At this time, Cao Cao was in his mansion in the city, and there were more than ten counselors and generals in the hall. The counselors included Xun You, Chen Qun and others, the generals included Cao Hong, Xia Houyuan, Le Jin Yu Jin and others. Nearly half of the core elite were gathered together.
Now no one expected that when Cao Cao took over Yuan Shu's campaign, he did not start from Runan in the west of Yuzhou where Yuan Shu was weak, but instead went to Taishan County in the northwest of Xuzhou!
But at this time, Cao Cao's face was a little gloomy, "Why did the fierce tiger come to Xuzhou at this time?"
"Isn't he eager to fight Yuan Shu?"
Xun You was also sweating profusely, "This ferocious tiger's behavior is unbelievable. It shouldn't be like this!"
"For reasons and reasons, he has no need to send troops at this time!"
Chen Qun spoke up: "But the fact is that he left Jicheng with his soldiers a few days ago and went to the port of Yuyang Piaoyuyi."
"To take this route, we must go south to Xuzhou by sea."
Cao Hong said: "Is it possible that he took a boat to Liaodong?"
"I heard that he has joined forces with the Gongsun family. It is not impossible to go to Liaodong to meet him at this time."
Xun You shook his head and said: "It's unlikely. I heard that he also brought hundreds of volunteer students. This is obviously an arrangement to go to Xuzhou to take up his post. There is no need to bring such people with him to Liaodong."
Xia Houyuan said angrily: "This fierce tiger is too disgusting!"
"He has ruined our good deeds time and time again. Now that he is heading south to Xuzhou, did he know something in advance?"
As soon as Xia Houyuan said these words, everyone's expressions changed slightly and they bowed their heads in silence.
Because they gathered here secretly and secretly transferred tens of thousands of elite troops to Taishan County in preparation for a premeditated and big move.
I don’t know why, but by chance, Cao Ying got the news that Yuan Xi set out from Jicheng, probably to Xuzhou. This made them doubt whether there was really a traitor inside Cao Ying?
Yu Jin felt a few vague eyes sweeping over him, and he wanted to cry without tears. He had just said a few words to Yuan Xi in Dongwuyang, and then he was suspected for two years, and he still can't fully understand it.
Prove your innocence!
Yuan Xi, this insidious villain, when have I ever provoked you? Why do you want to trick me like this!
Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Don't mention other things. I want to know whether to continue with Liu Bei's matter."
"The ferocious tiger unexpectedly moved south, will it ruin our plan?"
He first looked at Chen Qun, who understood and hurriedly said: "Ask me, I have worked as a slave under Liu Yuzhou and how much I know about him."
"This man is very loyal and relies heavily on his two brothers. Moreover, the three of them are very methodical in fighting. They are top-notch."
"If we use troops against it, I'm afraid we won't be sure of victory."
"Now that the variable of fierce tiger is added, it needs to be carefully considered."
Cao Hong snorted, "Mr. Changwen, why do you need to be more ambitious than others? Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have a reputation for bravery, so that's it. Then Liu Bei can also lead troops to fight?"
Chen Qun hesitated for a moment, "If Liu Yuzhou leads thousands of troops, few people in the world can control him."
Everyone was startled, as they did not expect Chen Qun to speak so highly of Liu Bei.
However, since Chen Qun took refuge with Cao Cao, he had unique insights on many matters and gradually convinced Cao Cao's camp counselors and generals, so his speech now is very convincing.
Xun You's eyes flashed: "The long article said that he brought thousands of soldiers. What if he brought more?"
Chen Qun thought for a while, "If he leads tens of thousands of troops, which is far beyond Liu Yuzhou's own ability, something will go wrong."
Xun You thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Isn't this simple?"
"Doesn't he trust Guan Yu and Zhang Fei the most?"
"Finding a way to remove Liu Bei from his side and letting Liu Bei lead the army alone will greatly increase our chances of victory."
Everyone's eyes lit up, and Xia Houyuan said: "Mr. Gongda, does he have a clever plan?"
Xun You said proudly: "Although I have some ideas, I would like to ask you, should Liu Bei's troops be used as a last resort, right?"
"When we go to attack with troops, shouldn't we think of ways to win over his people? If they can surrender to the envoy, why bother to go to war?"
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Gongda is right. Liu Bei is a rare hero in the world. I don't want to fight with him unless I have to."
"Our original strategy was to use the emperor's edict to lure him over and make him switch to us."
"If he is stubborn, we will take advantage of the negotiation with him to surprise Xiapi!"
"If it is defeated, Xiapi will be in our hands. This will be a vital link in capturing Yuan Shu in the future. It can even be said to be the most important move!"
"Yuan Shu has just proclaimed himself emperor and will not use troops in Xuzhou in the short term. This is a great opportunity for us. At least within these two months, we can slowly negotiate with Liu Bei."
"If they refuse, we will have enough time to mobilize our troops."
"But now there is a variable like the fierce tiger!"
"He shouldn't have appeared so early. If he goes to Guangling now, it will not only affect our negotiations with Liu Bei, but may also hinder our plans for Xuzhou!"
“This variable really makes me sleepy and sleepless!”
After saying this, Cao Cao couldn't help but hold his aching head tightly.
It hurts, it hurts so much!
What is going on with this fierce tiger?
If there is a traitor within him, Cao Cao doesn't really care. Many people are secretly pulling the strings. He doesn't care about their loyalty. All he wants is for them to help him.
But there is another possibility, that is, the fierce tiger relied on the art of stargazing to predict its own actions!
This is what Cao Cao is most afraid of. He cannot deal with this method at all!
