Survival Three Kingdoms

Chapter 173 Cao Cao's Choice
After Cao Cao occupied Wancheng and sent Xia Houyuan and Zhong Yao to manage Guanzhong, he managed Yanzhou and Yuzhou painstakingly to deal with the more complicated and difficult situation in the future. After several wars in Yanzhou, the population was reduced by more than half.

On this day, Cao Cao was convening his men to discuss matters in the mansion to convey the latest news. Yuan Shu sent troops to Xuzhou. Lu Bu took advantage of Liu Bei's confrontation with Yuan Shu to capture Xuzhou. Liu Bei was defeated; It is possible to unify the north; Xia Houyuan and Zhong Yao have joined forces with the state government in Guanzhong to eliminate Li Jue and Guo Si, and Duan Yan beheaded them, sent their heads, and Guanzhong was pacified.

When talking about Sun Ce, Cao Cao sighed: "It's hard to fight for the front!"

Hua Xin said, "My lord, why did you say that? What is easy to gain is also easy to lose." The other counselors all smiled and nodded.

Cheng Yu said: "Sun Ce is nothing to worry about, but Yuan Shao is the one to worry about. If he defeats Gongsun Zan to unify the north, the land with the four states will inevitably go south. I am afraid that it will be a bad battle, and we need to plan as soon as possible. The area controlled by the lord is still relatively small. Small, it is difficult to compete with Yuan Shao, even if it is delayed, Yuan Shao will drag us down, for the current plan, we should take Huainan and Xuzhou as soon as possible as our backing."

Xun You said: "What Zhongde said is true, Yuan Shao will definitely raise troops. I guess Yuan Shao has no more than three offensive lines, one is to send troops from Bingzhou to Hedong to threaten us in Guanzhong, the other is to send troops from Qingzhou to Yanzhou, and the other is to pass through the Yellow River and go straight Going to Xuchang, we can't lose anything along the way."

Cao Cao and his advisers fell into contemplation. Xun You had an overall view and directly stated Yuan Shao's general strategy for marching. The problem is that in front of the mighty Yuan Shao, everyone felt so powerless and fragile. Even the resourceful Guo Jia was weighing repeatedly. The strength and influence of Cao and Yuan.In the face of a powerful military force, all conspiracies and tricks are so pale and powerless.After several years of stockpiling grain, Yanzhou finally regained a little vitality, self-sufficiency was stretched, and it was simply unable to support a large battle.

Cao Cao looked at these counselors one by one, and saw that these people frowned for a while, seemed to be relieved for a while, and shook their heads and sighed again when they thought of something.Cao Cao glanced around, and finally settled his eyes on a person, but this person was different, he closed his eyes expressionlessly and bowed his head in silence, mingling with the crowd.Cao Cao got up gently, came to his side, and whispered, "Wen He, are you awake?"

Jia Xu suddenly opened his eyes, "Dr. Ming, Jia Xu was rude."

Cao Cao immediately sat down beside Jia Xu: "Wen He must have made plans, so why don't we ask Wen He to explain?"

Uh?Jia Xu was speechless for a while, but still couldn't escape. "Duke Ming, what Gongda said is true, Duke Ming needs to make preparations early, but Yuan Shao can't see through, lest he make an early move."

Cao Cao frowned, "Wen He said it in more detail."

"The battle with Yuan Shao is inevitable. The most urgent thing is to avoid the future troubles of Qingzhou and Bingzhou. The most worrying thing is Yuan Shao's alliance with Ma Teng and Han Sui in Xiliang. Guanzhong is inevitable. Therefore, Duke Ming can reward these two first. Zhong Yao has no worries about Xiliang, and dealing with high officials is easy. Qingzhou was first occupied by Yuan Tan, and blocking Yuan Tan will inevitably take Taishan and Langya counties. The lord may form an alliance with Lu Bu or occupy Xuzhou, and Yuan Tan will have nothing to do."

Cao Cao nodded frequently.

