Chapter 290 Dare to give Liu Bei a chance to develop? Yuan Shao, you will regret it! Your Majesty, please make Liu Bei the king!
As soon as Yuan Shao issued an order, all Yuan troops began to retreat across the board.

On the Luyang front, Wen Chou, who was about to fight Wei Yan, had to withdraw halfway and gave up the attack on the Luyang front.

Zhang He, who was confronting Huang Zhong in Xiangcheng, had no choice but to retreat westward as ordered and acquiesced to Liu's army's occupation of Pei State.

Gao Lan's troops in Runan were also forced to retreat a hundred miles and watched Zhang Fei capture cities and territories and take over most of Runan County.

As for Qingzhou, in view of Yuan Tan's capture, Yuan Shao had to urgently transfer his second son Yuan Xi to Qingzhou to take over Yuan Tan's charge.

Yuan Xi naturally did not dare to use military force against Xuzhou, and strictly ordered the Yuan army in Qingzhou not to cross the border and enter Langya County in the north of Xuzhou.

From Qingzhou to Yanzhou and then to Yuzhou, Yuan's army on all fronts could be said to have retreated completely.

Generals such as Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan advanced in great strides and captured all the counties in southern Yanyu, including Runan, Pei, and Chen.

The Battle of Central Plains, which lasted nearly eight months, ended with Cao Cao taking the emperor hostage and fleeing to Guanzhong, and Yuan Shao and Liu Bei dividing the Central Plains states.

At the same time as the war came to an end, Xun Chen, an envoy, also arrived in Xia Pi and proposed to reclaim the captured Yuan Tan on the condition that the two armies ceased fighting and made peace.

According to Xiao Fang's strategy, he had no intention of killing Yuan Tan. Even if Yuan Shao did not come to demand his return, he would still release Yuan Tan and continue to compete with Yuan Shang for the throne, making it impossible for Yuan Shao's group to remain united.

Now that Yuan Shao had lowered his status and came forward to ask for it, and even offered to withdraw his troops and make peace, it turned out to be an extra gain.

Liu Bei pretended to consider it, and after some bargaining, he accepted the conditions offered by Yuan Shao.

Although he agreed, Liu Bei did not give Xun Chen a clear answer as to when to release him.

According to Xiao Fang, it’s just one word - delay.

The time of releasing Yuan Tan should be delayed as long as possible to give Liu Bei enough time to pacify Xuzhou and the hearts of the people in the newly won counties of Yu and Yan in the south, to reorganize the surrendered soldiers, rest the officers and soldiers, and restore the agricultural economy in various places.

Xun Chen had no choice but to stay in Xia Pi, and he kept trying to persuade Liu Bei to bring Yuan Tan back to Xuchang as soon as possible to report to Yuan Shao.

While the armies of Yuan and Liu were arguing over Yuan Tan, Cao Cao, who had moved west to Guanzhong, had just gained a foothold in Chang'an.

...

Chang'an City, Sikong Mansion.

Cao Cao, sitting high in the throne, has regained his calm and confidence on his face, as if he has walked out of the shadow of losing the Central Plains.

Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia and other counselors gathered together again.

"Liu Bei led his main force in Xuzhou and fought a fierce battle with Yuan Tan. The battle was fierce and the two sides were inseparable."

"Generals under his command, such as Zhang Fei, Wei Yan, and Huang Zhong, also led their troops to seize Pei, Runan, Yingchuan and other counties in southern Yanyu."

"Yuan Shao has sent Wen Chou, Gao Lan, Zhang He and other generals to lead troops south, obviously to prevent Liu Bei from taking advantage of the situation."

"Now it seems that an all-out war between Yuan and Liu is inevitable."

"Although Yuan Shao is strong, he has many internal conflicts. He has been confronting our army for half a year, and his soldiers are exhausted."

"Although Liu Bei is weak, he has a united front and Xiao Fang as his assistant."

"In my opinion, the confrontation between Yuan and Liu will be a protracted tug-of-war. It will probably not end in less than a year or two."

Xun Yu pointed at the map, analyzed it with an expression of planning a strategy, and then moved his hand towards Guanzhong.

