A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 388: Overt and covert investigations were carried out in all directions, and the Ming Dynasty was determined to be the master of Feng Yizhou.

The fourth year of Chuping
New Year
The various countries in Shandong basically stopped fighting under the mediation of various envoys sent by the imperial court.

Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan tentatively negotiated peace. Yuan Shu stopped the war with Liu Biao because his general Sun Jian died in Jingzhou.

However, there was one war that was not mediated, and that was the battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shu and Tao Qian.

In order to open up the border with Yuan Shao's army, the later general Yuan Shu and the Xuzhou Mu Tao Qian launched an offensive against the Yanzhou governor Cao Cao.

Not only that, Yuan Shu, as a future general, bribed the Southern Huns and the Black Mountain Army Zhang Yan to attack Cao Cao with him.

February
Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu's army and Yu Fuluo's and Zhang Yan's tribes who went south near Kuangting. Then he hurriedly returned to attack Tao Qian's army, which had already entered Rencheng in Yanzhou.

By April, Cao Cao's army completely withstood the three-pronged army attack arranged by Yuan Shu.

Yanzhou, Puyang

A carriage quietly entered the city gate and entered the core city where Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, was one of the five princes of Guandong.

The five guards guarding the carriage were not wearing armor, but their waists were bulging, and they were obviously carrying sharp blades. There were swords hanging on their waists, and their falcon-like eyes were constantly patrolling all around, and they could be seen. They are all brave warriors.

"Sir, Puyang has arrived!"

A man dressed as a servant respectfully reported to the people in the carriage.

At the window of the carriage, a delicate white hand opened the curtain, revealing the beautiful face and the shining divine seal of the person inside.

He is Bai Lu, who is in charge of the heroes in the Yanzhou area.

The passers-by who look at the hurried traffic on the street but don't have much sadness on their faces represent the political policy of the rulers here.

Cao Cao was a strict self-discipline. He usually said the same thing and executed everything in accordance with the law, just like a semi-military state.

Coupled with the military and civilian villages, the people of Yanzhou spent less time going out than other states and counties, but they did not have the evildoers in other states and counties who committed evil on the streets.

Bai Lu has been to many places in the past two years. Generally speaking, the people's lives under Cao Cao's rule are relatively safe and stable, and there is no law to follow like under Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were originally from aristocratic families, and they were completely indifferent to the lives of the lower class people. They gave full power to the officials under their command and did not ask questions. They just devoted themselves to the duel with other princes and the various factions under their command. in the process of conditioning.

Cao Cao was completely different from them in this regard.

Although Cao Cao advocates military rule and likes to formulate rules and regulations, this does not mean that he cannot govern the place.

Nowadays, the states and counties in Guandong are attacking each other. The only thing the people are worried about is not to suffer military disasters and hope for stability.

And Cao Cao happened to be able to do it. Unlike other princes who indulged the noble families under their command, Cao Cao was very strict with the noble families under his rule and would never allow them to violate any laws.

If there are lawless powerful people and powerful families who resist Cao Cao's treatment, only the army will be waiting for them. But as long as they cooperate with Cao Cao's laws, they can enjoy everything in Cao Cao's regime fairly.

Therefore, although the people of Yanzhou live a very stable life due to high taxes, there are no robberies every day.

"First find a post house to stay. Then you take my greeting card and go to Chen Gong in Yanzhou and tell me to choose a day to visit you."

After giving instructions, Bai Lu lowered the curtains and said no more words.

Two days later, Chen Mansion, this is the residence of Yanzhou Farewell Chen Gong. Chen Gong is the most important official under Cao Cao, and he and Cao Cao have a relationship of both mentor and friend.

When Cao Cao resigned from Luoyang and returned to his hometown, he organized and trained the local rebel army, and later became the governor of Dongjun. It was at that time that Chen Gong joined Cao Cao's staff and became Cao Cao's right-hand man in managing government affairs, just like Cao Cao's right hand.

