I practiced magic in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 187: Taking over Jizhou with the help of mouth cannon

Jizhou, Hejian County.

Zhang Chao, who had just requested reinforcements, was stunned after receiving the battle report from Chenliu. His hands holding the letter were shaking constantly, and he had an expression of disbelief on his face: "Chenliu City was conquered after only half a day?"

"What? Chenliu was lost!"

Zang Hong, who was wearing armor and gathering troops to rush to the aid of Chenliu City, was also stunned when he heard the news. He asked, "Meng Gao, now that Chenliu has fallen, where should we go?"

Putting down the battle report in his hand, Zhang Chao couldn't help but sigh: "I can only report the news to the leader first, and let him make the decision."

The fall of Chenliu instantly reversed the situation. The battle that could have been easily won by a pincer attack might turn into a situation where the Northern Army was well-rested and the enemy would have to carry out a high-intensity siege after a long journey.

Not to mention whether we can win in the end, even if we can win, it will definitely be a pyrrhic victory.

If the losses are too great, how can Yuan Shao conquer Jizhou?
Soon, Zhang Chao and Zang Hong went to Bohai City together to meet Yuan Shao.

After hearing the news that Chenliu City was captured by the Northern Army, Yuan Shao was silent for a long time. After a long while, he said coldly: "I already know about this."

Zhang Chao and Zang Hong spoke earnestly: "Master, Qi Hou Wang Jing is doing evil things. The people of Yu and Yan are in dire straits. Please send troops to rescue them and save them from this danger."

The two spoke in a high-sounding and sincere manner, as if Wang Jing was an unforgivable person. However, in fact, the people they were talking about were not ordinary people at all, but the famous and prominent families in Yuzhou and Yanzhou!
The new policies implemented by Wang Jing, whether it was the land measurement or the inheritance law, were all aimed at dividing and weakening the aristocratic families. Naturally, they could not accept it. Therefore, each of them regarded Wang Jing as an enemy and wanted to fight back and force the Northern Army to retreat to Luoyang.

However, Yuan Shao was only slightly embarrassed and rejected the two's request, saying: "You two don't know, Shao is now trapped in Bohai, facing the danger of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and there is nothing I can do to help."

Zhang Chao and Zang Hong left in despair. Yuan Shao had no choice but to call his men together to discuss countermeasures: "Everyone, Chenliu City has been destroyed, and Yanzhou will be occupied by Wang Yuanxu. Once Puyang falls, Jizhou and Yanzhou are only separated by a river. How should our army deal with this? Are we really going to sit back and watch Yanzhou fall?"

Xun Zhan, one of the three generals of the Xun clan, was the first to stand up and advise: "My lord, Chenliu was captured in just half a day. Now the northern army is sharp and has high morale. They can also defend the city and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. If our army goes on a long expedition, I'm afraid we won't have a chance of winning."

Although Yuan Shao knew this was the truth, he was unwilling to accept it, so he looked at Lu Zhi and said, "Military Advisor, what do you think?"

After Lu Zhi left Luoyang, he was stopped by Yuan Shao on his way back to his hometown in Youzhou and was appointed as a military advisor.

He had exhausted himself in the battle with Zhang Jue, and now he was already in his twilight years, so he did not hesitate to say many things: "Forgive me for being frank, but although the general has prepared his troops, his army is not yet ready and his morale is not high enough, so I am afraid he is no match for Marquis Qi. If we start a war rashly, we will surely lose. It is better for us to start attacking Jizhou first, and then accumulate strength to fight against him."

There is no doubt that Lu Zhi's knowledge and experience are not comparable to Yuan Shao's.

Lu Zhi had already seen the current predicament of Yuan Shao's army, so he spoke bluntly: "General, you are entrusted with the hopes of the world, you must not act impulsively."

"Military advisor, this is the advice of an experienced person, Shao should obey it."

Yuan Shao had no choice but to accept the advice of his advisers and asked, "You Ruo, how is the matter I asked you to do going?"

"The plan is going very smoothly. We are only one step away from taking over Jizhou."

"Very good! You really didn't disappoint me."

After hearing the good news, Yuan Shao, who was originally worried, finally cheered up again: "When I take Jizhou, I will immediately lead my army north to fight Gongsun Zan to the death! As long as we unify Hebei, we will mobilize the strength of Youzhou and Jizhou and go south to compete with Wang Yuanxu. Let's see who will be the master of the world!"

Yuan Shao spoke in a heroic tone and made no secret of his lofty ambitions.

"We are willing to die for our lord."

Xun Zhan and other counselors all prostrated themselves on the ground. Even Lu Zhi, seeing Yuan Shao's ambition, stroked his beard and smiled.

