For Cao Cao, April in the fourth year of Jian'an was obviously not easy.
Sun Ce crossed the river to attack Guangling, causing the situation in Guangling County to suddenly become tense. At the beginning of the war, Chen Deng lost consecutive battles and was even forced to give up Guangling County and retreat to Dongyang to hold on. The situation in Hailing was also in danger. Facing the joint attack of Sun He and Lu Su, Wang Mai lost three battles in a row in one day, and finally had to rely on Hailing County to launch a fierce resistance with Sun He.
At the beginning of the war, Cao's army was clearly in trouble.
The governor of Xuzhou and the generals and chariots were reluctant to send troops to rescue, and even ordered Deng Ji not to cross the Huai River for rescue, but to stick to the front line of the Huai River.
Deng Ji tried hard to persuade Cha Zhou, but Cha Zhou ordered his men to drive him out of Xiapi.
In desperation, Deng Ji had no choice but to send people to Xudu to ask for help. At the same time, he ordered Zhou Cang to lead a naval force to go south along the coast and go straight to the entrance of Dongling Pavilion. This was why Deng Ji had no choice but to follow Deng Zhi's plan and pass the waterway. A surprise attack was launched in an attempt to cut off Sun He's food supply route.
But he also knew that Zhou Cang might succeed once or twice, but in the end he would definitely fail.
Wang Mai fought bloody battles in Hailing for fifteen days, and nearly his entire army was wiped out. In the end, he followed Dai Gan's strategy and led his troops to break out of the encirclement.
Dai Gan, who was seriously injured, stayed with Wang Xu in Hailing County. Dai Gan ordered his people to hoard all the supplies, grain, grass, dry firewood and other things that could ignite the fire in the county town, and then gave up resistance. When Sun He learned the news, he immediately He ordered Zu Lang, the commander-in-chief of Danyang Zong, to lead his troops and attack Hailing County. Zu Lang had been instigated by Yuan Shu to rebel, but was eventually persuaded to surrender and surrendered to Sun Ce.
In this cross-river attack, Zu Lang had the intention of atonement for his sins.
Sun He also knew his thoughts very well, so he took Zulang as the vanguard and ordered him to climb Hailing first.
Unexpectedly, just after Zu Lang entered Hailing, Dai Gan started a fire and burned Hailing County. Nearly three thousand Danyang soldiers were devoured by the fire without warning. After Sun He learned the news, he immediately sent troops to rescue. However, the fire in Hailing was too strong and they finally returned without success.
In the battle of Hailing, Sun Ce's army suffered more than 5,000 casualties.
As for Cao's army, both Dai Qian, the chief of Hailing, and Wang Xu, the captain of Hailing, were killed in the battle. Wang Mai, the captain of Nong, only succeeded in breaking through with more than a hundred people and fled to Sheyang.
The casualties on both sides were extremely heavy.
Bu Zhao recruited 600 elite soldiers in Yandu, arrived in Sheyang on April 13, joined forces with Wang Mai, and temporarily stabilized the position.
Sun He was also severely weakened by the deaths of those three thousand Danyang soldiers.
Under Lu Su's persuasion, Sun He finally stopped thinking about continuing to attack and retreated to Dongling Pavilion to guard.
Zhou Cang made two sneak attacks in a row and was a great success. However, during the third sneak attack, he was ambushed by Dantu Commander Lu Meng and Captain Jiang Qin. Four sea ships were damaged in half. Zhou Cang had no choice but to return along the original route. Stopped at Yandu County to rest and recuperate temporarily.
On April 17, Zhu Ling, the governor of Pei State, led troops to rush for reinforcements.
However, before sending out troops, he first arrived at Xiapi, killed Chezhou, the governor of Xuzhou, and then obtained the military talisman and ordered Deng Ji to lead his troops to attack.
On April 20th, Deng Ji led his troops across the Huaihe River and approached Sheyang, where he launched a counterattack.
