Soldiers come to the world

Cao Cao's carriage drove out of Xuchang Palace, and under the strict guard of hundreds of cavalry, it drove towards the Prime Minister's Mansion. Inside the carriage, Cao Cao slightly closed his eyes and leaned on the soft mattress, thinking about what happened today.

Obviously, today's gift was just a temptation for Liu Jing. He was ordered to go to Jingzhou to seek rebellion. Although Liu Jing won, it was difficult for him to get rid of his reputation as a traitor, so today's gift is an attempt to make up for his rebellion. identity, and re-establish a balance with the imperial court.

Cao Cao has no objection to this point. If he is the winner, he will drive Liu Jing to death and will not give him any chance.

But he failed in the Chibi War. As a loser, he needs to restore balance and stabilize the south, so that he can go all out to wipe out Hebei and Ma Teng in Xiliang. These northern princes need him to wipe out within three years.

It is also for this reason that Cao Cao asked the emperor to make Liu Jing the Marquis of Chu. On the one hand, it was to stabilize him, and on the other hand, it was also to make him and Sun Quan sit on an equal footing, creating conditions for inciting internal strife in the south.

However, Liu Jing's emissary suddenly appeared, and he didn't know it beforehand. It seems that someone in the court has ulterior motives!Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, with a fierce light shining, serving Xun Yue and Hebei Xun Chen, is the Xun family really going to play against him?

At this time, the carriage stopped suddenly, only Xiahou Dun's voice came from outside the carriage, "I want to see the prime minister, please inform me!"

Cao Cao opened the curtain of the car, and saw Xiahou Dun was talking to the leader of the guards, and behind him was his nephew Xiahouba. Cao Cao thought about it, and guessed that they must have something to do with Xiahouyuan when they were looking for him.

Cao Cao asked, "What's the matter with Yuan Rang?"

Xiahou Dun walked forward quickly with his nephew, bowed and said: "I came here for my younger brother Miaocai. I heard that Liu Jing has already issued a release condition. I am very anxious. I beg the prime minister to clarify my doubts!"

Cao Cao couldn't help being startled, how did Xiahoudun know that Liu Jing had issued a release condition?This matter is very secret, and I repeatedly told Yang Xiu not to tell him, who told Xiahou Dun?

"Yuan Rang, what do you know?"

"Reporting to the Prime Minister, it has been spread in Xudu's market that Liu Jing wants to exchange my younger brother for Liu Bei's wife and children. It is also rumored that the Prime Minister has rejected this condition, so I am very anxious."

Xia Houba also knelt down and kowtowed, crying: "I beg the prime minister to save my father!"

Cao Cao suddenly understood in his heart that it must be Liu Jing who sent someone to publicize the matter in Xudu, causing the whole city to know about it, making himself embarrassed.

Cao Cao was indeed in a dilemma. He didn't want to exchange Liu Bei's wife and children for Xia Houyuan. Although Liu Bei's power was declining, if he pinched his wife and children, he could make him obedient and restrain Liu Jing from the south.

But now that Xiahoudun also knew about this, Cao Cao was a little embarrassed for a while. He couldn't say that Liu Bei's wife and children were more important than Xiahouyuan!

"Don't worry Yuan Rang, I will definitely exchange Miaocai back, he is also my younger brother, I am as anxious as you."

Cao Cao said again to Xiahou Ba: "Get up too! I will give you an account of your father's matter."

"Thank you, Prime Minister!"

Xiahoudun and Xiahouba saluted, and the uncle and nephew left.

Although he agreed to Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao had nothing to do. It seemed that he had no other choice but to exchange Liu Bei's wife and children. The key was that Xia Houyuan didn't care about Liu Jing, but he was also very important to Cao Cao. He was in a very passive position. middle.

After pondering for a long time, Cao Cao ordered the guards: "Go and invite Xun Gongda to come to my house!"

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Half an hour later, Xun You came to the prime minister's mansion in a hurry. He didn't attend the court meeting today, but he also heard that his brother Xun Yue secretly assisted Liu Jing in the court meeting. This made him a little worried. He had followed Cao Cao for nearly 20 years. I know Cao Cao very well.

Xun Chen in Hebei helped the Yuan family to revive, Cao Cao kept silent, and now Xun Yue secretly helped Liu Jing. If Cao Cao remained silent, then the Xun family would be in danger. Cao Cao's silence is more terrifying than his stern voice.

