The strategy proposed by Qiancheng Gongying later decided to make Yang Qiu stunned for the time being, and Ding waited for Yuan Shu and Liu Biao's reply, and it was better for him to make a move when Zhang Xiu and Ma Teng fought to a stalemate.

After Ma Teng, who was in Tianshui, received the news of Zhang Xiu's large-scale attack, he immediately brought the two brothers Ma and Ma Xiu to him. Ma Teng began to strengthen his experience with Ma Xiu.

After finding the two of them, Ma Teng said: "This time, Zhang Xiu's army is menacing, because my father is afraid that your uncle and Ling Ming will be difficult to resist the enemy, so he sent you and the two to lead an army of 20,000 to support. ”

Ma heard this, and replied loudly: "Father, don't worry, this year's marksmanship has improved again, this expedition, I will definitely take down Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun's heads, and save Shen Zhi and Yunlu." Zhang Xiu tricked and forced Yunlu to marry Zhao Yun, ruining her innocence, and if she didn't avenge this revenge, she would be Yunlu's brother in vain! ”

Ma Xiu also said at this time: "Hugh is also responsible for this matter, Hugh will definitely assist the eldest brother and take off Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun's heads to avenge this great revenge!" ”

Ma Teng heard this, patted Ma and Ma Xiu on the shoulders heavily, and said, "Okay, with the two brothers of yours fighting, I don't have to worry about my father." But when you go to your uncle's place, you should listen to him more, and your uncle has been in the army for many years and has rich experience, so you should learn more from him. ”

Ma and Matthew arched their hands at the same time, "Hugh knows." ”

Ma Teng nodded and said, "Okay, now immediately reorganize the army, and tomorrow morning, go out immediately!" ”

The two of them heard it, and responded loudly: "Nuo Ma Teng's horse reinforcements are out, Han Sui's letter has been sent to Shouchun, Yuan Shu heard that someone reported that Han Sui sent someone, he was very surprised, and hurriedly invited the messenger in, and asked: "The general has nothing to do with General Han, so why did he send the letter?" ”

The messenger was also a clever person, and when he heard Yuan Shu's question, he immediately replied: "My lord has wealth and wealth to send to General Zuo, and the lord of this matter has written a letter himself, and General Zuo will know it at a glance." After speaking, he took out Han Sui's letter from his arms.

Yuan Shu suspiciously took the letter handed by the guard; After taking it apart and taking a look, he said with a solemn face: "This matter is very important, and the general can't make a rash decision, your envoy is tired from afar, and go to the middle wing of General Zuo's mansion to rest, if there is a summons." It can also be reached. ”

The messenger answered, and withdrew. Yuan Shu immediately said to the guards: "The generals and gentlemen among the generals came to find them, and soon after Borong Yuan Yaozi compiled and came to the guards, his generals Ji Ling arrived first, followed by Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui, Lei Bo, Chen Lan, Le Zhuo, Liang Wang and other generals, and then Yan Xiang, Yang Hong, Yuan Yin, Han Yin, and Li Feng Five strategists also arrived.

At first glance, Yuan Shu's subordinates are also full of talents, Yuan Shu glanced around at everyone, and asked the guards to general: "This is the letter sent by Xiliang Han Sui to the general, everyone and after reading the content of the letter, Yuan Shu drank the tea purchased from Nanyang with 100 gold, while waiting for everyone to pass the letter one by one.

After everyone finished reading it, Yuan Shu asked, "What do you think?"

