Cao Pi's son, like his father Cao Boss, was a doer, and finally waited for the news that Cao Ang ordered to abandon Hongnong, and just returned to his home at the west gate of Chang'an, Cao Pi immediately wrote a letter about the situation, sent his henchmen out of the city, and sent them to Chen Cang day and night to hand them over to Uncle Liu Huang - Uncle Liu Huang was looking forward to the news, but he was so eager that his eyes were almost straight.

As mentioned earlier, because it was suspected that Cao Pi was the culprit behind Jiang Gan's disappearance, Xun Yu and Guo Jia and other old foxes of Cao Jun secretly ordered Dian Wei and Cao Hong to send people to secretly monitor Cao Pi Gongzi, because Cao Pi was cautious, the evidence of Jiang Gan's disappearance was not discovered by Dian Wei and Cao Hong's people, and as a result, Cao Pi sent his henchmen out of the city to rush to the west, but they were discovered by the secret agents arranged by Dian Wei and Cao Hong respectively, and reported to Dian Wei and Cao Hong urgently.

Sending people out of the city on a business trip is actually just a trivial matter for Cao Pi, and it is reasonable to find it difficult to arouse the suspicion and attention of Dian Wei and Cao Hong and others, but Cao Pi's mistake is to send his henchman Ying Ying out of the city, causing the secret agents arranged by Dian and Cao not to take it lightly, and quietly followed Ying Ying out of Chang'an City, and saw Ying Ying galloping all the way to the west, and the trip was in a hurry to the west. After the spy sent the news back to the city, Dian Wei and Cao Hong both felt that things were a little strange, and they couldn't figure out what Cao Pi was sending Ying Ying to do in the west, so they sent the news to Xun Yu and others in doubt, and asked a few old foxes of Cao Jun to analyze the matter.

"The second son's guest Ying Ying went to the west of Chang'an?"

Xun Yu, Guo Jia and others were also a little puzzled by this, because the location of the Jiang Gan incident was due east of Chang'an, which was diametrically opposed in the opposite direction. At the same time, the location of Jiang Gan's prisoner car, which has been discovered by Cao Jun's team, also proves that Jiang Gan has copied the Qinling Trail and fled to Hongnong, and it will never appear in the west direction of Chang'an, so Xun Yu and Guo Jia and others inevitably feel that things are a little strange, but they don't think about the worst direction, but they just explained that Cao Hong sent two fine agents who knew Ying Jin, rode horses to chase Ying Jin, and reconnoitred Ying Jin's destination out of the city, and then put this small matter aside for the time being, and concentrated on preparing for the big event of the Xuzhou army attacking Tongguan.

Because it has been decided to abandon the plan of Hongnong and driving wolves and tigers. The battle to defend Tongguan is already imminent. When Guo Jia, Zhang Liao and others escorted Cao Lao's coffin back to Chang'an, they had already brought all the grain and grass that Hongnong could transfer back to Tongguan - it was also a pitiful amount of grain and grass, and Uncle Liu Huang sponsored more than 200,000 grains and grass from Cao's army. Half of it has also been taken out and hoarded in the Tongguan and Huayin areas for later use. There is also the main battle team of the Cao army brought back from Hangu Pass. was also led by Zhang Liao and Zhang He and stationed in Huayin to recuperate. At any time, they could be put into the Tongguan battlefield to aid Cao Ren and Manzhong, and in the case that there was no army to send, the team that Cao Jun could participate in the battle had actually been deployed in place.

The difficulty is the manager's problem. Cao's army must have a commander who can command the overall situation to sit on the Tongguan battlefield, and there must also be a reliable person to stay in Chang'an, command, liaise and coordinate and purchase follow-up grain and grass, and also beware of Uncle Liu Huang, an ally who is famous for his preference for swallowing the master. Xun Yu and others intended to persuade Cao Ang to go to the Tongguan battlefield to fight a decisive battle with the Xuzhou army, but they could not find a reliable person to stay in Chang'an to command in the center, and they were even more worried that Cao Ang would reunite with Deputy Director Tao after a long absence after arriving at Tongguan.

"Otherwise, let General Cao Ren be the commander of Tongguan, and ask the eldest prince to stay in Chang'an." Guo Jia suggested: "General Cao Ren is the cousin of the old lord, and he is the confidant of the old lord, he has always been loyal and brave, steady and reliable, and has many experiences in leading troops alone. One or two more among us, with Man's Bonin assisting him, would be enough to contend with the intrigues of the pottery thief. ”

"Cao Ren is certainly suitable to be the coach of Tongguan, but there are also two problems." Xun Yu frowned and said: "One is the problem of Zhang Liao and Zhang He, their official positions are on the same level as Cao Ren, and Zhang Liao is also the temporary coach designated by the old lord when he died, which shows that the old lord is quite sure of Zhang Wenyuan's ability and bravery, and suddenly let Cao Ren override Zhang Liao and Zhang He. ”

"Cao Ren's qualifications in our army are far above Zhang Liao and Zhang He, and the two generals Zhang are also reasonable people, so they may not be dissatisfied because of this." Guo Jia insisted.

