Twenty-two years of Jian'an, May 5.

Taking advantage of the hazy sky, the Han army withdrew from Feishui to the south by boat, and Liu Bei ended the first northern expedition.

In this Northern Expedition, if you look at the battle situation obtained, although Huaixi did not have great results, Huaidong made considerable progress. For example, if Huaiyin, Zhongli, Xutai and other Huainan strongholds are occupied, except for Shouchun, the Han army has pushed the battle line to the Huaishui line.

In addition to the Huainan city, he also captured Sun Guan and Zhu Guang, captured six or seven thousand Wei soldiers, plundered about 4,000 households, and obtained about 30,000 soldiers and civilians. Under the auspices of Huo Jun, all of them moved to the hinterland of Huainan to enrich the withered Jianghuai region.

Cao Cao, who was stationed in Huaibei, after learning that Liu Bei had withdrawn by boat, gave up the idea of pursuing Liu Bei considering the reason for the raging plague and the surge in water. Then he summoned the generals and ordered the army to retreat.

Inside the tent, incense used to ward off evil spirits rose up, and the pungent smell spread in the tent, and mosquitoes did not dare to enter the tent.

Sun Quan stood up from the crowd and asked, "King Qiqi, the water thieves fled by boat, I don't know if they crossed the river to pursue?" ”

Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Liu Bei's troops have not been damaged, and the boat is calmly advancing. crossed the river to pursue, fearing that he would be defeated by the water thieves. There are many epidemics in the army today, and there are many casualties, so it is better to withdraw the army and recuperate. ”

In the summer of Jianghuai, the water level of the river rose sharply, Liu Bei withdrew his troops calmly, and Cao Cao, as a person who knew the soldiers, did not dare to venture across the river to pursue.

Of course, Cao Cao, who was getting older, after many failures in the southern expedition, had temporarily acquiesced in the pattern of division between the north and the south in his heart. It's better to seek stability now and force Liu Bei's Northern Expedition back. If the pursuit across the river fails, there will be more waves.

And because the pattern of the Southern Han and Northern Wei dynasties emerged, Cao Cao's current mind was no longer on war, but on consolidating his rule. If he should be the king of Zhou Wen, he should still be the ancestor of the Han Dynasty.

The difference between King Wen and Han Gaozu this week represents which path Cao Cao should take next. It was to become King Wen of Zhou, clear the difficulties of being called emperor, and then call Cao Pi emperor; Or become the ancestor of the Han Dynasty and establish the country by calling himself the emperor.

After thinking about it, Cao Cao looked at Xiahoudun and said: "Liu Bei raised a large army to the Northern Expedition, thanks to Yuan Rang to defend the city, Fang Bao Cheng did not lose the city, how meritorious you are!" ”

Xiahoudun opened his eyes and said: "The ministers don't dare to take credit, the camp of Bagong Mountain was taken by Liu Bei, and it was a big mistake." Fortunately, the king came to help in time, otherwise the minister would be ashamed of the king. ”

Xiahoudun had a fiery personality before, but as he got older, his temper gradually improved a lot, and he was no longer angry because of one-eyed, and he could listen to good words. Previously, Xiahoudun also suggested that Cao Cao first attack Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu, and then go down the river to destroy Liu Bei, which is quite a style of sitting on one side of the general.

When Xiahoudun returns to the Battle of Bowang today, there is a high probability that he will listen to Li Dian's advice and will not pursue Liu Bei deeply.

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Liu Bei came with a large number of soldiers, and his morale is high. Yuan let the generals have few soldiers, cross the river and guard the mountains, and it is not easy. Under the long-term difficulty of helping, it is normal to be taken by Liu Bei. Now Liu Bei's soldiers are retreating, and this Qing's work is also! ”

After a pause, Cao Cao asked: "Although Liu Bei has withdrawn today, the water thieves are in the south, and they will definitely attack in the future." Yuan Rang has guarded Shouchun for many years, knows more about the geography of mountains and rivers, and I don't know if there is a new strategy for preparing for the enemy? ”

Xiahoudun hesitated for a moment and said: "King Qiyu, Shouchun is close to Huai and Feiershui, and during the rainy season, the water rises sharply and floods the city. If the water thieves break the city with fertile water, they are afraid that the outer city will be lost, so they want to build an inner city in the city, which echoes the old inner city. ”

"The three cities echo each other, storing grain in warehouses and storing more armor. The enemy raised heavy troops to attack, and the ministers insisted on not fighting, which was enough to ensure longevity. ”

Cao Cao pondered for a while and said, "What Yuan Rang said about building an inner city in the city is deeply feasible. However, this is to keep the inside and not the outside, not a long-term plan! ”

