Yuan Shao rode with a squadron of knights, and they stopped upon reaching the banks of the Yellow River.
Listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the riverbank.
At this moment… countless Yuan troops were crossing the Yellow River for the second time.
Unlike the last time… Yuan Shao’s three sons had all come to lend their father a hand!
– The eldest son, Yuan Tan, had mobilized one hundred thousand troops from Qing Province.
– The second son, Yuan Xi, had mobilized fifty thousand troops from You Province.
– The youngest son, Yuan Shang, unwilling to be outdone, also gathered fifty thousand troops from Ji Province to reinforce his father!
Standing on the banks of the Yellow River, looking at his three sons, looking at the additional two hundred thousand fresh troops.
This time… Yuan Shao’s forces surged to a total of six hundred thousand!
Yuan Shao’s confidence swelled once more.
The morale of the three armies, which had plummeted to the depths, was also somewhat revitalized by these reinforcements.
Coupled with the flattery from Guo Tu and Feng Ji, Yuan Shao was in high spirits. This time, he intended to learn from his mistakes and properly contend with Cao’s army!
However… the man who always sang a dissenting tune had arrived again.
– Ju Shou!
Yes, it was precisely Ju Shou, the man who had repeatedly offered correct opinions but whose honest counsel was unpalatable… and whom Yuan Shao had repeatedly disliked.
His resolve was firm.
He mused… after several previous defeats, surely Yuan Shao would finally understand the situation?
– “Lord Yuan, open your eyes and see!”
– “Previously, in the battles at Yanjin, Nanban, and Baima, our army suffered heavy losses, losing both men and generals… What does this indicate? It indicates that our army is inferior to Cao’s army in both strategy and formation…”
– “Even now, with six hundred thousand troops… it seems like many, but in reality, the combat effectiveness of our forces is on entirely different levels. This time… Lu Yu did not send troops to occupy Yanjin, Baima, and Nanban. This is a ploy to lure Lord Yuan into advancing, both to divide our forces and to lengthen our supply lines, choosing to fight a decisive battle at Guandu… Guandu, this terrain is too unfamiliar to us… If we are not careful, we might repeat the fate of the forty-five thousand troops drowned at Yanjin City… the prospects are dire!”
At this point, Ju Shou grabbed Yuan Shao’s arm…
He implored with all his might.
If he didn’t persuade him now, these hundreds of thousands of men… this entire northern region would be finished.
– “Lord Yuan, although Cao’s army’s strategy and combat effectiveness are stronger than ours, their grain and fodder are not as abundant as Lord Yuan’s. Their logistics and supply are far inferior. In my opinion… whether it is Cao Cao or Lu Yu, they cannot afford a prolonged war. They intend to achieve victory through a quick and decisive method!”
– “Our army, relying on the vast lands of Hebei, has an endless supply. With grain in hand, there is no panic… We can completely engage in a war of attrition with Cao’s army, competing on patience! As long as we endure, Cao’s army’s combat effectiveness and Lu Yu’s strategies will be rendered useless… and in the end, we will wear down Cao’s army to death! Lord Yuan, Lord Yuan, why don’t you… why don’t you…”
Before Ju Shou could finish speaking.
Yuan Shao had lost his patience.
He pointed at Ju Shou’s nose and roared, “Every time we marched out before, you would sing a contrary tune. Humph… I said why our army was having bad luck and suffering continuous defeats. It turns out… the culprit for the defeat is you, Ju Shou!”
“Retire quickly, or face military law!”
Yuan Shao could not stand having his scars exposed. Moreover… he hadn’t yet shed the responsibility for the last time forty-five thousand troops were drowned, and Ju Shou mentioning it now was undoubtedly adding salt to his wounds.
Of course…
This was already a familiar recipe, a familiar taste!
Yuan Shao always turned a deaf ear to Ju Shou’s proposals! After all, Yuan Shao wanted to wash away the shame of the last defeat!
Even more tragically, Yuan Shao had a multitude of strategists and warriors around him, yet not a single one supported Ju Shou.
Loneliness…
Ju Shou’s situation was truly solitary!
At the same time, Yuan Shao’s three sons had all arrived at the front line. Their purpose… was obvious, was it not? To earn merit? To compete for credit and gain an advantageous position in the succession for the heir apparent!
In such a scenario, how could your plea for a war of attrition make them retreat to Hebei?
Ridiculous…
Ridiculous…
“Father, Ju Shou is clearly boosting the enemy’s morale and dampening our own. He should be beheaded to consecrate the army!”
