Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 106 Attack Xuzhou!

Cao Cao was worried about the money and food for the army. At this time, Old Master Cao successfully arrived in Yanzhou with all his belongings.

Among the more than one hundred baggage carts, about twenty were loaded with core treasures. The gold, jade, coins and other valuables carried were worth at least 10 billion coins, which was equivalent to the fiscal revenue of a medium-sized county for several years at that time.

At the same time, the Cao family has businesses and connections in many fields.

Therefore, the arrival of Old Master Cao was not just a simple family reunion, but also helped Cao Cao build an army and develop people's livelihood, solving his urgent needs.

……

The evening banquet was held in a simple manner due to limited conditions at a campsite outdoors.

Cao Yan took the opportunity to introduce Zhuge Xuan's family to Cao Cao, and said to Cao Cao privately: "Brother, you must thank me well this time."

Cao Cao, slightly drunk, replied, "You saved my father. I will certainly thank you."

"That's not what I'm talking about..."

"What's that?"

"I'm talking about Zhuge Liang! He'll be as capable as Xun Yu in domestic affairs, only slightly inferior to Zhicai and Fengxiao in strategy, and only slightly inferior to you in military affairs. He's an incredible talent!"

"???" Cao Cao sobered up instantly upon hearing this and asked in surprise, "Besides you, there's actually such a monster in the world?"

Not only that, there are two!

One is Zhuge Liang, and the other is Zhuge Liang's lifelong enemy, Sima Yi, known as the "Tiger of the Tomb".

Cao Cao couldn't help but secretly glance at Zhuge Liang, who was eating at the children's table outside. His eyes were full of burning light.

Cao Cao then looked at Zhuge Jun, who was a few years younger than Zhuge Liang, and asked, "What about the younger one? How talented is he?"

"As for Zhuge Jun, his talent is rather ordinary, but with more training, he can at least become a useful talent."

Cao Cao nodded, then turned to Zhuge Mengxue and said with a smile, "I've noticed that the young lady from the Zhuge family often casts her eyes on you. I think she's interested in you. Don't let her down."

"?" Cao Yan subconsciously turned his head and happened to meet Zhuge Mengxue's gaze.

Zhuge Mengxue's face was already slightly red due to the firelight, and now it was even redder.

Could it be that Zhuge Mengxue really has feelings for him? Cao Yan pondered in his heart.

Cao Cao patted Cao Yan on the shoulder and said, "For the sake of our Cao family, you should marry Mengxue. That way, Zhuge Liang will be completely devoted to us. Besides, Mengxue is very beautiful and graceful. If I didn't dislike young girls, I'm afraid it wouldn't be your turn."

“…” Cao Yan was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
-
A few days later, Cao Cao and his party finally returned to Juancheng.

In the county magistrate's mansion, Cao Cao sat high in the main seat and summoned everyone to discuss matters related to Taishan County and the attack on Xuzhou.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Everyone, whether sitting or standing, held their breath, waiting for Cao Cao to speak.

Cao Cao's eyes were deep as he scanned the crowd before he spoke: "Xuzhou Tao Qian, with evil intentions, actually sent his general Zhang Kai to intercept and kill my father's convoy!
Thanks to Zi'an's cleverness, he was able to protect his father, but Zhang Kai still killed my second brother Cao De.

Wuwuwu..."

At this point, Lao Cao suddenly burst into tears.

But Cao Yan, who was sitting in the first seat below Cao Cao, couldn't bear to watch and thought to himself, "Can you squeeze out some tears when you cry? Your crying is so fake!"

Cao Cao cried for a while, wiped away his nonexistent tears with his sleeve, and then continued: "Taishan County Magistrate Ying Shao, feeling that his rescue efforts were inadequate, resigned from his post and left Taishan County.

Taishan County is now leaderless and in urgent need of proper resettlement.

I propose to appoint Zhuge Xuan as the governor of Mount Tai!"

The reason why Cao Cao did not disclose Ying Shao's secret collaboration with the enemy was to avoid alerting the enemy.

The appointment of the newly arrived Zhuge Xuan as the governor of Taishan County also surprised everyone, and they all looked at Zhuge Xuan.

Zhuge Xuan did not expect that Cao Cao would actually give him the position of governor of a county so easily.

