Cao Cao's camp.

Zhang Miao's face was sad: "Meng De, since he became the leader of the alliance, he has become more and more arrogant, if he takes Han Fu's Jizhou again, I am afraid that no one can persuade him anymore." ”

"Last time, I spoke out and admonished, but I was reprimanded by Ben Chu, he is no longer the original of the sword and rhetoric of the past."

"Speaking from the heart, if it weren't for Meng De's insistence, I really don't want to come!"

Zhang Miao, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were already friends when they were young, and they have been friends with each other for more than ten years.

However, after Yuan Shao became the leader of the alliance, he became more and more arrogant and imperious, and no one was in his eyes.

Zhang Miao once accused Yuan Shao of the country's righteousness, but Yuan Shao thought that Zhang Miao was deliberately losing face, so he had a resentment towards Zhang Miao, and even angrily reprimanded Zhang Miao in public.

And Zhang Miao is a celebrity, and his conceited family background is not much worse than Yuan Shao's, so naturally he can't bear it.

The righteousness of friends for more than ten years has also broken down.

"Meng Zhuo, Han Fu is incompetent, and many counties and countries in Jizhou are not convinced."

"Fang today, the Son of Heaven suffers, the people suffer, the most taboo mediocre people steal from high positions, corpses and vegetarian meals, for the sake of the country's righteousness, it must be better than Han Fu to be the pastor of Jizhou in the first place."

Cao Cao knew about the contradiction between Zhang Miao and Yuan Shao, so he persuaded him with the righteousness of the country.

Yuan Shao benefited, and Cao Cao naturally benefited.

Yuan Shao was suppressed by Han Fu in Jizhou, and Cao Cao was also suppressed by Han Fu.

If Han Fu was a talent, Cao Cao would have endured it.

But Han Fu is a mediocre talent, as a state pastor and jealous of his ability, he rarely has a sincere heart.

Zhang Miao sighed.

After breaking with Yuan Shao, Zhang Miao was particularly concerned about the friendship between him and Cao Cao.

After all, there are only a few friends in my life for more than ten years.

Therefore, when Cao Cao said that he was coming to Yecheng, although Zhang Miao was reluctant, he still raised troops to follow Cao Cao.

"Report! Qingzhou Thorn History sent a post! As he was talking, Cao Hong came with a hurry.

History of Qingzhou Thorn?

Liu Bei?

Cao Cao and Zhang Miao's eyes were a little more surprised.

Liu Bei came to send a message at this time, and he must not have come to reminisce about the past.

Whether it is Cao Cao or Zhang Miao, he has no friendship with Liu Bei.

It's not to reminisce about the past, then there is only one possibility: Liu Bei is here to be a lobbyist!

"It seems that Liu Bei is ready to help Han Fu." Cao Cao frowned.

Cao Cao had always been worried that Liu Bei would intervene, so he hurriedly went to Yanzhou to ask for help, hoping to make Han Fu abdicate and make way for Xian before Liu Yu and Liu Bei came.

But Cao Cao didn't think about it, Liu Bei came faster than he imagined!

The plains under his command were even more early for Han Fu to donate 100,000 stones of grain and grass.

Zhang Miao was a little happy in his heart: "Since it is a visit from Qingzhou Thorn History, Meng De, I can't be rude." ”

Cao Cao didn't want to see it, but seeing that Zhang Miao had this idea, he could only ask Cao Hong to reply.

Not much.

Liu Bei rode with Zheng Ping and Guan Yu.

"There are only three horses, this Liu Bei is really bold!" Cao Cao and Zhang Miao glanced at each other, and they both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

The three horses came to mean that Liu Bei was not worried that Cao Cao or Zhang Miao would suddenly attack.

It's either stupid, it's fearless!

"Qingzhou Thorn Shi Liu Bei, with Pingyuan related Yu, Qingzhou don't drive Zheng Ping to visit, here is polite." Liu Bei immediately saluted.

As soon as he heard this official position, Cao Cao's expression became even more solemn.

These are all real power figures in Qingzhou, and it turned out to be these three people together!

