Three Kingdoms: Cao Ying's mastermind, from nine to five

The deep winter has come, and the end of the year is approaching.

During this period of time, Cao Cao continued to receive letters from Jizhou, most of which were military spying, and the more he read it, the more stable he felt.

"It is impossible for Yuan Shao to gain momentum again. After this battle, the princes outside the pass did not dare to act rashly again. Dr. Zhong should take the lead. Thank you very much."

Wearing an official robe, Zhong Yao bowed his hands in front of him, with a very elegant and easy-going smile on his face, he waved his hands and said with a smile: "The prime minister is absurdly praised, and it was also because I was trusted by the prime minister at the beginning, and made me supervise with integrity. Fortunately, the emperor is so generous that I rewarded him." Princes outside the pass."

"The most important thing is that the prime minister won a complete victory in the battle in southern Hebei, which is impressive. Yuan Shao claims to have an army of 65, but he has no power to fight back. I admire the prime minister's use of troops."

"Well, Mr. Zhong listened to what he said, and he knew that he came to congratulate me on my victory. I came back from Jizhou, and I haven't heard a word of praise from Yang Taiwei and Sima Gong. As for Zhao Wen, Xi Xi and others, they are even more silent. Don't talk, just think about yourself."

"I've heard that the prime minister found letters and burned them lavishly. Such kindness and power overwhelm the world. He is a hero in the world. I can only say that the prime minister...how broad-minded, how many people have been talked to through the ages."

"Hmph, haha!" Cao Cao was greatly benefited by these words of praise, and he burst out laughing unceremoniously, really laughing, mainly because he didn't feel worried about the recent war in southern Hebei. It's time for romantic feelings to rise, and it doesn't matter to hear a few compliments.

"Mr. Zhong didn't write down the attributes, did he?"

After Cao Cao finished laughing, he moved closer and asked.

The sudden coercion stunned Zhong Yao, and he immediately waved his hands and smiled bitterly, "No, no, of course not."

"I was in Chang'an at the time, so I didn't have time to write letters. Besides, I don't dare to boast. If I wrote handwriting, no one should be able to imitate it."

"That's true!"

Cao Cao admired his calligraphy the most. It is elegant, smooth, and self-possessed. There is no second person in the world. Such accomplishments call this kind of calligraphy Zhongti, and it is no exaggeration to call him Doctor Zhong.

"It's fine if you didn't write it. If you did, I'd be so sad that I couldn't sleep at night."

"The Prime Minister is serious," Zhong Yao smiled lightly and cupped his hands. He knew that Cao Cao was joking, and if he really wrote it and was found out, then his attitude would be different.

Although it was burned in front of the person, there is no evidence, but no one knows whether the prime minister read those letters or not.

What if I read it?How could these Hanchens dare to take chances? Zhong Yao has practiced calligraphy for many years, and every time he writes a book and practices his pen, it is a mind-cultivation, and he can always think about many truths peacefully.

He has developed the habit of being smart and moderate, so at this moment, in order to make Cao Cao feel more at ease, he clasped his fists and said: "If you are not in Chang'an to supervise the princes outside the pass, if you don't believe in the prime minister's victory, you will not be able to restrain those tigers and wolves."

"Such as Ma Teng and Han Sui, who now have 10,000+ soldiers and horses, they are fierce men from various tribes. It is not difficult to enter the pass to cause chaos. Of course, I don't have any thoughts of throwing yuan. In the end, I didn't think the prime minister would lose."

"Oh? Tell me why?"

"More emphasis and unity."

The corner of Zhong Yao's mouth curled down and said: "The soldiers who condense the war are all brave men, and the elite warriors have their own dignity. After Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan, he took hundreds of thousands of soldiers, just like Yuan Shu. Although there are many warriors and ministers under his command, but It's easy to see if they don't agree with each other."

"The prime minister has a broad mind, and he uses his troops like a god. Yuan Shao just makes good use of the general situation, and looks like a mountain torrent, but he is not delicate. Gongsun Zan is in decline, killing Liu Yu and losing his morality. The prime minister sits on the emperor and wins the support of the people. It cannot be the same day language."

"Victory is settled now, so let's take these words as embellishments for victory. It's a pity that I didn't tell the prime minister in front of the station."

"Hahaha!"

Seeing that what he got was so honest, Cao Cao burst out laughing for a while, the real Zhong Yao is really likable.

"Okay, okay, I'll take it as you said in advance, and I will credit you for your credit. When Mr. Zhong returns, he will still rely on you in the court."

"After you come back, it's time to give you a title, right? It's good for me to take a job and assist the prime minister, and I can practice calligraphy and enjoy the blessings on weekdays."

"Ugh, hahaha!!! Okay, no problem!"

Cao Cao came out and took Zhong Yao's hand, his eyes were full of joy. When the old man came back, he first wanted a title, and then he wanted a job. It was really comforting to act like this, and he didn't feel guilty at all.

I don't think he's asking too much.

……

A day later, a lot of information about the military in the north reached Xudu. One of the incidents made Guo Jia look very solemn, and he walked into the lobby quickly with a letter.

