The spies and scouts of the Jingzhou Army conducted search operations on the mountains and rivers near Wancheng again and again, and again and again...

At the beginning, the actions of the Jingzhou scouts were not noticed by the Xiliang Army and Yuan Shu Army, but there is no airtight wall in the world. As Xun You asked Zhang Yun again and again to send out spies to investigate Wan.

In the mountains and forests near the city, gradually, the Xiliang Army and Yuan Shu Army finally began to become aware of the Jingzhou Army's actions.

After all, if the activity frequency is too high even in covert operations, it will only be a matter of time before someone is discovered.

Since the Jingzhou Army's scouts had been moving back and forth near Wancheng, the first to notice their movements was naturally Yuan Shu's Army.

After Yuan Shujun's scouts brought the news back to Wancheng, Yuan Shu did not dare to neglect, so he immediately called for discussions with his subordinates.

After this period of painful suffering, Yuan Shu's appearance has become much older than before. He has become unkempt and looks a little slovenly.

His neatly trimmed beard had now become messy. The dark circles and big bags under his eyes made him look very decadent, and his energy level was obviously much lower. Compared with the first time Liu Qi saw him, he looked very depressed.

He was so high-spirited that he was completely different from the other two. He had completely lost the pride and arrogance he had at that time.

The failure of several battles has consumed most of his pride.

"The scouts of the Jingzhou Army are taking turns to explore around Wancheng, searching in the mountains and forests. This must be a big move. Now that winter has passed, spring is coming, and it is the season to raise troops again..."

When he said this, Yuan Shu's tone became somewhat lonely.

"Wancheng, I'm afraid we won't be able to defend it."

Yuan Shu's words were full of sadness and unwillingness both inside and outside.

He currently has 30,000 soldiers and generals in Wan County, and they are fully equipped with baggage, armor and weapons. It is not that they are incapable of fighting. It's just that last year, his soldiers suffered several major defeats.

Most of the troops had already rushed to Huainan, but they had not yet established a foothold there. Only Yuan Shu's own army remained in Wancheng and refused to leave.

In fact, it's not that Yuan Shu can't leave, but that he is reluctant to leave.

He has soldiers and generals, armor and food supplies. Although his morale is currently low, if he is really pushed to his limit, the 30,000 people under his command will give the opponent a heavy blow if they want to fight to the end. Therefore, no one

You have to make him angry.

Everyone wanted him to leave Wancheng obediently, but Yuan Shu refused to do so.

Compared with Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu is not a generous person. He is very petty at heart. He is really reluctant to let go of Wancheng.

After leading the Huben army from Luoyang, Yuan Shu directly arrived at Nanyang County. He stationed troops here for more than two years, gradually grew and developed, and renovated Wancheng. After his repairs, Wanxian County became larger in size.

It is bigger than before, with more houses, and the city walls are stronger.

According to Yuan Shu's ideas, this place was supposed to be an important headquarters for him to command his soldiers and strive for world hegemony. It was also his home base and capital.

But now, it has to be handed over to others.

Even his subordinates advised Yuan Shu to leave, and Yuan Shu himself knew in his heart that he could no longer stay in Nanyang County, but he just couldn't bear it.

However, as the Jingzhou Army scouts began to conduct large-scale and high-frequency operations, Yuan Shu also knew that it was indeed the time when he had to give up.

"Master Yan..." Yuan Shu spoke slowly, and his voice sounded extremely hoarse for some reason: "I regret that I didn't listen to the Master's words in the past, and even lost my foundation today. If Yuan had reconciled with Ben Chu,

, gathering the power of the entire Yuan family to fight for the world, and after the achievements are completed, we will discuss the merits of the brothers. I think it must be a different situation now..."

With Yuan Shu's arrogance and character, since he is willing to say such words, it shows that he is indeed quite regretful.

Yan Xiang also knew that if Yuan Shu was willing to unite with Yuan Shao, supporting each other from the south to the north, and then unite with other children of the Yuan family who served as county guards or prime ministers, the situation in the world would definitely be different... But this

There is no such thing as regret in the world. Since you have done what you should do, you have to bear the consequences. There is nothing you can do about it.

"Don't worry, general. Although the current situation in Nanyang County is no longer favorable to us, the Huai region is still under the control of our army after all. The land of Jiang and Huai is rich and densely populated, and there are many wealthy households. The general only needs to learn from the pain.

Lead the troops to withdraw to the Huai region, Xu Tu develops, and rest in peace for two years. After that, after recovering his strength, he will definitely be able to take revenge."

Yuan Shu said helplessly: "Now that our foundation in Nanyang County has been lost, if we don't go to Huainan, I'm afraid there will be no other way out. However, this Wancheng was renovated by Yuan Mou. Now I don't know if it will give an advantage to the Xiliang thieves or not."

Liu Biao and his son were given the advantage for nothing...it's very irritating to think about."

Yan Xiang said: "Now that things have happened, there is nothing we can do about it... As spring approaches, the Jingzhou Army begins to send out large numbers of scouts to the mountains and rivers near Wancheng. I am afraid they are surveying the terrain and blocking our eastward route to Yangzhou.

The general must guard against the retreat route and must prepare quickly."

Yuan Shu gritted his teeth and said: "If Yuan hadn't underestimated Cao Ah Ma and suffered his defeat, how could Liu Lang be able to become powerful?"

Under Yuan Shu's command, apart from Yan Xiang, there was also Yang Hong who was also a man of many schemes.

"At the moment, the general is preparing his troops and horses to hone and drill near Wancheng. At the same time, he secretly sends people to Bowang and asks the captain who is stationed there to secretly transport the baggage and grain to the land of Huairu."

