When the news that Yuan Shao raised 500,000 troops to attack Cao Cao reached Xuchang, the government and the opposition were immediately shaken, each with different intentions, some people were excited, and some people were worried. Cao Cao also convened an emergency meeting of his subordinates to discuss the battle strategy. When everyone heard that Yuan had 500,000 soldiers, they were also more worried, only Cao Cao seemed very calm, and asked unhurriedly: "Yuan Shao raised 500,000 troops, do you have a strategy to deal with it?" "Even if our prime minister is very calm, but our army is less than 100,000, and we have to be sent to garrison everywhere, the generals don't dare to say it, for fear of making a mistake.

At this time, only Cao Cao's generals dared to be the first to speak, only to see Xiahou Dun stepped forward and said: "The soldiers are coming to block, although there are many Yuan soldiers, they are useless, as long as they frustrate their sharpness first, they naturally dare not be arrogant, and they are willing to be the vanguard." Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction and said: "Yuan Rang is right, the soldiers will block, I don't know how many men and horses our army can send to meet the battle now?" As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Xun Yu. Xun Yu was in charge of the logistics of Cao's army, so he naturally knew the number and distribution of the army well, and explained in detail: Although our army currently has as many as 150,000 regular troops, 30,000 troops in Luoyang and Guanzhong, 30,000 troops in Xuzhou, 20,000 troops in Wancheng and Runan, and the rest are stationed around Xuchang, and can meet the maximum of 70,000 troops of Yuan's army. ”

After Xun Yu's report, although everyone had already been mentally prepared, 70,000 against 500,000, everyone also gasped, and the disparity in strength was too great. However, Cao Cao was still very optimistic, and laughed and said: "This is an opportunity for everyone to leave a name in history, think about it, how much food does the 500,000 army need to consume a day, as long as our army blocks the Yuan army for a month, maybe it won't be used, the Yuan army will be in chaos, and it will be easy to break Yuan Shao." ”

At this time, a person outside the door walked into the room while applauding, and praised: "The prime minister is very human, although the Yuan army has 500,000 people, but they can't use it all, it's just empty of grain and grass, don't worry." Cao Cao hurriedly got up and said excitedly: "It turned out to be Fengxiao, and I came back just right, I don't know what Fengxiao taught me?" I saw Guo Jia Zhengse: Yuan Shao has ten defeats, and the prime minister has ten victories. Yuan Shao attaches too much importance to etiquette, and the prime minister is naturally decent, this defeat and victory are also; Yuan Shao sent troops to the nameless, and the prime minister maintained the Han family, and these two defeats and two victories were also; Yuan Shao is wide on the outside and taboo on the inside, and the prime minister is not suspicious of employing people, and these three defeats and three wins are also; Yuan Shao was lenient and lenient, and the prime minister acted in accordance with the law, and these four defeats and four victories were also; Yuan Shao is more resourceful and less decisive, and the prime minister is improvised, and these five defeats and five victories are also; Yuan Shaogu has a reputation, and the prime minister treats people sincerely, and these six defeats and six wins are also; Yuan Shao's woman's benevolence, and the prime minister has the world in mind, and these seven defeats and seven victories are also; Yuan Shao's slanderous words were confused, and the prime minister accepted advice, and these eight defeats and eight victories were also; Yuan Shao does not distinguish between right and wrong, and the prime minister distinguishes between right and wrong, and this nine defeats and nine victories are also; Yuan Shaohao is a false position, and the prime minister uses soldiers like a god, and this ten defeats and ten victories are also. Why is the prime minister worried about the big thing? ”

After Cao Cao listened to Guo Jiadi's theory of ten defeats and ten victories, he suddenly felt enlightened, and the generals were also happy to accept the order, and there was no more worry. When everyone retreated, only Guo Jia was still there, Cao Cao asked, "Does Fengxiao still have doubts?" Guo Jia nodded and said: "Yuan Shao is not a rival, and we have already designed countermeasures, but I am worried about Yuan Xi, this kid is unfathomable, once something happens on the Western Front, our Chinese army is in danger!" ”

Cao Cao also nodded: "What Feng Xiao said is very true, he defeated Lao Tzu, but lost to the boy, he really has to laugh and be generous." I don't know what is the best strategy for filial piety? Guo Jia seemed to hesitate and said: "If the prime minister can ignore the past suspicions and reuse these two, Yuan Xi will be powerless." Cao Cao said with a smile: "In extraordinary times, if there is no doubt about employing people, I can order Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu to guard Luoyang." Cao Cao's extraordinary bearing is what Guo Jia admires the most, even for Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu, who have a hatred of killing their sons, they are still reused after surrendering, Guo Jia thought about it and added: "If you can persuade Ma Teng to send troops to help, Luoyang will not have to worry about it." Cao Cao smiled: "I will order Zhong Xuan to contact Ma Teng, and I think that Zhong Xuan's ability will definitely persuade Ma Teng to send troops." ”

On the second day, Cao Cao summoned hundreds of officials to the pilgrimage to meet Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. Although the Han dynasty declined, a sense of ritual was still needed, and I saw Prime Minister Cao Cao step forward and respectfully play: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent report of the military situation from the front, and the general Yuan Shao rebelled and raised troops to attack Xuchang. I also hope that Your Majesty will give me an order to lead the army to fight against the traitors. "Some time ago, Dong Cheng and others rebelled, the three clans were executed, Xuchang was bleeding like a river, and it is still vivid, Emperor Han Xian was a puppet, but he just moved the holy decree to Cao Cao in a formal way, and a few words of condolences, then there is Prime Minister Lao, I wish the Prime Minister an early victory. Cao Cao got the holy decree, no matter whether the emperor was sincere or sincere, as long as the goal was achieved, he happily accepted the order and left.

As for Luoyang's heavy troops, Yuan Xishi didn't know. Xu Shu didn't expect Guo Jia to look up to Yuan Xi so much, and Guo Jia didn't know that there was another Xu Shu by Yuan Xi's side. Yuan Xi was arriving at Shangdang County at this time, and joined the soldiers and horses of Gao Gan. Gao Gan, as Yuan Shao's nephew, and Yuan Xi are a family, seeing that Yuan Xi treats him very enthusiastically, he is naturally willing to be dispatched by Yuan Xi, and said politely: "Xianyi is famous in the north, I can rest assured that you are leading the army, and the soldiers and horses of the state, including my cousin, will listen to your orders." Yuan Xi hurriedly said modestly: "Where is the cousin, you and my brothers, how can we divide each other." With me leading the army, when my father is rewarded for meritorious deeds, you and I will share the merits equally. Gao Gan agreed satisfiedly, and Yuan Xi sent the order to gather the soldiers and horses of the state, and he had something to say.