Chapter 149

"Zhongde, Zhicai."

"Follow me to Hulao Pass later to borrow some grain and fodder from Yuan Shao for our emergency."

Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai nodded repeatedly.

Given the reasonably good diplomatic relations between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, borrowing some grain and fodder should not be too difficult.

However.

Like Cao Cao, Gongsun Zan, whose grain and fodder had been burned to ashes, had no good solution at this moment.

One could figure it out with their toes.

It was absolutely impossible for Yuan Shao to lend grain and fodder to Gongsun Zan for no reason.

If it weren't for the presence of the big boss Dong Zhuo.

It is estimated that Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan would be fighting each other right now, struggling to the death for the territory of the four provinces of Hebei.

With the terrible diplomatic relationship between the two of them.

As long as Yuan Shao's head wasn't broken.

It would be impossible for him to fund this potential enemy.

And as for those from whom Gongsun Zan could borrow grain and fodder.

None were better than Tao Qian, Kong Rong, and Liu Bei.

However, the Beihai occupied by Kong Rong was merely a single commandery.

The grain and fodder he carried were barely enough for his own troops to eat.

If he were to lend any to Gongsun Zan, his own troops would go hungry.

As for Tao Qian.

Don't look at the fact that he possessed the relatively wealthy Xuzhou.

Not long ago, he had just experienced a major war with Cao Cao.

The two commanderies in the north of Xuzhou suffered from the destruction of farmland by the Cao Army, and not a single grain was harvested during the autumn harvest.

The Guangling Commandery in the south of Xuzhou also had no harvest due to flooding.

Besides this.

In order to sign a ceasefire agreement with Cao Cao, Tao Qian also compensated Cao Cao with a large amount of military funds and grain.

This caused Tao Qian, who was originally relatively wealthy, to become a pauper directly.

The grain and fodder brought for participating in the coalition this time were only enough for his own army to eat.

It was absolutely impossible to share it with others.

Liu Bei was indeed someone who could lend grain and fodder to Gongsun Zan.

But the key to the problem was.

Liu Bei didn't have much surplus grain either!

Huainan was wealthy, yes.

But counting it all up, Liu Bei had occupied Huainan for less than three months.

He had missed both the autumn and spring harvests.

Most of the grain harvested from the vast land of Huainan went to the local noble families and powerful clans.

In comparison, Liu Bei was a real pauper.

The grain and fodder he carried for this northern expedition to join the alliance were not many.

It was estimated that it would be difficult for his own army to have enough to eat.

If he were to share it with Gongsun Zan, Liu Bei's army would also fall into the predicament of running out of food.

Therefore.

The only choice left for Gongsun Zan seemed to be to withdraw his troops and return to Youzhou.

But withdrawing to Youzhou was a long journey, and grain and fodder were also needed along the way.

Otherwise.

A mutiny in the army directly on the road.

Was also a very likely occurrence.

Thinking of this.

Gongsun Zan hurriedly came to discuss matters with Cao Cao.

And told Cao Cao about his difficulties.

Hoping that Cao Cao could help him think of a solution.

However.

Even with the wisdom of Cao Cao, there was no way to help Gongsun Zan solve the current predicament.

There was no way.

The Guandong warlords were all guys who wouldn't get up early without profit!

Even if they were temporarily considered allies with each other.

But such important strategic supplies as grain and fodder could not be easily given away by anyone.

Looking at Gongsun Zan's lonely departing back.

A flash of alertness crossed Cao Cao's heart.

The last time, Sun Jian... seemed to have been squeezed out by the coalition and eventually became an undercover agent for Dong Zhuo's army.

Could it be that Gongsun Zan would also follow in Sun Jian's footsteps?

Thinking of this.

Cao Cao hurriedly called Gongsun Zan back.

He tried his best to persuade Gongsun Zan, hoping that Gongsun Zan would first go with him to Hulao Pass to meet up with Yuan Shao and the others.

After deliberation, they would decide on the next move.

Outside Hulao Pass

Yuan Shao led the remaining five warlords to line up here.

Relying on his numerical advantage, Yuan Shao impatiently ordered the coalition soldiers to launch a fierce attack on Hulao Pass.

However...

After fighting for a whole day, under the absolute defense of Zhang Liao, the coalition did not make the slightest progress.

Inside the coalition's main tent

Yuan Shao and the other five warlords were discussing the battle arrangements for tomorrow.

Suddenly.

Cao Cao's personal guards were brought in from outside by Yan Liang.

Subsequently, these personal guards informed Yuan Shao about the burning of Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan's grain and fodder.

After hearing the report.

Yuan Shao was so shocked that he almost jumped out of his seat on the spot.

Seeing the strange look on Yuan Shao's face, several warlords hurriedly asked him what had happened.

Yuan Shao told them the facts as they were.

Tao Qian, Yuan Shu, Zhang Yang, Liu Bei, and Kong Rong all lowered their heads slightly after hearing this.

There was no intention to mock Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan at all.

Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan could be considered the best in terms of strength among the coalition.

Now.

Both of their grain and fodder had been burned.

For the entire coalition, this was a huge loss.

Once Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan withdrew from the coalition, I am afraid the combat effectiveness of the coalition would directly drop by more than 30%.

"Gentlemen, let's all share your opinions."

Yuan Shao asked the five Guandong warlords.

However.

Although the five Guandong warlords felt a sense of shared fate regarding the burning of Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan's grain and fodder.

But when they were really asked to express their views on this matter, they all acted as if they were mutes.