Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 211 Ghosts offered advice, Cao Cao surrendered to Liu Xie

Even if he was reluctant in his heart, Cao Cao did not dare to make a fuss at this time and fight for a moment.

When Guan Yu went south to use troops, he only used tactics at the tactical level.

Whether it's the Tibetan soldiers in the East China Sea or the Tibetan soldiers in the southern city, what they want is to surprise and attack the unprepared.

Cao Cao was tired of dealing with these tactics alone.

Just as Guan Yu said, Zheng Ping did not really intervene in the battle between Henan and Xu, nor did he really take action against Cao Cao.

otherwise.

It's not just Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who appeared in Xuzhou.

Think about Yuan Shu.

In Fengqiu City, he was surrounded by Guan Yu, Zhang Miao, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei, and in Huainan, he was chased and intercepted by Tao Qian, Zhou Xin, Zhou Ang, Liu Yao, Yuan Yi, Liu Biao, and Lu Kang.

Yuan Shu's consecutive defeats were due to Zheng Ping secretly promoting the situation.

Cao Cao is very clear.

What Zheng Ping used to deal with Yuan Shu can also be used to deal with himself.

Liu Chong, King of Chen, Liu Biao of Jingzhou, Lu Kang of Lujiang, and Tao Qian of Xuzhou can all become Liu Bei's allies.

Following the example of the strategists of the Warring States period, uniting vertically and horizontally, and leveraging strength to fight, is Zheng Ping's most terrifying method.

Even Yuan Shu, who had a deadly feud with Liu Bei, may also send troops to Yuzhou to compete with Cao Cao again under the promotion of Zheng Ping.

The most frightening thing about the vertical and horizontal technique is that the more power the states and counties have, the stronger the effect of the technique will be!
Cao Hong said bitterly: "But leaving like this, I'm too unwilling!"

Xiahou Dun also clenched his fists: "Wouldn't Tao Qian be ridiculed by withdrawing troops back to Yuzhou? It's better for the last general to garrison Wuyuan, wait for Ming Gong to return to Xiaopei to beat Zhang Fei, and fight Tao Qian again!"

Cao Cao rejected the generals' invitation to fight, leaving only Xi Zhicai in the commander's tent.

Cao Cao's eyes were deep, and although he was unwilling, he had already hidden his eyes: "It is recorded in "Zuo Zhuan" that the Marquis of Jin restored the false way to Yu to attack Guo. The strange remonstrance of the palace said: Guo is the watch of Yu; You can’t start the Jin Dynasty, and you can’t play with the invaders. What’s the difference between one and the other? As the saying goes, “Auxiliary vehicles depend on each other, and the lips are dead and the teeth are cold.” It’s also called Yu and Guo.”

"Qingzhou is located in a remote place in the East China Sea, and it is not a place to start a business."

"However, Zheng Xianmou did the opposite. He took Yanzhou and Xuzhou as the models of Qingzhou, and any war would not affect Qingzhou itself."

"Today, there are military disasters in Youzhou, Bingzhou, Jizhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jingzhou. Only Qingzhou has almost no wars in its territory after the local Yellow Turbans were suppressed."

"The soldiers of Qingzhou can easily appear in Yanzhou, Xuzhou and even Yuzhou."

"The states are chaotic, but Qingzhou is stable. Scholars and people from all states have migrated to Qingzhou."

"In this way, Qingzhou is likely to reproduce the style of strengthening Qi in the past, and Liu Bei can follow the example of Duke Huan of Qi and shock the states."

"If we can't check and balance Qingzhou, we will all become Qingzhou's chess game."

"Now that I think about it, Liu Bei probably gave Liu Yu the Imperial Seal on purpose. The purpose was to facilitate today's situation where the two emperors are in the same sky, so that Dong Zhuo, the strongest soldier, and Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, will fight for the legitimacy of their respective emperors. .”

"The mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind, and Qingzhou is the biggest oriole!"

"If I had chosen Yanzhou instead of Yingchuan, could I join hands with Benchu ​​and pose a threat to Qingzhou?"

Cao Cao suddenly regretted it.

If he can be the governor of Yanzhou, can Qingzhou still be so calm?
Xi Zhicai also smiled wryly: "Wen Ruo and Xiaoxian's general plan is not wrong."

"Yingchuan geography, once there is a change in Chang'an, Ming Gong can be the first to welcome the emperor, and serve the emperor to order him not to be a minister."

