Chapter 220: Two Yuans Fight for Leadership

The first day of March.

The emperor issued an edict, ordering Jin Mao, the governor of Yangzhou, to take charge of all affairs of Jingzhou, and in accordance with the Han law, strictly investigate the concealment of population and land by the gentry.

For a moment, the world was shaken.

Bohai County.

When Yuan Shao received the news, he was furious.

Not only was there the anger of the failed plan, but also Dong Zhuo holding the emperor hostage and colluding with Jin Mao to dig into the foundation of the gentry.

Tolerable or unbearable!
Yuan Shao didn't want to wait any longer, so he gathered all the 20,000 troops he had just recruited and marched south to Ye County, Jizhou.

He also used Qiao Mao's forged edict to call on heroes across the world to fight the enemy together.

The name is to fight against Dong, but the reality is to fight against Jin!
The various princes who did not know the truth responded one after another.

Those who stationed troops in Ye County included Yuan Shao, the prefect of Bohai, Gongsun Zan, the prefect of Beiping, Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, Wang Kuang, the prefect of Henei, Qiao Mao, the prefect of Dongjun, Yuan Yi, the prefect of Shanyang, Bao Xin, the prefect of Jibei, Zhang Yang, the prefect of Shangdang, and Kong Rong, the prefect of Beihai, a total of nine princes.

In addition, Xiliang Governor Ma Teng raised an army in the northwest to respond.

Those who attended the Suanzao League included General Yuan Shu, Yuzhou Governor Sun Jian, former Yuzhou Governor Kong Ji, Yanzhou Governor Liu Dai, Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian, Chenliu Prefect Zhang Miao, Cavalry Captain Cao Cao, and former Guangling Prefect Zhang Chao, a total of eight princes.

There are a total of eighteen princes, responding from the north to the south.

It seemed that Dong Zhuo was surrounded and in danger, but in fact, the two alliances in the north and the south were arguing over who would be the leader.

Most people in the north supported Yuan Shao to be the leader of the alliance, but a small number were neutral. Some, like Gongsun Zan, even sang a different tune and wanted to nominate Yuan Shu to be the leader of the alliance.

Neutral ones included Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, and Kong Rong, the governor of Beihai.

Things are interesting in the south. Yuan Shu declared himself the leader of the alliance and demanded that the northern coalition forces obey his command.

But except for Sun Jian who seemed to stand on Yuan Shu's side, others such as Cao Cao, Kong Rong, Liu Dai and others all supported Yuan Shao to become the leader of the alliance.

As a result, the North and the South could not act in unison, and the anti-Dong alliance existed in name only.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Yuan Shao brought his entourage to cross the river to Suanzao to confront Yuan Shu in person.

Yuan Shu was overjoyed when he received the news, and immediately sent a message to Liu Yan and Liu Biao.

As the leader of the Four-Party Alliance, he ordered the two men to give up everything they were doing, come to Suanzao for the alliance, and support him in taking the throne.

Liu Yan and Liu Biao were completely confused. This operation made them both helpless.

Xiangyang County.

Liu Yan did not return to Yizhou and stayed here to work.

Nanyang County and Runan County were much richer than Liu Yan had imagined. He was a little greedy and his desire grew in his heart.

Liu Biao knew this very well, and now he regretted his original decision very much.

This shitty Four-Party Alliance is useless!

Not only did they have to watch Jin Mao's troops making huge profits in Jingzhou, but they also had to deal with two unreliable leaders.

Yuan Shu, after taking office, was only thinking about how to use the Four-Party Alliance to expand his influence.

Another Liu Yan, his eating style is so ugly!
After the food and supplies passed through his hands, any less than 20% or 30% was considered too little.

What made Liu Biao most uncomfortable was that Jin Mao no longer advanced northward, making all his arrangements in vain.

During this period, Liu Biao repeatedly asked the two alliance leaders, Yuan Shu and Liu Yan, to take responsibility for their four-party alliance.

That is to say, to attack Jinmao.

But it's useless, it's of no use at all!
After Kuai Yue's reminder, Liu Biao made up his mind to take advantage of the internal strife among the Guandong coalition forces to ask Liu Yan for an explanation today!

The largest private residence in Xiangyang County, it was once Yuan Shu's early residence and is now Liu Yan's residence.

Of course, Yuan Shu was not so kind as to give it away for free.

Liu Yan paid a "huge" price to buy this mansion.

This huge price almost wiped out all the gains made during this period.

Get a glimpse of the whole leopard.

How greedy was Liu Yan to be able to pay such a high price?

"Jingsheng is here?"

Seeing Liu Biao coming to visit, Liu Yan looked around and saw that Liu Biao was only holding some simple wine and meat in his hands. He couldn't help but look a little disappointed.

"You and I brothers can come whenever we want, what else do you need to bring?"

Even so, Liu Yan had no intention of taking over. He casually called his subordinates and said, "These good things were given to you by the Governor of Jingzhou. Why don't you thank them quickly?"

Seeing the appearance of Liu Yan's subordinates, Liu Biao made up his mind.

