Chapter 38 on the verge of collapse
Cao Cao and Lu Bu fought in Puyang, Cao Jun could not attack Puyang City, and Lu Bu could not get rid of the trapped situation.The two armies were so close to each other that they had a stalemate for more than a hundred days, until something unexpected happened suddenly.
In the autumn of the first year of Xingping (AD 194), a large-scale locust plague broke out in Yanzhou.Those locusts covered the sky like dark clouds, destroying the fields wherever they passed, and devouring the food crops.As a result, the food supplies of Cao and Lu's armies were in short supply at the same time.Cao Cao had almost eaten up all the food he had robbed from Xuzhou, and his plan to get food from the nearest local area was completely defeated by the locusts. In order to save the decadent situation, Cao Cao had to order the withdrawal of troops and transfer to Juancheng, which Xun Yu had preserved.
The situation on Lu Bu's side was even worse. He was trapped in Puyang City, and his food had already been eaten up.Finally, Cao Cao withdrew his troops and the enemy's threat was lifted, but the food crisis still could not be resolved.Lu Bu could only stare at a pair of hungry blue eyes, and led the remnant soldiers to transfer.A great battle was caused by the plague of locusts, and the people fled everywhere and almost died.Starvation everywhere, burned houses, dilapidated city walls, and barren fields, Puyang County, which was once governed by Cao Cao, was completely destroyed, just like those counties in Xuzhou that were massacred, it became a deserted empty city...
On the way Cao Cao moved to Juancheng, the situation got worse and worse.Most of the soldiers in Qingzhou have collapsed, and the soldiers in Yanzhou have gone home one after another because their homes are in the local area.
In order to avoid incidents such as mutiny, Cao Cao had to order the disbandment of the army, and when he finally arrived in Juancheng, there were only less than 10,000 people left.
In the Yanzhou rebellion, Cao Cao's power fell from the peak to the bottom in an instant. There were a total of 80 counties in the eight counties of Yanzhou, and only Juancheng, Fanxian and Dong'e were left in his hands.Thanks to Xun Yu's tenacity in Juancheng, Dong'a and Fan County were kept by Cheng Li and Xue Ti. Without the careful planning of these people, the retreating army would really be homeless.
When Cao Cao returned to Juancheng, his mood was extremely depressed. Not only were the soldiers he led tired and hungry, but the situation in the city was not much better.Juancheng is also about to run out of food, and soldiers and people have died in large numbers in order to resist Lu Bu's invasion.And those confidant officials who kept the city for him also looked pale. Seeing that Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu, Bi Chen, Mao Jie and others were all unkempt, standing on the hall, Cao Cao realized that they were exhausted. It's unbearable.
"Although the rebellion in Yanzhou this time was done by people who are prone to chaos, the reason for it is that I killed innocent people indiscriminately, which caused anger and resentment, and caused everyone to suffer." Cao Cao felt guilty and made a speech for everyone. Confused.
Everyone fell to their knees with a clamor: "The envoy is the master of Yanzhou, so don't compromise your identity."
Envoy! ?Cao Cao felt that his face was hot, and there were only three counties left, what face was there to be called an envoy.He shyly helped everyone up one by one, and comforted everyone, but he refused to get up when he reached Biejia Bichen.
"My lord, you have treated me very well since you were like Yanzhou, so Chen and everyone worked together to protect the city and wait for the king to return." Bi Chen kowtowed to Cao Cao.
"Bi Gong has worked hard, I've come back, let's talk slowly."
Bi Chen looked up at Cao Cao, seemed to have struggled in his heart for a long time, but finally said: "Your Majesty, please allow me to leave."
"Huh?" Cao Cao didn't expect to hear such words when he entered Juancheng, "Isn't Mr. Bi willing to help me stabilize the world?"
Bi Chen kowtowed again: "It's not because I dare to assist the envoy, but...my family is in Dongping, and my mother was kidnapped by the rebels, so I have no choice but to go."
