Cao Cao's blood-red eyes were full of resentment. He grabbed Tao Qian's envoy Liu Jian by the lapel of his clothes with one hand, and held the ring-shou knife in his other hand, ready to strike.
Liu Jian was so frightened that his whole body collapsed with fear, "Don't, don't kill me..."
"It's just a messenger. Killing him is unjust. My lord, please think twice!" Xun Yu advised.
Cao Cao's right hand holding the sword paused. The cold light in his eyes did not recede. He narrowed his red eyes and raised the sword in his hand!
"Shua!" There was a sound, blood splashed, and the dark red blood stained Cao Cao's plain white mourning clothes. Liu Jian's head also rolled aside.
Seeing Cao Cao killing people, everyone present was moved. Xun Yu secretly thought that this time the mortal feud with Tao Qian would never be resolved. Cao Ren, Cao Hong and other relatives decided to seek revenge from Tao Qian.
Cao Cao's voice was hoarse and sad, "Tao Qian harmed my family. This hatred is irreconcilable. I will gather my troops to kill him in Xuzhou and take his head to appease my father's spirit in heaven!"
Xun Yu ignored the presence of Gu Yong, Yuan Xi's envoy, and urged: "My lord, we cannot rush to send troops for revenge. It is the severe winter. If we force the expedition, our army will suffer heavy casualties. If the war is delayed until the beginning of spring, it will also delay the spring planting." , how to raise food for the coming year? How to feed many soldiers?"
Cao Cao threw the Huanshou sword aside and said, "I have made up my mind. If I don't kill Tao Qian, my father will have no peace no matter how he lives under the Nine Springs."
Cheng Yu also strongly agreed to attack Xuzhou, but he also felt that the time was not right, "My lord, Wen Ruo is right. Revenge cannot be rushed. Let's publish a proclamation to cite Tao Qian's mistakes and declare war on him. However, our army took advantage of this opportunity. Prepare weapons and equipment during the winter, and then lead the army to attack Xuzhou after next spring, so there will be no worries."
Xi Zhong, Xun You and others were afraid that Cao Cao would be really impulsive, so they all seconded the proposal.
Cao Cao looked at the group of counselors and then at his father's coffin tablet, "Let Tao Qian live a few more months. I will definitely go to Xuzhou after the spring and swear to kill Tao Qian!"
Gu Yong remembered Yuan Xi's instructions before leaving and said: "Master Cao, please listen to me. It is only right for Duke Cao to avenge his father. However, there are still powerful enemies watching, so we must be on guard!"
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and thought about Yuan Xi's plan, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Yuan Jiujiu has been colluding with Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian for a long time. His power has expanded to Yangzhou and Yuzhou, and his troops are directed at Yanzhou. Duke Cao must not forget this."
Cao Cao and all the civil and military officials were helpless. It was not their intention to participate in the fight between the two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. However, Yuan Shu's series of actions in conjunction with Gongsun Zan to attack Yuan Shao really threatened Yanzhou's interests. Therefore, Cao Cao had to obey Yuan Shao and prevent Yuan Shu from taking control of Yanzhou.
If Yuan Shu takes the opportunity to attack Yanzhou while Cao Cao's army is attacking Xuzhou, it will be extremely dangerous. Cao Cao was eager for revenge, but he was not blinded by hatred.
Cao Cao had no choice but to compromise with the Yuan family again, "The Cao and Yuan families are on good terms, and Yuan Gonglu and Tao Qian are the common enemies of the two families. I also asked Yuan Cheqi and Major General Yuan to send troops to help."
Gu Yong agreed: "We have to ask Yuan Cheqi in Jizhou for instructions on this matter, but don't worry, Mr. Cao, my young general will definitely facilitate this matter."
Cao Cao expressed his gratitude again and again and asked someone to lead Gu Yong down to rest.
When only a few confidants were left in the mourning hall, Xi Zhong reminded: "I'm afraid our Mr. Yuan is going to play some tricks again. He can't send troops to help for no reason."
