Chapter 235 You take the blame! Only by living can we have a future! I will bow to whoever saves me!

Zhang Liao finally surrendered.

Just as Xiao Fang expected, this famous general from the north was not a die-hard supporter of Lu Bu.

When Guan Yu appealed to his emotions and he explained the situation to him, they used both methods to create a favorable environment. Naturally, Zhang Liao had no reason not to submit to Liu Bei.

"Okay, okay, Wenyuan, it's a great pleasure in life for us brothers to fight side by side."

"Someone, bring some wine. I'm going to make an exception tonight and drink with Wenyuan until we're drunk!"

Guan Yu was extremely delighted and patted Zhang Liao on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

Zhang Liao was so moved by this heroic spirit that he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

In the autumn of that year, Yangquan fell and Zhang Liao surrendered.

Guan Yu's army rested for two days, then marched eastward along the Huai River and headed straight for Shouchun.

Two days later, Liu Bei captured Chengde, killed Hou Cheng, and led the main force northward along the Fei River, approaching Shouchun.

The two armies formed a siege on Shouchun from the southeast.

At this time, people in Shouchun City were in panic and rumors were spreading.

What about Lu Bu's entire army being annihilated, being captured alive by Liu Bei, being torn into pieces by five horses, and having his bones crushed and ashes scattered...

All kinds of rumors were flying around, causing the military and civilians in the city to fall into panic.

Only when Lu Bu fled back to Shouchun City in disgrace with less than 10,000 remaining soldiers did the people in the city feel relieved.

In the state capital.

The atmosphere was solemn and lifeless.

Lu Bu was drinking one calming wine after another.

Gao Shun, Wei Xu and other generals at the steps looked at each other, all with panic-stricken expressions.

"Big-eared thief, country bumpkin, you two have forced me into such an embarrassing situation. Sooner or later, I will kill you to vent my hatred~~"

Lu Bu smashed the wine jar to the ground and cursed angrily with gnashing teeth.

All the generals trembled and lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

"Chen Gongtai!"

Lu Bu pointed his spear at Chen Gong and shouted angrily:
"You boast of your ingenious strategy and your so-called brilliant plan has caused me to suffer such a great defeat!"

"Not only did we fail to save Yangquan, but we also lost half of our troops and were forced to abandon Red Hare."

"How can you live up to my trust in you? How dare you claim to be a master of foresight?"

Lu Bu naturally could not take the responsibility for such a disastrous defeat, so he had to put all the blame on Chen Gong.

Chen Gong clenched his fists in his sleeves, his brows furrowed, and a feeling of grievance surged in his heart.

He never claimed to be a master of strategy.

When he offered the plan to Lu Bu, he clearly stated that the plan was risky and might be discovered by Xiao Fang.

But you, Lu Bu, didn't listen and made the decision on the spot.

Now, the plan was discovered by Xiao Fang, and he turns around and blames me for the failure of his plan and wants me to take the blame?

It would be strange if Chen Gong didn't feel aggrieved.

But Lu Bu was angry now, and even though he felt resentful, he dared not show it. He could only bite the bullet and take the blame.

Footsteps were heard and the guards rushed in holding a silk book high.

"Reporting to Marquis Wen, Liu Bei has captured Chengde and killed General Hou Cheng. He is now leading his army northward along the Fei River, approaching Shouchun!"

"Reporting to Marquis Wen, Yangquan City has fallen, Zhang Liao and Lei Bo have surrendered to Liu, and Guan Yu's army is advancing eastward along the Huai River and heading towards Shouchun!"

Two pieces of bad news rang out in the hall one after another.

Lu Bu's face turned pale with rage.

The fall of Chengde and Yangquan was within his expectations and it was not a big deal.

At the critical moment, Zhang Liao did not die for his loyalty and instead surrendered to Liu Bei?
"Zhang Liao, you are a disloyal and unrighteous man!"

"You have followed me for so many years, and I have treated you as my confidant. How dare you betray me!"

"I will definitely kill you. I will cut you into pieces~~"

Lu Bu was so furious that he overturned the table to the ground and started roaring and cursing.

All the generals were shocked and stunned by Zhang Liao's surrender to Liu. They looked at each other, shook their heads and sighed.

Lu Bu cursed for a long while, and when he was exhausted, he sat down weakly.

"Yangquan and Chengde have both been lost. The two armies of the big-eared bandits will soon reach Shouchun. We only have more than 10,000 soldiers in the city."

"How should we fight the next battle? Tell us what good strategies you have."

Lu Bu shook his hands weakly and asked everyone.

There was no way. After venting his anger, he still had to face the cruel reality.

How to overcome the current difficulties is the top priority.

No one said a word, and the hall was dead silent.

With the previous example of Chen Gong's failed plan and being scolded by Lu Bu, who would dare to give advice to Lu Bu easily again?

Moreover, now that the situation has reached such a desperate point, who among them has the ability to help Lu Bu turn the tide?
"Ahem, Gong... Gongtai, do you have any good ideas to turn the situation around?"

Lu Bu had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask Chen Gong for advice again.

Chen Gong hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said:
"Gong does have a plan, but I'm afraid it won't suit Marquis Wen's wishes, so I'd better not tell you." Lu Bu could naturally hear that Chen Gong was reprimanding him just now, and he had some complaints in his heart, so he didn't dare to speak easily.

Lu Bu could only swallow his saliva and force a smile:

"Gongtai, I was just a little angry with you just now because I was anxious. Those were just some angry words. Don't take it to heart."

"We are now on the same boat. If the boat capsizes, we will all die under the knife of that big-eared thief."

"Gongtai, you have to make a decision on where this boat should go."