When Xun You got off the carriage, Cao Zhi had been waiting for him at the door for a long time. Cao Zhi stepped forward quickly, bowed and said: "Uncle Shi, please come with me. Father is waiting for Uncle Xun Shi in the study."

"Is the prime minister receiving me in the study?" Xun You asked with a smile.

"Yes! Father asked Uncle Shi to meet you in the inner study."

Xun You secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and invited him to the inner study, which meant that he had not lost Cao Cao's trust, and it was still a big matter for Cao Cao to discuss with him.

In fact, Xun You also knows that Cao Cao is facing a great predicament now. The Yuan family is revived in the north, Sun Liu's rivals in the south, Ma Teng in the northwest, and Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang in the southwest. It can be said that he is surrounded by enemies on all sides.

In particular, this defeat at Chibi caused serious damage to Cao Cao both militarily and politically, and more importantly, a huge loss in national power. Cao Cao would never be able to recover within five years.

To get out of the current predicament, Cao Cao needs great wisdom, and he also needs to give him advice, and Cao Cao's pragmatism can be seen from Cao Cao's initiative to make Liu Jing the Marquis of Chu.

Soon, Xun You followed Cao Zhi to the study, and Cao Zhi reported outside the door: "Father, Duke Xun has arrived!"

"Please come in!"

Cao Cao's voice came from the room, and it seemed that he was not in a bad mood. Xun You tidied up his coat and hat, and walked quickly into the study.

Cao Cao had already changed into a wide body and fine linen Zen robe, and was sitting in front of the brazier reading a book with a rather leisurely demeanor.

Of course he didn't invite Xun You to warn the Xun family. Although both Xun Chen and Xun Yue had caused him a lot of trouble, considering how important Xun You and Xun Yu were to him, he could only hold back his breath for the time being. Don't trouble the Xun family for the time being.

In the Battle of Chibi, Xun You defended Fancheng and did not play a big role. This is something Cao Cao regretted. If Xun You was by his side, many things would not be decided by Cheng Yu alone. Perhaps the Chibi fiasco can be avoided.

At this time, Xun You walked into the study quickly, bowed and saluted, "See the Prime Minister!"

Cao Cao put down his book, smiled and waved his hands and said, "Grand Xun, please sit down!"

"Thank you, Prime Minister!"

Xun You sat down, and Cao Cao asked: "Today is the day, did Xun Gong not worship the ancestors?"

Xun You hurriedly leaned forward and said, "The ancestor worship is arranged on the fifth day of the lunar new year. I plan to go back to my hometown tomorrow."

"Hehe! I also arrange it on the fifth day of the new year. There are too many things on the first day of the new year, and I have to attend the court meeting. It's too late."

After the two chatted for a while, Cao Cao turned the topic to serious business. Cao Cao pondered for a while and said, "Liu Jing proposed to exchange Xiahou Yuan for Liu Bei's wife and children. What do Xun Gong think of this deal?"

Xun You smiled slightly, "Business! The seller must have a profit. If the buyer thinks it's worth the money, then the deal will be made. If the Prime Minister thinks the asking price is too high, just refuse."

Cao Cao sighed, "But Xia Houyuan is my right-hand man, I must not lose him, but I also want to use Liu Bei's wife and children to control Liu Bei and make him work for me, so I am a bit conflicted."

"Prime Minister has been dealing with Liu Bei for so many years, don't you know him well? So far, has Liu Bei cared about his wife and children? Has he sent someone to discuss the terms of redemption?"

Cao Cao was taken aback, and suddenly came to his senses. It has been several months since Liu Bei's wife and children were captured, and Liu Bei has never expressed his concern. Could it be that this person is so cold-hearted?

Xun You smiled and said: "It's not that Liu Bei doesn't care about his wife and children. After all, he is his only son. He just doesn't want to be used by the prime minister. In the past, Gaozu was chased by Xiang Yu. In order to escape, he did not hesitate to push his own children out of the car." Go, what is a hero, this is a hero!"

"Sir, do you mean that you agree with me giving Liu Bei's wife and children to Liu Jing in exchange for Xia Houyuan?"

Xun You nodded, "In the Battle of Chibi, all the soldiers suffered heavy losses, and the morale of the army was frustrated. At this time, the prime minister should put people first and try to appease the morale of the army at all costs. In fact, Liu Bei is no longer a concern. His wife and children are not rare goods to live in. I suggest that the prime minister exchange. "

Cao Cao couldn't help but sighed, "If I had listened to my master, I'm afraid I wouldn't have lost Chibi."

