Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Yuan Shao miscalculated.

The reason Yuan Shao agreed to renew the alliance with Liu Bei was that he wanted to send troops to launch a surprise attack on Luoyang when Liu Bei was fully engaged in fighting Yuan Shu.

Betrayal?

Yuan Shao refused to acknowledge the breach of the alliance!
Yuan Shao only recognized the alliance at Cangting Ferry with Liu Bei.

Since the agreement was made to settle the score in three years, any means can be considered a strategy for the final battle from the date the alliance ends.

Including renewing the alliance!

The renewal of the alliance was both a tactic to mislead the enemy and a part of Yuan Shao's strategy for the decisive battle.

Yuan Shao also believed that Liu Bei would do the same.

The reason for the shock was not because Liu Bei allowed Cao Cao to launch a surprise attack on Linzi, but because Liu Bei was simultaneously waging war against the two Zhong generals in the north and south.

Normally, Liu Bei would either allow the Southern Zhong to fall into internal strife and take the opportunity to attack the Northern Zhong, or stabilize the Northern Zhong and take the opportunity to attack the Southern Zhong.

However, Liu Bei once again broke away from Yuan Shao's conventional thinking and launched attacks on Nan Zhong while simultaneously attacking Bei Zhong.

"Could it be that Liu Bei has become so powerful in these three years that he can sweep across the world?" Yuan Shao was shocked, but doubts arose again.

Having dealt with Liu Bei for nearly ten years, Yuan Shao never gained the upper hand in his struggles with Liu Bei. He was suppressed by Liu Bei year after year, which made Yuan Shao both resentful and fearful.

Yuan Shao, who was wary of Liu Bei, dared not send troops out lightly.

Instead, they actively prepared for war while sending envoys to Luoyang to ask Liu Bei why he had broken the alliance.

Liu Bei's reply infuriated Yuan Shao to the point of wanting to vomit blood.

Liu Bei issued an edict rebuking Cao Cao for his unauthorized attack, dismissing him from his post as governor of Yanzhou, and reappointing him as chancellor of Jinan as a punishment.

On the one hand, he issued an edict appointing Cao Ren as the governor of Yanzhou and Xiahou Dun as the governor of Qingzhou, requiring the two to fulfill the renewed alliance with Yuan Shao.

Although it may seem that Cao Cao was held accountable, in reality, Cao Cao's power was not reduced by the slightest.

Jinan State is adjacent to Pingyuan State and Bohai Commandery, and is at the forefront of the eastern front.

If Yuan Shao had truly trusted Liu Bei and had not been wary of Cao Cao, Cao Cao could have used the excuse that "a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders" to lead his army directly to Nanpi.

He could even shout, "My personal life, death, honor, and disgrace are insignificant compared to the great cause of destroying Yuan Shao and benefiting the nation and its people."

Throughout history, there has never been a war without a legitimate reason; it's not a matter of whether you can fight or not.

Having understood Liu Bei's intentions, Yuan Shao dared not act rashly. He gathered his troops to set up defenses while observing the situation.

Heading towards Yangzhou.

Sun Jian's army entered Guangling from Xiapi and then forcefully crossed the Yangtze River into Wu Commandery.

They advanced with unstoppable momentum, their army breaking through all obstacles, none daring to stand against their advance. They also successively defeated Chen Gui's generals Fan Neng, Yu Mi, Zhang Ying, and Xue Li.

After his defeat, Chen Gui fled south to Kuaiji and sought refuge with Wang Lang.

As Liu Bei requested, conquer one prefecture and govern it accordingly.

Therefore, Sun Jian did not rush to attack Zu Lang of Danyang and Wang Lang of Kuaiji, but instead assisted Zhuge Xuan, the governor of Yangzhou, in implementing new policies in Wu Commandery.

Now that the Han Dynasty's military strength is so great, there is no longer a need to devise schemes to get powerful families to collude with foreign enemies.

Those who follow the new policies will prosper, while those who oppose them will perish.

The common people of Wu County, who had suffered from corvée labor for years, were overjoyed to encounter a new policy that benefited them.

Not only did Sun Jian advance steadily in Yangzhou, but Guan Yu did the same in Jingzhou.

After capturing Nanyang, Guan Yu implemented new policies there.

By using the wealth and resources of powerful families in Nanyang to win over the hearts of the common people, the new policies could be successfully implemented.

