Lu Bu: My wife comes from two thousand years later

Although Yang Xiu felt that Yuan Shu was no match for Lu Bu, he did not dare to sell himself to Lu Bu before Yang Biao returned. Moreover, Lu Bu's attitude clearly showed that he did not want to respect the Han Dynasty anymore and was ready to change the dynasty.

In fact, the Han Dynasty has come to this point. Unless there is another Liu Xiu, the change of dynasty is inevitable. However, looking at the whole world, since the death of Liu Yu, there is only one Liu Biao in the Liu family who can be called a local lord. However, Liu Biao is good at governing a place, but he does not have the ability to expand outward.

Yang Biao himself was more or less aware of this, and the reason why he spared no effort to re-establish the Han Dynasty was simply to continue his political philosophy. However, it was obvious that Yang Biao's philosophy as an orthodox Confucian scholar was completely opposite to that of the reformists in Bingzhou, so his political demands were unlikely to be recognized by Lu Bu.

However, it is still possible to let Yang Xiu enter the government to appease and win over the Hongnong Yang family.

Yang Xiu did not agree, and Lu Bu did not force him. In any case, Yuan Shu would never agree to Yang Biao establishing another emperor. Moreover, the army Yuan Shu sent to Henan Yin this time asked Lu Bu to kill the main general and rob the food. When Yang Biao returned from Shouchun, the Yang family would naturally know which camp to choose to join, so Lu Bu was not in a hurry.

Lu Bu was not in a hurry, but Tao Qian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He never expected that Cao Cao, who had become a rat crossing the street, would not be able to stay in Yanzhou and even dared to send troops to attack his Xuzhou. What he did not expect was that Yuan Shu, who had been in the same alliance with him before, actually left Yanzhou alone and joined forces with Cao Mengde to attack him.

Under attack from both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, whose military strength was already weak, was unable to resist at all. Within half a month, Yuan Shu occupied all twelve counties of Guangling Commandery south of Xuzhou, and Yuan's army was preparing to march towards Xia Pi State.

Cao's army also advanced very fiercely. After entering Xuzhou, they captured more than ten cities in a row. The vanguard Yu Jin conquered Guangqi and went along the Si River to Pengcheng, the capital of Xuzhou. Five days later, Cao's 50,000-strong army arrived in Pengcheng. Tao Qian led his troops to fight, but was unable to defeat them. He had to flee Pengcheng and retreat to Tancheng, Donghai County, and sent people to ask for help from Gongsun Zan and Kong Rong.

Cao Cao's advance was going very smoothly, but there was one thing that troubled him greatly.

"Our army has fought its way here, and we have very little food and fodder left. Xuzhou may be rich, but most of the rich are powerful families. These people have plenty of food, but they are stingy. Every time we ask them to donate food, it's like giving it to beggars. What can we do?"

Historically, Cao Cao carried out a large-scale massacre in Xuzhou, one to destroy the foundation of the Xuzhou family, and the other to seize food and grass.

However, the current situation is completely different from the historical situation. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao's backer, is now in trouble, and Cao Cao himself has been in trouble because of the Emperor Xian incident. He does not have the courage to massacre the city without scruples. However, if he does not massacre the city, he will have no food, and his military activities will be difficult to move forward.

After Yuan Shu took over Pi State, and then took Donghai County and Langya State, his Yanzhou was half surrounded by Yuan Shu. Coupled with Lu Bu in the north, just thinking about it gave Cao Cao a headache.

"Let's start with Pengcheng!"

Seeing that everyone present was silent for a long time, Cao Cao spoke himself.

"My lord, you killed Wen Li (the famous scholar Bian Rang) in a war some time ago, which caused dissatisfaction among the people of Yanzhou. If you massacre the city again today, I'm afraid you will lose the support of the people!" Xun You said helplessly.

Speaking of Bian Rang, Cao Cao became furious. He snorted coldly, "That sour scholar insulted me, but he also insulted my grandfather. And he even talked to me about virtue and reputation? He insulted a dead man like that. Is he virtuous? I was merciful by not slaughtering his entire family."

Xun You said, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, but you were too impulsive that day. Lü Bu has now labeled you a traitor, and you've already lost your sense of justice. If you continue to kill famous people over a few words and lose the support of the people, and then massacre Pengcheng, then you'll be doomed to continue down this dark path."

Cao Cao looked extremely annoyed. "Then what do you say? I attacked Xuzhou for food. If I don't kill people, how can I feed tens of thousands of soldiers? If everyone starts to starve, I won't have a chance to turn to the underworld even if I want to."

