Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 699 Depressed
"General Yan is right," Wen Chou echoed. "Although Cao Cao's forces have increased, they are still far behind us. If we send out troops now, we will surely defeat him in one fell swoop."

After hearing what the two said, Yuan Shao showed a hint of hesitation. He turned to look at Guo Tu and asked, "Mr. Guo, what do you think?"

Guo Tu pondered for a moment and said slowly: "My lord, Cao Cao has just recruited a million Yellow Turbans. Although the composition is complex, after his reorganization and training, their strength should not be underestimated. In addition, the terrain of Qingzhou is complex and easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we send troops rashly, I am afraid we will be trapped in a protracted war and lose a lot of troops and food."

"Then in your opinion, what should we do? Just leave Cao Cao alone?" Yuan Shao frowned, looking displeased.

"Of course not," Guo Tu said quickly, "We can first send someone to rebuke Cao Cao, so that he will understand his mistakes and surrender. If he refuses, we can unite with other princes to attack him together. This will not only give us a legitimate reason to fight, but also disperse Cao Cao's forces and increase our chances of victory."

"Hmph, send someone to reprimand him? Cao Cao has become powerful now, how could he easily listen to us?" Yuan Shao snorted coldly, obviously not satisfied with Guo Tu's suggestion.

"My lord, what Mr. Guo said makes sense," said another strategist, Xu You. "Cao Cao is ambitious and will not surrender easily. But if we go out alone at this time, the risk is too great. We should follow Mr. Guo's suggestion and send someone to test the waters. At the same time, we should contact other princes to see their attitudes."

After hearing what Xu You said, Yuan Shao's anger subsided a little. He sat back in his seat, thought for a long time and said, "Okay, let's send someone to Qingzhou first to see what Cao Cao is up to. At the same time, you contact other princes and tell them that Cao Cao has betrayed the alliance, and ask them to join us in sending troops to attack him."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Soon, Yuan Shao's envoy arrived in Qingzhou. When Cao Cao learned that Yuan Shao had sent someone to Qingzhou, he sneered in his heart: "I have already expected that Yuan Shao will not give up, let's see what tricks he can play."

Cao Cao received the envoy in his tent. The envoy looked arrogant. When he saw Cao Cao, he said loudly: "Cao Cao, you are a subordinate of Alliance Leader Yuan, but you secretly recruited the Yellow Turban Army and refused to submit. This is a blatant disobedience to the Alliance Leader's orders! Alliance Leader Yuan orders you to immediately disband the Qingzhou soldiers and return to Jizhou to apologize, otherwise, you will bear the consequences yourself!"

After hearing this, Cao Cao's face darkened. "I, Cao Cao, suppressed the rebellion in Qingzhou and incorporated the Yellow Turban Army to maintain world peace, not to betray. If Alliance Leader Yuan really cares about the people of the world, he should not interfere with my actions."

"You... you are just making up excuses!" The envoy was so angry that his face turned red. "If you don't obey the orders of Alliance Leader Yuan, Alliance Leader Yuan will lead the army to flatten Qingzhou!"

"Hmph, let him try!" Cao Cao said coldly, "I, Cao Cao, am following the orders of the emperor to fight against the enemy and pacify the people. What crime have I committed? Go back and tell Yuan Shao that if he dares to attack me, I will make sure he never returns!"

Seeing Cao Cao's firm attitude, the messenger knew that it was useless to say more, so he had to leave Qingzhou angrily.

After the messenger returned to Jizhou, he told Yuan Shao exactly what Cao Cao had said. After hearing this, Yuan Shao was furious again: "How dare Cao Cao, this traitor, be so arrogant! Pass the order down, prepare the whole army to attack Qingzhou!"

"My lord, wait a minute!" Guo Tu tried to dissuade him again, "We haven't contacted the other princes yet. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to send troops at this time."

Yuan Shao suppressed his anger and said, "Well, let's wait a few more days. If the other princes still don't agree to send troops, I will lead the army myself to attack Cao Cao!"

In the next few days, Yuan Shao's envoys rushed around to contact other princes. However, most of the other princes took a wait-and-see attitude and were unwilling to easily get involved in this dispute. They knew that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were both powerful princes, and the outcome of this fight was unpredictable. If they rashly participated, they might bring themselves unnecessary trouble.

Yuan Shao was very anxious when he learned about the attitudes of other princes. He looked at Qingzhou on the map with unwilling eyes: "Is there nothing I can do about Cao Cao?"

"My lord, we can't be impatient," Xu You advised. "Although Cao Cao's strength has increased, his foundation is not stable. We can continue to send people to contact the princes, while strengthening our own strength and waiting for the opportunity. As long as we grasp the opportunity well, we will be able to defeat Cao Cao."

After hearing what Xu You said, Yuan Shao nodded helplessly: "Okay, let's wait a little longer. But Cao Cao, I will never let him go!"