"Yizhou Mu, it has been more than a month since the last alliance, but there has been no progress in the campaign against Jinmao. I..."

But before Liu Biao could finish his words, Liu Yan angrily interrupted him and said, "Liu Jingsheng! How many times have I told you this?"

"Military affairs are not my responsibility. You have to go find the rear general!"

Liu Biao had heard this nonsense more than once, so he was unwilling to listen any more. He bowed and said, "Since you all have no intention of attacking us, then we may as well not form this alliance!"

"From today on, Jingzhou withdraws from the alliance!"

Liu said expressionlessly, "I am tired of your inaction, and so are the Jingzhou nobles."

"I hope the governor of Yizhou can return to Jingzhou as soon as possible!"

Liu Yan laughed in anger, pointed at Liu Biao and shook his head, saying: "Liu Jingsheng, should I say you are smart or stupid?"

"Without me and the rear general backing you up, you, the governor of Jingzhou, would be less useful than Kong Jun, the governor of Yuzhou!"

Sun Jian had already fought with Kong Jun, Kong Jun was defeated, and Sun Jian became the new governor of Yuzhou.

Liu Yan was mocking Liu Biao, saying that he was not even a fake governor.

This is indeed the case.

Liu Biao seemed tough, but in fact, it was all the Jingzhou gentry behind him who had the final say, and he was just a representative.

No matter what Liu Yan said, Liu Biao insisted on his own opinion: "From tomorrow on, all matters in Jingzhou will no longer need the approval of the governor of Yizhou. I will handle them myself."

Liu Biao said slowly and calmly: "I came here just to tell you something."

After that, he got up and left.

"stop!"

Liu Yan was furious: "Who do you think I am? A slave who can be ordered around?"

"I'm warning you, if you don't handle this matter properly, you will bear the consequences!"

However, Liu Yan miscalculated this time, and Liu Biao left very decisively.

No matter how angry Liu Yan was, he could only be furious.

...

Suanzao County.

When Yuan Shao and his cavalry arrived, it was already mid-March.

There was no time to waste, Yuan Shao wanted to go straight to Yuan Shu for a confrontation.

But Yuan Shu ignored Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao had no choice but to find Cao Cao to find out the situation.

"Meng De, do you know what Yuan Shu is doing?"

Seeing Yuan Shao coming in exhausted, Cao Cao hurriedly welcomed Yuan Shao into the tent, talking to him as they walked.

"This is a long story. Please sit down with me and learn more slowly."

Yuan Shao broke free from Cao Cao's arms and said anxiously, "It's already late, how can I waste time?"

"If we wait any longer, the coalition forces will be dispersed!"

Cao Cao said with a smile: "Be patient, be patient."

"oops!"

Yuan Shao was so anxious that he kept scratching his head, but Cao Cao looked so dead that he calmed down and didn't say anything.

Yuan Shao had no choice but to follow Cao Cao's arrangement and entertain him with beautiful women and fine wine. However fragrant the wine was, Yuan Shao only felt it was bland, and however young the beauty was, Yuan Shao had no intention of looking at her any more.

While drinking, Cao Cao observed Yuan Shao. He casually called over two beauties, held them in his arms, and did not take any action.

Such a beautiful girl is not Cao Cao's type and he has no interest in seducing her.

"Benchu, don't you want to know what Yuan Shu is doing?"

"What we are doing is what Yuan Gonglu does every day!"

Upon hearing what Yuan Shu had done, Yuan Shao stood up in shock and shouted, "How dare you, boy?"

Cao Cao laughed twice, pretending to be drunk, and said, "What's the big deal!"

"He gave me these beauties."

"If it weren't for the close relationship between you and me, I might have really joined Yuan Gonglu."

Yuan Shao stood up and straightened his armor, as if to remove the dust on it.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"Tell me where Yuan Shu is, and I will settle the score with him!"

Cao Cao held the beauties' hands tightly, causing the two women to scream.

As if he was drunk, Cao Cao asked with his eyes half-drunk: "Does Benchu ​​really care so much about the position of leader?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao was startled. Then he looked at Cao Cao and saw that he looked drunk. Only then did he feel relieved.

"I have no objection to whoever becomes the leader, but it cannot be Yuan Shu!"

"This brat! If he becomes the leader of the alliance, the whole world will laugh at us!"

"Hehe." Cao Cao seemed to be drunk yet not drunk, and said: "Then why not let me be the leader of the alliance?"

Yuan Shao was disdainful in his heart, thinking that a descendant of a eunuch dared to speak so shamelessly.

But on the surface, he didn't show any sign of it: "Time is tight, I don't want to argue with you."

"Tell me quickly, where is Yuan Shu?"

Cao Cao rarely got serious and said, "All the princes are righteous men. They should take the king's affairs as their own responsibility. How can they gather together for personal reasons?"

"Since the alliance has been formed, what difference does it make who is the leader?"

"Isn't it enough as long as we can defeat Dong Zhuo?"

"You are so drunk, Cao Aman!" Yuan Shao saw that Cao Cao had been pretending to be drunk and was only exposed now.

It's no wonder.

It was because he was too anxious that he overlooked many details.

