The Three Kingdoms: Starting as a county magistrate in Pingyuan, he rose to power and conquered the

Chapter 97 Three-Line Advance

Jizhou.

Yuan Shao was in a rage when he kicked over the table in front of him.

None of the many strategists and generals before them dared to utter a word.

The development of the situation was completely beyond their expectations.

First, there's Li Zhao's side...

Not only did they completely ignore their demands, but they also made a very high-profile announcement.

The three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were his capable subordinates, unless Li Zhao died.

Otherwise.

No one has the right to demand that he hand over his men.

This not only humiliated Li Zhao, but also indirectly won him some popularity.

In addition, Yuan Shao had previously rallied the warlords of the land to join him in launching a campaign against Cao Cao.

Many people responded, including Liu Biao of Jingzhou, Liu Zhang of Yizhou, and even Sun Ce, who was busy conquering Jiangdong. They all expressed their willingness to support him.

But that's all that's offered!

They talk a big game, but when it comes to taking action, not a single one of them shows up!

The current situation is...

Yuan Shao publicly raised his banner, but apart from a large number of people who verbally echoed his sentiments, he had no real allies.

We have no choice but to take action!

The actual number of troops that could be mobilized in Ji Province and Bing Province was no more than 100,000.

Li Zhao's Qingzhou is right next to Jizhou, and it could pose a threat at any time.

"Are they all mute? Can't they speak?" Yuan Shao was the first to break the silence.

No one spoke up until, after a long while, Tian Feng finally stepped forward.

He really didn't want to see the situation worsen and eventually become unmanageable.

"My lord, we cannot take any further action in this situation!" Tian Feng said with utmost seriousness.

"The best approach right now is to allow the region to recuperate and gradually take control of the four northern states!"

"Especially in Qingzhou recently, Li Zhao is the biggest threat to us. We will deal with him slowly after we have completely controlled the north."

"Cao Cao is merely a threat from within, my lord, there's really no need to be in such a hurry!" Tian Feng said.

He spared no effort to make Yuan Shao understand that Li Zhao was the biggest potential threat.

If it is not eliminated, it will surely become a major threat!

Even if it can't be resolved immediately, at least we need to convince him and have someone in control so that he can be completely at ease.

"No!" Guo Tu stepped forward without hesitation.

"If we don't take action this time, how will we preserve our lord's reputation?"

"How will the world view our lord? Who will believe us in the future?"

"That's secondary. According to what Tian Feng just said, how long will this 'gradual and deliberate' approach take?"

"Wouldn't Cao Cao and Li Zhao have made their own preparations while we were making them?"

"If we allow them to grow stronger, the threat will be even greater than it is now!"

"By then, they will have grown powerful, and our lord will have lost the trust of the people. Perhaps even the court and His Majesty the Emperor will no longer trust him."

"Even if we were to become more powerful by then, how would we proceed?"

This guy is ridiculously stupid!

Do you think everyone else is stupid?

Li Zhao is already difficult to deal with, and we have to wait several more years?

Xu You also stepped forward, unusually siding with Guo Tu this time, saying, "Guo Tu is right, we absolutely cannot let this drag on!"

"Once they get a chance to catch their breath, the threats they'll be facing won't be the same as they are now!"

"Furthermore, our lord must not break his promise to the world, otherwise the reputation that the Yuan family has painstakingly built up over generations will be sacrificed!"

These words were what truly moved Yuan Shao!

Yes!

Everything else is acceptable, but the reputation that the Yuan family has built up over generations cannot be allowed to be destroyed.

If things were to stop here, not only Yuan Shao, but the entire Yuan family would be implicated.

then.

He took a deep breath and said, "We cannot back down on this matter under any circumstances. We must immediately mobilize our troops and prepare for battle!"

"Pass on my order: Zhang He will lead 30,000 troops to Baima, and Gao Lan will lead 5,000 elite soldiers as the vanguard!"

"Yuan Shang will lead 50,000 troops to accompany me to Guandu, while Han Meng will lead 20,000 troops to Yanjin!"

"We must seize these three places simultaneously before Cao Cao can react!"

Speaking of it.

He paused deliberately, glanced at everyone, and then continued, "Li Zhao's situation is the most important. We must ensure that after the troops are dispatched, he has no opportunity to attack Ji Province!"

"This matter..."

In an instant.

Guo Tu felt a chill run down his spine as countless eyes were fixed on him.

Before he could react, Yuan Shao spoke, "You will be going to Qingzhou!"

"No matter what method you use, you must ensure that Li Zhao stays safely in Qingzhou!"

"My lord, I am..."

"If you can't resolve this matter, then there's no need for you to come back!"

"..."

When Guo Tu left, many people had meaningful smiles on their faces.

He remembered this scene vividly...

……

"Who did you say came?" Li Zhao was originally lying in front of the map, carefully observing something.

Upon hearing Xu Shu's report, he could hardly believe his ears.

"Guo Tu!" Xu Shu's face was full of smiles, even with a hint of surprise.

"Not to mention my lord, even I find it hard to believe that he would actually come here!"

When he first received the report from his servant, he actually had the same reaction.

It wasn't until he went to the city gate in person and saw the very polite Guo Tu that he was certain it was true!

"Bring him in!" Li Zhao immediately regretted his words.

"Wait a minute, such an important guest must be greeted personally!"

Done.

He ran outside as fast as he could, without even having time to put on his shoes properly.

Guo Tu was their benefactor!

Whenever you need him, all you need to do is offer him a small favor, and he'll do his best to get things done.

And often, there are unexpected surprises!

more importantly.

He needs to let everyone know his attitude towards Guo Tu.

Sooner or later, these details will play an unexpected role.

Xu Shu opened his mouth, but ultimately held back. He picked up a shoe from the ground and quickly followed.

As expected of our lord, his reaction is quick!

It's obvious how moved Guo Tu will be when he sees Li Zhao's expression.

as predicted.

When Li Zhao stood before Guo Tu, not even having put his shoes on properly, he was incredibly excited.

He was completely stunned...

"This... Your Excellency, this is..." Guo Tu took a long time to recover.

He had originally thought that he would suffer extreme humiliation after arriving here.

He had even mentally prepared himself to pretend nothing was happening, no matter what the people here said or how Li Zhao humiliated him.

As long as I can endure it and get things done, and beg him not to send troops and to stay put, I'll be thankful if I can complete the mission.

Who would have thought that Li Zhao would run out so excitedly!

"Sir, you are an honored guest. How could I not come out to greet you personally?" Li Zhao said with great excitement.

……