This year has been a year of bad luck for Cao Cao.
In other words, before the Battle of Guandu, any year was a difficult year for Cao Cao.
When he first entered Yanzhou, he defeated the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou with great difficulty, and then marched eastward and westward, defeating Yuan Shu and Tao Qian, and conquered Runan and conquered Lu Bu.
After finally finding peace, he had to fight Yuan Shu to a bloody head.
In just a few years, Cao Cao was either fighting or on the way to fight.
Any war is full of dangers, and when you were at your worst, you almost sent your family members to Yecheng as hostages.
Fortunately, everything came through.
It was just that Zhang Xiu's southern expedition at the beginning of this year resulted in the loss of his troops and generals, which was the most tragic event in history.
Historically, he only lost Dian Wei, Cao Ang, Cao Anmin, and one or two thousand troops, but this time he added Cao Ren Lejin and nearly 10,000 elite troops.
His strength was reduced by almost a quarter, which made Cao Cao put away the arrogance he had when he first welcomed Liu Xie and began to keep a low profile.
In May, Cao Cao learned his lesson and decided not to quarrel with Liu Biao anymore, so in the name of Liu Xie, he named Liu Biao the general of the Southern Conquest as a show of goodwill, and did not send Cao Hong to continue southward to conquer Zhangxiu.
The two sides are currently in peace. Cao Hong is stationed in Ye County, Liu Biao sent Gan Ning to station in Biyang, and Zhang Xiu is much more cowardly. He is in Rang County and only sends a few troops to garrison Wancheng.
After being named General of the Southern Conquest by Liu Xie, Liu Biao was no longer hostile to Cao Cao, and even sent an envoy Han Song to Xuchang again to worship the emperor.
The main reason is that historically Liu Biao was appointed the governor of Jingzhou by Dong Zhuo. Later, the positions and titles of General Zhennan, Jingzhou Mu, and Wuchenghou were granted by Li Jue. Although they were all in the name of Liu Xie, in legal terms
It still makes a little bit of sense.
So now Liu Xie personally named him the General of the Conquest of the South, which officially justified this legal principle, and Liu Biao was naturally very happy.
And Cao Cao did not dare to despise Liu Biao now. In history, he personally conquered Nanyang several times and defeated Liu Biao's army. Therefore, Cao Cao never took him seriously and did not promote him to an official position.
But this time he had to do this. When his strength was greatly lost, he had to consider the issue of who can be provoked and who cannot be provoked.
Under normal circumstances, Yuan Shu falls into the category that cannot be messed with.
He had just proclaimed himself emperor this year and was at the peak of his strength. He had more than 100,000 troops. However, Cao Cao lost his troops and lost his generals. Now he has only 40,000 troops. There is definitely not much chance of winning against him head-on. More importantly, he has to worry about Lu Bu.
manner.
Once Lu Bu and Yuan Shu get together, the threat to Cao Cao will be too great.
This made him very worried.
Sikong Mansion in Xuchang, after returning from Nanyang in March, the formerly bustling mansion seemed to have become much deserted in just three months.
Cao Cao sat cross-legged and meditated under the wooden porch beside the pond in the backyard, looking slightly trance-like at the fish swimming in the pond.
It is summer, the sun is blazing, the water is sparkling, and the sun makes people feel warm and hot.
The servants and maids walking around were all on tiptoe, not daring to disturb him.
After the Battle of Nanyang, Cao Ang died in battle. Cao Cao's first wife, Mrs. Ding, was furious, severed ties with Cao Cao, and took some of his slaves back to his hometown.
Without his first wife, there were only a few concubines left at home, and the inner house was empty, seeming to have lost some of its popularity.
Mrs. Bian would have to wait another two years until Cao Cao failed to win back Mrs. Ding and finally divorced Mrs. Ding before she was made the first wife.
Therefore, the Cao family's inner house currently has no owner.
Usually when Cao Cao was upset, Mrs. Ding could still give him a few words of advice, but now no one dared to do so.
However, Mrs. Bian knew that Cao Cao was not in a good mood these days, and was worried that he would suffer from heatstroke just sitting like this in the hot weather, so she prepared a plum decoction, also known as sour plum soup, to relieve heat and quench thirst.
"Husband."
Mrs. Bian slowly walked to the corridor with sour plum soup, waved her hand, and motioned to the slaves on the left and right, whose legs and feet were aching from standing, to go down and rest first.
Then he knelt down next to Cao Cao, placed the plate on the porch, and handed the sour plum soup to Cao Cao.
"Yes, ma'am."
