Yuan Xi was already prepared to completely break up with Yuan Tan's army in Qingzhou. He originally estimated that there would be at least two or three battles before he could reach Jizhou.
However, Zangba's private show of goodwill avoided the subsequent battle. Although he did not know the other party's intentions, it was always better not to fight. Yuan Xi thought that in five or six days, the fleet would arrive near Dongwuyang. The dock.
Although it may have been controlled by Cao Jun, it is already the best place to support Yecheng. From another perspective, if the dock is really controlled by Cao Jun, it must be used to transport grain and grass, and it can be used to attack and disrupt Cao Jun's pace. .
Yuan Xi knew that it would be difficult to solve Yecheng's current predicament on his own, so before he set off, he had sent messengers to ask for help from all parties.
He does not expect any response from all parties, but as long as one party responds, it will reduce a lot of pressure on him.
The key is, will things really go so smoothly?
When Yuan Xi set out from Shouchun, he sent letters south, one to Liu Biao and the other to Sun Ce.
The letter sent to Liu Biao was in the name of Yuan Shao, asking Liu Biao to propose sending troops from Nanyang to the north. While attacking Yuan Shu, it would be best to take the opportunity to attack Cao Cao's territories in Yuzhou and Yanzhou.
In return, he could mediate the war between Liu Biao and Sun Ce.
This condition was actually just an act by Yuan Xi. After all, Sun Ce wanted to attack Jiangxia, and Jiangxia Huangzu himself was a force independent of Liu Biao. His insistence on Jiangxia was only for the benefit of the Huang family.
Therefore, Liu Biao only needs to go north to send troops. Even so, Yuan Xi has no hope. After all, Liu Biao's strategy has become conservative at this time, and it is difficult for him to have the desire to conquer Jingzhou, let alone the Jingzhou nobles behind him. Thinking about progress.
Compared with Liu Biao, Yuan Xi's conditions for Sun Ce were much more generous.
In his letter to Sun Ce, he stated that he would give up half of Lujiang and Jiujiang west of the Hefei Shouchun line and let Sun Ce take it for himself. The corresponding condition in exchange was that Sun Ce would go north to Yuzhou and attack Xuchang where Cao Cao was, and Ru Liu Beijun from the south responded.
Yuan Xi has spent a lot of money this time. He is ready to mobilize all relevant allies and strive to kill Cao Cao completely!
The choice now came to Sun Ce who was in Wancheng.
He took Yuan Xi's letter and read it over and over again, thinking that it would be better if Zhang Zhao was by his side.
Zhou Yu and Lu Su, who were sitting down, were waiting quietly for Sun Ce to make a decision. Sun Ce slapped the letter on the table and cursed: "Damn, I know this is a bait, but it's too tempting. I really can’t make up my mind.”
Lu Su was called over by Sun Ce. He was originally supporting the rear, but the front army of Han Dang Zhou Tai Lu Meng had been fighting with Huang Zu in Jiangxia. The two sides had been fighting for several months, and the war was still stalemate. Sun Ce saw it and Ask Lu Su to bring people over for reinforcements.
As a result, as soon as Lu Su arrived in Wancheng, the situation in the world suddenly changed, and Cao Cao and Yuan Shao actually started fighting!
At this time, not only the officials in Huaicheng, but also Sun Ce and Zhou Yu could not understand. How could Cao Cao have the confidence to challenge Yuan Shao?
Sun Ce called Lu Su over, and the three of them discussed the impact of this matter on Jiangdong. But within a few days, a letter from Yuan Xi came from Shouchun.
After Sun Ce saw the conditions set out in the letter, he was immediately moved.
Yuan Xi gave up half of the county's northward passage, which was of extraordinary significance to Sun Ce, because Sun Ce wanted to take all of Jingzhou, but just conquering Jiangxia was not enough.
The reason for this is that Jingzhou in ancient times was actually divided into two parts.
The southeastern part of Jingzhou is Jiangxia County occupied by Huang Zu, and the area to the west is the most important Nanjun in Jingzhou.
The two were separated by the 800-mile Yunmeng Ze. At this time, the 800-mile Yunmeng was full of swamps, lakes, dense forests and grasslands, with few people living there, let alone transportation channels.
