Overlord!

Now the situation in the world is very clear. Except for the emperor who is stationed in Guanzhong, and Liu Zhang and Liu Biao who are on one side, the only three people who have the opportunity to compete for the world are Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce.

For Sun Ce, the strategy at this time could not be more clear. He based himself south of the natural barrier of the Huaihe River to observe the current situation.Wait for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to fight first, and then take advantage of the provocation.

It's just that Sun Ce could see this strategy clearly, and Cao Cao could also see it clearly.

Sun Ce had to look at the counselors with a solemn expression and said: "I know Cao Mengde well. This man has great military talents, the magic of Shen and Shang, and the clever strategies of Han and Bai. After all, they all have unique strategies."

"This person is by no means weak and can be bullied. He will definitely not sit back and let us threaten him. How can he be willing to be an alliance with us?"

This is Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei!

He naturally sees his situation clearly, and he is by no means a character who can be manipulated by others.It was impossible to let Jiangdong threaten his inner circle from behind like this.

Zhang Hong asked: "The general is worried that Cao Cao will break the contract and attack Jiangdong at any cost?"

Sun Ce nodded solemnly and said: "If Cao Cao doesn't deal with it decisively, he will definitely be attacked from the north and the south. With Cao Cao's ruthless decision, the best plan is to join forces with Liu Biao to capture Jiangdong before Yuan Shao unifies Hebei."

Cao Cao's military skills are known to the world.The core of Guo Jia's theory of ten victories and ten defeats is that Cao Gong is good at using troops, has no way of changing, and can conquer the masses with a small number. The soldiers rely on him and the enemy is afraid of him.

Sun Ce imagined that if he were in Cao Cao's position, he would definitely not sit back and wait for death, but would attack with all his strength to solve any future troubles.After conquering the south of the Yangtze River, defeating the enemy army, and beheading more than [-] people, you can now have nothing to worry about.

When Zhang Hong heard Sun Ce's words, he burst out laughing and said, "General, why are you so arrogant? A general is a man who is unparalleled in his strategy and can be a hero and bring order to chaos. He who uses his troops like a god, conquers battles and wins every battle, is also a general." Yes! The general is afraid of Cao Cao's majesty, so is Cao Cao not afraid of the general's prowess?"

"With each of the three armies and one hundred thousand soldiers competing on the battlefield, Cao Cao dares to say that he will win?"

On this issue, the civil and military personnel in the big tent all straightened their chests, worked hard, and thought of victory.

He, Cao Cao, is good at fighting, and he and others are even more invincible!Those who can dominate the world must be arrogant soldiers and powerful generals!
Sun Ce is also quite confident about this.

If each of them takes [-] men and fights decisively along the Huaihe River.

Sun Ce thought that his chance of winning was still a few percent higher than Cao Cao's.The outcome is probably around seven or three.

Because there are so many talents in Jiangdong!

There are 72 famous generals in the Martial Temple, and one of Sun Ce’s men holds only four!

Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, Zhang Liao, Zhang Fei, these are all famous generals through the ages.

Those who are equivalent to him include Zhao Yun, Lu Su, Xu Huang, Huang Zhong, Tai Shi Ci, Gan Ning and so on.

If the war had started a few years later, two more evil geniuses would have grown up under Sun Ce.

Zhuge Liang, one of the Ten Philosophers of the Martial Arts Temple, and Lu Xun, one of the 72 generals of the Martial Arts Temple.

Cao Cao and his group of Cao clan members are counting on Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to fight against so many famous generals in Jiangdong, fearing that the chances of winning will become lower and lower.

This does not include the economy, the prosperity of Jiangdong and the development of industry, as well as the good and bad people's hearts.

When everyone in the civil and military forces was in high spirits, Zhang Hong continued: "Cao Cao has conquered the Central Plains, and the situation is like this. It is destiny. He suffered heavy casualties, and there must be no thought of marching south. If he marched south for half a year, he would cross thousands of miles of Chidi and conquer Jiankang. , then its momentum will be gone.”

