Tiger Guards

Chapter 710 Awe-inspiring Prestige in Yan and Zhao
As spring arrives and flowers bloom, the war between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan once again comes to an end every year.

Unlike previous battles, this time Yuan Shao received reinforcements from Sun Ce and, with Cao Cao's former troops fighting fiercely, defeated Gongsun Zan's main force, which was about to retreat, at Xindu, repeating the Battle of Jieqiao, while mainly using infantry tactics.

They pursued and surrounded Gongsun Zan in Yijing.

Inside Yijing City, Gongsun Zan was so enraged that he fell seriously ill with typhoid fever and could only lie on the platform to recuperate.

Military orders were only conveyed by the maids inside the palace singing in unison.

Daily necessities were also transported into the pavilion via hanging baskets... Only by isolating the inside from the outside in this way could the news of his sudden serious illness be concealed.

Otherwise, if this news reaches the ears of the defeated soldiers in the city, it could trigger something bad.

Outside the city, Yuan Shao led over a hundred cavalrymen to scout the outer defenses of Yijing. This was the first time Yuan Shao had gotten close to and observed Yijing.

The situation today is very similar to that of the 100,000-strong army that besieged Yijing after the great victory at Jieqiao, only to be defeated.

If this attempt fails again, or even if the retreat is thwarted by Gongsun Zan, the patience of the people of Hebei will be exhausted... Fortunately, an internal strife broke out in Zhao Ji's territory.

In fact, Yuan Shao had begun sending envoys to persuade and instigate Pei Mao to raise an army long ago, but Pei Mao repeatedly refused.

It's unclear whether Pei Mao feared retaliation from the Zhao family or wanted to use Zhao Ji to conquer the surrounding areas.

Judging from the current situation, Pei Mao is still willing to raise troops and take action. Therefore, the reason why Pei Mao did not take action before was that he wanted to use Zhao Ji's strength to eliminate the two traitors Li and Guo and the various Hu forces.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji not only successfully devoured these forces, but also indirectly attracted and absorbed them into his own power.

These forces, distinct from those outside Hedong, are not something the Pei family can buy off, subvert, or control in a short period of time.

Fortunately, Pei Mao's rebellion within the country could effectively delay Zhao Ji for a period of time.

This is the only chance to defeat Gongsun Zan, and Yuan Shao cannot afford to miss it.

To rival the Zhao clan in the Taihang Mountains, it was necessary to seize all of Yan and Zhao's territory and draw upon the support of the four prefectures of Yan, Yu, Qing, and Xu to surpass Zhao Ji in population size and secure the material and human resources for a long-term standoff.

Yuan Shao scouted Yijing and saw that crossbows were set up on the enemy platforms along the city wall.

Whether it was because the officer in charge did not give the order or for some other reason, these crossbows with a range of two or three hundred paces did not fire.

Yuan Shao, dressed in the armor of an ordinary military officer, cautiously scouted across the Yi River. He said to Ju Shou, Yan Liang, and others who accompanied him, "When the rest of the armies arrive, we will cross the Yi River to the north together and build fortified camps outside Yijing. We will surround them layer by layer, and I'll see how they break through."

Ju Shou had a different view on the siege. He looked thoughtful and noticed that he had attracted Yuan Shao's attention. Ju Shou said, "My lord, the Gongsun clan is good at cavalry warfare. If our army divides its forces to defend, the Gongsun clan can easily cut off the passageway and break through the palisade. Our fortresses will inevitably be isolated one by one and be attacked and destroyed by them."

If Gongsun Zan were to besiege or breach even a small outpost or camp within the city, the morale of the troops in the surrounding camps and outposts would inevitably plummet.

However, if Gongsun Zan were to deploy troops to divide the city, the besieging forces would also send out mobile forces to counter and annihilate the enemy, thus preventing Gongsun Zan from breaking through the defensive lines one by one.

But to take the initiative in open field combat... after Ju Yi's death, the generals in Hebei lacked this confidence.

Especially given that their cavalry force was smaller than Gongsun Zan's and their cavalry combat skills were inferior, rashly engaging in an encounter battle dominated by cavalry would put the Hebei armies at a significant disadvantage.

After all, the fact that Gongsun Zan dared to plan and provoke the battle indicates that the advantage on the battlefield was definitely on Gongsun Zan's side.

Only when one has a sufficient advantage will one become the aggressor.

Ju Shou's words were not exactly tactful, and Yuan Shao had to face the issue squarely, so he stared at Ju Shou and said, "Since a small camp is not feasible, are we going to build a city outside of Yijing?"

