Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 311 Conspiring with the public, fighting against Zheng and fighting for Yanzhou

"Military Master, is this Cheng Yu credible?"

Zhang Fei sent Cheng Yu out of the dense forest, and then returned to see Zheng Ping, with a lot of distrust towards Cheng Yu in his tone.

Zheng Ping chuckled: "It's just a pawn, it doesn't matter whether it is credible or not. No matter whether Cheng Yu cooperates with his plan or follows his plan, Lu Bu will come to Dongping Kingdom."

"Only when Lu Bu comes to Dongping Kingdom, can he be captured alive!"

Zhang Fei suddenly realized: "I was wondering when Zang Hong used a substitute. It turns out that the military adviser was trying to deceive Cheng Yu."

"It is said that Lu Bu is brave and good at fighting, and the second brother and Sun Jian worked together to defeat Lu Bu. If I defeat Lu Bu, the Ruishi Battalion will be worthy of the name Qingzhou No. [-] Battalion!"

Two days later.

Liu Bei returned to Qingzhou and sent Zhao Yun to find Zheng Ping.

"Military division, I have sent you an urgent letter." Zhao Yun looked serious.

Zheng Ping quickly glanced at the contents of the letter, and his eyes lit up: "Liu Biao went to Xudu to meet the emperor, what a surprise."

Zhao Yun asked suspiciously: "Military Master, Jingzhou is very likely to fall into Cao Cao's hands. Where does this joy come from?"

Zheng Ping chuckled: "Take Jingzhou by deceit, and what you get is only an unstable Jingzhou."

"The gentry in Jingzhou attached themselves to Cao Cao because they believed that Cao Cao had the opportunity to take charge of the general situation, so they weighed the pros and cons and rebelled against Liu Biao."

"However, these Jingzhou gentry are all profit-seekers. Once Cao Cao can't give them benefits, Liu Biao, who rebelled in the past, will rebel against Cao Cao in the future."

"If Liu Biao is in Jingzhou, the envoy will definitely not seek to seize Jingzhou because of the family relationship."

"But now that Liu Biao has gone to Xudu, with Cao Cao's personality, Liu Biao will definitely not be able to go back to Jingzhou."

"You don't have to worry about the relationship with Liu Biao, I can help you to control Jingzhou secretly, isn't this a happy event?"

Zheng Ping hadn't paid much attention to Jingzhou since the beginning.

Liu Biao, the shepherd of Jingzhou, was a clan member of the Han Dynasty.

With this identity, it is destined that the relationship with Liu Bei can only be an alliance.

Liu Bei can allow Zheng Ping to fight for Xuzhou, Yangzhou or even Yanzhou, but he will never allow Zheng Ping to fight for Jingzhou.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, Liu Bei will never agree with Zheng Ping to seize the same clan's foundation.

Zheng Ping also took the next best thing, and asked Zhang Fei to go to Jingzhou to recruit civil and military talents from Jingzhou.

When Huang Zhong came to Qingzhou, Zhang Fei was reprimanded by Liu Bei.

It is because Huang Zhong is a Jingzhou Zhonglang general, not a field general like Li Tong, Wenpin and others.

After pacifying the two prefectures of Xu and Yang, Zheng Ping's center of gravity has always been in Yanzhou.

To the north of Yanzhou is Jizhou, to the northeast is Qingzhou, to the east is Xuzhou, to the south is Yuzhou, and to the west is Sizhou.

It is also between the Yellow River, Jishui, Huaihe River and Surabaya, with the hero of Mount Tai in the north and the danger of Mount Meng in the west.

Yanzhou is like a throat. Whoever can guard the throat will have a chance to gain the upper hand.

However, it is not an easy task to keep the general trend of Yanzhou.

Zheng Ping didn't plan to plot Yanzhou before, because even if Yanzhou was obtained, it would become the place of the Fourth World War.

Instead of this, it would be better to let a person with little ambition be the shepherd of Yanzhou.

And now, Liu Bei already has the three states of Qingxuyang.

If you want to attack Yuan Ni in the north, you have to snatch Yanzhou from the danger of occupying the Yellow River.

