The big man is on the run

Chapter 122

Under the city of Yongqiu, Cao Jun camped.

"This emperor is really an outstanding man of his generation, but I'm curious, how did he do this?"

Cao Cao had been besieging Zhang Chao for a long time, and although he was not too impetuous at this time, he had nothing to do all day long, so he still thought about the matter in Guanzhong.

He couldn't help but not pay attention to the great victory in Zheng County, the great victory in Weiqu, and the change of Chang'an to "Jian'an", and the issued edict to change the Yuan and the reform of the official system of the central government. Basically, they were all unimaginable, but now they are all realized one by one like a dream.

Although Cao Cao's appearance looks small, he is actually 40 years old this year, but he is still well maintained, and his body looks very strong, his eyes are especially piercing, and his whole body exudes a heroic spirit.

"Yeah, I'm also very puzzled." Guo Jia lay on the straw mat, propping his head in confusion.

"My lord, we should make good use of this opportunity." Cheng Yu on the side suggested.

Guo Jia slapped his thigh, still smelling of alcohol, "That's right, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were the ones who suffered the most impact before and after the imperial court changed the Yuan Dynasty. Except for these two, the imperial court did not bring anyone else into it. There is no lord, nor Sun Ce, so we should take advantage of this time to plan well. Eryuan has no time to take care of it, and it is a good time for our army to attack the city."

"Well. I think so too. What do you think should be done?" Cao Cao looked at his advisers.

Guo Jia thought for a while and said, "My lord can use Liu Bei and Yuan Shu to make Liu Bei Yuan Shu's enemy."

"How?" Cao Cao asked.

"Although Sun Ce has turned against Yuan Shu in fact, he is still Yuan Shu's general in name, so Yuan Shu is unlikely and incapable of fighting Liu Yao who is hiding in Yangzhou. Today, the clan of Liu's family, Zhou Muli, Yizhou Mu Liuzhang and Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao are still far away from Yuan Shu, and Liu Biao's defense is very thorough. With Jiangxia Huangzu as the east gate, Yuan Shu has nothing to do with Liu Biao. Therefore, we can provoke Yuan Shu to attack Xuzhou Mu Liu Bei. After our army conquers Yongqiu, Wait until Yuan Shu and Liu Bei are both defeated in Xuzhou, and then attack Xuzhou."

"Well, I think Feng Xiao's idea is very good." Cao Cao said with a satisfied smile.

Cheng Yu also nodded and said: "My lord, it's like this. A few days ago, our army's spies intercepted a secret letter at the border of Xuzhou, and it was just delivered today, saying that Liu Bei, the shepherd of Xuzhou, had something important to ask the emperor. report."

"Oh, it's interesting that Liu Bei has something important to report to the emperor."

Cao Cao took the secret letter that Cheng Yu took out from his sleeve, and looked at it carefully.

At this time, Guo Jia muttered.

"Since it came from Xuzhou, why didn't it be sent earlier, instead it was delayed until now."

Cheng Yu frowned when he heard the words, feeling a little dissatisfied in his heart, but he still said, "I just found out about this too."

"Liu Bei wants to join forces with Liu Biao and attack me together."

Cao Cao stroked his long beard, and suddenly felt that things were a little tricky.

Of course, Liu Bei’s army’s combat effectiveness will not be his opponent, but Xuzhou’s resistance to Cao Cao is the most active. It is not surprising that Liu Bei wants to use offense instead of defense, because when Cao Cao quells the civil strife in Yanzhou, he will definitely be the first to win. Liu Bei of Xuzhou performed the operation.

Therefore, if Liu Bei and Liu Biao agreed on an offensive and defensive alliance, then Liu Bei would send troops from Xiapi and Liu Biao would send troops from Nanyang, Cao Cao would be in danger of being attacked from both sides.

"Then how does my lord plan to deal with this matter?" Guo Jia asked.

"I don't know how to deal with this matter, so I want to ask Feng Xiao, how do you think I should deal with this matter?" Cao Cao asked back.

After thinking for a while, Guo Jia said: "I think my lord should immediately send someone in disguise to Nanyang to meet Liu Biao, deliver another revised document to Liu Biao, and then act a little more arrogantly in front of Liu Biao to anger Liu Biao. Come, not only can avoid the connection between the two, but also eliminate our army's east-west dilemma, this is definitely a way to kill two birds with one stone."

