I am not an ant thief in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 355, Guo Jia voted for Cao

Fortunately, Cao Cao is a resolute person. Although he was frightened by Lei Gong's strength just now, he recovered quickly!
He curiously asked: "Since Lei Gong is so powerful, and you know Lei Gong so well, why don't you stay by Lei Gong's side!"

Guo Jia smiled wryly and said: "First of all, my talents cannot be fully utilized by Mr. Lei. Mr. Lei really discriminates against those who come from aristocratic clans. Up to now, there is no high-level person from Mr. Lei's family. I really rely on Mr. Lei, even if Mr. Lei accepts it. , I’m afraid I’ll give you the position of a minor official! My Yangzhai Guo family is considered well-known in the big man, and it’s hard for me to get ahead in a big job with my background!”

Cao Cao nodded to him to express his understanding!
"Secondly, I don't want to see my family be destroyed by Lei Gong. Now the noble families in the three states of Hebei are either massacred by Lei Gong or fled to the Central Plains. It has been completely pulled out by Lei Gong, and now it has degenerated into merchants, because Lei Gong does not need them, influential families in the Han Dynasty! I don't want the Guo family to become merchants, and I have to find a way for my own family Deal with Lei Gong!"

Xun Yu smiled wryly and said: "The appearance of Lei Gong is really a catastrophe for our gentry!"

Guo Jiadao: "So when I returned to the Central Plains, I wanted to find someone who could deal with Lei Gong!"

At this time, Cao Cao was sitting in danger, and he thought he was also qualified to be Lei Gong's opponent.Guo Jia should have come to Qingzhou to take refuge in himself!

But Guo Jia said: "I went to Luoyang City first to see Yuan Shao, but I found that Yuan Shao was already full of powerful people. The army is preparing for war, but it cruelly oppresses the people. The local people suffer unspeakably. What Yuan Shao does is similar to that of the Jizhou clan. ! So I left Luoyang City!"

Seeing Cao Cao nodding, Guo Jia nodded, "Then came all the way to Qingzhou! Qingzhou is stable, and the people can be regarded as stable. Caozhou Mu's talents are much stronger than Yuan Shao's. It's a pity that Cao Zhoumu is too close to Lei Gong, but Lei Gong has hundreds of thousands of cavalry. When it roars down, it will be the time for Caozhou Mu to be defeated, I plan to visit Jingzhou in a while, judging from the current situation, the only one who has the ability to save the big man is this general!"

This time Cao Cao was not convinced and said: "Although Lei Gong is powerful, I, Cao Cao, are not easy to provoke. If Lei Gong really dares to come to Qingzhou, I, Cao Cao, will also smash Lei Gong's teeth!"

Guo Jia smiled lightly and said, "Caozhou Mu is so ambitious! It's just that Cao Zhoumu's troubles are coming, I'm afraid he won't have time to deal with Lei Gong!"

Cao Cao asked curiously, "What trouble do I have?"

Guo Jiadao: "When I passed by Yanzhou, I found that Yanzhou had already started to suffer from drought. When I came to Qingzhou, I also heard that the spring rain in Qingzhou this year is less than half of the previous year. I am afraid that there will be drought in Qingzhou!"

"Drought!" Cao Cao and Xun Yu were shocked!
Qingzhou was ravaged by the Yellow Turban Army for several years, and a large amount of land was barren. Cao Cao didn’t have much food in his hands. Most of his 10 troops were field soldiers, but if there was a drought, the food would be lost. If you don't live yourself, if you are afraid of rebellion, then Qingzhou will be really dangerous!

Guo Jia nodded and said: "According to my observation, this drought has affected a large area. I passed by Jizhou, Sili, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou all the way, and found that this spring came very late this year, and there was very little rain, and many small rivers were not full of water. , Although Cao Zhoumu has not received the news yet, the weather will be even drier in summer! Local officials will report it! If Cao Zhoumu doesn’t believe it, he can go to the wild to see it himself!”

Cao Cao immediately said, "How about we go together?"

