After Cao Cao surrendered Guan Yu, the Battle of Xuzhou also came to an end, in order to prevent Yuan Shao's army from going south, Cao Cao immediately ordered Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan and other generals to lead most of the soldiers and horses back to the front line of Guandu. After Cao Ren and other generals led the army to leave, Cao Cao sent several troops and horses to the counties of Xuzhou to sweep away the rebellious army and show his military might, and he himself led part of the soldiers and horses to garrison Xiapi, intending to sort out the military and political affairs of Xuzhou first.

Xuzhou is rich in money and grain, this place is Cao Cao's plan for him and Yuan Shao to fight when the grain and grass supply place, this place must not be lost, Cao Cao intends to once and for all, and then lead the army to leave after sorting out the military and politics here.

Not long after the armies left Xiapi, when Cao Cao was dealing with the military and political affairs of Xuzhou, a sergeant suddenly rushed to report: "Lord, an envoy from Guangling County has come to pay a visit, and he is now waiting outside the house!" ”

"Guangling County Emissary?" Cao Cao frowned suspiciously, and said, "Bring him in." ”

The Guangling envoy who came to Xiapi was none other than Cao Cao Chen Jiao, who came to Cao Cao for help on the order of Chen Deng!

Chen Jiao didn't expect Cao Cao to sweep Liu Bei in such a few days, when he arrived in Xiapi, he saw that Cao Jun was stationed at the head of Xiapi City, and his heart was suddenly overjoyed, and he secretly said in his heart: He was worried that the prime minister would fight Liu Bei and would not send him reinforcements. Now that the prime minister has defeated Liu Bei and recovered Xuzhou, his request for help should be safe. The prime minister must not want to see Jiangdong Sun Ce and Jianghuai Yuan Yao sit big, and his Guangling County can contain Sun Ce and Yuan Yao for the prime minister, so the prime minister will definitely give himself reinforcements!

Chen Jiao came to the palace of the state pastor under the leadership of the sergeant, and after seeing Cao Cao, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "Xiaguan Guangling Gong Cao Chen Jiao greets the prime minister!" ”

When Cao Cao attacked Lü Bu before, he had cooperated with Guangling Chen, Guangling Chen led Guangling soldiers and horses for his internal response, and took advantage of Lü Bu to go out to fight for him to offer Xiapi City, and it was precisely because of this that Cao Cao was able to easily defeat Lü Bu and capture the land of Xuzhou in the last Xuzhou War.

However, in return, Cao Cao also made Chen Dengfeng the Taishou of Guangling, and in a sense, the relationship between Guangling Chen and Cao Cao was more of a cooperative relationship than a subordinate relationship.

Now that the war between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao has not yet begun, the outcome of the victory or defeat is not easy to say, and a local clan like the Guangling Chen clan will naturally not bet easily, if it were not for the Jiangdong soldiers and horses attacking Guangling County this time, Chen Jiao would not have come to Cao Cao at this time to have too close contact.

Cao Cao was also very clear about this in his heart, and when he saw that the person who came turned out to be Chen Jiao, he was also a little surprised, and asked suspiciously: "I don't know what happened to Chen Gongcao?" ”

Chen Jiao came to ask for help, so naturally he didn't dare to hide the situation, so he bowed down and said: "The lower official is here to ask for help, and please send troops to help!" ”

"Asking for help?" Cao Cao frowned and said, "What happened in Guangling County?" ”

Chen Jiao replied: "Back to the prime minister, Jiangdong Sun Ce took advantage of the time when the later general Yuan Yao led the army to attack Xuzhou, and personally proposed that the 100,000 army garrison in Wuhu looked at the three counties of Lujiang, and Yuan Yao retreated to Dongcheng to confront Sun Ce. Just some time ago, the army under Yuan Yao's command suddenly divided its troops into two routes, attacking the Tangyi and Dongyang counties of my Guangling County respectively, and my lord speculated that Yuan Yao must have reached an agreement with Sun Ce, and the two of them are going to work together to plot against my Guangling land! Guangling soldiers are outnumbered, it is really difficult to resist the joint attack of the two of them, Taishou specially ordered me to come to the prime minister for help, and asked the prime minister to send troops to save me Guangling! ”

Cao Cao has been focusing on the wars of Xiapi, Xiaopei and Xia Tong for a while now, and after learning that Sun Ce's cavalry attacked Yuan Yao and Yuan Yao led the army back to the three counties of Lujiang, he was somewhat ignored by Yuan Yao and Sun Ce's news. Now he still doesn't know about the war in Guangling County, after listening to what Chen Jiao said, Cao Cao's face suddenly changed, he didn't expect Sun Ce and Yuan Yao to not fight, but also secretly reached an agreement, it seems that this Jiangdong little overlord is not as violent and irritable as he imagined, but in this way, this matter is a little troublesome.

