"Liu Bei now has four great counselors: Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, and Fa Zheng. Zhuge Liang is the most famous, but he is now mainly responsible for internal affairs and plotting against Pang Tong. Fa Zheng will go with him to fight. Only Xu Shu is left to assist Guan Yu in Jingzhou. He is considered a despicable position. Xu Shu is the most suspect." Liu Ye analyzed.
Cao Cao wiped his beard and cursed: "I remember that when the big-eared bandits were in Xuzhou, they were only accompanied by white-faced scholars such as Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, and Jian Yong. I didn't expect that now there are so many wise and resourceful people following them. Zhongde (Cheng Yu) ) once said that Xu Yuan was ten times better than him. Is this person really that capable?"
When Cao Cao doubted Xu Shu's ability, he suddenly remembered his old friend Cheng Yu. He didn't even have a decent planner in the Battle of Hanzhong, and he couldn't even match Liu Bei's configuration. This was something Cao Cao, the king of Wei, couldn't bear. Yes, he made up his mind to re-enable Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu joined Cao Cao's army in the early days. Because of his bravery in battle and his many ingenious schemes, he was known as the four great planners together with Xun Yu, Xun You, and Guo Jia at that time, and was especially valued by Cao Cao.
Later, the Yanzhou nobles were dissatisfied that Cao Cao only used the Yingchuan nobles, so they secretly colluded to welcome Lu Bu who had escaped from Chang'an. Cao Cao's Yanzhou base was almost destroyed at that time.
Under such a general background, the Yanzhou gentry was completely abandoned by Cao Cao. Cheng Yu, who was also from the Yanzhou gentry, was relieved of military power after the Battle of Guandu and took up a fictitious position in the central government with no real power. He rarely followed Cao Cao in the later period. Counselor for Military Affairs.
In the 18th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao proclaimed himself Duke and established the Wei Kingdom. Cheng Yu was awarded the title of Wei Wei for his meritorious service. However, due to a dispute with Taichang Xing Zhen for prestige, he was dismissed and has been in use ever since.
Three of the original four major conspirators have died, and Cheng Yu is now seventy-eight years old. Cao Cao looked at his gray beard and sighed that time was passing like the wind.
Just when Cao Cao was melancholy, the guards outside the palace hurriedly rushed in and told Guan Yu to enter the Shuohan River by land and water. He was now raising 30,000 troops to attack Xiangyang and Fancheng. Cao Ren and Lu Chang asked for help urgently.
Cao Cao was shocked when he heard this, and quickly asked the generals in the palace: "Guan Yunchang is brave and invincible. There are only more than ten thousand troops stationed in Xiangyang and Fancheng. Zixiao (Cao Ren) may not be able to compete with him. Who is willing to lead the troops to rescue Fancheng?"
At this time, Cao Zhen and Zhang He were stationed in Chencang, and the generals in Chang'an included Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhang, Guo Huai, Xu Huang and others.
Just as Cao Zhang was about to give it a try, Xu Huang took the first step, cupping his fists and asking for help: "King Wei, I am willing to go and save Fancheng."
Cao Cao first glared at Cao Zhang and said to himself that it was fortunate that Xu Huang came to your rescue. How dare you be in the limelight? How did Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang's son die in front of Yangping Pass? At least think about who your opponent is, then Is Guan Yu comparable to Huang Zhong and Wei Yan? I called you to fight against Liu Feng.
"Guan Yunchang has superb martial arts. You must be careful when you go here. I will go ahead with you and ten thousand troops. If you are still unable to do it, I will lead the army and come in person." Cao Cao said.
"Xu Huang takes the order."
Xu Huang turned around and left and walked out of the palace. Cao Cao continued to give instructions: "Zi Yang, you also go and clean up the troops. Even if Gongming (Xu Huang) raises troops to rescue, Guan Yunchang's troops are still at an advantage, and the Han River has been controlled by Jingzhou soldiers. , money, food, soldiers and horses will continue to be sent to the front line, we must follow closely and rush to the rescue, otherwise Xiangyang and Fancheng will be in danger."
Liu Ye shook his head and admonished: "The soldiers who returned from Hanzhong are so exhausted that it would be unfavorable for the King of Wei to use these soldiers and horses to rescue them. It is better to directly send troops and horses from Xudu to rescue them.
