Chapter 295 Dare you be on equal footing with me? Dare you challenge six states with three states? Liu Bei, you are a bit too arrogant!
Xiang County!

Liu Bei stood up and walked down the stairs. He stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back, his eyes set on the small town on the banks of the Ying River.

"Kong Ming, why do we have to choose this county as the location for our army's decisive battle?"

Liu Bei asked, holding the map in his hand.

"Xiang County is where the Langtang Canal and the Yingshui River meet. The terrain there gradually narrows from north to south, which is not conducive to the deployment of large troops."

"Yuan Shao's troops are definitely larger than ours. The Prime Minister and I chose this time to fight the final battle in order to limit the enemy's advantage in strength to the greatest extent possible."

Zhuge Liang pointed to the map and explained the reason.

"In addition to what Kong Ming said, going north along the Langtang Canal from Xiang County can also threaten Chenliu and possibly cut off Xuchang's connection with Hebei."

"If our army captures this city, we will force Yuan Shao to lead his main force to come and fight a decisive battle with our army on the battlefield we choose."

"In this way, our army will take the initiative on the battlefield."

Pang Tong also added.

Liu Bei stared at the map and listened to the analysis of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix. He couldn't help but nod slightly, his eyes becoming clear.

Wei was far more powerful than Chu, and the borders between the two sides were intertwined, giving Yuan Shao many options for maneuvering his troops.

For example, if Yuan Shao wanted to attack Shouchun, he could go south along the Woshui, Rushui and Yingshui rivers.

If you want to attack Xuzhou, you can go south from Qingzhou to attack Langya, or you can attack Pengcheng from Yanzhou.

Once the initiative falls into Yuan Shao's hands, his side will fall into a situation of insufficient troops and passive defense.

That is why he had to take the initiative in attacking, seize the initiative on the battlefield, lead Yuan Shao by the nose, and force Yuan Shao to use his troops according to his own script.

Xiang County was chosen as the place for the decisive battle. It was precisely by utilizing the local terrain that forced Yuan Shao to have no choice but to lead the main force to the decisive battle in order to ensure that Xuchang would not be lost.

"Well, Jinglue, the strategy you agreed upon of advancing in three directions and fighting a decisive battle in Xiang County is very good."

"Let's follow this strategy and attack Yuan Shao."

Liu Bei did not question it and readily adopted this strategy.

The overall strategy has been decided, and the next step is to deploy the troops.

Former General Guan Yu had already returned to Xiangyang to take charge, and he would lead the Jingzhou generals including Wei Yan, Wen Pin, Guan Ping, and Xu Shu as his military adviser, and would lead nearly 20,000 Jingzhou troops out of Luyang.

Lu Su was transferred to Xiangyang to take charge of the military and political affairs of Jingzhou on behalf of Guan Yu and to raise food and military supplies.

General Taishi Ci, who was in charge of General Jiang Qin, Xu Sheng and other generals, and with Chen Deng as his adviser, led 20,000 troops from Xuzhou out of Langya.

Lu Xun was transferred to Xuzhou, stationed in Xia Pi, and stayed behind in the Xuzhou base camp.

Middle direction.

Liu Bei personally led the main force, including Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Zhang Liao, Zhang Xiu, Gan Ning and other generals, and led 80,000 main Chu troops, marching north along the Ying River straight to Xuchang.

As the prime minister and strategist, Xiao Fang would naturally accompany the army to offer advice and strategies, and Pang Tong would also accompany the army.

Since Shouchun was the capital of the Chu State, it was necessary to supply food and grass to the front line while also taking into account the stability of Xuzhou and Jiangdong. Therefore, an important official who was both military and politically proficient and who had Liu Bei's absolute trust must be left behind.

Zhuge Liang naturally became the best choice. In his dual capacity as Shangshu Ling and Jiujiang Prefect, he sat in Shouchun and presided over the overall situation in the rear.

Liu Bei then instructed Xiao Fang to draw up a specific strategy for the advance.

Everything is ready and the ministers have no more objections.

Liu Bei sat back on his high seat, his face burning with determination, and waved his hand domineeringly:

"All generals, listen up and march north to attack Yuan as soon as possible!"

