Cao Cao's sudden change made Liu Mang unable to react. This was because Cao Cao had always been scheming against Liu Mang. When did he ever think about Liu Mang?
"Milord, it seems that the war in Hebei has entered a critical moment!" Xu Shu heard Liu Mang's words and suddenly smiled bitterly as he shook his head.
"The war in Hebei?" Although Liu Mang had already sent spies to the north to inquire about Cao Cao's actions against the Yuan family, it was difficult for Liu Mang's spies to pass the information because of Cao Cao's blockade of the Central Plains. Liu Mang only knew a little. He knew that the Yuan family's brothers could not stop Cao Cao, but he did not know the specific time.
"The Yuan family's brothers should be unable to hold on!" Zhuge Liang also spoke. He did not expect such bad news to suddenly appear. Once Cao Cao pacified the north, the first to bear the brunt would be Liu Mang and Liu Hanyang's Yangzhou.
"Cao Cao's actions are to show weakness to the enemy!" Lu Su also nodded. Lu Su finally appeared in the main hall. Although Lu Su came back with Sun Ce, Lu Su did not show his true face. Instead, he gave the credit to Sun Ce. This could be considered as saving Sun Ce's life in order to repay Sun Ce for putting him in an important position in the past.
Cao Cao had hundreds of thousands of troops in Yan Province. However, once they were spread out, his defensive ability would not be high. Not only Yan Province, but also Zhili. Once Xu Province and other places were added, then a hundred thousand troops would not be enough. The number of troops that could be used by Cao Cao was less than fifty thousand. Once the war started, then Cao Cao's army could only passively take a beating.
Once Xu Province was given up, Cao Cao would have a lot more troops to use. In addition, once Xu Province was given up, Liu Mang's army would take over Xu Province. This would delay for a period of time. By the time Liu Mang realized that Yan Province was in danger, Cao Cao would have already pacified the north and sent his army south.
"Then do we not want Xu Province?" Liu Mang was prepared to give up half of Xu Province given up by Cao Cao. He was prepared to directly send troops to Yan Province to stop Cao Cao's great cause of unifying the north.
"Milord's name is not legitimate." Zhuge Liang said. Zhuge Liang shook his head and said to Liu Mang. Sending troops to Jiangdong was a matter of legitimacy. Liu Mang sent troops to Jiangdong in the name of Sun Shangxiang's husband. As the sister of Sun Ce and Sun Quan, he helped mediate and got involved in family matters. When he went to war with Liu Biao, it was Liu Biao who started the war first.
As for Liu Bei, it was the same.
Ever since Cao Cao came out of Xu Province, although there was friction between both sides, it was not to the extent of causing a fire. Both sides were restraining themselves. Even when Liu Bei's army attacked Liu Mang, Cao Cao sent 100,000 provisions as support.
If Liu Mang were to shed all pretense of cordiality, Cao Cao would have the Han Emperor in his hands and Liu Mang might turn from His Highness the Prince of Shu to a traitor.
"Milord, the Ministry of Works is not ready yet!" Liu Ye also shook his head. The hundreds of cannons were still under construction. Yangzhou's army had been developing smoothly for the past few years. However, there were also many problems. The war with Cao Cao would not end in a day or two. It would definitely be a bitter and protracted war. Therefore, the war preparations had become a very important issue.
Cao Cao needed time. Yangzhou also needed time. Originally, Liu Mang wanted to take Jingzhou first before plotting against Cao Cao. Only by relying on Jingzhou's wealth could he withstand a protracted war with Cao Cao.
However, it seemed that there was not much time left.
"Milord, we must take Xu Province!" Zhuge Liang said to Liu Mang.
"Hm?" Liu Mang was even more confused. The one who said that Xu Province was Cao Cao's temporary plan was Zhuge Liang and the others. Taking half of Xu Province was just Cao Cao stalling for time. The one who wanted to take Xu Province was also Zhuge Liang and the others.
"Since Cao Cao gave Xu Province to us, it would be a waste to not take it!" Xu Shu also nodded in agreement.
"If we take Xu Province, Cao Cao will not be able to take the north easily!" Lu Su's hoarse voice rang out.
