Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 481
Yanzhou, Taishan County, Fenggao City.

At this time, Cao Cao was in the mansion in the city, and there were more than a dozen advisers and generals in the hall. The advisers included Xun You, Chen Qun and others, and the generals included Cao Hong, Xia Houyuan, Le Jin Yujin and others. Nearly half of the core elite gathered together.

Now no one expected that when Cao Cao received the call to conquer Yuan Shu, he did not start from Runan in the west of Yuzhou, where Yuan Shu was weak, but ran to Taishan County in the northwest of Xuzhou!

But at this time Cao Cao's face was a little gloomy, "Why is the fierce tiger going to Xuzhou at this time?"

"Is he in a hurry to beat Yuan Shu?"

Xun You was also sweating profusely, "This fierce tiger's actions are unimaginable, it shouldn't be like this!"

"Because of emotion and reason, he has no need to send troops at this time!"

Chen Qun said: "But the fact is that he left Jicheng with his soldiers a few days ago and went to Yuyang Piaoyuyi port."

"If you take this route, you must go south to Xuzhou by sea."

Cao Hong asked, "Is it possible that he went to Liaodong by boat?"

"I heard that he joined hands with the Gongsun family. It is not impossible to go to Liaodong to meet him at this time."

Xun You shook his head and said, "It's unlikely. I heard that he brought hundreds of volunteer students with him. This is obviously arranged to go to Xuzhou to take up his post. There is no need to bring such people to Liaodong."

Xia Houyuan said angrily: "This fierce tiger is too hateful!"

"He ruined our good deeds again and again, and now that he is going south to Xuzhou, did he learn something in advance?"

As soon as Xia Houyuan said this, everyone's expressions changed slightly, and they bowed their heads in silence.

Because they gathered here secretly, and secretly transferred tens of thousands of elite soldiers to Taishan County, they were preparing to carry out a big move in a premeditated manner.

In the end, I don’t know why, but it happened that Cao Ying got the news that Yuan Xi set off from Jicheng, and he probably came to Xuzhou. They couldn’t help but suspect that there were really traitors in Cao Ying?

Yu Jin felt that there were a few indistinct eyes sweeping over him, and he wanted to cry but had no tears. He had said a few words to Yuan Xi in Dongwuyang back then, and then he was suspected for two years. Prove your innocence!
Yuan Xi is a sinister villain, when did I provoke you, why did you cheat me like this!
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Don't mention anything else, I want to know, or continue with Liu Bei's matter."

"Will the fierce tiger go south unexpectedly, will it destroy our plan?"

He first looked at Chen Qun, Chen Qun understood, and hurriedly said: "Ask me how much I know him as I was a subordinate under Liu Yuzhou."

"This man is quite loyal, and he is very dependent on his two brothers, and the three of them are also very organized in fighting, which can be called first-class."

"If we use troops against it, I'm afraid we won't be sure of victory."

"Adding the variable of fierce tiger now requires careful consideration."

Cao Hong snorted, "Mr. Changwen, why should he be ambitious? Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are known for their bravery, so that's all. Then Liu Bei can also lead troops to fight?"

Chen Qun hesitated for a moment, "If Liu Yuzhou leads thousands of soldiers, few people in the world can control him."

Everyone was startled, they didn't expect Chen Qun to have such a high opinion of Liu Bei.

However, since Chen Qun took refuge in Cao Cao, he had unique views on many things, and gradually convinced the generals of Cao Ying's counselors, so his speech today is very convincing.

Xun You's eyes flashed: "Changwen said he brought thousands of soldiers, what if he brought too many?"

Chen Qun pondered for a while, "If you lead tens of thousands of troops, which is far beyond Liu Yuzhou's own ability, there will be mistakes."

Xun You pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Isn't this simple."

"Didn't he trust Guan Yu and Zhang Fei the most?"

"Find a way to transfer Liu Bei away from Liu Bei and let Liu Bei lead the army alone. Doesn't it mean that our chances of victory will be greatly increased?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, and Xia Houyuan said, "Mr. Gongda has a clever plan?"

Xun You said complacently: "Although I have some ideas, I would like to ask you, it should be a last resort for Liu Beibing, right?"

"Shouldn't you go to the army to fight against the plan, should you think of a way to win him over before, if he can take refuge in the envoy, why bother to go to war?"

Cao Cao nodded and said: "Gongda is right. Liu Bei is a rare hero in the world. I don't want to meet him unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Originally, our strategy was to use the emperor's decree to lure him in and make him switch to us."

"If he is stubborn, we will take advantage of the negotiations with him and attack Xiapi by surprise!"

"If it is defeated, Xiapi will be in our pocket. This is a crucial part for capturing Yuan Shu in the future, and it can even be said to be the most important move!"

"Yuan Shu has just proclaimed himself emperor, and it is unlikely that he will use troops in Xuzhou in a short time. This is a great opportunity for us. At least in the next two months, we can slowly talk to Liu Bei."

"If he refuses, we have plenty of time to mobilize our troops."

"But now there is a variable called a fierce tiger!"

"He shouldn't have appeared so early. If he goes to Guangling now, it will not only affect our negotiation with Liu Bei, but also may hinder our plan for Xuzhou!"

"This variable really makes me sleepless!"

Having said this, Cao Cao couldn't help pressing his painful head tightly.

It hurts, it hurts too much!
What the hell is going on with this fierce tiger?

Cao Cao didn't really care if there were internal traitors in him. Many people were secretly at both ends, and he didn't care about their loyalty, all he wanted was for them to contribute to him.

But there is another possibility, that is, the fierce tiger relied on the art of stargazing to predict its own actions!

