Guanzhong, Luoyang.
Cao Cao had just returned to Luoyang not long ago. After all, Lu Xuan had gone to Yanzhou. There was no point in him personally taking charge of the military camp on Ziwu Road.
When Cao Cao returned to the palace, his main consideration was Xiliang.
In order to plot against Han Sui, Zhong Yao still sneaked into Xiliang himself and prepared to implement the beheading plan.
Zhong Yao has always been the person in charge of connecting with Xiliang, and has connections with many tribes and clans in Xiliang. Anyone else would definitely not be able to kill Han Sui. Zhong Yao would have a great chance of completing it.
In the palace, Cao Cao and Guo Jia were drinking.
The weather in late January in Luoyang is still cold, with light snow falling from time to time. Although there were people coming and going on the street, they were all wrapped up like rice dumplings. This was the most common weather in the north during the Little Ice Age.
During this period, the cold weather in the north intensified and the people suffered.
If the government is stable, everything will be fine. Once the government becomes corrupt, the people are in dire straits, and there are numerous thieves and bandits in the local area. In such a general environment, the roads will be frozen to death, and people will die everywhere.
Cao Cao took a sip of hot wine, looked at Guo Jia, and sighed: "Feng Xiao, since we signed the treaty with Lu Xuan, many merchants have gone to Wu to buy grain, and some grain has been shipped back. But I heard that the merchants When doing business in the state of Wu, you need to exchange money into exchange notes before you can buy food."
Guo Jia smiled and said: "That's okay. Anyway, I don't plan to come back with the money I brought. It was all exchanged for food."
After thinking about it, Cao Cao said: "Indeed, I guess that Lu Xuan wants to use this to instigate our merchants to rebel. Fortunately, people who go to Wu to do business have arranged for people to keep an eye on them to avoid trouble."
Guo Jia said: "Your Majesty, Shengming."
He took a sip of the wine, a look of intoxication appeared on his face, and said with emotion: "Your Majesty, Feixian Wine tastes really amazing. The longer it is stored in the cellar, the stronger the aroma becomes. Unfortunately, we don't have enough grain to make wine, so we can only make wine from Wu. The country buys it. The business of Lu Xuan Winemaking is really profitable."
Cao Cao sighed: "We have insufficient food, and there is nothing we can do about it. Under Wen Ruo's governance, we have exhausted all means to maintain the current consumption of the army. Now that we have lost most of Yanzhou, it is even more difficult."
Guo Jia said: "After this year is over, we can join forces with Yuan Shao next year to kill Lu Xuan by surprise, and the crisis will naturally be alleviated. In addition, if Lu Xuan goes to visit Zhou Yu, it will be even more different if he falls ill or dies in Yanzhou. We There is only one step away from victory, and that is Lu Xuan getting sick or dying."
Cao Cao also had a look of expectation in his eyes and said, "Fengxiao is right, we are only one step away now."
"Report!"
An attendant came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Xiahou Dun wants to see you."
Cao Cao raised his eyebrows.
Why did Xiahou Dun come back early?
Cao Cao suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart and ordered: "Bring the people in."
The attendant went to inform. Cao Cao and Guo Jia looked at each other. Neither of them spoke, with a touch of worry on their faces.
After a while, Xiahou Dun hurriedly entered, his strong body plopped down on the ground, and said loudly: "Xiahou Dun, the guilty general, pays homage to the king."
Cao Cao's heart sank.
The guilty general!
This has made everything clear.
Cao Cao became nervous and asked, "What happened in Dongjun?"
Xiahou Dun quickly said: "Report to your Majesty, General Mo and Yu Jin have joined together to guard Yan County in the East County. This is because I know that Lu Xuan went to Suanzao County to take care of Zhou Yu, and I am also waiting for the news of Lu Xuan's illness."
"However, Lu Xuan was not sick, but news came that Zhou Yu had died of illness."
"After Lu Xuan set up a mourning hall to commemorate Zhou Yu in Suanzao County, he personally supported the spirit and went south to return to Shu County. General Mo made a plan at that time to lead his men to kill Lu Xuan first, and then transfer his troops to return to Suanzao County to destroy Tai Shici."
"Unexpectedly, I fell into Lu Xuan's plan."
"At that time, Lu Xuan shouted that Zhou Yu was not dead, but was still alive. The armies of Tai Shici and Lu Xuan combined to defeat the general's army. Halfway through our retreat, thanks to Yu Jin's suggestion, he said that Zhou Yu must have gone to Yan County. We will withdraw from Dong County and enter Hanoi County."
"After we evacuated, we found that Zhou Yu quietly captured Yan County. Once we retreat into Yan County, everyone will be killed."
