Lü Bu and Yuan Shao each dismissed their troops.

Yuan Shao led the army back to Yecheng, while Lü Bu led his troops and horses back to Pengcheng.

Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, who led the army to Cangting, soon received orders from Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao ordered them to immediately withdraw their troops and return to Yecheng, and they were not allowed to move forward half a step.

After receiving the military order, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang invited Tian Feng and Cui Yan to the Shuai tent.

After taking his seat, Yuan Shang asked the two of them: "Tian Gong, Cui Gong, just now my second brother and I got our father's military order, asking us to immediately quit the army and return to Yecheng, according to the two of you, what is going on?" ”

Tian Feng and Cui Yan glanced at each other.

"I think it's supposed to be Lu Bu who found the lord." Tian Feng said: "Cao Mengde's previous two attacks on Dangshan were blocked by Lu Bu. I think the lord must have been shaken by this, so he gave this order. In a short time, the text of the crusade against Cao Cao should be widely distributed all over the world. ”

Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang looked puzzled and glanced at each other.

"Does Tian Gong think that his father will join forces with Lu Bu to fight against Cao Cao?" Yuan Xi asked.

"If you don't fight Lu Bu, you must fight Cao Cao, the north has been pacified, and if the Yuan family wants to make more achievements, they must break through the Yellow River." Tian Feng said: "The lord understands this truth, and Lu Bu also understands this truth. As for Cao Cao, he understands better. Now which two fight the other depends on who it is more beneficial to unite with. ”

"Cao Cao's power is strong, even if there is no Yuan family, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to crusade against Lu Bu." Yuan Shang said: "Could it be that my father wants to unite the weak Lu Bu and deal with the strong Cao Cao?" ”

"Lu Bu is not weak." Tian Feng sighed and said, "In the past year, he has gathered a lot of soldiers. Now there are more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in Xuzhou, and there are many fierce generals and wise men under him. Although it is weaker than Cao Cao, it is not as weak as it was during the Battle of Xiapi. Cao Cao wants to destroy Lu Bu, I'm afraid it's not so easy. ”

"Actually, it's useless to say anything." Yuan Xi sighed: "Father has already passed the order here, and it is impossible for Xianfu and I not to obey." It is imperative to return to Yecheng, and now the question to consider is how to go back? ”

"The two sons don't have to have any worries, just turn around and go back." Tian Feng said: "The enemy troops on the opposite side also dare not come to pursue. ”

"Why?" Yuan Shang said: "Since our army came here, the two sides have gone through many battles. Although our army is advancing slowly, it is still moving forward every day. If I were an enemy general, I would have taken advantage of our retreat to launch a surprise attack from behind. Could it be that Tian Gong thinks that if we retreat, the enemy will not chase after us? ”

"Of course not." Tian Feng said: "The two sons got the military order of the lord, and the soldiers and horses of Xuzhou on the opposite side should also get the military order of Lu Bu. Lu Bu and the lord have an agreement, who is willing to break the alliance for a small victory? ”

Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang glanced at each other again, and both brothers nodded.

"Since Tian Gong thinks that the enemy army will not launch a surprise attack from behind, I will order the army to return early tomorrow morning." Yuan Shang said: "This expedition, fortunately, there are Tian Gong and Cui Gong to help, otherwise, with the ability of my brothers, they may not be the opponent of the enemy army." ”

"The third prince is too humble." Cui Yan said with a smile: "I think that even if the two sons are not by our side, they can handle things safely." ”

Looking at Tian Feng, Cui Yan asked, "Yuan Hao thinks this is not the case." ”

"Needless to say." Tian Feng replied with a smile: "The two sons have a long-term vision, and sooner or later they will be able to achieve great things. This time I followed the two sons to Cangting, and I also learned a lot from them. ”

"Tian Gong and Cui Gong don't praise us like this." Yuan Shang replied: "Our brother is young, and there are still a lot of people who need help in the future." ”

"Don't worry, the two sons, as long as you can use it, just talk." Cui Yan arched his hand towards the brothers.

Tian Feng also nodded.

After confirming that they would return to Yecheng early the next morning, the four of them talked for a while, and Yuan Xi said to Tian Feng and Cui Yan: "It's not early, please go back first." I will discuss with Xianfu again who will lead the lead and who will break the last. ”

Knowing that the brothers had other things to say, Cui Yan and Tian Feng were also interested, so they got up and said goodbye and left.

