The Three Kingdoms: I asked you to save Guan Yu, not to destroy Sun Quan.

Chapter 149 Rubbing Salt into Sun Quan's Wounds

Zhang Bao really didn't want to stay in the tent because he was afraid his father would compare him to Guan Xing and give him a good beating if he found out he couldn't compare.

What children fear most is the neighbor's child. If the neighbor's child is worse than you, that's fine, but if they are better than you, it will definitely be your lifelong nightmare, because they will become the standard set by your parents and may be used to spur you on at any time, making you hate them to the point of madness but unable to retaliate.

Zhang Bao has a deep understanding of this, because he used to be Guan Xing's standard.

In terms of status, he was the eldest son of the legitimate wife, while Guan Xing was the second son of the legitimate wife, making him the clear winner.

In terms of martial arts, he was the top dog of the second generation, able to defeat two Guan Xings with one hand, a complete victory.

In horsemanship, archery, and strategy, he was slightly better than Guan Xing in every aspect, completely overwhelming him. In front of Guan Xing, he was definitely a decent boy next door.

Guan Yu was also a good father. He often used himself as an excuse to beat Guan Xing, and after beating him, he would say, "Look at Xingguo, and then look at you..."

This was tantamount to a double blow to Guan Xing's soul and body. Whenever this happened, Zhang Bao would stand aside and watch the show with schadenfreude, while also feeling fortunate that he was better than Guan Xing and didn't have to suffer like this.

But who could have imagined that fortunes could change so drastically in just a few days? The roles of attacker and defender have reversed, and now Guan Xing has transformed into a general commanding tens of thousands of troops and leading his own army, while I am still guarding the gate for Liu Bei. The difference is so great that my father would be doing me a disservice if he didn't give me a good beating.

So what are we waiting for if we're not running?

Liu Bei knew what Zhang Bao was worried about, glared at Zhang Fei, and said with an air of domineering authority, "Stay here for the discussion, listen more, observe more, and speak less."

This is my dearest nephew, he must be nurtured. As for his irritable father, let's see what happens.

Zhang Bao decisively ran behind Liu Bei, while simultaneously casting a provocative glance at Zhang Fei, which enraged Zhang Fei, who glared at him.

Ignoring the expressions of the father and son, Liu Bei stroked his beard and pondered, "It seems that my second brother's situation in Jiangdong is much better than we imagined. He has basically established a foothold, so we don't need to worry too much."

Huang Quan said with a complicated expression, "Yes, General Guan currently has 100,000 troops, and with a strong city like Jianye and the grain stored in the city, it wouldn't be a problem for him to hold out for two or three years."

"Now that he has married Xiao Qiao and solved his identity problem, he has gained the recognition of the people of Jiangdong. He has also appointed Bo Miao as the governor of Wu County to manage the Wu region. With food, soldiers and popular support, even if the Wei army crosses Ruxukou, it will be impossible for them to quickly capture General Guan. They may even be driven to the north of the Yangtze River by General Guan."

The most significant effect of Guan Yu marrying Xiao Qiao was gaining the recognition of Jiangdong. Before marrying Xiao Qiao, you red-faced thief, an outsider, still wanted to ride roughshod over us Jiangdong people. Did you really think that all the people of Jiangdong were good-tempered? Even if we couldn't beat you, we, the people of Jiangdong, could disgust you to death by smearing you with our own teeth.

After marrying Xiao Qiao, General Guan actually married her. Wouldn't that make him our son-in-law of Jiangdong? What else is there to say? We'll listen to General Guan.

This is the benefit of marriage alliances.

Zhang Fei said sourly, "It's good, but it's a pity about Ruxukou. If we could take Ruxukou before the Wei army, Second Brother would have a firm foothold in Jiangdong. He could even lead the army westward to join us in attacking Sun Quan, reclaiming Jingzhou and unifying Jiangnan."

Thinking of the scene of reclaiming Jingzhou and unifying Jiangnan, even Liu Bei, with his temperament, couldn't help but feel excited. However, he rationally patted Zhang Fei's shoulder and laughed, "It's unrealistic to reclaim Ruxukou in the short term. My second brother doesn't have three heads and six arms, and he doesn't have any generals under his command who can stand alone. At this time, we definitely can't win the battle against Wei's army for Ruxukou."

"Besides, if we really capture Ruxu, the Wei army won't move south. If the Wei army doesn't move south, how can we launch a northern expedition?"

Zhang Fei thought about it and sighed helplessly, "Eldest brother is right, but it's tough on second brother. I hope he can hold on in Jiangdong. He's so old and still has to be a groom..."