They could not directly start a war with Cao Cao, but they could still stop Cao Cao's footsteps.
"Milord, that Gongsun Du's envoy is still in Yangzhou!" Zhuge Liang and the others said to Liu Mang.
"Liaodong Gongsun Du!" Liu Mang remembered this person and his eyes lit up. To be honest, Gongsun Du's relationship with Liu Mang was quite good. Yangzhou was lacking war horses, so Liu Mang opened up a water route, allowing Liaodong to continuously send war horses to Yangzhou. Some of Yangzhou's retired war armor and surplus provisions were also sent to Liaodong.
Both sides could be said to have a pleasant cooperation.
"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. As long as we make things clear to Gongsun Du, I believe that Gongsun Du will not be able to sit still!" Liu Mang's tactician who was full of evil tricks began to plan.
"The Yuan family brothers are no longer Cao Cao's opponents. If Gongsun Du joins in, they can still hold on!" Liu Mang also nodded.
"We can give up some benefits to Gongsun Du so that Gongsun Du can support the Yuan family brothers and even let him send troops."
After the discussion, Liu Mang quickly made an appointment with Gongsun Du's envoy. Gongsun Du's envoy said that this was a matter of great importance, so he did not dare to make a decision easily and needed to go back to Liaodong to discuss it with his master.
Liu Mang also nodded and did not make things difficult for Gongsun Du.
In Xuzhou, Liu Mang's order was also issued. Chen Deng of Guangling also sent troops. With Chen Deng as the main force and Lu Meng as the vanguard, the troops quickly spread from Guangling to all directions of Xuzhou.
Xiapi, Pengcheng, Langye, these important cities in Xuzhou were all given up by Cao Cao.
Liu Mang's Yangzhou Army did not encounter any resistance and took down all the cities. Liu Mang was also very straightforward and gave all the land to the local people. They were treated the same as the people in Yangzhou and quickly received the support of the local people.
Originally, the Lvbu's Army came from Xuzhou. Many veterans of Xuzhou could not help but cry when they arrived in Xuzhou.
In Shouchun, the Ministry of Works also put down some civilian matters and focused on producing weapons in preparation for the upcoming war.
…
"Good news, good news!" Cao Cao's Army naturally received the news that the Yangzhou Army took over the cities in Xuzhou. Liu Mang also accepted all the titles and official positions without any hesitation.
This was exactly what Cao Cao needed. First, let the tiger Liu Mang eat his fill and let him burp. When he was hungry again, Cao Cao would have already prepared a sword. Then, he would deal with Yangzhou. However, Cao Cao did not understand. Once a wild beast like a tiger saw blood, it would really be unstoppable. His wild nature would be exposed.
"Congratulations, Milord. You will pacify the north and unify the world soon!" Liu Mang of Yangzhou was deceived. Waiting for Cao Cao to deal with the Yuan family and Cao Cao, who occupied two-thirds of the world, then dealing with the other warlords would be child's play.
Although the Yuan family and brothers were not capable in Hebei, they had a good father. This father's influence was too strong. If the two brothers were not killed, Hebei would not be pacified.
"Haha!" Cao Cao's face immediately showed a smile when he heard Cheng Yu's words. He was very proud.
The Guo Jia on the side frowned. This Yangzhou Army was too quick to be fooled. Guo Jia had even prepared for the worst. That was, if Liu Mang did not fall for the trick, he would immediately send troops to Yanzhou. Guo Jia also ordered Cao Ren to close the city gates and defend the key areas.
Even if Yanzhou was lost, as long as Xudu was not lost, it would not matter. Cao Cao would take over Hebei and send out a declaration of rebellion. He believed that the warlords would still cater to him.
"Milord, how did Gongsun Du respond?" Guo Jia asked Cao Cao. The messenger sent to Liaodong had already been sent out. According to reason, the news should have already arrived.
Hearing Guo Jia's question, Cao Cao's originally happy expression frowned.
That was because Gongsun Du had already said that he would listen to Cao Cao's selection. The negotiations between the two sides were also very ambiguous. However, in the end, Gongsun Du still used official words to dismiss Cao Cao, which made Cao Cao very angry.