It turns out that most of the baggage collected by Yuan Shu from Nanyang County over the years was concentrated near Bowang County. Bowang County was surrounded by dense mountain forests and the terrain was relatively dangerous. During the Xinmang period, there were many old mountains and rivers near Bowang County.

Although most of the village ruins are now abandoned, they are still located in dangerous locations and are numerous in number.

Yuan Shu had collected excessive taxes over the years, and more than half of the goods and luggage he had accumulated were not in Wancheng, but were stationed in Bowang, in order to have a back-up for himself at the critical moment.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Yuan Shu said with emotion: "Bo Wang's baggage is indeed extremely important. I will send captains Xu Shen and Zhang Chang to lead the troops the next day, specifically to guard Bowang.

The baggage goes eastward first."

Yang Hong said: "General Hou, if you are afraid of attracting the attention of the Xiliang Army and the Jingzhou Army, at this time, the only way to hide from them is to use your voice to attack the east and the west."

"How to behave?"

"The general will prepare troops and horses in Wancheng, plunder the goods, and quickly drive the troops out of the city to the east to attract the attention of the Xiliang thieves and Jingzhou people. Then let the troops stationed in Bowang move secretly, and the two groups of troops will

We are traveling together, but one of them has to show off in a big way, and the other needs to be hidden, so that the people of Xiliang and Jingzhou won't notice."

Yuan Shu turned to look at Yan Xiang and said, "What does Master Yan think?"

"Yang Yushi's words are very good." Yan Xiang agreed seriously.

But Yuan Shu frowned, seemingly unwilling to do so.

If he just left like this and left Wancheng, which he had worked so hard for two years, behind, it didn't seem to be in line with his character.

"Burn it." Yuan Shu suddenly said this.

When he said this sentence, everyone present was shocked.

Yang Hong looked at Yuan Shu in surprise and said, "General Hou, what did you just say?"

Yuan Shu seemed to have made up his mind. He slowly stood up from his position and said solemnly: "Since Nanyang can't wait any longer, then Wancheng will be burned to the ground. Even if Yuan leaves, he will not give up."

That Shanyang Liu family or Xiliang Dog left a whole mess behind!"

Yan Xiang said hurriedly: "General Hou set fire to the city, fearing to cause resentment among the people, and also fearing to cause the gentry in the world to turn against each other!"

But Yuan Shu shook his head calmly and said: "Those who can recognize me, Yuan Shu, will also recognize me if I don't burn the city. Those who don't want to follow me, Yuan Shu, will not recognize me even if Yuan does something like a saint."

, Wancheng has been repaired by me for two years, and it is much stronger than it was during the Zhongping period. If it is just left to others like this, I will not be willing to do so!"

Yang Hong and Yan Xiang seemed to want to persuade again, but Yuan Shu raised his hand and said: "I have made up my mind, don't say anything while waiting!"

…

Xi'e County, Xiliang Army Camp.

"Reporting to the two lieutenant generals, Zhang Sima has returned from prison and is here to tell the two lieutenant generals their orders!"

When Niu Fu heard about Zhang Xiu's return, he laughed heartily and said, "Nephew Zhang Xian led his troops to search the prison in the morning and returned in the evening. How can he be so fast?"

Zhang Ji said from the side: "Xiu'er's ability is very good, far beyond the ordinary people. At such a young age, he is already a famous general!"

Niu Fu nodded with satisfaction and said: "Hurry up and check in Zhang Sima's account!"

When he was young, he saw Zhang Xiu walking into the commander's tent and saluting Niu Fu and Zhang Ji.

"Reporting to General Zhonglang, the officials today led troops to search and break the three forts near Du Yan. They seized a total of 50,000 shi of grain and fodder, 2,000 pieces of armor, 1,000 jins of iron tools, and captured 5,000 thieves' heads. I am here to meet you two.

Zhonglang will return his orders!"

Niu Fu said with satisfaction: "Good! Very good! My nephew killed five thousand enemy thieves in one day. He is truly a general. He should be rewarded! He should be rewarded!"

All the Xiliang Military Academy members in the tent praised loudly, but Jia Xu looked at the people around him expressionlessly and sighed secretly.

What about beheading five thousand people... nonsense!

He knew very well the behavior of Xiliang soldiers. Every time they went out to raid and plunder, they would kill civilians as a reward for their military exploits. It was pure beastly behavior.

It's a pity that another five thousand people have become the dead souls of these people in order to show their achievements.

Jia Xu just sighed briefly, but he soon felt relieved.

It’s not a big deal. In this world, human life is like a piece of grass. Are there not many people dying every day?

Maybe I will become a dead soul one day without knowing it, so how can I have the leisure to sympathize with those who don't want to do it?

Just when Jia Xu was thinking about everything in his mind, he saw a Xiliang Army scout hurried into the tent and whispered to Niu Fu.

Niu Fu's face suddenly changed and became very ugly!

He stood up suddenly, kicked over the table in front of him, and said angrily: "Yuan Thief, you really have a vicious heart."

Zhang Ji looked at Niu Fu in surprise and asked: "What happened to make Brother Niu so angry?"

Niu Fu said with a gloomy expression: "Yuan Shu withdrew all his troops from Wancheng and headed east. This means abandoning the city and leaving."

Everyone was stunned at first, and then couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

Zhang Ji said in confusion: "Brother Niu, Yuan Shu withdrew his troops and abandoned Wancheng, which freed up space for us! It's a great thing. In the future, our army will occupy Wancheng, which means we have a stronghold. This is equivalent to

It has its foundation in the south, so why is Brother Niu so unhappy and angry?"
To be continued...