Chapter 458 General White Horse, come to the bowl!
The north wind is biting and the cold current is rolling.
The flawless white snowflakes kept rolling and struggling in the strong wind, just like Yuan Shao's mood at this moment, struggling for the battle in Yanzhou.
Under the corridor, Yuan Shao, wearing a large cloak, stood proudly, gazing at the beautiful scenery covered with silver in the flower garden, but he was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery at all. His thick eyebrows were furrowed, as if he could pinch a cow to death.
Xun Chen is responsible for opening up the road to Qingzhou, but so far, there has been no reply. This has exceeded his original expectations and means that something unexpected will definitely happen.
Ta! Ta! Ta!
At this moment, there was a burst of rapid footsteps not far away.
Yuan Shao subconsciously turned his head and looked.
But I saw that my attendant was coming in a hurry with a familiar figure.
It's Xun Chen.
Yuan Shao recognized it immediately.
He hurriedly greeted Xun Chen, waved his hand to interrupt before Xun Chen could salute, and hurriedly asked: "You Ruo, how is the situation? Have you contacted Gong Ze?"
Xun Chen could see Yuan Shao's nervousness and the expectation in his eyes, but he couldn't lie. It was impossible to hide this kind of thing. It would be better to tell him honestly:
"this......"
Even so, Xun Chen still found it a bit hard to talk about it.
Yuan Shao felt some disharmony from the other party's expression, and said tentatively: "Youruo, please speak boldly, I have already considered the worst outcome."
call-!
Hearing this, Xun Chen let out a sigh of relief, then made up his mind, bowed deeply, and said honestly: "My lord, my subordinate personally led people to open the road to Qingzhou."
"But......"
"But what?"
Xun Chen paused for a moment and said softly: "But I didn't find the public principles."
Yuan Shao sighed: "Then you didn't send people to investigate in the direction of Yanzhou and Langya? Maybe Gongze is here to assist Yan Liang and Wen Chou to command the battle, but that's not necessarily the case."
Xun Chen nodded: "Yes, we have already sent him."
Yuan Shao asked urgently: "Is there any news?"
Xun Chen's throat rolled and he swallowed hard: "Well, there is news! Wen Chou and Yan Liang have been defeated by Cao Cao and Xu Rong, and Gong Ze was captured alive by Cao Cao and has been transferred to the school affairs office."
Boom!
Like a thunderbolt in the clear sky.
Yuan Shao was stunned in place like thunder and lightning: "You...what did you say? Yan Liang, Wen Chou actually...actually...already...already Lost the battle?"
Yuan Shao couldn't believe his ears.
After all, Yan Liang and Wen Chou are his two most capable generals. This time, they even took the initiative to enter Qingzhou and use the Qingzhou Yellow Turban to take the lead in gathering intelligence about the enemy and familiarize themselves with the enemy's combat methods.
Only in this way can we accumulate certain experience in next year's battle, prepare in advance, and strive to cooperate with Liu Biao, Liu Yao, and Liu Yan to fight a beautiful turnaround.
But who would have thought...
Now, it has only been more than a month since the incident, and the two of them have already been defeated? Even his own adviser Guo Tu has been captured alive by Cao Cao?
Damn it!
This is simply incredible!
Although Yuan Shao thought about the worst outcome, it was just a setback in the attack, which was not ideal, but he couldn't believe it. In just over a month, he had lost two of his powerful generals and his advisor.
This business is a huge loss!
"That's right."
Xun Chen nodded affirmatively: "The battle has been defeated."
Yuan Shao waved his hand: "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! Yan Liang and Wen Chou are known as the two heroes of Hebei. They are proficient in the art of war and have strong martial arts. How could they lose to Cao Cao and Xu Rong in such a short period of time?"
"Xu Rong just surrendered. He was from the fifth battalion of the Northern Army. But Cao Cao is nothing. He is just a follower of me, Yuan Shao. How could he defeat Wen Chou!"
"Lord!"
Xun Chen's voice was loud and clear, directly interrupting the confused Yuan Shao. He stared at him firmly with his eyes and nodded slowly: "My subordinates have confirmed it repeatedly and it is true."
puff!
Heartbreaking.
