Beacon smoke rises... winds and clouds gather in the north!

  Recommendations, collections, clicks, and evaluations are all welcome... Thank you, I appreciate it...

  #######

  Cao Cao smiled lightly and waved his hand in a modest gesture, then glanced again at Xun Yu, who was standing first on the left.

  Xun Yu understood, and immediately stood up and said loudly: "Everyone, the northern Yuan Shao wants to lead the armies of You, Bing, Qing, Ji, and four states with tens of thousands of soldiers to invade our territory. Although our army beheaded Yan Liang at Baima..." As he spoke, he didn't forget to glance at Xiahou Dun, who looked embarrassed and touched his nose, his expression extremely helpless.

  "However, this cannot change the overall situation, Yuan Shao's vanguard has already crossed the Yellow River... and is now directly attacking Xuchang..."

  Cao Cao listened and showed no joy or anger, nodded slightly, picked up a letter on the table and shook it several times, with a hint of smile on his face. Looking at the civil and military officials around him, he said in a low voice: "Hmph, Chen Lin's writing skills are quite good..."

  "Unexpectedly, he even added all his ancestors, haha, his writing talent is quite surprising..."

  Everyone heard the words and fell silent, Chen Lin's article was already known to everyone in the hall.

  Many people are extremely angry, but they have no choice. That Yuan Benchu indeed has the qualifications to be arrogant, directing the power of four continents and leading tens of thousands of troops, his momentum is not small!

  Cao Cao's eyes gazed at the civil and military officials on both sides, who were all silent and waiting with bated breath. His eyes gleamed with a cold light, making those officials feel a chill run down their backs, especially those who had guilty consciences.

  Xiahou Dun's single eye narrowed slightly, and his eyes seemed to have a flame burning inside. Chen Lin's letter of impeachment had once again enraged Xiahou Dun. Zhang Fei had previously infuriated Xiahou Dun by cursing Cao Cao's ancestors, but Chen Lin was even more ruthless, directly exposing the fact that the Cao family, the Xiahou family, and even Cao Cao's grandfather Cao Teng were all eunuchs.

  At this thought, Xiahou Dun could no longer hold back his temper and suddenly stood up to face Cao Cao in a deep voice: "General, I wish to be the vanguard and kill Yuan Shao, making him disappear like falling flowers and flowing water..."

  Cao Cao heard this and glanced at Xiahou Dun, his eyes gleaming with delight. He savored the words: "Oh? Yuan wants you to be the vanguard?"

  Seemingly having caught the playful tone in his voice, Xiahou Dun's old face turned red, and he immediately puffed out his neck, glared with one eye, and roared: "What is it that I dare not do?"

  Everyone in the hall looked at each other, envying Xiahou Dun for being able to stare at Lord Cao, as if only Xiahou Yuan was allowed to do so.

  Cao Cao didn't take Xiahou Dun's appearance to heart, and chuckled, pressing his hands together, then turned to Xun Yu with a hint.

  Xun Yu saw Cao Cao's eyes and nodded, slowly standing up again, came to the center of the hall, first saluted Cao Cao, then instructed things with precision.

  Xun Yu glanced around at the civil and military officials, saying in a low voice: "Everyone here is an important minister of the court. Now Yuan Shao has committed a great evil under heaven, raising troops to invade our borders. The General-in-Chief has decided to personally lead the army into battle against Yuan Shao."

  After finishing, he paused for a moment and said in a slightly relaxed tone: "Although Yuan Shao has more than 700,000 troops, they are only superficial and cannot withstand a single blow. Yuan Shao's army has been fighting continuously for years and is already exhausted. In fact, it is the last gasp of a dying ember. Yuan Shao does not think about resting and recovering, but instead rashly starts a war and tears up the alliance agreement... This is already a loss of righteousness in the world."

  "Our lord has just beheaded Yan Liang and Wen Chou at the White Horse, greatly dampening the morale of Yuan's army."

  Yuan Shao's army was divided into various factions, and the soldiers' hearts were not united. The four great strategists of Yuan Shao had different styles: "Tian Feng was straightforward but offended his superiors, Xu You was greedy and undisciplined. Shen Pei was narrow-minded and lacked strategy, Peng Yue was decisive but self-willed." These four people would surely engage in open strife and secret struggle, not worth worrying about.

  "My lord only needs to lead the vanguard against Yuan Shao, while I will take care of the rear supplies and logistics. I will do my utmost to ensure that my lord has no worries about the rear." Xun Yu finished speaking, then bowed to Cao Cao and returned to his original seat.

  All the civil and military officials had just awakened from their morning dream, and Cao Cao burst out laughing, pointing at Xun Yu: "If Wen Ruo is really a talented assistant, he is indeed the Zhuge Liang bestowed upon me by Heaven."

  Xun Yu shook his head repeatedly and declined modestly after hearing this.

  Cao Cao glanced at his chief advisor, Guo Jia, also known as the "Ghostly Talent".

  Guo Jia had a careless look on his face, holding a small gourd and drinking wine leisurely. His clothes were disheveled. Cao Cao couldn't help but laugh and scold: "You good-for-nothing Guo, we are discussing the great affairs of state and military, and you're still drinking here? What crime should you be punished for?"

  "Hmm... Sir, what crime has Jia committed? Jia really doesn't know, please tell him?" After speaking, he stretched his neck and continued to drink his wine leisurely, with a very carefree and casual gaze at Cao Cao, a hint of a playful and irreverent smile playing on the corner of his mouth.

