Later, Zhang Lang learned from Ma Teng about the current situation on the northern and western battlefields. When he learned that Ma Chao had achieved complete victory, and that Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, and Xu Huang had also successfully defeated the enemy's attempts, he finally felt anxious.

I gave it up, but then I couldn't help but worry. At present, my army has suffered a lot of losses, and it has also lost almost all the land in Bingzhou. It can be said that the strength has been greatly damaged. If Yuan Shao continues to attack with all his strength, the consequences will be disastrous!

Zhang Lang missed his beloved wives in Chang'an very much, but because he was worried about Yuan Shao, he still stayed in Hangu Pass.

A few days later, Ma Chao arrived with 50,000 cavalry, which surprised Zhang Lang. It turned out that the 50,000 cavalry brought by Ma Chao were all adapted from the Qiang people. That day, Ma Chao returned to Chang'an with the surrendered Qiang people.

, Jia Xu saw that the Qiang people were brave and good at fighting and that it was time for him to employ men, so he reorganized and re-armed the Qiang people, and obtained a total of 50,000 Western Qiang cavalry, all of which were handed over to the command of Ma Chao and ordered him to rush to Hangu Pass.

.

"Meng Qi, you really gave me a big surprise!" Zhang Lang couldn't help but said excitedly.

Ma Chao smiled and said: "The general dare not take the credit. This is the idea of ​​the military advisor. By the way, the military advisor has a letter to give to the general." He took out the letter from his arms and presented it to Zhang Lang with both hands.

Zhang Lang took the letter, opened it, read it again, frowned and said: "Jia Xu told me not to worry, saying that Yuan Shao must have been discouraged!"

Ma Teng and Ma Chao looked at each other.

At this time, in Luoyang, Ju Shou was trying his best to persuade Yuan Shao to continue his aggressive attack on Lu Bu, hoping to completely eliminate Lu Bu's threatening force.

Yuan Shao waited for the excited Jushu to finish speaking, and said in a frustrated tone: "We mobilized an army of more than 600,000, fought for so many days, and lost countless soldiers, but we couldn't break into Guanzhong at all! What's the point of continuing to fight?"

Jushou said anxiously: "Lü Bu's army suffered heavy losses! The defenders of Lishi City alone were almost wiped out! In addition, they also lost five northern counties, and their strategic situation is even more unfavorable than before the war! Although Lu Bu's army still has some

However, as long as our army continues to attack with all its strength, I believe that the situation will change drastically within a month, and our army will definitely be able to invade Guanzhong!"

Yuan Shao hesitated.

Xu You smiled coldly, clasped his fists towards Yuan Shao and said: "My lord, my view is different from Jushu's. It is true that although Lu Bu's army suffered a great loss, our army's loss is probably even greater! Although they lost the five northern counties, they defended the

The natural barrier defense line in Guanzhong has not been shaken! How many men and horses will be lost if we attack the natural barrier? After losing so many men and horses, can the natural barrier be breached?"

Yuan Shaoshen nodded with the same feeling.

Jushou quickly clasped his fists towards Yuan Shao and said: "My lord, you will definitely pay the price! But only by destroying Lu Bu at all costs now can we avoid a big trouble in the future! Lu Bu is at his weakest now. If he doesn't show up completely

To destroy it, do we have to wait for him to regain his strength and bite us back? If we don't take care of Lu Bu at this time, we will regret it!"

Xu You smiled sarcastically, "When Lu Bu recovers his strength, my lord will have wiped out the north! At that time, my lord's power will be several times what it is now, and Lu Bu's power can only return to the pre-war level at most. In fact, this is impossible.

Yes, because he has lost the five northern counties. By then, we will be more calm and relaxed in dealing with Lu Bu. Maybe Lu Bu will take the initiative to surrender seeing the huge disparity in strength between the two sides, who knows?"

"Not bad! What Ziyuan said is exactly what I want!"

Jushou was shocked, "Lord..."

