In the grand hall, Zhang Feiku sat on the throne, resting his forehead on his hands, his face full of solemnity.
One month has passed since the defeat of Lelang County and his escape back to Osaka City. During this month, Zhang Fei still has not been able to get over the shadow of that tragic defeat.
The 30,000-strong army was an army that Zhang Fei had managed to gather with great difficulty after running Yingzhou for many years.
Although the population of Yingzhou is in the millions, it is distributed among the islands, and the number of people under the control of the government is actually only a few hundred thousand.
These hundreds of thousands of Japanese were still in their early stages of ignorance, and training as soldiers was far more difficult than training Han people.
In addition to training, there are armors and weapons. Although Zhang Fei brought many craftsmen from the Central Plains, you can only imagine how hard it was to build 30,000 people's armors and weapons with only these craftsmen.
In a few years, Zhang Fei could only equip more than 40,000 to 50,000 troops, but in the battle of Lelang, Zhang Fei lost more than 15,000 troops.
This means that Zhang Fei lost one-third of his troops in one battle.
How could Zhang Fei, whose vitality was severely damaged, not be frightened?
After returning to Osaka Castle, Zhang Fei felt so suffocated that he could not regain his energy for a long time.
"Father, victory or defeat is a common matter for military officers. For the current plan, it is best to quickly expand the number of troops." Zhang Bao added.
Zhang Fei came back from his thoughts and sighed: "Expanding the army is not easy. It is more than 15,000 soldiers and horses. The soldiers trained by my father for many years are just gone."
Seeing Zhang Fei so depressed, Zhang Bao didn't know what to say.
Just as he was distressed, soldiers outside the palace came to report that several ships had appeared in Osaka Bay. On the ship was a man who called himself Sun Qian and came ashore, requesting an audience with Zhang Fei.
Sun Qian?
Zhang Fei's expression moved slightly, and a trace of suspicion flashed between his eyebrows.
Zhang Bao said in a deep voice: "Sun Qian came to Osaka at this time because he must have wanted to ask his commander-in-chief to send troops to rescue Wandu. Our army has already suffered heavy losses in the Lelang battle. How can we waste more troops? Commander-in-law. It is better not to see him.
Well done Sun."
Zhang Bao was originally opposed to aiding Liu Bei, but Zhang Fei was thinking about his old friendship with Liu Bei. Because he had to send troops, Zhang Bao could only remain silent.
Now Zhang Fei lost troops and generals in the mainland battle, which weakened the vitality of the Yingzhou army. Sun Qian had the audacity to come again to ask for help. Of course Zhang Bao refused.
Zhang Fei was silent for a while, then said: "Please come and see Sun Qian."
Zhang Bao's expression changed and he became anxious on the spot, and said hurriedly: "Commander Father, that Sun Qian is clearly here to lure us into working for Liu Xuande. How can Commander Father be fooled by him again?"
"My sworn brother has already admitted his mistake. I, Zhang Fei, am not a careless person. How can I continue to hold grudges? After all, he is my sworn brother. Besides, as a father, I just met Sun Qian. When did I say that I wanted to do it?"
We are sending troops to the mainland again." Zhang Fei said calmly.
Zhang Bao felt a little relieved now.
Half an hour later, Sun Qian, with a dusty look on his face, walked into the hall.
"I pay my respects to the general." Sun Qian bowed respectfully.
Zhang Fei gestured to excuse himself and said calmly: "Gongyou, you are not in Wandu to assist the emperor, but why do you come to my Osaka city?"
"Alas~~" Sun Qian sighed sadly, "To be honest, General, Wandu City has fallen."
Maruto has fallen!
Zhang Fei was shocked and jumped up. Even Zhang Bao was also surprised, with a look of astonishment on his face.
"Wandu is a fortified city that has been run by the Goguryeo people for hundreds of years. The emperor has water dragon cannons and is not afraid of the Chu thieves' gunpowder. How could the Yan thieves attack Wandu City so quickly?" Zhang Fei exclaimed in disbelief.
"Originally the emperor thought so too, but it's a pity that the emperor failed to predict that Chen Dao would rebel." Sun Qian sighed and told how Chen Dao betrayed the country and surrendered to the enemy, opening the city gates and letting Chu soldiers enter Wandu. , Tao and Zhang Fei.
The more Zhang Fei heard, the more shocked he became, and the more angry he became. When he heard this, he was so angry that he glared and started to slap the case.
"This thief, Chen, is really hateful. The Emperor treats him with great kindness, yet he dares to betray the Emperor. Is he still a human being?" Zhang Fei was furious and cursed loudly.
"The general is right." Sun Qian said, "So your majesty is extremely sad. He said that the most affectionate and righteous person in the world, the only one he can rely on is the general. If the general was then By taking charge of the overall situation in Wandu, the emperor can sit back and relax, and there will be no defeat like today."
After Sun Qian's words, he calmly put Zhang Fei on the high hat of attaching great importance to love and justice, and cleverly set a trap for Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei's stubble-covered face immediately showed a look of pride, as if Sun Qian's words of "valuing love and righteousness" had touched his heart and greatly benefited him.
"Where is your majesty? Where is your majesty now?" Zhang Fei felt comfortable and changed his title. He no longer called Liu Bei "the emperor", but changed his name to the more familiar majesty.
"I am here just for Your Majesty." Sun Qian's expression became solemn.
Zhang Fei was shocked and looked worried, thinking that something had happened to Liu Bei.
