C213

As dusk approached, a strong wind suddenly blew and a large amount of dark clouds gathered in the sky. It seemed that it would rain very soon. After the sky darkened, the dark clouds began to slowly dissipate. The expected spring rain unexpectedly did not arrive as scheduled.

Yuan Shao stood on top of the city, his hands behind his back as he looked at the Youzhou Army camp outside the city, his gloomy expression relaxing slightly — he had already decided to lead 5,000 elite troops with firewood and oil to ambush the enemy camp tonight, and at the same time let Xin Ping and the hundred over elite guards take advantage of the chaos to rush to the Xuzhou.

Yuan Shao said in a deep voice, "The time is about right, let Yuan Cai (High Duty Talisman) and Zhong Zhi prepare themselves to leave the city at the end of the day!"

Ju Shou responded and quickly walked down the city wall towards the nearby military camp.

Yuan Shao stood on top of the city walls quietly, staring at the lights in the army camp outside the city, his expression gloomy. After hearing the news of Cao Cao's miserable defeat, he knew that he no longer had the chance to defeat Gongsun Zan. To be able to protect the city of Qinghe County City and force Gongsun Zan to retreat after using up all of his provisions was already the best outcome.

"Even if Yuan Cai's sneak attack on the enemy camp wins, it won't be able to completely reverse the disadvantageous situation. We can only hope that Zhong Zhi can persuade Liu Bei and Lv Bu to come help us, and only then will we be able to turn the tide!" After a long while, Yuan Shao muttered a few sentences softly to himself. Smelling the thick smell of blood in the air, he frowned in disgust, and started to meditate while staring at the lights in the army camp outside the city. It was only when Ju Shou came over to report that Gao Qian and Xin Ping were ready, did he manage to recover from his contemplation.

"Gong Yu, do you think Liu Xuande will really come?"

"My lord, this subordinate has already explained it before. As long as Liu Xuande is not confused for a moment, he will definitely lead his troops to assist. The only thing that I am not sure for sure is that Lv Bu will accompany him here. I am a general under my lord's command that lacks the ability, if he comes, just his courage and invincibility will definitely be able to break through Gongsun Zan's encirclement! "

Yuan Shao nodded, his expression still solemn, he continued to ask: "Do you also want to send people to greet Meng De?"

Yuan Shao's so-called greeting was just an excuse, he actually wanted Cao Cao to lead his troops to help again.

Ju Shou sighed: "I'm afraid it's impossible for Envoy Cao to come after losing soldiers in Henei County!"

"How would we know without trying? Sigh, I have let Meng De down this time! " Yuan Shao also sighed, and said softly, "I wish for my son to show his thoughts (Yuan Tan's word). Tonight, I will lead a group of soldiers and charge out of the siege, and head to Yanzhou to meet Meng De. What does Gong Yu think?"

"This …" Ju Shou hesitated for a moment, and said solemnly: "This subordinate thinks this is inappropriate!"

"Why?" Yuan Shao raised his eyebrows, and a look of unhappiness flashed past his eyes.

"Eldest Young Master has a noble identity. This trip is very dangerous, what should we do if something goes wrong?" If the Master is determined to have the Young Master go to the Yanzhou to express his sincerity, this subordinate recommends that the Second Young Master (Yuan Xi) go. "

Yuan Shao snorted, he stared at Ju Shou for a good while, then flicked his sleeves and left.

Yuan Shao wanted Yuan Tan to go to the Yanzhou to see Cao Cao Cao. There were two main reasons. First, to let his eldest son see Cao Cao, would allow him to express his sincerity and apology. He believed that Ju Shou must have understood his intentions, but the other party had purposely asked Yuan Xi to go to the Yanzhou to see Cao Cao Cao. It was obvious that he did not agree with Yuan Shang getting the upper hand, and thus left resentfully.

Ju Shou started to silently and bitterly laugh, and secretly sighed inwardly. Even at this time, Master was still thinking about the matter of crippling and establishing a new life! The most important thing was to retreat! If he lost his foundation, what was the use of putting in so much effort to make the third young master his son? He shook his head, looked at the lights in the army camp outside the city, and followed Yuan Shao down the city walls.

When Yuan Shao and Ju Shou rushed to the army camp, Gao Qian and the five thousand elite walking soldier s who were about to leave the city to steal camp were already waiting for them under the high platform. They were carrying ring head knife s, carrying bows and firewood bundles on their backs, with more than a hundred of them specially going out to carry the vats, which were filled with fire oil. These five thousand elite soldiers were the first group to follow Yuan Shao. In these two years, they fought a few battles with Gongsun Zan and Zhang Yan, and even though they knew that stealing from the camps outside the city was a very dangerous thing, most of them seemed very calm.

Under the escort of the guards, Yuan Shao walked into the crowd of people, and after exchanging a few simple words with some familiar faces, he walked up to the high platform and shouted loudly, "All you soldiers are old men who have followed me for many years, and the situation is extremely critical right now. The morale of the troops is also slightly low, so we can only quickly turn the tables on the disadvantageous situation! After discussing with everyone, I decided to let General Gao Qian lead you and the rest out of the city to ambush the enemy camp. That Gongsun Zanfuzi was arrogant and arrogant, and thought that since we did not dare to go out of the city and fight against him, the camp's night defense was definitely not tight, so everyone here is 80% sure of victory! Everyone follow General Gao Qian and kill the enemy bravely, let Gongsun Zanfuzi have a good look, all of us Hebei elite soldiers are good men! Everyone, are you willing to fight for me? "

Everyone cupped their fists and said, "We are willing to die for our lord!"

