Chapter 55: Snatching Food from the Tiger's Mouth?

  The new book period is in its last few days, I beg everyone to cast a few more votes and lend Yanyang a helping hand.

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  "Isn't Liu Bei being dishonest?" Yan Liang asked calmly.

  Xu Shu was taken aback and asked in surprise: "How did you know it was Liu Bei?"

  It's Liu Bei after all.

  The current situation is that Cao Ren and Cao Hong have both been defeated by him, Cao Cao has lost troops and generals, and has no power to withdraw troops to deal with him.

  As for Liu Biao, he was even more frightened by his own actions, and although he had the intention to deal with me, I'm afraid he wouldn't dare to stir up trouble in a short period of time.

  It seems that apart from Liu Bei of Yuzhou, who else can pose a threat to Yan Liang.

  Yan Liang slowly and calmly stated his reasons, Xu You's face showed a look of admiration, and he couldn't help but be convinced by Yan Liang's judgment.

  Xu Shu then told him about the latest movements of Liu Bei that he had investigated in detail.

  After Liu Bei arrived in Runan, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and other old subordinates came to gather. Even Guan Yu, who was on the front line, left Cao Cao as soon as he knew that Liu Bei was in Runan, and brought Liu's family members to Runan.

  Liu Bei reunited with his old troops and then recruited and pacified nearly 10,000 Yellow Turbans. He beheaded Cao's general Cai Yang, who had just retaken Ru'nan, and reoccupied the city of Ancheng, the capital.

  Cai Yang died, and the counties of Ru'nan rebelled again, one after another turning to Liu Bei. In less than a month's time, Liu Bei's power suddenly rose.

  "As the general had previously anticipated, after Liu Bei recruited and bought horses, he did not head north to attack Xuchang, but instead led his army westward, moving in the direction of Jingzhou, with signs of attacking Xinye, so I hurriedly came to report to the general."

  Yan Liang nodded slightly and pondered Liu Bei's intentions in his heart.

  Historically, Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao in Runan and then fled to Jingzhou to depend on Liu Biao.

  Although Yan Liang has appeared as an anomaly at the moment, disrupting the situation in Jingzhou, Liu Bei's intention to leave Yuan Shao will not change.

  Liu Bei would never sacrifice himself for Yuan Shao, and after the capture of Xuchang, it was not easy for Liu Bei to stir up trouble in Ru'nan.

  So at this time, Liu Bei's army marched westward, and the most likely thing is that he wanted to take Yan Liang's place and seize control of the seven counties of XinYe.

  Next, whether Cao Cao or Yuan Shao loses, Liu Bei can rely on Liu Biao and stand in an invincible position.

  Yan Liang's mouth curled up into a cold smile as he suddenly understood this point.

  "It seems that Liu Bei has taken a liking to this land of Xinye, and wants to snatch food from the tiger's mouth."

  Xu You nodded and said: "General, your judgment is the same as mine. It seems that this time we will inevitably fight against Liu Bei. Although Liu Bei is a powerful hero with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who are both capable of fighting against thousands of enemies, his strength far surpasses Cao Hong. Moreover, I am worried that Liu Jing will repeat his old trick and stab us in the back."

  As soon as this was said, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn.

  Liu Bei led more than 10,000 troops to come, the army was not elite, but the momentum was quite strong. Not only did Liu Bei have some military skills, but also Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were all more powerful than Cao Hong.

  This time Yan Liang thought he could emulate his previous victory over Cao Hong and defeat Liu Bei with just a mere 2,000 troops, which was naturally not an easy task.

  If Liu Biao sends troops to New Wild again, the situation faced by Yan Liang may be even more unfavorable than last time.

  Next to him, Yi Ji also worried: "Last time the general used a surprise attack to burn Deng Ai's grain, only then was able to scare off Cai Mao. This time if Liu Biao sends troops again, he will definitely be doubly cautious. In this case, just Liu Biao's one route of soldiers and horses would not be easy to deal with, let alone there is also Liu Bei."

  After analyzing it this way, Yan Liang's situation seems even more severe.

  Yan Liang furrowed his brow in deep thought for a moment, but suddenly burst out laughing loudly, as if he didn't take it seriously at all.

  Xu and Yi exchanged a glance, both of their faces filled with confusion, unable to understand how Yan Liang could remain so calm and composed in this situation, still smiling so lightly.

  However, Xun Yu's mouth corner soon curled up with a hint of smile.

