There has never been a banquet that didn't break up!

  Jiangling City Prefectural Governor's Office!

  Inside the hall, Liu Bei's face was ruddy as he sat down with everyone. After several days of rest, Liu Bei finally recovered from his exhaustion, and the panic of Jiangling being plunged into war also gradually dissipated over time.

  Liu Bei looked around at the people in the hall and smiled lightly: "The storm has finally passed."

  "Although it was a shocking and thrilling experience, fortunately, there was no harm done." Liu Bei looked at Gan Ning, his eyes flashing with intense joy: "If not for Xing Ba, Jiangling would have been in danger."

  "Xuande said it was over, this is Ning's own responsibility."

  Gan Ning's words were slightly boastful, and everyone burst out laughing upon hearing them. Although the matter was complicated, it ultimately brought people closer together.

  ……

  Cough

  Liu Bei sat upright in the main seat, slightly inclined his body and coughed softly. Everyone who heard this furrowed their brows slightly and looked at Liu Bei with concern. The eyes of Liu Xuan beside him flashed a hint of worry.

  "It is my honor to fight alongside you all, this is the greatest honor for me." Liu Bei paused for a moment before speaking, his tone slightly reluctant: "As the saying goes, 'the world is like a banquet where no one stays forever', now I bid farewell to you all here!"

  "Lord Guan, what's going on here?"

  Before arriving at Jiangling, the news that Zhang Wu and Chen Sun's rebels had been beheaded and Jiangxia Commandery had been recovered had already reached Xiangyang. Jingzhou's brother sent a letter to Liu Bei asking him to set off early for Xiangyang to discuss something with him.

  Liu Bei's face slightly darkened, then he smiled brightly: "This is also good, I have important matters to discuss with Brother Jingzhou."

  "Is Lord Guan referring to the matter of Ma Da?"

  "Gong Ti's guess is indeed correct!" Liu Bei smiled slightly and then said decisively, "It was this matter that led to Huang Zu's death. It was also the sinister plot of Ma Da's bandit gang. Later, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun were able to break through Jiangxia County because Ma Da secretly supported them."

  "This time, we almost suffered a great loss." Liu Bei's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness, and he said in a stern tone: "If we let Cao Cao continue to act recklessly like this, I'm afraid he will become even more arrogant. We must discuss countermeasures with Brother Jing Sheng as soon as possible..."

  "Yes, we must be on our guard against Cao Cao. I heard that in the north, Cao Cao has defeated Yuan Shao again and won a great victory!"

  "Huh?" Liu Bei's face changed, and his eyes flashed with a few heavy shadows, as he hastily asked: "Ziwang, you said Cao Cao won another battle against Yuan Shao?"

  Han Fu heard the words and nodded calmly, his tone filled with solemnity: "Unexpectedly, Cao Cao is so powerful, able to defeat Yuan Shao again. Although Yuan Shao suffered a great defeat at Guandu, he still had strong troops stationed in Ji, Bing, Qing, and You provinces. Unexpectedly, he was defeated again, alas."

  Liu Bei's expression was slightly stern, although he hated Cao Cao, but hearing that Cao Cao had won another battle against Yuan Shao made Liu Bei feel a sense of urgency and crisis.

  "I don't know how that kid Yuan Shao can fight a war? He lost at Guandu, and now he's lost again. I'm afraid the little wealth the Yuan family has will be completely lost because of him."

  "Yuan Benchu, a fourth-generation aristocrat with three prominent officials in his family, has a wide network of connections, but what can be done about his cruel and ruthless nature, his fondness for plotting without decisiveness? He is willing to take risks for great gains, yet prioritizes self-preservation; he forgets his life when faced with petty benefits - how can he be a match for Cao Cao?" Fu Xun stroked his beard slowly as he spoke.

  Fu Xuan changed his tone and smiled lightly: "The northern affairs will be decided by the north itself, let's just catch up with each other."

  "Haha, Gong Ti is right, today is a happy day, let's not talk about other things. Liu Bei swept away the worries in his heart and pointed at Fu Shuang Le, haha said: "I'm asking Gong Ti, where's the joyful banquet you mentioned?"

