Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 526 Unpredictable People
After listening to Yuan Xi's words, Liu, Guan, and Zhang all showed a look of surprise at the same time, because there were the biggest variables along the way!
Liu Bei said solemnly: "I would like to hear the details."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi told the plan that he had discussed with Jushou Lu Xun and others.

Liu Bei still has tens of thousands of troops. Although the armaments are not complete, Yuan Xi has collected a considerable number of weapons after repelling Cao's army, which can be given to Liu Bei's army to march west along the Yangtze River, penetrate into the boundaries of Yuzhou and Yangzhou, and go straight to Shouxian. south of spring.

Moreover, Yuan Xi also learned that Guan Yu had trained a naval force when he was in Qucheng, and he was quite organized. Now he could enter the Yangtze River and cooperate with Tai Shici's navy.

The two naval armies coordinated and swept away Yuan Shu's navy on the river, then moved westward along the river, capturing Liyang, Hengjiang, and Ruxu, and then went to Wuwei and Wancheng to occupy the docks along the river.

Then enter Chaohu Lake in the south of Hefei from the Ruxu River or Wanshui River, transport the army to the dock in the north of Chaohu Lake, and attack Fei, which is dozens of miles behind it. If it can be occupied, Shouchun's retreat southward can be cut off.

In this way, Shouchun, two hundred miles north of Hefei, was cut off from supplies coming from the Lujiang River in Jiujiang. After that, when troops and food were transported, they could almost only be carried out by land, which was almost equal to a failure.

In the great battles of ancient times, the logistical supply of land routes could not be compared with that of water routes. If the losses of water transportation over thousands of miles were only [-]/[-]%, the losses on land routes would be [-]/[-]%, or even [-]/[-]%. Seventy-eight out of ten.

In later generations, Cao Cao launched several expeditions involving tens of thousands of people. He first mobilized several times the number of civilians and dug waterways for transporting grain, grass and baggage before sending troops to march. This is the reason why.

Yuan Shujun has already encountered a locust plague. If he relies on land transportation now, he is afraid that he will be overwhelmed in less than a month. This is Yuan Xi's plan to draw out the firepower!

What Yuan Xi relies on is the superiority of the naval forces of Tai Shici and Guan Yu. Under the training of these two generals who are good at water warfare, the two naval armies of Yuan Xi and Liu Bei have now become as powerful as Sun Ce's navy. If The two of them cooperated well, and Yuan Shujun's navy was no match at all!
Yuan Xi spoke, and Liu, Guan, and Zhang chatted for a few words in low voices, with excited expressions on their faces.

This plan works!

In the end, Liu Bei only asked one question.

"This method has many benefits. If it can cut off Yuan Shu's army's retreat and allow it to collapse without a fight, then General Zhao in Guangling will be able to take the opportunity to regain the lost ground. It is indeed a good strategy."

"But if Jiangdong Sun Boxu helps Yuan Jiujiu, our retreat will be cut off by Yuan Shu's army and Sun Boxu who return to the army. By then, our lonely soldiers will completely become fans."

"How will the unknown envoy respond?"

Yuan Xi thought for a while, "Sun Bofu is busy conquering Yuzhang County at this time, and then plotting from Yuzhou to Jingzhou, Jiangxia, and crossing the Yangtze River north to attack Yuzhou is not very likely."

"In addition, he has broken off diplomatic relations with Yuan Gongli. Even if he sits on the mountain and watches the tiger fight, it is unlikely that he will help."

"But I can't guarantee that Sun Bofu won't send troops. After all, I can't completely guess his thoughts, and it's also unknown whether he will go back on his word."

Liu Guanzhang did not expect Yuan Xi to admit it so frankly, and they were all stunned.

Yuan Xi said: "But I will personally lead the troops to march on the river to support Duke Xuande. If there is any disharmony, Xi will advance and retreat with Duke Xuande."

After hearing this, Liu Bei was shocked in his heart and blurted out: "Okay!"

"Now I have no place to stand. Thanks to the envoy, I have recovered my strength, so I will accompany you on this trip!"

Guan and Zhang saw that Liu Bei had given up his intention, and they both handed over to Yuan Xi, which was regarded as agreeing with Liu Bei's opinion.

Yuan Xi also returned the favor, "I won't say much else. If you win, let's talk about the rest. After all, if you lose, nothing will happen."

