Chapter 19: All the old tricks have been seen through
Tao Qian is willing to offer Xuzhou?
The venue was extremely quiet for a while, and everyone was completely silent. It was as if a pin dropped on the ground and could be heard clearly.
In fact, strictly speaking, it is meaningless if Tao Qianxian does not offer Xuzhou, because he has been deposed by the emperor and defeated by the coalition forces of Cao and Liu.
But just like Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in history, although Cao Cao defeated him, he still occupied the land of Jianghuai and became king and hegemony.
The majesty of the imperial court was gone, and a prince was nominally dismissed, but this appointment and dismissal had no meaning.
Although Tao Qian was defeated, the south of Xuzhou was still under his control.
If he fled to the Guangling area, tried to kill Zuo Rong, and continued to resist with the help of the complex terrain downstream of the Huai River, they would really not be able to conquer it in a short time.
Therefore, if we surrender like this and hand over the seal of Zhou Mu, a peaceful transition will be the best result.
But the problem is that Tao Qian only agrees to surrender to the Qingzhou Army now.
So what should Cao Cao do?
If Chen Mu was more cruel, he would directly break the original agreement and drive Cao Cao out of Xuzhou on the pretext that Tao Qian was dedicated to Liu Bei from Xuzhou instead of to Cao Cao.
By that time, Cao Cao had failed in his efforts and had given up his job to Liu Beibai.
This is something he cannot accept.
So at this moment, when he suddenly heard the news, Cao Cao was in a daze for a moment.
Because when he thought about it, Tao Qian fled south. After he consolidated the spoils of war, he would immediately send his troops south. The nominal excuse was to continue the crusade against Tao Qian, but in fact he wanted to occupy the Pi Guangling area under Pengcheng.
Sending troops to occupy it in person must be much more reliable than a verbal agreement. By then the deal has been done and the rice is cooked. Even if Chen Mu wanted to go back on his word, it would be of no avail.
After all, you can't believe what Chen Mu said to Cao Cao. Chen Mu said that he and Cao Cao would carve up Xuzhou, but he was just talking about it. First, he didn't sign a contract, and second, Liu Bei didn't agree.
Therefore, after analysis, the counselors under his command came up with two results.
The first is true. Liu Bei is currently focusing on the north and has no time to look south. In order to win over Cao Cao, he decided to give up half of Xuzhou.
The second is a lie. He openly built a plank road but secretly invaded Chencang. Chen Mu verbally said that he wanted to carve up Xuzhou, but in fact it was just a means to stabilize Cao Cao. Once something went wrong, he would immediately turn against him and drive Cao Cao out of Xuzhou.
Several counselors, including Cao Cao, believed that the second option was more likely, so they gathered the soldiers and seized supplies as a precaution against Chen Mu and to prepare for a possible fall out in the future.
But who would have expected that Tao Qian didn't follow the routine at all and actually surrendered cleanly, without any precautions or worries. What should we do now?
The only result is that Chen Mu admits the conditions he agreed to before. Otherwise, both parties will definitely end up breaking up and making a big fuss.
Everyone looked at Chen Mu, waiting for his decision.
The venue was extremely quiet for a moment.
"Ah."
Chen Mu chuckled lightly and said calmly: "Brother Mengde, this is Tao Qian's strategy of killing three people with two peaches. Don't worry, brother, my eldest brother aims to support the Han Dynasty and has no intention of going south. Brother can take all the land in the Jianghuai River!
"
Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "We are all here for the sake of the Han Dynasty. The two Yuans betrayed their ancestors and cared about the country in vain. Xuande defeated Yuan Shao in Peking. I punished Yuan Shu. This is how it should be."
As soon as the two of them talked about it, the atmosphere in the venue immediately relaxed. Everyone immediately started to raise their glasses and drink, and they tacitly agreed not to mention it again.
This actually acquiesces to Cao Cao's current development path, that is, to break out of the siege of Yanzhou, give him a certain territory for development, and then give him the Jianghuai area south of Xuzhou.
