All the princes gathered in Suanzao, with Yuan Shao as the leader, to discuss the strategy of conquering Dong Zhuo.
Everyone unanimously asked Yuan Shao to make suggestions, but he refused to speak out.
At first they looked at them politely, but as time went on, the potter sitting at the bottom saw some tricks.
It’s not that they don’t have strategies, and it’s not that they can’t figure it out... these people are all hiding their own agendas.
It's easy to make plans and formulate policies... But there are more than ten groups of people, each with different leaders. It's easy to say that this policy will win. If it fails, who will be responsible? Who will bear the consequences?
No matter how well the established policy is drawn up, these people are all on the same road but not in the same direction. Who can guarantee that they will march in accordance with the established policy? Who dares to say that at the critical moment, some of them will not pull the strings?
No one dares!
In fact, it is the same as what the potters saw and heard in later generations...people sometimes work harder and gain more, and sometimes they work more and make more mistakes.
Obviously, the current situation belongs to the latter.
Yuan Shao saw that everyone was refusing to answer, but he was already the leader of the alliance, so he couldn't shirk... This matter was a bit difficult to handle.
While he was thinking about it, Yuan Shao suddenly turned his eyes and saw Cao Cao with a swollen face and black eyes. He thought about it and immediately had an idea.
Yuan Shao had a close relationship with Cao Cao when he was young... Knowing that this boy had always had the ambition to help the Han Dynasty and protect the country and the people, honestly speaking, Yuan Shao admired Cao Cao very much for this.
It's a pity that although Cao Cao's ambitions are good, there are some limitations on him...Cao Cao is the adopted grandson of the eunuch Cao Teng, and he is the descendant of the eunuch.
Although Cao Teng's reputation is good, he is still an eunuch after all... Especially since the disaster of the party and the rebellion of the Shichangshi, eunuchs, good or bad, are classified as evil parties and chaotic government in the minds of aristocratic families and nobles.
One by one... This concept cannot be transferred by Cao Cao's actions alone.
"Mengde!" Yuan Shao smiled and shouted to Cao Cao: "Mengde has always cherished the Han Dynasty and was determined to save the country from fire and water... Yuan and Mengde have known each other for many years, and they know that Mengde's military tactics and strategies are excellent, so he might as well use his
What would Meng De say?"
Cao Cao was silent for a moment, stood up slowly, cupped his hands and said, "In that case, Cao Cao has something to say, please listen carefully."
After a pause, Cao Cao continued: "Dong Zhuo lives in Luoyang. In terms of terrain, he relies on the land of Hulao and Xingyang! As a matter of urgency, we can divide our troops into three groups, all the way from Hanoi to the south and attack Huai County.
, To the southeast of Huai County is Aocang, Luoyang's important grain storage place, and it blocks the Yellow River and the important diversion point of Jishui River. All the grain from the Central Plains is transported from here to Guanzhong and its northern key points. It is actually one of the most important.
, we must capture this place before Dong Zhuo has completely moved Aocang’s warehouses and grain depots, and use this as a basis to attack Xingyang!”
Everyone looked at me and I looked at you. Although they didn't express their opinions on their faces, they couldn't help but think highly of Cao Cao in their hearts.
The analysis is indeed to the point, and it can be said to be to the point!
Seeing that no one was suspicious, Cao Cao continued: "The second route is to advance from Suanzao County, which is the frontal attack on the hinterland of Xingyang where we are now. There are many guards along the way to the Suanzao County, including Juan County and Guangwu City.
, Hulao Pass, etc. will become obstacles...but it is the main force that can attract Dong Zhuo the most. Although this road is the most difficult, it is also the key to victory or defeat."
After that, Cao Cao continued: "For the third route, I would like to ask Kong Gong, the governor of Yuzhou, and General Sun, the governor of Changsha, to send troops from Yangzhai to occupy Yangcheng south of Luoyang. They will coordinate with the Suanzao garrison in the middle to the southeast, and attack Dong Zhuo from both sides!
Ke Jing Quan Gong!"
Speaking of excitement, Cao Cao took a big step forward, his tone slightly raised, and said: "In addition, if the princes from all walks of life are divided into three routes to march to Luoyang, the dispatch of grain and grass will be the top priority. At least one of the coalition forces must
Only by having two princes, one in the south and one in the north, can we clear the food routes and provide support for the various coalition forces, so as to ensure that the allied forces have no worries."
After he finished speaking, there was silence in the tent.
Cao Cao also seemed to feel that he was a little too excited, so he smiled slightly, sat down and said nothing.
The potter squinted at Cao Cao, feeling filled with emotion.
