Chapter 869

Gao Yi, Yuan Shao kicked the table in front of him again.

"The Rebel Wang is bullying people too much, how dare he humiliate me like this?"

The Assistant Regional Commander who communicated stood in the field. Although the wine splashed on his face, he didn't have the slightest movement. The civil officials and military generals sitting on both sides dodged a little.

It's also that he didn't come at the right time, just catching up with the morning meeting. Of course, it was mainly because he was dedicated, received the news, and sent the letter personally at a fast pace. He set off yesterday and ran for a whole night, sending it this morning.

After panting for a while and calming down his excited little heart, Yuan Shao waved his hand impatiently: "Go down and rest well."

After dismissing the Assistant Regional Commander who sent the letter personally, Yuan Shao asked the sages for a plan: "Gentlemen, in the current situation, should we fight or make peace?"

Seeing no one responding, it was Tian Feng who spoke first. He was relatively reckless and said whatever he had.

"My Lord, previously the Rebel Wang ordered Huang Zhong to take Gaoyang, forcing us to go south, to make the princes attack each other and cause chaos in the Central Plains. He took the opportunity to drive the grassland Xiongnu and Xianbei, and also took half of Bingzhou, deeply plowing the land and accumulating grain. My Lord took Qingzhou and entered Yanzhou, and also had development. However, the Rebel Wang has the ability to govern the world, and there are countless skilled craftsmen under his rule, and countless soldiers and armor. Although there are few battle soldiers, he widely implements the militia system, and six-year-old children start learning martial arts, and when they grow up, they practice battle formations.

Moreover, his people are fierce and martial, his soldiers are elite and generals are brave, and his combat effectiveness is strong. Previously, Qu Yi was defeated and captured, and his flesh was cut into bone people, so we know that the army under the Rebel Wang is good at fighting. Qu Yi's army was double that of the Xuanwu Guard led by Huang Zhong, but they couldn't match them. There are nine guards like the Xuanwu Guard, including Xingwu, Yingwu, Xiongwu, Zhenwu, Weiwu, Guangwu, Shenwu, and Baotao, totaling seventy thousand troops.

There is also the seven thousand Xiaoji Battalion, led by Liao Hua, all light armored cavalry, one rider and two horses, all skilled in archery and horsemanship, able to fight and conquer. They first conquered Liaodong Wuhuan, then entered the grasslands and Bingzhou, and drove the barbarians two thousand miles away. This spring, Cao Cao's military power was in Xuzhou, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who had fought Lu Bu together, had served under Liao Hua's account, repeatedly destroying Cao Cao's grain routes. Liu Bei was able to resist Cao Cao's one hundred and fifty thousand with fifty thousand troops, and these two generals made great contributions.

There is also the twelve hundred Xuanjia Battalion, with people and horses equipped with heavy armor. Once they form a formation to charge, they are invincible in the world. In the midst of the chaotic army, even with Lu Bu's bravery, they will surely die without a burial place.

Youzhou has one million commoners. If the war starts, they can raise an army of one hundred thousand. Although the Lord has fifty thousand troops, the soldiers have not experienced battle formations, and their combat effectiveness is insufficient. If the Rebel Wang only resists with an army of one hundred thousand, we may have the strength to fight. If the Rebel Wang sends twenty thousand troops, we will surely be defeated.

Not to mention Cao Cao in the south, if we raise our entire army to attack the Rebel Wang, he will surely take advantage of our emptiness to retake Yanzhou. And our grain and grass are insufficient, and we cannot support the consumption of fifty thousand troops..."

Yuan Shao listened to him for a long time and waved his hand, interrupting Tian Feng's words, and asked: "Does Yuan Hao think that letting fifty thousand commoners and two hundred miles of land be the best way to seek peace?"

"Not so." Tian Feng shook his head, "The Rebel Wang's momentum has been formed. If we seek peace with fifty thousand commoners and two hundred miles of land now, his momentum will be even greater in two years. At that time, the Rebel Wang will ask for one million commoners and five hundred miles of land, what should we do? Although we are not a match now, we still have combat power. If we are not a match then, I am afraid it will be difficult to resist, and we can only stretch our necks and wait for death. Therefore, we must fight the Rebel Wang now, and only by fighting to the death can we have a future. If we don't fight now, we will surely perish within five years, My Lord should decide quickly."

At this time, Guo Tu stood out. His courtesy name is Gongze, from Yingchuan. During Guandu, Wuchao was attacked, he advocated attacking Guandu, and Zhang He advocated saving Wuchao. Yuan Shao divided his troops, one route of light cavalry to reinforce Wuchao, and sent Zhang He and Gao Lan to attack Guandu. As a result, because the troop strength was insufficient, Wuchao was not saved, and the loss of soldiers and generals was serious, and Guandu was not taken down.

