47. The multitude of generals gathered at Jiangling, and they took an oath to attack Jiangxia.

  Liu Bei and Liu Qi, after Liu Xuan had chatted for a while, warmly greeted Gan Ning and led the crowd to the governor's mansion again!

  The hall, with everyone seated on both sides, Liu Bei originally wanted to speak up, but saw Liu Xuan raising his eyebrows and winking at himself, hinting. Liu Bei followed the gaze and took a glance, it was Gan Ning. As for Gan Ning, Liu Bei was not familiar with him at all. Liu Bei's mind was filled with doubts about Liu Xuan's actions.

  Liu Bei secretly observed Gan Ning for a long time, Gan Ning's face was stern and his body unintentionally revealed a momentum of waves crashing against the shore. Liu Bei was slightly surprised, and his eyes flashed with a hint of delight.

  Gan Ning seemed to have a feeling, raised his head and glanced at Liu Bei with a faint gaze, nodded slightly towards Liu Bei, and quickly lowered his head. Liu Bei saw Gan Ning like this, couldn't help but pay more attention, as if he remembered something. Liu Bei frowned at Liu Xuan, his expression suddenly turned serious, and shouted: "Xuan'er, didn't I tell you to stay with Brother Jing Sheng? How can you be so reckless?"

  Liu Xuan heard this and couldn't help but hum a little in his heart, secretly rolling his eyes, and said in a low voice: "Father, isn't it that I want to see Father's bravery on the battlefield? Xiangyang doesn't have it, I've almost fallen several times..."

  Everyone in the hall was confused by Liu Xuan's words, but Liu Bei understood his son's implicit meaning in an instant. He secretly scolded in his heart: "Cai Mao, Cai Mao! I, Liu Bei, have repeatedly tolerated and given in, yet you constantly press me hard without leaving any face. If it's like this, then it's no wonder that Liu Bei has become ruthless."

  In an instant, a strong killing intent flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, and it was quickly concealed. When Liu Bei revealed a hint of killing intent, Gan Ning immediately sensed it and glanced at him with a subtle gaze, thinking: "This Liu Bei has such a great killing intent." Gan Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking: "It seems that this Liu Bei is not an ordinary person."

  Suddenly, Guan Ning suddenly opened his eyes and stared straight at the outside of the hall. At this time, several people came in from the outside of the hall one after another. The crowd looked around and found that they were several generals from Jingnan Prefecture, as well as Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong who had not been seen for many days.

  Zhoa Yun still had a calm and composed demeanor, but what surprised Liu Xuan was that walking alongside Zhao Yun was an old general. Although the old general was elderly, he gave off a sharp and spirited appearance, with bright eyes and abundant energy.

  Liu Qi just glanced at him and then withdrew his gaze, no longer interested in looking. Liu Xuan's eyes scanned the crowd, and when they landed on the old general, they flickered with deep puzzlement.

  At this time, Gan Ning's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes stared straight at Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong, who were walking quickly towards the hall. His eyes were deep and serious. The old general seemed to have noticed something, and his gaze floated over to Gan Ning, his eyes as sharp as a knife blade. Gan Ning felt a slight tingling sensation on his skin, and he was secretly shocked in his heart. Facing Huang Zhong's provocation, Gan Ning refused to show weakness, and his momentum surged forth as he confronted Huang Zhong.

  Zhoa Yun saw Gan Ning and Huang Zhong not yielding to each other, his sword eyebrows raised, quite surprised to look at Gan Ning for a moment, then turned his gaze to Liu Bei. Liu Bei also saw this situation, sometimes seeing Gan Ning's momentum was not inferior to Huang Zhong, his heart suddenly filled with joy, then fiercely frowned. Liu Bei secretly gave Zhao Yun a glance, and Zhao Yun understood, "Haha" laughed loudly, and in an instant, a carefree and sharp aura burst out of his body.

  In an instant, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong and Gan Ning's bodies all slightly shook. Huang Zhong stroked his beard, looked up at the sky and smiled, saying in a low voice: "Zilong, you rascal, you really did hide your true abilities!"

  Zhoa Yun listened and repeatedly shook his head in humility. Gan Ning's gaze was fixed on Zhoa Yun, and he faintly felt that Zhoa Yun's aura was no less than Huang Zhong's, or even more so. As if sensing Gan Ning's gaze, Zhoa Yun smiled at him and then sat down directly in his seat.

