In Xiangxian City, in the General's Mansion, Cao Cao sat cross-legged on the couch, draped in a big hat, his hands were empty above the brazier in front of him to keep warm, and his face was ugly.

Two days ago, he was still looking forward to a bright future in Xiaoguan City, the throat of Xuzhou, and God knows that the situation will take a turn for the worse in one day.

After laying out the bureau for so long, Xiao Guan, who finally got his hands on it, changed hands like this.

Surprisingly, he was not too unwilling, and after calming down, Cao Cao was convinced of this defeat to Lin Mo.

A secret passage that should not have appeared was prepared in advance, and a bandit Jinfan thief was used by him half a year in advance, who can withstand this?

After pondering Lin Mo for some days, Cao Cao found that the biggest difference between him and ordinary strategists was that he was like a chess player, counting twenty in one step, and was accustomed to calculating all the unknowns.

To deal with such people, it is necessary to win by surprise, to think outside the established way, and to march in an unexpected way.

This point, Guo Jia is the best at it, but unfortunately, he is sick at the moment.

There was a sound of footsteps, Xiahou Yuan walked in, described haggard, and hugged his fists and said: "Sikong, the defeated soldiers from all sides have returned to the camp one after another, a total of 8,700 people, except for the complete formation of the leopard cavalry guarding Sikong, the cavalry of the three battalions are all damaged, and there are more than 1,100."

There are also defeated soldiers who returned to the camp and said that Wen Qian and Man Cheng. Killed. ”

Cao Cao's body stiffened, and his face instantly darkened.

It's been two days, and before the two of them have returned to the camp, Cao Cao guessed that something was wrong, but after waiting for the exact news, the boundless pathos still beat in his heart like a stormy wave.

The army was broken by two-thirds, and the cavalry was broken by one-third, and he was not uncomfortable, but Le Jin and Li Dian died, and his heart was bleeding.

From the ambush battle outside Peicheng, to the Battle of Anfeng, and then to the Battle of Xiaoguan this time.

Cao Xiu, Cao Chun, Li Tong, Le Jin, Li Dian, plus a missing Yu Ban, unknowingly, I actually lost so many fierce generals.

There are some things that can't be studied or recalled, just a simple calculation, Cao Cao closed his eyes in pain.

He knew too well that these people were either fierce generals in the army or training wizards, and some were even enough to be in charge on their own, but after three battles, the other party just folded a Hao Meng.

Cao Cao could clearly hear that his heart was dripping blood, and it was easy to get a thousand troops, but it was difficult to find one.

"Miaocai, sit." Cao Cao pouted at the small bench beside him.

Xiahou Yuan was a little unsure, and after sitting down, he was puzzled: "The eldest brother is depressed, do you need to invite Mr. Xun over, he is resourceful, or he can solve the eldest brother's worries." ”

Cao Cao just shook his head sneeringly.

The mood at this moment, it is difficult for outsiders to empathize, Xun You is quite loyal to himself, but in the end, it is the Yingchuan family, and there is a gap in the middle.

Compared with the Xiahou family, who scattered all their wealth and raised troops with themselves, they can talk to their own family members in any way.

"Big brother, Yuan Rang should arrive with his troops before dusk tomorrow, if you are angry, it is better to storm Xiao Pass and make Lu Bu pay the price!" The general of Baidi, Xiahou Yuan, has a better record than Xiahou Yuan.

In terms of personality, he, like Zhang Fei, has a fiery temper and likes to work if he doesn't agree with him.

It's just that Zhang Fei in the later period began to slowly become enlightened, whether it was doing things or fighting, he learned to use his brain, but this Xiahou Yuan was the main one who was reckless.

"I can't fight anymore."

Cao Cao moved his buttocks, changed his posture, and said weakly: "If we continue to fight, Lu Bu and I will either lose and be defeated by Yuan Shao, or"

He didn't want to say any more about the rest of the words.

After hearing that this was a helpless move, Xiahou Yuan said again: "Then, do you send a fast horse to inform Yuan Rang, so that his troops don't have to rush to Xiangxian anymore, and slowly return to Xuchang?" ”

"Just going back?"

