Lü Bu crossed the Yellow River and returned to his camp.

Yuan Shao returned to the army accompanied by Yan Liang, Wen Chou and others.

Halfway through, Gao Ran greeted him: "The lord is fine, right?" ”

"What can I do?" Yuan Shao said: "Go back to the barracks first, and gather everyone over." ”

When Yuan Shao saw Lu Bu, Gao Ran had been watching from a distance, and once something happened, he would immediately rush forward.

From the time Yuan Shao saw Lu Bu, Gao Ran's nerves had been tense.

Fortunately, the two talked quite smoothly, except for Lu Buqi's plan to leave once, nothing unusual happened.

Back at the barracks, a guard conveyed Yuan Shao's order to the generals and staff accompanying the army.

Summoning everyone in front of him, Yuan Shao's eyes swept around their faces and said, "I met Lu Bu just now, and we talked quite well. ”

There was no change in the middle of his conversation with Lu Bu, and most of the people guessed that the result should be good.

"Lu Feng first wants to form an alliance with our Hebei and conquer Cao Cao together, what do you think?" Yuan Shao said to everyone: "As long as I am willing to send a letter to Cao Wei, he is willing to sell us coal at 70% of the market price." In addition to Xuzhou and Yangzhou, the rest of the coal will be sent to Hebei. ”

Ever since there was coal, people have learned a little bit about it.

There were even people who bought it from merchants.

Coal burns directly, which produces thick smoke and a very choking smell.

However, if they are refined into tar, they can be used more durably and more powerful than charcoal.

"What does the lord mean that Lu Bu will transport most of the coal to Hebei in the future?" Xu You asked Yuan Shao.

"Exactly." Yuan Shao said: "This is the condition I asked him for, if he refuses to agree, I will never crusade against Cao Mengde." ”

"Lu Bu has grown too fast in the past two years, I feel that he should be suppressed first, and then join forces with him to fight Cao Cao." Fu Zhu said: "Cao Cao marched into Pengcheng twice, but was blocked by Lu Bu in Dangshan. If we allow him to grow like this, I am afraid that in the end we will suffer from it. ”

"I just promised him Yuzhou, and all parts of Cao Mengde's hands belong to us in Hebei." Yuan Shao smiled indifferently and waved his hand: "How many people can there be in Yuzhou?" Let him recruit soldiers, how many can he recruit? Our Hebei was originally strong and strong, not just Xuzhou can resist the enemy. When I have Cao Cao in his hands again, who else in the world can stop the Yuan family? ”

Yuan Shao was full of confidence in his choice, and originally wanted to persuade Feng Ji, who attacked Lu Bu first, but he didn't say anything after hearing it.

was cheated by Zhou Yu, and Feng Ji had long hated Xuzhou.

But as Yuan Shao's staff, of course he knows how to observe words and feelings.

The lord has no intention of continuing to fight, as a staff member, even if he is unwilling, what can he do?

"Pass the order." Yuan Shao conveyed the military order to everyone: "The army will return to Yecheng early tomorrow morning, and another messenger will be sent to order Xiansi, Xianyi, and Xianfu to withdraw their troops." ”

Everyone received the military order, but everyone's mood was different.

Some people thought that they should continue to attack Lü Bu, and the withdrawal at this time actually gave Lü Bu a chance to grow.

There are also some people who think that Cao Cao should have attacked a long time ago, after all, compared with Lu Bu, Cao Cao's strength is much stronger, and the Yuan family, which has enough strength, should still go from strong to weak.

Yuan Shao ordered the withdrawal of the army, and Lü Bu returned to the south bank and gathered the generals who were guarding Yanjin together.

After everyone sat down, Lu Bu said: "Bo Fu and I went to the north bank to meet Yuan Shao, and things went even more smoothly than I imagined. ”

Everyone in the audience looked at him intently, wondering how well things had gone smoothly.

"I asked Yuan Shao to send troops to fight against Cao Cao, but he did not object, but put forward conditions to me." Lu Bu told Yuan Shao about his previous plan not to even give him Yuzhou.

"Yuan Shao really thought about the benefits." Gao Shun frowned and said: "The two armies jointly crusaded against Cao Cao, he asked for all the benefits, and he didn't even want to give Chu Hou a sip of soup." ”

"He really doesn't want to give me a sip of soup, but how can I let him succeed?" Lu Bu said with a smile: "I also told him, Yuzhou won't give it to us, how can we join forces to ask Cao?" ”

"What did Yuan Shao say?" Zhou Yu asked.

