Chapter 175

But under the construction of the Yuzhou aristocratic group and the Nanyang aristocratic group.

A lean camel is bigger than a horse.

Yuzhou’s war potential was still very high.

Yuan Shu, as a Guandong warlord who suffered almost no losses in the second attack on Dong Zhuo.

Naturally, he was highly valued by the Guandong aristocratic group again!

Especially the remaining aristocratic families in the Yuzhou region and Nanyang region.

Almost put all their chips on Yuan Shu.

In an instant.

A scene of vitality and everything competing for development appeared in Yuan Shu’s territory.

The number of armored soldiers, under Yuan Shu’s deliberate troop expansion, approached 150,000 in a very short time.

And this number was further climbing!

Yuan Shu had even begun to fantasize that he could replace Yuan Shao and become the strongest warlord in the Guandong region!

The ambition hidden deep in his heart was also reignited.

In order to expand his territory and turf.

Yuan Shu followed the advice of his strategist Yan Xiang.

Decided to expand toward the Huainan region and even the Jiangdong region of Yangzhou!

Therefore.

There was the news of Ji Ling leading fifty thousand troops to station in Xiacai City, Lujiang.

Lujiang was located at the junction of Huainan and Yangzhou.

Sun Ce and Liu Bei were mainly fighting for Huainan this time, so they didn't leave too many troops in Lujiang.

This led to Ji Ling further intervening, presenting a posture of watching the fire from the other side.

"Lord, this Yuan Shu and Liu Bei are in a nominal alliance relationship."

"But toward us, they are mortal enemies."

"Will he take the opportunity to attack us?"

Below, Kan Ze asked with anxiety.

Sun Ce shook his head very definitely and said:

"Yuan Shu is a person with narrow vision."

"In his eyes, there is only profit."

"This time, he ordered Ji Ling to lead fifty thousand troops to station in Lujiang."

"If he really wanted to help Liu Bei, I’m afraid he would have already taken action."

"Since he has waited so long and hasn't taken action yet."

"Then his real purpose is naturally to wait for us and Liu Bei to both suffer, and then take the opportunity to take all the land in the Huainan region into his pocket."

Having fought with Yuan Shu in Yuzhou for nearly two years.

Sun Ce had long studied Yuan Shu’s personality thoroughly.

To put it bluntly.

Sun Ce didn't take Yuan Shu seriously at all!

If it weren't for the two power banks, the Yuzhou aristocratic group and the Nanyang aristocratic group.

How could mere Yuan Shu withstand Sun Ce?

"Lord, then how should we deal with this Ji Ling?"

"Could it be that we just leave him in Lujiang and ignore him?"

Kan Ze frowned.

Although Yuan Shu was a dead bone in a grave who was not worth worrying about.

But Ji Ling still had some ability.

At the same time, he was the only great general under Yuan Shu who could be brought to the table.

Just as Sun Ce was anxious about how to deal with Yuan Shu.

Suddenly, a personal guard walked over and reported to Sun Ce:

"Lord, there is an envoy from Chang'an."

Hearing this, a look of joy immediately appeared on Sun Ce’s face.

Chang'an naturally referred to the Dong Zhuo force, which was the big brother Sun Ce relied on.

Although Dong Zhuo and Gu Yi had always been using Sun Ce as a butcher knife to slaughter aristocratic families.

But it had to be said.

Sun Ce and the Sun family army, a force with absolutely no support from aristocratic families behind them, could survive to this day because of the support of their big brother.

Before, facing the aggressive Guandong Allied Forces.

Sun Ce also followed Gu Yi’s strategy.

Led his troops to abandon Yuzhou and advance into Huainan.

This allowed the Sun family army to be preserved.

And now.

It was impossible for Chang'an to send an envoy here for no reason.

Presumably, the envoy must be carrying a special purpose.

Soon.

Sun Ce and his civil and military officials met this envoy.

The envoy was none other than Cheng Gongying, who was dispatched here by Gu Yi’s order.

During the Battle of Liangzhou, Cheng Gongying, Yan Xing, and Pang De were successively subdued by Gu Yi.

Gu Yi initially gave Cheng Gongying the right to command Han Sui’s old troops.

But Cheng Gongying was not good at marching and fighting.

