Han Xiang

Chapter 522 The next Sun Ce is Long Xiang?
"Oh, this is written by Long Xiang of Hefei."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he put the letter away, and reached out to pick up Mrs. Bian's soup bowl.

Mrs. Bian showed surprise, scratched her temples and asked:
"It's Hefei where underwear is produced? I heard that Long Xiang rebelled against the imperial court, killed Li Dian, and attacked Shouchun. How could he write to the general?"

"Madam doesn't need to pay attention to these military matters."

Cao Cao shook his head lightly, and then said: "Long Xiang wrote the letter for his own purpose. Although he is still very young, he is a little clever, and he is a good junior."

"My concubine is a woman, lacking in intelligence, talent, and experience, the general treats me as nonsense."

Hearing Mrs. Bian's modest answer, Cao Cao took her hand and sat beside her, saying earnestly, "Madam, you don't have to be too humble. I am lucky to have my wife in charge of internal affairs these years, so I can fight outside with peace of mind. By the way, Ziheng married the Zhen family." , you don’t need to persuade him about adopting a son.”

"what?"

Mrs. Bian looked puzzled.

Cao Cao explained with a smile: "I can tolerate Yuan Shao's grandson, but how can I tolerate Yuan Shao's ministers? This will help me pacify Hebei. Perhaps the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for Zihuan to keep this fake son."

"Since it is the general's wish, I will start preparing for the marriage when Zihuan returns from Hebei."

"We can prepare now. Zihuan and Zhen Zhi's mother and son are walking slowly. It is estimated that they will arrive in ten days or so. His marriage can be handled quickly."

"Huh? Okay."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he suddenly stood up and asked Mrs. Bian to prepare her robes, as if he wanted to go out.

Mrs. Bian asked suspiciously: "The night is deep now, where does the general intend to go?"

Cao Cao turned around and said meaningfully: "Zhang Liao defeated Sun Quan's 800 men with only [-] men. He has accomplished such a shocking feat. How can I not go and see him in person?"

"Is it true? How come I have never heard of it?"

Mrs. Bian swallowed her saliva. She had already heard about Zhang Liao's return, but Xu had not leaked the slightest news about Zhang Liao's feat, so her face was full of disbelief.

"How can such a thing be false? It doesn't matter if Madam doesn't hear about it now, everyone in the world will know soon."

Cao Cao had to stare at the darkness outside the house. Regardless of whether the facts were as described in Long Xiang's letter or not, he praised Zhang Liao as an example, which would be of great benefit both internally and externally.

He was determined to let Cao Pi keep Yuan Xi's son, which was also inspired by the Zhang Liao incident, because the power of example is infinite and will shorten his process of unifying the north.

When Cao Cao visited Zhang Liao's house at night, Zhang Liao was so moved that he almost cried.

The next morning, Cao Cao summoned his ministers to Sikong Mansion for a discussion.

In front of Xiahoudun, Xun Yu and others, Cao Cao praised Zhang Liao's performance, and appointed him as the general of the gangsters and the capital of Tinghou.

Zhang Liao regained Cao Cao's favor, and his colleagues who had been deliberately alienated during this period immediately responded to the wind and spoke endlessly.

Liu Fu and Zhang Liao were both captured. When he saw the compliments in the palace, he immediately went out to report to Cao Cao:
"Duke Ming, according to Jiangdong's detailed report, General Zhang is powerful in Jiangdong. If a son refuses to stop, his parents will fear him in the name of the general."

"Really? Hahaha, I have Wenyuan, so there is nothing to fear from Jiangdong."

Cao Cao laughed heartily when he heard the words, and then asked Liu Fu: "Besides this, is there any other news from Jiangdong? I don't know how Sun Quan feels when I give Long Xiang the title of General Polu."

Liu Fu cupped his hands and replied, "I'm afraid that Sun Quan has no intention of 'recognizing his father'. I heard that before Sun Quan went to Hefei, he apportioned military expenses to Jiangdong officials and promised to reward him for his merits after taking Hefei."

"Apportionment of military expenses?"