Cao Cao responded, took the sour plum soup from Mrs. Bian, held it in his hand, and pretended to be relaxed: "Where are Pi'er and the others?"
Mrs. Bian said: "The weather is too hot. I feel drowsy after noon. They have already fallen asleep."
"Is Cang Shu asleep too?"
Cao Cao asked.
Cangshu is Cao Chong's nickname. Cao Chong is almost two years old this year.
Normally, children can speak when they are one and a half years old, and can read when they are three years old.
But Cao Chong was a child prodigy. According to historical records, his intelligence at the age of five was almost that of an adult. He could speak at only nine months old and could read at one and a half years old. He was very popular with Cao Cao.
He once said that although Shen's children were precociously intelligent, they were still not as smart as my Cang Shu. Although he was suspected of bragging, it also showed that Cao Chong was indeed smart.
"Cangshu is asleep too."
Mrs. Bian said with a smile: "Before he went to bed, he also said that when he woke up, he would memorize an article for Ye Ye."
"oh?"
Cao Cao was quite surprised and said: "Can Cang Shu already know how to memorize articles?"
"That's not true. He can just recite the first chapter of "Cang Jie Pian", one hundred and twenty words. But whose child can recite so many words when he is less than two years old? I'm afraid if I wait another two years, Cang Shu will definitely have great literary talent.
"
Mrs. Bian picked up some nice things to say to Cao Cao. She knew that Cao Cao liked to hear this.
After hearing this, Cao Cao actually stroked his beard and laughed and said: "Hahahaha, it's great to be able to recite the first chapter of "Cangjie Pian". I have this Qilin, so why worry about our Cao family not being prosperous?"
After being coaxed by Mrs. Bian to Cao Chong, Cao Cao was much less depressed because Yuan Shu captured Chen Guoliang and approached Yingchuan.
The two chatted about other things. At this time, the servant came in and said: "Sikong, Lu Bu sent his envoy Chen Deng to Xuchang, and he is outside the door now."
"oh?"
Cao Cao pondered: "Let him wait in the front hall first, and then send someone to invite the military advisor to offer wine. When the military advisor comes to offer wine, then summon him to the middle hall."
"only."
The servant went to make arrangements.
Mrs. Bian said: "My husband has important matters to deal with. I will go back to the inner house first."
"Um."
Cao Cao nodded, stood up and went to the front hall.
After the conquest of Nanyang, many things happened in Guandong.
For example, last year Gongsun Zan defeated Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao sent troops to attack Gongsun Zan and besieged him in Yijing.
Everyone can see the current situation in Hebei. Gongsun Zan is at the end of his power, and it will be a matter of time before Yuan Shao takes over the north.
In May of this year, Yuan Shu went north to occupy Chen and Liang. In order to prevent Lu Bu from allying with him, Cao Cao quickly sent an envoy to Lu Bu and promised to promote him to the rank of General of the Left.
What he didn't expect was that Lu Bu originally planned to form an alliance with Yuan Shu, and he also responded to Yuan Shu's request and prepared to marry his daughter to Yuan Shu's son.
However, Chen Gui and Chen Deng stood in the way and successfully persuaded Lu Bu to refuse to form an alliance with Yuan Shu, thus indirectly helping Cao Cao.
Now Lu Bu sent Chen Deng as envoy to Xuchang, probably for this matter.
The reason why Guo Jia was photographed by Cao Cao on such an extremely important occasion was that after the Battle of Nanyang, Cao Cao was defeated by Zhang Xiu and fled back to Yingchuan in despair.
Yuan Shao immediately sent someone to deliver a letter, speaking arrogantly and humiliating Cao Cao.
This incident made Cao Cao very angry.
However, due to the fact that Yuan Shao was about to defeat Gongsun Zan and occupy the entire north, Cao Cao was very afraid and did not dare to respond.
Only Guo Jia proposed to him the theory of ten victories and ten defeats, which gave Cao Cao great confidence. So from then on, he established the Military Advisor Sacrifice and officially allowed Guo Jia to enter the core circle of advisers.
Later, Cao Cao's five great counselors have not actually taken shape yet.
Xun Yu has a cooperative relationship with him and is now in charge of the Shangshutai; Jia Xu is still following Zhang Xiu in Nanyang; Xun You serves as the prefect of Runan and helps Cao Cao stabilize Runan; Cheng Yu is the prefect of Jiyin and is in charge of Yanzhou.
Therefore, the only one with him is Guo Jia. When something happens, he really needs Guo Jia to help analyze it.
Soon Cao Cao came to the middle hall. At this time, Chen Deng was waiting in the front hall. The servant now went to find Guo Jia.
