In 206 AD, the eleventh year of Jian'an, the first month.

In the middle of winter, in the north, snowflakes are flying, and the mountains are covered with snow.

On the upper floor of Huguan City, Cao Cao looked at the rugged and difficult Taihang Mountain Road, and his heart was full of poetry, and he recited in a deep voice: "Go north to Taihang Mountain, how difficult He Weiwei!" The sheep intestines are bent, and the wheels are destroyed. The trees are so bleak! The north wind is sad. The bear squatted at me, and the tiger and leopard cried in the middle of the road. There are few people in the valley, and the snow falls on He Feifei! ……”

"Good poetry!"

As soon as Cao Cao's words fell, Cao Ren immediately applauded and applauded, and said: "Sikong Wen Taowu is full of martial arts, and the ambition is contained in the chest, and there are few heroes like this in ancient times!" ”

"I don't know what the name of this poem is?" Cao Ren asked.

Cao Cao pondered for a while and said: "Lonely expedition to Huguan, walking the Taihang Mountain Road, seeing the difficulties and dangers of the sheep intestine mountain, watching Cui Wei of the Taihang Mountain, the emotion in my heart." What is this poem called "Bitter Cold Walking"? ”

"Color!"

Cao Ren took the lead in applauding, and all the civil and military opened their mouths to cheer.

"Haha!"

Cao Cao looked at Chen Lin and said with a smile: "Kong Zhang, why do you make this poem alone?" ”

Chen Lin groaned a little and said respectfully: "The poetry of Sikong is ancient and sad, true and sincere, and contains a depressed atmosphere. Lin Yin read it, and couldn't help but recall the hardships and dangers of the sheep intestine and the difficulty of our army's march. ”

Saying that, Chen Lin arched his hand and said: "Congratulations to Sikong for not only breaking the pot and leaving this masterpiece for the world." ”

"Haha!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and said with a smile: "This "Bitter Cold Travel" has been considered for many days, and there may be word omissions. Kong Zhang's writing is brilliant, and he is tired of studying the shortcomings of the poems. ”

""Bitter Cold" is already a masterpiece." Chen Lin said modestly: "Lin stepped back and transcribed poems for Sikong." ”

"Yes!"

Chen Lin retreated, Cao Cao set his eyes on Cao Ren, and said: "Today, you have to break the pot pass, and Zixiao has a meritorious strategy." Now thinking about the merits of Zixiao's battles before and after, you can be crowned as the Marquis of the Pavilion to the Son of Heaven. ”

Hearing this, Cao Ren was overjoyed, bowed his hand, and said: "Thank you Sikong for your appreciation, and you should do your best to serve the country with loyalty!" ”

Cao Cao raised troops to besiege Huguan for more than a month, because the city was strong and difficult to overcome, he was furious, and ordered the city to be broken, and the soldiers in the city were killed.

Cao Ren advised in time, saying that the city of Huguan was strong, the grain and grass were abundant, and the soldiers would resist when they saw that there was no hope of survival, so that Cao Cao would show benevolence and virtue, and Huguan would be easy to overcome. Cao Cao learned from Cao Ren's words, and after a few days, Huguanguo was conquered.

"Where is Wen Qian?"

"The last general!"

Short, aggressive and aggressive, Lejin tends to come out.

"Wen Qian led the army to break through the Huguan Pass, and the battle was outstanding, and now Gu has shown you to the Son of Heaven as the general of Zhichong." Cao Cao said.

Le Jin looked overjoyed, and arched his hand and said: "Xie Minggong's grace, don't dare to forget the grace of Minggong's promotion!" ”

Cao Cao patted Le Jin on the shoulder, and he had a good impression of this subordinate who had personally pulled it up. Compared with Cao Ren, who was only crowned the Marquis of the Pavilion at the moment, Le Jin worshiped the Marquis of the Pavilion when he conquered Lu Bu ten years ago.

Saying that, Cao Cao looked at everyone and said: "You have to break the pot pass, break the high cadres, and your reward, I have ordered someone to play the table and send it to the hands of the Son of Heaven in Xuchang." ”

"Xie Sikong End!" The crowd answered.

Cheng Yu stroked his beard and asked: "Sikong, our army conquered Huguan, Gao Gan defeated the army and fled, and went away to the Southern Huns for help, what should I do now?" ”

Cao Cao held the hilt of his sword in his hand and said disappreciably: "Gao Gan is defeated and left, it is no longer a big harm." The Yuan family died out, Hebei was pacified, how could Hu Chuquan dare to take in the thief Gao Gan? ”

During the Battle of Guandu, the Southern Xiongnu called Chuquan to respond to Yuan Shao's order and cooperate with Guo Yuan and Gao Gan to send troops to Guanzhong. Zhong Xuan united with the generals of Guanzhong, with Ma Chao and Pang De as generals, and defeated the Yuan coalition army. Hu Chuquan turned to Cao Cao and did not dare to invade Guanzhong.

