ushernet Chapter 301 Director Cao
Chapter 301 Director Cao
Chapter 301 Director Cao
Chapter 301
"Feng Xiao!"
Cao Cao only said two words and then said nothing more.
His breathing was rapid and his brows were slightly furrowed, showing that he was both nervous and excited at the moment.
Guo Jia held the teapot and took a big sip.
Similarly, Guo Jia did not expect that Dong Zhuo would appear in Xiaguan.
Everyone was deceived by Dong Zhuo, thinking that he led the army to take Xuzhou. Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuo actually appeared back in Xiaguan!
Guo Jia hadn't figured it out yet, and said thoughtfully, "There are many strange things happening today. During this night attack, Hua Xiong's personal soldiers happened to know that Dong Zhuo was inside the pass..."
Cao Cao quickly calmed down, and while putting on his clothes and shoes, he said with a gleam in his eyes: "Feng Xiao is saying that Dong Zhuo deliberately let me know that he was inside the pass?"
"In other words, it's still unclear whether Dong Zhuo will return to Xiaguan!"
Everyone quickly stood up and raised their hands to greet.
After the attack on the camp, Cao's army became more alert and prepared, with soldiers patrolling back and forth in large numbers.
Dong Zhuo!
After returning to the camp, Cao Cao did not see anyone else, but called Guo Jia, and said with a gloomy face, "It's Dong Zhuo!"
Dong Zhuo smiled and raised his hand in return, saying, "Meng De, how about coming in and having a drink?"
What's more, Dong Zhuo is in the dark and they are in the light, and danger can come at any time!
Huixiaguan, not far away, was as quiet as usual.
Guo Jia said calmly, "Dong Zhuo's appearance in Xiaguan means that Dong Zhuo needs to go back to Xiaguan, at least temporarily. Therefore, by forcing back to Xiaguan, we can curb Dong Zhuo's other plots. The advantage is on Dong Zhuo, and time is on the general's side."
Cao Cao did not expect that Dong Zhuo would give up the big piece of fat meat of Xuzhou. Instead, he appeared quietly back to Xiaguan.
Since Liu Bian ascended the throne, he has been strictly enforcing the policy of streamlining the military and government, cutting down on officials from all over the country and bringing military power back to the upper levels.
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flickered, and he shouted, "General, how about we retreat to Xiang County so that there is no problem for both sides?"
Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun didn't say anything and ate relatively politely.
Everyone sat down around Cao Cao with happy expressions.
Cao Cao snorted coldly and said, "Even if the old villain wants to return to Xiliang, he will want to defeat me first! How can Dong Zhuo feel at ease if I have 50,000 troops behind him?"
Their original plan was to attack Xiang County and force Dong Zhuo to abandon Xuzhou and return. After Yuan Shu was defeated, they would gather troops from all directions and destroy Dong Zhuo!
Guo Jia opened his mouth to speak, but then picked up the teapot and drank tea in big gulps.
Xiahou Dun hesitated, and suddenly heard footsteps. He turned around and saw Cao Cao, Guo Jia, and Xu Zhu approaching.
Guo Jia stood beside him, glanced at the map, and said, "The most important thing now is to find out whether Dong Zhuo is returning to Xiaguan, and if so, what exactly is he planning!?"
Dong Zhuo put his hands behind his back and said, "Since you have already met with me in civil matters, do you still want to meet me in military matters?"
Cao Cao seemed unaware, looking towards the south, and said, "Should this be over now?"
"Whether he is here or not, we will find out today!"
Dong Zhuo pretended to sigh, and then said loudly: "Meng De has no pity for the lives of his soldiers, and he doesn't care about his future?"
Dong Zhuo is not an ignorant person. He must have some plan when he appeared in Huixiaguan. Now they know almost nothing, so the advantage is on Dong!
