The successive failures made Yuan Shao cautious. Hebei's family has a big business, but it can't withstand excessive consumption. This time he sent troops, Yuan Shao didn't get much benefit, and the goal was not achieved, but the loss made Yuan Shao feel distressed when he thought about it. The loss of nearly 300,000 young and strong, even if Hebei soldiers and horses exceed one million, this loss is enough to make Hebei hurt his muscles and bones.

It took more than ten years for a person to go from croaking to growing up, and now it is all folded here, which makes Yuan Shao heartache and regret. I originally wanted to take the opportunity to challenge the court to show his strength to the world's heroes and establish his prestige as the "leader of the alliance", but he didn't expect the court to be so difficult to gnaw, not only did he not gnaw this hard bone, but he broke his own good teeth, if he did not aim at the imperial court, but put it on Cao Cao, who occupied the Central Plains, maybe Cao Cao had bowed down at this time.

It's a pity that there is no regret medicine in this world. No matter how much Yuan Shao regretted it, the reality was in front of him, losing troops and offending the court. Yuan Shao didn't care about offending the imperial court, anyway, it was already like this, but the problem of damage to strength directly affected Yuan's rule over Hebei.

The Yuan family unified Hebei, but this does not mean that Hebei has no external troubles, and the long northern defense line needs to be defended by the Yuan family. Those troublesome grassland peoples have always believed in the respect of the strong, and sneered at the benevolence and righteousness advocated by the Han people in the Central Plains. This time, the strength of the Yuan family was damaged, and Yuan Shao was very worried that it would make the grassland peoples such as Xianbei and Karasuma have a desire to watch Hebei. In that way, I don't know when my dream of wanting to settle in the Central Plains will come true.

At this time, the Yuan family in Hebei occupied the four states of the Han Dynasty, You, Hebei, and Qing. In order to firmly control the rule of the four states, Yuan Shao appointed his two sons and his nephew Gao Gan as county guards. Among them, Qingzhou belongs to Yuan Tan, Youzhou belongs to Yuan Xi, and the state belongs to Gaogan, and as for Jizhou, Yuan Shao personally went out.

The third son, Yuan Shang, has always been favored by Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao's wife Liu is also Yuan Shang's biological mother. This time he was appointed as the county guard, although Yuan Shang was not on the list, but he was able to be kept by Yuan Shao's side, and after the expedition, he was temporarily appointed as the pastor of Jizhou, judging from this kind of signs, Yuan Shao has regarded Yuan Shang as his heir.

Yuan Xi is the second in line, and he is a concubine, so he doesn't dare to have illusions about the position of the lord of Hebei, and he runs Youzhou honestly. And the eldest son Yuan Tan is full of resentment about this, he is the eldest son, according to the convention, he is the legal heir of Yuan Shao. But now, the third Yuan Shang shows everywhere that he will be the candidate for the next overlord of Hebei.

Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang have not dealt with each other for a long time, Yuan Shang feels that Yuan Tan does not know the current affairs, and Yuan Tan wants to protect what belongs to him in the first place. After being arranged to be the pastor of Qingzhou this time, Yuan Tan was also conscientious, hoping to make his father change his mind, but to his disappointment, his father Yuan Shao turned a blind eye to his efforts.

As the old saying goes, if you are not afraid of no good things, you are afraid of no good people. Yuan Tan was originally dissatisfied with Yuan Shang, but at this time, there was a fanning Chen Gong beside him, and Yuan Tan couldn't do it even if he wanted to.

After Chen Gong surrendered to Yuan Shao, he was not reused by Yuan Shao, there was no way, Hebei was full of talents, and none of the six masterminds around Yuan Shao were idle. Frustrated and Tian Feng looked down on Lu Bu, who betrayed the master, and Guo Tu and Xu Yu were all jealous of the virtuous and energetic, lest Chen Gong squeeze out his position in the mind of the lord Yuan Shao.

Chen Gong chose to take refuge in Yuan Tan in this kind of exclusion. In Chen Gong's eyes, Yuan Tan is not the master, but he has no room for picking. Since Yuan Shang was left by Yuan Shao's side, most of the civil and military forces of the Yuan family have shown kindness to Yuan Shang, and Chen Gong has been demoted, even if he is willing to lick his face to hold the stinky feet of Yuan Shang, a junior, he may not be able to find an opportunity.

And Yuan Tan is different, except for Guo Tu and Xin Ping, who have been trapped with Yuan Tan, few people are willing to express their closeness to Yuan Tan. Sending charcoal in the snow is far more useful than icing on the cake, and Chen Gong, who is unwilling to be mediocre, naturally chooses to burn Yuan Tan's cold stove.

