Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 88 Liu Bei: What can I use to fight against the accumulation of five generations?
Yecheng, a hundred miles away, was like a bolt from the blue.

When the news of the defeat of the three counties came, Yuan Shao was still sleeping, and Ju Su hurried over to wake him up.

Liu complained slightly, and Yuan Shao put on his clothes with the help of his maid and went to the front hall.

He discovered that his trusted aides Guo Tu, Xin Ping and Xun Chen were all in the hall, looking solemn and holding their breath.

I suddenly felt a bad premonition.

He sat upright and asked, "What's the hurry?"

Several people looked at each other, and Guo Tu said solemnly: "Mr. Yuan, Neihuang, Fanyang, and Yin'an were lost and captured by Liu Bei before dark."

"From what we have learned, Liu Xuande should lead an army of no less than 30,000 men this time."

Yuan Shao was stunned, his face suddenly darkened: "Liu Bei disregarded the safety of Qingzhou and sent troops to Dongjun to take Yecheng?"

Whoever suggested stationing troops in Ganling and attacking directly on the plain can defend elsewhere?

He had assured me before that Liu Bei would use his troops cautiously, but now he has led an army of 30,000, crossing Dongjun, which he had captured last year, to attack Jizhou.

Seeing Yuan Gong's gloomy and unfriendly eyes, Guo Tu groaned in his heart. He knew that Guo Fengxiao was highly valued by Liu Xuande, and Guo Jia liked to come up with unconventional strategies.

It is expected that even if Liu Bei adopted the plan and used the Qingzhou army to attack Weijun, Bohai, or Ganling, he could at most capture a county in a flash.

Only after their troop movements were clear, they could respond to changes with ease. Whether it was attacking Qingzhou or destroying Liu Bei first, they could arrange it calmly.

No one expected Liu Xuande to be so good at fighting and capture three cities in one day.

You must know that this is no longer the time when Gongsun Zan attacked Jizhou and the counties and prefectures fled. Everywhere has been replaced by former officials of the Yuan family. How can they be as determined to defend the city as they were before?

The fact that Liu Bei was able to conquer three cities was simply outrageous and beyond everyone's expectations.

Guo Tu cried out in his heart: "How can you blame me, Guo Gongze, for a crime not committed by war? Didn't Ju Gongyou guess it?"

Ju Su seemed to hear Guo Tu's secret cry, and stepped forward in time to rescue him and said, "Mr. Yuan's affairs have come to this point. It is useless to pursue the faults of others. The most urgent task is to deal with Liu Xuande."

After hearing the advice, Yuan Shao's anger gradually dissipated and he glanced at Guo Tu who had nothing to say.

If he didn't want to maintain his reputation as a respectful scholar, he would definitely hold Guo Gongze accountable.

I asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"

After careful consideration, Ju Su offered his advice: "Liu Xuande's military operations are as swift as the wind, his invasions are as swift as fire, and his movements are as unpredictable as thunder."

"To be on the safe side, we should heavily guard Yecheng and send troops to seize the grain route connecting Qingzhou and Dongjun. If we can capture Liaocheng, we can defeat them first and then win."

War is like this, there are rarely decisive battles right away, and the whole thing is to respond to each move as it comes.

Slowly tire the enemy out, then bare your sharp fangs to deliver a fatal blow.

Xin Ping also nodded in agreement, and echoed, "Defeating Liu Xuande's troops is better than taking Qingzhou, so Lord Yuan should not hesitate."

Everyone felt the oppression from Liu Bei and thought that the way to deal with him should not be as contemptuous as Gongsun Zan.

Although Gongsun Zan was in power at that time, he allowed the soldiers of Youzhou to insult the women of the wealthy families and plunder the people. Countless people suffered, and the only way they could endure it was fear of his strong army.

If such a person fails, countless people will turn against him.

Liu Xuande implemented benevolent policies towards the people, provided relief to the wealthy and treated scholars well. Compared with him, Gongsun Zan was simply a reckless man.

"Okay, then let's order Qu Yi, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou to lead the main force south to Yecheng to fight Liu Bei!" Yuan Shao nodded and said solemnly.

First, Ye County was attacked by the Black Mountain bandits, and now Liu Xuande is leading his troops to threaten it.

Yuan Shao couldn't help but wonder, "Is Yecheng really not suitable to be the capital of Hebei?"

Anyone who steps on him would make him extremely angry.

Then he discussed with his staff to first dispatch nearby troops to try to recapture Neihuang, and ordered Julu, Anping, and Zhaojun to dispatch county troops to defend Yecheng overnight.

