"Then I will return to Chang'an in a few days." Zhang Juzheng was overjoyed.

"No..." Luo Chen said immediately. "Not yet... Fazheng and Xu Shu are both on the front line and can't come back to take over your job. Zhuge Liang is in charge of logistics, obviously the task is heavy, and the other generals have their own tasks. You stay here until the end of the war against the Huns. It's done."

Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to agree. He originally wanted to propose that Lü Bu temporarily take over Yizhou, but Luo Chen ordered Lü Bu to lead 50,000 light cavalry to the northern front immediately. .

Chapter 83 Xinye

After Luo Chen's southern patrol, about 150,000 cavalry quickly rushed to the northern battlefield, and the northern troops were about to soar to 550,000. It has far exceeded the total strength of the Huns.

People in the Central Plains are naturally quite shocked. Although now the small princes of the Central Plains have been annexed almost. Only Liu Biao and Sun Quan were left in the south. Hebei in the north apparently did not survive for two months. However, the atmosphere in the southeast of the Central Plains is not bad, and there are many academic debaters. Since it was a fight against the Huns, people in the Central Plains naturally supported it unanimously. However, many people also saw that Luo Chen's strength was no less than Cao Cao's. About 600,000 troops have been gathered in a short period of time, and the mobilization ability is astounding.

Luochen ordered Xu Da and Chang Yuchun not to attack for the time being, because the troops and related equipment were not ready. But Chang Yuchun has called for battle many times. The dust is still temporarily suppressed. The response of Zhongping's department was quite fast, and Xu Da could not lock his main force, so he had to search hard. And Chang Yuchun encountered a powerful enemy-Yesuo. This man has far-reaching schemes and is very difficult to deal with. It was difficult for Chang Yuchun to find out how he used his troops, whether his main force was still placed as before, and whether there was even an ambush. At present, Xu Shu 433 has traveled north to Jiuyuan County and is in charge of formulating and reviewing the campaign plan. Luochen also ordered Zhang Heng to send a gunpowder team to survey the terrain as appropriate, to see if it could be used. However, Zhang Heng did not look optimistic. He just arranged some gunpowder for Shuofang City. As for the vast grasslands, it seemed that gunpowder would hardly be used before portable firearms and artillery were made.

Luochen's next stop is Huang Zhong's Shangyong City. Huang Zhong was overjoyed that the first two generals had already left the country and headed to the northern battlefield. Half a day after Luochen arrived in Hanzhong, Xiahou Yuan received an order to send troops, and a day after arriving in Chengdu, Lv Bu was ordered to lead a light cavalry to the north. Now that the dust has come to Shangyong, Huang Zhong has already prepared the Guanzhong iron cavalry and Shangyong's more elite cavalry, and compiled an army of 100,000 people, ready to go out at any time. You don't have to look at Yu Jin's frowning face every day anymore. That guy has negative energy, and Huang Zhong also feels very disappointed. Although he is now a general in Luo Chen's hands, Luo Chen relies heavily on him.

Unexpectedly, he received a strict order from Luochen: stationed in Shangyong to protect the safety of the east gate of Yizhou.

(baed) Huang Zhong was about to cry but had no tears, listening to Luo Chen telling him about the importance of Shangyong to the overall situation: "Now Tongguan in the north and Shangyong in the south are the gateways to Guanzhong and Yizhou. Xiahouyuan, Lu Bu has been transferred to the front line, and Huang Zhong's troops must stay behind in Shangyong to protect the safety of Yizhou. As long as Shangyong is safe, Yizhou will be safe. Yizhou is safe, and the overall supply of food, grass and cargo is also smooth."

Luochen had to guarantee that there would be a big battle in the southeast, and then let him serve as the vanguard general.

Luochen's last stop was Xinye, Liu Bei's residence. Luochen decides to visit Liu Bei in secret. The day before yesterday, Liu Bei was in Shangyong. Due to the tense battle at Tongguan, Luo Chen couldn't get out of the way, so he ordered Zhang Juzheng, the biggest official in the south, to meet Liu Bei in his place, and persuaded him to join his camp. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei declined. This time, Luochen wanted to meet Liu Bei in person, and try his luck again by the way.