Although Gongsun Zan was his disciple, Lu Zhi finally chose to stand on the side of the aristocratic families, because he had long understood in his heart that in the Han Dynasty, the emperor and the aristocratic families ruled the world together.

Is the man without his noble family still the man in his heart?
As they were talking, someone suddenly rushed in and said, "Report, Jizhou Mu Han Fu's general Qu Yi rebelled. Han Fu personally led his troops to fight against him, but was defeated by Qu Yi."

Upon hearing this news, Yuan Shao was ecstatic: "Great, very good, very good! God is helping me!"

Yuan Shao's advisers were all delighted and said, "My lord, this is a great opportunity that we must not miss!"

The counselor Feng Ji was even more outspoken: "My lord, if you want to accomplish great things, how can you gain a foothold in the world without a state? Jizhou is now strong, but Han Fu is a mediocre person. Now he has suffered a new defeat, and it is time to be anxious. My lord can secretly ask Gongsun Zan to lead the army south, and Han Fu will surely be frightened and uneasy. Then send someone who is eloquent to explain the pros and cons to Han Fu, and he will be forced by the sudden situation to give up Jizhou obediently."

After hearing this, Yuan Shao thought it made sense. What's more, this was originally one of the plans formulated by Yuan Shao and Xun Zhan, and the appearance of Qu Yi only accelerated the process.

Yuan Shao then asked someone to prepare paper and ink, wrote a letter and sent it to Gongsun Zan.

But after a few days, Gongsun Zan could no longer hold back and accepted the invitation to send troops.

…………

Yecheng, the residence of the governor.

Just when Han Fu was worried, his doorman suddenly came to report: "Master, the famous scholar Xun Zhan wants to see you."

"Please come quickly!"

Faced with the rebellion of Qu Yi and the Daji soldiers, Han Fu was filled with worry and at a loss as to what to do. When he heard that Xun Zhan was coming, he immediately became eager to ask him for help.

The two sat down as host and guest. Han Fu asked anxiously, "Qu Yi is unruly and Gongsun Zan is coming with great force. Now Yecheng is in danger and is about to collapse. Sir, do you have any plan to help me?"

Han Fu asked sincerely and was fully polite, but he had no idea that the fellow villager from Yingchuan, whom he relied on, had already secretly attached himself to Yuan Shao and planned to sell him, the governor of Jizhou, for a good price in order to advance himself.

Xun Zhan was originally a lobbyist sent by Yuan Shao. Seeing Han Fu asking so impatiently, he smiled indifferently, and then used his eloquent tongue to start fooling Han Fu.

"Sir, Jizhou has become a place of trouble now, and it is not advisable to stay here for long. I heard that Gongsun Zan of Liaodong has led the powerful armies of Yan and Dai to the south, and the counties in northern Ji have responded one after another. The army is strong and unstoppable. At the same time, Yuan Benchu, the governor of Bohai, has also led his army to move eastward. His intentions are immeasurable. Yecheng is a dead end. Even I am worried about you, Sir."

Han Fu was already panicking, and upon hearing this, he was even more frightened: "If this is the case, then what should I do?"

Xun Chen knew that Han Fu's mentality had collapsed, so he immediately asked him a series of questions, using both defense and attack to counterattack him.

"Why don't you judge for yourself, sir? Can a man of generosity and righteousness be compared to Yuan Shao in terms of being loyal to the heroes of the world?"

Han Fu shook his head: "Not as good as him."

"You are calm in the face of danger, decisive in dealing with things, and extremely wise and brave. Can you compare with Yuan Shao?"

Although Han Fu was not convinced, he also knew his own limitations and continued to shake his head: "Not as good as him."

"For generations, you have been spreading kindness and benefiting every family in the world. In terms of family background, can you compare with Yuan Shao?"

Han Fu sighed again and shook his head for the third time: "Not as good as him."

After three questions, Han Fu's defenses gradually collapsed. Although he clung to power, he had to live to enjoy it.

No matter how stupid he was, he guessed that Xun Zhan must have defected to Yuan Shao, so he came to lobby for Yuan Shao, but he could do nothing about it.

Han Fu was appointed as the governor of Jizhou by Dong Zhuo. It has only been a year since then, but the noble families and powerful families in Jizhou are not convinced by him. Even his general Qu Yi has become disloyal. It can be said that he is trapped both internally and externally, and is in a precarious situation. He cannot hold the position of governor of Jizhou firmly.

Even Han Fu himself understood that joining Yuan Shao was his only way to survive at the moment.

