In August of the fifth year of Jian'an, Yuan Xi, who had driven away Yuan Tan, met with Yuan Shang's envoy in Gaoyang and officially recognized Yuan Shang as Emperor Da Chen. In return, Yuan Shang canonized Yuan Xi as a general, awarded the golden seal purple ribbon, and took charge of the world's army. Although except for the 20,000 soldiers and horses that Yuan Xi brought from Youzhou, there were no other soldiers and horses in the world for him to command. But the union of Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi undoubtedly ended the months-long division and infighting within the Yuan family. As the so-called name is right, some of the old ministers of the Yuan family, who were originally watching because of the discord between the Yuan brothers, abandoned their hearts and turned to Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang took advantage of the situation to enter Handan, and with the assistance of Li Fu and others, he recruited troops to expand his armaments.

In the early autumn, the grain chestnuts in Hebei are already full, and in order to hoard military rations, the princes are busy sending soldiers and horses to harvest grain. Yuan Xibu, who had just gained a foothold in the Zhao army, was naturally not exempt from vulgarity. As for how the people of Zhao County, who were deprived of food, would spend the winter of the fifth year of Jian'an, it was not a matter for Emperor Da Chen to control. Yuan Xi, who was standing at the head of Handan City at this moment, watched the carriages and horses escorting grain and grass continue to drive into the four gates, and even had a smile full of ambition on his face, "Li Qing, Zhao County has a bumper harvest of grains this year, and it is really heaven helping me." ”

Li Fu knew that the more grain Yuan Jun looted, the more miserable the situation of the people of Zhao County became. But for the sake of the Yuan family's world, he had to temporarily wronged the people of Zhao County. In the future, Yuan Shang will sit on the throne and then compensate. After all, even if Yuan's army didn't go to collect grain, Cao Cao would send troops and horses to Zhao County to rob and cut wheat chestnuts. This is the troubled times, and the people are like grass mustard being trampled on by the princes everywhere.

So after adjusting his feelings a little, Li Fu put his sympathy for the people behind him, and turned to Yuan Shangjin as a military advisor, "Your Majesty, although Zhao County has a bumper harvest this year, Handan now has 20,000 soldiers and horses, plus the people in the city, I am afraid that this bit of grain and grass can only barely survive the winter." ”

Yuan Shang was reminded by Li Fuyi, and couldn't help but look gloomy and sighed. "The situation is difficult, and when it is really a last resort, I have no choice but to let the people out of the city."

The so-called release of the people out of the city is essentially to drive the old, weak, sick and disabled out of the city, so as to save food rations for the soldiers and horses and the young and strong. As for the old, weak, sick and disabled who were driven out of the city, what happened to them in the wasteland of thousands of miles of red land, it can be imagined. Of course, this approach is relatively generous in troubled times. It is better to be humane than to enclose the people in the city for military rations.

However, at this time, Li Fu didn't plan to use such extraordinary means, but he saw him arch his hand towards Yuan Shangjian and said, "In addition to Zhao County, His Majesty can also send people to Bingzhou to collect grain." Wu'an County ordered Yin Kai to be strong in martial arts, and His Majesty could send his troops to garrison Maocheng to protect the party's grain route. ”

"Good, just do what Li Qing says." Yuan Shang listened to what Li Fu said, and immediately nodded in agreement. In his opinion, sending his henchmen to garrison Maocheng on the border of Wei County can not only protect the grain road, but also intimidate Yuan Shu in Yecheng by the way. For Yuan Shu and Yu Ji, who took advantage of his unpreparedness to seize Yecheng. Yuan Shang gritted his teeth with hatred in his heart. If it weren't for the fact that his mother, Empress Dowager Liu, was still in Yuan Shu's hands, Yuan Shang would have ordered all his soldiers and horses to kill Shangyecheng and kill the two thieves. Let the people of the world see what will happen to those who betray him Yuan Shang. But now Yuan Shang, who is a rat trap, can only hold his nose for the time being and recognize the so-called "regent", and wait until the time is ripe to recapture Yecheng and rescue his mother. In addition to Yuan Shu, Yuan Shang was also very concerned about Yuan Tan, another confidant who shook his throne. At the beginning, after learning that Yuan Xi let Yuan Tan go, Yuan Shangke slandered the benevolence of the second brother and the woman in his heart. But since everyone has already been released, Yuan Shang naturally doesn't want to pursue anything from Yuan Xi anymore. After all, at this time, he still pointed to Yuan Xi to protect the country for him.

However, Yuan Shang did not pursue Yuan Xi, which does not mean that he does not care about Yuan Tan's whereabouts. But seeing Yuan Shang groaning for a while, he asked Li Fu, "Does Li Qing have any news about Yuan Tan?" ”

"Back to Majesty. According to the spies, Yuan Tan and Guo Tu seem to have escaped into Dai County, but it is still unclear where they fled. Li Fu reported truthfully.

"Revisit! I must know the exact whereabouts of this unfilial son. Yuan Shang clenched his fists and said. Unlike Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang's hatred for Yuan Tan stemmed more from the latter's threat to his throne than from abandoning his father and running away. But in front of outsiders, Yuan Shang always clings to the word "unfilial piety" to prove his orthodoxy and the legitimacy of killing Yuan Tan.

