Sima Yi's Three Kingdoms Collection Collection

Chapter 76
"Oh! Has he already met Xun Lingjun?" Cao Cao was a little surprised.According to the past situation, after receiving envoys from all over the world, Xun Yu usually wrote a reception note and asked his subordinate Shang Shulang to bring the envoys to visit him. This time, Xun Yu asked Lu Su to go alone. It's a bit abnormal to ask the government to see you.He didn't have time to think about it for a while, so he replied casually: "Forget it. You go down and tell him to come in."

In Cao Cao's mind, Sun Quan, the captive-seeking general who sits on a territory thousands of miles east of the Yangtze River, has always been a somewhat mysterious figure.

Sun Quan's father was Sun Jian, the former prefect of Changsha, and Cao Cao was no stranger to this man.When the [-]th Kwantung princes gathered to attack Dong Zhuo, only he and Cao Cao rushed to the front to fight against Dong Zhuo's Xiliang army.Moreover, Sun Jian was so good at using troops that even Hua Xiong, Dong Zhuo's confidant general, was killed by him in one battle, forcing Taishi Dong to move his capital and retreat.Therefore, Cao Cao has always been deeply impressed by Sun Jian's loyalty and bravery.Speaking of which, Sun Jiansu came from Sun Wu, the sage of soldiers, but he was regarded as a joke by the gentry many times, but in Cao Cao's view, this "unnecessary" heir of the sage of soldiers really has the style of Sun Wu's formation and use of troops.

Later, Sun Jian died in a confrontation with Huang Zu, a general under Liu Biao's account. His eldest son, Sun Ce, inherited his legacy - the "little overlord" who beat a generation of Confucian celebrities Wang Lang and Hua Xin to abandon the city and flee. , not only inherited his father's staff and trilogy, but also inherited his father's bravery and resourcefulness, and was once regarded as "Xiang Yu's rebirth" by the Confucian Scholars in the Xudu court.Although Sun Ce only lived to be 27 years old, he created a feat in one fell swoop that was beyond the reach of his parents-in a few years, he included six counties in Jiangdong, expanded his territory for thousands of miles, and approached the counties and counties around Xudu.After Cao Cao sighed that "this lion is difficult to fight for the front", he secretly ordered Guo Jia and Chen Deng to use the most secret means to finally kill him "suddenly", which stopped his aggressive westward advance.Then, Sun Ce’s younger brother, Sun Quan, a 27-year-old blue-eyed young man, inherited all the “inheritance” Sun Ce left him: the land of fish and rice and wealth in Jiangdong, as well as a large number of loyal staff and generals, such as Zhang Zhao, Sun Shao, Zhuge Jin, Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, etc.

After Sun Ce's death, Cao Cao no longer cared about how to deal with the Sun family in Jiangdong, and turned to join the battle to exterminate Yuan Shao in Hebei.In a flash, six or seven years have passed, and Sun Quan and his Jiangdong forces seem to be hidden in the east of him.It wasn't until Sun Quan did two major things this year that Cao Cao suddenly noticed the amazing strength he had been lurking all along——

At the end of the first month of this year, Sun Quan ignored the objections of Zhang Zhao and other staff, and resolutely moved his camp shogunate from Kuaiji County to Chaisang City by Poyang Lake.Of course, his "sign" of publicity and persuasion is also very clever and righteous - "destroy Huang Zu and avenge his father".

In March, Sun Quan personally led an army, with the fierce general Gan Ning as the vanguard, attacked Xiakou City under the rule of Jingzhou. An impressive victory.However, after killing Huang Zu, Sun Quan immediately withdrew his troops and retreated to the camp on the south bank of the Yangtze River to defend himself, and did not take advantage of the power of this victory to rush across the river westward.

Thinking about these two things together, Cao Cao, who was the hero of the first generation, couldn't help being moved.

What is Kuaiji County?It is a county government located in the middle of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It may be helpful to station the shogunate there to control the land of Wuyue, but it will not have much impact on the overall pattern of the world's Xingsheng Fortress.However, Chaisang City is different. It is directly located in the pivotal area of ​​the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with Poyang Lake in the east and Jiangxia County in Jingzhou in the west. Force Jing Xiang.Sun Quan dared to defy all opinions, move his capital to Chaisang, and occupy this fortress on the Yangtze River. It was obvious that he had a big plan-it seemed that he was watching the situation and was able to attack and defend freely.

Sure enough, as soon as he moved to Chaisang, he immediately tried his hand at the "attack" strategy of advancing westward, and he killed Huang Zu, a battle-tested warrior, in one fell swoop.That's all--if Sun Quan was only superior in his ability to use soldiers, he would be just a "little overlord" in Jiangdong like his elder brother Sun Ce.Cao Cao was not very afraid of this point. Cao Cao still had generals such as Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Cao Ren who could suppress him.

However, what shocked Cao Cao was that Sun Quan refused to take the opportunity to cross the river to capture Xiakou City after he achieved such fruitful results, but retreated to the south bank of the Yangtze River with all his flag down—as if the battle was just to get rid of his father-killing enemy Huang Zu.

Obviously, Sun Quan had very deep intentions in doing this.Xun Yu, who had been silently watching all the movements in Jiangdong, reminded Cao Cao at that time: Sun Quan's move was clearly to prevent Cao's army from going south in the future, paving the way for politics and diplomacy.

First of all, once Huang Zu died, more than half of the so-called "blood feud" between Liu Biao of Jingzhou and the Sun family of Jiangdong disappeared. You don't have to bear the infamy of "unfilial piety".Correspondingly, beheading Huangzu but not capturing Xiakou is showing his favor to the Liu family of Jingzhou, showing that he has no ambition or attempt to capture Jingzhou.In this way, to some extent, he can not only reduce Liu Biao's hostility towards him, but also enhance Liu Biao's favor towards him.In the situation where Cao Cao was about to march south with his troops, this political signal was meaningful. It meant that the two powerful local princes in the south might join forces to fight against the court of Xudu.And such a possibility is the last thing Cao Cao wants to see, and the last thing he can't ignore.