Yuan Tan said coldly…
Yuan Xi nodded. “Indeed, Father… What use is keeping such a petty fellow?”
Only Yuan Shang shook his head. “Father, with the great battle imminent, it is not advisable to execute a strategist and sow chaos among our ranks!”
The three sons… they began to argue, each speaking their mind.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shao’s eyes narrowed, and his heart tightened!
Because… compared to his sons’ arguments, a person who appeared in his sight… made him suddenly nervous.
That’s right…
On the banks of the Yellow River, not far away… on the stone steps where the Yellow River was lapping, stood a young man in white robes and a bamboo hat!
His eyes gazed forward, but in his hand, he held a "plum blossom"!
Precisely this touch of plum blossom made him appear exceptionally refined and spirited!
Others couldn't recognize him? But… Yuan Shao recognized him at a glance!
“My son! Yuan Fang!”
Yuan Shao instinctively uttered a phrase…
Ah… his three sons didn’t hear clearly. Yuan Tan asked, “What did Father say?”
Yuan Shao came back to his senses, waved his hand as if to conceal something!
“Nothing…”
He turned and headed towards the main camp. As he walked, he quietly instructed Zhang He beside him. “General Zhang, discreetly invite the young man in white robes and bamboo hat by the Yellow River! Treat him with great hospitality. Furthermore… tell him that I will visit him tonight!”
This…
Zhang He raised his eyes. He did see the young man in white robes and bamboo hat on the embankment.
Of course, that wasn’t important…
What was important was that very few people could make Lord Yuan invite them so solemnly and cautiously!
This young man in white robes and bamboo hat?
Who could he possibly be?
…
…
In Xuchang city, the hundred-zhang-high East City Gate was extremely majestic and grand.
Nestled amidst mountains, Xuchang city lay like a dragon resting on land, contemptuous of the world, as solid as a golden soup.
At this moment, one hundred thousand troops were marching out of the city, stepping onto the official road. They had just bid farewell to their families and were about to rush to Guandu to fight on the battlefield.
In stark contrast to the fervor of the front-line battlefield was the bustling traffic and peaceful joy within the city.
However… from the solemn faces of the soldiers emerging from every city gate, it was evident that this battle was not as simple as it seemed!
As Yuan Shao had said, the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan would determine the course of history for the next five hundred years.
“Ang’er, I have only left you three thousand old and weak soldiers to guard Xuchang City. Can they hold it?”
Cao Cao asked Cao Ang as he strode.
Cao Ang nodded heavily. “Father, rest assured, your son will surely be able to defend it!”
His voice was full of spirit, showing great confidence.
Cao Cao stopped, turned his head, and looked at Cao Ang with a smile. “What, you sound very confident!”
Cao Ang replied, “In my opinion, Father, three thousand soldiers are even too many!”
“Why?” Cao Cao asked back…
Cao Ang’s confidence greatly surprised him.
“Lu Zongchang specifically mentioned three points before!” Cao Ang reported truthfully. “First, Yuan Shao’s southward advance is to contend for the empire with Father. Father’s elite troops are all gathered at Guandu, which Yuan Shao desires and has no time to attend to otherwise.”
“Second, Xuchang City is indeed empty, but… this would instead make Yuan Shao suspicious. Given his indecisive nature, seeing Father’s one hundred thousand troops heading to Xuchang, he would surely suspect that Xuchang’s emptiness is a deception, a trap, and would even be less likely to send troops for a surprise attack! Third…”
Speaking of this, Cao Ang paused and looked around. Standing beside him were not only Xun Yu but also a group of imperial college students, including Xiahou Yuan’s sons Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Heng;
Huang Zhong’s son Huang Xu;
And Dian Wei’s son Dian Man, Xu Chu’s son Xu Yi… and many others…
It seemed these individuals gave Cao Ang even more confidence. “I am not defending the city alone. Lord Xun is also here, as are many masters from the imperial college, and so many fellow disciples. We are united in our resolve and will ensure Xuchang City is absolutely safe.”
Heh…
Believe it or not.
Cao Ang’s words brought Cao Cao a sense of gratification.
Cao Cao looked around at the imperial college students before him. These were all disciples of Yu’er! Every time he thought of this, Cao Cao inexplicably gained more confidence.
“Good, you must learn more from Lord Xun and also from the masters of the imperial college. Xuchang City is entrusted to you!”
Cao Cao finally patted Cao Ang’s shoulder… signaling him not to escort him further, and then walked towards his Jueying horse.
