People gather by like, and things by groups. Tian Feng is the first stubborn temper in Hebei, good at outspoken mistakes, and often makes Yuan Shao angry. And the trial is also upright, but compared to Tian Feng, the trial is better at silence is golden, and the relative trial has suffered much less than Tian Feng because of his mouth.

Tian Feng said that he wanted to teach the way of judging and matching as a minister, and he disdained it. Although Yuan Shang's actions disappointed the judge, he was the heir of the old lord Yuan Shao after all, and as the courtier of the old lord, he should naturally assist the new lord, instead of trying to help others become self-reliant like Tian Feng.

"Tian Feng, what do you deserve to tell me about the way of a minister?" The judge asked with a sneer.

"Zhengnan, I know what you think in your heart, I only ask you, is it important to be loyal to the old lord alone, or is it important to keep the old lord's legacy during his lifetime."

“…… What's the difference? ”

"Although the third prince is the old lord's personal order, what he did all shows that he is a loser, and he has discussed with you in advance about such a big matter as ceding Qingzhou? And what did it do to you afterwards? I know that you are not loyal to his third son now, but have you thought about it, Cao's army is strong, and the eldest prince of Qingzhou will not be able to support it for long, once Qingzhou is called Cao Cao to conquer, do you think Cao Cao will be satisfied with just occupying Qingzhou? Then he will continue north. The third prince was bewitched by Xu You, and now even if he wakes up, it will be difficult to turn back, and he will continue to work with Cao Cao to be unfavorable to my Hebei, once the second son is also poisoned by Cao Cao, do you think that only the third prince alone may be able to deal with Cao Cao? At that time, none of the three sons left by the old lord can be saved, and the hard-earned foundation of Hebei will also fall into the hands of Cao Cao. ”

"Could it be that the second son can save Hebei?" The judge asked angrily.

"I don't know if the second son can save Hebei in the end, but I know that the third son will definitely not be able to. From the moment he listened to Xu Yu's suggestion to ask Cao Cao to send troops, the hearts of the people of Hebei left him. Zhengnan, do you know how many Wenchen generals who are unwilling to see Hebei fall into the hands of Cao Cao have gathered under the command of the second prince now? In the past, the old lord commanded the four court pillars of Hebei, and now a lot of them are gathered under the command of the second prince, and the second prince's army at this time has exceeded 200,000, why do you think this is? This is what the people want. Although the second son is only a concubine, he knows how to be a corporal of etiquette and does not treat others with his own likes and dislikes, but on the other hand, the third son, he is too arrogant, and it is the blessing of Hebei to be controlled by him. Zhengnan, you and I are colleagues, I really don't hide it, I come to see you today, it is the last time, if you refuse to give way, then you have to be sorry. I think that with your Plains City alone, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop the attack of the four court pillars in Hebei. ”

“…… Tian Feng, is that all you want to say? ”

“…… Zhengnan, don't be obsessed, Hebei was fought by the old lord with you and me, and only by keeping Hebei can he be worthy of the trust of the old lord back then. ”

"Come, send him out of town." The judge commanded the left and right.

Tian Feng shook his hand when he saw this, and just wanted to speak, he listened to the trial and said: "Tian Feng, if you want me to make way, it is not difficult, as long as the second son has the courage to go into the city and talk to me." After speaking, without waiting for Tian Feng to object, the trial ordered someone to blast Tian Feng out of the city.

……

Outside the city

Seeing that Tian Feng was safe and sound, Yuan Xi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, although there were many talents gathered around him at the moment, Yuan Xi trusted Tian Feng the most.

"Mr. Tian doesn't care, since Zhengnan is obsessed, it is no wonder what the consequences are." Yuan Xi comforted Tian Fengdao.

Tian Feng shook his head when he heard this: "Lord, Zhengnan did not completely refuse to give way, but only put forward a condition, he wanted the lord's son and son to enter the city to meet him. ”

"What? No way! What should I do if the lord is detained? Yan Liang on the side immediately objected when he heard this.

"yes, yes, what if the trial is a fraud?" Wen Chou also echoed on the side.

Tian Feng didn't speak, just looked at Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi thought about it again and again, and asked Tian Fengdao: "Sir, do you think I should go into the city to meet the judge?" ”

"This can only be decided by the lord himself."

