Watching Sun Ce board the stairs, the huge fleet sailed and slowly sailed westward, Liu Bei stood on the shore without moving.

Guan Yu stood aside, his eyes a little lost. He had just seen Gan Ning. The Jinjiang thief who almost fought with him was now Sun Ce's water capital governor, with more than 3,000 people and more than ten tower ships under his command. It is said that it is still increasing. The Bohai area is already a pond where he travels across.

Speaking of which, Gan Ning’s contribution was still after I won Jiujiang. Guan Yu couldn’t help but sigh.

Liu Bei did not look back. He knew that Guan Yu was not regretting, but just regret. Guan Yu could not come to Youzhou at the beginning. He had already made such mental preparations when he left Yuzhou, but Guan Yu still came, entrusted his father to Xu Huang, and took Zhou Cang and others to Youzhou from thousands of miles away. He had never regretted it, he just regretted that he had not pacified Youzhou and established great achievements.

Is it so easy to pacify Youzhou? It is easy to use war to support war. Why doesn’t Sun Ce use war to support war? He is so rich and has a large number of household registrations, why don’t he directly attack Jizhou and solve Yuan Tan? War horses are of course one reason, but it is definitely not just that. He just wanted to deceive me to restrain Yuan Tan so that he could rest and recuperate.

This is a pit, but Guan Yu couldn't see it. How to pull him back is the most troublesome problem that Liu Bei has now.

Of course, Sun Ce was right. The Youzhou family could not support him, and he had to kill anyone who should be killed.

Liu Bei turned around and called Guan Yu back to the city. Guan Yu looked at the gradually moving fleet reluctantly, and caught up with Liu Bei in two steps. "Xuande, when will the troops be sent?"

"Chief Yun, this matter must be discussed for a long time. I must first obtain the support of Zhang Envoy. You should prepare the food and grass first. Once I have agreed with Zhang Envoy, I may go to the army at any time."

Guan Yu nodded. "Soldiers are very fast. It's already July. After the autumn harvest, those Hu people will come to ask for food again. Should we give it or not? Moreover, Taishi Ci has gone to western Liaoning, with Gongsun Fan and Gongsun Xu helping him, he may go deep into the grassland at any time. If they snatch it first, we will not look good in terms of face."

Liu Bei was a little anxious, stopped and looked at Guan Yu angrily. "Chang Yun, have you ever thought that if we fight with Yuan Tan or send troops to the grassland, Taishici might stab us in the back?"

Guan Yu was stunned. "Xuande, why do you think so?"

"I..." Liu Bei felt that he could not explain to Guan Yu. Why can't he think so? The soldiers were scheming. Taishi Ci was the prefect of western Liaoning, but he did not go to Yangle, the county governor, and insisted on being with Gongsun Xu. The two were only more than two hundred miles away from Yuyang, which was only a day's journey for the cavalry.

Jian Yong looked around and said, "It is necessary to be cautious, it is always good to be cautious. But now that things have come to this, it is probably not easy for the lord of the palace to control the entire Youzhou. Not only Youbeiping, Liaoxi, and Liaodong vassal states are already his belongings, and Liaodong, Lelang and Xuanzhuang counties may not be spared."

Liu Bei frowned, muttered a few words, but didn't say anything. Those three counties were not his, so Sun Ce took it. The biggest headache for him was Taishi Ci who was stationed in Youbeiping. This is a general with the same ability as Sun Ce. How can he sleep in the future if he is by his side?

"Xianhe, you can go to see Taishi Ci in a few days to see what plans he has and whether he plans to stay nearby."

"Here."

Guan Yu was a little unhappy and felt that Liu Bei was too careful. However, when he thought of Taishi Ci's achievements, he did not dare to speak out. Sun Ce has always been very accurate in employing people. Since he could arrange Taishi Ci to Youzhou, Taishi Ci must be not a weak player.

Along the way, Liu Bei repeatedly reminded Guan Yu not to act rashly, which made Guan Yu annoyed and had to swear that he would not send troops without authorization. Liu Bei was relieved. He rushed back to Quanzhou and told Guan Jing about his meeting with Sun Ce. Guan Jing also felt that this was a good opportunity to obtain Zhang Ze's support. With Zhang Ze's support, at least the Youzhou family did not dare to blatantly go against Liu Bei, and maybe they had a chance to retake Zhuo County. As for fighting to support the war, he felt that he should be cautious. With his understanding of Gongsun Zan's record, Gongsun Zan and others had a great reputation. The white horse general was in power in the northern border, but his strength was limited, and his real rapid development was still after defeating the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou.

Guan Jing said: "In my opinion, it is better to solve the problem of Zhuo County first. You can wait and see how Taishici and the others did it. If he is frustrated, the Marquis of Wu must have no face to mention it."

"What if Taishi Ci wins?"

Guan Jing was a little surprised. "Do you think Taishi Ci will win?"

Liu Bei didn't say anything. Guan Jing had limited knowledge of Sun Ce. He didn't know that Sun Ce had fought many battles that seemed to have no chance of winning, and they all won in the end. This man was as fierce as a tiger and as cunning as a fox, and was a very difficult opponent. He was ambitious about Youzhou and sent a powerful general like Taishi Ci. It was impossible for him to just make the decision of the source of his efforts, at least he had a certain chance.

