Chapter 10 The Advantages of Controlling Public Opinion
For a thin coffin, if you don't care about the material or appearance, just cut some wood and nail it together with nails.
Even nails were not used. Due to the lack of iron materials among the people during the Qin and Han Dynasties, carpenters had their own way of assembling wooden utensils by using mortise and tenon structures and setting up ingenious mechanisms.
The ancestors of the two brothers, Ah Da and Ah, have been carpenters for several generations. Although they joined the army, they still continued their craft work. They quickly cut down several large trees and built a coffin.
The coffin was very light, not painted, and was not made with professional tools, so it looked extremely rough in appearance, but Chen Mu didn't care, as long as it was a coffin and could represent its meaning.
After building it, the brigade continued to move forward. Along the way, there were Cao Cao's soldiers arresting people everywhere.
The cavalry was raising clouds of dust and smoke, so there was no need to send anyone to inform Cao Cao. The scouts had already informed Cao Cao.
Cao Cao's army was camped on the banks of the Shushui River. They built a large number of pontoon bridges. After crossing the river, they attacked the city several times but were not able to break through.
Therefore, Cao Cao thought over and over again, and finally chose the plan to frighten Tao Qian, arrest the people, and kill them in front of the city.
Fortunately, Chen Mu arrived quickly before this plan even started.
After Cao Cao learned the news, he led Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cheng Yu, Chen Gong and hundreds of personal guards and Qingqi to greet him.
The summer wind blows, and the millet seedlings in the distant fields are ripe and blowing in the wind, but no one is harvesting them.
Countless people were being escorted along the official road, gathering like streams toward Cao Ying. In two days, they would be sent to Tan County to be beheaded.
On the hillside, Cao Cao's robes rustled in the wind. He narrowed his narrow eyes and looked down at the wilderness. He saw the mighty cavalry in the distance, coming in like an overwhelming force, which seemed to have a shocking momentum.
A big flag with the word "Chen" was erected, and the fast horse at the front was sprinting at the front like a purple cloud. There seemed to be a phantom in the world, as powerful as lightning.
Seeing the cavalry army galloping like an earthly dragon, Cao Cao couldn't help but have a trace of envy in his eyes.
At that time, Xiliang's cavalry was famous all over the world. Even Gongsun Zan's Youzhou cavalry was inferior. In a head-on confrontation, they could only win by quantity. Only Liu Bei and Chen Mu's personal guards Xuanjia heavy cavalry could compete with the Xiliang army.
Although the number of these one thousand cavalry is not large, their armored and fully armed combat power is comparable to that of ten thousand infantry, and they can play a great role in war.
When will I be able to have such a cavalry?
Cao Cao was in a trance in his heart.
After a while, Xuan Jia's heavy cavalry had arrived at the foot of the mountain. Cao Cao went down the slope and saw Chen Mu at the front. He urged Jueying to come forward and said with a smile: "Zi Gui! You are late."
In fact, Cao Cao smiled with a smile on his face, but he was confused in his heart. Seeing that his plan to massacre Tao Qian was about to be completed, he did not expect Chen Zi to return so soon.
Chen Mu, however, had a stern look on his face. When he came closer, he suddenly burst into tears: "Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuual expressions."
Cao Cao: "???"
Cao Ren: "???"
Cao Hong: "???"
Cheng Yu: "???"
Chen Gong: "???"
"Forehead......"
Cao Cao was a little confused and looked around. He saw that Cheng Yuchengong and others were also confused and full of doubts.
No one knows what the situation is.
After Chen Mu performed for a while, Cao Cao hesitated for a long time and asked in confusion: "Zi Gui, why are you crying?"
Could it be that I miss myself too much?
Is my relationship with Chen Zigui so good?
Cao Cao murmured in his heart.
Unexpectedly, Chen Mu wailed: "Brother Mengde, I am crying for you. I know that you will not die soon, so I am extremely sad and shed tears."
Boom.
Huang Zhong urged the horse to get out of the crowd. He raised his hands and used his own strength to carry the two to three hundred kilogram coffin while riding on the horse. He threw it heavily to the ground, making a dull sound.
Cao Cao's expression suddenly changed, Cao Ren, Cao Hong and others immediately raised their eyebrows and stared, while Cheng Yu and Chen Gong were slightly confused and didn't understand what the fuss was about.
The atmosphere at the scene became tense, and the soldiers on both sides silently held their weapons firmly in their hands.
July is full of fire and the sun is scorching.
Everyone was silent, no one said anything, only the horses stamped their hooves or snorted to break the silence.
