The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 101 War Erupts Again

Three days later, Yuan Tan hosted a banquet at the governor's mansion for the powerful families of Lujiang, and Liu Bei was also among the guests.

As dusk settles, the main hall of the prefect's mansion is filled with the sounds of music and dancing.

Delicacies were served in a continuous stream, and dancers in colorful costumes danced gracefully in the hall, accompanied by the sounds of string and wind instruments.

Yuan Tan raised his cup and said loudly:

"Gentlemen, Lujiang has just been pacified, and everything is in need of rebuilding. Thanks to the Emperor's great blessings, the soldiers' valiant efforts, and the strong support of Lord Xuande and all of you present, we have achieved this peace today. Tan, let me raise a glass to you all, wishing Lujiang continued good weather, abundant harvests, and peace and happiness for its people!"

"Respect to Prefect Yuan! Respect to Governor Liu!"

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses, and for a moment, toasts were exchanged and compliments were heard everywhere.

Liu Bei also raised his cup in response, his words sincere and earnest.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the banquet atmosphere gradually reached its peak.

Some wealthy families presented elaborately prepared songs and dances, while some scholars composed poems on the spot in praise.

Lu Jun then had Lu Xun step forward to toast Yuan Tan and Liu Bei. The young man responded appropriately, earning praise from Yuan Tan, who then presented him with a golden cup of wine in front of everyone, drawing envious glances from the crowd.

Just as the newly choreographed dance "The Clear Huai River" reached its climax, and the audience erupted in applause...

A scout suddenly burst into the hall.

"Report! My lord! Urgent news from Xuzhou! Lü Bu has personally led an army of 50,000, with Zhang Liao as the vanguard, and his forces are heading straight for Langya! General Zang Ba has sent a distress message, requesting that you send reinforcements immediately!"

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became tense.

Langya is the southern gateway to Qingzhou. If it is lost, Lü Bu's iron cavalry can directly invade the heart of Qingzhou.

The generals and strategists all looked solemn, their eyes fixed on Yuan Tan.

Yuan Tan stared at the military report, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Liu Bei.

"Lu Bu... finally couldn't sit still any longer."

His voice was calm.

"Qingzhou is my foundation, and I cannot afford to lose it. I must personally lead the army back to its aid."

He stood up and walked up to Liu Bei:

"Lord Xuande, the situation is urgent, and I must return north immediately. The people of Huainan, especially the newly annexed Lujiang, are not yet at peace. After much thought, I have decided that only by entrusting my affairs to you can I travel north with peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei immediately stood up, bowed, and said:

"I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I will fail to live up to your trust!"

"Lord Xuande is too modest!"

Yuan Tan held Liu Bei with both hands, speaking earnestly.

"Your benevolence is known throughout the land. The people of Lujiang have just experienced the ravages of war and need the comfort of a kind and benevolent elder like yourself. As for the defense of Huainan, Tan has already assigned generals such as Zhang He and Zhao Yun to their respective duties. However, the heavy responsibility of overseeing the overall situation and stabilizing the people's hearts rests solely with you! From this day forward, all military and political affairs in Huainan shall be handled by you, Xuande, on an ad hoc basis! In case of emergency, you may make decisions on the spot!"

These words entrusted Liu Bei with the military and political power of Huainan, demonstrating an immense level of trust.

Liu Bei's face lit up with excitement, and he performed a grand ceremony, as if overturning mountains of gold and jade pillars.

"Governor Yuan trusts me so much, I... even if I were to give my life, I could not repay even a fraction of his kindness! I will do everything in my power to defend Huainan and await your triumphant return!"

"Excellent! With Lord Xuande's words, Tan has nothing to worry about!"

Yuan Tan patted Liu Bei heavily on the shoulder, then turned around and rattled off a series of military orders:

"Zhang He!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I order you to lead your troops immediately to Hefei, reinforce the city's defenses, and closely monitor any possible movements of Lü Bu's army from the direction of Xuzhou!"

"promise!"

"Zhao Yun!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby order you to lead your cavalry as the vanguard, dispatching scouts to explore the route back north and ensure the army's unimpeded passage!"

"promise!"

"The rest of the generals, follow my central army, immediately break camp, and return north overnight!"

"promise!"

Military orders are absolute, and the generals below responded with a roar, quickly dispersing to prepare.

Yuan Tan whispered a few words to Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and others, then strode towards the back hall, no longer glancing at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei stood there, watching Yuan Tan's departing figure, a look of doubt on his face.

He always felt that Yuan Tan's reaction was too calm, as if it had been rehearsed beforehand.

