Is there no battle for Guandu?

In Chang'an, the Taiwei Mansion, looking through the information sent by all parties, Ye Zhao was thinking about the war that had begun.

Cao Cao stationed troops in Puyang, and Liu Bei, under Yongnu and Yuan Shao's general Zhang He, had already started a full-scale war mode. Unlike his wealth in history, from the perspective of bystanders, Yuan Shao's battle would be a bit difficult, with both sides attacking, and neither of them was a fuel-efficient lamp.

Cao Cao gave up Qingzhou and chose to directly find Yuan Shao's main force to fight to the decisive battle. Liu Bei could help Cao Cao share some of the pressure. Yuan Shao had to face the enemy in two ways, so the troops could not be concentrated. Moreover, there must be many troops left to garrison in Bingzhou. At this moment, the troops that Yuan Shao could use were enough to crush either Liu Bei and Cao Cao, but if the two joined forces, the situation would become much more subtle.

Cao Cao's step was hitting Yuan Shao's weakest weakness.

However, although there is no Battle of Guandu, this situation is even more exciting.

As a former friend, Ye Zhao thought he was very familiar with Yuan Shao. If it was a good situation, Yuan Shao might really fail, but if he was evenly matched or at a disadvantage, Yuan Shao could still correct his attitude and listen to others' words.

With resources in hand, it is already against the will of heaven, and the subordinates are full of talents. At this time, as long as Yuan Shao does not make a mistake and takes steady action, he may not be able to fight a miracle of one or two. If he is an ordinary opponent, Ye Zhao will definitely buy Yuan Shao to win, but the two opponents he faces at this moment are not fuel-efficient. One is Cao Cao, and the other Liu Bei is not inferior. Although he lost Guan Yu and Zhao Yun, according to Ye Zhao's intelligence system, Liu Bei's team in Youzhou is not low. The martial arts include Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, Tian Yu, and the veterans such as Xian Yufu, Xian Yuyin left by Liu Yu, and in terms of literature, there are also Yan Rou, Yan Zhi, and Tian Chou, all of whom are good talents.

It can be said that at this time, Liu Bei was not the same as Liu Bei who founded the Shu Han period in history, but it was not a little stronger than Liu Bei who was in Xuzhou in history. Although he had only more than 30,000 soldiers and horses under his command, he was all fierce soldiers who had been guarding the border for a long time. He had strong combat power. If Yuan Shao had all his strength to attack Youzhou, Liu Bei would naturally be unable to hostile. However, when Yuan Shao divided his troops at this moment, there was only one Zhang He, and the outcome was indeed unpredictable.

Needless to say, Cao Cao, let alone the powerful generals of the Cao family, Li Dian, Le Jin, Yu Jin, Zang Ba and Xu Chu who later defected to each other, Ye Zhao dared not say that he could surpass Cao Cao in terms of high-quality generals.

As for the advisers, the two Xun, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao, Cheng Yu, Liu Ye, Chen Deng, and most of the famous scholars in Yingchuan were under Cao Cao's sect, which was no worse than Yuan Shao. At least in terms of the number of first-class and even top talents, Cao Cao is the most in the world now.

Of course, among so many people, there are a few who have other thoughts on Yuan Shao now. After all, even if it is two against one, Yuan Shao is not afraid now. In terms of power, Yuan Shao has the advantage.

As for the great righteousness that is done, it is to fool ordinary people. In fact, there is no great righteousness in this battle. Whoever wins is the great righteousness. The key is to rely on the final outcome.

Yuan Shao must be defeated.

Ye Zhao was thinking about this matter. If Yuan Shao won, even if he integrated Shuzhong, Guanzhong, Xiliang and Hetao, he would face a behemoth that dominated Qingzhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, Jizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou and half of Yuzhou. At that time, he could only block Hangu Pass and slowly accumulate strength and waste it with Yuan Shao.

For Ye Zhao, the best result is naturally the three parties' stalemate and a protracted war.

But this is impossible. Yuan Shao can afford energy, but Cao Cao and Liu Bei cannot afford it. According to the data summarized by various places, Cao Cao has not been able to produce much food in recent years, and Liu Bei is even more miserable. The battle between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan almost consumed all the vitality of Youzhou. The 30,000 troops are Liu Bei's current family. If Cao Cao is defeated, he can still defend the river. If Liu Bei is defeated, he will really have nothing.

Judging from the comprehensive strength of the two sides, even if Yuan Shao is not in a hurry, Cao Cao and Liu Bei will definitely find a way to fight against Yuan Shao as soon as possible. Even if Yuan Shao is defeated, he still has the confidence to fight again. For Liu Bei, he will win a chance to breathe. Cao Cao is better and can take the opportunity to occupy some territory. However, if he loses, all Youzhou will return to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao retreats to the Central Plains. In that case, the scene of the Battle of Guandu may happen.

Therefore, from Ye Zhao's standpoint, Yuan Shao's defeat was the best for Ye Zhao. Although Cao Cao and Liu Bei would grow stronger, they would never expand into the northern overlord like Yuan Shao. Moreover, the two later eroded Yuan Shao's territory, and conflicts were inevitable. Ye Zhao estimated that when he had almost developed Guanzhong and sent troops to Guandong, Cao Cao would not be able to completely destroy Liu Bei in such a short time.

