Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

"Weak ribs?"

Dian Wei was stunned.

Although the passcode specifies certain words that must be used, it is military terminology after all and is not a joke.

Dian Wei had been asking for pass codes for most of his life, but this was the first time he heard Cao Cao use "chicken ribs" as an order.

Kind of funny...

Dian Wei did not dare to ask more questions, so he took the order and went to convey it.

The ministers in the tent looked at each other, puzzled by Cao Cao's command.

Only Guo Jia's eyes gleamed, and then a look of relief flashed across his face.

The military meeting ended and the ministers took their leave.

Xu Huang and other generals discussed along the way, all of them guessing what the deep meaning of Cao Cao using chicken ribs as a passcode was.

"Guo Lingjun, you have always understood my father the best. What do you think is the mystery behind my father using chicken ribs as a passcode?"

Cao Zhang grabbed Guo Jia, who came out last, and asked.

Everyone stopped and looked over.

Guo Jia smiled faintly and said:

"Everyone, His Majesty will issue an edict to withdraw the troops soon. Let's pack up and make preparations early to avoid being rushed."

Everyone was shocked, surprised and happy.

At this point in the battle, everyone knew that it was impossible to capture Jieting.

Cao Cao insisted on fighting the battle simply because he couldn't swallow this humiliation.

Everyone wanted to persuade him, but they were afraid of angering Cao Cao, so no one dared to mention withdrawing the troops.

Now Guo Jia suddenly said that Cao Cao was going to withdraw his troops. Everyone was naturally ecstatic, but also surprised and puzzled.

"Guo Lingjun, how dare you guess that my father intends to withdraw his troops?"

Cao Zhang was delighted and asked again.

Guo Jia smiled and said slowly: "Your Majesty uses chicken ribs as passwords."

Chicken ribs?

Cao Zhang looked at the generals, his eyes still blank.

"Chicken ribs, chicken ribs, tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away."

"Now our army has been attacking fiercely for two months, with countless casualties, the morale of the army has been worn out, and food and grass are difficult to continue. With your majesty's great strategy, how could you not know that it is impossible to capture Jieting."

"Your Majesty is reluctant to withdraw his troops. One reason is that he is still angry, and the other is that he is unwilling to give up Jieting, the throat of Longshan Mountain."

"Now that Your Majesty is using chicken ribs as a pass, it means that he has already begun to think about giving up Jieting."

"I predict that within five days, His Majesty will definitely figure out the pros and cons and order the troops to withdraw back to Jicheng."

Cao Zhang and everyone else suddenly realized what was going on.

"Guo Lingjun is indeed the most trusted counselor of the emperor. It is true that you are the only one who understands the emperor's mind the best."

Cao Zhang exclaimed in admiration, his eyes full of admiration.

All the generals also praised Guo Jia.

Not far away, Zhang Song watched the generals admire Guo Jia with their faith in him, but a deep jealousy flashed across his brows.

All the generals breathed a sigh of relief, and were all in high spirits. They dispersed in twos and threes, and were all busy returning to their tents to pack their luggage.

However, Cao Zhang took Guo Jia to his military tent on the pretext of asking for advice on military tactics.

"Lingjun Guo, Zhang has always respected you as his teacher. Now Zhang's life is in danger, please help him!"

As soon as the curtain was lowered, Cao Zhang's face became solemn and heroic, and he bowed deeply to Guo Jia.

Guo Jia was startled and hurriedly helped Cao Zhang up:

"King Rencheng, what's the matter with you? Why are you saying this out of the blue?"

Cao Zhang sighed bitterly and said helplessly:

"Your Majesty, you don't know that since my second brother became the crown prince, he has been secretly doing things to hinder me. My life has become increasingly difficult."

"Now that my father's health is getting worse, I am afraid that one day in the future, if the crown prince takes over, I, his younger brother, will die without a burial place."

"I only ask Guo Lingjun, for the sake of my respect for you as my teacher, to show me a clear path."

Hearing Cao Zhang's complaint, Guo Jia suddenly understood and could not help but sigh. Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi were good friends back then, and during the struggle between the two Caos, Cao Zhang did not express his position, but in fact he supported Cao Zhi.

Guo Jia knew the prince very well. On the surface, he seemed loyal, filial, benevolent, and respectful to his brothers, but in fact, he was vindictive and cruel.

