Chapter 221: War Situation, Jiangdong, Quasi-King [Subscribe]

When Cao Cao received the visiting card, the atmosphere in Yuan Shao's camp in Yecheng was not very harmonious.

The local faction in Jizhou, led by Ju Su and Tian Feng, strongly opposed Yuan Shao's crossing the river to fight.

"We must deploy heavy troops in the south and west of Yanzhou to strictly guard against Jingzhou, Liangzhou, and even Huainan."

When Yuan Shao faced Tian Feng who came to persuade him, he said:
"His troops were scattered instead of gathered together, which is a big taboo in military strategy."

"We in Jizhou have no worries and can use our full strength to fight. We have a winning position, so why can't we fight?"

Tian Feng urged: "Governor, you have always been wise, but your wisdom is not in raising troops and fighting."

"Cao Cao has defeated powerful enemies one after another. Yanzhou no longer has so many hidden dangers."

"Look at the force he brought last night and you'll know how powerful his army is. We can't defeat them with just a few soldiers!"

Tian Feng said to Yuan Shao: "Looking at the wars in the past few years, Cao Cao is very good at using troops."

"We should hold on to Jizhou, relying on the mountains and the strategic location of the Yellow River. We should also unite the troops and depth of several states, and continue to harass Yanzhou. If Cao Cao can't hold back and crosses the river to attack, our chances of victory will greatly increase."

On the other side of Yuan Shao sat a man covered in armor, with eyes as bright as an eagle's.

He was the great general Qu Yi, the greatest contributor to Yuan Shao's defeat of Gongsun Zan.

In history, Qu Yi was killed because of his "arrogance and great achievements".

But at the moment, Jizhou had just defeated Gongsun Zan, and Yanzhou brought great pressure to Yuan Shao.

He did not put away his bow until he had killed all the birds, but killed Qu Yi first.

Qu Yi was at the peak of his power in Jizhou and controlled the most elite troops.

Hearing Tian Feng praising Yanzhou, Qu Yi suddenly laughed and said:

"I'm afraid that Tian Biejia underestimates the heroes of the world. Yanzhou is good at using troops, but is Jizhou not good at using troops?"

Tian Feng sighed:

"I want to decide the success or failure of Jizhou through a war. If it fails, it will be too late to regret. In terms of military tactics, I don't know who in the world can be Cao Cao's opponent."

Yuan Shao narrowed his eyes and a flash of anger flashed across his face.

Kou Yi showed a disapproving sneer.

Tian Feng believed that Jizhou could not defeat Cao Cao, and according to the law he should be executed for saying such words that undermined the morale of the army before the battle.

Yuan Shao was extremely angry in his heart, but there was no sign of abnormality on his face.

He said to Tian Feng: "Before the battle, you said that the enemy was strong and we were weak, which ruined the morale of our army. You should be punished severely.

But considering your contributions in the past years, I will keep you in prison first. I will cross the river and defeat Yanzhou. Then I will let you see clearly who will win between me and Cao Cao. "

As soon as Yuan Shao finished speaking, his personal soldiers came up and took Tian Feng away.

Tian Feng went to the front and said loudly: "If the governor does not listen to my frank words, he will regret it!"

After Tian Feng was taken away, Yuan Shao thought that he could stabilize the situation and unite against foreign enemies.

Unexpectedly, Ju Su looked sad and said, "I have a plan to offer to the governor. I wonder if he will listen to it."

"explain."

"Since we are crossing the river, I suggest that we station our troops at the ferry crossing in Yanjin County on the south bank and send a team to attack Cao Cao. If we gain the upper hand, we will attack with our entire army. If we lose, we will retreat and defend."

Like Tian Feng, Ju Shou suggested a steady defense and disagreed with the main attack, but he just expressed it in a different way.

Before the fight even started, Tian Feng and Ju Shou said one after another that they were going to lose.

Not only was Yuan Shao furious, but Qu Yi, who was also in favor of war, rebuked:
"You are talking nonsense and shaking the morale of the army! As long as the governor gives the order, it will be easy to defeat Yanzhou."

Yuan Shao frowned and said, "I have made up my mind to send troops, and I will never change it."

Ju Su straightened his clothes, looked towards the Yellow River, and lamented:

"The Lord is conceited and the generals are arrogant and don't listen to good advice. If this battle continues, I don't know if I can ever see my hometown again, see the Yellow River again, and return to Jizhou!"

