Chapter 29 third quarter

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei followed by some followers rode to the gate of Cao Mansion and stopped.Liu Bei said to Guan and Zhang, "Drinking with the prime minister this time, you don't need your second brother to accompany you. You go to practice your arrows. Prime Minister Cao is here, and I must socialize well." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said goodbye.Liu Bei got off his horse and handed over the reins to his followers.Steward Zhu was already waiting at the gate, and while welcoming Liu Bei, he said, "The prime minister is already waiting for the uncle in the back garden."

At this time, Cao Cao had already taken his seat in the pavilion in the back garden, and the table had been served with wine and food.He said to Bai Shao who was standing by the side: "Drinking with Liu Bei today, I don't need the company of the master. It seems that you are not at ease with me." Bai Shao smiled without explaining, and said: "I am worried that the prime minister may not I can beat this Liu Bei." Cao Cao said: "You mean that I sometimes have wishful thinking and take things for granted. Didn't I also say that now I also take Liu Bei and you for granted?" Bai Shao sighed He breathed a sigh of relief: "If you take it for granted, you will inevitably suffer a loss." Cao Cao shook his head: "That is not necessarily true. I dare not say it with Liu Bei, but with you, I am sure I will not suffer in the end." Bai Shao glanced at Cao Cao and left.

Liu Bei was led down to the small pavilion by the butler Zhu Si.Cao Cao got up and said with a smile, "It's only suitable for Xuande to drink and talk to each other." As they spoke, the two sat down courteously.The servants came up one after another to wait on them.Just after pouring wine and toasting together, the two generals hurried into the back garden, came to the pavilion and saluted and said, "I have something important to report to the prime minister." Cao Cao said to Liu Bei, "Two generals, this is Zhu Zhu. Ling, this is Lu Zhao." The two generals saluted Liu Bei again: "Kowtow to Uncle Liu." Cao Cao said to them, "If it's a big matter, you might as well report it in front of Uncle Liu; if it's a small matter, just go down for a while, don't miss it. I was drinking and talking with Uncle Liu Huang." Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao said, "It's really a big deal, it's related to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu's latest move." Cao Cao said, "Let's talk about it." Zhu Ling said, "Yuan Shao just killed Gongsun Zan recently, Gongsun Zan was besieged by Yuan Shao in the city, his entire army was annihilated, he hanged himself, and his whole family was burned alive. Now Yuan Shao has recruited Gongsun Zan's remnant troops, and his momentum is very powerful." Cao Cao noticed: "Oh? What about Yuan Shu?" Lu Zhao Said: "Yuan Shao's younger brother, Yuan Shu, was arrogant and extravagant in Huainan. He didn't care about the army and the people. Everyone rebelled against him. Yuan Shu originally obtained the jade seal of the former emperor and proclaimed himself emperor without authorization. Now he simply plans to return it to Yuan Shao together with the jade seal and the emperor's title. Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao have made an appointment Alright, he wants to send the jade seal himself. Now he is about to abandon Henan and join Yuan Shao in Hebei. The two brothers are eccentric to each other, and no one accepts the other. If they work together, it will be extremely difficult to recover in the future. I beg the prime minister to hurry up. Figure it out." Cao Cao nodded, "This is a big deal."

Liu Bei sat on the sidelines and listened, his eyes turned slightly, and he got up and said to Cao Cao: "If Yuan Shu defected to Yuan Shao, he would have to pass through Xuzhou from Huainan to Huaibei. The prime minister might as well send an army to Xuzhou to intercept Yuan Shu halfway. Captured." Cao Cao nodded in thought: "It makes sense." Liu Bei continued: "If you can believe it, I am ready to lead the army and do the work of a dog and horse for the prime minister." Cao Cao pondered for a while, and Liu Bei said calmly: "If you can't believe it, otherwise You can send others. This matter really needs to be resolved quickly." Cao Cao smiled: "How can you not trust Xuande. I will let you governor with 50,000 horses to rush to Xuzhou to intercept Yuan Shu." Liu Bei cupped his hands and said, "Let the prime minister order." Cao Cao pointed at Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao again: "Zhu Ling, Lu Zhao, I order you two to be deputy generals to assist Uncle Liu to lead troops to Xuzhou to fight Yuan Shu." : "I have the final say on the military affairs alone, but I also need to invite your majesty to the next day. After the court procedures are completed, you Xuande can be appointed as a general and seal the army."

