Lu Bu, God of War of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 444 Tao Qian asked Xuzhou

"Hahaha, thinking that I, Lu Bu, suffered such a defeat, I really underestimated Cao Cao. Order the three armies to immediately count the number of people, and we will return to Yanzhou." Seeing that the soldiers around were already exhausted, coupled with today's battle, Lu Bu's army can be described as The casualties were heavy, but Lu Bu knew that he should not lose confidence at this time, and should immediately return to Yanzhou with his troops.

Here Lu Bu led his troops back to Yanzhou, while Cao Cao on the other side was not easy at this time. The reason is very simple. Although Lu Bu was defeated in this battle, Cao Jun’s losses were also very huge. After careful calculation, Cao Cao’s battle turned out to be Lost as many as [-] to [-] soldiers and horses.

"I didn't expect our army's loss today to be so eye-catching." After learning about the loss, Cao Jun's generals fell silent. Even the joy of defeating Lu Bu's army was diluted a lot at this time.

"Is there any definite news about Lu Bu?" Cao Cao did not discuss the loss with the generals, but asked the generals who were cleaning the battlefield with a calm face.

"Well, there doesn't seem to be Lu Bu's body on the battlefield, but Lu Bu's whereabouts cannot be judged." A general came out of the battle, and after sorting out his thoughts, he respectfully said to Cao Cao.

"Well, did you let Lu Bu escape?" Hearing the general's answer, Cao Cao said a little displeased.

"But this is not certain. Many corpses must have been completely charred and unrecognizable." Seeing Cao Cao's displeased expression became more dignified, the general quickly explained.

"Ming Gong, after this battle, even if Lu Bu escaped by chance, he would be seriously injured at this time. Why don't our army take this opportunity to take Yanzhou? As long as Yanzhou is taken, it doesn't matter whether Lu Bu escapes or not?" See Cao Cao still had a gloomy expression on his face, but Guo Jia stood up and said.

"My lord, there is news from Cao Ren." Suddenly a soldier came in and handed a volume of documents to Cao Cao.Cao Cao's face changed drastically when he unfolded it.

"Ming Gong, what happened?" Seeing Cao Cao's ugly face, Guo Jia hurriedly stepped forward and asked.

"You can see for yourself." Cao Cao handed the document to Guo Jia, but he became pensive.

"This?" Seeing the contents of the document, Guo Jia's expression changed, and he shouted at the soldier who brought the document, "Do you know what's on it?"

"My lord, this document was sealed in wax by General Cao Ren himself. How dare a villain peep." Seeing Guo Jia's expression, the soldier quickly replied to Guo Jia on the ground.

"Don't mention this matter again. The army should rest quickly tonight, and troops will enter Yanzhou tomorrow morning." At this time, Cao Cao didn't hesitate anymore, and stood up to send an order.Cao Cao understood that the time given to him by Lu Bu was running out, and Cao Cao didn't know how many soldiers in the three armies would work for him once the news of the imperial court deposing all his official positions spread, so Cao Cao must find a way to get rid of this However, defeating Lu Bu and taking back Yanzhou is the most powerful counterattack against Lu Bu.

"Duke Ming, how should we deal with this matter?" Guo Jia walked up to Cao Cao again after the generals left, and asked Cao Cao with the document in his hand.

"Help me keep a close eye on this matter for now." Cao Cao reached out and patted Guo Jia's shoulder and said solemnly.

However, at the end of the first battle between Cao Jun and Lu Bujun, Tao Qian's mansion in Xuzhou City was full of excitement.

"Everyone, Xuzhou was able to survive this catastrophe, thanks to your efforts. Tao Qian is here to thank you on behalf of the people of Xuzhou." Tao Qian said with a deep bow to Liu Guanzhang, Zhao Yun, Kong Rong and others.

"Tao Inspector is too modest, the Inspector loves the people like a son, and his virtuousness spreads far and wide. So far, I have only tried my best, so how dare I bow." Seeing Tao Qian like this, Liu Bei immediately fought and said.

"Because everyone is here today, Tao Qian has a few words to say." At this moment, Tao Qian suddenly raised his wine glass and walked towards Liu Bei, and said to the crowd: "Tao Qian has no talent or virtue, and he is old. , I am unable to continue to be the governor of Xuzhou. Now there is Liu Xuande, who is the emperor's uncle and has always loved the people. Tao Qian is willing to give up this Xuzhou to Liu Huangshu. Please Liu Huangshu protect Xuzhou's safety for me. Please also Everyone, please be a witness for me, Tao Qian." After Tao Qian gave Liu Bei a deep salute, behind him, Mi Zhu came to Liu Bei with a brocade box in both hands, and opened it, and everyone saw that it was the seal of Xuzhou Governor .

"This?" Liu Bei obviously didn't expect this kind of thing to happen. To achieve something in troubled times, you must have territory and soldiers. The reason why Liu Bei was difficult to succeed in the past was because of the lack of these two things, but now Tao Qian brought the Xuzhou Inspector's Seal in front of Liu Bei, but Liu Bei was taken aback for a moment, as if in a dream, and wanted to reach out to pick it up, but was startled, because Liu Bei couldn't believe such a thing would happen. Looking at the greedy eyes cast by the people around him, Liu Bei suddenly realized: "I, Liu Bei, brought troops to help Xuzhou, for the sake of the Han family, for the imperial court and society, and because I respect the character of Governor Tao, I risked my life to come here. Why does Inspector Tao suspect me of taking Xuzhou's heart again?"