Risk and reward are often proportional, the higher the risk, the higher the return, and of course, the greater the risk. Once Yuan Tan succeeds in ascending to the throne, Chen Gong will immediately become a hot figure from the obscurity of the Yuan family.

In order to help Yuan Tan, Chen Gong persuaded Hou Cheng and Song Xian to join Yuan Tan together. Although Qingzhou was barren at this time, the soldiers and horses were not weak at all.

When Yuan Shao led his troops to leave Hebei, he left 100,000 people for Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Gao Gan, and 200,000 for Yuan Shang who remained in Yecheng. In terms of numbers, Yuan Shang is stronger than Yuan Tan, but in fact, Yuan Tan's combat power is enough to give Yuan Shang a headache.

Yuan Shao didn't want to see his brother reading the wall, so he had to return to Hebei unharmed. But Yan Liangwen's 100,000 horses were all wiped out by the imperial court, which made Yuan Shao, who had 100,000 horses around him, feel insecure, so he had to recruit the front of the army to return to converge.

Han Meng and Feng Ji led their troops to come, which made Yuan Shao feel a little relieved, in order to reduce losses, Yuan Shao sent several troops to scatter everywhere to collect Yuan's army, and stayed in Gucheng for a few more days. In the past few days, Liu Xie was given time to contact Shi A.

Liu Xie was not optimistic about Cao Cao's plan to assassinate Yuan, and no matter how brave Lu Bu was, it was unlikely that he would succeed in sniping Yuan Shao among the ten thousand troops. So Liu Xie finally rejected Cao Cao's invitation, but this did not mean that Liu Xie let Yuan Shao go.

After sending Hua Xin away, Liu Xie immediately asked the flying pigeon to pass the book to Shi A, and ordered him to act at the opportunity. After separating from Liu Xie, Shi A took hundreds of his men and scattered them along the way back to Hebei for Yuan's army. And Shi A himself stayed in Luoyang City. After the reconstruction of Luoyang, there was a contact point left by the imperial court here, and the Yuan army did not clear it after occupying Luoyang, so that no one knew that Shi A was in Luoyang at this time. Think about it, a city inhabited by more than 100,000 people, who cares about a sudden increase in more than a dozen people. It's not an army, and the number of people has to be counted every day.

After receiving the news from Liu Xie's order, Shi Ah summoned his leaders to one place to discuss how to complete the task assigned by Liu Xie. It is extremely unwise to assassinate Yuan Shao in the army, there are countless good players in the army, and Yuan Shao is an important person, there must be countless masters around him to protect him, Shi A and others are afraid that it will be difficult to get close to Yuan Shao.

Therefore, after receiving Liu Xie's task before, Shi A and the others' plan was to follow all the way to find opportunities, if there was no opportunity on the road, then go to Hebei with Yuan Jun, and when Yuan Shao left the protection of the army, the probability of successful assassination would be higher.

But now there is one more Cao Cao, since Cao Cao intends to attack Yuan Shao, can Shi A and others take this opportunity to take Yuan Shao's life?

"The Yuan army is gathering the rout troops everywhere these days, and we have brought some clothes from the Yuan army soldiers this time, but we can pretend to be the rout soldiers and blend into the Yuan army camp." Zhu Dao pondered for a moment and said to Shi A.

"It's not difficult to infiltrate the barracks, but how to get close to Yuan Shao is a problem. Yuan Shao must be protected by a master by his side, and he is assassinated in the army, even if the assassination is successful, we are afraid that we ourselves will be more than lucky. Shi Ah frowned and said.

"If Brother Shi is worried about this, there is no need. Since you and I have done this business, we have long looked down on personal life and death, it is better to be like this, just like the younger brother who led people into the army, secretly brought a bow and crossbow, and waited until Lu Bu attacked, Yuan's army was in chaos, I was leading people to rush to Yuan Shao in front of the chaos, I don't believe that Yuan Shao could escape under the chaotic arrows. ”

"I wish my brother not to be reckless. The lord has not set a time limit, you and I can arrange it calmly, and there is no need to be anxious. This time, the lord sent a letter to remind me not to be impatient, so as to be sure to hit with one blow. If I wasn't 80% sure, I wouldn't have agreed to act. ”

Seeing Shi A say this, Zhu Dao had to ask: "Then according to Brother Shi's opinion, what should we do?" ”

"Find Lu Bu first, ask him what he thinks, and then make a calculation."