"Bonghyo?"

Guo Jia wrapped his body tightly, coughed and said: "Ming Gong, Gao Gan defeated the army and fled, and left the Southern Xiongnu." Hu Chuquan will not dare to take him in, Ran Jia is afraid that the senior cadres will go south from Guanzhong and Luoyi and take refuge in Liu Biao. Now we should order people to patrol strictly, and we must not let go of Jingzhou. ”

Cao Cao commanded: "You can say from Fengxiao!" ”

After a pause, Cao Cao said with concerns: "Since the Southern Xiongnu entered the fortress, the population has surged, and they often disturb the people of the state. If you want to rule it alone, and you are afraid that the Southern Xiongnu will not obey and make it rebel, how will you know its heart? ”

Guo Jia pondered for a moment and said: "Ming Gong, in the past 200 years, the Southern Xiongnu have moved to merge states, although there is the style of the Hu people, but there are also the customs of my Han people. And my Han Dynasty to protect the Huns to govern it, just to submit to our dynasty, is for the Han concubine, although there are repeated, but can be believed. ”

Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty attacked the Xiongnu in the north, the two Han Dynasty continued to attack the Xiongnu, which eventually led to the division of the Xiongnu in the north and south. The Southern Xiongnu went south to submit to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the Northern Xiongnu stayed in the grassland. The Southern Xiongnu became the watchdog of the Eastern Han Dynasty, guarding the frontier, and also accompanied the army to attack the Northern Xiongnu in the north. But with the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the invasion of Xianbei to the south, the Southern Xiongnu also began to be restless.

After a pause, Guo Jia said: "Jia heard that Cai Zhaoji, the daughter of Bo Jiaogong, was plundered by King Zuoxian of the Southern Xiongnu during the Guanzhong Rebellion and had two sons. Ming Gong wanted to test whether the Southern Xiongnu had the intention of rebellion, so it was better to order someone to buy Cai Yan with gold. If King Zuo Xian can endure this humiliation, then the Southern Xiongnu have no heart to rebel. ”

Cao Cao nodded and said with a smile: "The strategy of filial piety is ingenious, Lone and Brother Bo have always had dealings, and now he is dead, and he has no heirs, so he can exchange gold for Cai Zhaoji to return to the country in the name of this." ”

"Ming Gong is wise!" Guo Jia and Cheng Yu complimented.

During the conversation, the attendant came over and said, "Qi Sikong, Xun Junshi has returned from Xuchang with the letter of Ling Gong, and there are important matters to be submitted. ”

"Gongda!"

Cao Cao's face was overjoyed, and he hurriedly said: "Let the military advisor wait in the big tent, and come quickly." ”

Saying that, Cao Cao said to Guo Jia and Cheng Yu: "Today, the state is peaceful, and Hebei is stable." Now the letter of the Linggong is coming again, and the matter of conquering the south and the north can be discussed. ”

"No!"

It took less than five months from Cao Cao's receipt of the news of the Gaogan rebellion to the rebellion of Chuping and annexing the state. During the period, in order to determine the strategic direction of the next step, Xun Yu went back to Xuchang to contact and communicate with Xun Yu.

As for why Xun Yu is honored as Ling Gong, it is because Xun Yu served as Shang Shuling, and because of his high name, he was honored as Xun Ling Gong.

……

In the big tent, Cao Cao sat on the couch, and Xun You, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Cao Ren and other henchmen and dignitaries sat separately.

Xun You held hot water in his hand to drive away the cold, and said: "Ming Gong, Yizhou Liu Zhang sent Zhonglang to pay tribute to Yin Pu into the court. Ling Gong thought again and again that Jiazhang could be expressed as General Zhenwei, and his brother Liu Mao was General Pingkou. Its gloomy words often have the meaning of humility and obedience, and the words of Yizhou are admired by Ming Gongweide. ”

Cao Cao flipped through the official document sent by Liu Zhang, showed a smile, and said: "Jiangzuo's merger into Jingchu made Liu Zhang feel deeply threatened. Send an envoy today to send a watch, and you should surrender to the Son of Heaven. ”

"Exactly!"

Xun You smiled and said, "When you stay in Xuchang for a long time, you have a lot of conversations with Yin Pu. Liu Zhang is weak, he can't control Zhang Lu on the outside, and he can't care for scholars and girls inside. Today's Duke defeated Yuan Shao, took the north, and has unified most of China, and Yizhou is thinking about the master. ”

Saying that, Xun You gave good news and said: "Yin Pu once secretly said to You that if Ming Gong waved his troops south, Yizhou was willing to provide Ming Gong with military funds and send troops to help the army. ”

"Huh?"