Cao Cao pondered for a moment.

Although he also felt that Guo Jia's plan was good, there was still a risk in this matter, that is, Liu Bei really only sent one messenger for such a big matter?
"This matter is inappropriate." Cheng Yu shook his head slowly and said.

"Why, this matter is of great benefit to my lord, so why should I sit and wait for death?" Guo Jia asked puzzled.

"Feng Xiao, if this matter is done, there is indeed a lot of benefit and no harm, but have you ever thought that if you do this, will Liu Biao really be angered if he behaves like a self-sacrificing person? And you also You should know that Liu Bei and Liu Biao do not have any mortal enmity, even if this small trick works, it can only be effective for a while, and in the long run, it will be self-defeating."

Guo Jia fell into deep thought when he heard Cheng Yu's words.

"What Zhong De said makes sense, but I think we don't need to worry about this matter at all. Because now we have basically stabilized the situation in Yanzhou, and we are not particularly worried that Liu Biao will take advantage of the fire to rob us. Moreover, Liu Bei is not the only one who uses tricks, We can too!" Cao Cao said.

"What does my lord mean?"

Cao Cao smiled and said the answer.

"Lu Bu!"

"Drive the tiger and devour the wolf!" Guo Jia immediately responded.

"My lord, you mean to drive Lu Bu to Xuzhou, and let him fight Liu Bei?" Cheng Yu was a little surprised.

"exactly!"

This matter was agreed, and several people felt at ease.

But the topic still didn't leave Xuzhou's neighbor Liu Bei. The rewards issued from Guanzhong have spread all over the world recently.

The metaphor in this is very interesting, the next step is to seal the public.

Does this imply the tacit understanding between the emperor and the four state shepherds surnamed Liu. If the four state shepherds surnamed Liu help the emperor guard the territory, after the chaos in Anbang is settled in the future, they will be granted the title of prince, and they will be named king of the same surname after death?
Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, "Zhongde, do you know what the emperor thinks of Liu Xuande?"

"I think the emperor loves Liu Xuande very much." Cheng Yu replied, "Because of his deeds, he is very appreciated by the emperor, and he is also highly regarded in the court."

"No, the emperor's eyes won't just stay on Liu Xuande's loyalty. What the emperor values ​​is the role Liu Xuande can play now. Now, Liu Bei doesn't provide anything to the court, but Liu Zhang and Liu Biao supply the court with money and food every year. Shu brocade, the treatment they get But it's the same. Is it true that the emperor treats everyone equally?
What does this mean? It means that in the eyes of the emperor, Liu Zhang and Liu Biao have no ability at all. Xuzhou's key strategic location has exerted a huge influence on the court.In the eyes of the emperor, Liu Bei's attitude is appreciation, even a little appreciation, this is the value of Liu Bei! "

Xuzhou is really too important. Without Liu Bei, the nail in the easternmost part of the Han territory, to delay Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, and Sun Ce, the imperial court in Guanzhong would not be able to concentrate on dealing with Yuan Shao in Hebei.

Liu Bei, in Liu Yi's eyes, is not only a loyal and brave general and state shepherd, but also has great political talent. figure it out.His outstanding performance in politics is unmatched even by Liu Zhang and Liu Biao, let alone Liu Yao.

Liu Zhang and Liu Biao were still thinking about spending money and avoiding disasters to be their own emperors, but Liu Bei had already taken the initiative to sing high-profile words to become the emperor's nail in the Central Plains.

And Cao Cao realized that it is impossible for the emperor to understand all this, so the emperor has a very high evaluation of Liu Bei and attaches great importance to him. There are also two reasons. One is that Liu Bei now has more than [-] troops. It's not too strong, but it's enough to deter ordinary forces, which also plays a good role in the stability of the Central Plains.

Another point is that Liu Bei's background and prestige are the lowest among the state herdsmen with the surname Liu. This is also a good thing for the imperial court, because prestige and righteousness are what the imperial court lacks most.

"What do you think of Feng Xiao?" Cao Cao asked.