Li Fu didn't know what Yuan Shang was thinking, but emperors have been ruthless since ancient times. It is better to have a fig leaf to block it than to abandon his father in public and flee like Yuan Tan. So he didn't say a word, and directly responded with his fists clenched. "Wow. The minister sent someone to find out Yuan Tan's whereabouts. ”

And when Yuan Shang secretly continued his military strength, Yuan Shu in Yecheng was not idle. Relying on the identity of the regent of Da Chen, Yuan Shu wantonly rewarded the bureaucrats of Wei County, in order to win over these local snakes for his use. However, anyone with a little bit of brains could see that Yuan Shu was now dead. In front of him is the menacing Cao Cao, and behind him are the brothers Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi. Either side wants Yuan Shu's life in their hearts. Therefore, although Yuan Shu has been busy for more than half a month, he has little effect. Except for the bureaucrats in Yecheng City, who were afraid of the obscenity of Yuan Shu's department and had to submit to it, there was not a single soldier or horse in the entire Wei County to obey his orders. In desperation, Yuan Shu had to vigorously pull Zhuang Ding to build the Yecheng city on the one hand, and on the other hand, he sent soldiers and horses to grab grain everywhere to collect grain. They turned a blind eye to Cao Jun's provocations. In short, Yuan Shuda was ready to defend Yecheng from the bottom of his heart.

Since he was willing to defend the city, Yuan Shu naturally couldn't tolerate any dissident people in the city. In just over ten days. Yuan Shu took advantage of the order to arrest and raid many wealthy households. At the same time as confiscating the property and grain of these wealthy households, Yuan Shu also used this to set an example to warn those in the city who tried to collude with Cao Cao or Yuan Shang that those who dared to cooperate with the enemy would surely die. However, there was one person, Yuan Shu, although he had doubts in his heart, he did not dare to intervene against him. This person is Yu Ji, the great Chen national teacher. In Yuan Shu's opinion, since Yu Ji can betray Yuan Shang, of course he can also betray himself. Especially at this critical moment, no one can be relied on except himself. However, due to the "immortal art" that Yu Ji held, Yuan Shu didn't dare to do anything to him for a while. just sent some henchmen to secretly monitor this old man's every move.

"What has Yu Ji done recently?" In the palace of the regent of Yecheng, Yuan Shu stood with his hands in his hands and asked his subordinates.

"Back to the king, Yu Ji Lao'er has been hiding in the house for the past few days, and has not gone out or seen guests." The subordinates reported truthfully.

But Yuan Shu did not feel relieved by this. But after seeing him go back and forth in the study, he ordered in a slightly nervous tone, "Continue to investigate!" Yu Ji has many strange men, and he must not be taken lightly. ”

"Whoa."

The subordinate quickly exited the study after receiving the order. Yuan Shu, on the other hand, walked to the window and muttered to himself with a violent face, "This king will not sit still!" ”

Although Yuan Shu swore that he would not sit still, in Cao Cao's eyes, he was no different from a dead man. In mid-August, Cao's army set out from Chaoge, attacked the city and plundered the wall, and arrived at Jiuhou City west of Yecheng. And outside the city, he built a large number of buildings, built earth mountains, dug tunnels down, and put on a posture of being ready to attack Yecheng at any time. At the same time, Cao Cao took advantage of the surge in the river in autumn to send people to block the Qishui. So that the communal flow into the white ditch in order to transport military rations.

The faint fragrance of Jin Gui loomed in the autumn wind of August, Cao Ang stood on the river embankment, watching the Zhonglang general Li Dian not far away command a group of people to clear the river, thinking that if it were not for the war, these people should have harvested grain at home and prepared for autumn planting, instead of being arrested as strong men as they are now.

As Cao Cao's power grew larger and his status became more and more noble, Cao Ang, as the heir of the Cao family, was gradually placed on great hopes. This is evident from the education he received. Twenty-three-year-old Cao Ang has already shown filial piety. But he never stopped learning. In his early years, Cao Ang's education was mainly based on marching and arranging, supplemented by the six arts of gentlemen. Because Cao Cao was only a minor prince at that time, Cao Ang had to master enough military skills to be able to fight the world with his father. And now Cao Cao's identity is commonplace, and according to the current trend, Cao Cao is very likely to become the next Huo Guang. In order not to repeat the mistakes of the Huo family, the staff of the Cao Mansion have now strengthened the teaching of Cao Ang in government affairs and political strategy. After all, a prince who only knows how to fight and does not understand government affairs cannot inherit the political capital left by Cao Sikong. Cao Ang was willing to do this, and he did not rely on the identity of Jinwu. and then resisted the teachings of the staff.

"Zixiu is here."