Cao Cao sneered, as if laughing at himself, and muttered: "People in the world will say that Cao Cao has more than 100,000 people, and he can't beat Lu Bu's tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, what a mediocre master." ”

Ahh

This doesn't work, that doesn't work, Xiahou Yuan said that he was very blindsided, "What does the eldest brother want?" ”

"It's best to let Lu Bu take the initiative to sue for peace, or ask for peace, and I will have an explanation inside and outside the court when I retreat."

We've had a big defeat, my eldest brother, will Lu Bu come to sue for peace?

Xiahou Yuan shook his head after thinking about it, anyway, he wouldn't be able to change him, but he didn't ask any more, feeling that it was wrong to ask anything.

Seeing Xiahou Yuan's careful thoughts, Cao Cao smiled, "If Guangling or Lujiang are suddenly attacked, what do you think will happen to Lu Bu?" ”

"What information did you receive, big brother?" Xiahou Yuan stood up suddenly, if something really happened to Lu Bu's rear, then he would not be begging for peace, but begging for mercy.

"Nope."

In Xiahou Yuan's surprised gaze, Cao Cao pressed his hand and motioned for him to sit down, and then said earnestly: "Miaocai, for a general, not only to reward and punish clearly, to govern the army strictly, but also to learn to look up to the world.

Although I didn't get any information, I could smell it with my nose, and in Danyang, more than 800 miles away, Sun Ce was about to make a move against Huainan or Guangling. ”

Jiangdong Sun Ce?

Xiahou Yuan, who slowly sat down again, after his eyes turned around twice, he suddenly remembered that more than half a year ago, Wu Jing, the Taishou of Guangling, had invited Sun Ce to settle in.

At that time, there was also a hundred cavalry robbery camp, didn't Gan Ning's bastard suffer a big loss.

Later, Sun Ce was defeated and folded Zhou Tai and Huang Gai, and now he thinks that he will definitely not give up, he must be waiting, and when the two sides are inseparable, he will suddenly attack Guangling or Huainan.

Yes, it must be!

Xiahou Yuan, who had figured it out, swept away gloomily and grinned, "I understand, the eldest brother can't retreat now, he has to wait for Yuan Rang to lead his troops to come and form a confrontation with Lu Bu, which is actually to encourage Sun Ce to make a sneak attack."

As long as Sun Ce succeeds and Lu Bu's backyard catches fire, either make peace with us, or"

Xiahou Yuan, who was squinting, reflected the gloomy cold air, and made a gesture of raising and falling his knife.

He was excited, but Cao Cao was still very distressed.

This feeling of leaving the future to someone else to decide is the last thing he likes.

What's more, a win is a win, a defeat is a defeat, this time, it was a real loss, and it was so completely lost.

Now, I only hope that Sun Ce will not let himself down, not to mention making trouble for Lu Bu, at least forcing him to come back so that Lu Bu will have to make peace with himself, and forget about it when they have a step down from each other.

After all, at this moment, the morale of this team has plummeted and it can no longer fight.

Cao Cao sighed, lay down on the couch, and said weakly: "Go down, tired." ”

"Whoa." Xiahou Yuan knew that he was just chatting with him, and what he was thinking in his heart, even he couldn't guess.

However, what I said just now gave Xiahou Yuan some confidence, and he was ready to rectify the defeated soldiers who had been gathered, so as to raise his morale.

"By the way, let's dig more useful generals in the army, and you can also recruit talents in the border of the two states." Cao Cao, who was lying on the couch, looked at the dome and said with a hollow look.

"Whoa." Xiahou Yuan responded again, and then completely retreated.

In Xiaoguan City, the first thing Lin Mo did when he arrived was to block the tunnel first.

Some things are enough to do once, and after the spread of this war, this tunnel will only become a hidden danger that threatens Xiao Pass, and it will be unfavorable.

Looking at the tunnel that was filled in after only one use, Lin Mo didn't feel very distressed, so he spent 20,000 gold to buy back Xiao Guan, which was very cost-effective.

"What are you going to do with those captives?" After coming out of the abandoned treasury, Lu Bu asked casually.

"Let them repair the damaged city defense and private houses first, and when it's almost time, return it to Cao Cao." Lin Mo patted the dirt on his hands.

