The Three Kingdoms: The Cold Gate World

Chapter 227 Rumors Spread
To be betrayed by one of your own is a very infuriating thing.

Guo Jia has been cultivating himself for many years, thinking that he has been indifferent to honor and disgrace, and he can keep his face before Mount Tai collapses, but he didn't expect Zhang Baiqi's rebellion to make him so angry that he almost lost his mind.

For a moment, Guo Jia really wanted to withdraw his troops back to Yizhou, not because he was afraid of Yuan Shao, nor because he could give up the long-term interests of Guanzhong, but because he wanted to lead the army himself and mobilize all the troops in Yizhou to besiege Zhang Bai. ride.

He wanted to tear Zhang Baiqi into pieces as a warning to others.

But he held back.

Zhang Baiqi is a small person, Guo Jia reminded himself that he should not get angry, that would simply elevate Zhang Baiqi and belittle himself.

The opponents of generals are generals of the same level, the opponents of counselors are counselors of the same level, and the opponents of masters are the heroes of the world.

The opponent Guo Jia wants to look straight at should be Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Biao, Sun Ce, not Zhang Baiqi, not Zhang Jaw, not Xiahou Dun, not Yan Liangwen Chou and so on.

If Guo Jia wanted to confront the generals and advisers of the enemy camp, even if he escaped the fate of dying young, he would probably die prematurely due to physical and mental exhaustion.

Why did Zhang Baiqi rebel? Guo Jia no longer thinks about this question. Facts speak louder than words.

Zhang Baiqi has rebelled, this is a fait accompli.

In the past, Guo Jia was extremely gentle to the heroes, and he didn't think he failed Zhang Baiqi at any point.

Cao Cao once said that I would rather blame others than others.

However, the rebellion in the Cao Wei camp has never subsided for decades.

Some people want to find their own way of death, and some people just can't get rid of the end of ignorance and self-error.

The strategic position of Tongguan was not as important as that of later generations in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, because it gradually became Xiongguan, which was built by later dynasties and became the east gate of Guanzhong.

After Yuan Shao led the army and Zhang Jai joined forces at Hangu Pass, they rushed out and went straight to Tongguan.

Furious with vengeance and wanting to kill Zhang Liao, Yuan Shao's [-] troops came to Tongguan, but he did not expect that Zhang Liao not only withdrew from Hangu Pass, but did not even deploy a single soldier in Tongguan as a precaution.

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao took a short rest, and at the same time sent someone to deliver a letter to Ju Yi of Wuguan, agreeing that Ju Yi would lead his army northward three days later, join Yuan Shao and sweep the Sanfu.

Cao Cao has been worried a lot recently, and an inexplicable ominous premonition lingers in his heart.

The loss of Hangu Pass is too strange. Although Tongguan is not as good as Hangu Pass, it is not a fortress that can be ignored.

But Guo Jia is defenseless here.

It's puzzling.

"My lord, something is wrong!"

Cheng Yu came to Cao Cao anxiously, and before Cao Cao asked, he revealed the crisis.

"My lord, there have been rumors in Yanyu recently, and people in the market have heard that the emperor intends to form a new army, and the leader of this new army is Dong Cheng."

Cao Cao got up angrily, stared at Cheng Yu, and asked through gritted teeth, "Where do you know this rumor? Is it true or not? Are the civil and military affairs I have left in Xudu all for display?"

Cheng Yu looked troubled, and said with some doubts: "These rumors are definitely not groundless, and the place where the rumors are getting worse is Jingzhou. I think that if it wasn't for the emperor's intention to recruit new troops, It is because someone is secretly spreading the rumors, where did the rumors originate, whether Jingzhou was introduced into Yanyu or Yanyu was introduced into Jingzhou, it is already hard to figure out, my lord, how should we deal with it now?"

Putting away his murderous expression, Cao Cao turned his back to Cheng Yu. After a while of silence, Cao Cao suddenly asked calmly, "Apart from this news, are there any rumors against Yuan Shao?"

Cheng Yu seemed to have an epiphany, and he suddenly realized, he blurted out: "Indeed! At the same time, there are also rumors in Hebei that Yuan Shao will make his second son Yuan Xi his son after his triumphant return! My lord, it seems that the mastermind behind this rumor must be It's Guo Jia!"

Yes, it is indeed Guo Jia.

When the time was right for Zhang Liao to withdraw from Hangu Pass, and when Guo Jia was about to fight Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, he had already ordered the Yizhou Chamber of Commerce in Jingzhou and Hebei to start spreading rumors.

Merchants do business regardless of high or low, and they can get in touch with all kinds of religions. They spread rumors, which are far more hidden than Guo Jia's people who deliberately do it. It is not difficult to let rumors spread all over the streets and alleys when no one is aware of it. .

Because the Yizhou Chamber of Commerce did not dare to do business in Cao Cao's territory, Guo Jia could only let them act in Jingzhou, and spread rumors unfavorable to Cao Cao in Jingzhou, which would always spread to Yanyu.

One south and one north, two rumors have spread all over the sky, both true and false.

If you want to spread rumors, you have to be true to reality.

If Guo Jia sent people for a walk, the emperor wanted to pass on the throne, the emperor wanted to kill Cao Cao, or conversely, Cao Cao wanted to be unfavorable to the emperor, etc., I am afraid that such rumors would not spread at all, because ordinary people would be afraid of losing their heads.

Recruiting troops is a very common thing. Which prince has not recruited troops in these years?It is commonplace for the people to discuss the matter of recruiting soldiers.

Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have hidden dangers inside.

If you want to create rumors, you have to hit the nail on the head. If it doesn't hurt, there is no benefit at all.

Cao Cao's biggest internal enemy is the emperor, and the most unstable factor in Yuan Shao's internal affairs is the three sons vying for the throne.