On the night of the second day, Liu Bei hurried back to his mansion from outside.Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were leading the soldiers to pack their weapons and horses, busy preparing for the expedition.Liu Bei said to Guan and Zhang, "Second brother, you lead people to prepare for the expedition at night, and I will enter the palace to bid farewell to your majesty. Before dawn, we will lead our troops to set out. During the day, we will play along with Prime Minister Cao. When I asked you to send troops to Xuzhou, although I have met His Majesty at the court, I can't say much in a large audience, so I have to say a few important things here." He said and left in a hurry with a few followers.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at Liu Bei's leaving back and looked at each other suspiciously. At this time, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was pacing back and forth in the palace worriedly.Empress Fu and Concubine Dong sat aside and watched him helplessly.Huang Fu, on the other hand, stood with his waist bowed and observing his words and expressions.Emperor Han Xian stopped and said: "Isn't this Liu Xuande who led the troops to Xuzhou, was sent away by Cao Cao?" Huang Fu looked at Emperor Han Xian carefully, and boldly added a sentence: "I heard that Uncle Liu Huang himself asked for orders to go to Xuzhou." Emperor Xian of Han gave Huang Fu an angry look, and scolded: "You don't need to talk too much, go wait outside the door, but Uncle Liu Huang came to say goodbye, and immediately let him in, so you don't need to report the long-winded report." Huang Funuo came out.Emperor Xian of Han then sighed sadly: "When Liu Bei goes to Xuzhou, why do I feel that the world is changing suddenly and the prospects are not good." Empress Fu advised: "Your Majesty, don't always think of the worst in everything."

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was a little annoyed: "Be prepared for the worst, so that you will be safe." Empress Fu said: "Liu Bei himself asked for orders to go to Xuzhou. This statement seems to be true. Originally, he had no soldiers, but now he has military power with 50,000 generals." He ran there alone to grow big, can he still control me? Besides, Cao Cao can send him to lead the army, which is enough to show that he trusts him. Doesn’t this mean that Liu Bei is close to Cao Cao.” Fu Queen said: “Uncle Liu Huang People's thoughts are buried very deep, and it is very likely that even the surnamed Cao has been concealed by him. Didn't he already sign the letter of alliance?" Han Xiandi immediately opened his eyes, looked back vigilantly, and then pointed Queen: "Don't talk nonsense about this!"

At this time, Huang Fu reported loudly outside the door: "Uncle Liu Huang is here!" Then he led Liu Bei in.Liu Bei immediately paid respects: "Kowtow to the emperor and the queen, and wish my emperor long live forever. Bei led the army to Xuzhou, and made a special trip to say goodbye to your majesty." Han Xiandi stretched out his hands to help Liu Bei: "The emperor's uncle is at home. I can't do the emperor's courtesy. We still talk to uncles and nephews." As he waved Huang Fu away with a wave of his hand, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty sat down, covered his weeping with his sleeves and said, "If the emperor's uncle leaves, if I lose my left and right arms, I will be really sad." Liu Bei just took his seat and also He raised his sleeves to cover his weeping: "Bei really doesn't want to leave His Majesty's side, but it's a last resort." Emperor Xian of the Han wept for a while, wiped his tears, put down his sleeves and said, "The emperor is going, what advice do you have for me before we leave? "Liu Bei also wiped his eyes and said: "Don't dare. Although it is far away from His Majesty to prepare for this trip, it is actually closer to protect His Majesty." Han Xiandi said: "How do you say this?" Liu Bei said: " At the end of last year, before leaving Xuzhou and returning to Xudu with Cao Cao's army, Bei had visited Zheng Gong and Zheng Kangcheng for advice. Mr. Zheng analyzed that Cao Cao was strong inside Xudu, but weak outside the four directions. He suggested that if he had the opportunity, he should seek advice from the four directions. In one corner, develop external forces. Zheng Gong’s heart against Cao Fuhan is unwavering. He said that there is no chance of winning the court’s struggle without external support. Therefore, preparing to lead the troops to Xuzhou this time is really to protect your majesty’s world. It’s just to ask for an external response.” Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty obviously became a little emotional: “Did Zheng Kangcheng say that?” Liu Bei said: “It is true that he said that.” Emperor Xian of the Han cheered up, stood up and walked with his hands behind his back After a few steps, he stopped and said, "Okay, I wish you to go on a conquest here. The battle will be victorious and the attack will be conquered. Once you become bigger, you can openly show the banner of chasing Cao's thieves." Liu Bei said: "Chen Bei is always on the scene. Wait for this day."