Xun Chen saw that Han Fu had lost his spirit, and immediately twirled his beard and laughed: "The governor of Bohai is a hero among men. Your Excellency is inferior to him in three aspects, but has always been superior to him. How can he be willing to be inferior to you? Jizhou is the largest province in the world. If the governor of Bohai joins forces with Gongsun Zan to attack, you, as the governor of Jizhou, will immediately become the target of public criticism."

If a child takes gold to the market, how can he not be coveted and robbed?
After listening to Xun Zhan's analysis, Han Fu's hands and feet turned cold. He finally realized the truth.

When Dong Zhuo rewarded him as the governor of Jizhou, he was ambitious to participate in the fight against Dong Zhuo, and all he wanted was to make a big career in this chaotic world. After all, people should always have dreams when they are alive.

Unfortunately, some people’s dreams come true, while others’ dreams are shattered.

Now that Han Fu has experienced setbacks, he has to wake up and face the cruel reality.

Because he knew very well that if he continued to be the governor of Jizhou, he would probably end up dead. Neither Gongsun Zan nor Yuan Shao, who had ambitions for Jizhou, would let him go.

Therefore, Han Fu looked at Xun Zhan with mixed feelings: "Youruo, if you still consider me a friend, please show me a clear way."

Han Fu is now gutless, depressed, and completely devoid of ambition. He only wants to survive in this world.

Seeing his former high-spirited fellow villager become so humble and decadent, Xun Zhan sighed and sincerely pointed out a way for him to survive: "The governor of Bohai is an old friend of yours, and you have also made an alliance to fight against Dong Zhuo. If you are willing to hand over Jizhou to him, the governor of Bohai will surely be grateful, and Gongsun Zan will be powerless to compete with him. In this way, you will not only have a good reputation for giving way to others, but also save your life in troubled times."

Han Fu was timid by nature, so he had to agree.

May, the second year of Chuping.

Yuan Shao took control of Jizhou without losing a single soldier, and Han Fu handed over his throne, causing an uproar throughout the country.

…………

Chenliu, the prefectural government office.

Wang Jing was naturally the first to know the news from Jizhou. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "The Yuan family of Runan, who can conquer Jizhou with just their mouths, has three dukes in four generations. It really lives up to their reputation."

In history, Han Fu attempted to break out of his own predicament by supporting Liu Yu as emperor, but unfortunately he failed in the end.

But now, because of Wang Jing's strong intervention, he did not dare to support Liu Yu, and his defeat was even faster.

Guo Jia immediately suggested: "My lord, Yuan Shao took Jizhou without a fight, and his strength has grown. He has the confidence to compete with Gongsun Zan for the hegemony of Hebei. In my opinion, these two people must be like water and fire. We only need to provoke them a little and they will start a war, which will buy time for our army to pacify Yanzhou."

If the Northern Army wants to capture Yanzhou, it must suppress the invasion of the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou and the Black Mountain Army internally, while also guarding against external threats such as Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

Cao Cao had just suffered a defeat and was now licking his wounds, so he was unable to go to war with the Northern Army.

But Yuan Shao was different. He easily persuaded Han Fu to give up his throne. Instead of losing his troops, they were greatly replenished.

Yanzhou and Jizhou are separated by only a river. If Yuan Shao were to lead his troops south, it would really be a big trouble.

Therefore, Guo Jia suggested that Wang Jing should nip this possibility in the bud to be on the safe side.

Xun You also agreed with this strategy: "Feng Xiao is right. Kong Rong of Beihai and Tao Qian of Xuzhou are not worth worrying about. If our army wants to take Yanzhou and march to northern Henan, the only opponent we need to consider is Yuan Shao."

Wang Jing looked at the map, then deduced it in his mind, and finally made a decision: "Yun Chang, I will leave you 20,000 soldiers and deputy general Jiang Qin. Are you willing to guard Chenliu for me and guard against Cao Cao?"

"As long as the people in the city are there, Guan is willing to sign a military order to ensure that Chenliu City is safe!"

Guan Yu once again felt what a heavy responsibility was on his shoulders. Wang Jing entrusted the way out to him. This heavy trust made Guan Yu feel that a man will die for his friend.

"Yide, Gongming, Youping, the three of you will follow me to fight and take over Yanzhou."

"Yes!"

Zhang Fei, Xu Huang and Zhou Tai were very happy. This meant there was another big battle to fight. As long as they made great achievements, they would become famous and be granted titles and appointed as generals.
When Yan Xing heard that there was no arrangement for him, he immediately became anxious: "My Lord, what about me? What is my mission?"

