In the central army's tent, seven or eight strategists including Cheng Yu, Chen Qun, Liu Ye, Mao Jie, Jia Kui, Xin Pi, Yang Xiu, as well as more than a dozen important generals including Xiahou brothers, Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Cao Hong, Zhang He, Li Dian, Yu Jin, etc. gathered together.

The lights in the tent were bright but silent. An epidemic occurred in the military camp. This was a big event in any case. It was this incident that led to the suggestions of withdrawing troops.

The person who proposed to withdraw his troops was Chen Qun, an important counselor of Cao Cao. Chen Qun proposed the withdrawal of troops very well. The boat was unable to win, the epidemic began to break out, and the expedition was long and protracted, which was not the way to win. He suggested returning to his army to cultivate, letting the two tigers in Jingzhou and Jiangdong fight, and then conquer Jingzhou again three years later.

"Everyone, Chen Zongjun believes that our situation is in a disadvantaged situation and it is difficult to break through the natural danger of the Yangtze River. Now there is an epidemic. He suggests that the troops will temporarily withdraw from the north and return to the north, and then go south to fight against Liu Jing after a few years. I want to know, how many of you here agree to withdraw the troops?"

Cao Cao's voice was not loud, but he could hear it clearly in the entire tent. Although he was asking everyone for opinions, his tone was very harsh. Everyone could hear it. This was the Prime Minister condemning Chen Qun.

Chen Qun said nothing, looking at the ground coldly, as if Cao Cao's tone of condemnation had nothing to do with him.

At this time, Cheng Yu stood up and said, "Prime Minister, I have something to say, please let me state it."

"Zhongde, please say!"

Cheng Yu said slowly: "In the battle of Guandu in the fifth year of Jian'an, Yuan Shao's troops were strong and food was sufficient. He had thousands of soldiers and advisers, and he suppressed the south with thunder. However, our army was in a civil strife, and the people were unstable. The soldiers were insufficient and the food was cut off. But in this difficult situation, we turned defeat into victory and defeated the strong with the weak. What did we rely on? In addition, last year, the army attacked Wuhuan in the north, and encountered heavy rains, and the food was not maintained. He was forced to kill horses for food. He marched thousands of miles and lost more than half of his troops. However, we still defeated Wuhuan in one battle and relieved his worries. What did we rely on?"

It was quiet inside the tent, and only Cheng Yu was heard saying frankly, "Today we have sufficient food and grass, high morale, many soldiers and widespread generals, twice as many as the enemy's army. If we haven't fought yet, how can we talk about withdrawing our troops?"

Chen Qun finally couldn't help but retort: ​​"Liu Jing and Sun Quan were not Yuan Shao, and they would not make Yuan Shao's mistake again. Zhongde knew that our army was difficult to cross the danger of the Yangtze River, and knew that the navy was far inferior to Jiangxia and Jiangdong, but he wanted to fight forcibly. If this battle was defeated, it would definitely destroy the Prime Minister's 20 years of victory, and it would definitely change the situation of the world. Why can't we prepare for war calmly, defeat the army without fighting, or win with absolute force, rather than taking a risky battle at this time?

Now that the epidemic has emerged, once it breaks out, how many soldiers in the camp can return to their hometowns, and how many people can meet their wives and children again? Is Zhongde a pig or dog in life and death?”

Chen Qun's words made everyone in the tent look angry, and Cao Cao was furious, pointed at Chen Qun and shouted: "Get me a stick and kick it out of the tent!"

Chen Qun knelt down on the ground and cried, "I hope the Prime Minister thinks twice about his loyal and righteous words!"

Several guards raised Chen Qun and dragged him away. Cao Cao snorted heavily and turned around with his hands behind his back. After a moment, Chen Qun was taken out. Cao Cao then said to everyone: "If you dare to say that you will be killed immediately!"

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The camp finally calmed down, and a fire burned the bones and items of the infected soldiers, and the epidemic also disappeared. The strategist Liu Ye and Chen Qun had a good relationship. When the night was quiet, he left his big tent and quickly came to Chen Qun's camp. Unexpectedly, several soldiers stopped him, "Master Liu, the Prime Minister has an order, no one can see Chen joining the army!"

Liu Ye was stunned and realized that Chen Qun had been under house arrest. Helplessly, he sighed and turned to take a walk along the military camp road. In fact, he also felt that the current situation was not optimistic.

The Prime Minister was determined to wipe out the Jiangxia army completely. Regardless of actual difficulties, crossing the river with a hint of luck was by no means a way to win. In fact, Cao's army was blocked by the Jiangxia naval army in Fancheng and was wiped out in dust. Liu Ye realized that the battle was not optimistic.

The reason why he suggested that Cao's army return to Fancheng and detour Anlu County to attack Jiangxia was actually because he hoped that Cao's army would have a way out and could withdraw its troops directly from Runan even if it failed, so that the entire army would not be wiped out.

But the Prime Minister was obviously already possessed and did not consider the risks at all. Even Chen Changwen, who dared to speak out, was placed under house arrest, which made Liu Ye worried and couldn't help but sigh to the sky.

"Why did Brother Ziyang sigh?" A low laugh came from beside him.

When Liu Ye turned around, he saw that it was Yang Xiu, who was also the chief clerk, and he handled government affairs with Liu Ye in the same account. The two had a very good relationship. Liu Ye smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I just felt something in my heart, so I sighed."

Yang Xiu smiled meaningfully and kept the big tent next to him, "Brother Ziyang might as well sit in my tent, let's talk."

Liu Ye was depressed and was about to find someone to talk to him. He nodded happily and followed Yang Xiu to the big tent. The two of them sat down in the tent. Yang Xiu poured him a cup of hot tea and said with a smile: "Brother Ziyang sighed when he was joining the army?"

