Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 215

"The road in Xichuan is dangerous. Liu Zhang and his son have been running for dozens of generations. How could they be broken by Zhao Feng and Zhang Fei in less than two months?" Cao Pi said in amazement after reading the military report his father handed him.This military newspaper is written too briefly, and many things are unclear.After Xia Houyuan in Guanzhong learned that Xichuan had fallen, he only sent first-hand news as soon as possible.

"Jianmen Pass and Jiameng Pass are the most powerful passes in the world, and Zhao Botao took them easily?" Zhong Yao has been in the pass for many years, and he has a certain understanding of the terrain of Jianmen Pass and Jiameng Pass. Things are a bit unbelievable.After hearing what they said, Jia Xu thought for a while before saying: "There are many mountains in Xichuan, maybe Zhao Botao found a mountain road to avoid these two great passes, or the guards surrendered?"

"It's possible!" Most people felt that the possibility was not small after hearing this.Cao Cao ordered someone to fetch the most detailed map of Xichuan and examine it carefully.It's a pity that the Yinping Pass plank road is not marked on this map, and Cao Cao couldn't figure it out for a while.

"The key now is not how Zhao Botao won Xichuan, but how should we deal with him once he wins Xichuan?" Cao Cao could afford to let it go, seeing that Xichuan was no longer in his hands, he simply stopped summing up the defeat for Liu Zhang Lesson learned, let's talk about it later when we get accurate information.

"Zhao Botao has newly acquired Xichuan, but Xichuan people are very xenophobic. If you want to consolidate Xichuan and Hanzhong, you can't do it in two or three years. Therefore, it is best for the lord to send troops south to Jingxiang within two or three years. , After occupying Jingxiang, Liu Bei’s army will not be able to take care of both the head and the tail! If the soldiers of Xichuan can also go north to commit crimes, there will be no peace in Guanzhong day and night!” After a while, Guo Jia proposed the most realistic strategy.

"I have been wanting to take Jingxiang for a long time. I don't know what is the best strategy for you?" Cao Cao also agreed with Guo Jia's strategy, and quickly asked the most realistic questions to everyone.Now there are different opinions, some say they want to march to Nanyang from Guanzhong, and some say they want to march from Xuchang to Wancheng.There are various theories, each of which sounds beautiful, but there is still a long way to go before it can be implemented.

"King Wei, Yi has a plan, maybe he can help the lord go south to Jingxiang easily!" Sima Yi, who had been silent until now, suddenly said.A light flashed in Cao Cao's eyes when he heard the words. Since the plan of the six-way army came to an end, although Sima Yi was added as his chief secretary and later promoted to long history, he has been unknown, and no one has seen him come up with any ideas.Now at this time, he suddenly volunteered again, and with such great confidence, Cao Cao always felt that something was wrong.

"Zhongda has something to say!" Cao Cao motioned to Sima Yi but said it's okay, Sima Yi nodded and said: "My lord, in fact, compared with Liu Bei, my lord's biggest advantage is that my lord has a huge and brave cavalry. Army. When fighting on the plains, cavalry is very beneficial to infantry. Therefore, you only need to lure Liu Bei's army to the plains, and then my lord will use tiger and leopard cavalry to cut off the rear of the other cavalry and fight with him in the field. The chances of winning are great."

"This statement is true, but I don't know what strategy Zhongda has to lure Liu Bei's main force to the plains." It was not Cao Cao who asked the question, but the surly Cheng Yu.The tone was very unkind, as if what Sima Yi had said before was all nonsense.

Although Cheng Yu's tone was not kind, Sima Yi wasn't bothered.At that moment, Sima Yi smiled lightly and said: "My lord, I have forgotten this person. If this person is called to lure Liu Bei to attack, Liu Bei will definitely not be able to hold back. Once his army leaves Jingxiang lightly, and my lord rides tigers and leopards to break his way back, then Liu Bei will be defeated." The big thing is settled!" Then Sima Yi explained his strategy in detail, after Cao Cao and others listened to it, they felt that it was very novel, but it was hard to tell whether it was good or bad.

