The administrative seat of Yanzhou is Changyi.
This is where Cao Cao's base camp is located.
In the state pastoral office.
Cao Cao looked sad, his eyes fell on the counselor Xun Yu below, and sighed: "Wen Ruo, can we still get food together? We attacked Xuzhou this year and captured twelve cities. Because of the lack of military food, we cannot continue the attack. It’s a pity that we can only withdraw our troops.”
Xun Yu was thirty years old, with a white face and short beard, bright eyes, and elegant appearance, giving people the feeling of spring breeze.
Hearing Cao Cao's complaint, Xun Yu smiled softly and said: "My lord, we have controlled Yanzhou and a little of Yuzhou. Now we have captured part of Xuzhou. It is enough to digest this year."
"If the continuous expansion is too fast and touches Yuan Shao's nerves in the north, our relationship with Yuan Shao will not be so harmonious."
"At this stage, we must stabilize Yuan Shao and make Yuan Shao think that the lord is weak and willing to be the lord's backing."
"After this autumn harvest, we will have a large amount of food and grass. In the spring of next year, we can further send out troops to seize more Xuzhou areas. As long as the master's pace is steady, even if it is a little slower, it will not be a big problem."
Xun Yu's eyes were bright, and his eyes shone with the light of wisdom.
He saw the situation clearly.
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Of course I understand your analysis, but it's a bit regretful. Tao Qian is an old man and is about to die. This is an excellent time to attack Xuzhou."
Xun Yu said: "As long as we are united, we can attack Xuzhou at any time. If we are unable to fight externally at the moment, we will strengthen the governance of Yanzhou."
Cao Cao nodded, picked up the glass of wine in front of him, and said with a smile: "Wen Ruo, how about a glass of Feixian Wine?"
Xun Yu shook his head and said: "I still have government affairs to deal with, thank you so much, lord."
Cao Cao looked emotional and said: "The only solution to my worries is Feixian. This Feixian wine is indeed an unparalleled fine wine. I heard that Feixian wine was made by Lu Xuan, the son of Lu Kang, the prefect of Lujiang County."
"Feixian Liquor is strong enough and has a strong taste. The key is that the wine has a rich aroma that makes people unable to extricate themselves."
"But you have to drink in moderation."
"Don't be greedy for drinks, one glass is enough!"
Cao Cao took the wine bottle and took a sip, squinting his eyes and looking like he was enjoying it.
Xun Yu chuckled and said: "My lord, it's not that you don't want to be greedy, it's that you don't have the chance to be greedy."
Cao Cao's dark face suddenly burst into laughter, and he said loudly: "Wen Ruo knows me, but Lu Xuan, this kid, has a dark heart. Feixian wine is extremely expensive, and one glass of Feixian wine is enough for me to drink several jars of ordinary wine. Of course, you really can’t drink too much, or you’ll get into trouble if you drink too much.”
"Report!"
An attendant came in and reported: "Reporting to the Zhou Mu, Yang Hong, the chief historian of Yuan Shu, is requesting an audience."
Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and said: "Not long after we fought with Yuan Shu, we drove him to Jiujiang. Unexpectedly, he actually arranged for Chang Shi to come. This matter is like the sun rising in the west."
Xun Yu nodded and said: "Yuan Shu is arrogant, arrogant, domineering and extravagant. If he really arranges for someone to come, he must be asking for something. Otherwise, he will just like the last time, like a vicious dog, pounce directly on Yanzhou .”
Cao Cao looked approving and said, "I admire Wen Ruo's ability to judge people, and I agree with him."
"please!"
Cao Cao ordered.
The attendant went to inform, and after a while, Yang Hong entered the hall. He is in his thirties, has a tall body, a mustache, and three short strands of beard under his chin, giving him the impression of a dog-headed military advisor.
Yang Hong looked cautious, cupped his hands and said, "Yang Hong, pay homage to Ambassador Cao."
Shijun is a respectful title for the state pastor.
Yang Hong did not dare to put on airs in front of Cao Cao. He knew that Cao Cao was decisive in killing. When Cao Cao took office in Luoyang, he dealt with countless powerful people.
Cao Cao's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, his murderous intent revealed, and he said coldly: "Last time, Yuan Shu planned to seize Yanzhou, and I led the troops to defeat Yuan Shu. Now that Yuan Shu has arranged for you to come, is Yuan Shu going to declare war again?"
The cold voice made Yang Hong's heart tremble.
Yang Hong quickly explained: "Cao Shijun has misunderstood. My lord sent me here in the hope that we can turn our hostility into friendship and stop attacking each other. In addition, when Cao Shijun attacked Tao Qian, my lord was willing to send troops from Jiujiang to attack Xia Pihe." Guangling, on the one hand, seizes the south of Xuzhou, and on the other hand, it serves to contain Tao Qian's power for Cao Shijun."
Cao Cao was thoughtful and a little surprised.
He has known Yuan Shu since he was a child. He knows Yuan Shu's character, utilitarian and realistic, and is even more ruthless. It is impossible to give benefits to Cao Cao.
There must be a reason.
However, Yang Hong's words were also beneficial to Cao Cao. For now, his focus is still on Xuzhou. If we can capture the rich land of Xuzhou, it will greatly alleviate Cao Cao's economic difficulties.
This is the reason why Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou.
Cao Cao couldn't figure out Yuan Shu's intention and said ambiguously: "Go back and tell Yuan Shu that I agree. I hope he won't make any mistakes again."
Yang Hong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Please rest assured, Commander Cao, I will definitely convey your words."
"Farewell!"
Yang Hong was a little afraid of Cao Cao, so he bowed his hands and turned around and left in a hurry.
Cao Cao's thoughts changed and he ordered: "When someone comes, please inform Xi Zhicai to discuss the matter."
