Xi Zhicai could now imagine the scene of Tao Qian kneeling down and begging for mercy after taking over Donghai Kingdom.
"No, I want to kill Tao Qian, wash down Pi City with blood, and comfort my father's spirit in heaven."
Facing Xi Zhicai's analysis, Cao Cao refused. He did not want Tao Qian to surrender. He wanted to use Tao Qian and the entire Xiapi City to comfort Cao Song's spirit in heaven.
"My lord, this is an unusual situation. It is better to deal with Tao Qian sooner rather than later. If it is too late, things will change."
Hearing Cao Cao's words, Xi Zhicai was immediately dumbfounded. What time of year is it now, and he still cares about the love of his children? If Tao Qian is willing to surrender, Xuzhou will be safe, why do he insist on killing Tao Qian.
"This is my bottom line and my bottom line as a son of man. Tao Qian must die."
However, Cao Cao responded decisively to Xi Zhicai.
"I see."
Only then did Xi Zhi realize that it was impossible to make Cao Cao change his mind. In that case, let's go ahead.
"Now that Langya Kingdom has been solved, let's prepare to attack Donghai Kingdom."
Cao Cao nodded to Xi Zhicai, then stood up and ordered the army to prepare to attack Donghai Kingdom.
Kaiyang City was destroyed, Langya Xiang died, and all the remaining counties of Langya Kingdom surrendered, while Cao Cao's army took advantage of the situation and drove towards Donghai Kingdom.
"Sir, Langya Kingdom has also been occupied by Cao Cao. Prime Minister Langya died for his country. They are now preparing to attack Donghai Kingdom."
Mi Zhu quickly came to Tao Qian's side with the battle report of Langya Kingdom.
"What? Langya Kingdom was conquered so quickly? What should we do?"
Upon hearing Mi Zhu's words, Tao Qian was frightened to death.
Now Yuan Shao has sent troops to occupy the five counties of Xiapi and is still attacking Guangling County. Liu Bei is furiously attacking Cao Cao's territory in Yanzhou. Yuan Shu has no action. If Cao Cao really captures Donghai Kingdom, he will be finished.
"Well, lord, now we only have two options."
Mi Zhu thought for a while, it was too difficult to break the current situation.
"Which two roads? Tell me quickly."
Upon hearing Mi Zhu's words, Tao Qian directly grabbed Mi Zhu's hand.
"Lord, it turns out that we sent multiple envoys. Chen Wen and Liu Bei can be discarded. The only ones left are Yuan Shao of Nanyang and Yuan Shu of Jizhou. However, these two people are not easy to deal with. If we want them to rescue them with all their strength, we may have to
Xuzhou can only donate it."
Mi Zhu glanced at Tao Qian, paused and expressed her thoughts.
"Dedicate Xuzhou? This is not acceptable."
Tao Qian shook his head directly and asked him to give up Xuzhou. How could this be done?
"My lord, Cao Cao is about to attack the city now. The only bargaining chip we can offer is Xuzhou Mu's big seal. Otherwise, it will be too late by the time Cao Cao reaches Xiapi. Think about it, which one is more important, Zhou Mu or the lord?"
Your wealth and life are important.”
Seeing that now, Tao Qian still couldn't let go of Xuzhou Mu's position, Mi Zhu couldn't help but feel a little depressed.
"Let me think about it, let me think about it."
Although Mi Zhu told everything about the situation, Tao Qian was still very hesitant. After all, Xuzhou was the foundation of his current livelihood. If he really gave Xuzhou away, his Tao family would be completely destroyed.
"Hey, then I'm going to check the city defense situation in Xiapi City."
After Mi Zhu finished speaking, he walked out of the gate of the Zhou Mu Mansion with a dejected look on his face.
"Come here, call the two young masters over."
After Mi Zhu left, Tao Qian frowned. After thinking for a while, he sent someone to recruit his two sons.
"Father."
"Father."
Tao Qian's two sons, Tao Shang and Tao Ying, were led by the steward to come to him.
"sit down."
"Thank you father."
"Thank you father."
The two took their seats one after another, and then looked at each other, and they could see confusion in each other's eyes.
"Do you know why I came here in exchange for you and others?"
Tao Qian looked at his two sons and didn't know what he was thinking.
"My son doesn't know."
The two said in unison, but both looked confused.
"Now Cao Cao's army is pressing down on the border and has already reached the East China Sea. It is difficult for us to resist. Mi Zhu proposed to sacrifice Xuzhou to his father in exchange for peace of mind. However, Xuzhou is the foundation for our Xu family to settle down and live. My father originally wanted to wait for a hundred years.
After that, it seems difficult to pass on the position of state pastor to you two."
After Tao Qian finished speaking, he glanced at his two sons.
"Father, you also know that my qualifications and those of Yingdi are very different from yours. You have fallen into such a situation in these troubled times. If Xuzhou is really handed over to us, I am afraid it will be a blessing."
It’s a disaster, I’m afraid what our Xu family will face is catastrophe.”
Upon hearing Tao Qian's words, Tao Qian was stunned for a moment, then frowned and expressed his thoughts to Tao Qian.
"You really think so?"
It was the pottery merchant who spoke, and Tao Qian also wanted to consult Tao Ying.
"Father, I am a little inferior to my eldest brother. It is absolutely impossible to take over Xuzhou. Therefore, my father wants my Xu family to continue, so I suggest that Xuzhou be given away."
Tao Ying also had the same idea. Xuzhou was a disaster rather than a blessing in his hands. Rather than being like this, it would be better to let him go and keep his family safe.
"Okay, I'm very happy that you can recognize that you are a father, so I know."
Seeing his two sons talking like this, Tao Qian was very pleased that his children had finally grown up.
"Invite Mi Zhu to come over and discuss matters."
"promise."
After a while, Mi Zhu returned to the Zhou Mu Mansion again. Seeing that Tao Qian's two young masters were also there, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
"My lord, you two young masters."
Mi Zhu greeted the three of them.
"Zizhong, I have made up my mind and agree with your strategy. As long as Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao can save my people in Xuzhou, then why not sacrifice this great seal of the state's Mu?"
Looking at Tao Qian who seemed to be enlightened, Mi Zhu was a little confused for a moment, but he was relieved when he saw Tao Qian's two sons here. It must be that neither of his sons was a master he could trust, so he went down.
determination.
"Now that my lord has decided, are you going to dedicate Xuzhou to Yuan Shu or Yuan Shao?"
Mi Zhu stared at Tao Qian intently, her mind spinning.
"Jizhou Yuan Shu."
Tao Qian glanced at Mi Zhu and gave the answer without hesitation.
"My lord, why did you choose Yuan Shu?"
Hearing Tao Qian's choice, Mi Zhu also became interested, because according to Tao Qian's character, he should have hesitated before making a choice. Why was it so smooth this time?
"Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao are both nobles of the Yuan clan. Although Yuan Shao is ambitious and capable, in my opinion, he is not as good as Yuan Shu from Jizhou.
Now Yuan Shu occupies Jiyou and Qingzhou, and his strength is the best among the princes in the world. Moreover, he is kind and generous. If Xuzhou is handed over to him, it will be a blessing to the people.
The most important thing is that I feel that Xuzhou is not stable in the hands of Yuan Shao. Since I am looking for it, I must help Xuzhou find the strongest master, a strong man who can keep the state safe. I don’t want the people here to go through many swordsmanship again."
