Great Han Empire

Chapter 854 The Heroes of Troubled Times Compete in the Central Plains
In the evening, Yuan Shao returned to Zhongmou City and hosted a banquet for the generals.

He comforted the generals and said that although the Northern Xinjiang Army succeeded in attacking, broke through the second line of defense, and entered Henan, they did not change the stalemate of the confrontation between the two sides on the battlefield, and did not change their inferiority in strength.Retreating to the third line of defense, for us, is just moving the blocking front more than 100 miles back.We still have the strength to defeat the Northern Army, and we should maintain enough confidence in defeating the Northern Army.

Yuan Shao's words were so high-sounding that the generals fell asleep after hearing them.In fact, everyone knows that the premature loss of the second line of defense makes the army not only lose the best opportunity to counterattack, but also lose the initiative on the battlefield.Now the army is suppressed by the Northern Xinjiang Army on the narrow battlefield west of Honggoushui. The 10,000+ army is crowded into a pile. Apart from relying on the superiority of numbers to resist desperately, there is almost no room for counterattack. The reason for this extremely passive situation is that Yuan Shao's conservative defense strategy.

Dragging down the army of the northern border does not mean hiding in the city and passively defending. The army should use offense instead of defense, combine offense and defense, adopt flexible and changeable attack strategies, and firmly control the initiative on the battlefield. However, Yuan Shao's defense strategy only If they didn't attack, the northern army seized the opportunity, boldly adjusted the deployment of troops, gathered heavy troops to break through on the northern battlefield, and then directly killed the chasm, completely destroying the excellent situation that their side had finally obtained.

Mastering the initiative on the battlefield and defending with a positive attitude, and being passive in the battlefield and fighting with the mentality of a cornered beast are two different things. However, Yuan Shao avoided talking about his mistakes in strategy, and still kept the passive situation today. It was attributed to a mistake in the command on the battlefield, and some ministers fled the battle in order to preserve their own strength, ignoring military orders, and pointed their finger at Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao rewarded the civil and military officials on the Guandu battlefield in the name of the emperor, which more or less stimulated their emotions. Many people swept away the bad luck and frustration on their faces, and happily went back to the front with the rewards.

After sending the generals away, Yuan Shao was extremely angry at Cao Cao and Liu Bei's refusal to go to Zhongmou to discuss matters.As an important minister in the court, how could he be so disregarding the overall situation?Do they still have Sheji in their hearts?
"Of course they don't dare to come, because they are worried that you will kill them." Xu You said with a smile, "I want to eliminate the fear of you from the prime minister and Zuo Cheqi, so that everyone can work together, boost morale, and continue to play the role of Yan and Xu. The combat effectiveness of the army, I think it is best for the adults to lower their stance first, let go of their previous suspicions with them, and be honest with each other, so that they can truly feel the sincerity of the adults not to blame the past."

"Then I will condescend and go see them in person." Yuan Shao was in a good mood when he thought of Cao Cao and Liu Bei's embarrassment. He waved his hand and smiled, "Do I like killing people?"

=

Because the Northern Xinjiang Army was constrained by the shortage of Hebei's wealth, the supply of food, grass and military equipment became more and more difficult. They might be eager to fight a decisive battle on the Guandu battlefield, and the subsequent battles were bound to become more and more fierce.

In order to cope with the upcoming decisive battle, Yuan Shao urgently told Yuan Wei in Luoyang, Xun Chen in Yuzhou, and Liu Biao in Jingzhou to think of all ways to deliver food, grass and ordnance to the Guandu battlefield as quickly as possible.Yuan Shao also specifically asked Yuan Wei and Xun Chen that the soldiers newly recruited in Luoyang and Yuzhou counties should not be trained and sent directly to the battlefield.

"Is there any news from Yangzhou?" Yuan Shao looked at Yuan Zhong and asked, "Jian Yong from Xuzhou wrote that there are too many troops stationed in the south now, and Xuzhou cannot provide food, grass and supplies for so many troops. It is difficult to sustain, and I request the imperial court to allocate grain and grass from the counties of Yangzhou as soon as possible to alleviate the crisis."