Cao Cao was in Dongwuyang, adjacent to Qingzhou, so he naturally heard the reputation of Zheng Ping and Guan Yu, and also sent spies to investigate.

"One article and one martial arts, Liu Bei is not good." Thinking like this in his heart, Cao Cao did not neglect the number of courtesies.

Greetings for a while.

Cao Cao and Zhang Miao invited Liu Bei and the three of them into the tent.

Cao Hong saw that Guan Yu was brave, and there was a chill in his heart for no reason, not only standing beside Cao Cao with his sword to protect him, but also sending people to inform Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Yuan, and Cao Ren to come to guard outside the tent.

"In the past, General Fenwu fought against Dong alone, and his loyalty and martyrdom are admirable." Liu Bei went straight to the point and said bluntly: "I came to see General Fenwu today, I want to ask: Is the heart of Dong still in the past?" ”

Cao Cao was taken aback, but he was silent on the surface: "If the national thief is not eliminated, Cao's heart to beg the thief will not be extinguished!" Liu Tingshi asked like this, could it be that he also wanted to ask Dong? ”

Liu Bei arched his hand slightly to express his respect: "What a 'national thief will not be eliminated, and the heart of the thief will not die'!" Come to see General Fenwu today, it's a worthwhile trip! ”

"It's a pity that although I have the heart to beg thieves, Qingzhou is barren, and there are still hundreds of thousands of villagers in need of relief, so it is difficult to crusade against national thieves like General Fenwu."

Cao Cao had not yet figured out Liu Bei's intentions, so he took the opportunity to persuade him: "Liu Assassin Shiyi saved the hungry people in Qingzhou, and his act of benevolence and virtue should be an example for the counties, and in terms of merit, it will not be worse than pro-national thieves." ”

Liu Bei said again: "Although I can't personally fight against the national thieves, Qingzhou will support the enshi to raise troops to fight." My brother Yunchang will lead 2,000 cavalry to follow Lu Shi to conquer, and Xuzhou Tao Envoy Jun also sent 3,000 Danyang soldiers to follow Lu Shi. ”

Cao Cao's scheming was not bad, and he also understood Liu Bei's intentions at this time.

Whether to follow Lu Zhi to defeat Dong Zhuo, or to help Yuan Shao seize Jizhou here, choose one of the two paths!

Cao Cao was suddenly embarrassed.

If he followed Lu Zhi to defeat Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao's capture of Jizhou would inevitably fail, and Cao Cao would not only not get the benefits, but also might cause Yuan Shao's dissatisfaction.

But if he is here to help Yuan Shao seize Jizhou, then the name of Cao Cao's previous lone army to fight Dong will be untrue.

"What a ruthless calculation, who is plotting for Liu Bei?"

Cao Cao subconsciously looked at Zheng Ping, who was standing on the left behind Liu Bei.

"Strange, why is this Zheng Beijia so familiar?"

At the same time that Cao Cao was looking at Zheng Ping, Zheng Ping was also looking at Cao Cao.

In the past, when Cao Cao was still in Luoyang, Zheng Ping went to visit, but Zheng Ping disguised his identity at that time and claimed to be Yingchuan Guo Ping.

Cao Cao looked at it carefully for a while, but still didn't connect Zheng Ping with Guo Ping, who had visited in the past.

After all, there were many scholars who visited Cao Cao, and Zheng Ping was only a slightly conspicuous one of them.

"Liu Tingshi, before answering your question, Cao wants to ask, what is your opinion on the current situation in Jizhou?" Cao Cao looked back at Liu Bei and stopped tempting.

Liu Bei said without hesitation: "I think the current situation in Jizhou is very good, if it can be stable for a year, it will be even better." ”

A year?

Cao Cao instantly understood what Liu Bei meant.

Liu Bei's resettlement of hungry people in Qingzhou could not gradually get rid of their dependence on grain and rice from other prefectures and counties until at least after the autumn harvest.

Therefore, this year, Liu Bei asked for stability!

I don't want big changes in Jizhou.

"Liu Tingshi, this Jizhou Mu Han Fu is a mediocre one, he has no measure in himself, and he is jealous of the virtuous and jealous, and the wise men in Jizhou have avoided it."

