Han Xiang

Chapter 336 Guo Jia Refuses Jia Xu

Although Chen Lan spoke passionately, she didn't get a warm response. The room was even a little cold, and Huang Yi and Lu Meng were even more sullen.

Sun Quan's defeat in Shouchun last year has now become a sensitive topic in Jiangdong. Not only did he lose more than [-] people in that battle, but he also lost two generals, Ji Ling and Deng Dang. Lu Meng's brother-in-law.

Seeing that Chen Lan mentioned a sensitive topic, Sun He got up to smooth things over: "General Chen is very courageous, but the timing of winning a war is very important. Although the general defeated Xiahou in Zipeng Mountain, the city of Shouchun is still strong, and Huainan has been raining recently. , is not very friendly to siege, the most important thing is Cao Cao, if the lord raises troops to attack Shouchun, Cao's army will definitely come to support."

"The prefect is worried about Cao Cao coming to help? Actually, there is no need for it." Chen Lan shook her head.

Sun He was taken aback, and asked: "Why is General Chen so determined?"

Chen Lan replied: "Not long ago, Cao Cao was going to Guandu to gather troops and planned to go to Hebei to fight Yuan Shao again. He must not care about the Huainan battlefield."

"How does the general know?" Sun He was greatly surprised.

Chen Lan said calmly: "Didn't I capture some Cao soldiers? Two officers recruited them on their own initiative in order to survive."

As soon as this remark came out, Sun He, Huang Yi, and Lu Meng were shocked at the same time, thinking that there seemed to be a real chance.

Sun He immediately threw the wine bowl away, got up and said to Chen Lan, "I don't want to drink this wine anymore. General Chen will take me to interrogate the prisoners. After we capture Shouchun City, I will let the lord hold a banquet for him."

"Oh." Chen Lan nodded.

Lu Meng smiled and stood up: "The last general will also go and have a look."

Sun He interrogated several captives at night and confirmed the news that Cao Cao was going to Hebei for a decisive battle. He said in his heart that Jiangdong sent troops at the beginning of the war. Even if it took some time to attack the city, it would be enough to break the city before Yuan Cao decided the victory.

Early the next morning, Lu Meng took a few prisoners of war across the river and returned to Wu to report the news. Huang Yi was ordered to stay in Shu County to stabilize Chen Lan, and Sun He returned to Wan County to prepare for the war. This time he also wanted to help out.

At the same time, Xiahou Dun fled back to Shouchun in embarrassment. He was already concerned about losing face in front of Cao Cao, so he decisively sent an envoy to Guandu to ask for help.

Shouchun had few soldiers at this time. If Sun Quan came to besiege the city again, Xiahou Dun was worried that he would not be able to withstand his injuries, and he must be fully prepared to fight Yuan Shao. Xiahou Dun estimated that Cao Cao was still in Guandu.

After all, they had known each other for many years, and Xiahoudun knew Cao Cao very well. Although Cao Jun had completed pre-war preparations at Guandu, Cao Cao was still waiting for news from Xudu, so tens of thousands of soldiers were still on standby.

In late April, when Cao Cao visited the camp at night to return to his tent, he found Guo Jia, Xun You, Jia Xu and others were there, so he turned his head and asked curiously: "Spring returns to the earth, and the chill in the camp is gradually gone. You can't sleep at night, why are you here?" Is this something important?"

Xun You took out a small pouch from his bosom, handed it to Cao Cao with both hands and said, "This is a letter from a friend of Duke Ming. My uncle sent someone from Xudu to send it, indicating that the Duke is waiting here to send troops."

"Haha." Cao Cao smiled and grabbed it with one hand: "If Wen really knows my heart, it must be good news for Cai Degui."

Cao Cao took out the silk book to watch as he walked, and when he sat down at the main seat, he was already beaming, and he couldn't help boasting: "Cai Degui and Kuai Yidu cooperated tacitly, Liu Bei was sent by Liu Biao to Jiangxia to suppress the rebellion, and it may take several months to return. Ye is now trapped in Xiangyang, and there are only more than ten thousand garrisons left in Wancheng, so there is nothing to fear. I am going to send troops to Hebei tomorrow."

Xun You remonstrated and said: "Liu Ziyang is quite capable of scheming. He shined in Runan last year. How could he be trapped by Kuai Yidu's conspiracy? If Liu Bei can quickly quell the rebellion, then let Liu Ye persuade Liu Biao to send troops to Xudu. , Zhang Weifeng may be difficult to resist, Minggong must be on guard."

