Prancing Horse Xiliang

Chapter 273 Tao Qian's death, chaos in the Central Plains

In 195 AD, in February of the third year of Jian'an.

While actively attacking Guanzhong, the land of the Central Plains also resurfaced.

Cao Cao wanted to completely pacify the Central Plains before Luo Zhengdong left Hangu Pass, and the time was very tight.Therefore, just after the snow melted, they mobilized soldiers and horses to go south to Runan, trying to do their best to fight Yuan Shu to the south of Huai River.

Yuan Shu had suffered a great loss, and wanted to return to the lost territory, so he was not willing to show weakness, and immediately gathered a large army in the areas of Runan and Nandun.

At the same time, Sun Jian also raised troops to attack Yuzhang again when Yuan Shu had no time to look south.

Liu Biao of Jingzhou wanted to take back Nanyang, so he also ordered General Huang Zu to lead his army out of Xinye and go north to continue to attack Wancheng.

Wars raged in the Central Plains, and Yuan Shu was besieged by the princes. Only then did he realize that being too arrogant is not a good thing. Now he has tasted the bitter fruit, and quickly sent envoys to Xuzhou to form an alliance with Xuzhou Mu Taoqian.

Unexpectedly, before the envoy arrived at Xiapi, a shocking news came from Xuzhou.

In Chenxian County, the camp of Cao Jun, the commander of the Chinese Army.

Cao Cao was convening a civil and military meeting with his confidants, when suddenly some soldiers rushed in, and they all said that the small scout, who was in charge of spying on the military situation, had an urgent military report, Cao Cao immediately ordered his soldiers to bring the small scout in.

Not long after, the scout Xiaoxiao rushed in with a shocked face, and before he could salute, he said loudly: "My lord, Xi Zuo just sent back the news from Xuzhou overnight, saying that Xuzhou Mu Taoqian died of illness half a month ago."

"what?"

Cao Cao couldn't help being surprised when he heard the news.

The rest of the civil and military people are no exception, and this news is indeed too shocking.

Tao Qian died, this is definitely a big thing.

Now that the feudal lords are divided, Tao Qian is the leader of Xu Chou, and he is regarded as the most important feudal lord in the world.

Tao Qian's sudden death from illness at this time will definitely have a huge impact on the situation in the Central Plains.

Cheng Yu thought for a moment, then slammed Jie and said: "My lord, this is an opportunity. Tao Qian died of illness at this time, and his two sons are both incompetent, and they have not even served in office. There is no owner in Xuzhou now, and the lord can take advantage of the situation."

Cao Cao's eyes froze, his heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Who is in charge of the overall situation in Xuzhou now?"

Scout Xiaoxiao replied: "There is no owner in Xuzhou for the time being, and all the places are controlled by aristocratic families."

Cao Cao immediately turned his eyes sharply. Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion was pacified, Xuzhou has rarely had any wars. Under Tao Qian's rule, hundreds of people live and work in peace and contentment, with abundant money and food, which is much richer than Yanyu.

If you can take Xuzhou, your strength will definitely increase greatly, and even Cao Cao can't be tempted.

Guo Jia suddenly said: "My lord, this is not the time of Xuzhou."

"Ok?"

Cao Cao asked, "What's the point of being filial piety?"

Cheng Yu, Chen Gong, Cao Ren, Li Dian, Le Jin and other generals also looked over and listened attentively.

Guo Jia said calmly: "Tao Qian died of illness, and Xuzhou has no owner. The lord has the intention of taking Xuzhou, so how can Yuan Shu not be tempted? But Xuzhou gentry are not stupid. No matter which side they lean on at this time, they will offend the other side, and they will definitely keep it. Wait and see, no matter who raises troops to attack, they will force Xuzhou's gentry to the other side, so this is not the time to take Xuzhou."

Cao Cao thought for a while, then he understood, and said solemnly: "What Feng Xiao said is very true."

The rest of the people were also shocked and understood instantly.

Guo Jia said: "If you want to take Xuzhou, you must first defeat Yuan Shu, my lord, let's defeat Yuan Shu first!"

Cao Cao nodded slowly and said, "Forget it, just follow Fengxiao's words."

