Chapter 37: Yuan Shu Advances on Yu Province

  In May of the first year of Jianping, after the allied army of ten vassals retreated from the Tiger Trap Pass, they advanced to Xianyang and set up camp.

  The original allied forces of the vassals fought against Dong, Kong Rong died of a heart attack due to anxiety, Sun Jian was still in Yuzhou, Liu Dai and Tao Qian rushed back to their respective territories, now only Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and other ten vassals are left at Xiangguo.

  As for Yuan Shu, he had already hastily led his troops away when the allied army retreated from the Tiger Trap Pass.

  When we came, there were 300,000 troops, but now only 100,000 exhausted soldiers are left.

  The army arrived at Suozi, and Shi Hou's scouts immediately brought back the latest news about the Xiliang cavalry.

  A few days ago, four thousand Western Liang iron cavalry broke into Chenliu, and after a round of burning, killing and looting, they have already rushed to Shanyang County.

  Chenliu Governor Zhang Mai almost jumped up in shock after receiving the news. When the major surnames of Chenliu came to the army to ask for an explanation, Zhang Mai was really worried and anxious that he couldn't eat or sleep.

  Damn those treacherous Western Liang bandits, they should be struck by heavenly thunder!

  Zhang Yan gritted his teeth and cursed, but he couldn't help feeling uneasy about these Chenliu aristocrats.

  Otherwise, if you don't follow the rules of these aristocratic families and go against their wishes, your own future days will be difficult.

  The prosperity of the gentry class in this era is unmatched by any dynasty. After local officials take office, if they want to stand firm locally, they must obtain the support of the local gentry class, otherwise it will be difficult to move forward.

  This is also why Liu Dai and Tao Qian led their troops back in a hurry.

  The Chinese army's main tent, all the vassals gathered in Yuan Shao's tent, discussing how to deal with this heavenly killing and earthly Xiliang cavalry.

  Yuan Shao said in a loud voice, "The Emperor is in distress, and as his subjects, it is our duty to pacify the rebels and bring peace to the country. This band of Western Liang soldiers has been burning, killing, and looting everywhere; if we do not exterminate them, it will be impossible to calm the people's anger. We have an army of 100,000 men; all we need to do is march north and trap this Western Liang cavalry within the borders of Shanyang County, setting up a heaven-and-earth net that they cannot escape."

  All the vassals nodded in agreement, full of courage and confidence.

  Cao Cao said, "The Western Liang army is all cavalry, coming and going like the wind. Moreover, they are all lightly equipped and advancing quickly, without bringing grain or heavy baggage. Our army is numerous but has no cavalry, so it's probably very difficult to block them. Cao thought that our army should divide troops to guard the important roads of Guandu, Zhongmu, and Changsha, and dispatch another army to guard the strategic Bofang Slope, dividing troops to advance and prevent Lu Bu from escaping into Tiger Trap Pass."

  Yuan Shao said: "This is a very good idea, let's follow Meng De's plan."

  Beihai Governor Kong Rong said, "We must quickly eliminate this Western Liang cavalry, otherwise if we let them plunder everywhere, the people of the Central Plains will suffer from their raids day after day, and I fear that the morale will be greatly damaged, which cannot be prevented."

  "What Mr. Kong said is absolutely right."

  All the vassals nodded in agreement, acknowledging this proposal.

  They then discussed some details and the various princes took separate actions, dispatching troops to guard strategic locations.

  Tiger Trap Pass, temporary residence of the Prime Minister.

  Li Ru hastily rushed into Dong Zhuo's mansion and bowed his hands to Dong Zhuo, saying: "My lord, General Hu Zhi's army has news."

  Dong Zhuo smiled and said: "This must be good news, Wen Yu, tell me quickly."

  Li Ruyu said, "Our scouts in Chenliu have obtained information that several days ago, General Hu Zhi led a large army to attack Chenliu, killing the local gentry and aristocratic families until the rivers flowed with blood. Then he marched north and attacked Shanyang County."

  Dong Zhuo was puzzled: "The rebel army in Guandong has already retreated, why didn't Hu Zhen lead his troops back to Tiger Trap Pass?"

