In the palace of the Han Dynasty general in Yecheng.

The new palace was completed, full of infinite vitality.

Yuan Shao's eldest son, Yuan Tan, moved quickly between the palaces, smiling and greeting the patrolling sergeants and male and female servants along the way.

He quickly came to the room where Yuan Shao lived, handed the weapons he carried to the warriors outside the palace, and then entered alone.

The old butler next to him guided Yuan Tan into the mansion. Yuan Tan asked: "Is my father's illness getting better?"

The old housekeeper sighed and replied: "What's going on? The general fell down just after he won a great victory on the front line. Alas..."

Yuan Tan finally learned from the old housekeeper that his father's soldiers must not have responded, so he comforted the old housekeeper and said: "Father spent too much effort in this battle, so after the war, he will naturally become seriously ill, but I respect him."

A few days, I think it will be fine."

The two people talked and walked to Yuan Shao's inner bedroom.

The housekeeper retreated, and Yuan Shao stepped into the inner bedroom.

The inner chamber of General Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao sat alone on the bed in the inner bedroom, closing his eyes and concentrating, and seemed to have something in his hands.

When Yuan Tan entered, he knelt down and bowed: "The last general, Yuan Shao, pays homage to the general!"

Yuan Shao opened his eyes and saw his eldest son walking into the room, and then said with concern: "Here he is! Sit down..."

As Yuan Tan sat down, the maid next to him came in and brought him a cup of fragrant tea.

After Yuan Tan finished drinking tea, he praised: "Since the eighteen princes defeated the Chu army, the people of our Han Dynasty have gradually stabilized, and the areas ruled by the princes have regained vitality. I will eventually become my father."

Shuai's strategy of gathering the eighteen princes together is still very effective..."

But Yuan Shao interrupted him with a hand gesture and asked: "Do you know why I asked you to come?"

Yuan Tan shook his head and said that he did not know the purpose of coming this time.

Yuan Shao explained: "Since the Chu State carried out military reform, it can be said that it is invincible. The eighteen princes in the world have only defeated the Chu army once. This is not enough. We need to defeat the Chu army several times to eliminate their main force.

...Besides, although, I

We defeated the Chu army in a battle outside Guandu City, but our army's loss of men and horses was ten times that of the Chu army. I am always half-hearted about how strong the Chu army's combat effectiveness is. After this battle

, I accidentally felt that my body was not as good as before..."

Yuan Tan asked doubtfully: "Father, do you have any concerns?"

Yuan Shao replied: "I have just discussed with Master Jushu. Based on his analysis of Chu King Nie Zefeng, the Chu army is likely to launch a major military operation against me again. At present, although the Chu army has just suffered a new defeat, their main force

But they still exist, and their combat effectiveness is still strong. In addition, after I led the Jizhou army to withdraw, there are still 300,000 troops.

They are distributed around Xuchang in a dot-like distribution. The next target of the Chu army is likely to be these dot-like princes. I don’t doubt that the city of Xuchang can be lost within a period of time. General Han Qiong’s 100,000 troops are stationed there.

, but I think the other enemy troops that have suffered heavy losses will be hit by the Chu army... So, I thought of you——"

After Yuan Tan heard this, he knew that Yuan Shao had high hopes for him, so he stood up and said, "Father, if you have any orders, just give them!"

Yuan Shao supported his heavy body, stood up slightly, and then said: "Your brothers Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang are unruly leaders of the princes. They are used to sitting in a well and observing the sky. They lack strategic vision, but they are self-righteous.

I'm so stubborn. I think it's hard to trust them when my Yuan family is in danger. I want to send you as my representative to supervise them and let them prepare for war as soon as possible. Don't be lazy and paralyzed!

"

Yuan Tan asked in surprise: "Father, are you asking me to supervise the army? But my 300,000-strong army was completely destroyed in the Battle of Guandu!"

Yuan Shao asked directly: "Do you dare to go?"

Yuan Tan held up his hands and said: "As long as the general (father) has made up his mind, the general (minor minister) will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Yuan Shao was moved and took Yuan Tan's hand and said: "Okay, he is my eldest son after all..."

Yuan Shao slowly got up from the bed, then walked to the shelf opposite him, used all his strength to take out a bow and a quiver, and handed them to Yuan Tan.

Yuan Shao turned around and said to Yuan Tan: "This is Mingdi. When I defeated the five tribes of the Huns, I paid tribute to their Chanyu when they surrendered. It is a symbol of the power of the Xiongnu Chanyu. This Mingdi once ended the Xiongnu.

Countless dynasties, since pacification of Gongsun Zan

After that, it has not been used for a long time. You can take it with you. In addition, you can take my guard with 10,000 elite soldiers. They are all light cavalry. If something unexpected happens, you can shoot this hammer at anyone, and the guard will not do anything.

Don’t hesitate to shoot your target into a hedgehog!”

Yuan Tan took out the Ming Dy from his quiver.

The tip of the arrowhead is as thin as a cicada's wing and is shiny, like new.