"So I think we have enough time to recover and regroup."

"The first thing the Minister of Works has to do is to summon Ma Teng to the court and find ways to bring the Xiliang army headed by Ma into the actual control of the court and ensure the court's control over Liangzhou."

"Then we can take advantage of the stalemate between Yuan and Liu and their lack of time to look west, and march south to destroy Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang, and bring Yizhou back to the court."

"In this way, by combining the three states of Si, Yi and Liang, the imperial court will have the confidence to march eastward, recapture the Central Plains, and destroy the two thieves Yuan and Liu!"

Cao Cao stood up and walked down the stairs. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the map. Listening to the strategy planned by Xun Yu, he could not help but nod slightly and felt confident again.

"What Wen Ruo said makes sense. I held back Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu, but Liu Bei was hiding behind and taking advantage of the situation."

"Now that I have given up the Central Plains, he is still greedy and wants to snatch food from Yuan Shao's mouth. He really overestimates his own abilities."

"Very good, I will just sit back and watch him and Yuan Shao fight for food, and I will take advantage of the situation to seize the two states of Liang and Yi!"

Cao Cao stroked his thin beard, with a hint of sarcasm on the corner of his mouth.

Inside the lobby, the gloom in the eyes of Cao Ying's advisers was swept away.

The air was once again filled with an atmosphere of high spirits and confidence.

"Jia agrees with the general direction of the strategy Wen Ruo mentioned."

"Just a reminder to everyone, Liu Bei has Xiao Jinglue under his command. He cannot be judged as an ordinary strategist."

"With this person here, I don't think it's easy to make a conclusion as to whether the war between Yuan and Liu will develop in the direction Wen Ruo said."

Amidst the excitement, Guo Jia poured a bucket of cold water on them.

Xiao Fang.

As soon as this name was heard in the hall, everyone, from Cao Cao to Xun Yu, felt a chill in their hearts.

"Feng Xiao's words make sense. This Xiao Fang is an anomaly. He really can't be judged by common sense..."

Cao Cao frowned and nodded slightly, with fear in his eyes.

Xun Yu's face still showed a look of planning and strategizing, but he smiled faintly:
"This Xiao Fang is a man of great foresight and indeed a sage of strategy. This is naturally recognized by the world."

"It is precisely because of this that Liu Bei had the opportunity to defeat Yuan Shao by using the weak against the strong, and the two sides were more likely to enter a tug-of-war."

"Could it be that Fengxiao thought that Xiao Fang was so powerful that he could make Yuan Shao watch Liu Bei attacking cities and plundering lands while turning a blind eye?"

Guo Jia was speechless.

Cao Cao's frown relaxed and he was about to speak.

Dian Wei came hurriedly and handed a secret letter on silk to Cao Cao with a serious look.

Cao Cao took his time to open it, and after taking a few glances, his expression suddenly changed. "Yuan and Liu have ceased fighting?"

Cao Cao's exclamation made everyone's face change, and their horrified eyes were all focused on the silk book information in his hand.

An expression of incomprehensible surprise and suspicion suddenly appeared on everyone's face.

You have to know that just a moment ago, Liu Bei was still fighting a life-and-death battle with Yuan Shao in Xuzhou, competing for territory in Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and a full-scale war was about to break out.

The war ended overnight?

Who would believe this if it didn't come from Cao Cao?

Even Guo Jia's eyes were filled with disbelief at this moment.

"Feng Xiao, you are right. Xiao Fang changed the course of the war between Yuan and Liu with his own strength..."

After being shocked, Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia and gave a helpless bitter smile.

Then he returned the military report to Dian Wei and asked him to read it out in public.

After the Battle of Xiapi, Yuan Tan was defeated and captured. Yuan Shao was afraid of the consequences and ordered the withdrawal of Yuan troops on all fronts and sent envoys to Xiapi...

Dian Wei described the dramatic changes in the war situation in the Central Plains one by one.

Whether it was Xun Yu or Cheng Yu, the confusion and suspicion on their faces were gradually replaced by shock.

"Liu Bei actually captured Yuan Tan alive. This, this..."

Xun Yu was speechless, with the expression "unbelievable" already appearing on his face.

