Speaking of which, Cao Cao led his 30,000 soldiers to detour from the mountain road next to Hulao Pass, and just arrived at the foot of the mountain west of Hulao Pass the next day.

Seeing that there were many footprints on the official road, Cao Chun became confused. He dismounted and checked for a while before reporting to Cao Cao: "Brother, there are many footprints on the official road and it seems like he has just walked past."

Cao Cao immediately ordered the army to rest on the spot, and he asked Cao Chun: "Zihe, are you sure? How many people are there? Where are you going?"

Cao Chun looked carefully and replied, "Brother, I'm sure there must be a large group of people on this official road, either yesterday or today, and the number of people is less than 100,000, heading towards Luoyang."

Liu Bei also observed Cao Chun's appearance carefully, but he couldn't see anything, and then asked in confusion: "Zi and brother, why are you so sure that the number of people is less than 100,000?"

After hearing this, Cao Chun pointed to the piles of horse manure on both sides of the official road and said, "Xuande, these feces are obviously horses, and they have been discharged recently. There are so many horse manures, and they are the feces of the cavalry mounts under Dong Zhuo. Judging from these numbers, there are at least 50,000 war horses, combined with the footprints of those people walking, so I would say that the number of people is less than 100,000."

Cao Cao felt that Cao Chun was right, so he asked Liu Bei: "Xuande, what do you think?"

Liu Bei frowned and replied, "Is it because Dong Zhuo led his army to retreat to Luoyang?" Liu Bei was right about this, but Dong Zhuo did not retreat to Luoyang, but directly retreated to Chang'an.

Cao Cao was suspicious by nature, so he said: "What did Dong Zhuo go back? Could it be that something happened to the Sishui Pass or Luoyang City?"

Liu Bei immediately suggested: "I think we should keep our troops in motion and send our mail cavalry to Luoyang and investigate in the two directions of Sishui Pass. It will not be too late to move our troops after a certain result."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "What Xuande said is reasonable. Our army cannot blindly travel to Luoyang. The soldiers followed me back to the mountains and waited for the whistleblower to find out the news before making a decision."

Liu Bei and Cao Cao retreated back to the mountain. At that time of uneasiness, Yuan Shao and others received news that Yang Fan had broken through the Sishui Pass in the coalition camp outside Hulao Pass.

Gongsun Zan said in surprise: "Bowen is really a long-time general on the battlefield, and even Guo Si is not his opponent."

Kong Rong also praised: "Bowen is really a good general of my great man. I have a big man. Why worry about Dong Zhuo's unfairness? Why worry about the world's unrest?"

Yuan Shu had a very ugly face and thought that if this continues, Yang Fan's reputation will only increase. This is not good news. He said lightly: "Since Yang Fan has broken the Sishui Pass, Dong Zhuo in Hulao Pass will definitely receive the news. I wonder what the leader plans?"

Yuan Shao said: "Dong Zhuo has only two ways to go. First, send troops to retake Sishui Pass. If Yang Bowen's troops leave Sishui Pass, it will form a force of attacking us from the north and south. By then, Dong Zhuo will have no chance of victory. Second, Dong Zhuo will directly give up Hulao Pass and lead his army to withdraw to Luoyang City, relying on Luoyang City to block us. Tell me which one Dong Zhuo will take?"

The princes all looked at each other, unable to guess which path Dong Zhuo would take. They all felt that both of the points Yuan Shao said were possible. In the end, it was Yuan Shao's counselor Xu You who came out and said, "Go back to the lord, You think that Dong Zhuo would choose the second path."

Yuan Shao was also unsure of his mind and asked quickly: "Where did Ziyuan judge from?"

Xu You replied: "My lord, please think that Yang Bowen is all under his command. It takes only three days from Sishui Pass to Luoyang. How could Dong Zhuo let Yang Bowen attack Luoyang? His advisers will definitely ask Dong Zhuo to lead his army to withdraw to Luoyang's defense. Otherwise, the city of Luoyang will be in danger."

Yuan Shao nodded and said, "What Ziyuan said is reasonable. I wonder how many soldiers Dong Zhuo will bring back to defend Luoyang?"

Xu You smiled confidently and said, "All people."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

Yuan Shu asked, "Then he, Dong Zhuo, don't want to be imprisoned in Hulao?"

Xu You explained: "The west of Sishui Pass is full of plains, which is conducive to the cavalry's galloping. At this time, Sishui Pass has been lost, so Dong Zhuo is equivalent to opening the door of his front yard. Since we can all enter through the front yard gate, what is the point of Dong Zhuo closing the side door of Hulao Pass? Therefore, I dare to conclude that Hulao Pass must be extremely empty at this time, and our coalition forces should take it quickly."

