Guo Bang nodded, "They defeated us, but they didn't come to chase us. It seems that this is indeed the case."
Li Jue gritted his teeth and groaned, "Hateful."
Li Li tentatively said, "Uncle, why don't we retreat to Luoyang for the time being? If Lu Bu's army withdraws, we will rush to Xudu immediately to bring the emperor back."
Guo Si shook his head, "What if Lu Bujun doesn't leave?"
Li Li sighed, "If Lu Bu's army still refuses to withdraw after a while, then we have no other choice but to retreat to Chang'an."
Hearing these words, Li Jue was almost furious, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and roar, "What a shame, send the order and retreat to Luoyang."
…
Xudu.
When Liu Xie learned about the news that Li Jue and Guo Si had retreated to Luoyang, he felt relieved and immediately sent for Yang Biao and Zhu Jun.
"My dear friends, I am going back to Luoyang."
When Yang Biao and Zhu Jun heard the emperor's words, they were stunned for a moment. After reacting, they were shocked and hurriedly stopped him.
"Your Majesty, you must not do this. The two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si have retreated to Luoyang and are already stationed there. It's not too late to go back after they retreat."
Yang Biao raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, although Xudu is not as good as Luoyang, safety is the most important thing. It is better to stay here for a while. It will not be too late to go back after the situation is stable."
Zhu Jun also hurriedly handed over his hand, "Your Majesty, although the current residence is a bit crude, Lu Fengxian has sent people to build a palace in the city. I believe that it will not be long before everything will improve."
Liu Xie shook his head, "Two dear friends, no matter what happens to Xu Du, we cannot stay, otherwise!"
At this point, Liu Xie sighed and said, "My dear friends, if this continues, the court will inevitably be controlled by Lu Fengxian. Therefore, in order to avoid this happening, I must leave Xudu."
Zhu Jun cupped his hands and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, even so, it is much better than falling with Li Jue and Guo Si."
Liu Xie felt a little irritable and waved his hand, "Send someone to Luoyang to inquire. If the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si leave, we will return to Luoyang immediately."
…
Just when Liu Xie wanted to return to Luoyang, something happened in Xuzhou that shocked Lu Bu.
Xiaopei.
There were bursts of laughter in the living room of Cheng Mansion.
"Ha ha."
Cheng Yu's face was full of smiles, but when he looked at Lu You sitting opposite, his heart was full of doubts.
Lu You is a general in Xuzhou. I don’t know why he suddenly came to Xiaopei?
"Mr. Cao, being able to come to Xuzhou is really a blessing to the people!"
When Cheng Yu heard Cao Bao's compliments, he hurriedly handed over his hand and said, "General Lu, you are too polite."
Lu You shook his head, "These are not polite words, they are clearly the truth. It is really rare to think that when millions of Yellow Turbans went to Yanzhou, they were easily defeated by Cao Gong."
Cheng Yu asked tentatively, "General Lu, do you have anything important to do when you come to Xiaopei?"
Lu You waved his hand, "Mr. Cheng, I really want to discuss something with you when I come here this time."
Cheng Yu nodded, "General Lu, what's the matter?"
Lu You said with a smile, "Of course it's a good thing."
At this point, Lu You paused, and without waiting for Cheng Yu to speak, he continued, "Mr. Cheng, Prime Minister Cao has a daughter who is not only beautiful, but also gentle and virtuous. I heard that the eldest son of Duke Cao is a brave man. , and he is extremely humble, so I want to drag him forward to make peace."
Cao Cao's eldest son was named Cao Ang, also named Zixiu. He was from Qiao County, Pei State, and was born to the Liu family.
Cao Ang was smart, courageous and modest. When he was twenty years old, he was promoted to be filial and honest, which can be said to be the most beloved.
When Cheng Yu heard these words, he was stunned for a moment, and then a smile appeared in his eyes, "General Lu, does Prime Minister Cao really have this plan?"
Lu You cupped his hands and said with a smile, "If not, how could I let you come?"
Cheng Yu couldn't help but burst out laughing, "General Lu, you stay in the mansion later, and I'll report this to the lord right now, and then I'll give you a reply. What do you think?"
Seeing Cheng Yu's eagerness, Lu You nodded with satisfaction, "Mr. Cheng, please, I'll wait for good news."
After Cheng Yu settled Lu You, he didn't have time to change clothes, so he immediately hurried over to meet Cao Cao.
"Lord, I'm so happy!"
Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu, who was beaming with joy, and couldn't help but be startled, and asked doubtfully, "Zhongde, where does the joy come from?"
