At Zhongtiao Mountain, the military camp of Cao Jun was in good order.
There were no large groups of people or teams of chariots and horses in the camp, only capable soldiers.
Cao Cao and Cao Xiu got in touch and were waiting for Zhang Xiu's surprise attack.
However, after Zhang Xiu wandered around Anyi for a while, he shrank back again and disappeared without a trace, leaving Cao Cao waiting in vain.
The last news was that Zhang Xiu led people to the north...
But the question is, are you really going back?
Or a false shot?
Or did you move somewhere else?
These are all issues that Cao Cao must consider, and the information that can be provided to him is really too little.
Cao Hong retreated in defeat and asked for help and food, leaving Cao Cao sitting in the tent speechless for a long time.
The failure of the branch is not a big deal, because since Cao Cao's campaign, he has not always had the upper hand on local battlefields, but as long as he can win in the end, it will be fine.
Cao Hong suffered a serious setback, and Cao Xiu was also exhausted. Now his strategy of luring the enemy to disperse and disrupting his opponent has basically failed. What Cao Cao cannot understand is, is Fei Qian really so determined?
Is he not afraid at all?
According to the descriptions of the defeated soldiers who escaped from the front line, the hussars that appeared were indeed the elite cavalry that Cao Cao had the most trouble with. The kind of elite cavalry that has strict discipline in the army, is well-trained, powerful, and well-equipped.
Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh deeply.
If he has such cavalry, why worry about the world being unfair?
It's a pity that such a sharp weapon fell into Fei Qian's hands.
Cao Hong's letter stated that he ambushed Sima Yi's cavalry with nearly three times the force, but in the end he could only defeat him and failed to achieve the effect of total annihilation. Although Cao Hong did not elaborate on the matter, Cao Cao knew what Cao Hong meant. Cao Hong was
Cao Cao was reminded that the Hussars were more difficult to deal with than they originally expected.
Cao Cao understood what Cao Hong meant and couldn't help but feel angry and a little embarrassed.
Zhang Xiu is missing, and Fei Qian's headquarters is still unknown.
Cao Cao originally wanted to lure Fei Qian to make a mistake, just like he was waiting for Yuan Shao to make a mistake when he faced Yuan Shao's powerful troops, but now Cao Cao suddenly discovered that there seemed to be some problems with his Montesquieu's tactics of war...
Of course, at this moment, Cao Cao can never say that it is his own problem.
Just like the ruling class will never say that there are problems with their policies or officials, even if everyone knows that there is a problem, and it is a big problem, they still have to be shy when faced with the emperor's new clothes and show that they look good.
nice.
Cao Cao actually vaguely understood the source of his problem at the moment, but he couldn't admit it and could only make secret adjustments. It was absolutely impossible to publicize it everywhere...
To put it simply, Cao Cao started self-correction and self-examination.
As for the results of the investigation, I'm sorry, I have no comment and will not be made public.
…
…
Yang Xiu is also thinking.
He stood up, opened the cover of the messenger's canopy, and walked outside.
The cold wind at night gradually cooled down Yang Xiu's head, which was a little heated from thinking.
The bonfire looks so small in the wilderness.
The guard on duty came forward and asked if anything happened.
Yang Xiu waved his hand and said he was just coming out to get some air, nothing important.
The guard then withdrew.
Yang Xiu took two steps forward and stood outside the temporary camp.
Yang Xiu could feel the vague gaze coming from behind.
That was the surveillance gaze of Cao's soldiers.
"Haha..." The night wind blew, and Yang Xiu felt a little cold.
There was another piece of clothing in his car, a parting gift from Fei Qian. The clothing was very warm, but he didn't dare to wear it.
Yang Xiu understood that Fei Qian was demonstrating or showing that he had abundant military supplies.
And using this dress to make a plan...
Yang Xiu didn't want it originally.
But what Fei Qian said forced Yang Xiu to bow his head and accept the robe.
"Envoy means to follow people and officials, and it means to be hasty. Heaven makes things happen with time, earth makes things happen with materials, and people make things happen with virtue. If you think of envoys, why do you do it privately?"
To put it simply, Yang Xiu came from Cao Cao and conveyed Cao Cao's intention. Now that Yang Xiu went back, he also conveyed Fei Qian's intention. So the personal wishes of the messenger, whether he wants it or not, is not important.
.
What matters is the duty of the messenger.
There is naturally no inclusions in the robe.
All of Fei Qian's strategies are on the table.
Therefore, Yang Xiu had to wear it to show his magnanimity and try his best to pretend that this robe was just a robe...
The son of the third son of the fourth generation and the third son, is now reduced to a lackey!