Since Yuan Lian's death. Yan Xiang became a strategist under Yuan Shu, but in recent years, Yuan Shu's brother Yuan Yin has gradually grown up, and his wings have gradually increased, and he began to threaten Yan Xiang's land, so Yan Xiang began to unite with Yuan Shu's son Yuan Yao to deal with Yuan Yin together. Now that he heard Yuan Shu's question, Yan Xiang should be the first to speak: "Lord, Xiang thinks that what Han Sui's letter says is reasonable. Zhang Xiu and the lord and Liu Biao all have gaps, that day the lord and Liu Biao competed for Nanyang, but Zhang Xiu stepped in and took Nanyang away, how could this revenge not be avenged. Recently, there have been rumors that Zhang Xiu's subordinate Huo Jun killed Jiangxia Taishou Huang Zu's brother, and Huang Zu repeatedly pressured Liu Biao to attack Nanyang and avenge his brother. ”

After Yan Xiang finished speaking, Yuan Yin, who had always been against Yan Xiang, immediately spoke, only to hear him say: "Lord, Yin thinks this is not feasible. The lord is now mainly attacking Xuzhou, why did he suddenly go west. If you can really take Nanyang, but the lord has fought with Liu Biao because of Nanyang before, and this time it is difficult to guarantee that he will not turn against Liu Biao because of this after taking Nanyang, and then I am afraid that Zhang Xiu will make a comeback. And now the lord and Zhang Xiu have nothing to do with each other. Neither evil nor good, just take this opportunity to attack Xuzhou first, and then go west after the east is flat, if this is to make Zhang Xiu, so that he and Cao Cao or Lu Bu to join forces to attack. But the gains outweigh the losses. ”

Yuan Shu frowned after hearing this, and did not speak immediately, Yan Xiang heard it, and immediately retorted: "This is not a good word. Now Zhang Xiu's army is in Guanzhong, fighting with Ma Teng, Nanyang is empty, and Han Sui and Liu Biao sent troops. It is not difficult to take down Nanyang, echoing with Han Sui in the north and south, but I am afraid that Zhang Xiu will not be able to take care of each other. As for the land of Nanyang, as long as you negotiate with Liu Biao before the war, you can divide Nanyang equally. You must know that now Nanyang's wealth is better than Xuzhou, and Xuzhou has Lu Bu's wolf ride, it is difficult to take it, why not give up the difficulty and take it easy, take Nanyang first. ”

Yuan Yin heard it, and the net wanted to refute, but at this time, Yang Hong came out and said: "What the two of you say is reasonable. But this is a war, why don't you listen to the opinions of the generals in the army first?

Yuan Shu listened, nodded, and looked at Ji Ling and Zhang Xun.

Ji Ling saw Yuan Shu's gaze, and after bowing his hand, he said angrily: "My lord, the last general thinks that what Mr. Yan said is reasonable. The last general led troops into Xuzhou last year, in the name of courting Liu Bei. Unexpectedly, Lu Bu relieved Liu Bei. Therefore, the last general thought that if the army of the lord attacked Xuzhou. Lu Bu and Liu Bei will form a group to resist our army, but if our army does not attack Xuzhou, Liu Bei and Lu Bu have a gap, and they will definitely fight each other. ”

Although Ji Ling has a rude appearance, he is a person with many years of experience in the army, and he is familiar with military books, and he is the first general under Yuan Shu. Eye. Yuan Yin didn't look at Yan Xiang, and said: "Lord, although what General Ji said is reasonable, but Lu Bu and Liu Bei fought against each other, and it is difficult to guarantee that they will not be taken advantage of by Cao Cao." ”

As soon as Yan Xiang wanted to refute, Zhang Xun had already started to say: "Mr. will not dare to agree with this statement, Lu Bu is the world's first fierce general, and Liu Bei's subordinates are related to Zhang Zhiyong, even if the two of them fight, they will damage each other." It was not easy for Cao Cao to take the opportunity to take Xuzhou. Xuzhou is difficult to fall, but it is right to take Nanyang first

Yan Xiang heard that even the number two person in the army supported him, and he swept the board arrogantly. With contempt in his eyes, the six Yuan Shu were naturally clear and the seven were a little worried about the rise of Yuan Yin, afraid that he would threaten the status of his son Yuan Yao, but he opened and closed his eyes for Yan Xiang's attack on Yuan Yin, pretending not to know.

