Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

This shows that Yuan Shao valued his son far more than anything else.

Even in the decisive battle with Gongsun Zan, and even in the later Battle of Guandu.

"If that's really the case, there might be a chance for them to face off."

Mi Zhu nodded.

"However, this matter needs to be considered carefully. After all, Yuan Shao values ​​his son very much, and the protective forces around him must be quite strong."

How can we successfully eliminate Yuan Shao's son?

"Moreover, Cao Cao should also know how much Yuan Shao values ​​his son. If he knew the other party's identity, he certainly wouldn't have taken action against Yuan Shao's son at this time."

"If we take action, the truth will eventually come out."

"If the matter is leaked, it won't just be Cao Cao and Yuan Shao facing off."

"Instead, it draws all the anger onto us at the same time."

"We have now offended Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, and Lü Bu at the same time. If we offend Cao Cao and Yuan Shao as well, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Gao Shun was also somewhat worried.

"That's why I've come to discuss this with you."

"We need to figure out a way to make Cao Cao kill Yuan Shao's son before he knows the true identity of Yuan Shao's son."

"And this matter cannot be related to us."

Zhou Heng said.

"This matter...I'm afraid it will be somewhat difficult."

Everyone frowned.

Zhou Heng glanced at the group of people with furrowed brows and sighed helplessly.

This is the difference that comes with not having a top-notch strategist.

He has to do everything himself and take charge personally.

If there were a top-notch strategist, like Jia Xu, such trivial matters wouldn't need his concern at all.

With Jia Xu's strategic acumen, he could easily accomplish this with a simple trick.

I thought of Jia Xu.

Zhou Heng couldn't help but feel a little tempted again.

At this time, Zhang Xiu had just launched a surprise attack on Cao Cao and inflicted a great defeat on him.

Not only did they kill Cao Cao's son, but they also killed Cao Cao's general.

I imagine they must be feeling very anxious right now.

Even if he regretted it later.

Even if one wants to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao, one will also worry that Cao Cao will remember what happened today and harm one in the future.

Therefore, Zhang Xiu would definitely not surrender to Cao Cao in the short term.

The only way was to seek refuge with Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

Wancheng, under Zhang Xiu, originally belonged to Jingzhou.

With no other options, he had no choice but to seek refuge with Liu Biao.

This is why Cao Cao did not continue his attack on Zhang Xiu.

At this time, Cao Cao simply couldn't break through the alliance of Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao.

Therefore, we can only ignore it for the time being.

But Liu Biao of Jingzhou, those who know, know.

Old age and declining health have long since robbed him of his ambition.

Zhang Xiu saw no hope under his command and was bound to feel resentful.

It was only a matter of time before the two fell apart.

Cao Cao now has to deal with Yuan Shu's claim to the throne, and also has to take care of Yuan Shao, who is standing next to him.

There will definitely be no time to deal with Zhang Xiu in the short term.

However, not having time to deal with it now doesn't mean we won't deal with it in the future.

Therefore, Zhang Xiu would inevitably have to fight Cao Cao sooner or later.

However, Zhang Xiu's strength was far inferior to Cao Cao's.

If a battle breaks out, Cao Cao will surely defeat us.

This is also why Zhang Xiu later returned to serve under Cao Cao.

Besides Jia Xu's persuasion, the biggest reason was that he had nowhere else to go at this time.

Zhang Xiu lived between Liu Biao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu.

There was no way for them to seek refuge with other feudal lords.

These were the only three major vassal states to choose from.

Of these three major warlords, Yuan Shu should be excluded first.

Yuan Shu is now declaring himself emperor; he will surely perish sooner or later.

Following him is practically suicide.

Liu Biao... Zhang Xiu followed him for a few days and realized that this man had absolutely no future.

He has lost his ambition, and there is no future in following him.

It was only a matter of time before it fell apart.

This is why he later returned to Cao Cao's command.

Besides Jia Xu's persuasion.

There was really no other way out.

However, while other feudal lords might not have a chance, Zhou Heng might.

After all, Cao Cao successfully won over Zhang Xiu only after completely defeating Yuan Shu.

At that time, Zhang Xiu had already fallen out with Liu Biao.

Apart from Cao Cao, there were no other warlords in the surrounding area.

Seeking refuge with others will not solve his current predicament.

But Zhou Heng is different...

His ultimate goal was to establish the Jianghuai region as his base of operations.

This way.

He became Zhang Xiu's only lifeline.

There may be a chance to successfully bring them under our control.

And once it succeeds.

One's own strength will inevitably increase greatly.

Besides gaining access to top strategists like Jia Xu.

Zhang Xiu himself is also quite strong.

The Northern Spear King is undoubtedly a top-tier general, and he also commands the Xiliang cavalry, making him a force to be reckoned with.

However, they were unlucky, much like Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

They encountered Zhao Yun at his peak.

Caught off guard, he was stabbed off his horse by a spear.

If I can successfully subdue him, then all the forces under his command will belong to me.

At that time, it was like directly confronting Cao Cao head-on.

They were not afraid at all.

By the way, speaking of Zhang Xiu, we must mention his junior brother Zhao Yun.

In the original novel, Zhao Yun's timeline at this point was likely due to the death of his elder brother.

So he specially returned to Jizhou to observe seven years of mourning for his elder brother.

This is also why he wasn't by Liu Bei's side.

Since he has not yet submitted to Liu Bei's command.

Does that mean I also have a chance?

If he wanted to intercept the Zhen family, he had to go to Zhongshan in Jizhou.

Changshan is right next to Zhongshan.

Thinking of this, Zhou Heng felt a surge of excitement within him.

If we could bring all these top-tier resources under our control...

In the future, let alone dividing the world into four parts, it's not impossible for the world to be unified.

Having thought about this, I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore.

He spoke immediately.

"If I remember correctly, the one guarding the border of Yanzhou was Che Zhou, a trusted general of Cao Cao."

"And Yuan Shao's trusted and beloved general Chunyu Qiong was stationed in Ji Province."

"These two have always been at odds."

"Although Che Zhou is brave and resourceful, he has a huge disadvantage: he is not a member of the Cao or Xiahou families."

“Naturally, they are no match for Cao Cao’s direct subordinates.”

"Therefore, if he wanted to gain Cao Cao's further favor, he had to make great contributions."

"However, he is currently in a stalemate with Yuan Shao before he becomes the General Who Garrisons Yan Province. Neither side will take the initiative to strike first, so there is no merit to be gained."

"If at this moment... a tremendous achievement were suddenly presented to him, do you think he would be able to sit still?"

Zhou Heng said slowly.

Che Zhou did this after Cao Cao had completely pacified Xuzhou and simultaneously dealt with Yuan Shu.

He was just assigned to Xuzhou as governor.