In this Northern Expedition, Yuan Shu personally took command, with an army of 200,000 troops from Yuzhou to Xuzhou, Zhang Liao, Sun Jian, Tai Shici, Wei Yan, Hua Xiong, etc. will follow, and the luxury of the lineup directly makes Yuan Shu himself a little excited.

In addition, Huang Zhong led an army of 50,000 troops to garrison the division and threatened Yuan Shao. Zhang Ren led an army of 30,000 to garrison the Tiger Pass and threatened Liu Bei. Xu Rong and Wen Ping were stationed in Yuzhou, beware of the possibility of invasion by Liu Bei or Cao Cao. The three major defenders gathered here, and Yuan Shu didn't believe that Liu Bei and Cao Cao could still sneak attack his rear successfully.

Yuan Shu traveled, Gao Shun and Dian Wei Xu Chu naturally wanted to accompany him, and even with Lu Yi, who had been held back for a long time, he also followed this time, a whole three army soul legions.

This lineup is really a super all-star luxury lineup, and Yuan Shu now wants to stand directly in front of Cao Cao and say to him: "Just ask if you are afraid?" ”

According to Guo Jia's words, with these generals, even if Yuan Shu didn't do anything, Cao Cao was basically finished. These soldiers are enough to destroy a country, and they are not afraid of Shangguishan.

Because the number of soldiers and generals that needed to be transferred was too large, and it was impossible to hide from Cao Cao and Liu Bei's eyes, Yuan Shu simply transferred troops directly from everywhere to Yuzhou with great fanfare, and spread everything in front of Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

Everything Yuan Shu showed directly made Cao Cao feel a little frightened. Although relying on tomb robbing, Cao Cao made a windfall and gathered an army of nearly 400,000. But most of these soldiers were new soldiers, and few of them were young and strong.

There is no way, the military welfare after the Yellow Turban Rebellion has long disappeared, and after years of conquest, the young and strong people in the Central Plains have almost been captured by these princes. The rest of the old and the young, there are now many soldiers in Cao Cao's army, who are only eleven or twelve years old, and the older ones are even in their forties. Of the 400,000 troops, less than 10% are veterans and less than half are young and strong, and their combat strength can be imagined.

Although there are some recruits on Yuan Shu's side, the number of veterans is definitely more than fifty percent. Moreover, the wealthy Yuan Shu has no shortage of soldiers or money and food, these soldiers are all big and round, strong and strong, coupled with strict training and sophisticated weapons, even the combat power of the recruits is enough to be compared with the veterans in Cao Cao's hands.

"Zhicai, what should we do now?" Cao Cao looked at the information that came, and said with a dark face. How long has it been since the last melee in the Central Plains? This is fighting again, Yuan Shu really doesn't give him a chance to breathe!

"Your Majesty, it is imperative to prepare your troops and horses for battle. In addition, we also have to contact Liu Bei and Yuan Benchu, and it may be difficult for our side to resist Yuan Shu's attack. Xi Zhicai said with a serious face.

Since the day he proposed an alliance with Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, he had thought of today's situation, otherwise he would not have objected to Cao Cao's forced conscription of 400,000 troops in the land of Qing and Xu. With Cao Cao's family background, it would be good if the 400,000 army could last for two years, but now, as Xi Zhicai thought, in less than a year, Yuan Shu raised troops to attack.

"Yuan Shu has stationed 50,000 troops in Sili, as well as 30,000 Youzhou iron cavalry in the direction of Liaodong, plus Youzhou has just been pacified, Yuan Shao can't pull his hand at all, and the support he can provide is probably limited. Not to mention Liu Bei, he is only one mediocre and indecisive, and he doesn't dare to move just because of the soldiers and horses stationed in Yuzhou and Si Li. It's unlikely that we'll be able to get reinforcements. Cao Cao smiled bitterly.

His family knows his own affairs, and the so-called tripartite alliance is actually him running around alone. Liu Bei and Yuan Shao were both "smart people", or refined egoists. If it was Liu Bei who was attacked, he was sure to persuade Yuan Shao to try his best to send troops to help, but now that he was the one who was attacked, it was difficult to grasp the attitude of these two people.

"Everyone understands the truth of cold lips and teeth, but how many people can see through it like the lord? The most important thing in this world is smart people, and they will not do things without profit. Xi Zhicai said lightly.

"What is your best plan for Zhicai?"

"In the past, the six countries attacked each other, but why were they able to unite and integrate, so that the Qin State did not dare to send a letter to the valley for more than ten years?" Xi Zhicai asked suddenly.

"Since it is because of Su Qin's lobbying work. Zhicai, you mean? Cao Cao said with a slight hesitation.

Xi Zhicai smiled slightly: "The current situation is clear at a glance, and the alliance is an absolute good thing for the three of us, just like the original Six Kingdoms and Western Qin. No matter how short-sighted Yuan Shao and Liu Bei are, they can see this, they only need to persuade lobbyists like Su Qin to persuade them, so that Yuan Shao and Liu Bei can do their best to help. ”

"But who else in the world has such power? Su Qin Zhang Yi's talent, where can I find it? Cao Cao asked.

"The lord is lucky, and there happened to be a hero visiting Yu the day before yesterday and took the initiative to raise this matter. After talking freely with Zhong, he found that this person did have amazing talents, and maybe this could be done. Xi Zhicai said.

"Oh? Come forward at this juncture, and let you speak for it personally, it seems that this person is indeed very capable! Cao Cao said with a pun.

He only got the exact news that Yuan Shu had sent troops today, but the other party came to Mao Sui two days in advance to recommend himself. If this person does not have extraordinary judgment and self-confidence, he has a lot of background behind him, and he has done a very good job in intelligence work. More likely, it's a combination of both.

"It's really not small, this son's name is Sima Yi. He is the second son of Sima Jiangong and the younger brother of Boda. He is extraordinary in his conversation, and he is far better than his brother in terms of wisdom and wisdom, and he is not under loyalty. Xi Zhicai did not hesitate to praise him.

"Oh?" Cao Cao frowned and said, "Since you are the son of Jiangong, why do you want to recommend yourself to you?" ”

"This son is arrogant and abnormal, and the plan is not small." Xi Zhicai gave a pertinent evaluation.

In Sima Yi, he not only saw arrogance, but also a trace of ambition hidden in the depths. However, Cao Cao is in this situation, and he has no time to think about hidden dangers and other issues. As long as he is talented and willing to work for Cao Cao, everything else can be postponed. Today's Cao Cao is not qualified to pick and choose.

Cao Cao just asked casually. Although his suspicion was very serious, he didn't think about it in the current critical situation, and directly skipped the matter and asked, "Is he really sure that he can convince Yuan Shao and Liu Bei?" What are the requirements? ”

In Yi Zhong's opinion, this son is not a person who is lying about it, and since he raised this matter, he should have a certain degree of certainty. Otherwise, with his talents, he would not have to go to Zhong to recommend himself, this matter is the first thing he will do under the command of the lord, and he will definitely ensure that it is completed perfectly. His request is that he hopes that the lord can provide you with some treasures, and personally write a handwritten letter, and also need a handwritten letter from Wen Ruo. ”

"Handwritten? With whom? Cao Cao asked.

"Your Majesty, your handwritten letter and Xu You, Wen Ruo's handwritten letter and Chen Qun." Xi Zhicai's eyes were revealed.

"Xu You, Chen Qun, this son will pick people." Cao Cao instantly understood when he heard this, and said with a smile.