In the past, the powerful families and clans of Jing and Yang might have joined forces to resist Guan Yu and Sun Jian.

now.

Countless people in Jing and Yang provinces have declared themselves kings, emperors, or generals. Even though the powerful clans and magnates possessed immense collective strength, they were nothing more than a scattered mess if they could not unite as one.

Faced with Guan Yu and Sun Jian, this disorganized group had no power to resist other than being gradually devoured.

Xiangyang City.

The city gates were tightly shut, while tens of thousands of Nanyang residents outside the city were eager to enter.

If Guan Yu had not gone south, the brothers Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue would have been very happy to accept these tens of thousands of people.

Now that Guan Yu has marched south and Nanyang is under his control, Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue could hardly know whether there were any spies of Guan Yu among these tens of thousands of people.

However, if they are not accepted, these tens of thousands of people will also impact the territory of the Great Song Dynasty established by Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue.

Land and housing cannot be acquired overnight. Since these tens of thousands of people cannot obtain them through normal means, they will inevitably resort to abnormal methods to forcibly acquire them.

If that were the case, Guan Yu could be all smiles on the north bank of the Han River: "I haven't even made a move yet, and the other side has already started fighting amongst themselves."

Kuai Liang regretted declaring himself emperor.

The false prosperity of Jingyang made Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue become increasingly arrogant and conceited.

In their eyes, Yuan Shu's defeat was merely an amateur instructing an expert.

They had hoped that with Cai Mao of Shouchun joining forces and the strategic advantage of the Han River, their position would be as secure as Mount Tai.

Unexpectedly, those who claimed to be emperors, kings, and generals in Jingyang would spring up like mushrooms after rain.

In terms of talent, the brothers Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue were actually just average.

Before Liu Biao arrived, the two brothers only had influence in the Yicheng area. They rose to prominence with the help of Liu Biao and expanded their power further due to Yuan Shu's appointment. They appeared to be powerful and extraordinary, but in reality, they were just bloated.

Liu Bei ignored the two men, and they continued to act arrogantly.

Once Liu Bei got serious, the two men immediately revealed their true colors.

If Liu Bei were Liu Xiu, the Kuai brothers would have surrendered immediately upon realizing the situation was unfavorable.

It can not only save your life, but also protect your family business.

However, Liu Bei was too ruthless towards the powerful clans, intending to seize 99% of their property.

The two brothers were reluctant to give up their hard-earned family fortune to Liu Bei, and they could not tolerate the harshness of Liu Bei's new policies.

"Why not set up a trap, kill their leader, and annex their forces?" Kuai Yue suggested, adopting a compromise.

These tens of thousands of people can be accepted, but they can only obey the Kuai family.

Kuai Liang also had this idea, so he held a banquet in Xiangyang City and invited dozens of leaders of powerful families from Nanyang to the city.

To dispel any doubts, Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue allowed the leaders of various powerful families to bring their troops into the city, ranging from dozens to hundreds of men. The total number of private soldiers and retainers entering the city was approximately ten thousand.

After everyone had attended the banquet, Kuai Liang ordered his executioners to kill all the attendees, while Kuai Yue led his troops to annex the private armies of various families, employing methods even more ruthless than Liu Biao's.

With tens of thousands more private slaves and nearly ten thousand private soldiers, the fear that Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue felt due to Guan Yu's capture of Nanyang had lessened.

Even if they couldn't confront Guan Yu head-on, the two believed they could use the natural barrier of the Han River to stop him.

Guan Yu had no intention of crossing the river to fight. After leaving Wang Ling to serve as the governor of Nanyang, Guan Yu went from Nanyang to Runan to attack Cai Mao in Shouchun.

Compared to Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue in Xiangyang, Cai Mao's foundation in Shouchun was very weak.

Apart from bandits like Zheng Bao, most of them were former subordinates of Zhou Xin.

Cai Mao distrusted Zhou Xin's former subordinates, including Hou Zhengbao, and was also thinking about how to seize power from this group and then install his own confidants.

Small forces rarely grow into powerful ones, mainly because of their limited capacity.

Instead of thinking about how to maximize profits, they only think about how to fight amongst themselves and merge.

Kuai Liang was like this, and so was Cai Mao.

