Can I get to the other side?

Lu Bu's casual words were like lightning piercing the darkness, dispersing the fog in the hearts of Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi, making them feel like they were waking up from a dream.

"What a thief!"

Sima Yi suddenly realized, and couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes, "No wonder he would directly give up guarding the Yellow River ferry, or even give up the entire territory of Yanzhou. He actually has such a plan!"

At this point he understood everything.

From the beginning to the end, he analyzed the situation from the perspective that Cao Cao would defend Yuzhou, so he felt that it was abnormal for Guandu to deploy only such a small number of troops.

But if you think about it from another angle, what if Cao Cao doesn't want to stick to Yuzhou, but wants to give up directly?

Then it all makes sense!

Sima Yi's words made Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, Gao Shun and others look at each other in confusion.

"What does the military advisor mean by this?"

Lu Bu asked doubtfully, feeling that Sima Yi's words were incomprehensible. He just said it casually, why is he still related to Jiang Dong?

How could Cao Cao transfer his troops to Jiangdong?

Faced with Lu Bu's doubts, Sima Yi looked at Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Mr. Wen doesn't know something. We have been misled all along."

"Gong Wen's guess just now is correct. Cao Cao does not intend to defend Yuzhou. His real purpose is to seize Jiangdong while Sun Quan is fighting with the imperial troops in Xuzhou."

"This is also the reason why he only deployed 10,000 troops and horses in Guandu. His troops had long been secretly transferred elsewhere."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

Zhao Yun couldn't help but frown and said: "Didn't Cao Cao and Sun Quan form an alliance? And for doing such a thing, wasn't he afraid of Sun Quan's revenge? And why did he so decisively give up the great land of the Central Plains and turn to Jiangdong?"

He didn't quite understand why Cao Cao chose to stab Sun Quan in the back. It was obvious that joining forces was the most difficult thing to deal with.

Besides, how can Jiangdong be compared with the Central Plains?

"Of course he's not afraid."

Sima Yi snorted coldly and said rather unwillingly: "There is a natural danger along the Yangtze River in the east of the Yangtze River. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Moreover, it is not conducive for the cavalry to move freely. It is extremely difficult to attack."

"Cao Cao seizing Jiangdong and abandoning Yuzhou is equivalent to cutting off Sun Quan's escape route. At that time, Sun Quan will face all the pressure from the court alone and will be trapped in a situation where he is attacked from two sides. What ability will he have to retaliate?"

"And after Cao Cao gathered all the soldiers, horses, people, materials and food in Yanzhou and Yuzhou in Jiangdong, it was enough to hold one side."

Although Cao Cao's method was despicable, from a strategic level it was extremely clever and extremely bold.

After all, giving up two states is still an important place like Yanzhou and Yuzhou. This kind of courage is not something everyone has. No one thought that he would dare to act like this.

"Then don't we need to attack?"

Gao Shun's heart moved and he suggested: "Cao Cao plans to give up Yuzhou and seize Jiangdong. Then we only need to wait until he has done all this and we can capture Yuzhou effortlessly."

"Why bother attacking?"

Attacking Guandu is not an easy task. If you want to capture it, you will definitely lose a lot of troops. Since Cao Cao wants to abandon Yuzhou, they can simply wait for Cao's army to evacuate from Guandu.

It's just a matter of time.

But Zhuge Liang shook his head when he heard this and said seriously: "General Gao thought too simply. Although Yuzhou and Yanzhou are important, what is more important is the materials and people in these two states."

"Cao Cao's retreat was not just an evacuation, he also forced a large number of people to flee."

"We must not sit idly by."

Without supplies and people, Yanzhou and Yuzhou are just two empty areas. Even if they are captured, they will be of little use.

On the contrary, Cao Cao, who concentrated all his power in Jiangdong, although the territory he occupied was much smaller than before, his strength became more powerful.

"Then let's attack Guandu tomorrow!"

Lu Bu immediately made a decision. He didn't understand the convoluted words of Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang. He only knew that Guandu would be captured!

"This matter cannot be rushed."

Sima Yi exhaled a breath, shook his head and said: "Guandu is not easy to capture. If you attack rashly, many soldiers and horses will be killed and wounded. We need to consider the long term."

"Cao Cao won't be able to move all the people and supplies so quickly. We still have a long time. Don't mess up the situation yourself. Let's send this news back to Yecheng quickly."

The matter was too important for them to decide on their own.

It is necessary to report to the emperor and wait for instructions to act.

"good."