"With Cao Ying's civil and military strategies, especially Xun Wenruo's strategizing, he would never be so frivolous as to think that Liu Biao, a Confucian, could be a danger to the general. It would be a bad idea to unite Liu Biao and become an enemy of Jiangdong. If the general is angered, Liu Biao will It's not enough. When Yuan and Cao are fighting, if the general sends his troops to the north, Cao Cao will definitely be defeated."

"The one above is still following his strategy. Together with Jiangdong, we will capture Jingzhou to strengthen our power. We will marry the general and make peace with him to appease Jiangdong."

After listening to Zhang Hong's analysis, Sun Ce raised his hands and praised: "You are really the tool of the king's assistant. You can make a man become a big business, you are the king!"

In terms of wisdom and strategy, perhaps Zhang Hong is not as good as Jia Xu.

But in terms of strategic planning, Zhang Hong is really the number one person in Jiangdong.

After listening to his words, Sun Ce suddenly became enlightened.

Under the current situation, Cao Cao is more reluctant than Sun Ce to be involved in the war.

The two fight against each other and fight to the bitter end.

Sun Ce just might have taken advantage of Yuan Shao.Yuan Shao led an army of 20 men to the south, and Sun Ce could still defend the river. At worst, there would be another Battle of Chibi, and the outcome was still uncertain.

But if Cao Cao is forced to fight Jiangdong, he will definitely be defeated by Yuan Shao.

Therefore, Cao Cao's best plan was to appease Sun Ce diplomatically, and militarily to accumulate food and train troops, build city walls, and send generals to fortify along the Huaihe River to guard against Jiangdong.

Then they tried their best to expand their power, taking Nanyang to the west and Yuan Shao to the north.

As long as he moves fast enough and defeats Yuan Shao within a year, it will be enough to become the leader of Zhu Wen, and then he can attack Jiangdong southward, even if the southern expedition fails to win a big victory and returns without success.The world is already well aware of the situation, and at worst it is a three-legged situation.

Cao Cao's situation was obvious, and Sun Ce had to consider how Jiangdong could expand his power, and asked: "How does the military advisor plan to conquer the world alone?"

Zhang Hong said calmly: "Contrary to Cao Cao, Cao Cao lives in the Central Plains and can only survive by attacking quickly. We are far away in the south of the Yangtze River, and only by staying slow can we accumulate strength."

Sun Ce frowned and asked: "In such a world of great competition, if you fall behind others, you will be restrained everywhere. How can you live in peace and yet slowly pursue your goals?"

Zhang Hong sighed and said: "The national power in the south of the Yangtze River is far inferior to that of the Central Plains. If we rush for a moment and fight for years, the foundation of the east of the Yangtze River will be unstable and the people will be displaced. It has only been a few months since the general fought hard to capture Huainan, not even half a year." "

"In the Battle of Huainan, although the general was powerful throughout the world, the army suffered heavy casualties. Huainan was newly conquered and unconquered, and the country was thousands of miles away. It was not a last resort to send troops at this time."

"Now that Cao Cao has defeated Xuzhou, it is better for the general to rest and recuperate, accumulate strength in his treasury, and strengthen his soldiers. Wait for Cao Cao's army to rush east and west to help capture Jiangxia."

"Now that Jiangxia is gained, Jiangling can be destroyed."

"Now that the chaos has been settled, the general should focus on cultivating virtues, deepening the foundation and strengthening the foundation, and be ready for everything. Make friends from far away and attack close by, and use the weak to strengthen the enemy."

Sun Ce's eyes lit up, making friends from far away and attacking at close range?

"What do you mean by your words, is it appropriate to marry Yuan Shao?"

Zhang Hong put his hand on his chin and said with a smile: "It's not just Yuan Shao. Why doesn't the general send an envoy to contact Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha?" "If Cao Cao takes Nanyang and the general takes Jiangxia, and Jingnan all rebels, Liu Biao will only have The land of Nanjun is one county. The general can destroy Liu Biao without raising troops, just raise partial troops."

