The Nameless of the Common Clans

Cai Mao finally chose to surrender. He didn't have the courage to commit suicide. Throwing himself into the river was no different from committing suicide. However, because of his surrender, Sun Ce ordered people to rescue all the Jingzhou soldiers who were still struggling in the river. Once Cai Mao surrendered, Jingzhou would be considered his own territory. The most important thing was that Cai Mao's surrender could represent the attitude of the Cai family in Jingzhou to a large extent. This was the biggest benefit. Jiangxia could be taken in an instant, and then Cai Mao could persuade his old subordinates as soon as possible to seize as many cities as possible before Jingzhou could react.

For this reason, Sun Ce did not humiliate Cai Mao, and even smiled and talked with Cai Mao all the way. At the same time, he kept asking Cai Mao's opinions on the attitude towards the counties of Jiangxia, which can be said to have given Cai Mao a lot of face.

It can't be said that it was gratitude or helplessness, or it was a broken jar. Cai Mao also began to cooperate with Sun Ce and helped Sun Ce write letters to the counties of Jiangxia.

He even secretly sent letters to some officials and generals in Jingzhou, asking them to secretly defect.

This is the power of scholars. As long as you can subdue a person like Cai Mao, you can get a large number of cities and troops. Sun Ce took Jiangxia without bloodshed.

Chen Mo constantly weakened the aristocratic families in various ways, and was also worried about this situation happening under his rule.

"Wu Hou, Wen Pin, the garrison commander of Jiangling, is quite paranoid and more loyal to Liu Biao. I am afraid I can't convince him." Cai Mao had already arranged the affairs of Jiangxia, but he was powerless for several important towns in Nanjun. Jiangling was an important town in Nanjun. Although the Cai family was quite powerful, it was not to the point of covering the sky with one hand.

"It's rare to be able to do this. Brother Degui, don't worry. Let's take Xiangyang first! I wonder if Brother Degui has any strategy to teach me?" Sun Ce didn't care much about this. Cai Mao brought him an unexpected surprise. Taking Jiangxia without bloodshed saved Sun Ce a lot of time and manpower. Now he not only has 30,000 elite troops from Jiangdong, but also 20,000 surrendered troops from Jiangxia. In addition to the 20,000 troops transferred by Zhou Yu from Chaisang and the absolute control over the river, Sun Ce is confident that he can take Nanjun.

Cai Mao was naturally very uncomfortable being called a brother by someone who could be his son, but now that he has surrendered to Sun Ce, he can only hold back the discomfort.

"To take Xiangyang, you must first take Fancheng. These two cities are opposite each other across the Han River, and there is a floating bridge connected. No matter which side is attacked, the other city can provide support, which is equivalent to the soldiers of the two cities." Cai Mao bowed and said.

"In this case, how about I use the navy to break the floating bridge?" Sun Ce smiled when he heard it.

"I'm afraid it's difficult. The Han River is not as wide as the Yangtze River, especially between Xiang and Fan, which is only a hundred steps wide. The bows and arrows of the two cities can attack the river. If the navy goes forward, the crossbows on both sides will be fired at the same time, which will cause more casualties." Cai Mao shook his head. If the connection between Xiang and Fan can be broken so easily, why should he say it so solemnly.

Sun Ce frowned when he heard this, but Jiang Qin frowned and said: "In this case, we can directly break through Xiangyang, why do we have to attack Fancheng first?"

Cai Mao shook his head and said: "Xiangyang is the seat of Jingzhou. The city is nearly five feet high, the city is strong, the soldiers are well-trained and the food is sufficient, while Fancheng is only less than three feet. Many of Xiangyang's equipment is difficult to send over via the floating bridge. In comparison, it is easier to capture."

"I see." Sun Ce heard this and nodded suddenly: "Then wait until Jiangxia is done, and then attack Fancheng first."

"But it is not easy to attack Fancheng." Cai Mao said solemnly.