  He has followed Yan Liang for so long and knows him well. His lord, the more he encounters difficulties, the more confident and calm he becomes.

  The unique temperament on Yan Liang's body is also the reason why Xu You has been following him.

  Seeing this, Xu You smiled and said: "Isn't it that General has already come up with a good strategy to defeat the enemy?"

  "We haven't come up with a good strategy to defeat the enemy yet, but I dare bet on one thing." Yan Liang's smile faded away, his knife-like face revealing self-confidence.

  Everyone was stunned and couldn't understand what Yan Liang meant by these words for a moment.

  Yan Liang didn't mince words either and loudly said: "I bet this time, that scoundrel Liu Biao will not dare to send troops to invade Xinye again."

  "How can the general say such things?"

  Xu You expressed his doubts, and Yi Ji beside him had a similar expression.

  Yan Liang said slowly, "Although Liu Biao is known to have 100,000 troops, his elite forces are only two branches. One branch is Huang Zu's army in Jiangxia, and the other is the Jingbei army stationed in Xinye, Xiangyang. In the previous two battles, we defeated the Jingbei army so badly that they were severely damaged and lost more than half of their strength. Do you think Liu Biao still has the capital to launch a strong attack on Xinye?"

  One word awakened him, and Xu You suddenly came to his senses.

  The troops stationed in Xiangyang at present, at most not less than 30,000, of which only about 20,000 can fight, and among these 20,000 soldiers and horses, there are many wounded soldiers, and the morale is also low. In a short period of time, more than half of them will not be able to recover their morale.

  "Last time at Huangjiazhuang, Liu Bei obviously had the opportunity to raise a large army to surround and kill our general, but in the end, he only secretly sent 500 people, and they didn't even dare to wear military uniforms. Mr. Bozhi has followed Liu Bei for many years, can you tell me, what is the reason behind Liu Bei's actions this time?"

  Yan Liang said faintly, his eyes turned to Yi Jie.

  The worried expression on Yijue's face gradually returned to calm after Yan Liang's words.

  After a moment of silence, Yijue's mouth curled up with a cold smile, and he spat out a sentence with profound meaning:

  Liu Biao was intimidated by the general.

  Yan Liang smiled but did not speak, apparently acquiescing in Yijue's words.

  It wasn't until then that Xu You thoroughly understood, Yan Liang's confidence was not unfounded, but because he had deeply seen through Liu Biao's nature.

  After sighing at Yan Liang's profound gaze, Xu You regained his confidence and smiled: "It seems that this time we only need to concentrate our forces to defeat Liu Bei."

  Yan Liang nodded slightly, his eyes gazing eastward, and muttered to himself: "Liu Bei, let me Yan Liang take a look at how many catties you have."

  A cloud of dust rolled in, a silent army marched steadily onto the main road, with a large banner bearing the character "Liu" fluttering in the wind.

  Liu Bei rode his horse forward, with a few deep and immeasurable thoughts flowing in his eyes.

  The terrain in front of him was getting more and more open, and Liu Bei's heart also became more and more broad-minded.

  A lone horseman came from afar, raising clouds of dust - it was none other than the strategist Sun Qian.

  "My lord, in twenty more li ahead, we will enter the territory of Jingzhou." Sun Qian reined in his horse and said.

  Liu Bei nodded slightly and waved his hand: "Pass on the order to the whole army, set up camp temporarily and do not cross the provincial border without permission."

  Guan Yu, who was standing beside him, frowned and said in a low voice: "Brother, why don't we take advantage of the momentum to rush to Xin Ye and kill Yan Liang to avenge our hatred, but instead you want to stop here?"

  When mentioning Yan Liang, Guan Yu's crimson face was splashing with hatred, apparently the defeat at Baima had made him deeply resentful of Yan Liang.

  "Clouds can be long, but there will be a time for revenge. However, this Yan Liang is quite capable and should not be underestimated." Liu Bei appeared very cautious.

  When Liu Bei spoke highly of Yan Liang, Guan Yu's face flashed a hint of displeasure, but in front of Liu Bei, he didn't dare to show it too much.

  The order was passed down, and the soldiers and horses in the march gradually came to a halt.

  "Brother, how are you planning to deal with Yan Liang?" Guan Yu couldn't help but ask.

  "Yun Chang, have you forgotten? That clansman of mine in Jingzhou was gnashing his teeth with hatred for Yan Liang. With such a good opportunity, how can we not make the most of it?"

  Liu Bei's gaze drifted into the distance, a hint of a sly smile playing on his lips.