Kuai Liang's words are absolutely correct. The Southern Expeditionary Army was mainly formed from the three counties of Nanjun, Zhangling and Nanyang, with Nanjun being the largest. Currently, only Xiangyang and Wu County, which were guarding against Liu Zhang, still had garrisons, and there were no available troops in other places.
.
The situation in Jiangxia County may not be much better than that in Nan County. At the end of last year, Sun Ce invaded Jiangxia. The above table states: "He captured Huang Zu's wife and seven men and women, killed Liu Hu, and more than 20,000 people below Han Xi, and 10,000 people drowned in the water."
There are more than 6,000 ships in Yukou." Of course, in breaking bandit documents, one is always counted as ten. Sun Ce undoubtedly exaggerated his military exploits, but Jiangxia was indeed depleted of its elite and vitality. At this time, Huang Zu was asked to send troops for reinforcements.
Baqiu is inevitably a bit pushy.
Wuling County in Jingnan already has a large number of Han minority and barbarians. It has previously sent 3,000 Han soldiers to fight with the army. If the number of troops is redeployed, it will not help if there are less troops. If there are too many, the company itself will be unstable.
In short, Liu Biao currently has no troops to send. Forced deployment of troops will definitely trigger a chain reaction and may even endanger his own rule.
But Liu Biao would not be willing to give up Baqiu and let Liu Jing succeed.
But what can we do if we are not willing to give in?
What he needs to worry about now is that after the news of the failure of the southern expedition came out, Cao Cao was busy dealing with Yuan Shao and may not have time to go south, but what about the Sun family in Jiangdong and Liu Zhang in Bashu? Will they become coveted from this?
Liu Biao was silent for a long time and sighed: "Tell Cai Degui that there are no more troops to send. If he can defend, he will defend. If he can't, he will retreat to the north of the Yangtze River." Although Liu Biao said this, if Cai Mao really gave up Baqiu easily, he would definitely trace his actions.
He was punished severely for the crime of losing consecutive battles in the past.
Pang Jidao: "General, Liu Zhongda relied on the help of heaven and luck to win this time. Although he has achieved his goal, his strength is limited. Moreover, Zhang Xian pretended to be the prefect of Lingling. His name is not correct and his words are not correct. How can he lead the three counties?"
Zhang Xian rebelled against his superiors and rebelled against his superiors. His son Zhang Yi succeeded him, and his generals massacred Linxiang and captured Zhang Yi. However, they only imprisoned him and did not kill him. This can be said to be benevolent. When the subordinates heard that Zhang Yi was not on good terms with Liu Jing, they might as well release Zhang Yi to the south.
Let the two fight each other. When the time is right and the general raises a large army, Jingnan can be conquered in one fell swoop."
Pang Ji's suggestion made everyone in the room shine. Although Zhang Yi would definitely not be able to defeat Liu Jing, as long as he could cause trouble for the latter, it would be of great benefit to them and nothing harmful.
Why not?
Liu Xian, Kuai Liang, and Liu Qi successively expressed their approval. Liu Biao also believed that this plan was feasible and said: "First remove Zhang Yi from the prison and temporarily place him in the capital pavilion. After a few days, I will personally receive him."
"promise."
Soon, several good doctors arrived, but all the officials did not dare to disturb him anymore and all left.
After the officials left, only Liu Biao, Liu Qi, his son and the doctor were left in the room. Liu Biao no longer held on, and his complexion suddenly declined, and his body and mind became depressed.
"Sir..." Liu Qi said in shock.
Liu Biao waved his hand feebly and said, "It's okay as a father, so don't be nervous."
Several doctors who treated Liu Biao were all good doctors in the state. After carefully examining Liu Biao's body, they came to a unanimous conclusion. The leader said on behalf of the other doctors: "Your heart and lungs are already diseased. Today, suddenly,
After hearing the bad news, I was so out of breath that I vomited blood. I will prescribe a few decoctions for you to take on time every day, and you should be fine."
