From Guan Yu, Liu Bei had already learned in detail about the process of the Battle of Xiangyang, and lost thousands of people and retreated. The losses of the soldiers made Liu Bei extremely sad. But on the other hand, he also regretted that he had lost an excellent opportunity to seize Xiangyang City. You should know that the significance of seizing Xiangyang City from Cao's army and capturing Xiangyang City from Liu Cong was completely different.

But what Liu Bei was even more worried about was how the situation in Jingzhou would change after the Jiangxia army captured Xiangyang, and would Liu Jing go south and attack Nanjun?

Liu Bei got off the carriage, and a concierge hurriedly came up, "See Uncle Emperor!"

"Is Mr. Zhuge at home?"

"Uncle Qibing, the sir is at home, I will tell the sir now."

The concierge entered the house in a panic, but forgot to ask Liu Bei to wait in the mansion. Zhang Fei, who accompanied Liu Bei, frowned and said, "This concierge is so rude that he left his elder brother outside the mansion. It's better for us to go in first."

"No!"

Liu Bei glared at Zhang Fei. We were visiting someone else, so how could we enter the mansion at will without permission? Besides, we did not inform ourselves, how could we blame others?

Liu Bei paced back and forth on the steps with his hands behind his back, waiting patiently for Zhuge Liang's reply. In the study, Zhuge Liang, who was reading a book, received a report from the doorman, and Uncle Liu came to visit.

Zhuge Liang was undoubtedly a very scheming person. He did not go to the dock to greet Liu Bei. He was sick. He knew very well that Liu Bei would come to visit him, but he wanted to know when Liu Bei would come to visit him? This was related to his status in Jiangling.

The result was very satisfying to Zhuge Liang. It only took half an hour since Liu Bei got off the ship, and he probably hadn't even had time to go home.

This is enough to show that Liu Bei's trust in himself has not weakened due to a failure, which touched Zhuge Liang a little, and was also a little ashamed.

Zhuge Liang got up and walked quickly outside the gate. As soon as he reached the door, he saw Liu Bei paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He quickly bowed and apologized: "Kong Ming was rude, so he asked the emperor to wait outside the gate for a long time!"

When Liu Bei saw Zhuge Liang's high crown and Confucian robe, he felt a bit like a fairy-like appearance and could not see the sick look on his face. He knew that his judgment was correct and that Zhuge Liang had a heart disease.

He smiled and replied, "I heard that the military advisor is sick, come and visit me!"

"Shame!"

Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and waved his hand and said, "Uncle, please come in and talk!"

He bowed to Zhang Fei again, "San General, please come in!"

Zhang Fei followed Liu Bei into the gate with a expressionless face and walked into the mansion. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were different. Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang went to war together to understand the situation, so Guan Yu could understand Zhuge Liang's defeat and free him in every way.

But Zhang Fei was very dissatisfied. This time he ordered five thousand subordinates to Zhuge Liang, but in the end he only returned 2,000 people. Most of the people who lost were his subordinates, which made him extremely angry.

In addition, Zhuge Liang pretended to be sick and waited for the tired brother to visit him.

This made Zhang Fei feel even more furious. If the elder brother hadn't allowed him to act wildly, he would have to beat Zhuge Liang hard today to extricate his anger.

In the study, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang sat down, but Zhang Fei did not sit, and stood by the side with his arms coldly, like a black tower, giving people an invisible pressure.

Liu Bei glanced at Zhang Fei and saw him staring at Zhuge Liang fiercely, and couldn't help but say angrily: "Third brother, go outside and wait!"

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "The third general might as well sit down!"

However, Zhang Fei walked outside expressionlessly, as if he had not heard Zhuge Liang's words and did not give him any face. Zhuge Liang was a little embarrassed and sat down with a smile.

"I can't help but keep his temper until he's old. Please don't take it to heart by the military advisor."

Liu Bei knew Zhang Fei's dissatisfaction, but he had no choice but to comfort Zhuge Liang with a wry smile.

Zhuge Liang nodded silently, and he knelt down on his knees and bowed to Liu Bei, "Kong Ming was incompetent in his military service, which led to a disastrous defeat in Xiangyang. Please punish the lord!"

Liu Bei hurriedly helped him up, "Military advisor must not do this. He has been preparing for war for many years and knows that victory or defeat is a common thing for military strategists. If he is defeated in this small amount, he will be punished. Then he should have committed suicide to thank the world for his own burden."

Liu Bei's comfort made Zhuge Liang feel a little relieved. He sat upright and shook his head and said, "The key to this failure is that Liang sent troops too late and wanted to win with a strange thing. However, he was not sure about the people and missed a Huo Jun, Cai Zhong, and Zhang Qu who were killed by him, causing Liang's plan to lose his power. Even now, he still regrets in his heart when he thinks about this."

Liu Bei waved his hand and said, "The matter has passed, so there is no need to mention it. I am here to find a military advisor today. First, I am visiting the military advisor, and second, I want to understand the development of the situation in Jingzhou. Liu Jing occupied Xiangyang. I want to know if Liu Jing will attack Jiangling next step?"

After saying that, he looked at Zhuge Liang with expectation. He knew that Liu Jing's strength was now greater than his. If Liu Jing had the intention to attack Jiangling, he would not even have his last place to live, which was particularly important to him.

