HLnovel Chapter 385 The Unification of the North is Imminent! The Son of the Yellow Turban's Number One
Chapter 385 The Unification of the North is Imminent! The Son of the Yellow Turban's Number One
Ye City
In the council chamber
Regarding the "fratricide drama" involving Yuan Shang, Cao Cao brought Su Yu along to meet with Tian Chou.
This was definitely considered high-level treatment in Cao Cao's camp.
Tian Chou was also very excited. After bowing to Cao Cao and Su Yu, he told them the details of how Yuan Shang poisoned Yuan Xi with venison prepared by Yuan Xi himself.
It must be said that Tian Chou has a certain talent for detective work.
In fact, Tian Chou was Cao Cao's guide when he attacked the Wuhuan.
At this moment, Tian Chou, his face full of worry, said to Cao Cao:
"Lord Sikong, Yuan Shang murdered his own brother; this is an outrage against Heaven."
"Moreover, this fellow has been secretly in contact with Tadun and Marimalihong, and I'm afraid he will try to win them over to his side."
"Although the Wuhuan have been divided into two groups in recent years, their overall strength should not be underestimated."
"If the Wuhuan were to launch a large-scale invasion, it would certainly be a disaster for the people of Youzhou."
Upon hearing the name "Ma Li Ma Li Hong," both Cao Cao and Su Yu couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing this, Tian Chou couldn't help but feel anxious.
What a critical moment this is! Why is Cao Sikong laughing?
Su Yu explained to him with a smile:
“Zi Tai (Tian Chou’s courtesy name was Zi Tai), there is no need to worry about the Wuhuan.”
"That man, Nama Li Ma Li Hong, is actually one of my men from Cao Cao's camp!"
"what???"
Tian Chou froze instantly, stunned for several seconds before realizing the significance of Su Yu's words.
People like Cao Cao and Su Yu wouldn't speak without evidence.
Therefore, Nama Li Ma Li Hong definitely has some secret information that Tian Chou is unaware of!
"It's time to deal with the hidden dangers left over from Youzhou."
Cao Cao turned his gaze to the map beside him.
The four prefectures of Hebei—Ji, Qing, and Bing—have been successively incorporated into the territory.
Only Youzhou remained, but it was actually the most difficult to conquer.
What Cao Cao wanted was not for Youzhou to submit, but to further strengthen ties with other provinces in the Central Plains.
Ideally, the Liaodong region, including the area east of Youzhou, should also be brought under our control once and for all.
With Tian Chou as his guide, Cao Cao quickly gathered a large army and provisions and marched toward Ji City.
……
at the same time
Wuhuan Royal Court
Tadun met with the envoy sent by Yuan Shang.
Even after the deaths of Yuan Shao and Ju Shou, the war between Tadun and Mali Mali Hong continued.
However, Tadun had gained the approval of both Yuan Shang and Shen Pei, and thus gained a slight advantage in the war.
However, it is unrealistic to expect Taton to quickly swallow up Mali Mali Hong in a short period of time.
Mali Mali Hong refers to Gongsun Fan and Gongsun Xu, the two sons of Gongsun Zan.
Besides the Wuhuan people, he also had some of his father Gongsun Zan's former subordinates under his command, as well as the support of Cao Cao's camp.
Faced with Yuan Shang's request for help, Tadun did not hesitate and immediately agreed.
His trusted confidant asked, puzzled:
"Your Majesty, now is the perfect time to attack Marima Li Hong and unify the Wuhuan!"
“Yuan Shang is no match for Cao Cao now, and his demise is only a matter of time.”
"If Your Majesty does not seize this opportunity to unify the Wuhuan, there may never be another good chance!"
Taton shook his head and refused:
"I have my own judgment on whether an opportunity is good or bad."
"But if Cao Cao eliminates Yuan Shang, do you know what kind of impact that will have on our Wuhuan?"
His trusted subordinates all shook their heads.
In a sense, the Wuhuan were also witnesses to the rise and fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
In recent years, in particular, the neighbors of the Wuhuan have changed from Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan to Yuan Shao and Ju Shou.
Now, a new neighbor, Cao Cao, is about to be added to the game.
