The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

"Fengxiao, what's the situation in Nanyang Commandery? I heard that Zhang Ji of the Xiliang Army is fighting Liu Biao in the Nanyang area, attempting to seize Nanyang!"

After enjoying the praise from everyone, Cao Cao did not get carried away, but instead inquired about the situation in Nanyang.

Since he occupied the Sili region, Nanyang County has become a sharp knife stuck in his heart, a great threat.

Nanyang Commandery was under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou, which was occupied by Liu Biao. However, the remnants of Zhang Ji's army from Xiliang were attacking Nanyang, attempting to establish their own independent territory, which Cao Cao could not tolerate.

"My lord, according to our intelligence, Zhang Ji's army is currently stationed in the Xin County, Li Kingdom, and Dan River area, and has been besieging Wan County for a long time without success!"

"Furthermore, Zhang Ji himself died not long ago from an arrow wound, and his troops are currently under the command of his nephew, Zhang Xiu!"

"It seems they are in talks with Liu Biao, and the two sides are preparing for an alliance!"

Without hesitation, Guo Jia told him everything about Nanyang County. Ever since the allied forces attacked and captured Chang'an, Zhang Ji had led his troops to Nanyang County to rest and regroup.

They were completely separated from the Xiliang Army and began to develop independently. However, Zhang Ji himself was still very unlucky and died in battle during the attack on Wan County. The command of the Xiliang Army was handed over to Zhang Xiu.

After gaining command of the Xiliang army, Zhang Xiu ceased his offensive and began negotiations with Liu Biao.

"A joint effort? How's it progressing?"

Upon hearing that Zhang Xiu was preparing to join forces with Liu Biao, Cao Cao anxiously inquired about the progress of both sides. Once Zhang Xiu's Xiliang army received Liu Biao's logistical support and occupied Nanyang Commandery, he would definitely recruit soldiers on a large scale.

This would be a very unfavorable situation for me.

"I don't know, but we're intensifying our efforts to gather intelligence on this!"

Guo Jia shook his head. After all, it was extremely difficult to obtain such classified information, especially for an intelligence agency like theirs that had only been established for a short time.

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately issued a strict order: "Closely monitor their movements and find out as soon as possible. Also, send someone to see if they can persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender!"

The rapidly developing Western Liang army was like a tiger lurking nearby, ready to pounce and bite at any moment, especially given the close proximity between the two sides.

As for sending troops to eliminate Zhang Xiu in his infancy, Cao Cao is now in a difficult position and dares not even entertain the idea.

First, they paid Yuan Shu a large amount of grain and fodder, and then they gained this territory. Their defensive forces were stretched thin, and they were unable to concentrate their superior forces to eliminate the enemy in a short time. They could only try to persuade him to surrender!

"promise!"

I'll take care of it right away!

That very afternoon, just as Guo Jia and his entourage were setting off for Nanyang to persuade Zhang Xiu, an urgent secret letter was sent from Chang'an to Xuzhou!

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The following morning, Qin Xuan arrived at the governor's mansion in high spirits to handle daily affairs. He had just knelt down when Meng Guang hurriedly walked in, holding a letter in his hand and looking anxious.

"Young Master, this letter was sent from Chang'an by the Sili Commandery of the Black Ice Guard." Meng Guang walked up to Qin Xuan and handed him the letter.

"Oh, what big move has Cao Cao made this time?" Qin Xuan muttered to himself as he unfolded the book and examined it closely.

Cao Cao was his primary target of observation, and he was required to gather all intelligence related to him as soon as possible.

As time passed, the contents of the book made Qin Xuan's expression become increasingly serious.

The letter mentioned that Cao Cao was preparing to form an alliance with him to deal with Yuan Shao, but that was not his focus. What piqued his interest was the news that Guo Jia had personally gone to Nanyang to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender.

Historically, Cao Cao twice tried to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender.

The first instance was in 197 AD when Cao Cao seized Zhang Xiu's aunt, resulting in the loss of three talented individuals in a single cannon shot.

