Chapter 263

"At that time, even if Gu Yi and Hua Xiong send troops from Sishui Pass to rescue in time, it will be beyond their reach!"

Among the warlords, the person who had aged the fastest in these three years was Tao Qian.

When the last warlord coalition failed to punish Dong, Tao Qian was already nearly sixty years old.

In this era, he was considered old among the old.

In the past two years, Tao Qian had been troubled by all kinds of worrying things.

First of all, his two sons, Tao Ji and Tao Shang, were both the kind of people who achieved nothing.

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

I'm afraid it would soon be annexed by Cao Cao or Yuan Shu next door, or even Yuan Shao and others!

Therefore, Tao Qian had 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 had already been border friction between Tao Qian and Cao Cao.

Cao Cao, who had unified Yanzhou.

Had long been coveting Xuzhou next door.

Zhang Kai killed Cao Song.

After this incident happened, no matter from which angle he considered it, Cao Cao had to send troops to conquer Xuzhou!

Although Tao Qian was not a small force.

But compared to Cao Cao, who was developing rapidly, he appeared somewhat lacking in stamina.

After the two sides went to war, 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 for it, as well as a large amount of military expenses and grain.

Such a major blow could be described as adding frost to snow for Tao Qian.

And now.

Although he followed Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others to join the coalition to punish Dong.

But Tao Qian at this moment was already in his twilight years and would not live long.

Even whether he could return to Xuzhou safely was an unknown.

Therefore.

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

He was deeply afraid that the campaign of the Guandong Coalition to punish Dong would turn into a war of attrition as they fought.

If it really turned into a war of attrition.

Then it was highly likely that Tao Qian would suddenly die halfway before he could return to Xuzhou.

Tao Qian's voice fell.

The warlords all nodded.

Speaking of these three years.

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

Was none other than Gu Yi!

Pacifying Liangzhou, pacifying Hanzhong, pacifying Yizhou—these three campaigns were all led by Gu Yi in person.

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

By comparison.

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

"What Tao Gong said is indeed correct."

"But... Sishui Pass definitely needs to leave behind a portion of soldiers as a containment."

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

"Once he learns that Hulao Pass is under a 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.

These two passes, Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass.

It was not that one had to break Sishui Pass first before one could go to attack Hulao Pass.

Rather, these two passes were mutual supports for each other.

It was just that Hulao Pass was closer to Luoyang.

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

This group of Guandong warlords naturally preferred to attack Zhang Liao, who was stationed at Hulao Pass!

Little did they know.

When facing a great enemy.

The reason Zhang Liao could still become the defender of Hulao Pass was because Gu Yi had confidence in his ability!

In original history, Zhang Liao was the person who beheaded Ta Dun at White Wolf Mountain and broke Sun Shiwan at Xiaoyaojin!

Nowadays.

Don't look at how the Guandong Coalition had a numerical advantage.

But when they faced Zhang Liao, they might not necessarily be able to gain any advantage.

Ultimately.

The Guandong warlords decided 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 this Sishui Pass again!"

Hua Xiong was filled with emotion.

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 together with Hua Xiong.

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

Suddenly.

A trace of solemnity appeared on Hua Xiong's face.

I saw him say with sorrow on his face:

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

Actually, one couldn't blame Hua Xiong for not trusting Zhang Liao.

It was mainly because Zhang Liao used to hang out with Lu Bu before.

Under Lu Bu's command, there was never an opportunity that could make him famous throughout the world.

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

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

Therefore, Zhang Liao had 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 cannot 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 was a ruthless character who could firmly rank in the top five!

Even without Sun Shiwan sending heads at Xiaoyaojin.