He turned around and saluted Yuan Shao again:
"My health has not been good in recent years. I am no longer suitable to be your military supervisor. I would like to resign and go home to recuperate. I hope you can grant my permission."

Yuan Shao was quite magnanimous and did not make things difficult for Ju Su. He just accepted his resignation and let him go.

Ju Su's power was taken over by Guo Tu.

Qu Yi said: "Don't worry, Governor. I will definitely conquer Yanzhou in this battle and win a great victory for Jizhou!"

Yuan Shao nodded slightly, and Qu Yi also stood up and left.

As soon as he left, Yuan Tan, who was sitting next to Yuan Shao, stared at his back and said:
"Father, when I was riding by the car the other day, I heard the children on the street singing, 'Qu Yi is a true hero of the world. He defeated Gongsun Zan and won again and again, which is why we have Jizhou today.' There are also rumors that Qu Yi said this himself after drinking."

Yuan Shao waved his hand:

"A great war is imminent, so don't say something that will shake the morale of the army. Qu Yi is good at fighting, so isn't it a good idea to use him against Yanzhou?"

From that day on, Jizhou troops, while strictly guarding against harassment and attacks from Yanzhou, began to cross the river and head south to seize the coast of Yanzhou.

----

Koto.

Inside the mansion, Sun Ce sat behind a low mat and looked at his twelve-year-old brother Sun Quan in front of him.

"Zhongmou, I have developed rapidly in the surrounding counties and have already acquired two counties. Why did you take the initiative to propose that you would go to Yanzhou as a hostage?"

Sun Quan was a mature young man, known as a child prodigy since childhood. He said:
"Brother is extremely brave and martial. If he had participated in the battle for the world a few years earlier, he would not be weaker than Yuan Benchu ​​and Cao Mengde. But it is a little too late now.

If the winner between Cao Mengde and Yuan Benchu ​​comes with a powerful army, how will you respond, brother?"

"I will go as a hostage to buy time for my brother."

Sun Ce thought for a moment and said, "Although my Sun clan is not very populous, even if I send someone as a hostage, it won't be your turn."

Sun Quan: "No, it's only appropriate for me to go."

"If others go, they may not be able to rest assured. If I go alone, I can adapt to the situation and help my brother observe Yanzhou and decide what to do."

Sun Ce concentrated and remained silent. He turned to look at the other person as if to ask a question.

Behind the low seat on his left side sat a young man of about his age.

He was more than seven feet tall, with a handsome face, feather-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a fine beard on his lips, a long straight nose, and a majestic figure. He was a man of great vigor and vitality.

Zhou Yu, courtesy name Gongjin, was born into the Zhou family of Lujiang.

"Young Master, what you said is very good. Bofu, you still need at least three more years of operation before you can become successful."

Zhou Yu said in a loud voice: "I also agree that you should go to Yanzhou, but you can't be a hostage for a year. You must come back in half a year at most. Otherwise, I would rather not go."

Sun Ce said:
"Yanzhou and Jizhou are about to go to war, why don't we wait until they decide the winner?" "It will be too late after they decide the winner, now is the right time to go."

Zhou Yu said: "Only if we unite with Yanzhou and gain support can we take control of Jiangdong as soon as possible."

"Jizhou and Yanzhou are at war, who do you think will win?"

"Yanzhou."

Sun Quan and Zhou Yu said in unison: "Yuan Shao's influence is even greater, and everyone in the world knows it.

But his war preparations, generals and soldiers are not as good as those of Yanzhou, and he does not have the governor of Yanzhou who knows how to fight."

Zhou Yu calmly picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip:
“I have studied Cao Mengde, the governor of Yanzhou.

He has been in charge of Yanzhou for three years. His rapid expansion and powerful methods have made people fear him. If we fail to unify Jiangdong before this Yanzhou governor attacks, I will persuade you, Bofu, to join his army. There is no chance of winning in a fight with him."

"But the match between Yan and Ji is not without variables."

Sun Quan continued, "The decision of Jingzhou and Yizhou may affect the outcome of the war.

If several parties join forces to encircle Yanzhou, Yanzhou will be in danger!"

Zhou Yu smiled and said, "I just received a letter from Yanzhou, which directly pointed out that the Yuan family was the culprit for Dong Zhuo's chaos. This accusation is too serious."

"Once this manifesto was issued, Yuan Shao had no choice but to go to war immediately.

