Three Kingdoms: I choose Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, why are you crying, Diao Chan?

Chapter 79 The fish is hooked! (Thanks to I want to escape_CB for the monthly ticket support~)

Hearing Cao Cao's question, Xun Yu was the first to speak:
"According to Wen Ruo, Yingchuan County has not had a governor since the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

“Yingchuan County is a culturally rich county with many noble families, each of which has formed its own faction and is not mutually exclusive.

"Only when the lord goes there can the noble families submit to him.

"Once we gain the support of these noble families, our strength will increase greatly!

"Therefore, my lord, you can quickly occupy Yingchuan to prevent Yuan Shu, who has recently proclaimed himself emperor and has expanded his ambitions, from getting there first!"

Cao Cao did not rush to make a decision, but turned to look at Xi Zhicai.

Compared with comprehensive talents like Xun Yu, he cares more about the opinions of people like Xi Zhicai who specialize in strategy.

Xi Zhicai said slowly:

“Although what Wen Ruo said makes sense, the reason why Yingchuan County has no master until now is not because there are too many aristocratic families, right?

"Led by the four schools of Xun, Chen, Zhong and Guo, they hindered each other and attacked each other.

“Even if the lord goes there in person, he may not be able to intimidate all the noble families.

“And even if we can handle these things, once we take Yingchuan, we will be bordering Yuan Shu’s forces.

"Then we will have no excuse to refuse the imperial edict and we will have to attack Yuan Shu.

“Although Yuan Shu is incompetent, the Yuan family still has influence.

“Although it is not orthodox to proclaim yourself emperor now, there are still many people who are dissatisfied with the Han Dynasty who go there to seek refuge.

“It’s a powerful enemy that cannot be ignored but cannot be easily defeated.

"It is easier to attack Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou who has little combat power in the east, than to attack Yuan Shu.

"And compared to just taking Yingchuan County, it is more valuable to take the entire Xuzhou!"

After hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Cao Cao couldn't help but fall silent.

Obviously, the conflicting opinions between his two confidants put him, the lord, in a difficult position.

Because both of them have a point.

Xun Yu saw Cao Cao was in a dilemma and continued:
“Zhicai is worrying too much.

"Both my Xun family and the Chen family in Yingchuan County have openly expressed their support for the lord.

"As for the other noble families, even if they don't explicitly support it, they won't oppose it either.

"As for Yuan Shu, we will run into him sooner or later.

"Instead of waiting to take Xuzhou and then resting for a long time before confronting them, why not take advantage of our current situation when our morale and military strength are at their strongest and gnaw on this tough bone?
"And as far as I know, Lu Bu's army has already stationed troops in Jiangxia and is ready to attack Nanyang at any time.

“In order to deal with the movements of Lü Bu’s army, Yuan Shu has transferred most of Nanyang’s troops to the south.

“There won’t be too many troops guarding the northern part of Nanyang.

“Even if we really fight Yuan Shu head-on, he won’t be our opponent.

"The most important point is that Yuan Shu has never been our strong enemy, Lu Bu is.

"If we don't go south to suppress Lu Bu's army sooner, and allow it to continue to develop, sooner or later a behemoth will emerge!"

After listening to Xun Yu's speech again, Xi Zhicai was finally convinced by him.

Moreover, Xi Zhicai was very clear that he was introduced to Cao Cao by Xun Yu, and that the other party was very kind to him.

In this case, even if attacking Xuzhou was more cost-effective, he could no longer continue to refute it.

Before Cao Cao made his decision, Xi Zhicai sighed and said:

"What Wen Ruo said makes sense. Actually... it's not impossible to take Yingchuan first."

Seeing that Xi Zhicai changed his words, Cao Cao could naturally guess what the other party was thinking.

Although in his heart he was more inclined to Xi Zhicai's previous idea.

But in order to prevent discord among his subordinates, he could only follow the more powerful Xun Yu:

"In that case, then we should listen to Wen Ruo's advice and attack Yingchuan first!"

