Chapter 365： Prologue to the Battle of Youzhou

The latest website: "The lord, Prince Yan, the prefect of Western Liaoning, and Gongsun Zan, the prefect of Youbeiping, abandoned the city and fled, leaving the frontier fortress, and disappeared!

"Even if You Beiping falls, they can retreat to Yuyang County and stick to it. Why did they flee north?"

The chopsticks in Liu Bei's hand landed.

Prince Yan and Gongsun Zan gave up their resistance, which was a fatal blow to Liu Bei's forces.

In Jixian County, Liu Bei has been in charge of Youzhou for less than half a year, and his power has just reached its peak, and he was attacked by all forces.

In a sense, Youzhou is the place of the Four Wars in the north. The Liaodong Army of Mingguan marched westward to take Youzhou. Yuan Shao and Zhao Long’s Jizhou forces went northward to take Youzhou. Huma in Binzhou wanted to take over the land and cut a piece of meat from Youzhou.

Liu Bei was attacked by a powerful enemy, only better than Cao Cao.

"Military officer, how can this be good?"

Liu Bei invited Chen Xi, an alien soldier, to come to the banquet. The current Liu Bei forces simply cannot withstand the attack of the four princes. Not to mention the four princes, even the Mingguan from Liaodong, with a large number of cavalry and heavy infantry in Liaodong, the quality of its civil servants and generals is not comparable to Liu Bei. Mingguan has obtained a lot of benefits in previous epic battles and national wars, second only to Chutian, and similar to Lao Qin.

Chen Xi's expression at this time was also very puzzled. He couldn't understand why Prince Yan and Gongsun Zan did not run to the south, but instead ran to the desert in the north.

The generals of Liu Bei’s forces went to resist Yuan Shao, Zhao Long, and Huma. They faced Yan Liangwen Chou, Lanling King, Hu Luguang, Han Qinhu, Shi Wansui, Lian Po, Zhou Dewei, and Jushou and Tian. Feng and other advisers, even the generals of other dynasties recruited by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Bei, could hardly support them.

"The Changshan Kingdom, Zhongshan Kingdom, and Anping Kingdom in Jizhou have already fallen. They were captured by Yuan Shao and Zhao Long. The Daijun and Shanggu County in Youzhou were captured by Huma. We only have the Hejian Kingdom in Jizhou and Zhuo in Youzhou. County, Guangyang County, and Yuyang County, a total of four counties."

Chen Xi mentioned the precarious situation of Liu Bei's forces, and the local officials in Youzhou were silent.

At the peak of Liu Bei, the four counties in Jizhou and the five counties in Youzhou were actually controlled by nine counties. Now they are besieged by the princes, leaving only four counties. And the expansion of the princes is not over yet.

Liu Bei's thoughts were so heavy that it was difficult to swallow: "The situation is critical, so I have to ask the military teacher to teach me."

Chen Xi looked at the local officials in Youzhou who were present, and signaled that Liu Bei's matter was confidential, so that everyone should not know it.

So Liu Bei got up and conspired with Chen Xi in the back room alone.

Chen Xi knew that Liu Bei's willpower was the strongest among all the princes. Cao Cao would waver when things went wrong, but Liu Bei fled all the way from the north to the south, wandering almost half of the Eastern Han Dynasty, never giving up, and finally divided the world. Liu Bei will not give up so easily.

If Liu Bei escapes to Hulao Pass, his choice will be different from that of Cao Cao. Liu Bei would rather flee to Old Qin’s place as a guest general, guarding Xiongguan for Old Qin, waiting for the opportunity, and would not surrender to Chutian and be deprived of military power.

This is Liu Bei's tenacity.

Even if Liu Bei is now besieged by Jizhou, Bingzhou, and Liaodong, Liu Bei estimates that he will not give up.

Faced with Liu Bei who trusts him, Chen Xi proposed a risk: "Yuan Shao is in the south, Huma is in the west, Mingguan is in the east, and the north is Monan. The lord can rely on one of the forces, preserve his forces, and attract the three major forces to the quiet. The decisive battle of the state. The three powers are like wolves and tigers, and none of them is good. In order to fight for Youzhou, they will definitely fight, and the investment of troops and courage may reach as many as millions. At that time, if the three parties suffer heavy losses, the lord can Take advantage of the fisherman’s profit and regain control of Youzhou. This strategy is very risky, but it is a gambling. Among the three parties, if one of the three parties still has enough power after the war, it will be difficult for us to succeed."

