"My lord, this time and that time." Faced with Yuan Shao's worries, Feng Ji comforted him and said: "At the beginning, the lord and Gongsun Zan were inseparable because of the feud between killing their younger brother. But now that the Han family's power is expanding day by day, it is enough to threaten Gongsun Zhan, and he is afraid that he also wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. ”

Regarding Feng Ji's statement, Xin Ping immediately agreed: "If the Han family Xiao'er captures Yecheng, he will be able to free up his hands to take the annexation of the state and Qingzhou, and then the Youzhou, where Gongsun Zan is located, will be in danger of being annexed by him at any time." In this case, Gongsun Chan is unwilling to see it, if the lord is willing to unite with Gongsun Chan to attack Jizhou, he must be willing to do it. ”

After some persuasion by the strategists, Yuan Shao decided to send envoys to Gongsun Zhan and Cao Cao for help. His gaze swept over everyone and asked, "I don't know who originally intended to ask Gongsun Chan for help?" ”

As soon as his words fell, everyone's eyes focused on Feng Ji's body. Feng Ji saw that everyone was staring at him, so he hurriedly waved his hand and said, "It's not proper, it's not proper, Gongsun Chan has been blaming him for killing his younger brother." If you go to Jizhou, you will definitely be broken into thousands of pieces by Gongsun Zhan. The personal life and death matters below are small, and if you miss the lord's major affairs, you will die without redemption. ”

Xin Ping knew that even if the knife was on Feng Ji's neck, he would not go to Youzhou to ask Gongsun Zan to attack from the north and south, so he took the initiative to ask Ying: "Lord, my subordinates are willing to go!" ”

Yuan Shao saw that Feng Ji was unwilling to go to Youzhou, and when he was disappointed, he suddenly heard that Xin Ping was willing to go, so he hurriedly said to him: "Zhongzhi, when you go to Youzhou here and pass by the Bohai Sea, you might as well send a letter to my family Shang'er and nephew Gao Gan." If Gongsun Chan remembers the old feud and refuses to send troops, let them wave their troops south to seize Jizhou, and let the Han family children take care of themselves. ”

Then, it was discussed who to send to Dongjun to ask Cao Cao for help. This time, Feng Ji took the initiative to stand up and ask for his life: "Lord, my subordinates have had several relationships with Cao Mengde, and they can be regarded as having some friendships. ”

Feng Ji was Yuan Shao's most important adviser, even if he said that he refused to go to Youzhou, Yuan Shao was not angry with him. At this moment, when I heard that he was willing to go to Dongjun, I couldn't help but be overjoyed, and said to him: "Since Yuantu and Meng De have an old relationship, then Yuantu will be responsible for the matter of going to Dongjun." ”

After the discussion, Yuan Shao ordered Xin Ping and Feng Jibing to go to Youzhou and Dongjun respectively to ask for help.

Although Han Zhan's soldiers and horses had not besieged Yecheng, there were many horses near Yecheng. The two groups of messengers who came out of the city for help were more aware of the horses in Jizhou.

After Han Zhan got the news, he immediately ordered someone to intercept the envoys to Youzhou, but ignored the group of envoys who went to Dongjun. After listening to Han Zhan's arrangement, Dian Wei couldn't help but ask curiously: "Lord, why did you only send people to intercept the envoys to Youzhou, but not the envoys to Dongjun?" ”

Han Zhan waited for Dian Wei to finish speaking, and then asked rhetorically: "Dian Wei, do you think Gongsun Zhan or Cao Cao, who is the greater threat to us?" ”

"Do you need to talk about that?" Dian Wei said with a big grin: "Gongsun Zan has a lot of soldiers, there is enough food and grass, and they also occupy the boundary bridge, and then they can send troops to attack Jizhou City." But when it comes to threats, Cao Cao's Dongjun is only one or two hundred miles away from Yecheng, and the cavalry can arrive in one day......"

Han Zhan didn't interrupt Dian Wei's analysis, but waited for him to finish before he said slowly: "Although the East County where Cao Cao is located is not far from Yecheng. Cao Taishou borrowed grain and grass from us not long ago, and now he has no military rations to support the war, how can he send troops to attack us? As for Gongsun Zhan, he owns the land of Youzhou, and he has a lot of soldiers, grain and grass, if he sends troops, we are really a little too busy to take care of ourselves. That's why I sent someone to intercept the envoy to Youzhou, and let go of the envoy to Dongjun. ”

"I see." After listening to Han Zhan's analysis, Dian Wei suddenly realized: "As long as Yuan Shao's envoy can't reach Jizhou, then Gongsun Chan won't send troops to attack us in the short term, and we can attack Yecheng with peace of mind." ”

Xun You is a cautious character, although he also thinks in his heart that Cao Cao will not take the initiative to attack because of lack of food, but for the sake of safety, he still said to Han Zhan: "Lord, although Cao Cao lacks food and grass, he will not take the initiative to attack our army. But if he was bewitched by Yuan Shao and sent someone to cut off the food and grass of our army, the situation would not be good. ”

Xun You's words reminded Han Zhan, he remembered that Cao Cao was the person who liked to cut off people's food the most, and after his eyes swept over the generals in the council hall, he shouted: "Where is Xiahou Lan!" ”

"The last general!" Xia Houlan hurriedly walked out of the queue and saluted Han Zhan with a fist.

