Chapter 51: Xu Zhou Chen Deng, advance distribution of spoils?

  Xu Du's expression was solemn, and the crowd's faces were heavy with worry as they looked at the battle report from Xuzhou. Cao Cao shook his head and asked: "Everyone has seen the battle report of Xuzhou, what do you think?"

  Xuzhou Battle Report: Liu Bei's army was defeated at Xiaopei, General Xiahou Yuan came to rescue Liu Bei, but Zhang Liao and Gao Shun led their troops to defeat General Xiahou.

  Xun Yu stepped forward, cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Lü Bu is a tiger-like man, currently occupying Xuzhou, posing a great threat to our army. Since Longyang has been pacified, we can take advantage of the momentum to attack Xuzhou, seize the grain depot in the southeast, and after taking Xuzhou, our army can return to Yuzhou and unify the Guandong region south of the Yellow River!"

  Guo Jia also stood up and said: "My lord, Wen Ruo's words are reasonable. Please send troops to Xuzhou!"

  "Please dispatch troops to Xuzhou!" The two main strategists expressed their opinions, and the other staff members also expressed their agreement.

  "Alright, Wen Ruo will defend Xudu, and I'll personally lead the army to attack Xuzhou!"

  "I will die for my lord and capture Xuzhou!"

  After three days of preparation, Cao led 50,000 troops to Xuzhou, mobilizing the entire Yanzhou region. With Guo Jia and Xun Yu as military strategists, Xiahou Yuan as vanguard, and Cao Ren and Cao Hong as rear guards, the Battle of Xu Zhou began!

  Lü Bu changed his identity this time and joined Man Chong as a supervisor of the Cao army, going out to battle together. In order to ensure safety, Lü Bu brought along Dian Wei, Shi Ai, and Mu Zhan, and also summoned Xu Chu from Fan County to lead an army of 1,000 soldiers to support Cao Cao. After all, Lü Bu is the world's number one martial general, so it's better to bring a few more people for safety!

  After half a month of marching, Cao's army finally arrived at Xuzhou. This was Cao's third expedition to Xuzhou, and being familiar with the route, they quickly set up camp and met with the various generals in the main tent.

  "See Lord Cao!" Liu Bei and his two companions went inside the tent to welcome Cao.

  "No need for courtesy, Lü Bu is a treacherous man, he has betrayed trust and abandoned righteousness, rejoining Yuan Shu to become an enemy of the Han Dynasty. Today we will jointly punish this national thief!"

  "Thank you, Lord Cao!"

  "Gentlemen, no need for formalities, please take a seat. Feng Xiao, tell us about our army's situation!"

  "Yes, milord!" Guo Jia bowed slightly and walked up to the map.

  "My lord, please look. Now Lü Bu is stationed at Xiaopei, preparing his troops and getting ready to engage in battle with our army. At the same time, Zhang Miao from Shandong has defected to Lü Bu and is raiding the northern counties of Yanzhou, if we lose Dong'a area of Yanzhou, our army will be in danger of being attacked from both front and back!"

  Cao stroked his beard, gazing at the map, and began to ponder. If Zang Ba conquered the northern counties of Yan Province, Cao would be meaningless here.

  Cao Cao ordered, "Cao Ren, listen to my command! I order you to lead an army of 10,000 men to Shandong, block Zhang Bao and guard the gates of Yan Province!"

  "Yes!" Cao Ren received the order arrow and bowed his fist in salute, then withdrew from the main tent and headed to Shandong.

  "What's your strategy for defeating the enemy?"

  "My lord, Lü Bu is using his leisure to await our labor. Our army should avoid his sharp edge and surround Xiaopei without attacking it. When Lü Bu's morale is low, we can look for an advantageous opportunity to strike and defeat him in one move!"

  Filial words are reasonable. Our army is tired from the long expedition, and now we should wait quietly for a good opportunity to pass on my order, rectify the whole army, strictly defend the camp, and prevent Lü Bu's surprise attack!

  "Yes! My lord!"

  "Your turn, Rui!" Cao's troops were stationed and corrected, idle and bored, and Lü Rui was playing a game of throwing pots in the empty space.

  Ding! Lv Rui threw it in again. Cao smiled and picked up a short arrow, ready to throw.

  "Report, milord! Chen Deng from Xuzhou requests an audience!"

  "Oh?" Cao patted his hand and said: "Invite him to meet me in my tent!"

  "Rui Er? Let's go, we'll compete again next time!" Hehe, Chen Deng has arrived? Is he here to surrender?

  "Xuzhou Chen Deng and Chen Yuanlong pay their respects to Lord Cao!" As soon as Chen Deng saw Cao, he performed a grand bow.

  "Please, don't be polite, have a seat."

  "Little Master!" Chen Deng greeted Lü Rui.

