Chapter 228: Across the River? Liu Bei's Ambition!

"Jingxiang reaches Luoyang in the north, Nanyue in the south, Yangzhou in the east, and Bashu in the west, and is the thoroughfare of the nine provinces."

"It has been rich since ancient times and is full of talented people. If we can get Jingxiang, we can move eastward to take Yangzhou into our arms, use the natural barrier of the Yangtze River to resist Ye Feng, and retreat westward to Bashu."

"The road to Shu is as difficult as climbing to the sky. As long as we hold the pass, even if Ye Feng has thousands of troops, how can he harm the lord in the slightest?"

“If I control Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Jiaozhou, I can compete with Ye Feng for supremacy in the world, or I can join Ye Feng in conquering the world and continue the Han Dynasty.”

"We may not have the chance to unify the country in the short term, but how can we not have the chance to succeed in the Northern Expedition in the long term?"

"At that time, the lord will be remembered in history and praised by generations."

Xu You's words made not only Liu Bei, but even Sun Qian and Jian Yong's eyes flash with expectation.

If it were really as Xu You said, why would we have to live and die with the city in Runan?

Liu Bei was suddenly enlightened and his future became much clearer.

But on second thought, Liu Biao, Liu Yao, and Liu Yan are all descendants of the Han Dynasty. If they leave Ye Feng, a rebel, alone and deal with their own family, won't they be cursed by people all over the world?
Liu Bei smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "Ziyuan, what you said is true, but these are the backbones of the Han Dynasty. How can I cut off my own arms?"

Xu You shook his head: "Yizhou Liu Yan is selfish and indifferent to the lord's request for help. Why should we sympathize with such a heartless and ungrateful person?"

"Liu Biao of Jingzhou is weak and incompetent. He led more than 100,000 soldiers and was unwilling to join the princes in the campaign against Dong Zhuo and to support the Han Dynasty. Isn't it a waste for such a person to occupy the rich land of Jingxiang?"

"Liu Yao of Yangzhou can't even manage the area given to him by the imperial court. People like Yan Baihu and Wang Lang are responsible."

"It would be better for you to take these places, give them wealth and glory, and ensure their safety."

"As long as we can help the Han Dynasty and revive it, why would the people care about these trivial matters?"

"Instead, we will praise our lord as the leader of the revival of the Han Dynasty and the pillar of the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Bei's eyes moved strangely, but what Xu You suggested was very different from the character he had created in the past. Even if he was extremely happy in his heart, how could he say it?

He subconsciously glanced at Xu You, with the same expression he had when he was discussing the plan to frame Yuan Shao.

Xu You realized it instantly, and hurriedly pulled Sun Qian and Jian Yong's arms: "We are all thinking about the Han Dynasty, and hope to help the Han Dynasty and restore the glory of Emperor Gaozu."

"Personal grievances are insignificant compared to national interests."

"Even the emperors of all dynasties would agree with what you did if they knew about this."

Sun Qian and Jian Yong were stunned and also knelt on the ground: "My lord, please put the country and the people first, revive the Han Dynasty and unify the nine provinces."

Liu Bei sighed with embarrassment: "You are putting me in a ruthless and ungrateful situation!"

"How could I"

"Lord."

Although there were no extra people around, the four masters and servants were still pushing and shoving each other.

After a long while, Liu Bei sighed and said, "I hope my brothers and uncles can put the world first and lend me a helping hand."

"But how do we get Jingxiang?"

Xu You twirled his beard lightly: "Liu Biao is a lord who maintains the status quo. Whenever he encounters a strong enemy, he will naturally ask you to go to Jingxiang. However, to capture Jingxiang peacefully, we need the help of some powerful families."

"The Kuai family, the Cai family, and those noble families who fled south to avoid the chaos."

"If we get their help, Jingxiang can take Jingzhou without bloodshed."

Liu Bei's eyes sparkled: "Ziyuan, I'll leave this matter to you."

"This is our retreat. Before Runan City is destroyed, we should do our best to fight Ye Feng."

"As long as we can hold out until the reinforcements arrive, we will have a chance to defeat Ye Feng and achieve world-wide fame." "Yes!!"

Xu You and the other two clasped their fists, bowed, and left.

Liu Bei looked at the south sky with sharp eyes. For the first time, he realized that he needed a strategist with great vision by his side so that he would not have to run around for half his life without any achievement.

At this moment, Liu Bei did not know that Cao Cao was marching south under the banner of supporting Runan, but in fact he was also eyeing the fat piece of meat of Jingxiang.

Five days later.

As the sound of a horn spread throughout the city walls, the entire Runan City began to move.

Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Xu You, Sun Qian and others quickly came to the top of the city wall. When they saw the 100,000-strong army marching in orderly steps, everyone's face changed slightly.

Even Zhang Fei, who was known for his temper and impulsiveness in the past, had a hint of solemnity in his eyes. For the first time, he did not clamor to go out and fight Ye Feng for three hundred rounds.

"The first battle is the decisive one. Order all soldiers not to save on defense equipment. Try to inflict the greatest casualties on the enemy before they get close to the city walls and avoid close combat."

"Here!!"

After the order was passed down, more than 20,000 elite soldiers on the entire city wall were on high alert, and the tens of thousands of troops gathered below had solemn faces, ready to climb up the city wall and fight desperately at any time.

A solemn and murderous atmosphere shrouded the largest city in Yuzhou.

Outside the city, flags covered the sky and the hundred thousand strong army was in high spirits.

At the front of the army, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Ji Ling all clasped their fists and asked to fight.

Ye Feng looked at the city wall filled with a solemn and deathly aura, and asked with a smile: "Feng Xiao, do you think we should attack Runan immediately?"

Guo Jia shook his head: "The first push is strong, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted."

"If we attack now, everyone in the city is determined to die. How can we gain an advantage?"

"Besides, the Lord's goal has never been to seize Runan, but to catch the fish around it."

"If the bait is eaten easily, how can those big fish take the bait?"

The four of them understood instantly, and then said regretfully: "Besieging without attacking, watching the fat meat right in front of us but not being able to eat it, what a pity!"

Ye Feng smiled and shook his head: "You are wrong about this."

“Each of you has a heavy burden on your shoulders.”

Seeing the four people were puzzled, Ye Feng continued, "Because next we have to put pressure on Liu Bei, make Liu Bei feel that Runan is in danger, and let the other princes understand that if they don't reach Runan quickly, Yuzhou will fall into my hands."

Ji Ling scratched his head and asked in confusion: "My lord said that we would not attack Runan easily, but we also want to put pressure on Liu Bei. How can we do that?"

"Through the air?"

Ye Feng said: "Attack and defense drill."

"Attack and defense drill?"

Many civil and military officials, including Guo Jia, were puzzled, and it was obvious that they found it difficult to understand the new word uttered by Ye Feng.

Ye Feng said: "Pretend to attack the city, and quickly stop the attack when it is out of the range of the city defense equipment and archers. Complete the whole process from attack to retreat in an instant."

"During this process, you must not be shot by the enemy on the wall, causing too many casualties, and you must not allow your own people to be trampled. You will compare the number of casualties each time, and the team with the least casualties will be the winner."

"This is the first achievement in conquering Runan, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)