If you want to punish Cao Cao in the south, you have to rob Yanzhou, so as to avoid Yuan Shao sending troops suddenly when fighting Cao Cao.

Zheng Ping took out the letter paper, quickly wrote a reply letter to Liu Bei, handed it to Zhao Yun, and said: "Zilong, take the letter back to the envoy so that he doesn't have to worry about Jingzhou."

"If you encounter something that you cannot decide, you can ask Gongda."

Seeing that Zheng Ping really didn't care about Jingzhou, Zhao Yun didn't ask any more questions, and returned to Linzi City with a letter.

Seeing Zhao Yun return, Liu Bei hurriedly asked, "Zilong, do you have any orders for your plan?"

Zhao Yun handed the letter to Liu Bei, and said: "The military adviser said that you don't need to care about Jingzhou. If you encounter something you can't decide, you can ask Mr. Gongda for advice."

Liu Bei spread out the letter in doubt, and scanned it roughly. Most of the letter contained words of congratulations, such as congratulations on Liu Bei's return from his tour of Yangzhou.

As for Jingzhou, Zheng Ping also mentioned that "if the envoy wants it, he will take it for the envoy in the future".

Putting down the letter, Liu Bei couldn't help sighing softly: "I hurried back from Lujiang, for fear that Xianmou would not know what happened in Jingzhou, but Xianmou didn't care at all."

Liu Bei was confused and called Xun You to discuss it.

After thinking about it, Xun Youlue understood Zheng Ping's intentions, and said: "Although there are changes in Jingzhou, it does not affect the general deployment of Xianmou."

"For the envoy, the change of ownership in Jingzhou is actually a happy event. In the future, the envoy will not have to worry about taking into account the friendship of the same clan and dare not use force against Jingzhou."

"Cao Cao only sent Cao Ang to Jingzhou, so he probably didn't pay much attention to Jingzhou at the beginning. This result, although unexpected, is not important."

"Cao Cao's focus is still on snatching Yanzhou."

"Shijun and Cao Cao, whoever wins Yanzhou will change the power structure of Nanzhou."

"The only thing Shijun needs to care about is Cao Cao's second move."

Cao Cao's last move?
Liu Bei's eyes froze slightly: "Cao Cao only sent Lu Bu to Yanzhou, which is a little exaggerated. Lu Bu is only Cao Cao's first move in the battle for Yanzhou."

Xun You nodded, "Lü Bu is a mediocre man, brave but not resourceful. It is still difficult to deal with Zang Hong, not to mention that Yanzhou still has schemes."

"Cao Cao wouldn't be so foolish as to think that Lv Bu could outmatch a conspiracy, so Lv Bu was just a bait for Cao Cao to put on the bright side, or in other words, Lv Bu was just an abandoned son of Cao Cao!"

"Although You can guess Lu Bu's usefulness, it is difficult to guess Cao Cao's back move."

Liu Bei was suddenly a little nervous: "Even Gongda can't guess Cao Cao's last move. Isn't it dangerous to show up in Yanzhou?"

Xun You smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, sir. As the saying goes, the mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind. Lu Bu is like a cicada, and the trick is the mantis that preys on the cicada."

"However, Cao Cao is not alone in this oriole!"

"If Cao Cao does not move, he will make the king not move; if Cao Cao moves, he will make the king move."

"Braking with stillness will bring you nothing."

Liu Bei suddenly realized: "Gongda's words made Bei Maosai suddenly enlightened!"

the other side.

After several days of mental struggle, Cheng Yu returned to Chenliu.

"Lü Bu has no way, and Zheng Ping is not easy to deal with."

"The old man was planted this time!"

"Damn Lu Bu, if it wasn't for you, why would I be involved in this vortex?"

Cheng Yu was not convinced by Zheng Ping's words.

He was already afraid of Zheng Ping, and he was also afraid of Liu Bei's capture of Liu Dai by falsely destroying Guo, Cheng Yu had always been on guard against Zheng Ping.

"Zhong De, have you ever lobbied the Hao clan?" Lu Bu looked happy when he saw Cheng Yu's return.

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment, then said: "General, Yu has never lobbied the Hao clan."

