My younger brother Zhuge Liang

Chapter 232: Supporting the Han Dynasty Together and Being Loyal Ministers

Liu Bei realized that Cao Cao might also be fooled by Zhuge Liang's move of "helping Liu Biao to be high-profile", thus accelerating his collusion with Zhang Xian and Sun Ce. Naturally, he attached great importance to this.
He also asked Zhuge Liang to collect the latest relevant information as soon as possible, and then wrote a letter to inform Zhuge Jin in Danyang, asking the eastern front to be prepared to deal with the changes.

After receiving the order, Zhuge Liang said that it might take another three or four days to collect the latest information and find out the latest movements of Cao Cao, trying to be as comprehensive as possible and definitely not delay important matters.

……

Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

Almost at the same time when Zhuge Liang was spying on Cao Cao's latest movements, Cao Cao himself was making final preparations before the expedition in Xudu these two days.

The friction and contradiction between him and Yuan Shao had become increasingly obvious. The situation, which had been eased by him trying his best to surrender and admit his mistakes in early winter last year, had once again reached its peak.

Cao Cao was worried that Yuan Shao would order Guo Tu and Wen Chou to launch an attack at any time, so he had to go to the front line in Chenliu County in person to inspect the deployment of the Yellow River defense line.

However, as Xu Du was the capital of the Han Dynasty, it was also an extremely important place. Even though he would leave Xun Yu to defend it, Cao Cao would not dare to be careless at all. He was determined to eliminate any instability in the rear before leaving.

About ten days ago, Cao Cao heard for the first time the news that "Liu Biao had blocked the Han River in order to prevent the secret envoys and spies from Xudu from going south."

This news made him very nervous for a time, and he immediately summoned Xun Yu and Guo Jia to discuss and let everyone talk about what Liu Biao's move meant.

After discussing with Guo Jia, Xun Yu agreed that if the intelligence was correct, it meant that Yuan Shao had invested heavily in Liu Biao, and Liu Biao was determined to follow Yuan Shao. Once the war between Yuan and Cao on the Yellow River defense line in the north began, Liu Biao would most likely stab him in the back, at least to avenge Zhang Xiu's surrender in Nanyang.

After hearing this analysis, Cao Cao felt very distressed: "Alas, everything has its price. I am eager to recruit Zhang Xiu and expand the court's military strength, but this also irritates Liu Biao.

Zhang Xiu was Liu Biao's ally, and Liu Biao had spent a lot of money, food and military equipment on Zhang Xiu over the past three years to keep him from falling. Now that he was easily persuaded to surrender by a decree of enthronement from the imperial court, how could Liu Biao not be angry? Being stabbed in the back by Liu Biao should be the inevitable backlash of trying to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender. I had too high expectations at the beginning.

Well, let's verify it as soon as possible. If Liu Biao's actions are true, we will immediately transfer other trusted men from Xudu and go south to Wancheng to block Liu Biao to prevent any accidents!

Also, once verified, don't worry about breaking up with Liu Biao. Immediately send a secret envoy to contact Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha, and promise him the title of General Zhennan and Governor of Jingzhou! Tell Zhang Xian that as long as he helps the court overthrow Liu Biao, he will be General Zhennan! He will be Governor of Jingzhou! All of Liu Biao's power and honor can be transferred to him!"

After Cao Cao made the decision, he sent his trusted confidant Wang Bi to investigate the intelligence. After just seven or eight days, Wang Bi reported back, saying that all the actions he had found regarding Liu Biao's sealing of the Yangtze River were completely consistent with the previous rumors.

Then, Cao Cao sent a secret envoy to contact Zhang Xian without hesitation.

With this step, he had completely drawn the bow to Liu Biao and there was no turning back. He could only contain him but not win him over.

After sending out the envoy, Cao Cao made some emergency deployments, but the troops sent to Wancheng to guard against Liu Biao had no arrival yet. Cao Cao felt that he did not have many generals available, and most of his main forces had to guard against Yuan Shao.

In the direction of Wancheng, after Zhang Xiu was transferred to Chenliu, it would be difficult to find anyone to replace him.

So, on the 19th day of the first lunar month, Cao Cao once again summoned Xun Yu and Guo Jia for a final discussion.

Cao Cao asked Xun Yu directly, "There are not many soldiers available for dispatch from Xudu right now, and there are no trusted generals to be sent out. Who should guard Wancheng?"

Xun Yu was also in a difficult situation, but fortunately he had actually been thinking about this problem for seven or eight days. Ever since Cao Cao asked Wang Bi to verify Liu Biao's movements last time, Xun Yu knew that this day would come, so he had been thinking about it recently.