Informed Cao Cao of the information.

"Under Yuan Shao's fury, he should have gone out to quell the chaos, so he immediately executed Xu You's family and announced it to the world, so as to frighten the courtiers who have evil intentions in the territory."

"Drink poison to quench thirst."

Cao Cao immediately shook his head, so that even if he was deterred for a short period of time and did not dare to cause chaos, but everyone was deeply concerned, how could they gather together and go through life and death for Yuan Shao.

This is not without consideration. Cao Cao believes that Yuan Shao should have no choice. The chaos in his Youzhou and Bingzhou is more serious than imagined.

Those Qiang people of foreign nationality do not value benevolence and righteousness themselves, and respect the strong. Now I am afraid that they will switch to other places, and the most likely one is to join Ma Teng.

These rebellions were enough to keep Yuan Shao busy for the whole winter without a good rest. After the beginning of spring, he marched into Jieqiao again, and joined forces from Shangyang and Weijun to attack. Can really hit hard.

And now, he killed Xu You's family, maybe there was some intention to vent his anger.

"How is Ziyuan?"

Cao Cao squinted his eyes and said, he knew the character of this old friend, he was too flamboyant, and most of the time he even took the credit for himself, and Cao Cao deliberately avoided seeing him after he returned with meritorious service.

I'm going to let him calm down first, and then I want to see him again.

"I haven't gone out all the time, nothing unusual. I have invited some famous officials, generals and generals, and they all go out without any pride. I may even feel that I am a surrender and dare not communicate with others too much. .”

Hearing this, Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat.

So, am I thinking too much?He is not arrogant, and even acted in a low-key manner, working hard to integrate into my martial arts.

Although he was greedy for petty gains and was not aboveboard, this former classmate was really a first-class adviser, proficient in both military and political affairs, but his temperament was just a little bit bad.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao instinctively felt guilty. He didn't care about Xu You after he came back, but he did have credit for surrendering, and when he broke Wei County, he personally recruited and surrendered several county guards, so that the soldiers and horses were effortless, and there were no casualties. One soldier and one soldier won three small cities.

Now, his family members were killed by Yuan Shao. I'm afraid I was the first to know about this news, so I still have to visit him personally to reassure him.

"I'll go and tell him," Cao Cao stood up, and Cao Chun naturally followed and left together.

"Feng Xiao doesn't have to go, integrate these military information, and discuss with Bo Wen, he still has soldiers and horses stationed in Yangping, and sooner or later he will send troops together next year, and now treat him as Jizhou Mu."

"Whether he wants the money and food in the three counties or not, it's the weekend. After his political achievements are improved and his reputation is good, the common people and scholars all over the world will call him Xu Jizhou."

"OK."

Guo Jia bowed his hands and sent Cao Cao off respectfully.

……

Half an hour later, the car stopped at Xu You's mansion. Cao Cao didn't send anyone to inform him when he came, so the guards hurried in to report at this time. After a while, Xu You ran out wearing a robe, bowing his hands and saluting from a distance. .

"My lord came to see me. I don't know if I have never greeted you. Please forgive me!"

Cao Cao nodded with a smile on his face, then stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder, and walked straight into the lobby.

Soon Cao Cao sat down at the main seat, asked Xu You to come closer, and said, "Ziyuan, when you came to vote for me, you didn't settle down with your family, did you?"

"That's right!" Xu You was stunned, nodded quickly, and hurriedly approached, "But something happened to them!?"

"Well, Yuan Shao executed all your family members, wives and family members to shock those who harbor evil intentions."

"What?!" Xu You was struck by lightning on the spot, "You're so ruthless, it's not as bad as your family..."

"I originally thought that Yuan Shao, who came from a famous family, should still have this kind of heart. I hurt them, I hurt them..."

His words are justifiable. Cao Cao recalled that the old counselor Jia Xu under Xu Zhen's command had been under the command of many lords, and his family had always been preserved.

Chen Gongtai died in betrayal, and Cao Cao didn't kill his whole family, but he took good care of him, making his son wealthy and old enough to take care of him.

"Yuan Shao's move is to deter the rebels, and there may also be personal grievances."

"Hehe, oh..."

Xu You seemed to have no love in his life, his expression was lonely, he looked up at Cao Cao, and said, "Thank you, my lord, for coming to tell me this."

"I was persecuted by my family, and I was persecuted to this point by Guo Tujin. Now that my family is killed because of this, maybe it is really some kind of natural retribution."

Cao Cao sat upright, with a serious face, staring at Xu You. He could feel the disappointment of this old friend at Yuan Shao's murder of his family, which far outweighed the grief of losing his family.

What made him really sad was that following Yuan Shao for so many years made him kill his whole family even at the expense of his own reputation. This anger far surpassed the feeling of gratitude and resentment.

Thinking of this, Xu You sighed bitterly, "Actually, I already knew this would be the result. I once asked Xu Junhou, and he said that the location of the Wuchao was calculated using the method of yin and yang metaphysics."

