Cao Boss, who was seriously ill, asked Xun Yu to assist his eldest son Cao Ang after his death, of course, this will not be just talking, after confirming the news that Deputy Director Tao personally led the 20th Army to the west to conquer Guanzhong, Cao Boss immediately convened the civil and military people in Chang'an City, and set up his eldest son Cao Ang as his son-in-law in public, and announced that if he made a mistake during the battle against the Xuzhou army, Cao Ang would immediately succeed to the throne, and asked Cao Jun Wenwu to be as loyal to Cao Ang as he was to himself, and make concerted efforts to assist Cao Ang to guard the family business, and reject the Tao thief in the east, and Liu Bei in the south.

After listening to Boss Cao's de facto will, of course, the highly cohesive Cao Jun civil and military people were all in tears, kowtowing and chanting together, asking Boss Cao to protect his jade body and not make such unlucky words. The famous filial son Cao Ang kowtowed again and again, and said in tears that he would rather die than receive his life, and did not want to be named a concubine, and also took the initiative to ask Cao Boss to stay in Chang'an, and led the army to the front line to meet the enemy.

If the second son Cao Pi or the most beloved son Cao Zhi said such a thing, then Boss Cao would definitely not believe it, but if Cao Ang said such a thing, Boss Cao really believed that the eldest son would do this, and no matter how difficult it was, he would fight to the end with the division of Xuzhou jackals. But it's a pity that Boss Cao, who knows that his time is short, can't accept Cao Ang's filial piety this time no matter what, so Boss Cao can only put on a black face and scold Cao Ang in public: "You are going to meet the enemy? Who is Tao Ying's traitor? Thou shalt be his opponent too? Get up and accept the congratulations of the hundred officials! The matter of establishing a successor, I have made up my mind. Hugh has to say again! ”

After the plea was repeatedly rejected by Boss Cao, the good boy Cao Ang could only cry and kowtow to thank him, sat on the seat next to Boss Cao, accepted the congratulations of Cao Jun's civil and military officials, and officially became the only designated successor of Boss Cao. Although Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, who were present at the same time, were unwilling, it was a pity that they were neither the eldest son nor the descendant, and the boss Cao, who had learned the lessons of the Great Yuan Sangong, had never let them grasp the slightest bit of power, so even if they were not convinced, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi could only bow to Cao Ang helplessly and recognize the legitimacy of their brother's succession.

Same. Uncle Liu Huang also sent news. Clearly informed Boss Cao that the first batch of 50,000 Hu of the 200,000 Hu military rations promised to aid had been loaded into Chencang Road and escorted by Fu Tong, a new general of the Huangshu Army, with 5,000 troops. It is being sent to Chang'an. Then Uncle Liu Huang used the excuse that he needed to store food in the city and reduce the loss of the road. He asked Cao Jun to give up Chencang City to the Imperial Uncle Army to garrison the garrison of grain, and asked Cao Boss to provide ships for the Imperial Uncle Army to assist the Imperial Uncle Army in transporting grain from Chencang to Chang'an City through Weishui. (Weishui shipping ended in the Tang Dynasty.) Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, Weishui had been used for a long time to transport grain, and in the Spring and Autumn Period, the Qin State also used Weishui to transport a large amount of grain from Baoji to Shanxi to aid the Jin State. ）

Needless to say, the importance of Chen Cang is needless to say, the reason why Zhuge Old Demon was restrained by Hao Zhao in Chen Cang did not dare to go north half a step is because this place happens to be stuck in the throat of Hanzhong's military pass, and it has been a battleground for soldiers since ancient times; Providing ships for the Imperial Uncle Army to carry out Weishui grain transportation is equivalent to drinking water to quench the thirst of the Cao Army's team, because once Uncle Liu obtains the Weishui ship and understands the waterway and hydrology of Weishui, then if the Imperial Uncle Army and the Cao Army turn their faces again in the future, the chrysanthemums of Cao Boss and his son will be directly exposed in front of Uncle Liu's short spear. So when he heard this harsh request put forward by Uncle Liu, the arrogant Cao Jun Wenwu immediately jumped like thunder, and asked Boss Cao to refuse Uncle Liu's shameless request.

