Chapter 1709

Ji Ling cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Cao Cao led a large army to launch a surprise attack on our rear and has already captured several cities; the situation is critical."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu stood up abruptly and said angrily: "Cao Cao actually dares to be so bold! Pass the order down: assemble the troops immediately; I want to lead the army to meet the enemy myself!"

Ji Ling received the order and left, but Yuan Shu paced back and forth in place, secretly pondering. This sudden attack by Cao Cao must be taking advantage of his joy at obtaining the Imperial Seal and his relaxed vigilance. However, with this Imperial Seal, his morale had greatly increased, and he would definitely be able to repel Cao Cao and then unify the East of the Pass.

Just as Yuan Shu was preparing to set out on an expedition, another strategist, Yang Hong, hurried over to dissuade him: "My lord, do not act rashly. Cao Cao attacking now must be prepared; our army should focus on steady defense and wait for the right time to counterattack."

Yuan Shu waved his hand and said: "Yang Hong, your words are wrong. I, Yuan Shu, have obtained the Imperial Seal and am destined by heaven; how could I fear Cao Cao? I have made up my mind; set out on the expedition immediately; I must let Cao Cao know my power!"

Seeing that Yuan Shu had made up his mind, Yang Hong shook his head helplessly and retreated. Yuan Shu led a large army and marched grandly to meet Cao Cao.

On the other side, in Cao Cao's camp, the strategist Xun Yu smiled: "My lord, the news of Yuan Shu obtaining the Imperial Seal has spread throughout the world. He must be arrogant and proud at this moment; it is the perfect time for us to strike."

Cao Cao nodded and smiled: "Wenruo's words are very true. Yuan Shu, although ambitious, lacks wisdom; obtaining the Imperial Seal has made him arrogant, and he will surely fail. Pass the order down: the entire army is to accelerate its advance; we must defeat Yuan Shu in one battle."

The two armies engaged in battle. Although Yuan Shu had high morale, he was ultimately defeated by Cao Cao, who used fewer troops to defeat more, due to poor command. Yuan Shu fled back to Shouchun, suffering heavy losses in troops and generals, and his morale was low.

At this moment, Yuan Shu finally realized that he had been too superstitious about the power of the Imperial Seal and had neglected actual military deployment and strategic planning. He was filled with remorse, but it was already too late.

And when Fa Zheng learned of Yuan Shu's defeat, he was secretly happy and immediately returned to report to Gu Yi. Gu Yi laughed: "Yuan Shu, although ambitious, lacks wisdom; obtaining the Imperial Seal has made him arrogant, which is inevitable. Next, we only need to wait for the right time and sit back and watch the gentry of the East of the Pass kill each other, and we can reap the benefits."

Fa Zheng nodded in agreement, his admiration for Gu Yi's wisdom reaching the point of total submission. As for Yuan Shu, in Shouchun City, looking at the Imperial Seal that had once made him yearn, his heart was filled with endless remorse and helplessness. He finally understood that the real world was not obtained by an Imperial Seal, but required wisdom, courage, and unremitting effort. However, all this realization came too late.