Before Liu Fu finished speaking, Cao Cao interrupted anxiously: "This plan is like drinking poison to quench thirst. Once the war fails, what will he use to reward him based on his merits? Wouldn't those who were assigned be resentful?" "What Ming Gong said is true. Not only did Sun Quan carry out this dangerous plan, he also accepted bribes from businessmen and conspired to plunder the wealth of Jiangdong. Now there are undercurrents in Jiangdong. There are rumors that someone is going to force Sun Quan to abdicate and make Sun Yi the new master of Jiangdong. I am afraid that there will be civil strife soon."

"Is this true?"

Cao Cao was so excited that he stood up.

Liu Fu bowed again and said seriously: "This news was reported by Dongcheng County and was obtained by Chen Yuanlong in Guangling. I think it is very likely."

"Sun Quan is the lord of Jiangdong, accepting bribes is reasonable, but why would he conspire with a businessman? It doesn't make sense."

Cao Cao looked at Liu Fu suspiciously.

"Well, the trading company's account books were leaked, and half of the profits from the sales of goods were returned to Sun Quan, which indirectly robbed the wealth of Jiangdong people."

Liu Fu deliberately made his answer ambiguous. Because many dignitaries in Xudu were also selling underwear, he did not dare to name Yaoji Trading Company.

"madness!"

Cao Cao waved his hand to signal for Liu Fu to return to the throne, and muttered while pinching his chin: "This matter may not be true. It is estimated that because Sun Quan was defeated in Hefei, and he had apportioned military expenses, some people deliberately made troubles to seize power. It seems that there may be turmoil in Jiangdong , the southeast has no worries for a short time."

Guo Jia also returned to Xudu with Cao Cao. He didn't know the situation in Huainan and Jiangdong, so he still reminded him: "If there is turmoil in Jiangdong, will Long Xiang be given a chance? If he becomes the next Sun Ce, he will also be a confidant of Duke Ming. Big trouble."

"The next Sun Ce?"

Cao Cao shook his head, pointed at Zhang Liao and said, "Wen Yuan, tell Feng Xiao."

"only."

Zhang Liao clasped his fists in response, turned around and explained to Guo Jia: "Hefei has about [-] soldiers available, and there are no naval forces or warships. It should be no problem to defend the city. It is still too much effort to follow the example of Sun Ce and take down Jiangdong..."

"indeed."

Guo Jia nodded and affirmed: "Long Xiang won Shouchun and took over Huainan, but he has to guard against us and Jiangdong at the same time, so he will not easily expand his troops. I am overly worried."

"There is Long Xiang nailed in Huainan, blocking Sun Quan for us in a disguised form, which is considered a blessing in disguise. Now the confidant is in the west and southwest, especially the big-eared thief!"

The more Cao Cao talked, the more excited he became. He searched for Zhong Yao in the crowd, and waved at him with a frown.

"Yuan Chang, please tell us in detail, what clever plan did Liu Bei have to make Qing lose Chang'an so quickly?"

Zhong Yao abandoned Chang'an, guarded Tongguan, rushed to Luoyang, and returned to Xudu. Whenever he saw an acquaintance, he would explain it.

Facing Cao Cao's questioning at this time, Zhong Yao had no choice but to bring up his sadness again.

"After all, it was all due to my carelessness, but Liu Bei did have a treacherous plan. He first asked Shen Dan and Shen Yi to pretend to be the victims, and used the excuse of Liu Qi's persecution in Handong. The Shen family had no choice but to bring their relatives and treasures to Chang'an. The Wuguan guard, Lu Lin, who defected to me, didn't know what the plan was, and was confused by the vehicle filled with property, so he easily knocked on the door."

"Damn."

Cao Cao was so angry that he clapped his hands on the table, looked around at everyone and said sternly: "You all must learn a lesson. Whether it is an important city pass or an important official position, generals like this who are motivated by wealth must not be entrusted with important tasks, otherwise sooner or later they will be punished." Something happened, Yuan Chang, please continue talking."

"Hey, Liu Bei captured Wuguan, marched under the banner of Lulin, and then came to Chang'an without any obstruction. Chang'an originally had not many troops stationed. Because I didn't take precautions in advance, I rushed to fight and couldn't defeat Liu Bei's troops, so I had no choice but to retreat to Tongguan. And the defeat of Tongguan was"

"Okay, no need to continue."

Cao Cao interrupted Zhong Yao, and comforted him softly: "The defeat at Tongguan is not your fault."

(End of this chapter)