Orders were issued one after another, and the soldiers on horseback disappeared into the night. By the time the matter was settled, it was already dawn. The more than 300 clerks, miscellaneous officials, and clerks of various departments who had been working all night to deliver orders to Yuan Shao in various counties and his mansion were all exhausted.

It's fine while doing things, but I can't concentrate after finishing them.

As fatigue set in, the subordinates could not help yawning, and even Yuan Shao could hardly keep his eyes open.

Seeing this, he quickly waved his hand and said, "Go and have some rest. No matter how big a threat Liu Bei poses, it will be difficult for him to capture Ye City. You are exhausted and can't help me to repel the enemy. Go down."

"Yuan Gong resigned."

"Mr. Yuan, please take your leave."

The clerks bowed and said goodbye and left.

If they didn't leave now, some of the clerks and chief recorders who were still recording, who were quite old, would not be able to keep their eyes open and would fall asleep.

They had been complaining in their hearts for a long time, and they didn't even wake up the officials at night to work by candlelight when fighting with Gongsun Zan.

Liu Bei had actually caused them so much harm that he didn't stop the entire night. Everyone was extremely angry at the culprit.

……

Early the next morning, Liu Bei woke up naturally. After washing up, he saw Xun You was already busy and nodded.

Gongda's diligence is no less than that of his uncle Wenruo, and he is indeed a talent who can assist the king.

Xun You saw the envoy wake up and immediately reported, "Sir, the food and grass in the rear have been transported to the city. The damaged battlements of the city wall from yesterday's attack have been repaired by the civilians. In addition, there are enough logs and stones in the warehouse. The soldiers can move them to the city wall. Even if Yuan Shao attacks, we can hold out for a while."

Yesterday he checked the county treasury and lamented that the soldiers were marching fast and swiftly.

The defenders had not yet had time to move all to the top of the city wall, otherwise the city would not have been taken so easily.

Liu Bei nodded first, then asked: "Did Yunchang capture Yin'an as planned?"

These three cities currently pose the greatest threat to Yuan Shao. They are like holding a blade against his back, and it is best not to lose them.

"There was a report this morning that General Guan captured Yin'an County yesterday. You don't need to worry." Xun You said with a smile.

Liu Bei smiled and said, "Yun Chang really puts my mind at ease. In that case, follow the previous deployment and transfer Yun Chang and Yi De to guard Nei Huang. Feng Xiao and I will lead the troops to station at Fan Yang. Gong Da, you, Guan Hai and Zi Yi will guard Yin An."

"Xianhe and Han Mu will provide support in Dongjun. Zijing will also be transferred to Liaocheng, where the army's food supply route is located. If it is cut off, it will be inconvenient for ships to travel back and forth, which will cause great trouble."

This time the main purpose was not to consume Yuan Shao's food, but to find a way to wear out the auxiliary soldiers and combat soldiers who had been trained in Jizhou for several years, and to take advantage of the city walls and use the city as a camp to support each other.

In Dongjun, near Dongjun, Dongqiu and Weixian were connected with five counties to form a pincer attack. No matter where Yuan Shao camped, he would face the enemy several times.

If Yuan's army is stationed at the border of Neihuang, the Yin'an garrison can cut off the Huan River and cut off half of their food supply routes.

Troops can be sent from Fanyang to attack the flank of Yuan Shao’s military camp.

If we lead Yuan's army across the river to besiege Fanyang, we can then attack from Neihuang and Yin'an on both sides.

Attack Yin'an first, and the defenders of Neihuang County will burn the pontoon bridge to cut off the food and reinforcements in the direction of Yecheng.

During the Warring States Period, Lian Po of Zhao State felt that Neihuang was easy to defend but difficult to attack and posed a great threat to Wei State, so he led his army to capture the city.

The three cities were separated by the Huan River. If Yuan Shao wanted to recapture them, he had to lead a large army across the river or station troops in Wei County and Yuancheng.

But from ancient times to the present, few people who stationed troops on the riverside to fight the enemy ended up well.

Even if Yuan Shao was not clear about it, his staff who were familiar with military books knew that war was a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction, and they would be extremely cautious.

It depends on how Yuan Shao chooses.

"Yuan Benchu, besides Meng De, you are the second strongest enemy who deserves my full efforts. I have seven years of experience to fight against the former official of the Yuan family who has been a minister for five generations!"

Liu Bei was filled with emotion.

(End of this chapter)