"Yan Xiang, the governor of Yangzhou, wrote a letter saying that at the end of June, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu in Jiangdong sent the grain to Jiujiang County by order. Yan Xiang planned to send this batch of grain to Xuchang first." Yuan Zhong hurriedly replied, "No accidents. If so, this batch of grain can be sent to Liang and Pei in Yuzhou soon."

"Where's the food in Jiujiang County?" Yuan Shao asked, "In April, I urged Yan Xiang to make preparations as soon as possible. Why hasn't it been prepared yet?"

Yuan Zhong hesitated for a moment, "Lord Yan said that since the death of Gong Gong (Yuan Shu), Li Shu, Yuan Yin, and Liu Xun have been doing their own thing and don't listen to him at all. Liu Xun was originally going to lead the army north to the Central Plains battlefield , but he was reluctant to go north because he was worried that the adults would investigate the crime of his defeat by Dong Zhuo in Hanoi nine years ago. After the death of Gong Gong, he took in many of Gao Gong's men, moved from Xiacai to the west, and stationed troops in Lujiang County The Anfeng and Anfeng areas of the Dabie Mountains have close contacts with the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in the Dabie Mountains, and it seems that they have the meaning of occupying the mountain as king."

"Zhanshan is king? I think he doesn't want to live anymore." Yuan Shao's face darkened, "When he was defeated, he was defeated. Why did he abandon me and go to Yuan Shu? When the Central Plains War is over, I must send him Grab it and ask carefully."

"Tell Yan Xiang that whoever dares to disobey the imperial edict will be punished as treason and killed."

"No, no..." Xu You hurriedly stopped, "The chaos in Jiujiang County will have a great impact on the battlefield in the Central Plains. Jiujiang County has been tossed by Yuan Shu in the past few years, and it is clinking with poverty. How can there be any surplus food for the court? I think it is still Forget it, let Yan Xiangshan comfort you."

"I don't know Yuan Shu yet?" Yuan Shao frowned and said unhappily, "If he is dead, will his money be buried in the coffin? Tell Yan Xiang, if there is no food, send me gold, silver and silk." Come."

"My lord, when Sun Ce and Zhou Yu betrayed the highway last year, they already looted Shouchun." Xu You smiled wryly, "My lord, Jiujiang County cannot be in chaos. Don't your lord worry that Sun Ce and Zhou Yu will take the opportunity to go north?"

Yuan Shao was taken aback for a moment, "These two boys are not so shameless, are they?"

"You underestimate them." Xu You shook his head, "If you always look at people with old eyes, you will suffer."

"If Sun Ce and Zhou Yu want to seek development, they must occupy the two counties in Jiangbei. Otherwise, they will settle down in the corner of Jiangdong, and they will achieve nothing. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are young and have great ambitions. Why would they hide in Jiangdong Gouan I? Once the court's attitude is tough , Li Shu, Yuan Yin and others feel that they are in danger, and they will turn to Jiangdong for help. With the support of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu behind them, they will definitely attack Yan Xiang. With Yan Xiang's weak strength, how can Jiujiang County not lose?"

"Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have such courage?"

"My lord, don't forget that when the highway was defeated in the Central Plains, it was precisely because of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's betrayal. Since they could betray the highway, why couldn't they betray you?" Xu You sneered, "There are many high officials in Hebei who are all from the same family of Sun Jian. Among them, Li Wei, Zhu Mu and others are all important ministers of Hebei. Hebei's attack on the Central Plains is very large-scale and well-planned. One of their tactics of attack."

Yuan Shao was taken aback, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this might be a big deal, "Why didn't you say it earlier?" Yuan Shao's tone was very bad, obviously dissatisfied with Xu You's mention that Jiangdong might endanger the decisive battle in the Central Plains.

Seeing Yuan Shao's face, Xu You became even more angry.You keep waving at me, waving when you want to use it, and kicking it far away when you don’t need it. Do I have a chance to say it?
"What's the use of what I said? Do you have a countermeasure?" Xu You's face was angry, and his tone was extremely disdainful.

Yuan Shao suddenly became angry and stared at Xu You fiercely.You are too insolent.Do you still have me in your eyes?How dare you talk to me like that.

"Ziyuan (Xu You), according to your speculation, will Sun Ce and Zhou Yu take advantage of the opportunity to attack Jingzhou during the decisive battle in the Central Plains?" Feng Ji felt that the atmosphere was not right, so he hurriedly interjected, trying to smooth things over.

