Chapter 444 Willing to be the river, to meet you again.
Chapter 444 I am willing to meet you again for the sake of Jiang Shui.
Author: Playing with Basilisk
Chapter 444 I am willing to meet you again for the sake of Jiang Shui.
Liu Bei entrusted his son to leave all state affairs and military power to Zhuge Liang, Shen Chen and Guan Yu.
On the third-line battlefield, Shen Chen and Guan Yu are still responsible for the upper and lower fronts.
Zhuge Liang was in charge of the middle Henan battlefield.
But he thought that if he took over the military affairs, he decided to withdraw from the army.
Shen Chen agreed with this point.
The great cause of unifying the world cannot be achieved overnight. Even in the new era, it will still take four years to regain the country with a bald man, let alone this time.
Therefore, the best choice is to retreat as soon as the situation is good, encroach step by step, and then accumulate strength to defeat Cao Wei in one fell swoop.
In the next few days, except for Zhuge Liang who had to deal with government affairs, everyone stayed with Liu Bei every day, chatting with him about national affairs and even family affairs.
Liu Bei had no other relatives, only his wife and children, but Shen Chen was his son-in-law and Zhang Fei was his in-law, so there was always something to talk about between his children.
By the beginning of July, another good news came. Although Shen Chen left Guanzhong, the military operations in Guanzhong never stopped.
Cao Zhen, Xu Huang, and Zhu Ling saw that Shen Chen had transferred people to fill Guanzhong. Now the population in Guanzhong has tens of thousands of households, and it is still increasing. They are worried that he will have people to obtain food and grass, so they continue to harass the rear.
Shen Chen transferred the main force of the cavalry to Henan. Cao Jun had a lot of cavalry. It was still troublesome to deal with Cao Jun who came and went like the wind, so he was quite passive for a while.
Although Cao's army did not take much advantage, it still frightened the people in the field. This incident has always made Shen Chen uncomfortable. It was also the main reason why he planned to seize Hedong first and capture the land east of Hedong.
Unexpectedly, when Cao Wei heard that Shen Chen had left Guanzhong and that Chang'an was without a commander, he thought he could take advantage of the opportunity to do something, so he immediately sent troops, and it was a large-scale operation.
A hundred thousand Cao troops led by Cao Zhen, supported by Xu Huang and Zhu Ling, marched directly to Huayin in a mighty manner.
Before leaving Chang'an, Shen Chen ordered Zhao Yun to be in charge and Pang De to be his deputy.
Pang De believed that Cao's army was taking advantage of Shen Chen's absence to invade, and wanted to seize the opportunity to recapture Chang'an, so he urged the main force to dispatch and start a decisive battle with Cao Zhen south of the Wei River.
However, after deliberation, Deng Ai and Jiang Wei believed that Cao Zhen was attacking in the east and that Cao's army was incapable of attacking Chang'an. The large-scale mobilization of troops and horses at this time was most likely a bluff, but actually had other purposes.
After careful consideration, Zhao Yun adopted the suggestions of Deng Ai and Jiang Wei, withdrawing his troops from Huayin and sticking to the areas around Chang'an.
Anyway, several cities south of the Weihe River such as Huayin and Zhengxian were already dilapidated and had no soldiers or civilians. Now the people recruited by the government are concentrated in Fufeng on the right, and Cao's army must cross Chang'an and Fengyi on the left to harass the people.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong with abandoning Huayin and Zheng County. On the contrary, Cao's army will go deep alone, and the army will have to travel a long distance to attack. This is a good thing for the Han army from a tactical point of view.
The reaction of the Han army was within Cao Zhen's expectation.
He believed that without Shen Chen, the Han army would definitely stick to its main position and not dare to attack.
Therefore, he immediately crossed Zheng County and pretended to attack Chang'an. In fact, Xu Huang and Zhu Ling's troops moved from Fengyi on the left to Fufeng on the right.
But what Cao Zhen never expected was that the Han army did not stand firm, but waited.
Coincidentally, more than 10,000 newly trained cavalry arrived a few days ago. Zhao Yun personally led 30,000 infantry, plus more than 10,000 cavalry, and launched counter-encirclement tactics against the Wei army.
When Xu Huang and Zhu Ling were preparing to make a sneak attack on the common people's farming area in Youfufeng, they suddenly attacked and defeated them.
The Wei army suffered heavy casualties in this battle. More than 3,000 people were beheaded by the Han army and 5,000 were captured. Zhao Yun, a veteran general who was over 60 years old, personally beheaded several Wei generals. Xu Huang and Zhu Ling were defeated and fled, and they returned with a great victory.
.
The news quickly spread to Xiangyang a few days later. Liu Bei was happy for a moment and his spirits improved a lot. By early July, he could actually walk a few steps.
On this day, the fifth day of the seventh month in the seventh year of Zhangwu, in the back garden of the Xiangyang Palace, Liu Bei came to the garden to enjoy the scenery with the support of everyone.
