After listening for so long, Cao Cao already understood.
Now, because he welcomes the emperor, he has brought huge benefits to himself, but at the same time, he has also attracted many jealous looks to himself.
Nowadays, the most important person that Cao Cao needs to guard against is not Zhang Xiu, not Liu Biao, not Yuan Shu, and not even Lu Bu.
Instead, it was his childhood friend and former most reliable ally, Yuan Shao.
With a sigh, Cao Cao asked: "Everyone, it seems like this means that Xuzhou can only slow down temporarily?"
Guo Jia nodded and replied: "Yes, Xuzhou, let's take it easy for now."
Xi Zhicai also replied aloud: "But just because we don't move doesn't mean that others can't move!"
Xun Yu concluded concisely and concisely: "Lord, we can use the strategy of driving away tigers and devouring wolves!"
Xun Yu did not explain his words clearly, but used his eyes to signal Xun You to explain how to carry out this strategy of driving away tigers and swallowing wolves.
Xun You was a low-key person, and he didn't care much about such publicity.
But his own uncle indicated that he wanted to come forward, so he had no choice but to stand up and speak out.
Xun You stood up, bowed his hands and said:
"My lord, I think we all know what kind of person Yuan Shu is. Now that Yuan Shu has obtained the jade seal, I'm afraid..."
Xun You only finished half of what he said before he couldn't continue.
In fact, like Xun Yu, he was always loyal to the Han Dynasty and thinking about the emperor.
Now seeing that the Han Dynasty was about to suffer another heavy blow, he felt really uncomfortable.
Seeing that Xun You couldn't continue talking, Guo Jia simply explained for him: "Liu Bei claimed to be a descendant of the royal family, and was rewarded by the emperor to become the shepherd of Xuzhou.
If the emperor issues an edict asking Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu, will he go or not?"
"It's hard to get off the tiger. If Liu Bei wants to keep his reputation, he must go even if everyone opposes it! This is a conspiracy!" Cheng Yu made the final judgment.
Only accepting benefits and not accepting tasks? How can there be such a good thing in the world?
If Yuan Shu dares to proclaim himself emperor and the emperor issues an edict to Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu, he will have to go even if Liu Bei doesn't!
By then, Yuan Shao in the north has been stabilized, and Yuan Shu has started fighting with Liu Bei. Cao Cao no longer has any worries and can directly send troops to capture Wancheng!
"But when will Yuan Shu proclaim himself emperor?" Xi Zhicai asked the thoughts of most people present.
At this time, Lu Daqi, who cherished words like gold, finally spoke again: "The Shadow Guards have been secretly spreading the news that Yuan Shu is about to become emperor. I believe it won't be long before Yuan Shu's true nature will be exposed."
Xun Yu glanced at Lu Yan, then at Guo Jiahou, and said, "Then the day when Yuan Shu becomes emperor is when we will raise troops to attack Zhang Xiu?"
"Exactly!" Guo Jia responded with a smile and nodded.
Seeing that the general direction had been determined, Cao Cao stood up, raised his hands to Lu Yan and others and said, "In that case, I will go to the emperor to discuss the matter of changing official positions."
"Here!"
"I feel wronged, my lord!"
"Mr. Cao, please help yourself!"
...
In February of the first year of Jian'an, Cao Cao asked the emperor to demote himself to the rank of Taiwei on the grounds that his moral character was not worthy of his position, and at the same time, he granted the official position of general to Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao saw that his former younger brother was sensible enough to know his mistakes and correct them, so he ignored the objections of Xu You and others and accepted the emperor's reward.
The first year of Jian'an, March.
According to official history, Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in February of the second year of Jian'an. However, among the nursery rhymes and rumors spread by the shadow guards, Yuan Shu thought that he had really received destiny, so he proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun, ahead of schedule!
Yuan Shu founded the Zhong family, appointed the governor of Jiujiang as the Yin of Huainan, appointed hundreds of officials, and worshiped heaven and earth in the suburbs. His crazy actions shocked the world!
Although the various princes attacked each other, they both obeyed and violated the imperial edicts.
Although before Xiapi there was Que Xuan who claimed to be the emperor, in the eyes of the world, Que Xuan was just playing house and having fun.
Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor. With his status and influence, it was really no joke!
Although the Han Dynasty is in turmoil now, it has been orthodox for four hundred years, and most of the people in the world still support the Han Dynasty.
After Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, he instantly became the target of all the princes in the world.
Originally, he had firmly established himself in Yuzhou and was eyeing Jiangdong and Jingzhou, but by claiming the title of emperor, he really ruined his good cards.
After Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, he not only attracted the attention and hostility of all the princes, but Sun Ce, who was conquering Jiangdong, also used Yuan Shu's arrogance as emperor as an excuse to completely break away from Yuan Shu.
When he learned that Yuan Shu had proclaimed himself emperor, the emperor was so angry that he almost fainted.
You know, the two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were the ones the emperor hoped to welcome him most at the beginning!
But your uncle, the person you value most wants to be the emperor himself. Do you think the emperor is angry?
The emperor was furious and immediately issued an edict for Cao Cao to lead his troops to attack Yuan Shu.
In the face of such a big right and wrong, the officials of the imperial court and Cao Cao's family really became united.
After obtaining the emperor's consent, Cao Cao used the emperor's name to
They issued edicts to Yuan Shao of Jizhou, Gongsun Zan of Youzhou, Lu Bu of Qingzhou, Liu Bei of Xuzhou, and Liu Biao of Jingzhou, instructing them to immediately launch an army to attack the rebel Yuan Shu.
However, it seems that except for Xuzhou Mu and Liu Bei who made some moves, the other princes all agreed verbally, but in fact they were as motionless as an old dog.
...
Xuzhou, Prefecture Mufu.
Guan Yu asked worriedly next to Liu Bei: "Brother, this Yuan Shu can't be beaten!"
Zhang Fei, who was standing next to him, also tried to persuade him: "Brother, second brother is right. This is not an edict from the emperor. It is clearly from Cao Cao..."
Liu Bei didn't wait for Zhang Fei to finish speaking, and immediately shouted: "Third brother, be careful what you say!"
"Brother...sigh..." Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment, but in the end it turned into a long sigh.
When Liu Bei saw that his two younger brothers were depressed, he could only explain with a wry smile: "Two worthy brothers, how could the eldest brother not know that this is Cao Cao's conspiracy?"
"Since you know this, why are you still fooled?" Zhang Fei asked.
Liu Bei sighed and said: "You must have seen that among the many officials in Xuzhou, except Mi Zizhong who is close to us, others are more or less resistant."
Seeing that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were deep in thought, Liu Bei continued: "My eldest brother is a descendant of the Han Dynasty. If he doesn't respect the emperor's order, I'm afraid there will be no place for him in Xuzhou in the future."
Guan Yu's red phoenix eyes, which had been narrowed slightly, suddenly opened and said: "You mean, they will react?!"
When Zhang Fei heard this, he thought, "Who dares to rebel? I will stab him now!"
"Third brother, don't be impulsive!" Liu Bei glared at Zhang Fei. After Zhang Fei calmed down, he continued: "If I want to win back people's hearts, I must set an example. Although there is danger this time, there are opportunities.
But it still exists!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at Liu Bei with admiration and asked: "What should we do? We all listen to you, brother!"