"There is still a road that must be guarded against, that is Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. Although Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao are not in harmony, they are brothers after all, and it is impossible to guarantee that they will not unite again. Liu Biao and Yuan Shao flirt with each other and must be guarded against. Now Sun Ce has won Jiangdong, but he and Liu Biao have a murderous relationship. For the father's revenge, the Duke of Ming can grant Sun Ce the honor to make him attack Liu Biao, so he has no time to go north. As for Yuan Shu, the Duke of Ming should settle the battle quickly," Jia Xu added.

"Then Sun Ce is strong, what should we do?" Cao Cao asked.

Guo Jia laughed loudly: "It's good to be alive if you are a fierce man."

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Jia Xu stopped talking, and Cao Cao continued to stare at Jia Xu, "Wenhe?"

Jia Xu sighed softly, highlighted the three words "Zhou Weiguo", and then did not speak again.Cao Cao laughed out loud. The Yuan and Cao families have a certain general strategy for offense and defense, and the rest is the details.Cao Cao first sent someone to send a letter to Zhong Yao to authorize Zhong Yao to dispose of his power at a low cost to ensure the stability of Guanzhong.Send people to Jiangdong to add Sun Ce to the rebellious general and Wuhou, and encourage Sun Ce to attack Liu Biao.

The rest was to discuss around Xuzhou and Huainan. Seeing that noon was approaching, Cao Cao arranged for everyone to have dinner in the mansion, and his servants came to report that Liu Bei and Liu Xuande came from Xuzhou to defect.

The smile on Cao Cao's face froze instantly, "Everyone, what should Liu Bei do now?"

Xun Yu cupped his hands and said, "Liu Bei is poor and came to vote, the lord should accept it, so as to show the lord's reputation of recruiting talents."

Cheng Yu interjected: "What Wen Ruo said is reasonable. But Liu Bei is ambitious."

Cao Cao asked: "The last letter from Zhou Cang told him not to underestimate Liu Bei. What is Zhong De's intention?"

Cheng Yu went on to say: "Then Liu Bei claims to be a member of the royal family, so he must not be allowed to see the emperor! We are trying to take Huainan and Xuzhou. Now that Liu Bei has come, why not let him be the vanguard? He has similarities with Yuan Shu and Lu Bu. Qiu, there is no reason to refuse, if the resignation shows that he has evil intentions, the lord can make a decisive decision immediately!"

Guo Jia secretly laughed and said, "Is Zhong De driving away wolves, or killing people with a knife?"

Cao Cao thought for a while, then said: "I heard that Liu Bei has two generals under his command, both of whom are enemies of ten thousand people... It is better to meet Liu Bei first. Send an order, Liu Bei is waiting outside the city, and everyone will meet Liu Bei with me for a while. .”

"I'm busy with official duties, so Xuande has been waiting for a long time."As soon as he saw Liu Bei, Cao Cao said, secretly looking at Liu Bei and Jian Yong and Guan Zhang who were beside Liu Bei, thinking what a pair of big ears.

"Liu Bei has met Lord Sikong, so why should Sikong ask him personally?" Liu Bei said in a well-mannered manner.

"The emperor has been unwell recently. I will introduce him to the emperor after he recovers. Xuande came from Xuzhou. I don't know how the situation in Xuzhou is now?"

"Well, when I confronted Yuan Shu, I didn't want to be attacked by Lu Bu to capture Xuzhou, so I took refuge in the imperial court." Liu Bei replied vaguely.

"I've also heard that I intend to help Xuande, but I just heard that Yuan Shu's plan to proclaim himself emperor is an act of treason and immorality, and the whole world is indignant. I don't know if Xuande intends to help me attack Yuan Shu, or attack Xuzhou, or stay in Xuchang to accompany the emperor ?” Cao Cao asked with a smile.

Liu Bei looked at a sharp knife hidden behind Cao Cao's smiling face. "Liu Bei came to belong to the imperial court, so he naturally obeyed the imperial court's orders."

Cao Cao waved his hand, "Naturally. It's only because Xuande has fought against Yuan Shu and Lu Bu that I asked Xuande what he thinks."

"Fight the rebel Yuan Shu first."

"Yeah, okay." Cao Cao said noncommittally, and then changed the subject, "Who is behind Xuande?"

(End of this chapter)