Yanzhou, Jiyin County, Dingtao.

Summer begins in mid-April, the sun is just right, and farmers in the fields outside the city are working hard in the fields.

The summer wind blows across the road and through the mulberry fields, making the branches sway.

Under Cao Cao's governance, Yanzhou is now full of vitality, and the weather is much better than it was a few years ago.

Among the county mansions, the backyard of Cao's residence is filled with lush flowers and plants, rockery trees, and a pond in the courtyard with blooming lotus flowers and a few carps swimming under the lotus leaves.

Cao Cao walked out of his study in the pavilion in the backyard, and happened to see his eldest son Cao Ang coming from the front yard and standing at the door of the backyard.

Because Cao Song did not die, Cao Cao did not massacre Xuzhou, and at the same time he did not capture Yuzhou, so naturally he could not conquer Zhang Xiu, so both relatives were present.

A few years ago, Cao Song went to Qingzhou to avoid disaster. Later, when Yanzhou was stable, he came back to join his son and lived in Chenliu County. However, he still died of illness the year before last.

After all, he was nearly seventy years old, and it was not easy to live to this age. However, Cao Song's death from illness made Cao Cao very sad.

Because according to the system, when a parent dies of illness, officials, regardless of their official position, must dismiss their official posts and return home to observe filial piety.

Fortunately, Guo Jia came up with a plan and bribed some officials in the DPRK to speak for him in the DPRK, saying that the world was uncertain and Yanzhou must be guarded, otherwise it would be easy for Yuan Shu and his like to take advantage of it.

Liu Yu thought it was reasonable, so although Cao Cao wrote several times that he wanted to resign and go home to honor his father, he was still betrayed by the emperor. Mo Liao joined the army and was not dismissed from office.

Before Cao Song died, Cao Cao was fighting everywhere and had no time to take care of his family. His second son Cao Pi, third son Cao Zhang, fourth son Cao Zhi and others were still young, so they had been fostered by Chen Liu's grandfather. After Cao Song died of illness, he took them back.

Education around Cao Cao.

As for Cao Ang, because he was older, he had been following Cao Cao. After being promoted as filial and honest at the age of 20, he served as a minor official in the army. Now he was appointed by Cao Cao as Dingtao Ling, living outside the mansion and handling government affairs every day.

Seeing him coming over at this time, Cao Cao smiled and said: "Zixiu, how come you have time to come to the mansion to see me today? Your two younger brothers just happened to tell me that they want to learn horse riding and archery from you."

Cao Ang was a very mature man and was very serious. Seeing Cao Cao mentioning Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, he said seriously: "I came to the mansion to report to my father about this year's farming matters. If my father lets me take my two younger brothers to ride horses and archery, I will ask Anmin to take them there later."

That’s it.”

Cao Pi and Cao Zhang had them read and write since they were six years old, and let them ride horses and shoot arrows at the age of eight. However, they preferred to be with Cao Ang and Cao Anmin, because they doted on their younger brothers more and would not be as harsh as Cao Cao.

"We'll talk about horseback riding and archery later. Since we have official business today, you can follow me to the study."

When he heard that it was official business, Cao Cao waved to him to come in.

Cao Ang shook his head and said seriously: "It's better to go to the front yard. It's not convenient for women in the backyard."

Seeing how serious he was, Cao Cao nodded: "Then go to the front hall."

Cao Ang's biological mother died young, but he was raised by his wife, Ding, who loved mother and son. He had no conflicts with Mrs. Bian, and he was his eldest son, so he had no problem going in and out of the backyard.

However, Cao Ang knew etiquette and propriety. After he grew up and moved out of the mansion, he abided by his duties. Even when he went to visit Mrs. Ding or took his younger brother out into the backyard, he had to ask Cao Cao for instructions. He never exceeded the rules.

Although this is a bit routine, who wouldn't like the eldest son who is so respectful and cautious?

No wonder Cao Pi once said after he became emperor that if Cao Ang and Cao Chong were still alive, he would never be able to take the position of emperor.

When the two arrived at the front hall, Cao Ang reported to Cao Cao this year's farming matters.

Cao Cao nodded frequently after hearing this.

It's already April, and the wheat will be ripe in more than a month. The entire spring plowing is coming to an end. Cao Ang's work ability has always been good. Even in the entire Yanzhou, it is at the top level, which makes Cao Cao very satisfied.

After reporting on his work, Cao Cao said to Cao Ang: "We will have dinner at home later. In the afternoon, you can take your two brothers out to hunt and let them practice riding and shooting."

"only!"

Cao Ang took the order and was about to say that he would ask his cousin Cao Anmin to come with him.

At this time, Guo Jia hurried in from outside the door.

Guo Jia had something to report to Cao Cao, but when he saw Cao Ang was there, he didn't say anything. Cao Ang resigned in good faith.

"Zixiu, please sit down."

Cao Cao stopped him from leaving, and said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, Zixiu has grown up, and it's time to participate in military affairs."

Guo Jia then reported: "Ming Gong, Yuan Shao was defeated at Jieqiao. The three groups of soldiers and horses were defeated by Liu Bei one by one. Now it is said that he fled west and went to Handan."

"When did this happen!"

Cao Cao's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect Yuan Shao to be defeated so quickly. He thought he would have to fight for a year and a half anyway.

"Three days ago."

"Do you know what Yuan Shao's losses were?"

