Chapter 470 Meng De enters the game
In Chang'an City, in the Cao army's central tent, the thick curtains separated the noise from the outside world, only the candlelight in the tent swayed uneasily, and the dim light and shadow swayed on the tent wall, just like The ghostly dance adds a bit of tension and solemn atmosphere.
Cao Cao was straight, holding the documents sent by Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu and others from Luoyang in his hand tightly. His eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes were burning, and he stared at the paper in his hand.
The top document was written by the envoy of Jingzhou Fu Xun. If you look closely, it records in detail a series of changes that have occurred in Jingzhou since last year: the chain reaction caused by the containment of Liu Xun, and the Jingnan area The rebellion, the difficult rebellion in Jingbei, the fierce raid of the Yang army, and the thrilling battles in Zhouling, Hanchuan and other places, all the lines show the turbulent situation in Jingzhou, as if An elusive storm may sweep again at any time.
The reason why Fu Xun described these in such detail is the complex reason behind it. He himself came from a famous family and his family has been extremely prominent for generations. Although he is now living in Xiangyang, he always has persistence in family glory and loyalty to the Han Dynasty.
Deep inside him, he actually disdained Liu Biao.
This is not because of his ability to underestimate Liu Biao, or because Fu Xun is both faced and three-pointed swords, and he is responsible for his gratitude. On the contrary, this is exactly why Fu Xun was dissatisfied with Liu Biao's possession of Jingzhou and dominated the country, but he was content with the status quo and did not want to serve the Han court.
Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, the two-Yuan monarch has become a well-recognized unspoken rule in the officialdom, and even the emperor of the Han Dynasty had to abide by this reality. Fu Xun was a dual minister of Liu Biao and the emperor, and Liu Biao was also a minister of the emperor. Such a subtle and complex relationship created the strange phenomenon that Fu Xun was a minister but looked down on his lord.
In Jingzhou, people who think like Fu Xun actually account for the majority. In the final analysis, Liu Biao lives in Jingzhou but is not enterprising, wasting great resources and opportunities in vain, making many scholars who care about the world. People were extremely disappointed.
Liu Biao was not without expansion ambitions, but his strategic vision was extremely bad, and his expansion methods were even worse than his strategic vision. The final result was that it failed to expand, which instead led to Jingzhou in a trap. The dilemma of all neighbors being enemies.
Jingzhou ranks among the world, with five states adjacent to all directions. However, Liu Biao not only did not make any ally, but instead made enemies with his neighbors, which seriously hindered his own development.
At first, Liu Biao occupied the three counties in Jiangbei, Jingzhou. At that time, Yuan Shu fled to Yangzhou. The enemies to his north were only related to the Xiliang Wufu in Zhong and the Yellow Turban Army in Yingchuan. These two objects are mediocre people who are self-contained and do not want to expand. The situation at that time was actually quite generous.
Whether Liu Biao attacked Wuguan, entered Guanzhong to serve the emperor, or followed Yuan Shu, and took the opportunity to seize the counties and counties of Yuzhou, it was considered a very good strategic policy.
But Liu Biao did not take the ordinary path. At this time, he left the battle between Yuan and Cao in the north and ignored it, and instead ran to interfere in the situation in Yizhou. Taking advantage of Liu Zhang's succession to the throne, he incited Gan Ning and others to rebel, and made enemies for no reason, but he was reluctant to put in the capital. After watching Liu Zhang calmly suppress the rebellion, he formed an unsolvable mortal hatred with the other party.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Biao turned his target to Jingnan and fought fiercely with Jiaozhi Governor Zhang Jin, which made the situation in the south become tense.
Later, Yuan Shu was driven all the way to Yangzhou by Cao Cao, and Sun Jian's family's strength was mostly in Jiangdong, and Jingzhou east instantly became the territory of his old enemy.
At this time, the Liu Biao encirclement net that Liu Biao had personally laid out was finally completely formed, and enemies from all directions were surrounded by him and were always eyeing him.
If these enemies hadn't ever thought of joining forces, Liu Biao would have been killed by him.
How can such a lord of a state be appreciated and loyal to the wise men with great ambitions and talented people?
Not to mention that Liu Biao was essentially paying tribute to the court with ulterior motives. Moreover, when the tribute was the most frequent, it was when the martial arts of Xiliang were in power and Li Jue and Guo Si bullied the emperor. This behavior inevitably made people think that he was Unpredictable intentions.
If the emperor hadn't paid a lot of tribute to him when he was in Luoyang, he would have been unable to withstand him.
There are sufficient reasons for this, and Liu Biao himself is indeed to blame.
After reading Fu Xun's memorial and secret letters from Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu and others, Cao Cao slowly closed his eyes and fell into long-term contemplation.
