Time passed to six hours ago.
Bai Xiaowen had led his troops into Yingchuan County.
However, Xun Yu volunteered, "Milord, there is no need to mobilize so many people. I am willing to bring Cao Cao's coffin to Xudu to recruit the four princes."
Bai Xiaowen's first reaction was to refuse.
Xun Yu was an excellent choice and Bai Xiaowen was willing to trust him.
However, who knew what the people in Xudu would think of Xun Yu? What would they think of Cao Cao's coffin?
If Xun Yu was killed, Bai Xiaowen would suffer a huge loss — — Xun Yu not only gave him + 10 to all attributes, but also + 1 to priority. Other than that, he was also good at internal affairs and increased livability. All of these could be effective in the long run.
Since Xun Yu mentioned it, Bai Xiaowen did not want him to go. However, he knew that he could not change his mind.
Xun Yu saw the worry on Bai Xiaowen's face and said, "Milord, do not worry. My nephew Xun You is currently in Xudu. Furthermore, with Milord's righteous act of helping Cao Cao's four sons, I will not be in danger. "
Bai Xiaowen held Xun Yu's hand and said, "If you go, you need to agree to one thing. Let me take down Yanling Pass and surround Xudu."
Xun Yu shook his head and said, "Milord, there is no need to do this."
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "You and I both have our own beliefs. This is all I can do for you. Even if Cao Cao's four sons and his old subordinates have other thoughts, when we surround Xudu, their fantasies will be shattered. "
Xun Yu said, "I will listen to Milord's decision on military matters. I will escort Cao Cao's coffin and will leave first. "
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "I will send you off."
… …
A temporary mourning hall was built in the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence.
The quality of the coffin Bai Xiaowen prepared for Cao Cao was very good. It was made of sandalwood and the wood was thick. There were also dozens of pearls buried with the coffin. The armor that Cao Cao wore was also cleaned. Only the Yitian Sword was kept by Bai Xiaowen.
In truth, Heavenly Sword was not of much use, because there was no resonance of spirit energy particles. When Bai Xiaowen swung it, it was no different from a poker.
Bai Xiaowen could not use it, but that did not mean that the Heavenly Sword was useless. He could give it to the native generals under his command.
Wouldn't it be a pity to bury such a precious sword with Cao Cao?
Cao Pi and the others didn't care about the sword. When they saw Cao Cao's corpse, the mourning hall was filled with cries.
Xun You, along with the other Prime Minister Mansion's subordinates, cupped his fists and asked, "What is the purpose of your visit?"
Although the two of them were uncle and nephew, they belonged to two different camps at this time. Naturally, they had to do things according to the rules. Therefore, Xun You called him "Ling Jun", which was already a polite way of addressing him.
Xun Yu said, "I'm here to ask you all to persuade Young Master Cao Pi to obey Cao Gong's will and surrender to our Lord."
One of the Prime Minister's subordinates mocked, "Your Lord has changed his allegiance, what face do you have to persuade him to surrender?"
Xun Yu was silent. He ignored the petty official and turned to Xun You, saying, "Now that the battle has been decided, Young Master Cao Pi has no chance. I believe you can also see that. Stubbornly resisting will only add another batch of wronged souls to the Netherworld. What's the point? "
Cao Pi suddenly stood up and walked in front of Xun Yu, wearing mourning clothes.
He stood up and said, "Lord Xun, I know you surrendered to Yuan Xi for a reason. You did it to make Yuan Xi release us four brothers! I don't blame you for this. "
"However, my father has just been killed by Yuan Xi. If I were to kneel and surrender and hand over everything to my enemy, what would the world think of me? I'd rather die fighting on the city wall than sully my father's reputation! "
Xun Yu looked straight at Cao Pi, "Young Master Cao Pi, why do you think Cao Gong left behind this will before his death?"
Cao Pi lowered his head and said, "It was to protect our Cao family."
Xun Yu said, "Young Master, you only know one part of it, but not the other part. Cao Gong had entrusted his ambition to unify the world to his greatest enemy! When Cao Gong was still alive, he once said to me, 'Doing something knowing it's impossible is the greatest folly.' I hope Young Master can understand Cao Gong's heart and don't let down his painstaking effort of cutting his own throat! "
Suddenly, a scout came to report that Yuan Xi's army had taken Yanling Pass without shedding a drop of blood and arrived at Xudu. An army of fifty thousand had already surrounded Xudu.