"It's just that I didn't expect that the Chuanguo Yuxi would be sent to Liu Yu, and Yuan Gong and Gongsun Zan succeeded in supporting the new emperor."

The situation where the two emperors are in the same sky, neither Xun Yu, Mao Jie nor Xi Zhicai, was unexpected.

Who would have guessed that the Jade Seal of the Chuan Kingdom would be obtained by Yuan Shu instead of in Chang'an, let alone that Yuan Shu would be so careless to let Liu Bei snatch the Jade Seal of the Kingdom of Chuan.

And Liu Bei is even more treacherous!
When he was in Fengqiu City in the past, Liu Bei deliberately hid the jade seal of Chuanguo privately, pretending to be indifferent to Yanzhou affairs, and let Zhang Miao recommend Zang Hong.

If it is known that the Chuanguo Yuxi was obtained by Liu Bei, it is absolutely impossible for Liu Bei to take the Chuanguo Yuxi away from Fengqiu City!
Xi Zhicai thought for a long time, and said: "Ming Gong, there is a talented person in Yingchuan, who is also my friend. He can break the trend and understand people's hearts. If he can be invited to be an official, maybe he can control the strategy of Zheng Xianmou in Qingzhou."

"When Han Fu was in the past, Guo Tu once pointed out the shortcomings of Fengji's strategy, perfected it and dedicated it to Yuan Gong. This made Yuan Gong take advantage of the situation and seized Jizhou, making it difficult for Qingzhou to help Han Fu."

"Everyone knows that it was Guo Tu's scheme, but it is someone else who really pointed out the shortcomings of Fengji's scheme and perfected it!"

Cao Cao suddenly said in awe: "There is still this matter? Why have you never heard Zhicai mention it?"

Xi Zhicai shook his head and smiled wryly: "It's not that I concealed it intentionally, it's just that my friend has promised not to compete with Guo Tu. If this matter is publicized, it will not only make Guo Tu angry, but also damage the reputation of my friend."

Cao Cao's tone became a little more eager: "I don't know what to call this sage?"

Xi Zhicai said in a low voice: "This person is also from Yingchuan, his surname is Guo, his name is Jia, and his style name is Fengxiao. Although he comes from a poor family, he has outstanding talents, resourcefulness, and is especially good at predicting the enemy through insight into people's hearts."

"If Duke Ming can get the help of filial piety, he will be able to deal with Qingzhou's plot."

"It's just that being filial to a person is quite sloppy, and the requirements for Ming Lord are extremely high. If Ming Gong wants to be filial to be an official, it is not easy."

Cao Cao said joyfully: "Every great talent is a bit lonely and arrogant. If Cao sincerely invites you, why don't you worry about being a filial piety?"

"I would like to ask Zhicai to go to the meeting with Cao's letter. If you come here according to your filial piety, Cao will definitely welcome you from ten miles away!"

Xi Zhicai was also moved: "If Fengxiao knows the heart of the Duke, he will never refuse."

If not for the defeat in Xuzhou this time, Xi Zhicai would not have recommended Guo Jia.

It's not that Xi Zhicai is jealous of the virtuous and capable, but that Xi Zhicai also has arrogance.

It is not easy for poor scholars to study.

Once you have achieved something in your studies, you all hope to assist a bright master to make contributions and make his name known to the world.

The play will be good, and Guo Jia will be good at it.

Xi Zhi can't do it, and Guo Jia can too.

In this way, Xi Zhicai's position in Cao Ying will not be as it is now.

Xun Yu did not recommend Guo Jia. Apart from Guo Jia's reluctance to become an official for the time being, there were also reasons for his ambition.

After all, recommending a friend and offending another friend is contrary to Xun Yu's way of life.

But now, Xi Zhicai had no choice but to recommend Guo Jia to become an official.

Zheng Ping's plan has far exceeded what Xi Zhi can handle.

What's more, Zheng Ping didn't take it seriously when Qingzhou sent troops to rescue Tao Qian this time.

After hearing Guan Yu's contemptuous words from Cao Cao's mouth, Xi Zhicai felt waves of humiliation.

However, Xi Zhicai has no countermeasures yet.

a few days later.

Cao Cao withdrew his troops and returned to Xiaopei.

After Zhang Fei saw Cao Cao's flag, he deliberately left an empty camp outside the city to show that he had come.

This made Cao Cao angry and could only swallow it in his heart.

Cao Cao still ordered Yuan Yi to garrison Xiaopei, and then returned to Xu County first.