Now Cao Cao is fighting Tao Qian on the front line, leaving the rear to Chen Gong, his most trusted subordinate, as usual.

Chen Gong is also a child of a wealthy family, the Chen family of Dongjun. He studied at Bai Xue in his early years and met Bai Lu several times. He is also a member of a wealthy family who is close to the Bai family.

"Young master has come from afar, and Chen Gong is not welcome from afar. It's rude and disrespectful!"

When Bai Lu got off the carriage, Chen Gong happily opened the middle door and walked down the steps to greet him.

"Chen Biejia made a strong statement and came to the door rashly to disturb you. This is my crime."

Bring Bai Lu into the house and sit down according to the ceremony.

"I have long heard that the young master came from the Bai Kingdom and appeared in various counties in Yanzhou. Ming Gong also heard about it a lot, and he always wanted to invite the young master to come and pay a visit, but he couldn't.

Young Master, why don't you stay in Puyang for a few more days, and when I go to Trust City, Duke Ming will be overjoyed when he learns that Young Master is coming, and will rush back overnight. "

"No need to go to the public platform. I have come here because I am mainly looking for you. If I meet Mr. Cao, I may cause more trouble and cause some unnecessary trouble to Mr. Cao."

"Oh? Looking for me, I wonder why you are looking for me?"

Bai Lu did not respond directly, but asked: "Gongtai, do you know why I left the Bai Kingdom and walked around the world?"

"Please feel free to teach me."

"Just to find a bright master for the people of the world, just like the ancestor Guangwu Emperor."

Chen Gong said nervously: "You mean, Bai Guo intends to invest in Ming Gong?"

Bai Lu shook his head and said: "How can it be so simple? This is just that the next person values ​​Duke Ming, and it does not represent Bai Guo's attitude." Chen Gong was a little confused and asked: "What does this mean?"

"Gongtai also knows that I left Bai Kingdom a year ago and traveled all over the country. I have been to Jizhou, Qingzhou, inspected Xuzhou, and also stayed in Yanzhou.

From what I have seen and heard along the way, only people under Cao Gong live the most stable lives in all states, although they are slightly worse than those in the Han Dynasty.

However, these are troubled times, and heavy laws should be used. Duke Cao's move is to sacrifice small profits to protect great justice. Therefore, from my personal point of view, I am optimistic that Duke Cao will be the wise ruler of the world and can benefit the people.

And as far as I know, Duke Cao tried his best to maintain fairness and justice from the time he served as the Luoyang Order until the time he treated Jinan. He was not like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu who blindly favored the lawless wealthy families and oppressed the people. This will not last long. method. "

"What does the young master mean?"

"This world cannot be divorced from the name of the Han Dynasty. Gongtai has lived in Henan for a long time, and may not know much about Hebei. Now the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Qiang people in the north have invaded the border many times, just to test whether the Han Dynasty still has the strength to defend.

Fortunately, with the resistance of Zhenbeifu, Gongsun Zan and other frontier generals, the Hu people gave up the idea of ​​a large-scale invasion.

But how long can this strategy be kept hidden from the barbarians? Yuan Shao wanted to elect Liu Yu as emperor many times, but Liu Yu refused because Liu Yu, as the shepherd of Youzhou, knew best what would happen if there were two emperors in the world.

Although Duke Cao is an ally of Yuan Shao, I know clearly that Duke Cao and Yuan Shao are only temporary allies, but they will not be permanent allies.

Therefore, in order to help Duke Cao, I am going to give him a big gift, Qingzhou. "

Chen Gong stared and looked at Bai Lu in disbelief. Is this Bai's courage? Just a descendant of the Bai family can send a state away at will with just a few words.

"I wonder if Mr. Cao dares to accept this gift from me?"

After Chen Gong thought for a moment, he asked, "What conditions should the young master have?"

Bai Lu smiled and said: "Of course, as I said just now, the world must be under a unified banner, even if the banner is not worthy of the name.