Yuan Shao said impatiently: "I have made up my mind, Mr. Jushou, don't say any more!"

"My lord, you must not listen to Xu You's words!"

"Okay, okay! Get out!" Yuan Shao pointed to the outside of the tent and said with an annoyed look on his face.

Seeing this, Jushou let out a long sigh, hunched his head and left the hall. Xu You looked proud.

After Jushou left, Xu You clasped his fists and said: "Although this battle failed to destroy Lu Bu, it did capture the five northern counties of Bingzhou, Shangjun, and Xihe County. Most of them fell into the hands of our army. So far, almost all of Bingzhou belongs to the lord, and the harvest is huge."

Not too small. In addition, Lu Bu’s army was severely damaged, so our army can take this opportunity to develop elsewhere with peace of mind.”

Yuan Shao nodded, "Where do Ziyuan think we should aim first?"

"Youzhou, my subordinates have just received news that Yan Rou and Gongsun Zan have defeated both sides. We can take this opportunity to sweep into Youzhou in one go!"

Yuan Shao was overjoyed, but immediately showed worry, "But Lu Bu has to be on guard too!"

Xu You smiled and said: "Since Jushou cares about Lu Bu so much, let him guard against Lu Bu!"

Yuan Shao nodded and suddenly remembered something, "What should we do with the Xianbei people? Their envoy just came again! It's really annoying!"

Xu You thought: "The Xianbei people have dealt with a lot this time, and the losses are not small! At present, the main energy of the lord is to fight for the deer in the Central Plains. He should be kind to these barbarians and appease them first! In this way, the lord can not only

Save yourself from worries and get a strong new force!"

Yuan Shao felt that what Xu You said made sense, "Let's do this. Give Kebineng and the Xianbei generals 300,000 taels of silver as a reward, and make Kebineng a general."

"My lord is wise."

Soon after, Yuan Shao personally led an army of 150,000 people to march north to Youzhou. At the same time, he sent envoys to persuade Yan Rou and others, leaving Jushao and an army of 200,000 people to guard Luoyang to guard against Lu Bu. He ordered Zhang Jiao and Gao Lan to lead their troops to guard the north.

Five counties, and allowed them to recruit strong men locally to supplement the army.

Yanzhou.

Cao Cao stood in front of the hall and looked at the sky in the distance, frowning.

Guo Jia walked up the steps, cupped his fists and said, "Lord."

Cao Cao looked away and sighed.

Guo Jia smiled and asked: "My lord, are you sighing for the battle between Yuan and Lu that just ended?"

Cao Cao glanced at the country and said half-jokingly: "You Guo Fengxiao are good at pinching and calculating. I can't hide anything from you!"

Guo Jia smiled and said, "Actually, my lord, there is no need to worry! Although this battle has ended in an embarrassing situation, it is not a bad thing. The combat power of his family has been greatly damaged, and we can develop with peace of mind!"

Cao Cao laughed loudly, "Well said! Everything has its pros and cons, and this situation is not a bad thing!" He turned to Guo Jia and asked: "How is the situation in Xuzhou?" Cao Cao had already captured Xuzhou, and now Cao Ren,

Xun You was responsible for various affairs in Xuzhou.

Guo Jiadao: "Xun You governed Xuzhou very well, even better than Tao Qian..."

Cao Cao nodded, "That's natural. Tao Qian is just a bad guy, how can he govern Xuzhou well? Xun Gongda has talents from all over the world, and he can certainly govern a small Xuzhou with ease!" He glanced at the country and asked with concern: "

How is the situation of money, food, and the army?"

"General Cao Ren recruited and trained the Xuzhou Army in accordance with the Lord's request. So far, he has obtained 100,000 elite soldiers! As for the money, food and silk, it will be enough for the Xuzhou Army for five years!"

Cao Cao was overjoyed, "One hundred thousand Xuzhou troops plus 150,000 Qingzhou troops, and one hundred thousand Yanzhou troops, we are now strong!"
Chapter completed!