Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 608: Gongsun's End
April, the sixth year of Jian'an.

After Taiyuan, Daijun, Yanmen and other counties in Bingzhou were acquired by Guanzhong, the Qin army under Liu Zhang established a geographical advantage over Hebei. The relationship between Guanzhong and Hebei can be described as like water and fire, with either the fire drying up the water or the water overturning the fire.

For this reason, Yuan Shao strengthened the military strength of Shangdang. Shangdang is a highland that covers Weijun. It is absolutely necessary for Hebei to not lose it. Otherwise, the Qin army will be in a dominant position and Yecheng will be under the attack of the Qin army at all times.

As for the news that Yuan Shao had sent more troops to Shangdang, Liu Zhang learned it through spies in Yecheng before the Hebei troops set out. Since Chang'an is farther away than Shangdang, when Liu Zhang got the news, the Hebei troops sent to Shangdang had also arrived at Shangdang.

Xun You reported the details: "Shangdang is an important place, and Yuan Benchu ​​values ​​it highly. This time, 20,000 troops from Hebei, led by generals such as Qu Yi, Zhang He, and Gao Lan, arrived in Shangdang. Including the troops of Gao Gan, the former governor of Bingzhou, and Qu Bei, the right wise king of the Xiongnu, the number of troops in Shangdang is about 40,000."

Liu Zhang didn't care about the number of 40,000, nor was he surprised, because Shangdang was a barrier to Yecheng to block the enemies from the west. If Shangdang was lost, Yecheng would be in danger. This was not an empty talk, so it was understandable and expected that Hebei would gather a large army in Shangdang.

What surprised Liu Zhang was that Qu Yi was still alive. Historically, Qu Yi was a general of Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou. After Yuan Shao took control of Jizhou, Qu Yi joined Yuan Shao's camp. He served as the vanguard in the Battle of Jie Bridge and defeated Gongsun Zan's Baima Yicong, thus marking the end of Gongsun Zan.

Later generations often referred to the Four Pillars of Hebei, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan. These four famous generals under Yuan Shao were inferior to Qu Yi in terms of their achievements and qualifications, and could not match Qu Yi's lofty achievements.

However, in history, Qu Yi became arrogant because of his achievements and was killed by Yuan Shao, so he did not have much glory. In the Records of the Three Kingdoms written by Chen Shou, there is not a single word about Qu Yi, and he is only mentioned in a few words in Wang Can's Records of Heroes.

But now, Qu Yi is alive and well, and he has moved to Shangdang this time, which shows that Qu Yi is highly valued by Yuan Shao.

It is all because of me that you have such a blessing and are able to live to this day, Qu Yi. Liu Zhang sighed at Qu Yi's fate.

If he had not put military pressure on Hebei, Yuan Shao, with his lenient appearance but cautious heart, would not have tolerated Xia Qu Yi's arrogance and willful behavior due to his achievements.

There is no other reason. Qu Yi must have turned into a pile of dry bones just like in history, with no one caring about him and only a name left in the corner of history books.

Liu Zhang responded to Yuan Shao's decision to send more troops to Shangdang: "Send troops from Hedong and Taiyuan counties to station troops there to hold out against Shangdang... Don't act rashly in the early stages, wait until the summer harvest when food is sufficient before making plans."

"Yes." Xun You agreed.

Liu Zhang said with great interest, asking about the news of his fellow clan member: "How is Liu Xuande's expedition to Liaodong?"

Xun You reported the information he knew: "Liaodong is remote and it is difficult to communicate with others. It is difficult to know the specific situation, but Liu Xuande sent military intelligence back to Yecheng, and our spies got to know it."