Hearing the seriousness in Sima Yi's tone, Lu Bu did not refute and nodded in agreement.

Soon the banquet was over.

Everyone returned to their residences to rest.

However, Zhuge Liang did not go back immediately. He stood alone outside the camp, looking up at the night sky.

"What is Kong Ming doing?"

Sima Yi happened to be passing by and couldn't help but stop when he saw this and asked.

He always felt that Zhuge Liang was full of mystery.

Zhuge Liang looked away when he heard this, and when he saw it was Sima Yi, he smiled and said, "Liang is observing the stars."

"The stars are all there, containing all the mysteries and secrets in the world. Let me see if I can find a way to defeat Guandu from them."

Sima Yi frowned when he heard this. He didn't believe in the theory of astrology, and it seemed to him that it was nonsense to find a way to defeat the enemy through stargazing.

“It is up to man to plan things, but how can it be done in heaven?”

"Although you are proficient in Qi Men Dun Jia, these are just strange and obscene skills after all. I advise you not to waste all your talents on these heretical ways."

"I will think of ways to defeat the enemy before you do."

"I will never lose to you again this time!"

After Sima Yi said this expressionlessly, he strode away directly.

Zhuge Liang chuckled and continued stargazing.

…

Yangzhou, outside Wu County.

Cao Cao's army set up camp here. The mighty army stretched for dozens of miles, with flags flying, and it was intimidating to look at.

Shortly after the imperial army marched south, Cao Cao led his troops across the Yangtze River and, after trekking all the way, finally arrived at Wu County, Sun Quan's base camp.

However, in the camp at this time, Cao Cao was reading the letter sent from Yuzhou, his face was extremely pale, and he could hardly stand still.

This letter was sent by Cao Ren.

It not only elaborates on the situation of the frontline being severely defeated and having to retreat to Guandu, but also the death of Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun.

"Yuan Rang, Zi He!"

Cao Cao looked at the blood-stained relics that were sent with the letter in front of him. He could no longer bear the grief in his heart and cried bitterly at his desk.

Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun were the two generals he relied on, and they were also his brothers. Their death was an extremely heavy blow to him, and it was tantamount to breaking two of his arms!

Seeing Cao Cao's grief-stricken look, Cao Xiu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and asked, "My lord, people from the four major families in Wu County have arrived. Do you want me to inform them to come back for the banquet another day?"

After they arrived in Wu County yesterday, Cao Cao sent invitations to all the major families in the county, inviting them to come to a banquet and discuss important matters together.

However, Cao Cao's current condition may not be suitable for attending the banquet.

"No need."

Cao Cao raised his hand and rejected Cao Xiu's proposal, suppressing the grief in his heart and said: "Yuan Rang and Zihe both died for our plan to move to Jiangdong."

"Now that the big plan is about to be completed, all we have to do is win over these Jiangdong nobles. How can I abandon public service for personal reasons and let their lives go to waste?"

"Go, get me a basin of water to wash my face."

Although Cao Cao was sad in his heart, he knew that now was not the time to be sad. The most important thing now was to win over these Jiangdong families and settle in Jiangdong as soon as possible.

After he led his army across the river from Lujiang County, he marched all the way to the hinterland of Wu County in order to capture Jiangdong before Sun Quan on the front line could react.

Today's banquet is the key to everything.

As long as he can convince these Jiangdong nobles to join him, his family-changing plan will be completely successful, and Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun's deaths will not be in vain.

After washing his face and adjusting his mood, Cao Cao went to the banquet accompanied by Xu Chu, Cao Xiu and Le Jin.

The banquet was held on the bank of Taihu Lake.

Representatives of various major families have already taken their seats, and their eyes look at the empty main table from time to time, with different expressions on their faces.

The Jiangdong aristocratic families are most famous for their six major families: Yu, Wei, Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang. They are all wealthy local aristocratic families in Jiangdong, with extremely profound foundations.

The reason why Sun Ce was able to develop quickly enough to compete with Yuan Shu was because of the help of these aristocratic families.

So Cao Cao also had to win their support.

In addition to them, some small and medium-sized aristocratic families also sent people here. After all, Wu County and Kuaiji County had been stationed by Cao Jun, and they did not dare to refuse Cao Cao's invitation.

"You guys are really on time."

Cao Cao strode into the pavilion, sat down on the main seat, and looked at everyone with a smile.

"I am very pleased that you are all invited to come today. It shows that you are all people who understand the overall situation and understand the general situation. However, I came a little late."

