"What the prime minister said is that Xiliang Ma Chao is indeed a trouble, and it should be solved as soon as possible." Jia Xu paused and chuckled: "Actually.... The minister and Zhongda have discussed, and there are two ways to solve the problem about Xiliang Ma Chao. ”

"Oh? Wen He, let's talk about it. ”

Cao Cao was worried about Xiliang all day long, and when he heard that Jia Xu had a plan, he was overjoyed.

Jia Xu replied: "The first way is to recruit An. The reason why Ma Chao is reluctant to submit to the prime minister is that he feels that the prime minister's name is Han Xiang, but he is actually a thief. The second is that the prime minister indirectly killed his father Ma Teng, and the revenge of killing his father is not shared. That's why he helped Yuan Xi many times and caused chaos behind us. If these two facts can be changed, it is not impossible to restrain Ma Chao with a holy decree. ”

Cao Cao snorted lightly: "You also said it just now, this is the truth. How can it be changed? ”

"Of course it can change." Jia Xu had already thought of a strategy, and said at this time: "First, cancel the affairs of the Prime Minister's Mansion and return the government to the Son of Heaven." Whether it is internal affairs, military affairs, or foreign affairs, they all go to the main hall and say that it is up to the Son of Heaven to decide and issue a holy decree. The second one.... ”

"What?!"

As soon as Jia Xu's words were spoken, Cao Cao stood up with a swish.

"The prime minister is angry, angry... The minister hasn't finished yet. The so-called cancellation of the Prime Minister's affairs and the return of government to the Son of Heaven is just for others to see. This will not shake the prime minister's position, but will increase the prestige of the prime minister. Prime Minister think about it... To whom are the officials and generals of these states and counties loyal? Cao Ren, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Xiahoudun, Xiahouyuan... Who are they loyal to? As long as these generals who lead troops are loyal to the prime minister, what else is the prime minister afraid of? Jia Xu explained.

Cao Cao felt reasonable, sat down slowly, and motioned, "You continue." ”

"Yes."

Jia Xu continued: "After returning to the Son of Heaven, you can't be superficial. We must do two practical things to win the trust of the world. Like what... The prime minister proposed in the court to attack Xiliang. However, the Son of Heaven disagreed, and so did the courtiers. In the end, the prime minister was isolated and had no choice but to give up. At the same time, the Son of Heaven sent his uncle Dong Cheng to take charge of Chang'an's soldiers and horses. Of course, this is all fake, the garrison of Chang'an is still in charge of General Cao Tai, and Dong Cheng is just a name. Then send the captain Yang Biao to take charge of the Yanzhou army. In this way, on the surface, the prime minister has lost almost all power. Subsequently, the Son of Heaven issued another order to bury Ma Teng, posthumously named him the history of Xiliang Thorn, and sent people to Xiliang to appease Ma Chao.... ”

"It's... Will it work? Cao Cao felt that Jia Xu's strategy was a bit dangerous.

What if all the ministers who are interested in the Han family attack him? Isn't it asking for trouble? Besides, Ma Chao is not stupid, will he believe that Han Tianzi has grasped the real power?

"Prime Minister, there are some things that you have to try to know." Jia Xu patiently persuaded: "Think about it... What is the current situation? Yuan Xi not only won Hebei, but also captured half of the Central Plains. His next step is to fight the prime minister. But the prime minister's strength is not as good as Yuan Xi, so why should he win? Is the prime minister sure? ”

"Ugh...." Cao Cao couldn't help but shake his head.

Jia Xu said: "In terms of territory, soldiers and horses, money and food, and connections, the prime minister is not as good as Yuan Xi, but there is one point, Yuan Xi is not as good as the prime minister." And this is precisely his fatal heel. ”

"What is it?"