Cao Cao felt a burst of fear, and looked around at the crowd, half of them were Yanzhou natives, if everyone had a hostage and fell into the enemy's hands, he would really be doomed.But what can he say in front of Xiaoyi, he supported Bi Chen and said: "Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot be combined. Since Bi Gong has the wish of Da Shun to plow the fields and Huang Xiang to warm the table, I will not force you to stay."
"Your kindness is as great as a mountain, and I will go here only for my mother, and I swear that I will not protect the rebels." Bi Chen kowtowed for the third time: "My mother is under the control of the enemy, and I will suffer day and night. I really can't delay, so don't let it go. !” After saying that, he got up and gave a deep bow to everyone present, and he was about to leave the hall with big strides.
"Wait a minute!" Cao Cao called to stop him.
Bi Chen trembled, fearing that Cao Cao might change his mind, he turned around and asked, "What does your envoy mean?"
Cao Cao sighed: "I got a lot of property from Xuzhou. Mr. Bi can take some at will. I have seen Lingtang to greet her on my behalf."
Bi Chen blushed: "A person who abandons his master dares to ask for money and goods again, and I will be ashamed to accept it again, so let's go." Hearing Cao Cao's words like this, he seemed to feel more at ease, and walked out slowly.
Zhizhong and Biejia are the right-hand men of the governor in handling government affairs.Wan Qian left angrily before, and Bi Chen also left this time. Cao Cao has completely become an assassin in name only.He looked back at all the people present, he didn't know who else had the same thoughts as Bi Chen, but he refused to ask, for fear that if he asked a single word, everyone would rush away with their difficulties.
Suddenly a soldier came to report: "Let's report to the general, there is an envoy from the general in chariots!"
"Please come in quickly." Cao Cao's eyes lit up. If Yuan Shao can help at this time, the chaos in Yanzhou will not be difficult to put down.
After a while, Yuan Shao's envoy arrived, followed by Zhu Ling and the other three Hebei generals.The envoy looked solemn, and when he saw Cao Cao, he gave a deep bow and said, "My general sends his greetings to Mr. Cao."
What is it?Cao Cao returned the gift and said, "I also turn to Brother Yuan for me."
"The war in Hebei has been tense recently. My general has been working hard day and night. It is really hard to support!" The messenger seemed to have come prepared, and blocked the way before Cao Cao asked for a loan of troops and food.
Cao Cao felt awkward as if he had eaten a fly, but he still asked politely, "Sir, why are you here?" The envoy lowered his head and said, "East County is at the center of the river, and there has been a famine recently, and my general can't bear it." The people are in trouble, and it is decided to send Zang Hong to temporarily act as the prefect of Dongjun, and I will come here to report to the envoy."
Cao Cao hated and annoyed.At this time, Yuan Shao intervened in Yanzhou affairs, clearly wanting to take advantage of the fire to expand the territory, and everyone knew that Zang Hongyuan was Zhang Chao's subordinate and returned to Hebei. Using him as the lord of Dongjun shows that Yuan Shao is on two boats and may kick Cao Cao at any time. Instead, he supported Brother Zhang Miao.Yuan Shao wanted to kill someone before, but now he wants to take advantage of him. Yuan Shao is really ruthless.But now Cao Cao is too late to deal with the rebels, and Yuan Shao can't care less about intervening. He just sneered and said: "The general loves the people like a son, which is admirable! But Xiahou Yuanrang here is the general of the Dongjun County, and the general is Zang Ziyuan. Lord of Daidong County, where will Yuan Rang be placed?"
"This is the edict of General Che Qi, and I hope the envoy will understand you." The envoy looked at Cao Cao and then at Xiahou Dun, but he also felt unsatisfactory, with a bit of embarrassment on his face, and hurriedly added: "Zang Ziyuan is just acting on his behalf. , this matter can be discussed after Yanzhou is pacified."