  "Cao Cao originally wanted to laugh and scold in response, but as soon as he spoke, he saw Guo Jia's strange smile, as if he remembered something, and hurriedly stopped his mouth, coughing slightly. With a serious face, he looked at Guo Jia and said in a deep voice: "Feng Xiao, Wen Ruo advises that I should personally lead the army to fight against Yuan Shu, what do you suggest?"

  "Huh?" Guo Jia heard this and smiled, took a sip of wine to moisten his throat, and said: "My lord, Wen Ruo is a great talent, if Wen Ruo says we should fight, why not fight?"

  Cao Cao listened and sighed repeatedly, shaking his head at Guo Jia. Xun Yu heard the words and his face turned red, scolding Guo Jia angrily: "Guo Langzi, now it's a matter of national survival, you're not serious either? Hmph, when will you return my money?"

  "Hey, hey... Wen Ruo, you're a gentleman, but now it seems a bit unfair, huh? You clearly know that Jia Shen has no money, yet you still want him to return the money. Isn't this forcing someone into a difficult situation?" Guo Jia muttered in protest, but seeing Xun Yu's piercing gaze, he helplessly shrugged his shoulders, put down the gourd, and assumed a smiling expression on his face.

  Cao Cao's expression changed, and Xun Yu also glared at Guo Jia with a bad temper. They knew that Guo Jia was indeed the legendary "Ghostly Talent"!

  Guo Jia closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and bowed to Cao Cao, saying slowly: "My lord, I agree with Wenwu's words. You should lead the army personally to fight against Yuan Shao."

  Cao Cao's eyebrows furrowed, a hint of worry between them, and he said in a low voice: "Is it really unavoidable?"

  Guo Jia and Xun Yu exchanged a glance and said in unison: "It won't work if it's not like this!"

  Cao Cao nodded helplessly and suddenly looked at Guo Jia with hope: "Does Fengxiao have a wonderful plan?"

  Guo Jia pointed to his own head and said helplessly: "Lord, do you think I'm a supernatural being? Can clever ideas be thought of just by wanting to?"

  "However, Jia has one word to say to everyone!" Guo Jia's eyes gleamed with a hint of divine light as he spoke slowly.

  Cao Cao's eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Guo Jia and urged him: "Fengxiao, what clever words do you have? Speak quickly!"

  Guo Jia coughed several times and said loudly.

  "Yuan Shao was of noble birth and had many elaborate rituals. The lord's natural and effortless demeanor is the key to success."

  Yuan Shao acted against the trend, while our lord followed the trend, this is where righteousness lies.

  Since Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, governance has been lost due to leniency. Yuan Shao used leniency to indulge, while our lord uses strictness to correct, this is the victory of governance.

  Yuan Shao is lenient on the outside but suspicious at heart, and he appoints people based only on their relationship with him. Lord Cao is simple in manner but discerning in mind, and he uses people based solely on their ability. This is why he will win.

  Yuan Shao is good at planning but poor at decision-making. The lord gets a plan and immediately puts it into action, this is the key to success.

  Yuan Shao is greedy for fame and reputation, but our lord treats people with utmost sincerity, which is a virtue that surpasses his.

  Yuan Shao favors petty men and distances himself from wise ministers; our lord's considerations are thorough in every way, this is the triumph of benevolence.

  Yuan Shao listened to slander and became confused, but our lord is wise and discerning, and his subtle influence will ultimately prevail.

  Yuan Shao confuses right and wrong, our lord's laws are strict and severe, this is where the letter excels.

  Yuan Shao is fond of empty fame and does not know the essentials of warfare. Our lord can use a small force to defeat a large one, and his military tactics are divine, this is the key to victory.

  "My lord has ten advantages, Yuan Shao has ten disadvantages. How can my lord not win this battle? Jia thought that in this battle, my lord should take the field." After finishing his words in one breath, Guo Jia shook his head and slowly sat back to his original position, holding a gourd and sipping wine, looking very carefree...

  As later generations said: "Heavenly born Guo Yunxiao, heroic and outstanding among the heroes. With classics and history stored in his belly, and military strategies hidden in his chest!" It seems that everything is under his control!

  Half a moment later, Cao Cao came back to his senses and pointed at Guo Jia with surprise and delight: "What a genius! What a Guo Langzi!"

  All the generals looked at Guo Jia with a face of admiration, their eyes filled with deep astonishment... Often hearing Lord Cao's words that Guo Fuxiao alone could resist 100,000 troops, the generals usually saw Guo Fuxiao's rogue style and sneered at him. Only today did they know that Guo Fuxiao's reputation as a genius was not in vain!

  A moment later, Cao Cao suddenly stood up, and the civil and military ministers drew out the leaning-on-the-sky sword from their waists and cut it down on the table case. He shouted loudly: "If this battle is lost, Cao will behead himself with this sword. If we win, Cao and all of you will directly attack Ye City and drink a thousand cups of fine wine."

  The generals heard this and were momentarily moved in their hearts. They all knelt down and responded loudly: "We will definitely risk our lives to repay our lord..."

  Cao Cao listened, and a surge of heroic spirit rose in his chest, his eyes flashing with boundless martial intent. He thought to himself: "Zhenji, this time I will have a fierce battle with you..."

  At this thought, Cao Cao leaned on the Heavenly Sword and suddenly swung it forward, the sword tip emitting a chill that seemed to seep into his bones.

  "All generals listen to orders, follow General Cao northward to battle against Yuan Shao!"

  "I will obey your orders!"

  Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, two powerful warlords, vied for control of the north, and for a time, the beacons flared again, and the winds howled...