In order to express his serious dissatisfaction to Cao Cao, Yuan Shao sent a heavyweight envoy to Changyi to meet Cao Cao this time, and this person was Sima Xu You, another department of the Che Cavalry General's Mansion.

Before Xu You arrived in Changyi, Hua Xin had already returned with the good news that Tian Kai was willing to serve, Cao Cao was naturally very happy, and he was ready to immediately send his general Xiahoudun and military advisor Xi Zhicai to lead a small number of soldiers and horses to Qingzhou to collect Tian Kai's troops, but Xun Yu persuaded him.

Xun Yu said to Cao Cao: "When the lord sent Hua Xin to Qingzhou to lobby Tian Kai, he just had the attitude of giving it a try, and now he has Tian Kai's soldiers and horses, and the territory is an unexpected joy. However, it will never be our family who intends to win over Tian Kai, Jizhou Yuan Benchu, Pingzhou Gongsun Du, Xuzhou Tao Qian and other forces will also send people to persuade Tian Kai, so although Tian Kai verbally promised us, he may not dare to do something treacherous. At this time, if General Xiahou and Xi Cheng were sent to Qingzhou with only a small number of soldiers and horses, in case Tian Kai's intentions were wrong, General Xiahou and Li Gongcao would be in danger of their lives! At this time, if a large number of soldiers and horses were sent to Qingzhou, it would make Tian Kai suspicious and vigilant, causing unnecessary conflicts. ”

Cao Cao is a very far-sighted person, and he agrees with Xun Yu's worries, so he asked Xun Yu: "If you don't send someone to receive Tian Kai's soldiers and horses, wouldn't it be tantamount to missing the opportunity?" ”

Xun Yu replied: "In my opinion, after Yuan Benchu of Yecheng learned that we had absorbed Tian Kai, he would definitely send someone to Changyi to negotiate, and the lord might as well make appropriate concessions, give up the land of Qingzhou where Tian Kai was based to Yecheng, and order Tian Kai to lead the army into Yanzhou and garrison at the location we designated, so that it will not affect our alliance with Yecheng, and we can also get a piece of soldiers and horses." ”

Cao Cao originally wanted to get all Tian Kai's territory and soldiers and horses, but now Xun Yu suggested that he only collect soldiers and horses and not occupy territory, which made him hesitate and reluctant, so he frowned and thought about it.

Cheng Yu agreed with Xun Yu's opinion. So he opened his mouth and said: "The place where Tian Kai is now based is really a chicken rib, there are Bohai seafood in the north, there is a relict army in the west, there is Kong Rong to block the retreat, there is a Zang Bajun army in the south, and our army is pressing forward in the southwest. Qingzhou, which has been chaotic all year round, cannot be compared with the rich Xuzhou at all, and the lord must first take Xuzhou now, and should not enter Qingzhou too early. If we cede Tian Kai's territory to Yuan Gong, Tian Kai will have nowhere to go, and he will inevitably lead his army to Yanzhou. ”

Cheng Yu did not say a few words clearly. That is, if Tian Kai's territory is ceded to Yuan Shao, then he does not have to directly connect with Liu He's power, and if Liu He expands to the south in the future, Yuan Shao will be the first to be unlucky, and Yanzhou can have more time to prepare for war. The reason why Cheng Yu's words are inconvenient to say clearly is only because the two Yuan and Cao families are allies at present, and all words that may affect the relationship between the two families must be avoided, so as not to be transmitted to Yecheng by people with intentions and cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

Cao Cao listened to Cheng Yu's analysis. Suddenly brightened, so he smiled and said, "What the two of you said is exactly what I want!" How can we have this benefit alone? ”