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "Don't worry about this lord. Cao's army also occupied Fancheng, and Cheng Yu was in charge. With Cheng Yu's talent, he would never give Liu Jing any chance. In addition, I infer that Cao Cao would send troops to Anlu County!"

Liu Bei was shocked and sent troops to Anlu County, "Why is this?" he asked hurriedly.

"The reason is very simple. Cao Cao wants to reduce pressure on Fancheng. It is said that Cao's army is preparing to build ships on the water. If the Jiangxia army stationed in Xiangyang, it would be unfavorable to shipbuilding. Cao Cao would inevitably send generals to attack Anlu County, so Liu Jing will always face pressure from the north and has no time to attack Jiangling for the time being, but......"

"But what?"

Liu Bei asked impatiently, and he suddenly realized that he had lost his composure and couldn't help laughing, "It's a mess to care. Military advisor, please speak slowly, and listen carefully."

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, "But... we must also prepare for the future. We should not disperse the troops in each county. Except for Jianping County, which must be retained because of Bashu, the rest must be withdrawn to Jiangling and protect the southern county and the capital."

Liu Bei nodded. Zhuge Liang's words made him feel enlightened. He was worried for a moment, but after pondering for a while, Liu Bei asked again: "If the army left for Jianping does not retreat, will Liu Jing discover my plan and let him know that we want to march into Bashu?"

Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and said, "By the geographical neighbors of Nanjun, even if we do not station troops in Jianping, Liu Jing will see that we will plan to Bashu sooner or later, and there is no need to deliberately cover up. At least Liu Jing does not have the energy to take care of Jianping County now. If he defeats Cao's army in the future, Jianping County will have a big battle. It is better to prepare earlier. I suggest that Jianping County not only cannot withdraw its troops, but also speed up the pace of building a city."

Liu Bei suddenly realized and secretly admired Zhuge Liang for his good knowledge. He stood up and smiled and said, "Thank you for your words from the military advisor Jin Yu. I won't disturb the rest of the teacher. I'll say goodbye!"

Zhuge Liang kept sending Liu Bei out of the mansion, and then returned to the study. Liu Bei got on the carriage, but called Zhang Fei forward. Seeing that he was still dark, he felt even more dissatisfied. He scolded him and said, "I asked you to accompany me to see the military advisor. If you don't want to, say it earlier, would I ask you to show your face?"

Zhang Fei turned his face to the side and said angrily for a while: "He was obviously not sick, but he ignored his brother's fatigue on the journey and asked his brother to visit him. Is this the way to be a minister?"

"What do you know?"

Liu Bei stared at him fiercely and said, "This is his shame. I'm embarrassed to come to see me. What kind of way do people do? Don't talk nonsense!"

Zhang Fei rarely saw his brother get angry like this. He trembled in his heart and did not dare to say more. He lowered his head and said nothing. Seeing that he was honest, Liu Bei calmed down and said in a slight tone: "I understand this in my heart. Don't mention it again. Third brother, have you remembered it?"

"Yes! I remember."

Zhang Fei gave a gift and said goodbye first. Liu Bei looked at his lonely back and walked away. He felt inexplicably anxious. Too many things have been going on recently, and he felt that he was unable to start.

Liu Bei's mansion was not far from Zhuge Liang's mansion. In just a moment, more than a hundred personal guards escorted Liu Bei back to his mansion.

It was almost dark at this time, and it was just hazy at night. Liu Bei suddenly saw a man standing in front of the mansion, leading a war horse. The figure of this person was very familiar. After a moment of hesitation, Liu Bei recognized it. It turned out to be Zhao Yun.

In the dim twilight, Zhao Yun stood alone in front of the mansion, with no follower around him. This scene made Liu Bei feel a little sad. Zhao Yun followed him for many years, in his thirties, and had no relatives.

He immediately ordered, "Stop!"

When the carriage stopped, Liu Bei opened the window and quietly looked at Zhao Yun who was more than ten steps away. He did not say hello, but only looked at Zhao Yun's performance.

Zhao Yun had just arrived in Jiangling, and he sent a group of new recruits back. He happened to hear that his lord was back, so he couldn't find Liu Bei everywhere, so he came to the front of the mansion to wait.

Zhao Yun quickly stepped forward and bowed, "I met Zhao Yun, please see the lord!"

"How come Zilong is here?" Liu Bei asked with a smile.

"Bei Yi sent a thousand soldiers to Jiangling. When he heard that the lord was back, Bei Yi came to pay his respects."

"So that's it, thank you for your hard work in Zilong!"

Liu Bei smiled and comforted Zhao Yun, and ordered someone to take Zhao Yun into the mansion first.

In the study, Liu Bei changed into a loose robe and was slowly tasting it with a cup of hot tea. His heart had recovered from the upset and his mind returned to Zhao Yun.

It is undeniable that Zhao Yun is a powerful general in the world and was once loyal to him, but since the Battle of Runan six years ago, the relationship between Zhao Yun and Liu Jing has caused a crack in this loyalty. As time goes by, or as Liu Jing's status increases, this crack is gradually increasing.

So much so that Liu Bei drove Zhao Yun out of the power center three years ago and rushed to the most remote Wuling County to train troops in a similar way to exile.

Now that Liu Jing has become the governor of Jingzhou, the crack between Liu Bei and Zhao Yun has become deeper. At least in Liu Bei's heart, Zhao Yun's loyalty no longer exists.

"Uncle, General Zhao is here."
Chapter completed!