"There are two more, the problem of the eldest prince." Xun Yu sighed and said: "Anyway, the eldest prince is already our de facto lord, if we force him to appoint Cao Ren as the commander of Tongguan, and Chang'an's team is controlled by Cao Hong and Dian Wei, it is equivalent to completely setting him up, if the eldest prince is not convinced, I am afraid that the situation will be even worse." If something happens, what face will you and I have to see the lord in the future? ”

Guo Jia closed his mouth, because Cao Jun's civil and military veterans have actually put Cao Ang in the air now, without Cao Hong or Dian Wei's consent, Cao Ang can't even mobilize a song of soldiers and horses in Chang'an City, without Xun Yu and Guo Jia and others nodding, Cao Ang's decree can't even send out his own door, although Cao Ang himself has not complained a word, but no one knows what he thinks in his heart, and at the same time, Cao Jun's other civil and military forces may not be without complaints, Xun Yu, Guo Jia and others, who had no intention of seizing power, also had to think about this important issue.

Closed his mouth and carefully pondered for a long time, Guo Jia suddenly said: "I still think that the eldest prince must not go to Tongguan, a few days ago we forced the eldest prince to swear in front of the lord's spirit to resist Tao, you have also seen the situation, the eldest prince's actions and words obviously have the heart of Tao, if the eldest prince goes to Tongguan to personally command the three armies, and he suddenly ordered Tao, then what should we do?" Even if we oppose and prevent him from leading the whole army to surrender Tao, he will open the gate of Tongguan behind our back to welcome the pottery thief into the customs, how can we prevent it? He was now the lord, and it was easy to do that. ”

"I also think that the eldest prince must not be the coach of Tongguan." Cheng Yu also said: "Regardless of whether the eldest prince will decide to surrender to Tao, his talent and ability are definitely not the opponent of Tao Ying's traitors, even if we help." The slightest mistake in his tactical decision-making will have unimaginable consequences! In order to avenge the Lord, for the foundation that the Lord has worked so hard to create, and for the safety of the officers and men of the three armies, we are worthy of the infamy of bullying the Lord and taking power, and the Lord's spirit in heaven will forgive us! ”

Xun Yu pondered for a long time, and said calmly: "Invite Dian Wei and Cao Hong, as long as they agree with us doing this, we can carry this black cauldron." Even if it's forced. also forced the eldest prince to stay in Chang'an, and Cao Ren was appointed as the commander of Tongguan. ”

As military generals, Dian Wei and Cao Hong were far more resolute than Xun Yu and others, and they were more worried about Cao Ang's pro-Tao position than Xun Yu and others, so when Xun Yu and others met with Cao Hong and Dian Wei secretly. When he informed the military commander of his decision and asked for the opinion of the general. Dian Wei and Cao Hong immediately applauded together. raised his hands in favor of the decision of Xun Yu and others, and also took the initiative to express his willingness to unite with Xun Yu and others to force Cao Ang to stay in Chang'an. Cao Ren was appointed as the head coach of Tongguan. For this reason, Dian Wei, who was loyal to Boss Cao, also said impassionedly: "If this matter is wrong, I will bear all the blame alone!" But the inheritance left by the lord must not be destroyed in the hands of the weak new lord of the eldest prince! ”

The mouth of the front was unified, and the next morning, the five important ministers of the Cao army in Chang'an City also jointly asked to see Cao Ang, and asked Cao Ang to appoint Cao Ren as the commander of Tongguan in person, and led Zhang Liao and Zhang He's team to jointly defend Tongguan, Cao Ang, who was going to personally lead the army to resist the enemy, was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "Several uncles, it's not that Uncle Cao Ren can't resist the enemy, but General Zhang Liao and General Zhang He have always been on the same level as Uncle Cao Ren, and suddenly Uncle Cao Ren is above them, how can the two General Zhang serve?" If the generals are not in harmony, won't they miss a big event? ”

"Lord, please rest assured, the two generals, Zhang Liao and Zhang He, are loyal to the two generations of lords, and they have always been reasonable, so they will definitely not mind this matter." Xun Yu said a little bluntly: "Besides, Cao Zixiao is of the same clan as the two generations of lords, and there is a difference between relatives and alienation, and the lord reuses him to make him above the generals, which is also reasonable in the eyes of others, and there is nothing to say." ”

