Chapter 43 Blackmail

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  "De Gu and Yi Du joined forces, with an army of over 20,000. How could they be defeated by Yan Liang? This is impossible, it can't be!"

  Liu Biao let out a startled cry, and in his flustered expression, a suspicious look flashed across his face.

  Yan Liang first defeated Cao Hong, then took a small road to burn Deng Ai's grain and fodder, so the two commanders had no choice but to withdraw their troops. Halfway through, they were ambushed by Yan Liang again, that's why...

  First defeat Cao Hong, then raid Deng Sai, and ambush Kuai Yue. In just a few days, spanning several hundred miles, Yan Liang was able to achieve such feats!

  What kind of person is Yan Liang, after all? Is he a human being or a devil?

  His heart filled with fear and terror, Liu Biao's expression became increasingly distorted, frightening his attendants into silence.

  That old body suddenly shook and was about to fall down.

  Cai's expression changed and he hastily helped Liu Biao sit down.

  Temporarily unable to accept this cruel reality, Liu Biao's expression was dazed, and he kept muttering: "How is it possible, how is it possible..."

  Cai's family could only patiently persuade him, but in his heart he secretly thought: "This Yan Liang is so extraordinary in using troops, I wonder what kind of person he is, really want to see him once."

  It was only after half a day that Liu Biao finally came to his senses from the shock, and upon hearing that Cai Mao and Zhang Yun had returned in defeat to Xiangyang, he hastily summoned them for an audience.

  Half a time later, Liu Bei entered the main hall with the support of Cai's family, staggering and swaying.

  Kuai Yue and Cai Mao stood there with their heads hung low in shame. As soon as they saw Liu Biao enter, they hastily bowed their heads and stood at attention, not daring to look him straight in the eye.

  "You, Yidu, previously advised me to send troops, saying that Yan Liang would definitely be defeated. But now, how is it? Cao Hong and you were all defeated by him in just a few days. I really can't understand how Yan Liang did it. What's going on?"

  Liu Biao could hardly contain his shock and anger, and he thundered out a question.

  At this time, the fine work had already transmitted back accurate intelligence, and so Qu and Cai could only silently recount the causes and consequences.

  The two of them also knew that their army of 20,000 had been routed by Yan Liang's 500 ambushers who intimidated them with false bravado, and they were ashamed in their hearts, so they concealed this shameful episode and did not report it.

  Liu Biao, upon learning the truth, was like a deflated balloon, sitting there weakly and completely devoid of energy.

  "If I had known earlier that Yan Liang was a military genius, I wouldn't have become his enemy. Alas..."

  Liu Biao, who had been silent for a long time, shook his head and sighed, his expression and tone filled with regret, and also a deep fear of Yan Liang.

  Yu and Cai looked at each other, then Cai Mao cupped his hands and said: "Let's not talk about Yan Liang defeating Cao Hong for now. In my humble opinion, he dared to sneak attack Deng Ai with 500 troops and ambush our army halfway because someone secretly revealed the true situation of our army to him, that's why he was so reckless."

  Liu Biao's expression changed and he angrily said: "There is a spy in our province, do you know who it was that leaked military information to Yan Liang?"

  Cai Man gave Kuai Yue a look, as if they had discussed it beforehand.

  "Earlier, when the lord wanted to send troops, Yibo Ji strongly opposed it. Judging from his words and tone, he was extremely respectful towards Yan Liang. And this time, the person sent to Xinye is him, so I suspect that the one secretly in contact with Yan Liang must be him."

  Upon hearing these words, Liu Biao's wrinkled old face was slightly hidden, and his mind involuntarily recalled the respectful words of Yan Liang to Yi Ji when they parted ways after forming an alliance.

  At that time, Liu Biao had already secretly harbored doubts. Now, after Kuai Yue's analysis, the doubts in his heart suddenly turned into a certainty.

  Liu Biao was furious and scolded: "This Yi Ji is really something! I treated him kindly, but he actually dares to betray me. It's truly detestable. Come, men! Quickly throw Yi Ji into prison and interrogate him severely!"

  At this time, Liu Biao directed all his anger at Yi Ji. Kuai Yue and Cai Mao exchanged a glance, both their eyes flashing with relief.

  Liu Biao released Yu Ji from prison, but was intimidated by Yan Liang's ferocity and did not dare to send troops against him again.

  The next day, Liu Biao sent Pang Ji to Xinye to make peace with Yan Liang, declaring that he was sincere in his desire to help Yan Liang defeat the enemy and that their previous conflict had been a misunderstanding.

  Arano, Governor's Office.

  "I have long admired Mr. Pang's great reputation, but I don't know what wind has blown you here."

  Pang Ji was a prominent figure among the six major families of Pang, and the head of the Pang family, Pang De, had always refused to serve under Liu Biao. In order to win over the Pangs, Liu Biao appointed Pang Ji, a member of a lesser branch of the family, as an officer under his command.

  Yan Liang clearly knew why Pang Ji had come, but pretended not to know.

  Pang Ji-gan smiled and said, "Earlier, our troops had some conflicts with the general's subordinates. My master wants to form an alliance with the general, so that both families can be as one. How could we bear grudges against each other? Therefore, he specially ordered me to come and explain the misunderstanding to the general."

