Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 632 Blackmailing Cao Cao
Cao Cao shouted, "When we allied forces to fight against Dong Zhuo, we held a meeting at Suanzao. This place is located at the junction of Sili and Yanzhou. The surrounding areas are open and can be seen at a glance. I will take Your Majesty to camp in this city. It is agreed that the general will come to welcome Your Majesty back to the palace in fifteen days. How do you think?"

"Sour jujube?"

Liu He thought about it and realized that although this place belonged to Yanzhou, it was not far from Luoyang and Jizhou. In case something changed, he could send troops from the two places and arrive quickly.

"Okay, let's go to Suanzao. But fifteen days is too long. Although most of your army is infantry and cannot move fast, you can stay in Suanzao for seven or eight days at most. In ten days, I will lead my men to welcome the emperor. If you are negligent in the next ten days, my army will come and destroy all of you in Yanzhou!"

"Ten days is ten days. I will follow the general's orders."

Cao Cao behaved very submissively.

"However, I have another unwelcome request, and I hope the general will forgive me and agree to it."

Liu He sneered, "Are you trying to get Cao Hong back?"

Seeing that he had guessed it, Cao Cao also continued, "Yes, Cao Hong and I are from the same clan. We have known each other since childhood and have an extraordinary friendship. I beg the general to show some mercy."

"Oh? Really?" Liu He waved his hand and shouted, "Soldiers, please retreat for now."

The army received the order, quickly got rid of the enemy and retreated behind Liu He.

Cao Cao was delighted: "Thank you very much, General."

"Hey, wait a minute to thank me, I haven't finished what I want to say. It's not difficult to release Cao Hong, but you have committed a heinous crime after all. It's too easy for me to release you with just a few empty words."

Liu He’s words made Cao Cao feel nervous.

He was not sure what Liu He was going to ask for in exchange. First, he and Cao Hong did have an extraordinary relationship. Second, all the soldiers were watching. If he gave up Cao Hong, it would inevitably chill the soldiers' hearts. Third, he had lost the fight after all and lost the initiative. Now the situation was beyond his control.

He forced a smile and said, "I wonder what the general wants in exchange for releasing him?"

Liu He stretched out his hand and said, "The court is short of food now. There are wars everywhere. We need to build new cities. The gap is huge. Your Yanzhou has always been a rich place in the Central Plains. If you take out 500,000 dan of grain, 500,000 dan of fodder, and 500 million coins and hand them over to the emperor, you can redeem this crime. This general will guarantee you. At least you can be spared the death penalty. Cao Hong can also be returned safely."

"you……"

Cao Cao was completely stunned by his huge request.

Yanzhou is said to be the heartland of the Central Plains, connected to Jizhou in the north, Xuzhou in the east, Sili in the west, and Yuzhou in the south. However, in terms of wealth and prosperity, it is difficult to compare with these states. Yanzhou has a population of only more than 3 million, with 500,000 dan of grain and fodder each, plus 500 million coins. Even if it does not empty its own treasury, I am afraid there will not be much left.

"General, can you..."

He wanted to plead for mercy, but Liu He sneered, "It seems that General Cao's words of solemn promise are just lies. He said he sincerely repented and had a deep brotherly love, but he is unwilling to pay such a small amount of money and grain. In this case, there is no need to say more. Just rely on your strength to speak."

He pretended to give the order for the entire army to attack again. Those tens of thousands of soldiers were already blood-thirsty and had just been forced to cease fighting. They were feeling unsatisfied, but when they saw Liu He's posture, all the soldiers were eager to give it a try.

Cao Cao saw this and shouted, "Wait, General, please don't act any more. I have agreed. Everything will be up to you."

Liu He smiled slyly, "Okay, Meng De is indeed loyal and sincere. Then please go back early and prepare enough money and food. We will meet again in ten days."

Although Cao Cao was gritting his teeth in his heart, he still had to put on a look of gratitude on his face.

"I thank the general for his forgiveness. I will take my leave now." "Have a safe journey, Meng De. I am sorry I cannot see you off. When you have time, remember to come to Luoyang. The general will treat you to a drink."

Hearing Liu He's "invitation", Cao Cao almost fell off his horse.

After he turned around, his face instantly darkened.

"Liu He, I will repay you tenfold for the humiliation you've suffered today."

Liu He looked at his receding back, then glanced at the bodies of the dead soldiers scattered around him, and heaved a sigh of relief.

Among these corpses, not most of them were enemy soldiers like in the past. In this battle, they had already taken advantage of the sneak attack. Among the corpses all over the ground, the ratio of their own soldiers to Cao's soldiers was approximately maintained at 30:70, which was quite shocking.

"As expected of Cao Cao, his ability to train and command troops is far beyond the reach of those good-for-nothings in the past. He has over 60,000 soldiers, 10,000 more than me. If we fight head-on, even I am not sure of victory."

Today's battle can be said to be a safe and secure one for both sides. Liu He blackmailed Cao Cao severely and was in a good mood.

"Let's go, collect the remains of our brothers and return to the city. The soldiers have made great contributions to the recapture of Luoyang today. Let's have an extra meal tonight, haha!"

"Well, the general is mighty!"

He was in high spirits, but none of Cao Cao's gang could laugh.

"Alas, how pathetic! We have followed Meng De for many years and have fought dozens of battles, big and small, but we have never been as pathetic as we are today."

Yu Jin lowered his head and sighed softly.

Generals such as Le Jin also looked somewhat dejected.

Cao Cao asked Cheng Yu, "How much money and grain do I have left in the Yanzhou treasury?"

Cheng Yu thought for a moment and said, "There are about 800,000 dan of grain, only 300,000 dan of fodder, and less than 400 million in money. With other gold and silver, we can probably get 200 million. But no matter what, to get enough supplies for Liu He, we have to empty our Yanzhou treasury completely."

Cao Cao's brows were furrowed. Such a large amount of money and grain was really a huge sum for him. However, he had lost the battle. He failed to outwit the opponent and was outwitted by the opponent. He lost his voice and was no longer qualified to bargain.

After a long while, he suddenly said in a loud voice: "The whole army should speed up and rush back to Yanzhou in six days. Then the troops will be divided into two groups. Yu Jin will lead another 20,000 troops to help capture Yuzhou. If we cannot seize the treasury of Yuzhou, it will not be long before our army will starve to death."

"Here!"

Guo Jia looked at Cao Cao, whose face was livid, and said, "Victory and defeat are common in the military, so you don't have to worry about it. As long as we can successfully capture Yuzhou, relying on the wealth of Yuzhou, we can not only make up for this loss, but also within a year, our army will have no less than 300,000 soldiers. This is the foundation of all our military strategies. As for Luoyang or Liu He's life, it's best to have them, but it doesn't matter if we don't. As long as we control Yanzhou and Yuzhou, you still have the capital to compete with Liu He, and revenge is not an empty talk."

"Yes, my lord, you still need to cheer up. After this defeat, the morale of the soldiers has been greatly damaged. If you can't cheer them up, I'm afraid our army will be doomed soon."

Cheng Yu's voice was sonorous and powerful, and his tone always carried the meaning of an elder educating a younger person. Originally, Cao Cao was dissatisfied with this, but he just didn't want to say it clearly. But now, hearing these words, Cao Cao enjoyed it very much, as if it was the sound of nature.

"Well said, Fengxiao and Zhongde, a word awakens a dreamer. What does it matter if I fail temporarily? I will come back to Luoyang sooner or later!"

(End of this chapter)