Half a month ago, Tao Qian sent an envoy to Jizhou, hoping to ask Yuan Shao to send troops to rescue him. But Yuan Shao's personality was originally sentimental and indecisive. He survived this time and was even more jealous of his life.

When Yuan Shao thought that Gongsun Zan in Youzhou was still eyeing him, especially his two clan brothers died at the hands of his generals, and his nephew Gao Gan was still in the hands of Gongsun Zan at this time. There will be a battle between the two after the autumn harvest.

It was the autumn harvest time, and Gongsun Zan would lead his troops south at any time. Yuan Shao was afraid of being afraid of the rats, so he naturally did not dare to send troops rashly.

This hesitation took several days. When Yuan Shao received the second Xuzhou battle report, Cao Cao had already surrounded Tancheng, and now Yuan Shao would not send troops.

In the past few days, the atmosphere in Jizhou has become more and more dull, and the situation has become more and more tense. The people in You and Jizhou are even more panicked.

As the war is approaching, Guo Tu's problem is becoming more and more acute. Originally, Yuan Shao has been avoiding this problem. Guo Tu is the second-ranked strategist under his command and has always been highly valued by him.

But since the Taishici incident, the relationship between Yuan Shao and Guo Tu has become very subtle.

At first, Yuan Shao also planned to kill him directly to vent his anger.

During this period, the eldest son, Yuan Tan, wrote from Bohai, saying that he should kill Guo Tu to serve as a warning to You; the third son, Yuan Shang also repeatedly persuaded Yuan Shao to kill Guo Tu; but only his second son, Yuan Xi expressed a different view.

At that time, Yuan Xi said, "Father, Guo Tu has great talent. My father always thought that he was right-handed. My Jizhou was strong at that time, and it was not much inferior to Yang Fan of Bingzhou. Who else could be your opponent in the world? Guo Tu valued profits, how could he give up his wealth and wealth to murder your father? If I expected it, this move must have been done by Zhang Yan. In addition, the war between our army and Gongsun Zan in Youzhou is getting closer, how could you do this relative and the enemy be happy? If you abandon your past grudges, pardon Guo Tu, and reuse him again, he will be grateful to your father. At that time, your father can also use Guo Tu's mouth to let the heroes of the world see their father's great ambitions. In this way, how can the heroes of the world not come to join your father's command? This is a three-killing victory!"

Yuan Xi's words are still fresh in Yuan Shao's memory and never forgotten them. It is precisely because of these words that Yuan Shao did not kill Guo Tu, but detained him to this day.

Now, Yuan Shao had to make this choice because Gongsun Zan had already begun to gather troops. The You and Ji war had begun. When the war was about to begin, Yuan Shao naturally had to solve this problem that had always troubled him.

Therefore, today, Yuan Shao would summon his civil and military officials. He wanted to solve this problem in front of everyone.

At this time, Guo Tu was dressed in rags and haggard, and he didn't have the energy he looked as energetic as a few months ago. At this time, he heard Yuan Shao ask a question.

Guo Tu hurriedly begged: "Lord, Tu, have always been loyal to the lord. Heaven and earth can be seen, but how can I murder the lord? I hope the lord will understand it."

Guo Tu felt inexplicable. The months of prison tragedy made him realize what the real human relationship was. In order to avoid suspicion, Yuan Tan had never seen him. In addition, Guo Tu was too bad in normal times, so others would not visit him.

When he was in prison, except for his own family, Yuan Xi only visited him twice. When Guo Tu was happy, he sighed again.

However, in the face of Yuan Xi's concern, Guo Tu gradually accepted Yuan Xi in his heart. As the relationship between the two deepened, they naturally talked more and more. Guo Tu also admired Yuan Xi's knowledge and mind more and more.

During this period, Guo Tu expressed his thoughts to Yuan Xi several times, that is, as long as Yuan Xi could save him, Guo Tu would always be the main person in Yuan Xi and never betray him.

However, Yuan Xi did not promise anything to Guo Tu, but just expressed his tactfulness that at the right time, he would definitely plead for Guo Tu.

Although Yuan Xi has not promised anything, this is enough to make Guo Tu thank him. Now he is like a rat crossing the street, everyone is beating him. Who would pay attention to him except Yuan Xi? In Guo Tu's opinion, Yuan Xi can do this, but he is so kind.

Yuan Shao naturally didn't know Guo Tu's idea. He personally helped Guo Tuhui up and said sincerely: "I naturally know the loyalty of Duke Ze to me. I can't hide it. I also used the idea of ​​venting anger after killing Duke Ze. However, Xianyi's words made me dispel this idea. Xianyi believes that you will not do such a thing, so I believe you will not."

Yuan Shao's words showed how much he attached to Yuan Xi. In his heart, his best son had gradually become Yuan Xi. Sometimes, Yuan Shao would ask Yuan Xilai to discuss countermeasures together, which is enough to illustrate many problems.

Jizhou has never lacked people who change their minds. Since Yuan Xi was valued, there have always been a group of people who flatter and please him in front of Yuan Xi's door. However, Yuan Xi stayed behind closed doors to everyone, as if he wanted to draw a clear line with everyone.