Cao Cao's eyes were slightly cold, "I know, but now that the Yuan family has strong military strength and Yuan Shu's threat is urgent, I have to condone Yuan Xi's child to take advantage of the situation."
Xun You, Cheng Yu and others have also been worried about what happened last time in Qingzhou Yellow Turban. They are all thinking hard about Qing, Xu and Yan. The four states of Henan, the trend of this big chess game.
Cao Chun also hated being tricked by Yuan Xi last time, and said angrily, "I wonder what Yuan Xi's plan is this time? Is it possible that he is not using us as swordsmen, and then reaping the benefits and occupying Xuzhou? In that case, we will Isn’t this a loss-making business?”
Cao Cao was worried about this, "Wen Ruo, do you think Yuan Xi did this?"
Xun Yu was best at overall planning. He thought for a while and said, "No, judging from Yuan Shao's layout, sending him to occupy Qingzhou is just to serve as a barrier to the south of Jizhou. The focus of his military strategy is still the annexation of Hebei. So. No, there is no capital to support Yuan Xi’s southward strategy.”
"Now that Yuan Xi has surrendered 200,000 to 300,000 Yellow Turban soldiers, and Yuan Shao doesn't support it, why can't he go it alone?" Xia Houyuan asked.
Xun Yu shook his head. Generally speaking, generals only see the strength of their troops, but do not pay attention to the support of the strength of the territory behind them. "Judging from Yuan Xi's layout, it is difficult to occupy Xuzhou. Qingzhou has been abandoned for a long time, and it is necessary to restore its population." The savings of grain will not bear fruit for three to five years. Without grain, money, and silk, the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers will be nothing more than peasant bandits wielding hoes and cannot be of great use."
Cao Cao wondered: "So, shouldn't Yuan Xi capture the wealthy Xuzhou and obtain money and food?"
"No, Xuzhou borders Yan, Yu, and Yang. It is a place of hundreds of battles. If Xuzhou is captured, Yuan Xi will directly confront Yuan Shu. If our army switches sides again, Yuan Xi will definitely be captured. The only way out is to die without a burial place." Xun Yu analyzed.
Xi Zhong added: "Furthermore, there are many powerful gentry in Xuzhou, and they are not attached to Yuan Shao's reputation, and many have the idea of rejecting outsiders. Tao Qian has been operating in Xuzhou for many years, how can he casually replace him? Even if Yuan Xi occupied Xuzhou, You may not be able to sit firmly.”
Cao Cao immediately understood, "Yuan Xi must be coveting Xuzhou's money, food and people, and want to take the opportunity to rob him."
Cao Hong said angrily: "Yuan Xi's son is so cheap. It's a pity that if we occupy Xuzhou, he will get a lot of benefits from him!"
Cao Cao and others were helpless against this straightforward plot, only because their own strength was not enough.
In order to fight, Cao Cao asked, "Wen Ruo, what is the current situation of our soldiers, supplies, and weapons?"
Xun Yu was well aware of Yanzhou's military and political affairs, and he said eloquently, "After taking control of Yanzhou, we surrendered 50,000 men when wiping out the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. In the past two months, our army has strengthened its control over various parts of Yanzhou, absorbing We have more than 50,000 soldiers. Including the original soldiers of our army, excluding the soldiers stationed in various places in Yanzhou, we can dispatch about 80,000 troops."
All the generals were excited. They never thought they had such a large number of soldiers.
Xun Yu continued: "Through the collection in autumn and the inventory in Yanzhou, the money and grain can support our army for two years."
Even so, the Yanzhou Army still couldn't bear to face Yuan Shu and Tao Qian alone. Yuan Xi can only be given the advantage in vain.
Cao Cao sneered, with indescribable cruelty and determination in his eyes.
Shouchun, Yuan Shuchu
Yuan Shu's power expanded greatly in two years. After controlling most of Yuzhou, he moved his tentacles eastward and reached Jianghuai in the north of Yangzhou.
