Cao Peng could feel that Mr. Cao’s concern was not hypocritical, but came from his heart. In later generations, people often said that Mr. Cao was a hypocritical villain. But in fact, Mr. Cao
The care for your tribe and confidants is definitely from the heart. If you think about it carefully, it seems to be normal. You are not one of my own, and you are not really working for me, so why should I care about you from the bottom of my heart?
Comparing his feelings with his own, Mr. Cao did nothing wrong.
Spring night, freezing cold.
A heavy rain caused the temperature to drop sharply.
Mr. Cao asked Cao Peng to change into dry clothes and took him to chat in the big tent.
When asked about the killing of Wen Chou, Cao Peng said with a smile: "Wen Chou was not killed by me. The person who killed Wen Chou was my general Gan Ning Gan Xingba."
"Is that Miss Huang's personal entourage?"
"Exactly."
Gan Ning originally followed Cao Peng through Huang Yueying.
Although Gan Ning has been following Cao Peng now, most of the time, people still think that Gan Ning is Huang Yueying's general.
Mr. Cao was very happy and nodded repeatedly to express his appreciation.
"After this battle is over, let Gan Ning become an official."
He squinted and looked towards Cao Peng.
He wanted to check Cao Peng's reaction in this way.
After all, Gan Ning had always followed Cao Peng, and by allowing Gan Ning to become an official, it meant that he would be separated from Cao Peng.
Cao Peng said sternly: "My nephew is about to talk to my father about this matter... Xingba has a great talent. Not only is he highly skilled in martial arts, but he can also stand alone. But he has not made any achievements before, so it is difficult for my nephew to speak. Now,
He beheaded Wen Chou and asked World Father to give him a future."
"Don't you regret it?"
"regret?"
Mr. Cao smiled and said: "If Gan Ning is as good as you say, he will be above you sooner or later."
"It is my nephew's duty to recommend virtuous people to the country. Besides, Gan Ning is superior to me. If my father reuses him, wouldn't it mean that I have good vision? Haha, what regrets does my nephew have?"
To be honest, my nephew has always felt that Gan Ning was undermining his talents by being by my side."
Cao ***, squinting his eyes, smiling and nodding.
"In addition, Xia Houlan also made extraordinary achievements in this battle.
During the white horse period, Ziyou lurked in the city with me and set fire to the city... It was also Ziyou who captured Gao Lan in the Shili camp just now. He was originally a junior general under Shifu, and he only followed me today because of a joke he made. These years
, Ziyou is loyal and has made many achievements. Therefore, my nephew boldly asked my father to let Ziyou return to the army... It is better for him to be with my father than to stay with me."
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Mr. Cao looked up to the sky and laughed, "If the people around me can be like you, Ah Fu, why worry about the world being unrest."
However, whether it is Gan Ning or Xia Houlan, it is better to let them stay with you for the time being. There must be rewards, but... the war is not over yet, and you need to have useful people around you. Previously, Wen Chou was in the battle
I killed many of my generals before, which caused the morale of the army to be a little unstable. Now that you have come back with Wen Chou's head, you can share my worries with me. I wonder if you are willing, Ah Fu?"
"I am willing to be dispatched by my father."
"That's it, I will announce early tomorrow morning that you will be appointed as the inspection captain, and you will temporarily command a school of soldiers and horses to be stationed southwest of Zizao, by the bank of the ditch. How about it?"
Yingou, also known as Yingou Water, comes out of Langqu in Yangwu County.
According to "Historical Records", in the first year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Qin general Meng Ao captured Chenggao and Xingyang, and initially established Sanchuan County. Therefore, some people say that this sewer was built by Meng Ao.
Cao Peng heard this and stepped in to answer the order: "My nephew, I obey."
Cao Cao suddenly smiled and said, "Gan Ning and Xia Houlan will stay and serve under you. But there is something I want to tell you clearly. This inspection of the captain is only temporary. As for your achievements, we will wait until the war is over.
, return to Xudu, and if Wenruo agrees to reward me."
It's just temporary!
However, Cao Peng did not feel disappointed, on the contrary, he felt very happy.
He is now a lieutenant in the Northern Army, with a salary of 600 shi. And the salary of the inspection commander is at least 1,000 shi... Since he is allowed to be the inspection commander, it means that after the war, Cao Peng's position will not be less than 1,000 shi.
Thousand stones. Receiving a salary of one thousand stones at the age of seventeen is definitely not a small position. Of course, if you compare it with someone like Sun Quan, who was appointed as a Fengyi captain at the age of fourteen and received a salary of two thousand stones, compared with a salary of one thousand stones,
It's really nothing. But after all, Sun Quan is Sun Ce's brother, and he is still the Marquis of Wu... In terms of age, he is about the same age as Cao Peng, and he has already become a Marquis. So, there is really nothing to compare with this kind of thing.
place.
Cao Peng accepted it gladly.
Cao is really awesome... He is the godson whom Mr. Cao recognizes, and he has been with Mr. Cao since he was a child.
