At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 280 Jushou offers advice to break the situation
The six armies jointly attacked Yuan Shao, which immediately caused shock in Hebei and made the whole Zhao country tremble.

After Yuan Shao heard the news, he was shocked and couldn't help but cursed: "You Cao A'hao, you have always looked up to me before, but today you are colluding with Zhou Qi and that guy to raise troops to invade our territory. It is simply unreasonable!"

No wonder Yuan Shao was so angry.

From the beginning to the end, he never paid attention to Cao Cao who became the eunuch. When he captured the whole territory of Hebei and gave Gongsun Zan's head to Cao Cao, the other party did not dare to say anything more and obediently gave up Yanzhou, not daring to fight with him. Fight for yourself.

Nowadays, Yuan Shao thinks that his strength is unprecedentedly expanded. Not only has he captured Yanzhou and Yuzhou, but he has also ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, ranking among the top nine.

In Yuan Shao's view, Cao Cao should be cautious and surrender.

I never thought that Cao Cao would dare to lead troops to attack Bingzhou at this time. How could this not make Yuan Shao angry?
The judge said: "Cao Mengde is just a clown, so why should your Majesty be worried? Now that Zhou Ziyi has mobilized all the troops from Jing, Yang and Yi states and divided them into four groups to attack Yuzhou, this is a serious problem."

"Although Gao Yuancai is a versatile man in both civil and military affairs, Zheng Gongye is resourceful, and Zhang Junyi is brave and good at fighting. They can defeat many with a small number, but the chance of victory is slim. Your Majesty will immediately send troops to assist Gao Yuancai."

After Shen Pei finished speaking, Feng Ji immediately said: "Liu Xuande led his troops to attack Qingzhou. Relying on the bravery of his generals and their many virtuous names in Qingzhou before, he won consecutive battles and victories, and Qingzhou has lost several cities."

"If there is a loss in Qingzhou, there will be no peace in Jizhou. I also ask your Majesty to dispatch elite soldiers and generals to conquer Liu Xuande first."

But Zhong Yao interrupted at this time: "I think that the annexation of the state to Cao Cao is the most serious problem."

"Liu Bei's offensive seems fierce, but he only has [-] soldiers and horses under his command. Moreover, the people in Xuzhou are small and have insufficient food and grass. Your Majesty has been running Qingzhou for a long time and has won the hearts of the people. Even if Liu Bei can be fierce for a while, as long as your Majesty asks the Qingzhou governor to dispatch troops If the generals guard the counties and do not engage in battle with Liu Xuande's soldiers and horses, then Xuzhou's soldiers and horses will inevitably retreat if it takes as little as three months or as long as half a year."

"Although Zhou Ziyi is powerful, he is separated from Jizhou by the two states of Yu and Yan. These two states have experienced wars for a long time and were plundered by Cao Cao several times. They have long been sparsely populated and have become a burden."

"Your Majesty can let Gao Yuancai and others defend the city to delay time. Even if they unfortunately lose the city and lose the land, it will be fine."

"On the other hand, Bingzhou is not only bordered by Jizhou and Youzhou, but also very close to Yecheng. It is also the place where His Majesty raises horses. Once Bingzhou is lost, it will threaten the hinterland of Jizhou, so we must guard against it!"

As soon as Zhong Yao finished speaking, Xin Pi immediately shouted sternly: "Even though Yan and Hezhou are vast and sparsely populated, your Majesty spent a huge price to conquer them. How can you hand them over to others?"

Feng Ji also nodded and said: "Gao Yuancai is your Majesty's nephew. If there is any mistake, who can bear the responsibility!"

The officials were noisy, which made Yuan Shao, who was already upset, feel his head was as big as a bucket.

Yuan Shao was very scheming, and all his ministers seemed to make sense. For a moment, he didn't know how to make a decision. He couldn't help but secretly thought in his heart: "If Gongda was still here, how could I be so distressed?"

