Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 180 Using one tiger to devour another, someone else will take Xuzhou for us.

In the early years of Jian'an,

Inside and outside Xuchang city, the construction of palaces was in full swing, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of the new capital of the Han Dynasty.

Meanwhile, newspapers of all kinds sprang up like mushrooms after rain in Chenliu County, causing a public uproar and attracting attention from all sides.

Meanwhile, in the far north, on the banks of the Yi River, a massive project was quietly unfolding.

Gongsun Zan's troops were piling up cartloads of huge stones and rammed earth to build a massive fortress.

The White Horse General, who once struck fear into the hearts of the Xianbei cavalry, was now hiding at the highest point of Yijing Tower, looking down at the busy soldiers below.

After the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Jieqiao, Gongsun Zan's most elite "White Horse Cavalry" was almost completely wiped out.

The battle between Pingyuan County and Yuan Shao severely weakened the county.

Not long ago, Gongsun Zan was attacked from both the north and south by Yuan Shao and Liu Yu's former troops. He gradually felt powerless and eventually had to abandon Zhuojun and lead his remaining troops to retreat to Yi County.

After that, Gongsun Zan's pride was replaced by fear. He knew that his strength was not what it used to be, so he decided to follow Cao Cao's example, implement the policy of tuntian (military agricultural settlements), and switch from offense to defense.

Cao Cao of Yanzhou implemented the military-agricultural colony system, and its remarkable success was no secret; it was evident to all the warlords in the land.

Liu Bei of Xuzhou and Yuan Shao of Jizhou had long ago begun to emulate Cao Cao by implementing the Tuntian (military agricultural colonies).

Compared to these two, Gongsun Zan's actions were clearly a step too late.

As for the warlords in the south, such as Liu Biao, they had vast territories and were not greatly affected by the war, so they did not lack food.

Gongsun Zan was determined to build an impregnable military fortress to defend against foreign enemies, which led to the creation of Yijing Tower.

This Yijing Tower is different from the Meiwu built by Dong Zhuo back then.

Gongsun Zan abandoned all ornate and impractical architectural styles, and devoted all his energy to the construction of defensive facilities, striving to achieve the ultimate.

On the north bank of the Yi River, Gongsun Zan ordered the construction of ten layers of moats, each trench being two zhang deep and over three zhang wide, with sharp wooden stakes at the bottom.

At the heart of these layers of defense, a towering Yijing Tower, ten zhang high, rises majestically from the ground.

The fortress was built on a foundation of bluestone, and the city gate, cast in molten iron, weighed a thousand pounds, making it as solid as a rock.

The only residents of the building were Gongsun Zan and his wives and concubines; no men over the age of seven were allowed to enter.

He also stockpiled three million bushels of grain inside the building, enough to support the garrison for several years.

Gongsun Zan regarded this place as his last line of defense, attempting to wage a protracted war against Yuan Shao with the strong defenses of Yijing Tower, hoping to wear Yuan Shao down.

Little did he know that his grand gesture was nothing more than building his own grave.

……

In the south, in the Eastern Wu.

The young and ambitious general Sun Ce, leading six thousand soldiers, encountered fierce resistance from Wang Lang at the Guling Ferry.

Sun Ce launched several attempts to cross the river and break through Wang Lang's defenses, but each attempt was stubbornly repelled by Wang Lang's defenders.

Finally, Sun Ce adopted his uncle Sun Jing's plan, feigning a retreat while actually bypassing Fuchun and launching a surprise land attack on Wang Lang's rear.

When Wang Lang discovered that a fire had suddenly broken out at the rear of the camp, he realized that he had fallen into Sun Ce's trap.

But at this moment, Sun Ce had already led his cavalry to the gate of the camp.

Wang Lang, the governor of Kuaiji, refused to surrender and fled north overnight with only a few dozen confidants. His destination was Xuchang, the new central government of the Han Dynasty established by Cao Cao after welcoming the emperor.

……

At this time in Chenliu, Cao Yan was inspecting the Flying Dragon Cavalry, which had been expanded by Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan.

After defeating the Xiliang army outside Anyi City, Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan collected nearly five thousand fine Xiliang warhorses.

Upon returning, Cao Yan asked Cao Cao for a thousand warhorses, thus gathering ten thousand cavalry for Zhao Yun!
Ten thousand cavalrymen would be a devastating force under any warlord.

Not to mention that it was led by Zhao Yun, whose fighting power was no less than that of the "White Horse Cavalry" after being equipped with double stirrups!
Just then, a soldier rode up on horseback to report:
"Report! General Hou, General Zhao, the Minister of Works summons you to Xuchang. He has important matters to discuss!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Yan asked, "Is it very urgent?"

"It's extremely urgent!" The messenger was panting heavily, his expression extremely urgent, indicating that this matter was of utmost importance.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan seemed to sense the approaching war, and their hearts were already beginning to stir with excitement.

Cao Yan's expression turned serious, and he replied, "I will immediately ride with Zilong to Xuchang!"

Immediately, Cao Yan hurriedly packed his belongings and, together with Zhao Yun and Dian Wei, rode swiftly towards Xuchang.

When Cao Yan entered the council hall of the General's mansion, he saw that the five top strategists, Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, Xun You, and Guo Jia, had already gathered there. He was the last one to arrive.

As soon as Cao Yan entered, he noticed Xun You and thought to himself, "Could this scholar who looks somewhat like Xun Yu be Xun You?"

When Xun You saw Cao Yan looking at him, he stood up gracefully, cupped his hands in greeting to Cao Yan, and said, "This humble official is Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, greetings to General Rear!"

Xun You is currently a Grand Master of Ceremonies, a rank slightly lower than Cao Yan's, so he performed the courtesy due to a subordinate to a superior.

