In December of the fourth year of Jian'an, Xuzhou mutinied.

After Liu Bei blocked Yuan Shu from surrendering to Yuan Shao, he entered and occupied Xiapi, unwilling to return to Xudu. He is not a person who is willing to live under others, and he obeyed Cao Cao's orders before, and he was also a desperate choice. Now, he has returned to Xuzhou, how can he continue to welcome Cao Cao? Moreover, he also has a lot of connections in Xuzhou, and as soon as he returned to Xuzhou, he immediately got in touch with Xu Xuan, the Taishou of Pengcheng.

Xu Xuan, a member of the Xu clan in Haixi, has always been good friends with the Chen family.

He had already received a letter from Chen Deng, asking him to try to take care of Liu Bei.

So after learning Liu Bei's thoughts, he was not hypocritical, so he took the initiative to offer a plan, "Xuande Gong, the land of the four wars in Xuzhou, there is Zhu Ling in the south, Wang Zhong and Liu Dai in the north, and Xiahou Yuan is stationed in Mount Tai, and Zang Batun is stationed in Langya, Beihai. In such a situation, if the public raises troops, he is surrounded by enemies on all sides, and it is difficult to sing alone. If the public wants to gain a foothold in Xuzhou, it must have foreign aid...... Why not follow Liu Chuang's example and unite with Yuan Shao? ”

I think that at the beginning, when Liu Chuang first arrived in Beihai Kingdom, he was also facing great pressure.

Fortunately, he got in touch with Yuan Shao in time, so that he was able to develop and grow in the cracks.

Xu Xuan felt that Liu Chuang's original strategy could be used as a reference. Yuan Shao is powerful, if Liu Bei and Yuan Shao unite, Cao Cao will inevitably throw a mouse.

It's just that Xu Xuan ignored one thing.

When Liu Chuangzhan lived in Beihai, there were actually many external factors.

First of all, Cao Cao's crusade against Zhang Xiu failed, and his morale was low; Secondly, Yuan Shu became the emperor, and he also shared a lot of pressure on Liu Chuang. There is also Xuzhou Lu Bu who can be used as an ally to echo each other. Therefore, Cao Cao will not use troops against Liu Chuang lightly before he solves these people.

If Cao Cao didn't have so many restraints at that time, Liu Chuanggen would not have been able to gain a foothold in Beihai.

In the final analysis, Xu Xuan is not a top talent in the Three Kingdoms era after all, and his vision is not so broad.

But even so. Liu Bei also attaches great importance to Xu Xuan's opinion.

He has gradually realized the predicament he is facing, and there are many fierce generals around him, Guan Zhang Chen, and they all have the ability to take charge of themselves, but this strategist ...... In the past, Liu Bei also had Jian Yong and Sun Qian by his side. Now Jian Yong and Sun Qian have all died at the hands of Liu Chuang. This also made Liu Bei's staff extremely scarce. However, this time Liu Bei intercepted Yuan Shu in Xuzhou, and also paid attention to this matter, and gained a lot.

Fight with Yuan Shu. Guan Yusheng captured Ji Ling and Lei Shu, and Guan Ping captured Yan Xiang, the chief strategist beside Yuan Shu.

Chen Zhi ambushed Yuan Shu's baggage convoy and captured Yuan Shu's strategist Li Ye.

These four people can be described as important ministers around Yuan Shu.

Especially Ji Ling and Yan Xiang, one by one. made Liu Bei pay special attention to it, and he was even more determined to recruit these two people.

Historically, Ji Ling's whereabouts are unknown after Yuan Shu's defeat.

And what about Yan Xiang? It is also a talent with great vision and strategy. When Yuan Shu was proclaimed emperor, none of the tribes dared to advise, but only Yan Xiang came forward to stop it. It's a pity that Yuan Shu couldn't listen. In the end, it ended up in a tragic end. Previously, when Cao Cao attacked Lü Bu in Xuzhou, Yan Xiang also persuaded Yuan Shu to send troops to rescue. But Yuan Shu still refused to agree...... Thus. Yan Xiang is a very strategic strategist, but he is not a human being. In history, this person was also missing after Yuan Shu's defeat. Nobody knows.

