Yuan Tan led his personal guards on a patrol of the camp, discovering that after today's defeat, the morale of the soldiers in the camp had dropped considerably.
Previously, the morale of the Qingzhou Soldiers was low. Although the Yuan Army soldiers had not been able to capture Pingyuan, they were still generally at an advantage.
With an advantage, there was hope of capturing it.
However, the earth-shattering momentum on the city wall today immediately extinguished the hope in many people's hearts.
They had attacked for three months previously and still hadn't taken it, did they have to attack for another three months?
Over these three months, the Yuan Army had also suffered thousands of casualties, and some soldiers were already starting to show signs of war-weariness.
Pingyuan City was simply too tough.
Yuan Tan returned to the central army tent, took up a brush, and wrote a letter to Yuan Shao, urging his father to quickly bring fresh troops over, and also stating in the letter that he wanted to withdraw some soldiers back to Nangpi for rest.
"Someone."
Yuan Tan blew dry the ink on the silk, sealed it with fire lacquer, and called someone over.
"Take this letter to my father."
"Understood."
The messenger carefully put away the letter and was about to leave the tent when Yan Liang suddenly rushed in with someone else.
"Eldest Young Master! "
Yan Liang's expression was extremely anxious.
"What is it? "
Yuan Tan looked at the person beside Yan Liang in confusion.
That person was covered in dust, looking very disheveled.
"Eldest Young Master! "
That person cried out in sorrow, "Zhang Xin led troops to raid Nangpi, Nangpi City has fallen, and the Lord's life and death are unknown! "
"Madam, Second Master, Third Young Master, they have all been captured by Zhang Xin…"
"What did you say? "
Yuan Tan's eyes widened suddenly, "Say that again? "
That person rattled on and on…
"Zhang Xin? "
Yuan Tan looked disbelieving, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! "
"He's already dead, the funeral is over, Dong Zhuo even issued an imperial decree allowing his son to inherit the title…"
At this point, Yuan Tan suddenly froze.
Holy cow!
Could it be that Zhang Xin and Dong Zhuo are in cahoots?
Dong Zhuo, that old scoundrel, is harming my Yuan family!
"Eldest Young Master, it's true."
That person said with a mournful face, "Your mother has been captured, how could it be false? "
"Ah? "
Yuan Tan was in a panic, pacing back and forth in the tent.
"Why did he appear in Nangpi? "
"Where did he come from? "
"Why haven't our scouts discovered him? "
Just then, Wen Chou came in with another person.
"Eldest Young Master, General Chunyu Qiong led troops to try and retake Nangpi, but encountered Zhang Xin's ambush and suffered heavy losses…"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan no longer had any doubts.
Yuan Shao's life and death unknown, Lady Liu, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang captured, Chunyu Qiong defeated…
Yuan Tan's mind immediately became a mess.
"Eldest Young Master."
Yan Liang saw that he hadn't spoken for a long time and couldn't help but ask, "Nangpi has fallen, and the Lord's life and death are unknown, what should our army do? "
Hearing Yan Liang's voice, Yuan Tan came to his senses.
Only then did he remember that he had strategists.
"Someone."
Yuan Tan hurriedly said, "Quickly go and invite Yuan Tu to discuss matters."
A moment later, Pang Ji arrived.
Yuan Tan rattled on and on…
"Sir, what should we do now? "
Pang Ji looked utterly bewildered.
Zhang Xin and Dong Zhuo.
You two are really playing a big game!
As a strategist, Pang Ji was clearly composed. After a brief shock, he quickly regained his composure.
Pang Ji sorted out his thoughts, did not answer Yuan Tan's question, but first looked at the two messengers and asked for details.
The two rattled on and on, telling everything they knew.
Pang Ji lowered his head in deep thought.
Yuan Tan did not dare to interrupt.
After a long while, Pang Ji looked up.
"Eldest Young Master, I believe our army must not return to Nangpi! "
"Not return to Nangpi? "
Yuan Tan was stunned, "Then where should our army go? "
"Abandon Bohai! "
There was a hint of determination in Pang Ji's eyes, "We will go to Wei Commandery and raise an army to depend on Han Fu."
"Go to Wei Commandery? "
Yuan Tan was greatly surprised, "Bohai has been occupied by Zhang Xin, so abandoning it is fine, but Qing Province…"
"Sixty-three cities! Are we abandoning them all? "
"Yes, yes."
Yan Liang and Wen Chou were also greatly alarmed upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Military Advisor, our army still has the support of the great clans of Qing Province. As long as we find the Lord and use these cities as a base, we may not be unable to contend with Zhang Xin! "
"There are no sixty-three cities anymore! How could there still be sixty-three cities…"
Pang Ji shook his head and smiled bitterly.
When Yuan Shao first contacted the great clans of Qing Province, he was in charge of it.
Of course, he knew how great Zhang Xin's pre can take Jizhou before Zhang Xin sends troops for retaliation, then our army will have the capital to contend with him."