As the saying goes, a good cook cannot cook without rice. Without food, no matter how good the strategies of the counselors are, they will be useless and everyone can only look at each other in confusion!

Cao Cao didn't want to dwell on this issue any longer, so he directly ordered Cao Ren, "Slaughter Pengcheng! Leave no one alive, young or old, man or woman!"

…………

Half a month later, in Jizhou, Anping State, Wuyi County, Gongsun Zan’s military camp.

"Half a month ago, Xuzhou and Pengcheng were captured by Cao Cao, and tens of thousands of people were driven into the Si River and drowned. Tao Gongzu retreated to Tancheng, Donghai County, and hoped that I could send a troop to Xuzhou to help him. I wonder who is willing to go?" Gongsun Zan said, looking at the civil and military officials present.

In fact, he had received Tao Qian's first letter for help a few days ago, but at that time he had just captured Hejian State and was preparing to march towards Anping State. Although Gongsun Zan wanted to go to help, he was really busy. Today he received Tao Qian's second letter and the news of the massacre in Pengcheng. Gongsun Zan felt that he should send a team to express his gratitude.

"Cao Mengde actually massacred the city?"

Liu Bei's eyes opened wide, his face full of disbelief.

Gongsun Zan nodded and handed him a piece of cloth. "This is the news sent by Tao Gongzu. After Cao Mengde slaughtered Pengcheng, he marched all the way to Tancheng. If Tancheng is captured, it may become another Pengcheng."

Liu Bei snatched the cloth and read it carefully from beginning to end, his face filled with grief. "Damn it! Damn it! First he killed Your Majesty, then he murdered famous scholars, and now he's even massacring a city. If this villain isn't eliminated, the world will be in turmoil. I beg Bogui to let me lead the troops to Tancheng to help Envoy Tao!"

"Xuan De wants to go?" Gongsun Zan looked at Liu Bei with a meaningful look in his eyes.

Liu Bei bowed and said, "Please agree, Bogui!"

Gongsun Zan asked, "Xuzhou is under attack by Yuan Shu and Cao Cao, both with armies of nearly 100,000 men. How many men do you need to take with you?"

"This……"

Liu Bei couldn't help but hesitate. He had been in Pingyuan County for all these years, and he had only a thousand soldiers under his command. This small number of people could not play any role in the future.

Now Gongsun Zan is fighting with Lu Bu for Jizhou. Lu Bu has occupied the four counties of Zhongshan, Changshan, Julu and Zhao, while Gongsun Zan only occupies Hejian and Anping. Gongsun Zan's next plan is to go south to Qinghe, and then wait for Lu Bu's army to break through Weijun, and then he will take advantage of the situation.

Therefore, Gongsun Zan would not dispatch too many troops to Xuzhou, and everyone present understood this.

Going to Xuzhou would not only fail to save Tao Qian, but if he was not careful he might even lose himself. Everyone was silent, except Liu Bei who stood up without hesitation.

"Let's take whatever Bogui can give us and give it a try!"

Gongsun Zan sighed softly. "You and I studied together in Luoyang when we were young, and we have a deep friendship. You have done so much for me over the years, and I cannot bear to let you take such a risk. If you insist on going, take the three thousand men you have with you. If you can, then do so. If you can't, don't try to be so stubborn."

Liu Bei looked grateful and bowed, "Thank you, Brother. I understand!"

Gongsun Zan waved his hand and said, "There's no time to lose. I'll have someone get you some food and supplies. Let's set off tomorrow!"

"Yes!"

Liu Bei took his leave. Tian Kai asked in confusion, "My lord, you knew we were going to Xuzhou but there was no return, so why did you allow Xuande to go with 3,000 soldiers?"

Gongsun Zan stared at Liu Bei's receding figure in silence for a long moment before speaking, "My junior fellow apprentice disdained study in his youth, preferring sensual pleasures and fine clothing. He's become increasingly mature and steady since the Yellow Turban Rebellion. I remember him once telling me there was a mulberry tree over five feet tall in the southeast corner of his house, which looked like a carriage hood from a distance. Even as a child, he'd said he'd ride in a carriage with a feathered canopy like this one someday. He seems to have been content in Pingyuan County these past few years, but I know his dream of a carriage with a feathered canopy hasn't died."

Gongsun Zan sighed deeply. "This trip is dangerous, but it also presents an opportunity. For the sake of our fellow disciples, I'll give him three thousand soldiers and give it a try. Whether he succeeds or not depends on him!"