Chapter 78 Cao Cao led his troops to Xuzhou to lure the enemy into attacking Yuan Shu and fall into the trap!
Since the selection of concubines on the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, after more than a month of rigorous assessment, those girls from good families who entered the palace were given the opportunity to sleep with the emperor.

Of course, whether they get the chance to sleep with the emperor depends on whether the Han emperor wants to visit them.

Therefore, these beautiful ladies, like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showed their magical powers and tried every possible means to gain the favor of the Han Emperor.

The palace intrigue in this drama can be made into a TV series called Legend of Zhen Huan!
From then on, Emperor Liu Bian of the Han Dynasty began to work day and night, dealing with state affairs during the day and concubines at night.

They worked diligently and conscientiously, all for the sake of the inheritance of the Han Dynasty and the country and people of the Han Dynasty.

But in two months, the concubines in the harem had no signs of pregnancy. The Han emperor had cast a wide net but had not caught any fish, which caused a strange silence in the harem!
All the officials in the court and Empress Dowager He were also somewhat worried about the future and inheritance of the Han Dynasty.

Even the common people in the capital, in the streets and alleys, after dinner, were discussing which noble lady could give birth to a prince or princess first, so that the mother would be honored by having a son? !
In fact, it can be seen from these gossips that the food crisis in the capital has eased and people's livelihood has become much more peaceful and harmonious. Otherwise, due to the famine, people would have to eat their own children and would not have the time to care about the royal family affairs? !

All of this naturally requires thanks to the confidence that sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn bring to people all over the world, allowing them to see hope and the future.

There are also the Zhen family, the Mi family, and the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, who requisitioned 20 million shi of grain and fodder to alleviate the urgent need!
Of course, the person who needs to be thanked the most is Liu Bian, the wise, brave, and talented king!
Without Liu Bian's leadership, the Han Dynasty would not have been able to prosper, but would have continued to rush towards the abyss!
During this period, the atmosphere in the capital was always peaceful and harmonious. But on this day, a piece of news shocked the capital!
An urgent military report, sent over an 800-mile journey, was delivered to Deyang Palace!

"Your Majesty, when the former Grand Commandant Cao Song led his family from Langya County to Dongjun to seek refuge with his son Cao Cao, Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian sent his subordinate Zhang Kai to lead troops to escort them halfway. Who knew that Zhang Kai was tempted by the money and killed Cao Song's family..."

After hearing this, Liu Bian raised his eyebrows slightly, and his heart was moved!
Death of Cao Song?!
This is an important plot in the original history. I didn't expect that in this life, because of his sudden appearance, so many butterfly effects would occur. Did it happen? !

It’s not that Liu Bian was not alert, it’s just that it’s impossible to guard against it!

Now it is April of the first year of Xingping, that is, 190 AD. The original history of Cao Song's death occurred in 193 AD.

Without saying whether the butterfly effect will change, let’s just say it will happen. Who knows it will happen earlier?!

After Zhuque's narration, Liu Bian realized that "Cao Song will definitely die" because he became the opportunity and breakthrough point for inciting unrest in Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou and Yuzhou!
“…Liu Bei wrote to the emperor that this was a conspiracy by the Yuan family.

"Because there were many bribed villains in his Qingzhou army, they tried to intercept Cao Song and his family halfway. But they were all stopped by Liu Bei.

"Liu Bei was worried that other villains might harm Cao Song and cause unnecessary unrest. Therefore, he sent troops to escort Cao Song.

“But in the end it was still too late!
"When his subordinate Taishi Ci arrived, he repelled Zhang Kai and other bandits and rescued Cao Song's youngest son Cao De, but Cao Song had already been killed.

"The bandit leader Zhang Kai saw that the situation was not good, so he fled south and has not been heard from since.

"Cao Song brought nearly a hundred carts of gold, silver, treasures and baggage, but most of them were looted.

