Yecheng.

Yuan Shao sat in front of the desk, holding the case with one hand and holding the bronze wine jue in the other hand. He took a sip of wine in the face, then slowly placed the wine jue on the desk, lowered his hand to his waist, and slowly rubbed the sword around his waist. The knife was simple in style, but the scabbard was inlaid with gold and jade. There was a three-legged black inlaid with gold wire in the middle, standing with its head held high, and the eyes made of gems were brilliant, magnificent, and extremely gorgeous.

Guo Tu stood in front of Yuan Shao and looked at Yuan Shao carefully. What he reported today was not good news, and he didn't know what Yuan Shao would react, so he was a little farther away so as not to be cut by Yuan Shao in anger.

Yuan Shao was calm and steady in front of outsiders, but often got angry in front of people close to him. As Yuan Shao’s confidant, he was very distressed.

"Please, what kind of person do you think Liu Zhengli is?" Yuan Shao raised his head and signaled Guo Tu to take his seat.

Guo Tu felt relieved and sat down on the table next to him, taking this opportunity to organize some language. Liu Yao suffered setbacks one after another, but Liu Yao did not admit defeat and planned to turn against Yuzhang. He still had the opportunity to turn defeat into victory. What's more important is that Liu Yao was a member of Mrs. Liu's tribe. Yuan Shao could not deny it directly, nor could he take the blame, so as not to let Yuan Shao bear the bad reputation of improper employment.

"Liu Zhengli has the courage, but he is not familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. Xu Gong... was defeated too quickly, so Liu Zhengli had to do so."

"Yeah." Yuan Shao nodded without comment. "You reply to him and let him cooperate well with Yuan Cai and move to Lujiang as soon as possible. Sun Ce is brave and cunning, but Sun Jian is the bravest man. He is in Runan, and all the families will not be convinced. The righteous etiquette can take advantage of it. Xian Si can also help him in Yanzhou."

"The lord is wise." Guo Tu agreed, and then reminded: "Xian Si is attacking Taishan County and will soon attack Qingzhou. Can he help Liu Zhengli?"

Yuan Shao said lightly: "I plan to personally conquer Qingzhou."

Guo Tu was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly. After more than half a year, Yuan Tan had already controlled Yanzhou and was attacking Taishan County, preparing to enter Qingxu. Tao Qian of Xuzhou was very tightly guarded, but Tian Kai of Qingzhou was not Cao Ang's opponent. He was beaten to retreat step by step, and most of the plains were lost. If Yuan Shao did not take action, Yuan Tan would probably take all Yanzhou and Qingzhou in his hands. In the future, it would inevitably be a big risk of losing his head.

Yuan Shao's attack on Qingzhou was undoubtedly the best time. Tian Kai and Cao Ang had been fighting for more than half a year and were exhausted. Yuan Shao could win with just one move. Gongsun Zan was defeated by Yuan Shao not long ago, and before he could recover, he was unable to rush to Qingzhou.

"The lord made this decision very timely."

Yuan Shao raised his eyelids and smiled. "This is the suggestion of Ju Su and Tian Feng."

Guo Tu was speechless and wanted to slap himself in the face.

Yuan Shao didn't look at him, and continued, "Gongsun Zan is just the courage of an ordinary man. After being defeated by me one after another, he could only hide in Youzhou. I plan to marry Wuhuan and the Xiongnu, and then attack Youzhou. Before that, I want to conquer Qingxu in the south. Sun's family has Jingyu, and will soon occupy Yangzhou, which is more dangerous than Gongsun Zan. He has to cut off his branches and wings first, at least he must take over Yuzhou first. If Lujiang can be captured, Jiujiang will be even better."

Guo Tu thought for a long time and shook his head. "What the lord said is the most profound truth. When the lord is in the direction of the command, Sun Jian and his son will naturally be popular. But have you ever thought that the terrain of Yuzhou is flat and conducive to running, but our army has not many cavalry, so it is difficult to win quickly. Sun Ce is good at training troops and his soldiers are tidying up. If he is strong and clear in the fields and guards the city, then after years of Yuzhou will be ruined, it will have an impact on the lord's reputation."

