Cao Cao is now completely relieved, and from the whereabouts of Liu Yi's military horses, he also guessed that Liu Yi's first target should be Gongsun Zhan or Yuan Shao, or these two forces to attack together. As for the other military horses that Hua Xin mentioned, Cao Cao didn't pay much attention to them, because they were too far away from him, and it was useless to think about them.

For the current Cao Cao, areas such as Xiliang, Changsha, and Jiangdong are not controlled by his current strength. He only cares about stealing a glimmer of life now, without being attacked by Liu Yi, he can concentrate on governing his Yan, Yu, Xu, and Yang states, the states he occupies are all populous and fertile places, as long as he is given time, he will definitely be able to catch up, and it is possible to catch up with or even surpass the strength of the New Han Dynasty.

He was already thinking about how to use this rare time to develop his power.

At this time, someone came to report, and Cai Mao asked to see her.

Cao Cao already knew the movements of Liu Yi's army in the New Han Dynasty, so naturally there was no need to prevaricate Cai Mao and Guo Tu.

Let Cai Mao wait in the conference hall, and after Cao Cao combed Xian, Shi Shiran arrived in the meeting hall.

After Cao Cao invited Cai Mao to sit down, he asked his servants to serve breakfast, and asked Cai Mao to accompany him to have breakfast.

Cai Mao was patient and accompanied Cao Cao to have breakfast in the cold, although he didn't know the taste of food, he still held back his patience.

After the maid removed the food, Cai Mao was afraid that Cao Cao would say something else, so he quickly looked straight, took out Liu Biao's letter to Cao Cao, and sent it forward: "Cao Gong, Cai is in Xudu this time. In fact, I was entrusted by my father-in-law Liu Biao to come to discuss an alliance with Cao Gong and discuss how to fight against Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty. What is the opinion of my father-in-law. In this letter, please take a look at it. ”

"Oh? Liu Biao intends to form an alliance with Cao? Cao Cao pretended to be surprised and took the letter.

Cao Cao said, in front of Cai Mao, and unsealed the mud. Cai Mao stepped back and sat back on the seat.

Cao Cao glanced at it a few times, then raised his head and arched his hand to Cai Mao: "General Cai, I didn't expect it." Your status in Jingzhou is only below Liu Biao, but above 10,000 people. It's really disrespectful and disrespectful. I didn't expect Liu Biao to be so broad-minded. He was able to do it so thoroughly, he said in his letter, send General Cai to discuss the alliance with Cao, and General Cai's opinion is his Liu Biao's opinion. You have carte blanche to represent his opinion. He also said that if Cao formed an alliance, General Cai would have the right to mobilize all the military horses except for Liu's cousin's guards to cooperate with Cao to attack Liu Yi. Tsk, it seems that Cao Mou has neglected something. General Cai, you are in Jingzhou, in terms of identity and status, I am afraid that you are no longer under the prime minister Cao. ”

"Uh......" Cai Mao said when she saw Cao Cao. For a while, he couldn't grasp whether Cao Cao was complimenting himself or admiring himself, so he hurriedly said modestly: "Cao Gong has said it." How can Cai dare to be compared with Cao Gong? Cai is actually just a martial artist, and he can barely mobilize some military horses in his hands. These are not important, I believe that the letter of my lord also said, this alliance is very important for the power of our princes, it is a matter of our life and death, so my lord not only wants to form an alliance with Cao Gong, but also wants to form an alliance with Yuan Shao of Hebei, only in this way can we create a strong momentum, in order to destroy the New Han Dynasty, and destroy Liu Yi. Ahem......"

Cai Mao said this, coughed twice: "Cao Gong, if we join together, we will benefit both, and if we divide were, once the New Han Dynasty sent troops to the Central Plains and continued to expand its power, then it will be a mortal threat to us in the future." Therefore, my lord hopes that Cao Gong can let go of his attachment with Yuan Shao, and everyone will form an alliance to recreate the momentum of the original crusade against Dong Zhuo! ”

"Well......" After Cao Cao heard Cai Mao finish speaking, he said noncommittally: "Let Cao let go of his relationship with Yuan Shao?" This, Liu Biao's letter did persuade Cao, but ......"