Xun Yu replied swiftly: "In my opinion, you should send General Zilian to guard Wancheng. We don't need too many troops. We can just send some of the troops that are currently chasing Gong Du in Runan to Wancheng.

Liu Biao had not attacked for many years, so his troops were not prepared for a hard fight. The most important thing for the defender of Wancheng is absolute loyalty and reliability. He is unlikely to surrender when surrounded by the enemy, not the number of troops. "

When Cao Cao heard Xun Yu mention Cao Hong, he couldn't help but hesitate.

Cao Hong was not a good general. Among the Cao and Xiahou generals trusted by Cao Cao, he was obviously weaker than Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren. However, he was not lacking in personal martial arts and bravery.

However, there is no doubt that Cao Hong is trusted. This winter, Cao Cao had arranged for him to be in Runan to pursue Liu Pi and Gong Du who were instigated by Yuan Shao in the Runan area.

After more than two months of full-scale pursuit, Liu Pi was surrounded and killed by Cao Cao's heavy troops, and he also recaptured several important counties. However, Gong Du was still on the run with the remnants of his army, hiding again in the depths of the Tongbai Mountain area. Crossing the main ridge of Tongbai Mountain, to the south was Jiangxia County controlled by Liu Bei. The situation was very complicated, and it would take more than one or two months to kill all the enemies hiding in the ravines.

Xun Yu made such a suggestion, obviously because he felt that it would be difficult for Cao Hong to achieve anything great before the snow on the mountains thawed, and it would be impossible for him to wipe out the remaining troops of Gong Du.

Therefore, it would be better to free up Cao Hong and move him westward to the Wancheng defense zone, and then replace him with a less trusted secondary general to deal with Gong Du.

Cao Cao stroked his beard repeatedly, almost pulling out several strands. He sighed helplessly, "Forget it, this is the only way. Zi Lian will not be able to play a big role in the Chenliu front. Let's use his loyalty and let him stay in Wancheng. Then who should we send to Runan?"

Xun Yu didn't know what kind of subtle hints he had received in the past two months, or maybe he really felt that there was no one else available, so he said inexplicably:

"If there are really no generals available, why not send Gao Shun to Runan? As long as we can bring all the Lü Bu troops who surrendered in Pengcheng to the Chenliu front to deal with Yuan Shao, and don't let Gao Shun lead his original troops, there shouldn't be any problems.

The troops in Runan were still the old troops that Zilian was used to leading. If Gao Shun gave a disobedient order, they would certainly not listen. Lü Bu had made achievements in the Battle of Henei and also showed his repentance and desire to survive. Perhaps Gao Shun should also be given a chance to perform and see what happens next.

Moreover, in Runan, the snow in the valleys of Tongbai Mountain has not melted in the first month of the year. In the next two months, the army will not be able to cross the main ridge along the valley. In addition, Lu Bu and Liu Bei have many grievances, so it should not be a problem. After a few months, when it is time to give Gong Du the final blow, it will be in time to adjust according to the current situation. "

Cao Cao's eyes flashed a few times. Although he was still a little worried, he had to admit that letting Gao Shun go to Runan was at least safer than letting Gao Shun go to Wancheng.

Wancheng is flat with Xiangyang and Fancheng. If someone with a different mind wants to surrender to Liu Biao, it will be easy to get there. Moreover, Wancheng was occupied by Zhang Xiu for four years. Before that, it belonged to Jingzhou. During the alliance between Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao, Liu Biao must have infiltrated deeply. It is absolutely necessary to have a trusted general to defend it. In contrast, Runan is only separated from Jiangxia Liu Bei by mountains and there is heavy snow blocking the mountains, so it is not a big problem.

Runan is a rare experimental field that seems to be isolated from the world. It is just the right place to test the loyalty of the newly surrendered generals.

If we don't try it with Runan, unless Cao Cao doesn't plan to use Gao Shun in this life, he will just keep him in an idle position like Lu Bu and never let him have the power to lead troops.

After much hesitation, Cao Cao finally made the decision: "Well, now that we are short of soldiers and generals, this is the only way. In addition, send another 3,000 troops from Xudu to strengthen the defense of the southern line. We will do it tomorrow!"

Xun Yu took the order and immediately made arrangements for personnel deployment.

……

Late next night, Xudu, Right General’s Mansion.

Having recovered from the injury sustained in the leg by a crossbow arrow in early winter last year, Lu Bu has been leading a very cautious life recently.

