Han officials

Chapter 282 Human effort cannot overcome destiny
The following day, outside Xiapi city.

Zuo Rong led 10,000 men and women and 3,000 horses, escorted by several hundred personal guards, to surrender to Cao Cao's army.

Cao Cao ordered Ze Rong to lead his troops to live in a villa outside the city, and this arrogant and conceited fellow actually obeyed.

The entire process went so smoothly that even Cao Cao found it hard to believe.

It should be noted that after he led his army into Xiapi, he did send people to persuade them to surrender, but none of them succeeded.

It was through several attempts to persuade him to surrender that Cao Cao realized just how arrogant and conceited Zuo Rong was.

Perhaps due to his faith in the Sindhu Shamen, some of this guy's ideas are simply boundless.

For example, when Cao Cao first sent an envoy to persuade Zuo Rong to surrender, Zuo Rong actually demanded that Cao Cao submit to him instead.

Simply put, it's having a strange kind of self-confidence.

He had prepared to launch a full-scale attack on Pi City, but Chen Qun actually managed to take the city with his words!

Upon entering the city and stepping into the government office, Cao Cao couldn't help but ask curiously:
"How exactly did Changwen persuade this person?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qun couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile smugly:
"Nothing much, I just asked this person two questions."

……

Although Chen Qun and his son did not serve as officials in Xuzhou, they were still renowned scholars from Yingchuan. Even when they sought refuge in Xuzhou, they were far superior to ordinary people.

At least in terms of information channels, Chen Qun and his son were considered to have excellent connections and influence within the upper echelons of Xuzhou.

Therefore, Chen Qun was already very clear about Zuo Rong's personality.

Therefore, upon meeting Zuo Rong, Chen Qun did not immediately persuade him to surrender, but instead recounted the events that had transpired in Tancheng.

As expected, upon learning that Tao Qian had personally relinquished the position of Governor of Xuzhou to Wei Zhe before his death, Zuo Rong's face immediately turned ashen, his eyes filled with resentment.

Seeing this, Chen Qun slowly opened his mouth and asked the first question:
"Since Wei Gongwei left Liaodong, he has used three times and not used three times. Among them, the traitors who oppress the people are among those who must be killed."

"What do you think of your own reputation? Do you think you deserve to be pardoned and given important responsibilities?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Rong's face immediately turned ashen.

He was bad, not stupid, and naturally knew all the despicable things his family had done in the past.

Seeing this, Chen Qun immediately asked a second question:
"At the memorial altar in Tancheng, all the civil and military officials of Xuzhou have submitted to the Wei family, but Xiapi is absent, which will surely cause dissatisfaction in the Wei family."

"You have made many enemies in Xuzhou in the past, and you have no affection for the Wei family whatsoever. If someone were to slander you and harm you in the future, disregarding our friendship as colleagues, how would you protect yourself?"

As soon as Chen Qun said this, Zuo Rong's expression changed rapidly, turning pale and then red.

Although he never mentioned Cao Cao from beginning to end, it was more effective than if he had.

Even without Chen Qun praising Cao Cao, Zuo Rong automatically exaggerated Cao Cao's strength in his mind.

The result was predictable.

After listening to Chen Qun's retelling, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh:

"This long essay has the air of a master strategist from the Spring and Autumn period; he is truly a talent fit to be a king's advisor!"

Unexpectedly, Chen Qun waved his hand upon hearing this, and looked at Xun Yu opposite him with a smile, teasing him:
"I would never dare to steal Wenruo's name!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao burst into laughter, while Xun Yu, who was being teased, looked helpless.

"When did long articles become so narrow-minded?"

This is all because when Xun Yu was young, He Yong, a famous scholar from Nanyang, saw Xun Yu and exclaimed in amazement, "This is a talent fit to be a king's advisor!"
After the news spread, the title "talented enough to assist a king" became a halo around Xun Yu.

However, it's one thing for outsiders to say this, but everyone among them knows the inside story.

This is similar to the personas created by celebrities in later generations; it can only fool their brainless fans.

However, if you put on a persona and act pretentiously when interacting with colleagues, it will only make you a laughing stock.

Of course, such advanced methods are not something that ordinary people can afford to use.

For example, when Cao Cao was young, he was still regarded as a "bastard son of a eunuch" by the gentry because of his family background. Therefore, he urgently needed the recognition of famous scholars, but very few famous scholars were willing to comment on him.

Even though Qiao Xuan later greatly admired Cao Cao, his influence was insufficient, so he suggested that Cao Cao visit Xu Shao, saying, "You are not yet famous, you can befriend General Xu."

It was precisely because of this that Cao Cao was willing to resort to force to coerce Xu Zijiang into giving his opinion.

The latter, though reluctantly described as "a capable minister in times of peace, and a treacherous hero in times of chaos," is still an assessment.

In contrast, Yuan Shao easily obtained the promotional slogan "Yuan Shao, the model of the world".

As for Chen Qun, he was even more extraordinary. He only needed to sit at home and many famous scholars from other places, such as Kong Rong, would take the initiative to visit and befriend him.