  Li Ru thought for a moment and said, "Although the rebels from Guandong have retreated, they have divided their troops to guard the strategic passes leading to Jingdi Luoyang. This must be an attempt to set up a heaven-and-earth net to annihilate General Hu Zhi's 8,000 iron cavalry. I think General Hu Zhi must have anticipated this and therefore led his army north to attack Shanyang County, in order to avoid being surrounded and intercepted by the rebels from Guandong, and then look for an opportunity to break free."

  Dong Zhuo nodded in agreement, saying: "Hu Zhi has both bravery and strategy, and it's not in vain that I entrusted him with important tasks. This time, he successfully forced the rebels from Guandong to retreat, and Luoyang was preserved, Hu Zhi should be credited with the greatest achievement. When he returns to Luoyang, I will definitely reward him heavily."

  "My lord is wise."

  Li Ru smiled calmly and complimented him casually.

  Until now, Luoyang still did not know that Hu Zhi had died in battle, and the 8,000-strong Western Liang Iron Cavalry had changed its commander.

  Dong Zhuo was in high spirits and burst out laughing. He then consulted with Li Ru on how to consolidate his power and control the various warlords of the land.

  Yu State, north gate of Qiao County.

  Yuan Shu led his army to arrive, Sun Jian and a group of Yu Province aristocrats had been waiting at the north gate for a long time.

  "I have seen you before, sir."

  Sun Jian hastened forward and made a bow to Yuan Shu, falling to the ground with a thud.

  The gentlemen of Yuzhou also came forward one after another and paid their respects to Yuan Shu.

  Yuan Shu laughed and helped Sun Jian up, saying: "Wen Tai, quickly dispense with the formalities."

  Also met with the Henan state scholar-officials who came to welcome him and treated them with courtesy, trying his best to win them over.

  Sun Jian stood up with the momentum, turned sideways and led the way: "Jian has prepared a banquet, please enter the city, General."

  "Alright! Alright! Alright!"

  Yuan Shu nodded in agreement three times and then called out to Sun Jian to mount his horse. The two rode side by side into the city.

  The rest of the generals followed behind, leading the army into the city in an orderly manner.

  Since Kong Rong was killed by the Western Liang army's surprise attack on Qiao County, Yuan Shu took the opportunity to annex Kong Rong's troops and sent someone to rush to Qiao County overnight, trying his best to win over Sun Jian, letting him take advantage of the situation to occupy Qiao County and control the situation.

  Many vassals saw it with their own eyes, but they were deterred by the four generations of three dukes of the Yuan family. Yuan Shao was also the leader of the allied army, so they all turned a blind eye.

  Sun Jian received an urgent report from Yuan Shu's place, and was hesitating. Then he received the news that the Western Liang army was marching northward. He immediately led his troops to kill them, taking advantage of the opportunity to occupy Qiao County, controlling the city, waiting for Yuan Shu to arrive.

  On their way to the residence of the Governor of Yuzhou, Yuan Shu chuckled and said: "This time we can control Yuzhou, all thanks to your efforts, Wentai."

  Sun Jian cupped his hands and said: "Jian does not dare to take credit for this, it is all thanks to your prestige, sir, that we were able to control the situation."

  These words are not empty talk, but true words.

  The Yuan family had four generations of high-ranking officials, and their gates were thronged with former subordinates, their prestige reaching an extreme.

  Henan is also the hometown of the Yuan family, and it's unknown how many officials, big or small, are descendants of the Yuan family.

  This time, being able to control the situation was all thanks to Yuan Shu sending his trusted advisors to persuade them. The local gentry and aristocratic families in Yu Province would not have strongly opposed Sun Jian after the Western Liang army left if it weren't for this. Otherwise, how could Sun Jian have quickly controlled the situation?

  Yuan Shu stroked his beard and said with a smile: "The death of Cao Cao is also the death of me, the death of Wen Tai is also the death of me!"

  Arrived at the residence of the Censor-in-Chief, several dozen servants and maids had already come out to greet them.

  Yuan Shu took his seat without hesitation, sitting in the main position without any courtesy.

  Sun Jian sat at the top of the right seat, and the rest of the generals and Yu State aristocrats also took their seats on both sides.

  The cups and chopsticks were crossed, and the atmosphere was warm and lively.

  Yuan Shu was persuaded by his subordinates and a group of Yu Province scholars to drink, and he became extremely drunk.

  The banquet didn't break up until late at night.

  Sun Jian saw off the Henan scholar-officials and then went with Cheng Pu to a house in the northern part of the city.