Diametrically opposed to the thunderous Cao Jun's civil and military affairs, after hearing Uncle Liu's shameless request, Boss Cao was very strange and did not have the slightest anger, and after carefully thinking for a while, Boss Cao also calmly instructed Cao Ang, who was in charge of liaison and negotiation with Uncle Huang's army: "Zixiu, you go and tell the messenger of the big-eared thief, and I will agree to all the big-eared thief's requests." I'll also take care of the collection of ships, and send as many boats as you can to the big-eared thieves. ”

"Father, you can't!" Cao Ang was in a hurry and hurriedly said: "Although the child does not know much about military affairs, the child also knows that once the big-eared thief controls the Weishui shipping, our Chang'an will never have peace." ”

"It's okay, give it to him." Boss Cao said calmly: "This is also a helpless thing, if you don't agree to the conditions of the big-eared thief, this traitor will definitely not abide by the promise to help us with grain and grass, last winter and this spring Guanzhong drought, Chang'an and Hongnong have no harvest, Hanoi and Hongnong are also affected by the drought, the grain and grass east of Tongguan is not enough for me on the front line, if we don't agree to the conditions of the big-eared thief, Chang'an and Tongguan will be hungry." Seventy percent of the grain sent by the big-eared thieves was hoarded in Chang'an, and thirty percent was hoarded in Tongguan for later use. ”

"Father......."

Cao Ang originally wanted to object, but Boss Cao waved his hand to interrupt, and instructed Cao Ang: "It's so decided, you go to negotiate with the messenger of the big-eared thief, and say that it finally rained in Guanzhong in the summer, and Weishui is barely able to transport grain now, and it may not be possible in the autumn and winter, and the big-eared thief will send the remaining 150,000 grains as soon as possible." By the way, you can discuss with Sima Yi by the way, and see if there is any way to get more food from the big-eared thief, as long as the big-eared thief is willing to help us with more grain and grass, you can look at and agree to any conditions. ”

Cao Ang had no choice but to respectfully agree, and then after carefully discussing with his friend Sima Yi on the same day, he came forward to negotiate and contact Sun Gan, the envoy of the imperial uncle's army, according to the request of Cao Boss, and asked Sun Gan for more grain and grass and another small request.

…………

The news that Boss Cao accepted Uncle Liu's blackmail was quickly sent to Nanzheng Chengzhong in Hanzhong through the Meridian Valley Mountain Road, and at the same time to Nanzheng Chengzhong, there was also the news that Boss Cao had appointed Cao Ang as his successor and Boss Cao decided to personally lead the army to meet the Xuzhou Army. Knowing these circumstances, Uncle Liu Huang's much fatter face also showed a satisfied smile, and smiled at Pang Tong and Xu Shu on the left and right: "The death of the Cao thief is not far away, this time he will go east to Tongguan, I'm afraid he will never have a chance to return to the west of Tongguan." ”

"What the lord said is very true." Pang Tong also smiled happily: "Cao Thief refuses to give up Hanoi and Hongnong to only defend Tongguan, making it clear that he doesn't want to be directly controlled by our army." Indirectly surrendered to our army, and wanted to go to Hangu Pass and Kei Pass to gamble and see if there was a chance to repeat the miracle of the Guandu War. It's a pity that his body, energy and mind are far from what they used to be, and Tao Ying's traitor is by no means comparable to the ambitious and resourceful Yuan Benchu, this decisive battle at Hangu Pass, if nothing else, the area around Hangu Pass should be the burial place of his Cao Apu. ”

"I only hope that he Cao Apu can stay in Hangu Pass for a while longer, and consume more of the pottery thief's grain and grass troops, so that our hope of holding Tongguan will be greater." Xu Shu said gloomily.

"That's absolutely fine. Cao thieves are still reliable in fighting. Even if he is destined to die at the hands of Tao Ying's traitor, he will definitely make the Tao thief pay a lot of price. Uncle Liu Huang smiled very happily, and then said, "By the way, there is one more thing. Sun Gongyou returns. Cao Ang during negotiations with him. Two demands were put forward to us, one was to hope that our army could provide more than 100,000 Hu military rations to help Chang'an survive the famine. Second, he hopes to marry with our army, and wants to marry the daughter of an important minister of our army for his younger brother Cao Zhi, I don't know what the opinions of the two military advisors are? ”

"It's strange, is Cao Ang's shaft really transformed? Why did he think of marrying his younger brother to our army? Xu Shu, who was very familiar with Cao Jun's internal situation, was a little puzzled, and said, "As far as I know, Cao Ang seems to have a good impression of Tao Ying's traitors?" A few years ago, because of several opposition to Cao Thief's war against Tao Ying, and Cao Thief was strictly forbidden to participate in the affairs of Tao Thief, how can from Sun Gongyou's return, Cao Ang's attitude towards Tao Thief now is like not sharing the sky? ”

"People change." Uncle Liu Huang said slowly: "Back then, I was a traitor with Tao Ying and a thief with Cao, and I was not as close as a brother and blood, but what about now? Now that Cao Ang has clearly named Cao Ang as his heir, doesn't Cao Ang want to plan for his future? Besides, I heard that Cao Ang is a well-known filial son, if Cao Apu dies in the hands of the pottery thief, I don't believe that he Cao Ang still dares to hook up with the pottery thief. ”