Lu Bu's attitude changed 180 degrees and he was almost begging Chen Gong, which gave him enough face.

Having said that, if you still act pretentiously, you would be tactless.

Chen Gong then coughed a few times, clasped his hands and said:
"Our army currently has only over 10,000 soldiers. Although Shouchun City is strong, the food and grass in the city can only last for a few months."

"Under this situation, if we rely on our own strength to defend Shouchun, the city will be destroyed sooner or later."

"The only solution now is to seek help from outside forces to help us overcome the difficulties."

Chen Gong said as he walked towards the map and pointed north:
"At present, the eldest son of Yuan, Yuan Tan, has led his army to successively conquer the two counties of Langye and Donghai. The 50,000-strong army has entered the heart of Xuzhou and is heading straight for Xiapi."

"Gong thought, why don't Marquis Wen ask Yuan Benchu ​​for help and ask him to order Yuan Tan to send troops south to Xuyi and threaten Jiangdong via Guangling County."

"Liu Bei's main forces are in Shouchun, and Jiangdong is short of troops. If there is danger, he will definitely withdraw his troops to the south to rescue."

"In this way, the danger of Shouchun will be resolved!"

Surrendering to Yuan Shao and asking for reinforcements was Chen Gong's strategy for turning the tables.

Lu Bu's eyes, which were full of expectation, immediately dimmed again, and it was obvious that he was not very satisfied with Chen Gong's plan.

"After Marquis Wen killed Dong Luan, he took us to Yuan Shao. Marquis Wen helped Yuan Shao defeat the Black Mountain Army and made great contributions."

"Yuan Shao was wary of Marquis Wen and intended to murder him. In anger, Marquis Wen betrayed Yuan Shao and went south to Yanzhou."

"Gongtai, you are asking Marquis Wen to surrender to Yuan Shao. Where is Marquis Wen's dignity?"

Gao Shun frowned and expressed his displeasure.

His words obviously touched Lu Bu's heart, and he couldn't help but nod slightly.

Chen Gong frowned and swallowed, thinking to himself, it's already this time and you're still concerned about your face?
If you really cared about your face, why did you recognize Yuan Shu as your father?

You can endure such humiliation, but you can't endure submitting to Yuan Shao?
Isn't this contradictory?

Chen Gong obviously didn't understand Lu Bu's psychology.

The reason why he recognized Yuan Shu as his father was because he lost Xuzhou and was like a stray dog ​​with nowhere to go, so he had no choice but to recognize him.

Now he still controls Huaichun and is the lord of Huainan, a local lord. He has both status and territory. How could he surrender to Yuan Shao?
"Since General Gao is against submitting to Yuan Shao, what is his opinion?"

Chen Gong asked back with an unhappy look on his face.

Gao Shun was silent for a moment, then bowed to Lu Bu:

"Marquis Wen, I think that instead of asking Yuan Shao for help, it would be better to ask Cao Cao for help!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Bu's face changed suddenly and he almost jumped up.

"What did you say? You actually want me to surrender to that thief Cao?"

"Gao Shun, what kind of stupid idea is this? I didn't even bother to bow to Yuan Shao, and you want me to bow to Cao Cao?"

Lu Bu's face was ferocious and angry, and he shouted at Gao Shun angrily.

"Please calm down, Lord Wen. That's not what I meant."

Gao Shun hurriedly explained:
"What I mean by asking for help is that Marquis Wen submitted a petition to the court, asking it to send troops to rescue Shouchun."

"Marquis Wen is a minister of the Han Dynasty. It is only natural for him to bow down and pay homage to the emperor."

"The emperor is held hostage by Cao Cao. We are asking for help from the emperor on the surface, but in reality we are asking for help from Cao Cao."

"Cao Cao is afraid of the danger of losing his teeth and lips, so he will not sit idly by and watch Liu Bei capture Shouchun and take over Huainan. He will definitely send troops to rescue us.

"In this way, Marquis Wen can both get reinforcements and save face. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

After hearing Gao Shun's explanation, the anger on Lu Bu's face gradually faded away, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Bu could not help but nod slightly, as if he was convinced by Gao Shun's suggestion.

"Gao Boping's strategy can indeed save the face of Wen Hou. The saying that the lips and teeth are cold is true."

"But has Lord Wen ever thought that Cao Cao is currently stretched to the limit in terms of military strength? His main force is suppressed by Yuan Shao at Guandu, and Cao Ren's troops in Xuzhou are also forced to retreat step by step by Yuan Tan."

"Cao Cao himself can't protect himself, and he has no extra troops to use. Even if he wants to save us, I'm afraid he is powerless."

However, Chen Gong poured a bucket of cold water on Lu Bu's head, and the light that had just ignited in Lu Bu's eyes dimmed again.

"To surrender to Yuan Shao would be a loss of face for me. To ask the emperor for help, Cao Cao cannot protect himself and is powerless."

"Then what should I do? Can I trust no one?"

Lu Bu frowned, stood up and paced, becoming anxious again.

"Marquis Wen, you must put the overall situation first. If you can't defend Shouchun, everything will be in vain..."

Chen Gong did not dare to directly persuade Lu Bu to bow to Yuan Shao, so he could only hint at it in a tactful way.

Lu Bu suddenly stopped, his eyes seeming as if he had suddenly realized something.

"You're right. Only by defending Shouchun can we survive, and only by surviving can we have a future!"

Lu Bu gritted his teeth and said sternly:
"Pass on my order and send messengers to ask Cao Aman and Yuan Lao for help immediately!"

"As long as they can save me and my Shouchun, I will bow to whoever is willing to send troops to rescue me!"

(End of this chapter)