The military threat from Kansai was something that both the palace and the government had to face, and on one point, the two had a rare agreement.

And Guo Jia's words are actually Cao Cao's words in his heart.

Xun Yu felt an inexplicable sadness in his heart, and he asked with a strong spirit:

"Then I don't know where Ming Gong wants to move the imperial court?"

When Cao Cao heard this, he narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Xun Yu and said:

"Lone is going to move the imperial court to Juancheng, what does Wen Ruo think?"

Juancheng!

Xun Yu's mind moved, and blurted out:

"Duke Ming, is this going to unite with the Yuan clan and protect the Son of Heaven together?"

Xun Yu knew the geography of the counties under Cao Cao's rule well, and as soon as he heard that Cao Cao was preparing to move the Xudu court to Juancheng in Jiyin County, he immediately thought of the possibility of Yuan and Cao joining forces to protect the Son of Heaven and resist Yan Yan's troops in Guanxi.

And this is all determined by the geographical situation of Juancheng.

When he was welcoming the Son of Heaven, Cao Cao decided to set the capital in Yingchuan, Yuzhou, in order to prevent the Han court from being touched by the powerful Yuan Shao on the north bank of the Great River, but now the situation has changed, and the Yuan clan in Hebei has changed from a potential enemy to an ally of lip and tooth, and Yan Yan in Guanxi, who is not a problem, has grown into a separatist force with a great threat to the court of Xudu.

In order to reach a deeper cooperation with the Yuan clan in Hebei Province politically, it became a natural choice for Cao Cao to jointly deal with the infantry cavalry in Guanxi militarily and to share the power of the imperial court with the Yuan clan.

Of course, Sikong Mansion's external reason is that Hebei is solid and Juancheng is close to the big river, which is convenient for the Yuan family in Hebei to transport grain and straw to worship the Son of Heaven.

Cao Cao bowed slightly, in the matter of moving the capital, he relied on Xun Yu, who served as Shang Shuling, and did not intend to hide anything from him, and then said:

"Indeed, the Guanxi Yan thieves are powerful, and it is not enough to compete with them alone, and form an alliance with Hebei, with the help of Hebei Yuan's soldiers, horses, grain and grass to crusade against the rebellion, and the Zhongxing Han family is agreed upon by Lone and Zhongdegong, Fengxiao and others. Lone also prepared to go to the imperial court and sent an envoy to Yecheng to announce the edict, so that the original son Xianfu would inherit his father's title and rule the three states of Hebei, You, and Sanzhou. ”

As soon as Cao Cao's words fell, the talented Xun Yu had already heard his voice: Cao Cao was ready to insert into the battle between the Yuan brothers in Hebei, support Yuan Shang in Yecheng to inherit the Yuan family's foundation, and in the future, the two families would form an alliance against Yan Yan in Guanxi, and Yuan Tan, who was a political exchange bargaining chip, and Qingzhou under his rule were obviously about to fall into the pocket of Sikong Mansion.

Sure enough, Cao Cao, who paused for a moment, quickly said:

"As for Yuan Tan in Qingzhou, he disobeyed Wang Hua, disobeyed his father's orders, had treacherous intentions, and was dedicated to secession, and he was ready to send troops to fight with Yecheng in the spring of next year, and Yuan Xianfu of Yecheng had promised that after the matter was completed, all the counties south of the big river in Qingzhou would be handed over to the court officials for governance, and since then the North-South Alliance has worked together to fight against the Yan thieves!"

Sure enough, Sikong is playing a big game of chess!

Xun Yu said silently in his heart. In troubled times, the weak eat the strong, Cao Cao is located in the Central Plains four wars, only continue to forge ahead, in order to grow and develop, otherwise there is only a dead end, at present, Yanyan in Guanxi is powerful, Jingxiang Liu Biao's strength still exists, Jiangdong Sun Quanjun and ministers are concentric, Cao Cao only has his brother in the wall of Hebei Yuan can be sought.

