Three Kingdoms Dance Group Ying 043: Liu Biao is angry and appoints Wen Ping as his general!

  As Liu Bei and Fu Shu had expected, the news of Huang Zu's death arrived in Xiangyang several days later. When Liu Biao heard it, he immediately lost his spirit, and after a long while, he became enraged and lost his reason. He did not heed the advice of Liu Bei and Fu Shu, but instead shouted loudly that he wanted to lead a large army to conquer Chai Sang. Fortunately, under the persuasion of Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Cai Mao and other senior officials, he gradually calmed down slightly.

  Although Liu Biao was so, he did not listen to Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue's advice, and insisted on sending a letter to Wen Ping and Wang Wei, ordering them to withdraw their troops back to Xiangyang overnight, preparing to sharpen their knives and head towards Jiangdong. Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang could only sigh in dismay at Liu Biao's resolute attitude. The dispatch of Wen Ping and Wang Wei's troops had indeed brought considerable pressure on Cao Cao, according to the scouts' reports, many generals in Cao's camp were disheartened and unwilling to fight, their hearts set on returning to Xuchang.

  If this continues for a few more months, Cao Cao will worry that his generals under him will not retreat. There is no way out, Wen Ping and Wang Wei, the two generals, clashed with Li Tong, Cao's general, several times, winning some small battles, putting great pressure on Zhu Ling, who was stationed in Yingyin, and Xiahou Yuan, who was in Xuchang. Xiahou Yuan could not leave Xuchang lightly, so he strictly ordered Li Tong to defend the city to the death, without daring to come out lightly.

  Li Tong relied on the solid city defense and Wen Ping, Wang Wei's two generals confronted each other for nearly a month. Wen Ping and Wang Wei were both stunned for a long time after receiving Liu Biao's withdrawal order, it was unbelievable in an instant.

  Wang Wei's son was even more direct, drawing his sword and ordering the messenger soldier to be executed, shouting that he must be a spy from Cao's army, faking orders to disrupt the morale of the troops... The messenger soldier was so frightened by Wang Wei's tiger-like roar that he lost control of his bowels and fainted, his eyes rolling back in his head. Wen Ping and Wang Wei sent several batches of scouts to explain the situation to Liu Biao, but Liu Biao had made up his mind to make peace with Jiangdong... Therefore, for three days in a row, Liu Biao issued 21 orders to withdraw to Wen Ping and Wang Wei, who were left with no choice but to retreat under the cover of night, leaving behind a camp in disarray.

  Xiangyang City, Mansion of the General Who Guards the South!

  In the grand and majestic great hall, many civil and military officials of Jingzhou stood on both sides. Even Liu Qi, the eldest son who had gradually become indifferent to affairs, was standing above Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue. Liu Xuan was very obedient and stood beside Liu Biao, his childish face seemed to be solemn due to the depressing atmosphere in the great hall, looking quite comical and lovely, which slightly alleviated Liu Biao's angry mood.

  Inside the council hall, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy and oppressive. Liu Biao's face was gloomy as he looked at a tall and robust man with multiple injuries on his body, kneeling on one knee. There was also an unkempt but valiant young man standing silently beside him. The civil and military officials on both sides were also watching these two men in silence. Liu Biao took a deep look at the valiant young man, and for a moment, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. It was quickly covered up, and he fixed his gaze on the robust man, asking softly: "Who are you? What position do you hold under Huang Zu?"

  Gan Ning heard Liu Bei's words and was not intimidated at all. He proudly said, "I am Gan Ning, the military commander under General Huang."

  "General Gan?" Liu Biao's eyebrows furrowed deeply as he listened, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp. Meanwhile, Liu Xuan, standing beside him, shuddered and a hint of wild joy and incredulity flashed in the depths of his eyes. In his heart, he exclaimed: "Gan Ning? This robust and powerful man is Gan Ning, Gan Xingba?" Liu Xuan gazed at Gan Ning, who was kneeling on one knee, thinking to himself: "Isn't Gan Ning supposed to have surrendered to Sun Quan and become a great general of Eastern Wu in history? Hasn't that happened yet?"

  Liu Biao's eyes stared tightly at Gan Ning, his tone low and solemn: "You said that Huang Zu did not listen to your advice, was greedy for merit and rashly advanced, and was plotted against by Sun Quan, resulting in his own death?" After speaking, he looked at Gan Ning with an unfriendly gaze, and the civil and military officials in the hall also looked at Gan Ning, waiting for him to make some explanation.