Under this situation, Sun Ce also knew that there was no hope of capturing Guangling. He had no choice but to lead his troops to withdraw from Guangling and return to Dantu.
Chen Deng took advantage of the situation to regain Guangling County and seize the Jiangshui Temple. Seeing this situation, Sun He from Dongling Pavilion hurriedly led his troops back to Jiangdong...
The war between Jianghuai and Jianghuai was tense, but Cao Cao didn't pay much attention.
What really worried Cao Cao was that Yuan Shao listened to the advice of counselor Guo Tushenpei and stationed troops in Liyang with the intention of capturing Yanzhou. Liu, a remnant of the Yellow Turbans in Runan, took the opportunity to occupy Runan County after the Jianghuai War broke out.
Pi Gongdu contacted Liu Bei and welcomed Liu Bei to Runan. After Yuan Shao learned about it, he immediately ordered senior officials to give Liu Bei three thousand troops and horses so that he could gain a foothold in Runan.
As a result, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei were in a pincer attack, one from the south and the other from the north.
Cao Cao was greatly troubled and ordered his general to station on the south bank of the Yellow River to monitor the movements of Yuan's army. Then he transferred Cao Ren to Liang County and appointed Cao Ren as the prefect of Liang County to work with Cao Hong to monitor Liu Bei's movements. For a time, people in Yuzhou were panicked.
turbulent.
"Zihe, Zidan, what's wrong with you?"
After Cao Cao returned to Xudu, before he could take a breath, Cao Chun came to see Cao Zhen, bringing Cao Zhen with him.
Even though he was upset, Cao Cao still received Cao Chun and Cao Chun. When Cao Chun was chasing Liu Bei, he was stabbed and has been raised to this day. He came today because he had something important to report to Cao Cao.
, he immediately asked Cao Cao to withdraw his subordinates.
"Zi Dan reported something to me. The matter is important and Chun Yi dare not make a judgment on it, so he came to report it."
Cao Cao let out a breath and asked with a smile: "Zidan, what did you discover?"
Cao Zhen stepped forward and intervened: "Before the Qingming Dynasty, my nephew had a gathering with Youxue. On the road at that time, he met Zhongping, the son of Changshui school captain Zhongji. Youxue reminded his nephew at that time that saying that Zhongji was an old minister did not necessarily mean
He will be of the same mind as his lord, so be careful with him.
The Lord also knew that his nephew had misunderstood Youxue because of Liu Bei's affairs.
So when Youxue reminded me this time, my nephew thought it made sense. So he ordered someone to secretly monitor the actions of Zangji..."
Cao Cao's face darkened.
"How is the result?"
"On the surface, the collection seems peaceful.
However, my nephew later discovered that there was a close secret exchange between Zhong Mansion and the residence of General Dong Cheng. Especially during the time when the lord went on an expedition and the Jianghuai war was fierce, the two mansions moved very frequently. In addition, there was also Zhaoxin General Wu
Lan, the commander-in-chief Wang Fu, and the Yilang Wu Shuo also had close contacts with Dong Cheng and Zhong Ji. After Yuan Shao stationed troops in Liyang, these families became very active.
The nephew then reported it to his son and uncle, and the uncle ordered me to continue to monitor him.
This morning, my nephew caught a craftsman outside the city, and found a letter from the craftsman, which was a secret letter between Liu Bei and Dong Cheng."
After saying that, Cao Zhen took out a letter and presented it to Cao Cao with both hands.
Cao Cao took it and glanced at it, his expression suddenly changed.
"Who else knows about this matter?"
Cao Chundao: "Only Zidan and I know about it, and we haven't told anyone."
"Very good. Trust me, I'll stay here... Zidan, you did a very good job this time."
Cao Zhen quickly said: "This is not Zidan's merit. In fact, it was Youxue who reminded him at the beginning that Zidan had to wake up. Therefore, this merit should be attributed to Youxue."
"Hehehe, your brothers are of one mind, so you don't have to refuse.
