Chapter 77: New Wilderness Express Report

  Spring has arrived, the air is filled with soft sunlight and warm breath, the forest is already covered with lush green buds, skylarks are flying and singing in the sky above the forest.

  The river water is even greener, groups of ducks and white geese are playing in the river, from time to time there are fishing boats passing by, with a few cormorants standing on the bow, as if wearing black armor like generals.

  Spring breeze, the big flag on the south city head of Fan City is waving in the wind. On the city head, Liu Hu wears iron scale armor, eagle helmet, and waist ring first knife. He patrols back and forth on the city head, his figure is majestic, like a half-iron tower, holding a 60-jin heavy big knife, looking mighty and powerful.

  He is now serving as the defender of Fan City, in charge of 100 soldiers. The defender of Fan City is Liu Xuan's army, which is similar to an independent regiment in later generations, consisting of 500 soldiers.

  This army was in charge of the south and north city gates of Fan City, and was not under the jurisdiction of Wen Ping, the commander of Fan City, but belonged to Liu Biao's official army, directly responsible to Wang Wei, the capital commander.

  This is also a special feature of Liu Biao's army, some strategic cities are controlled by Liu Biao's direct vassal forces, such as Wuchang, Fancheng, Jiangling, Gong'an and so on.

  So Liu Jue grasped this 500-man army, almost an independent kingdom, freely entering and leaving the city gate, without affecting his martial arts practice, which was also Liu Biao's painstaking arrangement for him.

  This morning, it happened to be Liu Hu's turn on duty. He had been the garrison commander for nearly three months and had already become close with his subordinates.

  Although Liu Hu was the nephew of the provincial governor, he had a very good relationship with others and did not have any airs as a military officer. Whether it was soldiers or other officers, everyone liked him and affectionately called him "Tiger Brother".

  "Big Brother Tiger!"

  A soldier rushed over and knelt down on one knee to report: "An urgent military report has arrived from XinYe!"

  Liu Hu smiled and kicked him, "You guy, when talking about serious business, you should call me Tun Zhang."

  The soldier scratched his head and smiled awkwardly: "I'll remember, I won't make this mistake again next time."

  Liu Hu quickly walked down from the city wall and looked around at the city gate, "Where is General Jun?"

  "Brother Tiger, Jun Hou seems to have returned to the military camp."

  "Alas! I have to run another errand." Liu Hu sighed and turned around to hurry back into the city.

  Fan City's defensive detachment is located near the city gate, it is a medium-sized military camp, covering an area of about 100 hectares, consisting of five rows of brick houses and a training school, surrounded by walls on all sides. Next to the main gate there is a three-meter-high watchtower, with sentries patrolling day and night, and soldiers standing guard in front of the main gate, no idlers are allowed to enter.

  Liu Xuan's barracks were located on the far left of the first row of military camps, consisting of three rooms. In addition to his own main room, there were two auxiliary rooms. One room was used for storing various documents and bamboo slips, while the other room was used for handling document files, with two bookkeepers working in the room.

  Liu Xuan has been serving as a military marquis for nearly three months now. From the initial excitement to gradually becoming dull, every day is busy with almost the same things: guarding the city, training soldiers, mediating disputes, and writing a monthly report. The affairs are dull and dry.

  For these three months, Liu Cong spent most of his time in Fan City and rarely went to Xiangyang, so his life gradually returned to calmness, and nothing else happened.

  However, Liu Xuan gained a lot in his own martial arts. Every night's hard training made his strength stronger day by day. He can now wield nearly 40 kilograms of heavy weapons with ease.

  The great progress in martial arts greatly increased Liu Xuan's confidence, making him full of hope for the future.

  In the room, Liu Xuan was fully focused on reviewing the March report, which is a monthly summary report that he must write. It is usually drafted by Shu Sao and then revised by him before being submitted to his superior, Wang Wei.

  Although they were all trivial matters, Liu Xuan still did not dare to be careless. Wang Wei was a very serious person and he would carefully verify some data.

  Last month's report showed a slight discrepancy in the amount of money and grain received by the army, so Wang Wei personally came to the military camp for verification. It was only then that they discovered it was because some moldy grains were excluded from the report. Despite this, Liu Xuan still experienced Wang Wei's strict and upright attitude.

  It is said that his predecessor was punished by Wang Weizhen for embezzling money and grain, and is still imprisoned to this day.

  It was also a month ago that the Jingzhou armory was stolen, and many bows, crossbows and war knives were lost. Liu Biao was furious and ordered a full military search, with each camp being checked by special personnel, causing a big commotion, but in the end, nothing was found, and it was left unsettled.

  At this time, a hurried footsteps came from outside, Liu Hu rushed in like a gust of wind, "Jingdi, Xinye is going to war!"

  Liu Jingteng suddenly stood up, "Is the news true?"