"Ah." Hearing Liu Bei's words, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who were also greedily looking at the seal letter Mi Zhu handed over, gasped for a moment.He hurriedly glanced outside the door and window, wanting to see if there were soldiers ambushing outside, because what Liu Bei said obviously meant that Tao Qian was testing whether Liu Bei had won Xuzhou's heart.

"Why should Uncle Liu be suspicious? I, Tao Qian, have absolutely no intention of testing Uncle Liu." Seeing that Liu Bei was suspicious, Tao Qian said hastily.

"Yuan Shu has many generals and is near Shouchun. Why didn't Governor Tao give Yanzhou to Yuan Shu? With Yuan Shu's strength, he will definitely be able to keep Xuzhou safe." Although Tao Qian said that he sincerely wanted to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei, It's just that Liu Bei was willing to believe it, so he quickly tested it.

"Yuan Shu only relied on the talents and virtues of his ancestors to achieve today's achievements. In fact, he is just a junior who eats mountains and sky. If I entrust the people of Xuzhou to Yuan Shu, I will not harm the people of Xuzhou." Tao Qian shook his head. Shaking his head, he was not optimistic about Yuan Shu.

"Yuan Shao in Jizhou has a strong army and a strong horse. He has already taken charge of Jizhou and Qingzhou. Why didn't the governor entrust Xuzhou to Yuan Shao?" Liu Bei asked again.

"Yuan Shao is generous on the outside, but jealous on the inside, and has no tolerance. Such a person is just showing his appearance." Tao Qian said that he was not optimistic about Yuan Shao in Jizhou.

"What about Lu Bu? Lu Bu is near Yanzhou. He attacked Yanzhou earlier and broke the siege of Xuzhou. He has hundreds of thousands of soldiers, which should be enough to protect Xuzhou." This time Liu Bei proposed Lu Bu again.

"Hehe, since Lv Bu started his army, although he has often been caught by surprise, he has repeatedly won many with fewer, and has won many battles. However, Lv Bu was born as a military general. Cao Cao went to war on both sides, how could such an act last long? If Lu Bu does not stop civil affairs, this person's gaining power may not be a blessing to the world." Speaking of Lu Bu, Tao Qian also said with a sigh.

"Although Lord Inspector has good intentions, but Liu Bei came here because he wanted to rescue Xuzhou. If he took Xuzhou at this time, he would be cast aside by the people of the world. Please forgive Liu Bei for not obeying such an injustice. If Lord Inspector persuades him again That is to force Liu Bei to leave Xuzhou." Liu Bei rolled his eyes, although he also rejected Tao Qian, but he left a way out for himself, as long as Liu Bei stays in Xuzhou, with the current situation in Xuzhou, Liu Bei will return sooner or later. There is an opportunity, but if you leave here, you will lose the opportunity forever.For Liu Bei, Xuzhou is still very attractive.It's just a little difficult how to take over Xuzhou smoothly without letting others say that Liu Bei is unjust.

"Hey, Uncle Liu Huang firmly refused, and Tao Qian didn't refuse any more. There is a small town called Xiaopei here, which is where I stationed troops. Uncle Liu might as well stay here temporarily. Xuzhou is in trouble at any time, so you can ask Uncle Huang at any time. Please help." Seeing Liu Bei willing to stay in Xuzhou, Tao Qian said happily.Compared with giving Xuzhou directly to Liu Bei, letting Liu Bei station troops in Xiaopei is what everyone is more willing to see. Everyone has only heard about Liu Bei's character, but now they have the opportunity to see clearly.

Now that the matter has come to a conclusion, Tao Qian's hanging heart can be regarded as letting go. Although Tao Qian said that he doesn't look down on heroes like Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao and Lu Bu, Tao Qian can't fight these heroes with his ability. However, now that there is Liu Bei, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with these heroes. Liu Guan Zhang's prestige must be spread far and wide, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are rare generals in the world.

"Report to the Inspector, an order from the imperial court." Just when Tao Qian thought that Xuzhou would be safe for a while, suddenly a soldier ran in, reported to Tao Qian, and at the same time handed a volume of documents to Tao Qian.

"This?" Tao Qian frowned when he saw the content of the document clearly, obviously a little surprised, but he immediately came back to his senses and said to the bewildered crowd: "The imperial court launched an attack on Xuzhou without authorization because of Cao Cao. Cao Cao has already been removed from all official positions, and I have been ordered to send troops to Xuzhou to cooperate with Taiwei Lu Bu to destroy Cao Cao's troops, what do you think should be done?"

"This must be Lu Bu's treacherous plan. He wanted to occupy Yanzhou, but he was afraid that he would not be able to reach Cao Cao's 20 troops. That's why he wanted us to send troops." Hearing Tao Qian's words, Mi Zhu came out first and said.

"Lu Bu's intentions are naturally very clear, but the important thing is how we should deal with it now." Regarding Mi Zhu's remarks, Liu Bei did not object, but unlike Mi Zhu's views, Liu Bei hit the nail on the head right away, the important thing is not Discuss whether this is Lu Bu's conspiracy, and how Xuzhou can benefit from this struggle instead of making enemies.

"What's your opinion, Uncle Liu Huang?" Seeing that Liu Bei took the initiative to speak, and regarded himself as a member of Xuzhou when he spoke, Tao Qian already knew that Liu Bei was thinking of Xuzhou, so he asked.

(End of this chapter)