Yuan Shao felt his heart aching unbearably. He stared blankly at Xun Chen, his anger boiling uncontrollably. His whole body began to tremble violently unconsciously, as if he was about to collapse in the next second.
Xun Chen hurriedly stepped forward to help: "Master, are you okay? You must take care of yourself. If you fall, the whole Jizhou will fall."
"It's okay."
Yuan Shaoqiang braced himself and tried to stay calm.
However, there was no expression on his face, as if he had been struck by lightning and was completely paralyzed. Seven Souls lost three souls, like a walking corpse, and he waved his hands stiffly:
"Please step back and let me be alone."
"Lord, you...can you do it?"
Xun Chen frowned, and while supporting Yuan Shao, he looked him up and down: "How about...let me help you go in and have a rest, and find a doctor to take a look at it."
"No...don't have to."
Yuan Shao still waved his hand, signaling Xun Chen to let go and leave.
And just when Xun Chen tried to let go of his hand, when Yuan Shao took the first step towards the palace door, there was a pop and Yuan Shao collapsed to the ground and fainted on the spot.
"Lord!"
"Lord!"
Xun Chen hurriedly rushed forward, picked up Yuan Shao's body, kept shaking it, and pinched him from time to time, trying to wake Yuan Shao up:
"My lord! Wake up, my lord."
"Someone come quickly, the doctor!"
"Quick, send the doctor!"
"..."
After a long time.
Yuan Shao woke up from his sleep, and when Mo Hu's vision became clear, he clutched Xun Chen's clothes tightly: "You Ruo, remember to keep it secret, otherwise... otherwise the military will... ..will collapse.”
Xun Chen nodded and immediately replied: "Don't worry, my lord, I can leave the rest to my subordinates. You must have a good rest and remember to take care of yourself."
*****
Youzhou.
Right Beiping.
Gongsun camp.
Central army, big tent.
Gongsun Zan stood in front of the cowhide map, frowning, not knowing what he was thinking about, but the thing his eyes were focusing on was obviously not the map, and he seemed to be just covering up his thoughts.
"Father."
The young Gongsun Xu on the side came forward, bowed his hands, and bravely said: "Xu'er knows what you are worried about, but after all, we are in a corner and cannot influence the general situation."
"Is it possible that if the imperial court does not agree to my father's request, my father will become an enemy of Nanyang Hanting? The other party's thunder and fire can break mountains and crack rocks. How can we stop it?"
"Even without Fuhuo Lei Lei, the opponent still has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. Now they have secured Liu Yu, the shepherd of Youzhou, and Yuan Shao of Jizhou is almost dead. Do we have to buck the trend?"
call-
Gongsun Zan let out a long sigh, turned around, looked at his son, and said softly: "Xu'er, when Qiu Liju brought trouble to Youzhou, you should have seen it. Is it necessary for the imperial court to protect people like this?"
"Anyone who offends our strong men will be killed no matter how far away!"
Speaking of this, Gongsun Zan's voice became sonorous: "Now, the once rebellious people can be destroyed with a single hand. Is it possible that we still need to implement a soft policy?"
"Am I still the same strong man as before? Am I still the strong man who must be killed no matter how far away I am? If such crimes can be eliminated, then it will be like raising a group of unfamiliar wolves."
"The imperial court may not understand Qiu Liju's disciple Tadun, but I, Gongsun Zan, know it very well. This person is definitely ten thousand times more treacherous than Qiu Liju himself."
"Now, although he can support Liu Yu, there is no guarantee that he will not rebel again in the future after his strength is restored. You must know that his age is almost the same as His Majesty."
"The possibility of another rebellion in the future is very, very high. If we cannot eliminate Tadun now, it will definitely become a hidden danger in the future. The people who will suffer by then will still be the people of Youzhou."
Gongsun Xu let out a long breath, as if he recalled the scene from that year. Qiu Liju colluded with Zhang Chun to rebel, and the momentum was extremely large. As the largest family in Youzhou, the Gongsun family suffered greatly. I don’t know how many people died tragically in the In the hands of Wuhuan.
Fortunately, I had hidden myself deeper back then. Otherwise, when the city was destroyed, I would have been treated like a commoner and massacred by Wuhuan dog thieves. The men were taken to be cattle and horses, and the women were taken to be slaves.