"But how can you find Lu Bu? He is now hiding in the mountains with people, and it is not easy to find him. ”

"Brother Zhu rest assured, I sent someone to find Lu Bu's whereabouts earlier, and I should have some eyebrows right now."

……

Shi Ah didn't lie completely, he did know Lu Bu's whereabouts at this time, but he didn't send someone to look for him after receiving Liu Xie's news, but before that, his people inadvertently found Lu Bu's traces. When Shi Ah first found out, he wondered what Lu Bu was doing if he didn't stay in the Tiger Prison Pass and took people to the deep mountains and old forests to hide?

After letting Zhu Dao and the others stay in Luoyang to wait for news, Shi A followed the guide into Bishan and found Lu Bu. When the deceased visited, Lu Bu was also surprised. After recognizing Shi A, Lu Bu relaxed.

"Wenhou, don't come unharmed." Shi Ah greeted Lu Budao.

"Huh...... Under the fence, what do you think? Lu Bu asked with a wry smile.

"Wenhou, the lord has been waiting for you to come back, since you are not doing well outside, why don't you come back?"

“…… No face to go back. Lu Bu was silent for a moment and replied in a muffled voice.

"Is Wen Hou worried that the lord will blame you for leaving him in the first place?"

"No, the Holy Lord is forgiving, and Bu knows it. It's just that he swore an oath at the beginning, but now that he is so down, what face will he have to return to the court. ”

Shi A is not a qualified lobbyist, and he doesn't know how to persuade the good-looking Lu Bu to return to the imperial court, but he keeps this matter in mind and is ready to go back to inform Liu Xie about the flying pigeon pass.

"Shia, why did you come here to see me?" Lu Bu asked.

"Wen Hou, not long ago, Cao Cao sent Hua Xin to visit the lord, intending to join forces with the lord to take Yuan Shao's life, but the lord has clearly rejected Cao Cao."

Lu Bu was a little happy at first when he heard that Cao Cao was going to join forces with the Son of Heaven, but when he heard Shi A's last words, his heart couldn't help but sink, and he blurted out, "Why did the Holy Lord refuse?" ”

"The Lord thinks that the risk is too great, and the probability of success is too small. Wen Hou, although you are brave, it may not be easy to assassinate Yuan Shao among the ten thousand armies, and now that Yuan Shao has two more fierce generals by his side, Yan Liangwen and Chou, the possibility of Wen Hou succeeding is even lower. I came here to see Wen Hou, but I also wanted to persuade Wen Hou not to be strong, but I lost my own life. ”

“…… Of course, I knew that this trip was dangerous, but I also had to do so. Lu Bu said with a wry smile.

"Wen Hou, do you remember this?" Shi Ah said and took out half an iron plaque from his arms.

Of course, Lu Bu did not forget the half of the iron card that Liu Xie handed him when he saw him off, and when he saw the half of the iron card in Shi A's hand, he nodded slightly and said, "Remember." ”

"Since Wen Hou remembers, you might as well tell me about your troubles, maybe I can solve Wen Hou's problems? Wen Hou, you didn't really surrender to Cao Cao, since this is the case, how could you be willing to die for Cao Cao, this assassination of Yuan Shao, I'm afraid Cao Cao used something to coerce Wen Hou to agree, right? ”

"Uh...... Yes, Cao Cao promised that as long as the assassination of Yuan Shao was successful, he would let my family go and let me go. ”

"I don't know where the Wen Hou family is now?"

"Xu Du. Shi A, you don't want to meddle in this matter, Cao Cao is very strict with a certain family member. I don't want anything to happen to my wife and children. Lu Bu warned Shi Adao.

“…… Since Wen Hou said so, then Shi Ah didn't have much to do. It's just Wen Hou, it is extremely difficult to succeed in assassinating Yuan Shao at this time, and Wen Hou is asked not to take risks. ”

"Thanks for the reminder, I know this in my heart."

As soon as he saw Lu Bu's expression, Shi A understood that his reminder was taken by Lu Bu as a deaf ear. Shi A knows Lu Bu and knows that this person is not a master who is easy to listen to persuasion, but this meeting is not for nothing, at least let Shi A know that Lu Bu is most concerned about the safety of his family now, as long as he can take Lu Bu's family out safe and sound, he is not afraid that Lu Bu will not return to Chang'an with him.

For today's imperial court, Lu Bu is no longer a threat, at best, he is a fierce general with a high military value, but the imperial court is not short of fierce generals now, even if Lu Bu can be ranked in the top five, don't think about the possibility of being alone.

