Liu Bei was discussing with Pang Tong about seeking Xichuan, and happened to talk about Zhang Song. Pang Tong studied in Xichuan for many years and met a group of talented people such as Fa Zheng and Zhang Song.

Pang Tong and Zhang Song have many similarities. Both of them are not good-looking and are equally talented!

I don’t know if it’s a mutual appreciation or a mutual sympathy, Pang Tong and Zhang Song get along best, and they almost talk about everything!

When Pang Tong entered Xichuan, he originally had the intention of investigating Liu Zhang. When he saw that Liu Zhang's actions were not the wise attitude, he naturally had no intention of seeking favor.

During the conversation with Zhang Song, Pang Tong vaguely knew that Zhang Song spent more than ten years to create a "topographic map of Western Shu" as his ritual for advancing.

At that time, Pang Tong had no choice of his lord, and had tried Zhang Song. Judging from the information revealed by Zhang Song, although it was not confirmed for the time being, he seemed to be more optimistic about Cao Cao.

If Zhang Song really surrendered to Cao Cao, he would be his strong enemy who was seeking Xichuan!

Therefore, Pang Tong suggested that Liu Bei send people to Xichuan and take the initiative to make friends with Zhang Song, Fa Zheng and other knowledgeable people. If these people can be brought back, then pacifying Xichuan will be effective!

Liu Bei was considering who to send to Xichuan to make friends with Liu Zhang's counselors. The guards came to report to Zhang Fei for a visit.

Zhang Fei heard from somewhere that Ma Su had captured Wancheng and Xinye, and believed that this was an opportunity to regain the entire Jingzhou area. He came to meet Liu Bei and asked for a fight, wanting to fight side by side with Ma Su.

Zhang Fei had not sat down for a long time and had not had time to speak. The person sent by Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to deliver the news also arrived. After Liu Bei finished reading it, he handed it to Pang Tong.

Pang Tong originally supported Ma Su to seek Xiangyang. After all, Jingzhou without Xiangyang was not as difficult as the defense was multiplied, occupying too much military force, which brought great difficulty to seeking Xichuan, but he had been persuaded by Zhuge Liang.

After Pang Tong read Huang Zhong’s military newspaper, Liu Bei asked:

"Shi Yuan, Xiahou Dun is so abnormal, what do you mean?"

After all, Pang Tong was extraordinary. He had guessed Xiahou Dun’s idea and replied without hesitation:

"Lord, Xiahou Dun suddenly withdrew the defenders on the pass. It must be that after Ma Su captured Wancheng and Xinye, Xiahou Dun's Xiangyang was already an isolated city, which made him feel a great crisis. He withdrew the soldiers on the pass, probably to shrink his defense and free up more troops to recover Xinye and Wancheng. It seems that young people often have trouble!"

When Liu Bei heard that Xiahou Dun wanted to attack Wancheng, his eyes flashed and asked Pang Tong:

"Shi Yuan, if you were asked to lead your troops to attack Xiangyang, how sure are you?"

Pang Tong knew that Xiahou Dun had less than 10,000 troops to defend Xiangyang. Now that Wancheng has changed hands, he is a little stretched in defense, so he has the tactic of shrinking defense. If Xiahou Dun wants to attack Wancheng, he must have done his best. He is almost out of nothing, and he is 70% sure to take Xiangyang.

But when he thought about it, he felt that what Kong Ming said was reasonable. Don’t start a war with Cao Cao easily, so as not to affect the plan of Xichuan. He replied against his will:

"Less than 30%!"

After hearing Pang Tong's answer, the doubt in Liu Bei's eyes flashed, because he had been through the battle formation for a long time and knew that although Ma Su's army was not strong in combat, there were thousands of them. Perhaps Xiahou Dun could win the field battle, but if he defended the city, it would not be possible to capture it in a short time!

Seeing that Liu Bei was meditating and silent, Pang Tongyi knew that he was still confused, so he explained:

"Xiahou Dun dared to shrink his defense, and he must have reached a tacit understanding with the defenders of Runan and Xuchang. Maybe he had planned and fought against Wancheng. The thousands of troops under Youchang were the bandits he recruited Liu Xiongming. They were really a mob. I am afraid that he would not be able to fully control it in such a short time. When encountering a crisis, they still have the retreat route of Wuguan. The soldiers will not be willing to fight to the death. They may abandon the city and flee. Maybe before our main force arrived in Xiangyang, Xiahou Dun had already captured Wancheng and returned to defend Xiangyang! Therefore, if we could not break through Xiangyang during the period when Xiahou Dun left, there would be no chance!"