  As he passed by Gan Ning's side, Gan Ning looked at Zhao Yun with a serious gaze and said in a low tone: "Who are you?"

  Zhao Yun smiled warmly and replied: "Zhao Zilong of Changshan!"

  Gan Ning furrowed his brow, seemingly recalling something. After a moment, he shook his head and looked at Huang Zhong again, his eyes filled with vigilance. He raised his voice and asked, "Who are you?"

  Huang Zhong heard the words and smiled brightly. In a loud voice, he said: "Changsha Huang Han Sheng." After speaking, he also asked in a loud voice: "And you? I don't think you are one of the generals from the four counties of Jingnan?"

  Gan Ning shook his head and said in a low voice, "I am Gan Ning, Gan Xingba, the front army Sima of Huang Zu's account. When Jiangxia County was broken, I led my brothers to rush out and finally arrived at Xiangyang... With the help of Liu Xiaogongzi, I have this opportunity to wipe out the shame!"

  Gan Ning looked at Liu Xuan with a hint of gratitude, while Liu Xuan repeatedly shook his head in humility. The crowd's eyes were fixed on the young Liu Xuan, who was not yet ten years old!

  Liu Bei was astonished to look at Liu Xuan, secretly rejoicing in his heart. Indeed, he is the son of Liu Xuande, and the kind is just like him. However, what Liu Bei did not know was that his original son's soul had long since returned to the underworld, and the current Liu Xuan was just an imposter. If Liu Bei knew the reason behind this, it is unknown how he would feel.

  Wen Ping glanced at Liu Xuan and Gan Ning, while Fu Shou and Han Xi were both secretly observing Liu Xuan, Liu Qi, and Gan Ning's movements. Not noticing anything unusual, Han Xi couldn't help but look at Fu Shou, only to see him staring at Liu Xuan for a moment before quickly lowering his head in contemplation, as if deep in thought.

  After a moment, Fu Xun finally lifted his head with a smile and gave Han Xi an reassuring smile.

  At this time, only Huang Zhong's loud laughter was heard: "Haha, Xingba younger brother, Huang saw that your martial arts are extraordinary. You can rush out of the army with your talent, how can you be a military lieutenant?"

  Gan Ning's mouth curled up in a bitter smile, and his face was also filled with gloom. He said in a low voice: "After Huang Zu defeated the great army of Sun Wu, he was momentarily blinded by victory and refused to listen to my advice. He led the army to attack Chai Sang, but unexpectedly fell into the ambush set by Zhou Yu, the Grand Marshal of Jiangdong, and ended up losing his army and dying... I advised Huang Zu, which made him furious. If it weren't for General Su Fei's good relationship with me, he might have killed me long ago..."

  After he finished speaking, there were sighs, murmurs of discontent, and some cold laughter...

  Liu Hu was furious, standing up and glaring: "Huang Zu's little trick of resisting Jiangdong has caused us to suffer loss after loss. Gan Ning's good intentions were almost repaid with his own death? What kind of logic is this? In my opinion, Huang Zu deserves to die!"

  Liu Hu's words came out, and Liu Bei, Wen Ping and others all had bitter smiles on their faces, shaking their heads repeatedly, thinking to themselves: "It's probably just Liu Hu who dares to scold so recklessly without considering the consequences..."

  Liu Bei's face wore a bitter smile, and he immediately let out a slight cough, casting a stern glance around the hall. The originally somewhat noisy hall suddenly fell silent.

  Liu Bei scanned the many unfamiliar faces, and said in a loud voice: "Gentlemen, I have been entrusted by Governor Jing Sheng to lead this expedition against Zhang Jue and Chen Gong. I will do my utmost to quell the rebellion of these two bandits!" He paused for a moment, his tone changing from gentle to stern, and continued: "Now, let me take roll call...".

  "Huang Zhong of Changsha..."

  "The end is near!" Huang Zhong heard the troops lined up and came out, his voice was like thunder. If it weren't for Huang Zhong's white temples, one would not have seen that Huang Zhong was already a 54-year-old old general.

  "Xing Daorong of Lingling..."

  "The last will be here!" A loud and clear voice came, causing the generals to look at each other sideways. Xing Daorong was tall and strong, with a somewhat martial air about him.

  "Guiyang Deng Fang..."

  "The end is near!"

