"Ceded the four counties of Nanjun, Nanyang County, Zhangling County, and Shangyong, and offered two protons, Liu Bei and Sun Cezhen were the father and son of the Yu Cao family who were clay kneading dough!" With a bang, Cao Ang slapped the 800 miles expedited he had just received on the bookcase.

It turned out that after Yun Mengze's meeting that day, Liu Bei and Sun Ce were busy pressuring Sima Lang and Cao Ren, forcing them to sign an armistice agreement on ceding land and sending pledges. How dare Sima Lang and Cao Ren agree to such a request on their own, so they proposed to let Cao Cao out of Dangyang City first, and then Prime Minister Cao Cheng personally came to discuss the truce with the three princes. However, Liu Bei, who did not see the rabbit and did not scatter the eagle, said with an extremely tough attitude that he would resolutely not let Cao Cao out of the city before the Son of Heaven went south, let alone give Cao Ren and others a chance to contact Cao Cao. In desperation, Sima Lang had no choice but to send the armistice agreement proposed by Liu Bei and Sun Ce back to Xudu at an expedited speed of 800 miles and hand it over to Cao Ang for decision.

Cao Ang thought that Sima Lang sent 800 li from Nanjun to expedite because Liu Bei let his father out of the city under the joint pressure of Cai Ji and Sun Ce. Fortunately, sitting opposite Cao Ang in the study at this time was Ding Chong, Mrs. Ding's younger brother Huangmen. Before Cao Ang tore the agreement in his hand to shreds, Ding Chong had already surrendered his hand to him, "The eldest prince is angry. Liu Bei and Sun Ce's argument of cutting the land and sending the pledge is mean, but they only need to solve the dilemma, and there is room for maneuver. ”

"Leeway?" Cao Ang's heart moved, and he hurriedly asked, "What did my uncle say about this?" ”

Ding Chong twisted his long beard and analyzed in a deep voice, "This time, the Son of Heaven moved the capital to Xiangyang, and the three counties of Jingbei should be classified as Wangji; Shangyong is based on Liu Pan; Nanjun Cao and Liu are half each; Therefore, Liu Bei and Sun Ce's cession of the four counties is just a false name. In fact, only half of the county was divided. As for the acceptance of quality, it is the ancient system of the Spring and Autumn Period. The prime minister has many heirs, and the eldest prince can choose two cousins as hostages. ”

Although Ding Chong's analysis is reasonable, he can think of Cao Pi, who was sent to Qiying as a hostage in the name of marriage. Cao Ang, who felt guilty, immediately vetoed his face flatly, "No! How can Yu as an elder brother send his younger brother into the mouth of the tiger. ”

Seeing that Cao Ang refused to send his younger brother to the enemy camp as a proton, Ding Chong sighed in his heart that Cao Ang was too benevolent, and on the other hand, he changed the conversation, "The matter of ceding land and sending hostage can be discussed later, and the top priority should be to send the Son of Heaven to move the capital to Xiangyang." Once the Son of Heaven went south, Liu Bei had no excuse to resist the decree and disrespect. ”

Cao Ang listened to what Ding Chong said and nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, sending a child as a hostage can be delayed slowly. Just as in the early years, Cao Cao, in the name of the Son of Heaven, asked Sun Ce to send his son to Xu Capital as a hostage. Sun Ce promised every time, and later delayed under various excuses. Therefore, until today, Sun Ce has not sent any children surnamed Sun to Cao Ying as hostages. Judging from the letters sent back by Sima Lang, Liu Bei has always refused to lift the siege of Dangyang on the grounds of questioning the authenticity of the holy decree. Now it seems that only the Son of Heaven can make Liu Bei's hypocrite submit. Anyway, Xiangyang is still under the control of Cao Jun. Even if Liu Xie arrived in Xiangyang, he would not be able to cross the river and tear down the bridge.

