Sun Quan retreated to Cangwu, and Liu Bei entered Yizhou.

Cao Cao returned to Yecheng, and Cao Shuo went to Shouchun.

The three forces have settled down, and there is no sign of fighting each other.

The world's three points have already taken initial shape.

Before Cao Shuo left, he declared to Yangzhou that he would not collect taxes for ten years, and built military villages in various places to house Jiangdong soldiers who had surrendered but were not suitable for being incorporated into the standing army.

The soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou, who were in panic all day long, did not completely settle down until this time.

Especially the surrendered Jiangdong soldiers, before they were resettled, each of them was worried that they would be cut off at any time.

But after settling down, they found that their new homes not only had fields and houses, but even each family was issued armor and weapons.

To a certain extent, they took on the responsibility of guarding Yangzhou.

Returning to Shouchun, Cao Shuo took the land route.

On the Yangtze River, the navy army led by Zhang Yun has also grown a lot stronger than before, not only the number of sailors has increased, but the number of soldiers has also increased several times compared with before.

Being a soldier under Cao Shuo is different from being under other heroes.

Many heroes have soldiers and horses, and the soldiers can only eat a full meal, but Cao Shuo's subordinates are different, the soldiers eat very well, and they have meat for a meal.

Not only that, but the standing army even has a monthly salary, which can be used to supplement the family.

Upon hearing this news, many civilians enthusiastically joined the army.

However, many people come with confidence and return disappointed.

The Standing Army must be strong and burly in selecting soldiers, while the Navy Army must have a good water character in selecting soldiers.

Many of those who came to join the army were not at all suitable to join the standing army.

Some of the old and weak were sent home, and many more were settled in the military household village and became the military household of Yangzhou.

The journey back to Shouchun from Jingzhou is not very close, but it is not too far.

Accompanying Cao Shuo, Sima Yi said: "Gongzi's standing army under his command should soon expand to 50,000 people, and there are countless military households. Looking at the world, there is probably no one else who can compare with Gongzi except Cao Gong. ”

"Who said that?" Cao Shuo said: "The Jiangdong Sun family and Yizhou Liu Bei will definitely be able to raise a large number of troops in a few years. ”

"Liu Bei and the Sun family are both defeated under Gongzi, is it possible that Gongzi will still be afraid of them?" Sima Yi asked.

"I'm not afraid of them, but the terrain of Yizhou and Jiaozhou is complicated, and I will definitely not be able to take it for a while." Cao Shuo said: "With these two, we may switch from the past offense to defense. The troubled times really can't end for a while. ”

"Before you can't crusade against these two, what are your son's plans?" Sima Yi asked.

"There's a lot more to do." Cao Shuo said: "The north has not yet been pacified, and after returning to Shouchun, it will not be long before I lead the navy into the North Sea, where I will build the North Sea Navy to prepare for the future with the North." As for his father, he also had a lot to do. Xiliang did not completely obey the Cao family, Hanzhong and Yizhou approved zero, if the Cao family did not take Hanzhong into their hands, sooner or later it would be taken away by Liu Bei. Once Liu Bei gets Hanzhong, it will be even more difficult to destroy him in the future. ”

"Liu Bei has been in the Central Plains for many years, and he has never been able to gain a firm foothold in one place, but he didn't expect to settle down in Yizhou in the end." Sima Yi said: "It's just that I pity Liu Zhang, if he has half of Liu Bei's ability, Yizhou will not give it away." ”

"That's what Zhongda said." Cao Shuo nodded: "Although I hate Liu Bei very much, I have to say that this person does have some skills." At that time, he was just a villain who weaved mats and sold shoes, but after many years, he was already a heroic man second only to the Cao family. If there are no means, it is a luxury for a person from a humble background like him to survive in the troubled times. ”

"That's what Childe said." Sima Yi responded.

"You met Lu Xun a few days ago, what do you think of his ability?" Cao Shuo asked suddenly.

Sima Yi replied: "In terms of ability, Lu Xun is not inferior to Zhou Yu, if we are equal in soldiers and horses, the victory or defeat is only five or five." ”

"The Sun family is short of people now." Cao Shuo said: "After retreating to Cangwu, Sun Quan will definitely not give up, and he will send troops to Yangzhou sooner or later." Lu Xun's future is limitless. It's just that when I met Pang Shiyuan, I don't think he can get much benefit. ”

"Childe has forgotten someone." Sima Yi said in a low voice.

"Are you talking about Guo Fengxiao?" Cao Shuo asked.

"Exactly." Sima Yi said: "Guo Fengxiao is called a ghost, but the son just raised him in Shouchun, doesn't he feel that he is a violent thing." ”

"What do you mean......" Cao Shuo asked him.

"When the son goes out on the expedition in the future, he can take Guo Fengxiao with him." Sima Yi replied: "After following Gongzi for a long time, he will gradually not want to return to Cao Gong, and without him by Cao Gong's side, he will gradually be ignored over time." ”

"In the name of treating him, I left him in Shouchun." Cao Shuo said: "I'm afraid that if I often take him on expeditions, my father will find an opportunity to ask me for someone." ”

"Actually, I don't quite understand." Sima Yi said: "Guo Fengxiao is by the side of Cao Gong, and sooner or later he will serve under the prince's account. Why did Childe want to keep him in Shouchun, so that such a talent could not be used. ”

"Does Zhongda think that if I become the son of the world, the Cao family will definitely fall into my hands in the future?" Cao Shuo asked.

"Isn't it?" Sima Yi said: "The sons of the Cao family are not as good as the sons in terms of talents, not as good as the sons in terms of the soldiers and horses under their command, and not as good as the sons in terms of identity. Cao Gong has already justified Gongzi's name, is it possible that there will be people who will try to take advantage of Gongzi? ”

"Don't ignore people's desire for power." Cao Shuo smiled slightly and said to Sima Yi: "If you get the opportunity, you will definitely allocate more power from me." When I can't restrain you, will you take your place? ”

Cao Shuo's words stunned Sima Yi for a moment.

He then hurriedly said: "Childe treats me like a mountain, and I will never do anything unfavorable to Childe." ”

"Do you know what I wish for most?" Cao Shuo gently patted Sima Yi's arm and asked him in a low voice.

Looking at Cao Shuo suspiciously, Sima Yi said: "Forgive me for being stupid, I can't guess the mind of the son." ”

"What I hope most is that in the future, when you and I are old, I can die behind you." Cao Shuo said with a smile: "But Zhongda is a few years older than me, and this wish should not be difficult to come true." Otherwise, I really don't believe that my son can live with you! ”

When Cao Shuo said such a thing, Sima Yi's heart was suddenly shocked, and he hurriedly said: "Gongzi Mingjian, I definitely don't have the slightest disobedience. ”

"Of course I know Zhongda's thoughts, I just praise you for your talent." Cao Shuo smiled and said, "You don't have to be so nervous. ”