Yuan Tan saw Sizhao Sword, his heart became hot, and he hurriedly asked someone to lead the way to the post house. Along the way, his pulse couldn't stop beating and his mood was agitated.

When he arrived at the inn, he pushed the door and entered, but the first thing he saw was that it was black and white. Yuan Xi actually wore linen and filial piety, and his eyes were red from crying.

Yuan Xi saw Yuan Tan coming, asked Zhao Yun and Gao Yi to step back, and then beckoned to Yuan Tan, "Father...... went. ”

Yuan Tan was stunned on the spot, and his joyful heart just now was suddenly poured with a basin of cold water.

"What? Father ......"

Yuan Tan actually has no feelings for this father, and since he can remember, his parents' preference for the third brother has been obvious, so much so that he even faintly hates his parents. However, when he heard that the pillars of Hebei had collapsed, he still couldn't help but feel at a loss: "Ah, my father is dead, what should I do on the way forward?" ”

Yuan Xi didn't give him time to think, and immediately said: "Brother came here this time to talk to the eldest brother, and then he was in a hurry to Youzhou." The news of my father's death, you know it, don't spread it, otherwise Cao Cao will definitely take action. ”

"Understood...... However," Yuan Tan asked, "Why are you in such a hurry to go back to Youzhou?" ”

Yuan Xi said: "The third brother wants to surrender, and the land of Jizhou surrenders to Cao Cao." ”

"Huh?"

One wave after another hit Yuan Tan, making it too late for him to react.

"Big brother doesn't know yet? I heard that you have formed a family with Cao Cao, and the third brother was anxious when he heard about it, and he wanted to sacrifice Yecheng. The two of you are in front, I have to hurry over and pack up and join Cao Cao earlier, otherwise you both surrender, and only me is left, and Cao Cao still doesn't concentrate his forces against me? Where can I resist alone? ”

"This ......" Yuan Tan was dumbfounded, what the hell is going on? He asked cautiously, "Xianfu...... Really want to surrender? ”

Yuan Xi said: "Yes, now you are competing for speed. Yecheng is close to Cao Cao, although the eldest brother has acted in advance, maybe the third brother can still catch up. You also know that Cao Cao's conquest of Hebei will not kill even a single person. Surrender first, then surrender, the treatment is definitely different......"

"Confused—" Yuan Tan shouted, "Second brother, you are really confused." There is no priority, if we all take refuge in Cao Cao, where will Cao Cao take us seriously, we must all be killed, and we will all be killed. ”

Yuan Xi said: "No, my niece has married to Xudu, and Cao Cao will not even kill his own family." Rest assured, big brother, you are at least safe. ”

Yuan Tan said: "Nonsense. Which one counts the marriages between princes? If you want to kill, you will kill, will you still take into account this relationship? ”

Yuan Xi said: "Huh? This...... According to what the eldest brother said, I have to go back quickly. Not to mention, since I can't even surrender, I'll find a place to live in seclusion as soon as possible, and Youzhou will give it away. ”

Yuan Tan's heart moved, and he said, "You mean it really? But what's going on with this Summoning Sword? Even if the father is gone, the sword is to be given to his heir. ”

Yuan Xi said: "Big brother, you are the eldest son and grandson, so naturally you will inherit your father's mantle." It's just that when I came out, I didn't know that you had taken refuge in Cao Cao, and I only learned the news after I arrived here, so in this case, you might as well return this sword to me. ”

He grabbed the sword in Yuan Tan's hand and was dodged by Yuan Tan.

"Second brother, since my father handed me the sword, how can I take it easily? Let me ask you, did Xianfu not hinder you from giving me this sword? ”

Yuan Xi said: "The third brother is about to take refuge in Cao Cao's people, what is the use of this Sizhao Sword to him?" He told me that Cao Cao's army arrived at the city of Yecheng three days later, and since he couldn't defend the city, he would lead the Yuan clan out of the city to meet him, so as to save his life. ”

Yuan Tan groaned, he took refuge in Cao Cao, only in name, in fact, the elite troops were still in his own hands, and when the time came, let Yuan Shang bear Cao Cao's fierce attack first, and he could profit from it. That's what he had in mind.

However, the news brought by Yuan Xi completely broke his wishful thinking, and when the time came, his third brother would form an alliance with Cao Cao first, and his identity would be embarrassing, and the space for the so-called delaying strategy was completely gone. For this reason, he couldn't help but panic and asked, "Second brother, do you have any good ideas?" You can let Xianfu hold Yecheng first and not surrender. ”

Yuan Xi said: "It has become a settlement, what else can be done?" Unless you can lead your troops to Yecheng to reinforce them, just like last time. But you and Cao Cao are now in-laws, and this method won't work. ”

Yuan Tan grabbed his hand and hurriedly shook it: "It works, it works." Is it that as long as I lead my troops to the city of Yecheng, he will not surrender to Cao Cao. ”

Yuan Xi said: "If there is a glimmer of hope, the third brother will definitely not want to take refuge in Cao Cao, after all, he is the one who killed our father." Even if he takes refuge in him, I'm afraid he will be infamous on his back. ”

Yuan Tan's chest was like a lightning strike, and he almost couldn't breathe, this was also a question he had hesitated for a long time, and at this time, Yuan Xi said it, provoking a thorn in his heart.

Yuan Tan hurriedly held Yuan Xi's hand and said, "Sending my beloved daughter to Xudu before my brother is just an expedient measure, it is really to buy time, and when the time comes, while Cao Cao doesn't pay attention to me, I will send troops to deal with the old thief." All this is really not for outsiders. ”

Yuan Xi was silent for a moment and said, "The eldest brother is so endured and humiliated, but I blame you for it, junior brother." However, with all due respect, Cao Cao's old thief is cunning by nature, and I am afraid that he will not easily believe you, and it is estimated that he will plan at this time. If the eldest brother continues to make peace with him, I am afraid that it will be our three brothers who will suffer. ”

Yuan Tan said: "As the second brother said, being a brother is really wrong. For my brother, I immediately sent troops to save Yecheng. You Youzhou can't stay out of the matter, our three brothers want one heart. ”

He said excitedly, and finally asked, "When my father was alive, he really said that he wanted to pass on this Sizhao Sword to me?" ”

This is also a problem for Yuan Tan, his father never said that he would pass on the position to him, but he divided his subordinate territory among his three sons and let them compete freely. Therefore, both Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang are tireless, always seeing hope, and always living in fear.

Yuan Xi said: "Naturally, brother, you have a merit in attacking Qingzhou, and my father has always seen it." On the other hand, my third brother and I are more than enough to defend and not attack enough, so naturally we are not as good as you, the eldest brother. ”

These words made Yuan Tan feel comfortable. For a long time, the thing he was most proud of was to seize the hinterland of Qingzhou from Kong Rong and truly become the lord of a state. Although he has vomited back now, it can be said that this is the pinnacle of his life.

In the excitement, Yuan Tan patted Yuan Xi's back and said, "Don't worry, my father's burden will be taken over by me, the eldest son." You and Xianfu both hold on to me, our three brothers must defeat Cao Cao, the old thief! ”