Inside the hall of Sikong House.

Cao Cao sat in the center, and Xun Yu and Guo Jia stood on both sides.

"Wen Ruo, Feng Xiao, this is Ziwen's letter to me, and he has proposed a plan worthy of our deep thought." Cao Cao sat on the main seat, his eyes intently looking at the two strategists.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia raised their heads together, their eyes flashed with excitement and expectation, they knew Cao Zhang's talent very well, and there must be a new strategy for his letter this time.

"Please let the Lord know." Xun Yu said respectfully.

Guo Jia smiled slightly, and there was a hint of playfulness in his words: "Sikong, we all know that Ziwen Gongzi's letter must have another clever plan to make you happy." ”

In the letter, Ziwen proposed the idea of bribing the princes of Kansai by conferring official titles and knights. He advocated attracting Han Sui, Ma Teng and others with small favors, uniting them to besiege Li Dao and seize Chang'an. In this way, he will be able to get the support of tens of thousands of elite soldiers, which will greatly increase the chances of defeating Li Dao. ”

Xun Yu nodded slightly, and said thoughtfully: "Lord." There were many princes in Kansai, but they were not related to each other, and they were in their own camps. Through this strategy, we can stabilize them, make them temporarily obey our commands, avoid internal chaos, and thus better deal with external enemies. ”

"This move also has the benefit of being able to eliminate potential threats from the northwest," Guo added. Although Ma Teng, Han Sui and others have ambitions, as long as we try to meet their interests, they will not dare to betray us easily. ”

Xun Yu continued: "Cao Zhanggongzi's strategy is ingenious and practical. By giving some benefits to the Kansai princes, we will be able to bring them over and eliminate our threat in the Northwest. At the same time, we can also consolidate the stability of Kansai and make them obey our commands. This is a huge strategic advantage for us. ”

Guo Jia nodded and said in agreement: "That's true, lord." In this way, we will not only be able to gain strong support in Kansai, but also be able to calmly face Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu in the south, and Yuan Shao in the north. Cao Zhanggongzi's strategy can not only solve the hidden dangers in the northwest, but also enable us to grasp the situation in the entire north more firmly. ”

Cao Cao already admired Cao Zhang's strategy very much, and after listening to Xun Yu and Guo Jia's analysis, he was even more determined that Cao Zhang's strategy was feasible.

Cao Cao took a deep breath, then stared at Xun Yu and Guo Jia and said, "Ziwen's strategy is indeed a masterpiece, which can effectively solve our problems in the Kansai region. I decided to go to the court at once and ask His Majesty for advice. ”

Cao Cao's tone was firm, and his eyes flashed with determination and confidence.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia exchanged a look, and then replied in unison: "Yes, lord!" ”

They were convinced of Cao Cao's decision, and they knew that Cao Zhang's strategy would guarantee Cao Cao's victory.

They believe that this is a remarkable strategic move that will completely change the landscape of the North......

……

The imperial study of the Xudu Palace.

Emperor Liu Xie of the Han Dynasty was looking at the chapter, and the inner supervisor came to report: "Your Majesty, Cao Sikong asks to see you." ”

When Emperor Han Xian heard that Cao Cao was coming to see him, he was slightly stunned, and then hurriedly responded: "Please!" ”

Cao Cao strode into the imperial study in court clothes, came to Emperor Han Xian, and saluted Emperor Han Xian: "Minister Cao Cao greets Your Majesty!" ”

Emperor Han Xian looked at Cao Cao, who raised his head and stared at him, and faintly felt a trace of nervousness.

Although he was already a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, he was still a little apprehensive in the face of Cao Cao.

"Aiqing is flat, I don't know what happened when Aiqing came to see me today?" Emperor Han Xian asked cautiously.

"Your Majesty, please ask Your Majesty to issue an order to recruit the Guanxi princes led by Ma Teng, Han Sui, Duan Xuan and others, and confer titles to appease." Cao Cao's expression was very respectful, but his tone was very firm.

