Cao Cao looked at his brother Cong with a serious face, and Cao Ren, who was also the most trusted general, and said word by word, "Zixiao, you immediately order 20,000 soldiers and horses, and set off to return to Yanzhou overnight, increase vigilance, and strictly arm!" Before the beginning of spring, we must not let a soldier and a horse cross the river to the south! ”

The doubts on Cao Ren's face flashed, but he still carried out Cao Cao's order to the letter, and after giving up his promise, he turned around and left. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

However, Xiahoudun couldn't hold his breath and asked: "Isn't there an offensive and defensive alliance between Yuan Benchu and our army?" Yuan Benchu was a human being, and he was the most vain name, so he shouldn't tear up the covenant and go to war without declaring it, right? And as far as I know, Yuan Jun is currently in an extremely difficult situation, self-protection is still insufficient, and there is no possibility of taking the initiative to attack! Now that the war is in full swing, the Xuzhou army is unexpectedly tenacious, and at this time, nearly half of the soldiers and horses are suddenly withdrawn, which affects the progress of the war is acceptable. What I'm most worried about is that Cao Bao's troops will not be long after they surrender, and if they lose the deterrence of the superiority of forces, in case Cao Bao surrenders and rebels......"

Cao Cao sighed helplessly, "I don't know that Cao Bao is not credible, just for the sake of stability in the rear, he has to be so ......"

"Huh?"

Xiahoudun was taken aback, "Could it be that Lu Bu has appeared again?" ”

The story that happened during the last expedition to Xuzhou was too impressive for everyone in Cao Jun. Zhang Miao and Lu Bu joined forces, and they had almost completely cut off their way back, if it wasn't for Cheng Yu standing up at a critical moment, what serious consequences would be, Xiahoudun never dared to think about it. This is also the reason why Cheng Yu of Xuzhou in the second expedition is still left in Yanzhou by Cao Cao.

"Lu Bu?"

Cao Cao snorted coldly, "It's just a puppet, don't worry!" ”

Xiahoudun's heart had just been put down a little, and he quickly brought it up again, "It's not Yuan Shao, it's not Lu Bu, it's Yuan Shu?" ”

Dong Zhao smiled bitterly: "General Yuan let him not speculate randomly, the lord's move is only for the sake of safety, and there is no accurate information." ”

Xiahoudun frowned and said, "That's also, it's too safe." ”

Cao Cao groaned: "What Yuan Rang said is not unreasonable, Cao Bao's mind is unpredictable, and staying in the army is always a hidden danger. I wasn't worried about him breaking out before, but now I have to guard against it. ”

After thinking about it for a while, Dong Zhao had already guessed Cao Cao's plan, and asked a little worriedly: "Has the lord ever considered how to stabilize the military morale of the Xuzhou soldiers afterwards?" If it causes panic and triggers a roar, it will be difficult to clean up. ”

Cao Cao sighed and said: "I don't have a very safe way in my heart, I can only do my best and obey the destiny of heaven!" Yuan Rang, you go and find Zang Ba. ”

Zang Ba, whose name is Xuangao, is a native of Huaxian County, Taishan County. When he was young, he was exiled to the rivers and lakes because of robbing the prison to save his father, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he defected to Tao Qian's account, and soon stood out by Tao Qian with his personal bravery, and was appointed by Tao Qian as a cavalry captain, responsible for recruiting troops to resist the Yellow Turban.

After the Yellow Turban was pacified, he opened the sun with Yin Li and Sun Guantun and was responsible for guarding the north gate of Xuzhou.

When Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, Tao Qian was still there, so Zang Ba had no dissent, and desperately resisted until Cao's army withdrew. But with Tao Qian's death and Xuzhou's change of ownership, the fledgling Zang Ba had a different mind. Liu Bei had no merit, but he became his top boss, which made Zang Ba feel unhappy, and naturally he would not work for Liu Bei. Therefore, when Cao Cao's army arrived, Zang Ba, Sun and Yin discussed, and then took the initiative to open the city and surrender, and surrendered to Cao Cao's account.

Zang Ba, who is about 30 years old, was born with a tiger's back and a bear's waist, majestic, and walked with a tiger, but in front of Cao Cao, he was extremely deferential, bowing and respectful.

Cao Cao looked at Zang Ba and nodded with satisfaction, and asked, "If I let you take over Cao Bao's Xuzhou Army, can Xuan Gao be sure?" ”

Zang Ba thought about it for a while, and his face showed a hint of embarrassment, but under Cao Cao's blazing gaze, he still straightened his body and replied loudly: "The last general will be deadly!" ”

Cao Cao shook his head dissatisfied, "This matter is related to the safety of the three armies, and there is no room for sloppiness, you can just tell the truth." ”

Zang Ba thought about it again and said in a deep voice: "The only thing I'm worried about is that the three thousand Danyang soldiers are not easy to control. Because Tao Gongzu and Cao Bao personally recruited into the army, they have always been arrogant, and they refused to listen to anyone's orders except Cao Bao. ”

Cao Cao's face suddenly flashed with a hint of fierceness, and he clenched his fists and said viciously: "If you don't obey the order, it will be a chaotic soldier, and it will be useless to stay!" ”

Dong Zhao hurriedly said: "Think twice, lord! Now that the war is scorching, you can't cause civil strife, I'm afraid that Liu Bei will take advantage of it! ”

Cao Cao stubbornly shook his head and said: "Civil strife is born in the tent, and it can be controlled!" If you are born on the battlefield, the situation can no longer be cleaned up! Now the situation is critical, and even half a wrong step may fall into the bottomless abyss. Therefore, prevention is better than prevention, Cao Bao and Danyang soldiers can't stay! ”

Zang Ba and Xiahoudun understood what Cao Cao meant, and a solemn look appeared on their faces at the same time. After Cao Ren took away 20,000 soldiers and horses, the remaining Cao army plus Zang Ba's Kaiyang army was only less than 30,000 people, which was not too obvious compared to Cao Bao's 20,000 Xuzhou army. Once the act is not secret, Cao Bao is aware of it, and a fire fight is inevitable. And at that time, even if Cao Jun wins, he will definitely lose his vitality, and there will be no chance to plot to get down.

