Jiangling City.

In the south of the city, there was a secluded place. Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and Liu Bei were guarding Guan Yu, Xu Chu, Cheng Pu and many personal soldiers, and rode their horses to watch Jiangling City.

Although this city was managed by Sun Jian for many years, it is the capital of the Han Dynasty and its core. However, the three of them felt that it was a little insufficient from this point of view.

Cao Cao greeted Sun Jian, and Liu Bei and the other two got off the horse and sat down. The three of them besieged the city in a circle, and Cao Cao said, "Sun Gong, Liu Gong."

"Zhao Yun has been in Yizhou for many years and his navy is very capable. This man is brave and good at fighting, and has the courage to be inappropriate. Jiangling is the capital of the current Han Dynasty. Zhang Xiu must have ordered Zhao Yun to attack Jiangling."

"This city is still a little thinner. I think it should be raised, reinforced, and rebuilt."

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Mr. Cao said it is reasonable. In addition, if you guard Jiangling, you cannot only guard the city. You also need to guard the heavy cities ahead, such as Zigui, Yiling, Yidao, and Xiling blocking Zhao Yun layer by layer."

"Jiangling is the capital, how can we let Zhao Yun's troops attack the capital directly?"

Cao Cao nodded happily and glanced at Liu Bei. Then he looked at Sun Jian again, and then bowed and said, "Second Duke. Now the court has stabilized, we need to guard Xiangyang, Jiangxia, and Jianghuai."

"Liu Gong is both wise and brave, and can lead 100,000 troops and refuse to guard Jiangling."

Sun Jian glanced at Liu Bei. He was not familiar with Liu Bei, but his short time of getting along made him very convinced of Liu Bei's talents, as well as Liu Bei's generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

These three people, plus some elite generals, guarded the capital of Jiangling, and fighting against Zhao Yun is no problem.

"I defend Xiangyang, Fancheng. Fifty thousand soldiers are enough."

Sun Jian raised his head, showed a confident look, and simply said decisively.

Cao Cao and Liu Bei all nodded. The situation in Xiangyang is a bit special. The north of Xiangyang is Xiangjiang River, and the other side is Fancheng.

Fancheng is a small city, but the city is tall and strong. If it is blocked by 20,000 elite troops, it can withstand a hundred thousand troops.

Sun Jian's naval army floated on the river surface. The Liang army could not cross the Xiangjiang River.

From the perspective of terrain, even if the Liang army had 200,000, Sun Jian would have been able to defend Xiangfan with 50,000 elite troops, and he would not be able to defeat him for a year.

"I led 150,000 troops to resist guarding the Jianghuai River." Cao Cao also raised his head and said confidently: "When he came to the south, Zhang Xiu's cavalry would be useless. He would attack us in four directions separately, so there would not be too many people. 150,000 people would be enough."

This is considered that Zhang Xiu is very likely to be the main attack on Jianghuai. If Zhang Xiu did not mainly attack on Jianghuai, then 100,000 people would be enough.

Liu Bei and Sun Jian also trust Cao Cao's abilities.

"Who guards Jiangxia?" Liu Bei asked with hesitation on his face.

Sun Jian and Cao Cao also showed a look of dismay on their faces. Zhang Xiu waved the powerful generals like clouds and the strategists like rain. The three of them were all outstanding people in the world and were confident that they could lead the army and fight against Zhang Xiu's generals.

But they only have three people, and there are four places where they need to be guarded.

After thinking for a while, Sun Jian lit his eyes and said, "General, both intellectual and brave, is also practicing Jiangnan's tactics and can defend Jiangxia."

Cao Cao and Liu Bei looked at each other and nodded together. Although Wenpin has been active in the south, they have also been famous for a long time.

"You can assist other generals. Cao Ren is brave and good at fighting. The two of them lead 100,000 troops, which can protect Jiangxia as solid as a god."

Cao Cao added.

Liu Bei was by the side and did not say anything. Although the three Dukes of the court are now held by the three of them, in fact, his background is completely inferior to the Sun and Cao families.

