Gan Ning returned to Jiangxia from Ruxu. The city guard informed Guan Yu that he had gone to Jiangling, so he bid farewell to Fu Shiren and Guan Ping and returned to Jiangling.
When he was approaching Jiangling Pier, he saw warships and transport ships docked neatly. Gan Ning asked the officers and soldiers on the transport ship and learned that Lan Tian and Guan Yu were in Jiangling at the moment.
After Gan Ning landed, he went straight into the city. Outside the city were stationed the newly recruited soldiers from Jingnan. After Gao Shun's short-term training, they were handed over to Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei and others.
Stepping into General Zuo's mansion, Gan Ning found more than a dozen unfamiliar generals, among whom he only knew the young general Liu Feng.
Gan Ning is now a famous general in Jingzhou. The others saluted him one after another. Liu Feng also clasped his fists and greeted: "I heard that General Gan went to Jiangdong. Is the war over there over?"
"Are General Guan and General Lan in the house?" Gan Ning did not answer directly.
"They are discussing the march route in the main hall." Liu Feng said.
Gan Ning nodded, "It seems that the young master is also going to Sichuan. This move is really big enough. I will go to the palace to find General Guan to return to his life."
"General, please excuse me." Liu Feng smiled slightly.
There is a simple sand table in Yizhou in the center of the main hall. Everyone gathered around to make the final strategic arrangements. The most important thing for the army expedition was food supply. Lantian had to determine the food transportation channels for the three soldiers and horses.
Lantian will continue to transport during the march of the war. Without any worries, Zhuge Liang and others must open the channel between Yizhou and Jingzhou as quickly as possible and join forces with Liu Bei to besiege Chengdu as early as possible.
Liu Bei captured Yizhou one day earlier to buy time for the subsequent capture of Hanzhong.
At the end of last year, Liu Bei trapped and killed the Baishui Pass guards Yang Huai and Gao Pei, officially broke with Liu Zhang and sent Huang Zhong and Zhuo Ying to lead his army southward, conquering Fucheng with great momentum along the way.
Liu Zhang in Yizhou had 100,000 troops, while Liu Bei only had 30,000 troops at this time. The army was isolated and in danger of running out of food at any time, so he was cautious and did not dare to act rashly. He only left 800 troops for Huo Jun to guard Jiameng Pass, and the rest of the troops were stationed. Fucheng, prepared to receive reinforcements from Chengdu, and waited for an opportunity to attack Mianzhu.
After Fucheng was defended, Liu Zhang's adviser Zheng Du suggested that Liu Bei's troops should be starved to death in Yizhou, but Liu Zhang did not adopt it. On the one hand, he sent Liu Huang, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and Wu Yi to lead With an army of 50,000, the five-pronged army went to Fucheng to resist the enemy. On the other hand, Fujin and Xiangcun led more than 10,000 troops to sneak attack Jiameng Pass from the Langshui River.
Liu Zhang knew that Liu Bei was capable of fighting, but after all, his troops were too small and some of them were Yizhou soldiers. As long as Liu Bei could break through the two-sided attack, he would be defeated. Although Liu Bei quickly captured Fucheng, Liu Zhang still didn't take him seriously. After all, the gap in military strength between the two sides is too big.
Jingzhou didn't know the battle situation in Yizhou, and Lantian was worried that his appearance would have a butterfly effect. If Liu Zhang took Zheng Du's suggestion, Liu Bei's situation would be very dangerous, so he sent troops to Yizhou a year in advance.
While Lan Tian and others were chatting in a lively manner, Gan Ning quietly exchanged greetings with Gao Shun at the door. The two of them were discovered without even saying a few words.
"Gan Xingba? Have you finished fighting Cao Cao and Sun Quan?" Zhang Fei asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Lan Tian, Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang and others looked over at the same time. Gan Ning hurriedly greeted everyone, and then clasped his fists to Guan Yu and said: "Cao Cao and Sun Quan have been facing off at Ruxukou for a long time. We Jingzhou navy have too few soldiers to participate in the battle, so we have to go to Guan Yu." Lu Zijing said goodbye and came back to help."
"The navy brought..." Guan Yu asked with concern.
"The four thousand naval forces are currently resting in Jiangxia. I have transferred the command to the young general and General Fu." Gan Ning explained.
