"What did you say? Yang Meng won't come back?" Liu Bei glared at Jian Yong and gritted his teeth.

Jian Yong spread his hands and smiled bitterly. Yang Meng refused to come back. What would he do? Yang Meng was originally a child of the Yang family in Yuyang, and was not valued under Liu Bei's command. In order to deal with Taishi Ci, he promoted him to the lieutenant. He brought two thousand thunder cavalry temporarily to assist Taishi Ci, but he did not expect him to make a contribution. He was not worthy of his armor. As a result, Taishi Ci knew that people were good at responsibilities. Yang Meng not only made contributions, but also received a heavy reward. He re-equipped his subordinates with the seized spoils. His appearance was completely renewed and he was already an elite.

Yang Meng refused to come back with another important reason: he saw Taishi Ci's strength with his own eyes and did not want to play against Taishi Ci in the future. In other words, he had no confidence in Liu Bei. Of course, he could not say that Taishi Ci's side was not completely stable yet and he would have to second Yang Meng for a while.

Liu Bei was very angry. He was still counting on Taishi Ci to help him fight, but he didn't expect Yang Meng to refuse to come back. What's going on? Is Yuyang still my Yuyang? Yang Meng is not afraid of me killing his whole family, and takes my cavalry to surrender to Taishi Ci?

Liu Bei carried his hands behind his back and forth in the tent, cursing while turning, cursing Yang Meng, Taishi Ci, Yuan Tan, and Sun Ce, and scolding whoever he thought of. The more he cursed, the more angry he became, and finally pulled out the long sword from his waist and cut the seat in half with one sword.

Looking at the Chixia sword shining in his hand, Liu Bei suddenly shook a cold war and stood there motionless, as if he was frozen.

Jian Yong was also a little nervous. He didn't know what disease Liu Bei had committed, so he quietly took two steps back. If Liu Bei was confused and stabbed himself with one sword, he would be a big loss. Hearing Jian Yong's footsteps, Liu Bei tilted his head, looked at Jian Yong for a moment, and suddenly grinned, smiling and not smiling.

"Xianhe, you said..." Liu Bei dragged his voice long and was a little confused. "Am I fooled by Wu Hou?"

Jian Yong did not understand his intention and did not dare to answer rashly. "Why did the Lord of the House say this?"

"You think about it." Liu Bei held the sword and started pacing again, muttering to himself. "It was agreed that the north and south attacked, but Yuan Tan and I were in a confrontation. He ran to Liaodong, defeated Gongsun Du, and took half of Youzhou into his pocket. Well, even if the situation in Liaodong was urgent at that time, he had to go. Now that Liaodong has been pacified, it should be time to come back to help me, right? But so many days have passed, where are the others?"

Jian Yong was speechless. Do you really expect Sun Ce to help you take Zhuo County?

"Also, Yuan Tan was originally captured by him and did not surrender to him, so why did he let him go? If he hadn't let Yuan Tan come back, I'd already taken down Jizhou. How could he have been so hard as he is now? Could it be that he let Yuan Tan come back just to deal with me?"

Jian Yong was stunned. He could not say that Liu Bei was wrong. Judging from various signs, Sun Ce could indeed have planned this way. However, it would be far-fetched that Liu Bei would have all the reasons for not seizing Zhuo County on Sun Ce.

"What, I'm wrong?"

Jian Yong coughed and carefully used the words. "Mr. Fu, do you think the Marquis of Wu is a loyal minister of the court?"

Liu Bei sniffed, not even interested in answering.

"If the Marquis of Wu disrespect the court, will the monarch of the palace be the chief minister of Wu?"

Liu Bei turned his eyes, touched his naked chin, glanced at Jian Yong sideways, and was silent for a moment. What was he thinking in his heart, Jian Yong knew clearly. Asking such a question at this time was probably not just to explain Sun Ce’s intention.

