Ji Ling was Yuan Shu's top general, yet he was killed by Zhang Xiu in just a few rounds?
"General Zhang Xiu is mighty! General Zhang Xiu is mighty!"
Upon seeing this, the guards cheered and shouted, their morale soaring!
Zhang Xiu single-handedly killed Ji Ling, shocking all the soldiers.
"General Zhang, please come into the city for a chat!"
Zhang Xiu rode slowly up to Xiahou Dun and asked with a smile, "General Xiahou, I still need to go to support Cao Cao, so I won't be entering the city."
Of course, after making such a great contribution, he should go to Cao Cao to discuss his merits and receive a reward.
"Haha, General Zhang is indeed mighty! I admire you!" Xiahou Dun realized what was happening and quickly cupped his hands in praise.
"Not at all, General Xiahou, you flatter me!"
Zhang Xiu made a few humble remarks, then rode off with his troops!
Within a few days, Zhang Xiu arrived in Qingzhou, where Cao Cao personally received him and expressed his appreciation for Zhang Xiu.
At the same time, Cao Cao ordered Zhang Xiu to be promoted to the position of Prefect of Qingzhou!
At this point, Zhang Xiu had finally gained a firm foothold!
"General Zhang, this is the reward bestowed upon you by His Majesty!"
Cao Cao took out the imperial edict and handed it to Zhang Xiu.
Zhang Xiu opened it and was immediately overjoyed!
It is said to be an appointment made by His Majesty, but everyone knows that it was actually Cao Cao who made the appointment.
He had never received such an honor when he was under Dong Zhuo's command. Now, he had risen to such a high position, which made him quite excited.
"Thank you for your grace, my lord!" Zhang Xiu said respectfully.
"Haha, no need to be so polite. Let us, lord and subject, work together to build a glorious Han Dynasty!" Cao Cao laughed heartily and patted Zhang Xiu on the shoulder.
"This humble general is willing to follow my lord to the death!!" Zhang Xiu nodded solemnly.
"Hahaha, good! Good! Good!" Cao Cao was very pleased. He liked loyal and upright generals the most.
A few days later, Yuan Shao also received the news and was so angry that he almost spat out blood.
Zhang Xiu actually tricked him, leaving behind so much of his own grain and supplies, and in the end even surrendered to Cao Cao. Wasn't this just giving Cao Cao wings?
"Heaven helps Cao Cao, not Yuan Shao!" Yuan Shao cried out in anguish.
This time, we absolutely cannot stay in Qingzhou any longer.
With Yuan Shu's top general Ji Ling killed, he probably won't attack Xuzhou anymore. I must retreat as soon as possible.
So Yuan Shao packed his things and prepared to return immediately to his stronghold in Ji Province, Ye City.
"My lord, please wait! We still have one last chance!" Xu You stepped forward and advised.
"What do you mean?" Yuan Shao asked, frowning.
"My lord, even if we are to withdraw from Qingzhou, we cannot let Cao Cao take it so easily!" Xu You said in a deep voice.
"What brilliant plan do you have?" Yuan Shao asked.
"Transport all the grain and fodder from the two counties of Qingzhou back to Jizhou, and set the city on fire!" Xu You said viciously.
"Hmm? This... isn't appropriate!" Yuan Shao hesitated.
"My lord, this matter is absolutely necessary. Cao Cao is a cunning and treacherous man, full of schemes. If we allow Cao Cao to occupy Qingzhou, it will be very difficult for us to take it back."
After listening to Xu You's explanation, Yuan Shao fell into deep thought.
But suddenly, he remembered something: the death of Dong Zhuo!
Dong Zhuo was killed by Lu Li because he spread a plague in Bingzhou.
But if he were to do that, wouldn't Lu Li come looking for him?
"Xu You, have you forgotten how Dong Zhuo died?" Yuan Shao reminded him.
“This…this…” Xu You was stunned.
"Even Lü Bu was killed by Lu Li. If we persecute the people of Qingzhou, who in our army can stop him?"
It must be said that when it comes to matters of life and death, Yuan Shao's intelligence is higher than anyone else's.
The main reason is that Lu Li is too terrifying. He went to Chang'an alone with a sword, killed Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo, and the Xiliang army didn't dare to utter a sound. You can imagine how terrifying Lu Li is!
"My lord, the Yuan family has held high office for four generations. How can Dong Zhuo be compared to you? I doubt even Lu Li would dare!"
The Yuan family has disciples and former officials all over the world, and their lineage spans four generations and includes high-ranking officials. Even if Lu Li is audacious and reckless, would he dare to take action against the Yuan family?
"When has the Yellow Turban Army ever feared aristocratic families?" Yuan Shao retorted.
Xu You was speechless. That's right, the Yellow Turban Army only targeted the aristocratic families from the very beginning. They were never afraid of the aristocratic families.
"Furthermore, my Yuan family has held high office for four generations. How could we do such a thing?" Yuan Shao's tone was firm, seemingly leaving no room for doubt.
"Alas, since that's the case, we have no choice but to withdraw from Qingzhou," Xu You said bitterly.
"Yes, pass down the order: break camp and withdraw from Qingzhou tomorrow!" Yuan Shao ordered.
A few days later, Lu Li, who was far away in Bingzhou, received a message from the Black Ice Guard.
"Ha, Yuan Shao does have some conscience after all," Leif sneered.
Lu Li remained calm, because this was the very reason why he was determined to kill Dong Zhuo.
War may have no rules, but it must have bottom lines.
No matter how insidious the schemes or tricks are used, as long as the lives of ordinary people are not disregarded, Lu Li can accept them.
But once you lose your bottom line, the way of war won't work, so you'll resort to the way of tyranny!
Clearly, Lu Li has already served as a deterrent, making these feudal lords begin to feel fear.
After all, no one wants their family to become history or become the next Dong Zhuo.
"Master, what should we do next?" Leifu asked.
Lu Li narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "The war isn't over yet; it's time for Jiangdong to make their move!"
The outcome of the battle in Qingzhou is basically decided: Yuan Shao is doomed to defeat!
Meanwhile, Zhou Yu had already led his troops to attack Jingzhou.
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