At this time, Yuan Shao couldn't help but miss Xun You.

Not only was Xun You outstanding in talent, but every time he proposed a strategy, he was able to outshine the others and be recognized by all the counselors. This also saved Yuan Shao from having to fall into the dilemma of choice.

However, since Xun You's death, all the counselors under his command have wanted to compete for favor and be in the position, and they have been eager to express themselves. Except for the matter of proclaiming emperor, it is difficult to achieve unified opinions.

In ordinary times, Yuan Shao was naturally happy to see his ministers express their opinions and compete with each other for favor.

But now, the three princes and six armies came to attack him, and they were already furious. However, the ministers were still quarreling and it was difficult to unify their opinions. Yuan Shao naturally felt irritable.

Seeing that all the ministers were quarreling, only Ju Shou stood quietly, the old god was there and did not say a word, Yuan Shao couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart.

He stretched out his hand to stop the quarrel among the ministers, then looked at Ju Shou and asked, "Why didn't Ju Qing say a word?"

Yuan Shao's words attracted everyone's attention to Ju Shou.

Jushou stepped forward and bowed deeply to Yuan Shao, and then said: "I think that the Six Route Army seems to be huge, but in fact it is just a bunch of chickens and dogs. Why should I take it seriously?"

Jushou's words immediately made everyone look shocked, and they looked at Jushou in disbelief.

Nowadays, because of the invasion of the Six Route Army, the government and the public have been shocked. Even the officials in the government can't help but feel a little nervous.

But he didn't expect that the menacing six-pronged army looked like a chicken and a dog in Ju Shou's eyes. How could he not surprise everyone?

Yuan Shao was surprised and happy, and asked hurriedly: "Why did Ju Aiqing say this?"

Jushou said unhurriedly: "As Zhong Yuanchang said before, Xuzhou's territory is small and the people are small, but it is no more than the itch of scabies. Your Majesty ordered the governor of Qingzhou to strengthen the walls and clear the fields, and defend the city. If he does not fight, Liu Bei will retreat."

"As for Bingzhou, your majesty has been running it for a long time, and the Han barbarians have returned to their hearts. You can write a letter of divorce and order the Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan to lead [-] fine cavalry south, cooperate with the governor of Bingzhou to defend Cao Cao, and defend the city."

"All the people in Guanzhong are newly moved. Cao Cao will not have much food and grass, and he only wants to fight quickly. As long as he imitates Qingzhou's strong walls and clears the countryside, Cao Cao will definitely be unable to advance."

"If your Majesty is still not at ease, you can send an eloquent person to Liangzhou, make Han Sui the general of conquering the west, Ma Teng the general of suppressing the west, and order them to attack Guanzhong."

"Han Sui and Ma Teng are speculative people who have long wanted to attack Guanzhong. They know that Your Majesty is powerful and has been rewarded by the court. After receiving the imperial edict, they will definitely launch troops to attack Guanzhong. How can Cao Cao not retreat?"

"Cao Cao and Liu Bei have nothing to fear. Zhou Qi is the only one left. Your Majesty can personally lead an army to conquer. What's the point?"

Yuan Shao couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this and said: "Ju Qing's words are very good!"

Jushou continued: "Baima, Puyang, Guandu and other important military towns on the south bank of the Yellow River had not been sent to garrison many troops because Yanzhou was empty."

"Since we are going to fight Zhou Qi this time, and these three places are connected from the north to the south, there must be no room for loss. I also ask your Majesty to send good generals quickly to occupy the important military town on the south bank of the Yellow River."

Yuan Shao accepted his words and sent people to convey the decree to the governors of Qingzhou and Bingzhou. At the same time, he sent envoys to invite the Southern Huns Shanyu Huchuquan, Han Sui, and Ma Teng to attack Cao Cao.

