At this time, Liu Bei had been away for some time. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei went to the vegetable garden and could not find Liu Bei. After hearing about being invited by Cao Cao, they couldn't hold back. They must go to Cao Cao to rescue Liu Bei. The rain could not stop them. I had no choice but to go along with him.
As Cao Cao was leaving, he suddenly heard a voice. After asking, he learned that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had to go to the small pavilion to find their eldest brother regardless of the obstruction.
Yu Yi explained: "My second brother and third brother just came back from hunting outside the city. I heard that my eldest brother was invited by Xu Chu and Zhang Liao to have a drink, but they refused. I heard that there was a conflict in the back garden, so they came in because they just wanted to talk to the prime minister. Just a glass of wine."
While explaining, Yu Yi checked the situation at the scene and found that Liu Bei and Cao Cao were sitting and drinking. Liu Bei's face was full of joy. It was obvious that there was no danger, so he made such an excuse.
Cao Cao didn't believe it. After all, both of them came with swords, so he asked Guan Yu, "What are you doing?"
Guan Yu smiled and said, "I heard that the Prime Minister invited my eldest brother to have a drink. I also want to have a drink and dance with the Prime Minister's sword to liven up the atmosphere."
Cao Cao said: "This is not the Hongmen Banquet. Where do we need Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Bo?" So he ordered more wine to calm Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei thanked him and left, and Yu Yi also shared some green plum wine. Cao Cao happened to have something to deal with, so he said goodbye and left.
On the way back, Guan Yu said: "I heard that fourth brother, you were picked up by Cao Cao. We were all very scared, so we came over immediately."
So Liu Bei used the allusion of dropping chopsticks to tell the story to everyone. Zhang Fei naturally didn't understand. Liu Bei explained: "I have been growing vegetables just to let Cao Cao know that I have no ambitions. I didn't expect Cao Cao to cook green plums for wine. Thinking that he and I are both heroes, I just happened to use a thunder to drop things and act like I was scared. This made Cao Cao doubtful and thought that I was not a threat!"
Yu Yi bowed and said, "Brother, this is how you keep a low profile and bide your time. It's something I can't reach!"
On the second day, Cao Cao invited Liu Bei again. While he was drinking, someone reported that Man Chong had come back to inquire about Yuan Shao's information. Cao Cao summoned him to inquire about the situation.
Man Chong said: "Gongsun Zan has been defeated by Yuan Shao."
After all, Liu Bei had some friendship with Gongsun Zan, so he was a little surprised when he heard the news, so he asked eagerly, "I hope the matter can be explained in more detail."
Man Chong said: "Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao fought in a decisive battle. After the first battle failed, they built the city and surrounded it in a circle. Then they built a building on the spot, as high as ten feet, and named it Yijing Tower. There they gathered 300,000 troops. Guards, soldiers came in and out without stopping, and some were besieged by Yuan Shao. Everyone asked for help, but he said that if one person was saved, then the soldiers who went out to fight later would all rely on others to save them, and they would not be willing to resist Yuan's army. That's it. He was willing to go to rescue, so after Yuan Shao's army came, many people surrendered, and Gongsun Zan's power became less and less, so he sent people to Xudu to ask for help, but he did not expect to be captured by Yuan Shao's sergeants on the way. Gongsun Zan wrote another letter to send To Zhang Yan, he planned to use a torch as a signal to keep the letter secret, but before the letter was sent out, the messenger was captured by Yuan Jun. So Yuan Jun followed the plan and set fire outside the city to lure Gongsun Zan. He went to fight in person, but was ambushed from all sides. Most of the army and horses were lost, and they had no choice but to retreat to the city. Yuan Shao took the advice of his counselors and dug a passage from the ground to the bottom of the tall building built by Gongsun Zan. There was a huge fire and thick smoke billowing. Gongsun Zan could not escape upstairs. He first killed his wife and then committed suicide. The whole family was burned to death in the fire. Now Yuan Shao has accepted Gongsun Zan's troops. Yuan Shao's younger brother Yuan Shu is too arrogant and extravagant in Huainan and does not care about the soldiers and civilians. Everyone is ready to rebel. Yuan Shu sent people to take the emperor's title It belongs to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao is going to take the jade seal from his brother, and Yuan Shu is going to send it there in person. I see that he is ready to abandon Huainan and go to Hebei. If the two brothers work together, it will be difficult for the matter to end. I hope the prime minister will consider this carefully. thing."
Liu Bei thought of Gongsun Zan's tragic death and the friendship between the two in the past. He felt very sad. He also didn't know the whereabouts of Zhao Yun. He couldn't let go. He secretly thought, "Why don't I think of a way to escape at this time? Why do I have to wait until When?"
So he stood up and said to Cao Cao: "If Yuan Shu defectes to Yuan Shao, he will definitely pass through Xuzhou. I hope you can give me a team of troops and I will intercept them halfway."
Cao Cao thought for a while and felt that he should take action, so he said: "Tomorrow I will personally go to petition Emperor Xian. You can lead the troops there."
On the second day, Liu Bei presented the emperor in person, and then Cao Cao made Liu Bei the governor, commanding 50,000 troops, and sent Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to accompany him. Liu Bei said goodbye to Xian Emperor, and Xian Emperor sent him away in tears.
After Liu Bei returned, he told the brothers about the situation. Everyone was filled with emotion. Yu Yi thought that Gongsun Zan's end was actually doomed. By building tall buildings like that, wasn't he just digging a grave for himself? But he didn't say anything. , he knew the friendship between Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei, so he said: "Eldest brother also wants to leave here as soon as possible."
Liu Bei just nodded, acquiescing.
Yu Yi said: "I heard that Cao Cao's advisers haven't come back yet. It's not easy for me to think of this. Now that I have become the commander, it is time to leave Xudu as soon as possible. If it's too late, I'm afraid those who are chasing me will be killers."
Zhang Fei said: "So what if the killer comes, I kill every one I meet!"
Yu Yi said: "Don't take it lightly. The ancients said that it is easy to hide from an open gun, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow."
So Liu Bei went to his temporary residence, packed up his weapons and pommel horses that night, hung up his official seal as a general, and urged him to move forward.
After walking about ten miles, someone announced that Dong Cheng was coming.
Liu Bei said: "Uncle Guo, wait quietly for a moment. I will definitely use my life to serve the emperor this time."
Dong Chengdao: "You must pay more attention after you leave, and don't let down Emperor Xian's wish."
The two separated, and Liu Bei ordered to speed up. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were a little puzzled on their horses, saying: "My eldest brother is going to fight as the commander-in-chief. It's just and legitimate. Why are you so panicked?"
Liu Bei said: "I am a bird in a cage and a fish in a net. This time it is like a fish entering the sea and a bird flying high into the sky, no longer bound by the net."
Yu Yi said: "You don't understand my brother's intentions. This time our brothers can make great achievements." So Liu Bei gave the order and everyone moved forward quickly.
The day after Liu Bei left, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu returned after sorting out their money and supplies. They learned that Cao Cao had sent Liu Bei as commander-in-chief to march into Xuzhou. Without even taking a break, they went to Cao Cao to remonstrate, saying: "Prime Minister. Why send Liu Bei to supervise the army?"
Cao Cao said: "I heard that Yuan Shu is going to Hebei to defect to Yuan Shao. If the brothers work together, things will be difficult. I sent Liu Bei to intercept him."
