Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 136

"Yuan Xi?" Zhao Feng never dreamed that the second son of the Yuan family would write a letter to him.This letter really had a twists and turns, first sent by Yuan Xi to Chaisang, then from Chaisang to Xiangyang, and then from Xiangyang to Hanshou County.Arriving almost at the same time, there was also a letter from Liu Bei.

After reading the two letters side by side, Zhao Feng finally figured out what was going on.It turned out that after Yuan Shao lost Bingzhou after the defeat of Cangting, his strength was greatly reduced, and his health was getting worse day by day. Right now, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Guo Tu are taking care of all matters big and small.Yuan Tan sent Chen Zhen to seek support from Liu Bei. At the same time, Yuan Xi also wrote to Zhao Feng, his "brother-in-law" for help, asking him to help persuade Liu Bei that the two families attack Cao Cao together.

To be honest, Zhao Feng was very moved.Yuan Tan is really the kind of person who is bold and productive.There are only two and a half states left, and they are already discussing how to deal with Cao Cao and divide the land equally.If it can be as he said, then after occupying all the territory under Cao Cao's rule, the remaining Yuan family in Hebei is nothing to worry about.Looking at Yuan Xi's letter again, it is nothing more than persuading himself to persuade Liu Bei to join forces with the Yuan family to deal with Cao Cao.

When Liu Bei and Cao Cao formed an alliance to deal with Yuan Shao, they ruled only two prefectures, Xu and Yu, with a population of only 400 million and less than 20 troops.Right now Liu Bei occupies the land of four states, with a population of more than 800 million and nearly 40 troops.In contrast, after Cao Cao occupied the four states, his strength also improved greatly.Although the population of Bingzhou is only 70, it is one of the four major horse production bases of Dahan, and its strategic significance is extremely important.More importantly, after Cao Cao occupied Bingzhou, he could attack Jizhou from both sides.And once Yuan Shao was squeezed out of Jizhou, he would probably be able to linger on while retreating to Youzhou.As for Qingzhou, most of it has been occupied by Liu Bei at present, and only Nanpi and the plains to the north of the Yellow River are left to be guarded by Yuan Shang.After Yuan Tan took over the power alone, he transferred Yuan Shang's confidants Shenpei and Feng Jidu there, nominally to assist Yuan Shang in guarding Qingzhou, but in fact to dismiss him.In addition, the general Zhang Zha and the counselor Jushou were transferred back to Jizhou, preparing to defend Jizhou to deal with Cao Cao.In addition, Tian Feng was transferred to Youzhou by him to assist Yan Rou in dealing with alien races.At the same time, Tian Yu led [-] elite soldiers from Youzhou into Shangdang County, ready to help lead Shao.

It should be said that Guo Tu and Yuan Tan still have some skills.In such an unfavorable situation, it is not easy to put on a decent defensive posture and let Yuan Shang, who does not agree with him, live in Qingzhou and do nothing.However, it is obviously not enough to deal with Cao Cao with this ability.

Now history has been changed into a mess by Zhao Feng. Except Liu Zhang in the deep mountains and Gongsun Kang in Liaodong are still living their own lives, the fates of other major princes have undergone earth-shaking changes compared with the same period in history.Liu Biao, who was supposed to be lingering on his last breath, had already retired to Jingnan for more than half a year; Sun Zhongmou, who was sitting in Jiangdong, was forced to live a happy and depressed life in the four counties of Jiaozhou.Even Ma Teng and Han Sui, who were supposed to stay out of the matter at this time, actually took a stroll around Bingzhou.Now that Yuan Tan is going to form an alliance with Liu Bei, Liu Bei is also asking the core figures like Zhao Feng and Guan Yu for their opinions.

Zhao Feng thought over and over again, feeling that even if he formed an alliance with Yuan Tan.But firstly, the two families are far apart, and the news is not clear; secondly, with Yuan Tan's strength and ability, at most he can only contain Cao Cao, but it cannot be used as a big help.After much deliberation, it seems that it is best to squeeze Yuan Tan's residual value and let his side get more benefits.Either take the opportunity to seize Hanzhong, or take the opportunity to consolidate Jingxiang, both are good.

