Wudang is 700 miles away from the West City, and it takes more than ten days to walk from the official road beside the Han River. In addition, the temperature in the valley drops sharply after autumn. It is really hard for most of the women to sleep in the open air by the river at night.

"It's a pity that Wen Zhongye was left in Xiangyang. If his navy and warships were there to help, we wouldn't have to waste time on the road."

Looking at the vast Han River in front of him, Liu Bei sighed, turned around and said seriously to Zhuge Liang: "The military advisor has few family members and luggage. Let Zilong escort you back to Xicheng by water first, and I will take the rest of the family members by land."

"Since we set out together, we must return together. The boats we have raised are limited, so we should use them to carry our luggage. Liang and my lord will go overland together."

"But the eldest son is the governor of the county for the first time. He may have a lot of military advisers to rely on. You can share his worries by going back first."

"Haha, the eldest son has Ziyang as his assistant, how can he be worried?"

"Can"

"My lord, there is no need to persuade me any more."

When Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei made concessions, Zhao Yun came galloping along the river to hit his horse.

"call"

Zhao Yun reined in his horse, turned over and landed on the ground, clasping his fists and saluting: "My lord, military advisor, a scout has just come to report that about five miles downstream of the Han River, there is a small fleet approaching Wudang. There are about fifty or sixty boats."

Liu Bei couldn't help but be startled: "Could it be that Wen Zhongye sent someone to see us off?"

"No." Zhuge Liang frowned and shook his head: "We didn't ask for it, and Wen Zhongye didn't leave any kind words. He has no reason to come to help. Besides, I've been waiting in Wudang for several days, why did I come today?"

Liu Bei was convinced, and turned around to ask Zhao Yun: "Zilong, have you seen your people clearly? Is it Wenpin's warship?"

Zhao Yun replied: "Since there is no flag hanging, I don't know if it is Wenpin, but it is definitely not a civilian fishing boat. I am worried that it is a water bandit wandering the river. It seems that the number is not small. Please leave the shore temporarily, lord and military advisor."

, we will verify everything before boarding the ship.”

"That's fine."

Liu Bei then led Zhuge Liang to retreat from the river, while Zhao Yun led his men to beat the horses away, intending to stop the fleet downstream for questioning.

After waiting for a long time, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang saw the fleet on the river, and at the same time, the rapid and messy sound of horse hooves was heard not far away.

From a distance, I saw seven or eight cavalrymen coming with Zhao Yun to recover, but when I got closer, I realized that that was not the case.

A group of people stationed their horses two feet away. Zhao Yun led a brocade-robed general, and the two of them trotted forward.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang looked at each other with big eyes and small eyes. They thought that this man was tall and well-groomed, and he was not their general at all. Both of them showed doubtful expressions.

Zhao Yun stepped forward and clasped his fists in greeting, then introduced the people around him: "My lord, the military advisor, he is General Gan, whom I have mentioned many times."

"Gan Ning has met the emperor's uncle and Mr. Kong Ming."

"Gan Xingba? Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

Liu Bei was very fond of Gan Ning just by his appearance. He hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his fists in return, and asked, "I remember General Gan was working in Jiangxia. Why are you here today?"

"Forehead"

Gan Ning turned his head slightly in embarrassment, and Zhao Yun quickly understood and spoke for him.

"My lord, General Gan has been unsuccessful in Jiangxia for a long time. He heard that the eldest son had conquered Handong, so he came to join him."

"Oh? This is a good thing." Liu Bei nodded with relief.

Gan Ning shook his head and added: "Actually, it is a lie to vote for the eldest son. Last year, I met Mr. Ziyang in Yuzhang. He recommended me to serve under the emperor's uncle. I wonder if the emperor's uncle dislikes Gan Ning?"

Liu Bei was almost knocked unconscious by happiness. He held Gan Ning's fists with his big hands and said enthusiastically: "How can Liu Bei dislike Xingba, a powerful general like him? It's Huang Yuanyang who doesn't know the treasure."

"Gan Ning traveled far and wide, and today he finally met the Lord of the Ming Dynasty."