Not long ago, Yuan Shu moved his administrative office to Shouchun. Because the geographical location here is extremely important, it borders Yangzhou to the south, Xuzhou to the east, and Yuzhou to the north. Yuan Shu gradually moved his power eastward and northward, hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to occupy the prosperous land of the Central Plains.
Although his allies Tao Qian and Gongsun Zan were defeated by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao respectively, Yuan Shu's own strength did not weaken at all, and instead expanded his power to Jianghuai.
It’s the first day of the fifth year of Chuping (194), which is the prototype of the Spring Festival in later generations and the beginning of the year. It is a festival that people at that time paid most attention to.
Although Yuan Shu recruited a lot of soldiers, the supply of food and supplies was quite tight. But this did not prevent Yuan Shu from organizing an extravagant banquet to entertain a group of subordinates and powerful local nobles.
Yuan Shu was playing with the beard under his jaw with two fingers of his left hand. Yuan Shu was still very satisfied with his achievements in the past year. He raised his head and toasted to the people below, "Everyone, listen to me."
When everyone calmed down, Yuan Shu continued: "I am grateful to all the heroes for their support of my general. It is your surrender that enabled my general to sweep across Yuyang. When our troops are strong, it is time to make a difference. When spring begins, Then march into the Central Plains and work with you to achieve unparalleled achievements."
"My lord is wise!" There was a chorus of echoes from below.
Yuan Shu narrowed his eyes and smiled. He believed that he would soon take control of Yanzhou and then attack the annoying Yuan Shao. He wanted the world to know who was the legitimate heir to the Yuan family.
During the banquet, Yuan Shu's counselor Yang Hong hurriedly arrived.
Yuan Shu was a little unhappy and said, "Why are you late?"
Yang Hong quickly apologized, "My lord, please forgive me. I have new business matters, so I'm late."
Yuan Shu had someone give him a seat and said, "Today is the first day of the evening, so let's put aside official matters."
"Lord! There has been a change in Xuzhou. Cao Song was killed in the area under Tao Qian's rule. Now Cao Cao has issued a message, saying that he will send troops to Xuzhou on a certain day to kill Tao Qian to avenge his father!"
Yuan Shu was stunned, then suddenly laughed and said: "Cao Ah Hao, Cao Ah Hao! You followed my servants to oppose me. Now you can't even save your family."
The counselors Yan Xiang, Yang Hong, and Han Yin couldn't help frowning. Even if Yuan Shu hated Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, he shouldn't show it like this, let alone be happy about their father's murder.
"My Lord, Tao Xuzhou sent people to ask for an audience. He said that he wanted to ask the Lord to guard against Cao Cao's intrusion." Yang Hong continued.
Yuan Shu narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Cao Ah Man actually helped Yuan Benchu to fight against me. Even if this hadn't happened, I would have marched into Yanzhou after the spring."
"My lord, there is no need to be anxious. You can sit back and watch the fight between Cao Cao and Tao Qian. When both sides are tired, send troops to attack Cao Cao's lair in Yanzhou. This battle can be successful." Yan Xiang advised.
Yuan Shu was greatly moved, but after thinking about it, he hesitated, "Previously, I formed an alliance with Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian to jointly deal with Yuan Benchu and Cao Cao. Now that our allies are being attacked, we are sitting idly by and watching. How will the world think of me? "
Han Yin knew that Yuan Shu was also a man of honor, "Lord, we can unite with other forces to attack Yuan Benchu and Cao Mengde, so that they can't take care of themselves."
"Tell me how to make someone unable to take care of himself." Yuan Shu asked curiously.
Han Yin sat up straight and smiled, "There are Black Mountain bandits and Huns in the south of Bingzhou causing trouble. Their strength cannot be underestimated. We can send people to recruit them and promise them benefits so that they can attack Chenzhou in Yanzhou after Cao Cao goes to Xuzhou." Stay. Let Gongsun Zan leave Youzhou and contain Yuan Benchu."
