Chapter Nineteenth: The Great Army Returns North

  Yuan's central army headquarters.

  Yuan Shao wore a red robe, his face as white as a ghost. He was sitting in the main seat of the commander's tent, holding a bowl of medicine that the military doctor had just cooked, looking hesitant at his two sons, Yuan Chang and Yuan Xi, who were standing beside him.

  After the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao's body was never good due to excessive fright.

  It's no wonder that the destruction of Wusuo not only dealt a severe blow to morale, but also affected the rotation of military rations in Hebei Province in the short term. Moreover, the farmland near Ye City was about to be sown, and many reserve grains for sowing were also stored in Wusuo. After returning to Ye City, if handled improperly, it could lead to a shortage of harvests in Ye City next time, which would have a profound impact on people's livelihoods and future military grain reserves.

  However, what Yuan Shao is most worried about at the moment is not this matter. Just now, he was talking to Yuan Xi, and Yuan Chang came over to report on the specific details of the withdrawal. He believed that their side should send elite light cavalry to sneak attack Xuchang by a small road, diverting Cao Cao's attention, not allowing the opponent to have an opportunity to take advantage of it, and covering up the main force's normal river crossing retreat.

  This strategy had been presented to Yuan Shao by Xu You at the time, and although it was quite appreciated, later because of Yan Baihu's exposure of Xu You's corrupt letter, Yuan Shao developed a dislike for Xu You in his heart, so he did not adopt it. Now that it is brought up again, Yuan Shao feels deeply moved.

  But calm down and think carefully, wanting the troops to withdraw safely is indeed the case, apart from this plan, there are no other good strategies.

  Yuan Shao originally wanted to respond, but he never expected Yuan Shang to take the initiative to ask for a battle, hoping to lead his troops to launch a surprise attack. This time, however, it thoroughly made Yuan Shao feel uncomfortable in his heart.

  To know, a good strategy is good, but the risks involved are extremely great. If there is even a slight oversight, the result may be death without burial, and not even a bone can be found.

  It would be one thing if it were someone else, but now his own flesh and blood son is volunteering to go. As everyone knows, Yuan Shao is notorious for being overly protective of his sons, especially his third son, whom he favors the most. Now that Yuan Shang has volunteered to go, Yuan Shao feels a mix of emotions - pride in his son's willingness to take risks, yet also deep concern and worry.

  "Xian fu." After thinking for a long time, Yuan Shao slowly spoke: "The plan you proposed today to cover the retreat of the main army is deeply appreciated by your father. You are indeed a heavenly gifted child, but the son of a noble family should not be in a humble position. Military campaigns and battles are the affairs of generals. As the young master of Ji Zhou, why must you personally go? If something unexpected happens, wouldn't it make your father regret it?"

  Yuan Xi nodded in agreement, "Yes, Third Brother, I have a hundred thousand elite troops from Hebei, and a thousand capable generals. Any one of them can be sent to conquer Xuchang, why must you go yourself? Father is unwell, we should focus on taking care of him here as his sons. You cannot act rashly, Third Brother."

  Yuan Shang smiled and shook his head, saying: "It's precisely because Father is not feeling well now that we as sons should be more concerned about our father. Besides, during the Battle of Wuchao, I once faced Cao Cao and didn't suffer any losses despite being in a very disadvantageous situation. This time will certainly be no exception."

  Yuan Shao heard this and fell into deep thought for a long time. Although his expression had somewhat eased, he still did not make any statement.

  "Besides, I am the son of a family with four generations of high-ranking officials. How can I, a descendant of such a noble lineage, yield to that eunuch's offspring Cao Pi? My father was a brilliant and ambitious man, far superior to Cao Cao. The sons he taught must also be superior to Cao Pi. This time, I request to go to battle not for any other reason, but only to fight for the honor of my family, to let the world see what kind of heroes the descendants of the Yuan family are! Cao Pi and his ilk cannot even be mentioned in the same breath as us!"

  Yuan Shao's eyes lit up as soon as he heard the words. He had always been ambitious and never willing to admit defeat. Now that his son had made such a decision and expressed himself in this way, how could he, as the father, fall behind his own son?

