Lu Bu: My wife comes from two thousand years later

To be honest, Yuan Shao was a really awesome guy. Being stubborn and arrogant wasn't really a big deal for him.

The biggest problem was that he failed to handle the conflicts among the internal factions. The Jizhou faction, the Yingchuan faction, and the Nanyang faction were fighting openly and secretly, and were as hostile as water and fire. Before the Battle of Guandu, Ju Su was demoted and Tian Feng was arrested, which made everyone in the Jizhou faction feel insecure and laid the groundwork for the defection of Zhang He and Gao Lan.

If the various groups within Yuan Shao could be as united as those within Cao Cao, how could there be the Three Kingdoms?

If Yuan Shao trusted a counselor as much as Liu Bei trusted Zhuge Liang, this guy would have been in heaven long ago.

Tian Feng, Ju Su, Feng Ji, Xu You, and even Xun Yu and Guo Jia who had previously defected to Yuan Shao, which one of them is not awesome?

However, having said that, with Yuan Shao's character, it is impossible for him to trust someone like Liu Bei did, including Zhang Mo, the half-immortal whom he now highly admires.

Zhang Banxian declined politely, "I'm used to being a free and unrestrained person, and I can't stand being restricted. I hope the general will understand!"

Yuan Shao hurriedly said, "I won't restrict you. Sir, you can go wherever you want. I just hope you can come and give me some advice from time to time."

As for the hermits, they all love to wander. The more they wander, the more knowledge they gain. If they are confined to one place, how can they still be called hermits?

"Whether I can guide you, General, depends on the opportunity. If the opportunity arises, I will come to you, General, just like this time..."

Zhang Mo brought the topic back to the purpose of her visit. "General, you are the leader of the anti-rebel alliance, but you are stationed in Hanoi and hesitating to move forward. This is extremely inappropriate."

Yuan Shao looked troubled. "I also want to attack Luoyang and rescue Your Majesty, but the Mengjin and Xiaopingjin ferry crossings are closely guarded by Niu Fu. If I cross the river to fight, the casualties will be heavy."

Yuan Shao said this as the reason, but in fact he didn't want to fight at all, especially after he heard that the camp of Cao Cao and others was burned down by Lu Bu and his 500 men. He was even more afraid of the Western Liang Army. In addition, he didn't have many soldiers and horses to begin with, and he really didn't want to lose them in the campaign against Dong Zhuo.

If Yuan Shao was determined to fight, how could Xu You and Feng Ji not be able to do anything? It was just an excuse.

Zhang Mo didn't expose his mistake and continued, "General, there's no need to cross the river. I have a plan to lure Niu Fu over."

Niu Fu and Yuan Shao faced each other across the river. One was a real coward and the other was pretending to be a coward. The real coward wanted to make achievements but had no chance, while the pretending to be a coward had the opportunity but did not want to act. He wanted Niu Fu to die in battle. If Yuan Shao took the initiative to attack, even if he could capture the ferry, it would be almost impossible to kill Niu Fu. He had no choice but to let Niu Fu come by himself.

Yuan Shao asked, "Sir, can you really make him switch from defense to offense?"

If that's the case, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a fight to show our determination to defeat Dong Zhuo.

"General, wait a few more days until Sun Wentai defeats Hu Zhen in the south. Then, transfer Wang Kuang's troops stationed on the other side of Xiaopingjin to Mengjin, pretending to concentrate your forces for a river crossing. Niu Fu will undoubtedly be unable to restrain himself and launch a surprise attack from Xiaopingjin to your rear. Then, General, you can lure him into a trap and wait for him to tire himself out."

Xu You asked doubtfully, "How can you be sure that Sun Wentai can defeat Hu Zhen? What if he loses?"

Zhang Mo's face was mysterious. "If Sun Wentai loses, Niu Fu will become even more restless."

As a time traveler who is familiar with history, Zhang Mo's greatest advantage is her understanding of the characters of these ancient people. As time goes on, historical events will change because of her and Lu Bu, but people's characters will not change. Analyzing the characters of these ancient people, judging the choices they may make in a certain matter, and making arrangements in advance, this is Zhang Mo's most profound strategy.

When it comes to manipulating people's hearts, perhaps few strategists in this era can do better than Zhang Mo.

Xu You twirled his short beard and nodded slightly. Indeed, if Sun Jian won, he could enter from Guangcheng Pass, break through Dagu Pass, and go straight to Luoyang, threatening the two Yellow River ferry crossings guarded by Niu Fu from behind. If Niu Fu could not repel Yuan Shao in the north, he would be attacked from both sides. If Sun Jian lost, Niu Fu would see Hu Zhen make more military achievements, and if he had the chance to launch a surprise attack on Yuan Shao's army, he would definitely give it a try.