As soon as you get out of Shangyong and go south to the southern country, the scenery is obviously different. The southern country has mild sunshine, beautiful scenery and lush vegetation, which is quite graceful and graceful. It is markedly different from the roughness of the north. Further north from the Central Plains, it becomes more rough and even primitive. Huang Zhong personally accompanied Luo Chen. Because Yan Qing was not there, Huang Zhong felt that it was very inappropriate for Luo Chen to enter the enemy's territory lightly. If there is any accident in Luochen, he, Huang Zhong, will obviously be quite responsible. Huang Zhong thought about it again and again, but decided to accompany Luochen to Xinye himself. Before going, he sent someone to inform Liu Bei.

Huang Zhong's Shangyong and Liu Bei's Xinye are not too close, but not too far away, and the two sides communicate occasionally. Such as Xinye harvest, Huang Zhong sent people to celebrate...and so on. It's not a secret that Luo Chen's southern tour is no secret, and Liu Bei should have heard of it. Just after arriving at Huang Zhong's Shangyong, the news to the outside world is that Luo Chen went north to the front line to command. This is similar to everyone's expectations. After all, Luo Jun has made a lot of money this time. How could Luo Chen not take command in person.

This trail is fragrant and grassy, ​​surrounded by intermittent poplar forests and paddy fields. It is the usual scene of JAC. Liu Bei could see that. He has been in Chang'an for several years, and he is almost used to the life of a northerner. This time, when he went south and arrived at Jianghuai, he suddenly felt a sense of hometown. Luochen Huang Zhong, one old and one young, rode slowly on horseback. According to Liu Bei's reply, he had urgently mobilized the army for vigilance and protection, and said that he would come back to meet him.

Sure enough, not too far, there are more than a dozen flying horses rushing in front. Luochen looked at him and saw that the silver helmet and white armor at the head, holding a long spear, was a handsome guy. Luo Chen guessed that he was Zhao Yun. Huang Zhong obviously knew it too. The young general threw his hands in salute and said, "The last general Zhao Yun, as ordered by Uncle Liu, is here to greet the Prime Minister." Luo Chen hurriedly returned the salute. Well, it's this set again, and there will be a few more waves of people to welcome it. Liu Bei's trick to win over people's hearts is still very powerful.

Sure enough, Luochen met Zhang Fei and Guan Yu respectively, and finally Liu Bei led all his staff out of Xinyecheng Wuli to express a grand welcome. In order to welcome Luo Chen, Liu Bei really took out his old money...

Luo Chen and Liu Bei went side by side. Liu Bei said: "The prime minister is valiant. This time, we have gathered 600,000 troops and stationed troops on the Han-Hungarian border... It's really great morale, and people in the Central Plains are all excited..."

Luochen expressed humility as usual, and touted Liu Bei. Luochen decided not to waste time. After all, the situation in the north was changing rapidly, and it was not good for him to be absent for a long time. He still had to go to the front line as soon as possible. Luochen felt a little bit of luck in his heart. If he persuaded Liu Bei to join the Luochen Group, his generals would be brave and unparalleled in the world, and could be brought directly to the northern grassland battlefield. Liu Bei invited him to attend the grand banquet, but Luochen still firmly refused: "Uncle, I'm here to discuss if I'm here this time. First, the time is urgent, and the war in the north is imminent. Second, I came alone, there are many security risks, and I will stay for a long time. It's not good for a long time...I hope Uncle Huang understands..." Since Chengcheng opened his mouth, Liu Bei immediately expressed his understanding.

The two sides held consultations in Liu Bei's apartment. Then Liu Bei really didn't come here, he brought Guan Zhang Zhao, Brother Mi Fang, and Sun Gan Jianyong several core members. All others were sent back. .

Chapter 84: The Troubles in Jingzhou

"The years are wasted...Uncle Liu, I heard in Chang'an a few years ago that the envoy is a hero, a man of benevolence. The battle at Hulao Pass is known to the world." Luo Chen was a little nostalgic. "Afterwards, the emperor was displaced, and I fell into a difficult situation several times. When I joined with Yuan Shao, I had the opportunity to meet the emperor, but I didn't expect it to be a mess..."

"Yeah, I also heard that before I left Yuan Shao, I heard that the prime minister sent Xu Shu to Yuan Shao. I wanted to see it, but the situation forced me." "Many years have passed in a flash, the heroic spirit of the year is no longer, the flesh is revived, and there are traces of white hair on the head... But the achievement is still far away, and the future is quite hopeless..." Liu Bei became more and more sad.

"How do you feel when you are with Liu Biao? Are you satisfied?" Luo Chen asked tentatively.

