"Xun Wenruo is a talented person. Looking at Yanzhou's political achievements, I'm afraid he is not inferior to Tian Yuanhao." Jia Xu said with emotion.
"Hey, I know Wen Ruo very well. It's probably not difficult to get him to surrender for a while, but, hey, let's see." Guo Jia sighed.
"Oh!" Yuan Xi on the side became interested after hearing Guo Jia's words, so he asked, "Following filial piety, what does it mean to surrender for a while?"
"As long as Yanzhou is pacified and the prince asks the emperor for an edict to let Wenruo take up the post of Hucao, he will definitely not be able to refuse. After all, Wenruo calls himself a Han official, doesn't he?" Guo Jia said, waving his feather fan. Youyou said, "But one day in the future, if Young Master rules the world, then Wen Ruo will..."
Yuan Xi knew what Guo Jia meant. If he wanted to abolish the Han Dynasty and stand on his own feet, Xun Yu would definitely come out to oppose him. But at that time, the world had been decided, and it was not up to him to say how to deal with Xun Wenruo.
A few years later, Yuan Xi and Xun Yu were still on the verge of a breakup, and their breakup was doomed.
"My lord, my subordinates have taken care of Cao Cao and the family members of his generals. I wonder what my lord is going to do with them?" Guo Tu asked with a flattering look on his face.
Yuan Xi saw Guo Tu's ingenuity and smiled and said, "Haha, I promised Xun Wenruo just now, so I can't use them as hostages, that's all."
"But if we let them be escorted to the front to persuade them to surrender, Cao's generals would be unwilling to fight!" Guo Tu insisted.
"Although we can't be used as hostages, we still have to release a group of people, but we must take them to the front first and then release them!" Yuan Xi said with a smile.
"Why is this?" Guo Tu asked in confusion.
Jia Xu nodded in agreement and said: "If we take Cao Jun's generals and their families as hostages, it may arouse their indignation and make them desperate. But if you give some of them back to them and let them know that their families are safe, it will disturb their military morale. Those The general just wants to resist, but he can't afford to fight to the death."
"Ah, wonderful, the general's wisdom is indeed unparalleled in the world, even more powerful than Han Xin's embarrassment on all sides!" Guo Tu couldn't help but praise.
"The three armies can seize the spirit. The general can seize the heart." Yuan Xi narrowed his eyes and said: "The family members of those generals with foreign surnames should be released, but Cao Cao's family members cannot be released! I, the general, also want to let Cao Cao know that I will impose strict measures on them. treat."
"Why is this?" Guo Tu asked puzzled.
Yuan Xi smiled lightly and said: "Returning the family members of other generals can undermine the morale of their soldiers and alienate the tacit understanding with Cao Cao. If Cao Cao's family members are detained, it can disturb Cao Cao's mind and make him angry. As for Cao Ren and the others, If you are treated differently from the Xiahou family, you will naturally become alienated from generals with other surnames!"
"Ah! The art of war says that the lord cannot raise his troops in anger. The general cannot go to war out of anger. The lord just wants to make Cao Cao angry. It's so high! It's so high that my subordinates admire it so much!" Guo Tu praised again.
Yuan Xi smiled and said nothing, but he was still very comfortable.
"Fengxiao, Wenhe, you go and take charge of the city's defense, let the cavalry rest for a while, and then immediately attack Chenliu." Yuan Xi ordered.
"No!" "No!"
Then Yuan Xi said to Guo Tu: "Let's go, come with me to see His Majesty the Emperor."
"Here!" Everyone took the order one after another.
Yuan Xi took Guo Tu, Xu Chu and other guards to the palace.
At this time, Huben Yulin was guarding the surroundings of the palace, and the ministers also gathered in the palace.
As soon as Yuan Xi came outside, many courtiers came to get close to him. Yuan Xi had a vague impression of them. Most of them were from Yuan Shao's generation, and most of them were former disciples of the Yuan family.
Yuan Xi followed them to the so-called "Chaotang" in the palace.
"Your Majesty, the general is here," the eunuch reported.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Xi, pay homage to your Majesty!" Yuan Xi saluted.
"My dear, please forgive me!" Liu Xie sat at the top. He immediately stood up and said with a smile: "General, you have worked hard to suppress the rebellion. He is a hero of the Han Dynasty. Sir, let's see what reward we should give."
"I'm afraid only the position of prime minister is enough." someone said.
"Wait a minute!" Yuan Xi took two steps forward, saluted again and said, "The humble minister is not killing the rebels for himself, but for me, the great man. And as a general, he is already a very human minister, and I am still young, why? How can De be able to take on such an important position? All I ask is that your majesty will reward his soldiers for their meritorious services so that they can further contribute to the great Han Dynasty.