Of course, if you take a long-term view, this alliance with Yuan Shang of Jizhou to eliminate Yuan Tan of Qingzhou is probably only the first step in the huge plan formulated by Cao Cao and his advisers.

It's just that Xun Yu still felt a trace of worry in his heart, and he asked:

"Duke Ming, the matter of moving the capital involves a lot of people, in addition to coordinating the government and the opposition and appeasing the hearts of all parties, we must also prevent Guanxi and Jingxiang from taking the opportunity to send troops!"

"It's nature." Cao Cao apparently had this in mind as well, and he said:

"According to the report of the colonel of Guanzhong, Yan Yanming sent troops to the south to conquer Zhanglu, and has recently seized a place in Hanzhong, Hanzhong is the throat of Bashu, if it is only occupied by the rice thief Zhang Lu, then Yizhou Liu Zhang is still just a mustard, and now it is seized by the Yan thief in Guanzhong, I am afraid that Liu Zhang's monarchs and ministers will be unable to sleep and eat, and they will be shocked a day.

"Besides, Gu is already planning to send an envoy to make peace with Liu Biao."

"This..."

Even though Xun Yu was outstandingly resourceful, he pondered for a while.

Cao Jun had just severely damaged Liu Biao's Jingxiang soldiers and horses in Nanyang, and the two families were enemies of each other, so why did they turn into a call for peace in an instant.

Cao Cao saw Xun Yu's thoughtful face, smiled slightly, glanced at Guo Jia and said:

"This is Fengxiao and Ziyang's strategy, Yan Yan's soldiers and horses not only took the land of Hanzhong, but also Xicheng, Shangyong, Fangling and other cities, this place is the junction of Hanzhong and Nanjun, and now Guanxi is strong, I am afraid that Liu Biao has already been jealous, but he dares to be angry and dare not speak. Therefore, Feng Xiao and Ziyang both suggested that they should go to the imperial court alone, send an envoy to Xiangyang, worship Liu Biao as the great Sima, return several cities and prisoners in Xinye, and the two families should strike the army and make peace. ”

"After that, you can take advantage of Yiling and send an envoy to Chengdu to praise Liu Yan and his son for the imperial court's efforts to defend the western soil, and canonize Liu Zhang as the general of Zhenxi and the pastor of Yizhou."

After listening to Cao Cao's explanation, Xun Yu immediately understood. This is Sikong Mansion's plan to cut off diplomatic relations, using the names of the imperial court to draw the two separatist forces of Jingxiang and Bashu to the side of the imperial court.

The position of the great Sima is high and powerful, this dynasty is not permanent, and for decades, only Liu Yu, the clan relative who guards Youyan, and Li Dao, the minister who controls the Son of Heaven, has served as it, and now this honorific position is awarded to Liu Jingsheng, who loves false names, and then induces the benefits of the city and the captivity, I believe that Jing Xiang will soon choose to make peace with Cao Cao.

And since the position of general can be awarded to Yuan Shang of Yecheng, then it doesn't matter if he is named the general of Zhenxi, I believe that Liu Zhang, who has a serious lack of prestige in Shuzhong, also covets the title of the general of Zhenxi, so that he can be pulled to his own camp.

With Liu Biao and Liu Zhang, the two separatist forces restraining Guanxi, Cao Cao was confident that he would block Guanxi's infantry in the west of Chenggao, and benefit from the fishermen on the land of Hebei.

At this point, Xun Yu could only coordinate with the palace and the province to cooperate, but he looked at Cao Cao, who used the court and the Son of Heaven as a tool to fight for hegemony, and became more and more loyal in his behavior, and then thought about Zhong Changtong's lament when he left, and he couldn't help but fall into confusion in his heart.

If it really comes to that point, where should the court and the Son of Heaven go?

···

In the spring of the eighth year of Jian'an, the land of Kanto made waves again. Cao Cao went to the imperial court, on the grounds that Juancheng was close to the big river and was conducive to transporting grain and straw to the royal family in various parts of the eastern part of the country, and he led the soldiers and horses to move the Son of Heaven and the imperial court to the territory of Jiyin.