"What Zhong Da said is not impossible. Anyway, this person is idle, so it's better to use his waste!" After a while, it was Cao Pi who spoke first, obviously agreeing with Sima Yi.Cao Cao looked at the counselors Jia Xu and Guo Jia, but saw that these people were also frowning, noncommittal.

"What does Feng Xiao think of this plan?" Cao Cao didn't want them to remain silent, so he asked the question himself.After a long while, Guo Jiacai said slowly, "Zhongda's plan is very clever, but there are many resourceful people around Liu Bei, it will be extremely difficult for this person to deceive Liu Bei."

"Then Feng Xiao doesn't agree with this plan?" Cao Cao asked Guo Jia's words as if he was not too confident.Guo Jia was silent when he heard the words, and finally remonstrated: "If this plan is successful, it will be enough to wipe out Liu Bei's elite, and he will not be able to recover within five years. But if he wants to, he needs to use another plan to supplement it, so as to deceive Liu Bei."

"Feng Xiao's words are not bad. My lord can use an excuse to attack Yuan Tan in Liaodong, and pretend to lead the army to Youzhou, so Liu Bei may fall into the trap!" Cheng Yu thought for a while.Cao Cao nodded repeatedly when he heard the words, secretly calculating in his heart.

"My lord, the fourth son is back!" At this moment, the servant came to report. "Oh? Zhi'er went to Zhanghe River to oversee the construction of the Tongque Terrace on my behalf, and came back so soon?" Cao Cao said happily, his tone full of love for his son.Cao Pi on the side couldn't help but feel a little sad when he heard the words.At this moment, he felt his sleeve gown being pulled lightly, but when he looked back, Sima Yi gave him a wink. Cao Pi immediately woke up, and smiled happily, following everyone's praise of his younger brother without mentioning it.

"Zhongda, you have also seen that my father is now more and more fond of Xinzijian. I think he is the heir of Hitachi, I am afraid it must be Zijian!" After the discussion was over, Cao Pi and Sima Yi left together, and the former suddenly felt a little disappointed typical.It's no wonder that it wouldn't be happy to change anyone now.

Cao Cao said that it has been half a year since the king of Wei, and Cao Cao has not had an heir in the past six months, and anyone with a discerning eye can see what Cao Cao means.Among Cao Cao's sons, only Cao Pi, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi are over fifteen years old.Cao Pi is filial and benevolent, and he is kind to others. The clan generals and his third brother Cao Zhang are all friendly to him.It stands to reason that the position of the son of the world belongs to him, but Cao Cao obviously has other scruples.

His scruples are Cao Zhi.

Cao Zhi, who is only 16 years old this year, is already a famous talent in the world.In the past two years, no less than a hundred of the famous articles, poems and Fu written by him have been widely circulated.At the beginning of the year, Tongque Terrace was built, and his "Fu on Tongque Terrace" won a lot of applause, and also won him a lot of prestige among scholars.Facing such a smart son, Cao Cao would have some ideas anyway.It is no exaggeration to say that if Cao Pi hadn't been pretending to be deep enough, Cao Cao would have made Cao Zhi his heir long ago.

"Second son, don't worry. Although the fourth son is famous all over the world, there are countless people who have caused disasters since ancient times. The King of Wei will not ignore it. Furthermore, the second son is dutiful, filial, benevolent, and has noble virtues. The fourth son, however, is unrestrained and indulges in excessive drinking. To be the heir to the emperor, virtue is more important than talent and learning. My lord will not fail to consider this. Today, when the fourth son returns to Yecheng, he will definitely drink and sing with Ding Yi brothers and other literati Why don't Second Young Master go and take a look?" Sima Yi said with a smile, his wolf eyes were full of wisdom.

