The Jagged Cavalry of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 129 Chapter 129
Although Cao Cao joined forces with Yuan Shao to fight against the enemy, Yuan Shao did not help unconditionally. Apart from seeking revenge from Zhang Yan, he also had another purpose, which was to make Cao Cao his vassal.

Although Yuan Shao arrived in Puyang, he stayed still.

For this reason, Cao Cao specifically went to Yuan Shao, hoping that Yuan Shao could join him in attacking Lu Bu and Zhang Yan.

However, Yuan Shao put forward a condition at this time, that is, he wanted Cao Cao to rule Dongjun, seven counties located north of the Yellow River, including Dunqiu, Weiguo, Fagan, Dongwuyang, Boping, Liaocheng, and Yangping. , all ceded to him.

In Cao Cao's room, Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu all looked at each other in dismay. They also learned about Yuan Shao's conditions from Cao Cao, and they were all thinking about how to respond.

Cheng Yu first said: "What is the difference between Yuan Shao and the bandits? Now our army only has Dongjun in Yanzhou, and Yuan Shao knows the situation of our army, but he still wants to do this. It is undoubtedly worse. He sent envoys to ask for help. Asking the lord to send all his family members to Yecheng, and now he is raising such a condition, so aggressive, is it tolerable or unbearable!"

Cheng Yu has a strong personality, and he prevented Cao Cao from sending his family to Yecheng last time, but this time he was even more annoyed when he heard Yuan Shao make such a rude request, and immediately expressed his thoughts.

"My lord, I still say the same thing. Although Yanzhou is dilapidated, at least there are more than ten thousand soldiers in our army, and we will do our best to make suggestions for the lord. The counties and states in Yanzhou also surrendered to the enemy for their own protection. Yes, his heart is still with the lord. If the lord is willing to degenerate, willing to become Yuan Shao's vassal, and begging him to send troops, if this move gets out, it will definitely provoke ridicule from all over the world, and it will even damage the lord's reputation." Cheng Once Yu's chatterbox was opened, it couldn't be closed anymore, and he would never stop until he finished speaking.

Cheng Yu had already expressed his position, and Cao Cao could understand it, but he was still worried, and immediately said: "Zhang Yan and Lu Bu joined forces, which has already made it difficult for our army to deal with it. If we offend Yuan Shao again, it will undoubtedly make things worse. Yuan Shao and I have grown up I know him well, I know his character, if he really wanted to make trouble, he would have already taken the opportunity to wipe me out. It is also because of my old confidant with him that he first sent Wen Chou to ambush Yu Jin in Cangting, and then kissed him Leading an army of [-] people here, Yuan Shao would not respond to anyone else. What's more, it is an indisputable fact that Yuan Shao has many generals. I think you guys know better than me what is more important than exchanging the land of the county for my large city of Yanzhou. If I just give up this great opportunity because I am afraid of being ridiculed by the world and my reputation will be damaged, then I, Cao Cao He is undoubtedly a big fool in this world!"

After hearing Cao Cao's words, Xun Yu immediately cupped his hands and said, "My lord is able to bend and stretch, which really impresses Wen Ruo. I thought that if Yuan Shao really wanted the land of the seven counties, even if the lord didn't give it to him, with Yuan Shao's strength, he would want it." It is easy to seize it by force. Since Yuan Shao has already set his sights on that piece of land, he might as well give it to Yuan Shao for the time being. As long as Yuan Shao can help the lord eliminate Lu Bu, repel Zhang Yan, and restore the lord's rule in Yanzhou, the seven counties will If we let Yuan Shao fight against Lu Bu and Zhang Yan, our army will just sit back and reap the benefits of the fisherman, so why not do it?"

"There is a saying in the art of war, the truth is false, and the false is true. The lord's trick of killing people with a sword is really ingenious, and the subordinates also very much agree with the lord's approach." Xun You said lightly.

Cao Cao glanced at Guo Jia who had not spoken all this time, and asked, "Feng Xiao, what is your opinion?"

Guo Jiadao: "My lord's plan is clever, but my subordinates think that Yuan Shao will only help the lord with supplies, money and food at most, and will not personally confront Lu Bu and Zhang Yan. Although Yuan Shao has many troops, his rear is not stable. , to the north of him, there is Gongsun Zan, who occupies Youzhou, watching him covetously. Once Gongsun Zan learns about Yuan Shao's expedition to the Void Kingdom, he will definitely lead his army south, and Yuan Shao will definitely return to Jizhou quickly. After all, Jizhou is Yuan Shao's foundation. Absolutely nothing can be lost. In addition, the black mountain thief Zhang Yan and others have been eager to move. Yuan Shao stayed here for the past few days because he was worried about changes in Jizhou. He didn't really want the land of the seven counties. It's just an excuse to prevaricate the lord. If he really wanted it, he wouldn't have asked the lord to move his family to Yecheng last time."

As soon as the words fell, Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Xun You, and Cheng Yu were all lost in thought. Guo Jia's words seemed to make them see another side. They all frowned and said nothing.

After a long time, Cao Cao said: "Since Yuan Shao proposed such a condition, whether it is true or false, I will agree to him first and see how he reacts. Everyone, rest here first, and I will go to see Yuan Shao right away. Find out what he has to say."

Yuan Shao moved into Puyang and was arranged by Cao Cao in a manor in the city. This manor originally belonged to a rich merchant in the city. Later, because the rich merchant rebelled against Lu Bu, Cao Cao killed the rich merchant and confiscated his property after returning. Naturally, it became vacant, and it happened to be used as a temporary residence for Yuan Shao.

