A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Donglai County, Qingzhou.

There are few powerful families, but many Yellow Turbans. It has the largest port in the Han Dynasty and is the lifeline between the Han Dynasty and the Japanese islands. Nearly half of the Han Dynasty's gold and silver are transported from the Japanese islands through the port of Donglai County.

Speaking of Japan Island, wow, it's so lush!

With Cao Cao around, the Yellow Turbans had nothing to worry about.

It seems that what Wei Xue values ​​is the scarcity of prominent families in Qingzhou.

The only prominent family was the Kong family.

Even though Taoism is currently the dominant school, Confucianism and Taoism are still among the various branches of Taoism, striving to maintain the top three positions and compete for the second position.

But those who understand Confucianism and Taoism understand it, especially the Confucius family, who have a sense of honor.

After dealing with the Kong family, the other smaller families were nothing.

Why choose Donglai County when there are so many counties in Qingzhou?

As the location of the port, Donglai County is the focus of everyone's attention, including the emperor. Countless eyes are watching it.

No one is allowed to tamper with this place; otherwise, they will be attacked by the crowd.

This creates a strange balance.

The money can only be distributed once it reaches Chang'an; it can't be touched in Donglai. This place isn't a good choice.

Xi Zhicai couldn't figure it out, so he brought the others to his house and told them all his guesses.

Cao Cao then realized that there were so many intricacies involved in Wei Xue's decision to choose Qinglai County.

Especially Emperor Ling of Han's health.

Xi Zhicai didn't know Wei Xue's identity, but he knew it perfectly well.

Wei Xue's father was Emperor Ling of Han's attending physician, and he personally examined Emperor Ling's body every year.

"Bojing, could it be that your uncle was examining His Majesty's body...?"

"I don't know. My father has never told me about His Majesty's health."

"However, I have seen the medicine my father prepared; His Majesty's health does not seem to be very good."

Wei Xue said.

Cao Cao looked at Xun You, Xi Zhicai, and Guo Jia with puzzled expressions, "Bo Jing's father is the Marquis of Anshou in this era."

Marquis of Anshou.

That's fine.

This person definitely possesses the latest information on His Majesty's health.

But this doesn't explain the other questions.

"What happens today must be said by me and heard by you, and must never be told to anyone else."

"According to some intelligence from the family, the Yuan family and the Yang family, these truly top-tier families, seem to be secretly plotting something."

"Even the Wei family couldn't find out the truth."

"After the Yellow Turban Rebellion."

Upon hearing that Wei Xueshuo referred to it as the Yellow Turban Rebellion rather than the Yellow Turban Uprising, the group frowned simultaneously.

"Undercurrents are stirring throughout the land, and some members of the family have deduced that the world is in chaos."

If the world descends into chaos, then Donglai will indeed be an extremely important place.

That represents countless amounts of gold and silver.

"Those families would never set foot in Donglai County beforehand to avoid exposing their plans, lest they arouse the suspicion of others."

"So the route you planned for the lord was to start from Donglai County, first occupy Qingzhou, gather the remnants of the Yellow Turban army, and then take over the land of Qingxu with the gold and silver from the Japanese islands."

"And based on this, they swallowed up Yanzhou and Youzhou, becoming the pinnacle of Eastern Qi."

"Then they will annex the Central Plains, eye Hebei, and rebuild the country."

Xi Zhicai speculated.

"Excellent, Zhicai is indeed a great talent."

To be able to deduce so much from the slightest clues he revealed, Xi Zhicai was indeed extraordinary.

Cao Cao also witnessed Xi Zhicai's talent and secretly wondered why, since they were both human, their brains were so different.

He now has high expectations for Guo Jia's abilities.

Guo Jia shrugged. "My talents are all in military strategy, which my lord won't be able to see for the time being."

"However, Jia suggests that we find a few Yellow Turban prisoners who can be absolutely trusted and send them to Qingzhou. It might have an unexpected effect."

All of them were knowledgeable about military affairs, except for Xu Chu.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes; this was indeed a good idea.

At this time, when the Yellow Turbans are suffering repeated defeats, it is only natural for someone to go to Qingzhou to be investigated by Guan Hai, and it will not arouse any suspicion.

With enough inside help within the enemy ranks, we can definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

This strategy alone is enough to prove Guo Jia's ability.

"With your help, our great undertaking can be accomplished!"

Cao Cao said with delight.

Having recruited several key talents, Cao Cao was very satisfied with his gains in Yingchuan.

After staying in Yingchuan for a few more days, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun wiped out the banditry in Yingchuan.

Later, he led his army to sweep through the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Yu Province, during which time he also witnessed Guo Jia's strategies.

He had meticulously planned every move the enemy made, as if the enemy were puppets on strings, completely at his mercy.

Cao Cao even wrote a poem for him:

Born Guo Fengxiao, a hero surpassing all others.

His belly held the classics and histories, and his heart concealed the weapons of war.

His strategic planning was like that of Fan Li, and his decision-making like that of Chen Ping.

He pacified the four seas in one fell swoop, and his ingenious plan determined the fate of the world.

After sweeping away the Yellow Turbans in Yuzhou, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was basically quelled throughout the land. Cao Cao also received an order from the imperial court to return to Chang'an to receive his reward.

Cao Cao had already written to his father, Cao Teng, about his intentions, and his father spoke on his behalf in the court.

It's now basically settled that he will receive the titles of Governor of Qingzhou, Prefect of Donglai, and General of Valiant Might.

Although Cao Cao did not take sides, he wanted to step out of this vortex, and with the connections left by Cao Song, no one stopped him.

Upon returning to the capital, Cao Cao first visited his former superior, Huangfu Song. Huangfu Song had already received the news and handed over his military treatise to Cao Cao.

"I've heard that some people in the court are using your status as a Yellow Turban prisoner as a pretext to attack and annihilate you. You must be very careful."

"Thank you for the reminder, General."

Cao Cao expressed his gratitude.

He had long anticipated this day would come, but he has no regrets.

After visiting Huangfu Song, Cao Cao went on to visit Lu Zhi and Zhu Jun.

He then set up a banquet in Chang'an, inviting Liu Bei and his two brothers, as well as Sun Wentai, to attend.

After several rounds of drinks, Cao Cao began to offer his services in recruitment.

"Xuande, after this battle, I plan to take up a local post. I know your intentions well; would you be willing to accompany me?"

Liu Bei was somewhat tempted. This time, Lu Zhi was different from the historical one; this time, he was directly defeated by the Yellow Turbans.

Although Liu Bei and his two brothers were brave and strong, they lacked military strength and official positions in the court. Without Lu Zhi's support, they could not achieve much military merit.

He didn't have much hope for this reward.

On the battlefield, he also learned what kind of person Cao Cao was, and he knew that Cao Cao had argued with Huangfu Song because of the Yellow Turbans. He still trusted Cao Cao's character.

"Let's wait for the imperial court's arrangements. If it's not suitable, then I'll leave it to General Cao."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Cao Cao looked at Guan Yu, and was very satisfied.

With Liu Bei already in our grasp, how far behind can Guan Yu be?!