At present, Zhao Feng wrote his opinion in detail and sent a reply letter to Liu Bei. The general idea is that he can agree to form an alliance with Cao Cao, but in fact, he will take the opportunity to seek his own interests. "Zijing, Shiyuan, Bo Tao, his second brother, and Kong Ming all think that it is advisable to form an alliance with him, but it is not appropriate to use weapons." After reading several replies, Liu Bei basically agreed.

"We also think so!" Pang Tong and others also agreed. "But if Cao Cao comes to attack, what should I do?" Sun Qian asked at this time.

"Don't worry, Gongyou. Although Cao Cao won the Cangting battle, it was a narrow victory. Even if he wanted to attack again, he would be powerless. In fact, it is not only Cao Cao, but also Yuan Shao. It is the general trend for the three parties to recuperate. At least in the coming year, Everyone is powerless to fight any more." Chen Qun laughed.

"That's right. In this Battle of Cangting, Yuan Cao's troops were far inferior to those at Guandu, all because of the shortage of food and grass!" Pang Tong laughed.

"It's more than that. Since then, Yuan Shao has become a situation where the mountains are declining. In the future, the world will definitely become a situation where the lord and Cao Cao will compete from north to south." Lu Su laughed.Everyone agreed, and Liu Bei looked at the map of the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty hanging on the wall.

"Huh?" Seeing Liu Bei frowned slightly, Pang Tong followed his gaze, but saw that what Liu Bei was looking at was the land of Xichuan, and he immediately understood.At this time, Liu Bei came to his senses, ordered Chen Zhen to be invited, and agreed to form an alliance with Yuan Shao, and the two families jointly planned Cao Cao.When one family is attacked, the other needs to be rescued.In the same way, if any family attacks Cao Cao, it needs to notify the other family in advance, and it needs to combine the strength of everyone to destroy Cao Cao.After the two parties signed the agreement, Liu Bei ordered a banquet in honor of Chen Zhen. The latter, who successfully completed the task, was also in a very happy mood.

The next day, Chen Zhen returned to Jizhou via Qingzhou and reported the alliance to Yuan Tan and Guo Tu. "My lord, Uncle Liu Huang hates Cao Cao deeply, and is willing to fight this thief with you!" Chen Zhen said to Yuan Tan with difficulty concealing his excitement.

"Xiao has worked hard all the way here!" Upon hearing the good news, Yuan Tan was also extremely excited, and repeatedly praised Chen Zhen for his ability.Just on the head of the excitement, at this time the maid serving Yuan Shao came to report that Yuan Shao vomited blood again.

"Father!" Yuan Tan and Guo Tu rushed to Yuan Shao's side, but they saw Yuan Shao's face was pale, his eyes were closed and he was panting slightly, with a trace of blood on the corner of his mouth.Hearing Yuan Tan's call, Yuan Shao slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yuan Tan and said, "Xiansi, what's the situation now, did Cao Mengde come to attack?"

"Never before, Cao Mengde is short of food and grass, and now he is recuperating. Let father know that Chen Xiaoqi went to Shouchun the day before yesterday, and he has persuaded Uncle Liu that he is willing to discuss Cao Cao with us. Here is the existing alliance letter!" Yuan Tan said as he took out The alliance book was shown to Yuan Shao.

"Okay, okay!" Yuan Shao looked at Bi Liandao's three good words, then casually looked at Yuan Tan and said, "Being a father is getting worse every day, I'm afraid the day of death is not far away. You and the three brothers, if you can wholeheartedly agree , you can still protect yourself. If Xiao Qiang is in trouble, you will definitely bring it on yourself. Liu Bei is a generous man, if things go wrong in the future, he can go to his people, and even save his life, understand?"

"My child understands!" Yuan Tan and Yuan Xigong said in a loud voice.After Yuan Shao finished speaking, he closed his eyes tiredly, and Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi also retreated together.

