In 218 A.D., the twenty-third year of Jian'an.

In the first month, Yoshimoto, Geng Ji and other Han ministers entangled more than 1,000 servants and miscellaneous servants to rebel against Cao, wanting to coerce Liu Xie to go south.

In February, Cao Cao recruited the officials of Xuchang to go north to Yecheng, and deceived the officials who participated in the rebellion with treacherous methods, and ordered the school officials to investigate strictly.

The officials persuaded Cao Cao, but Cao Cao refused to accept it and returned to the dormitory. Cao Pi and Cao Hong entered the palace, added to Cao Cao's imperial robe, and persuaded Cao Cao to enter with Zhu Qing.

Cao Cao 'reluctantly' agreed, Sun Quan, Dong Zhao, Hua Xin and other officials rushed to Xuchang and asked Liu Xiexiao to perform three generations of virtue and abdicate the throne.

On the Southern Han side, Buqi and Lü Dai sent troops to attack Jiaojiao on the grounds that Shixie was plotting rebellion, and captured the two counties of Yulin and Hepu.

In March, Liu Feng and Meng Da entered the three counties of Shangyong and Xicheng, and Shen Yi rebelled and wanted to welcome Cao Ren into Xicheng. Meng Da led his troops to attack him, and Shen Yi's troops were defeated and fled to Xiangyang.

When Liu Feng and Meng Da had a lot of discord, Liu Feng took Meng Da to advocate, Meng Da was jealous of his identity, and he didn't dare to go to Liu Bei, so he was resentful.

A few days later, Meng Da wrote to Cao Ren to ask for surrender on the grounds that the surrendered generals would not be reused, begging his soldiers and horses to enter Fangling and take the three counties to open up the territory. Cao Ren couldn't make a decision, so he asked Ye Cheng for Cao Cao's opinion.

In the same month, Guan Yu led thousands of soldiers from his headquarters back to Wuhan on the grounds of advanced age and illness, thinking that he was recuperating. Lü Meng succeeded Guan Yu and took charge of the Nanjun Metropolitan District.

Under the persecution of everyone, Liu Xie took Zongzheng Liu Ai as the envoy, sent the edict of the seal, and drove to Yecheng to pass the decree, saying that he had no virtue, the Han family was declining, and the king of Wei, Cao Cao's martial arts, Wei Zhen the world, and wished Zen to be located in Wei.

Cao Cao refused to accept it, saying that he was willing to assist the Son of Heaven and support the Han family, so he drove Zongzheng Liu Ai out of Yecheng.

In April, after Liu Ai returned to Xuchang, he presented the 'loyalty' words of King Wei to the Son of Heaven. Liu Xiejia sent Liu Ai, Dong Zhao, Hua Xin and other core officials to Yecheng and asked Cao Cao, the king of Wei, to go to Xuchang and accept Liu Xie's concessions.

However, there are unforeseen circumstances, as Pei Qian expected before, since he left office, Daijun Shan Yu Wuchen rebelled, swept through Daijun, and even Xianbei was better than Neng.

Yecheng, the palace of the king of Wei.

Cao Cao paced in the hall, looking displeased.

At the critical moment of becoming emperor, the uninteresting behavior of this group of Daijun Wuhuan was undoubtedly like an annoying fly, buzzing in his ears.

Cao Cao put his hands behind his waist and said: "Wuhuan is unruly and unruly, and it is difficult to stop. If you don't enforce the rule of law, you want to indulge their hearts. Today's rebellion is as Pei Wenxing said! ”

Compared with military tactics, Cao Cao's political ability was weaker. And under the perennial conquest, coupled with the complicated situation in the northern region, he highly relied on the state assassin and county Taishou promoted by him.

For example, in the early days of the army, Cao Cao was mostly distressed by the lack of food, but thanks to the assistance of Xun Yu, Mao Yu and others, Cao Cao gradually stabilized his foothold. But as Xun Yu, Mao Jue and others were killed by Cao Cao one after another, Cao Cao's deficiencies in governance ability were gradually exposed.

Years ago, Pei Qian's description of the content of Cao Cao's position, Cao Cao didn't believe it. The rebellion of Wuhuan in today's lower generation county is a real verification of Pei Qian's words.