"Of course I know. He once established himself in Xuzhou and was the lord of Xuzhou. Unfortunately, he was defeated by Cao Cao. He went to Suiyang for a while and then went to Jingzhou." Sun Ce nodded. He and Liu Bei had formed an alliance in the past, but unfortunately Cao Cao's offensive was too fierce, and Liu Bei failed to completely control Xuzhou and finally lost.

Cai Mao nodded and said: "Liu Bei is now stationed in Fancheng. He is quite capable. After entering Jingzhou, he has won over many celebrities. He has elite soldiers and generals under his command. If the lord attacks Fancheng, Liu Bei must be guarded against!"

Sun Ce nodded. He didn't expect that the former ally has now become an enemy. The changes in the world are really amazing.

Turning his head, he looked at Zhou Yu: "What do you think, Gongjin?"

"I haven't been there to see it, so it's hard to judge, but what Mr. Degui said does make sense. We might as well send someone to investigate first, and then make plans." Zhou Yu smiled and said that Cai Mao would naturally be used, but he couldn't be trusted. Most of the Cai family are now in the Jingxiang area. If they fight too hard, it will not be good for the Cai family, so Zhou Yu decided to go and see first, and then talk about how to attack.

Sun Ce nodded and said, "Let's follow Gongjin's words. All the generals will go to prepare. In addition, send some people to take over Jiangxia."

Although Jiangxia was conquered in the past, it was mostly plundering people and wealth. But this time, Sun Ce's approach clearly regarded Jiangxia as his own territory, and directly sent people to take over the county magistrates of various counties.

"Yes!" The generals bowed and agreed, and left.

…

On the other side, the battle of Xiakou was lost, the Jingzhou navy was almost wiped out, Cai Mao was captured, and the news of Jiangxia's fall soon spread to Xiangyang.

Fancheng, government office.

"My Lord!" Zhuge Liang and Chen Gong came together and found Liu Bei.

"You two gentlemen have come at the right time. Have you heard about the matter of Xiakou?" Liu Bei welcomed the two in and asked in a deep voice.

"I already know that we are here for this matter." Chen Gong nodded and frowned, saying: "The defeat at Xiakou would not have led to the loss of the entire territory, but now Jiangxia has fallen rapidly. I suspect that Cai Mao has surrendered to the enemy."

Liu Bei nodded. He also had this guess. He looked at the two of them and said, "I want to go to Xiangyang again and ask my brother to send troops. What do you two think?"

When Chen Gong heard this, he looked at Zhuge Liang and motioned to him to say.

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and saluted Liu Bei: "My lord, Liang thinks that my lord should indeed go to Xiangyang at this time, but he is not going to find the King of Chu."

"Why?" Liu Bei asked in shock.

"The palace is now under the control of the Cai family. If Cai Mao surrenders to the enemy, there will definitely be a response. If the master goes to find the King of Chu, I am afraid that the Cai family will coerce the King of Chu and even threaten his life." Zhuge Liang said seriously, if this is the case, what will happen instead? It will be tiring and the Lord will be suspected of being a harmful brother.

"What should I do!?" Liu Bei was also worried about this problem.

"Now the King of Chu is seriously ill and cannot take charge of the affairs. The Jiangdong Army is approaching fiercely. After my lord enters Xiangyang, he can go to find the eldest son Liu Qi and the general of Xiangyang Liu Pan." Zhuge Liang bowed and said: "Please give the eldest son temporary orders on behalf of the King of Chu to fight against Jiang Dongjun!”

Although the Cai family controlled the palace, Liu Biao was also on guard against the Cai family, so the Xiangyang garrison was always led by his nephew Liu Pan, out of fear that if something went wrong, he would at least ensure that Xiangyang would be in his hands.

Now that the Cai family has blocked the palace, Liu Bei can justifiably support Liu Qi to take charge of the overall situation. In this way, as Liu Biao's nephews, Liu Pan and Liu Hu will definitely side with Liu Qi, and Liu Bei is also a clan member of the Han Dynasty, so naturally at this time more acceptable.

