Xiapi is now the seat of Xuzhou.
Liu Bei became the herdsman of Xuzhou and made Xiapi his base camp because Xiapi was a strategic location.
Since ancient times, water transportation has always been the first choice for transportation of grain and grass during wars. Because water transport can save time, manpower, material resources, etc. to the greatest extent, and the loss is minimal.
Xiapi is the key to water transportation.
From Xiapi, you can go south to the Huai River along the Sishui River in the territory, and then go south to the Yangtze River along the Zhongdu River, and you can go directly to Yangzhou. If you go north from Xiapi, you can go north to Pengcheng in Pengcheng State along Surabaya, and then take Xiaopei to Yanzhou.
For this reason, Liu Bei defected to Tao Qian and was directly arranged by Tao Qian to serve as the security commander in Xiaopei, guarding the west gate of Xuzhou for Tao Qian to prevent Cao Cao from invading.
After Tao Qian's death, Liu Bei became the herdsman of Xuzhou. After establishing himself in Xiapi, the garrison of Xiaopei was relaxed.
Liu Bei's thoughts were all on Lu Xuan.
Liu Bei took the main force to resist Lu Xuan's army and arranged for Zhang Fei to guard Xiapi. At the same time, Cao Bao, the leader of the Danyang soldiers, also guarded Xiapi.
Zhang Fei was not idle in Xiapi.
He has been trying to find a way to completely control Xiapi.
Although Zhang Fei has an impatient and reckless temperament and is addicted to alcohol, Zhang Fei does not understand everything. He has followed Liu Bei all over the country for many years and has rich experience. He also knows that he must have the final say in the three-acre area of Xiapi to ensure the safety of Xiapi and the stability of his eldest brother on the front line.
Therefore, Zhang Fei had the intention of dealing with Cao Bao.
As long as he captures Cao Bao and destroys or controls Cao Bao's Danyang soldiers, he will have the final say in Xiapi.
Zhang Fei deliberately provoked Cao Bao and kept irritating Cao Bao. Especially today, Zhang Fei invited Cao Bao, Xu Dan and other generals of the Danyang Army, as well as officials from Xuzhou, to discuss matters at the Prefecture Mufu.
After the matter was discussed, Zhang Fei held a banquet and drank. Zhang Fei drinks like a cow. He can't get drunk even after a thousand cups of ordinary drinks. Zhang Fei is not afraid of drinking and is fond of drinking. Cao Bao is different and his drinking capacity is not particularly good.
However, Zhang Fei kept toasting.
In the end, Cao Bao couldn't drink anymore, so Zhang Fei forced Cao Bao to drink. Cao Bao didn't want to, so Zhang Fei beat him up before letting Cao Bao go back.
Cao Bao returned to his house and sat in his study, feeling anxious and uneasy.
Zhang Fei's attitude was determined to deal with him. Unless he surrenders his military power and completely surrenders to Zhang Fei, he will have a chance of survival. But Cao Bao was unwilling. Once he bowed his head and gave in, his life or death would depend on Zhang Fei's thoughts.
Cao Bao thought about it and couldn't help but sigh. He had no way out.
No one even defected.
Cao Cao in Yanzhou has no time to take care of himself because of Chen Gong and Zhang Miao's rebellion. It is impossible for Cao Bao to defect to Yanzhou. Liu Bei seemed benevolent and even made him the Prime Minister of Xiapi State. However, Zhang Fei was eyeing him and looked like he wanted to kill him.
"How about defecting to Lu Xuan?"
Cao Bao had such thoughts.
But after his thoughts came up, he shook his head again. Lu Xuan and Liu Bei were still at a stalemate, and even if he wanted to contact them, he couldn't.
"It's difficult!"
Cao Bao sighed in his heart.
He rubbed his rough face and considered how to arrange an escape route. If that didn't work, he would have no choice but to strike first and lead his men to attack Zhang Fei directly. Anyway, Zhang Fei only had a thousand troops, and he had more than 3,000 men.
He still has a chance.
"Boom! Boom!"
A knock on the door suddenly sounded from outside the study. The housekeeper walked to Cao Bao's side and bowed: "Master, a man named Kuai Liang came outside. He said he came from the south and had important matters to discuss with the master."
After hearing this, Cao Bao's eyes lit up, his heart suddenly became excited, and he ordered: "Please come quickly."