He knew that the pressure from Yuan Shao on Cao Cao was increasing, but he no longer wanted to get involved in Cao Cao's mess, so even after his leg injury healed, he did not dare to publicize it and just wanted to rest quietly.

Two and a half months had passed since Dong Cheng last found him, and Dong Cheng didn't contact him again afterwards, so Lu Bu almost forgot about Dong Cheng's matter. When he occasionally thought about it, he just thought that Dong Cheng didn't find an opportunity, or that there was no accurate news from His Majesty.

However, that night, when Lu Bu was planning to rest with Diao Chan, he suddenly heard that Gao Shun was coming to visit. He hurriedly put on his clothes and went out to meet the guest.

"Zhongda, I haven't seen you for many days. Why are you suddenly here in the middle of the night?" When Lu Bu saw Gao Shun, he was still a little surprised and confused.

Gao Shun's face was as gloomy as water. "I have received an order from Cao Cao to go to Runan today to replace Cao Hong in besieging the remnants of Gong Du's army. It seems that Cao Hong will be transferred to Wancheng to guard against Liu Biao. Therefore, I have come to bid farewell to Wen Hou."

Gao Shun is an old subordinate of Lu Bu. Even though he has been stripped of his affiliation with him now, he is about to go to war, and coming to Lu Bu to say goodbye is a show of loyalty, and outsiders will not doubt it.

Even if Wang Bi discovered it and passed it on to Cao Cao's ears, it would be natural.

When Lu Bu heard the letter, he suddenly became alert and remembered the agreement he had made with Dong Cheng two and a half months ago.

At that time... he seemed to have said that if he wanted to do something big, the prerequisite was to find a way to get Gao Shun out of Xu Du, and help Lu Bu move his wife and daughter to a safe place, only then would he dare to let go and do something big.

Now Gao Shun was actually sent out? Could it be...

"Does General Wei really have such great ability? Is he really going to take some action?" Lu Bu was confused and doubtful.

Just when Lu Bu was confused, Gao Shun hinted at Lu Bu with his eyes, and Lu Bu waved his hand to dismiss the other attendants. Gao Shun confirmed that there was absolutely no one around, and then continued in a low voice:

"I don't know what the Marquis Wen and General Wei are planning, but General Wei has just entrusted me with his young children, as if he is planning something big and wants to leave a way out secretly. He also told me to come to the Marquis Wen's mansion, take away the Marquis Wen's wife and daughter, dress up as a man, sneak in among the personal troops, and take them out of Xudu.

I dare not ask more questions. If Wen Hou really has this intention, I will follow it. General Wei also said that it will take at least three to five days, or at most ten to eight days, and it will definitely not be discovered..."

Lu Bu's pupils finally couldn't help but shrink violently several times.

He took several deep breaths. The feeling was even more nervous than when he set up a plan to kill Dong Zhuo eight years ago.

"Why doesn't General Wei come to see me in person!" Lu Bu couldn't help but lower his voice but asked sternly and firmly, almost shouting.

Gao Shun: "General Wei is here too. He is afraid of being discovered, so he disguised himself as my personal attendant. If Marquis Wen wants to see me, you can find a secluded place and I will bring him in secretly."

Lu Bu: "Of course I want to see you! I'll tell my wife to take Ling'er with her and follow your instructions. She shouldn't be too arrogant."

……

After a while, Lu Bu sternly instructed his wife and daughter, then went to a remote study room and met Dong Cheng, who was just brought in by Gao Shun and was wearing servant's clothes.

Dong Cheng also changed his low-key and probing attitude two and a half months ago, and his expression tonight was extremely stern.

After the two met, they were silent for a long time, just testing each other with their eyes.

After confirming that the other party's gaze was firm, Dong Cheng suddenly pulled out a jade belt from his sleeve and placed it between the two of them with the back facing up.

Lu Bu looked carefully and saw that the brocade on the back of the jade belt had been cut open by a knife, and there was silk with words on it inside.

"Marquis Wen, Cao Cao has now moved Cao Hong to Wancheng, and has also drawn 3,000 elite soldiers from the already precarious Xudu garrison to reinforce Wancheng. He is also sending Cao Xiu as General Gao's military supervisor to Runan to keep an eye on General Gao.

In Xudu, Cao Cao's trusted soldiers and generals are all empty to an unprecedented degree, the weakest in four years. The opportunity cannot be missed. Why don't you see the will of His Majesty with your own eyes, Lord Wen?"

Lu Bu's heart was beating faster than ever before.

Is this His Majesty's order?!
(End of this chapter)