  Gan Ning's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said in a deep voice: "What I said earlier was not wrong. When I followed General Huang, I saw him defeat the 'Jiangdong Great Army', but I had doubts about it. Looking at the situation, the Jiangdong Great Army basically collapsed as soon as they were touched. If that's their strength, how could Sun Ce and Sun Quan brothers lead the charge in Jiangdong? Gan Ning paused for a moment, shook his head and sighed: "But General Huang wouldn't listen to my advice, scolding me for speaking nonsense and disturbing the army's morale, wanting to put me to death. If it weren't for General Su Fei and others persuading him, I would have been beheaded by Huang Zu long ago... not to mention rescuing Young Master Huang."

  The yellow shot beside him heard that the light in his eyes flashed, and he was quite grateful to look at Gan Ning, but he did not speak. Liu Biao saw that Gan Ning seemed to be telling the truth, and seeing Huang She like this, how could he not understand the reason for the matter?

  Liu Biao could only sigh and say that he couldn't blame Gan Ning for anything, as Gan Ning had done his best to dissuade Huang Zu, but Huang Zu instead wanted to execute him. What else could be done? Should one die to prove their loyalty? If so, then such a person would either be crazy or stupid.

  Liu Biao remained silent for a long time before looking at Gan Ning and saying in a soft voice, "You can get up first!" After that, he looked at Huang She who was also kneeling on both knees and said warmly, "She'er, you can get up too. Your father and I are like brothers, no matter what, your father cannot escape his connection with the Jiangdong bandits Zhang and Chen. Your uncle will surely seek justice for you."

  "Uncle, nephew thanks uncle." Kneeling on the ground, Huang She heard Liu Biao's decisive words and couldn't help but burst into loud wailing, tears streaming down his face. The sight was heart-wrenching. Seeing Huang She like this made Liu Biao even more furious in his heart, filled with resentment towards Jiang Dong, Zhang Wu, and Chen Sun.

  Eastern Wu has deceived me too much, do they really think I have no one in Jingzhou? The civil and military officials in the hall looked at Liu Biao's pale face and understood that he was on the verge of collapse. No one dared to speak out and provoke him. Wang Wei, who had been holding back his anger, was even more furious. He wanted to advise Liu Biao, but Wen Ping pulled his sleeve, and Wang Wei hesitated, looking at Wen Ping with some doubt. Wen Ping shook his head slightly.

  Wen Ping and Wang Wei, the two generals, led their troops to retreat back to Xiangyang overnight. They had just entered the camp at midnight last night and hadn't even taken off their armor for a rest when they were summoned by Liu Biao to attend an emergency meeting. After several discussions yielded no results, there was today's full-body conference.

  Wen Ping was well aware of his colleague Wang Wei's temperament, and if Wang Wei spoke out, the situation would only get worse. Seeing that no one came forward to advise him, Wen Ping felt a surge of anger in his heart, stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, I humbly submit that we should first investigate whether Zhang Wu and Chen Sun are really in league with Jiangdong. Previously, when I heard what Gan Ning and Huang Zhong said, there were too many suspicious points. If we rashly lead the great army to Jiangxia, it will be disadvantageous for our Jingzhou."

  "Moreover, there is also the treacherous Cao Cao in the north. If our great army mobilizes, it will inevitably attract Cao Cao's attention. If Cao Cao abandons Yuan and attacks our Xiangyang, the situation will become even more severe. I beg of you, my lord, to reconsider..."

  As soon as this remark came out, it was fully supported by the military generals led by Cai Mao and Wang Wei. On the side of the civil officials, Kuang Li, Kuang Yue, Han Song and others all deeply felt its reason. The many civil and military officials in the hall stood up, their eyes fixed on Liu Biao, and shouted: "Please, my lord, think thrice before acting..."

  Kuai Liang's expression was serious, his tone low and solemn: "My lord, Sun Ce of Jiangdong has recently passed away. His sworn brother Zhou Yu is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and Zhang Zhao of Jiangdong also has great talent. Although Sun Quan is young, with these two to assist him, Jiangdong will not fall into chaos..."

  "Moreover... My lord should know, a desperate army will always win."

  Liu Biao's expression grew increasingly unpleasant, but he maintained a listening attitude. Kuai Liang secretly rejoiced and hastily took advantage of the situation to say: "If our great army of Jingzhou presses the border and the situation in Jiangdong is temporarily stabilized, we will unite as one to resist the external enemy. If so, it would be unfavorable for our Jingzhou. I beg my lord to consider this carefully before acting..."