Cheng Yu cupped his hands and said with a smile, "My lord, Cao Bao sent Lu You here to explain that he has a daughter who wants to marry the eldest son, and he came here to ask for your opinion."
After hearing this, the smile on Cao Cao's face suddenly froze, and his eyes were full of disbelief.
"Zhongde, what are you talking about? Cao Bao wants to betroth his daughter to Zixiu?"
Cheng Yu nodded, "My lord, Cao Bao is an important minister of Xuzhou and controls Xuzhou's troops."
Having said this, the smile on Cheng Yu's face grew wider, "Cao Bao's move undoubtedly showed his kindness to his lord, and maybe he also planned to give Xuzhou to his lord.
And our army is currently staying in Xiaopei, which is only a county. It is indeed difficult to restore its power.
But now, if Cao Bao helps, it is not difficult to capture Xuzhou. "
Cold sweat gradually broke out on Cao Cao's forehead. He looked at Cheng Yu with burning eyes and asked with a wry smile, "Zhongde, do you even think that there should be a marriage?"
Cheng Yu was stunned and asked doubtfully, "Lord, this matter will benefit us without any harm. Is there anything to hesitate about?"
"this?"
Cao Cao was stunned for a moment before he reacted!
Cheng Yu was right. If he could get help from Cao Bao, it would be easy to seize Xuzhou.
But the question is, can this really be done?
Cao Cao is also in the game. He also knows this history through the player, and also knows what will happen next?
According to the original history, after Lu Bu was defeated by himself, he led his troops to Xuzhou and, like himself, stationed in Xiaopei.
Next, this scene also happened. Cao Bao sent someone to propose marriage, so Lu Bu became Cao Bao's son-in-law.
Then, Zhang Fei beat Cao Bao, and he used this as a lure to attract Lu Bu, drive Zhang Fei away, and occupy Xuzhou.
From then on, Liu Bei began to hate Lu Bu in his heart, and the incident at Baimen Tower also occurred.
If Lu Bu had not captured Xuzhou, maybe even if the incident at Baimen Tower had happened, Liu Bei might not have killed Lu Bu as long as he didn't say anything.
The problem now is that what happened to Lu Bu is happening to him bit by bit. This is what worries Cao Cao.
Cheng Yu looked at Cao Cao's hesitant expression and felt confused, so he couldn't help but ask, "Master, are we going to be stationed in Xiaopei for the rest of our lives?"
Cao Cao shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Of course not."
Cheng Yu hurriedly handed over his hand, "My lord, this is the best time. As long as it succeeds, we can get Cao Bao's full help. We want to seize Xuzhou with a little more certainty."
Having said this, Cheng Yu cupped his hands and said, "My lord, this opportunity is rare. Don't miss it."
Of course Cao Cao knew that Cheng Yu was right. If he wanted to capture Xuzhou, Cao Bao was very important.
But, can I agree to it?
If he agrees, Cao Cao feels that he is walking along the path Lu Bu took, step by step. Perhaps, this road will eventually reach Baimen Tower.
This is what Cao Cao doesn't want to see, and it's also what he least wants to happen.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said slowly, "Zhongde, I don't agree to this, so I'd better refuse."
Hearing this, Cheng Yu was stunned, "My lord, do you really not agree?"
Cao Cao sighed secretly in his heart, "Zhongde, it's not that I don't want to agree, but I really have a reason not to agree. I can't agree to this matter!"
Cheng Yu didn't know what Cao Cao was thinking. He only knew that this matter was very beneficial to the situation at hand.
"My lord, have you ever thought that if you don't agree to this matter, things will not be that simple. Maybe we will have another enemy."
At this point, Cheng Yu sighed and continued without waiting for Cao Cao's answer, "Cao Bao originally had good intentions, but if he was rejected, he would definitely become angry and humiliated. By then, he would probably become the lord's mortal enemy. .
Cao Bao controls the Danyang soldiers in Xuzhou, but it arouses his dissatisfaction. If we want to capture Xuzhou, even if we succeed, we will suffer heavy losses and the gain will not be worth the loss.
When they first occupied Yanzhou and attacked Xuzhou, with the support of Yanzhou, they could quickly regain their strength even if they were seriously damaged.
However, we now only occupy one county in Xiaopei. Once the damage is serious, it will not be easy to restore our strength. "
Cao Cao was startled when he heard these words, and cold sweat gradually broke out on his forehead.
When we attacked Xuzhou before, it was because we had Yanzhou as our backing, so we had no worries. Both food and troops could be replenished quickly.
But now, there is only a small place like Xiaopei. Once the troops are lost, where will the source of troops be replenished?
