My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 214: Liu Bei wants to dig up the roots of the nobles! Congratulations to Duke Chu, the opportunity to recover the Central Plains has been presented to you by Cao Cao!
As soon as Cao Cao said this, the whole room was in an uproar.

Everyone present had heard to some extent about Liu Bei's Xiaohe Reforms and the implementation of the two systems in the south.

Most people just listen for fun and don't think too deeply about it.

After all, you, Liu Bei, only have three states, and one of them, Jiaozhou, is almost the same as not having it. It's such a small place. No matter how much you mess around, what kind of splash can you make?

We have control over nine states including Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Si, Ji, You, Bing and Yong!
Besides, while you, Liu Bei, are carrying out reforms, we are not idle either. Various policies to encourage farming and mulberry cultivation and restore the economy have already been implemented.

No matter how you calculate it, it's nine mines versus three mines, and the advantage is on me!

But how could our Duke Wei be so frightened by Xiao He's reforms, and even to the point of being so impatient to lead his troops to the south?

Don't listen to alarmist words, make a mountain out of a molehill...

Most of the Wei officials, including Cao Pi, had the same idea in their minds.

Only Cao Chong had a serious expression and sighed:

"This system of military service and equal-field distribution is truly a remarkable system that transforms decay into magic, turning weakness into strength. It can elevate the war potential of the three states controlled by Liu Bei to its utmost."

"I have to say, this Xiao He is truly the most extraordinary person in ancient and modern times!"

"As father said, Xiao He's reforms are indeed comparable to Shang Yang's!"

Cao Cao calmed down a little from his fear, and there was a hint of relief in his eyes when he looked at Cao Chong.

Apparently, both his father and his son saw the same thing and saw the power of Xiao He's reforms.

"Cang Shu, I don't understand. What is so great about these two systems created by that country bumpkin that they can rival those of Shang Jun?"

Cao Pi frowned deeply and looked at his younger brother with confusion.

Cao Chong took a deep breath and said slowly:

"The essence of the equal-field system is to take abandoned farmland and turn it over to the government, restricting land annexation, and then granting land to the people."

"People who have land are rich, and when they are rich they can provide their own weapons and food, and then they can be recruited by the pseudo-Chu army to fight for Liu Bei."

"Since the soldiers have property registered in the register, they dare not flee easily. To protect their property, they will fight to the death."

"In this way, Liu Bei will be able to obtain a large and well-armored elite force willing to fight bravely and die without spending any money or food!"

"Although Liu Bei only has three states, if he carries out Xiao He's reforms for a few years, he can at least build an army of 200,000 to 300,000 men."

"How great a threat is this army marching north to our Great Wei? Second brother, I don't need to explain this any further."

Cao Pi suddenly realized what was going on, shuddered, and looked at his younger brother in shock.

That look showed shock at the Xiaohe Reforms and the two new systems implemented by Liu Bei, which turned out to have such terrifying power.

He was even more shocked that his younger brother, a child prodigy, could see through the mystery so easily.

Cao Chong's cleverness made his brother look like a political idiot.

"Ahem, what Cang Shu is thinking really coincides with what I am thinking."

Cao Pi coughed dryly a few times and smiled awkwardly as if he had expected it.

Then he pretended not to care, turned around and bowed to Cao Cao:

"Father, I also know the power of Xiao He's reforms. I didn't expect Cang Shu and I to have the same idea."

"In fact, I think that if the Fubing system and the equal-field system can turn the weak into the strong, then they can also turn the strong into even stronger."

"If that's the case, why can't we use it for our Great Wei—"

Before he could finish his words, Cao Cao's expression changed and he shouted in a deep voice:

"This is a matter of national importance, one that affects the survival of the nation. If you haven't considered it carefully, don't make hasty judgments!"

Cao Pi was interrupted and looked embarrassed.

When he looked up, he saw that Cao Cao's eyes were meaningful, as if he was giving him some hint.

Cao Pi's thoughts raced as he pondered over what he had just said, and suddenly he came to his senses.

