Chapter 32 All pulling relationships

"Yuan Xi?" Zhao Feng never dreamed that the second son of the Yuan family would write to himself. This letter was really tortuous all the way. It was first sent by Yuan Xi to Chai Sang, then from Chai Sang to Xiangyang, and then from Xiangyang to Hanshou County. Almost at the same time, there was also a letter sent by Liu Bei.

After reading the two letters, Zhao Feng finally figured out what was going on. It turned out that after the defeat of Cangting, Yuan Shao lost Bingzhou, and his strength was greatly reduced. His body was not as good as one day. At present, all the big and small affairs were taken care of by Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi and Guo Tu. Yuan Tan sent Chen Zhen to ask Liu Bei for support. At the same time, Yuan Xi also wrote to Zhao Feng, a "co-in-law" for help, asking him to help persuade Liu Bei that the two families attacked Cao together. After the matter was completed, the Yellow River was divided equally.

To be honest, Zhao Feng was very excited. Yuan Tan is really the kind of person who is bold and productive. There are only two and a half states left, and they are already discussing how to deal with Cao Wei and then divide them equally. If it can really be as he said, then after occupying all the territory under Cao's rule, the remaining Yuan family in Hebei should not be worried at all. Looking at Yuan Xi's letter, it is nothing more than persuading himself to persuade Liu Bei and the Yuan family to join hands with Cao Qian.

When it was said that Liu Bei and Cao Qian formed an alliance to deal with Yuan Shaozhi, they ruled only Xu Yu's two prefectures, with a population of less than 4 million and less than 200,000 soldiers. At present, Liu Bei occupies the land of the four states, with a population of more than 8 million and nearly 400,000 soldiers and horses. In contrast, after Cao Wei occupied the four states, his strength also made great progress. Although the population of Bingzhou is only 700,000, it is one of the four major horse-producing bases in the Han Dynasty, which is of great strategic importance. What's more important is that after occupying Bingzhou, Cao Qian can attack Jizhou on both sides. Once Yuan Shao is squeezed out of Jizhou, it is estimated that he can only survive after retreating to Youzhou. As for Qingzhou, most of it has been occupied by Liu Bei, and only the Nanpi and plains north of the Yellow River are guarded by Yuan Shang. After taking power alone, Yuan Tan transferred Yuan Shang's confidant and Feng Ji there. In name, he assisted Yuan Shang to defend Qingzhou, but in fact, he dismissed his people. In addition, the general Zhang Yi and his counselor were transferred back to Jizhou to prepare to defend Jizhou to deal with Cao Qian. In addition, Tian Feng was transferred to Youzhou by him to assist Yan Rou in dealing with aliens. At the same time, Tian Yu led 40,000 elite soldiers from Youzhou to Shangdang County to prepare for the battle.

It should be said that Guo Tu and Yuan Tan still have some skills. In this bad situation, it is not easy to put on a decent defensive posture and let Yuan Shang, who is different from him, trapped in Qingzhou and do nothing. However, it is obviously not enough to rely on this ability to deal with Cao Ben.

Now history has been messed up by Zhao Feng. In addition to Liu Zhang in the deep mountains and Gongsun Kang in Liaodong, the fate of other princes has changed dramatically compared with the same period of history. Liu Biao, who should have survived, has been in Jingnan for more than half a year. Sun Zhongmou, who led Jiangdong, was forced to live a free and depressed life in the four counties of Jiaozhou. Even Ma Teng and Han Sui, who should have been out of the matter at this time, actually went to Bingzhou for a walk. At present, Yuan Tan wants to form an alliance with Liu Bei, and Liu Bei also asked the core figures such as Zhao Feng and Guan Yu for their opinions.

Zhao Feng thought over and over again, feeling that he was allied with Yuan Tan. However, on the one hand, the two families are far away from each other and the news is not good. On the other hand, with Yuan Tan's strength and ability, he can only contain Cao at most, but he can't help too much. After thinking about it, it seems that it is best to squeeze the surplus value of Yuan Tan and let your side get more benefits. It's good to take the opportunity to seize Hanzhong or to consolidate Jingxiang.