"Not good, Yangzhou Liu Mang also sent out a messenger!" Guo Jia immediately discovered that Gongsun Du's attitude was ambiguous. First, he did not reject Cao Cao. Second, he did not agree to Cao Cao's request. It was obvious that he was waiting for the best price. He must have a better choice, otherwise, he would not say such words.
"What should we do?" Cheng Yu was very anxious. "How can this Gongsun Du be so untrustworthy!" Cheng Yu's bad habit came again. Guo Jia rolled his eyes at the side. In this era, who would still care about your trust? Those who were trustworthy, such as our great scholar Kong Rong, were either dead or under house arrest.
"Even without Gongsun Du, I will still take down the Yuan family brothers." Cao Cao said with a frown on his face. He was also enraged.
"No, my lord. If this Gongsun Du favors Liu Mang, then not only will we not be able to get his help, but he may also send troops to help the Yuan family brothers." Guo Jia said to Cao Cao.
"He dares!" The Xiahou brothers' eyes widened as killing intent burst out.
Guo Jia did not argue. There was nothing to be afraid of. If there were benefits, he believed that no one would refuse. It would only increase the possibility.
"My lord, what are the conditions you gave Gongsun Du?" Guo Jia asked Cao Cao.
"My lord, the conditions for Gongsun Du are Wuwei General and Yongning Village Marquis." Cheng Yu said to Guo Jia.
"Wuwei General!" Although this was an inferior general, it was the highest official position in Liaodong. In the era of the Great Han Dynasty, this position could control everything in Liaodong.
"Yongning Village Marquis!" Although this was a village marquis, Yongning Village was a very rich place under Cao Cao's command. It was not like the titles Liu Mang asked for, which were only nominal. To put it bluntly, it was just a document.
However, this Gongsun Du was a real Marquis of a Thousand Households.
Moreover, this was the only way to get Gongsun Du to agree. If Gongsun Du later sent troops to help Cao Cao take down the Yuan family brothers, Cao Cao would definitely reward him. At the very least, the title would be at the level of a Marquis of a Thousand Households.
But even so, our Gongsun Du still didn't agree.
"Kang Yu, how much do you know about this Gongsun Du?" Guo Jia turned to look at another inconspicuous man standing behind Cao Cao. This person was a eunuch, but he could not be underestimated. This was because he was one of Cao Cao's fans, just like how Yang Hong was under Liu Mang.
"This Gongsun Du's father, Gongsun Yan, fled to Xuandou County while Gongsun Du became a county official. At that time, Xuandou Prefecture's Gongsun Yan's son, Gongsun Bao, was 18 years old but died early. When Gongsun Du was young, he was also called Gongsun Bao and was about the same age as Gongsun Yan's son. When Gongsun Yan saw him, she liked him very much and sent him to study. Later, she recommended him to be an official and later promoted him to Ji Province's Provincial Governor. However, due to rumors, he was immediately dismissed. Xu Rong, who came from the same hometown, was a general under Dong Zhuo. He recommended Gongsun Du to Liaodong Prefecture. However, because Gongsun Du started out as a small official in Xuandou Prefecture, the people of Liaodong Prefecture looked down on him. Before this, Gongsun Zhao of Liaodong Vassal State was the County Magistrate in Xiangping. He made Gongsun Du's son, Gongsun Kang, a sergeant. As soon as Gongsun Du took office, he arrested Gongsun Zhao and whipped him to death in Xiangping. The rich and powerful families in the prefecture like Tian Shao had no grudges with him, but he found an excuse to kill them all. There were more than 100 families that were destroyed by him. The people in the prefecture were all terrified. He also conquered Goguryeo in the east and Wuwan in the west. " This Kang Yu had indeed done his homework on Liaodong. Soon, he described Gongsun Du's experiences.
"This person is so talented and handsome?" Cao Cao's love for talent rose again. This Gongsun Du had conquered Liaodong, so Cao Cao might not think highly of him. However, this Gongsun Du could conquer Goguryeo in the east and Wuwan in the west. This made Cao Cao think highly of him. If Cao Cao could obtain this person, not only would he be able to pacify Liaodong, but he would also be able to gain a powerful ally.
