Some things are difficult to repair once they are broken, just like the trust between Cao and Liu. A fire in Chang'an burned not only the more than 60,000 troops of Cao and Liu, but also the close relationship between the two parties.

Cao Cao, who had retreated in defeat, could never spit out Tongguan, a battleground for military strategists. Therefore, Liu Bei responded to Cao Cao's westward march this time with heavy losses and gained nothing. He simply lost his wife and troops. How could the relationship between the two parties still be the same as before?

Still so harmonious on the surface?

Although there were turbulent undercurrents and tit-for-tat confrontations between Cao and Liu in the past, at least they didn't show much hatred on the surface. That's why the Cao-Liu coalition came into existence this time. But now this fragile alliance has declined again because of this activity led by Cao Cao.

It has reached below freezing point. It is no problem to unite to face Yuan Shu's attack, but it is basically impossible for both sides to join forces to suppress Yuan Shu.

This also means that not only will there be no constraints on Yuan Shu's capture of Xiliang during this period, but as long as Cao Cao fails to unify the Central Plains, Yuan Shu can attack Xiliang at any time without any scruples. Under such circumstances, why should Yuan Shu care about Han Sui?

How do you feel? Without Cao Liu, what would Han Sui and Ma Teng be together?

Xiliang's foundation was already shallow. Coupled with the efforts of Dong Zhuo, Han Sui and others, Ma Teng and Han Sui's combined strength of just over 100,000 was already the limit. With 300,000 soldiers and a population of more than 20 million,

If Yuan Shu doesn't care about the cost, he can kill Xiliang to death before Cao Cao can unify the Central Plains. The gap between the two sides is really too big, and it cannot be changed by the defeat of a few battles.

Yuan Shu and Ma Teng's responses soon became known to Han Sui. Han Sui completely extinguished the last bit of luck in his heart. He had no way out.

"Yan Xing, you lead 30,000 cavalry and go out of the city with a certain person to fight!" Han Sui gritted his teeth and said.

Yan Xing frowned slightly: "Lord, what should we do about Jincheng? If we take away all the 30,000 cavalry, there will be only more than 5,000 soldiers left in the city. Once Yuan Shu divides his troops and attacks by surprise, Jincheng will not be able to defend it at all!"

"We can't control so much. We don't have enough troops, and the Xiliang soldiers can only exert their greatest combat power in the field. Holding Jincheng is completely waiting for death. Only by facing it head-on can we have a chance to win." Han Sui said directly: "

I have made up my mind, go ahead and reorganize your troops and set off tomorrow!"

"No!" Yan Xing was worried, but still responded.

...

Huangshui is a river near Jincheng County and a branch of the Yellow River.

Winter has arrived, and light snow has begun to fall in Liangzhou. On the bank of the Huangshui River, a large camp stands here, silent. The tall camp gate is tightly closed, and countless large banners with the word Yuan on a black background and yellow characters above the camp face the cold wind.

Flying. Tens of thousands of soldiers were waiting behind the long fence, and their sharp weapons glowed dazzlingly under the sunlight.

Yuan Shu's army marched along the Huangshui River and stationed here. A group of about three hundred soldiers came to the Huangshui River with various ice cutting tools, fishing nets, and ropes in response to orders, and began their fishing skillfully

Work.

Fishing under the glacier in winter is not uncommon in Jiangdong, and all of these soldiers are experts in it. During the march, they collected as much food as they could. Yuan Shu now had a problem with the supply of food and grass, so he naturally paid more attention to this.

What's more, in the middle of winter, where can you get hot and fragrant fish soup with dry and hard food? Although many of Yuan's soldiers had already eaten fish until they felt sick in Jiangdong, they really need a bowl of fish soup to warm them up in the middle of winter.

body.

In Yuan Shu's tent, the two leading soldiers brought in a large pot of delicious fish soup and placed it on the charcoal stove in the center. They took out an exquisitely crafted pottery bowl and scooped out a large spoonful of fish.

soup, and then handed it to the table in front of Yuan Shu.