I've finally followed the army into the battle, so I can't return empty-handed, right?
Seeing Yan Xing so anxious, Wang Jing immediately smiled and comforted him, "Yan Ming, don't worry, you have another important task."

Wang Jing then made arrangements for Yan Xing: "I will personally lead the troops to attack head-on, and you will lead the armored cavalry to raid from behind and cut off the retreat of the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou."

Here, Wang Jing used the tactics of large encirclement and deep defense, intending to swallow up the million-strong Yellow Turbans from Qingzhou in one breath.

To others, too many people and refugees might just be a burden, but to Wang Jing, the fact that these people are alive is wealth in itself.

Whether it is the development of local industry and commerce or the establishment of military farms, a large number of refugees are needed to enrich the population.

Historically, it was because Cao Cao surrendered these one million Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou that he was able to eliminate the weak and retain the strong, select 100,000 young and strong men, and form the world-famous Qingzhou Army, which became one of the foundations for the Cao Wei regime to dominate the world.

If it weren't for the time of Sima Yi, when the Qingzhou soldiers died old and too many were killed, resulting in a lack of successors to the military foundation of the Cao Wei regime, how could the three horses want to eat in the trough?

Eating feces is almost the same!
But Wang Jing is much greedier than Cao Cao. He not only wants the millions of Yellow Turbans from Qingzhou, but also the 100,000 Black Mountain Troops under Yu Du!

However, food has to be eaten bite by bite, so Wang Jing is not in a hurry at all.

Let's first deal with the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou as a snack. Moreover, after eliminating them, we can strategically join forces with Gongsun Zan to dominate Qingzhou and form an encirclement of Yuan Shao.

In Yanzhou, smoke of war rose everywhere.

The Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou surged in from the east. Millions of refugees, with a hundred thousand young and strong men as their core, invaded the border on a large scale. Wherever they went, they were like a swarm of locusts.

The Yellow Turbans called themselves an army of righteous men, but most of the victims of their uprising were the local people of Yanzhou.

Liu Dai died in the battle, and Yu Jin led the remnants to follow Cao Cao and leave. Now there were only less than two thousand defenders left in Puyang. Facing the main force of Wang Jing's 20,000 troops, they did not dare to resist and simply opened the city and surrendered.

Wang Jing was able to capture Puyang without bloodshed, and then issued a series of appointments to quickly fill the power vacuum in Yanzhou caused by the death of Liu Dai.

First, he appointed Guan Yu, who was staying in Chenliu, as the prefect of Chenliu, while retaining his military post as the General of the Eastern Army, allowing Guan Yu to take charge of the military and political affairs in northern Henan, gather the strength of one area, and defend against Yuan Shu and Cao Cao from the south.

This task is not easy at all. You must know that Yuan Shu's strength is still at its peak at that time and should not be underestimated.

Although Cao Cao suffered setbacks and failed to annex Yanzhou, he still had a strong foundation and was very likely to join forces with Yuan Shu. Therefore, when the two sides joined forces, the threat would be greater than before.

If Wang Jing wanted Guan Yu to be able to guard Chenliu County, he had to delegate power to him to the greatest extent possible.

Dongjun is the largest county in Yanzhou. It borders Jizhou to the north, Xuzhou to the south, and Qingzhou to the east where the Yellow Turban Army is very active. Facing threats from all sides, it also needs a reliable general to guard it.

For this purpose, Wang Jing directly appointed Xu Huang, who was capable of handling matters independently and was particularly good at defensive operations, as the prefect of Dongjun. At the same time, he also transferred Xi Zhicai over to assist Xu Huang and give him advice.

Puyang, the Prefect's Mansion.

Wang Jing summoned his civil and military officers to discuss: "Our army has entered Puyang. What is the best strategy for advancing or retreating now?"

Yanzhou is a large county. Wang Jing's army has occupied Chenliu and Dongjun, gaining control of the best areas. However, there is still a long way to go before they can completely occupy the entire Yanzhou.

Yanzhou is now torn apart by the attacks of the Yellow Turban Army and the Black Mountain Army, so it will take a lot of effort to quell the rebellion.

Xun You, who was good at tactical planning, immediately suggested to Wang Jing: "My lord, I think that we should adopt different decisions to deal with different enemies. Only in this way can we quickly quell the rebellion in Yanzhou."

"It seems that Gongda has a plan in mind."

Wang Jing knew Xun You's ability very well. After chuckling, he waited patiently for what would happen next.

Xun You did not disappoint Wang Jing and directly suggested: "When facing the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, we should attack strategically and defend tactically. But when dealing with the Black Mountain Army, we should do the opposite."

(End of this chapter)