"......" Yuan Xi was silent when he heard this, and after a long time, he made a decision: "Although it is difficult for the plain to stop our army, it is also my Yuan family's soldiers after all, and they cannibalize each other...... If you can avoid it, try to avoid it. Mr. Tian, generals, I am determined to go into the city and judge for a while. ”

“…… If the lord insists on going, please allow Yan Liang to follow the lord. Yan Liang pleaded in a deep voice.

Yuan Xi shook his head when he heard this: "General Yan, thank you for your kindness, but if you have the intention to deceive, it will be useless to have one more of you, it is better to stay outside the city and lead the army." I only have one request, if I am really controlled by others, you and others must obey Mr. Tian's dispatch, can you? ”

“…… The last general commanded. Yan Liang and the others replied respectfully when they heard this.

Yuan Xi is also out of the box this time, don't you want to see me? Then I will come to see you, and I will go into the city by myself, without a single attendant. The judge standing at the head of the city saw Yuan Xi under the city riding alone and came to the city to call the door, and he couldn't help but be stunned, and couldn't help but compare Yuan Xi under the city with Yuan Shang in Yecheng.

"My lord, do you want to open the city gate and let the second son in?" The cronies around him asked in a low voice.

"Not busy...... I personally went down to the city to meet him. ”

……

Seeing that Yuan Xi entered the city and the city gate slowly closed again, Tian Feng, Yan Liang and others anxiously waited for the news, feeling that time was passing much slower than usual. And Yuan Xi, who entered the city and saw the trial, was also talking with the trial at this time. If you put aside the identities of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, the judge feels that Yuan Xi in front of him is really more suitable than Yuan Shang to serve as the lord of Hebei, no wonder Tian Feng's old stubborn donkey is willing to run back and forth for this concubine.

"Second son, if you are in charge of Hebei, are you confident that you can keep Hebei and repel Cao Cao?" The interrogator asked the questions he was most concerned about.

Yuan Xi shook his head when he heard this, "Mr. Judge, Yuan Xi doesn't want to deceive you, Cao Jun is strong, and I don't know whether I can repel it." Whether or not we can repel Cao's army requires the joint efforts of people like Mr. Shen, General Yan, and all those who are unwilling to give up Hebei to Cao Cao, rather than relying on me Yuan Xi alone. ”

"Does the second son have a strategy to retreat from the enemy now?"

"No, but I have the courage to fight Cao Jun. I have a large number of soldiers in Hebei, and I have the help of resourceful and talented people like Mr. Tian and Mr. Shen, I believe that it is not easy for Cao Cao to occupy my Hebei. The most important thing at the moment is to rush to Qingzhou as soon as possible to rescue my brother, so that Qingzhou will not be completely occupied by Cao Cao, so that the war will be burned to Jizhou. ”

"Isn't the second prince worried about the eldest prince fighting for power with you?" The judge asked deliberately.

"Although my brother is usually not on good terms with me, he is a father after all, and I can't die without help. As for whether he will fight with me for power in the future, that is a matter for the future, and it is not too late to think about it after defeating Cao Jun. Mr. Judge, please also pay attention to the overall situation, Hebei is the inheritance left by my father to our brothers, and I can't bear to lose it in our hands. ”

“…… I don't know how the second son plans to treat the third son? The judge asked again.

"Mr. Judge, as I said just now, no matter how bad the brothers usually are, they are still the same father, and I can assure you now that no matter what happens in the future, I will never harm my brother's life."

"Okay, please remember the promise of today's trial to me. If he regrets it in the future, although he is not talented, he will also seek justice for the third son. ”

"Mr. Shen was too worried...... Mr. Juan, are you willing to turn hostility into friendship? Yuan Xi suddenly reacted halfway through his words and asked in surprise.

"Please also ask the second son to keep his promise."

"Definitely, definitely. I also asked Mr. Shen to let people spread the good news, so that the army outside the city could be reassured. ”

……

Tian Feng and the others, who were anxiously waiting, saw the gate of Pingyuan City slowly opening, and couldn't help but feel excited in their hearts, without the nail of Pingyuan City, the people and horses of Youzhou could rush to Qingzhou unimpeded.

"Open your jaw, read the order from above." Tian Feng commanded in a loud voice.

"The end will be." Jaw opening and Gao Ran responded in unison.

"Order the two of you to quickly take the men and horses of your headquarters to Qingzhou, remember to pay attention to the surrounding enemy situation, and beware of the ambush of Cao's army."

"The last will understand."