Is there anyone more cruel than the Wuhuan people in this world?
No!
Wuhuan people are evil ghosts, evil ghosts killed from the Nine Netherworld.
They fight into Youzhou with only one purpose, which is to burn, kill, loot and commit all kinds of evil. Such people do not deserve to be forgiven at all, let alone live in this world.
How could Gongsun Xu not understand his father's thoughts? He felt the same as his father, and both felt that they could not forgive these bastards and would kill them even if they risked their lives.
"But father..."
Gongsun Xu took a deep breath and exhaled slowly: "Our personal will cannot represent the imperial court, let alone what a wise and mighty emperor the current Nanyang Emperor is."
"Xu'er thinks it's better for us to surrender to His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang. As for the long-term peace and stability of Youzhou, His Majesty the Emperor who wants to come to Nanyang will definitely find a way to solve it."
Gongsun Zan frowned and sighed: "Father really wants to believe His Majesty the Nanyang Emperor, but I don't know why, but I always can't believe it."
"Xu'er knows."
Gongsun Xu nodded and said softly: "After being disappointed many times, my father only believed in himself and no longer believed in others. But after all, our strength is still too small and it is difficult to overcome the general trend."
"Report—!"
At this moment, a long announcement sounded outside the tent.
Gongsun Zan turned around and looked.
But seeing his younger brother Gongsun Yue hurriedly enter the account, his expression was extremely panicked, and he didn't even bother to salute, so he said: "Brother, there is news from the direction of Yanzhou."
Gongsun Zan frowned: "Oh? But has the Qingzhou Yellow Turban achieved results?"
Gongsun Yue nodded: "Yes, Cao Cao has defeated the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans and captured Wen Chou and Guo Tu alive. In the direction of Qingzhou, Xu Rong's troops have occupied Qi and Anping and are currently rushing to the plains."
hiss-!
Gongsun Zan was shocked and gasped: "Captured Wen Chou alive, Guo Tu? Could it be that there are people from Yuan Shao secretly controlling the situation behind the Qingzhou Yellow Turban?"
"kindness."
Gongsun Yue nodded and said with absolute certainty: "Yes, Yuan Shao's people are secretly controlling it. Originally, they had mastered the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou, but when they attacked Yanzhou, they encountered Cao Cao's strong walls and cleared the country, and used fire, thunder and bullets to resist the attack."
Gongsun Zan asked urgently: "How powerful is the thunder bomb? Can it open mountains and crack rocks?"
Gongsun Yue said softly: "Cracking mountains and cracking rocks may be a bit exaggerated, but blowing people up is not a problem at all, and the flying debris can also hurt people, and it is very lethal."
"It is said that hundreds of thousands of Qingzhou Yellow Turbans attacked Pingyin City. Within a few days, they did not even touch the city wall. They were completely blocked by ambushes and thunder bullets twenty steps away."
Gongsun Xu on the side was astonished: "How is this possible? The Yellow Turbans didn't even reach the city?"
Gongsun Yue said with absolute certainty: "Well, no, many people were killed by the bombing. They were left with flesh and blood, without any appearance. According to the details we arranged in Yanzhou, severed limbs and arms can be seen everywhere, and some were even directly bombed.
Two sessions.”
"ah?"
Even Gongsun Zan himself couldn't help but be stunned on the spot: "It exploded into two sections?"
Gongsun Yue nodded: "Yes, it is indeed the case. It is said that no one in Qingzhou Yellow Turban dared to take a step forward even after fighting at the back. In the end, the morale of the army collapsed, which led to Cao Cao's easy recruitment and the capture of Wen Chou alive."
Gongsun Zan asked urgently: "How many troops does Cao Cao and Xu Rong have now?"
Gongsun Yue replied: "Cao Cao originally had 80,000 troops. He recruited Liu Dai's 10,000 troops and the Qingzhou Yellow Turban 70,000 troops. Now there are 160,000 troops stationed along the Jishui River in batches."
"Xu Rong originally had 30,000 people, but he recruited 130,000 Qingzhou Yellow Turbans, of which 20,000 were given to Cheng Pu's navy. Now he has 140,000 troops and is about to rush to the plains to garrison."
