Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3516: My Favorite Wife Pingping

Because Cao Cao was absent and Xun Yu claimed to be ill, the court naturally had a unified voice.

Liu Xie issued another decree, expressing his sympathy for the suffering of the people in the world due to the war, and ordered Cao Cao to return to his army and Fei Qian to withdraw his troops, otherwise the whole world would fight against him!

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the prelude to the storm has already begun!

The anti-Cao faction won an unprecedented victory!

The main premise of a trial in absentia is that the person being tried does not have much power to resist...

Otherwise, trial in absentia would be a joke.

The most crucial reason why they dared to try Cao Cao in absentia was that a large number of Shandong gentry believed that Cao Cao was definitely finished this time!

Cao Cao intended to trap the gilded sons of Shandong nobles in Heluo. So those who had not even had time to get gilded, sensing the danger coming, tried desperately to escape back to Shandong. However, they could not run away on their own, so they could only desperately send letters to Shandong for help.

Of course, in these letters, it is impossible to say that everything is extremely good, so it naturally gave the Shandong gentry an anchoring impression -

Classmate Lao Cao is finished!

Under the influence of public opinion, Lao Cao became a man with no soldiers and no generals, with only a stubborn mind left, and he wanted to drag them to death with him!

The more badly they were suppressed by Cao Cao before, the stronger their rebound will be now!

Although Ren Jun was the General of the Colonial Farms in the vicinity of Xu County, the soldiers under Ren Jun were all ordinary colonists, and the elite soldiers were taken away by Cao Cao. At the same time, Xun Yu had not appeared in Xu County since Cui Yan and Liu Xie made peace, and was also considered to be a member of the Yuzhou faction, and was disappointed with Cao Cao...

So, Cao Cao now seems to have been abandoned by both Jizhou and Yuzhou. So what kind of waves can he make?

Moreover, Liu Xie was also cautious. While he withheld Lu Su's memorial without making any comment, he once again issued an edict asking Fei Qian and Cao Cao to stop fighting. This way, he had more room for maneuver.

A step further, he could slap Cao Cao down from his high position with a slap and then step on him as a gift to Fei Qian. A step further, if Fei Qian did not know what was good for him, he could turn around and encourage Cao Cao to continue fighting and devote his life to the Han Dynasty.

So, the Shandong nobles shyly, evasively, and hesitantly extended an olive branch to Fei Qian...

Of course, it would be more appropriate to call it "jade and silk" in the Han Dynasty.

Stop fighting and make peace.

What a wonderful wish!

Unfortunately, the better the wish, the less likely it is to be realized.

For example, I hope I can be rich, make a fortune, win the lottery...

In Chenliu, Yanzhou, Cao Cao sat at the head of the big tent, looked around, and smiled, "They are just some clowns, why worry? ! Such short-sighted people disturb the country and corrupt the court. Normally, they have no time to distinguish between good and bad. This is a good opportunity to catch them all in one fell swoop! Save the foundation of the Han Dynasty from falling into such bad hands! This is a great joy! You should be happy!"

Cao Cao laughed.

But the other generals below could not laugh.

Cao Cao smiled, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to be rising.

Below Cao Cao, several Cao family generals including Cao Hong and Cao Zhang were kneeling, and their armor still seemed to smell of blood.

Cao Hong's wounds had not yet healed, but he still stood straight.

Cao Zhang also straightened his back, but there was a hint of worry on his face, and he did not smile with his father.

As for counselors like Liu Fu, they mostly knelt and sat in a proper manner, not even moving their eyes, and no one came up to ask a question...

After all, the changes in Xu County at this stage make them heartbroken.

It also makes them worried.

They were abandoned by the children of Shandong gentry!

How could they laugh like Cao Cao?

Currently, the only people who can know Cao Cao’s true strength are his important generals and advisers, who number no more than ten at present.

This is a good thing and also a bad thing.

Cao's army was originally complicated and bloated, but now it has become leaner because of the current situation. Of course, the most important thing is that Cao Cao is not as weak as the Shandong gentry thinks, or has no ability to resist.

At least here in Chenliu, the Cao army camp was still covered with soft and thick carpets, and there was still a silver charcoal brazier in the big tent. Even though the temperature in early spring was still not high, it was still warm inside the tent.

However, several generals and advisers under Cao Cao did not feel comfortable at all. They only heard Cao Cao's laughter while others were silent, worried, anxious, or frowning.

Cao Cao smiled for a moment, then looked around, raised his sleeves high and waved them, "Come on! If you have any worries, just speak up!"

"My lord," Liu Fu said, "this imperial edict is clearly intended to remove your military power... and I heard that many people in Jizhou are rebellious... I wonder if this is true or not? If Jizhou is really so mean, we should have some rules! But if we fight too much with Jizhou... this cavalry... my lord, the morale of the army is wavering, and there is a shortage of food and grass, this..."

