The New Year is approaching, but Cao Cao has been feeling restless recently, his right eyelid is twitching violently, and he has become more and more cautious.
When he was depressed, Yang Xiu rushed back from Lujiang and brought a letter written by Sun Yu, together with the seal of the Lujiang prefect, willing to surrender to Cao Cao to avenge Sun Quan.
Cao Cao read the book and laughed: "The sectarianism is really untrustworthy. This little omen really disturbs my heart!"
Yang Xiu asked in confusion: "Why did the Prime Minister say this?"
Cao Cao smiled and said, "I was discussing with Zuo Ci earlier, and we said that when the left eye jumps for wealth, the right eye jumps for disaster. My right eyelid keeps twitching today, and I am worried that there will be bad omens. I didn't expect Dezu to achieve such a great achievement."
Yang Xiu laughed and said: "Prime Minister Yingrui is very powerful and extremely intelligent. How can you believe these heresies?"
"What Dezu said is absolutely true!" Cao Cao nodded slightly and summoned the generals to come to discuss the matter.
Sima Yi said: "Sun Yu has always been hesitant, and now he suddenly offers his seal. Could it be that there is fraud in it?"
Yang Xiu heard this and said angrily: "Sima Zhongda, do you think that I deceived the Prime Minister? If we go to Lujiang, we will escape death and spend all our time and effort to achieve nothing?"
Sima Yi frowned and said, "I don't doubt your merits, sir. I'm afraid that Sun Yu will deceive you. If you go against your will, you may have another trick."
Yang Xiu sneered: "Sun Yu saw Sun Quan's blood letter. Although he was hesitant, he was already dissatisfied with Liu Qi. Recently, Sun Hao was executed and Sun Jing died of anger. Sun Yu then raised his troops in anger and decided to abandon Lujiang. He wanted to go home for the funeral and secretly rescued him. Sun Quan and the Prime Minister echoed each other from north to south and jointly destroyed Liu Qi. How can it be false?"
Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Sun Yu lost his father and brother recently because of Liu Qi. This is a major matter of human relations. Revenge is natural. How can there be fraud? Zhongda is worrying too much."
After hearing this, Sima Yi silently retreated, lowering his head and thinking secretly. Although Sun Yu's actions seemed reasonable, he smelled a conspiracy.
Cao Hong said hurriedly: "Since Sun Yu wants to surrender and is ready to give up Lujiang, we should immediately send someone to take over the troops and rescue Sun Fu. While Liu Qi is restrained in Huainan, we can attack Jiangdong in one fell swoop."
Cao Cao was about to give the order when he looked up and saw Sima Yi who was looking down silently. He suddenly became suspicious and asked, "Who do you think Zhongda can take this position?"
Sima Yi said: "Sun Yu's intention to surrender is unclear, and the reality of the Lujiang River is unknown, so we can't believe everything in the book. If the prime minister sends troops, he needs to be more careful. Only a person with both wisdom and courage can't do it."
Cao Cao twisted his beard and said: "Since Sun Yu has a letter, if we don't take Lujiang River, we will miss a good opportunity and may have no hope of going south of the Yangtze River!"
Sima Yi offered advice: "We can use a false strategy to attack Guo: when the troops arrived at Lujiang, Sun Yu went out to meet him. Regardless of his intention to surrender, he could not help but capture him first and take over the city defense. If he really wanted to surrender, he would hold a banquet to apologize. Late."
"This is a great plan!" Cao Cao was overjoyed and looked around, but his smile gradually disappeared.
After looking around twice, I couldn't find a general who was qualified enough for the job. I couldn't help but feel disappointed. If Zhang He, Yu Jin and other generals were here, why would this happen?
Cao Hong asked for the order: "Prime Minister, the general is willing to go."
"Zi Lian is so strong!" Cao Cao nodded and said, "Assign you 20,000 elite soldiers and five hundred tigers and leopards to ride to the Lujiang River. Remember to adapt to changes and put self-preservation first."
Cao Hong clasped his fists and said: "Prime Minister, don't worry, there are no generals in Lujiang. Going there is like picking something out of a bag!"
Cao Cao ordered people to prepare gold and pearls to reward Sun Yu generously, and named him General Zhendong and Marquis of Qiantang. He ordered Cao Hong to lead his troops to march at night to take over Lujiang River as soon as possible.
After everyone dispersed, Cao Ren admonished: "The situation in Lujiang is complicated, and I am honest and impetuous. If I am not careful, I may cause trouble."