Sima Yi bowed slightly, and said: "Your Majesty, Daijun Wuhuan rebelled and attacked the border, and it seems that there is collusion with Xianbei Ke to do something. It is advisable to send sergeants as soon as possible, if you wait for Wuhuan and Xianbei Erhu to unite, it will be a trouble for my Great Wei border! ”

Cao Cao stopped and asked, "Zhong Da said that he would go out to recruit troops, but I don't know if there are good generals to recommend?" ”

"Pulling Junzijing and Tian Junguorang, these two people know all about nonsense, and they have a lot of fights with Wu Huan. In the rebellion of Wuhuan in today's county, one of the two monarchs can be selected to lead the army and pacify Hu. Sima Yi said.

The trajectory of the promotion of the two people under Cao Cao's account is different, and the Zhao was reused by Cao Cao due to various problems, and after the death of Han Hao of malaria in the middle protection army, the recruitment was worshiped by Cao Cao as the middle protection army, replacing Han Hao and taking charge of Cao Cao's army.

Tian Yu is not as lucky as Zhaozhao, and entered the Prime Minister's Mansion at the same time as Zhaozhao, and now he is only the county Taishou, because of the problem of outstanding political performance, he was left in Yecheng for another reuse.

Brushing his beard, Cao Cao said: "When you are nervous now, the guards must not leave the lonely side. Tian Yu has a lot of political achievements, so he can go out with the army for assistance. ”

After a pause, Cao Cao commanded: "Feng Yanling Marquis Zhang is the general of Beizhonglang, exercising the military of Xiao cavalry, Tian Yu is the accompanying army, and Xiahou Shang is joining the army, leading the elite infantry to ride 10,000 people, and conquer Daijun Wuhuan." ”

"No!" Sima Yi responded.

Let Tian Yu lead the troops alone and conquer Wuhuan, which is not Cao Cao's personal style. Now Cao Cao feels that he is old, and for the stability of the Cao family's regime, he must promote the second generation of the Cao family to participate in the war to help his dynasty consolidate its foundation.

Cao Zhang, his own son, is powerful and capable of fighting tigers, and is brave and good. Cao Cao is mostly appreciative and has the idea of appointing a general. Today, let him lead the troops to pacify Daijun Wuhuan, so that he can feel the atmosphere of war.

Xiahou Shang, who can be literate and martial, has many strategies, is one of the second generations of Cao Cao's key training, and can pay equal attention to Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu. Now let Xiahou Shang go north with the army, and I want him to increase his military strategy.

After a while, Liu Ye held the song and said: "King, General Zhengnan has reported that the three counties of Shangyong, Fangling, and Xicheng are about changing. ”

"Zixiao?"

Cao Cao opened the song, saw the content on it, and showed a thoughtful expression.

After thinking about it for a long time, Cao Cao handed over the song to Liu and Ma and asked, "Liu Feng bullied Fang Ling to guard Meng Da too much, and Meng Da was very angry. In this case, Meng Da wants to surrender to our army, let the general Zhengnan go west, and he will sacrifice the city to echo, what does the second secretary think? ”

Liu Ye and Sima Yi circulated the contents of the letters to each other, and the two of them contemplated.

After half a ring, Liu Ye sorted out his thoughts and said: "Your Majesty, according to General Zhengnan's letter, Meng Da surrendered because of Liu Feng's bullying, and Zhang Song's death and resentment. The five letters in a row may show the sincerity of his surrender. ”

"Ran Ye is afraid that this is a strategy for water thieves to deceive and surrender, and Xiangfan is the barrier of China. The general of Zhengnan raised troops to march westward, and Xiangfan was empty. If the water thieves take the opportunity to commit crimes, they are afraid that Xiangfan is in danger. Whether Meng Da surrenders or not, we should also carefully examine its authenticity. ”

As he spoke, Liu Ye changed his words and said: "At the same time, Liu Bei ordered Liu and Meng to lead troops into the three counties, and they should be prepared. The three counties are east of Hanzhong, west of Xiangfan, and above Jiangling. ”

Since the three eastern counties were taken down by Liu Bei, Xiangfan's pressure suddenly rose a lot. As Liu Ye said, the three eastern counties connect Xiangfan and Hanzhong. Now Liu Bei sent Liu and Meng into the three eastern counties, maybe it was for the purpose of attacking Xiangfan later.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with emotion: "What Zi Yang said is not unreasonable, Liu and Meng enter the three counties, or they will threaten Xiangfan's flank. It is advisable to be prepared. ”

"However, Meng Da's surrender is true, and from time to time there is Shen Yi's help, Meng Da raised his troops to think that it should be internal, and the general of Zhengnan led his troops out lightly, and the three counties and nine counties may easily belong to my China."