At this point, Cao Ang thought that any further delay would only make the situation more and more complicated and more difficult to end, but when he thought of Xun Yu's previous attitude towards the relocation of the capital. He muttered to himself with concern. "I'm afraid that Xun Lingjun will object."

Ding Chong smiled disapprovingly, "Since Xun Lingjun has personally received the envoys of Qi and Wu, how can he oppose the Son of Heaven going south." If the eldest prince doesn't believe it, send someone to try it. ”

Cao Ang got Ding Chong's advice, and hurriedly went to Xunfu to visit Xun Yu in person that night. When the subordinates of the Xun Mansion led Cao Ang to see Xun Yu, Xun Yu was practicing calligraphy in the study. Facing Cao Ang, who came uninvited, Xun Yu asked directly without raising his head, "The eldest prince is visiting tonight." But for the Son of Heaven to go south? ”

Cao Ang was stunned for a moment, and then bowed respectfully to Xun Yu. "In order to save his father, Ang had to make this decision."

Xun Yu put down his pen, looked up at Cao Ang, and sighed faintly, "Come on, the Son of Heaven must eventually go south." However, there is one thing that the eldest prince is asked to fulfill. ”

Cao Ang hurriedly bowed and responded, "Ling Jun, please speak." ”

Xun Yu's long sleeves shook and solemnly arched his hand, "The old man will personally escort him south." ”

At the end of November of the eighth year of Jian'an, after several months of negotiations and consultations, Liu Xie, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, was finally able to get rid of the Xu capital city that had trapped him for eight years, and was escorted south to Xiangyang by Xun Yu on behalf of Cao Ying, Guo Jia on behalf of Qi Ying, Lu Su on behalf of Wu Ying, and Wu Shuo. When the news reached Nanjun, everyone from Cai Ji and Sun Ce to Sima Lang and Cao Ren couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As for Liu Bei, although he was still unwilling, in the face of the Son of Heaven who was about to leave Jingzhou and the pressure from the Cai and Cao families, he had to pinch his nose to accept the holy decree and allow Sima Lang to enter Dangyang City to announce the decree to Cao Cao.

Xu had already learned the ins and outs of the matter from Cao Pi before, and after Cao Cao accepted the holy decree, his feelings did not fluctuate much, on the contrary, he calmly asked Sima Lang about the situation in the outside world. Sima Lang reported to Cao Cao what had happened outside the city after Cao Pi entered the city. When he heard that Ma Chao was "knocking on the gate and begging for sealing", Cao Cao couldn't help but squint his phoenix eyes, "The little thief also came to tease him!" ”

Sima Lang replied, "Don't worry, Captain Zhong has led his troops to Liangzhou to help. ”

Cao Cao snorted when he heard this, nodded and said, "Go on." ”

So Sima Lang carefully explained how Cai Ji and Sun Ce crossed the Han River at night in a hurry, and how they met Liu Bei on a boat on Yunmengze. It wasn't until Liu Bei and Sun Ce asked Cao Cao to "cut the land and send it away" that Cao Ying's civil and military forces, including Xu Chu, Cao Xiu, Liu Ye and others, were shocked, and they scolded Liu Bei and Sun Ce for taking advantage of the fire to rob.

At this time, although Cao Cao's face was also sinking like water, he did not join the ranks of abuse. Because he knew very well that the matter had come to this point, even if he broke his voice, it would not help to reverse the disadvantage in front of him. In fact, except for Xu Chu, Cao Xiu and other Cao Cao's henchmen, the rest of the people were just scolding Cao Cao. So after the people were almost scolded, Cao Cao raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then asked Sima Lang, "Did Zi Xiu promise?" ”

"Back to the prime minister, the eldest prince did not reply. However, the eldest prince has ordered Xun Lingjun to escort south to Xiangyang. Sima Lang replied with a fist.

