Due to Zhang Xiu's constant tricks behind his back, Yecheng in Yuzhou was in danger, and the loss of Luoyang prevented Cao Cao's troops from concentrating on attacking Jin.
Such a great opportunity to destroy Jin was missed in vain. Cao Cao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot and wanted to strangle Zhang Xiu to relieve his hatred.
Guo Jia said: "Your Majesty, King Jing's purpose is very simple, that is, he does not want us to get the land of Hebei. Now Yuan Shao is at the end of his power. Careful work brings news that Yuan Shao is ready to return to Jizhou."
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes: "How dare he go back at such a time?"
Xun You shook his head: "No! The hidden guards came to report. Yuan Xi led 60,000 troops from Youzhou, Yuan Tan led 50,000 troops from Qingzhou, Gaogan led 50,000 troops from Bingzhou, and the four The soldiers of the state have gathered in Jizhou. When Yuan Shao returns this time, he will definitely reorganize his troops and come back to fight again."
"well!"
Upon hearing the news, Cao Cao said in a tone of envy and jealousy: "The fourth generation and the third prince of the Yuan family have disciples and former officials all over the world. The richness of the question is incomparable."
In the previous campaign, Yuan Shao gathered 300,000 troops and defeated Guandu. Now just a few months have passed, Yuan Shao has gathered another 160,000 troops, plus 80,000 troops on the north bank of Liyang. The Jin army had 240,000 soldiers and horses, and its military strength was restored.
As the leader of the party, Yuan Shao's prestige is immeasurable. Even if he raises his arms, many local nobles in Wei will respond.
But it's okay to gather all the power of the nobles who support Yuan Shao and catch them all in one fell swoop, so as not to have to pull them out one by one, but it's a bit difficult at the moment. King Jing in the west was watching with eager eyes. If it weren't for the fighting between Yizhou and Jingzhou, he would have sent troops long ago.
But the land of Luoyang was taken away by Zhang Xiu, and his love Yu Jin was killed. This made Cao Cao furious. Now he can only suppress the anger in his heart and wait until Yuan Shao is killed.
What Cao Cao didn't expect was that Zhang Xiu actually sent someone to find him.
Those who came were the important ministers of Jingguo, the first number one scholar in the imperial examination, the governor-general of Jing's cavalry and military advisor, Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Kongming who defeated Yuan Shao at Manhan Mountain.
Zhang Xiu sent such a heavyweight to meet Cao Cao, which must be a confidential matter. Even if Cao Cao hated Zhang Xiu at this moment, he would not dare to do anything to Zhuge Liang. After all, Jingguo, who was standing behind Zhuge Liang, was something Cao Cao could not do. Not palpitating.
Facing the arrival of Zhuge Liang, Cao Cao, Guo Jia, Xun You, Xu You and others discussed and speculated in detail, and the final result was that he came for the Jin Kingdom. Zhang Xiu also wanted to get a share of the pie in Hebei.
"Zhang Xiu is too greedy!"
After receiving this result, Cao Cao was so angry that he cursed. The battle has reached this point. You, the King of Jing, sent troops to assist Yuan Shao, but the plan failed and the Jin army was defeated and fled. Now that Yuan Shao is dying, you, Zhang Xiu, want to separate the Jin Kingdom from me? How can there be such a good thing in the world?
If Cao Cao was not angry, anyone would be angry if this happened to him.
However, to be angry, since Jingguo sent such a heavyweight, he had to treat him with courtesy. First, Guo Jia was ordered to go out ten miles to greet him, and then under Guo Jia's introduction, he entered Cao Cao's Chinese army tent to meet him.
In the tent, a sumptuous banquet has been prepared.
Cao Cao saw that Zhuge Liang was eight feet tall, had a majestic appearance, and spoke extraordinary words. He cherished him with a smile on his face: "I have heard for a long time that Kong Ming's talents are greater than those of Guan Zhong and Le Yi. I thought they were fallacious remarks, but I saw them today. Only then did I know that this statement was true. To be a small cavalry strategist in Jingguo would be too humiliating for Prince Jing. If he were here, he would at least be a minister."