Cao Ren, Wen Pin and Guan Yu are no longer the generals of anyone else. Instead, they are the generals under the coordination of the entire Han court, and they are connections.

His only connections are Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

He wanted to lead Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in Jiangling to block Zhao Yun and the general of Liang's army in Ganning. He really couldn't interfere in other places.

However, Liu Bei was quickly excited.

He was originally a small person who weaved mats and shoes, but now he is the third Duke of the court. What else can I complain about?

As a relative of the Liu clan, the only thing he needed to do was to be loyal to the Han Dynasty.

The current Han Dynasty is all within the control of the three. After discussing it, the three of them can execute it. The soldiers are very fast.

The Liang army would not have been too long for the attack on the Han Dynasty. The three of them quickly returned to Jiangling City and made some arrangements for the capital.

The three of them parted ways and led their troops to the garrison.

Of course, Liu Bei stayed in Jiangling City and stayed in charge. He didn't need to do the repair of the city. He led Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and some other generals to advance westward and arrived at the front line Zigui.

Zigui City was also managed by Sun Jian for many years. The city was tall and solid, with a very small internal population, but there were many granaries and warehouses.

After Liu Bei entered Zigui, he first went to see the grain in the granary, the weapons and supplies in the warehouse, and was very satisfied.

Immediately, Liu Bei led everyone to the hall in a large mansion in Zigui City and sat down.

Liu Bei looked around at the military generals who were working and said in a deep voice: "Zhao Yun is Zhang Xiu's beloved general. He has the courage of a tiger, so he must be cautious. His general Gan Ning also has the courage of thousands of men, especially at the navy."

"General Cheng. You lead 20,000 naval troops, and choose a place between Zigui and Yidao to camp. Yun Chief, you lead 10,000 elite troops to guard Zigui. Yide, you lead 10,000 elite troops to guard Yiling. General Huang, you lead 10,000 elite troops to guard Linju."

"I led 50,000 elite troops to stay in Jiangling. The troops were in constant contact. I opened a big net and fought with Zhao Yun."

"Everyone. The Liang thieves are strong, and only Jingzhou and Yangzhou are left in the Han Dynasty. If these two states are lost, the Han Dynasty will be defeated. We are ministers of the destruction of the country. Please join me and do your best to be loyal to the Han Dynasty."

At the end, Liu Bei suddenly stood up, glanced at the generals again, and said in a deep voice.

"promise."

The generals were also excited and agreed with a loud promise.

Liu Bei only stayed in Zigui for three days, so he left Guan Yu to guard the city and returned to Jiangling City.

In addition, Zhang Fei, Huang Gai, Cheng Pu and others also guarded the key cities respectively.

The area around Jiangling City, Nanjun was built by Liu Bei.

The spring of the ninth year of Hongwu.

Zhao Yun, the general of Daliang, was ordered by the emperor to raise all 80,000 elite troops in Yizhou, and assembled generals Xu Shu, Gongsun Kang, Meng Da, Wu Yi, Wu Ban, Gan Ning, Zhou Yu and others.

The army advanced along the water and land, and soon arrived at the Baidi City area.

Zhao Yun separated the navy and infantry camps and regarded his own camp as the central army. He summoned all the generals in the central army's tent.

Zhao Yun is now old, but he is still extremely powerful. He is wearing armor and holding a sword on his seat, full of the skillful atmosphere that has been experienced on the battlefield for a long time.

He smiled and looked around the generals and said, "Your Majesty will set the date of the war in autumn. We are ordered to attack Jiangling first. If Yangzhou and Jingzhou are pacified, the world will be unified."

"The general means that there are not many opportunities to make military achievements. Can we make more contributions in this battle?" Gan Ning was in a good mood and joked with a fist.

"Hahaha."

Everyone burst into laughter.

The generals of Yizhou were far away from the court and did not know Zhang Xiu’s plan after the unification of the world. In their traditional concept, the unification of the world could help the military power to enjoy the blessing.

If you still have the right to do so, you will stay in Kyoto. The world is so big that something may happen. Then you can be the leader of the army and take charge.