"Let's find a way to help Liu Bei!" After rubbing his eyebrows, Ye Zhao looked at Xi Zhicai and Li Ru on the side and said with a smile.

"Lord, at this time, our army's main energy should be placed on Hetao and Xiliang. It is a bit inappropriate to intervene in the war in the Central Plains at this time?" Li Ru frowned and looked at Ye Zhao.

No matter what the Central Plains are like, Ye Zhao's sphere of influence is now in Guanzhong and Shuzhong, and the path Ye Zhao took is to take steady steps, conquer the land, develop first, and then talk about expansion. Although he is a little stupid, his victory lies in stability. What Ye Zhao wants is to reform the old and old situation and break the pattern of aristocratic families controlling public opinion and wealth. Therefore, whether Xi Zhicai or Li Ru, he still agrees with Ye Zhao's steady strategy.

But now if you interfere in the battle situation in the Central Plains, with Ye Zhao's current power, it will be fine, but the original intention has changed. Even if you conquer the world in the end, you will just re-enter such a cycle of reincarnation.

"Of course it's not to send troops!" Ye Zhao shook his head and smiled, "I mean, support Liu Bei in the name of Yun Chang, and send a batch of food and grass to Liu Bei so that he will not have no food available. Although it is the alliance of Cao and Liu Wu to attack Yuan Shao, with Liu Bei's current wealth, it is difficult for Meng De to restrain Zhang He for too long. Once Liu Bei is destroyed, Yuan Shao will join forces to fight Meng De again. Meng De can't stop him. At least, he has to give up the territory north of the Yellow River and organize the defense line in Mount Tai and Yanzhou. By then, Yuan Shao's general situation has been achieved. If you are not careful, Meng De may be destroyed."

Xi Zhicai nodded and said, "What the lord said is right. Let's take a step back. Even if Cao Cao can win in this battle, if Liu Bei is destroyed by Yuan Shao first, Cao Cao will eventually gain all the land in the north and become the overlord of the Central Plains. Even if the lord sends troops at that time, he will be able to take Bingzhou at most. The difficulty lies in making progress. And then, there will be Cao Cao in the east, Lu Bu in the south, and Liu Biao, which will be detrimental to our army!"

Moreover, he provided some food for Liu Bei in the name of Guan Yu. No matter what Liu Bei thought, on Guan Yu's side, he would be grateful for Ye Zhao's understanding, and on the other hand, he could also make Guan Yu subconsciously believe that Liu Bei's brotherhood was fully realized.

Although Guan Yu has now defected to Ye Zhao, considering Guan Yu's character, since he called Ye Zhao the lord, he would never betray him in his life unless Ye Zhao did something angry and resentful. However, it would be better for Liu Bei to die. If Liu Bei has been alive, he will always be a thorn. Since he cannot be broken, it would be better to go with the flow and be a favor with the flow, so that Guan Yu can repay this friendship, which can also make Guan Yu even more devoted.

"That's it!" Ye Zhao saw Li Ru suddenly and smiled: "But this route to transport food and grass..."

Not to mention that Hetao is still fighting against the Huns, even if there is not, the food and grass must be transported over, and there are only two roads to go. One is to go to Bingzhou, which is Yuan Shao's territory. Yuan Shao cannot let it go. The other is to take a detour through Yunzhong and go around the grassland. There is the territory of Xianbei people, which is also difficult to walk.

"Why don't you ask Cao Cao for help?" Xi Zhicai moved his mind and looked at Ye Zhao with a smile and said, "I heard that after Cao Cao occupied Xuzhou, he conquered the Mi family of Xuzhou. The Mi family had a sea boat. If the Mi family was willing to take action, this batch of grain and grass would be transported from Cao Cao, and then you can go through the Bohaikou and go straight to Liaodong!"

Mi Family~

Ye Zhao was thinking, and the staff who was writing copywriting was reminding in a low voice: "Lord, two gentlemen, it's more than a thousand miles to transport food and grass from here to Xuzhou. How huge is that? When will it be shipped?"

Ye Zhao and Xi Zhicai, Li Ru smiled at each other when he heard this. This son was a student from Chengdu Academy. He was an authentic farmer's son named Li Feng. Although he was a bit dull and simple, he had good writing skills and was proficient in calculating. During the assessment, he was valued by Ye Zhao and became a clerk. He spoke cautiously on weekdays. He dared to speak at this moment. He must have lived in his heart several times, but he didn't know how to adapt.

"As long as our grain arrives in Luoyang and Cao Cao confirms, Xuzhou can immediately transport grain by merchant ship. It doesn't take much time. Cao Cao can put his own grain on first, and then replenish it when our grain arrives." Li Ru explained with a smile.

Of course, this requires Cao Cao to trust Ye Zhao enough. Otherwise, if his food is sent out, what Ye Zhao has sent is a batch of rotten grain, so Cao Cao has no place to cry, so this verification is the most time-consuming.

For Ye Zhao, the accumulation of Shu in the past few years, plus the large harvest of Guanzhong last year, the most in short supply now is food. Sending a batch is just a drizzle for Ye Zhao, but for Cao Cao and Liu Bei, this batch of food can save lives!
Chapter completed!