A zigzag post road winds north, reaches the foot of Taihang, then turns east, and after walking for more than a hundred miles, you can reach Yecheng, an important town in Hebei, which is also the core of the entire north. Yuan Mai, together with Ju Shou, Zhang He and others, led 10,000 horses and meandered forward through the unmelted snow in the fields, but they deliberately slowed down their marching speed and only walked thirty miles a day. The journey from Hanoi to Yecheng was only 240 to 50 miles. After walking for six or seven days, they still didn't arrive. They sent detective cavalry to listen to Yuan Tan's movements in Qingzhou. The sound of horse hooves sounded in the east, and a scout came galloping with a red flag. "Reportto inform the governor, General Yuan Tan from Qingzhou has raised 30,000 troops and is marching towards Ye County at a speed of hundreds of miles a day. He has now arrived near Guantao. It is estimated that he will arrive at Ye County tomorrow evening or early the morning after tomorrow. "Get off!" "It seems that Yuan Tan can't hold his temper any longer, right? It's perfect for us to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight!" Yuan Mai smiled while stroking his beard. Since he grew a beard, he looks even more manly. Over time, Yuan Mai gradually developed the habit of stroking his beard. This kind of action always reminds people of domineering. Jushou sighed and said, "My lord has not established an heir for a long time. I'm afraid that trouble will happen to Xiao Qiang today!" "I think this is better. I heard that my lord's favorite is the third son Yuan Shang. If my lord has an heir, he must appoint Yuan Shang as his successor. "I hate this bird man the most. If that's the case, is it possible that we have to sacrifice our lives for him? This is the best. The master has not died anyway. If we support the young master and become the master, we will leave Jizhou!" Fall, Zhou Cang shouted from behind. There is a truth to what he said. This situation is much better than Yuan Shao appointing Yuan Shang as his heir. If he can cede territory and stand on his own feet, at least he will not bear the name of rebellion. Anyway, Yuan Shao didn't say who would succeed him. The brothers each had their own reasons, and outsiders couldn't tell who was right and who was wrong. But if Yuan Shao publicly declares Yuan Shang as his heir, Yuan Mai will resist again. He becomes a traitor, which is very detrimental to his reputation. After listening to Zhou Cang's words, Wang Shuang and Zhu Gongdao agreed: "Yuan Fu is absolutely right. If Yuan Gong is really unconscious and Yuan Shang becomes the master, we will divide the territory with Jizhou and support him to be the master." Yes!" Yuan Mai smiled. He appeased everyone and said: "Don't be impatient, everyone. I have a plan in mind. Not only are you unwilling to be driven by Yuan Shang, I am also dissatisfied with him!" "Bingzhou has a vast territory and rich resources. It is more than enough to protect itself, but it is still not as good as Jizhou. If If we can win it, we will definitely establish the dominance of the north!" Zhang He held a spear in hand and planned for Yuan Mai with a more far-sighted strategic vision, which was superior to Zhou Cang, Zhu Gongdao, Wang Shuang and others. Jushou frowned slightly and muttered: "Jizhou is vast and has a large population. It has abundant grain and grass reserves and complete fortifications. Yuan Shang has been in charge of Jizhou for many years, and his direct relatives are spread all over. Shen Pei and Feng Ji are all supporting him desperately. It is not easy to win Jizhou!" Everyone While discussing, they headed towards Yecheng, passed the mountain in front, and walked more than thirty miles. You can see the Zhang River. Suddenly, dust rose from the north, and a cavalry team of one hundred or ten people came flying towards them. When they arrived, it was Tian Feng who came from Jinyang. As Yuan Shao's old subordinate, Tian Feng felt sad when he heard that Yuan Shao fell from his horse and fell into coma, so he entrusted Wang Ling with political affairs. He took a hundred or so followers to visit Yecheng. Hearing that Yuan Mai's flag was not far away, he came here to meet him. After not seeing each other for several months, it was natural for everyone to exchange pleasantries. Mention Yuan Shao's condition. Tian Feng and Jushou even shed tears, while the rest of the people were in mourning. In the army, it is common for war horses to be frightened and stand up, and the people on the horses to be knocked to the ground. Not to mention that Tian Feng, Ju Sue, Yuan Mai and others were not present when the accident happened, even Chen who was following Yuan Shao. Lin, Feng Ji and others did not notice that Yuan Shao's mount was injured due to a sneak attack by a hound. In this way, Yuan Shao passed out in confusion, and Yuan Shang, the murderer, was unknown. When it got dark, the team was less than twenty miles away from Ye County and set up camp near the Zhang River. Yuan Mai secretly summoned Tian Feng, Ju Sue, and Zhang He to discuss countermeasures. As for Zhu Ao, Zhou Cang, Wang Shuang, and others, they were all warriors, so summoning them would not have any good ideas. On the contrary, the confidentiality of the matter would not be guaranteed; His cousin Yuan Yao, the surrendered general Zhang Xun, and Yuan Mai have never regarded him as one of his own. With the candlelight flickering, the monarch and his ministers knelt down in front of the table, secretly planning countermeasures. "Master Tian, ??Mr. Gong!" Yuan Mai cupped his hands towards the two of them, "Putting aside your identities, from the perspective of ordinary staff, what do you two think about the relationship between me, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang? "Who is more qualified to inherit my father's great cause?" Tian Feng coughed and spoke first. He was upright by nature, so he said:?'s voice was also louder: "In terms of the order of seniority, the eldest son Yuan Tan should succeed. If it is based on the lord's preference, the third son Yuan Shang should