! "
It's not that Yuan Xi doesn't want to go further, but as he said, he became a general at a young age. If there is any reward, it is too much and not as good as the trees in the forest. The wind will destroy them.
After all, Yuan Xi is still wearing the cloak of a so-called loyal minister.
Liu Xie was noncommittal, but the courtiers below were full of praise.
"The general will definitely regain the old capital as soon as possible and let His Majesty return to Luoyang!" Yuan Xi continued to express his position.
"The general is interested." Liu Xie nodded with a smile.
"In this case, your Majesty, please issue an edict to list Cao Cao's crimes, so that all the heroes in the world can unite to attack him!" Yuan Xi suggested.
"Your Majesty, please issue an edict to attack Cao Cao." Everyone agreed.
Seeing everyone asking for help, Liu Xie had no choice but to let Yang Biao handle the matter with full authority.
Then there was another dispensable court discussion. Yuan Xi finally escaped and took Guo Tu and a group of guards straight to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Cao Cao's mansion is naturally not as good as the imperial palace, but the area is not small, at least it is much larger than the previous Yuan Mansion.
In fact, as soon as Yuan Xi left the palace, he ordered Xu Chu to lead a thousand tiger guards to surround the Cao Mansion and monitor both inside and outside.
Everything in the Cao Mansion is ready, even the maids and servants are ready, you just need to move in and live there.
At this time, the Prime Minister's Mansion was surrounded by a large army and was guarded by Wen Chou and Yan Liang. The families of other generals were also put under centralized custody. Anyone who felt suspicious was pulled outside the door and executed regardless of right or wrong. The main reason was that they were afraid of someone. To kill the suspicious person secretly, and to shock people's hearts. Zhu Ao, the leader of the detailed work, was also waiting outside the prime minister's house.
"General!" Wen Chou and Yan Liang came over to salute.
"Have you counted the number of people?" Yuan Xi nodded and asked.
"According to the roster given by Mr. Zhu, there are no missing people." Yan Liang came out and replied.
Yuan Xi looked at Zhu Ao again and said gratefully: "I haven't seen you for many years. Thanks to you lurking in the Central Plains and sending news to Hebei several times. It's not easy."
Zhu Ao also said with emotion, "If the master hadn't taken him in, Zhu Ao would have died in Guanzhong. Over the years, he has not done anything earth-shattering to repay the master, he just conveyed some news."
"Have the shops and manpower gone deep into the south?" Yuan Xi asked again.
"Zhang Gong started the layout three years ago. It was not until last year that he established a firm foothold in Yizhou, Jingzhou and other places. When the matter in Yanzhou is over, I will leave for Jingzhou immediately." Zhu Ao replied.
Yuan Xi patted Zhu Ao on the shoulder and said encouragingly, "When things are done, you will be a great contributor to my Yuan family. I will wait for you to return to Luoyang and support you outside the Tingwei Mansion."
"It's rare that the master still remembers it." Zhu Ao promised with tears in his eyes, "I will definitely take over the affairs of Jingzhou."
At that time, Zhu Ao was caught by Yuan Xi outside the Yamen of Tingwei Mansion in Luoyang, so they met, and it was there that he recognized Yuan Xi as his master. It was also the place where Zhu Ao was reborn, and it was extremely important.
By the way, I have to mention that Zhu Ao later had a granddaughter named Zhu Yingtai. Do you have any associations with her?
After speaking, Yuan Xi took Guo Tu and others into the Prime Minister's Mansion.
In the lobby, all the men, women, and children of the Cao family gathered here. Among them, a graceful and elegant lady in her early thirties stood in the center. It was obviously the speaker from the Cao family, who should be the head wife.
Next to her were a girl of sixteen or seventeen years old, a young boy, and a child of seventeen or eight years old.
Several people were glaring at Yuan Xi and others, and next to them were women and children.
It may be Cao Cao's concubine's daughter and Cao Ang's wife. Everyone looked sad, with sad expressions on their faces.
"Should I call you General Xianyi? Or should I call you my nephew?" Mrs. Bian lightly opened her red lips and asked.
Yuan Xi smiled bitterly in his heart. This Mrs. Bian was really a strong and strange woman. Even in this situation, she was not timid at all and instead threw him this embarrassing problem.
If you are arrogant, it will appear that you lack the mind and cultivation. If you treat them politely. It's not the original intention to attack Cao Cao.
"Where is Mrs. Ding?" Yuan Xi asked coldly.
You must know that Mrs. Ding is the main wife, but she is jealous. So although there was nothing like Cao Ang, he was driven back to his parents' home by Cao Cao under various conflicts. Perhaps it was because of the historical reasons.
Historical inertia.
Mrs. Bian's expression changed, but she immediately smiled and said, "Sister Ding has returned to her parents' home. I have been taking care of the housework these years."
