The next day.
Chen Feng again used his connection with Yan Liang to seek an audience with Yuan Shao and persuade him to send out his army.
Although the world announcement said Liu Bei had already been defeated, Cao Cao had also suffered heavy losses in the fighting. This was the perfect opportunity to launch a surprise attack and reap the rewards while both sides were weakened.
But before he even entered the main gate, Chen Feng heard the arrogant voice of the adviser Xu You ringing out inside. "I have an excellent strategy in mind, one my lord will surely need."
Then came Yuan Shao's weary voice. "I know, but my mind is unsettled. Let us discuss it another day."
Xu You refused to let it go. "With my brilliant plan, my lord could take Xuchang as easily as turning over his hand."
Yuan Shao lost his patience and snapped, "I said I know! Are you deaf?"
Xu You replied, "If you refuse to heed a sound strategy, my lord, how could you possibly avoid defeat?"
Chen Feng covered his ears. This Xu You was as annoying as a pager.
Once or twice was one thing, but a third and fourth time was too much. Yuan Shao soon reached his limit and shouted for the guards, "Xu You has insulted me! Guards, haul him out and give him twenty strokes of the military cudgel!"
A flurry of blows followed. Even with battle qi protecting his body, Xu You was beaten until his skin split and his flesh tore, then carried outside like a dead dog.
Even then, Xu You remained defiant, yelling all the while, "I am brimming with talent, yet Yuan Benchu refuses to heed me!"
Forget it.
Seeing how things stood, Chen Feng sighed.
As the saying