Chapter 64: Murder Under Cover of Night

  At the fourth watch, Liu Xuan appeared again by the river. Although the day's events had been one after another, they did not affect his nighttime training. His power growth was a long-term accumulation process, and the key was to persevere, never slackening, no matter how busy or tired he was during the day, his nighttime training could not be interrupted.

  More importantly, his underwater training has been going on for half a month, and Liu Xuan can already feel the increase in his strength. His knife-wielding power is even more vigorous, and he can now move heavier boulders. These visible improvements have invigorated him, making him work even harder without rest.

  Liu Xuan hid his clothes on the shore, plunged into the water, and gradually submerged to the bottom of the river. He clamped his legs between two huge rocks at the bottom of the river and started swinging his knife rapidly in the water. This was not only a practice for his arm strength but also for his leg strength, which would be beneficial for improving his horsemanship, an extremely important matter for Liu Xuan.

  Riding and running were no longer a problem for him, but fighting on horseback was still weak. The key was that his crotch strength was insufficient, and he couldn't fix himself firmly on the horse's back. While practicing arm strength, he also trained his crotch strength, which can be said to be killing two birds with one stone. This point, however, was discovered by Liu Xuan himself, and even Yu Zhenren did not realize it.

  With a powerful slash, a wave of water splashed out, and Liu Xuan also spat out his last breath. He kicked both legs and rushed towards the surface of the water, instantly breaking through the surface. He gasped heavily, greedily inhaling the fresh air on the surface of the water. After a moment, he took another deep breath and dove back down to the bottom of the water.

  。。。。。。。。。

  It was almost five watches, and Liu Xuan had finished practicing the underwater slash and started swimming across the Han River. This is a kind of recovery training. After practicing the underwater slash that consumes physical strength extremely, it's not suitable to stop resting immediately, but should do some exercise that consumes less physical strength. Swimming across the river is undoubtedly the best choice.

  Tonight, the wind and waves on the water's surface were very strong, with dark waves slapping against his face. Just as he was starting to cross the second circle, he unexpectedly discovered a fleet of ships slowly heading west of Fan City. Liu Jiong immediately recognized that this was a naval fleet, and he secretly took a shock in his heart - where was this naval fleet going?

  He instinctively thought of Gan Ning, could it be that this naval force was heading for Fengyi Pavilion Station?

  It's highly likely that Zhang Yun is the Water Army Lieutenant. Liu Jiong immediately turned around and swam towards the shore, soon reaching it and putting on his clothes. Without even taking a moment to rest, he rushed towards Fengyi Pavilion Post House.

  Liu Xuan's training ground was also west of Fan City, less than two miles from Fengyiting Station. After crossing two hills and passing through the dense forest on the hill, he soon rushed to the east gate of Fengyiting Station. At this time, the station was very quiet, and everyone was in a deep sleep.

  "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Liu Xuan forcefully knocked on the courtyard gate. After a moment, someone walked into the courtyard and asked, "Who is it?"

  "Open the door quickly, I am Gongzi Xuan, and I have an urgent matter to discuss with General Gan."

  The gate creaked open with a loud noise, and it was one of Gan Ning's men, who lit a lantern to take a look, recognized Liu Xuan, "Ah! It's really Master Xuan, what's the matter?"

  "Hurry and wake up General Gan, there may be troops arriving."

  His attendants were frightened and ran away quickly, soon the whole Fengyi Pavilion was alarmed. Hundreds of attendants stood up and gathered in the courtyard. Gan Ning walked hastily with a pair of halberds in his hands, "Young Master Jing, what's wrong?"

  "I saw warships approaching from the river, which may be unfavorable to the general, so I rushed to report. Please ask the general to move with me to the You Yun Suo immediately and take temporary refuge there."

  As soon as Liu Jue's words fell, one of Gan Ning's men rushed in to report: "Leader, there are indeed ships approaching outside, with over a hundred large vessels."

  Gan Ning's face turned gloomy, and he arrived with a hundred warships. This was at least five or six thousand people. Was he really willing to put himself in a desperate situation?

  "Thank you for your kindness, young master, but I, Gan Ning, will not leave. Today, I must take Zhang Yun's head."

