When Xu You saw Yuan Shao unconscious, he was very worried. He quickly helped Yuan Shao up, handed Yuan Shao to Yuan Shang, and ordered: "Third Young Master, quickly lead the king to retreat. Don't worry about anything now, just retreat."
During this war, Yuan Shang stayed with Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao wanted to make Yuan Shang the heir apparent of Jin, but Yuan Tan was still alive. Even though Yuan Tan was adopted, Yuan Tan was the eldest son, and there were people who supported Yuan Tan, which made Yuan Shao very difficult to handle.
Yuan Tan died in Qingzhou, and there was no stumbling block in front of Yuan Shang, but Yuan Shao had not yet had time to make arrangements.
Yuan Shang is not the legal heir for the time being.
Even so, Yuan Shao treated Yuan Shang as his heir, and took Yuan Shang with him whether he was discussing matters or leading troops to fight. Unfortunately, Yuan Shang had average abilities, was brave and ruthless, weak in strategy, and had no vision.
As a result, Yuan Shang was not a suitable successor in everyone's mind.
Yuan Shang was also extremely anxious.
His father is the god of the Jin State, the backbone of the Jin State, and the guarantee for his future. Yuan Shang could not carry Yuan Shao alone, so after supporting him, he asked the soldiers to put Yuan Shao on the horse and evacuate quickly with his men.
Yuan Shao's army retreated hastily.
With this retreat, Yuan's army was even more defeated and disintegrated.
Fortunately, Zhang He commanded the Euphorbia soldiers at the rear, and Gao Lan mobilized the cavalry to support them. Under the joint arrangements of Zhang He and Gao Lan, Yuan Shang broke through from the rear camp.
Although there were burning fires everywhere in the rear camp, the only areas that could be burned were granaries, equipment and materials, and the fire did not spread to a large area, so the evacuation of the army went very smoothly.
Yuan Shang retreated with his main force, but the large-scale Yuan army under his command was entangled.
The soldiers led by Zhang Liao and Guan Yu were all trying to cover up and kill these new troops, and they also took the opportunity to recruit surrender. They attacked and killed them on a large scale. Even though Yuan Shao's soldiers were elite, they retreated and fled again and again.
The army was defeated again and again, and its morale was completely lost.
There were countless people who surrendered.
People who fled were all over the mountains and plains.
On the battlefield, the Youzhou Army was invincible, constantly sweeping and killing, and swallowing up more and more Yuan's troops step by step. Under the continuous cover-up and killing by the army, Yuan Shang, Jushou and Xu You approached Yixian County.
Yuan Shao had woken up. He was physically exhausted, but fortunately he was able to ride on horseback.
Yuan Shao looked at Yixian County not far ahead with lingering fear. He looked at Jushou, Tian Feng and others, and said loudly: "We are about to return to Yixian County, should we withdraw to the county seat? I am worried that there is an ambush by Tianchou in the county seat."
Jushou glanced at the rear. There were still cavalrymen from Youzhou soldiers covering them up. They couldn't stop.
Jushou thought for a while and said loudly: "Your Majesty, we have no time to linger, and we have no chance to reorganize the army and prepare for war. Zhang Liao's cavalry is pursuing fiercely and cannot gain a foothold in the county. Regardless of whether there is an ambush in Yi County, we can only retreat."
Tian Feng added: "Our top priority is to avoid the pursuing troops first, otherwise we will retreat into the county seat. Once we are surrounded, we will be a turtle in the urn."
Xu You was also worried about being ambushed, so he advised: "Please, Your Majesty, withdraw your troops immediately."
Guo Tu remained silent for the time being.
What if he plans to retreat to Yi County and is ambushed again?
"Retreat, retreat south."
Yuan Shao weakly ordered.
After the order was issued, the army did not go to the county seat, but bypassed the direction of Yi County and continued to retreat toward Mo County in the south.
There are many swamps and lakes near Muxian County, and the water system is developed, so it is not easy for the cavalry to cover up and kill. Yuan Shao led his people to continue southward, gradually getting rid of the pursuing troops in the rear. At least when he looked back, he could no longer see the pursuing troops.
Yuan Shao did not dare to stop and continued southward.
On the other side, the army led by Zhang Liao arrived at Yixian County. Because Yuan Shao fled far away, Zhang Liao ordered not to pursue him and led his troops to Yixian County.
