Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had long formed an alliance to jointly resist the combined forces of Gongsun Zan, Liu Bei, and Lü Bu. Consequently, Cao Cao had now set up camp in Jizhou, his tents lit by flickering candlelight, casting shadows of men in varying lengths. Just then, a messenger hurried in, delivering a secret letter. Cao Cao read it, his expression changing slightly before regaining his composure. He addressed Guo Jia beside him, "Fengxiao, look! Yuan Shu is being besieged by troops sent by the imperial court. Benchu ​​and Gonglu are both representatives of the aristocratic families chosen to oppose the imperial court. Judging by the court's current posture, Gonglu is poised for defeat."

Guo Jia nodded slightly, a glint of wisdom in his eyes as he analyzed, "The Yuan family has always been a representative of aristocratic families, with many other families secretly supporting them in their struggle against the imperial court. However, the Yuan brothers cannot get along with each other, and their once-great force to counter the imperial court has been split in two, giving the emperor the opportunity to defeat them one by one."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "Indeed, the Yuan brothers weren't on good terms since their youth. If not, no one in the world would dare challenge them for supremacy, not even the current emperor. But then again, there are so many rising stars these days. First, there was Ma Chao and Ma Mengqi, their impressive exploits on the battlefield; now there's Sun Ce and Sun Bofu, who shouldn't be underestimated. If the Yuan brothers were to fall in the future and the court successfully dealt with them, Ma Chao and Sun Ce would likely become a serious threat to the court. Just look at how Ma Chao dared to use his military might to intimidate the emperor, and how Sun Ce showed no mercy in killing Han royal family members. We know these two will definitely stir up trouble in the future."

Guo Jia stroked his beard and, after a moment's contemplation, said, "My lord, you are absolutely right. Ma Chao is the bravest of the three armies, and his Xiliang cavalry is even more valiant and skilled. Sun Ce is a young and promising man, occupying Jiangdong and gradually consolidating his position. Both of them are extremely ambitious. If they are not checked and balanced, they will become a serious threat in the future."

Cao Cao's gaze was deep as he gazed towards the dark night sky outside the tent. He said in a deep voice, "In troubled times, uncertainty abounds. We must plan ahead, whether dealing with the coalition forces right now or facing future formidable enemies. We must not let our guard down."

The atmosphere inside the tent was somewhat tense. Cao Cao, worried about his two formidable rivals, Ma Chao and Sun Ce, paced back and forth in deep thought. At this moment, Guo Jia, a confident smile on his face, leisurely stood up, bowed to Cao Cao, and said, "My lord, why are you so worried? Ma Chao and Sun Ce are both truly formidable men, but as the saying goes, too much is as bad as too little, and extremes of strength will eventually break. Their bravery actually harbours hidden dangers."

Guo Jia paused, a sharp glint in his eyes as he continued, "Let's start with Ma Chao. He's renowned for his bravery, unrivaled throughout the land. However, he's been deeply influenced by Lu Zhi's values ​​of respecting teachers and elders since childhood, and this inevitably constrains his actions. The current emperor may appear weak, but he possesses many strategies and a deep mind. Ma Chao's character will inevitably be constrained by Lu Zhi's ideology when dealing with the emperor, hindering his full potential. In my opinion, one day, he will be plotted against by the emperor and suffer a great disaster."

"As for Sun Ce," Guo Jia's tone changed, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, "he acts decisively and ruthlessly, and never leaves himself a way out. This style of behavior may be invincible on the battlefield, but in this complicated world, it is very easy to make enemies. There are many villains in the world, and they are best at lurking in the dark and looking for opportunities. Sun Ce is so ruthless, once he is caught by a villain or framed, he is very likely to fall into despair and eventually be harmed by the villain." After speaking, Guo Jia bowed again and waited quietly for Cao Cao's response.

The candlelight flickered in the tent. After hearing Guo Jia's analysis, Cao Cao couldn't help but stroke his long beard gently, narrowed his eyes slightly, and a trace of thought and relief flashed in his eyes. He slowly said: "In this case, although Ma Chao and Sun Ce are fierce, they are not to be feared." His voice was low, with a bit of the calmness of someone who has been in a high position for a long time.