The reason why Huang Zu had a transcendent status was also because the Jiangxia County where he was located was as high as the sky and far away from the emperor as far as Liu Biao was concerned, so the two sides basically did not pay much to each other's accounts.
Therefore, even if Sun Ce captured Xiakou and occupied most of Jiangxia, he would still have to attack north, where he would encounter resistance from the Nanyang defenders north of Jiangxia.
And if Yuan Xi gives up the Jiujiang County pass to the east of the Dabie Mountains, Sun Ce will have one more optional route, and this route is exactly the one his father Sun Jian took when he attacked Guanzhong. It is more convenient than the route from Jiangxia County. many.
In this way, as long as Sun Ce occupies the Xiakou area of Wancheng and has sufficient supplies, he might be able to replicate Sun Jian's success and plot Guanzhong!
Yuan Xi is not afraid that Sun Ce will not bite the hook, because he understands that Sun Ce talks about dividing the world into two, but he will never give up on the Central Plains.
Drawing rivers to rule, drawing the Yangtze River is also drawing, and drawing the Yellow River is also drawing. People like Sun Ce are definitely not the kind to be content in one corner. What's more, among the princes in the world, as long as they have some ambition, who doesn't have the heart to dominate the world?
This is also the reason why Zhou Yu and Lu Su dare not speak out for a long time. The two people originally came to an agreement on the two points of the world, but now they have an opportunity to cross the Huai River and approach the Yellow River. How can they not be tempted?
Sun Ce raised his head and stared at the two of them, "What do you two think?"
Lu Su hesitated for a moment and said, "This opportunity seems to be very good."
"As long as we slowly advance to the Nanyang area, we can spy on Jingzhou Sili when we advance, and we can protect the two counties of Yangzhou when we retreat. It is really a sure profit."
Sun Ce looked at Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu crossed his fingers and tried to calm down his irritability, and then said, "This is a trap."
"That Fierce Tiger can be said to have spent a lot of money, but his purpose is definitely not simple."
Lu Su was surprised when he heard this: "Why did Gong Jin say this?"
Zhou Yu said coldly: "Zijing, think about it. Fierce tiger has always been unable to afford early benefits. Why is he willing to give up most of the county?"
"It's not because of his grand scheme!"
"Furthermore, because of the crisis in Yecheng, he rushed back in such a hurry that he couldn't even take care of Hefei Shouchun. How else could he take care of other places?"
"He led us north, not because he wanted us to block Yuan Shu's remaining troops in Nanyang for him, but it was a good plan!"
"We are attacking Shouchun and occupying all of Jiujiang. What can he do to us?"
Lu Su was shocked when he heard this, "Gong Jin, wouldn't this be a stab in the back? If I did it, what would be my reputation in Jiangdong?"
Zhou Yu snorted coldly, "Those who achieve great things don't stick to trivial matters. They become kings and lose bandits. As long as they comply, who in the world dares to criticize?"
He turned to Sun Ce and said: "Bo Fu, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm afraid the fierce tiger has no time to look south. Let's just take Lujiang and Jiujiang and hold the entire Yangzhou in our hands!"
Lu Su was anxious after hearing this, "Gong Jin, you must be careful what you say. Fierce Tiger is a man who will take revenge. If he puts down the war in Yecheng and goes south to retaliate against us, then he and Liu Bei's army will join forces." Our Jiangdong soldiers and infantry cannot defeat these two people!"
Zhou Yu sneered: "The situation in Yecheng this time is definitely not that simple, otherwise the fierce tiger would not be forced to ask for help from us!"
"And in my eyes, Liu Bei is more dangerous than the fierce tiger, and he must be eliminated!"
"I heard that Liu Bei is attacking Cao Cao in Yuzhou. After we capture the two counties and occupy Shouchun, we will send troops to attack Liu Bei's rear and completely annihilate him!"
Lu Su seriously showed an expression of disbelief, "Gong Jin, if this happens, wouldn't we join forces with Cao Cao and completely break up with Fierce Tiger?"
Zhou Yu said calmly: "Why not?"
"The Fierce Tiger was canonized by the Emperor, and Cao Cao was also canonized by the Emperor. The two are now at odds with each other. Which side should we take?"
