Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 203 Entering the Prime Minister’s Army with Millions of Soldiers
Jian'an 13 years, spring.

After Cao Cao defeated Bailang Mountain, he stationed troops on the spot until winter, and surrendered more than [-] Han and Hu troops.Moreover, the Wuhuan tribe outside the Great Wall surrendered, and Cao Cao moved more than [-] Wuhuan tribesmen from various counties to the Central Plains, and their strong and strong troops fought with them.When Gongsun Kang presented two Yuan's heads and promised not to sell horses to Jiangzuo, Cao Cao hesitated and led his army back south.

Lin Jieshi, he wrote "Stepping out of Xiamen" (Viewing the Canghai); when he arrived at Yecheng, he dug the Xuanwu Pond to train as a navy master; and when he returned to Xuchang, he met the emperor's courtiers.

In the Sikong Mansion Garden, winter has passed and spring has arrived. The greenery is beginning to appear and the birds are chirping.

Cao Cao held up the wine bottle, drank with the people on the opposite couch, and said with a smile: "I was able to destroy the Yuan family in the north, kill high officials in the west, and conquer the Huru thousands of miles away, all because of Wen Ruoju's planning in Xuchang."

Previously, Cao Cao conquered Bingzhou and Gao Gan surrendered to the Southern Xiongnu, but the Southern Xiongnu did not accept it.Gao Gan had no choice but to move to Jingzhou in Nantou. After crossing the Yellow River, Gao Gan was captured and executed by Shangluo Duwei.

I saw that the man on the opposite bed was in his forties, with thin and straight eyebrows, majestic facial features, soft eyes, a thick and slightly long beard, well-groomed, quite beautiful, and a refined and easy-going air in his movements.

"Ming Gong was able to wipe out Hebei, thanks to the loyalty and hard work of the courtiers, and Yu did not dare to be greedy for credit." Xun Yu said modestly.

"Ha ha!"

Cao Cao put down the wine bottle and said with a smile: "If Wen Ruo is still so humble, everyone in the group will be rewarded, but you refuse to accept the reward."

After the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao added [-] households to Xun Yu.He also wanted to confer the position of Three Dukes, but Xun Yu asked Xun You to decline for him more than ten times before giving up.

"The emperor and Ming Gong treated Yu very kindly. There are two thousand households in a certain town, and the children are also rich and noble. If they receive food and rewards, it will be harmful to the country." Xun Yu said.

After a pause, Xun Yu asked tentatively: "Zhao Situ (Zhao Wen) asked the emperor to depose the three princes and replace him with the position of prime minister. What does Sikong think?"

Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu's expression with his eyes, and said: "The great harm in Hebei has been eliminated, and China is now in peace, but Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu in Bashu, Ma Teng and Han Sui in the northwest, Liu Biao, Liu Bei and other remote bandits in Wu Chu are not going well. Only Only by reviving the position of prime minister of the old Han Dynasty and taking full control of military and political power can we support the Han Dynasty and revive the Ji Han Dynasty (Eastern Han Dynasty)."

Xun Yu frowned slightly and said: "Ming Gong, Liu Zhang from Yizhou has sent Zhang Su to Xuchang to meet with the emperor and offer special tribute from Bashu, as well as royal gifts. He also brought 300 elite old soldiers to Xuchang to follow him. Public war."

Liu Zhang was also the one who would come to the rescue. When Cao Cao first settled in Hebei, he sent envoys to Xuchang to respect the emperor.When Cao Cao was powerful in the country, he sent generous gifts to express his feelings to Cao Cao.And this gift became more valuable every time, which was completely consistent with Cao Cao's rising reputation.

"As for Liangzhou in the northwest, there are bandits, and Ma Teng and Han Sui have helped our army in many battles. Now that the Duke of Hebei is in power, the world is at peace, and with a little comfort, Ma and Han will follow Dou Rong's example and return to the court. Enjoy wealth and honor."

"There is nothing to worry about in Bashu and the northwest. Wu and Chu are the only ones who are not going well now. If the public raises troops to conquer the south, why should we respect the position of prime minister?" Xun Yu advised.

Cao Cao knew clearly that Xun Yu did not agree with his decision to abolish the three princes and install him as prime minister.

After pondering for a while, Cao Cao said sincerely: "Wen Ruo, the eunuchs have been in chaos for decades, the court has been ruined, and the morale has been lost day by day. Dong Zhuo has also been in chaos, and wars are difficult to quell. Gu wants to appoint a prime minister, not for other reasons, but for effectiveness. After the events of the former Han Dynasty, peace will be restored to the world, and the world will be governed."

After establishing the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu learned from the lessons of the Western Han Dynasty, abolished the prime minister system, divided power among the three ministers, and used the Shangshutai as the inner dynasty to maintain a balance with the outer dynasty.

