"Liu Bei sent an emissary?!" Cao Cao was stunned. First, he was stunned, then he became furious.
"Where is the emissary?"
"Chang 'an!" After Liu Bei's emissary arrived in Chang 'an, Zhong Yao did not dare to slack off. He immediately rushed eight hundred miles to deliver the emissary's letter to Xu Du.
"Tell Zhong Yao to drag him out and behead him!" Cao Cao really had a lot of resentment towards Liu Bei. It was no wonder. In the beginning, Cao Cao treated Liu Bei with pride.
Lao Cao even brought Liu Bei to drink and talk about heroes.
But in the end, he was betrayed by Liu Bei.
What happened to being good friends for life? He was just about to share a bed with Liu Bei and enjoy the blooming chrysanthemum together.
In the end, his face turned red.
Not only did he betray Cao Cao, but he also killed Cao Cao's general.
How could Cao Cao not be angry?
Now, this Liu Xuande actually dared to send an emissary.
Did he really think that Lao Cao had a good temper?
"Your Majesty, wait, wait!" Xun You hurriedly stopped Cao Cao. It didn't matter if a mere emissary was killed, but the letter sent by Liu Bei was fishy.
"A letter?!" Lao Cao calmed down under Xun You's reminder, but he still snorted coldly, "He is Liu Big Ear, no, he should be called One Ear now!" Cao Cao also knew that Liu Bei had one of his ears shot off. He felt very comfortable.
"One of his ears sent a letter. What good can it be? Could it be that he wants to ask for my help and form an alliance with me?" Cao Cao said disdainfully. They were indeed two people who hated each other and loved each other. Cao Cao even knew what Liu Bei was thinking.
"Your Majesty! This Liu Bei really wants to ask for help from the Lord, but this is indeed an opportunity for us! "Xun You said and handed the letter in his hand to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao took the letter in his hand.
Sure enough, what was written on the letter was Liu Bei's mushy words.
What was it that he had parted with Cao Cao's elder brother? It had been a few years, but it was still fresh in his memory.
What was it that he shouldn't have disobeyed his elder brother and ended up in this situation?
If ordinary people saw the content, they would be moved to tears. But who was Cao Cao?
"My Lord, according to what Liu Bei said, Yangzhou Liu Mang's army has already entered Jingzhou and is approaching Yizhou. If King Liu Mang of Han obtains Jingzhou and Yizhou, then he will be on par with our army!" Xun You said to Cao Cao worriedly.
"Yes!" Cao Cao also frowned and stood up.
Lao Cao's purpose was to support the Han dynasty and achieve what Wei Qing and Li Guang had achieved.
It was only later that the Han dynasty collapsed and Cao Cao had no choice but to take the throne.
To Cao Cao, a South that was constantly in conflict and a South that was unified was completely different.
"My Lord, although One Ear isn't a good thing, his words are conclusive!" Xun You also supported the idea of killing One Ear. The reason why his eldest nephew Xun Yu was sent out of Xudu by Cao Cao to the barren land of Liaodong was because One Ear had brainwashed him.
Therefore, Xun You still held the attitude of an enemy towards Liu Bei.
"If Liu Mang unifies Yizhou and occupies Jingchu, then Your Lord's great cause will be difficult!" Xun You persuaded Cao Cao from a rational point of view.
He was telling Lao Cao that although he hated Liu Bei, there was an indisputable fact that someone who was more threatening than Liu Bei had risen.
Previously, he didn't send out troops because he didn't want to be used as a tool by Liu Bei. Now that Liu Bei was at death's door, it would only be a matter of minutes to destroy him.
It was time to turn around and deal with another big enemy.
"Did Liu Bei's messenger say how many troops have entered Jingzhou from Yangzhou?" Cao Cao wasn't a fool. To be able to reach the position of King Wei, he naturally had his own decisiveness.