  Liu Biao's face was gloomy, his mind a mess. He saw that all the civil and military officials under him opposed sending troops to Jiangdong, and for a moment he was frustrated and confused. Liu Biao's mind was also clear that sending troops would inevitably lead to a series of consequences. But his trusted general Huang Zu had died at the hands of Sun Quan, the new lord of Jingzhou, and Liu Biao couldn't swallow this insult. Moreover, with Huang Zu's death, there was no one left for him to use, how could Liu Biao not be angry?

  "Huang Zu, the Eastern Wu's Grand General, was defeated by Zhou Yu's plan of ambush and buried troops. Huang Zu suffered a great defeat and on his way back, he was shot in the heart by Sun Quan, the Lord of Jiangdong, and died... Liu Biao repeatedly glanced at this intelligence report on his desk, feeling annoyed and resentful. Wasn't there anyone in Eastern Wu who could have stopped Sun Quan from taking such a risk? Or was it that they deliberately allowed their new lord to take risks to establish his prestige? As the saying goes, 'a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.' This clearly shows that Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao, the high-ranking officials, were creating an opportunity for Sun Quan to build his reputation and then warning Jingzhou."

  Liu Biao slightly closed his eyes, and after a long while, he opened them again. His turbid yet sharp gaze swept across the civil and military officials in the hall.

  "Zi Rou, Yi Du, Zhong Ye, you all spoke correctly. If so, I will let Eastern Wu prolong its dying breath for a while." Liu Biao's sharp eyes scanned the civil and military officials in the hall, his voice calm and collected: "Zhang Wu, Chen Sun, these two rebels are stirring up trouble. As long as they are not eliminated, my heart will remain angry..."

  As he spoke, his eyes fixed on Wen Pin's body, and he said in a low voice: "Zhong Ye, I deeply understand your ability. You will set out overnight to Jiangling and join forces with Xuande to attack Jiangxia together, defeat Zhang Wu and Chen Sun." Liu Biao's eyes suddenly became sharp and fierce, and he said: "Zhong Ye, remember, you must bring the heads of Zhang and Chen before me."

  "Yes." Wen Ping heard Liu Biao say this, and loudly responded. He hesitated for a moment, then asked: "My lord, this time we go to war in Jiangxia, who will be the commander and who will be the deputy between me and Lord Xian?"

  Liu Biao's eyebrows slightly moved, and he immediately turned his head to smile at Cai Mao, who was in command of the Xiangyang army, saying: "What does De Kui think is the main general?"

  "My lord has decided." Cai Mao's face twitched violently, his eyes seemed to be blinking rapidly. Seeing Liu Biao's gentle smile with a hint of coldness, he felt a chill in his heart and forced a smile, responding: "I think that changing generals before a battle is a major taboo for military leaders, and secondly, Lord Guan has long been experienced in battles and is indeed the best candidate for the position."

  "Haha..." Liu Bei listened and smiled slightly, then looked at Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue with a sideways glance, and asked in a low voice: "Ziyu, Yidu, do you two think Xuande is worthy of the great responsibility?"

  Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue's heart skipped a beat. The two brothers exchanged a glance and said in unison: "My lord, we think that Lord Guan will surely help you clear the way and take back Jiangxia for you."

  Cai Mao and Kuai brothers all agreed. Liu Biao no longer had any worries, and immediately shouted: "Where is Wen Ping?"

  "The end will be there."

  Liu Biao's expression was cold and stern, his eyes flashing with infinite killing intent. He coolly ordered: "You will lead the three thousand troops of Xiangyang to depart for Jiangling on a chosen day, then join forces to defeat Zhang Wu and Chen Sun, those two rebellious thieves." Liu Biao's tone was icy and harsh, with a decisiveness that was reminiscent of his youthful days. Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, who had followed Liu Biao from his old base in Shanyang, all looked at him in a daze, their expressions filled with nostalgia. When had Liu Biao ever been like this before?

  As the years went by, Liu Biao's courage and spirit gradually weakened, and he became increasingly old and frail, as if to say: "The good old days are all gone!"

  "The final general has received the order." Wen Ping clasped his fists together, his face as stern as water, and replied. He then bowed to apologize and left the main hall with a dragon's stride and a tiger's pace, preparing his troops and horses to rush towards Jiangling.

  "Alright, that's it for today. You all may withdraw." Liu Biao fell silent for a moment before waving his hand in a somewhat tired manner. At this time, Liu Xuan, who was standing beside Liu Biao, suddenly stepped forward into the hall and loudly said: "Uncle, I also want to go to Jiangling."

  Liu Xuan's words came out, and Liu Biao was taken aback. The many civil and military officials who had not yet dispersed also looked at Liu Xuan in astonishment, his expression slightly serious.