Guan Yu nodded, saying it didn't matter whether he helped or not, as long as he brought it back intact.
"Ziyu, Xingba will be returned to you now." Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled.
Lan Tian smiled and said: "General Guan is the governor of Jingzhou. Xingba is also at your discretion. You can decide whether to pay it back or not."
"The four counties in Jingnan need more manpower. It would be better for Xingba to follow you. Last year, the borer plague caused a reduction in production in Jiangbei. Ziyu, you have more methods, otherwise it will be difficult to raise the grain and grass entering Sichuan this time." Guan Yu sighed.
Xu Shu interjected and asked: "When did Jiangling and Jiangxia counties introduce new planting methods? And the pesticides Ziyu used last year? If Jingnan hadn't been responsible for the hoarding of military rations and manufacturing of armor, Jingnan would have been richer than Nanjun. It’s really embarrassing to see.”
After Zhuge Liang entered Sichuan, Xu Shu wanted to assist Guan Yu in managing the military affairs of the two counties, but he focused more on government affairs, so at this moment he came up with the idea of Lantian Agriculture.
"We should still implement the previous plan. After all, Jiangling and Jiangxia counties are bordered by Cao Cao and Sun Quan. High-yield planting technology can be easily promoted. Don't fall into the hands of the enemy. If the two counties encounter any natural disasters again, Yuan Just ask Ziyu to help." Zhuge Liang said with a smile.
Xu Shu said helplessly: "I guess the people of Yizhou will benefit from the lord's taking Yizhou before Nanjun..."
Zhang Fei pointed out: "Yuan Zhi is really as his name suggests. Don't be so straight. Isn't it better if Nanjun is in trouble? That way you can go to Lingling often..."
Lan Tian was shocked when he heard that the three generals were about to lead their troops into Shu, and they still wanted to defeat my Qiu Feng.
After hearing this, Xu Shu and Lan Tian looked at each other and smiled. Zhuge Liang was more concerned about Cao Cao's developments. He asked Gan Ning carefully: "General Gan, what is the situation in the east? Can Sun Quan hold off Cao Cao?"
Gan Ning replied: "Cao Cao's naval force is weak in combat effectiveness, and Jiangdong's infantry and cavalry are also weak in combat effectiveness. The two sides have been victorious for two months, but Sun Quan has the geographical advantage of holding on to Ruxukou."
"I hope Jingzhou will be peaceful when we enter Sichuan." Zhuge Liang said to himself. Jingzhou is Liu Bei's base camp. All the soldiers and family members who entered Sichuan will be in Jingzhou, so there is absolutely no room for loss.
"My second brother is invincible, there is nothing to worry about." Zhang Fei looked unconcerned.
Zhuge Liang nodded in affirmation, then looked at Guan Yu and asked solemnly: "If Cao Cao leads his troops to attack Jingzhou, how should Yun Chang deal with it?"
Guan Yu said disdainfully: "Refuse with force."
"What if Cao Cao and Sun Quan send troops to attack together?" Zhuge Liang asked again.
"Divide your troops and resist." Guan Yu snorted contemptuously with his eyes wide open.
Zhuge Liang shook his head when he heard this, "It's really like this, I'll leave Jingzhou alone."
Guan Yu had a question mark on his face, "My eldest brother has been wandering around for many years, and finally got this foundation. Since Guan has accepted the important task, he should defend it to the death, and the soldiers will cover it up with water and earth. Shouldn't it be like this?"
Zhuge Liang said sincerely: "Why did Yun Chang talk about death? Liang left eight words to ensure that Jingzhou is safe. The general must remember it."
"Military advisor, please speak."
"Conquer Sun Quan in the east, reject Cao Cao in the north."
After Guan Yu heard this, he seemed to have some understanding. At this time, Xu Shu stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Kong Ming, please relax. With me and Ziyu here, Jingzhou will be safe."
"The military advisor enters Sichuan with peace of mind, and we will work together." Lan Tian added, he did not enter Sichuan with Liu Bei, he just wanted to help the second master guard the rear. Crossing the river in white clothes and stabbing Sun Quan in the back were all impossible to succeed.
Zhuge Liang nodded happily. Guan Yu's strength was definitely top-notch, but his personality was too resolute and difficult to get close to. Fortunately, Xu Shu and Lan Tian had similar personalities to him.
