Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 196
"Wen Ruo has something to say, but it's okay to say it!" Cao Cao quickly waved his hand to signal Xun Yu not to be so restrained.As a veteran figure who has followed him for more than ten years, Cao Cao's reliance on Xun Yu is definitely not comparable to that of Guo Jia, let alone a newly defected counselor like Jia Xu.These two people are just counselors, but Xun Yu is Wang Zuozhi's talent that he relies on.When I was fighting outside, as long as Xun Yu was there, it meant that I could have a solid and stable rear.Cao Cao was not a person who paid much attention to etiquette, and he would not speak in such a serious manner with Xun Yu.

"Wei Gong, it is rumored that many people have written letters recently to persuade Wei Gong to become the King of Wei. I don't know what Wei Gong will do?" Xun Yu still asked his own question in a more tactful way.In fact, Xun Yu himself knew that it was not just someone's persuasion, Cao Cao must be ready to move in his heart.

"It's true, Wen Ruo, everyone's kindness and fists, how can I cool everyone's hearts!" Cao Cao, who has always been free and easy, rarely answered this question directly, but responded in a tone that was a bit out of touch. Xun Yu, or to defend himself.

"Duke Wei must not!" Xun Yu's tone suddenly became very firm, and then he said urgently: "Duke Wei has now become the prime minister and general of the hussars. In the 400 years of the Han Dynasty, it is unprecedented for someone as powerful as Duke Wei. Now, if Duke Wei ascends to the throne again, it will be an arrogance, and then everyone in the world will think that Duke Wei is a rebellious person, ruining Duke Wei's reputation of loyalty in vain."

If others hear this, they will definitely laugh out loud.Cao Cao has been mixed up to this point today, if he is said to be loyal, few people would believe him.Cao Cao was naturally very upset when he heard this, but he still tried his best to speak in a calm tone: "Wen Ruo's words are alarmist, I think Gu is Wei Gong, and becoming king is just a promotion to the rank of nobility, that's all. Why plotting to usurp us?" Speaking of this, Cao Cao was also a little surprised, although Xun Yu had a stubborn temper, why didn't he come out when he called himself Duke Wei, and now he was going to be called king, but he was so strongly opposed.

But soon he knew the answer, "In the past, the great ancestor swore to cut off the white horse, and no one with the surname of Liu could be called king!" Xun Yu said, poking his neck.

Grandma, old man Liu Bang has been dead for hundreds of years, yet you still use his words to bully me!Cao Cao was upset, but he still tried his best to restrain himself and said: "Everyone is very kind, please play with all your strength. Wen Ruo, are you going to let me down?" His tone was already a little upset.

"Wei Gong! Since ancient times, those who have held high positions will be disappointed only because they have no virtue. Knowing that advancing and retreating is not for fame, it will only be admired by everyone. How can they be disappointed? Only those who hope to be vassal and follow the dragon can I will try my best to persuade the lord to do such a presumptuous thing, I hope the lord will think twice!" Xun Yu bitterly remonstrated.

"Humph!" Cao Cao couldn't hold it anymore this time, Huo Di got up and said angrily, "Xun Wenruo, are you the only loyal minister in the world, and everyone else is a traitor?"

"Xun Yu doesn't dare to say that others are loyal and treacherous, but he wants to act worthy of the world and the Han Dynasty!" Xun Yu seemed to ignore Cao Cao's anger, straightened his back and said indifferently.Perhaps, he has never been afraid.

"You?" Cao Cao looked at the fearless Xun Yu, and was too angry to speak.Seeing Cao Cao's expression, Xun Yu didn't want to continue to embarrass him, so he changed his tone slightly and said, "My lord, when I was like Chen Liu, I raised an army to attack Dong Zhuo. What was it for? It was to help the Han Dynasty. Suppress the country's thieves. Live up to the love of the imperial court and keep the people safe. Why should you pay so much attention to your own personal honor and disgrace? Now it is unwise to lose the world's popularity for a false name!"

"Back then?" Cao Cao seemed in a daze for a moment when he heard Xun Yu talking about the past.When I escaped from Chang'an in embarrassment, I sold my property and raised a banner of loyalty when I returned home. Heroes from all walks of life came to vote. It is really exciting to recall.At that time, I was full of enthusiasm, in order to wipe out the national thieves, and then calm down the world.It's just that this moment and that moment, the current self is no longer the passionate young man who went to assassinate Dong Zhuo with the seven-star sword.Some things can't go back, can never go back.

Seeing Cao Cao's expression changed from nostalgic to firm again, Xun Yu seemed to have guessed something, and couldn't help feeling a little sad again.At this moment, Cao Cao continued: "Wen Ruo, now I am in a high position, with political enemies all over the court and the public, and there are even enemies like Liu Bei. If I slack off a bit, I will be in a doomed situation. Under this situation, How can I be willing to degenerate? Furthermore, let me ask you, if it weren’t for me, Cao Cao, how many people in this world would call themselves lonely?”