He never imagined that the battle between Yuan and Liu that he had anticipated would end with Yuan Tan being captured, such an incredible outcome.

He thought that Yuan Tan would be defeated, and even thought that Yuan Tan would lose Xuzhou, but he never dared to dream that Yuan Tan would be captured.

After hearing how Liu Bei captured Xia Pi, how he attacked Tancheng, and how he intercepted Yuan Tan in Pengcheng, all the doubts in his heart were finally resolved.

"This Xiao Fang's military tactics are no better than Zhang Liang's resurrection. He really deserves the title of sage of strategy."

"Feng Xiao, you are right. Liu Bei has this person. It is indeed impossible to judge him by common sense..."

Xun Yu sighed helplessly.

Inside the palace hall, all the counselors of Cao Ying fell into silence for a moment.

"Yuan Benchu, oh Yuan Benchu, you actually made concessions to Liu Bei for the sake of an incompetent boy, giving him the opportunity to gain a foothold in the Central Plains!"

"It won't be long before you regret your womanly kindness today..."

Cao Cao looked towards the direction of Xuchang and murmured again.

...

The Imperial Palace, a remote place in the Imperial Garden.

Liu Xie summoned several trusted Han officials on the pretext of giving lectures.

Fu Wan and Dong Cheng were naturally among them, and there was also Kong Rong.

"Your Majesty, I just received news that the general has taken Xuzhou and captured Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan alive!"

"Yuan Shao was greatly shocked and ordered his troops to withdraw, not daring to launch a full-scale war against the general."

"The general has now recovered the three states of Jing, Yang and Xu, and has over 100,000 elite soldiers under his command. He has the confidence to defeat Yuan Shao."

"Your Majesty, please be patient for a few more years. After the general destroys Yuan Shao, he will lead his troops into the pass to destroy Cao Cao and welcome your Majesty back to the old capital!"

Kong Rong's face was filled with joy and he excitedly reported the good news to Liu Xie.

Liu Xie was greatly encouraged, rubbed his fists excitedly, and said with a smile:

"I originally thought that Yuan Shao had defeated Cao Cao and that no one in the world could stop him. My Liu family kingdom would definitely be usurped by Yuan Shao!"

"I never thought that my uncle is so powerful that he could defeat Yuan Shao to such an extent!"

"My Liu family actually produced such a powerful member of the royal family. God will not destroy our Han Dynasty. Our ancestors are still alive!"

The joy on Liu Xie's face was naturally beyond words.

"Liu Xuande was able to capture Yuan Tan alive. He is truly a man of great talent and strategy. It is indeed a good thing that Your Majesty has such a powerful member of the royal family as an external aid."

Dong Cheng nodded in agreement, then changed the subject:
"However, no matter how strong Liu Bei is, he only controls three states. Compared with Yuan Shao, who controls six states, there is still a huge gap in strength."

"Besides, Liu Bei was born in a humble family after all, and his appeal is far less than that of Yuan Shao, who was born with three generations of high officials."

"Now that Yuan Shao has captured Xudu, the heroes of the Central Plains will surely flock to him. His strength will surely increase by leaps and bounds and become unstoppable."

"Whether Liu Bei can defeat Yuan Shao, we can only say that there is hope, but I think Your Majesty should not hold too high hopes."

After Dong Cheng poured a bucket of cold water on Liu Xie, the joy on Liu Xie's face immediately faded by three points.

After a light sigh, Liu Xie said helplessly:

"After all, my uncle was born into a family of weaving mats and selling shoes. Although he is a member of the Liu clan, in terms of appeal, he is indeed not as charismatic as Yuan Shao, a traitor from a different family who has been a minister for four generations."

The king and his ministers fell silent.

At this time.

After Kong Rong thought for a moment, his eyes lit up and he bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, the general's appeal is indeed not as strong as Yuan Shao's. Why don't you lend a helping hand and help the general improve his appeal?"

Liu Xie's eyes moved and he looked at Kong Rong blankly, failing to understand the implication of his words.

Kong Rong lowered his voice and said seriously:
"I believe that Your Majesty should issue an imperial edict to enthrone the general as king!"

(End of this chapter)