Cao Cao did not expect that his actions while hunting in the field would trigger the rebellion in Xudu.
After the autumn harvest, Cao Cao immediately raised 100,000 troops and marched towards Hangu Pass.
Zhang Xiu occupied Guanzhong and made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. If Zhang Xiu hadn't been annihilated while he was still in Guanzhong, it would have been even more difficult in the future.
It was already the end of October, and it would take at least ten days to march to Hangu Pass. He only had one month for this eastern expedition to Zhangxiu. After one month, it would be the middle of winter, and it would be inappropriate to mobilize troops.
Rushing to send troops now is a helpless move.
If he waits until April next year to send troops, Zhang Xiu will have almost digested Guanzhong, and it will be more difficult to send troops by then.
There was also news from Xiliang that Cheng Yu had persuaded Ma Teng and Han Sui to jointly send troops to threaten Xiao Guan, and then asked him to issue an edict to force Zhang Lu to send troops. This would create a pincer attack between the three armies, allowing Zhang Xiu to Pay attention to the beginning and not the end.
In order to make this eastern expedition go smoothly, and to learn from the lessons learned from the previous catapult, Cao Cao also ordered people to build a catapult and carry it with the army to prepare for showing off at Hangu Pass.
October 20, 197.
Cao Cao took Cao Hong, Xia Houyuan, Xu Huang, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Cao Ren, and Yu Jin as generals, Guo Jia as military advisor, and marched towards Hangu Pass with 100,000 horses and infantry.
Xiahou Chun and Xun Yu stayed in Xudu.
On the fifth day after Cao Cao sent troops, a group of people quietly sneaked into Xudu City.
After these people entered Xudu, they immediately took action and contacted the ministers of the DPRK and China. Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo and others immediately took action. After Zhong Ji and Wu Shuo received Cao Cao's edict and knew it was a plan, they did not go to their posts and secretly returned after leaving Xudu.
Dong Cheng used the belt edict to secretly search for loyal ministers, and under the guidance of "masters", he collected three thousand dead men to prepare for the uprising.
Their plan was to launch a surprise attack to kill Xiahou Chun and Xun Yu who were staying in Xudu, then take control of the entire city of Xuchang, invite Liu Xie to take charge, and immediately issue an edict to remove Cao Cao from the post of prime minister and demote him to a commoner. , and at the same time let the princes of the world respond to the call to Qingjun.
If this plan is successfully implemented, Liu Xie may really have a chance to make a comeback.
However, some people don't want to let them succeed. This "master"'s idea is not that simple. What he wants is to cause Xu Du to be in chaos and force Cao Cao to turn around.
After hunting in the field, Dong Cheng predicted that Cao Cao would definitely send troops to attack Zhang Xiu. With the help of "experts", he conspired with Wang Zifu, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo and others to plan the attack.
Just when Dong Cheng and others were planning to attack and kill.
Inside Xun Yu's mansion.
Early in the morning, before morning.
A sharp arrow pierced the vermilion door of Xun Mansion, with a secret letter tied to the arrow.
The servant heard the noise, went out and saw the sharp arrow. He looked around and saw that there was no sound. He hurriedly pulled out the envelope and handed it to Xun Yu in a hurry. Xun Yu, who had just woken up, wiped his eyes and opened the secret message with a tired face. His eyes immediately widened. Then he read it carefully again. He was even more shocked and no longer sleepy.
He hurriedly put on his clothes, touched his face and prepared to go to Xia Houchun. Unexpectedly, Xia Houchun had already arrived in Xun Mansion in a hurry.
"Xun Shangshu (Xun Yu's official title is Shizhong, Shangshu Ling), have you also received a secret message?" Xiahou Chun saw Xun Yu's hurried expression as soon as he entered the door.
Xun Yu nodded solemnly: "General Xiahou, the thieves are so brave. They dare to attack us in front of the court today and let His Majesty take charge of the government. They are so bold and reckless. General, please immediately mobilize troops into the city to suppress these thieves. I will hurry up now." Report it to the Prime Minister and ask him to make a decision."
Xia Houchun nodded: "I'll do it right now. It's getting late. I'm afraid the thieves may have already started to take action. Please be careful, Shangshu Xun. I have arranged for five hundred soldiers to guard the outside of the house." After that, he turned and left in a hurry.
After watching Xia Houchun leave, Xun Yu had time to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then turned back and entered the study to write a letter. It was less than half an hour before the morning meeting.