succeed; in terms of talent, the eldest son Yuan Tan should succeed. Succession!" Zhang He smiled and said, "That's true. Even the Lord can't make up his mind, and outsiders can't comment! Anyway, in Zhang He's heart, the only candidate he supports is you, my father! I am in a coma, my injuries are worrying, and I am afraid that I will not die soon. Yuan Shang wrote to the court and gained the power to control the four states and act as the general. I am really unwilling to accept it. How should I deal with it? " Yuan Mai picked up the tea cup on the table and sipped it. Take a sip and ask. After years of hard work, Yuan Mai has sharpened his mind and has a plan in mind for this matter, but he still wants to hear the advice of these two super think tanks. With Cao Cao's intelligence, he still needs to consult Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Xun You and others. As an ordinary person, he has nothing to be proud of. Tian Feng thought for a while and put forward his own suggestion: "Feng has three plans to conquer Jizhou! Pretending to be a council member, he recruited Yuan Shang, Shen Pei, and Feng Ji into the military camp, ambushed and killed them, and made himself the lord of Jizhou. For the sake of the plan, he made an excuse to stay in Jizhou and secretly bought the people's hearts while they were not yet loyal to Yuan Shang. He waited for an opportunity to seize Jizhou. This was the middle strategy. After visiting the lord, he retreated to Bingzhou and ceded the territory. Self-reliance, Xu Tu Jizhou, this is the worst policy!" After hearing what Tian Feng said, Yuan Mai smiled and said nothing. I feel that among Tian Feng's three strategies, this is the worst one. Whether it is political or military competition, it is all about intrigues and ever-changing situations. When you take measures, the enemy will inevitably take countermeasures. Some of Tian Feng's three strategies were taken for granted, and they were set up on the basis that Yuan Shang, Shen Pei, Feng Ji and others were all incompetent people; although Yuan Shang was "gold and jade on the outside but corrupted on the outside", Shen Pei and Feng Ji still had some problems. Of ability. He held a Hongmen Banquet and lured the three of them to ambush and kill them. Such a plan would definitely not be hidden from them. In fact, according to the natural development of history, after Yuan Shao's death, Yuan Shang used this trick against Yuan Tan on the advice of Shen Pei and Feng Ji. Guo Tu saw through it, and Yuan Tan claimed to be ill and did not dare to enter the city. Now he does it the other way around. If you use this trick to deal with them, I'm afraid it will be ineffective! As for the middle strategy mentioned by Tian Feng, it is to stay in Jizhou, win over people's hearts, and wait for the opportunity. If Yuan Shao does not die, it may be possible, but now Yuan Shao is almost in a vegetative state. Yuan Shang has already monopolized the power of Jizhou. As long as he enters the city, he will give it to him. If Yuan Shangke takes advantage of this opportunity, this guy probably won't let him go easily, let alone win over people's hearts! Before Yuan Mai could speak, Jushou spoke first: "Yuan Hao's middle and upper plans are too optimistic. With Feng Ji's cunning and Yuan Shangzhi's ruthlessness, I'm afraid these methods have been planned in their minds for a long time, and they may not be able to use them. Come and deal with the Fourth Young Master. I still think it would be more prudent to pay a visit to the lord and learn how to be a son, and then return to Bingzhou to figure out a good strategy!¡± My idea is to go to the city tomorrow to check on my father's condition and then make some plans!" Yuan Mai drank all the tea in the cup and made a decision. Yuan Mai rested for a day by the Zhang River. When he received the news that Yuan Tan's troops were approaching Ye City, he sent an order to break camp and set up camp three miles west of Ye City. Yuan Tan's 30,000 troops had already set up a stronghold in the east of the city, and sent people to invite Yuan Mai to come over to discuss countermeasures. "Okay, let's go to the eldest brother's camp and listen to what he has to say!" Yuan Mai left Wang Shuang, Yuan Yao, and Zhang Xun to lead his troops to camp, and he took Zhang He, Jushou, Tian Feng and others with him at 500 Under the protection of Bai Yuqi, they flew towards Yuan Tan's camp. Walking under Ye City, looking up, I saw the city gates were closed, the suspension bridge was pulled up; flags were fluttering on the city walls, and there were many soldiers, all wearing armor, as if they were facing a formidable enemy. "This Yuan Xianfu is so abominable. With this guarded look, he is greeting his brothers. He clearly regards us as enemies!" Seeing the tight security on the city wall, Zhang He poked the ground with his spear and cursed angrily. Yuan Mai smiled and said in his heart that according to the normal trajectory of history, Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan were inextricably linked to each other and they fought hard. This was just the beginning! A moment later, when they arrived at Yuan Tan's camp, they saw 30,000 troops setting up nearly a thousand tents, stretching for several miles. It's not like he's here to visit his seriously ill father, it's more like he's here to attack the city. "Haha Fourth brother, we haven't seen each other for a year. How are you doing? I miss you so much!" Hearing that Yuan Tan had bought it, Yuan Tan took Guo Tu, Xin Ping and others to greet him in person. Yuan bought a warm hug. Yuan Mai bowed and returned the gift: "When I see my elder brother, I alsoMiss you day and night! " In addition to the brothers reminiscing about old times, Tian Feng, Jushou, Zhang He, Guo Tu, Xin Ping and other important ministers from Hebei Province also exchanged greetings and entered the camp side by side. Before everyone could sit down, they suddenly heard the sound of horse hoofbeats and more than a dozen riders. As they galloped over, the people on the horse shouted: "The general's edict has arrived, Yuan Tan and Yuan Mai listen to it!" "