[Three Kingdoms] Carnival

After the Battle of Santai Lake, the highly morale Cao Jun and Jiangdong fought many times along the river, each winning or losing.However, from the perspective of the overall strategy, Cao Jun is pursuing the victory, while Jiangdong is fighting and retreating. The confrontation point between the two armies has moved westward, and has advanced to the Xiakou area in the coming season of winter.

After days of fighting, the soldiers on both sides are exhausted, and the transportation of grain and grass is also difficult due to the arrival of winter.While Cao Jun seemed to be victorious in a row, in fact, the voice of thinking about returning home had already spread everywhere in the army. The plague that plagued the sergeants a few years ago also began to spread on a small scale. With serious consequences, Cao Cao could only accept the truce and negotiate a truce with Jiangdong.

However, just as the counselors expected, the slowdown of Cao Jun's offensive gave Jiangdong a chance to breathe, and the advantage he had gained with great difficulty was wiped out in an instant.On December Wuchen, the last day of the Xinmao Year, the Cao army whose epidemic situation was stabilized was led by Cao Cao himself to attack Jiangdong Water Village.The battle lasted for a day and a night. In the end, Cao Jun regretted his defeat and withdrew his troops back to camp. Since then, the two sides have entered into a confrontation based on small-scale conflicts. However, this time, the leading party is no longer Cao Jun, but Jiangdong.

From frontal attack to side attack, Jiangdong changed his old defensive tactics and took the initiative to fight Cao Jun, and every battle would surely cause Cao Jun to lose his ships and troops.Even if only from the perspective of battle damage, the loss of Cao Jun is not large, but it is the same as the previous battle of Santai Lake: Although the actual loss does not damage the enemy much, the lack of it can make the morale of the enemy generals plummet.On the other hand, Jiang Dong became more and more courageous with each battle, and his morale was high, like a sharp blade shining with cold light, unstoppable and invincible.

"Zhou Yu didn't lead a single soldier here. How could he have such a big influence on the battle situation by himself?"

"Not only Zhou Yu, but also Sun Ce who came with him."

If only Zhou Gongjin was alone, relying on his prestige of commanding the Jiangdong army for many years could indeed boost the morale of the army, but it was not enough to completely reverse the morale of both sides.The fire in Chibi, Cao’s army was defeated, the world was shaken, the hero bowed his head to Zhou Lang, but in reality, if Cao Cao hadn’t underestimated the enemy, Pang Tong’s clever words and suggestions, against the beautiful east wind of the day, and the power of Jiangdong against Cao’s army, the victory or defeat would only be the same. Stop at Bozhong.The battle of Chibi was not only a conspiracy by man, but also the will of God. Everyone knows this truth.

However, when Sun Ce and Zhou Yu came to the Jiangdong Army together, the situation was very different in an instant.Jiangdong has good mountains, good water and good customs, and he is also a good boy who is unparalleled in style.Back in the day, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu rode horses side by side, dominated Jiangdong, and watched the world. Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and even Cao Cao dared not confront them head-on, so they had to be canonized by the Han Emperor to avoid their edge.The princes and heroes, the elegant scholars, the spring girls, who don't know the beauty of Jiangdong's double jade?

These memories, which have been dusty for many years, have been reawakened because of the arrival of the two, and turned into the blood and pride of Jiangdong soldiers.Born in troubled times, death and life are impermanent, but if you are lucky enough to lead Wu Gou to die as a hero, even if you die in the rolling river, isn't it magnificent?

"Sun Quan is afraid of his elder brother, it's definitely not superfluous, but according to Yi's opinion, the brother will fight against his humiliation. Why he decided to keep Sun Ce alive, Yi really doesn't know."

"Guo Jijiu always acts like this. Zhongda can't see through him, and it is even more impossible for Pi to do it. However, Pi sincerely hopes that the situation is still within Guo Jijiu's plan." After finishing speaking, Cao Pi and Sima Yi left In front of the large tent for discussion, the two looked at each other, and kept silent.

