Chapter 44 second quarter

On the second day, Cao Cao personally led the army to attack Xuzhou in several ways. All over the mountains and plains are marching troops with clear banners, mighty and majestic.Cao Cao looked forward and backward on his horse.Li Dian and Xu Chu rode on horseback to protect the front and rear.Guo Jia and Xun You rode side by side with him on horseback.Guo Jia said: "There are three cities in the Xuzhou area, Xiaopei, Xuzhou, and Xiapi. Liu Bei led Zhang Fei to defend Xiaopei, Chen Deng was stationed in Xuzhou, and Guan Yu was stationed in Xiapi. According to the attack route, first reach Xiaopei where Liu Bei was stationed." Cao Cao said: "We will attack Xiaopei first, capture the king first, and take Liu Bei down. Then we will break through Xuzhou and capture Chen Deng. Finally, we will attack Pi and capture Guan Yu."

Cao Cao raised his whip and pointed to the front: "In just a few days, the Xuzhou area can be wiped out." Bai Shao followed in a car and was opening the curtain to watch the marching in the mountains.Cao Cao said to her: "The capture of Xuzhou this time is to return to your hometown. You can go home and have a look at that time." Bai Shao shook her head sadly.Cao Cao immediately said: "Don't be embarrassed. Although your grandfather Zheng Kangcheng is facing Liu Bei and Yuan Shao, he doesn't care. He won Xuzhou, and he will never touch a hair of Zheng's house." Bai Shao sighed slightly.

Zhu Liu rode a horse and followed Bai Shao's car all the time, at this moment he glanced at Bai Shao meaningfully. Cao Cao led the army to set off here, and the spies from Xuzhou had already heard the news, so they galloped into Xuzhou and went to Xuzhou Governor's Mansion to report to Chen Deng first.Chen Deng was sitting in the lobby of the Governor's Mansion. He was shocked when he heard the news. He immediately put down his official duties and galloped to Xiapi with a hundred cavalry. Guan Yu was shocked when he heard Chen Deng's report in the mansion, and he opened his eyes and thought about countermeasures.

Chen Deng led another hundred riders to gallop towards Xiaopei.Liu Bei was even more shocked when he heard the news. He asked, "Chen Deng, what should we do now?" Chen Deng said, "We must turn to Yuan Shao for help. Only then can we resolve the crisis. Last year to resolve the crisis, Zheng Kangcheng and Duke Zheng were invited to come forward. This time, Uncle Liu Huang Just come forward. In the past six months, Uncle Liu Huang has exchanged letters with Yuan Shao many times and established contact. Besides, Zheng Kangcheng is getting weaker recently, so it is really inconvenient to ask him again." Liu Bei nodded: "I will write a letter immediately, and I have to bother you You personally deliver it." Chen Deng said: "I will obey."

With Liu Bei's handwritten letter in his arms, Chen Deng flew to Jizhou, Hebei Province with a hundred riders on a starry night, without stopping all the way, wearing stars and moons.When he arrived in Jizhou, he first found Tian Feng, made a statement about it, and asked for his introduction.Tian Feng immediately led Chen Deng to meet Yuan Shao.It goes without saying that Yuan Shao's mansion is majestic and majestic like a palace, and it goes without saying that the guards are strict and majestic.Chen Deng followed Tian Feng in, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Tian, ​​for introducing General Yuan." Tian Feng asked, "General Chen will meet with General Yuan in a while, and he still needs a camera."