Otherwise, if it is delayed any further, the reputation of the Yuan family will suffer the most serious blow, and the longer it is delayed, the more disadvantageous it will be to the Yuan family."

"Yuan Shao was eager to achieve victory, so he lost in his mentality, so I am more optimistic about Yanzhou."

"But the young master is right. If Yizhou goes north and threatens Luoyang, Yanzhou will have to divide its troops."

"If Liu Biao of Jingzhou also sends troops to attack Yanzhou from the flank, and Yanzhou has to divide its troops again, the outcome will be hard to predict."

----

Changyi.

Cao Cao read the unsigned visiting card, and the other party only said that he would visit the next day.

Cao Cao guessed that it was most likely Zheng Xuan's man as Cai Yong had mentioned before.

Cao Cao immediately left his mansion and came to the construction camp on the outskirts of the city.

It is worth mentioning that Wei Xu has become the permanent attendant of the governor's mansion, responsible for welcoming and seeing off guests, or arranging some things for Cao Cao.

Although his status is not high, he is a close minister.

"Are the things ready?" Cao Cao came to the construction camp.

The master craftsman Qin Huaji came forward and said, "All the necessary tools have been prepared according to the governor's request!"

When the craftsmen in the camp saw Cao Cao, they all came forward to meet him with a respectful attitude.

The process of exchanging Yuan's people for the craftsmen and their servants who were looted from Jizhou has just been completed.

Their families arrived in Yanzhou safely.

The craftsmen were then able to work with peace of mind.

Qin Huaji brought Cao Cao to the large parade ground of the Carpenters' Camp to see an artifact.

It's a slingshot!

After the improvement, the trebuchet with counterweight, farther throwing bombs and greater power is a newly prepared weapon that will be used in the confrontation with Jizhou.

The engineering of this world, because it has a power beyond nature, has undergone great reforms since the Qin Dynasty.

Including saddles, horseshoes, etc.

In terms of equipment preparation, it exceeds the same period in history.

When seeing the catapult, Cao Cao suddenly thought of a person, the great inventor and mechanical genius Ma Jun from the Three Kingdoms period.

However, he might not have been born at that time, or he might still be a child, so he could not use it at all.

Ma Jun has amazing talent in invention.

"Thirty-seven of these improved catapults have been prepared and have all been shipped to Guandu," said Qin Huaji.

After Cao Cao inspected the weapons, it was already dark when he returned to the city.

Wei Xu followed beside his carriage and said, "Governor, Madam Du is in the city, not far away. Do you want to go and see her..."

Although Cao Cao was somewhat curious about Madam Du's reputation, he was not in a hurry: "Let's finish the Battle of Guandu."

Wei Xu quickly agreed.

When Cao Cao returned to his mansion and had some free time, he looked up the poems and silently examined himself.

【Cao Cao, courtesy name Mengde...】

[Position: Lord of Cao's Camp (quasi-king level), Governor of Yanzhou, General, Grand Chancellor]

……

The information of the entry stretches out line by line.

Cao Cao's focus was on the rank of the leader of Cao's camp (quasi-king).

This didn't exist before. It should be that the power of Cao's camp has grown to a level that allows the entry to recognize Cao Cao as the king of one side.

Cao Cao's thoughts fell on the mark of Quasi-King, and the entry then presented a more specific hint.

The evaluation is quasi-king, king, quasi-emperor, emperor... and so on.

It also states that if one becomes an emperor, one will obtain a complete map of the entrance and exit of Tomb No. 4, where one can search for items of immortality left over from the ancient mythological era and gain the opportunity to knock on the "God's Gate".

To become a true "king", one must have at least three counselors, five peerless generals, and corresponding specific numbers of population and troops to promote the continued improvement of Cao's camp... and other conditions.

Being an emperor and wanting to live forever...Cao Cao couldn't help laughing.

The next day.

The person who sent the mysterious visiting card came to visit.

Cao Cao had him brought in.

But he was a young man in his twenties with dark and lively eyes.

"I came to Yanzhou on the orders of my master Zheng Xuan. My name is Yao Jing, and the governor can call me 'Jingzhi'. Yanzhou and Jizhou are about to go to war, and I came here on the orders of my master to give something to the governor."

Yao Jing and Yao Jing, the two names sound the same, I seem to have heard them somewhere?
Ps: Please vote~
(End of this chapter)