"Good!" Great! In a time of crisis, everyone should be able to rely on me! " Yuan Shao praised excitedly, then said loudly: "Everyone is willing to fight for me, I will definitely not treat you unfairly! Anyone who could kill an enemy soldier would be rewarded with 20 points, and anyone who could kill an enemy Academy Officer general would be rewarded with 1000 points. If anyone could obtain Gongsun Zanfuzi's head, they would be rewarded with 10,000 points, and the prefecture chief would be bestowed with an official title! Furthermore, I hereby promise that after defeating Gongsun Zan, I will follow General Gao Gan and sneak attack the enemy camp's soldiers and return them their armor. At that time, I will also give everyone thirty miles of travel fees! "

Yuan Shao was normally very stingy, killing one person on the battlefield only gave him three slots, but now he had suddenly raised it by six or seven times, how could he not be excited?! More importantly, once Gongsun Zanfuzi was defeated, they would be able to return home and reunite with their families. Furthermore, they would also have a ten percent travel fee.

"Is your words true?" The clamoring of the soldiers for a while, gradually quietened down, and immediately, someone mustered up their courage and asked Yuan Shao.

'How dare you question this old man in public? ' Yuan Shao was extremely furious in his heart, but he smiled and shouted: "I swear to the Alliance of Heavens, in the future if I go back on what I just said, I will let the arrow pierce through my heart and die!"

When everyone heard this, they relaxed and began to shout.

"Thank you, my lord! We will definitely kill the enemy bravely to repay the Lord for his kindness! "

"My lord, please be at ease. I will definitely kill the enemy tonight!"

"I swear that I will kill at least five enemy soldiers tonight for my lord!"

"Master, please watch the battle from the city walls later. We will definitely return victorious!"

"The morale is still available!" Seeing that everyone's morale was high, the anger in Yuan Shao's heart vanished.

Gao Qian walked up with his hand on the hilt of his saber, cupped his fists, and said, "Master, the time has come. Please give the order to attack!"

"Where's Zhong Zhi?" Yuan Shao looked left and right, but he could not see Xin Ping.

"My lord, your subordinate is here!" A soldier dressed in ordinary armor raised his hand and shouted to Yuan Shao. It was Xin Ping who was about to go to Xuzhou.

"This is Subordinate's intention!" Ju Shou explained in a low voice: "It would be more likely for Zhong Zhi to escape the encirclement while disguised as an ordinary soldier."

"Gong Yu did well!" Yuan Shao praised, then said to Xin Ping: "Zhong Zhi, this trip is quite dangerous, you must be cautious!"

Xin Ping cupped his hands and said: "My lord, please rest assured, as long as this subordinate still has one breath left, I will definitely rush to Xuzhou!"

"Zhong Zhi, please rise!" Yuan Shao supported him and bellowed: "Yuan Cai!"

"This lowly general is here!" Gao Qian gave a loud shout and took two steps forward before kneeling down on one knee.

Yuan Shao unsheathed the sword at his waist and handed it over: "This is my personal sword, I will give it to you to use tonight. If you disobey orders and fear the enemy, no matter who, you can cut them down!"

"My lord, thank you for the sword!" Gao Qian stood up, and took Yuan Shao's sword with both of his hands.

Yuan Shao waved his hand, and said: "The time has come, Yuan Cai, Zhong Zhi, the two of you prepare to set off! I will go to the city gate and wait for you! "

Gao Qian and Xin Ping cupped their fists in acknowledgement, as Gao Qian led the five thousand walking soldier s to lead the way out of the camp, while Xin Ping led the one hundred cavalrymen to follow closely behind.

Yuan Shao, Ju Shou and the rest all mounted their horses, and followed the group of people towards the city gate.

A moment later, the heavy southern gate silently opened. After Gao Qian and Xin Ping bid their farewells to Yuan Shao, they led their men out of the city gate and disappeared into the night in a short while.

Yuan Shao stood at the top of the city wall and watched Gao Gan and his group leave. Until they were completely gone, he rubbed his somewhat obscure eyes and said a few words to the head guard in a low voice. The leader of the guards turned around and dashed down the city wall, leading his teammates as he galloped out of the city gates. The gates then closed once again.

Yuan Shao held onto the top of the city wall, waiting for the battle to begin with with with full of apprehension and anticipation.

Gao Qian and Xin Ping's group moved swiftly, and without making a sound, they approached the Youzhou Army's camp. Compared to the Youzhou Army, the fighting strength of the Army of Heishan was very low. The five thousand elite soldiers led by Gao Qian were definitely more elite than the Army of Heishan, and with the Xuzhou in the south, it would be much easier for Xin Ping to break out of the encirclement. That was why Yuan Shao, Ju Shou and the rest had chosen to leave the city to go camping after a discussion.