59. Zuo Ci presented himself, Gan Ning begged for his life (to be spared).

  "I have been waiting outside the door... at your beck and call."

  "Then let someone invite him in!" Liu Bei's eyebrows showed a hint of worry, looking at Wen Ping who was covered in dust, he frowned and said: "Zhongye... is there any movement from Eastern Wu?"

  "When it comes to the movement of troops, there is no news." Upon hearing this, Wen Ping's expression also turned serious, and he frowned: "However, Sha Xian, the Wu army in Hanyang has been mobilizing frequently..." He paused for a moment, his tone slightly relaxed: "Han Sheng is a steady person. With Han Sheng stationed at Xiakou, the Eastern Wu will probably not be able to get any advantage."

  "Hmm." Liu Bei was slightly relieved, as if he had thought of something. He looked at Zhao Yun with his eyes and said in a low voice: "Zilong, can you find out who is behind Zhang Wu?"

  "Found out." Zhao Yun's face was as calm as a thousand-year-old iceberg, and he stepped out with his hands clasped together: "My lord, according to the reactions of many bandits, the person behind Zhang Wu is surnamed Ma and named Da." After a pause, Zhao Yun's expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "However, Ma Da had led an army of 10,000 with Zhang Wu's general Sun Da out of Xiling several days ago, and their whereabouts are unknown."

  "Hmm?" Liu Bei's expression changed slightly, his face suddenly darkening: "Is it confirmed?"

  "It shouldn't be wrong."

  Liu Xuan's eyebrows suddenly furrowed upon hearing this, Ma Da? This unfamiliar name wandered in Liu Xuan's mind, seemingly a non-existent figure in history. Judging from various strategies, Ma Da's intelligence must have reached the level of a second-rate to first-rate strategist.

  "Ma Da and Sun Dajun led a large army of 10,000 men to an unknown destination..." Liu Xuan muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in concern, as he tried to guess Ma Da's intentions.

  "Ma Da abandoned Zhang Wu and led the army out, with his wisdom knowing that Zhang Wu would die miserably in Xiling sooner or later. However, he still did it for him, this kind of heart is indeed ruthless." Liu Xuan suddenly thought: "In history, the three most famous ruthless figures of the Eastern Han Dynasty..."

  "Poisoner Jia Xu, Confucian scholar Li Ru, and tomb tiger Sima Yi." Liu Xuan furrowed his brow in deep thought, thinking to himself: "Li Ru has been missing since Dong Zhuo's death, Jia Xu should have surrendered to Cao Cao, but this Sima Yi..."

  Liu Xuan muttered to himself, and suddenly a bright light flashed in his mind, his eyes suddenly lit up. It seemed that he was excited or shocked, his thin body trembled slightly.

  Liu Xuan's subtle change did not escape the extraordinary martial arts of Zhao Yun, Gan Ning, and Wen Ping. Liu Bei was slightly stunned, his eyes scanned, and saw a hint of surprise and horror on his son Liu Xuan's face. His heart suddenly became puzzled and incomprehensible, and his eyebrows gradually furrowed.

  "What's on your mind, Xuan'er?"

  "Hmm..." Liu Xuan suddenly came back to his senses, his eyes scanning the crowd, lingering on Liu Bei's face, and before Liu Bei could speak, he said in a low voice: "Father, I'm afraid we're in trouble this time."

  "Huh? Where did Xuan'er say this?" Liu Bei's thoughts turned rapidly.

  Liu Xuan did not respond to Liu Bei's words, stood up straight and walked to the front of the map, his starry eyes scanning the map. At this time, Liu Bei also seemed to think of something, his face changed slightly, and he hastily looked at Zhao Yun and shouted: "Zi Long, you quickly go and dispatch troops to search for Ma Da, Sun's large army is heading..."

  "Yes."

  Time passed minute by minute, second by second. Liu Xuan furrowed his sword-like eyebrows, and the light in his eyes flickered uncertainly. After a while, Liu Xuan finally came back to himself, but his expression was somewhat surprised and uncertain.

  Liu Bei keenly sensed the change in his son Liu Xuan, furrowed his brow and softly asked: "Xuan'er seems to have realized something?"

  "Father, I have a guess..." Liu Xuan furrowed his brow and hesitated: "I've been thinking, where will Ma Da lead the army?" After a pause, Liu Xuan's eyes shone brightly as he said decisively: "If Ma Da wants to destroy our army, he must drain the water from the cauldron."

  "Removing the firewood from under the cauldron?"

  "Not bad." Liu Xuan's expression was stern, his eyes gleaming with admiration or shock, and his gaze suddenly fixed on a place name: "I think... Madam Ding will go to Jiangling."

  Liu Xuan's words shocked everyone.

  Jiangling?

  Inside the hall, many generals were shocked and threw out their words, with a look of great surprise. Liu Bei's calm expression suddenly turned gloomy after Liu Xuan's speculation, and his eyes seemed to have a hint of worry that couldn't be dispersed. Wen Ping, Gan Ning and other generals stopped in their tracks, furrowed their brows and pondered.

  At this time, a sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.

  Everyone followed the sound and looked over, but it was Zhao Yun who came. At this time, Zhao Yun's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, with a hint of worry between his brows.

  The sound arrives before the person does.

  "My lord, the scouts have returned with a report. The grain and fodder convoy sent from Jiangling City was ambushed halfway, and all the grain and fodder were destroyed in an instant. Many of the soldiers escorting the convoy were killed."

  Zhao Yun's words gave another shock to the people in the hall.