People like Cao Cao who have no chance of becoming the leader of the alliance naturally would not understand the meaning of this.

There are so many benefits to being the leader of the alliance!
Not to mention the long-distance battles, just the experience of dispatching hundreds of thousands or even millions of troops in a major battle is a benefit that cannot be obtained in ordinary times.

In addition, the benefits of reputation and even substance are too numerous to mention.

In short, this was Yuan Shao's second chance to fight for a huge benefit after Dong Zhuo took advantage of him. How could he let go of such an opportunity?

On the surface, Yuan Shao said with a compassionate look: "The people of the world are waiting for us to save them, but you are still playing tricks on me!"

"Do you know that a day's delay may lead to ultimate failure?"

Cao Cao was speechless. He hated this kind of flattery. Although it was not the first time he saw Yuan Shao do this, Cao Cao still felt uncomfortable this time.

"Benchu, if you really take the world as your responsibility, you shouldn't be obsessed with the position of leader!"

"What's wrong with having one leader in the north and one in the south?"

"As long as we can defeat Dong Zhuo in the end, everything will be worth it!"

Hearing this, Yuan Shao also understood what Cao Cao meant and did not want to waste any more words: "Cao Cao! If you still care about our friendship, tell me where Yuan Shu is."

"Otherwise, we will break up forever!"

Cao Cao's face was bitter, and Yuan Shao's meaning was very clear: if he still wanted to be his younger brother, he had to be obedient.

Can Cao Cao break away from Yuan Shao at this stage?
the answer is negative.

No matter from which perspective, Yuan Shao's reputation played an indispensable role in Cao Cao's ability to get back on his feet.

Otherwise, when Cao Cao killed Lü Bushe's family, the county magistrate who caught him would not have just locked him up, but executed him directly!

Even the scholar who rescued him later was a former student of the Yuan family and was under the instructions of Yuan Shao.

From any perspective, it was impossible for Cao Cao to say no to Yuan Shao.

"Come with me."

Cao Cao stood up reluctantly.

Yuan Shao didn't want to follow Cao Cao, so he went ahead and came out of the tent. With the help of his servant, he mounted his horse and held the reins.

"Just point me in a direction, and I won't let you worry about the rest!"

This was obviously Yuan Shao's angry words. Cao Cao took over the conversation with a smile and said, "I will have to worry about the rest!"

"If Yuan Bohai wants to become the leader of the alliance, he must first unite with other princes and make Yuan Shu bow his head."

"Just in time! I'm prepared!"

Cao Cao's confident look made Yuan Shao feel uneasy.

There was no other choice, so Yuan Shao raised his hand and said, "Then lead the way!"

Cao Cao did not ride a horse. He turned around in the military camp and came to a big tent. The noisy sounds inside were a replica of what Cao Cao had done before.

"Humph!"

Yuan Shao naturally heard it all, and said angrily: "With such a powerful enemy at hand, you still have the leisure to enjoy yourself!"

“How can we achieve great things?”

Cao Cao did not answer, but directly opened the curtain and shouted: "Qixiang Hou and Bohai Governor Yuan Shao are here! Why don't you come out to greet them quickly?"

Yuan Shao was so upset when he heard this that he dismounted from his horse, pushed Cao Cao aside, and walked into the tent.

What came into view was a disgusting and filthy scene. Even an old man like Tao Qian was no exception. A group of people were having a party!
Can you believe this?

However, Yuan Shao was not surprised. Not only had he seen even more obscene scenes, he had also taken the lead in playing them!
"Everyone, I, Yuan Shao, am honored to receive your greetings!"

Everyone was dressing in a panic, some were bowing, some were saluting, in a mess.

Of the eight princes in the south, except for Sun Jian and Cao Cao, the other six leaders are all here!

At this time, a disdainful voice reached everyone's ears: "I was wondering who it was, it turns out that it's Yuan Benchu, the bastard."

"Why? Do you still want me, your legitimate son, to greet you?"

There is no doubt that the person who spoke was Yuan Shu!
But Yuan Shao searched for a long time but couldn't find Yuan Shu. He shouted, "Yuan Gonglu! If you are a man, come out and see him. You are hiding your head and showing your tail. You have brought shame to the Yuan family!"

Finally, a group of white women were separated to both sides, revealing the skinny Yuan Shu in the middle.

Yuan Shu casually pulled a piece of clothing over him and asked with a frown, "Everyone is having a good time, Yuan Benchu! If you have nothing to say, get out!"

Yuan Shao was not afraid of Yuan Shu and said calmly: "Since everyone is here, I want everyone to express their opinions on something."

"As for the position of alliance leader, it is time to come to a conclusion today."

Yuan Shao suggested: "Why not just decide here?"

"Everyone, anonymously, write down the candidate you prefer as the leader of the alliance on a bamboo slip, and we will count them in person."

"Whoever gets the most votes will be the leader!"

Everyone pushed the women away and started whispering to each other.

As the women left, everyone gradually reached a consensus that this was a good method.

at this time!

"Wait!"

Yuan Shu said aloud: "I want to be the one who counts the votes!"

(End of this chapter)