Han Zhan took out an arrow from the box on the table: "I will give you five thousand soldiers and horses, stationed in the direction of Wei County, to monitor Dong County, and prevent Cao Cao from sneaking up on the place where our army is storing grain." ”

"The last general obeys!" Xia Houlan stepped forward and took the order.

After Han Zhan arranged a few more defenses against Dongjun, he announced: "Early tomorrow morning, we will send our troops to Yecheng!" ”

…………

Inside the Taishou Mansion in Higashi-gun.

After Cao Cao read the letter sent by Feng Ji, he immediately shouted: "Someone! ”

With the shouting, two subordinates walked in from outside, and Cao Cao instructed them: "You take Feng Yuantu to the post house to rest!" ”

After Feng Ji left, Cao Cao threw Yuan Shao's letter on the table and asked his subordinate Wenwu: "Yuan Benchu asked Ben Taishou for help, tell me, what should we do?" To send troops or not to send troops? ”

"Of course it's no troops." Xiahoudun took the lead in coming out and said: "Our army is short of food and grass, if we send troops, even if we send troops to Yecheng, it will not take three or five days, and the soldiers will be hungry." ”

Xiahoudun's words immediately aroused the response of a group of generals. Everyone agreed that there was no need to send troops. Even if the troops are dispatched, due to the lack of food and grass, the morale of the army will be weakened and demoralized.

When the generals were discussing, Cao Cao did not speak, but just observed the expressions of several of his strategists. Manzhong, like the generals, resolutely opposed the sending of troops; Cheng Yu twisted his beard and was silent.

After the chamber was quiet again, Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu and asked, "Zhongde, do you think Ben Taishou is sending troops?" Or no troops? ”

Cheng Yu heard Cao Cao's question, and hurriedly stood up and said, "Lord, it's too early to say whether to send troops or not. ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"We might as well send a scout horse to investigate the situation of the Jizhou army and see if they have a deployment against our army." Cheng Yu said slowly: "If we had been prepared, we would naturally not move; If we are not prepared, it is not impossible for us to send troops to deal with Yuan Benchu. ”

Cao Cao thought about Cheng Yu's proposal, and then said in a loud voice: "Zhongde's plan is very good. We will first press the troops, and then decide whether to send troops after we have found out the movements of the soldiers and horses in Jizhou. After speaking, he sent Yu Ban to lead 500 soldiers and horses to investigate the situation in the direction of Yecheng and Guantao.

The next day, Yu Ban came to report: "Lord Qiqi, I found that there were Jizhou soldiers and horses stationed in Wei County. The rest of the main roads are also guarded by soldiers and horses from Jizhou. ”

"Let me ask you," Cheng Yu heard that the Jizhou army had already taken precautions, but he still asked a little unwillingly: "Who is the general of the Jizhou army stationed in Wei County?" ”

"The subordinates have inquired carefully," Yu Ban knew that Cheng Yu was a person trusted by Cao Cao, so he replied respectfully: "It's Xiahou Lan, the captain of the Jinjin school under the command of Jizhou Mu!" ”

"Xiahoulan!" When he heard this name, Cheng Yu's heart was half cold, he knew that under Han Zhan's hands, Xiahou Lan belonged to the all-round talent of civil and military affairs, since he ordered him to garrison Wei County, he was obviously wary of Dongjun. Thinking of this, he saluted Cao Cao: "Lord, it seems that the Jizhou army has already taken precautions against our army, if it rushes out, I am afraid that there seems to be no chance of victory." ”

Cao Cao knew that what Cheng Yu said was the truth, and after a long sigh, he said to Cheng Yu: "Zhongde, you go to the post house and tell Feng Yuantu that our army is weak and unable to reinforce Yecheng, so please make another plan." ”

Besides, Xin Ping, who went to Youzhou, took more than a dozen followers, disguised himself, and tried to quietly pass through the defense area of the Jizhou Army and go to Youzhou to ask Gongsun Zhan for help. But before they could reach the Boundary River, they were stopped by the soldiers and horses sent by Han Zhan.

Protecting Xin Ping's team rate, facing the hundred horsemen who rushed over, he also said to Xin Ping: "Mr. Xin, you go first, and the small one will break off here." ”

Junhou Chu Ge, who rushed over with the cavalry, saw that there were seven or eight people on the other side in formation, ready to fight with him to break the net, he couldn't help but snort coldly, and then ordered: "Release the arrow!" ”

With an order, he followed the hundred strong crossbowmen on horseback behind him and fired crossbow arrows at each other. Faced with the dense crossbow arrows, several Yuan soldiers hurriedly waved the weapons in their hands and desperately dialed the crossbow arrows. As soon as the first bolt was shot down, the second bolt arrived, and several people were immediately shot into hedgehogs by people and horses, and fell to the ground with a pop.