Although there is Yuzhou in the middle, after Sun Jian won Yuzhou, he mainly focused on Runan County. The only territories he actually controlled were Runan, Chen State, and Liang State. Yingchuan was now in the hands of Luoyang, Pei State, Lu State, etc.
The land was indirectly occupied by Cao Cao.
Therefore, we can see from the map that as Cao Cao acquired the Xiapi area of Guangling, Pengcheng, the territories were connected together, between Qingzhou and Yuzhou, forming an oblique "T" shape, and the entire territory was larger than Qingzhou.
Moreover, these places are the best places on the south bank of the Yellow River and the north bank of the Huaihe River, equivalent to a large part of the junction of the four provinces of Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu in later generations.
Except for the Chen State and Liang State in Runan, they are not much different from Cao Cao's forces on the eve of the Battle of Guandu in history.
This is why Cao Cao desperately wanted to get Xuzhou.
If he fights out of here, he can live!
The world is like a chess game, and all things are like chess pieces. In Cao Cao's view, taking this step means taking the right path to survive.
On the other hand, Qingzhou is different. In addition to Xuzhou's move, there is also Jizhou's move.
Even if Jizhou cannot be captured in a short period of time, don't forget Luoyang.
Luoyang is the center of the world. From the west, you can enter Guanzhong, and from the south, you can go to Jingzhou. You can even go to Yizhou along the Mian River from Nanyang County in the south of Sili.
Therefore, Liu Bei has many choices. There is no need to fight with Cao Cao in Xuzhou, it is better to win over him first.
After three rounds of wine and five tastes of food, it’s time to get down to business.
Chen Mu smiled and said: "Since Tao Qian is willing to surrender, Qingzhou cannot kill everyone. Xuan Gao, where is Tao Qian now?"
Zang Ba said: "It is said that he was seriously ill in Quyang."
"Um."
Chen Mu nodded: "Let's see. Zuo Rong is still entrenched in the Guangling area. Brother Meng De is going south to take down Pi Guangling, so it's not appropriate for me to go. Xuan Gao, please lead a school of troops to escort Tao Gongzu's family there.
Quyang, let their family reunite."
"only!"
Zang Ba took the order.
Cao Cao also knew that it was time to get the spoils of war, so he didn't waste any more words and said: "Zigui has good intentions, so I won't be polite. Without further ado, I will send troops today."
Chen Mu said with a smile: "I won't give it away."
Cao Cao then led the people away and immediately returned to the camp outside the city, leading his troops and horses all the way south.
Xuzhou is a long tree-shaped strip, Langya Kingdom and Donghai Kingdom are in the northeast, bordering Qingzhou, while Pengcheng Xiapi and Guangling are an oblique rectangle, bordering Yanzhou.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Cao Cao captured this half of Xuzhou, which was equivalent to cutting off the connection between Qingzhou and Huainan. For him, it had an immeasurable effect.
What's more, these places have vast fields. They only need to rest for a few years, resume production, and absorb labor, and they will soon prosper.
So Cao Cao readily accepted Chen Mu's proposal to carve up Xuzhou, and immediately went south to capture Pi and Guangling.
no way.
Historically, Cao Cao took Yuzhou first and then Xuzhou and Qingzhou, but now that both Yuzhou and Qingzhou have been occupied, he can only find a breakthrough through Xuzhou.
Early October.
Zang Ba escorted Tao Qian's wife and son south to Quyang.
It was already early October when we arrived. It was early winter and the weather was getting colder. Although it didn't snow in Xuzhou, the cold wind was biting and Tao Qian's illness became even more serious.
In the county government residence in Quyang County, Tao Qian's family members burst into tears, and a sad atmosphere filled the entire residence.
In this cold winter when everything was silent, Tao Qian saw his family for the last time. He saw his wife and children just at noon, and they could still talk, but by evening, they had no breath.
No one can escape death, even the most powerful emperor, even the most powerful man, even the most beautiful woman, will eventually become a pile of skeletons and turn into a handful of loess.
