"There are a lot of casualties today." In the camp, Chen Mo looked at the casualty calculations sent by various ministries. There were more than 7,000 people killed in the battle alone, and more than 10,000 injured. This kind of head-on battle between opponents of the same level will never happen in the future.

If you can help it, don't fight.

"Lord, our army is now stationed here, and it is enough to see Cao Jun to death. If nothing unexpected happens, Cao Jun's defeat is determined." Xun You said with a smile.

"On this battlefield, the most feared thing is accidents." Chen Mo shook his head and said: "Don't underestimate the outcome until the last moment."

At this point in the frontal battlefield, Cao Cao has been forced into a desperate situation by Chen Mo. As long as Ma Chao's seven cavalry are not wiped out by Cao Cao, there is no possibility of Cao Cao overturning the situation. Chen Mo wasted so much effort and brought the two camps so close.

In addition to keeping Cao Cao from running away, he also wanted to prevent Cao Cao from attacking these seven cavalrymen.

Xun You nodded. Indeed, at this time, we must be more cautious and not be careless in the slightest.

"My lord, Jingzhou has changed a lot in the past few months." Xu Shu, who was looking through the files at the side, suddenly raised his head and said with a smile.

"Oh?" Chen Mo turned around after hearing this and narrowed his eyes slightly: "But Sun Ce took advantage of Liu Biao's absence and captured Jingzhou?"

He remembered that the last time he mentioned Jingzhou, Sun Ce had surrendered Cai Mao and captured Jiangxia. Now Chu King Liu Biao is seriously ill and cannot be a director. The eldest son Liu Qi cannot say bad, but in Chen Mo's opinion, he does not have the ability to take over Jingxiang's foundation.

Qualifications, Jingzhou's clans and aristocratic families are not something he can play with. The second son Liu Cong is young, but with the backing of the Cai family, if Cai Mao had not surrendered, he would have been able to gain power with the support of the Cai family.

Unfortunately, Cai Mao's defeat and surrender at Xiakou also made the Cai family's position in Jingzhou quite embarrassing. Even if the Cai family wanted Liu Cong to temporarily take over as King of Chu, I am afraid that the Kuai family, Pang family and Huang family would not be willing.

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In this case, Jingzhou was captured by Sun Ce, and Chen Mo was mentally prepared. After annihilating Cao Cao, Chen Mo's next goal was Jingzhou, and he had to interrupt the Sun family's plot.

"That's not true. Liu Biao died and Liu Qi took over as King of Chu." Xu Shu said with a smile.

"With Liu Qi's ability, I'm afraid he won't be able to control all the wealthy families in Jingxiang." Chen Mo heard this and sneered: "Isn't the person who really calls the shots not Liu Qi?"

"My lord is wise." Xu Shu handed the bamboo slip to Chen Mo.

The time goes back more than three months ago, when the main confrontation between Chen Mo and Cao Cao had just begun. At the end of the year, Liu Qi, with the support of Liu Bei, Liu Pan, Liu Hu, Wenpin and other clan generals, temporarily replaced the King of Chu.

job.

Cai's reputation was greatly reduced due to Cai Mao's incident. Although Liu Qi was not allowed to see the King of Chu, the order from the palace was rejected because Cai Mao was now in Sun Ce's army and he was afraid that Cai would offer Jingzhou.

"Sister~" In Xiangyang, in the palace of the Prince of Chu, Cai He and Zhang Yun came in with disgraced faces and looked at Cai and said bitterly.

Seeing the two of them, Cai was surprised and said, "You are not reporting on your duties in the army, why are you here?"

Nowadays, the Cai family is ostracized by the scholars because of Cai Mao's relationship. Now they must seize military power to ensure the Cai family's status. The Cai family is somewhat dissatisfied with the arrival of the two men.

"Sister, Liu Pan detained my family members and allowed Liu Bei's generals Guan Yu and Chen Dao to seize our military power." Cai He sighed: "Now that I no longer have military power in my hands, I came here to ask my sister for advice."