Cao Cao serves the world to command the princes, but his current official position is Sikong. He is responsible for driving and riding the army, and all officials listen to him.At the same level as him was Situ Zhao Wen, who recorded the affairs of the minister.

Most of the civil servants recruited by Situ Zhao Wen, such as Liu Fu, Chen Qun, Guo Jia, Jia Kui and others, entered the Sikong Mansion, which was like Cao Cao's talent reserve.Cao Cao did not depose Situ before, because he deliberately emphasized his name of assisting the Han Dynasty, so as to attract scholars from all over the world.Situ Zhao Wen also knew Cao Cao's purpose, so he cooperated with Cao Cao and would never cause trouble.But cooperation is cooperation, and there are always people who are carving up Cao Cao's power.

Nowadays, Cao Cao is using the Western Han Dynasty system as an excuse to abolish the Three Dukes and centralize power in the hands of the prime minister. The purpose is to combine the Shangshutai and his Sikong Mansion into one, that is, to merge the two dynasties inside and outside into one, so as to completely control the military and political power in the court. All personnel promotions, appointments and dismissals must be handled by Cao Cao.

As for why Liu Bei and Liu Qi followed Liu Biao as chariot and cavalry generals, it is understandable. They just disliked Cao Cao.It's like Cao Cao abolishing Liu Bei's post as General of the Left and naming Gongsun Yuan as General of the Left.Although it is only in name, it is actually a way to attack the opponent.

Xun Yu was silent for a long time, then he looked up at Cao Cao and asked, "Sikong already has [-] households in the city and is about to become prime minister. Do you have anything else you want?"

Cao Cao laughed a few times and said, "Wen Ruo, all I want is for Wu and Chu to be destroyed, for Yi Liang to return, for the world to be at peace, and for the people to be happy."

As he spoke, Cao Cao said with emotion: "The world has been in chaos for a long time, China should be in peace!"

Xun Yu temporarily felt reassured by Cao Cao's assurance. In his eyes, it was enough as long as Cao Cao did not follow Wang Mang's example.

After thinking about it for a long time, Xun Yu said: "Everyone is convinced by the Ming Gong's power outside the fortress. Ma and Han in the northwest have been helping our army for a long time. Although they have the intention of causing trouble, they have no intention of self-reliance. Yu Tiao thought that he could let Zhang Ji imitate Regarding Dou Rong's affairs, Ma Teng is advised to enter the court and be worshiped as a guard. When Ma Teng enters the court, Han Sui can also be ordered to enter the court. If he is unwilling, order his son to enter the court."

"feasible!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said: "Han Sui is cunning, so he can let Ma Teng enter the court first. When Wu Chu is calmed down by Gu, it will be easy to return to the northwest!"

Then, Cao Cao said: "The chariots sent by Liu Zhang to work can be worshiped as prefects to benefit the hearts of the state."

Cao Cao's 20 years of accumulated military exploits have reached the pinnacle of his life.Wherever he goes, almost no one can stop him. There are eight states including Ji, You, Bing, Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, and Sili. He is respected by people all over the world.

As he said, when he solves Wu Chu, not only the northwest will surrender, but even Yizhou will surrender.Moreover, there are many leading parties in Wu Chu, waiting for Cao Cao to raise his troops and go south.

"I wonder when Sikong Yu will go south to Wu and Chu?" Xun Yu asked.

Cao Cao pondered for a while and said in a deep voice: "Wu Chu is suffering from many diseases, so he wants to send troops from the summer time. We must recruit 15 elite soldiers and thousands of good generals and counselors to completely wipe out Wu Chu."

After more than ten years of fighting in the north and south, Cao Cao now has 25 soldiers and horses, distributed all over the Central Plains, stationed in dangerous places, and he also needs to consider supply issues. 15 can be said to be most of the power that Cao Cao can use.

Holding his beard, Xun Yu thought and said: "There is a dangerous river in the Jianghuai River, and it is difficult to cross the river. There are Cai Mao and Kuai Yue in the city of Xiangyang today. Ming Gong can go between Wan and Ye, first go to Xiangyang, and then take Jiangling and surrender. Jingzhou, intimidating Jiangzuo."

After a pause, Xun Yu said: "Liu Bei was ordered by Liu Biao to station in Jiangxia and watch Xiangyang. Now we can order Man Chong, the governor of Runan, and Li Tong, the captain of Yang'an, to go down to the three passes of Yiyang to threaten Xiakou; that is, Jiangzuo Where Liu Bei is, he can order Zang Ba, Lu Qian, Sun Guan and others to gather [-] to [-] troops in Jianghuai to threaten Jiangdong."

"If what Wen Ruo says makes sense, you should just follow it!"

Cao Cao stood up, put his hands behind his waist, and said in a cold voice: "18 troops marched south, divided into three groups. With Cai and Kuai as reinforcements, Liu Biao cannot stop them, so how can Liu Bei stop them?"

(End of this chapter)