"How can such a person afford the great responsibility of Jizhou?"

"In this case, why didn't Liu Tingshi follow Cao's path and recommend Yuan Benchu, who is more famous than Han Fu in terms of family lineage and learning, to serve as the pastor of Jizhou?"

"Brother Benchu was originally the master of the Dong League, if he became the pastor of Jizhou, he would definitely fully support me and ask Dong Zhuo again!"

Cao Cao tried to win Liu Bei's support for Yuan Shao again.

In this way, Cao Cao can not only raise troops to fight Dong, but also do not have to quarrel with Yuan Shao.

But it's a pity that Liu Bei is very firm in his determination to support Han Fu: "General Fenwu, Han Envoy Jun is the state pastor ordained by the Son of Heaven, if we ignore the appointment of the Son of Heaven and recommend Yuan Taishou as the Jizhou pastor, wouldn't it be like a chaotic minister and thief?" ”

"As Hanchen, we should maintain the current stability in Jizhou, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and recuperate."

"I came to see General Fenwu this time, because I thought that General Fenwu had the heart to beg thieves, if General Fenwu was only dedicated to Jizhou affairs, then I could only retire first."

Liu Bei stood up.

This neat and neat action made Cao Cao feel frightened.

"Liu Tingshi is slow!" Cao Cao didn't dare to let Liu Bei go like this.

If Liu Bei insisted on helping Han Fu, Yuan Shao would not be able to get any benefits.

And at this moment, he had a stalemate with Liu Bei, and when this spread out, Cao Cao's character of being determined to beg for thieves was also in jeopardy.

Although Cao Cao hadn't decided whether to go or not, he couldn't say anything to death now.

"Liu Tingshi, is this really non-negotiable?" Cao Cao was tolerant.

Liu Bei chuckled: "General Fenwu has always been far-sighted, and he will definitely be able to see the general trend clearly." If you are a Qingzhou thorn history, how will you choose? ”

Cao Cao was silent.

If Cao Cao is the assassin of Qingzhou, Cao Cao will be more ruthless and direct than Liu Bei.

Sighing secretly, Cao Cao no longer focused on Jizhou affairs: "Lu Shangshu can be in the army?" Can you please see Lu Shangshu? ”

Liu Bei promised: "When I go back, I will ask Lu Shi for instructions, and then I will report to General Fenwu." ”

Since Cao Cao wanted to see Lu Zhi, it meant that he was moved by the proposal.

This has been said, and Liu Bei did not linger.

But when he walked out of the tent, he found that there were several more neatly armored armors outside the tent, and each hand pressed the hilt of the sword, as if he was facing a great enemy.

"General Fenwu, what do you mean by this?" When Liu Bei asked, Guan Yu had already pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword.

Cao Cao was a little stunned, glanced back at Cao Hong, and said with a smile: "Liu Tingshi misunderstood, they must have come to ask for military orders." ”

"Envoy, let's go, General Fenwu has no malicious intentions." Zheng Ping shook the feather fan lightly, and he had seen through everything.

After Liu Bei and the three left, Cao Cao's eyes suddenly sank: "You guys, what's the matter?" ”

Xiahoudun, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren didn't dare to speak, and raised their eyes at Cao Hong.

Cao Hong didn't flinch, and said bluntly: "Duke Ming, the tiger warrior beside Liu Bei made me a little afraid, and I was worried that the tiger warrior would take the opportunity to make trouble, so I sent someone to summon Yuan and let them come." ”

Cao Cao was taken aback: "Can you make Zilian fearful?" ”

Cao Hong has always been bold and fearless, and in the Battle of Xingyang, he gave up his war horse to Cao Cao, and then escorted him on foot, so Cao Cao also let Cao Hong serve as his personal guard.

Now that Cao Hong is afraid when he sees Guan Yu, how can Cao Cao not be surprised?

After a pause, Cao Cao scolded slightly: "Zilian, go to lead the army, and if you commit it again next time, you will never be spared." Yuan Rang, Miaocai, and Zixiao, punish you for copying military law once. ”

The generals were heartbroken, but they didn't say anything, and they all hugged their fists and promised to retreat.

