Han Xiang

Chapter 576 Good things come in pairs, God help me

"I can save it."

Before Liu Ye could finish his words, Liu Bei quickly interrupted with a wave of his hand, and turned to Guan Yu and told him: "Second brother, I will leave it to you to build ships and train naval forces."

"Don't worry, brother."

Guan Yu spoke few words but was sonorous and powerful.

Liu Bei nodded happily, turned around and asked Liu Ye: "Zi Yang, apart from this, what else do you need to do?"

Liu Ye twirled his beard and replied: "Since the eldest son above is the governor of Jingzhou, the area north of the Han River can be integrated. The land in Nanyang is flat and irrigation is convenient. In the future, we can consider moving people to farm."

"Alright."

Liu Bei nodded and affirmed: "I will inspect the counties with the eldest son in two days. If someone from the south comes to defect secretly, it will be convenient to distribute the land and property."

Cai Zhong and Cai He's entire army was wiped out, Liu Qi established a county in Fancheng, and Guan Yu built ships and trained troops by the river.
All kinds of unfavorable news spread to Xiangyang, and the soldiers and people in the city were in an uproar.

Cai Kuai and other interest groups have made their choice, and this will be a bow without any turning back.

While Cai Mao had the navy monitor him around the clock, he also exercised strict control over Xiangyang to prevent Liu Bei from sending agents into the city to incite rebellion.

Liu Bei knew the defense of Xiangyang City very well and knew that Cai Mao's soldiers were everywhere. He sent spies into the city with a high probability of not being able to return, but he did not completely fail to do anything.

Cai He, who was tired from running and overslept, was finally captured by Zhou Cang. After being cross-examined and interrogated, Liu Bei returned him to Xiangyang to send a message.

He told Cai Mao and others to rein in their horses and not to let Liu Qi and Liu Cong fight each other. This would give Cao Cao and Sun Quan an opportunity to take advantage of them.

This time, Liu Bei's conspiracy.

Cai Hao was so angry that he kicked the table and threw bowls. After calming down, he was still not afraid of Liu Bei.

Although Guan Yu was provocative by building ships on the other side, it would take at least one or two years to build a large-scale warship.

Cai Mao thought that he could afford to wait, but Liu Bei on the other side couldn't afford it.

On the eve of dawn, Fu Xun secretly crossed the river from the east of Xiangyang.

Fu Xun was born in Beidi County, Liangzhou, and was able to ride a horse for a long time. He and more than a dozen followers were equipped with two horses, and planned to follow the Bishui northeastward into Runan.

This route was exactly what Liu Bei took when he came to Jingzhou.

Although there is a detour from Runan to Xudu, if you can avoid the obstruction of Wancheng patrols, safety comes first at this time.

Although Fu Xun was traveling alone with two horses, and it was warm spring and the weather was suitable, he had to cross Tongbai Mountain on the way and took a lot of detours.

After walking thousands of miles away, it was late March or early April in Xu.

Cai Mao gave Fu Xun a seal and a letter.

The seal was the seal of Jingzhou Mu, and the letter was written in the tone of Liu Cong. In the letter, Liu Congqian said that he was young and virtuous, and was not qualified to rule the people of Jingzhou. His brothers Liu Qi and Liu Bei had betrayed the court, so he asked the emperor to re-appoint Jingzhou Mu.

The current outcome of Jingzhou is the success that Cao Cao has planned for a long time.

Originally, I only hoped that if Liu Biao and his two sons fought, Cao Cao would benefit just like he did with the Yuan brothers, but he didn't expect Liu Cong to give in so quickly.

Cao Cao was in Hebei at this time. Although Xun Yu and others were happy to accept it, Hebei was at a critical period at this time.

Cao Cao needed to make his own decision on whether to send troops to contain Liu Bei, so Xun Yu settled Fu Xun in Xudu and sent fast horses to Hebei for instructions.

Last year when Cao Cao returned to Ye from Xudu, Changshan, Julu, Qinghe and other places had been captured by Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren and other generals.Yuan Tan, a temporary ally in the east, also seized territory when Yuan Shang was defeated and captured the three counties of Bohai, Hejian, and Anping, and seemed to have divided Jizhou with Cao Cao.

Yuan Shang fled to Zhongshan County from Yecheng north, and his generals Ma Yan, Zhang Wei, Qian Zhao and others returned one after another.