After the two left, Yuan Xi asked Yuan Shang, "What does Xianfu think?" ”

"What?" Yuan Shang obviously didn't understand what he meant.

"What about them?" Yuan Xi asked, "Can you keep it for your own use?" ”

"I think it's enough." Yuan Shang replied: "Don't look at what they said like that, if you really want to use them, I'm afraid you won't use them." ”

"What is the reason for what Xianfu said?" Yuan Xi asked again.

"After going on the expedition for so many days, haven't the second brother found out, they and we are always separated, although it seems that everything is obeyed by our orders, but in fact, I don't understand what they think, presumably the second brother can't understand either." Yuan Shang replied: "These two people are the most terrifying thing to figure out. ”

Yuan Xi nodded: "Especially that Tian Yuanhao, since he came to the army, I haven't understood him." I haven't been able to see exactly what he wants. ”

"Tian Yuanhao has never had the same mind as us." Yuan Shang shook his head: "What he really wants is nothing more than to make meritorious contributions on the battlefield, and then use these credits to make his father unable to get off the stage." ”

Yuan Xi was stunned: "He has such a mind, why didn't Xianfu remind me earlier?" ”

"If I had reminded the second brother earlier, where should Tian Yuanhao be at this time?" Yuan Shang did not answer, but asked rhetorically.

When he asked him like this, Yuan Xi didn't know how to respond.

If he had seen that Tian Feng would not be of the same mind as them, he would definitely not have been taken in the army.

Tian Feng offended Yuan Shao earlier, as long as the two brothers refused to take them in, they would definitely be re-imprisoned by Yuan Shao, and it was difficult to say whether they lived or died.

"Since we know that he is not with us, why does Xianfu still take him in?" Yuan Xi asked puzzled.

"The second brother only saw one floor, but he didn't see the other." Yuan Shang smiled and said to Yuan Xi: "The so-called tolerance is great, Tian Feng is difficult to be restrained by the two of us, it should be seen by many people." The eldest brother knows that he is here with us, and he will not be wary of him. And the others know that we have taken him in and given him the opportunity to make meritorious contributions, who does the people's heart prefer, do you want me to make it clear? ”

When Yuan Shang explained, Yuan Xi already understood.

But he still pretended to be suddenly enlightened, and said to Yuan Shang: "Xianfu is very intelligent, and he is really not comparable to ordinary people. I don't even see some of the things you see, as a brother......

"It's not that my brother didn't see it, but he didn't want to see it." Yuan Shang smiled slightly, and said something meaningful.

Yuan Xi smiled and didn't say anything more.

No matter from which angle he analyzes, he has no possibility of inheriting the Yuan family.

Although he was born to the same mother as Yuan Tan, the relationship between Yuan Xi and Yuan Tan was not as close as that of Yuan Shang, who was half-brother.

From the bottom of his bones, he hoped that Yuan Shang would inherit the great cause of the Yuan family.

Yuan Shang inherited the Yuan family, and he could still get a lot of benefits from it.

If it was Yuan Tan who inherited the Yuan family, Yuan Xi was really not sure what he could get from it......

Instead of thinking about the students helping the eldest brother, it is better to consider their own interests more and unite with the third brother Yuan Shang.

Now Mrs. Liu, the owner of the Yuan family's back house, is Yuan Shang's biological mother.

Helping Yuan Shang and brushing up some goodwill with Mrs. Liu is definitely only good for Yuan Xi and no harm.

Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang decided to withdraw their troops and left Cangting early the next morning.

As Tian Feng expected, the Xuzhou army did not chase after them, but withdrew not long after they withdrew.

For the retreat, the most repulsive is Yuan Tan.

When he came to Mount Tai, he had fought against the Xuzhou army many times.

The strategists on both sides offered their own ideas, and the generals fought against each other on the battlefield, and the soldiers died in the battle.

If he didn't take Mount Tai, Yuan Tan would be really unwilling.

To complicate matters further, he captured several cities in Taishan, and the Xuzhou army also sneaked to Qingzhou and took several cities in Qingzhou.

If the two sides withdraw their troops like this, the spheres of influence will be staggered, and sooner or later there will still be friction.