Even if it is a relative, Cao Cao will be gracious and powerful, and he will not be merciful when he should be beaten.

"Mengde, what are you going to do?"

During Cao Cao's discussion with Liu Bei, Zhang Miao watched quietly throughout the whole process in addition to the basic greetings.

Cao Cao's eyes were complicated: "Whether you support it or not, it's a problem!" Liu Bei had a master plan around him, and it was almost impossible to seize Jizhou this time. ”

Zhang Miao's heart didn't have much turmoil, and he seemed to be very satisfied with this result: "Then Meng De is ready to crusade against Dong Zhuo?" ”

Cao Cao shook his head: "Lu Shangshu is too square and too merciful in his use of soldiers. It's okay to deal with the yellow turbans, but to deal with the treacherous and sinister Xiliang soldiers, it is less ruthless and decisive than Huangfu Yi. ”

"Even if I want to please Dong, I will not follow Lu Shangshu to be restrained by him."

"I'll decide when I've seen Ben Chu."

Zhang Miao didn't want to see Yuan Shao, so he returned to the camp alone, while Cao Cao took his relatives to Yuan Shao's camp.

And on the other side.

Liu Bei, who was returning to the camp, asked Zheng Ping: "Conspiracy." You have been observing for a long time just now, will Cao Cao respond to Master Lu's request for Dong? ”

Zheng Ping shook his feather fan lightly, shook his head and said: "Cao Cao is cautious and treacherous, and has never clearly stated his participation in the discussion of Dong, but is more concerned about whether Yuan Shao can win Jizhou. ”

"Obviously, he didn't want to be with his uncle."

"Let Cao Cao and his uncle go to ask Dong, I didn't have much hope."

"After all, my uncle's use of soldiers has the style of Confucian benevolence, which is different from Cao Cao's concept of using soldiers."

Liu Bei said regretfully: "If Cao Cao doesn't participate, then Lu Shi will have one less help when he conquers Dong Zhuo." ”

Zheng Ping chuckled: "Do your best, listen to the destiny of heaven." Don't forget, Lieutenant Zhao of Changshan Country also has a promise. If Jizhou is stable this time, and the Black Mountain thieves also reach an agreement with Changshan State, Lieutenant Zhao may also send troops to Luoyang. ”

Liu Bei suddenly remembered the handsome man from Changshan Zhending, and couldn't help but rejoice: "If Lieutenant Zhao joins, Lu Shi's chances of winning will be even greater." ”

"After Yuan Shao is retired, I have to persuade Han Fu to take more care of Changshan Kingdom, so that Lieutenant Zhao has no worries."

Guan Yu snorted coldly: "Big brother, that Cao Cao is treacherous and deep at first glance, and the foolish brother doesn't like it!" The eldest brother doesn't have to worry too much, there is a foolish brother, which is enough to ensure that Master Lu is safe! ”

Liu Bei couldn't help laughing when he saw that Guan Yu was not angry: "Yun Chang has the posture of ten thousand enemies, and he is only a Xiliang army, how can he be brave?" ”

"It's just that Cao Cao refuses to give a clear answer, and now that he has our true intentions, will he go to find Yuan Shao?"

Zheng Ping shook his fan and chuckled: "I will definitely go." But Cao Cao is not Zhang Miao, even if he goes to find Yuan Shao, he will not tell the truth, and it is difficult for suspicious and treacherous people to reveal their hearts to others. ”

"At most, I will mention the visit of the envoy, and then probe Yuan Shao's tone."

The other side.

Cao Cao came to Yuan Shao's camp and mentioned Liu Bei's visit to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao was suddenly puzzled: "Meng De, will you have any misunderstanding about Xuande?" Xuande is to please Dong Dayi, and he has no intention of fighting between me and Han Fu. ”

Cao Cao was a little confused.

What's the situation?

What kind of confused soup did Liu Bei pour into Yuan Shao?

Yuan Shao's answer directly made Cao Cao's rest of the words swallowed back into his stomach.

Cao Cao looked at Xu You, but Xu You raised his eyes.

After a pause, Cao Cao still didn't understand his words after all: "Maybe Cao is too careful." ”

(End of chapter)