Chapter 19 borrow a knife to kill

Later general Yuan Shu escaped from Luoyang with Cao Cao in the past, and he also stood firmly on the front line against Dong Zhuo. However, since the jade seal passed down by the Han Dynasty fell into his hands, he gradually developed his own ambition to be emperor. Yuan Shu gained a foothold in the Huainan area, and his army and horses were not too powerful, and his strength was not too strong, but the enemy he feared the most was Cao Cao.So when Cao Cao welcomed Liu Xiedu Xu, he almost gave up his dream of being an emperor.But later got the news that Cao Cao lost to the weak Zhang Xiu in Wancheng, which fueled Yuan Shu's arrogance.He believes that the Han Dynasty has lost its ruling prestige, and even Cao Cao can no longer help the Han Dynasty.Driven by such lucky ideas and power ambitions, Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in February of the second year of Jian'an (AD 197). summit.

Regarding this change, Cao Cao's attitude was a little gloating.Originally, all the turmoil in the world was aimed at him for "serving the emperor to win over his ministers". Now that Yuan Shu is proclaimed emperor, all the spearheads will turn to Huainan. It is tantamount to someone acting as a public enemy for him.In order to attack Yuan Shu, and even to win over other separatists in the name of attacking Yuan Shu, Cao Cao and Xun Yu immediately recruited Du Xi, Zhao Yan, and Fan Qin, who had avoided the Jianghuai chaos, to Xudu to learn about Yuan Shu's details. Du Xi, Zixu, Zhao Yan, Boran, and Fanqin, Xiubo, were all from Yingchuan. In order to avoid the war, they went south to Jianghuai together, and then went to Jingzhou together to attach themselves to Liu Biao.When they heard that the emperor had settled down in Xudu again, the three of them turned back to the north together, willing to return to the imperial court to serve.Although the three of them exchanged wealth and goods to advance and retreat together, this was just an expedient measure among fellow villagers. In fact, the three of them behaved differently: Du Xi was bold and bold, with provocative words, and quite resolute; Zhao Yan was thoughtful and thoughtful. No matter how big or small, she looks like a housekeeper; Fanqin is famous for his poetry and prose, and has a slippery and sophisticated personality.The three of them are like carriages running on three roads, they have nothing in common, yet this difficult world binds them together.

After listening to their self-introduction, Cao Cao lowered his head and recited: "There are dangers and changes in the world, and there are ups and downs in fortunes. The old man and his glory, the precious and precious." Fanqin was taken aback. This was a play he made when he lived in Jingzhou I didn't expect Cao Cao to know about a miscellaneous poem. He felt quite honored on his face, but he said modestly: "My clumsy work is unbearable to everyone's ears." Cao Cao has always been interested in poems and prose, he shook his head and said, "It's too modest to say that my writing is humble, but why do you always hold the idea of ​​being in harmony with the light?"

"Liu Biao of Jingzhou is a mediocre man in troubled times, but he can't do anything while sitting in Jingxiang. Sun Ce conquered the Jiangdong land without restraint, and Yuan Shu established himself as emperor and did not conquer it. How can such a mediocre person achieve great things? He lives in a sojourn, so naturally he has to live with the light and the dust. Now that he is under Cao Gong's tent, he must show his talents and do his best. Hehehe..." Fanqin couldn't help laughing at the end. Flattering literati... These four words clearly appeared in Cao Cao's mind.Throughout the dynasties, there has been a kind of person who, with the title of a famous scholar, specially finds chapters and excerpts to make flattering articles to praise the ruler. Fanqin must be this kind of person.Cao Cao could see it clearly. When he was talking, Du Xi and Zhao Yan looked at him with white eyes. You can guess without asking. Don't look at him scolding Liu Biao. I am afraid that he wrote for others when he was in Jingzhou. Advocacy text.

