The big man is on the run

Chapter 187 Yuan Shao's Strategy

Ji County, Yuan Jun Camp.

"What? The officers and soldiers have come out of Jingxing?!"

Yuan Shao stood up suddenly, his face was gloomy, his eyes flickered, he didn't know what he was thinking.

"My lord, the official army has already left Jingxingkou, and I'm afraid it has already invaded the west of Changshan County!"

"Yeah." Yuan Shao nodded, "I see, go tell Xi'er behind the host, tell him to be careful, don't underestimate the enemy, and don't be taken advantage of by the officers and soldiers."

"Here!"

After Yuan Shao waved away his personal guards, he sat down and thought slowly.

However, his mood could not calm down for a long time, and the words of Ju Shou before the expedition echoed in his mind, and he was speechless for a long time.

"My lord, it is difficult for our army to return to the defense in time. I am afraid that Changshan County will not be able to hold on. The territory of a county has been lost, and the supply line is threatened. If this continues, it will be in danger!" Xin Ping beside him couldn't help but said. .

"You Ruo, what do you think?" Yuan Shao suddenly raised his head and asked.

Xun Chen said: "My lord, I think our army must immediately send troops to support Changshan County. At the same time, I also want to ask my lord to send a general to lead the army back to the front line of Hejian Kingdom and Anping Kingdom to contain the officers and troops. Attack east, or the supply line of our army of more than [-] will be cut off."

"Well, this method can be tried."

Having said that, Yuan Shao showed a trace of fatigue on his face.

"It's just." Yuan Shao paused, and continued: "There are too many people in the army, and the food and grass in the front line of our army is still insufficient, and the defensive force of our army in the rear is also limited. I don't know how long we can hold it. .”

When Xin Ping and Xun Chen heard the words, their faces were solemn and they remained silent.

What Yuan Shao meant was that if he took defense against the Jingxing army, he still wanted to grit his teeth and eliminate Gongsun Zan in one fell swoop to eliminate the threat of this old enemy.

Grain and grass are Yuan Shao's weakness. Although the mighty army of more than [-] is majestic, the storage and transportation of grain are also very difficult, and the source of grain and grass is also not easy. They are all accumulated over the years.Once the grain and grass reserves are cut off, it means that the war will become no suspense.

Yuan Shao's eyes turned to Guo Tu behind him.

"How long can our army last?"

Guo Tu smiled wryly and said, "I'm afraid it won't last for many days. If the army continues to move east, I'm afraid even Julu County won't be able to defend it!"

Yuan Shao frowned: "Could it be that there is no room for change? It's not that I didn't imagine that the army would come out of Jingxing or attack the hinterland of Jizhou from Hanoi, right?"

"Changshan County and Julu County can of course last for a while, but let me be blunt, my lord, the key lies in whether our army can attack Ji County before the food and grass are exhausted. You can use all your strength to siege a city, but you can't force it. If our army can't take Ji County as soon as possible, it won't be able to withstand the two-sided attack of the official army and Gongsun Zan, and it may even fall into a situation of being surrounded."

Guo Tu's words were very clear. He hoped that Yuan Shao would make up his mind as soon as possible, either to attack the city regardless of the casualties, or to rush back to avoid the supply line being cut off. The main force that lacked food was besieged to the north of Yishui, and was annihilated by the official army.

Yuan Shao's frown deepened. In his heart, he was actually unwilling to give up the chance to eliminate Gongsun Zan, nor to give up Changshan County.

After all, Youzhou was the most important piece of fat that Yuan Shao bit into his mouth. Once he lost the chance to wipe out this old enemy, it would be a huge loss for Yuan Shao.

"Oh." Yuan Shao sighed, "Then what do you think should be done?"

"My lord, don't hesitate anymore. Don't be afraid of casualties. Our army can no longer waste time on the battle of Ji County. If we continue to delay, not only will Changshan County be surrounded by the government and troops, but our army in Changshan County will also be surrounded by the army." The officers and soldiers are exhausted. And the officers and soldiers took Changshan County, and the next step is to cut off our army's supply line to the east. At that time, we can only wait to die."

Yuan Shao nodded slightly, "What you said is very true, since this is the case, then there is only..."

At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, interrupting Yuan Shao's words.

Yuan Shao turned his head and saw that it was Tian Feng who had walked into the tent, so he got up to meet him.

Seeing this, Tian Feng bowed and said, "See my lord!"

"Yuan Hao, hurry up, is there anything urgent?" Yuan Shao frowned secretly.

"My lord, I just got the news that the county magistrate of Lingshou and Puwu in Changshan County was killed by the officers and soldiers last night. The officers and soldiers have already controlled the two cities of Lingshou and Puwu."

"what?!"

Yuan Shao's face changed drastically when he heard this, his eyeballs almost popped out, and he looked at Tian Feng in astonishment.

Yuan Shao's reaction was also expected by several people. After all, Lingshou and Puwu were the gates of Changshan County, and they were captured by the army at once, how could Yuan Shao be calm.