The atmosphere in Yuan Shao's tent was still tense. Everyone knew that the contest between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao was only temporarily put on hold, and the real war might break out soon.

In Youzhou in the north, Gongsun Zan heard that Cao Cao had parted ways with Yuan Shao after incorporating the Yellow Turban Army of Qingzhou, and a hint of unconcealable satisfaction appeared on his face. He sat in the tent, playing with a sharp dagger in his hand, and his mind kept surfacing about the past battles with Yuan Shao. The border people who were harassed by Yuan Shao, and the comrades who died in the battle, one by one, all turned into a huge hatred for Yuan Shao in his heart. Now, Cao Cao's actions gave him an opportunity for revenge.

"Haha, Yuan Shao, ah Yuan Shao, you have come to this day!" Gongsun Zan suddenly laughed loudly, and his laughter echoed in the tent, startling the soldiers outside the tent and making them look sideways.

"My lord, why are you so happy?" General Yan Gang lifted the tent curtain, strode in, and asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Gongsun Zan put away his smile and told Yan Gang the news of the breakup between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Yan Gang was also excited after hearing this: "My Lord, this is a golden opportunity! Yuan Shao has been bullying us all the time, and now that his backyard is on fire, it is a good time for us to take revenge."

"That's right," Gongsun Zan's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "I have long wanted to find an opportunity to deal with Yuan Shao. This time Cao Cao has become independent, Yuan Shao will definitely be distracted. If we launch a surprise attack at this time, we will definitely catch him off guard."

"My lord, this matter still needs to be carefully considered." Advisor Guan Jing walked into the tent and said solemnly, "Although Yuan Shao faces the threat of Cao Cao, he has a strong foundation and his troops are strong. We must not underestimate the enemy."

"Mr. Guan, I know Yuan Shao is very powerful, but we can't miss this opportunity." Gongsun Zan frowned and said, "If you have any ideas, you might as well speak up."

Guan Jing pondered for a moment and said slowly: "My lord, if we want to launch a surprise attack on Yuan Shao, we must first find out his troop deployment and defense situation. We can send a few elite scouts to sneak into Jizhou to gather intelligence. At the same time, we must gather troops and prepare for battle. But before taking action, we must ensure that there is no room for error."

Gongsun Zan nodded in agreement: "Mr. Guan is right. Yan Gang, you should immediately select a hundred elite scouts, have them disguise themselves, sneak into Jizhou, and make sure to find out Yuan Shao's situation thoroughly."

"Yes, sir!" Yan Gang took the order and left.

In the following days, Gongsun Zan waited for news from the scouts while actively preparing for military action. He personally inspected the military camp to boost the morale of the soldiers.

"Brothers, Yuan Shao has been bullying us and making our people suffer. Now, the opportunity for revenge has come!" Gongsun Zan stood on the reviewing platform and shouted, "We must let Yuan Shao know that we, the men of Youzhou, are not easy to bully!" "Revenge! Revenge!" The soldiers shouted in unison, the sound was deafening, and the morale was extremely high.

A few days later, the scouts returned one after another with detailed intelligence. After Yuan Shao learned that Cao Cao had become independent, he was busy dispatching troops to strengthen the defense of the border between Jizhou and Qingzhou, and his defense against Youzhou was relatively lax.

"My lord, Yuan Shao has assembled a large number of troops on the border between Jizhou and Qingzhou, and the garrison on the border of Youzhou is relatively weak." A scout reported.

After hearing this, Gongsun Zan was overjoyed: "Great, God is really helping me! Mr. Guan, in your opinion, where should we start?"

Guan Jing spread out the map, pointed to a place on it and said, "My lord, this is an important stronghold of Yuan Shao on the border of Youzhou, called Yijing. Yijing has a dangerous terrain. If we can capture Yijing, we can march straight into the heart of Jizhou."

Gongsun Zan studied the map carefully, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Okay, let's use Yijing as the breakthrough point. Yan Gang, you lead 10,000 white horse volunteers as the vanguard, and you must capture Yijing in the shortest possible time. I will lead the main army to follow up."

"I obey your orders!" Yan Gang said excitedly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The White Horse Volunteers were elite cavalry that he had trained himself, and they were extremely powerful. He had long been looking forward to a showdown with Yuan Shao's army.

Late at night, under the moonlight, Yan Gang led 10,000 white horse volunteers and marched towards Yijing silently. The sound of horse hooves was covered by thick cotton cloth, and almost no sound could be heard. The defenders of Yijing were unaware of the approaching danger and were still asleep.

"Brothers, charge for Youzhou and for our dead comrades!" Yan Gang gave an order, and the White Horse Volunteers rushed towards Yijing like a white torrent.