The next day, before dawn, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led an army of 50,000 troops and set off from Xudu. Surrounded by Guan, Zhang and other generals, Liu Bei rushed on the road.He ordered the messengers: "Order the front army, the middle army, and the back army to travel to Xuzhou day and night, travel a hundred miles a day, and travel eighty nights. Those who make mistakes will be killed." order." Then they split up and rode their horses to deliver the order.Guan Yu tied the bridle with Liu Bei, and asked, "Brother, why are you in such a hurry to go out now?" Liu Bei said, "It's useless to say, you just need to supervise the army and hurry."

As they were marching, a soldier flew over to report to Liu Bei: "Uncle Dong Cheng is seeing General Liu off at the long pavilion ten miles ahead." Liu Bei said to Guan and Zhang, "I'm going to meet Uncle Guo to say goodbye. Waiting for the governor to stop for a moment." Guan and Zhang said: "Follow brother's order." At this time, it was slightly bright, and Dong Cheng took Dong's family and servants to wait in the long pavilion, where dozens of loads of wine, food and fruits were arranged.Liu Bei got off his horse and saluted with Dong Cheng.Dong Cheng said, "Why is the emperor going in such a hurry?" Liu Bei pretended to be calm and said, "I'm afraid of delaying the battle." Dong Cheng looked around, and lowered his voice, "Are you afraid that Cao will go back on his word and detain you again?" Liu Bei said: "I bid farewell to Your Majesty last night, and I explained everything to Your Majesty. The uncle of the country only needs to be calm and patient, and Liu will definitely repay his life for this trip. With the army in my hands, we can develop in a roundabout way, and we can finally have a plan." Dong Cheng said: "The public should pay attention, and don't disappoint Your Majesty's heart." Then he pointed to the food and drink behind him, "Specially to see off the emperor." Then someone poured wine, and Liu Bei and Dong Chengju drank it all in one gulp.Liu Bei said: "Uncle Guo will return, and Bei will go out to fight." Saying salutes to each other, Liu Bei got on his horse and drove on the road again.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei asked Liu Bei again on the horse: "Ask again, brother, why are you in such a hurry for this expedition?" Liu Bei said: "I am in Xudu, and I am not a bird in a cage or a fish in a net? This trip is like a fish entering the sea. , the bird climbs to the blue sky, and is not bound by the cage net. To put it more clearly, Cao Cao has let the tiger go back to the mountain." Guan and Zhang suddenly realized, and nodded in agreement. After walking for a while, it was already daybreak, and a caravan and horse team came obliquely at the fork in front of us.Zhang Fei went to inquire for a while, and came back to report to Liu Bei: "It is the military advisor Guo Jia who led the army to escort the food and grass back to Xudu." Liu Bei frowned when he heard this: "Guo Jia?" Then he said: "You wait for the governor to follow, and I will send them away. he." Guo Jia rode towards him, and Liu Bei also reined in the horse.When Guo Jia saw Liu Bei, he asked in amazement, "Where is Uncle Liu going?" Liu Bei asked back, "Where did the military commander come from?" Guo Jia said, "The prime minister ordered me and General Xu Chu to lead the army back to Xudu. " Guo Jia pointed to the endless grain and grass caravan team, "General Xu Chu is at the back." Liu Bei answered Guo Jia's question: "The prime minister ordered me to lead the army to Xuzhou." Guo Jia was shocked, but did not show it. Asked: "Why?" Liu Bei said: "Yuan Shu wanted to abandon Huainan and go north to Hebei to join Yuan Shao. The two joined Yuan Shao, and it will be difficult to conquer in the future. Therefore, the prime minister ordered me to lead the army to Xuzhou to intercept Yuan Shu and annihilate him on the spot. I didn't dare to accept orders, but the prime minister