  Gan Ning's eyes flashed with murderous intent, he had been tolerant for a long time, Jingzhou had bullied him too much, if not then forget it!

  He bowed to Liu Bei, "The young master's kindness, Gan Ning remembers in his heart, please go back! I can handle it myself."

  He turned around and walked towards Fengyiting, Liu Xuan was in a hurry, once they fought, casualties would appear, Gan Ning could no longer stay in Jingzhou. He grabbed Gan Ning's arm, "Brother Gan, please listen to me."

  Gan Ning looked at him in surprise, Liu Jue tightly pursed his lips and pulled Gan Ning to one side, saying in a low voice: "There are some things I didn't want to say, but the situation is urgent, and I have no choice but to pour out my heart to Brother Gan. Although Cao's army has been held back by Yuan Shao in the north for now, Yuan Shao's overall situation has already gone, and his destruction is not far away. After destroying Yuan Shao, Cao's army will inevitably launch a large-scale invasion of the south, which will be in just a few years."

  "My uncle is biased towards one side and does not think about advancing, his two sons are weak and cannot bear the weight of a great responsibility. The scholars of Jingzhou each have their own plans, once Cao's army comes south, Jingzhou will be in a precarious situation like an egg on the verge of being crushed. When that time comes, I, Liu Jue, am willing to raise my arm and lead the military and civilians of Jingzhou to resist Cao's army. This is the aspiration in my heart. I hope General Gan does not get bogged down with trivial matters, leaves behind a heroic legacy, resists the Han bandit Cao Cao, supports the Han dynasty, and makes his name known throughout history. I hope you will think thrice about this, General."

  Gan Ning was extremely shocked, he couldn't believe that Liu Xuan could say such a thing, pointing out that Liu Biao was not ambitious, and that Qi and Cang were weak, which sounded somewhat treasonous.

  But Gan Ning thought this was a golden opportunity, and he also had great ambitions. Although he didn't know if Liu Xun could bear the weight of this responsibility, he owed Liu Xun a favor, and just for that reason, he wanted to give Liu Xun some face.

  Gan Ning thought to himself, "This young man's insight is not ordinary, he may have great accomplishments in the future. For now, it's not suitable to make rash moves, I must plan for the long term."

  Although Gan Ning would not turn against Liu Bei just because of his words, Liu's ambition in his heart moved him greatly. Moreover, what Liu said was right: it was not worth arguing with petty people, and to resist Cao Cao's Han bandits with a heroic spirit was the greatest righteousness.

  "I owe you a great debt of gratitude, young master. Since you don't want me to settle accounts with those petty people, I'll follow your arrangements!"

  Liu Jiong was overjoyed in his heart and immediately said, "Please General Gan follow me to You Zhou's temporary residence, tomorrow morning I will go find the Governor, ask him to do justice for General Gan."

  Gan Ning nodded and turned back to shout orders: "Everyone listen to Master Xing's command, go with him to Yu Jia Zhuang to take temporary refuge!"

  Gan Ning's men were all well-trained, and hundreds of them followed Liu Kun swiftly withdrawing, rushing towards the direction of You Yu.

  。。。。。。。。。

  Zhang Yun led a fleet of over 100 warships and nearly 6,000 naval soldiers to approach the Fengyi Pavilion relay station. Zhang Yun obtained Liu Biao's permission and formally mobilized his troops.

  At this time, he was filled with pride. Although Liu Bei did not allow him to make a big deal out of it, once he started taking action, he couldn't help but go all out. He could shift the blame onto Gan Ning, saying that Gan Ning had resisted fiercely and left him no choice but to take drastic measures.

  Anyway, tonight, he must take advantage of the opportunity to kill Gan Ning.

  The boat docked and a group of soldiers rushed down, "Surround the station immediately, don't let anyone escape!"

  Zhang Yun issued a wanted order, "Whoever beheads Gan Ning tonight will be rewarded with 100 taels of gold!"

  The soldiers' morale was boosted, and soon they surrounded the post house. At this time, a lieutenant rushed back to report: "General, something is wrong, it seems that there is no one inside the post house."

  Zhang Yun was taken aback, and he immediately ordered: "Charge into the post station!"

