Chapter 27: Riding Alone with Dignity

  Yan Liang was a man who even Guan Yu couldn't defeat, a famous general from Hebei. Compared to Yan Liang, Liu Biao was just a scholar with no real power.

  Yan Liang wanted to meet with Liu Bei for a solo alliance, and if the intention to kill arose during the meeting, killing Liu Bei would be as easy as pinching a small chick to death.

  Yi's face was full of doubts and uncertainties, guessing what Yan Liang meant.

  Yan Liang certainly didn't want to kill Liu Biao, and he also knew that Liu Biao wasn't stupid enough to come and offer his neck to be killed.

  Yi Jian's face turned difficult to look at, Yan Liang coldly snorted, "What, could it be that Liu Shuai Jun doesn't have the sincerity to form an alliance, or does he not have the guts to come see me in person?"

  "Well..."

  Yi Jie was momentarily speechless. Even though he was known for his exceptional eloquence, when faced with Yan Liang's questioning, he didn't know how to respond.

  "After all, Liu is a scholar and has a timid heart, which I can understand. How about this: when the time comes, each of our families will bring only 500 soldiers and horses. When we meet, both armies will retreat 100 steps, and Liu and I will be 10 steps apart. He can bring a few attendants, and Yan Mou will come forward alone. In this way, Liu should not be afraid, right?"

  Yan Liang's words were full of arrogance and disdain for Liu Biao.

  Now that it has come to this point, if Liu Biao still does not dare to come, then he is equivalent to openly acknowledging his fear of Yan Liang. The whole Jingzhou will be disappointed by his cowardice.

  This was exactly what Yan Liang had in mind.

  Yi hesitated for a moment, and could only say: "The matter of the alliance is of great importance. I am just an envoy, how dare I make decisions on my own? General, your proposal, I still need to return to Xiangyang to ask for instructions from my lord before I can give you a reply."

  "Please go ahead, sir. If Liu is afraid to come and form an alliance, then I'll take my troops to Xiangyang to meet him."

  The last sentence, Yan Liang's tone was heavier, with a hint of murderous intent hidden within.

  Yi Jie's body trembled slightly, and Yan Liang's threatening words made him feel a deep sense of fear.

  At that time, Yi didn't dare stay for long, awkwardly smiled a few words and then bid farewell to hurry back to Xiangyang.

  Yan Liang personally escorted him out of the camp, and when he returned to his tent, Xu You was already sitting there, leisurely tasting the fine wine brought by Yi Ji's entourage.

  "Indeed, it's still the fragrance of hometown wine..." Xu You sighed in praise.

  "Sir, just endure for a few more days, and one day you will be able to go to Xiangyang to taste Liu Jing's fine wine." Yan Liang said with a smile.

  Xu You listened and was startled, then strangely said: "The general's ambition, I naturally believe in. However, just now Mr. hard demanded that Liu Biao come alone to form an alliance, what is the purpose of this, I am somewhat puzzled."

  Yan Liang's unexpected actions were numerous, and it wasn't just the first time that left him perplexed.

  He finished the unfinished wine, saying slowly: "If you want to establish a reputation in Jingzhou, don't go and show off your appearance. Let the civil and military officials of Jingzhou see my style, how can they compare me with Liu Biao?"

  Xu You suddenly realized.

  If Liu Biao did not dare to come forward and form an alliance, his subordinates as well as the scholars and common people of Jingzhou would think that Liu Biao was timid and afraid of Yan Liang.

  Thus, their prestige in Jingzhou will be inversely proportional.

  Even if Liu Biao comes reluctantly, it will be the same.

  Yan Liang's martial arts skills were unmatched, so he wasn't afraid to meet alone on horseback. Liu Biao feared Yan Liang's military strength and naturally brought his personal guards and generals for protection. In the eyes of the world, Liu Biao still appeared to be intimidated by Yan Liang.

  No matter whether Liu Biao dares or not dares to form an alliance, the one who will benefit from it will be Yan Liang alone.

