In the old county government hall, Guanqiu Jian, Xian Yufu, Xu Miao, Tian Yu and other generals from Changli County lined up on both sides to pay their respects to Liu Bei.
Looking at these generals who were still loyal, Liu Bei's lonely mood improved a lot, and he felt a rare sense of stability.
Among these generals, Xian Yufu was originally from Liu Yu's old tribe, Xu Miao was from Ji, Yan State, and Tian Yu was from Yuyang. These people were all natives of Youzhou, and they were fellow villagers with Liu Bei, who was born in Zhuoxian County.
As for Guanqiu Jian, he was from Hedong and could be considered half a fellow villager of Liu Bei. He was a young rookie promoted by Liu Bei in recent years.
Liu Bei relied on these people, with only more than 5,000 infantry and cavalry, to defend Changli County and block the attack of the Chu Army's Liaodong Army.
It's a pity that these people kept their rear wing, but Liu Bei himself failed to live up to his expectations. They completely defeated the entire Han Dynasty.
"Oh~~" Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh secretly when he thought of the unbearable past.
"Your Majesty, don't be too sad. Our army currently has nearly 20,000 troops. Changli is far away from the Central Plains. The terrain is dangerous and strong. With my equal strength, we will definitely protect this Han territory." Tian Yu said with loyalty. Comforting Liu Bei.
The other generals such as Xian Yufu and others also spoke out and pledged their loyalty.
Liu Bei felt a lot relieved, and secretly rejoiced that he had made a wise decision in the past and arranged for his fellow villagers to guard Changli, so that these people could still be loyal to him when he was in despair.
At this time, the sergeant outside the door came to report that it was Sun Qian who had returned from his mission to Goguryeo.
"Hurry up and announce it." Liu Bei perked up.
Not long after, Sun Qian came in full of dust. Before the courtesy of the emperor and his ministers had been performed, Liu Bei couldn't wait to ask him what the outcome of his mission to Goguryeo was.
Sun Qian smiled proudly and said: "Fortunately, I have lived up to my command and convinced the King of Goguryeo to join forces with us. We will attack Xuantu County in a pincer attack from the east and west."
"Okay, great." Liu Bei became energetic and clapped his hands.
All the civil and military officials in the hall were overjoyed, with excitement on their faces.
Xuantu County is located in the northernmost part of the East and West County of Liao Dynasty. It was originally established during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and its administrative seat was Gaoguli City.
Later, the Goguryeo people rebelled and became independent. They once captured Hyuntu County and made Goguryeo City their royal capital.
At that time, Gongsun Kang defeated Goguryeo and expelled the Goguryeo people. He then used the royal capital as the county seat and rebuilt Xuantu County.
Over the years, the Goguryeo people have never forgotten to seize Xuantu, and even took over the entire east and west counties of Liao Dynasty to restore the so-called "ancestral" homeland.
However, over the years, neither Gongsun Kang nor the Chu Liaodong army commanded by Lu Meng, the Goguryeo people could not defeat them alone, and naturally they could not realize their dream of going south.
This time, Liu Bei sent Sun Qian as an envoy to unite with Goguryeo to attack Liaodong. After the agreement was completed, Liu Bei would cede the entire Xuantu County and most of Lelang County to the Goguryeo people. rely on.
Goguryeo was eager for this, and immediately agreed to Liu Bei's request. The two sides agreed that the first place to attack was Xuantu County, which was the most convenient place for the Goguryeo people to send troops.
Xuantu County is captured. Liu Bei will also establish direct contact with Goguryeo, which will also help him draw on the power of the Goguryeo people.
At this time, Liu Bei had shaken off his depression since the great retreat, cheered up his spirits, and discussed with his generals the strategy of the eastern expedition to Liaodong.
At this time, Chen Dao, who was ordered to spy on the news, hurried in from outside with a gloomy look on his face.
"Uncle, is it possible that Yan's army is chasing after him?" Liu Bei's nerves immediately became tense.
Chen Dao shook his head, "According to reports from our scouts, the coastal road from western Liaoning to Changli is now flooded by heavy rains, making it extremely difficult to walk. That Yan thief is sending sergeants to build a road along the coast."
Hearing this, Liu Bei and the other generals secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's so difficult for Mr. Yan to build a four-hundred-mile coastal road. Your Majesty only needs to recruit the Wuhuan people and ask them to send light cavalry to harass them. If Yan can't build the coastal road, at least he won't be able to attack Changli until it freezes in winter."
." Tian Yu said optimistically.
"Liaodong is not as cold as Youzhou. Even if the roads are clear after winter, Yan's army may not be able to survive the bitter cold in Liaodong." Xu Miao also said with a sarcastic smile.
Liu Bei nodded slightly, and his tense nerves gradually relaxed.
But when he saw Chen Zhi's gloomy expression, he wondered: "Uncle Zhi, is there some unfavorable news?"
"Your Majesty, we have received news that the crown prince has arrived." Chen Dao said silently.
Prince?Liu Chan?
Liu Bei suddenly became nervous. He was mentally prepared, waiting for Chen Dao to tell him how Yan Thief used cruel methods to torture his son to death.
In fact, Liu Bei was mentally prepared to wait for Yan Liang to give his son's "castrated object" to him.
Chen Dao took a deep breath and said silently: "The traitor Yan did not kill the prince, but forced the prince to tour the counties in Hebei to pay tribute to the people in each county..."
Chen Dao seemed to have difficulty uttering the following words.
"What do you want to do to the people of each county?" Liu Bei frowned and asked.
