After Yuan Shao issued the order, he immediately felt a sense of relief, as if he had rediscovered the days when he was full of vigor and ambition.

"Cao Mengde, this time, you've made a mistake!"

Yanzhou, Cao Cao's residence.

Upon receiving the news, he immediately summoned Guo Jia.

"What's your opinion on this matter? Should we start fighting or not?"

At this time, the Yellow Turban army had already occupied Xiliang, and Han Sui was forced to march to Bingzhou.

If Cao Cao had intervened at this time, he would have definitely been able to conquer Bingzhou, and would very likely have subdued Han Sui's 50,000 Xiliang cavalry—that's 50,000 Xiliang cavalry!

Don't you see how Dong Zhuo dared to act as the emperor's "uncle" when he only had 30,000 Xiliang cavalry?

"My lord! I believe we should send troops immediately to gain the upper hand!" Guo Jia suggested.

"Alright, you may go now and summon Cheng Yu," Cao Cao said.

"Yes!" Guo Jia accepted the order and left.

Cheng Yu came in very quickly.

"My lord!" Cheng Yu bowed deeply.

"Zhongde, Guo Jia just came to me with a plan, saying that we can take advantage of the situation to send troops to occupy Bingzhou. What do you think?" Cao Cao asked.

"This... my lord, I believe now is not the time to send troops. Yuan Shao's army is still watching us with predatory eyes," Cheng Yu said bitterly.

Cao Cao frowned. To be honest, if it had been a few days ago, Cao Cao would have agreed to Guo Jia's plan without hesitation.

However, in the past few days, he has become increasingly cautious, feeling that Yuan Shao's continued inaction must be part of some conspiracy, and thus he has become hesitant.

"Alright, go now and fetch Xun Yu for me," Cao Cao ordered.

"Here you go!"

Xun Yu arrived quickly.

"What business does my lord have with me?" Xunyou asked, bowing respectfully.

"Guo Jia advised me to send troops, while Cheng Yu advised me to remain inactive. I've come to ask you what your thoughts are," Cao Cao said, getting straight to the point.

Xun Yu immediately realized that Cao Cao's suspicious nature had kicked in again.

"I strongly urge my lord to send troops to Bingzhou immediately!" Xun Yu said resolutely.

"Why?" Cao Cao asked, somewhat surprised.

"What my lord is worried about is nothing more than that Yuan Shao is holding back his troops and is plotting something. And Yuan Shao is also well aware of my lord's suspicious nature."

"Now that the Bingzhou army and Han Sui's Xiliang army are locked in a fierce battle, it is the perfect time for us to send troops!" Xun Yu analyzed.

"But what if Yuan Shao also sends troops? Besides, Wenruo, don't forget about the Yellow Turban Army!" Cao Cao was still worried.

"My lord, once Yuan Shao sends troops, the Yellow Turban Army will inevitably march east to attack Youzhou. Mr. Lu will not sit idly by and watch Yuan Shao grow stronger!" Xun Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"We only need to guard against Ma Chao's 20,000 Xiliang cavalry, and that will be enough! Because Mr. Lu will not sit idly by and watch us occupy Bingzhou!"

Cao Cao's eyes lit up; he understood Xun Yu's meaning. However, his suspicious nature prevented him from issuing the order for a long time.

"My lord! Please do not hesitate any longer. The opportunity to fight is fleeting. Please give the order!"

After saying this, Xun Yu knelt down on the ground and pleaded.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth for a long time before finally saying, "Issue the order: Cao Ren will lead 200,000 troops to launch a full-scale attack on Bingzhou!"

"Yes!" Xun Yu said joyfully.

Actually, the matter wasn't that complicated; it was just that Cao Cao had mythologized Lu Li too much.

Once Cao Cao calmed down and thought about it for a moment, he was able to figure it out.

Even if Lu Li's methods are extraordinary, the Yellow Turban Army in the Northwest only has so many troops, and it would be difficult for them to stop him.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once, and Cao Cao was determined not to miss it.

After Cao Cao gave the order, provisions and supplies began to be mobilized and preparations for battle began within Yan Province.

Upon receiving the order, Cao Ren was overjoyed, for for a military general, fighting was a golden opportunity to earn military merit.

Inside Han Sui's camp in Bingzhou.

"Report! My lord, Cao Cao has ordered Cao Ren to lead an army of 200,000 to march towards Bingzhou!" His subordinate rushed in to report.

Upon hearing this, Han Sui's expression turned grave, and he muttered to himself, "What a treacherous Cao Cao! He actually sends troops at this time!"

"My lord, now that Cao Cao has dispatched troops, what should we do?"

Han Sui's confidant asked in a deep voice.

"Hmph, are we afraid of him? Send down the order, all units, follow me to meet the enemy!" Han Sui pondered.

He originally had 50,000 Xiliang cavalry under his command. In a battle with the Jizhou army, he lost 5,000, and after entering Bingzhou, he lost another 3,000.

Now he only had 40,000 cavalry left. Facing Cao Cao's 200,000-strong army, Han Sui was not afraid at all, but instead was full of fighting spirit.

"Report! Report!..."

Suddenly another soldier rushed into the tent, covered in sweat and extremely flustered.

"Why are you in such a panic?" Han Sui scolded angrily.

"My lord... my lord! Yuan Shao... Yuan Shao is also heading towards Bingzhou!"

"What?"

Everyone was taken aback, and Han Sui even stood up abruptly from his seat, his face showing shock.

"What should we do?!"

The officers and soldiers under Han Sui's command panicked.

The Yanzhou army alone was already difficult to deal with, and now the Jizhou army has also arrived.

It seems the previous rumors were true; Cao Cao had already allied with Yuan Shao.

Just as everyone was worried, another soldier ran in.

"Reporting, my lord, there is a man outside who calls himself Lu Li and requests an audience!"

Han Sui was taken aback upon hearing this. Lu Li? Is that Lu Li from Yingchuan Academy?

"Let him in!"

A short while later, Lu Li and Xu Ermao entered Han Sui's camp.

"My name is Lu Li, also known as Lu Xunzhen. I greet General Han," Lu Li said with a smile.

As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. Although Han Sui was from Xiliang, he was well aware of the power of Yingchuan Academy.

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