C166

At dusk, the setting sun was as red as blood, and the earth-shaking killing intent both inside and outside the Qinghe County City had finally stopped. The Youzhou Army outside the city slowly retreated, leaving a mess on the ground. Yuan Shao's soldiers inside the city all sat on the corpses, gasping for breath, they were lucky to have lived another day.

Youzhou Army's fierce attack on Qing He City had already lasted to the fourth day.

Standing beside Gongsun Zan, Zhang Yan's face was also warped. He looked at the moat in front of him and advised: "Bo Guixiong, it looks like we need to slow down when we attack the city. Once the moat is filled up, we can attack from all sides!"

Since the Trades and Crafts Camp had not cut off the river, the moat was still a natural barrier. Originally, Gongsun Zan was prepared to fill up the moat before launching an all-out attack, but the news of Cao Cao Cao Cao suddenly leading his army to rescue them gave Gongsun Zan a sense of danger. Cao Cao Cao was not afraid, Gongsun Zan was worried about Xuzhou, Guan Zhong Li Que and the others taking advantage of the fire to rob them! Once he became the target of public criticism, even if the Youzhou was extremely wealthy and had plenty of resources, it would still be difficult for them to withstand the attacks of the numerous dukes. In the past, when Dong Zhuo was so strong, didn't he die under the siege of the alliance of the dukes?

Gongsun Zan had always remembered Gongsun Xu's words of 'building a wall, accumulating food, and becoming a king'. He also vividly remembered the miserable state Dong Zhuo was in when he was besieged by the dukes, and was extremely worried that he would fall into that state. That was why he was being besieged and attacked by the various dukes. Although the strength of the Youzhou had risen sharply today, the Gongsun clan's reputation had become even better — This was all thanks to Gongsun Xu's series of actions, such as saving Liu Yu, severely injuring the bearded man, settling the refugees, starting a school, recommending famous scholars as officials, etc.'s reputation had already become quite a bit gold, and it could be said that Gongsun Zan's reputation was not any weaker than Liu Yu's. If not for him not being a high born warrior, Gongsun Zan's reputation would have already surpassed the reputation of all the dukes.

Gongsun Zan's reputation spread far and wide, and he wielded a large amount of military power that dominated the northern lands. With the combination of numerous public opinion factors, Gongsun Zan had unknowingly already become a first-class duke under the heavens. Besides Cao Cao Cao who was closely related to Yuan Shao, who would dare to easily offend him? It was just that Gongsun Zanfuzi had always been cautious, and Guo Jia was also a cautious person. As a result, no one dared to poke a hole through this paper in front of Gongsun Zanfuzi, to the point that Gongsun Zan was worried that he would end up like Dong Zhuo before, the stronger he was, the more careful he would be.

"Alright then!" Hearing Zhang Yan's persuasion, Gongsun Zan nodded his head and said softly, "Then let the soldiers rest for a few days. When the moat is filled, we will take over the city in one go!"

Zhang Yan secretly heaved a sigh of relief. In the past few days, the losses of the Youzhou's allied army was simply too great, his Army of Heishan had lost more than seven to eight thousand people, the Army of Heishan was known as the million, but the young and strong only lost more than a hundred thousand. Within these four days, only ten percent of the soldiers could fight. Zhang Yan's heart was aching, but the Youzhou Army had also suffered from heavy casualties, so he could not say much in front of Gongsun Zan. He could only use this chance to persuade him to temporarily stop his assault on the city.

Gongsun Zan turned his head to look at the setting sun, and suddenly asked: "Fei Yanxiong, has there been any news from your side today?"

"Not yet." Zhang Yan shook his head: "Bo Guixiong does not need to worry, your son's letter yesterday clearly stated that his goal this time was to defeat Cao Cao Cao, and force the enemy to bring the veterans back to the Yanzhou. It is not to wipe Cao Cao out.

"Cao Cao Cao is not someone easy to deal with," Gongsun Zan sighed, and asked with a frown: "Fei Yanxiong, what do you think about this?"

Gongsun Zan had thought that Gongsun Xu would be able to annihilate Cao Cao Cao in the Henei County, this way the Youzhou and the Jizhou would be able to settle down. However, Gongsun Xu had explained his and Guo Jia's views in the letter, it would be enough for them to defeat Cao Cao Cao. Gongsun Zan carefully considered the letter and decided to listen to Gongsun Xu's suggestion. After defeating Cao Cao Cao, he would let him return to the Yanzhou, but in Gongsun Zan's heart, he still felt that it was a pity. If he was able to take over the Yanzhou in one go, then he and his son would be able to occupy half of the land.

Zhang Yan smiled and said: "This subject is cautious in his actions. This old man thinks that what he said makes a lot of sense! After Bo Guixiong gained complete control of the Jizhou, in the future, he would be able to invade the Yanzhou. How could Cao Cao Cao who had an unstable foundation possibly withstand it? When Cao Cao Cao returns to the Yanzhou, even if I do not attack, Lv Bu and Liu Bei will definitely want to get their hands on the Yanzhou. At that time, Cao Cao Cao will not be able to take care of himself, and the Yanzhou will become Bo Guixiong's possession sooner or later. "

Gongsun Zan sighed: "I'm just afraid that Lv Bu and Liu Bei won't do as I say! If Liu Bei were to support Cao Cao Cao instead, what should we do if the two of us join hands to kill Lv Bu, and then work together to fight against us? Big Ear Buster is cunning, I am afraid Lv Bu was sold by him, I do not even know! "

"Lv Bu is a vile character with malicious intents, even if the two of them become allies, it is only a matter of time before they become enemies, so Bo Guixiong does not need to worry!"