Perhaps he felt the restlessness in the air. After a long time, Cao Cao took a few deep breaths, calmed down and said slowly: "Zi Gui, what do you mean?
Chen Mu shook his head: "Brother Meng De, don't you understand yet? I am advising you to step back from the brink immediately and not go further and further down the road to death."
Simply put, stop trying to die.
Cao Ren said angrily: "Chen Zigui, are you cursing my brother Cong's death?"
Chen Mu said with an innocent face: "Zixiao, I have good intentions, how could you say that to me?"
"Ah."
Cao Ren sneered: "Good intentions? Then what is the meaning of this coffin?"
Chen Mu said calmly: "Of course it will be used to bury Brother Meng De's body after he dies. You see, this coffin has a sliding lid. It can be pushed and pulled to pay homage to Brother Meng De's remains."
"you!"
Cao Ren and Cao Hong drew out the knife at that moment.
Rub rub rub.
Huang Zhong, Da Aer, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu and a large number of knights behind them drew their weapons at the same time.
Cao Cao heard that Chen Mu was coming and came specially to greet him, so he didn't bring many people with him, only a few hundred people. If there was a real fight, he would definitely not get any advantage.
What's more, many of his personal guards don't ride horses, and there are only five or six generals. How can they compare with thousands of general-level cavalry?
So when he saw Chen Mu's person looking unkind, Cao Cao was also worried, but because of his face, he didn't give in for a while.
The two sides are in a stalemate and are at war with each other. It seems that a fight will break out at any time.
At this time, on the official road in the distance, a small black donkey from Guanzhong came skipping with brisk steps.
There is a Confucian scholar in white clothes on the donkey, about 20 years old, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, and a dignified appearance. He is sitting sideways on the donkey, with a wine gourd in his waist. He comes slowly amidst the sound of the little donkey's hoofs.
Go in front of everyone.
"Ming Gong!"
Guo Jia jumped off the donkey and saluted Cao Cao first.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! When Cao Cao saw him, his expression softened and he nodded: "Yes."
"Doctor Guanglu!"
Guo Jia saluted Chen Mu again.
Chen Mu rolled his eyes, looked at him with interest, and returned the salute: "Hello, sir."
"It seems that Dr. Guanglu knows about it?"
Guo Jia asked back.
"I don't know the identity of sir yet."
"I'm Guo Jia and Guo Fengxiao."
"Yingchuan Guo family?"
"It's just a run-down clan."
"Sir, you are joking."
Chen Mu said with a smile: "The Guo family is proficient in Xiaodu law and passed down the law to the family. From the ancestors to the descendants, they have taught the law for several generations. Their descendants include one duke, seven court officials, three marquis, governor, and two thousand stones.
There are more than 20 people serving in the palace, such as Zhonglang and General, and there are many people serving in the imperial censor, such as Zheng, Jian, and Ping, who belong to high-ranking families."
Guo Jia repeatedly said humbly: "It's too much praise. No matter how good the Guo family is, how can it be compared to the ancestor of the Guanglu doctor, Shangqu Nihou Qi, who helped the emperor to conquer the world, and then eliminated the troubles of the Lu family, creating a centuries-old foundation for the Han Dynasty.
?”
"hehe."
Chen Mu smiled and said nothing.
Guo Jia then asked, "It's just that Jia has something unclear."
"Sir, please speak."
"How did Dr. Guanglu learn of Jia's existence?"
Hearing this question, Chen Mu pondered and said: "I have always known the counselors under Brother Meng De. He is a Yingchuan native who plays with talents and talents. He is good at using evil strategies to establish a world, and rarely uses cunning ways. Cheng Yu
Cheng Zhongde, a native of Dongjun, is good at military battles, more than ruthless, but not benevolent. Chen Gong and Chen Gongtai, a native of Dongwuyang, are full of wisdom and tricks, but they don't understand people's hearts. Brother Meng De is also very talented, but
That letter is well versed in the way of people's hearts. If it was written by Brother Meng De and several other great talents, I would not believe it. So I boldly guessed that Brother Meng De must have gained a new counselor who is very good at controlling people's hearts. Although I don't
We know who this person is, but it is still very simple to deceive Brother Meng De in the letter."
"I see."
Guo Jia was calm on the surface, but secretly he was in a turmoil.
Chen Mu recounted his treasures and explained the character traits of Cao Cao's counselors clearly, like roundworms in their stomachs. This level of understanding really made him feel frightened.
"snort."
Cheng Yu snorted coldly and said, "I have long heard that the Qingzhou Military Intelligence Department is all-pervasive, but today I have seen it. You have already investigated us."