Listening to Kang Yu's introduction to Gongsun Du, Kang Yu shook his head. "Milord, put away your love for talent. This person is like a tiger or a wolf. He cannot be subdued. Just like Lu Bu, the only way to subdue him is to injure himself!" From Kang Yu's introduction to Gongsun Du, this person was someone who would seek revenge for the smallest grievance. He would kill anyone who looked down on him. Such a person would not be someone who was easy to deal with. Conquering Goguryeo in the east and Wuwan in the west meant that this person was not someone who dared to submit to others.
Although Guo Jia dissuaded him like this, Cao Cao's eyes were still shining. This was obviously a person who would not turn back until he hit the south wall.
Kang Yu looked at Cao Cao's appearance and couldn't bear to see Cao Cao hit the south wall. He and Guo Jia had the same idea and said, "This Gongsun Du, he is in charge of the army in Liaodong and often travels with imperial chariots."
"What? Audacious? What is this person doing? Is he rebelling?" Cheng Yu couldn't help but cry out. What was an imperial chariot? Only the emperor could use it. Even Liu Mang, the Sage King, didn't dare to use it to avoid being criticized. However, this Gongsun Du actually took out his imperial chariot. If this wasn't audacious, then what was?
"Rebelling? Hehe! The current Han dynasty still has prestige. "Although everyone thought like this, they still didn't say it out loud.
"That's not all. There are nine jade bracelets hanging from the hat. Those who wear the hat are called the Imperial Guards." Kang Yu's words made Cao Cao completely give up. Nine jade bracelets can only be worn by kings and above. Nine jade bracelets are the supreme. Even Liu Mang only had eight. Imperial Guards, that was the title set up by Emperor Wu of Han for his imperial guards. You are wearing the Imperial Guards, doesn't that mean you are the emperor?
"This Gongsun Du wants to be the King of Liaodong." Guo Jia quickly understood Gongsun Du's idea. The empire was about to collapse, and the prestige of the Han dynasty no longer existed. There were countless people like Gongsun Du. If it wasn't for Cao Cao, the Prime Minister of Han dynasty, becoming stronger day by day and maintaining the last fig leaf of the Han dynasty, who knows how many emperors would have the title of king in the world.
"Milord, give me fifty thousand troops, I will immediately go to Liaodong and capture this traitor Gongsun Du!" The Xiahou brothers were immediately dissatisfied. Such a traitor actually wants to be the King? What do you think of Xu Du? What do you think of Cao Cao as the Prime Minister?
"Fifty thousand troops?" Guo Jia shook his head. Although Cao Cao brought nearly three hundred thousand troops to Hebei, including more than a hundred thousand elites, fifty thousand troops were still not enough to capture Gongsun Du. This man who wants to be the King of Liaodong has more than twenty thousand cavalry and fifty thousand foot soldiers. Altogether, he has seventy thousand troops. If you attack Gongsun Du, then you are clearly pushing Gongsun Du to the Yuan family.
Right now, the Yuan brothers had over a hundred thousand soldiers. Adding Gongsun Du's army, that was a hundred thousand strong army. This was going to be a tough battle for Cao Cao's army.
"Then what should we do?" The Xiahou brothers were also dissatisfied. You can't do anything here, why are you not fighting? Now you have half of Xu Province to give to Yangzhou. What happens after that? Are you going to give to Yan Province?
"Milord, we will give this King of Liaodong to you!" Guo Jia suddenly said to Cao Cao.
"Give this King of Liaodong? Fengxiao, are you crazy? "Someone exclaimed.
"Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, where are you going to put Milord? Where are you going to put the Han Emperor? " Although Cheng Yu didn't have any hope for the Han Dynasty, don't forget that Cao Cao is using the name of the Han Emperor to sell him medicine. As long as he has this righteousness in his hand, then Cao Cao can beat whoever he wants. However, it is different if he is given the title of King. Although there is only one word difference between the title of King and Marquis, the difference is like heaven and earth. Marquis and Marquis have their own country, which is equivalent to establishing their own country. They only need to pay tribute to the Han Emperor. If the Marquis and Marquis are not happy with you, then as long as he doesn't beat you, you can't call him a traitor. At most, he will not listen to orders.
