Wish to rush to Jingzhou!

  When Cao Jun retreated, it was already night. Xiahou Yuan arranged for Li Dian and Li Tong to lead 5,000 troops to ambush behind him in order to ensure the safety of the main force and prevent Liu Bei from launching a surprise attack. Only then did he withdraw to Xuchang with peace of mind.

  It wasn't until a day later that Liu Bei's scouts discovered Cao's army had abandoned their camp.

  ……

  Suiping County, Gongya!

  Liu Bei sat upright in the main seat, his eyes gleaming as he listened to the scout's report. Finally, hearing that Cao's army was withdrawing, he threw back his head and laughed loudly several times... His slightly pale face also showed a few wisps of red glow.

  Liu Xuan sat with his head down on the third seat to the left, feeling a little surprised and flattered. His position was still above that of Third Uncle, what kind of concept was this?

  "Liu Bei exclaimed excitedly: 'We won! We won! We've finally defeated Cao's army! Haha...'"

  After a moment, Liu Bei gathered his emotions, and the joy on his face was evident.

  "Yes, elder brother! We have defeated Cao's army!" Both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exclaimed with delight.

  How many years has it been? After repeatedly fighting and losing to Cao Jun, today's victory is indeed hard-won. Although Cao Jun voluntarily withdrew, their purpose is unclear, but doesn't that also count as being defeated?

  "Congratulations, Your Excellency!" said Mi Zhu, Jian Yong and other civil officials with smiles on their faces, bowing to Liu Bei.

  "Haha, congratulations, congratulations!" Liu Bei accepted it with a smile...

  "This time our army was able to defeat Cao's army thoroughly, it was all thanks to the sacrifice and bravery of all the generals and soldiers! Only then did we achieve this great victory today!"

  "Gong Yu, Xian He, you officials must remember the names of the deceased generals and provide comfort to their families! This matter cannot be neglected!" Liu Bei's expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly to Sun Qian.

  "Yes!" Sun Qian and Jian Yong both put away their smiles, bowed their heads and clasped their hands in respect to Liu Bei.

  "Zi Zhong, go and prepare the victory banquet! I will host a grand feast for all the generals..." Liu Bei said with a warm smile.

  "Ah!"

  This great achievement is all thanks to Zi Long! If not for Zi Long's delay, how could we have achieved this victory? Zi Long even risked his life for this! Bei felt deeply ashamed. Liu Bei's face was filled with shame, and his eyes were also misty with tears.

  "My lord, this is what I am supposed to do!" Zhao Yun said with a humble face.

  "Hmm! And Second Brother, Third Brother, Uncle Zhi, Zhou Cang, Ping Er!" You have all risked your lives for this battle, I am deeply grateful, please accept my bow!

  Suddenly, Guan Yu steadied Liu Bei with one hand and said seriously: "Big brother, you are my big brother. Since ancient times, there has only been the saying of younger brothers paying respects to older brothers, but never older brothers paying respects to younger brothers! Moreover, as our lord, why should you perform the courtesy of bowing?"

  "Not bad, big brother is indeed so!" Zhang Fei's loud voice shook and boomed!

  "Yes indeed, milord! No need for this!" chimed in Chen Dao and Zhou Cang, among others.

  "I, Liu Bei, am truly fortunate to have met all of you and received your loyal support. Without all of you, how could I be the Liu Bei of today?" Liu Bei said with a face full of gratitude and tears streaming down his face. His large sleeves left no trace as he repeatedly wiped his eyes.

  Everyone in the hall was deeply moved, and their expressions seemed as if they were about to die for Liu Bei!

  Liu Xuan rolled his eyes and muttered to himself: "This cheap father of mine is really something! This skill is enough to travel the world!"

  "Cough, cough... and there's another thing!" Liu Bei said, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally lingering on Liu Xuan.

  Liu Xuan felt a gaze on himself, his eyebrows twitched, and he looked around, thinking to himself: "Damn it, isn't that cheap father going to settle old scores with me?"