Could it be that the fierce tiger really has the ability to watch stars, so he is here to ruin his good deeds?
Everyone was also puzzled. Naturally, they didn't know that Yuan Xi had set off for Guangling in advance for another purpose, but a strange combination of circumstances made everyone in Cao camp suspicious.
Now Yuan Xi has no idea that Cao Cao has secretly plotted against Liu Bei!
Xun You said: "The variable of fierce tiger must be taken into account."
"But before that, we need to think carefully about how to plot against Liu Bei."
"First be courteous and then use military force, so that you can use your official position to win over Liu Bei."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Yes, I will send a letter to Liu Bei. I intend to present him as the General of Zhendong, the Shepherd of Yuzhou, and the Tinghou of Yicheng. I think he will also accept my affection."
Chen Qun praised: "The commander is wise, this official position is enough to impress Liu Bei."
"And General Zhendong is half a rank lower than the fierce General Zhengdong, so there must be a rift between the two."
Xun You worriedly said: "But even so, Liu Bei shouldn't be stupid. If we want him to surrender, we won't be able to make him surrender willingly just with a few empty promises of titles."
Everyone agreed, Liu Bei had been a veteran for many years, how could he be so obsessed with this thing?
Chen Qun sneered and said: "That person is a man who doesn't care about rabbits and doesn't let go of hawks. There is no practical benefit, so it is difficult to let him fall into the trap."
Xun You smiled and said: "You are much better at writing than I am. Do you have any good strategies?"
Chen Qun's eyes were gloomy and he said: "If you don't see a rabbit, you won't let go of the eagle."
"To impress him, we have to offer some practical benefits."
"For example, the envoy can make an agreement with him to send troops to attack Yuan Shu, and after the event is completed, he will give Yuzhou to him. This kind of condition is more attractive to him than the title."
"As for Zhang Fei, I think he has a bad temper and is very harsh on others. The previous loss of Xia Pi Tan City was caused by this man causing civil strife."
"We can find ways to exploit its weaknesses and prescribe the right medicine."
"By the way," Chen Qun suddenly clapped his hands, "I remember, I listened to him complain about not getting married several times at banquets."
"If you can marry a girl from the Cao clan to him, you will definitely be able to win over him."
"The most troublesome thing is Guan Yu. He has a clear mind and is difficult to deceive. He is also very upright. It is difficult to bribe him with ordinary benefits."
"If you really want to attack Liu Bei, it's best to transfer Guan Yu away so that you can take action."
"As far as I can see, this person's only weakness is that he is too conceited."
"I heard that Guan Yu trained a naval force at the East China Sea port, which is known as an elite navy."
"You can find a way to induce chaos on the sea route and let him go to the East China Sea to lead troops to quell the chaos. Then he will naturally leave Liu Bei."
Chen Qun had been under Liu Bei for a long time and knew Liu, Guan, and Zhang very well, and he also held a grudge because his opinions were not accepted. Therefore, after joining Cao Cao, he redoubled his efforts to plot against Liu Bei in order to express his bad temper.
After he finished speaking in a long and eloquent manner, everyone was convinced. Cao Cao praised: "The long article is like peeling off the cocoon, and you can see the fire clearly. If this thing is accomplished, I will definitely remember it as the first achievement!"
Cao Hong lamented: "The plan is a good one, but the cost of giving away Yuzhou is too high."
Cao Cao laughed and said: "Zilian, the situation is too small!"
"What I have now is Yuan Shao's strength, so the benefits of attacking Yuan Shu must not be obtained by the Yuan family!"
"Only in this way can I gain the strength to rival Yuan Shao after defeating Yuan Shu!"
"So I will suffer a little loss and let Liu Bei benefit, but I won't let the fierce tiger take advantage!"
"Besides, since I can give Yuzhou to Liu Bei, I can naturally take it back!"
When everyone heard this, they all laughed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Xun You thought for a while and said, "The letter to Liu Bei can be sent out now."
"But one thing can also be done at the same time."
"Choose one of the women from the Cao clan to be betrothed to Zhang Fei."
"Anyway, regardless of whether you fall out or not, it can still have some effect. It's just a woman."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Gongda is right. Even if he falls out with Liu Bei in the future, it is just a woman and has nothing to do with the overall situation."
"But after all my calculations, only the girl who wanted to marry Sun Ce was of the right age, but it would be a pity to marry Zhang Fei, and it will have other uses in the future."
He turned to Xia Houyuan, "I heard you have a niece?"
Xia Houyuan was stunned and said, "She is the daughter of my late brother..."
Cao Cao waved his hand, "That's it. If a woman's status is too low, it will be difficult to win over Zhang Fei. Your niece's status is just right."
Xia Houyuan was about to speak but stopped, so he had to cup his hands and said: "I follow your order."
Xun You spoke up: "The ferocious tiger should arrive in Guangling soon. It may go to Haixi, or it may go directly to Guangling City. How should we deal with it?"
After hearing this, Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "First mobilize the spies in the two cities to find out the news and wait and see what happens."
"If there is any change, send a message immediately."
Everyone's plan was decided, and finally Cao Cao said: "What we discussed today are all important matters related to the future of our Cao family."
"I believe in your loyalty to the Cao family, so I have not evaded it, but after you go back, please do not reveal the details."
Everyone burst into tears of gratitude and worshiped: "I will not hesitate to die in order to serve you!"
Cao Cao looked at the people's leaving figures and narrowed his eyes. It didn't matter if his inner thoughts were leaked. He just had to win.
He looked at Cheng Yu, who had said nothing from beginning to end, and said, "Zhongde, now we can have a serious talk about how to treat the fierce tiger."