In the early autumn weather in Puyang, a strong wind suddenly picked up, and the leaves in the courtyard were rustling. The dark gray clouds hung low, making the afternoon sky extremely gloomy. The inner courtyard of the Zhou Mu Mansion looked even darker because the door was closed to avoid the wind.
On both sides of the room, there were only a few candles on the exquisite copper crane-shaped candlesticks that were captured from Linzi. Cao Cao was sitting on the big couch in the middle in half-light and half-darkness, with a gloomy expression on his face that made people unconsciously feel something.
Very afraid.
On the seats on both sides, there is a warrior wearing a military uniform and a turban sitting on each side. The man on the right is thinner and seems to be more afraid of the cold. He is wearing a cape outside the military uniform and a short sword hanging on his waist. He is sitting upright.
He didn't move; the warrior on the right was taller and more burly. He sat cross-legged and placed the sword across his thigh. His eyes sometimes glanced at the people kneeling on the ground, and sometimes glanced at Cao Cao's face.
After a long while, Cao Cao said to the man kneeling on the ground: "Bo Huai, you have traveled thousands of miles to come here. I am very grateful. However, this is such a big deal that I can't help but be cautious. I hope you can give me some time to think about it."
."
The people on the ground kowtowed to Cao Cao three times, and then said: "Your Majesty, I also know that this has been rushed and it is difficult for you to prepare, but the matter is serious and affects tens of millions of people in Hebei, so I have to act like this. Sirs
We are all waiting for a reply in Zhuoxian County. The situation may change overnight. The imperial court is expected to get the news soon. It will send out envoys and troops soon to save the emergency like a fire. I hope you can make a decision soon!"
After that, he stood up and left the inner court without waiting for Cao Cao's reply.
Cao Cao was moved by the envoy's words. As he watched the envoy walk out the door, he couldn't help but sigh: "I have heard that there are many righteous men in Heshuo, but I didn't expect that any young man could have such courage. I think Chang Lin is now a
Even if you are unknown, you can become a great person in the future."
But this is not the time to appreciate young talents. Xiahou Dunzhi on the right said: "But Mengde, what do you think we can do about this matter? Suddenly, Yuan Shao is dead, and the generals in Hebei want to elect you as their leader. This and
The original plan was completely different."
It turned out that when Yuan Shao contacted Cao Cao before, Cao Cao had actually made a plan. He did not intend to respond to Yuan Shao immediately, but he also had no intention of becoming Liu Bei's minister. What he had in mind was to drive away tigers and devour wolves, waiting for an opportunity to become independent.
He made up his mind to wait until Liu Bei's entire army crossed the river to confront Yuan Shao, and then he would take the opportunity to return south, seize the ferry along the river and Tianjing Pass in Hanoi, and cut off Bafu's retreat to the west. At this time,
He can then send a letter to Yuan Shao, saying that although he can win the field battle with Liu Bei, his vitality will be severely damaged. At this time, Henan is empty and the Central Plains is undefended. He can then capture the counties in Yuzhou, and then capture Chenggao Pass in the west and Chenggao Pass in the east.
Qingxu and Liu Yuan regained their strength.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Shao was assassinated, and Hebei was in chaos. If we still followed the original plan, it would be a fool's dream to succeed. This made Cao Cao confused, and he couldn't help but think: There are so many sycophants around me at the beginning, and I
In the past, I often reminded him to be careful in choosing friends, but unexpectedly, he died in choosing friends in the end.
But the deceased was already dead, so there was no point thinking about it. Cao Cao closed his eyes for a moment and did not express his thoughts. Instead, he raised his head and asked the two people beside him: "Since Benchu is dead, the plan can only be scrapped. There is no other way.
Yuan Rang, Miaocai, you might as well tell me what I will gain or lose if I go to Hebei?"
Xiahou Dun was quite hesitant. He glanced at the door and said after careful consideration: "Hebei is the most blessed place in the world. It is richest in the world. If it can be leveled, it will be enough to bring peace to the world. However, Yuan Benchu, a generation of heroes and virtuous nobles, is still not enough.
You have to suffer such an end if you submit to the crowd. Meng De, you are an outsider. If you go to Hebei, I am afraid that there will be even more disobedient people. It will be too difficult for a hesitant person to resist the elite soldiers of the overlord." Every word Xiahou Dun said was Cao Cao's concern, so Cao Cao raised his jaw and remained silent, then asked Xia Houyuan for his opinion. Xia Houyuan said: "There is nothing perfect in the world. Don't you always sit and sigh, Meng De? You are located in the Central Plains.
Surrounded by enemies on all sides, do you have to be controlled by others? But now Hebei is raging, and you are looking for a capable master. This is not what God has given you. At this time when you are working hard, I am willing to be Mengde's minion and become your emperor's foundation!"<
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When Cao Cao heard Xia Houyuan's passionate words, he couldn't help but feel moved for a moment or two. He thought to himself: Miaocai is indeed a first-class warrior. Listening to his few words made my heart blood boil and I felt like riding a horse to kill! But it was nothing more than that.
After a few snaps of his fingers, he quickly calmed down and thought to himself: It's a pity that things in the world cannot be accomplished with passion. Well, Wen Ruo is far away in Qingzhou, I'm afraid I have to ask Fengxiao for his opinion.
Thinking of this, he immediately sent someone to inform the military advisor Guo Jia. Guo Jia was working in the mansion, so he came very quickly. When he learned about Yuan Shao's death, he couldn't help but change his color. But after hearing the news that Hebei had elected Cao Cao as the leader, he quickly
After calming down, he glanced at the faces of the three people in the room, and then asked slowly: "Ming Gong told me this news, has he not made up his mind yet?"
Cao Cao said: "Although I have made up my mind, I am still worried."