Cao Zhang must have recorded this account in a small notebook.

When Cao Cao dies in the future and Cao Pi inherits the throne, it would be strange if he did not settle accounts with his younger brother Cao Zhang.

Especially since Cao Zhang enjoyed great prestige in the army, such a threat made Cao Pi even more fearful.

Cao Cao often led his troops to fight outside the country, and ordered Cao Pi to stay in the rear to supervise the country, with all the power of the government in his hands.

Cao Pi took advantage of his position as regent to legitimately build up a lot of power for himself, and his power position could be said to be as solid as a rock.

That was why Cao Pi had the confidence to secretly take measures to deal with his younger brother Cao Zhang while Cao Cao was still alive.

He dared to do this while Cao Cao was alive, but what if Cao Cao was dead?
Although Cao Zhang was not good at scheming, he still had some political acumen.

He had a premonition that his life would be in danger in the future, so he took this opportunity to seek advice from Guo Jia.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is kindhearted and should treat his brothers well. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding between King Rencheng and the Crown Prince."

Guo Jia knew Cao Zhang's difficulties, but did not want to get involved in their brothers' dispute, so he tried to smooth things over.

Seeing this, Cao Zhang gritted his teeth and fell to his knees.

"King Rencheng, what are you doing?"

"How can I, a minister, accept such a great gift from you? Get up quickly!"

Guo Jia was shocked and hurriedly leaned over to help him.

Cao Zhang did not stand up, and said with a look of sorrow and shock:

"If Lord Guo is unwilling to save Zhang, Zhang will die at the hands of my brother, the Crown Prince, sooner or later. Rather than that, I would rather die at Lord Guo's hands."

"If you refuse to teach me, just kill me with your sword!"

As he spoke, Cao Zhang took off his sword and held it in front of Guo Jia with both hands.

Guo Jia secretly groaned in his heart.

This King of Rencheng is really a reckless man. He actually thought of using such means to force him to help.

"Okay, okay, can't I help Your Highness? Your Highness, please get up quickly~~"

Guo Jia had no choice but to surrender.

There was no way. Knowing Cao Zhang's personality, he knew that if he didn't agree, the other party might do something even more outrageous.

If they had a disagreement, Cao Zhang would have killed himself here, and he would not be able to clear himself even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Cao Zhang was overjoyed and quickly stood up and helped Guo Jia sit down.

"Guo Lingjun, if you have a good plan, I'm all ears~~"

Cao Zhang offered a cup of tea with both hands.

Guo Jia took the tea, took a sip, and asked:
"King Rencheng, have you ever heard of the story of 'Chong'er was born outside, and Shen's death inside'?"

Cao Zhang shook his head, his eyes clear and confused.

Guo Jia had no choice but to patiently say:

"The Crown Prince is in charge of Chengdu, so his power must be rooted in Yizhou."

"Now that Jieting has been lost, Longxi may not be able to be saved. I am afraid that Your Majesty will retreat to Yizhou sooner or later."

"If Your Highness were to retreat to Chengdu with us, your fate would naturally not be in your own hands as you are under the protection of the Crown Prince."

Guo Jia raised his hand and pointed north, then suddenly changed the subject:

"Your Highness, why don't you take the initiative to volunteer to go to Liangbei and take charge of Wuwei, Jincheng and other counties in Liangbei?"

"Your Highness will then be able to lead the army outside and guard one side on your own. If Your Majesty wants to defend Longxi, Your Highness can serve as a support for Your Majesty from the north."

"If Your Majesty wants to abandon Longxi and retreat to Yizhou, Your Highness can also occupy the counties in Liangbei."

"Your Highness can use the long distance to resist the Pseudo-Han, protect a corner of Liangbei for the Qin Dynasty, and respond to the north and south of Yizhou. At the same time, you can stay away from Chengdu, a place of trouble, and away from Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"In this way, Your Highness has taken control of your destiny."

Guo Jia spoke out his strategy in a very eloquent manner.

Cao Zhang suddenly realized what was going on and was overjoyed. He quickly stood up and bowed to Guo Jia:
"Akari knows what to do."

"Thank you very much, Lord Guo, for your advice and for saving my life. Lord Guo, please accept my greeting!" (End of this chapter)