Yuan Shao also sent Chunyu Qiong, Jiang Qi, and Gao Lan with three thousand troops each to garrison troops in Baima, Guandu, and Puyang respectively.

He himself began to recruit troops and horses, transport grain and grass within the territory, and prepare to lead the army south to compete with Zhou Qi.

have to say.

Jushou also had a very good strategic vision, and even Xu Shu did not expect many of his actions.

However, it is said that Huang Zhong, Wenpin and Yan Yan traveled day and night, attacking thousands of miles and marching covertly. As early as Zhou Qi completed the encirclement of Runan, they had already led their troops to Dongjun and directly occupied the unguarded Baima.

Huang Zhong left Wenpin and three thousand soldiers and horses to guard Baima, but he and Yan Yan led the soldiers and horses under their command to continue the attack on Puyang.

never thought.

The news that the Jingzhou army captured Baima had already reached Puyang.

Although almost all the population of Yanzhou was moved away by Cao Cao, Puyang, as the county seat of Dongjun and guarding the south bank of the Yellow River, was an important city connecting Hebei to the south, so there were already some defenders in the city.

And because it is an important transportation hub, it also attracts many people to come here.When the general of Puyang learned that Baima was occupied by the Jingzhou army, he hurriedly ordered people to close the city gate. While recruiting the people in the city to help defend the city, he also sent people [-] miles away to Yecheng to ask for help from Yuan Shaoqiu.

At this time, because Yecheng was not far from Puyang, the troops led by Chunyu Qiong, Jiang Qi, and Gao Lan had already arrived at the north bank of the Yellow River. They were preparing to rest for the night and head south from Guandu tomorrow, but they happened to encounter An envoy sent by the general Puyang to ask for help.

After the three learned the news, they did not dare to neglect and crossed the Yellow River overnight, leaving Jiang Qi to guard Guandu while the others went straight to Puyang.

"Accelerate the march!"

On the official road, Huang Zhong looked at the people who were fleeing in panic, with a hint of gloom in his eyes.

Meeting pedestrians here was somewhat beyond Huang Zhong's expectation.

It is conceivable that Puyang must not be almost an empty city like Baima. Now that the whereabouts of himself and others have been exposed, if the Puyang defenders get the news, it may not be easy to capture it as easily as Baima.

Even so, Huang Zhong didn't intend to give up, he still wanted to win.

At this time, Huang Zhong couldn't help but sigh to himself: "There is a shortage of horses in the south and it is impossible to form a large-scale cavalry. Otherwise, the strategy of military division will be successful."

Although Zhou Qi had managed to form thousands of cavalrymen over the years, the horses on the battlefield were also extremely consumed.

Not just on the battlefield.

Even normal training may damage the horses, and among the remaining cavalry, apart from Zhang Liao and Xu Huang each leading one, even Xiangyang does not have many cavalry.

The presence or absence of cavalry has a great impact on the war. In addition to the powerful combat effectiveness of cavalry, cavalry also has mobility that infantry cannot match.

This is why Zhou Qi originally planned to capture Longxi first, and then compete with Yuan Shao after forming a cavalry.

Even if the infantry wins, the cavalry can retreat safely. If he wants to defeat Yuan Shao, who has begun to organize cavalry, Zhou Qi must also form his own cavalry.

But Huang Zhong accelerated his march and finally arrived in Puyang before Chunyu Qiong and Gao Lan. As for Jiang Qi, he was left to guard Guandu.

"General, the gates of Puyang City are closed, the walls are covered with flags, and there are defenders stationed there!"

Not long after, the scout reported back. Huang Zhong couldn't help but his heart sank, and he secretly said: "That's true."

"Pass my general's order to lead troops to attack the city!"

Huang Zhong's move was not necessarily to capture Puyang, but to test the reality of the city.

He finally led his troops to attack here. If he just withdraws his troops like this, he will inevitably feel a little unwilling.