Lu Bu's expression changed, and his tone became cold: "Zhongde, what do you mean by that?"

The overwhelming killing intent made Cheng Yu shudder.

Cheng Yu knew very well that if Lu Bu could not be given a reason, Lu Bu would really kill someone.

"General, although Yu failed to lobby the Hao family, he found out an extremely important piece of information." Cheng Yu hurriedly said, then looked to the left and right, and lowered his voice: "General, please turn away from the left and right."

Seeing Cheng Yu being so cautious, Lu Bu became more and more suspicious.

With a wave of his hand, all the servants around him retreated.

"What's the situation, you can talk about it now." Lu Bu's tone was not kind, obviously he didn't like Cheng Yu's mystifying feeling.

After Cheng Yu confirmed that there was no one around, he revealed the information: "General, Zang Hong was assassinated a month ago and was already seriously ill in bed. Now Zang Hong is just a stand-in!"

Lu Bu was taken aback: "Is this true? Since you are a stand-in, how do you know?"

Cheng Yu didn't hesitate to think: "Jin Yun, magistrate of Fan County, is Yu's old friend from the same county. Yu originally wanted to ask Jin Yun for help, but he got this information by accident, so he didn't dare to lobby the Hao family again, lest he startle the snake."

"Yu went to visit some old friends in Dongping Kingdom again, and learned some clues from them."

"Yu can confirm that the assassination of Zang Hong is true, and his condition has worsened."

"There is even news that Zheng Ping has appeared in Shouzhang City recently."

Lu Bu suddenly asked, "Zheng Ping appeared in Shouzhang City recently? Why did he go to Shouzhang City?"

Cheng Yuning said: "Yu infers that it is very likely that Zang Hong is dying. Zang Hong and Liu Bei have always been good friends, and they must have entrusted Yanzhou with military and political affairs."

Lv Bu snorted coldly: "This fellow Zang Hong wants to give Yanzhou to Liu Bei? How can he succeed? This general led the troops to Shouzhang City!"

"Wait a minute, general!" Cheng Yu hurriedly stopped him: "The general has no evidence, how can he lead the army to question him? What's more, how can Zang Hong admit it in private?"

Lu Bu frowned: "Then what should I do?"

Cheng Yu's eyes became more ruthless: "Send a letter to Cao Sikong immediately, and ask Cao Sikong to make a decision early! In this way, the general will not have to worry about doing things."

Lu Bu suddenly understood.

Since Zang Hong was about to die, it was natural to replace Yanzhou Mu with a new one.

At that time, Lu Bu escorted the new Yanzhou Mu to his post, and it would not be regarded as leading soldiers to question him on the surface.

And the most important thing is that Lu Bu is worried about fraud.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Cao Cao used Princess Hongnong to scheme against Lu Bu, which was still fresh in Lu Bu's memory, so that Lu Bu now has the feeling that someone is plotting against him when he sees strange beauties.

Similarly, Lu Bu did not trust Cheng Yu.

What if Cheng Yu is with Zang Hong?
Although, Lu Bu only figured it out when he was reminded by Cheng Yu, but this did not prevent Lu Bu from being suspicious of Cheng Yu.

Raising troops in anger is called instinctive anger.

To be quiet and suspicious is to take precautions before they happen.

Thinking of this, Lu Bu urgently ordered Hou Cheng to deliver a letter to Xudu.

Hou Cheng didn't dare to delay, he came to Xudu day and night, and delivered Lu Bu's letter to Cao Cao.

Before receiving Lu Bu's letter, Cao Cao was still praising Cao Ang who had returned from Jingzhou.

After all, Cao Cao never thought that Cao Ang would win Jingzhou at first, he only thought that Cao Ang was there to practice.

After seeing the letter from Lu Bu, the smile on Cao Cao's face froze: "Zang Hong is seriously ill?"

Cao Cao was still somewhat dissatisfied with Lu Bu.

Cao Ang has taken Jingzhou, but Lu Bu is still dawdling in Chenliu.

If he hadn't wanted to use Lu Bu as a bait, Cao Cao would have personally gone to Yanzhou to urge Lu Bu.

