July is a hot time in the north. Chang'an, after many years of governance by Zhong Yao, has made the people happy.
Cao Cao was wearing casual clothes and a group of people were walking in the fields, looking at the farmers cultivating in the distance.
"Back then, Gu led a large army to conquer Li Jue and Guo Si. Chang'an was in such a state of ruin at that time. Today, Zhong Yao and the officials of Chang'an are indispensable for the recovery of some vitality."
"These are all the merits of the prime minister. How dare my father take the credit?" Behind Cao Cao, a young scribe raised his hands to him and spoke. His name is Zhong Yu. Zhong Yao's son is only fourteen years old this year.
Cao Cao chuckled and said, "You can see that Zhong Yao has such a demeanor at a young age. He manages his family rigorously. He passes on orders from his father to the emperor and makes Zhong Yu the minister of Sanqi!"
"Promise." Yang Xiu, who was following behind Cao Cao, agreed while looking sideways at Zhong Yu. With this son here, three generations of the Zhong family will be reused. What he doesn't know is that Zhong Yu will have a younger brother in the future, named
Zhong Hui, he brought the Zhong family's strength to its peak.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your kindness." Zhong Yu quickly knelt down and knelt down to worship.
Cao Cao laughed and said, "Why did you just accept it? You didn't know how to refuse?"
"Although I am young, I also know that after I have learned a skill, I must serve the court and benefit the people. It is a good thing to be able to enter the official career as soon as possible and seek some benefits for the people, so I naturally have a clear conscience."
"Hahaha." Cao Cao said loudly, stroking his beard, "Zhong Yao has such an heir, what else can I ask for?"
"By the way, how is the recent war between Nanfang and Xichuan?"
Man Chong stepped forward and replied, "Prime Minister, the school affairs office has discovered that Liu Cong was defeated in several battles, but he was defeated and marched forward. He has captured Yuzhang City and Moling."
"Haha, this Liu Xiye is really a hero comparable to the Little Overlord. Where is Liu Bei? Has he captured Fucheng?"
"No, he was just confronting the Yizhou army outside the city. He might also be worried about the Prime Minister attacking his rear."
"Haha, when Gu takes Hanzhong, he will immediately march to Xichuan. This time, let's see where the big-eared bandit goes!"
"Prime Minister, Zhong Yao is back." From a distance, a group of knights arrived, and Zhong Yao got off his horse.
Half a month ago, Zhong Yao was sent to Yongliang as envoy to Ma Chao and Han Sui.
Cao Cao stepped forward and said, "Thank you Yuan Chang for your hard work. How can Ma Chao reply?"
As long as Ma Chao allows him to pass through his territory, Cao Cao can take advantage of the emptiness in Hanzhong, capture Hanzhong, and then use the momentum to march into Xichuan.
Zhong Yao looked ugly and said to Cao Cao, "Prime Minister, Ma Chao not only disagreed, but also called Han Sui. I have disgraced my mission."
"What's going on?" Cao Cao asked with a frown.
"Ma Chao met with Han Sui in Ji County. He said that he gave up Ma Teng as his father and hoped that Han Sui could treat him as his son and jointly resist the prime minister in the future."
"Ma Chao said that if it weren't for Ma Teng's sake, he would kill me. They have assembled an army of 200,000 in Ji County to attack Guanzhong!"
Cao Cao had a gloomy look on his face, and then said, "Please let the emperor issue an edict to denounce Ma Chao for disrespecting his father's orders, and send someone back to appease Ma Teng. This matter has nothing to do with him, so Ma Teng can rest assured."
"promise."
Zhong Yao stood up and said, "Prime Minister, there is no danger in Guanzhong. We must quickly move the people to Chang'an, strengthen the walls and clear the country. And send troops to occupy the Wei River first, and rely on the Wei River to resist the Xiliang Xiaoqi."
Cao Cao nodded in agreement, "Xia Houyuan, you go and do it. Immediately ask Cao Hong, who is stationed at Tongguan, to march to Chang'an."
"promise!"
There are 70,000 to 80,000 troops in Guanzhong plus Tongguan. Cao Cao has brought 130,000 troops. In terms of military strength, he is not afraid of Ma Chao and Han Sui. However, after this battle, Guanzhong will lose some vitality.