Yuan Shang!
Yang Xiu!
Hahaha!
Yang Xiu wanted to laugh wildly, laughing wildly at the sky and the earth, but in the end he just grinned and shook his face twice.
There is no way in heaven and earth, and there is no order in the universe. What can be done?
This world should have been his, it was theirs!
He is the proud man of heaven!
Feiqian...
Back then, who was Fei Qian back then?!
Yang Xiu felt that he was no different from ordinary people. He had one nose, one mouth, two eyes and four legs. However, the splashing waves caused new changes in the whole world that were difficult for Yang Xiu to understand.
Yang Xiu raised his head and tried hard to prevent the tears from falling from his eyes.
When he was in Luoyang, Yang Xiu didn't notice Fei Qian at all...
How glorious was Yang Xiu at that time?!
"The Luoshui River flows slowly away, and the catkins fly from the bridge. The fishing boats sing evening songs, but only the old friends are sad..."
Yang Xiu chanted slowly, his voice floating in the air.
At the campfire, a soldier of Cao's army moved his ears slightly.
…
…
Yecheng.
Cao Pi was very uneasy and always felt that something big was about to happen.
He calculated everything that happened in these days and what he had done, and then felt that he had done nothing wrong...
What's the problem with mixing grain and grass?
no problem.
What’s the problem with conscripting civilian husbands?
No problem either.
Looking at the officials and ministers, is there anything wrong with this?
No problem either.
So where is the problem?
Cao Pi couldn't figure it out.
Anyway, it's not his own problem, it's definitely not his own problem.
But he vaguely felt that there was already a problem at the moment.
This made Cao Pi feel chilly in his heart.
Although Cao Cao concealed some of the unfavorable news on the front line intentionally or unintentionally, Cao Pi learned more or less about it after inquiring.
The attack on Shangdang failed completely, Hedong was once defeated, and Youbei was beaten so hard that it couldn't hold its head up. It seemed that everything was far from what was originally expected.
Cao Pi seemed to feel that in the past few days in Ye City, all the official houses, large and small, were chattering, and people were rustling about something...
Cao Pi was panicking, but on the surface he still pretended to have everything under control.
Cao Pi really didn't have much contact with the hussars and horses before. Perhaps the closest contact with the hussars and horses was the time when Fei Qian led the army to form an alliance with Cao Cao in Xu County.
At that time, although Cao Pi felt that the Hussars were quite powerful, he never expected that the Hussars would develop to the extent they are today and would bring such great harm to Shandong and Jizhou.
"The hidden abyss sings and the Hanhai appears; the Kun strikes the water and the mysterious sky changes..."
It seems to be a prophecy.
Is this a coincidence or a layout?
Cao Pi hasn't thought it through yet.
He just knew that there seemed to be many gentry children in Jizhou and Yuzhou, including other places in Shandong, who had some unexplainable relationship with Fei Qian...
Just like those guys secretly had a relationship with Yuan Shao back then.
"damn it……"
Cao Pi gritted his teeth.
No matter what, since he is the eldest son of the Cao family, he should naturally share the worries for the Cao family's foundation!
It was okay if I didn’t know before, but now that I know it, I should do something instead of just watching!
"Is school official Zhao not here yet?!" Cao Pi asked the guards outside.
The guard replied, "Oh...oh, here we come! Hurry up, the prince is summoning you!"
Zhao Da hurriedly came forward to meet Cao Pi.
"I want you to check..."
Cao Pi's voice deepened.
Zhao Da's expression changed and he replied in a low voice: "Prince...this is not easy to investigate..."
Cao Pi gritted his teeth.
How did Fei Qian contact the people in Shandong? Or how did the people in Shandong contact Qiaoqi?
Cao Cao has obviously blocked the land and water roads and prohibited messengers from delivering news, but the people in Shandong know more and faster than his heir apparent!
It's even possible...
There are people in Shandong who have long been colluding with Fei Qian and preparing to rebel?
At that time, there were many people in Yanzhou, Yuzhou who were flirting with Yuan Shao. This is a lesson learned! There is no guarantee that none of these guys have evil intentions in their hearts...
"Thorough investigation!" Cao Pi looked fiercely, tore off a piece of jade from his body, and threw it into Zhao Da's hands, "This is a matter of life and death! Feel free to go and investigate!"
Zhao Da was stunned and then bowed deeply.
"I am afraid...I will obey the order of the Crown Prince..."
The voice seemed a little trembling, but if you look at it from the side, you can see Zhao Da hiding in the shadows and showing some cruel smiles when he prostrates himself.
Like a greedy jackal that sees a rotting corpse.