Guo Jia thought for a while, and said: "My lord, what I mean is that Liu Bei is indeed an important pawn in the imperial court's layout of the Central Plains. This time we can take the lead and let Lu Bu go to Xuzhou to fight Liu Bei as an enemy, which will draw Liu Bei's energy. Let's make friends from afar and attack closely." Make friends with Sun Ce and guard against Yuan Shu together. Liu Biao doesn’t need to worry, he has more than enough to defend the land and is not aggressive enough. Only Yuan Shao, although he is the lord’s best friend, but his enemies in the north are only Gongsun Zan and many forces in Hedong. .”

Cao Cao didn't say anything after hearing this. He had great ambitions. All the princes in the world were his enemies. Friendship belongs to friendship. This kind of thing is inevitable.

"Feng Xiao, what you said is not wrong. But now the main enemies are Liu Bei and Yuan Shu, we should take the strategy of delaying the attack." Cheng Yu said.

"A plan to slow down the army?" Cao Cao couldn't help asking.

Cheng Yu nodded and said, "That's right, now Yuan Shu and Sun Ce are about to fall out. We might as well hold back for now and show our favor to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu is arrogant. As long as we bow our heads, he will be very happy. As long as Yuan Shu If we don't deal with us, both Lu Bu and Liu Bei will be hurt. We will have a chance to take Xuzhou, and then we will turn around and deal with Yuan Shu. At that time, Yuan Shu's position will become very embarrassing. Waiting for the Central Plains to be unified, it will not be too late to argue with Yuan Shao .”

"Zhongde's idea is indeed good, but what we have to do now is to stabilize Liu Biao and not let the alliance of Liu Bei and Liu Biao fight against us. Only then will we have a chance."

"Well, what I was thinking just now was a bit off. Conspiracy and small ways won't work. Why don't we send envoys to Liu Biao with heavy gifts in an open and honest manner." Guo Jia said.

"That's not bad. As long as Liu Biao doesn't have an excuse to send troops, he won't take the initiative to attack. When we take Xuzhou, we will definitely be able to catch as many troops as Liu Biao brings! At that time, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, we will all There is a way to deal with it." Cheng Yu said excitedly.

"However, Liu Biao is not a fool. I'm afraid that if Liu Biao doesn't take the bait, then we will be in vain." Guo Jia said.

"No, as long as we bribe Liu Biao's wives, those local gentry in Jingzhou, I think Liu Biao will definitely accept our offer." Cheng Yu said confidently.

Cao Cao nodded slightly. The factional disputes in Jingzhou are very complicated, and Guo Jia and Cheng Yu's proposal is very feasible.

"What should be done about Lu Bu so that he and Liu Bei can have conflicts?"

"I have a plan."

"Zhongde, what are you going to do?" Guo Jia asked curiously.

"I was inspired by Feng Xiao's suggestion just now. I plan to have someone pretend to be the envoy sent by the emperor to Liu Bei, stray into Lv Bu's camp, and convey a false imperial edict to Lv Bu. Let's say that the emperor ordered Liu Bei to attack Lv Bu, and then Lv Bu and Liu Bei There will definitely be some disputes between them. Lu Bu has a violent temper and is eager to get a piece of land. At that time, they will definitely fight each other in Xuzhou. This plan should completely disintegrate the relationship between Lu Bu and Liu Bei. In this case, We can sit back and watch the tigers fight." Cheng Yu said.

"Yes, the relationship between Liu Bei and Lu Bu has always been tense. There must be conflicts between them. When the conflicts intensify, the two of them will lose both sides. Then it will be a good time for us to take advantage of the situation. As long as we seize the opportunity, our army will surely Can win Xuzhou!" Cao Cao said firmly after hearing the words.

"The conflict between Liu Bei and Lu Bu is indeed very deep, and we can find a way between the two." Guo Jia said, "As long as there is a serious quarrel between Lu Bu and Liu Bei, then our plan will be successful. The deeper the conflicts between people, the better, and we can even provoke them multiple times. In this case, more intense conflicts will break out between them, and it will result in a lose-lose outcome.”

"Your analysis is not wrong. First stabilize Liu Biao, and then provoke Liu Bei and Lu Bu. By then, Yanzhou will be basically stable. As long as our army seizes this opportunity, then we can defeat Liu Bei and Lu Bu in one fell swoop. to destroy."

Cao Cao nodded, and continued, "Let Zhong De take charge of Liu Biao's envoy, and Feng Xiao, who provokes Lu Bu and Liu Bei."

"Here!"

"As ordered!"

(End of this chapter)