In addition, Xiangyang and Fancheng are tall and strong. In the past, Zhou Yu besieged Xiangyang for a year and still could not win. Guan Yu could not attack quickly no matter how brave he was. General Zixiao had Man Boning assisting him, so he could be safe in a short time."
"Zi Yang's words are very good. He sent an order to Jin to send soldiers from Xudu to rescue him, while Gu took the Hanzhong soldiers and horses back to garrison at Xudu." Cao Cao frowned and ordered.
"Wei." Liu Ye cupped his fists.
The situation in Xiangyang and Fancheng was urgent. Cao Cao quickly took action after making arrangements. He left Cao Hong, Du Xi, and Guo Huai to guard Chang'an, and he led his troops east toward Xudu.
At this time, people in various parts of the Central Plains were impetuous due to the corvee, and there were signs of riots in many places. Cao Pi sent the crown prince Sima Yi to Henan to appease people, and finally met Cao Cao in Xudu.
When Cao Cao got along with Sima Yi, he not only saw that he had "great ambitions", but also found that Sima Yi had a "wolf-like attitude", so he was very cautious in using him. However, the crown prince Cao Pi, because he had "big plans", resisted
Pressure is still valued and maintained.
Considering that he was old and would need someone to assist Cao Pi in the future when he succeeded to the throne, Cao Cao could only passively accept and reuse Sima Yi, but he would also select others to beat him.
When Cao Cao led his troops into Xudu, Sima Yi came out of the city to greet him. Considering that the situation was tense and Sima Yi had many clever strategies, he transferred him to the position of Prime Minister's Army Sima.
In order to check and balance Sima Yi, Cao Cao sent someone to find Cheng Yu, who was living idle in the city, and appointed him as military advisor, wine counselor and military affairs counselor.
Looking at Liu Ye, Cheng Yu, and Sima Yi, Cao Cao thought of Jia Xu who was ill in Yecheng, and secretly thought that he could gather the four masterminds. This background was not comparable to that of Liu Bei, who weaved mats and sold shoes.
"Yu Wen is commanding the Seventh Army to rescue Fan City. Together with Xu Huang's troops from Chang'an, the entire military strength of Xiang and Fan has surpassed that of Guan Yu. Do you think Guan Yu can defeat him?" Cao Cao asked the three of them for advice.
Cheng Yu is the oldest among the three, but because he was dismissed from office midway, he now has the lowest position. At this time, he stood there like a dead tree, unaffected by the gazes of Liu Ye and Sima Yi.
"Huh?" Seeing that they were silent, Cao Cao increased his tone.
"The king of Wei has more troops than more troops. Guan Yu is really not comparable to ordinary people. In addition, the Han River rises in autumn. Jingzhou's navy is second only to Jiangdong. The victory or defeat of Xiang and Fan is still unpredictable." Liu Ye
Analysis based on facts.
"You can't just come alone every time, right? Zhongda had many clever plans before, but now he has a clever plan to teach me?" Cao Cao frowned and asked, thinking that if you don't take the initiative, I will call you by name one by one.
Sima Yi cupped his hands and replied: "Liu Bei captured Hanzhong and arrogated the title of king. His momentum is incomparable. Why doesn't King Wei make a fuss about the alliance between Sun and Liu?"
"Zhongda can make it clear if he has any plans." Cao Cao urged.
"At this time, Jiangdong's army is in Hefei. Why doesn't King Wei send some eloquent people to lobby? I don't think Sun Quan will just sit back and watch Guan Yu become powerful." Sima Yi smiled slightly.
Cao Cao nodded, turned to Cheng Yu and asked, "What do Zhongde think?"
Cheng Yu replied softly: "Sun Quan was so unrighteous that he had an internal conflict with Liu Bei a few years ago. Your Majesty, your Majesty, can offer you great benefits, and he will definitely be of use to me. As long as I can contain Jingzhou's rear, it will not be difficult for Guan Yu to defeat him."
"The public statement is very good. Who do you think Zhongde can send as an envoy?" Cao Cao asked again.
Cheng Yu shook his head and said: "I haven't been in the temple for a long time. I really don't know who the heroes are. It would be best if this person is in Hefei now."
Chapter completed!