Gongsun Zan was astonished and his eyes were as wide as bells: "So, Cao Cao and Xu Rong alone have a total of 300,000 people. If Cheng Pu's navy is added, there are 320,000 or 30,000 people?"
"That's right."
Gongsun Yue nodded: "If we add Zhang Liao from Bingzhou, Zhang Yan from the Black Mountain Army, and Liu Yu from Youzhou, the total number of troops invested by Nanyang Hanting next year will probably not be less than 500,000."
"Half a million people!"
Gongsun Yue was frightened when he heard this, and cold sweat poured down his body: "How can a small Jizhou withstand the attack of so many people? If nothing happens, Yuan Shao will definitely die next year."
"And after the Nanyang imperial court eliminates Yuan Shao, it will definitely send its army north. Brother, if we don't submit to Nanyang, there is only one end, and that is death!"
"Surrender."
Speaking of this, Gongsun Yue said earnestly: "We only have a few thousand elite cavalry and tens of thousands of infantry. How can we go against the trend? I believe that His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang will definitely give us a proper solution."
"Yes, Father."
Gongsun Xu also advised: "Xu'er believes that His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang must have his own policies and strategies. As ministers, we only need to act according to orders."
"this......"
Gongsun Zan was hesitant again.
But this time, he was obviously shaken.
It's really because Nanyang Hanting's power is too great, far exceeding his expectations. The gap between the two sides cannot be completely bridged by elites.
"Report—!"
At this moment, a long announcement sounded outside the tent again.
Gongsun Zan turned around and looked.
But seeing his own soldiers hurriedly enter the account, he leaned over and held his hands in his hands, saying: "General, Tian Chou wants to see you."
Gongsun Zan frowned and thought for a moment: "Quickly, let him in."
The soldier raised his hands and said, "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and left the tent.
Not long after, Tian Chou opened the curtain and came in. With a smile on his face, he bowed his head and said, "Tian Chou has met General Gongsun."
Gongsun Zan waved his hand: "Angel, please rise. No need to be polite. I don't know what happened last time. Is there any reply from the court?"
Tian Chou smiled faintly, nodded slightly and said, "Well, I have already received a reply, but it may be slightly different from the general's expectations."
Gongsun Zan had expected this for a long time, so he was not surprised. He just asked tentatively: "Oh? I don't know how your Majesty responded, and how he will treat Wu Huan Tadun and others?"
"That's right."
Tian Chou was too lazy to talk nonsense and said directly: "Your Majesty said that whether it is general or Liu Shijun, you all think about the people of Youzhou and hope that Youzhou can have long-term peace and stability. This is correct."
"However, Liu Shijun's gentle policy places more emphasis on long-term stability, while the general's hard policy places more emphasis on short-term results. Neither one alone is complete, and the two need to be combined."
Gongsun Zan frowned, not quite understanding: "I don't know, angel, what do you mean by this?"
Tian Chou said softly: "It's very simple. Your Majesty must be gentle and strong. In the future, Jixian County in Youzhou will be the northern capital of the imperial court. General, just imagine, will your Majesty allow the Wuhuan people to run wild here?"
"Beidu?"
Suddenly, Gongsun Zan was shocked!
Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Xujin were all shocked!
"That's right."
Tian Chou said with great certainty: "Your Majesty said that unifying the world is just the beginning. In the future, the imperial court will use the northern capital Jixian as a springboard to launch an offensive against Mobei and north of Liaodong."
"Goguryeo, Fuyu, Japan, and even further north, all cities are our targets. An extremely powerful army will be formed in Jixian, and the general will be one of them."
The word "city" is obviously a higher level than city.
This proves the importance His Majesty the Emperor attaches to Youzhou, and indirectly allows Gongsun Zan to understand His Majesty the Emperor's great ambitions.
If it can really expand outward, then Youzhou will no longer be a border county, but will become an inner county, like Jizhou, Yanzhou, and Sizhou.
As for Wuhuan Tadun?
It is possible to attack the border county Youzhou, but it is impossible to attack the northern capital where elite soldiers and horses are stationed. This alone can completely eliminate Tadun's intention to rebel.
"In the future..."
Tian Chou described the same scene vividly: "The imperial court will find ways to transform Wuhuan from nomadism to farming and settlement, and then build roads to gradually extend to Mobei."
