At this time, Cao Cao was still full of confidence. After years of hard work, he finally achieved something, and his confidence period was at its highest point. The disaster under his rule in Yanzhou was not unserious, but Cao Cao believed that the disaster would pass sooner or later.
Everything will turn in his favor.
It is good to have this optimistic attitude, but Cao Zhi is still worried that Yuan Shu will unite with other members of his alliance to attack Cao Cao. For example, Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian have hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and they are all veterans.
They have rich combat experience. Although Cao Cao and Cao Zhi have a lot of troops combined, most of them are surrendered or newly recruited troops, and their combat experience is definitely not as good as those of Yuan Shu's group.
When Cao Zhi thought of this, he couldn't help but frown and said: "After all, Yuan Shu has the name of the Han Dynasty, and he came with the main force, as well as Gongsun Zan and the others..."
Cao Cao and others couldn't help but wave their hands when Cao Zhi mentioned Yuan Shu's alliance members and pondered for a long time. He had also thought of this.
After a while, he smiled and said to Cao Zhi: "Since Yuan Shu has an overwhelming alliance advantage, why don't we follow suit?"
"Yes, my lord is right!"
These words were not said by Cao Zhi, nor were they said by Cao Cao himself, but came from behind Cao Cao and Cao Cao.
Cao Cao smiled after hearing what the visitor said. Cao Zhi turned around silently, and when he saw the person, he saw that it was Cao Cao's counselors Xun Yu and Mao Jie who came hand in hand.
Cao Cao greeted the two of them with a smile and said, "Wen Ruo and Xiao Xian haven't rested yet? Have you received the news too?" As he said this, Ding was about to move the bed for Xun Yu and Mao Jie.
Xun Yu and Mao Jie bowed to Cao Cao and Cao Zhi. After thanking their mistress Ding, the two ladies immediately took their children back to their rooms.
After the two ladies and the young master retreated, Xun Yu spoke first: "Can I still sleep now? I heard that Yuan Shu has arrived at Fengqiu? I have informed Zhongde and Manchong them that they will arrive soon."
Cao Cao said "Yes" and handed over the letter, nodded and said: "Yes, Sun Jian is also dead. Yuan Shu must say that he acted quickly and did not stop for a moment."
Regarding Sun Jian's death, both Xun Yu and Mao Jie were shocked. Xun Yu took the letter and looked down at it, while Mao Jie pondered slightly and said slowly: "I didn't expect this!"
After asking about the cause of Sun Jian's death, Mao Jie did not look at the letter Xun Yu handed him, but said with a thoughtful smile: "This may not be a bad thing for my lord."
Xun Yu also said "Hmm" and said: "It's true that Sun Jian is good at fighting. If he leads troops to attack, it will be a headache. But what happened to Prefect Zhang? He let Yuan Shu move in so quietly.
Fengqiu, doesn’t he also have tens of thousands of troops? Why..."
Cao Cao first nodded and confirmed what Xun Yu and Mao Jie said about Sun Jian, but when it came to Zhang Miao, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a little sad. He sighed, darkened his face, and became silent.
At this time, Cao Zhi also shook his head at Xun Yu as a hint. Who are Xun Yu and others? They are all famous people. Looking at Cao Cao's expression and Cao Zhi's hint, he immediately understood that this person
Friends who grew up with the Lord's naked buttocks may also have something wrong with them.
But obviously neither Cao Cao nor Cao Zhi wanted to talk about this person anymore, so he knew what was interesting and immediately chose to remain silent.
While Cao Cao and Cao Zhi felt sorry for their common friend, they also did not want to slander Zhang Miao without sufficient evidence. In their hearts, they still retained a trace of possible surprise towards Zhang Miao.
When Mao Jie saw that the conversation had reached a deadlock, he still did not forget the topic just now and asked back: "Just now, the master and the second master were talking about imitating. I don't know who to imitate?"
Cao Cao laughed and asked Mao Jie: "Xiao Xian, what do you think?"
Mao Jie jumped up from the bed and said excitedly: "It is an alliance. Yuan Shu and he have an alliance, and the lord can also follow suit."
Cao Zhijing, Mr. Mao, also thought of candidates for Cao Cao's possible alliance after being reminded. Cao Zhi has never liked to join any alliance, but the situation is critical at this time, and the overall situation is not very favorable to Cao Cao. This proposal can be considered.
Cao Cao obviously had a suspicion for a long time. He nodded towards Mao Jie with a half-smile but said, "Well, tell me, how can I follow suit?"
Mao Jie was obviously more aggressive than Xun Yu. He made no secret of his talent and said enthusiastically: "My lord has hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and generals, plus the land of Yangzhou occupied by the second lord, Grand Administrator Cao, and his hundreds of thousands of soldiers."
Ma, we should be on par with Yuan Shu in terms of force."
On this point, everyone present almost has a consensus. Now in the mainland of China, there are countless princes and powerful men. It is no secret how many soldiers and horses they have. Yuan Shu, as the powerful man with the largest territory and the most soldiers and horses at present, has
There are about 600,000 soldiers and horses in the army. Sun Jian's troops who attacked Jingzhou alone had 300,000. Plus the 300,000 he had in his own hands, 600,000 was only a lot more. But Mao Jie said something different.
To be fair, elite soldiers and strong generals should refer to Yuan Shu's tribe. Cao Cao can only be regarded as a powerful upstart. Most of the 500,000 to 600,000 troops are still the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army that surrendered in the Battle of Wuyan half a year ago.
Not an elite soldier.
But the basic situation of the comparison of forces mentioned by Mao Jie was still true. It also got Cao Cao's approval, so Cao Cao let Mao Jie continue.
