Chapter 102: The Alliance Between Cao and Yuan

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Although neither side had yet dispatched troops, the atmosphere between them had already grown so tense that it seemed swords might be drawn at any moment.

Everyone knew that a great war was now unavoidable.

On Cao Cao’s side, troops and generals were being summoned in frenzied numbers to resist Liu Xie.

Though Cao Cao was furious that Liu Xie had mobilized his forces, he nevertheless retained the necessary reason and composure.

For no other reason than Lü Bu alone was enough to give him a headache.

And besides Lü Bu, there were Liu Bei and his several brothers.

If the two sides truly came to blows, Cao Cao knew very well that he held no advantage whatsoever.

At least in terms of capable generals, he had no advantage at all.

There was also something Liu Xie had never anticipated:

Cao Cao had actually gone to Yuan Shao for help.

That was right. Faced with Liu Xie this time, Cao Cao had gone to Yuan Shao and asked for assistance.

Xuchang, the Cao residence.

Cao Cao was pacing back and forth across the room.

He had been waiting anxiously for news from Yuan Shao, nearly frantic with impatience.

At the same time, his heart was filled with hatred for Liu Xie.

“That little emperor is truly going too far.”

Even in his wildest dreams, Cao Cao had never imagined that Liu Xie would one day become his greatest enemy.

He had considered Yuan Shao. He had considered Liu Bei. He had even considered Gongsun Zan.

He had believed that any of them might eventually become his greatest adversary.

But he had never imagined that a once-timid little emperor could cause him such enormous trouble.

Before long, a soldier came rushing in.

“Report!”

“My lord, news has arrived from Yuan Shao!”

At those words, Cao Cao immediately perked up.

“Speak quickly. What does he mean? Will he send troops or not?”

“My lord, Yuan Shao has agreed to dispatch troops. He will send his great general Yan Liang here to assist us.”

“Moreover, his general Wen Chou will lead troops in an attack on the Jing Province region.”

The subordinate explained the situation in full.

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao finally let out a breath of relief.

At last, reinforcements were on their way.

It was also clear how determined Yuan Shao was—he had actually sent generals of the caliber of Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lend their aid.

Yuan Shao must have understood the situation very clearly.

If Liu Xie intended to restore the Han dynasty, he would eventually deal with every warlord across the realm.

This could already be seen from what had happened to Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu.

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Yuan Shao surely understood that once Liu Xie finished dealing with Cao Cao, it would only be a matter of time before he became the next target.

By then, if Liu Xie obtained Cao Cao’s territory and all his resources, Yuan Shao would have no chance of defeating him.

Therefore, although Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were hardly on good terms, he was willing to join forces with Cao Cao for the sake of his own interests.

For the sake of surviving more securely in the years to come, he had no choice but to unite with Cao Cao and oppose Liu Xie together.

That was why, this time, he had chosen to send troops without the slightest hesitation.

He had even mobilized the two strongest generals under his command: Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

“Excellent. Very good.”

“This time, we must deal Liu Xie the heaviest blow possible.”

“Go. Mobilize every soldier we can.”

“From Yan Province, Qing Province, and the Capital Province—send all available forces here!”

Cao Cao was sparing nothing.

He immediately summoned every army under his command that could be mobilized.

By the end, Cao Cao had assembled two hundred thousand troops in Xuchang.

The soldiers promised by Yuan Shao also began arriving one after another.

The army was led by Wen Chou, one of Yuan Shao’s great generals.

Wen Chou brought another one hundred and fifty thousand troops with him to lend support.

In addition, Yuan Shao dispatched a further two hundred thousand troops.

Led by Yan Liang, they advanced toward Hanzhong and Yi Province.

In other words, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had gathered a total of five hundred and fifty thousand troops to deal with Liu Xie.

As for Liu Xie’s side, they currently had only two hundred thousand soldiers.

When the news arrived, everyone’s expression darkened.

“Your Majesty, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have joined forces and assembled five hundred and fifty thousand troops. What should we do?”

“Moreover, Yuan Shao has sent another two hundred thousand men toward Yi Province.”

“The army is commanded by his general Yan Liang. Most importantly, our position in Yi Province is still unstable.”

“I fear that something may go wrong,” Lü Bu said softly, having accompanied Liu Xie all this while.

Liu Xie’s expression was grave. He, too, felt the weight of the situation.

He had never expected Cao Cao to seek Yuan Shao’s assistance.

According to history, Cao Cao should have been preparing for the Battle of Guandu around this time.

Furthermore, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had never enjoyed particularly good relations.

Yet now, when the Battle of Guandu should have been approaching, the two men had joined forces to oppose him.

This was well beyond Liu Xie’s expectations.

But gradually, Liu Xie began to understand.

The events of history belonged to history. The present was different.

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With Liu Xie’s arrival, countless events in this world had already changed.

If so, the Battle of Guandu would probably be postponed.

The situation was already vastly different from what had happened in history.

Moreover, Lü Bu’s concern was entirely justified. The situation in Yi Province was still unstable.

Now Yuan Shao was leading a massive army there, and the commander was none other than the great general Yan Liang.

That made the situation in Yi Province even more perilous.

“Send someone back to notify Chen Gong, Wen Pin, Zhang Liao, and the others. Order them to lead three hundred thousand troops.”

“Send them to Yi Province to reinforce Zhang Lu.”

“Remember: Zhang Liao is to command the army, while Chen Gong will serve as his adviser.”

“They need not drive Yan Liang back. They need only hold Yi Province.”

“In addition, we will send another one hundred thousand men from our side.”

“This time, we shall have a proper battle with Cao Cao.”

Liu Xie proceeded to make all the necessary arrangements.

His subordinates then departed to prepare everything, returning at once to Wan City to convey his orders.

Zhang Liao would serve as commander, with Chen Gong assisting him.

They would be accompanied by Wen Pin, Huo Jun, Liu Xun, and others, leading three hundred thousand troops toward Yi Province.

There, they would join forces with Zhang Lu and discuss how best to resist Yan Liang.

As for Liu Xie’s side, another one hundred thousand troops were dispatched as well.

This time, the forces of the two sides were more or less equal.

After arranging everything, Liu Xie drew a deep breath.

He had never expected this.

His original intention in mobilizing troops had been merely to bring the palace maids out of the palace in Xuchang.

Yet he had never imagined that the matter would grow into such a tremendous upheaval.

Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and himself—the three greatest powers in the realm—had now all become entangled in the conflict.

Nearly a million troops and dozens of mighty generals were arrayed across the land, preparing for a heaven-shaking war.

Day by day, time passed.

At last, more than ten days later, everything was ready.

The several hundred thousand troops under Liu Xie had taken up their positions.

The combined forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had also assembled more than five hundred thousand men.

Everything was prepared. All that remained was for the great battle to begin.

“Your Majesty, when shall we make our move?”

Lü Bu was beginning to grow impatient.

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