Seeing Zhang Jaw and Gao Ran leading the order, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were a little hot, and couldn't help but ask Tian Fengdao: "Mr. Tian, why did you let Zhang Jaw and Gao Ran go first?" ”

"The lord can't be without a general here, the two generals are the right-hand men trusted by the old lord, so they should naturally accompany the lord at this time." Tian Feng explained with a smile. Of course, the actual reason is that Tian Feng did not tell Yan Liangwen that he was careful and would not rush lightly, and he would lead the army first, and it was not easy to fall into the ambush of Cao's army. And Yan Liangwen is ugly, and he will definitely have the heart to show it, but in this way, it is easy to fall for Cao Jun's tricks.

Yan Liangwen was quite satisfied with Tian Feng's explanation, and he was also very grateful for Tian Feng's arrangement. In the past, when Yuan Shao was still alive, Yan Liang and Wen Chou stayed away from the three sons of the Yuan family in order to avoid trouble, but now the two of them have just abandoned Yuan Shang and defected to Yuan Xi. Staying by Yuan Xi's side, although he may not be able to get any credit, he can be familiar with his face, and he will naturally have more opportunities to make meritorious contributions in the future than others.

The trial gave up resistance and voted for the city. On the one hand, it is Yuan Xi's courage that makes the trial appreciated, on the other hand, Tian Feng's words of persuasion and trial play a role, it doesn't matter who is the lord of Hebei, as long as he is the heir of the old lord Yuan Shao, if you really want to talk about it, the old lord Yuan Shao's identity in the Yuan family was not just a concubine, and in the end he did not become the overlord of Hebei, so the difference between the concubines and the concubines is actually not important. Keeping Hebei from being occupied by others is the key, as long as Hebei has one day surnamed Yuan, then he is worthy of the trust of the old lord Yuan Shao in the past.

The loss of Pingyuan County hit Yuan Shang deeply, and the Jizhou he controlled was also a big loss in strength, fortunately, there was also a senior cadre from Bingzhou on his side, otherwise Yuan Shang might really collapse because of the blow. However, even if he did not collapse, Yuan Shang's spirit became extremely poor. Irritable, manic, and often lashes out over a little trifle.

"My lord, Mr. Xu Yuxu asks to see you." personally reported to Yuan Shangyu with trembling.

"He's coming? Let him in. Yuan Shang commanded when he heard this.

Not long after, Xu You walked in, Yuan Shang looked at Xu You's face, and suddenly felt a wave of disgust, at this time, what do you mean by this guy still having a smug face?

"Lord, good news, Cao Jun sent good news, Yuan Tan of Qingzhou has now been trapped in Linzi City. In a few days, he will become Cao Jun's subordinate prisoner, and Yuan Tan will be solved, and the remaining opponent of the lord will be Yuan Xi. Xu You smiled and said to Yuan Shang.

Yuan Shang was not very happy to hear the news, indeed, the relationship between the three brothers was not good, and it could even be said that only when Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi died, Yuan Shang's position as the overlord of Hebei could be regarded as secure. It's just that Yuan Tan is about to be captured, but what about Cao Cao? Will he really keep his promise and only need a Qingzhou as a reward afterwards?

During this time, many people persuaded Yuan Shang not to trust Cao Cao, saying that he was a traitor and should not be gullible. Although Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi were removed, Yuan Shang would have less worries, but Yuan Shang would also become alone, and if Cao Cao turned his face and refused to admit it, what would Yuan Shang do to resist Cao Cao's army.

"Lord, don't you seem to be happy?" Xu You observed his words and looks, and saw that Yuan Shang's expression was wrong, so he couldn't help asking.

"Mr. Xu, what do you say about Cao Cao's character?" Yuan Shang asked.

"Huh? This one...... Why did the lord suddenly ask about this? ”

"It's nothing, I'm just a little worried."

"The lord is worried that Cao Cao will rebel and will seek to seize my Hebei in the future?" Xu Yu asked tentatively.

"Exactly. You also know that since the news came out that I asked Cao Cao to send troops to Qingzhou, many people in Yecheng left me, which directly caused the strength of my Jizhou to be damaged. I'm worried that after Cao Cao kills my two brothers, his next target will be on me. ”

"I see, the lord doesn't have to worry about it. If Cao Cao is acquainted, he can still get a Qingzhou, but if he is not greedy enough, then don't blame me Xu Yu for ignoring the old friendship, and he will not come back. ”

Yuan Shang suddenly came to his senses when he heard this, and asked curiously: "Mr. Xu will be released?" ”

"Huh...... The lord Mo asked, if you say it now, it will not work then. Xu You said with a smile.

