Yuzhou, Xuchang County, Yingchuan County, was the ruling center of Cao Cao's forces.

In the council hall of the governor's mansion in his county, Cao Cao and the main figures of his subordinates gathered here.

Today, the topic of discussion is mainly about the direction of sending troops.

At first, it was relatively quiet, and everyone was able to discuss calmly.

But a quarter of an hour later, the hall was filled with the sound of arguing.

When Cao Cao first created his power, this phenomenon would not have happened.

Because Cao Cao had less than 30,000 soldiers and horses and less than 50,000 stone of grain at that time, the territory was only Yanzhou.

Cao Cao was a veritable 'little prince', thinking all day long about how to hold his own territory and not let people annex it.

Therefore, at that time, Cao Cao's advisers had the same idea, that is, to defend, and then accumulate strength and develop slowly.

However, after these years of development, Cao Cao has transformed into a 'great prince' with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, hundreds of thousands of grains, and the land of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou.

Therefore, the strategists under his command were divided because of the order of sending troops to subdue the small forces around them.

Yes, the counsellors in the whole hall were divided into three factions.

One faction was dominated by Cheng Yu, who advocated agreeing with Cao Cao's intentions, and immediately sent troops to take the unguarded Nanyang County, and then sent troops again to take Yuan Shu in Yangzhou.

The people of this faction are loyal followers of Cao Cao, and whatever Cao Cao says, he is.

One faction is dominated by Xun Yu, advocating sending troops to take Li Dao, Guo Yan and others in Sizhou, and then sending troops to take the unguarded Nanyang County and Yuan Shu in Yangzhou.

Although the people of this faction are also followers of Cao Cao, they are more loyal to the Han family and take the revival of the Han family as their own responsibility.

After having the power in his hands, the first thought was to subdue the former capital of the Han Dynasty, and then welcome the Han Emperor to return to the south.

And the last faction is weak.

There is only one person, it is Guo Jia, who does not advocate taking the unguarded Nanyang County, nor does he advocate taking Sizhou, but advocates sending troops to attack Shangdang County, which is in the state, and Yuan Shao's army echoes the north and south to exterminate Han Cheng.

Guo Jia was also loyal to Cao Cao, but he had no interest in occupying the territory of small forces, only in the big ones - Han Cheng and Yuan Shao.

Maybe it's because of disdain, maybe it's because small forces don't matter.

Guo Jia has a unique insight into the military.

Although Yuan Shao's power was still the largest in the world at this time, Guo Jia was not optimistic about Yuan Shao.

On the contrary, Han Cheng, who thought that he was similar to Cao Cao, was a great threat to Cao Cao.

Therefore, it is still advisable to get rid of Han Cheng first.

The people of the three factions have their own reasons, and even Cao Cao, who is extremely wise, is difficult to decide for a while.

But the opportunity to send troops is imminent.

As a result, Cao Cao could only adopt Xun You's suggestion and first send Cao Hong, Cao Xiu and others to lead 30,000 soldiers and horses to occupy Nanyang County.

Then he sent Cao Ren, Le Jin, Yu Ban and other generals to lead 30,000 horses to take Sizhou, and let Guo Jia accompany him to find the best location and area to attack Shangdang County.

Guo Jia knew that this method delayed the fighter, but he was helpless.

After all, he didn't have enough reason to convince the rest of the people, so he could only accept Xun You's suggestion.

......

When Yuan Shu, who was in Yangzhou, got Cao Cao's army marching towards Sizhou and other places, he was both happy and worried.

The joy is that Cao Cao's first choice is not himself; The worry is that Cao Cao's next choice must be himself.

When the time comes, he will inevitably end up in a different place.

After thinking about it again, Yuan Shu felt that compared to death, it was better to bow his head to his brother Yuan Shao and admit his mistakes.

At least I can live, and I don't have to worry about food and clothing.

So, Yuan Shu sent a letter to his brother Yuan Shao.