As soon as he said this, everyone understood the implication: he had decided to go north, but he was not prepared for how to deal with the chaos.
Guo Jia asked: "I wonder why Duke Ming is worried?"
Cao Cao did not answer immediately, but stood up slowly, and turned to look at a long box enshrined behind him, which contained the Zhongxing Sword given to him by the Emperor. Cao Cao stood there for a long time, and then sighed: "If you want to convince the counties in Hebei, it will be difficult to convince them.
It's not a difficult task. It's just that Hebei is in chaos right now, so the imperial court will surely not miss the opportunity. The knights of Sanhe and the elite soldiers of Taiyuan are probably on their way to mobilization. Fengxiao, I am going north now without help. I have to serve the masses and also
I’m afraid it’s too late to resist the imperial court.”
After saying all the sorrow in his heart, Cao Cao turned to look at Guo Jia, but unexpectedly he smiled.
Guo Jia laughed and said: "Ming Gong is obviously so concerned about Hebei that his eyesight is blocked and he cannot see Mount Tai."
When Cao Cao saw him smiling, he couldn't help but smile. His mood gradually calmed down. He sat back at the table and asked again: "Can you tell me more about your filial piety?"
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Guo Jia said: "Why bother to elaborate? Duke Ming is thousands of miles away, but he is recommended as the lord of Hebei. It can be seen that there are wise men in Hebei. Jun Xun once said that Ju Sue and Tian Feng are all virtuous people, and they have their own merits.
What's the point of assisting a small group of people? Moreover, the most urgent task is not to win over the people in Hebei, but to conquer the Bafu. If the Ming Gong can defeat the Bafu, the princes in Hebei will naturally obey him. If the Ming Gong cannot win, the whole family will be defeated.
If we are in trouble, why worry about Hebei?"
Seeing that Cao Cao's eyes were filled with confusion, he knew that your Majesty had understood the main point, so he stopped talking. Cao Cao answered naturally: "Yes, that's right." He immediately unfolded the map and ran his fingers along the Jizhou prefectures.
The plan was quickly decided: the most urgent task now is to go north to Zhuoxian to sort out the available troops, and then go south back to Yanzhou. It will take ten days to go, twenty days to serve the army, and thirty days to return to the army. These sixty days
Inside, Bafu's heavy troops should still be gathering. At this time, Bafu can attack Henan with lightning speed before Bafu can react. If the enemy can be defeated in a field battle, it will be easy to conquer Hebei.
It's just that Cao Cao must bring a lot of troops with him when he goes there, so it's difficult to keep the news secret. Once it leaks out, I'm afraid Yanzhou will be the first to fight. As the base camp that Cao Cao has been running for several years, Yanzhou must not be lost. Therefore, Yanzhou is guarding Yanzhou.
The choice of candidates is particularly important.
Cao Cao said to Xiahou Dun: "Yuan Rang, you are kind-hearted and have won the hearts of the people. Then I will hand over Yanzhou to you. Even if there are dangers of mountains collapsing or seas overturning, you must guard it until I come back."<
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Xiahou Dun replied: "Meng De, if there is only Puyang, I dare to make such a promise, but Yanzhou is thousands of miles away, with thoroughfares in all directions, and there is no danger to defend. If Yanzhou is to be safe, I still need a helping hand." p>
Cao Cao thought for a moment and replied: "Now time is tight, I can't stay long, I'm afraid I have to leave tomorrow morning. I can't make arrangements for you personally. But there is a person you can trust, you can contact him yourself." He said: "This is me.
I am a childhood friend and have had a close relationship with Ben Chu for a long time. I was able to establish myself in Yanzhou back then thanks to his help."
Xiahou Dun understood immediately, ordered about a dozen of his followers, and immediately said goodbye to Cao Cao. He left the house, rode his horse, and went straight to Chenliu.
After Cao Cao saw him leaving, he sat back on the couch. He was not worried about the arrangements in Yanzhou. What mattered was who would lead him north? Although Guo Jia had explained the overall situation to him, he was still a little worried after he sat down.
He was upset. He knew why: this would be the first real betrayal in his life.
He had already experienced so many similar betrayals that he thought he was numb. But at the moment before taking action, he realized that he still cared. He remembered the ridiculous years when he and Yuan Shao stole brides when they were young.
, I remembered the excitement when I and Chen Chong were talking about literature, the locust tree that bloomed when Queen Mother He died, the desperate look in their eyes when they massacred all the Lu family, and the last thing that came to mind was the weak cry of the old father kneeling in the soil.
sound.
At this time, there were a lot of letters and official documents piled up among the desks on the couch, many of which were processed by his staff and awaiting his final decision. The top one was reporting on the drought in Dongping and asking whether the taxes of the mintuns should be reduced.
Cao Cao has already written an approval, saying that the tax quotas are the same regardless of whether there is good or bad weather, and they cannot be increased or decreased.
Cao Cao picked up another piece of paper in the middle. It turned out to be a personal letter written by Chen Chong. Chen Chong said in the letter that Kunming Pool had been repaired. He and others were swimming in the pool and saw the vast mist of the lake water, which was refreshing.
Occasionally, yellow leaves fall into the water, and you can see the ripples in the water and the dancing figures of people. I vaguely think that my old friend is coming from afar, so I miss you a lot and ask you when will you come to the west.
Cao Cao threw the letter into the light. After a burst of dazzling fire, the bamboo paper quickly turned into burnt black ashes.
The poet Cao Cao thought sadly: When he was young, he thought Yuan Shao was unkind, but now it seems that he is no different from when he was a child.
On the second day of August, Cao Cao took advantage of the chaos in Mount Tai and led the tiger and leopard cavalry and three thousand fast cavalry to leave Puyang, then crossed the river at Cangting and galloped towards Zhuoxian County.