——Yuan Shao had no choice but to retreat.
Even though he was unwilling in his heart, the pressure from Jizhou State eventually forced him to suppress all his anger.
Gongsun Zan's offensive was fierce, capturing several cities in Jizhou State in just over a month.
His White Horse Righteous Followers were unstoppable and unmatched in battle.
Now that Yuan Shao, the backbone, was not in Jizhou State, the Jizhou defenders found it hard to resist.
Gongsun Zan even publicly stated he would appoint his general as the governor of Jizhou State.
This forced Yuan Shao to step back.
Outside Linzi City.
Yuan Shao sat on horseback, his gaze fixed on the towering city gates, his brow tightly furrowed, and he said in a deep voice:
"If I ever return, I, Yuan Shao, will surely flatten this place and wash away today's shame!"
Indeed, for him, this retreat was undoubtedly a humiliating defeat.
Even though he had already seized two counties, so what?
