Xuzhou incident.

In 194, the first year of Xingping, Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou Tao Qian, but Tao Qian was defeated and asked Qingzhou Governor Tian Kai for help.

Tian Kai invited Liu Bei to Xuzhou to rescue Tao Qian and fight against Cao Cao, so Liu Bei came to Xuzhou.

Later, Zhang Miao of Chen Gong betrayed Cao Cao and welcomed Lu Bu to take control of Yanzhou. Cao Cao's base fell and he had no choice but to withdraw his troops, and the siege of Xuzhou was lifted.

Tao Qian recommended Liu Bei as the governor of Yuzhou and asked him to garrison troops in Xiaopei to guard against Cao's army.

In the second year of Xingping, Tao Qian died of illness. Before his death, he entrusted Xuzhou to Liu Bei. With the support of Chen Deng, Kong Rong, Mi Zhu and others, Liu Bei took control of Xuzhou.

In the autumn of the second year of Xingping, Lu Bu was defeated by Cao Cao. He led his remaining army to Xuzhou and asked Liu Bei to take him in. Liu Bei asked Lu Bu to garrison Xiaopei to guard against Cao Cao, so Lu Bu settled in Xuzhou.

Cao Cao appointed Liu Bei as the General of Zhendong and granted him the title of Tinghou of Yicheng.

In 196, the first year of Jian'an, Yuan Shu attacked Xuzhou. Liu Bei took Guan Yu and others to Guangling County in the south to fight Yuan Shu, and ordered Zhang Fei to garrison Xiapi County.

There was internal strife between Zhang Fei and Xuzhou general Cao Bao, and there was great chaos in Xiapi City. Lu Bu took advantage of the situation and seized Xiapi County, Langya, Pengcheng and other counties. He occupied Xuzhou and captured Liu Bei's wife.

Liu Bei was defeated by Yuan Shu in Guangling and took the remaining troops back to Xuzhou to seek peace with Lu Bu.

Lu Bu asked Liu Bei to garrison Xiaopei to guard against Cao Cao.

In October of the first year of Jian'an, Yuan Shu ordered Ji Ling to lead 30,000 troops to attack Xiaopei Liu Bei. Lu Bu shot his halberd at the gate, and Ji Ling retreated.

In early 197 of the second year of Jian'an, Yuan Shu ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun, and formed an alliance with Lu Bu. Cao Cao appointed Lu Bu as General Zuo in order to win over Lu Bu.

Under the persuasion of Chen Deng, the prefect of Guangling, Lu Bu sent Yuan Shu's envoy to Xudu to be beheaded. Then he responded to Cao Cao's call and led his army to attack the traitor Yuan Shu.

In August, Yuan Shu's troops withdrew from Lujiang and sent counselor Yan Xiang to Xuzhou secretly, telling Lu Bu that after Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu, he would turn around and attack Xuzhou.

Under Chen Gong's persuasion, Lu Bu led his army to sneak attack Cao's rear formation after Cao's army encountered a flood, and Cao's army was defeated.

On the Xuzhou side, Liu Bei received funding from the Mi family and recruited troops in Xiaopei, secretly developing tens of thousands of troops.

After Lu Bu returned to Xuzhou, he saw Liu Bei's strong soldiers and horses. He felt that Liu Bei wanted to cause trouble, so he led his army to attack Xiaopei. Liu Bei was defeated and his wife was captured again.

Liu Bei asked Cao Hong for help, and Cao Hong led 5,000 troops to rescue him. However, he was defeated by Gao Shun, the general of Zhonglang, and Zhang Liao, the governor of the north.

Cao Cao could only put aside the war in Huainan and return to Xudu.

Seeing that Cao's army was retreating, Lu Bu led his army back to Xiapi and sent people to form an alliance with Yuan Shu.

The weather was getting colder, so Cao Cao discussed with his advisers and decided to suspend his troops temporarily and fight Lu Bu again next year. He recommended Liu Bei as the shepherd of Yuzhou, sent money, food and materials to Liu Bei, and asked him to return to Xiaopei to recruit troops and horses to attack Lu Bu.

"The Prime Minister truly loves Liu Bei."

Cao Xin looked through Xuzhou's information and sighed.

Starting from 194, Liu Bei stood on the opposite side of Cao Cao time and time again and hurt Cao Cao time and time again.

But Cao Cao kept giving Liu Bei promotions, including General Zhendong and Yuzhou Shepherd. Soon he would make wine with Liu Bei and become General Zuo, which was only slightly lower than Cao Cao's Chariot General. He treated Liu Bei like an idol.

I really appreciate it.

Opposite Yi Ji, who had returned from Xinye, said, "It is said that Liu Yuzhou is an outstanding person in the world, with outstanding majesty and a reputation for benevolence and righteousness. Prime Minister Cao and Liu Yuzhou cherish heroes."

"Haha, a hero cherishes a hero. Who do you think can be called a hero in this world?"

Cao Xin poured a cup of hot tea for Yi Ji.

