Not only Bai Xiaowen turned around, but even Xun Yu was a little curious.
Xun Yu had a strong ability to observe words and expressions, and it could be seen from Bai Xiaowen's expression that it did not seem to be a lie. In other words, the fire in Xudu was indeed not caused by the Youzhou army.
Besides, Bai Xiaowen had no reason to do this.
So Xun Yu himself did not order the fire, so who did it?
Those who were escorted up were a dozen men wearing boy servant uniforms, all of them looking panicked.
"Where is the fire?" Bai Xiaowen asked.
A soldier from Youzhou replied: "Go back to the young master, it is said that it is the granary of Xudu."
"Oh?" Bai Xiaowen stared at the dozen servants, "Who ordered you to burn the granary?"
Although the dozen or so servant boys were timid, they all bowed their heads and said nothing.
"Humph, even if you don't tell me, I can still find out!" Bai Xiaowen said sharply, "Just kill these people."
When Xu Du was first defeated, it was time to kill people to establish prestige and instill fear in people with heavy rituals. Otherwise, there would be internal instability. Even if Bai Xiaowen had 20,000 soldiers, he might not be able to hold Xu Du for 12 hours. This was the requirement of the heroic side mission.
However, at the end of the team, a child who was held by the back of the neck by a soldier struggled and jumped out: "I was the one who set the fire!"
This child is dressed in luxurious clothes and is decorated with gold and jade. At first glance, he is not an ordinary child.
Bai Xiaowen didn't even need to lose his insight to know who this kid was. However, he still wanted to say: "Whose kid are you? Don't make trouble here!"
The child was not afraid and said loudly: "My father is Prime Minister Cao, and I am Cao Chong! I ordered the burning of the granary, so don't blame others!"
"Cao Cao's fifth son..." Bai Xiaowen smiled, "It's interesting. Why do you want to burn the granary? What you are burning is your own food."
Cao Chong said:
"You look like there are many people, but in fact you are just a lone army, and you are lightly armed for a sneak attack. You must not carry much food. When I hear the news about the fall of Xudu in the ninety-seven cities of the two counties and four countries in Yuzhou, King Qin's army will definitely come to the rescue at starry night. !
"If I leave you a granary, you can rely on Xudu's strong city defense. Burn the grain and grass. If you don't have food, you will abandon the city and flee. Then you will become a caged bird, unable to fly!"
Now the soldiers in the four borders of Yuzhou are on the move. Xu Dushen is in the enemy's territory. If Bai Xiaowen leads 20,000 Youzhou troops to abandon the city and flee, it is very likely that they will be intercepted by Yuzhou troops and even the Guandu Cao army returning to support. But it must be strong They had to defend the city, but there was no food and grass to support them.
The metaphor of a caged bird mentioned by Cao Chong is quite appropriate.
"Young Master, be careful what you say!" Xun Yu was afraid that Bai Xiaowen would kill Cao Chong in anger, so he waved his hands and shook his head, trying to dissuade him.
Bai Xiaowen laughed loudly: "Xun Lingjun underestimates me, Yuan Xi. When a man is born in the world, he should establish himself with benevolence and trustworthiness, educate with principles and principles, use Taoism to strategize the country, and use martial arts to rule the country. How can a child be so determined just because of his special qualifications? Kill him out of fear?"
Xun Yu's face softened.
Bai Xiaowen looked at Cao Chong with admiration: "It's really rare to have such insight at such a young age. It's a pity that being smart is like a peacock spreading its wings, but it doesn't know that showing off its feathers and making others jealous is a way to die. It's a pity. Not as good as your brother, who looks mediocre but is actually tolerant."
Cao Pi looked panicked and his head hung lower.
Bai Xiaowen walked up to Cao Pi. Seeing a woman wearing Qiluo standing behind Cao Pi, he asked, "Who is this?"
Cao Pi lowered his head and said: "This is...this is the Zhuo Jing Ren family." (Note)
Bai Xiaowen lamented that in the novel, Yuan Xi's wife Zhen Mi was taken away by Cao Pi. Now the situation is reversed.
However, Bai Xiaowen's emotion was just a passing thought, and he would not have a bad intention to take away the Ren family from Cao Pi.
First, in front of Xun Yu and many scribes in the Prime Minister's Office, Bai Xiaowen must be upright and his reputation cannot be destroyed. Only in this way can he become the master of power and gather talents.
Secondly...Ren is really average-looking. Compared with Zhen Mi, she is like chaff to fine wine, incomparable.
Soon, another winged cavalry came to report that General Bai Sanniang (Cecilia) had killed Cao Jun's guards in the palace and occupied the palace. Prince Yuan Xi was asked to go as soon as possible to meet the emperor.
Xun Yu looked over.
Bai Xiaowen nodded and said: "I will go to see the emperor right away. As for here... tie up all the four thieves Cao and take them away!"
Xun Yu hurriedly said: "Master, when the two armies are fighting, it is not harm to the family members. This is the way of benevolence. Besides, Master has promised not to harm Master Cao Chong's life."
Xun Yu is telling the truth. After the Ming Dynasty emperors in the Three Kingdoms era broke through the city, they would generally treat the enemy's family members kindly, so as to make it easier for them to meet each other in the future. For example, when Lu Bu attacked Xuzhou, he also sent someone to protect Liu Bei's family.
Where are the family members?
Under what circumstances is there no need to keep a thin line? When the opponent dies and all the power under his command is destroyed, you can naturally deal with it as you like without worrying about getting hurt.
Nowadays, Cao Cao still has an army in Guandu, which is powerful and powerful, and it is far from the time when the "tree falls". There is no harm in being kind to his family, and he can also gain a good reputation.
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said: "What Xun Lingjun said is true. Although Cao Cao is a Han traitor, I will not disturb his family at all. I will also send people to guard the gate of the prime minister's house to prevent soldiers from entering. However, his four sons cannot be treated as equals.
See, I need to take it with me so that I can feel at ease."
Xun Yu was silent, but what Bai Xiaowen said made sense. None of Cao Cao's four sons were easy-going people. Even the youngest Cao Chong had the quick wit to burn down the granary and cut off the Youzhou Army's path. Of course, none of them should be let go.
Bai Xiaowen said again: "I will go to see the emperor now. Xun Lingjun and all the officials of the Prime Minister's Office, please sit here quietly and don't move around. It would be a pity if my soldiers misunderstood and ran away, and blood spattered five steps away."
"
Bai Xiaowen immediately ordered two elite captains to lead five hundred troops under their command to guard the people present, and strictly ordered: "If anyone escapes, he will be killed immediately."
After everything was arranged, Bai Xiaowen took the rest of the soldiers and escorted Cao Pi and four others out of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
However, Bai Xiaowen did not rush to the palace immediately. Instead, he led the army and continued to clean up the remaining areas of Xudu, focusing on restraining military discipline.
The old and weak soldiers who were left behind in Xudu were tied up with iron chains and those who surrendered were able to avoid death for a while. As for those who resisted, they were of course killed without mercy.
It didn't take long for the alleyway battle in Xudu to come to an end. The 20,000 troops from Youzhou occupied the main streets of Xudu. The high-ranking officials and nobles closed their doors tightly, fearing that the war would cause disaster and destroy their families and clans.
.
Of course, Bai Xiaowen could not let the soldiers plunder. He must know that plundering with soldiers would destroy the homes of Xudu officials and the reputation of the Yuan family, and would only make Cao Cao happy.
After the situation stabilized, Bai Xiaowen strictly enforced military discipline and rushed all the way to the palace.