Xun Yu and Guo Jia nodded together!
The three of them rode their horses and came to the outskirts soon. Sure enough, they saw that the fields here were very dry. The spring had not yet passed, but the farmers kept watering the land, but even though they worked so hard, the seedlings in the fields were growing not good!

Cao Cao came to a farmer and asked, "Why is the wheat in the field so poor?"

Seeing Cao Cao's brocade clothes, the peasants knew that he was a great man. He immediately saluted and said in distress: "This year, there will be less rain in spring, and the growth of wheat will be poor. I hope there will be rain in summer, so that the wheat production will not decrease too much!"

Cao Cao ran all the way for more than ten miles, and found that the farther the field was from the river, the worse the growth of the wheat was, and many places were almost like a failure!Now Cao Cao finally believed that Qingzhou was really going to be hit by a drought!
Cao Cao worried: "What should I do?"

There have been many natural and man-made disasters in the Han Dynasty these years. Every time there is a natural disaster, the Yellow Turban Army will definitely erupt. There has never been an exception. Although Cao Cao killed Yu Du, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army have been entrenched around Mount Tai. But none of them succeeded. If Qingzhou suffers from a drought, I am afraid that the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army will be revived!
Xun Yu immediately calmed down and said: "Now we have to find a way to hoard grain. Before the news spreads, we will buy grain from the wealthy and powerful families in Qingzhou. Tao Qian has a good relationship with us. We can also go to Xuzhou to buy grain. At the same time, from now on Start asking the local county magistrates to find ways to fight the drought and try to minimize losses!"

Finally, Xun Yu said firmly: "At the same time, Duke Ming led the army to Mount Tai to encircle and suppress the Yellow Turban Army. Even if they cannot be wiped out, the Yellow Turban Army must be seriously injured, and the Yellow Turban Army must not be allowed to disturb Qingzhou again!"

Cao Cao nodded when he heard Xun Yu's words, the task Xun Yu arranged very well!

But Guo Jia thought of the method of the Tengjia Army to deal with the drought. Dagan not only has a large number of waterwheels and canals to ensure the water source in the fields, but also manufactures a large number of fishing boats to catch sea fish from the sea to supplement the food shortage. This is the initiative. To deal with the drought, there is a way to reduce losses, but Xun Yu’s solution is to wait until the drought is over. Thinking of this, Guo Jia couldn’t help shaking his head, the gap is really too big!

Seeing Guo Jia shaking his head, Cao Cao asked, "Feng Xiao, do you have a good way to deal with this drought?"

Guo Jia said: "I didn't, but I saw how Lei Gong's subordinates dealt with the drought!"

Xun Yu also asked curiously: "If you don't tell me, I have forgotten. In the past few years, there have been many natural disasters in the Han Dynasty, and all states have been hit by disasters. Guanzhong has been hit by earthquakes one after another, but it seems that there has never been heard of any in Lei Gong's territory. What a disaster!"

Guo Jia said with a wry smile: "Didn't Lei Gong recruit millions of refugees a few years ago? In order to feed these refugees, he vigorously dug water canals, built water trucks, and elevated water canals in Bingzhou. I even saw water canals in the middle of the mountain. The whole Bingzhou conservatively estimates that there are thousands of miles of canal projects, which are longer than the Great Wall, and so many canals ensure that Bingzhou can survive the general drought!"

"After Lei Gong occupied Jizhou, the first thing he did was to build water canals. It has been several months now. Not to mention that the drought has not affected him, but the impact is definitely smaller than that of the Central Plains. That's why I said, Dahan and Lei Gong The reason why the gap is getting bigger and bigger!"

Cao Cao and the others were astounded. The thousands of miles of water canals are projects of several Zheng Guoqu canals. No wonder they haven’t heard of the drought in Bingzhou all these years!

Guo Jia continued: "And Lei Gong also has other ways to get food, cattle and sheep in the desert, fish schools in the sea, Lei Gong has thousands of fishing boats in his hands, and the sea fish he catches every year is several million stones. Tens of millions of grains! If you want to add more food, you can build more fishing boats and catch sea fish to supplement the food shortage!"

