Chaisang was guarding the mansion, and Sun Quan was sitting on the throne without saying a word. His eyes were gloomy, and no one knew what Sun Quan was thinking.

None of the battle reports that have come in the past few days have satisfied Sun Quan. First of all, Luling City was broken by internal thieves, and Sun Yi was beheaded by his cronies. Although Sun Yi is Sun Quan's biggest threat in the army, but now that he is embattled, the death of a powerful general has greatly hurt the hearts of the army, Sun Quan has not the slightest joy, and the gloom envelops Sun Quan.

Secondly, it was Lu Xun who retreated into Chaisang with the defeated army, the defense line of Poyang Lake and Lujiang River had been broken, and Zhou Yu only left 3,000 soldiers to Lu Xun, how to resist Lu Dai's 30,000 naval army? What made Sun Quan even more angry was that Zhou Yu actually dared to mobilize the army without permission and did not listen to his own orders, although Zhou Yu's judgment was very accurate, Shixie did betray Sun Quan, but this is also unforgivable, and mobilizing the army without authorization is equivalent to rebellion!

The final battle report was that Zhou Yu recaptured Luling City, and at the same time, Tai Shici's army also attacked Guilin City, the hinterland of Jiaozhou, which meant that Sun Quan's retreat to the south had been laid.

"Bo Yan, what is Gong Jin's plan?" Sun Quan closed his eyes, took a long breath, and slowly opened them again, now is not the time to hold Zhou Yu or Lu Xun responsible, but how to get his army out of trouble and get rid of Cao Cao's sniping.

"My lord, originally the governor wanted to retreat to Jiaozhou, cut off the road to the north, and then our army recuperated in Jiaozhou. Now that Shixie has rebelled, the situation has changed a lot. The Metropolitan Governor attacked Guilin, probably because he wanted our army to retreat into Nanzhong! Lu Xun arched his hand and answered Sun Quan's question.

Of course, Lu Xun knew Zhou Yu's plan, and Lu Xun was young and vigorous at this time. I want to gamble too. As long as Shi Xie does not rebel when resisting Cao Cao. Lu Xun had a way to kill Shixie with his backhand after Cao Cao retreated, but now the situation has changed. Lu Xun guessed Zhou Yu's new plan with Zhou Yu's move.

"Retreat to Nanzhong?" Sun Quan listened to Lu Xun's words, angry and hateful, it seems that Zhou Yu has long been determined to retreat to Nanban, and Jiaozhou is no longer good, so he retreats to Nanzhong. Could it be that the land of the Southern Barbarians is better than the Central Plains? Zhou Yu didn't want to keep the land of Jiangdong, but wanted to go to Nanban to open up a new world?

"My lord, in fact, since our army lost Wu County and Huiji, the situation is no longer under the control of our army. Our army can only act under the general trend of Cao's army, please don't blame the governor, this is the will of heaven, and it can be changed by non-manpower. Lu Xun naturally saw Sun Quan's dissatisfaction, and hurriedly stood up to defend Zhou Yu.

Lu Xun told the truth, Sun Quan, who lost the second county of Jiangdong, couldn't even compare to Liu Biao. Cao Cao's strategy of attacking Jingzhou first and then taking Chaisang was actually a strategy of first difficult and then easy, in Cao Cao's eyes. Sun Quan's strength is already at the end of the princes, and only the two counties of Chaisang and Lujiang want to turn things around. It's simply not possible. Sun Quan's wise men can see it clearly, but no one says anything.

Sun Quan is a generation of heroes, so he naturally knows that what Lu Xun said is not a lie. Chaisang and Lujiang have a small population, a lot of wasteland, and no economic foundation at all, how can such a territory withstand Cao Cao's onslaught, Lu Xun said very reasonably, he can only act under the general trend of Cao's army. Unless Cao Jun has a major change, Sun Quan will definitely have no chance of turning the tables.

"Bo Yan also thinks that retreating to Nanzhong is a good strategy?" Sun Quan sighed and asked Lu Xun.

"Lord, we have no way out, if we just stick to the second county, within three years, our army will inevitably be swallowed by the Cao army. Now our army can only be preserved with the help of geographical advantages. Although Cao Cao had many soldiers, it was difficult for him to go south for a while. After a long time, there will be changes in the north, and our army may be able to return to Jiangdong. Lu Xun arched his hand and told his analysis.

After Sun Quan listened, he thought about it, what Lu Xun said was very reasonable, the unified Han Dynasty back then, the mighty Han Wu Emperor also used several generations of accumulation to destroy the Lingnan King Zhao Tuo, the current Cao Cao is much worse than the Han Wu Emperor, he sticks to Nanzhong, it is still possible to continue the next few generations, as long as he lives, there will be hope!

