Three Kingdoms: From Yinlin to Great Wei Xiongzhu

Chapter 119 Let Xuzhou hide murderous intentions, Cao Cao thought about thousands of miles and asked for advice

Cao Jun postponed the siege...the camp was set up, and the entire city of Xiapi was besieged.

The situation here became more and more tense.

Back in the stronghold, Cao Cao dismounted from his horse with a serious expression on his face, while Cao Ren quickly caught up with him, but his heart was full of curiosity. "Brother, why didn't you give the order to take advantage of the situation and attack the city? Didn't we come here just to take Xuzhou in one go?"

Hearing this... Cao Cao paused, and his shoes rubbed against the stone steps for a moment, eliminating the mud on the soles of the shoes. He looked at his feet and said with emotion. "I found out that father and son Tao Qian and Tao Shang are also very good at hiding. They are more powerful than I imagined!"

Speaking of this, Cao Cao continued while taking off his cloak and armor. "I just took a closer look. Although white flags are planted all over Xiapicheng Pass, the city tower is eerily quiet. Every soldier is waiting in full battle, with fierce eyes... As expected, there is a strong bow hidden under each white flag. crossbow…"

"Look at the pottery merchant who appears to be groveling and goes out of the city to beg for surrender. In fact, he pretends to be obscure and hides his murderous intentions. If I just took a step forward, I'm afraid I will die under the arrows!"

ah... ah...

Cao Ren was startled, is it so dangerous?

"Brother, since the Tao family father and son are like this, they should order to attack the city!"

"It can't be attacked..." Cao Cao waved his hand and continued to walk towards the big tent. "Don't look at Tao Qian's serious illness, Xiapi City is fully prepared to defend the city, and most of the defenders in Xiapi City are Tao Qian's most trusted Danyang soldiers. For his favor, the residents of the city will live and die with him!"

"Xiapi City is tall and the moat is wide. The situation here is far more complicated than that of Pengcheng, and it is not so easy to attack."

Cao Cao sighed again...

Hearing this, Cao Ren shook his head. "Brother, what you said is wrong. No matter how stubborn Tao Qian is, there are only [-] defenders, and we have [-] elite armor. How can we not take him down? Why give him another ten days to think about it!"

After saying that, Cao Cao paused, then turned around, "Zhicai, tell me? Why do I have to attack the city ten days later?"

This…

Xi Zhicai hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Even though Duke Ming led the army in successive battles, the siege equipment was damaged a lot. Looking at it today, Xiapi City is more than three feet taller than that of Peng City. It needs to be strong, we need to rush out a batch of new ladders and strengthen the rams, that is to say, the siege equipment will take ten days to arrive at least!"

Speaking of this, Xi Zhi paused for a moment, looked back at the fortified Xiapi City, and continued: "It's just that this Xiapi City is different from Pengcheng. It's a battle against Tao Qian and the family loyal to him. The so-called mourning soldiers We must win... This is a tough battle, it is not so important whether we encircle three and keep one, it is these siege equipment that can determine the outcome!"

Hahaha…

What Xi Zhicai said made Cao Cao laugh immediately, but after the laughter, he turned his head to Xun You again. "Gongda, what do you think?"

At this moment, Xun You was thinking, but when Cao Cao reminded him so abruptly, he immediately raised his eyes and simply expressed his thoughts. "Is Duke Ming really planning to capture Picheng in ten days?"

Hmm... Cao Cao was a little surprised when he blurted out, but... he still asked in a normal tone: "Does Gongda think I can't attack?"

"No..." Xun You waved his hand. "What I'm most worried about is that the lord has captured?"

Ah... ah... Cao Ren was taken aback...

Take it down?Isn't everyone happy?For a moment, he felt that he could not understand the words of these military divisions.
And Xun You's words continued, but...these words became serious. "Xiapi City is close to Yuan Shu's territory in Huainan. After taking Xuzhou, Duke Ming will definitely return to Yanzhou to deal with Lu Bu. At that time... Will Yuan Shu take advantage of the vacancy? Will Xuzhou, which he just planned, resist desperately? Xuzhou is Isn’t it going to start fighting again, and will the Great King’s Banner on the top of the city be replaced? These are all things that Duke Ming needs to consider!”

Huo...Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief, and looked into Xun You's eyes with a little approval.