Gan Ning originally planned to bow down and salute, but his hands were firmly held by Liu Bei, and he could not get rid of that force.

Just when Gan Ning was surprised, Liu Bei loosened his grip again and said with a smile: "There is no need to be too polite to promote Ba. With your joining, there is another hope for helping the Han Dynasty."

"Lord."

Gan Ning was so moved that he almost wanted to cry. True feelings cannot be hidden.

Compared with the coldness of Liu Biao and Huang Zu, Liu Bei's enthusiasm is like the winter sun, making people feel warmth and hope.

The grip force I felt on my fist just now, as well as the calluses and roughness on the palm of my hand, showed that Liu Bei was a battlefield veteran, a hero who could get up after failure again and again.

There is no hypocrisy in such a person.

Gan Ning shot and wounded Xu Kun in Haiwu last year, but his credit was completely wiped out by Huang Zu. He originally planned to leave Jiangxia to find another way out, but was delayed by preparing ships, and then encountered Sun Quan's western expedition this year.

In order to thank Su Fei for helping to find the ship, Gan Ning led his troops to defend Sha Xian and shot Jiangdong general Ling Cao again. Huang Zu only gave him a meal of wine and meat after the war.

Gan Ning drank the jar of sad wine and no longer had any illusions about Huang Zu.

Huang Zu blocked the way to the east, so Gan Ning could only walk westward aimlessly. He stopped in Jiangling and heard the news about Handong. He remembered Liu Ye's seemingly joking proposal last year, and then decisively diverted to the Han River and headed for Xicheng.

I originally planned to ask Liu Ye for a recommendation, but I didn't expect to meet the real owner halfway.

Gan Ning not only had martial arts, but also had a good strategic vision.

On the way back to Xicheng together, Gan Ning proposed to Liu Bei the strategic idea of ​​taking Hanzhong first and then Yizhou.

Gan Ning said that Liu Zhang was fatuous and incompetent, and there were many people in Yizhou who wanted to change. As a clan member, Liu Bei would definitely be able to conquer Shu, and thus have the foundation to conquer the world.

Zhuge Liang nodded happily: "Every word of what General Gan said is true. My lord, if we can get such a good general today, why worry about the uncertainty of the world?"

"But what the military advisor originally meant." Liu Bei hesitated before speaking.

As for the strategic intention of going to Guanzhong, apart from Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Ye, only Longxiang from Hefei was under Liu Bei's command. Lu Su knew about it, so it was inconvenient to tell Gan Ning.

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "The plan can be adjusted at any time, and some ideas have to change according to the situation. If the eastward advance is blocked in the future, my lord can do it first and then the difficult one. Just like General Gan said, take Yizhou, which is rich in products, and fight for the world."

It will be of great benefit and will be more robust.”

Liu Bei frowned and nodded: "That Zhang Lu"

Zhuge Liang gently shook his feather fan and said calmly: "My lord, we are short of naval forces now, and General Gan is familiar with naval warfare. He can slowly build warships in Xicheng, train naval forces, and prepare for the future Western Expedition."

"The last general is not weak in land warfare. General Zilong should know that. Moreover, the last general has old ties in Shu and can be a pioneer in taking Yizhou in the future." Gan Ning had just joined and was very motivated to make contributions.

Zhuge Liang nodded and reassured: "Don't worry, General Gan. My lord's ambition is to help the Han Dynasty. There will be endless battles for you in the future."

"That's good, that's good"

Gan Ning smiled and nodded, and then asked Liu Bei for instructions: "My lord, I think it will be dark soon, will you let the fleet dock to rest?"

"Go." Liu Bei nodded slightly, then turned around and told Zhao Yun: "Zilong will go too. You and Xingba will get to know each other well."

"only."

Seeing Generals Gan and Zhao leaving side by side, Zhuge Liang covered his mouth with a feather fan and asked Liu Bei in a low voice: "My lord, I sent them away on purpose. What do you want to tell me?"

"He who knows me is a military advisor."
Chapter completed!