  "Haha, Lord Guan has ordered, how dare I not obey?"

  "Report to His Majesty, General Liu Hu has awakened..."

  "Huh? The little tiger is awake?" Liu Bei's eyebrows twitched as he excitedly said: "Let's go, take a look at the little tiger."

  In the house, Liu Bei and Liu Hu said, "Uncle, it's all my fault, almost lost Jiangling."

  "Ah!" Liu Bei's face turned stern, his tone slightly reproachful: "What are you talking about? Tiger, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters. Isn't Jiangling still firmly in our grasp?"...

  Liu Hu heard this and hung his head in shame, saying: "If it weren't for Uncle, I'm afraid Tiger would have been lying dead on the plain long ago."

  "Ah, look at what you're saying?" Liu Bei said displeased: "You are my nephew, your affairs should be Uncle's affairs."

  Liu Hu's heart warmed up, his tiger eyes misty with tears, and he choked out: "Uncle, this life of mine was saved by you, if there is any task, just give the order, I will rush to your side even if it means galloping a thousand miles."

  "Alright, Uncle will definitely not be polite if he's in trouble." Liu Bei's face was full of smiles: "Hmph, Tiger, what you need to do now is to help Uncle recover from his injuries. Got it?"

  "Hmm!"

  "All right, Uncle has left first, and now it's time for him to set out from Jiangling to Xiangyang."

  "Uncle, are you leaving so soon?"

  "Yes, Uncle still has something to discuss with your father, can't be helped. Liu Bei smiled wryly and sighed, "Alright, Hu'er, you rest first, Uncle will go out for now."

  "Uncle, slow down!"

  Xiangyang City, a bustling street, a young man in a green robe strolled along, looking around with some interest, and muttering a few words of praise.

  Next to him was a guard in black uniform.

  The young man in blue suddenly spoke up: "Si Yi, have you done all the things I asked you to do?"

  "It has been handled by my subordinate."

  "It's infuriating that the reinforcements for Jiangling were merely a force of less than three thousand men. It's detestable!" Ma Da's eyes flashed with anger, and he said in a hateful tone: "It's despicable that Zhang Ming misled our young master, or else things wouldn't have ended up like this. Hmph."

  "Prince, when shall we return to Xudu?"

  "What's the hurry? We've all come to Xiangyang, how can we not take in the scenery?" Ma Da walked into a wine shop on his own, his eyes calm and serene, humming in praise: "I heard this wine shop is quite good."

  Da Bu Xing Xing walked to a desk by the window and sat down, his eyes wandering on the street for half a moment before Ma Da slowly said: "I heard that Liu Biao has invited Liu Bei back to Xiangyang. Hehe, now there will be a good show to watch."

  "Since there's a good show, why rush to leave? In any case, going back to Xuchang is also quite dull. It's better to enjoy the scenery of Xiangyang."

  "What play? What are you talking about, young master?"

  "As soon as Liu Bei arrives, everyone will be here, and that's when the good show starts." Ma Da's eyes flashed with cold light, and he said in a chilly tone: "What we need to do is set up the stage, so the actors can go on and perform."

  "What are your orders, young master?" Si Yi immediately picked up on Ma Da's implicit tone and bowed his head to say.

  "Hmm, no rush." Ma Da's tone was flat: "After dinner, you'll take this letter to Cai Jia and give it to Cai Mao."

  "Tsai Man?" Si Yi was slightly stunned at first, then lowered his head and replied: "Your subordinate understands."

  It's night, Jiangling, the mansion of the governor!

  Liu Bei and Fu Shou, Han Xin were discussing in a secret room!

  "Gong Ti, Zi Wang, the matter of Jiangling is of great importance, I entrust it to both of you!"

  "My lord is serious, and I, your humble general, will certainly not disappoint your high expectations." Han Xi said with a solemn expression, clasping his fists.

  "My lord, Xun Ding will definitely fulfill his own duties. If you have any orders, Xun Ding will sacrifice his life to carry them out."