Cao Cao has been numb from shock, the gap is really too big

After thinking for a while, Guo Jia said: "I have another crooked trick. Cao Zhoumu seized the soldiers of the Yellow Turban Army and didn't kill them. Instead, he tried to contact Dagan and let them exchange food. Half of the senior leaders of Dagan were formerly Yellow Turban Commander Qu of the army, it is impossible for them to give up these soldiers, when Cao Zhoumu trades a soldier for 100 shi of grain, as long as Cao Zhoumu captures tens of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers, most of the drought problem can be solved!"

Xun Yu hesitated, "Is this possible?"

Cao Cao firmly said: "Of course it can be done. When Dong Zhuo was the governor of Taiyuan, he used refugees to trade food with Lei Gong. Dong Zhuo became the commander of the country and showed it to me. Since Lei Gong even wanted refugees, there is no reason not to want yellow scarves." Soldiers of the army!"

Cao Cao pondered: "In this way, we have to change our tactics against the Yellow Turban Army and try to capture them alive!"

Then Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia with an expression of appreciation. Xun Yu was already an incredible talent, but this time he was a little worse than Guo Jia. He was not willing to let such a great talent go like this!

So Cao Cao said: "I am willing to worship Feng Xiao as the master, and please stay and help me deal with Lei Gong!"

After hearing this, Guo Jia was a little hesitant. Cao Cao’s ability and prestige are all first-class among big men. There has not been a massacre of the city in this period of time. Now Cao Cao’s reputation in the world is very good, and he has seen his ability. It can be said that Cao Cao is a brilliant Lord, but the only thing wrong with him is that he is too close to Lei Gong.He worried that Cao Cao would be crushed by Lei Gong before he could develop in time. Relatively speaking, Liu Bei in Jingzhou was not only far away from the attack range of the Tengjia Army, but also located in the south. Lei Gong's most powerful cavalry regiment was abolished in the south, so Guo Jia I want to take refuge in Liu Bei!
At this time, Xun Yu also persuaded: "Fengxian, you also know that the rattan armor army is powerful. If Lei Gong can easily occupy the land of the Central Plains, even if Liu Bei is talented, it is impossible to resist Lei Gong's cavalry with only the barren Jingzhou. It can be said If we lose the Central Plains, even if the world’s elites and gentry join forces, they cannot be Lei Gong’s opponent. The Central Plains has become a turning point for us to fight against Lei Gong. If we lose the Central Plains, you will not be able to escape the fate of defeat if you go to Jingzhou, Feng Xiao! Feng Xiao, you Rather than relying on Liu Bei, it is better to take refuge in Duke Ming, find ways to strengthen the strength of Qingzhou, and prevent Lei Gong from occupying the Central Plains!"

Xun Yu now looks at Guo Jia with admiration. In the past, Guo Jia was far-sighted and good at planning, but he was short on government affairs. But now that he came back from Lei Gong's territory, he felt that he was not as good as Guo Jia!
Cao Cao also said: "Cao has always wanted to deal with Lei Gong, but he is not capable enough. I also ask Brother Feng Xiao to stay in Qingzhou, so that Cao Cao can ask for advice day and night!"

Cao Cao's attitude is so sincere, and what Xun Yu said is also reasonable. If you lose the Central Plains, most of the world will be in the hands of Lei Gong. Even if there are three southern states, it is just a lingering life for them. Sooner or later, they will be wiped out by Lei Gong. To deal with Lei Gong, we must find a way to keep the Central Plains intact!

Guo Jia thought for a while and said, "Greetings to Duke Ming!"

Cao Cao laughed excitedly and said, "I have to be filial, like a fish in water!"

Then Cao Cao summoned his civil and military generals to introduce them: "This is my newly recruited master Bo. His surname is Guo Mingjia, and his name is Fengxiao. From now on, you must treat Fengxiao as respectfully as you treat me. His orders are my orders." !"

