Han officials

Chapter 295 Disaster to Chiyu
With Cao Cao's suicide on the banks of the Huai River, Gaixia once again came into the public eye.

For a time, countless soldiers turned pale at the mention of Gaixia, regarding it as an ominous place for military strategists.

Correspondingly, Wei Zhe, who laid out an inescapable trap, has been compared by many to Han Xin.

It should be noted that Cao Cao's military strategies were among the best of his time.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that they were able to retake the entire Yanzhou region with just three counties is truly admirable.

Under these circumstances, the significance of Wei Zhe's victory is self-evident.

Some even believe that Wei Zhe possesses both the talent of Han Yu and Huo Qubing and the strategic acumen of Xiao He and Liang Qichao.

This view was particularly prevalent in Jingzhou, since Liu Bei, that unlucky fellow, was staying there as a guest.

Upon learning the outcome of the Battle of Gaixia, Liu Bei almost immediately became a hot topic in Xiangyang.

Officials and gentry who were interested in this battle couldn't help but come to him to inquire about all sorts of news.

There was no way around it; Liu Bei had dealings with both Cao Cao and Wei Zhe, and their relationship was quite deep.

That's fine, Liu Bei has always been happy to associate with people.

Even though he kept repeating the same things, Liu Bei still accepted all of them.

However, there was one thing that frustrated Liu Bei: some people always suspected that he had deliberately exaggerated Cao Cao's abilities.

After all, if Cao Cao was really as capable as Liu Bei said, then Wei Zhe would be far too powerful!

Logically speaking, the more powerful Cao Cao was, the more easily Liu Bei's defeat would be accepted.

However, Liu Bei was willing to swear in the name of his ancestors that his evaluation of Cao Cao was absolutely objective.

Who knows why Wei Zhe was so fierce, forcing Cao Cao to commit suicide in the Huai River!
Liu Bei, who always prided himself on being honest and kind, almost lost his image in Xiangyang.

If he hadn't stopped praising Cao Cao in time, his reputation in Jingzhou would probably have been ruined.

However, Liu Bei was not the only one caught in the crossfire of this war between Wei and Cao.

Compared to Liu Bei, Yuan Shu, who stayed in Runan indulging in wine and women, was the most unfortunate.

……

Runan Commandery, Pingyu County.

"It doesn't make sense! It doesn't make sense!"

The magnificent main hall was now a scene of utter chaos.

Yuan Shu, his face contorted with rage, kicked the table in front of him to the ground and roared as he smashed the surrounding utensils.

Meanwhile, the scantily clad dancers and maids around them knelt on the ground in terror, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

However, Yuan Shu paid no attention to them at this moment, but instead looked angrily at the civil and military officials beside him:
"This traitor Wei dares to humiliate me like this? Is he taking advantage of my weak sword?"

It's no wonder Yuan Shu was angry, after all, Cao Cao and Wei Zhe's actions this time were indeed a bit too much.

The two of them were already fighting, but they had to make the battlefield in Yuzhou.

Pei State was clearly Yuan Shu's territory, but these two men never took him seriously at all.

There was absolutely no deliberate targeting; it was as if they were just casually dismissed.

Being resented by the enemy is nothing, but being looked down upon by the enemy is something Yuan Shu can't stand.

"I cannot quell my hatred without killing the traitor Wei!"

Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, the chief clerk Yan Xiang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He was certainly resentful about what happened in Pei State, but what could they do when they were no match for the others?

It should be noted that if the sudden change in Xuzhou had not occurred, Cao Cao would probably have already conquered Yuzhou by now.

After all, Yu Province only has five commanderies and kingdoms in total.

Apart from Runan Commandery, which occupies half of Yuzhou, only Yingchuan Commandery, Chen State, Liang State, and Pei State remain.

Previously, Cao's army had captured Yingchuan Commandery and Liang State, and now Pei State has been occupied by Wei army, while Chen State is also constantly rebelling.

In this way, although they claim to have occupied Yuzhou, they can actually only control Runan County.

Instead of considering whether or not to attack the Wei army, Yan Xiang felt it was wiser to think about how to survive.