When I met Cao Cao in the market last time, I judged people more or less by their appearance. I was really too superficial... Now after listening to Cao Cao's words, I realized that the number one figure in the Three Kingdoms is indeed the number one in the Three Kingdoms, and his potential is really unlimited.
But after all, the current Cao Cao is not the great Han Sikong, the great Han Prime Minister, and the Duke of Wei and the King of Wei who later held the emperor in power to control the princes...
Tao Shang could see that Cao Cao did not have any arrogant thoughts. All he was thinking about was how to help the Han Dynasty, how to defeat Dong Zhuo, how to save the emperor, and how to bring peace to the world.
This was a man who truly had ideals and ambitions. When so many people were shirk-passing responsibilities because of their own agendas, only Cao Cao dared to stand up and express his opinions.
This is not stupidity, but magnanimity! It is a view of the overall situation!
Regardless of the fact that there are more than ten princes in the tent, the ambitions and ambitions in the hearts of others, including their loyalty and righteousness, are not as high as those of Cao Cao alone.
Yuan Shao stroked his beard three times on his chin, pondered silently for a while, and said with admiration: "Meng De's words are very good, what do you think?"
Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, Wang Kuang, the governor of Hanoi, Zhang Miao, the governor of Chenliu, Zhang Chao, the governor of Guangling, Qiao Mao, the governor of Dongjun, and others all expressed their approval.
If someone takes the blame, they are naturally happy!
Yuan Shao stood up and said: "Okay, in that case, Yuan, together with Wang Kuang, the prefect of Hanoi, Zhang Yang, the prefect of Shangdang, Zhang Chao, the prefect of Guangling, Kong Rong, the prefect of Beihai, etc. will be in charge of the Hanoi road; Chen Liu will be responsible for the middle Suanzao road.
The governor Zhang Miao, the governor of Yanzhou Liu Dai, the governor of Dongjun Qiao Mao, my brother Yuan Yi, the prime minister of Jibei Bao Xin, the governor of Peking Gongsun Zan and Meng Deren were in charge; all the way to the south, the governor of Yingchuan Kongzhou and the governor of Changsha Sun Jian were in charge
, Master Tao Shang, the governor of Xuzhou, is in charge; Han Fu, the shepherd of Jizhou, is in the rear and is responsible for the dispatch of grain and grass in the north, and my brother Yuan Shu is in charge of the supply of grain and grass in the south. What do you think?"
The princes nodded in agreement.
Although Yuan Shu was dissatisfied, Yuan Shao asked him to be the governor of southern grain and grass. After all, he regarded him as one of his own... Although there were suspicions that he did not want him to perform meritorious service, being able to stay in the rear was considered as preserving his own strength, and Yuan Shu had no choice but to do so.
Enough to say.
But what was unexpected was that Cao Cao actually stood up and said to Yuan Shao: "There are only three princes in the south, which is a bit weak. If the Dong thieves concentrate their elite troops to attack Yangcheng first, they may lose something. It is better to let Cao Cao
How about I lead my troops to the south to assist them all the way?"
Yuan Shao placed Cao Cao in the middle because there were more princes in the middle and were quite powerful.
Yuan Shao intended to protect Cao Cao and wanted him to minimize losses... After all, Cao Cao had just raised troops in Chenliu, and his men were few and far between... They were said to be princes, but in name they were still Zhang Miao's subordinates.
Cao Cao took the initiative to transfer all the way south, which put Yuan Shao in a bit of a dilemma.
I would like to persuade this old friend, but all the princes are here, so it is really not convenient to say some things in detail.
Seeing Cao Cao's firm eyes, Yuan Shao had no choice but to make insinuations: "It's amazing that Meng De has this intention, but Yuan felt that although there were only three princes in the south, Sun Wentai was brave, good at using troops, and powerful in the world! With him, Sit in charge, it doesn't matter if you go or not."
This statement has made the point very clear, and it also gave Cao Cao a step forward.
I don’t know if Cao Cao didn’t understand Yuan Shao’s good intentions, or he was deliberately pretending to be stupid, and flatly refused: “When we raise troops, we are all for the country, why should we stick to the strength of our troops? It is true that Wentai is brave and brave, but although I, Cao Cao, are weak, I am not afraid. I am willing to do my best for the country, not seeking merit but seeking a clear conscience."
These words completely knocked back Yuan Shao's good intentions.
Over there, a burly man covered in silver-white armor stood up and praised proudly: "Meng De is such a hero for the country and the people! A certain family sincerely admires me. Although I, Gongsun Zan, am not talented, I have also led this time." Thirty thousand elite troops have come to the north... I have been ordered by the leader of the alliance to march with others in Suanzao! However, I am willing to send capable generals and five thousand elite troops to help Mengde!"
