In late May of the second year of Jian'an, Cao Cao submitted a memorial to the Son of Heaven, declaring that Yuan Shu had usurped the throne in rebellion and committed an outrage against all reason, and that his army should be attacked.
He wished to use the Son of Heaven's edict to summon the lords of the realm to campaign against him together.
When the Son of Heaven heard this and considered Yuan Shu's actions, he found them a clear display of contempt for the imperial court. He immediately issued an edict ordering Liu Bei, Lu Bu, Sun Ce, Chen Yu, and the others to attack him together.
As soon as the edict was issued, Cao Cao appointed Court Gentleman Wang Bu as his envoy and sent him south to deliver it to Sun Ce.
At the same time, he separately dispatched envoys to the camps of Liu Bei, Lu Bu, and Chen Yu, informing all three to prepare to join forces and campaign against Yuan Shu!
At this time, Yuan Shu had just led his army back into Shouchun City, and he was utterly depressed.
Because Lu Bu had previously ridden south to pillage, Yuan Shu had heeded Yuan Huan's advice and personally set out to drive Lu Bu away.
Yet Lu Bu had no intention of fighting him at all. Not only did he refuse battle, the bastard even personally wrote a letter mocking Yuan Shu.
Yuan Shu had already been enraged by Lu Bu. The moment he saw that letter, how could he possibly endure it? He immediately led his troops in pursuit of Lu Bu.
But when he chased him to the banks of the Huai River, he found that Lu Bu had already completely crossed the river.
Wary of the might of Lu Bu's