Liu Bei knew that Pang Tong did not want to expose his hidden military power, nor did he want to force him, so he asked with some concern:

"Young Chang only has thousands of scrambles. He was surrounded by three sides. Will he be in danger? Should he send troops to pick him up and return to the police?"

While Pang Tong was still pondering, Zhang Fei, who was standing aside, couldn't help but stand up and said:

"Brother, Youchang is fighting alone. It is inappropriate for the eldest brother to hold the troops without moving, and there is no need to use the army trained by the military advisor. One thousand troops in my headquarters are waiting outside. I am willing to lead the army to the post. Once Youchang is in danger, it is easy to respond!"

Liu Bei sent Ma Su to Xiliang, just to convince him to persuade Ma Chao to go out of the army, so that Cao Cao would not dare to start the war easily in the southeast, and relieve the dangers of Jiangdong, so that he could also focus on seeking Xichuan.

Who knew that when Ma Su arrived in Xiliang, he didn't speak at all. Han Sui organized the Xiliang coalition and fought with Cao Cao in Tongguan.

Although Ma Su did not act as Ma Chao's planner, he actually recaptured Liu Xiongming's thousands of troops and became a major force in Guanzhong. Moreover, the surprise attack on Wancheng caught Liu Bei off guard!

The relationship between Pang Tong and Ma Su was extraordinary. When Zhang Fei said he wanted to go and respond, he naturally had to express his attitude, so he echoed:

"Young young man always put himself in a dangerous place for his lord's great cause. It is also appropriate for the lord to send troops to support him! General Zhang is willing to lead the army. With the two thousand troops of Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, even if he encounters Xiahou Dun's army, he can fight, just like we go to Xiangyang to explore the truth and reality!" Liu Bei followed it.

The three led their troops to Huang Zhong and Wei Yan's camp on the border. It was getting late. Liu Bei and the two joined forces and entered the camp to rest.

The next morning, Liu Bei was about to lead his troops to Xiangyang, and several spies came over and dismounted when they saw Liu Bei turn over and handed over the official documents.

Liu Bei took the official document and looked excited. Pang Tong was confused, but he could only wait patiently.

It turned out that Xiahou Dun withdrew from various passes and did not want to shrink his defense against Xiangyang, but to abandon the city and leave!

Ma Su sent people to report that Xiahou Dun abandoned the city and left. He has now occupied Xiangyang and is waiting for Liu Bei to send people to take over the defense.

When Pang Tongyi heard this, he immediately reacted and quickly said to Liu Bei:

"The lord, please lead the army and move quickly and quickly to prevent Xiangyang from happening to avoid any changes! Xiahou Dun is not as simple as abandoning the city and leaving. It is likely to be a desperate bet. He took advantage of Youchang's opportunity to attack Xiangyang and lead his troops to recover Wancheng. Although Youchang got Xiangyang, he had to return to the army to rescue Wancheng. Xiangyang's current defense must be empty."

Liu Bei hurriedly led his troops to Xiangyang. As Pang Tong expected, Ma Su had led his troops back to Wancheng, and no news has been heard yet.

Liu Bei was very happy to get Xiangyang this time, but he didn't see Ma Su in Xiangyang City, and he couldn't help feeling a little guilty, feeling that he had given him too little support!

Liu Bei had insight into people's hearts and knew that Ma Su personally led his troops back to Wancheng, but he still felt a little resentful, as if he was intentionally trying to avoid himself and Zhuge Military Advisor.

Liu Bei was in Jingzhou for several years, and there were many people who wanted to calm the people in Xiangyang. It was no problem to wait for news about Ma Su.

A few days later, a spy heard news that Xiahou Dun had already attacked Wancheng before Ma Su returned to his army. Ma Su did not compete for Wancheng, but retreated to Wuguan. According to the arrangement of the military advisor, he led the main army into Guanzhong.

Hearing that there were thousands of Xiliang cavalry led by Pang Rou, the subordinate of Ma Chao, who retreated with Ma Su. Liu Bei felt very regretful, because the cavalry was Liu Bei's weakness and he was defeated repeatedly in battle with Cao Cao, mainly because of the lack of cavalry!

He always wanted to train a cavalry, but he didn't expect to miss a good opportunity this time.

No matter what, Liu Bei was very satisfied with Xiangyang City and three generals including Zhong Yue!

Although it is still half a Jingzhou, because of the natural danger of the Yangtze River, Jingzhou's defense is much simpler!

Liu Bei waited in Xiangyang for more than ten days, and the troops were dispatched, but he did not receive any news from Ma Su. He had to leave Zhang Fei to guard Xiangyang and lead Zhong Yue, Yang Kui, Zhang Zhuang and others back to the police.
Chapter completed!