"I just went to see Changwen and found out that he was under house arrest, which is a pity."

"It's not like house arrest. The Prime Minister just doesn't want to let other people contact him. After this matter is over, there will be nothing wrong. Brother Ziyang doesn't have to worry."

Liu Ye was just angry, so he thought about the problem more seriously. With Yang Xiu's reminder, he gradually calmed down.

He also realized that he was a little extreme, but he just expressed his different opinions. The Prime Minister would not put Chen Qun under house arrest. It was almost the same as Yuan Shao, and the Prime Minister was not that narrow-minded.

However, Liu Ye was also a little surprised. Since the Prime Minister was not a person with a narrow sense of character, why not allow others to contact Chen Qun?

Yang Xiu looked at Liu Ye and smiled and said, "Brother Ziyang is wondering, why doesn't the Prime Minister allow others to see Chen Changwen?"

“That’s exactly that!”

"Actually, the reason is very simple, because the Prime Minister wants to withdraw his troops."

Liu Ye was shocked, "How could this happen? How did Dezu see it?"

Yang Xiu gently stroked his long beard under his jaw and smiled: "If the Prime Minister really doesn't want to withdraw his troops, it's okay to directly reject Chen Changwen. Is it necessary to call everyone for discussion? The Prime Minister wants to withdraw his troops, but he cannot mention it in his identity, so he summoned everyone. If everyone unanimously requested the withdrawal of troops, he could reluctantly withdraw his troops.

But except for Chen Changwen, no one else was willing to withdraw his troops, so the Prime Minister pretended to imprison Chen Changwen, and he was not allowed to look at him, saying how angry and determined he was fighting, but it was not."

Liu Ye sighed softly, "People say that Yang Dezu knows the Prime Minister well, but it turns out that's true!"

But Liu Ye frowned again, "Actually, I don't understand why the Prime Minister wants to withdraw his troops? Does he also feel that he is not sure of winning this battle?"

Yang Xiu smiled slightly, "Actually, what Chen Changwen said is what the Prime Minister said, so the Prime Minister was furious!"

Speaking of this, Yang Xiu also sighed: "It's a pity that the Prime Minister can't afford to lose this face. He will still fight with his teeth, but what is the final result of this battle? It's really unpredictable."

Liu Ye turned around and looked outside the tent, and then he realized that it was drizzling outside the tent.

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Early autumn in the south is not as bright and cool as in the north. It always drizzles inadvertently, sweeping away the last heat of the heat. In the south, this is a very popular autumn rain, but such autumn rain will also make housewives worry, that is, the clothes are moldy, and even furniture and some unused items will be covered with a layer of green velvet.

For business trips, such autumn rainy seasons will make the road muddy and difficult to walk, and will always make people complain a few times.

On the official road east of Chibi Town, an army of more than 20,000 people was marching in the muddy road. Everyone's boots were covered with heavy mud, and their military uniforms became wet in the drizzle. Many soldiers were whispering about the autumn rain that was not too big but refused to give up easily.

At this time, a rapid sound of horse hooves came from afar, and someone shouted: "It's the governor of the state!"

The soldiers dodged halfway, and saw a cavalry of hundreds of people coming from afar. The speed of the horse was not fast, and the legs and bodies of the horse were covered with mud. The general led by Liu Jing, the governor of Jingzhou. He did not walk on a boat, but marched from the land.

At this time, Liu Jing had received the exact news that 200,000 main forces of Cao's army had arrived in Wulin, Chibi, and set up a camp in the open space more than ten miles along the river. Therefore, he also transferred 50,000 Jiangxia's main forces to Chibi, including 30,000 naval troops and 20,000 army. Zhou Yu, the commander of the Jiangdong naval army, will also lead 30,000 naval troops to Chibi by boat, and 80,000 Jingwu coalition forces will fight 200,000 Cao's army.

It is not far from Xiakou to Chibi, only more than a hundred miles away. It can be reached in one day of march. When it is about five miles away from Chibi Town, Liu Jing slowed down his horse speed and several horse-riding soldiers came to greet him. The leader was Cai Jin, the general who had been promoted to Sima of another. His injuries have recovered. He is currently leading 3,000 troops to station in Chibi Town. Just now, when he heard that the provincial governor was coming, he came to greet him.

"See the governor of the state!" Cai Jin bowed deeply on his horse.

"Thank you for your hard work in Zeisma!"

Liu Jing replied with a smile and asked, "How is the tent being built?"

Six days ago, Cai Jin received the task of building a camp. He has been busy until now and said quickly: "Report to the provincial governor, the camp has been built. According to the scale of 100,000 troops, the soldiers can move in and rest immediately and recover their strength."

Liu Jing nodded and walked side by side with Cai Jin, "Is there any news on the other side of Chibi recently?" Liu Jing asked.

Cai Jin smiled bitterly and said, "I only know that the 200,000 main forces of Cao's army were stationed on the other side, and then there was no news. The Cao's army's patrol is very powerful. We have already had many scouts arrested, and the ships hiding on the shore were seized by Cao's patrols, and the brothers could not come back."

"Did Cao's small ship appear on the river opposite the other side?"

Liu Jing had already heard that Cao's army in Wulin, Puqi transported the ships from Yunmengze to the Yangtze River. He was very concerned about whether Cao's army on Chibi did the same.

"This... didn't find it!"

The two of them walked a distance again, and Liu Jing's topic turned to housework. He asked with concern: "How is your sister now?"

The sister Liu Jing mentioned refers to Cai Shaoyu. When Liu Jing brought her to Jiangxia, Cai Shaoyu defected to Cai Jin and lived at Cai Jin's house. Liu Jing also heard of it and heard that she was not very good.

Cai Jin sighed, "She broke up with her father."

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Chapter completed!