"Do you think they are idiots?" Xu You didn't appreciate it at all, and yelled at Feng Ji, "If you were in Jiangdong, would you dare to attack Jingzhou at will before you have won the Central Plains War? We have won this battle, how many chances do Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have to occupy Jiangdong?"

Feng Ji gave him a choke and didn't speak for a long time.

Yuan Shaolen snorted, "Since Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are ordered to send troops north to the Central Plains, they probably won't break up with us right away. They will wait for a good opportunity and won't cause us too much trouble for the time being."

"The book tells Yan Xiang to do his best to appease the prefectures and counties and stabilize Jiujiang. In order to prevent Sun Ce and Zhou Yu from taking the opportunity to attack, please recruit troops and expand the army as soon as possible to prevent accidents."

=

When Yuan Shao left Xuchang, Jushou repeatedly asked Yuan Shao to order Yuan Tan in Guanzhong and Jian Yong, Chen Deng, and Cao Chun in Xuzhou to attack on the battlefields on the east and west wings immediately, so as to contain the strength of the northern army and consume Hebei's troops. Wealth and wealth, strive to form a decisive advantage in the shortest time.

After Yuan Shao inspected the front line of Guandu today, he saw the northern army camp on the other side of the Honggou River stretching for several miles, with banners flying inside the camp, and cavalry outside the camp galloping back and forth, he felt very uneasy.The shadow of Jizhou's defeat the year before last still lingers in Yuan Shao's heart, which makes him not have much confidence in the decisive battle that has already begun.

Yuan Shao thought of Jushou's advice before his departure.It seemed that if he wanted to defeat the northern army at Guandu, he had to make breakthroughs on the east and west flanks.

"The northern border army has iron cavalry to help them, and their attack power is very sharp." After Yuan Shao, Xu You and others discussed the matter of Yangzhou, they immediately changed the topic to the opening of the flank battlefield. "If we confront the northern border army head-on at Guandu, The loss is unimaginable. In this way, even if we defeat the Northern Xinjiang Army by virtue of our strength, we will not be able to take Yan and Xu states in the shortest time according to the predetermined goal, and complete the confrontation with Hebei across the river. Just as Ziyuan was worried Yes, if Jiangdong Sun Ce and Zhou Yu teamed up with Hebei and suddenly went north to compete with us for Xu and Yang, or turned west to attack Jingzhou, which suffered heavy losses, or if Cao Cao and Liu Bei took the opportunity to go south and defend Xu and Yang, we would all be in trouble, so we The earliest defensive strategy is still correct, we must wait for the opportunity to defeat the Northern Xinjiang Army at the least cost, otherwise it will be difficult for us to successfully complete the expected goal."

"Judging from the current situation on the battlefield, we want to defeat the Northern Army at the lowest cost. There are many difficulties. The only way is to turn to seek breakthroughs on the battlefields on the east and west wings, and then force the Northern Army on the Guandu battlefield into a crisis." Yuan Shao looked at Xu You and others, pointed to the map on the table and said, "I plan to urgently order Xiansi (Yuan Tan) and Duan Yan in Guanzhong to attack Hedong, and Jian Yong and Chen Deng in Xuzhou to attack Langya County and threaten Qingzhou. He urgently ordered Cao Chun and Yang Ping to lead troops to haunt the southern counties of Yanzhou to burn, kill and loot, so as to consume Hebei's wealth, and forced Li Hong to transfer troops from the Guandu battlefield to help Qingzhou and Yanzhou to stabilize his rear."

"If Xiansi wants to attack Hedong, he must first stabilize Han Sui from Xiliang. The last time Xiansi attacked Hedong, although the northern army was transferred from the Kanxi battlefield, the risk was very high. Once Han Sui entered Guanzhong, the consequences would be great. It was unimaginable, so he saw that the northern border army retreated to Chang'an after returning to help Hedong, which is completely correct." When Xu You said this, he took a special look at Yuan Shao.Last time Yuan Tan was reluctant to send troops to attack Hedong, and then hurriedly withdrew, which was severely criticized by Yuan Shao.When Xu You said this, he obviously supported Yuan Tan.

Yuan Shao had no expression on his face, his eyes were very angry.