After Xun Yu learned that Cao Cao had failed in Xuzhou and intended to invite Guo Jia to serve as an official, he also said: "Feng Xiaotian is a genius, but he is a wild man. If he is not restrained, he may violate the law."

Cao Cao didn't take this seriously: "It's not a big mistake for a man of great talent to let himself go wild occasionally."

a few days later.

Xi Zhicai sent back the news that Guo Jia was coming to Xu County.

Cao Cao was overjoyed and led the Tiger Guards out of the city ten li to host a banquet just to welcome Guo Jia alone.

Guo Jia was surprised and moved by Cao Cao's courtesy.

Guo Jia did not bow to Cao Cao because of this, and immediately asked Cao Cao for drinks, and sat on the ground with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was not dissatisfied because of Guo Jia's unrestrained behavior, and only had a drink with Guo Jia.

Talking room.

Cao Cao also brought the topic to the general trend of the world and asked Guo Jia about the trend.

"Fang is in great chaos today, Cao can't bear the suffering of the emperor, and is determined to help the Han Dynasty, and be a minister who spits and feeds."

"However, there are turmoil in the secular world, and ambitious people abound. Cao wants to kill thieves, but he is repeatedly frustrated. I don't know if there is a good way to give filial piety?"

Since Guo Jia came to see Cao Cao, he was naturally prepared, and said without hesitation: "Now that the two emperors are in the same sky, it has become a situation where the kings of the late Qin Dynasty are fighting each other and Chu and Han are facing each other."

"Cao Gong wants to achieve great things, so he can no longer remain neutral."

"Whether it is to choose the emperor of Chang'an or the emperor of Zhuocheng, Mr. Cao has to make a decision as soon as possible."

Cao Cao was shocked when he heard the words: "The war in Hebei has not yet been decided. If Chang'an is chosen, Cao and Brother Benchu ​​will become enemies; if Zhuocheng is chosen, it will violate Cao's original intention of helping the Han family."

"Wen Ruo, Zhicai and Xiaoxian all advised Cao to wait and see what happened."

"If Dong Zhuo wins, we will unite with the states to attack Dong Zhuo; if Dong Zhuo loses, we will unite with the loyal minister Qing Jun in Chang'an."

Guo Jia shook his head: "May I ask Mr. Cao's current reputation, can he compare with Liu Qingzhou?"

Cao Cao was stunned, thought for a long time and said: "Although I don't want to admit it, Liu Xuande in Qingzhou is indeed more famous than Cao."

Guo Jia's eyes were burning: "Liu Qingzhou is the emperor of the Han Dynasty, the nephew and son-in-law of King Pingyuan."

"Whether it is the emperor of Chang'an or the emperor of Zhuocheng, regardless of seniority, Liu Qingzhou must be called uncle."

"Since the first year of Chuping, Liu Qingzhou has contributed to the destruction of the Yellow Turban in Qingzhou, his benevolence in helping 50 hungry people, his loyalty in helping Lu Zigan defeat Dong Zhuo, his prestige in sealing up Qiucheng and defeating Yuan Shu, and his righteousness in saving Xuzhou."

"With military exploits and a reputation for benevolence, righteousness and loyalty, there are also many prefects and governors who have formed friendship with Liu Qingzhou in various states and counties."

"If Dong Zhuo wins, we will unite with the states to attack Dong Zhuo; if Dong Zhuo loses, we will unite with the loyal minister Qing Jun in Chang'an."

"There is nothing wrong with Wen Ruozhicai and others' general plan."

"But if Liu Qingzhou also uses this strategy, will Duke Ming respond to Liu Qingzhou, or not?"

Guo Jia's words awakened the dreamer.

The strategy of Xun Yu and others is a good strategy, but this strategy can be used by Cao Cao, and so can Liu Bei.

And with Liu Bei's reputation far better than Cao Cao's now, there are far more people who respond to Liu Bei than Cao Cao.

Just like the princes in the past who discussed the Dong Huimeng, Yuan Shao was not the initiator, but he became the leader of the alliance.

Is Cao Cao willing to attach himself to Liu Bei?
the answer is negative!

If Cao Cao was really willing to attach himself to others, wouldn't it be good to not come to Yingchuan at all, and just attach himself to Yuan Shao and be Yuan Shao's younger brother all the time?
Guo Jia has insight into people's hearts, so he can naturally understand Cao Cao's ambitions.