When Cao Pi and Sima Yi arrived, there were already a lot of people sitting in the tent, most of them were either aggrieved or frowning. It can be seen that the recent successive defeats have indeed caused morale to plummet.Thinking about what he had just said to Sima Yi, when Cao Pi took his seat, he deliberately looked in Guo Jia's direction.Guo Jia still looked calm and relaxed, but I don't know if it was a psychological effect, Cao Pi always felt that Guo Jia's smile was a bit forced, and his eyes were also a little dark blue, as if he hadn't slept peacefully for many days.

Before Guo Jia found out, Cao Pi had already looked away and landed on the opposite seat.At the table, Cao Zhi was discussing something with Yang Xiu who was sitting behind him in a low voice. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed that Cao Pi looked over, turned his head and nodded to Cao Pi with a smile, then turned back without saying anything to Yang Xiu.

The younger brother who was always clinging to him back then, after making up his mind to compete with him for the position of heir, would become so strange and... so intelligent that it even made him feel terrible.Cao Pi thought to himself that if he could have correspondence with Jiang Dong, he and Sun Zhongmou must have a lot in common on the issue of how to treat his close relatives and fearful brothers.

After half an hour, everyone arrived and the discussion began.The content of the discussion is still how to deal with Jiangdong, a topic that has lasted for many days. Whether it is war or disputes, the difference is that the person who proposed to withdraw this time has changed from ordinary generals to Xun You:

"Firstly, Jiangdong's soldiers are familiar with water warfare and experienced a lot of training, while our army's soldiers are inexperienced, and there are still many people who are not acclimatized, and it is difficult to hold weapons; The army has marched south for many days, and most of the soldiers have the heart of returning north, and have no intention of conquest; third, Yangzhou borders Jingzhou, and the Jiangdong Army sits on the mainland, and the supply of food and grass is smooth. It is still difficult to fill the needs, and there are many complaints from the people from all over the country. Based on these three points, it is really difficult for our army to win in a short period of time. Instead of wasting it, in the opinion of you, it is better to withdraw the army as soon as possible, and then use Jingzhou as the base, and gradually plan Of."

Xun You is not an eloquent person, so when he took the initiative to speak at length, it must be the time when he had to say something.But with Xun You's clear-cut idea of ​​withdrawing the army for the time being, the voices of the peace faction immediately increased a lot, and the focus of the discussion gradually shifted to how to withdraw the army. It seemed that everything was a foregone conclusion.

Cao Cao listened to everyone's discussion with a sullen face for a while.He didn't open his mouth all the time, and it was hard to tell whether he wanted to continue fighting or retreat. After the discussion of the crowd faded away, Cao Cao said, "Zihuan, Zijian, what do you think?" Then he said to Cao Zhang, "" There is no need for Ziwen, I know you want to fight."

Cao Zhang laughed, showing his canine teeth: "Father still understands me."

Cao Pi lowered his eyes and pondered.Xun You's words just now made the situation very clear, and even if other people raised objections to the withdrawal, most of them were warriors who couldn't bear it.It stands to reason that the withdrawal of troops should be a foregone conclusion.But Cao Pi also knew very well that although it was reasonable and emotional to retreat, it was not in his father's heart.Otherwise, father would not let the discussion last for so long, let alone listen to his and Zijian's opinions.

If he wanted to please his father, he should object, but he couldn't think of a suitable reason for a moment.Or, there may be no suitable reason at all, otherwise Guo Jia should have stood up for his father to refute the public opinion.

When Cao Pi was still weighing the trade-offs, Cao Zhi had taken the lead:

"Father, Zhi thought it was time to withdraw the troops."

"Why?"

"Zhi's talents are sparse, and his thinking is far less thoughtful than that of you gentlemen. My father led the army to march to the south for a long time. It is inevitable that some young people will see the emptiness of the court and take the opportunity to make trouble. But according to Zhi's opinion, the immediate victory and defeat with Jiangdong is small. The stability of the north is the most important thing. Therefore, Zhi also agrees to withdraw troops."