Sun Qian said sternly: "Your Majesty withdrew from Wandu through the secret passage and survived. However, the Yan thief pursued him all the way to Woju. Your Majesty was desperate and had no choice but to come to the Japanese island in the sea. Now, Just on the boat in Osaka Bay.”
Liu Bei is just a short distance away!
Zhang Fei was shocked and said in shock: "Your Majesty has come to Yingzhou?"
"Yes." Sun Qian sighed: "Looking at the entire continent, it has been captured by Yan's thieves. At that time, His Majesty was desperate and planned to commit suicide in the sea. We couldn't bear it, so we persuaded Your Majesty to come and seek refuge with this affectionate general. Righteous brothers.”
Hearing this, Zhang Fei fell silent.
He knew that Liu Bei was desperate and planned to seek refuge with him.
Frankly speaking, although Zhang Fei forgave Liu Bei, he still had some scruples about Liu Bei. Now that Liu Bei actually came to the Japanese island in person, how should he respond?
Should he be regarded as the emperor and continue to serve his lord loyally as usual, or should he be on guard at all times?
Zhang Bao repeatedly looked at Zhang Fei, hinting that his father would not agree to Liu Bei's promise and would never allow him to go to the island.
Seeing Zhang Fei's hesitation, Sun Qian sighed sadly: "Your Majesty knows that what he did last time hurt the general's heart, and your Majesty also regretted it. He said that the general refused to agree with him. It doesn’t matter if you meet him, your Majesty can only return to the mainland and die generously.”
Zhang Fei was shocked, and the resentment he had towards Liu Bei was instantly shattered by Sun Qian's words.
"My brother has already regretted it. How can I drive him away? If so, wouldn't it be me, Zhang Fei, who forced my brother to death!" Zhang Fei's heart was surging and he thought to himself.
After a long silence, Zhang Fei's hesitant expression was already taken over by determination.
"Your Majesty and I are sworn brothers. Now that Your Majesty is in trouble, how can I, Zhang Fei, sit idly by and ignore it? Let's go. I will go outside the city to welcome Your Majesty ashore." Zhang Fei said, stood up and strode out of the palace.
Sun Qian let out a long breath and hurriedly followed Zhang Fei, but Zhang Bao frowned repeatedly, but had no choice but to follow out gloomily.
The group left Osaka Castle and headed towards the coast.
Sun Qiangang sent people back to the sea to inform Liu Bei that Zhang Fei was willing to accept it and asked Liu Bei to come ashore.
Liu Bei, who had been worried for a long time, was naturally overjoyed and quickly ordered the ship to be sent to Osaka Port. With excitement, he went down to the pier.
On the trestle, Zhang Fei saw Liu Bei coming down, took a few steps to greet him, bowed to the ground and raised his hands: "My lord, Zhang Fei, pays homage to your majesty."
Seeing this, Liu Bei hurriedly took three steps at a time to meet him, lifted Zhang Fei up with both hands, and said with tears: "Yide, after so many years, I can finally reunite with your brother. After all these years, I really miss you day and night."
"I have always thought about Your Majesty. I only regret that I was unable to relieve Your Majesty's worries. Please forgive me." Zhang Fei said with shame.
Liu Bei hurriedly said: "What is Yide's crime? I was confused for a while and did some wrong things, which hurt your heart. It is I who should ask Yide for your forgiveness."
As he spoke, Liu Bei burst into tears and looked extremely guilty. His description made everyone present moved.
At this time, Zhang Fei was completely moved by Liu Bei. He had no resentment towards Liu Bei, only loyalty.
Zhang Fei soon burst into tears. The two brothers held hands and looked at each other with tears. Thousands of words were lost in those tears.
On the same day, Zhang Fei invited Liu Bei into Osaka City, held a banquet, welcomed Liu Bei warmly, and presented Liu Bei with the gift of the emperor.
Liu Bei's uneasy heart was now completely relieved, and he happily drank and reminisced with Zhang Fei. At the same time, he recounted Yan Liang's old sins and vowed to kill Yan Liang.
After several large banquets, Tian Yu followed Liu Bei back to the palace.
When there was no one inside or outside, Tian Yu said with a smile: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you have now completely gained a foothold in Osaka City."
"Yide accepted me, but all the military power of the Japanese country is in the hands of Yide. I am still a little worried." Liu Bei sighed.
"I have understood in the past few days that the reason why General Yide can win the hearts of the Japanese is because the Japanese are ignorant and regard General Yide as their great god, so they believe in it. I think we can Let’s start from this aspect.”
A sly smile appeared at the corner of Tian Yu's mouth.
…
Thousands of miles away, Ye Jing.
This is already the third month since Yan Liang’s class teacher returned to Beijing.
Goguryeo was also defeated and Liaozhou was established. The next thing Yan Liang had to do was to capture the Japanese island and destroy the two stubborn enemies Liu Bei and Zhang Fei.
The Japanese island is Liu Bei's last escape place. As long as the Japanese country is destroyed, Liu Bei will have no way to escape.
In the imperial palace, Yan Liang and his ministers were already studying the map of Yingzhou, the Japanese island, and discussing the strategy of crossing the sea eastward to attack and destroy the Japanese country.
At this moment, Ma Di came in a hurry and handed Yan Liang the latest information from the Japanese island.
When Yan Liang saw the content of the intelligence, Ying Wu could not help but raise a sarcastic sneer on his face.
"Zhang Fei, a bastard, was finally manipulated by Liu Bei." (To be continued...)