To Chen Xi's surprise, Liu Bei quickly agreed: "Who does the military division think he should rely on?"

"You can take refuge in Yuan Shao, make Yuan Shao, Huma, and Mingguan territories border, to promote the war of the three armies. And Yuan Shao can tolerate the existence of Zhao Long. Since the precedent is set, he can naturally also tolerate the lord as a guest general."

"Okay, I'll send you to the military camp of Yuan Shao to discuss with Yuan Shao about taking refuge in the four counties. But please allow us to have soldiers and horses stationed in Zhuo County, my hometown. I am willing to give up Jixian County, the capital of Youzhou."

Liu Bei made up his mind and sent his army division Chen Xi to Yuan Shao's barracks.

Chen Xi agreed.

Yuan Shao’s 50,000 soldiers and horses were wiped out by Chutian’s cavalry in Henan. In his anger, he vented all his anger on Liu Bei and attacked the Jizhou prefecture controlled by Liu Bei. He almost owned the nine counties of Jizhou and became the largest prince in Hebei. .

Yuan Shao’s rise is inseparable from the support of the alien lord Zhao Long. Zhao Long controls a guild composed of free players and is responsible for inquiring and infiltrating Jizhou. At the same time, he owns the fiefs of Zhao Guo and Changshan Guo, and possesses military commanders such as Long live the military commander Shi Long live and Han Qinhu. And a lot of soldiers and horses.

Although Yuan Shao is also defensive against Zhao Long, on the surface, Zhao Long is still attached to Yuan Shao, and Zhao Long is too big to lose his tail, so Yuan Shao dare not move Zhao Long. Zhao Long was infiltrating Yuan Shao's forces. Yuan Shao wanted to harm him, so he could get news as soon as possible. The internal conflagration of Jizhou will only make other princes cheaper. For this, Yuan Shao is clear.

Yuan Shao's forces seem to be getting stronger and stronger, but there are major factions rolling over each other.

Now, there is another force. Youzhou Mu Liu Bei secretly sent an envoy to ask to be attached to Yuan Shao, willing to offer four counties, but he also asked to leave one county, Liu Bei's hometown Zhuojun as a fief, and allowed Liu Bei to garrison troops in Zhuojun, assist Yuan Shao in monitoring the north.

Upon hearing the news, Yuan Shao couldn't help being overjoyed.

If Liu Bei is accepted, Yuan Shao can not only own nine counties in Jizhou, but also three counties in Youzhou, and get Liu Bei, which is equivalent to getting Liu Bei's civil servants and generals!

Tian Feng knew that Liu Bei had sent someone to lobby Yuan Shao, looked at the map, and poured cold water on Yuan Shao: "Lord, no, Liu Bei offers the city, but it's a disaster!"

Chen Xi, an envoy of Yuan Shao's forces, was shocked. Sure enough, such a strategy could not be concealed from Yuan Shao's counsellor Tian Feng and Jushou.

The counsellors present, Xu You, Jupei, Feng Ji, Xun Chen, Xin Pi and others all looked at Tian Feng and Chen Xi standing in the middle of the lobby.

Yuan Shao was puzzled: "Liu Xuande came to the four prefectures and guarded the north for me. I can do my best to go south, why should the trouble be caused?"

"Liu Xuande is unwilling to be resigned. It is only an expedient measure to take refuge in the lord. Once the lord occupies Jixian, he will definitely be hated by Huma and Mingguan. When the Bingzhou and Liaodong army assemble in Jixian, it will definitely be a terrifying battle. No light. In case of defeat, not only will the land gained be lost, but even if you win, you will surely lose a lot, and you will take advantage of it!"

Tian Feng's generous speeches completely saw through the scheme of Liu Bei's foreign soldier Chen Xi, and looked at Chen Xi to let Chen Xi know that he had failed. At the same time, Tian Feng criticized Sang and cursed Huai and demoted Liu Bei and Chen Xi as villains.