"Liu Bei said that there are hundreds of thousands of troops! They are the elites of Liu Mang's army! " Xun You first told Cao Cao the message sent by Liu Bei's messenger, then added his own conjecture, "However, in your opinion, hundreds of thousands of troops are fake, but there are definitely fifty thousand troops. Elites are fake, but there are still at least half of them!"
According to the current situation, in Shouchun, around Yangzhou, only half of Liu Mang's army was left.
The remaining half went to eliminate Liu Bei and unify Jingzhou and Yizhou.
"Half of the troops!" Cao Cao frowned. Even if it was only half of the troops, Yangzhou shouldn't be underestimated.
Perhaps because he had lived a peaceful life for too long, Cao Cao's mind was no longer in the struggle for hegemony.
If there were only a few small warlords in the south, Cao Cao would naturally lead his troops to the south. However, there was an overlord in the south right now.
It was impossible for there to be no losses when two strong warlords fought. Cao Cao was already a little retreating.
"A few days ago, Ma Chao of Xiliang rebelled!" Xun You looked at Cao Cao's expression and knew that Cao Cao had a lazy look. Xun You could only add more fuel to Cao Cao's fire.
Xun You looked at Cao Cao and said, "In the army, General Xiahou sent a letter saying that there is a scholar. The Xiliang army calls him Military Advisor Zhuge. If Ma Chao was not rebellious and did not listen to Military Advisor Zhuge, General Xiahou would not have been able to defeat the Xiliang bandits!"
"Military Advisor Zhuge?!" Cao Cao's eyes widened. There were many people with the surname Zhuge, but few were famous. The most famous one now was Liu Mang's Minister of Justice, Zhuge Liang.
This person had burned down Jiangdong's last hope.
The reason why Sun Ce surrendered was not only to treat Zhou Yu's illness, but also because of the fire in the Yangtze River. It could be said that the capital of Jiangdong to contend for hegemony had been completely burned.
Without this capital, how could Sun Ce fight for hegemony?
"Minister Cheng's people also sent a letter! There have been several meetings in Shouchun, but I have not seen Minister Zhuge. The Ministry of Justice has not seen him for a long time! "Xun You calmly said.
Zhuge Liang was not in Yangzhou, and Minister Zhuge appeared in Xiliang!
Even a fool would know that there was something fishy going on.
This Military Advisor Zhuge was probably Zhuge Liang.
Then the entire Xiliang rebellion was caused by the Yangzhou army.
Cao Cao's face became gloomy. He did not want to deal with others, but some people did not want to let him go. Cao Cao's face became gloomy.
"Your Majesty, a man without foresight is bound to have immediate worries. Could it be that Your Majesty has forgotten Xu Province and Yu Province? Or could it be that Your Majesty has forgotten Yuan Shao and Yuan Benchu?" Xun You's words were really vicious.
Xu Province and Yuzhou were forcibly snatched by Yangzhou Liu Mang from Cao Cao's mouth.
How many times did Cao Cao attack Xu Province?
When Tao Qian was alive, Cao Cao attacked three times. When Tao Qian died, when Liu Bei was alive, Lao Cao attacked again. Later on, Lü Bu attacked again.
Lü Bu left, Liu Bei rebelled, and now there was one more.
He attacked Xu Province six times in total.
What was Cao Cao planning?! In the end, Xu Province was still occupied by Liu Mang's Yangzhou army.
This was simply making a dowry for others.
Lao Cao originally also had half of the city in Yuzhou. However, in order to deal with Yuan Shao, Lao Cao also had the attitude of keeping the peace. Lü Bu even led the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry on an excursion to Xudu.
He was so scared that he directly withdrew his army.
This allowed Liu Mang to obtain Yuzhou.
That was not all. Xun You even mentioned Yuan Shao and Yuan Benchu.
Yuan Shao was like Cao Cao today. He sat in the north and looked down on the feudal lords of the Central Plains. He thought that with a wave of his hand, the feudal lords of the Central Plains would definitely surrender.