After Cao Zhi finished speaking, whether he was interested in currying favor with the hot fourth son, or someone who really wanted to persuade him to retreat, they all agreed.However, even though the call for retreat was overwhelming, in the end, Cao Cao did not give the order to retreat as everyone wished:

"Guo Fengxiao stays, everyone else should step down."

Everyone stood up and saluted, and then walked out of the big tent sparsely.Yang Xiu deliberately walked a little faster, and when he got out of the big tent, he saw Cao Zhi waiting for him in a remote place:

"Sir, Zhi just said that he would withdraw from the army, and his father doesn't seem very happy."

Yang Xiu pointed to the tent, motioned for them to walk and said:

"Now the Jiangdong Sun family treats the lord like a piece of chicken rib, and they are reluctant to give it up. It's tasteless to chew it. The lord's refusal to retreat is nothing more than a gamble in his heart. Zijian, you advocate retreating, and the lord's tone will not go along with it, no. It's normal to be happy."

Cao Zhi sighed lightly: "But for the sake of my father, it is really harmful to stand in a stalemate with Jiangdong here."

"Although the lord is a man of love, he is a hero who cares about the world. The lord has long been aware of the harm of retreating." Yang Xiu laughed and said, "So, today's Zijian's withdrawal will make the lord unhappy for a while, but After this matter is over, the lord's anger subsides, I will definitely think of your decisiveness in the discussion, and I will look at you differently." And Cao Pi's indecision in the discussion will also be remembered, making Cao Cao even more respectful of his son-in-law. The eldest son is dissatisfied.

But although Cao Zhi decided to strive for the heir position, he didn't like anyone to speak ill of Cao Pi in front of him, so Yang Xiu would only swallow the second half of the sentence and secretly help Cao Zhi plan.

Cao Zhi stopped and thought for a while, then shook his head: "Those things are for later. Now Zhi only hopes that his father can order the troops to retreat as soon as possible. If he keeps it for a long time, he may cause the disaster of Chibi."

"On this point, please rest assured, Zijian, Xiu has a method." Speaking of this, Yang Xiu lowered his voice, "Except for a few generals in the army, there are many people who want to retreat, and more people want to be ambiguous. Xiu just needs to convince those ambiguous people that the lord, even though he is hesitating now, actually has plans to retreat, and then persuade them to go back and pack their bags. Seeing that so many people are eager to return, the lord will naturally not lose the big with small things , will immediately decide to retreat."

"Will this..."

"Zijian, do you still remember what Caixiu compared the current situation to?"

"Mister said it was... tasteless?"

"It's hard work in the army, so Xiu Zi should ask the soldiers to prepare some unique food for the lord. I'll leave this matter to Xiu, and Zijian can wait and see with peace of mind."

After finishing speaking, Yang Xiu raised his foot and walked towards the soldiers who started to cook. Cao Zhi didn't stop him, and looked at Yang Xiu's disappearing figure for a long time, and couldn't help but sighed again.

Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu got together as soon as the discussion was over, and Cao Pi's side was no exception.However, unlike Cao Zhi who took the initiative to wait for Yang Xiu outside the tent, Cao Pi stayed out of the big tent and went directly back to his own tent, so Sima Yi had to take the initiative to find the door.

"Pi knows what you're going to say." Sima Yi stepped into the tent, but it was Cao Pi who spoke first, "Say that Pi thinks too much, that Pi is indecisive, and that Pi let Zijian take the lead."

"Yi was going to say this, since you understand it yourself, Yi won't say more." Sima Yi walked up to Cao Pi, "But Yi doesn't think it's a bad thing for the lord to think you're indecisive."

Cao Pi paused and asked, "What does Zhongda mean?"

"Zihuan, although you and the fourth son are both eyeing the position of the heir, they are in different situations." Sima Yi spoke slowly and methodically to dispel the unhappiness between Cao Pi's brows, "You are the eldest son. Whether the lord is a king or an emperor, you are justified as an heir. Even if the lord does not love you, he will never abandon you easily because of the disaster of Yuan Shao and Liu Biao. In other words, what you have to do is to be successful Young Master is the one who has to use all kinds of things to show his talent."

"...you continue talking."