You are Lu Bu, why did you start to become timid?

If Lu Bu knew what Cao Cao was thinking, he would definitely jump out of anger and scold: If you hadn't planned too hard at the beginning, you would have been suspicious in Chenliu?
"Father, is there something wrong in Yanzhou?" Cao Ang asked in a concentrated voice.

Cao Cao nodded, handed Lv Bu's letter to Cao Ang, and said, "Lv Bu's letter says that Zang Hong is seriously ill."

Cao Ang said without hesitation, "Since Zang Hong is seriously ill, my father can replace him with another Yanzhou shepherd."

Cao Cao shook his head: "It's not that simple. Lu Bu said in his letter that Zheng Ping appeared in Shouzhang City recently."

Cao Ang frowned immediately: "Liu Bei and Zang Hong have always been friendly. Zheng Ping's appearance in Shouzhang City must be for the belonging of Yanzhou."

"Father, my son intends to go to Chenliu."

Cao Cao was slightly taken aback: "I was about to announce that you are the governor of Jingzhou, why did you have to go to Chenliu?"

Cao Ang said in a low voice: "The governor of Jingzhou can appoint another talented person. My son is worried that Lu Bu will be deceived by Zheng Ping."

Cao Cao understood.

His eldest son was worried that Lu Bu would be tricked by Zheng Ping and then rebel again.

For Lu Bu, capriciousness is already commonplace.

No matter how much Cao Cao gave, Zheng Ping might instigate Lu Bu's rebellion as soon as his head became hot.

Although it is said that this possibility is not high, but if you are not afraid of [-], you are afraid of the eventuality. If Lu Bu's head gets hot, no one knows what the consequences will be.

And with Cao Ang in Chenliu, Lu Bu would more or less give Cao Ang, the prospective son-in-law, some face.

Cao Cao warned: "Ang'er can go to Chenliu, but don't compete with Zheng Ping."

Cao Ang said with a smile: "Father, don't worry, the child has self-knowledge and will not easily provoke Zheng Ping."

Cao Cao nodded: "In that case, Ang'er, go to Chenliu with Hou Cheng first, and be sure to keep an eye on Lu Bu, and don't let Lu Bu act impulsively."

"After I discuss with Wen Ruo and Feng Xiao, I will make further calculations."

"Let Zhicai follow you to Chenliu."

After exhorting Cao Ang, Cao Cao urgently summoned Xun Yu and Guo Jia to discuss countermeasures.

Guo Jia said bluntly: "Duke Ming, the military struggle in Yanzhou is inevitable. Zang Hong is seriously ill, and we can no longer keep pace with each other, so we have to think about it in the long run."

"Beware of Liu Bei directly dispatching troops to seize the counties in Yanzhou."

However, Xun Yu had a different opinion: "If Liu Bei dispatched troops to seize the counties in Yanzhou, it would be a private dispatch of troops. Although Liu Bei may not be ordered to hunt down thieves, he still has to take his own reputation into consideration."

Guo Jia shook his head: "Wen Ruo has forgotten, how did Liu Bei get Xuzhou?"

"It is true that Liu Bei cannot send troops without permission, but he can be entrusted by Zang Hong to lead troops into Yanzhou to help Zang Hong fight against the bandits."

"If Liu Bei sent Zhang Fei to Yanzhou to follow the old example of Xuzhou, Zhang Fei would be granted the title of Shepherd of Yanzhou for his meritorious service like Guan Yu."

Xun Yu was stunned: "Feng Xiao, this reason is too far-fetched."

Guo Jianing said: "If Liu Bei wins Yanzhou, His Majesty can directly call Liu Bei to the court to accept the appointment, and you don't have to worry about Duke Ming."

"Under the general situation, it doesn't matter whether Liu Bei's reason is far-fetched or not."

"Liu Bei, I just need an excuse to send troops to Yanzhou!"

"Therefore, Jia thought that Duke Ming could recruit troops from Yuzhou to go to Chenliu. If there was any change in Liu Bei, he would seize Dongjun, Shanyang and Jiyin immediately."

"Don't let Liu Bei take all of Yanzhou!"

(End of this chapter)