Guo Tu was afraid that Zhang He would come back and give him a "post-battle cannon," so while Zhang He was attacking Guandu, he told Yuan Shao that Zhang He and Gao Lan had long intended to surrender to Cao, and did not send troops to save them. Finally, Zhang He and Gao Lan had no choice, and they had to surrender even if they didn't want to.

"Since you said Cao Cao is in the south, wanting to restore Yanzhou. The Rebel Wang's power is great, how can we block it without using all our strength?"

He said, "In my opinion, this time the Lord should abandon fifty thousand commoners and two hundred miles of land, and then raise the entire army to attack Cao Cao in the south, cross the river to attack Yuan Shu, take Jingzhou in the west, and then enter Yizhou and Hanzhong. Hold the Yangtze River to resist the Rebel Wang. Even if we can't match him, we can retreat and defend the danger of Yizhou, or retreat to Jiaozhi. Although it is a wild and remote place, we can keep our vitality, and it may not be impossible to revive the Central Plains in the future."

Although he is a surrenderist, Guo Tu also explained the grand strategy. First, divide the river and rule, if he still can't resist the Rebel Wang's attack, then run to the Bashu area, and if that doesn't work, run to the south. Anyway, the south has many mountains and many dangerous places, which can be used to confront Wang Yan. And these people have all saved their lives, not being killed by Wang Yan, and can continue to be arrogant and domineering.

And the key is that they are now fighting Wang Yan. If they are defeated, they really have nothing. Zhang Yang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, Liu Yan, and others, who can take them in? Even if they can take them in, who can value a defeated general? Not to mention that Yuan Shao himself has appeal and can be called the greatest prince today. With such a person in his hands, who can be at ease?

On the other hand, Yuan Shao's power is the strongest now. Wanting to cross the Yangtze River to settle down, defeating Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, seems to be no big problem. On the contrary, it is not very possible to kill Wang Yan in one battle.

Comparing the two, it is definitely better to surrender and then attack south fiercely. But Yuan Shao was a bit unhappy this time. He had never fought before, and if he was afraid once, could he be afraid every time?

He didn't fight Wang Yan before, just to accumulate strength. Now that he has taken Qingzhou and Yanzhou, he has the power of three states, but he still has to be robbed by Wang Yan. He still has to obediently take the initiative to send fifty thousand commoners and two hundred miles of land to seek temporary peace. What kind of reason is this? Yuan Shao certainly has a temper...

At this time, Ju Shou came out to speak: "My Lord, Cao Cao compares himself to a loyal minister, but today he forms an alliance with the thief. You can announce his faults to the world, and also say that you want to eliminate the thief and serve the country. At that time, you will fight the Rebel Wang, and Cao Cao will surely be bound by reputation and righteousness, and will not dare to take the opportunity to raise an army to invade."

This is also a method. People today value reputation. Old Cao just does dirty things in private, but if Yuan Shao stabs it out and makes everyone know, Cao Cao is very likely not to dare to act, because that would lose righteousness, which is an absolute correctness.

Yuan Shao fighting Wang Yan is a major national event, and even more a major event for the powerful clans in the world. For the harm of Wang Yan, the powerful clans in the world have a consensus, and they are not just looking at the one-third of an acre in front of them. For personal interests and for the long-term family, they all have long-term vision. So even if they don't help, they probably won't hold back.

But Ju Shou's words were still opposed by many people, because today is already a chaotic world, and pinning hope on Cao Cao giving up interests because of a void reputation, the so-called righteousness, when they are fighting the Rebel Wang, is really too unreliable.

A group of people were arguing, and generally speaking, the surrenderists had the upper hand, but the voices of the main-war faction were not small, and at the very least, fierce generals like Yan Liang and Wen Chou were all supporting the battle.

In fact, more than a year ago, when Huang Zhong marched into Gaoyang County, the voices of the main-war faction were not small. But considering the overall situation at that time, the paper strength was indeed not enough to look at. But now that he has controlled three states, he is more powerful than before. In such a situation, they naturally shouted louder.

Yuan Shao thought so too. He was afraid of the Rebel Wang because he only had Jizhou before, but now he has the power of three states, so why be afraid of Wang Yan? Then Qingzhou and Yanzhou were taken in vain.

Of course, the main thing is that the two sides have never fought a proper battle, only some battles between scouts every day when they returned with Gongsun Zan. After that, it was Huang Zhong taking Qu Yi easily in one battle more than a year ago, and there has never been a large-scale battle.

Listening to the news that his subordinates integrated caravans and probed under Wang Yan's rule, saying how strong Wang Yan is, Yuan Shao's ears were about to get calluses. How strong can he be?

