Liu Jing crossed the river in the spring and went north. After a series of battles such as capturing Yiling, attacking Dangyang, and defeating Jiangling, he captured more than 20,000 Jingzhou troops. Now he also annihilated more than 20,000 troops of Wang Wei, Zhang Yun, and Liu Bei, and captured them one after another.
More than 40,000 people.
Liu Jing speculated based on the intelligence that Liu Xian was afraid that he could not even raise ten thousand people. This was still counting Zhangling and Nanyang soldiers in the north. It was estimated that there were only a few thousand new soldiers in Xiangyang City now, and their combat power was not worth it.
Mention.
It was inevitable that Zhang Ling's troops from Nanyang would return to support, but Liu Biao was trapped and still fighting. As soon as Liu Jing received the news from Gan Ning, Han Guang, Liu Liang and others, he asked his brother Liu Zong to lead more than a hundred large ships and thousands of soldiers up the river.
We went up to Xiangyang, blocked the Hanmian River, and completely trapped Liu Biao to death.
Liu Jingze temporarily stayed in Yicheng, joined Gan Ning, Han Guang, Liu Liang and others, marched to Xiangyang with both land and water, and with great fanfare.
But Zhang Yun and Liu Bei abandoned the army and broke out with more than 200 cavalry. They rode fast and whipped all the way, directly crossed Zhonglu and fled back to Xiangyang.
It was mid-autumn, the sky was high in Xiangyang, the clouds were clear, and the golden breeze was refreshing. Wang Can and his friends Pei Qian and Sima Zhi made an appointment to go out by car.
Wang Can came from a well-known family, was born with intelligence, and was knowledgeable and knowledgeable. He became famous all over the world at a young age. He thought highly of himself. Those who could be regarded as his friends were naturally not ordinary people.
Pei Qian was about twenty-six or seven years old, more than seven feet tall, handsome in appearance, and of excellent grace.
He was born in the Pei family of Hedong. His grandfather Pei Ye was promoted to the governor of Bingzhou and the general of Liao Dynasty. His father Pei Mao was promoted to Shangshuling. In the past few years, he led Duan Xuan and other generals in Guanzhong to attack Liangzhou rebels Li Jue and Guo Si.
, to be granted the title of marquis based on merit.
Pei Qian was the eldest son in the family, with four younger brothers. In view of the unrest in the north, Pei Qian did not follow his father Pei Mao, but stayed in Xiangyang to teach his younger brothers on his father's behalf.
Pei Qian was erudite, talented and magnanimous, and was deeply admired by Wang Can, who made him his heartfelt friend.
Sima Zhi is similar in age to Wang Can and Pei Qian. His skin is slightly dark, his face is pale, and his eyes are bright. Although his demeanor is not as good as that of Pei Qian, he is much better than the ugly and frail Wang Can.
Sima Zhi came from the Sima clan in Hanoi. Compared with his younger brother Sima Lang, Sima Yi's family had only two thousand officials. Sima Zhi's ancestors did not have any prominent high-ranking officials, but they also passed down poems and books.
When Dong Zhuo was in chaos, Sima Zhi, who was only more than ten years old, took his mother south to escape the chaos. As soon as he entered the territory of Jingzhou, he encountered bandits. All his companions abandoned the old and weak and fled. Only Sima Zhi stayed with his mother. Between life and death, Sima Zhi
Zhi kowtowed to the thieves and said: "Old mother, I only rely on you."
In the Han Dynasty, filial piety was used to govern the world. From the emperor to the common people, everyone failed to observe filial piety. The thieves and bandits thought that Sima Zhi was a filial son and it was unjust to kill them, so they spared their mother and son.
When Sima Zhi lived in Xiangyang, he worked hard on the farm, provided for his mother, and lived in poverty. Both Wang Can and Pei Qian admired him very much.
When the three of them were riding out of the city, they happened to bump into Zhang Yun, Liu Bei and their party at the gate of the city.
"Zhang Yun... He should be resisting Liu Zhongda in Yicheng at the moment. Why did he suddenly return to Xiangyang? Could it be that the Jingzhou army was defeated again?" Looking at Zhang Yun's hurried appearance, Wang Can was surprised with a hint of joy.
meaning.