Xiahou shook his spirits and said, "Forgive the ministers for being stupid, please show the king." ”

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said: "The mountains of Bagong are in a corner of the wrong place, and there are more than 100 miles around. It looks at the fertile water in the south, borders the Huai River in the north, is majestic and precipitous, the strange rocks are craggy, and the longevity is shielded. If you want to go outside, you can build a mountain city in a dangerous place on the mountain, and become a horn with Shouchun. ”

"Dig wells deep in the mountain city and store food for months. The water thieves raised troops to attack, and if they wanted to overcome Shouchun, they must first take the mountain city. Under the abundant grain, grass and water sources, the soldiers stuck to the mountain city, and the soldiers and horses of Shouchun echoed. If Liu Bei breaks the water and takes the camp again, it will be difficult to succeed! ”

Building a mountain castle on Bagong Mountain is a wonderful move.

Previously, Xiahou ordered the soldiers to camp on the mountain, delaying the progress of Liu Bei's capture of Shouchun, and it was not until Fa Zheng offered advice that he took Bagong Mountain. Now building a city on the mountain, not only is it difficult to replicate the previous strategy of cutting off the water of Fazheng, but the Shouchun defense system will rise to a level of difficulty.

After the completion of the mountain castle, it is condescending, and you can see the surrounding conditions in full view. As long as Shouchun is not lost, the soldiers in the mountain city can hold on to it with the food, grass and water in the city.

According to Cao Cao's vision, Shouchun and Shancheng guarded the east and west banks of Feishui to form a chain of combined cities. The mountain city relies on the mountain situation, and Shouchun relies on the flow of water, which will form a fortification comparable to Xiangfan.

Xiahoudun hesitated for a moment and said: "According to the king's wishes, is it the inner city and the mountain city?" ”

Cao Cao did not hesitate and said: "Shouchun should have both internal and external, and the mountain city and the inner city should be built together. However, in consideration of the secondary, the mountain city should be built first, and the inner city should be built later. After the completion of the time, there are Shouchun Water City, Bagongshan City outside, and nested small cities inside. In this way, the city defense is built, and Shouchun cannot be broken by manpower. ”

Four cities, taking into account the dangers of mountains and rivers. In Cao Cao's eyes, as long as the guards are not stupid, or go out of the city to fight, even if he wants to rejuvenate the country's troops to the south, he can only hate Shouchun City.

"Please rest assured, the king, do your best." Xiahoudun replied.

"Yuan Rang is impatient, Wen Yangzhou should speak more, and return to Yuan Rang's actions!" Cao Cao said.

"No!" Wen Hui responded.

Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction, Xiahou Yuan may be a little less capable, but he is better than being obedient and being able to listen to the right advice, which is much better than Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren, so there is no need to let him worry so much.

Then, Cao Cao looked around at everyone and said: "Now that Liu Bei has withdrawn, all departments have been drawn out of camp one after another according to the military order, and there must be no mistake. ”

Looking for an opportunity, Sima Yi came out and asked: "King Qiyu, the minister of Yanzhou Assassin Shi asked, how to arrange the soldiers in the army who are suffering from epidemics?" ”

Cao Cao groaned a little and said, "Those with reduced mobility should stay in Huaibei; Those who are still able to march will retreat with the army. Everything is left to Boda to arrange the scheduling, and if there is an emergency, it can be played in the book. ”

"No!"

Regarding the concept of plague, Cao Cao and the others only have a shallow understanding, neither airborne transmission, nor mosquito and blood transmission.

In their eyes, isolation is isolation of sick sergeants, and there is no problem with those who are not sick. They had never heard of the concept of incubation period.

Under the cognitive difference, Liu Bei and Cao Cao's withdrawal are very different. Under Huo Jun's auspices, Liu Bei would isolate all the sergeants under his tent to avoid bringing malaria to Wuhan. And Cao Cao's withdrawal of troops is no different from the past, perhaps malaria will be brought back to Yecheng by Cao Cao.

The Northern Expedition may be over, but the war against malaria has just begun!

After a while, with the end of the topic, everyone retired one after another.

Cao Cao picked up a brush from the desk and wrote the edict on the blank scarf. However, Cao Cao was about to put down his pen, but he saw Sun Quan walking to the tent and turning back.

"Doesn't Zhongmou have something important to tell?" Cao Cao asked.

Sun Quan leaned in front of Cao Cao, his face hesitant, as if he had something to say.

After hesitating for a while, Sun Quan said: "King Qiqi, the minister has the courage to say something, I don't know if I should say it or not?" ”

Cao Cao looked up and saw Sun Quan stumbling like this, frowned and said, "But it's okay to say?" ”

"No!"