Cao Cao laughed it off, ignored Fan Qin's words, and said instead: "I expelled Yuan Shu to Yangzhou in the past. I heard that the land of Shouchun is rich and rich. He has defeated Liu Bei one after another, and now he is called Emperor. I don’t even know how powerful he is, since the three of you once took refuge in Jianghuai, do you have any lofty views to get rid of this rebellion?" When asked about serious matters, Fanqin immediately became more "introverted", lowered his head and gestured with his fingers, unable to say a word of insight.But Du Xi said in a loud voice: "In the past, when the king of Chu aspired to the throne, his virtue was not his strength. Yuan Shu had no virtue to the people of Jianghuai, let alone the scholars of Han. The puppet dynasty he established only recruited some local tyrants, bandits, and alchemists. Liu, generals Qiao Rui and Zhang Xun were useless soldiers, Wu Lan and Lei Bo were born bandits in Yanshan, and the rebels Yang Feng and Han Siam had nowhere to live under his command. The people of Yangzhou resented him when he assumed his title. All the people in the Jianghuai River resented him. He took away the envoy of Ma Rizun in the past because he wanted to force Ma Gong to be the third prince of the puppet dynasty, which caused the old man to die in depression. He also hijacked Chen Ying, the youngest son of the former Chancellor Chen Gui, in order to make him accept the puppet government. Chen Gui refused to go to the post, and he was insulted by the anti-revision letter. Later, he wanted to use Jin Shang, a celebrity in Jingzhao, as the Taiwei, but Jin Yuanxiu refused and wanted to escape to Xudu, but was caught and killed by Yuan Shu. Killing a famous scholar on the day of the emperor, can this still win the hearts of the scholars in the world?"

Speaking of Jin Shang and Jin Yuanxiu, Cao Cao was still a little guilty of this person.When Liu Dai, governor of Yanzhou, was killed by the Yellow Turban Army, Bao Xin, Chen Gong, Wan Qian and others supported him as the Lord of Yanzhou, but the Xijing court sent Jin Shang to officially take over the post with the emperor's edict.In order to monopolize Yanzhou, Cao Cao blasted Jin Shang out of Yanzhou's borders, making him desperate to live with Yuan Shu, and thus planted the root of the unyielding murder. Now that he heard that Jin Shang died so violently, Cao Cao was quite touched, and turned to ask Xun Yu: "I didn't know that Jin Yuanxiu was so loyal to the Han Dynasty. I shouldn't hastily expelled him from Yanzhou that day, and made him suffer such a disaster. Did he still Are there any brothers and nephews in the north?"

"His younger brother Jin Xuan is now Huang Menlang." "Draft an imperial edict and promote Jin Xuan to be Yilang." Cao Cao felt that this would kill two birds with one stone. It could not only show his kindness, but also appease the forces in Kansai by the way.After ordering this matter, Cao Cao said to Du Xi again: "Although Yuan Shu is not convinced by virtue, it is enough to cause disaster for a while if he marches across the Yangtze River and Huaihe River." But Du Xi dismissed him and said, "Yuan Shu is stern and weak. He is afraid of Duke Cao's master and Lv Bu's prestige. He conquered Xuzhou twice and knew Lv Bu's bravery very well. Yao is his wife..."

"Have you ever been married?" Cao Cao couldn't help interrupting him. "Lu Bu's daughter is still young and not yet married." Cao Cao heaved a sigh of relief, looked at Xun Yu again, and the two nodded knowingly.As the saying goes, "Separate marriages do not last", if Lu Bu and Yuan Shu became allies due to their sons and daughters' relatives, they would double their strength and harm Dongnan; Du Xi seemed to see what they were thinking, and laughed loudly: "In my opinion, the thief of Yuan Gonglu who is waiting for death, Lu Fengxian repeated his son, is the generation who inserts the label and sells the head! I would like to invite a team, but it will not be more than ten months. Take the heads of these two thieves and offer them to the Ming Hall."

