Three Kingdoms: I, the eldest son of Cao, a loving father of a great man!

But Cao Ang killed him without mercy.

Cao Ang was satisfied with Yuan Shu's attitude. He gave the order.

"Immediately appoint Yuan Shu as the King of Bohai and grant him the daughter of Tian Feng in marriage.

He also allocated three thousand soldiers to Yuan Shu as guards.

I will also give you two thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry for training."

"I obey your command!" Yuan Shu knelt down excitedly.

Cao Ang’s kindness was so great that Yuan Shu didn’t know how to repay him.

Cao Ang’s grace was not a reward in the ordinary sense, but something substantial.

Bohai County was the foundation of Yuan Shu's survival, but Cao Ang gave it to Yuan Shu.

This shows how much Cao Ang valued Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu respected Cao Ang even more in his heart.

Cao Ang saw Yuan Shu’s excitement and said lightly.

"Yuan Shu, you'd better take care of yourself. Remember, if you dare to regret it, I can destroy you with just one sentence."

Yuan Shu heard Cao Ang's warning and said hastily, "Yuan Shu swears to be loyal to the emperor until death."

"I hope so! I won't waste your time." Cao Ang stood up and prepared to leave.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell!" Yuan Shu kowtowed again.

"Well, go ahead." Cao Ang waved his hand and turned to leave.

Yuan Shu murmured as he looked at Cao Ang's receding back.

"My lord is truly a wise ruler. It is an honor for Yuan Shu to be able to join my lord."

Cao Ang left Shouchun with his personal soldiers.

As soon as he left Shouchun, Cao Ang received news from Zhao Yun.

"My lord, General Zhao has defeated Cao Cao's navy and is now returning." Li Guibao reported.

"Haha, my army will soon arrive at Yecheng." Cao Ang said happily: "Send a message to Zhao Yun, tell him to come back as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Li Gui immediately went to pass the order.

Cao Ang's army was only one day's journey away from Yecheng.

As for Cao Cao, he breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the news of Cao Ang's retreat.

"My lord, he has finally left. Now we can finally breathe a sigh of relief." Xun Chen said thankfully.

"This is a lucky victory. My lord, you have many advisers under your command. If a real fight breaks out, our army may not gain the upper hand." Cao Cao sighed.

"My lord, we still have more than 400,000 troops and plenty of food and fodder.

Although the lord led an army of two million south, they were short of food and fodder.

I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out for a few days and will have to retreat.

If our army pursues, we can definitely defeat the lord." Guo Jia suggested.

Cao Cao smiled and shook his head. It was easy for Guo Jia to say it, but it would be very difficult to do it.

Cao Cao looked at the others and asked, "What do you think we should do?"

The civil and military officials looked at each other, but none of them had any good ideas.

Chen Gong said bitterly: "My lord is extremely cunning, if you are not 100% sure.

A rash attack will only result in heavy losses, so I suggest slowing down the action for the time being.

Waiting for other princes to attack."

"Chen Gong, your idea is a bit alarmist.

My lord, your army has only over two million men, while we have over four hundred thousand, and we have sufficient food and grass.

How could he not be a match for the lord?" Xiahou Yuan disagreed with Chen Gong's strategy.

Chen Gong was criticized, but he knew the flaws in his strategy.

Cao Cao looked at Chen Gong approvingly and said, "Yuan Hao's plan is brilliant. I will follow what Yuan Hao said and temporarily suspend the march."

Once Cao Cao gave the order, no other civil or military official dared to object and could only carry it out.

Chen Gong also breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiahou Dun said worriedly: "What if the lord does not send reinforcements? Or if the lord sends reinforcements, what should we do?"

Cao Cao was silent. He had not thought about this question.

Cao Cao thought that if Cao Ang did not send reinforcements, they would have to continue the Northern Expedition. But if Cao Ang sent reinforcements, they would be in danger.

Xiahou Dun's worries were not without basis.

Cao Ang's army had 2.5 million soldiers, and was well-equipped and well-fed, while Cao's army was not so good.

Except for Cao Cao's 300,000 troops and Yuan Tan's 80,000 troops, Cao's army only had more than 300,000 troops left.

The combat effectiveness of Cao's army is far inferior to that of Liu's army.

"Yuan Hao, what do you think we should do?" Cao Cao asked Chen Gong for his opinion.

Chen Gong smiled bitterly: "The only option now is to retreat with the entire army."

Chen Gong’s method was simple and straightforward. If Cao’s army retreated to Jizhou, Cao Ang would not pursue them.

Xiahou Yuan was unhappy: "Master Chen, your method is inappropriate.

If the lord leads a large army to pursue us, our army will be attacked from both sides."

Cao Cao also frowned. Chen Gong’s method was indeed the best one at the moment.

But Cao Cao asked worriedly: "What if Liu Huangshu doesn't pursue us?"

Chen Gong smiled and said, "If you don't pursue us, then you can rest assured.

The lord's reputation is well-known, and the lord would never dare to disobey.

At that time, you only need to set up some defenses in Yanzhou, and then take your time."

"Yuan Hao's idea is indeed brilliant!" Cao Cao said in agreement.

"Then let's decide it this way. Order all troops to guard the camps strictly. Once our lord's army arrives, stop them at all costs." Cao Cao ordered.

"Yes!" The others took the order and left.

After Cao Cao's order was passed down, the entire Cao army stopped advancing.

When Cao Ang received the news that Cao's army had stopped advancing, he was stunned.

What the hell is Cao Cao doing? It’s been so long, and he doesn’t even move forward.

Cao Ang felt that he had been fooled and became furious on the spot.

"Order Lu Bu, Dian Wei and Zhao Yun to beat them hard. Anyone who dares to escape will be killed!"

Cao Ang shouted angrily.

"My lord, this is not good." Jia Xu reminded: "My lord, please don't forget it.

This is Yanzhou, not Xuzhou."

"Wenhe is absolutely right!" Cao Ang calmed down.

Cao Ang is now in Yanzhou, which is Cao Cao’s old nest. If Cao Ang launches an attack.

The enemy can definitely use the terrain of Yanzhou to block the attack. Cao Ang's advantage turned into a disadvantage.

"My lord, Cao Cao has no fewer than 400,000 troops.

Our army only has over 2 million soldiers. Even if we attack by force, I am afraid we won't gain any advantage." Ju Su analyzed.

"Forget it then!" Cao Ang was a little depressed. He suffered a loss this time.

However, Cao Ang felt relieved when he thought that he still had a chance.

"My lord, I am willing to be the vanguard and charge into the enemy's formation!" Guan Yu stood up and asked.

"Okay! I will appoint you as the general of the vanguard, command two million soldiers and kill all the Cao bandits for me!" Cao Ang agreed without hesitation.

Cao Cao was a very timid person. If Cao Ang really attacked, he would be scared out of his wits, and that would be troublesome. Guan Yu was a fierce general, so he was just the right person to be used.

Guan Yu knelt down to express his gratitude, and then led two million soldiers to the camp where Cao's army was stationed.

When Cao Cao received the news, his face turned gloomy.

Cao Cao had heard of Guan Yu as the most powerful general under Cao Ang. If Guan Yu led his troops to attack, his side would suffer heavy casualties.

"Yuan Hao, what do you think we should do about this?" Cao Cao passed the ball to Chen Gong.

"Don't worry, my lord. Guan Yu is a brave general, but he is brave but not wise." (End of this chapter)