"Even if Cao Ang is playing tricks, he has made a big mistake." Pang Tong sneered and said: "He shouldn't have pushed Cao Zhi out to marry our army, he is Cao Zhi's most beloved son, and he is just fourteen years old, as long as we seize this opportunity to pull Cao Zhi into our hands, there will be opportunities for many things in the future." In terms of calculation, the treacherous and cunning Cao Apu, we may not be able to calculate him, but he Cao Ang, hum. ”

"So, does Shi Yuan approve of the marriage with Cao Zhi?" Uncle Liu Huang asked, seeing Pang Tong nodding, Uncle Liu Huang thought about it for a while, and quickly said: "Okay, let my daughter marry Cao Zhi first, and let Sun Qian tell Cao Ang, just say that if you want our army to help grain and grass, you can also discuss, but we still need time to prepare grain and grass, and this matter can only be said slowly." Other things will be discussed when the battle of Hangu Pass is clear. ”

………………

On the same day that Uncle Liu Huang calculated what happened to Boss Cao, Boss Cao also led Cao's army to leave Chang'an City and set off for Hangu Pass to face the damned son-in-law Deputy Director Tao. It was also when he was about to go out that Cao Boss called his eldest son Cao Ang to the back hall, handed over a sealed wooden box with Cao Ang's name written on it, and then instructed: "When Tao Ying's army is in Tongguan, you open this wooden box alone, and there is my warrant in the box, and you will act according to the order." Remember, you are the only one who can watch this command of mine, and there must be no mistake. ”

"No, boy, remember." Cao Ang knelt down respectfully and took the wooden box with both hands, and then Cao Ang got up again and asked, "Does my father have any other orders?" ”

Boss Cao stared at his beloved son, and only after a while did he slowly say: "Sage Yun: A gentleman hugs his grandson but not his son." Abide by this creed for your father, you have grown so old, your father has never hugged you, today, let your father hug you. ”

"Father, the children are twenty-seven years old......."

Cao Ang was a little embarrassed, but Boss Cao opened his arms without saying a word, hugged Cao Ang into his arms, patted Cao Ang's back with his thin palm, and whispered that the Cao clan will rely on you, and then let go of Cao Ang, strode out of the study, and shouted to Dian Wei and other guards guarding the door: "Go!" ”

………………

Six days later, on June 25, Cao Laoda's team arrived at Tongguan City, 370 miles away, and Cao Ren, the general of Cao's army, who was ordered to guard Tongguan, welcomed him out of Tongguan with Manzhong. When they met, Cao Ren and Manzhong's expressions were a little bad, depressed and absent-minded, Cao Boss observed the words and knew that something must be wrong, so he took the initiative to ask: "Is something wrong?" ”

Cao Ren and Man Zhong didn't dare to make a sound, and lowered their heads to peek at each other. Boss Cao affirmed his judgment, and said again: "Say, what happened?" ”

"My lord, I received the news more than an hour ago." Cao Ren replied hesitantly: "Luo ......, Luoyang ordered Wei Chong, refused to carry out the order to lead the army back to Hangu Pass, did not withdraw Luoyang soldiers, horses, money and grain after receiving the order to return to Hangu Pass, and chose to continue to stay in Luoyang, the team under his command was ......, and less than a thousand people withdrew to the Hangu Pass ....... ”

Boss Cao's expression darkened. Cheng Yu, Mao Jue and others next to him were furious together. They all said angrily: "Bold Wei Chong, dare to be so ungrateful!" Did he forget that it was the lord who promoted him to the end of Weimo, and it was the lord who personally raised filial piety for him! ”

He had already scolded Wei Chong, a bloody Cao Ren and Man Chong, bowed their heads and remained silent. Boss Cao suddenly laughed confidently. "Anyone can betray me." Only Wei Chong will not betray me, he refuses to retreat to Hangu Pass, it must be to hold on to Luoyang. Gain time for our army to set up defenses at Hangu Pass and Kei Pass. ”

"My lord......." Man Chong trembled and said: "Wei Chong expressed his attitude in front of the envoy of our army, saying that he had accepted the persuasion of Chen Qun, an important minister under the command of the Tao thief, and decided to dedicate Luoyang to the traitor of Tao Ying, but for the sake of the past, he did not embarrass the envoy of our army, nor did he chase and kill the team of our army who refused to surrender to the Tao thief. ”

"What?!" Cao Boss was dumbfounded, and stood on the spot, Cao Ren and the others were afraid that Cao Lao Qi would do something, so they hurriedly asked for comfort together, and Cao Boss, who finally came back to his senses, wanted to say a few words of face, but as soon as his mouth opened, Cao Boss couldn't help but bend over and cough violently, and coughed extremely painfully, Cao Ren and Cheng Yu and others were busy patting Cao Boss on the back, and finally stopped the cough for Cao Boss.