  "Wuling's Unyielding Will..."

  "The end is near!"

  …………

  Liu Bei's eyes scanned the hall, finally settling on Liu Qi, and asked in a low voice: "Qi'er, did Jing Sheng have any message for me?"

  Liu Qi listened and was slightly surprised, then immediately responded in a harmonious tone: "I have come to Jiangling for two reasons, one is to see my uncle's venerable face, and the other is that I want to observe the demeanor of the young men of our Jingzhou..."

  Everyone in the hall had their own thoughts after hearing this!

  "The first one is possibly okay, but the second one is completely unrelated..."

  Liu Xuan also slightly lowered his head after hearing this, and Liu Bei was also slightly taken aback, then smiled and said: "Good, good, Qier has this kind of heart, it's very comforting for Uncle."

  Then his eyes fell on Wen Pin, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, Deng Fang, Gong Zhi, Xing Daorong and other generals...

  After a moment, Liu Bei spoke in a low voice: "Everyone, are you ready?"

  Wen was appointed as the deputy general for this expedition, and he should have been the first to respond. He immediately cupped his hands and replied: "General, just give the order, the 50,000-strong army outside the city will set out at any moment..."

  "Zhongyè is indeed the great general of Jingzhou!"

  Liu Bei's face, which had been slightly tired and worried, showed a hint of joy, and he said loudly: "In that case, I will order..."

  "Zilong, you lead three thousand elite troops as the vanguard of our great army, advancing by land to Jiangxia."

  Zhoa Yun's expression turned cold and stern, his voice chilly as he said: "This general has received orders."

  Liu Bei nodded and immediately shouted loudly: "Huang Zhong, Wen Ping."

  "You two each lead an army of 10,000 men to protect both wings of our great army."

  "Yes."

  …………

  One by one, the orders were issued, and everything was in order. It seemed as if he had thought of something, Liu Bei cast his gaze towards Fu Huan and said softly: "Gong Tuo, what about the logistics?"

  Fu Shuo listened and said seriously: "Let Lord Xuande lead the army to fight in front, I will regularly transport grain and grass to the front line."

  "Good." Liu Bei's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and he thought to himself: "With one Fu Shou, it's enough to make up for the loss of Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and Mi Zhu."

  Liu Bei looked at Han Xian again and said seriously: "Ziwang, the defense of Jiangling City will be handed over to you!"

  "Lord Guan is at ease, whoever wants to be arrogant in Jiangling City, fears that they must first step on the body of the humble general."

  Liu Bei nodded repeatedly after hearing this, his eyes scanning the hall of generals, and said solemnly: "All generals listen to the order!"

  Everyone in the hall stood up and stared at Liu Bei with piercing eyes!

  Liu Bei's eyes lit up with a heroic spirit, he waved his hand and pointed towards Jiangxia, saying in a low voice: "The army will head straight for Jiangxia, I swear not to return until it is broken!"

  Liu Bei's words fell, and the grand hall echoed with loud and clear vows of allegiance.

  "I will not return until I have conquered Jiangxia!"

  *****

  The Jiangxia County government office is located in Xiling City, and the General's Mansion of Zhenxi is situated in the center of the city.

  Jiangxia County has the General of the Western Expedition's mansion because of Zhang Wu and Chen Sun. After they broke through Xiling, their true nature was exposed, and they heavily levied manpower and material resources from Jiangxia County people!

  The people of Jiangxia were suffering and could not speak out, fearing Zhang Wu and Chen Sun's tyranny. They dared to be angry but did not dare to speak out. Liu Bei and others delayed the military action for over a dozen days, so Zhang Wu and Chen Sun thought that Liu Biao had been intimidated and did not dare to send troops to attack.

  For a long time, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun became more and more tyrannical. Zhang Wu even called himself the Great General of Quelling the West, and when Chen Sun saw this, he was naturally unwilling to be inferior, so he also called himself the Great General of Quelling the East!

  Afterwards, one in the west and one in the east, two great generals of Jiangxia County were born!

  That day, Zhang Wu invited Chen Sun to his mansion for a drink. In the main hall, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun sat in two separate halls, one on the left and one on the right, symbolizing that they were equal and on an equal footing.

  Chen Sun drank a few cups of wine, wiped his mouth and watched the beautiful women dancing below, occasionally letting out lewd laughter. Chen Sun's lewd laughter continued, then he suddenly turned around and chuckled: "Big brother, you didn't call me here just to drink, did you?"

