Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 158: Deploying Troops to Welcome the Emperor!
"Let me ask you, how does Yuan Shao compare to Cao Cao?" Liu Xie asked Dong Zhao.

"Your Majesty!" In response to the emperor's question, Dong Zhao said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Although Yuan Shao comes from a family that has held high office for four generations and possesses a vast territory in Ji Province, he is stubborn and self-willed. He appears to be kind and generous on the outside, but in reality, he is suspicious and distrustful."

I once served under him and witnessed firsthand his arbitrary and autocratic actions, where many wise strategies offered by advisors were shelved and ignored.

He paused, then continued, "Although Shao has many strategists under his command, they are all scheming against each other and find it difficult to work together."

Ju Shou and Tian Feng were loyal but were dismissed; Guo Tu was greedy and short-sighted; Shen Pei was autocratic and lacked strategy; Feng Ji was arbitrary and lacked wisdom. How could such a ruler and his ministers accomplish great things?
Furthermore, Yuan Shao may not genuinely flatter Your Majesty; he is likely merely putting on a show.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xian frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

Seeing that Emperor Xian's expression was wavering, Dong Zhao pressed his advantage, his words becoming even more earnest: "On the other hand, under Cao Mengde's rule, Yanzhou is just as Lord Zhao Qi said, full of vitality, as if it were a peaceful and prosperous era."

Cao Mengde was wholeheartedly loyal to the Han Dynasty. He single-handedly attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and later spearheaded the coalition against Dong Zhuo, leading his troops alone to pursue and kill the traitor. Such acts of loyalty and courage were known throughout the land.

"Now, Yanzhou has a strong army and abundant food supplies. Cao Mengde has also recruited many talented people and treated them with respect. He is truly a pillar of our great Han Dynasty."

He promoted people from humble backgrounds, curbed the power of the aristocratic families, and maintained unity within the organization, with almost no factional infighting or internal strife.

In just a few years, Cao Cao will surely become a powerful warlord no less than Yuan Shao!
If Your Majesty goes to Yanzhou, you will surely be able to restore the prestige of the Han Dynasty with the help of Cao Mengde.

If he were to go to Yuan Shao's side, he would likely find it difficult to achieve anything.

We implore Your Majesty to make the wise decision!

After hearing Dong Zhao's words, Liu Xie's heart began to slowly tip in favor of Cao Cao.

However, Emperor Xian Liu Xie had grown up in the treacherous court since childhood and was extremely suspicious. How could he easily make a decision based on the one-sided words of one or two people?

He pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "From what Minister Dong has said, Cao Cao is indeed someone I can rely on. However, this matter is of great importance, and I need to discuss it further with you all."

"Your Majesty is wise. I shall take my leave." Knowing that it was not the right time to say more, Dong Zhao bowed respectfully and withdrew.

……

Meanwhile, Cao Cao in Yanzhou was also making intensive preparations to welcome the emperor.

Before setting off, he summoned his generals for a final meeting.

Cao Cao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he stated his arrangements in a deep voice:
“My mind is made up. This time, to welcome the Emperor, we will divide our troops into two groups.”

One of the routes, led by Zi'an and myself, consisted of troops from Chenliu, which headed to Guanzhong to welcome the Emperor.

Another force, led by Zixiao, Wenze, and Wenqian, consisted of 20,000 troops, tasked with pacifying the Yellow Turbans and bandits in Yingchuan and ensuring the pacification of Yingchuan before welcoming back the emperor.

I have already submitted a memorial to the court, recommending Wenruo for the position of Governor of Yuzhou.

Wenruo is from Yingchuan and has deep connections in the area. With him in charge, the people of Yuzhou are expected to submit to him.

Xun Yu quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Thank you for your trust, my lord. I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

Yingchuan was Xun Yu's hometown and also the breakthrough point for Cao Cao to extend his reach into Yuzhou.

As the governor of Yu Province, Xun Yu not only helped Cao Cao establish a firm foothold in Yu Province more quickly, but also recommended more talented people to Cao Cao and coordinated relations with the local gentry.

At the same time, Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren and others to pacify and garrison Yingchuan County, which could also guard against possible surprise attacks on Chenliu County by the Yellow Turbans of Yingchuan or Liu Biao.

Although the probability is low, caution is always the best policy.