However, Cao Cao also knew that now that Liu Biao was suffering from a chronic illness, and his two sons Liu Qi and Liu Cong were useless, his generals Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and counselors Han Song, Kuai Yue, and Wang Can were secretly sending money to him. ——I'm afraid that people in Jingzhou are already in turmoil, so where is the time to plan this kind of joint plan with Jiangdong Sun's "close friendship and distant attack"?Unless Liu Bei is in charge of Jingzhou, it is almost the same... He may still have this kind of equipment and courage to dare to make such an extraordinary move that cannot be done without taking control of the overall situation.

So, why did Sun Quan send a special envoy to Xudu a few days ago?Could it be that he also noticed some signs of changes in Jingzhou, and came here to spy on his own reality and details?After all, Han Song's words and deeds when he was close to the Xudu court were too explicit... Maybe Sun Quan was also worried.If Jingzhou suddenly and completely surrendered to the court of Xudu and surrendered to the foot of truth—this would probably be a "nightmare" that he absolutely could not bear in his life?

Cao Cao was thinking so deeply that Cao Hong and Sun Quan's special envoy Lu Su waited at the entrance of the hall for a long time without seeing him.

"My lord... Your lord..." As the deputy head of the prime minister's mansion, Xin Pi should remind Cao Cao to come back to reality.He called several times in a row. "Master Prime Minister...Master Prime Minister...General Cao..."

"Hmm!" Cao Cao finally heard Simpi's call, looked up at the entrance of the hall, immediately withdrew his thoughts, straightened his back, sat firmly like a rock, and his tone became very dignified, "Come in! "

Only then did Cao Hong stand by the door and stretch out his hand, letting Sun Quan's special envoy Lu Su go in by himself.

Cao Cao sat on the couch and looked at Lu Su coldly.But seeing that he was over thirty years old, with a jade face and black beard, and a strange appearance, although he was dressed in Confucian clothing, there was a sense of sharpness and vigor overflowing from his brows.This is also a hero!Cao Cao sighed secretly in his heart, but he didn't speak.

"I'm next to Lu Su, a Huaihan scholar, and I'm here to pay my respects to the Prime Minister." Lu Su glanced at Cao Cao who was sitting high in the hall, and bowed down as soon as he entered the door, and performed the big ceremony.

"Exemption." Cao Cao replied slowly, and after he settled down, he asked slowly, "Sun Qulu sent Jun Lu to the court to report his duties and pay tribute, and the purpose of this trip must have been achieved—Jun Lu came to Japan today. Mansion, what's the matter?"

Lu Su bowed deeply, bowed his head, and said respectfully: "I am hereby ordered by General Sun, and I am here to congratulate the prime minister on his ascension to the Jun throne, governing the country, conquering the world, and returning the hearts of all people!"

Cao Cao didn't show any expression on his face: "My prime minister's promotion to the Jun position is nothing more than the virtue of the emperor and his love and kindness. How can my prime minister think about his own virtue? How can he congratulate my grandson?"

Lu Su still couldn't get up, bowed his head and continued to say: "Your Prime Minister, you are so powerful and peaceful in the Central Plains. General Sun and my subordinates are all sincerely congratulating you. How can there be other intentions? Your Excellency, for more than ten years, captured Lu Bu in Xiapi , Extinguish Yuan Shu in Huainan, destroy Yuan Shao in Guandu, destroy Wuhuan in Bailang, support the Han Dynasty in generals, save the people from fire and water, great merits, and admiration from all over the world. "

Yang Xiu and Sima Yi listened on both sides, and they were slightly startled: Lu Su's literary and eulogizing words came out like a flowing spring--this kind of "bright tongue and lotus flower" skill is quite a bit have to!

Sure enough, a slight smile appeared on Cao Cao's stern and serious face: "Thank you, Sun Chaolu, for your kindness." As he said, he cast his eyes at Simpi.Immediately, Simpi understood, and suddenly asked from one side: "Mr. Lu Su, since Sun Tulu knows that it is not rude to congratulate and respect the prime minister, why doesn't he simply dismiss the trilogy like General Ma Teng, the general of Zhengxi?" Riding alone into Beijing and returning to obedience?”

Xin Pi's question was savage and ruthless—everyone present in the hall held their breath to see how Lu Su would respond.

However, Lu Su was silent for a while, and finally looked up at Cao Cao: "My lord, the reason why Sun Tiaolu could not enter Xu in person is to congratulate him, because he has prepared a small gift for the prime minister—he I have already attacked and killed the traitorous minister Liu Biao's powerful general, Huang Zu, and placed his troops on the bank of the Yangtze River, ready to accompany the prime minister and march south..."

"Oh? Sun Qiulu called Liu Jingzhou a rebel?" Cao Cao chuckled, "But this 'rebel' has already sent Han Song to pay tribute."

"As early as seven years ago, Liu Biao had the 'traces of disobedience' of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth in the suburbs. How can this not be regarded as a rebellious minister?" Lu Su said seriously, "He just sent Han Song to Beijing to pay tribute on the front foot, and ordered the prime minister on the back foot. Your lord's confidants are in great trouble Liu Bei stationed in Fancheng and sent troops to the north - it can be described as 'the head rats at both ends, the yang obeys the yin and violates'."

When Cao Cao heard this, his complexion changed slightly, he stroked his beard and beard on his chest and did not answer for a long while.If Liu Biao really started to reuse Liu Bei, it would be a bit troublesome.

(End of this chapter)