“Cao Sikong…”
As Cao Cao walked away, Xun Yu seemed to have something more to say and called out to stop Cao Cao.
“Lord Ling? Do you have any further instructions?”
“Cao Sikong…” Xun Yu’s eyes became serious. “Yuan Shao has mobilized six hundred thousand troops to advance south. Ultimately… with Strategist Lu present, Yuan Shao’s forces appear less fearsome!”
“But, the troops are not fearsome, his grain and fodder are exceedingly terrifying! I heard that Yuan Shao has mobilized two million shi of grain and fodder from the rear and transported it across the Yellow River. This is to establish a large granary north of the Yellow River, thereby shortening the supply route… However, Cao Gong’s grain…”
Mentioning grain, Cao Cao gestured for Xun Yu to stop.
During this period, Yu’er was at the front line… and logistics and supply had been managed by Cao Cao and various officials of the Imperial Secretariat.
Xun Yu was right; there wasn’t much grain left. Conservatively estimated… it might not last six months.
Fighting Yuan Shao like this, a swift victory was necessary, and there could be no delays!
“Alas…” Cao Cao sighed, his brows furrowing involuntarily, and he softly murmured, “Every campaign, we are constrained by this grain and fodder!”
Indeed…
Every time he was constrained by grain and fodder…
Cao Cao would think of the revolutionary reform Yu’er had mentioned!
– Equal taxation on land!
Yes, the implementation of military and civilian colonies was a chance to breathe for the land monopolized by the aristocratic families. But to fundamentally solve the problem of grain supply, one still had to rely on Yu’er’s “Equal taxation on land”!
However, this matter was too significant!
It shook the interests of the entire aristocratic families, it shook the status quo of the aristocratic families monopolizing land!
This was a case of pulling one thread and moving the whole.
But…
If… if only…
Cao Cao mused to himself, if he could defeat Yuan Shao and pacify the north.
Then… no matter how difficult it was, he, Cao Cao, would definitely implement this “Equal taxation on land,” so as not to be perpetually constrained by grain, and to solve this major problem once and for all for his future Yu’er!
Hoo…
Cao Cao exhaled, and then his eyes looked at Xun Yu. “The battle must conclude within half a year!”
Xun Yu nodded, adding at the opportune moment, “Cao Sikong, there is also a stratagem to break the deadlock…”
“Hmm?” Cao Cao looked up.
Xun Yu’s tone became even more meticulous. “Yuan Shao transported two million shi of grain across the Yellow River, and he has six hundred thousand troops under his command. Therefore… the place where this grain is stored is his fatal weakness!”
Speaking of this, Xun Yu extended his right hand. “Cao Sikong, to catch a snake, you must strike its head!”
Huo…
Cao Cao’s eyes narrowed!
Xun Yu was correct. To catch a snake, you must strike its head. These two million shi of grain and fodder were Yuan Shao’s fatal weakness, and the key to defeating Yuan Shao.
So… a new problem arose!
Where would Yuan Shao store these two million shi of grain? Where?
Cao Cao’s eyes had narrowed.
He didn’t know the answer to this question…
However, this was a problem he had to solve within half a year!
“Let’s go!” Cao Cao flicked his long sleeves and mounted his horse… “Lord Ling, I entrust Xuchang City to you!”
“Cao Sikong, rest assured!” Xun Yu clasped his hands.
Dada da…
The sound of horse hooves echoed.
Watching the Jueying warhorse gallop away, Xun Yu exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Yet, he mumbled to himself.
– “Grain, grain! If Cao Sikong is to win, then he must resolve Yuan Shao’s two million shi of grain!”
– “This is grain that can kill people!”
…
…
North of the Yellow River, at Wuchao!
This place, located between Yanjin and Guandu…
The mountains were silent, the moon was like a hook, and cold stars hung in the sky, like scattered light spots, arranged like a chessboard.
The Wuchao valley in the night was bleak and cold!
Yet, due to the vibrant spring, it was adorned with many clusters of flowers and lush trees! It could be said that Wuchao was an extremely hidden and ethereal valley.
At this moment…
“Wow wow wow…”
Innumerable flocks of birds flew from the horizon, thousands of crows, endless.
And beneath the flocks, amidst countless Great Halberdiers, a middle-aged man and a young man in white robes faced the desolate valley of Wuchao. Neither of them spoke, maintaining a tacit silence.
Finally…
It was the middle-aged man who broke the silence. He first dismissed all the Great Halberdiers, leaving only the two of them in this small space.