Therefore, Cao Cao's decision is very risky.

However, Xiahoudun and Cao Cao grew up together, and they couldn't know Cao Cao's temper and personality anymore, and they knew very well that once Cao Cao made up his mind, no one could change it.

And Zang Ba, not long after he surrendered to Cao Cao, he was extremely careful in his words and deeds on weekdays, so he naturally dared not object.

Dong Zhao also realized that he couldn't make Cao Cao change his mind, so he could only sigh lightly and ask, "How does the lord plan to act?" ”

Cao Cao closed his eyes and said slowly: "Without further ado, it's tonight!" ”

Cao Bao, the former minister of Xuzhou and the current general Cao Bao under Cao Cao, naturally didn't know that Cao Cao had already killed him. At this time, he was still drinking with his brother Cao Hong in the tent.

Alcohol is forbidden in the army, but for the complaining Cao Bao, there is nothing more important than alcohol at this time. Moreover, he had never complied with this prohibition before.

The Cao family is a big family in Xuzhou, and the Cao brothers, one inside and one outside, are all important ministers that Tao Qian trusts very much. But with Liu Bei's sudden ascension to the throne, realizing that their position was bound to plummet, it was not surprising that they rebelled.

Liu Bei didn't think about taking Cao Bao's military power, but the alert Cao Hong had already persuaded his eldest brother to quietly leave Xiapi before Liu Bei launched.

Cao Bao, who returned to the barracks, led Cao Cao to surrender as soon as possible, even if his wife and children were still in Xiapi City.

Cao Bao, who had obviously drunk a little too much, had already begun to roll his tongue, and naturally there was no door on his mouth, "I thought that Cao Cao was a master who knew how to make good use of people, but now it seems that it is not enough!" ”

Cao Hong cautiously glanced left and right, and listened to the movement outside the tent with his ears sideways, and then lowered his voice and persuaded: "In the land of right and wrong, please be cautious!" ”

Cao Bao sneered, shook his head and said, "I'm afraid of him!" I don't believe him, Cao Apu dared to do anything to me! He didn't want to think about it, if it weren't for me, would he have been able to hit Xiapi City so smoothly? Now it's okay, you and my brother are useless, so I crossed the river and demolished the bridge and didn't pay attention to it anymore. Knowing this, Lao Tzu shouldn't have ...... in the first place"

Cao Hong couldn't listen to it anymore, and stood up in a panic and blocked Cao Bao's mouth, "People are under the eaves, they have to bow their heads, my brother won't not understand this truth, right?" ”

After all, Cao Bao is a military general, and his strength is much greater than Cao Hong, so he pushed Cao Hong away, burped twice in a row, and just wanted to speak again. But he heard the sound of footsteps outside the tent, after all, he was not fully drunk, and he still had a little sense, so he obediently closed his mouth and stood up.

A guard opened the curtain and entered, and said, "General, there is a message from Duke Cao's personal soldiers outside the tent, and I want to ask the general to discuss something in the past." ”

Cao Bao blinked in confusion, "Huh? It's so late, what did he ask me to do? ”

Cao Hong stood up suddenly, his expression was dazed, and he commanded: "Report to Cao Gong, just say that the general has already fallen asleep, and it will not be too late to talk about it tomorrow." ”

Cao Bao rubbed his head, looked at Cao Hong puzzled, and asked, "Why is that?" ”

Cao Hong frowned and said, "I don't know why, I have always had a feeling of fear tonight." Be cautious, it's better for my brother not to go over. And if you are as drunk as you, even if Cao Gong has no malicious intent, it is not a good thing to be seen by him. ”

For his younger brother, Cao Bao has always been obedient, so he nodded and said: "Then I'll listen to you, come, let's drink another bottle of wine!" ”

Cao Hong waved his hand and refused: "I always feel that something big will happen tonight, so I can't drink anymore!" Brother listened to my advice, don't drink anymore, be vigilant, and be cautious! ”

Cao Bao blinked, nodded and put down the wine bottle.

"Are you saying that Cao Bao didn't actually sleep, but deliberately refused?"

Hearing the return of the guards, Cao Cao frowned and stood up suddenly, subconsciously glanced back at the knife and axe hand hidden behind the tent, took a deep breath and said: "Then you go over again, just say that I already have the whereabouts of his wife's family, please come over!" ”

"What a cunning Cao Bao, could it be that he has already noticed something?"

Seeing the back of the guards leaving, Cao Cao whispered to himself.

If Cao Hong was only suspicious before, then when Cao Cao's personal guards came to invite Cao Bao for the second time, he was almost certain that Cao Cao might have moved his killing intent.