The main force of Yuan Shu's army came out from Nanyang and headed north. Soldiers and horses from all over the country came in droves like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea. Yuan Shu gathered a total of 100,000 troops.

In this battle, Yuan Shu also fought with all his strength and risked his fortune and life.

The army soon entered Yanzhou, and Zhang Miao reduced his defense line and held on to the city. This allowed Yuan Shu to advance north smoothly, all the way to Fengqiu County.

Yuan Shu put a lot of thought into choosing to garrison Fengqiu.

Fengqiu connects to Yuzhou in the south, and the grain and grass in Runan can be transported directly to the front line through the sewer water and Langdang Channel, ensuring the safety of grain and grass for Yuan Shu's Ministry.

Moreover, from Fengqiu to the east along the Pu River, one can go deep into the hinterland of Yanzhou, and by turning to the southwest, one can quickly evacuate to Yingchuan.

In Yuan Shu's view, with Fengqiu as the army's base camp and advance base, it can be attacked when advancing and defended when retreating. Even if it is not victorious, it will not be defeated.

After the army entered Fengqiu, Yuan Shu was faced with two choices.

Liu Dai's original state seat was in Dongping State. Later, after Cao Ang became the governor, he moved westward to Juancheng.

Juancheng belongs to Jiyin County, but is connected to Puyang to the west, Dongping Kingdom to the east, and backed by the Yellow River. It is the core location of the entire Yanzhou.

At this time, Cao Ang personally guarded Juancheng, while Xiahou Dun stayed behind to guard Puyang, one to the east and one to the west, forming a horn-like posture.

The generals all had their own opinions on which city to attack first. Some suggested attacking Juancheng directly and winning or losing in one battle; others suggested taking Puyang first, with the river at their back, to gain a firm foothold, and Xu Tu to advance later.

At this time, Yuan Shu's counselor Yan Xiang suggested: "Cao Mengde's main force is divided into two cities to take care of each other. If our army directly chooses to attack one of the cities, the army in the other city will attack with the defenders; and if we divide our troops to attack, then

This will result in the dispersion of our forces, and is likely to lead to a protracted and fortified battle. When Liu Biao takes advantage of the situation and attacks from behind, our army will be in a predicament of being unable to advance and having no way to retreat.

Even if our army can handle these three groups of troops, there is still Yuan Shao behind Cao Cao.

Both Juancheng and Puyang are close to Jizhou. Once our army's attack fails, Yuan Shao is likely to lead his troops south, and then Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Biao will surround our army."

Yan Xiang did not continue, but the meaning was obvious.

Yuan Shu obviously understood this and immediately asked: "What does Ziyao (characterized by Yan Xiang) think our army should do?"

"Luring the enemy out."

Yuan Shu has never fought in many battles and does not have much military experience. When it comes to marching and commanding, his talent is indeed not very high, and he is about the same as Sun Quan.

Yuan Shu didn't quite understand Yan Xiang's suggestion of "luring the enemy out".

At this time, Yan Xiang explained: "Our army first sent a unit to the north as bait. Cao Cao has always liked to take risks. If he wants to defeat our army, he will not miss this opportunity."

And as long as Cao Cao moves, our army will follow suit.

Cao Cao led his troops south to encircle and annihilate our army's decoys, and the main force of our army took the opportunity to go north, using superior strength and decoy troops to attack from both inside and outside, and finally annihilated Cao Cao's troops."

Only then did Yuan Shu understand.

Although Yuan Shu was not very good at fighting, he could still distinguish the pros and cons of tactics. He carefully considered Yan Xiang's suggestion and finally had to admit that Yan Xiang's suggestion was right.

Yuan Shu had known Cao Cao for a long time, and in his opinion, Cao Cao would definitely take the initiative as Yan Xiang expected.

Yuan Shu nodded and asked: "Where does Ziyao think it is suitable?"

Yan Xiang pointed to Kuangting on the map (southwest of today's Changyuan County, Henan Province) and said, "What do you think of this place, my lord?"

"Quang Ting?"