And the most important thing is that it is probably impossible for a place like Xiaopei to produce enough food to supply an army.
Just when Cao Cao was sweating coldly, Cheng Yu suddenly said, "Lord, this is not the most important thing. Our army is withdrawing from Yanzhou now, and Lu Fengxian is busy taking care of trivial matters, so he did not come to pursue us.
If we forcefully attack Xuzhou and are frustrated and lose most of our troops, Lu Fengxian will definitely not miss this opportunity and send troops to attack. By then, our army will be attacked on both sides and will be difficult to resist. "
Hearing these words, Cao Cao was even more surprised. His originally dark cheeks had now turned a little white.
By the way, why have you forgotten the hateful Lu Fengxian?
If his losses are serious, Lu Bu'er must not miss the opportunity.
Even when his strength is at his full strength, Cao Cao dare not say that he will defeat Lu Bu. If he fights against Lu Bu when he suffers heavy losses, he will definitely lose!
Cao Cao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked with a wry smile, "Zhongde, is there no way to solve it?"
Cheng Yu shook his head, "My lord, not only is there no way to solve this matter, maybe something more serious will happen."
Hearing this, Cao Cao forced a smile and asked, "Zhongde, is there any worse news?"
Cheng Yu sighed, "Lord, since we have come to Xuzhou and want to regain our strength and fight against Lu Bu'er again, we can find a way to occupy Xuzhou so that we can have a chance to regain our strength and fight back to Yanzhou.
If Cao Bao helps us, it will be much easier for us, we won't suffer much loss, and Lu Bu'er won't have too many opportunities.
But if we reject Cao Bao's kindness, we can only attack by force.
As I said just now, once we attack forcefully, the three Liu Bei brothers are no ordinary people, and we will definitely suffer serious setbacks.
The most important thing is that the three Liu Bei brothers saw that our army was strong and knew that they could not resist it. If he went to Yanzhou to ask for help, or even gave Xuzhou to Lu Bu, then our army would really have no chance. "
"ah!"
After hearing the end, Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaimed, "Zhongde, is what you said true?"
Cheng Yu smiled bitterly and nodded, "My Lord, these are just my guesses. As for whether they are true or false, please make your decision, Lord."
Cao Cao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. After thinking for a long time, he suddenly sighed, "Zhongde, is there only one way to go?"
Cheng Yu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "My lord, agreeing to Cao Bao is the most beneficial decision for us at the moment."
At this point, Cheng Yu sighed, "Although Liu Bei has occupied Xuzhou, the time is still short after all. If Cao Bao is willing to help us with all his strength, I believe it won't take much time to drive Liu Bei away and let the lord take that position."
Cao Cao suddenly felt enlightened when he saw the sincere look on Cheng Yu's face and the expectation in his eyes.
He somewhat understood why Lu Bu agreed to marry Cao Bao's daughter. It seemed that he was in the same situation as himself!
If he didn't agree, he was likely to be attacked on both sides. When Lu Bu suffered heavy losses, being attacked on both sides was tantamount to seeking death. Therefore, he could only agree to Cao Bao's request, or rather his kindness.
What happened next was actually the same as Lu Bu's idea.
As long as there is a fool like Zhang Fei in Xuzhou, Cao Bao can provoke the relationship between the two no matter what. Even if he doesn't get a beating, the final result will be the same.
Cao Bao liked Tao Qian, so he has always been loyal, but he didn't like Liu Bei, and he liked Lu Bu more, so he chose to betray Liu Bei.
But now, Cao Bao is optimistic about himself, so it depends on how he chooses.
Cheng Yu looked at Cao Cao's hesitation and felt a little strange in his heart. It was obviously a good thing, but why did the lord who acted decisively suddenly become hesitant?
According to his assumptions, after hearing the news, Cao Cao should be happy to agree, but now he is not, but hesitant. Why is this?
Thinking of this, Cheng Yu asked tentatively, "Lord, is there a hidden secret in this?"
After hearing this, Cao Cao shook his head with a wry smile, "Zhongde, you are right. Promising Cao Bao will be of great benefit to us. I am afraid we have only one option: agree."
Having said this, Cao Cao clenched his fists, thinking of Lu Bu, and suddenly felt a sense of pride in his heart, and his eyes were full of fierce light.
"Zhongde, go back and tell General Lu that I agreed."
Cheng Yu was immediately overjoyed, "Great, I'll go back and tell General Lu right now to prepare as soon as possible in case things change."
After saying this, Cheng Yu cupped his hands and hurriedly left the room.