…
…
The sky was filled with clouds, and finally, Yang Xiu, whose legs and feet were starting to feel numb, slowly retreated from Cao Cao's tent, staggered slightly and turned around the tent, before letting out a long sigh.
The sigh seemed to contain frustration, helplessness, and a hint of fear.
There was only a place for him to stand in the big tent, not a place for him to sit.
This was somewhat disappointing to him, but also somewhat natural.
In any case, Yang Xiu still belongs to Heluo at the moment. He is a subordinate, a "subordinate", and a "subordinate", rather than a good adviser and general who can participate in the core military meetings...
Although I felt a little unhappy, in any case, this envoy's journey was over.
It's finally over.
No, there is one more thing that Yang Xiu didn't say.
That dress.
Because Yang Xiu saw many similar clothes inside the tent.
After all, Guanzhong and Shandong have already done a lot of trade, and the middle and senior leaders of Cao's army, whether they are counselors or generals, don't need a few dollars to buy some good clothes to withstand the cold weather here, so what's the problem?
But if Yang Xiu took out the clothes in front of everyone...
Then something goes wrong.
Yang Xiu turned over his clothes to prove his innocence, but will the other people hand over their clothes?
It's inappropriate to hand it over, and it's equally inappropriate not to hand it over.
Those people dare not bear grudges against Cao Cao and Fei Qian, but for Yang Xiu...
Yang Xiu sighed slightly.
No matter what happens to Cao Cao and Fei Qian, the Yang family cannot afford to offend them now.
Although Yang Xiu knew that things were already like this, there were always some things in his heart that he couldn't let go of.
It's like there's a lump in my throat, but I can't say anything.
Yang Xiu stood there, calmed down slightly, and made his expression and actions appear more stable before slowly moving forward. He knew that he would definitely hear that person's name many times.
Feiqian.
Feiqian...
Even if Yang Xiu didn't want to listen, he had to listen.
Follow people, follow officials...
Perhaps this is indeed the case. From now on... no, from an earlier time, the authority in this world has nothing to do with the Yang family. The Yang family can only "follow people and officials".
Yang Xiu couldn't help but shook his head and sighed.
The Yang guards who were waiting outside came forward, but heard Yang Xiu's sigh. They couldn't help but be startled. Then they looked up at Cao Cao's tent and whispered: "Lang Jun, this is... Prime Minister Cao...
』
Yang Xiu waved his hand, "Nothing."
Let's look for an opportunity to explain one thing or two about that piece of clothing later. After all, there were Cao soldiers among the queue going to Pingyang. When Yang Xiu got the piece of clothing, he didn't receive it in his own hands at the first moment, but handed it to
In the hands of Cao's soldiers.
Whether there is entrainment or not, Cao's soldiers will naturally know.
So, if you don’t mention this dress, it should be okay, right?
Yang Xiu said it was okay, but felt a little unsure.
The guard obviously didn't believe it either. He glanced sideways at Cao Cao's tent. His loyal partner was not Cao Cao, but the Yang family and Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu took two steps and realized that the guard hadn't followed him, so he turned around and shouted in a low voice: "Still not following!"
The guard responded and lowered his head, but the anger on his face was obvious.
In the eyes of the guards, Yang Xiu worked hard to make the trip to Pingyang. Not to mention the credit, it was hard work, but now Yang Xiu seems to have been coaxed out...
In other words, after using it, it is thrown aside.
Is Yang, the dignified son of the fourth generation and the third prince, like a chamber pot?
Even if nothing else is mentioned, Yang Xiu went to Pingyang, and Duoduo was risking death. Who knows if the hussar would be angry and cut Yang Xiu with a knife? And now that Yang Xiu is back,
Cao Cao had neither reward nor compensation. He just said a few words and drove Yang Xiu out of the big tent. Then the other advisers and troops stayed in the big tent.
Doesn't this obviously exclude the Yang family?
You must know that this time Cao Cao entered Guanzhong, Heluo also gave a lot of "support"!
Yang's guard was full of curses in his heart.
Yang Xiu, who was walking in front, felt relieved as if he had been relieved of the pressure. He was indeed too tired from this line of work. Not only was he physically exhausted, but he was also mentally exhausted, so he just wanted to have a good time at the moment.
He took a break and didn't notice the angry expressions on the faces of the guards behind him.
…
…
Inside Cao Cao's tent, Cao Cao squinted his small green eyes, frowned, and was speechless for a while.
To Cao Cao's left and right were Guo Jia and Dong Zhao, as well as a group of generals and generals.
Yang Xiu brought Fei Qian's reply.
