After Cao Cao pacified Hebei, he began to plan to capture Jingzhou. He sent Cao Ren to Nanyang and stationed 30,000 troops in Fancheng, eyeing Jingxiang and waiting for the opportunity.
On this day, it was suddenly discovered that Liu Bei had been killed by Cai Mao. The generals were overjoyed and asked for orders to seize the new field.
Cao Ren, however, was alarmed and worried that Liu Bei was deceiving him, so he sent someone to visit him again. As expected, Liu Bei's coffin was transported back to Xinye, and he was about to organize his troops to go to war.
Li Dian, who joined the army, said: "The only person the Prime Minister is afraid of is Liu Bei'er. Now that he is dead, his troops have nowhere to go. If we send troops rashly, they will go elsewhere. It is better to report to the Prime Minister and then make a decision."
Cao Ren nodded and said: "The Prime Minister cherishes Guan Yu's talents and has long wanted to accept them. This is a God-given opportunity!"
Then he ordered people to report the news to Xuchang, and at the same time, he stepped up training of his troops and prepared to send troops at any time.
In the city of Xuchang, Cao Cao was suffering from a headache. He was lying on the bed tossing and turning in unbearable pain. When he heard the news of Liu Bei's death, he jumped up and sat up.
After being stunned for a long time, he suddenly stopped laughing, his head no longer hurt, and his waist was no longer sore. He sent an order to summon Xun Yu and others to discuss matters.
At this time, the news of Liu Bei's death had spread throughout Xuchang, and the civil and military officials were surprised. Some people offered advice to immediately go south to capture Jingzhou, and some people suggested persuading Guan Yu and others to surrender.
Cao Cao listened for a while and asked Xun Yu: "Wen Ruo, what do you think?"
Xun Yu replied: "I heard that the benevolent will not attack mourning. If we send troops to make enemies, Guan Yu and others will surrender to Liu Biao, which is tantamount to driving tigers into the mountains. It is better to send envoys to express condolences to show good intentions, recruit his tribe to join the dynasty, and then capture Jingzhou." Late."
Xun You said: "This is very true. Now Cai Mao is dead and Liu Biao is seriously ill. Although Liu Qi is reluctantly in charge of state affairs, he is just lingering. Sun Quan will take advantage of the opportunity to avenge his father and send troops. Liu Qi is difficult to defeat. If he asks for help from the prime minister, , isn’t Jingzhou easily accessible?”
Cao Cao has always been obsessed with Guan Yu and sighed: "Liu Jingsheng's son, I regard him as a dog or a dolphin's ear, Jingzhou is already in my pocket! What worries me is that Yun Chang cannot be used by me, what a pity?"
Cheng Yu nodded and said: "Liu Bei escaped from Yuzhou and pretended to be under the belt edict. He often wanted to attack Xuchang. Now he is entrusted to Liu Qi. His brothers are united and only use his rank and salary to defeat him. It may be difficult to succeed."
Xun Yu said: "Guan and Zhang were tiger generals in this world, and Liu Qi will definitely not be able to control him. The Prime Minister treated Guan Yu favorably before, and if he sincerely invites him again, he will succeed with his righteousness."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and said: "I have longed for Yun for a long time. If I can exchange Jingzhou for Yun to have a brave and loyal heart, Cao will not hesitate."
Cheng Yu said: "We can use the strategy of alienation: Liu Bei died in Xiangyang after all. He first sent people to spread rumors, saying that Cai Mao was hegemonic. Liu Biao and his son used the strategy of driving away tigers and devouring wolves. If Cai Mao harmed Liu Bei, Guan Zhang would naturally become suspicious."
Xun You said: "Zhong De's words are reasonable. Now Liu Qi has led the Zhennan general, but Liu Bei is the general of the left, and he is in charge. The prime minister can express that Guan Yu succeeds the general of the left. Yun Chang is arrogant and will be ashamed of him. Under Liu Qi, if the two of them are at odds, they can take the opportunity to recruit him."
Cao Cao put his hands on his hands and laughed loudly and said: "Gongda's plan is great. Guan Zhang has nowhere to go. I want to ask all the princes in the world, who can use it? Only I, Cao Mengdel!"
After Liu Qi arrived in Xinye, he recruited Deng Zhi and Fu Wei, the most famous historical figures he could think of.
In addition, many civil and military officials also recommended him. Among them, Hu Ji and Dong Jue, both from Yiyang recommended by Wei Yan, were the most famous, and they were all reused.
