In April of the third year of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty (AD 192), Dong Zhuo was killed by Lu Bu and others in front of the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an. At the same time, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou began to get ready. In early April, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army poured into Yanzhou, and Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou,
He sent troops to fight against the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army, but due to the huge disparity in numbers, Liu Dai was unfortunately killed by a cold arrow in the battle with the Yellow Turban Army. From then on, Yanzhou was leaderless, and the governors everywhere gathered troops to protect themselves...
Cao Cao sat in front of the desk, tapping his right hand rhythmically. In front of Cao Cao, stood his newly recruited counselors and generals. Since receiving the title of East Commandery Governor, Cao Cao has indeed gained some strength. But although
His strength has increased, but Cao Cao has been thinking about the words of Master Shangxian in his heart: One day, you, Cao Cao, Cao Mengde, will definitely be the best among men, but it's a pity...
In fact, when Ma Xiaoquan said this, he didn't mean anything else. The reason why he didn't say it further was not because he didn't say it on purpose, but because he couldn't make it up. But Cao Cao didn't think so. Although he always thought about the immortal in his heart,
The Lord regarded him as a demon, but no matter whether he was attacking Dong Zhuo or breaking out of the siege of Xingyang, Lord Shangxian helped him very cleverly, especially in the breakout battle of Xingyang. If Lord Shangxian hadn't arranged for Cao Hong to be by his side, I'm afraid,
The current governor of Dongjun should be someone else.
"It's a pity..." Cao Cao said softly to himself, "Then why does the demon say it's a pity?"
Cao Cao just thought for a while and then came to his senses. After all, there is a more important thing waiting for him to do right now, which is to work hard to accumulate strength.
"Next step, I want to hear your opinions!"
All the counselors and generals under the table were silent.
Cao Cao shook his head and did not embarrass his subordinates. He waved his hands gently and said: "Everyone, please go down first and then think about it carefully. What should we do next?"
After bowing deeply to Cao Cao, all the cadres withdrew.
...
On a carriage, four women who were as beautiful as flowers and jade were sitting. The four women were at four corners, surrounding a man with purple hair.
"Brother, why do we need to change our itinerary? Didn't you say you were going to Yanzhou before?"
"Haha, we are going to Yanzhou, but not now. Let's calm down and go to Dongjun first." After the man finished speaking, he ordered the servant driving the carriage outside the carriage, "Zhao Er, go first.
Come to Dongjun!"
Zhao Er said respectfully: "Yes, sir!"
...
The official residence of the governor of Dongjun.
Cao Cao unfolded the sheepskin map and studied it carefully. Beside him stood the two Xiahou brothers.
"Mengde, now that the Yellow Turban Army in Yanzhou is rebelling, what should we do?"
Cao Cao didn't answer. He looked at the map silently and studied the terrain.
At this moment, his subordinates came to report: "To inform the Grand Administrator, there is an old friend outside the house who claims to be Your Excellency and wants to see him!"
Cao Cao asked without raising his head: "Who is it?"
"Sir, this person claims to be an immortal..."
When Cao Cao heard this, he raised his head suddenly: "Please come quickly, please come quickly!"
As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, he was afraid that his men would be neglected, so he quickly pulled the Xiahou brothers and said, "Yuan Rang, Miaocai, come with me to greet Lord Shangxian."
...
Outside the mansion, Ma Xiaoquan had already led his daughter-in-law out of the carriage and was waiting quietly for Cao Cao to come out.
There was a soft "creak" sound, and the door of the mansion opened.
But I saw a man who was not tall but looked somewhat heroic stood up. Next to the man, stood two tall silver-helmeted generals.
Ma Xiaoquan smiled and raised his hands to the man in the middle: "Xiao Cao, you're fine!"
Cao Cao laughed, his eyes inadvertently passed over the woman next to Ma Xiaochen, and he was slightly surprised and said: "Master Shangxian, this...isn't this Diao Chan?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded: "That's right, come on, Diao Chan, I've met Mr. Cao!"
Diao Chan stepped forward and bowed to Cao Cao respectfully: "I have seen Master Cao!"
Diao Chan's voice was thin and soft, which made Cao Cao feel itchy in his heart. Coupled with Diao Chan's beautiful appearance, even the two Xiahou brothers beside Cao Cao couldn't help but swallow their saliva several times.
Cao Cao shook his head and said with a smile: "Master Shangxian, what is the purpose of your visit?"
Ma Xiaoquan got straight to the point and said: "I figured out that there is something on your mind, Xiao Cao, so I came here to give you some advice. It just so happens that I am accompanying my female family members and they also need to stay at Xiao Cao's place for a while."
When Cao Cao heard this, he felt happy, but his expression was very respectful and he said: "Sir Shangxian, you are so polite. This is what you should do!"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and led four beautiful women and Zhao Eryi into the prefect's mansion.
In the mansion, Ma Xiaoquan saw the map on the desk as soon as he entered the door. On the map, Cao Cao had previously lightly circled Yanzhou with an inkstone.
Ma Xiaoquan thought to himself: It seems that I came at the right time, Mr. Ma. Cao Cao is still hesitating whether to attack Yanzhou. However, for Cao Cao to attack Yanzhou and collect the Yellow Turban Army, he needs one person...
After making up his mind, Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and said to Cao Cao: "Xiao Cao, do you want this territory in Yanzhou?"
Cao Cao raised his eyebrows, cupped his hands and said, "I can't hide anything from Master Shangxian!"