The two entered Yuan Shao's mansion and entered the lobby, only to see Yuan Shao looked haggard and disheveled. Tian Feng and Chen Deng exchanged glances.Tian Feng introduced: "This is Chen Deng from Xuzhou, Liu Xuande's subordinate Liu Huangshu. He sent Liu Xuande an urgent letter for help. Cao Cao has sent troops to Xuzhou. I hope Duke Ming will send troops to rescue him." Chen Deng bowed down and presented a letter.Tian Feng took the letter and handed it to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao opened it and took a quick look, then shook his head and said, "I'm going to die, I have no time to take care of it." Tian Feng said, "Why did Ming Gong say that?" Yuan Shao said, "I have five sons, but the youngest one is the most suitable for me. He is suffering from scabies and his life is dying, how can I have the heart to talk about other things? Besides, I remember that last year Zheng Kangcheng wrote to me asking me to send troops to rescue Liu Xuande, but you, Tian Feng, are still opposed to sending troops." Tian Feng glanced at Chen Deng, and said to Yuan Shao "Today, in front of General Chen, I am also blunt. Last year, Cao Cao said that he would attack Liu Bei in Xuzhou. Before he sent troops, Minggong wanted to send troops first. General Fenwu and I opposed it. The situation is different today. Cao Cao has already Sending troops east to conquer Liu Xuande, Xudu is empty. Besides, we are now stationed in Liyang to approach Xudu. At this time, if we take advantage of the false attack on Xudu, we can protect the emperor at the top, save the people at the bottom, and save Liu Xuande at the middle. There is a chance, and I hope Duke Ming will rule." Yuan Shao was stunned for a moment, then picked up Liu Bei's letter and looked at it, thought for a while, and said: "I probably know it's the best, but at this moment, my heart is in a trance, and my actions may be dangerous. "Tian Feng said: "Why are you in a trance?" Yuan Shao said: "Among my five sons, this son is the most intelligent and unique. If something happens to him, I will die." I really didn't intend to send troops at that time." Tian Feng and Chen Deng looked at each other in blank dismay.Yuan Shao sighed again, picked up the letter and shook it lightly, and said to Chen Deng: "When you go back to see Xuande, you can tell me why it is difficult for me to send troops today. I hope Xuande will resist Cao Cao by himself. If there is a setback in the battle, you can always Come to Jizhou to join us, and I have something to help." Then, he closed his eyes and shook his head expressing his helplessness.

Hearing this, Tian Feng hit the ground with his cane and said in a loud voice: "I got this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I lost it because of my baby's illness. It's a pity!" Yuan Shao sat there unmoved.In front of Yuan Shao, Tian Feng raised his head to the sky and screamed three times, then kicked off his shoes, removed his hat and headgear, his hair was disheveled, his feet were bare, he sighed again and again, and exited the Yuan Mansion.When he arrived outside the mansion, he looked up to the sky and sighed several times in despair, and said to Chen Deng: "Cao Cao is not only Liu Xuande's number one enemy, but also General Yuan's number one enemy. If you are sick, you will be in a trance and have no intention of going out to fight. You are really cowardly like a woman and will make you laugh forever. Please tell Xuande quickly, General Chen, so that you can take care of yourself." Chen Deng saluted and said goodbye.

Seeing that Yuan Shao refused to send troops, Chen Deng had no choice but to rush back in the starry night.Along the way, he led hundreds of horses to ride non-stop, day and night.Smoke and dust billowed and rushed into Xiaopei City.He got off his horse and rushed into Liu Bei's residence. Chen Deng knelt down in front of Liu Bei, and when he reported Yuan Shao's refusal to send troops, Liu Bei was shocked: "Yuan Shao doesn't send troops to rescue him, what should we do?" He stood up and paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Chen Deng stood up and looked at Liu Bei helplessly.

Zhang Fei said in a rough and loud voice: "Brother, don't worry, Cao Jun will be exhausted when he comes from afar. When he first arrives, go to rob the stronghold first, and Cao Cao will be defeated." Liu Bei stopped when he heard this, and thought for a while: " This plan is possible. Cao Cao thought that he was outnumbered and I would defend to the death, and I could send troops to rob Cao’s camp.” Then, Liu Bei sat down, pointed at Zhang Fei and said, “I always thought you were a brave man, and you have been fighting and doing things lately. It's quite a strategy, and this strategy is also in line with the law of war." He looked at Chen Deng and said, "According to intelligence, Cao's army will arrive outside Xiaopei City today and set up camp. Fei leads the troops to rob the stronghold. You go back quickly, lead the troops to defend Xuzhou City, and inform Guan Yu to guard Xiapi, but when Zhang Fei and I succeed in robbing Cao’s stronghold here, maybe Cao’s army will be defeated after being robbed just once. Maybe Cao’s army will be severely injured If we still do not retreat, then Zhang Fei and I will still stick to Xiaopei, form a three-legged confrontation with Xuzhou and Xiapi, and wait for an opportunity to attack Cao Jun in a stalemate. I think there is a good chance of winning."