Jian Yong suddenly felt a little regretful, and then he thought about it and felt relieved again. The situation was like this, so it was time to make a choice.

Liu Bei saw Jian Yong's instantaneous expression change and sighed in his heart. Jian Yong changed. He had already leaned towards Sun Ce and spoke from Sun Ce's perspective to defend Sun Ce. When did he change his mind? Was he going to the East China Sea last time or this time to Bailang Mountain?

Liu Bei turned his head, avoided Jian Yong's gaze, tilted his mouth, showed a silent bitter smile, and felt desolate. Although he returned to Youzhou, he still couldn't escape Sun Ce's claws. It was not only Jian Yong, Yun Chang, Yide who changed his heart and admired Sun Ce very much. Even the pair of long swords in his own hand were made for them. He refused to serve Sun Ce, but in the end he became a hawk in Sun Ce's hands, dragging Yuan Tan for him.

Of course, Yuan Tan is also the knife in Sun Ce's hand, and everyone is with each other.

Liu Bei adjusted his breathing to calm his mood. "Xianhe, how do you think I should choose?"

Jian Yong also sighed secretly. He knew that he had little chance to talk to Liu Bei. "Xuande, the situation in the world is clear, the emperor is wise, the young man is ambitious, and he is determined to revive the Han Dynasty. Wu Hou is a hero who is unparalleled. He is in charge of the Central Plains and is already the uncle of the princes. Sooner or later, he will take that step. If you choose to respect the court, then join forces with Zhang Envoy and listen to the court's orders. Yuan Tan has already praised the court, and you are naturally no longer an enemy. You can fight hand in hand, and even if you lose, you will not lose your loyalty and righteousness. If you respect the Marquis of Wu, then you don't need to hesitate anymore. Join forces with Taishi Ci, take Youzhou, and then jointly rush your troops south together. What's the point of Yuan Tan? With your courage and the help of Yun Chang and others, you will not lose one of the princes in the future, and you will be rich and honorable. If you are undecided, both will be lost, and it will be too late to regret it."

Liu Bei nodded and said lightly: "Thank you Xianhe. You are tired, go and have a rest."

Jian Yong bowed his hand and bowed to the end, took two steps back, turned around and left the tent.

Liu Bei sat alone in the tent, squinting his eyes, looking at the shaking door, his eyes changed and he didn't say a word. Before he knew it, tears poured out of his eyes and slid down his face. He threw the sword, covered his face with his hands, and gritted his teeth tightly, preventing himself from crying.

Jian Yong was his companion to play with since childhood. He has been with him for so many years, but now he is leaving him. Jian Yong is not a person who is greedy for wealth, otherwise he could have surrendered to Sun Ce in Xiao Huang. Now he left because he felt that the situation was irreversible and no matter how hard he worked, it would be meaningless.

He also thought so. Sun Ce was powerful and owned the five states of the Central Plains. He had a lot of talents and had many powerful generals. He had countless strategists. Now Taishi Ci was in Youzhou and solved the shortage of war horses. He shook the courage of the Hu people in one battle. He did not have any chance.

But I was really unwilling to give up and surrender to Sun Ce. Why can't I do it?

It's really unfair to be a god.

"Xuande?" Liu Xiu pushed the tent and saw Liu Bei sitting next to the desk, covering his face with both hands, and shouted.

Liu Bei was shocked and spread his fingers a little apart. Seeing that it was Liu Xiu, he breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly wiped his face with his hands, took out his handkerchief, wiped away the tears from his face, and sniffed. "Deran, what's wrong?"

Liu Xiu was surprised when he saw the tears on Liu Bei's face. He didn't point outside until Liu Bei asked again. "The Sutra of Remaining is here."

"who?"

"The classics of Anping, Jizhou."