This is too big a word, don't say that it is impossible to send troops now, even if they send troops, how can they break these two people in ten months?But whether Du Xi is arrogant or unrealistic, at least he let out a word of encouragement. Cao Cao looked at him with his mouth curled up and pretending to be serious, and it was not good to dampen his enthusiasm. He just swallowed and said: "Zixu Courage is commendable, this matter will be decided after the imperial court discusses it." This was just a tactful refusal, but Du Xi really took it seriously, cupping his hands and saying: "Then I will wait for the imperial court's decision in Xudu, and I am always ready to take the lead. Soldiers leave."

Cao Cao has never seen such a person, so he really doesn't know what to say about him. Since he is willing to wait, let's wait indefinitely.Xun Yu was also quite embarrassed, so he quickly changed the subject: "What about the people's livelihood in Huainan, I don't know how many years they can support Yuan Shu's attack?" "Well..." Zhao Yan spoke up this time, and said slowly, "Huainan was originally a rich place, but since Yuan Shu came here, he was arrogant, extravagant and extravagant, and the people were miserable. When he became emperor, he changed the prefect of Jiujiang to Huainan Yin, and built The palaces and ancestral temples are still in the northern and southern suburbs of Shouchun, and the expenses are overwhelming. And according to rumors, there are hundreds of wives and concubines in his harem..." Speaking of this, he suddenly asked Cao Cao, "Did Cao know that Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor and the queen he appointed who is it?"