Guo Jia replied: "The losses were not small. Guo Tu's and Yuan Shang's troops were almost completely wiped out. His own troops only had 10,000 or 20,000 troops who fled back. I estimate that this battle will cost at least 70,000 to 80,000 people."

Cao Cao frowned and said: "When did Yuan Benchu ​​become so incompetent? He was defeated only three months after the war started."

"The news from the front said that Yuan Shao's troops divided into three groups and marched directly to Liu Bei's camp at Jieqiao. As a result, Liu Bei's army launched a large-scale attack, first defeating Yuan Shang, then Guo Tu, and finally defeated Yuan Shao."

Guo Jia thought: "It's better to defeat them one by one, and it's better to divide the troops into three groups."

Cao Cao knew Yuan Shao as a person. Although he knew that he did great things and spared his life, but saw small gains and forgot his life, this kind of tragic defeat was still incredible. He couldn't help but wonder: "No matter how stupid Yuan Shao is, he should understand that when the military strength is not much different,

, dividing the troops to attack is a taboo for military strategists, how could he make such a mistake?"

"What if Yuan Shao thought Liu Xuande had few soldiers?"

"How to say?"

"Ming Gong, do you still remember the letter from Puyang a few days ago and the Qingzhou Navy going upstream?"

Guo Jia asked back.

Cao Cao nodded: "Of course I remember."

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Guo Jia said: "At that time, I thought Qingzhou even sent the navy, but they really planned to leave no room for it. Now it seems that the navy is used to confuse Yuan Shao.

The method made him think that Qingzhou was attacking Weiqiao."

Cao Cao remembered the official document sent a few days ago, saying that there were thirty or forty thousand Qingzhou troops attacking Weiqiao. At that time, Cao Cao was still wondering where Qingzhou got so many soldiers.

From Guo Jia's analysis, this naval force was just here to gather people.

Use the navy army to pretend to be the army.

Only Chen Zigui dared to use this style of play.

Because the navy's daily training is on boats, in rivers and seas, it is not like the army that fights all day long. Its combat effectiveness is basically based on water, handling ships and long-range weapons, and its close combat capabilities are much more limited than that of the army.

It is indeed a risky behavior to use the navy to fight on land, which is likely to destroy the navy army that was finally trained.

Knowing that Liu Bei actually did this, Cao Cao admired him and said: "Qingzhou navy Liu Bei and Chen Mu have spent several years and countless money. If it were me, I would definitely treat it as a treasure and keep it for the pacification of Jiangnan.

It is unexpected to think that they actually dared to use the navy to go ashore to fight."

Guo Jiadao: "Chen Zigui likes to use this kind of unexpected strategy. During their battles, spies were all over the place. Our spies had difficulty even entering Jizhou, but they missed the opportunity. If we had known about it earlier, we would have warned Yuan Shao."

The war between Qingzhou and Jizhou was not much smaller than the Battle of Chibi. They were both large-scale wars involving more than 200,000 people. There were countless scouts from both sides, and it was difficult for Yanzhou's scouts to get close, let alone to find out information.

Therefore, their information has a lag, and it often takes a few days for the two sides to get the information after the war, making it difficult for them to do anything secretly.

However, Cao Cao was not discouraged and turned around and asked, "Is Yuan Benchu ​​okay?"

Guo Jia shook his head: "I can only say that he will not die. After the defeat at Jieqiao, it is said that he vomited blood for half a fight and was rescued by his generals. He was in a coma for two days before he woke up."

"As long as you're not dead."

Cao Cao was slightly thankful and said: "Although the loss is not small, he still has a hundred thousand troops in Wei County, so he must be able to resist for a while."

Guo Jia nodded slowly: "Handan and Yecheng are both big cities, and Hebei is rich. Although Yuan Shao's grain and grass were destroyed in a fire, his heritage is still there. With the city's high grain and abundant grain, it is no problem to defend it for a year or two. This is the final result.

, it’s still hard to escape defeat.”

Cao Cao shook his head and said: "It is better than defeat now."

"I would rather he be defeated now."

Guo Jia smiled bitterly.

Cao Cao wondered: "Why?"

Guo Jia said: "If the emperor is in power and the emperor does not fall, if Yuan Shao dies, it will be difficult for Liu Bei to plot Jizhou. At that time, the emperor will definitely send someone to serve as the shepherd of Jizhou to prevent Liu Bei from becoming powerful. But now that Yuan Shao does not die, I am afraid that all this will happen.

Chen Zigui's plan."

"you mean?"

"Besieged Yuan Shao for several years, and when the emperor died, he took advantage of the situation and elected Liu Xuande as emperor in the name of Hebei not yet recovered and the world still undecided!"

"Liu Xuande really dares to risk the disapproval of the world?"

Cao Cao was stunned.

As mentioned before, there is no problem for Liu Yu to proclaim himself emperor because he is a direct descendant of Liu Xiu.

But if Liu Bei proclaims himself emperor, there will be a big problem.

The Eastern Han Dynasty and the Western Han Dynasty have been separated. The royal family of the Eastern Han Dynasty must be the descendants of Liu Xiu. This is an iron rule.

Liu Bei wanted to ascend to power, but it was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Including the Three Kingdoms period in history, it was only after Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty was completely destroyed that Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor.

He was equivalent to re-establishing the country, known as Ji Han in history. He only continued the Han Dynasty like Emperor Guangwu, rather than inheriting Liu Xiu's Eastern Han Dynasty, so it was legal.
To be continued...