Yuan Shao's counsellors whispered in private, they are capable of standing here, not mediocre people, after Tian Feng reminded them, they could see the clues.

Chen Xi squinted. Tian Feng is very smart and good, but he may not lose to Tian Feng. Tian Feng has a fatal weakness, that is, being too rigid.

Chen Xi glanced over Guo Tu's body.

Guo Tu stood up and said: "Why the lord should be afraid of Huma and Mingguan! If the lord wants to unify Hebei and compete in the Central Plains, he will not join the state and Liaodong! Now Liu Xuande is presenting Youzhou, and he led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and other fierce generals to the lord. Effectiveness, this is a good opportunity to eliminate Huma and Mingguan, occupy Binzhou and Liaodong, and dominate Hebei! God has given the lord such a good opportunity, how can you give up Youzhou because of fear of war?"

Tian Feng immediately became anxious and accused Guo Tu: "Our army has not yet fully prepared, and the wolves of the state are like wolves, the iron knights of Liaodong are like tigers, and the Youzhou war will most likely be defeated. How can we rush north to Jixian and compete with Bingzhou and Liaodong? Therefore, accumulate strength secretly, sit back and watch Bingzhou and Liaodong lose both, and then seize Youzhou in one fell swoop!"

Jushou stood up and stood in the same camp with Tian Feng: "If Liu Xuande is sincere to take refuge in the lord, he should surrender all his soldiers and horses, and the lord will occupy Zhuojun, cede Jixian to the forces of Bingzhou and Liaodong, and wait for the opportunity."

Guo Tu was furious: "Tian Feng and Jusuo are as timid as mice, and they are not enough to reuse. Following their suggestions will only make the lord miss the opportunity, and the Central Plains will be invisible!"

The trial was on Guo Tu's side: "The lord sits on the nine counties of Jizhou, has a strong army and a strong horse. He should fight quickly, sweep Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liaodong, control millions of strings, cross the Yellow River, and unify the world."

Yuan Shao's internal counsellors were again divided into two factions. Tian Feng and Jushou advocated the confiscation of Liu Bei's military power and waited for work. Guo Tu and the reviewer advocated taking in Liu Bei, marching into Youzhou, and making a quick battle.

Yuan Shao hesitated, and every time he encountered a major decision, Yuan Shao would divide into two factions inside, and disputes endlessly.

Chen Xi went on to say: "Today, Chu Zi of Henan is planning to attack Yanzhou, annex Cao Cao, and devour it. It will take at least a year to digest Yanzhou and establish a ruling system. Once Chu Zi seeks to unify the four states of Henan, it will be difficult for Yuan Gong to contend with it. Please Yuan With our lord as his claw, he defeated Bingzhou and Liaodong soldiers, swept Hebei, and went south to seek a decisive battle with Chu Zi. This is the opportunity for Yuan Gong to unify the world, so don’t worry about it.”

Chen Xi's words touched Yuan Shao's fear of Muchu Zimou in Xuzhou.

Yuan Shao looked at Zhao Long, the alien lord who had supported him very early. Zhao Long remained silent: "What do you think?"

Zhao Long seemed to be asleep, and was asked by Yuan Shao, before he stood up: "Privately, Chen Xi said that if he does not control Hebei as soon as possible and let Chu Zi seek to dominate the Central Plains, I am afraid that the lord will not be able to do anything. ."

Zhao Long's position in Yuan Shao's mind is higher than other counsellors, because Zhao Long has generals, soldiers and horses, and helped Yuan Shao defeat Liu Bei in the Battle of Julu.

"Since Brother Xian has said so, I have decided that Liu Bei moved to Zhuojun, Yan Liang and Wen Chou sent troops to occupy Jixian County, with Tian Feng and Fengji as the army officers, Liu Bei as minions, and resisting powerful enemies from all directions. Good brother go north!"

Yuan Shao has Zhao Long and Liu Bei as eagle dogs and thinks that they can defeat Huma and Mingguan.

Chen Xi, Liu Bei's sergeant, looked at Zhao Long intentionally or unintentionally, with some doubts in his eyes. He tried to bribe Guo Tu and lobby for trial, but he did not find Zhao Long.

Didn't Zhao Long see that Liu Bei deliberately led Yuan Shao to fight with Bingzhou and Liaodong?