"It makes sense!" Cao Pi was overjoyed and was about to go, but Sima Yi pulled him and said: "Young master, wait a minute, you still need to go with the third son or General Zidan to be a witness!"

"Zhongda, you really have an idea!" Cao Pi was overjoyed when he heard the words, and then patted Sima Yi on the shoulder and sighed: "Although I am friendly with the elders of the clan, among the officials, you are the only one who has heart with me. Zhongda I was born for the world, and if I can inherit my father's legacy in the future, I will definitely use it for you!"

"Second Young Master, you are serious!" Sima Yi said respectfully, a gleam flashed in the corner of his eyes.

So this afternoon, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen, who were asking Xu Chu for advice on martial arts, met Cao Pi who came to them.Cao Pi said that he heard that Cao Zhi was back, and his brothers hadn't seen each other for several months. During this period, he was supervising the work at Tongque Terrace, and it was very hard work. Why don't you go to his house to see him.Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen had nothing to do, so Cao Cao's two sons and a group of sons went to Cao Zhi's house together.

"Second Young Master, Third Young Master, General Zidan!" Seeing the three of them, the gatekeeper saluted quickly.

"Where's Zijian?" Cao Zhang asked a little surprised seeing that it wasn't Cao Zhi himself who came out to greet him.The man faltered for a long time, and finally said: "The three don't know something, the fourth son is drunk, and now he is lying on his back and unconscious in the hall."

"Ah, are you drunk again?" Cao Zhang was startled when he heard that, his younger brother had always been a drinker, so he didn't want to get drunk again today.At this time Cao Pi said: "I haven't seen you for a long time, I just came to see you today. Since Zijian was drunk, it was inconvenient for us not to disturb his rest. But it is already early autumn, and he was drunk and lying on his back in the living room." , what if you catch the wind and cold? Hurry up and take your young master to the couch in the room to rest!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" The servant hurried to the hall and carried Cao Zhi, who was full of alcohol and drunk, back to the room.Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen frowned looking at Cao Zhi who was unconscious.At this moment, Cao Zhi, who was in a coma, suddenly vomited out his mouth full of filth, and a lot of it splashed on Cao Pi who came forward to check him.

"You kid!" Cao Zhang was also angry when he saw that Cao Zhi was so drunk.Just as he was about to reprimand him, Cao Pi pulled him and said, "Forget about the third brother, the fourth brother is drunk, so I don't care about him. It's just that he drinks at such a young age, and he will definitely hurt himself in the future!"

"Forget it, tell the father later and let him take care of the fourth brother!" Cao Zhang said with some displeasure.Since Cao Zhi has been unconscious, the three returned disappointed, but they didn't want to meet Cao Cao at the door.

"Father!" The three hurriedly saluted Cao Cao.Cao Cao nodded, looked at the three people in front of him, and couldn't help frowning and asked, "Zihuan, your clothes are dirty, why are you so?" His tone was very unhappy.

"This!" Cao Pi smiled awkwardly, and Cao Zhang on the side couldn't help but said: "My father doesn't know something. Zijian was drunk and lay on his back in the living room. The second brother was afraid that he would catch the cold, so he was carried into the hall. In the room. I don’t want Zijian to vomit, which is why my second brother’s clothes are dirty.”

"Why, Zijian is drunk again?" Cao Cao frowned when he heard this.

"Exactly!" Cao Zhang said angrily, and Cao Zhen on the side also nodded in agreement.How did they know that Cao Pi had bought off the people around Cao Cao a long time ago, knowing that Cao Cao would come to Cao Zhi this afternoon, so he pulled them to show Cao Cao a good show of caring for his brothers.

"Forget it, I'll go back first, so Zihuan can change his clothes when he returns home, so as not to lose his appearance!" Cao Cao looked at the three of them, and finally sighed.When looking at Cao Pi, a complex look flashed in the corner of his eyes.

