Cai Mao finally chose to surrender. He had no courage to commit suicide. Throwing himself into the river at this time was no different from committing suicide. However, because of his surrender, Sun Ce ordered his people to save all the Jingzhou soldiers who were still struggling in the river. Cai Mao surrendered

, Jingzhou can be regarded as its own territory. The most important thing is that Cai Mao's surrender can largely represent the attitude of the Cai family in Jingzhou. This is the biggest benefit. Jiangxia can take it in an instant, and then Cai Mao can be defeated as soon as possible.

Convince his old troops and seize as many cities as possible before Jingzhou can react.

For this reason, Sun Ce did not humiliate Cai Hao. He even smiled and pulled Cai Hao along to talk. At the same time, he kept asking Cai Hao for his opinion on his attitude towards the counties in Jiangxia. It can be said that he gave Cai Hao a lot of face.

It can't be said whether it was gratitude or helplessness, or maybe it was a broken pot. Cai Mao also began to cooperate with Sun Ce and helped Sun Ce write letters to various counties in Jiangxia.

He even secretly ordered people to send letters to some officials and generals in Jingzhou, asking them to secretly switch sides.

This is the power of scholars. As long as they can subdue a figure like Cai Mao, they can get a large city and army. Sun Ce took Jiangxia almost without a single blow.

Chen Mo continued to weaken the family in all aspects because he was worried that this would happen under his rule.

"Wuhou, Wenpin, the guard general of Jiangling, is quite paranoid and is more loyal to Liu Biao. I'm afraid I can't convince you." Cai Mao has already made arrangements for Jiangxia, but he can't do anything about several important towns in Nanjun. Jiangling is even more important in Nanjun.

Although the Cai family is quite powerful in this important town, they have not reached the point where they can cover the sky with one hand.

"It's rare to be able to do this. Brother Degui, please don't worry about it. We'll go to Xiangyang first! I wonder if brother Degui has any strategies to teach me?" Sun Ce didn't care much about this. Cai Mao brought him an unexpected surprise, and he was able to kill without any blood.

Taking Jiangxia saved Sun Ce a lot of time and troops. Now he not only has 30,000 elite troops from Jiangdong, but also 20,000 surrendered troops from Jiangxia, plus the 20,000 soldiers and horses transferred by Zhou Yu from Chaisang and the absolute strength on the river.

With control, Sun Ce is confident of taking over Nanjun.

Cai Mao was naturally very uncomfortable with being called a brother by someone who could consider him his son, but now that he had surrendered to Sun Ce, he could only hold back his discomfort.

"If you want to go to Xiangyang, you must first go to Fancheng. These two cities are opposite each other across the Han River and are connected by pontoon bridges. No matter which side you attack, the other city can support you, which is equivalent to the troops of the two cities." Cai Mao bowed.

"In that case, how about I destroy the pontoon bridge with my naval force?" Sun Ce laughed when he heard this.

"I'm afraid it's difficult. The Han River is not as wide as the Yangtze River, especially between Xiangfan and Xiangfan. It is no more than a hundred paces wide. The bows, arrows and crossbows of the two cities can attack the middle of the river. If the navy comes forward and fires crossbows from both sides, the damage will be even more serious.

." Cai Mao shook his head. If the connection between Xiangfan and Xiangfan could be broken so easily, why would he say it so solemnly?

Sun Ce frowned when he heard this, but Jiang Qin on the side frowned and said: "In this case, we can just attack Xiangyang directly, why bother to attack Fancheng first?"

Cai Mao shook his head and said: "Xiangyang is the seat of Jingzhou. The city is nearly five feet high, the city is strong, and the soldiers are well-prepared. However, Fancheng is only less than three feet. Many of Xiangyang's equipment cannot be sent through the pontoon. In comparison, it is

Easier to capture."

"That's it." Sun Ce nodded suddenly after hearing this: "When Jiang Xia is over, we will attack Fancheng first."

