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

Chapter 255 My son, Cao Cao, calls Liu Bei "father"? The emperor and his ministers devise a plan: the Northern Expedition, with the target—Xuchang!
A glint of light flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, and he asked urgently:

"What kind of self-inflicted injury scheme can lure that mother and child back to our Great Wei?"

Cao Pi coughed lightly, then lowered his voice and said:

"Just now, Father decided to attack Chu. Neither I nor Cang Shu expressed our opinions. Father may instruct Cang Shu to oppose Father's attack on Chu in public."

“Then Father can publicly reprimand your son and Cangshu, and expel us from the palace to show his dissatisfaction with us.”

"Afterwards, Father sent another secret envoy to the pseudo-Chu to see my fourth brother, making it clear that my father still favored my fourth brother the most, had forgiven my fourth brother's sins, and hoped that he could change his mind and return to the Great Wei."

"My fourth brother knows that I and Cang Shu have fallen out of favor and have been forgiven by Father. He will most likely covet the position of heir again. At that time, he may very well abandon Chu and return to Wei."

Cao Pi then proceeded to explain his strategy in a lengthy and detailed manner.

Cao Cao suddenly understood and nodded slightly:
"Your self-inflicted injury ruse might just lure that rebellious son back."

The tone shifted abruptly, but then his brow furrowed again:
"However, even if your plan manages to lure that rebellious son, it may not be able to deceive your mother. What if he fears me and forcibly prevents your brother from returning to Wei?"

Cao Pi was prepared and smiled faintly:
"Father, have you forgotten? Fourth brother is Mother's biological son, and I am also her biological son."

“Your son will write a letter to your mother, saying that your father is angry with you because your mother betrayed the false Chu. Your son is terrified day and night and will die of fear sooner or later.”

"Mother has always loved her son and would not be able to bear watching her son lose his life. In addition, Father has promised to forgive them for their treason. After weighing the options, she will most likely choose to return with my fourth brother."

The doubt on Cao Cao's face vanished, replaced by a hint of approval:
"It is truly commendable that you could come up with such a plan and consider it so thoroughly."

"Zihuan, it seems that after all these years of trials and tribulations, your wisdom and strategy have finally improved."

Cao Pi was so excited that his hands trembled slightly.

He couldn't even remember the last time he heard Cao Cao's personal praise.

Cao Cao's seemingly casual praise, however, was like a spark that reignited the flame of hope in his heart.

Cao Pi suppressed his secret joy, rolled his eyes a few times, and then knelt down with a thud.

“Father, I know that Mother and Fourth Brother have committed a grave crime and deserve to be executed.”

"But they are, after all, my birth mother and my younger brother. Blood is thicker than water."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to show mercy. If they truly return to Wei, please spare their lives!"

Cao Pi kowtowed, tears streaming down his face, and pleaded.

Cao Cao's eyes softened, and after a moment's hesitation, he went down the steps and helped Cao Pi up.

"It's rare to see such filial piety from you, Zihuan. In this respect, you are a hundred times better than your younger brother."

"Fine, considering your filial piety, I will grant your request and spare their lives."

Cao Pi was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, repeatedly kowtowing and thanking him.

Cao Cao helped Cao Pi up again and offered him words of comfort and praise.

After the father and son finalized their plans, Cao Pi took his leave.

"Although Zihuan is not as gifted as Cangshu, his wisdom and strategy are barely enough. What is rare is that this child is very filial."

"I'm truly torn between two choices..."

Cao Cao stroked his short beard, watching his son's departing figure, and muttered to himself.

As Cao Pi turned away, he seemed to sense Cao Cao's admiring gaze, and a smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

Half an hour later, Cao Pi returned to his residence.

Upon entering a secluded room, one person was already leisurely sipping tea, having been waiting for a long time.

It was Sima Yi.

Upon seeing Cao Pi return, Sima Yi put down his teacup and was about to rise to greet him.

“Zhongda, you are right. As long as I show enough filial piety to my father, he will definitely look at me differently.”

Before Sima Yi could get up, Cao Pi stepped forward and pressed him down, excitedly recounting the whole story of Lai Long's whereabouts.

Sima Yi poured Cao Pi a bowl of tea and said with a faint smile:

"Yi had told the young master that, for the monarch, how talented and gifted the crown prince is is not important; what is important is how filial he is."

"When it comes to intelligence, who in the world can compare to Young Master Cang Shu? He's a child prodigy who could come up with the idea of ​​weighing an elephant with a boat."

"Therefore, young master, you should play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. Do not compete with young master Cang Shu in terms of wisdom and strategy. If you want to compete, compete in terms of filial piety."

"From now on, young master, you don't need to do anything. Just focus on being a dutiful son. The position of heir of the Great Wei will naturally fall into your hands."

Cao Pi agreed wholeheartedly and nodded repeatedly.

Then he frowned, looking puzzled:

"Zhongda, I still don't quite understand why you wanted me to use a self-inflicted injury ruse to lure my mother and fourth brother back to our Great Wei?"

"If my fourth brother returns, wouldn't I have another rival?"

Sima Yi sipped his tea and said dismissively:
"The Fourth Prince has a stain of having established his own power and betrayed the country. Even if he returns, what right does he have to compete for the position of heir apparent?"

Changing the subject, Sima Yi asked a meaningful question in return:
"But Madam is still your birth mother, young master. How can a son be made crown prince when his mother is in an enemy country?"

Cao Pi was startled and suddenly realized the truth.

Lady Bian is the biggest obstacle to your becoming the heir apparent of Wei. Even if you are filial and admired by Cao Cao, what good is it if you surpass Cao Chong?

