Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 426 Two invitations are allowed

AD 218, the twenty-third year of Jian'an.

In the first month, Ji Ben, Geng Ji and other Han officials gathered more than a thousand servants and servants to rebel against Cao Cao, hoping to take Liu Xie south.

In February, Cao Cao recruited officials from Xuchang to go north to Yecheng, and used deceitful methods to deceive officials who participated in the rebellion. He ordered the school officials to investigate strictly, and then launched a large-scale unjust imprisonment, and a large number of Guanzhong gentry were imprisoned.

The officials tried to persuade Cao Cao to enter, but Cao Cao refused and returned to his palace. Cao Pi and Cao Hong entered the palace, wore Cao Cao's imperial robes, and persuaded Cao Cao to enter.

With Cao Cao's "reluctant" agreement, Sun Quan, Dong Zhao, Hua Xin and other officials rushed to Xuchang and asked Liu Xie to emulate the virtues of the three generations and abdicate the throne.

In the Southern Han Dynasty, Bu Zhi and Lu Dai used Shi Xie's rebellion as an excuse to send troops to attack Jiao and captured Yulin and Hepu counties.

In March, Liu Feng and Meng Da entered Shangyong and Xicheng counties. Shen Yi rebelled with his troops and wanted to welcome Cao Ren to Xicheng. Meng Da led his troops to attack him, but Shen Yi was defeated and fled to Xiangyang.

At that time, there were many disagreements between Liu Feng and Meng Da. Liu Feng usurped Meng Da's propaganda, but Meng Da was jealous of his status and did not dare to go to Liu Bei. He was resentful for it.

A few days later, Mengda wrote to Cao Ren asking for surrender on the grounds that the surrendered general would not be reused, asking his troops to enter Fangling and seize three counties to open up the frontier. Cao Ren could not decide, so he went to Yecheng to ask Cao Cao's opinion.

In the same month, Guan Yu led thousands of troops back to Wuhan to recuperate his health on the grounds that he was old and suffering from illness. Lu Meng succeeded Guan Yu and took charge of the Nanjun Dudu District.

Under the pressure of everyone, Liu Xie took Zongzheng Liu Ai as his envoy, and drove to Yecheng with the seal and ribbon to deliver the edict, saying that he was immoral and the Han Dynasty was in decline. .

Cao Cao refused to accept, saying that he was willing to assist the emperor and help the Han Dynasty, so he drove Zongzheng and Liu Ai out of Yecheng.

In April, after Liu Ai returned to Xuchang, he reported King Wei's words of "loyalty" to the emperor. Liu Xie sent Liu Ai, Dong Zhao, Hua Xin and other key officials to Yecheng to ask Wei King Cao Cao to go to Xuchang and accept Liu Xie's concession.

However, something unexpected happened. As Pei Qian had expected, after he left office, Daijun Shanyu Wuchen Di rebelled and swept Daijun. Yinlian Xianbei Kebineng.

Yecheng, Wei Palace.

Cao Cao was pacing in the palace, looking unhappy.

At the critical moment of becoming emperor, the ignorant behavior of these Daijun Wuhuan was undoubtedly like an annoying fly buzzing in his ears.

Cao Cao put his hands behind his waist and said: "The Wuhuan are rebellious and unstoppable. If we don't use strict laws to rule them, we are indulging their desires. The rebellion today is exactly what Pei Wenxing said!"

Compared with military tactics, Cao Cao's political ability is weaker. Moreover, due to years of fighting and the complicated situation in the northern region, he was highly dependent on the state governors and county governors he promoted.

For example, in the early days of the army, Cao Cao was often troubled by lack of food. However, thanks to the assistance of Xun Yu, Mao Jie and others, Cao Cao gradually stabilized his footing. But as Xun Yu, Mao Jie and others were killed by Cao Cao one after another, Cao Cao's shortcomings in governance capabilities were gradually exposed.

Years ago, Cao Cao did not believe what Pei Qian told Cao Cao about his duties. Nowadays, when Wuhuan of Daijun rebelled, Pei Qian's words were verified by actual combat.

Sima Yi bowed slightly and said: "Your Majesty, Wuhuan of Daijun rebelled and harassed the border. It seems that he colluded with Xianbei Kebineng. We should send soldiers to attack as soon as possible. If Wuhuan and Xianbei Erhu unite, they will be great for us. Trouble on the Wei border!"