Lu Bu was stunned by these words, and the whole person stood still, "Give it back to Cao Cao?" Thou great good man, our people died in vain? ”

Lin Mo smiled slightly and made a gesture of please, motioning for the old father-in-law to continue walking, "Lord Yue, didn't the scout just say that Xiahoudun's 100,000 army has entered Xiangxian, do you know what the intention of this move is?" ”

"Xiao Guan was defeated, Cao Cao was unwilling, and he wanted to wait for an opportunity to counterattack after meeting the army!" Lu Bu turned his head to look at Lin Mo, this is not an obvious thing.

"No, he is waiting for Lord Yuezhang to give him what he wants, and he will lead the army to leave, or rather, he will be able to lead the army to leave."

Only to lead the army to leave and only to lead the army to leave are two different degrees of terms, the more Lu Bu listened, the more confused he became, and he couldn't figure out what he could give him after thinking for a long time, so he could only look at Lin Mo with an inquiring gaze, expecting his son-in-law to solve his doubts.

"Please make a book."

Lin Mo pouted and said: "Lord Yue, the text of this poetry meeting has shocked the group of families behind Cao Cao, and even the court has caused a certain amount of turmoil.

But if he wins, it is good to say that he can use this to stabilize his rear, to stabilize the anti-war forces in the court, the problem is that he is defeated, and he wins first and then loses, so that the rear will fall into chaos.

To stabilize this chaos, we can only take our letter of invitation to peace back to Xuchang, and then tell the people of the world, well, they have asked for peace, and they are still the pillars of the imperial court, so I will not ask for them. ”

Lu Bu's face showed a sudden expression, it turned out that it could be like this, it turned out that it could still be like this.

Yes, if my son-in-law hadn't told me about it, I wouldn't have known there were still these doorways inside.

"I said too, Xiao Guan was defeated, Lejin and Li Dian were killed, the three armies were in turmoil, how could he fight back, he was waiting for me to ask him for peace."

"If you make peace, you will have to pay tribute, and the more than 8,000 captives are not the best tribute."

This matter really wasn't Lin Mo's decision as soon as his mind was hot.

In fact, Chen Gong and Jia Xu's old yin have all participated in the discussion of this matter, and the three of them are unanimous in their opinion that they can return the person to Cao Cao.

First, if these 8,000 people wield the butcher's knife, it would be difficult to send away Cao Cao, the plague god, and they would have to give enough reason to go willingly.

Second, the combat strength of these 8,000 troops is very ordinary, and they were just Tuntian soldiers before, and they can't make any waves.

Third, and most critically, the next thing is the big battle with Yuan Shao, once the situation of joining Cao to resist Yuan is formed, from the perspective of allies, they all hope that Cao Cao can compete with him for a longer time.

Only the stronger Cao Cao's strength is, Yuan Shao will allocate more troops to deal with him, and the pressure on his own side will also be reduced.

"It's still your thoughtfulness, if it weren't for you, I guess I'd have to be confused about these things."

Lu Bu was in a good mood, with Lin Mo here, he didn't need to think about many things.

In fact, he seemed to know in his heart that even if there was no Lin Mo, Chen Gong would give their opinions on these things, the problem was that only when Lin Mo said what he said just now, he was willing to believe and implement it from the bottom of his heart.

If it were Chen Gong, there would inevitably be some suspicions about whether he was hiding something, not to mention Chen Deng and Jia Xu.

No way, people are selfish, except for Lin Mo, except for his son-in-law, no one can give him this kind of down-to-earth feeling.

"Oh yes."

The two walked back to the general's mansion while chatting, and after sitting down on the stone platform under the eaves of the pavilion, Lu Bu suddenly remembered something and said casually: "The wedding date between you and Ling'er is set for Taoyue, I have let people see it, the best day of the year is the seventh day of the third month, and at that time, Cao Cao must have also retreated." ”

Saying that, Lu Bu breathed a long sigh of relief, "After this thing is done, Ling'er Niang and I can be regarded as a wish." ”

"It's all up to Master Yue." Lin Mo arched his hand.

In fact, the thief in my heart was excited, this wedding date was said to be a year, and it was delayed for half a year, and it can finally be finalized.

Ling'er is also a person who doesn't speak, she has experienced life and death together, and she is still guarding herself like jade, and now that the wedding date is settled, the stone in her heart has landed.

Lest you can only watch and not eat all day long, it's too boring.

"There is another thing, I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but I was attacked by Cao Cao again, and it dragged on until now."