Sitting in the tent, Yuan Tan asked Xin Ping, Xin Bi and others: "My father suddenly ordered me to lead the army to withdraw, what do you think I should do about this?" ”

"The lord has given an order, and of course the eldest son needs to obey it." Xin Ping said: "It's just that both sides have each got some cities right now, and if they withdraw their troops now, I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble in the future." ”

"What you're saying is exactly what I'm worried about." Yuan Tan said: "We have to think of a way to make the situation here simpler, and then we can evacuate." ”

"Since the lord sent someone to inform the eldest prince to withdraw the army, Pang Shiyuan's side must have also received Lu Bu's order." Xin Bi said: "It's better for the eldest son to send someone over and contact Pang Shiyuan to see what he has to say." ”

"Speaking of which, we haven't had much to gain these days." Yuan Tan said: "Although we have captured a lot of Taishan's cities, we have lost more in Qingzhou than we have gained in Taishan. sent someone over to discuss this matter with Pang Shiyuan, but I was afraid that he would not agree. ”

"I feel that Pang Shiyuan has no reason not to agree." Xin Bi continued: "They occupy the cities of Qingzhou, as long as our army holds the Taishan Pass in the future, those cities will not even be able to send supplies, and I don't believe how long they can hold on." At that time, even if Pang Shiyuan wants to give us the city, we may not accept it. ”

"In other words, although they have occupied a lot of cities, we are the ones who really have the advantage?" Yuan Tan asked.

"Of course." Xin Bi replied: "If the eldest prince can trust me, I am willing to go to Pang Shiyuan, analyze the pros and cons with him, and call the city with him and then call the army on both sides." ”

Yuan Tan nodded: "Then you can go, but remember that when talking to Pang Shiyuan, don't provoke him too much." Once I annoy him, I can't immediately send troops to rescue you. ”

"Don't worry, eldest son." Xin Bi got up and saluted and walked out of Yuan Tan's handsome tent.

When Xin Bi left, Yuan Tan instructed the others: "You should all prepare early, the withdrawal is just around the corner, don't give Pang Shiyuan a chance to take the opportunity to attack." ”

Everyone was ordered to leave, but Xin Ping remained in the tent.

Yuan Tan looked at him: "Why don't you prepare yet?" “

"Back to the eldest son." Xin Ping said: "I don't think it is possible for Pang Shiyuan to attack our army at the moment. ”

"Why?" Yuan Tan said: "Although the two sides have made a truce, it is not impossible to take advantage of the last benefit. ”

"If there is no interest involved, does the eldest prince think that the main guild will easily make a truce with Lu Fengxian?" Xin asked.

Yuan Tan frowned slightly, and asked him, "What do you mean by that?" ”

"I'm not interested in it." Xin Ping said: "Just to remind the eldest prince that today's truce is actually the lord's plan to unite with Lu Bu to crusade against Cao Cao, and it won't be long before the eldest prince should get a new order from the lord." ”

"Crusade against Cao Cao?" The order sent by Yuan Shao did not mention the crusade against Cao Cao, and Yuan Tan asked puzzledly: "We have only joined forces with Cao Cao to crusade against Lu Bu, if we unite with Lu Bu to crusade against Cao Cao at this time, wouldn't it make the world think that it is capricious?" ”

"The conquest in troubled times is only for the benefit of my son." Xin Ping replied: "If it weren't for the Lord Lord's alliance with Lu Bu, how could he suddenly send such an order?" I think the lord must have gotten a benefit from Lu Bu that Cao Cao couldn't give. ”

After staring at Xin Ping for a long time, Yuan Tan's brows were always tightly wrinkled.

Xin Ping continued: "As for the world's opinion, does the eldest prince think that the Lord Guild cares? ”

Xin Ping made these analyses, and Yuan Tan had already understood.

He asked Xin Ping: "So do you think that George went to ask to see Pang Tong and brought back no bad news?" ”

"Definitely not." Xin commented back: "Pang Shiyuan should also be thinking about how to talk to the eldest son about the withdrawal of troops this time. ”

Yuan Tan nodded, and after Xin Ping's analysis, he probably understood.

Therefore, this peace negotiation can be nothing more than Yuan Shao took into account the actual interests and decided to temporarily ally with Lu Bu to crusade against Cao Cao.

