Liu Bei was overjoyed by Zhang Liao's joining, and Chen Gong's stubbornness cost him his life.
As for Cheng Yu, he still did not relent, and Liu Bei was not willing to force himself, so he maintained the status quo of not caring about each other.
As Zhao Chen expected, Yuan Shao received the news of Cao Cao's defeat, raised an army of 100,000, and headed straight for Yanzhou.
Cao Cao had no choice but to abandon Fu Yang and return all the way.
The two armies looked at each other, and there was a long-lost stalemate.
Liu Bei followed Zhao Chen's arrangement and asked Zhang Liao to lead 5,000 troops to guard Pengcheng, and Sun Shao and Huang Gai to lead 5,000 troops to guard Fu Yang.
After a month of consolidation, Xuzhou slowly returned to peace.
Originally, Xuzhou Danyang, represented by Cao Bao, was very powerful, and Liu Bei was helpless against Cao Bao's faction.
Fortunately, Cao Bao has also died, and all the remaining Danyang soldiers have been incorporated into Liu Bei's army, with a total of 5,000 troops.
After the battle for Xiapi City, Liu Bei had more than 30,000 troops.
The entire Xuzhou was included in Liu Bei's account, except for the Taishan Group in the northeast corner.
In early November, the weather in Xuzhou already had the flavor of deep winter, and thick ice gradually formed on the Si River and Yishui River.
On the edge of the Yangtze River, the small courtyard belonging to Zhao Chen outside the Guanglingcheng County Government Office was bustling with activity.
Trainer Bu packed his luggage nervously and insisted on going to Xiapi City to find Zhao Chen regardless of Wanshi's dissuasion.
In her words, Xiapi City has been recovered. At this time, Zhao Chen needs someone to take care of him. How could he be without her as a trainer?
Wanshi always behaved in a disciplined manner. Without Zhao Chen's instructions, even if she missed him again, she would not take the initiative to look for Zhao Chen.
Perhaps this has something to do with her age. She is in her early thirties and is no longer a little girl of fifteen or sixteen.
But this time, Mi Lujun and Bu Lianshi stood on the same front.
The two of them couldn't finish talking about topics, such as how to get to Xiapi City without being discovered, what beautiful scenery there would be on the way, what exquisite hairpins they could buy, etc., and even how to face Zhao Chen's questioning. Everyone has already discussed it.
Wanshi envied the two girls, who dared to love and hate, and did whatever they said.
But she couldn't do it, her name was not justified, not to mention the fact that there was an age difference, so she could only hide this love deep in her heart.
…
On the tenth day of November, Liu Bei held a celebration banquet.
All the soldiers and counselors gathered together to celebrate this hard-won victory.
Xuzhou, after going round and round, finally returned to Liu Bei's hands.
The contribution book clearly records everyone's contribution, except for one person who has not recorded it.
That is Zhao Chen. In Liu Bei's eyes, Zhao Chen is not positioned by merit, because his status is always second in Liu Bei's army.
At the banquet, everyone was gradually drinking and becoming confused as they changed glasses.
Taishi Ci slowly stood up and walked to Liu Bei and said softly: "Liu Shijun, now that Cao Cao has retreated and Xuzhou has been secured, it's time for Ci to go back."
A simple sentence frightened Liu Bei into waking up instantly.
"Why did General Ziyi say this?"
Taishi Ci said helplessly: "Before we sent out the army, Ci and the envoy made an agreement that when Cao Cao retreats, he would return to his lord Liu Zhengli. Now that it has been fulfilled and the celebration banquet has been held, it is naturally time to return to Jiangdong."
Liu Bei was not too hasty to agree and quickly turned his attention to Zhao Chen.
Fortunately, Zhao Chen was not drunk by Zhang Fei, so he supported his body and walked slowly to Liu Bei's side.
Liu Bei said with a mournful face: "Commander, General Ziyi wants to return to Jiangdong, what should he do?"
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Chen instantly became energetic.
Back to Jiangdong? How could the general who had finally borrowed the army be so brave that he killed Cao Cao, abandoned his robe, cut off his beard and threw away his sword? How could he be so easily put back?
However, if he is forced to stay, not only will it easily arouse Tai Shici's inner dissatisfaction, but it will also ruin Liu Bei's reputation for being wise and benevolent. No force will dare to cooperate with Liu Bei in the future.
