The school affairs office in Puyang soon passed the news back to Jinling City, stating that while Cao Cao was sending envoys to Xuzhou, he had already begun to mobilize troops and generals in Puyang.
It is said that during this expedition, Cao Cao made a lot of noise.
The soldiers and horses from Yanzhou headquarters, Qingzhou soldiers, the old Northern and Southern Army from Luoyang and the soldiers from Xiliang were all mobilized.
It seems that this time, Cao Cao really spent a lot of money to pacify Xuzhou.
The pottery merchant did not dare to neglect, so he hurriedly recruited the elite and generals in Jinling City and immediately went north to prepare to return to Pengcheng.
The main force of troops and horses was led by Xu Rong and others from the rear. Tao Shang led a part of the army and marched first, carrying Diao Chan, Mi Zhen, Tao Ying and others on flying horses and hurried back to Pengcheng.
When Tao Qian saw the pottery merchant, he burst into tears.
"Son, how can I bear this huge disaster?!"
Although Tao Qian was not usually astute and courageous, he was still a calm and capable person. This seemed to be the first time in the memory of the potter that he had lost his composure.
It seems to be even greater than the performance during the initial crusade against Dong Zhuo.
"Father, although Cao Cao is powerful, it is not impossible to defeat him. Father, there is no need to worry so much." Although Tao Shang was feeling rather uneasy, he still comforted Tao Qian.
The old man is in chaos, at least he can't be in chaos, he must be calm and deal with things.
Tao Qian waved his hand vigorously and said: "What worries me is not Cao Cao's power, but the Emperor's rebuke! After living for more than sixty years, this is the first time I have lost such a big man...
I don’t want to live anymore!”
"Emperor?"
The potter didn't react for a while, but he suddenly realized it when he was young.
In the Battle of Chang'an, Cao Cao defeated the generals of Xiliang, greatly increased his power, and took over the emperor Liu Xie earlier than in history.
The powerful Cao Cao sent troops to Xuzhou twice to massacre. What he did was outrageous and resentful, but even if his troops were powerful, at least he could not justify it from the moral high ground.
Everyone can criticize Cao Cao together: tyrannical, domineering, despicable, shameless, cruel, shameless, bullying, unpatriotic, etc.
But now Cao Cao had supported the emperor for several years in advance, so his sending troops to attack Tao Qian to avenge his father became a justifiable move after the emperor issued an edict.
Who dares to say that he is not Cao Cao?
Who dares to say that Cao Cao sent troops to attack Xuzhou out of personal grudges regardless of the overall situation?
Who dares to say that Cao Cao is not patriotic?
The dispatch of troops is clearly stipulated!
He obviously suffered a great injustice, but in the end, even his reputation for morality was taken away by Cao Cao... This was the real reason why Tao Qian was so angry that he cried.
Tao Shang pondered for a moment and suddenly said: "Father, tell me the truth. Does the matter of Cao Cao's dead father have anything to do with you?"
Tao Qian stared at him with red eyes, his beard shaking with anger.
"You treacherous son! What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm such a fool? His father is dead, do you still want to make your father angry to death?! When Bao Zhong and Bao Tao came to pick up Cao Song, it was too late for me to avoid suspicion! Still!
Why would they send troops to kill him? It’s simply ridiculous.”
The pottery merchant's face was gloomy: "In this case, we are being treated like monkeys...Father, Yuan Shao, have you sent someone to ask for help? Now that the matter has come to an end, he may be able to mediate and stop it.
Cao Cao’s Revenge.”
Tao Qian's expression became very lonely.
"I sent someone there, and Yuan Shao said he would help, but he never believed it...Right now, Yuan Shao is competing with Zhang Yan of the Black Mountain Army for the nine counties of Bingzhou. I don't think he has time to take care of us and Cao Cao's affairs.
Even if he writes a letter to Cao Cao, the current Cao Cao may not give Yuan Shao face."
The potter pondered for a moment and said nothing.
Cao Cao's second bloodbath in Xuzhou in history, Tao Qian sent someone to ask for help from Tian Kai, the governor of Qingzhou.
But the problem is that Tian Kai is a vassal of Gongsun Zan, and Tao Qian was historically on the same side as Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu, so he can get his support.
But now, the Xuzhou Tao family is on Yuan Shao's side, why would Gongsun Zan still help him?
To be honest, Tao Shang was not very confident in using the Jinling Army and Xuzhou Army to fight Cao Cong alone.
In history, Emperor Wu of Wei, after he welcomed the emperor, he and his Cao soldiers became the kings of Tuitu, invincible in every attack. Such a figure is really difficult to fight.
Even if Tao Shang was confident, he didn't think he could defeat Cao Cao with very little loss.
Killing a thousand enemies and damaging yourself eight hundred is not what a pottery merchant is willing to do...
