Cao Cao obviously did not expect that Cao Ren and others would recommend Cao Zhang to lead the army. He was slightly startled and did not immediately express his position. Instead, he looked at Guo Jia aside, obviously seeking his opinion.
Of course Guo Jia understood what Cao Cao meant and hurriedly stood up and said: "Sikong, although Master Ziwen is brave and strategic, he is still young and has never led an army alone in a battle. What's more, he was injured while hunting and has not yet recovered. .”
"Li Jue is a famous general in Xiliang. He has experienced hundreds of battles and led an army of 50,000 tigers and wolves. He cannot be defeated easily. I think it is extremely inappropriate for Master Ziwen to lead the army in the battle!" Guo Jia expressed his attitude and strongly opposed Cao Zhang. Lead troops into battle.
Cao Cao was naturally very clear about what Guo Jia said. He nodded slightly, preparing to veto the proposal of Cao Ren and others.
What everyone didn't expect was that Cao Zhang himself stepped forward and said loudly: "Father, my son's injuries are no longer harmful. I am willing to lead the army to fight. Not only will we repel Li Jue's invasion of Luoyang, but we will also defeat him in one fell swoop." Completely wipe out the rebels, regain Chang'an, and stabilize the northwest! So that my father can deal with other princes with peace of mind!"
As soon as Cao Zhang's words came out, everyone present was shocked.
Cao Pi originally thought that Cao Zhang would try his best to refuse, but he didn't expect that he not only took the initiative to ask for help, but also boasted that he would completely wipe out Li Jue in Haikou.
Do you think that after writing a few poems and killing Wang Yue and Tiger, you will be truly invincible? Then you are too arrogant. Keeping up with the battlefield are completely different things! If you want to die yourself, then you have no one else to blame!
He immediately echoed and said: "Ziwen is indeed loyal and brave, and takes the initiative to share his father's worries. I also ask my father to grant Ziwen's request!"
Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu also echoed: "Please Sikong allow Ziwen to lead the troops into battle!"
Cao Zhang took the initiative to ask for orders, which surprised Cao Cao, but he also knew in his heart that Guo Jia's analysis was reasonable. Cao Zhang did not have the ability to lead an army alone to defeat Li Jue.
Cao Cao shook his head gently toward Cao Zhang: "Ziwen, my father knows your filial piety and your determination to kill the enemy. But now is not the time to show off your strength. Didn't you hear what Feng Xiao said? You are still young and don't have The experience of facing the enemy, it may be difficult to win against a strong enemy!"
"Father, Huo Qubing was only seventeen years old when he first entered the battlefield, but he defeated the Huns with eight hundred cavalry and attacked for hundreds of miles! My son has always followed Huo Qubing as an example, and I also hope that one day he will make great achievements on the battlefield!"
"Li Jue's invasion today is just an opportunity for me! I beg my father to agree to my request. I am willing to issue a military order. If I can't kill Li Jue and pacify Chang'an, I will be willing to accept the military law!" Cao Zhang refused to retreat and proposed a military order. Military order to fight...
When Cao Zhang proposed the military order, he was naturally not blindly impulsive, but full of self-confidence.
In terms of martial arts, both he and Xu Huang were at the level of first-class generals and fully capable of facing off against Li Jue.
In terms of military types, he has a thousand cavalry equipped with new saddles, stirrups and horseshoes. They can make raids, fight flexibly, listen to thunder in silent places, and give Li Jue a surprise and heavy blow!
As for strategies, I have been familiar with military books these days and have studied thirty-six strategies repeatedly. With the help of top counselors like Xu Shu, I will definitely be able to use clever strategies to plot against Li Jue.
What pleased Cao Zhang the most was that according to his and Xu Shu's calculations, Cao Pi would definitely find a way to pass on his military information to the enemy, which would be equivalent to giving him a chance to assist.
It was precisely because of so many conditions for victory that Cao Zhang dared to confidently propose a military order.
Cao Zhang insisted on leading troops to fight even if he issued a military order, which surprised Cao Cao and others, especially Cao Pi, who was overjoyed and only hoped that Cao Cao would agree quickly.
Cao Cao admitted that there was some truth to Cao Zhang's words. No one was born knowing how to fight, and there was a first time for everything.
Huo Qubing could become famous in one battle, why can't my son Cao Cao not do it? Cao Cao also wanted to give Cao Zhang such a chance to prove himself.
"Ziwen, there is no joke in the army. I have issued a military order. If we can't win, even if you are my son, I will not let you off lightly!" Cao Cao was still a little worried and reminded Cao Zhang again, hoping that he would think it over carefully.
"Don't worry, father. Since my son dares to issue a military order, he dares to bear all the consequences!" Cao Zhang responded firmly.
Speaking of this, Cao Cao understood that if he continued to refuse to agree to Cao Zhang, he would be slapped in the face by him in public, and he would not be able to hold his head up in front of everyone in the future.
"Since Ziwen you are so determined, my father will give you this opportunity!" Cao Cao made up his mind and announced loudly.
"Thank you, father!" Cao Zhang respectfully thanked Cao Cao.
When Cao Pi and others heard that Cao Cao had agreed that Cao Zhang would lead the troops into battle, they all looked at each other and showed proud smiles.