This is what Cao Cao is most afraid of. He can't deal with this kind of method at all!
Could it be that the fierce tiger really has the ability to watch the stars, so it came to ruin its own good deeds?
Everyone was also puzzled, they naturally didn't know that Yuan Xi left for Guangling ahead of schedule for another purpose, but by accident, everyone in Cao Ying became suspicious.

Now Yuan Xi doesn't know at all, Cao Cao has secretly plotted against Liu Bei long ago!
Xun You said: "The variable of the fierce tiger must be counted."

"But before that, we need to think carefully about how to plot against Liu Bei."

"First courtesy and then soldiers, so that the king can use Liu Bei's official position to win him over."

Cao Cao nodded and said: "Yes, send a letter to Liu Bei. I intend to declare him as General Zhendong, Shepherd of Yuzhou, Marquis of Tinghou of Yicheng. I think he will accept my affection."

Chen Qun praised: "Your Majesty is wise, this official position is enough to impress Liu Bei."

"Besides, General Zhendong is half a rank lower than the vicious General Zhengdong, so there must be a rift between the two."

Xun You said worriedly: "But even so, Liu Bei should not be stupid. If we want him to take refuge, we may not make him willing to take refuge just by relying on a few empty promises of titles."

Everyone agreed, Liu Bei is also an old fritter for many years, how could he be so fascinated by this thing?

Chen Qun sneered and said, "That's a guy who doesn't see the rabbit and doesn't scatter the eagle. There is no real benefit, and it's hard to get him into the trap."

Xun You smiled and said, "Changwen is much better at this than I am. Do you have a good plan?"

Chen Qun looked gloomy and said, "If you don't see a rabbit, you won't scatter the eagle."

"To impress him, you have to come up with some practical benefits."

"For example, the envoy can agree to send troops to attack Yuan Shu with him. After the matter is completed, Yuzhou will be given to him. This kind of condition is more exciting than a title."

"As for Zhang Fei, I think he has a bad temper and is very harsh on people. The loss of Xiapi Tancheng earlier was caused by civil strife caused by this person."

"We can find ways to take advantage of its weaknesses and prescribe the right medicine."

"By the way," Chen Qun clapped his hands suddenly, "I remember, I heard him complain about not being married several times at banquets."

"If you can marry the daughter of the Cao clan to him, you will definitely be able to win him over."

"The most troublesome thing is Guan Yu. He has a very clear mind, it is difficult to deceive, and he is very upright. It is difficult to buy him off with ordinary benefits."

"If you really want to attack Liu Bei, it is best to transfer Guan Yu away so that you can start."

"As far as I can see, the only weakness of this person is that he is too conceited."

"I heard that Guan Yu trained a navy at the port of the East China Sea, known as the elite."

"You can find a way to cause chaos on the sea route, let him go to the East China Sea to lead troops to quell the chaos, and he will naturally leave Liu Bei."

Chen Qun had been under Liu Bei for a long time. He knew Liu, Guan and Zhang very well, and because his opinion was not accepted, he held a grudge.

After he finished his eloquent speech, everyone was convinced. Cao Cao praised: "Long essays are stripped of cocoons, and you can see the fire clearly. If this is done, you must remember the first merit!"

Cao Hong lamented, "It's a good plan, but the price of sending Yuzhou is too high."

Cao Cao laughed and said, "Zi Lian, the layout is too small!"

"What I have now is Yuan Shao's growth through this, so the benefits of defeating Yuan Shu must not be obtained by the Yuan family!"

"Only in this way can I gain the strength to rival Yuan Shao after defeating Yuan Shao!"

"So I suffer a bit, let Liu Bei benefit, and I won't let that fierce tiger take advantage!"

"Besides, since I can give Liu Bei Yuzhou, I can naturally take it back!"

When everyone heard this, they all laughed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Xun You thought about it for a while, and said, "The letter expressing Liu Bei can be sent now."

"But one thing can also go on at the same time."

"Choose one of the daughters of the Cao clan to betroth to that Zhang Fei."

"Anyway, no matter whether you turn your face or not, it can always play a role. It's just a woman."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Gongda is right. Even if he turns against Liu Bei in the future, he will only be a woman and has nothing to do with the overall situation."

"But I calculated and calculated, only the woman who wanted to marry Sun Ce was the right age, but marrying Zhang Fei is a pity, and there will be other uses in the future."

He turned to Xia Houyuan, "I heard you have a niece?"

Xia Houyuan was taken aback, and said, "It's my late brother's daughter..."

Cao Cao waved his hand, "That's it. If the girl's status is too low, it's not easy to win over Zhang Fei. Your niece's status is just right."

Xia Houyuan hesitated to speak, so he cupped his hands and said, "Follow the envoy's orders."

Xun You said: "The vicious tiger should arrive at Guangling in a few days. It may go to Haixi, or it may go directly to Guangling City. How should we deal with it?"

After hearing this, Cao Cao said in a deep voice, "Mobilize the spies in the two cities to find out the news first, and wait and see what happens."

"If there is any change in it, send a letter immediately."

Everyone's plan has been decided, and finally Cao Cao said: "Today's discussion is all about the future of my Cao family."

"I believe in your loyalty to the Cao family, so I didn't evade it, but after you go back, don't reveal your joints."

Everyone was grateful and worshiped: "To serve the king, I will die!"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes as he watched the people leave. It doesn't matter if his heart leaks out, as long as he wins.

He looked at Cheng Yu who didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, and said, "Zhongde, now we can have a good talk about how to treat the fierce tiger."

(End of this chapter)