"Liu Pan?" Cai was furious when he heard this: "How dare he bully me, Cai, like this!?"

Cai He smiled bitterly. There was nothing he dared to do. Now everyone has done it. Cai Mao's surrender, especially helping Sun Ce to persuade the Jiangxia Navy to surrender, has made the Cai family very passive now. The Kuai family used to have a good relationship, and the Pang family has this

They all chose to remain silent and allowed Liu Pan and others to seize power. I am afraid they were also dissatisfied with the Cai family, and they acquiesced that Liu Pan and other Han clan clans had usurped the military power from the Cai family.

"Madam." Zhang Yun advised from the side: "Although there is no edict now, Liu Pan, Liu Bei and others support the eldest son and have temporarily taken over the position of King of Chu to make arrangements. Madam should also make preparations early."

As for what preparations to make? Of course, he is the heir to the throne of King Chu. Liu Biao's time is running out. If Liu Qi succeeds to the throne, it will not be a good thing for the Cai family. If Liu Biao can make a will, making Liu Cong his successor.

Prince, they still have a chance to regain power from Liu Qi.

"Yes." Ms. Cai nodded, looked at the two of them and said, "You two go quickly to gather troops and be ready to take action at any time."

Although they were robbed of their military power, the Cai family and the Zhang family have been in business for so many years, so they naturally have their own private soldiers.

"Here!" After hearing this, the two men immediately bowed to accept the order, said goodbye and left.

On the other side, in Liu Bei's residence in Xiangyang, Chen Gong said with a smile: "Although we have seized military power today, the Cai family is deeply rooted here and must not be willing to admit defeat like this."

Liu Bei nodded and frowned: "Jiangdong's army is approaching in an instant, but at this time there is constant internal fighting. How can we defend ourselves against the enemy?"

"My lord, don't worry, Kong Ming and I have discussed countermeasures." Chen Gong said with a smile.

"Oh?" Liu Bei's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he looked at Chen Gong and said, "What's Gongtai's plan?"

"At this time, the Cai family is already isolated. Although it is deeply rooted, it is limited to Nanyang. The lord can persuade the eldest son to transfer Jiangling guard Wenpin and his subordinates back to Xiangyang to prepare for the enemy. At the same time, Yun Chang rushes to Jiangling to recruit troops again.

, In this way, Jiangling will fall under the control of the lord." Chen Gong said with a smile: "Jiangling is the key point between the north and the south of Jingzhou. As long as we control this place, the lord will have a way out, and Xiangyang will also have enough defenders. Wenpin is the king of Chu.

The general under his command has always been loyal to the King of Chu. It is perfect for him and Liu Pan to lead the army to fight against Jiangdong. With Fancheng, it will be difficult for Sun Ce to capture Xiangyang."

Liu Bei nodded silently when he heard this, then frowned and said: "In this way, almost all the elites of Jingxiang and Xiangyang have gathered in Xiangyang. If Sun Ce takes advantage of the situation and diverts to attack Jiangling, I'm afraid..."

"That's why Yun Chang is needed to guard Jiangling. We can allocate three thousand soldiers and horses from Fancheng to follow Yun Chang south to Jiangling. After entering Jiangling, he immediately recruits soldiers and horses to prepare for war. Jiangling city is strong and has sufficient food and grass. As long as Yun Chang is given some time, no matter

We talk about killing the enemy in the city, but we can do it by holding on to Jiangling."

And in this way, strategic locations such as Xinye, Fancheng, and Jiangling are all in Liu Bei's hands. Next, he can also use the excuse of war to ask for troops.

After Liu Bei thought for a moment, he decisively agreed and immediately went to lobby. On the grounds that Xiangyang was currently unstable, he persuaded Liu Qi to transfer Wenpin and his troops stationed in Jiangling back, and at the same time let Guan Yu serve as the garrison of Jiangling, replacing Wenpin in guarding Jiangling.

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Liu Qi had always been close to Liu Bei, and now that Sun Ce's army was about to arrive in Fancheng, he really needed more soldiers and horses to fight against Sun Ce, so he immediately agreed to Liu Bei's request.