Now Dong Zhuo of Chang'an is dead, and due to Situ Wang Yun's random operations, Chang'an fell into the hands of Dong Zhuo's generals Li Jue and Guo Si.

The emperor has no defensive power in his hands, and if anyone with double-minded intentions rashly usurps power and seizes the throne, once the emperor dies, the world will be completely in chaos.

This is not what we want to see, this is what the Hu people in the north want to see. Therefore, the emperor needs an extremely strong guarding force, even if this force does not belong to him.

From Cao Gong, we see his loyalty to the Han Dynasty. At least we will not worry about Cao Gong seeking power and usurping the throne.

Therefore, as long as Duke Cao takes His Majesty into my hands, protects him, and promises me that he will never slaughter the city and kill the people, I will surrender Qingzhou with both hands. "

After Chen Gong thought about it for a moment, he said to Bai Lu: "From the young master's conditions, I can see that the young master is dedicated to the country and the people. From Gong's point of view, I agree.

But after all, the palace is only a vassal of Duke Ming, and cannot make such a big decision on behalf of Duke Ming. If you allow me, please let me write a letter to tell Duke Ming completely about this matter, and wait for Duke Ming's decision. "

"good!"

Bai Lu didn't think twice about getting the answer. Originally, he came here just to explore the tone of Cao Cao's officials. Now that he saw it, Cao Cao's ability to recognize people was also top-notch.

This made Bai Lu even more satisfied with him.

April 25
Xiangbi, the front line of Cao Cao's army and Tao Qian's army.

At this time, Cao Cao's army not only blocked Tao Qian's attack, but also pushed the battle line into the interior of Xuzhou within a few days. Tao Qian's army retreated to Tan County in Xuzhou to defend the city.

Cao Cao's army was besieging him, and Cao Cao was stationed in Xiangben, adjacent to Tan County.

Looking at the letter in his hand, Cao Cao couldn't help laughing proudly. This made the civil servants and generals below very curious.

"Ming Gong, I don't know why you are laughing?" Cao Cao's confidant Guo Jia asked curiously.

"Do you know that a young master from the Bai Kingdom has been in Yanzhou recently?"

Guo Jia nodded and said, "I've heard a little bit about it. Didn't Ming Gong go to pay homage many times, but he didn't get it?"

Cao Cao said proudly: "Now the Bai family is in Puyang. He sent me a message through Chen Gongtai, saying that I, Cao Cao, have the appearance of a wise master and can calm the people. He decided to support me and give me Qingzhou."

"This, Qingzhou, Bai's tone is so loud." "My lord, don't be deceived by them. Qingzhou is a rich place, how can it be given away at will?"

Some of the scribes and generals under Cao Cao did not believe it at all and reminded him not to be deceived.

Guo Jia thought about it and said, "Could it be that this young master has some conditions?"

"Fengxiao is still on point. Yes, they want me to welcome the emperor and treat the people well. As long as I do these two things, Qingzhou will serve me with both hands."

At this time, Guo Jia finished reading the letter, handed it to Sima Xunyu behind him, and said with a smile: "This has nothing to lose to Duke Ming. Originally, Duke Ming was prepared to welcome the emperor and treated the people well. Isn't that what he is doing as a king?" Basic requirements?”

Cao Cao said happily: "This is just one of them. It doesn't matter whether I use Qingzhou or not. The important thing is that I can get the approval of the Bai family, but Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and others don't. What does this mean?"

Xun Yu said: "This will greatly help Ming Gong's reputation. With his reputation, the world's celebrities and wise ministers will flock to Ming Gong's basket like crucian carp crossing the river."

"Wen Ruo is right. As long as people's hearts are with me, is there anything in this world that I can't get?"

After finishing speaking, Cao Cao ordered: "Wen Ruo, write a letter for me and state the request of the Bai family. I, Cao Cao, agreed and asked Gongtai to entertain me well. If I return after my victory, the Bai family will still be there." , I’ll go and pay my respects in person.”

(End of this chapter)