Guo Jia stood aside, looking at the reply written by Fei Qian on the desk.
"If you want to fight, come and fight."
The pen is as sharp as a knife.
Cao Cao obviously didn't feel well after being poked.
The lung tubes hurt a little.
My head hurts too.
In front of all the generals and counselors, Cao Cao was too embarrassed to rub it in, so he could only resist with a frown.
"The Hussar sent troops to the Western Regions and then returned to the east of Hedong. This shows that this son had a premeditated plan... In other words, before the Hussar sent troops to the Western Regions, he may have expected...Ming Gong will march into Guanzhong..." Guo Jia said slowly.
"Filial piety! This is a bad statement...Don't try to boost others' ambitions and destroy your own prestige..." Dong Zhao said with some dissatisfaction, "The matter of Duke Ming's sending out troops is a secret. Who can know it before sending out troops?"
Guo Jia glanced at Dong Zhao and did not continue to explain. He seemed to understand naturally and did not understand even if he did not understand. Dong Zhao's expression changed somewhat. He lifted his beard and was about to say something.
Suddenly I saw Cao Cao stretching out a hand...
"How to deal with this matter...?!"
Cao Cao's voice was deep and powerful.
No matter how much you analyze, the key is still to respond.
Judging from the letter of challenge he responded to, Fei Qian indeed accepted the challenge and boldly invited him to challenge.
But how to fight is still a huge problem.
If you just rely on a few words in writing, then rush straight to Pingyang. The king of both sides will face the king, and the general will line up under Pingyang. First, they will yell and curse, explain their own righteousness, and then belittle the other party, and finally
The three armies are dispatched to fight each other. The winner is the father and the loser is the son...
But this is the operating mode of the Spring and Autumn Period, and it is no longer used in the Warring States Period, let alone now?
The war model of the Spring and Autumn Period was that of a true gentleman.
Later, the "gentleman" was spoiled by the "villain", which resulted in the absence of "gentleman". Who is the "gentleman" and who is Shabi, but they still have to sound good and look good in slogans and appearances, so it becomes more and more difficult.
There are more and more "hypocrites" coming.
Cao Cao didn't mind being a hypocrite, but he definitely didn't want to be a Shapi, so he didn't believe a word of the reply written by Fei Qian, and felt that this was a trap set by Fei Qian, waiting for him to jump into.
"Ming Gong, there must be an ambush in Pingyang!" Dong Zhao said in a deep voice, "Now our army has not established a foothold. If we rush forward greedily for success in order to end the battle in one battle, we will have many arrogant troops and may fall into the trap."
Riding on your back! Why don’t you advance with a hard camp and devour the enemy? It’s not too late to settle Anyi first and then enter Pingyang!”
After Dong Zhao finished speaking, most of the generals nodded in approval.
The news of Cao Hong's failure could not be concealed.
Then even Cao Hong couldn't withstand the fat beating of Sima Yi, an unknown member of the Qiusi, let alone their general who didn't even have a name? Sima Yi is so powerful, if he meets Zhang Xiu, or other people in the army
There are some famous generals under the hussar, isn't it...
Naturally, it is safer to follow Cao Cao's thigh.
Of course, you can't say this. If you say it, you will be suspected of fearing war, so it must be called "safe" as Dong Zhao said.
But according to the original plan, can it really succeed?
Cao Cao had already become suspicious.
Not only do you doubt yourself, but you also doubt everything.
After all, it is easier to doubt others than to examine yourself, and it will also give yourself a kind of relief.
It's not that the opponent is too strong, it's that we are all pig teammates.
Guo Jia was on the sidelines and more or less guessed some of Cao Cao's thoughts. Guo Jia believed that what Cao Cao was worried about was that he felt that he had lost the soil, the familiar Shandong soil, so Cao Cao seemed to have no roots.
A little panic and uneasiness.
"Ming Gong, don't fall for the hussar's plan to provoke the general." Guo Jia said slowly. He did not agree to directly attack Pingyang now, but the reason was different from Dong Zhao's. "The hussar's move is nothing more than
It’s nothing but reality..."
"Oh?" Cao Cao responded as expected, "Please tell me as a tribute."
"The tribes in the east of Hedong always try to adapt to the wind," Guo Jia said in a deep voice. "They are happy when they see benefits and change their minds when they see something different. There is no certainty. Therefore, there are people with various surnames in Pingyang... but it is not enough to rely on it."
』
"Not enough?" Cao Cao's little eyes suddenly lit up.
Guo Jia nodded slowly in affirmation.
Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing, "Hahahaha... It's really true of filial piety! This is so wonderful, so wonderful!"
