In the Wei camp in Huaibei, Cao Cao was lying on the bed again, his head covered with a white handkerchief, and he vaguely felt that his head illness was about to attack again.
A letter arrived from Xiahou Dun, apologizing for the defeat. The whole camp was shocked, and Cao Cao was so angry that he fainted on the spot.
He stared blankly at the tent above his head. The gold thread embroidered dragon and phoenix were vivid and lifelike, but they did not arouse his interest at all.
They say that toothache is not a disease, it can be life-threatening, but compared to the headache, it is not worth mentioning at all. I feel worried and can't help but feel a little regretful.
In the past three years, the command outside the Great Wall has been steady and invincible. Although it has gone through hardships, it is still satisfactory. The victory over Xianbei is enough to be famous for future generations. Why do you have to return to the court to fight wits and courage with these big and small foxes?
"How could Zhou Gongjin, a talented person from Jiangdong and Minister Tuogu, secretly collude with Liu Qi?" Thinking of Sima Yi's previous advice, Cao Cao sighed, "Hiss——"
Cao Cao covered his head in pain. As long as he thought about it for a moment, the back of his head would feel like it was overwhelming, which was a precursor to a headache.
Just as he was forcing himself not to think about military and political matters, the guards suddenly came to report that Jiang Gan had returned to the camp and was waiting for orders outside the tent.
Cao Cao sat up suddenly: "Why do you have the dignity to come to see me?"
Just as he was about to scold the random sticks and drive them out of the camp, he suddenly narrowed his eyes slightly and ordered someone to summon him into the tent. Seeing Jiang Qian, who was so tired, he had an indignant look on his face and said coldly: "What else do you have to say?"
Jiang Gan was heartbroken and clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, a certain person formed an alliance with Zhou Gongjin, and a letter was delivered before. Who knew that General Xiahou secretly mobilized his troops, ruined the big thing, and fell short of success!"
On the way back, Jiang Gan received a reply from Cao Cao. When he saw that he was named the governor of Qingzhou, he was so angry that he trembled all over. He cursed Xiahou Dun's eighteen generations of ancestors several times along the way.
Cao Cao snorted: "Yuan Rang has been leading the army for many years, but he doesn't know how to advance or retreat? You must have been deceived by Zhou Lang and took it lightly, which is why you were so defeated."
"I have seen Zhou Gong Jin again!" Jiang Gan hurriedly sent him into the city for the second time. Zhou Yu was angry with Xiahou Dun for dividing his troops to attack Beihai and told him again. He stopped and complained.
Cao Cao squinted his eyes, pondered for a moment and said: "Since Zhou Gongjin really wants revenge, do you dare to go to Qingzhou again and facilitate this matter?"
Jiang Gan suddenly became energetic, clasped his fists and said, "I have an official document from the Prime Minister, so I am willing to leave."
"Very good!" Cao Cao nodded slightly, motioned Jiang Qian to the bed, and whispered: "I suspect that Zhou Lang and Liu Qi are secretly colluding. You are going to stay in the house on the pretext of handing over the affairs of Qingzhou. We will secretly inquire about the information, and if we can find evidence, there will be a heavy reward."
"Is there such a thing?" Jiang Qian tugged at his beard and frowned. Although he felt that Zhou Yu would never betray his master and surrender to the enemy, he was eager to prove himself by performing meritorious deeds and left in a hurry.
Cao Cao sat alone for a while, and when his headache subsided, he ordered Cao Ren, Sima Yi and others to come to discuss matters.
Cao Chun first reported: "According to reports from the scouts, Sun Hao from Jiangdong has been defeated and fled to Lingnan. Sun Yu is still holding down his troops in Lujiang. Sun Fu and Sun Fu fought against Yu Jin and Zhang He in Yuzhang. They were defeated repeatedly and retreated to Nanchang. If they were not rescued early, , it may be difficult to resist.”
"Hmph, none of the Sun family members, except Sun Bofu, can fight!" Cao Cao suddenly became angry at the Sun family for not fighting, and gritted his teeth and said, "I will kill Yu Jin and Zhang He's disciples who betray the master."
This was his confidant general, but he became a thorn in his side. The more Cao Cao thought about it, the angrier he became.
Without these two men, Liu Qi could only transfer Guan Yu to wait until Jiangdong put down the rebellion, which would reduce the pressure on the Central Plains.
Now that he has no one to use, he has come to attack his allies. The situation is one that can no longer be compensated by adding more generals.