But upon closer examination, he couldn't find a reason for Yuan Tan to do this.

Therefore, he took a deep breath and said in a deep voice to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him:

"Yun Chang, Yi De, quickly gather our troops and take over the city's defenses! Send out more scouts and proceed with caution!"

"Don't worry, brother!"

……

Meanwhile, in Lujiang, at the Qiao residence.

In the secret room, Qiao Gong's fingers trembled slightly as he looked at the confidential report delivered by his trusted family elder.

"Yuan Tan... really left? Heading north to relieve Langya? The defense of Huainan... has been handed over to Liu Bei?"

"It is absolutely true, my lord! Yuan Tan's army has already set off, and their banners stretch for miles northward. The defenses of Lujiang have already been changed to Liu Bei's flags."

Mr. Qiao slowly sat back in his chair, his expression shifting.

With Yuan Tan's main force being transferred north, Huainan was left vulnerable. Although Liu Bei had a reputation, his military strength was insufficient and his foundation was weak... This was simply a golden opportunity!

"Has Sun Bofu in Jiangdong received this news?"

"I asked in a low voice," Qiao Gong asked.

"My lord, the news was sent to Jiangdong by carrier pigeon as soon as it was confirmed, and it has probably arrived on Lord Wu's desk by now."

A resolute glint flashed in Qiao Gong's eyes:

"Good! Continue to closely monitor Liu Bei's movements and the troop deployments in various locations! Report any unusual activity immediately!"

"yes!"

After the elders left, Master Qiao paced alone in the secret room.

He thought of Zhou Yu's heroic bearing and Sun Ce's ambitious spirit. If these two were to become his sons-in-law, it would be a match made in heaven...

Perhaps the rise and fall of the Qiao family over the past century will truly depend on Jiangdong. Yuan Tan's journey will inevitably lead to a fierce battle with Lü Bu, the outcome of which is uncertain, and even if he wins, he will be severely weakened.

Huainan...will change hands sooner or later!

He walked to the window, gazing at the northern sky, as if he could see the dust and smoke of Yuan Tan's army receding into the distance. A cold smile immediately appeared on his lips.

……

On the south bank of the Yangtze River, at Niuzhu Camp.

Zhou Yu, holding the secret letter he had just received, strode into Sun Ce's tent, his face beaming with excitement:

"Bo Fu! The opportunity has arrived!"

Sun Ce was wiping his ancient sword when he heard the sound and looked up:

"Gongjin, what is it?"

"Secret report from Lujiang! Yuan Tan received intelligence that Lü Bu is launching a rapid attack on Langya, and yesterday he personally led his main force back north to Qingzhou! The defense of Huainan has been entrusted to Liu Bei!"

"Oh?" Sun Ce abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "Is the information reliable?"

"Absolutely reliable! From the Qiao family! Yuan Tan's army has already moved, and Huainan is currently undefended!"

Sun Ce burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! Heaven is on my side! Yuan Xiansi, you've finally met your match! Liu Bei? A mere weaver of mats and seller of sandals, clinging to life on empty fame, dares to claim he's worthy of guarding Huainan?"

Zhou Yu, however, remained relatively calm:

"Bo Fu, this is indeed a golden opportunity, but we must not be hasty. Yuan Tan is no ordinary man, and Guo Jia and Jia Xu are even more adept at strategy. How could they not have a backup plan? Is his return north genuine or not? Is it a ploy to lure the enemy deep into our territory, or is it something that is actually happening? We need to investigate this carefully."

He continued:

"The most urgent task is to intensify the activities of our spies in Lujiang and ascertain the strength and weakness of Liu Bei's defenses. At the same time, our army can deploy troops in Liyang and Niuzhu, making a grand show of force and feigning a westward advance to pressure Hefei and Lujiang, and observe how Liu Bei and Yuan Shao's army in Jiangbei respond. If their deployment is flawed and they reveal weaknesses..."

Sun Ce interjected, his tone resolute:

"That will be the time when we, the sons of Jiangdong, drink our horses' water from the Huai River!"

He slammed his hand on the table:

"Send the order! All troops are on high alert, ships are ready, and supplies and provisions are to be transported to the front lines immediately! Also, send spies to infiltrate Lujiang; I need to know Liu Bei's every move!"

However, Zhou Yu's suspicious nature led him to speak again after much deliberation:

"Bo Fu, I still have some doubts about this matter, but this opportunity is truly rare. Why don't I stay in Moling and take full charge of logistics?"

Sun Ce laughed heartily:

"Haha, Gongjin, you're being too cautious. But since you're willing to stay, then so be it."