"And in my opinion, Fierce Tiger has a bigger appetite than Cao Cao. Cao Cao is still plotting in the Central Plains. Fierce Tiger has already reached out to Yangzhou. He has occupied Guangling and Jiujiang and cannibalized my Jiangdong foundation. Who is the greater threat?"
Seeing that Sun Ce seemed to have been convinced, Lu Su said anxiously: "Bo Fu, what Gong Jin said is certainly good, but this is also the best situation."
"But have you two ever thought about the worst case scenario?"
"If Fierce Tiger settles the rebellion in Yecheng, the Yuan family will be able to unify the Central Plains. When the time comes that it will move south with its power, how can we resist it?"
"Not only will we not be able to maintain our territory in the two counties, but we will also be unable to plot in Jingzhou!"
Zhou Yu snorted coldly, "Even if the Yuan family defeats Cao Cao, I'm afraid the three sons will be in civil strife. Then there may be a fight over the family property. If this opportunity is missed, there will be no more."
"Besides, Yuan Benchu has always been on good terms with Liu Biao. It is still unknown whether these Yuan family members will allow us to deal with Liu Biao in the future."
"So the top priority is to quickly expand the territory. After all, what is in your hands is what truly belongs to you."
Seeing that he could not defeat Zhou Yu, Lu Su couldn't help but sigh, thinking that Zhou Yu's idea was still too hasty and based on the premise of backstabbing his allies. If there was a backlash in the future, he would definitely suffer the consequences.
Sun Ce spoke up: "Gong Jin's words are very much in line with my wishes."
"But there's just one thing. I don't know what's going on."
"We Jiangdong soldiers are not good at attacking cities."
"I have learned in detail how Fierce Tiger captured Hefei Shouchun. Except for Shouchun's use of alienation tactics, other times they relied on a large number of equipment to attack the city."
"And I, Jiangdong, do not have such conditions now. Gong Jin, how long do you think it will take for you to lead troops to attack Hefei Shouchun?"
Zhou Yu was silent for a while, and finally shook his head helplessly: "I'm not sure."
Everyone was silent, this means that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Jiangdong generals can be said to be worthy of anyone in the world at the water station, but if they attack a fortified city, there are two things to say.
Sun Ce sighed: "So, it's not that I don't want to eat, but that I can't eat it."
"The fierce tigers used Yuan Shu's old generals to defend the city in Shouchun, Hefei. These are familiar with the terrain and good at defense. The same is true for Liu Xun and Liu Ye, who we have been unable to defeat Xisai."
Hearing what Sun Ce said, Zhou Yu also felt ashamed. Although they defeated the coalition forces of Liu Xun and Huang She in Xisse, they could not go further and had to retreat to Wancheng for repairs.
Sun Ce spoke up: "So my idea is to agree to Fierce Tiger's conditions first, and at the same time encroach on Lujiang and Jiujiang, and slowly push northward."
"When we establish a fortified defense line in Huai River, we can then think of ways to plot Shouchun and Hefei. This may take several years, so we can't rush it."
Lu Su said: "Then attack Xuchang"
Sun Ce said, "Just show off."
"If Cao Cao is really in trouble, I wouldn't mind stabbing him from behind."
"But if the Yuan family fails and Yecheng is lost, we will wait and see for the time being."
Seeing that Sun Ce had already known this, Zhou Yu and Lu Su had no choice but to comply.
After Lu Su left, Sun Ce said to Zhou Yu: "In the past few days, we have deployed our troops and generals to prepare to fight north."
Zhou Yu said: "What about Wancheng?"
Sun Ce thought for a while and said, "Don't take it now, so as not to be wary of the fierce tiger."
He remembered something, "But I heard that Mr. Qiao is seriously ill and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for a few days."
Zhou Yu shook his head, "Everyone has his own ambitions, and no one can escape."
Then he looked regretful and said, "Mr. Qiao's two daughters are really good. I once hinted to him that He Bofu could take care of them, but Mr. Qiao never let go."
After hearing this, Sun Ce smiled and said, "If Gong Jin really means it, when Gong Qiao dies, it won't be you and me who have the final say."
While the two were talking, a messenger came to report that someone was coming from Huaicheng.
The two of them were in a daze. Who is this? What to do?
(End of chapter)
