At the end of the seventh year of Jian'an.

Xuzhou border.

The wind of winter is as cold as a knife.

The heavy snow of goose feathers fell with the wind, paving a thick layer of white on the earth. As the heavy snow covering the entire Xuzhou fell, business activities in Xuzhou almost stagnated.

There were almost no people on the avenue between the cities.

Pengcheng.

A huge flag with the character "Cao" hung on the west city gate, and the city was also filled with soldiers and horses under the command of Cao Cao's general Xiahou Dun.

The city gate was wide open. Tao Qian, Mi Zhu, Chen Deng, Xiahou Dun, Zang Ba and others were listed on both sides of the city gate to welcome Cao Cao.

A black dot suddenly appeared on the white earth. Under the flying flag of "Cao", a carriage slowly headed east under the surrounding Cao's army.

On his right side, a fierce general rode his horse.

The general had a waist of ten feet, a face full of flesh, and a pair of big and fierce eyes. With a light glaring, an ordinary person could not dare to move. He was covered in iron armor and held a super-long knife.

His mount was a top Youzhou horse. It was black all over, tall and strong, and very handsome, but it seemed a little petite when carrying him.

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the city gate. A personal soldier came to the carriage and put down a stool. Cao Cao lifted the curtain and walked down the stool.

The general also turned over and dismounted and stood beside Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was still Cao Cao, with a poor appearance and a short figure. However, his eyes were extremely bright and his aura became more and more impressive.

The war with Tao Qian did not last long. He completed the strategic plan formulated by Xun Yu and Guo Jia for himself, and integrated Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou and Qingzhou.

It has already occupied the Central Plains region with millions of people and hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers. It is as powerful as the clouds and the counselors are as rain.

"I finally have the capital to compete with Zhang Xiu." Cao Cao stood there and looked up at the city of Pengcheng in the distance, with a passion in his heart.

But it’s shameful to say that, whether it is him, Sun Jian, or Yuan Shao, which one is not from a better background than Zhang Xiu?

Even Sun Jian is a prominent family in Jiangdong, and the Sun family is prosperous.

However, their development is not as good as Zhang Xiu. Now Zhang Xiu has merged with Sili, Liangzhou, northern Yizhou, and Nanyang county.

Sitting in a powerful pass, the Sili area is densely populated and prosperous, with the best of the world. Yizhou produces grain and Liangzhou produces horses. Even with his current strength, he can only compete with Zhang Xiu for the best and dare not say that he will win.

In front of the city gate, Tao Qian, Xiahou Dun and others saw Cao Cao standing still, and couldn't help but look at each other. Tao Qian winked at Xiahou Dun.

Xiahou Dun nodded and came forward to call: "Lord."

Cao Cao woke up in shock, nodded to Xiahou Dun, then walked up, and bowed to Tao Qian first and said, "Duke Tao."

"Ming Gong." Tao Qian hurriedly returned the favor. He did not dare to be arrogant. Although Cao Cao promised to treat him well, he was a surrender after all, so he should respect Cao Cao.

Cao Cao and Tao Qian started greetings here.

"Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, Zhang Xiujie rebelled against Chou and relied on his power to rush northwest. He killed Lu Bu, Han Sui, surrendered Ma Teng, and invaded Yizhou in the south. He was almost invincible, shaking the artifact and peeping at the Han court. It was all up to Gong Ming and General Yuan and General Sun to train troops in Guandong and serve as the wings of the Han Dynasty. Zhang Xiu did not dare to really steal the artifact."

The person who surrendered Tao Qian gave up and praised Cao Cao was very smooth, and he smeared Zhang Xiu and declared his [political stance].

Cao Cao was actually not patient and said more of these unnutritious words to Tao Qian, but he had to say them.

His power has no legitimacy, and it exists only because it is against Zhang Xiu and protects the Han Dynasty.

"Tao Gongyan is so heavy. I am just a slight person and dare not compete with General Yuan and General Sun." Cao Cao was humble first, and then resolutely said: "I did not have the ambition to be arrogant, but Cao was the descendant of Cao Cao (Cao Shen) and was favored by the Han Dynasty. Seeing Zhang Xiu committing rebellion and planning a magic weapon, I was angry and swear to deal with Zhang Xiu to the end and support the Han Dynasty."

"Ming Gong is high and righteous." Tao Qian bowed and bowed.

Suddenly he looked at the general beside Cao Cao and asked, "I heard that there is a Hu Hou under the command of Ming Gong, who charges in battle and has the courage of Lu Bu. But this one?"

