Chapter 392

It was simply forcing Dong Zhuo into a dead end.

No, it was more than forcing him into a dead end; it was forcing him onto a path to death.

After all, Cao Cao’s final route directly ambushed Dong Zhuo’s retreat to Chang'an. Damn, this was simply not playing by the rules; it was a rhythm to leave Dong Zhuo with no way out.

Anyone who didn't know better would definitely think Cao Cao had some deep-seated hatred for Dong Zhuo, like digging up his ancestral grave!

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There was also a sand table in the Suanzao hall.

Using this sand table, Cao Cao even carefully explained how to divide the forces into four routes and what specific tasks each of these four routes should have.

It was like a magnificent military blueprint laid out before everyone.

When Cao Cao had finished speaking, the hall, which had been full of commercial mutual flattery, fell completely silent.

All the warlords looked at Cao Cao. Good heavens, the strategy to defeat Dong that one person had spoken was more useful than all of theirs combined. This strategic planning was simply terrifying.

At this moment, Cao Cao seemed to realize he was being too prominent. After smiling slightly at everyone, he narrowed his eyes and sat down, saying no more.

Su Li looked at Cao Cao, his heart filled with emotions.

This guy was worthy of being called a "capable minister in a peaceful time, a treacherous hero in a chaotic time." Among all the warlords, he was definitely ranked first.

Whether in military or strategic terms, it could be said that he could rub them into the ground.

However...

The current Cao Cao was not yet the treacherous hero who would later "hold the Emperor to command the warlords"...

Su Li could see that the current Cao Cao’s ambition was not very large. Perhaps in his heart, he still had the idea of restoring the Han Dynasty, making it his duty to defeat Dong Zhuo and rescue the orthodox Emperor.

Otherwise, with Cao Cao’s reputation and talent, he would have had a chance to compete for this alliance leader position.

But Cao Cao completely gave it up, not revealing a shred of ambition.

Of course!

It was also possible that Cao Cao was hiding it very deeply.

At this moment, Yuan Shao also truly regarded Cao Cao as a true friend and was not jealous of Cao Cao’s talent in military strategy at all, sincerely praising him: "Mengde’s plan is excellent. I wonder what you gentlemen think?"

Yuan Shao now trusted Cao Cao unconditionally and could never imagine that he would later be beaten into the ground by this good friend.

Even the Yuan family’s empire would be buried in his hands.

Yuan Shao agreed with Cao Cao’s plan.

As Cao Cao’s die-hard fans, Zhang Miao and others also immediately jumped out and gave a thumbs-up.

Subsequently, Dongjun Prefect Qiao Mao, Xuzhou Prefect Tao Tao Tao Qian, and other warlords also expressed their agreement.

The remaining warlords, including Su Li, naturally had no objections.

Even if they had objections, there was nothing they could do.

They couldn't propose a strategy to defeat Dong as good as Cao Cao’s.

Yuan Shao scanned the various warlords, and seeing no dissent, he nodded toward Cao Cao: "Since you all think the strategy to defeat Dong that Mengde just proposed is good, then we shall divide our forces into four routes."

"Now, is there anyone among you willing to be the vanguard, to go first and take the Si Pass that blocks our way, and win the first merit!"

Alright!

Just a moment ago, they were all chatting enthusiastically and in high spirits.

But now, as soon as Yuan Shao said this, all the warlords unified their actions and remained silent.

Just now, relying on their mouths, anyone could talk at length.

But now that they had to go and do it with real guns and blades, no one wanted to be the first to bear the brunt.

After all, what did "vanguard" mean? To put it nicely, it was called the vanguard.

To put it bluntly, it was the spearhead, testing the enemy’s strength.

Although there was a chance to win the first merit, the greater possibility was becoming cannon fodder!

Before truly engaging with Dong Zhuo, no one wanted to take this risk and face unknown dangers.

Moreover, these warlords looked harmonious now, but who could guarantee that at a critical moment, someone among them wouldn't drag their feet?

If you were the vanguard, fighting bravely in front, and there was no support from behind, and they even sabotaged you, that would be fun.

By then, never mind winning the first merit, being able to return alive would be good enough.

Anyone with a brain knew not to do such a thing; at least before scouting the enemy’s situation, one should not take the position of vanguard upon oneself.

Even Cao Cao’s gaze couldn't help but dim, and he remained silent.

Although he now held the heart of the Han Dynasty, he wouldn't be stupid enough to be the vanguard. No one knew what these warlords were thinking.

You know a person’s face, but not their heart.

On the surface, they seemed united, but if they really started fighting, whether they would help each other was hard to say.

Whoever was the vanguard would be the unlucky one.

From Cao Cao’s perspective, such a situation was very likely to happen.

The hall was unprecedentedly silent; no one wanted to be the vanguard.

Until the end, the Tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian, whose head was like iron, could no longer endure this atmosphere and took the initiative to ask Yuan Shao for the command to be the vanguard and march on Si Pass!

Yuan Shao, who had been frowning, immediately smiled: "Very good! I have long heard that the Marquis of Wucheng is loyal, brave, and fierce, with the courage of ten thousand men. With you as the vanguard in this battle, our army will surely win!"

After saying this, he scanned the various warlords again, thought for a moment, and stopped at Yuan Shu: "Let you, Gonglu, arrange the task of supervising the grain."

"I hope you can do a good job with the logistics for our army!"

Yuan Shao didn't want to make things too stiff with Yuan Shu, so he gave him the lucrative position of grain supervisor.

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