When Liu Bei returned to Youzhou, his mission was to mediate the conflict between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan, and his private goal was to gain a foothold in Youzhou and have his own place. After moving in the Central Plains for a few years, he had enough of the eyes of the Central Plains family and also saw the strength of Yuan Tan, Sun Ce and others. He knew that there was no chance there, so it was better to go back to Youzhou. There was no big family in Youzhou, so it was relatively easier.

But no matter which task it was, he had to face Gongsun Zan. Although he was a classmate and he treated Gongsun Zan as his elder brother, Gongsun Zan had nothing special to him. With him turning to Tao Qian and Yuan Shao, what would Gongsun Zan look at him after this ups and downs, Liu Bei had no idea at all. He avoided Hejian Kingdom and entered Guangyang County through Zhongshan Kingdom, intentionally avoided Gongsun Zan.

The reason for this is of course because Gongsun Zan is strong. Although he was beaten by Yuan Shao, it is still easy to deal with him. If he really gets angry, he can take his life at any time. If Gongsun Zan falls into Yuan Shao's plan and is severely injured by Yuan Shao, it may be a good thing for him. If he can take this opportunity to save Gongsun Zan once, he may be able to make up for his merits and relieve his past grudges.

This is what Zhao Yun mentioned.

Liu Bei discussed with Zhao Yun, Jian Yong and Zhang Fei for a long time and decided to send Jian Yong back to Zhuo County. First, to see the situation at home, and second, to find an opportunity to meet Gongsun Zan, and to lay the groundwork first, to see how Gongsun Zan's attitude towards him was.

Without further ado, Jian Yong stopped entering Jicheng and immediately went south.

Liu Bei returned to the city gate and was about to enter the city. There were more than 500 cavalry including Zhao Yun and others behind him. Without Liu Bei's words, the commander in the city was as if he was facing a great enemy. While ordering to strengthen his vigilance, he went down to the city to greet him in person. After checking Liu Bei's documents, he learned that Liu Bei was an envoy from Chang'an with the edict, the commander breathed a sigh of relief and enthusiastically sent Liu Bei to the prefecture's palace.

Liu Bei entered the city with high spirits, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei were in charge of the people, and five hundred knights led the way and followed behind. They were majestic, and the pedestrians on the street avoided them with awe. Jicheng was not only the governor of the state, but also the capital of Yan State, and it was the capital of the northern capital. The people here were well-informed. When they saw the knights around Liu Bei, they knew that they were not ordinary people. They avoided them from afar to avoid unintentional disasters.

Liu Yu was not in the city, and was engaged in the matter. When Xian Yu Fu received a report, he rushed out to greet Liu Bei. Xian Yu Fu was about 30 years old, strong in strength, with a national face and a thick short beard. He smiled before he could speak. He was very polite, but his eyes were very alert. Seeing that Liu Bei had many followers, he asked them to rest at the inn first. He sent someone to invite Liu Yu back to receive the imperial edict, but never mentioned where Liu Yu was.

Liu Bei knew that Xian Yufu was wary of him. After all, everyone knew his relationship with Gongsun Zan, and Liu Yu had a very unhappy relationship with Gongsun Zan. He asked Xian Yufu to arrange for his subordinates to rest in Jicheng, and he went to see Liu Yufu alone to save time. Xian Yufu was worried a little, so he personally led Liu Bei to the post pavilion.

Liu Bei settled down and left all 500 knights in the post pavilion, taking only Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei and the other two out of the city with Xian Yufu. On the way, Xian Yufu told Liu Bei that a few days ago, Gongsun Zan robbed Liu Yu of what he was going to reward the Wuhuan people, which aroused strong dissatisfaction among the Wuhuan people, and Liu Yu was appeaseing the Wuhuan people.

After leaving the city gate, Zhao Yun suddenly pulled Liu Bei's elbow. Liu Bei turned his head and Zhao Yun quietly pointed. Liu Bei looked in the direction he pointed and saw a high platform in the southeast corner of the city, which was very abrupt and looked much taller than the Jicheng wall next to him.

