Yangzhou, Yuzhang Prefecture.
The Shu army had completely occupied Yuzhang County. The Jiangdong army retreated again and again, suffering several defeats, which led to a shortage of food and supplies and widespread discontent among the soldiers.
At this moment, Liu Bei received an urgent military report from Zhuge Liang.
"Ah! You traitor Cao! I will never let you go!"
After saying this, Liu Bei spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed!
"My lord!"
The generals were terrified and rushed over, shouting all at once, "My lord, what's wrong?"
Xu Shu immediately summoned the army doctor and dismissed all the generals.
Fa Zheng rushed over and immediately asked, "Yuanzhi, what happened?"
Xu Shu frowned and handed the military report in his hand to Fa Zheng.
He quickly glanced through it and took a deep breath!
"Kongming sent five military reports in three days, urging the lord to withdraw the troops immediately. Pang Tong, Pang Shiyuan, has fallen into Cao Cao's ambush and has been killed in battle!"
This news was like a bolt from the blue, causing Liu Bei to completely collapse and faint!
Fa Zheng immediately ordered the military doctor to treat Liu Bei, and then carried him away to rest.
When Liu Bei awoke, half a day later, he weakly opened his eyes, struggled to extend his right arm, and said in a hoarse voice, "Shiyuan...Shiyuan!"
Since Pang Tong joined Liu Bei, he has become Liu Bei's most trusted strategist, and Liu Bei has always valued and relied on Pang Tong.
"My lord, please accept my condolences!" Xu Shu comforted him.
Liu Bei shook his head painfully, then his eyes filled with tears.
Liu Bei recalled the scene when Pang Tong came to him, the words Pang Tong had said, and Pang Tong's words about "the decline of the Han Dynasty and the displacement of the people."
In just a few years, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Pang Tong all passed away, and Liu Bei collapsed instantly, aging considerably.
In just a few days, Liu Bei's hair turned white, and his body became increasingly weak.
"Cough cough cough!"
Suddenly, Liu Bei coughed violently, and a trickle of blood even spilled from the corner of his mouth. His face turned ashen.
"My lord, please don't think like this! You must cheer up!"
Xu Shu was shocked to see this and immediately ordered someone to fetch the military physician.
After examining Xu Shu, the military doctor said, "My lord's body is extremely weak, and his heart meridian is severely damaged. I'm afraid... he won't be able to hold on any longer!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Shu froze, his body stiffening. He grasped the army doctor's hand tremblingly and said with difficulty, "Doctor, you must do everything you can to heal our lord!"
The military doctor shook his head and said, "Strategist, even if Zhang Zhongjing came, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to save the day!"
The army doctor's words were like a sharp knife plunged into Xu Shu's heart, causing him to convulse in pain.
He gritted his teeth and insisted, "Doctor, is there really no other way?"
The military doctor sighed and said, "Strategist, to be honest, if it were any other illness, there might be a way to help, but now that our lord's heart meridian has been damaged, I am truly powerless to save him!"
The military doctor left, and Xu Shu remained stunned for a long time.
At this moment, Liu Bei seemed to have a sudden burst of energy before his death, and he summoned Xu Shu to his side.
"My lord..."
Liu Bei gave a bitter laugh and murmured, "Yuanzhi, we...we're going back to Yizhou."
“But your health…” Xu Shu said worriedly, fearing that something might happen to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei smiled and shook his head, saying softly, "I'm fine. Let's set off back to Yizhou immediately!"
Xu Shu nodded, and then immediately arranged for the three armies to slowly withdraw from Yuzhang County, preparing to return to Yizhou!
But when they retreated to Baidi City, Liu Bei's condition suddenly worsened. He vomited blood for three consecutive days and remained unconscious!
"My lord!"
Xu Shu and the others knelt by the bed, looking at Liu Bei, whose face was pale and streaked with tears.
Liu Bei forced a smile and slowly said, "Kongming...call Kongming here!"
The setting sun, like blood, illuminated the high walls of Baidi City. Inside the city, in Liu Bei's palace, candlelight flickered, and all was silent.
Liu Bei lay on the couch, his face pale, his eyes vacant as he stared at the sky outside the window, his breathing weak, each breath like a struggle against death.
His body was extremely weak; the series of bad news and the long journey, coupled with the grief in his heart, had exhausted his spirit.
His heart was filled with despair. He knew his life was about to end, but the only thing he couldn't let go of was his son, Liu Shan!
Liu Shan was too young to shoulder the future of Shu Han.
"Kongming, you've arrived." Liu Bei's voice was weak, but it carried a hint of expectation.
When Zhuge Liang entered the palace and saw Liu Bei's appearance, his heart ached. He knew that Liu Bei had reached the end of his life.
"My lord, please rest and recover. We will regroup and start anew." Zhuge Liang's voice was firm, but his eyes betrayed his deep sorrow.
Liu Bei shook his head. He knew his time was running out and he needed to make his final arrangements.
"Kongming, I'm afraid I'm not going to make it. Liu Shan is too young, and the future of Shu Han is entrusted to you," Liu Bei said slowly.
Zhuge Liang's heart skipped a beat. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "My lord, you mustn't say such discouraging things! You will definitely get better!"
Liu Bei smiled slightly and said, "Kongming, you should know that my health is already like a candle flickering in the wind!"
"Adou...kneel...kneel down!"
The simple-minded Liu Shan immediately knelt down in the direction of Liu Bei.
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