A few days later, the envoy Xu You came to Changyi with Yuan Shao's handwritten letter. After Cao Cao read Yuan Shao's letter, he pretended to be surprised. He said to Xu You: "This time, I really don't know that Brother Benchu actually sent someone to Qingzhou to persuade Tian Kai, otherwise I would never have sent someone there!" The matter has come to this, I can't break my trust with Tian Kai, and I can't make my original brother angry. I will send someone to tell Tian Kai and ask him to immediately withdraw from Qingzhou with all his troops and horses, and give up the territory to Brother Benchu! ”

Xu You originally thought that this trip to Changyi would be very troublesome. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao made concessions as soon as he read Yuan Shao's letter, and was willing to give up all the Qingzhou territory occupied by Tian Kai to Yuan Shao, and suddenly felt a lot more relaxed, so he said: "Thank you Meng De for your magnanimity!" ”

After finishing his business, Cao Cao sincerely kept Xu You to stay in Changyi for a few more days, set up a sumptuous banquet in the mansion every day, and asked his subordinates to take turns holding wine bottles to toast Xu You. Xu You was very proud when he saw Cao Cao giving himself face like this, so he let go of the amount of alcohol and drank with the guests who came to toast, and drank very happily every day.

One night, after the guests dispersed, Cao Cao asked Xu You to be helped into his tent, and then accompanied Xu You to talk.

Cao Cao said: "Brother Ziyuan came to Changyi this time, you must stay longer, you and I have a good chat!" ”

Drunk, Xu Yu straightened his tongue and said: "Thank you Meng De for your kindness, I'm afraid it won't work this time, I'm very anxious at the beginning, now that it's over, I will return to Yecheng tomorrow." ”

Cao Cao said: "Since this is the case, it is inconvenient for me to continue to keep my distant brother." I have instructed my men to prepare a gift for you, and I hope you will not refuse! ”

Xu You said with some excitement: "Meng De treats me like this, you will remember it, and I will definitely repay it in the future!" ”

On the second day, Cao Cao sent a group of soldiers to escort Xu You back to Yecheng, and the gifts he secretly gave to Xu You filled several carriages.

Historically, Xu Yu was famous for his greed for money, and now Cao Cao has a more long-term plan for his favor.

Xu You returned to Yecheng and presented the letter written by Cao Cao to Yuan Shao to Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao was very happy after reading it, and he said to his subordinates: "Cao Mengde still respects me very much, and he also knows the general situation, this time he intends to give up the territory of Qingzhou Tiankai to me, which general do you think should be sent to receive it?" ”

Guo Tu had already advocated that Yuan Shao send troops to attack Tian Kai, but now he saw that it was profitable, so he hurriedly suggested that Yuan Shao said: "The lord can send General Gao Lan to lead 20,000 soldiers and horses to Qingzhou." ”

Tian Feng immediately spoke out to stop Yuan Shao and said: "Don't divide your troops into Qingzhou!" Qingzhou is the place of the four wars, now our army is worthy of self-defense, if it is divided into 20,000, the defense will be weak, please think twice! ”

Yuan Shao didn't like Tian Feng's words, and said: "After Gao Ran takes away 20,000 soldiers and horses, we can immediately recruit another 30,000 soldiers in Jizhou to make up for the vacancy in this part of the army!" ”

Tian Feng wanted to remind Yuan Shao that the current recklessness of the army would increase the burden on the people of Jizhou, but when he saw that Yuan Shao had an impatient look on his face, he had to bow his head and remain silent, feeling a little helpless in his heart.

Immediately, Yuan Shao ordered Gao Ran to command 20,000 soldiers and horses, with Guo Tu as the military advisor, and Zhou Ang, Gao Xiang, Jiao He, and Wang Mo as partial generals, and set off for Qingzhou.

As soon as Yuan Shao's side moved, the various fine works lurking near Yecheng immediately spread the news.