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand and said: "I have already calculated this, but the territory of Yanzhou is not easy to gnaw on!"
Cao Cao said: "Then what Master Shangxian means is..."
Ma Xiaoquan smiled and said: "Xiao Cao, let me ask you, do you have a counselor named Chen Gong under you now?"
Cao Cao was shocked, but still calmly said: "That's exactly it!"
"That's easy. You tell me where Chen Gong is now, and I'll go meet him!"
Cao Cao didn't understand what medicine Ma Xiaoquan was selling in his gourd, so he asked Ma Xiaoquan the reason. Ma Xiaoquan didn't hide anything and replied: "I heard that Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, died while fighting the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army. Now that Yanzhou is leaderless, this is your opportunity.
, and if you, Xiao Cao, forcefully enter Yanzhou, there may be something wrong, so you need a lobbyist to convince other officials in Yanzhou... I say this, do you understand? "
Cao Cao is not stupid. After Ma Xiaoquan analyzed and explained it, Cao Cao immediately understood. Remembering that when he and his subordinates were studying the next plan together, Cao Cao had already considered Yanzhou. However, due to his own strength, Cao Cao also
hesitate.
Xiahou Dun, who was beside Cao Cao, couldn't help it anymore and said: "Master Shangxian, is Chen Gong really okay?"
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled: "Don't worry, only Chen Gong can do this!"
...
Chen Gong's residence.
Since following Cao Cao, Chen Gong has not made any achievements in strategy. I think when he first joined Cao Cao's account, Chen Gong made a guarantee and made one plan every day. He saw the situation in one year. In this year, he
He had proposed several strategies, but after they were implemented, the results were very poor. Even the tough soldiers secretly laughed at him, which made Chen Gong very embarrassed.
During the previous meeting, he had an idea, but he was afraid that if the idea failed, he might have to pack up and leave.
"My lord" Chen Gong was thinking about it when a servant outside the door had something to report.
"What's up?"
The servant outside the door replied: "Sir, there is someone outside the courtyard who claims to know you and wants to see you!"
"Do you know me?" Chen Gong was curious, so he put on his coat and went out to greet him.
Outside the hospital, Ma Xiaoquan waited for Chen Gong with his hands behind his back.
Seeing Chen Gong coming out to greet him, Ma Xiaoquan stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "Chen Gongtai, you are well and well!"
Chen Gong was shocked and thought: I don't know this person at all, how does he know my name?
Chen Gong looked Ma Xiaoquan up and down and said alertly: "May I ask who you are? Isn't Mr. Chen acquainted with you?"
Ma Xiaoquan laughed: "It doesn't matter if you don't know me. I just want to ask you one question. Do you want to suggest that your lord take Yanzhou?"
Chen Gong was stunned and lost his voice: "How did you know?"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head: "It's not important where I learned this. What's important is that you, Chen Gong, have to do this!"
"Shall I do it?" Chen Gong hesitated. Thinking of his previous unsuccessful suggestions, Chen Gong lost his confidence.
Ma Xiaoquan stepped forward and patted Chen Gong's shoulder: "Don't worry, no matter what happened to you before, only you can do this now!" After Ma Xiaoquan finished speaking, he didn't even enter Chen Gong's house, he just held his head high,
Singing a ditty and walked away.
Chen Gong watched Ma Xiaoquan disappear blankly, feeling as if he had knocked over five bottles.
"I...can it really be done?" Chen Gongyi gritted his teeth, "I will be laughed at no matter what, the worst I can do is pack up and leave!"
...
The residence of the prefect of Dongjun.
Cao Cao was entertaining Ma Xiaoquan and his party when he heard from his subordinates that Chen Gong wanted to see him.
Cao Cao frowned, a little unhappy: "Chen Gongtai, why are you here at this time..."
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand and said: "Xiao Cao, don't be upset, Chen Gong is here to give you a big gift!"
"Big gift?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded: "Wait a minute, no matter what Chen Gong says, Xiao Cao, just agree to him!"
Cao Cao hesitated for a moment and nodded in agreement.
...
Sure enough, after Chen Gong entered the court, he analyzed Cao Cao's current world situation, and focused on the strategic position of Yanzhou.
Although Cao Cao didn't like to see Chen Gong very much, after hearing what Chen Gong said, he couldn't help but admire Chen Gong. Due to both emotion and reason, Chen Gong's analysis was to the point, every word was precise.
After Cao Cao thought about it carefully, his impression of Chen Gong immediately changed a lot.
"Gongtai, what do you mean... I'm going to take over this Yanzhou animal husbandry?"
Chen Gong said respectfully: "My lord, this is exactly what I mean!"
Cao Cao was confused: "But this..."
Chen Gong volunteered and said: "Don't worry, my lord, Gong Zi will personally go to various places in Yanzhou to convince those officials!"
Cao Cao glanced at Ma Xiaoquan beside him, and Ma Xiaoquan nodded slightly. Cao Cao hummed and said: "Okay, now that Gongtai has decided, let's start as soon as possible. Is there anything you need from Gongtai?"
Yes, you can bring it up."
Chen Gong was quite touched. You must know that his series of unsuccessful strategies previously made Chen Gong feel that he had no weight in front of the lord Cao Cao. However, he did not expect that now the lord Cao Cao would generously provide him with conveniences. This made Chen Gong feel that he had no weight in front of the lord Cao Cao.
Chen Gong's heart suddenly became firm.
Chen Gong secretly thought: If I cannot complete this trip, I will be ashamed of my lord.