At present, Zhao Feng wrote a detailed reply to Liu Bei, to the general idea that he could agree to form an alliance with him, but in fact, he took the opportunity to seek benefits for himself. Zi Jing, Shi Yuan, Bo Tao, the second brother and Kong Ming all think that they might as well form an alliance with them, but it is not appropriate to use a big sword. Liu Bei read several reply letters, and their opinions were basically the same.

"We also think so!" Pang Tong and others also agree. However, if Cao Wei commits it, what can he do? Sun Qian asked at this time.

"Gong You, don't worry, although the battle of Cao Cangting was won, it was also a narrow victory. At present, even if you want to invade again, you are powerless. In fact, it's not just Cao Wei, but also Yuan Shao. At present, it is the general trend for the three parties to rest and recuperate. At least in the next year, everyone is powerless to fight again. Chen Qun said with a smile.

"Excuse me. In this battle of Cangting, when Yuan Cao's strength was far inferior to that of Guandu, it was all due to lack of food and fodder!" Pang Tong said with a smile.

"It's more than that. Since then, Yuan Shao has become the trend of Bo Xishan. In the future, the Lord will compete with Cao Wei in the north and south. Lu Su said with a smile. Everyone agreed. Liu Bei looked at the map of the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty hanging on the wall. The land population under his rule was the first, and he was immediately overjoyed.

"Huh?" Pang Tong saw that Liu Bei frowned slightly and followed his eyes, but he saw that Liu Bei was looking at the land of Xichuan, and he immediately knew it in his heart. At this time, Liu Bei came to his senses, ordered someone to invite Chen Zhen, and promised to form an alliance with Yuan Shao, and the two families wanted to help Cao. If any one is attacked, the other needs to be rescued. In the same way, any one that attacks Cao needs to inform another family first, and it needs to be combined with everyone's efforts to eliminate Cao Jian. After the two sides signed the alliance, Liu Bei ordered a banquet to entertain Chen Zhen. The latter, who successfully completed the task, was also in a good mood. Everyone persuaded him to drink and prepare for a while, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

Next time, Chen Zhen returned to Jizhou through Qingzhou and reported the alliance to Yuan Tan and Guo Tu. Grandson, Uncle Liu deeply hates Cao and is willing to fight with the prince for this thief!" Chen Zhen couldn't hide his excitement and said to Yuan Tan.

"It's hard to get filial piety all the way here!" Hearing this good news, Yuan Tan was also extremely excited and praised Chen Zhen for his ability. On the excited head, the maid who served Yuan Shao came to report, and Yuan Shao vomited blood again.

"Father!" Yuan Tan and Guo Tu hurried to Yuan Shao's side, but they saw that Yuan Shao's face was pale, he closed his eyes and gasped slightly, and there was a trace of blood on the corners of his mouth. Hearing Yuan Tan's voice, Yuan Shao slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yuan Tan and said, "Yan Si, how is the situation at present? Has Cao Mengde ever come to attack?"

"No, Cao Mengde's food and fodder are not good, and he is also recuperating at present. So that my father knows that Chen Xiaoqi sent an envoy to Shouchun, and he has talked about Uncle Liu. He is willing to discuss Cao with us. The existing alliance book is here!" Yuan Tan took out the alliance book and showed it to Yuan Shao.

"Okay, okay!" Yuan Shao looked at the three good things, and casually looked at Yuan Tan and said, "It's not as good as my father's body. I'm afraid it's not far away. If you and the three brothers can be united wholeheartedly, you can still protect yourself. If the disaster causes the wall, it will take its own scourge. Liu Bei is generous. He said that if something doesn't work, you can go to his people. If it doesn't work, you can save your life. Do you understand?"

"I understand!" Yuan Tan and Yuan Xigong said. After saying this, Yuan Shao closed his eyes tiredly, and Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi also retreated together.