Chen Dao did not dare to hide it, so he had to tell Liu Bei truthfully how Liu Chan denounced his father Liu Bei's hypocrisy, cruelty and ruthlessness to the people who originally belonged to the Han Dynasty, and how he generously announced that he had severed the father-son relationship with Liu Bei.
.
Liu Bei's breathing was intensifying, his teeth were clenching, his fists were clenched, and his gray face turned red in an instant.
The fire of anger was burning in Liu Bei's chest, making him miserable.
"This useless trash, Liu Bei actually gave birth to such a useless son. If I had known this, I should have strangled him to death when he was born..."
In his heart, Liu Bei cursed his unfulfilled son countless times.
All the ministers on the left and right looked embarrassed and didn't know how to comfort him.
Last time, his wife was forced to become a prostitute by the Yan thief, and today it was his son who was forced by Yan Liang to sever the father-son relationship with him and expose his own face. His face, Liu Bei's, had been swept into the pit by the Yan thief.
, it smells terrible.
In anger, Liu Bei felt a mouthful of blood welling up at the base of his tongue, almost spitting it out, and his body swayed accordingly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" The ministers on the left and right became nervous.
"I can't fall down. Thief Yan wants to make me angry to death, but I can't fall into his trap. I want to keep my useful body and one day avenge this blood feud..."
Liu Bei steeled himself, took a deep breath, and swallowed the blood that surged into his throat.
After a while, Liu Bei reluctantly regained his composure.
He pretended to be calm, pretending that Liu Chan's matter did not exist at all, and solemnly ordered: "Send the order, the whole army will set off soon, and follow me to the east to conquer Xuantu!"
…
Seven hundred miles away, beyond the Great Wall.
On the desolate old road outside the Great Wall, nearly 80,000 Chu troops were marching forward with difficulty on this rugged and desolate road.
The battle flag with the word "Chu", torn by the strong wind outside the fortress, was still flying proudly, guiding the soldiers on their way forward.
Yan Liang sat on the red rabbit horse, looking at the endless road ahead, Yingwu's face was solemn.
When leaving the fortress in this battle, Yan Liang did not bring many troops and horses. The army only had 80,000 troops, including 50,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry.
Liucheng is too far from the hinterland of Youzhou. Even if we take the old Lulongsai Road, the journey in between will be very difficult. If we bring too many troops and horses to transport supplies, we will not be able to keep up, which will become a burden.
Moreover, infantry was basically useless in fighting on the grasslands outside the Great Wall. The 50,000 infantrymen led by Yan Liang were not for fighting, but to clear roads through the mountains and build bridges over water to create a passage for the cavalry to enter the plains.
In the past ten days since Lulong left the fortress, the Chu army marched hard day and night along the ancient road two hundred years ago under the guidance of local guides.
The five-hundred-mile road has no trace of birds, and there are no human beings along the way. There is only this silent army, silently moving forward in the mountains.
In addition to the continuous advance of the front army, more and more infantry were left behind. Fifteen days later, when Yan Liang arrived at Pingdagang, all his 50,000 infantry had been left behind.
On the hillside of Zhuma, Yan Liang raised his eyes and looked into the distance, but he saw that in front of him was a flat and vast grassland beyond the Great Wall, and finally came into view.
"Your Majesty, there is still more than a hundred miles to go to Liucheng. It is better to wait for the infantry to come and join us before the army can continue moving forward." Zhao Yun added.
Yan Liang shook his head: "This is close to the grassland. The Wuhuan people will soon know the whereabouts of our army. They can no longer wait for the infantry. The army will immediately enter the plains and go straight to Liucheng."
The soldiers were very fast, so Yan Liang chose to take the less traveled Lulong Road instead of Binhai Road, in order to catch the Wuhuan people by surprise. How could he stop at this time?
Zhao Yun knew the art of war well and knew Yan Liang's intention, so he did not hesitate and passed on Yan Liang's decree immediately.
The 30,000 Chu troops with light cavalry only rested briefly before entering the plains beyond the Great Wall and began a real long-distance attack.
In this battle, Yan Liang led three generals: Wen Chou, Zhao Yun, and Tai Shi Ci. These three generals were all good at commanding cavalry.
The generals, each in charge of their headquarters, followed Yan Liang on a wild ride, running day and night, covering more than a hundred miles in less than a day.
The rising sun rises in the east, and a mountain range comes into view on the endless wilderness.
The guide said that the hill is Bailang Mountain.
After passing Bailang Mountain, Liucheng is right in front of you.
Yan Liang was in high spirits and rode up the mountain. He stopped and looked far away, and sure enough he saw a city in the northeast, looming in the morning mist.
The city was surrounded by countless tents, enough to accommodate more than 100,000 people.
There is no doubt that there is Wuhuan's base camp.
In the direction of Liucheng, one could vaguely hear the rapid sound of horns, which should be a warning sound for an emergency gathering. At this time, the Wuhuan people finally discovered the whereabouts of the Chu army.
Groups of Wuhuan cavalry teams rushed out from the camp in a hurry and gathered near Bailangya. Judging from their haste, it was obvious that there was no preparation in advance.
A sneer appeared at the corner of Yan Liang's mouth. The effect he wanted to achieve the speed of his troops seemed to have been achieved.
The journey of five hundred miles beyond the Great Wall was indeed not in vain.
Yan Lianghao was so angry that he whipped up his horsewhip and said sternly: "Preach my will and all the armies will form formations. In this battle, I will wipe out Wuhuan in one fell swoop!"