What else is there to discuss, Yuan Shao is considered to have snatched Dong Jun away.Cao Cao's heart is clear, but now he has no choice but to be patient, nodded and said: "Okay, Dongjun will be under the jurisdiction of General Cheqi for the time being, and we will talk about it later."
"Thank you, envoy." The envoy bowed again, "My general has another proposal. I am afraid that the disasters and chaos in Yanzhou will be difficult to deal with. Why don't you lead the rest of Henan and return to Hebei, and join the general in one place until the time comes. How about redrawing this place?"
Finally revealed his original intention, is this trying to completely control me?Cao Cao frowned.He had worked so hard to escape from Hebei and made a name for himself, but now that he suffered setbacks, Yuan Shao wanted to recruit him back again.Once he goes back, he will have to live under the fence again, which means that all these years of hard work will be in vain, and Yuan Shao is afraid of his own talent, so he may not be able to let him go in the future.
The envoy took an inch forward and threw out a threat: "The envoy sent out three battalions to help Xuzhou in the previous campaign. Now Heishan is raging in Hebei, and the battle in Weijun is tense. Zhu Ling and other departments should go back!" A drop fell on Cao Cao's head. Cold sweat, these days he takes the soldiers from Hebei as his guests, even if there is not enough food and grass, he will first take care of them. Now that he says to withdraw, he will withdraw, and the strength of the troops will be greatly reduced. How can this battle continue?
Seeing that Cao Cao was nervous, the envoy softened again: "I know the suffering of the envoy. In the past, the yellow scarves in Yanzhou were rampant. If it weren't for the envoy's power, the envoy would not be able to calm down. The envoy fought against Yuan Shu in the south and Tao Qian in the east. It is really due to the people here. But you can be afraid of the treacherous villain. If you don’t fear the powerful enemy, do you want your family to suffer?” He changed another condition, “Maybe you might as well move your family to Hebei for refuge, my general Seeing that the envoy's family members will not come here, I know that you have made up your mind to protect Yanzhou, and you may be moved. At that time, I would like to make a good word for the envoy, and I implore my general to send troops here to help the general quell this place. Chaos, wouldn’t it be the best of both worlds?”
He spoke high-soundingly, and to put it bluntly, he wanted to take hostages.The hostage was given to Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao was controlled by Yuan Shao, which was no different from taking refuge in him.Cao Cao nodded in agreement and said with a smile: "Well, sir, I will step down for now, and I will discuss this matter with my subordinates again."
"I respectfully wait for the envoy to make a decision." As he said, he folded his hands and retreated.
Cao Cao looked around at the crowd and said tentatively, "I intend to temporarily send my family to Hebei, what do you think?"
Xiahoudun was the first to stand up to object: "Meng De, you were in Hebei in the past, but your family members knew to stay in Chenliu. Why are you going after the flock today? This proposal is definitely not feasible!"
Cao Cao knew that he was definitely against it, but he was from his brother's close group, and this opinion could not represent the majority, so he said with a stern face: "This time is also the other time, people's hearts are scattered today and cannot be restrained, we should follow the expedient strategy." Deliberately using words that separate people's hearts to stimulate everyone.
Sure enough, Mao Jie also stood up: "Xiajia Xiaoshang is still in the village, and I have never heard of the rebels looting. We are not afraid of powerful enemies. Why do you do this? I have never heard of people who are not seeking for the society, but for themselves. You can rule the world!" These words were already very strong, but now the tougher they are, the happier Cao Cao heard them, he spread his hands and made a wry smile: "Xiaoxian's words are also reasonable."