Guo Jia said again: "Tao Qian died of illness at this time, it can be said to be the best time to defeat Yuan Shu. My lord only needs to move Yuan Shu's army away with the method of attacking east and west, and then we can look for opportunities to attack and defeat Yuan Shu's army in one fell swoop!"

Cao Cao asked: "How to attack the east and the west?"

Guo Jiadao: "The lord can retreat with his army and move eastward to Peixian County. In this way, Yuan Shu must think that the lord wants to take advantage of the situation and enter Xuzhou. How can he sit back and watch Xuzhou be taken by the lord? He will fight with all his troops. If Yuan Shu comes, then Defeat!"

Cheng Yu said: "It's a good plan. It's false that our army took Xuzhou, and it's true that we took Runan. My lord can order thousands of soldiers to put thousands of civilians on our army's armor, and gather in Peixian with great fanfare, while the main force will sneak in secretly." Go back to Chen County to assemble, and wait for Yuan Shu to raise his troops to fight for Xuzhou, then he will march all his troops into Runan, Yuan Shu will return to the army in a hurry when he hears the news, if it is broken, it will be done!"

Cao Cao nodded again and again and said, "If you are kind, follow the advice of filial piety."

At present, Cao Jun broke out of the camp overnight and withdrew in the direction of Xinping and Wuping.

Cao Jun's movement had been discovered by careful investigation, and he reported to Yuan Shu's army like flying.

Yuan Shu was very puzzled after hearing the news, "Cao Jun withdrew, what is Cao Ah going to do?"

Counselor Jin Shang hurriedly said: "Cao A has many tricks and tricks, my lord must not take it lightly!"

Yuan Shu's heart was awe-inspiring, and he nodded in agreement.

This is a heart-wrenching pain, how dare you underestimate that guy Cao Ah.

Being cheated last time was really miserable, and even lost most of Yuzhou.

It is said that once bitten by a snake, you will be afraid of well ropes for ten years.

Yuan Shu has such a mentality now. He hated Cao Cao to death, wished to drink his blood, and was afraid of being tricked by Cao A's conspiracy again. He no longer dared to be arrogant and think that Cao Cao dared not provoke him.

Although I don't know why Cao Cao withdrew his troops overnight, he felt that there must be a trick.

Jin Shang didn't dare to persuade Yuan Shu to chase after him again, probably because the last time Cao Cao sent someone to blackmail him, he was the one who urged Cao Cao to give Cao Cao a batch of money and food, so that Cao Cao could withdraw his troops so that he could concentrate his forces to deal with Liu Biao and Sun Jian who were taking advantage of the fire.

In the end, he was cheated by Cao Cao. It can be said that he suffered a heavy loss and was almost angered by Yuan Shu.

After being so ashamed, how could Jin Shang dare to persuade Yuan Shu to send troops to pursue him, so as not to be tricked by Cao Cao again.

However, when Yuan Shu received the news from Xuzhou in the early morning of the next day, he couldn't help but turn pale with shock, but he soon became overjoyed. Tao Qian died, so Xuzhou became a land without an owner.

The wealth of Xuzhou is known all over the world.

If Xuzhou can be taken, the strength will definitely increase greatly.

Yuan Shu's first thought was Tao Qian's death and Xuzhou Wuzhu.

Jin Shang's face changed, and he shouted: "No, my lord, Cao Cao withdrew his troops overnight last night. He must have heard the news of Tao Qian's death, so he withdrew his troops overnight. This is to raise his troops to fight for Xuzhou!"

Yuan Shu's face suddenly changed when he heard the words, and he cursed angrily: "So that's the case, that's the way it is! I just said why Cao Aman withdrew his army overnight. It turned out that he was going to fight for Xuzhou. It's unreasonable, it's simply unreasonable."

Jin Shang hurriedly said: "My lord, please raise your troops quickly and go to fight for Xuzhou. I'm afraid that Xuzhou will belong to Cao Cao!"

Yuan Shu didn't even think about it, so he hurriedly shouted: "Hurry up, order all the ministries to gather an army and rush to Xuzhou!"

"As ordered!"

Jin Shang bowed his hands and rushed out immediately.

(End of this chapter)