Cao Cao was going to the southeast to conquer Sun Quan. The war would require a huge amount of supplies. Xun Yu, the chief logistics officer, was busy all day long.
While Xun Yu was busy, counselor Dong Zhao persuaded Cao Cao to restore the ancient five-nobility system and suggested that Cao Cao be granted the title of Duke of Wei.
At this time, as the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao enjoyed the treatment of "praising and worshiping without fame, entering the court without rushing, and going to the palace with swords and shoes". He was already in the highest position and could no longer enter.
Dong Zhao's suggestion opened a new door for Cao Cao. After the duke, there were princes and even emperors.
Who wouldn’t enjoy being admired by thousands of people when they have made outstanding achievements in their later years? Who doesn’t move in the face of rights? Who doesn’t want to leave a blessing for their children and grandchildren?
Cao Cao was pleased to hear this, but Xun Yu panicked.
Xun Yu supported Cao Cao from the beginning of his army. He and Cao Cao were both ministers of the Han Dynasty, but he was neither loyal to the court nor Cao Cao. He was more like Cao Cao's partner.
The Xun family of Yingchuan was the leader of the gentry in the world. As the spokesperson of his family, Xun Yu spent his whole life safeguarding the interests of the family.
These nobles who control the voice of governance only want to maintain the power structure dominated by the nobles. It does not matter who has the power, the emperor or the powerful ministers.
Now that Cao Cao is a highly respected official, a delicate balance has been formed between the Cao family, the Xun family and the Han Dynasty. Once Cao Cao becomes a Duke, this balance will be broken.
The Xun family did not want Cao Cao to upset the balance, so Xun Yu advised Cao Cao alone before he went on the expedition: "Cao Cao originally promoted righteous troops to help the Ning Kingdom. He upheld loyalty and sincerity and stood by the truth of concessions. A gentleman loves others with virtue, and it is not appropriate to do this..."
Cao Cao's face changed slightly, and he replied coldly: "This was Dong Gongren's suggestion, not Gu's original intention. Didn't Wen Ruo also call Cao Gong?"
Xun Yu thought that this was just an honorific. He braced himself and continued to advise: "This is a way to bring disaster. If the prime minister arrogantly restores the old system and enters the nobility, he will lose Liu Bei, Sun Quan and other rebels. Now the army is about to go to war." unfavorable..."
The more Cao Cao listened, the more harsh he became. Why are you going so far away?
Seeing that Cao Cao had a dark face and said nothing, Xun Yu planned to continue to dissuade him. At this time, Cao Cao gently waved his hand: "I have my own plans, please go down first..."
"Prime Minister..."
"Please come back, please."
Xun Yu wanted to persuade him again, but Xu Chu, the tiger guard, had already begun to drive people away. He knew Cao Cao's temper very well.
Xun Yu's words were like a thorn in Cao Cao's chest. This old friend of decades still didn't understand him, and Cao Cao began to hate him.
Cao Jun wanted to attack Sun Quan eastward, and there was a lot of mobilization of troops and horses from various places. The news soon spread to Jianye.
Sun Quan urgently summoned civil servants and generals to discuss countermeasures. He didn't understand why Cao Cao left the empty Jingzhou instead of attacking Jiangdong, which was well-equipped with troops and food.
The situation in Jiangdong at this time was very different from before the Chibi War.
After Zhou Yu's death, the military power was taken by Sun Quan. The capitulation faction headed by Zhang Zhao collectively chose to remain silent.
"I thought that Cao Cao was trapped in the Wei River, and we could take the opportunity to capture Huainan. Unexpectedly, the Kansai Allied Forces were ineffective. Ziming was in Jiaozhou..." Sun Quan sighed.
Lü Meng in the corner lowered his head and blushed in embarrassment. After returning from Jiaozhou, he was relieved of his military power and was left in Jianye to study military books all day. Sun Quan thought that Lü Meng had not read enough books, otherwise he would be so passive in Lingnan.
Veteran general Cheng Pujin said: "My lord, this time Cao Cao claims to have hundreds of thousands, but the entire Jiangdong has less than 100,000 capable soldiers. We need to ask for help from outside."
Sun Quan said disdainfully: "Chibi is said to have millions of people, but didn't they lose to us in the end? But reinforcements can still be found, and it's time for Liu Xuande to reciprocate..."