Yuan Xi's trick of trying to get was extremely sophisticated. His performance completely made Yuan Shao let go of his guard and was particularly good to him.

At first, Yuan Shao also suspected his three sons, especially Yuan Xi, who were the most suspicious, but now, Yuan Xi has given up the opportunity to deepen his relationship with all the aristocratic families, and the little doubt in Yuan Shao's heart also disappeared.

At this point, Yuan Shao really treated Yuan Xi as his heir to train him.

After hearing this, Guo Tu immediately cast a grateful look at Yuan Xi and hurriedly bowed to Yuan Shao: "Thank you for not killing the lord. Tu will devote all his efforts to the death and die."

Guo Tu was originally a person who was bound to die, but was exempted from death because of Yuan Xi's words. It can be said that he was in a desperate situation. He was naturally very grateful to Yuan Xi.

Seeing Guo Tu's expression of surviving the disaster, Yuan Shao was very pleased. After encouraging Guo Tu, he asked everyone again: "Now Gongsun Zan is preparing for war in Zhuo County, obviously planning to go south again. What do you think?"

When Xu You saw his performance, he immediately stepped out and said, "Lord, Gongsun Zan lost his troops a few months ago, and he is even more unmatched by our army at this time. As long as the lord gathers a large army to fight Gongsun Zan to the north, he will only have to escape. Now, Cao Cao is busy attacking Tao Qian, so he will definitely not care about us. However, Yang Fan in Bingzhou is a major hidden danger. The Yang family army has 100,000 troops in Mayi, Jinyang, and Huguan. We have to guard against it."

Yuan Shao asked quickly: "Is there a way to defeat the enemy? As long as Yang Bowen doesn't interfere, Youzhou will definitely be my food in my stomach."

Xu You nodded in agreement with Yuan Shao's opinion and replied immediately: "Yang Fan is interested in Jizhou, but we also have the intention to get involved in Bingzhou. There is a plan below. If it is used properly, Yang Fan of Bingzhou will be in a hurry. At that time, we can also conquer Youzhou and then browse Bingzhou."

Yuan Shao was happy when he heard this. At this time, he could not care that Yang Fan was his brother. In the face of interests, even his own son had to give way. He asked anxiously: "Ziyuan, will you come out?"

Xu You bowed and replied, "Liangzhou is bitter and cold, with few food, and Ma Teng, and two heroes of Han Sui have been entrenched. They have always fought endlessly. Our army can send envoys to join forces with Ma Teng, and Han Sui and plotted against Bingzhou."

Shen Pei frowned and said, "Ziyuan, you said too. They are both heroes, so how could they offend Yang Fan easily?"

Xu You smiled confidently and said, "Liangzhou is close to Shuofang. They dare not offend Yang Fan because there are hundreds of thousands of Yang family troops in Bingzhou. Not to mention them, even the lords dare not offend Yang Fan easily."

Shen Pei said inexplicably: "Since that's the case, why should we unite them again?"

Xu You smiled and said, "There is no constant force in the military, and the water is no constant state. The way to use military forces is false and real. Yang Bowen has been slow to take action, just to wait for the battle between You and Ji Prefectures. He wants to make profits from it. However, in the south, do you know that the mantis stalks the cicada and the oriole is the last? Yang Bowen wants to be the oriole, so we might as well take advantage of his heart and join forces with Ma Teng and Han Sui. Our army pretends to go north to fight with Gongsun Zan and mobilizes Yang Fan's troops. At that time, Ma Teng and Han Sui will take the opportunity to attack Shuofang and other places, so that Yang Fan will not be able to take care of each other. As long as Yang Fan's troops move, Ma Teng and Han Sui will definitely not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

After lowering his head and thinking for a while, Shen Pei asked, "Then if Gongsun Zan goes south to fight our army at this time, what should our army do? Will we fight in two places?"

Yuan Shao obviously thought of this question and asked, "Yes, what Zhengnan said makes sense. This matter will affect the whole body. Be careful."

After hearing this, Xu You knew that Yuan Shao's old habit had been violated again, and hurriedly replied: "The Yang family army wants to reach Jizhou, but only the official roads of Changshan and Wei County can be taken. However, Changshan must go to Baijing Valley, and Wei County must go to Sheguo. The lord only needs to send two generals to guard these two places for a few days. Ma Teng and Han Sui will see the opportunity. At that time, we don't need to call us, and they will also send troops to Shuofang. As long as they capture Shuofang, the food and grass problems of their Liangzhou army for one or two years can be solved. Anyone who would do this transaction."

Xu You obviously hadn't finished speaking yet, and Yuan Shao hurriedly urged: "What's next?"

Xu You smiled faintly and said, "Shuofang County, Yang Fan has been operating for several years and has long been a Bingzhou granary. The annual output is sufficient to be larger than Youzhou's output for several years. Our Jizhou is strong and the horse is strong, and Youzhou is weak. If Yang Fan wants to send troops, he will only attack Youzhou first. Which is more important, which is the place of Youzhou or Shuofang county? Yang Fan is not a stupid person, so he knows who should take and who should abandon it!"

Yuan Shao wondered: "Naturally, Ziyuan, you said Yang Fan would attack Youzhou, so why do we have to work so much?"
Chapter completed!