The two systems created by Xiao He could not be implemented in the State of Wei at all.

Take the equal-field system for example. Your Wei State was full of noble families and wealthy clans, and none of them would fail to take advantage of the war to seize abandoned land.

You want to take over the abandoned land and make it government-owned, and prohibit the sale and merger of land. Isn't this taking food from the mouths of the nobles and wealthy families?
Stealing someone's money is like killing their parents. How can they let you go?
The reason why you, Cao Cao, were able to establish a country and be granted the title of Duke, and why you were able to dominate the north, was, firstly, because the Cao and Xiahou families risked their lives for you, and secondly, because of the support of the northern nobles such as the Xun family.

But now you want to break one of your own legs. Do you still want the Cao family's foundation and the Wei dynasty?

But you, Cao Pi, want to advise me in public to follow Liu Bei's example and implement the equal-field system. The important officials present, such as Cheng Yu, Xun You, and Cui Yan, are all from prominent families. How do you want me to answer you?
Cao Pi realized his own "stupidity", cold sweat rolled down his forehead, and he had to lower his head in embarrassment.

"Cough cough~~"

Cheng Yu coughed a few times and said with a bow:
"Duke Wei, I believe that although the two systems Liu Bei implemented are contrary to the will of heaven and the people, they can indeed drain the pond to catch fish and greatly increase the country's strength in a short period of time."

"Duke Wei of the Great Wei has been resting and recuperating for the past six months, resuming agriculture and sericulture, and has recovered from the two failures of the southern expedition."

"I believe it is time to mobilize all our national forces to march south, destroy the false Chu, and rescue the people of the three southern states from Liu Bei's clutches!"

Cheng Yu asked for a fight.

Xun You, Jiang Ji, Wang Lang and other famous ministers were indignant and made suggestions, urging Cao Cao to comfort the people and punish the criminals and attack Liu Bei.

This time, these Wei ministers were surprisingly united in their stance, and no one opposed the southern expedition.

Even someone as upright as Cui Yan, who always advocated that Cao Cao implement benevolent policies and rest with the people, and who always sang a different tune when Cao Cao used military force, this time, for the first time, strongly advocated that Cao Cao march south.

They are afraid.

The reforms implemented by Liu Bei in the south curbed or even prohibited the annexation of land by the gentry and wealthy families, which made them feel deeply frightened.

What if the power of Southern Chu increases dramatically as a result, and he marches north to retake the Central Plains and implements these two systems in the north as well?
That means getting rid of their roots!
It was this fear that propelled them to an unprecedented unanimous stance. The unanimous agreement of all the ministers gave Cao Cao greater confidence, and he immediately made a decision to mobilize all the troops in the country and march south to attack Liu Bei again.

The decision has been made, and the next step is how to use the troops.

Cheng Yu and other counselors quickly planned a three-pronged attack strategy for Cao Cao.

The western route went south from Yingchuan, directly attacked Wancheng, and then attacked Nanyang.

The middle route went south along the Yingshui River, passed through Runan to capture Yingkou, and then went straight to Shouchun from the upper reaches of the Huaishui River.

The eastern route sent troops from Xuzhou, marched south along the Si River to capture Xuyi, recapture Guangling, and then marched west along the Huai River to threaten Shouchun.

Once the general direction is determined, the final issue is which path to take as the main focus.

Yingkou, the central route, is located upstream of Shouchun, only a hundred miles away, and is the shortest route to capture Shouchun.

Moreover, this group of people can set out from Xudu, where they will have sufficient and convenient supplies of food and fodder.

Most counselors believed that Cao Cao should personally lead the main force of the Wei army, take the central route south and directly attack Shouchun.

"Father, I think you should lead the army yourself, marching south from Xuzhou in the east, and capture Xuyi!"

Amidst the discussion, Cao Chong suddenly spoke up and disagreed with everyone else.

Cao Cao and his ministers all turned their attention to Cao Chong.

