Chapter 41

But it was clear that this set of tactics did not work on Gongsun Zan.

He was seen glaring with anger, saying in a deep voice:

"The state of the Han dynasty is not something that one or two of us can change."

"But my good brother, the commander of my White Horse Followers, Yan Gang, must return to my side alive!"

Sun Jian, standing beside Gongsun Zan, also echoed at this moment:

"Zu Mao has followed me for many years and has saved my life several times in times of danger."

"If I abandon him today, I am simply unworthy of being a man!"

Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian, although the scale of the land they governed was not large.

But their military strength was the most powerful existence in the entire coalition besides the two Yuans!

Especially Gongsun Zan.

His White Horse Followers had guarded the frontier for many years, and every dazzling achievement was splattered with the blood of the Wuhuan people!

Historically, Gongsun Zan was also the biggest obstacle to Yuan Shao's unification of the four provinces of Hebei.

The two sides fought for nearly nine years.

It was not until the eve of the Battle of Guandu that Yuan Shao completely eliminated Gongsun Zan and occupied the four provinces of Hebei.

This shows Gongsun Zan's strong strength!

If Yuan Shao had not received the help of Qu Yi and the Vanguard Death Soldiers, whether he could have blocked Gongsun Zan's military edge was an unknown.

Who would eventually fall into the hands of the north was also unknown.

At this moment, if Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian insisted on leaving the Guandong coalition.

The coalition's combat effectiveness would be greatly reduced.

Besides this, it would also cause a chain reaction.

Those small warlords who had already intended to retreat would quickly imitate these two.

The coalition of warlords would also fall apart in a very short time.

Therefore, no matter what, Yuan Shao could not allow Sun Jian and Gongsun Zan to leave the coalition.

Even less could he let these two go and discuss the exchange of prisoners with Dong Zhuo privately.

However, Yuan Shao could not come up with any chips that would satisfy Sun Jian and Gongsun Zan at this moment.

After much persuasion, he finally managed to stabilize the emotions of these two so they wouldn't turn against him immediately.

After Sun Jian and Gongsun Zan left the camp, Yuan Shao's face sank instantly.

Suddenly, the tent was lifted again.

A scholar in a green robe walked in with hurried steps.

"My lord, it has been checked clearly."

"The reason Hua Xiong was able to think of the strategy of a surprise attack on the coalition camp at Sishui Pass was because he received guidance from a person named Gu Yi."

"Gu Yi?"

"Who is this?"

Yuan Shao heard the name Gu Yi and didn't react for a moment.

After all.

As the coalition leader and the head of the world's aristocratic families, the Yuan family.

Yuan Shao could be said to be "a noble who forgets things."

For the poor commoner Gu Yi who was driven out of the coalition camp by Yuan Shu earlier, Yuan Shao had almost no impression in his mind.

After listening to the green-robed scholar's explanation.

Yuan Shao slowly remembered a figure like Gu Yi.

"Heh, this Gu Yi does have some talent."

"But mixing with someone like Dong Zhuo, he will sooner or later end up dead."

Yuan Shao proved with facts what is called "sour grapes."

Although Gu Yi had already proven his own ability.

But for someone of Yuan Shao's status, it is impossible to admit his own mistakes.

In fact.

Among the coalition warlords at the beginning, if even one had stood up to speak for Gu Yi, it wouldn't have led to Gu Yi defecting to Dong Zhuo and becoming an enemy of the coalition.

And now.

The coalition warlords could be said to have dug a hole for themselves and finally ate the bitter fruit.

Their current goal was no longer to capture Hulao Pass, but how to ensure their own troops would not suffer too much loss!

Even the leader Yuan Shao was helpless at this moment.

"My lord, facing the Dong Zhuo army, we can actually change our thinking."

The green-robed scholar said.

"Oh? Ziyuan? Could it be that you want me to negotiate peace with the Dong Zhuo army?"

The green-robed scholar was none other than Xu You, a confidant strategist under Yuan Shao.

He was also Yuan Shao's close friend for many years.

And the current head of the Xu family of Yingchuan!

Compared to strategists like Guo Tu and Feng Ji who had joined not long ago.

In terms of personal feelings, Yuan Shao and Xu You were undoubtedly the deepest.

But as the saying goes.

Love is deep, hate is deep.

Perhaps it was precisely because of the deep personal friendship between Yuan Shao and Xu You.

Leading to the Battle of Guandu in history, Xu You thought Yuan Shao could not punish him.

As a result, the furious Yuan Shao, under the suggestion of the "rhythm master" Guo Tu, intended to execute all of Xu You's family!

This move deeply hurt Xu You.

Making him firm in his determination to betray Yuan Shao and defect to Cao Cao.

Eventually, it determined the outcome of the Battle of Guandu.

And now.

The relationship between Xu You and Yuan Shao had not yet broken.

Xu You, who had many ghost ideas, thought of a "curve to save the country" strategy for Yuan Shao.

... **CHAPTER 42**