About half a quarter of an hour later, Guo Jia came in a hurry, entered the hall and saw Cao Cao reading some official documents at the chief's desk, so he raised his hands and said, "Ming Gong."
"Um."
Cao Cao put down the official document and said to Guo Jia: "I will sit down first as a courtesy."
"Thank you Ming Gong."
Guo Jia sat under Cao Cao's right hand.
After he sat down, Cao Cao said, "Lü Bu sent his envoy Chen Deng. What do you think of Fengxiao?"
Guo Jia smiled and said: "I already know about this. Yuan Shu had already sent people to contact Lu Bu at the beginning of this year and wanted to marry Lu Bu's daughter for his son. Pei Prime Minister Han Yu and his son urged Lu Bu and thwarted Yuan Shu's plan.
From this it can be seen that they are people who are interested in the imperial court. Chen Deng is here as an envoy, so I can test them out and maybe lead them into internal responses."
When it comes to understanding people's hearts, no one in the Three Kingdoms of the late Han Dynasty was better than Guo Jia.
In May, the envoy sent by Cao Cao to see Lü Bu happened to encounter Chen Gui. Chen Deng and his son foiled Yuan Shu's plot to form an alliance with Lü Bu. Lü Bu then arrested Yuan Shu's envoy Han Yin. This time, Chen Deng brought him to send him away.
To Cao Cao.
Everyone already knew about this, but Guo Jia judged from it that Chen Gui, Chen Deng and his son did not really want to work for Lu Bu, so he persuaded Cao Cao to win over the two of them and let them be internal agents.
Cao Cao nodded and said: "I think so too. If Chen Yuanlong and his son really care about the imperial court, it will be great for the imperial court."
While talking, the waiter had already brought Chen Deng over from the front hall.
Chen Deng was eight feet tall, had a handsome face, and had a heroic demeanor. He calmly walked into the hall, saw Cao Cao, and stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Deng, I have met Duke Cao."
"Um."
Cao Cao said: "Your Majesty, please sit down. Lu Bu sent you to see me. What's the matter?"
At the beginning of the year, Liu Xie named Cao Cao the Marquis of Wuping. In the Zhou Dynasty, the titles were Gong, Hou, Bo, Zi, and Nan. Those above the Marquis level could call themselves Gu.
During the Qin and Han Dynasties, due to the prevalence of twenty-level titles, the four nobles of duke, uncle, son and baron were basically abolished, leaving only marquis. Among them, the Marquis of Guannei was the lowest marquis, and then there were the marquises.
The princes are divided into three, six or nine grades, namely Dutinghou, Tinghou, Duxianghou, Xianghou, and the highest is county prince. The land of a county is a prince country. At this time, you can call yourself a lonely country.
Cao Cao's Marquis of Wu Ping and Liu Biao's Marquis of Wu Cheng were both at the county level, so Cao Cao now calls himself "Gu" when talking to outsiders.
"Thank you, Mr. Cao."
After Chen Deng sat down, he said: "At the beginning of the year, Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in Huainan and sent his envoy Yin to marry Lu Bu. Did Duke Cao know about it?"
Cao Cao noticed that Chen Deng was talking about Yinjie Lu Bu, not Yinjie my lord, and he suddenly felt at ease. He nodded and said: "Of course I know that I have to thank Han Yugong and Yuanlong for this. If it weren't for you, the imperial court would be in danger."
Already."
He also talked a little more intimately, paving the way for him to win over Chen Deng later.
Chen Deng said sternly: "My father and I tried to dissuade Lu Bu for the sake of the country, and we had no intention of seeking credit. I came here just to tell Duke Cao that Yuan Shu was ambitious and based in Huainan. It is difficult to maintain his integrity for a long time. Duke Cao must take the lead."
Make good friends with Lu Bu and drive Yuan Shu away from Yuzhou, so that you can protect the safety of Xudu."
Cao Cao said: "I know all this. Yuan Shu has marched into Chen State and intends to attack Yingchuan. How can I allow him? However, Huainan's younger brother holds the land east of the Yangtze River, and Runan follows it. There are many soldiers and generals, and he wants to attack alone.
, but I am invincible."
Chen Deng immediately said: "I would like to urge Lu Bu to form an alliance with Duke Cao. Lu Bu has angered Yuan Shu by killing Yuan Shu's envoy, and will definitely raise troops to attack him. Duke Cao can sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight."
"good."
Cao Cao nodded approvingly and said, "I wonder what Yuan Long Guan Lu Bu is like?"
