Cao Zhang was thoughtful, and when Xu Shu made this suggestion, he immediately realized: "What Yuan Zhi said is that I should indeed go see my father with the new paper. Since I have decided to act in a high-profile manner, it is extremely necessary to win my father's favor as much as possible."
"My father will definitely need a large amount of money to conquer the world now. If I can properly share his worries, he will definitely be happy. I think it is better to name this new paper Cao Gong Paper and donate 20% of the profits. What do you think of it, father?"
Xu Shu said happily: "Young master is smart and this move is extremely wise."
"If my father approves of this matter, then we don't have to keep a low profile and can open a large number of paper mills and bookstores with great fanfare. This will greatly increase the benefits."
"Moreover, with my father's approval, I can appropriately attract some Han Dynasty ministers to join our business and tie up our interests with them."
"With such a generous gift, they will definitely lean towards me when choosing their heir in the future. What do Yuan Zhi think?" Cao Zhang drew inferences and immediately thought of something deeper.
Xu Shu sincerely praised: "Young Master is really a wise master in the world. If you can really get Sikong's approval, and the ministers of the Han Dynasty join in, the Young Master will have an advantage in the fight for the heir apparent. At that time, even if Cao Pi had his eldest son With your identity, I’m afraid it’s hard to resist the general trend!”
"Since Yuan Zhi also thinks that this matter is feasible, it should not be delayed. I will go to see my father now. As long as he approves the sale of Cao Gong Paper, we will contact the Han Dynasty ministers immediately!" Cao Zhang made a decision immediately.
He ordered his servants to change his clothes, then picked up the new roll of paper and hurried out to Sikong Mansion.
When Cao Zhang came to Sikong Mansion, Cao Cao was in his study. There was a bamboo slip in front of him, which was the letter from Yuan Shao he had just received.
The main idea of the letter is that the conditions in Xudu are not good, not as good as Yecheng in Hebei, and not suitable for the emperor to live. He asked Cao Cao to move the capital to Yecheng and send Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty there.
Cao Cao knew in his heart that Yuan Shao saw the benefits of serving the emperor and disobeying his ministers, and wanted to compete with him for the emperor.
Naturally, it was impossible for Cao Cao to agree to Yuan Shao, but the recent campaign against Zhang Xiu had just failed. If he rejected Yuan Shao and caused him to send troops to attack, it would be really troublesome.
When his servants reported that Cao Zhang was here, his frown relaxed a little.
Recently, Cao Zhang's performance has been too eye-catching. His poems were published in the Yuedan Review and he risked his life to protect him during the hunt, which made Cao Cao very happy.
"Let Ziwen come in quickly!" Cao Cao ordered.
After a while, Cao Zhang strode in and saluted Cao Cao respectfully: "Father!"
Cao Cao stood up and came forward, asking with concern: "Ziwen, how is your injury? I have been busy dealing with government affairs these days, and I didn't bother to go up and see you."
Cao Zhang responded quickly: "Father, don't worry, my injury is not serious at all. I have been recovering for a few days and it is mostly healed."
When Cao Cao heard this, he felt relieved: "That's good. You came just in time. If I have something, please help me with some advice."
As Cao Cao spoke, he picked up Yuan Shao's letter on the desk and handed it directly to Cao Zhang.
Of course, he didn't really need Cao Zhang to give him advice, he just wanted to take this opportunity to examine Cao Zhang's judgment and opinions on the war situation.
After Cao Zhang took the bamboo slip and read it, he showed a smile: "Yuan Shao wants to move the capital. This is a good thing. Promise him!"
Cao Cao frowned immediately after hearing Cao Zhang's words. He didn't expect that Cao Zhang would answer like this. Isn't this giving away his trump card?
"In order to welcome His Majesty, we worked hard and mobilized many people, resulting in great losses. We finally rescued His Majesty from the clutches of Li Jue and Guo Si."
"Your Majesty came to Xudu, and we started a lot of construction work and built palaces. Now it has just stabilized, but you want to send him to Yecheng to hand over to Yuan Shao. Do you want me to surrender to Yuan Shao?" Cao Cao said very unhappy. .
"Of course my son doesn't want his father to bow to Yuan Shao, but if his father refuses directly and sternly, I'm afraid Yuan Shao will immediately join forces with Liu Biao and others to launch an attack on Xudu and rob His Majesty. The situation will be equally difficult to handle!" Cao Zhang calmly told Cao Cao! Give an explanation.
After hearing what Cao Zhang said, Cao Cao sighed helplessly. What Cao Zhang said was exactly the outcome he was most worried about.
"Yuan Shao's current focus is on fighting Gongsun Zan of Youzhou. Gongsun Zan has retreated to Yijing. Yuan Shao definitely hopes to devour him in one bite and embrace all the four northern states, so it is actually impossible for him to mobilize heavy troops to attack at this time. Xu County, at best it’s a bluff.”
"My father pretended to promise him to move the capital, but he could use the excuse that your majesty is in poor health and needs a period of adjustment before setting off. Then he asked Yuan Shao to build a palace in Yecheng first. When the palace is repaired and your majesty is in good health, he can then move the capital there."
"Yuan Shao is so happy about his success. As long as his father's reply to him is sincere and respectful to him, he will not have any doubts and will continue to focus on attacking Gongsun Zan instead of urging your majesty to move the capital."
"We can use this time to recruit troops, recuperate, and strengthen ourselves. When Yuan Shao defeats Gongsun Zan and comes to pick up His Majesty, we will be ready to fight. Do you think we will still be afraid of him!?"
Cao Zhang explained his thoughts to Cao Cao in detail.
After hearing what Cao Zhang said, Cao Cao had a smile on his face and nodded repeatedly in praise: "What a delaying strategy. It not only confused Yuan Shao, but also bought us time to prepare for war. It is indeed a clever plan."
Cao Zhang responded humbly: "Father, thank you very much."
Cao Cao suppressed his smile, sighed softly, and expressed his difficulties: "Although your strategy can buy us time to prepare for war. But now Yan and Hezhou have suffered from wars and intrusions by the remnants of moth thieves for consecutive years. They are short of supplies. Even though There is time, our military supplies are limited, and we cannot afford too many soldiers and horses."
Cao Zhang said with a smile: "My son came to see his father today just to help you with the money and food for the military supplies."
Cao Zhang unfolded the new paper in his hand and asked Cao Cao to check it: "This is the new paper I arranged for the Sima family to make. Please take a look at it, father."
Cao Cao lowered his head and looked at the three new types of paper. They were extremely comfortable in terms of texture, feel, and thickness, far superior to today's various coarse papers.
Cao Cao looked at Cao Zhang with wide eyes in surprise, and asked in disbelief: "Ziwen, how did you make this new paper? With such high quality, is the cost also extremely high?"
"On the contrary. Father, we have developed a new process. Not only are these new papers of high quality and easy to preserve without losing ink, they are also much cheaper than current paper and can be produced and sold in batches."
"I plan to name this paper Cao Gong Paper and sell it to the outside world in my father's name. I believe that when Cao Gong Paper is launched on the market, the supply will exceed demand and the profit will be extremely high. Father's military supplies will not be a problem!" Cao Zhang respectfully said Di said to Cao Cao.
After hearing what Cao Zhang said, Cao Cao smiled happily.
He didn't expect that Cao Zhang would bring him another huge surprise today. First, he helped him plan how to respond to Yuan Shao, and then he took out Cao's official paper to help him solve the military supply problem. If you have a son like this, what more could you ask for!
