Chapter 128 Survival Crisis
Dongjun, Baimazin.

Perhaps it was because the White Goose Bandits appeared in Guanzhong that Cao Cao finally left the camp in Chenliu and went to Baimazin on the south bank of the Yellow River for inspection.

The north bank here is Liyang Ferry. In order to completely trap the defenders of Liyang and the two cities, Cao's army adopted a step-by-step advancement approach.

Even though Cao's army had superior forces near Liyang, they still avoided field battles.

Advance in a step-by-step manner. In this way, even if Yuan Shang transferred the Youbing cavalry, Cao's army could rely on the camps to resist layer by layer and would not be defeated by the cavalry attack.

Cao Cao stood on the tall, cranked chariot with a green umbrella and looked out at the Qingshui River in the distance on the north bank.

In order to speed up the construction of the camp, Cao's army could only cut down trees from the south bank and then float and tow them to the north bank.

In the wild areas near Liyang, all kinds of forest resources have long been burned out.

During the past three months, Cao's army dug trenches and laid fences around the two cities of Liyang. At the same time, they continued to build new fortifications. These fortifications cut off the retreat routes of the Liyang defenders and completely blocked the supply routes.

In order to ensure the safety of the food supply routes of each camp, Cao's army connected the camps with corridors.

Due to the scarcity of forest resources, Cao's army's corridor lacked fences and could only be dug on the ground.

The tunnel is two zhang wide and about one zhang deep. The excavated soil and rocks are built into walls on both sides of the tunnel; this further restricts the activities of Yuan’s army and protects the safety and efficiency of the grain transport troops.

Between attacking and geotechnical engineering, Cao's army chose the civil engineering tactics they were familiar with.

The siege of the two cities of Liyang was actually a rehearsal for the future siege of Yecheng.

Considering the defensive fortifications of Ye City, no one would dare to attack it unless Cao Cao was crazy.

Cao Cao no longer cared about the two cities of Liyang, as they were already dead cities.

Since the troops were dispatched, the defenders of the two cities of Liyang have received two batches of food and fodder supplies; even if the food can last until the winter, the defenders cannot leave the city to cut grass and collect firewood in summer and autumn.

Therefore, due to the lack of fuel in winter, the defenders of the two cities of Liyang could not hold out for long.

Yuan Shang had no choice but to rescue him, so they would naturally be able to win by using their own strong camp to counter the attack launched by Yuan Shang for the sake of face.

Therefore, what Cao Cao is concerned about now is how to attack Yecheng. It is estimated that the forest resources near and far from Yecheng have also been burned to ashes.

If we want to replicate the siege of Liyang, we need to dig and dredge new canals to facilitate the transportation of military food and supplies.

Liyang is okay, but Yecheng is too far away.

The river water dries up in winter, which makes it unsuitable to march to Yecheng. The army also needs to withdraw to the south bank and return home in batches to reunite with their families.

Fortunately, each soldier only has two months of vacation every year.

After capturing Liyang, it would be best to start new water conservancy projects this winter to ensure smooth water transport during the next round of war.

Thinking about this, Cao Cao was in a good mood.

At present, apart from Liu Bei and the White Goose Thief, I have no other worries.

As long as Yecheng is captured, countless people in Hebei will tie their hands and feet and surrender. By that time, Liu Bei and the White Goose Bandits will no longer be anything important.

While thinking, Cao Cao turned around and saw Guo Jia forcing a smile in the crowd.

His eyes left Guo Jia and fell on Cheng Yu who was nearby: "Zhongde, the river water dries up in winter, so it is a good time to cut off the Qi River to divert its flow. I will leave this matter to you. Measure the channel carefully. When Liyang City is captured, I will send troops to you."

Cheng Yu said, "Mingsir, the bandits in Hebei still have some strength left, so we should not take it lightly. I think we should first build a city and store supplies. We can use them for military use when we advance, and we can also station troops there to do corvée labor when we retreat."

Cheng Yu went to the north bank and fought a round with Weijun County Magistrate Gao Fan; the new soldiers from Jiyin recruited by Cheng Yu barely repelled Gao Fan's Weijun material transport fleet.

Seeing Cheng Yu's determination, Cao Cao also felt that it was inappropriate to build a new canal this winter.

Yuan Shang's main force is still intact, Youzhou has not yet been mobilized, and the people of Hebei are relatively stable.

What worries the people of Hebei is the drought and locust plague this year, not the Cao army that is besieging Liyang.

"Then listen to Zhongde. The site selection for the city should be coordinated with the canal planning. We can't build a city today and abandon it tomorrow."