His fingers tapped the tabletop gently, making rhythmic sounds, as if weighing the pros and cons of every decision.
Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu agreed to keep Liu Biao.
If Fu Xun said nothing concealed or misunderstood, then Liu Biao is now only one county in Nanyang, as well as some Nanxian and a small number of Jiangxia counties. His military power plummeted to two or three out of ten in the past, which can be said to have been beaten by Liu Feng. The serious injury almost broke the backbone.
But for Cao Cao and the court, this was a god-given opportunity.
If the court could take this opportunity to accommodate Liu Biao, even if it was only preserved by Liu Biao, who was left in Nanyang County, it would have a huge increase in the strength of Cao Cao and the court.
After all, the scholars and people in Jingzhou all have the hearts of the court. Even if Liu Biao cannot be replaced for the time being, they will not worry about not having the opportunity to recruit him into the court in the future.
As long as Liu Biao leaves Xiangyang, will the entire Nanyang County belong to Cao Cao and the court?
From a strategic perspective, the court had a huge geographical advantage over Nanyang. After Cao Cao took Guanzhong, the court had surrounded Xiangyang from Guanzhong and Yingchuan. Once Xiangyang surrenders, this place will become a triangle, with waterways crisscrossing and convenient transportation, which is undoubtedly a great improvement for Cao Cao's territory.
In this way, the four areas of Guanzhong, Nanyang, Yingchuan and Luozhong will be connected into one, guarding Guiyuan, covering each other, forming an indestructible line of defense. This is exactly the strategic situation that Cao Cao dreamed of. Thinking about the long snake formation in Yanzhou in the past, the territory without any depth, Cao Cao suffered a lot in the war. Now if this layout can be realized, it would be great but.
After reading the letter, Cao Cao felt excited, and a trace of undetectable excitement flashed in his eyes. He knew very well that Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu had another advantage, but he was faintly revealed between the lines, which was to curb Liu Feng's continued expansion.
Liu Bei and his son have already owned two and a half states, and now they have taken over the Jingbei county. Their strength has expanded too rapidly, just like a rapidly rising giant beast, which makes people have to be wary.
If Nanyang County is handed over, the Liu family and his son will probably become the world's largest vassal. By then, it will be even more difficult for Cao Cao to check and balance them.
But don’t forget that last year, Cao Cao also made a deal with Liu Feng and handed over Jiaozhou to the other party.
Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu had both opposed this transaction in private, but Cao Cao insisted on his own.
The reason is very simple. It is not that he really favors Liu Feng, but that he understands that even if he doesn't give it, with Liu Feng's ambition and strength, can't he win it by himself?
The court did not give Yuan Shao the titles of the governor of Bingzhou, Qingzhou and Youzhou. Didn’t Yuan Shao still win the land of these three states with his own strength?
What Cao Cao thought at that time was that instead of establishing a strong enemy for no reason because Jiaozhi and Liu Bei had a bad relationship, it was better to change some benefits. What's more, Liu Biao was still in Jingzhou to restrain Liu Feng. If Liu Feng really went to take Jiaozhi, Liu Biao would definitely not sit idly by. Who would have expected that Liu Biao, who once used tens of thousands of troops, led the Jingxiang and won the Yuan and Sun in a row, was so vulnerable that he was defeated by Liu Feng and completely lost his former prestige.
"Go and invite Mr. Zhicai to come to my study to discuss matters."
Cao Cao suddenly opened his eyes, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. He opened the door and looked at Dian Wei who was guarding outside the door. He ordered, "Wait, and call Zixiao, Wenze, Zilian and Wenqian together."
His voice was low and powerful, with unquestionable majesty.
"Yes, General."
Dian Wei bowed his hand and his body quickly disappeared into the night. He knew the importance of this matter well and did not dare to delay at all. He immediately sent someone to invite Xi Zhicai, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Le Jin and Yan Xiang.
After a while, everyone came and entered the study. They had different expressions on their faces, some looked solemn and some were full of curiosity, but they were all full of expectations for what was about to be discussed.
Cao Cao immediately handed the letters from Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu to everyone for circulation.
Everyone took the letter and lowered his head to read it carefully. For a moment, the study room was so quiet that only the sound of paper flipping, and the atmosphere became more and more tense. The letter was circulated soon, and Cao Hong was the first to speak.
He is Cao Cao's brother, a veteran of Yuan Dynasty, and he also saves Cao Cao's life. In front of Cao Cao, many words were inconvenient for others to say, but he had no worries.
No mistakes, one song, one content, one in 6, one book, one bar, one reading!
"Congratulations to General, congratulations to General!"