However, seeing that Yan Xiang was too obvious and didn't know how to converge, he coughed and reminded Yan Xiang that after the Yan Xiang he saw converged, Yuan Shu said in a loud voice: "This general also thinks that it is better to take Nanyang from the west, but Liu Biao must not be unguarded. Li Feng, the general ordered you to be the envoy, went to Xiangyang to meet Liu Biao to discuss the matter of entering the army. The main thing is to discuss how to divide the two families after taking Nanyang. Li Feng heard it, and responded: "No." ”

Yuan Shu looked at Ji Ling and said: "Ji Ling, this general ordered you to lead an army of 40,000 troops to garrison Runan, and once the alliance with Liu Biao is settled, you will immediately march to Nanyang with your department as the vanguard, and Lei Bo, Chen Lan and Yang Hong will help him." ”

When the four of them heard this, they immediately stepped out and responded, "No."

Yuan Shu nodded. said: "Zhang Xun." You and the rest of the generals will reorganize the army in Shouchun, and once the Ji Ling vanguard army is out, you will lead the army to meet from the rear and get ready. ”

Zhang Xun and the rest of the generals heard this, and they lined up together and responded: "No,"

Yuan Shu waved his hand and said, "It's not early. Wait and prepare, Li Feng, you go home and pack up one or two, and immediately go to Xiangyang to see Liu Biao. ”

Just when Yuan Shu received Han Sui's letter and talked with everyone, Liu Biao in Xiangyang City would also be troubled by the letter sent by Han Sui, unlike Yuan Shu, Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu were allies. However, seeing that Zhang Xiu's power was getting stronger and stronger, Liu Biao was a little uneasy in his heart. Originally, if it was just Zhang Xiu's strength, Liu Biao's worries would not be so heavy, but the key thing is that Sun Jian has risen in Jiangdong, and the two sides have already handed hands, Zhang Xiu and Sun Jian have an old relationship, and the world knows it. Although the two were enemies when they were fighting Dong and fought each other, the two sides did not have any great enmity, but because Dong Zhuo is now dead, both sides have become princes. In addition, there is no interest involved, but Liu Biao is worried that the two will form an alliance because of their past friendship. If Zhang Xiu and Sun Jian form an alliance, the biggest influence will naturally be Liu Biao, and when the two form an alliance, Liu Biao will become an enemy on the back and abdomen, and will be attacked by the two on both sides.

Liu Biao thought hard to no avail, so he found Jing Liang, Jing Yue, and Cai Mao overnight, and after the three came, Liu Biao first showed Han Sui's letter to the three of them.

After reading it, Cai Mao, who already had an in-law relationship with Liu Biao, said first: "My lord, I think Han Sui's intention is feasible. Zhang Xiu previously seized the lord Nanyang County, when the lord had to worry about the four counties of Jingnan and the army of Xu Huang who was invading in Xiangyang, but after several years of cultivation, the lord had enough soldiers and food, which was a good opportunity to recapture Nanyang. ”

When Ke Liang heard this, he frowned and said, "What General Cai said, Liang didn't dare to agree. Now the lord and Zhang Xiu are friendly, and the people of Jingzhou and Nanyang travel unhindered, although Nanyang is not under the jurisdiction of the lord, but it is no different for the people. That's why. The merchants were unimpeded, and Xiangyang and Nanjun became more and more prosperous and rich. If you have a bad relationship with Zhang Xiu. For Jingzhou, this is not a good thing. ”

Cai Mao heard this, sneered, and said: "Zirou is shallow, only looking at the present and ignoring the long-term. Now that Zhang Xiu wants to take the guanzhong, he naturally needs to stabilize the rear. Therefore, it is good to be with the Lord everywhere. However, Zhang Xiu is a wolf with ambition, and he opened the Nanyang School Palace last year. Invite me to give a lecture in Jingzhou. Those so-called celebrities did not go out to serve the people of Jingzhou, but went to Nanyang to give lectures, which shows the cleverness of Zhang Xiu's hand. It can also be seen that it is a wolf with ambitions.