His ability was in planning and handling diplomatic relations.

Therefore.

After Xu Rong became the General of the West.

Cheng Gongying handed over the military power he originally held.

Instead, he went to Chang'an and held a civil position in Li Ru’s Secretariat.

This time, Cheng Gongying was ordered by Gu Yi to come and serve as an envoy to Sun Ce.

After the pleasantries.

Cheng Gongying got straight to the point:

"General Sun, Mr. Linzhi asked me to come and tell you that Yuan Shu is not to be feared, and there is no need to be distracted by Yuan Shu."

"Your top priority is to drive Liu Bei away and occupy Huainan!"

"At most, in three days, Ji Ling will automatically withdraw his troops."

Hearing this.

All the civil and military officials under Sun Ce were shocked.

The mobilization of fifty thousand troops was no small matter.

Moreover, this Ji Ling, as the number one general under Yuan Shu, was ordered by Yuan Shu to come here, surely to seize Huainan.

How could he withdraw his troops so easily?

However...

Thinking that Cheng Gongying was Gu Yi’s man.

Gu Yi’s deductions had never been wrong.

The civil and military officials under Sun Ce had to be convinced.

"Since that is the case, thank you, Mr. Cheng."

"Bofu is deeply grateful."

Sun Ce cupped his hands in thanks.

At the same time.

Yizhou.

Runan City.

Yuan Shu was currently meeting with an envoy.

If the identity of this envoy were to be revealed, it would likely shock every warlord in the land!

Yes, the visitor was none other than Fa Zheng!

As Gu Yi’s young assistant, Fa Zheng’s position within the Dong Zhuo army had been rising steadily.

Furthermore.

Not long ago, Fa Zheng had successfully won over Xu Huang; besides a promotion in rank, he had even earned himself a title of nobility!

He could well be called the most favored person at Gu Yi’s side.

Yet at this moment, Fa Zheng had suddenly appeared in Runan City.

If someone unaware of the situation saw this, they might have thought Fa Zheng was defecting to the enemy!

Little did they know.

The reason Fa Zheng had come here was precisely under Gu Yi’s orders.

At this moment, Fa Zheng was holding a flawless, exquisite box in his hands.

One did not need to be told to know that the item inside was bound to be extremely precious.

Sitting in the main seat, Yuan Shu swept his gaze over Fa Zheng and said in a cold tone:

"Heh, Fa Xiaozhi, is it?"

"You have quite the nerve!"

"Do you not know that I and Dong Zhuo are mortal enemies?"

Hearing what Yuan Shu said, Fa Zheng smiled slightly:

"General Gonglu truly knows how to joke."

"In this world, where are there eternal enemies?"

"And where are there eternal friends?"

"There are only interests."

"I feel deep regret for the passing of your eldest son, Yuan Yin, and your younger brother, Yuan Yao."

"But... General, you do not have only that one son and brother."

"To abandon the sky-high benefits offered by my lord for the sake of two who have already passed—would that not be losing the greater for the sake of the lesser?"

These words of Fa Zheng were pure sophistry.

If someone with a short temper were here, they would likely have had him sliced to pieces on the spot!

But Yuan Shu was destined not to be among that number.

Firstly, Yuan Shu was indeed as Fa Zheng had described.

He had more than one younger brother, and certainly more than one son.

Secondly, if Yuan Shu truly dared to execute Fa Zheng.

Tomorrow, Gu Yi would dare to send Zhang Liao to lead troops out of Hulao Pass and strike toward Yizhou!

One must know.

Yuan Shu’s territory, Yizhou, was the closest to Luoyang!

Given the current scale of the Dong Zhuo army, how could Yuan Shu not be afraid?

Therefore.

Although Yuan Shu’s teeth itched with hatred in his heart.

He truly did not dare to go too far with Fa Zheng.

At most, he could put on an angry attitude and feign a look of contempt.

But as the saying goes.

The more one feigns toughness on the surface, the easier it is to expose the tension and fear deep within.

Yuan Shu was currently in this state.

At the same time, Yuan Shu was filled with curiosity regarding the purpose of Fa Zheng’s visit.

What exactly could make Fa Zheng, the favored aide under Gu Yi, come here in person?

…….