Then, Cao Cao turned his gaze to Xi Zhicai, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu, and said with utmost solemnity: "Zhicai, Fengxiao, Zhongde, this time Zian and I are going west to welcome the Emperor. The three of you need to be prepared to guard against the surrounding enemies."

Especially Yuan Shu, he's been frequently mobilizing troops lately, and it's possible he's about to launch another campaign somewhere.

Old Cao was ambushed twice by Yuan Shu and Lü Bu, and he is still terrified.

He was going to personally lead the troops into battle again, so he repeatedly emphasized this to Xi Zhicai, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu, who were left behind.

These are lessons learned by Lao Cao through blood and tears.

Soon after, Boss Liu will experience the thrill and pain of having his home raided... Xi Zhicai, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu stood up, cupped their hands, and said in unison, "We will certainly do our duty to ensure the safety of Yanzhou!!"

After everything was arranged, Cao Cao, Cao Yan, Cao Ren, Yu Jin, and Yue Jin split into two groups and set off simultaneously from Chenliu County.

This time, Cao Cao did not draw troops from other garrisons; all the soldiers under his command were elite troops from Cao Yan's forces.

In other words, Cao Cao got Cao Yan for free on this expedition.

Cao Yan's main force still consisted of 20,000 Qingzhou soldiers.

In addition, Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan led 5,000 Flying Dragon Cavalry, Cao Ang led 8,000 Mandarin Duck Army, and Chen Dao led 800 Trapped Camp troops to attack Hulao Pass, which was guarded by Li Jue's forces.

Below the command platform, more than 30,000 troops stood in neat formation, their military flags fluttering in the wind, and the soldiers were all in high spirits and full of morale.

Cao Cao's eyes were like torches, and his voice was like a booming bell as he shouted: "Soldiers! Now the Han Dynasty is in decline and the emperor is in disgrace. We, as subjects of the Han Dynasty, should step forward, welcome back the emperor, and revitalize the Han Dynasty!"

"My lords, are you willing to follow me to achieve great deeds and leave your mark on history?"

"We are willing to follow our lord and welcome the emperor!" Thirty thousand soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and the earth, their momentum magnificent.

Cao Cao waved his hand decisively and ordered, "Set off!"

Therefore, Cao Cao, Cao Yan, and Xun Yu led an army of 30,000 men and marched in a grand procession toward Hulao Pass.

Cao Yan rode a tall horse, with Xun Yu beside him and Dian Wei following behind.

Further behind were 20,000 Qingzhou soldiers, 5,000 Flying Dragon Cavalry, 8,000 Mandarin Duck Army soldiers, and the Trapped Camp soldiers who had taken off their armor and were mixed in with the Qingzhou army.

Cao Cao had heard earlier that Cao Yan had recruited a "refugee from Runan" from Yue Jin to serve as a general in the Trapped Camp.

Curious, he couldn't help but ask, "Zi'an, how is your Trapped Camp training going?"

"Not bad," Cao Yan said with a smile. "I believe it won't be long before you, elder brother, will be able to witness their prowess!"

Cao Cao nodded slightly, then asked, "Why do you insist on having Wenruo accompany the army?"

Before Cao Yan could speak, he repeated, "Tell the truth, don't lie to me, or you'll be a dog!"

Cao Yan leaned close to Cao Cao's ear and whispered, "Woof!"

"!" Cao Cao was shocked.

Upon seeing this, Cao Yan burst into laughter.

Xun Yu seemed to have heard the two men mention his courtesy name earlier, and now seeing them suddenly burst into laughter, he was filled with confusion and bewilderment.

However, after the laughter subsided, Cao Yan explained, "Xun Yu's nephew, Xun You, is now in the emperor's court. He is full of schemes, yet he is honest, humble, and exceptionally low-key, which is why he is not well-known."

The reason we invited Wenruo this time is to ask him to persuade Xun You to come here.

With this man's help, my brother will have gained another strategist under his command!

"!!!" Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes widened: "How does Xun You's wisdom compare to that of Zhi Cai and Feng Xiao?"

"Let's go fifty-fifty."

"That means you're slightly inferior to me."

Cao Yan: "..."

Cao Cao said to himself, "But he is indeed a rare top-notch strategist."

"Xun You, I am determined to win!!"

(End of this chapter)