After hearing Jushou's words, Tian Chou couldn't help but stop. He clenched his hands, then loosened them, then clenched them again, and then loosened them again. After going back and forth many times, he slowly turned around and started again.
Return to everyone.
"Master Zhou Mu, our master's bottom line is 50,000 dan of military rations and 10,000 sets of weapons. In addition, we can transfer control of the three counties of Quanzhou, Yongnu, and Huqiu to Master Zhou Mu."
There was a little pleading in Tian Chou's eyes, as if he meant that this was our bottom line, and if it still doesn't work, forget it.
"We don't want control of the three counties. We want to add 10,000 war horses."
Jushou shook his head, still dissatisfied with Tian Chou's conditions.
"Ten thousand war horses?"
Tian Chou felt depressed for a while. He didn't want territory but war horses. Did he see something?
"Yes, although Liu Zhoumu is the lord of Youzhou, it is really inappropriate to cede three counties to my family at will. This is not good for both of us. Instead of doing this, it is better to directly give us 10,000 war horses and expand the cavalry.
good."
There was actually a purpose for Tianchou to cede three counties to Yuan Shu. Quanzhou, Yongnu and Huqiu were located in the southernmost part of Yuyang County, forming a diagonal line.
If Yuan Shu really wants to occupy the three counties, he must station troops there to be on guard against Gongsun Zan's counterattack at any time. In this way, Liu Yu can concentrate his troops on the four northern counties of Yuyang, which is great for the Yan State.
Jushou was not stupid, he saw through Tian Chou's plan at a glance, so he declined the request for war horses from the county.
"No, my Lord's war horses are not enough. How can there be any extra profit to share with Yuan Gong? Otherwise, you will just cede those three lands. At worst, add another Pinggu County. The land of the four counties is equal to half of Yuyang County. That's it, right?
.”
Tian Chou shook his head. There is no such thing as too much of a scarce resource like war horses.
"Let's see, how about 30,000 dan of rations, 5,000 sets of weapons, and 15,000 war horses."
You retreat and I advance, you advance and I retreat, each side is its own master and each seeks benefits.
"No, I have already said that there is no profit for ten thousand war horses, let alone fifteen thousand."
Jushou's words made Tian Chou's head shake like a rattle, and it would not stop for a moment.
"Zitai, as long as my lord sends Yan Liang and Wen Chou with an army of 60,000 to go north to Fanyang County, Dai County and Shanggu County, I believe it will be difficult for Liuzhou Mu, who is attacked on both sides, to resist. By then, we will have all the military provisions, equipment, and war horses."
Tian Feng showed no mercy to his family, and it was a double attack.
"Mr. Yuan is so righteous that he will not be the villain who attacks from behind."
Tian Chou only felt that his cold sweat had soaked his clothes. As Tian Feng said, Liu Yu would definitely be defeated.
"Now that the world is about to be in chaos, my lord is indeed righteous, but he has the righteousness of the world in mind. If Liuzhou Mu cannot resist Gongsun Zan, he will end up raising tigers. In this case, it is better for my lord to directly send troops to capture the three western counties of Youzhou and suppress them.
Gongsun Zan."
Tian Feng's words are sharp and he calls names directly. In troubled times, he only talks about interests and not about high justice. If you can't defend it, then we will defend it.
"Liu Zhoumu is a royal relative and a Youzhou Mu conferred by the imperial court. If Mr. Yuan really wants to risk the disapproval of the world and raise troops to attack Youzhou, even if Youzhou is difficult to resist, how can Mr. Yuan stop the world's mouth?
Moreover, after taking the Third West County, Duke Yuan will directly face Gongsun Zan. It will be another battle. Duke Yuan has just destroyed Heishan and his troops are in urgent need of rest and recuperation. Are they really ready?
On the contrary, if Duke Yuan sends troops to help us contain Gongsun Zan this time, then the entire Youzhou will be your barrier to suppress Gongsun Zan for you."
