The conflict that took place in Nanyang was an extremely serious incident for both Cao and Han, especially not long after the Han army had just conquered Jiaozhou, and the occurrence of such a conflict undoubtedly stirred the most sensitive nerves of both sides.

Wen Ping wrote a report to Liu Jing as soon as possible, Liu Jing immediately interrupted the inspection of Bashu, and rushed to Nanyang, halfway through, he issued two orders, ordering Huang Zhong's army to rest in Nanjun immediately rush to Nanyang County, and ordered Tongguan Zhao Yun to prepare for battle, ready to attack at any time.

And Cao Cao was even more nervous, he was far from being ready for a decisive battle with the Han army, but something happened to Kunyang, which made him have to worry that the Han army was going to tear up the agreement, and now that Jiaozhou has been swept away, is Liu Jing impatient?

Cao Cao was worried that the situation was critical, he ignored his old age and infirmity, immediately rushed to Xudu, and ordered the general Xu Huang to lead 20,000 troops to Luoyang, and ordered Zhang Liao to lead 20,000 troops to support Xudu.

On the official road to Xudu in the south, 10,000 tiger cavalry marched in a mighty formation, the banner was like a cloud, the momentum was huge, Cao Cao's wide carriage was in the middle of the team, and in the carriage, Cao Cao was discussing with Cheng Yu about the sudden Yingchuan crisis.

Unlike Cao Cao's extreme nervousness, Cheng Yu did not believe that Liu Jing would launch a campaign against the Central Plains at this time, after all, the Han army had been fighting continuously in the past few years, and had just ended the Battle of Jiaozhou, and the soldiers were very tired, and the national strength and food did not support Liu Jing to launch a larger-scale campaign.

"Wei doesn't need to be too anxious, Weichen understands Liu Jing, it can be seen from his attack on Jiangdong that in order to attack Jiangdong, he did not hesitate to launch the Hefei War first, and controlled Jianghuai before attacking Jiangdong with all his might, and this Yingchuan crisis, I don't see that Liu Jing has any signs of launching a war in the Central Plains, as far as Weichen knows, he is still patrolling in Shuzhong, so Weichen feels that this is an accidental thing, there must be some reason."

Cheng Yu's explanation made Cao Cao breathe a sigh of relief, and he pondered for a moment before asking, "Does Zhongde think Liu Jing will come to Nanyang?" ”

"I think it's very likely, just like Duke Wei rushed to Xudu, if Liu Jing doesn't want war to break out because of this matter, he will definitely rush to Nanyang, and this matter is equally important to him."

Cao Cao sighed, "I'm worried that he will use this matter to continue to put pressure on Xu Du, creating a situation where he will make a mistake, and he can send troops to the Central Plains at any time." ”

Cheng Yu nodded, "Duke Wei's worries are also reasonable, in Liu Jing's style, he will seize an opportunity to build momentum, although he may not start a war now, but he will create a tense situation where the war is about to break out, to prepare for his future attack on the Central Plains, in this case, Duke Wei should especially pay attention to the movements of the Han army in the three directions of Hefei, Nanyang and Tongguan, if Liu Jing decides to attack the Central Plains, these three directions will definitely change at the same time." ”

Cao Cao sighed, "I knew that today, I should have issued the Ding Decree a long time ago, and I wouldn't be so passive now." ”

Cheng Yu was silent for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Duke Wei, there is a sentence that I don't know if Weichen should say or not. ”

"That's it, I've been with me for so many years, and I still don't trust you."

Cheng Yu said slowly: "If you talk about the ability to command, Cao Zhen is too poor Xiahou Yuan, and it is never a wise move to let Cao Zhen sit in the Central Plains, Weichen is worried that he will repeat the mistakes of Jiangdong." ”

Cheng Yu said very implicitly, he was actually reminding Cao Cao that Cao Wei's internal factional struggle was strict, and if he attached too much importance to factions like Jiangdong, he would inevitably be burdened by factions.

Cao Cao nodded silently, he actually understood this contradiction, but to solve this contradiction, it is not something that can be done in one sentence or two, this involves the issue of heir inheritance, he sighed, "Zhongde's words of gold and jade, I will consider it carefully." ”

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Just when Cao Cao was about to arrive in Xudu, Liu Jing's team also arrived in Wancheng, in fact, Liu Jing couldn't say that he knew nothing about the conflict in Yecheng, otherwise Wen Ping would not dare to decide to take the opportunity to stir up trouble.