Sun Ce praised the proposal and immediately sent an envoy to summon Cao Cao's envoy Man Chong. He agreed to Cao Cao's marriage proposal and asked Cao Cao to send troops to help Jiangdong capture Jiangxia.

However, Sun Ce changed the marriage partner requested by Cao Cao.

Cao Ren's daughter failed to marry Sun Kuang, but married Sun Quan who was about to go to sea and open up the Silk Road.

In addition to Sun Quan reaching the age of marriage, another important reason is that by marrying Cao Ren's daughter, Sun Quan will be granted the title of vassal king in the future, expand overseas, and gain the support and followers of many people.

Sun Ce is still very optimistic about Sun Quan's ability. If he is sealed overseas, he will surely become a very good vassal king, expand his territory and spread the king's culture.Instead of being assimilated by the natives, wearing hair and tattoos, and degenerating into barbarians.

At the same time, because he wanted to contact Yuan Shao, Sun Ce sent the famous scholar Zhang Yun and the school captain Xu Yi to go to sea and disembark from Qingzhou. They brought Sun Ce's letter to visit Yuan Shao.

The marriage between Cao and Sun went without any complications. Since the two sides were connected by territory, it only took three months for the daughter of the clan to be married to be delivered.

Just in time for the southeast monsoon to start, Sun Quan could get married and set off to the sea to open up the Maritime Silk Road.

Cao Cao still attaches great importance to this marriage. The general escorting him is Cao Hong, and the envoy is Cao Cao's close friend and Cao Wei's capable minister Lou Gui.

Lou Gui was the counselor who helped Cao Cao fight against Ma Chao. It was September and Cao Cao's army occupied the south bank of the Wei River.But as soon as they arrived at the south bank, Ma Chao's cavalry launched one attack after another, and Cao Jun had no time to set up camp.The shore is full of soft sand, making it impossible to camp.

So Lou Gui suggested: "It's cold today. We can make a city out of sand and fill it with water. It can turn into ice in a moment and be as strong as iron and stone. The fortress can be built overnight, with hundreds of blocks standing. Even though the golden soup is strong, it can't be passed." "

But this was a person who loved money. Under Cao Cao's command, his family was rich in wealth, which made Cao Cao sigh: Lou Zibo, rich people are happy to be alone, but their power is not as powerful as Gu Er.

He is richer than Cao Cao and happier than Cao Cao.The result is obviously foreseeable...

Cao Cao has been in charge of your friendship for decades, whether you are a good friend or not, and he will be cut off directly in the end.

However, Sun Ce was more interested in Lou Gui.

After the marriage ceremony, Sun Ce held a special banquet and summoned Cao Hong and Lou Gui.

Both of them loved money, so after they met and took their seats, Sun Ce raised his hand, and four soldiers carried a box of gold and each delivered it to the two of them.

Sun Ce smiled and said: "A hundred catties of gold, I will give it to you two to thank you for your invitation to escort me. You two are friends of the two families. You have stopped fighting and are tired of traveling and traveling. You deserve this reward."

When the box was opened and the golden gold was placed in front of them, their eyes widened instantly, and Cao Hong's eyes showed greed.

Along the way to Jiangdong, he had already seen the prosperity of Jiangnan, with its dense population and prosperous industry and commerce.

In Jiankang City, the city is even more dazzling with gold and jade, and the city is full of beauty.

He had already longed for it and wished he could lead his troops into Jiangdong and plunder them.

Give him five thousand soldiers and slaughter the city for three days. At least tens of thousands of catties of gold and millions of pieces of cloth can be looted for Mengde. This is more convenient than digging many tombs!
It's a pity that this place is south of the Yangtze River and is beyond our reach.

Although he was very thirsty in his heart, he could only suppress his greed.

But now the reward from Marquis Wu was a hundred catties of gold, and his thirst suddenly turned into joy.

Why was he escorting the wedding team?
Of course, it was because he was striving for it, and he knew for sure that the other princes would definitely reward him generously if he went on an envoy trip.

