Kuangfu Han Dynasty

Chapter 14
"The horse follows the north wind and crosses the southern branches of the bird's nest. It is obviously an old horse from Youzhou, why bother running across the country?"

Hearing that Liu Bei wanted to leave the remote area of ​​Tiaozhou and completely give up fighting with him for the dominance of China, Cao Cao couldn't help but burst out laughing until his back was bent over and his face was pressed against the table.

But with a smile, Cao Cao felt deeply disappointed and desolate. He sighed with some hatred: "Xuande, Xuande, you are trying to imitate Wu King Liu Bi and go to protect Dongyue after the defeat." Huh? Who is Wu Ju? Isn't that enough? Aren't you afraid that he will imitate Dongyue and kill Liu Bi, so he can offer your head as a sacrifice?"

For a time, everyone in the tent agreed. Most people optimistically felt that if Liu Bei went to join Wu Ju, he would repeat the story of Yuan and Liaodong Gongsun, so there was nothing to worry about.

Only Du Xi, the military advisor, was quite sober. He glanced at Xu Shu, who had a submissive look on his face, and asked him, "Xu Yuanzhi, are you serious about this?"

Xu Shu swore to the sky: "It was indeed what Xuande said himself."

Xu Shu was not lying. After the defeat at Changban, Liu Bei was disheartened and actually discussed his next plan with him and Zhuge Liang: "I have an old friendship with Wu Ju, the prefect of Cangwu, and I want to surrender to him." , what do Yuan Zhi and Kong Ming think?"

Although Cangwu County is far away from Jiaozhou in the south of Lingnan, it is also adjacent to Lingling County in Jingzhou and is connected by Lingqu Waterway.A few years ago, when the Cangwu prefect appointed by the imperial court died due to turmoil, Liu Biao immediately reached out and sent Wu Ju from Changsha to lead his troops and successfully captured this land. Therefore, Wu Ju and Liu Bei were both Liu Biao's of the genus.He met Liu Bei in Xiangyang before going to Cangwu, and they occasionally communicated with each other later, but it was far from a life-and-death friendship.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang firmly disagreed with this approach, and they soon met Lu Su, the envoy from Jiangdong. Joining forces with Wu Hou was put on the agenda, and the southward march to Cangwu was temporarily shelved.

But Cao Cao and his ministers did not know about this reversal. The more Du Xi thought about it, the more he felt that Liu Bei might really go to Jiaozhou, so he reminded Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, if what Xu Yuanzhi said is true, you should not be careless about this matter. I am here." I also met Wu Ju when I was in Changsha. Although he is a mediocre person, but because of this, it is easy for him to fall under Liu Bei's control, and even give way to Cang Wu."

Cao Cao nodded slightly. After all, what Liu Bei is best at is turning against his guests.I thought that I was determined to win Xuzhou twice, but unexpectedly Liu Bei, as a reinforcement of the guest army, won the support of Xuzhou gentry and common people in a short time. After Tao Qian's death, he easily took the seal of Zhoumu, making Cao Cao's repeated military expeditions in vain.

But this time, if he hadn't marched south in time, relied on Liu Bei to support him for many years, and the soldiers' hearts had returned, dealing with the two mediocre Liu Jingsheng would have been nothing more than a joke, and I'm afraid the past events in Xuzhou would have happened again.

Compared with Jing Xu, Cang Wu and Wu Ju are nothing to mention.

Most of Cao Cao's advisers were from the north and had no idea about Jingnan Jiaozhou. At this time, Du Xi's advantage of taking refuge in Changsha many years ago became apparent. He continued: "Furthermore, although Cangwu is located in a distant county, it is There are more than 200 households, and the land spans hundreds of miles, with five ridges of mountains, Jingnan and South China Sea. Therefore, since the Han Dynasty annexed South Vietnam, the governor of Jiaozhou has used Cangwu Guangxin City as his seat for [-] years, which is why he values ​​​​it. This controls the location of the Southern Server."

