351 337. Xiangyang Rebellion, Liu Biao's Retreat

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Amidst the confusion, Liu Bei found himself approached by Liu Biao's former supporters, beseeching his aid in quelling the rebellion. Little did they know, this was all part of Liu Bei's grand strategy, meticulously crafted by his trusted advisors Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Ju Shou, and Wang Xiu as the pieces of his plan fell into place.

Liu Bei's smirk of satisfaction widened, knowing that the chaos unfolding around him was a crucial step in his quest for power and influence in Xiangyang. He calmly told Liu Biao's former supporter to keep calm, and that he would do his best to quell the rebellion.

Hearing what Liu Bei said, they heaved a sigh of relief, and some of them were then taken by their friends or allies who supported Liu Bei being separated from the others, and then informed about the true objective their group had and that supporting Liu Qi was a guise.

This surprised Liu Biao's former supporters as they didn't expect that all of this was part of Liu Bei's plan to overthrow Liu Biao from the seat of Jing Province, and Liu Bei even already received Liu Qi's support was heartbroken by the decision of his father.

Some of them thought twice about their decision to support Liu Bei, while the rest immediately rejoiced that they at least survived and could retain the position they have now. Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang saw some of the hesitated officials and noble clans and stepped forward to convince them that it was the correct choice.

Liu Bei on the other hand began to rally his supporters, saying that he didn't want to do this as he had thought Liu Biao was his older brother, but Liu Biao had grown tyrannical with the support of Cai Mao and the Cai Clan, going against his previous path causing suffering and confusion amongst the populace.

Hearing what Liu Bei said, many of his supporters gave their agreement and showed their support for Liu Bei, while some comments said that Liu Biao even kicked out his own son after being bewitched by the vixen Lady Cai, making him lower than an animal.

Because animals loved their own offspring and would care for them, and would never eat their own offspring except it had grown crazy or sick, hearing these words debasing Liu Biao for being lower than an animal caused satisfaction spread through Liu Bei's heart.

While at the Governor's Castle Liu Bei was rallying his supporters, at Liu Biao's residence the situation there was in disarray due to the sudden news of the rebellion that happened, which caught Cai Mao and Liu Biao by surprise.

Inside the residence, Liu Biao and Cai Mao alongside what remains of Liu Biao supporters were discussing how there was a rebellion happening, and they didn't catch wind of the news, especially since this was Xiangyang which was Liu Biao's nest.

While Liu Biao's servants were packing things up under Lady Cai and Liu Cong's instruction, which was under Liu Biao's order in case anything bad happened.

Liu Biao: "Cai Mao how could this happen?! I have you in charge of Xiangyang security and investigation bureau, you don't hear any wind of this rebellion at all?!"

Cai Mao: "No I'm sorry My Lord, there was no single wind about this news at all! This is a sudden rebellion and I think the mastermind behind this prepared yesterday, since if it's been prepared for a long time there bound to be news my bureau picked up."

Liu Biao: "Damn It! Alright, there's a more important matter on hand, how's the status of our army faring? The situation is getting out of hand!"

Cai Mao: "5,000 men should be on their way to Xiangyang My Lord, the rebellion was too sudden and our army was stationed at Jiangling in case the Sun Clan advanced through the Yangtze River to attack us, so it needed time to arrive at Xiangyang."

Liu Biao: "We don't have much time to wait, then Cai Mao you regroup the military commander that supports us and lead the defense at Xiangyang, stall as long as you can for our reinforcement."

Cai Mao: "Yes My Lord! I will leave my personal guard here to protect you, my sister, and my nephew. But My Lord, if things don't go our way please leave Xiangyang and head to Jiangling, I will meet you there."

Liu Biao hearing what Cai Mao said wanted to refute his words and knew that everything could happens, especially in such an emergency and fast paced situation like this.

After ordering his guards to protect Liu Biao and his family, Cai Mao left Liu Biao's residences and headed toward the headquarters of a military commander that he knew supported Liu Biao alongside the generals under him.

On the other hand, the situation in Xiangyang was getting out of control. Especially with Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to support the military commanders who supported him alongside the soldiers that he brought as guards to Xiangyang.

As Cai Mao took charge of Xiangyang's defense, rallying Liu Biao's loyalists against Guan Yu and Liu Bei's supporters, the city became a battleground. Streets once filled with bustling activity were now littered with debris and echoed with the sounds of clashes.

Despite both sides possessing comparable strength, neither could gain a decisive advantage, leading to a stalemate that persisted throughout the day. Recognizing the need for a change in strategy, Ju Shou, accompanying Guan Yu, proposed employing guerrilla tactics within the city.

Implementing Ju Shou's suggestion, Guan Yu and his forces began to adapt their approach, utilizing hit-and-run tactics to harass and disrupt Cai Mao's troops. With each skirmish, they managed to gain small but significant ground, gradually shifting the balance in their favor.