There were no defenders in the county. After the army entered the city, they easily took over the city. As the city supporting the camp area in front of Yuan Shao, Yi County had a large stockpile of supplies. Zhang Liao was pleasantly surprised after entering the city to take inventory.
The food and fodder in the city is enough to support his army for three months without any problem.
Yuan Shao is indeed a good person.
Knowing that Youzhou is a bitterly cold place with insufficient food and grass, it specializes in transporting large amounts of materials to supply supplies.
Zhang Liao finished counting the supplies and then sent an order to count the losses. It was near evening when everything was counted.
At this time, Tian Chou arrived in Yixian County.
Zhang Liao saw Tian Chou in the Chinese army's tent and said quickly: "Tian Changshi, this time we fought with Yuan Shao. General Yunchang killed Yan Liang and Wen Chou in succession. We even covered them up and won a complete victory."
"Our casualties are not big, only about 800 soldiers. After all, we were killed by the wind."
"The number of soldiers from Yuan's army killed by our side, including those killed by elite men under Gongsun Zan, totaled more than 9,600 killed and more than 23,000 soldiers captured. Unfortunately, Yuan Shao escaped with his men."
Zhang Liao looked excited and said: "Although this battle has been delayed for a long time, overall it is worth it."
Tian Chou's eyes were also filled with joy.
After winning this battle, the situation in Youzhou and Jizhou changed drastically.
Tian Chou continued: "We were able to defeat Yuan Shao this time, thanks to Guan Jing's perseverance and decisiveness. I met with Guan Jing and understood the situation. When General Yunchang came with his cavalry, Guan Jing asked Gongsun Zan to order the attack."
"However, Gongsun Zan refused and was unwilling to cooperate with our army to cover up the attack."
"Guan Jing had no choice but to ignore Gongsun Zan and ordered an attack. Only then did Gongsun Zan's army go out to fight. If Guan Jing hadn't seized the opportunity to launch a general attack, this battle would not have been so easy."
Tian Chou looked solemn and said: "Guan Jing made a decision at the last moment, which is very good. Gongsun Zan's approach is disappointing."
Zhang Liao snorted and said with some annoyance: "Gongsun Zan is stubborn and self-righteous. It is indeed difficult for him to become a great weapon."
"Report!"
At this moment, a soldier entered and saluted respectfully: "General Zhang, Gongsun Zan has arrived outside the camp and is clamoring to see you."
Zhang Liao laughed and said, "I really can't explain it. As soon as I said it, I came here and brought people in."
The soldier turned to inform.
Tian Chou said solemnly: "I estimate that Gongsun Zan is here to cause trouble, and he may want to raise an army to investigate."
Zhang Liao said without hesitation: "I will follow Chang Shi's arrangements for Gongsun Zan."
Tian Chou saw Zhang Liao's cooperation and praised Zhang Liao's sense of proportion. Zhang Liao was a military commander and was responsible for the arrangements on the battlefield. As for Youzhou's government affairs, personnel, and even the general strategy of governing Youzhou, Tian Chou was responsible for it.
Although Tian Chou is the chief historian, he acts on behalf of the governor of Youzhou and may be promoted to be the governor at any time.
Tian Chou smiled and said: "Thank you, General Wenyuan, for holding the battle for me."
Zhang Liao said: "It's a matter of personal responsibility."
After a while, Gongsun Zan, wearing armor, strode into the camp. He looked at Tian Chou and Zhang Liao, especially Tian Chou. The two had met many years ago and their relationship was not harmonious.
Gongsun Zan looked cold and mocked: "Tian Changshi is really smart. He hooked up with Guan Jing and others and secretly poached my people. When Yuan Shao came to kill me, you hid them with your people and avoided fighting."
"Yuan Shao stormed the city of Yijing. You used your sword to kill people. You used Yuan Shao to weaken my army and consume my power. Finally, you saw that Yuan Shao's army was about to break the city, so you led your men to fight out."
"Tian Changshi, a man who has run out of agencies."
Gongsun Zan flicked his sleeves and said forcefully: "I will report this matter to Lu Xuan and ask Lu Xuan to give me an explanation. Otherwise, people will think that I, Gongsun Zan, is easy to bully."
Tian Chou's eyes were sharp and he said calmly: "You, Gongsun Zan, are indeed easy to bully."