At the end of August in the fourth year of Jian'an of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty (AD 199), Cao Cao's army had been stationed in Liyang for almost 20 days.
He had received news before that Yuan Shao had the intention to attack Xuchang. After Cao Cao got the news, he led the army to Liyang without stopping. After arriving in Liyang, he waited for so many days but did not see any movement from Yuan Shao.
"What's going on..." Cao Cao was a little annoyed, "Didn't you say that Yuan Shao is coming?"
Beside him, Guo Jiaxunyu and other counselors stood silently.
After a while, Guo Jiacai said: "My lord, if Yuan Shao comes at this time, can my lord be able to withstand his army?"
Guo Jia pointed out Cao Cao's weakness pointedly, and Cao Cao immediately shivered when he heard this.
Indeed, Yuan Shao, who currently has power in four states, can be said to be the most powerful prince in the world today. Even if he moves out all his belongings, he cannot defeat Yuan Shao.
Xun Yu stepped forward and said: "My lord, my subordinates think that Yuan Shao's delay in using troops is because he wants to win over Zhang Xiu."
"Huh?" Cao Cao had already thought of what Xun Yu said, and Cao Cao had been trying to win over Zhang Xiu, but Zhang Xiu not only killed his beloved general Dian Wei, but also killed his son Cao Ang and
His nephew Cao Anming was also killed, causing his wife, Mrs. Ding, to "divorce" him. Thinking of this, Cao Cao became extremely depressed.
"Well" Cao Cao hesitated for a while and said, "It's not that I haven't thought about Zhang Xiu, but even if I don't miss my old grudge, I don't necessarily miss Zhang Xiu."
Xun Yu was speechless at what Cao Cao said. Indeed, although his lord was very generous, what about Zhang Xiu? Xun Yu didn't know Zhang Xiu. Furthermore, Zhang Xiu treated his lord's son and nephew
Love will kill them all. According to the character of the lord, even if he doesn't take revenge, he will always find an opportunity to vent his anger.
For a while, there was silence in the camp.
At this moment, a message suddenly came from outside the tent: "Your Majesty, Sir, please see me."
Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly stood up and shouted: "Please come quickly, please come soon..."
Before Cao Cao could finish speaking, Ma Xiaoquan led Hua Yuexin and Ling'er in disguise.
Ling'er doesn't have a disguise, so as of now, Ling'er looks much more beautiful than Hua Yuexin after her disguise.
Cao Cao first exchanged polite words with Ma Xiaoquan, and then stared at Ling'er greedily.
Next to Cao Cao, Xun You was shocked and almost screamed.
Xun You has an ability. As long as he has met a person, Xun You can clearly remember the walking posture.
Xun You had participated in the Hua family's bracelet-wearing ceremony, and Xun You had also seen Hua Yuexin's walking style.
Although Hua Yuexin changed her appearance, her walking posture did not change much.
Xun You could tell it at a glance, but because the faces were different, Xun You didn't say anything.
Furthermore, Miss Hua Yuexin must have had her own thoughts when she disguised herself.
Cao Cao said politely: "Master Shangxian, do you bring me any good news when you come here this time?"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head: "There is no good news, but I think Xiao Cao should go and win over Zhang Xiu."
Ma Xiaoquan touched Cao Cao's heart with just one sentence. Just now, everyone was still discussing how to win over Zhang Xiu. Now Lord Shangxian has said it again. Can Cao Cao not be excited?
It's just... how easy is it to win over Zhang Xiu?
Cao Cao smiled bitterly and expressed his difficulties.
Ma Xiaoquan secretly operated the data device in his body. After checking it carefully, he said "pretending to be serious": "Actually, to win over Zhang Xiu, you can't just start with him."
Cao Cao's eyes lit up and he quickly asked: "What does Master Shangxian mean?"
Ma Xiaoquan said: "You also know that Zhang Xiu has a guest named Jia Xu and Jia Wenhe, right?"
Regarding Jia Xu, Cao Cao not only knew that when he sent Cao Ren to attack Zhang Xiu, it was because of Jia Xu that Cao Ren suffered a lot. Later, when Cao Ren reported to him, he specifically cursed Jia Xu many times.
, it can be seen that Cao Ren was afraid of Jia Xu.
"What Master Shangxian means...if you want to win over Zhang Xiu, you should first win over Jia Xu?"
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and thought to himself: Well, this is what Cao Cao said himself. I just followed history.
Cao Cao thought that Lord Shangxian had acquiesced, so he clapped his hands and said, "Okay, then let's win over Jia Xu."
...
At the same time, Yuan Shao was also actively trying to win over Zhang Xiu. Yuan Shao's wishful thinking was as follows: First, he would make distant friends and attack closely. That is, after winning over Zhang Xiu, he and Zhang Xiu would attack Cao Cao from both sides, which would not only quickly and effectively
By destroying Cao Cao, you can also annex all of Cao Cao's territory, and by the way, there is also the little emperor. Furthermore, as for Zhang Xiu, if he obeys, he will be made a prince, if not, he will be destroyed directly.
Yuan Shao's approach immediately received Zhang Xiu's response. Of course, Zhang Xiu didn't know Yuan Shao's subsequent thoughts.
After Zhang Xiu saw Yuan Shao's envoy, he was extremely happy. If an alliance agreement could be reached immediately, Zhang Xiu would really do it. Unfortunately, every time Zhang Xiu opened his mouth and was ready to fully agree, he was interrupted by Jia Xu.
Interrupted.
