"My eldest son, please be patient."
Zhuge Liang quickly shook his head and called Liu Qi,
"After all, Mrs. Cai is also the son's mother. How can the son kill his mother?"
"Besides, we just captured Xiangyang, the situation is unstable, and many people are still waiting."
"If the young master kills Cai Mao, wouldn't it chill their hearts?"
When Liu Qi thought about it, it was the same truth, so he could only say bitterly,
"It's cheaper for them!"
"It won't be too late to deal with them after the overall situation settles down."
Liu Bei consoled him.
While they were talking, a soldier hurried in,
"Reporting to Zhou Mu, the vanguard of Cao's army has arrived in Fancheng!"
…
"His grandma, hurry up and hurry up, but you're still a step too slow!"
Outside Fancheng, Wen Chou complained unwillingly.
Yang Ling came to Nanyang County this time and brought nearly 20,000 troops with him.
Gan Ning's 3,000 Bazi camp, Zhao Yun's 3,000 Dragon zi camp, Gao Shun's 3,000 Trap camp, and Ma Chao's 3,000 Meng zi camp.
In addition, Cao Cao also allocated 6,000 tiger and leopard cavalry and put them under Yang Ling's command.
Yang Ling handed over the six thousand tigers and leopards to the leadership of Cao Chun and Wen Chou, who had not been on many expeditions since joining Cao Cao.
Knowing that Liu Biao was critically ill and receiving Cai Yu's request for help, Yang Ling did not hesitate and immediately sent Cao Chun and Wen Chou, leading six thousand tiger and leopard cavalry, to Xinye first.
He ordered the city wall to be blown up with black powder. After taking Xinye, he rushed to Fancheng without stopping.
However, it was still a step too late. The Jingzhou army responsible for guarding Fancheng did not dare to resist after learning that Cao Jun had arrived.
After burning all the extra ships, they retreated to Xiangyang City on the other side.
Looking at the dark bank across the river, Yang Ling frowned slightly, but since he couldn't catch up now, he could only wait until dawn to see what the situation was like in Xiangyang City.
So he ordered Cao Jun to enter Fancheng and rest for the time being.
Early the next morning, when the follow-up troops arrived, Yang Ling gathered everyone together and began to discuss countermeasures.
"Just wait and see, what should we do now?"
Yang Ling asked softly.
"Needless to say, of course I called him directly!"
Gan Ning said it without even thinking.
"Xing Ba said it lightly, but the question is how to cross the river?"
Zhao Yun frowned.
Right now, they don't have a boat to cross the river. Even if they did, the Jingzhou Army on the opposite side would have to pay a heavy price if they wanted to cross the river as long as they built a defense line along the river bank!
"Teacher, according to students, you can first... send someone... to see the situation in Xiangyang City, and then... make a decision."
Deng Ai suddenly said.
When Yang Ling heard this, his eyes lit up.
"Shizai is right. Isn't Liu Biao seriously ill? We just used this as an excuse to send an envoy to visit him."
"But who to send?"
Ma Chao asked.
Everyone, look at me, and I'll look at you.
At this time, Gao Rou stood up and took the initiative to ask Ying,
"General, my subordinates are willing to go!"
"This matter is extremely dangerous. There is no need for Mr. Wen Hui to take risks alone."
Zhao Yun advised.
"Don't worry, General Zilong. Youdao means that the two armies are at war, so don't behead the envoy."
Gao Rou said confidently,
"Liu Bei attaches great importance to reputation. He will never sit back and watch others in Jingzhou kill me."
Yang Ling nodded,
"Wen Hui is right. Then please Wen Hui, please go to Jingzhou and find out about the situation in the city for me."
"Your Majesty, take your orders!"
Gao Rou bowed her hands in salute, took the talisman representing the imperial envoy, then got on a small boat and headed for the other side of the Han River.
…
Liu Qi, Liu Bei and others in Xiangyang City soon learned the news.
"It seems that Gao Rou is here to inquire about information on behalf of Yang Ling."
Zhuge Liang pondered.
"Uncle, Mr. Kong Ming, what should we do?"
Liu Qi asked the two for instructions.
Before Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang could speak, Wei Yan on the side suddenly sneered,
"Since he belongs to Cao Cao, what else is there to say? Just kill him!"
Zhuge Liang's expression changed and he scolded sternly,
"The emperor's uncle is talking to Zhou Mu, how can you interrupt?"
Wei Yan was stunned and quickly apologized in fear,
"The general was reckless. I hope Zhou Mu and the emperor will forgive me!"
But Zhuge Liang was a little reluctant and sneered at Liu Bei and Liu Qi,
"My lord, the state shepherd, this person is a civil servant general, but he rebelled last night. This is disloyal!"
"I think there is a bone in the back of his head, which will cause serious trouble in the future!"
"It's better to kill him first to avoid future troubles!"
Hearing this, everyone was stunned on the spot.
They were able to enter Xiangyang City, and the first contributor was Li Gui, followed by Wei Yan.
But no one expected that Zhuge Liang would kill Wei Yan directly!
"This...General Wen Chang is extremely brave and sincerely surrenders to him. If he is killed, won't it make other people feel chilling?"
Liu Bei gave good advice.
"Yes, please think twice, military advisor."
Liu Qi also echoed.
Seeing that the two of them disagreed, Zhuge Liang sighed and said sternly to Wei Yan,
"My lord and the governor are kind and don't want to kill you. But from now on, you must be loyal to the master. If you have other intentions, I will never forgive you!"
"The general will remember it!"
Wei Yan, who was lucky enough to save his life, quickly nodded in agreement.
"The river bank defense line is extremely important, and I hope General Wenchang will take charge."
Liu Bei was afraid that Wei Yan would cause Zhuge Liang's displeasure again, so he ordered Wei Yan to go to the river and sit down.
"The last general takes orders."
Wei Yan bowed his hands and turned to leave.
After leaving the Prefecture Mufu, Wei Yan felt extremely unhappy!
He wanted to join Liu Bei, so he betrayed Wenpin last night.
But he didn't expect that Zhuge Liang would kill him just for saying one more word in front of Liu Bei and Liu Qi!
"This bastard Zhuge Liang deserves to die!"
Wei Yan muttered and walked out of the city.
It happened that Gao Rou was led by several soldiers to the Prefecture Mufu at this time and heard Wei Yan's complaints.
His heart moved and he asked with a smile,
"The man who just passed by was so majestic. Who is he?"
"Replying to the envoy, this person is General Wei Yan."
The soldier in charge replied.
Gao Rou took a deep look at Wei Yan's back, then turned around and walked into the Zhou Mu Mansion.
The lobby of the State Pastoral Palace.
"It's really hard for Mr. Wen Hui to come all the way."
Liu Qi smiled and greeted Gao Rou.
After some discussions with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, he felt that Liu Biao's death could not be concealed.
It would be better to welcome Gao Rou in openly and through him, tell Yang Ling that Liu Qi and Liu Bei have taken control of Xiangyang, so as to make Cao Jun retreat.
"I heard that Zhou Mu was seriously ill, so I came to visit him on the order of the imperial court."
Gao Rou said softly.
"Mr. Wen Hui doesn't know that my father suddenly became ill last night and passed away..."
When Liu Qi talked about this, his face was extremely sad!
"I didn't expect Zhou Mu to pass away like this. It's really sad!"
Gao Rou had already expected this, so she put on a look of regret.