  Liu Xuanzheng was secretly guessing, when Liu Bei said: "Uncle Zhi, second brother, third brother, Cao's army has retreated. It is estimated that it will not be possible to invade Suiping in the near future. You should reorganize the main force and train the elite soldiers."

  "Yes!" chorused Chen Tao, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

  Liu Bei nodded, looked around and frowned, somewhat worried: "Everyone, although Cao's army has retreated, how do you think about the battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao?"

  As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Guan Yu, who stroked his beautiful beard and said proudly: "Big brother, in my opinion, although Yuan Benchu has the four states of Youzhou, Qingzhou, Jiuzhou, and Bingzhou, with countless elite soldiers and strong generals, but there are many factions under his command. On the other hand, Cao Cao only has Yan State and Xu State, and his generals are not as numerous as Yuan Shao's, but they are united in their efforts and present a unified front against outsiders. I think that this battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will be decided at Liu Bei's place!"

  "What's this 'Liu Si'? Is it Yuan Shao six and Cao Cao four?" The people in the hall were all discussing and marveling at Guan Yu's words.

  "Who is Yuan Shao? The powerful warlord occupying the four states of You, Qing and Ji! With elite soldiers and strong generals under his command! Fierce warriors as numerous as clouds, strategists as plentiful as rain!"

  How could Guan Yu's words not surprise everyone in the hall?

  Liu Bei furrowed his sword-like eyebrows and remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

  Liu Xuan, however, was smiling at his second uncle with a hint of curiosity, wondering if Guan Yu had also traveled through time. But then he smiled and thought to himself, "Who is Guan Yu? The fierce warrior who defeated seven armies and shook the Han Dynasty? It's not surprising that he would have such insights!"

  Although he only guessed half of it, his vision is still quite good... Liu Xuan is a time-traveler who knows some major historical events and has a general idea of how history will unfold.

  Guan Yu is different, Guan Yu is a serious and upright ancient man, he can have such insight, it can be seen that he is wise!

  Liu Bei pondered for a long time, suddenly his eyes scanned Liu Xuan, looking at his son with great interest watching his second brother, and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. A glance at the second brother showed him sitting upright and solemnly, without any signs of embarrassment on his face. Xuan'er was being a bit rude, and he wanted to reprimand him, but after thinking for a moment, he just smiled slightly.

  "Xuan'er, this time's great victory is all thanks to your cleverness, which led to today's great achievement! Your father is very delighted!"

  "Huh? Ah! No need, this is a child's duty, the child can help his father and make him extremely happy!" Liu Xuan was thinking about it when he was interrupted by his father Liu Bei, suddenly becoming flustered and incoherent.

  Looking at his son's appearance, Liu Bei's discontent with Liu Xuan also dissipated. He laughed and said: "Xuan'er, do you see our army responding to Yuan Shao? Launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's rear!"

  Liu Xuan's smile froze on his face, and it wasn't until half a moment later that he reacted, bitterly laughing in his heart: "So Liu Bei is treating himself as a wise advisor? Asking himself about everything? He's not even Zhuge Liang, the brilliant strategist who can come up with clever plans by just rolling his eyes and waving his fan!"

  Liu Bei looked at Liu Xuan's face with a stiff smile and raised an eyebrow, saying: "What's wrong? Xuan'er, are you not feeling well?"

  As soon as this was said, everyone's eyes were focused on Liu Xuan. Zhang Fei, who had been furious all along, finally couldn't help but speak up.

  "Oh my, I'm telling you, nephew, take a look at yourself, aren't you feeling unwell? You must not have been exercising. For this period of time, go train with Third Uncle! After one month, I guarantee you'll be full of energy and never get sick again..."

  "Ah?" Liu Xuan came back to his senses, hearing Third Uncle Zhang Fei's words, the corner of his mouth twitched, and he thought: "I'm afraid when I fell, it was like a dying dog struggling to survive..."