"Okay, Bo Yan, you go and arrange, tonight we will withdraw from Chaisang, retreat to Luling, and join Gongjin." Sun Quan waved his hand weakly, and now there was only this way.

"No!" Lu Xun hugged his fists and left Sun Quan's study.

"Hey, Zijing, it seems that you already knew Gongjin's plan, am I wrong? Are you all willing to listen to Gong Jin and ignore me, the lord? After Lu Xun left, Sun Quan began to talk to himself, his eyes emitting a vicious afterglow.

On the high ground of the crocodile mouth, Lu Rui's army was stationed here, looking at the river under the high ground, Lu Rui and Cao Chong both shook their heads.

"Brother Rui, could it be that Zhou Yu dug up the nearby river? All the water is flooding here? Cao Chong looked at the river with a puzzled expression, it was the first time Cao Chong had seen such a method to trap the enemy.

"Lingnan is rich in waterways, far more complicated than I thought, and the water source is larger than I thought, I didn't expect Zhou Yu to be able to trap our army with water alone." Lu Rui shook his head helplessly, he could have consolidated the defense line around Luling and blocked Sun Quan's retreat, but he didn't expect that Zhou Yu suddenly killed and kept Sun Quan's retreat.

Lu Rui crossed from later generations, and he is a southerner, so he has naturally seen a lot of big rivers, but Lingnan during the Three Kingdoms period surprised Lu Rui, the water area of Poyang Lake is far beyond Lu Rui's imagination, just three days, dozens of miles of crocodile mouth was submerged, and the water depth is at least more than ten meters.

"Brother Rui, the spies from Anxian County are back, it seems that Sun Jun has given up Anxian, should we send troops to occupy Anxian?" Just when Lu Rui and Cao Chong looked at the river and sighed, Cao Pi came over and reported the latest military situation to Lu Rui.

"It seems that Sun Quan has decided to give up Chaisang and is concentrating his army to come to Luling." Lu Rui narrowed his eyes, Sun Quan and Zhou Yu had a new plan? What do you want to do by concentrating the army in Luling?

"Cangshu, what do you think?" Lu Rui glanced at Cao Chong, wanting to see what the prodigy had to say.

"Brother Rui, I'm not a goddess, how can I guess Sun Quan's thoughts. It's just that according to Zhou Yu's current siege plan, Zhou Yu doesn't seem to want to block the place where our army is located. Zhou Yu was just stalling for time. It's a pity that our spies can't enter Luling now. Otherwise, you may be able to guess Zhou Yu's plan. Now Cao Chong is full of curiosity about Zhou Yu, and he is a top resourceful person, not only trapped himself and Lu Rui here, but also cut off the source of information.

"The back is high mountains and mountains, and the front is surrounded by water on three sides, and it is basically impossible for the spies to come back. Zhou Gongjin, Mei Zhou Lang? It's amazing! Lu Rui smiled and laughed at himself. It seems that Zhou Yu is more difficult to deal with than Zhuge Liang.

"Zihuan, you go and prepare, as long as the middle father captures Chaisang, he will definitely pursue Sun Quan, as long as our naval army arrives, Luling City will be at your fingertips." Cao Cao has Jingzhou's army in his hands, plus the newly built naval army in Moling, Cao's army has enough ships, and as long as the soldiers of Wumanxi get on the boat, I believe that they will not be worse than Sun Quan's naval army.

"Yes. Brother Rui, I'll go and prepare right away. ”

Half a month later. Cao Cao arrived in Anxian with a large army, and at the same time sent a naval army to drive out Zhou Yu's building ship besieging Lü Rui. Cao Cao set up a camp in Anxian County, and Lu Rui took Cao Pi, Cao Chong, and Shamoke to Anxian County to meet Cao Cao.

"See the Prime Minister (father-in-law)!" Lu Rui took the three of them to meet Cao Cao. Cai Mao and Lu Dai sat on the left and right, and it seemed that all the sailors of Cao's army had arrived in the area of Chaisang.

"Brother-in-law, you shouted the wrong one." Cao Chong gently reminded him behind Shamoke that in front of the formal political discussion, the Cao family called Cao Cao's official position, not his own kinship.

"Shouting the wrong thing? Isn't this my father-in-law? Shamoke looked at Cao Chong with a puzzled expression, and his voice was very loud.

Lu Rui and Cao Pi were stunned, these days when they get along with Shamoke, they know that this person doesn't know much about Han etiquette, but Lu Rui and Cao Pi don't care, after all, they are relatives, and it's really a bit embarrassing for Shamoke to learn Han etiquette. I didn't expect it to be a joke this time.