Liu Jing had an explanation to Wenpin at the beginning of the year, and after the end of the Jiaozhou Campaign, he could appropriately provoke a conflict with Cao's army, and let Wenpin decide for himself the specific plan.

Before Liu Jing arrived in Wancheng, Huang Zhong led 40,000 troops stationed in Jingnan to arrive in Nanyang County first, and set up a large camp outside Wancheng, together with the garrisons of Xiangyang and Nanyang, a total of 60,000 troops were stationed in Wancheng, and there were 20,000 Han troops on the Yecheng front, and 80,000 troops had gathered in the entire Nanyang County.

In the big tent of the barracks, Wen Ping reported the details of the whole matter to Liu Jing, Liu Jing listened and pondered, and finally asked, "Has the Cai family's caravan returned now?" ”

"Your Royal Highness, the Cai family's caravan has not come back yet, and it should still be in the hands of Le Yi, but I am afraid that Le Yi will kill people and destroy his mouth."

"It's okay, as long as Cao Cao has the heart to investigate, he can't hide this kind of thing."

Liu Jing now understands that Wen Ping took advantage of the kidnapping of the Cai family's caravan by Cao Jun to make a fuss, and ordered Cai Jin to provoke the incident.

Seeing that all the generals still had a little doubt, he smiled and said: "Actually, this conflict was arranged by Wen Dudu in advance, in order to test the emergency army deployment of Cao Jun, once the Central Plains War really broke out, how would Cao Cao transfer troops?" In addition, it is necessary to establish a state of imminent war, and if war breaks out, we can send troops at any time, and it is now the beginning of May, and we are about to start a war in about half a year at most, so maintaining a state of imminent war is conducive to our attack on the Central Plains. ”

In the big tent, Huang Zhong, Wen Ping, Wei Yan, Xiang Chong, Lu Meng, Xu Sheng, Jiang Qin, Zhu Heng and other generals were silently listening to Liu Jing's explanation, especially the original Jiangdong generals, they were the first time to follow the King of Han to participate in the war against Cao Wei, and everyone's hearts were full of expectations.

At this time, the veteran Huang Zhong asked: "Your Highness means that this time it is just a drill and a temptation, does Your Highness think Cao Cao will go south?" ”

"I believe that he will definitely go south, not only because he is not ready for war, but also because he is not at ease with Cao Zhen, now Cao Wei is not enough people, can only use the soldiers to Tuntian, once we remain in a state of readiness for war, Cao Jun will have to deal with the same, which will disrupt his deployment in Tuntian."

Speaking of this, Liu Jing laughed, "Although it won't have much impact, it's better than nothing." ”

Liu Jing looked at everyone again, and when he saw that Lu Meng was thoughtful, he asked with a smile, "What is General Lu thinking?" ”

Lu Meng bowed and said: "I think that the humble position, why don't we talk while fighting, and break through the army to the north bank of the Huai River, so that the pressure on Cao Cao will increase, so that he has to make concessions to us, and the humble position means that with this opportunity, the army will be deployed and broken through to the north bank of the Huai River." ”

As soon as Lü Meng finished speaking, Wei Yan said on the side: "General Lü doesn't know, our warships have completely controlled the Huai River, and we can land on the north bank of the Huai River at any time, in fact, there is no need to garrison troops in Huaibei." ”

"Landing on the Huai River at any time and stationing troops in Huaibei are two different things, the latter can establish a logistics center in Huaibei and buy time for future major wars."

"Isn't it the same thing to use warships for logistics?"

"What about the hearts of the people? What about the hearts of Huaibei people? Why didn't General Wei think about it? ”

Lu Meng and Wei Yan argued, and Wen Ping couldn't help but shout: "In front of His Highness, you must not be rude!" ”

The two were shocked and quickly stopped arguing, Liu Jing waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have arranged this matter, the two generals should not argue anymore." ”

Everyone dispersed, and Liu Jing was alone in the big tent of the Chinese army looking at the Central Plains sand table, at this time, a soldier reported: "Your Highness, General Xu Sheng asks to see!" ”

"Let him in!"