Han Yin became more and more excited as he talked, "Our army will attack Yanzhou together with the Black Mountain bandits and the remaining Xiongnu. This will not only relieve Xuzhou's difficulties, but also occupy Yanzhou effortlessly."
Yuan Shu also became excited after hearing this, "Okay! After defeating Cao Cao, then form an army to besiege Yuan Benchu and see if he survives!"
Qingzhou, Linzi.
The sky was dimming, and everyone in Yuan Xi's house opened the door and started cleaning the house, getting busy.
Now Tang Ji's heart is much fuller than before, and she has gradually come out of her previous resentment.
In fact, women are very easy to be satisfied. At first, Tang Ji hated Yuan Xi half to death, but later, due to Yuan Xi's half-soft and half-hard strategy, she was not happy to be her concubine now.
Tang Ji is undoubtedly a smart woman. She knows how to live well and what she needs. Now that she has it, she feels it is necessary to maintain the status quo.
"Sister Tang, why are you up so early?" Luzhu himself was surprised by the identity of this woman. She was not Yuan Xi's wife, but her status was very high in the family. No one under her was not polite to her. , so Luzhu didn’t dare to neglect anything.
"It's Sister Luzhu," Tang Ji looked a little pale, took two steps forward, and said with a forced smile: "I was a little bit cold last night. I was going to the kitchen to get some ginger tea to drink to get rid of the cold."
"Sister, why are you freezing?" Luzhu was a little anxious. After coming to the house for so long, ladies and gentlemen, none of you are sick. "Sister, you are not feeling well. Just go back and rest and let the maid take care of you. Why?" Could you please come here early in the morning?"
Tang Ji shook her head, wiped her face with a silk scarf, and said with a smile: "My maid is busy with something. It's better to come by yourself."
Luzhu walked to the kitchen with her, "Sister, not sister, you spoil your maid too much. At this time, the maid in whose room hasn't gotten up yet, and you are asked to do all the work. This maid She’s almost a young lady.”
Tang Ji shook her head and smiled: "What do you know about a teenage girl? If she is happy, I will be happy too. Besides, it's not like she can't walk anymore. Just let her sleep. Don't tell Madam." .”
"Don't worry, sister. It's just that in the future, please don't do this yourself, otherwise my sister will feel bad about it."
Tang Ji nodded, and the two of them arrived in the kitchen. Luzhu placed Tang Ji outside the door, walked in, gave some instructions, and then walked out and said: "Sister, let's go back first. The maid will send her to you in a while. You can have a drink and rest for a while. Although typhoid fever is a minor illness, it should not be taken carelessly."
"Well, I listen to my sister." Tang Jirou responded with a smile.
Luzhu supported Tang Ji all the way back to the house. After letting her lie down, she said some thoughtful words to her, and then said: "Sister, sleep peacefully. I'll go out and be busy first. I'll come over and see you later." you."
"Sister, go and do your work, I'll be fine." Now that she was lying down, Tang Ji felt even more exhausted, and she smiled weakly at Tang Ji.
Lu Zhu walked out of the room and gently closed the door, her expression changed.
She came to the house next door and reached out to push the door open.
"Lvtao," Luzhu suppressed his anger and shouted.
The little girl who was sleeping soundly in the room ignored her and seemed to be still asleep.
"Lv Tao!" Lu Zhu walked in angrily. Looking at the little girl who was still lying on the bed, smacking her lips, he couldn't help but stepped forward and pinched her fleshy face, "Wake up quickly, you're like a pig. .”
"Ah, miss, is it dawn?" Lu Tao is small | clever | exquisite | long, with clear eyebrows and long eyes. She is very cute. Gao Yue sent her here from the main house. Gao Yue was worried that her good sister Tang Ji would be lonely and did not speak thoughtfully. The man saw that the little girl had a sweet mouth, so he sent her over. I just didn't expect that Tang Ji was kind-hearted and doted on the little girl like a daughter.