"I probably understood what my father meant, but I didn't quite understand why he would unite with the relatively weak Lu Bu and choose to be the enemy of Cao Cao." Yuan Tan said: "No matter how you think about it, I feel incredible. ”

"The eldest son thinks it's incredible, but I think it's normal." Xin commented and said: "In fact, the lord had been hesitating earlier whether to unite with Cao Cao. Everyone in the world knows that in recent years, Cao Cao fought in the south and the north, and pacified many heroes. His position in Henan is also becoming more and more stable. If he is allowed to grow like this, sooner or later he will become a big problem for the Yuan family. Compared with Cao Cao, although Lu Bu is not to be underestimated, his strength is relatively weak. Unite with Cao Cao to defeat Lu Bu, and in the future, for the sake of mutual interests, there will definitely be a battle between the lord and Cao Cao. can contact Lu Bu to defeat Cao Cao, but with Lu Bu's strength, it is difficult to compete with Hebei. The lord's arrangement is also out of interest considerations. ”

Yuan Tan nodded silently, he completely understood what Xin Ping said, and he also figured out that since his father sent someone to send a military order, Pang Tong must have received Lu Bu's order at this time.

Determining that Pang Tong would not make too much trouble in this matter, Yuan Tan was then relieved a lot.

On the other side, the Xuzhou military camp.

In recent days, Pang Tong, Zang Ba, Sun Guan and others led troops to fight against Yuan Tan, although they did not suffer much, they did not get any benefits.

Chen Zhi led the Bai Wei army to Qingzhou a long time ago.

The news from Qingzhou said that the Bai Wei army had conquered the city and brought a lot of trouble to the Yuan army.

The fighting between the two sides in Taishan and southern Qingzhou has fallen into a stalemate.

Pang Tong's original plan was not complicated, since he couldn't immediately defeat Yuan Tan and end the battle of Mount Tai as soon as possible, then drag him here, and the two sides would be so consumed.

In the Dangshan area, Lu Bu won successive battles, and the situation of the whole war has actually become clear.

As long as Pang Tong and the others dragged Yuan Tan here, the battle to defend Xuzhou would eventually end in Xuzhou's victory.

At this time, Lu Bu sent a message asking Pang Tong to prepare for the withdrawal of the army, and once Yuan Tan left, he would return to Pengcheng immediately, and he would no longer be entangled with the Yuan family in Mount Tai.

After receiving the order, Pang Tong invited Zang Ba and Sun Guan to the tent.

"Chu Hou sent a message." Pang Tong said to Zang Ba and Sun Guan: "He wants us to prepare early, wait for Yuan Tan to withdraw his troops, and immediately withdraw to Pengcheng." ”

"Will Yuan Tan retreat?" Zang Ba and Sun Guan, who were still unclear about the situation, looked stunned, and Zang Ba asked, "How did Chu Hou know that he would retreat?" ”

"Isn't it obvious why?" Pang Tong said to Zang Ba and Sun Guan: "It must be that the Marquis of Chu has reached a peace agreement with Yuan Shao, and it is likely that we will unite to deal with Cao Cao next." ”

Zang Ba and Sun Guan were even more puzzled: "Yuan Shao was dealing with us with Cao Cao earlier, why did he suddenly change his mind?" ”

"Interests." Pang Tong said: "Speaking of interests, Yuan Shao must think that he joined Cao Cao to crusade against the Marquis of Chu, and did not unite with the Marquis of Chu to crusade against Cao Cao's interests." What's more, compared to Cao Cao, our strength is indeed much weaker. It is easier to join forces with the Marquis of Chu to defeat Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao will turn to attack us again than to destroy Cao Cao. ”

"Yuan Shao actually has such a plan." Sun Guan frowned and asked Pang Tong, "Chu Hou Ken unites with him, can't he see these clearly?" ”

"Of course Chu Hou can see clearly, that's why he will unite with Yuan Shao." Pang Tong smiled slightly.

Sun Guan and Zang Ba were even more confused.

The two glanced at each other, and Sun Guan asked, "Since Chu Hou can see clearly, why do you want to unite with Yuan Shao?" I heard that in the battle of Dangshan, Cao Cao didn't get any benefits......"

"In the battle of Dangshan, Cao Cao didn't get any benefits, but what is the situation of the other way?" Pang Tong said: "The Marquis of Chu understands that the Yuan family and the Cao family jointly attack Xuzhou, and we can't support it for too long. It is better to join forces with Yuan Shao to defeat Cao Cao first, and when Cao Cao is broken, Xuzhou will only deal with Yuan Shao's family. Seek skin with the tiger, after all, there is still skin to plan. If we let the two tigers eat, there is only a dead end waiting for us. ”

While they were talking about this, a guard outside the tent reported: "General Qi Qi Pang, Xin Bi has come to ask for a meeting." ”