"Meng De!" Xia Houdun and others looked at Cao Cao in surprise. Guo Jia is only twenty years old now, and he is no more than a humble scholar. Cao Cao actually gave him such great power. They all thought that Cao Cao was bewitched by Guo Jia!

Only the people of Yingchuan Academy knew about Guo Jia's talent, but they were also surprised that Cao Cao could treat him like this!
Guo Jia said with a smile: "Ming is openly joking, Jia is a scholar, how can he have the ability to order everyone!"

But many people are still dissatisfied with Guo Jia's ability to easily gain Cao Cao's trust!
Cao Cao continued: "Yuan Rang, Miao Cai, you two led 1 soldiers to attack the Yellow Turban Army in Taishan County. This time, try to survive this time. If you capture them, send them to Linyi County. These Yellow Turban Army will be of great use to me." !"

Although Xiahoudun and Xiahouyuan didn't know what Cao Cao's purpose was, they still said, "No!"

Cao Cao continued: "Zhongde, go to Donglai County and build a large shipyard. I want you to manufacture a large number of fishing boats. The more the better! Try to manufacture 1000 fishing boats this year. I will be of great use!"

Cheng Yu could only promise with a wry smile, but thousands of fishing boats are not so easy to manufacture!

At this time, Guo Jia said, "Duke Ming, is there any craftsman in Qingzhou who knows how to make cement?"

Cao Cao said: "There are a few cement kilns, which can be used to repair walls and build docks!"

Xu Wei popularized cement roads in a large amount, and at the same time used a large amount of cement to build water canals. There are hundreds of large and small cement kilns in the three prefectures of Hebei, so cement cannot be blocked at all. Now almost every county in Dahan has cement kilns. Dahan's cement kiln output is not as good as Dagan's, and the price is also more expensive than Dagan's!
Guo Jia said: "Lei Gong developed a technology to make fishing boats out of cement. Although such cement fishing boats are not durable and can't go too far, they are very convenient for fishing in the offshore. Under Lei Gong's rule, such cement fishing boats There are tens of thousands of them, and these fishing boats allow Lei Gong to get millions of shi of sea fish every year!"

At this time, Kong Rong snorted coldly: "It's ridiculous. The cement is as strong as a rock. There is no rock in this world that can float on the sea. Guo Jia, you are simply deceiving the world!"

Guo Jia looked at Kong Rong in surprise and said, "Qingzhou is next to Jizhou. Lei Gong has built tens of thousands of fishing boats like this, all over the coast of Jizhou. You still think that cement boats are absurd things, don't you?" Qingzhou’s news is so closed?”

Xun Yu said aloud at this time: "We have heard such rumors before, but we only think that Lei Gong is a way to confuse the people!"

All right!Xun Yu and the others also felt that it was against common sense that cement boats could float on the sea!Think it's a gossip!

Guo Jia shook his head helplessly and said, "Please ask Ming Gong to bring a basin of water!"

Cao Cao immediately asked his subordinates to bring a basin of water and put it on Guo Jia's desk!

Then Guo Jia picked up the porcelain cup on the table (this is Xu Wei who made the porcelain and tea available in advance) and said: "According to what you say, cement is the same as stone, because stone can't float on water, so cement can't float on water either! "

Kong Rong said proudly: "This is common sense in the world!"

Guo Jia laughed and said, "According to this, the porcelain cup in my hand should sink to the bottom of the water?"

Kong Rong said, "Of course!"

Guo Jia poured out the tea in the porcelain cup, then slowly put the tea cup into the water, and the porcelain cup immediately floated in the water basin!

This caused Xun Yu and the others to exclaim, how could the porcelain cup float, this is too unreasonable, their three views are shattered!

Guo Jia said with a smile: "Practice is the only criterion for testing truth!"

Kong Rong was speechless in shock, and Guo Jia made Xiahou Dun and the others value themselves by slapping Rong Rong in the face!

(End of this chapter)