The news of the rear army's defeat soon reached Cao Cao. Cao Cao was frightened. He knew that there must be an expert in Zhang Xiu's army, so he hurriedly lured the generals to the rear army. When the rear army was defeated, a general from the defeated army came to Cao Cao.
He came closer and said, "Prime Minister, if an army from nowhere along the way had not blocked the middle road, we would have been captured."
Cao Cao asked in panic: "Who is the rescuer?"
After hearing this, the man drew his spear and dismounted, and came to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao saw that this man had a lean body, strong muscles, and a dignified appearance. He looked like a Confucian general. He was overjoyed and loved him even more.
feeling.
There is a hint in our book: This person's surname is Li Tong, also known as Wenda, with the small Chinese character Wanyi. He is from Pingchun, Jiangxia (northwest of Xinyang, Henan Province). He is famous in the Jiangru area as a knight-errant. He and Chen Gong, a native of the same county, raised troops in Langling.
He once defeated the Yellow Turban and made great achievements.
Cao Cao asked: "Whose surname is it? Where do you come from?"
Li Tongtong: "The last general, whose surname is Li, whose name is Tong, and whose courtesy name is Wenda, is guarding Runan. He heard that the prime minister had destroyed Zhang Xiu, and Liu Biao came to pick him up."
Cao Cao said happily: "I will reward you with three hundred gold and silver. I pay tribute to General Zhenwei to guard the western border of Runan to prevent Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu."
"Thank you, Prime Minister." Li Tong thanked him and left.
Cao Cao led his army back to Xuchang, and Xun Yu and others went out to meet him. Cao Cao went to see the emperor Liu Xie and said that Sun Ce had accomplished the task of defeating Yuan Shu. He was named the General of the Rebellion and was given the title of Marquis of Wu. He also sent envoys to the east of the Yangtze River and ordered Sun Ce to lead the army.
Break Liu Biao.
When Cao Cao returned to his mansion, all the officials gathered here. Xun Yu asked: "How can the Prime Minister know that he will win when he comes to Anzhong?"
Cao Cao laughed and said: "The enemy has no way to retreat and will fight to the death. I am generous and secret to plan for him. This is Sun Tzu's mystery. That's why I know his victory."
"The prime minister has a great opinion." Xun Yu bowed and left.
After a while, Guo Jia came to see him, and Cao Cao said, "Why is it so late, sir?"
Guo Jiadao said: "When Yuan Shao came, he sent a letter to the prime minister, saying that he wanted to send troops to attack Gongsun Xu of Youzhou and asked for food and troops."
Cao Cao laughed and said: "I heard that I was planning to go to Xuchang, and now that I have returned, I want to go to Gongsun and ask for food and troops."
Yuan Shao's envoy submitted a letter. Cao Cao read the letter and felt extremely arrogant. He ordered Yuan Shao's envoy to return to the post to rest. Then he asked Guo Jiadao: "Yuan Shao is so proud and shameless. I will punish him with all my hatred."
Guo Jiadao: "Liu and Xiang were defeated. It is known to everyone that the Han Dynasty was defeated by wisdom. Although Xiang Yu was strong, he was eventually captured by the Han Dynasty, but it was wisdom that defeated him. As Jia stole, Shao had ten defeats and Gong had ten victories.
!”
"Tell me." Cao Cao said.
"Although Shao's soldiers are strong, they can't do anything. Shao has many rituals and rituals, and the official body is left to nature. This is the first way to win. Shao is rebellious and the public is obedient to lead the world. This is the second way to win. At the end of the Han Dynasty, he lost power.
Yu Kuan, Shao used generosity to help lenient people, so he did not take pictures. The public corrected them fiercely, and the top and bottom knew how to control them. This was the third rule.
Simple and easy
And internal intelligence is clear, and there is no doubt that people should be employed only according to their talents, regardless of distance or distance. This is the fourth element of victory. There are too many plans and few decisions, which are lost in future affairs. The public can make plans at will, and there are endless adaptability. This is the fifth element of victory.
Because of his long-term talent, Shao made high-level offers and bowed to people of good reputation. Most of those who showed off their good words came back to him. He treated people with sincerity and sincerity. He did not act in vain. He led others with frugality and was not stingy with those who had merit.
, Scholars who are loyal, upright, farsighted and practical are all willing to use them. This virtue is victorious. Six things; when you see people who are hungry and cold, your sympathy is reflected in their color. If you don't see it, you may not be able to do it. The so-called woman's benevolent ear, the public
As for the small things at present, they are sometimes neglected. As for the big things, they are connected with the world. The kindness they receive is beyond their expectations.