  Liu Bei listened with a secretly pleased heart, but his face showed a warm and gentle smile. He chuckled lightly: "Gong Ti, Zi Wang, you two take good care of yourselves in Jiangling!"

  "Goodbye, sir!"

  …………

  By the riverbank, Liu Xuan and Gan Ning stood facing the wind, standing on the shore watching the turbulent waves of the river surging up and down.

  After a long time, Liu Xuan looked at Gan Ning and said with a reluctant gaze: "Brother Gan Ning, I don't know when we'll meet again after you leave."

  "Little brother, no need to be so feminine!" Gan Ning's heroic spirit was displayed, his sharp eyes gazing straight at the ripples on the river, his thick eyebrows raised, and he said loudly: "Didn't we brothers have a seven-year appointment? I'll just sit quietly and wait for your good news, little brother."

  Liu Xuan felt a slight warmth in his heart and was deeply moved. Liu Xuan smiled lightly: "Big brother, little brother wants to ask you for a favor, I wonder..."

  "Speak up if you have something to say!"

  "Xing Ba big brother, in the future if little brother wants to occupy a place as his foundation, he must use military force to directly attack Jingzhou and Xiangyang. However, the water army of Jingzhou is very formidable. Big brother has been roaming up and down the Yangtze River for many years, so little brother asks big brother..."

  "Oh, training the navy is what?" Gan Ning furrowed his brow and said: "Liu little brother, big brother is having a bit of trouble... Big brother can train the navy, but big brother doesn't have any military equipment, no food, and no boats, I'm afraid..."

  "I understand your difficulties, brother. I have secretly arranged with Mr. Fu Xun in Jiangling City, and he has agreed to send a batch of military equipment to Ho's Village every month, where it will be handed over to the village owner, Ho Ge. When you arrive, just go find Ho Ge."

  "Hogwarts?"

  "What's wrong, big brother? Do you know Hogarth?" Liu Xuan asked with some surprise.

  "That's not it, but I know a talented young man named Huo Jun, who is from the Huo family village. He seems to be the younger brother of Huo Ge."

  "Huo Jun?" Liu Xuan's eyes suddenly lit up, he finally remembered who Huo Jun was. No wonder yesterday when Liu Xuan and Fu Xun were having a frank conversation, Fu Xun mentioned Huo Ge and Liu Xuan had a familiar feeling. It made sense now.

  At this thought, Liu Xuan's mouth corners curled up into a faint smile.

  "Alright, little brother!" With that, Gan Ning suddenly swung his large hand and said magnificently: "We're leaving!"

  "Little brother wishes big brother a smooth journey."

  "Let's go!" Gan Ning strode onto a boat and sailed away, leaving behind a dejected-looking Gan Xing standing on the shore.

  The next day, outside the city gate of Jiangling City.

  A team of soldiers marched towards Xiangyang.

  Liu Bei, Liu Xuan, Zhao Yun, Fu Shuo, Han Dang, Huang Zhong and other generals were all gathered together, talking to each other.

  After a moment, Liu Bei bowed his fist at Fu Shuo and Han De, saying: "Two gentlemen, I bid you farewell!"

  "Good luck on your journey, Lord Guan!"

  Liu Bei responded with a loud voice and rode off on his horse, Lu Fei. Closely following Liu Bei was his personal bodyguard, Wu Can. Wu Can followed closely behind Liu Bei, rushing to keep up!

  Huang Zhong and others also bid farewell to Fu Shou and Han Dang, and immediately galloped away. Liu Xuan seemed to intentionally lag behind, his eyes fixed on Fu Shou with a faint smile: "Sir has been living in the high hall for a long time, never exercising, which is harmful to your body. The scenery by the river is pleasant, why not go and take a look?"

  Fu Xun caught the implicit meaning in Liu Xuan's words and responded with a smile: "Xun thanks you for your concern, I will definitely go to watch every month."

  "Mr. Nuo is leaving! Liu Xuan bids farewell!"

  Watching Liu Xuan's departing figure, Han Xi asked with a puzzled expression: "Gong Ti, what kind of riddle did you just exchange with Young Master Liu?"

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