Zhang Fei was initially worried about Guan Yu, but the more they talked, the more he felt something was amiss. He muttered under his breath, "Forget it, why worry about him? Brother, what do we do now?"

Liu Bei stroked his beard and said, "If Lü Meng has already withdrawn, Zhou Tai at Ruxukou must have withdrawn as well. Judging by the time, the Wei army has probably already moved south. We should also take action."

"Send a messenger to the strategist and tell him to lead his troops out immediately. Also, send someone to tell Tanzhi to stop his performance in Wuling and come back quickly. Order each camp to pack up their belongings. We'll leave tomorrow."

Information in this era was subject to time lag. Guan Yu's letter only mentioned Lü Meng's withdrawal of troops and his marriage to Xiao Qiao, without mentioning the news of the Wei army's southward advance. However, the situation of the Wei army was easy to guess. Under such circumstances, the Wei army had no reason not to move south, so there was no need to hesitate; they should just roll up their sleeves and get to work.

"I'll personally select the messenger," Zhang Fei shouted as he rushed out in a hurry.

As a result, he returned less than 15 minutes later, with a weary Zhuge Liang following behind him.

Liu Bei was taken aback by Zhuge Liang's sudden appearance and asked in surprise, "Isn't the strategist in Hanzhong? Why has he come to Yiling?"

Zhuge Liang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been pondering the Northern Expedition recently, and I feel that something is amiss. I need to discuss this with you in person."

Liu Bei laughed and said, "It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. I have some good news to tell you. Take a look at this."

As he spoke, he pushed Zhang Fei out of the silk, picked up the silk with several large footprints left by Zhang Fei, and together with Huang Quan, unfolded it. He smiled at Zhuge Liang and said, "Look, my second brother has given us a surprise."

Neither he nor Huang Quan were as tall as Zhuge Liang, so Zhuge Liang had to bend down and get closer to examine them. Before long, the smile on his face gradually froze, and as time went on, his expression became more and more serious, his eyes became more and more bulging, and suddenly there was a snapping sound from his hand as he broke the handle of the feather fan with his thumb.

The sound of the fan handle breaking startled him awake. He stood up, both shocked and excited, and said, "Whoever arranged for General Guan to marry Xiao Qiao is a genius!"

He and Xiao Qiao were old acquaintances, and he had even facilitated the marriage between Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang, so he knew all too well the benefits of a marriage alliance.

By marrying Xiao Qiao, Guan Yu effectively absorbed Zhou Yu's influence. Combined with his own existing influence, it's believed that it won't be long before Guan Yu's status in Jiangdong surpasses Zhou Yu's, making him a god-like figure.

Whoever acted as matchmaker for Guan Yu deserves credit.

Zhuge Liang forced a smile and said, "It is truly unexpected that Lü Meng would abandon Xiao Qiao in Jiangdong. I think Your Majesty should issue an edict to reward Lü Meng handsomely and commend him for his matchmaking efforts."

Liu Bei: "..."

What do you mean? Are you deliberately trying to disgust people?

Wouldn't this imperial decree infuriate Lü Meng to death?

Even if he doesn't die of anger, he'll probably be ganged up on and beaten to death by the Twelve Tiger Generals, right?

Damn it, Lü Ziming, what kind of mess have you made?

Faced with Liu Bei's questioning gaze, Zhuge Liang smiled and remained silent.

I've already angered one of the Grand Commanders of Eastern Wu to death, so it's no big deal if I anger another one. After all, it was Lu Meng's doing of crossing the river in disguise and assassinating Guan Yu from behind.

Although I, Zhuge Kongming, have a good temper, it doesn't mean I don't hold grudges.

Liu Bei knew what Zhuge Liang was planning as soon as he saw Zhuge Liang's expression, and said excitedly, "Let's do it this way. Gongheng (Huang Quan's courtesy name), you take the pen and write a good eulogy for me about Lü Meng, especially praising his act of arranging a marriage between his teacher's wife and Yun Chang. Let Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao and others have a good laugh. Once it's written, you don't need to give it to me, just send it out directly."

Huang Quan: "..."

Isn't this rubbing salt into the wounds of Sun Quan, Lü Meng, and the officials of Eastern Wu? Is this really appropriate?

Huang Quan said weakly, "Isn't that a bad idea? What if Sun Quan gets angry and launches a westward expedition to attack us?"

Liu Bei said nonchalantly, "It's alright. Sun Biyan is too busy dealing with his own mess to dare attack us. No matter how angry he is, he has to put up with it."

"Moreover, I now seriously doubt whether Sun Quan can still command his own army. This is a good opportunity to test his reaction and the strength of Eastern Wu."