Bai Xiaowen has led his troops into Yingchuan County.
However, Xun Yu took the initiative to ask for help: "My lord, there is no need to mobilize troops. I am willing to take Duke Cao's coffin and his death to Xudu to recruit the four young masters."
Bai Xiaowen's first reaction was to refuse.
Xun Yu is certainly an excellent candidate, and Bai Xiaowen is also willing to believe in Xun Yu.
However, who knows what Xu Du’s group thought of Xun Yu? How did they view Cao Cao’s death?
If Xun Yu is chopped into pieces, Bai Xiaowen will be in trouble - Xun Yu brings him not only the benefits of +10 in all attributes, but more importantly, 1 priority point! In addition, he is good at internal affairs and improves livability.
Abilities such as speed and so on can all bear fruit in the long term.
Now that Xun Yu had mentioned it, Bai Xiaowen was determined not to let him go, but he knew he couldn't resist.
Xun Yu saw the worry on Bai Xiaowen's face and said, "Master, don't worry. My nephew Xun You is currently in Xudu. Besides, my lord has done justice to the four sons of Duke Cao, so I will never be in danger."
"
Bai Xiaowen held Xun Yu's hand and said: "If you want to go, you need to agree to one thing. Let me capture Yanling Pass and surround Xudu."
Xun Yu shook his head and said: "My lord, why do you have to do this?"
Bai Xiaowen smiled: "You and I both have our own persistence, and this is the only thing I can do for you. Even if Cao Cao's fourth son and the old army still have any evil intentions, then on the day when the troops surrounded Xudu,
Their illusions should also be shattered."
Xun Yu lowered his hands and said: "Military matters are naturally left to the lord's decision. I will escort Cao Gong's coffin and take the first step."
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said: "I'll give it to you."
…
A temporary mourning hall was built in the lobby of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
The coffin Bai Xiaowen prepared for Cao Cao was of good quality. It was made of sandalwood and was thick. There were dozens of pearls buried with it. The armor he wore during his lifetime was also wiped new. Only the Yitian Sword was left behind by Bai Xiaowen himself.
In fact, the Yitian Sword was useless because there was no resonance from the psychic particles. When Bai Xiaowen swung it, it was almost like a fire stick.
Just because Bai Xiaowen can't use it, doesn't mean that the Yitian Sword is useless. He can give it to his aboriginal generals.
Wouldn't it be a pity to bury such a sword with Cao Cao...
Cao Pi and others didn't care about the sword. After they saw Cao Cao's body, bursts of crying rang out in the mourning hall.
Xun You took other officials from the prime minister's palace and asked, "Why are you here?"
Although they were uncles and nephews, they belonged to two camps at this time and naturally had to deal with official matters, so Xun You called him "Ling Jun", which was already a polite title.
Xun Yu said: "I have come here to invite you all to persuade Mr. Cao Pi to obey Mr. Cao's order and surrender to my lord."
An official in the prime minister's palace sarcastically said: "If you change the court, how can you persuade me to surrender?"
Xun Yu was silent, ignoring the little official, and turned to Xun You: "Now that the war situation has been decided, Master Cao Pi has no chance, I believe you can see it. If you resist stubbornly, you will only let a lot of unjust souls die in vain in the underworld.
That’s all, what’s the point?”
Cao Pi, wearing sackcloth and mourning, suddenly stood up and came to Xun Yu:
"Mr.
"However, my father has just been killed by Yuan Xi, and I have to surrender and give up all my inheritance to my enemy. What will the world think of me? I would rather die in battle than lose my father's reputation!"
Xun Yu looked directly at Cao Pi: "Master Cao Pi, why do you think Duke Cao left this will before he died?"
Cao Pi lowered his head and said, "It's to protect our entire Cao family."
Xun Yu said: "Young Master only knows one thing, but doesn't know the other. Cao Gong has entrusted his ambition to unify the world to his biggest enemy! When Cao Gong was alive, he once said to me: You know you can't do anything.
To do this is the greatest stupidity. I hope you understand Cao Gong’s heart and don’t let him down with his painstaking efforts in killing himself with a sword!”
