sovbooks Chapter 68 It's better to seek refuge with Yuan Tan!
Chapter 68 It's better to seek refuge with Yuan Tan!
Xun You's strategy was very clear: seize the credit! He absolutely could not sit idly by and watch Yuan Tan, or even Yuan Shao, gain such a tremendous achievement.
Although the emperor is currently in Cao Cao's hands, if the credit for capturing the city is taken by Yuan Tan who came to help, it could be disastrous.
Wouldn't everyone in the world then believe that Yuan Shao was the only one capable of bringing peace and stability to the country?
This will also destabilize the morale of the troops within Xuchang.
However, Xun Yu had already returned to his tent and, upon hearing the news, held a different opinion.
He remained relatively calm, cupped his hands, and said, "Minister Sikong, although Gongda's words are urgent, I believe we can perhaps delay them a little."
Cao Cao glanced at him: "What does Wenruo mean?"
Xun Yu said in a deep voice:
"Although the East Gate has been breached, the street fighting is still raging. Yuan Tan's entry into the city will allow him to engage in a bloody battle with the remnants of Yuan Shu's forces, resulting in mutual attrition. While our army's intervention at this time may allow us to seize credit, we must also bear the casualties from the defenders' desperate counterattack."
"Perhaps... we should hold back for now and observe from the sidelines. Once they are both weakened, our army can then sweep away the battlefield with overwhelming force. At that time, not only will casualties be reduced, but the credit for 'pacifying Shouchun' and the title of Yuan Shu's head will also be uncertain!"
This is a strategy of "when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits," which aligns with Cao Cao's principle of maximizing his own interests.
The tent was immediately divided into two factions: one supporting Xun You to advance immediately, and the other supporting Xun Yu to wait and see. The debate was unresolved.
Cao Cao's eyes flickered as he quickly weighed his options.
Xun Yu's strategy was more mature and prudent, but the risks pointed out by Xun You were extremely real, and Yuan Tan's strength far exceeded expectations!
Just then, Xun You emphasized his words and presented the most crucial reason:
"Minister! Please consider this: Yuan Tan was able to take the east gate of Shouchun quietly today. His strength is extraordinary. If we allow him to take all the credit for Shouchun today, how much prestige will his father, Yuan Shao, enjoy in Hebei?"
At that time, Yuan Shao of Hebei, riding the wave of his newly defeated Gongsun Zan, will join forces with Yuan Xiansi of Shandong and seize all the wealth of Huainan… Who in the world can stop him?! What our army cannot afford to gamble with today is not the gain or loss of a single city or territories, but the future of the world!
These words instantly jolted Cao Cao awake from his daze!
That's right. Right now, it's not about the gains or losses of a single city or place. They are facing the full-scale rise of Yuan Shao's group!
Once Yuan Tan obtains this earth-shattering achievement, his prestige will completely overshadow Cao Cao's!
Cao Cao's pupils contracted, and he hesitated no longer.
"Gongda's words are the most reasonable and insightful! How can we allow a tiger to grow unchecked?!"
He abruptly drew his long sword from his waist, pointing it directly at the east gate outside the tent, and with a voice like thunder, issued his final command:
"Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren, heed my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!" The two generals stepped forward with a roar.
"Gather all elite infantry and cavalry, and I will personally lead them straight to the east gate! Under the pretext of 'assisting in the quelling of the rebellion,' we will force our way into the city! Any resistance, whether from Yuan Shu's army or... any other obstruction, will be met with swift and merciless slaughter!"
"Xu Chu, lead the Tiger Guard as the central force and advance with me!"
"The rest of the generals, each guard your own camp and be on high alert against enemy forces from other directions resorting to desperate measures!"
"Xun Yu will remain at the main camp to oversee logistics and provide support to all sides!"
"Yes, sir!" The generals obeyed the order with a stern expression, and the tent was filled with a murderous aura.
Cao Cao glanced at Xun Yu one last time, his tone softening slightly:
"Wenruo, your prudent strategy is reasonable. However, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! Yuan Tan... has become a serious threat, and we can no longer judge him by ordinary standards!"
Having said that, he donned his armor, took his sword, and strode out of the tent.
In an instant, the war drums of Cao Cao's northern camp thundered, and all the elite troops were dispatched, surging towards the east gate of Shouchun, which was ablaze with flames, in the darkness of night!
……
A dilapidated post station on the border of Xuzhou.
Liu Bei stopped his horse on a low slope, looking at the faint black smoke still rising from Xiaopei in the north, his face full of worry.
He was surrounded only by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and a thousand or so battered and bruised soldiers.
Jian Yong, Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang and other civil officials and strategists gathered in the pavilion, their faces covered in dust and their eyes filled with fear.
"Big brother..."