Chen Deng immediately saluted and said: "Chen Deng takes orders." Then he turned and left, and led his entourage with a hundred horses to leave Xiaopei and rush to Xiapi and Xuzhou. Liu Bei then said to Zhang Fei: "First send a team of old, weak, sick, and disabled horses to transport some food and grass to Xuzhou, and let the wind go along the way, saying that Xiaopei City is small and difficult to defend, and they are ready to withdraw at any time and shrink into Xuzhou City to hold on. Brother, do you understand? What does this mean? This is to paralyze Cao Cao, so that he has no guess that I will rob the stronghold tonight. Then immediately rectify the troops and horses, divide the left and right armies tonight, and my brother and I will each lead an army, and sneak out of Xiaopei South Gate and North Gate , detoured westward, and robbed Cao Jun’s stronghold from north to south.” Zhang Fei said: “Brother’s plan is very confidential, so I’m going to dispatch troops and generals immediately.”

Cao Cao pointed his whip at the front while leading the army, and said to Bai Shao, who was driving alongside, "Xiaopei City is within twenty or thirty miles. Our army will arrive at Xiaopei City tonight, set up camp, and start attacking the city tomorrow. Xiaopei, then take Xuzhou and Xiapi in sequence." Just as they were speaking, a gust of wind came suddenly, and suddenly there was a loud click, and a tooth flag nearby was blown off.This happened so suddenly that Cao Cao was terrified, so he ordered the army to stop temporarily, and the tents of the Chinese army were immediately set up.He gathered civil and military officials to discuss the good and bad urgently.Advisors such as Guo Jia and Xun You, and generals such as Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, and Li Dian lined up on the left and right.Bai Shao sat on one side as the secretary.Zhu Liu stood behind him and waited on him.Cao Cao said: "The sudden wind blows the tooth flag, which is a sign." Xun You asked: "Where does the wind come from, and what color the tooth flag blows?" Cao Cao said: "The wind comes from the southeast, and the horn blows. Shangya flag, the flag is blue and red." Xun You squinted his eyes and pinched his fingers: "According to You's calculation, this sign is that Liu Bei will come to rob the village tonight." Cao Cao nodded in thought after hearing this. Guo Jia said: "Brother Xun You's divine calculation is not well understood. It is reasonable to speculate that Liu Bei is a wise man in the army. This time he has a few enemies and the prime minister is one of the shortcomings. , is another advantage. At this time, he can only win with surprise soldiers. If he does not use surprise soldiers, the long time of waiting for work with ease will disappear after two days, and the shortcoming of outnumbered enemies will surely lead to his defeat. He came to rob the stronghold on the first night , it is a rare opportunity for him to use surprise soldiers." Cao Cao nodded slightly again, still thinking. At this time, another spies urgently reported: "Qi reported to the prime minister that Jizhou's military situation is urgent. Liu Bei sent Chen Deng to Jizhou to ask Yuan Shao for help but failed. It is said that because Yuan Shao's fifth son suffered from scabies, Yuan Shao said that he was in a trance and had no intention of doing anything else. Chen Deng has rushed back to Xiaopei and Xuzhou in the starry night." Cao Cao laughed: "Yuan Shao is a hesitant and troublesome person. There is no such thing as scabies in children, but there are other things. Waiting for him to help him is absolutely impossible. Gu is still thinking about tonight. About Liu Bei robbing the stronghold." Bai Shao moved a little.Cao Cao turned his head and asked: "Do you have any questions, Master?" Bai Shao said: "Blowing the broken tooth flag must be abnormal, what's the reason?" Cao Cao said: "It is not uncommon for the winds in the world to blow down flags suddenly. I don't say much about Xun You's calculation. Gu thinks that blowing down flags is not enough to be vigilant, but it is a thing to cause Gu's heart to be frightened. If all the strange phenomena in the world are not aroused If you are particularly frightened, you can take it calmly. But if there is any change in your heart, you have to introspect. Why? Because according to my experience, there is always a premonition when there is a change in the heart." Bai Shao asked: "Since I am afraid that he will rob the village, it is better to prevent him from robbing the village. That’s it.” Cao Cao said, “Don’t make such a decision lightly. In order to prevent him from robbing the village, our army has to lay an ambush overnight. If the judgment is wrong, Liu Bei’s army will