He never thought that in the end, he would be beaten black and blue by Lao Cao. He could not take care of himself and was imprisoned by his own son. In the end, he died miserably in Nanpi.
"I got it!" Cao Cao nodded. If he was still hesitant or did not want to fall out with Liu Mang before, Cao Cao now had a completely different appearance.
Overbearing and domineering! The current Cao Cao gave people such a feeling.
In Xun You's eyes, Cao Cao's 1.5-meter-tall body was bursting with the aura of an ambitious and ruthless person.
"Gongda, pass down the order. Wei Wang's residence is for a meeting!" Cao Cao said to Xun You in a deep voice.
"Yes!" Xun You's eyes were full of joy. This was the lord that Xun You had wholeheartedly wanted to assist.
The entire Xudu suddenly shook off its previous decadence. Each of Cao Cao's personal guards rushed to the residences of the various generals in Xudu.
"Father, you want to hold a meeting?! What's the matter? " In one of the Cao Residences in the city, a young man put down the book in his hand and looked at the person who came to ask.
This was the first time in several months. The most recent time was when they went to Xiliang.
"Second Young Master, I don't know!" The personal guard who came to pass on the message lowered his eyes. He was Cao Cao's personal guard and could be arrogant in the residences of other officials and generals. After all, he represented Cao Cao. However, he did not dare to be impudent in the Cao Residences.
"Okay, I got it! Come, take this general to the treasury and get a hundred gold pieces. Tell him that I allowed it! "Cao Pi was very good at dealing with people. He immediately waved his hand and rewarded the general with ten gold pieces.
"How can this be!" The personal guard was smiling but his mouth was polite.
Cao Pi did not say anything. He picked up the book and seemed to be attracted by the world in the book again. The subordinate beside him naturally knew what Cao Pi meant. "This general, please!"
"Thank you, Second Young Master. Thank you, Second Young Master!" The personal guard beamed and left.
Cao Pi watched the personal guard leave and put down the book again.
"A hundred gold pieces! Pfft, pfft! " A young man who walked out from behind Cao Pi sighed. "Second Young Master is really generous!"
A hundred gold pieces was enough for a wealthy family to worship for several years. Even in Cao Pi's residence, a hundred gold pieces was enough to last for a while.
"Why, Zhong Da? You want it too? Just take it!" Cao Pi knew who it was without turning his head and joked.
"Zhong Da is not interested in the hundred gold pieces. He is interested in the person who can give out a hundred gold pieces!" Another young man walked out. This person had blue eyes and purple hair. He was very dazzling in the crowd.
"Second Young Master has the demeanor of King Wei!" The purple-haired young man continued.
"Is that so?" Cao Pi was a man of few words. However, his eyes were shining. This was called ambition.
"Let's go, Zhong Da, Zhong Mou. Father should be waiting for us!" Cao Pi said.
"As I wish!" The two followed closely. Outside the residence, carriages were already prepared and waiting for the three of them.
The three of them were led by Cao Pi. The other two were Sima Yi, Zhong Da, and Sun Quan, Zhong Mou.
When Cao Pi entered the hall of King Wei's residence, the surrounding people came forward to greet him.
Cao Pi also gladly accepted it. Only a few people nodded towards Cao Pi and stopped there.
Although Cao Pi still had a smile on his face, there was a trace of discomfort in his heart. Based on what? Everyone else had to lower their heads to me, Cao Pi, while you guys only nodded your heads.
Even if these people were Cao Pi's elders, including Cheng Yu, Xun You, and the others.
This feeling became more and more acute after his elder brother, Cao Cao, died and his father, Cao Cao, became the King of Wei.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Han dynasty had completely lost its prestige. Now, the north was dominated by Cao Cao's group. Cao Cao was now the King of Wei. With his sword in hand and the Imperial Seal, he would become an emperor in the future.
As Cao Cao's current eldest son, Cao Pi was destined to inherit Cao Cao's great business. At the very least, he would be the King of Wei. How could such a status not make Cao Pi feel proud?