Not to be outdone, Tian Chou pointed out the pros and cons of Yuan Shu sending troops to attack Youzhou.
"Mr. Yuan is a great warrior in the world. He must be able to distinguish the pros and cons. I am good at making decisions, so I will give you 10,000 war horses. I hope you will not be embarrassed by your humble position."
At the end, Tian Chou couldn't help but grit his teeth and agreed to Ju Shou's initial request.
Yuan Shu glanced at the four counselors, but they nodded slightly at him.
"Okay, since Brother Bo'an is asking for help, I will naturally help. Tian Zheng, you return to Youzhou immediately. Reinforcements will arrive soon."
Since the four of them agreed, Yuan Shu nodded and decided to send troops.
"Tian Chou would like to thank Mr. Yuan on behalf of Liu Zhoumu. As for the promise to you, we have to wait for a while. After all, military rations and equipment are easy to get, but ten thousand war horses are indeed more difficult."
Tian Chou was overjoyed when he heard that Yuan Shu agreed to send troops. Although the chips he paid were different from when he came, he still convinced Yuan Shu to send troops. This was a victory.
"Yes, please note that we will send a hundred cavalry to escort Tian Chou back to Youzhou."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Yuan. Tian Chou takes his leave."
After sending Tian Chou away, Yuan Shu and the four counselors gathered together again.
"Tell me what you think."
Three white faces and one red face really made Tian Chou unable to resist.
"My lord, Gongsun Zan must have made complete preparations for his surprise attack on Yuyang County. Liu Yu's sergeants were not as brave as Gongsun Zan, and now they are attacked again. If we don't do something, Yuyang will be lost.
If Yuyang loses the Yan Kingdom, it will be exposed to Gongsun Zan's military strength. If time passes, Youzhou will be captured by Gongsun Zan. By then, Gongsun Zan will become a serious problem for us like Zhang Yan."
As the leader of the four scribes, Jushou was naturally the first to speak.
"I know this clearly. Liu Yu is a tiger without teeth, but Gongsun Zan is a ferocious wolf. Supporting Yu and suppressing Zan will be the main strategy against Youzhou."
Yuan Shu nodded, indicating that he understood the situation in Youzhou.
"My lord, it is right to support Yu and suppress Zan, but the humble position has a different view."
This time it was none other than Xun Chen who spoke.
"If a friend has something to say, just say it."
Looking at Xun Chen, this scribe who has disappeared from history, I wonder what he has to say.
"My lord, Youzhou is far away from the Central Plains. If you want to go south, you must pass through Jizhou. Therefore, whether Youzhou is in the hands of Liu Yu or Gongsun Zan, we are enemies rather than friends. In this case, why not pretend to send troops and actually occupy it."
Xun Chen's eyes were sharp as he stared straight at the map of Youzhou.
"Youruo, our army has just experienced the Battle of Montenegro and suffered serious losses in troops, horses and ordnance. The key is to go north now. Do you know what the consequences will be?"
Jushou frowned and looked at Xun Chen.
"The most likely consequence would be that Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan call off the war and join forces to fight against us."
Xun You also opened his mouth to talk.
"If Liu Yu joins forces with Gongsun Zan, it will be disadvantageous for us. A united Youzhou will be very troublesome."
Tian Feng spoke.
"But what if they're not given the chance to unite?"
Xun Chen smiled slightly, how could he not understand what the three people said.
Xun Chen's words caused everyone to fall silent for a while. Ju Sue, Tian Feng and Xun You were all thinking about the meaning of his words.
"Youruo, go on."
Yuan Shu had no such worries and could just ask Xun Chen directly.
"My lord, is it true that Liu Yu sent an envoy to ask for help?"
Xun Chen spoke, and Yuan Shu couldn't help but nodded.
"Then what if Liu Yu dies at the hands of Gongsun Zan?"