Zhao Long's eyes were erratic and absent-minded.

Yuan Shao recruited soldiers and horses in the counties of Jizhou, and each county sent 40,000 soldiers and horses, which could also make up 300,000 troops.

"Please stay!"

"Two gentlemen can you advise?"

"Could it be that you can't see that Liu Bei wants to cause trouble?"

Yuan Shao dismissed everyone and went down to prepare. Tian Feng and Jushou stopped Zhao Long, not understanding why Zhao Long would suddenly support Guo Tu and the trial. For a long time, Zhao Long had good relations with all parties in Yuan Shao's forces, especially close to Tian Feng and Jushou. Tian Feng and Jushou knew Zhao Long's abilities and did not believe that Zhao Long could not see Chen Xi's strategy.

Zhao Long said, "Of course I can see it."

"Then why..."

"Chu Zi can't find a year or two to unify the Central Plains. The next step is Hebei. If you don't defeat Huma and Mingguan as soon as possible, how can you fight Chu Zi? If you have a battle with Chu Zi in the future, please The two gentlemen help me. I will return to Handan to prepare for the war and prepare to go north."

Zhao Long has a good relationship with Tian Feng and Jushou, so he speaks briefly and directly.

Shi Wansui followed Zhao Long, and there was a general who didn't even know Tian Feng and Jushou.

Jushou looked at the back of Zhao Long leaving: "He has something to hide from us."

Tian Feng paid more attention to the generals who followed Zhao Long: "That popularity is extraordinary and very human."

"It seems that Zhao Long came back from Mobei and recruited a general."

After all, Tian Feng and Jushou were weak. It was already difficult to contend with Guo Tu and review and match. With Zhao Long's support, Yuan Shao finally did not follow the suggestions of Tian Feng and Jushou.

With dark clouds over Youzhou, Liu Bei announced that he would depend on Yuan Shao, move to Zhuo County, and cede Youzhou to Jizhou Mu Yuan Shao. In order to fight for Youzhou, Huma and Mingguan convened soldiers and horses to march towards Ji County.

"interesting……"

In Puyang City, Chutian returned to his teacher, and learned that the Hebei princes had fought for Youzhou, Liu Bei seemed to withdraw from the fight for Youzhou and attached to Yuan Shao, but Liu Bei still had soldiers and horses in his hands.

The Youzhou War may kill and wound hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses on all sides, and corpses are everywhere.

Prince Yan and Gongsun Zan have already gone to Monan to manage the horse production area for Chutian.

In Puyang City, Cao Ren, Man Chong, Xiahou Dun and others were captured and detained in cells.

When Cao Ren saw Cao Cao, he couldn't help crying.

After Cao Cao asked carefully, he heard that Man Chong persuaded Cao Ren to surrender.

Because of the appearance of Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Man Chong and others all loyal to Chu Tian after meeting with Cao Cao.

"Ding! King-rank military commander Xiahou Dun (according to the romance) loyal to you."

"Ding! Cao Ren, a king-level general, is loyal to you."

"Ding! The Diamond Commander Man Chong loyal to you."

"Ding! Platinum Commander Cao Ang is loyal to you."

"Ding! Platinum level civil servant Xue Ti (Yanzhou noble family) loyal to you Ding! Gold level military commander Cao Anmin loyal to you."

...

Another group of civil servants and generals loyal to Chu Tian, ​​many of them are Cao Cao’s clan, and Cao Cao’s eldest son Cao Ang...

Now Cao Cao's family is captured by Chu Tian, ​​as well as Cao Cao's main room Ding family and side room Bian family.

Chu Tian returned Cao Cao's wife and children to Cao Cao, ordered them to move to Xiacheng, and monitored them to ensure Cao Cao's loyalty. Although Cao Cao liked other people's wives very much, Chu Tian didn't think that Cao Cao would like his wife to be snatched away.

It will take a while for Chu Tian to digest the numerous civil servants and generals in Yanzhou. Chutian planned to take Cao Cao to fight a national war. There is no need to worry about Cao Cao's rebellion during a national war, because Cao Cao is unlikely to surrender to a foreign race.

"A war may break out in Youzhou, and I just want to farm well in Henan..."