As for going south to Xichuan, or conquering Jiangdong and Jingchu, there is no need to think about it.
"With an army of 200,000, Ma Teng and Han Sui failed to attack Guanzhong last time, but they integrated the various princes of Xiliang and their strength was greatly increased." Cao Cao sighed.
Then he looked at the farmers farming in the distance and said, "Send an order to Xiahou Yuan to build forts along the Wei River. They are not allowed to engage in field battles with Ma Chao and Han Sui. Just defend. Xu Huang led 50,000 troops and camped south of Chang'an City. Cao Chun led
The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry will be stationed in the north of Chang'an City, waiting for the opportunity. Cao Hong, Zhang He and others will accompany Gu to station in Chang'an."
Unlike in history, when Ma Chao defeated Guanzhong and captured Tongguan, Guanzhong was still in Cao Cao's hands. However, after a while, Cao Cao had an idea in his mind. After some planning, Ma Chao was bound to be blocked to the west of Chang'an City.
"Wen He, Ma Chao is brave, and there are two hundred thousand troops, how should we fight?" Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu, who was accompanying him on the expedition.
Jia Xu chuckled and said, "Prime Minister, the alliance between Ma Chao and Han Sui's enemies will not last long. Over time, people's hearts will be separated, and the Prime Minister can divide them and attack them. Furthermore, an army of 200,000 people cannot last long with the food and grass supplies from Xiliang."
Yes, the prime minister’s arrangement just now is just to wait for the opportunity. Why bother to take the exam? "
"Haha! That's right. I'm just here, waiting for Ma Chao'er to come. Go back to the city!"
"promise!"
After riding on his horse, Cao Cao continued, "I sent an order to Xiahou Dun and Xun You in Shouchun to return to Xudu and not to participate in the war in the south."
"promise."
"Sima Yi, tell me, should you end the war in Jiangdong alone, or should you pacify the Xiliang princes alone?"
Sima Yi, riding on the horse behind Cao Cao, a handsome scribe with extremely slanted eyebrows, quickly and respectfully replied to Cao Cao, "Prime Minister, Liu Cong has invaded Wu County. Although Zhou Yu defeated him many times, from what I see,
It cannot change the outcome of Jiangdong's destruction. When the war in Guanzhong started, Liu Cong should be the first to pacify Jiangdong."
"Hush!"
Cao Cao reined in his horse and stared at Sima Yi until Sima Yi lowered his head and did not dare to look at him, then he said, "That's right. Weren't you unwilling to become an official before?"
Seeing that Sima Yi didn't answer, Cao Cao thought to himself again, "Are you unwilling to serve as an official, or are you unwilling to serve Gu? Do you also think Gu is a Han traitor?"
Sima Yi hurriedly stopped his horse, dismounted and knelt down and said, "Prime Minister, I would never dare to do that. I just thought that officialdom was dangerous before. When I came under the Prime Minister's command, I realized that under the Prime Minister's rule, the north had already become politically clear. Before, I was under the leadership of the Prime Minister."
Sit down in the well and look at the sky."
"Then why don't you even call yourself a minister?"
"My...I have not been here for a long time, and I am not used to it yet. Please forgive me, Prime Minister."
"Hahaha, get up, I was just joking with you, why are you panicking?" Cao Cao kicked Sima Yi on the shoulder.
Sima Yi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, got up and mounted his horse. Cao Cao asked again, "Tell me, if Liu Cong annihilates Jiangdong, will he raise his troops and march north?"
"Well, Zhongda, don't say anything anymore. Just listen to other people's thoughts. I'm listening to you."
Jia Xu, Zhong Yao, Yang Xiu and others all said no. Cao Cao looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi said respectfully, "Prime Minister, I...I have a different view. I think Liu Cong will definitely go north!"
"Why?"
"Liu Cong is a pioneering hero, just like the little overlord Sun Ce. If he knew that the prime minister was in Guanzhong, he would definitely march north. The troops are so fast that I thought that he would not send troops from Jingchu and Wancheng, but from Jiangdong.
, try to capture Lujiang, Hefei, Shouchun and other places!"