Yi Ji stroked his beard and said with a smile, "I think that only those who can manage the army by mounting horses and calm the people by dismounting can be called heroes. There are hundreds of heroes in the world, but there are only five people who can be called heroes. Prime Minister Cao, Liu Yuzhou , Yuan Shao, Sun Ce, and the general came face to face."

"Haha, I don't need to say it. I just want to live a happy life and never want to be a hero."

Cao Xin was sitting on the soft pillow. Two beautiful maids behind him were gently squeezing his shoulders and arms. Two maids were squatting beside his thighs, tapping to help relax his muscles and bones.

Yi Ji shook his head helplessly. Before he met Cao Xin, he heard that Cao Xin was a lustful person. He liked beauties, lived in mansions, ate delicious food, wore silks, went out to ride on golden carriages, ate, drank and had fun, and was arrogant and licentious. A person who does not pay attention to personal ethics.

After joining Cao Xin's command, he found that Cao Xin was not that unbearable.

Cao Xin fought bravely and moved forward indomitably. He also paid attention to strategies, was brave and resourceful, and knew how to train troops and generals. He was a good general. He also knew people well and assigned them well in governing the local area. His political performance was not as bad as those of the prefects with outstanding political achievements. He was also a good official. .

After seeing this, Yiji thought that people had misunderstood Cao Xin, or that someone was deliberately spreading rumors to throw dirty water on him.

He originally planned to take the opportunity of coming to Xudu to publicize Cao Xin's actions and achievements in Nanyang through the channels of his friends, and change the world's view of Cao Xin.

But after arriving in Xudu, I saw Cao Xin's mansion, which was even more grand than the palace;

There are hundreds of maids in the house, all of them beautiful women;

The food, drinks and entertainment at home are also very particular and cost a lot of money;

He himself went in and out, rode in a golden carriage, and swaggered through the streets;

When I get home, I become lazy and often stay in the back house without being able to come out.

One after another, they are completely arrogant and extravagant, and they don’t need anyone to accuse them of injustice.

Yi Ji once tried hard to persuade Cao Xin to emulate the famous generals, give up those bad habits, improve his own moral character, and leave his name in history in the future.

Cao Xin ignored him, saying he didn't care about his personal reputation or whether he would be remembered in history after his death, he only cared about whether he was happy or not in the present.

For this kind of person, Yi Ji has both helplessness and admiration. A person who enjoys fame and wealth but is not obsessed with fame and wealth is something that people can't help but admire.

"Uncle Ji, after the affairs in Rangcheng are over, what are your plans? Should you continue to be the governor of the county, or should you return to the imperial court? I have several recommendation places in my hand, and I can leave one to you. You can apply as you please from the prefect below."

Cao Xin asked, holding two walnuts in his hand.

Xu had two purposes for this trip to Yiji. One was to bring the "Xinye Peace Treaty" and ask him to sign it; the other was to come to the court with Bo Bianqi, the commander of the Xiliang Army, to collect Zhang Xiu's official edict and fulfill the original intention. agreement.

"General, my subordinate has served in Nanyang County for many years and is quite familiar with Nanyang affairs. I would like to stay in Nanyang and serve."

Yiji thought for a moment and said.

"It's okay. I will follow the Prime Minister to conquer the north and south, and I have no time to interfere with Nanyang affairs for the time being. Liao Hua, Zhang Baiqi and the others will also withdraw from Nanyang. Mao Xiaoxian will soon be transferred back to the Prime Minister's Mansion by the Prime Minister for appointment. Government affairs in Nanyang I’ll leave it to you and Zhengfang to take responsibility.”

"Yes, General!"

Yi Ji bowed down and worshiped.

Cao Xin raised his hand to support him, and then remembered another thing.

"What's going on there, Jia Wenhe? I've been so busy lately that I forgot to ask."

"General, my subordinates have personally talked to Jia Wenhe, and he seems to have concerns."

Yi Ji hesitated and said.

"What concerns?"

"Well, the general once said that Jia Xu had a treacherous plan to bring chaos to the world, lost his wife and lost his troops. This comment made Jia Wenhe famous for a while, and was also regarded by the scholars as an immoral and treacherous person. All this is thanks to the general.

.

Therefore, when his subordinates visited Jia Wenhe, Jia Wenhe refused and said that he did not want to use treacherous tactics to harm the general again. He planned to wait for the incident in Rangcheng to be completed and then return to Xiliang with Zhang Xiu."

Yi Ji stroked his beard and said.

Cao Xin laughed, remembering what happened in Bowangpo a few months ago.

"He did all those things, and I didn't accuse him wrongly. Why did he feel wronged? Forget it, I have some free time in the winter, so I'll go with you to Nanyang and meet this great talent in person."

"The general is courteous to the corporal and has the style of a famous general in ancient times. My subordinates congratulate the general."

Yi Ji smiled slightly.

"Haha, don't put gold in my face, otherwise you will be disappointed."

Cao Xin laughed loudly, hugging a maid and playing with her on the table.

Yiji's beard trembled at the corner of his mouth and he hurriedly stood up to say goodbye. If he continued to sit down, he might be led astray.

Looking at Yi Ji's figure, Cao Xin smiled slightly, waved his hand to the maids to step back, and got up to go to the back house to play music.
Chapter completed!