Two years later, Yuan Shao sent someone to win over Zhang Xiu to fight against Cao Cao together, but Zhang Xiu followed Jia Xu's advice, refused Yuan Shao, and chose to surrender to Cao Cao again.

Jia Xu analyzed the situation for Zhang Xiu, believing that Cao Cao's use of the emperor to command the feudal lords was legitimate and that Cao Cao's power was relatively weak, so he would value Zhang Xiu's surrender.

Zhang Xiu was persuaded by Jia Xu and surrendered to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was very pleased and accepted Zhang Xiu, giving him generous treatment. He appointed Zhang Xiu as General Who Destroys the Enemy, granted him a fief of two thousand households, and arranged for his son Cao Jun to marry Zhang Xiu's daughter, thus establishing a marriage alliance between the two families.

In the end, the two sides reconciled with a smile.

Cao Cao's attempt to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender came two years earlier than in history, but that didn't stop Qin Xuan from interfering.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Xuan called out to the guards outside the door, "Someone, quickly invite Mr. Wenhe over; I have something to discuss with him!"

The guard outside the door responded, and Qin Xuan then inquired about the current situation of Zhang Xiu's troops.

Meng Guang then reported all the intelligence about Zhang Xiu's troops to Qin Xuan in detail.

Jia Xu hurriedly entered the governor's mansion, his eyes revealing his exhaustion, which showed how heavy the work pressure he was under.

"My lord, what brings you here?" Jia Xu asked, bowing slightly, his voice tinged with doubt. He had been keeping a very low profile under Qin Xuan, and he hadn't seen Liu Bowen or Zhang Juzheng either, which puzzled him.

"My lord, what brings you here?" Jia Xu asked, bowing slightly, his voice tinged with doubt. He had been keeping a very low profile under Qin Xuan, and he hadn't seen Liu Bowen or Zhang Juzheng either, which puzzled him.

Qin Xuan nodded and handed the scroll to Jia Xu, saying, "This is intelligence from the Black Ice Guard. Take a look, especially the last piece of information!"

With a puzzled look, Jia Xu stepped forward and took the book from Qin Xuan's hand, carefully reading it, especially the last piece of information in the book.

As time passed, the doubt on Jia Xu's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of sudden realization.

That's it!

"My lord, you didn't summon me here to ask me to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender, did you?"

After reading it, Jia Xu looked up at Qin Xuan and met his gaze.

He was highly respected in the Xiliang army. Back when Dong Zhuo was killed, if he hadn't encouraged them to counterattack Chang'an, the Xiliang army would probably have perished long ago. From then on, those Xiliang generals treated him like an honored guest.

Qin Xuan probably summoned him here to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender before Cao Cao could!

"Yes, but you're only half right. I not only want to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender, but I also want to use this opportunity to wipe out Cao Cao in one fell swoop!"

"Come closer and listen!"

Qin Xuan nodded and shared his thoughts.

Curious about Qin Xuan's scheme, Jia Xu quickly approached Qin Xuan and listened to the whispered words in his ear.

As Qin Xuan muttered to himself, Jia Xu's wise eyes immediately lit up. He hadn't expected Qin Xuan to have so many ideas!

"So, how about it? Will this plan be enough to take down Cao Cao?"

Qin Xuan then boasted with pride and asked with great interest.

"My lord, I will set off immediately and will certainly handle this matter perfectly!"

Jia Xu now has a deeper understanding of Qin Xuan, recognizing him as resourceful and far-sighted.

If Qin Xuan knew what Jia Xu was thinking, he would definitely scoff at it.

This isn't even about knowing the course of history or the character of people. How can someone as young as me compare to you old foxes?

"Alright, I'll send ten Great Snow Dragon Riders to protect you. You may depart immediately!"

Qin Xuan immediately gave the order, since Guo Jia had already set off, and if they were any later, they would be too late. If Zhang Xiuzhen defected to Cao Cao, it would be too late for everything.

That morning, under the protection of ten ordinary guards dressed as Snow Dragon Riders, Jia Xu disguised himself as a Mi family merchant caravan and rushed to Nanyang County at top speed.