyes, but Zhang Xun pretended not to see it, determined to take the lead.

"If you want to take it, then take it." Sun Jian stepped back without arguing, but looked at Zhang Xun as if he were already dead.

Enraged by Sun Jian's blatant disrespect, Zhang Xun pleaded again, "Lord Yuan, I am willing to sign a military pledge: if I fail to accomplish your great task, please behead me!"

(End of this chapter)