"It can be seen that the real goal of those villains is not to get rich, but to kill Cao Song and put the blame on Tao Qian, causing a dispute between Cao Cao and Tao Qian!"

After Zhuque reported, he guessed: "Your Majesty, based on the clues and traces, I guess that Zhang Kai must be a pawn of the Yuan family, either under the order of Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu."

Liu Bian recalled Zhang Kai's deeds.

Ever since he practiced the Emperor's Luck Technique and the Emperor's Longevity Technique, he felt that his memory had become much clearer.

Therefore, many historical details of the original history were recalled.

General Zhang Kai not only killed Cao Song's family, but also did a great thing - Yuan Shu sent him to assassinate Chen Wang Liu Chong and Chen State Prime Minister Luo Jun.

Zhang Kai is Yuan Shu's pawn!
At this time, Xun You also cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, the dispute between Cao Cao and Tao Qian will surely cause unrest in the surrounding counties. The Yuan brothers will definitely benefit the most from this. But the direct beneficiary is Yuan Shu. Zhang Kai's escape to the south is also a proof.

"I believe that the mastermind behind the plot to bribe the Qingzhou army in Qingzhou and kill Cao Song's family must be Yuan Shao. He wanted to stir up a dispute between Liu Bei, the governor of Qingzhou, and Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou East County.

"Because if Qingzhou and Yanzhou were to fall into chaos, Yuan Shao would be the direct beneficiary.

"If there is a dispute between Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Cao Cao of Yanzhou, it will affect Yuzhou, Xuzhou and Yanzhou, which will be beneficial to Yuan Shu of Nanyang.

"The two brothers are targeting Cao Song. No matter which way they attack, it will inevitably affect Cao Cao in Yanzhou. Therefore, their target is likely to be Yanzhou. And Yuan Shu's move is just a precaution."

...

This analysis was well-reasoned and everyone nodded in agreement.

Emperor Liu Bian of the Han Dynasty had the advantage of foresight and knew that Zhang Kai was a pawn of Yuan Shu, but Xun You and others did not know this. Through intelligence, they were able to analyze the causes and consequences of doing so, which was a great display of wisdom.

"Gongda is right."

Liu Bian turned to Chen State and said, "The goal of the Yuan brothers may be to seize Yanzhou and control the four states in the Central Plains.

"They tried to stir up a dispute between Liu Bei and Cao Cao, but Liu Bei saw through their plan. Later, Yuan Shu used the pawns around Tao Qian to attack, and succeeded unexpectedly. However, if Yuan Shu in Nanyang wanted to go north, he would have to face the loyal officials of the Han Dynasty in Yuzhou.

"Such as the troops of Chen Wang Liu Chong, Chen Guoxiang Luo Jun and others.

"Yuan Shu was famous for his chivalrous spirit when he was young. He liked to make friends with people from all walks of life. He used the Muronghu brothers to steal the imperial seal and the six seals of the emperor. The main force was the gangsters.

"According to Yuan Shu's style of doing things, he might assassinate Chen Wang and other loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty. We have to be on guard!

"Leave this matter to the Jinyiwei, infiltrate and investigate immediately!"

...

"I obey your orders!!!"

Jinyiwei commander Zhuque bowed and accepted the order.

Today, the "No. 1 Manor in the World" is well-known throughout the world, and is poised to become the largest sect in the martial arts world.

Behind them are the Jinyiwei.

The most prominent figure in the world's number one village, 'Murong Hu', was the identity that Xuanwu disguised himself as after Yuan Shu stole the imperial seal and the six emperor's seals and Murong Long, Murong Hu and other gangsters died in battle.

This identity can be utilized!

...

While the king and his ministers were discussing, another military report came in:

"Your Majesty, Cao Cao, the governor of Dongjun, has led his troops to Pengcheng and wants Tao Qian of Xuzhou to give an explanation!"

"Order them to stop fighting immediately!" Liu Bian said in a deep voice.

"promise!!!"