Is it possible that history has not changed and Liu Bei’s generals cannot be retained?
Gao Shun is like this, Taishi Ci is like this!
Zhao Chen endured the discomfort and had to advise Liu Bei: "My lord, General Ziyi is loyal and brave, and he is truly a righteous man. I don't know when General Ziyi will return. My lord, Chen, and all the soldiers will see the general off."
Taishi Ci bowed deeply and replied: "Liu Shijun is wise. Ci will return tomorrow."
Zhao Chen agreed, toasted with everyone, and thanked Tai Shici for his contribution these days.
The relationship between Zhen and Taishi Ci started at the banquet and ended at the banquet.
Everything has returned to its starting point, just like the reincarnation of heaven.
Early the next morning, Liu Bei, Zhao Chen, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others were waiting for Taishi Ci at the south gate of Xiapi City.
Tai Shici rode his horse forward alone. When he saw Liu Bei and others waiting at a distance, he was suddenly deeply moved.
"In these days, Ci Zai has been advancing and retreating with you all. Ci Zai has experienced the generosity and kindness of Mr. Liu, Mr. Houde's ingenuity, General Guan's loyalty, and General Zhang's bravery. Ci has benefited a lot. But Ci Zai and you all Everyone is in charge of his own business, and I cannot help you for a long time, so I have to say goodbye today."
Zhang Feice immediately stepped forward and asked with some regret, "Ziyi, did you stay with Liu Zhengli after this trip?"
Taishi Ci did not answer.
The two of them had been on a night raid for hundreds of miles, and they could be regarded as people who shared the same adversity. They admired each other's bravery, and at this moment, they felt like heroes cherishing each other.
Guan Yu, on the other hand, still just wanted to watch calmly.
This is already a great improvement. If it were before, I would definitely squint to see it, and from time to time I would say: "You don't deserve it!" "Sell Seoul!"
"Ziyi, my eldest brother has a strong military advisor and is definitely better than Liu Zhengli!"
"Yide's good intentions are led by compassion. But people must not be unjust. No matter what, compassion is still under Liu Zhengli's account."
Zhang Fei had no choice but to silently hand over the expenses for the long journey.
Liu Bei came to Tai Shici and left a message: "General Ziyi, I have relied on the general a lot during this trip to capture Xuzhou. I would like to thank you here. If you encounter difficulties in the future, feel free to come to Bei and I will do my best to help you."
Taishi Ci cupped his fists and saluted: "Thank you so much, Ambassador Liu!"
"It's my honor to meet all of you. Let's say goodbye today. If we are destined, we can drink together again tomorrow!"
Then he rode his horse and galloped all the way south.
Zhao Chen sighed silently, thinking that by borrowing, he might become a general under Liu Bei, but in the end it was the same.
It is in line with the saying: Others cannot take away what is yours, and cannot be taken if it is not yours.
But that's fine, at least Sun Shao was left, and it was precisely this type of talent that was needed to govern Xuzhou.
Everyone watched as Tai Shi Ci's figure gradually faded away until it disappeared into the sky.
The sun disappeared into the dark clouds, Xuzhou lost its sunshine, and the temperature suddenly dropped.
Zhao Chen walked towards the mansion while thinking about the future.
Without Taishi Ci, Liu Bei's account is missing a person who can lead the cavalry, and a general who can charge into battle and come and go without a trace. This is a huge loss to the entire Liu Bei group, and there is no one who can fill Taishi Ci's position. There are only a handful of them.
Except for Gongsun Zan's Zhao Yun, it is estimated that only Xiliang Ma has surpassed him.
But now both of them are still under other people's tents. If other princes attack at this time, it will be troublesome.
Zhao Chen rubbed his slightly aching forehead and muttered: "We have to think of a solution quickly."
Shi A on the side was holding the horse quietly.
Zhao Chen's mansion was in the east of the city. It was originally the property of the Mi family, but now it can be regarded as an asset given to Zhao Chen by Liu Bei.
As soon as he entered the mansion gate, a woman hurriedly ran out, panting and crying to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen was shocked. He didn't remember that there was a woman in his mansion.
When the woman raised her head, Zhao Chen suddenly realized.
"Little Master, why are you here?"
"Hude, go and see quickly, mother is sick!"