Of those present, only Chen Qun had the right to make a joke about it.

However, after a few words of laughter, the group quickly got down to business.

To Cao Cao's surprise, Xun Yu advised him to stop while he was ahead.

“Now that you have captured Xiapi, why not stop here?” Xun Yu said earnestly. “Chen Yuanlong’s father was once the Chancellor of Pei, and he has a strong foundation. If our army turns around and strikes now, it will not be difficult to take Pei with his help.”

As he spoke, Xun Yu dipped his finger in the wine and drew a diagram on the table to illustrate his point:
"Once Pei is captured by our army, Liang, Pei, and Xiapi will be linked together. At that point, a two-pronged attack will overwhelm Yuan Gonglu, leaving him unable to resist, and Yuzhou will be within our grasp!" This wasn't Xun Yu trying to boost the enemy's morale while diminishing his own, nor was he a coward who bullied the weak…

Okay, he's just a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong.

Compared to Wei Zhe, a formidable opponent, Xun Yu always felt that Yuan Shu was easier to bully.

In fact, Xun Yu did not approve of Cao Cao's attack on Xuzhou from the very beginning.

If Xun Yu had known earlier that Wei Zhe had personally arrived in Tancheng, he would have risked his life to stop Cao Cao from sending troops.

After all, Cao Cao's army is currently weaker than Wei's army, so they shouldn't be facing off so soon.

Upon hearing Xun Yu's words, Chen Qun suddenly seemed to be deep in thought.

Although he disliked Wei Zhe, it did not prevent Chen Qun from rationally considering the current situation.

However, Cao Cao shook his head firmly upon hearing this:

"Although Yuzhou is good, the gain or loss of Xuzhou is also of great importance."

"It should be noted that the three provinces of Yan, Yu, and Xu are intertwined and difficult to distinguish from one another. Among them, Xu is the heart and core of the Central Plains. If Xu is lost, then the two provinces of Yan and Yu will become battlefields everywhere."

"Even if we take Yuzhou, our situation will be far more perilous than that of Yuan Gonglu!"

Xun Yu was indeed a man of great talent, but Cao Cao believed that his strategic vision was far superior to Xun Yu's.

At least in terms of the situation in the Central Plains, Xun Yu only saw the gains and losses of Yu Province, but he did not know that the three provinces of Yan, Yu, and Xu were closely connected.

Indeed, according to Xun Yu's plan, they can attack Yu Province from two sides, and Yuan Shu will undoubtedly be defeated.

But what happens after we take Yuzhou?

They are likely facing a three-pronged attack from Ji Province, Qing Province, and Xu Province!

It's even possible that before they can capture Yuzhou, the Wei army will surround them from three sides and launch an attack.

Therefore, Cao Cao's expedition to Xuzhou was not due to greed, but rather because he had no other choice.

Tao Qian's sudden death not only disrupted Wei Zhe's plans, but also caused great harm to Cao Cao!
You should know that he originally intended to take over Yuzhou and then form an alliance with Tao Qian to jointly resist Wei Zhe.

Even though Tao Qian and Wei Zhe were originally allies, Cao Cao still had this confidence.

After all, Wei Zhe had already shown signs of dominating the market, so Cao Cao didn't trust Tao Qian and wasn't worried.

However, Cao Cao only guessed the beginning, but not the end.

He never expected that Tao Qian's excessive worry would lead to his death from illness.

This left Cao Cao speechless.

To be honest, right now Cao Cao would rather Tao Qian's two sons be alive than he would want him to come back to life.

If he could, Cao Cao would even like to lend Tao Qian a few years of his own lifespan.

We don't need much; just having Tao Qian live another year or two would be enough.

If Tao Qian had held out for just another year, the situation in the world might have changed dramatically.

Because by then Cao Cao would basically have the strength of the entire Central Plains (three provinces) to resist the Wei army in Hebei.

It's just that it's too late to say anything now.

Human effort is no match for destiny; what can be done?
……

After listening to Cao Cao and Xun Yu's insights, Chen Qun benefited greatly.

He felt that Xun Yu's words made sense, and Cao Cao's judgment was also correct.

After much deliberation, Chen Qun couldn't help but suggest:
"My lord, how about we compromise on one or the other?"

"How can we find a compromise?" Cao Cao did not immediately refuse.

Seeing this, Chen Qun dipped his brush in water and added another stroke to the terrain drawn by Xun Yu.

He pointed east of Xiapi and said:

"Once we take Haixi County, Xiapi Kingdom will be able to directly access the East Sea. In this way, Xuzhou will be divided in two, and the area east of Yuzhou can rest easy. As for Guangling County, we can take it over slowly and there is no need to rush it."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao first frowned slightly, then fell into deep thought.

Chen Qun's plan was more radical than Xun Yu's, but also more conservative.

And following his line of thinking, the pressure and risks that his family would have to bear would be much less.

Most importantly, Cao Cao himself was not confident that he could take Xuzhou from Wei Zhe.

Therefore, avoiding a strategically passive position should be his most practical goal at present.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao finally nodded slowly.

"Very well, we'll do as you say!"

(End of this chapter)