Gongsun Zan opened his mouth, and all the princes present were shocked!
What kind of person was Gongsun Zan? He was a fierce general who galloped outside the fortress and captured Hu captives. His white-horse righteous followers were frightening to hear.
Among the more than ten princes, if we talk about the person who is the most proficient in fighting, Sun Jian in the south must be Sun Jian. Who dares to say that he is not Gongsun Zan in the north?
These two powerful armies, the south and the north, can be regarded as the trump card in the coalition of princes.
He promised to help Cao Cao with 5,000 troops, which was much more expensive than others helping Cao Cao with 50,000 troops.
Yuan Shao was extremely unhappy when he saw that Gongsun Zan had casually assisted Cao Cao without his consent.
But after all, Gongsun Zan was a rare strong man among the armies of the princes. He also fought against the northern nomads all year round. His troops were brave and powerful, especially the number of his cavalry, which was probably the largest among the coalition forces.
Yuan Shao is not willing to offend such a person for the time being.
"Okay." Yuan Shao said calmly: "Since Meng De has this intention, he will transfer to the southern alliance that is marching into Yangren City. Governor Gongsun wants to help you with five thousand elite troops. His actions are commendable and his achievements in the future will be remembered. Get on the credit book!”
Everyone was talking noisily, but the pottery merchant was very confused.
In history, when the princes attacked Dong Zhuo, they did divide their troops into several groups, but if I remember correctly, Cao Cao and Sun Jian were definitely not on the same line... Why has it become this situation now?
Cao Cao took the initiative to ask Ying to be transferred to the march route to the south... What kind of Xiao Jiujiu was he fighting?
The plan was settled, Yuan Shao immediately ordered a banquet to be held and invited all the princes to the banquet.
Having a dinner together after a meeting is the same in ancient times and modern times...a unique tradition of Chinese people.
The pottery merchant still kept a low profile, hiding in a small corner and eating the food in the cauldron silently.
In fact, he couldn't keep a low profile even if he didn't want to. The princes exchanged cups and cheered each other loudly, basically all around Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and others. Who had the time to take care of this little baby? If his father Tao Qian was here At this time, there may be a few princes who come to take care of themselves...
But since Tao Qian is not here, please ask his son to step aside on this occasion.
Of course, this didn't matter to the pottery merchant, he was happy to hide aside and eat and drink in silence.
However, the tree wanted to be quiet but the wind was still blowing, and a man happened to disturb the potter's tranquility.
A person whom the potter really didn't want to have contact with.
"Master Tao! We haven't seen each other for a long time?" A short, dark-skinned man took advantage of the crowd, who were shouting for a drink, and came to the pottery's seat carrying a wine pot and wine cup.
Upon hearing this voice, the potter's waist immediately straightened up... It was Cao Cao!
Almost instantly, the pottery merchant jumped up from his stool and ran away outside the handsome tent without saying a word.
Thirty-six strategies are the best!
But as soon as he took two steps, the potter discovered painfully that no matter how much he messed around, the scenery on both sides didn't move at all.
He looked back and saw that the secret passage was indeed...
Cao Cao threw away the wine cup with his right hand at some point, and tightly grabbed the back of his clothes, dragging the pottery merchant firmly in place, with a ferocious smile on his dark face.
"Run, keep running, let me see where you can go?"
If you don't run away, why are you staying here? Reminiscing with you? Bah!
The pottery merchant cursed in his heart, turned around and tugged at the back of his clothes with both hands, and was about to pull it open, but he stopped abruptly...
The potter obediently raised his hands because he felt something cold pressed against his back... It was a delicate short crossbow, and there must be an arrow hanging on it.
It is the same model as the one that the pottery merchant used to mark Xu Chu in his tent.
Cao Cao wielded a sharp short crossbow with one hand, aimed at the potter's back, and whispered coldly: "I want to try it out, which one is faster, or you?"
grandson!
Tao Shang was about to cry in his heart, but on the surface he slowly turned around and said with a smile: "We meet everywhere in life. Isn't this General Cao? As the saying goes, once we meet again, we will become familiar again. This is the second time we meet.
Come on, we should be considered old acquaintances."
Cao Cao sneered: "As you get used to it, you still have to repay the old debt you owe me!"
Tao Shang stared at the guy in Cao Cao's hand, the smile on his face became more cordial and enthusiastic, and said: "It's easy to talk, who among us brothers will follow who... General Cao will be merciful, but be careful of misfires."