"Hey, the two families are at war, and I can't help myself with some things. I hope Madam can forgive me." Yuan Xi said calmly.
"I know the identity of the general. I just heard someone say that he who rules the world with filial piety will not harm anyone's relatives. He who governs the world with benevolence will never stop the sacrifice of others. The general is a hero with a reputation far and wide, and is respected throughout the country. . As long as it doesn’t embarrass the weak women and children like me." Mrs. Bian said eloquently.
Mrs. Bian was born in a mortal world. Naturally, her knowledge and courage are better than those of ordinary women, so she answers questions in a thoughtful manner.
"Haha!" Yuan Xi chuckled for a while and said, "Madam, you are really sharp-tongued. Unfortunately, I am not a benevolent gentleman, but a general leading the army. Madam may not know. As a general, one of them is honest and loves the people, so in order to win, I can The end justifies the means, isn’t it?”
Yuan Xi would not be merciful. Just like in history, when the Yuan family was defeated, Cao Cao did not care about any old feelings at all.
Instead, the Yuan family was ruined, and even his wife was robbed by Cao Pi. What's more, because of Yuan Shao's death, the Cao family and the Yuan family became mortal enemies, and they would never stop fighting.
Guo Tu rolled his eyes and whispered beside Yuan Xi for a while.
Yuan Xi smiled and patted Guo Tu on the shoulder, and said: "I had a relationship with Cao Ang in the past, so I will not kill them all. Pass on my general order to take good care of Cao Cao's family, and any intruders will be killed without mercy!"
"Here!" the soldiers below commanded.
"But Cao Cao and I have a grudge against killing my father, so it's impossible to let you go!" Yuan Xi changed the subject and said, "Gather the men in Cao Cao's family for custody, and send the women to my camp."
"Ah!" As soon as these words came out, Cao Cao's family members were in an uproar. What this meant was obvious.
At this time, it was common for powerful women to naturally become the trophies of the victor after a man was defeated. Although Yuan Xidi's decision was abrupt, it was not surprising given the background of this era.
Although all the female relatives had various suspicions, they were still frightened when the incident happened, and the sounds of mourning immediately started to sound.
"Why are you crying? My father is not dead yet! If you want to keep your chastity, Cheng Po should seek death. If you want to keep your and your father's flesh and blood, you must endure it." The sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl in palace clothes scolded road.
Yuan Xi couldn't help being surprised and looked at the girl up and down. Although her image was a little messy after being arrested, she was still a beauty, with an oval face, plain makeup, eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, bulging chest, and bulging waist. department.
Bold and stubborn eyes that refuse to admit defeat. A yellow velvet cloak and a long emerald green palace dress cover the soles of her feet.
The reason why Mrs. Bian is calm is because she has a related background and has experienced the dust. If she couldn't bear the shock, it would be unjustifiable, otherwise she would not be entrusted with the important task by Cao Cao.
The reason why this girl is like this is because she is Cao Cao's daughter Cao Xian, who was also the concubine of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty in history. Her sister Cao Jie was even more chaste and loyal. Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty and hit Cao Pi with a jade seal. This shows that she has a strong temper. As sister Cao Pi, Xian is not far behind. After all, we are not a family, and we cannot enter the same family.
As soon as these words came out, all the female relatives stopped talking, which shows Cao Xian's status among them. And Yuan Xi couldn't help but look at Cao Xian with admiration. She was so knowledgeable and courageous. If placed in a modern civilized society, she would really be an outstanding strong woman.
Upon seeing this, Yuan Xi interrupted her in a deep voice: "You are Cao Cao's daughter - you are Cao Xian, right?"
"It's Cao Xian, what are you doing - how do you know -" Cao Jie was proud at first, and then extremely surprised, how could a young girl who had not left the cabinet be known to the enemy general.
Strong enough, spicy and flavorful. Yuan Xi thought so.
Yuan Xi looked at Xu Chu and said calmly: "Take them down and send more people to monitor them to make sure there are no mistakes."
Xu Chu cupped his fists and said, "No!"
"Take them down!" Guo Tu pointed at Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang and others, and ordered the soldiers to take action.
"Here!" A group of guards came forward and escorted the men of the Cao family down, especially Cao Pi. Although there was resentment in his eyes, he surprisingly did not resist. Is he really worthy of Cao Pi?
"Did Madam tell them to do this?" Yuan Xi then looked at Madam Bian curiously and asked.
"How can the defeated family resist? If the general is benevolent, he will naturally not embarrass them. If the general wants their lives, what's the use of resistance? In fact, it's better to be an idle citizen. There is no need to be afraid." Mrs. Bian seemed to Is sighing.