"The only thing I can guarantee now is that I will do my best to make Xuande Gong, the Yuzhou Shepherd, worthy of his name."

Liu Bei was shocked, Yuan Xi's words were self-evident.

He has lost Xuzhou, and Yuan Xi will not give it back to him if he gets it back. However, the hint in Yuan Xi's words is already very obvious. If Yuan Shu is defeated, Yuzhou can be given to Liu Bei!
However, Liu Bei understood that it would not be easy for him to get these benefits. After all, he had to assist Yuan Xi, not only to defeat Yuan Shu, but also to defeat Cao Cao, who had coveted Yuzhou for a long time!

It can be expected that this road will never be easy, and what you may encounter next will be a series of bloody battles!
But Liu Bei has no choice now. He is barefoot now, why should he be afraid of wearing shoes?

And when it comes to promises, Liu Bei is more willing to believe Yuan Xi than Cao Cao, because in his opinion, the oaths Yuan Xi has sworn seem outrageous, but he has never broken his promises!

Thinking of this, he said decisively: "I am willing to be the vanguard for you, and go straight to Shouchun!"

After hearing this, Yuan Xi stretched out his hand and held Liu Bei's hand tightly, "Everything depends on Mr. Xuande!"

At that moment, the two of them parted ways, and Yuan Xi led the fleet straight down to Guangling to meet up with Taishi Ci, and then headed west on the waterway.

Liu Bei organized his troops in Ling County, and then Liu Bei and Zhang Fei led the infantry and cavalry across the land route between Ling County and Tangyi, marching toward the north of the Yangtze River. Guan Yu led the navy, following Yuan Xi, and entered the Yangtze River via Guangling.

The two navy armies will attack on land first, defeating Yuan Shu's army on the Yangtze River first, clearing obstacles for Liu Bei's army on land, and ensuring the capture of towns along the river.

The key to this success lies in Liu Bei's land army. After all, no matter how powerful the navy is, the siege still relies on the infantry.

Fortunately, the transportation of cities along the river relies on waterways. As long as the supplies on the river are cut off, the morale of Yuan Shu's army, which has experienced a locust plague and lacks food, will inevitably be low. If the city is besieged and attacked, the city will inevitably be without food. The towns on both sides of the Yangtze River are not like those in the Central Plains. After experiencing many fierce sieges, it is relatively easier for morale to collapse!

Yuan Xi stood on the bow of the boat, facing the hot summer wind blowing from the river, and said to Lu Xun beside him: "This water battle, although the name of this water battle is Gong Yu, Mr. Gong and Mr. Gong said that in terms of water battle, He is not as familiar as Boyan."

"So the success or failure of every battle from now on depends on Boyan."

After hearing this, Lu Xun felt a lot of pressure. If he was careless, not only would his own life be in danger, but Yuan Xi would also be implicated. He said solemnly: "Xun will do his best at all costs."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Bo Yan, don't be nervous. We have excellent warships on the river. If we can't defeat him, we can still save our lives."

"As long as you calm down, Boyan will be fine."

Seeing Lu Xun hesitate to speak, he said, "Bo Yan is still worried?"

Lu Xun nodded, "I have two questions that Xun really can't quite understand." "The first one is why Cao Mengde broke up with Liu Shijun so early."

"Logically speaking, he should never cause any trouble at this time."

Yuan Xi thought: "Maybe it's because Cao Cao thinks Liu Yuzhou is unreliable, so he strikes first to gain advantage?"

Lu Xun nodded and said, "Xun also has this idea."

"But Cao Mengde is so decisive, maybe he has some key evidence of Xuande Gong."

Yuan Xi thought about it. What Lu Xun said made sense, but what kind of evidence was it?

A spy within Liu Bei?
Or is it the emperor’s side...?
Yuan Xi was refreshed. Could it be that Liu Xie was already dissatisfied with Cao Cao in advance and started to make plans?
Then he became worried again. If Liu Xie was really on guard against Cao Cao so early, it would definitely not be a good thing.

in a hurry!

At this time, Cao Cao's power around Liu Xie was huge, and Liu Xie probably didn't even know who was Cao Cao's direct descendant. In this case, his every move and thought might reach Cao Cao's ears.