Tao Qian, a great prince who had great power for a while, finally couldn't withstand the baptism of time and wind and frost when he was old, and died of illness in this small county town.
The fate of human beings may not be eternal. Poverty can be changed into wealth, illness can become healthy, and appearance can become beautiful.
But death is the fate and the end of everything.
Tao Qian lost Xuzhou, Zuo Rong rebelled in the south, and the Huainan region was in chaos. After discussion by Chen Deng, Mi Zhu and others, they finally decided to return to Tan County with the coffin in hand.
In mid-October, Tao Qian was transported back to Tan County and found a geomantic treasure land near Yushan for burial.
Chen Mu went over and took a look, sighing that time is not forgiving, and ordered to go down and settle down Tao Qian's family, and then started his own business - seizing the time to stabilize the territory of Langya Kingdom and Donghai Kingdom.
A few days later, snow began to fall in Xuzhou, and heavy snow covered the world.
Tan County returned to its former peace. Chen Mu sent soldiers to guard the county towns of the two counties, and ordered local famous people to serve as county magistrates and county lieutenants to maintain public order in various places. At the same time, he wooed Xuzhou's powerful people and stabilized the local situation.
The former governor's mansion has now been turned into Chen Mu's office. It is a large house with three entrances and three exits. The entrance is two-story stone steps, covered with moss, and the courtyard is covered with snow.
Tao Qian loved flowers and plants, so there used to be many precious plants in the courtyard, such as dendrobium, daylilies, roses, golden orchids, etc.
But when winter comes, everything has withered and been buried in the snow.
Tao Qian's family lived in another mansion in the city, and the servants in the mansion were returned as they were. Neither of his two sons became officials, but they had a rich family fortune and a well-connected family. As long as the world is peaceful, Tao Qian will
If the family has a few more officials, it might be possible to become a noble family again.
Compared with the later Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms tradition of eradicating the previous ruler's family, during the late Han Dynasty, the princes fought each other, and even later the three kingdoms attacked each other. After the country was destroyed, there was still some human touch.
At least the massacre of an entire clan rarely happened. More often than not, even a subjugated king like Liu Chan would be treated kindly.
Chen Mu didn't kneel down on the table, but lay down. Sitting on his knees for a long time was not good for his legs and feet.
"Give this letter to Zhong Yao."
He bent over the desk and finished writing the letter, blew on the ink, waited for it to dry before putting it into the envelope, and said to the military intelligence officer beside him, Jie Cong.
Jie Cong respectfully took the letter, walked backwards out of the side door of the hall, and led the five guards to perform their mission.
After arranging the last thing, someone came in from outside the door and said: "Captain, Chen Gui and Mi Zhu are here. They are waiting outside the hall."
"Let them in."
Chen Mu slightly adjusted his sitting posture and sat on his knees to show the minimum etiquette and respect.
After a while, an old man and two young men in their thirties walked in. When they saw Chen Mu, they both bowed their hands and said, "I have seen the governor."
"This must be Duke Yu of Han Dynasty!"
Chen Mu immediately stood up and went to greet him with a smile: "Get up quickly, my father-in-law will come to my humble abode and make this little boy shine."
The Chen family in Xuzhou can be said to be a large family of officials. Starting from the first generation of Chen Tun, to the third generation of Chen Qiu reaching its peak, there were not only three princes, prefects, and ministers, but also several people, and their influence was deeply rooted.
Compared with the Chen family, the Mi family seems very small. Apart from being rich and wealthy, having hundreds of millions of people, and having a beautiful sister, there is nothing outstanding about it.
Chen Gui stood up straight, looked up and down, and saw that the young man in front of him was about twenty years old. His face was like white jade, his eyes were like peach blossoms, and the light in his eyes was flowing. He was a young and promising talent. He felt good about it and smiled.
He said: "The governor was ordered by the king to conquer Xuzhou. We waited eagerly to see the sun finally clearing the clouds."
"Tao Qian disobeyed the king's order and attacked Yanzhou without permission. He was punished by the emperor but remained unmoved. Therefore, Cao Mengde and I followed the imperial edict to revolt and had no choice but to attack Xuzhou. However, although Tao Qian was guilty, since he died of illness, death is a serious matter.