"And if Liu Bei retreats to the mountains in the south of Lingnan, the prime minister wonders, will the Northern Army be able to pursue him?"

Of course not. Cao's army was already at the end of its battle from the Central Plains to the Yangtze River. The climate south of the Yangtze River was very different from that in the north. Diseases would easily occur if the army rushed over. Besides, food supply was also a big problem, and it would take time to integrate Jingnan.

It is impossible for Cao Cao to personally conquer Jingzhou. Although Jingzhou can be conquered by hand, there is Liu Zhang of Yizhou to the west and Sun Quan of Yangzhou to the east. Before conquering these two states, the matter of handing over the state can only be postponed.And if only a partial general is sent to lead a small force to pursue, and encounters the densely forested and mountainous terrain of Wuling, it is likely that he is delivering food to Liu Bei - the struggles of the past ten years have proven this countless times.

Du Xi further deduced: "Although Liu Bei's army was newly defeated, there are still remnants. He will then coerce Liu Qi's troops, collect Cangwu's soldiers from the south, and make Guan and Zhang generals. It will be enough to deal with the Jiaozhou Shixie brothers. Once the foothold is stable, , he will be able to descend from Jianzhang on the Li River, sweep across Panyu in the South China Sea, and reach Yulin in the west. In a few years, he will be able to capture Jiaozhou. By then, I am afraid that what happened to Zhao Tuo in the early Han Dynasty will happen again."

Based on Cao Cao's understanding of Liu Bei, this old boy's abilities and ambitions may go beyond being the king of South Vietnam.When Xuande retreats, he can defend the Five Ridges in the north and repel the Northern Army's conquest while waiting for work; he can observe the changes in China when he advances, and once he finds an opportunity, such as his old age and death, Liu Bei will definitely immediately raise his troops for the Northern Expedition!

"Zixu is very concerned!" Cao Cao said seriously: "Allowing Liu Bei to flee south to Cangwu is equivalent to causing disaster to his descendants. This is what Guo Fengxiao once warned me, if you indulge the enemy once, you will suffer for generations! When I let Liu Bei go, I regretted it so much when I went to Xuzhou, and now I can’t make another mistake! You are familiar with Jingjiao’s favorable geographical location, how do you think you can stop it?”

Du Xi said: "As I expected, Liu Bei must first take a boat south from Xiakou, go up the river to Bachu Lake, then enter the Xiang River, walk along Changsha, go down to Lingling, and enter the Li River through the Ling Canal before reaching Cang River. Wu Guangxin City.”

"Although Liu Bei has a fleet of boats, their numbers are far inferior to Jiangling's navy. Now that Jiangling has surrendered, the navy is in the hands of Cai Mao, the governor of Nanjun. The prime minister only needs to order him to send a large boat to patrol the Baqiu Lake area south of the river. In this way, the navy can be cut off. Liu Bei's route from the Yangtze River to Hunan."

Cao Cao was quite pleased and praised everyone in the tent: "My predecessor Ding Hong said it well. The rushing water that destroys cliffs and rocks comes from trickling springs; the giant trees that are covered by dry clouds sprout from green seedlings. Forbidden The smallest things are easy, but it is difficult to save the dead, but people often ignore the smallest things, which eventually leads to catastrophe."

"Today, I underestimated the disadvantages of Liu Bei Nantou Cangwu. Fortunately, Zi Xu is here to protect me from Du Jian's cuteness!"

Cao Cao immediately asked the Prime Minister Bo Fanqin to draft an order for him. After stamping it with his seal, he handed it to Du Xi personally, held his hand and said:

"Zixu immediately took my command talisman and rushed to Jiangling first. He ordered Cai Degui to inventory the navy ships and be prepared. When I arrive, we can immediately send troops to Baqiu!"

……

Du Xi took the order and hurriedly left the tent with his two subordinates. Looking at their backs, Xu Shu felt that his palms were sweating.