Xun Yu smiled and said, "My lord is wise!"

……

Jiujiang County, Shouchun City.

Yuan Shu, wearing a dragon robe, was leaning on the dragon throne.

While pinching his brows, he listened to General Ji Ling reporting on the military movements of the surrounding forces.

"…Your Majesty, Cao Cao's army is about to capture the entire Yingchuan County.

“Rumor has it that after Cao Cao captures Yingchuan, he will immediately attack Nanyang!

“I suggest that you send more troops to the northern part of Nanyang immediately.

“Otherwise, once Cao Cao’s army arrives, the 10,000 troops in northern Nanyang will find it difficult to resist the enemy.

“Also, it is said that the troops that Lü Bu had deployed at the border between Jiangxia and Nanyang have already retreated.

"I suggest that the troops in southern Nanyang be recalled to the north!"

Listening to Ji Ling's words, Yuan Shu cursed impatiently:
"Cao Cao and Lu Bu, these bastards, all obeyed me before I became emperor.

“I started to strike hard after I became emperor!
“But our current power is not something they can challenge.

"General Ji, you must immediately transfer 20,000 troops from southern Nanyang to the north and launch an attack on Cao Cao!
"Cao Cao has just occupied Yingchuan, so his troops and horses must be exhausted. Drive them out of Yingchuan!"

Ji Ling immediately accepted the order:

"I will obey your orders!"

Looking at Ji Ling's hurriedly leaving back, Yan Xiang in the hall raised his right hand slightly, as if he wanted to call out to him.

But in the end, no words came out.

Yuan Shu noticed Yan Xiang's subtle movements and asked in a calm voice:

"Master Yan, do you have anything to say?"

Yan Xiang was silent for two seconds and shook his head slightly:
"I have nothing to say..."

Anyway, the other party wouldn't listen to him no matter what he said, so Yan Xiang had already started to move forward.

Since it is impossible to persuade the damned ghost with kind words, he now just wants to see how Yuan Shu will eventually destroy himself.

Seeing that Yan Xiang was unwilling to say more, Yuan Shu snorted in disdain:
"Since you have nothing to say, why are you still standing here? You don't need to come to court anymore!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiang did not react much. He just bowed to Yuan Shu and left the hall calmly.

Looking at Yan Xiang's departing back, Yuan Shu snorted coldly:
"Do you really think you are so talented?

"Just open your eyes and watch carefully to see how I will overcome this difficulty. Dragon Soaring to the Sky!"

……

Lujiang County, Wancheng.

"My lord! Good news! Ji Ling has transferred 20,000 of the 30,000 troops from southern Nanyang and is leading 30,000 troops to attack Yingchuan!"

Lu Bu was lying in a homemade rocking chair enjoying the massage from Er Qiao when he heard Wei Yan's voice coming from outside the house.

Hearing this news, Lu Bu did not open his eyes, nor was he surprised, but just smiled:
“It looks like the fish has taken the bait.

“Now there are 40,000 soldiers in Nanyang, 20,000 in Runan, and only 30,000 left in Jiujiang.

“If we wait for a while, there will be a high probability that Ji Ling will receive news of his defeat, and Yuan Shu will definitely continue to send reinforcements to Nanyang.

"When the time comes and the number of defenders in Jiujiang is further reduced, it will be time for us to take action together with Zhang Chao!"

Wei Yan looked at Lü Bu's confident look and asked excitedly:
"My Lord, please let Wen Chang be the vanguard and attack Jiujiang first!"

Lu Bu slowly opened his eyes and revealed a mysterious smile:
"That won't do. You and Gao Shun will be on a secret mission.

“As long as we can complete this mission, we will be able to capture Runan directly.

"It can also cut off Yuan Shu's retreat in one fell swoop and completely wipe out Yuan Shu's entire forces!"

(End of this chapter)