Even, his place of origin and words were not left in the history books.

Yan Xiang is a native of Youzhou. Speaking of which, he is still a fellow villager with Liu Bei, and he has the right to express words.

It's just that it is not a simple matter to get these two people to belong...... Whether it is Yan Xiang or Ji Ling, he has not responded positively to Liu Bei's solicitation. But it can be seen that both of them seem to be a little moved. Cause? Who made Liu Bei a serious Han clan now?

"Yuan Chu is arrogant and arrogant, how can he unite with me?"

After listening to Xu Xuan's persuasion, Liu Bei couldn't help but be a little moved.

Xu Xuan said with a smile: "Why should Xuande Gong be light, Yuan Shao is about to fight Cao Cao, if Xuande Gong echoes him, he will definitely be very happy." ”

Speaking of this, Xu Xuan paused, and then continued: "In addition, I heard that the former general of Zang Ba's army, Chang Xuan, is now stationed in the East China Sea. He was quite dissatisfied with Zang Ba and Cao Cao, and he had long been opposed. Xuande Gong can make one person go, and if he can say that Chang Feng is in trouble, he can drag Zang Ba and Xiahou Yuan. Then Xuande Gong took the opportunity to seize Xiaopei, and then sent another person across the river to unite with Sun Ce and attack Zhu Ling, which was a big event. ”

After hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but nod his head again and again in praise.

But who should be sent to the East China Sea?

Liu Bei glanced around the tent, and saw a person standing up, bowing and saying, "The industry has not been made since it was attached to Xuande Gong. I heard that Nachang is a native of Taishan County, and he has a friendship with the industry. He is willing to follow Su Qin and Zhang Yi's example, lobby this person, and help Xuande Gong to get into trouble. ”

Li Ye, a native of Taishan County, and a minister of Yuan Shu.

Historically, this is also a character who has no ending, and now he has surrendered to Liu Bei.

"If Won-sik wants to go, he will definitely be able to achieve great things."

Liu Bei was suddenly overjoyed, and nodded again and again to express his appreciation.

At that moment, Li Ye went to Donghai County and persuaded Changfeng to raise an army to rebel.

As Xu Xuan expected, after Chang Xuan raised his troops, he immediately attracted the attention of Xiahou Yuan and Zang Ba.

How did Liu Bei take the opportunity to send troops to Xiaopei, and defeated Wang Zhong and Liu Dai, who were stationed in Xiaopei, and then ordered Guan Yu to garrison Xiapi, and he himself stationed troops in Xiaopei to echo each other. Nearby counties also rebelled against Cao Cao, including Guangling County, which underwent earth-shaking changes almost overnight.

Liu Bei took the opportunity to recruit troops, and his power was also growing rapidly!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It's been nearly a year.

The New Year is approaching, and Xudu ushered in a heavy snowfall.

Cao Cao sat upright in the pavilion, ordered the beautiful maid to warm wine on the mound, and entertained Guo Jiaxunyu and Jia Xu.

Outside the pavilion, a small brown bear, almost more than a meter tall, was rolling in the snow. Beside her, a girl about eleven or twelve years old, slim and elegant, with an extraordinary temperament, was stroking her palms and laughing, and greeting the little brown bear from time to time. It's just that the little brown bear is playing hard, where to pay attention to the girl's greeting, which makes the girl squeamish for a while......

"Please come here today, and I really want to apologize."

"What did Ming Gong say?"

Cao Cao sighed, "Everyone persuaded me at the beginning. Don't let Liu Bei leave, I don't listen, and insist on asking him to go to Xuzhou.

Now, Liu Xuande rebelled in Xuzhou, occupied Xiaopei and Xiapi, and recruited troops. I heard that he was about to join forces with Sun Ce to flank Guangling. Bo sent someone to report the emergency, and he was under a lot of pressure now...... knew Liu Bei's wolf ambitions. I regret not listening to everyone's advice at the beginning. ”

Xun Yu and Guo Jia glanced at each other, picked up the wine glass in front of them, and drank it all.

