In the second year of Jian 'an, in June of 197 AD, Yuan Shu built a palace and an altar in Shouchun to worship heaven and earth, claiming to be the Son of Heaven. The name of the country was "Dacheng", and the year was "Zhongjia", which meant that 1977 was the first year of Zhongjia. Yuan Shu ranked second in his family, so he took Zhong as the year title, and Zhong's family was the meaning of his second son's prosperity.
The news of Yuan Shu becoming the emperor shocked the whole country. When it reached the capital, the atmosphere in the capital was turbulent and the whole city was filled with panic. Cao Ang didn't care at first, because according to what he knew, Yuan Shu didn't have the right timing to claim the throne, and he hadn't even sat on the throne for three full years. Moreover, in terms of ability, Yuan Shu was no match for Cao Cao. However, after a discussion with Cao Cao, Cao Ang realized that things weren't that simple.
After Cao Cao's thorough analysis of Yuan Shu's strength, Cao Ang had a deep understanding of him. Yuan Shu's power extended to Yangzhou, Si Li, Jing Zhou, and Yu Zhou. Among the southern vassals, even Liu Biao and Sun Ce were not as powerful as Yuan Shu. The Nanyang Prefecture occupied by Yuan Shu was the largest prefecture in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It had 37 cities and 500,000 households, with a population of no less than 2.4 million. As for Runan Prefecture, which was developed by Yuan Shu, it was the second largest prefecture in the Han Dynasty, second only to Nanyang. It also had 37 cities, 400,000 households, and a population of 2.1 million. Moreover, the agriculture, commerce, and craftsmanship of Jianghuai were quite developed. Yuan Shu's strength was even stronger than Yuan Shao, who had yet to pacify Gongsun Zan.
In the meeting hall, Cao Cao calmly looked at the generals below. The relics were scattered on both sides, and there were dozens of people densely packed together. They were all Cao Cao's trusted subordinates. Many of them had deep and resounding auras, and one could tell at a glance that they were not ordinary people. Amongst them, there was also the Cavalry Lieutenant, Eldest Young Master Cao Ang.
After a long silence, Cao Cao coughed and said,""Everyone, today's discussion in the courtyard is for the country and the monarch. Those who speak are innocent, and those who hear are worthy of warning.”
The person who had spoken was a man with three wisps of cotton. His face was as white as brocade, and his tone was flat and ancient, but his words were powerful and sonorous. It was Xun Yu, the Secretary of State whom Cao Cao had referred to as " My Wife." "Ming Gong supported the Han Emperor and helped the government. Now that Yuan Shu has usurped the throne, all the vassals in the world are waiting to see what will happen in Xudu. If you indulge the rebels, I'm afraid many people will follow suit in a few years.”
"There are many imitators…" Cao Cao gently stroked his long beard and slowly nodded,""Wen Ruo's words are very good. However, Yuan Shu is not easy to deal with. I originally wanted to wait until the north was pacified before recovering Jianghuai. He did not expect that man's plan was not as good as God's plan. Yuan Shu actually did such a disobedient thing. This is not within my expectations."
Everyone nodded when they heard this. However, they kept their mouths shut. This matter was sudden. Xu City was surrounded by enemies on all sides. Once the army moved south, if they could not defeat the enemy in a short period of time, the situation behind would be in danger. Moreover, Yuan Shu was extremely powerful and could not be defeated in a day. However, if they did not attack, just as Xun Yu had said, in a few years, all the vassals in the four directions would follow suit. The prestige of the Han Emperor would be lost, and the four directions would not be respected. This would be extremely detrimental to Cao Cao's political strategy. "Father, I have a plan." Hearing this, everyone looked over. When they saw the person who spoke, they were stunned. It was the Eldest Young Master Cao Ang.
Cao Ang looked at the gazes of the crowd and felt a little guilty. However, someone should have offered Cao Cao the strategy of "Consecutive Release" by now, but for some reason, no one spoke for a long time.