Yuan Shang asked a few more times unwillingly, but Xu Yu was not good, and Yuan Shang had no choice but to give up. However, with Xu You's assurance, Yuan Shang's heart was a little more settled.

The original plan remained unchanged and joined forces with Cao Cao to solve Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi. said that it was a joint effort, but in fact, Yuan Shang was wishful thinking in his heart, and he did not contribute to the work, first Yuan Xi and Yuan Tan consumed Cao Cao's combat power, while his Jizhou army sat on the mountain to watch the tiger fight, hiding on the side to recuperate, and accumulating strength for the future competition for Hebei.

Yuan is not stupid, but Cao Cao is even more human. He didn't count on Yuan Shang from the beginning, so he didn't care whether Yuan Shang contributed or not. With his Wenchen military generals, most of the cities in Qingzhou have now changed their surnames to Cao, and even Yuan Tan, the Mu of Qingzhou, is now trapped in Linzi City with his troops and cannot move.

At this time, Yuan Tan couldn't set off any waves, a lonely city, thousands of remnants of the defeated generals, if Cao Cao wanted to take Linzi City, maybe he wouldn't even need a day. But Cao Cao didn't want to solve Yuan Tan too early, he had already received news that Yuan Xi, who was supported by most of the people in Hebei, was now leading the army to come.

Cao Cao accepted the advice of his adviser Guo Jia and decided to place the battlefield in Qingzhou, rather than taking advantage of Yuan Xi's army to cross the Yellow River and fight Yuan's army in Hebei first. The reason for this decision is that the terrain of Qingzhou is relatively familiar to Cao Jun, while Hebei is completely unfamiliar.

Yuan Xi is here, and he must bring the elite of Hebei, which means that as long as he can defeat the Hebei Yuan army led by Yuan Xi, it will be of great benefit to Cao's northern expedition to Hebei in the future. In order to win this war, Cao Cao needed to take advantage of any favorable conditions.

Cao Cao has confidence in the generals under his command. Don't look at the Hebei Siting Pillar under Yuan Xi, there is no substitution, but Cao Cao's generals are not general. What's more, the outcome of a war can not be decided by one or two fierce generals. If you can really rely on fierce generals to decide the victory, how can Liu Bei, who has tens of thousands of enemies like Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, let people run around like a lost dog.

In order to win, Cao Cao temporarily let go of Yuan Tan in Linzi City, if he killed Yuan Tan now, maybe Yuan Xi would have an excuse to stop on the north bank of the Yellow River to confront Cao's army, Cao Cao didn't want to help the Yuan brothers. With Yuan Tan left, Yuan Xi had no excuse not to come to the rescue, but as long as he came to the rescue, he had to enter the battlefield arranged for him by Cao Cao.

……

Hebei was divided into three points, and Cao Cao sent troops, which attracted the attention of countless people all over the world, that is, Sun Ce and Liu Biao, who were in the fierce battle, took the time to pay attention to it, not to mention Liu Xie, who was already preparing to attack Cao Cao. If it weren't for the opportunity to give Cao Cao a chance to make up his mind, Liu Xie would not have deliberately delayed time in Jincheng to meet Tuoba Jiefen and his son. It was precisely because of his long stay in Jincheng that Cao Cao mistakenly thought that Liu Xie would have to stay in the northwest for a while longer, at least until he had settled Hexi Xianbei before he would make other moves, so he made the decision to send troops to Qingzhou.

But what Cao Cao never dreamed of was that Liu Xie had long regarded him as a big trouble, and would rather give up the great opportunity to seize Hebei, but also concentrate on cleaning him up first, and not give him the slightest chance to develop and grow. I don't do it now, but I think it's not time yet, and it's definitely not Cao Cao's own opinion that Liu Xie needs to settle the problem of Hexi Xianbei first.

Hexi Xianbei didn't need Liu Xie to settle it at all, Tuoba Jiefen and his son had just left Liangzhou with the gift from Liu Xie, and they received the bad news brought by the clansmen. Putou took advantage of the absence of Tuoba Jiefen's father and son to attack Suotou, and Tuoba Jiefen became a homeless person. The grief-stricken Tuoba Jiefen father and son wanted to gather the remaining clansmen to find Putou desperately, and at this time, Jia Xu appeared in front of the two.