Chapter 502: It's Hard to Leave Home
Zhuo County, Fanyang.

Fine snowflakes were floating in the sky, and Yuan Xi was wearing a long mink cloak over his shoulders over his dark brown brocade robe.

Standing on the second floor of the pavilion, I looked out at the Taihang Mountains to the west for a long time.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around and saw deputy driver Han Heng, general Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan coming in one after another. Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan were both wearing gilded Ming Guang armor and looked majestic.

Han Heng took out a brocade bag and handed it over: "Envoy, a flying horse has come to report that the Grand Marshal is indeed coming via Feihu Road."

Jiao Chu was eager to try. As a rising star, he had never encountered any strong opponents in his life and was full of courage.

Zhang Nan seemed a little hesitant, but his expression was relatively calm.

Yuan Xi took the brocade bag and took out the note to read. There were unique anti-counterfeiting characters at the end of the note. After confirming that the information on the note was authentic, he sighed.

Jiao Chu stepped forward and bowed: "Sir, the soldiers and horses of Youzhou only obey you, why are you sighing?"

"The general has sent Ju Hu to go to Feihu Road to meet the Grand Marshal and send a message to me, telling me not to act rashly and not to dispatch troops at will."

Yuan Xi took out a piece of letter from his sleeve and handed it to Han Heng: "You all have a look. Mr. Zhengnan has determined that Liu Xuande will go through Juyongkou to Dai County. The Grand Marshal will definitely go through Feihukou because of his temperament. He has all the elite cavalry under his command, and the general Zhang Liao will follow him. If he goes through Feihukou and heads straight for Ji County, Liu Xuande will be at a loss. Only at this time can we persuade Liu Xuande."

As the letter was passed back and forth, Han Heng's eyes lit up: "Mr. Zhengnan wants to cut off Feihu's mouth and cut off Da Sima's retreat?"

"It depends on Liu Xuande's mind. However, if Feihukou is blocked, Liu Xuande will open Juyongkou. The Grand Marshal will return to Daidi, and the two families will be at odds with each other. It will be difficult to reverse the relationship."

Yuan Xi gathered his cloak and reached out to catch the snowflakes: "Snow in July is probably not a good sign."

Jiao Chu handed the letter to Zhang Nan and said, "How can we use astronomical phenomena to determine the good or bad luck of military and national affairs?"

Zhang Nan read the letter without saying anything. Han Heng saw that Yuan Xi ignored Jiao Chu's words, so he knew that Yuan Xi didn't want to take risks either, so he said, "Then obey the general's orders and wait and see what Liu Xuande does. If he raises an army to attack the Grand Marshal, we will follow him with all our might. We must not let the tiger go back to the mountain, otherwise there will be endless troubles."

This is just a slight sudden drop in temperature, but it will definitely have a negative impact on Youzhou's grain production.

Yuan Xi really didn't want to continue the war. The Hebei Trading House had already been built in Guanzhong, and a Guanzhong Trading House was also built in the western suburbs of Yecheng.

Xiahou Dun, who was guarding the Heluo area, also allowed ships from both sides to sail through. Two batches of goods from Guanzhong had arrived in Yecheng for sale.

Last October, when the Grand Marshal married Cai, the Yuan family and Hebei presented generous gifts. At the beginning of this year, the Grand Marshal's eldest son Hei Rui was born, and Yuan Shang even sent his uncle to Guanzhong to congratulate him.

From the perspective of the two families, Yuan Tan had already laid a solid foundation, and Black Bear helped to avoid the internal strife and division of the Yuan family.

Therefore, Yuan Xi did not want to fight anymore and wanted to maintain this friendship so that after the new dynasty, the ministers of all generations would not let down their ancestors.

Anyway, he had only served as the nominal governor of Youzhou, and his influence was limited, which would not affect his future service.

On the other side, Liu Bei had joined forces with Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Xianyu Fu, and Tian Yu. Each of them led elite cavalry, and together with Liu Bei's main force, there were more than 7,000 infantry and cavalry.

The army was advancing towards Pingcheng, the capital of Dai County, and was about to arrive at Chanhebi south of Gaoliu.

Chanhebi is located on the north side of the road, and vanguard Zhao Yun has begun to set up an overnight camp at Chanhebi.

Not wanting to see Sun Qian leading more than a hundred riders along the road from the west, he found Zhao Yun as soon as he entered the camp and said, "General Zilong, quickly send a fast horse to inform the lord that the Grand Marshal dislikes the dangerous road on Hengshan Mountain and is heading west to Feihukou!"

"How did Mr. Gongyou know this?"