In the blink of an eye, the first seven days had passed, and Guan and Zhang were still in low spirits. Liu Qi did not bother them. Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were enough to handle the training.
Although Liu Bei was popular in Xinye, his resources were limited. He only had five thousand soldiers and horses. In addition, he had insufficient money and food. Although he had good generals, he was like a bird in a cage, unable to spread its wings.
Cao Ren was in Fancheng and could send troops at any time. Liu Qi transferred grain and grass from Xiangyang to supplement 2,000 troops. He was busy preparing for the battle for days, but there was no movement from Cao's army.
In the morning, when Xu Shu came back from the camp to give instructions on how to train troops, Liu Qi asked: "Cao Rending has confirmed that his uncle is buried, but he has yet to send troops. Could it be that he really pays attention to benevolence, justice and etiquette, and does not attack the enemy during the funeral?"
Xu Shu sneered and said: "If Cao Ren didn't send troops, I guess Cao Cao must have another conspiracy. Now that the emperor's uncle is away, all the civil and military officials are alone and homeless. Cao Cao must intend to take them for his own use."
Liu Qi smiled and said: "Several generals hate evil as much as enemies and have unparalleled loyalty. How can they surrender traitors? Cao Ah Man is just being sentimental."
Xu Shu frowned and said, "Recently, there have been rumors in the city that the general is suspected of murdering the emperor's uncle. I am afraid that everyone will become suspicious. It must be Cao Cao's trick. The general must explain it early to avoid making a big mistake."
Liu Qi said with emotion: "Those who are clear will be clean by themselves. I believe that the three generals are righteous people. Since they have the white horse alliance, they should believe it without any doubt. At this time of crisis, the explanation is to cover up, and those who are clear will be clear by themselves."
"The general's words make sense." Xu Shu was slightly startled, nodded and smiled.
I have a new understanding of Liu Qi. He has such a broad mind and courage, and he has no doubts about employing people. This is the magnanimity of a wise king.
Liu Qi asked again: "I often hear that Zhuge Liang compares himself to Guan Zhong and Le Yi, which shows that he has the heart to serve the country and save the people. Since the military advisor has friendship with him, can I ask him to come out and help me?"
When Cao Ren did not come to attack, Liu Qi turned his attention to talents. The most urgent thing at the moment was Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Young.
He did not think that he could compete with the ancients with his own foresights, especially in terms of military strategy.
My advantage lies in knowing and employing people, foreseeing some major historical events, and seizing the opportunity.
But as these things end differently, history will also change, which is equivalent to creating a new history and heading in a direction unknown to you.
At that time, everyone was on the same starting line, and all had to rely on personal abilities. Talents were particularly important. Integrating resources as early as possible was his greatest advantage.
Xu Shu sighed and said: "Kong Ming has a talent that knows the world, but his temperament is ancient and cannot be compromised. The general needs to go and seek it in person."
Liu Qi frowned and said, "Cai Mao's incident has implicated the Huang family. Kong Ming has made a marriage agreement with the Huang family. I wonder if he will resent me?"
Xu Shu shook his head and said: "General, there is no need to worry about this matter. Kong Ming is so far away from the world that he cannot be treated with common etiquette. Moreover, the Cai family's hegemony is entirely to blame. Huang Chengyan and the Cai family have little contact and have nothing to do with each other."
"That makes me feel relieved!" Liu Qi took a deep breath and said, "Since Cao Ren is not coming to send troops, we will go to Longzhong on another day to see Wolong's style."
While they were discussing, suddenly soldiers came to report and angels arrived. They hurriedly welcomed him out of the government office and set up an incense table to welcome them. Everyone knew that it was Cao Cao's order, but they still had to do enough superficial work.
In this era of intrigue, everyone is an actor, and whoever is not good at acting will be kicked off the stage.
After Liu Qi listened to the imperial edict, in addition to a few words of condolences to Liu Bei, the key was to confer Guan Yu the title of General of the Left.
This official position is above General Zhennan, which means that Guan Yu also has the power to open a government and does not need to listen to Liu Qi's orders.
After the envoy read the imperial edict, everyone's eyes were focused on Guan Yu to see how he would choose.
Liu Qi's heart was also raised. Although they had closed the door, they were only bound by Liu Bei's entrustment and were far from trusting.
Now that Guan Yu has the power to go it alone, will he pull these people to start a new business?
