Chapter 249

"My lord, we cannot continue to delay here!"

Tian Feng's gaze looked at Yuan Benchu before him!

The land of Qingzhou originally had over three million people!

Before, when a million Huang Jin rebels caused chaos in Qingzhou, Cao Mengde defeated thirty thousand Huang Jin soldiers and gathered over eight hundred thousand commoners and surrendered troops!

So many people were relocated to Yanzhou for settlement!

This had already caused the population of Qingzhou to drop to over two million now!

If they continued to consume resources!

It was not worth it for these two million people!

Their primary goal now was to digest the commoners of the two commanderies of Qingzhou and turn them into troops!

Then deal with Gongsun Zan of Youzhou!

"Are you suggesting that my lord should give up the four commanderies of Qingzhou?"

Guo Tu, on the side, gave a cold shout and said unhappily!

He also understood the current situation!

Lin Ziyuan's army blocking here!

Was clearly blocking them from capturing Beihai Commandery and Donglai Commandery!

Once Gongsun BoGui made a move, he could lead his army to capture Beihai Commandery and Donglai Commandery, and then plot for the entire Qingzhou!

"Wrong, not four commanderies, but two!"

Glaring at Guo Tu, this guy was truly short-sighted, except for opposing him!

"Two commanderies? Are you trying to capture Cao Mengde's two commanderies?!"

Shen Pei raised his brows slightly, realizing something was wrong!

Cao Mengde had retreated!

The troops stationed in the remaining two commanderies could be said to be non-existent!

After all, Cao Mengde had few troops!

And had to deal with Lu Bu!

The two commanderies he occupied this time were basically equivalent to being abandoned directly!

"That's right, my lord, Qingzhou now has over two million three hundred thousand people, and the commoners of these four commanderies add up to over one million five hundred thousand!"

"As long as my lord digests these four commanderies, he can add another one hundred thousand troops!"

If he couldn't occupy four commanderies, then he would occupy two!

As long as he had this population of over one million five hundred thousand!

Yuan Benchu's troops could grow by another one hundred thousand!

In this way!

Their chances of dealing with Gongsun Zan in the north would be even greater!

"Yuanhao's strategy is good!"

Hearing Tian Feng's suggestion, Yuan Benchu's face revealed a smile!

That's right!

His current great enemy was Gongsun Zan!

As long as he replenished his troops from Qingzhou and filled his ranks!

Once he dealt with Gongsun Zan!

Who else in this world could compete with him!

Guo Tu, Shen Pei, and others, seeing Yuan Shao moved, knew that saying more was useless!

This time, Tian Feng had finally won!

"Good, do as Yuanhao said; tomorrow the army will retreat and attack Qi Kingdom and Jinan Kingdom!"

"My lord is wise!"

Tian Feng bowed and congratulated him, finally feeling relieved!

Even though they already knew Gongsun BoGui would attack Jizhou!

And!

Had already sent people to return for reinforcements and told Ju Shou and Zhang He!

Yuan Benchu still had to lead his army back!

Relying solely on Ju Shou and Zhang He could hold off Gongsun Zan's army for a while!

But they could not defeat Gongsun Zan!

Taking advantage of this time, the only right path was to capture the four commanderies of Qingzhou and quickly return for reinforcements!

As Yuan Benchu prepared to retreat, Lin Yang was also preparing for his own retreat!

"How is Taishi Ziyi's offensive going?"

Looking at the map in front of him, Lin Yang asked Guo Jia beside him!

Since some time ago!

Guo Jia had analyzed Cao Mengde's plan!

Lin Yang and the others had changed their strategy!

Letting Taishi Ci, who was originally stationed in Langya Commandery, lead his troops out!

"Currently, Taishi Ziyi has already captured Donglai Commandery and is in the process of persuading Beihai Commandery Governor Kong Rong to surrender!"

Of the two commanderies of Qingzhou, Beihai and Donglai, Taishi Ci had already led thirty thousand troops to capture Donglai!

According to intelligence from the past few days!

Taishi Ci was preparing to recruit Kong Rong!

"Kong Rong has a reputation; order Taishi Ci to treat him with courtesy and focus on pacification!"

Although Kong Rong's ability was not great, he had quite a reputation!

Beheading Kong Rong would bring infamy!

Plus, Kong Rong had a history of surrendering!

With Taishi Ci's army pressing down, the probability of him surrendering was quite high!

As long as Kong Rong was willing to surrender!

Then this trip to Qingzhou would be a completed mission for Lin Yang!

"By the way, where has Dian E'lai's twenty thousand troops reached?"

"My lord, General Dian sent intelligence that the army has already arrived at Nancheng and will reach Peng Cheng in a few days!"

Looking at the location of Peng Cheng on the map, Lin Yang nodded!

Now, in his army camp, there were only thirty thousand troops left!

They had come with fifty thousand!

But a few days ago, taking advantage of the night, they split the troops and retreated!

Led by Dian Wei, they marched south, heading straight for the seat of Peng Cheng Commandery!

There was no choice!

Cao Mengde's sudden withdrawal!

And the direct abandonment of two commanderies in Qingzhou!

Gave Guo Jia reason to suspect!

Whether the other party had reached some agreement with Yuan Gonglu!

Otherwise!

Would Cao Mengde be so kind?

"Also, have the army prepare; once Kong Rong surrenders, the army will retreat immediately!"

Lin Yang really had no time to worry about the situation in Qingzhou!

If Yuan Gonglu really dispatched troops from Yuzhou to sneak attack Xuzhou!

Then Lin Yang would have to lead his troops back for reinforcements!

This time Lin Yang dispatched troops to Qingzhou!

He brought Huang Zhong, Dian Wei, and fifty thousand troops!

At the same time, he deployed thirty thousand troops in Langya Commandery, led by Taishi Ci! ===== CHAPTER 250 =====