When the news about Hebei came out, Cao Cao was shocked. He was originally having a banquet with everyone, but he suddenly sat upright and lost all joy.
The news of Yuan Shao's move south really caught Cao Cao off guard. How could Cao Cao not know that Yuan Shao's power had already spread throughout Hebei. After wiping out Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao became even more unstoppable. Compared with him, the disparity in strength between Cao Cao and him was getting bigger and bigger. If Yuan Shao
Taking Xuzhou would have disastrous consequences for Cao Cao.
The most important reason why Cao Cao was able to confront Yuan Shao was that Yuan Shao's sphere of influence was still in Hebei, which meant that he could rely on the Yellow River to deploy his defense line. Although Qingzhou was also owned by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao's power there was still there after all.
If your footing is not stable, you will be in trouble.
But taking Xuzhou is completely different. This means that Yuan Shao's power has completely extended to the south of the Yellow River. Not only does it appear to the north of Cao Cao, it can also threaten Cao Cao's power from the east. To the south of Xuzhou is Yuan Shu's Huainan
, Runan, although the relationship between the two Yuan is tense, they are still brothers after all. Yuan Shao is powerful and Yuan Shu is gradually weakening. Who can guarantee that Yuan Shu will not completely fall to Yuan Shao. If so, Yuan Shao's strength will be even more terrifying, dividing the world into two.
First, although Cao Cao knew Yuan Shao's weaknesses, but in the face of absolute strength and surrounded by enemies on three sides, he was afraid that sooner or later he would become a prisoner.
After thinking about this, Cao Cao was sweating profusely. He knew that this matter was too important to allow Yuan Shao to get his wish. He asked the visitor: "Is there any news about Xuzhou Gao Jin?"
The visitor reported back: "I only heard that Gao Jin, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as the vanguard, mobilized Xuzhou's army and horses in order to fight Yuan Shao decisively."
Cao Cao couldn't help but shake his head. What he asked was not whether Gao Jin resisted. He had already been on guard against Gao Jin and knew Gao Jin's character. When Yuan Shao went south, Gao Jin would fight tooth and nail no matter how many troops and horses he had.
What we want is whether Gao Jin has sent an envoy to Xuchang.
How could Xuzhou's 60,000 to 70,000 troops and horses resist Yuan Shao's hundreds of thousands of Hebei elites? Therefore, he could also predict that Gao Jin would definitely ask for help from everywhere, and Yuan Shu could not count on it. As for Sun Ce, Liu Biao and his like were too far away.
Distant water cannot save nearby fire. Cao Cao can already conclude that Gao Jin will definitely send an envoy to Xudu to ask for help, but why there is no movement.
This matter puzzled him a bit, but he was relieved soon after. Maybe Gao Jin's envoy was still on the way, and he might arrive in the next two days. He had already made a calculation in his mind. No matter what disaster Gao Jin would turn into in the future, Yuan Shao's
The threat is right in front of him. At this time, his best choice is probably to join forces with Gao to resist Yuan.
After thinking about this, Cao Cao immediately ordered people to inquire around, while waiting for news about Gao Jin in Xuchang.
He just waited and waited for six or seven days, but still did not see Gao Jin's envoy arrive. He suddenly became suspicious, what was this Gao Jin going to do? Did he think he could resist Yuan Shao alone? Then,
Cao Cao smiled bitterly and shook his head. Gao Jin would never be so stupid. When Lu Bu was surrounded, he went to see Liu Bei alone and led Liu Bei's army to the East China Sea. How could he be so reckless now?
Could it be that... With another wry smile, Cao Cao suddenly woke up and couldn't help but said: "This Gao Jin, at this time, he actually has the intention to play tricks on me."
There was no reason why Gao Jin didn't send an envoy. He just expected that Cao Cao would have to help him. Cao Cao was a smart man and there was no need to say more, let alone waste his words by sending an envoy.
If you know better than him, why bother asking for reinforcements?
The reason why Cao Cao smiled bitterly was that Gao Jin had figured out what he was thinking. After thinking hard for a long time, he finally made up his mind and said to the waiter: "Go and gather the generals."...
When the civil and military officials in Xuchang City gathered under Cao Cao's tent, Cao Cao glanced at everyone and said decisively: "Everyone, I have thought hard for a long time and have made up my mind. I will immediately use my entire army to fight Yuan Shao. What do you think?"
Most of the counselors under the tent were sitting upright and did not express their opinions. Everyone understood the meaning of losing one's lips and teeth. Now if they sit back and watch Gao Jin's defeat and let Yuan Shao enter the land of Qilu, Yuan Shao's next target will be them. Instead of doing this, it is better to fight together.
Yuan Shao still has a better chance of winning.
After a moment of silence, Guo Jia said: "Where does the lord plan to march from?" Guo Jia asked, naturally he and Yuan Shao had reached an agreement on the battle, and now they wanted to discuss the strategy of the battle.
Cao Cao pondered: "What do you think of being a filial piety?"
Guo Jiadao: "It is better to station officers across the border, covet Hanoi, Yanjin, and Liyang, and surround Wei and rescue Zhao."
Cao Cao nodded and felt that this method was very good. On the one hand, he did not have to go to Xuzhou to fight Yuan Shao in person. On the other hand, it could also hold back Yuan Shao's army so that Yuan Shao had to distract himself from Cao's army in Guandu. If there was a chance, Cao Cao would
You can also advance northward and seize Hanoi, Liyang and other places along the way.
After everyone had discussed and decided, Cao Cao said: "Since we want to fight Yuan Shao decisively, we can order the emperor to immediately issue an edict detailing Yuan Shao's crimes and deprive him of the post of general."
After saying this, Cao Cao dismissed everyone and went to the palace alone with a group of personal guards. Without waiting for anyone to inform him, he went straight to find Emperor Xian.
Emperor Xian had been uneasy since the secret edict was revealed. He was afraid that Cao Cao would settle the score with him. When he saw Cao Cao breaking into the palace, he was already frightened out of his wits. Qiqi Ai Ai said: "Sikong, what's the matter with me?"
Cao Cao calmed down slightly, suddenly bowed to the ground, and greeted respectfully: "Is the emperor well? I am busy with military affairs, and it has been a long time since I sent you greetings. It is really my sin, and I ask the heavens to punish me."
Emperor Xian was immediately shocked. He didn't know why Cao Cao was acting like this today. He said uneasily: "Sikong doesn't need to salute you. Please get up quickly."
Cao Cao then stood up. On normal days, although Cao Cao had enshrined Emperor Xian and was quite concerned about Emperor Xian's daily life, he was rarely so respectful. Just thinking of sharing the fate with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao suddenly felt that he had no idea and was afraid that Yuan Shao would take advantage of him.
Emperor Xian and himself are making a fuss, so today's relationship is particularly warm. No matter what, as long as you follow the etiquette and don't let others take advantage of it, you have nothing to worry about.
Cao Cao thanked Emperor Xian and then said: "Your Majesty, does your Majesty know that General Yuan Shao mobilized all the troops in Hebei to fight against Dongwu Hou Gao Jin?"
This matter was widely spread, and Emperor Xian also had his own channels for information. How could he not know about it? However, he was also a smart man and did not dare to reveal his own details. He pretended not to know, "How could such a thing happen?"
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shao has been arrogant and arrogant since he became the general. Gongsun Zan was the shepherd of Youzhou appointed by your majesty. He ignored the national law and killed him. Now he goes south to Xuzhou and ignores the king's law. He acted like this.
It makes people all over the world look at you, what do you think, Your Majesty?"