Zhuge Liang said humbly: "Although Liang is slightly talented, among the many talented people in Jingguo, he is like a drop in the ocean and cannot be mentioned!"
Next to him, Xu You asked in a cold voice: "I heard that when King Jing robbed and killed Liu Bei at Jiuliguan, the valley talked about heroes and said, 'Today's heroes are only the envoys and Xiu'er.' But Liu Bei was beaten by my king. He scurried away like a mouse and fled to Jingzhou. In your opinion, can my king be a hero today?"
Xu You's question was tricky.
There is no doubt that Cao Cao is more capable than Liu Bei, but Zhang Xiu gave this to Liu Bei early. Zhuge Liang's reply can neither deny Cao Cao's heroic status nor deny what Zhang Xiu said.
Everyone turned their attention to Zhuge Liang, wanting to see how he would answer.
Cao Cao also became interested and looked at Zhuge Liang with his beard twisted.
Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, stared at Xu You and asked: "In the pre-Qin period, Qin had a fierce general named Bai Qi. He killed the enemy and made great contributions to Qin's land. Can he be called a hero?"
Xu You nodded: "You can be a hero!"
Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Back then, when my lord was in the valley, he called Liu Bei a hero because he had extraordinary bravery, great ambitions, and good strategies. Just as my lord expected, Liu Bei dominated Jingchu, and his troops and horses There are hundreds of thousands of people, including civil servants and powerful generals. Can't we call them heroes?"
"What about my king?" Xu You pressed forward step by step.
Zhuge Liang said unhurriedly: "Your Majesty is different from Liu Bei. Our lord has already commented that the King of Wei has the spirit of being arrogant, the ability to despise everything, and the strategy to pacify the world. The world is not only in awe of him, but also elusive." , Therefore, my lord not only admires King Wei, but also feels defensive."
"Hahaha!"
Zhuge Liang's words made Cao Cao very happy. As both powerful princes in today's world, Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu cherish heroes. How could they not be happy to receive such evaluation from their opponents?
"Kong Ming is really a cunning eloquent person! If you think about it carefully, Gu and Bo Yuan have not seen each other for four or five years since the cavalry attacked Yuan Shu together. Bo Yuan was so sharp back then, but now I don't know what happened." He shook his head. sigh.
Zhuge Liang said: "Recruit the Xiongnu from the north and conquer Sichuan and Shu from the south. We will be even more powerful!"
Cao Cao laughed: "So, Boyuan is so sharp that no one can match him today!"
Zhuge Liang: "The Jin Dynasty in the north has Bing and You cavalry, and the fourth and third princes of the Yuan family are powerful. I heard that the king of Wei burned Wuchao and defeated the Jin camp. However, there was a danger of food and grass and instability in all directions. In a short period of time, , it may be difficult to defeat Yuan Jin, if given time, Yuan Jin recuperates and his energy recovers, it may be difficult to win again."
This was said euphemistically and straightforwardly.
The final sentence is 'the danger of instability in all directions. '
The cause of the instability was naturally brought about by Zhang Xiu, who was telling Cao Cao that if you don't join forces with me to divide the Jin Kingdom equally, then I will join forces with Yuan Shao and divide your Wei Kingdom.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and stared at Zhuge Liang for a long time, "Then according to Mr. Kong Ming's wishes, how about being alone?"
Zhuge Liang: "Join forces to defeat Yuan Jin in the north, capture Wu Chu in the south, and divide the world equally!"
"hiss!"
Liang was Cao Cao, and he took a breath when he heard Zhuge Liang's words. He thought he was just planning a Jin country, but he didn't expect that he was here to divide the world.
But Zhuge Liang's words are not groundless.
Today, as long as Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu join forces, no one can really be their opponent.