"But it's not easy to attack Fancheng." Cai Mao said solemnly.

"Of course I know. In the past, I established a foothold in Xuzhou and became the lord of Xuzhou. Unfortunately, I was defeated by Cao Cao. I went to Suiyang for a while and then defected to Jingzhou." Sun Ce nodded. He and Liu Bei had formed an alliance back then, but it was a pity.

Cao Cao's offensive was too fierce, and Liu Bei failed to fully control Xuzhou, and was ultimately defeated.

Cai Mao nodded and said: "Liu Bei is now stationed in Fancheng. He is quite capable. After entering Jingzhou, he has attracted many famous people, and he has more elite soldiers and generals under his command. If my lord attacks Fancheng, Liu Bei must be guarded against!"

Sun Ce nodded. He didn't expect that his former allies had now become enemies. The changes in the world were truly amazing.

Turning around, he looked at Zhou Yu: "What do you think of Gong Jin?"

"I haven't gone to see it, so it's hard to judge, but what Mr. Degui said is indeed reasonable. You might as well send someone to find out first before making any calculations." Zhou Yu said with a smile. Cai Mao will naturally be used, but this person cannot be used.

I believe that most of the Cai family are in the Jingxiang area now. If they fight too hard, it will not be good for the Cai family, so Zhou Yu decided to go and take a look first, and then discuss how to attack.

Sun Ce nodded and said immediately: "According to Gong Jin's words, the generals will go to prepare. In addition, send some people to take over Jiangxia."

Although he had conquered Jiangxia in the past, he mostly plundered the population and wealth. However, this time, Sun Ce clearly regarded Jiangxia as his own territory and directly sent people to take over the county magistrates.

"Here!" The generals bowed in agreement and left.

…

On the other side, Xiakou was defeated, Jingzhou Navy was almost wiped out, Cai Mao was captured, and news of Jiangxia's fall soon spread to Xiangyang.

Fancheng, government office.

"Lord!" Zhuge Liang and Chen Gong came hand in hand to find Liu Bei.

"You two gentlemen came just in time. Have you heard about what happened in Xiakou?" Liu Bei welcomed them in and asked in a deep voice.

"Already know that we are here for this matter." Chen Gong nodded and frowned: "Xiakou was defeated. Originally, the entire territory was not lost, but now Jiangxia has fallen quickly. I suspect that Cai Mao has already fallen.

Surrender to the enemy."

Liu Bei nodded. He also had this guess. He looked at the two of them and said, "I intend to go to Xiangyang again and ask my brother to send troops. What do you two think?"

When Chen Gong heard this, he looked at Zhuge Liang and signaled to him.

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and saluted Liu Bei: "My lord, Liang thinks that my lord should indeed go to Xiangyang at this time, but he is not going to find the King of Chu."

"Why?" Liu Bei asked in shock.

"The palace is now under the control of the Cai family. If Cai Mao surrenders to the enemy, there will definitely be a response. If the lord goes to find the King of Chu, I am afraid that the Cai family will coerce the King of Chu and even threaten his life." Zhuge Liang said seriously, if this is the case, what will happen?

It will be tiring and the Lord will be suspected of harming his brother.

"What should we do!?" Liu Bei was also worried about this problem.

"Now that the King of Chu is seriously ill and unable to take charge, the Jiangdong Army is approaching fiercely. After my lord enters Xiangyang, he can go to find the eldest son Liu Qi and the general of Xiangyang Liu Pan." Zhuge Liang bowed and said: "Please give the eldest son temporary orders to fight on behalf of the King of Chu.

Jiang Dongjun!"

Although the Cai family controlled the palace, Liu Biao was also on guard against the Cai family, so the Xiangyang garrison was always led by his nephew Liu Pan, out of fear that if something went wrong, he would at least ensure that Xiangyang would be in his hands.