When Gao Lan's army was still on the way, Tian Kai received an order from Cao Cao, asking him to immediately lead his army to leave the garrison, cross the river from Jishui and enter the territory of Lu County in Jibei Kingdom, and then settle the army in Lu County. Tian Kai originally thought that with Cao Cao's support, he could continue to stay in Qingzhou to be powerful, but Cao Cao gave up his territory to Yuan Shao, forcing him to leave Qingzhou, which made Tian Kai feel very hurt in his heart. Tian Kai knew that if he really went to Lu County, he would be completely controlled by Cao Cao in the future, and the soldiers and horses under his command would be completely annexed by Cao Cao in a short time.

Tian Kai thought about it, but he couldn't find a way out, and he couldn't help but be discouraged, so he wanted to lead the army to Lu County. At this time, the arrival of an uninvited guest made Tian Kai change his mind.

The uninvited guest who came to see Tian Kai secretly was Gongsun Zhan Changshi Guan Jing, who had no way out when the army was defeated.

After Guan Jing and Shan Jing were defeated and captured in Daixian, they lost news and were taken into custody by Liu He, and they were never appointed to a new position. After all forces focused on Tiankai in Qingzhou this time, although Liu He, who was in Jicheng, asked Xian Yufu not to rush into Qingzhou, it did not mean that he would let go of any opportunity to weaken his opponent and strengthen himself. Guo Jia secretly suggested that Liu He send Guan Jing to Qingzhou to lobby Tian Kai at a critical moment, which may have an unexpected effect.

Liu He thought that Tian Kai would take refuge in any party, but he never thought that Tian Kai might fall to his side, he asked Guo Jia with some doubts: "I have a grudge against Tian Kai to kill the master, I heard that Tian Kai has always been finally Gongsun Zhan, even if he reaches the point of desperation, then how can he defect to me?" ”

Guo Jia replied confidently: "When Gongsun Chan was alive, Tian Kai would naturally be loyal to him, but Gongsun Chan's power has now been completely destroyed, so Tian Kai has lost the object of his loyalty." If Tian Kai really had hatred for Gongzi Zhan, he would have led the army to attack Bohai as soon as he heard the news of Gongsun Zhan's death, but in fact he didn't make any moves at all, which shows that Tian Kai was already thinking about his future. During this period of time, all forces must have sent people to lobby Tian Kai openly and secretly, why didn't he take action for a long time? Just because Tian Kai doesn't want to easily submit to any party, he still wants to continue to divide one side in Qingzhou and live happily! ”

Liu He nodded, and said even more puzzled: "If Tian Kai wants to continue to be powerful in Qingzhou, he will not be able to take refuge in me." Everyone knows that the most intolerable thing for my father and I is that the generals under his command support the army and divide one side. ”

Guo Jia said: "Gongzi doesn't need Tian Kai's allegiance, as long as Guan Jing is sent to tell Tian Kai that the matter between Youzhou and Gongsun Chan has been revealed, not only will we not send troops to attack him, on the contrary, when he is in danger, he can also hide in Bohai County." ”

Liu He probably understood what Guo Jia meant, and he said, "Do you want me to send someone to strengthen Tian Kai's courage and let him continue to guard his own territory?" ”

Guo Jia nodded and said, "That's exactly what I intended." The territory of Qingzhou occupied by Tian Kai is not difficult for us to send troops to occupy, but it will take a large number of troops to occupy it for a long time. Since it is inconvenient for us to occupy it now, it is not possible to cheapen others, it is better to let Tian Kai continue to occupy it for us! ”

Li Ru echoed and said: "I think that Gongzi should not only give Tian Kai courage, but also send people to Beihai to contact Kong Rong, remind Kong Rong to pay attention to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, let him understand the truth of cold lips and teeth, and force him to provide some support to Tian Kai, and the two families will unite to deal with the pressure from Yuan Shao and Cao Cao." ”

Liu He asked Guo Jia and Li Ru with some hesitation: "What if Guan Jing has hatred for me, and after seeing Tian Kai, he doesn't follow my instructions, but instigates Tian Kai to continue to oppose me?" ”

Guo Jia and Li Ru, the two "foxes", smiled at each other and said to Liu He together: "This is the best!" (To be continued......)