For most people within the Wuhuan, the natural hope was that Cao Cao and they would live in peace and not resort to the ruthless tactics employed by Gongsun Zan.
But Tadun knew in his heart that unless he voluntarily relinquished his power and led the Wuhuan people to fully assimilate into Han culture, that would be the only way to achieve this.
Otherwise, Cao Cao would never have allowed him to continue sitting in the position of King of Wuhuan!
It was impossible for Youzhou under Cao Cao's rule to coexist peacefully with the Wuhuan!
thus.
By supporting Yuan Shang, Tadun was both repaying Yuan Shao's past assistance and saving himself.
This war with Cao Cao was also unavoidable.
Soon, Tadun mobilized 100,000 Wuhuan warriors and headed towards Jicheng.
Historical records indicate that the original Tatun mobilized between 150,000 and 200,000 people.
Because of Gongsun Fan and Gongsun Xu, Tadun clearly dared not send out his entire force to attack.
……
Jicheng
Yuan Shang angrily reprimanded his city gate captains.
"That Tian Chou is nothing but a scholar!"
"You actually let a guy like that get away?"
The city gate guards dared not even breathe loudly.
But without exception, they were all cursing Yuan Shang in their hearts.
Tian Chou is a native of Jicheng. He served under Liu Yu, Gongsun Zan, and your father Yuan Shao.
Although he served countless lords, each lord had a relatively good opinion of Tian Chou.
Tian Chou did not betray them voluntarily; he only joined the new forces after the old forces were destroyed.
Why is it that when it comes to you, Yuan Shang, people always flee, instead of defecting earlier or later?
Shouldn't we reflect on our own problems?
How many months has it been since he took the throne? Has he made any effort?
Why did Cao Cao advance so rapidly, forcing you from Ji Province to You Province?
Seeing that the others remained silent, Yuan Shang himself felt it was pointless, let out a long sigh, and exclaimed that he was having a bad day.
suddenly.
A young man of similar age to Yuan Shang walked in from outside the door.
"My lord, according to reports from our scouts on the border, Cao Cao has amassed troops in Ye City and is marching towards our Ji City!"
"Please, my lord, prepare a response as soon as possible!"
"What!?"
"How could Cao Cao's army have made such rapid progress?"
Yuan Shang looked fearful.
Originally, according to his plan, Cao Cao would most likely choose to launch an attack after the autumn harvest.
But it's only early summer, and Cao Cao has already attacked!
This is clearly a plan to destroy Yuan Shang before rushing back to harvest the autumn crop!
A strong sense of humiliation swept over Yuan Shang.
But soon, despair replaced humiliation.
Yuan Shang only had one capable general under his command: Han Meng.
The troop strength was only 50,000, many of whom were new recruits.
Compared to Cao Cao's elite troops, the difference in strength was simply too great.
"Lu Yu, do you have a plan to defeat the enemy?"
Yuan Shang asked the young man below the steps.
Lu Yu shook his head and said:
"Reporting to my lord, Cao Cao's army is very powerful."
"Your only options are to retreat to the Yuyang area and join forces with Tadun, or to hold out in Jicheng."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang fell silent.
Lu Yu was Lu Zhi's only son.
The Lu family of Zhuojun was also an important member of the aristocratic families in Hebei.
When Ju Shou was still alive, the Lu family of Zhuojun followed his lead without question.
However, the Lu family of Zhuojun and the Wang family of Jinyang were similar in nature, both being "non-Jizhou people".
Furthermore, the Lu family of Zhuojun's base of operations was in Youzhou.
Therefore, unlike Cui Yan, the Lu family of Zhuojun did not choose to surrender to Cao Cao after the fall of Yecheng.
Instead, after Yuan Shang arrived in Youzhou, he continued to assist Yuan Shang, putting on the appearance of a loyal minister.
However, the Lu family of Zhuojun has long enjoyed acting.
For example, Lu Yu's father, Lu Zhi, can be considered the best actor in the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
The battle between Zhang Jiao and Lu Zhi can be described with the idiom "fighting against oneself"!
Hoping that Lu Zhi, the white glove, can eliminate Zhang Jiao, the black glove, is impossible even if we wait another hundred years!
……