Yuan Shang was disheartened and feared that Zhongshan could not be defended, so he abandoned Zhongshan and went to Yuan Xi in Youzhou.

Cao Cao returned to Hebei from Xudu and immediately tore up the alliance with Yuan Tan. Not only did he expand eastward to seize Anping County, he also asked Cao Ren to attack the plains and threaten Yuan Tan's home base of Qingzhou.

In addition, General Zhang Liao, who had returned to Cao's camp, was ordered to station troops with Shi Huan in Maocheng, northwest of Ye City, with the intention of preventing and intimidating Bingzhou.

After careful consideration, the senior officials sent envoys to surrender to Cao Cao in the first month of the 11th year of Jian'an.

At this point, nearly half of Yuan Shao's You and Ji Qing states fell into Cao Cao's hands, and it was only a matter of time before he took over Hebei.

Shortly after Gao Gan surrendered, Cao Cao also captured Zhongshan County and was mobilizing troops to join Hejian in preparation for attacking Nanpi where Yuan Tan was stationed.

At the end of April, Xu Du's envoys traveled to Yecheng and Nanpi.

Cao Cao had just defeated and beheaded Yuan Tan, and afterwards celebrated his victory at the Cavalry General's Mansion (which Yuan Tan proclaimed himself).

While all the guests were enjoying themselves, Xu Du Xunyu's envoy came to the palace.

After reading Xun Yu's letter, Cao Cao couldn't help laughing and said: "Haha, God is really helping me. Good things come in pairs."

The ministers and generals looked at each other in confusion. Guo Jia was curious and asked:

"Why is Duke Ming so happy?"

"Liu Biao just died at the beginning of the year. The ministers in Jingzhou supported Liu Cong to succeed him. Liu Qi refused to accept and led Liu Bei to go south. The two sides are currently facing each other at the Han River. Liu Cong is young and incompetent. Is it a happy event that Liu Cong is willing to offer Jingzhou and me as a filial piety?"

Cao Cao glanced at Jia Xu unintentionally and said to himself that the old fox's strategy is really good, and he will ask you for more advice in the future.

Guo Jia was unhappy but had a solemn expression, then stood up and said seriously: "Although it is a good thing for Liu Cong to offer Jingzhou, I am afraid that Liu Bei, a hero, needs to be conquered by Ming Gong personally. The situation in Hebei is now very good, and it is a good opportunity to eliminate the Yuan family in one go. If the plan is interrupted by the Jingzhou incident, I'm worried that the Yuan family will make a comeback."

"Is it that serious?"

Cao Cao was in great spirits and disapproved, stroking his beard and murmuring: "Yuan Shang's main force has been lost, Yuan Tan has just been crowned, and high officials have surrendered. How can Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang still cause trouble in Youzhou alone? I don't believe it. Besides, If Liu Cong does not respond, Jingzhou will be captured by Liu Bei, which will be a serious danger."

Guo Jia shook his head with bitterness on his face, and advised earnestly: "Right now, Long Xiang and Sun Quan are fighting in Yangzhou, and Liu Qi is leading Liu Bei and Liu Cong to confront Jingzhou. The two sides cannot tell the winner in a short time. It is Ming Gong who has no worries and unifies Good times in the north;

If we give up aiding Jingzhou halfway, all the newly conquered Hebei provinces will turn to the defensive. Don’t forget that Gongsun Zan used the land of Youzhou to resist Yuan Shao for many years;

If Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang join forces with the Wuhuan and Heishan armies to counterattack, the current good situation may not be able to be defended, and Yangzhou may also have a winner. Although Liu Bei will be driven back to Guanzhong by then, if they all form an alliance, the consequences will be disastrous. , please Ming Gong think twice."

"hiss"

Cao Cao stood up and took a deep breath. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He waved for Guo Jia to sit down and looked at Jia Xu involuntarily.

Jia Xu was shocked by the sight, and said to herself that Guo Jia had a very good vision, and she would not refute his views, so please don't embarrass me, okay?

He secretly lowered his head and drank, deliberately avoiding Cao Cao's eyes.

At the critical moment, the mastermind Xun You stood up, held up his hands to comfort Cao Cao and said, "Don't worry, Duke Ming. In fact, continuing to attack Hebei has no conflict with relieving the siege of Jingzhou. You can do it at the same time."

Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this. He pointed at Xun You and shouted anxiously: "Gongda has a plan? Please come quickly."

(End of this chapter)