Although Wang Yan can be considered to have the power of three states, Liaodong, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and the grasslands, although the Northeast is what people in the world look away from, not discovering that there is endless fertile land there, Wang Yan's population is insufficient. And the places he occupies, Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou, are places where the population is concentrated. Although they can't compare to the Guanzhong area, they are not much worse.

On the other hand, Wang Yan is too good to his subordinates, and he definitely can't support big battles. His grain and grass here are insufficient, and he doesn't believe that Wang Yan's grain and grass can be so sufficient. If he can't support it, it will definitely have an impact, but there is no big problem, it's just that some commoners will die, which is nothing. But if Wang Yan can't support it, it will be different, because that is shaking Wang Yan's ruling foundation. Who let him make promises to the commoners?

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, and difficult to go from luxury to frugality. By then, Wang Yan will surely collapse. As long as there is no Wang Yan, Liaodong and Youzhou will definitely not be able to resist. After all, Wang Yan is tied to all military and political affairs. As long as Wang Yan's prestige is shaken, it will basically affect his rule comprehensively, leading to the collapse of the prosperous situation.

So even if he might not be able to beat Wang Yan in hard strength, as long as he can explode Wang Yan's logistics, that is victory.

Saying one thousand and ten thousand, Yuan Shao still hasn't fought a real battle with Wang Yan, and he is still not convinced. It really makes sense. His territory is not small, his population is more, his civil officials and military generals are many, and he has the support of powerful clans. Now looking at the paper strength, there is no reason not to beat him.

So Yuan Shao couldn't think straight...

He patted the table, and after the sages on both sides quieted down, he said loudly: "Announce to the world, I want to attack the Rebel Wang from the north. I will write to Meng De myself. If the Rebel Wang is broken, Yanzhou will be returned, making him settle down and not fight with me.

Pass my military order, after the autumn harvest, raise the armies of Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou, totaling forty thousand, to crusade against the Rebel Wang.

The Rebel Wang gives me fifteen days, I can falsely pass the news, saying that after the autumn harvest, I will move the commoners and hand over the land. Take advantage of these two months to mobilize troops and generals, and attack him unprepared.

Whether the cause succeeds or not depends on this battle. Don't say any more, I have made up my mind, everyone go about their own business."

Yuan Shao was rarely decisive, but it was mixed with personal intention. To put it bluntly, Wang Yan gave him too much pressure. If he didn't fight a real battle, his thoughts would not be smooth.

Rulers actually don't consider commoners, because what they weigh is always the overall and personal pros and cons. Yuan Shao said he would fight Wang Yan, and I don't know how many people were busy because of this, and I don't know how many people died in the swords and soldiers in the end. Yuan Shao would certainly consider these things, but what he considered was not the loss of commoners, but the reduction of soldiers and income as the head of a force.

Wang Yan is certainly different. After all, he is truly people-oriented. This is why he doesn't launch large-scale wars. After all, in an era where materials are scarce, even if the war is won, there is no real, visible, and tangible benefit, only population and land, and land needs population, which takes a certain amount of time to develop, and only then will there be a harvest.

This is a real and huge harm to the people's livelihood of the original commoners.

Emperor Wu of Han was awesome in beating the Xiongnu until they collapsed, but the commoners of the Great Han were living a terrible life. This is of course as it should be. After all, the Xiongnu threatened the survival of the Han nation, so of course, they had to kill the Xiongnu, but the price was high. But there is no way, after all, Emperor Wu of Han didn't understand any political economy, didn't understand various industrial knowledge, and he had already done the best he could.

If Wang Yan were in the position of Emperor Wu of Han, he would also fight the Xiongnu, but the difference is that the commoners' lives might be better. This is a gap of two thousand years, not that Emperor Wu of Han is incompetent. After all, none of the emperors who can be called by name are white-handed, they are all wise people, and they have been fighting all their lives...

After waiting for fifteen days, Wang Yan saw Zhang He again.

It was still the same meeting as last time. Wang Yan brought Taishi Ci, and Zhang He brought two deputy generals. The difference was that this time Zhang He sent someone to notify him first.

Zhang He cupped his hands and said: "Great General, my Lord has responded to the request. After the autumn harvest, move the commoners and hand over the land. General, just wait."

Wang Yan nodded with a smile and asked back: "Now that half a month has passed, I don't know what Junyi has decided?"

"Great General's thick love, I am deeply grateful, but my Lord treats me with kindness, and I really dare not leave."

"Have you not heard that a wise minister chooses a master to serve, and a good bird chooses a tree to perch?" Wang Yan shook his head and smiled, rode his horse forward two steps, and in Zhang He's puzzled eyes, reached out and pulled him over directly.

Zhang He had no preparation at all. Wang Yan was still smiling a second ago, as if the horse was out of control and running forward by itself. Who could have thought that he would do it directly? So Zhang He, who didn't think of it, was pulled over by Wang Yan and thrown to the ground.

