Cangting fell into the hands of Sima Yi.

Yuan Tan retreated north of Cangting and camped across the riverbank.

The two sides confronted each other across the river, Cao Jun had no intention of crossing the river, and Yuan Jun did not make any undesirable moves.

Cangting is not much different from Yecheng and Huainan.

Yuan Shao set off a few days earlier, and Cao Shuo was later than him.

Moreover, Cao Shuojun also carried flying kites and mobile catapults similar to thunderbolts.

It has been improved so that both the kite and the mobile catapult can be pulled by horses.

But after all, they were heavy, and it was still a little difficult for the two horses to pull the horse.

It was precisely because of the existence of these instruments that Cao Shuo's army marched very slowly.

Cao Shuo had just passed Mount Tai and was marching in the direction of Cangting, and Yuan Shao had already arrived at Cangting with a large army.

Yuan Shao stood on the bank of the Yellow River, and behind him were Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and the staff and generals of the Yuan family.

"I heard that you fought with Lu Bu before, and you didn't get any benefits?" Yuan Shao asked.

Yuan Shao's tone was a little dissatisfied, and Yuan Shang's face showed an imperceptible smugness.

Yuan Tan lowered his head and said with sincere fear: "Father Mingjian, Lu Bu's war soldiers are like gods, and they must have been ordered by others......

"Someone else's order?" Yuan Shao interrupted him: "Do you think that Cao Zi is in Huainan, and he can still point to Lu Bu who is far away in Cangting?" ”

"It's not Cao Zirong." Yuan Tan said: "It should be Sima Yi." ”

"Sima Yi?" Yuan Shao said: "I haven't heard of any special skills for him in the past, could it be that he is more powerful than Cao Zirong?" ”

"It's not necessarily better than Cao Zirong, but it's not easy to deal with." Yuan Tan said: "Cao Zirong's fierce generals are like clouds, and there are many strategists. I once sent a horse to investigate, and learned that he assigned Sima Yi to guard Xuzhou, Pang Shiyuan went to Lujiang, Xu Yuan directly supervised the grain and grass, and Huainan was led by Chen Gongtai. ”

"Who's with him?" Yuan Shao asked.

"Tian Yuanhao and Fu Zhu." Yuan Tan said: "He didn't keep all these people by his side, but let them do their own things and rarely look at each other. Then there will be no strife between men, and there will be no strife, but ......"

Yuan Shao glared at him fiercely, and Yuan Tan quickly shut up.

At the beginning, the Yuan family officials were defeated because the staff and generals had their own thoughts.

Mentioning these in front of Yuan Shao was undoubtedly embarrassing him......

Yuan Tan also noticed that something was wrong, and lowered his head and didn't dare to say anything more.

Everyone was looking at Cao Jun on the other side of the riverbank, and a scout ran over, saluted Yuan Shao and said, "Qi Yuan Gong, Cao Zirong's army has entered Qingzhou and is rushing in the direction of Cangting. ”

"How many days will he be able to get to Kura-tei?" Yuan Shao asked.

"Because Cao Zirong's army has a lot of baggage, the march is relatively slow, and it will take about twenty days." The scout replied.

"Twenty days." Looking at the opposite side of the riverbank, Yuan Shao frowned and asked the Yuan Tan brothers, "Do you think we have a chance of winning the decisive battle with Cao Zirong?" ”

Yuan Tan lowered his head and did not say a word.

Yuan Xi also looked at the other side of the river bank and did not make a statement.

Having fought with Lu Bu, Yuan Tan certainly knew that Cao Shuo's soldiers were brave.

Against such an enemy army, he believes that there is no chance of victory at all.

But such words can't be said in front of Yuan Shao.

If it was said that Cao Shuo was vulnerable, and Wan Yuanshao handed over the task of the main attack to him, it would be to pick up a stone and hit himself in the foot.

Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi didn't say anything, but Yuan Shang said on the side: "How much ability does Cao Zirong have, can my father still know?" Although he has some skills, after all, he is still a junior. I think that in terms of ability, the eldest brother is much stronger than Cao Zirong. ”

His eyes fell on Yuan Tan's face, and Yuan Shao's expression was a little noncommittal.

"Xianfu is exaggerating." Knowing that Yuan Shang was digging a pit for him, Yuan Tan said: "In the past, I was not close to Cao Zirong, and the one who knew him best was Xianfu. To deal with Cao Zirong, you have to show your face. ”

"It's not right for my brother to say that." Yuan Shang hurriedly said: "Cao Zirong is the eldest son in the Cao family, and the elder brother is also the eldest brother in front of us. Each other is the longest in the family, and if there is a showdown, of course, it is the brother and Cao Zirong who are competing. ”

The three brothers of the Yuan family are the most pragmatic with Yuan Tan.

He still knows very well how many catties and taels he has, and of course he doesn't think that he can deal with Cao Shuo alone.

"Although I am the son of the Yuan family, I am not as virtuous as Xianfu." Yuan Tan excused himself: "This time to deal with Cao Zirong, it is best for Xianfu to come forward." ”

Yuan Shang was about to speak, but Yuan Shao interrupted them: "Okay, what are you two thinking in your hearts, can I still not understand?" Since both of you recommend each other to deal with Cao Zirong, I will ask you two to lead the army. Remember to take care of each other and don't cheat behind your back! ”

I was going to let the other party go to face Cao Shuo, but I didn't expect to fill it in with myself, and Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang's faces were not very good.

Only Yuan Xi stood beside him, without any expression on his face.

The battle between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang began a long time ago, and Yuan Xi never participated in it, but he and Yuan Shang walked closer than Yuan Tan, who had the same father and mother.

After all, he and Yuan Tan's mother died at an early age, and Yuan Shang's biological mother, Mrs. Liu, is now the head of the Yuan family's back house.

Surviving in the Yuan family and relying on Yuan Shang is far more practical than relying on Yuan Tan.

After getting the order, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang did not dare to disobey, so they had to reluctantly respond.

"Father, Cao Zirong's army is still far away, do you want to cross the river first?" Yuan Xi finally spoke, and he said to Yuan Shao: "Although Sima Yi has a heavy army, our army is far outnumbered by them. As soon as Cao Zirong also comes, this advantage will be gone. ”

Looking back at Yuan Xi, Yuan Shao nodded thoughtfully: "Xianyi is right, taking advantage of Cao Zirong's failure, if our army can cross the Yellow River, the chances of victory will be greater." ”

"Who does Xian Yi think is suitable for the pioneer?" Yuan Shao asked.

"The eldest brother and the third brother have already received military orders, and the children are not talented, so they are willing to be pioneers." Yuan Xi responded.

"You two also learn a little bit with Xianyi." Yuan Shao said: "Look at Xianyi, you never shirk something, but you two, you have never seen less prevarication." ”

Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang both lowered their heads.

wanted to show off in front of Yuan Shao, pit the other party, not to mention putting himself into the pit, but also provided Yuan Xi with a chance to perform.

However, the brothers praised Yuan Shao and Yuan Xi didn't pay much attention to it.

In terms of family ranking, Yuan Xi is the second, and it will not be his turn to take over Hebei.

If you talk about the support of the back house, Yuan Shang's mother, Mrs. Liu, is the master of the back house, and it is impossible to help Yuan Xi get to Hebei.

A person who is not a threat, even if he gets a few words of praise, is nothing.

"Xianyi!" Looking at the opposite side of the riverbank, Yuan Shao said: "Since you are willing to be a pioneer, I will hand over the river crossing to you." From now on, you will prepare to cross the river, and you must take the Cangting before Cao Zirong arrives. ”

(End of chapter)