  "The general's strategy is indeed brilliant, this has really put our Liu state governor in a difficult position." Xun You couldn't help but praise Yan Liang profusely after understanding the situation.

  Yan Liang smiled but did not speak.

  Three days later, Ji Zhi brought back Liu Biao's reply: willing to come forward and form an alliance.

  Liu Biao had no choice, Xinye had fallen, and being forced to form an alliance with Yan Liang was already humiliating enough. If he didn't dare accept Yan Liang's invitation for a meeting now, his reputation would be ruined.

  The next day, Yan Liang led five hundred infantry and cavalry along the Xuanwu River southward to the designated meeting place.

  Yan Liang was not so arrogant, at the time of his departure, scouts and spies had already spread out in all directions within a hundred miles, constantly probing the movements of the Jingzhou army, to prevent Liu Biao from playing tricks, taking advantage of the meeting to launch a surprise attack.

  The scouts occasionally sent back the latest intelligence that Liu Biao had left Fan City and was on his way to the meeting, and the Jingzhou army had no unusual movements.

  As the day wore on, a group of people and horses appeared in the direction of due south. The scouts reported back that it was indeed Liu Biao's troops.

  When they were about a hundred paces apart, the large cavalry unit of five hundred men halted its advance.

  Several envoys were sent back and forth to deliver oral inquiries, confirming each other's identities.

  A moment later, Yan Liang held his sword and slowly rode out of the army on horseback.

  On the other side, Liu Biao was also walking slowly towards Yan Liang under the protection of five knights.

  Both sides stopped their horses at a distance of about ten paces from each other.

  In the midst of the crowd's protection and support, that old man with white hair and beard was probably Liu Biao.

  Yan Liang's sharp gaze swept back and forth over Liu Biao's body, on the surface Liu Biao was very calm, but that hidden fear escaped Yan Liang's eyes.

  The guards around Liu Biao were also on high alert, nervously staring at Yan Liang, as if they feared he would suddenly change his mind and charge forward to take their lives.

  "The ruler of a state, yet so fearful of me, a lone general. No wonder I've heard that when Cao Cao's great army marched south, they were scared to death. The so-called 'Eight Geniuses' are indeed all just empty fame..."

  Yan Liang was disdainful in his heart, but cupped his hands and said: "I have long admired the great name of General Liu, fortunate to meet you."

  Yan Liang's voice was like a loud bell, and his casual words seemed to contain a hidden, stern warning.

  Liu Biao, opposite him, trembled slightly and forced a smile, also cupping his hands in greeting: "I've long heard that General Yan is the superior general of Hebei; today I see you, indeed extraordinary and heroic."

  Yan Liang burst out laughing and suddenly spurred his horse forward a few steps.

  His sudden movement didn't seem serious, but everyone on the opposite side, including Liu Bei, changed their expressions in an instant.

  Liu Biao thought Yan Liang had evil intentions and subconsciously tightened his grip on the reins, preparing to turn his horse around and leave.

  Cai Mao, who was standing beside him, also got a fright and hastily pressed down on his sword.

  Only slightly later, Yi was calm and composed, unafraid of what had happened.

  Yan Liang sneered inwardly and said calmly, "Don't be afraid, Liu Shizhong. I just want to get a bit closer so it's more convenient for us to talk."

  As they spoke, Yan Liang had already reined in his horse.

  Liu Biao's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he let out a breath when he saw that Yan Liang had only brought his personal sword, without even wearing armor. A layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.

  Cai Man still tightly grasped his sword, not daring to relax in the slightest.

  The people of Jingzhou were in a state of panic, while Yan Liang was strolling leisurely, his calm demeanor forming a stark contrast.

  "This General Yan came alone on horseback, he indeed has an extraordinary courage. Our lord is surrounded by many people and yet so tense, but in terms of bravery, he loses to General Yan."

  At this time, when he secretly sighed in his heart, his eyes looked at Yan Liang again, and he couldn't help but add a few more points of respect.