If he had the idea of ​​​​dealing with Cao Cao, and secretly contacted the candidates who opposed Cao Cao, just like the Yidai Zhao incident in later generations, it is likely that the matter was not confidential and Cao Cao knew about it.

At that time, Cao Cao only needs to take these lists of people and kill them one by one. Liu Xie will be completely useless and withdraw from the chess game directly.

Yuan Xi sighed, he was far away in Xuzhou and could not take care of Sili's affairs now, so he could only leave it to fate.

He couldn't help but admire Cao Cao. The Yanzhou he occupied was surrounded by princes and surrounded by all parties, but it also had disadvantages and advantages. The disadvantage was that he had to deal with many forces, and the advantage was that he was close to all forces. No matter what happened, he could Respond promptly.

Just like although Cao Cao did not welcome Liu Xie to Xu County, he had begun to control Sili where Huaicheng was located.

But only Cao Cao can deal with this situation of being surrounded by enemies, right?
Xuzhou, where Yuan Xi is located, is far away from the Central Plains, and his reaction to what happens is a bit slower. Even if he discovers hidden dangers and opportunities, it is difficult to seize them.

Yuan Xi is well aware that his abilities are insufficient, so although he has taken dangerous actions so far, in principle, he will not fight a battle beyond his ability unless it is absolutely necessary.

And every time he makes a big move, he is never blindly confident. He will definitely enlist help to minimize wartime losses.

The battle of Qingzhou and Xuzhou relied on Yuan Tan, the battle of Yijing relied on Yuan Shao, the battle of Anyi relied on Lu Bu, the battle of Heishan relied on Yuan Shang as the main attack, and now that he is attacking Yuan Shu, he has enlisted Liu Bei.

Yuan Xi has always believed that professional matters should be left to professionals. When it comes to war, I believe that these heroes of the Three Kingdoms in later generations are always right.

Thinking of the bloody battle with Cao Cao the day before yesterday, Yuan Xi's heart bleeds. Sooner or later, he will get back this debt!
He retracted his thoughts and said to Lu Xun: "The inner story of this is complicated and difficult to understand. We can only wait until the end of this battle."

"What's Boyan's second concern?"

Lu Xun looked south, "I'm still worried about Sun Bofu."

"Even if he doesn't want to harm us, his men don't necessarily think so."

"If Sun Bofu doesn't help us, it's actually a good situation. But when he goes to attack Yuzhang, he also needs naval troops from the Yangtze River to support us. When the time comes, we will be marching on a river. What if he goes against his promise?"

After hearing this, Yuan Xi said helplessly: "Of course I know, but now I can only hope that Sun Boxu can figure out the situation."

Lu Xun shook his head and said, "No, if he really wants to understand, he will definitely hold the young master back."

"After all, the young master is relying on the Yuan family. If he takes Hefei, the Yuan family will deploy heavy troops from Xuzhou to threaten Jiangdong. Wouldn't Sun Bofu have trouble sleeping and eating in the future?"

"If it were me..." Lu Xun hesitated, "I might cut off the young master's waterway when he conquers Hefei and raises his troops to enter Shouchun."

Yuan Xi was horrified after hearing this, "Bo Yan, don't scare me, can he really do it?"

Lu Xun pondered, "No, I'm not sure about Sun Boxu's personality either, but..."

"I understand the thoughts of the Koto clan."

"In private...many of them don't keep their promises."

"If they agree on the same opinion and try their best to persuade Sun Boxu to do such a thing, it is not impossible."

Yuan Xi thought deeply. Lu Xun had lived in Jiangdong for a long time, so he naturally understood the habits of the Jiangdong nobles. From the experience of later generations, it might be possible!

He said solemnly: "Then how should I deal with what Yi Bo said?"

Lu Xun thought for a while and said, "The key is to land on both land and water."

In Moling, Wu County, Sun Ce was summoning his subordinates to discuss important matters regarding the next attack on Yuzhou.

However, a group of counselors talked about Yuan Xijun in Guangling. Zhou Yu rarely argued with Lu Su, and the two had serious differences in their attitudes towards Yuan Xi.

Zhou Yu's subordinates were also divided into two factions, each holding their own opinions and arguing endlessly.

Sun Ce turned around and said to Sun Quan who had just tied his hair behind him: "Second brother, what do you think?"

Sun Quan said without hesitation: "I agree to take the opportunity to attack the fierce tiger."

(End of this chapter)