The Han River is not dangerous or spacious, but for Cao Cao, who lacks a naval army, it is already great luck to be able to cross the Han River smoothly and land on the south bank of the Han River. If Cai Mao can listen to Wen Ping's opinion and snipe Cao Jun at the mouth of the Han River, I am afraid that Cao Jun can only sigh with admiration.

There were two choices in front of Cao Jun, one was to pursue Liu Beijun, and the other was to capture Xiangyang. Liu Bei was once regarded by Cao Cao as the main opponent, and even ranked above Yuan Shao, but after so many years, Liu Bei has been on the run, and this opponent has somewhat disappointed Cao Cao.

Cao Cao did not forget that the main purpose of this southward trip was to seize Jingzhou, and said to everyone: "Although Liu Bei is in front of him, I heard that Liu Biaoxin in Jingzhou is mourning, if my army quickly surrounds Xiangyang, Xiangyang will be chaotic, Liu Cong is young and ignorant, Cai Maozhi is talented and sparse, and Xiangyang will be obtained by me." In Guo Jia's absence, no one felt that Liu Bei was still a threat, and agreed with Cao Cao's strategy of quickly encircling Xiangyang.

Wen Ping, who had just left Xiangyang City, saw that Liu Bei was not retreating to Xiangyang, so he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Why doesn't Uncle Liu Huang go to Xiangyang for temporary refuge?" Now that the lord is newly mourned, Xiangyang's morale is low, if there is no support from the emperor's uncle, I am afraid that Xiangyang will fall into the hands of Cao Cao. ”

When Liu Bei heard that Liu Biao was dead, he remembered Liu Biao's kindness to him in the past, and unconsciously cried, and said sadly to Wen Ping: "I have always been at odds with Cai Mao, and he will definitely prevent me from entering Xiangyang to hide." Brother Jingsheng had the intention of passing on the throne to the eldest prince in Japan, although Brother Jingsheng is gone, I must also complete his will, assist the eldest prince, and take charge of Jingzhou. ”

Wen Ping was a far-sighted general, and once Cao's army crossed the Han River, even if there were 100,000 troops in Xiangyang, it would not be able to hold it. The only advantage of the Jingzhou army and the Cao army is the navy, and giving up the only advantage is no different from surrendering. Wen Ping wanted to do his best to defend Jingzhou, so he led his troops to block the Cao army, and said to Liu Bei: "Uncle Huang can protect the people to leave first, Wen Ping will go to the Han army now to prevent the Cao army from crossing the river." ”

Liu Bei was also amazed at Wenpin's loyalty, but just relying on the thousands of soldiers and horses hired by Wenpin, it was not enough for Cao Jun to stuff his teeth. Zhuge Liang stepped forward and persuaded: "General Wen, the Cao army has crossed the Han River and will chase after it soon, General Wen is just going to die, it is better to follow the imperial uncle to Jiangxia to join the eldest prince first, and then make plans." Wen Ping thought for a moment and decided to follow Liu Bei to Jiangxia to join Liu Qi.

Cao Cao led a large army to surround Xiangyang and shouted Liu Cong to come out and talk, otherwise he would attack Xiangyang immediately. Liu Cong was afraid, so he could only go up to the city to meet Cao Cao with the support of everyone in Jingzhou. Cao Cao saw that Liu Cong was cowardly, and frightened: "Nian Liu Jingsheng has contributed to Jingzhou, I will give you three days to handle the funeral, and go out of the city to surrender, I can guarantee you glory and wealth." If you don't surrender and break through the city, you will have three days to think! ”

Although there are still 100,000 troops in Xiangyang, Cai Mao does not have the confidence he had before, and suggested that Liu Cong deal with the aftermath first, and then discuss whether to fight or vote. Liu Cong said boldly: "Please also ask Cao Sikong to withdraw the army for ten miles first, and then reply to Sikong after I have handled my father's funeral." Cao Cao knew that he had deterred Liu Cong and Cai Mao, and in order to reassure the people of Jingzhou and keep his promise, he retreated ten miles, set up camp, and waited for Liu Cong to surrender.

When Cao's army retreated, Kuai Yue suggested to Liu Cong: "If you suddenly kill at this time, you will definitely win!" Liu Cong had already been frightened by Cao Cao's army of more than 100,000 people, and this time he refused directly without consulting Cai Mao: "Cao Sikong treats me with integrity, how can I be treacherous, once I anger Cao Cao, the consequences will be unimaginable, let's finish my father's funeral first!" ”

Yuan Xi returned triumphantly and heard that Cao Cao led his army south to Jingzhou and wanted to raise troops to attack Xuchang. Tian Feng advised: "General, our army has been fighting for the past two years, although there is enough food and grass and complete supplies, but the sergeants are tired after all. Although Cao Jun can take advantage of Liu Biaoxin's funeral and capture Jingzhou, it will not be able to pacify Jingzhou in a short period of time, so it is better to make a truce first and wait for the opportunity. ”

