Cao Cao was still stationed ten miles outside Yecheng and did not continue his march.
Ju Yi saw Cao Cao's army approaching, but he did not dare to provoke. He just had a stalemate with Cao Cao, and then nothing happened.
The two sides entered a stalemate. Normally, there should not have been a stalemate. Cao Cao should have attacked forcefully, but Cao Cao did not do so, which made Ju Yi very nervous.
They were worried that Cao Cao might have some tricks up their sleeves, which would catch them off guard and make him unable to deal with them.
Cao Cao's trick was not used on Ju Yi, but on the Yuan brothers.
"I got the news sent by Guo Tu."
"He agreed to our recruitment and was willing to help us, lead Yuan Tan, fight against Yuan Shang, consume the strength of the Yuan brothers, and led troops outside Yecheng, but Yuan Tan did not join forces with Yuan Shang."
"They will indeed rebel."
Cao Cao received a letter and called everyone together to announce the matter.
Xu You first said: "I knew they would be like this. Based on my understanding of the internal situation of the Yuan family, Yuan Tan will definitely oppose Yuan Shang, but Yuan Xi may not necessarily. As for high-ranking officials, they may also submit to Yuan Shang."
In other words, they can only lead Yuan Tan, but cannot lead Yuan Xi and Gao Gan to deal with Yuan Shang.
"What do you think?"
Cao Cao's eyes fell on Chen Zhou.
Chen Zhou said: "I think Xu Ziyuan is right. Yuan Xi may help Yuan Shang, but it doesn't matter. We are behind Yuan Tan. When they are almost done fighting, we can support Yuan Tan overtly and covertly, and by the way, we can support Yuan Tan." The Qingzhou soldiers brought by Tan were swallowed up."
He thought about the history. In the end, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were chased by Cao Cao and fled north. They first sought refuge with Wuhuan, and then ran to Gongsun Kang. They were beheaded by Gongsun Kang and then sent their heads to Cao Cao.
This is probably the fate of the two of them.
"but……"
Guo Jia analyzed and said: "As the biggest enemy of the Yuan family, we are less than ten miles away from Yecheng. Now that the enemy is present, the Yuan brothers may put aside their grudges and deal with us first. Yuan Tan may not necessarily fight with Yuan Shang."
In the face of a powerful external enemy, it is not impossible for the brothers to first unite to defend against the enemy and then fight among themselves.
"Then let's push forward and add fuel to the conflict between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang."
Chen Zhou thought for a while and said: "It's very simple to light this fire. The lord can find one or two dead soldiers, sneak into the military camp under the arrangement of Guo Tu and others, and assassinate Yuan Tan, but he can't kill Yuan Tan. That's it." .”
Xu You asked: "The person pretending to be Yuan Shang assassinated Yuan Tan?"
"No!"
Chen Zhou shook his head and said: "There is no need for any impersonation. Our people will assassinate them and show our identities openly. Then how to turn them into Yuan Shang's people and hand them over to Guo Tu and Xin Ping."
"This plan is very clever!"
Xun You laughed and said: "True and false, false and true, sometimes, as long as the conditions are right, the false will become true. If Yuan Tan knew that Yuan Shang was going to kill him, wouldn't he go crazy? Hahaha... …”
Cao Cao thought for a while, and immediately understood the meaning of Chen Zhou's plan, and shouted: "Zi Lian, you arrange two soldiers who are not afraid of death, and tell them that as long as the Cao family can be in power, the descendants of the family will be rich and prosperous, and future generations will enter the Imperial College for free. Study and become an official in the court in the future."
As long as sufficient conditions are given, it is not impossible for them to die.
Under the heavy reward, there must be people who are not afraid of death.
"yes!"
Cao Hong went to make arrangements immediately.
The instigation of rebellion against Guo Tuxin and Ping was successfully completed and met their expectations.
What you have to do next will be much easier.
——
Yecheng.
Yuan Shang received news from Ju Yi, saying that Cao Cao was just stationed outside, neither attacking Ju Yi nor doing anything. The stalemate had been like this. If the stalemate lasted for a day or two, it would be normal, and it could be regarded as resting and reorganizing the army.
But as the stalemate continued, Yuan Shang felt more and more something was wrong. He always felt that Cao Cao was holding back some big move and was playing some conspiracy. There must be something wrong with it.
Yuan Shao had no choice but to bring Feng and Ji back for discussion.
"Cao Cao is doing this, people can't understand it!"
Fengji shook his head slightly.
From the moment Cao Cao chose the stalemate, they never understood what Cao Cao wanted to do.
Shen Pei said: "Normally speaking, if Cao Cao crosses the river, captures Liyang, and approaches Yecheng, he will lengthen the battle line. This will mean that he will go deep alone. Once someone attacks the rear and cuts off the food route, he will be trapped and die in the rear. , Cao Cao should make a quick decision and call Yecheng directly."
But Cao Cao didn't fight, which made them confused.
Yuan Shang asked: "Can we attack Cao Cao's rear?"
Listening to the judge's words, he seemed to find hope in them and immediately proposed this idea.
Shen Pei shook his head and said: "It's difficult! If before Cangting's defeat, we would still have the troops to attack Cao Cao's retreat, but now we don't have the ability to do so unless...the troops of the eldest son and the second son are back."
Yuan Shang's hope receded like this, and he said after a while: "Second brother gave me a reply. He just said that he would lead troops south to help us attack Cao Cao, but when he returned to Yecheng, he also said whether he was willing. I don’t know yet. As for the eldest brother, I just got the news that he has arrived near Yecheng, but he has stopped moving at this time and has not sent anyone to contact me. He is obviously on guard against me and may not be willing to help me. "
It was normal for him to seize the position of heir, and it was expected that Yuan Tan would be dissatisfied.
"uncertain!"
Feng Ji said: "My lord can be moved by emotion and understand by reason. For example, our Yuan family is faced with a formidable enemy. We should work together to repel the enemy. As for the internal affairs of the Yuan family, we should deal with them behind closed doors. The two are not contradictory."
"Sir, what you said makes sense."
Yuan Shang thought deeply and continued: "In the face of justice and the survival of the family, I believe that the eldest and second brothers will not abandon justice and will definitely work together with me."
His idea is still very ideal.
Without Cao Cao's intervention, certain things would indeed develop according to his ideals, but it is different now.
"As for Cao Cao..."
Feng Ji thought for a while and said: "I think he must have some other tricks. We should be more vigilant, pay attention to prevention, and prepare General Ju. Facing any behavior of Cao Jun, we must think twice before acting, and be more cautious. Don’t be greedy for success.”
Thinking of the endless schemes of Cao Cao's counselors, Yuan Shang was a little frightened. Why couldn't his own counselors be so insidious?
But he had no choice but to focus on prevention.
As long as you can guard against it and delay it, victory will still be yours.
Shen Pei said: "My lord, you should concentrate your food and grass and wait for your work! Cao Cao's army came from a long distance and the rear supplies are far inferior to ours. However, our troops are not as strong as Cao's army. The best thing is to consume and delay. I suggest dragging Cao Cao to death outside. Let's see who It can’t be used up for now!”
Yuan Shang agrees with this plan.
From the beginning, Tian Feng Jushou suggested that using such a plan would kill Cao Cao, but his father was of no use. He could still pick it up and use it, so he was confident that there would be no problem.
Yuan Shang followed their plan.