"Since the eldest prince has formed an alliance with Uncle Liu, the military horses of the third son of Qingzhou can be transferred back to Jizhou to stop Cao!" Walking out of Yuan Shao's room, Guo Tu suddenly proposed.

"That's right, second brother, what do you think?" Yuan Tan nodded and said that Yuan Xi had nothing to do. How did he know that Guo Tu wanted to reinforce Jizhou, but also took the opportunity to weaken Yuan Shang's power in disguise. At present, there are still 70,000 troops under Yuan Shang in Qingzhou. Yuan Tan ordered to transfer back 50,000 of them to help fight in Qingzhou. Now Yuan Shang is really upset.

"How can it be? It's fake to resist Cao Wei. It's clear that he wants to take the opportunity to seize my foundation!" In Nanpi City, Qingzhou, Yuan Shang looked at the order in front of him and was also furious. Yuan Shang is only in his twenties this year. He has been loved by Yuan Shao since he was a child, and has always been the most popular to inherit his title. But since he came to Qingzhou, Yuan Shang's fortune is not very good. First, he was beaten all over the ground by Zhang Fei and Chen Gong, and the general Gao Lan was even captured and surrendered alive, which hit Yuan Shang, who had always been pretentious, and his impression in Yuan Shao's heart was also greatly reduced. Later, because he was in Qingzhou, Yuan Tan, who accompanied Yuan Shao, took advantage of the emptiness of Yuan Shao's inability to be a director, and gradually took over the power and received more support. Now that I am idle in Qingzhou, I really don't want to call heaven and earth.

"The third son, the former wife sent someone to deliver a letter saying that the lord's body was more and more serious, but he was afraid that there was not much. If the third son is patrolling in Qingzhou, I'm afraid that there is no hope of heirs!" Feng Ji, who was beside him, said at this time.

"I also know this, but how can I go back to Qingzhou without my father's order? What can I do?" Yuan Shang was a little helpless. At this time, Feng Ji's eyes turned and said, "At present, the lord has formed an alliance with Uncle Liu. Why doesn't you connect with Prime Minister Cao? It should be noted that the emperor is still in Xuchang, and the third son can ask him to show that the prince is Qingzhou Mu. He said that even if he can't take the throne, he can also be the herdsman of Qingzhou!" It turned out that after Liu Bei formed an alliance with Yuan Shao, Chen Gong took the initiative to ask for the removal of his position as the governor of Qingzhou, which finally ended the awkward situation of the coexistence of state herdsmen and assassins in Qingzhou for three years.

"Well, I can only look at it step by step at the moment!" Yuan Shang said with hatred. At the moment, the people and horses were delivered, but Yuan Shang prepared a heavy gift, attached his own handwritten letter, and sent Xin Pi to secretly send it to Cao Hen. The letter was full of admiration for Cao Hen. In the end, he vaguely said that he hoped that Cao Yan could support himself.

"The descendants of the Yuan family, when this great enemy is present, they are still fighting for themselves. It's really hopeless!" After Cao Wei met Xin Pi, he was quite disdainful.

"The second son of the Yuan family is ambitious and talented. Yuan Tanshang can lead the army in the battle, but Yuan Shang is the son of Taiping. It is useless in this troubled world. Xun Yu shook his head and said.

"Wen Ruo, the two sons of the Yuan family compete with each other. What should we do at the present?" Cao Qian asked Xun Yu.

"Yuan Benchu said that he would die, and the lord could send someone to appease Yuan Shang and make him stay in Qingzhou. With the power of Yuan Tan and Guo Tu, although they are not as good as our army, they can still fight. If the two sons compete with each other, it will be of great benefit to us. Why doesn't the lord provoke the two of them to kill each other? Xun Yu thought for a time.

"That's right!" Cao Wei nodded. At this time, it was the seventh year of Jian'an. In the middle of May of the lunar calendar in 202, after the battle of Yuan Cao and Liu, they temporarily defended their respective places to recuperate.

(to be continued)