In July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao convened a meeting of the Southern Expedition in Xudu, which was attended by almost all the senior generals and important advisers of Cao's army. This may be the last battle of Cao Jun's pacification of the world, and everyone hopes to seize the opportunity to make contributions. Therefore, all the generals and advisers came to the Prime Minister's Mansion early this morning to wait.

"The Prime Minister has arrived—" the celebrant sang. All the generals and advisers got up and left their seats, and Cao Cao strode into the conference hall surrounded by all the soldiers. sat down in the main hall and waved to everyone, "You are all acquaintances, don't engage in so much red tape, you are tired, I am tired of looking, all sit, all sit!" ”

"Thank you, Prime Minister!" Everyone took their seats!

"Ladies and gentlemen, the main purpose of convening everyone here today is to discuss one thing - the southern expedition! Everyone knows that since the fall of Yuan Shao's father and son, the four states of Hebei have gradually stabilized. Last year, we went north to Wuhuan to sweep away the border troubles in northern Xinjiang, and this year we went west to conquer Ma Chao, Han Sui and other departments in Guanzhong, who had been suffering for many years, and pacified the Longyou prefectures in Guanzhong. It's time to march south to Jingxiang and Wuyue! ”

"What the prime minister said is extremely true! Liu Biao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei are strong and strong, and they are not subject to the dispatch of the imperial court and do not listen to the edict of the Son of Heaven. Cao Hong was indignant.

What Zilian said is extremely true, the prime minister was ordered by the Son of Heaven to conquer the Quartet and hang the people for crimes, which is exactly a measure that conforms to the will of heaven and responds to the will of the people. Now that Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Lu Bu, Gongsun Zhan and other heroes of the Central Plains have been exterminated, it is time to go south to conquer those southern barbarians who do not obey the indoctrination! Cao Ren expressed his support.

As soon as Cao Ren's words came out, the generals and strategists below expressed their support one after another. Only Jia Xu showed concern on his face.

Cao Cao was very strange when he saw it, "Wenhe, you have an anxious look on your face, and you seem to have something to say?" ”

Jia Xu saw that Cao Cao asked about himself, so it was inconvenient to hide it anymore, so he got up and knelt down and replied: "Xu does have something to say!" I was afraid of sweeping away the prime minister's interest, so I hesitated! ”

Cao Cao understood that Jia Xu had his own concerns about the Southern Expedition, so he comforted, "Wen He is too worried, people often say that brainstorming can benefit from the broad, and it is natural for a general to be as good as a stream." Sun Tzu said: More wins, less wins, let alone not? Before every great war, we call people to discuss the matter, and the intention is to listen to everyone's opinions. Analyze the situation between friend and foe and find out how to win. If everyone is afraid to speak their hearts, then what is the point of us? You say yes, right? ”

"The prime minister is right!" Everyone praised it.

"Since the prime minister said so, Jia Xu knows everything, and he has no end to it! Jia Xu thought that the time was not yet ripe for this southern expedition to Jingxiang! ”

"What did Wen He say about this?"

"Prime Minister, at this time, the Southern Expedition is a taboo for many soldiers, and it is not good to go out of the army!" Jia Xu said as he observed the change in Cao Cao's complexion. for fear that his words would anger Cao Cao. After all, this is a matter of pouring cold water on people's heads, and anyone will be unhappy if they change. Cao Cao saw that Jia Xu was talking and was speechless, and knew that he still had scruples, so he admonished.

"Wenhe, don't have scruples, if you have anything to say, don't be bold to say it!"

"Thank you, Prime Minister. Then Jia Xu said bluntly, Prime Minister, with your wisdom above ordinary people, you command the brave and warlike army, implement the benevolent government of the saints, respect the edict of the Son of Heaven to conquer those cholera ministers and thieves in the world, and distribute the kindness of the Son of Heaven to the four seas, so that the people of the world can get rid of the harm of war and live a peaceful life. Therefore, no matter where you conquer, the people will welcome you and your army, and you have swept away the heroes of the Central Plains with the support of all the people in the world, and achieved today's great cause! Is that so? ”

"Yes! Yes. Cao Cao nodded yes.

"But the land of Jingxiang and Wuyue is different from the north. You are now asking for them, there are a lot of factors that are against you! ”

"For example?"