Now that the Cai family has sealed off the palace, Liu Bei can justifiably support Liu Qi to take charge of the overall situation. In this way, as Liu Biao's nephews, Liu Pan and Liu Hu will definitely side with Liu Qi, and Liu Bei is also a clan member of the Han Dynasty, so naturally at this time

more easily accepted.

"Okay, I'll go right away." Liu Bei stood up and prepared to leave, heading to Xiangyang for deployment.

"My lord, wait a minute!" Zhuge Liang quickly stopped Liu Bei and said in a deep voice: "After entering Xiangyang, if someone incites my lord to take charge of the overall situation on behalf of the King of Chu, no matter who the suggestion is, you must not agree and insist on supporting the eldest son!"

Liu Bei nodded and didn't ask any more questions. Zhang Fei on the side stopped and frowned: "Why is this? My brother is also a member of the Han clan. In terms of prestige and ability, he is more suitable to preside over the overall situation than Liu Qi."

Zhuge Liang shook his head. He knew that if he could not convince everyone at this time, something bad would happen. He said patiently: "If my lord reveals this intention, it will definitely make Liu Pan, Liu Hu and other people who support the King of Chu feel repelled. Now we are a big enemy."

At present, the overall situation should be the most important thing. If the lord steps forward to take charge, it will make the situation even more uncontrollable, and the Kuai and Cai families will definitely use this to alienate people's hearts."

Liu Bei nodded when he heard the words and said: "Kong Ming's words are what I mean. Besides, my brother treats me well. How can I do something like this and take advantage of others at this time? Don't say it anymore, generals!"

"My lord, when you leave, you should take Gongtai, Yide, and the two generals to go there. Fancheng needs General Yunchang to stay and guard it. Jiangdong has captured Jiangxia, and I am afraid they will come to take Xiangyang directly, but Fancheng needs to be defended."

Zhuge Liang bowed to Liu Bei.

"Then Yun Chang will be stationed in Fancheng." Liu Bei nodded. Guan Yu stayed here, and he could feel more at ease. As for the army, Liu Bei only brought ten personal guards, and then he took Chen Gong, Zhang Fei, Chen Daosan.

Jiang left in a hurry and went straight out of the city and across the river to Xiangyang to discuss the matter.

However, when they arrived at Xiangyang, the city gate had been sealed, and Liu Bei quickly called out Liu Pan outside the city.

"Xuan Degong is not stationed in Fancheng, how come he is here?" Liu Pan asked Liu Bei as he led him into the city.

"General Liu, Cai Mao has surrendered to Jiangdong. Now Jiangxia has been gained by Jiangdong. According to the information we have gathered, Jiangdong has begun to mobilize troops and horses to prepare to attack Xiangyang. The King of Chu is now seriously ill. My Lord is here to invite you.

The young master has come out to take charge of the overall situation. I wonder what the general’s intention is?” Chen Gong bowed to Liu Pan and asked.

Liu Pan frowned and hesitated upon hearing this.

"Bo Jian, if it was not helpless, Bei would not do this. However, Jiangdong is coming fiercely. My brother is now in the palace and is controlled by the Cai family. If Cai Mao really surrenders to Jiangdong, if we forcefully break into the palace at this time, we may endanger my brother.

I want to prepare for my life, so I want to invite the eldest son to come out and take charge of the overall situation!" Liu Bei looked at Liu Pan's hesitation and said solemnly: "The eldest son is the eldest son of the King of Chu, and he is also the heir apparent. Now the King of Chu is seriously ill and unable to govern. At this time,

The eldest son came out to take charge of the overall situation, and it was just as he said. Could it be that Bo Jian wanted to see if the Jiangdong army was approaching the city?"

After Liu Pan hesitated for a moment, he nodded and said, "That's fine, Liu Hu!"

"The general is here!" Liu Hu came to Liu Pan and bowed.

"Take my general order and follow Xuande Gong to find the eldest son, and ask the eldest son to come forward and take charge of the overall situation. If anyone dares to stop him, kill him!" Liu Pan took out his general order and said to Liu Hu.
Chapter completed!