At night, Zhang Xiu found Jia Xu very depressed and questioned him. Jia Xu did not speak, but shook his head gently.
Zhang Xiu didn't know what was going on and was embarrassed to ask too harshly, so he had to give up for now.
After Zhang Xiu left, Jia Xu leisurely took out a pair of silk from his sleeve pocket, unfolded it and looked at it again.
There were a few lines of words written on the silk, and the last signature of these lines was: I am this immortal.
Jia Xu had a good memory. He clearly remembered that the purple-haired man who claimed to be a god easily entered his room and had a conversation with him.
The purple-haired man had always called himself "Benxian", and Jia Xu later found out that this man was indeed very prestigious among Cao's army, and everyone also called him "Shangxian".
Although Zhang Xiu was brave, he did not have any lofty ambitions, but Cao Cao was different. From the beginning, Jia Xu actually paid attention to Cao Cao. He also thought about leaving Zhang Xiu and joining Cao Cao.
But then I thought, if I send someone to join Cao Cao now, I might be despised by Cao Cao. Instead of doing this, I might as well put on airs...
The content of the silk thread is very simple, just a brief greeting about Jia Xu's recent situation. Of course, in fact, Ma Xiaoquan gave some hints in the first word of each sentence.
Jia Xu and others understood the meaning after scanning both sides.
Putting away the silk, Jia Xu smiled proudly and said to himself: "This Lord Immortal is really unbelievable, but it's okay, just give me a step, haha..."
Early the next morning, Yuan Shao's envoy came to make a special announcement. Zhang Xiu was naturally very happy to hear it, while Jia Xu looked at Yuan Shao's envoy without saying a word.
"General Zhang, how about joining forces with my lord Yuan Shao and us killing Cao Cao together?"
Zhang Xiu clapped his hands and nodded. Just as he was about to speak, Jia Xu said, "Go back and tell Yuan Shao that the two brothers can't get along well with each other. What nonsense are you talking about?"
Zhang Xiu was stunned for a moment and said angrily: "Mr. Wenhe, what are you doing?"
Jia Xu shook his head and said to Zhang Xiu in front of the envoy: "Yuan Shao is the pit of fire. Instead of doing this, it is better to join Cao Cao."
Yuan Shao's envoy was unwilling: "Jia Wenhe, what do you mean? My lord is a hero in the world. In terms of strategy and power, he is not a hundred times stronger than that Cao Ah Man. I have been ordered to come this time. You can agree, no matter what."
No matter how much you agree, when one day my lord Yuan Shao leads his army to unify the north, you two will definitely be miserable!"
Zhang Xiu was helpless. It was Jia Xu who said the refusal, but Yuan Shao's envoy placed the blame on both of them.
Zhang Xiu wanted to smooth things over, but he didn't expect that as soon as he said one word, Yuan Shao's envoy swung his sleeves fiercely: "You can take care of yourself! Huh!" After that, Yuan Shao's envoy left angrily.
Zhang Xiu wanted to chase Yuan Shao's envoy, but was held back by Jia Xu.
Zhang Xiu threw Jia Xu away and shouted: "Yuan is strong and Cao Cao is weak. Cao Cao's eldest son died in my hands. Why should I surrender to him?"
Jia Xu hummed and said slowly: "That's why we went to join Cao Cao. First, Cao Cao obeyed the emperor's orders and refused to submit. If he surrenders, he surrenders to the emperor. General Zhang, although our country is in dire straits."
, but you are still a Hanchen, right? Moreover, you can't go to Yuan Shao to go against the emperor, right? Second, Yuan Shao is too strong now. If we go, can he take you and me seriously?
And if Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are weak, if we take refuge in Cao Cao, Cao Cao will definitely try his best to win over you and me; thirdly, Cao Cao has the ambition to dominate the world and should not worry about personal grudges. Cao Cao was wrong about Wancheng first
, Cao Cao should not always hold a grudge against you, general, both emotionally and rationally. So, based on the above three points, we should all seek refuge with Cao Cao!"
What Jia Xu said was very true. Zhang Xiu, who was still angry at first, gradually calmed down after hearing this.
Zhang Xiu thought about it carefully, Yuan Shao was too powerful, and going by himself was just a drop in the bucket. And wasn't Yuan Shao wooing him just to deal with Cao Cao? When Cao Cao is finished, will he become a cunning rabbit?
What will happen to the dead lackey?
"Well" Zhang Xiu breathed out, "Let me think about it, sir..."
Jia Xu nodded, quietly reached into his arms, and touched the silk letter given to him by Lord Shangxian...
In September of the fourth year of Jian'an reign of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao, who had been guarding Liyang for almost two months, still did not see Yuan Shao coming to attack, and Zhang Xiu also sent envoys to win over him, but there was still no response.
Cao Cao couldn't sit still anymore, so he had to temporarily withdraw his troops and return to the court, leaving his generals to continue guarding Liyang.
Although the war was unknown, the scenery in Liyang was good. Ma Xiaoquan politely declined Cao Cao's invitation to go back together, and took Hua Yuexin and Ling'er to play.
Ling'er asked Ma Xiaoquan: "Ms. sir, are we really just having fun?"
Ma Xiaoquan did not speak, but looked at Hua Yuexin.
Hua Yuexin nodded knowingly and explained to Ling'er on behalf of her husband: "Ling'er, my husband actually has other things to do. Cao Cao is here, so it's hard for him to talk."
Ling'er nodded and said, "No matter where my husband goes, Ling'er will follow him."