Cao Thief

Chapter 717 Red Cliff No Longer (12)

Guo Jia is here!

Not only Guo Jia, but even Xun Yu also rushed to Xiangyang.

Just when Cao Cao was hesitating, two of his most trusted conspirators arrived in Xiangyang.Moreover, Guo Jia and Xun Yu also strongly advised Cao Cao not to start a war against Jiangdong easily.The point of view held by Cao Peng is surprisingly similar to that of Cao Peng... Under the persuasion of the two, Cao Cao's already wavering determination became even more hesitant.However, not everyone is opposed to sending troops to Jiangdong. Many generals and counselors believe that now is the best time to send troops to Jiangdong.

The representative figures among them are the celebrities who talk about it headed by Dong Zhao.

"Today's Xinping, Jianghan, deters Yang Yue; capitalizes on Liu Biao's tools for water warfare, and takes advantage of the advantages of Jingchu boats to realize a good opportunity for shocks and a great opportunity for outline. If you don't take advantage of this to take Wu, will you be safe?"

Dong Zhao and others believe that Cao Cao is now entrusting the emperor to order the princes to pacify the north, sweep across Youzhou, and capture Jingchu without bloodshed, and his momentum is in full swing.Now that he has won Liu Biao's navy, it is a good opportunity to show his ambitions.If this opportunity is missed, it may take a long time before Jiangdong can be pacified.

Cao Peng was ordered to come to Xiangyang to discuss this matter.

However, when the two sides argued, Cao Peng never participated in it.

He is indeed favored by Cao Cao, but he must be more cautious.All that needs to be said has been said, he is now only the governor of the Tiger and Leopard Rider, and does not need to participate in this kind of discussion.Everything is judged by Cao Cao, and Cao Peng also believes that Cao Cao will definitely make the right choice...

Cao Cao was indeed very distressed.

Deep down in his heart, he naturally wanted to win the first battle, an unprecedented feat since the establishment of Zhongping.

But Cao Peng's previous reminder kept echoing in his mind.And Guo Jia and Xun Yu came all the way to oppose Cao Cao's troops with a very tough attitude.These three people are Cao Cao's most trusted confidantes, so Cao Cao had to think carefully.

I have to say that Cao Peng's several points of view are quite reasonable after careful consideration.

It's just that everything is ready, only the east wind is owed.

Cao Cao has taken 99 steps, and he is only one step away from capturing Jiangdong.Let him give up at this time, can not help but feel a little bit reluctant.

What Dong Zhao said is also correct. At this time, the conquest of Jiangdong is very lucky.

If this opportunity is missed, it may not be so easy to seize Jiangdong again.

It is a gradual plan, or it may be successful in one battle.

This is a high stakes decision.Cao Cao was in a dilemma. For a while, he thought that what Dong Zhao said was the most thoughtful, and for a while, he felt that what Guo Jia said was not unreasonable.But even if deep down in his heart, he was more inclined to start a war against Jiangdong, Cao Cao still couldn't make up his mind and vacillated.

Looking around at the crowd in the court, Cao Cao frowned.

After a while, he suddenly asked: "Fengxiao, if you don't take Jiangdong, what should you do?"

"Assess Sun Quan in the east, capture Liu Bei in the south, and unite with Liu Zhang in the west. This is the best strategy."

"Then, how to appease Sun Quan?"

Guo Jia knows very well that now is a critical moment, and he absolutely cannot relax in the slightest.Since Cao Cao asked this, it means that he still agrees with it in his heart.It's just that the good situation makes it hard for him to let go, and he must have an extremely safe strategy to make him change his decision.

"Since the prime minister can give up the great Situ to Liu Zhang, why should he spare the great general to Sun Quan?"

Anyway, you have already granted Liu Zhang the post of Great Situ, so why bother to give Sun Quan the title of Great General.Now the imperial court has re-established the prime minister's mansion, and the position of the three princes exists in name only.Give them a false name and let them stay where they are, why not do it?
Back then, Yuan Shao won the title of Great General.

But in the end, the winner was the prime minister.So, at this time, don't be stingy with any official titles, gold, silver, money and silk, just use it... The most urgent task is to kill Liu Bei, take back the two counties of Changsha and Wuling, and completely control Jingzhou.

And Liu Zhang...

Whether it is Cao Cao or Guo Jia, Liu Zhang has never been regarded as a threat.

Cao Peng was on the side, nodding slightly, secretly admiring Guo Jia's idea.

Although the general is just a false name, it is enough to make people salivate.Now that Sun Quan is ennobled as Marquis of Wu, it can be said that there is no way for him to be promoted again.Above Marquis Wu, he was named king, which was naturally impossible for Cao Cao to accept.As for the post of General, it has long since lost its original prestige.In many cases, the position of the three men is a rank, not a position, and represents a symbol of status.

