In Puyang City, there is the Prefecture Mufu.
This is Cao Cao's current residence.
Cao Cao gave Lu Bu's family members to Lu Xuan, but he was still a little reluctant to part with them. Diao Chan was really beautiful. However, Cao Cao could not fall out with Lu Xuan at the moment, so Cao Cao reluctantly gave up.
in the hall.
Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai and Xun You were discussing matters.
Cao Cao said: "The horses and prisoners were handed over to Lu Xuan, who is about to leave Yanzhou. We can only rely on ourselves to sweep Yanzhou next. What do you think should be done against Wu Zi, the prefect of Jiyin County, Zhang Miao, the prefect of Chenliu, and others? ?”
A cold light flashed across Xi Zhicai's eyes and he said: "My lord, we must be killed and cannot be surrendered."
Xun You echoed: "I second my humble position. Wu Zi, Zhang Miao and others betrayed me. If I don't kill them, no one will dare to rebel in the future. If such a serious crime is not dealt with, no one will take my lord seriously."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and said in approval: "It is feasible to kill Zhang Miao and Wu Zi. However, it will definitely lead to desperate resistance from various places and increase our internal friction. How should we solve this matter?"
Xi Zhicai had a wise look in his eyes and said with a smile: "Master, it's actually not difficult."
Cao Cao asked: "How to do it?"
Xi Zhicai said: "Only punish the chief culprits, and do not implicate the innocent. The lord arranged for people to spread the word to all parts of Yanzhou, and only punished the culprits Zhang Miao, Wu Zi and others. All the soldiers and officials will forget the blame, and naturally someone will take action on the lord's behalf."
Cao Cao's eyes lit up and he praised: "Zhicai's suggestion is feasible, so let's do it."
"Report"
A soldier entered and reported: "Zhou Mu, Lu Xuan arranged for someone to send Chen Gong here."
"Bring it in."
Cao Cao's face turned cold.
He treated Chen Gong well and entrusted him with important responsibilities. But Chen Gong's rebellion was like a knife thrust into Cao Cao's heart, making Cao Cao angry.
Xi Zhicai and Xun You also looked serious and did not speak.
Chen Gong's matter has a huge impact.
Not long after, Chen Gong was brought to the hall.
Cao Cao looked at the embarrassed Chen Gong and said in a deep voice: "Do you have anything to say?"
Chen Gong said decisively: "As a human minister, I betrayed you, which is disloyal; as a son, I insisted on betraying you and put my mother in danger, which is unfilial. For an unfaithful and unfilial person like me, it is best to die. I want nothing but a quick death."
Looking at Chen Gong's appearance, Cao Cao suddenly became angry and said loudly: "You are indeed unfaithful. I treat you well, why would you betray me? Look at your appearance now. If I had known about this, why bother in the beginning."
Chen Gong suddenly sneered.
Cao Cao asked: "Why are you laughing?"
Chen Gong replied: "What makes me laugh is that Meng De can accuse me so confidently. It's not your ability, it's your luck that met Lu Xuan."
Cao Cao flicked his sleeves and said forcefully: "I am lucky to have Lu Xuan's help. However, do you think Lu Xuan saved me because of friendship? Friendship is not so expensive."
"Lu Xuan was worried that I would lose, so he defected to Yuan Shao and led Yuan Shao into Yanzhou, so that he could face Yuan Shao directly."
"This is fundamental."
"Without my presence, Cao Cao, if Yuan Shao went south to capture Yanzhou, the world would be in Yuan Shao's hands."
"Lu Xuan did it for himself."
Cao Cao's eyes were determined and he said: "Gongtai, Lu Xuan did save me. I don't deny this. But without Lu Xuan, I, Cao Cao, am confident that I can completely wipe out Lu Bu and recapture Yanzhou. It just takes a long time."
Chen Gong laughed again.
Cao Cao said: "Why are you laughing again? Are you speechless?"
Chen Gong replied: "The reason why I laughed was because I laughed at Lu Xuan for being so stupid."
Cao Cao sneered twice and said: "Lu Xuan has never been stupid. His starting point is for profit. Moreover, Lu Xuan is very cunning. When it comes to interests, he will not give in at all."
Cao Cao thought of the previous bargaining situation with Lu Xuan, and continued: "Lu Xuan's loss in annihilating Lu Bu this time is not big. However, he took away 1,600 horses and 2,500 Lu Bu's elite troops."
"The main generals under Lu Bu, such as Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and others, who were good at cavalry, were all taken away by Lu Xuan."
"This time, Lu Xuan took advantage of so much in the short time he was in Yanzhou. It can be said that he made a lot of money. This time, he is the real winner, and neither Lu Bu nor I are the winners."