"He promised to give me Yuzhou, but he asked me to sell him all the coal at 70% of the market price." Lu Bu replied: "This matter is still discussed, so I promised to sell the rest to him at a price of seventy percent under the condition of ensuring that there is enough coal in Xuzhou, Yangzhou and other places." ”

Lu Bu said that he wanted to sell the coal goods to Yuan Shao, and Zhou Yu immediately put forward a different opinion: "Chu Hou also knows that since there is coal, the toughness of the steel produced between Liyang and Shicheng is far better than before. Yangzhou is the only place where steel is abundant, but Handan, Hebei, has more abundant steel. Giving coal to Yuan Shao is not a long-term solution. ”

With the soul of two thousand years in his body, Lu Bu certainly knows what Zhou Yu said about the place where Yangzhou is rich in steel.

Two thousand years later, it was the city of Ma'anshan in southern Anhui.

Before coming to this era, Lu Bu had also been there.

Although it is a heavy industrial city, Ma'anshan's urban governance is well organized.

The streets were spotless, the car was in the open parking lot, and it was still clean without washing for several days.

Compared with there, Huainan, which has a long cultural history but has been planned as a matchmaker, is much more cheating.

If you leave your car in an open parking lot, it will be covered in dirt the next day.

Of course, these are all afterwords, and they are not what Lu Bu wants to consider at this time.

Zhou Yu's proposal has to be said to be indeed reasonable.

Compared with Hebei, Yangzhou's steel production is indeed much less.

As long as there is enough coal, Yuan Shao can replace all the soldiers' ordnance in the shortest possible time.

The Yuan army, which has sharp blades, will inevitably be stronger in combat than before.

But Lu Bu has other things to say about this.

He told Zhou Yu: "Yangzhou steel is indeed not as rich as Hebei steel, but the steel there is enough for us to use for thousands of years." It will only take decades at most to conquer the world, and how much steel can we use? If I don't agree to Yuan Benchu's request, he and Cao Cao will continue to crusade against Xuzhou and deal with Cao Cao's family, and we still have no way, let alone deal with the more powerful Yuan family in Hebei. To deal with the Yuan family, so far we can only coax, coaxing them like children who don't understand anything but cry and ask for candy. ”

Regarding Lu Bu's statement, Zhou Yu did not have a reason to continue to refute it.

He frowned slightly, thinking about whether he could find a way not to give Hebei coal as much as possible.

Lu Bu said to everyone: "Invite you over, I want to tell you that the war on the Yanjin side is basically over." You can also prepare early, as soon as Yuan's army withdraws, we will also return to Pengcheng. ”

Everyone got up to answer, and Lu Bu beckoned Zhou Yu and Gao Shun: "Gong Jin and General Gao will stay first, and the others can disperse." ”

The people he had gathered dispersed.

Only Lu Bu, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, and Gao Shun were left in the room.

Lu Bu asked Zhou Yu: "Does Gongjin still think that I shouldn't sell coal to Yuan Shao?" ”

"Chu Hou has already decided the matter, and it's useless for me to say it." Zhou Yu replied: "I just hope that Chu Hou can understand that Yuan Shao has coal, and it is we who will suffer in the long run." ”

"With coal, Yuan Shao can forge tough steel." Lu Bu said: "I also knew that giving him coal would cause trouble in the future, but now I have to do it. I definitely have to ask for Yuzhou, where there are still rich coal reserves in Yuzhou and Yangzhou. There is no mining now because I think the Xuzhou coal mine is not yet mature. If we don't have complete technology, we still don't want to open the yard so much. After all, there is still enough coal at the moment. ”

Although he didn't quite agree with Lu Bu's statement, Zhou Yu still nodded.

Lu Bu then said: "When I built the coal mine, the most fundamental purpose was actually to exchange coal for money. After all, we need more than just coal and steel, but many other things. Money is very important to us. Relying only on Xuzhou and Yangzhou, how much benefit can we get from the coal we produce? ”

Zhou Yu didn't say anything, and of course Sun Ce wouldn't interject.

accompanied Lu Bu to the north shore, and Sun Ce saw the whole process.

