Chapter 377 Chen Qun, the Mole (1/2)
Chapter 377 – Chen Qun, the Mole
May 5th, 190 A.D.
Qiao County.
Cao Cao received the news about Tong's northern campaign. He turned to Pu Jing.
”Can we attack Yuan Shao now? Zhang Tong isn't a person who will wage wars on two fronts, right?”
Pu Jing nodded, ”Indeed. Zhang Tong is a cautious person, so he won't attack us. It's time for us to rush east and end Yuan Shao.”
Cao Cao laughed, ”Good. Let's tell Xiahou Yuan to be prepared. We'll take Xiaopei first! Should I mobilize other units in Jibei and Chenliu?”
”Jibei can attack Langye, but Chenliu has to remain there. We need those troops to intimidate Xiao Wu and Zhang Liao that we are defending the border cities even though we are allies. It will stop Zhang Tong's subordinate from moving on their own.”
”Wait, Zhang Tong doesn't hold absolute control over them?”
”I suspect not. Zhang Tong has given back authorities to his men. I think it was because of Te Langpu's system.”
Cao Cao nudged his temples as he had a headache about Tong's talented officers. Tong had too many good people that could pose a threat to Cao Cao without him doing anything.
Not a day that Cao Cao was not envied of Tong's human assets. He tried his best to gather more exceptional men to his side, but the progress was slow.
Still, Cao Cao stayed positive as he had another back-up plan, which he was waiting for the result.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
'I wonder when Yuan Shu will send me Sun Jian Army.'
.
Xiapi City, inside Xiahou Yuan's private tent.
Xiahou Yuan got the clan message the same day. He relayed his info to Guo Jia.
”What do you think?”
Guo Jia revealed a faint smile, ”Well, it's the order. What can I do?”
”You don't have an opinion about this move? It seems too early to me.”
”Nah, it doesn't matter if we should strike now or later. Zhang Tong won't attack us until the Xiongnu issues are solved.”
”What do you mean?”
”Khan and Zhang Tong are otherworlders, and both want the other dead. He won't be able to sleep soundly if the north and the west of his territories connect with the Xiongnu's borders. Knowing his personality, he will mobilize a couple of legions to attack Xiongnu's hometown to put pressure on Khan in Liang Province.”
As Guo Jia explained, he placed a map on a table. Then, he pointed at the north of Xiangping, Beiping, and Ji.
”These Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes are still here, so they will continue to invade Zhang Tong's cities. He has to get rid of these tribes or make them submit, which will take a few years to get everything under his control. Also …”
Gou Jia pointed at the Liang Province of Khan.
”Even though Jinyang, Zhongshan, and the entire Bing Province are protected by the natural mountain ranges, they are not safe from the Xiongnu. Zhang Tong will need to dispatch Jinyang's legion to the northwest and stab the Liang Province from behind. It won't be an easy task since the north of Jinyang is a wide range of desert and the west are all mountains and hills, so I expect about five to ten years-long campaign. In conclusion, Zhang Tong requires about a decade to stabilize his northern fronts before he can turn to us.”
”We have so much time! Shouldn't take it easy? Isn't our lord too rush?”
”Nah, our lord is right about this. The faster we conquered Xu Province, the more times we have to unify the south and the central plain. By the time Zhang Tong eliminated Khan, we would have gathered enough forces and cannons to fight against his massive armies.”
Xiahou Yuan's face grimaced when he thought of the disadvantages in their troop's number. Tong's cities flourished, and more people joined forces with him. Although the majority of Tong's men were policemen of the garrison forces, they were still a threat to Cao Cao.
From their spy reports, each county housed at least 10,000 police officers to maintain order. Some major cities like Julu and Ye hosted over 20,000 to 30,000 men!
Using mathematics, Tong controlled 11 major commanderies and over 20 affiliated minor counties. The number of policemen would be beyond 150,000!
This did not include the legions controlled by Tong's great generals. Just Zhang He and Xu Huang's soldiers alone, they could march to the central plain, and Cao Cao would have a hard time dealing with them. With the addition of Zhang Liao and Xiao Wu's legions, Cao Cao would not have a chance.
Wiping his sweat, Xiahou Yuan nodded, ”Aye, let's hurry then. We really have no time at all.”
”Haha! Yeah, we have a tight schedule. Let's contact Mi Zhu and Chen Family.”
”What about Yan Liang? He's a good general.”
”I don't like him as an ally. He smells and acts like your brother, but he did not have his discipline. Don't include him in this plan.”
”Hahaha! Alright.”
.
May 10th, 190 A.D.
Yuan Shu kept hearing about spy reports from Ye City. Whenever he heard about how Tong scored great beauties like Lady Du and Cai Wenji, he got jealous.
As Yuan Shu had never met with Tong's consorts or had seen an accurate portrait of the two, his imagination ran wild. He believed that the two ladies were goddess-like beauties since everyone said they were.
It enraged him more when he found out that Tong impregnated them.