Jia Xu sat expressionlessly and was silent......

"If, filial piety, and ...... All three of you are resourceful people, can you help me solve my doubts? What to do? ”

Xun Yu took a sip of wine, thought for a while, and said, "Liu Bei is based in Xuzhou, and he is indeed a threat.

However, I think that Liu Bei's threat is nothing more than a ringworm of scales, so there is nothing to worry about. Now Liu Xuande has newly won Xuzhou, and the foundation is not stable. The Duke of Ming can personally supervise the expedition of soldiers and horses. It can be defeated in one fell swoop. I thought that what Ming Gong was worried about now was actually Yuan Shao of Hebei.

If Liu Bei and Yuan Shao unite, they will echo each other. It will be a catastrophe. ”

Cao Cao thought so deeply and raised his glass to invite wine.

He lowered his posture like this, not simply to thank Xun Yu for his advice.

To put it bluntly, it is also a summary of the contradictions between the two in the past year. Liu Chuang escaped from Xudu. Cao Cao always had mustard in his heart. He sent Liu Bei out, more to demonstrate with the Yingchuan clan headed by Xun Yu. Only this time, he seems to have failed a little.

But Cao Cao is Cao Cao after all, he can afford to mention it and let it go.

Xun Yu's kindness to Cao Cao was also taken to heart, and he smiled slightly, and then stopped talking.

"Ming Gong, have you paid attention to the current situation in Liaodong recently?"

Guo Jia suddenly spoke: "Duke Ming knows that in three months, Chuang Er conquered Liaodong in one fell swoop, captured Gongsun Du, recovered Xuansu County and Lelang County, and captured Goguryeo's Susheng Bone City, forcing Goguryeo King Bogu to send envoys to Xiangping to negotiate peace. ”

"Oh?"

Cao Cao was stunned when he heard this, and he was immediately interested.

Speaking of which, he really hasn't paid attention to the situation in Liaodong recently.

Liu Bei's matter made him a little anxious, not to mention that he was actively preparing for war in Guandu, so his attention to Liaodong was indeed a little less.

The last time he asked about the situation in Liaodong, it was when Liu Chuang instigated turmoil in Youzhou.

Now that he heard Guo Jia talk about Liaodong, Cao Cao couldn't help but be taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Fengxiao, Chuang'er pacified Liaodong so quickly?" ”

"The base has been settled."

Guo Jia covered his mouth, coughed lightly twice, and said: "Now Xuanwu County, except for Gao Xian, the four counties are all in the hands of Liu Chuang; Among the eighteen counties of Lelang County, twelve counties are attached, and Chuang Er has ordered his subordinates to go to Lelang to take over. Gongsun Du was captured, Gongsun Kang was killed, and no one in Liaodong County could shake Chuang'er. He was now negotiating peace with Goguryeo, and at the same time sent an envoy to negotiate with Fuyu.

Trimester!

Ming Gong, it seems that you and I have underestimated Chuang'er, but I didn't expect him to stabilize the situation in Liaodong so quickly.

In my opinion, it won't take long for Chuang'er to seize Liaoxi, and the four counties of Liaodong will all fall into the hands of Chuang'er. ”

Xun Yu smiled bitterly.

Cao Cao showed a dignified expression.

At this time, Jia Xu suddenly spoke: "I heard that after Uncle Liu Huang entered Liao, he was repeatedly suppressed by Yuan Shao? ”

Cao Cao called Liu Chuang a Chuang'er, which is not too much, after all, the two are opponents; It seems that Xun Yu and Jia Xu have to respect Uncle Liu Huang, but Guo Jia has a lot of dissatisfaction with Liu Chuang, so he also calls Liu Chuang Chuang'er. It can also be seen from this that Guo Jia's position.

Fortunately, these people didn't care about it, and they turned a deaf ear to Guo Jia's title.

"What's your opinion?"

"I think that at the beginning, Yuan Shao could use Uncle Liu Huang to contain the lord; Now that he is far away in Liaodong, why doesn't the lord use him to contain Yuan Shao? ”

"Oh?"