Xun You said with a smile: "But this step in Jingzhou, the Prime Minister still has to take it, isn't it?"

"Sir, you are right. Liu Jing is indeed my strong enemy. Looking back now, the only strategy that could defeat Jiang Xia's army was to fight for national power. If it can be delayed for half a year, Jiang Xia's army will not be able to support it. Unfortunately, Liu Jing also realizes At this point, he provoked Yuan's rebellion, this is also God's will!"

Speaking of this, Cao Cao was a little depressed. Until now, he could not think of a strategy to defeat Jiang Xia's army. After much deliberation, it was because he did not have a strong navy, but for the north, building a strong navy was simply impossible. If there is no foundation, then when will he be able to destroy the South and unify the world.

"Xun Gong, what should I do now?" Cao Cao was at a loss, and he was eager to get good advice from Xun You.

Xun You laughed, "The prime minister suggested that the emperor should make Liu Jing the Marquis of Chu, isn't this the right direction?"

"Xun Gong means that I should make peace with Liu Jing?"

Xun You nodded slowly, "If the Prime Minister is not sure to kill Liu Jing within three years, then he should try his best to stabilize him, and then wipe out the remnants of the Yuan family, and at the same time kill Ma Teng and Zhang Lu, so as to clear up the troubles in the north, and then practice hard. Internal affairs, while waiting for opportunities in the south, I believe ten years later, the north will be strong, and the unification of the world will be the general trend at that time."

Cao Cao sighed, "Xun Gong's words made me wake up like a dream. The defeat of Chibi this time was not a mistake of strategy, nor was it a mistake of my underestimating the enemy, nor was it God's will. The fundamental reason is that the north is not strong enough. The time is far from ripe."

Xun You laughed, "The general situation needs to match the details. I have four strategies to help the Prime Minister overcome the immediate crisis."

Cao Cao was overjoyed, "Duke Xun, please tell me!"

"The first is Jiang Xia's strategy, which should focus on stability. The prime minister suggested that Liu Jing be named the Marquis of Chu, which is a wise move, but it is not enough. I suggest that the prime minister marry him and allow his daughter to be his wife. I wonder if the prime minister is willing?"

Cao Cao admired Liu Jing very much in private, and wished that he was his son. If he was willing to surrender himself, he would also take the initiative to marry his daughter to Liu Jing, but now... Cao Cao hesitated, he had to think about it The feelings of the generals.

He pondered for a while, "Let me think about this matter again, Mr. Xun, please continue."

"The minister's second strategy is the Jiangdong strategy. The prime minister can designate Cheng Pu as the prefect of Nanjun, hand over Nanjun to Soochow, and bury the root of Jiangdong and Jiangxia's internal strife."

"Go on!" Cao Cao's eyes were shining brightly, and Xun You had already spoken to his heart.

"The third strategy is the Hebei strategy. The prime minister can send people to negotiate with the Yuan family and recognize their existence, but the condition is that they go to Liaodong to develop, and Yuan Mai can be named Liaohou and Liaodong prefect."

Cao Cao was stunned, "Mr. Xun asked me to cede Liaodong to the Yuan family?"

Xun You smiled faintly, "Hebei is the water of the Yuan family. If the fish leave the water, can he survive?"

"But... the Yuan family wants Youzhou, but refuses to give up Hebei, what should we do?"

Xun You laughed, and Cao Cao suddenly realized that with Liaodong, the Yuan family would not be able to keep Hebei.

Cao Cao bowed deeply to Xun You, "Grand Xun, please tell me the fourth strategy!"

"The fourth strategy is the Xiliang strategy. The prime minister can ask the emperor to issue an edict to posthumously confer the title of Marquis Xinxi on the Han general Ma Yuan, and posthumously posthumously posthumously Zhongyong. His tomb will be rebuilt. After three months, the emperor will pay homage in person. In this way, Ma Teng must go to Beijing to thank him, and then the prime minister can seal Ma Teng as a court official and stay in Beijing as a hostage, and at the same time, the prime minister will send a secret envoy to see Han Sui, I believe there will be internal strife between Ma Teng and Han Sui."

Cao Cao pondered for a long time and said, "I'm afraid that Han Sui won't be used by me."

Xun You smiled slightly, "Ma Teng's wife was killed by Han Sui. Even if Ma Teng didn't care about killing his wife, wouldn't Ma Chao forget about killing his mother?"