After Zhang Miao's betrayal of Cao Cao was exposed, Cao Cao immediately ordered an investigation into the gentry in Yanzhou.
In the end, he discovered that only a few people were not involved in the rebellion.
This includes Cheng Yu.
No wonder my husband suggested that I reuse Cheng Yu. I didn’t expect that this person would not only be loyal to me, but also have similar ideas to me.
Cao Cao thought this, then nodded and said,
"Zhongde!"
"My subordinate is here."
Cheng Yu cupped his hands and said.
"You will be responsible for this matter. Anyone found to be involved with Zhang Miao will be dealt with as appropriate."
Cao Cao ordered.
"Here!"
Cheng Yu took the order.
"My lord, what about Zhang Miao and Lu Bu?"
Xun Yu on the side asked again.
Cao Cao stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, then looked at Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai,
"What do you two gentlemen think?"
"Lord, we might as well let them fight. Let's take the opportunity to clean up the interior of Yanzhou first."
Guo Jia suggested.
"Yes, it won't be too late for us to take action when both of them are hurt."
Xi Zhicai also smiled and agreed.
"Okay, just do as you two gentlemen say."
Cao Cao finally made the final decision.
…
In the next few days, Cao Cao only sent troops to besiege Chenliu County and did not allow Zhang Miao and Lu Bu's forces to set foot in other counties in Yanzhou.
Cheng Yu, on Cao Cao's order, launched an investigation into Yanzhou.
All the nobles involved in Zhang Miao's betrayal were executed.
For a time, heads were falling everywhere in all counties and counties in Yanzhou1
But this would be beneficial to Cao Cao.
Without the obstruction of the gentry, his new policy was successfully implemented.
Those who insulted him in the past have also disappeared.
In order to better manage Yanzhou, Cao Cao officially moved his seat to Juancheng.
As his subordinate, Yang Ling naturally brought Mi Zhen and Zhao Yun to Juancheng.
At noon.
"Okay, let's get ready for dinner."
Yang Ling brought the last dish to the table.
He, Zhao Yun, and Mi Zhen sat down around the table in the courtyard.
Just as they were preparing to eat, a servant hurried over.
"Sir, the state animal husbandry has arrived."
Yang Ling was stunned, looked up, and saw Cao Cao walking in with Dian Wei with a smile on his face.
"gentlemen!"
Cao Cao said hello, his eyes fell on the dishes on the table, and his Adam's apple rolled a few times.
"What a coincidence, I don't have a meal either, sir. Would you mind?"
He said as he sat down.
Yang Ling suddenly couldn't laugh or cry.
Boss Cao, you came here during meal time and sat down without waiting for my greeting. You clearly came here to eat!
"Of course I don't mind, Zilong, go get two more sets of bowls and chopsticks."
Yang Ling greeted.
After Cao Cao took Dian Wei to the table, his eyes fell on Mi Zhen beside him.
"This must be the Miss Mi family, right? It's such a beautiful country. No wonder your husband is attracted to her."
"The state pastor is overly praised."
Mi Zhen blushed.
Several people chatted while eating.
"Sir, I don't understand something."
Cao Cao asked,
"Since you calculated that Zhang Miao would betray me, why didn't you persuade me to stop attacking Tao Qian?"
"It's very simple. Zhou Mu is a filial son, how could he not avenge his father?"
Yang Ling explained,
"And if Zhou Mu doesn't leave Yanzhou, how could Zhang Miao and the others expose their ambitions?"
When Cao Cao thought about it, it was right.
It was because he led the army to leave Yanzhou that Zhang Miao and other Yanzhou nobles showed their flaws.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile,
"Thanks to your master's plan this time, I was able to keep Yanzhou!"
If Yang Ling hadn't calculated that Zhang Miao would form an alliance with Lu Bu, he would have prepared countermeasures in advance.
Otherwise, with Lu Bu's bravery and Zhang Miao's reputation in Yanzhou, I'm afraid Cao Cao will become a lost dog!
But now Cao Cao not only saved Yanzhou, but also took the opportunity to eradicate the nobles who opposed him, and even occupied a lot of Tao Qian's territory!
All this is thanks to Yang Ling!
"Come, sir, let me toast you!"
Cao Cao raised his wine glass solemnly.
Yang Ling also quickly raised his glass and drank it down in one gulp.
After putting down the wine glass, Cao Cao said again,
"The nobles in Yanzhou have been sorted out in the past few days. I plan to take action against Zhang Miao and the others. What suggestions do you have, sir?"
Yang Ling thought for a while and said,
"Zhang Miao can be killed, but Lu Bu can stay."
"Oh? Why is that?"
Cao Cao said with some surprise,
"Could it be that Sir, seeing Lu Bu's bravery, wants me to accept him?"
"No! Although Lu Bu is brave and good at fighting, he is snobbish, changeable and ungrateful."
Yang Ling shook his head,
"The reason why I asked Zhou Mu to keep him is to take Xuzhou!"
Cao Cao couldn't help but be stunned.
Did Lu Bu stay in order to capture Xuzhou?
Seeing his puzzled look, Yang Ling said patiently,
"Although my lord occupies many cities in Xuzhou, Tao Qian's strength has not been greatly affected."
"This time the big-eared thief Liu Xuande sent troops to help Tao Qian, but after Zhou Mu retreated, he did not leave. He clearly wanted to occupy Xuzhou."
"The big-eared thief is extremely capable. If he becomes Xuzhou Mu, after a period of development, he will definitely become Xuzhou Mu's formidable enemy!"
Cao Cao shook his head and smiled,
"Sir, are you joking? Why would Tao Qian give up Xuzhou to Liu Bei?"
Yang Ling traveled through time and naturally knew the subsequent historical process.
He looked serious and said,
"Please think about it, Zhou Mu. Now that Tao Qian is old, his two sons are useless. If you don't give it to Liu Bei, who can you give it to?"
Cao Cao fell into thinking.
Tao Qian's situation in Xuzhou was similar to that of Cao Cao in Yanzhou.
He is not a native of Xuzhou, but an outsider. His relationship with the Xuzhou nobles is no better than that between Cao Cao and the Yanzhou nobles!
In addition, Tao Qian's two sons are also useless.
If one day Tao Qian gives up and goes west, his family and followers will probably end up in a miserable state.
Cao Cao met Liu Bei and knew that Liu Bei was as capable as Yang Ling said.
If Tao Qian cedes Xuzhou to Liu Bei, firstly, he can keep Xuzhou safe, and secondly, Liu Bei will also protect the Tao family for the sake of his ceding Xuzhou.
"What you said makes sense. I didn't expect that you, who is far away in Yanzhou, would have such insight into the situation in Xuzhou."
Cao Cao sighed sincerely and then asked,
"But what does this have to do with letting me keep Lu Bu?"
Yang Ling chuckled and said,
"Even if Zhou Mu kills Lu Bu and Zhang Miao now, can he immediately launch a second crusade against Xuzhou?"
Cao Cao thought for a while, then shook his head.
Not long after he pacified the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, and before he had time to recuperate, he launched an attack on Xuzhou in the name of avenging his father.
In the past few days, the Yanzhou nobles who participated in the rebellion will be uprooted.
As a result, it will definitely take time to recuperate.
At least within a year, we will be unable to launch another war.
