"Hehe. I laughed at the fact that Liu Ming is good at using troops, but he is still normal." Cao Cao smiled confidently.

Of course, Cao Cao could not tell the truth that he was angry with Cao Ren. That would be so embarrassing. Now that he said this, it would not only not embarrass him, but also belittle Liu Ming and encourage the morale of his subordinates. Why not do it?

Although most of Cao Cao's subordinates did not know why Cao Cao suddenly looked down on the powerful enemy Liu Ming, whom he always valued, they were still affected by Cao Cao's confident expression, which was infected with Cao Cao's relaxed atmosphere. They had been oppressing the tremendous pressure of their nerves for many days, and they instantly lost most of them.

However, the core people under Cao Cao were not so easy to fool. Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai looked at each other, their eyes full of worry. The war was approaching, and appropriate despising the enemy could indeed increase morale, but excessive despising the opponent would not be a good sign. The lord should not be so frivolous, which is indeed not like the lord's past style. But it is difficult to guarantee that there was something strange about the two letters that made the lord make a wrong judgment. This is not unpredictable.

Because the matter is of great importance, Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai dare not neglect. The two asked in their expressions and decided to further confirm with Cao Cao to prevent Cao Cao from making mistakes.

Xi Zhicai asked Cao Cao directly: "Prime Minister, what does this mean?"

Cheng Yu also reminded on the side: "Prime Minister, Liu Ming's troops have successively broken through our Guandu Pass and Cao Ren's village. Their troops are unstoppable. Now we are discussing countermeasures, why does the Prime Minister say that Liu Ming is normal?"

Cao Cao twisted his beard and said, "Although Liu Ming was brave, his courage was not enough. Let's see, this is the apology submitted by Liu Ming to the court. I am the prime minister of Han, and Han is me. Liu Ming apologized to the court, wouldn't this be apology to me? Now I have just used a few tricks to attract several princes to attack Liu Ming. The army of various princes has not yet arrived. Liu Ming was so scared that he shrank back, with only 500,000 elite soldiers and generals.

But I dare not let go. This is not a lack of courage, but what is it? If I am in this dilemma, I have 500,000 elite soldiers and generals, and there is no danger to stop them in front of me. I will definitely lead my troops to go straight and determine the world in one battle. As long as I destroy the person in charge, I can kill a warning to a hundred. Those princes who are still mobilizing their troops will never dare to take the lead in provoking trouble and suffer unrestrained disasters. Then, I will cultivate and nourish the world and slow down the world, and the world can get it at your fingertips."

Cao Cao said that he was so confident and full of passion, but what Cao Cao didn't know was that Liu Ming could carry 500,000 troops with him. Now that Liu Ming has so many territory, he needs soldiers to guard everywhere. Moreover, when Liu Ming fought with Dong Zhuo, who was known as one million, Liu Ming could not raise 500,000 troops to fight Dong Zhuo, not to mention that although Liu Ming defeated Dong Zhuo now, he also suffered heavy losses and was in a state of disagreement.

The troops brought by Liu Ming now are just the cavalry brought by Guan Hai, as well as the new soldiers recruited by Zhang Liao and the surrendered soldiers from the former Jizhou. However, when Zhang Liao fought against Zhang He, Zhang He was separated by the Yellow River, and he didn't know how many soldiers and horses Zhang Liao had, and he was blinded by Zhang Liao. Cao Ren had not yet arrived to confirm how many soldiers and horses Liu Ming had in Liu Ming's army had. Therefore, Cao Cao was confused by these false information.

This is also the benefit of Liu Ming's total army always keeping mysterious. Outsiders will never know how many soldiers Liu Ming has. In this way, the consequences can be imagined. Otherwise, how could they say that they know themselves and enemies and will never be defeated in a hundred battles. The wrong information not only led to Cao Cao's wrong judgment, but even Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai, who have always been based on facts, were deceived. Although they did not underestimate Liu Ming for this, when they learned that Liu Ming wrote a letter to apologize, they did not care whether Cao Cao despised Liu Ming. After all, Liu

Mingdu wrote a letter to apologize. As long as he did not take the initiative to attack, the upcoming war between him and Liu Ming's army would not exist. Without war, what's the big deal? As for what's the matter? As long as the Prime Minister survived this moment, the Prime Minister had Xuzhou and Yanzhou, the two basic places that provided food and grass, and developed their strength, and soon overwhelmed Liu Ming. What's the point of despising or not despising Liu Ming at that time? After all, strong strength is not the hard truth.