"Anyone with a discerning eye knows that attacking Shouchun from the south along the Yingshui River is the best option. Common sense suggests that my father would personally lead the main force along this route."

"If we can think of this, then how could Xiao He not think of it? I predict that he will definitely ask Liu Bei to personally lead the main force of the Pseudo-Chu and march north from Yingkou to meet father."

"Given Liu Bei's bravery and Xiao He's wisdom, we are still not absolutely sure whether we can win quickly."

"If the two armies remain deadlocked until summer arrives, our troops, all from the north, will not be able to withstand the southern heat. Add to that the frequent heavy rains and swollen rivers, and the situation will be unfavorable to our army. We will have no choice but to retreat."

"Will this southern expedition return in vain?"

Cao Chong pointed eastwards, then pointed to the east:
"So, I think, father, you can order a general to pretend to attack Shouchun from the central route under your banner, while you can personally lead the elite troops from Xuzhou south to capture Xuyi!"

"Once Xuyi is broken, we can head west along the Huai River and attack Shouchun. South, we can take the Zhongdu River to drink from the Yangtze River, directly threatening the Jiangdong heartland of the Pseudo-Chu!"

"Liu Bei's lack of military strength is his weak point. If he has to divide his forces to defend everywhere, it will be difficult for him to take care of everything, and he will lose on all sides."

"If that happens, their defenses in Huainan will surely crumble. Father, if we can recapture Huainan in one fell swoop, wouldn't it be easy for us to drink from the Yangtze River?"

Cao Chong proudly proposed a plan of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west.

Cao Cao stared at the map, joy gradually burning in his eyes, and suddenly he burst into laughter.

"Okay, okay, this plan of Cang Shu is brilliant!"

"According to your plan, I will personally lead the elite troops of the Great Wei from Xuzhou south to capture Xuyi and kill the big-eared thief by surprise!"

Cao Cao had made his decision and looked at Cao Chong with a look of satisfaction:

"Cang Shu, I have long said that you possess both your elder brother's kindness and filial piety, and Guo Fengxiao's wisdom and strategy. You are truly worthy of being my son."

"If I can recapture Huainan this time, Cang Shu, you will be the chief contributor, and I will definitely give you a great reward!"

Cao Cao's eyes and tone were meaningful.

When Cao Pi heard this, he felt a chill in his heart and shuddered.

Cao Cao's so-called "great reward" was naturally an opportunity to establish Cao Chong as the crown prince of Wei.

If it really comes to that, and the succession to the throne is decided, he will be completely hopeless and will have lost miserably!

"Cao Chong~~"

Cao Pi clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and glanced at Cao Chong with a hint of deep jealousy.

...

It was late winter.

Cao Cao swore an oath to his troops in Ye City and mobilized all the soldiers in the country to march south.

In the west, Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to lead an army of 50,000, marching south from Yecheng to attack Wancheng again.

Xiahou Dun, the former general in the middle route, led 100,000 Wei troops under his name, marched south along the Ying River from Xudu, and threatened Yingkou.

Cao Cao borrowed Xiahou Dun's banner and led 100,000 elite Wei troops from Xia Pi south along the Si River and attacked Xuyi directly.

A total of 250,000 Wei troops marched south in three directions and headed towards the State of Chu in a mighty force.

...

Yingtian City, the residence of Duke Chu.

The information that the Wei army was marching south in large numbers was already on Liu Bei's desk.

"My lords, it seems Cao Cao is afraid of my implementation of the two systems and the growing strength of our nation, so he wants to take preemptive action."

"This time Cao Cao has mobilized an army of 250,000. It's like he's mobilized the entire nation to attack. The momentum is truly immense!"

"My lords, this is a battle of life and death. Do you have any good strategies?"

Liu Bei looked solemn as he showed the information in the silk letter in his hand to his ministers.

The words trailed off.

Someone in the hall suddenly burst into laughter.

"I congratulate Duke Chu. The opportunity to reclaim the Central Plains has been presented to us by Cao Cao himself!"

(End of this chapter)