Cao Cao said with a smile on his face. There was no trace of sadness as before, and his tone was very easy-going, giving people a feeling of spring breeze.

Then he raised the wine bottle and said, "To express my apology, I punish myself with three drinks as an apology."

After saying that, he drank three glasses of wine in succession.

However, everyone present remained silent, everyone looked at the drinks in front of them, and no one took the initiative to reach out.

Cao Cao frowned when he saw this, and seemed a little displeased: "Why don't you drink it? Are you worried that I will poison the wine?"

"Sikong, don't beat around the bush like this."

At this time, a scribe suddenly spoke. He looked at Cao Cao, frowned and asked, "My general and Sikong join forces to fight against Lu Bu."

"Now that the war is going on, why did Sikong not deploy his troops on the front line to resist Lu Bu's army, but instead led his troops to besiege Wu and Kuaiji counties?"

This person is Yu Fan.

Yu Fan was born in the Yu family in Kuaiji and was an old minister of Sun Ce. The question he asked now raised the question in the minds of many people at the table.

What exactly is Cao Cao doing on this trip?

"hehe."

Facing Yu Fan's question, Cao Cao smiled faintly, put down his wine bottle and said, "Since Yu Juncheng is so impatient, I won't hold back."

"I invite you to this banquet because I hope you can abandon Sun Quan and join me, help me settle in Jiangdong, and replace Sun Quan."

When Cao Cao said this, everyone was shocked.

Settled in Kodong? !

Yu Fan's expression suddenly changed. After he realized what he was doing, he stood up, pointed at Cao Cao and said angrily, "Cao Mengde! You, how dare you betray your trust and destroy the covenant?"

When he saw Cao Cao's army approaching Kuaiji, he had vague expectations in his heart; but when he heard what Cao Cao said personally, he still couldn't help but feel angry.

Backstabbing an ally is simply a mean act!

Cao Cao was not angry when Yu Fan pointed at him and scolded him. He sighed helplessly: "Yu Juncheng, don't be so angry. I am helpless."

"If Sun Bofu were alive, I would be willing to join forces with him to fight against Lu Bu; but Sun Quan is still a child, and even with the assistance of Zhou Gongjin, it would be difficult for him to accomplish great things."

"I do this not only to protect myself, but also for your consideration."

"Lu Bu is so cruel and held the emperor hostage. Even the Yuan family was killed by him. If he kills in Jiangdong in the future, can you save your family behind you?"

The news that the Yuan family was exterminated has spread all over the world.

The Yuan family has three officials in four generations, which is the absolute first noble family in the world, but such a big family was exterminated!

The impact of this incident is huge.

Although Cao Cao knew that this was an order from the emperor, he put the blame on Lu Bu at this time.

Or in other words, it was Lu Bu who did it.

Because no one believed that the emperor would dare to act like this. Only a poor peasant like Lu Bu, a slave who killed his master twice, could do such a cruel thing.

In addition, although there is no debate about the true or false emperor, many people still believe that Lu Bu held the emperor hostage, and this is also the name Cao Cao used to fight against the imperial army.

Hearing this, the faces of the representatives of the noble families really flashed a trace of fear, and their eyes flickered a little.

"Sikong's words are a bit absurd."

At this time, the head of the Lu family suddenly questioned Cao Cao: "Sikong and General Sun can't resist Lu Bu together, let alone alone?"

"Even if Sikong takes Jiangdong and temporarily stays in a corner, it will be sooner or later that Lu Bu's troops will come. What will Sikong do to resist? How can he protect himself?"

Cao Cao's words were not enough to convince them. After all, the two of them couldn't stop Lu Bu together, let alone one person?

In their view, Cao Cao chose to stab his ally and secretly lead his troops to Jiangdong just because he didn't want to fight with Lu Bu.

"And as far as I know, Sikong has lost Yanzhou, and was defeated by Lu Bu, and even Yuzhou is in danger."

The head of the Lu family told the information he had obtained not long ago.

Hearing this, Cao Cao immediately remembered the death of Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun, and his heart ached slightly. The look he looked at the head of the Lu family became much sharper.

But he quickly retracted his gaze and said calmly: "The loss of Yanzhou was intentional. My main force did not fight with Lu Bu on the front line at all. What was lost was just empty land."

"I will even give up Yuzhou soon. At that time, I will move all the troops, supplies, and people to Jiangdong to defend the natural barrier of the Yangtze River."

"Do you think that the troops, population, and supplies of the two states, plus the power of Jiangdong, are enough to compete with Lu Bu?"