The Son of Heaven arrived in Juancheng under the escort of Cao's army, and Yuan Shang, the newly promoted general, immediately sent an envoy to deliver grain to the royal family, and played the crime of Yuan Tan, the assassin of Qingzhou, to the imperial court, and asked to send troops to fight against it, so as to show his loyalty to the Han family and the righteous act of destroying relatives.

Subsequently, the two families tacitly issued an edict to crusade against Qingzhou. Cao Cao left Xun Yu and Xiahoudun to preside over the follow-up matters of moving the capital, and he led Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Liu Dai, Liu Ruo, Lu Zhao and other generals to meet the Taishan soldiers and horses of Zang Ba, Sun Guan and others, and the troops were divided into two routes to attack Qingzhou, Jinan, Beihai and other counties.

And Yuan Shang of Jizhou also defended and attacked, gathering a large number of men and horses to attack Yuan Tan in the plains, trying to completely wipe out Yuan Tan's forces with Cao Cao in the south and north.

In the case of being attacked on both sides, Yuan Tan, who had previously taken the opportunity of most of the Jizhou elite soldiers to lose most of the losses, and Yuan Shangjiao, who had defeated more and fewer defeats, finally couldn't resist it, although Yuan Tan mobilized troops and horses to resist Cao's army in Wengkou Road and Muling Pass, but there was no danger to defend the plain country but it was in danger, and the Qingzhou army, which was insufficient in strength, was repeatedly defeated by Yuan Shang's Jizhou army, and if it continued like this, Yuan Tan was not far from defeat.

In extreme danger, Yuan Tan was defeated and fled back to Linjiang City, and Yuan Tan had to convene his henchmen to discuss countermeasures.

···

Inside the Assassin's House.

Yuan Tan looked at the many civil and military officers in the hall with a pale face, he could feel that these people who boasted of their bravery and resourcefulness on weekdays had already confused their minds at the moment, just now, someone actually proposed to surrender to Jizhou, and some people even suggested that he take a boat to float in the sea, set off in Donglai, and fled to the rule of Gongsun Du, who was in Liaodong.

Isn't this about giving oneself the head to others?

Yuan Tan's vicious gaze swept over everyone in the hall, in addition to these stupid suggestions, I am afraid that there are some civil and military forces who have hidden the evil intention of selling the lord to seek glory. Just two days ago, the general Liu Xun counterattacked in Luoyin City, causing Yuan Tan's army to lose another battle in the plains, unable to resist the invasion of Jizhou soldiers and horses, and Qingzhou's counties on the north bank of the Great River all fell, it is not far off.

"Ming Gong, the matter is in danger, for today's plan, the only way to quell the rebellion is to borrow troops!"

Guo Tu rolled his round eyes, and after thinking about it for a while, he finally said what he thought.

"Borrowing troops to quell the rebellion? Whose soldiers are borrowed? ”

Yuan Tan, who was in a state of confusion, didn't react for a while, was stunned for a moment, and blurted out.

"Kansai, Xiliang soldiers!"

Guo Tu said in a firm tone. But as his words fell, the other civil and military forces in the hall were also in an uproar.

You must know that Kansai Yan Yan is the great enemy of the Yuan family, if it weren't for the defeat in Bingzhou, Yuan Shao would not ——, blame it like this, Kansai Yan Yan is Yuan Tan's father-killing enemy, Spring and Autumn Righteousness, such a blood feud, although the ninth generation can still be avenged, how can Qingzhou be a small service to Kanxi Yan Yan, who has a deep blood feud, and ask for reinforcements at the moment.

"Absolutely not, this is a plan to lure the wolf into the house, and there will be endless troubles, so that you must not obey!"

Don't drive Wang Xiu's attitude is the most intense, he took the lead in speaking out against Guo Tu's proposal, and bluntly said that the invasion of Hebei by the tiger and wolf army in Guanxi was definitely the result of luring the wolf into the house and causing endless trouble.