Cao Cao sighed helplessly: "From what I've seen, the only person who can take this position is a filial son. But the heavy responsibility of Xuzhou rests with you, how can you leave the Chinese army so lightly?"
Cao Ren said: "Wang Jizheng is guarding the key road of Jia Shi. He can add three thousand troops and make an agreement with Zi Lian to provide signal support, just in case."
Cao Cao also knew that Cao Hong was not smart enough, so he nodded and said, "You can just arrange this yourself."
While discussing the military situation, Cao Xiu suddenly came to report that Cao Xiu had made an appointment with Liu Qi for a decisive battle at the mouth of the Huaihe River.
Cao Cao thought for a moment and suddenly a plan came to his mind. He sent someone to bring Sima Yi and said: "There were rumors that Huang Gai and Liu Qi were at odds, but I don't know the truth. I have a plan to tell the truth from the lies."
Sima Yi cupped his fists and said, "I'd like to hear the details."
Cao Cao said: "The generals in Jiangdong wanted to fight, but Liu Qi arranged to guard Shouchun. Therefore, they had different opinions. They must be dissatisfied at this time. The decisive battle between Liu Qi and Wen Lie is about to take place. I have an excuse to go to watch the battle. If Huang Gai and others really send troops, it will be If there is discord and Zhongda’s plan is defeated, Jiangdong will be in chaos!”
Sima Yi immediately understood and said with a smile: "If Huang Gai is defeated, Liu Qi will be angry. This person is a veteran of Jiangdong. If he is blamed, the Jiangdong generals will be dissatisfied. If not punished, Liu Qi will lose his prestige and will no longer be able to command the army."
"The one who knows me is Zhongdaye!" Cao Cao smiled while twirling his beard, but he sighed in his heart.
Sima Yi was as smart as Guo Jia and Xun Yu. He was good at planning and commanding troops, and could serve as a general. However, he could not tell his true feelings about this person. He even felt defensive instinctively. He hated this feeling. But there is nothing to do.
Signaling everyone to leave, Cao Cao sat in front of the case, lost in thought for a long time, looking at the empty hall, feeling inexplicably melancholy. Although he was now the king of Wei, it was difficult for him to have the friends he had with whom he had a good drink.
Cao Ren took Sima Yi to the camp to arrange military affairs. Seeing that he looked sad and absent-minded, he asked: "Zhongda, don't worry. I have sent more troops to Shiting. I ordered Wang Ji to pay attention to the movements of Lujiang River at all times to ensure that there is no danger."
But Sima Yi shook his head and said: "For this reason, I am worried about Hanoi! Ma Chao leads the Xiliang people out of the border to seek revenge. These are all tigers and wolves. Once they cross the river and go north, the consequences will be disastrous."
Although Sima Yi became famous during the Battle of Chang'an, he was cruel and ruthless at a young age, which caused many people to accuse him. Now that the Xiliang army has returned to Luoyang, how can Sima Yi rest assured?
Cao Ren comforted him and said, "Zhongda, please relax. Ma Chao is just a reckless man. He is brave enough but lacks wisdom. Moreover, the Xiliang cavalry is not used to water warfare. With Xu Gongming guarding the river, it will be difficult for Ma Chao to cross the river. It will be as difficult as climbing to the sky."
Sima Yi frowned and said: "Although Ma Chao is nothing to worry about, Xu Yuanzhi knows the strategy well. I'm afraid..."
Cao Ren smiled and said: "Don't worry Zhongda. When General Cao Hong takes Lujiang, the war in Huainan will turn around. I have advised the prime minister to transfer you to Hanoi to assist Xu Huang."
Sima Yi nodded slightly. In fact, he had secretly written to Cao Pi, asking him to move the Sima clan from Hanoi to Handan. However, his old father Sima Fang had an upright temperament and was unwilling to move. The Sima family tradition was very strict, and other children did not dare to persuade him. .
A few days ago, Sima Fang sent another letter home, implying that Cao Cao was no longer the hero who led the army under Chen Liu. Today, the Han Dynasty should not be forced to retreat.
But after the battle in Chang'an, Sima Yi knew that he had no choice. Now that Ma Chao was stationed in Luoyang and eyeing Hanoi, eager for revenge, he was like a hungry wolf coming to the door with a knife hanging above his head. How could he feel at ease?
I can't help but secretly regret that when Cao Cao/bi became an official on his own, he gritted his teeth and persisted, or he followed his master's advice and fled to Sima Hui in Jingzhou. I don't know what the situation will be like today.