"How can others have nothing to say? The little nephew will at least be infamous for cronyism. Cao Ang was just loyal but not stupid, and said: "A few uncles, the little nephew is also trying to discuss this matter with you, and the little nephew wants to follow his father and go to Tongguan to command the three armies to resist the enemy, what do you think?" ”

"Absolutely not." Xun Yu hurriedly said: "Lord, Chang'an can't be guarded without people, you must stay in Chang'an." ”

"Uncle Xun, you and Uncle Cao Hong just stay in Chang'an, I can trust you." Cao Ang insisted on personally leading the army to the battle, saying: "The battle of Tongguan is related to the life and death of our army, and the little nephew, as the commander of the whole army, if he does not go to the front line to resist the enemy, how can he boost morale and inspire the three armies?" ”

Xun Yu and the others still insisted on not listening, and continued to find excuses to persuade Cao Ang to stay in Chang'an, one would say that Cao Boss was dead, and Cao Ang must guard Cao Boss's spirit, and the other would say that the ally Huang Shujun didn't know when to come to reinforce, and someone needed to be in the middle to regulate the affairs of the alliance, and even said the frank statement that Cao Ang was not the opponent of Deputy Director Tao, and Cao Ang couldn't argue, no one could convince anyone, and finally Cao Ang was anxious, and simply followed Cao Boss's example and said: "Come to Tongguan to defend the enemy, I have made up my mind, and a few uncles don't need to persuade again!" ”

"The ministers dare not receive their orders if they die!" Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Dian Wei and Cao Hong refused in unison.

"It's ......." Cao Ang finally woke up, looked at the several important civil and military ministers left by his father, and asked suspiciously: "Uncles, should you have discussed it in private and decided to let me stay in Chang'an, right?" ”

Xun Yu, Guo Jia and the others were speechless, only Dian Wei Zhiren spoke quickly, and said: "Lord, you don't have to ask, we are also for your good, you can stay in Chang'an." ”

"Sure enough, it was discussed." The clay man also has a three-point temperament, and Cao Ang couldn't help but be a little angry no matter how loyal and good-tempered he was, and said angrily: "A few uncles, are you too much? The little nephew respects you as an elder and an old minister, and he usually obeys you, but the candidate for the decisive battle of Tongguan, which is crucial to the survival of our army, you all have to make decisions for the little nephew, is it too much? ”

"The ministers are guilty." Xun Yu bowed his hand and said: "The lord, although the ministers have been discussed, but the ministers are indeed out of loyalty, for the sake of the lord and the soldiers of the three armies, and the first lord's foundation, please check the lord." ”

"If I insist on going to Tongguan to command the troops in person, what will you do?" Cao Ang asked angrily.

"The ministers dare not receive their orders if they die!" Xun Yu, Dian Wei and the others still said the same thing, and this time they simply knelt down on Cao Ang's knees together.

"I am the lord, and I have the final say on the choice of the head coach of Tongguan! The decision is mine! Cao Ang was even more furious. also simply stood up, "Whether you agree or not, in short, Tongguan is my decision!" Unless you abolish me and make a new Lord! ”

After that, Cao Ang left the hall with his sleeves up, leaving Xun Yu and Guo Jia and other old ministers kneeling in the hall, and they didn't say a word for a long time, and all they thought about was how to prevent Cao Ang from going to Tongguan in person. Let Cao Ang stay in Chang'an to guard the city.

There are no impermeable walls. Although both parties were very rational and restrained and did not publicize the matter, it did not take long for the good news of the conflict between Cao Ang and the auxiliary ministers to reach the ears of the two brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi. Overjoyed, the young and impulsive Cao Zhi simply ran into Xun Yu's house. directly persuaded Xun Yu to contact Cao Jun's former ministers to abolish Cao Ang. and a new Lord. As a result, Xun Yu was of course furious, and scolded Cao Zhi in front of him and expelled him from the mansion. also directly told Cao Zhi that he was letting Cao Zhi go for the sake of Cao Boss's old feelings, and if Cao Zhi dared to have such thoughts next time, he would immediately report to Cao Ang, and ask Cao Ang to expel Cao Zhi from the genealogy, and Cao Zhi, who had a gray nose, went away in embarrassment.

Cao Pi's treachery is far above Cao Zhi, knowing that with the loyalty of Xun Yu and Dian Wei and others to their father, even if there is a conflict with Cao Ang, they will not be able to make up their minds to abolish Cao Ang and set up a new lord for a while, unless the conflict between Cao Ang and Xun Yu and others continues to expand, and the contradiction intensifies to the point of irreconcilability, otherwise Xun Yu and Dian Wei and others will definitely not be ruthless to abolish Cao Ang.