Cao Cao laughed and said, "On the contrary! This is the time for our army to obtain food and grass! If you are so stupid and delay to act, our army will not be able to show its strength! If Xu County is not in chaos, how can we raise food and grass for soldiers? ! "

When Cao Cao said this, some people were suddenly enlightened, while others were surprised.

Liu Fu couldn't help but say: "My Lord! This is probably... something is wrong!"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, "What's wrong?"

Liu Fu hesitated for a moment, but after a moment, he bowed his head and said, "My Lord, if you really do this, although it can solve the problem temporarily, it will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs!"

Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling Liu Fu to stand up, "Yuan Ying, let me ask you something..."

"My lord, please speak." Liu Fu replied.

Cao Cao smiled, and there seemed to be a different expression hidden in his smile, "If we don't kill this chicken... Yuan Ying, would you be willing to lend me the eggs of this chicken?"

"This..." Liu Fu couldn't answer.

This question doesn't need an answer at all.

If we treat these people who are against Cao Cao well, will they change their minds under the inspiration of the Holy Light?

Cao's generals, Cao Hong and others nodded one after another.

Now that we've already fallen out, there's no need to show any mercy!

Just allow these guys to hinder Cao's army in the war, and don't allow Cao Cao to settle the score now?

What's more, it's spring now!

We were polite before because we could still get along, no matter if it was Sweetie, Little Baby, or Mrs. Niu, but now that we have fallen out, we have naturally become strangers!

If a man does not care for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth. What's more, Cao's army has such a large fortune that needs to be preserved?

Among all the people in the tent, only Liu Fu had an ugly expression.

Firstly, Liu Fu had many connections with the children of Shandong noble families, and secondly, he really didn't want to see Cao Cao raise his butcher knife and turn Jizhou into the second Xuzhou...

But in the current situation, if Liu Fu were asked to find a way to solve this mess, he really doesn't have any good ideas!

Liu Fu stopped talking, and the other generals of Cao's army would not object.

They have done this once before in Xuzhou, so why not do it again now?

In history, Cao Cao wielded his small kitchen knife more than once. The one in Xuzhou was just more brutal. Other things like "migration", "inland migration", or "dispatch" etc., all involved thousands or tens of thousands of lives!

Cao Cao saw that no one was saying anything, so he stood up and said, "Everyone! Within ten days, I want this Shandong area to be peaceful!"

"Once you take action, the thing you fear most is inconsistency!"

"Jingzhou is in trouble now, and Zixiao can't handle it alone. We must fight quickly and decisively before we can return to help!"

"If you don't make a decision when you should, you will suffer the consequences!"

"Pass on my military orders! Rise the army! Cross the river! Prepare military rations!"

Everyone responded in unison, and then the entire Cao army camp suddenly became active and the troops set out.

Liu Fu watched the Cao army soldiers acting according to the orders, and suddenly, an idea came to his mind.

If Cao Cao was wrong this time, would this bet cost him everything and he would never be able to recover?

…    …

"It's over! It's over!"

"Help! Someone help me!"

Panic shouts rang out all over Jizhou, north of the river.

Large numbers of Jizhou people, dressed in disarray, fled in all directions with their families.

The people of Jizhou originally thought they were safe and were preparing for spring farming. However, they did not expect the hope of spring but were met with death.

In the countryside of Jizhou, the servants and private soldiers of the powerful fortresses were lucky to have some swords, guns, bows and arrows. More than half of them did not have decent armor. After all, they usually faced civilians with wooden sticks and rakes, so some weapons were enough. But now when these servants and private soldiers faced the aggressive Cao army, it was obviously not enough.

Even though the gentry on the fortress shouted at the top of their lungs in an attempt to stabilize morale and maintain order, it was still of no use.

The defeated crowd surged and submerged one fort after another.

These forts in Jizhou had trenches, but they were not very wide or deep, and the walls of the forts were not very high. When they encountered rebellious people, they could only close their doors and refuse to let them in, shrinking their heads like turtles in an attempt to avoid danger and escape disaster.

But obviously, this is simply impossible.

Cao's army was busy cleaning up the forts one by one, and was not in a hurry to oppress and kill the fleeing people.

As long as these guys don't take the supplies away.

On the wall, the owner of a fortress had dishevelled hair and a dirty face. He was wearing ill-fitting armor. His legs were shaking. He could only stand by holding on to the wall. He looked up to the sky and shouted in despair: "Oh my God! Why is this happening? Why?! Why don't you give me a way to live?!"

The countryside on the outskirts of Jizhou was in chaos, and the news that Cao's army had begun to target Jizhou quickly spread to the surrounding areas.

No matter when, no matter ancient or modern, at home or abroad, once faced with chaos, the middle class is definitely the first to fall. After all, the common people have already reached the bottom, and they can't fall any further, but the middle class, who used to have a decent life, almost fell from the sky to the mud!

Those gentry in the fortresses on the edge of Jizhou are undoubtedly the middle class of Jizhou. They are not the top gentry, but they have some land, some money, and some people in the countryside. In daily life, they think that the sky is their sky and the land is their land. Under the small peasant economy system, their demand for the outside world is very low. Except for a very small number of children who can think about seeing the outside world, most of these gentry disciples are sons and daughters, and they sit in the well and watch the world from generation to generation.