Now that the Puyang city gate is closed and the city is covered with banners, it may not be that the Puyang defender is bluffing. If there are not many defenders in the city, wouldn't it be a pity to withdraw the troops like this?
"Report!"

Just when Huang Zhong ordered people to cut down trees and make the simplest siege equipment, another scout came on horseback and said: "Traces of Yuan's army were found more than ten miles northwest!"

Huang Zhong's heart sank and he asked hurriedly: "How many soldiers and horses are there, and who leads them?"

The scout replied: "There are about seven thousand soldiers and horses, including two thousand cavalry, flying the "high" flag."

Huang Zhong pondered for a moment, and then said to Yan Yan: "The famous general in Hebei named Gao must be Gao Lan. I didn't expect Yuan Shao to react so quickly."

Yan Yan frowned and asked, "What can I do for now?"

Huang Zhong pondered for a long time, and then said without hesitation: "You will lead the troops to retreat, and I will lead my own troops to cut off the rear!"

Although Huang Zhong was unwilling to give up, he had no choice.

The main purpose of his thousands-mile attack was to take him by surprise. His soldiers were already exhausted and were not suitable for fighting against Yuan's army.

What's more, there are two thousand cavalry in Yuan's army. Many places in Dongjun have flat terrain, which is very suitable for cavalry charges. Once they are bitten by the opponent's cavalry, they will be in trouble.

Moreover, Puyang is very close to Jizhou. After Yuan Shao learned the news, if he sent cavalry to help, he could reach the battlefield within one day.

If we really get that time, Huang Zhong, who has traveled a long distance to attack alone and penetrates deeply, is very likely to be wiped out.

As a veteran on the battlefield and one of the few generals under Zhou Qi who could lead an army on his own, Huang Zhong judged the battlefield situation very accurately.

He knew that the strategy of this attack had failed, and he could only retreat to the White Horse and wait for reinforcements.

It is no longer possible to use Puyang as a base to cut off Yuan Shao's southward road from Guandu.

But it was said that Gao Lan led his troops to Puyang. After learning that the Jingzhou army had withdrawn, he was still scared and broke out in a cold sweat. He said to Chunyu Qiong: "If your Majesty hadn't had the foresight to lead our troops here quickly, if it were one day later, I'm afraid Puyang would have lost its troops." It has fallen into the enemy’s hands!”

At this time, Chunyu Qiong could not help but feel a little scared, and her senses towards Jushou also changed greatly.

Originally, Chunyu Qiong was a native of Yingchuan, and was the first to follow Yuan Shao. Naturally, he had no favorable impression of the local civil and military forces in Jizhou, and the two sides often competed for power.

But this time, Jushou unexpectedly expected the enemy to take the lead and was able to save Puyang, which made Chunyu Qiong treat him with admiration.

After the news came back to Yecheng, Yuan Shao was shocked, and then became frightened. He said to Ju Shou, "I never thought that Zhou Qi would be so bold and dare to send an army alone to go deep into Puyang."

"If Ju Qing hadn't predicted the enemy's plan first, I'm afraid Zhou Qi's men would have occupied Puyang and cut off my army's path to the south."

Jushou also felt extremely lucky at this time.

He had not expected that Zhou Qi would dare to send troops to attack Puyang. It was purely out of caution that he asked Yuan Shao to send troops to garrison Puyang.

Unexpectedly, it was precisely because of this caution that part of Xu Shu's plans ended in failure.

Jushou said with a serious face: "For this plan, Your Majesty should quickly send troops southward, first take the white horses, and then rush to aid Runan."

"Before that, Your Majesty should send messenger I to Runan to appease Gao Yuancai and the troops in Runan and let them stand still and wait for help."

With Jushou's previous clever plan, Yuan Shao naturally obeyed Jusuke's words and ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lead [-] troops each, cross the Yellow River and go south from Puyang, capture Baima and Chenliu respectively, and cut off the Huangzhong grain road.

(End of this chapter)