My Ji Han Dynasty was prosperous in martial arts, but I have always convinced people with virtue

Chapter 19 His Name
The spring of the 17th year of Jian'an.

Cao Cao led the army to defeat Ma Chao, pacified Guanzhong, and sent general Xia Houyuan to guard Chang'an.

This was Cao Cao's first decisive victory since his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chibi.

After Guanzhong was pacified, Cao Cao returned to Yecheng soon.

But just after returning to Yecheng, he got some news.

Ma Teng's family escaped from Xuchang and entered Jiangxia smoothly.

A cavalry army of Liu Bei's army entered Runan from Jiangxia and instigated a rebellion.The scale of the rebellion was not small, and there were reports from Runan of a large amount of military equipment and material losses and the escape of farm households.

Buzhi, the governor of Jiaozhou set up by Sun Quan, was crusaded by Wu Ju, the prefect of Cangwu, and was defeated miserably. He fled back to Jiangdong almost alone.

After Cao Cao learned of these news, he immediately dealt with them.

Put all the people involved in this matter in Xuchang in prison, and order Man Chong to guard Xinyang and guard Jiangxia's way into Runan.

In addition, Cao Cao also named Jiaozhi prefect Shixie as the governor of Jiaozhou in the name of the court to prevent Liu Bei from becoming too powerful.

After all, the matter in Jiaozhou is remote and does not affect the overall situation.

The news of Ma Teng's escape made Cao Cao faintly feel the danger.

All this stems from the Yidai Zhao incident in the fifth year of Jian'an.

Dong Cheng, the uncle of the country, conspired to get rid of Cao Cao and asked Liu Bei to cooperate with the outside world, but the matter was revealed.

In that incident, the royalists including uncle Dong Cheng had been killed by Cao Cao with an iron fist, and there was only one person who was still alive in this world.

"Big Ear Thief!"

When Cao Cao said the name, he almost bit it out.

Liu Bei has the identity of the emperor's uncle. After the Battle of Chibi, many people regarded him as the leader who revived the Han Dynasty.

Ma Teng was able to escape from Xuchang, so it shows that Cao Cao's previous feeling was right.The number of people involved in the Yidai Zhao incident was far less than it appeared on the surface.

Liu Bei should control the anti-Cao forces in Cao Cao's heartland.Perhaps, more than one share.

They hide very deeply.

However, this time in order to save Ma Teng, it was exposed in advance.

If you follow the vine, you may be able to find a large number of people.

Xuchang has long been under the strict control of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao did not spend too much energy on this matter.

What Cao Cao really cares about is the general trend of the world.

Today's princes in the world, Ma Chao has nothing to fear.Zhang Lu, Liu Zhang and Gongsun Kang are more than self-defense.

After Cao Cao took Guanzhong, he did not take Longxi any further and entered Tunba and Shu.

From a military point of view, in addition to the difficult terrain of Bashu, a large part of the reason is that the current Guanzhong is broken. Cao Cao needs time to integrate resources and build a logistics base for follow-up operations.

There are still two most mature offensive routes, corresponding to the two forces.

Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

But no matter which side you choose, Cao Cao will have to face a powerful navy.

This is also the short board of Cao Cao's side.

Water wars are not just about financial resources.

In the Battle of Chibi, Cao Cao annexed Liu Biao's forces and obtained his savings of more than ten years. The number of warships far exceeded that of Sun and Liu's coalition forces, but he was still defeated.

Soldiers and generals who can fight in water are the most important.

The resources in this area are concentrated in the hands of Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

After Wenpin surrendered to Liu Bei, Cao Cao was surprised to find that there were not many naval generals around him who could fight.

Even so, after Cao Cao returned to the army, he still had to go south.

This is not only because Cao Cao regards Liu Bei and Sun Quan as great enemies, but also to deter the opposition forces within Cao Ying and the more radical Sun and Liu.

However, after all, you still have to choose a main direction of attack.

Sun Quan or Liu Bei?

Cao Cao had already made up his mind, but he still decided to test his sons.

