Chapter 8: Autumn of Multiple Events, Target Xuzhou!

  In Xudu's empty mansion, in Cao's study, the lamps were shining brightly.

  "What are your views on Xuzhou Chen Deng's secret report?" Cao picked up the hot wine on the table and took a sip.

  Intelligence report: Jiang Dong's Sun Ce is frequently mobilizing troops today, possibly with the intention of making a surprise attack on Xuzhou!

  Xun Yu stepped forward, cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Xuzhou is the granary of the southeast, the people are fierce, our army cannot lose it. Please send someone to support and guard against Sun Ce!

  "If words are reasonable, my lord, Gong Sun Zan is being pressed step by step by Yuan Shao and may not last long. If Yuan Shao destroys Gong Sun Zan, he will definitely send troops to the south to contend with our army. If Xuzhou is not secure, I fear that when our army clashes with Yuan's army, we will worry about running out of grain and fodder!" Xun Yu nodded in agreement with Xun You's suggestion.

  "What does Zhong De think?"

  "I also agree with Wen Ruo and Gong Da's suggestion, Xuzhou is an important town in the southeast, our lord must send troops to rescue it, but I think there is no need to send a large army, just sending a wise general to defend Xuzhou will do!"

  Cao Cao stroked his beard and said, "Zhongde's words are reasonable. Our army is currently short of troops. To the southwest there is Zhang Yang, to the north there is Yuan Shao, in Xiliang there are Ma Teng and Han Sui, in Henan there is the remnants of Zhang Yang's forces causing trouble, and in Yuzhou the Yellow Turbans are also making a disturbance. Our army cannot mobilize a large force to garrison Xuchang. Who do you think should go to Xuchang, Zhongde?"

  "My lord, I recommend that Man Chong lead our troops to support Xuzhou!"

  "Full and warm?"

  "Yes, my lord. Man Chong has pacified Yu Nan and eliminated the remnants of the Yuan family's retainers and old officials, uprooting the aristocratic families of Yu Province. This shows his strategic mind. If Man Chong assists Chen Deng, Guangling can be guaranteed to not fall. If Guangling does not fall, Sun Ce will have no way to advance on Xuzhou!"

  "Good, Zhong De is right. Alright, let Man Chong lead the troops to Guangling and assist Chen Deng. And Rui Er is also in Xuzhou, it's a good opportunity for him to go with Man Chong to Xu State and get some more training!"

  "Yes, milord!"

  "Everyone withdraw, let Zhong Da stay!" Cao waved his hand and the rest of the people withdrew.

  "What important matter does Master want to leave Cheng Yu for?"

  "Zhong De, you're not young anymore, take a seat, no need for excessive courtesy!"

  "Thank you, sir!"

  Cao took out a secret report from his bosom and handed it to Cheng Yu, saying: "This was discovered by Rui'er and Man Chong in Yuzhou, take a look!"

  "What...?" Cheng Yu's eyebrows slowly furrowed, his eyes staring at the secret report as he shook his head.

  "What does Zhong De think?"

  "My lord, Liu Bei is a hero of the age, a man of great talent! If we don't eliminate him as soon as possible, I fear he will become a great threat. However, my lord cannot kill a famous scholar without cause, or it will chill the hearts of all the heroes in the land!"

  "Zhang De, Feng Xiao is not here at the moment. Feng Xiao said that Liu Bei is a powerful and ambitious warlord, and it would be best to neither use him nor kill him. What do you think, Zhang De?"

  "My lord, I completely agree with the law of filial piety, what doubts do you have?"

  Today, Dong Cheng came to the Sima's residence and paid his respects. He said that Your Majesty wants to summon the meritorious officials who conquered Xuzhou, including Zhongda? Will Liu Bei use this as an excuse to transfer him to a distant place? The Emperor has not yet decided how to deal with Liu Bei, it is better for him to stay in Xuchang!

  "My lord worries too much, this is actually a good opportunity!"

  "What does Zhong De mean?" Cao asked in puzzlement.

  "Your Majesty wants to use Liu Bei to restrain our lord. My lord, we can turn the tables and let Liu Bei be promoted and enfeoffed, leaving him in charge of Xuchang. Your Majesty will certainly agree for the sake of seeking help. How can Liu Bei escape from Xuchang then? If Your Majesty makes another move, that would be handing us a knife to eliminate Liu Bei!"

  "Good! This plan is excellent, Zhong De, you go and make arrangements, tomorrow morning at dawn we must keep Liu Bei in Xudu!"

  "Yes, milord!"

  Cheng Yu left, and Hei Ying walked out from behind the screen, saying: "I pay my respects to your lordship!"

  "Zhi Cai, is Lv Bu's matter going smoothly?"

