Yuan Xi said: "I'm not worried at all, the alliance between Yuan Tan and Cao Cao is not once or twice, and they used to fight alone, but they can still win." This time, with Ma Chao, Sun Quan, Liu Bei and other princes to help, why should I be afraid? ”

Frustratedly said: "The lord said that some kind of agreement was reached between Cao Cao and Yuan Tan, and the minister thought so..." ”

"The question now is to find out whether Cao Cao really wants to counterattack Puyang. If this is the case, our plan to attack Qingzhou will be delayed. Guo Tu said.

"Why delay?" Yuan Xi asked in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"Smashing the door assuming that Cao Cao wants to counterattack Puyang, Yuan Tan will not get Cao Cao's support, and our attack on Qingzhou will be smoother. If Yuan Tan goes to help Cao Cao, Qingzhou will inevitably be empty, and we only need to send a partial army to make contributions. As for Puyang... With 100,000 troops stationed in Gaoran, no matter how many and strong Cao Cao's soldiers and horses are, it is impossible to easily succeed. What's more, I still have 140,000 main forces in Wei County. In this battle, in the face of the two princes, I have full confidence! ”

Fu Zhu, Guo Tu, and Tian Feng looked at each other, and they all nodded secretly.

Rattle...

At this time, the voice of the Aeolian pterosaur was heard outside.

Yuan Xi ran out.

The wind god pterodactyl brought the news: "Cao Cao has issued an edict from the Son of Heaven in Xuchang, inviting the princes of the world to crusade against the master... The forces of the Central Plains states are gathering in the Chaoguandu.... ”

"Got it."

Yuan Xi waved at it and turned back to the lobby.

"The content of this letter is true, Cao Cao really wants to start a war with me." Yuan Xi sat down and said with a smile: "I can't believe it, Cao Cao actually took the initiative to attack me, is he really confident?" ”

"The minister thought that he had no faith, but was only forced by the real situation. ”

"How?"

"The lord is gathering troops in Wei County, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that he is either attacking Qingzhou or the Central Plains. No matter where it is hit, it will be unfavorable for Cao Cao. Of course he's going to fight back. ”

Yuan Xi said: "It's okay to save us from hesitating." Taking advantage of Cao Cao's trouble, we will fight a breakthrough war and develop our power to the Central Plains. My requirements are not high, as long as I recover Qingzhou and take Xuzhou. After that, he fought hard and waved his army to Xuchang. ”

"I would like to serve the Lord..."

The three of them stood up and gave up.

Yuan Xi said: "It's late today, let's go back and rest first." Early tomorrow morning, all civil and military personnel will go to the Assassin's Mansion to listen to the order. ”

"No."

From this moment on, Fu Zhu, Tian Feng, and Guo Tu couldn't calm down. After I went back, I racked my brains to think about sending troops. Yuan Xi's rise and fall, honor and disgrace also represent their rise and fall.

The victory in this battle will make the Yuan family prosperous, and their children and grandchildren will also benefit.

Once it fails, the previous efforts will be in vain, and Cao Cao will rise and look at Hebei.

.................

Next.

It's just dawning.

Civil and military officers at all levels came to the council hall of the Assassin's Mansion.

Yuan Xi informed him of yesterday's events and said: "Cao Cao took the initiative to provoke a war, he must be prepared, although I am completely sure, but I still want to hear your opinions, who will talk about it first?" ”

Zhang Jaw stood up: "The last general thinks that Puyang should be on the defensive. Attack Yuan Tan with all your strength first. In this way, the pressure on Puyang can be relieved, and Cao Yuan's deployment can be disrupted. ”

"General Yan Liang on the west bank of the Wei River should also be ordered to attack Chang'an with Ma Chao. Cao Cao was attacked on both sides, and the situation was dangerous. Ju Yi also said.