But Guo Tu smiled coldly, he wouldn't argue with Wang Xiu about the righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, but asked directly:

"Oh? Since Wang Bei thought that this plan was absolutely unfeasible, could it be that there was a better strategy nowadays to relieve the worries of Ming Gong? ”

"Ten rooms of the city, there must be loyal soldiers, not to mention that Qingzhou still has a number of counties, as long as the king admires the people, does not skimp on wealth and goods, and forms the hearts of the people, the people of Qingzhou are willing to fight for the king to kill the enemy, and the hearts of the people will definitely be able to repel the enemy army and keep Qingzhou."

Before Wang Xiu finished speaking, Guo Tu sneered and stopped answering, and Yuan Tan, who was at the top, was also displeased, he didn't doubt Wang Xiu's loyalty, but just let him practice benevolence and rely on the unity of his subordinates and officials to resist the invasion of the enemy, this kind of thing he would never do.

Yuan Tan knew very well in his heart that with Liu Xun's rebellion in front, if the situation in Qingzhou did not improve in the future, the traitor seeking glory would be like a carp crossing the river, scrambling to dedicate his head to Yuan Shang and Cao Cao.

"Okay, I still have to think about this matter, you guys should step back first."

Yuan Tan waved his hand distraughtly to let everyone retreat, Wang Xiu saw that Guo Tu and the Xin family brothers had no sign of leaving, and knew that Yuan Tan was going to discuss with them the specific details of sending an envoy to borrow troops from Yan Yan in Guanxi, he was in a hurry, and hurriedly said:

"Envoy, borrowing soldiers is an act of drinking to quench your thirst—"

"That's enough, step down!"

Yuan Tan's face also changed, and he scolded sharply, Wang Xiu was rudely interrupted, his face was surprised, and then he could only withdraw from the hall gloomily.

Benevolence, benevolence, death is coming, what is the effect of this benevolence and righteousness!

Yuan Tan's expression was ugly, looking at Wang Xiu's bleak back, his hands were clenched into fists, and he kept roaring in his heart.

"Ming Gong, Ming Gong."

Guo Tu's voice attracted Yuan Tan's attention, and he reluctantly gathered his spirit and said:

"Go on, how can I ask the strong troops in Guanxi to help me retreat from the enemy and capture Jizhou?"

Guo Tu nodded, glanced at Xin Ping and Xin Bi before continuing:

"Ming Gong, Tu and Zhongzhi discussed that they could use profit as an inducement and cede land to pay each other, and invited Yan Yanming to form an alliance with the cities and households of Changshan, Zhaoguo, Weijun, and Zhongshan, and send troops to help each other to contain the enemy forces in Jizhou and Yanyu to relieve the siege of Qingzhou. In addition, if Guanxi sends troops to help Ming Gong seize Jizhou, then after the matter is completed, Jizhou is willing to pay a generous coin and worship the leader of the alliance······"

Every time Guo Tu said a condition for asking for reinforcements, the muscles in Yuan Tan's face trembled, once upon a time, the Yuan clan of Runan was the leader of Heshuo, and his strength was the best in the world, and it was difficult for the heroes to look at it, but now, he actually wanted to take the low and small, humble and generous coins, and cut the land to give to others.

Yuan Tan suddenly wanted to categorically refuse in his heart, but this idea was ruthlessly extinguished by himself as soon as it sprouted.

He can't lose, he doesn't want to die.

Since Yuan Shang could betray Qingzhou and invite Cao Cao to send troops, how could he not cede half of Jizhou to seek Yan Yan's soldiers and horses in Guanxi.

Yuan Tan's complexion, which had made up his mind, returned to normal in an instant, and he said firmly:

"Okay, needless to say, I agreed, as long as I can relieve the siege of Qingzhou and seize Jizhou, no matter how big the price is, I will not hesitate to do it. It's just that the Yuan and Yan families were originally enemies, and Qingzhou had no contact with Guanxi, sneaking westward, and they needed a wise and brave man as a messenger, all the kings-"

"Ming Gong, I am willing to go!"

Before Yuan Tan finished speaking, one of the people in the hall had already taken the initiative to ask Ying to envoy to Chang'an.