"It is precisely because of Liu Ziyang's conspiracy, Guan, and Zhang Youyong that Liu Biao wanted to cut off one of Liu Bei's arms. Liu Bei exchanged Liu Qimao for stationing in Wancheng. Afterwards, Liu Biao must have thought of being counted. How could he sit back and watch Liu Bei threaten Jingzhou? The division is the only way." Qualified political means. At this time, Liu Bei's think tank is trapped in Xiangyang, and Guan and Zhang are respectively guarding Wancheng and Xi'e. Who will Liu Bei quickly put down the rebellion? Gongda thinks too much."

Seeing that Cao Cao's words were reasonable and well-founded, Xun You sat down and stopped speaking. Guo Jia immediately agreed with him, saying: "The soldiers and horses in Xiangyang are controlled by Cai Mao. As long as he insists on not letting go, even if Liu Bei quells the rebellion and returns early, he will be alone." With the tens of thousands of soldiers and horses in Wancheng, it is not enough to threaten Xudu, at most it is to harass Ye County and other places, Minggong can order a prudent general to guard Xudu, as long as he can't hold on, it will be fine."

Guo Jia has good eyesight and good speech, which is deeply loved by Cao Cao.

"Yuan Rang is now defending Sun Quan in Shouchun, and Xu Du can only be handed over to Yu Wenze. If there is no such troublesome thing as Jiangdong, maybe it would have ended in Cangting last year. It's a pity that I have one more general in the rear."

After Cao Cao affirmed Guo Jia, he suddenly found Jia Xu with his head down and half-closed eyes, wondering if you were a donkey?Do I have to whip a whip to take a step?So he stopped the other party and asked: "Wenhe has been in Wancheng for a long time. Do you think my analysis just now is correct? Are Guan and Zhang a threat to Xu?"

Jia Xu cupped his hands and bowed, and replied: "Minggong analyzed the whip into the inside, Liu Biao's attitude towards Liu Bei is actually similar to that of Zhang Poqiang (Poqiang General Zhang Xiu), and he may be more jealous. He used Liu Bei to check and balance Minggong. , and won’t let Liu Bei grow up, so Xu Du should be fine, but "

"But what?" Cao Cao was aroused.

Jia Xu added: "Guan Yu is now famous all over the world. If he invades Yingchuan by force, I am worried that the border counties will not be able to defend, especially the border counties of Yingchuan, Nanyang and Runan counties, which are easy to rebel against bandits. , if the flag is raised to respond to Guan Yu, then the consequences will be..."

When Cao Cao pacified Runan last year, he had a personal experience of Guan Yu's appeal. He also knew why Liu Bei was able to gather tens of thousands of people. It was largely influenced by Guan Yu. He frowned again when he heard Jia Xu's concern.

"Wenhe has concerns, can he have a plan to share them with me?"

"Uh..." Jia Xu thought for a while, and replied with a beard: "If Duke Ming wants to get rid of it once and for all, he can temporarily move the people from a few border counties to the direction of Xudu, forming a trend of strengthening the walls and clearing the wilderness."

Cao Cao didn't say a word after hearing this, but the frown between his brows could already explain the problem.

Seeing this, Guo Jia spoke up: "Although Wenhe's strategy is sophisticated, fortifying the walls and clearing the country is indeed effective, but this move is suspected of being cowardly before fighting. Besides, Guan Yu has a strong appeal to bandits, and relocating recklessly will easily lead to rebellion. At that time Wouldn't it be self-defeating for the rebels to cooperate with Guan Yu inside and outside?"

"Just now, Mr. Ming asked a question, and I answered in a hurry. I may not have thought thoroughly. Since Feng Xiao has a good opinion, he can relieve Mr. Ming's worries." Jia Xu cupped his hands and smiled, easily throwing the blame on Guo Jia.

Guo Jia did his part, stood up and gently cupped Cao Cao's hands, and said confidently: "In Jia's foolish opinion, can we still follow Cai Mao's method?"

Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard that, and pointed at Guo Jia to urge him: "Feng Xiao explained it more clearly."

"The thieves in Jingzhou are not limited to Jiangxia? Is there no rebellion in Nanyang? Since Cai Mao can transfer Liu Bei to Jiangxia, why not follow the gourd and transfer some of the defenders of Wancheng? I have a better way here." Guo Jia said with a mysterious smile.

(End of this chapter)