  "Boom!" A loud noise, the main gate of Zhengnan was knocked open by soldiers, and more than a thousand soldiers rushed into the station. Zhang Yun also walked into the station with big strides. In an instant, the generals came to report one after another: "General, there is no one in the station!"

  "What?"

  Zhang Yun's face turned red with rage, "Where have all these people gone?"

  At this time, a soldier who was sent to keep watch was lifted up. The soldier knelt down and said: "Report to the general, just a moment ago, Gan Ning led his men out of the post house and went east."

  Zhang Yun grabbed his collar and asked fiercely: "Where did they go?"

  "I don't know, but...but I saw Master Jing."

  Zhang Yun threw the soldier to the ground, slowly straightening his body. He understood that Gan Ning must have gone to the Yousuo Temple. Things were a bit troublesome, after all, it was an official temple. Zhang Yun thought deeply for a long time. If he didn't kill Gan Ning tonight, he might not have another chance.

  He gritted his teeth and shouted loudly: "The whole army boards the ship and heads to the Dongmian Youjiao Temple!"

  。。。。。。。。。

  A boat moored at the Xiangyang dock, Liu Hu led his horse ashore and galloped towards the north gate of Xiangyang.

  It was still half an hour before the city gate opened, and the city gate was closed tightly, but some soldiers had already started to move, making preparations for opening the city. Some fishermen and vegetable farmers outside the city were also waiting with their loads, ready to enter the city and sell vegetables after the city gate opened.

  Liu ** galloped to the city gate and shouted loudly: "I am Liu Hu, Cao's army on the north bank is killing, I want to rush into the city to report to the governor, open the door for me!"

  The villagers outside the city heard that Cao Cao had arrived to kill, and suddenly there was a commotion. Many people shouted and didn't care about selling vegetables anymore, they all carried their burdens and rushed home. Soon, torches appeared on the city wall, and an officer on duty loudly asked: "What happened?"

  "I am Liu Lao Hu, Cao Jun has arrived to kill me, I must go and report to the governor, quickly open the city gate!"

  Liu Hu's reputation was well-known in Xiangyang City, and the soldiers had all heard of it. When they heard that Cao's army was approaching, the defending soldiers did not dare to delay, slowly lowering the drawbridge and opening the outer city gate. Liu Hu urged his horse forward, rushing towards the provincial governor's mansion.

  。。。。。。。。。

  On the east dock of Fan City, more than a hundred ships were moored, occupying all the berths. The same was true for the docks in Fan City, where merchant and ferry boats were also densely packed, leaving no room for military vessels to berth.

  But this did not hinder them, several large ships with rams came and immediately smashed more than a dozen boats to pieces, quickly clearing out a berth. Several large ships loaded with soldiers docked first, the gangways were put in place, and troops poured down from the big ships.

  Liu Jiong led thirty or so soldiers from the touring troops to stand in front of the gate, coldly staring at Zhang Yun's ships which were recklessly colliding with each other. Already twenty or more public ships had been sunk, great, he was looking forward to seeing how Zhang Yun would explain himself tomorrow.

  Before long, three thousand soldiers landed on the shore. Zhang Yun strode forward, pointing his dagger at Liu Jing and shouting, "By order of the Prefect of Fucheng, I am here to capture the rebel Gan Ning! Stand aside!"

  Liu Xuan stretched out his hand, "You can do whatever you want, even kill me if you like, but please bring out the governor's order!"

  Zhang Yun, how could he possibly take out Liu Biao's order? Liu Biao had only verbally agreed to it. Zhang Yun's face sank, "It is the governor's order!"

  Liu Jiong sneered, "What a wonderful order from the provincial governor! This is the official residence of the touring inspector, and you've sunk public boats and besieged the official residence. I don't believe this is also an order from the provincial governor. General Zhang, go explain it to the provincial governor tomorrow!"

  Zhang Yun didn't take his threats to heart, he burst out laughing and with a swing of his large blade, "Surround them!"

  Over a thousand soldiers rushed up and surrounded Liu Jing and his men, with bows and crossbows and weapons aimed at them, making it impossible for them to move.

  Zhang Yun waved his hand and shouted loudly: "Get in and kill them all! Kill Gan Ning and all his men, spare none!"