Emperor Han Xian's face was puzzled, and after thinking carefully for a while, he asked, "Aiqing, why do you want to recruit the princes of An Ma Teng and Han Sui who once rebelled against the imperial court?" ”

Seeing this, Cao Cao smiled slightly, and said: "Your Majesty, although Ma Teng, Han Sui and others have had conflicts with the imperial court, don't forget that that time was the moment when Li Dao and Guo Yan were by your side to control the government. Ma, Han and others are targeting Li Dao and Guo Yan, not Your Majesty! ”

"In these troubled times, we urgently need a stable Northwest Frontier to avoid more variables. As long as the Kansai princes were given appropriate titles and titles, they would naturally serve the imperial court and weaken the enemy's power at the source. This is a stable strategy that has a positive effect on His Majesty's royal power. ”

Cao Cao saw that Emperor Han Xian was silent, and continued to add: "Your Majesty, now that the Guanxi heroes are in their own way, they will pose a threat to Your Majesty's great cause of unification. Recruiting An Ma Teng, Han Sui and others can make them temporarily obey the imperial court and unite them, while also avoiding the possibility of them sneaking up on the imperial court. ”

"The most important thing is that Cao Zhang, the son of Weichen, is currently leading troops to exterminate Li Dao in Chang'an, and at this time, recruiting An Ma Teng, Han Sui and others can let them help Cao Chang and annihilate Li Dao in one fell swoop!"

Cao Cao's last sentence deeply moved Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. He was held by Li Dao for many years and suffered humiliation. When he returned to the east, he almost died, and his heart was full of hatred for Li Dao.

Emperor Han Xian immediately raised his head and said to Cao Cao: "Aiqing, you are reasonable. Then, according to your opinion, I will issue an edict to recruit An Ma Teng and Han Sui, and grant them the appropriate titles. But this is also premised on stabilizing the borders, and it is important to prevent them from backlashing. ”

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, the minister will definitely take precautions, and he will never kill a Li Dao, and a bunch of rebellious ministers and thieves who are disrespectful to Your Majesty will emerge!" Cao Cao immediately responded.

"It's so good, then I don't know who Aiqing is going to arrange to go to Kansai to send a message to recruit for me?!" Emperor Han Xian asked with concern.

Cao Cao had already made plans before he came to see him, and immediately said: "Back to Your Majesty, Your Majesty was able to return to the east safely, and Zhong Xuan's proposal played a vital role!" He was extremely loyal to His Majesty, and he had contact with the princes of Kansai, and he was the best person to go and issue the decree! ”

Emperor Han Xian's impression of Zhong Xuan was also very good, and he immediately nodded and agreed: "Okay, everything depends on what Aiqing sees, Aiqing will arrange it!" ”

Cao Cao immediately knelt down and thanked him: "The ministers are grateful!" Retire! ”

Cao Cao got up and walked out, his face was full of smug smiles, this time he saw that the purpose of driving was achieved, once the plan was successful, the northwest would be stable, and it would be a major strategic victory for him......

Emperor Han Xian looked at Cao Cao's departing figure, but he only felt a chill on his back, and then realized that he had already been soaked in cold sweat in his dragon robe.

Although Cao Cao was discussing with him just now, Emperor Han Xian understood that it was impossible for him to disobey Cao Cao's intentions now, and Cao Cao's ambitions had become more and more revealed.

……

Inside Cao Pi's mansion.

Cao Pi anxiously paced back and forth in the hall, his mood as turbulent as clouds torn apart by a storm, and he anxiously awaited the return of Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu.

When he learned that Cao Cao had received Cao Zhang's letter from Sikong Mansion, he realized that it must be Chang'an that had a military return, but Cao Cao did not allow him to listen, so he could only arrange for Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu to secretly monitor the movements of Sikong Mansion and try their best to find out the news.

Cao Zhen was the first to return from the outside and walked quickly into the hall.