"I don't know." How could Cao Cao care about such a thing. "It's the daughter of an old friend of yours! The daughter of Feng Fang, the captain of Xiyuan, has been made queen by Yuan Shu." "What?!" Cao Cao became furious when he heard the words—official Yuan Shu worshiped Huben Zhonglang in the past, and official Feng Fang worshiped the captain of the Xiyuan Assistant Army.Later, Feng Fang unfortunately contracted an illness and died young. It is said that when he was dying, he entrusted his wife to Yuan Shu to take care of him, but Yuan Shu actually took care of his daughter to his harem!Is this still the heroic Yuan Gonglu back then?How can people change so much? Zhao Yan continued: "There are hundreds of wives and concubines in the harem, and they are dressed in beautiful clothes and delicacies, but the soldiers are hungry and cold and lack clothing and food. In the Jianghuai area, almost all the people eat each other. Last year, I led the people through the Huainan area. , It was in winter, when I passed by a deserted village, I happened to meet a few children aged four or five who were begging by the side of the road. I saw them all sallow and emaciated, so I wanted to help them. It happened that one of the food I was carrying was a stew Chicken, so..." Both Cao Cao and Xun Yu felt that he was off topic, why did he even come out with braised chicken?But he was too embarrassed to interrupt, so Cao Cao coughed lightly. It’s okay if you don’t cough, but after coughing, Zhao Yan realized that he was going too far, so he quickly explained: "Sorry... I just encountered this incident by chance, and I feel very touched. In fact, I can talk about it or not. Tell me It may not be of any help, but if I don’t talk about it, I can’t help but still want to say, are Ming Gong① and Ling Jun willing to listen?” 『①Cao Cao's Sikong is one of the three lords, so his subordinates respectfully call him "Ming Gong". The "three gongs" refer to Taiwei, Sikong, and Situ. Taiwei is in charge of military affairs, Sikong is in charge of supervision, and Situ is in charge of civil affairs. 』 Cao Cao was too embarrassed to say that he didn't want to ask such a question, so he could only bite the bullet and said: "Bo Ran just talks, but let's make a long story short, I still have a lot of political affairs to deal with Mr. Xun Ling." "No." Zhao Yan agreed, "At that time... where did you just say?" "Braised chicken." Cao Cao reminded patiently. "Oh, I happened to have a stewed chicken with me, so I broke off two chicken legs and gave them to eat. They were so hungry that they rushed to eat, and I moved my heart and gave them the whole chicken. Who would have thought they would eat it?" After finishing, they still refused to leave, and followed closely behind my horse. I asked them why they still didn’t leave, and guess what they said?” Cao Cao prevaricated: "I don't know... I want another chicken from you?" "No," Zhao Yan said bitterly, "They asked me for another two chicken legs." "What do you mean?" Cao Cao didn't understand. Zhao Yan's narrowed eyes suddenly widened: "They thought a chicken had four legs!" This story seems ridiculous, but its meaning is chilling.Four or five-year-old children have never seen a chicken, and they think that chickens have four legs like donkeys and horses, which shows how poor the people of Jianghuai are.Under such circumstances, Yuan Shu was still extravagant and lustful, dreaming of an unrealistic emperor's dream. Cao Cao couldn't help shaking his head and sighing: "I fled Luoyang with Yuan Gongtong in the past, thinking that we could fight against Dong Zhuo together. I didn't expect that a Jade Seal of Chuanguo, which I picked up by accident, would harm him like this. Don't say he was If he is not the emperor who will unify the world, he will be an out-and-out fool. For the sake of the Han Dynasty and the people of Jianghuai, I must get rid of this tyrant who is so lucrative and stupid!" Yuan Shao, Zhang Miao and Wang Kuang who died under his own butcher knife, Han Fu who hanged himself to death in Chenliu, these righteous men who raised troops in the Kanto region, all their life aspirations were swallowed up by this troubled world, and they parted ways and became incompatible with each other. enemy.For a while, Cao Cao felt a lot of emotion, and felt that his chest was oppressed. He got up and walked to the entrance of the hall to chant: 〖There are righteous men in the Kanto, and they raise troops to fight against the gangsters. In the early days, when I met with Tianjin, my heart was in Xianyang. The army is not in the same strength, hesitates and walks wildly. Snobbery makes people fight, and heirs kill each other. The title of Huainan's younger brother is engraved in the north. The armor is full of gnats, and all surnames die. The bones of the dead are exposed in the wild, and there is no rooster crowing for thousands of miles. Living people leave behind one hundred and one, and the thought of it breaks people's hearts. 