My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 12 Why doesn’t Liu Bei play by the rules?

One warship after another slowly sailed out of the water camp and, under the cover of night, sped towards the south bank of the Han River.

In less than half an hour, the flagship took the lead and approached the ferry on the south bank.

At this time, the soldiers who fled from the north had already brought back the news that Liu Bei had launched a military operation, and the garrison at the ferry had already fled in panic.

More than a hundred warships of various sizes reached the ferry without bloodshed.

Nearly 8,000 soldiers of Liu's army quickly disembarked and rushed towards the nearby Xiangyang City like a tide.

...

Xiangyang City, the provincial capital.

It's a complete mess at this point.

Liu Cong, who was still asleep, was forcibly awakened, and Kuai Yue and Cai Mao also hurried over after hearing the news.

The soldiers kneeling on the ground reported the news that Liu Bei had raided the water camp in Fancheng and that his army had to rush across the Han River.

"What? Liu Xuande raided the water camp and forced a crossing of the Han River?"

"What does he want to do? Is he going to attack Xiangyang?"

Liu Cong's face changed drastically with horror, and his face turned pale in an instant, and his eyes shot towards Kuai Yue.

He was very clear about the abilities of his uncle Xuande.

Looking around the world, he is the only remaining man who can compete with Cao Cao.

If they come to hold me accountable, how can I bear it?
Kuai Yue's face was also full of surprise and doubt. It was obvious that Liu Bei's move was beyond his expectations.

However, as the number one strategist in Jingzhou, after a little panic, Kuai Yue quickly calmed down.

"Don't panic, my lord. I suspect Liu Bei's move isn't aimed at Xiangyang. He's probably going south to seize Jiangling."

"Liu Bei's move was still within Yue's expectations."

"We just need to keep our four doors closed and remain unchanged in the face of all changes."

Kuai Yue stroked his thin beard and analyzed the situation, then regained his composure as a master strategist.

"Yi Du's words make sense. Even Liu Bei wouldn't have the guts to attack Xiangyang with less than ten thousand soldiers!"

Cai Mao also regained his composure and said with a salutation:
"My lord, rest assured. With Mao here, Xiangyang City will be as strong as a rock."

At that moment, Cai Mao turned around with his sword, ready to take charge of the city's defense.

Before he could take a step, a scout stumbled in.

"My lord, I'm reporting to General Cai. A large group of soldiers have been spotted outside the north gate. They're carrying the 'Liu' banner and are approaching our north gate!"

Liu Cong's face changed drastically, and he looked at Kuai Yue and Cai Mao in shock.

Didn't you two swear that Liu Bei would not attack Xiangyang?

So what was Liu Bei's large group of troops doing here?
You can't be here to eat at Liu Biao's table, right?

"That doesn't make sense. Liu Bei is burdened by benevolence and righteousness. How could he lead his army to attack the lord when the deceased's body is still warm?"

"This doesn't seem like something Liu Bei would do."

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Kuai Yue's forehead, and the word "disbelief" was written all over his face.

Cai Mao swallowed his saliva and gritted his teeth and said:

"I've said it before, that big-eared thief is extremely ambitious and has been plotting to take over Jingzhou for a long time. Now he has finally revealed his true colors."

"There are 30,000 soldiers and horses in Xiangyang City. I want to see what that big-eared thief can do to get past me!"

Cai Mao snorted coldly, picked up his sword and walked away.

Liu Cong sat down, his emotions calmed down a little, but his hands and feet were still cold.

"My lord, rest assured. With Degui here, Liu Bei won't dare even think of entering Xiangyang!"

"Cao Gong's army is less than three days away from Fancheng. If we can hold out for three days, Liu Bei will abandon the siege and flee south to Jiangling."

Kuai Yue personally poured Liu Cong a bowl of tea to calm him down.

Liu Cong took the tea bowl and took a few gulps before his hands stopped shaking. "I hope it's as you said, alas..."

...

Xiangyang North Gate.