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Is Liu Zhang available?" ”

Xun You took a sip of warm water and said, "Yizhou should be available." In the past, Guanzhong and Luoyi were in turmoil, and there were not a few people who could not return to their hometowns in Shu. Yizhou people are often called Dongzhou people, Liu Yan recruited northerners as soldiers, and Dongzhou people were used to control Yizhou people. Now Liu Zhang has succeeded to the throne, faint and cowardly, and it is difficult to be the master. ”

It can be said that Cao Cao swept the north, and in addition to expanding his territory, it also pushed his prestige to the highest peak. Not only is there a group of leading party within Jingzhou, but there is also a leading party waiting for Cao Cao in Yizhou.

Historically, Cao Cao fought Jingzhou, and Liu Zhang was more anxious than Cao Cao. After accepting Cao Cao's military order, he was conscripted and sent troops to the army. During the battle of Nanjun, in order to cut off the communication between Nanjun and the outside world, in addition to arranging Guan Yu to conquer the North Road, Gan Ning was also arranged to take Yiling.

Cao Cao's heart was very hot, and he asked: "Er Yuan entered the outside of the fortress and united with Wuhuan Badun; Second, Liu took Jiang Zuo, and Jing Chu entered the hands of Liu Biao. Now that the high-level cadres have been leveled, the north and the south are rounded, what are the opinions of Gongda and Wenruo? ”

Xun You shook his head and said, "Xun Ling is a little different from a certain opinion, and they are different. ”

After a little muttering, Xun You said: "I think that Cai Mao and Kuai Yue in Jingzhou are secretly subdued, controlling the inside and outside of Xiangyang, Liu Biao is seriously ill, and the two sons are fighting for the heir, so there is no need to be afraid." When Liu Biao died, the two sons were born, just like the matter of Eryuan. ”

"At that time, the Ming Duke could follow the law of Hebei and pacify the land of Wu Chu. Wu Chu Ruoping, Yizhou is Shun, and the northwest group is served, and the world is one! Therefore, I thought that I could first conquer Wu Huan, then control the water pawn, and then ask Wu Chu. ”

Cao Cao frowned slightly and asked, "What does Wen Ruo think?" ”

Xun You said truthfully: "Xun Ling thinks that Liu Bei is far better than Er Yuan, and Jujiang is afraid that it will be a big trouble. And Liu Bei won the hearts of the people in Xu Huai, the current Chang Xuan, and the old Chen Deng, all from Liu Bei's rebellion, must be ignored. Huo Jun's tiger step Jianghuai, together with the Jianghuai group, should not be underestimated. ”

"The enemies of Jianghuai, the basic of non-public, and the few who return to their hearts, all rely on Liu Jiujiang to govern the city, and connect the heroes to return the peace of the people. Today, the two thieves did not dare to offend Jiang Zuo, because Jiang Zuo had just stopped. If the two thieves are allowed to recuperate and fight hard, Jianghuai will be in danger! ”

"What does Wen Ruo mean?" Cao Cao asked.

Xun Ling thought that in the name of conquering Liu Biao, he sent troops to settle in Jianghuai counties and retreat to Jiangbei. He can also order the fierce general to fight Jiangxia and watch the movement of Jingzhou. If Jingzhou is weak and Jiangzuo is unprepared, Ming Gong can raise a large army to attack it. ”

"When the second Yuan enters the plug, the people he is afraid of are just ruined. Today, the expedition to western Liaoning, the road is thousands of miles away, and it cannot be taken in a hurry. It can be seen that Jingzhou is moving, and then it is discussed to take Wuhuan in Liaoxi and surrender to Gongsun in Liaodong. ”

"Watch the movements of Jing Chu, and then decide the affairs of the north and the south." Cao Cao stroked his beard and muttered to himself.

"What do you think of Wen Ruo's strategy?" Cao Cao asked.

Guo Jia pondered for a while and said: "The river is divided into north and south, and it is difficult for our army to take Jiangzuo in a hurry when it goes south. Ming Gong can follow Xun Ling's words. ”

"Liu Bei is like a tiger, now he enters the left side of the river, and when the tiger enters the mountains. Even if it is not felled, it must be curbed. Cheng Yu said.

"Then who can cut down Jiangxia?" Cao Cao was also unambiguous and asked directly.

"Zhang Liao!"

Xun You said: "Zhang Liao fought bravely, bravely crowned the three armies, and was the enemy of ten thousand people. Let Wen Yuan ask Jiang Xia to have something to gain, and you can also observe Wu Chu's reaction. If the army can be near the river and stop Wu Chu, then Wu Chu may be able to go down with one drum. ”

"Then who can Jianghuai use?"

"You can order Zhang Heyi and Xiahou to oversee the army, and order them to control Lu Qian, Yu Ban, Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Zhang He and other generals, and lead the army south to Jianghuai to consolidate Jiangbei." Guo Jia suggested.

"Good!"

Cao Cao stood up and said in a deep voice: "Order Zhang He and Zhang Liao to lead the army south, and lead the army back to Yecheng to watch Wu Chu's reaction." ”

"No!"

(End of chapter)