Upon hearing that this person was indeed Xun You, Cao Yan smiled and cupped his hands in reply, "I have long heard of Gongda's name! With Gongda's assistance, my elder brother's great undertaking is truly promising!" "General, you flatter me." Xun You was always low-key and not used to being praised to his face, so he responded humbly.

Cao Yan's statement is actually quite reasonable.

Back then, Xun You secretly contacted righteous men to kill Dong Zhuo, and this matter had already spread throughout the world.

Regardless of the outcome, anyone who dares to oppose the traitor Dong Zhuo is a righteous person admired by the world.

Cao Cao, who was born into a eunuch family, gained a great deal of fame for assassinating Dong Zhuo. How much more so Xun You, who was originally from a prominent family in Yingchuan?

After exchanging pleasantries, the hall fell silent.

Cao Cao then spoke, explaining the reason for summoning everyone today:

"Gentlemen, I received news today that Zhang Ji has died in battle, and Zhang Xiu has led his troops to surrender to Liu Biao, stationing them in Wancheng to guard the gateway to Jingzhou for Liu Biao."

Yang Feng and Han Xian, leading their remaining troops, surrendered to Yuan Shu, seemingly intending to fight us to the death.

"Zhang Xiu has already entered Wancheng?!" Cao Yan was shocked and thought to himself, "The big event of Old Cao killing three sages with one cannon is coming!" However, he did not show any emotion on the surface.

Cao Cao further added: "Zhang Xiu himself brought more than 4,000 infantry and cavalry. After joining Liu Biao, he recruited soldiers in Nanyang. Now his forces are probably close to 20,000."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he looked at everyone with a solemn expression and asked, "Gentlemen, what suggestions do you have on this matter?"

The sudden change in Wancheng, Nanyang, plunged everyone into deep thought.

After a moment, Xun Yu stood up, cupped his hands and said to Cao Cao, "My lord, Zhang Xiu of Wancheng is nothing but a minor ailment; Liu Bei of Xuzhou is the real threat."

Moreover, taking Xuzhou would connect the Yan and Xu regions into one unified territory, which is the best way for us to strengthen our power!

Cheng Yu nodded silently to the side, as did Xun You.

Both of them agreed with Xun Yu's view that Liu Bei could no longer be allowed to develop in Xuzhou and that he must be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.

However, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai held different views.

Guo Jia suddenly laughed and said, "Wancheng is too close to Xuchang. How can we allow others to snore beside our bed?"

If we send troops to attack Liu Bei and our forces are weakened, and Zhang Xiu launches a surprise attack, that would be a real problem.

Cheng Yu stroked his beard and said, "Even if Zhang Xiu wanted to launch a sneak attack on them, he would have to consider his own strength first."

However, Guo Jia controls the Cartography Bureau, which gathers intelligence on all the feudal lords in the world. Perhaps he said this because he possesses some unknown secret.

Looking at Xi Zhicai, he had just nodded in agreement with Guo Jia's words.

This made Cheng Yu and his two companions even more certain that these two must possess inside information that they did not know.

"Fengxiao, stop beating around the bush. Have you already obtained some information that we don't know?" Xun Yu asked.

The Tian Shu Guards were not responsible for collecting specific intelligence; they were only responsible for supervision and the transmission of some intelligence. Therefore, Xun Yu was also unaware of what secrets Xi Zhicai and Guo Jia had in mind.

"Speak quickly, don't try to be mysterious in front of our lord!" Cheng Yu urged as well.

Guo Jia chuckled, no longer keeping everyone in suspense, and said, "Last winter, Zhi Cai's Eagle Guards stationed in Xuzhou discovered some information."

"Eagle Guard?" Xun You was somewhat puzzled, as he was unaware of the Three Secret Guards.

"As expected, something's up!" Xun Yu and Cheng Yu exchanged a glance, seeing the understanding in each other's eyes.

"This is an intelligence agency established at Zian's suggestion. In addition to the Eagle Guard, there are also the Map Bureau and the Sky Pivot Guard, collectively known as the Three Secret Guards."

Cao Cao explained to Xun You,

"The Eagle Guard is controlled by Zhicai, the Map Bureau is under the jurisdiction of Fengxiao, and the Heavenly Pivot Guard is managed by Wenruo. The three parties have a clear division of labor and supervise each other."

"I see!" Xun You bowed to Cao Cao in thanks.

Guo Jia smiled slightly at Cao Cao to show his gratitude, then turned his gaze to the crowd and continued:

"Although Liu Bei occupies Xuzhou, he only has two generals, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, under his command, and he still has no capable strategist to assist him."

The former subordinates of Xuzhou were mostly former followers of Tao Qian. They appeared respectful on the surface, but secretly harbored ulterior motives.

Furthermore, Liu Bei overestimated his abilities and actually took in Lü Bu!

In such a chaotic situation, it would be no easy task for Liu Bei to truly control Xuzhou.

Cheng Yu frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "You said it yourself, the people of Xuzhou are not loyal and the situation is chaotic. Isn't this a great opportunity for us to send troops and take Xuzhou?"
If they wait until their foundation is solid before attempting to seize Xuzhou, it will inevitably be much more difficult and less efficient.

“Zhongde is absolutely right.” Guo Jia’s lips curled into a meaningful smile as he calmly continued, “But I never said I would let Liu Bei go! However, taking Xuzhou may not necessarily require our army to take action personally.”

Seeing Guo Jia's unfathomable expression, Cheng Yu really wanted to go up and smash his head.

Suppressing his urge to fight, Cheng Yu pressed, "If we don't fight, who will?"

Guo Jia pointed to Shouchun on the map and said two words: "Yuan Shu!"

(End of this chapter)