"It was Xianhe. He sent people to welcome the Grand Marshal. The messenger followed the army and saw that the Grand Marshal had no intention of taking the Hengshan Road, so he immediately sent a fast horse to report."

Sun Qian took out the silk book and showed it to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun picked it up and read it quickly. His expression changed. "The Grand Marshal has a strong character. I'm afraid he will go to Ji County or look for Envoy Yuan."

Zhao Yun originally opposed going through Juyongkou, but many people supported it.

In their minds, Dai County was under the jurisdiction of the General Zhenbei's Office, and holding a meeting in Dai County was itself a sign of weakness.

They supported and followed the General Zhenbei because he was an important official of the Jian'an court, not a subordinate of the Grand Marshal.

From a legal and official perspective, both parties were important officials of the Han Dynasty, not subjects of one over the other.

It should be carried out in a place between Daijun and Yanmen, but Feihu Road is really unsafe. Although there are no garrisons from any side at Feihukou, it is too close to Yuan Xi's Zhuojun.

Yuan Xi's deputy driver was from Dai County, so the other party also had spies and followers in Dai County.

If a real war breaks out, Yuan Xi will not suffer any loss in terms of intelligence or geography.

In some ways, they were unwilling to go to war with Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi was easy to fight, but the trouble was the hundreds of thousands of Wuhuan people in the three eastern counties and the troops from Jizhou.

The Grand Marshal was relatively far away, while Yuan was nearby and attacked the General Zhenbei from both sides.

Going to war with the Yuan family would plunge Youzhou into long-term chaos, something they instinctively resisted.

He would rather be at odds with the Grand Marshal than have the war spread to his hometown.

Especially in the war that broke out in Jingzhou, Guanzhong has not made any strong intervention so far, which makes many people see the conservative side of Guanzhong.

Since people in the wealthy Jingzhou are so conservative, the remote, hard-core and bitterly cold Youzhou area would theoretically also adopt a conservative attitude.

Zhao Yun has a favorable impression of Guanzhong.

It was the Grand Marshal who promoted him from an unknown ordinary general to a famous general in the expedition against the Hu people and an outstanding cavalry general.

No matter how good he was at fighting, in the eyes of the outside world, he was just the leader of the remnant troops after the defeat of Gongsun Zan, a warrior from a humble family. According to his merits and achievements in the conquest of the Xiongnu, he could theoretically be made a marquis.

However, the Xudu court suddenly collapsed, and the process of his being recognized for merit and conferred a title of nobility came to an abrupt halt.

Seeing that Zhao Yun was suggesting that the Grand Marshal might want to meet Yuan Xi, Sun Qian was shocked: "Why would the Grand Marshal meet with Envoy Yuan?"

"nothing is impossible."

Zhao Yun was always calm and composed. He simply said, "Those who persuaded the lord to go to Juyongkou will also join Yuan Shijun's army when they hear that the Grand Marshal supports Yuan Shijun in managing the civil affairs of Youzhou. They are good at seeking benefits and avoiding harm, and will never follow the lord to wander around the world."

Sun Qian nodded slowly and said, "Please ask General Zilong to send a fast horse to inform you so that the lord can make more preparations."

"Okay, sir, please exchange it for the horses in my camp."

"Thank you very much, General Zilong."

Sun Qian thanked him, accepted Zhao Yun's arrangement, replaced the horses that were resting in the camp, and immediately went along the road to find Liu Bei.

When he arrived, the army was still marching and smoke and dust obscured the view.

On the hillside more than a hundred steps away from the road, Liu Bei's flag and banner stood, where Liu Bei was resting.

When Sun Qian arrived, Guan Yu was not there. Only Zhang Fei and Tian Yu were nearby. Zhang Fei stood up and took the initiative to greet him. He asked directly, "Did the Grand Marshal really leave Feihukou and head east?"

"It is very possible."

Sun Qian said to Zhang Fei: "The Grand Marshal's army has two battalions of charioteers. It is inconvenient to take the Hengshan Road, so we have to take the Feihu Road instead."

Zhang Fei frowned: "Although there are no soldiers stationed at Feihu Pass, there are Yuan's soldiers guarding the Wuruan Pass and Juma Pass. How could they let the Grand Marshal pass?"

Sun Qian smiled and asked, "If the Grand Marshal came in person, who would dare to stop him?"

Zhang Fei shook his head: "Isn't the Yuan family afraid of repeating the old path of Guanzhong, Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Yizhou? The Grand Marshal is best at raiding. If he goes to Zhuojun, Hebei will no longer have a strategic location to defend, and people will inevitably be in turmoil."

From his point of view, if a force wants to survive for a long time, it must guard against fire, theft and the entry of Da Sima.