Guo Jia bowed slightly, his expression respectful yet resolute, and continued, "My lord, you are absolutely right. In my opinion, if these two do not endure great adversity and survive in desperate circumstances, their character will be difficult to transform. Sooner or later, I'm afraid they will be harmed by others. Fate is unpredictable, and their character flaws will eventually become their fatal weaknesses."

Cao Cao nodded slightly, but his eyes revealed a trace of regret for the talents he loved. He sighed and said, "But I love the talents of these two people deeply. If I can use such talents, there is no need to worry about the failure of my great cause." His tone was full of appreciation and desire for the talents of Ma Chao and Sun Ce.

Seeing this, Guo Jia couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes gleaming with wisdom as he offered earnest advice, "My lord, why should you be so envious? In my opinion, you might as well focus your attention on those around you. Young Master Cao Ang is as gentle as jade, showing tolerance and generosity in his dealings with others. He is also resolute and resolute, and truly possesses the qualities of a wise leader. Back then, after we first conquered Yanzhou, there was so much to be done, the situation was turbulent, and rebellions were frequent. Yet, Yuan Benchu ​​summoned us, and we had no choice but to come. Fortunately, Young Master took charge, working tirelessly and meticulously. Today, the people of Yanzhou live and work in peace and contentment, livelihoods are rapidly recovering, and he continuously provides our army with food and supplies, providing strong support for our campaigns. This demonstrates that Young Master's ability is no less than that of Ma Chao and Sun Ce."

Cao Cao was startled at first, then burst into laughter. His laughter was so hearty that it shook the curtains in the tent. He stroked his beard, his eyes full of fatherly pride and satisfaction. He said, "You're talking about Ang'er. Although Ang'er is young, he is truly the unicorn of our Cao family." Cao Cao couldn't hide the smile on his face, and his words were full of recognition and pride for Cao Ang.

This news reached Liu Bei like a whirlwind. He was in his tent at the time. Upon hearing it, his previously calm face instantly became shrouded in a deep worry. He paced back and forth, his brow furrowed, pondering the current situation with a wave of anxiety.

At this moment, they were assisting Gongsun Zan in his standoff with Yuan Shao. Although the battles had been mostly victorious, Yuan Shao's entrenched position and remaining strength showed no sign of defeat. The uncertainty of how long this protracted war would last was truly fraught. Meanwhile, Yuan Shu and Ma Chao were engaged in a fierce battle, the two sides locked in a fierce battle, with neither side able to determine the winner.

While Sun Ce's public declaration of war against Yuan Shu might seem at first glance to be in compliance with the emperor's will and a favorable situation, Liu Bei knew there was a hidden agenda. Sun Ce had previously acted with audacity and impunity in Yuzhang Prefecture, brazenly slaughtering members of the Han royal family. Such actions were no different from those of a lawless individual. They were a blatant challenge to the Han dynasty's authority.

Even more worrying for Liu Bei was the fact that Sun Ce and Ma Chao were sworn brothers, sharing a deep bond. Ma Chao had previously harbored a rift with the emperor over the Empress's affairs, and their relationship was already strained. Now, with one of these two men growing in influence in Jiangdong and the other commanding a significant military presence in the northwest, allowing them to continue their expansion would be a grave threat to the imperial court.

Moreover, the emperor had previously secretly sent him a message, mentioning that Ma Chao and Sun Ce had used ruthless tactics during their conquest of Wu Commandery, using the Shanyue people to purify the local aristocratic families. Their actions were ruthless and resolute, leaving no room for maneuver. Given their unbridled and unrestrained personalities, their future power might become unmanageable for the emperor, plunging the court into even greater peril. Thinking of this, Liu Bei sighed deeply, feeling the pressure on his shoulders grow heavier.