Now in the Hubao Cavalry, he is just a Sima with a salary of 600 dan. Cao Xiu is older than Cao Peng and is called "my thousand-mile horse", but his salary is only 600 dan. Therefore, Cao Peng can get a salary of 1,000 dan.
, which is considered rare among Cao Cao's army.
"Then go and rest early.
I think they have arranged your residence properly... I will entrust you with an important task tomorrow morning."
"Here!"
Cao Peng stood up, saluted, bowed and stepped back.
Mr. Cao sat on the bed and couldn't help but laugh!
This child is also a person who knows the importance of things and understands the principle of taking retreat to make progress. However, although I said that I would rather betray others than others betray me, but you are loyal to me, how can I embarrass you...
Haha, Ah Fu has this kind of vision, he will definitely be able to accomplish great things in the future.
"Literature and quality."
"Here!"
"Go and summon Guorang."
"yes."
Cao Bin took the order and turned to leave.
But he heard Mr. Cao calling him again, "See if Gao Changci wakes up? If he does, bring him here."
"As commanded."
Mr. Cao stood up, walked around the tent, then returned to the couch and sat down.
He picked up a scroll and was about to read it when he heard someone outside the tent say: "Sikong, why are you calling Yu?"
"Ah, Guorang, come in quickly."
When Mr. Cao heard the voice, he couldn't help but smile and hurriedly called for people outside the tent to come in.
From outside the big tent, a young man in his twenties walked in. He was about seven feet seven inches tall, which is about 176 centimeters.
Her face is like pink jade, her teeth are white and her lips are red.
A pair of eyes shine like morning stars, and his movements reveal an extraordinary appearance.
The young man, dressed in a green shirt, walked in calmly and bowed his hands.
Mr. Cao quickly signaled that he didn't need to be polite, and said gently: "Guorang, I have a very important thing to ask you."
"Just follow Sikong's orders."
"Do you know my nephew Cao Peng?"
The young man was startled, then smiled and said: "Even if I didn't know it before, after tonight, I know it.
Yu had heard about the famous Cao Babai for a long time. I used to think that he was just good at literary affairs, but I didn't expect that he had such ability. He beheaded Yan Liang, killed Wen Chou, and captured Gao Lan... Hebei has lost three of the four pillars, and all of them have been killed.
How could Yu not know about Cao Cao's eight hundred achievements?"
"Haha, I made a mistake."
Mr. Cao couldn't help but feel a little proud.
Did you see that my Cao family also has capable people...
However, he immediately put away his smile and said seriously: "Guorang, I called you here because I have something to entrust you with.
Tomorrow I will appoint Youxue as the inspection captain and stationed in the sewer pavilion. I can rest assured that he will do things calmly...but he is still young, so I am worried that he will get carried away. Therefore, I want to order you to serve in the army as a chancellor.
Chief Minister of the Army, are you willing to lend a helping hand to him?"
When the young man heard this, he cupped his hands and said, "I would like to be sent by Sikong."
"Okay, then get ready. I will order Zhongkang to take you to see him tomorrow."
"Here!"
The young man accepted the order and exited the Chinese army's tent.
After taking a long breath, Mr. Cao lightly hit his forehead, showing a tired look.
After all, I’m not young anymore!
Mr. Cao is forty-four years old this year. After a night of fighting, he was ecstatic... After dealing with all kinds of things, he will inevitably feel tired.
He stood up and was about to walk out when he heard Cao Bin say from outside the tent: "Lord, Gao Lan will bring you here."
When Cao Cao heard this, he immediately showed joy. He staggered and walked out of the big tent. He saw Gao Lan being tied up with ropes and standing in front of the tent.
"How could you be so rude to General Gao?"
Cao Cao took two steps and said sternly: "Why don't you quickly untie the general?"
——————————————————————————————
Maybe Yuan Shao couldn't figure it out.
He clearly had the upper hand, but suddenly he suffered a disastrous defeat.
Well...it can't be said that it was a disastrous defeat. To be precise, each of them had their own injuries. At least when Yuan Shao returned to the camp, he still thought so.
When he learned that Wen Chou was chasing the enemy, Yuan Shao didn't care.
Later, I heard from the sergeant sent back by Gao Lan that Gao Lan and Wen Chou pursued together, which made Yuan Shao feel more at ease.
The first thing he has to deal with is the endgame in front of him.
Guo Tu said: "My lord, tonight's battle is not a crime of war. In fact, Cao Cao was lucky. He didn't know where a troop of soldiers came to cause trouble."
Yuan Shaoshen agreed and nodded lightly.
What Guo Tu said was absolutely correct. Mr. Cao was really lucky tonight.
If the fire in the camp had started later, when the heavy rain poured down, even if someone robbed the camp, it would not have been of much use. By that time, Yuan Shao had already broken through Cao Cao's camp, and he might have captured Cao Cao's camp.
Caught alive. So, this drink and one peck is destiny.
Maybe God doesn't want me to deal with Mr. Cao today?
Yuan Shao couldn't help but feel depressed.