trusts me, so I dare not to do the same for the prime minister? The prime minister's order is not to delay the opportunity of the battle, so I don't talk too much with the military adviser, so I bid farewell." Saying this, he hurriedly cupped his hands and galloped away. Guo Jia looked at the back of Liu Bei going away, and then at the rushing marching team rolling by, with deep suspicion in his eyes. In the morning of the same day, Guo Jia led a few followers to gallop to the Prime Minister's Mansion, got off the horse, handed the horse to the followers, and rushed to the Prime Minister's Mansion.Seeing that it was a military division, the guard did not stop him.He went straight into the hall, where Cao Cao was discussing matters with Xun You and Bai Shao.When Cao Cao saw him, he said, "Guo Jia, have you returned with the food and grass?" After Guo Jia saluted hastily, the first sentence was: "Why did the prime minister order Liu Bei to lead the army to Xuzhou?" Cao Cao said, "To intercept Yuan Shu." Said: "In the past, when Liu Bei was trapped in Xudu, we kept asking the prime minister to kill him, but the prime minister refused to listen; if we hand over the army to him today, wouldn't it mean letting the dragon into the sea and the tiger returning to the mountain? How can the prime minister manage him in the future? And The Prime Minister has a total of more than 200,000 soldiers and horses, of which the elite troops are only 100,000, and the 50,000 elite troops are now handed over to Liu Bei. If there is any change, what a loss!" Then he said to Xun You: "Brother Jia is not here, why didn't Brother Xun You persuade the Prime Minister? Xun You said: "You have been resting at home with a cold for the past few days. I don't know about it. I heard about it today, so I came here to complain to the Prime Minister." Xun You then said to Cao Cao, "Even if the Prime Minister does not kill Liu Bei, at least he should not let him go. Lead the army to Xuzhou. The ancients said that one day's control of the enemy will cause eternal trouble. I hope the prime minister will investigate it." After hearing this, Cao Cao thought for a while, nodded and said: "This is indeed a bit inappropriate. I am going to send Xu Chu to lead five hundred troops immediately Go after Liu Bei, and make sure to bring Liu Bei back." He asked Guo Jia, "Has Xu Chu come back with you as an escort?" Guo Jia knelt down and said, "Guo Jia is guilty of death, and I have ordered Xu Chu to die. The general went after Liu Bei with 500 soldiers. After meeting Liu Bei on the way back from the garrison, the more he thought about it, the more wrong he became, so he told Xu Chu that the prime minister had just come to give him an urgent order and ordered him to go after Liu Bei, and he must be brought back.” Cao Cao glared: “You How dare you give an order in my name? Where did you get the arrow?" Guo Jia said: "When I went to guard the grain, I took the prime minister's arrow and ordered Xu Chu to go with that arrow. The prime minister can kill Jia after Liu Bei is recovered. Even if Jia dies, he will not hesitate." Cao Cao glanced at Guo Jia, "What do you say if you can't chase him back?" Guo Jia said: "If you can't chase him back, he will definitely rebel." Cao Cao was stunned for a moment: "Will Liu Bei come back, I treat him so kindly and trust him?" Bai Shao smiled coldly.Cao Cao turned his head and looked at Bai Shao: "What does the master mean, Liu Bei won't come back?" Bai Shao said; "Just now I heard from the prime minister that when Liu Bei was drinking the day before yesterday, he suggested that the prime minister send troops to Xuzhou, and he said that the prime minister could not believe it." He leads the army, but he can send someone else to lead the army. If you want to take it, you must first control it. Once you use tricks, you will reveal the true intention of the opposite." Cao Cao said: "If Liu Bei is really like this, I am really sorry." Bai Shao said: "A wise man has