Mao Jie cleared his throat and continued energetically: "But we lack support. If Yuan Shu can really persuade Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian and other allies to fight, our situation will not be optimistic. So I suggest that the lord contact Yuan Shao and Liu Biao to form an alliance, at least
By forming an alliance during this period, we can use our strength to eliminate our worries and use our full strength to deal with Yuan Shu."
"Well said!" These words came from Xun Yu. He raised the letter in his hand and said with a big smile: "Xiao Xian, you are really getting better and better. You thought of the alliance without looking at the military situation."
When Mao Jie heard that it turned out that Xun Yu wanted him to read the letter, it also mentioned that the military situation of Yuan Shu's alliance was unstable. Doesn't that mean that the lord Cao Cao also thought of taking advantage of the discord between the Yuan family brothers and the falling out between Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. No wonder
Cao Cao kept looking at him with a smile. It turned out that he had been accused for a long time, and now he was very embarrassed. Mao Jie couldn't help but blush, and he prepared to sit down again in embarrassment.
In fact, when Cao Cao was chatting with Cao Zhi just now, he did think of using Yuan Shao and Liu Biao to contain Yuan Shu's periphery. But at that time, Xun Yu and Mao Jie arrived, so Cao Cao did not say anything further. He was happy to let his subordinates
There is enough space to showcase your talents.
Mao Jie felt very embarrassed and felt that there was no need for him to act blindly. But at this moment, Cao Cao stood up and praised: "What Xiaoxian said makes sense. It's a good suggestion. I'll wait for you later."
When Cheng Li and the others are here, we will discuss the details directly. Xiaoxian, you will be the one to copy the letters to Yuan Shao and Liu Biao."
Mao Jie said "Oh!" unexpectedly. He was so flattered that he forgot to stand up and accept the order.
Cao Cao ignored Mao Jie's surprise and turned to Cao Zhi, who was sitting aside and thinking about what Mao Jie had just said: "Second brother, you will go back tomorrow. The matter in Hefei has been settled. Why don't you go back and make preparations? This matter is
Big brother is sorry for you, and I will make it up to you in the future..."
As he spoke, Cao Cao also had a look of regret on his face. Cao Zhi just replied "Oh!" and wanted to follow up by saying, "Why are brothers so polite?", but before the words came out, Xun Yu interjected in confusion: "What happened in Hefei?"
Cao Cao told him briefly that he and Cao Zhi decided to sell Hefei in exchange for Chen Yu's Jiujiang military rations. Xun Yu immediately exclaimed that it was a pity. After all, exchanging such a treasure land for a few grains was really not worth the gain. But there were
What can we do? The war is imminent. Without this little food, how can we let the hungry soldiers fight Yuan Shu? Mao Jie also looked at Cao Zhi strangely, his eyebrows twitched again and again, but finally he held back and said nothing.
Cao Cao had no choice but to say a few words to Xun Yu. At this time, Cheng Li, Xia Houyuan and other Yanzhou civil and military officials arrived. Cao Cao saw that the terrace was not a place for discussion, so he ordered officials at all levels of the state government to gather in the meeting hall.
It was a matter of course to discuss matters all night long. Cao Cao ordered his troops, dispatched his generals, and made decisions. He was busy all night. The next day, Cao Zhi was going back to Danyang. When he was leaving, Cao Cao said, "I have one more soldier for you to take away."
I'll help you transport food!"
Cao Zhi was stunned and asked Cao Cao: "Where are the soldiers?"
Cao Cao smiled and said: "But not behind you?"
At this time, Cao Zhi heard someone behind him tremblingly shout: "Second uncle!"
When Cao Zhi looked back, he saw a young man, wearing green clothes and green clothes, with an ocher-colored head, a sword slanted on his back, and a look that was worn by the world.
"Ah, you are...?" Cao Zhi felt that this young man looked familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was.
"Nephew, please, meet your uncle!" After saying this, the young man knelt down and bowed down, with tears in his big bright eyes.
"Ah, it turns out to be Xiu'er! You've grown so big? The last time we came to have a wedding banquet, you were just so tall. I didn't expect that after not seeing each other for several years, you would actually grow into an adult, haha..."
;
This Cao Xiu is the grandson of Cao Zhi's father, Cao Song's cousin. He is fifteen years old this year and is seven feet tall. Cao Xiu's grandfather once served as the prefect of Wu County (the seat of government is now Suzhou). Ten years ago, his family moved to Wu.
He settled in the county. Cao Xiu was only four or five years old when he left Qiao County. He was not as tall as a stove. The last time he came to have Cao Zhi's wedding wine, he was only ten years old. The children have grown up the fastest in the past few years. Now.
Of course Cao Zhi didn't recognize him. He thought he looked familiar, but it was just that Cao Xiu's appearance did not deviate from the essence of the Cao family.
Cao Zhi was very happy to see such an old nephew, so he asked: "How are your parents doing recently?" Unexpectedly, this sentence made Cao Xiu burst into tears.
It turns out that Cao Xiu's parents have passed away one after another (his grandfather died earlier, which Cao Zhi knew), and now he is all alone in Wu County, helpless. A few days ago, I heard that Cao Cao became the shepherd of Yanzhou.
He wanted to come to seek refuge with him, but the child didn't recognize him, so he went to Qiao County first.
Cao Song asked him what he wanted to do with his uncle Cao Cao. He said he wanted to follow his uncle to fight on the battlefield and make contributions.
Cao Xiu was still young, and he loved to use guns and sticks since he was a child, so he longed for galloping into the killing field.
Cao Song said: "Okay, if you are ambitious! This is what men should do."