"We have five disadvantages for conquest of Jiangnan at this time. First, the northern soil is not flat. Although the Prime Minister's Western Expedition defeated Ma Chao and Han Sui's troops, Ma Han was not eliminated, and the main force still existed. The rear is not peaceful and the division goes on an expedition, which is a taboo for soldiers. Second, there is no time. At this time, it is about to enter the middle of winter, the weather is getting colder, and everything in the south is withering. Forage is hard to find, the horses are emaciated, and they can't afford to fight hard for a long time. The combat strength of our northern army will be greatly affected. Third, attack the strengths of others with my shortcomings. Our army is all northerners, not good at water warfare, and even many soldiers are not water-savvy. Let us abandon our horses, put on our ships, and go to battle with the southern soldiers who roam the rivers and lakes all year round, which is something that smart people do not do. Fourth, it is not geographically advantageous. Our army went south and did not adapt to the water and soil. The soldiers were afraid that they would suffer from more diseases, which would inevitably affect the battle. Fifth, do not occupy people. Although Liu Biao and Sun Quan cannot be compared with the prime minister, they are also talented characters. He has governed the local area for many years and won the hearts of the local scholars. Our army is going south, and I am afraid that the locals will be ignorant of the power of heaven, and they will help the rebels to abuse and help the rebels! With these five taboos, I thought that the matter of the Southern Expedition should be talked about slowly! After Jia Xu finished speaking, he raised his eyes and glanced at Cao Cao's face, feeling terrified. After Cao Cao listened, his face was complicated and he was silent.

"What Wen He said is ridiculous!" Cheng Yu stood up and spoke out against it. Cao Cao's face suddenly softened.

"Oh? What is Chung Tak's opinion? Cao Cao asked with a smile.

Cheng Yu got up and stepped forward, knelt down and saluted, and replied, "Prime Minister, Wenhe's words, I dare not agree!" First, the prime minister was ordered by the Son of Heaven to conquer the Quartet, and if he did not return, he would be rebellious, although the Jiangnan scholars were not as good as the Central Plains high-ranking families, but they were also mostly scholarly families, and the family of etiquette, how could they not understand such a truth? Where will they be rebellious and help the rebels resist the heavenly soldiers? Second, what is the world of the Central Plains since ancient times? The Central Plains is rich and has a large population. Seventy percent of the world's living beings are concentrated in the Central Plains. Now that the prime minister has pacified the Central Plains, he has won two thirds of the world. In the midst of the Chinese army to conquer the Wu Yue barbarians, how can they not attack everything and be invincible? Third, the art of war is full of vigor, and then declines, and three is exhausted. Now that the prime minister has broken through the rebels in Guanzhong, the world is shocked, and the rebels are frightened, just taking advantage of this opportunity to conquer Jiangnan, sweeping away the rebels in one fell swoop, and commanding such a victorious division with high morale to conquer the frightened and chaotic rabble, how can there be any reason not to win? Prime Minister, Wen He thinks too much. I thought that this was the right time to conquest, and the opportunity should not be lost, and the loss would not come again! ”

"What do you think?" Cao Cao asked after listening to Cheng Yu's words.

"We agree with Zhongde's words!" The audience spoke in unison. Seeing this, Jia Xu sighed and returned to his seat.

"Ha Lu Ha Lu Ha Lu Lu Ha Ha Lu Ha Where can I get all the conditions to fight? In the art of war, soldiers are impermanent, and water is impermanent. That's what I'm talking about. Zhongde's words are very much in line with my wishes. If today's heroes have been destroyed, only Liu Biao and Sun Quan are the calamities of Jiangnan and do not obey the edict of the Son of Heaven. If there is no conquest, where is the majesty of the Son of Heaven? I've made up my mind, send troops this winter! ”

"Obey the Prime Minister's orders!" The generals conspired to obey.

"Pass my orders!" The celebrant hurriedly stepped forward to receive the token and sang, "The prime minister has a life, and the generals will kneel to receive it!" All the generals stepped forward in unison and bowed.

"I ordered Xiahoudun to be the vanguard, and Li Dian and Le Jin to be the deputy generals. Commanded 50,000 troops and sent them to Xinye. ”

"Yes!" The three of them stepped forward to take the token from the celebrant.

"Yuan Rang, Liu Bei is a hero in troubled times, and he has lived in Xinye for a long time, which should not be underestimated. In this southern expedition to Jingxiang, we must first pull out this nail before our army can be unimpeded. Cao Cao instructed carefully.

Xiahoudun understood: "The last general understands, please rest assured!" Cao Cao nodded and motioned for him to step back. Xiahoudun led the order to retreat! Cao Cao continued to give orders.

"Yu Ban, Zhang Liao."

"The last general!"

"The two of you each led an army of about 10,000 points to sweep away the counties on the periphery of Xiangyang from north to south, and they will join Xiangyang in half a month."

"Yes!"

"Cao Hong!"

"The last general!"

"Zilian is the general of Zhennan, and he led his troops south from Hefei, feinted to attack Chaisang, and contained Sun Quan."

"Yes!"

"Xun Yu!"

"Humble duty!"

"Xun Yu is the order of the Zhongshu order, after the army goes south, he will be fully responsible for all important military and political affairs and logistics grain and grass supply in the DPRK and China!"

"Yes!"

"The rest of the generals will go south with me in three days and send troops to Xiangyang!"

"Yes!" The generals bowed down one after another to receive the command.