Then Yan Xiang solemnly knelt before Yuan Shu, and said helplessly:

"My lord, most of Yuzhou has fallen, with only Runan County surviving. At this time, we really cannot afford to make further enemies." At this point, Yan Xiang didn't even try to hide his words:
"Moreover, Wei Gongwei was a military genius who was not seen in a generation."

"If the two armies were to clash, which of your generals do you believe is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility? Who can defeat the Wei clan?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu was so angry that he immediately threw his sword at him.

Fortunately, Yan Xiang was a trusted old minister from his early years, and the sword only pierced the maidservant beside him.

Yan Xiang remained calm, waving his hand to have a maid drag away the blood-sucking maid.

After Yuan Shu killed Yan Xiang to vent his anger, his emotions calmed down slightly, and he felt that Yan Xiang's words made some sense.

He immediately turned to look at Ji Ling, Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui, and others on his right.

To his dismay, these military officers, who used to be so arrogant, were now all listless like quails.

Whoever Yuan Shu looked at, the general would lower his head slightly.

It wasn't that Yuan Shu was so terrifying, but rather that the mission itself was too frightening.

And he even defeated Wei Zhe?
If they were that capable, would they still be hanging around here? They would have been conquering the world long ago!
Pretending to be weak now might anger Yuan Shu, but it might not necessarily lead to death.

But if you don't act cowardly, you might be sent to your death, and who can stand that?

After looking around, no matter how angry Yuan Shu was, he had to accept the reality that his own side was very weak.

After catching his breath, Yuan Shu finally managed to calm down.

"If that's the case, then what do you suggest we do? We can't just let those bastards come knocking on our door!"

Seeing Yuan Shu raise this question with a gloomy expression, Yang Hong, the chief clerk who had been silent for a long time, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Before anyone could speak, he was the first to offer his advice:
Why must you dwell on this matter, my lord?

The Book of Changes says: When things reach an extreme, they change; when they change, they become accessible; when they become accessible, they endure.

"Yuzhou has suffered repeated wars, with its people fleeing and its fields lying barren and already in ruins. Rather than lingering here, it would be better to find another place sooner, where we might find unexpected joy."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu took it to heart and immediately seemed to be deep in thought.

Regardless of who caused the ruin of Yuzhou, it is a fact that it is now abandoned.

Yuan Shu was too lazy to put in the effort to govern, nor did he have the ability to do so.

In this way, Yang Hong's advice was exactly what Yuan Shu wanted.

Seeing his reaction, Yang Hong immediately pressed on:
"Yangzhou is currently without a ruler, which is the perfect place for heroes to display their talents."

"Why doesn't Your Excellency cross the Huai River and first establish a base in Jiujiang to expand your influence in all directions? With Your Excellency's abilities, given time, Yangzhou will surely fall into your hands. At that time, Your Excellency can reside in Yangzhou and plan for the future of the world. Wouldn't that be ideal?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu finally turned his anger into joy and immediately clapped his hands and laughed.

"good!"

Thus, the next strategic goal for Yuan Shu's forces was set.

When the Wei army prepared to deal with the counterattack of Yuan's army from Yuzhou, they were surprised to find that they had been presumptuous.

Yuan Jun not only did not attempt to retake Pei State, but also acted as if nothing had happened.

Even with Zhao Yan's planning, Chen Guo soon betrayed Yuan and joined Wei, but the Runan government still did not react.

Wei Zhe wasn't too surprised by this.

Despite Yuan Shu's arrogant and unruly demeanor, he was actually all bark and no bite.

He's the one who provokes others everywhere, and he's also the one who backs down when he can't win; his main focus is on abstract concepts.

Otherwise, Yuan Shu would not have been described by Kong Rong as "a skeleton in a tomb."

Wei Zhe was actually pleased that Yuan Shu didn't provoke him.

Because Wei Zhe, as the person involved, did not have any rest at all after the battle at Gaixia.

"how?"

"Chen Qun and Xun Yu are willing to surrender, but..."
-
Cao Cao has taken his final bow, and I feel a sense of emptiness.

It's always like this; after a climactic scene ends, I always feel completely drained. Sigh!

(End of this chapter)