Xun Yu's political vision was unique, and he might not be as good at military law. It was understandable that he did not think of it at the moment. Jia Xu had just joined Cao Cao, so he was wise and reserved. Although he had a wonderful method, it was not surprising that he did not come out to offer advice. As for Cao Cao himself, everyone in the world was watching his every move. A single decision of his could affect the whole body. At the very least, he would lose soldiers and generals, and at the very least, he would overturn the situation. There should be one more person. Where was Cao Cao's mastermind? Where was that genius now? Why didn't he come out to offer advice? Although Cao Ang found it strange, he looked at Cao Cao's solemn expression and thought, Forget it! If he doesn't offer it, I'll offer it. Who asked me to be his son?
Hearing Cao Ang's reply, Cao Cao turned around and said,""Zixiu, just say what you think. There's no need to be too formal.”Cao Ang then said softly," With our current strength, if we want to take on Yuan Shu head-on, the gains will not make up for the losses. Now that Liu Bei, the herdsman of Yuzhou, has joined our army, we can make him the vanguard. Firstly, he can be used as an aid when we fight against Yuan Shu. Secondly, he can wear down Liu Bei's strength to prevent his wings from becoming too full. Sun Ce of the south of the Yangtze River and Lu Bu of Xuzhou have conflicts with Yuan Shu. It is better to issue an edict to recruit them to work for the emperor and march south together.”
When Cao Cao and Xun Yu heard this, their eyes lit up. Jia Xu, who was in the corner, seemed to have expected this. He merely raised his head and glanced at Cao Ang before closing his eyes and lowering his head again. Xiahou Dun rubbed his chin and said,""Zixiu, Lu Bu, and Sun Ce may have some conflict with Yuan Shu, but this is a matter of great importance. I'm afraid the two of them won't easily agree to our army's request.”
Cao Ang only knew that the book said that Cao Cao had gathered three generals to attack the Yuan Dynasty, but he did not know the specific details. While he was hesitating, Xun Yu calmly spoke up to help Cao Ang." General, you can rest assured about this. Lü Bu and Sun Ce occupied Xuzhou and Jiangnan respectively, but they did not have a name. Now I only need to promise them that I will make Lu Bu the herdsman of Xuzhou and Sun Ce the prefect of Kuaiji. It will definitely succeed!"
Cao Ang could not help but nod his head in his heart when he heard this. As expected of a talented assistant! He is well versed in politics and diplomacy. Lu Bu and Sun Ce were in charge of one side, and as long as they did not receive an edict to rectify their position, they would be held back by the army they led. Unless one became an emperor like Yuan Shu, without a title and title, it would be difficult for one to command an army in this era.
Cao Cao finally smiled."Good! As expected of a brilliant plan, he followed Wen Ruo's words.”Xun Yu shook his head slightly and turned to Cao Ang with a smile,""This strategy is not Xun Yu's work. It is all thanks to Eldest Young Master's advice.”Cao Ang hurriedly returned Xun Yu's bow.
Although Cao Cao didn't praise him, he still turned to Cao Ang and said,"Wen Ruo, please report to His Majesty tomorrow that Wang Pu will go to Jiangdong and appoint Sun Ce as the commander of the cavalry and the prefect of Kuaiji. He will replace his father as the Marquis of Wucheng. He sent an army to attack Yuan Shu and instructed Sun Ce to say that if he could make great contributions on behalf of the Han Dynasty in this battle, I would still have the position of General of Rebellion, and no one would choose the title of Marquis of Wu. As for Lu Bu, he was temporarily granted the post of Xuzhou herdsman.”
