Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 602: Invasion of Jizhou

Just as everyone was about to disperse and go about their business, a soldier came running over.

"Report... Lord, the defenders of Dongguang City in Bohai County reported that yesterday evening, Liu Bei led 3,000 soldiers and horses, lightly armed and with a few followers, and bypassed the city. The defenders in the city were insufficient and did not dare to pursue him. Now Liu Bei has entered the territory of Qingzhou."

Yuan Shao and others were greatly surprised.

"Liu Bei? Wasn't he a general under Gongsun Zan? Why did he go to Qingzhou?"

The messenger seemed a little hesitant and opened his mouth: "When the garrison came to report, they also said...that they saw him in Liu Bei's army..."

Yuan Shao asked: "Who did you see? Don't hesitate, tell me quickly."

The soldier then said, "We saw the two military advisors, Shen Pei and Tian Feng. They accompanied Liu Bei and talked and laughed all the way. They entered Qingzhou together..."

"What?" Yuan Shao and Ju Su were struck by lightning at the same time.

Ju Su grabbed the soldier and said, "This is impossible. The defenders must have made a mistake. How could Zhengnan and Yuan Hao follow Liu Bei? It's impossible. Absolutely impossible!"

Xu You suddenly sneered: "Hehe...hehe, what a vicious plan! They want to cooperate with the outside world and wipe out my Jizhou foundation in one fell swoop."

"Xu You, stop slandering me." Ju Su retorted angrily.

"I slandered you? It's clear as day. Shen Pei and Tian Feng defected to Gongsun Zan, not only wanting to seize the land of Jizhou, but also wanting to occupy the several counties of Qingzhou that the eldest son had captured. They deliberately left letters to collude with you internally and externally, and persuaded the lord to transfer the troops back to Qingzhou. The two of them then sneaked into Qingzhou with Liu Bei. I've heard for a long time that Liu Bei is on good terms with Kong Rong of Beihai, so it's just right to send him there."

"That's right, these two villains are completely devoid of conscience and deserve to be killed!" Guo Tu scolded loudly.

"This...this, this..." Although Ju Shou was unwilling to believe what Xu You said, he found it difficult to defend himself in the face of such facts.

"How hateful!" Yuan Shao's expression changed immediately, and he swept everything on the table in front of him to the ground.

"I cannot coexist with these two thieves! Come, go to their homes immediately and capture their entire family, young and old."

Guo Tu said, "My lord, I sent someone to do it a few days ago, but the mansion of the two of them was already empty, not to mention their families, even the servants and maids were nowhere to be seen. My lord was busy with military affairs at that time, so I didn't inform you in time."

"Ha, it seems they had planned this all along. If they were pretending to surrender, why would they take their families with them? Wouldn't that mean they would be used as hostages by Gongsun Zan?"

"You...you..." Ju Su was so anxious that he became incoherent.

He knelt down in front of Yuan Shao again: "My lord, Zhengnan and Yuan Hao must have their own difficulties, and the strategy mentioned in the letter is really the best strategy. My lord, please don't be confused..."

"Shut up!" Yuan Shao was so angry that veins popped out on his forehead. He looked at Ju Shou as if he wanted to eat him alive.

"I, Yuan Shao, have always treated you well, but you are so cruel and ruthless that you dare to do such a treasonous thing. Now you dare to pretend in front of me. It's really hateful!"

"My lord, your subordinate..."

"Someone come here!" Yuan Shao was no longer willing to listen to Ju Su's explanation and directly called the guard at the door.

"Throw Ju Shou and his entire family into the death row. When Liu He attacks the city, use their heads as sacrifices for our army!"

"My lord...My lord, please don't be confused..."

When Ju Shou was being dragged away, he was still crying and begging. However, these voices only made Yuan Shao feel extremely angry and disgusted.

Yuan Shao stood up, looked at everyone, and said fiercely: "Send the order immediately, follow Ziyuan's plan and prepare for war immediately!"

"Here!"

A few days later, tens of thousands of troops were marching at full speed on the official road at the border between Changshan and Zhao State.

The man riding a horse in front is tall and broad, with a face as red as a date and five long strands of beard. He looks extremely majestic. It is Guan Yu.

It was noon and the army took a short rest leaning against the forest nearby.

After everyone had eaten their dry food, Qian Ning came to Guan Yu with a water bag and said, "General Guan, drink some water."

Guan Yu took the water bag, took a sip himself, and then passed it to Zhang Liao beside him. However, Zhang Liao did not take it. Instead, he just lowered his head with a solemn expression, as if he had a lot on his mind.

Guan Yu called out, "Wenyuan?" Zhang Liao was startled and said, "Huh? Oh... General Guan, you called me?"

