Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 911: Gathering forces
At the beginning of the New Year in Xudu, Cao Cao privately summoned his most trusted advisers to discuss matters. In fact, only two of them were able to come, Xun You and Chen Qun.

When Xun You heard that Cao Cao actually planned to continue to recruit Zhang Xiu privately, he couldn't help being extremely surprised and said: "You didn't expect that Duke Ming was so broad-minded and disregarded past grudges."

Cao Cao sighed: "The past is over, what's the use of looking back?"

"What's more, when Zhang Xiu returned to Wancheng, the battlefield situation had been decided. He had no choice but to agree to form an alliance with Fierce Tiger. He did not deliberately become my enemy."

"But Fierce Tiger may not be able to give him what he wants, but I can."

If Yuan Xi was present, he would have to admire Cao Cao's accurate judgment, because from Zhang Xiu's point of view, it is impossible for him to be willing to be a pioneer for others all his life, especially for someone like Liu Biao who only knows how to be successful, which means Zhang Xiu Xiu is always on the defensive and completely unable to change his predicament.

Therefore, when Yuan Xi left, he knew that Zhang Xiu had no other choice, so when he made an alliance with him, he did not enter the net very much, but only temporarily formed an offensive and defensive alliance.

As for the benefits given by Yuan Xi, they were the spoils of war with Cao Cao. Although they were sincere in terms of quantity, if there were no subsequent benefits, a fragile alliance with Zhang Xiu would not last long.

Afterwards, Yuan Cao fought several battles, and Yuan Xi fell ill and rested for a period of time, so he had to put the matter behind him. When he remembered it, it was already around the Chinese New Year.

Before Yuan Xi could figure out how to maintain his relationship with Zhang Xiu, Cao Cao had thoroughly figured out Zhang Xiu's current situation and was ready to take advantage.

"If it can really be realized, no one among Ming Gong's subordinates can achieve such great achievements, right?"

"But if other variables are added, it won't be certain. For example, the fierce tiger must be secretly watching."

The two men quickly accepted the order and heard Cao Cao say: "On Zhang Xiu alone, even if he disagrees, I am confident that I can defeat him."

"And if it surrenders, wouldn't the actual benefits it brings make it worthy of this false reputation?"

Chen Qun asked: "What conditions does Gongda think it needs to impose?"

Xun You said without hesitation: "Be granted the title of Marquis, or at least the title of a second-grade general."

After hearing this, Chen Qun said, "It's hard to find a starting point for this matter."

He nodded and said, "I think Gongda's words are reasonable."

What he said was very naked, but Cao Cao on the side didn't take it seriously. The reason why a confidant is a confidant is that he can say things in private that cannot be said openly.

The roads were frozen at the beginning of spring, and it was difficult for soldiers to march and transport baggage. It was not a suitable time to send troops, but it did not affect his private diplomatic strategy. Cao Cao consulted with his subordinates this time to discuss what conditions could be used to induce Zhang Xiu to betray him. Yuan Xi, Liu Bei and Liu Biao formed this four-party alliance.

"If I reveal a flaw, they might send troops here to attack me like last time."

"What would the generals under Ming Gong think about giving such courtesy to a general with a foreign surname who has no merit?"

"And once we capture Wancheng, we can directly attack Xinye. If we can destroy Liu Bei, we will eliminate a serious problem for Duke Ming."

Xun You said: "It is precisely because of this that Zhang Xiu can see Ming Gong's sincerity."

Chen Qun said: "So Sili is still quite crucial."

"If Zhang Xiu values ​​friendship, even if we offer him enough conditions, he may not be able to agree."

Chen Qun was shocked, "This condition has not been met by almost all the generals under Ming Gong, right?"

"There are more than two million people in Nanyang, and there are one million people in the Guangwan City area. Including the land, it is urgently needed for us now!"

"After you go back, find a suitable person to report to me and ask him to go to Wancheng as an envoy as soon as possible and persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender at all costs."

Xun You was skeptical, "He doesn't agree. It's probably because the conditions given are not enough to make him interested."

As soon as he said the words, he realized that he had made a mistake. Wasn't he clearly mocking Xiahou Dun?
He coughed twice quickly and covered it up, "And he may not be able to hold such a high position. He will definitely be isolated by others. Even if he wants to go further in the future, it will be very difficult."

"If Huaicheng hadn't blocked Fierce Tiger's route to dispatch troops, we would be in a very embarrassing situation now."

Cao Cao sighed: "Yuan Chang (Zhong Yao) did a good job in Huaicheng. I heard that he integrated the Hedong gentry, joined forces with Ma Teng, and firmly blocked Zhao Yun. He made great contributions."

"But that assassination was a pity. Many people died who could have become my great talents."

"At the moment, among my subordinates, in addition to the famous people from Jingzhou who have joined me, there are also the Hedong nobles, among whom there are many useful family members."

“What can you recommend about this?”

Chen Qun thought for a while and said: "The first is the Hedong Wei family. The head of the family, Wei Qiang, has extraordinary knowledge and can be of great use."

"The other one is the Sima family. The head of the family, Sima Fang, gave birth to eight sons, all of whom are extraordinary. They are called Sima Bada." The second son, Sima Yi, is just a weakling. What abilities can those young boys behind him have?"

Chen Qun said: "It is indeed an exaggeration, but in Yuan Chang's letter to me again, he said that both Sima Lang and Sima Yi are extraordinary."