He glanced at the people in the big tent, but saw Ju Shou with a pensive look on his face and said nothing.
With a slight movement in his heart, Yuan Shao said: "Mr. Ju, why don't you say anything?"
Jushuo was stunned for a moment, then stood up and said: "My lord, today's great situation has not been successful, maybe it is God's reminder that we cannot win a battle with Cao Cao's thieves. In my opinion, my lord should try to gain a foothold in Henan first. In fact, you don't need to pay attention to the jujubes."
That is, we should take Puyang first."
"Puyang?"
"Take Puyang and decide Yanzhou.
Once Yanzhou succeeds, Cao's thieves will inevitably lose their morale and chaos.
At that time, my lord can try to recruit Zang Ba and then send his army south to Xudu. Even if Cao Cao is very capable, he will have no choice but to do it."
"No!"
Guo Tu saw that Yuan Shao was moved and quickly stopped him.
Good fellow, if Yuan Shao adopts Ju Shou's advice, wouldn't it mean that my plan to sneak attack Cao Jun tonight is unnecessary?
Guo Tu said: "My lord, although the battle tonight was not successful, the true identity of Cao's thief has been exposed.
Lord, why should we sacrifice the near and seek the far away? The Cao thieves are right in front of us. As long as the camp of the Cao thieves is broken, the world will be at our fingertips. This is the blessing of the common people. According to what Mr. Ju said, I am afraid that this war may not be able to end in one or two years. Instead of this
Otherwise, it would be better to go straight to Xudu."
Jushou became anxious when he heard this.
"Gongze, you said that if you attack Xudu directly, you can succeed in one battle, but how can you succeed?
That Cao Cao is no longer a three-year-old child. He will definitely try his best to deal with his lord. If he attacks Puyang, all the heroes in the world will take action. But if he captures Xudu, if he cannot fight quickly, all the heroes will follow.
Quitting the flag and quietly watching the situation change, I'm afraid it will be unsightly."
"Mr. Cao is not a three-year-old child. Could it be that the master is an ordinary person?
My lord is of noble birth and has millions of elite soldiers under his command. If we concentrate our strength, how can Cao Cao resist? In my opinion, Mr. Ju may have ulterior motives."
"Guo Tu, you..."
Yuan Shao heard the two arguing and felt his head was spinning.
"Mr. Ju, Gongze, all of you, shut up."
Jushou and Guo Tu finally closed their mouths. However, the two of them were glaring at each other like cockfighters, neither of them willing to bow to the other.
Yuan Shao let out a long breath and was about to speak.
Suddenly I heard a report from the primary school outside the tent: "Lord, something bad has happened!"
"Why panic?"
"I just got the news, General Wen Chou, General Wen Chou..."
Yuan Shao trembled, stood up, and asked sternly: "What's wrong with Xin Yi?"
"General Wen Chou was ambushed in the Shili Camp and was killed by Cao Jun."
"Ahhhhh!"
Yuan Shao felt a buzzing sound in his head, and the world was spinning.
"Can you say that again?"
"General Wen Chou was killed by Cao Jun, and General Gao Lan was also captured by Cao Jun."
"Yeah!" Yuan Shao sat down with a plop, dumbfounded, and couldn't say a word for a long while.
Everyone in the tent was shocked when they saw this situation. They all shouted, "Master, Master, wake up", and some even pinched one of them. It was Yuan Shao who finally managed to calm down. Yuan Shao's heart was as sharp as a knife, and he grew taller.
He stood up and asked sternly: "Who killed Xin Yi?"
"This, I don't know."
"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know..." Yuan Shao flew into a rage, kicked over the desk in front of him, and pulled out his sword with a clang, "You don't know these things, so what use do I have to you."
As he spoke, Yuan Shao raised his sword and stabbed the soldier to the ground with one strike.
"Sign up your troops immediately, I want to fight Cao Cao again."
"Lord, think twice!"
Guo Tu was also startled and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, "My lord, it's raining heavily tonight. Cao's thieves have just launched a sneak attack, so they must be prepared. Besides, with General Xin Yi's ability, how can he wait for someone to kill him?"
If Cao's thieves set up an ambush, leaving here would be like throwing yourself into a trap.
Judging from the picture, after daybreak, the lord will mobilize his troops and horses again and fight to the death with the Cao thief. Let's see what tricks Cao thief can come up with by then."
Yuan Shao finally calmed down.
But when he thought of Wen Chou's murder, he became restless.
Yan Liang, Wen Chou, these are his beloved generals, relying on his arms. Now that both arms are missing, how can he bear the pain of losing them?
"Tomorrow, tomorrow... I swear to take the head of the traitor Cao."
Yuan Shao clenched his hands into fists and suddenly raised his head to the sky and let out a long roar.
————————————————————
On January 19, the fifth year of Jian'an, Yuan Shao's army crossed the Yellow River, waiting for an opportunity to fight Cao Cao.
Almost at the same time, Liu Bei led his remaining defeated troops to Donghai County. Immediately, Chang Xi, the governor of Donghai County, rose up in rebellion in Tan County.