Ma Teng said: "Since we can enter from Sishui Pass, what should we do to attack Hulao Pass?"

Xu You smiled and said, "Now Hulao Pass is within reach, why should we leave the distance?"

Yuan Shao was immediately caught in a decision. He wanted to fight but was afraid that Xu You would make a mistake in his analysis. In the end, he suffered heavy losses. If he didn't want to fight and detour from Sishui Pass, he was also afraid that Yang Fan would take down Luoyang City and steal the first prize. Thinking about Yuan Shao's old problem, he just hesitated.

After seeing this, Xu You hurriedly said, "My lord, you must not miss the opportunity. You will never come back. If you stop, you will suffer from chaos. I hope you will think twice."

Seeing that the princes all looked at him, Yuan Shao then glared at Xu You in anger and said, "This leader decided to observe for another day and attack Hulao Pass tomorrow."

When Xu You heard this, he disagreed and immediately advised anxiously: "Lord, Hulao Pass must be empty in defense. Why don't our army attack the city today? Why should we wait until tomorrow?"

Yuan Shao replied with a verbal remark: "Ziyuan, don't be anxious. What Ziyuan said just now was your own guess. As the leader of the coalition forces, I have to be more careful about the safety of hundreds of thousands of soldiers."

Kong Rong agreed and said, "What the Alliance Leader Yuan said is reasonable. If you order it, the army will be destroyed and you will be killed. Be careful."

Yuan Yi also said: "No, it's better to be careful, it's better to be careful."

The princes all thought that the Yuan brothers, who were the main force of the siege, were not ready yet, so they were even more unprepared. Whoever thought they would go now would not stop them.

Since Yuan Shao gave the order in public, he would not change it. Looking at Yuan Shao's calm appearance, Xu You sighed quietly in his heart. For the first time, he felt that Yuan Shao was not as good as Cao Cao, and he did not have the fighting spirit of Cao Cao.

At the age when he was struggling to accumulate fame, Yuan Shao showed an indifferent look, which made Xu You feel a little disappointed and thought that this is the natural sense of superiority among the children of aristocratic families?

The next day, Yuan Shao personally led the army to Hulao Pass to invite the battle. Wen Chou rushed out of the coalition army alone and roared at the pass: "I am Wen Chou, the general under the tent of Yuan Gong. Lu Bu dares to go out of the city to fight me."

No matter how Wen Chou shouted and scolded, the Hulao Pass was silent. This phenomenon immediately attracted the attention of the princes. Xu You said to Yuan Shao: "Lord, judging from this situation, it must be like what I said below. I hope the lord will send troops to attack the city soon."

Xu You's words made Yuan Shao very moved, but he was afraid of being hit by Dong Zhuo's trick, so he stood there and hesitated for a moment.

Now that he saw Yuan Shao's entangled expression again, Xu You wanted to go up and shave him two big ears so that he could make him sober. But after thinking about it, Xu You still said, "Lord, the war is approaching, and it is the most taboo to hesitate and affect morale!"

Yuan Shao was embarrassed by Xu You's words. When he was about to make a decision, Yuan Shu was still brave. He came forward and said loudly: "I am willing to lead the troops under my command as the vanguard of our coalition."

Seeing Yuan Shu jump out, Yuan Shao was naturally happy. He said, "Okay, since the highway is willing to take the lead in solving the problem, the leader of the alliance will naturally allow it."

Yuan Shu immediately ordered his general Liu Xun to lead 10,000 soldiers to attack the hurdles. After Liu Xun received the order, he hurriedly rushed towards Hulao Pass with 10,000 troops.

For a moment, outside Hulao Pass, drums were loud and swords were tense, and the atmosphere was ignited to the top. The princes looked at Liu Xun one after another, feeling a little expectant, but were afraid that Liu Xun would really attack the city.

People, sometimes this is the case. When opportunities are placed in front of you, you are afraid of wolves and tigers. They all want others to be the first person to eat crabs, but when others go to eat, they are worried that they will not be able to eat meat after they follow you.

Liu Xun led his army to Hulao Pass, then shouted to the left and right: "Build a ladder and attack the city!"

During this period, Yuan Shu's soldiers had not been resisted by Dong Zhuojun, which made Liu Xun's heart keep coming to his throat, for fear that Dong Zhuo would have a chance to leave. When Liu Xun climbed onto the wall, he saw that there was no one around. He was even more nervous.

"Who!"
Chapter completed!