After killing Yuan Bing, who was blocking the road, Chu Ge led people to surround Xin Ping, who was trying to escape, and said coldly: "This is Xin Pingxinzhongde, the strategist under Yuan Shao, right?" I am Hou Chu Ge, a strong crossbowman of the Jizhou Army, and I am here to invite you to the Pavilion Tao on the order of my lord, please! ”

Xin Ping saw that several Yuan soldiers who protected him had already died under the random arrows. And he was surrounded by cavalry, and it didn't make sense to know that he was on the run. After a long sigh, he obediently restrained his hands and arrested.

When Chu Ge escorted Xin Ping to go back, he thought happily in his heart: "The lord sent five or six people to intercept Yuan Shao's messenger, but I didn't expect me to make a meritorious start, after I go back, all kinds of rewards will definitely be indispensable." ”

After the chamber was quiet again, Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu and asked, "Zhongde, do you think Ben Taishou is sending troops?" Or no troops? ”

Cheng Yu heard Cao Cao's question, and hurriedly stood up and said, "Lord, it's too early to say whether to send troops or not. ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"We might as well send a scout horse to investigate the situation of the Jizhou army and see if they have a deployment against our army." Cheng Yu said slowly: "If we had been prepared, we would naturally not move; If we are not prepared, it is not impossible for us to send troops to deal with Yuan Benchu. ”

Cao Cao thought about Cheng Yu's proposal, and then said in a loud voice: "Zhongde's plan is very good. We will first press the troops, and then decide whether to send troops after we have found out the movements of the soldiers and horses in Jizhou. After speaking, he sent Yu Ban to lead 500 soldiers and horses to investigate the situation in the direction of Yecheng and Guantao.

The next day, Yu Ban came to report: "Lord Qiqi, I found that there were Jizhou soldiers and horses stationed in Wei County. The rest of the main roads are also guarded by soldiers and horses from Jizhou. ”

"Let me ask you," Cheng Yu heard that the Jizhou army had already taken precautions, but he still asked a little unwillingly: "Who is the general of the Jizhou army stationed in Wei County?" ”

"The subordinates have inquired carefully," Yu Ban knew that Cheng Yu was a person trusted by Cao Cao, so he replied respectfully: "It's Xiahou Lan, the captain of the Jinjin school under the command of Jizhou Mu!" ”

"Xiahoulan!" When he heard this name, Cheng Yu's heart was half cold, he knew that under Han Zhan's hands, Xiahou Lan belonged to the all-round talent of civil and military affairs, since he ordered him to garrison Wei County, he was obviously wary of Dongjun. Thinking of this, he saluted Cao Cao: "Lord, it seems that the Jizhou army has already taken precautions against our army, if it rushes out, I am afraid that there seems to be no chance of victory." ”

Cao Cao knew that what Cheng Yu said was the truth, and after a long sigh, he said to Cheng Yu: "Zhongde, you go to the post house and tell Feng Yuantu that our army is weak and unable to reinforce Yecheng, so please make another plan." ”

Besides, Xin Ping, who went to Youzhou, took more than a dozen followers, disguised himself, and tried to quietly pass through the defense area of the Jizhou Army and go to Youzhou to ask Gongsun Zhan for help. But before they could reach the Boundary River, they were stopped by the soldiers and horses sent by Han Zhan.

Protecting Xin Ping's team rate, facing the hundred horsemen who rushed over, he also said to Xin Ping: "Mr. Xin, you go first, and the small one will break off here." ”

Junhou Chu Ge, who rushed over with the cavalry, saw that there were seven or eight people on the other side in formation, ready to fight with him to break the net, he couldn't help but snort coldly, and then ordered: "Release the arrow!" ”

With an order, he followed the hundred strong crossbowmen on horseback behind him and fired crossbow arrows at each other. Faced with the dense crossbow arrows, several Yuan soldiers hurriedly waved the weapons in their hands and desperately dialed the crossbow arrows. As soon as the first bolt was shot down, the second bolt arrived, and several people were immediately shot into hedgehogs by people and horses, and fell to the ground with a pop.

After killing Yuan Bing, who was blocking the road, Chu Ge led people to surround Xin Ping, who was trying to escape, and said coldly: "This is Xin Pingxinzhongde, the strategist under Yuan Shao, right?" I am Hou Chu Ge, a strong crossbowman of the Jizhou Army, and I am here to invite you to the Pavilion Tao on the order of my lord, please! ”

Xin Ping saw that several Yuan soldiers who protected him had already died under the random arrows. And he was surrounded by cavalry, and it didn't make sense to know that he was on the run. After a long sigh, he obediently restrained his hands and arrested.

When Chu Ge escorted Xin Ping to go back, he thought happily in his heart: "The lord sent five or six people to intercept Yuan Shao's messenger, but I didn't expect me to make a meritorious start, after I go back, all kinds of rewards will definitely be indispensable." ”