"It's the general Xu Chu." Cao Cao smiled and looked at Xu Chu, then said, "Zhang Xiu has Dian Wei, and I have Hu Hou, so I can be a rival to each other."

Xu Chu was simple in nature and had little words. He just held his fists and bowed to Tao Qian.

"It's a real hero." Tao Qian also praised Xu Chu, and then bowed to Cao Cao and said, "Ming Gong has such a general, with elite soldiers connected to the sky and flags. Why worry about Zhang Xiu's failure to destroy and the Han Dynasty's failure to prosper?"

After some greetings, Tao Qian welcomed Cao Cao into Pengcheng and sat down in the hall of the governor's mansion.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat with his sword, including Tao Qian and other Xuzhou civil and military personnel, sitting on both sides.

Cao Cao was not at ease with Tao Qian, so he immediately stepped down from Tao Qian's position as the governor of Xuzhou, but retained the position of General Tao Qian and the title of Marquis of Wuxiang.

He sent someone to escort Tao Qian to live in Dongjun, Yanzhou. Tao Qian was very obedient in this regard, bowed to Cao Cao, and left the hall.

As for the civil and military officials under Tao Qian's command, Cao Cao did not deal with it.

He also valued Zang Ba very much, and smiled and looked up to Zang Ba and said, "Xuan Gao. I heard that those who are filial to their parents will definitely be loyal to their king. Now that the emperor is in the hands of Zhang Xiu, I will do it with the advantage. Let you be the governor of Xuzhou, General Pingdong, and be in charge of Xuzhou."

Zang Ba looks ordinary, looks ordinary, and has a bad figure, but his eyes are extremely bright and his martial arts are also superb.

He was from Taishan County. His father Zang Jie was detained and questioned for offending the prefect. At that time, Zang Ba was only eighteen years old and led more than ten people to rescue his father. Later, he fled to Xuzhou and was appointed as the cavalry commander by Tao Qian and attacked the Yellow Turbans.

The Han Dynasty knew the world with filial piety and had a system of [filial piety and integrity]. Cao Cao had long heard of Zang Ba’s reputation and dared to employ people.

"Thank you, Mr. Ming." Zang Ba was very calm when he heard this and bowed to thank him.

Seeing this, Cao Cao even admired Zang Ba, who was a general.

Then Cao Cao gave me some pensions to Mi Zhu, Chen Deng and others, and comforted them. He asked them to assist the Tibetan Prime Minister Xuzhou, the elite soldiers and generals, and finally let them leave.

In this way, only Cao Cao's confidants were left in the hall. Most of the military generals were Cao and Xiahou. Civil officials and counselors included Guo Jia, Cheng Yu and others.

At present, Cao Cao has pacified the four prefectures and used Dongjun as his capital. Every time he went out, he would ask Xun Yu to guard Dongjun and take charge of the overall situation.

People speak more casually.

Cheng Yu glanced at Cao Cao and bowed and said, "Lord. Now the lord has commanded the four states, but he has no name to rule. Now Zhang Xiu holds the emperor hostage and commands the world. It is better to call himself the General of the Cheqi and Cavalry to open the palace and govern the military affairs of Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou. He will compete with Sun Jian, Yuan Shao and Guandong, and compete with Zhang Xiu."

"Zhongde said, lord. Now that the emperor is imprisoned by Zhang Xiu, he should act cheaply. The lord should indeed be called [General of the Cheqi and Cavalry] and command the four states. And not only that. He should join Yuan Shao to honor Sun Jian as General of the Cavalry and govern the military affairs of Yangzhou, Jingzhou and Jiaozhou. He sent envoys to discuss the attack on Zhang Xiu in three parties."

Guo Jia went further. He had always been untidy and casual, and this time he looked surprisingly serious and bowed to Cao Cao.

The merging and Lianheng are Su Qin and Zhang Yi playing the rest of the things. But now it is surprisingly wonderful.

Zhang Xiu occupied the West, with strong soldiers and horses strong in the world, just like the powerful Qin Dynasty in the past. Cao Cao and the other two occupied Guandong, just like the six kingdoms in the past.

However, the six countries were divided into three forces, and their strength was further integrated, which was much stronger than the scattered six countries.

"What's even more amazing is that it is rumored that Zhang Xiu is now training troops in Bashu and preparing to conquer Nanzhong. Zhang Xiu is not in Luoyang or Chang'an, and it is beyond the reach of the whip. The lord, General Sun and General Yuan work together, and he is surprised. Maybe he can conquer Luoyang and support the emperor."

Man Chong sat in the back and agreed. Then, the advisers spoke one after another, all agreeing with Cao Cao's alliance and attacking Zhang Xiu together.

