Just when Lu Bu was looking forward to a fight between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, there was another person who was looking forward to it even more than him.
This person is Huainan Yuan Shu.
In 191 AD, people with lofty ideals all saw that the Han Dynasty had ceased to exist in name only, so they began to win over alliances and prepare to expand their strength.
At that time, the Yuan family was very powerful, so the Yuan family brothers naturally became popular figures.
At that time, Cao Cao chose his team and sided with Yuan Shao, which made Yuan Shu dissatisfied and sent troops to attack Cao Cao.
Yuan Shu was not an ordinary person. Although he used his anger to launch his troops, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Eliminating Cao Cao also weakened Yuan Shao's strength.
However, although Yuan Shu's plan was good, it was a pity that his troops were inferior to others. In the battle of Kuangting, Cao Cao was not eliminated. Instead, he was beaten by Cao Cao for 600 miles and returned with a disastrous defeat.
Yuan Shu was arrogant and arrogant. How could he bear this anger? He had long wanted to seek revenge, but he had no chance, so he could only hold back.
Later, when Yuan Shu heard that Cao Cao was defeated in Yanzhou, he was overjoyed and had people closely monitor him. When he heard that Cao Cao had settled in Xiaopei, he immediately became interested.
However, although Yuan Shu wanted to cause trouble for Cao Cao, he also knew that Cao Cao was not easy to deal with, so he immediately called his generals to discuss it.
When everyone heard what Yuan Shu said, Zhang Xun was the first to jump out, raised his hands and said, "My lord, I am willing to lead a team of soldiers and horses to attack Cao Mengde."
Naturally, no one is willing to let go of the opportunity to beat up a drowned dog!
Ji Ling also took a step forward and said loudly, "My lord, the general is also willing to go."
Seeing his generals asking for battle one after another, Yuan Shu nodded with satisfaction, and just as he was about to give the order, Huainan officer Yang Hong hurriedly walked out, cupped his hands and said.
"Lord, have you ever thought about Xuzhou?"
Hearing Yang Hong's words, Yuan Shu was immediately overjoyed. He had always dreamed of acquiring Xuzhou, but it was a pity that he was unable to do so.
"Yang Zheng, do you have a way to get Xuzhou?"
A smile appeared at the corner of Yang Hong's mouth, he cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Tao Gongzu was granted a title by the imperial court in Xuzhou. His name is just and justified, and he is well-received by the public. However, Liu Bei is just a nobody, and he actually wants to occupy Xuzhou with no name. Wouldn't it make the world laugh at him. "
After hearing this, Yuan Shu nodded sympathetically, with a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes, "Yang's remarks are reasonable and indeed suspicious."
Yan Xiang, the chief secretary of Huainan, suddenly said, "My lord, although Liu Bei is a nobody, he is the Queen of Zhongshan Prince Jing and can be considered a relative of the Han Dynasty. We must not underestimate him!"
Yang Hong sneered, "Master Yan, don't you believe this kind of deception to a three-year-old child?"
After hearing this, everyone laughed.
"Yeah, who dares to say whether this kind of thing is true or false."
"Whatever is true or false, I think it is false."
When Yan Xiang heard everyone's discussion, he couldn't help but frowned, cupped his hands and said, "Master, no matter whether this matter is true or false, we must not act rashly, otherwise, outsiders will say that we attacked the royal family and our reputation will be ruined. ah."
Yuan Shu was originally elated after hearing Yang Hong's words, but after hearing Yan Xiang's words, it was like cold water pouring on his head, his heart suddenly went cold, and he couldn't help but snorted.
Yang Hong hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Master Yan, if Liu Bei is a fake Han clan member, then wouldn't it be justifiable for us to beat him?"
Yan Xiang shook his head, "Whether Liu Bei is a clan member of the Han Dynasty or not, let's not mention it for now. During the Yellow Turban turmoil, the three Liu Bei brothers were unstoppable and killed countless Yellow Turban thieves. When the 18th princes faced Hulao Pass, they were unparalleled in the world. Lu Fengxian, only the three Liu Bei brothers can stop him, so you can imagine how powerful the three Liu Bei brothers are."
At this point, Yan Xiang bowed his hand to Yuan Shu and said sincerely, "My lord, if we attack Xuzhou, we will definitely lose both sides and let Cao Mengde take advantage. It's better to wait and see for the time being."
Hearing this, a trace of anger flashed in Yuan Shu's eyes, "If we attack Cao Mengde, it shouldn't hurt, right?"
Yan Xiang handed over his hand again and shook his head, "Although Cao Mengde was defeated by Lu Fengxian, his strength cannot be underestimated. If our army attacks rashly, I am afraid that no matter whether we win or lose, we will suffer heavy losses.
If Liu Bei sends troops against us at this time, how can we resist?
Or, if Liu Bei takes advantage of our attack on Cao Mengde to sneak attack Huainan, he will still catch us by surprise.
Therefore, I believe that this matter should not be rushed, but that we need to be patient and wait for the opportunity. "
Yuan Shu snorted coldly and said, "Opportunity, tell me when is the good opportunity?"
Upon hearing Yuan Shu's question, Yan Xiang remained silent, but Yang Hong hurriedly raised his hands and said with a smile, "My lord, now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't miss it!"
After hearing this, Yuan Shu's eyes lit up and he asked with a smile, "Yang Zheng, do you have any good ideas?"
A hint of pride flashed across the corner of Yang Hong's mouth, and he said slowly, "Master, if we attack Cao Mengde, we will certainly lose our troops, but if we join forces with Liu Bei and attack Cao Mengde together, it should be easy."
Yuan Shu's eyes lit up, and after pondering for a moment, he couldn't help but laugh, "Yang Zheng, it's a good plan. It's indeed a good plan."
Yang Hong smiled and said, "Lord, this is just one of them. When we defeat Cao Mengde, I believe that Liu Bei's troops will also suffer heavy losses, and we can take the opportunity to send troops to attack Xuzhou in the name of Liu Bei's unjust name." , you can take the opportunity to recapture Xuzhou and make it yours for the Lord."
When Yuan Shu heard Yang Hong's analysis, a hint of excitement suddenly flashed in his eyes, "Yang Zheng, you are right. This time, not only can Cao Mengde be eliminated, but Liu Bei's strength can also be weakened. It really kills two birds with one stone. It's really Great idea."
After Yan Xiang heard what the two said, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My lord, you must not do this."
When Yuan Shu saw Yan Xiang coming to stop him again, he was furious and said, "Master Yan, is there something wrong with this plan?"
Yan Xiang smiled bitterly and cupped his hands, "My lord, when Cao Mengde defected to Xuzhou, the reason why Liu Bei took him in, in my opinion, was because he wanted to use his strength to guard the north gate of Xuzhou for him, and then take the opportunity to develop his strength.
If Yang Cheng's strategy is adopted and people are sent to Xuzhou to make peace, I believe that it will most likely not succeed, and it will make people laugh. "
Yuan Shu narrowed his eyes slightly, stared at Yan Xiang closely, gritted his teeth and asked, "Master Yan, do you mean to say that Liu Bei will not agree to join forces with me?"
Yan Xiang hesitated for a moment and nodded, "No."
Hearing Yan Xiang's answer, Yuan Shu's jade-like cheeks suddenly turned red, and he roared, "Yan Xiang, I don't believe that Liu Bei dares to refuse my alliance."
Having said this, Yuan Shu turned his head to look at everyone and roared.
"Who is willing to go to Xuzhou to make peace?"