"Yes, I understand."

Cheng Yu bowed deeply.

Cao Cao also questioned several generals stationed on the north bank. During the conversation, the military advisor nearby saw a messenger coming from the outside and stepped back and left.

The messenger handed over a flat wooden box made of lacquered wood and waterproof like a turtle shell. Xun You saw that the ink was intact, so he knocked it open and took out a scroll of bamboo slips on one side.

The bamboo slips also had a mud seal, so Xun You opened it again and then examined the urgent delivery from the Chenliu camp.

His eyes rolled up and down as he looked at the lines of handwriting, and he felt his blood boiling.

He gently rolled up the bamboo slips and sneered, "As expected of Yuan Benchu's son."

Seeing Cao Cao chatting with the officers under the carriage with a smile on his face, Xun You decided to report it on the way back to avoid ruining Cao Cao's good mood.

Guo Jia noticed Xun You's change, adjusted his green scarf, stood up and took a few steps back without leaving any trace, and found Xun You at the side: "Military Advisor?"

"Since Fengxiao is here, let's take a look first."

Xun You handed over the bamboo slips. He was Xun Yu's nephew and a dozen years older than Xun Yu; but Xun Yu and Guo Jia were of the same generation.

Therefore, people are usually addressed by their official titles.

Guo Jia flipped through the bamboo slips and felt it was absurd, yet reasonable: "So, Lord Yuan Chang wants to join forces with the White Goose Bandits."

Back then, hundreds of thousands of Baibo bandits in Hedong almost cut off the communication between Dong Zhuo and Guanzhong. If the Baibo bandits had succeeded, there would have been no chance of the Guandong heroes fighting against the traitor Dong Zhuo.

Without the support of his old subordinates in Guanlong, Dong Zhuo could be attacked back at any time and die in Luoyang.

It was just a little bit short of that. Otherwise, if the Baibo bandits really succeeded, the Kanto heroes would be in a difficult situation and would be ashamed.

Later, the Baibo bandits were the main force to protect the emperor's journey eastward. After they were divided and disintegrated, they were eaten by Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

Therefore, it is easy to understand why the White Goose Thief opposed and cooperated with Zhong Yao when the Yuan family wanted to establish a new court.

Even if you don't understand it, you must support it.

This is a matter of principle for Han ministers; if you not only do not support it but are opposed to it, then we really need to re-investigate your true position.

The first person Guo Jia thought of was the captured Xu Ding and others. Most of these people were close relatives of Xu Chu's clan. If he couldn't rescue them, he couldn't expect Xu Chu and the Tiger Warriors to treat him well.

Although I don't need these people, I still spend every day with them. It's not good for my physical and mental happiness, nor for my longevity. But these things of Xu Ding are too small, and they are not worth mentioning to Xun You.

If we really join forces temporarily and then send someone to Zhong Yao to negotiate the matter, it should not be difficult to redeem the person.

Guo Jia focused his mind and thought for a moment: "Military Advisor, I have seen the leader of the White Goose Bandits. This man cannot be persuaded by words. Lord Yuan Chang must promise him a generous reward."

Xun You didn't take it seriously, and said with a smile: "Then give it to him. Ma Teng and Han Sui are the tigers and wolves of the world. How long can they keep him company?"

"Military Advisor, do you mean to drive the tiger to devour the wolf after repelling the Yuan family?"

“This is the only way at this moment.”

Xun You turned his head slightly to look at the distant western sky: "Wait a few more days, Yuan Chang's official document will arrive."

Things like official positions and titles can be reused; once they are given to you, they won't disappear completely.

For the dead, whether they are already dead or about to die.

When it comes to posthumously conferring titles, honors, or official ranks, almost all people will not be stingy.

With the enemy at hand, we can use the White Goose Bandit to block Yuan's army's attack; when they are almost exhausted, won't it be easy to defeat them?

Other military advisers also noticed the disappearance of Xun You and Guo Jia, but most of them didn't care. After all, they were from Yingchuan.
Jia Xu even squinted his eyes to bask in the sun, enjoying this peaceful life very much.

Cao's army is powerful, so they only need to advance step by step in the battle, and military strategists like Jia Xu will consume less brainpower.

Even dreams became much more vivid.

The same is true for Lou Gui, who has the title of general but actually works as a staff officer. Just do whatever you ask him to do and don't expect him to take the initiative to take on the main responsibility.

The family business was growing bigger and bigger, and after the recovery of Hebei, the business could be further expanded. Life was so good that he had given up the idea of ​​leading troops outside and building a career.