Let his soul rest in peace in the earth, and his soul return to the underworld."
Chen Mu said with a smile: "Now that the matter has settled, you and other Xuzhou clans, although you served Tao Qian in the past, you couldn't help but think about it now. Now that the imperial order has been fulfilled, you should assist the king and the country and serve the imperial court as your duty."
.”
"Natural, natural."
There was no expression on Chen Gui's face, as if he was saying something that was taken for granted, he nodded in agreement.
This is to define the character of this event.
The Chen family and the Mi family were loyal to Tao Qian to the end. Logically speaking, as a hostile force, Chen Mu would definitely want to settle the score and uproot them.
But aristocratic families are all like this. Whoever loses will be abandoned immediately, and whoever wins will immediately take refuge.
Wall grass, placed on both sides.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Historically, the Chen family was loyal to Tao Qian at first, and then to Liu Bei. Except for Lu Bu who was not welcomed by them, even Cao Cao who massacred Xuzhou was sincere.
Allegiance.
For the sake of family continuation, don’t be shabby.
However, the Mi family unexpectedly joined Liu Bei in the end. Except for Mi Fang, the second and fifth son, Mi Zhu was still very good.
Chen Mu glanced at Mi Zhu. She was about thirty, not tall, but had a mature face. She had a mustache and was wearing silk and satin clothes. She looked like a businessman.
"please!"
Chen Mu stretched out his hand and motioned for them to sit down.
"Thank you, Captain."
Everyone sat down.
Chen Mu looked around the three people and said: "The war has just ended, and the hearts of the people in various places have not yet returned. Does Han Yugong have any countermeasures?"
Chen Gui said: "The Qingzhou army has strict military discipline and has done nothing to harm the people. However, due to the constant wars in various places, the people are fearful and uneasy, so there is no peace. The governor can send people to the counties to rectify the administration, strictly investigate the troublemakers, and deter Xiaoxiao.
It will surely appease the people."
"good."
Chen Mu was overjoyed and said: "What you said is really a mature opinion. I will recommend you to the imperial court as the Prime Minister of the East China Sea to reassure everyone."
Chen Gui hurriedly declined and said: "I am already too old, how can I be worthy of such a big position?"
"Public morality is highly respected and cannot be done without publicity."
"this......"
"Don't refuse, sir. This is a matter of state and the people of Xuzhou."
Chen Mu deliberately gave a high-sounding reason.
Chen Gui was also fooled and pretended to be helpless and said: "For the sake of the country and the people... this is the only way."
"In the future, please pay more attention to the East China Sea Kingdom."
Chen Mu smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "It's almost noon. Why don't you, Lord Han Yu, just finish your meal in the mansion before leaving?"
How could the old fox not understand the meaning of seeing off guests?
So Chen Gui immediately stood up and said with a smile: "I won't bother the governor, my old wife is still waiting at home."
"Then let me see you off."
Chen Mu accompanied Chen Gui, Chen Deng and Mi Zhu out of the hall. It was still snowing heavily outside the courtyard. Instead of walking into the courtyard, they came to the front yard from the corridors on both sides.
There was a servant waiting in the courtyard holding an oil-paper umbrella. One look at the structure and it was clear that it was an oil-tung paper umbrella produced in Qingzhou.
"Captain, take your leave."
Chen Gui said something again, and a servant came up to pick him up with an umbrella.
Chen Deng on the side was hesitant to speak and refused to leave.
Chen Gui walked a few steps, turned around and saw that Chen Deng had not followed, frowned and said: "Yuan Long."
Chen Deng mustered up his courage, bowed his hands to Chen Mu and said, "Captain, there is something I don't understand."
"But it doesn't matter."
Chen Mu stood under the eaves, wearing the white fox fur given to him by his third brother, with his hands in his sleeves, and said with a smile.
"Yuanlong, be impudent!"