No, you still have to find allies to help you suppress Cao Cao.
"Father, you don't need to worry too much. Although Cao Cao is powerful, it doesn't mean that we can't defeat him. This time I came to Xuzhou and brought the most elite generals and planners in Jinling City. Cao Cao sent troops to fight.
It is estimated that it will take some time. Let's wait until the main troops of Jinling City arrive in Pengcheng, and we will hold a court meeting together to use various strategies to check and balance Cao Cao, and we must block him outside Pengcheng."
Tao Qian was already confused because of the emperor's edict. Looking at him at this time, he seemed to have aged more than ten years.
Since the old man's square inch has been messed up, he will respond to whatever the pottery merchant says.
…
…
A few days later, the main figures from Jinling City arrived in Pengcheng one after another. Tao Qian immediately held a court meeting and gathered the main generals from Pengcheng and Jinling City to discuss strategies to deal with Cao Cao.
The person who provided information about Yanzhou was naturally none other than Guo Jia.
Guo Fengxiao made very detailed preparations this time and explained to the generals present:
"The Liang State in Yuzhou was brought under Cao Cao's rule in the name of righteousness after Cao Cao welcomed the Emperor. Now Cao Cao's elite troops are dispatching to the Liang State one after another. It is said that Cao Cao divided his troops into ten formations in the Liang State.
Cao Ren, Xia Houdun, Xia Houyuan, Le Jin, Yu Jin, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Li Dian, Lu Qian, and Pang De were respectively in charge. Cao Cao led the central army and the rest of the generals, and Xun Yu and Cheng Yu were in the rear to collect grain and grass for him.
.”
The potter's teeth ached when he heard this lineup.
Among the military attachés in Xuzhou, Cao Bao snorted coldly and said with an air of dignity: "They are all a bunch of nameless generals. I have never heard of them. What should I be afraid of? I, Cao Bao, want to take these people."
The head is like searching a bag to retrieve something!"
The pottery merchant looked deeply at Cao Bao.
General Cao is indeed not a mortal, how dare you brag about such awesomeness?
Which angel sister gave you the courage to say this?
Chen Deng frowned and admonished Tao Qian: "Cao Cao gathered a large number of troops in Liang State. His intention was very clear. The target was Pei State! Pei State is Pengcheng's front screen in the west. Once it is broken, Pengcheng will be destroyed."
The situation is as smooth as a smooth river, with no obstacles to stop it."
Tao Qian was a little panicked: "What Yuan Long means is that we also have to gather troops and horses in Pei State to prevent Cao Cao from entering Xuzhou?"
Chen Deng cupped his hands and said, "That's exactly it."
The potter suddenly remembered something and asked Tao Qian: "Father, last time I asked you to move all the households in Pei State into Xuzhou. Have you done this?"
Tao Qian nodded cautiously: "I have already done this. Now most of the households in Pei have moved inland. However, there are twenty-one counties in the country. There are still some households left in Pei.
Not as good as migration.”
The Tao merchant raised his hand to Tao Qian and said, "It's a very important matter. Please ask my father to relocate the remaining people quickly. Yuan Long has more experience in this matter, so it's better to let him assist."
Chen Deng stood up in a hurry: "I am willing to do my best."
Tao Qian naturally agreed.
The pottery merchant turned to Guo Jia and said, "Besides mobilizing troops and horses, what else has Cao Cao done recently?"
Guo Jia's expression was unusually serious: "The spies of the School Affairs Office reported that some time ago, Cao Cao had sent the leader of the Yanzhou gentry to prison for the crime of rebellion and conspiracy. After hearing about it, he was detained in prison and became afraid of the crime.
Committed suicide..."
After saying these words, all the officials and generals in Xuzhou were shocked.
Although Bian Rang was the head of the gentry in Yanzhou, his reputation was extremely prosperous in Zhongzhou. Especially his song "Zhang Huafu" shocked the world and became famous for a while.
How could such a person die like this?
The potter saw everyone's expressions in his eyes.
"If Bian Rang dies, will there be any extreme reaction from the local nobles in Yanzhou?"
Guo Jia took a deep look at the pottery merchant and said, "At least not so far. It's so peaceful and strange."
This remark can be described as a double entendre. It seems that Guo Jia has already thought of what the pottery merchant was planning.
"Brother Fengxiao, where are the remaining generals under Dong Zhuo's command now?"
Guo Jia immediately guessed the potter's idea, and then laughed and said: "Scattered in the Guanzhong area, living by robbery, life is as different as the past. Life is worse than death."
Among all the people present, Chen Deng was the only one who could understand what the potter and Guo Jia meant.
As soon as he heard Tao Shang and Guo Jia discussing the generals in Guanzhong, Chen Deng immediately had four words in his mind.