These words are not unreasonable. Xun Yu was a little silent when he heard the words. He was about to refute, but he heard Cao Cao continue: "I, Cao Cao, asked myself about the merits of my life. Throughout the 400 years of the Great Han, no one can match! I will be crowned king! I will help the country and benefit the people. The merits of the present age will benefit the future! It is said that he will be the king of Wei, that is!" Cao Cao also realized that these "rhetoric words" are somewhat inappropriate. , had to stop abruptly, and looked at Xun Yu again, but saw that he looked calm, did not refute anything, but nodded, which made Cao Cao very uncomfortable.

"My lord, Madam sent someone to report just now. The young master is seriously ill and has passed out!" At this moment, a servant suddenly came to report, which seemed to relieve the stalemate of the two.

"Wen Ruo, you go back to Xuchang first, I'll be there soon!" After hastily confessing, Cao Cao hurried home to see his son.Xun Yu nodded calmly and sent Cao Cao off respectfully.

When Cao Cao left the hall, Xun Yu seemed to lose all his strength in an instant, and began to bend down and cough violently. "Wow!", Xun Yu actually coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Master Xun? Come on, hurry up, call the imperial physician!" Seeing Xun Yu vomiting blood, the servant at the side hurriedly shouted, and went up to support Xun Yu himself.

"It's okay, Eunuch Guo, I'm sick, just go home and take medicine!" Xun Yu stopped the eunuch Guo from stirring up the crowd, and slowly stood up straight.

"Master Xun, you have to take care of yourself. It is important for the country to be done without you, Mr. Xun!" The eunuch Guo is still a man of conscience. He helped Xun Yu go out, helped him into the carriage, and put down the curtain I tried hard to persuade you before.But with his knowledge, how could he understand that Xun Yu's illness was a heart disease, and he couldn't get better.

"Alas!" Xun Yu in the carriage sighed, lowered his head and leaned against the side of the carriage, and murmured, "Your Majesty, the old minister is really helpless! Duke Cao, he is no longer the Duke Cao he used to be!" Coughed violently.

"Huh!" At this time, Cao Cao had just let out a sigh of relief. The condition of his youngest son, Cang Shu, had finally stabilized.Of the dozen or so sons I have given birth to, the one I love the most is this clever little son, who can figure out how to call an image at the age of six.It's a pity that he was weak and sick since he was a child, and Cao Cao was most worried about whether he could grow up.

"My lord!" Cao Cao had just walked out of the mansion when he heard someone report that it was Hua Xin asking to see him, so he quickly asked him to come in.

"My lord, this is a letter from the clan chiefs and well-educated scholars in the counties of Hedong, Hanoi, and Hongnong, imploring my lord to become king of Wei!" Hua Xin handed a large pile of documents to Cao Cao after receiving the ceremony.

"Ziyu worked hard!" Cao Cao also gave a verbal reward after taking it.In the recent campaign to persuade Cao Cao to become king of Wei, Hua Xin and Sima Yi were basically behind the campaign.This kind of public opinion claims that trouble is not troublesome, but it is not an easy task. Recently, Hua Xin is really busy and forgets to eat and sleep.

When Hua Xin was praised by Cao Cao, he suddenly felt that his whole body seemed to be a little lighter. "My lord, right now the officials and scholars of Yongzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, Yanzhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, Qingzhou and other seven prefectures are all looking forward to the enthronement of the king of Wei, and I hope that the lord will be enthroned as soon as possible, so as not to neglect the hearts of everyone!" Hua Xin continued to persuade, she is really loyal!

"Ziyu, but there are also many people who oppose me being the King of Wei! In the past, Gaozu once said that no one with the surname of Liu can be named king!" Cao Cao pretended to be embarrassing.He knew that with Hua Xin's ability to perceive Shangyi, he could definitely find a reasonable excuse for him.

"My lord!" Hua Xin said excitedly: "As the saying goes, one moment is another moment. In the past, Gaozu cut off the oath of the white horse alliance only because the king with a different surname was as powerful as Han Xin, so he found this excuse to get rid of him. Han Xin If you don't stop Kuai Tong's words, this is the disaster of Weiyang Palace. The lord has already achieved great achievements in the world. If you don't advance to the throne, you will disappoint everyone like Kuai Tong, and you will inevitably end up like Han Xin in the end. Wouldn't it make people in the world Sympathy?"

"En!" Cao Cao also nodded.Supporting the Han Dynasty, returning the government to the emperor, these slogans were just shouted at the beginning, but if he really wanted to return power to the emperor, Cao Cao knew what would happen to him.

"Furthermore, there are two advantages for Duke Wei to become King Wei this time." Hua Xin lowered his voice and continued.

"Ziyu speak up." Cao Cao hurriedly signaled Hua Xin not to hide it, but to speak up.

"First, although the lord is already powerful all over the world, there are still some people with ulterior motives in the government and the public who harbor resentment towards the lord. It's just that these people lurk so deep that it is difficult to detect it for a while. Now that the lord has become king, this generation The middleman will definitely not be able to hold back, and will come out to oppose, and then the lord will catch them all!" Hua Xin said in a low voice.