When the attendant went to inform, Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu and said, "Wen Ruo, something must have happened with Yuan Shu, otherwise, it would be impossible to take the initiative to seek peace. Zhicai has the information, and we will find out about it when he comes."
Xun Yu nodded and said: "My lord, what you said makes sense. I also believe that something must have happened to Yuan Shu."
It didn't take long before Xi Zhicai hurriedly entered, ready to salute.
Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Zhicai, stop saluting and sit down and talk. Just now Yuan Shu arranged for the chief minister Yang Hong to come, hoping to make a truce and peace with me. Moreover, when we attack Xuzhou, Yuan Shu will also send troops to attack Xiapi, Guangling and other places in Xuzhou. , to support us. Something is wrong with this matter, is there any news about Yuan Shu?"
After Xi Zhicai sat down, he smiled and said: "My lord, I am responsible for reporting Yuan Shu's matter. Something big has indeed happened in Yangzhou."
Cao Cao leaned forward, looking curious, and asked, "What happened?"
Xi Zhicai replied: "Yuan Shu arranged for Sun Jian's son Sun Ce to take 6,000 Sun Jian's old men to attack Lujiang County. In this battle, Sun Jian's old men Huang Gai, Cheng Pu and Han Dang were killed, and 6,000 men were killed. After all the losses, Sun Ce had only two or three hundred men left, and he fled back to Shouchun in embarrassment."
"really?"
Cao Cao was surprised.
A flash of light flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Lu Kang, the prefect of Lujiang, although famous, is also strong and loyal, and is a model scholar. However, Lu Kang is a scholar and is not good at fighting. Who planned this war for him? ?”
Xi Zhicai replied: "Lu Kang's son Lu Xuan presided over this battle. He integrated the forces of Lujiang, set up an ambush in Shu County, lured Sun Ce's army into the city, ambushed Sun Ce, and defeated Sun Ce."
Cao Cao looked even more thoughtful.
After a while, Cao Cao chuckled and said: "Lu Xuan is the man who brewed Feixian Wine, and this guy's poems are very good. He wrote a poem "Spring Look", with a line about feeling the flowers splashing with tears and hating the farewell birds. Shocking, amazing.”
"Especially at the end of the poem, the sentence "white head scratching" is shorter, and "the hairpin is full of lust" is even more exquisite."
"I have also read through "The Story of the Daguan Tower" written by him. It is open-minded and admirable. This boy is a rising star in the scholarly world. I also said before that there is a successor to the Lu family. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be Can we fight?"
Cao Cao said: "This Lu Xuan is not simple. Another character has appeared in Jiangdong."
Xi Zhicai continued: "My lord, I humbly investigated the news about Lu Xuan. In Lujiang County, he recruited refugees to form black armored soldiers, forming an elite force. Our Qingzhou soldiers were formed by refugees. This kid Lu Xuan is also Same."
Cao Cao even stroked his beard and laughed, nodded and said: "It seems that I am not alone. Lu Xuan understands me, this guy is good."
Xun Yu's eyes flashed with curiosity.
If it were just poetry, it wouldn't be surprising for him to be an ordinary literati. A man who can fight and write poetry, and he is also the son of Lu Kang. With the addition of this status, it is different.
Lu Xuan, it’s not simple!
Xi Zhicai continued: "There is something even more incredible. Yuan Shu arranged for Sun Ce to attack Lujiang County. After Sun Ce was defeated and retreated, Lu Xuan led his people to raid Hefei, an important town in the south of Jiujiang County, broke the county seat, opened warehouses and opened fire. Grain, distributed all the grain to the people, and took away all the money."
"The spies reported back that Lu Xuan had killed Ji Ling, the general who was guarding Hefei, and cut off his head and sent it to Yuan Shu, who was furious."
"There is no clear information about how Lu Xuan captured Hefei."
"However, it can be inferred."
"I think Lu Xuan was planning to break the city because Hefei is an important town and Ji Ling is guarding it. Lu Xuan cannot easily win with a strong attack. Lu Xuan's ability to capture Hefei highlights how difficult Lu Xuan is."
Xi Zhicai talked eloquently and said: "My lord is talking about Yuan Shu, why does he want to reconcile with my lord? In fact, it is to stabilize the lord first and prepare to attack Lu Xuan for revenge."
Cao Cao praised: "This kid Lu Xuan has a very good appetite for me. Zhicai and Wenruo, what do you think about me marrying my daughter to Lu Xuan?"
Xi Zhicai rolled his eyes and said, "My lord, I'm just talking about business in this humble position."
Cao Cao shook his sleeves and said with a smile: "What I mentioned is not business. At present, Yuan Shu is stronger, but Lu Xuan is not simple. He should be able to block Yuan Shu and win over Lu Xuan by marriage in advance, so that Lu Xuan is on my side, isn't it good? Whether we are friends or foes in the future, that is a matter of the future. "
Xun Yu smiled and said: "I think your lord's opinion is good."
Xi Zhicai shook his head and said: "My lord, Lu Xuan married the daughter of the Qiao family in Lujiang."
"Oh, what a pity!"
Cao Cao waved his hand and said seriously: "Let's get down to business, let's talk about it, how should we deal with Yuan Shu here?"
Xi Zhicai replied: "My humble suggestion is to wait and see what happens. The outcome between Yuan Shu and Lu Xuan should be Lu Xuan's in the end. However, Yuan Shu did not lose so quickly, so we first stabilize ourselves and capture Xuzhou as soon as possible. This is the most important."
Xun Yu nodded and said, "I agree too."
Cao Cao said: "Then it's settled. I look forward to meeting Lu Xuan. This boy is capable of both culture and martial arts, just like me."
When Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai heard this, they immediately laughed.
Cao Cao also laughed.
Laughter echoed in the hall.