What Xun Yu wanted was what the Han Dynasty wanted, but not necessarily what Cao Cao wanted.

With a heart like a mirror, Cao Cao got up and bowed solemnly to Guo Jia: "Following the words of filial piety made Cao Mou suddenly enlightened."

"Feng Xiao thinks that Cao should support the emperor of Chang'an, or the emperor of Zhuocheng?"

Guo Jia said slowly, "Chang'an!"

Cao Cao was taken aback: "Why Chang'an?"

Guo Jia took a sip of wine: "Even though the emperor of Chang'an was supported by Dong Zhuo, he is the only bloodline of Emperor Ling after all."

"Although Liu Kai, King of Hejian, has some connections with Emperor Ling, the emperor of Chang'an is not dead and has not lost his virtue. Even if there is the Jade Seal of Chuanguo, it is not patriarchal to support him."

"What's more, most of the officials in Chang'an are the old ministers of the Lingdi. Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan support the new emperor but not the old ministers of the Lingdi. This is tantamount to abandoning all the old ministers of the Lingdi."

"If Cao Gong wants to achieve great things, no matter whether he supports the emperor of Chang'an or the emperor of Zhuocheng, he will conflict with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan."

"It's better to find another way than to live under the fence."

"The two emperors are in the same sky, Dong Zhuo will be punished no matter whether he wins or loses."

"And Mr. Cao, you can be a minister to kill Dong Zhuo!"

"The emperor is happy, the ministers are happy, and the officials are happy, but Cao Gong can be famous all over the world and move the world!"

"Duke Cao took the lead. Liu Bei must either submit to Duke Cao, or he can only choose to support the emperor in Zhuocheng."

"In this way, Wen Ruo and others will be able to achieve the strategy of obeying the emperor and ordering them not to be ministers!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao couldn't help clapping his hands and praised: "If there is no guidance from Fengxiao, Cao will only be attached to powerful officials in the future, and it will be difficult to realize his ambitions."

"Cao has the ambition to rule the world, and Feng Xiao has the talent of Fan Li and Chen Ping."

"If you don't give up, please help Cao to achieve a great cause, and Cao will treat you like a guest!"

Guo Jia got up quickly and supported Cao Cao: "Jia has traveled north and south, but has never found the Lord. Now I meet Cao Gong, and I am willing to do the work of a dog and a horse. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!"

Cao Cao laughed: "Following filial piety is too modest. With the talent of filial piety, how can it be compared with dogs and horses? It should be like the brightness of a bright moon, dispelling the black mist."

"There is a lack of sacrificial wine in Cao's army, so Fengxiao will sacrifice wine for the military division, and he will be the leader of all the military divisions!"

In the fourth year of Chuping, March.

Cao Cao greeted Guo Jia ten miles outside Xu County, worshiped him as a sacrificial wine, served as a military counselor, and planned major events.

same month.

Cao Cao spread his message to the prefectures and states in Yuzhou, announcing that he would only recognize the emperor of Chang'an and not the puppet emperor of Zhuocheng.

at the same time.

Cao Cao sent Mao Jie to escort the tribute to Chang'an, and paid tribute to Liu Xie again.

Liu Xie was overjoyed, and after seeking Dong Zhuo's opinion, he granted Cao Cao the title of Shepherd of Yuzhou, General of the East and Marquis of Xu, and enjoyed the right to appoint and dismiss personnel in the counties and states of Yuzhou.

Although some ministers suggested that Cao Cao was from Yuzhou and should no longer be granted the title of Yuzhou Mu, but this remark was sternly refuted by Lu Zhi.

The country is divided, and the old system must be followed. Isn't that chilling the hearts of loyal ministers and righteous men?
So none of the ministers dared to say more.

Cao Cao was overjoyed after being awarded the title. After officially announcing his appointment as the governor of Yuzhou, Cao Cao immediately aimed at Chen Guo.

Chen Guo is next to Yingchuan.

Cao Cao did not allow a Chen Guo who was friendly with Liu Bei to sleep soundly on the side of the couch.

So Cao Cao issued two personnel appointment orders:
Promote Luo Jun to be the prefect of Runan!

Yuan Huan, who recommended Chen Guoren as a talented person, was exceptionally appointed to replace Luo Jun as Chen Xiang!

　Yuan Shao: My good friend, you abandoned me!
　　Cao Cao: Brother Benchu, Liu Bei forced me!
　　Liu Bei: It's none of my business!Then play music and dance!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)