"The Prime Minister is indeed a genius. He can see Liu Ming's reality at a glance. He is so high. It's really high."

"The Prime Minister is planning and winning thousands of miles away. We are powerful and have nowhere to do it. Today, when it comes to martial arts, we should be the Prime Minister first."

Such words of flattery arise everywhere.

Although Cheng Yu, Xi Zhicai and the others couldn't say it, they were not easy to object. However, a strange voice suddenly appeared in the voices of praise: "Meng De, Liu Ming has always been cunning. Could this be his trick? Could it be his plan to paralyze us? Is there no other requirement in his apology?"

Who is this? He is so brave. How dare he call Cao Cao Meng De? Is this too bold and arrogant? However, although Cao Cao's subordinates were very disgusted with the owner of this voice, they were all used to it. Even Cao Cao himself was quite content with it. You know, when there was no one else, this guy called Cao Cao Aman. Calling Cao Cao and Meng De in front of others is to give Cao Cao face.

The words of this person made Cheng, Xi Zhicai and others burst into cold sweat. They were negligent. If Liu Ming numbed himself and then attacked him with the speed of Liu Ming's cavalry moving quickly, then he would be too late to regret it. No wonder the Prime Minister would tolerate this person so much, this person does have some skills.

The person who spoke was not someone else, but our Lord Xu You. Xu You relied on being Cao Cao's friend and made some contributions, and Zhang He and Gao Lan, two generals who were valued by Cao Cao, also followed him because of his life-saving grace. Xu You already regarded himself as the first sect leader under Cao Cao. In fact, Xu You did have the attitude of the faction leaders under Cao Cao who surrendered from Yuan Shao.

And Xu You dares to say this, which is also Xu You's intuition that he has had many dealings with Liu Ming to determine that Liu Ming's apology is absolutely! No! That's so simple!

Xu You reminded Cao Cao, but Cao Cao was not a waste of time. Cao Cao thought for a while and said, "Ziyuan said it well. Liu Ming really has the possibility of a thousand-mile attack. However, as long as we send troops to defend Zhongmu and defend it on the city, even if Liu Ming has hundreds of thousands of troops, it will be difficult to conquer it urgently. Moreover, cavalry can raid, but it is not conducive to siege. Liu Ming must wait for the army to follow, so Liu Ming will have to delay time. Moreover, although Liu Ming did not make any other request in his apology letter, he asked for 300,000 dan of military rations through the letter from Zi Xiao to me. Since Liu Ming wanted to ask for money and property, he would not have any surprise attacks. However, he must be guarded against others. Xiahou Yuan obeyed the order!"

"Here!" Xiahou Yuan hurriedly stood up and came out.

"I ordered you to quickly lead 50,000 troops to Zhongmu. No delays are allowed. If Liu Ming's troops arrive, he is not allowed to attack, he is only allowed to hold on. Go quickly." Cao Cao decisively sent a general.

"Abide by the order!" Xiahou Yuan ran away without any delay.

Xu You was proud, how about it? Among these people of Cao Cao, I am still good at it. A group of wine bags, so they are as calm and witty as themselves. Xu You then said to Cao Cao: "Meng De, since Liu Ming asked for food and grass, I wonder how you are going to deal with it?"

Before Cao Cao could speak, Xu Chu, the subordinate of Cao Cao, became popular. Xu Chu was born as a lord and cherished the most. How many granaries would be needed for 300,000 shi of grain? Moreover, Xu Chu was a little stupid. Xu Chu roared angrily: "What should I do? Then why should Liu Ming ask us for food? Please give me a team of people, and I will take Liu Ming's head to the lord!"