Chen Mu waved his hands and said with a smile: "You are all well-known celebrities in various states and counties. After learning about your names, I sent people to each county to ask the villagers casually, but they were able to ask clearly, so there is no need to go out to investigate."
Several people rolled their eyes and almost found out their underwear, but they still said it was not intentional?
"Ming Gong."
Guo Jia changed the subject and said to Cao Cao: "Doctor Guanglu is a distinguished guest. Why are you always here and not welcoming him into the camp?"
A hint of killing intent flashed between Cao Cao's brows: "Yes, Zigui, why don't you follow me into the camp?"
"forget it."
Chen Mu sneered and said: "I am more afraid of death, so I have to take at least a thousand cavalry with me when I go out. I am afraid that if I enter your camp, I will not be able to get out."
"oh?"
Cao Cao probed: "Does Zigui really want to fight with me here?"
"Cannibalism?"
Guo Jia pretended to be ignorant and said: "Doctor Guanglu, what is this?"
Chen Mu pointed to the coffin on the ground and said with a smile: "I'm just here to give Brother Meng De a gift."
Guo Jia looked puzzled: "Why is Dr. Guanglu like this?"
"Sir, don't you know?"
"have no idea."
"It seems that sir is also a master at pretending to be confused."
"Jia doesn't understand what Dr. Guanglu is talking about."
"oh?"
Chen Mu joked: "With your talent, sir, can't you guess it?"
"oops."
Guo Jia suddenly slapped his forehead: "What a great gift."
"?"
Everyone in Cao's army was at a loss.
Chen Gong and Cheng Yu looked at each other.
Cao Cao's people were all stupid.
Giving yourself a coffin is also a great gift?
You must know that in ancient times, there was no such thing as sending a bell to curse someone to death.
Because there were no clocks in the Han Dynasty, there was no such meaning as farewell.
Moreover, in ancient times, only sons or disciples who entered the family were qualified to do the funeral.
For example, the idiom expression "to provide for one's retirement" mostly expresses the filial piety of one's children.
Therefore, if Chen Mu really gave Cao Cao a bell, he wouldn't know whether he was scolding Cao Cao or scolding himself as Cao Cao's son.
But coffins have been around since ancient times, so it goes without saying what the meaning of giving coffins to people is.
So Cao Cao was very angry, but because he was too close to Chen Mu and had many enemies, he never got angry.
As a result, Guo Jia now said that the coffin was a great gift. How could he not be confused?
However, Chen Mu burst out laughing: "Sir, you are such a wonderful person. He can tell you all about my good intentions. You should be able to understand."
Guo Jia cupped his hands again and said, "Thank you very much, Dr. Guanglu, for your words, but there is still something unclear about Jia."
"Please say."
"Can I take a moment to speak?"
"certainly."
Chen Mu nodded and stretched out his hand: "Please."
The two of them rode horses and donkeys and walked along the official road to the hillside not far away.
The soldiers on both sides looked at them. When everyone looked up, they saw the two talking and laughing, as if they were old friends they hadn't seen for many years. For a moment, they seemed to be very attached to each other.
"Doctor Guanglu started at a young age, he was heard among the princes, he rose up from the yellow turban, and he dominated the world. He looked at everything he wanted. He really lives up to the ambition of a man."
"No, no, even though I am a few years older than Fengxiao, I only know what it means to be a dragon or a phoenix among people when I see Fengxiao today."
"The talents of Dr. Guanglu are not as good as those of Wan Yi."
"Haha, it's just the two of us here. If you want to be a filial piety, just call me cousin."
"Then I'll forgive you for being rude. I will return to my brother."
Guo Jia was flattering all the way, talking while his eyes were carefully observing Chen Mu's expression.
As an outstanding master of psychology, he not only has excellent verbal skills, but also has the ability to observe words and emotions. Through some tiny details, he can understand a person's personality and temperament.
For example, Guo Jia once stayed with Yuan Shao and saw that Yuan Shao was paranoid, face-saving, overly conceited, suspicious by nature, indecisive, etc. Later, on the eve of the Battle of Guandu, he decisively analyzed the theory of ten wins and ten losses, and laid the foundation for
Cao Cao gained confidence.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Chen Mu is familiar with Guo Jia’s life, and naturally knows his abilities very well, so he kept a smiling expression and said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, you
After looking at me for so long, did you notice something?"
Guo Jia was found out, but he didn't feel embarrassed at all and said, "Brother Zigui is a little unhappy."
"oh?"
Chen Mu pretended to be puzzled and said, "I obviously smiled very happily."
Guo Jia said seriously: "Jia once watched people smile and found that if a person smiles sincerely, his eyebrows will be slightly tilted, and his eyebrows will be slightly lifted and tightened, while a fake smile will not."