He was not afraid that his words would be seen through, but he was horrified by the abundance of talents in Cao Cao's shogunate. If Liu Bei really planned to go to Jiaozhou, Du Xi's move would be enough to stop him.Xu Shu was also shocked by the high efficiency of Cao Cao's camp. Logically speaking, after years of development, Cao Cao's institutions should be bloated and inefficient, but in just a few moments, a key order was issued.

After personal experience, Xu Shu finally understood why Cao Cao's southern expedition was so fast - not only was Mengde himself extremely decisive, but his prime minister, shogunate and military system also had high-speed execution capabilities.

Fortunately, this is false information.

As for the many smart people in Cao Cao's shogunate, why did no one expect in advance that Liu Bei might join forces with Jiangdong?That's because until Cao Cao went south, Sun Quan from Jiangdong and Liu Biao from Jingzhou still had an undying hostile relationship.The reason why Liu Bei was transferred to Fancheng by Liu Biao and allowed him to recruit people from Jingzhou to join the army and train the navy was so that if the eldest son Liu Qi was defeated by Jiangdong again, Liu Bei and Guan Yu could go down the Han River to put out the fire in Jiangxia County.

Therefore, ordinary people would never imagine that the two sides could turn enemies into friends so quickly, and Xu Shu would certainly not be able to take the initiative to disclose the news.

Xu Shu didn't know where Sun Quan was currently, so he secretly calculated: "It takes some time to go upstream from Xiakou to Jiangdong, and it takes even more time to go back upstream. In addition, Kong Ming also had to break the bottles to wash the water and convince Sun Quan and his ministers. It would be better if he didn't come here." After ten days and a half of fighting, it may be difficult for an alliance to be formed."

He prayed to God in his heart: "If God really doesn't want my lord to be defeated, I only hope that my move can make Cao Cao misjudge my lord's intentions, delay Du Xi and others from noticing the movement of Liu and Sun's alliance, and buy some time for Kong Ming." Bar!"

After settling the matter, Xiahou Yuan found an opportunity and reported to Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, Zhong Quan (Xiahou Ba) also captured Liu Bei's two daughters."

Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this: "Liu Xuande, how come you have left your family with me again? How many times has this happened?" Since Liu Bei confronted Cao Cao, he has been defeated time and time again and escaped alone, and has also abandoned himself time and time again. His wife abandoned his son, so for Cao Cao, this kind of thing was still new for the first time. After encountering it a few times, it would become normal.

Xia Houyuan asked: "Does the Prime Minister want to see these two women?"

Cao Cao was not very interested and waved his hand: "No need." Finally, he thought of something and asked again: "Can you wait?"

Xia Houyuan answered honestly: "Tie outside the tent and wait for the Prime Minister's departure."

Cao Cao was unhappy when he heard this and rebuked: "Confused! Although Liu Bei rebelled against me, we had a friendship in our early years. How could he be so harsh on the daughter of an old friend? He was immediately released and temporarily placed in Dangyang City. Treat guests with courtesy."

"No!" Before Xia Houyuan could give his son an order, Cao Cao called him back.

"However, there is another person in the camp that I would like to meet."

Cao Cao's expression seemed to be smiling but not smiling: "I heard that Miaocai has a little grandson?"

……

At this time, Zhang Shao was staring at the huge curtain. Xu Shu had already removed his sword and entered the room for a moment. He has not been driven out yet. Has his plan to surrender been completed?What position was given by Cao Cao? Will it be convenient for him to act according to the situation in the future?

The dice was thrown yesterday. It is difficult for Zhang Shao to change anything at this moment. It is useless to think too much. It is better to think about how Cao Cao should behave if he wants to see him later.

So Zhang Shao pretended to be innocent and asked: "Second uncle, what kind of child does the prime minister like?"

Xiahou Ba was startled at first: "Why do you ask?"

Zhang Shao looked sensible: "At least I can't behave in a way that makes Prime Minister Cao disgusted. That will make the Xiahou family suffer because of me."

I see!Xiahou Ba was relieved and felt that his love for this child was not in vain. After thinking for a moment, he said: "The Prime Minister likes... smart children!"