After Cao Cao came out from the prefect's mansion, he came to Yuan Shao's residence very quickly, but he saw Yuan Bing guarding the inner three floors and the outer three floors.

However, Cao Cao was an exception. He swaggered into the yard, but no one dared to stop him.

At this time, Yuan Shao was chatting with the counselors in the hall, when he heard Cao Cao coming, he took the initiative to greet him.

Yuan Shao is slightly older than Cao Cao, in his 40s, but he is handsome and handsome, with a white face, rouged lips, bright eyes and white teeth, with a few strands of emotion hanging from his chin and hanging straight to his chest. He is dressed in a long robe, A fine jade pendant hung from her waist, exuding a kind of nobility all over her body.

It's no wonder that Yuan Shao was born in a famous family, and his family has four generations and three fathers, and he has been a nobleman since he was a child.In addition, I have been pampered and pampered in Jizhou for the past few years, and my body is a little bit blessed, but my face is full of red. No matter how I look at it, I don't look like a person in his 40s, as if he is 35 or six years old.

When Yuan Shao walked to the entrance of the hall, he ran into Cao Cao head-on. Cao Cao, who was short in stature and rough in appearance, stood beside Yuan Shao, and he was a bit dwarfed by comparison.And Cao Cao's face was already covered with wrinkles, bearded beard, dark face, and the marks carved on his forehead by the years, no matter how you look at it, he is much older than Yuan Shao.

One is a half-life soldier with a cold and resolute face, and the other is a pampered and overlord who dominates one side. Whenever the two stand together, the focus will always be on Yuan Shao.

"Meng De, I'm going to pick you up. I don't think you've already come, please sit inside!" Yuan Shao grabbed Cao Cao's shoulders, just like before, the big brother hugged the little brother.

Cao Cao was brought into the hall by Yuan Shao, and after he was seated, Cao Cao said straight to the point: "Brother Benchu, I have thought about it for a long time, and I think the conditions you proposed are very reasonable. I am willing to cede the seven counties in Hebei under the rule of Dongjun. Give it to Brother Benchu."

As soon as the words came out, Yuan Shao was stunned. He looked at Cao Cao with surprised eyes, and asked in disbelief, "Meng De, am I dreaming? Are you really willing to cede those seven counties to me?"

Cao Cao said: "Brother Benchu ​​has helped me so much. I should have ceded those seven counties to Brother Benchu. Now Lu Bu and Zhang Yan are shrinking their troops, and Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan have already occupied Chenliu. , Lv Bu lost his troops and lost his generals. Now there are not many soldiers left. If Brother Benchu ​​can send troops to attack Lv Bu with me as soon as possible, I believe that Lv Bu will be able to fight. After we eliminate Lv Bu, we can deal with Zhang Yan. It's much easier."

When Yuan Shao heard Cao Cao mentioned the issue of dispatching troops again, he glanced at Tian Feng who was sitting on his right.

Tian Feng understood, and immediately said: "Mr. Cao, as far as I know, Lv Bu occupies Dingtao, and Zhang Yan stationed troops in Changyi. The distance between the two cities is only eighty or ninety li, and both Lv Bu and Zhang Yan are actively building Fortifications, the two of them are horns of each other, I am afraid it will be difficult to attack in a short time. Our army has come from a long distance, and the soldiers are not acclimatized. It is better to rest for a few days, and wait for our soldiers to rest before attacking again. Late!"

Cao Cao said: "Soldiers are precious and fast. We have already missed a good opportunity. How can we miss this time again? Once the fortifications of Lu Bu and Zhang Yan are completed, it will be even more difficult to attack them again. What's more, Lu Bu is brave and unparalleled in the world. If he is given a chance to breathe, he will definitely make a comeback. Now is a golden opportunity, and I hope Brother Benchu ​​can send troops as soon as possible..."

Seeing Cao Cao's impassioned, Yuan Shao suddenly "coughed", and the "cough" was very strong, and it didn't stop for a long time.

After a while, Yuan Shao said to Cao Cao: "Meng De, I'm really sorry. I occasionally catch a cold and cough badly. Now the soldiers of our army are even more unacceptable, and it's very serious. It's better to postpone the discussion on dispatching troops."

"But Brother Benchu, this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..." Cao Cao said.

Tian Feng interjected: "Mr. Cao, my lord is not feeling well, and most of our army is not acclimatized. Even if it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, our army will have to rest before dispatching troops. Since Mr. Cao is so anxious to send troops, then Cao Shijun can lead all the troops to attack Lu Bu, and our army will be stationed in Puyang, watch over the city for Cao Shijun, and wait here for the news of Cao Shijun's triumphant return!"

Yuan Shao hurriedly said: "Meng De, what Mr. Tian said is very true. You still have more than ten thousand soldiers and horses. Why don't you take them to fight with Lu Bu first. When I raise the handle, cough cough cough... then I will go !"

"Since this is the case, this is the only way to go. However, our army has little food and pay. I am afraid that the soldiers will not work hard to move forward..."

"You can rest assured about this. I brought a lot of food, grass, and military pay. I can help you temporarily. When Lu Bu is destroyed, you can return it to me." Yuan Shao said.

Cao Cao said, "Thank you, Brother Benchu."

After coming out of the hall, Cao Cao rushed back to the prefect's mansion immediately. He already had an understanding of Yuan Shao's attitude, and he couldn't help thinking to himself, "As expected by Guo Jia, Yuan Shao has no intention of using troops against Lu Bu and Zhang Yan!"

(End of this chapter)