By the way, is there any news about Youxue going to Lu Hun to become a disciple? These days, I am busy with military affairs, and I have not paid much attention to what is happening in Lu Hun."
Cao Zhen suddenly became excited!
"My lord, Youxue has been included in Mr. Kong Ming's sect. He even wrote a good article before, which impressed Mr. Kong Ming."
"oh?"
Cao Cao's mood seemed to be much brighter all of a sudden, "Is there another masterpiece from Youxue?"
"Ming Ailian said."
Cao Cao couldn't help but immediately jumped for joy, and smiled at Cao Chun: "My Marquis Wanli has another masterpiece, how come I don't know about it?"
Cao Chundao: "The elders in the clan also highly praised You's learning and talent.
Grandma has contacted the elders of the clan before, but now they all have responded, saying that the difficulties in Yongping have caused the Cao family to separate, and it is only right to return to the clan."
In other words, the Cao family in Qiao County has recognized Cao Ji's family.
Now, all he needs to do is find a suitable opportunity, and Cao Cao can openly and honestly add Cao Ji's family to the Cao clan in Qiao County.
Cao Cao felt relieved.
"Juan Shi is still studying these days?"
"Reporting to my lord, Jun Shi has been studying hard and is said to have read 800 words by heart.
A few days ago, Fengxiao invited me to drink, and he laughed and said that Junshi could speak volumes and quote scriptures... In addition, Junshi also presented an item called a horseshoe, which can be assembled on the horse's shoe to protect the horse's tibia. I have ordered someone to
Experimented on the tiger and leopard riding, the effect is not bad."
"Is there such a thing?"
Cao Cao couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this.
"I knew that if Junshi didn't come out, it would be beneficial."
As soon as these words came out, Cao Chun and others couldn't help laughing.
All in all, what Cao Ji donated was of great benefit to Cao Cao.
First, there was a double stirrup saddle, which gave Cao Cao the idea of forming a tiger and leopard cavalry; then he made knives to make the armor and weapons more sophisticated; Cao Gong's plow further promoted farming, and now he introduced horseshoes, which can protect the four hooves of horses. It is definitely a masterpiece.
A good thing.
"Then what has he been busy with lately?"
Cao Zhen replied: "I heard that Uncle Junshi is very interested in farming recently and spends all day playing with utensils at home."
"Juan Shi is becoming interested in farming? Doesn't he like making knives?"
"My nephew is not sure about this. Anyway, the last time I passed by Zhuye's Mansion, I heard someone said that he went to see Liu Shaofu to talk about some car. Liu Shaofu seemed to be very interested as well, and the two of them walked away quite happily.
They are quite close, and it is said that they often drink together..."
Cao Cao couldn't help but feel curious.
Others didn't understand Liu Ye, but Cao Cao did.
As a clan member of the Han Dynasty, Liu Ye actually had a very arrogant temperament.
Liu Ye himself was also very interested in some strange and cunning tricks, and his attainments were still very deep. The fact that Cao Jin could talk to Liu Ye showed that Liu Ye had recognized Cao Ji's ability. This alone was enough to make Cao Cao
Curious, curious, what is Cao Ji doing?
After Cao Chun and Cao Zhen retreated, Cao Cao ordered people to look for Cao Peng's "The Theory of Love and Lotus" and prepare to appreciate it.
But at this moment, family members came to report: "Servant Xun has something urgent. Come and report."
"Wen Ruo is here? Please come quickly."
Cao Peng stood up quickly and ordered someone to bring Xun Yu over.
Xun Yu seemed to be much more haggard than he was in the second year of Jian'an.
In just two years, Xun Yu seems to have aged. He is only thirty-six years old this year, but he looks as if he is in his forties, and his temples are even a little gray.
When Cao Cao saw it, he couldn't help but feel a little sad.
He quickly stepped forward and took Xun Yu's hand, "Wen Ruo, why are you so tired?"
"Lord, something is not right."
"What's up?"
Cao Cao was stunned for a moment and then became a little nervous.