What Lu Bu said and did there, others didn't know, but he knew it clearly.

None of the three people in front of him made any different opinions.

Lu Bu said: "I want to tell you one thing when I leave you behind. ”

The eyes of Zhou Yu and the others fell on Lu Bu's face, waiting for him to continue.

"Cao Cao wants to destroy me, I have to kill him first." Lu Bu said: "You also know that I have never liked to provoke right and wrong, but Cao Cao has repeatedly tried to drive me to a dead end, and I can't tolerate him anymore." After Yuan Shao withdrew his troops, we had to consider when and how to use troops against Cao Cao. ”

"Chu Hou, there is a sentence I don't know whether to say or not." Zhou Yu said: "Although Cao Cao was defeated twice in Dangshan before, there is still a big difference in the strength of our army and Cao's army. Attacking Cao Cao, I don't think it's wise. ”

"Always defensive, not only will the soldiers lose their faith, but even I will wonder if I will be pressed and beaten by Cao Cao in this life." Lu Bu said: "I've defended enough. I just want to ask you, would you like to get rid of the dilemma of only knowing how to defend with me and fight Cao Cao? ”

The three of them glanced at each other, and Zhou Yu said, "What does Chu Hou want us to do?" ”

"I don't want you to do anything, as long as you have this mind." Lu Bu said to them: "General Gao has followed me for many years, and he understands me well. As for Bo Fu and Gong Jin, although we haven't known each other for many days, it can be said that we hit it off at first sight and hated each other. I don't ask for anything else, I just hope that you can work together with me to achieve great things in the world! ”

Lu Bu deliberately left the servants to say these words, and their hearts swelled with an indescribable feeling, and they bowed down together and responded: "Chu Hou has been expelled, we will definitely move forward!" ”

Walking in front of the servants, Lu Bu gently patted their arms: "I will work hard in the future!" ”

That night, the Xuzhou Army on the south bank of the Yellow River and the Hebei Army on the north bank of the Yellow River were quiet.

Bonfires were lit in the barracks on both sides, and no one walked back and forth except for the occasional patrolman.

Standing on the bank of the Yellow River, Lu Bu looked at the Hebei military camp on the opposite bank.

Sun Ce stood behind him.

"Marquis Chu, I always feel that Yuan Shao will not send troops to fight Cao Cao." Sun Ce said to Lu Bu: "Although he sent a message to Cao Wei, I still can't trust him. ”

"Don't say you can't believe him, even I can't trust him." Lu Bu said: "We don't actually have to believe him at all, as long as he doesn't give us a call from behind after the end of the war starts, it's even better." ”

"When does the Marquis of Chu plan to crusade against Cao Cao?" Sun Ce asked.

"Cao Cao has weapons that can shoot our air force, and our army no longer has air superiority, and we have to wait until we are fully prepared." Lu Bu said: "Before that, we have to coax Yuan Shao and figure out new weapons before we can attack Cao Cao." ”

He asked Sun Ce, "When we returned to Pengcheng a few days ago, did you ask how the crossbow was built?" ”

"Asked." Sun Ce replied: "The structure of the crossbow is complicated, and only 5,000 have been made so far. ”

"It's not that the structure is complicated, it's that the craftsmen are lazy." Lu Bu said: "When you return to Pengcheng, you will personally supervise the production of repeaters, and if anyone dares to be lazy, they will not be allowed to engage in handicraft work from now on." ”

"That is, what carpenter dares to be lazy, and he will never be allowed to be a carpenter again?" Sun Ce asked.

"Exactly." Lu Bu replied: "If you can't do anything related to the fate of Xuzhou, how can you believe that they can do other work well?" Those who don't care about craftsmanship should let them give up their craftsmanship for the rest of their lives and let those who care about it do. ”

"I see." Sun Ce agreed.

"It seems that Yuan Shao has really decided to form an alliance with me, and he can sleep peacefully tonight." Lu Bu greeted Sun Ce: "It's not early, let's go back to sleep." ”

That night, Lu Bu and the others did sleep peacefully.

Early in the morning, he got up, and Sun Ce's voice came from outside the door: "Is Chu Hou up?" ”

"Just got up." Washing his face under the service of a guard, Lu Bu replied: "Bo Fu came in and spoke."