Xu You smiled slightly, and then said: "Besides, Han Sui, you'd better understand him thoroughly. Han Sui is determined to dominate Xiliang. For him, the biggest obstacle to dominating Xiliang is poverty. Therefore, occupying the rich Guanzhong is His biggest dream. However, Han Sui's strength is insufficient. Guanzhong is adjacent to Jinyang in the north and Luoyang in the east. The losses of both sides in this battle were astonishing, and neither of them could afford to take care of Guanzhong in the short term. Han Sui will immediately take the opportunity to send troops to occupy Guanzhong, and then dominate the western frontier, forming a tripartite confrontation with Hebei and Luoyang."

"Three legs are established, and he can be invincible immediately. If Luoyang beats him, he can team up with Hebei to attack Kansai. If Hebei beats him, he can team up with Luoyang to counterattack Hedong. In this way, my lord's career as a king may be further away. Indefinitely."

Xu You looked at Yuan Shao, smiled contemptuously, and continued: "Do you think Han Sui is lying down and sleeping in Xiliang now? Do you think he won't go to Guanzhong after you give him money and food? You always look down on people and treat others as idiots "Xu You shook his head again and again, "I just can't figure it out, why do you believe in Jushou's words so much? When Jushou was a small official in Julu County, Jizhou, I was already a member of the General's Mansion. Can’t compare to him? General He Jin once invited Han Sui into the mansion. I sat by the side and listened carefully to his remarks. It seems that Han Suizhi is in Xijiang, but in fact he is in the world, he will never be satisfied with a small Xijiang, do you know that?"

Yuan Shao's expression was ugly.Ever since Jushou and Tian Feng were driven away by him, this Xu You has become more and more reckless and defiant.

"After the decisive battle in the Central Plains, Han Sui will definitely fight Guanzhong." Xu You waved his hand vigorously, "So now Xiansi can fight Hedong, and you don't need to give Han Sui a lot of money and food for nothing. The more you give, the better he will fight. The more ruthless you are, the more determined you are. But..." Xu You pointed to Chang'an on the map, "If you want to attack Hedong, you will inevitably lose troops. After the decisive battle in the Central Plains, it will be too difficult for you to defend Guanzhong. Han Sui only needs to convince Ma Chao , stabilized Xiliang, the two joined forces, tens of thousands of cavalry let down, and Guanzhong immediately became the world of Xiliang people."

Yuan Shao suddenly realized, his heart trembled, and an unspeakable loss and pain invaded his whole body instantly.Should I just give up Guanzhong?In order to win Guanzhong, I spent countless efforts, how could I give up in vain?

"Are you reluctant?" Xu You looked at Yuan Shao's livid cheeks, and suddenly laughed, "Don't be so stingy. You got the Central Plains, why do you want that desolate Guanzhong? Throw it to Han Sui, it's a dead end. After the defeat of the Xinjiang army, they will inevitably change their strategy of calming the world, and their goal will immediately shift to Guanzhong. Han Sui occupied Guanzhong, which will not help solve Xiliang's poverty in the short term. , is much easier than going south to the Central Plains again."

"At this time, you need time to recover, you need time to stabilize the Central Plains, and you need someone to help you contain Hebei so that you can gain a firm foothold in the Central Plains. This person is Han Sui, and Han Sui must ask you for help in order to survive. Join forces with you. For the sake of your own dominance, of course you have to let go of the past, and it is your duty. With the support of your money and food, Han Sui and the Northern Xinjiang Army are bound to kill both sides." Xu You slapped the map with one palm, He said excitedly, "At this time, you have to raise your army and cross the river northward to attack Jizhou. The Northern Army is attacked on both sides, and defeat is inevitable. What about Han Sui? What will Han Sui do at this time? Of course, turn the horse's head and fight with the Northern Army Let's join forces to fight you." Xu You pointed to Nanyang on the map, "What else does Han Sui have? The iron cavalry was battered by the northern army, and the money and supplies have been exhausted. Can he still hold Guanzhong? At this moment, the adults only need to send a The elite soldiers went straight to attack Chang'an from Wuguan, and Han Sui had to flee to Xiliang."

"In this way..." Xu You shook his head triumphantly, "You are only a short distance away from your career as a king."