Now, this well has been broken.

It turns out that war and death are so close!

On a small hill far away from the fort, a group of people were watching the chaos and death in the fort from afar.

Whether it was the generals or the soldiers, most of them had a cold look in their eyes.

Cao Hong was the chief and Cao Zhang was the deputy.

In troubled times, people are like grass. When the storm comes, no one can stay out of it.

If Cao's army wants to defeat the Hussars in the next stage, or to find a glimmer of hope in a desperate situation, it is impossible to use ordinary means!

Money, food, and people!

Which one, which point, can be obtained through ordinary, normal and harmonious channels at the moment?

No!

As long as Cao Cao sits down to talk, you will die!

Cao Cao hid because he didn't want to sit down and talk, and it was impossible for him to sit down and talk. If Cao Cao couldn't concentrate power, then what awaited the Cao family would be a thorough liquidation, the kind of genocide that would eradicate the roots of the family!

Just like what Sima did after he came to power in history.

Even if we want to talk, we should fight first!

Cao Hong brought Cao Zhang here so that Cao Zhang could see with his own eyes what the fate of the loser would be.

Cao Zhang was still young during the previous battle of Xuzhou, and even if he had watched it, he might not have understood the cruelty and death implications contained therein.

Now, from their position, they can have a panoramic view of the battlefield in the distant fortress.

Looking at those rioters who were not in a line, being dragged and driven, shouting and crying, rushing towards the small fort with despair and death, drowning all life under the yellow dust and destroying it in blood.

The screams before death could be faintly heard even from such a distance.

This voice made Cao Zhang feel uneasy.

Although such screams could also be heard on the battlefield, for some reason, Cao Zhang felt that the sound he was hearing was so uncomfortable that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.

"This is a world of cannibalism..." Cao Hong seemed to have noticed Cao Zhang's embarrassment, or maybe he didn't notice it at all. It was just Cao Hong muttering to himself, "To survive, do your best."

The fort in front of them, one side is trying to survive, the other side is also trying to preserve their own survival.

Cao Hong raised his head slightly, "Do you think we are wrong?"

Cao Zhang was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "We are not wrong. If we don't do this, we will be the ones to die!"

"That's it!" Cao Hong said in a deep voice, "These guys, when they were stealing our food and fodder, stealing and selling our weapons, and making excuses when doing things, why didn't they think about today!"

Cao Hong was obviously angry, and he almost shouted these words, as if he wanted to shout out all the depression and pain of the past few days!

Everyone has a stance. They speak based on where their butt is.

Of course, Cao Hong would not say how many innocent common people were implicated in their efforts to deal with the rural nobles who were causing trouble in Jizhou!

In this world, in the Han Dynasty, these ordinary people who have no say have always been sacrificed!

At least in Shandong, no one will listen, and no one will pay attention to the cries of these ordinary people!

Even using this wailing to achieve his own goals...

Cao Zhang couldn't help but close his eyes and sighed slightly, "We are all from Shandong... Why bother coming here?"

Cao Hong nodded, "That's right, why bother!"

Perhaps Cao Zhang and Cao Hong’s “Why bother?” did not mean the same thing, but now it all has lost its meaning.

These gentry in Jizhou sided with Yuan Shao when the Han Dynasty was still standing, and after Yuan Shao's death, they quickly fell at the feet of Cao Cao.

It can be said that these people spared no efforts to survive, but it can also be said that these people have no so-called "loyalty, filial piety" and "integrity and shame", at least not to the extent that they emphasize verbally!

Therefore, it can be predicted that once Fei Qian reaches the Central Plains, these guys will quickly join the ranks of the Hussars...

The prerequisite is that the cavalry must go along with them.

Just like all previous Shandong rulers, they must be "taken care of" and given "special" treatment.

These Shandong nobles and Confucian scholars were like the petty bourgeoisie and middle class people in later generations. They were both revolutionary and compromising. Their revolutionary nature was that they wanted to get rid of their big assets and replace them, not that they were really against the system of oppression and exploitation.

They have a certain ability to make progress and a certain amount of knowledge reserves. They have indeed made considerable contributions to the inheritance and promotion of Chinese civilization and culture. They have also made contributions to the dissemination and expansion of culture, the education and quality improvement of ordinary people, just like Confucius's teaching without distinction. However, in the process of spreading knowledge, they also set up thresholds and traps, and then tried to monopolize knowledge as their own authority. Therefore, these people are very disgusted with Zheng Xuan and very resistant to Qinglong Temple.

In the final analysis, these middle and low-level aristocratic children are the group of people who most hope for a peaceful world, because only under the premise of a peaceful world can these people live a stable life and enjoy the convenience under order!

And now, this order has been completely broken, and death and chaos have finally befallen these people.

Then, these people truly felt the pain...