Lu Bu picked up the tea that his subordinates had just brewed and took a sip, "Jingzhou's spies have reported that Liu Bei really went to Jingzhou, but he doesn't seem to be very well received, so he asked Liu Biao to send him to Xinye City and allocate him grain and grass every month." ”

Shinno

Is this the self-healing of history?

The thought was just a flash, Lin Mo knew that he actually had no way to go to Jingzhou, and after An Feng's battle, he had a dead hand on him, so it was naturally impossible for him to come and defect.

There is Sun Ce on the other side of Jiangdong, and there is no way to go except to Jingzhou in the west.

But.

Where he couldn't go, why did he just go to Xinye.

According to history, he was stationed in Xinye for seven or eight years, then met Xu Shu, and finally introduced Zhuge Liang, and since then he has embarked on the road of soaring.

Seven or eight years, I don't know what the situation will be, now that history has completely changed, God knows whether he can withstand Yuan Shao's Northern Army, even if he does, it is still unknown who will die in the future battle with Cao Cao.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang in this period is only eighteen or nineteen years old, about the same age as himself, should he directly kill the eternal trouble, or write a few letters to the past like Zhao Yun did?

Lin Mo felt that Zhuge Liang, an amazing genius, wanted to recruit by writing letters, which was a little whimsical.

Liu Bei still has to look at the thatched house three times.

After thinking about it again, Lin Mo still felt that he should slow down this matter, Zhuge Liang, even if he didn't care about Liu Bei, he would have to come out of the mountain after seven or eight years, who knows what the situation would be when the time came, if it was really his own general trend, it would be almost time to send someone to do it.

In case the worst happens, there is no need to embarrass Zhuge Wuhou.

However, there is one person who is afraid that it is safer to die first.

"Lord Yue, let Jingzhou's secret son kill someone."

"Murder? Who is it? Lu Bu was a little curious, this was the first time he had heard Lin Moti make such a request, this kid was not a fighter.

"Xu Shu."

As long as he is slaughtered, Liu Bei will have nothing to rely on, and it is very likely that he will not know the existence of Zhuge Liang.

Without waiting for Lu Bu to nod in agreement, Lin Mo hurriedly added: "He is also called Shan Fu, so let the shadows find out." ”

Lu Bu scratched his head, frowned and muttered, "Shan Fu? ”

"Any questions?"

"I don't think I've heard anyone mention this name, where did I hear it?"

Lu Bu scratched his ears and cheeks a little, obviously quite familiar, but he couldn't remember it.

Lin Mo was even more surprised, there is no reason, Xu Shu became a ranger after killing people, and he has always used a pseudonym, and during that time, it is unlikely that the old father-in-law will meet him, "Lord Yue, think clearly, maybe it is the same name." ”

In the next breath, Lu Bu's eyes lit up, and he patted Shitai and raised his eyebrows: "I remember, I heard from the public platform that there is a person named Shan Fu in Pengcheng, he has passed the examination for his art of war strategy, and even the public platform is full of praise, that's right, it's him." ”

Xu Shu came to Xuzhou? Lin Mo's heartbeat was a little faster, and he frowned: "Where is he?" ”

"It's in your Ziyang Academy."

There is nowhere to find the iron shoes, and it takes no effort to get there, right?

Interesting, interesting.

Lin Mo didn't expect that this worldly talent would be automatically sent to the door, and the person who could make Chen Gong full of praise must be that he Xu Shu would not be wrong.

"Is that still killing?"

Lin Mo shook his head again and again, "How can he be killed, he will be our right-hand man in the future, Lord Yue, this person's attainments in the art of war and strategy, I am afraid that he will not lose to Jia Xu." ”

Xu Shu said that Zhuge Liang's talent is ten times that of him, that is bragging, Zhang Fei is right, these rotten Confucians, after reading books for a few years, are modest when they are modest, and crazy when they are crazy.

You must know that in the Battle of Chibi, the only person who saw the serial plan was Xu Yuanzhi.

Lu Bu doesn't know how powerful Jia Xu is, and naturally he doesn't know Xu Shu's ability, but he can't make his son-in-law so excited, I'm afraid it's not simple.

"Okay, when I go back, I'll personally go to the door to invite him."

(End of chapter)