Nanyang County, Duyang City.
Liu Ye did not publicize his whereabouts in a big way. Instead, he set out from Wancheng in secret, and three thousand Jingqian troops came to Duyang City quietly.
After Duyang City guard Ma Ming learned about it, he brought several personal guards to greet him at the door early.
Fazheng came with Liu Ye.
In order to ensure confidentiality, everyone did not stay long at the city entrance and hurriedly led everyone into Duyang City.
Arrive at the gate of the Yamen.
"General Ma!" Liu Ye got off the carriage and saw Ma Ming standing respectfully beside the carriage, with a gentle face, "In the Battle of Nanyang, you made great achievements. The king made you a general, but you didn't I gave you military power, don’t you feel resentful in your heart?”
Ma Ming said: "How dare the general to resent the king? But to be honest with the prime minister, I am really a little confused."
Liu Ye smiled heartily, "Duyang City is the gateway to Nanyang and has a heavy responsibility. Your Majesty, this is a test for you. In a few years, there will be a battle between Jing and Wei, and Duyang City is the key. If you usually Training your troops diligently, repairing the city, and resisting the invading Wei army will mean you have withstood the test. At that time, you will be able to take back all the glory that belongs to you."
After being prompted by Liu Ye, Ma Mingmao suddenly understood: "Thank you, Prime Minister, for your enlightenment. Your Majesty, please rest assured, Prime Minister. In the end, the general will fulfill his mission."
The Yamen servants had already held a banquet.
After everyone took their seats and toasted, Fazheng asked with a smile: "Mr. Liu, how are you doing, Your Majesty?"
Liu Ye knew that Fa Zheng wanted to ask about the sudden incident in Chang'an two days ago. Although they have been suppressed, senior officials like Fa Zheng still heard some disturbances.
He smiled and said, "You still don't understand the king's body. In terms of martial prowess, he can be compared to Lu Bu, and in terms of strategy, he can be compared to Zhang Liang!"
Everyone laughed in compliments.
Liu Ye asked: "General Ma, I'm here to block Yangcheng. Is there any movement in Yecheng?"
Ma Ming immediately said: "Yes, Yecheng mobilized men and horses last night, and this morning, there were a lot more soldiers and horse guards."
Liu Ye nodded.
Fazheng asked: "Prime Minister Liu, are you going south this time to attack Cao Wei? Now that Cao Cao's army is heading north to Youzhou, Xu's capital will be empty. If we take the opportunity to attack, we have a good chance of winning."
Liu Ye shook his head: "The army has been fighting hard for a year and is already tired of fighting. It is not suitable to mobilize troops. After the Battle of Guandu, no troops were sent to take Bingzhou by force. This is why. I came to Nanyang this time and only brought 3,000 Jingqian troops. How could I defeat them? Does Cao Wei pose a threat?"
Ma Ming asked: "Then why did Prime Minister Liu come?"
Liu Ye's face turned cold and he said in a cold voice: "Of course I am here for Cao Ang, the general of Yecheng and the eldest son of Cao Cao."
Cao Cao personally led an army to conquer Youzhou, so naturally he did not dare to relax his defense against Zhang Jing. The loss of Luoyang and other places and the killing of Yu Jin had already made Cao Cao heartbroken. Yecheng is very important to Cao Wei. If you are not careful, Xu Du may be threatened.
After repeated consideration, Cao Ang was asked to defend Yecheng, and Chen Qun was asked to assist in the defense.
Liu Ye specifically targeted Cao Ang.
Cao Ang is Cao Cao's eldest son. If he could kill Cao Ang, he would definitely make Cao Cao so angry that he would turn over and vomit blood. Liu Ye's idea is very simple, that is, blood debt must be paid with blood. Cao Cao's evil plan not only almost killed him, but also made his own king furious. Cao Ang's life should be used to repay this debt.
Fazheng and Ma Ming's eyes met.
I'm surprised how Liu Ye could hate Cao Angzhi so deeply?
But what Fazheng thought of was something deeper: Liu Ye's ability to bring three thousand Jingqian troops to Nanyang meant that he had Zhang Xiu's approval. Judging from the tone just now, Liu Ye seems to hate the Cao family very much, but how did Liu Ye's hatred make Zhang Xiu agree to him going south for revenge?