"I heard that Liu Xuande was not in Jingzhou, and Guan Yunchang was not easy to talk to." Cheng Pu was defending the city in Xinye. If it weren't for Guan Yu's cover, he would have died before Zhou Yu.
Cheng Pu knew Guan Yu very well. He was indeed brave and invincible in battle, but he was very difficult to speak.
Sun Quan looked at Lu Su and said, "The Governor is a neighbor of General Guan. Even if he is not easy to talk to, you have to invite me reinforcements."
Lu Su nodded, "I have an obligation. Cao Cao must leave Ruxukou when he goes south. My lord needs to send generals to set up defenses first."
"Then Mr. Lao Cheng will go first. If Cao Cao dares to come, I will come in person." Sun Quan suddenly felt heroic.
"Wei." Cheng Pu cupped his fists and accepted the order.
Lu Meng looked at Cheng Pu with a lot of emotion. If he could successfully win Jiaozhou, maybe Cheng Pu's mission today would be his.
"My lord... I have something to say at the end..." Lu Meng left the class to speak.
Han Dang, Chen Wu, He Qi and other generals all showed disdain. Zhang Zhao, Yu Fan and other civil servants whispered, and then harsh words came from the palace, such as: How dare a defeated general speak bravely? But Lu Meng selectively couldn't hear it.
Sun Quan said meaningfully: "Ziming has gained from reading recently?"
Lu Meng ignored the cold words beside him, stood up and admonished him: "The governor has concluded that Cao Cao must leave Ruxukou, why doesn't my lord set up a fort at Shuikou for defense?"
Han Dang said coldly and sarcastically: "Go ashore to attack the thieves, wash your feet and get into the ship, why use the dock? I wonder which military book you are reading?"
Chen Wu, He Qi and others laughed after hearing this, without considering Lu Meng's face at all.
Sun Quan looked solemn, thinking that Lu Meng was still embarrassed by his big job.
When Zhang Zhao saw this, he couldn't bear to say: "Ziming did not lose any troops in Jiaozhou. You, as fellow soldiers, made sarcastic remarks. This is really not what a gentleman would do. Why don't you let him finish his words?"
"I'd like to hear some advice." Han Dang clasped his fists and shook them.
Lu Meng calmly explained: "If you have blunt weapons, you will never be victorious. If there is an encounter and the enemy is on foot and cavalry, they will have no time to reach the water. How can they enter the ship?"
After months of stalemate with Lai Gong in Moon Bay, no one among the generals on the field had a better understanding than Lü Meng. A war fortress can really affect the situation of the battle.
Seeing that the generals were silent, Lu Meng continued: "Set a dock at the mouth of Ruxushui, supplemented by grain and grass from the east of the Yangtze River. It is equivalent to a dangerous pass on the water. If Cao Cao can really break through and enter the Yangtze River, how many troops from the north will be left?"
"General Lu is right, I will second my opinion." Pan Zhang clasped his fists and walked to Lu Meng's side. Because he was Sun Quan's confidant and was not the chief general when he was in Jiaozhou, he was not punished after returning to Jiangdong.
Another defeated general, Han Dang, although the generals did not speak, the atmosphere in the palace became cold again.
During the Battle of Moon Castle, Pan Zhang told Sun Quan the story in detail. After hearing Lu Meng's current description, wasn't that just a personal account?
Sun Quan saw that Lu Meng was unfazed by favors and humiliations, and he ignited hope in him again. He said in a deep voice: "According to Ziming's proposal, I will make you the deputy general of Cheng Gong and preside over the establishment of Ruxushuikou."
"Wei." Lu Meng was so excited that he almost burst into tears, thinking that my lord has not given up on me after all.
After Jianye formulated a strategy to defend against the enemy, Jiangdong ministers actively prepared for war. Lu Su braved the scorching sun and went to Jiangxia to ask for help.
At this time, Guan Yu only had more than 10,000 naval troops, and most of his warships were warships. He was not sure whether to send troops to help, so he sent Guan Ping to Jiangling and Quanling to ask Zhuge Liang and Lantian for advice.
The rice has been harvested in the first half of the year, and the new seedlings are only seven or eight inches tall, but frightening borers have appeared on the green seedlings.
In July of the 17th year of Jian'an, the insect plague finally appeared after the severe drought.
