I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 214 - 14: Turmoil Across the Realm, Yuan Shao’s Defeat and Demise

Chapter 214: Chapter 14: Turmoil Across the Realm, Yuan Shao’s Defeat and Demise

——Ye City.

This drastic change has completely pushed Yuan Shao into a desperate situation.

The sudden turn of events was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Did Yuan Shao make a mistake?

No, he didn’t!

One could say he did far better than Yuan Shu.

By leveraging the prestige of the Gu Clan, he first secured his foothold in Jizhou State, then gradually transferred the Gu Clan’s reputation onto himself.

It’s fair to say that Yuan Shao executed all these moves flawlessly.

If it weren’t for the upheaval in Bingzhou State, given Jizhou State’s current foundation, Liu Bei and Cao Cao might not have been able to do much against him.

Because he had the means to endure a prolonged conflict.

Unlike Liu Bei and Cao Cao, who would be utterly overwhelmed by the pressure of fighting on two fronts, causing the under-resourced Yanqing’s eventual collapse before Jizhou and Youzhou State. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But what’s the use of saying these things now?

The initial rise of Yuan Shao came with a price that he now must pay.

In the current situation, even if Yuan Shao possessed god-like abilities, what good would they do?

Neither Liu Bei nor Cao Cao would give him any chance.

——Year Seven of Han Xing, April;

After nearly two months of siege.

Ye City’s morale was in chaos, and eventually, someone opened the city gates to surrender.

Cao Cao and Liu Bei stormed into Ye City.

Under the sacrificial protection of generals like Lu Bu and Qu Yi, Yuan Shao retreated to Handan.

Wei Commandery completely changed hands.

——May;

Liu Bei and Cao Cao successively captured several surrounding cities, directing their forces straight towards Handan.

The two seemed to avoid Julu Commandery with an unspoken understanding.

Under pressure, Yuan Shao had to retreat again.

He initially wanted to retreat to Julu, but the aristocratic families and commoners of Julu Commandery blocked him.

Reluctantly, Yuan Shao retreated to Changshan Commandery.

He continuously gathered his forces and sent messages to Zhang Yan and Yuan Shu.

Hoping they would help him overcome this crisis.

But could the outcome really change?

How could someone like Zhang Yan lend a hand to Yuan Shao in such a situation?

As for Yuan Shu, although willing, he lacked the power.

The death of Sun Jian was a fatal blow to him, and none of his subordinates could match Sun Jian.

The most crucial issue is——

Ji Ling was dead!

He was once again outwitted by Cao Ren and died in Chenliu Commandery.

This was a devastating blow to the morale of his troops.

Although Sun Jian’s son Sun Ce took over the responsibilities, to rescue Yuan Shao, they would have to break through Cao Ren.

This was nothing short of a fantasy!

By now, no one would question Cao Ren’s capabilities.

Moreover, for Yuan Shu, he still needed to stabilize the Capital Region, rendering it impossible to deploy all his forces to Yan Province.

Gu Chen, although not directly attacking the Capital Region.

Still, he had to station heavy troops for defense!

June;

Cao, Liu, and Yuan forces once again engaged in a significant battle in Changshan.

In desperation, Yuan Shao even sent envoys to the Xianbei and Wuhuan, promising them great rewards to assist.

The Xianbei’s strength at present was indeed formidable.

Although they split into eastern and western factions after Tan Shihuai’s passing, their power remained robust.

The most critical point was that the significant rewards promised by Yuan Shao could unify the eastern and western factions against external forces.

Yuan Shao was indeed driven to the brink.

This posed considerable trouble for Liu Bei and Cao Cao.

In different times, this might have been Yuan Shao’s chance to turn the tide.

But in this era of heroes, it was merely a desperate struggle for survival.

In the actual history.

The heroes of Kyushu were able to suppress the Barbarians in chaotic times, bringing stability.

And more so now?

The overall strength of the Great Han surpassed that of original history.

This was a gap that the Barbarians could not bridge!

As expected, Liu Bei and Cao Cao once again decisively defeated the Wuhuan and Xianbei coalition in Changshan.

They even took the opportunity to spread the news of Yuan Shao’s alliance with the Xianbei and Wuhuan.

The revelation caused an uproar among Youzhou State’s citizens!

The Barbarians had long been harassing the borders of the Great Han, and the resentment from the aristocratic families and commoners of Youzhou State ran deep.

Yuan Shao’s move essentially alienated the hearts of Youzhou State’s people once more.

The result was now inevitable.

July;

Gu Chen finally stabilized the entire Bingzhou State, sending troops directly towards Henei.

Luoyang was in grave danger.

The aristocratic families in the court had to defend with all their might.

Yuan Shu completely abandoned the battle in Yan Province, pouring all his forces through Yu Province to Henei to confront Gu Chen.

Both sides clashed in a great battle in Henei.

Gu Chen’s momentum was overwhelming, capturing several cities in succession.

But ultimately, he was thwarted at the fortified town of Huai County in Henei.

August;

Yuan Shao fled to Hejian.

Surrounded and divided by Liu Bei and Cao Cao’s forces, he finally reached a dire situation.

Qu Yi, Chunyu Qiong, and other generals fought desperately to protect him.

The Vanguard Camp nearly perished.

Numerous generals met their end on the battlefield, safeguarding Yuan Shao’s life just long enough for Lu Bu to lead him away.

Cao Cao naturally wanted to continue the pursuit.

But at this moment, Liu Bei paused.

The major events were now settled.

To him, there was something he had long wanted to do.

...

Lecheng.

"Xuan De, do you truly intend to go to Julu?"

Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei in astonishment, advising, "We indeed must honor the Gu Elder, but Yuan Shao is not yet dead."

"He could regain momentum at any moment."

"Xuan De, is there a need to go to Julu at this time? Why not wait until we’ve eradicated our enemy and go together?"

His expression was quite earnest.

Honoring the Gu Clan was certainly a necessary task.

This act would stabilize the hearts of Jizhou State’s people.

But for Cao Cao, prioritizing actions was essential, and as long as Yuan Shao lived, he remained a formidable adversary.

"Mengde, there’s no need to persuade me further."

Liu Bei’s expression was very earnest, and he said solemnly, "Were it not for a casual remark from the Gu Elder, I, Liu Bei, would not have achieved what I have today."

"Now that the overall situation is settled, it is indeed time for me to honor the Gu Elder."