As soon as he finished speaking, an awkward laughter suddenly came from outside the hall."Guo Jia is late. Please forgive me. If it's difficult to forgive me, I'll drink three cups of wine as punishment…No, it was thirty strokes of the stick. Thirty strokes of the stick.”Cao Cao suddenly raised his head, a look of joy on his face, but it quickly disappeared. He pretended to be slightly angry and said,"Chancellor Guo is really arrogant, only coming in the middle of the day. Looks like I have to personally visit the manor for future discussions, right?”
Cao Ang turned his head and saw that the person at the door was less than thirty years old. He was wearing a light green robe, and his thin and pale face was beardless. He was dressed very cleanly. Although he looked weak, the smile on his face was very eye-catching.
Hearing Cao Cao's sarcastic words, Guo Jia was not afraid. Instead, he smiled and bowed,"Thanks to Ming Gong's love, Guo Jia won't forget you for a moment.”Looking at Guo Jia's expression, even the usually dignified Cao Cao could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile."Hmph, you have a good plan. Unfortunately, I really don't dare to go to your Wine Village Drunken Manor. Otherwise, if I get involved with a prodigal son, who will I complain to?”
The hall that had been silent and solemn suddenly burst into laughter. Looking at Guo Jia, who was smiling awkwardly, even Cao Ang couldn't help but smile. Cao Cao smiled and waved his hand,""Sit down, lest you fall from your hangover.”
Guo Jia chuckled and said," I know I'm in the wrong, so I thought hard and finally came up with a plan to fix Yuan Shu's rebellion. After you hear it, you should know how repentant I am."”
Cao Cao laughed and said," When Fengxiao was drunk, I and the civil and military officials already had a plan for Yuan Shu's rebellion. There's no need for you to show off again."”Guo Jia could not help but be stunned when he heard that. He immediately said,"Oh? I wonder what plan you and the generals have decided on?”
After hearing Cao Cao explain the method of summoning Lu Bu and Sun Ce, Guo Jia's pale face froze for a moment before he smiled and said,""I wonder who offered such a good plan? Unexpectedly, he and Guo Jia happen to have the same opinion. After today's government discussion, Guo Jia will float a big white with him!”After saying that, he turned his head and carefully sized up everyone. Then, he looked at Jia Xu and said,"Haha, it must be Jia Gong who came up with this good plan!”
Jia Xu still had an indifferent expression on his face. Facing the laughing Guo Jia, he still said with a calm face,"Jia Xu is stupid, how could he have such a good plan? This was planned by Eldest Young Master and Mister Wen Ruo on behalf of Ming Gong, it really has nothing to do with Jia Xu.”
Guo Jia was slightly stunned when he heard that. He turned to look at Xun Yu, only to see Xun Yu gently raise his head in Cao Ang's direction. He immediately understood and turned to smile,""So it was Eldest Young Master who came up with such a good plan for Ming Gong.”
Cao Ang's face couldn't help but feel a little hot. He had snatched the other party's brilliant plan and made the other party admire him. "Chancellor Guo praises me too much. Cao Ang only had this thought. If it wasn't for Duke Xun, I'm afraid it would be difficult to carry it out.”
Guo Jia carefully sized up Cao Ang for a while before turning to Cao Cao and saying,"Since Ming Gong did not contribute much to me today, Guo Jia will add two more small schemes to Eldest Young Master's plan as a icing on the cake.”Cao Cao immediately said,""Fengxiao, if you have something to say, feel free to say it."
Guo Jia gently swept his sleeves and said with a smile,"Andong General Chen Yu is currently garrisoned on the west coast. He can be ordered to go with Sun Ce and Lu Bu to attack Yuan Shu. In addition, Guo Jia swept a glance at Jia Xu without leaving a trace and continued,"You can order Zhang Xiu of Wancheng to send troops to Huaixi and join forces with Liu Xuande's army. He can also pass on an edict to Liu Biao, asking this relative of the Han clan to attack Nanyang County.”
