noffsinger Chapter 233 Even Loyal Ministers of the Yuan Family Have Defected? Yuan Xuan's Surprise and Con
Chapter 233 Even Loyal Ministers of the Yuan Family Have Defected? Yuan Xuan's Surprise and Con
"Report!"
"Liu Xun of Lujiang has surrendered to Cao Cao and is leading his troops from Lujiang toward Shouchun!"
Shouchun Council Hall
Wearing a dragon robe, Yuan Yao listened to the report from his spies with a face full of anger.
"You scoundrel Liu Xun! In the past, this scoundrel was nothing more than a subordinate general under my father. How dare he be so arrogant today?"
"I will personally lead the army to annihilate Liu Xun!"
Yuan Yao didn't inherit much of Yuan Shu's other abilities. However, he did inherit about 70-80% of his talent for boasting.
He doesn't even look at what year it is.
The Zhong family dynasty, which once had an army of over 300,000, now has only 40,000 troops at most, and the people are filled with fear and uncertainty.
Ji Ling certainly couldn't let Yuan Yao personally lead the expedition, so he immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said:
"Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance; you must not personally go into dangerous situations."
"Liu Xun is nothing more than a nobody; I can simply lead the troops to deal with him."
Yang Hong looked worried and said:
"This Liu Xun may just be Cao Cao's vanguard in attacking Shouchun."
"Cao Cao's army is very likely still behind Liu Xun's."
"The most urgent task is to strengthen the defense of Shouchun and build a fortified city."
"Cao Cao had already consumed a lot of grain and fodder when he attacked Runan and Nanyang."
"Even if the army approaches Shouchun, the amount of food available to feed the army will not exceed one month's supply."
"Our army held Shouchun for a month, and Cao Cao had no choice but to retreat."
"After Cao Cao retreats, General Ji Ling can lead troops to recover the Huainan region. Our army may well be able to avenge the late emperor!"
What Yang Hong said is actually correct.
Although Cao Cao's army was formidable, it still needed supplies to fight.
The newly conquered territories not only failed to yield grain and provisions, but also required the distribution of disaster relief grain.
Unfortunately, under Yuan Shu's rule, the people of Runan, Nanyang and other places suffered greatly.
If Cao Cao's army were to impose taxes so soon after their arrival, it would be strange if the people didn't rise up in rebellion!
Only by opening granaries and distributing unclaimed land to the people can the newly conquered territory be secured and stable.
Therefore, Cao Cao's army faced considerable logistical pressure.
If it weren't for the land reclamation and grain storage efforts in Yanzhou and Xuzhou in the previous years...
Cao Cao is probably already running out of food supplies, and as in the past, he has no choice but to use the heads of the grain officials to quell the resentment!
Especially now, with the expedition to Huainan.
Xun Yu's side is doing everything in its power to provide food and supplies to Cao Cao's front line.
If Cao Cao's army cannot capture Huainan within a month, they will have no choice but to temporarily withdraw and wait until after the autumn harvest to launch another attack.
however.
To Yuan Yao, Yang Hong's analysis sounded like he was deliberately trying to scare him!
Yuan Yao's thought process was even more peculiar than Yuan Shu's.
The thought that Ji Ling and Yang Hong led 200,000 troops but failed to rescue Runan in time, leading to the death of his father Yuan Shu, filled Yuan Yao with rage.
He angrily flicked his sleeve and said:
"I don't know how Minister Yang could say such a thing as 'defending the city to the death'."
"Didn't the late Emperor defend Runan by besieging the city and holding out to the death?"
"Where was Yang Aiqing, whom the late emperor had placed high hopes on?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Ling lowered her head in shame.
The death of his lord Yuan Shu was a deep and unbearable pain for Ji Ling.
The reason he is still alive is to protect Yuan Yao and prevent him from following in Yuan Shu's footsteps.
Yang Hong's face turned pale and then red after being publicly mocked by Yuan Yao.