"I'm afraid no one will believe this. In Yuan Shao's eyes, I must have leaked the news about Wuchao. That's why he became furious and attacked my family."

"He thinks that I rebelled first and failed to follow the kindness of the past few years, so that's why."

"Hey, who can believe that Xu Bowen really calculated it?"

Cao Cao Zhanyan smiled, stood up with his hands behind his back and came to Xu You, looking at him deeply.

"My condolences, I can let you be promoted to a high-ranking official to show your merits, and you can go if you want to attack Yuan, and forget it if you don't."

Cao Cao suddenly became generous.

This made Xu You a little stunned. Although Xu Zhen's calculation made him feel puzzled, this sentence was right, and it could be called good advice.

The more low-key Xu You is, the less he mentions his achievements in attacking Yuan Shao, Cao Cao will treat him better.

No wonder Cao Cao didn't come to talk with him often to discuss various things these days, and he didn't reward him for his achievements until now.

Silence is golden.

Xu Bowen saved me once, and Xu You immediately smiled wryly: "I have nothing else to ask for, but I can still contribute to the lord. Since Yuan Shaodu has killed my whole family, this friendship is broken. I want to end Jizhou as soon as possible." In the battle, I should be able to make a difference."

"Back then, I had dabbled in Yuan Shao's military and political affairs, and I knew most of the places where the generals stationed their troops."

"In this way, the peace can be accelerated."

"Hmph," Cao Cao patted him on the shoulder, sighed, and said earnestly, "Then it all depends on Ziyuan."

"This winter, I will definitely reward you a lot."

Cao Cao held his hand tightly, "Next year, I'll bring you to get angry with Yuan Shao again."

"Hahaha!" Xu You laughed desperately, nodded immediately, and sent Cao Cao out respectfully, but with mixed feelings in his heart, he waited for Cao Cao to get in the car and drive away.

He stayed silent and sluggish at home for an hour, and finally drank wine all night, fell asleep beside the brazier and passed out.

……

Winter to spring.

The news of Yuan Shao's suppression of the rebellion in Bingzhou reached Xudu. He is worthy of being a great prince. Even if his military strength was severely damaged, he still fought swiftly and swiftly, like thunder.

In just one month, he led his cavalry to wipe out and subdue the horseback clans in Bingzhou one by one, surrendered for the time being, and recruited another [-] to [-] barbarian soldiers, who were good at hunting like bandits.

But it was too late to practice, even before Yuan Shao returned to Wei County to rest, the army of Cao Cao and Xu Zhen arrived.

Cao Jun gathered and left from Weijun, Xu Jun should have come from Yangping, and the place they went was Jieqiao, but according to the spies, Xu Zhen's soldiers and horses have not been found yet.

This is the largest main road to enter Qinghe, other than that, you have to go over mountains and ridges, and walk by small roads.

Yuan Shao knew that Xu Zhen had an army that could cross the rugged and complicated mountain roads, so he guarded the nearby roads strictly.

But after a few days, he understood that Xu Zhen did not come to Yangping, and his soldiers and horses were exposed on the way back to Yanzhou, and Yuan Shao became anxious.

Xu Zhen is cunning, they also have many elite soldiers, and they are very popular in the territory, it is estimated that they have recruited more soldiers and horses in the past six months.

Unlike me, Qinghe, who had to be recruited to get recruits into the camp, the hearts of the people continued to be lost.

As soon as the military news came, Yuan Shao knew in his heart that Cao Cao, Xu Zhen and others did not intend to fight him again, and now the situation has reversed!
Cao Jun is more and Yuan Jun is less.

Cao Jun's will is concentrated while Yuan Jun's army is scattered.

They are going to fight a tug of war!
"Xu Zhen is going to Qingzhou! Yuan Tan, do you have the confidence to stop Xu Zhen?!"

I have none of it.

Yuan Tan's complexion suddenly turned ugly.

"I ordered Guo Tu to bring [-] troops to you and defend Qingzhou. If Xu Zhen enters the country, he must go to Tai'an. There is a person under the command of Zang Ba, the Lord of Mount Tai, who was once recruited by me. Maybe he can help!"

"Father, I..."

Yuan Shao stared at him sternly, "Are you going to confront Cao Cao's army head-on?"

"Okay, I'll go back to Qingzhou..."

A total of 30 soldiers and horses were barely scraped together, and now [-] soldiers have to be sent to Qingzhou, but the second brother's military strength in Youzhou is not moving at all, my father may be biased.

Dotes on the second brother and the younger brother alone.

But I was asked to beat Xu Zhen... Yan Liang, Wen Chou were all beheaded one after another, it was a cheating son...

"Then, then I will go."

"Okay, let's sacrifice to the heavens and pray to our ancestors. With all the strength of the whole territory, I will fight Cao Mengde again at the Jieqiao! If we can win this time, we should be able to sweep away the decline! Take back all the losses!"

Yuan Shao clenched his fists.

But at this moment, his face was pale, he was dizzy, and he almost fell down.

He is already too tired.