Chapter 313

"My lord, it is not that you are not as good, but that the paths taken are different."

Throughout history, only Emperor Guangwu relied on the love of the people and the respect of his subordinates to seize the world.

However,

Most other kings relied on killing to establish their authority; Qin Shi Huang killed nearly two million people during his conquest of the six states, buried over 40,000 scholars alive, 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 gentry, then I will make everyone fear me! Make them obedient and afraid to resist."

0 ······Seeking flowers····· ·······

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

The men bowed with cupped 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 would make it to the end.

Cao Cao thought for a moment.

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

Jizhou, Yecheng.

Yuan Shao nearly dropped his jaw.

"The eared thief only led twenty thousand troops, yet he obtained over 800,000 shi of grain from Xuzhou and gained the allegiance of nearly two million people from Yanzhou?!"

"Is the eared thief's prestige really this terrifying?!"

"Pulling off a 'white wolf with empty hands'—this is too powerful!"

Yuan Shao felt a bit of fear in his heart.

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

Xu You bowed with cupped hands.

"My lord, Liu Bei obtaining these benefits is also a matter of coincidence; the Xuzhou gentry feared Cao Cao's attack, the Yanzhou locust plague, the fighting between Cao Cao and Lu Bu..."

"However, if Liu Bei obtains these two million people, his strength will greatly increase; Bingzhou's population will be over six million, even more than my Jizhou's!"

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 bowed with cupped hands.

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

Yuan Shao nodded.

"Tian Feng, Gao Lan, you lead troops across the Yellow River to receive the people of Yanzhou."

"Yan Liang, Wen Chou, follow me with fifty thousand troops to hunt down the eared thief!"

"Understood!"

Chen Liu Commandery, Suanzao area.

An endless stream of people was migrating toward Luoyang.

Although the journey was difficult, Lord Xuande promised that there would be food once they reached Bingzhou, so everyone's spirits were not low.

"Is there anyone in the world more benevolent and righteous than Lord Xuande?"

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

Zhang Liao rode over.

"My lord, Yuan Shao is personally leading an army of fifty thousand, having set off from Yecheng, and will arrive at Baima Ferry in a few days."

Liu Bei frowned.

"Yuan Shao has sent troops after all."

Guo Jia bowed with cupped hands.

"My lord, the migration of the people is slow; if Yuan Shao crosses the river, it will be a great threat to the people."

"Our army only has twenty thousand troops, making it difficult to guarantee the safety of the people; the only way is to stop Yuan's main force from crossing the river."

Jia Xu bowed with cupped hands.

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

Liu Bei nodded.

"Wenhe's suggestion is good."

"Jia Xu, Taishi Ci, Guan Hai, you lead five thousand troops to continue escorting the people's migration."

"Understood!"

"Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xu Sheng, you follow me to Baima Ferry to intercept the Yuan army."

"Understood!"