Han Dao world

Zang Ba and others don't know the truth.They believed whatever Liu Bei said.But he knew very well that not to mention 2 elite soldiers, the total number of Liu Bei's men who could go to battle was less than [-].

Once Yuan Shao's army attacked, Liu Bei couldn't hold it for three months.

Chapter 583

Liu Bei and Zang Ba talked very speculatively.

He promised Zang Ba that as long as Zang Ba could guard Langya and block Yuan Jun's other troops, he would go up to the emperor and recommend Zang Ba as Langya Prime Minister.

Zang Ba was originally from Huaxian County, Taishan. His family was relatively well-off, but his achievements in official career were very limited.Zang Ba's father, Zang Jie, went to the county prison and was murdered.Zang Ba was a bandit in the mountains, and when he was attached to Tao Qian, he was declared as the governor of cavalry, but he was not officially appointed by the court.Later, he became a bandit in Langya. Although he controlled many places in Langya, he had no official status.

Liu Bei is willing to recommend Zang Ba as Minister of Langya in Xuzhou Mu's capacity. For Zang Ba, this is a good opportunity.

From a bandit to two thousand stones in one leap, and the opportunity to be recognized by the court, this reward is very generous, and it is difficult for people to refuse.

Judging from the performance in the past two or three years, although the big man lives in the northwest, he has won many battles and may not perish.Although Yuan Shao pacified Gongsun Zan, he was surrounded by enemies and might not be able to win.It is not a lost opportunity to surrender to the court at this time.

Zang Ba was very satisfied, and patted his chest to assure Liu Bei that he would go all out to defend Langya.

Liu Bei believed in Zang Ba's attitude.Once he wins, Langya will be Zang Ba's own territory, and he has no reason not to try his best.

The two broke up happily.

Liu Bei ordered Sun Qian to send Zang Ba to board the ship, and he let out a long breath as he watched Zang Ba go away.

"Go back to the city and discuss with Zizhong. Whether it can be done or not depends on his attitude."

Jian Yong nodded in agreement, followed Liu Bei down the mountain, got on his horse, and went straight to Tan County.

If you want to keep Xuzhou, the key is money and food.Only with enough money and food can we recruit troops and implement the method of training troops suggested by Guan Yu.

There is no shortage of people in Xuzhou - years of war have created a large number of refugees, as well as stragglers with rich combat experience - as long as there is money and food.

Mi Zhu is a great merchant in the East China Sea, and his family is rich in gold.As long as Mi Zhu is willing to help with all his strength, Liu Bei can quickly recruit thousands of people and expand the total force to about 3.With these [-] people, field battles may not be possible, but city defense is enough.

Facing the menacing Yuan Shao, Liu Bei never expected to win in the field.He didn't even dare to hope to keep Xuzhou, he just wanted to keep a few important cities so that Yuan Shao could not move forward easily.

In addition to Kaiyang, the prefecture of Langya, Liu Bei chose Pengcheng and Peixian, and Chen Deng was in charge of the southern part in case of accidents.

Zhang Fei has led [-] cavalry to Pei County to fortify.

The [-]-step cavalry is the only strength Liu Bei has at hand, and the rest are mobs, which cannot be used to great effect.So he urgently needs Mi Zhu's help so that he can have enough troops to defend Pengcheng.

Back in Tan County, Liu Bei got off his horse and went straight to the lobby.

"Has Mi Zizhong come yet?"

Engaged Liu Yan greeted him. "I've contacted you. It should have come, but I don't know why it hasn't arrived yet. I'll send someone to ask for it."

Liu Bei's heart tightened.

If Mi Zhu didn't come, he would regret it.

It's normal for Mi Zhu to regret.Facing Cao Cao, he may still have a glimmer of hope.Facing Yuan Shao, he had no chance of winning at all.Mizhu's family has a big business, so they have to think about the survival of the family, and there is no need to follow him desperately.

"Wait." Liu Bei stopped Liu Yan and sighed. "A gentleman should not force others to make things difficult."

Liu Yan's eyes darkened, and he didn't say anything.

Jian Yong also sighed and shook his sleeves.

"Mr. Envoy." There were footsteps outside, and Mi Fang strode in, bowing her hands to Liu Bei. "You're back, how was your talk with Zang Ba?"