To be honest, what Cao Cao cherishes is Xu Chu's fierceness of not being afraid of heaven and earth. But now Xu Chu's request for battle makes Cao Cao worry. Although Cao Cao said that Liu Ming was normal in using troops, it was just a scene that Cao Cao used to boost morale when he knew there was no need to fight. If this was really a fight, then Zhang He and Cao Ren said that Liu Ming could bring 500,000 elite troops this time. 500,000 troops would definitely not be a decoration. Although Cao Cao had claimed to have 500,000 troops before, it was the past. After the rebellion of Liu Bei and Chen Gong, Cao Cao was completely fouled. Now that Cao Cao's troops were tied together, it would be only 300,000 points, which would be considered

Only when you go to Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Cao Cao, some of the troops incorporated by Xuzhou, can you have this number. Now if you throw away Cao Ren's 50,000 troops, Cao Cao is not even worth 300,000, how can Cao Cao be in the mood to fight? Especially Cao Cao is very clear about the combat effectiveness of Liu Ming's army. Liu Ming's troops have always been rich, well-equipped, and well-trained. Moreover, although Xu Chu has extraordinary skills and great strength, there are too many under Liu Ming's men who can fight and fight. Cao Cao is reluctant to send Xu Chu, a fierce general. Therefore, Cao Cao can only comfort Xu Chu and said, "Don't be anxious. This is not the time for you to fight. You are my general, how can you fight easily?"

Cao Cao's words sounded nice. When Xu Chu heard Cao Cao's praise, he only smiled with a crack. Those who gave birth to me were their parents. Those who knew me were Prime Minister Cao. I am such a high general, so I could go to the battle casually. Isn't that too much for Liu Ming and the others? Xu Chu was so happy that he even forgot why he asked Cao Cao for a fight.

But Xu Chu was not happy for a long time. A sarcastic voice said, "What a fool. Liu Ming's army of 500,000 is not so easy to deal with. Meng De doesn't let you go to war, that's to cherish you and be afraid that you will die. How happy are you? Besides, if you send troops rashly, you will inevitably trap Liu Ming's troops here. By then, Liu Ming and us fought together, but the other princes picked up the advantage when we were fighting. Then wouldn't you push Meng De into the fire pit? Our current strategy is of course to meet Liu Ming's conditions, let Liu Ming retreat to Youzhou, use the troops of other princes to destroy Liu Ming's strength. Let's recruit soldiers and buy horses, gather grass and food. Accumulate strength and wait for the opportunity to make the best strategy."

The person who spoke was still Xu You, and Xu You would speak out to attack Xu Chu. One reason was that Xu Chu was honest and knew how to be loyal to Cao Cao. He never cared about Xu You, let alone respect Xu You. Therefore, Xu You seized an opportunity to attack Xu Chu and exerted his anger. Another reason for Xu You was that Xu You had seen Liu Ming's method in Yuan Shao. Liu Ming often defeated the more with less. Xu You didn't believe that Cao Cao could defeat Liu Ming's army with less. Xu You didn't want Cao Cao to fight head-on with Liu Ming's army. Xu You believed that as long as Cao Cao had assisted him for a few years, Cao Cao's strength would definitely surpass Liu Ming. At that time, that would be a good time to show his strength and assist Cao Cao in unifying the world.

"You..." Xu Chu glared at Xu You and stopped talking. It was not that Xu Chu was afraid of Xu You. It was because Xu Chu heard Xu You say that the consequences were serious. Although Xu Chu didn't know if Xu You said it was right. But even if there was only one thing in Xu You's words, it was right. Because of his anger, he delayed the lord's great cause, which was something that Xu Chu could not allow. For the sake of lord Cao Cao, Xu Chu could temporarily hold back this tone. Anyway, Xu You said it was right or wrong, and the lord could naturally tell. If Xu You said it was unreasonable, it would not be too late to settle the score with him. With his small body, where else could he run?

Cao Cao also agreed with Xu You's view from the bottom of his heart. Moreover, Cao Cao was still thinking about the words at the end of Cao Renxin. Although Cao Cao didn't believe that Liu Ming was a loyal minister, Cao Cao believed that Liu Ming was a greedy person through Liu Ming's behavior of asking for military rations. Moreover, in Cao Cao's initial impression, Liu Ming was a greedy person. He was a businessman, selling wine, paper, and bricks. Even Liu Ming sold prisoners as slaves for money. As long as this person had weaknesses, it was easy to control. As long as he could give him enough benefits, he could of course mobilize Liu Ming.

Therefore, Cao Cao nodded and said, "Okay. According to Ziyuan's idea, we will give Liu Ming 300,000 shi of military rations, and at the same time pardon him for his sins. Let him return to Youzhou."

"Let's wait!" Cheng Yu stepped forward and stopped him.

"Zhongde, what's wrong with this?" Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu and asked. Cao Cao attached great importance to this great hero who made him turn his danger into peace.

Click to view the image link:
Chapter completed!