Cai Mao's heart shrank when she heard this, and she hurriedly asked, "Gong Cao, could it be that you still have some concerns about the alliance?" Please rest assured that this time, it will definitely not end up without a problem like when the heroes raised troops to defeat Dong Zhuo. In the letter of my lord, it should also be clear that this time the alliance is formed, and the leader of the alliance is none other than Duke Cao, and it will definitely no longer be like back then, let the heroes elect the leader of the alliance or something. That, relative to the current situation, is certainly not suitable. Now it's different from the past, back then, Yuan Shao's family, the fourth and third dukes, as Yuan's sisters-in-law Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the prestige was unmatched, so all the princes in the world would elect Yuan Shao as the leader of the alliance. Now, looking at the big Han, who else can have the power of Cao Gong? Even the invincible Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Gong, and his momentum and prestige were the most prosperous of Cao Gong, so this alliance leader must be Cao Gong. As long as Cao Gong becomes the leader of this alliance, the lord of my family is willing to hand over the military rations of our army to Cao Gong for unified overall deployment, so that Cao Gong can control the princes of the world, unify the mobilization of the military horses of the princes of the world, and deal with Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty to the end. Whether he can destroy Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty and whether he can make the world calm depends on Cao Gong. ”

I have to say that Cai Mao is indeed a person who can speak well. What he said hit Cao Cao's soft underbelly. What is Cao Cao lacking now? It's grain and grass. Jingzhou Jiu'an, its grain and grass is not inferior to the original Yangzhou Yuan Shu. If, as Cai Mao said, after the alliance, the allied forces from all walks of life give their military rations to themselves, and they will deploy the military rations of each army by themselves, then it is equivalent to directly solving their current food shortage crisis.

Seriously, if it weren't for Cao Cao's early decision, and knowing that Liu Yi would not threaten him for the time being, Cao Cao was afraid that he would really be moved and would form an alliance with Liu Biao and Yuan Shao.

It's a pity that no matter how beautiful Cai Mao's words are now, Cao Cao's heart only moved, and soon, Cao Cao secretly shook his head, feeling that what Cai Mao said was just a cake on paper, and it was impossible to really use it to satisfy hunger.

As Cai Mao herself said, this time is different from the past. When the heroes raised troops to fight against Dong Zhuo, it was only the beginning of the Han Dynasty Rebellion, and the heroes had not yet officially divided one side. At that time, the soldiers and horses of the group were only recruited temporarily, and none of them had really developed their own power and territory, and they had not yet developed. There is no talk of replenishment of military rations. At that time, most of the military rations of the heroes were probably donated by some local tycoons.

Now, the princes of all sides. has its own solid territory, and has been in business for many years, and the military horses of all parties are no longer as loose as before. In general, now almost all the princes of all sides have their own stable rear. In such a situation, if the military rations are handed over to him Cao Cao to deploy, it is just on paper. Unlikely to be achieved. Not to mention whether the princes of all parties would be able to hand over their military rations to Cao Cao for deployment, even if they were sent to Cao Cao for deployment? If they really fight with Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty, how can they obey their orders? What's more, there are a number of princes in their large rear. There is no need to worry about your own military rations at all. In this way, how can Cao Cao control them?

It is conceivable that if Cao Cao really formed an alliance with a group of princes, at most at the beginning, a group of princes would send some food, but before Liu Yi's troops directly threatened them, Cao Cao had to mobilize their military horses to engage Liu Yi's new Han army. Would they like to? Will you fight to the death with the New Han Dynasty?

Cao Cao was worried, when the time came. I'm afraid that in addition to being directly attacked by the New Han Dynasty, other princes are hiding in the rear, hoping that he will fight with Liu Yi's army and weaken his own strength.

Cao Cao knew in his heart that these princes of the world, in addition to being afraid of Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty, I am afraid that they are most afraid of themselves. No matter what, if you really form an alliance with the princes of the world, I believe that the princes of the world are not willing to let his Cao Cao family grow after destroying Liu Yi of the New Han Dynasty. At that time, I am afraid that it will be the time for those princes to form an alliance to destroy themselves.