〗 "Wonderful!" Listening to his poems, Fanqin finally seized the opportunity to show his courtesy, "Minggong's poems point out the problems of the times and give a bird's-eye view of the world. It is a masterpiece through the ages!" "It's not worth it." Cao Cao was still in a low mood, "but I just expressed my feelings at the moment, and the words are crude and difficult to be elegant." "No and no." Fanqin shook his head and sighed, "Clumsy words may be conceived of ingenious meaning, mediocre things may be sprouted in new ideas. It is like rough hemp, although the cloud is not expensive, finely woven, it looks precious! Cao Gong exported it into articles, Turn a stone into gold!" "Don't dare to take it, don't dare to take it." Cao Cao felt that he was flattering a little too much. "Husband's emotion is in terms of form, haircut and writing, cover and concealment to show, because of the inside, it also fits the outside. Only then can there be mediocrity, temperament has hardness and softness, learning is shallow and deep, habits are refined and vulgar, and temperament is born. , It also infects and coagulates." Fanqin changed the subject, "Cao Gongcai is handsome and vigorous, and he has learned deeply and elegantly, so he can produce this excellent work. Although it seems to be commonplace, there is a lesson to be learned from the world with his sincerity to serve the country! I admire it very much... ..." He said with a solemn face and bowed deeply. Cao Cao secretly marveled in his heart - there really are people in the world who can flatter so gracefully!Although it is a bit flattering, the analysis of the diction is still penetrating. This person is not useless, but he can save it... Although he thought so in his heart, he said: "The three are busy, go back to the post to rest, Wait for me to play the emperor and add official appointments." "No." Du Xi, Zhao Yan, and Fan Qin got up together, and walked out. Seeing them all leave, Xun Yu smiled slightly: "Du Zixu is too stubborn, Zhao Boran is too trivial, and Fanxiu is too flattering! None of these three are great talents." Cao Cao didn't think so: "Kong Zhongni taught students according to their aptitude, and we should also appoint officials according to their aptitude, but we can choose the best one. I have already thought about it. I ordered Du Xibu, the magistrate of Xi'e County, Nanyang County. Xi'e is close to Liu Biao, Zhang Xiu, Du Xi's fortitude and determination can help me stick to the important town. Ren Zhao Yan as the county magistrate of Langling, Yanzhou. Langling is so powerful and lawless. Shuzuo, he is good at writing and ink, so let him write and repair my watch for me!" Xun Yu found it interesting that he used it according to his aptitude, but he heard Cao Cao say again: "Wen Ruo, what do you think about the crusade against Yuan Shu?" "Now the army is defeated and the soldiers are exhausted. Besides, the remaining thieves in Zhangxiu have not been eliminated, and Nanyang has not been fully settled, so we cannot send troops lightly. If the Duke of Ming sends troops for Shouchun, Lu Bu will attack the king's army because of his relatives, and he will be attacked on both sides! "Xun Yu stroked his beard and said, "Instead of launching an army to fight, it would be better..." "It's better to use Lu Bu's sword to kill Yuan Shu!" Cao Cao took over, "No matter which of the two of them wins, we will benefit. It is best if they fight and lose!" "I also mean the same thing." "Okay! Lu Bu is now General Fenwei, I'll give him a rank and name him General Dongping." Xun Yu was not without worries: "Can just a general Dongping make him break with Yuan Shu?" The position of general is actually very empty, and it has been everywhere since the war. In fact, there is no real power at all, just a symbol of honor. "I have my own way." Cao Cao said as he walked to the case and picked up a pen. "Lü Bu is brave and foolhardy. I will write him a letter to show my wooing." Xun Yu was curious, so he came over to look at it, but Cao Cao wrote: 〖Shanyang Tun sent the general lost the big seal.The country has no good gold, so it is better to take the good gold from the family alone as a seal.The country has no good ribbon, so I take the purple ribbon I wear as a symbol of my heart...〗 Cao Cao is talking nonsense with his eyes open.He hated Lu Bu to the bone, how could he protect his official position?He also kept saying that the emissary lost his edict in Shanyang, and made up lies with nose and eyes.Although the imperial court had just been established and was not yet rich, it still had the golden seal and purple ribbon, but Cao Cao said that he gave Lu Bu the golden seal and purple ribbon from his own family. Xun Yu thought it was funny: "With such a letter, can we get rid of the estrangement with Lu Bu?" "Lv Bu once assassinated Dong Zhuo. Regardless of whether it was public or private, he was still a person of meritorious service to the country. He had the position of a prince, so he probably wouldn't go farther and farther with Yuan Shu, a rebellious person. Moreover, the two of them were not without grievances. Lu Bu fled Chang'an because he wanted to go to Yuan Shu, but he was expelled if he refused to accept him. Now that Xuzhou is occupied, Yuan Shu is rushing to marry him. How can such a relationship last? Lu Bu just wanted to join hands with Yuan Shu To protect ourselves, the enemy we are fighting against is us." Cao Cao sneered slightly, "But if we take the initiative to reach out to him and make him feel safe, he will relax his guard and join us, then Yuan Shu will become a common enemy. enemy." "Lv Bu is easy to make money, I'm afraid Chen Gong will be scheming." Xun Yu reminded again. "It doesn't matter. In the old days, Fu Chai, the king of Wu, had Wu Zixu as his loyal assistant, and Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu, had Fan Zeng to advise him. So what if there are wise men who don't accept their words?" Cao Cao blew the ink on the bamboo slips. But it is better than a thousand horses and thousands of troops. Quickly send people to Xuzhou with the edict and my letter to spread the edict, and make Lu Bu General Dongping." "Promise." Xun Yu suggested, "The current imperial court Fengche Duwei Wang is a fellow of Lu Bu, you can send him to pass the edict." "Very good. Also..." Cao Cao thought of Liu Bei again, "Send another letter to Liu Bei in Pei County, telling him not to fight with Lu Bu for now, we are going to borrow a knife to kill someone!"