  Liu Bei's expression became even more unsightly, and he hung his head in thought for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying: "What a fine horse, truly as cunning as a fox." After speaking, a hint of murderous intent and worry flashed across the depths of his eyes. Liu Bei suddenly turned around to look at Wen Ping and said softly: "Zhongye, what do you think?"

  "Lord Xuan De, Liu's words make some sense." Wen Ping's face turned pale and looked quite unpleasant. His expression was gloomy, his tone slightly heavy: "Our army's grain and forage all come from Jiangling. If Jiangling is cut off, our grain and forage will be cut off too, or something will happen. Our army has no grain and forage support, the morale of the troops will be in disarray, and after a long time, our army will defeat itself without fighting. This is probably Ma Da's treacherous plan."

  "Afterwards, Ma Chao led his troops out from the rear of our army to launch a surprise attack and joined forces with Zhang Wu to encircle and annihilate us. At that time, it was still uncertain who would be killed."

  "What Zhongye said makes sense." Liu Bei nodded slightly and frowned, saying: "Jiangling City is high-walled and heavily guarded, with strong troops on its side. Hu'er, General Han is a brave and skilled warrior, while Fu Shuo, the governor of Fuchuan, has great talent. Even if Ma Da is clever and resourceful, he should not be able to break through Jiangling's tight defenses."

  Suddenly, a seven-foot-tall man with a majestic appearance and an open countenance walked into the hall. He smiled at Gan Ning and then loudly proclaimed throughout the hall: "I am Xiaozui; I pay my respects to Liu Xuande..."

  "Huh?" Liu Bei's eyes scanned Wu Can up and down, showing great interest, saying: "You are Wu Can?"

  "A surname is not changed by sitting, and a name is not changed by walking."

  Liu Bei looked at Wu Zilan, nodded secretly, and then smiled: "I heard that you joined forces with the heroes of Xiling to help our army conquer Xiling. I didn't feel very grateful when I heard about it..."

  "The Emperor's uncle is in a precarious situation." Wu Can chuckled lightly and said, "Zhang Wu is a cruel and tyrannical man, who has made the people of Jiangxia Prefecture suffer to the point of being unbearable. The people of Xiling City are already living in a state of constant fear, even if I, Wu Can, do not lend my assistance, there will be other righteous men who will come to their aid. When the Emperor's army arrives, it will be a simple matter to rescue the people from their suffering, what is there to worry about?"

  Liu Bei's eyes lit up, a smile spread across his face as he looked at Wu Cai, and said in a loud voice: "Haha, my brave warrior's words are reasonable." His tone paused slightly, his gaze fixed on Wu Cai with deep meaning: "Can you join the army?"

  "From the army?"

  I was taken aback, a hint of joy flashed across my silly face, but I didn't immediately kowtow and shout "My Lord" to Liu Bei... I lowered my head and pondered for a moment, then said softly: "Imperial Uncle, I have a son, if I follow the army, my son..."

  "What's difficult about that?" Liu Bei waved his hand and spoke straightforwardly: "I've heard that you, Xing Ba, have some bravery and are also very loyal." As he said this, the corner of Liu Bei's mouth rose: "It just so happens that I'm short one personal guard commander by my side, would you be willing?"

  Wu Can was taken aback by his words, but immediately became overjoyed and hastily said: "I, Wu Can, am willing to follow."

  Hahaha...

  Inside the hall, however, there was one person whose expression suddenly turned cold and solemn. A pair of starry eyes stared at me with a piercing gaze, not letting go. This person was Zhao Yun.

  ……

  After the biggest joke was over, everyone returned to their original positions.

  "Everyone discuss how to deal with Ma Da and Sun Dazhen, these bandits on the road."

  Liu Bei rubbed his brow, feeling a bit of a headache: "That damned Ma Da, always causing us trouble." He paused for a moment, then looked at Wen Ping and said: "Zhongye, you've been in Jingzhou for many years, familiar with all the localities. What's your take on this matter?"

  "Lord Guan." Wen Ping's expression turned solemn and cold, saying: "Although Jiangling is currently calm, if time drags on, then..."

  Although Wen Pin's words were not fully spoken, the implication was understood by eight or nine out of ten people in the hall.

  "Liu Bei, is there a way?"

  Gan Ning, who had been silent for a long time, stepped out with big strides and calmly said to Liu Bei.

  "Huh?"

  Gan Ning's stern face revealed a hint of killing intent, and his eyes shone with a glimmer of wisdom.

  "Ma Da, Sun Dajun led the army out of Jiangling for five or six days." Gan Ning's eyes gleamed slightly, and he continued to say: "It must be impossible to travel by land in this way."

  "Let's think this through, Sun Da Jing is taking a boat into the Yangtze River and heading straight to Jiangling Port." As he said this, Gan Ning's face broke out in a faint smile: "Jiangxia County was once invaded by Eastern Wu, I suppose there won't be many boats left behind. An army of 10,000 will definitely have to split up and travel in several batches."

  "By this calculation, Ma Da's rebel army should not have arrived at Jiangling yet..." Gan Ning said with a sly smile spreading across his face: "My eight hundred brocade sails have been sailing up and down the Yangtze River for many years..."

  "The Yangtze River is familiar to me like the back of my hand. Just give me three days and I will surely reach Jiangling."

  Gan Ning was full of confidence, as if he had a plan in mind. Liu Bei listened and slightly nodded his head, casting a glance at Wen Ping, who also secretly nodded in agreement. Liu Bei immediately ordered: "Gan Ning, take your 800 troops to Jiangling immediately and inform them to be on high alert."

  "I will obey your orders."

  At this time, a clear and crisp voice rang out, causing everyone to pause slightly.

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