When Guo Jia heard Cao Cao's order, he was very worried about Cao Zhang and took the initiative to request the order: "Sikong, since I have decided to let Master Ziwen lead the army, I would like to accompany him on the expedition and make suggestions for him. I also ask Sikong to arrange a mature and stable deputy general to coordinate with him." The auxiliary master is the one!"
After all, he received the favor of Cao Zhang as a gift of "Thirty-six Strategies". He couldn't bear to see Cao Zhang take risks, so he decided to go to help himself. He could also use the Thirty-Six Strategies in actual combat to see the effect.
Unexpectedly, Cao Zhang decisively declined Guo Jia's kindness: "My father is very busy and takes care of many things. I still need military advisor Guo to help me, so I won't bother to accompany him."
"Your Majesty also said just now that we are surrounded by powerful enemies on all sides, and we need all the generals to assist my father. I can only bring 10,000 troops with me on this expedition. I will definitely defeat Li Jue within a hundred days and return victorious!"
After hearing what Cao Zhang said, everyone was even more shocked.
Chang'an is 1,200 miles away from Xudu. According to the marching speed at that time, it would take at least half a month to 20 days to arrive.
Cao Zhang proposed to return in a hundred days, which meant that he only left himself about a month of fighting time.
What is even more exaggerated is that Li Jue has an army of 50,000, but he only leads his own 10,000 troops. With one against five, he still needs to win quickly, and he does not need Guo Jia and other lieutenants to follow him. This is really too much.
Cao Zhang had his own purpose in making this choice: this was his first time leading troops. If Guo Jia and other famous generals were to follow him, although it would increase safety and ensure victory, the value of military exploits would also be greatly reduced.
What he needs now is a clean and hearty victory, preferably a big victory like Huo Qubing's with less and more, so that he can become famous in one battle, establish his position in the army, and gain the upper hand in the battle for the heir apparent. machine.
"Ziwen, this battle is no child's play. You can't be blindly confident. You must know that arrogant soldiers will be defeated!" Cao Cao became more and more worried after hearing Cao Zhang's words.
"Thank you for your father's teachings. My son will always keep this in mind, guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and fight steadily!" Cao Zhang responded respectfully to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao looked at the confident Cao Zhang and finally nodded: "Okay, get a pen and ink and write a military order!"
The clerk brought up the writing case and prepared pen and ink, as well as bamboo slips. Cao Zhang picked up the pen, wrote the military order and presented it to Cao Cao: "Father, please read it!"
Cao Cao took the military order and read it carefully, and said to Cao Zhang seriously: "The military order has been established, and we must act in accordance with the law! You must be extremely careful during this expedition!"
"Here!" Cao Zhang responded respectfully.
But Cao Pi stepped forward at this moment and said: "Father, Ziwen led the army to conquer Li Jue, and he is really a role model for my Cao family's children. However, I am afraid that he will be unable to support himself, so I would like to ask my father to allow Xiahou's Boyan (Xiahou Shang's) As they join the army, they can assist Ziwen, and on the other hand, they can gain some experience!"
Upon hearing that Cao Pi recommended Xiahou Shang and Xia Houru to join the army, Cao Zhang immediately understood his intention.
Historically, in addition to the five good generals, Cao Wei also had eight tiger cavalry. They are the Xiahou brothers, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, and one person is Xiahou Shang.
He and Xia Houru are both nephews of Xia Houyuan, and like Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, they are both outstanding leaders of the second generation of the Cao family.
These two people grew up together with Cao Pi and had a deep friendship with him.
Obviously Cao Pi arranged for them to come here. It was a lie to join the army, but it was true that they were acting as spies who secretly conveyed military information.
Cao Zhang had to admire that Cao Pi was quite scheming. Both of them were members of the Xiahou family. It was difficult for anyone to suspect that his motives were impure when they were arranged to go together.
Moreover, they have a special status. Even if Cao Zhang really dies in battle in the future, Cao Cao will not be too harsh on them because of the Xiahou family's face.
"Thank you for your love, brother. Both Boyan and Junlin are talented in both civil and military affairs. If they can help me, my chances of winning this battle will be greatly increased!" Cao Zhang had calculated Cao Pi's purpose in advance, took advantage of his plan, and agreed.
Seeing that Cao Zhang had no objection, Cao Cao nodded: "Bo Yan, Jun Lin, you two are willing to accompany Zi Wen on the expedition!"
Naturally, Xia Houshang and Xia Houru would not refuse, and stepped forward to respond: "We are willing to assist brother Ziwen and help him defeat Li Jue!"
"Okay, I order Cao Zhang to be the commander-in-chief, and Xia Houshang and Xia Houru to join the army. They will lead 10,000 troops and march westward to resist Li Jue. We will go back to prepare first and set off in three days!" Cao Cao turned around and picked up the command arrow and handed it into Cao Zhang's hand.
Cao Zhang respectfully took the command arrow from Cao Cao's hand and saluted with Xia Houshang and Xia Houru: "Here!"...
Then the three of them turned around and walked out of the hall of Sikong Mansion.
Cao Cao looked at the three people walking away, then turned to look at Xun Yu and Guo Jia on both sides. Although his face remained calm, his heart was full of worry.
Cao Pi and others came back and stood up. At this time, he just felt that his conspiracy had succeeded and he was extremely proud.
Little did he know that he had already fallen into Cao Zhang's plan...