Once power was tainted, it would be difficult to let go.
"Oh, if it isn't Nephew Gu!" A general grinned at Cao Ren.
When he heard this voice, Cao Pi's face darkened.
Nephew Gu! Although it represented intimacy, some people didn't naturally like intimacy, but power. He was the master, and you were the subject.
"Slap." This person's hand patted Cao Pi's shoulder.
Cao Pi's face turned green. He closed his eyes, afraid that his murderous intent would be exposed.
However, he still turned his head and squeezed out a smile at this person. "Uncle Hong!"
"Yes!" Cao Hong grinned from ear to ear. This was exactly what he wanted. He and Cao Pi were the same. They both enjoyed the attention and envy of others.
However, Cao Hong did it for vanity, while Cao Pi did it for the enjoyment of power.
"The King will be here soon! Generals, please be quiet! "A person who looked like a eunuch walked out and spoke to the crowd.
The King of Wei was a King, so naturally, he had to be accompanied by eunuchs.
"The King of Wei has arrived!"
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
"Rise!" Cao Cao waved his hand and spoke to his subordinates.
Cao Cao sat on the main seat facing the crowd, looking very dignified.
Cao Pi watched from below and couldn't help but feel a fire in his heart. This position will be mine sooner or later.
The moment Cao Cao sat on the main seat, he immediately asked one of his generals, "Yuansi, have you gained anything from the plan to station troops in the fields?"
Although he was a general, he wore a scholar's robe. It wasn't that he was pretentious, but that he really didn't need to fight.
He was Cao Cao's subordinate, Han Hao, of the Central Protectorate army.
His mission wasn't to fight, but to station troops in the fields and provide fodder for Cao Cao's army.
"Replying to the Lord!" Han Hao took a step forward and spoke to Cao Cao. "Half of Yan Province has been stationed in the fields in the north. Ji Province and You Province have also recovered their agriculture. However, Bing Province is barren. Successive campaigns have caused the people to be unable to make a living. There aren't many men left in Bing Province. If we want to recover our agriculture, it will take some time!"
Bing Province was the place where the world's mighty soldiers were produced. Speaking of which, it was closer to home.
Lü Bu's Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and Gao Shun's Formation Breaker both came from Bing Province.
The Bing Province Cavalry under Yuan Shao's command was a Great Halberd Warrior, but he was also willing to choose from the Bing Province soldiers.
After so many battles, there weren't many men left in Bing Province. Thus, it would be difficult to recover agriculture in a short period of time.
"Yes!" Cao Cao nodded. He had also heard about the situation in Bing Province.
"Yuansi, since Bing Province is like this, we should do a census, transfer the people in Guanzhong, and reduce the taxes!" Cao Cao immediately decided on a strategy.
"Your Majesty …" Before Cao Cao could finish, Han Hao interrupted him.
"Hm? Yuansi, do you have something to say? "
"Your Majesty, although Bing Province is barren, it's not suitable to transfer the people in Guanzhong!" Although the matter of the Bing Province was urgent, the Yan Province and the Ji Province were not able to grow crops in all of the grain-producing lands.
The most important thing now was to satisfy the needs of Guanzhong. They couldn't just leave the fertile land in Guanzhong to develop the barren land in Bing Province.
"Yes, Yuansi's words are reasonable! However, if this continues, Bing Province will be deserted! " "" Cao Cao was also worried. If this were to continue, Bing Province would have fewer people.
"Your Majesty, I have also thought of a plan. I don't know if I should say it!" Han Hao was a little hesitant.
"Speak!"
"Your Majesty, we should learn from Liu Mang in Yangzhou. We should encourage fertility and distribute land. This way, Bing Province can be restored!"
Before Han Hao could finish speaking, the other side shouted one by one.
"Your Majesty, you can't!"
"General Han, what nonsense are you talking about!"
These people called Brother De Zui must be from the noble families. Distribute land? What a joke. Which one of them didn't have fertile land? If they played like Yangzhou, they would have been finished long ago.