Listening to Cao Cao's words, Guo Jia's thoughts were reluctantly moved, and he said, "Since the reigns of Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ling, the foundation of the country has been greatly damaged. Although Your Majesty has worked hard to govern the country in recent years and has made some progress, it is not enough to pacify the world. I am worried that after this battle, the world may change drastically."
Cao Cao frowned and asked, "How did it change?"
Liu Yan of Yizhou has always been eyeing Hanzhong. If Dong Zhuo is connected with Liu Yan and has tied down Zhang Liao, then Dong Zhuo may be able to take Jingzhou and head north to kill his way back to Xiliang!
Guo Jia drank tea, suppressed his urge to drink, and said: "Most of the soldiers and horses under Dong Zhuo are from Bing and Liang. They have been trapped in Pei for many years, so it is inevitable that they miss their hometown. Pei is in the heart of the Han Dynasty. Dong Zhuo is isolated and helpless, surrounded by enemies. It is not surprising that he wants to return to Xiliang."
Guo Jia shook his head slightly and said, "We can't wait any longer. Dong Zhuo abandoned Xuzhou and showed up here. He must have some big plan. Two days is too precious for them."
Cao Cao immediately understood and asked, "Feng Xiao wants to delay?"
Cao Cao ignored such talk and said loudly: "If the general refuses to meet me with civil officials, I can only meet him with military force."
Guo Jia drank a sip of strong tea to suppress his urge to drink and exhaled lightly.
"What if Zhang Liao can't move?" Guo Jia said lightly while drinking strong tea.
Guo Jia drank his strong tea and said, "I am a little curious about what Dong Zhuo is planning."
If Dong Zhuo really appeared in Huixiaguan, did he really want to return to Xiliang?
When Guo Jia smelled the wine, he instantly felt unwell. His sharp mind froze and he forgot all the words that were on his lips. He could only stare at the wine glass in Cao Cao's hand and watch the wine in it go into Cao Cao's mouth.
Just as Xiahou Dun was about to stand up, Cao Ren said, "What we can think of, the general and the military advisor must have thought of long ago. Daybreak is about to begin, so don't disturb them."
"General, there is no way for you to go forward, please turn back!" Cao Cao replied loudly.
"It's possible,"
Cao Cao understood and turned back.
Upon hearing this, Hua Xiong raised his head and looked behind Cao Cao, only to see tens of thousands of soldiers ready to go, as if they were about to launch an all-out attack.
Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji were already there. They looked at each other and came to the gate with some curiosity.
Guo Jia didn't care and said, "If Dong Zhuo is really determined to go back, he can spare us and go through Jingzhou and Nanyang, and then go north. Except for the three prefectures, there is almost no obstacle. Besides, except for the generals, other counties and prefectures have basically no soldiers and horses, which is equivalent to nothing..."
Guo Jia reluctantly withdrew his gaze and stared blankly at the teacup.
Cao Cao nodded heavily, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay, after noon, we will attack back to Xiaguan!"
Cao Hong was a junior and had a craving for wine, but he didn't dare drink it. He said, "If it were me, we should divide our troops and go around to attack Dong Zhuo's lair!"
Guo Jia smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing more than attracting the general's attention and making him ignore other things."
Xiahou Dun quickly raised his hand and said, "Thank you, General!"
Cao Cao was too lazy to pay any more attention to it. He reined in his horse and waited quietly.
After saying this, Dong Zhuo held his sword and turned to leave.
Cao Cao's thoughts were complicated, but he suppressed them in an instant. He laughed and said, "Your humble servant Cao Cao, I am honored to meet you, the Grand Commandant. I wonder why you are here and where you are going?"
Cao Cao took the meat, stuffed it into his mouth and said, "Don't ask any more questions."
Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Le Jin and others who wanted to ask questions did not dare to speak.
Guo Jia looked at Cao Cao's expression, smiled and said, "No matter what Dong Zhuo's plan is, it will be easy to deal with since he is returning to Xiaguan. General, just attack with all your might. If Dong Zhuo comes out of the pass, General, just avoid the battle."
