Chapter 144

"By then, even if Gu Yi and Hua Xiong send troops from Sishui Pass to rescue in time, it will be too late!"

Among the warlords, the person who has aged the fastest in these three years is Tao Qian.

When the coalition failed to crusade against Dong Zhuo last time, Tao Qian was already nearly sixty years old.

In this era, that is considered a very advanced age.

In the past two years, Tao Qian has been troubled by various worries.

First of all, his two sons, Tao Ji and Tao Shang, are both mediocre people.

In this chaotic world, if Tao Qian hands over the foundation of Xuzhou to them to inherit.

It would probably be annexed by Cao Cao or Yuan Shu next door, or even Yuan Shao and others, very quickly!

Therefore, Tao Qian has always been troubled by not having a suitable successor.

Besides that.

Tao Qian’s subordinate general Zhang Kai killed Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, at the end of autumn last year.

There was already border friction between Tao Qian and Cao Cao.

Cao Cao, after unifying Yanzhou.

Had long coveted the neighboring Xuzhou.

Zhang Kai killed Cao Song.

After this incident, no matter from which angle he considers it, Cao Cao must send troops to crusade against Xuzhou!

Although Tao Qian is not a small force.

But compared to Cao Cao, who is developing rapidly, he appears to lack stamina.

After the war between the two sides began, Tao Qian quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Ultimately, although Cao Cao and Tao Qian signed a ceasefire agreement due to Yuan Shao’s intervention.

But Tao Qian paid the price of a commandery, as well as a large amount of military funds and grain.

Such a heavy blow can be described as adding frost to snow for Tao Qian.

And now.

Although he joined the anti-Dong coalition together with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others.

But Tao Qian is already at the end of his life and doesn’t have long to live.

Even whether he can return to Xuzhou safely is an unknown.

Therefore.

When the warlords mentioned the problems of Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass, Tao Qian was more active than anyone else.

He was deeply afraid that the coalition’s crusade against Dong Zhuo would turn into a war of attrition.

If it really turns into a war of attrition.

Then it is very likely that Tao Qian will suddenly die on the road before he can return to Xuzhou.

After Tao Qian finished speaking.

The warlords all nodded.

If we talk about the past three years.

The person with the loudest reputation in the entire Han territory.

Is none other than Gu Yi!

Pacifying Liangzhou, pacifying Hanzhong, pacifying Yizhou—these three battles were all personally commanded by Gu Yi.

Plus, Sishui Pass, guarded by Gu Yi and Hua Xiong, has long been a nightmare in the hearts of the Guandong warlords!

By comparison.

Hulao Pass, guarded by Zhang Liao, is clearly easier to conquer.

"What Tao Gong said is indeed correct."

"But... we must still leave a portion of soldiers on the Sishui Pass side as a containment."

"Otherwise, given the cunning of that scoundrel Gu Yi."

"Once he learns that Hulao Pass is under surprise attack, he will definitely lead troops from Sishui Pass to rescue."

Yuan Shao said in a deep voice.

Last time, the Guandong warlords suffered from splitting their forces.

But they had no choice but to split their forces.

Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass are two passes.

It is not that one must break Sishui Pass before attacking Hulao Pass.

Rather, these two passes support each other like horns.

It’s just that Hulao Pass is closer to Luoyang.

Compared to Gu Yi, who is stationed at Sishui Pass.

These Guandong warlords naturally prefer to attack Zhang Liao, who is stationed at Hulao Pass!

Little did they know.

When facing a great enemy.

The reason Zhang Liao can still be the Hulao Pass defender is because Gu Yi has confidence in his ability!

In history, Zhang Liao was the one who beheaded Tadun at White Wolf Mountain and broke Sun the Hundred Thousand at Xiaoyao Ford!

Nowadays.

Don’t look at the Guandong Coalition having a numerical advantage.

But when they face Zhang Liao, they might not necessarily get any benefit.

Ultimately.

The Guandong warlords agreed that Gongsun Zan and Cao Cao would be responsible for leading troops to contain Gu Yi at Sishui Pass.

The remaining six warlords would concentrate their forces to launch a surprise attack on Hulao Pass.

At the same time.

On Sishui Pass.

Gu Yi and Hua Xiong were standing on the city tower looking into the distance.

"Linzhi, the last time you and I met here was three years ago."

"I didn’t expect that today, you and I would have the opportunity to fight side by side at Sishui Pass again!"

Hua Xiong felt a thousand emotions in his heart.

With Gu Yi’s current status and position.

He could actually stay in Luoyang City in the rear.

But Gu Yi did not do so.

Instead, he chose to come to the front line of Sishui Pass with Hua Xiong.

The scenes of the two of them fighting side by side in the past kept echoing in Hua Xiong’s mind.

Suddenly.

A look of solemnity appeared on Hua Xiong’s face.

He said with worry:

"Linzhi, Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan, is guarding Hulao Pass; will there really be no trouble?"

Actually, one cannot blame Hua Xiong for not trusting Zhang Liao.

It is mainly because Zhang Liao used to follow Lu Bu.

Under Lu Bu’s command, there was never an opportunity for him to make a name for himself.

Later, when Gu Yi was preparing for military reform, Zhang Liao was appointed as the Hulao Pass defender under Gu Yi’s suggestion.

Without the Guandong warlords forming a coalition, it would be impossible for anyone to suddenly have a brain cramp and send troops to attack Hulao Pass on their own.

Therefore, Zhang Liao has never experienced any battle that could prove his own value.

"Rest assured, Wenyuan is very strong."

"Just relying on that group of Guandong warlords, they can’t do anything to him."

Gu Yi said lightly.

In terms of Zhang Liao’s ability to command troops, looking at the entire late Han and Three Kingdoms period, he is a ruthless character who can firmly rank in the top five!

Even without Sun the Hundred Thousand sending his head at Xiaoyao Ford.