Liu Bei felt a mixture of emotions, a bitterness he couldn't express. He looked out of the tent, only to see the sky dark, a reflection of the chaotic and uncertain world. Warlords were rising up in the world, their power intertwined and entangled, strife incessant. The most powerful were the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Yuan Shao controlled Jizhou and Qingzhou, boasting a vast army and commanding generals, abundant provisions, and a wealth of advisors and formidable generals. He had already become a dominant force in the north. Yuan Shu, possessing the rich lands of Huainan, was richly endowed with provisions and wealth. He was ambitious and acted with arrogance and dominance.

Among the rising stars, Ma Chao and Sun Ce were equally formidable. Ma Chao was unrivalled in bravery, and his Xiliang cavalry, commanding an elite force, crisscrossed the northwest, unrivalled by any who dared to challenge him. Sun Ce, a young and valiant warrior, inherited his father's ambitions. With his extraordinary courage and exceptional military talent, he expanded territory in Jiangdong in just a few years, carving out a kingdom of his own and poised to dominate the region. Both men were poised to become even more powerful, and would undoubtedly become a formidable threat in the future.

Sadly, among the Han royal family, Liu Biao of Jingzhou, despite possessing a vast territory, well-trained troops, and ample provisions, lacks ambition, seeking only to maintain a secure presence. He often feigns obedience to the imperial court's will, ostensibly honoring the emperor while secretly expanding his own power and refusing to help the court resolve its problems. Liu Zhang of Yizhou is similarly cowardly and incompetent, manipulated by his powerful ministers. He has governed the vast province in a chaotic state. Faced with the turmoil of the world, he simply closes his city gates and retreats into self-preservation, completely disregarding the safety of the Han dynasty.

Liu Bei, thinking of this, couldn't help but sigh with grief. He was consumed with concern for his country and its people, determined to uphold the Han Dynasty. But looking around, he saw warlords harboring ulterior motives, each with its own selfish agenda. The Han dynasty was in turmoil, devastated. He wondered, if this continued, when would the Han dynasty finally be restored to its former glory and peace? And what course should he take to achieve his ambition?

Of course, the rise of Sun Ce was far away from Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Bei and other forces, and it would not affect their current decisions for a while.

Ma Chao, on the other hand, was incredibly excited upon receiving the news. He recalled how, thanks to the bravery of his generals, he had foiled Yan Xiang's plan and inflicted a crushing defeat on Yuan Shu. That battle had left Yuan Shu's army in disarray, abandoning their armor and weapons and fleeing in panic. Since then, Yuan Shu had learned his lesson and would never again engage Ma Chao in direct combat.

Although Ma Chao captured two or three cities in Lujiang County, Yuan Shu quickly gathered his forces and retreated, refusing to move forward despite Ma Chao's provocations. Furthermore, with Yuan Shu's strategic abandonment of Yuzhang County, Lei Bo and Li Feng led a large force to join him, further strengthening Yuan Shu's power. Although Ma Chao's generals were valiant and skilled in battle, their limited numbers left them helpless against Yuan Shu's resolute stance.

To make matters worse, Yuan Shu dispatched Yan Xiang as an envoy to Tao Qian. Although Tao Qian hesitated to engage in a war with Sun Ce, Yuan Shu instigated him to deploy his troops along the border, as if ready to attack Wujun at any moment. Consequently, Zhou Yu, who had originally dispatched troops to Jiujiang, was forced to temporarily halt his offensive, no longer devoting his full strength to attacking Yuan Shu, fearing that Tao Qian would exploit the situation and attack him from behind.

Time slipped by, and now it was already June, and Ma Chao still hadn't found a way to defeat the enemy, leaving him completely helpless against Yuan Shu. With the arrival of the rainy season, the situation worsened. Large stretches of land were flooded, transforming into a swamp. Ma Chao's vaunted Western Liang cavalry proved virtually useless in this terrain. Each siege resulted in heavy casualties, a price Ma Chao couldn't bear, but how could he bear to see his men die in vain?

Just at this moment, when Ma Chao received this news, his eyes lit up, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkness, and he became excited instantly.