Cao Cao reined in his horse, walked back and forth, observed the situation above Huixiaguan, and said casually: "Your Majesty has ordered that the general should go to the capital with me. Please ask the general to leave the pass."
Guo Jia pondered in his mind and said, "There have been rumors that Dong Zhuo sent people to the Three Qiang. It is also possible that Dong Zhuo really wants to take the risk and fight back..."
It didn't take long before Dong Zhuo, a fat and strong man with age spots all over his face, appeared next to Hua Xiong.
There will definitely be news from Xuzhou within two or three days. If Dong Zhuo is not in Xuzhou, he will probably be in Xiaguan this time.
Cao Cao repeatedly pleaded for mercy, but the imperial court was already very wary of him and would not miss the opportunity to strike him down. Not only was Xiahou Yuan severely punished, he also rebelled for five years.
The pass is not big, but it seems like a dangerous pass. There is no panic at all, and everything is in order.
Cao Cao got dressed and stood up, looking back towards Xiaguan, saying, "They want to use this trick to delay time?"
When it was bright, Cao Cao, with Xiahou Dun, Xu Zhu and a hundred cavalrymen, headed straight back to Xiaguan.
Hua Xiong didn't talk any more trash and was also waiting.
Cao Cao's expression gradually became indifferent, and his eyes fell on "Yizhou".
Cao Cao glanced at him, a smile flashed across his lips, and he said, "Yuan Benchu occupied Yangzhou, the Shi family occupied Jiaozhi, Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou, Liu Yan had already taken Yizhou, plus Gongsun Zan, Lu Bu and the like, and Liangzhou, most of my half of the country has fallen into the hands of traitors!"
After Cao Cao sat down, he looked back in the direction of Xiaguan and said, "After daybreak, Xu Chu, Yuan Rang, each of you will take fifty men and follow me back to Xiaguan."
If it is true, would he choose to take a detour or defeat Cao Cao first?
If not, then was Dong Zhuo targeting Cao Cao?
Cao Cao thought more than Guo Jia, and was overwhelmed with thoughts. However, he calmed down in an instant and said, "Whether he is here or not, it's nothing more than waiting for two or three days."
When Xiahou Yuan followed Cao Cao to fight the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou, he acted violently and was disliked by the then Beihai Prime Minister Kong Rong and Qingzhou Governor Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun then captured him and sent him to Luoyang.
Guo Jia didn't say anything, but his meaning was very clear.
He whispered to the soldiers beside him, and then shouted: "General Cao, it is useless to harm the lives of soldiers. Why don't you retreat to Qiao County so that both sides will be safe?"
However, as a counselor, the most important thing is to reassure his lord, so Guo Jia did not say much.
While drinking tea, Guo Jia was curious about what Cao Cao was going to do.
Xiahou Dun was startled and asked, "General, are you going?"
He could be absolutely sure that this was Dong Zhuo!
When he was chasing the Yellow Turban Army and in Luoyang City, Cao Cao knew Dong Zhuo very well and would never admit his mistake!
Guo Jia drank his strong tea and asked with a smile: "What was our original plan?"
No matter what Dong Zhuo's plans were, Cao Cao only did one thing - he attacked back to Xiaguan by force.
Hua Xiong listened and replied loudly: "General Cao has misunderstood. Lord Dong is not here. I don't know why General Cao attacked me back to Xiaguan for no reason. Aren't you afraid of being punished by the court?"
Also because of the problem of money and food, the local garrison was very sparse and it was impossible to stop Dong Zhuo's 50,000-strong army!
Cao Cao drew a circle on the map and said, "Isn't there Zhang Liao in Hanzhong?"
Now Dong Zhuo didn't go to Xuzhou, but came to us instead. Isn't that just what he wanted?!