Cao Hong's voice was loud and echoed in the study like a bell. He was upright and congratulated Cao Cao on the spot: "General, This is a good opportunity given by God. If God gives him, he will suffer if he doesn't take it back! "
He was full of excitement and kept gesturing with his hands, as if he had seen Cao Cao take Xiangfan.
"Oh?"
Cao Cao was intrigued, narrowed his eyes slightly, and asked curiously, "Zi Lian, the Yangzhou army is as powerful as the bamboo shoot, and the Jingzhou army is almost unstoppable. What should we do if we accept Liu Biao at this time and attract Yang army to attack each other?"
He stared at Cao Hong, as if he wanted to find a trace of confidence in his answer.
Cao Hong's face turned upright, his expression became serious, and he bowed his fists and said, "General, the Yangzhou Army is indeed brave, but how could I, the hero of Yanyu, be afraid? We follow the general and fight in the east and west, and have experienced countless The test of life and death is invincible. So what about the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, a million people? Under the wise command of the general, we are still beaten to pieces. Yuan Shukuangting came in full force, trying to compete with the general, but not the same In a tragic way, he fled in a panic. Lu Bu was treacherous and cunning in the past and tried to seize the foundation of his career, but in the end he was expelled from Yanzhou by us, like a dog that was lost. Liangzhou martial artists were arrogant and arrogant, treating the emperor as children, but now they are now Where? We were driven out of Guanzhong yet! "
The more he spoke, he became more and more excited, and his voice became louder and louder, as if he wanted to declare the invincibility of Cao's army to the world, and also wanted to show himself to Cao Cao himself confidence.
"General Zilian said very well!"
Le Jin also bowed his hand and stood up to speak for Cao Hong: "Jinfai is underestimating Yang Jun, but we are not afraid of him. Whether we are born or defeated, we have to see the truth on the battlefield. How can we retreat just because the enemy is strong? The soldiers have already put life and death aside and are willing to go through fire and water for the general! "
The firm belief and fearless courage were revealed in his eyes, which made people moved.
Le Jin was the first to ascend a madman in Cao's army. He led the way every time he fought. This short and thin general of Cao's army was a recognized brave general in Cao's army.
After Le Jin finished speaking, Cao Ren also smiled and stood up and said, "What Zi Lian and Wen Qian said is very much. And to be honest, the soldiers under the command of General Cavalry and the soldiers under the command of General Left are the soldiers under the command of General Left. , I'm afraid they are all very different. Besides, even under General Zuo, only the thirty or fifty thousand people really impressed the lord. "
He shook his head slightly, with a confident smile on his face, as if he had a look of confidence. He knows Liu Jun's strength well. Since Liu Feng successfully captured Yangzhou last year, Cao Cao's attention to Liu Bei and his son has increased, as if they have become his biggest threat.
In order to grasp the true situation of Liu Jun, Cao Cao also sent a lot of detailed spies to the three prefectures of Xu, Yu and Yang to spy on intelligence. Among them, the most important piece of information that attracted the attention of Cao Cao and his generals was Liu Jun's real combat power.
This information clearly points out that the cavalry army led by Liu Bei, including the Xuzhou Army and the Yuzhou Army, were derived from the Danyang Army left by Tao Qian and the local newly recruited army in Xuzhou, while the latter's main force was It was the Yellow Turban Army surrendered in Yuzhou. With a lot of evidence and evidence, the bureaucrats and generals of the Cao army's intelligence system agreed that Liu Bei's army was inferior to Cao's army in terms of individual combat capabilities and formation combat strength.
Although this is good news, it also makes the Cao army generals very afraid. After all, Liu Bei has been in charge of Xuzhou for only four years, and Yuzhou has only two years. In such a short period of time, he can train the army like this. This shows that Liu Bei's military training ability cannot be underestimated.
The information I got from Liu Feng next shocked the Cao army.
From Cao Cao, to Xi Zhicai, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and others, they never dared to underestimate Liu Feng's troops. They always believed that among the father and son of the Liu family, Liu Feng's troops had even more troops under Liu Feng's command. Good at fighting, stronger strength.
After all, when we fought together to fight for the king, the two armies fought side by side. All the generals saw Liu Feng's strict military discipline, and they were both envious and fearful.
When I learned that Liu Feng had all his elite troops and compiled a trumpet army called the Defying Army, Cao's army was shocked.
Although the Defeat Army has very little information, limited intelligence shows that this is a combined army, including cavalry, iron armored soldiers and other ace troops. Such a unit composed of veterans trained by Liu Feng himself, and the soldiers were carefully selected. Their combat power was so strong that it made people feel numb to think about it.
(This chapter ends)