After taking Beihai, half of Qingzhou was not in Cao Shuo's hands.

By stopping the attack at this time, Yuan Tan had plenty of time to prepare for defense.

But if you don't stop attacking, as Tian Feng said, the logistics and supplies will not be able to keep up, and the officers and men of the three armies will fight hungry.

No hungry army can show full courage on the battlefield.

After being silent for a moment, Cao Shuo said to Tian Feng: "What Yuan Hao said is that not to mention that Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang will fight with each other, even if they are brothers of the same heart, I can still break through Hebei." Now the real trouble is military rations, and if we push forward a little further, I am afraid that military rations will really be difficult to raise. ”

"Since our army entered Qingzhou, I have been watching everywhere." Tian Feng said: "If grain and grass are transferred from all over the country, I am afraid it will not be enough to replenish the army. Yuan Tan still had some achievements in Qingzhou earlier, but the war has been continuous in the past few years, so that it is tired here, and the people are often hungry. ”

"The war continues, and it is the people who are really suffering." Cao Shuo said: "If the Central Plains is not unified earlier, the surrounding barbarians will also find opportunities to bully us. You know, we're constantly attacking each other, and they're recuperating. ”

"That's what Childe said." Tian Feng said: "It's not just the barbarians who threaten the Central Plains, now that the prince has won Qingzhou, he has to pay more attention to the sea." I heard that along the coasts of Qingzhou and Xuzhou, Guan Cheng and Guo Zu each had dozens of large ships, and they often went to the coast to plunder. ”

"I've also heard that Guan Cheng will come to Xuzhou." Cao Shuo said: "The coast of Xuzhou has been strengthened, and there are many military villages along the coast, and they do not have many opportunities. What really worries me is Qingzhou. ”

"Qingzhou's coastal defense may be difficult to complete in a few months." Fu Zhu said on the side: "Didn't Childe think that since the thieves are raging at sea, we simply don't want to guard against him." ”

"What do you mean by Fu Gong......" Cao Shuo asked.

"Chase them." Fu Zhu said: "Childe has also built a naval army on the sea before, but it has not really been ...... actual combat until now."

"Naval forces at sea?" Cao Shuo shook his head with a smile: "Don't talk about them, even if it is my naval army stationed in Huaishui, pull out to fight with these pirates, it will definitely not be their opponent." ”

"I don't think it's better to be appeased." Tian Feng said: "The sea is bitter, and the life of pirates is actually not easy. They often had to go ashore to replenish fresh water and some necessary food, so Childe could first set up defenses along the coast and send more men to capture the landing pirates. When they are cornered, they will be contacted and recruited to work under their command. Even if the pirates gave them a stable life, they would not refuse to agree. ”

"If you want to appease, why do you have to block the coast first?" Cao Shuo asked, "It's better to send someone to them directly." ”

"Childe doesn't know." Tian Feng said: "The pirates have always been used to being casual, and no one has been able to recruit them directly over the years, but they think that the prince is afraid of them." Once the pirates have this kind of thought, it will be difficult to control it in the future. ”

"That's what Yuan Hao said." Cao Shuo nodded, and then asked, "According to Yuan Hao, who is the most appropriate person to handle this matter?" ”

Tian Feng glanced at Fu Zhi and did not speak.

He smiled and said, "What Yuan Hao said is reasonable, but it is more appropriate than I thought." It's better for me to stay with Childe than to be accompanied by Yuan Hao, and I'll take care of this matter. ”

"It's too frustrating." Tian Feng arched his hand to Fu Zhi and said humbly.

"Whether you can pacify the pirates and restore peace along the coast depends on the frustration of the public." Cao Shuo also arched his hand to Fu Zhu and said, "No matter what Fu Gong needs, just open your mouth." ”

"With the words of Childe, I am relieved." He replied: "This matter should be sooner rather than later, I will leave for Donglai and other places to deploy defense now." ”

"I just entered the North Sea, and I have to rest for two days." Cao Shuo hurriedly said: "I've been tired for days, I'm afraid that my body won't be able to stand it......"

"Doing things for my son, I don't dare to say that it is hard." "I'll take my leave first and make this matter happen as soon as possible." ”

Frustrated and insisted on leaving, Cao Shuo was not easy to stay, so he had to give him a few words to see him leave.

When Fu Zhu walked away, Cao Shuo greeted everyone: "Let the soldiers be stationed first, take a three-day holiday, and warn the soldiers that they must not be taken captive and killed according to the custom." ”

The generals responded.

Cao Shuo said to Tian Feng again: "Yuan Hao will stay in the official mansion with me, and I still have many things to discuss with you." ”

When Cao Shuo's army entered Beihai, Chen Zhi escorted Yuan Shao with a dragon pattern horse to Beihai.

When chasing Yuan Shao, Chen Zhi and the others were non-stop all the way.

On the way back, they no longer rushed to the schedule, and they had to take care of Yuan Shao, and they walked relatively slowly.

Since Guandu, Yuan Shao's body has been getting worse day by day.

In the battle of Cangting, he originally felt better, but after this defeat, both mentally and physically were not as good as before.

It was not very far from Beihai, and seeing that it was getting late, Chen Zhi raised his hand and ordered the dragon pattern cavalry: "Stay on the spot and go to Beihai tomorrow." ”

The dragon riders dismounted.

Chen Zhi came to Yuan Shao.

He saluted very humbly and said, "Please dismount Yuan Gong." ”

"General Chen." After walking for a few days in a row, and Chen Zhi was already quite familiar, Yuan Shao said: "I'm just an old man captured by you, and you don't have to do this to me." Just treat it like a prisoner. ”

"On the battlefield, Yuan Gong is our enemy." Chen Zhi maintained a fist-hugging posture and said, "But when you leave the battlefield, Yuan Gong is the father-in-law of Gongzi." Gongzi has always put filial piety first, and as his general, of course, I can serve Yuan Gong as an elder. ”

Yuan Shao got off the horse, and Chen Zhi stepped forward to help him.

"What a gift from an elder." Yuan Shao said: "If Cao Zirong still has us in his heart, how can he send troops to Qingzhou?" ”

"Yuan Gong's words are not good." Chen Zhi said with a smile: "Gongzi didn't think about crusading against Yuan Gong, but Yuan Gong first sent troops to Cangting, intending to enter Xuzhou from Qingzhou. Yuan Gong has already knocked on the door, can't Gongzi send troops to resist? You must know that once Gongzi is defeated, although Yuan Gong may spare his life, others may not. What's more, there are so many people under Childe's command, and for the sake of everyone under his command, Childe has no reason to retreat. ”

Chen Zhi said that Yuan Shao didn't know how to respond.

The Battle of Cangting was indeed provoked by him first.

But he knew very well that even if he didn't provoke this war, the Cao family would use troops to Hebei sooner or later.

It's just that he used soldiers first and gave Cao Shuo a handle.

(End of chapter)