  "Please be at ease, my lord. Everything is proceeding as planned. Lü Bu's 'corpse' has been brought back to Xuchang by my subordinate and is now in the separate residence arranged by you. All is going smoothly. In five years, Lü Bu will be ready for your use."

  "Hmm, Zhicai, do you know what's really worrying me right now?"

  "Is Lord worried about Liu Bei's army and horses in Xudu?"

  "Only those who know me understand my ambition! The turmoil of Liu Bei's troops in Yuzhou is not to be feared, and the bravery of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu is something that I, Cao Cao, appreciate but do not take lightly. However, Liu Bei's army in Xuchang is indeed a major concern for me!"

  Xizhi nodded, indeed, Liu Bei was as gentle as a rabbit in Xudu, Cao had no chance to take action. Liu Bei's troops were not many, about 3,000 people, which did not pose a great threat to Cao, but if Cao led his army northward, Xudu would be empty, then Liu Bei's 3,000 men might be the fatal blow!

  "What clever plan does Zhuge Liang have to make Liu Bei lead his troops out of Xudu?"

  "My lord, Liu Bei is a cautious man. If you want him to lead his troops out of Xudu, my lord must make Liu Bei feel threatened, thinking that my lord will not hesitate to kill him regardless of reputation. At that time, Liu Bei will definitely take the opportunity to lead his troops away!"

  "Do you feel endangered? Do you feel endangered?" Cao stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then smiled and said: "Zhicai, the master has made up his mind, you can withdraw!"

  "Yes, milord!" Xi Zhi bowed and backed out of the room.

  "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long long live!"

  "All of you may rise!" Emperor Xian Liu sat on his throne, indicating that the officials could stand up now.

  "Your Majesty, I, Cao, have something to report!"

  "Director Cao, please speak!"

  "Your subject Cao now brings the merit of defeating the rebel Lv Bu of Xuzhou, and enters the palace to pay respects to Your Majesty. I request that Your Majesty grant rewards!"

  "Yes, all of you have made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion and should be rewarded!" Liu Xie then began to reward everyone.

  "Your subject Liu Bei pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

  "But isn't that Liu Bei, the governor of Yu Province?" Liu Xie looked at Liu Bei and indeed he was a talented and handsome man, much more so than Cao Cao!

  "Your Majesty, it is indeed your humble subject!"

  "Liu Ai-qing, although you and I have not met before, I still know a thing or two about your merits. You killed Yang Feng and defeated Lü Bu, your efforts were not small!"

  "Your Majesty, I am terrified, how did you know about me?"

  "Liu Ai Qing doesn't have to be polite, where is Liu Ai Qing from? Who were his ancestors?"

  "I, Liu Bei, am a native of Zhuo County in Youzhou Prefecture..." Then Liu Bei went on to give a detailed account of his family background.

  "Liu Ai Qing is a descendant of Zhongshan Jing Wang? And shares the same ancestry as myself? A relative of the Han imperial family"

  "I report back to Your Majesty, I am indeed a relative of the Han imperial family. However, due to our family's decline, I couldn't bear to mention it!" Afterwards, Liu Bei recited his genealogy from memory.

  The officials were amazed after hearing this, and they thought that this person had an extraordinary memory! Cao's eyes revealed a profound gaze, "Liu Xuande? What a great calculation!"

  "What is the right path?"

  "I am here!"

  "Quickly bring the imperial family tree and investigate Liu Ai's identity!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!"

  Then Zong Zheng and the eunuchs brought over a large stack of imperial genealogy, and began to flip through it in the court meeting. Since Zhongshan Jingwang Liu Sheng was a prince of the Western Han, although Liu Xiu was a descendant of Liu Bang, he was also separated by many generations, and the workload for searching was huge. The officials waited for the result on the temple, and not a few people's legs were numb from standing.

  "Your Majesty, there is already a result." The officials all let out a deep breath upon hearing this, finally, there was a result.

  "Come quickly, Zong Zheng!"

  "Your Majesty, after investigation, it is confirmed that Liu Bei is indeed a member of the Han imperial clan and is still Your Majesty's uncle in terms of generation!"

  "Oh? So that's how it is? Liu Ai Qing is actually still my imperial uncle? Haha... Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, our relatives have been scattered, but today I finally see a Liu family relative again, and what a capable talent!"

  "Your subject Liu Bei is filled with trepidation, Your Majesty has overpraised me!"

  "Hmm, Liu Aiqing has made great contributions to the Han Dynasty since the suppression of the Yellow Turbans. I have decided to promote Liu Aiqing to Left General."

  "Congratulations to Your Majesty and General Liu Bei on recognizing each other as uncle and nephew!" The officials all congratulated Emperor Xian of Han and Liu Bei.