So at this point, I haven't woken up yet. It seems that everyone is used to this.
Lu Zhu felt even more angry and wanted to continue twisting. She gritted her teeth, but she didn't relent.
"Get up quickly, you little lazy pig!" Luzhu pushed her smoothly.
Lu Tao drowsily heard that the voice did not sound like a young lady, so she suddenly became alert. When she opened her eyes, she was startled.
It's green beads.
"Sister Luzhu." Lutao didn't even bother to put on clothes. She got in and out of bed in a flash. She was wearing a thin fur coat and trousers, standing on the ground with her bare feet and a low eyebrow.
"Look at what time it is, why haven't you gone to help your young lady get up?"
My young lady said that I could sleep more. Lu Tao muttered aggrievedly in her heart, but she didn’t dare to say anything. She just said softly: "Sister Lu Zhu, Xiao Tao was wrong. She overslept without paying attention." time."
"Stop the ink stain and hurry up and serve your young lady." Luzhu glared at her angrily. There were several maids in the house who were not very talkative. They all thought that they were also young ladies because of Madam's favor. She was very dissatisfied, but she couldn't say anything. Luzhu is still very prestigious among the maids. Luzhu is Yuan Xi's number one maid.
"Oh, okay." Lu Tao buried her head and walked out the door. Before she had taken two steps, she found herself being pulled back.
"Aren't you even wearing any clothes?" Luzhu was angry and funny, and he knew in his heart that she was afraid of him, and that's why she was so clueless.
"Oh," Lu Tao dared not say anything and turned back to get dressed.
Hearing the footsteps outside the door, Lu Zhu shook her head and said to Lu Tao: "Your young lady has caught the cold. You, a maid, don't even know about such a thing. You are not allowed to do it again in the future. Do you understand?"
"Ah, did you catch a cold?" Lu Tao's eyes suddenly opened wide, but looking at Lu Zhu's unkind gaze, she quickly lowered her head.
Lu Zhu left Lu Tao's room, took the ginger soup from the hand of the maid who had just walked to the door, and sighed in her heart: "Although the ladies and ladies in the house are easy to talk to, and have good tempers, but But the maids I trained are not good at all, and even reprimanding me is useless."
When they learned that Tang Ji was ill, Yuan Xi and Gao Yue held hands and hurried to Tang Ji's room.
"Sister, you are not in good health, why didn't you tell your sister?" Gao Yue broke away from Yuan Xi's big hand as soon as she entered the door, trotted to Tang Ji's bedside, and asked with concern.
Yuan Xi also looked inside, and it seemed that the green peach and ginger soup just made had not returned yet.
"It's just a little bit cold, it's not a big deal, it's fine." Tang Ji's voice was slightly weak. Listening to her voice, one could imagine that her mental state was not very good.
"What's not a big deal? If you get seriously ill, won't you make me feel uncomfortable for you?" Gao Yue said slightly reproachfully: "Are you feeling unwell this morning?"
Recalling Tang Ji's performance today, Gao Yue, who was overly excited, noticed the clues that something was wrong.
"I drank ginger soup in the morning, and I thought it would be good. But I didn't expect that as soon as I lay down after eating, my mind became dizzy..."
"What happened in the morning?" Gao Yue helped her press the quilt, her face became even uglier. Unexpectedly, it had already been a day, "If my sister does something like this again in the future, if I don't tell her, I will really be angry. Isn't that right?" Do you treat your sister as an outsider?"
"Good Wuguo, good sister, I was wrong." Tang Ji glanced at Yuan Xi who was looking in from time to time. She didn't know whether her face was hot due to illness or shyness, or both. Anyway, she felt that she was very happy. I can't hold my head up anymore.
"How about asking a doctor to take a look?" Yuan Xi suggested from behind.
"This is a waste of time. Where is the doctor now?" Gao Yue frowned and muttered.