  "Cough, cough... Third Uncle, your kind intentions have been noted by your younger nephew..."

  Zhang Fei heard this and his eyes widened in anger. "What? Xuan'er, you mean to say that you won't go with Third Uncle...?"

  "Yide, sit down!" Liu Bei frowned and shouted in a low voice.

  "This... is, big brother!" Zhang Fei looked at his older brother's stern eyes and lowered his head back to the table, quietly drinking his wine.

  "Hmm... Xuan'er, it's time to train your body. Looking at your frail appearance... " Liu Bei said without allowing any questioning: "This way, after Zi Long recovers from his injury, Xuan'er you will learn martial arts with Zi Long."

  Liu Bei turned his head and looked at Zhao Yun with a smile: "Zi Long, are you alright?"

  Zhaoyun humbly nodded in agreement after some hesitation.

  "Alright, Xuan'er, tell me about our army..."

  Liu Xuan finally understood the reason for the matter, and blocked Liu Bei's words, avoiding the heavy and lightening: "Father, how are our army and Cao's army?"

  Liu Bei thought for a moment and said, "Our army is certainly at a disadvantage compared to Cao's army."

  Everyone in the hall was also silent, and even Guan Yu, who was always cold and proud, and Zhang Fei, who had a fiery temper, were speechless.

  "Our army is no match for Cao's, so what's the point of responding to Yuan Shao? What capital do we have to collide with Cao Cao? A head-on collision would be like hitting a stone with an egg, unbearable from the first blow..." Liu Xuan spoke with a serious face and a steady tone.

  "Hmm... Xuan'er is right, so what do you think, Xuan'er?"

  "Just one sentence! Leave a way out!" Liu Xuan stretched out his index finger and said.

  "Leave a way back?" The crowd's eyes were slightly bewildered.

  Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Chen Dao, and Jian Yong all looked thoughtful.

  Liu Bei furrowed his brow and asked: "Is Xuan'er's intention to find a place of peace and security?"

  Liu Xuan looked at Liu Bei and suddenly understood his idea, couldn't help but smile and say: "That's right, that's exactly it. Father is mighty."

  Xiaoxiao patted Liu Bei's horse, and the worry on Liu Bei's face also decreased a bit. He smiled and asked, "Xuan'er, do you have a safe place for our army?"

  "Why must you come again to test the child when Father has already made up his mind?"

  "Hehe..."

  Liu Bei laughed a few times, his face turned serious and he said to Sun Qian: "Gong Yu, you immediately set off to see Liu Biao, my clansman, about the matter of me taking refuge... You must get Liu Biao to agree to this! This matter concerns the life and death of us all, Gong Yu, you absolutely cannot be negligent!"

  "Yes!" Sun Qian listened and then hastily left towards the outside...

  "Big brother, must it be so?" Guan Yu said with some discontent.

  After many years of wandering, today we defeated the Cao army again, but still can't escape the fate of moving away... How can Guan Yu bear this? Zhang Fei is also staring at Liu Bei with eager eyes.

  "Second brother, third brother, I didn't want it to be this way either, but the situation is such that we can't help but yield... Liu Bei let out a soft sigh and said: "This time we won a great victory, our army had many lucky coincidences and good fortune, otherwise it would have been a disastrous defeat, and we would have fled in disarray!" Liu Bei paused, his words heavy with emotion: "I'm doing this to preserve our strength, so that we can rise again in the future... and contend with Cao Cao..."

  "Second brother, third brother, can you two understand big brother's painstaking efforts?"

  "Big brother, second (third) brother understands!"

  "Well, let's go down first." After a pause, as if remembering something, he turned to Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Chen Deng with a serious expression: "You must remember that the strength of an army does not lie in its numbers, but in its quality."

  "Ah!"

  The crowd responded with a promise and slowly retreated from the hall, each to their own duties. Liu Xuan also followed the crowd as they left, when suddenly he heard Liu Bei say: "Xuan'er, you stay behind!"