Sun Quan sorted out his thoughts and said, "King Qiqi, forgive the ministers for their courage." The world knows that the Han Zuo has been exhausted, the heroes are divided, and different generations have risen, thanks to the king Pingzhi. Since ancient times, those who can eliminate the harm of the people and those who are dependent on the people can win the hearts of the people. His Royal Highness has been fighting for more than 30 years, and his merits are displayed in the world and are expected by the world. ”

"Today's ministers think that the king might as well respond to the people, open the country, edict the world, praise the generals, collect the hearts of the people, and use the Han family to die, and the Wei family is prosperous."

"Huh?"

Cao Cao looked at Sun Quan sharply and said, "Since the Son of Heaven is here, why did Zhongmou come up with such unrequited words?" ”

Hearing this, Sun Quan had a lot of disdain for Cao Cao to be both a bitch and an archway. When he let himself poison the queen and the prince, why didn't he think of Xuchang Tianzi?

Now Liu Bei returned in vain, and it would be a pity not to take advantage of the situation to build a country?

Sun Quan lowered his head and said: "King Qiyu, since Emperor An, the Han family has lost its physique, and its relatives and traitors are in charge of the cholera government, and the places under their jurisdiction are all subordinate. The fortune of the Han family has to be the end. ”

"The king took advantage of the fortune of the time to raise troops, begged for the Yellow Turban, recruited Dong Zhuo, captured Lu Bu, covered Yuan Shu, and destroyed Yuan Shao. Everywhere he went, the people ate pot pulp and welcomed the king's army. ”

"Today, the king inherits the fortune of heaven, saves the country, sweeps away the cowards, and wins the hearts of the people. Quan Yu thinks that the king should obey the mandate of heaven, should be the heart of the minister, take Yu and Xia as a reference, and follow the government of three generations! ”

"Inherit the will of heaven and respond to the hearts of the people?"

Cao Cao sighed and said: "Zhong Mou persuaded Gu to take the position, but he wanted Gu to go against the words of the past!" ”

The words of the past in Cao Cao's mouth refer to the "Shuzhi Order" promulgated by Cao Cao before. In the "Shu Zhi Ling", Cao Cao emphasized his political ambitions and life aspirations, expressing that he did not want to replace the Han family.

Now, if Cao Cao is proclaimed emperor, he will not slap himself in the face, and he will be ridiculed by boring scholars, and he will also become a lever for the Southern Han monarchs and ministers to criticize.

Sun Quan looked respectful and said: "The minister thinks that the king should follow the words of Confucius and benevolence, Guan Zhong does not die for Gongzi, but serves Gongzi Xiaobai, it is difficult to say the virtue of Xiaoren." However, it is the virtue of great benevolence to manage the princes of Zhongjiuhe and respect the king. How can the great king of today be careful about small benevolence and give up great benevolence? ”

"Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, China has been shaken, the people of Li have been plagued, and Hu Lu has swept south. There is no king to raise troops, and I don't know how many people in the world are called kings and how many people are called emperors. ”

"That is, on benevolence, Emperor Gao violated the oath of the princes, but the king thought that Emperor Gao could be benevolent?"

"Gao Zu can be benevolent!"

Cao Cao hesitated for a long time and said: "Gaozu has the mandate of heaven and opens up the Han family, and he dare not compare with it. What Zhongmou said today, Rong Gu pondered a thing or two. ”

Hearing the words of 'Mandate of Heaven', Sun Quan couldn't help but show a thoughtful look, what does the Mandate of Heaven mean in Cao Cao's mouth?

Proverbs?

Auspicious sign?

Exploits?

If it is the first two, Sun Quan can conjure it up in minutes. If it was a battle achievement, he really couldn't help Cao Cao get it.

Thinking about it, Sun Quan also heard Cao Cao's intention to let him retreat.

"The minister has the audacity to speak, please forgive the king!" Sun Quan said.

"Good!"

Looking at the back of Sun Quan leaving, Cao Cao sighed slightly.

He has come to this point, it is impossible not to have the idea of becoming the emperor, but he always has a strange feeling in his heart. He laughed at Xun Yu at the beginning, but he didn't expect that he would also make difficulties in becoming the emperor.

After Sun Quan left the camp, he had a lot of thoughts about the Mandate of Heaven in Cao Cao's mouth. During speculation, Sun Quan came to Liu Ye's tent.

Introduced into the camp by Liu Ye, Sun Quan opened his mouth and asked: "Ziyang, if the king wants to make contributions, except for the water thieves, I don't know where to cut down?" ”

or was suddenly asked by Sun Quan, Liu Ye was a little caught off guard!

After pondering for a long time, Liu Ye brushed his beard and said: "Gongsun has been entrenched in Liaodong for many years, or he can be begged!" ”

(End of chapter)