Chen Gui was a little unhappy. This time, the Chen family had gotten what they wanted, joined Liu Bei, and consolidated their power. The family's wealth and power could continue to be preserved.
But if Chen Mu is offended, the consequences will be disastrous.
Times have changed. In the past, when Chen Qiu was a captain, the Chen family was indeed the most powerful in the world, but that was already the old days.
In these troubled times, whoever has the soldiers is the boss.
But Chen Deng was obviously very courageous. Even if his father ordered him, he still said seriously: "Commander, Deng wants to ask, why did you give up Pi Guangling under Pengcheng to Cao Cao?"
"Are you Chen Yuanlong?"
Chen Mu looked at the next generation head of the Chen family with great interest.
Previously, because Chen Gui was here and had full authority to act as the representative of the powerful families in Xuzhou, Chen Deng and Mi Zhu did not speak until they finally spoke.
Chen Deng kept bending down and saluted and said, "Exactly."
Chen Mu said calmly: "Whether it is Qingzhou, Yanzhou or Xuzhou, they are all owned by the Han Dynasty. In the world today, the princes in Jizhou, Yizhou, Guanzhong, Huainan and other places are rebelling endlessly. Cao Cao and I have been ordered to punish the thieves, and we all obey the king's orders. Xuzhou is also
It’s not that it belongs to anyone, but that it will be temporarily managed by my eldest brother until the new Xuzhou Mu appointed by the imperial court arrives, so there is no way to transfer it to Cao Cao.”
There is a very interesting point in Liu Bei's official appointment. The appointment in the imperial edict given to him by Liu Yu is as follows: "Qingzhou Mu, former general, appointed Chief Shi Sima to serve as Zhonglang, granted leave and festivals, opened the government and appointed Zhao, etiquette.
Just like the Three Dukes, they also oversee the three states of Qing, Xu, and Ji, and are entrusted with the task of entrusting Dongfang to the discretion of the king."
It goes without saying that the former general of Qingzhou Muqian, who granted leave, opened the government ceremony and the three divisions, and the three-piece package of powerful ministers, the key is the following sentence: "And supervise the three states of Qingzhou, Xu, and Ji, and entrust Dongfang to do what the king does."
"cut".
So in theory, Jizhou and Xuzhou are really under the control of Liu Bei, and all officials, big and small, can be appointed by him.
What Chen Mu said was of course a matter of course.
The deal between him and Cao Cao must not be discussed with Chen Deng.
So these words are just rhetoric to fool people.
But Chen Deng was not a fool. How could he believe it? He immediately said: "Can the governor really not see it? Cao Cao is trapped in Yanzhou and cannot advance or retreat. The only way out is to take Xuzhou and give him Pi Guangling under Pengcheng City.
, then it has captured most of the land in Henan and Huainan, and its strength has increased sharply. This is a danger to raising tigers."
Chen Mu looked at him with a smile.
Chen Deng is smart and has good ideas, but his political experience is far less than that of his father, and he still needs to work on it.
Thinking of this, Chen Mu nodded and said, "Well, Yuan Long is right. Xuzhou is indeed the only way out for Cao Cao now. This must be the reason why Yuan Long came up with the plan of killing three soldiers with two peaches."
"ah?"
Chen Deng was dumbfounded at that time.
His proud work has been seen through by others long ago?
Even the color of her underwear is known.
For a moment, Chen Deng felt blushing and wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Chen Mu smiled and patted his shoulder: "Yuan Long is a pretty good talent. Are you interested in going to Qingzhou? My elder brother still likes young talents like you very much, and I will definitely use him in the future."
"Forehead......."
Chen Deng remained silent and felt a little ashamed.
Chen Gui quickly stood up and said: "Yuanlong, I haven't thanked the governor yet."
"Thank you, Captain."
His father gave him a step down, and Chen Deng immediately thanked him.
The father and son and Mi Zhu said goodbye again. Looking at their leaving figures, Chen Mu chuckled lightly and turned back to his house.
Is raising tigers a problem?
Cao Cao?
Without top strategic talents like Xun Yu and Jia Xu, he is nothing.