  Don't look at Chen Sun, tall and majestic, looking like a muscle man without any mind. Zhang Wu knew that his "second brother" was deep-minded. After hearing Chen Sun's question, Zhang Wu waved his hand to let the beauties retreat, and they retreated like a tide, rushing out!

  Chen Sun looked at Zhang Wu with a slightly displeased expression, and said somewhat uncomfortably: "Big brother, why did you let those beauties retreat? Look, look at those few beauties in the front row, their faces, figures, and those red lips... Ah..., I almost couldn't bear it..."

  "Shut up...!" Zhang Wu scolded Chen Sun with a gloomy face, then continued in an unpleasant tone: "What else can you do besides playing with women?" He paused for a moment, and then said in a low voice: "You've been cooped up at home these days, indulging in pleasure with women."

  "I urged you several times, but you kept making excuses and didn't come, what's the reason for this?"

  Chen Sun saw Zhang Wu's face turn black, as if he really had a sign of fire, and his eyes quickly turned around, smiling apologetically: "Hehe, isn't there big brother you? Besides, Liu Biao didn't come, did he? It's been over ten days, not even a shadow of him! I..."

  "Hmph, Liu Bei doesn't dare come?" Zhang Wu snorted and picked up a report in his hand: "Take a look at this, what is it?"

  "What's the meaning of this?" Chen Sun took over the bamboo slip, hastily scanning it. A moment later, Chen Sun slapped the table with a gloomy expression and sneered: "Big brother, we brothers have conquered Jiangxia Commandery, with an army of tens of thousands, what are we afraid of that insignificant Liu Bei sent by Liu Biao?"

  "Haha, General Chen, the Liu Bei you call a child has managed to escape from Cao Cao multiple times. I wonder if you have such skills?" A tall figure strolled in from outside, ignoring Zhang Wu and Chen Sun, and sat down at the table, smiling as he gazed at Chen Sun's darkening face.

  "Hmph, motor, don't think that just because you're from the north, I'm afraid to touch you. If you provoke me, I'll still kill you with one knife."

  "Second brother, shut up!" Zhang Wu glared at Chen Sun, then immediately put on a flattering smile as he looked at the young man in green robes: "Mr. Ma Da, please forgive me, my second brother has always been like this, don't take it to heart..."

  "Haha, if someone is already in his heart, wouldn't that make Ma Da seem too incompetent?" The young man in the green robe suddenly sneered.

  Chen Sun's anger flared up upon hearing this, but he restrained himself in front of Zhang Wu and could only glare at Ma Da. Ma Da saw this and a hint of disdainful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth as he stared at Zhang Wu and said: "General, I've heard that Liu Biao has sent Liu Bei to Jiangxia to quell the rebellion, is this true?"

  Zhang Wu furrowed his brow and nodded, his tone worried: "That's right, according to the scouts' reports, this time it's not just Liu Bei, but also Wen Ping, the great general of Jingzhou, leading an army of 50,000 men."

  Ma Da's eyebrows furrowed instantly, his face slightly heavy, and he nodded: "50,000? The troops of Xiangyang?"

  Zhang Wu shook his head and nodded, a hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth: "Liu Biao that old man is afraid of death, only sent 30,000 Xiangyang troops, the rest are Jiangling, Jingnan troops."

  "Who is in charge of Xiangyang army?"

  "Wen Pei." Zhang Wu said without thinking.

  Ma Da's eyes flashed with a profound and unfathomable light, and Zhang Wu knew that although Ma Da was young, his wisdom should not be underestimated. He himself had been able to take down Jiangxia County, and the credit for this must go to the young man in front of him.

  If there was no Ma Da, I would not dare to approach Jiangxia County even if I wanted to. The fact that Jiangxia County can remain as stable as Mount Tai under the military might of Jiangdong must mean that it has some extraordinary aspects.

  A cup of tea, Ma Da slowly raised his head and smiled: "General, Liu Bei sent over some fine meat. If we don't treat him with thick courtesy, it would seem a bit inhumane!"

  Zhang Wu was shocked and delighted, asking: "Where did this plan come from?"

  Ma Da smiled faintly and leaned in close to Zhang Wu's ear, saying softly: "General, all we need to do is this and that..."

  …………

  Updates will be made at night from now on, sorry.