It was already evening, and the cool breeze of early autumn had dispelled the heat wave of late summer. Xiangyang was bordered by the Han River to the north and Xian Mountain to the south. There was a channel of water flowing into the park from the moat river. Bamboo groves and rockeries were on both sides of the channel, and there were many flowers and plants.
, the scenery is as beautiful as a picture scroll.
Liu Bei was sitting in the pavilion on the side of the lake in the garden, looking at the carp swimming below, looking around, and said with emotion: "It would be great if I could turn into a fish after death and swim freely."
"Brother, it's boring to be a fish. You'll have to be roasted and eaten in the future. Let me tell you, my brother is going to be a god in the future, so how can he be a fish?"
Zhang Fei started shouting.
"Ha ha."
Liu Bei was amused and looked at Zhang Fei with kind eyes, as if looking at a child who had not grown up.
Shen Chen said: "Uncle Yide, what your Majesty means is the free and unrestrained artistic conception, just like in the Haoliang Debate, the child is not a fish, how can he know the joy of fish. What your Majesty wants to experience is the joy of fish, like Zhuang
Zhou Mengdie believes that all things are one, rather than really wanting to be a fish."
"yes."
Liu Bei sighed: "I started my army from Zhuojun and spent most of my life on the battlefield. I rarely spend time with my family, and I don't know what happiness is. I worked hard all my life and only when I was about to die did I understand this truth. Maybe
This is what Confucius meant when he said, "At the age of seventy, you should follow your heart's desires without going beyond the rules."
Zhang Fei scratched his head with a look of confusion on his face. For him to understand these thoughts and artistic conceptions was like playing the piano to a cow.
Ma Liang on the side said: "Your Majesty is blessed with you. Now that you have gained something, the so-called open-mindedness and far-reaching will definitely improve your condition. The prosperity of the Han Dynasty for all generations will have to wait for your Majesty to cultivate and then pacify the world. You have done more than the great ancestors."
Liu Bei has been saying these days that he is about to die and is arranging things after his death. For a person like him who feels seriously ill, it is natural for him to feel that he is self-conscious, so he speaks without any scruples.
But for others, they still have to advise Liu Bei, hoping that he can take good care of his body and continue to live a long and prosperous life.
Liu Bei smiled and said: "I am already in the age of destiny. In fact, there is nothing to hate. If God wants me to die, then let me die. Anyway, everything after my death has been arranged, and I have nothing to regret. I just want to die."
I hope that if I have the spirit, I can see you unifying the world and reviving the Han Dynasty."
The more he said this, the more distressed the ministers became.
Guan Yu lamented: "Brother, I will not disappoint my brother's wishes, conquer Cao Wei, and revive the Han Dynasty."
"His Majesty."
Shen Chen also said: "I will never forget your majesty's instructions even if I die."
"Brother, just relax and recuperate."
Zhang Fei also shouted: "I will capture Cao Pi alive and bring him to the elder brother for his disposal."
"Ha ha ha ha."
Liu Bei burst out laughing, and at the end of his laughter he coughed violently and said: "Cough, cough, cough, cough, if Yide has such a heart, I will be satisfied."
The hand covering his mouth was removed, and there was another trace of blood. The attendant next to him quickly wiped his hands and the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.
Several people around him were feeling distressed and mournful, but Liu Bei was used to it. He could feel the discomfort and weakness in his body. No matter how reluctant he was to leave, at this age, why couldn't he see things through?
He raised his head and looked into the distance. The heavy dusk was covering the sky and the earth. The evening sun was shining slantingly, and the sunset was shining brightly.
Crows of dusk crows circled in the sky, wild geese flew north, and white clouds floated in the blue sky.
For the first time, Liu Bei calmed down and observed the heaven and earth. He found that the long sky and the scenery in the world were so beautiful.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered another beautiful place.
"Taoyuan."
he said.
Liu Bei glanced at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei blankly, and said softly: "Second brother and third brother, I miss Taoyuan."
That spring the sun was shining brightly and the peach blossoms were in full bloom.
Under the pavilion, in Zhangzhuang, Liu Guan and Zhang met each other, and they became sworn friends in Taoyuan.
The three brothers raised troops in Zhuo County to challenge Dong Zhuo, defeat the bandits, and fight against Cao Cao. They traveled south and north, and finally established the south and achieved great success.
Time flies and the years change.
Before I knew it, more than forty years had passed.
That day, that month, that year.
It seems like it was yesterday, so vividly in my mind that it makes my eyes wet and my heart broken.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sat next to Liu Bei on the left and right, holding his hand tightly and saying the same: "Brother, we want it too."
At that moment, Liu Bei's originally open-minded and cheerful mood suddenly became depressed, and he said sadly: "I once thought that if I could dominate the world in the future, I would take my second and third brothers back to the Taoyuan to drink, and go back to see the peach blossoms with the young gentleman.
Now it seems that there is no hope after all.”
Ma Liang pointed to a peach tree in the courtyard and said: "Your Majesty, the peach blossoms have faded now, but the tree is already full of peaches. In today's world, the north and the south are facing each other. Although Cao Wei is strong, he is not your Majesty's rival. Your Majesty will eventually march to the Central Plains.
