Chapter 192 Chapter Twenty-Eight

In the nineteenth year of Jian'an in 192 (AD 214), while Cao Cao was dealing with the Empress Fu incident in Xudu, Meteor Tanma kept reporting Liu Bei's military operations in Yizhou to him. One day in autumn and August, Cao Cao was discussing military affairs with his counselors Jia Xu and Liu Ye at the prime minister's mansion. Xu Chu, a close aide of the guards, asked to see him. Cao Cao asked what was the matter, and Xu Chu replied: "My lord, the secret letter to explore the horse." After speaking, submit it. Cao Cao opened the secret letter, seeing that it was the news that Liu Bei had occupied Chengdu, the muscles on his face trembled, and he murmured:

"Sure enough, the feathers are full, sure enough, the feathers are full..." Jia Xu didn't know what was going on, he had been under Cao Cao's command for many years, and he had never seen him look so depressed.So, he walked over to pick up the secret letter that Cao Cao threw on the table, and after a look, it was really shocking news.Liu Ye also read the secret letter, but he didn't say anything. He looked at Cao Cao with firm eyes. Cao Cao's expression changed from depressed to calm when he saw how calm he was. Cao Cao remained silent, and walked out of the room with his hands behind his back, and several counselors followed him solemnly.The season is Mid-Autumn Festival, the sky is as blue as washing, and the clouds are not stained.Cao Cao looked up and saw the geese flying south arranged in a column and flew past in an orderly manner.Not long after the flock of geese passed by, another small dot appeared in the distant sky. From far to near, it was gradually seen that it was still a goose, but a lone goose.In order to get rid of Cao Cao's depression, Xu Chu called his own soldiers to fetch a carved bow and wanted to shoot the goose down.Cao Cao stopped him and said:

"Xu Chu, let it go. This wild goose is still struggling to fly alone. Its persistent work will surely reunite with friends. Alas, I think of Cao Cao. I let go of Liu Xuande who was at the end of the road and caused today's catastrophe. It is destiny. what!" Cao Cao was deeply moved and regretted. Liu Ye took a step forward and said to Cao Cao: "My lord, Xuande is weak and weak. You took him in, valued him, and gave him a chance to survive. This shows your love and kindness. Now that he is entrenched in Bashu, his plan is still there. More than that." Cao Cao loves the resourceful rising star beside him very much, and Liu Ye's foresight and foresight are quite appreciated by him.He heard from Liu Ye that Liu Bei still had plans, but he actually knew it.He knew that Liu Bei's next move to occupy Yizhou was to capture Hanzhong.But he still wanted to hear the analysis of the young counselor.

He stared at Liu Ye with encouraging eyes, and asked: "Do you have any good suggestions, please tell me." Liu Ye said: "Because Liu Xuande already owns Yizhou, the Land of Abundance has sufficient food and grass, and the soldiers are strong, and his left and right arm Zhuge Liang is good at governing the country's affairs. When he establishes a foothold in Shuzhong, his strategy is to leave Hanzhong and enter Guanzhong. As we all know, the Hanzhong area is the fringe area between Guanzhong and Shuzhong. Whoever occupies it first will have the support to march into Guanzhong or Shuzhong. The Hanzhong area has long been known as a rich and prosperous place throughout the country, and it is inevitable for Liu Bei to seize it. "

Liu Ye's tone of analysis of the situation was decisive, and Cao Cao couldn't help nodding his head when he heard it.Cao Cao turned to ask Jia Xu for his opinion. Jia Xu and Cao Cao knew each other very well, and Cao Cao took his advice very seriously.As early as the Battle of Chibi, he was defeated because he did not follow Jia Xu's advice. Jia Xu agreed with Liu Ye's analysis, saying: "My lord, the Hanzhong area should be occupied very early, otherwise you will miss the opportunity. The Hanzhong area is run by Zhang Lu, who leads a Taoist army to occupy it. Zhang Lu is cowardly by nature, and his cronies and brothers often clash with him. Zhang Lu is easily defeated by the method of disintegration and the threat of a large army."

Cao Cao resonated strongly with the advice of the two counselors. He had left a strong force in Guanzhong when he was campaigning in Xiliang. The commander in chief is his trusted general Xia Houyuan. Cao Cao is known for his decisiveness in the military. If the plan has a prototype, he will immediately implement it.He returned to the mansion and convened a meeting of generals and advisers to discuss the matter of sending troops to Hanzhong. At the meeting, everyone couldn't see the dejected look on his face, but he was calm and undisturbed.He ordered: "Jia Xu and Liu Ye are responsible for drafting the war plan, Jia Kui and Sima Yi are responsible for the daily work of the prime minister's mansion. Wang Can, Zhang Cheng, Xin Ping, Yang Xiu, etc. assist Jia Xu and Liu Ye to perfect the plan. Grain, weapons, etc. Du Xi is responsible for the preparation of clothing, clothing, and marching tents."

After Cao Cao assigned the tasks to this group of advisers, he convened a meeting of generals alone. Zhang He, Xu Huang, Zhu Ling, Xia Houdun, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen and others listened to Cao Cao's orders and arrangements, and actively went back to prepare for the battle. Less than half a month into the preparations for marching into Hanzhong in 193, Xia Houyuan pacified Xiliang and Yongzhou, and after doing a solid job of appeasing the civilians, he returned to Xudu and paid homage to Cao Cao. Xia Houyuan returned to Xudu late at night. When he visited Cao Cao, Cao Cao was examining and approving the military book "Meng De Xin Shu" written by him with decades of painstaking efforts.When the soldiers reported, Cao Cao was overjoyed and went out of his tent to greet him:

"General Xiahou has done a lot of hard work, thank you so much."