If you beat him, then you are not in the right. If the King of Liaodong is given to Gongsun Du, then the other Marquis will think this way. What will the nobles in Xu Du think? Once the King of Liaodong is given, then Cao Cao's Prime Minister position will be worthless. The Han Dynasty's fig leaf may be completely torn apart.
"Oh, this King of Liaodong, whether he can get it or not depends on whether Gongsun Du has the luck or not!" Guo Jia didn't care about Cheng Yu's responsibility. Instead, he sneered.
"Feng Xiao, what do you mean?" Cao Cao seemed to understand a little.
"King of Liaodong, isn't it just a letter?" Guo Jia said very indifferently. "So what if we give him Gongsun Du? Wait until we get the Yuan family brothers. Whether Gongsun Du is the King of Liaodong or not, it is up to the lord to decide.
Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard Guo Jia's words. There were no fools here. This Guo Jia's strategy is to raise the price on the spot and return the money on the spot. Gongsun Du, aren't you ambitious?
Well, I will give you Xinye, I will draw a big pie for you. That is, I will give you the King of Liaodong. As long as you help me get the Yuan family brothers, then the King of Liaodong will be yours.
But the premise is that you have to get the Yuan family brothers. Once one of the Yuan family brothers is killed by Cao Cao's army, or if the Yuan family brother commits suicide, then you can forget about getting the King of Liaodong.
As for you falling out with me when the time comes, good! I can't wait for you to fall out with me and kill the Yuan family brothers. Gongsun Du, who do you think you are? If I want to beat you, I will send troops to Liaodong. If I don't want to beat you, I only need to leave tens of thousands of troops and a general in Liaodong, then I can completely block you in Liaodong.
Gongsun Du was not the Yuan family brothers. The Yuan family brothers were the three princes of the fourth generation. As long as the Yuan family was not destroyed, then their rallying power would not disappear. Once Cao Cao could not eliminate all evil, then the nobles in Hebei might cause trouble. Just like when Lü Bu entered Yanzhou from Puyang. At that time, Cao Cao was attacking Tao Qian in Xuzhou. Tao Qian was about to be dealt with and Xuzhou could be said to be at his fingertips, but Lü Bu entered Yanzhou. If it was only Lü Bu entering Yanzhou, then Cao Cao would not care at all. No matter how good Lü Bu was at fighting, he was just a warrior. Cao Cao had Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xiahou as a general. These people were enough to block Lü Bu outside Yanzhou.
However, something unexpected happened. Lü Bu was unstoppable and took over half of Yanzhou. If it were not for the Xun brothers' ability, Yanzhou would not have believed in Cao Cao. Even so, Xun Yu and Xun You would have to ask for help.
What was the reason? There was an internal collusion, and that was Zhang Miao. Some people said that Zhang Miao and Lü Bu were good friends and that was why he helped Lü Bu take over Yanzhou. Wasn't this nonsense?
Zhang Miao was one of the people who met Lü Bu when the Eighteen Vassals met Dong Zhuo. The two of them were enemies, so how could they be friends? Even if they were friends, Zhang Miao was stupid. When Cao Cao conquered Xuzhou, Zhang Miao was in charge of Yanzhou. It could be said that Zhang Miao was the highest official in Yanzhou. Zhang Miao was stupid to use his own future to help someone who was not a friend.
The main reason was the letter from Yuan Shao. In other words, the appeal of the Yuan family. Lü Bu was placed in Yanzhou by Yuan Shao in order to disgust Cao Cao. He wrote a letter to Zhang Miao to open the city gates to welcome Lü Bu. This showed the appeal of the Yuan family.
It was impossible for Cao Cao to eliminate all of the nobles in Hebei. Most of them were still there. Cao Cao's military strength was strong, so they did not dare to make a move. Cao Cao was right under their noses. If Cao Cao left, then it would be hard to say what would happen.
Therefore, for Cao Cao, the most terrifying enemy was the Yuan family brothers.
Therefore, if the Yuan family brothers were not eliminated, Cao Cao would not be able to sleep peacefully. Liao Dong Wang! So what if Liao Dong Wang gave him Gongsun Du? Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said, "Good! I agree! "
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