, go back to the north to pick peach blossoms.”
"Yes, brother, cheer up."
Guan Yu held Liu Bei's hand, patted it gently, and consoled him: "The country needs my brother. If my brother can cheer up and live a few more years, why can't he personally lead the troops to the northern expedition to Cao Wei, and then take us back to Taoyuan to see?"
"Second brother and third brother."
Liu Bei looked around, then looked at Shen Chen, and said sadly and angrily: "Xiaoqing, how I want to take you back to Taoyuan."
Shen Chen comforted him by saying, "Your Majesty's beloved Taoyuan Minister also wants to go."
"Taoyuan. Taoyuan"
Liu Bei sat slumped in the pavilion, looking towards the north, murmuring to himself: "Northern Expedition, Northern Expedition. I'm afraid I won't be able to see Taoyuan in this life."
"Father."
Liu Chan said next to him: "My child will definitely fulfill his father's long-cherished wish and dominate the world. Let's go back to Taoyuan to see him."
"Okay, okay."
Liu Bei suddenly became much happy again.
If Liu Chan has such an idea, he has nothing to regret.
The sky is getting darker.
The sunset rose in the western sky, reflecting half of the sky.
In the eastern sky, half of the silver disk has not yet emerged, and the stars quietly climb into the night sky.
The starlight was dazzling, as bright as silver.
Liu Bei looked into the distance with a slightly cloudy gaze. He felt that his energy seemed to be getting worse and worse. He narrowed his eyes slightly and tried to continue looking at the distant sky.
What a pity for this beautiful scenery.
Maybe I won’t be able to see it for much longer.
He thought to himself.
At some point, it was already dark.
An attendant admonished him: "Your Majesty, please go back to the palace and rest."
"I'll look at it again. Let me look at it again."
Liu Bei's weak voice was almost inaudible as he was still staring at the bright stars at night.
The largest one among them, the light seems to be competing with the bright moon, shining with blazing starlight, shining brightly, and the silver clouds are dazzling.
Lines of black magpies slowly fell into the mountains and forests of Xian Mountain in the south. The sunset in the west finally faded and night arrived.
Liu Bei looked at the shining star in trance.
After a while, he said softly: "I wish to be a star in the sky, dust on the earth, and a fish in the water in my next life. I don't want to live so tiredly anymore."
After saying this, the emperor suddenly tilted his head and fell into a deep sleep.
For some reason, after he fell asleep, the largest star seemed to have released all its starlight, becoming extremely dim and unable to shine any more.
When they found that the emperor was asleep, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei initially thought that he fell asleep unconsciously while sitting as usual.
So Guan Yu put his arms around Liu Bei and wanted to pick him up and take him back to the palace to rest.
But suddenly I realized something was wrong.
The eldest brother's body seemed to be so limp that he had no strength at all. When he touched his nose again, Guan Yu burst into tears and trembled, wailing: "Brother."
His wailing sound suddenly frightened the surrounding people such as Shen Chen, Zhang Fei, Ma Liang, Yang Yi and others.
"His Majesty!"
Shen Chen and others also cried loudly.
Zhang Fei hugged Liu Bei in pain and cried: "Brother!"
"Brother!"
The high-pitched voice almost penetrated the entire palace.
The Mingguang Hall Shangshu Desk in the imperial palace is where the prime minister conducts government affairs.
At this time, Zhuge Liang was still crouching at the desk processing state documents.
Now Liu Bei is ill, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Fazheng and others are on the front line, and all national affairs are tied to him.
Suddenly, for some reason, he felt a little uneasy. The brush in his hand fell on the official document he wanted to give instructions on, and he was unable to write.
A drop of ink dripped from the tip of the pen, staining the document.
"Prime Minister."
At this moment, the attendant hurriedly came in and said sadly and angrily: "Your Majesty, you have passed away."
"ah?"
Zhuge Liang raised his head blankly.
The pen in his hand dropped unconsciously and he scribbled on the official document.
But he no longer cared about this, threw down the paper and pen, and rushed out of the Mingguang Hall, almost running, towards the back garden.
At this moment, the back garden was already bursting into tears.
Queen Wu, Mrs. Gan, Mrs. Mi, Adou, Liu Yong, Liu Li, Liu Ning and others rushed to Liu Bei after hearing the news and cried bitterly beside Liu Bei.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei wailed endlessly, and everyone knelt down in front of Liu Bei, bursting into tears and sobbing.
Zhuge Liang hurried over and saw a scene of sorrow.
He walked up to Liu Bei and held Liu Bei's hand. His tears kept falling, and the pain in his heart was almost beyond words.
Shen Chen had already burst into tears at this time.
That year in Xuzhou, his hometown was massacred. A fool dared to rescue Xuzhou with thousands of people, regardless of the danger of his life.
That kindness will be unforgettable until death.
He said softly: "Your Majesty is willing to be a star, dust, and fish. I am also willing to be the night sky, loess, and river to meet you again."