Looking at the fish soup as thick as milk in the bowl, Yuan Shu had no appetite: "It's been fish soup for several days in a row, and I'm tired of drinking it. This Han Sui is really bad, killing all the surrounding tribes

They moved away, not even a single cow or sheep was left for us, and it was difficult for us to even have a bowl of fresh mutton soup. It’s the dead of winter, so it’s really uncomfortable.”

Next to Yuan Shu, Guo Jia couldn't help sneezing and nodded in agreement: "Yes, Jia really can't stand this cold weather. He doesn't even have a maid to accompany him. Kill Han Sui quickly and let's go back."

However, opposite Guo Jia, Jia Xu did not speak at all, focusing on the bowl of fish soup that was just presented in front of him. He carefully picked up the pottery bowl, concentrated on it, and drank in small sips, but at an extremely fast speed.

Quickly, the bottom of the bowl of fish soup had already reached the bottom in just a moment. However, Jia Xu did not waste any time. He stuck out his tongue and licked the side of the bowl carefully, showing no gentlemanly demeanor.

If others had seen this scene, no one would have imagined that this fat man who was like a starving ghost was actually the poisonous man who controlled the burning of Luoyang and destroyed more than 60,000 troops of Cao and Liu.

"Wen He, you are really obsessed with food!" Yuan Shu couldn't help but sigh when he saw Jia Xu's "price reduction".

Jia Xu carefully licked up the fish soup in the pottery bowl in front of her, then breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at Yuan Shu, and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, my lord. I got used to it in the early years."

Yuan Shu was also aware of Jia Xu's past, so he casually placed the fish soup in front of Jia Xu, sighing slightly: "It's not easy for the people of Xiliang! I'm afraid many people of Xiliang are as obsessed with food as Wen He is!"

Jia Xu looked distressedly at the few drops of fish soup spilled on the ground when Yuan Shu handed it over, and quickly took it carefully and held it in his hands.

"Indeed, the biggest problem in Xiliang is food. This is the place where the Han Dynasty is most short of food. Nine out of ten people who died died of starvation. In the most difficult period, nearly half of the people were in danger of starving to death at any time.

the edge of."

Jia Xu, who was born in Xiliang, knows this place very well. It is adjacent to two major grain-producing areas, but Xiliang has always been trapped by food. For the Han Dynasty, this was a bottomless pit that swallowed troops, wages, and grain.

The Han Dynasty wanted to give up Xiliang three times. This place was a complete burden and burden to the Han Dynasty.

"The most indispensable thing for a certain subordinate is food." Yuan Shu said softly: "After Han Sui is eliminated, the management of Xiliang will also be on the agenda. This most chaotic area of ​​the Han Dynasty should also calm down."

Jia Xu nodded lightly and said: "My lord is a great virtue! I thank my lord on behalf of the people of Xiliang!"

Yuan Shu waved his hand: "Forget it, don't deal with these lies, you should think about who to send to manage Xiliang after we capture it! The situation in Xiliang is so chaotic, if you don't send a suitable person, it may be difficult to solve the problem.

Solved within time.”

Jia Xu smiled slightly: "My lord, Xiliang still needs to be governed by Xiliang people!"

Yuan Shu looked surprised and said: "You mean, you are willing to stay? What should I do?"

The corner of Jia Xu's mouth twitched. His lord really treated him as a personal "maid". But this was good, it showed his importance in his lord's heart. Jia Xu thought half speechless and half happy.

"Of course not! Xu is busy with affairs and is really unable to manage Xiliang, but Xu is not the only person from Xiliang under the lord's command."

Yuan Shu went through the counselors under his command in his mind, and said with a slight hesitation: "You mean Fa Zheng?"

"good!"

"But he is still young, and he is young and energetic, so it is a bit inappropriate!" Yuan Shu said hesitantly. He did not doubt Fazheng's ability. After all, this guy is very talented and has studied under Tian Feng for so many years.

It is more than enough to govern Liangzhou. But it does not mean that others view it the same way. As a young man who is only a young man, as a big official, many people under him will definitely have opinions.
Chapter completed!