If you don't kill Zhang Xiu first, after Zhang Xiu collects Yongliang, it is difficult to guarantee that the next person to deal with will be the lord. To deal with the lord, Zhang Xiu only needs to join forces with Sun Jian, and the two of them will attack. Our army can't take care of each other, but we are afraid that we will be wiped out at the hands of two families. Zhang Xiu and Sun Jian have an old world know, and the lord and Sun Jian have a feud is also known to the world, even if Zhang Xiu does not take the initiative to even Sun Jian to attack the lord, I am afraid that Sun Jian will also invite Zhang Xiu to divide my Jingzhou equally, so Mao thinks that at this golden opportunity, Zhang Xiu must be eliminated. In order to get rid of future troubles forever. ”

At this time, Jing Yue also said loudly: "The lord can't, now the lord and Zhang Xiu are friendly, Zhang Xiu can't kill me for no reason, so it's a loss of righteousness." Zhang Xiu cherishes her feathers and will not destroy her reputation. However, if the lord is now cutting down Zhang Xiu, if he can defeat it. There is still room for maneuver, but if he does not win, once Zhang Xiu counterattacks, there will be endless troubles. Moreover, Han Sui was originally a thief, and the lord was a royal family, so it was very inappropriate to join forces with the thief, which would damage the reputation of the lord. ”

Originally, Liu Biao heard what Cai Mao said, and he was already a little moved, after all, Cai Mao said what he was most worried about, but after listening to what Fang Yue said, Liu Biao had some scruples, especially the sentence "Han Sui is a thief." The lord is a royal family" Liu Biao is a person who cherishes his reputation, if he is said to join forces with the thieves to crusade against the important ministers of the court, but he is unwilling.

Cai Mao saw Liu Biao's hesitation, knew what he was hesitating, and immediately said: "This is wrong, Zhang Xiu is Dong Zhuo's general, who is Dong Zhuo?" The national thief is also, Zhang Xiu is abusive, and the lord is begging Zhang Xiu to beg for a thief. Although Han Sui was opposed before. However, he was coerced, and later he was surrendered, and when Dong Zhuo was in turmoil, he sent troops to crusade against the national thieves from the princes, so Han Sui was a loyal minister, and Zhang Xiu was a thief. Moreover, Yuan Highway sent troops together, and the fourth and third princes of the Yuan family. He is a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. As a royal family, the lord and the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty are fighting against each other, how can it damage the reputation, it will only be praised by the people of the world! ”

The positive and negative theory has always been that the winner is king, and the loser is the villain. Cai Mao's remarks are naturally far-fetched, but the purpose is to eliminate Liu Biao's psychological barriers. Although Liu Biao also knew that what Cai Mao said was not all right. However, what he needed was such a step that would give him a reason to send troops. Hearing Cai Mao's words, Liu Biao nodded and said: "What Dewa said is reasonable, but he is just discussing Zhang Xiu with Yuan Shu, and after taking Nanyang, I am afraid that the two families will fight, and in the end Zhang Xiu will take advantage of it." ”

Jing Liang and Fang Yue heard Liu Biao's words and knew that he had made up his mind, and after making up his mind as a strategist, even if he did not agree, he had to try his best to design for the lord, which was the responsibility of the strategist. Fang Liang sighed and said, "The lord doesn't need to worry, I'm afraid that Yuan Highway will also do what the lord thinks, and he will definitely send a messenger to discuss this matter with the lord." Moreover, if Yuan's army wants to attack Nanyang, it will pass through Xinye and other places, and the lord only needs to sit in the city and wait for Yuan's highway envoy. ”

After listening to this, Liu Biao nodded, and said: "In this way, Dejia will first prepare for battle, and the old man will wait for the envoy of Yuan Highway in the city." ”