Look at those generals who fought on the front lines. The reward for a victory was not as much as their profit for half a month.

As long as I don't take the initiative, Cao Cao won't be able to do anything to me.

Unlike these people, Xu You was a little anxious.

After trying to hold it in for a while, he couldn't sit still anymore, so he got up to meet Xun You and Guo Jia.

In his eyes, Guo Jia was just a junior, and only Xun You was worthy of his attention: "Gongda, what is going on?"

"Secret report from Si Li."

Xun You held out his arms and invited Xu You to move away from the guards, and handed him over to an open space: "Ziyuan, take a look and see if this is true or not."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you are really worthy of being Shen Zhengnan."

Xu You saw it and laughed, "It's not surprising. To me, it's just a dying struggle."

He put himself in Shen Pei's position and made some deductions. He found that supporting the grandson of Emperor Huan was in line with his thoughts, and he immediately felt that Shen Pei was his confidant.

Xu You had done things like supporting a new emperor when he was young.

He and a group of people lobbied Wang Fen, the governor of Jizhou, to support Emperor Ling's younger brother, Marquis of Hefei.

As a result, Emperor Lingdi suddenly wanted to visit his old home in Hebei to pay tribute to his father and reminisce about his childhood, which frightened Wang Fen so much that she blew herself up.

Upon seeing this, Xun You became even more certain that the Hebei people's bold plan was real.

After the generals on the north bank left, Xun You presented the bamboo slips and said, "My lord, I have discussed this with Feng Xiao and Zi Yuan and believe it is true."

"Establish a new court."

"This is a strategy to bring chaos to the country!"

Cao Cao lowered his brows and read the words on the bamboo slips. This was an attempt to dig out his roots.

Even if this new court only exists for a few months, it will deal a fatal blow to the Xudu court.

After this precedent was set, even if the Liu family in various places did not dare to proclaim themselves emperors, they still dared to proclaim themselves kings.

Even some old officials of the Han Dynasty in Xudu would prefer the emergence of some vassal kings with the surname Liu in various places to check and balance themselves at the central level.

After becoming king and establishing the system, the situation will naturally return to the state of the pre-Qin period.

Since the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms in the Western Han Dynasty, there have been various decentralization and castration practices in the counties and kingdoms, making it difficult to monopolize power at the local level.

For example, if Liu Biao really became the King of Chu, Jingzhou's desire for expansion would be thoroughly aroused!
By then, how could he dare to attack Hebei without leaving 30,000 to 40,000 troops near Wankou?
Once the Liu family in various places successively proclaimed themselves kings and formed a trend.

The difficult problem was now before them: while attacking the Liu clan's vassal kings, would they dare to continue employing other Liu clan officials?

If you appoint him, he will dare to declare himself king after he gets the support of scholars and powerful people in the local area.

If you don't use restrictions like those imposed by the Party Ban, wouldn't that solidify your reputation as a traitor?
Even Li Jue knew that in times of chaos, more officials from the Liu family should be employed to increase the legitimacy of the Chang'an court.

We are fighting the Liu family to death. Aren't we afraid that those stubborn old officials of the Han Dynasty will launch a coup?

There is even a fast-track method to unify the world.

That is, various places adopted various strategies to enfeoff Liu's vassal kings, and they all obeyed the emperor of Xudu.

Eliminate war and resolve all issues through negotiation.

But if this is the case, the system of alternating labor service will lose its basis for existence; if the system of alternating labor service collapses, how far will the family be from being exterminated?
A new emperor in Chang'an can indeed cut off his own roots.

This is no longer a question of development or not, it is a question of survival.

Cao Cao's face looked a little ugly and he frowned. He was somewhat worried whether Zhong Yao could successfully instigate a rebellion and bribe the White Goose Thief.

Black Bear's age is never a problem. This kind of official title is based on strength, not Black Bear's bloodline or merits.

Even if the White Goose Bandits accept a baby as their leader, if you want to pull the White Goose Bandits together to resist the Yuan family, you have to give this baby enough official titles!
Therefore, age and qualifications are not worth mentioning. The only criterion is whether one has sufficient strength.

If it is enough, for example, if he controls Guanzhong, he will be the king, and other places can only watch helplessly.

If the scholars in Guanzhong cannot deal with Black Bear from within, and new interest groups grow stronger in a dozen years, that will become an fait accompli.

In thirty years, young people will only recognize their own king. Who will care whether it is the Han Dynasty or not?

(End of this chapter)