"My lord, since I have formed an alliance with Uncle Liu Huang, then the army horses from the third son of Qingzhou can be sent back to Jizhou to keep Cao Cao at bay!" Guo Tu suddenly suggested when he walked out of Yuan Shao's room.

"That's right, what do you think, second brother?" Yuan Tan nodded and said, Yuan Xi certainly has everything to do.How did he know that although Guo Tu wanted to reinforce Jizhou, he also took the opportunity to weaken Yuan Shang's power in a disguised form.At present, Yuan Shang still has [-] troops in Qingzhou, and Yuan Tan ordered [-] of them to be transferred back to help Qingzhou. Yuan Shang is really upset.

"It's unreasonable. It's fake to resist Cao Cao. It's clearly an opportunity to seize my foundation!" In Qingzhou Nanpi City, Yuan Shang looked at the transfer order in front of him, and he was also furious.Yuan Shang is only in his 20s this year, and he has been loved by Yuan Shao since he was a child because of his cleverness, and he has always been the biggest favorite to inherit his title.But since coming to Qingzhou, Yuan Shang's fortune is not very good.First, Zhang Fei + Chen Gong beat him all over the floor, and General Gao Lan was even captured and surrendered. This dealt a blow to Yuan Shang, who had always been pretentious, and his impression in Yuan Shao's heart was also greatly reduced.Later, because he was in Qingzhou, Yuan Tan, who accompanied Yuan Shao, took advantage of Yuan Shao's inability to be a director, and gradually gained power and gained more support.Now that I am living idle in Qingzhou, I really feel that the sky should not be called the earth.

"Third son, my wife sent someone to send a letter the day before yesterday to say that my lord's illness is getting worse and worse, and I'm afraid the days are numbered. If the third son is lingering in Qingzhou, I'm afraid there is no hope of succession!" Feng Ji who was on the side said at this time.

"I also know about this, but how can I go back to Qingzhou without my father's order?" Yuan Shang said helplessly.At this moment, Feng Ji rolled his eyes and said, "My lord has formed an alliance with Uncle Liu Huang, so why don't you connect with Prime Minister Cao? You should know that the emperor is still in Xuchang, and the third lord can ask him to be the shepherd of Qingzhou. Even if he can't succeed in the future, he can't You can be the governor of Qingzhou!" It turned out that after Liu Bei formed an alliance with Yuan Shao, Chen Gong took the initiative to ask for his removal from the post of governor of Qingzhou, and finally ended the embarrassing situation in which the pastor and governor of Qingzhou coexisted for three years.

"Forget it, right now we can only take a step forward!" Yuan Shang said bitterly.Now that the men and horses were handed over, Yuan Shang prepared a heavy gift, attached his own letter, and sent Simpi to secretly send it to Cao Cao. The letter was full of admiration for Cao Cao.At the end, he implicitly expressed the hope that Cao Cao would support him.

"The descendants of the Yuan family, when this great enemy is in front of them, they are still fighting with each other. It is really hopeless!" Cao Cao said with some disdain after meeting Xin Pi.

"The second son of the Yuan family has great ambitions and few talents. Yuan Tan was able to lead the army in a battle, but Yuan Shang is the son of Taiping. He is useless in this troubled world." Xun Yu shook his head.

"Wen Ruo, the two sons of the Yuan family are fighting, what should we do now?" Cao Cao asked Xun Yu.

"Yuan Benchu ​​is bound to perish in a few days. My lord, you can send someone to appease Yuan Shang and let him sit and guard Qingzhou. Although Yuan Tan and Guotu's jaw opening strength is not as good as our army, it is still possible to fight. If the two sons fight, we will fight against you." It will be of great benefit. My lord, why don't you provoke the two of them to kill each other?" Xun Yu thought for a while.

"That's right!" Cao Cao nodded.At this time, it was the seventh year of Jian'an, and in the middle of the fifth month of the lunar calendar in 202 A.D., after Yuan Cao and Liu Sanfang finished the battle, they all kept their places for the time being and recuperated.

(End of this chapter)