Sun Quan's family background was not noble.

His old son, Sun Jian, was just a businessman.

Therefore, if the official rank is too high, it will be of great benefit for him to inform Jiang Dong.

However, Sun Quan might be able to accept this kind of reward. Will his subordinates agree?Under Sun Quan, there are figures like Zhou Yu and Lu Su, and they must not be taken lightly.They may not be unable to see through Cao Cao's intentions, if not, they will persuade Sun Quan to send troops.

call!
Cao Peng felt that his head was not enough.

The Three Kingdoms are not only iron horses and golden swords, but also countless conspiracies and tricks.

It's really hard to play with these people...

However, how can Guo Jia and the others fail to consider the things he can consider?
A dispute, in the end did not fight for a result.

When it was getting late, Cao Cao asked the crowd to disperse, leaving Guo Jia, Dong Zhao, Xun Yu Jia Xu, Xun You and Cao Peng alone.Greeted by the retainers, the six came to the back house.Cao Cao received six people in the study, with a perplexed look on his face, hoping for a result.

"All the gentlemen are wise and resourceful, and they are also famous people in this world.

I invite you, gentlemen, to imitate the people in the market and argue endlessly, but to seek common ground while reserving differences, and find the best solution.

Ah Fu also told me before that now is not the best time to conquer Jiangdong.

But what Gongren said is not without reason.In Xinping, Jianghan, our army is in full swing.If we can't capture Jiangdong, we have to wait for the right time... To tell the truth, I am also hesitant and difficult to make a decision.So please come here to discuss a specific plan. "

Before Cao Cao could finish speaking, Xun Yu suddenly asked, "How did Qin succeed in destroying Chu in the past?"

"what?"

This was also Xun Yu's first speech today, but Cao Cao couldn't help trembling, and suddenly raised his head.

Qin destroyed Chu?

Cao Peng remembered...

"History" records that Qin's annihilation of Chu also started from Jingchu.But before that, Qin acquired Bashu for a hundred years, which filled the treasury.He also borrowed the advantage of the leader of the great river to train a navy of hundreds of battles.Water and land advance together, and the first battle is successful.Bashu... Xun Yu suddenly raised this question, so he naturally had his own thoughts.He didn't want to continue this endless quarrel anymore, instead of quarreling endlessly, it's better to speak with facts.

At the same time, Xun Yu proposed a new direction: Everyone, don't always stare at Jiangdong, you can take a look at Xichuan!

Compared with the six counties of Jiangdong and Yizhou, which one is better to deal with?
On the surface, Jiangdong's population base is not comparable to that of Yizhou.Xichuan has a population of 430 million, almost double that of Jiangdong.

Economically, Yizhou is a land of abundance, rich in products, rich in money and food.

Although Jiangdong is rich and prosperous, compared with Xichuan, it is slightly insufficient.

In terms of talents, Yizhou has always been famous for its outstanding people, capable ministers and generals, not inferior to Jiangdong in the slightest.But if Dong Zhao had to choose, he would definitely choose Xichuan.reason?It's very simple... One raging soldier, one raging general.Sun Quan and Liu Zhang, one in the sky and the other in the ground, are really incomparable.Liu Zhang is by no means a wise master who can guard Xichuan.

Dong Zhao also immediately shut his mouth.

Cao Cao glanced at Xun Yu, but Xun Yu just smiled and said nothing.

"However, even if the prime minister wants to appease, Jiang Dong may not be able to accept it."

"Yes, I heard that Zhou Yu and Lu Su are all resourceful people, and they are assisted by Jiang Biao and tiger ministers. Whether Sun Quan can agree is still in doubt."

Cao Cao suddenly said, "Ah Fu, why are you silent?"

"what?"

"Don't be a rascal, everyone is making plans, but you, the most troublesome guy, have not made a sound. Could it be that you have an idea?"

Cao Peng quickly bowed and said, "I don't have any ideas, but I have some ideas."

"tell me the story."

Cao Peng took a deep breath, and tried his best to recall the battle of Chibi in history, and the scenes of well-known stories staged.After a while, he said in a deep voice: "If the prime minister wants to appease Jiangdong, he needs to pay attention to a few things. First, if the prime minister attacks Jiangdong, who will surrender and who will lead the battle?

When Sun Bofu passed away, he left a saying: Ask Zhang Zhao if you are not sure about internal affairs, and ask Zhou Yu if you are not sure about foreign affairs.

That is to say, within Jiangdong, there are already factions.Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu represent one system; Zhou Yu also represents another system.As for which is far and which is close, there may not be a conclusion.Therefore, we need the firm support of the peace-seeking faction, and the war-seeking faction is full of contradictions.I vaguely remember a saying in my hometown: No matter how strong a city is, it cannot stop internal divisions.Therefore, if you want to keep Sun Quan on hold, you must start from within.Zhang Zhao is indeed talented, and the Jiangdong gentry has countless talented people.

