Chapter 520
Chapter 520
“Liu Biao are sending troops? Is this true?” Liu Bei could not believe it. It was a different story if Fancheng was destroyed but he was sure that Zhang Gui would tell Liu Biao about the state of Fancheng. Fancheng was still intact and in good condition. Why would Liu Biao attempt the impossible?
“Milord. This news should be true!” Jian Yong nodded. This is due to the large movements of provisions and the change in garrisons. This is something that is only done during preparations for war.
“Who is our enemy?” Liu Bei asked. Knowing the enemy was half the battle.
“Milord. They are sending thirty thousand troops. The Xiangyang Guards, Xiangyang’ defenders and Jiangling’s defenders. They will arrive in a few days. Their general is someone we know, Zhang Gui.
“Thirty thousand troops?” Liu Bei laughed. Liu Biao must have been too angry. Fancheng was a place easy to defend and hard to attack. If it was not because of Pang Tong’s strategy, Liu Bei would have failed. At Fancheng, thirty thousand defenders can resist a force of one hundred thousand attackers. Yet Liu Biao only sent thirty thousand troops.
“Since they are coming, we might as well let them stay here!” Liu Bei said confidently. Jingzhou’s strongest troops were their navy but these were only a small amount of land troops. The Xiliang Cavalry alone to put them in an advantage.
“Milord. It is not just the Jingzhou Army.” Jian Yong reminded. He did not have the choice but to dampen Liu Bei’s enthusiasm.
“Hm?”
“There is also Liu Mang’s troops!”
Liu Bei immediately jumped. “Liu Mang’s troops?!” Liu Bei hated the Yangzhou Army but he was also afraid of them. He had encountered many elites in their army like the Wolf Cavalry and the Urban Army.
“Who is coming?” Liu Bei quickly asked.
“I do not know.” Jiang Yong shook his head bitterly. He had already paid a high price just to find out that Yangzhou was acting as well.
“Liu Mang Liu Hanyang!” Liu Bei thought to himself for a moment and then gave his order. “Xianhe! Bring all of the reports concerning Yangzhou to me!” Although Liu Bei had spent special attention to Yangzhou, little could be found due to the efforts of Yang Hong, Jia Xu and Chen Gong. He obtained of Yangzhou by from his inquiries at Jiangdong.
“There is the battle at Linhuai and the Yangzhou Navy’s deployment.” Liu Bei was a man who have been defeated many times yet able to bounce back. This meant that his knowledge of military affairs can’t be bad. He believed that Liu Mang’s Army could not be more than thirty thousand. If Liu Biao was taking precautions against Liu Bei, he would definitely take precautions against Liu Mang. That was why Liu Biao would not allow Yangzhou to have more soldiers. The battle at Linhuai told Liu Bei that the Black Flag Army and the Xiliang Cavalry had already been deployed and would not be present. War was a matter of life and death. Liu Mang would not call on them who had finished just finished a fight from so far away just to help an ally.
That being said, the Yangzhou Army was a major threat especially if he did not know which elites was going to fight.
After a while, Liu Bei stopped trying to figure out his enemy. At most, there should be about sixty thousand troops. Liu Bei believed that Fancheng will hold.
“Milord. What do we do now?” Jian Yong asked.
“Bring it on! Last time that Liu Mang stopped Jiangdong’s Army of one hundred thousand with only ten thousand men! This time, I, Liu Bei Liu Xuande will defeat this alliance!” Liu Bei said. He had already seen Fancheng’s powerful defenses. While Fancheng was fairly new, it was stronger than cities that have not fallen in dozens of years. It was certainly stronger than Shouchun. Such walls could definitely fend off an army of one hundred thousand.
“Xianhe! Have the defenders transport the provisions to Yuzhou immediately.” Liu Bei did this as a precaution. Once the battle start, it would no longer be possible to send out provisions.
“Yes Milord!” Jian Yong quickly ordered the soldiers to transport the provisions and fortify the city.
“Xianhe! Is there still no news of the Military Advisor?” Liu Bei frowned. Pang Tong had disappeared for a long time, making Liu Bei feel anxious. This was the most intelligent person in his army. Liu Bei would have definitely drowned himself in tears if he were to lose Pang Tong.
“Milord. There is no need to worry. The Military Advisor would probably return quickly.” Jiang Yong placated.
“What about those fighters at the gates?” Liu Bei asked about the white armored cavalry. He believed that these people were placed by Pang Tong and that finding them would help them find Pang Tong.
“Milord. We are unable to find them!” Jian Yong shook his head. He had already gave the order for a search but they came up with no result.
“Sigh. Forget it! Military Advisor! Where in the world have you gone to?” Liu Bei muttered.