He quickly stood up and bowed, saying with deep trepidation, "Xuan is new here and lacks much knowledge and experience. I'm afraid I can't handle this important task. I hope you'll find someone more capable and virtuous." Cao Cao smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Zhuge, there's no need to be so modest. I heard that your brother Zhuge Gui was the prefect of Taishan County. You two brothers have a long history in Taishan County."

I also think you are a calm and steady person with a lot of knowledge. You will definitely be able to govern Taishan County well."

Zhuge Xuan thought for a moment and knew that this was Cao Yan fulfilling his promise. He also understood that Cao Cao's move was both a trust in him and a way to win him over.

He immediately stopped refusing and bowed, saying, "Xuan will do his best to live up to your trust."

Cao Cao nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Le Jin and said, "Wen Qian, you will be the commander of Taishan Commandery. You will be responsible for training the troops to defend against the enemy and protecting the peace of Taishan."

Le Jin clasped his fists and saluted, saying loudly, "I obey your orders!"

After arranging matters in Taishan County, Cao Cao's tone was filled with grief and indignation: "Zhang Kai, under Tao Qian's orders, robbed my father's convoy and killed my brother Cao De. I swear I will not be a human being until I have avenged this!

Zi'an stayed in Yanzhou, and Wenruo assisted in the administration.

I will personally lead an army of 50,000 to attack Tao Qian and seek justice for my second brother!"

When everyone heard this, they were all indignant, but their blood was boiling.

Xiahou Dun was the first to stand up and shouted, "Meng De, I am willing to be the vanguard and will cut off Tao Qian's head to offer to the spirit of the second brother in heaven!"

Generals such as Cao Ren and Cao Hong also requested to fight, vowing to capture Xuzhou and avenge the tragedy with blood.

By June,

Everyone in the world knows that Cao's caravan was robbed and killed by Zhang Kai, a subordinate of Tao Qian!

When Cao's second son was killed, Old Master Cao was so frightened that he fell ill.

Cao Cao mobilized all 50,000 troops in Yanzhou and led all his elite soldiers and generals to attack Xuzhou!

Before leaving, Cao Yan grabbed Cao Cao's sleeve and repeatedly warned him:

"Brother, remember not to harm the people of Xuzhou! Tao Qian has governed Xuzhou for many years and is very popular with the people. If we mismanage him, it could put our army at a disadvantage."

Cao Cao nodded slightly and said, "I remember that. But if we attack the city, I'm afraid there will be some accidental casualties."

"That's all right, brother. After you capture Xuzhou, all you need to do is refrain from slaughter and looting, and even open the granaries to distribute food to the victims. At the same time, make it clear that you will only punish the ringleaders and leave innocent people alone. The people of Xuzhou will naturally not reject you."

"Brilliant plan!" Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "As long as I uphold the greater good, Tao Qian will be left speechless! How could the other princes dare to aid a man who has lost all sense of justice?"

"Zi'an is absolutely right." Xi Zhicai nodded slightly, then added, "My lord, I have sent spies to infiltrate Xuzhou. Once your army arrives, they will spread rumors and disrupt the morale of the soldiers and the people in Xuzhou."

After a pause, Xi Zhicai asked unwillingly, "Lord, you really won't take me with you?"

Cao Cao shook his head and said, "You and Fengxiao should take good care of your health. I will take Zhongde with me."

Cao Yan added, "Brother, if you can win the hearts of the people of Xuzhou, then Tao Qian will be like a tree without roots and water without a source. Remember this, remember this!"

Cao Cao nodded, his eyes full of determination.

Then, he bid farewell to Cao Yan, Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, Guo Jia and others, and walked towards the military formation.

The army of 50,000 was in great order, with flags covering the sky, swords and spears like a forest, and the troops were in great order.

Cao Cao was wearing armor, sitting on a lonely seat, standing majestically in front of the battle formation.

He looked around and shouted, "Soldiers! Tao Qian murdered my relatives. This hatred is irreconcilable.

Today, we set out to Xuzhou to fight for justice and avenge our dead brothers!
May everyone fight bravely and return victoriously! "

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky, and their morale was high.

Following Cao Cao's order,
The army marched towards Xuzhou in a mighty force.
A great war is about to begin!

(End of this chapter)