After a while, Xu Sheng walked into the big tent quickly, bowed down and saluted: "See Your Highness!" ”

"Is there anything wrong with General Xu?"

Xu Sheng said in a deep voice: "Today, His Royal Highness also said that Cao Cao is not ready for war, so I don't understand, why doesn't His Highness take advantage of this opportunity to attack from the west, capture Luoyang or Merge State, and when Cao Cao sues for peace, we will let the results obtained become a fait accompli?" ”

Liu Jing shook his head lightly and said: "Although Cao Cao is not ready for war, in fact, we are not ready for war either, on the one hand, the military food is insufficient, and it will not last long, and secondly, as soon as the war starts, a large number of refugees will pour into Guanzhong, how to settle them?" These things seem simple, but they are actually very tricky to deal with, and we must be well prepared. ”

Speaking of this, Liu Jing smiled mildly at Xu Sheng: "I can understand General Wen Xiang's mood, but attacking Cao Wei is a matter of importance, you must deploy calmly, be well prepared, and know how to make trade-offs, although there are many opportunities in front of you, but you must also consider it in the long run, you can't rush it, this time Yecheng conflict, I just put pressure on Cao Cao, observe his deployment of troops, and at the same time establish a state of imminent battle, as long as this goal is achieved, you can stop, I believe that after this trial, I will be more sure of attacking the Central Plains." ”

Xu Sheng was a little ashamed and said: "It's too shallow to consider the humble position. ”

Liu Jing smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "As a general, respond to the battle, seize the fighter, your construction is completely correct, now that Cao Wei's army is concentrated in the Central Plains, and the state is empty, I can completely order Zhao Yun to send troops and annex the state, this is a good general's construction of the state, but as a total controller, my vision cannot be limited to one city and one domain, limited to the gains and losses of a war, sometimes I also feel that it is a pity, but I must be patient, I must restrain my desires, Wen Xiang is understandable?" ”

Xu Sheng nodded silently, although he couldn't do it, but he could understand it, Liu Jing said again: "But the appropriate pressure is still needed, don't be too anxious, you can gradually escalate, it depends on the situation of the negotiation?" ”

Xu Sheng was puzzled, "What does Your Highness want to negotiate?" ”

Liu Jing said lightly: "At least Cao Cao has to admit that he started this conflict first, and he must give me an explanation." ”

Cao Cao also arrived in Xuchang, and as soon as he entered the gate of Xuchang, he couldn't take a break, so he immediately summoned Cao Zhen and the general Le Qun to meet him! ”

Cao Zhen and Le Qun were in the barracks outside the city, hearing the order of Duke Wei, the two hurried to visit, at this time, Cao Cao was talking to the third son Cao Zhi, Cao Zhi was named Xu Du to stay, but in fact it was just a false position, Xu Du's military and political power was not in his hands, after more than a year, Cao Zhi finally saw his father, tears fell, and his voice was choked, "The child can't serve by his father's side, it's the child who is not filial!" ”

Cao Cao's favorite is this son, only because he considered the inheritance of the Wei State, he had to snub his son ruthlessly, at this time he was also quite sour in his heart, and reluctantly smiled: "Idiot doesn't have to be like this, my father is in good health, but you are alone in Xudu, my father and your mother are very concerned, it seems that your complexion is not bad, remember, don't indulge in wine anymore." ”

"The child obeys his father's command!"

Cao Cao sighed again, "In the future, you will understand that being a father is completely for your good, in order to save your life, one day, you will no longer resent your father." ”

Cao Zhi cried loudly, "The child understands! I really understand my father's painstaking efforts. ”

Cao Cao stroked his hair lovingly, and said with a smile: "Don't cry anymore, the military advisor and General Cao Zhen are coming, don't let them laugh." ”

Cao Zhi wiped away his tears, "The child obeys!" ”

At this time, Cao Cao asked the guards at the door, "But have they arrived?" ”

"Yes! General Cao Zhen and the military advisor were waiting outside. ”

"Let them in!"

Cao Cao smiled at his son again: "You sit next to your father, and today you will make an exception to let you participate in military affairs." ”

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