"Huh?" After hearing Hua Xin's words, Cao Cao's heart was a little moved. Although Cao Cao's strategy was already the best in the world, in terms of conspiracy, he was still not as good as a professional conspirator like Hua Xin.After pondering for a while, Cao Cao asked again: "What about the second benefit?"

"The second one is that the only enemy that my lord is facing right now is Liu Bei. My lord's claim to be king can greatly boost morale, and take advantage of the situation to go south and wipe out Liu Bei in one fell swoop. Isn't it easy?" Hua Xin laughed.

"Well, what Ziyu said is not bad." Cao Cao responded with his mouth, but in his heart he was a little disapproving of the benefit that Hua Xin said. How could Liu Bei be wiped out so easily?It seems that although this Hua Xin is good at observing his intentions and plotting plots, he is not very good at it when it comes to military and state affairs.

These thoughts just flashed through Cao Cao's mind, so he turned his head to Hua Xin without any expression on his face and said, "Ziyu, come with me to Xuchang tomorrow to meet the emperor and discuss the matter of moving the capital."

"Yes!" Hua Xin was overjoyed, and quickly agreed.At this moment, Jia Xu came in hurriedly, saluted Cao Cao and handed over an urgent military report: "My lord, Xiliang urgently reports."

"Huh?" Cao Cao opened it after receiving it, and his expression could not tell whether it was joy or sadness. After reading it, he said indifferently: "Han Sui raided Ma Teng, and Ma Teng and his son Ma Chao fled to Hanzhong. The eight counties of Liangzhou, Right now, Han Sui has obtained everything. Miaocai led his troops to Longxi to suppress Xiliang."

"Ma Teng's downfall, Xiliang is nothing to worry about!" Hua Xin said happily.Cao Cao frowned and said after a while, "Wenhe, you have been in Xiliang for a long time. In your opinion, if Ma Teng and his son have Liu Bei's help, will it be difficult to regain Xiliang?"

"Prime Minister, with the foundation of the Ma family in Xiliang, it would be easy to regain Xiliang with Liu Bei's help. But Han Sui is not someone who is waiting for nothing. Even if Ma Teng can regain Xiliang, he will definitely suffer a serious injury. Moreover, the three counties of Longxi have been occupied by General Xiahou, even if Ma Teng and his son can retake Xiliang, it will be difficult for them to do anything." Seemingly guessing what Cao Cao was worried about, Jia Xu half explained and half comforted.

"That's good!" Cao Cao heaved a sigh of relief. Although he failed to wipe out Ma Teng in one fell swoop, the effect of this trick of alienation is quite good, and Cao Cao is satisfied after thinking about it.Counting the date, today is already the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, and there is still time to rush to Xuchang before the end of the year, and then take advantage of the end of the year to finalize the matter of moving the capital.

"Wenhe, in your opinion, after moving the capital, is it possible to fight Liu Bei to the death?" Cao Cao asked.

"Xu thinks it's feasible. People's livelihood in Hebei has been restored to a certain extent. Right now, my lord, apart from the military horses guarding the northern border, I can mobilize at least another 40 troops. In addition, there is no shortage of food, grass and supplies, which is enough to defeat Liu Bei in one fell swoop." Jia Jia Xu is full of confidence and authenticity.

"It's just that this big-eared thief is no small thing now!" Cao Cao sighed, this is a guy with extremely tenacious vitality that has survived from the Yellow Turban era, Cao Cao knows that it is much more difficult to deal with him than Yuan Shao.

Seemingly guessing what Cao Cao was worried about, Jia Xu continued to remonstrate: "My lord, although Liu Bei's army is powerful, it has an obvious flaw. Our army only needs to avoid the truth and make it false, which is enough to defeat it."

"What's the defect?" Cao Cao hastily motioned to Jia Xu to say clearly.

"Cavalry!" Jia Xu said succinctly, and then explained in detail: "The day before yesterday, I reported that Zhao Feng exchanged grain, grass and horses for horses in Hanzhong, and he exchanged a total of two to three thousand horses. It's only [-] to [-]. Once a battle is fought on the plain, it will be extremely disadvantageous to use his infantry against our cavalry. Right now, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Guanzhong are all horse-producing lands owned by the lord, and Liangzhou is also occupied by Han Sui. Even if Liu Bei No matter how powerful you are, you can't change cavalry."

"That's true!" Cao Cao nodded in agreement.With Jia Xu's wisdom, he never imagined that Liu Bei was getting horses from Yuan Tan in Liaodong through the sea channel.Of course, even if he knew, he wouldn't take it seriously.How could Cao Cao pay attention to such a small number of thousands of horses each time.

"By the way, Wenhe, did Liu Bei let Zhao Feng station in Hanzhong?" Cao Cao suddenly thought of something, and asked Jia Xu quickly.

"Exactly!" Jia Xu nodded.

"If this person is in Hanzhong, Guanzhong may never be peaceful again!" Cao Cao sighed.Hua Xin was at a loss when he heard the words, Jia Xu was silent for a while, but then said: "Xu has two strategies, maybe we can deal with this person."

(End of this chapter)