"I'm fine, let's go inside." Boss Cao pushed away Cao Ren and the others who inquired about the situation, and took the lead in walking into the gate of Tongguan, although Boss Cao tried to keep his pace calm and his waist straight, but between his gestures, there was still an endless depression and loss, as if in a moment, he was a few years older all of a sudden.

That night, Cao Boss handed over a sealed wooden box to Cao Ren, and also instructed Cao Ren to wait until the Xuzhou army reached Tongguan City, and then open the wooden box alone, take out the warrant in the box, and act according to the order. Cao Ren also knelt and took the wooden box, and then asked suspiciously: "Lord, if Tao Ying's traitors can really hit Tongguan City, then you should also withdraw to Tongguan, why do you still give such an order to the general?" ”

"Get ready." Boss Cao showed a smile and said, "The road east of Tongguan is complicated, maybe the pottery thief will arrive in Tongguan before me." ”

………………

Nine days later, in Luoyang, when Zhao Yun, the pioneer of the Xuzhou army's westward expedition, led an army of 10,000 to Luoyang City, the prepared Cao army Luoyang ordered Wei Chong to open the city gate and lead the defenders in the city to surrender to Zhao Yun's team. On the same day, the main force of the Cao army led by Cao Boss also arrived at Hangu Pass, and the distance between it and the vanguard of the Xuzhou army was less than eighty miles.

Another five days, Deputy Director Tao personally led the main force of the Western Expedition arrived in Luoyang, Deputy Director Tao named Wei Chong as the Prime Minister of Lu, the reward was very generous, and ordered Zhao Yun to lead the army to the east of Hangu Pass thirty miles east of Xiazhai. On the same day, the Xuzhou Army Division led by Zang Ba also successfully arrived in Yixian, only 60 miles away from Jiguan, Deputy Director Tao sent an order to cross the river, so that Zang Ba temporarily rested, and then launched a battle to attack Jiguan three days later.

On the same day, Cao Qing's letter of persuasion to Cao Boss was also sent to Hangu Pass, but Cao Boss only looked at his daughter's handwriting on the letter bag, and then put his daughter's letter into the brazier intact and burned it, and finally Cao Boss said to the Xuzhou military envoy: "Go back and tell Tao Ying that the traitor wants my life, it is easy, my head is waiting for him to take it in Tongguan City." Want me to surrender and dream! Get lost! ”

On the side of the Xuzhou Army, Deputy Director Tao personally led the main army to camp in the Luoyang area south of the Yellow River, excluding the team used to charge grain and protect the grain route, and the combat team that was ready to attack Hangu Pass exceeded 70,000. On the side of Zang Ba, because the grain road is under control, and the team of Bingzhou provides logistical support, the team of Zang Ba's army can invest about 40,000 troops at most for combat - of course, the combat effectiveness of the partial division is naturally impossible to match the main army led by Deputy Director Tao himself.

On the side of the Cao army, because of the sudden defection of Wei Chong, the 40,000 Cao troops that are expected to be used on the battlefield are actually only about 36,000 available, and the boss Cao, who has no choice, can only temporarily adjust the strategy, ordering his brother-in-law Ren Jun and Mao Jue to lead an army of 8,000 to stick to the Jiguan Heaven, only to guard the pass and not to fight, and to lead 28,000 main forces to guard Hangu Pass, waiting for an opportunity to fight a decisive battle with the main force of the Xuzhou Army. A bloody battle of fate is also about to start on the land of Hangu Pass and Keiguan, the two major Xiongguan in the Central Plains.

Note: Friends who often watch the pure wolf may wonder that Deputy Director Tao and Zang Ba are stationed on the north and south banks of the Yellow River, aren't they afraid that Boss Cao dug up the Yellow River and flooded the Xuzhou Army? Here is an explanation, the course of the Yellow River is sandwiched between the valleys in the west of Mengjin, Henan, the river level is lower than the ground, there has been no major change since ancient times, even if the Yellow River is diverted, the Yellow Flood area can only affect the east of Mengjin Zhengzhou and Xinxiang area, Luoyang where Deputy Director Tao is stationed and Yi County where Zang Ba is stationed are located in the west of Mengjin, and at the same time, Deputy Director Tao's grain road is from Xuchang to Luoyang, and Zang Ba's grain road is also the north-south direction of Shangdang, Jizhou to Yixian, so even if Cao Boss is frantically digging up the Yellow River embankment, It could not endanger the safety of the Xuzhou army.

Therefore, Boss Cao and Guo Tuberculosis did not come up with a desperate plan to dig the Yellow River, but it was not a pure wolf to give Deputy Director Tao a halo of the protagonist, but it was useless to Deputy Director Tao to do so. (To be continued......)