He, Cao Hong, had long heard that Jiangdong was rich and prosperous, and today he got what he wanted, and he immediately beamed with joy.

He hurriedly saluted with Lou Gui and thanked him: "Thanks to Wu Hou Cunwen for the gift, I am deeply grateful. Such a generous gift is really scary, but coming from a long way, it is disrespectful, so I bow to you immediately, and I will remember the five heartfelt feelings."

Sun Ce smiled and said: "No need to be polite, just take a seat. You two have been here in Jiankang for a few days. How do you feel?"

Cao Hong immediately complimented him: "The south of the Yangtze River is peaceful and the people are prosperous. The people are harmonious and beautiful, and the things are economical and elegant."

Lou Gui's observation was deeper and he said: "I recently visited Jiankang and saw that it was crowded and prosperous. The generals built Mingtang and smelted cauldrons. The rare treasures from the four seas were collected and returned to the market for exchanges; the world was brought together. All the wealth and goods are in the shops. The warehouses are full of grain, and industry and commerce are prosperous. It is really a land of wealth, a land of abundance, and the pearl of the south of the Yangtze River."

Sun Ce nodded slightly. Lou Gui's observation was still in line with the vision of a capable minister. What he saw was very detailed and comprehensive.

Sun Ce Nai said: "There are many rare things in the south of the Yangtze River, including brocade silk, porcelain, pearls and jade, and even farm tools and utensils. They are all urgent for the people's livelihood and can relieve the famine in the Central Plains. I am interested in doing business with General Cao to restore people's livelihood. Do you think it is possible?" , do you have any advice?”

Cao Hong immediately said excitedly: "If we can do business, that would be the best."

Cao Hong liked these wealthy people the most. He was a typical debaucher. He would hold banquets and banquets, and he especially liked to let singing girls display their beautiful bodies in public.So much so that Yang Fu scolded him: "The difference between men and women is such an important matter for the country. How can we sit naked (harmonious) in the form of a woman in a wide place! Although the chaos of Jie and Zhou was not worse than this."

After doing business, it will be convenient for them to manage their family and property.

Lou Gui thought for a while and agreed: "Suppressing the war, restoring law and order, and revitalizing commerce are the kingly ways. If the general has this intention, I would like to urge my lord to implement lenient government, facilitate merchants, and strictly prohibit harsh punishment."

In any case, if Jiangdong does not go to war with the Central Plains and develops business with the Central Plains, this will be conducive to restoring the vitality of the Central Plains and enhancing the strength of the Central Plains.

Lou Gui had no reason to refuse something that was beneficial to both parties.

Sun Ce said: "The solitary general sent an envoy to bring the solitary letter to General Cao, and established a friendship between the two families. They did not loot each other and facilitated passage."

This is even more a good thing for Cao Cao. You must know that Yuan Shao's advisers gave Yuan Shao a suggestion: to work as a farmer at home, to go to Liyang outside, and gradually to camp in Henan.I have built boats, repaired and repaired the equipment, and dispatched the best cavalry. I have ridiculed the troops and made them uneasy, and I have taken advantage of them.In three years, things can be settled.

That is to say, they sent troops to raid Cao Cao's northern border and harass Cao Cao's development.

If Sun Ce had not suffered a severe drought in Huainan, the red land would have been thousands of miles long, and it would have been difficult for Sun Ce's army to move north from the Yangtze River.He also looted the southern border towns of Cao Cao's army, which would make Cao Cao extremely uncomfortable.

However, the situation of each family is different. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are in confrontation, and the transaction is to support the enemy.

Jiangdong's industry and commerce are developed, and trading with Cao Cao will inevitably result in Jiangdong's industry and commerce harvesting Cao Cao's grain.

Although their methods were different, both the North and the South targeted Cao Cao's agriculture and weakened his agricultural output.

Another important reason why Sun Ce agreed to agree with Cao Cao not to loot each other was that it would make it easier for him to send envoys and caravans to Luoyang! (End of chapter)