Before waiting for Liu Biao, Liu Qi breathed a sigh of relief and heard the doctor say again: "However...it is difficult to completely eradicate your heart and lung disease with medicine and stone. You can only take care of it more on a daily basis. Furthermore, you must not be as serious as you are today."
Arouse the liver fire, otherwise the body will be tired, and most medicines and stones will be useless by then."
Liu Biao sighed: "I don't want to be filled with anger. The country is in dire straits. What can we do?"
The doctor advised: "Your safety is related to the people of Jingchu and is not a matter of one person. I hope you can take care of your health and make the people feel at ease."
Liu Biao was deeply moved when he heard this. He nodded slightly and said, "I have written down your words."
After the doctors withdrew, Liu Biao took Liu Qi's hand and said, "Bo Wei, tens of thousands of troops have been killed this time, all generals have withered away, and Cai Degui is also embarrassed. My father looked around and couldn't find anyone who could take charge of the south."
…”
Liu Qi heard that his father wanted him to take over the south. Although he was unwilling, but now that his brothers Liu Hu and Liu Pan had died in battle, who else could his father rely on besides himself?
Liu Qi took the initiative and said: "My son is willing to share your worries for you. I will go south to Jiangling in person, integrate all the armies, guard Liu Jing in the south, and prepare Liu Zhang in the west, so that you will not worry about the west or the south."
"You are truly my best son." Liu looked pleased on his face, patted his eldest son's hand and said, "As my father, you are the governor of Nanjun and will lead the troops to Jiangling today."
"No." Liu Qi accepted the order.
…………
The entire southern expeditionary army was wiped out, and the news that Kuai Yue committed suicide swept the entire Xiangyang in an instant like a stormy sea.
Last year, Cai Mao's navy was defeated, causing thousands of casualties, which caused a strong earthquake in Xiangyang. Now, the entire southern expedition army has been wiped out. You can imagine the sensation caused. From the officials to the common people, everyone is talking about it.
One after another.
Pan Jun, who had a close relationship with Liu Jing, undoubtedly became the focus of everyone's attention again. After finally being dismissed, Pan Jun did not dare to return to the official's office. He immediately took leave and returned home. He thanked the guests behind closed doors and warned the servants that no one would
not see.
However, seeing no one was relatively speaking. Wang Can walked into Pan's house unimpeded and saw Pan Jun sitting in the study room, feeling restless.
Wang Can is thin and short, and he looks quite funny because he wears a large robe, but he has a calm look and a graceful temperament.
Wang Can smiled and said: "Chengming, I guessed that you would hide back home, so I came straight to your home, and I guessed it right."
Pan Jun stood up to greet him and said with a wry smile: "If you stay in the official's house, I'm afraid you won't have a moment of peace. You can only go home to avoid the trouble."
After Wang Can sat down, he clapped his hands and praised: "Liu Zhongda used the land of a county to overwhelm the army of a country. Although the fields are ancient, how can he surpass them?"
Although Wang Can is now attached to Liu Biao, Ma Yuan once said: "In troubled times, not only the king chooses his ministers, but the ministers also choose their king." Liu Biao looked down upon him with a knife and a pen, so naturally Wang Can had no loyalty to him. He even saw that
Liu Biao was unlucky, and Wang Can felt a sense of joy in his heart.
Seeing Wang Can's happy face, Pan Jun could somewhat understand Wang Can's mood. Wang Can became famous in Chang'an when he was only ten years old, and was hailed as a "genius" by the great scholar Cai Yong. When he heard that Wang Can came to visit, he greeted him with courtesy.
It was very important. But for such a great talent, Liu Biao refused to reuse him and only asked him to write some poems to entertain people. If it were Pan Jun, he would also be dissatisfied.
Pan Jun sighed: "When Liu Zhongda was young, he was just a middle-aged man with no special features. When he got older, he was able to read hundreds of schools of thought, debate political matters, and use military strategy. He was unparalleled in the Chu country. He was truly a descendant.