But these people all have selfish motives..."

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and nodded slightly.

On the other hand, Guo Jia and Xun Yu showed admiration.

"Secondly, Jiang Biao and Hu Chen are divided into old and new.

Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang all came from Sun Jian's veteran ministers, and they had a lot of experience; however, they started from Sun Bofu and recruited a large number of newcomers.Zhou Yu, Tai Shici, Zhang Zhao and others were all former ministers of Sun Ce. At the same time, since Sun Quan succeeded to the throne, he promoted a group of capable ministers, among whom Lu Su and Zhuge Jin were representatives.Among these three systems, it may not be possible to live in harmony.At least in my opinion, an old general like Cheng Pu may not necessarily be convinced by Zhou Yu.After all, Zhou Yu was young, compared with Cheng Pu and others, he lacked qualifications, but he was in a high position.

Before Sun Bofu was alive, with his tyrannical posture, he could make Cheng Pu and others have nothing to say.

But in his heart, he may not agree with Zhou Yu...and Zhou Yu and Sun Bofu are brothers-in-law. Since Sun Quan succeeded to the throne, he has suppressed Sun Ce's family, and he may not be close to Zhou Yu.Otherwise, Zhou Yu would not be stationed in Chaisang, and would not return to Wu County for many years, there must be suspicion between the two.

Jiang Biao seems to be in harmony, but inside he is actually intriguing.

The main fighters, I guess there will be the following people: Lu Su, Zhou Yu, Huang Gai, Zhuge Jin...

But others, etc., may not agree.Sun Quan himself may also be hesitant, whether it is war or peace, it is not a short-term decision. "

"There is one more person who needs to be more careful."

Jia Xu suddenly opened his mouth and said in a deep voice: "As far as I know, there is a guest named Ma Ma beside Sun Quan. This person's origin is unknown, but he is very important to Sun Quan. He accompanied Sun Quan in and out of the Marquis Mansion on weekdays, and did not leave for a while. This person , but also be careful, don't slack off."

motor?

Cao Peng was stunned!
Where is this sacred?
He can be sure that in his memory, there is no information about this person, not even the slightest impression.

After pondering for a while, Cao Peng asked softly: "Sir, you can't find out, where is the motor?"

Jia Xu smiled wryly and shook her head, "This person lives in seclusion, and his whereabouts are strange. I have sent out many secret agents, but there is no news. I think he himself is very careful."

"Is there a portrait?"

"No... this person always wears a bamboo hat and covers his face with a curtain.

It is estimated that there are not many people in Jiangdong who know him.So so far, it is still unclear, the specific identity of this person. "

motor... motor...

I still have the engine!
This is a variable, for Cao Peng, he has to be cautious.

However, Cao Cao didn't care, and put all his thoughts on what Cao Peng said earlier.After a long time, Cao Cao suddenly said, "Then Ah Fu thinks, who should be sent to Jiangdong?"

How can I know this?

Cao Peng really can't say who is suitable for the mission to Jiangdong.

Because of a bad move, this person will meet Zhuge Liang in Jiangdong.

Cao Peng still has some scruples about Zhuge Liang who can argue with other Confucians.This guy's eloquence is absolutely astonishing, and it is not easy to find an opponent who can match him.

However, a thought suddenly flashed in his mind, and Cao Peng said suddenly, "I heard that Jiang Ziyi and Zhou Yu are classmates?"

"You mean, Ziyi can take on this important task?"

"Wrong, I mean, whoever you send, you can't send Ziyi."

"what?"

Cao Peng's words stunned everyone.

Cao Cao looked at Cao Peng curiously, and suddenly asked with a smile after a while, "Then tell me, why can't you send him to Jiangdong? Zi Yi is famous for his eloquence and Yang Yue, and you said that he and Zhou Yu are classmates. Yi, isn’t this the best lobbyist, can you lobby Zhou Yu?”

"The problem is, Ziyi is an honest man."

Regarding Cao Peng's reason, Cao Cao was taken aback, and then laughed.

Guo Jia also nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "If you are an honest person, it is indeed not suitable for you to go to Jiangdong... Zhou Gongjin is a resourceful person, let an honest person go, it will add chaos and not help the matter. However, I can recommend someone , this person once went to Jiangdong as an envoy, and he has a lot of friendship with Zhang Zhao and others. He has a very good reputation, and Sun Quan dare not neglect this person... If Hugh is cautious, quick-witted, and eloquent, he can be sent as an envoy Jiangdong."

Xun Yan?
This is indeed an excellent choice.