Cao Cao was also full of passion in his heart, and suddenly stood up and said, "I have been trying to attack Zhang Xiu for a long time, but the time has not come. Now the time has finally come. I am full of favors."

Cao Cao looked at Man Chong.

"Lord." Man Chong was solemn and had a serious attitude.

"You go to see General Yuan Shao for the envoy and discuss the issue of sending troops." Cao Cao ordered.

"No." Man Chong responded to No, immediately stood up and bowed to leave, and walked out of the hall.

"Zhong Yao." Cao Cao turned his head and looked at another scholar. This man was eight feet tall, had a majestic face, and was a real man.

"Lord." Zhong Yao bowed his hand and fell down with a handsome appearance.

"You go to see General Sun for the envoy and discuss the issue of sending troops." Cao Cao ordered.

"No." Zhong Yao responded to the promise and turned around and left.

Immediately, Cao Cao sent someone to quickly whip up and notify Xun Yu, who was guarding the East County, and asked Xun Yu to prepare for the dispatch of troops.

Finally, Cao Cao stood up, spread his arms, and said, "Everyone. Zhang Xiujie is in trouble. We work together in Guandong, why worry about the Han Dynasty's unrest? You follow me and do your best to kill Zhang Xiu, and the Han Dynasty will prosper. You will be able to enjoy all the merits and titles during your lifetime. After your death, you can face the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty. Why not do it?"

"We must work together to assist the lord, support the Han Dynasty, and destroy Zhang Xiu." The civil and military officials and the left and right were revived and bowed to Cao Cao.

Soon, all the civil and military officials scattered. Cao Cao left Xiahou Dun alone. Xiahou Dun had complete eyes and a strong and resolute appearance.

Cao Cao hooked at him, and Xiahou Dun was puzzled, but he still came forward and sat next to Cao Cao. Cao Cao held Xiahou Dun's shoulder and whispered: "Before Tao Qian hasn't left yet, please let him leave the singer behind."

As the governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian could not not raise a singer. In recent years, Cao Cao devoted himself to the country and fought south and north, but never enjoyed it. At this moment, he got Xuzhou and claimed to be the [General of the Carriage and Cavalry] and was in a state of military affairs in the four states. He was in a great mood and thought about beauty.

Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao were childhood friends, and knew that Cao Cao was lustful. He was not surprised at all. He nodded and left the hall to do this for Cao Cao.

This is a small episode. Cao Cao was still interested in the Han Dynasty. After Xiahou Dun left, he and Xu Chu arrived at Tao Qian's study and sat down. He ordered Xu Chu to take out a topographic map and lay it on the table. Cao Cao lowered his head and watched.

He integrated the four states and many of the government orders were copied directly by Zhang Xiu.

For example, he valued the poor family and recruitment hall, and his bureaucrats and generals were full of vitality. Now his people are millions and hundreds of thousands of armors are able to compete with Zhang Xiu.

But there are also innate weaknesses.

"The four battles in the Central Plains are all flat. Now I have a good relationship with Yuan Shao and Sun Jian, so I don't have to face foreign enemies. However, it is very difficult to conquer Hulao Pass with the Central Plains troops and enter Luoyang. It is almost impossible. Zhang Xiu ordered the general Zhang Liao to lead tens of thousands of troops to defend Hulao Pass to prevent me."

Cao Cao's feet were a little sore after sitting for a long time, so he changed to sit cross-legged, lowered his head and pinched his chin to watch the topographic map.

When he attacked Zhang Xiu, he had to break through the Hulao, otherwise it would be nonsense. As for the Hulao Pass, the world's heroic soldiers were all powerful, and Zhang Liao could defend Hulao Pass with 10,000 elite soldiers.

On the contrary, the Central Plains has a flat terrain. If Zhang Xiu's troops leave the Huzhu, he has no dangerous place to guard the city.

In recent years, he has been working hard to strengthen some important cities, and has accumulated a large amount of food, weapons, and supplies, which is also a precaution.

"If I want to attack Zhang Xiu, my army must detour to Hebei, or attack Hedong and Henei counties. Or go to Yuzhou to cooperate with Sun Jian to attack Nanyang County."

"But these places should not be underestimated. General Xu Huang, General Zhenbei, Taishi Ci, General Zhengnan, and General Huang Zhong, these people are all famous generals with elite troops and horses under their command, and they have sufficient food and supplies."

Cao Cao's eyes were patrolling between the north and the south, and he felt a big headache. Zhang Xiu led a large number of elite generals to fight against the north and the south, and had to let Pang De and other generals stay in Liangzhou.
To be continued...