Sima Yi especially wanted to cast a blank stare at this child-like person, but considering the current mood, he still held back his slander and continued to comfort Cao Pi with a gentle voice: "Judging from the current situation, although Jiangdong is difficult to break through for a while, but The Central Plains has been pacified. The Ma clan in Liangzhou, Gongsun in Liaodong, Zhang Lu in Guanzhong and Liu Zhang in Yizhou have all bowed their heads and bowed their heads. Within ten years, peace in the world can be expected. The country can be fought but it is difficult to defend. In the county family, all forces need to weigh one by one for the ruler. The four sons are indeed decisive, and they may be able to make a difference when they are born in a prosperous age, but if the world is in chaos, they must be like what Lao Tzu said. Xiao Xian's rule of law means doing nothing and doing everything. Therefore, Yi thinks it's not a bad thing for you to keep silent today."

After hearing this, Cao Pi's complexion improved a lot, at least not as gloomy as Sima Yi saw when he walked into the tent.He held the glass, his eyes were blank, as if he was recalling what Sima Yi said just now, after a while, he suddenly came back to his senses, poured a glass of water and handed it to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi took the cup that was warmed by Cao Pi's hands for a long time, and just after taking a sip, he heard Cao Pi's voice:

"Pi understands Zhongda's meaning." Cao Pi's voice was a little dull, "Pi is the eldest son, even if the father's favorite son is not Pi, due to pressure, he has to let Pi be the heir in the end.

But maybe it's greed, and Pi doesn't want that to be the case.Since childhood, the person Pi admired the most was his father, so Pi practiced martial arts and studied desperately, especially after the unfortunate death of his eldest brother, he desperately tried to do everything well.When discussing the matter just now, it’s not that Pi didn’t know that the retreat was a foregone conclusion, but Pi knew that his father didn’t want to retreat at all, so Pi hesitated, thinking that even if he was wrong, if Pi followed his father’s wishes, would his father be willing to praise Pi a few times? sentence?

Among Pi's many brothers and sisters, his father dotes on Cangshu and likes Zijian, and Ziwen can also get his father's praise for his martial arts from time to time.Only Pi, after so many years, almost forgot when was the last time he was praised by his father. "

Bitterness filled Cao Pi's self-deprecating smile.He looked at the rippling water in the cup, and after a while, he calmed down all his thoughts, replaced the wine with water, and drank it all in one gulp:

"Pi just said, Zhongda doesn't need to think too much. You can rest assured that Pi is confident to take up that position, so no matter what his father thinks, Pi will not give up."

Absolutely not.

In the empty tent, Cao Cao and Guo Jia were the only ones left.Cao Cao sat behind the main case, and Guo Jia sat on the original table, closing his eyes and resting his mind.Since everyone left, the two have been sitting silently like this, neither of them said a word.

It was Cao Cao who kept people, so after such a long stalemate, it was Cao Cao who spoke first:

"Bong Xiao..."

"Jia knows that Duke Ming is not reconciled, and Jia is not reconciled." Cao Cao just opened his mouth, and Guo Jia has already answered, "But even if you ask Jia, the answer Jia can give to Duke Ming is to retreat. Sun Ce leads the army, and Zhou Yu is planning Jiangdong , is definitely not something that Duke Ming can defeat by relying on his military superiority."

"If Gu wrote letters to the two Sun brothers separately, using the method of dividing the Yuan brothers to provoke one and the other, what should we do?"

"Duke Ming and Jia have been plotting this plan for a long time. Although there is indeed a gap, this time is definitely not the best time. Whether it is Sun Ce or Sun Quan, even if they are dissatisfied, they will not turn their faces at this time. Don't expect extravagantly, Duke Ming. All brothers in the world are as foolish as Yuan Jiazi.

but"

"but?"

"However, if Duke Ming really doesn't want to retreat, Jia still has a plan." At this point, Guo Jia opened his eyes and looked at Cao Cao, with sporadic lights shining in his dark eyes, "But Jia must To tell Duke Ming the truth, this strategy will really be the worst strategy Jia has ever devised in his life. Will Duke Ming still listen to it?"

