Chapter 513

Having finalized his plan, Cao Cao immediately dispatched Man Chong as an envoy to Yecheng to discuss with Yuan Shao the matter of supporting Liu He as Emperor.

……

Yuan Shao quickly adopted the proposal brought by Man Chong.

As the head of the world's aristocratic clans, the Yuan family had always represented the interests of the vast number of aristocratic clans across the land, especially those in Guandong.

Although.

Currently, Yuan Shao's command could well be described as facing "internal strife and external threats."

But if he did not seize the time to support Liu He as Emperor.

Once Gu Yi formally declared himself a Duke or King.

The survival space left for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao would be further compressed.

Soon.

Yuan Shao sent men to find Liu He, tricked him into coming to Yecheng, and prepared for the matters of his enthronement.

Looking at the young Liu He.

Yuan Shao felt a pang of pain in his heart.

His eldest son, Yuan Tan, although still alive since being captured by Gu Yi after his defeat.

But up to this day.

Yuan Tan remained a captive.

Every time he thought of Tian Feng surrendering to Gu Yi, and the matter of Yuan Tan being captured, the hatred in Yuan Shao's heart was as continuous and endless as the surging river waters!

(PS: Recap: For details, see Chapter 145, Yuan Tan captured, Tian Feng surrendered, leading to Yuan Shao being full of suspicion toward the Hebei aristocratic clans under his command.)

However.

Even if Yuan Shao was in more pain.

At this moment, he could only huddle together with Cao Cao for warmth.

Hoping to reduce the sense of oppression brought by Gu Yi through the method of supporting Liu He as Emperor.

……

Youzhou

Youbeiping City

"What!?"

"That scoundrel Yuan Shao intends to support Liu He as Emperor?"

Hearing this news, Gongsun Zan's eyes glared in fury.

"My lord, if this Liu He ascends the throne as Emperor."

"I fear you will be the first to be affected."

"After all, this Liu He is the eldest son of Liu Yu."

"In the land of Youzhou, there likely remain quite a few of his old subordinates."

"If those fellows learn the news that Liu He is about to ascend as Emperor, they will surely rebel against you."

Below Gongsun Zan, the strategist Guan Jing analyzed.

These words were not wrong at all.

Gongsun Zan's methods for ruling Youzhou were, in truth, not honorable.

Because the legitimate Governor of Youzhou had been Liu Yu from beginning to end.

Gongsun Zan was in charge of military affairs, but in name, he had always been Liu Yu's subordinate.

Leading troops to kill Liu Yu, Gongsun Zan forcibly controlled Youzhou through such means, which belonged to the behavior of "the subordinate usurping the superior."

Furthermore.

Liu Yu had always treated people with generosity.

He had won the hearts of the people in the land of Youzhou.

After Gongsun Zan killed Liu Yu.

Whether it was the officials or the commoners of Youzhou.

They were distrustful of Gongsun Zan's rule and filled with disgust.

If Yuan Shao supported Liu He as Emperor.

I fear the voices opposing Gongsun Zan in the land of Youzhou would reach an unprecedented climax!

"No!"

"This General must send troops to root out this Liu He brat!"

A flash of resentment crossed Gongsun Zan's eyes.

Damn Liu Yu! Even after death, he would not let one have peace!

"My lord..."

"Although Yuan Shao cannot defeat Gu Linzhi."

"But with the support of that group of aristocratic clans in Jizhou, he can still be called a man of many troops and generals."

"What's more, Liu He has been received by him into Yecheng."

"Yecheng, as Yuan Shao's administrative seat, has high walls and thick fortifications."

"If we forcibly attack Yecheng, I fear that not only will we fail to break it, but we will also suffer losses in troops and generals."

Guan Jing analyzed in a deep voice.

As a trusted strategist beside Gongsun Zan, Guan Jing needed to help Gongsun Zan avoid risks and make the correct choices.

But... before Guan Jing's voice had even faded.

Two scouts were seen running quickly into the council hall, reporting to Gongsun Zan:

"Reporting to my lord!"

"That scoundrel Yuan Shao has proclaimed to the world that he intends to support Liu He as Emperor together with Cao Cao."

"The location for Liu He's enthronement has also been changed from the original Yecheng to Longcou!"

"Thump!"

As soon as the words fell.

Gongsun Zan, in a rage, drew the sword hanging on the wall and hacked wildly at the table in front of him.

"Yuan Benchu, you brat! You infuriate me!!!"

It was no wonder Gongsun Zan was so angry.

What kind of place was Longcou?

It was the place where Yuan Shao had defeated Gongsun Zan for the second time after the Battle of Jieqiao!

At the same time, it was also lost territory that Gongsun Zan had yet to recover.

Yuan Shao intended to support Liu He's enthronement at Longcou.

This, damn it, wasn't it clearly meant to slap Gongsun Zan in the face?

It was equivalent to personally tearing open Gongsun Zan's scar and then sprinkling a jar of salt on it!

Let alone Gongsun Zan, even if it were another monarch, I fear it would be hard to endure such humiliation!

Of course.

If it were the old thief Sima.

Perhaps he could truly endure humiliation and silently accept this disgrace.

After all.

The old thief Sima was a werewolf who only wanted Zhuge Liang's four-wheeled cart, and for that, he could even accept cross-dressing! (Dog-head funny)

……

After Gongsun Zan finished venting.

The expression on Guan Jing's face was still filled with worry.

The matter of Yuan Shao intending to support Liu He's enthronement at Longcou was filled with strangeness from beginning to end.

Could it be... that it contained some other conspiracy?

Thinking of this, Guan Jing intended to persuade Gongsun Zan to stop sending troops.

But Gongsun Zan had already anticipated Guan Jing's anticipation.

Gongsun Zan waved his hand, looked straight at Guan Jing, and said decisively:

"Shiqi (Guan Jing's courtesy name), you need not say more."