Rather than this, Cao Cao felt that it would be better to speak out to support Liu Yi, whether Liu Yi was willing to form an alliance with him or not, but how to stand in line and how to do it, that was his own freedom, and Liu Yi couldn't stop himself. In a word, even if you don't take sides, it is better to remain neutral than to form an alliance with a group of princes.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao smiled secretly in his heart.

Cao Cao straightened his face and said to Cai Mao: "General Cai, the matter of forming an alliance is very important, and Cao naturally can't promise you all at once...... No! ”

Cao Cao thought about it, and felt that there was no need to play tricks with Cai Mao, so he said directly: "Cao means that Cao will not agree to the alliance. ”

"Huh? This...... What is this for? Cai Mao originally thought that with Cao Cao's shrewdness, he must have seen the strength of the New Han Dynasty, and when the New Han Dynasty openly sent troops to fight for the Han Dynasty, although Cao Cao's strength was strong, compared to the New Han Dynasty, it should still be inferior, so he felt that Cao Cao should agree to form an alliance. After all, in terms of strength, the most powerful in the Han Dynasty is naturally the New Han Dynasty, and secondly, Cao Cao, who has just defeated Yuan Shao in Jizhou. If Cao Cao wants to compete for the world, the most threatening to him should be Liu Yicai of the New Han Dynasty. If at this moment, the princes of the world form an alliance to fight against Liu Yi, then wouldn't it be better for Cao Cao to remove the New Han Dynasty that was pressing on Cao Cao's head? There's no reason to object to that.

"Humph!" Cao Cao snorted coldly twice, completely losing his previous good complexion, and he said to Cai Mao: "General Cai, could it be that your father-in-law really took Cao as a three-year-old child?" What are the benefits of forming an alliance with you for my Cao? Well! Don't talk about grain and grass, your grain and grass and military horses are all in Jingzhou, and Yuan Shao's military horses and horses are all in Jizhou, so how can I be deployed by Cao Cao? What did you say? Send it to Cao for deployment, and then send it back? Bring sand to the beach! ”

"Uh......" Cai Mao was stunned by Cao Cao's words, and she didn't know how to say it for a while. Because, the truth is also the case, the current princes of all walks of life are different from the past, and they say it beautifully, but after the alliance is really formed, who will really obey Cao Cao's orders? Unless they are attacked by the New Han Army and ask for help from others. Otherwise, I'm afraid everyone will have reservations.

In fact, whether it is Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, or even Cao Cao, the alliance they want to talk about is a mirror from the beginning, and it is unlikely that it will be a real alliance. In other words, even if it is an alliance, it is actually only a formal alliance, and at the end of the day, I am afraid it will not play any role.

Liu Yi and the ministers of the New Han Dynasty saw this, so they dared to announce the dispatch of troops with confidence. Especially after the final resolution, it was decided that the troops would be divided into four routes, and they would capture Xiliang, Changsha, Jiangdong, and Youjizhou respectively. Liu Yi felt that in the new Han Dynasty, he didn't have to worry too much about the princes of the world to attack together.

In the past, the princes of the world, many princes were in their hearts. There is still a lot of blood, and many princes are still really crusading against Dong Zhuo, and the Qing monarch is on the side. Zhen Chaogang's. But now, which prince does not have his own fixed power territory? Which prince didn't have a small court of his own?

With the princes of their own family business, it is impossible to be too pure, and at this time, they will only think about their own interests.

If the princes of the world really form an alliance, then Liu Yi's current main army will attack Youzhou and Jizhou, so is it better for the princes of the world to raise troops to attack the New Han Dynasty? Or would it be better to send troops into Youji Prefecture to help Yuan Shao fight a decisive battle against the New Han Army? Estimate. Those princes who have not been attacked by the New Han army, they will definitely watch from the sidelines, and at most they will mobilize their military horses. Pose as an offensive or supporter. In the end, even if Yuan Shao is destroyed, they are afraid that they have not yet taken real substantive action.

Obviously, the attack on the New Han Dynasty. It was just a joke. Because who wants to send troops to attack the various cities of the New Han Dynasty first? Attack Wancheng? Attack Tiger Prison? Attack on the party pot off? These entered the city gates of the New Han Dynasty. There are heavy troops of the New Han Dynasty to defend them, and according to Xiongguan, no matter who wants to attack, they must pay a great price, and after paying the price, they may not dare to say that they will conquer those city passes, and their military horses will definitely kill Luoyang of the New Han Dynasty.