"Okay, I'll go right away." Liu Bei stood up and prepared to leave, heading to Xiangyang for deployment.

"My lord, wait a minute!" Zhuge Liang quickly stopped Liu Bei and said in a deep voice: "After entering Xiangyang, if someone incites my lord to take charge of the overall situation on behalf of the King of Chu, no matter who the suggestion is, you must not agree and insist on supporting the eldest son!"

Liu Bei nodded and didn't ask any more questions. Zhang Fei on the side stopped and frowned: "Why is this? My brother is also a member of the Han clan. In terms of prestige and ability, he is more suitable to preside over the overall situation than Liu Qi."

Zhuge Liang shook his head. He knew that if he could not convince everyone at this time, something bad would happen. He said patiently: "If my lord reveals this intention, it will definitely make Liu Pan, Liu Hu and other people who support the King of Chu feel repelled. Now the enemy is At present, the overall situation should be the most important thing. If the Lord comes to take charge, it will make the situation even more uncontrollable, and the Kuai and Cai families will definitely use this to alienate people. "

Liu Bei nodded when he heard the words and said: "Kong Ming's words are what I mean. Besides, my brother treats me well. How can I do something like this and take advantage of others at this time? Don't say it again, generals!"

"Master, when you leave, you should take Gongtai, Yide and Shuzhi with you. General Yunchang needs to stay and guard Fancheng. Jiangdong has captured Jiangxia, and I'm afraid they will come to take Xiangyang directly. Fancheng needs to be defended." Zhuge Liang bowed to Liu Bei.

"Then Yun Chang will be stationed in Fancheng." Liu Bei nodded. Guan Yu stayed here, so he could feel more at ease. As for the army, Liu Bei only brought ten personal guards, and then he took Chen Gong, Zhang Fei, Chen Dao and others. Jiang left in a hurry and went straight out of the city and across the river to Xiangyang to discuss the matter.

However, when they arrived at Xiangyang, the city gate had been sealed, and Liu Bei quickly called out Liu Pan outside the city.

"Xuan Degong is not stationed in Fancheng, why are you here?" Liu Pan asked Liu Bei as he led him into the city.

"General Liu, Cai Mao has surrendered to Jiangdong. Now Jiangxia has been gained by Jiangdong. According to the information we have gathered, Jiangdong has begun to mobilize troops and horses to prepare to attack Xiangyang. The King of Chu is now seriously ill. My Lord is here to invite you. The young master came out to take charge of the overall situation. I wonder what the general's intention is?" Chen Gong bowed to Liu Pan and asked.

Liu Pan frowned and hesitated when he heard this.

"Bo Jian, if it was not helpless, Bei would not do this. However, Jiangdong is coming fiercely. My brother is now in the palace and is controlled by the Cai family. If Cai Mao really surrenders to Jiangdong, if we forcefully break into the palace at this time, we may endanger my brother. I want to invite the eldest son to come out because my life is a precaution. Take charge of the overall situation!" Liu Bei looked at Liu Pan's hesitation and said solemnly: "The eldest son is the eldest son of the King of Chu, and he is also the heir apparent. Now that the King of Chu is seriously ill and unable to govern, the eldest son comes to take charge of the overall situation. It is justifiable. Is it Bo Jian? It depends on whether the Jiangdong army is approaching the city or not?"

After Liu Pan hesitated for a moment, he nodded and said, "That's fine, Liu Hu!"

"The general is here!" Liu Hu came to Liu Pan and bowed.

"Take my general order and follow Xuande Gong to find the eldest son. Please ask the eldest son to come forward and take charge of the overall situation. If anyone dares to stop him, kill him!" Liu Pan took out his general order and said to Liu Hu.

"Here!" Liu Hu received the order, took the command arrow, and went to the Prince's Mansion with Liu Bei.