More and more details came in. Although Cao Cao led his troops to Pengcheng, the two sides had not yet fought each other, but were just confronting each other.

No matter how Tao Qian explained, Cao Cao just wouldn't listen!
Liu Bei, the governor of Qingzhou, led his troops to mediate.

The three armies are now confronting each other in the Pengcheng and Peixian areas, but fortunately no major war broke out, and no lives were lost!
This made Liu Bian feel relieved, as he was worried that the war would cause destruction and loss of life as in the original history.

Even Cao Cao went crazy and slaughtered so many people that the Si River stopped flowing!

If this situation really happened, Liu Bian would not mind "giving up his talent" and taking action against Cao Cao!

It should be noted that Liu Bian followed the path of a wise ruler, and the emperor's fortune, the fortune of the country, and the people also required Liu Bian to love the people!
If Cao Cao committed a massacre that was against heaven and earth, angered both humans and gods, and lost the support of the people, Liu Bian would not be merciful!

To put it bluntly, Cao Cao's revenge for his father and targeting Tao Qian is understandable, but attacking innocent people and allowing soldiers to slaughter the city is an unforgivable crime, a stain that can never be washed away!
In this life, Liu Bian would not allow any of his generals to massacre the city!

……

There is no wall that is impenetrable. After the news leaked, the capital was immediately in an uproar and everyone looked towards the four provinces in the Central Plains - Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou and Yuzhou.

The brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are also watching!
As long as Cao Cao and Tao Qian started a war, they would take the opportunity to attack. But Cao Cao, who was obviously impulsive and irritable, seemed to have changed his temper this time.

How can you still keep calm when your father Cao Song is killed?!

In fact, the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and even Liu Bian, underestimated Cao Cao's rationality! In the original history, Cao Cao avenged his father and slaughtered so many people in Xuzhou that the Si River stopped flowing. What was the reason?
First, in the original history, Tao Qian was an ally of Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao was Yuan Shao's vanguard.

Second, Cao Cao took the opportunity to attack Tao Qian. In fact, it was also due to the dispute between Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Cao Cao had enough reasons. The reason why he went to the point of massacring the city was because his army was short of food and he had to allow his subordinates to plunder.

Yes, just because of the lack of food, he allowed his subordinates to plunder the city, which was equivalent to paying military salaries in an alternative way, so that the Si River stopped flowing!
None of these warlord forces regard the people as human beings. They are just pawns to be used, or in other words, livestock to be ruled!

Looking at the Three Kingdoms period, only Liu Bei truly loved the people!
In this life, the imperial power of Emperor Han, Liu Bian, suppressed Cao Cao so much that he did not dare to harbor any ambitions, and therefore he was a true "loyal minister of the Han Dynasty"!
Even if there are ambitions, they will be suppressed by imperial power!

Cao Cao knew that the Han Emperor followed the "path of benevolence" and did not dare to act rashly, provoke wars, and kill lives.

Moreover, Cao Cao also understood from clues and Liu Bei's explanation that this was Yuan's conspiracy.

If he really lost his mind and went straight to attack Tao Qian in Xuzhou, wouldn't that be a trap set by Yuan Shikai? ! That would only make his relatives sad and his enemies happy!

This was not a low-level mistake that a "hero" like Cao Cao could make. Throughout Cao Cao's life, every time he killed someone, he had a political intention!

At this time, the safest option for Cao Cao was to wait for the court's decision.

But Cao Cao still chose to take advantage of the situation, mobilized his troops and marched to Pengcheng to confront Tao Qian of Xuzhou!
Although both parties were loyal to the Han Dynasty, they also had their own interests. The conflict between Cao Cao and Tao Qian was not between them, but within the harem.

...

Once, when the Han Emperor was going to visit a concubine, he saw a bright light suddenly when passing through the Ye Ting. It turned out that the skin of the concubine "Mi Zhen" was too white, and under the moonlight, it glowed like white jade.