"In this battle, we will not withdraw our troops until we defeat the pseudo-Wei!"

The thunderous roar echoed in the hall.

All the ministers of Chu State stood up suddenly and cheered in response.

"I will not withdraw my troops until the false Wei is defeated!"

"I will not withdraw my troops until the false Wei is defeated!"

...

It was autumn.

King Liu Bei of Chu issued a proclamation to the world, enumerating Yuan Shao's crimes, and mobilized the entire country's troops to march north to fight against Yuan!
...

Xuchang, Palace of King Wei.

"Big-eared thief!"

"Who do you think you are? You are just a weaver of mats and a shoe seller. How dare you imitate me and claim to be a king and be my equal!"

Yuan Shao was furious and slammed the secret report in his hand about Liu Bei's promotion to King of Chu on the table.

Inside the hall, all the ministers of Wei State were immediately in an uproar and filled with anger.

"Father, that big-eared thief seized Xuzhou from me last time, and now he dares to imitate you and usurp the throne. He is so arrogant and disrespectful to you!"

"If my father does not send troops to attack, where is your reputation and where is the prestige of our Wei State?"

"I am willing to personally lead an army to Shouchun, capture the big-eared thief alive and present him to my father for his punishment!"

Yuan Shang was the first to jump out and challenged the enemy in indignation.

When Guo Tu heard this, he felt a chill on his back with a frown on his face.

Of course, he saw clearly what Yuan Shang was planning in his mind.

Although Yuan Shang took the lead in persuading Yuan Shao to ascend the throne and was deeply loved by Yuan Shao, after Yuan Shao became king, he did not immediately make Yuan Shang the crown prince.

It's not that Yuan Shao didn't want to make him the crown prince, but this group of Ruying scholars strongly opposed Yuan Shao's immediate appointment of a crown prince for various reasons. They said that Yuan Tan was still alive, and if he appointed a crown prince at this time, it would be tantamount to showing the world that Yuan Shao, as a father, had abandoned his eldest son, and would be criticized by the world.

Therefore, Yuan Shao did not want to be discussed by the world, and was also concerned about the influence of the Ruying scholars, so he had to temporarily put the idea of ​​appointing a crown prince on hold.

Yuan Shang instigated Yuan Shao to use troops against Liu Bei, simply to anger Liu Bei and use Liu Bei to get rid of Yuan Tan.

In this way, the Ruying scholars no longer had any reason to stop Yuan Shao from making him the crown prince. "My king, Liu Bei's usurpation of the throne is indeed disrespectful to you."

"However, Your Majesty has been fighting for many years, and you are exhausted both physically and mentally. You should rest and recuperate. It is not appropriate to send your troops on another expedition now."

"I think it won't be too late for you to lead us to defeat Liu Bei after Your Majesty has recovered from his illness."

Guo Tu immediately stood up and opposed Yuan Shao's war against Liu Bei.

He knew for sure that after Yuan Shao proclaimed himself king, he became more content with pleasure and indulged in dancing, music, wine and women. Deep down, he really didn't want to endure the hardships of fighting in wars, traveling by boat and carriage, and sleeping in the open air.

Using the excuse of recuperation would give Yuan Shao a legitimate reason not to send troops to attack Liu Bei.

really.

After hearing Guo Tu's advice, Yuan Shao coughed a few times and pretended to be weak.

"Liu Bei is arrogant, I should definitely punish him."

"But what you said is reasonable. My health is not as good as before, so I really need to rest well."

"After I recover, I will mobilize all the troops of the Wei Empire to destroy the big-eared thief and recover half of Jiangnan in one fell swoop!"

Yuan Shang was now at a loss.

Yuan Shao has already said that he will not attack Liu Bei for the sake of his health. If you still insist on attacking Liu, aren't you disregarding your father's health?

That is unfilial!

How can an unfilial person be worthy of being the crown prince of Wei?
Yuan Shang felt helpless and could only secretly signal Ju Su and Feng Ji.

Ju Su closed his eyes, as if intentionally avoiding Yuan Shang's gaze.