First of all, Xun Yan will not be too arrogant.His temperament is gentle and elegant, he is a person who pays great attention to demeanor and appearance, and he is quite friendly when leading people. He is also well-known in Jiangdong, and has some friendship with Jiang Biao's civil servants.In recent years, Xun Yan rarely showed his face in public.Especially after Xun Yue's resignation, he was even more low-key.Now he is the school lieutenant of Yecheng, and he is ordered to supervise the construction of the Three Terraces of Yecheng, so he is not very busy.

Cao Cao thought for a while, and then asked: "Then who else can be sent as an envoy?"

Xun Yu, Dong Zhao and others recommended candidates one by one.

Among them, Dong Zhao recommended Liu Ye as an envoy, which won Cao Cao's heart.

These things have nothing to do with Cao Peng.For him, everything that needs to be said has been said, and the rest is up to Guo Jia and the others.

So, he hid aside, drinking honey syrup, looking leisurely.

Unexpectedly, Xun Yu was unwilling to let him go just like that.

Xun Yu loves Cao Peng very much, but he also has some grievances with Cao Peng.Before that, his elder brother Xun Chen died in Wuyin... As for Xun Yu, he also knew about it, no wonder Cao Peng.The two armies confront each other, either you die or I live.Since Xun Chen chose to assist Liu Bei, he is an enemy.But anyway, Xun Chen is Xun Yu's elder brother.How could he not complain when his brother was killed.

Seeing that Cao Peng was so leisurely, Xun Yu suddenly said, "You are studying now, why do you have an errand?"

"Uh, Youxue was stationed in Fancheng to eliminate the bandits around Xiangyang. A few days ago, he was also in charge of welcoming and sending off the Yizhou mission, and he did an excellent job.

I was thinking about what to do next for him. "

Xun Yu suddenly laughed!
However, Cao Peng had an ominous premonition.

Just as he was about to speak, Xun Yu said, "Actually, why should the prime minister hesitate?

Now that a policy has been made to appease Jiangdong, Jingzhou must be controlled as soon as possible.Now the chaos in Jingzhou is nothing more than Liu Qi in Jiangxia and Liu Bei in Changsha.Why not divide the troops into two groups, attacking Jiangxia all the way and containing Liu Bei all the way?If Jiangxia is occupied, it can also put some pressure on Sun Quan.

I know Ah Fu, who uses soldiers like a god.

Previously in Nanyang, Liu Bei was defeated again and again... He was simply asked to contain Liu Bei, and then the prime minister went all out to attack Jiangxia... Hehe, I think Ah Fu will not refuse. "

Cao Peng was stunned!
To be honest, if he hadn't had to, he really didn't want to fight Liu Bei.

It was an old fox, very cunning.Although Cao Peng said that he had won many victories, he did not dare to say that he could beat Liu Bei.After all, the old fox army was not a vegetarian all his life... Although the battle of Nanyang was won, there were too many chances in it.

Although Liu Bei newly acquired Wuling in Changsha, Liu Pan fully assisted him.

Coupled with the help of Wuxi barbarians and Jiangdong soldiers and horses as foreign aid, their strength is no longer comparable to what it used to be.

On the other hand, on Cao Peng's side, since Xun Yu said that he wanted to attack Jiangxia with all his strength, it meant that it was impossible to give Cao Peng too much help. With an army of 20, how many people can obey Cao Peng's dispatch?Looking at Xun Yu's posture, it seems that it is still an unknown quantity!This guy...could it be a public revenge?
Cao Peng rolled his eyes and guessed something.

He also knew that Xun Yu didn't necessarily intend to harm him, but he definitely had the intention to make him feel uncomfortable.

"Ah Fu, what do you think?"

Cao Cao was also a little moved, looked at Cao Peng, and asked in a deep voice.

"Since the prime minister has an assignment, how dare you refuse to follow? It's just that Liu Bei now has the help of Liu Pan, and his army is stronger than Nanyang. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to deal with it alone. Therefore, I am bold and ask the prime minister to order Mr. Wen Ruo to help me , then Liu Xuande is nothing to worry about."

Jia Xu suddenly clapped her hands and laughed.

Guo Jia, on the other hand, smiled and looked at Xun Yu.

With a smile on his face, Xun You nodded repeatedly, expressing his approval, "It's reasonable for you to learn from me."

Cao Cao suddenly remembered that during the Battle of the White Horse, Jia Xu tried to recommend Cao Peng, but was dragged into it by Cao Peng.The scene in front of me is very similar to that of the past.However, if Cao Peng dared to say his request for Xun Yu's assistance, another person might not be able to say it.

Who is Xun Yu?
That is the representative of the Xun family!

Minister of the court, servant... In terms of position alone, he is on the same level as Cao Cao.

Cao Peng asked Xun Yu to be his military adviser, which is really audacious.

However, this seems quite interesting... Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu with a smile, "Wen Ruo, do you think Ah Fu's request is feasible?"

Xun Yu's face stretched...

(End of this chapter)