"Hahahaha! Yes, yes, this is your father-in-law, Cao Cao! Cao Cao has been observing Shamoke, and when Shamoke called out his father-in-law, Cao Cao was in a good mood, how many years, and no one has called himself on a formal occasion for a long time.

Cao Cao was originally a dissolute person, but later with the improvement of his status step by step, the people around him became more and more cautious, and even Lu Rui, who had been giggling by Cao Cao's side since he was a child, became cautious. On formal occasions, Cao Cao will never be called the middle father, but the prime minister, and the relationship between relatives is also changing with the change of official position.

It's been a long time since I've heard such a sincere address.

"Hehe, I'll just say that my father-in-law, brother-in-law, second brother-in-law, and brother-in-law still say I'm wrong? What's wrong with me? Shamoke patted Cao Chong and smiled slightly.

Lu Rui and the three shook their heads helplessly, these things are not explained clearly to Shamoke, and political matters are always the most complicated.

After Cao Cao saw Shamoke, he did not discuss political affairs, but pulled Shamoke up to talk about family affairs. Lu Rui and the others knew Cao Cao's freewheeling personality, and they had no choice but to talk about family affairs with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao handed over the letters of the women of the Cao family to the three of Lu Rui, including Cao Jie's letters, of course.

"Extraordinary, do you know that you are going to be a grandfather, and you are going to be a father?" Cao Cao handed Cao Jie's letter to Lu Rui and looked at Lu Rui with a smile.

"Huh?" Lu Rui was stunned for a moment, it had been almost three months since he left Xu Du, and Cao Jie was already pregnant?

"Extraordinary, Jie'er has been pregnant in March, and in the summer, there is no point in staying here, after March, we will return to Xudu, and then you can stay in the house for more time and accompany Jie'er." Cao Cao patted Lu Rui, he owed Cao Jie, after he got married, Lu Rui followed him to the south and the north, and did not have much time to accompany Cao Jie at home.

"Father Xie Zhong!"

"Hehe, Brother Rui, I have a little nephew, and I will definitely teach my little nephew well when the time comes." Cao Chong smiled wickedly and squeezed his eyes at Lu Rui.

"Just you kid will find trouble!" Lu Rui was in a good mood, he was finally, finally going to have a future.

"Okay, the private matter has been discussed, and we have to talk about how to eliminate Sun Quan. If Sun Quan is not removed, it will definitely be a big disaster for our army in the future! Cao Cao saw that Shamoke was already too drunk to do anything, and was poured like a puddle of mud by Xu Chu. He has regained the majesty of the prime minister, and he has to discuss how to pursue Sun Quan.

"This is Shixie's latest information, this Jiaozhou King doesn't seem to be so simple! Another slippery catfish! Cao Cao handed over the latest information to Lu Rui and the others, and Shi Xie withdrew from the south of Luling.

Shi Xie's three younger brothers suddenly returned to Jiaozhou. In Hepu. Guangzhou. The three places in the South China Sea rebelled against Shixie, and Shixie led the army to quell the chaos. Shi Xie told Cao Cao that his troops were limited and there was no way to support Cao Cao, but Shi Xie promised that he would be absolutely loyal to Cao Cao's Han court.

In order to show his sincerity, Shi Xie decided to give Guilin County to Cao Cao and let Cao Cao govern.

"An old fox is an old fox. It seems that Shi Xie is also very clear that without Sun Quan, he may be swallowed up by us? Lu Rui smiled slightly, this Shixie also doesn't know Cao Cao too much, since Cao Cao promised to let the Shixie family govern Jiaozhou, Cao Cao will not send troops, after all, it is not possible to have Shixie in Jiaozhou, but Shixie is guarding against Cao Cao, one overlord is one overlord, none of them are simple.

"Shi Xie returned to the south to quell the rebellion. Just want our army to fight with Sun Quan's army, so that our only naval army will wear down our strength. In order to ensure the safety of Jiaozhou. Cao Pi analyzed Shixie's purpose on the side and put forward his own views.

"It's not that simple, it's true that Shi Xie wants us to fight, but Shi Xie won't be so stupid, we have to go after Sun Quan, Shi Xie has to save his strength, it's just that Shi Xie has a bigger plan, he wants to sacrifice a Guilin County, let us help him resist Sun Quan." Lu Rui shook his head, judging from the information sent by Shi Xie and Sun Quan's recent actions, Sun Quan was about to retreat to Nanzhong, it was obvious that Shi Xie had already guessed Sun Quan's plan, and used a trick to push the boat down the river and let Cao Cao stop Sun Quan.