In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao naturally understood that these guys all preferred the most time-consuming and cumbersome method: directly build two or three cities north of Yijing, use these cities to garrison troops, and cut off Gongsun Zan's connection with the counties of Youzhou.

It was difficult to completely sever all messenger communications; the main disruption was to the grain and fodder supply lines from Youzhou counties to Yijing.

If Yijing could be surrounded by cities and fortified camps, then Gongsun Zan's military settlements along the Yi River would be destroyed.
On the contrary, since the land is right here, if Gongsun Zan cannot establish military settlements, then the various armies in Hebei besieging the city can spare manpower to carry out military settlements.

Whether it's a dense cluster of small camps besieging a city, or two or three cities besieging a city, the real enemy they face is not the various counties of Youzhou coming to support Gongsun Zan's breakout or to relieve the siege.

Instead, it was Zhao Ji's army. Zhao Ji's general, Xu Huang, was leading troops in the Yunzhong region. This was a fresh force that had not participated in the Liangzhou campaign, and the army was mainly composed of the Shuofang Righteous Cavalry.

Although Xu Huang could only mobilize close to 20,000 men at most, in Zhao Ji's eyes this was just a rapid response group for guarding the frontier, not even a legion.

However, Yuan Shao could not afford to be careless, because once Xu Huang sent troops, the counties and prefectures of Youzhou would face a cruel choice: whether to cooperate or not.

Unlike Gongsun Zan, the local officials and powerful families in Youzhou could maintain their traditions, focusing on protecting their territory and ensuring the safety of their people, and continue to observe the outcome.

If Xu Huang leads his troops, then the Jin Yang court, under the regency of the Empress Dowager, will issue edicts to the various counties and prefectures of Youzhou.

They could either obey orders and cooperate with Xu Huang's actions, which would allow Xu Huang to quickly expand his forces after entering Youzhou, turning them into a strategic unit of nearly 100,000 men.

The 100,000-strong army of Youzhou will not disappear into thin air. Since they are unwilling to help Gongsun Zan, there is a high probability that they will help Xu Huang... Naturally, if Gongsun Zan is defeated, this force of Youzhou can also be used by Yuan Shao.

Zhao Ji no longer regards this kind of power. In essence, what is the difference between this power and the rebellious local strongmen of Tianshui?
But Yuan Shao desperately needed it; he needed it urgently.

Yuan Shao's opportunities are dwindling. Once Zhao Ji has consolidated his internal power and launches another campaign, he will inevitably launch a multi-pronged attack. At that time, the powerful clans of Youzhou will become his accomplices and the most ferocious henchmen.

Only by killing Gongsun Zan before Zhao Ji takes action, thus proving to the powerful clans of Youzhou that the Yuan family still has a chance, will the powerful clans of Youzhou hesitate and consider joining Yuan Shao's camp.

After all, Zhao Ji's place was truly unfriendly to powerful families.

Among the powerful families of Youzhou, there were also many insightful individuals who would naturally seek advantage and avoid harm.

As for Yuan Shao, as long as he could gain the support of the powerful clans in Youzhou, he would naturally be willing to recognize their autonomy.

However, a key intermediary is needed to lobby and unite the powerful clans of Youzhou, and awaken their consensus on self-governance.

Before that, we must surround and kill Gongsun Zan, and prevent Xu Huang from rescuing him.

Building fortified cities would effectively defend against the elite cavalry attacks under the command of Gongsun Zan and Xu Huang.

Yuan Shao looked around and saw that all the civil and military officials around him seemed to think it was their duty. He was immediately displeased, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Although he desperately wanted to fight Zhao Ji head-on in a decisive battle, the armies in Hebei no longer had the courage to fight Zhao Ji to the death.

After all, the news coming from Liangzhou was too terrifying.

Zhao Ji did not lead the main force of the central army, but only three thousand men sneaked into Liangzhou. With the assistance of Han Shu's more than ten thousand Shuofang Yicong, they successively captured and killed 180,000 Han and Hu allied troops in Liangzhou.

If the situation changes, Zhao Ji could accomplish similar feats between Yan and Zhao.

At this moment, who wouldn't be afraid?
If you are defeated in open field battles, then you have nothing left.

If a city holds out until after the war, it will naturally be able to surrender under certain conditions.

The key to motivating the Hebei armies to persist in fighting was to build cities and towns outside Yijing and surround them!
(End of this chapter)