Nearly five thousand soldiers of Liu's army have lined up at the foot of the city.

The number of battle flags in the formation was more than twice the normal number, creating the illusion that the entire division was present.

Although the lights on the city walls were bright, it was still dark and it was difficult to tell the strength of Liu's army.

Protected by Chen Dao and his personal guards, Liu Bei rode out and advanced to the north gate of Xiangyang.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Bei shouted loudly:
"I am Liu Bei, and I am sending your governor to answer my question!"

The Jingzhou soldiers on the city wall were in a commotion.

Cai Mao cleared his throat and said loudly:
"My lord is currently keeping vigil for my late father and cannot spare time to come and see you."

"Liu Xuande, Lord Jingsheng's body is still warm, yet you've already plotted rebellion and invaded Xiangyang. Do you truly deserve the kindness Lord Jingsheng showed you?"

Liu Bei felt disgusted.

As an important minister of Liu Biao, he forced his son to surrender to Cao as soon as Liu Biao died, and he even had the nerve to say in public, "The body of the late Jingsheng is still warm!"
It's really shameless.

"Cai Mao, you disloyal and treacherous traitor, how dare you speak so shamelessly here!"

"When Lord Jingsheng was alive, he considered you his right-hand man. He entrusted the military power of the entire state to you and even married your sister, thus forming a family of yours with the Cai family."

"Brother Jingsheng's body is still warm, yet you, in collusion with Kuai Yue, coerce Liu Cong into surrendering to Cao Cao, handing over the inheritance left by Brother Jingsheng, selling out your master for the sake of wealth and fame."

"I am leading my troops across the river today to capture Xiangyang and eliminate you, the disloyal and unrighteous treacherous villains, in order to repay Brother Jingsheng for his kindness to me!"

Liu Bei pointed his whip at the top of the city wall and scolded Cai Mao harshly.

The Jingzhou soldiers around were in a commotion again, and pairs of questioning eyes were secretly looking at Cai Mao.

Cai Mao's face turned red, his eyes were full of guilt, and he was speechless after being scolded. He didn't know how to refute for a moment.

Liu Bei did not give him a chance to argue and shouted loudly:

"Listen up, soldiers of Jingzhou on the city walls. You are all men of unwavering loyalty and righteousness, and none of you are willing to be coerced into surrendering to Cao Cao by Cai Mao and Kuai Yue."

"If you still remember Brother Jingsheng's kindness and still have some of the courage of a Jingzhou man, then immediately cut off Cai Mao's head to comfort the spirit of your former governor!"

These inflammatory words made Cai Mao's scalp tingle.

He glanced around anxiously. Although no one dared to attack him, those looks made him feel uneasy.

"Don't listen to this big-eared thief's nonsense. He's disrupting our army's morale!"

Cai Mao was so angry that he drew his sword and pointed it at the city:
"Crossbowmen, release your arrows and kill the big-eared thief—"

The soldiers looked at each other, and none of them dared to take action.

Firstly, Liu Bei was well-known in Xiangyang, so the soldiers did not dare to be rude to him. Secondly, they were deeply moved by what Liu Bei had just said.

Seeing that the soldiers were hesitant, Cai Mao hurriedly gave Cai Zhong a look.

Cai Zhong understood and immediately ordered his own troops to shoot arrows.

Hundreds of archers then bent their bows and drew their arrows, ready to shoot at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei had anticipated this and retreated to his camp before the enemy's arrows could fall.

Arrows rained down, but all was in vain.

Cai Mao became increasingly angry and pointed his sword at Liu Bei:
"Big-eared thief, stop trying to sow discord among my soldiers. If you have the guts, just charge ahead. With me, Cai Mao, here, you won't even dare to set foot in Xiangyang!"

The central army formation.

Liu Bei has returned to his main camp. Looking at the arrogant and shouting Cai Mao, a sneer of contempt appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Cai Mao and the main forces in the city have been attracted here. Quickly light the signal fire and order Yide and Wei Yan to take action!"

(End of this chapter)