There is a basis for what Xia Houba said. As we all know, there are many widows in Cao Cao's concubines, such as Mrs. Yin, who is the daughter-in-law of General He Jin. After she lost her husband, she remarried Cao Sikong, and by the way, He Jin's grandson was also He was brought to Cao Mansion for Cao Cao's "fake son" He Yan.

He Yan is not only beautiful in appearance, but also very intelligent since he was seven or eight years old. He is self-taught in reading without being taught. However, what he is good at is not Confucianism, but Lao Zhuang and Zhou Yi.

When Cao Cao was reading the Warring States Military Book, he came across a very remote Taoist quote in it and was puzzled to understand it. However, He Yan was able to explain it clearly and logically.This incident surprised Cao Cao, and he fell in love with He Yan even more. He was treated and treated the same as Cao Pi and other young masters.

Not to mention Cao Cao's own son Cao Chong. Cao Chong was born extremely smart. He was only five or six years old and already had the wisdom of an adult.Xiahou Ba often heard about his witty deeds when he was in Yecheng, such as the boat weighing a giant elephant, saving the treasurer out of wisdom, watching the chicken dance in the mirror, etc. There are dozens of them in total.

Cao Cao loved Cao Chong very much, even more than the equally outstanding brothers Cao Pi and Cao Zhi.He had high hopes for Cao Chong's future, and there were even rumors... that Cao Cao intended to make Cao Chong his heir.

When Zhang Shao heard this, he immediately felt relieved: "If you throw me into a pile of adults, I might not be able to compete with the heroes of this era, such as Xu Shu. But in the eyes of others, I am just an eight-year-old child."

At the age of under ten, Zhang Shao is invincible. Isn't it easy to show that he is smarter than his peers?
What Zhang Shao didn't expect was that Xiahou Ba's words were actually only half right. Cao Cao did like other people's precocious children, but his purpose was to find companions for the two prodigies at home, especially Xiao Cao Chong.Because Cao Cao believes that smart people staying together can have the effect of one plus one greater than two. Having one more smart child study and grow up together will be beneficial to the growth of his beloved son.

At this moment, the curtain was lifted, and Xia Houyuan, the commander of the Dian Military Academy, was walking towards this side aggressively, faster and faster. Before he could reach him, he shouted at Xiahou Ba: "Untie Liu Bei's daughter quickly. Send the two of them to their residence in the city and watch over them carefully with Concubine Xu."

Xiahou Ba misunderstood, and instead of loosening the rope for Liu Ruyu, he wanted to free Zhang Shao first, but Xiahou Yuan immediately stopped him.

"Sir, did I ask you to untie this little bastard?"

Why did you become a traitor?Xiahou Ba was stunned, but Xiahou Yuan impatiently snatched one end of the rope over, causing Zhang Shao to stagger and almost fall to the ground.

"I will escort him there personally to ask for the Prime Minister's forgiveness!"

After saying that, he pulled Zhang Shao towards the tent and walked very fast. If Zhang Shao didn't follow closely, he might be dragged to the ground like a little dead dog.

Zhang Shao heard what Xia Houyuan said just now, and now he tentatively complimented him: "My uncle has made great achievements in Changban, and he will be praised by Prime Minister Cao. What crime is there?"

"You are the biggest sin of my family!" Xia Houyuan's hand became stronger and he cursed angrily: "No matter how great your achievements are, you will be ruined by this little brat like you."

Zhang Shao immediately looked aggrieved: "Uncle, this is all Zhang Fei's fault. How can my mother be blamed? What crime does the Xiahou family have? I believe that with Prime Minister Cao's mind, he will not be harsh."

What he meant was: I am also innocent.

Hearing Zhang Shao calling his father's name in an extremely unfilial manner, Xia Houyuan seemed to be in a better mood, his steps slowed down a little, and the force on his hands became lighter.

When he reached the curtain, Xia Houyuan turned to Zhang Shao and warned Zhang Shao: "Kneel down when you see the prime minister later. If you dare to talk nonsense, I will not spare you!"

(End of this chapter)