Yanzhou, Yangwu County, inside Yuan Shao's main camp.
Leaving aside Cao Cao's thoughts on the matter, Yuan Shao's army was in fact also debating whether this battle should continue.
However, while Cao Cao worried over provisions, Yuan Shao's side was troubled by discord among his men.
Simply put, his subordinates were now divided into two factions: one insisting on advancing, the other advising that they stop.
The gap between the two sides was rather great. Those advocating advance included Guo Tu, Feng Ji, Xu You, Xin Ping, Xun Chen, and others, while the only one advising them to halt was Ju Shou!
Within Yuan Shao's great command tent, Ju Shou spoke to Yuan Shao with impassioned conviction:
"My lord, now that our army has reached Yangwu, we may stop here. Though our numbers are great, we are not as elite as Cao Cao's troops."
"Though Cao Cao's army has won, Cao Cao marched and fought across a thousand li last year. His stores of provisions must surely be insufficient."
"Therefore, Cao Cao's army needs a swift battle and swift decision, while our army should slow its march and prolong the war, dragging out the time."
"Guandu lies south of the Hong Canal. Cao Cao has been preparing for battle there since last year."
"If we attack now, we will find it difficult to break Cao Cao's defenses in the short term. How can we advance so rashly?"
"We need only wait here at ease for the exhausted enemy. If we hold until before the autumn harvest, Cao Cao's army will surely be defeated!"
As soon as he finished, Guo Tu rose with a smile, stroking his beard as he said:
"Biejia, your words are truly laughable. In the past, it was the Military Inspector who strongly urged my lord to