Xiahou Mao adjusted his clothes and said dissatisfiedly: "I studied the art of war so hard just to defeat Liu Qi and avenge my previous shame. Why does the king still use his poems?"
Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Since Zi Lin has learned the art of war, doesn't he know that he knows himself and his enemy and is victorious in a hundred battles? Since Liu Qi is his enemy, he should know his strengths and weaknesses so that he can defeat him."
"Hi, Your Majesty!" Xia Houmao suddenly understood and said happily: "I will write down this poem tomorrow and hang it on the wall to encourage myself."
Cao Cao frowned slightly, always feeling that Xia Houmao didn't seem to understand his profound meaning, but he couldn't dampen his enthusiasm. He went to the desk and looked through the military books, and found his "New Book of Meng De", which made him secretly happy.
Cao Zhen glanced sideways at Xia Houmao: "Brother, do you also read Meng De's New Book?"
Xiahou Mao secretly observed Cao Cao and said sternly: "This is the result of your Majesty's summary of the strategies of military strategists and wise men of the past dynasties. He is proficient in its secrets, which is equivalent to reading ten military books. How can I miss such a hugely beneficial thing?"
When Cao Zhen saw that he compared learning to doing business, he felt disdainful and asked: "Although the King's Military Book covers a wide range of topics, it is very important. It runs through the whole book. Does your brother know?"
"Qi!" Xia Houmao straightened his messy hair and replied calmly: "When the two armies are fighting, if they are not motivated, they will be clumsy. If they are clumsy, they will fall short. If they are clumsy, they will lose. If they are not motivated, they will be frightened. If they are frightened, they will have no courage. If they are not brave, they will be defeated. Collapse."
Cao Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly: "What's the use of Qi?"
Xiahou Mao replied calmly: "When the army is gathered together, it is important to stimulate the energy; when approaching the enemy, the important thing is to strengthen the energy; when the battle is scheduled, the important thing is to cut off the energy; when we are going to fight today, the important thing is to extend the energy..."
Cao Cao pretended to read the military book on the side, and listened to the conversation between the two, with a smile on his lips. "The New Book of Meng De" is his proud work. Now that he sees someone recommending it so highly, he actually feels more satisfied than being crowned king.
Cao Zhen asked several more questions, even including the difficult questions that he had asked Cao Cao for advice before. Xia Houmao was able to answer them fluently, blurting out without thinking, and finally sighed in admiration: "Sure enough, we have been separated for three days, and we should look at each other with admiration!"
Cao Cao was satisfied, but his expression was very indifferent. He stroked his beard and taught him a lesson: "Soldiers are deceitful! The key to using soldiers is to adapt to the situation, otherwise it will be just talk on paper. Although Zi Lin is familiar with the art of war, he must not stick to the rules and make people laugh."
Xia Houmao cupped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the changes in the army are definitely not the same. You have the enemy in your heart and the opportunity in your eyes."
This is also a saying in the book of war. Cao Cao finally couldn't help it. He stroked his beard and laughed and said: "You two are really my sons of Qilin and son-in-law riding a dragon! There are many talented people and successors. Why should I fear Liu Qi and Sun Quan?"
Xia Houmao and Cao Zhen hurriedly saluted: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."
Cao Cao said: "Since you are familiar with the art of war, you should apply what you have learned. The country is in trouble now, and it is the time to employ people. From now on, follow me and serve as counselor to the military aircraft."
Xia Houmao had always been worried about Cao Cao's pursuit of the Guanzhong matter after his return, but he didn't expect that he would not even mention it, and would even take it with him. He couldn't help crying with gratitude, and knelt down and worshiped: "I have the king's ear and face, and I will not give up even if I die."
Cao Cao said with emotion: "Get up, we are all one family, it doesn't have to be like this."
The next day, Cao Cao took Xia Houmao back to Handan and held a civil and military meeting in the Palace of Wei to discuss how to attack Sun Liu and regain the Central Plains.
Sima Lang admonished: "Sun Quan sent envoys to sue for peace, and the war in Huainan has subsided. Liu Qi will not dare to act rashly, and he must not use weapons rashly. The Central Plains is in turmoil today, and troops have been used year after year to calm the people and raise the troops for a long-term strategy."
Cao Zhang said loudly: "Liu Qi took advantage of his father's absence to sneak attack and seize my territory. How can he not take revenge? Chang'an and Luoyang were obtained by Liu Qi. The hearts of the world were shocked. The child is not talented. I am willing to lead an army to Luoyang and capture Wei Yan, Ma Chao, take back the Second Capital."