The big tent was very quiet, and everyone was taken aback by Xu You's words, and their minds were all attracted by Xu You's astonishing remarks.

"Ziyuan, if the Guanzhong battlefield develops as you said, Xiansi's attack on Hedong just needs to be a gesture." Feng Ji looked at Xu You with great admiration, with a hint of jealousy in his eyes, "Then the Xuzhou battlefield will turn again. How to attack?"

"The Xuzhou battlefield is useless at all." Xu You said surprisingly, "The Xuzhou battlefield is thousands of miles away from the Central Plains, and the main force of the northern army is all in the Central Plains battlefield. Conquering Xuzhou? Could it be that those idiots Chen Deng and Cao Chun can still occupy Qingzhou? Let Cao Chun lead people to burn, kill and loot in the southern counties of Yanzhou. Counties, whose people are you killing? It’s you? It’s yours.” Xu You pointed at Yuan Shao, who was frowning with thick brows, and said contemptuously, “Why do you trust Jushou so much? You can use such a strategy? You know Cao Cao’s subordinates Who are they? They are all butchers. You let Cao Chun go to Yanzhou to burn, kill and loot, and there are ruins everywhere you go. Do you want to get a piece of red land with thousands of miles of uninhabited land after capturing Yanzhou, just like capturing Guanzhong in the past? "

"Let's take a step back, even if you fight in full swing in Xuzhou, and burn into the air in the southern counties of Yanzhou, will Li Hong call in iron cavalry to help?" Xu You pointed at Yuan Shao's head and said mockingly, "You think about it with your brain. Think about it? Li Hong is so stupid? You fought hard in Xuzhou, but you can fight all the way to Qingzhou? You burned fiercely in the southern counties of Yanzhou, but you can burn all counties and counties in Yanzhou? This one It will arouse Li Hong's anger, he will attack like a lunatic in Guandu, and he will beat our soldiers to the point of collapse, you know?"

Yuan Shao was so angry that his eyes were about to burn. He raised his hand and slapped Xu You's arm fiercely, and asked angrily, "Then what do you say? Do you want to keep beating in Guandu like this, and beat everyone out?" So far?"

"It's very simple." Seeing that Yuan Shao was furious, Xu You had to hold back his anger and asked himself in a low voice, and couldn't help laughing until his eyes narrowed.Exhaust, do you think you are so amazing?If you don't have a prominent family background, what are you?At best, he is just a mediocre little official who is called around by others.In this world, if you want to get ahead and become famous, you have to rely on real skills. What a fool like you can do.

Xu You stretched out a finger, and lightly tapped Huaicheng, Hanoi on the map, "Send troops to Hanoi, attack it by surprise, take Huaicheng by surprise, and then..." Xu You drew a line along the Yellow River on the map, "Go straight to Wei County in Jizhou, fight to the rear of the Northern Frontier Army, and attack the places where they must save. Liyang, Neihuang, and Yecheng, as long as they are cities in Wei County, they can be attacked, as long as they are the people in Wei County. , can be killed. Burning, killing, and looting are no longer enough to threaten the northern border army. We want to massacre the city bloody, just like Cao Cao did when he attacked Xuzhou.

Xu You looked up at the crowd and said with a triumphant smile, "If the Northern Army doesn't return quickly, they will die in Guandu, and none of them can escape."

The eyes of Yuan Shao, Feng Ji, Yuan Zhong and the others brightened, and they couldn't help beaming with joy, cheering in unison, "Okay, okay..."

"Increase troops in Hanoi immediately, increase troops immediately." Yuan Shao walked back and forth excitedly in the tent, and said in a hurry, "This time, we will kill them all, kill them all. Last time Li Hong used the battlefield in Hanoi to catch us by surprise. , This time we used his own methods to deal with him, and also took advantage of the battlefield in Hanoi to catch him by surprise. Urgently call on Gao Rou and Zhu Ling to prepare to attack Jizhou."

"Ziyuan, how many people do you think should be sent to the Hanoi battlefield?" Yuan Shao's tone immediately became more polite.

"There are still more than 1 people in Gaorou in Hanoi. You can transfer another 2 people. You don't need too many, so as not to be killed by the northern Xinjiang cavalry." Xu You laughed, "Let Liu Bei and Gao Gan go .Cao Cao and Liu Bei need to be separated. It is much easier to deal with them alone than together. If you put Cao Cao in Guandu, he will not be able to support him alone. Bei'an, then you can solve Cao Cao with little effort."