Feng Ji asked again, "Even if Sun Jian could break into Luoyang, what if Lu Bu sent troops to block it at Sishui Pass? Niu Fu wouldn't necessarily be attacked from both sides."

Zhang Mo said, "Have you all forgotten that there are still 100,000 troops outside Sishui Pass? When the time comes, Alliance Leader Yuan only needs to send an order to them to hold back Lu Bu."

But in fact, even if Yuan Shao did not give Cao Cao any instructions, Lu Bu would have taken the initiative to attack at that time, so that Sun Jian could put pressure on Niu Fu from behind. At that time, Dong Zhuo might have personally ordered Niu Fu to repel Yuan Shao.

"Excellent!" Yuan Shao was delighted. "Sun Wentai has already headed north, and the battle for Liang County will begin soon. I will immediately prepare as you have suggested. Please stay here for a few days until this matter is resolved before leaving."

Zhang Mo nodded. "Since the General has invited me so kindly, I will stay here for a few days."

Yuan Shao immediately summoned a soldier and solemnly ordered, "Quickly prepare a separate tent for you, sir, and provide it with the best supplies."

Zhang Mo thanked him, bowed and took his leave, then followed the soldiers to her own tent.

…………

At Sishui Pass, Lu Bu snatched the cloth Du Fei had just taken out of the small bamboo tube in Eagle Claw away. He couldn't wait to unfold it and take a look. His eyes twitched, "How audacious! How audacious!"

Lü Bu's eyes were filled with anxiety. "Send a message asking her to come back soon. If she doesn't, I will personally lead the troops to Hanoi to capture her."

Du Fei looked at the message Zhang Mo sent back and said soothingly, "Amo has always been very measured in her actions. If you lead the troops to attack now, her plan will be ruined. She said she would return in a few days and she will definitely come back. You should trust her."

Zhang Liao continued, "The coalition army camp is now stationed in Xingyang, and the troops at Sishui Pass cannot be moved."

Lu Bu was too concerned and confused. He also knew that it was unrealistic to lead the troops across Hanoi. The most important thing right now was the war in the south. As long as Hu Zhen and Sun Jian had an outcome, Yuan Shao and Niu Fu in the north would take action, and Amo would be able to come back.

"Has Sun Jian made any moves recently?"

Zhang Liao said, "We've been quiet since arriving in Luyang a few days ago, but Hu Zhen has been gathering troops and preparing food supplies in Liang County these past two days. It seems he's planning to launch an offensive."

Hu Zhen's behavior was within Lu Bu's expectations. During the marching speed competition in Mei County that year, Hu Zhen thought he had already won, and thus became complacent, giving Lu Bu the opportunity to launch a sneak attack. Although Dong Zhuo gave Hu Zhen a serious lecture, he was still a stubborn person. As long as he won a battle, he would still become complacent.

Lu Bu has also learned a thing or two about manipulating people's hearts over the years.

The last time Lu Bu sent Xu Rong and Hu Zhen to plunder Yingchuan, he wanted Xu Rong to help win a battle so that Hu Zhen's true colors would be exposed. The two of them went to Yingchuan and immediately solved the food shortage problem of Dong Zhuo's army. It was a great achievement. If they could repel Sun Jian again, Hu Zhen could be said to be the biggest contributor in this war against the princes of Guandong, and his fame would definitely surpass Lu Bu. How could Hu Zhen hold back?

"Just get rid of him first, and have someone draw a portrait of Hu Zhen and send it to Sun Jian." Lu Bu tapped the table lightly with his fingers. He had already sent Hu Zhen out of the pass, and hoped that this fierce tiger from Jiangdong would not let him down.

"Yes!" Zhang Liao bowed.

"Wait!" Zhang Liao was about to retreat when he heard Lu Bu calling him again.

"We need to find a reason to get Hua Xiong out of here..."

Since the last time Lu Bu rescued Hua Xiong at Beimang Mountain, the relationship between Hua Xiong and Lu Bu has become much closer. Moreover, Hua Xiong is a pure warrior. He will obey whoever can lead him to victory. He is a person who can be won over. If Hu Zhen dies, Lu Bu plans to recruit Hua Xiong for his own use and let him lead the troops left by Hu Zhen.

"How to get rid of him?" Zhang Liao asked. At that time, Hu Zhen was preparing to go to war, and Hua Xiong was the most capable fighter among his men. It was not easy to get rid of him.

Lu Bu thought for a moment and said, "Just tell him I have something important to tell him and ask him to bring some food and supplies."

The last time Hu Zhen and Xu Rong looted food and grass from Yingchuan, they basically stored them in Liang County. This reason is barely acceptable.