"It's going well." Liu Bei looked at Mi Fang, and seeing Mi Fang's calm expression, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart. "Where is Zi Zhong?"

"He went to visit Wang Lang Wang Jingxing."

"Wang Jingxing?" Liu Bei was both surprised and delighted. "He returned to Tan County?"

"Yes, my brother rushed over as soon as he received the news." Mi Fang explained. "It's urgent. My brother is worried that you will have to wait for a long time. Let me inform you first. Wang Jingxing has just returned home. There may be more visitors. It is not clear whether we can see you and when we will see you. Please wait patiently for a while." Wait."

Liu Bei laughed and went to the hall with Mi Fang on his arm. "As long as Zizhong can come, it doesn't matter how long you wait."

Mi Zhu was so hardworking, so naturally he didn't regret it.If Mi Zhu can invite Wang Lang, then he will be more confident.Wang Lang is a famous scholar in the East China Sea and even the whole Xuzhou. He once served as Tao Qian's governor and helped Tao Qian govern Xuzhou.

"Uncle Zi, this battle is no small matter, and I hope you will help me out." Liu Bei said sincerely.

"Don't worry, my Mi family is willing to help you with everything."

"Really?" Liu Bei was surprised and delighted.

He hoped to get help from the Mi brothers, but he didn't dare to expect the Mi brothers to help him with all his family.Mi Fang made such a promise, which greatly exceeded his expectations.

Mi Fang was very satisfied with Liu Bei's reaction, but she didn't say anything, just nodded solemnly.

Liu Bei didn't want to ask too many questions, so he had to wait patiently.

He wondered if Mi Zhu could meet Wang Lang smoothly, and if he could invite Wang Lang to help him, but there was no sign of trouble on his face, and he still had the look of being content, discussing the war with Mi Fang .

Although Mi Zhu and Mi Fang are businessmen, they are proficient in bows and horses, and Mi Fang even has the experience of fighting bandits.It's just that when Tao Qian was herding Xuzhou, he didn't value their brothers very much, and he didn't give Mi Fang more opportunities.

"Uncle Zi, take charge of the guards for me." Liu Bei said.

"Me?" Mi Fang's personal ability is acceptable, but her experience in commanding cavalry is blank.Liu Bei let him take charge of the guards, which made him terrified. "Thank you for your trust, but... I'm afraid I won't be able to do it."

"Just learn slowly." Liu Bei said. "There is nothing in the world that you don't learn. The same is true for horse riding. As long as you are willing to learn, you can always learn. Besides, Yuan Shao will attack, and we will defend the city. The cavalry only needs to patrol with me. There will be no How many opportunities for direct confrontation."

While talking, Liu Bei thought of Zhao Yun.

Mi Fang is indeed not a qualified cavalry general, but he has no other choice.

Zhao Yun went to Xingzai, and was entrusted by the emperor with the important task of taking control of the left side of Sanqi.Guan Yu is also far away in Hedong, and he is the captain of Jiguan.The only general around him is Zhang Fei, and now he shoulders the heavy responsibility of defending Pei County and has no time for him.

After much deliberation, only Mi Fang could use it.It will be easier to purchase war horses in the future by letting Mifang take charge of the guards.

Thinking of war horses, Liu Bei felt a little regretful.Yuan Shao occupied Jizhou, cut off his source of war horses, and the strength of cavalry increased.If he wants to get war horses, he can only purchase them from Bingliang, not to mention the long distance, and they are still under the control of the court.

It would have been nice if he had surrendered to the court earlier.Cao Cao professed to the imperial court early because of the quality of the gift, and received the support of the imperial court. He had a sufficient supply of war horses and the strength of the cavalry was not weak, which is enviable.

Maybe it's time to contact Cao Cao and ask him to send troops to deal with Yuan Shao together.

But... I can't open my mouth.Not only was he at odds with Cao Cao himself, but Xuzhou hated Cao Cao deeply. Any contact on the surface may arouse fierce opposition from the people of Xuzhou.

Chapter 584 Generous Wang Lang

In the middle of the night, Mi Zhu finally saw Wang Lang.

After wandering for several years, Wang Lang was very haggard and skinny, but his spirit was a little hyperactive, and his bloodshot eyes were full of brilliance.