Yuan Yao is different from Liu Bei, although Liu Bei occupies a state, but most of his soldiers and horses are Cao Cao's pawns, Liu Bei has not yet packed up the morale of the army, and the combat strength of the army is insufficient, and it is precisely for this reason that Cao Cao will immediately attack Xuzhou at the beginning of Liu Bei's rebellion, and it is also very easy to defeat Liu Bei and recapture Xuzhou. Although there are only three counties under Yuan Yao's rule, Yuan Yao has won all battles and conquered all battles since he started his army, and the morale of the army under his command is high.

Moreover, Yuan Yao's territory is in the land of Jianghuai, most of these places are easy to defend and difficult to attack, if Cao Cao wants to conquer Yuan Yao, I don't know how long it will take, now Yuan Shao's army may go south when, Cao Cao has no time to deal with Yuan Yao.

Therefore, Cao Cao was not willing to fight Yuan Yao again until he had to do so, lest Yuan Yao take advantage of the battle between him and Yuan Shao to give him a big drama of a backyard fire. If it is just a confrontation with Jiangdong Sun Ce, Cao Cao can still think about it, if he defeats it, he can also frustrate the spirit of the Jiangdong army, so that they dare not act rashly again, anyway, the land of Jiangdong and the place under his command do not border, and Sun Ce can't help him.

But now that Yuan Yao has also sent troops to Guangling County, Cao Cao has to think carefully about sending reinforcements again.

Cao Cao lowered his head and pondered the pros and cons of this matter, and said, "You tell me in detail about the battle in Guangling County, and I will think about it." ”

Chen Jiao also knew what Cao Cao was worried about, and when he heard Cao Cao's words, he focused on telling Cao Cao about Yuan Yao sending iron cavalry to rob the people of Guangling.

When Cao Cao heard this, his heart also relaxed a little, but this matter was very important, and he did not make a decision immediately, and said with a smile: "Chen Gongcao is tired from afar, let's go down and recuperate for the time being, this matter is very important, I also need to discuss it with my subordinate martial arts, and after I make a decision, I will summon you immediately." ”

Chen Jiao promised: "This matter is very important, and it is natural for the prime minister to discuss with his subordinates, but the military situation in Guangling County is like fire, and I ask the prime minister to make a decision as soon as possible!" ”

"Well, I'll make a decision as soon as possible, so you can go down and rest." Cao Cao comforted Chen Jiao and said, "Come on, take Chen Gongcao down to rest, and be entertained." ”

Cheng Yu, Guo Jia and others were also in the main hall, and after Chen Jiao retreated, Cao Cao looked at everyone and said, "What do you think about this matter?" Shall we send troops to the rescue? ”

Cheng Yu first stepped forward and bowed, and said: "Lord, the minister thinks that the lord can either send troops to rescue Guangling, or sit idly by, and this matter is all up to the lord's decision." ”

Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Oh? What does this mean? ”

Cheng Yu continued: "Regardless of whether the lord wants to aid Guangling or not, first of all, we can be sure that Yuan Yaozhizhi is not in the land of Guangling County, if the minister expects it to be good, Yuan Yao must have reached a peace agreement with Sun Ce with the strategy of leading the water to the east, and he helped Sun Ce to capture the land of Guangling County, in exchange for Sun Ce's retreat, it was Sun Ce who wanted to take the land of Guangling County, not Yuan Yao!" ”

Xun You nodded and responded: "Zhongde (Cheng Yu's words) is right, even big cities like Baling and Xiakou have not been able to stop Yuan Yao, if Yuan Yao wants to take the land of Guangling County, it is impossible for small county-level cities such as Tangyi Dongyang to stop Yuan Yao's army; Moreover, if Yuan Yao wanted to take Guangling County, then there was no need for him to rob the population and food of Guangling County with iron horses. ”

Cao Cao nodded slightly, motioning for Cheng Yu to continue, Cheng Yu said: "Guangling County is the land of Jianghuai, if Yuan Yao occupies Guangling County, he can take all the land of Jianghuai, so Yuan Yao must be coveted for Guangling County, he will not wholeheartedly help Sun Ce to capture Guangling, if the lord sends troops to rescue, Yuan Yao will definitely retreat." The lord only needs to fight with Jiangdong without worrying about Yuan Yao, the land of Jiangdong is far away from the lord, and the lord does not need to be afraid of Jiangdong, so the lord can send troops to rescue Guangling County. ”

