Chapter 172

"My lord, it is not that you are inferior; it is just that the paths taken are different.

Throughout history, only Emperor Emperor Guangwu conquered the world by relying on the love of the people and the respect of his subordinates.

However,

most other kings established their power through slaughter. Qin Shi Huang killed nearly two million people while conquering the six states, buried over 40,000 scholars, and over three million laborers died building the Great Wall..."

Cao Cao's spirit was stirred, and his gaze gradually became sharp.

"Good. Since I cannot achieve the love of the people and the following of the noble clans, I will make everyone fear me! They will not dare to resist and will obey obediently."

"Let Liu Bei support the people for now; I will come to take them later!"

Several people cupped their hands.

"My lord is wise!"

From then on, Cao Cao embarked on a path completely different from Liu Bei's!

A benevolent lord versus a great demon king; he wanted to see who could make it to the end.

Cao Cao thought for a moment.

"I can't do anything to Liu Bei now; quickly send someone to Outside Yecheng to report the news and have Ding Yuan Shao send troops to stop Liu Bei!"

Jizhou, Outside Yecheng.

Ding Yuan Shao nearly dropped his jaw.

"The Big-Eared Thief only led 20,000 troops, yet he obtained over 800,000 shi of grain from Taking Xuzhou and gained the allegiance of nearly two million Yanzhou people?!"

"The Big-Eared Thief's reputation is terrifyingly high?!"

"Pulling off a 'white wolf with empty gloves' trick, he's too good!"

Ding Yuan Shao felt a sense of fear in his heart.

Liu Bei was not only capable in battle but also so beloved; how could he compare!

Xu You cupped his hands.

"My lord, Liu Bei's success is also due to a combination of circumstances: the Taking Xuzhou noble clans fearing Cao Cao's attack, the Yanzhou locust plague, the chaotic war between Cao Cao and Lu Bu..."

"However, if Liu Bei gains these two million people, his strength will greatly increase. Bingzhou's population will reach over six million, more than my Jizhou!"

Ding Yuan Shao frowned.

"Can Liu Bei's potatoes and the Hetao Plain really support so many people?!"

"We still have to wait until next year to expand planting!"

Tian Feng cupped his hands.

"My lord, we cannot sit by and watch Liu Bei move the people away smoothly."

Ding Yuan Shao nodded.

"Tian Feng, Gao Lan, you take troops across the Yellow River to intercept the Yanzhou people."

"Yan Zhang Liang, Wen Chou, follow me with 50,000 troops to hunt down the Big-Eared Thief!"

"Understood!"

Chenliu Commandery, Suanzao area.

An endless stream of people was moving toward Luoyang.

Although the journey was difficult, General Liu Xuande guaranteed that there would be food in Bingzhou, so everyone's spirits were not low.

"Is there anyone in the world more benevolent than General Liu Xuande?"

"Cao Cao is too terrifying; we'd better stay far away from him."

Zhang Zhang Liao drove his horse over.

"My lord, Ding Yuan Shao is personally leading an army of 50,000 from Outside Yecheng and will arrive at Baimajin in a few days."

Liu Bei frowned.

"Ding Yuan Shao has sent troops after all."

Guo Jia cupped his hands.

"My lord, the people are moving slowly; if Ding Yuan Shao crosses the river, it will be a great threat to them."

"Our army only has 20,000 troops, making it difficult to guarantee the safety of the people; the only way is to stop the main Ding Yuan army from crossing the river."

Jia Xu cupped his hands.

"My lord, you can order Xu Rong and Yu Du to attack Ding Yuan Shao's territory in Henei to distract him."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Wen He's suggestion is good."

"Jia Xu, Taishi Ci, Guan Hai, you take 5,000 troops to continue escorting the people."

"Understood!"

"Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xu Sheng, follow me to Baimajin to intercept the Ding Yuan army."

"Understood!"

Baimajin.

Ding Yuan Shao was overjoyed after hearing the scout's report.

"Good, the people are moving slowly; if our army crosses the Yellow River, we can intercept at least a million people!"

Xu You came to report.

"My lord, Yan Zhang Liang has already led 7,000 troops across the Yellow River!"

"Good, have him hold the riverbank tightly and guard against the Big-Eared Thief's cavalry!"

"Understood!"

Just then,

on the south bank of the Yellow River, dust filled the air, and the dense sound of hooves was like rolling thunder!

Ding Yuan Shao looked into the distance.

"The Big-Eared Thief is here! This time, I'll let you taste the power of my Jizhou heavy crossbows!"

Yan Zhang Liang looked at the more than 1,000 heavy crossbows behind the large shields and licked his dry lips.

"All troops, be on guard! If Liu Bei's cavalry dares to charge, I will make sure they never return!"

"Understood!"

Liu Bei's 10,000+ cavalry did not charge the riverbank as Yan Zhang Liang had expected, but instead stopped 500 paces away.

"What is Liu Bei doing?"

In Liu Bei's formation,

Guo Jia frowned.

"My lord, the Ding Yuan army's formation is orderly; there must be heavy crossbows hidden behind the large shields. It is not advisable for our army to charge directly."

Xun You, however, said,

"My lord, Yan Zhang Liang is a man of 'five-five-seven' courage, and his spirit is high; we can use a strategy to behead him!"

"Oh?"

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu beside him; this second brother had the aura of beheading Yan Zhang Liang and was a perfect counter to him!

A moment later,

Guan Yu rode the Red Hare slowly out of the formation, pointing his Green Dragon Crescent Blade toward the Ding Yuan army.

"Yan Zhang Liang, you brute, dare you fight!"

Yan Zhang Liang was furious; he couldn't beat the Big-Eared Thief, but this red-faced Guan Yu dared to be arrogant!

Yan Zhang Liang pulled his reins, raised his long blade, and spurred his horse to charge toward Guan Yu.

"Guan Yu, die!"

He wanted to behead Liu Bei's second brother in battle to intimidate the Bingzhou cavalry and become famous in one fight!

Yan Zhang Liang's speed grew faster and faster, and the long blade in his hand was thirsty!

Guan Yu squeezed his horse's belly, and the Red Hare let out a light neigh, suddenly rushing out like a fiery red lightning bolt.

The distance between the two closed rapidly.

— Author's Notes —

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