lcionline Chapter 219 Surprised
Chapter 219 Surprised
Furthermore, Yuan Shao withdrew all his troops into the Guanzhong region, completely abandoning Yanzhou. Some people who had previously harbored some thoughts about Yuan Shao abandoned their idea of joining him.
Although Yuan Shao used the theory of Chen Er's threat to explain his actions, this could not completely dispel the suspicions of the ministers and Liu Xie.
At this time, the small court in Luoyang only had more than 10,000 musketeers. Fortunately, these musketeers used weapons produced by the Yuyang Arsenal, although they were somewhat weakened.
However, this did not affect their normal use and combat. Nevertheless, with the Luoyang Arsenal in Liu Xie's hands, there was no shortage of ammunition and artillery for the time being, and they could still gain some leverage in their negotiations with Yuan Shao.
However, relatively speaking, Yuan Shao had an army of 50,000, and although their equipment was somewhat inferior, it still posed a significant threat to the Luoyang court compared to the strength of Yuan Shao's side.
They were in a weaker position, and in the subsequent division of benefits, Liu Xie could only concede more to win over Yuan Shao.
This also reflects Chen Er's saying: weakness is the original sin. Those who do not have absolute strength are not qualified to submit a petition. Of course, Chen Er would also make Yuan Shao understand this.
On May 7, the Bingzhou troops, under the orders of Chen Er, joined forces with the Second Cavalry Division to cross the Wei River north of Hulao Pass, directly threatening the flank and rear of Hulao Pass. Yuan Shao was greatly surprised when he received the news.
Frustrated, he felt that Chen Er had set a trap for him from the beginning, using the army outside Hulao Pass to attract his attention and hold back his main force, while sending other troops to attack Yuan Shao's flank from Bingzhou.
Although the two sides had not actually started fighting at this time, it was obvious to everyone that Chen Er's side had an absolute advantage. Many people even believed that the troops in the self-governed area could defeat Yuan's army at Hulao Pass without even having to attack.
Fortunately, Yuan Shao had strengthened the defenses of Hulao Pass several days earlier. Even without reinforcements, Hulao Pass had enough supplies to last for two months. But could they really withstand the attack of the troops in their own territory?
As time passed, Chen Er's army neither attacked nor retreated, but remained stuck on both sides of Hulao Pass. Yuan Shao was on tenterhooks and dared not make any rash moves. He sent envoys to communicate with Chen Er several times, but failed to mediate the relationship between the two sides.
"Chen Mingde is trying to force me to make the first move," Yuan Shao said to his men. Having fought with Chen Er for so many years, he didn't say he knew Chen Er very well, but he knew him pretty well.
"We absolutely cannot make the first move, or our army will be completely finished." His men urged Yuan Shao, who replied with a wry smile, "Then what ideas do you have?"
"We are incompetent," everyone answered in unison. Yuan Shao said angrily, "I really don't know what use you are!"
"Report!"
"What is it!" Yuan Shao asked impatiently.
The messenger shouted, "Reporting to the lord, the local military has sent someone to deliver a message."
What were they saying?
"Reporting to my lord, the people in the self-governed area say they are leaving."
what!
Upon hearing the messenger's message, Yuan Shao and the strategists and generals in the main tent could not believe it. Had Chen Er changed his mind? How could he just leave like that?
Yuan Shao was uneasy, fearing this was a trick by Chen Er. He immediately ordered, "After dark, scouts should go out to investigate and find out the movements of the troops in our jurisdiction."
"Yes! My Lord!"
The messenger left after receiving the order. As soon as the messenger left the tent, Yuan Shao immediately began to discuss the strange behavior of the troops under his jurisdiction with the strategists and generals inside. Yuan Shao and all the high-ranking officials of Yanzhou did not believe it.
Chen Er would give up so easily, not to mention that they even sent someone to inform us before they left. There must be something fishy going on!
However, a few hours later, after the scouts who had been on night patrol returned and reported that the troops in their own territory had indeed broken camp and were approaching, Yuan Shao and the others fell silent. They couldn't figure out what the troops in their own territory were up to.
Could this be a trap to lure the enemy? But they won't leave the pass, so luring the enemy doesn't seem to make sense. Could something have happened in the rear of the self-governed region? But the troops in the self-governed region inside the pass haven't shown any signs of retreating.
Could it be due to a delay in orders, or perhaps Huangpu Song had other ideas? Yuan Shao dared not make a hasty decision. He ordered continued investigation to ascertain the true intentions of the troops in his jurisdiction.
At the same time, Yuan Shao felt that negotiations with Luoyang should continue. He needed the support of the Luoyang arsenal and needed to expand his military strength as soon as possible. Yuan Shao no longer wanted to act subservient because of insufficient strength.
Now that we finally have a chance to acquire the Luoyang arsenal, it would be foolish not to seize it. Would Yuan Shao be such a fool?
Obviously not, but how much he has to pay depends on Xu You's abilities, Yuan Shao thought to himself as he watched Xu You leave.
Previously, Chen Er was forced into this situation. If he didn't do everything he could to strengthen himself and defeat the enemies around him, he would be defeated and lose his life.
Having come to this world from his previous life, Chen Er has essentially died once. Most importantly, since arriving in this world, Chen Er has faced life-threatening situations several times.
Despite his sometimes brave and fearless demeanor, he actually cherishes his own life very much.
Now that the self-governed region has enough say, Chen Er no longer wants large-scale wars. He prefers to unify the region through gradual encroachment and coercion, just like with Yanzhou this time.
As soon as Yuan Shao's troops left the city, the next second the administrative officials of the self-governed area entered the city under the escort of the army to take over the administrative affairs of the area.
Of course, Yuan Shao's men can forget about taking those able-bodied men with them now; Chen Er wouldn't allow it. Nobody wants to take over a ruined territory. Fortunately, most of the Yanzhou army is sensible.
When the troops from the autonomous region approach, they will abandon the young and strong women they have taken in, and only take the regular army and the militia with them to retreat.
The autonomous region's army did not make things difficult for the regular army in Yanzhou. Chen Er's intention was clear: to give Yuan Shao enough power to go to Luoyang and fight against Liu Xie and the interest groups he represented.
Another task is to have Yuan Shao deal with the threat from Liangzhou. Chen Er doesn't want to get involved in Liangzhou's affairs for the time being. The most important task for his self-governing region right now is to digest Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou in the south. Oh, and now there's also Yanzhou.
It will take at least two years to digest these four states. Once the basic policies of the autonomous region are implemented in this area, Chen Er has reason to believe that the vast majority of the people will completely side with him.
The reason is simple: people are driven by self-interest. The autonomous region provides land to farmers, a favorable market environment for merchants, the lowest taxes in the empire, and no mandatory corvée labor.