a lot of worries. There must be a mistake. As I said, the prime minister sometimes has wishful thinking and takes things for granted.” Cao Cao said: "When Xu Chu returns, we will see." Guo Jia said: "There will be news tonight at the latest. Liu Bei's army is going day and night. I have borrowed the Prime Minister's order to let Xu Chu travel 300 miles day and night. Chasing wildly. I gave him all the horses in the food escort team, and one person changed two horses. I will definitely catch up with Liu Bei this afternoon. As for whether Liu Bei can be chased back, I just said that Xu Chu will come back tonight at the latest There is news." Cao Cao said: "I am still somewhat on guard against Liu Bei. Let Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao be the lieutenants, just to restrain him. Liu Bei will not dare to mess around." Guo Jia said: "Prime Minister is relieving himself. How can Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao be Liu Bei's opponents?" Cao Cao stood up and paced back and forth, and said uncertainly, "We can only see when Xu Chu comes back tonight." In the evening of that day, before the sun set, Liu Bei was leading his army on a hasty march when he saw sand and dust suddenly rising in the distance behind him.Zhang Fei said, "Should we send scouts?" Liu Bei squinted his eyes and shook his head: "No. This must be Cao Bing chasing after him. Immediately send an order to the three armies to stop advancing, and immediately set up camp, set up a formation, and prepare for the battle." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately issued an order, and after a while, the 50,000 troops went down to the village and were ready. Xu Chu led five hundred soldiers to arrive in a cloud of smoke and dust, and saw that the Dazhai barracks were well-armored and majestic.Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rode horses with swords and spears in hand and led hundreds of elite soldiers to line up in front of the gate of Dazhai camp, and asked, "Who is here?" Xu Chu said, "Generals Guan and Zhang, I Xu Chu." What are you doing?" Xu Chu said, "I was ordered by the prime minister to meet General Liu." Zhang Fei said, "You must dismount and enter the camp." Xu Chu had no choice but to dismount, took a few people into the camp, and went to the Chinese army tent to meet Liu Bei.Liu Bei said: "Why do you come here?" Xu Chu said: "I am ordered by the Prime Minister to ask the general to return to Xu for no discussion." Also, Prime Minister Jun ordered him to conquer Xuzhou. To send troops today is an imminent move. If there is no other reason, General Xu can come back quickly and report to the Prime Minister for me." Xu Chu was stunned for a while, and had to say: "Farewell, Chu will go back Report to the Prime Minister." Xu Chu went out of the camp and got on his horse. His lieutenant general said, "How do I go back to meet the business?" Xu Chu turned his head and raised his chin and pointed at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who were riding on the horse and watching eagerly: "The Prime Minister and Uncle Liu Huangshu have always been friends. , this time I only asked him to go back, but never told me to fight him. If he doesn't return, I can only reply to his words truthfully, and let the prime minister judge him." Then he waved his hand and led five hundred soldiers Drive to Xudu. Seeing Xu Chu and his party walking far away, Liu Bei also rode out of the gate of the village. Looking at the billowing smoke and dust, he said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "Immediately pull out the camp and set up camp, and hurry to Xuzhou." Xu Chu led five hundred soldiers and horses back to Xudu in the starry night, and the sound of horseshoes all the way across the silent night sky. Late at night, in the Prime Minister's Mansion, Cao Cao, Guo Jia, Xun You, Bai Shao and others were waiting in the lobby for the news of Xu Chu's return. There was a watch sound outside, and Xun You