Yan Xiang explained: "Kuangting is backed by the Pu River and is located in a plain, which is convenient for large troops to deploy. Moreover, the Pu River bends to the north. Once Cao Cao is defeated, he will have to retreat and cross the river, which will be convenient for our army to pursue and annihilate.

The most important thing is that it is only a hundred miles from Fengqiu Road to Kuangting, but it is two to three hundred miles from Juancheng and Puyang to Kuangting.

As soon as Cao Cao moves, our army will also move. When the time comes, our army will be able to wait for work and encircle Cao Cao's troops to Kuangting."

Yuan Shu was overjoyed after hearing this.

As long as Cao Cao can be attracted, the battle will be half won.

So Yuan Shu ordered general Liu Xiang to drive 20,000 troops north to attack Kuangting.

It was said to be an attack, but in fact there were no Cao troops near Kuangting, so it was considered an armed parade.

Liu Xiang moved forward and soon arrived at Kuangting.

Kuangting is also called Kuangcheng and Kuangyi. When Confucius was traveling around the country, his disciple Yan Ke boasted outside the city and pointed at a gap in the city wall with his whip and said, "I followed Yang Hu to attack Kuangyi, and it was from here that we broke through."

"He entered the city." Bragging was not a big deal, but it happened to be overheard by the people of Kuangyi. In addition, Confucius looked exactly like Yang Hu, so the locals thought Yang Hu was coming again and besieged him one after another. Confucius was trapped for five days.

, almost died here.

However, Kuangting at this time was just a small settlement with no city walls and not much defensive capabilities.

When Liu Xiang saw this, he was a little reluctant to settle here.

Liu Xiang is a general in the army. Together with Zhang Xun, he is the left and right Sima under Yuan Shu. He is considered a strong contender for the number one general under Yuan Shu.

Part of Yuan Shu's army was recruited by himself, and part was donated by all parties. The army belonged to individuals. Even the number of the latter was much greater than the former.

In addition to family background, everyone's status is determined by their strength.

Historically, Soochow also inherited the military system of Yuan Shu's power, which can be regarded as an extension of Yuan Shu's power.

This makes Liu Xiang quite selfish, and he does not want to lose too much strength in this battle.

In fact, Yuan Shu sent Liu Xiang to lure the enemy, but Liu Xiang was unwilling. After all, the army stationed in Kuangting had to withstand the fierce attack of Cao Cao's army and was attrition.

However, if the army consumes too much, it will affect Liu Xiang's status in Yuan Shu's army.

It's just that the relationship between Liu Xiang and Yuan Shu is not as close as Zhang Xun, Ji Ling and others, so this drudgery of being a bait fell on Liu Xiang.

The army was stationed in Kuangting, and Liu Xiang was unhappy. At this time, his subordinates said: "Kuangting is difficult to defend, and to the northeast of Kuangting, there is Pucheng, which was the place where Duke Wen of Jin killed his troops. There is still a city wall, so we can

Defense. Why don’t our army advance to Pucheng and garrison here.”

"Then Changyuan is not far to the northeast of Pucheng. It is easier to defend there."

Everyone lost their minds while talking. After all, the distance from Puyang to Changyuan and from Fengqiu to Changyuan is not much different.

Liu Xiang actually wanted to go to Pucheng.

At this time, his general Chang Nu suggested: "Since the Lord asked me to lure the enemy in Kuangting, why don't our army also lure the enemy in Pucheng."

Liu Xiang was puzzled.

Chang Nu then explained: "I think Cao Cao's army will not be large. Our army has 20,000 troops. We can divide one part of the army in Pucheng to lure Cao Cao to attack, and the main force will be stationed in Kuangting. When Cao Cao comes, we can fight with Pucheng."

The city defenders will attack from the front and back, and respond internally and externally, and Cao's army will be defeated by then."

Liu Xiang was shocked. Isn't this a replica of Yuan Shu's plan?

Chang Nu whispered: "If You Sima can defeat Cao Cao in Pucheng, how can Zhang Xun compete with You Sima again?"

Liu Xiang hesitated again and again, and finally decided to do it.
Chapter completed!