The reason why Shi A has the idea of persuading Lu Bu to return to the imperial court is to take the opportunity to weaken Cao Cao's strength, in the Cao group, Lu Bu's force is still very high, and secondly, considering his mission this time, if Lu Bu can succeed, it is naturally the best, but once he fails, it is tantamount to increasing the difficulty of completing his task, Yuan Shao, who has experienced an assassination, will definitely pay more attention to the security issues around him than in the past.

Shi A didn't want Lü Bu to startle the snake, but he couldn't stop Lü Bu from carrying out Cao Cao's orders, so he had to hurry back to Luoyang after leaving, and the flying pigeon sent a message to Chang'an, asking Liu to take it.

……

After receiving Shi A's information, Liu Xie attached great importance to it. Although Lü Bu is no longer as important to the imperial court as before, his personal force is still worth paying attention to. Especially when Liu Xie was already preparing to target Cao Cao, Lu Bu's existence had become an obstacle for Liu Xie. If Lu Bu can be brought over, then Cao Cao's strength will definitely be damaged. It's a good thing for Liu Xie.

If you want to rescue Lu Bu's family, in Lu Bu's opinion, it is difficult to hate, but it is really nothing for Liu Xie, Jia Xu and Li Ru established the eye of heaven is very powerful, although I dare not say that there are eyeliners all over Xudu, but if you want to rescue a few hostages from Xudu, it is still not difficult.

It's just that how to arrange Lu Bu has become a difficult problem again, Lu Bu's personal ethics don't seem to be very good, and his reputation is very stinky. It stands to reason that it is completely more than enough to lead an army alone with his ability, but his character will make many people oppose continuing to give Lu Bu the opportunity to lead an army alone, and keeping him by his side makes Liu Xie feel a bit overkill.

"Lord, what are you bothering about?" Pang Tong and Xu Shu came together, and when they saw Liu Xie frowning, they asked.

"Ah, Shiyuan, Yuanzhi, you came just right, look at this?"

"What? The lord is still worried about who to appoint as the queen...... Lu Bu? Pang Tong took the information and glanced at it as he spoke, and couldn't help but be stunned.

There is also a reason why Pang Tong would say this. At the beginning of the war, after rejecting Cao Cao's request to join forces, the war in the imperial court came to an end. When Yuan Shao returned to Hebei, the imperial court would begin to regain the lost territory. However, during this period of time, there is still one important thing to do in the imperial court, that is, Liu Xie's marriage.

Perhaps in order to make Liu Xie's actions more stable in the future, or to let the Han avoid no successors, as soon as the war in the imperial court ended, a group of old ministers in the court led by Lu Zhi and Cai Yong came collectively to "force the palace" to Liu Xie.

Liu Xie is not against getting married, lifelong events, always have to be experienced, but he rejected the draft proposed by Lu Zhi and others, but directly announced that he would marry Zhen Mi, Zhao Yu and Bu Luan. It is not uncommon for emperors to marry, but it is not easy to meet those who marry in one go.

Long before the army set out to fight with Yuan's army, Liu Xie had already expressed his intention to the third daughter. Thanks to the evil feudalism, there is no restriction on men marrying daughters-in-law, especially the emperor, the three palaces and six courts, and they can marry as many as they want. However, Liu Xie did not plan to be a stallion, and married three in one go, Liu Xie was already very content.

Lu Zhi, Cai Yong and others didn't care about Liu Xie in terms of quantity, but the question of who would be the queen made Lu Zhi and Cai Yong disagree. Liu Xie saw that Lu Zhi and Cai Yong were arguing, not only did not persuade him, but fanned the flames on the side. Okay, these old guys don't have infighting, and it's themselves who are tossed. Anyway, it's yourself who makes the final decision, and if they like to quarrel, let them quarrel.

"The lord intends to re-admit Lu Bu?" Pang Tong put down the information and asked Liu Xiedao. Before, Pang Tong still called Liu Xie a saint, but after returning to Chang'an and officially accepting Liu Xie's appointment, Pang Tong changed his words and called Liu Xie the lord like Xu Shu and others.

"Lu Bu is brave and worth using."

"It's just Lu Bu's virtue ......," Xu Shu said with a frown.

"Yuan Zhi, Lu Bu grew up in Biansai since he was a child, and he naturally behaves more like Hu Ren, but after this experience, I believe that he will think more about it before acting in the future. Regardless of morality, in terms of the ability to lead soldiers when the two armies clashed, Lu Bu is probably also a leader. ”

"Then how is the lord going to arrange Lu Bu?" Xu Shu asked again.

"This, I haven't thought about it yet, but even if you don't use it, it can't be cheap, Cao Cao isn't it."