And Taishi Ci also acted at the same time, beating the two deputy generals who were guarding off their horses in a few moves.

At this time, the soldiers under Zhang He who were guarding from afar had already reacted and rushed over with shouts. Similarly, the personal guards and Xuanwu Guard soldiers following Wang Yan also rushed toward the opposite side, and the war started in such a sudden way.

"Great General, why is this? Why is this?" Zhang He looked at the changing situation and didn't understand at all why Wang Yan wanted to do this.

Wang Yan looked him up and down, and seeing that he hadn't drawn his sword until now, he jumped off his horse very satisfied, went over, and patted the dirt on Zhang He's armor.

"I gave Yuan Shao fifteen days to consider whether to fight or make peace. Gaoyang is only five hundred miles away from Gao Yi. A fast horse can run day and night, and it only takes three days to go back and forth. Yuan Shao has many famous scholars under his command, all of whom have good strategies. To fight is to fight, to make peace is to make peace, why do you need fifteen days to reply? In my opinion, if you don't reply in seven days, it is Yuan Shao who wants to raise a large army to attack me. Today you come to reply, it is just a delaying and confusing strategy, making me careless, and attacking suddenly in autumn.

Observing your expression, my words are all correct. Yuan Shao really has the courage to raise an army to attack me. Since this is the case, I must strike first, which is the 'why' you asked. Junyi, will you surrender?"

Looking at Great General Wang's smiling appearance, and looking at the large army that had already launched a charge, yes, it was a large army. The entire Xuanwu Guard was dispatched, without stopping at all, and the cavalry had already shouted and killed toward their camp.

The situation here is like this, so other places must be no exception.

Zhang He was stunned for a moment. Seeing one of his subordinates being swung away by a fierce knight holding a halberd, he didn't say a word, knelt on one knee directly: "Zhang He sees the Great General."

"Exempt from courtesy. You should know the rules under my rule. Just be a small soldier with the Xuanwu Guard. It happens to be the time to attack Yuan Shao. According to your ability, you will be able to lead a guard alone sooner or later." Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling very satisfied, and collected another great general, excellent.

"Great General, Gao Lan and I are close, and he has bravery. I can persuade him to surrender, so as not to resist stubbornly and damage the soldiers under the General."

"Lead my personal guards and go quickly."

Zhang He responded and jumped on his horse and galloped away. This personal guard was not to prevent Zhang He from running away, but to identify Zhang He's identity. Now it is the time of war. Without proof, Zhang He can fight but it is useless. In the end, he is still dead, and he sent a few subordinates' lives. Zhang He obviously understood this truth, so he didn't say any nonsense.

However, Wang Yan was still very satisfied with Zhang He's initiative to propose to recruit Gao Lan. Gao Lan's combat effectiveness was quite good, and he could even match Xu Chu. Comparing it, he could also compare with Lu Bu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, etc., although Gao Lan was stabbed to death by Zhao Yun with a spear.

Now under Great General Wang's command, Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Watching Watching Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, and Taishi Ci are eight great generals, one fiercer than the other. Of course, Lu Bu is not a great general yet. After more than a year, he is only a Military Commander now. When not fighting, this is already fast. Watching Watching Dian Wei was promoted to the position of Colonel of the Xuanjia Battalion, relying on hard strength.

Looking at it this way, Wang Yan's subordinates are also full of talents, their martial arts are higher than the other, and they are all fierce men...

Just as he told Zhang He, whether to fight or make peace is a simple matter, and there is no need for such a long time to consider. He left half a month to judge Yuan Shao's mind. Seven days to Zhang He was conservative. After all, such a big thing should be decided early. If he really wanted to make peace, he would definitely send the message as early as possible, for fear of any misunderstanding. In such a situation, five days is too much.

So after seven days without a response, and ten days without a response, Wang Yan had already given the order. Not only here in Gaoyang, but also in the other two places, Xu Shui and Quanzhou, the battle would start this afternoon.

At the same time, the work of recruiting militia had also begun. This time, thirty thousand Youzhou soldiers, fifteen thousand Northeast soldiers, and ten thousand grassland soldiers were recruited. In addition, ten thousand grassland soldiers were recruited to defend the grasslands, because this time Liao Hua's Xiaoji Battalion was recalled.

In addition, the Xuanjia Battalion was also transferred back. The battlefield here is all plains, which is just suitable for combat.

Since he struck first, he naturally had to strike hard. The early battle was not fierce, because Wang Yan took the lead and there was almost no resistance. Next, Yuan Shao's response was the key...

The large army cannot be pulled out in one day, but must be transferred step by step. The early battle was not fierce, because Wang Yan took the lead and there was almost no resistance. Next, Yuan Shao's response was the key...