After a while, Cao Cao opened his mouth and said: "Aspiring people have real strategies, and Gongda has real insights! Let's go... Let's discuss it in the account. After ten days, should we attack Picheng or not?"

True…

Even if Xiapi City had a desperate fight, even if Tao Qian and his son had made perfect preparations.

But as long as the siege equipment arrives, it is still easy for Cao Cao to capture Xiapi City, but... it is still the problem mentioned by the potter and Xun You. It is not wise to border Yuan Shu so early...

In today's world, although the speed of Cao Cao's rise is visible to the naked eye, in fact, the two strongest forces are still the Yuan brothers.

The so-called easy before the difficult, it is not wise to have a border with Yuan Shu so early, to rub against...or even fight in battle.

Besides, who is Yuan Shu?Cao Cao knows best... He doesn't even look down on his elder brother Yuan Shao, how can he think highly of Cao Cao, a queen of eunuch?Can Cao Cao be willing to sit firmly in Xuzhou?
This is no longer a risk, this is a great threat!

It seems that using Xiapi City as a buffer zone between Cao Cao and Yuan Shu's territory is the most correct choice.

But... besides Yuan Shu and Tao Qian, Cao Cao's concern is one other person...

It was because of this person that Cao Cao was unable to make a decision.

...

...

Xuzhou, Xiapi City.

Today, after hearing that Cao Jun did not attack the city immediately, Tao Qian's condition improved a bit...

After taking the medicine, he immediately asked his eldest son, the pottery merchant, to invite Liu Bei. He intentionally handed over the hot potato in Xiapi City to Liu Bei's hands.

While the potter sent someone to invite him, he ordered Cao Bao to spread swords and axes outside the house.

This Xuzhou, Tao Qian is willing to give up, but the pottery merchant is not willing to give up. In his opinion... Xiapi City will be fine in a short time!

And his opponent is not only Cao Cao, who is plotting against Xuzhou on the surface. Tao Shang faintly feels that Liu Bei's motives are even more complicated. Recently, he has been very close to Mi Zhu and Sun Gan of the common people.

Today, I happened to test him through my father's mouth. If he dares to accept the Xuzhou seal, then...he will not be allowed to stay.

Not long...Liu Bei stepped forward, looking at Tao Qian who was leaning on the bed with a pale complexion, Liu Bei immediately bowed his hands. "Meet Tao Gong..."

"Xuande, I've already looked like this, so don't be too polite."

Tao Qian stretched out his hand to signal Liu Bei to sit down... "Today, there are no outsiders here. I have a few heartfelt words and want to have a good chat with Xuande Gong."

Um...is there no outsider?

Liu Bei looked around, indeed, only Tao Qian and his eldest son, Tao Shang, were in this house, but... what about outside the house?

Liu Bei's senses have always been precise. His ears are very big, and he can hear the sound of the wind tens of meters away. His senses are amazing, and he can feel the murderous aura everywhere...

How could Liu Bei have not noticed the knife and axeman lurking in the dark?
"Tao Gong, you have to take care of yourself..." Liu Bei bowed...

"Mr. Xuande, look at this world..." Tao Qian almost used all his strength to make a sound, which was already the limit of a seriously ill person, but even so, his voice was still not loud.

"But today, the world is broken, and Gangchang is collapsing. The one who can help the Han Dynasty must be a hero like Xuan Degong!"

"Tao Gong..." Liu Bei seemed to have anticipated what Tao Qian was going to say and what he was going to do next, and hurriedly stood up. "Master Tao, listen to Bei. Bei already knew that Tao Gongzu, the shepherd of Xuzhou, is the most benevolent and kind, and loves the people like a son. Liu Bei thought, if even a benevolent gentleman like Tao Gong can't survive, then... What hope does the big man have? When will the big man be revived?"

"Liu Bei has no merits and virtues, only loyalty and bravery. I help Tao Gong not only to save Xuzhou, but also to save the conscience of the world and the world! Tao Gong must not praise..."

In a word, Liu Bei bowed his hands again...

"Well said, well said..." Tao Qian seemed a little excited, and he hurriedly ordered: "Shanger, quickly fetch the seal..."

"Yes, father." The potter agreed, and quickly took out a black brocade box from the back hall. Liu Bei had seen this brocade box before, and it was filled with Xuzhou Mu's seal and ribbon.