  The departing Cao Cao's mansion was far away, and Cheng Pu said in a low voice: "My lord, this Yuan Shu has no tolerance for others. Rather than dying under his command without being appreciated, it would be better to return to Changsha and think of another way to recruit soldiers and horses to make a comeback."

  Sun Jian sighed and said, "This time we went to war against the national thief Dong Zhuo, but our 8,000-strong army is now almost gone. Even if we return to Changsha, it will be difficult to stand firm. Although there are still 7,000 infantrymen left, they are all northern soldiers, how can they bear to abandon their families and follow me to Changsha?"

  Cheng Pu was silent for a long time, and did not speak for half a day.

  Sun Jian had no foundation in the south and did not have a family background like Yuan Shu's, so it was difficult for him to get the support of the aristocratic families.

  Without a loyal army in hand, even if he returns to Changsha, those aristocratic families will not give Sun Jian any face.

  It's not like it used to be, since Dong Zhuo entered the capital and disrupted the imperial court, the court's prestige has plummeted, and local tyrants have become more brazen in recruiting private soldiers and expanding their forces, all hoping to make a name for themselves when the chaotic era arrives.

  Without sufficient strength, how can you intimidate those arrogant and powerful local tyrants.

  Sun Jian said in a deep voice: "For now, there is no other way but to take refuge under Yuan Shu's command and wait for an opportunity to make our next move."

  Cheng Pu sighed and said, "It can't be helped."

  Xuzhou, inside a manor northwest of Lanling.

  Smoke wafts gently, meat fragrance floats, stirring up the greedy worms in the belly.

  Three thousand Western Liang soldiers surrounded several large pots, adding firewood under the pots while drooling and staring at the half-cooked beef inside. They occasionally told off-color jokes, bursting into waves of lewd laughter.

  Li Meng and Wang Fang were sitting not far away, discussing what to do next.

  "Taoyuan's army has arrived at Xiapi, it is time to leave."

  Wang Fang chewed on the half-cooked beef, mumbling: "I don't know how General is doing in Yanzhou. Since Tao Qian has led his troops back to Xuzhou, I suppose the Eastern warlords have retreated too. I wonder if General can make it to Yangping smoothly."

  Li Menglou said: "The general's divine strategy and clever calculation had long anticipated this, how could he let the rebellious army of Guandong block him?"

  Wang Fang thought for a moment and then stuffed the last piece of meat into his mouth. He shouted to someone not far away, "Bring another piece over!"

  "Here I come!"

  A soldier from Western Liang responded with a "yes" and immediately scooped out a piece of half-cooked beef from the pot and brought it over.

  Just then, a cavalry officer rushed in like a whirlwind on horseback.

  Report—

  Xu Hou galloped up to the front, reined in his horse and shouted: "The two generals, Tao Qian has mobilized all the troops of Xuzhou, with General Cao Bao as the vanguard, killing their way to Langling. At the latest, they will arrive at Langling by tomorrow afternoon."

  "Alright, got it, let's investigate further."

  Li Meng waved his hand and shouted at Hou Bing, who immediately turned his horse's head and galloped away.

  Wang Fang stood up and said, "Calculating the time, it's about right. Since Tao Qian has already arrived, we'll set out with our army tomorrow to meet General Cao at Yangping. Should we defeat Tao Qian's troops in Xuzhou before leaving?"

  Li Meng felt a bit moved, and immediately said in a low voice: "It's better not to make things difficult, so as not to delay the time, it's not worth suffering. If we are entangled by Tao Qian, the old man, and suffer heavy casualties, even if we arrive at Yangping, there will be no way to explain to the general."

  Wang Fangdao said: "Alright then, let's set off tomorrow."

  At this time, a soldier from Xiliang ran over and whispered a few words in Wang's ear.

  "Damn it, you little bastard! Don't you think your life is too long? Last time, over thirty people were beheaded by the general, and you still dare to go and snatch a woman. Hurry up and let her go, don't drag me into this!"

  The Western Liang soldier sneered and said: "General hasn't seen it, that woman is really too damn beautiful, letting her go would be a waste!"

  "Damn it, a knife on the head of this little rascal, no matter how beautiful the woman is, life is more important. I think you're willing to sacrifice your life for a woman. Go and release the person quickly, otherwise I'll cut off your two eggs first."

  Li Meng's face also turned cold, looking at the Western Liang soldier with displeasure.