"Morality!" Jia Xu said: "If the prime minister returns to the Son of Heaven, the prime minister's army... It is the real army of the Han Dynasty. And Liu Bei, Sun Quan, Yuan Xi, Ma Chao, etc., have become a chaotic army. In the name of the Son of Heaven, implementing some policies that benefit the country and the people and stabilize the hearts of the people and the army will definitely help to enhance the combat effectiveness of the army. ”

"Prime Minister still remembers that Liu Bei's army is very brave and good at fighting. In fact, he didn't train much, but his soldiers all understood that Liu Bei was the uncle of the Han Emperor, and he could help the Han family with Liu Bei, so he died outside the degree. ”

"If the prime minister's army really becomes the army of the Han Dynasty, and the soldiers are high-spirited and restore the demeanor of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in the past, what battle can't be won?"

.........

What Jia Xu said was the Tao, and it was also very reasonable, but Cao Cao had a lot of doubts and didn't dare to agree easily.

"I still have to think about it. Wenhe, let's talk about how to pacify Xiliang. In addition to Zhao'an, is there a strategy? Cao Cao diverted the conversation.

Jia Xu replied: "Except for Zhao'an... The only way to attack is to attack. Tens of thousands of troops were mobilized and stationed south of Banpujin to prevent Yuan Xi from galloping to aid Ma Chao. Then he gathered 100,000 troops, crossed the Wei River, crossed Longxi, and smashed Jincheng in Liangzhou. Although Ma Chao is brave, and Xiliang is good at field combat. But we can cast a city in Xiliang and lure Ma Chao to attack, and when he is exhausted, he will be annihilated in one fell swoop. ”

"Well, it's much simpler than returning to the Son of Heaven." Cao Cao barely took the test: "After the spring of next year, I will order a war with Ma Chao and completely pacify Xiliang." ”

"Yes..."

Jia Xu supported Cao Cao on the surface, but in fact he did not agree with Cao Cao's choice in his heart.

According to what I said before, returning to the Son of Heaven, almost no need to use troops, can pacify Xiliang, and it is possible to obtain Ma Chao's allegiance. Of course, this may be a bit difficult, but even if it is not successful, it will increase Cao Cao's prestige, which is a multi-tasking thing. It's a pity that Cao Cao didn't have the courage to try.

"Prime Minister, Prime Minister..." At this time, Sima Yi rushed in.

He looked a little panicked.

Cao Cao asked suspiciously: "Zhongda, what's the alarm?" ”

Jia Xu also looked sideways.

Sima Yi arched his hand and said: "The minister just received an urgent report that Liu Bei's army has left Sichuan and went straight to Hanzhong. Now it has entered the territory of Nanzheng. The battle between him and Zhang Lu is already on the verge of breaking out. ”

"Zhang Lu was afraid that he would not be able to defeat Liu Bei, so he asked Ma Chao for help..."

Cao Cao asked excitedly, "Did Ma Chao agree?" ”

"It's... The minister has not received the news yet, but Zhang Lu did send someone to Xiliang. Moreover, Liu Bei's army did arrive in Nanzheng. It is expected that in the fifth day, there will be a big war in Hanzhong. Sima Yi said.

"It would be great if Ma Chao commanded the troops to go to Hanzhong..." Cao Cao pondered in his heart.

As long as Xiliang is empty, he can mobilize the iron cavalry of Chang'an and Luoyang, enter Xiliang with lightning speed, and quickly attack various key roads. When Ma Chao came back, Xiliang was already in the imperial court.

"Prime Minister, the minister has a word, I don't know if I should say it?" Sima Yi swallowed.

"Zhongda, please speak up."

Cao Cao came back to his senses.

Sima Yi arched his hand and said: "The minister knows that since the Battle of Jingnan, the prime minister has always dreamed of pacifying Xiliang. This is what must be done before the decisive battle with Yuan Xi. The minister also agreed to mobilize heavy troops to fight with Ma Chao. But... Now the situation is different, Ma Chao's threat is far less than Liu Bei's. Once Liu Bei is allowed to capture Hanzhong, he can mobilize the Yizhou army at any time and go out along Hanzhong, or take Xiliang, or Chang'an, or down the river, and attack Jingzhou. I thought... The top priority is to immediately send troops and fight Liu Bei in Hanzhong. ”