Cao Cao stopped and asked, "Since Zhongda has promised to send troops to conquer, is there any good general he can recommend?"

"Qian Junzi Jing and Tian Junguo Yi, these two people are well aware of Hu affairs and have many conflicts with Wuhuan. Now Wuhuan in the county is rebelling, so one of the two monarchs can be chosen to lead the army to quell Hu." Sima Yi said.

Qianzhao and Tian Yu had different promotion trajectories under Cao Cao. Qianzhao was reused by Cao Cao due to various problems. After Han Hao, the Central Protector of the Army, died of malaria, Cao Cao even worshiped Qianzhao as the Central Protector. Jun, succeeded Han Hao and took charge of Cao Cao's central army.

Tian Yuze was not as lucky as Qianzhao. He entered the Prime Minister's Mansion at the same time as Qianzhao. Now he is only the prefect of the county. Due to his outstanding political performance, he was left in Yecheng for other important positions.

Stroking his beard, Cao Cao said: "In these tense times, the army guards should not be left alone. Tian Yu has many political achievements, so he can be sent with the army to assist."

After a pause, Cao Cao ordered: "Female Yanling Hou Zhang as Beizhonglang General, and use the heroic cavalry general military. Tian Yu will accompany the army, and Xiahou Shang will join the army. He will lead ten thousand elite infantry and cavalry to conquer Wuhuan in Daijun."

"No!" Sima Yi responded.

Letting Tian Yu lead the army alone to conquer Wuhuan was not Cao Cao's personal style. Today, Cao Cao feels that he is old. In order to stabilize the Cao family's regime, he must promote the second generation of the Cao family and participate in the war to help consolidate the foundation of his dynasty.

Cao Zhang, his own son, was strong enough to fight tigers and brave as a general. Cao Cao mostly admired him and had the idea of ​​appointing him as a general. Now he is asked to lead the troops to pacify Wuhuan in Daijun, so that he can feel the atmosphere of war.

Xia Houshang, who was capable of both literary and martial arts, and had many strategies, was one of the second generations trained by Cao Cao. He was able to attach equal importance to Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu. Now Xiahou Shang is asked to accompany the army on the northern expedition, hoping that he will increase his military strategy.

After a while, Liu Ye handed over the memorial and said: "Your Majesty, General Zhengnan has sent a memorial to report the changes in the three counties of Guanyong, Fangling and Xicheng."

"Zixiao?"

Cao Cao opened the memorial and looked at its contents with a thoughtful look on his face.

After thinking for a long time, Cao Cao handed the memorial to Liu and Ma and asked: "Liu Feng bullied Meng Da, the prefect of Fangling, and Meng Da was very angry. Under this situation, Meng Da wanted to surrender to our army and asked General Zhengnan to go west. Come in, he will present the city to respond, what do you think?" Liu Ye and Sima Yi circulated the contents of the letter to each other, and they frowned in thought.

After a while, Liu Ye collected his thoughts and said: "Your Majesty, according to the letter of General Zhengnan, Meng Da surrendered due to Liu Feng's bullying, and he was resentful for Zhang Song's death. Five letters in a row may indicate his surrender. Sincerity."

"However, Ye was afraid that this was a plan for the water thieves to pretend to surrender, and Xiangfan was our barrier to China. The general who conquered the south raised his troops to march westward, and Xiangfan was left empty. If the water thieves took the opportunity to invade, Xiangfan would be in danger. Mengda returned and surrendered. No, you should carefully check its authenticity."

As he spoke, Liu Ye changed the subject and said: "At the same time, Liu Bei ordered Liu and Meng to lead troops into the three counties. They must be prepared. The three counties are east of Hanzhong, west of Xiangfan, and above Jiangling. Beware of Liu Bei's presence. The thought of attacking Xiangfan."

Since the three eastern counties were captured by Liu Bei, the pressure on Xiangfan suddenly increased a lot. As Liu Ye said, the three eastern counties connect Xiangfan and Hanzhong. Now Liu Bei has sent Liu and Meng to take charge of the three eastern counties. It is possible that they will be brought with them to attack Xiangfan later.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with emotion: "What Ziyang said is not unreasonable. Liu and Meng entering the three counties may threaten Xiangfan's flanks. We should be prepared for them."