"It is said that Liu Xuande was on his way to conquer Liaodong, and with the help of Tian Yu and Qian Zhao, he had no obstacles along the way. When he reached the border of Liaodong, Gongsun Du saw that Liu Xuande had only a few soldiers, so he gathered tens of thousands of troops and marched forward, intending to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"Although Liu Xuande has few soldiers, his soldiers are very brave. They include Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, who rushed forward without regard for their lives. Gongsun Du's front army collapsed, affecting the rear. As a result, although Gongsun Du's army was twice as strong as Liu Xuande's, he was finally defeated by Liu Xuande." "Gongsun Du was in a panic in the chaos and could not gather the remaining troops. He led his personal guards to flee to Xiangping. Now Liu Xuande is advancing and besieging Xiangping. The people in Xiangping are terrified and their morale is unstable. Gongsun Du may be destroyed in a few months. Who knows, there will be news of Xiangping's fall next month."

Liu Zhang was very familiar with Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. They were both famous generals with great reputations. Tian Yu and Qian Zhao were actually recruited by Liu Bei to help him conquer Liaodong.

Succubus, the real demon!!!
Liu Zhang had to sigh that Liu Bei was a lord with natural charm, even though he was displaced and homeless many times, but he was deeply supported by his civil and military officials, and wherever he went, he could recruit talented people to work for him. Liu Zhang had to sigh that he was a "succubus", and his charm was unparalleled.

Although Tian Yu was recorded in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, he lived with Liu Bei when he was young, but later returned home because of his old mother. However, Qian Zhao was clearly recorded in the "Sun Chu Qian Zhao Stele" that Qian Zhao and Liu Bei grew up in Hebei, and they were heroes and sworn brothers.

Tian Yu and Qian Zhao both had a close relationship with Liu Bei, but when Liu Bei was now under the command of Yuan Shao and serving as a guest general, Tian Yu and Qian Zhao did not give up their original positions because of Liu Bei's bad reputation, and resolutely joined Liu Bei's camp. This shows that Liu Bei's personal charm is unparalleled in the world.

Xun You smiled as he told a heroic story: "News came from Xudu that Guan Yu, Liu Xuande's sworn brother, heard that Liu Xuande was in Hebei and was conquering Liaodong, so he gave up his seal and gold, and did not care about the title of Marquis of Han Shou Ting, and intended to go to Hebei. This kind of conduct can be said to be unparalleled in righteousness and a great man of the country."

"Hmm?" Zheng Du sneered when he heard this and said, "I heard that Guan Yu once killed the famous king of Wuhuan in the White Horse Battle. He was so brave and powerful that he could defeat ten thousand enemies. How could Cao Mengde be willing to give him up... Not to mention that Guan Yu was going to Hebei, and Yuan and Cao had just stopped fighting after the Battle of Guandu last year. I'm afraid it would be difficult for Guan Yu to escape from Cao Mengde's camp this time."

Xun You shook his head and sighed, "This is what is so strange about it. When Guan Yu fled to Hebei, Cao Mengde heard about it and ordered the guards in all directions not to stop Guan Yu, thus fulfilling the loyalty between Guan Yu and his brother and between the monarch and his subject."

"Ah!" Zheng Du exclaimed in surprise, and then he sighed: "Cao Mengde is really generous in his conduct."

Xun You and Zheng Du exchanged words, but Liu Zhang just smiled and said nothing.

……

Taishan County.

"Brother Xuan Gao." Guan Yu bowed and saluted the visitor. He recognized the team coming to meet them. Leading them was Zang Ba, the Prime Minister of Langya. He had met Zang Ba once or twice in the past, so he knew him.

Zang Ba saw the cautiousness behind Guan Yu's politeness. He stopped his followers, rode forward alone, and saluted, saying, "Brother Yunchang, Prime Minister Cao has issued an order that you must not be stopped. I am here to escort you to Qingzhou."

"Oh, so that's how it is." Guan Yu responded, with a sigh in his tone.

A few days later, at the border of Qingzhou and Xuzhou, Guan Yu said goodbye to Zang Ba and continued to head north, this time to Liaodong to join his sworn brother Liu Bei. He planned to sail away from Yingqiu, Qingzhou, to avoid causing trouble while traveling in Hebei.

(End of this chapter)