"A large number of cities will be built in Mobei, using roads as a network and cities as points, to completely expand the territory of our Han Dynasty. If the thieves dare to rebel, we can send troops to conquer each city."
"and!"
Tian Chou emphasized again: "I heard that the imperial court has begun to plan the development of Youzhou, including starting from people's livelihood and economy. It wants to transform Youzhou into the south of the Yangtze River, so that the people can live a life like the people of Nanyang."
Gongsun Zan frowned: "Is this what the angel said true?"
Tian Chou said with great certainty: "Of course I take it seriously. Is it possible that I came here specifically to lie to the general? The general should probably have received the information that Cao Cao and Xu Rong have defeated the Qingzhou Yellow Turban."
"As of now, the imperial court has deployed about 500,000 troops and horses outside Jizhou. Next year, we can make an all-out effort to capture Yuan Shao, and then march north to Youzhou with the victorious army."
"If the general doesn't agree, it will be just one more war for the imperial court. In less than a month, the general can be captured, and within three months, Youzhou can be secured."
"General..."
Speaking of this, Tian Chou said calmly: "Is it necessary for me to lie to you, General?"
Gongsun Zan shook his head hurriedly: "Of course it's not necessary! Of course it's not necessary!"
Tian Chou said softly: "General, just imagine, your majesty escaped from Luoyang, defeated Dong Zhuo with a small force, took the jade seal and established a new dynasty in Nanyang. In less than three years, he unified more than half of the territory of the Han Dynasty."
"How could such a godly man take such a small Tadun seriously? If he can just keep to himself and be an obedient citizen, then he can do it. If he has even the slightest bit of rebelliousness, he will die without a burial place."
"His Majesty once said that a saintly king must not only be able to administer benevolent policies, but also learn to kill people and kill people. An emperor who cannot kill people can be a benevolent king at best, but he is definitely not a saintly king."
Gongsun Zan was deeply touched and said with absolute certainty: "Yes, your Majesty is absolutely right. Killing people simply is a tyrant. Being benevolent and righteous is a benevolent king. He who implements benevolent policies and kills people at the same time is a sage king."
"Your Majesty is a holy king, so he can naturally rule all races, and even destroy all races. But I, Gongsun Zan, am too stingy to understand His Majesty's great ambitions."
"Angels don't worry."
At that moment, Gongsun Zan patted his chest and promised: "I, Gongsun Zan, am willing to submit to the imperial court. In the coming year, I will definitely kill Yuan Shao together with the imperial army!"
Tian Chou smiled faintly: "It would be best if the general could do this. However, the imperial court is also preparing to transport a batch of supplies and soldiers from the sea to ensure that the people of Jixian can survive the winter safely. I hope the general can make way."
"It's natural."
Gongsun Zan agreed without hesitation: "Your Majesty is the emperor of the Han Dynasty. Western Liaoning and Youbeiping are the territory of the Han Dynasty. As long as your Majesty gives the order, how can the general dare to stop it?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. No matter when you come, I will personally escort you to Jixian under the leadership of the White Horse Yi Cong. If Yuan Shao's troops dare to intercept him midway, just leave it to me, the White Horse Yi Cong."
Tian Chou was very satisfied with Gongsun Zan's attitude: "If the general can do this, it will be a blessing to the people of Ji County."
Gongsun Zan said loudly: "Although I have conflicts with Commander Liu, it has nothing to do with the people. Fundamentally speaking, I, Gongsun Zan, killed the Wuhuan people to protect the people of Youzhou."
"That's right."
Tian Chou nodded slowly, took a long breath, and praised sincerely: "The general is indeed very righteous. I really misunderstood the general before. I hope the general can forgive me."
"How dare you."
Gongsun Zan hurriedly returned the favor and said softly: "I didn't do well before. I was too violent and extreme. I hope you can forgive me for what I have offended."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Immediately, the two looked at each other, looked up to the sky and laughed.
Gongsun Zan waved his hand: "Xu'er, send the order quickly and set up a banquet with wine. I, the general, want to have a nice drink with you sir."
Tian Chou pinched a wisp of beard under his chin: "Although Tian is very drunk, I naturally have to accompany him to the end of today's drink."