  This was the news he had been waiting for. Ten days ago, news came from Nanyang that Cao's army had increased by 20,000 soldiers, and the garrison in Nanyang had expanded from 10,000 to 30,000 men, with Xiahou Dun, the governor of Henan, personally leading the troops to besiege Nanyang.

  This is an ominous sign, as people from Nanyang continue to flee south with their families, the defenders of Fancheng are like ducks in a spring river, and they were the first to feel what?

  Liu Xuan, who was guarding the gate of Fan City, also felt the approaching war clouds, but he looked forward to it, hoping to be on the battlefield himself.

  He has been in Jingzhou for nearly half a year, and his mentality has undergone tremendous changes. At first, he was fleeing the battlefield to enter Jingzhou, with an inexplicable fear of war.

  But now it's different, he yearns to experience a war to hone his three months of hard training, just like a soldier who has just picked up a gun, always having a natural desire for war.

  He was dissatisfied with Liu Hu's slow response and asked again: "What about the messenger?"

  "He has already crossed the Han River and gone to Xiangyang."

  Liu Jiong thought for a moment, "Then I'll go too!"

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  In the government office of Liu Biao, Liu Biao was discussing the military situation in Nanyang with Cai Mao. Ten days ago, Liu Biao received news that Cao Cao had sent General Xiahou Dun to lead an army of 20,000 to reinforce Nanyang, bringing the total number of elite soldiers in Nanyang to over 30,000, posing a great threat to Xiangyang.

  Just now he received an urgent military report from Liu Bei, Xiahoudun sent his general Li Dian to lead 5,000 troops to raid the border of Xinye County, and a small-scale battle broke out between the two sides.

  Liu Bei's army had only 6,000 men, which was enough to deal with Li Dian's 5,000 men, but if Xiahou Dun led 20,000 troops southward, Xinye would be hard to defend. Liu Bei urgently asked for help from Liu Biao.

  Cao Jun's raid on Xin Ye caused Liu Biao to be worried, and he also received news that Yuan Shao was seriously ill, with several sons and nephews vying for the position of heir, leading to internal strife.

  Liu Biao was worried that Cao's army would take advantage of the struggle for power among Yuan Shao's sons and nephews, and launch a large-scale attack on Jingzhou, with Xiahou Dun likely being just the vanguard.

  But at this time, Liu Biao was furious with Huang Zu for his repeated refusal to send troops. Sun Quan's mother was critically ill and the Jiangdong army had already withdrawn from Pengze, so there was no threat to Jiangxia. Therefore, Liu Biao ordered Huang Zu to mobilize 20,000 soldiers to support Xiangyang and increase its defense.

  But Huang Zu pushed the excuse that there was an epidemic in the army, it was not suitable to labor the troops, and he refused to come forward. Liu Biao soon found out that there was no such thing as an epidemic, it was clear that Huang Zu did not listen to his orders.

  This was no longer the first time, and Liu Biao finally couldn't bear it anymore.

  "Cao Jun's first attack on Wan City, I ordered him to dispatch 10,000 troops, but he refused to come. The second time he attacked Wan City, I again ordered him to dispatch 8,000 troops, and he still refused. Last year during the battle of Runan, I once more ordered him to dispatch 10,000 troops, and for a third time he refused. Does he still consider me his lord?"

  Liu Biao was so angry that he almost went mad, Cai Mao was frightened and trembling with fear by his side, advising him again and again, it was not easy to make Liu Biao's anger subside slightly.

  But Liu Biao's expression turned cold, he stood with his back to the window, a murderous intent stirring in his heart, and after a long time, he said coldly: "He should have treated the Jiangxia army as Huang Zu's army."

  "My lord..."

  Cai Mao wanted to persuade him further, but Liu Biao waved his hand and said, "No need to say more about this matter. Let's talk about Cao's army! How should I respond?"

  "Yes!"

  Cai Mao sighed and pulled his thoughts back, pondering for a moment before saying: "Your Excellency, the key is that Cao Cao has not yet pacified the north and is temporarily unable to march south. The garrison in Nanyang is only a threat, so Liu Bei has the obligation to resist the Cao army. Moreover, I think his pressure should be greater than yours."

  Cai Mao, after all, was the military strategist of Jingzhou and had the first say in military affairs. Although he was a pro-Cao faction, the Cao army's southward advance at this time did not conform to his interests, so he also advocated for increasing troops in Xinye to resist the Cao army.

  But Cai Mao had a deeper intention, if he could borrow Cao's army to destroy Liu Bei, it would be a double gain.

  He then advised Liu Biao: "Now there are more than 6,000 troops in Xinye. I suggest adding another 10,000 to Liu Bei, so that the total number of troops in Xinye will reach 16,000, which can barely resist Cao's army. However, I think our reinforcements of 10,000 cannot be handed over to Liu Bei and must be commanded by our own people."