Cao Pi hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern, "How is the situation?" ”

Cao Zhen said to Cao Pi with a sad face: "Zihuan, not long after we left, Sikong made an appointment to meet Xun Lingjun and Guo Junshi, and then he personally entered the palace to meet the Son of Heaven. I guess there must have been something important in Ziwen's letter that stimulated Sikong to go to the saint. ”

Hearing Cao Zhen's return, Cao Pi couldn't help but scold angrily: "This is nonsense! I had long guessed that there was something important in Cao Zhang's letter. What I'm asking you to look up is what exactly is in his letter!?

At this moment, Cao Xiu also rushed back out of breath: "I found it, I found it!" ”

Cao Pi hurriedly stepped forward excitedly: "Wen Lie, what did you find?" ”

"I bought a small yellow door in the inner palace and got a message." Cao Xiu said mysteriously.

Cao Pi eagerly asked: "Tell me quickly, what is the news about?" ”

Cao Xiu looked at Cao Pi with deep eyes, and then said slowly: "The Son of Heaven appointed Zhong Xuan, the servant, to go to Guanxi with a holy decree to reward the princes of Guanxi, such as An Ma Teng, Han Sui, and Duan Xuan. ”

Cao Pi's eyes widened in shock: "This must be the purpose of my father's entry into the palace to meet the Son of Heaven!" This must have been suggested by Cao Chang to his father in his letter! ”

"But what is his purpose in doing this?" Cao Zhen couldn't understand it, and asked suspiciously.

Cao Pi's eyes were cold, and he said viciously: "Cao Zhang's intention is obvious, he hopes to use the rewards of the imperial court to make the princes of Guanxi use him and deal with Li Dao with him!" In this way, he has tens of thousands of elite soldiers at once, and he can also form a siege on Li Dao, who is stationed in Chang'an! ”

"Zihuan, if Cao Zhang's plan succeeds, Li Dao will fail, and our carefully designed plan to frame him will also fail." Cao Xiu said anxiously.

Cao Pi shook his head in shock, he didn't expect Cao Zhang to make another strange move, this kind of accident was a huge threat to him.

Cao Xiu pondered for a moment, stepped forward and whispered to Cao Pi: "Zihuan, we might as well continue to use the original method of provoking Li Dao to send troops, and in the name of Dong Cheng, tell Li Dao the news that the imperial court is going to send envoys to recruit the princes of Guanxi, so that he can prepare early." ”

Cao Pi listened to Cao Xiu's words and nodded slightly.

Dong Chengben was born in the Xiliang Army, and was once a subordinate of Dong Zhuo's son-in-law Niu Fu, and also worked with Li Dao and Guo Yan for many years.

It's just that his daughter married Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, and his father became the national ruler with his daughter, so he began to gradually distance himself from Li Dao and others, but after all, the two sides had intersections in the past.

Moreover, after Dong Cheng came to Xudu, he was obviously squeezed out by Cao Cao, and he was not happy, which is also a fact.

Therefore, Cao Pi initially forged a letter in the name of Dong Cheng to express his dissatisfaction with Cao Cao, claiming that he wanted to cooperate with Li Dao to bring down Cao Cao and send Emperor Han Xian back to Chang'an.

"It doesn't mean much just to let Li Dao be on guard. At present, it seems that his strategy is far inferior to Ziwen, if the princes of Guanxi really unite to help Ziwen deal with Li Dao, he will be unable to support it alone, and the chances of winning are not great. We must find a way to prevent him from bribing the princes of Kansai to unite against Li Dao. Cao Pi's brows were tightly locked, and his eyes flashed with a fierce light......

Cao Xiu's eyes rolled, he already had an idea, and he whispered to Cao Pi: "Zihuan, if you want to destroy the Kansai warlord to obey Cao Zhang's orders, it's not impossible, we can do this......"

Immediately, Cao Xiu told Cao Pi his plan.

Cao Pi nodded slowly after listening: "This plan is feasible, then without further ado, immediately arrange someone to write a letter, and send it to Chang'an and Yong and Liang as soon as possible, we must complete our action before Zhong Xuan arrives!" ”