said, "It's the fourth watch, and Xu Chu hasn't come back yet." Guo Jia said, "Whether Liu Bei can be recovered or not, Xu Chu will come back overnight to report to the Prime Minister." Cao Cao walked slowly in the lobby with his hands behind his back. Walking back and forth, Bai Shao watched him quietly.Cao Cao stopped for a long time, and asked Bai Shao: "I remember you once said that you can't fight against Liu Bei alone, why?" Maybe too much or not enough; although the prime minister is very wise and courageous, he occasionally has a temperament. If he has a temperament, he must take things for granted. He has a straightforward temperament, which is fine for people and friends, especially for poetry and writing; Cao Cao asked again: "You mean, Gu Zhen can't beat Liu Bei?" It's really hard." Cao Cao said: "You can feel at ease when you say Gu like this, but tell me, what is there that Gu is not as good as Liu Bei?" Bai Shao smiled and said nothing.Cao Cao said, "But it's okay to say something." Guo Jia and Xun You all looked at Bai Shao helplessly, knowing that her words were extraordinary.Bai Shao said: "The Prime Minister is more successful than Liu Bei." Cao Cao was puzzled: "Show?" Bai Shao said: "A little." Cao Cao said: "Could it be that Liu Bei is not trying to make a name for himself?" Bai Shao said: "At least there are fewer pictures than you. Liu Bei is more ruthless and more careful than the prime minister." Cao Cao nodded and said: " The chief bookkeeper is good at observing people." At this time, there was a sudden sound of horseshoes on the street outside.Guo Jia said: "Xu Chu has arrived." Xu Chu led his troops to stop in front of the prime minister's mansion, and after dismounting, he rushed to the gate of the prime minister's mansion with his deputy.Before he could open his mouth, the guard sergeant said, "The prime minister is waiting for General Xu, please come in." Xu Chu and his deputy hurried into the prime minister's mansion, bowed down in front of Cao Cao, and said, "The last general, Xu Chu, has come to report to the prime minister." Cao Cao Sitting there squinting his eyes, he said, "Understood, I didn't chase him back, did I?" Xu Chu knelt there and said, "General Liu said that the general's orders will not be accepted, and he also said that he met the emperor face to face. Also, Prime Minister Jun sent troops to Xuzhou, and I did not allow other opinions. I did not get the order from the Prime Minister to fight him, so I had to return." Guo Jia and Xun You were all stunned.Cao Cao said: "Get up, you are not responsible for not chasing him back. It is true that Gu did not let you fight him." Xu Chu and the deputy general had to stand aside.Guo Jia said: "Liu Bei refuses to return to the army, just as Jia once said, his heart has changed." Xu Chu said: "If so, please order the prime minister, and I will bring more troops to chase after him." Xun You said: "The prime minister is still here. You can send two generals, Zhang Liao and Li Dian, to chase Liu Bei back." Cao Cao walked two steps with his hands behind his back, waved his hands and said, "I have appointed Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao as Liu Bei's lieutenants, just to restrain him. He may not dare to change. Moreover, since I sent Liu Xuande, how can I go back on my word? It is not the way to be a handsome man." Guo Jiaji remonstrated: "Prime Minister, what the master said just now is good, Liu Bei is more ruthless than you. Be careful." Cao Cao said: "Okay, I will listen to you one more time, and immediately draft a secret letter for me, and send it to General Chezhou, the governor of Xuzhou, in a hurry for 800 miles. Secretly order the chariots to take precautions against Liu Bei; if Liu Bei does not change, we will assist him; if Liu Bei changes, we will take him secretly." Guo Jia and Xun You immediately said "yes". After Cao Cao gave the order, he sighed again and said, "Is this Uncle Liu Huang really going to be lonely for a while?"