Cao Cao returned to his Wei Palace that night, but he was a little restless.When it was time for dinner, someone came to report that General Xiahou Dun and Zhendong General Cao Ren had something to report.Cao Cao hurriedly ordered the two to come in, but it was Cao Ren who reported the progress of this year's recruit training, and Xiahou Dun who reported the confrontation with Yuan Tan in Youzhou.

"Okay, okay!" Cao Cao was overjoyed seeing everything was going smoothly.Looking at Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren in front of him, Cao Cao suddenly said with some emotion: "Zi Xiao, Yuan Rang, it has been more than ten years since we started our army in Chenliu, right?"

"It's been 16 years!" Cao Ren said with emotion.

"You and I are called monarchs and ministers, but we are actually brothers. If it weren't for your help, I, Cao Cao, would not be able to get to where I am today!" Cao Cao said with some emotion.Signaling the two not to be modest, Cao Cao said again: "I have a difficult decision right now, and I hope you can give me some advice."

"My lord, please speak!" The two dared not even speak, so Cao Cao asked him to speak up.

"The number of sons born to an orphan, each has its own strengths. From the perspective of the two of you, who will be the heir, Zihuan, Zihe, and Zijian?" Cao Cao pointedly said.Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren looked at each other. Although they are generals, they also know that this kind of succession is not easy to talk about. Once they are on the wrong team, it is hard to say.But now that Cao Cao took the initiative to ask, and mentioned brotherhood to them again, he really couldn't avoid it.

"My lord, since ancient times, the eldest son has been established as the heir, and now Zi Huan is dutiful and benevolent, and he is right to inherit the throne." Cao Ren said without hesitation.Xiahou Dun's only remaining one eye turned around a few times, and finally said: "My lord, Mr. Zihuan has always been kind to others and has a generous disposition. He is naturally a good candidate for the successor."

Cao Tai, Cao Ren's son, and Xia Houshang, Xiahou Dun's son, were both Cao Pi's chief acquaintances.On this issue, they did not hesitate to stand on Cao Pi's side.Cao Cao nodded his head when he heard the words, but didn't say anything else, just pulled them to discuss some issues on military strategy.

Compared with Cao Cao's hesitation, Liu Bei didn't have so many scruples. After all, he now only has a seven-year-old son, Liu Feng, and no one is arguing with him.Under the teaching of Sun Qian, a direct disciple of Zheng Xuan, a great Confucian of the generation, this child is quite smart.

But Liu Bei is a little upset now, not because of his son, but because of his wife.Meng Da and Fazheng, the Yizhou surrenders who just came to Shouchun, brought him a rather troublesome matter.At this time, someone came to report that it was Pang Tong who asked to see him.

"Quickly announce!" Liu Bei hurriedly motioned for Pang Tong to come in. "I've met my lord!" After Pang Tong finished saluting, Liu Bei also asked eagerly: "Shi Yuan came just in time, I have a difficult thing here, please ask Shi Yuan to explain it to me!"

"What's the matter, my lord?" Pang Tong seemed to have expected something, and asked hastily.

"Hey, just now Fa Xiaozhi and Mencius asked me to marry Wu Ziyu's sister, what do you think should be done?" Liu Bei sighed.When Pang Tong heard the words, he chuckled and said, "My lord is the Duke of Qi. Three wives and four concubines are common. Now there are only two wives and one concubine in the lord's house, so what does it matter if you marry another one?"

"This matter is not so simple, Mrs. Wu is a widow!" Liu Bei sighed.In fact, Mrs. Wu can't be considered a widow, she just made a marriage contract with Liu Zhang's eldest son, Liu Mao, but Liu Mao passed away early, but she has never been married and is still a virgin.

What Liu Bei worries about is that if he marries this Mrs. Wu now, the Yizhou faction will certainly feel at ease, but the Xuzhou faction and Jingzhou faction will feel a little bit at ease.Pang Tong was naturally aware of the stakes, and smiled strangely at the moment: "What's the matter, my lord, I have a plan, so that my lord can cover everything!"

(End of this chapter)