  " Misunderstanding? Hmph!"

  Yan Liang let out a cold snort, and his originally calm expression suddenly flashed with a hint of anger.

  Pang Ji had been apprehensive from the start, and now seeing Yan Liang's anger, he felt even more uneasy, a layer of cold sweat quietly seeping out on his forehead.

  "Your 20,000 troops have surrounded the city and set up camp. Clearly you intend to attack. Do you think I'm blind?" Yan Liang shouted abruptly.

  Yan Liang asked, and Zhou Cang, who was standing beside him, also glared with anger, his hand tightly gripping the hilt of his sword, making cracking sounds, as if he wanted to chop Pang Ji into minced meat.

  Pang Ji was so frightened that he trembled with fear, and hastily accompanied by a smile, said: "General, please calm your anger, this is really just a misunderstanding. As for General Cai and the others not retreating in time, it's possible that they were still on their way to ask for instructions from their lord. Who would have thought that the general was so powerful, and actually defeated Cao Hong so quickly?"

  Pang Ji is both a sophist and a flatterer of Yan Liang, where is the style of a famous scholar?

  Yan Liang secretly smiled in his heart.

  In fact, he didn't plan to turn against Liu Biao at the moment, and this "intimidation" of Pang Ji was just a way to get some benefits from Liu Biao, after all, he couldn't let Liu Biao bear the alliance in vain.

  Listening to Pang Ji's stuttering and fearful explanation, Yan Liang's expression gradually eased a bit.

  "So it seems this was just a misunderstanding after all."

  Pang Ji'an let out a breath of relief and hastily smiled, saying: "This is naturally a misunderstanding. Although it's like this, my master also deeply feels uneasy and specially ordered me to express apologies to the general."

  Yan Liang's mouth slanted, displeased: "I originally thought that Lord Liu was planning to betray the alliance and attack, so I had no choice but to mobilize the new recruits from Ning City. Who knows how much money was spent? Does Lord Liu think he can just apologize and wash his hands of it?"

  Yan Liang was "extorting" grain and fodder from Liu Biao.

  What are the most valuable things in the world? Are they not talent and grain? Jingzhou has had no major wars for over a decade, Liu Biao has accumulated grain like mountains, and controls countless talented individuals, it's as if he is sitting on a mountain of gold.

  Yan Liang not only wanted to poach Liu Bei's talented men but also demanded his grain and fodder.

  Pang Jili nodded in understanding and said with a smile: "I understand the general's intention, my master can make up for some of the losses on the grain and fodder aspect."

  "Since Liu Zhenjun is so generous, then send 200,000 dan of grain." Yan Liang waved his hand grandly, without being polite at all.

  "Two hundred thousand bushels!"

  Pang Ji took a deep breath of cold air and was shocked by Yan Liang's open mouth.

  200,000 dan of grain, in peacetime, can feed 10,000 soldiers for more than four months.

  Even if Liu Biao is wealthy, 200,000 dan of grain would still be enough to make him feel a sharp pain for several days. Yan Liang is clearly trying to fleece the rich.

  Zhang Liao seemed to hesitate, Yan Liang's eyes widened and he said in a deep voice: "Just 200,000 dan of grain, Liu Zong is not even willing to give it. How can this show his sincerity? If that's the case, then we'll just have to take our troops to Xiangyang ourselves."

  As soon as Yan Liang threatened to send troops to attack Xiangyang, Pang Ji became flustered.

  Liu Biao, despite having an army of 100,000 men, has been defeated by Yan Liang in successive battles, and the morale of his troops is greatly dampened. They have lost all courage to fight against Yan Liang again. With this threat from Yan Liang, Pang Ji was terrified beyond measure.

  "The general is mistaken. It's just 200,000 hu of grain and fodder. How could my master be reluctant to give it up?" Pang Ji immediately responded with alacrity on behalf of Liu Biao.

  Yan Liang was finally satisfied, and nodded slightly: "Liu Shizhong is now considered to have good intentions. Please ask Mr. Pang to inform Liu Shizhong that once the grain and fodder arrive, the previous misunderstanding will be written off, and I, Yan Liang, will still be his most loyal ally."

  Pang Jichang let out a sigh of relief, his back already drenched with sweat.

  Just as he was about to bid farewell, he suddenly thought of something and smiled again: "There's one more thing, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I wonder if General Zhang Zinuo can be released?"

  Pang Ji was referring to Zhang Yun. This man is a relative of Liu Biao, and now he has been captured by Yan Liang. Naturally, Liu Biao wants to rescue him urgently.

  If Pang Ji didn't mention it, Yan Liang almost forgot that he still had such a captive.

  Ben Dai Song Kou agreed at the time, Yan Liang suddenly had a bright idea and remembered something extremely important.

  He then asked in return: "Not mentioning Zhang Yun's case, I heard that Mr. Yiboqi was imprisoned by Liu Shijun, is this true?"

  Pang Ji didn't know why Yan Liang suddenly mentioned Yi Jie and nodded blankly.

  Yan Liang then used a commanding tone and said loudly: "If Governor Liu wants Zhang Yun, he can exchange him for Yu Bei."