"Brother, the heirloom jade seal represents the destiny of heaven, but the heirloom jade seal has been away from the Han family for a long time.

The current Han court has very little prestige; In the world now, the capable live in it.

Heroes and heroes rose up and carved up the territory, which was no different from the Seven Kingdoms in the last years of the Zhou Dynasty.

Only the strong side can swallow up the weak side.

I used to be a powerful party; But I was not as capable as my brother, so I gradually became the weaker side.

I, Yuan, uphold the mandate of heaven, should sit as the lord of the world and rule the world.

I can't do it anymore, but now you are sitting in the land of You, Hebei, and Qingzhou, and you have no less than 3 million people under your command, and no less than 300,000 soldiers and horses.

Who else in the world can compare with you?

Although there are still Cao Cao, Han Cheng and other people who don't know the depths still want to assist the weakened Han court, how can they reconnect the broken mandate of heaven and revitalize the already extinct court?

I respectfully give you the heirloom jade seal, and I hope you will revitalize it! ”

Although he said a lot, the meaning was very clear: "I, Yuan Shu, know that I am wrong, and I will give you the jade seal of the country, please take me in." ”

After reading the letter, Yuan Shao said to everyone on the left and right: "No matter what, Yuan Shu is also my brother, and I want to accept him." ”

So, he sent his eldest son Yuan Tan to lead the way to accept Yuan Shu at the border of Qingzhou.

Maybe it's Yuan Shu's fate that should be like this, such an important thing has leaked the news.

Cao Cao and others, who were in Yanzhou, actually knew the news that Yuan Shu was going to give the jade seal of the country to Yuan Shao.

The hatred between Cao Cao and Yuan Shu cannot be resolved, how can Yuan Shu be allowed to defect to Yuan Shao with the 'Jade Seal of the Country'?

Therefore, Cao Cao wanted to stop Yuan Shu from going north.

And Liu Bei, who was preparing to break away from Cao Cao, was overjoyed when he got the news.

came to Cao Cao's place and took the initiative to ask Ying, asking to lead an army of 50,000 to block Yuan Shu.

At this time, Cao Cao's generals who were suitable for commanding the army had important matters, so Cao Cao could only agree to Liu Bei's request.

However, Cao Cao was not at ease with Liu Bei, so he sent Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to accompany the army, and the main task was to supervise Liu Bei.

After Guo Jia heard the news that Liu Bei led the army to the expedition, he quickly returned to Xuchang County, and in Cao Cao's study, he was anxiously dissuaded by Cao Cao: "Duke Ming, Liu Bei is a scheming person, and he can't let him lead the army." When he goes this time, he will definitely let the tiger return to the mountain. ”

Cao Cao smiled at Guo Jia and said, "How can I not know Liu Bei's 'ambition'? But his talent is really good, and for the time being, I don't have a suitable general in my hands, so I can only let him command the army.

Feng Xiao rest assured, in order to restrain him, I have sent Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to accompany the army, if Liu Bei has any changes, I will definitely get the news as soon as possible. ”

Although Guo Jia knew that Cao Cao had been wary of Liu Bei for a long time, he still couldn't rest assured.

Yes, Guo Jia said to Cao Cao: "Ming Gong, I still can't rest assured, or I will go with General Xu Zhu in person, and I promise to bring Liu Bei back." ”

Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia's thin body and dusty appearance, and said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, I know your loyalty. But your body is not suitable for war, so I will let Zhong Kang lead five hundred men. You're resting. ”

The lord's concern made Guo Jia's heart full of gratitude, and he could only say to Cao Cao: "Xie Minggong cares!" ”

Cao Cao immediately said to Xu Zhu outside the study: "Zhongkang, you lead five hundred cavalry to quickly catch up with Liu Bei's army, saying that I have something important to discuss with him."

Let him hand over the soldiers to Commander Zhu Ling, and let him return quickly.

and if he listens, bring him back; If he doesn't listen, he can kill him on the spot, but if he can't, don't force it. ”

......