The middle-aged man then spoke.
“You’ve finally come back?”
Under the cold moon, the middle-aged man’s face was clearly visible. Who else could it be but Yuan Shao?
However… it seemed that when facing the young man in white robes beside him, he instantly aged twenty years. His entire face became forlorn and heavy!
Gone was his usual arrogant demeanor.
“Let’s not talk about this!” The young man in white robes was naturally Yuan Fang. He waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to discuss certain topics with Yuan Shao in detail.
“Your mother…”
“Don’t mention my mother…” Yuan Fang’s eyes turned cold. “My birth was already against propriety… wasn’t it?”
It was true that Yuan Fang was Yuan Shao’s illegitimate son, but his mother was Yuan Shao’s sister-in-law!
It must be known that in the first year of Chuping… because Yuan Shao fled Luoyang and called for the eighteen lords to attack Dong Zhuo…
Therefore, Dong Zhuo, in his rage, killed the entire Yuan family in Luoyang…
Included among them was his sister-in-law, and… his elder brother, who wore a halo of green on his head – Yuan Ji!
As a top aristocratic family of the Yuan clan in this era…
The messiness of their circle was something ordinary people could not comprehend.
“Are you here to help Father?” Yuan Shao asked…
“Consider it that way!” Yuan Fang replied coldly. “However, I believe that instead of indulging in villains like Guo Tu and Feng Ji, Father should listen more to Ju Shou and Tian Feng. In many matters, their insights are broader and more correct.”
This…
If anyone else said this, Yuan Shao might have slapped them directly, but Yuan Fang… this illegitimate son, caused him too much guilt!
Even because of Yuan Fang’s words, Yuan Shao would subconsciously re-examine the proposals of Tian Feng and Ju Shou.
“You mean? We should fight a protracted war, and not march south?”
Yuan Shao asked.
“Yes and no!” Yuan Fang nodded, then shook his head.
“How so?”
“Because of Yin Lin, Father is not Cao Cao’s match in terms of strategy! Yin Lin’s overall layout is to lure Father to Guandu and lengthen the supply lines! This is to find an opportunity to win.”
Yuan Fang said, “However, the situation is different now. I didn’t expect Father to transport two million shi of grain across the Yellow River. With such boldness, the supply lines and grain routes are greatly shortened! And the scales of victory tilt even more in Father’s favor.”
Hmm…
Yuan Shao’s eyes narrowed.
“Scales of victory? What does that mean?”
“A protracted war, as Ju Shou proposed, is still a protracted war. Of course… a protracted war doesn’t necessarily mean a standoff between north and south across the Yellow River. Father might as well station the camp just outside Guandu!”
Yuan Fang suggested.
“If it is done this way, then whether it is Yin Lin or Cao Cao’s movements, they will not escape Father’s eyes!”
“And to hold position there against Cao’s army, as long as we can stall, it is a victory! As long as we do not lose, it is a victory!”
“Father probably doesn’t know yet, but Cao Cao’s grain and fodder are not abundant. In half a year, if we can persist for half a year, it will be enough for Cao’s army to collapse without a fight. At that time… even if Yin Lin is present, he will be like a clever woman unable to cook without rice!”
Hoo…
Yuan Fang’s words made Yuan Shao’s eyes focus. He was extremely surprised.
He knew that his son was always cautious and would not speak without reason. If he mentioned that Cao Cao’s grain was not abundant, then it was truly not abundant!
In this way…
This intelligence was extremely beneficial to Yuan Shao!
It must be known…
He had two million shi of grain and fodder. Let alone half a year, even a year, a year and a half, he could endure it. But Cao Cao… in half a year, hehe, in the end, Cao Cao was defeated by grain and fodder, defeated by the lands and fields monopolized by those aristocratic families!
Yuan Shao’s lips curled up…
It seemed Yuan Fang’s words made him smell the scent of victory for the first time, letting him see the dawn of victory.
For a moment, Yuan Shao was about to become complacent!
However, Yuan Fang’s next words were like a basin of ice water.
– “Father brought me to Wuchao, intending to stockpile the two million shi of grain and fodder here, didn’t you!”
Yuan Fang’s eyes turned cold…
His words added a touch of chill.
– “If that is the case, then not only will Father lose this battle, but he will lose miserably!”
– “Wuchao Valley, if used well, is indeed an excellent place to store grain, but if used poorly, it is also a burial ground for Father’s six hundred thousand troops!”
– “Father, do not make a mistake that leads to eternal regret!”
…
…