Hearing that Cao Ang ignored Liu Bei and Sun Ce's lion opened his mouth. Instead, he directly let Liu Xie go south, Cao Cao Tieqing's face softened a little, and he followed and asked. "Now that the Son of Heaven has gone south, when will Lone go north to escort him?"

Sima Lang responded with a little embarrassment, "Back to the prime minister, Liu Bei said that after the Son of Heaven arrives in Xiangyang, he will face the saint with the prime minister." Sun Ce also opened his eyes for him, and led troops to block the back road of General Zixiao on the grounds of mediation. ”

Liu Bei's so-called "face the saint together" made it clear that he wanted to continue to besiege Cao Cao and blackmail Cao Ying. And Sun Ce has obviously been co-opted by Liu Bei into a gang. Thinking of this, Cao Cao got up and walked to Sima Lang, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Boda." This hard work is also you. ”

"It is the duty of a minister to share his worries for the Lord." While Sima Lang was humble, he couldn't help but think of his brother Sima Yi's judgment of the situation a few months ago.

And just when Sima Lang was secretly glad that he was betting on the right treasure this time, he suddenly heard Cao Cao whispering in his ear, "You will pass on Liu Xuande for Gu." It would be good to cede the four counties. Sending a child as a hostage, as long as he invites the lonely out of the city to talk about it, everything can be discussed. ”

Although Cao Cao's words were soft, they were heard word by word by Cao Pi on the side. Thinking of the scene when his father pushed himself to Cai Ji, Cao Pi couldn't help but feel a little chilled. However, the cold heart is cold, and the young Cao Pi still does not dare to disobey his father's decision after all, and he does not have the courage to accuse his father of being cold in public. So in the end, he just buried all kinds of feelings deep in his heart, and secretly prayed that his three younger brothers, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi and Cao Xiong, would not be chosen as protons.

Sima Lang didn't have such a thing as Cao Pi, and as soon as he got the order, he conveyed Cao Cao's message to Liu Bei. Liu Bei, who learned that Cao Cao was going to meet with him alone, was moved. Suspicious again. What is heartwarming is that once Cao Cao agrees to cede the four counties. He no longer has to quarrel with Cai Ji, Sun Ce and others. After all, Liu Bei, Cai and Sun also have a lot of disagreements, and the so-called cooperation at the moment is just a last resort under the pressure of the situation. What is suspicious is that Cao Cao has always been cunning, and Liu Bei was afraid that the famous Cao Apu would do something during the meeting, and even took the opportunity to escape from Dangyang City.

After hesitating, Liu Bei recruited Zhuge Liang into the tooth tent to discuss countermeasures. Zhuge Liang listened to what Liu Bei said, and without saying a word, he vetoed categorically, "No! The lord must not listen to Cao Cao's words! ”

"Why?" Liu Beiluo asked unwillingly, "As long as the meeting place is arranged solidly, it will be difficult for Cao Mengde to fly with wings." ”

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "Cao Cao's move is aimed at dividing the alliance between the lord and Cai Ji and Sun Ce. If the lord meets with him, it will be a plan to divide him. ”

Liu Bei'er heard Zhuge Liang mention the word "alliance", and couldn't help frowning and said, "Lone's alliance with Cai and Sun is tantamount to seeking skin with the tiger. Now the children of the Cao family refuse to cut the land and send the quality, and when the Son of Heaven arrives in Xiangyang, it is not a bamboo basket to draw water. ”

In fact, there is no need for Liu Bei to say it, Zhuge Liang also knows what his father-in-law is worried about at this moment. Indeed, in terms of strength, Liu Bei is by no means the enemy of the Cao, Cai, and Sun families, and even the combination of Cao and Cai alone is enough to suppress Liu Bei and rescue Cao Cao. Not to mention that once the Son of Heaven arrives in Xiangyang, Liu Bei will lose the righteousness of continuing to besiege Dangyang City, and then lose the bargaining chips to force Cao Ying to cede land and send pledges. Therefore, Cao Ang's procrastinating attitude made Liu Bei very anxious. But Zhuge Liang has a different view of the current situation. Just listen to him, "You can talk to Cai Anzhen." ”

"A talk to Cai Anzhen?" Liu Bei was puzzled, "If he loses a county's taxes, how can he be lonely again?" ”

Zhuge Liang did not answer Liu Bei's question head-on, but asked rhetorically, "According to the lord's opinion, what is Cai Anzhen's plan to go south this time?" ”

"It's a separation." Liu Bei said without thinking.