The defenders on the city wall were awakened by the sudden attack and took up their weapons in a panic to resist. But the White Horse Volunteers acted quickly and soon broke through the city gate and rushed into the city. For a moment, the shouts of killing shook the sky and flames shot up into the sky.

"Kill! Don't leave any alive!" Yan Gang waved his spear and led the troops. Wherever he went, Yuan's army fell one after another.

Under the leadership of Yan Gang, the White Horse Volunteers quickly occupied Yijing. When Gongsun Zan learned that Yijing had been captured, he immediately led his army to the city.

"Well done, Yan Gang, you did a great job!" Gongsun Zan looked at the occupied Yijing and said with satisfaction, "Let's continue to move forward and attack Yuan Shao's lair!"

Yuan Shao was shocked when he learned that Yijing was captured by Gongsun Zan. He did not expect Gongsun Zan to launch a surprise attack at this time, so he quickly dispatched troops to defend it.

"How dare Gongsun Zan, that bastard, attack me while I was dealing with Cao Cao!" Yuan Shao shouted angrily, "Pass the order down, have Yan Liang and Wen Chou lead the army and rush back to help!"

A great war between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan thus began.

The news that Yijing was captured by Gongsun Zan spread in Jizhou like thunder. Yuan Shao was shocked and angry. He immediately recalled Yan Liang and Wen Chou, assembled a large army, and prepared to fight a decisive battle with Gongsun Zan.

Gongsun Zan's morale was greatly boosted after the capture of Yijing, and he led his army to continue advancing into the hinterland of Jizhou without stopping. South of Jieqiao, the two armies finally encountered each other, and a major battle was about to break out.

Gongsun Zan rode a sturdy white horse, wearing silver armor and holding an iron spear, standing majestically in front of the battle. Behind him, 10,000 white horse volunteers lined up in an orderly manner. The white horses and silver armor shone coldly in the sun, like a steel wall. "Brothers, today is the day for us to take revenge! For Youzhou, for our dead brothers, kill!" Gongsun Zan raised his iron spear high and shouted loudly, his voice resounding throughout the battlefield.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The White Horse Volunteers shouted in unison, the sound was deafening and their morale reached its peak.

Yuan Shao rode a black horse, wearing a golden helmet and a red robe, and two generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, stood on both sides like door gods. Yuan Shao looked at Gongsun Zan's army, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes: "Gongsun Zan, you dared to attack me when I was unprepared, today I will make sure you never return!"

"My lord, I am willing to lead the vanguard troops to break through Gongsun Zan's defense line!" Yan Liang clasped his hands together and stepped forward to ask for battle. His voice was like a loud bell, revealing an unstoppable momentum.

"Okay!" Yuan Shao nodded in agreement. "You and Wen Chou will each lead 3,000 elite troops to attack Gongsun Zan's White Horse Volunteers head-on. Make sure to disrupt their formation!"

"Yes, sir!" Yan Liang and Wen Chou took the order, mounted their horses, waved their weapons, and led six thousand elite soldiers, rushing towards Gongsun Zan's camp like a tiger descending from a mountain.

Gongsun Zan sneered when he saw Yuan's army coming. "Humph, you guys think you can defeat my White Horse Volunteers? Yan Gang, lead your troops to meet the enemy!"

"Yes!" Yan Gang responded, urging the white horse under his crotch, holding a spear, and leading three thousand white horse volunteers to rush towards Yuan's army.

The two armies collided in an instant, and the shouts and sounds of weapons clashing intertwined, deafening. Yan Liang wielded his broadsword, slashing left and right, and wherever he went, the White Horse Volunteers fell one after another; Wen Chou held a long spear, like a dragon out of the sea, charging back and forth in the enemy formation. Yan Gang was not afraid at all, and fought with Yan Liang. The two fought back and forth, with swords flashing and sabers flashing, and it was difficult to tell who was better.

The battlefield was filled with smoke and dust, and the blood of the soldiers dyed the ground red. Although the White Horse Volunteers had superb riding skills and strong combat effectiveness, the Yuan army had a large number of people, and Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both extremely brave and fierce generals. For a time, the two sides fell into a stalemate.

Gongsun Zan was anxious when he saw this, because he knew that it would be disadvantageous for him to continue the stalemate. So he ordered the remaining White Horse Volunteers to outflank Yuan's army from both sides in an attempt to disrupt Yuan's army's formation.

Yuan Shao saw that Gongsun Zan's army was outflanking, so he immediately ordered his archers to shoot. Arrows rained down like rain, and the White Horse Volunteers were shot and fell off their horses. But the White Horse Volunteers did not flinch. With their superb riding skills, they shuttled through the rain of arrows and quickly approached Yuan's army.

"Kill!" The White Horse Volunteers rushed into Yuan's army camp and started a fierce close combat with Yuan's army. For a moment, blood and flesh flew all over the battlefield, which was a horrible sight.

(End of this chapter)