Your birth mother's defection to the enemy country is a stain that cannot be washed away!

If Liu Bei were to take Lady Bian as a concubine one day, would you still have to call Liu Bei "father"?
With such a stain on your reputation, how could Cao Cao possibly make you his heir?
Sima Yi suggested that he lure Lady Bian back so that he could remove the biggest obstacle on his path to becoming the heir apparent.

As for luring Cao Zhi back, that was just a side effect.

Cao Pi suddenly realized what was happening, rose, and bowed deeply to Sima Yi:
"Many thanks to Zhongda for your guidance, which has shown me the way out of my confusion and pointed me to a bright path!"

"If I, Cao Pi, become the heir apparent and the ruler of the Great Wei in the future, I will surely share this vast land with you!"

Sima Yi's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly cupped his hands and said:

"Yi believes that the young master has the qualities of a wise ruler. Only if the young master becomes the crown prince of our Great Wei can he shoulder the responsibility of this country and safeguard the foundation that the king has built through countless battles. That is why Yi is willing to go through fire and water for the young master."

"What you say, young master, I am truly humbled and dare not accept such praise!"

This display of loyalty and praise of his "potential as a wise ruler" naturally delighted Cao Pi.

Cao Pi immediately helped Sima Yi up, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed heartily:
"Zhongda, rest assured, Pi will definitely not let you down."

"I, Cao Pi, will prove to you that you have not chosen the wrong person!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

...

The State of Chu, Yingtian City.

Inside the main hall of the royal palace, a huge sand table depicting the state of Wei was already placed.

While Cao Cao was preparing for his southern campaign, Liu Bei, the King of Chu, was also planning a northern expedition with his advisors.

"Our strategic goal for this Northern Expedition is at least to recover Xuchang and bring most of Yuzhou, including Yingchuan, Liang, Chen, and Runan, into our territory."

"If we could recover Yanzhou and Sizhou together, drive the Cao traitor out of Henan, and let our horses drink from the Yellow River, that would be the best outcome."

"And the key to achieving this strategic goal lies in Suiyang!"

Zhuge Liang pointed his feather fan at the sand table:
“Suiyang is located in the three provinces of Yan, Yu, and Xu. If we capture this city and advance westward along the Bian River, we can directly reach Chenliu and cut off most of Yu Province, including Yingchuan, Runan, and Chen State, in the south.”

"In this way, the Wei forces in Yuzhou will surely collapse and crumble without a fight."

"If Xuchang can be captured, Yuzhou can be pacified!"

Liu Bei nodded slightly in agreement, his gaze fixed on Suiyang.

Zhuge Liang then changed the subject and continued:
"Therefore, based on the Northern Expedition strategy devised by Liang and Bowen, our army should advance northward in three routes."

"One route advanced westward from Qingzhou along the Yellow River into Yanzhou, heading straight for Puyang, threatening to cut off the Yellow River."

"They marched north from Wancheng, captured Yexian and Kunyang, and then advanced on Xuchang from the south."

"These two separate attacks are feints, intended only to tie down the forces of the puppet Wei regime."

"Your Majesty should personally lead the main force of our Chu army, advancing north from Pengcheng along the Bian River, with our forces aimed directly at Suiyang!"

The strategy of launching a northern expedition against the puppet state of Wei was thus clearly presented to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei nodded slightly and pointed to the sand table:
"According to this strategy, the key to this northern expedition is to capture Suiyang City."

"However, this city has been a fortified stronghold since ancient times. I have heard that Cao Cao has left three thousand elite troops here to guard it. If our army launches a large-scale attack, Cao Cao will surely lead a large force to meet us."

"In that case, the battle of Suiyang is bound to be a fierce one!"

Zhuge Liang smiled and glanced at Pang Tong.

Pang Tong stepped forward and pointed to the sand table, saying:
"Your Majesty, according to intelligence from our spies, the general Cao Cao left to guard Suiyang is an unknown man named Hao Zhao. I believe he is not a threat."

"My idea is that our army can take advantage of the Bian River for transporting troops, and have Wen Zhongye lead the Xuzhou garrison to suddenly advance north from Xiapi. Before Cao Cao can react, we can quickly surround Suiyang and prevent Cao Wei reinforcements from entering."

"Wen Zhongye commands 10,000 elite troops, four times the size of the Wei garrison, and should be able to quickly capture Suiyang."

"Once Suiyang is captured, our army will have the initiative. At that time, Your Majesty can lead the main force north to Suiyang. Even if Cao Cao sends a large army to fight for it, he will be powerless to do so."

Liu Bei nodded slightly, and everyone else agreed, clearly affirming Pang Tong's tactics.

Only Xiao He frowned upon hearing Hao Zhao's name.

Fengchu clearly regarded Hao Zhao as a nobody.

"Bowen, do you perhaps have a different idea about Shiyuan's plan?"

Liu Bei noticed that Xiao He's expression was off and immediately became alert.

The hall fell silent, and Pang Tong and the others all turned their attention to Xiao He.

"I agree with Shi Yuan's idea of ​​taking Suiyang before Cao Cao's army marches south, so that our army can take the initiative."

"Our army occupies Suiyang, backed by a fortified city, and has the advantage of transporting grain and troops via the Bian River. Even if Cao Cao brings a large army, he will be powerless to stop us."

Changing the subject, Xiao He's tone became serious, and he said:
"However, although Hao Zhao is unknown, he is a city defense genius, just like Huo Zhongmiao."

"Shiyuan's underestimation of Hao Zhao is likely to cause our army to run into a brick wall and suffer a great loss!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

(End of this chapter)