After thinking about it all night, he already had a strategy for marching, and at this time he said: "Before sending troops, we should have a complete strategy, especially considering the situation caused by Cao Cao and Yuan Tan joining forces to Puyang, how our army should counterattack." The lord made it very clear yesterday that the purpose of this trip is twofold, one is to recover Qingzhou, and the other is to seize Xuzhou. ”

"These two large states are important towns in the Central Plains, with Yanyu in the west, Yangzhou in the east, and the Yellow River in the back, and their strategic position is extremely important. In the past, when Tao Qian was in power, Cao Cao took great pains to get Xuzhou, and then Xu Yan sent troops to destroy Yuan Shu. If the lord wants to seize the Central Plains, he must first try Xuzhou. Therefore, I agree with General Zhangjaw's strategy, first stick to Puyang, and attack Qingzhou with all his might. Then send troops from Qingzhou, cross Mount Tai, and flank Xuzhou. ”

"According to the report of the Yingchuan family, Yuan Tan will also participate in the Battle of Puyang, so it will be no difficult for us to attack Qingzhou. The minister suggested sending fast cavalry, and after crossing the Yellow River, with the momentum of thunder, occupy the main roads of Jibei and Taishan, and block Yuan Tan's army in Xuzhou, unable to return to help. And if I attack the army in Qingzhou, I can rest assured that I can boldly collect the counties.... ”

After saying that, he stepped aside.

Yuan Xi looked at him in some surprise.

It's a very high-end strategy, and it doesn't look like a frustrated handiwork.

"What does the lord think?" Seeing that Yuan Xi didn't speak, he tried to ask.

"Okay... It's a good plan. Yuan Xi said excitedly: "Mr. is worthy of being my brain, and he has unpredictable plans." I'm very bullish. Let's not discuss it, let's use this strategy. ”

Such a hasty decision?

Guo Tu smiled: "Mr. Fu's strategy is indeed very good, but it is not perfect enough. He only talked about the strategy of our army's march, but not the strategy of the friendly army. We all know that Yan Liang led 50,000 troops to camp on the west bank of the Wei River as early as two months ago. This time to fight Cao Cao, they were located in Cao's rear, and it was the best time to advance. ”

And in Jingzhou, Liu Bei dreamed of capturing Xiangyang. As soon as we fight in the Central Plains, he will definitely raise troops to cross the Neijiang River. There is also Sun Quan in Jiangdong, who has attacked Yangzhou many times without success, and he will not let go of this great opportunity this time. If they are allowed to march on their own, without coordination, the effect will be weakened. The minister suggested sending envoys to Liu Bei and Sun Quan and asking them to fight according to the strategy we had devised for them. All-out attack on Cao Cao. ”

"Hmm."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Your idea is very good. However, Jingnan and Jiangdong are too far away from here, so is it urgent to send envoys? Sun Quan and Liu Bei, will they obey my dispatch? One of them wants to fight Jingzhou, the other wants to occupy Yangzhou, and each has its own abacus.... ”

Guo Tu smiled and replied: "The lord can rest assured, Liu Bei and Sun Quan will obey the lord's dispatch." Sending an envoy must have come in a hurry. ”

"Oh?"

Yuan Xi chuckled and said, "You say come and listen." ”

Guo Tu replied: "It is not an easy task for Liu Bei to counterattack Xiangyang, he will face the interception of Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's naval army. Neijiang moat, with his foot riding, can he cross it? The lord can let General Yu Ban lead 10,000 sailors to Neijiang, with the speed and combat effectiveness of our navy, he will definitely help Liu Bei and conquer Xiangyang. How could Liu Bei not be tempted? And Sun Quan attacked Yangzhou many times, but did not build an inch, mainly because the combat effectiveness of the infantry cavalry was not good, and he was always pinched by reinforcements from Xuzhou. After our army advanced into the Central Plains, it mainly attacked Xuzhou, and it was difficult for the garrison in Xuzhou to rush to Yangzhou. Sun Quan will win more easily, and he is eager to form an alliance with us. As for our envoys, whether they can reach Jiangdong and Jingnan in a short time, the minister feels that there is no difficulty, and he only needs to take the naval warship to go, isn't it? In order to allow Liu Bei and Sun Quan to fight together, the people we sent can stay there and supervise the execution. ”