rob the village in the future, and our soldiers will be exhausted. How can we fight in the morning? Therefore, It is necessary to be on guard against the looting of the stronghold, and it is not possible to guard against it every night. The difficulty lies in judging the authenticity. I used to say that you don’t need to suspect people, and you don’t need to use people. The same is true for wars. Just as we were talking, another spies came to report urgently: "Report to the prime minister, an old, weak, sick and disabled army came out of Xiaopei City to escort food, grass and luggage to Xuzhou. They said that Xiaopei City was small, and Liu Bei was going to retreat to Xuzhou City to hold on to the camera. " Cao Cao asked, "Is there a lot of food, grass, and supplies?" The spies replied, "Not much." Cao Cao asked again, "Is there any wife and children of Liu Bei?" The spies replied, "No—the two wives of Liu Bei are in Xiapi." Cao Cao Ask again: "Are there any other important people or things?" The spies replied: "No." Cao Cao laughed: "Liu Bei is playing tricks on me to paralyze me, using retreat as an advance, self-defeating. This retreat must be a false appearance, and the false retreat must be covered up. True progress. Liu Bei will surely rob the village tonight." Guo Jia said: "Liu Bei's superior wisdom, if you meet the prime minister's superior wisdom, you will be self-defeating." Cao Cao said: "The important matter is clear. Now I have ordered that the troops be divided into ten teams. Only one team will be left to advance to Xiaopei and set up camp in vain. It must be a bluff, as if the whole army is in the camp. There are eight more teams, and implement Ambush on all sides, prepare to encircle and wipe out Liu Bei's army who robbed the village tonight, and cut off their escape routes back to Xiaopei, Xuzhou, and Xiapi. The last team will wait for Liu Bei's army to rob the village to be surrounded, and then sneak in Raid Xiaopei and seize the city. As soon as Xiaopei is captured, set fire to the city immediately to put Liu Bei out of sight." Everyone said: "Obey." Guo Jia said: "The prime minister uses troops like a god." Cao Cao said: "The two armies are in harmony. In war, one should not make a big mistake. One mistake can defeat the entire army. In commanding the military, one must not act rashly, but also must plan in one's mind, and make a decisive decision. If you fight tonight, Liu Bei will be finished." Cao Cao turned his head and said to Zhu Liu who was standing behind him: "Zhu Liu, you, the account manager of the Central Army and the food and grass director of the whole army, immediately sent an urgent message to Xu Du for five hundred miles, and there is no need to send the follow-up food and grass. It doesn't take a few days, the army can do it." Triumph class teacher." Zhu Liu immediately said: "Decree." That night, when the moon was twilight, Liu Bei led the army out of the south gate of Xiaopei, and Zhang Fei led the army out of the north gate of Xiaopei. The left and right armies marched to rob Cao's camp, leaving only a few lieutenants to guard Xiaopei. Let's say that Zhang Fei thought he had a plan, led the Qingqi elite to gallop ahead, and raided Cao Cao's camp.I saw that there were not many people scattered in the camp.While he was in doubt, flames burst out and shouts shook the sky.Knowing that Zhang Fei had hit the trick, he hurriedly shouted "withdraw" and led the army out of the village.All the troops lying in ambush in the southeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest were killed.First he had a fight with Xu Chu, and then Li Dian. He couldn't stand the enemy and lay in ambush on all sides.Zhang Fei rushed from left to right, covered the front and blocked the back, and retreated while fighting.The elite soldiers in his hands were originally Cao Cao's old troops. Seeing that the general situation was over, most of them surrendered.Zhang Fei was hit by an arrow in his left shoulder, and with his long spear upright, he fought a bloody road and broke out, only dozens of cavalry followed.Wanting to return Xiaopei, seeing that the way forward was cut off, he turned his horse's head and wanted to go towards Xuzhou and Xiapi, but was intercepted by Cao Jun. He wandered left and right and clashed, so he had to flee. Besides, Liu Bei led the army to rob the village, and when they approached the gate of the village, their shouts were loud.An army in front blocked the way, and an army rushed out from behind and robbed half of the troops.Knowing that Liu Bei was in the middle of the trick, he led his troops to break through and leave.Zhang Liao led the army to come, Liu Bei rode his horse and galloped, only dozens of horsemen followed.Eager to return to