In such a situation, the most effective way is to separate, but Cao Pi hurriedly couldn't think of any way to separate Cao Ang and Cao Jun, so he could only hope for the resourceful Liu Huangshu team, and at the same time, in order to gain time and establish an image, Cao Pi stood up and acted as a good person, persuaded Cao Ang to stay calm, renegotiate and communicate with Xun Yu and others, and persuaded Xun Yu and others not to persecute Cao Ang too much, to understand Cao Ang's mind that Cao Ang needs to establish authority as the head of the people, it is recommended to put aside the dispute over the choice of Tongguan coach for the time being. Cao Ren first held on to Tongguan without fighting, and then decided to be the commander of Tongguan after Liu Bei's reinforcements arrived in Chang'an.

Cao Pi said good things, did good deeds, had a good heart, and was a good person, this move is considered to be the right move, and Cao Ang, who was alone and lonely, listened to Cao Pi's good words, and inevitably became more grateful and trusted to Cao Pi, and trusted Cao Pi more with his confidants. However, Xun Yu and Dian Wei and other Cao Jun ministers felt more and more that Cao Pi was of great use, and he was able to bend and stretch and have means to be the material of the lord - in fact, it was true, so that subconsciously, Xun Yu and other Cao Jun ministers had already given birth to the idea that Cao Ang must be Cao Pi after that.

Fortunately, Zhong Xuan's Hongnong team has not yet withdrawn to Tongguan, and the main army of Xuzhou, which is huge, will not be able to fight under Tongguan in ten days and a half, and at the same time, it will take less than two days for Chang'an to gallop to Tongguan, and Cao Ang and Xun Yu and other old ministers still have time to sit down and negotiate. However, to the surprise of Cao Ang, Xun Yu and other old Cao Jun people, when Cao Ang had already quietly moved and was ready to give in, on the fifth day of the conflict between Cao Ang and Cao Jun, good news suddenly came from Chen Cang's side, saying that Uncle Liu's reinforcements had finally moved eastward, or under the personal leadership of Uncle Liu, they were rushing to Chang'an at the speed of a rapid march of 80 miles a day - if this speed continued, Uncle Huang's army would arrive in Chang'an within three days!

Hearing this news, Cao Ang, who was brainwashed by the Xuzhou Army and despised Uncle Liu Huang, scolded the case for an unprecedented time, scolding Uncle Liu Huang for finally giving up his shell, and then began to worry about how to deal with Uncle Liu, an uneasy and kind-hearted white-eyed wolf. Xun Yu, Guo Jia and other old foxes were very surprised when they heard the news, because Xun Yu and others found that the timing of Uncle Liu Huang's troops was simply too coincidental, as if the Cao army had just ordered to abandon Hongnong and retreat to Tongguan, and someone immediately rushed to Chencang to report to Uncle Liu Huang.

"Could it be the work of the big-eared thief? Got the news and flew to Chencang? Xun Yu thought in his heart, but he secretly wondered: "No, let Zhong Yu give up Hongnong and retreat to Tongguan, we didn't announce it?" How could a big-eared thief find out the details so quickly? ”

When he was puzzled, Cao Hong suddenly hurried into the signing room where Xun Yu was, first signaled Xun Yu to retreat, and then whispered to Xun Yu's ear: "Mr. Wen Ruo, the second son who went out of the city six days ago is back, and I sent to follow the person who was looking for him that day, and I didn't find any trace of him until the martial arts, but this morning, Ying Ying quietly returned to Chang'an City for some reason, and wore a people's clothes, and the horse's legs were full of dust, so he should have walked a long way." ”

"What?!" Xun Yu was shocked and blurted out: "Could it be him?!" ”

"What is him?" Cao Hong was confused.

"It's not certain yet, maybe it's just a coincidence." Xun Yu shook his head and answered the question, and he didn't want to think about the worst, and then Xun Yu thought about it for a while, and then said: "General Zilian, continue to keep a close eye on the situation in the Second Prince's Mansion, this time we must closely monitor the Second Prince's person, if there is any change in him, immediately send someone to report to me or Fengxiao and Zhongde." ”

"Okay." Cao Hong nodded, and then said: "By the way, when I entered the Assassin's Mansion just now, I happened to bump into the second son, he seems to have come to meet the eldest son, and this meeting should have already met." ”

"What?!" Xun Yu was taken aback again, and quickly picked up an official document casually, "Zilian, this matter is for you, I will go to see the eldest prince immediately, see what the two sons say, you can do it yourself." (To be continued......)