"Zi Zhong, do you know why I saw you last?" Wang Lang's voice was hoarse.

"It doesn't matter if I wait for a while." Mi Zhu smiled and cupped his hands. "Jing Xing has been away for many years and has not heard from him. I must have been tired after seeing so many relatives and old friends today. I shouldn't bother, but the situation is critical and Jing Xing needs to raise his arms. I have to. Please forgive me. "

Wang Lang stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. "What is Liu Shijun's plan? Is it war or surrender?"

"Fight if you can."

Wang Lang frowned slightly. "A man does something, and he doesn't do something, how can he be vague and have two ends?"

Mi Zhu smiled wryly. "Jing Xing misunderstood Mr. Liu. It's not that Mr. Liu didn't want to fight, but he was unable to do so. Although he shepherds Xuzhou, he has no more than [-] soldiers, and only a few soldiers. How can he be Yuan Shao's opponent? As for the Xiapi Chen family Father and son, I won't tell you, you know their choice, even if Liu Shijun wanted to use them, he wouldn't dare to use them..."

Wang Lang raised his hand. "I know that the Xiapi Chen family has a very close relationship with Yuan Shao, but I don't think they dare to echo Yuan Shao at this time."

Mi Zhu was stunned. "How to say?"

"Zi Zhong, do you think Yuan Shao can replace Han?"

Mi Zhu looked at Wang Lang and remained silent.He didn't know what Wang Lang meant, and he was afraid that it would be screwed up.

"Do you know why I returned home at this time?"

"I think it's turning bad luck into good fortune, is it extremely peaceful?"

"No, it's Sun Ce who knows the ups and downs of the world and doesn't dare to embarrass me anymore." Wang Lang sneered. "Even a warrior like Sun Ce knows the general trend. How can the Chen family not know where Zheng Shuo is? Chen Deng may not be willing to fight Yuan Shao head-on, but he will not echo Yuan Shao and attack Liu Shijun."

Mi Zhu let out a long breath, with a smile on his face.

"Furthermore, Liu Shijun's hesitation is also related to his own unclear attitude." Wang Lang said bluntly: "Since you have ordered Tao Shijun to welcome Liu Shijun to Xuzhou, why don't you persuade him to pay tribute? Is Xuzhou still the Xuzhou of the big man?"

Mi Zhu looked embarrassed.

When Tao Qian was in office, Wang Lang worked in Zhizhong, and Zhao Yu was in charge. They all persuaded Tao Qian to be loyal to the court and paid tribute endlessly.Later, Wang Lang served as the prefect of Kuaiji and Zhao Yu served as the prefect of Guangling. They assisted Liu Bei, but they deviated from the decision made by Wang Lang and Zhao Yu when they were in office and stopped paying tribute to the court.

This is Liu Bei's responsibility, but as a professional, he has not fulfilled his duty of assistant, so he can't get away from it.

"When a man establishes a life, he should distinguish between good and evil, and not let it go." Wang Lang let out a heavy breath and raised his hand. "Go back and tell Mr. Liu that if he can face the disaster with his own body, I, Wang Lang, am willing to accompany him. If he hesitates, and still wants to seek peace through war, and cut off Xuzhou for self-reliance, forgive me, Wang Lang, for not being able to accompany him. "

He paused, and then said: "Although Wang Lang is a vulgar man, he was taught by his teacher, he understands the scriptures of sages a little, he dare not betray his teacher, he is unfaithful and unfilial. Even if all Xuzhou people flatter Yuan Shao, I I don’t want to agree either.”

Mi Zhu understood Wang Lang's meaning, bowed and bowed again, got up and said goodbye.

When Mizhu went out, Wang Lang's wife, Mrs. Yang, came out from behind.

"Husband has decided?"

"It's decided." Wang Lang lowered his head and coughed twice. "Clean up. I may meet Liu Bei tomorrow. If he refuses to break with Yuan Shao, we will leave Xuzhou and go to Hedong."

A smile appeared on Yang's face. "Husband, I've packed it up a long time ago. It's getting late, you should go to bed early. Your complexion is very bad. If you get sick from being tired, it will be bad."

"Don't worry, I'm just tired, I'll be fine after a few days of rest." Wang Lang's eyes showed a hint of yearning. "The Holy Son of Heaven is in the west, maybe in a few years, the world will be peaceful."