Dong Zhao said: "Liu Qi is visiting Jiangdong now, and the two families are in harmony as before. If troops are launched in the Central Plains, Sun Quan may attack with troops from Huainan again, and it may be difficult to take care of the head and tail."
Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said, "Bi Yan'er is capricious, and his wolf-like heart is even worse than that of Sun Ce. I will kill him sooner or later."
Cao Hong, Cao Zhen and other military generals all advocated going to war. The generals had just returned from the northern expedition and their morale was high. The powerful Xianbei cavalry was wiped out in front of them, not to mention the soldiers and horses in the south of the Yangtze River.
Cao Cao has been uneasy since he learned that Liu Qi went to Jiangdong. Now Liu Qi occupies half of the country. If he joins forces with Sun Quan again, it will be very detrimental to the situation of Wei.
If they don't send troops, Guan Yu is eyeing him and may attack Yanzhou at any time. The Central Plains is in danger. If he sends troops, it may cause his two families to join forces, and he can't make a decision at the moment.
While he was hesitating, someone reported that Cao Xiu had returned from Xuzhou and had important military reports. He was busy summoning people to see him.
Seeing Cao Cao again, Cao Xiu was also very excited and reported: "Everyone in Xuzhou is happy that the king's troops have returned to the court. Now there are changes in Jiangdong. God will help the king!"
Cao Cao was moved in his heart and hurriedly asked: "Is it possible that Sun and Liu are at odds?"
"More than just discord, Liu Qi has turned away from the guest and became the master. This is a shocking change!" Cao Xiu presented Sun Fu's brother's secret letter and said: "Uncle got this letter and wanted to send someone to discuss with the prince. When he heard that the king returned to the court, At the end of the day, I will travel all the way to report the news."
"Is this happening?" Cao Cao was shocked and hurriedly opened the letter and read it. The shock on his face gradually turned into joy. He finally looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "God help me!"
The officials below had already exploded the situation and gathered around Cao Xiu to inquire about the news. They were all shocked when they heard that Sun Quan had appointed Liu Qi to take charge of Jiangdong.
Cao Cao read the letter again and was about to give the order to send out troops when suddenly he narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Is this Liu Qi's trick?"
So he circulated the letter to everyone, asking everyone to brainstorm whether it was true or false that Sun Fu's brothers wanted to rebel.
Dong Zhao looked at it and said: "Based on Sun Quan's character, Liu Qi is most likely plotting against him. Although I don't know what happened in Ganlu Temple, now that Liu Qi has counterattacked, there will be great chaos in Jiangdong. Your Majesty, you can prepare your troops first and order General Cao Ren to keep close contact. Having seen what’s going on in Jiangdong, once Sun Fu and others raise their troops, it’s not too late to take Huainan with a thunderous force!”
Cao Cao thought for a moment and nodded: "That's true! It's just that Guan Yu is eyeing the Central Plains and is afraid that Zhang Liao will be unable to support him alone. I want to go to Huainan to supervise the war in person. Who can support Wenyuan?"
Cao Zhen clasped his fists and said, "My child is willing to go!"
Xia Houba asked for the order: "My father is imprisoned in Luoyang. The general will be in trouble day and night. I am willing to be a pioneer and capture Guan Yu to redeem my father."
Cao Zhang also said: "Guan Yu is old and there is no need to worry about it. I am willing to offer his head to my subordinates."
When Cao Cao saw several of his disciples asking for battle in the hall, they were as powerful as tigers. He couldn't help but feel proud and said with a big smile: "What a blessing in disguise. How can you know that this is not a blessing? With the five of you, we will be able to conquer the south of the Yangtze River and accomplish great things."
Then Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhang, Xiahou Ba, and Xiahou Mao were named the Five Tiger Generals of the Wei Dynasty. Cao Zhen was appointed as Pingnan General, and he and Xiahou Ba went to Yanzhou to support Zhang Liao.
Cao Pi left Cao Pi to guard Hebei and led his army to Xuzhou to take charge of the overall situation. If the war in the Central Plains goes unfavorably, he can provide support at any time. If civil strife breaks out in Jiangdong, with Sun Fu and others as internal agents, he can go to Jiangnan in one fell swoop and capture Liu Qi and Sun Quan, and the whole world will fight. Depends.