After hearing this, Cao Cao suddenly became interested, "Tell me in a long article, why are these two people extraordinary?"

Chen Qun thought for a while and said: "This Sima Lang was smart since he was a child. He passed the economic examination and became a boy at the age of twelve. He was also shrewd in his actions. When Dong Zhuo took the emperor to move west to Chang'an, Sima Lang was favored by his father. He wanted to take his family back to his hometown, but was reported. "

"Dong Zhuo interrogated him personally, but was persuaded by Sima Lang's words. As a result, he was freed from the crime and returned to his hometown to teach his younger brothers on his father's behalf."

"Later, the Duke of the Ming Dynasty appointed him as a vassal of Sikong, and later as the magistrate of Gao County. He lived a simple life, was generous in government affairs, and was well received. Unfortunately, he resigned due to illness and is now recuperating at home."

Cao Cao said, "I remember this person. Is there anything he has been criticized for?"

Chen Qun hesitated, "Sima Lang agrees to treat the people with leniency and restore the well-field system."

Cao Cao nodded, noncommittal, "Where was Sima Yi that time?"

Chen Qun thought for a longer time this time, and finally said: "I have only heard other people's comments about Sima Yi."

"Yang Jun, the governor of Nanyang, is good at recognizing people and commented that this person is definitely an unusual son. Cui Yan, the minister, commented that Sima Lang is far inferior to Sima Yi."

"Someone wanted to kill Sima Yi, but the hermit Hu Zhao saved him by pledging his life."

"It should be said that everyone who has met Sima Yi can be impressed by him. This is also a skill."

After hearing this, Cao Cao was silent, and finally said: "Is there such a thing?"

"Is this person still in Hedong now?"

Chen Qun said: "Yuan Chang once conquered him, but he said he had wind paralysis and refused to serve."

After hearing this, Cao Cao sneered: "Oh? Sima Lang is also sick, he is also sick, isn't it possible that all his Sima family are sick?"

"Sima Fang is serving as an official under Yuan Chang, isn't it a good thing?"

"Send someone to investigate Sima Yi's condition. If he is lying, I will punish him!"

Chen Qun's heart skipped a beat and he quickly agreed. He and Xun You bid farewell to Cao Cao and came out. Xun You looked at Chen Qun with a half-smile but said, "Are you helping the Sima family by recommending it, or are you hurting them?"

Chen Qun said sternly: "The Sima family is full of outstanding talents. It would be a pity that they cannot be used by the Ming Dynasty."

Xun You smiled and said: "I just said it casually, but I haven't had time to write a long congratulations. We will be a family from now on."

Chen Qun quickly raised his hands and said, "I'm ashamed. I'll have to rely on Gongda to take care of me in the future."

After Chen Qun left, Xun You narrowed his eyes. The family he just mentioned was the fact that Chen Qun was going to marry Xun Yu's daughter.

Originally, Xun You, as Xun Yu, began to retreat behind the scenes, and gradually became the mastermind of Cao's camp. At this time, the most competitive person was to join Liu Bei, who was quite capable in both strategy and maneuvering. Chen Qun.

Therefore, the two of them fought openly and secretly from time to time, but it was not until the Chinese New Year that Xun You learned the news that shocked him extremely. His uncle Xun Yu actually agreed to marry his daughter to Chen Qun!

Xun You didn't know what means Chen Qun used to make Xun Yu appreciate him so much, but this incident made Xun You unsure of what Xun Yu was thinking. Could it be that his uncle was looking for Chen Qun to win over as an ally?

As a member of the Xun family, Xun You naturally understood Xun Yu's idea of ​​​​supporting the emperor. This obviously conflicted with Xun You's goal. Could it be that Xun Yu wanted to win over the Chen family and establish a faction to support the emperor?
When Xun You heard the news, his first reaction was to go find Cao Cao, but then he thought about it. This kind of thing must have spread back to Cao Cao's ears, so why did he do it himself?
However, Xun You also had to secretly admire Chen Qun's ability to maneuver. He served as a special commander under Liu Bei and was already the second or third in command of a civil servant. However, when he was slightly unsatisfied, he abandoned Liu Bei and joined the more powerful Cao Cao. It can be described as cool and thin.

And he was also born in the Chen family of Yingchuan, but he tried his best to make friends with the Xun family, the most powerful family in Yingchuan, but suppressed and ridiculed other weak families, such as targeting the Guo family of Yingchuan several times, criticizing them for being untrustworthy.

What exactly does Chen Qun want to do by forming cliques and establishing alliances among the great gentry?
Xun You shook his head and laughed dumbly. Forget it, let him do the trouble. He won't suffer any loss by relying on the Xun family, so why should he care about these things?
While Cao Ying was busy preparing to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender, he did not hold back other forces. A secret letter sent in advance arrived in Jiangdong and was handed over to Sun Quan.

Sun Quan looked at this secret letter sent in the name of Cao Cao, and his fingers trembled slightly. The price offered in it was quite high, so much so that Sun Quan was tempted.

It was promised that the Sun family could own the land east of the Yangtze River for generations, and even crack the earth and become the king.

This condition seemed absurd, but Sun Quan understood that Cao Cao could really do it. After all, the emperor was in his hands, and this kind of status was just a piece of cake.

This is this title, which is very important to Sun Quan, and the price Sun Quan has to pay is just to give the fierce tiger a fatal blow from behind at a critical moment.

(End of this chapter)