Xun Yu didn't even say a word. He knew Cao Cao very well. He was just posturing at this time, and he would never be easily controlled by others, so he didn't need to take it seriously.Cao Cao glanced at him, and the two looked at each other, and it was self-evident that their hearts were connected.Zhang Jing murmured a few words with Liu Yan, Wu Zhou and others, and then said loudly: "Your Majesty, my family and I are all in Qingzhou, so there is no need to worry about it. Going thousands of miles away is to remember the old feelings of the past, and the second is to feel that the Lord is helping the country. Zhi, if you can’t rely on others, then I won’t dare to serve you anymore.” This statement was more resolute, and Cao Cao was ecstatic, but seeing Xu Tuo and a few small officials still hesitating, it seems that There are still big problems!
At this moment, there was a burst of wild laughter from far to near, which seemed so incongruous with the tense atmosphere in the hall——Cheng Li came from Dong'e County.He didn't report to the door, and walked into the hall swaggeringly, and bowed to Cao Cao: "I heard that the envoy has returned, and come to pay respects."
Cao Cao raised his hand: "Zhongde, please take care of Dong'a and Fan County...what were you laughing at?" Cheng Limei said happily: "I had a dream. I dreamed that I was standing on Mount Tai holding the red sun up! This must be true. God ordered me to assist a senior scholar to calm the chaos in the world."
Everyone whispered to each other, not knowing whether what he said was true or not.Xun Yu smiled and said, "Stand on Mount Tai, holding the red sun in your hand. There is a 'sun' on the 'stand', which is called 'Yu', and the Yu is bright. Good omen, good omen!"
Cheng Li became more and more happy: "Brother Wen Ruo has learned a lot, since it is a good omen. Then my name, Cheng Li, will also be changed. From then on, I will change my name to Cheng Yu, and I will try my best to help you achieve success!" He is rather impatient. , Even the name was changed in the blink of an eye.Xun Yu hurriedly said, "It's a pity that you came too late, so Junzheng is planning to send his family to Hebei as hostages! What do you think?"
"Oh?" Cheng Yu rolled his eyes and bowed to Cao Cao, "My lord, I think of something about an ancient man, would you like to hear about it?"
"Speak!" Cao Cao knew that he was going to make a big speech.
Cheng Yulang said: "Once upon a time, there was a Tian Heng, who belonged to the family of the Qi State. Three brothers were kings. According to the Qi of thousands of miles, there were millions of people, and they were all alone with the princes in the south. After Gaozu won the world, he was forced to surrender to captives. .At this moment, how can you be so heartless!"
Cao Cao said with a smile: "Of course, dedicating the country to others is the most humiliating husband. Tian Heng's suicide can also be forgiven."
Cheng Yu worshiped again: "Yu is a fool. He doesn't know the general purpose, but he thinks that the general's ambition is not as good as Tian Heng. Tian Heng, who has the ears of a strong man, is ashamed to be a high-ranking minister. Now I heard that the general wants to send his family to Ye. But it's about Yuan Shao. With the general's intelligence and martial arts, he is not ashamed to be under Yuan Shao, and he is ashamed to be the general!"
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao smiled and reminded, "It is an expedient measure to separate people's hearts."
Cheng Yu is even smarter, he can tell a little bit, he got up and started talking again.But the words were addressed to Cao Cao, but the people present were already walking up and down to watch:
"Husband Yuan Shao occupies the land of Yan and Zhao, and he has the heart to unite the world, but his wisdom cannot help him. Can the general himself be inferior? The general, with the power of dragon and tiger, can be evil for Han and Peng? Although Yanzhou is now There are still three cities left. There are no less than ten thousand people who can fight. With the general's supernatural power, Wen Ruo, Yu, etc., take them and use them, and the career of overlord can be achieved. May the general be more concerned about it!" He said so , Those hesitant people gained a little confidence, they had to kneel down, and said in unison: "May the general be more concerned!"
Cao Cao finally managed to catch his breath, stroked his beard and said, "Okay, I am determined not to attach Yuan Shao or move my family, so I will discuss and plan here, and fight the rebels to the end! Send the messenger of Hebei quickly."