  "Xianfu, you've grown up!" Yuan Shao gazed at Yuan Shang for a long time before saying with emotion: "With a son like this, how can I worry about not being able to eliminate Cao's villainy? How can I worry about not being able to pacify the world... Alright! Since it's come to this, you just go and make your way in the world. In the future, if there's anything that happens, your father will take responsibility for you!"

  Yuan Shang let out a sigh of relief and bowed his hands to Yuan Shao: "Thank you, Father."

  "Xian Pu, the sneak attack on Xu Chang is not a trivial matter. The military strength cannot be too strong, so as not to reveal our tracks, but it also cannot be too weak... So, I will send you 5,000 of my most elite personal iron cavalry, and also dispatch Zhang Gong and Gao Lan to assist you. My son, remember to be cautious in your actions. The sneak attack on Xu Du is just a show, once we've drawn out the Cao army, immediately return. At White Horse Crossing, I will naturally send a large army to support you!"

  Zhang Jue, Gao Lan, 5,000 elite iron cavalrymen, for the safety of this precious son, Yuan Shao has taken into account all the most elite soldiers and generals.

  "Father, rest assured that I will not bring shame to our mission." Yuan Shang secretly made up his mind that this time, no matter what, he would make a big fuss in Yanzhou and let Cao Cao suffer a setback.

  Before long, Yuan Shang led 5,000 iron cavalrymen to secretly head south via a small path.

  Just as Yuan Shang's troops were about to set out, Yuan Shao's hundreds of thousands of troops changed their vanguard to rearguard, and the rearguard became the vanguard, advancing steadily and slowly retreating towards the Yellow River ferry in the rear.

  Cao Jun's forces, upon learning of Yuan Jun's movements, immediately began to concentrate their troops and march northward, with a momentum that could crush Yuan Jun's morale.

  Each side made its own plans and took action, and the last battle of the Battle of Wanjiazhai sounded a moving curtain call.

  Yuan Shang rode his horse, humming a tune, leisurely and carefree, like he was on a holiday trip, hurrying towards Xuchang.

  In comparison, Zhang Jue and others behind him had a more solemn expression because they had been through many battles and naturally knew the difficulties and hardships of this war. They just didn't understand why Yuan Shang would have such a calm demeanor, as if he was going on an excursion rather than to battle.

  If they knew Yuan Shang's true thoughts, they would probably be furious to death.

  Both sides have come, and the broken pot is smashed anyway.

  Looking at Yuan Shang humming on horseback, Gao Luan immediately rode forward and asked in a low voice: "Third Master, do you have any thoughts on this sneak attack on Xudu?"

  Yuan Shang stopped humming and turned his head curiously towards Gao Ping: "What other ideas could there be? Can't we just take the city?"

  Gao Lang heard this and smiled bitterly, saying: "Young master, we are all elite cavalrymen, and we're not afraid of fighting on the open plains. But attacking a city... first, our numbers are too few, second, we have no siege engines, how can we attack?"

  Yuan Shang heard this and laughed, saying: "General Cao is really a straightforward person. Who told you to actually attack Xuchang? This time we go, to put it bluntly, is to put on a big show for Cao Cao to see. After surrounding the city, making a fuss, letting Cao Cao lead his troops back to rescue, this task will be considered accomplished. If we really attack and take Xudu, can you hold on?"

  At this time, Zhang Jue rode forward on horseback and said: "Is it possible for the young master, if Cao Cao's army counterattacks, how should we respond? Which road will we take to retreat back to White Horse Ferry? Does the third gentleman have a plan?"

  Yuan Shang heard this and thought seriously for a moment before saying, "No."

  "What?" Gao Lan heard this and suddenly became anxious: "Third Master doesn't have a complete plan for retreat?"

  "Of course not, you don't even know which direction Cao Cao is coming from, how can we formulate a retreat strategy? Wait until Cao Cao withdraws his troops to rescue us, and then we can decide on a retreat strategy based on the situation."