This is why, when Guan Yu's army arrived in Shouchun, not only did Zheng Bao and others refuse to send troops, but even Zhou Xin's former subordinates were thinking about how to save their own lives rather than reinforcing Shouchun. The Jianghuai region is different from the north; even if they couldn't defeat Guan Yu, as long as their warships were positioned on the water, they could both boost their morale and avoid direct confrontation with Guan Yu.

However, even with such a low risk factor, Cai Mao was unable to wait for reinforcements to arrive.

He claimed to be the emperor, but in reality, he could only command the city of Shouchun.

Even the officials and commoners in Shouchun City were thinking about how to abscond with the money.

Civil officials loved money, and military generals feared death; this became a true reflection of Shouchun City.

The least worried were actually the common people of Shouchun City.

The Lingyan Army's fine tradition of "preferring to freeze to death rather than dismantle houses, and starve to death rather than plunder" was steadily promoted among the armies of the Han Dynasty, and even the southern counties had heard of the Han Dynasty's military discipline.

The new policies of the Han Dynasty also benefited the common people.

As long as ordinary people stay at home obediently, they can usher in a new life.

Seeing the panic among the soldiers and civilians in the city, Cai Mao knew that Shouchun could not be defended, so he decided to take his gold, silver and valuables and retreat to Lujiang.

Cai Mao was certain that Guan Yu was ignorant of naval warfare and dared not pursue him south.

Strategically speaking, the retreat to Lujiang did indeed imply a strategic withdrawal.

But Cai Mao forgot that his current identity was no longer that of a general under Yuan Shu, but that of the self-proclaimed Emperor Li.

The emperor's abandonment of the capital and subsequent flight directly caused the morale of the generals and the people to plummet to its lowest point.

Therefore, on the way to Lujiang, Zhou Xin's former subordinates Lei Bo and Chen Lan directly rebelled.

Not only did they loot all of Cai Mao's gold, silver, and valuables, but they also kidnapped Cai Mao's wife, daughters, and sisters, directly causing Cai Mao to collapse.

Cai Mao was killed by Lei Bo with a single blow, and the hastily established Dali dynasty was destroyed.

Lei Bo and Chen Lan then gathered their troops and retreated to Lujiang. They sent someone to deliver Cai Mao's head, submitted a petition to surrender, and declared their willingness to forever guard Lujiang for the Han Dynasty.

If it were just a request to surrender, Guan Yu might have agreed.

Upon hearing Lei Bo and Chen Lan's demand to "permanently guard Lujiang," Guan Yu understood that the two were not truly surrendering, but rather surrendering out of desperation.

Guan Yu did not tolerate this and directly led his troops to Lujiang. He then swept away powerful families and clans along the way, confiscating their money, grain, land, and houses, and distributing them to commoners and serfs. He continued his advance all the way to Wancheng.

Seeing that Guan Yu refused to agree, Lei Bo and Chen Lan dared not stay in Wancheng. They packed up their gold, silver and valuables and prepared to flee south to Yuzhang.

Before the two could leave...

Lu Kang, an official in Lujiang, led his clansmen, along with Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, the military commanders of Lujiang, to intercept Lei Bo and Chen Lan.

Seeing Lu Kang, who was over seventy years old and still wearing armor and going into battle, Lei Bo and Chen Lan were both shocked and furious.

"You old scoundrel, how dare you stop me?"

Lu Kang did not answer, but sat on the city wall and directed his soldiers to fight.

After being captured by Zhou Xin, Lu Kang remained in Lujiang, relying on his reputation in Yangzhou.

Although he was in the bandit camp, Lu Kang never forgot his desire to return to the Han Dynasty.

Now they have found an opportunity and are persuading Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai to submit to the Han Dynasty.

The Nan Zhong region was in chaos, and many soldiers in the army wanted to survive, but not everyone had the opportunity to join the Han Dynasty.

Lu Kang had a friendship with Liu Bei, and following Lu Kang would not only ensure their survival but also allow them to continue serving in the army and seeking wealth and status. This presented Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai with an opportunity to abandon their allegiance to the righteous cause.

Therefore, in this battle, both of them fought bravely and were determined to take the heads of Lei Bo and Chen Lan as a pledge of allegiance to the Han Dynasty.

One side's general is cowardly and timid, while the other side's general is brave and fierce.

Lei Bo and Chen Lan were no match for Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai and were killed by the two at the north gate of Wancheng. The rest of the troops surrendered.

