Yuan Xi left a message in the small town northeast of Yecheng in order to receive news from Cao Cao. However, he didn't have much confidence in Cao Cao's side, and he didn't stop and went to Xindu.

He thought silently in his heart: Zhen Ji, Zhen Ji, you are a sacrifice for your husband. When you defeat Xu Du, I will still save you.

When a large army marches, it is naturally impossible to be silent, and the small counties and towns that pass along the way can know their passage. In these places, some still have county orders to stick to, and some people go to empty buildings, leaving only anxious and helpless people. Knowing that they were Youzhou's troops, their attitudes were not the same. Some sent food and water to help the troops resupply. Others keep their doors closed for fear that they will come in.

These places were all within the scope of Yuan's old rule, but this kind of rule could not penetrate into every township. It is mainly radiated out of the big city, and every time it radiates, the influence weakens a lot. As a result, people in these small places don't buy Yuan's son's account very much. Whether it's Cao Cao or Yuan Shao, they just need to live their own lives, no matter who you are the boss.

It was here that Yuan Xi's troops struggled to make their way, and around Xindu, a group of people were resting on both sides of the road, while the horses were scattered to graze at will. A group of people came to them, beating gongs and drums, but they were the people who came to welcome them from the capital of letters.

Xindu is a big city, located in Yecheng and Yijing, which is a large city in Jizhou's dotted city network, Hanguangwu Zhixindu County, which is the county city. Yuan Shao also attached great importance to this strategic stronghold, and selected a relative of his own Yuan family as the county guard. However, this relative surnamed Yuan was immediately hollowed out by the local wealthy family, the government order could not be issued, and the person was relatively weak, so he ignored political affairs later, and was no longer there at this time.

Among the people who came was a white-haired old man, with kind eyebrows and kind eyes, his name was Xu Mao, and he was one of the three elders of Xindu. He spoke slowly and logically, and said to Yuan Xi: "Hearing that the second prince has led the troops here, the old man is excited, Yecheng has fallen, Cao Cao's tiger and wolf division, the iron hooves have passed everywhere, and the people are trembling, but with the second prince here, even if the building will fall, it can be regarded as having a pillar of support." ”

Yuan Shao died, Yuan Tan turtle retracted into the plain, Yuan Shang lost Yecheng, and Cao Cao's next step must be Nanpi, and then attack Youzhou.

Yuan Xi said: "My pillar is just a single tree, and it is difficult to support it alone." ”

Xu Mao said: "Otherwise, otherwise, with the second son, we all have the backbone." ”

Yuan Xi asked, "Who are you county guards?" How many guards are there in the city now? ”

Xu Mao was stunned for a moment, how could he ask himself this question directly, he said: "The county guard has already run away, leaving us old men to support the scene." As for the guards, there are more than 500 people, all of whom are strong men made up by the villagers. ”

Yuan Xi said: "That's not bad......"

After saying that, he beckoned his subordinates to prepare for the journey. At this time, it is still morning, there is still an afternoon to rush, and by tomorrow, it will almost be able to enter the boundary of Youzhou.

Xu Mao hurriedly said: "Second son, don't you go to the city for one night before leaving?" ”

"No, now that the south is in chaos, Cao Cao is about to go north, take this opportunity to hurry back and set up defenses."

"Then what are we going to do when you're gone?"

"If you want, you can open the door and surrender."

"This ...... To tell the truth, everyone is also ready to elect the second son as the county guard to lead us to defend Xindu. ”

Yuan Xi said: "I'll tell you the truth, the location of Xindu is indeed very important for Jizhou, but for Youzhou, it is too biased, I estimate that Cao Cao will call over, or take the road of Nanpi." Therefore, you don't have to worry, Cao Cao can't beat Nanpi for a day, and he won't trouble you for a day. ”

Xu Mao didn't understand at all, but said again and again: "It's better to go and have a meal first." ”

Yuan Xi said, "Then let's go into the city together to rest for a while." ”

Xu Mao said: "Together? There are too many people...... It's better for the second prince to bring a few generals into the city. ”

"Well, that's fine."

So Yuan Xi brought Zhao Yun and Tian Yu, the personal guards also brought them, and the others stayed in place to rest, Xu Mao also asked people to bring a lot of hot baked cakes, and the soldiers were also happy to not have to walk to the city.

Xu Mao and the others came by ox cart, and when they went back, they also took an ox cart, and the ox cart was tinkling and dragging until they reached the city gate.

Yuan Xi and the others arrived at the gate of the city together, but found that there was a large number of people waiting here, but they were soldiers guarding the city, all wearing wooden armor, although they were recruited temporarily, but they looked like that.

A middle-aged fat man seemed to have been waiting here for a long time, and when he saw them coming, he immediately stepped forward and said, "In Xia Gaoyi, I have seen the second son." ”

Yuan Xi had just chatted with Xu Mao, and knew that this person was a military general, who was temporarily hired by the big family on the Xindu side to lead the five hundred people guarding the city. The name of this man is unknown, and I don't know where he came from. But seeing that he looks like a tiger, although he is a little fatter, his skeleton is also tall, at least a head taller than Yuan Xi.

Gao Yi didn't have an official position, and Yuan Xi didn't know what to call him, so he said: "General Gao, your task is to defend this city, it's very difficult." Great work. ”

Gao Yi saw that he looked old-fashioned, so he nodded again and again.

Xu Mao said: "The banquet is ready, please go inside." ”

Zhao Yun couldn't leave Yuan Xi's side, a spear was behind him, and when he walked past Gao Yi, he glanced at him a few times.

Gao Yi was looked at by Zhao Yun and unconsciously lowered his head.

Yuan Xi entered a courtyard, and the banquet was set up in the open air, one person and one table, everyone knelt on the ground, and gathered in a circle. Yuan Xi was naturally enshrined as the main seat. During the banquet, everyone also exchanged heads and talked about different topics. And Zhao Yun always guarded behind Yuan Xi with a gun on his back, and the eight personal soldiers he led did not move at all. The guard Gao Yi came behind Zhao Yun with a wine bowl and wanted to persuade him to drink, but was stopped by Zhao Yun's cold eyes.

Yuan Xi smiled: "This is how my subordinate is, you don't pay attention to him, let's drink." ”

Gao Yi wiped his sweat and retreated.

When they were full of wine and food, Xu Mao and the others presented another bag of gold, the amount of which was unknown. Yuan Xi was not polite, and left as soon as he carried it. Before leaving, Yuan Xi burped and said, "I got drunk today, and I have to spend the night here." ”

Xu Mao hurriedly said, "Why don't I arrange the house?" ”

Yuan Xi shook his hand and said, "No need, our people are used to the wilderness, so they camp by themselves." Some materials had to be provided by Xu Lao, but he was in a hurry and had no baggage. ”

"This must be fine."

When Yuan Xi was sent out of the city gate, Xu Mao said to Gao Yi: "Why didn't you do it just now?" ”

Gao Yi said: "The white-faced fierce man behind the second son is powerful...... Don't dare to do it. ”

Xu Mao said: "You have so many people, what are you afraid of?" Rushing up, isn't it just a matter of slashing to death? ”

Gao Yi said: "Then I'm afraid that our people have already fallen to the ground." ”

Xu Mao took a breath of cold air and said, "Then what now?" This is something that Mr. Cui quickly explained......"

Gao Yi said: "Since they are still ready to leave, it is better to wait for them to rest at night, and then we will carry out a sneak attack, they will be defenseless......"