How could Yuan Xi not understand her scheming? This was to preserve the blood of the Cao family. Regardless of revenge or not, as long as the incense of the Cao family was continued, it would be worthy of the ancestors of the Cao family.
Otherwise, severing the bloodline would be a more serious matter than losing integrity at this time. Mrs. Bian was prepared to die to clarify her ambition, but the reality was so cruel, even if the Yuan family was defeated.
"Madam, is it worth it for you to do this for the Cao family?" Yuan Xi sighed, then thinking of Yuan Shao who died from an arrow, he said with malice: "I can promise madam, as long as you are here for one day, brother Cao Pi will be safe. "
Mrs. Bian's face turned pale. Only then did she realize how deep the scheming young man standing opposite was. He revealed her plan in a few words. In addition to despair, she also felt a deep sense of powerlessness. In this era of strong men, women, even if they are no longer Excellent, after all, it is just a foil! She can't change anything, right?
Yuan Xi laughed and walked out of the hall. Even Cao Cao was plotted by him. How could such a woman take out the palm of his hand?
and. He had never felt so comfortable, trampling on a powerful enemy was unprecedentedly pleasurable.
The pleasure of plundering land is also so wonderful. No wonder warriors of all ages like to plunder other people's property, wives and daughters. The cruelty and coldness of human nature in his bones are gradually revealed.
It also paved the way for his subsequent violent personality change.
Although Yuan Xi is not interested in Mrs. Bian, she still has a beautiful daughter, Cao Xian, right?
Guo Tu laughed along and followed Yuan Xi. Seeing Yuan Xi's happy look, he was secretly proud of his contribution.
"Mr. Gongze, your attack on the heart hits the point. Let's see if Cao Cao is distracted!" Yuan Xi said happily.
Guo Tu smiled and said: "The so-called hatred for killing his father is the hatred for taking away his wife and daughters. Cao Cao and his lord have a hatred for killing their father, although his daughters and concubines are far inferior to several ladies. But with this hatred for taking away his wife and daughters Revenge is the best thing. Don’t be afraid of Cao Cao’s anger.”
Yuan Xi pointed at Guo Tudao, "You are the only one with more bad ideas."
"Thank you for the compliment, my lord!"
Yuan Xi finally understood why every monarch has to keep some favored ministers. There are some shady things that wise ministers like Jushou Tianfeng cannot do. Their ethics do not allow them to do such extraordinary things.
But these sycophants did it like a duck in water. Although he may not really accept Yuan Xi, Cao Cao's wives and concubines are having fun.
But as long as he makes this gesture, it will not only humiliate Cao Cao greatly, but also disturb his mind.
Yuan Xi took Guo Tu, Xu Chu and a group of guards to the city to station troops. Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, Xu Huang, Yan Liang, Wen Chou and others gathered here to discuss the next move.
"My lord, Kong Xiu and Hu Ban who were stationed at Changshe have surrendered." Jia Xu reported.
"Okay, Zilong and Wenyuan, how are your troops and horses prepared?" Yuan Xi asked cheerfully.
"Except for the scouts, the other cavalry have been gathered together. They only need to rest for one night and they can set off to attack Chenliu tomorrow!" Zhang Liao said.
"Travel day and night to block Cao Cao's army before it withdraws to Chenliu!" Yuan Xi ordered.
"Lord, why do you think Cao Cao will return to Chenliu instead of Guandu or Runan?" Zhang Liao asked.
"Without the support of Xu County, there is no point in garrisoning Guandu. Chenliu City has enough food to support it for a while. But Runan is mostly a small town, and it is the hometown of the Yuan family. It is full of disciples and former officials of the Yuan family. The powerful people everywhere will only resist Cao Cao. To submit to the lord, Cao Cao could only retreat to Chenliu." Guo Jia explained. Junqu Pavilion
"Then why didn't Cao Cao flee to Pei and Liang?" Zhao Yun asked again.
"Cao Cao must have tried to hold on to the last stronghold of Chenliu. If he failed, he would retreat to Pei and Liang. By then, they would have become outcast soldiers." Guo Jia said.
"Xiahou Shang's troops are at war with Zhang Yan and Zang Ba between Runan and Chen. However, Xu County has been newly settled and people's hearts are floating. It is necessary to send heavy troops to guard it." Jia Xu reminded.
"General Gongming led 10,000 infantry to garrison Xu County. Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang led 3,000 imperial guards, responsible for the safety of the Emperor! The rest of the troops will go north to Luoyang tomorrow.
Heading to Chenliu! "Yuan Xi ordered.
"Here!" everyone said in response.
After all the generals had gone out, Yuan Xi left behind brothers Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang, who specifically gave instructions on what they should pay attention to, and introduced courtiers who could be trusted to kiss the Yuan family, as well as secret arrangements.