Feng Ji looked embarrassed and obviously didn't know how to encourage Yuan Shao to use troops again.

Just when Yuan Shang was at a loss, a guard hurried into the hall holding a silk letter high.

"Report to the King!"

"Urgent report from Xiangcheng, Guan Yu led 20,000 enemy troops north from Kunyang and is approaching Xiangcheng!"

Yuan Shao's angry expression, which had just calmed down, suddenly changed.

Immediately afterwards, more armed guards broke in one after another.

"Your Majesty, the Second Young Master has reported from Qingzhou that the enemy general Taishi Ci has led 20,000 troops into Langya and is approaching Dongwu City on our border!"

"Your Majesty, the spies in Huainan have reported that Liu Bei has personally led 80,000 troops into the Ying River and is marching north by land and sea. I wonder what he is planning to do!"

Urgent reports of the Chu army's invasion came in like snowflakes.

Yuan Shang was shocked at first, but then ecstasy flashed in his eyes.

He never dreamed that Liu Bei would be so arrogant that he would dare to send troops to invade his Wei State.

And judging from the current momentum, it is not a simple invasion, but a full-scale attack on the Wei State with the full force of the country!

"Liu Bei, Liu Bei, you are so bold that you dare to use three states to launch a full-scale attack on the six states of the Yuan family!"

"I have to thank you for giving me a chance to get rid of my useless brother..."

Yuan Shang was secretly ecstatic, with a sarcastic sneer on his face.

Then he jumped up, and once again, with a heart full of anger, he angrily saluted:

"Father! Liu Bei could have just followed my example and claimed the throne, but now he has the audacity to lead his army to attack us. This is really too much!"

"If we continue to sit idly by and watch this kind of humiliation, what will become of the dignity and prestige of my father and the Great Wei?"

"Please rest in Xuchang, my father. I am willing to lead all the soldiers of the Wei Dynasty to defeat Liu Bei and wipe out the false Chu in one fell swoop. I will take back half of Jiangnan for my father and my Wei Dynasty!"

Feng Ji and other members of the Hebei faction immediately seized the opportunity and angrily requested to fight.

This time it was Guo Tu's turn to be helpless.

He had never expected that Liu Bei would dare to attack on his own initiative.

At this point, even if Yuan Shao wanted to enjoy himself, he could no longer sit idly by.

It was even more impossible to hand over the Wei army to Yuan Shang and let his son, who had little experience in commanding troops, deal with Liu Bei, the old fox.

"Big-eared thief!"

Yuan Shao slammed the table and flew into a rage:
"I couldn't bear to see the people of the Central Plains suffer from war again, so I kept putting up with you. I never thought you would despise me like this!"

"If I don't personally lead the army to wipe out you, a weaver of mats and a shoe seller, how can I save my dignity?"

After grumbling for a while, Yuan Shao stood up and waved his hand, shouting:
"Pass on my order to gather troops immediately. I will personally lead the army south along the Ying River to destroy Liu Bei and flatten Shouchun in one fell swoop!"

Yuan Shang breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, he was still grateful to Liu Bei in his heart, thanking Liu Bei for taking the initiative to provoke the war between Wei and Chu, which completely angered his father and made him start a war.

The two families have completely torn their faces apart and each has sent out its full military force to fight against the other. Is there any chance for his captured elder brother to survive?

Thinking of this, a barely perceptible sneer quietly appeared at the corner of Yuan Shang's mouth.

Feng Ji looked excited and proud as he glanced at Guo Tu and Xin Pi.

Guo Tu and Xin Pi looked at each other, both with bitter faces and helplessness and worry in their eyes.

"I didn't expect that Liu Bei would not only claim to be king, but would actually dare to wage an all-out war against me!"

"It seems that he is determined to win this battle."

"But this time, can we really win again like we did in Guandu?"

Ju Su muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with a complex look of confusion and worry.

It was autumn.

Yuan Shao left Yuan Shang to guard Xuchang, and personally led an army of 160,000 out of Xuchang, marched south along the Ying River, and headed for Huainan.

(End of this chapter)