"It seems that there is still a decisive battle in Guanzhong."

Cao Cao raised his head and sighed, quite disappointed.

He was lost because Guo Jia could not be used by him.

He thought that Zhang Liao's withdrawal from Hangu Pass and the undefended Tong Pass were all signals that Guo Jia intended to seek peace.

However, there were rumors, and when the news came, Cao Cao knew that he had guessed wrong. If Guo Jia hadn't already had a plan for a decisive battle, he would not have sent someone to spread such a devastating rumor.

Now that he has already guessed that Guo Jia sent people to spread the rumor secretly, what can Cao Cao do?ignore it?Absolutely not!

It is a fact that the Son of Heaven wants to control the army. As a foreign relative, Dong Cheng must not be reconciled to being a general who assists the country in name only. He must also want to have soldiers and horses to seize military and political power from Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was able to give high-ranking officials and generous salaries to the imperial party, but he could never give them military power.

However, with this rumor, the common people started talking after dinner. If some of the common people gradually have the idea of ​​joining the army, once this kind of public opinion escalates, the popular will will put Cao Cao in great danger.

It is true that the people are afraid of war, but there are always people who want to risk their lives for wealth and honor. The emperor's appeal and influence are by no means comparable to those of the princes. If you serve as a soldier for the emperor, the status of the army must be far superior to the army that the princes belong to. Moreover, the commander of the new army , is Dong Cheng, Dong Cheng who is related to the emperor!
If there are really many people eager to join the new army, and the voices are getting louder and louder, the emperor will definitely not be indifferent, and even the two parties hit it off.

Can Cao Cao ignore it?

In history, Cao Cao fought south and north and fought all his life, but he could not leave the central government for a long time. Even when the battle was at a critical moment, he would voluntarily withdraw his troops. Why?Because the emperor is restless!Because the imperial party is about to move!

There are always problems in his rear, and Cao Cao is very troubled, but he can't stop being charged with regicide. The emperor will bring him trouble, but it will bring him greater benefits.

Now, Cao Cao's mind has flown back to Xudu, he must rush back to stabilize the interior, curb the rumors, and beat the emperor and the imperial party.

However, Yuan Shao would not let him go.

Although Yuan Shao must be upset after learning the rumors in Hebei.

Cao Cao really loved and hated Guo Jia.

These two rumors really hit the nail on the head.

Yuan Shao had three sons, the eldest son Yuan Tan, the second son Yuan Xi, and the third son Yuan Shang.

Rumor has it that the heir apparent is passed on to Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi didn't please Yuan Shao, so would Yuan Shao suspect that this rumor was released by Yuan Xi himself to create momentum for himself?

Yuan Tan is the eldest son, and his elders and children are orderly. He must not accept the news.

Yuan Shang is Yuan Shao's favorite son. Even though he is young, he is not qualified to compete for the position of the eldest son. There are two older brothers in front of him. If Yuan Tan is the superior, Yuan Shang may feel less dissatisfied, but the rumors are that Yuan Xi, his second elder brother, since the tradition of the eldest son succeeding to the throne has been broken, he should also have a chance.

When Cao Cao was caught off guard, he snickered instead. I'm afraid Yuan Shao is even more troubled than him.

Regardless, Cao Cao went to see Yuan Shao.

He wanted to get away, he didn't care about the outcome of the battle in Guanzhong, his goal had probably been achieved.

Now that there is a problem with the base camp, he really wants to withdraw.

Yuan Shao really had a headache after receiving the news from Hebei.

How to deal with this matter is second. To deal with it, he must first return to Hebei.

Withdraw now?
Hangu Pass has been captured, and Guanzhong is just around the corner.

How could he be willing to withdraw?
He has already paid nearly [-] casualties in the Laoshi expedition. If all previous efforts are in vain, then he will not be reconciled?
Cao Cao implicitly expressed the idea of ​​returning to Xudu, and he agreed to Yuan Shao's three conditions before the war.

At least for the first two, Cao Cao did not plan to break his promise when sending troops and conferring the imperial edict of Guanzhong to Yuan Shao.

Even worse, when Cao Cao came this time, he already brought the imperial decree entrusting Guanzhong to Yuan Shao. Anyway, he brought countless blank imperial edicts with him, and he could write whatever he wanted.

Yuan Shao had read the imperial decree presented to him by Cao Cao, and the actions between the two were no different from passing ordinary letters.

Anyway, Cao Cao would definitely not ask for trouble and put on a gesture of proclaiming the decree, and Yuan Shao would not kneel obediently to accept the decree. Everyone understands people, and when no outsiders are around, don't play tricks.

Putting away the imperial decree, Yuan Shao was not happy.

Now he is not only immersed in the grief of Wen Chou's death in battle, but also the troubles of rumors in Hebei permeate his heart.

Cao Cao didn't talk to Yuan Shaoxu, and said simply and clearly: "Brother Benchu, the emperor wants to form a new army, and I must reply to Xudu to stabilize the situation. You see, if the emperor really recruits an army, you will welcome the emperor to Yecheng in the future. ,is it possible?"

Yuan Shao stared at Cao Cao.

His words are true.

The emperor will be held hostage without an army.

The Son of Heaven with an army is a formidable enemy than all the princes!
"Meng De, seeing that the battle in Guanzhong is about to come to an end, you should wait a little longer. I will lead the army to a quick victory. After the Guanzhong is pacified, you and I will return to our territory, which will be regarded as a triumphant return."

Cao Cao came here just to try his luck, if Yuan Shao lost his head and really let him go, then he would treat it as if he had found a treasure while walking.

When leaving, Cao Cao kept thinking about Yuan Shao's words in his mind.

"A quick fight, a quick fight...Guo Jia, is this the result you hoped for?"

(End of this chapter)