Cao Cao, who came behind Cao Ang at some point, interrupted his son's thoughts. Seeing his father's arrival, Cao Ang hurriedly turned his horse and hugged his fists, "I've seen my father." ”

Cao Cao waved his hand to signal that Cao Ang didn't have to make such a false salute, and then kicked the horse's belly and stepped forward to stand side by side with his son, "What was Zixiu thinking about just now?" It's so fascinating. ”

The child thought that if it had been in Chengping, the people here would have been working in the fields. Today, agriculture has been abandoned due to war. Cao Ang replied truthfully. He has been fighting with his father for many years, and he knows very well that Cao Cao, whether it is for his subordinates or for his son, he cares very much about the word "true". Unnecessary flattery only annoys the father.

Sure enough, after listening to Cao Ang's answer, Cao Cao did not accuse him of being a woman. Instead, he casually asked, "Is it Wen Ruo who taught you?" ”

Cao Ang nodded and replied, "Xun Lingjun taught a lot of things to children in Xudu. ”

"If Wen has the talent of Wang Zuo, you should humbly ask him for advice." Cao Cao stretched out his hand and patted Cao Ang's shoulder and said.

"Yes, Father." Cao Ang clenched his fists and said in response.

Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction when he saw this, then changed his words again, pointed to the people not far away and said in a stern tone, "Agricultural affairs are important, but now the war is even more intense. Zixiu must not have the kindness of a woman. ”

"The child obeys his father's instruction." After Cao Ang echoed Cao Cao, he turned the conversation to the military affairs that he was more familiar with. "I wonder what my father's plan is to attack Yecheng?"

"What does Zixiu think?" Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ang and asked.

After Cao Ang lowered his head and considered the wording, he replied happily, "The child thinks that the attack on Yecheng is because he will first cut off its grain route, and then besiege the city slowly. Yuan Shu was unpopular with the people, and once there was a shortage of food in the city, he would not be able to defend Yecheng. ”

Cao Cao looked at Cao Ang's eloquent appearance, and finally there was a smile of appreciation in his eyes. In other words, Cao Ang's earlier appearance in the rear had already satisfied Cao Cao. Especially during the time when he was besieged by Yuan Shao in Guandu, Cao Ang did not be emotional and ran to Guandu to save himself, but stuck to the rear and broke the Yuan army that came to attack Xudu. This shows that the young Cao Ang seems to have put the survival of the Cao family first. It must be known that if Cao Ang impulsively led his troops to Guandu to rescue, with the little force he could mobilize, not only could he not save Cao Cao, but he might take his own life. Once Cao Cao and Cao Ang died in battle at the same time, it meant that the Cao family would be wiped out. However, afterwards, Cao Cao did not praise Cao Ang for this, after all, it is against the norm to abandon his father, and he can't write a big book. is like Yuan Tan's idiot, who abandoned his father in public and fled, and was despised by the world. It was enough for Cao Cao to let his son understand that he would not provoke criticism if he did so at that time.

In contrast, Cao Ang's expression at this time can be praised. So Cao Cao smiled at his son without hesitation, "Zixiu said it well. That's what the Father is going to do. ”

Cao Ang'er heard that his father intended to send troops to cut off the grain road in Yecheng, and immediately volunteered to hug his fist, "Father, the child is willing to lead the troops to cut off the grain road of the Yuan family." ”

"No, I led the troops to attack Maocheng for my father. As for Yecheng, it will be besieged by you and Mancheng. When Cao Cao said this, he suddenly narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice to Cao Ang, "Remember that in addition to the siege of Yecheng, you must not guard against Cai Anzhen." ”

After listening to his father's last instruction, Cao Ang's heart couldn't help but tremble, and he blurted out, "Father, Cai Anzhen is not an ally of the Cao family?" ”

"Hmph, at this time and that time, whether or not you are an ally cannot be generalized" Cao Cao categorically interrupted his son's questioning. Seeing the hesitation on Cao Ang's face, Cao Cao's heart suddenly sank. I only heard him say earnestly, "Zixiu, for my father, I know that you have a good impression of Cai Anzhen. However, this woman is self-respecting and ill-intentioned. Earlier, when he was in Guandu, he almost killed his father! ”

"How so? Didn't Cai Anzhen send Zhao Yun, Zihuan and Uncle Miao Cai to rescue Guandu? Cao Ang was puzzled. In his opinion, since Cao Pi is engaged to Cai Ji, the Cao Cai alliance will be stable for a long time. How can it be that in less than half a year, the two sides will not be recognized as allies? What's more, Cai Ji also sent troops to help the Cao family at the most difficult moment, how could the Cao family cross the river and demolish the bridge.

Cao Cao saw that Cao Ang actually defended Cai Ji, and his face couldn't help but become more embarrassed, "If Cai Anzhen really saves the orphan, how can he send a sailor to burn the white horse and force the original to fight to the death with the orphan!" ”

Cao Ang didn't expect that the battle of Guandu, which seemed to be a cooperative alliance between Cao and Cai's coalition forces, would have such an unknown inside story. Could it be that Cai Ji really thought about killing his father? Or is it just wishful thinking on the part of the father? If Cao Cai really turned his back, then, what should Zihuan do? How will he face Cai Ji?

And just when Cao Ang was uncertain, Cao Cao put his hand on his shoulder and said, "Zixiu is the heir of the Cao family, don't let your father down." ”

Small Theatre Hours:

Cao Ang: Father, what should I do with Zihuan?

Turf: ~~~~(>_