Just as Liu Bei was about to speak, the pottery merchant had already handed the seal ribbon before his eyes, and Tao Qian's words came out one after another. "Mr. Xuande, right now, I entrust you with the seal and ribbon of Xuzhou Mu, and the 50 people in Xuzhou... Tomorrow I will go to the imperial court and declare that you are Xuzhou Mu!"

"No! Often not!" Liu Bei suddenly backed away... even pushed the brocade box away, even though... he yearned for it, but now, he couldn't... and he didn't dare!

"Liu Bei absolutely dare not!"

"Why don't you dare?" Tao Qian pointed out the window. "Even... Even a traitor like Cao Cao can sit in Yanzhou, and sit in Xuzhou, most of Xuzhou. As a descendant of the Han Dynasty, Xuande is a royal family. Why can't he rule Xuzhou? It is Xuzhou, but it is not enough now. The land of Pi and Guangling counties is gone! I hope Duke Xuande will not delay..."

"Yes...Mr. Xuande." The potter humbly held up the ribbon and handed it to Liu Bei again. "This Xuzhou Mu is none other than Duke Xuande!"

Liu Bei still postponed. "I...I'm not Cao Cao. I'm assisting Tao Gong to save Xuzhou, not to plot Xuzhou. Tao Gong...Tao Gongzi, please don't let me fall into a place of injustice?"

Well…

Hearing this, the potter's eyes rolled, and Xuzhou, which he got, was such a big temptation, wouldn't Liu Bei not want it?Could it be... Was it wrong to blame him before?
The pottery merchant was still thinking about it, but Tao Qian was earnest. "Xuande, just think about the people of Xuzhou and take on this important task?"

call…

Liu Bei shook his head. In fact, he wanted to get the seal too much in his heart, and he was too eager for the land of Xiapi and Guangling, but...now, he must restrain himself and restrain his desire.

"To Duke Tao..." Liu Bei cupped his hands again. "I, Liu Bei, have something to say today. Once Cao Cao retreats and Xiapi City is turned into safety, I will leave immediately and never stay!"

In a word... Liu Bei retreated slowly...

This retreat is a retreat of generosity and awe-inspiring righteousness.

Wait until Liu Bei goes away...

Tao Qian just opened his mouth to ask the potter. "Shanger, let me say that you blamed Xuande, right? He is different from Cao Cao. He is a benevolent gentleman and will not plot against our Xuzhou!"

"Alas..." Tao Qian let out a long sigh when he said this. "Cao's army will attack the city in ten days. You and Cao Bao's talents are not enough to defend the city. For the present plan, send more troops to Xuande. In the entire Xuzhou, he is the only one who can compete with Cao Cao! Cough cough cough…"

"Father, don't worry..." Tao Qian coughed again, and Tao Shang hurried to pat his father on the back. "My child, remember..."

Although, the suspicion of Liu Bei dissipated a little.

His father's Xuzhou didn't give up either, but that doesn't mean Liu Bei's loyalty...he needs to try again.

But the potter is still a little worried, worried that Liu Bei is pretending...

The potters gradually withdraw from the house...

Cao Bao has been waiting here for a long time. "Eldest son... why don't you 'throw the cup'?"

Phew... The potter exhaled lightly. "Liu Bei is benevolent, I can't bear Xuzhou, but...in order to be safe, I plan to try him again, this time you go..."

While talking, the potter handed Xuzhou Mu's seal ribbon to Cao Bao. "You just say that my father didn't think carefully during the day, and now it's dead of night. If Xuande agrees to accept this seal, you, Cao Bao, and all Xuzhou soldiers and Danyang soldiers will obey his orders! Just say it's my father's secret." Arranged..."

Speaking of this, the corner of the potter's mouth twitched. "I want to see if this Liu Bei is really benevolent or a hypocrite!"

Thinking of this, a gleam of light suddenly appeared in the corner of the potter's eyes.

At this moment, Liu Bei has already returned to the post, and Sun Qian has been waiting here for a long time...

"My lord, most of the soldiers in Xuzhou have successfully instigated rebellion, and now...they are all loyal to the lord." Sun Qian whispered.