"Liu Biao's preparation is very good. Taking me as his younger brother, preparation is very grateful."

"Cao Cao is now heading east to Hebei, can you have a plan? After Cao Cao took Hebei, the situation in Jingzhou is not optimistic..." ~Luochen tried again.

Obviously, Liu Bei must be thinking about this recently. After Cao Cao takes Hebei, he may continue to fight with Luochen, and he is more likely to go south to take Jingzhou, expand his territory, and strengthen his strength, so as to prepare for the final decisive battle to unify the world. If Cao Cao chooses to go south, then Jingzhou may not stay long. Not to mention building a foundation for Liu Bei, it would be difficult to survive on his own.

"Do you know that Cao Cao's number one advisor, Guo Jia? He has a strategic judgment, and there are rumors about it, and the Central Plains are shaking." Luo Chen asked.

"Under the city of Tongguan... Guo Jia believed that Tongguan should be built at all costs at that time. If you choose to give up, you will not be able to fight in the next few decades. You can only expand your strength and wait for the opportunity." Liu Bei said.

"Exactly! It seems that the envoy still pays close attention to the situation in the north." Luo Chen said with satisfaction, as if there was nothing strange about this statement. At that time, people thought this judgment was quite desperate. "I can tell the envoy that Guo Jia does hold this view, and he expressed it when we negotiated with Cao Cao." Luo Chen said. "Now... the emperor should understand that we and Cao Cao have finally reached a settlement. After Cao Cao's attack on Hebei, I can basically judge that he will go south to capture Jingzhou."

A trace of panic flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, but he soon returned to calm. Liu Bei said calmly: "Since it is inevitable, there is nothing to do. It is nothing more than connecting the forces in the southeast and relying on natural dangers everywhere to resist."

Luo Chen laughed, secretly admiring. In the face of the army, he was not frightened, but dealt with it calmly, a true hero. Without this kind of calmness, he would not dare to deal with the battle of Chibi. "Make you courageous, admire and admire." Luo Chen cupped his hands. "But I want to remind the envoy that the Lord of Jingzhou has dropped a lot of factions. It is still a question whether Liu Jingsheng can stabilize the battle of Jingzhou."

"Yes." Liu Bei did not hide his concern. "The Cai family is very powerful. If you can control the situation, you will definitely choose to rely on Cao Cao to maximize the benefits."

"Does the envoy have any plans at the moment?" Luochen asked.

"I have advised Liu Biao many times to send troops north to attack Xudu while Cao Cao's main force is advancing eastward, but Liu Jingsheng is not willing to take the risk." Liu Bei said with a sigh. "Falling into the prime minister, Xiangxiong has a rough plan, can you give me a little guidance?"

Luo Chen couldn't help laughing bitterly. He came this time to convince Liu Bei to join his Luochen group. Therefore, Liu Bei was reminded of the unimaginable difficulties ahead. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei was not afraid, but instead came to ask him for countermeasures, as if Luo Chen had become his military advisor. But Luochen still answered seriously: "There are obviously two difficulties facing the Shijun, one is external and the other is internal. The external Cao Cao, the internal is the Jingzhou Lord's descending faction, or the faction that opposes the Shijun, or the Support Liu Cong's faction." Luo Chen looked at Liu Bei and smiled knowingly.

Liu Bei said helplessly: "I didn't want to be involved in the dispute over the succession of Jingzhou, but the Cai clan supported the young son, and as soon as they came up, they regarded me as their enemy and tried to destroy the young. Therefore, others would see me as a faction supporting the eldest son Liu Qi. And Liu Qi's faction is quite small, and it is excluded everywhere."

"Your Majesty needs to have a strategy to retreat." Luochen opened his mouth and came, but he regretted it immediately. He hadn't decided whether to help Liu Bei or not. Originally wanted to bring Liu Bei into the group, but if he did his best to help Liu Bei, it would increase his power... Now there are two options in front of Luo Chen. One is to pull Liu Bei into the group, strengthen his own strength, and then secretly manipulate the battle of Chibi. The second is to ensure that Liu Bei survives and develops according to the natural history of history. Then Luochen will send Zhuge Liang to help Liu Bei... Obviously the first option is the best option, which can not only strengthen his own strength, but also strengthen his control over the south. The second method is also a strategy, but it is more risky.

·0 Seeking flowers · · · · · · · · · · · ·

"What's the strategy for retreating?" Liu Bei asked hurriedly.