After leaving Xuchang County, Liu Bei can be said to be like a fish in water, and the dragon enters the sea.

On the third day, Liu Bei found an excuse to drive Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao back to Xuchang County.

At this time, Guo Jia had just met Cao Cao.

However, after the army continued to march eastward for fifty miles, it was overtaken by Xu Zhu and his cavalry.

Liu Bei had already guessed Xu Zhu's intentions, so he asked Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to stand on his left and right to express his intentions.

Xu Zhu saw that these two guys were here, and they couldn't complete this task.

So, after Xu Zhu conveyed Cao Cao's words, he hurried back to Xuchang County and asked Cao Cao to decide.

And after Liu Bei saw Xu Zhu gone, he led the army straight to the main road of Yuan Shu's north.

Liu Bei's timing was very well grasped, and Yuan Shu had just set off at this time.

In this way, Yuan Shu was intercepted by the sudden Liu Beijun.

Yuan Shu couldn't get by, so he could only retreat to Shouchun County.

Liu Bei led his army to approach Shouchun County.

Yuan Shu had no choice but to retreat to Jiangting County.

After arriving in Jiangting County, Yuan Shu's army had only 500 soldiers and 30 stone of food.

It's a hot June.

When the summer is coming, Yuan Shu wants to drink honey syrup to quench his thirst, but where to find honey for him?

After Yuan Shu heard the report of his subordinates, he was in a hurry. shouted loudly: "How could my dignified Yuan Shu get mixed up to this point!" Shame, shame! ”

Then he died of exhaustion.

Liu Bei's soldiers were Cao Cao's soldiers and horses, and Liu Bei had to fight this battle.

After this battle is over, these soldiers will have a certain sense of belonging to Liu Bei.

will follow Liu Bei to Xiapi County in Xuzhou to participate in a 'big play'.

At this time, in Xiapi County, the person in charge was Cao Cao's confidant and favorite general, Che Guan.

Liu Bei's rebellion, Che Xuan had already received a letter from Cao Cao, and he already knew about it, so the entire Xiapi County was heavily guarded.

After Liu Bei heard Tanma's report, he asked Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to lead an army of more than 1,000 of his cronies to take advantage of the night to call the door in Xiapi County.

The soldiers in the city asked, "Who is under the city?" ”

The people under the city replied: "We are reinforcements sent by General Cao. ”

"The night is too dark to tell the truth from the fake, and we'll talk about it tomorrow when it's dawn." ”

The people under the city replied: "What if Liu Bei knows about this and escapes?" ”

When he heard the words of the people under the city, he secretly said in his heart: "If they do not meet them, they will not trust themselves tomorrow; If you meet them, you are afraid that there is deceit in them. ”

When the carriage hesitated, the city kept shouting to open the door.

The heart of the chariot was horizontal, put on armor and mounted the horse, and led a thousand men and horses out of the city to distinguish the authenticity.

As soon as he crossed the suspension bridge, he saw Guan Yu carrying a knife and galloping towards the carriage, and shouted loudly: "Pifu, you dare to cheat, you want to hurt my brother!" See that I don't kill you. ”

The car was shocked, and hurriedly raised his knife to resist, but for a while, he didn't say a word.

Guan Yu is a person of nine-grade martial arts, and he is a knife that is ready to be launched, how can Che Xuan block it with the martial arts of the realm of six grades?

The horse arrived, the knife fell, and the car died!

Guan Yu took the head of the chariot and shouted loudly to the soldiers in the city: "The anti-thief Che Zhou has been killed by me, I know that you are all forced by the chariot, as long as you surrender, you can avoid death!" ”

When the soldiers heard this, they immediately surrendered.

Since then, Xuzhou has returned to Liu Bei's arms again.

At this time, Cao Cao's army had defeated the armies of Li Dao, Guo Yan and others, and successfully took Nanyang County.

Cao Cao's move to 'win in the west and lose in the east'.