Cao Cao defeated the Yuan clan but did not withdraw his troops.
Wang Can led his army to stop at Lujiang, but Cao Cao was extremely busy without stopping.
The Wei army braved the severe cold and rushed back and forth in the north to eliminate Yuan's chronic illness.
Compared to Wang Can, Cao Cao knew that he had insufficient resources, food, grass, and soldiers, because he did not have the financial and material resources of Yizhou and Jingzhou. Therefore, Cao Cao seized the time and pacified the city in the shortest possible time.
The counties in Youzhou reorganized Youzhou, and at the same time launched an attack on Bingzhou, preparing to stabilize the rear area.
Gao Gan, the governor of Bingzhou, was Yuan Shao's nephew. When the Yuan family was destroyed, Gaogan stationed troops in Bingzhou and survived.
Senior cadres are well versed in civil and military affairs, have certain talents, and can be considered to be both civil and military.
However, in terms of martial arts, high cadres are only mid-level generals, not as good as Le Jin, Li Dian, Xiahou Dun and others, not to mention the fierce general Xu Chu around Cao Cao, so in terms of martial arts, high cadres are not good. In terms of intelligence, Cao Cao has Sima Yi and Sima Lang under his command.
, Chen Qun and other talented people far surpassed senior officials. In addition, Cao Cao also had Yuan Shao's former counselors, such as Ju Sue and Xu You.
No matter which aspect, senior cadres are at an absolute disadvantage.
When Cao Cao sent his troops to march westward, the senior officials were extremely nervous, knowing that a disaster was coming.
Senior cadres sent people to review the allocation and discuss countermeasures.
Shen Pei was Yuan Shao's trusted advisor. When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's three sons were at war, Shen Pei cleverly hid in Bingzhou, avoiding the war in which Yuan's family was destroyed, thus saving his life.
Jinyang, governor's office.
The senior officials were walking back and forth in the hall, looking very anxious.
Seeing Shen Pei walking in, the senior official seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw. He hurriedly welcomed Shen Pei into the hall and asked: "Mr. Zhengnan (Shen Pei's nickname), Cao Cao is coming with a large army to kill us. What should we do?"
Shen Pei smiled and said: "My lord, there are three strategies in front of me for you to choose from: upper, middle and lower."
Gao Gan immediately asked: "What three strategies?"
Shen Pei replied in a leisurely manner: "The next best thing is for you to surrender Bingzhou and submit to Cao Cao. This will prevent Bingzhou from being attacked by soldiers and avoid being killed. However, you are the nephew of the first lord, a direct descendant of the Yuan family, and Cao Cao."
If you are suspicious by nature, you will definitely not reuse your Excellency, you may even imprison you, or you may simply give you a sinecure for the rest of your life."
Gao Gan shook his head and said: "No, sir, the right strategy is right."
Shen Pei continued: "The middle strategy is to unite the Shu army to resist Cao Cao, and use the power of the Shu army to maintain a neutral position. If the Shu army comes to kill, I will unite with Cao Cao to fight against Shu; if Cao's army comes to kill, my Lord will unite with Shu to fight against Cao Cao. No matter who wants it
To attack Bingzhou, your Majesty will unite with the other side. Your Majesty will form its own system and will not be controlled by Cao Cao and Wang Can."
Gao Gan shook his head slightly, frowned and said: "The Yuan family is dead, and the Sun family in Jiangdong is sunset in the west. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Cao Cao and Wang Can are fighting for supremacy in the world. If I am isolated in Bingzhou, although I will temporarily find peace, sooner or later I will
Submit to one side. When Cao Cao and Wang Can decide the outcome, Bingzhou will no longer have the advantage. Will there still be a chance to submit? The middle strategy is not good either."
As he spoke, a bright light flashed in Gao Gan's mind, and he guessed the judge's final strategy, but he didn't say it clearly.
Shen Pei then said: "The best policy is to surrender to the King of Shu."
Gao Gan pretended to be angry and asked: "Why is it a bad idea to surrender to Cao Cao, but it is a good idea to surrender to Wang Can?" These words were made by Gao Gan deliberately and wanted to test the attitude of Shen Pei.
At the same time, senior officials also wanted to see what Shen Pei was thinking.
The judge asked, "May I ask, sir, after Cao Cao raised his army, he repeatedly fought with Wang Can, and did he get any benefits?"
Gao Gan pondered for a while and replied truthfully: "Indeed not!"
A smile appeared on Shen Pei's face and he said: "Cao Cao is defeated by Wang Can. It is naturally the best policy for you to surrender to the Shu army. Of course, this is just a superficial speculation and cannot be relied upon. If you analyze it carefully, it is also the best policy to surrender to the king of Shu."
"How can I see it?"
The senior official sat down, his face no longer anxious.
Shen Pei said: "To the north of Bingzhou is the land of the barbarians. Due to your reputation and virtue, the barbarians dare not invade; to the east of Bingzhou is the land of Jizhou, which is Cao Cao's power, and is now under threat; to the south of Bingzhou is Chang'an.
