Yuan Shu's speed of action was the fastest, after all, he took the initiative in the offensive and defensive situation, and sent the envoy Xu Shu to persuade Ma Teng to surrender a few days before he sent troops to Xiliang. Although Cao Cao, who had been paying attention to Yuan Shu's movements, learned the news of Yuan Shu's troops at the first time, the road from Yizhou to Yanzhou was far away, and when Cao Cao learned of this, Xu Shu had already returned to Yizhou with Ma Teng's reply.

"Alas, the whip is beyond reach!" Cao Cao sighed depressedly, although he knew that such a thing would happen, but when the matter came, Cao Cao still felt very helpless.

"Wen Ruo, if we behave like this, is the battle line too long?"

Xun Yu frowned slightly and said: "Indeed, if Chang'an is included, our territory includes Yanzhou, Xuzhou and Sili, the territory is narrow and long, and the battle line is really too long." However, this is only temporary, as long as we annex Lü Bu's Qingzhou or Liu Bei's Yuzhou, these places will be connected. There is no time to lose, and it is essential to take a little risk. ”

"My lord, although the battle line is long, the enemies we face are none other than Lu Bu and Liu Bei. Yuan Shao was too busy defeating Gongsun Zan to take care of the Central Plains, and Yuan Shu was also unable to invade the Central Plains without cavalry, otherwise he would definitely face a collective attack by two or three princes. Xi Zhicai is very optimistic about Cao Cao's current situation, because although he is behind Yuan Shu and has to be led by the other party, he occupies Xuzhou, and Cao Cao has already taken the lead in the Central Plains.

"Liu Bei has the help of the Yuzhou family, and there are many ministers and fierce generals, with more than 200,000 troops, countless money and food, and the lord cannot seek it for the time being. Although Lu Fengxian is brave and has 20,000 brave Xiliang iron cavalry under his command, after all, it is only the courage of a horseman, and only a great talent Chen Gong is not reused, and his foundation in Qingzhou is shallow, which is the direction of our army to break the situation. The pattern of the world has gradually become apparent, and there is not much time left for me to wait. After this battle, no matter whether we succeed or fail, we must unify the Central Plains before Yuan Shao pacifies Hebei and Yuan Shu pacifies Guanxi, so that we can not lag too far behind and be qualified to compete for the world. ”

"Is there enough food and grass for my army?" Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai's words depicted a glimmer of hope for Cao Cao, but when he thought of the naked reality, Cao Cao had a big head. The autumn harvest has just been completed, and there is not enough food.

Xi Zhicai glanced at Xun Yu, the general manager of logistics, and closed his eyes and said nothing. He is very aware of the pressure Xun Yu has always had, Cao Cao, who is poor and white, has been fighting again and again since he made his fortune, and the grain and grass have always been on the cordon. If it weren't for Xun Yu, an internal affairs tycoon comparable to Xiao He, who was constantly maneuvering, and even "borrowing" grain and grass from the Xun family and some businessmen regardless of his face, Cao Cao's logistics would have been cut off a long time ago.

Looking at Cao Cao, who looked at him with an expectant face, Xun Yu opened his mouth a little hesitantly, but he couldn't say what he wanted to say. With a ruthless heart, he gritted his teeth and said, "Three months!" Our army's grain and grass can only support a 100,000-strong army for three months at most. ”

After saying this, Cao Cao's heart was relieved, and a smile appeared on his face. He knew that Xun Yu would not promise easily, he could do it as long as he said it, and the grain and grass for the army of 100,000 in March was enough. He knows the pressure Xun Yu is carrying, and how much has Xun Yu worked on such an innocent and stubborn lord as himself? Basically, everything is very detailed, and I don't know how much effort I put into it in order to be able to raise enough money and food for myself.

Looking at Xun Yu's slightly emaciated body and Xi Zhicai's pale face, Cao Cao felt a complex emotion rise in his heart.

Wen Ruo! Zhicai! Don't worry, I, Cao Mengde, will live up to you, and the world will definitely be mine in the future, and the two of you will be my Zhang Liangxiao He at that time!

"Lord, since our army has enough food and grass, let's set off immediately! Later, things will change, I don't know what Yuan Shu's plans are, and I can occupy Tongguan first just in case. Liu Bei is a smart man, he will not obstruct the lord, the lord can lead the army to send a letter to Guguan and enter Hongnong, and then attack Tongguan, and then Liu Bei may also lead the army to fight together. Xi Zhicai said.

Then Xi Zhicai glanced at Xun Yu again, and said in a somewhat hesitant tone: "If our army has enough money and food, it is best to rebuild the old Hangu Pass on the old site of Hongnong, so that if Yuan Shu wants to send troops from Xiliang to the east, he must cross two dangerous passes, but the insurance division is foolproof." ”

When Xun Yu heard this, he glared at Xi Zhicai angrily! Money and food are enough, when will Cao Cao have enough money and food? The basic expenses for the army and the rule are a little reluctant, how can there be spare money to build a new checkpoint?

"Wen Ruo!" Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu as if asking for help, his eyes were full of anticipation, like a child asking for candy from an adult.

"Yu understands!" Xun Yu's heart dripped, and he said solemnly. After saying that, he glared at Xi Zhicai fiercely: "Zhicai, do you have any other suggestions?" Let's talk about it together! ”

Hearing Xun Yu's words full of malice and resentment, Xi Zhicai hurriedly shook his head: "It's gone, it's absolutely gone." Just have both! Wen Ruo has worked hard! ”

"Huh! Thank you for your concern, and thanks to you, I can be so 'easy'! Xun Yu, who has always been gentle and elegant, has a rare look of ruthlessness, and he is very unhappy when he is cheated by Xi Zhicai.

"Huh!" In the face of such a dark Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai was speechless, and could only shrink his head and laugh dryly.

Xi Zhicai also made a suggestion from the perspective of a strategic strategist, Hongnong County, that is, the former Hangu Pass, this location is very important, and in the face of the current situation of Yuan Shu's power, it is necessary to build a new city. After all, Yuan Shu is not one of those Xiliang cavalry who is not good at attacking cities, even if a Tongguan is taken, it is not safe, and only by adding another line of defense can he feel at ease.

The Hangu Pass where Liu Bei is now stationed is the new Hangu Pass, which moved 300 miles eastward during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and its strategic position is far less important than the original Hangu Pass. Not only is it not as dangerous as the original Hangu Pass, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it can also be detoured, but the new Hangu Pass can still attack Luoyang.

However, the strategic position of the old Hangu Pass is extremely important. During the Warring States Period, the Six-Nation Coalition Army was afraid of the Hangu Pass, and the Qin State easily blocked the Six-Nation Alliance, which can be called the gateway to Chang'an, and the only way to attack Chang'an.

"This time, I personally led an army of 100,000 to the west to conquer Li Dao, and Zhicai accompanied the military advisor, Wen Ruo, you and Zhongde guarded Yanxu Erzhou together." Cao Cao opened his tiger eyes slightly, and said with full of anger.

"No!"

Cao Cao nodded lightly, looking at the west from afar, his heart was extremely complicated. At the beginning, the scene in the Luoyang Tavern seemed to be vivid, and the three high-spirited and indulgent gentlemen who talked about the world back then have now grown into a prince as they wished. The trio who were once best friends are now enemies who cannot coexist!

Highway! Soon we will see you again!