Liu Bei was stunned for a while before he realized that he couldn't help but feel ecstasy. Qian Zhao was a friend he occasionally met when he was a teenager. He was only fifteen or sixteen years old at that time. He was the boy's spirit. As soon as he saw it, he became a friend. Later, one of them followed Gongsun Zan and the other followed Yuan Shao, and they belonged to two camps, so they had less contact. I heard that Qian Zhao was not proud of his teacher's affairs in Yuan Shao's camp. Now that he came here, would he want to join me?

A Jian Yong left and a trick came. God treated me very well.

Liu Bei stood up and rushed towards him, took two steps, turned back, took the long sword on the ground, put it into the sheath, and strode out of the tent.

"Zi Jing! Zi Jing! You think of me so hard!"

Qianzhao stood outside the tent, his hands were put in his sleeves, and he couldn't help laughing as he watched Liu Bei rush out of the tent. He opened his arms, met him, hugged Liu Bei, and patted the other person's back vigorously. After a while, Liu Bei took a step back, held the Tongzhao's hand, and laughed loudly.

"Zi Jing, come in and speak."

When the two entered the tent, Liu Bei ordered someone to prepare food and drink with Qian Zhao. Qian Zhao looked at Liu Bei and saw the tears on Liu Bei's face. He was a little surprised, but he was not able to tell him.

"Brother Xuande, are you safe?"

"It's okay. I've been beating for several months and haven't captured Zhuo County yet. I'm going to spend this winter here, and I'm so worried." Liu Bei patted his thighs, laughed loudly, and was in high spirits. "Zi Jing, why are you here to come to me? I heard that you are under Yuan Tan's command, are you here to deliver a letter of war?"

Qian Zhao glanced at Liu Bei and smiled slightly. "If it was a Zhan Shu, would you dare to take it?"

Liu Bei's eyes rolled and he laughed, "If you go to fight, I won't accept it. If Yuan Tan goes to fight, I will be reluctant to ask for it. Is he scared the battle in Rencheng so scared that he won't fight, and he won't retreat, and he will not retreat, so he is very boring."

Qian Zhao coughed. After all, he was Yuan Tan's minister and could not make fun of him like Liu Bei. "I only ask about the outcome of the army, but I don't care about advance and retreat. Xuande, have you received news from Taishi Ci?"

Hearing the three words Taishi Ci, Liu Bei felt bad. He looked at Qian Zhao quietly, smiling and not smiling. "I heard some. Why, Yuan Tan is afraid, send you to surrender?"

Qian Zhao ignored Liu Bei's temptation and said frankly: "I just returned from Bailang Mountain and have a relationship with Taishici."

Liu Bei was stunned. "You have also gone to Bailang Mountain?"

"Yes, I was ordered to entangle Wuhuan and attack your retreat, but I didn't expect that Taishici was as powerful as the Wuhuan in the three counties, and had to return in vain. Xuande, Sun Ce captured Liaodong, Gongsun Du had already surrendered, and Taishici defeated the Xianbei people and forced the Wuhuan in the three counties. When he stabilized the situation, it would be a matter of time before he could rush his troops to the west. How long can you last in Zhuo County?"

The smile on Liu Bei's face had disappeared. "Did Zijing persuade me to surrender to Yuan Tan?"

Qian Zhao shook his head. "I have a close relationship with Xuande and I know Xuande's ambitions well. Why do you have to do this useless thing? It's not surrender, it's an alliance."

"Alliance?" Liu Bei laughed. "Even if I form an alliance with Yuan Tan, I'm afraid I'm not Sun Ce's opponent, right? I might as well form an alliance with Taishici. At least there is no need to worry that he suddenly appears behind me. What are the benefits of forming an alliance with Yuan Tan and blocking Taishici for him?"

"Waiting for the turn of opportunity." Qianzhao said word by word. "Xuande, the wind will not last forever, and the rain will not last forever. Sun Ce attacked from three sides, from Jiaozhou to Jiaozhou in the south, from Youzhou in the north, from Hai in the east, and from Wuguan in the west, and from enemies with the world, how can it last forever?"
Chapter completed!