Gongsun Zan made up his mind after hearing what he said, and nodded: "Alright! Since Fei Yanxiong has also said it like that, then this old man will go and write a letter to my people, telling him to follow his own wishes, but it would be best if he can defeat Cao Cao and return back to Yanzhou with his injuries! "

Zhang Yan caressed his beard with a smile, appreciating Gongsun Zan's way of handling things.

"Reporting to the Marquis, Ma Tiedan is here to seek an audience!" At this moment, a guard ran over and reported loudly.

"Send him over!" Gongsun Zan ordered in a deep voice, his expression once again becoming somewhat ugly. Ma Tiedan was in charge of cutting off the river in order to fill in the moat, could it be that something went wrong when he came over to see him?

In a short moment, Ma Tiedan walked over under the lead of a guard.

"This servant greets the marquis!"

"Enough!" Gongsun Zan waved his hand and impatiently stopped Ma Tiedan from kneeling down to pay his respects. He asked in a deep voice, "Did something happen to cut off the river?"

Ma Tiedan replied with a relaxed expression, "Master Hou indeed met with some mishaps, but it's not a bad thing. It's a good thing!"

Gongsun Zan's expression suddenly relaxed, and he asked: "What exactly happened?"

"Reporting to the marquis, when I was building a dam to intercept the river, I discovered that there was an irrigation canal under the riverbank. It seems to have been built during the Warring States Period, if I can make good use of that canal, I can completely cut off the river in at most four or five days, which is about seven or eight days ahead of my original plan!"

"Oh?" Gongsun Zan was startled, clapping his hands and laughing: "This is indeed good news! Haha, it seems like the heavens are helping this old man! As long as the moat is filled, the city will be easily obtainable! "

Zhang Yan cupped his hands and smiled: "Congratulations to Bo Guixiong, it seems that Bo Guixiong has indeed received heavenly fate!"

"Haha!" Gongsun Zan laughed and cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you Fei Yanxiong for your auspicious words. If that day ever comes, us father and son will definitely not treat Fei Yanxiong and Army of Heishan unfairly!"

He was very clear on the meaning behind Shang Tianyun's words. Seems like it was indeed as the rumors said, Ji Houfuzi truly had the intention of chasing after the deer! Not only did he not feel any fear, but he also felt that his blood was boiling inside. His father was the first person to serve under General Gongsun Xu, and his father was even the commander of the craftsman camp. Judging from Gongsun Xu's attitude towards him and his son, it was very likely that he would become a noble in the future.

The surrounding guards were all excited, especially the head guard number six, his eyes filled with anticipation. Once the Marquis Jin succeeded in seizing the world, Master Hou had always taken care of the old, and it was very likely that he would become a marquis in the future!

Only after laughing, did Gongsun Zan realize that there were other people present, so he asked with a sunken face: "Ma Tiedan, did you hear what Fei Yanxiong said just now?"

Ma Tiedan was stunned. "Reporting to the Marquis, this lowly one was just thinking of how to reform the river just now. I didn't even hear what General Zhang said!"

"Haha!" Gongsun Zan laughed as he pointed at Ma Tiedan, and praised him. "Indeed, you are worthy of being the kind of person your subjects think highly of.

"Thank you for your praise, master Hou. My greatest strength is to keep my mouth shut!" Ma Tiedan bowed and thanked him. Then, he scratched his head in an honest and straightforward manner.

"Haha, you brat, you sure got cocky! "Come, let's go and take a look at the canal you were talking about!" Gongsun Zan was in a great mood, so he and Zhang Yan walked towards the river together.

Soon, they arrived at the river bank. A three Zhang wide and one foot deep ditch had been dug, and at the bottom, there was a canal made of bluestone. It seemed to be in perfect condition.

"Master Hou, please see." Ma Tiedan gestured in the river and canal and explained, "If you don't have this channel, you need to dig another channel to lead them out. Now, as long as you dig the channel, this channel can be immediately used and at least twenty to thirty percent of the river can be separated.

Gongsun Zan stroked his beard and laughed: "That's right! Indeed! "Ma Tiedan, let them begin. I want to see for myself."

"Here!" Ma Tiedan cupped his hands and bowed. He walked to the top and loudly ordered the auxiliary force and craftsmen to begin construction.

The more people there were, the stronger the strength would be. A portion of the river water would soon be drained out of the body, and another four to five zhang would be enough for them to enter the canal.

Gongsun Zan felt very bored seeing this, so he prepared to turn around and leave. At this moment, he suddenly heard a crisp sound coming from the soil.

Clang!

Gongsun Zan stopped in his tracks, looked at the copper piece exposed in the dirt, and asked in shock: "What is that thing?"