  Liu Biao nodded, Cai Mao's suggestion hit his heart, he placed Liu Bei in Xinye just to make him his own shield. Since Cao's army was reinforcing Nanyang, this shield should play its role.

  Liu Biao also had other thoughts. If Cao's army didn't launch a large-scale invasion of the south, but only made small-scale disturbances, could he make good use of Cao's army?

  Liu Biao agreed: "I will do as you say, and send 10,000 troops to Xinye for reinforcement. I will ensure that the soldiers in Xinye have sufficient food and money, but who should be the commander of these 10,000 reinforcements?"

  "I recommend Zhang Yun, the Colonel of the Camp, who is the nephew of our Lord. His loyalty is beyond question, and he has led troops in battle against Governor Shi Huan of Cangwu on multiple occasions, gaining rich experience, making him suitable for important tasks."

  Liu Biao hesitated for a moment, Cao's army was not the Qingwu Army, Zhang Yun could fight a water battle, but he didn't trust him to fight against Cao's army.

  Just then, a guard reported at the door, "General Kuai has arrived!"

  Kuai Yue's official position was Canjun Zhonglang Jiang, the third most important decision-maker in Jingzhou. His arrival was timely, as Liu Biao also wanted to hear his opinion, and immediately ordered: "Let him come in."

  Soon, Kuai Yue hastened his steps and walked into the government office, kneeling down to pay respects to Liu Biao, "Your subordinate Kuai Yue pays his respects to Your Excellency!"

  "No need for formalities, please take a seat!"

  Kuai Yue sat down and slightly bowed his head towards Cai Mao, smiling: "So the military advisor is also here."

  The two tribes of Ke and Cai in Jingzhou have always been in a competitive relationship, although they have common interests in some aspects, such as both belonging to the pro-Cao faction, and also opposing the reuse of northern scholar-officials.

  However, on their respective core interests, it is difficult for the two families of Kui and Cai to reach a consensus.

  For a very long time in the past, the Cai family's interests were in Xiangyang Commandery, while the Kuai family's interests were in Nan Commandery. They did not interfere with each other and got along peacefully.

  But since last year, Liu Biao has been considering letting his two sons marry into the prominent families of Jingzhou, which involves the long-term interests of the Kuai and Cai clans, and the contradictions between them have begun to emerge.

  Cai Mao originally supported Liu Qi, but his uncle Cai Xun and sister Lady Cai strongly advocated for supporting Liu Cong, more importantly, Liu Qi himself was biased towards the Qiao family, which made Cai Mao deeply disappointed.

  He began to change his attitude, supporting the second son Liu Zuan, and considering marrying his daughter Cai Shaoyou to Liu Zuan in order to control him.

  Kuai Yue openly supported the eldest son Liu Qi, and he reached a tacit understanding with Liu Biao to marry Kuai Liang's daughter Kuai Jing to Liu Qi, completing the alliance between the two families. Although neither side has made an official statement yet, that day will soon arrive.

  As a result of the marriage between Liu brothers, the four major families in Jingzhou also gradually took sides and formed two major forces: the Cai Huang group and the Kuai Pang group.

  However, at this time, the two major groups were still in their infancy. Liu Zuan had not yet married Cai Shaoyou, and Kuai Jing had not yet married Liu Qi. Interests were mixed and unclear, and it was a time of transition between old and new in Jingzhou, like the dawn when night and day intersect.

  Liu Biao was also well aware of this change in the situation. As the supreme ruler, he did not want his subordinates to unite and instead divided them, forming two opposing factions, which would be beneficial for him to control Jingzhou.

  So Liu Biao also began to change his attitude, no longer insisting that Liu Xuan marry the daughter of the Cai family. If he let his second son Liu Zong marry the daughter of the Cai family, it might not be a bad thing either.

  Liu Biao was in no hurry, he hoped that the evolution of this force pattern could be slowly completed under his guidance, taking one or two years, which would make it more convenient for his deployment.

  Although Huang Zu brought him overwhelming anger, Liu Biao would not show it on his face. He smiled and said to Kuai Yue: "I was just discussing with the military advisor about Cao's army increasing troops in Nanyang. We both advocated sending reinforcements to Liu Bei and strengthening the defense of Xinye. I wonder if you have any better suggestions?"

  Kuai Yue smiled, "I support the lord's plan. Dealing with Cao's army, Liu Bei has more experience than us. If the reinforcements are not many, it's better to let Liu Bei take command directly. If there are a large number of them, it's still better for our own great generals to be in control."

  It seems that sending reinforcements is a consensus, now the key is who to send. Liu Biao hesitated for a moment and asked: "I plan to dispatch 10,000 elite soldiers northward, but I wonder who is more suitable as the commander-in-chief?"