The butler turned to inform.
Cao Bao's eyes were shining and he was very happy in his heart. Kuai Liang came from the south, so he must have come from Yangzhou. If there is a big matter to discuss, it can be further inferred that it must be Lu Xuan's person.
In Cao Bao's heart, there was less worry and more expectation.
After a short time, Kuai Liang entered the study. He looked calm and calm, cupped his hands and said, "I, Kuai Liang, have met Cao Xiangguo."
Cao Bao is the Prime Minister of Xiapi State. This Prime Minister of Xiapi is actually equivalent to the governor, but his name is different.
Cao Bao waved his hand and said, "Mr. Kuai, please sit down."
Kuai Liang sat down directly, without going around in circles, and said straight to the point: "Cao Xiangguo has half of his body buried in the ground and is in a life-and-death crisis. Does Cao Xiangguo know about this?"
It had been a day and a half since he arrived in Xiapi. The reason for the delay was partly to learn about Cao Bao's news, and partly to wait for the opportunity. After Kuai Liang thoroughly understood Cao Bao's situation and learned that Zhang Fei had humiliated Cao Bao, he knew that the opportunity had come.
Therefore, Kuai Liang came to visit Cao’s house.
Cao Bao knew that he was in danger. He did not criticize Kuai Liang's words and asked, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Kuai."
Kuai Liang said directly: "Liu Bei left Cao Xiangguo to guard Xiapi, but he also left Zhang Fei. First, Liu Bei didn't trust you, so Zhang Fei was there to restrain you. Second, Liu Bei wanted to deal with you even more, and wanted to swallow you up completely. Your step, that’s why Zhang Fei keeps provoking you.”
"Next step, Zhang Fei may announce to the outside world that Cao Xiangguo is dissatisfied and has complaints privately, and then directly lead people to kill you. Or, after Zhang Fei angers you, he will wait for you to take the initiative to attack, and he will directly take down you."
"This is Zhang Fei's conspiracy."
"This is also the situation of Cao Xiangguo."
Kuai Liang smiled slightly and said, "I think with Cao Xiangguo's intelligence, he also understands his situation."
Cao Bao sighed: "Mr. Kuai's analysis is indeed accurate. Is there any way you can help me?"
"There is a way."
Kuai Liang did not beat around the bush.
If Cao Bao had not faced difficulties, Kuai Liang's words would have been different, more tactful and more secretive. Now that Cao Bao is in crisis, all he needs to do is win over him directly.
Kuai Liang said directly: "I am from Yangzhou. Under the orders of my lord Lu Xuan, I am here to rescue Cao Xiangguo. As long as you submit to my lord, all difficulties can be easily solved."
Cao Bao did not refuse and said: "I am willing to submit to Lu Shijun, but Zhang Fei has already wanted to kill me. Now that I submit, do I have to abandon everything in Xiapi and follow you south?"
"unnecessary."
Kuai Liang confidently said: "Although my lord is fighting Liu Bei in Xuyi County, it's okay. He has already arranged a strong force to lurk near Xiapi. As long as Cao Xiangguo opens the city gate and welcomes the army into the city, it will be easy to defeat Zhang Fei. In addition, Liu Bei is here Xuyi County in the south was defeated by the lord for a while, and now it has shrunk, and its defeat is already a matter of time."
Cao Bao stood up and expressed his stance: "Mr. Kuai, I am willing to cooperate. When will the city gate be opened?"
"Tonight."
Kuai Liang answered firmly.
He said solemnly: "Tonight you open the city gate and welcome my army into the city. In addition, if Cao Xiangguo has made great achievements, my lord will definitely receive a generous reward."
Cao Bao's eyes were bright and he said: "Please rest assured, Mr. Kuai, I will do my best next time. The time is set at the end of Xu Shi. At that time, I will be at the west gate and open the city gate to welcome the army into the city. Then, we will directly enter the North City and defeat Zhang Fei. Try to capture Zhang Fei."
Kuai Liang nodded and said approvingly: "According to Cao Xiangguo's arrangement, I will leave the city immediately to make contact without further delay."
Cao Bao personally saw Kuai Liang off before returning to the study and sitting down. At this moment, Cao Bao had no worries at all. Instead, he was in high spirits, with deep expectations in his eyes.
Zhang Fei humiliated him everywhere. This time, he wanted Zhang Fei to pay the price.
