C329

When the sun had set, a crisp sound of gold clanging came from outside the Qinghe County City. The large group of attacking Youzhou Army and Army of Heishan began to retreat again, leaving a mess on the ground.

On top of the city gate, dressed in military uniform, Yuan Shao stood with his hands behind his back, and his brows were filled with doubt.

As the city was surrounded by so many people that not even a drop of water could leak out, was unable to deduce anything from the outside world. After pondering for a while, he said softly, "This subordinate thinks that Gongsun Zan may have already left!"

"Oh?" Yuan Shao was surprised, and anxiously asked: "Why do you think that?"

"Normally, when the enemy is attacking the city, there would be a large group of cavalry army behind, but today, the number of cavalry soldiers is obviously lower. Furthermore, Gongsun Zan did not appear for a day, so this subordinate guessed that something important had happened, and forced Gongsun Zan to bring a large group of cavalry soldiers to settle it!"

Yuan Shao stroked his beard, and nodded: "Gong Yu's conjecture is very reasonable, but what kind of thing would it be?"

Ju Shou shook his head lightly. With his two eyes, he could surmise that it was already not bad for Gongsun Zan to bring his men to leave, so how could he guess the specific details?

At this moment, Guo Tu's voice came from behind him: "Master, this subordinate has a guess!"

Yuan Shao turned around to look at Guo Tu, and said in a low voice: "What are you guessing about, hurry up and tell me!"

"My lord, this subordinate will first speak of another matter!" Guo Tu cupped his hands, and said softly: "Gongsun Xu has not appeared for a few days already. Yesterday, after a few discussions, the final conclusion was that Gongsun Xu might have gone south to the Xuzhou!"

"What is Gongsun kid doing in the south? Could it be to ally with Liu Xuande? " Yuan Shao asked in shock.

"No!" Guo Tu shook his head and smiled: "If Gongsun Xu had really gone down to the south of the Xuzhou, he would definitely have chosen to form an alliance with Lv Bu and not Liu Bei! Everyone knew that Liu Xuande went to Gongsun Zan's side when he had nowhere else to go, but in the end, he left without saying a word and even brought along a lot of horses and soldiers. Gongsun Zan hated them to the bones, and even if Liu Bei was very strong now, he would never choose to form an alliance with them! Furthermore, Liu Xuande was cunning, even if Gongsun Zan wanted to form an alliance, he could not trust Gongsun Zan! On the other hand, Lv Bu, who had been planted in Xiao Pei by Liu Bei, was basically just a dog guarding the house. He was extremely proud, how could he tolerate the difficult situation of living under someone else's roof for a long time? If Gongsun Zanfuzi had made a heavy enough promise, there is a high chance that he would choose to betray the alliance between Liu Xuande and Liu Xuande! "

Yuan Shao thought for a while, then asked Ju Shou: "What does Gong Yu think?"

Even though Ju Shou and Guo Tu have been at loggerheads, he did not disobey him for personal reasons. He nodded and replied, "Guo Gongze is extremely correct, as a smart person, Liu Xuande will definitely think of the principle of biting the hand that goes wrong, and he will not form an alliance with Gongsun Zan! My lord, if Gongsun Xu really goes south to the Xuzhou, it might be a turning point in the war! "

Yuan Shao was startled, and then asked excitedly: "Why does Gong Yu say that?"

Ju Shou sternly said: "My lord, Xiao Pei is very close to Xuzhou City, and Liu Xuande has definitely planted many spies in Xiao Pei City. As long as Gongsun Xu enters the Xiao Pei, there is no way Liu Xuande wouldn't know! So what would he do? There was no doubt that he would think of ways to disrupt Gongsun Xu's and her alliance, and maybe even lead a large army to fight Lv Bu head on! Moreover, everyone knew how much Gongsun Zan valued and cared for him. If it were Liu Xuande, he would definitely capture Gongsun Xu at all costs and use him to threaten Gongsun Zan! However, with Gongsun Xu's resolute nature, if she was suddenly ambushed by Liu Xuande, she would definitely not surrender even if she died. If something were to happen to him, there will be no longer any room for reconciliation between Liu Xuande and Gongsun Zan.

Yuan Shao first nodded joyfully, then sighed while shaking his head: "After all, this is just a guess, maybe just an empty guess! Gong Yu, how are the casualties today? "

"My lord, the enemy's attack has weakened a lot today. Our casualties are about one thousand two hundred men!"

Yuan Shao nodded and exhaled a long breath. This number of casualties had decreased by almost half compared to the past few days. If they were to suffer another three to four thousand elite soldiers a day like they did a few days ago, he really would not be able to hold on.

"My lord, now that we have no information, we can only passively defend against the enemy's attack. This is not a long term plan!" Ju Shou shook his head with a serious expression and bowed: "This subordinate has a suggestion. Since Gongsun Zan and the rest of the cavalry are not here, why not try to send people to break out of the encirclement. If it is successful, go down to the south and contact Liu Xuande.

Yuan Shao nodded his head, hesitated for a moment, then frowned: "I'm just afraid that Liu Xuande will choose to stand idly by the side and watch!"

Guo Tu rushed to say: "My lord, Liu Xuande definitely understands the logic behind the cold lips and teeth, and if my lord has promised us heavy profits, there is a huge chance that he will lead troops to rescue us!"