"But it is true that Mengda surrendered, and Shenyi came to help from time to time. Mengda raised his troops as an internal response, and the general who conquered the south led his troops out lightly. The three counties and nine counties may easily belong to our country."

Facing three counties and nine counties, if Cao Cao did not make any move, it would be a lie.

Not to mention that Cao Cao is about to become emperor now and needs merit to accompany him. Looking at the household registration of those three counties is eye-catching. The nine counties have more than 30,000 households and a population of hundreds of thousands. If they can be captured, they will not only threaten Hanzhong from the east, indirectly consolidate Guanzhong, but also strengthen the Xiangfan front.

There is no doubt that the bait Huo Jun chose for Cao Wei is attractive enough and exciting enough. The bait Guan Yu selected for Cao Wei was not only too big, but also difficult to achieve.

While pacing, Cao Cao asked, "Zhongda, do you have any different opinions?"

Gai vaguely knew what Cao Cao was thinking, and Sima Yi said: "As General Zhengnan said, the three counties and nine counties are located among the mountains. The roads are steep, the mountains are deep and the rivers are fast, which is not conducive to marching. If Mengda is pretending to surrender, our army should be easy to surrender." Hard to get in and out.”

"But as your Majesty said, Liu Bei sent troops to garrison three counties, which are located in remote areas. Now with Meng Da as the internal response and Shen Yi as the accompanying army, with the internal and external coordination, we should be able to win and expand the territory!"

After a pause, Sima Yi said: "To prevent Meng Da from being deceitful, General Zhengnan may be asked to send more scouts to explore the military situation in Nanjun to see if the water thieves are prepared, or to increase troops in Jiangling."

Liu Ye then added, "Not only that, the water thieves came in by boat and moved quickly. Now we should explore the layout of the water thieves army, especially where Huo Jun is now, to prevent this from being a plan of the water thieves."

"good!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and nodded, and said: "What the two gentlemen said is mostly true. Water thieves are often deceitful. Meng Da suddenly comes to surrender, so we must be prepared."

"Come here, send an order to Shouchun, Yiyang, Wudu, and Xiangyang to send scouts south to detect the movements of the water thieves."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, his attendant shouted loudly: "King Wei, the Han envoy is here!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao straightened his clothes and said anxiously: "Preach this order to various places as soon as possible, so as to prevent Meng Da from surrendering and being discovered by Liu Bei."

"No!" Sima Yi responded.

Before Sima Yi could ask for any details, he saw Liu Ai, Dong Zhao, Sun Quan and others entering the palace carrying the imperial edict with seals and ribbons, and their voices were noisy, interrupting Sima Yi's words.

"King Wei, I have received an imperial edict from the Emperor, and I would like to invite the King of Wei to Xuchang." Liu Ai held the talisman and said.

Cao Cao's face was indifferent and he declined and said: "Cao has received many favors from the emperor, but he is weak in virtue. Your Majesty has given you the imperial edict to abdicate. I forgive Cao for not being able to obey."

Liu Ai pretended to be dissatisfied and said in a deep voice: "The way of heaven is prosperous. Since the King of Wei has expressed the emperor's favor, why don't you join Xuchang today when I recruit him?"

Cao Cao looked helpless and said: "Cao Cao dare not disobey the emperor's edict. But just to go to Xuchang alone, the emperor must stay alone, how can Cao obey?"

Liu Ai held his hands and said: "The King of Wei has outstanding virtues in China and is respected by people all over the world. Ai and all the ministers know it. Today, your son's destiny is beyond our power. Therefore, why not come to Xu with the king of Wei?" , meet His Majesty and state the inside story."

"Invite King Wei to come and meet the emperor." Everyone said in unison.

Seeing that everyone was like this, Cao Cao reluctantly said: "What you said is reasonable. I will go to Xuchang in person to ask your Majesty to withdraw the imperial edict of concession."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

With the cooperation of Cao Wei and his ministers, Cao Cao completed the process of entering Xuchang.

The next day, Cao Cao rode in the Emperor's chariot and headed for Xuchang.

(End of this chapter)