Guan Yu looked at him and said, "What's wrong with you? You have been a father for some time. Why are you still worried about your family during this expedition?"

Zhang Liao shook his head hurriedly. "How dare I let my family affairs interfere with military affairs? I was just thinking that the Jizhou troops only fought with us a little the day before yesterday and then quickly retreated. When we were about to leave, they attacked us again. They kept doing this and finally led us here. It seems that they are deliberately leading us to some place. I'm afraid there is a trap there."

Guan Yu raised his head and laughed: "Haha, Wenyuan can think more, this is a good thing. But even if there is a trap, what can it do? I regard the rats in Jizhou as grass. Even if Yuan Shao comes in person, I will cut off his head and present it to my brother, not to mention a mere trap and ambush."

At this time, Qin Chu also came over and sat next to Zhang Liao. "I think the same as Wenyuan. This battle is related to the survival of Jizhou. I am afraid that the centipede will attack again before dying and may hurt people. I think it is better to be cautious."

Guan Yu looked disdainful and sneered, "You have followed me for many years, how come you don't have the courage? From here, it's only three days' journey to Yecheng. I think it will take about the same amount of time for my brother to attack Yecheng from both sides and capture Yuan Shao in one fell swoop. You rats in Jizhou think you can stop me by setting up an ambush, it's ridiculous."

"The general is telling me that I was too cautious."

"Hey, Wenyuan and Boqing, don't blame yourselves. My elder brother always told me that it is better to be careful than to be arrogant. He always said that I was too arrogant and conceited. On the battlefield, I was not as calm and cautious as you, so he told me to listen to your suggestions. It is a great benefit for me to have generals like you to assist me. I can continue to do so in the future."

After hearing Guan Yu's words, I was deeply moved.

"How can I be so worthy of such praise from you, my lord and General Guan?"

Guan Yu patted them on the shoulders and said with a smile: "Haha, Wenyuan and Boqing, there is no need to be too modest. It is not only you two, but also Zijing, Lu Ning, Xuanwei and others. They all have their own strengths. Only if we work together can we revive the Han Dynasty and live up to our lives as real men."

Several people were deeply moved: "We will devote ourselves to this cause until our death!"

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, feeling very pleased.

"Okay, we've rested, let's get going!"

On the city wall of Yecheng, Yuan Shao, accompanied by a group of generals and advisers, personally inspected the city defenses.

At this time, a soldier ran up to the city wall and whispered something to Xu You. Xu You listened and a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations, my lord! Guan Yu really fell into our trap and was lured all the way here. He is now outside Handan City. The 30,000 defenders in the city are well prepared and will surely make it difficult for him to attack Ye City."

Yuan Shao was very happy and laughed, "Good, Ziyuan's plan is really brilliant. In a blink of an eye, he trapped Guan Yu's 40,000 troops. Good, haha!"

"It's all thanks to your wisdom and intelligence, my lord. How dare I take credit for it?"

"Well, Ziyuan is indeed wise and humble, and he is truly a good counselor for the world." Yuan Shao praised Xu You highly.

"By the way, is there any movement in Zhongshan County?"

Gao Lan stood up and said, "My lord, three days ago, a great battle broke out between the Baibo Army and Gongsun Zan in Zhongshan County. Both sides suffered losses. Xu Huang still failed to capture Shangquyang City and has withdrawn his troops to rest. Since then, there has been no other movement. However... a few days ago, in the middle of the night, there seemed to be some troop movements between the cities in Zhongshan County, but it was dark and difficult to detect."

Xin Ping said: "This must be Gongsun Zan dispatching troops from other counties to Shangquyang City for reinforcements. He was afraid that the Baibo Army would know about it, so he carried out the operation late at night, so as to catch the Baibo Army off guard in the future."

"Yeah, that's right, that makes sense." Everyone agreed with this statement.

"My lord, this is enough to prove that the siege weapons Liu He displayed in front of Huguan that day were not many in number. Otherwise, if some were given to Xu Huang, how could the Baibo Army, with twice the number of troops as Gongsun Zan, not be able to capture a small city like Shangquyang County?"

Guo Tu's words made Yuan Shao feel relieved.

"Very good, very good. Your words make sense. This way, our army's chances of winning will increase by three points. God is helping me. Haha, God is helping me..."

"Report..."

A soldier hurriedly ran up to the city wall.

When Yuan Shao saw him, a trace of nervousness appeared on his face again: "What's the matter? Report any military information as soon as possible."

"Reporting to the Lord, Liu He is leading an army of 70,000 and has arrived 40 miles outside the city."

Yuan Shao's expression was cheered up: "Good, you came at the right time. Liu He, Liu He, this Yecheng is where you will die!"

(End of this chapter)