Sima Yi offered advice: "Although Danyang Shanyue was suppressed by Soochow, there is a Peng clan in Poyang Lake, which is incompatible with the Wu army. Why doesn't the prime minister lure them? Peng Hu and others were murdered by Liu Qi and Zhou Yu before, so they will definitely raise troops. Revenge, with the help of these natives, can be hindered by banning people and horses."
Across the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, Cao Cao was beyond his reach at this time. He immediately sent someone to contact the Poyang Lake clan thieves and promised senior officials to send troops to assist Sun Fu. The delay was temporary.
Cao Ren said: "Sun Yu is lingering in Lujiang. He must be suspicious of Sun Quan's surrender of power. Zhang Fei is also watching, so he dare not act rashly. If he is recruited first, he can connect the north and south of the river from Pengli without attacking Hefei."
"I don't know what is true in Jiangdong now, and we will discuss it later when Yang Dezu returns from mourning!" Cao Cao rubbed his forehead and said, "Just now I ordered Jiang Qian to return to Qingzhou, not only to monitor Zhou Lang, but also to divert the tiger away from the mountain. When he goes south to Guangling, he will be killed in one fell swoop. What do you think of getting rid of the Wu soldiers in Qingzhou?"
Cao Ren nodded and said: "The Prime Minister's plan is very clever. Zhou Yu's soldiers and horses are in Qingzhou, and they feel like they are stuck in their throats. They can't spit out the words."
Sima Yi said: "Zhou Gongjin is well versed in strategy. Since he has sent troops to attack General Xiahou, the prime minister has formed an alliance with him regardless of past suspicions. He may have become wary! If he uses a false plan to attack Guo, he secretly contacts Liu Qi and plots to seize Xuzhou. , isn’t it self-defeating?”
"False way to attack Guo?" Cao Cao's eyes were slightly gleaming, and he tugged on his beard and sneered: "How can Yuhou be deceived by wealth and lust?"
While they were discussing the military situation, the soldiers came to report that Yang Xiu had returned to the camp. Cao Cao hurriedly ordered people to bring him in. When he saw Yang Xiu's face glowing red, he couldn't help but get excited and asked, "How is Dezu's trip?"
"Thank you!" Yang Xiu bowed and clasped his fists. Seeing that there were many people on the left and right, he was not in a hurry to answer, but first picked up a food box: "Then Liu Qi heard that the prime minister had never tasted pineapple cakes, so he gave another box as a gift before leaving. Prime Minister, please taste it."
"Oh?" Cao Cao looked at the food box and saw that Cao Chun and others' eyes widened. He waved for everyone to leave and asked, "So it seems that Liu Qi is not suspicious?"
"Not bad!" Seeing that there was no one around, Yang Xiu untied his bun and took out a piece of cloth from his turban, "This is a blood letter written by Sun Quan himself. He was held hostage by Liu Qi and could not help himself. If the prime minister can help him regain Jiangdong, he is willing to surrender." Yu Wei."
Listening to Yang Xiu's report, Cao Cao sighed with emotion: "Sun Zhongmou's son should be like Sun Zhongmou and Liu Boxi!"
After reading the blood letter carefully, he nodded and said: "This book comes at the right time. I would like to ask Dezu to go to Lujiang again to tell the truth about his meeting with Sun Quan and agree to fight against Liu Qi together. What do you think?"
Yang Xiu was overjoyed and said, "I'm willing to go."
Cao Cao said: "Let's rest for two days. It won't be too late to go again."
Yang Xiu clasped his fists and said: "The military situation is urgent and the war is in full swing. Now is the time to make achievements. All the soldiers are killing the enemy with blood. Why should I fear the suffering of mere dust?"
"It's good to be young!" Cao Cao was very pleased. He seemed to see his own shadow in Yang Xiu. He opened the brocade box and said with a smile, "This is a gift for you."
Yang Xiu was flattered, but waved his hand and said: "I was clever and divided the cakes before. This time Liu Qi specially sent them, how dare I use them again?"
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Since Liu Qi gave it to me, it belongs to me. What's the harm in giving it to you again?"
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your kindness!" Yang Xiu was overjoyed. As a result, he swallowed the pineapple cake in two or three mouthfuls and left with a look of enjoyment on his face.
Cao Cao stared at the box of cakes and hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but take out a piece. His eyes widened after just one bite. Even the royal palace had never had such delicious food.
"It is worthy of being made by Mrs. Sun herself." Cao Cao licked his lips, and suddenly felt that his headache was much relieved. He came to the brocade box and took a deep breath, and said with a low smile: "Hey, the lingering fragrance is still there -"