Cao Pi was somewhat at a loss and looked at Xun You.
Xun You was smart enough to see that Cao Pi was wavering, so he asked Xun Yu, "If my lord is willing to surrender, can Cao Gong really save the lives of the Cao family?"
Xun Yu said resolutely, "I'm willing to guarantee it with my life."
Xun You looked at Cao Pi, "Yuan Xi is quite benevolent and righteous. Last time when he broke through Xudu, he fulfilled his promise and released the four young masters. My lord, what do you think? "
Cao Pi looked at the expressions of the Prime Minister's subordinates.
After hearing that Yuan Xi's army had besieged Xudu, the subordinates of the Prime Minister's residence panicked, and there was no fighting spirit on their faces.
At this time, although there was some food in Xudu, there was a shortage of soldiers and it was impossible to defend the city. Last time, Yuan Xi used only twenty thousand soldiers to break through Xudu.
Cao Pi shrank his head, "This matter needs to be discussed with my mother and brothers."
Xun You said, "Since my lord has inherited the foundation, everything can be decided on your own. Why ask others?"
Cao Pi, "… Okay, I'm willing to surrender to the imperial court."
Cao Pi emphasized surrendering to the imperial court, not to Yuan Xi. It was also a way for him to find a way out.
His subordinates, "My lord is wise!"
Cao Pi didn't know if it was an illusion, but after saying that, his subordinates seemed to be relieved …
…
Bai Xiaowen waited anxiously.
Not long after, the gate of Xudu opened, and a white flag was placed on top of the city wall.
Cao Pi led the Cao family and the subordinates of the Prime Minister's residence out of the city, holding the ribbon seal, household register, and other items to surrender!
"Success! Xun Yu really did what he said! "
Bai Xiaowen suppressed the excitement in his heart, got down from the Wrath Claw's back, and personally helped Cao Pi up.
Looking at this Cao Pi who stole his (Yuan Xi's) wife Zhen Mi in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and who eventually became the emperor, Bai Xiaowen's heart surged with emotions. He smiled and suppressed these thoughts, led the army into the city, and took over the defense of Xudu.
Bai Xiaowen conferred Cao Pi the title of Marquis of Anle Village, and the rest of the Cao family were conferred the title of Marquis of Ting.
Their fief was set as Chenliu of Yan Province, but the Marquis's residence was placed in Wei County of Ji Province. This way, the Cao family would always be under the surveillance of Yedu, and they would be separated from their fief. It would also minimize the possibility of the Cao family rising from the ashes.
Of course, Bai Xiaowen couldn't kill Cao Pi. Other than moral reasons, there were also practical reasons. Now that the world was not settled, and lords were rising up, if he killed people who surrendered, in the future, when he conquered enemies, they would definitely fight to the death and not surrender.
Under Xun Yu's suggestion, Bai Xiaowen sent out a notice to the various states of Henan. He sent out Cao Cao's last words along with the emperor's decree, ordering the various officials to report to Xudu. The deadline was three days. If they didn't report in three days, they would be seen as going against the emperor's decree and Cao Cao's last words, and they would be attacked by the army.
As expected, this was a good method. The various officials all entered Xudu, expressing their intentions to submit to the Imperial Court.
Amongst them, there was one person that Bai Xiaowen was familiar with — Officer Zhong Yao, who had intercepted him at Mengjin in the Yellow River.
Zhong Yao didn't seem to have any particular preference toward who he was loyal to. When he met Bai Xiaowen, he didn't show any fear or worry.
Bai Xiaowen joked, "Mengjin's arrows, how many are there?"
Zhong Yao replied, "Back then I hated very little, but now I hate a lot."
Bai Xiaowen laughed out loud, and then he said seriously, "Guarding Sizhou can solve the problems of Xigu and increase the population. It is a great contribution to the country." He then ordered Zhong Yao to continue guarding Sizhou.
Zhong Yao cupped his hands and said, "At this moment, Sizhou has a problem that needs to be reported to you."
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