Luo Chen was helpless and had no choice but to say: "Now, Shi-jun and Liu Qi should be connected by forces, and Shi-jun is inseparable. It is suggested that Shi-jun let Liu Qi be stationed in Jiangxia, so that even if the area of ​​Xiangyang in Jingzhou surrenders to Cao Cao under the control of Cai's clan, Shi-jun will You can also go to Jiangxia and think about it later." This was Zhuge Liang's idea, and Luo Chen borrowed it. However, since Liu Bei couldn't look at the cottage again, Zhuge Liang would not offer him any advice. If Luo Chen didn't recommend him to do so, Liu Bei might be finished in the future.

......................

"This is a great plan! It's a great strategy!" Liu Bei couldn't help but clasped his palms in ecstasy, "Thank you for the suggestion of Prime Minister Luo, it's really enlightening and enlightening!" He said and thanked him again and again.

But Luo Chen felt a lot of mixed feelings in his heart, and he didn't know if telling Liu Bei this plan would be beneficial to him in the end...

"Outside Cao Cao's south, as the envoy said, since it is inevitable, we have to actively resist depending on the dangers everywhere. There is no need to say more. However, for internal matters, if the internal capitulation faction donates Jingxiang, the envoy may be talented and strategic. It is useless to have a firm will, so I have to retreat in a hurry." Luo Chen said. "So what's going on in Jingzhou today is not about Cao Cao's attack, but in whose hands the real power of Jingzhou lies."

Liu Bei's face showed a sober look. As if suddenly realized, he kept nodding his head, saying yes again and again. However, Luo Chen felt that he couldn't say any more, otherwise Liu Bei thought too clearly and directly seized Jingzhou, and there would be another force that was difficult to deal with in the south.

Fallen felt that it would be better to try again. Liu Bei should have understood the general purpose of his trip, and Luo Chen no longer went around deviously: "This time Shijun has a lot of difficulties, both internal and external. I just want to suggest that Shijun and I, Luochen, join forces, so that I can drive troops to help Shijun control the south. , and then work together to deal with Cao Cao... If the king agrees, he will be the king of the southern vassal forever, inheriting it from generation to generation.

Chapter 85 Alliance

It was said that Luochen took a detour to Xinye and personally came to persuade Liu Bei to join him. However, Liu Bei seems to be determined and not one to give up his ambitions easily. Luo Chen was helpless, so he said it straight, and promised to take his place.

Liu Bei was stunned for a moment, Luo Chen's words were straightforward enough, so he could only falter and say: "This... the prime minister, I'm not talented..."

Luochen saw this situation and knew that there was not much hope, and I was afraid that it would be ruined again, so he said: "Envoy, please tell me directly, whether you want to be independent or cooperate with me first, the choice will be respected by you."

Seeing that there was no room for him to fight, Liu Bei sighed and said, "Luo Gong should understand that I, Liu Bei, came from my hometown and started a business with my two younger brothers, Sun Gan and the Mi brothers. I broke the Yellow Turban first, then fought against Dong Zhuo, and then moved to war. From the north to the south, the footprints are all over the Central Plains, which can be said to be scattered and helpless. Although there is no career and repeated defeats, but the ambition is not extinguished, and the grand plan is looking forward." Speaking of "307", I couldn't help crying. "Although the flesh is revived today, but Liu Bei has a little foundation, and the world is mediocre, and it is nothing to worry about!"

The dust was a little dazed for a moment. The characters he has seen countless times in novels and TV dramas, imagine the way he speaks, and feel his greatness. At this time, Liu Bei was in front of his eyes, a living person. At this time, Luochen suddenly felt that he had truly entered history. He was wearing the casual clothes of Han generals, with a sword on his waist, and he was very worried about the affairs of the world such as the Huns and Cao Cao. He is in history, he makes history, he is history itself.

Luochen said sincerely: "As soon as you understand your intentions, Luochen must respect it. Whenever you are of use to Luochen, please open your mouth."

Liu Bei thanked him again and again.

Seeing that Luo Chen's lobbying failed again, Huang Zhong was so embarrassed. He whispered in Luo Chen's ear: "Although the lord cannot persuade him to join, the two can join forces." Luo Chen heard that this plan was very good, although Liu Bei could not directly intervene in Jingzhou, but it could be an indirect influence with Liu Bei. Jingzhou affairs.