Zhang Fei's shoulder injury had not yet healed; his voice was hoarse, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"That scoundrel Gao Shun seized the opportunity to attack; the Trapped Camp was truly formidable! Only by leading the people to safety with the help of Mr. Jian Yong and Mr. Sun Qian could we preserve some of our strength, but the city… the city is gone!"
As he finished speaking, tears welled up in his eyes.
He lost Xuzhou before, and his elder brother didn't blame him. Now that he has lost Xiaopei, he feels guilty.
Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, looked south towards Shouchun, and said in a deep voice:
"Brother, Xiaopei has been lost, and Lü Bu will certainly not give up. The most urgent task is to decide where to go."
After regaining her composure, Mi Fang spoke first:
"My lord, given the current situation, Cao Cao holds the emperor hostage to command the other warlords, his army is strong and powerful, and he is currently attacking the traitor Yuan Shu. We should go directly to Shouchun and surrender to Cao Cao!"
Cao Cao values talent highly, and our lord is a member of the Han imperial family with a prestigious reputation throughout the land; he will surely treat you well. With Cao Cao's help, we might be able to avenge today's humiliation and have a chance to rebuild our empire one day!
Upon hearing this, many people nodded in agreement.
Clearly, going to Cao Cao's side now is the safest option.
Sun Qian slowly shook his head:
"What Zifang (Mi Fang) said seems safe, but it is actually dangerous. My lord, please consider what kind of person Cao Cao is. He has a cloud of strategists under his command, a rain of fierce generals, and he also has the title of 'serving the emperor'."
We, with only a little over a thousand men, came here in dire straits, and are now merely subordinate officers under his command. This journey will likely be like a dragon trapped in shallow waters, a tiger fallen into the plains; we will have little room to maneuver or maneuver, and our lives, honor, and disgrace will be entirely in the hands of another!
He paused, and seeing Liu Bei listening intently, continued:
"On the other hand, Yuan Xiansi of Qingzhou is gaining momentum, like the rising sun. He has a blood feud with Lü Bu and shares a common hatred with us."
The previous misunderstanding was nothing out of the ordinary on the battlefield, and he didn't delve too deeply into the matter of General Zhang Fei, showing that he wasn't a petty or intolerant person. More importantly, Yuan Tan's base was in Qingzhou, and he was eager to expand his territory. Although he had renowned generals and strategists under his command, his inner circle was not yet solidified. This was precisely the time when he desperately needed and was willing to tolerate talented individuals!
"My lord!"
Seeing that Liu Bei remained unmoved, Sun Qian emphasized,
"Yuan Tan is no ordinary man. Observing how he prospered Qingzhou through the profits of salt, trained a strong army with new methods, and even came up with a clever plan to be the first to enter Shouchun's east gate, his ambition and ability should not be underestimated. Submitting to him is not to be dependent on others, but to work together for a great cause!"
"My lord, with your noble status as the Imperial Uncle, the unparalleled bravery of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and the ambition to restore the Han Dynasty, you are not a burden to Yuan Tan, but rather a valuable asset! He will surely entrust you with important responsibilities and treat you with sincerity. At that time, the lands of Qing and Xu may become a new starting point for you!"
Guan Yu stroked his beard, his phoenix eyes flashing, clearly somewhat persuaded by Sun Qian.
Zhang Fei muttered, "That brat Yuan Tan... his military tactics are a bit cunning, but he didn't... kill me, old Zhang."
Liu Bei remained silent.
Should I surrender to Cao Cao? Cao Cao is extremely suspicious and has never trusted those who come before him.
Liu Bei was, after all, a regional warlord. If he were to seek refuge with Cao Cao now, would Cao Cao tolerate him?
Yuan Tan is young, sharp, and resourceful. More importantly, he is still very weak.
If Liu Bei were to go and seek refuge with them, it would certainly be difficult to control them.
More importantly, Yuan Tan's relationship with Yuan Shao was delicate, and he was also a potential rival to Cao Cao.
Yuan Tan would certainly have to rely on Liu Bei in every way.
"What Gongyou (Sun Qian) said...is exactly what I think."
Liu Bei finally spoke, and said slowly,
"Cao Cao's position is already secure, and his rules are strict; he is not a good place for us to settle. Yuan Xiansi is rising in power and needs people. Moreover, he has become mortal enemies with Lü Bu, and he shares our hatred for him."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over his brothers and ministers who had endured countless hardships yet remained steadfastly by his side, and said loudly:
"We will then go to Shouchun and seek refuge with Yuan Xiansi of Qingzhou! And our sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei!"
"exist!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei solemnly responded.
"Gather your troops, treat the wounded, and march south immediately!"
"Jian Yong and Sun Qian, reassure the troops and explain the advantages and disadvantages!"
"Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, gather provisions for the journey and proceed with caution!"
The crowd responded in unison:
"promise!"