Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 142 How can I easily discard a gift from an old friend?

In fact, capturing a few fortified camps and holding them would also be just as frustrating for Yuan's army.

The problem is that Yuan Jun's camp is backed by the county town, so he only needs to consume the grain and fodder stored in the county town, without the trouble of transporting grain and fodder.

Cao Cao's army's provisions had to be transported from Yanzhou, and along the way, Yuan Shao's army would cut off their supply lines.

Even with their exceptional skills in holding their positions, they were nothing more than lambs to the slaughter in Yingchuan, waiting to die.

Therefore, even if the Yuan army's camp is captured, it can only be held for a short time. For the Yuan army, which is focused on defense, there is no need to attack and recapture the camp. They can simply wait for the Yuan army to retreat on its own.

Unless they can capture twenty fortified camps and a county town along the way, and safely transport a large amount of grain to store and hold the position.

Otherwise, they wouldn't even have the chance to advance step by step and gradually erode Yuan's army's camps. No matter how many troops they expend or how many outer camps they capture, they would have to retreat once their rear supplies ran out.

This is why Le Jin has clearly taken over an outer neighborhood at the cost of casualties and is holding it, so Yuan's army is also helpless against him for a short time.

He bluntly stated that Yuan Shu had created a formidable and impregnable place in Yingchuan, which was why he felt powerless to do anything about it.

"What does General Na Le mean?"

Meeting Dian Wei's gaze, Yue Jin ignored him and instead cast his cold eyes toward the Xiahou banner that was proudly fluttering across the way.

"We have come here with great effort, and our lord has high hopes for us. We must not return empty-handed."

Since Yuan's army has established a very tight and impenetrable camp, unless they make a mistake and reveal a weakness, it is impossible for our small force of less than 30,000 men to capture Xu County.

However, while conquering cities and seizing territory is impossible, killing people is still an opportunity.

I propose a duel with Xiahou Dun, whereby General Dian will behead this traitor. Afterward, we can take his head back, thus removing a thorn in our side for our lord.

Moreover, if Xiahou Dun, the commander-in-chief, were to die, it might cause chaos within Yuan's army, giving us an opportunity to seize power.

"General Yue is absolutely right. If I have the chance, I will surely kill this traitor and avenge my lord."

Dian Wei's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he then asked:
"I fear that Xiahou scoundrel, knowing my strength, may not dare to fight?"

"I will only try my best to provoke him. If he dares to fight, that would be best. If he is really a coward, we can only regroup and retreat to Yanzhou to cut our losses in time."

Dian Wei knew there was no better way, so he nodded in agreement and went back to prepare words to scathingly rebuke Xiahou Dun in order to provoke him into battle.

The following day, a deafening chorus of curses erupted from Cao Cao's army.

"Xiahou, you coward, come out and fight!"

"A traitor who betrayed his master, a cowardly rat!"

"You traitorous scoundrel, do you dare to see me!"

At first, the insults continued, but soon, seeing no movement from Yuan's camp, Cao's soldiers' insults gradually became more and more offensive and unbearable to watch.

Inside Yuan's camp, listening to the foul language of Cao Cao's army outside, General Xiahou Dun, the General Who Guards the North, grew increasingly grim, his face so dark it seemed as if water was about to drip from it.

He knew that Le Jin was trying to provoke him into going out and fighting, to be honest, let alone Le Jin on the offensive side.

Even he, the commander of the defending side, felt despair when he saw Yuan Shu in the defensive positions in Yingchuan.

With such an impregnable defense, it seemed that there was no other way but to kill his commander in battle.

I was not in control of my own destiny in Yuan's camp. Living was worse than dying. I endured hardship and bided my time to make a difference. Wasn't this all for today?
Thinking this, Xiahou Dun immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"Cao Cao's army is truly hateful; how dare they humiliate me like this?"

Bring me my sword! I will personally behead Yue Jin and Dian Wei for Lord Yuan, and send their heads to the Liang Kingdom!

However, after he finished speaking, the room fell silent. Yang Hong continued to discuss with Taishi Ci the current troop depletion, the remaining food supplies, and how to hold out. Chen Dao listened and learned from them, occasionally asking questions.

In the top-secret meeting room of Yuan Shao's camp in Yingchuan, Xiahou Dun sat, yet seemed not to be there. What humiliation were the insults from Cao Cao's army outside? To be blatantly ignored here was the real humiliation.

"Military Advisor Yang!"

Can't you hear me?
Are you going to turn a blind eye to the insults leveled against me by Cao Cao's troops outside?
If that is indeed the case, I will certainly write a memorial to Lord Yuan, impeaching you.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Hongcai had no choice but to look up at him.

To be honest, let Cao Cao's army curse Xiahou Dun if they want, what's it to them?

However, if Xiahou Dun did indeed write a memorial to Yuan Shu, then even if Yuan Shu and Yang Hong were tacitly in agreement regarding Xiahou Dun's actions, in order to publicly demonstrate Yuan Shu's trust and respect for the General Who Guards the North, he would still have to punish Yang Hong.

That's really disgusting.

Therefore, Yang Hong also sighed and explained for him.

"General Xiahou, there is no need to worry. This is because Cao Cao's army has run out of tricks. Just be patient for a few days and they will retreat on their own. This will be a great achievement."

"You weren't the one being insulted, Yang Hong, so of course you wouldn't say that. Hurry up and bring me my weapon!"

However, all that answered him was complete silence.

What a joke! Having successfully defended Yingchuan, Yuan Gong naturally knew in his heart whose credit it was.

Even if, for the sake of the overall plan, we have no choice but to punish his trusted confidant out of respect for your position as "General Who Guards the North," the ruler and his subject understand each other implicitly and know their limits.

But if we actually listen to you and something goes wrong, ruining Lord Yuan's important plans, then we will truly be punished.

Yang Hong was naturally clear about the relative importance of the matter.

Xiahou Dun shouted for a long time, but when no one paid any attention to him, he realized he had only made a fool of himself.

"The General Who Guards the North?"

He gave a wry smile and cursed, "What a fucking joke!"

Shortly after, there was a knock on the door, and Yang Hong ordered someone to come in.

The messenger, carrying a gift box and a letter, reported:

"Reporting to General Zhenbei, this was sent by Yue Jin from Cao's camp. He said it was a gift for his old friend Xiahou Yuanrang, to make up for your promotion to General Zhenbei."

Everyone was puzzled and hurriedly ordered it to be opened.

The letter contained the following:
Yuan Rang, seeking wealth and power, betrayed his lord and defected to the enemy, shamelessly becoming the General Who Guards the North and commanding the troops of Yingchuan.

However, now that you are a subject of Yuan, why do you not think of donning armor and taking up arms to fight me to the death and repay Lord Yuan's special favor? Is this another sign of having treacherous intentions?

They are determined to defend their earthen nest, avoiding swords and arrows and daring not to fight. How are they any different from women?

I would be ashamed to be associated with them!

After reading the letter, the gift box was opened, revealing a woman's garment.

Those present from Yuan Ying burst into laughter, but Xiahou Dun remained expressionless, his face changing several times, turning pale and then red.

"This is truly a godsend for us to defeat Cao Cao."

After Yang Hong finished speaking to Taishi Ci, he looked up at Xiahou Dun.

"General Zhenbei, since this was a gift from an old friend, why not try it on?"

(End of this chapter)