Most of the soldiers in Xuzhou came from the lower classes, and had the closest relationship with the Shuren faction. With the help of Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, and Sun Qian, it was not difficult to win them over...and this was the first step for Liu Bei to seek Xiapi City.

As for the second step, it is to divide the Danyang faction and let Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun infiltrate the generals of the Danyang faction as generals...to establish prestige!
In addition, the celebrity faction in Xuzhou should also actively win over...

Hehe, from Liu Bei's point of view, Tao Qian told Xuzhou that he didn't dare to ask for it, and he didn't feel at ease if he asked for it.
"According to the plan, be careful, don't lose your voice!" Liu Bei's words were still as plain as ever, his cheeks were not half happy, and his eyes were always like lake water-clear, quiet, and calm.

...

...

Outside the city of Xiapi, there is a large tent in Cao Ying.

At this moment, Cao Cao raised his concerns positively and solemnly.

"Zhicai, Gongda, I've never worried about the potters. It's not impossible to leave Xiapi City and Guangling County as the buffer zone for Huainan...just..."

Cao Cao paused for a moment, and then he pronounced a name, a name that he valued a lot. "It's just... Liu Bei is in Xiapi City! This man has always had great ambitions. I guess he must have a plan to abandon Gongsun Zan and seek refuge with Tao Qian..."

"Although the Tao family father and son are not simple, they may not be Liu Bei's opponents. If Xiapi City belongs to Liu Bei, then..."

"The lord is worried that Liu Bei will become bigger?" Xun You asked...

"That's right, I met this man when I was discussing Dong. His chest is full of heroism, and I have never underestimated him...and he may be a more terrible problem than Yuan Shu!" Cao Cao said in his heart out…

This is why, even though the disadvantages of capturing Xiapi City outweigh the benefits, and even if it would border on Yuan Shu's base, Cao Cao still threatened to attack the city in ten days.

This…

Both Xi Zhicai and Xun You fell into contemplation. The so-called two benefits are the most important, and the two evils are the least important. The Tao family, Liu Bei, Yuan Shu... and even the seemingly bright situation in Xiapi City and Xuzhou are actually undercurrents turbulent…

Cao Cao and a group of advisers had to make a decision before making a move... But the complexity of the situation made them all weigh it!

"Ming Gong..." After thinking for a long time, Xun You, who was still puzzled, opened his mouth. "Ming Gong, why don't you send a fast horse to ask Xun Sima's opinion."

Speaking of this, Xun You continued: "The so-called authorities are obsessed with onlookers, and Xun Sima is in Juancheng, Yanzhou. I must analyze it from his perspective and come to a more correct decision... Besides, Juancheng is not far from Chenliu County. Minggong asked Xun Sima, he will definitely discuss with Lu Gongcao..."

"The decision they made after deliberation may be much wiser than the three of us sticking to our feet!"

Heh... what a great idea!

Cao Cao slapped his forehead, only thinking about whether to attack or not to attack Picheng, but he forgot that there are two "conspirator masters" in Yanzhou, Xun Yu and Lu Yu!And they are all better at formulating macro strategies!
"If it wasn't for Gongda's reminder, I would have almost missed a major event!"

Cao Cao praised it, and soon he was about to write a letter with his own hand, and Xun You hurriedly helped Cao Cao sharpen the ink.

Not long after, the letter was completed, and the bamboo slips were rolled up...

Cao Cao called out loudly, "Where is An Min?"

"The last general is here!" Cao Anmin had been guarding outside the big tent door, and when he heard his uncle summoning him, he hurried into it.

"Anmin, you have to work hard again. Send the bamboo slips back to Yanzhou in seven hundred miles and hand them over to Xun Sima. After reading it, he will naturally know what to do!"

"Here..." Hearing Cao Cao's serious tone, Cao Anmin didn't dare to hesitate, stepped back quickly, got on his horse...

"Da da da…"

Facing the snowflakes falling slightly in the late spring cold, Cao Anmin embarked on the journey back to Yanzhou again. Similar to the last time, he still carried the bamboo slips in his arms. The difference was that this time the bamboo slips became Written by Uncle Cao Cao himself...

It seems that even Cao Anmin's horses are well aware of the important relationship here, so they gallop like a whirlwind...

Arrive in two days!

At this time, Xun Yu welcomed a special guest in Juancheng. Strictly speaking, he was actually a dead man!
...

...

(End of this chapter)