Xiaopei, he looked up and saw a fire in Xiaopei city, and the sky was full of flames, so he had to say to his followers: "Now I have to give up Xiaopei and go to Xuzhou and Xiapi." Choose your way and run.Before he had gone far, he saw Cao's army blocking his way all over the mountains and plains, and shouted from all around: "Catch the living! You are going to die! Don't let Liu Bei go!" Liu Bei had to turn his horse's head again, and said to dozens of followers: "Xuzhou, Xiapi There is no way to go, now I have to go to Jizhou, Hebei, and join Yuan Shao." After saying this, he led the people to rush across the road.I don't know when, Zhang Liao led his troops to stab at him diagonally.Liu Bei left his entourage and fled to the north alone. Let's say that Liu Bei traveled three hundred miles a day on his own without stopping, and on the second night, he came to Qingzhou City in Yuan Shao's territory and called the door.The gatekeeper went to the city and asked who it was and what happened, Liu Bei reported the truth.The door officials immediately reported to Yuan Tan, the eldest son of Yuan Shao, the governor of Qingzhou.Yuan Tan heard that Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao in Xiaopei, so he ran here alone, and immediately ordered the door to be opened to welcome him.Yuan Tan took Liu Bei to the mansion, and Liu Bei expressed the intention of agreeing with each other in defeat.Yuan Tan was courteous and thoughtful, and left Liu Bei to live in the posthouse. Then he first sent a letter to his father Yuan Shao, and then sent hundreds of people from his prefecture to escort Liu Bei to Jizhou. When Yuan Shao heard that Liu Bei was coming, he personally led all the civil and military people out of the city for thirty miles to meet him, which was quite like a courteous and virtuous corporal.Liu Bei got off his horse to thank him, and Yuan Shao immediately got off his horse and replied: "The day before yesterday, because my child was ill and lost rescue, I was very upset. It is a great honor to meet you today, and I will greatly comfort the longing in my life." Liu Bei said: "Liu Bei, who is lonely and poor, I wanted to join the family of General Yuan, but I never met the opportunity. Now Cao Cao is attacking, and my wife is trapped. I want the general to accommodate people from all directions, and he has the words of recruiting, so I don’t shy away from shame. I hope to collect it. I swear to make a report." Yuan Shao was overjoyed: "With the help of Uncle Liu, my great event has come to an end." After saying that, Liu Bei was invited to mount his horse, and he was welcomed into the city along the way. Cao Cao occupied Xiaopei that night and incorporated all Liu Bei's remaining soldiers and horses in the city.On the second day, he led the army to surround Xuzhou.The banners on Xuzhou City were clearly marked, and Chen Deng led all the soldiers to defend the city. Cao Cao approached the city on horseback under the guard of the crowd, while Xu Chu and Li Dian rode on horseback holding shields to the left and right.Cao Cao raised his whip and pointed to Chen Deng on the tower, saying: "The lone army has taken Xiaopei overnight, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei have fled without knowing where to go, and now the troops are approaching the city. Chen Deng, are you still not surrendering?" Chen Deng said: "Chen Deng Deng is not an incompetent generation. At that time, Chen Deng led the army to defend the city, and he was undefeated for a year against the army of Sun Ce who was besieging the city. Chen Deng was outnumbered and finally turned from defense to attack, defeating an enemy ten times as large as mine. The prime minister is not I don't know." Cao Cao pointed at the vast and well-organized army behind him: "Can Sun Ce's army compare with Gu's army? Can Sun Ce's army compare with Gu's army? Just think about it, Gu's attack on Xuzhou is not just around the corner. Gu again? Let me tell you, I rushed five hundred miles last night, and ordered Xu not to send food and grass here, do you understand this?" Chen Deng pondered for a while on the tower, and said: "Anyone who leads an army to attack the city, Chen Deng was not afraid. Only the prime minister led the army to attack the city, and Chen Deng knew that he could not defend it. Chen Deng could open the door to offer the city, but on one condition." Cao Cao said, "Please spare your life?" Chen Deng said, "No. I hope the prime minister will When the army enters the city, it will not disturb the people." Cao Cao said, "That's natural." Chen Deng said, "Just ask the prime minister to lead the army back a hundred steps, and I will surrender and offer the city." Cao Cao turned his horse's head back to the front of