Chapter 242

"In my opinion, you, Cao Aman, should retreat your troops early and hand the land of Qingzhou over to me!"

Yuan Benchu sipped his wine with displeasure, feeling great disdain for Cao Mengde's actions!

In his view!

He, Yuan Benchu, was a descendant of a family that held the highest offices for four generations!

Neither Cao Cao nor Lin Ziyuan were worthy of sitting with him!

"Why the rush, Brother Benchu? Once everyone arrives, won't the matter of Qingzhou be settled?"

Not in the least bit anxious, Cao Mengde looked at Yuan Benchu and said with a full smile!

The matter of Qingzhou!

Was not for him, Cao Mengde, to decide alone!

Even if he, Cao Mengde, were to gift the two commanderies of Qi Kingdom to Yuan Benchu!

Yuan Benchu likely wouldn't have the chance to occupy them!

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Accompanied by a commotion among the troops, the gazes of both Cao Mengde and Yuan Benchu turned toward the figures arriving in the distance!

Lin Yang's great army had also arrived right on time!

Lin Yang's army had just arrived when an envoy under Cao Mengde rode over quickly and exchanged a few words!

Not long after, Lin Yang was seen leading a few riders as they approached, then stopping below the wooden platform!

"Wait for me here!"

After saying this to Dian Wei and the others, Lin Yang walked toward the wooden platform!

Though called a wooden platform, it was actually just a wooden staircase with a place to sit cross-legged on top!

The three wooden platforms had gaps between them, yet they formed a state of encirclement!

"Ziyuan, you have finally arrived!"

Just as Lin Yang took his seat, Cao Mengde on the other side said with a face full of smiles!

"Since our parting at Suanzao, it has been a long time since we last met!"

These words, like those of old friends catching up, made Lin Yang's face break into a smile!

"Haha, it has been many years, and Brother Mengde still retains your old demeanor!"

Thinking back to the Suanzao Alliance, only Cao Mengde knew how to treat subordinates with courtesy!

Whether it was himself or Liu Bei!

Cao Mengde had treated them both with respect!

At that time!

There were only a handful of people who truly worried about the Great Han!

Cao Mengde was one of them!

"Hmph, Lin Ziyuan, Cao Aman, enough with the nonsense. I, Yuan Benchu, want this land of Qingzhou!"

Watching the two reminisce in front of him, Yuan Benchu became increasingly displeased!

Back at the Suanzao Alliance!

Both of them were insignificant characters!

While he was the leader of the eighteen-warlord alliance!

Now!

The three of them were sitting together; wasn't this a slap in the face to him, Yuan Benchu?

"Oh? You want this Qingzhou? I recall that someone once said Qingzhou was the land of his brother, Yuan Gonglu!" Interrupted, Lin Yang teased at this moment, "Now, why the disregard for brotherly bonds?"

Lin Yang's mockery and sarcasm immediately made Yuan Benchu furious!

Especially when he thought of Guo Jia, who had now defected to the side of the person before him!

This was a deliberate slap in his own face!

"Hmph, Lin Ziyuan, the events of that year were baseless; do not slander my reputation for no reason!"

He would not admit it; even if he were beaten to death, Yuan Benchu would not admit it!

What brotherly infighting? That never happened!

This Qingzhou was ownerless land!

Yuan Gonglu didn't want it anymore!

As his elder brother, he naturally had to help manage it!

"Haha, I never expected you, Yuan Benchu, to be so glib-tongued!"

Yuan Benchu's thick skin had truly given Lin Yang an eye-opener!

He was indeed a figure capable of dominating a region!

None of them were simple!

"However, I still want to thank Brother Benchu for sending me such a great talent as Fengxiao!"

He bowed to thank Yuan Benchu, who, though furious, said nothing more!

Watching Lin Yang, who had been at daggers drawn with Yuan Benchu the moment he arrived, Cao Mengde sipped his wine silently on the side, secretly delighted!

He did not fear Lin Yang's arrival!

What he feared was that Lin Yang and Yuan Benchu would not have a conflict!

In this way!

The situation in Qingzhou could be settled!

"Are you finished?"

Sipping the wine before him, Yuan Benchu regained his composure!

Then, scanning Cao Mengde, Yuan Benchu went straight to the point!

"Speak, how will you two be willing to withdraw from Qingzhou!"

He was determined to have the land of Qingzhou!

With Qingzhou, he could defeat Gongsun Zan of Youzhou more quickly!

By then!

With four provinces under his control, his hegemony over the world would be achieved!

"It makes no difference to me; let's see what Ziyuan decides!"

Watched by Yuan Benchu, Cao Mengde put down his wine cup and said nonchalantly!

This sudden remark made both Yuan Benchu and Lin Yang frown!

What did Cao Mengde mean by this?

For a moment!

Lin Yang felt deep confusion regarding Cao Mengde's words!

This was the land of two commanderies in Qingzhou!

There were at least seven hundred thousand commoners!

Even at a ratio of ten to one, he could conscript seventy thousand troops!

Since when had Cao Mengde become so generous?

"Good, Lin Ziyuan, it's up to you then!"

Cao Mengde's nonchalance was seen by Yuan Benchu as a sign of weakness!

However!

This was also normal!

He had heard that Lu Bu and Zhang Miao had joined forces!

He reckoned Cao Mengde had long wanted to retreat!

The reason he hadn't retreated yet!

Was that he feared he would lead troops to attack, so he had been waiting for Lin Yang to arrive!

With Cao Mengde's side withdrawing, Yuan Benchu's only target left was Lin Yang!

"Yuan Benchu, what do you think my tens of thousands of troops came here for?"

Unable to fathom what medicine Cao Cao was selling in his gourd!

Lin Yang simply ignored it!

Looking at Yuan Benchu opposite, Lin Yang did not show any weakness and retorted directly! ===== CHAPTER 243 =====