Once they break into the pass, you will have no defenses. With the strong attack and field combat capabilities under the command of the Grand Marshal, as well as the organizational ability to coerce and reorganize the surrendered troops, the Yuan family may be destroyed.

Seeing Zhang Fei's analysis and judgment, and Liu Bei listening beside him, Sun Qian said: "Has General Yide forgotten the current situation in Jingzhou? The Grand Marshal allowed Jingzhou to retreat, which shows that he has no intention of deepening his business in other provinces. The Yuan family has ruled Hebei for two generations, and the people are loyal to them, which is absolutely unmatched by the other Hu people."

"What about Yizhou? Liu Jiyu and his son also lived through two generations. When the Dongzhou soldiers accidentally welcomed the Grand Marshal into Jianmen, the foundation of the two generations was reduced to dust in an instant."

Zhang Fei looked disdainful, and Sun Qian's smile disappeared: "But how do you explain the matter of the King of Ba? Although Liu Jiyu lost his foundation, his brother is still the King of Ba."

Zhang Fei was speechless. Guanzhong recognized the King of Ba and gave him all the treatment he deserved.

Liu Bei asked at this time: "Since the Grand Marshal has left Feihukou and is now turning back, with the army gathering in Jixian, will the Yuan family be worried?"

"What does this have to do with my lord?"

Sun Qian stepped forward and bowed: "The Grand Marshal is already angry, please send an envoy to explain the reason and apologize. If the Grand Marshal retreats after meeting with Envoy Yuan, Youzhou will be divided into two, which will be very disadvantageous to the lord."

Tian Yu stood up and saluted, advising: "If you behave inappropriately on this matter, you will be laughed at."

Liu Bei looked at Tian Yu deeply, and Sun Qian questioned Tian Yu: "The Grand Marshal came to Youzhou but no one received him. The whole world is paying attention to him. Does this mean he is so powerful?"

Tian Yu glanced around, raised his hand and made a knife gesture, and whispered: "The Grand Marshal's behavior is frivolous, not like a ruler, nor a blessing for the country. The Yuan family has such a strong enemy, and they can't sleep at night. If our army stays at Chanhe Pond and does nothing, and just apologizes to the Grand Marshal, then the Yuan family will inevitably have trouble."

Liu Bei looked at Tian Yu in surprise. Zhang Fei stared and fell into deep thought, his eyes gradually becoming dull.

Sun Qian had seen the Skeleton Nest when it was just built, and suddenly a chill ran down his tailbone to the top of his head.

In an instant, Sun Qian's face turned pale.

He looked around and saw that Guan Yu and Xu Shu were not there either, and he suddenly felt bitter.

Tian Yu added: "Jingzhou is already in chaos, and our army is sitting still. If Yuan rebels and breaks the alliance with him, the whole world will be shaken regardless of victory or defeat. How can there be no change when the news reaches Yizhou? We have lost the strong support of Jizhou and Youzhou, and the newly annexed Jing and Yizhou have also rebelled one after another, leaving only the barren Guanlong, and the people's hearts are bound to be shaken."

In Tian Yu's eyes, Guanzhong is actually not reliable.

Liu Bei remained silent. He was always a Han minister, and it was difficult for him to accept the southeastern court that had a close relationship with Cao Cao.

As long as the troops are restrained and the choice is given to Yuan...

At this time, Zhang Fei said: "Not appropriate."

Tian Yu looked over and Zhang Fei shook his head: "It's not right. This will make us mortal enemies with the Grand Marshal. He conquered the barbarians and is a hero of the Han Dynasty. Anyone can betray him, but not my brother."

Tian Yu said: "If we do not station troops at Chanhebi, but instead lead our troops to Jixian, our troops will be strong and Yuan will be uneasy. They will surely attack the Grand Marshal first. In this way, the alliance between the Grand Marshal and the General will be broken. Regardless of whether the Grand Marshal lives or dies, the General will attack Youzhou fiercely in the future. We will be attacked from both sides and it will be difficult to hold on."

He turned to look at Liu Bei and said, "Mingsir, Cao Cao was so powerful that he held back the Yuan clan, and Gongsun Du also held back the Wuhuan in three counties, so the Yuan clan could not join forces to attack the six counties of Youzhou. Now Yuan and Cao have stopped fighting, Gongsun Du has just died, his son has suffered a defeat in Jiaodong, and has reached peace with Cao Cao. If Cao Cao pushes forward, our army will be in danger."

Looking deeply into Liu Bei's eyes, Tian Yu spoke each word with emphasis: "Your Excellency is unstoppable in the world, you can still retreat calmly, but the people of Youzhou cannot bear to leave their homeland!"

(End of this chapter)