The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 139 Mobile Force

When Shen Pei arrived in Yuyang, he was shocked. He never expected that the Chen'er Autonomous Region had developed to such a level of strength without him even realizing it.

Shen Pei suddenly felt that Yuan Shao's defeat was not unjust at all. How could Yuan Shao possibly win against such an opponent? He could not possibly have the advantage in either the number or quality of his troops.

“Yuan Gong’s defeat was not unjust,” Shen Pei muttered to himself in the carriage.

The autonomous region was filled with patrols equipped with flintlock muskets, fertile fields, and wide, flat roads. In terms of overall strength, Yuan Shao was far inferior to Chen Er.

Even Qingzhou, the newest addition to the autonomous region, is developing much better than Yanzhou. Since Yuan Shao's defeat and escape to Jizhou, he has completely lost the opportunity to become a future hegemon.

Yuan Shao knew, of course, that Shen Pei had been captured on the battlefield, but Shen Pei no longer wanted to return to Yanzhou. Now, everyone in the world could see that Yuan Shao was on his last legs and had no hope left. Although Shen Pei had a lot of affection for Yuan Shao.

However, the family's hopes cannot be placed on the wrong horse. Shen Pei's most important task is to ensure the future development of himself and his family. This is why Shen Pei was not disappointed at all when he was captured on the battlefield.

The only way for him to enter Yuyang and get into Chen Er's sights is through this.

After Li Ji's 7th Army was replenished with some soldiers, it remained as a garrison in Rencheng. At the same time, Gao Shun also transferred a battalion from the 1st Army Corps' Independent Cavalry Regiment to the 7th Army as a mobile force.

To strengthen the Seventh Army, a shipbuilding team of one hundred men moved into a natural harbor on the banks of the Si River west of Rencheng to build factories and ports and form an inland river fleet in order to control Xuzhou.

Chen Er no longer wanted to concern himself with the battle between Yuan Shu and Tao Qian. Sun Ce and the Yue people in the south had already posed a threat to Yuan Shu. If Tao Qian still couldn't stop Yuan Shu's attacks even with such a restraint, then he could only be considered useless. Chen Er had fulfilled his responsibilities as an ally, and he would not do anything beyond what was expected of him as an ally.

Allies, allies. When there are no benefits, as an ally, all I can do is ask myself not to infringe upon you. This is Chen Er's principle, a principle that leaves one speechless.

When Tao Qian learned that Chen Er had annihilated the Yanzhou army, he was still complacent, thinking that he was safe. Little did he know that the real crisis had just begun.

When Yuan Shu heard the news of Yuan Shao's defeat, he was not surprised, but rather felt that it was to be expected.

Several sycophants quickly stepped forward to flatter Yuan Shu, who thoroughly enjoyed the flattery. Of course, there were some relatively clear-headed people among Yuan Shu's subordinates, such as Jin Shang.

Jin Shang remained remarkably clear-headed. He said to Yuan Shu, “My lord, the Yanzhou army also numbered nearly 100,000 men, yet they were wiped out by the Autonomous Region in less than half a month. The strength of the Autonomous Region's army should not be underestimated.”

"We still need to remain vigilant. Once we take Pengcheng, our army will directly face the autonomous region's army. I suggest that the army must be ready for battle at any time to prevent a sudden attack by the autonomous region's army."

"Chen Er is nothing more than the descendant of a eunuch who has had some luck. How can he compare to my Yuan family, which has held high office for four generations?" Yuan Shu said disdainfully. His disdain for Chen Er was deep-seated.

Yuan Shu's abilities and status were a hundred times greater than Chen Er's; it was only because Chen Er was luckier than him that he was able to control two provinces. "Look at him now," Yuan Shu thought to himself.

Xuzhou will soon become the third province under his control, with an army of over 300,000 and a population of three to four million. With such strength, the emotions that Yuan Shu had been able to suppress were now completely unleashed.

In Yuan Shu's view, neither Chen Er nor Yuan Shao was a match for him.

Yuan Shu said to Jin Shang, "What kind of bullshit autonomous region is this? If I don't go looking for trouble with Chen Er, he should be laughing all the way to the bank. Does he dare to provoke me? Do you think my 300,000-strong army is just for show?"

"Once I conquer Xuzhou, I will declare myself emperor! Let's see who in this world dares to oppose me!" Yuan Shu roared.

Yuan Shu's desire to become emperor was no secret in Shouchun; it was common knowledge. He had long wanted to be emperor, but his strength had not been sufficient in the past.

He also lacked the confidence to withstand the attacks of all the feudal lords in the land. After all, although the various feudal lords were now in a semi-independent state, they were all fighting under the banner of protecting the imperial power.

Yuan Shu dared to declare himself emperor, which angered the masses. He understood the principle that it is difficult to defy public anger. However, with a series of victories, Yuan Shu had become arrogant. In his view, he had enough power.

In the south of Yangzhou, although Sun Ce had some strength, in Yuan Shu's eyes, Sun Ce was nothing more than someone with some strength, not worthy of Yuan Shu's attention. Only Jingzhou and Yanzhou posed a threat to Yuan Shu.

Now that Yuan Shao has been crippled by Chen Er once again, Yuan Shu believes that as long as he occupies Xuzhou and eliminates the threat from Jingzhou, no one around him will be able to threaten him.

Then he could declare himself emperor. So Yuan Shu is now doing everything in his power to attack Xuzhou, to end the war as quickly as possible and bring Xuzhou under his rule. As for Yanzhou, Yuan Shu has plans for it.

That is to use his own brother as a buffer between himself and Chen Er. After all, Yuan Shao is also a member of the Yuan family. If word gets out that he is targeting a member of the Yuan family, it will not be good for Yuan Shu's reputation. Yuan Shu is arrogant, but he is also a person who cherishes his own power.

The battle for Pengcheng has lasted for five days. Tao Qian has held out for five days. During these five days, the Xuzhou army has suffered no fewer than 30,000 casualties, and there are mutilated limbs everywhere on and off the city walls.

Now there are broken holes everywhere, and the surrounding area is covered with bloodstains that have congealed and turned dark black.

"grown ups."

"Hmm." In the governor's mansion, Tao Qian was sitting in a chair with his eyes closed, resting, when he heard a voice beside him. It was Chen Deng's voice. Tao Qian opened his eyes and asked Chen Deng, "How is it?"

Chen Deng is a historical figure.

"According to statistics, since the Yuzhou army besieged the city, our army has suffered more than 30,000 casualties, of which 17,000 died in battle. This does not include civilian casualties," Chen Deng said to Tao Qian.

Tao Qian sighed, "Since the start of the war at the end of January, our Xuzhou army has suffered defeat after defeat, and now we can only cower in Pengcheng. Do you think there is any hope for Xuzhou?"