"Gongsun Zan was actually this useless!"
Cao Cao slapped the secret report brought by the scouts onto the chessboard, his expression grim.
He had thought that even if Gongsun Zan could not defeat Yuan Shao, he could at least keep him occupied. At the very worst, surely he would inflict heavy losses on Yuan Shao?
Who could have known that barely half a year later, Gongsun Zan would already have lost-and Yuan Shao would have won with ease!
What a bullshit White Horse General!
Was this all he amounted to?
Sitting opposite Cao Cao, Xu You looked little better. The instant he heard the news, his heart sank.
Without Gongsun Zan, the balance between His Majesty and Yuan Shao has been broken. Yuan Shao can mass his troops against Ye City without restraint. His Majesty is... in danger this time.
I must find a way to get His Majesty out of this predicament.
Xu You's thoughts raced as he began considering how to use Cao Cao to relieve Liu Xie's predicament, yet every approach he thought of seemed unsuitable.
Cao Cao had enthroned a Pretender Emperor and was naturally opposed to Liu Xie. Under these circumstances, it would be cause enough to burn incense in gratitude if he did not attack Ye City. How could he possibly offer help?
Still, although Xu You understood this perfectly well, he decided to try.
"Aman, this matter cannot be taken lightly."
"If Yuan Shao annexes You Province, then takes Ye City again and holds the Son of Heaven hostage, his next target will inevitably be Yan Province."
"With four provinces under his control, no one will be able to withstand Yuan Shao's military might. How could you contend with him, Aman?"
"I believe we absolutely cannot stand by and watch Yuan Shao conquer