"If the lord sends troops to rescue Guangling County, there are two benefits: first, Yuan Yao and Sun Ce send troops to attack Guangling County, Chen Deng will definitely hate them to the core, and if the lord saves Guangling County, he can lay a nail next to Yuan Yao and Sun Ce; Both, Guangling County is a rich land, the lord is about to fight with Yuan Yao, and needs a lot of money and grain for food, if the lord sends troops to rescue Guangling County, he can ask for a large amount of money and grain for military funds. ”

"It is precisely because the land of Guangling County belongs to the land of Jianghuai that Yuan Yao will definitely covet it, so the lord can also sit back and watch Sun Ce occupy Guangling County. Previously, the land of Jiangdong and the land of Jianghuai still had the Yangtze River as a barrier, and Yuan Yao's army and the Jiangdong army would not easily fight, but if Sun Ce occupied Guangling County, he would share the Jianghuai land with Yuan Yao, and the Yangtze River natural danger that had previously blocked the two of them would no longer exist, and the lord could use Guangling County to induce Yuan Yao and Sun Ce to fight. ”

"The lord either sends troops to rescue, or sits idly by, there are pros and cons, the ministers are shallow, and the lord is still decided!"

"Hahahaha, Zhongde is too modest, listening to your words is better than reading for ten years, I already know the pros and cons of this matter." Cao Cao laughed a few times, waved Cheng Yu to step back, looked at Guo Jia and said, "Fengxiao, what do you think?" ”

Guo Jia arched his hand and replied: "Zhongde's words are an old opinion, and the pros and cons of this matter are all here!" As for whether the lord should send troops to rescue Guangling County, the minister thought that the lord could wait for two days for the time being, with Sun Ce's uprightness, he would not sit idly by and watch Yuan Yao plunder the population and money and grain of Guangling County, Jiangdong would definitely send troops to Guangling County in the shortest possible time, maybe the war report of Guangling County was already on the way at this time. The lord wants to use Guangling County to contain Jianghuai and Jiangdong, which also requires Chen Deng to have a certain ability, and the lord will wait for the war report to arrive, and it is not too late to see if Chen Deng can use it and make decisions. ”

Cao Cao nodded and smiled, and said: "If people want him to save him, they must first save themselves, we are about to fight with Yuan Shao, Guangling County will rely on itself after all, so according to the policy of filial piety, wait for the military report of Guangling County before making a decision." ”

Everyone bowed in unison and said, "The lord is wise! ”

……

Two days later, the military report of Guangling County was finally delivered, and the military newspaper said in detail that Sun Ce and his younger brother Sun Quan were the generals who commanded 20,000 troops to conquer Guangling County, and the Jiangdong army was defeated by Chen Deng, the Taishou of Guangling, twice outside Guangling City and at Linquan Ferry.

After Cao Cao read these military reports, he was suddenly shocked, although Sun Quan was leading the army for the first time, but his deputy generals Chen Wu and Xu Sheng were both famous generals in Jiangdong, and the 20,000 Jiangdong army were also elite divisions that followed Sun Ce all the way to the south and the north.

In addition, the military newspaper also wrote that after Sun Quan's defeat at Linquan Ferry, he met with Huang Gai's troops and horses in Gaoyou City, and the Jiangdong army went to attack Sheyang again.

Sun Quan was defeated in both battles, and his arrogance was lost, so he handed over the command of the army to Huang Gai, the general of Jiangdong. Although the Jiangdong Army was defeated in both battles, the combat strength of the Jiangdong Army was still not to be underestimated. Huang Gai was cautious by nature and used his troops prudently, the Jiangdong army fought steadily and steadily, and Chen Deng was never given the slightest chance, there was no moat outside Sheyang City, and the Jiangdong army could directly attack the city wall. The morale of the Guangling soldiers and horses was high for two consecutive victories, and the Jiangdong soldiers and horses were strong and indomitable, and the soldiers on both sides launched a tragic battle around Sheyang City, and the winner has not yet been distinguished.

After Cao Cao read the battle report, he passed the battle report in his hand to everyone and said: "Chen Yuanlong defeated the Jiangdong soldiers and horses twice, and he is a person who has no last resort and is quite useful to the soldiers, I appreciate it very much. I want to take this person for my own use, I can't sit back and watch this person die in battle and Sheyang City, I want to send troops to rescue Guangling County, do you have any objections? ”

After everyone read the battle report of Guangling County, they also admired Chen Deng, although the value of Guangling County is not large, and whether to save it or not is between the two, but after adding Chen Deng, the value of Guangling County will be reused a lot, and even Chen Deng's person is far more important than Guangling County!