Meanwhile, several hundred meters north of Xiangyang, Zhang Fei led a sizable contingent of 10,000 Liu Bei's men from Xinye.

Having regrouped after a covert departure to avoid suspicion from Liu Qi and Liu Pan, Zhang Fei's arrival promised to further bolster Liu Bei's forces and tip the scales in their favor.

As Cai Mao's forces struggled to contend with Guan Yu's hit-and-run tactics, the situation grew increasingly dire. With each skirmish, they suffered significant losses, both in terms of territory and manpower. Despite their efforts to maintain control, Guan Yu's relentless assaults continued to chip away at their defenses.

Feeling the pressure mounting, Cai Mao made a strategic decision to consolidate his forces and establish a defensive perimeter around Liu Biao's residence.

This move was intended to fortify their position and await reinforcements, providing a temporary reprieve from Guan Yu's relentless attacks which caused him many casualties.

Sensing an opportunity to press their advantage, Ju Shou advised Guan Yu to pursue Cai Mao and his retreating forces, preventing them from regrouping and reinforcing their position.

With the momentum in their favor, Guan Yu swiftly mobilized his men, ready to pursue their retreating adversaries and further disrupt Cai Mao's plans. It was at this time that, Zhang Fei and 10,000 of his men arrived at Xiangyang Northern gate.

With Zhang Fei and his reinforcements now joining the fray at the northern gate of Xiangyang, the tide of battle seemed to shift decisively in favor of Liu Bei's forces. Guan Yu, emboldened by the arrival of Zhang Fei and his troops, intensified their pursuit of Cai Mao and his men.

The combined might of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's forces proved overwhelming, as they relentlessly hounded Cai Mao's troops, preventing them from regrouping or finding respite.

With each passing moment, Cai Mao's position grew increasingly precarious, his forces unable to withstand the relentless onslaught.

Back within the confines of Liu Biao's residence, tensions ran high as the sounds of battle echoed throughout the city. Liu Biao and his family, guarded by a contingent of Cai Mao's guard, anxiously waited for news of the skirmish from Cai Mao.

As the sounds of battle drew nearer to their location, Liu Biao's anxiety deepened, prompting him to send a guard to scout the situation. When the guard returned with news of Cai Mao's retreat toward the area surrounding Liu Biao's residence, panic gripped the inhabitants of the residence.

With a heavy heart, Liu Biao made the difficult decision to evacuate Xiangyang through the Southern Gate and head toward Jiangling.

Despite Lady Cai's initial inclination to protest, Liu Cong intervened, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need to respect Liu Biao's decision right now and that this was the best decision in this emergency situation.

With their departure imminent, preparations were hastily made as Liu Biao, his family, his remaining supporter and a small contingent of loyal guards left Liu Biao's residence when their preparation was done and headed toward Xiangyang Southern Gate to evacuate from Xiangyang.

As Liu Biao and his party departed for Jiangling, leaving Xiangyang behind, he dispatched a guard to inform Cai Mao of his decision. The message conveyed the urgency of the situation and instructed Cai Mao to follow suit as soon as possible, acknowledging the dire circumstances within the city.

Upon receiving the news, Cai Mao wasted no time in rallying his men to begin a strategic retreat toward Xiangyang's Southern Gate. Meanwhile, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, seizing the opportunity to press their advantage, led their forces in hot pursuit of Cai Mao and his retreating troops.

Back at the Xiangyang Governor's Castle, Liu Bei received updates from Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue regarding the favorable turn of events outside the city. With the momentum shifting in their favor, Liu Bei and his advisors began to strategize their next moves, keen to capitalize on the unfolding situation.

With the favorable turn of events outside and the growing support for Liu Bei's cause, Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang suggested that now was the opportune moment for Liu Bei to publicly announce his decision to replace Liu Biao as the Governor of Jing Province.

Liu Bei already had the support of Liu Qi, the rightful heir, and cited Liu Biao's collusion with Cai Mao and the Cai Clan as justification for the coup, which would bring much suffering for the people of Jing Province.

They encouraged Liu Bei to continue saying that under Liu Biao's rule, Jing Province would become a stronghold for tyranny, controlled solely by Liu Biao and the Cai Clan. Therefore, Liu Bei's actions were necessary to prevent further suffering for the people of Jing Province.

Liu Bei, while considering Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue's words carefully, received support from his suppliers who joined his cause, and agreed with what Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue suggested for Liu Bei to announce his intention to assume Jing Province Governorship.

Hearing the support he receives from the officials and noble clans that his advisors managed to persuade, Liu Bei lets out a victorious smirk that only Kuai Liang notices and feels weird when he sees it. While acting recognizing the urgency of the situation, Liu Bei decided to make a public declaration to formally announce his intention to assume governance of Jing Province.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 29 (196 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 825

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,821,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 96

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0