If you have no intention of rights, you can go to your own marquis and enjoy your old age.

Everyone here, Zhou Yu, Xu Shu, Meng Da, and Gongsun Kang, are still very young, so of course they want to go back to Kyoto to become officials.

After laughing, Zhao Yun calmed down again and ordered people to carry the map and walk in, stood up and said, "Liu Bei defended Jiangling very steadily. The heavy cities such as Zigui, Yiling, and Linju are all guarded by generals, and Cheng Pu's navy is still among them. In this way, we have to remove one city after another to reach Jiangling."

"Tomorrow our army will advance along the water and land. We will first attack Zigui."

After Zhao Yun finished speaking, Gan Ning stood up and bowed and said, "General. I heard that Guan Yu has the courage to be inappropriate. The last general is not talented, and he wants to fight with him."

"Okay. When it comes to Zigui, I allow the general to fight with Guan Yu." Zhao Yun glanced at Gan Ning and was very confident about Gan Ning's bravery. But Gan Ning could not show joy. Zhao Yun said seriously: "Since the general knows that Guan Yu has the courage of thousands of men, he must be cautious when facing the battle. It is best to be able to kill Guan Yu, but he cannot be defeated."

"No." Gan Ning responded heavily, bowed his hand and sat back with his sword.

After that, Zhao Yun discussed with the generals for a long time before he dispersed. Early the next morning, Liang Jun buried a pot and made rice and advanced eastward along the water.

On that morning, the sun was a little dazzling, but the soil was quite muddy. It rained a few days ago, and it was cloudy again in recent days.

This kind of muddy land is not a good day to attack the city.

According to the plan, Zhao Yun set up camp outside Zigui City. The navy and camped along the river. Zhao Yun ordered the generals to repair the camp and led 10,000 elite troops to join Gan Ning to form a formation in front of the city gate.

"Zhao", under the banner of "Gan", Zhao Yun and Gan Ning rode their horses and stood up. Zhao Yun turned around and smiled at Gan Ning, and said, "General Gan."

"No." Gan Ning held the big gun and clasped his fists at Zhao Yun. Then he pulled the reins of the horse, and took the cavalry carrying his own flags, and the two riders rode out on horseback.

After coming to the city, Gan Ning stopped his horse and raised his big gun with his right hand, and said, "Listen Guan Yu. I am the general Gan Ning. Do you dare to fight to the death with me?"

When Liu Bei went south, there were not many soldiers. Guan Yu waved ten thousand elite troops, some of which belonged to Sun Jian.

They had been confronting Zhao Yun and Gan Ning in Jingzhou for many years. They knew that Gan Ning was powerful and could not help but feel afraid.

Guan Yu was also on the city, wearing a green robe, a green hat, and pressing his sword to look down at the city.

The deputy general looked down at Gan Ning, and his face showed an indignation. He raised his hand and said to Guan Yu, "General. This man is arrogant. Why not kill his head and offer it to His Majesty?"

Guan Yu narrowed his eyes with his phoenix eyes, full of murderous intent, but after a while, he slowly shook his head and said, "Child Gan Ning, I don't take it seriously. What's the point of killing him?"

Speaking of this, Guan Yu showed a sneer on his lips and replied loudly: "Forget it, if Zhao Yun comes out of the battle, I will accompany you."

Guan Yu's left hand holding the hilt of the sword exerted a little force, and a hint of excitement appeared in his eyes. Killing Gan Ning would not affect the Liang army. But if he killed Zhao Yun, the Liang army should withdraw immediately.

After hearing Guan Yu's words, Gan Ning almost turned agitated. I was rampant in the south, and I was so powerful that I was Jing. This guy looked down on me.

Although you are not brave enough to be a man, you are just a general who leads ten thousand troops. What is the difference between you and me?

Gan Ning took a deep breath, had to redirect the horse and return it, telling Zhao Yun about the matter.

"General, why not take the battle and kill Guan Yu, you can seize the city." Gan Ning bowed and said. He was convinced of Zhao Yun's bravery and did not think that Zhao Yun would lose.
To be continued...