As expected, Yuan Shao stared at Tian Feng as if trying to see right through him.

It turns out that Yuan Shao had three sons, but he favored his second son, Yuan Xi, and planned to have him inherit his mantle in the future.

However, among these subordinates, those led by Tian Feng disagreed with Yuan Shao's favoritism towards his second son, and they supported his eldest son, Yuan Tan.

As a result, Yuan Shao's team was divided into two groups.

Xu You was close to Yuan Xi, and Tian Feng was close to Yuan Tan.

As luck would have it, Yuan Xi was captured. At this moment, Tian Feng proposed a plan to ignore Yuan Xi and focus on Ping Shan first, which makes people wonder if Tian Feng and his group had used someone else to get rid of Yuan Xi!

Yuan Shao was a suspicious and paranoid person who would never accept any advice from others.

When Tian Feng proposed this strategy, coupled with Xu You's words, Yuan Shao became even more suspicious that Tian Feng had ulterior motives.

Seeing Yuan Shao's questioning gaze, Tian Feng sighed deeply.

The Yuan family had held high office for four generations, so their reputation and strength were beyond question. Yuan Shao now had a multitude of fierce generals and strategists under his command.

The more people offered advice, the harder it became for Yuan Shao to choose.

Now, with the added element of the two brothers vying for power, Yuan Shao naturally became suspicious of Tian Feng's motives.

"My lord, I am wholeheartedly offering advice and strategies for you, focusing solely on the matter at hand, without any personal bias. This is the best course of action!"

Tian Feng tried to persuade Yuan Shao with earnest words, but Yuan Shao wouldn't listen at all.

"Yuan Hao, if I don't go, Xi'er will surely die. Isn't that what you and Yuan Tan would be most happy to see!"

Yuan Shao said coldly.

Xu You chuckled to himself with smug satisfaction.

He considered himself Yuan Shao's chief strategist, but others said that Tian Feng's wisdom far surpassed his, which made Xu You very unhappy.

Now that he's got a chance to humiliate Tian Feng, he's naturally happy.

"My lord, there is no time to lose. We must raise an army immediately and head to Wuji to make that little thief hand over the Second Young Master."

Xu You seized the opportunity to speak again.

"My lord, you must not! That person must have been sent by Liu Wei, the King of Yunzhong. If you insist on going, you will surely fall into a trap!"

Tian Feng was still trying to persuade him, but Yuan Shao had already lost his patience: "My mind is made up. Yan Liang and Wen Chou, each of you will lead two thousand elite cavalry to wait outside the city. I will be there shortly!"

"Yuan Hao, you don't need to go. Lead the remaining troops to guard the city here and wait for me to bring Xi'er back."

Tian Feng immediately covered his face and wept bitterly.

Why are you crying?

"I weep for my lord, for he has gone and will never return!" Tian Feng wailed.

You bastard, you're cursing me to die before we've even left the city!

Yuan Shao flew into a rage: "Guards! Throw him out and lock him in the dungeon!"

The guards came in and dragged Tian Feng out, who was laughing and crying at the same time.

"If I return safely, I will definitely behead him."

Yuan Shao said bitterly.

Tian Feng was imprisoned, and Yuan Shao left Ju Shou to guard the city while he himself, along with Xu You, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and two thousand elite cavalry from Ji Province, sped away towards Wuji.

......

Kill them!

Charge!

Youzhou, Lulong Pass.

The battle is raging!

Countless cavalrymen clashed here, their hooves flying across the vast plains, leaving corpses strewn everywhere.

At Lulong Fortress, Qian Zhao led a thousand soldiers in white robes, who had been guarding the place since the day of the decisive battle in Youzhou.

He first launched a surprise attack under cover of darkness on the camp of King Qiao of Wuhuan and Prince Louban of Wuhuan under Xuwu City in Youbeiping County, capturing King Qiao of Wuhuan and Prince Louban of Wuhuan and other leaders alive, and seizing countless cattle, sheep, horses and grain.

After a night of fierce fighting, during which as many Wuhuan cavalry as possible were slaughtered, Qian Zhao, holding Wuhuan King Qiao and Prince Louban captive, tricked them into opening the gates of the Lulong Pass.

With plenty of supplies and defensive equipment in the city, Qian Zhao strengthened the defenses here, awaiting the retreating Wuhuan army from Ji County.

During this time, the Wuhuan Khan Lu Wang from Bailang Mountain sent people to spy on the area several times. They were shocked to find that Lulong Pass had been captured by the Han army.

He led 5,000 men to attack, but Qian Zhao took advantage of the cold weather to pour water on the city walls, which froze into a thick layer of ice. Wuhuan Khan Lu Wang could only sigh at the city and retreat to Bailang Mountain.

As for their Wuhuan companions in Lulong, they can only pray for the best.

A few days later, the Wuhuan king Qiuliju led 25,000 remnants of his army from the west, taking in many of the defeated Wuhuan soldiers along the way.

Qiuliju's army reached 50,000.

But when he arrived at Lulong Fortress, he was dumbfounded.

The city walls have been adorned with the banners of the Han Dynasty.

Qiu Liju ordered an attack on the city and recaptured Lulong Pass.

Unexpectedly, Qian Zhao pushed Qiao Wang and Lou Ban directly to the city wall. Qiu Liju had no choice but to order that no arrows be fired and could only force an attack on the city. Qian Zhao, who was on high ground, shot and killed many of them.

If Guan Yu and Tian Yu were to defend this place, they would never have done something like using hostages as shields.

Hesitant to attack, Qiuliju remained unconquered for several days.

After an emergency march, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Tian Yu's army of 10,000 infantry and cavalry, along with Zhang Liao's 2,000 elite cavalry from the Beiwei Army, arrived at Qiuliju's rear from two directions.

Seeing so many armored soldiers arrive, Qiuliju had no choice but to abandon his attempt to capture Lulong Pass and stop taking the route through Bailang Mountain. Instead, he headed east, exited Jieshi Pass, and entered western Liaoning.

When Qian Zhao saw his own army arrive, he wondered why they didn't charge into the Wuhuan army and wipe out the Wuhuan cavalry.

Moreover, when the Wuhuan cavalry fled eastward, they did not pursue them.

This puzzled Qian Zhao.

When everyone gathered at the foot of Lulong City, Zhang Liao conveyed Liu Wei's plan to divide the troops into two groups, drive away the tigers and wolves, and seize Liaodong. He suddenly realized the wisdom of his lord and exclaimed that he was brilliant.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!