Yuan Shao frowned slightly, showing a little hesitation. Yuzhou is his native state, so of course he doesn't want to be disabled, which will affect his reputation.

"What should I do?"

"I think it's better to take Youzhou first. At that time, the Youzhou elite cavalry will attack, and use field battles to determine the victory and defeat. Yuzhou and Jingzhou can be determined in one battle."

Yuan Shao inhaled and showed some emotion. Although he defeated Gongsun Zan several times, the impact of the Youzhou Tuqi still left a deep impression on him. Yuzhou's terrain was flat, and Sun Jian and his son were in the south, lacking war horses, so they could only be dominated by infantry. Sun Ce was good at training troops, and his elite troops under his command were in a strict formation. If infantry attacked strongly, the losses would definitely be significant. With Youzhou Tuqi in his hands, the chances of victory would increase a lot. However, although Gongsun Zan was defeated, his strength was still there, and Youzhou was anxious and difficult to defecate. Sun Ce was unstoppable. In just two months, he took Danyang and Wu County. After a while, he had three counties in his hands, and his strength was stronger and he was even more difficult to fight.

Ju Bu, Tian Feng's opinions make sense, and Guo Tu's opinions make sense, and Yuan Shao was unable to make a decision for the time being.

Guo Tu was secretly happy and continued, "I thought the lord could win Qingxu, and there was no need to attack Yuzhou forcing him. Tian Kai and Tao Qian and Laobian were believing in the lord. The lord could decide in one fell swoop. He ordered Xiansi to move to Xuzhou, drink horses and go westwards, and then Jiujiang and Lujiang could go down. The lord would sit in Yanzhou with a large army and dispatch it in the middle. The heroes of Yuzhou responded to the king's army. Sun Jian would escape when he saw the wind and could get the whole wall of Yuzhou. The elders all rely on the lord's virtue."

Yuan Shao's eyebrows trembled slightly, his eyes lit up, and his expression on his face became much more vivid. Compared to Ju Su and Tian Feng's suggestion to attack Yuzhou, Guo Tu's suggestion was more in line with his wishes. If he could win Jizhou without fighting, not only would Jizhou suffer small losses, but it would also highlight the people's will, which would be more meaningful than obtaining the land of Yuzhou. In addition, there is also a tacit advantage: Yuan Tan was transferred from Yanzhou with justification.

"Changshan, can the heroes of Zhongshan and the two countries be effective recently?" Yuan Shao thought for a while. "Is the Zhao Yun recommended by Zhang He here?"

Guo Tu disagreed. "No, maybe hesitate."

Yuan Shao snorted, a little unhappy. He wanted to deal with Gongsun Zan, and he needed a general who was proficient in cavalry warfare. Then he accepted Zhang He's suggestion and asked Zhang He to inform Zhao Yun to come to Yecheng. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yun was still hesitant. It seemed that he was nostalgic for his former lord Gongsun Zan. Such a person would not be needed.

"I'll think about it again." Yuan Shao changed the subject and was no longer interested in discussing Zhao Yun's matter. "Is there anything else?"

Guo Tugong bowed. "There are some rumors in Yecheng recently, and the source of information is still being investigated."

"Tell me, what are the rumors."

"Some people say that there is a kingly spirit in the southeast, and why did the emperor come out of shock, and the solar eclipse of the first lunar month also points to the southeast. Anyway, it is all directing attention to the father and son of the Sun family. I originally thought that the court was spreading rumors and using the lord's hand to curb Sun Ce, but now I am not sure. Maybe Gongsun Zan is worried about the lord's attack."

Yuan Shao's eyes flashed, and he did not answer Guo Tu's words, but he understood Guo Tu's meaning. Some people wanted to push him to fight with the Sun family father and son. The court was suspected, and Gongsun Zan was also suspected, but it was not only them, Ju Su and Tian Feng were also suspected. It was they who suggested that he ignore Gongsun Zan behind him and go south to attack Qingzhou and Xuzhou. As for whether they were for greater interests or entrusted by someone, it was hard to say.
Chapter completed!