After treating the Xuzhou officials and soldiers who surrendered favorably and slaughtering several cities that were defending, the ensuing war went extremely smoothly.
In just a few days, Cao Cao's army advanced very far, and was only a few days away from Pengcheng, the seat of Xuzhou.
It can be said that Cao Cao's victory over Xuzhou is just around the corner.
Under this situation, Cao Cao sighed suddenly, which naturally made Guo Jia a little confused.
"I don't know what Fengxiao is. I'm worried about the situation in Yanzhou."
Cao Cao explained.
Guo Jia frowned slightly, thought for a while and said,
"Could it be that my lord is worried about... the Yanzhou nobles!"
"good."
Cao Cao nodded,
"I have suppressed the Yanzhou nobles many times before and killed Bian Rang. I am afraid that they will be ready to attack Xuzhou this time."
"My lord, there is no need to worry. If Yanzhou has Wen Ruo and General Xiahou Dun in charge, there will be no danger."
Guo Jia comforted.
Before going on the expedition, he also considered that the Yanzhou nobles would be restless, and wanted to persuade Cao Cao.
But then I thought about it, only when Cao Cao leaves Yanzhou will those people with evil intentions come out.
Moreover, the master behind Cao Cao must also be based in Yanzhou.
Even if he is not as good as that expert, how can Zhang Miao and Chen Gong be his opponents?
While the two were talking, suddenly Dian Wei strode into the tent and offered his hand to Cao Cao.
"Lord, an urgent letter from Yanzhou 800 miles away!"
Cao Cao and Guo Jia looked at each other, their hearts trembling.
He reached out to take the letter from Dian Wei's hand and asked Guo Jia to look at it together.
The letter was written by Xiahou Dun. It began by saying that Zhang Miao intended to join forces with Lu Bu to betray Cao Cao!
"Zhang Miao, this disloyal and unjust thief, it's a shame that I went against Yuan Shao for him!"
Cao Cao was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
If Zhang Miao were in front of him, he would want to tear him into pieces!
"My lord, Lu Bu is brave and unparalleled. If Zhang Miao and other Yanzhou nobles support us again, we will be in big trouble!"
Guo Jia expected that Zhang Miao, Chen Gong and others would betray, but he did not expect that Zhang Miao would contact Lu Bu!
The two of them did not dare to neglect and immediately looked down.
When he saw Xiahou Dun using a stratagem to alienate Lu Bu and Zhang Miao, Cao Cao couldn't help but praise him!
"First...well, a genius, Yuan Rang is indeed a genius, he can actually think of such a method!"
Although he said this, Cao Cao knew in his heart that Yang Ling definitely came up with this plan!
It was like cheating, calculating in advance that Zhang Miao would form an alliance with Lu Bu.
Then he came up with a plan to break up the alliance between Lu Bu and Zhang Miao.
Apart from being a genius, Cao Cao simply didn't know how to describe Yang Ling!
No matter when, you can definitely trust Yang Ling!
Cao Cao thought excitedly.
The genius Xiahou Dun?
My lord, you really know how to joke.
Guo Jia curled his lips.
He naturally knew in his heart that Xiahou Dun's ability was definitely not enough to come up with such an idea.
It must be that expert.
Guo Jia asked himself, if he were in that situation, would he be able to come up with such a plan?
The answer is naturally no.
Unless he, like that expert, has the ability to predict the future and knows in advance that Lu Bu and Zhang Miao are going to join forces, he can organize it.
I'm... not as good as him.
Guo Jia, who had always been confident, felt powerless for the first time in his heart, and his eyes were full of loneliness.
"Fengxiao, shall we return to Yanzhou next, or continue to attack Xuzhou?"
Cao Cao put away the letter and asked Guo Jia.
Guo Jia put away his thoughts, reluctantly cheered up, thought for a while and said,
"Lord, I suggest that we return to Yanzhou."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"The reason is very simple. Yanzhou is the foundation of the lord. Now Zhang Miao and other Yanzhou nobles have collectively betrayed the lord. Although Lu Bu delayed it, it will still be detrimental to the lord in the long run."
Guo Jia analyzed calmly,
"In addition, spies came to report that Beihai Prime Minister Kong Rong and Pingyuan Liu Xuande both sent people to support Tao Qian."
"Under such circumstances, it will take a lot of effort to capture Xuzhou."
After listening to his words, Cao Cao nodded,
"Okay, then let's withdraw our troops first!"
…
Lu Bu was angry that Zhang Miao was plotting against him and ordered a fierce attack on Chenliucheng.
Even though Zhang Miao was strong, he was a little overwhelmed facing Lu Bu's elite army.
Within three days, Chenliucheng was declared lost.
Lu Bu led his army into Chenliu City and looted it.
Fortunately, Zhang Miao was smart and led a group of nobles to escape from Chenliu City before the city was breached.
But after Lu Bu captured Chenliucheng, he was not satisfied and still led his troops to pursue Zhang Miao.
Zhang Miao was in a desperate situation, but fortunately he had been running Chenliu County for a long time and had the support of the Yanzhou nobles, so he was able to withstand Lu Bu's attack.
The two sides were in a stalemate for a while.
At this moment, Cao Cao also led his army and hurried back from Xuzhou.
…
Changyi City.
State pastoral office.
On the left and right sides of Cao Cao's high seat were counselors such as Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai, as well as powerful generals such as Xia Houyuan, Li Dian, and Le Jin.
"General Yuan Rang!"
Cao Cao called Xiahou Dun.
Xiahou Dun came out of the queue, cupped his hands and said,
"The general is here!"
"You have contributed greatly to the defense of Yanzhou this time. I appoint you as General Jianwu!"
"Thank you, my lord!"
Most people in the hall looked at Xiahou Dun with admiration.
In their opinion, Xiahou Dun was able to defend Yanzhou this time because he knew what was going to happen and separated Lu Bu and Zhang Miao in advance.
Only Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xiahou Dun and others knew that all this was the credit of the master behind it (Yang Ling)!
Not only did Xiahou Dun receive promotions and rewards, but Zhao Yun and other low-level generals also received rewards.
After rewarding the meritorious officials, it comes to the stage of punishment.
Cao Cao's eyes turned cold and he said to everyone,
"What do you think we should do with these nobles who betrayed me?"
"kill!"
The first person to speak was Cheng Yu, who looked indifferent.
He acted decisively and ruthlessly. After receiving the news that Zhang Miao was going to join forces with Lu Bu to betray him, he took the lead and killed all the nobles in the city!
The methods were so cruel that even Xun Yu was frightened!
"Isn't this...not good?"
Xun Yu hesitated.
Although killing all the nobles would be enough.
But if this happens, I don’t know how many people will die!
"What's wrong? These people betray the lord and deserve to die!"
Cheng Yu said coldly.
He is a proud and arrogant person. Liu Dai sent someone to recruit him before, but he refused.
It was because from the bottom of his heart, he looked down on Liu Dai's trash.
However, Cao Cao's style of life was extremely in line with his taste.
This is also the reason why Cheng Yu was loyal to Cao Cao in history.
"My lord, even if we don't kill all these nobles, we must at least kill a large group of them to let them know the consequences of betraying the lord!"
Cheng Yu said solemnly to Cao Cao.
"What you said makes sense!"
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction.