That night, Liu Bian visited Mi Zhen and bestowed upon her the title of "Beauty".

...

The concubine who was intercepted at the beginning was Cao Cao's legitimate daughter, Cao Qinghe, who was granted the title of "Beauty"!
It is said that Cao Qinghe waited for him all night without sleep. Afterwards, Liu Bian felt deeply guilty and took good care of her. Later, he gave her the title of "Lady Cao", which became a good story.

This matter seemed to have passed, and Cao Qinghe did not mention it, but Cao Cao kept it in mind after he accidentally learned about it!
The "interception" incident on that day was caused by the Mi family behind Mi Zhen and the connection between Xuzhou Mu Tao Qian and the Mi family, a noble lady in the palace!

Once there is a lesson, there will be a second one. If Cao Cao did not teach the Mi family a lesson and make an example of them, his daughter might have been bullied by any nobody in the palace.

If the mother's family is not strong enough, the daughter will suffer!

The Mi family was a royal family, so Cao Cao naturally could not target them. However, he could target Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, who was behind the Mi family.

This incident also serves as a good excuse for making trouble, and Tao Qian deserves to be blamed!
So, politics is a bloodless war, and war is a bloody politics!
……

More and more news came to the capital.

As the ruler of a country, Liu Bian could mobilize the power of the whole country. Of course, those places where traitors and warlords were separatist were not included in this list.

However, this power is already very terrifying!

With the assistance of Li Siye, the infantry captain stationed at Xuanyuan Pass, and General Tang Kou and Zhang Liao, the governor of Yingchuan, the Jinyiwei quickly infiltrated into the Nanyang area.

Jinyiwei commander 'Xuanwu' disguised himself as 'Murong Hu' and returned to Nanyang as a gangster. He pretended to be hunted down by the imperial court, but was unexpectedly rescued by a mysterious organization called "Iron Blood Alliance".

Xuanwu, disguised as 'Murong Hu', infiltrated the "Iron Blood Alliance" and found out that this mysterious and powerful organization was a mysterious organization created by Yuan Shu, which was specifically designed to connect people in the martial arts world for him and do evil.

Recently, the Iron Blood Alliance received a mission - to assassinate Chen Wang Liu Chong and Chen Guoxiang Luo Jun!

And Zhang Kai, the culprit who killed Cao Song's family, was among them!
If it weren't for the important position of "Murong Hu" and the merit of stealing the imperial seal and the six seals of the emperor, it would be impossible for him to know such an important and secret mission!
"Xuanwu" is an expert in disguise and is proficient in ventriloquism to imitate Murong Hu's tone of voice, which is why he can make the fake look real. If it were anyone else, it would probably be impossible to achieve such a perfect look.

Xuanwu immediately sent the information back to the capital!

……

After discussion, the court decided to lure the enemy out of their hole, lure out Yuan Shu from Nanyang!
Nanyang belongs to the Nanyang Basin, a fertile land with abundant food and grass. It is the most populous county in the Han Dynasty, with a population of more than 2.4 million!
The population of Nanyang County is equivalent to that of another state. It can be seen that the land in Nanyang is fertile and can support such a large population!

But this also became the reason why the imperial court was "cautious about using force to deal with the rat"!

If war breaks out, the 2.4 million people will be displaced and countless people will be killed or injured. Moreover, the fertile land of Nanyang may be in ruins and damaged, and it will take several years to rebuild.

This is not the result that Emperor Han Liu Bian wanted to see!

And because of the emperor's luck technique, Liu Bian also needs enough luck. If a population of more than 2.4 million people falls into war, they will undoubtedly lose this luck!
Therefore, Liu Bian never launched a strong attack on Nanyang’s military developments!

It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I can’t!

Liu Bian deployed his troops and appointed Zhang Liao as the governor of Yingchuan to confront the neighboring Nanyang and Runan.