  "Today I'm hosting a banquet in the palace, and I've invited Liu Ai Qing. All of you Ai Qing are also welcome to come!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  "Your minister Cheng Yu has a matter to report!" Cheng Yu stepped forward at Cao's signal.

  "Please speak, Cheng Ai Qing!"

  "I report to Your Majesty, Liu Bei is the Governor of Yu Province. Recently, the rebellion in Ru'nan has been pacified by the governor of Ru'nan, Man Chong. The province is now at peace. Liu Bei should go to Yu Province to govern the province and its counties."

  "Oh?" Liu Xie thought to himself, "Dong Cheng and others have insufficient military strength in Xu Du, while Liu Bei has 3,000 troops. Does Cao Cao want to wound my wings? How can I let you succeed?"

  "What Minister Cheng said is reasonable, but since the Dong Zhuo rebellion, our relatives have been scattered all over. Now that Liu Ai is in Xuchang, I have decided to keep him by my side and make use of his services. As for the position of Governor of Yu Province, let Liu Ai hold it in absentia!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!" Cheng Yu bowed and retreated, that was exactly what he wanted!

  Liu Bei heard this and secretly cursed Liu Xie, feeling that he had lost an opportunity to escape from Xu Du. However, on the surface, he still smiled and bowed his hands, saying: "Your subject Liu Bei thanks Your Majesty!"

  After the court session, all the officials had a drink in the palace. Liu Bei got drunk and was supported by eunuchs as he staggered back to his residence. The other officials also returned home one after another.

  Outside the palace gate, Cheng Yu bowed his hands and said: "Your Excellency, it's actually letting Liu Bei get a name of Imperial Uncle, what a miscalculation!"

  Cao smiled and said: "Zhongde, the name of a single clan is nothing to me, but Liu Bei must be extremely careful. Continue to send people to monitor Liu Bei, if there's any unusual movement, report back quickly!"

  "Yes, milord!" Cheng Yu bowed and left.

  "Liu Bei? Hmph! Since that's the case, I'll make you feel threatened and leave Xudu automatically! Liu Xuande? Good, very good!" Cao smiled slyly and left the palace gate, returning to the Sima Mansion.

  Seven days later, in the government office of Ru'nan, Man Chong gathered everyone to read out Cao's edict, then let them disperse and prepare individually.

  Cao Cao's edict was: Man Chong and Lü Yi led their troops to Guangling to support Chen Deng, Liu Yao returned to Xuchang to await orders, Zhu Ling led the main army to garrison near Xuchang, and Runan was defended by Cai Yang with his troops.

  Only Man Chong and Lü Rui were left in the hall, Man Chong looked at Lü Rui and said: "Marquis, we can also prepare to head to Xuzhou."

  "What's going on in Yuzhou?"

  "Your Lordship need not worry, Governor Si Kong has his plans. Our military strength is insufficient and we must defend against all sides, so we can only prioritize our defense. Yun Nan is no longer a major province, defending it to the death would be meaningless for us!"

  Lü Rui nodded after listening, and Cao Jun's situation was indeed very embarrassing. It was like his previous life playing the Three Kingdoms game, where everyone around him was an enemy, without any allies, attacking him every day, exhausting all his supplies. At least that was how Lü Rui played the game in his previous life!

  "But the troops Liu Bei left in Yuzhou are still a threat!"

  "Prince Hou? Sir Sima has long been prepared, if our great army withdraws, what will happen to Liu Bei's troops?"

  "Attack Runan!"

  "It is true that the bandits are hiding in the mountains and it's hard to surround and wipe them out, but if we gather our forces and destroy them, it will be easy!"

  "So that's it, Rui'er understands!" Cao's wife invites you to enter the urn? You all came to Yuzhang City, and then capture you! It's indeed a wonderful plan!

  The next day, Man Chong and Lü Bu set out for Xuzhou with their troops. This time, Lü Bu did not ride in a carriage but instead rode horseback alongside Man Chong.

  When they arrived at a stream, the troops stopped to rest. Man Chong said to Lü Bu, "General, this year is really a troublesome autumn!"

  Lü Rui smiled and indeed it was so, busy coming and going, without a moment's leisure!

  "Your Lordship, Xuzhou is not comparable to Runan. Your Lordship and Man Chong going together, this kind of bravery, Man Chong admires, no wonder Governor Si Kong holds you in such high esteem!"

  "Ben Ning was polite, and the Marquis only did his duty!" What's there to be afraid of in Xuzhou? With Chen Deng around, Sun Da and Sun Er are no match. Sun Da is currently in Lujiang, so it must be Sun Er who is leading the attack. Even without Chen Deng, we have you, Ben Ning, the Ben Ning who defeated 200,000 men with just 500 soldiers! What do I have to fear? We have a thousand men!