In the end, the words that were about to come out turned into countless sighs.
Yuan Yao hastily ended the impromptu meeting and allocated 30,000 troops to Ji Ling, hoping that Ji Ling would defeat Liu Xun!
After leaving the city lord's mansion, Yang Hong planned to return to his study and hang himself.
Disheartened, he no longer wished to live on.
But when Yang Hong returned home, he found two unfamiliar faces sitting in the main hall waiting for his return.
Who are you two?
"How did you get into my home?"
Yang Hong looked puzzled, then gripped his sword and summoned his servants to stand guard beside him.
The two men bowed respectfully to Yang Hong, and said with smiles:
"We are both from Cao Cao's camp, and we are here on behalf of my husband to deliver three messages to Mr. Yang."
"The first sentence states that Yuan Shu is dead, and Mr. Yang has already repaid his kindness in recognizing his talent."
"Secondly, Yuan Shu is Yuan Shu, and Yuan Yao is Yuan Yao. If you cannot gain Yuan Yao's trust in you as Yuan Shu does, then you are not a trusted confidant in Yuan Yao's eyes, but a rebellious old minister!"
"The third point is that Yuan Shu did not only have Yuan Yao as his son. Protecting Yuan Shu's daughter was also a way of repaying Yuan Shu."
"Alright, Mr. Yang, the message has been delivered. Please do not make a mistake."
The two men showed no fear whatsoever at the servants summoned by Yang Hong.
As an intelligence operative in Cao Cao's camp, not being afraid of death is the most basic quality.
Moreover, the reason they were able to enter the Yang residence was actually with the permission of Yang Hong's wife and son.
Here's an additional point.
Because Yuan Shu's most favored capital of the Zhong Dynasty was actually Shouchun.
Therefore, not long after Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, he moved his female relatives and the families of the important officials of the Zhong Dynasty to Shouchun ahead of schedule.
If Yuan Shu hadn't acted this way...
It's likely that with the fall of Runan, his family members would have already fallen into Cao Cao's hands.
And this moment.
Although Yang Hong's wife and son did not experience the Battle of Runan.
But they're not stupid either.
They could see and feel the panic and fear in Shouchun City.
In this situation.
The two intelligence guards easily persuaded them to enter Yang Hong's residence.
At that moment, Yang Hong was about to send someone to capture the two intelligence guards.
His wife and son appeared from behind him, each hugging his legs.
"My husband (father), you have been loyal enough to Yuan Shu!"
"Do you really want my Yang family to be buried with me before you're satisfied?"
Faced with his wife and children's tearful complaints.
Yang Hong sighed deeply and threw away the sword he was about to draw.
He admitted that what the two intelligence officers said moved him.
With things having come to this point, the downfall of the Zhong family dynasty was inevitable.
Continuing to struggle will only lead to the demise of the Yang family and make them the sacrificial lambs for the Zhong family dynasty; there will be no other value left.
……
an hour later
Yuan Mansion Backyard
"Miss, Madam Yang has arrived and specifically asked for you."
The maid rushed over to report to Yuan Xuan.
"Madam Yang? Is she the wife of Prime Minister Yang?"
A hint of surprise appeared in Yuan Xuan's beautiful eyes.
As mentioned above, after Yuan Shu's female relatives and the families of Zhongchao's important officials were moved to Shouchun ahead of schedule, Yang Hong's wife would visit Yuan's residence every few days.
But most of the time, she chatted with Yuan Shu's wife about everyday matters and tried to win her over.
Lady Yang Hong had never even met Yuan Xuan, a concubine's daughter.
At this moment, Yuan Xuan was somewhat surprised to hear that Madam Yang Hong had specifically asked to see her.
Feng Fangnu, also known as Feng Yu, said:
“Miss Xuan, there must be a reason for this unusual situation.”
"But Yang Hong is very loyal to his lord."
"His wife's visit to you may not necessarily be out of ill intent."
……