"Miss Jiang Tang is here." Lu Tao's small body came in from the outer room. Seeing Gao Yue and Yuan Xi were also there, she was startled and hurriedly saluted: "I have seen you... "
"Okay, okay, stop saluting and pass the ginger soup quickly." Gao Yue directly interrupted Lu Tao's salute.
"Yes, madam." Lu Tao stepped forward and handed over half a bowl of warm ginger soup.
Gao Yue took it, tasted the temperature with a spoon first, then handed the ginger soup to Tang Ji's mouth, took a spoonful of it, and said softly: "Come on, dear sister, drink the ginger soup first."
In fact, ginger soup only plays a preventive role. It has already caused coldness, so the effect is not great, but this is the only method at this time.
Gao Yue was impatient and drank half the bowl of ginger soup to Tang Ji in a moment. Yuan Xi, who was looking straight at him, wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
Yuan Xizheng felt interesting when he felt someone pulling at him.
He looked back at Lu Tao.
Lu Tao lowered his head in a hurry and said softly: "Second Young Master, when I came out of the kitchen just now, the concierge in the front yard asked me to call you, saying that there was someone outside asking to see you."
"Is there anyone asking to see you this late at night?" Yuan Xi was stunned for a moment and nodded. Seeing that Gao Yue and Tang Ji probably wouldn't be able to finish talking for a while, he said, "Wugu, I'll go out first."
"It's so late at night, where are you going?" Gao Yue turned around and asked in confusion.
"There was someone coming outside the door, but I don't know who it is. I should go and come back."
"Well, then you go ahead, but you are not allowed to leave the house again." Gao Yue warned.
"Madam, don't worry." Yuan Xi walked out, paused, and then turned back and said, "Madam Tang Ji is not feeling well, so please speak less and let her rest."
"Yuan Xianyi, what did you say?" Gao Yue asked without looking back.
"Do I have anything to say?" Yuan Xi looked at Lu Tao
Lu Tao didn't know why, and was about to speak seriously, when Yuan Xi raised his hand and slapped her with a "bang" sound.
Lu Tao looked up at the second young master with tears in his eyes, a look of confusion on his face. Why did you hit yourself when you were so good?
"I didn't say anything just now, did I?" Yuan Xi blinked.
"Ah, no, no," Lu Tao whispered, "I just said that."
"Did you hear this, madam?" Yuan Xi said with a smile, "I'm going out first."
"What a loser." Gao Yue laughed out loud as she watched Yuan Xi run out in a hurry.
Turning her head, Gao Yue said with a smile: "Good sister, sleep a little longer tomorrow. I'll call the best doctor in Linzi to wait. If he wakes up, I'll give you a look. Wind-cold is not a serious illness. It only takes a day or two to recover." But don’t get too anxious and make yourself haggard.”
Tang Ji nodded, but her eyes looking at Gao Yue were a little erratic, and she didn't know what she was thinking about...
And the situation in the northwest of the Han Dynasty. Ma Teng, the general who conquered the west, had lived in Liangzhou for a long time. In the fifth year of Chuping (194), he first entered Chang'an to meet Emperor Xian and garrisoned his troops at Baqiao (above the Dongba River in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province today, and the former site is more than ten miles northwest of today's bridge).
Because Li Jue refused his request, he joined forces with his servant Ma Yu, Zuo Zhonglang general Liu Fan, admonishment official Zhong Shao, Zhonglang general Du Xun and others to attack Li Jue. The two armies were in a stalemate for many days.
Han Sui, the Zhenxi general who shared Liangzhou with Ma Teng, heard about it and led his troops to Chang'an to reconcile with him, but then he and Ma Teng and others attacked Li Jue.
The two armies fought in Changpingguan, fifty miles west of Chang'an. Li Jue's son Li Li, Fan Chou, Guo Si and others defeated the Liangzhou army. Ma Teng and Han then fled back to Liangzhou, and the Han court appointed Ma Teng as General Andi. . Han Sui surrendered to General An.