the army, and ordered the army to retreat a hundred steps. step.After the army withdrew, they still lined up neatly. Cao Cao and all the generals were riding on horses, looking at Xuzhou City. I saw Chen Deng waved his hand on the city gate tower and gave an order to bring down all the flags of Liu Jun on the tower and the city wall.Immediately afterwards, Chen Deng waved his hand to give an order, turned around and disappeared on the tower with all the generals, presumably he was already in the lower city.Then, I saw rows of guards and soldiers standing densely on the tower also moved and disappeared one after another.The city gate suddenly opened wide, and the suspension bridge creaked down. Chen Deng led dozens of civil and military officers out of the city gate and stood still outside the city gate.Then I saw groups of heavily armed soldiers walking out of the city gate neatly and standing in line on one side, thousands of them in total.Cao Cao's army here is majestic, and all the crossbowmen hold bows and arrows, ready to prevent sudden changes.Looking there again, the troops leaving the city were lined up neatly. Chen Deng gave an order, and all the soldiers put their swords, guns, bows and arrows under their feet. Then, under the command of Deputy General Chen Deng, rows of soldiers moved to the other side of the city gate to line up.Afterwards, Chen Deng and dozens of civilian and military generals walked in front of Cao Jun with awe-inspiring expressions. Chen Deng led his men to kneel before Cao Cao's horse. The leader and all the generals took off their sabers and put their hands high above their heads, while the civil servants put their hands high above their heads with various seals.Chen Deng said to Cao Cao: "The surrendered general Chen Dengqi reported to Prime Minister Cao, and the other three gates also ordered to lower the flag, open the gate, disarm, and surrender. Please accept the surrender." Cao Cao calmly looked down on the horse and waved his hand , ordered: "Accept the surrender; enter the city; tell the people to Anmin." Guo Jia waved his hand and directed the soldiers to go up and accept the sword seals of Chen Deng and others, and took them aside.Zhang Liao personally led the army over, collected the swords, guns, bows and arrows everywhere outside the city gate, and took the surrendered soldiers aside to reorganize.Then, the generals led their troops into the city in mighty force.After a while, Cao Jun appeared on the city wall, and then Cao Jun's flag was erected.Cao Cao watched leisurely on his horse surrounded by civil and military forces on both sides.Behind is the main force, as stable as Mount Tai.After a while, a soldier flew over to report: "The rest of the city gates have been surrendered. The streets in the city have also been cleared. The prime minister can enter the city." Cao Cao nodded, and rode into Xuzhou City surrounded by the front, rear, left, and right sides.The streets in the city have been guarded by Cao Jun's guards everywhere, and the soldiers posted safety notices everywhere.Cao Cao led the crowd into Xuzhou Governor's Mansion and sat down in the hall.Civil and military officials stood neatly in a line, Bai Shao sat on one side as secretary, and Zhu Liu stood behind Cao Cao to wait on him. Cao Cao ordered Chen Deng to be brought up. Chen Deng came up and stood without kneeling.He glanced at the people present, not only saw Bai Shao sitting beside Cao Cao, but also Zhu Liu standing behind Cao Cao.He froze for a moment. Zhu Liulue lowered his eyes, with a look of indifference. Cao Cao asked Chen Deng, "Why didn't you kneel?" Chen Deng said, "I already knelt when I dedicated the city." Cao Cao asked, "I didn't treat you kindly, so why did you vote against Liu Bei last year?" Chen Deng said, "The prime minister did treat you well." I'm not mean, but Corporal Liu Bei treated me more kindly, so I voted for Liu Bei last year." Cao Cao asked, "Why did you surrender the city today?" Chen Deng said, "Liu Bei abandoned Xiaopei overnight and fled. With the power of Chen I know that Xuzhou cannot be defended. In order to prevent the people of a city from being overwhelmed, dedicating the city to the prime minister is a matter of current affairs." Cao Cao said, "Aren't you afraid of killing you alone?" Chen Deng said, "Chen Deng is not a person who is afraid of death. I am just a person who knows how to advance and retreat. If I want to kill, I will kill without fear. In addition, I know that it is not a capital punishment. Although this sacrifice of the city is useless, it has already paid off the death penalty of betraying the prime minister in the past. The prime minister has clear laws and clear rewards and punishments. The people of the world know