Where is there still use of biography, the envoy heard clearly from outside, and rushed to the hall, followed by the three generals of Hebei.With a livid face, he bowed and said: "Since the envoy has made up his mind, it is inconvenient for me to stay for a long time, so I will go back to Hebei with the three generals."
"Go away sir." Cao Cao gave him a blank look.
The envoy turned around angrily, and called the three Hebei generals to leave, but Zhu Ling suddenly stepped forward and shouted: "I'm not leaving!"
No one expected this change, they didn't know much about Zhu Ling's life experience: Zhu Ling was from Qinghe, since Yuan Shao came to rule Jizhou, he has been loyal and has made many military exploits.In the past, Qinghe ordered Ji Yong to rebel in the city and seek refuge with Gongsun Zan, and Yuan Shao sent Zhu Ling to quell the rebellion.Ji Yong was terrified, and took Zhu Ling's family to the tower to threaten them. Zhu Ling looked at the city with a strong temper and wept: "When a husband is born into a family, how can he take care of his family again!"In the end, Zhu Ling captured Ji Yong alive, and everyone in his family was killed by the knife, leaving him unaccompanied.Since then, he hated hostage-taking the most.Today when Zhu Ling heard that Yuan Shao was going to take Cao Cao's family as hostages, he remembered what happened back then, gritted his teeth in anger, and was heartbroken for his lord, so he immediately decided to abandon Yuan and return to Cao Cao.
The emissary was very surprised: "Zhu Wenbo...you...you..."
Zhu Ling raised that rebellious face and said: "There are many people in Lingguan, and there is no one like Cao Gong. This is the true master. Now that we have met, what should we do?"
"Okay! If you don't leave, don't leave! I will take your soldiers away."
"You dare!" Zhu Ling stared, "If you dare to move a soldier in my camp, I will destroy you!" The envoy was afraid that he would kill someone if he stared at him, so he cupped his hands and said, "You, you...you can do it yourself. "Lead the other two generals to go.Cao Cao was overjoyed in his heart. He originally thought that the three battalions in Hebei would have to go, but he didn't expect that there were still people who would take the initiative to stay, so he got up immediately to thank him.Suddenly, two more people came to the door hand in hand with smiles, and Li Qian found Wan Qian back.
"Wan Gong, you are..."
Wan Qian smiled and said, "I'm back to join you."
Cao Cao suddenly felt ashamed: "In the past, I killed the three of Bian Rang, Wan Gong, you..."
Wan Qian waved his hand: "I don't want to mention the past. Although the emperor killed a few scholars, he didn't harm the people of Yanzhou innocently? On the contrary, he selected officials to love the people, but the one in Bingzhou led by Lu Bu was tyrannical and violent. Wudu, is there a difference between you and the envoy? I am willing to come back and assist the general to quell the civil strife. Although I can't fight, but after a long time in Yanzhou, I can still persuade several counties by showing off my old face."
Li Gan also said: "My Li family has food and grass in the Cheng family village, and I am willing to go there in person to persuade the people to join the general."
"Good! Good! Good!" Cao Cao stepped forward and grabbed their hands, "With everyone's help, how can Yanzhou's difficulties be injustice?" Cheng Yu interjected, "Your Majesty, I am in poverty and have no food here, and I am already in Dong'a Prepare food and grass for the soldiers to use, why don't we lead the troops to Tundong'a County!"
As soon as this statement came out, some people were awe-inspiring.Cao Cao didn't know, but some people had heard about it. Because of the lack of food and grass in Dong'e, Cheng Yu became vicious, killed the rebels in the county, and dried the meat to fill the army's rations!The thought of cannibalism made everyone look ashen, but at this time Cao Cao was determined to continue fighting in order to maintain his strength, and no one dared to break the window screen.
Cao Cao's situation is very bad, but he has not realized that the balance of victory has been tilted to his side at this moment.God helped again, Lu Bu, the all-powerful and so-called flying general, was about to capsize in a small gutter...