Yuan Tan looked at the Mingdi, and then remembered the past wars between the Yuan family and the Gongsun family. It was this Mingdi that ended the Gongsun family's dream of unifying the Central Plains, and couldn't help but say: "I know this Mingdi..."

His expression was complicated.

Yuan Shao caught it and said: "Yes, it ended the era of the Gongsun family. Son, you don't have to be cowardly. If you want to survive in this world, you must have a heart like ice! I was in an unfavorable situation at that time.

I personally shot this Ming Dy! Defeated Gongsun Zan in one fell swoop.”

In the wilderness leading to Xuchang City, Yuan Tan rode forward under the protection of Yuan Shao's guards.

Outside Xuchang City, various princes’ camps were scattered.

Currently, Gongsun Kang, a vassal force affiliated with the Yuan family, is stationing troops outside the city. At this time, Gongsun Kang personally brought a guard of honor to greet him at the gate of the village.

Prince Yuan Tan came with the guards. The soldiers in the army were all strong men, showing a hint of bravery in their strength and might.

Gongsun Kang replied happily: "Gongsun Kang, the governor of Liaodong, welcomes General Yuan Tan to visit Xuchang in person!"

After Yuan Tan dismounted, he replied politely: "Gongsun, you are so polite!"

Gongsun Kang took Yuan Tan's hand and said: "Please, General Yuan, I have prepared delicious food for you..."

The large tent of the Chinese army in Gongsun Kang's camp.

Before the banquet, Gongsun Kang said politely: "General Yuan Tan has worked hard all the way. I have informed Huchuquan Chanyu that he will be here soon."

Yuan Tan: "That's good. The general is most concerned about the defense of the Xuchang area after the Guandu War. I hope Gongsun Kang and Huchuquan can work together..."

Gongsun Kang interrupted Yuan Tan's words and said: "General Yuan doesn't know. The entire Xuchang area has a radius of more than 500 miles. There are many stragglers from various princes. There are not only the most elite golden-armored troops of each prince, but also the rabble with fancy tricks.

,Sifang

Living in such a mixed manner, there are now many political branches, and it is difficult to unify the defense. The city of Xuchang has been divided into several cities for jurisdiction. In addition, various princes are now fighting for something, and outside the city, Luan City has become a pot of porridge.

…”

Yuan Tan persuaded: "But as long as General Gongsun and Huchuquan, you two generals form a supporting defense and consolidate the defensive offensive outside the city, as long as the two generals do not slack off, the Chu army will not be able to shake it. For the defense of Xuchang City, I

Go and coordinate in person and order the 100,000 Yuan troops I have left here to fully take over Xuchang City."

Gongsun Kang smiled and said: "Huchuquan and I are both subordinate princes of General Yuan Shao. Although our lords are the same, our geographical locations are different. One travels across the desert grassland all year round, and the other moves among the white mountains and black waters all year round.

Our two armies have very little contact, and as for coordinated operations, I think that would be even more difficult."

Yuan Tan asked in surprise: "Is there still such a reason?"

Gongsun Kang pressed his body and said: "To be honest, if the general hadn't arrived, I'm afraid Huchuquan Dadan wouldn't be able to invite him."

Yuan Tan asked in surprise: "How can the two generals be so united and fight together?"

Gongsun Kang sighed helplessly and replied: "Don't ask me. Later, you can ask him about this in Huchuquan." The two began to clink glasses and drink with each other. At this time, outside the Chinese army's tent,

There was the sound of horse hooves, and the waiter announced: "Huchuquan is here——"

Yuan Tan and Gongsun Kang stood up to greet him.

Accompanied by a burst of wild laughter, the gorgeously dressed Hu Chuquan entered the tent.

Seeing Yuan Tan, Hu Chuquan greeted him with a smile and asked, "Why, I saw that what General Yuan brought was the general's own bodyguard?"

Yuan Tan replied: "Yes, the general authorized me to come to supervise the army when he got married. He was worried that I was too young, so he specially gave me this Mingdi... It was not a last resort, I don't want to use it!"

Mingdi, especially Huchuquan, as the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, did not have Mingdi. He himself has always been ashamed of this. But now the fate of the entire Xiongnu is in the hands of Yuan Shao, and they can only be controlled by Yuan Shao now. So in the end he still

They held back, but they also knew what Ming Di represented. It was a symbol of Yuan Shao's power.

Gongsun Kang and Hu Chuquan looked at each other.

Yuan Tan then stood in the center of the Chinese army's tent and sternly said: "Please take a seat, two generals. I will convey the general's instructions now..."

After saying that, Yuan Tan turned to leave. Seeing this situation, the two generals stopped Yuan Tanran and persuaded him: "General, since you have come to inspect our place, it is so busy today, so don't leave. Today

We must stay so that we can fulfill our friendship as landlords. In addition, I think the Chu army has been newly defeated. Even if we want to attack, I think we will have to wait ten days and a half before we can set off. Our scouts will also pay close attention to the enemy.

Military dynamics.”

After all, Yuan Tan was still young. After hearing the persuasion of the two generals, he thought why not use this opportunity to make the two generals work together to strengthen the defense outside the city, so Yuan Tan decided to stay.
Chapter completed!