how to submit to the prime minister." Cao Cao said, "You surrendered me this time, will you go to others again?" Chen Deng said, "I will never vote for Yuan Shao and his like. But if Uncle Liu Huang still summons, I will If there is a chance, I will defect if I can’t keep it.” Cao Cao asked: “Why?” Chen Deng said: “The Prime Minister’s civil and military talents are like a cloud, and I will never be able to achieve the important positions of Guo Jia, Xun You and others around the Prime Minister, but in Liu Bei’s There, Chen Deng played a very important role in his service. A scholar dies for a confidant, and the prime minister should know that what I am talking about is plain." Cao Cao waved to Chen Deng: "You go with them first, and wait for the orphans to take down the Pi. You go back to Xudu together." Chen Deng glanced at Zhu Liu, and went down with the person who brought him up.Walking out of the lobby of the governor's mansion, Chen Deng stopped suddenly and wanted to turn back: "I have one more thing to remind the prime minister." The people who brought him said: "If you have anything to say, you can talk to the prime minister again, it's not too late." Chen Deng After hesitating for a moment, he followed the person who brought him away. After Chen Deng went down, Cao Cao continued to discuss matters with the civil and military officials. Cao Cao said: "Now that Xiaopei has been taken, Xuzhou has also been taken, and there are still Pi left in the three cities." Xun You said: "Xiapi Guan Yu led the army to defend to the death, and Liu Bei's wife and children are also in Xiapi. If you don't take it quickly, I'm afraid it will be acquired by Yuan Shao. I guess Liu Bei fled to Yuan Shao." Cao Cao said: "I have always admired Guan Yu's martial arts talents. If I want to use them for myself, it is better to have people persuade them to surrender." Guo Jia said: "Guan Yunchang and Liu Bei are sworn brothers. They have a deep sense of loyalty and will never surrender. Besides, when the Son of Heaven was hunting in the field early last year, he tried to kill the prime minister on horseback and with a knife. How can the prime minister forget this festival?" Cao Cao shook his head. Things are always changing." Guo Jia said: "If you send people to lobby, you are afraid of being harmed by them." One of the civil and military people on the left and right came out and said: "I have acquaintance with Guan Yu once, and I would like to go and talk about it." When everyone saw it, it was Zhang Liao.Guo Jia said: "Although General Zhang has an old relationship with Guan Yu, in my opinion, this person cannot be described in words. Guo has a plan to make him have no choice. Then General Zhang will go and talk about it. He will surely Return to the prime minister." Cao Cao nodded: "It is necessary to have such a combination of hardness and softness, and a combination of soft and hard." Guo Jia offered advice: "Guan Yu is a brave man who claims to be an enemy of ten thousand people. He cannot be captured unless he is resourceful. Now we can send Liu Bei to surrender to Xiapi. Seeing that Guan Yu only said that he was defeated and fled back, he should lie in ambush in Xiapi city as an internal response. Then, lead Guan Yu into the battle here, pretend to be defeated, lure him into a heavy siege, cut his way back with elite soldiers, put him in a net, and have nowhere to go, and then talk about it, okay." Cao Cao nodded: "That's how it is done. " Zhu Liu added a sentence behind Cao Cao: "The villain thinks that Guan Yu will never be a prime minister." Cao Cao turned his head and looked at Zhu Liu: "Zhu Liu, you also know Guan Yu very well?" Zhu Liu said: " I have been in Xuzhou for many years, and I have the most contacts with Zhang Fei, and I also have friends with Guan Yu, so I know him well." Cao Cao stood up, walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and said, "I am determined to recruit him." Bai Shao glanced at Cao Cao: "The Prime Minister is very pleased with this kind of deed." Cao Cao looked at Bai Shao: "What did you do?" Bai Shao said: "The more useful someone is, and the more they have opposed you, the more you want to surrender." Absurd, Gu is so true. It was like this to Liu Bei in the past, and it is like this to Guan Yu now." Bai Shao snorted: "I just hope that the prime minister will stop trying to get bigger and suffer losses." Cao Cao said: "This kind of loss is inevitable. Gu wants to accept Guan Yu this time, not only to show off his broad mind, but also to avenge Liu Bei's betrayal of me. I brought all his sworn brothers here, and I will give Liu Bei a stab in the ribs." As he said, he sat down After getting off, he ordered: "Tomorrow we will attack Xiapi and take Guan Yu."