Then, Guo Jia gently raised his left hand and counted,"In that case, our army will go straight to Shouchun. Liu Xuande and Zhang Xiu led the second army to attack the south of Henan Province. Liu Biao's army was the third to attack Nanyang. Lu Bu's army was the fourth road, which captured Caizhou and became Germany. Sun Ce and Chen Yu led the fifth army to attack Yangzhou on the Lujiang River. The five armies came together, not to mention Yuan Shu, even if Lu Wang was reborn, it would be difficult to resist.”
Cao Ang was dumbfounded by his words. That's right, when Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, it was less than a few months before Cao Ang's death. Zhang Xiu and Cao Cao were like fire and water. However, things were different now. His Young Master Cao was not dead, and Zhang Xiu was also under Cao Cao's army. Guo Jia immediately offered his help according to the change in the situation, and even implicated Liu Biao of Jingzhou. Yuan Shu was not on good terms with Liu Biao, and Nanyang belonged to Jingzhou. If Cao Cao agreed and Zhang Xiu wrote to him, it was not impossible for Yuan Shu to send troops to Nanyang. If this plan succeeded, Cao Cao would have two more helpers in his southern expedition against Yuan Shu, Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao. Guo Jia, a genius, is really famous!
Hearing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but laugh at the sky. Everyone also praised him. Who would have thought that the wastrel who was late for the meeting would be able to point out the direction of the situation in an instant? Cao Ang looked at Guo Jia, who had a bright smile on his face, and couldn't help but admire him deeply. This was a talent that could help the world!
After Cao Cao finished laughing, Guo Jia cupped his hands and smiled,"This matter has been settled, Guo Jia's crimes have been cleared.”"No!" Cao Cao shook his head. This plan is submitted by Zixiu, not your credit. Feng Fengxiao should offer another plan to relieve my worries. Otherwise, I'll punish you!"
"Ah?" Guo Jia didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he heard that."Ming Gong, the situation has been set, where do you want me to offer advice?”Cao Cao laughed and said,"If you can't do anything, then I'll give the order to hold the staff!"”
Although he knew that Cao Cao was joking with Guo Jia, Cao Ang still felt that this was a good time for him to build a good relationship with Guo Jia," Father, I just snatched Chancellor Guo's opportunity to make a contribution. Now, I'll come up with a little trick to vent my anger for Father. How about this be considered as returning the favor to Duke Guo?”
"Oh?" "Tell me," Cao Cao said with a smile.”Cao Ang smiled and said," When my father first welcomed the Emperor back to Xuchang, he was supposed to be the Great General. Who would have thought that Yuan Shao would pick a bone here and make my father give up the position of Great General and Grand Marshal to him?" Now that Yuan Shu has rebelled, why doesn't my father send an edict to Hebei by the order of the Son of Heaven, asking Yuan Shao for the crime of disobedience, and asking Yuan Shao to expel his brother's name and give it to Yuan Shao, and to state his feelings for forgiveness? Then, he would use both kindness and power to announce to the world that he would pardon Yuan's crime of being killed by Yuan Shu. In this way, Yuan Shao would have to swallow his anger. This was called…Give me a stick and a sweet date."
"Hit me with a stick, give me a sweet date…" Cao Cao read it carefully and smiled,""Although it is crude, it is still very interesting.”On the other side, Guo Jia winked at Cao Ang and smiled,"Eldest Young Master's plan is very good. The Yuan family has produced such a traitor. Ming Gong blamed him in the name of the Son of Heaven. He is extremely resentful, but it concerns the reputation of the Yuan family in the world. No matter how much resentment Yuan Shao has, he can only express the forgiveness of the Son of Heaven.”
After the discussion, Cao Ang walked out of the hall and stretched his body, thinking,""Sigh, in a while, it will be time to go to uncle's place to practice my spear.”Just as he was thinking about this, a pale and thin hand held Cao Ang's shoulder. A laugh sounded behind Cao Ang,""Eldest Young Master, if you have nothing else to do, why don't you go with Jia to float in Da Bai?”
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