The ministers are fighting for power, slandering and confusing, the prince is trying to follow the way, but cannot be soaked in, this is clear victory, eight points; Shao is ignorant of right and wrong, the public is to advance with etiquette, but not with the law, this article wins, nine points; Shao likes to be empty
If you don't know the strength of the army, you can defeat the masses with a small number, and use your troops like a god. The soldiers rely on it and the enemy is afraid of it. This is a victory of ten. If you have the virtue of ten victories, how can Shao'an be expected?" Guo Jiadao.
Cao Cao laughed and said: "As the Lord said, there is no virtue in investigating it! If so, I can figure it out."
Guo Jiadao said: "Lü Bu in Xuzhou is a real troublemaker. Now Shao is attacking Gongsun Xu in the north, and Zuo Aoran's interests involve Zuo Aoran, so he will definitely attack Yuan Shao, and while these two are far away, why not take Lu Bu first, sweep out the southeast, and then move to Shao?
"Ran, it's not too late. If we figure it out first, Lu Bu will definitely come to the rescue, and Xuchang will be in great trouble!"
"Well, that's right." Cao Cao said, "Fengxiao, please step back."
"Yes." Guo Jia left.
That night, Cao Cao summoned Xun Yu into the back hall and asked, "Do you know what Yuan Shao is doing?"
Xun Yu said, "We have envoys here today. What's the matter?"
Cao Cao gave the letter to Xun Yu and asked him to read it. After reading it, Xun Yu said: "Shao's words are not inferior!"
Cao Cao said: "I want to raise an army to attack him, but my hatred is not strong enough. What can I do?"
Xun Yu said: "The winners and losers in ancient times really had their talents, and even if they were weak they would be strong; if they were not like him, they would be weak even if they were strong. The survival of Liu and Xiang is enough to be seen. Today, the only one who competes with Gong for the world is Yuan Shaoer.
.Shao looks generous on the outside but taboo on the inside. Let others
But there is doubt. If the public is wise and unrestrained, but only according to the talents, this is the way to win. If Shao is cautious and decisive, he will miss the opportunity later. If the public is able to handle major events, and can adapt to endless changes, this is the way to win. Shao's imperial army is lenient and slow, and the laws are not established.
Although there are many soldiers, it is difficult to use them
.Since the public law is clear, rewards and punishments must be implemented. Even if there are few soldiers, they will fight to the death. This is the victory of martial arts. Shao relies on worldly resources and calmly displays his wisdom to gain reputation. Therefore, the few soldiers who are inquisitive and the ones who are inquisitive are more likely to return. To the public
Treat others with kindness, be sincere, and not
Virtue and beauty, being prudent and thrifty in one's own conduct, and showing no grudges to those who have meritorious deeds, so loyal and effective people in the world are willing to use them. This virtue is victorious. I assist the emperor with four victories and fight righteously. Who dares not to obey? Yuan Shaozhi
My dear, how can it be of any use?"
Cao Cao said: "Why do you deserve to praise my virtue? However, this can lead to an army conquest!"
Xun Yu said: "No! Lu Bu is still in Xuzhou now. He is always unkind and wants to attack Yuan Shao. Bu will take advantage of his weakness. It is better to calm Yuan Shao's heart with a letter, add Shao to show his official position, and promise him a thousand hu of grain, in case he has something to do with Gongsun Xu."
At this time, Lu Bu must be destroyed first, six out of ten in the Central Plains, and then Shao can be captured in one fell swoop."
Cao Cao put his palms in his hands and laughed and said: "The opportunity of filial piety and the wisdom of Wen Ruo, even Chen Ping and Zhang Liang, how can they be compared!"
When Cao Cao wanted to go east to conquer Lu Bu, Xun Yu said: "You can send people to Liu Bei first, and the plan will be an internal response, and you can only mobilize troops after he returns."
Early the next morning, he treated Yuan Shao's envoy favorably and promoted Yuan Shao to the rank of general and Taiwei. He also oversaw Ji, Qing, You, and the four prefectures. He wrote a more secret letter: "You can challenge Gongsun Xu, and you should respond later."
"After sending his envoys back, Yuan Shao was overjoyed and decided to send troops to attack Gongsun Xu.
Binzhou Jinyang Zuofu.
As soon as Zuo Aoran returned to his home in Bingzhou, his family informed him that Liu Ji, a descendant of the Han clan, had invited two scribes to seek an audience, and Xu Qian, the brother of the deceased famous scholar Xu Shao, had brought his younger brother's son to seek an audience. There was also Yan Baihu of Wu County.
Wang Lang, the prefect of Kuaiji, asked for an audience and had been waiting in the post house for many days.