A few days ago, the Jingzhou Army met Liu Jing's army heading north at the gates of Yicheng City. As a result, the Jingzhou Army was defeated again. Even its leader Wang Weidu was killed in the battle. Zhang Yun led the remaining army to defend Yicheng.
Now that Zhang Yun has returned "alone", he knows without asking that Yicheng must have been lost.
Wang Can asserted in his heart: "Liu Biao's energy has been exhausted, and there is not much time left!"
Pei Qian and Sima Zhi were not surprised by Wang Can's inadvertent expression of joy. After all, the relationship between Wang Can and Liu Jing was almost everyone in Xiangyang City.
A few months ago, Wang Can went south to Dangyang to convey Liu Biao's orders and was captured by Liu Jingjun. However, he was released back within a few days. This incident also aroused Liu Biao's suspicion. Of course, without any evidence, Liu Biao also took Wang Can
no way.
Pei Qian and Sima Zhi were about to poke their heads in to see what was going on. Wang Can suddenly fixed his gaze and said in surprise: "Huh? Liu Xuande? Isn't he in Fancheng? Why are he with Zhang Yun?"
"Liu Xuande?" Pei Qian and Sima Zhi hurriedly looked out the window and saw Zhang Yun and Liu Bei galloping past the car.
Wang Can's mind was spinning and he immediately thought about it. He couldn't help laughing and said: "Liu Xuande is stationed in Fancheng. It turned out to be false news. Liu Jingzhou has deceived everyone. It seems that his condition is not as serious as the rumors."
Pei Qian couldn't help but sigh: "Liu Xuande is an outstanding man. He is good at using soldiers. With his ability to control China, can he be no match for Liu Zhongda?"
Wang Can curled his lips and said: "In my opinion, Liu Xuande's reputation is over-deserved. Although he is tolerant and tolerant, and can kill people, he hesitates to make decisions and is clumsy in using troops. He competes with the heroes of the Central Plains and wins less.
How can such a person, who has suffered many defeats and has no time to spare, be Liu Zhongda's rival?"
Wang Can went on to brag about Liu Jingdao: "Liu Zhongda has extraordinary wisdom and military skills. In a few years, he swept through Jing with one city and handed over two states. He is invincible. If he had been born in China, he would be better than Cao Gong and Yuan Benchu."
Pei Qian smiled and shook his head and said: "Zhongxuan's evaluation of Liu Xuande is biased. In the past, Duke Cao once said to Liu Xuande: 'The only heroes in the world are those who envoy you and Cao Er.' Liu Xuande has been in China for many years, and he is deeply tabooed by Duke Cao. He regards him as
Being a lifelong enemy is by no means an unearned reputation."
Sima Zhi on the side suddenly said: "Are we still leaving the city now?"
Wang Can and Pei Qian looked at each other and shook their heads at the same time. How could they think about going out to the city for fun now? They immediately ordered the driver to turn around and return.
Zhang Yun and Liu Bei rushed into the state headquarters in a hurry to meet Liu Biao. Along the way, all the officials in the state looked sideways and talked loudly.
When Liu Cong heard the sound of horse hooves outside, he immediately walked out of the room. When he saw Zhang Yun from a distance, his heart suddenly thumped and he asked urgently: "Brother, why are you back?"
Zhang Yun rolled off his horse and said miserably: "We are defeated, defeated... We are defeated! Let your uncle know as soon as possible, before it is too late!"
"This..." After confirming his suspicion, Liu Cong was also panicked. However, his father received the bad news that the Jingzhou Army was defeated and Wang Wei died in battle a few days ago. He was so angry that he vomited blood again. His condition, which had become increasingly stable, relapsed.
He has been bedridden for several days. If he hears the news of his defeat again, his body will definitely not be able to bear it. If something goes wrong, the sky will fall!
Hearing that Liu Biao's condition was getting worse, Zhang Yun fell into silence, looked at the slightly immature Liu Cong, and asked: "Can you make decisions alone?"
Liu Cong was speechless. He was young and had no authority. Even if he could make decisions, who in Jingzhou would listen to his orders?
Zhang Yun shook his head and sighed: "It's better to inform my uncle. Jingzhou is in danger now, and it's not something you or I can make a decision about."
Liu Cong hesitated for a long time, but finally took Zhang Yun and Liu Bei to see Liu Biao.