Guan Jing then explained: "The king of the Fu, Youbeiping, and the total number of Liaoning is only more than 20,000 households. The vassal states in Liaodong are dominated by the Wuhuan people. How many troops can Taishici gather? Five households raise one army, up to five thousand cavalry. Langshan is the settlement of the Wuhuan people. It is facing the western Liaoning, and it is less than 20,000. Tadun, who was killed in Guandu, is the son of the Wuhuan Lord in western Liaoning. They have a close relationship with the Yuan family, and they may not surrender to Taishici easily. Even if the Wuhou is willing to spend money and equip the best weapons, it is not easy for Taishici to win a great victory. Once they anger the Wuhuan people and enter the country to rob, they are afraid that the three counties will suffer. It is hard to say whether Taishici can gain a foothold."

Liu Bei felt that Guan Jing was right, but he was still worried. Their inability to do it does not mean that Sun Ce and Taishi Ci could not do it. For example, taking advantage of the opportunity of the court's unclear attitude towards Yuan Tan, they did not expect that Zhang Ze would bow his head.

That Zhuge Liang... It's a pity.

Liu Bei and Guan Jing discussed the journey all the way, but before they could return to Anci City, they sent Jian Yong to Ji County and had a secret talk with Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze was in a very depressed mood.

Tian Chou met Sun Ce, but nothing happened, but Sun Ce robbed him of it. Although Tian Chou did not directly repost Sun Ce's words, Zhang Zejiu was in office and guessed what kind of humiliation Tian Chou suffered.

Sun Ce had no idea of ​​himself, the governor of Youzhou. He appointed Gongsun Xu, and Gongsun Fan and Taishi Ci were not even discussing with him, and he didn't even have notices. In fact, he couldn't control it. Gongsun Du had no choice but to seize the three counties in Liaodong, and he had no choice but to seize Zhuo County. Liu Bei had no choice but to seize Anci. Now Sun Ce had no choice but to steal three counties and countries at once, and he was also helpless.

He, the governor of Youzhou, had only one name left, and even the Youzhou family did not look down on him very much. However, the Youzhou family suffered too much loss and had to support each other and protect themselves in the name of the court.

When Zhang saw Jian Yong, he was surprised. Jian Yong did not hide it and roughly explained the story of Liu Bei and Sun Ce. Sun Ce did not want Yuan Tan to occupy Zhuo County, and he was unable to seize it himself, so he hoped that Liu Bei could control Zhuo County. Zhuo County was Liu Bei's own county, and he could not easily control Yuan Tan, so he was willing to cooperate with Sun Ce, hoping to get the support of the envoy.

Zhang Ze was not surprised. He discussed with Tian Chou and quickly agreed to Liu Bei's request. Liu He was dead and Liu Yu's old favor was restored. Now he should consider the interests of the court. If Yuan Tan could be forced to surrender to the court, it would be of some help to the court. Although Liu Bei was ambitious, he had limited ability. Even if he controlled half of Youzhou, he was not qualified to separatist the country. At least he had to nominally recognize the court's integrity.

Zhang Ze also made a request: After Liu Bei controlled Zhuo County, he would ensure that Yuyang and Zhuo County would be paid full taxes to the court. If there was any war in the court, Liu Bei would send some cavalry to assist. If Liu Bei agreed to this, he could submit a memorial to the court and let Liu Bei control the counties legitimately.

Jian Yong was overjoyed and immediately returned to Liu Bei. Liu Bei was deeply moved when he received the news. He was in Youzhou, but he couldn't see through the mystery. He also asked Sun Ce to remind him. Without a clever adviser, even if there were thousands of enemies like Zhang Zhao, it would be difficult to become a great man.

Liu Bei took this opportunity to meet Zhang Ze in person and discussed joining forces to drive Yuan Tan out of Youzhou. In addition to official duties, he personally visited the officials around Zhang Ze, hoping to get closer to them, especially Tian Chou. But he was rejected by Tian Chou. Tian Chou said, I am an idle person, and when I have something to do, I will go to the mountain to retreat and cannot help you. But as long as the emperor of the palace is kind and righteous and does good governance, the people of Youzhou will support you.

Liu Bei hit a soft-pin, but he had no choice but to retreat. However, he did not gain anything, and there were still people who were willing to make friends with him, such as Yan Rou and Yan Zhi brothers.

Yan Rou was from Guangyang. He was lost among the Hu people when he was young and was well aware of the customs of the Hu people. After Liu Yu died, he was invited by Xian Yufu and others to serve as the Sima of Wuhuan and Xianbei people, and planned to avenge Liu Yuyu. In the battle before the New Year, Liu He and Gongsun Zan died together, and Xian Yufu and others were killed. Later, they realized that they had been cheated by Liu He, so they were discouraged. They did not mention revenge anymore, but only wanted to make some achievements for themselves. Zhang Ze, the governor of Youzhou, had only empty names left. Now, Gongsun Du and Liu Bei still have some strength in Youzhou. Liu Bei took the initiative to show his goodwill, so they followed suit and accepted Liu Bei's invitation, and chucked with Liu Bei, calling him brothers and brothers.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Liu Bei revealed some of the situation of Taishi Ci in "unintentional" that Taishi Ci was Sun Ce's general. His role as the prefect of Liaoxi was a wedge that Sun Ce had invaded Youzhou. Moreover, Gongsun Xu was once a hostage under Sun Ce's command. He is now Sun Ce's minion, with Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Fan helping him. Sun Ce's intention to plot against Youzhou was very clear. Liu Bei expressed his concern. Judging from Sun Ce's tone, it seemed that Taishi Ci might launch an offensive against the grassland this winter. Sun Ce had issued a decree to kill Hu before, and he had never had a good impression of those who had contact with Hu people.

Yan Rou was furious.

m.
Chapter completed!