"Brother Xianyu, what is that?"

Xian Yufu glanced at it and smiled bitterly, "General Gongsun built Jingguan. He always suspected that Liu Muhui was not good for him. He built this Jingguan and sent heavy troops to guard it. When he returned to Jicheng, he lived in Jingguan. He did not see Liu Mu in person, but only sent envoys to send messages."

Liu Bei didn't say anything, but he couldn't help but be surprised. He had known Gongsun Zan for many years and knew Gongsun Zan's temper very well. He was a person who was not afraid of heaven and earth. He was not afraid of the fierce Hu people. How could he be afraid of Liu Yu? He even specially built Jingguan. Either he was defeated by Yuan Shao and was completely brave, or Liu Yu gathered heavy troops, which made Gongsun Zan feel threatened. Gongsun Zan's main force confronted Yuan Shao in Zhuo County. He returned to Jicheng and only brought his personal guard camp, and would not bring too many troops.

No matter what, this is his chance.

"Have Gongsun Bogui been back recently?"

"Just leaving a few days ago."

Liu Bei remembered what Zhao Yun said and was more concerned about it. "Did he ask for a lot of food and grass before leaving?"

Xian Yufu sighed. "General Gongsun fought with Yuan Shao in the past two years, with many casualties and injuries, and countless military supplies lost. He refused to give up and insisted on taking revenge. He expanded his troops one after another, and needed more and more food and supplies. Youzhou was overwhelmed. After all these years, Liu Mu finally made the people's livelihood in Youzhou improve. After he got this, all his previous efforts were wasted. The price of grain was one price a day. The people complained very much. If the envoy didn't believe it, he might as well go to the market and it would be clear."

Liu Bei agreed a few words. He had the experience of leading troops to fight and knew that war would cost a lot of money, especially cavalry. He was also from Youzhou, and knew that Youzhou was not a wealthy place and could not compare with Jizhou. Objective factors determined that Youzhou could not support a long-term war. If he could win, he could also attack Jizhou and obtain Jizhou's financial resources and self-sufficient. Now Gongsun Zan is not a match for Yuan Shao, and he lost consecutive battles and suffered heavy losses. It would definitely have a great impact on Youzhou's livelihood and would definitely not have a good reputation among the people. From Xianyu Fu's tone, it can be seen that Gongsun Zan is unpopular.

Liu Yu had a good reputation, won the hearts of the people, and had a good relationship with the Hu people, but he was too scholarly and did not know how to use military force. Gongsun Zan was good at using military force, but he was very aggressive and had great anger among the people. The two had their own strengths, and they were incompatible with each other, so conflicts were inevitable. The effect of mediation may not be great, so it would be more practical to use this opportunity to occupy a place.

Liu Bei thought while walking, and suddenly felt full of confidence. This was a god-given opportunity. When Liu Yu fought with Gongsun Zan, he definitely needed someone like me. There were no shortage of warriors in the northern border, but most of them rely on talent to accumulate experience in actual combat. Looking at the world, there were not many people who value training like Sun Ce. Although I haven't been under Sun Ce for a long time, the skills I have learned are almost unparalleled in Youzhou, especially infantrymen.

Liu Bei had decided to do it and chuckled: "The art of war says: Even if the country is big, it will perish if it is wary. Youzhou is poor and not as rich as Jizhou. If you cannot win a battle, you should rest and train soldiers and train soldiers. How can you attack easily? Brother Bo Gui is extremely brave, but his temperament is a little irritable. No wonder Liu Mu is worried. Although I am not talented, I cannot bear to see the elders of Youzhou suffer. I am willing to use the power of the imperial edicts and do my best to help Liu Mu persuade Bo Gui to stop the army and quit the war and raise the military valley. When I see Liu Mu later, I will ask Brother Xianyu to present my wishes on my behalf."

Xian Yufu was secretly happy and had a little more affection for Liu Bei. "What Mr. Liu said is very true. I will convey your good intentions to Liu Mu."
Chapter completed!