Sun Ce entered the house and said to Lu Bu: "Marquis Chu, Yuan Shao has withdrawn. ”

"Withdrawn?" Lu Bu was stunned for a moment, and asked Sun Ce, "When did you evacuate?" ”

"I guess I left before dawn." Sun Ce replied: "When I got up, there was no one on the north bank of the Yellow River. ”

Beckoning Sun Ce to leave the room, Lu Bu hurried to the bank of the Yellow River.

Zhou Yu and the others had already arrived there, and when they saw Lu Bu coming, they bowed down one after another.

Lu Bu nodded, looking across the Yellow River.

Sure enough, the Yuan troops on the other side had all withdrawn, and looking at the south bank of the Yellow River, there was not even a single soldier in the place where countless Yuan troops were stationed.

"I didn't expect Yuan Shao to withdraw so quickly." Standing on the shore with Lu Bu, Zhou Yu said, "I thought he was going to stay here for a few days." ”

"If you stay one more day, he will be held back by our army for one more day." Lu Bu said: "If I were Yuan Shao, I would also withdraw as soon as possible." If he doesn't go back earlier, if Cao Cao takes the first step, Hebei will be in big trouble. ”

"Chu Hou wants to form an alliance with Yuan Shao, I still don't think it's very reliable." Zhou Yu said: "Now it seems that Yuan Shao is really sincere. ”

"He can get benefits from us, and once he defeats Cao Cao, he will get far more benefits than us." Lu Bu replied: "How could he not know how to choose. ”

"Didn't Chu Hou think that although Yuan Shao agreed to form an alliance, he also sent a message to Cao Cao, and he also scolded Cao Cao in the text. But after all, he is a Hebei hero, and if he wants to enter the Central Plains, his most urgent thing is to take Cao Cao and Chu Hou. Zhou Yu said: "The so-called covenant is actually not solid, and Yuan Shao can go back on it at any time." ”

"Of course I knew he could go back on it." Lu Bu replied: "But he should also understand that Xuzhou and Changzhou are long and narrow, and if he chooses to fight Xuzhou first, he will definitely leave Cao Cao with an opportunity." At present, Cao Cao's strength is still higher than ours, and Yuan Shao should not know how to choose. ”

"What is Chu Hou's plan?" Zhou Yu asked, "Do you want to gather the army and march towards Xudu?" Zhou Yu asked.

"Go back to Pengcheng first." Lu Bu said: "The disparity in strength between us and Cao Cao is still not small. The crisis in Xuzhou was resolved, and it was not good for us to start a war with Cao Cao again. Back in Pengcheng, the soldiers recuperated for at least three or five months before they could send troops to Cao Cao. ”

Smiling at Zhou Yu, Lu Bu continued: "What's more, Yuan Shao promised me that he would give him three months, and he would send troops with us. Wouldn't it be stupid to have Yuan Shao's help but not to? ”

"Actually, I still don't believe in Yuan Shao, I always feel that he will wait and see, and he will not make a move until one of us and Cao Cao is about to achieve a decisive victory."

"Which side does Gong Jin think he will help?" Lu Bu asked with a smile.

"Whoever is about to lose, he will help either side." Zhou Yu said: "Helping the winning side, although it may benefit from it, it is difficult to do it afterwards. It's better to help the losing side. When the war was reversed, he wiped out both families in one fell swoop, and the result was very beneficial to Hebei. ”

"Gong Jin's thoughts coincide with mine, so we can't be impatient, we must be fully prepared, and it's not too late to start with Cao Cao." Lu Bu said: "Cao Cao is in a hurry to destroy us, but I am not too anxious to destroy him. It will not do us any good to go to war without adequate preparation. ”

Zhou Yu didn't ask any more.

Lu Bu instructed him again: "Leave some men and horses to guard Yanjin, and we will also return to Pengcheng." ”

"I'll do it." Zhou Yu immediately agreed.

Not long after Yuan Shao withdrew, the Yuan army in the Cangting and Taishan areas also received news that they wanted to withdraw to Yecheng.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's joint crusade against Xuzhou was easily resolved because Cao Cao's army was defeated by Lü Bu in two successive battles at Dangshan.

Looking at the north bank of the Yellow River, Lü Bu didn't expect Yuan Shao to really join him in his crusade against Cao Cao.

He is well aware that alliances rooted in interests do not last long.