Chen Deng said: "Lü Bu is brave but has no plans. He is not a good minister of the country. After he came to Xuzhou, he attacked Liu Huangshu in Xiaopei and forced my father to conquer him. This made everyone in Xuzhou alienate him. After the Duke defeated Yuan Shu, it should be appropriate
Make a plan early."
Cao Cao sighed: "Yes, Lu Bu is a capricious person. Even if you give him a high official and a generous salary today, he will definitely rebel again in the future. You are by his side, and you are the only one who knows the hypocrisy of his love."
Chen Deng immediately stood up, raised his hands and said, "Deng is willing to serve as Cao Gong's internal correspondent."
Cao Cao was overjoyed and said: "With Yuanlong's help, the imperial court will be able to recover Huaibei as soon as possible. I would like to report to the emperor that I will serve as the prefect of Guangling and entrust the affairs of the East to you. How about that?"
"Climbing will never disgrace your life."
Chen Deng agreed to this matter. In fact, he also hated Lu Bu. Now he became Cao Cao's internal adviser, naturally so that the imperial court could regain Xuzhou one day.
Cao Cao was very happy to win over Chen Deng and rewarded Chen Deng's father Chen Gui. At the same time, he discussed with Chen Deng how to temporarily form an alliance with Lu Bu and attack Yuan Shu.
This time Lu Bu sent Chen Deng over for one of his biggest purposes, which was to get him officially canonized as Xuzhou Mu by the imperial court.
When Liu Bei came to help Tao Qian, Liu Xie was still in Chang'an. Tao Qian petitioned Liu Bei to be the governor of Yuzhou. When he was about to die, he gave Xuzhou to Liu Bei. But at that time, Liu Bei was only the pastor of Xuzhou.
He did not accept the canonization from the imperial court.
When Cao Cao welcomed the emperor last year, he officially named him General Zhendong and Marquis of Yicheng Ting. However, he did not name Liu Bei as Xuzhou Mu, so his name as Xuzhou Mu was not justified, and the governors of various counties did not listen to him.
After Lu Bu captured Xuzhou, he asked for a title. At that time, Liu Xie was on his way east to Luoyang, and he was still in Hedong. He was not given the official position of Xuzhou Mu, but was given the title of General Pingdong.
At the end of the Han Dynasty, there were already four expeditions, four towns, and four equal generals. General Pingdong was still under Liu Bei, the general of Zhendong. Of course Lu Bu was not happy.
So after driving Liu Bei away again this year, he has been hoping that the imperial court can officially canonize him as Xuzhou Mu.
Cao Cao naturally knew what he was thinking.
Before Lu Bu occupied Xuzhou, because he did not have the position of Xuzhou Mu, he was unable to govern Xuzhou at all. People like Zang Ba, Xiao Jian and others ignored him at all. He could not unite these forces and naturally could not grow in Xuzhou.
Now if he is really given the position of Mu of Xuzhou, and can command Xuzhou with full authority, appoint and remove county magistrates and prefects and governors, and hold the power of personnel, finance and governance, then Lu Bu can unify the power of the five counties of Xuzhou.
If you get up, it will be difficult to deal with it.
Therefore, after Cao Cao discussed with Chen Deng, they believed that he must not be given pastoral care in Xuzhou.
But he must be comforted.
Cao Cao pondered for a long time, and finally gave him not only the promised General Zuo, but also a handwritten letter called "Handwritten Letter to Lu Bu".
The content of the letter is different from the historical one. Historically, Cao Cao only told Lu Bu about the current difficulties in the court. Even Lu Bu's left general's golden seal and purple ribbon were reforged by him with his own gold and purple ribbon. I hope Lu Bu can know.
His sincerity.
This time, in addition to talking about the golden seal and purple ribbon, he also praised Lu Bu's "loyalty" and gave Lu Bu a little sweetener. In addition to the official position of General Zuo, he also gave him the power to open a government, and at the same time painted a big cake.
, saying that after Yuan Shu is eliminated, he will be given the position of Xuzhou Mu, so that he can legitimately rule Xuzhou.
This is already a sign of weakness.
The reason is that the defeat in Nanyang caused Cao Cao heavy losses, so he had to act carefully and speak with a gesture that made Lu Bu feel embarrassed to trouble him again.
Chen Deng got this letter, took Lu Bu's gold seal and purple ribbon, and set off to return to Xuzhou to report to Lu Bu.
Cao Cao personally escorted him outside the city and said goodbye to him while holding hands.
Since then, the alliance between Lu Bu and Yuan Shu has been completely divided, and Cao Cao can safely send troops to attack Chen and Liang and drive Yuan Shu's forces out of Yuzhou.