In the face of three counties and nine counties, if Cao Cao did not intend to move, it would be a pure lie.

Not to mention that Cao Cao is about to be called the emperor now, and he needs to be accompanied by merit. Looking at the household registration of those three counties, it is eye-catching, there are more than 30,000 households in the nine counties, and the population of more than 100,000 people, if they can be taken down, they can not only threaten Hanzhong from the east, indirectly consolidate Guanzhong, but also strengthen the Xiangfan front.

There is no doubt that the bait that Huo Jun chose for Cao Wei was attractive enough and exciting enough. The bait that Guan Yu chose for Cao Wei before was not only too big, but also not easy to achieve.

Pacing, Cao Cao asked, "Zhongda, do you have a different opinion?" ”

Gai vaguely knew Cao Cao's thoughts, and Sima Yi said: "As General Zhengnan said, the three counties and nine counties are located between the mountains, the roads are steep, the mountains are deep and the water is rapid, which is not conducive to marching. If Mengda is to surrender by fraud, our army should be easy to enter and difficult to get out. ”

But as His Majesty said, Liu Bei sent farewell to the three counties of Juntun, which are located in the middle of nowhere. Today, with Meng Da as the internal response, Shen Yi as the accompanying army, under the echo of the inside, he should be able to win and expand the territory! ”

After a pause, Sima Yi said: "In order to prevent Meng Da from cheating, at this time, General Zhengnan may be able to send more scouts to investigate the military situation in Nanjun to see if the water thieves are prepared, or increase the troops in Jiangling." ”

Liu Ye added after answering and said: "Not only that, the water thieves entered by boat and acted quickly. At this time, we should investigate the arrangement of the army of water thieves, especially where Huo Jun is now, in case this is the strategy of the water thieves. ”

"Good!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said, "What the second monarch said is mostly reasonable. The water thieves are deceitful, and Meng Da suddenly came to surrender, so he must be prepared. ”

"Someone came, and ordered Shouchun, Yiyang, Wudu, and Xiangyang to send scouts south to investigate the movements of the water thieves."

Cao Cao's voice fell, and the attendant shouted loudly: "King Wei, the Han envoy has arrived!" ”

Hearing this, Cao Cao straightened his clothes and said anxiously: "Spread this life to all places as soon as possible, so as not to let Meng Da's surrender be explored by Liu Bei." ”

"No!" Sima Yi responded.

didn't wait for Sima Yi to ask for any details, but saw Liu Ai, Dong Zhao, Sun Quan and others entering the palace with the Fengxi scarf book, and their voices were noisy, interrupting Sima Yi's words.

"King Wei, the minister Ai is under the edict of the Son of Heaven, please recruit the King of Wei into Xuchang today." Liu Ai held the talisman and said.

Cao Cao's face was indifferent, and he excused himself and said: "Cao is more favored by the emperor, and his virtue is weak." Today, His Majesty's edict is forgiven, and the ministers cannot obey their orders. ”

Liu Ai pretended to be dissatisfied, and said in a deep voice: "Heaven has prosperity, and the King of Wei has said that the emperor is favorable, and today he is recruited, why don't you enter Xuchang?" ”

Cao Cao looked helpless and said: "The edict of the Son of Heaven, I dare not disobey it." But just going to Xuchang alone, the Son of Heaven will be in solitude, how can he obey his fate? ”

Liu Ai held his hand and said: "King Wei's virtue is illustrious in China, which is admired by people all over the world, and Ai and all his ministers know it. Today's Son's life cannot be changed by us. Therefore, why did the king of Wei enter Xu with his ministers, meet His Majesty in person, and state the inside story. ”

"Please let the King of Wei enter the permit and meet the Son of Heaven." Everyone said in unison.

Seeing that everyone was like this, Cao Cao reluctantly embarrassed him and said: "What Zhu Qing said is reasonable, and he should enter Xuchang in person to ask His Majesty to withdraw the edict of Chan concession." ”

"The king is wise!"

With the cooperation of Cao Wei Junchen, Cao Cao's process of entering Xuchang has also gone enough.

The next day, Cao Cao drove to Xuchang in the car of the Son of Heaven.

(End of chapter)