Now that Cao Cao is away, Dong Cheng and others are relatives of the emperor, and this matter will involve the emperor today. Even if he has the power to act arbitrarily, he will not dare to mess around. If it is not handled properly, it will cause unpredictable consequences. The proper way is to let Cao Cao come back. Compared with Zhang Xiu, internal security is more important.
And who was the person who delivered the message to them?
First of all, rule out that it is someone from the emperor's side, and definitely not one of our own, otherwise there is no need to be so sneaky.
Objectively speaking, the person who benefited the most from forcing Cao Cao to return to Xudu was Zhang Xiu.
Could it be Zhang Xiu’s people?
A thin layer of sweat broke out on Xun Yu's forehead as he thought about it. If he was really Zhang Xiu's person, then his infiltration would be terrifying. Not only could he penetrate into the interior of Xudu, but he could also know the emperor's secret plan. Wouldn't it be true? Cao Cao’s military secrets...
Xun Yu didn't dare to think about it anymore, so he walked into the study, picked up his pen and thought for a while, then began to write quickly, and at the same time he also wrote down the matter of delivering the news.
After writing it, I immediately asked people to send it off without stopping.
Inside Dong Cheng's Mansion.
The three thousand dead soldiers were gathered together and all were ready to go. The autumn and winter mornings had begun to get cold, but everyone was aroused by an unquenchable enthusiasm. Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo, Wu Zilan and others had firm eyes, with expressions of perseverance and resignation.
Dong Cheng nodded to them, suddenly drew out his sword, and shouted sternly: "Serve the country as king, eliminate thieves and serve the country, gentlemen! Come with me -!"
Their division of labor had long been clear: Zhong Ji led 300 people to Xunyu's Mansion, Wu Shuo led 300 people to Xiahou Mansion, Wang Zifu led 300 people to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and Dong Cheng led 800 people to storm into the palace and clear out the The people who guarded Liu Xie restored Liu Xie's freedom, and at the same time asked Wu Zilan to lead the remaining 1,000 people to attack the city defense of Xudu City.
There are five hundred soldiers in the palace arranged by Cao Cao. They are called to protect Liu Xie, but in fact they completely control him within the scope of the palace. At the same time, all the maids and eunuchs in the palace are Cao Cao's people.
Dong Cheng suddenly attacked, and the guards were completely unprepared.
After killing dozens of guards at the palace gate, Dong Cheng led his army into the palace quickly, surrounded and killed the intercepted soldiers. At this moment, Dong Cheng's heart was beating rapidly, and he felt that he could hear The sound of your own heartbeat.
The whole palace resounded with shouts of killing and fighting.
Liu Xie was extremely nervous. Dong Cheng's success was related to his future, the future of the Han Dynasty, and whether the Han Dynasty's four hundred years of national destiny could be continued.
Hearing the sound of fighting outside, Liu Xie became nervous and panicked.
When the tragic screams and the harsh sounds of clashing soldiers rang in his ears, he clearly anticipated the serious consequences of this failure; but the country of his ancestors could not be ruined in his hands, so he mustered up the courage to stand up and suppressed his fear. Maintaining a trace of imperial power, he straightened his dragon crown and robe, and walked steadily outside.
Snapped!
As soon as they reached the door, the palace door burst open.
Dong Cheng came in with a knife covered in blood. When he saw Liu Xie, Dong Cheng was so excited that he burst into tears. He cried bitterly and knelt down in front of Liu Xie: "Your Majesty! I have fulfilled my mission and eliminated the thieves in the palace. Your Majesty, please go to court immediately and announce your decree to remove Cao Cao from his position as Prime Minister."
Liu Xie took a deep breath.
Taking advantage of Cao Cao's absence, he finally saw the hope of restoring the Han Dynasty. He stabilized his pride that was so excited that it almost burst out of his chest, and maintained his dignity and said: "I ordered the Bell and Drum Division to beat the drums, and all the officials will enter the palace immediately. I want to go to the palace." Chao, personally govern the world!"
Dong Cheng was frightened by Liu Xie's majesty and empathized with him and growled excitedly:
"My lord! I obey the order!"
After retreating, Dong Cheng immediately went to the Bell and Drum Division. On such an important and sacred day, he wanted to personally play the drum and gather all the officials.
Just when Dong Cheng entered the palace, Xia Houchun led his troops into the city very promptly. He first seized the city defense, and then led his army into the palace.