"Zihuan, your experience is not enough, you have to ask Rui'er for more advice, Shixie's plan for Jiaozhou, can't you see it?" Seeing Cao Pi's puzzled look, Cao Cao nodded at Cao Pi.

"This?"

"Cangshu, did you guess Shi Xie's plan?" Cao Cao saw that Cao Pi was still in doubt, and shook his head in his heart, although Cao Pi has the posture of a hero, but I am afraid that it is still not as wise as Cao Chong.

"Father, Chong believes that the only way out for Sun Quan's army now is to go west, through Guilin County and retreat into Nanzhong, if Sun Quan retreats into Nanzhong, our army will have no need to pursue. Shi Xie ceded Guilin County to our army because of two plans, one was to block the barbarians in Nanzhong, and the other was to guard against Sun Quan, who might escape into Nanzhong. No matter which aspect it is, our army will be contained in the future, and it is still unknown whether Guilin County can be controlled by our army. Cao Chong is a step higher than Cao Pi, not only seeing Shixie's smooth sailing, but also seeing Shixie's plan for the future.

In the Han Dynasty, the Lingnan region was an undeveloped area, and the ethnic minorities in the area lived together, each with its own hills, each with its own soldiers and horses, and the rule of the central government was only contrary to the yang and the yin. As long as the ethnic minorities did not divide their territories and recognized the rewards of the central court, the Han court generally ignored them. As for the strategy of governing Lingnan, it is very simple, appointing a Han central official to administer Lingnan in name, but in fact the local forces in Lingnan control their own territory.

Shi Xie's plan was very clever, not only letting Cao Cao fight with Sun Quan, but also ceding Guilin County to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao couldn't help but accept it. After all, Cao Cao is the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, and the local forces have compromised and returned to the imperial court, which is a great honor, and this is also Cao Cao's slogan of serving the Son of Heaven and not being subordinate.

Once Guilin County fell into Cao Cao's hands, trouble also came. The west of Guilin County is the territory of Nanzhong, if Sun Quan retreats into Nanzhong, he will definitely wait for an opportunity to retaliate against Shixie, Guilin County is the only way, and Cao Cao will definitely face Sun Quan's attack at that time. If Sun Quan was wiped out by Cao Cao in Guilin County, the barbarian king of Nanzhong would invade Jiaozhou and also pass through Guilin County, and Cao Cao would still be the vanguard at that time.

"I see, Guilin County is the only passage for Jingzhou to enter Jiaozhou, Shixie gave us on the surface to sincerely obey our army, but in fact he calculated our army, and our army can't do without, it's really a good plan!" Cao Pi is not a stupid person, after Cao Chong's guidance, he immediately woke up to it, this is a poisonous fruit, not to be eaten at will.

"Zihuan, or Cangshu is wise, you have to think about it, there is no such good thing in the world. Guilin County has been one of the important passages for Jingzhou to enter Jiaozhou since the Qin Dynasty, and it is not meaningless for Shi Xie to let us here. Cao Cao nodded, and Cao Pi and Cao Chong's performances made him very satisfied.

"The father is clever, even Shixie's plan has been seen through by his father, and the child admires it." Cao Pi arched his hand and bowed to Cao Cao, indeed, his resourcefulness still needs to be improved, and the old fox like Shixie is now far more than himself.

"Hey, even if you see through Shi Xie's plan, the prime minister will send troops to pursue Sun Quan, and I haven't tasted the taste of being calculated for a long time." Cao Cao laughed at himself, even now that he saw through Shixie's plan, Cao Cao had no way to change the situation.

"Uncle, Guilin County is a barbarian land, why do our army still take advantage of the situation to pursue, Chaisang has fallen into the hands of our army, and if you hold Chaisang County, you can defend against the southern barbarians, why should you fall into Shixie's trap?" Cao Xiu heard the analysis of Cao Cao and everyone on the side, and protested to Cao Cao, why must he send troops to pursue, and let Sun Quan occupy Guilin County and Shixie dog-eat-dog?

"Wen Lie, you are wrong, the pursuit of Sun Quan is not just to quell the rebellion of the princes, but for the righteousness of the court. Back then, General Fubo fought for many years and died in Nanzhong, for what? It's just one sentence: Those who offend my big man will be punished even if they are far away! Jiaozhou is the state and county of my Han! Cao Cao shook his long sleeves and glared at Cao Xiu.

"Uncle taught me a lesson, Hugh understood, Jiaozhou is the territory of my Han Dynasty!" Cao Xiu listened to Cao Cao's words, and immediately understood. Pursuing Sun Quan and occupying Guilin County was not for the rebellion of the princes, but for the territory of the Han Dynasty. (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you for your great support!!