"After the Qingming Festival, to this day, the entire Yuzhou and a small part of Yanzhou have not had a drop of rain. I have received several express reports, all reporting drought... Yuxian, Jiwu, Wuping, Zhexian, Ningping
, Xinyang and other places, the drought is very serious.
The situation in Chen County was relatively better. In February, Zilian ordered people to dig ditches.
But after all, it is a drop in the bucket and can only ensure that the drought in Chen County and other counties and towns near the Langtang Canal is alleviated. Like other places, the drought is serious."
Cao Cao originally thought that what Xun Yu said was not good and that there was something wrong with Yuan Shao.
Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a natural disaster.
He took a deep breath, feeling panicked.
Xudu's farming has indeed had a bumper harvest in the past two years. Now there are more than one million dendrobium in the treasury, which is also the foundation of Cao Cao. According to his plan, as long as there is another bumper harvest this year and the success of Haixi's farming, then next year's treasury will
Nearly three million dendrobium will be hoarded. With these three million dendrobium at the bottom, Cao Cao will have enough confidence to recruit troops and cross the river to attack Yuan Shao in Jizhou.
Unexpectedly, we encountered a disaster year...
If the disaster is serious, then Xudu's grain storage warehouse must be opened for relief, otherwise it will inevitably trigger a new round of turmoil.
But if a granary is opened for relief, there will be no more food next year.
In another two years, Yuan Shao's troops had sufficient supplies and stabilized the four states of Hebei. At that time...
"Wen Ruo, is this true?"
"I've ordered people to go down and investigate, but I guess it's all true."
"Then...is there any good strategy?"
Xun Yu pondered for a moment and shook his head slightly, "Sikong, this kind of natural disaster cannot be dealt with by human beings.
I am now worried that if the drought continues, it will spread rapidly. By then, even Xudu may be affected."
Cao Cao was really confused now.
If he was full of confidence and sure of resisting Yuan Shao before, now his heart began to fluctuate.
Could it be that God won't help me?
Although Cao Cao remained calm on the surface, his heart was full of twists and turns.
He knew that Xun Yu had indeed tried his best. But in the face of natural disasters, manpower was indeed small. Since he said it was so serious, the situation was probably not optimistic. What should we do? What should we do? Cao Cao looked at it
Xun Yu, Xun Yu looked at Cao Cao with a wry smile.
I feel a little bitter in my heart...
But Cao Cao still forced a smile and said: "Wen Ruo, I already know about this.
You try your best to deal with it. If it doesn't work, be prepared to open warehouses for relief. If the harvest in Yuzhou stops, we still have Haixi... If it doesn't work, we can allocate grain and grass from Haixi. As long as Haixi is stable, we can keep Yuzhou
Temporary peace."
"By the way, speaking of Haixi, General Zhu Ling killed Che Zhou..."
"The chariot and armor are incompetent, why should they be beheaded?"
Cao Cao suddenly gritted his teeth, then closed his eyes and remained silent.
"I appointed Xu Qiu as the governor of Xuzhou and took office immediately."
"Here!"
Xun Yu did not dare to be negligent and quickly bowed and retreated.
Letting Xu Mengyu take over Xuzhou is an excellent choice.
Xu Qiu has talent, fame, and qualifications. The most important thing is that Xu Qiu himself is from Xuzhou, and his family is in Haixi.
It is said that the relationship between the Xu family and Deng Ji is good. If Xu Qiu is appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, he can also protect the land in Haixi.
Now both Cao Cao and Xun Yu are counting on Haixi not to have another accident. If the drought in Yuzhou cannot be alleviated, then Haixi will be their life-saving straw. No matter what, they must ensure a good harvest in Haixi this year, otherwise there will be trouble
.
After sending Xun Yu away, Cao Cao no longer had the intention to read any good works.
He walked out of the room and walked slowly along the two verandahs, feeling worried.
It was early summer and the temperature was scorching hot.
Cao Cao suddenly stopped and looked up to the sky with a long sigh, "Doesn't God bless my Han Dynasty?"