?It’s the two cheekbones of a person. A person’s smile comes from the heart and is difficult to hide. If you really smile, your cheekbones will shrink unconsciously, and a fake smile is the so-called superficial smile, because it is difficult to hide it.
Actively controls the cheekbones, so if someone is observing, they can still see it.
Chen Mu sighed: "You are indeed a genius. Not only are you brilliant in intelligence, but you are also good at controlling people's hearts. Cao Mengde is really a powerful tiger with you."
Guo Jia said humbly: "It is better than returning a son to his elder brother, supporting Liu Xuande in his weak years, and raising the gates in the grass. Only then can he become the best minister."
"hehe."
Chen Mu smiled and said: "I know what your question is, and I can tell you that there is something in Qingzhou now, called printing. I wonder if you have ever heard of books, or have you heard of the famous overnight biography "Chasing Dong Ji"
The world?"
"I see."
Only then did Guo Jia understand the reason. He shook his head and said, "If this is the case, Duke Cao cannot kill the people."
"Back then, the book "The Case Against Dong" could give Cao Mengde the title of a gentleman, and the next book "The Case of the Massacre" could also make his reputation spread throughout the world."
Chen Mu said: "Although most of the people are illiterate, there are many powerful families in the world with countless slaves under their command. If they knew Cao Cao's cruelty, wouldn't they worry about being killed and their slaves in the fields being robbed?
, once it spreads among the scholars, will anyone support Cao Mengde?"
Guo Jia was silent for a moment.
Chen Mu added: "Now Duke Bo'an of Luoyang is the co-owner of the world. Duke Bo'an has always been kind to the people, and my brother Liu Xuande is also people-oriented. If they know that Cao Cao is massacred, they will definitely be angry. One edict in Luoyang, one paper in Qingzhou
In the crusade, and with Sun Jian as an ally, Cao Mengde is seeking his own death."
"I see."
Guo Jia nodded, bowed his hands to Chen Mu seriously and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Zigui, for telling me. Mr. Cao almost made a big mistake."
Although massacres in ancient times were labeled as symbols of cruelty, bloodthirsty, ferocity, etc.
But the speed of information dissemination must be taken into consideration.
In the age of word of mouth, Cao Cao massacred Xuzhou. In addition to letting the people near Xuzhou know about it, Guanzhong, Hebei, Jiangdong, Sichuan, Shu and other places may not even know about it until several years or even more than ten years later.
For example, when Cao Cao slaughtered the city of Ye, it only caused turmoil in Jizhou. Information could only be spread through migrating people, but the migration of people in ancient times was not that simple.
When there is really no other choice but to travel south, most people don't want to leave their hometown. Even if they heard that the enemy might massacre them, most of them would still take chances.
So even though Cao Cao's massacre was so powerful that he killed hundreds of thousands of people in Xuzhou, his influence could only be spread near Xuzhou, and it was impossible to spread too far.
But it's different now.
Once Cao Cao dares to do something, Chen Mu will immediately send a message to Qingzhou. Liu Bei will also send a letter to Luoyang. Liu Yu is extremely kind to the people. If he knew, he would be furious.
When the time comes, if world-famous scholars like Zheng Xuan, Cai Yong, and Kong Rong are asked to write another "City Massacre", Cao Cao's reputation will definitely be ruined.
In this way, the influence will not only be in Xuzhou, but the entire world will know about this matter within a few months.
Moreover, Cao Cao will also be questioned by Liu Yu, and like Tao Qian now, he will be recognized by the imperial court and dismissed as Zhou Mu and taken to Luoyang for questioning.
If Lai relies on his position, he will be attacked by Qingzhou and Yuzhou, just like Tao Qian now.
At that time, Cao Cao had only one way to go, like Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Yuan Shao, Liu Yan and others, and openly opposed the Luoyang court, which was the so-called rebellion.
After all, now is not the time in history to coerce the emperor to command the princes. Liu Yu is not the emperor of the Han Dynasty. He has certain independent powers. Liu Yu can mobilize the soldiers and horses in Luoyang, and even his imperial edicts are as loyal to the court as Liu Bei and Sun Jian.
It can still work for people.
So to put it simply, Cao Cao, Guo Jiacheng, Cheng Yu, Chen Gong and others have not yet fully understood the current situation.
They thought that if they did bad things, they would not be discovered because there was no communication channel. But they didn't know that Qingzhou already had printing technology. As long as they dared to do it, Liu Bei would dare to expose it immediately and let everyone in the world know.
This is the advantage of controlling public opinion!