Everyone also agreed with Cao Cao's decision, and bowed one after another: "The lord is wise!" ”

"Come on, go and invite Chen Jiao, the envoy of Guangling."

……

Chen Jiao waited in the post house for two days, he was already very anxious, and when he heard that Cao Cao had summoned him, he hurriedly followed the sergeant to the main hall of the state pastor's mansion.

Chen Jiao came to the main hall and saw that Cao Jun's civil and military forces were all in the hall, knowing that Cao Cao had made a decision, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked: "Prime Minister, my Guangling is in danger, I wonder if the Prime Minister has decided to rescue?" ”

Cao Cao smiled slightly, and said: "Our soldiers and horses have just experienced a big war, and now they urgently need to rest and recuperate to prepare for the big battle with Yuan Shao. Say it yourself, if I send troops to rescue Guangling County, what good will it do me? ”

Chen Jiao pondered for a moment, bowed down and bowed again, and said sincerely: "Back to Prime Minister, although my Guangling County is only a small county, the geographical location is particularly important!" Guangling County belongs to the land of Jianghuai, and the land of Jiangdong faces each other across the river, if the prime minister is willing to send reinforcements to rescue Guangling County, my Guangling military and civilian people will be loyal to the prime minister to the death! With my Guangling County in front, I can not only resist the long-term peace and stability of Jiangdong Sun Ce's Xuzhou, but also threaten Jianghuai Yuan Yao from the flank, so that he does not dare to go north easily, which is also advantageous! ”

"Moreover, the Duke of Ming is the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, and my Guangling County is also the territory of the Han Dynasty. If Ming Gong sends reinforcements to defeat Sun Ce, this move will definitely shock the world, so that Ming Gong's reputation will spread all over the world, and then the heroes of the world will definitely come to vote! This move can not only promote the virtue of Ming Gong, but also cultivate the prestige of Ming Gong, which is the king's doing, and this is also beneficial! ”

"Three, Ming Gong is about to fight with Yuan Shao, he must need a lot of money and grain as military funds, my Guangling County is rich in products and materials, if Ming Gong sends reinforcements to save my Guangling, it is equivalent to an extra food supply place, this benefit three also!"

"Ming Gong to save my Guangling, there are not many soldiers and horses needed and there are three benefits, it can be described as a benefit without expense, this is the shallow view of the lower officials, please also ask Ming Gong to decide!"

Cao Cao listened to Chen Jiao's analysis, and couldn't help but be surprised, he didn't expect that the small Guangling Chen clan could cultivate two great talents like Chen Jiao and Chen Deng, and he rushed at these two people, and this Guangling County itself must be saved!

Cao Cao smiled slightly, and said: "Chen Gongcao is too modest, your words made me suddenly, I have made a decision, I am willing to send troops to rescue Guangling County!" I appreciate your talent very much, so you will stay by my side as an official, I don't know what you think? ”

Chen Jiao was worried about the situation in Guangling, where did he still have the heart to stay by Cao Cao's side, and hurriedly refused: "Back to the prime minister, it is an honor to be valued by Ming Gong and be an official by Ming Gong's side!" However, Guangling County is in danger, and I am too ordered to come to the prime minister for help, if I don't return to Guangling, my heart is really uneasy, and please forgive me! ”

Cao Cao saw that Chen Jiao did not forget his loyalty, and he appreciated him even more, and said: "Since this is the case, then wait until you defeat the Jiangdong soldiers and horses, and then you can come to Xudu." ”

Chen Jiao bowed down and bowed: "No, the next official will receive the order!" ”

Cao Cao saw that Chen Jiao should respond to this matter, and then said: "I have received the battle report of the Guangling war, you don't have to worry too much, Chen Taishou has defeated the Jiangdong soldiers and horses twice, and is currently holding on to resist Sun Quan in Sheyang, the battle report is here, you can take a look at it first." ”

When Chen Jiao heard this, he hurriedly took the battle report and read it, when he saw Chen Deng defeat Sun Quan twice, he was immediately overjoyed, Chen Yuanlong is really my Chen family's Qianli horse, after this battle, my Guangling Chen family will be famous all over the world!!

Chen Jiao quickly read the battle report, and his heart was a little lighter, the city of Sheyang was strong, the Jiangdong soldiers and horses were frustrated, and Yuan Longdang could hold on for a while.

Cao Cao saw that Chen Jiao finished reading the military report and said: "You are a little late, most of my 100,000 troops have already returned to Yanzhou, and the rest of the soldiers and horses are also quelling rebellions everywhere, and they are in the camp of Xiapi......"