Xiahou Dun knocked his head on the ground and said: "The last general was incompetent and went into battle without authorization, leading to defeat. When he first received the news that Zhou Yu had died of illness, Yu Jin had questioned it, saying that maybe Zhou Yu had faked his death and that I was bent on going south to fight alone."
Cao Cao looked at Xiahou Dun kneeling on the ground and felt very irritated.
However, he also knew that he was in a different place and would most likely fall into a trap if he played the role of Xiahou Dun. On the one hand, there is no choice. On the other hand, few people who are infected with the disease can recover quickly,
This is unprecedented.
Lu Xuan actually cured Zhou Yu.
It's incredible.
Cao Cao didn't get angry and waved his hand: "Yuan Rang, it's great if you can come back. As long as we are alive, we still have a chance. I don't blame you for what happened this time. It's because God didn't help our Qin country. Even Zhang Zhongjing treated Zhou Yu's illness. No, but he survived."
Xiahou Dun stood up, his expression dejected.
Cao Cao continued: "Yuan Rang has been delayed for some time in Hanoi County. I wonder how Yuan Shao will respond when he gets our news? He was asked to sue Lu Xuan for peace before, but later he was asked to stabilize the situation. Yuan Shao can't come either."
"Report!"
Another attendant came in and reported: "Your Majesty, there is information from the Jin Kingdom sent back."
"Send it up quickly."
Cao Cao quickly ordered.
Xiahou Dun was delayed in Hanoi County, so that now, all the news from Jin was sent back.
Cao Cao took it and looked down at it.
When Cao Cao read the contents of the letter, he slapped the letter and the letter on the desk, gritted his teeth and said: "Yuan Shao is a waste, thanks to the fact that he was born in the Yuan family of the fourth generation and the third prince, and thanks to him having dominated the battlefield for more than ten years. This time , to actually do such a thing.”
Guo Jia asked curiously: "Your Majesty, did Yuan Shao send more women?"
"It's much more than that!"
Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said angrily: "Yuan Shao sent Guo Tu to see Lu Xuan and profess his tribunalship to Lu Xuan, and also sent four women. Lu Xuan refused directly. Lu Xuan's condition was that Yuan Shao would profess his vassalship and Jizhou should be handed over. , Yuan Shao agreed, and now he is leaving Jizhou for Bingzhou."
brush!
Guo Jia's complexion changed slightly.
Yuan Shao's withdrawal from Jizhou had a great impact on the situation in the world.
Guo Jia looked serious and said in a deep voice: "The inclusion of Jizhou into Lu Xuan's jurisdiction means that Youzhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou and Xuzhou are connected together, plus Yangzhou and Jingzhou in the south, Yuzhou in the center, and Yizhou in the west , Lu Xuan’s strength is unprecedentedly strong.”
"If Yuan Shao's Jizhou is here and our Dongjun is here, they can restrain Lu Xuan and prevent Lu Xuan from eagerly starting a war."
"Because the overall strength is insufficient."
"Now, Lu Xuan has captured Dongjun and Jizhou, especially the fall of Jizhou, which has connected all Lu Xuan's territories.
Guo Jia said loudly: "I judge that Lu Xuan will definitely start the unification battle this year."
He looked at Cao Cao and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, Xiliang's actions must urge Zhong Yao to come quickly. In addition, Yuan Shao retreats to Bingzhou, which still has the geographical advantage of Bingzhou. We must unite with Yuan Shao and twist all the forces into one rope."
Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "What do Fengxiao think we should do?"
Guo Jia said: "When necessary, the king will lead his army into Bingzhou to support Yuan Shao's battle. Only by integrating Yuan Shao's power can we compete with Lu Xuan. The storm is coming, so we must prepare quickly."
Cao Cao's eyes were solemn as never before.
He strongly agreed with Guo Jia's judgment that Lu Xuan was stronger this year than last year and had the foundation to sweep the world. If it were him, if he had the chance to dominate the world, he would definitely go all out.
Guo Jia thought for a while and said again: "I will go to Xiliang personally to assist Zhong Yao."
"Fengxiao, please be safe."
Cao Cao did not stop him because Xiliang was crucial.
Cao Cao looked at Xiahou Dun again and ordered: "Yuan Rang, you go back and have a good rest, and prepare to make meritorious deeds."
"Here!"
Xiahou Dun also left.
Cao Cao thought for a while, then left the palace and went to the palace. He wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with the emperor and further reach an agreement with the emperor.
He must have the emperor completely on his side.
Lu Xuan's offensive is coming. He must unite all forces and integrate all forces. Only then can he have a chance to survive Lu Xuan's next offensive and further counterattack Lu Xuan.