Lu Kang then ordered his grandson Lu Yi to take the heads of Lei Bo and Chen Lan out of the city to surrender to Guan Yu.

With Lu Kang's assistance, Guan Yu combined the warships of Lujiang and Jiujiang, and his army charged straight towards Jiangxia.

In Hubei City.

Upon learning that Guan Yu's warships were approaching, Yuan Shu showed no intention of sending troops to resist them.

After Cai Mao started the trend of declaring himself emperor, Yuan Shu gradually became more peaceful, changing from his initial anger and anxiety.

Yuan Shu resigned himself to his fate.

The vast Da Zhong Empire disintegrated within months.

Not only did each prefecture declare independence, but most of the civil and military officials in Echeng also fled.

Yuan Shu finally understood that it wasn't because he had received the Mandate of Heaven by declaring himself emperor that he was able to destroy Liu Dai, Liu Biao, and Liu Yan. Rather, it was because Liu Bei wanted Yuan Shu to become emperor, and Liu Bei wanted Yuan Shu to destroy Liu Dai, Liu Biao, and Liu Yan.

Yuan Shu finally understood that it was not because of his personal prestige that powerful families vied to attach themselves to him, but rather because Liu Bei wanted these families to attach themselves to Yuan Shu, which is why he made Yuan Shu a man of both literary and military talent.

What dealt Yuan Shu the most severe blow was that both Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong turned out to be spies sent by Liu Bei!

What upset Yuan Shu even more was that the two did not reveal their identities at the same time; Lü Bu arrived first, followed by Zhang Jiong.

The two men revealed their identities for similar reasons: they were grateful for Yuan Shu's hospitality over the past few years and therefore decided to spare the lives of Yuan Shu's small family members.

As for Yuan Shu, neither of them was qualified to act as guarantors.

When they learned that the other side were actually spies sent by Liu Bei, both Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong were shocked.

After working together for several years, I still don't know the other party's true identity!
The two men held Liu Bei in even greater awe.

"I have a question for you. If the Great Zhong had not split apart, and Guan Yu had not besieged the city, how would you two have treated me?" Yuan Shu asked, his tone complicated as he looked at Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong.

Both Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong claimed they "did not know".

Upon learning that Liu Bei had not issued any military orders, Yuan Shu was even more dejected.

This means that Liu Bei didn't even intend to use assassination.

If it were Yuan Shu, he would definitely have used assassination.

It's not that I don't use it, but that I disdain using it.

What utter contempt!
"I am the Zhong Emperor, and a descendant of the Yuan family of Runan, who have held high office for four generations. I will not surrender to Liu Bei!"

Having resolved his doubts and received promises from Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong to protect his family and relatives, Yuan Shu, reflecting on the ups and downs of his life, had lost all will to live.

"But Crown Prince Yuan Yao can surrender on my behalf. I hope that the General of the Cavalry and the Grand Master of Ceremonies will remember our past friendship and spare the Crown Prince's life, so that my lineage will not be extinguished."

Lu Bu and Zhang Jiong exchanged a glance, then bowed and agreed before leaving the hall, leaving Yuan Shu alone.

"I am far inferior to Liu Bei!"

Disheartened, Yuan Shu sat on the throne, then with a fierce tone, drew his sword and committed suicide.

Yuan Shu died.

Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong immediately led their troops to control the city defenses and officials of Echeng, and welcomed Guan Yu into the city.

Before Zhang Xun, Yang Hong, and others could understand what was happening, Guan Yu's army entered Echeng.

Ten days later.

Good news reached Luoyang.

Upon learning that Yuan Shu had committed suicide, Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh.

Although they were on opposing sides, Yuan Shu's influence not only allowed Liu Bei to successfully eliminate Liu Dai, Liu Biao, and Liu Yan, who harbored disloyal intentions, but also allowed Liu Bei's popular opinion to circulate in the south. Furthermore, it gave Liu Bei the opportunity to fight against powerful families in the south, redistribute land, and wipe out the aristocratic clans in one fell swoop.

If we disregard political stances, Yuan Shu was the greatest contributor to the annihilation of the Nan Zhong.

Setting down the report of victory, a glint flashed in Liu Bei's eyes: "Now that Yuan Shu is dead, it's time for me to go to Hebei to meet Yuan Shao again." (End of Chapter)