Chen Wang Liu Chong, Chen Guoxiang Luo Jun and other important officials from various counties in Yuzhou were all confronting Yuan Shu in Nanyang. There was also Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

Yuan Shu was attacked from all sides, but there was no major war between the two sides and they remained in a state of stalemate.

This time, Yuan Shu instigated a dispute between Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Cao Cao, and secretly assassinated Chen Wang Liu Chong and Chen State Prime Minister Luo Jun, undoubtedly in an attempt to find a breakthrough.

Liu Bian decided to take advantage of the situation and lure the enemy into attacking!
……

With the help of Xuanwu disguised as 'Murong Hu', Chen Wang Liu Chong and Chen Guoxiang Luo Jun faked their deaths and hid in secret.

At the same time, Cao Cao and Tao Qian, under the instruction of the court, broke out into a war. But if you were there in person, you would know that it was just a bluff.

Liu Bei, the governor of Qingzhou, was "accidentally" implicated.

This resulted in the mobilization of military defenses in Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou and Yuzhou, while the military defenses in Qingzhou and Yanzhou were left empty.

This finally made the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu unable to hold back and take action!
They issued manifestos one after another.

Yuan Shu denounced Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, for killing the imperial official, Grand Marshal Cao Song, which was an unforgivable crime. He sent troops to suppress the rebels and awaited the imperial court's decision.

Yuan Shao accused Cao Cao of avenging his father, which was understandable, but he crossed the border without the court's permission and his crime was unforgivable, so he sent troops to attack him.

In short, just find a plausible reason to have a legitimate reason!
Yuan Shao crossed the Yellow River from Jizhou and attacked Yanzhou.

Yuan Shu went north from Nanyang, Jingzhou, passed through Runan, Yuzhou, and passed through Chen State, Yuzhou. He decided to enter Chenliu County, Yanzhou from Chen State.

This is also why Yuan Shu first wanted to assassinate King of Chen Liu Chong and Prime Minister of Chen Luo Jun, instead of assassinating other Yuzhou prefects or prime ministers.

Because this is his military route map for attacking Yanzhou in the north!
Yuan Shu attacked Yanzhou and tried to seize Chenliu first. This was a populous county in Yanzhou, with a population of nearly one million and an important geographical location. The Suanzao coalition army was stationed in Suanzao County, Chenliu County.

However, when Yuan Shu's army set out one after another, leaving Nanyang County of Jingzhou and entering Chen State of Yuzhou from Runan County of Yuzhou.

Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Zhang Liao, the governor of Yingchuan, directly attacked Nanyang.

Although Yuan Shu left behind his generals and troops to guard Nanyang, without the main force, he was no match for the combined attack of Liu Biao and Zhang Liao, and was defeated step by step.

At the same time, Chen Wang Liu Chong, who had faked his death, and Chen State Prime Minister Luo Jun also outflanked Yuan Shu.

Cao Cao and Tao Qian, who were bluffing in a battle in Pei County, immediately stopped fighting after learning that Yuan Shu had been successfully lured into a trap. Cao Cao led his troops westward to attack Yuan Shu's troops who had entered Chenliu County.

As a series of military intelligence and battle reports came in, Yuan Shu's army realized that they had fallen into a trap!
This is a strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain!

But they never expected how Chen Wang Liu Chong and Chen Guo Xiang Luo Jun could fake their death and escape? !
It was clearly the "Iron Blood Alliance" under Yuan Shu who was personally involved in this matter, and the bodies had been confirmed, so how did they escape? !
If the two men had not died, Yuan Shu would not have been so decisive in leading his troops north to Yanzhou.

Because only when King Chen Liu Chong and Chen Guoxiang Luo Jun died, Yuan Shu's army could smoothly move north. And if Liu Biao and Zhang Liao attacked Nanyang, they could also come back to help immediately.

But now, Prince of Chen Liu Chong and Prime Minister of Chen Luo Jun surrounded Yuan Shu's army and blocked their way back to Nanyang for reinforcement.

……

(End of this chapter)