If it were that easy. Liu Biao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao were afraid that they would have launched an attack on the New Han Dynasty long ago. Before the New Han Dynasty was not strong enough, they did not send troops to attack, and now, they are even more reluctant to take the initiative to attack. So, send the military horses of the princes of the world to come and let them attack? Hehe, don't be kidding, even if Liu Biao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao agreed to allow the military horses of those princes to enter their territory and attack the New Han Dynasty, but would they be willing? Everyone wants to get it, even if they can wipe out the New Han Dynasty in the end, the final benefit must be Liu Biao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao, who border the New Han Dynasty. Why do they want to fight for these three forces?

Therefore, this alliance is unlikely to be realized.

"Gong Cao, cooperation is beneficial to both sides, does Cao Cao think that with your own strength, you can confront the New Han Dynasty? If we can form an alliance, then we can help each other against the powerful New Han Dynasty. ”

"General Cai!" Cao Cao waved his hand, stopped Cai Mao's speech, and said, "Everyone understands this big truth. But, General Cai, have you ever thought about it? In fact, what the announcement of the New Han Dynasty said is actually not wrong, this world is the world of the Han Dynasty, and your lord is actually a Han minister, but your lord, do you have the consciousness to be a Han minister? Do you still have the Han Dynasty in your heart? Is there still a Han family? ”

Cao Cao's tone changed to the appearance of directly questioning Cai Mao, and he glared: "General Cai, Cao will tell you clearly now!" If you want Cao to form an alliance with you, it is impossible. Because we have different ways, we don't conspire with each other! As far as Cao Cao is concerned, I absolutely agree with Liu Yi's approach in my heart, the reason why this Han has become like this is because of the existence of lawless ministers like you, so it will be divided, so there will be a statement of unifying the Han Dynasty. To tell the truth, even if the New Han Dynasty did not propose to unify the Han Dynasty and denounce the lawless ministers, Cao would be the same. Now, just let Liu Yi take the first step, and I, Cao Cao, are still thinking about whether to form an alliance with Liu Yi to pacify the world and eradicate you lawless ministers! ”

"Huh?"

Cai Mao was really stunned at the moment.

Cai Mao came to see Cao Cao as a messenger, he really thought about everything, but he really never thought that Cao Cao would not only not ally with them, but would attack them with Liu Yi. If this is the case, then wouldn't they be in a catastrophe right away? Waiting to be destroyed?

For a while, Cai Mao felt that someone had poured a plate of cold water on his head, making him cool from the beginning to the end.

"Cao Gong, this, this can't be like this, you must know that the New Han Dynasty and your court are like a mountain that cannot tolerate two tigers, and it is impossible to exist at the same time, even if you can still coexist peacefully now, but in the future, Cao Gong, you and Liu Yi will have a battle of life and death. Now, if we form an alliance, we can counterattack the New Han Dynasty and destroy it as soon as possible, why don't you agree to form an alliance Cao Gong? Cai Mao was in a hurry.

"Cao's mind has been decided, and it cannot be changed!" Cao Cao said coldly: "General Cai, let's get acquainted, a word of advice, the Han Dynasty has been in the country for hundreds of years, as long as Cao is there, he will never be destroyed by the rebellious ministers, you go back to see Liu Biao, let him know the current affairs as Junjie, don't wait until Cao's army comes to the city to regret it!" Okay, let's not talk about this matter anymore, please General Cai go back and tell Liu Biao that it would be better for him to return to the imperial court, otherwise, without the New Han Dynasty sending troops, Cao Mou will also send troops to destroy him! ”

With a bang, Cai Mao was a little distracted and hit a wine glass on the table to the ground.

He staggered to his feet, speechless, and looked at Cao Cao for a long time before he stammered: "Cao, Cao Gong's words, when, seriously?" ”

"Of course! If General Cai is not in a hurry, or you can wait a few more days in Xudu, Cao will definitely announce the world to support or send troops to help Liu Yi. Cao Cao affirmed.

"This, this...... How can this be? Cai Mao suddenly lost her soul.

"Sending off!"

Seeing this, Cao Cao flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. (To be continued......)