They represented the big landlords. You want the landlords to distribute land? Dream on.
Han Hao's face was ashen. He naturally knew how difficult it was. "Please make the decision, Your Majesty!"
"Hm! Han Hao's words are reasonable! "Cao Cao nodded in affirmation. The group of nobles below became anxious.
"However, Bing Province is not Yangzhou. Our army is also not Yangzhou's army!" How could Cao Cao not know that distributing land and giving land to the government was a good policy? However, Cao Cao couldn't do it!
Because he, Cao Cao, was supported by these big landlords! Sometimes, Cao Cao also envied the King of Han, Liu Mang. He developed from nothing to something.
Therefore, Liu Mang didn't have to worry too much. He could kill whoever he wanted. Those nobles couldn't restrict him.
However, Cao Cao was different. He relied on these nobles to develop his army. His army was filled with nobles. If he, Cao Cao, were to take back his land and hand it over to the imperial court, then his subordinates would be able to rebel tomorrow.
"But!" Han Hao still wanted to insist.
"No buts! General Han Hao, the matter of dividing the land is simply impossible. Everyone here, the largest landowners should be our Cao Family and the Xiahou Family. Could it be that General Han Hao wants to divide our land as well? "Before Cao Cao could speak, Cao Pi spoke first.
Cao Cao furrowed his brows for a moment, then relaxed.
When the nobles saw Cao Pi's words, they couldn't help but rejoice. This meant that Cao Pi was standing on their side. Each and every one of them fell over each other to hit Han Hao while he was down. They even came close to saying that Han Hao was a spy sent by Liu Mang.
"Pfft!" Just as everyone was arguing, a laugh was heard.
"Who's laughing?" This laughter was so ear-piercing in Cao Pi's ears that he couldn't help but exclaim.
However, the laughter disappeared in an instant.
"Hmph, which general or lord are you? You dare to laugh but don't dare to speak!" Cao Pi continued to speak coldly. Cao Pi enjoyed this feeling very much. He was the center of attention.
"Why wouldn't I dare to speak!" A very young voice sounded.
Everyone looked towards the source of the voice. It really was a child who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old.
This was the meeting hall of Wei King's residence. They didn't expect to see a child who hadn't even reached the age of one.
"Which lord's son is this? Doesn't he know that this is Wei King's residence?" Cao Pi coldly glanced at the generals and ministers. None of them dared to look at the future lord of the Cao Family.
Cao Cao originally didn't want to speak. He wanted to watch his son's prestige. After all, Lao Cao's final great undertaking was to be passed on to his sons. Cao Pi was Cao Cao's eldest son.
If a child questioned Cao Pi, how could Cao Pi deal with it well in the future?
"What are you, the personal guards of the Prince's Mansion doing? How could you let this person sneak in?! Men, come and beat this kid out of here! " Cao Pi was really ruthless. This boy was only eleven or twelve years old, but he wanted to beat him out. He would probably be crippled after the beating.
"Don't doubt it, don't doubt it!" Behind this young man, there was an even younger young man shouting at him.
When Cao Cao and the others saw the boy behind him, they couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
"Little gongzi!" Everyone exclaimed. The person behind him was none other than Cao Cao's youngest son, Cao Chong.
"Chong-er?" Cao Cao was also taken aback. He didn't remember how he brought Cao Chong into the meeting hall.
"Brother Chong?!"
"Father, second brother, please forgive me. I was the one who insisted on witnessing father's prestige. That's why I dragged Buyi Qian along!" Cao Chong stepped forward and acted cute, pushing all the blame onto himself. "Second brother, if you want to beat someone, just beat me!"
Beat you?! Cao Cao's heart sank. Putting aside the fact that Cao Chong was Cao Cao's favorite son, even if he wasn't, Cao Pi wouldn't dare to go against their brotherhood.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Cao Cao chuckled. "Come, Chong-er, come to father!" Cao Cao said dotingly.
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