Jia Xu, who has never liked to perform this time, also advised: "What Tian Gong said is extremely true, according to the detailed report, Liu Bei just appointed Zhuge Liang as a military advisor, defeated Xiahoudun in Bowangpo, and there will be a competition with Cao Cao." If our army sends troops so soon, I am afraid that it will be cheaper Liu Bei! ”

Zhuge Liang still voted for Liu Bei, this is Yuan Xi's most disappointed thing, if you want to say who Yuan Xi is most afraid of, of course, it is Zhuge Liang, once Liu Bei gets Jingzhou, I am afraid it will be difficult to subdue. Yuan Xi nodded and said: "What the two old gentlemen said is extremely true, always pay attention to the situation in Jingzhou, and never let Cao Cao or Liu Bei capture Jingzhou!" ”

After Liu Cong handled Liu Biao's funeral, he convened his ministers to discuss how to deal with Cao Cao. Han Song advised: "Our army has missed a good opportunity to block Cao's army, and Xiangyang may not be able to resist Cao's army, so it is better to surrender to Cao Cao." Cao Cao should be able to keep his promise and ensure that the lord is prosperous and rich. ”

Everyone was silent, but they just looked at Cai Mao and asked him to decide, today's consequences are all because of Cai Mao. Originally, following Wen Ping's advice, Xiangyang would be safe and sound, but later, following Kuai Yue's advice, there was still hope for victory, but now his morale is completely gone, and there is no other way than surrender.

Cai Mao saw everyone looking at him, although he was ready to surrender to Cao Cao, but he didn't want to say it from his mouth, and said to Liu Cong generously and heroically: "The lord can make his own decisions, whether to fight or vote, I will follow the lord to the death!" ”

Three days later, Liu Cong sent Han Song as an envoy to surrender to Cao's army. Cao Cao smoothly entered Xiangyang, and received Cai Mao's army of 100,000, and in the name of Liu Cong, he surrendered the counties. It's a pity that Liu Bei has been prepared for a long time, and spread Liu Biao in Jiangling, Jiangxia and Jingnan counties to actually set up Liu Qi as the heir, Liu Cong has become Cao Cao's puppet, not to be trusted.

The envoys sent by Cao Jun to surrender, except for Cai Zhong of Nanjun who was willing to surrender because of Cai Mao's advice, the rest of them like Han Xuan, Liu Du, Zhao Fan, Jin Xuan and others were unsuccessful, Cao Cao was furious and decided to attack Liu Bei first and kill the chickens and monkeys. Xun You stopped: "Lord, now the richest Nanyang County and Nanjun in Jingzhou are already in the hands of our army. Liu Bei only has one place in Jiangxia, and he can't afford to turn up too much wind and waves, and the remaining four counties of Jingnan are mostly remote, and it is useless to attack them. Our army should make good arrangements for the appointment of Jingzhou, and it is a good policy to return to Xuchang as soon as possible. ”

Yuan Xi gave Cao Jun too much damage, whether it was Cao Cao or Cao Cao's generals, they all thought that Yuan Xi was the great enemy. Not long ago, the news of Yuan Xi's triumphant return had spread from Xuchang to Xiangyang, Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren to guard Nanjun and Xiangyang with full favor, and Cai Mao Zhang Yun led the naval army to garrison in Wulin to resist Liu Bei.

Cao Cao kept his promise, and the old strategists and civil officials of Jingzhou, such as Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, Deng Yi, and Liu Xian, were all reused, while the military generals led by Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were squeezed out, and Cao Cao was also worried that these new military generals would support their own troops, so Cai Mao and Zhang Yun led troops to resist Liu Bei, while Jun Huo and Wei Yan fled to Jiangxia and took refuge in Liu Bei. As for Liu Cong and Cai, they followed Cao Cao to Xuchang and did not let the two continue to stay in Jingzhou.

Yuan Xi most wanted to see Cao Cao and Liu Bei fighting to the death in Jingzhou, secretly developing his strength and giving the two of them a fatal blow. Now Cao Cao thinks he is smart and lets Liu Bei go, Jingzhou will be obtained by Liu Bei sooner or later, and with Liu Bei's ambition, he will definitely seize Yizhou. He must not let Liu Bei live too easily, and his strategist Pang Tong presented Yuan Xi with a plan to drive away the tiger and devour the wolf, and the general Cheng Pu under Sun Quan was the Taishou of Jiangxia.

Jiangxia is nominally dominated by Liu Qi, and Liu Qi trusts Liu Bei very much and regards Liu Bei as his greatest support. Zhuge Liang heard that Cao Cao had returned to the north, leaving Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to guard Wulin, and said with great joy: "Lord, Cao Cao sent Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to guard Wulin, one is to distrust Cai Mao, and the other is to let Cai Mao guard our army." It's a pity that he miscalculated, Cai Mao was definitely not convinced, and Liang was willing to go to Wulin to persuade Cai Mao to cooperate with our army and deal with Cao Jun. ”