Who knew that Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "There is still one thing missing." ”

"One thing missing?" Liu Bei was confused and asked, "What?" ”

Zhuge Liang hugged his fists and said, "Lord Mingjian, if Cai Ji only wants to divide the seal, he can join forces with Sun Ce to march west to Linxu Capital and force Cao Ang to sign the alliance under the city." ”

"Kong Ming has a point." Liu Bei nodded, agreeing with Zhuge Liang's statement.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang followed up and explained, "Yu Zeng was quite puzzled by Cai Ji's move to the south, and it was not until that day that the lord met with Cai and Sun Ren that Yu Fang understood what he was trying to do. ”

"What?" Liu Bei asked again.

Zhuge Liang gently spit out two words, "Checks and balances." ”

"Checks and balances?" Liu Bei lowered his head and pondered for a while, and suddenly realized, "Balance the rest of the princes? ”

"Exactly." Zhuge Liang happily bowed his head and said, "Cai Ji dominates one side as a woman, and there are many inconveniences, so he urgently needs to divide the countries. However, Cai Ji is a woman who is ambitious and will never be willing to be in a corner of peace. If he has the heart to compete for the world, he will follow the example of the pre-Qin dynasty. Now, Cai Ji joined forces with the lord and Sun Ce to suppress Cao Cao. Therefore, Liang thought that the lord could have a frank and detailed discussion with Cai Ji, and in order to check and balance Cao Cao, he would definitely support the lord. ”

The so-called "confluence" is to unite many weak countries to resist a strong country in order to prevent the annexation of a strong country. The corresponding "Lianheng" is to serve a strong country as a backer and attack other weak countries in order to achieve the purpose of annexing and expanding land. Although Cao Cao is trapped in Dangyang City at present, the Cao family's power in terms of territory and population is above that of several other princes. Therefore, Cai Ji teamed up with Sun Ce and Liu Bei to suppress Cao Cao, which can indeed be called "Hezhong". In addition, Zhuge Liang took the initiative to donate a county's tax through Cai Ji, and vaguely saw that Cai Ji not only had the meaning of "contemplation", but also had a heart of "continuity". However, before further evidence, Zhuge Liang did not explain this matter to Liu Bei. And after Liu Bei listened to Zhuge Liang's analysis, he thought of the experience of asking Cai Ji for advice in Yang Biao's mansion in the past, and he suddenly had a bottom in his heart.

Cao Cao waited in Dangyang City for two days without waiting for Liu Bei's reply. In the evening of the third day, Cao Caowu, who was a little breathless, climbed to the top of the city and overlooked the endless camp of Liu Bei's army outside the city, and saw the battle flags of the camp opposite under the sunset, and the smoke was curling, which was peaceful. Just as he was about to see it, he heard footsteps behind him. When Cao Cao looked back, he saw that Liu Ye and Yang Xiu had both climbed the city tower, so he opened his mouth and asked, "Does Liu Bei have a reply?" ”

Liu Ye and Yang Xiu exchanged glances helplessly, and then shook their heads and hugged their fists, "Back to the lord, according to Sima Yilang's message, Liu Bei has gone to Qiying to meet with Cai Ji. ”

Cao Cao listened to what Liu Ye said, and after taking a deep breath, he finally sighed helplessly, "Liu Bei finally got his son's room!" (To be continued......)