"I haven't met this Uncle Liu Huang, but since I came to Xudu, I've heard a lot about him.

This Uncle Liu Huang can be called wise and foolish. On the surface, he seems to be a threat, but in fact, he is very ambitious. However, now Uncle Liu Huang is far away in Liaodong, but he can't threaten the lord. But Yuan Shao's attitude towards him, why didn't the lord take advantage of it? ”

"You mean ......"

"Yuan Shao suppressed Uncle Liu Huang, why didn't the lord support this person.

If there is such a person in Liaodong, he will not be able to share part of the pressure on the lord. ”

When Cao Cao heard this, his heart was pounding.

Jia Xu's words spoke to his heart.

Yuan Shao's army of more than 100,000 troops gathered in Liyang, which indeed brought great pressure to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was not without soldiers and horses. But the problem is that Cao Cao's situation is different from Yuan Shao's. Yuan Shao sits in four states and has no worries. But Cao Cao faced the threat of Liu Biao and Sun Ce, and now there is another Liu Bei. This also doomed Cao Cao to be unable to concentrate his forces like Yuan Shao, and could only disperse and defend the palace.

In this way, Cao Cao's head-on confrontation with Yuan Shao was only a few tens of thousands.

The disparity in military strength has made Cao Cao feel troubled, and the disparity in financial resources has also doubled Cao Cao's pressure.

Jizhou is a place where money and grain are abundant, and the state and Youzhou are also where horses are produced. Qingzhou's handicraft industry and negotiation are very developed, and this qiē makes Yuan Shao's power particularly amazing.

One of the simplest examples, under Yuan Shao, there were more than 10,000 cavalry troops.

The cavalry of the Eastern Han Dynasty, although it was improved compared with the light cavalry of the Western Han Dynasty, the war horses were no longer shirtless, but equipped with chests.

By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the war horse had developed from a simple chest made of leather only on the chest to a relatively complete horse armor. It's just that this kind of horse armor is very precious and should not be equipped. And the cavalry equipped with horse armor was also transformed into heavy cavalry.

Of course, the heavy cavalry of this period was only a prototype to put it bluntly.

During the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao had 300 horse armor, that is, 300 heavy cavalry.

As for Cao Cao, he didn't even have ten horse armors, so that when Cao Cao talked about these things later, he couldn't help but show a trace of sadness.

From this, it can also be seen how disparity the power between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is.

During this time, Cao Cao has also had a headache about this.

Although Xun Yu offered him a plan to shrink his forces and have a decisive battle with Yuan Shao in Guandu, even so, he had to bear great pressure.

Jia Xu's idea made Cao Cao's eyes light up.

If Liu Chuang hadn't occupied Liaodong, maybe Cao Cao wouldn't have cared much about him.

But now, Liu Chuang seized Liaodong with a thunderous momentum, how could Yuan Shao be defenseless? Liu Bei can unite with Yuan Shao, and he can unite with Sun Ce, why can't I unite with Liu Chuang? In terms of strength, Liu Chuang's strength is far better than Liu Bei's, and he is in Liaodong, so he has no direct conflict with Cao Cao. While he may become an enemy in the future, he can now be an ally.

Well!

Since the Warring States period, there has been a strategy of long-distance friendship and close attack, and vertical and horizontal cooperation.

Cao Cao thought about it and thought that Liu Chuang was the best partner for now......

If Liu Chuang is willing to contain Yuan Shao, then the pressure on Cao Cao's front can be relieved.

Together, this thought could no longer be stopped.

Cao Cao sat in the pavilion and frowned and pondered: What should I do to unite with Liu Chuang?

Suddenly, a series of exclamations came from outside the pavilion.

Cao Cao hurriedly looked out, and saw that the girl ran to play with the little brown bear at some point, and was thrown down in the snow by the little brown bear.

The sound of laughter like silver bells echoed in the sky.

Cao Cao's eyes couldn't help but light up, he got up and walked to the railing, looked at the girl who was playing with the little brown bear, and suddenly had an idea!