In the announcement room of the prime minister's mansion, a charcoal fire was burning to dispel the chill.

All the ministers were excited and expressed that they would fight Liu Bei first.

Without him, it's too tm arrogant!
They have all grabbed Runan!

You know, many generals in Cao Cao's army have their properties in Runan, but this time they suffered a big loss.

No matter how the generals and ministers expressed their opinions, Cao Cao didn't care much.

Finally, he set his sights on his three sons.

Cao Pi, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi!

"Father, Liu Bei is the great enemy after all. At this time, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei led the army to the north, and General Le Jin was repeatedly defeated. If the situation is allowed to develop, I am afraid that the south of Xiangyang will no longer belong to me."

Cao Pi and Cao Zhi had a rare unification of opinion, thinking that Liu Bei should be beaten first.

Cao Zhang took a trick, saying that he would fight wherever his father asked him to.

With the voices of several sons, the meeting became more intense.

In the end, Cao Cao said that your words are very reasonable, and he will definitely listen to everyone's opinions.

He also disliked the big-eared thief for a long time.

You go back first, and I will give you an explanation.

Two days later, Cao Cao issued a military order to attack Sun Quan.

In Cao Cao's study, Cao Cao pulled his confidant Xun Yu and laughed.

"Wen Ruo, my sons made you laugh."

"What is the prime minister talking about? After all, the sons are young and have not yet understood the prime minister's plan."

Cao Cao really disliked Liu Bei for a long time.

However, this time the troops were mobilized with momentum and courage, in order to deter the hostile forces inside and outside.

Therefore, when responding to military operations, the first consideration is cost.

To fight Sun Quan, Cao Cao's army could start from Yecheng and Xuchang, and travel all the way to Jiangdong by water, with little logistical pressure.

To fight Liu Bei, the general food and supplies must be transported from Xuchang to Wancheng, and it takes three hundred miles to travel by land.

It is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and will seriously delay the reconstruction plan of Guanzhong and delay the steps to take Liangzhou and Yizhou in the future.

What's more, Zhou Yu is dead, and the enemy in Cao Cao's heart is gone, so he is more confident in attacking Soochow.

In the study, the two talked and laughed happily.

Cao Cao and Xun Yu have been friends for many years, and they depend on each other.

The two stood side by side, not knowing how many enemies they had eliminated.

While talking, Cao Cao said suddenly.

"Recently, some people have been whispering in my ears, saying that I repelled Ma Chao and other thieves, captured Guanzhong, and restored the Western Capital of the Han Dynasty.

As soon as Cao Cao said this, the harmonious atmosphere just now disappeared in the room.

Xun Yu's face turned cold.He straightened his clothes and bowed his hands.

"Prime Minister Ben Xingyi's army used to rejuvenate the country, uphold loyalty and sincerity, and guard against the reality of concessions; a gentleman loves others with virtue, and this is not appropriate."

Cao Cao stared at Xun Yu for several seconds with a complicated expression on his face, and finally shook his hand and laughed.

"Wen Ruo, you still can't help being funny."

Cao Cao smiled, and Xun Yu also smiled.

But at this moment, the pair of old friends who have been friends for many years have already developed a gap in their hearts.

Neither of the two said any more, and the atmosphere in the room cooled down.

Cao Cao held his breath in his heart and wanted to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't know what to say?
There was a sudden burst of laughter outside the house, which made Cao Cao's anger burst out and he roared.

"Who is making noise outside!"

The attendant came from outside and reported.

"It's Master Yang!"

"Yang Xiu, what is he laughing at?"

"Master Yang said that not long ago there was news from Jingzhou that Liu Chan, the son of Liu Bei, had a bet with Huang Chengyan, a famous scholar, in Xiakou about the direction of the prime minister's advance. He didn't expect the prime minister's intentions to be seen through by a little boy."

Cao Cao was sullen, but in front of Xun Yu, he didn't get angry, he just said suspiciously.

"Liu Chan?"

Similarly, Xun Yu also read the name in his heart.

(End of this chapter)