Liu Bei asked Yan Xiang to follow Guan Yu to Jiangling to help Guan Yu manage Jiangling and carry out military conscription.

Another five days passed like this. After Wenpin led his army to Xiangyang, Sun Ce had also led his army to Fancheng. Because Guan Yu had been transferred, only Zhuge Liang, Xiahoubo and others were stationed in Fancheng. Liu Bei specially asked Liu Hu to lead his troops.

They went to help and block the Jiangdong Army's offensive; but at this moment, an edict suddenly came out from the palace, ordering Liu Cong to temporarily take over as King of Chu and restore Cai He and Zhang Yun's military power.

"What can I do?" After receiving the edict, Liu Qi's expression changed drastically, and he quickly invited Liu Bei and Liu Pan to discuss countermeasures.

Liu Biao issued an edict at this time, and they could not disrespect him. Even Liu Pan, Wenpin and other generals temporarily supported Liu Qi, but once Liu Biao gave the order, between Liu Qi and Liu Biao, these people would probably choose to obey the latter's edict.

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Everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere was a bit dull. Liu Pan already wanted to carry out the king's edict, and Liu Bei looked at Chen Gong.

"My eldest son." Chen Gong stood up, saluted Liu Qi, and said solemnly: "Generals, I have received news that the King of Chu has actually died of illness long ago. Now this edict is actually a fake message from Cai!"

"Sir, please don't talk nonsense about this matter!" Liu Pan suddenly turned around and looked at Chen Gong with a serious look.

Chen Gong nodded affirmatively and said: "If you don't believe it, general, you can ask Wang Wei."

"Father~" Liu Qi burst into tears after hearing this, and looked at the crowd and said, "If my father dies of illness, doesn't that poisonous woman want to kill me with this edict?"

If Liu Biao is really dead, then Cai will probably not let Liu Qi go if he pretends to pass the edict at this time.

"If this is really the case, we shall protect the eldest son!" Liu Pan stood up and said, "But if you speak nonsense, don't blame me for being rude!"

"I can go with you later." Chen Gong said with a smile.

Liu Pan nodded and said nothing more. At that moment, everyone stood up, gathered a group of people, and headed to the Prince of Chu's Mansion.

"Gongtai, is this true?" Liu Bei was on the road, waiting for an opportunity to ask Chen Gong.

"That should be the case." Chen Gong nodded and said: "Cai Mao surrendered, and the Cai family's status has been weakened. It is impossible for the King of Chu to let the second son temporarily take over the position of the King of Chu at this time. This edict must be a false imperial edict from the Cai family.

, break in like this, if the King of Chu is not dead, we can naturally see the King of Chu, and ask the King of Chu to come forward to take charge of the overall situation. If the King of Chu dies, we can take this opportunity to remove the Cai family."

"So what I said before..." When Liu Bei heard this, he didn't know that Chen Gong was taking risks.

Chen Gong said with a smile: "Even if the King of Chu is still there, it can be said that Cai was deceived. As long as the King of Chu comes forward to take charge of the overall situation, naturally he will not be held accountable for this matter."

Liu Bei thought for a while and said: "Now that Cai has come up with this strategy, will he prevent me from coming to visit him?"

"That's how we can eliminate the Cai family!" Chen Gong said with a smile: "Cai He and Zhang Yun have been secretly recruiting old private soldiers these days. I have ordered my uncle and nephew to ask General Wenpin to come to help.

The people we brought with us this time are all private soldiers, so we should just punish them with the crime of treason!"

When Liu Bei heard this, he suddenly realized that what he was doing now was precisely to induce these two people to take action.

A group of people rushed outside the Chu Palace, but Wang Wei quickly stopped them and shouted angrily: "My lord, what do you mean?"

"I want to see my father!" Liu Qi rarely showed some courage and said sternly: "Wang Wei, are you loyal to my father or to the Cai family? Jingzhou is in danger now, why do you keep hindering our relationship with our father?
Chapter completed!