Suddenly, a detective horse came to report that Yuan Xi's army had captured Yanling Pass without bloodshed and arrived at the gate of Xudu. An army of 50,000 people had surrounded Xudu.
Cao Pi was confused and looked at Xun You.
Xun You was so smart that he had noticed Cao Pi's wavering, so he asked Xun Yu: "If my lord is willing to surrender, can Mr. Yuan really save the lives of the entire Cao family?"
Xun Yu said categorically: "I am willing to guarantee it with my life."
Xun You looked at Cao Pi: "Yuan Xi is quite benevolent and righteous. Last time he conquered Xudu, he fulfilled his promise and released the four young masters. My lord, what do you think?"
Cao Pi looked at the expressions of the officials in the prime minister's palace.
After hearing that Yuan Xi's army was besieging Xudu, all the officials in the Prime Minister's Office looked panicked, without any fighting spirit on their faces.
At this time, although Xu Du had some food, there was a shortage of soldiers and it was impossible to defend the city - last time Yuan Xi defeated Xu Du with 20,000 troops.
Cao Pi winced and said, "This matter still needs to be discussed with my mother and brothers."
Xun You said: "Since my lord has inherited the inheritance and can decide everything by himself, why bother asking others."
Cao Pi: "...Okay, I am willing to submit to the imperial court."
Cao Pi emphasized submission to the imperial court rather than submission to Yuan Xi, which could be regarded as finding a step for himself.
Subordinate officer: "My lord is wise!"
Cao Pi didn't know if it was an illusion. After saying the words of surrender, the officials seemed to be relieved...
…
Bai Xiaowen waited anxiously.
Not long after, the gate of Xudu opened, and the city was covered with white flags.
Cao Pi led Cao's relatives and officials from the Prime Minister's Mansion, holding seals, ribbons, household registration books and other items, and went out of the city to surrender!
"Success! Xun Yu really did what he said!"
Bai Xiaowen suppressed the excitement in his chest, got off the back of Nuzhao, and helped Cao Pi up with his own hands.
Seeing Cao Pi, who had captured his (Yuan Xi) wife Zhen Mi in the novel, and even eventually proclaimed himself emperor, Bai Xiaowen felt a surge of emotion in his heart. He suppressed these thoughts with a smile, led the army into the city, and took over the defense of Xudu City
.
Bai Xiaowen granted Cao Pi the title of Marquis of Anle Township, and the rest of the Cao family were granted the title of Marquis of Ting.
The fiefdom of the four people was set up as Yanzhou Chenliu, but the marquis mansion was placed in Weijun, Jizhou. This way, the Cao family could always be under the supervision of Yedu, separated from the fiefdom, and it could also prevent the Cao family from resurrecting.
The possibility is reduced to a minimum.
Of course, Bai Xiaowen could not kill Cao Pi. In addition to moral factors, there were also practical factors. The world was uncertain now and the princes were rising together. If he killed the people who surrendered, and conquered the enemy in the future, they would fight to the death and never surrender.
At Xun Yu's suggestion, Bai Xiaowen sent a message to the Henan states (xi), and sent Cao Cao's will along with the emperor's edict, ordering the chief officials of each state, county and city to go to Xudu to report their duties within three days. If not within three days,
If you arrive, you will be regarded as disobeying the emperor's edict and Cao Cao's will, and will be conquered by the army.
This was indeed a good idea. Officials from various prefectures and counties came to Xudu one after another to express their intention to submit to the imperial court.
Among them was an old acquaintance of Bai Xiaowen—Zhong Yao, the Sili captain who once intercepted him at Mengjin on the Yellow River.
Zhong Yao didn't seem to have any particular preference for whom he was loyal to, and when he met Bai Xiaowen, he didn't show any worry or fear at all.
Bai Xiaowen joked: "How many arrows does Meng Jin have?"
Zhong Yao replied: "At that time, I hated less, but now I hate more."
Bai Xiaowen laughed loudly, and then said seriously: "The company's defense of Sizhou can relieve the worries of Xigu, enrich the population, and make great contributions to the country." He then ordered Zhong Yao to continue to guard Sizhou.
Zhong Yao cupped his hands and said: "At this time, Sizhou still has a problem that needs to be reported to the lord."