But after a moment, Cao Cao suddenly became alert and said, "Fengxiao, Dong Zhuo could have been undetected, why did he expose himself to me?"
Cao Cao came close, just out of the archers' range, reined in his horse, and shouted, "General Cao Cao, I want to see the Grand Commandant!"
Cao Cao waved his hand and said with a smile: "Yuan Rang, there is good news. Miao Cai has been released and is on his way."
When they returned to Xiaguan, they were still waiting for Cao's army to continue the attack, but when they saw there were only a hundred people, they all watched and talked about it.
Cao Cao couldn't see Dong Zhuo anymore, his expression changed, and he turned around and left.
Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun looked at him together, and then looked at each other.
Cao Cao knew his character and knew that he didn't want to say it, so he simply didn't ask and continued thinking on his own.
What Guo Jia said was right. The battlefield was always changing rapidly. It was unknown how long Dong Zhuo had been hiding in Xiaguan. If he was given another two days, it would be Cao Cao who would be in danger.
Even though he didn't say anything, Cao Cao knew it very well, but he didn't point it out. After thinking for a while, his narrow eyes flashed with a cold light.
Cao Cao was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter and said, "Feng Xiao's words have enlightened me!"
Cao Cao took the wine pot and poured himself some wine, saying, "There are only two options, one is me, and the other is returning to Xiliang. As long as I can hold him back, all his schemes will fail!"
Cao Cao nodded, still thinking deeply, "When the imperial court sent Dong Zhuo to Yuzhou, they had considered it very carefully."
Dong Zhuo put his hands behind his back, as if feeling a little tired. He turned around and said a few words to Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji, and then said to Cao Cao: "I will wait for Meng De's military meeting."
Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren and others sat together, eating and drinking, and also talking about returning to Xiaguan.
Cao Cao's face changed slightly. He turned around, took the map, and studied it under a lamp. After a long while, he muttered to himself, "This is unlikely. From here to Xiliang, not only is the journey long, but there are also many checkpoints..."
As long as we can hold Dong Zhuo back and wait for Yuan Shu to be defeated, Dong Zhuo will have no way out!
Guo Jia drank his strong tea and couldn't help but sigh, "Dong Zhuo's move was indeed brilliant."
Guo Jia had actually seen it. He sat there, holding his teacup, and thought, "From now on, Dong Zhuo has only two purposes. Either he wants to get the general, or he really wants to return to Xiliang."
He held his sword in his hand, looked at Cao Cao from a distance, and laughed loudly, saying, "Meng De, how are you?"
Cao Cao and Guo Jia were discussing, and Cao's army outside the tent was also reorganizing.
Guo Jia smiled but said nothing, but he felt vaguely uneasy in his heart.
Le Jin was very angry. He pulled the mutton and said, "If you ask me, the military advisor is right. Just attack with force. What's the point of testing?"
Cao Cao looked determined and said to Guo Jia, "What if Dong Zhuo is really returning to Xiaguan?"
It has only been three years since then, and the fact that he was able to come out early was due to the efforts made by Cao Cao in front of Liu Yu.
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "He suffered for me, what is there for him to thank me for? Sit down. When Miaocai arrives, we will give him a good welcome."
Cao Cao opened his eyes slightly and stared at Dong Zhuo above the gate, his face corners twitching slightly and his eyes cold.
Cao Cao put down the map, his expression was indifferent, his eyes were sharp, and he kept pondering.
The "this battle" he mentioned refers to the battle after the destruction of Dong.
At that time, Yuzhou will inevitably fall into Cao Cao's hands. At that time, Cao Cao's importance, which spans the middle of the north and the south, will rise sharply and become extremely important, and he can even influence the situation in the world!
Is this situation good or bad for Cao Cao?
Guo Jia looked at Cao Cao out of the corner of his eye and was unsure of what to do.
The 'hero of troubled times' he chose was a man of deep scheming and cunning, and Guo Jia could not figure him out at all.