Think of the previous incident in Chang'an.
Fazheng expected that the changes in Chang'an must have a deep relationship with Liu Ye and Cao.
But this matter has been suppressed by Zhang Xiu, and no one dares to mention it again. Furthermore, Liu Ye is the only prime minister among southerners who has entered Shang Cheng Pavilion. Even if something goes wrong, they have to keep it.
This is also the reason why Fazheng followed Liu Ye to block Yangcheng.
If there is a sudden change, he can quickly mobilize his navy to come up quickly. After thinking for a while, Fazheng asked: "Prime Minister Liu, Cao Ang has been ordered by Cao Cao to stay in Yecheng. How can he be allowed to leave the city?"
Liu Ye smiled calmly, faced Fazheng and said, "Xiaozhi, as the right prime minister of Dajing Shangcheng Pavilion, I should have some weight with Cao Wei!"
Fazheng's face straightened: "Does Prime Minister Liu want to use his body to lure the enemy?"
"When Han Xin fought against Long Qie, he once said, 'I know what a victorious general is thinking in his heart.'" Liu Ye said with a smile on his face, "Cao Ang is far inferior to Long Qie, but he is very competitive and warlike. , but no less than Long Jie. As long as there is a slight benefit, he will definitely fall into the trap."
Fazheng said seriously: "Xiang Liu, you are the backbone of my Dajing. You hold a high position and have a relationship greater than heaven. How can you risk your life for a little Cao Ang? I will never agree!"
Ma Ming also said quickly: "The war is dangerous and dangerous. Please think twice, Prime Minister Liu."
Seeing their sincere attitude, Liu Ye said with a smile: "When did I say that I would risk my life? I came here quietly today, but the hidden guards will definitely know and let out some news, saying that I will Return to Huainan Chengde, rest for a day in Duyang City, and set off tomorrow. At that time, we will ambush the army at the foot of Dabie Mountain, and when Cao Ang comes, we will capture him alive."
Fazheng and Ma Ming also breathed a sigh of relief.
…
With the convenience of hidden guards, Cao Wei's careful work quickly spread the news to the ears of Yecheng guard Cao Ang. Cao Ang was young and energetic, and he had long been eager to try and establish meritorious deeds in front of his father.
Now the Prime Minister of Dajing, Liu Ye, is going back to his hometown secretly. This is a rare and good opportunity for him.
If he can successfully capture Liu Ye, it will be a great achievement. When the time comes, his father will definitely praise him and value him even more.
With this thought in his mind, Cao Ang suddenly became excited.
After Chen Qun learned about this, he expected that Cao Ang would be moved, so he came to persuade him: "Master, Liu Ye is a cunning old man. He has been very cautious in his actions. It is impossible for this big flaw to leak out. I think this must be Liu Ye's plan." City relations are of great importance, so don’t be careless!”
Cao Ang nodded: "Mr. Chen's words are reasonable, but there must be a gap in every hundred secrets. Li Ru is in charge of the Shadow Guard, not Liu Ye. He thinks that his whereabouts are secretive, how can he hide it from the Shadow Guard? Hum! This time, I will definitely do it. We must capture him alive."
Chen Qun still said: "Sir, the king's order is to stick to it and not to go out."
Cao Ang showed dissatisfaction: "The general is out, and the military orders are not accepted. How can we miss such a good opportunity? If I can ask my father for instructions, I will ask for instructions, but now we are thousands of miles away, how can I make it in time?"
Chen Qun said stubbornly: "Without the king's order, I beg you not to leave the city."
Cao Ang was annoyed: "What do you know, you sour scholar? You can only talk on paper. There is no need to say more about this matter. When I catch Liu Ye, I will share half of the credit with you."
Chen Qun: "I don't dare to ask for it. Yecheng has a lot to do with it. If the young master insists on leaving the city regardless of the king's order, I will have no choice but to remonstrate."
Cao Ang was furious: "I am remonstrating with you! Go and remonstrate with the king, I am not the king yet!" After drinking, he walked away angrily.