Cao Cao was quite angry.
Lu Xuan, who looks harmless to humans and animals, is actually a master who doesn't let go of eagles when he sees rabbits.
Chen Gong shook his head and said: "That's why I say Lu Xuan is stupid. He gave up even though he had a chance to seize Yanzhou. He kept nagging for petty profits. In the face of the entire Yanzhou, he handed it over to others. Such a person is really disappointing."
Cao Cao instinctively sensed that there was something wrong with Chen Gong's words and asked, "What do you mean?"
Xun You and Xi Zhicai also looked over.
Does Lu Xuan have a chance to seize Yanzhou?
What does it mean?
Chen Gong looked at Cao Cao's eager look and explained: "On the night when you and Lu Xuan joined forces to defeat Lu Bu for the first time, I personally went to Lu Xuan's camp to meet him and expressed my intention to surrender."
"At that time, I made a plan for Lu Xuan, and asked Lu Xuan to take advantage of the fight between you and Lu Bu to attack you and destroy you first. Then, I would lead the Yanzhou tribe to rebel against Lu Bu and unite with Lu Bu. Xuanpu kills Lu Bu."
"Since then, Yanzhou has been pacified."
"Lu Xuan is the Lord of Yanzhou."
Chen Gong said: "Meng De, you said Lu Xuan took my suggestion and counterattacked you, can you resist it?"
Cao Cao's expression suddenly changed.
He didn't expect that there was such a thing, and he never heard Lu Xuan talk about it.
Chen Gong's plan for Lu Xuan to seize Yanzhou was extremely feasible.
Cao Cao was unprepared for Lu Xuan, and it was impossible for Cao Cao to introduce Yuan Shao in his haste. With Chen Gong's influence, he is fully capable of helping Lu Xuan control Yanzhou.
This is no lie.
Chen Gong continued: "Mengde, do you still think that it is not luck that you can defeat Lu Bu? If Lu Xuanyin is more ruthless, he can capture Yanzhou. But this fool actually talks about his faith and wants to capture Yanzhou. The synagogue took it openly and then rejected me.”
"Lu Xuan, what a fool."
"I lost this time, but not to you, but to Lu Xuan. Without Lu Xuan, my plan this time will definitely succeed."
Chen Gong sighed dejectedly and said, "But it's meaningless to talk about this now."
Cao Cao fell silent after hearing this.
For the first time, he felt a different emotion towards Lu Xuan. It was no longer the previous appreciation and admiration, but admiration.
If it were him, what would he do?
Cao Cao suppressed his thoughts and asked, "Gongtai, are you willing to serve me again?"
Chen Gong said: "I have already said that as an unfaithful and unfilial person like me, I have no face to work for you anymore, and I have no face to live on and just want to die."
Cao Cao said: "If you die, who will take care of your mother at home, and who will take care of your wife and children?"
Chen Gong replied calmly: "Mengde is a wise master, how could he kill my family? Such an approach will definitely destroy your image of being eager for talents. I believe Mengde will take care of them."
"Because this is who you are."
"There are different interests between you and me."
"You can't give me what I ask for. Therefore, I only ask for death and nothing else."
He bowed and saluted.
Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Take him down and send him to the public platform for a grand burial!"
The soldiers retreated with Chen Gong.
Cao Cao sighed with emotion: "After killing Lu Bu, I captured Lu Bu's elite and horses. I hid them and tucked them away, hoping to give Lu Xuan less supplies. I didn't expect that he would be so benevolent and righteous."
Cao Cao experienced countless hardships and encountered unpredictable people's hearts.
This time Chen Gong set up a scheme to send Yanzhou away, but Lu Xuan gave up and insisted on helping him. Such an action shocked Cao Cao's heart.
He also admired it in his heart.
Cao Cao continued: "I, Cao Cao, am not inferior to others, how can I lose to Lu Xuan? This time, I judged a gentleman with a villain's heart. I didn't expect Lu Xuan to be so righteous. I'm going to apologize to Lu Xuan. , he wants war horses and Lu Bu’s prisoners, give them to him.”
Xi Zhicai frowned slightly and advised: "Master, it's actually not necessary. Anyway, we have reached an agreement with Lu Xuan."
Xun You said: "I second the proposal."
Cao Cao stood up and said: "Lu Xuan is right, if you want to fight, let's fight openly and openly. In the future, Lu Xuan and I will have a battle, that is a matter of the future. Now, Lu Xuan has been kind to me, Cao Cao, and I have to repay it. This matter, No need to discuss it further.”
Xi Zhicai and Xun You looked helpless and could only nod in agreement.
Cao Cao made arrangements, mobilized the remaining prisoners and horses, and took Dian Wei towards Lu Xuan's camp.