-

Mi Zhu hurried to the State Shepherd's Mansion, met Liu Bei who was waiting, and conveyed Wang Lang's opinion.

Liu Bei was very surprised. "Who is Wang Lang's teacher?"

Mi Zhu smiled wryly. "I didn't know it at first, but then I suddenly remembered on the road, his teacher seems to be the old Taiwei Yang Ci."

Liu Bei was taken aback. "Yang Boxian from the Hongnong Yang family?"

"Exactly, his wife's surname is Yang, and she may also come from the Hongnong Yang family."

Liu Bei suddenly realized, and his mood became extremely complicated.There are both envy and regret, and some unexplainable little emotions.

With a teacher like the Hongnong Yang family, Wang Lang can certainly be righteous and impassioned.Even if Yuan Shao caught him, he wouldn't dare to do anything to him, maybe he would treat him with courtesy.In case Yuan Shao occupies Xuzhou, Wang Lang can also go to the court, which is worth two thousand stones.

But Liu Bei is gone without Xuzhou, who will take him seriously?

At the beginning of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he fought more than ten times, big and small, and almost died on the battlefield. Only after accumulating a little military merit, he became Captain Anxi.In a blink of an eye, he was dismissed by an imperial edict.Over the years, he traveled here and there, and finally found Xuzhou. How could people like Wang Lang understand the hardships involved.

"Emissary?" Seeing that Liu Bei, who had always been in the city, changed his face, Mi Zhu felt uneasy, and quickly reminded him softly.

"Huh?" Liu Bei came back to his senses and squeezed out a smile. "What else is there?"

"Tomorrow...how should I reply to Wang Jingxing?"

Liu Bei blinked. "Zizhong, just now Uncle Zi told me that you are willing to help me with everything. I want to know how many soldiers you can recruit for me, and how long can you prepare food? Only with soldiers and food can we defend Xuzhou."

Mi Zhu said without hesitation: "I have 5000 parts, and I can recruit another [-] people with the cash, and the food will last for three months. It will take some time to sell the fields and houses. In the event of a war, it may be difficult to find someone to take over. I will try my best to find a way , and then raise food for the envoy for half a year."

Liu Bei was overjoyed.

If Mizhu can really raise food for nine months, plus the money and food in his hands, it should be able to last for more than a year.For a year, no matter how slow the imperial court's response was, it was enough to mobilize.

"Will people from Xuzhou... respond to Yuan Shao?" Liu Bei asked.

With Mi Zhu's support, this was his only worry.

If the people of Xuzhou choose to support Yuan Shao, he will be attacked by the enemy, and the time he can hold on will be greatly shortened, even with Wang Lang's support, it will be useless.

Wang Lang is not a famous general, otherwise he would not have been driven away by Sun Ce.

The significance of Wang Lang lies in gaining the support of Xuzhou people.If the people of Xuzhou refused to support him, he would be useless.On the contrary, if Xuzhou people are willing to support Wang Lang and Liu Bei, he will not only be able to defend Pengcheng and Peixian, but also have the opportunity to defend the entire Xuzhou, at least until the imperial court sends troops.

"It's hard to say." Mi Zhu said with a smile: "But I believe that the truly smart people know how to choose. As for those stupid people who don't understand the general situation, it doesn't matter who they support, they are just buried for Yuan Shao."

Liu Bei looked at Mi Zhu in surprise, and said, "In that case, I will visit Wang Jingxing tomorrow."

Chapter 585

Liu Bei didn't sleep well all night, he tossed and turned on the bed, the bed under him creaked.

Concubine Ganmei got up, poured a glass of water for Liu Bei, and fanned Liu Bei with a fan in her hand.

Liu Bei got up, drank some water, and his restless mood barely calmed down.He handed the water glass to Gan Mei, took the cattail fan from Gan Shi, and fanned it vigorously.

"Amei, you give me an idea."

"I'm a concubine, I don't know much about politics, what advice can I come up with?" Gan Mei reached out to get a water bottle. "Your husband has something to do, why don't you discuss it with Mrs. Jane and Sun, but you want to ask me a woman, is it because you are worried that they have selfish intentions?"

Liu Bei was startled, and suddenly woke up.