Yuan Shao's face showed joy, and he nodded repeatedly.

=

In July, Luoyang.

Ting Wei Mansion prison.

The judge hurried into the cell.Seeing the guard behind him carrying a big food box, Tian Feng raised his hand happily and shouted: "Zhengnan, Zhengnan...do you have any wine?"

"I brought you wine." The judge ordered the guard to open the door of the cell, and walked in with a food box. "Isn't this place better than Beisi Prison?"

"Beisi Prison is gloomy and dark, so it's better here." Tian Feng said with a smile, "thank you and Meng Qian (Yuan Wei) this time, otherwise I wouldn't have such a happy life. Prison is more comfortable than being at home ,Ha ha……"

"What are you laughing at?" The examiner reached out to stop Tian Feng's hand reaching for the food box, and asked solemnly, "Do you know who hurt you this time?"

"It doesn't matter." Tian Feng saw the serious face of the judge, smiled and shook his hands, "I don't want to know." Then he sighed and said very bitterly, "Actually, you know who wants to kill me, I I am also clear, why blame others? Although some people may take the opportunity to make trouble, but can these people decide my life or death? Zhengnan, forget it, my days are not long, let's be happy every day."

"Yuan Hao, someone told me that the reason why you were taken back to Luoyang this time was because of a word from Li Hong."

"Li Hong?" Tian Feng already knew who framed him, he smiled helplessly, "What did he say?"

"He asked someone to bring you a message, saying that your family has been well taken care of in Jizhou, and your son is working in Julu County. If you can't stay in Luoyang, go to Hebei. He will at least give You are a prefect." The judge said, "Although this man is very cruel and bloody, even dare to kill the king, but he has always been very good to his friends."

Tian Feng looked desolate, and sat on the ground with a long sigh, "The great Han society will eventually be overthrown by him. If I had known today, I should have killed him in Xindu City together with Yuan Shu."

"Can you kill him?" The judge said with a smile, "If you had worked hand in hand with Yuan Shu at that time, you would have died long ago."

"Forget it." Tian Feng waved his hand and reached out to open the food box, "No matter what, I have to thank Li Hong for treating my family well. After I die, if you have a chance to see him, thank him for me."

"You won't die." The judge sneered, "I have a way to save you."

=

In the middle of the night, Shen Pei walked into Yuan Wei's study with several volumes of papers in his arms.

"These people take advantage of the opportunity for the front-line army to prepare for the delivery of food and grass, and wantonly take bribes and accept bribes. I want to arrest them." The judge put the documents on Yuan Wei's case, "You write me a warrant."

"Isn't it inappropriate to arrest people at this time?" Yuan Wei spread out one of the documents, looked at it casually, and said with a smile, "This kind of thing is not uncommon now, and most of the violators are related to us, why do you Catch? Catch a large area, and once things become serious, it will directly affect the battle ahead."

Yuan Wei's eyes suddenly fixed on the bamboo slips, his expression changed suddenly, "Zhengnan, these people can't be arrested, this is Ziyuan's uncle, this is Ziyuan's brother, this is Ziyuan's old official, what do you want to do? "

"Xu Ziyuan's family members, relatives, disciples and old officials openly corrupted the law and plundered the army's money and food recklessly, seriously endangering the safety of the army in front. How could these people not be arrested? Is Xu Ziyuan important, or the Central Plains War? The great Han society is important?"

Yuan Wei looked at the angry judge with great embarrassment, "In my opinion, we should ask Ben Chu first. This matter is of great importance, we can't be too hasty, so as not to cause trouble."

"Whether you agree or not, I will arrest them." The judge said seriously, "If this matter is leaked, they will destroy the evidence first, and I will not be able to catch them."

The judge turned around and left.

"Zhengnan..." Yuan Wei hurriedly stopped him, "Why did you do this suddenly? Didn't you just know about this?"

"Because I want to save people."

Yuan Wei smiled wryly, and let go of his hand, "Don't overdo it, enough is enough."

=

I will go to work tomorrow and will not update.sorry sorry.

(End of this chapter)