The land with Luoyang is controlled by Huang Zhong and Gao Shun and belongs to the King of Shu; to the west of Bingzhou is Liangzhou, which is controlled by Zhao Yun and also belongs to the King of Shu."
"If you return to Cao Cao, you will definitely be attacked by Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong and Gao Shun, and you will be attacked on both sides."
"Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong are both fierce generals in the world, and they are difficult to match. In addition, there is a treacherous Fazheng in Luoyang. If the generals submit to Cao Cao, they will definitely be defeated. If they submit to the king of Shu, with the strong support of Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong, Cao Jun will not be afraid.
.”
The trial partner talked eloquently and seemed to have a well-thought-out plan.
Finally, Shen Pei said: "How to make a decision is entirely up to the adults."
Gao Gan sneered and said: "Mr. Zhengnan, the Fazheng people have contacted you, and that's why you said what you say today, right?"
Shen Pei did not deny it and said directly: "Your Excellency is very discerning. Fa Xiaozhi has indeed sent people to discuss the ownership of Bingzhou. Zhao Yun has led 10,000 light cavalry into Shangdang County, stocking up at Huguan, and is ready to set off at any time. Huang
Zhong's three thousand heavy cavalry and Gao Shun's eight hundred trapped camp are also preparing at Hulao Pass to cooperate with Zhao Yun's cavalry at will."
"Huguan??"
Gao Gan exclaimed and shouted: "Huguan is an important place in Bingzhou and is already the hinterland of Bingzhou. How can Zhao Yun lead 10,000 light cavalry deep into the hinterland of Bingzhou?"
The judge had a smile on his face and said nothing.
Gao Gan stared at Shen Pei, pulled out the sword from his waist with a clang, pointed at Shen Pei, and shouted: "Shen Zhengnan, you actually defected to Wang Can, very good! Very good! You faked the biography of the governor.
I have ordered Zhao Yun to lead 10,000 light cavalry deep into Bingzhou, collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country. This is an unforgivable crime. I will kill you today."
Shen Pei said solemnly: "Leave it to your Majesty's disposal!"
He raised his neck and looked directly at the senior official without any fear.
Shen Pei looked sad, and his right hand holding the hilt of the sword kept trembling, and said: "Shen Zhengnan, I have confided in you and handed over all the military and political power to you. Are you worthy of me?"
Shen Pei said calmly: "Bingzhou is in danger, don't you know, Sir?"
"Clang!"
The sword fell to the ground, and Gao Gan sat slumped on the ground.
"Fine, fine, surrender to the King of Shu."
Gao Gan shook his head helplessly, picked up the long sword on the ground in despair, and said: "All military and political matters in Bingzhou are decided by you, you don't need to notify me." After saying that, Gao Gan turned around and returned to the backyard.
Shen Pei looked at Gao Gan's leaving figure with a complicated look on his face.
The senior cadres entrusted Shen Pei with important responsibilities, which was a gift of acquaintance, and Shen Pei was very grateful. However, Bingzhou was sandwiched between Shu and Wei, and had no one to rely on, so he had to make a choice. Cao Cao destroyed the Yuan family, but Shen Pei was unwilling to do so.
After working under Cao Cao, he had the idea of submitting to Wang Can and using the power of Shu to avenge Yuan Shao.
Shen Pei turned around and left, quickly discussing the matter of returning to Shu.
…
In the seventh year of Xingping, March 15th.
Zhao Yun led 10,000 light cavalry out of Huguan, marched thousands of miles into Jizhou, and raided She County and Wu'an County under Guangping County. The cavalry suddenly descended from the sky, captured the two counties, robbed the two counties of grain, grass and ordnance, and destroyed them.
At the same time, Huang Zhong led 30,000 elite troops out of Hulao Pass and approached Yingchuan County and Chenliu County.
After the news came out, Cao Jun was shocked.
The 10,000 cavalry led by Zhao Yun disrupted Cao Cao's arrangement, and Huang Zhong suddenly intervened, causing danger to the south of Wei State, and someone had to lead an army to guard it. Cao Cao's army attacking Bingzhou had to stop.
He sent people to stop Zhao Yun, and on the other hand, he resisted Huang Zhong who was leaving Hangu Pass in the east.
Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong intervened, and Cao Cao was unable to swallow Bingzhou. He felt as if he was being strangled by the throat and felt extremely uncomfortable.
It can be said that the timing of Fazheng's action was extremely accurate.
He sat back and watched the Yuan family be destroyed, but when the senior officials were isolated and helpless and about to be attacked by Cao Cao, he took the initiative to extend an olive branch and surrendered and merged the state without any blood, disintegrating the last force Yuan Shao had established and leaving Cao Cao defeated.
The north cannot be completely taken over. With the strength of Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong, it is enough to temporarily contain Cao Cao.
In this way, Wang Can bought time to pacify the south.