"If the plan fails, what should I do?"

"If the plan is defeated, the soldiers will be defeated. Duke Ming, the three young masters, and all the soldiers of the Manchu army are in danger of their lives."

"If it succeeds, so what?"

"If it is successful, the whole territory of Jingzhou can enter the Ming Dynasty? Minor disaster =????

Cao Cao pondered for a long time. In the big tent where there were only two people left, the sound of his hands hitting the desk irregularly never stopped.After an unknown amount of time, he looked at Guo Jia and nodded slightly.

Guo Jia nodded back, and opened his lips to tell the plan.

"What Jia said just now was not intended to be sensational, but to be honest, Jia never thought about the possibility of defeat." After talking about the complete strategy, Guo Jia finally restored the smile on his lips, "Jia believes that no matter what Duke Ming will never lose this battle.

Alright, since Minggong is willing to gamble on this game, why not start the first move now. "

He glanced outside the tent, the gold was falling to the west, and the setting sun was like fire, reflecting on the river, it must be very beautiful:

"Tonight is a feast for the three armies, and there should be good wine."

The banquet was held suddenly, and Cao Jun's soldiers were all caught off guard and puzzled.

But when Cao Cao became interested, he insisted on going his own way, and no one could persuade him.All in all, holding a banquet is not something that needs to be carefully considered. The only thing to worry about is that Jiangdong will take advantage of this opportunity to sneak attack.But it just so happened that in the evening of that day, there was a strong wind on the river, and the waves were rough. No matter how experienced the sailors were, they could not fight in this weather.The last worry about hosting a banquet was dispelled, and the whole army immediately began to prepare.

Alcohol is forbidden in the army, but today there is an exception because of the banquet.All the good wine in the government offices near the city was wiped out, and almost every soldier was given at least one glass of wine.The generals have accumulated a lot of anger because of repeated defeats in recent days, and today they have all vented their pride in drinking.Of course, the result of the wine fight was the same as before. Among a group of swaying people, Guo Jia was wearing a green shirt, his eyes reflected the moonlight, and he held a glass to Cao Cao on the high platform with a big smile.Cao Cao was very sure that when he tasted the mellow aroma of the fine wine in Guo Jia's mouth, Guo Jia was clearly still sober.

It was already the second day when I woke up, the weather was beautiful, but the wind was still strong on the river, which did not give the enemy any opportunity to take advantage of it.However, there are unpredictable things in the sky, and people have misfortunes and blessings. Jiang Dong, who is most worried, did not take advantage of the situation, but a major event happened inside Cao Jun.Either because of drinking too much last night, or because there was too much night wind, Cao Cao woke up with a splitting headache and had to rest in the tent.The military doctor repeatedly asked that in the short term, Cao Cao must not bother with government affairs. If possible, it is best to keep the door completely closed and not even open a large tent.

Now, almost everyone has to be convinced that it is imperative to retreat.Those who listened to Yang Xiu's explanation of Cao Cao's "chicken ribs" at the banquet and started to pack their bags early, heard about this incident and praised Yang Xiu's ability to predict the future.Of course, these are things for later.

However, the development of the situation has once again exceeded everyone's expectations.

Guo Jia walked out of Cao Cao's tent.Since that day when the doctor checked Cao Cao's pulse, Cao Cao only allowed Guo Jia to enter, whether it was delivering medicine or sending orders.Although some people find it strange, like Xiahou?????????????????? Gu? Mengsi Liu lectures on soot renderingbr>

Guo Jia cleared his throat with a light cough, and passed two general orders to Cao Cao:

First, the two sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were sent to each lead 1 people to garrison two ferry crossings on the north bank of Xiakou to guard against Jiangdong's northeast attack.

second……

"Gong Jin, I don't have to return the piano that I owe you." Sun Ce strode into Zhou Yu's tent and slapped the Chinese book in his hand on the desk.He has a bright smile, and his brows and eyes are full of unrestrained pride, all of which are expectations,

"Cao Cao sent a letter of war. Three days later, we will hunt with our army on the river."