Tian Feng quickly said: "After the second son heard about this, he sent people to Changshan County overnight, and checked the situation of Lingshou and Puwu. This news is true!"

The two cities of Lingshou and Puwu couldn't last for three days, this news made Yuan Shao's expression cloudy.

"My lord, why not?" Guo Tu suggested, "just follow the plan?"

"Forget it, just follow Youruo's plan."

"promise."

"Tell Qu Yi to lead [-] troops from the headquarters immediately, and immediately go south to Changshan County. Be sure to defend the two cities of Zhending and Jiumen in Changshan County, so as not to be cut off by the enemy." Yuan Shao ordered.

"Here!"

Tian Feng took the order and left.

"My lord!" Guo Tu suddenly said, "Hejian Kingdom is an important base for our army to replenish food and grass. If General Quyi rushes to Changshan County and Changshan County has already fallen, Hejian Kingdom may be in danger. Changshan County can be lost. , but the Hejian Kingdom must never be lost, and if the Hejian Kingdom is lost, our army will have no food to support, and if this continues, there will be big troubles!"

Yuan Shao was silent.

Indeed, if Changshan County is conquered by the government army, the nearby counties can still block it. At most, he can fight back if he loses the land and population, but if the Hejian Kingdom is lost, then he will have no food and grass on his side. supply.

The official army's attack was very sharp. If the official army took the opportunity to go north and enter Youzhou, then he would be in danger. Therefore, Guo Tu's words hit Yuan Shao's vital point.

But do you really want to give up Changshan County?

"Youruo, what do you think should be done?"

Looking at Xun Chen, Yuan Shao narrowed his eyes slightly.

Xun Chen was silent for a moment, and then said: "My lord, why don't you let General Yan Liang lead [-] soldiers and horses to station in Hejian Kingdom? In this case, it can be regarded as adding some combat power to the flanks of Changshan County. The army is heading east!"

"This..." Yuan Shao frowned even tighter.

Of course he knew that what Xun Chen said was reasonable, but he still felt that this idea was a bit of a shirk. After all, it is easy to say that dividing the troops, but what if the division of the troops leads to things?
"My lord, why don't you just listen to You Ruo's advice and let Yan Liang enter the Hejian Kingdom? Firstly, it will reduce Qu Yi's burden. Secondly, our army can also have a defensive line on the east side of Changshan County, which can slow down the march of the officers and soldiers. .” Guo Tu hastily persuaded.

Don't be surprised, there is a desire to strive for success here again.

Ji County is on the verge of collapse every day, Guo Tu and others are not willing to share with the Jizhou faction such a great achievement as entering Ji County and slaughtering Gongsun Zan.

Therefore, sending generals like Qu Yi and Yan Liang away is the most beneficial choice for them.

Anyway, in Guo Tu's view, whoever takes command can take down Ji County, but blocking the army with a small force is a chore whose probability of failure is far greater than the probability of success.

Hearing this, Yuan Shao was indecisive, he was unwilling to make a decision lightly, but after all, losing Changshan County and Hejian Kingdom, and the officers and troops crossing Jizhou east and west would mean ruining his foundation in Jizhou, how could Yuan Shao be reconciled?

Seeing Yuan Shao's hesitation, Guo Tu secretly rejoiced. He knew that his chance had come.

Guo Tu cupped his hands and bowed: "Master, if it is considered that General Qu Yi is familiar with Gongsun Zan and it is difficult to transfer him, then a certain person is willing to go to Changshan County and guard Changshan County for the Lord!"

Xin Ping and Xun Chen were startled. Guo Tu made a good move. Since the lord is not willing to let Qu Yi, who is most familiar with Gongsun Zan, support him, then Guo Tu will be able to lead the army alone.

When Yuan Shao heard the words, he couldn't help but sighed in his heart: "Sure enough, he is a talent, and he can guess my mind!"

"Okay then, work hard sir!"

"I will guard Changshan County for my lord!" Guo Tu hurriedly said, and immediately retreated towards the door, preparing to leave the big tent.

"Wait!" Yuan Shao shouted.

"My lord, is there anything else?" Guo Tu stopped and turned around to ask.

"You should bring a few generals with you?!" Yuan Shao pondered.

"How many generals?" Guo Tu was taken aback when he heard the words, and then realized that Yuan Shao's concern about him was not only because of his ability, but also because of the faction balance. Yuan Shao would not let him lead the army alone.

Guo Tu didn't care, and quickly cupped his hands and said, "My lord Qizuo, if there is indeed a lack of two strong generals under the command of the expedition, I wonder if the lord plans to send General Wen Chou, or General Zhang He? Or General Gao Lan?"

Yuan Shao thought for a while and said, "Let's use Wen Chou, and Zhang Yun Gaolan will stay in Ji County for the time being!"

Yan Liang and Wen Chou are good at charging and are fierce generals.But Zhang He and Gao Lan are good at commanding and are wise generals.

It seems that Yuan Shao still knows what to do.

"Okay, you go down first!"

"promise!"

Guo Tu cupped his fists and left the big tent.

(End of this chapter)