The wind!"
In the early days, Emperor Guangwu did not show any outstanding achievements. He once buried himself in the fields and worked on hoeing. He was often teased by his brother Liu Yan for his lack of ambition. He was just like Liu Zhong, the second brother of Emperor Gaozu. As a result, within a few years
, Guangwu took advantage of the momentum and rose up in one fell swoop. Within a dozen years, he conquered the world, encompassed all corners of the world, and revitalized the Han Dynasty.
Wang Can said with a smile: "Now Liu Zhongda has fought against the three counties of Dingding and occupied the south of the Yangtze River. He relies on the river to rely on himself. Liu Mu can no longer do anything. I must admit that you and Liu Zhongda are from the same sect and are close friends. If you go south to join Liu Zhongda, you will definitely suffer. Isn't it better to use it seriously than to do nothing here?"
Pan Jun was silent for a while when he heard this. Wang Can could be said to have hit the nail on the head and spoke to his heart.
He was from Wuling County in Jingnan. For this reason, he also planned to help Liu Jing capture Wuling County, remove the last nail in Liu Biao's south of the river, and enable Liu Jing to occupy the four counties in Jingnan.
But he was not without worries. Wang Can said that he was doing nothing in Xiangyang, which was an exaggeration. In fact, he was highly valued by Liu Biao, and he was already working in the state department when he was more than 20 years old.
Therefore, if he betrays Liu Biao and surrenders to the enemy in the south, he will definitely be infamous.
However, although Pan Jun had doubts, he still decided to defect to Liu Jing. The reason was very simple. He might not be able to become the head of a county in three to five years under Liu Biao's account, but if he defected to Liu Jing, he would immediately become the leader of a hundred miles. After three or five years, it is possible that he will be able to sit in the position of governor. I believe everyone should know how to choose.
Of course, now that he is on the cusp of the storm, Pan Jun will never act rashly. After a few months, the situation gradually stabilized, and he will look for opportunities to resign and return home.
Pan Jun believed that Wang Can would not betray him, but for the sake of caution, he did not confide in him and said: "Although I have Liu Zhongda and old friends, you have treated me well. I am so confused now that I can't leave." Decide."
Wang Can was such a smart man. He could see through Pan Jun's thoughts at a glance. He smiled and shook his head and said, "Many of Cheng Ming's words are untrue."
Pan Jun replied without changing his expression: "I dare not acknowledge Wang Jun's accusation."
Wang Can smiled and said nothing, but he no longer forced him. As the saying goes, disaster comes from the mouth. In this sensitive period, there is nothing wrong with being cautious.
Pan Jun asked back: "I wonder if Mr. Wang has ever thought about going south? In the past, Liu Zhongda corresponded with me. He often praised Mr. Wang for his talent as a king's assistant, but also regretted that Mr. Wang was not reused. He only hated that he had a low official position and was difficult to work with. If Mr. Wang is willing to go to the south of the Yangtze River, , Liu Zhongda must be extremely polite."
Wang Can couldn't help but laugh and said: "Chengming also said that he was undecided. Before he defected to Liu Zhongda, he began to recruit me for him impatiently. Don't you think Chengming is too hasty?"
Then Wang Can shook his head and declined Pan Jun's solicitation, saying: "Jingnan is a wet place. Miasma has been breeding since ancient times. My husband died young. I have been weak since I was a child. If I go to Changsha, I am afraid that I will die in a few months."
Pan Jun sighed and said: "The king has the talent of a king's assistant. He should have assisted the wise king and helped the world, but now he is trapped in Miannan and his ambitions are difficult to achieve. It is really a pity."
Wang Can was speechless. Although he could not be reused, Xiangyang was still a pure land in troubled times. At present, the situation in the north was chaotic and the plague was rampant in the south. Neither was a good place. His only hope now was that Liu Jing would go north as soon as possible.