Yuan Shao slowly asked: "What are the important promises made?"

Guo Tu said in a low voice: "Master may as well promise to grant the southern part of Jizhou to Liu Xuande. If I can force Gongsun Zan to withdraw his troops, Master will definitely focus on managing the northern part of Jizhou in the future. Giving the southern part of Jizhou to Liu Xuande will not affect the overall situation!"

Yuan Shao declined to comment and paced back and forth a few steps, seriously considering Guo Tu's suggestion. Previously, in order to prevent the Youzhou Army s and the Army of Heishan s from going south, he had always been focused on the northern part of the Jizhou, and was very careless with the operations there. As a result, more than seventy percent of the population had been moved to the northern part of the Jizhou. Currently, the southern part of the Jizhou was very desolate. A large amount of farmland had been abandoned, so the position that Yuan Shao held was not very important. Moreover, what Guo Tu had just said was very clear, he was just giving it to Liu Bei for now. If he could use this promise to exchange for Liu Bei's support of several tens of thousands of troops, no matter how he looked at it, it would be a worthwhile thing!

Ju Shou then advised softly: "My lord, this subordinate thinks that Guo Gongze's suggestion is feasible! If we are unable to repel Gongsun Zan's combined army, I'm afraid the entire Jizhou will not be able to protect us! "

Yuan Shao was shocked, what he said was right, if the Qinghe County City was defeated, even if he were to lead his troops to escape, he would not be able to control the Jizhou anymore! Immediately he asked solemnly: "Who are you sending out to see Liu Xuande in Xuzhou?"

After Guo Tu heard this, he frowned and quietly retreated a few steps. It was fine to have an idea, to lead an army to break out of this perilous situation, but he was still far from being grateful!

Ju Shou hesitated for a while, and said: "Master, if the people to Xuzhou are insufficient, I am afraid it will be difficult for Liu Xuande to agree to send troops! This subordinate and Liu Xuande are fated to meet several times, so why don't you let this subordinate break out of the siege and go to Xuzhou! "

Guo Tu was overjoyed when he heard it, if anything happened to Ju Shou, his own position would definitely become even more important! Thus, he hurriedly cupped his hands together and said: "Gong Yuxiong is truly a noble and noble man, willing to risk his life for the sake of his master's great cause, truly is worthy of respect!"

"You can't!" Yuan Shao rejected him flatly. Even though he had been angered by Ju Shou's words many times, especially regarding Ju Shou supporting his eldest son, Yuan Tan, reigning in the position, he was extremely furious, but in his heart, he was extremely clear that Ju Shou was one of the most capable people under his command, and was extremely loyal as well. If anything happened to Ju Shou, it would be equivalent to breaking an arm!

Ju Shou said in a deep voice, "Master, Gongsun Zan and his father are not here. Furthermore, Gongsun Zan has brought along a large group of cavalry soldiers, so it is very likely that he will succeed in breaking out of the encirclement in the middle of the night! If Master can send out a team of Great Spear Soldier to protect him, this subordinate thinks that there is a seventy percent chance of success in breaking out of the encirclement! "

Therefore, he had secretly formed a troop of about a thousand people, who were heavily armored walking soldier. He was prepared to abandon Ju Yi and set up camp first at a suitable time, and use this personally trained team to replace them. This group of heavily armored walking soldier s used shields and heavy halberds, so their name was Great Spear Soldier. They had been practicing in secret and had never entered the battlefield, and many people in the Jizhou Army didn't even know of their existence. Last time, a big hole was created in the city wall. If not for Great Spear Soldier blocking the enemy's attack with his life, the city wall would have very possibly fallen. The Great Spear Soldier's valiant fighting strength was clear to all, and it was even more powerful in the free-for-all. Compared to Ju Yi who went to camp first, it was only slightly weaker, thus Ju Shou wanted a group of Great Spear Soldier to escort him out.

Yuan Shao's heart was moved. Ju Shou was able to defend himself with his words and his loyalty to him. He was indeed the best choice.

Guo Tu took the opportunity to advise: "My lord, with the help of Great Spear Soldier, Gong Yu will definitely be able to break out of the encirclement! I hope my lord will not disappoint Gong Yu's loyalty! "

Yuan Shao coldly glared at Guo Tu. He was very clear about the latter's thoughts. If it wasn't for the fact that Guo Tu was extremely loyal to him and that he couldn't leave this person, he would have definitely ordered a heavy punishment!

Ju Shou knelt on one knee, and said respectfully: "Master, please let this subordinate go!"

Yuan Shao took a step forward, supported Ju Shou with both hands, and softly sighed: "In times of trouble, you should see your loyalty! Gong Yu, I'll leave it to you then! "No matter what, you must ensure your own safety. If you fail to break out of the encirclement, come back quickly. I will pay any price to send you back to the city!"

Ju Shou bowed and said: "Thank you, my lord! I am sure that this subordinate will succeed in breaking out of the encirclement, and will definitely persuade Liu Xuande to lead an army for you! "

Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly heard the thunder like sound of hooves coming from the north side. A large group of cavalrymen appeared about three to four miles to the north. From their attire, it was very likely that they were either Xianbei People or Wu Huan.

Yuan Shao cried out in shock: "Why did those villains suddenly appear here?"