  "Yuan Long is being polite!" Lü Rui also returned the courtesy.

  After the three men took their seats in order of precedence, Cao asked: "Yuan Long, it has been a long time since we parted ways at Xuchang. Your demeanor remains unchanged. I wonder what brings you here this time?"

  "Yuan Long, this time I have come to help Cao Gong eliminate the national thieves and pacify Xuzhou!"

  Looking at Chen Deng's sincere eyes, Cao patted his hand and said: "Good! Good! Good! With Yuan Long's help, what is Cao Mengde worried about not succeeding in great things? However, can Yuan Long help our army have any conditions?"

  Chen Deng cupped his hands and said: "Lord Cao is wise! Chen Deng only wants to protect his family, for himself to seek the position of Guangling Governor, guarding his hometown."

  Lü Rui couldn't help but laugh to himself, Chen Yuanlong, ah, Chen Yuanlong, indeed a good strategist. The governor of Yangzhou? The Chen family is a prominent clan in Yangzhou, with a strong foundation and abundant military power. If you become the governor of Yangzhou, wouldn't that make you the king of Yangzhou?

  "Originally, Long Zhongyi was a loyal and righteous man who defended his hometown. I, Cao Cao, admire him deeply. I've heard that Elder Chen is advanced in age and not feeling well. There is a famous doctor named Hua Tuo temporarily residing in Cao Fu, I wonder if the elder would be willing to go to Cao Fu? I'd also like to invite the famous doctor to diagnose and treat the elder!"

  The wife of Chen is indeed bold and daring, isn't the Chen family going to marry off their daughter to Guangling King? Alright, Cao Mengde agrees to your terms, however, as a famous scholar from Xuzhou, Chen Gui will have to go to Xuchang as a hostage. With Chen Gui there, I'm not afraid that you'll disobey me!

  Chen Deng cupped his hands and said: "My father has admired Lord Cai for a long time, and often whispered to Yuan Long in his ear, hoping to go to Xudu City to live in the Cai Mansion and have a pleasant conversation with Lord Cai about national affairs."

  "And?" Chen Deng looked at Lü Rui and said, "My father has also long heard that Young Master's chess skills are exceptional. He hopes to play a game with Young Master in Xudu. It's just that I don't know if my father will have this opportunity."

  Cao was taken aback, it turned out that this father and son were specially coming to surrender to him? Originally thought that others would be reserved, but they were not polite at all? Living in his own Cao Manor?

  Lü Rui also shook his head helplessly. This father and son duo had planned to include themselves with Cao, weren't they going to rely on him? Alright, since they were relying on him, they should be given treatment. Chen Gui entered the Imperial Chancellor's mansion? Inside and outside cooperation, the position of the Chen family's Guangling King was stable! As the saying goes, having someone in the imperial court makes things easier!

  Cao also thought of this soon, but you can't use a cold butt to slap someone's hot face, right? Cao just smiled and said: "So the old man had this intention early on? This official is very happy, Yuan Long, go down and rest first, tomorrow this official will discuss the matter of Xuzhou with you again."

  "Thank you, Sir Cai! Yuan Long takes his leave!"

  Just after Chen Deng had left, Guan Yu arrived. Cao sat in the main seat and asked: "Yunchang? What important matter do you have for coming to see me?" Seeing Guan Yu arrive, Cao thought that something big must have happened.

  "Guān Yu bowed and knelt down, saying: 'I, Guān, have a matter that requires your lordship's decision, Sir!'"

  "What's the matter with Yun Chang? Hurry up and tell me, if it's something that this humble official can handle, I'll definitely do my best."

  "Sir, Yunchang is approaching middle age and his wife has been away from him for many years. Lü Bu's wife, Qin Yilu, is as beautiful as a flower, and Yunchang has had feelings for her for a long time. If we capture Xiapi, Yunchang wants to ask this woman to be his concubine, please help us, Sir!"

  Lü Rui almost spat out his tea water. What's wrong, Second Brother? Haven't you even besieged Biyetou yet and you're already thinking about women?

  Cao Cao burst out laughing and pointed at Guan Yu, saying: "So Yunchang is also a romantic? He's just asking for a woman, what's so difficult about that? I, the Prime Minister, promise you that if we get this woman, she will be given to Yunchang!"

  "Thank you, Sir!" Guan Yu left the main tent with a happy heart after getting a positive response.

  "Hurry and bring Chen Deng before me!" The personal guard received Cao's order and went out to find Chen Deng.

  Isn't it? People's wife Cao? You're thinking of someone else's wife again? This hasn't even started fighting yet? Already thinking about dividing women?

  "Chen Deng has arrived to see the Duke of Wei!" Chen Deng had just finished washing up and still had water on his face, but he hastily came to pay his respects to Cao.

  Seeing Chen Deng's appearance, Cao also felt embarrassed and smiled: "Yuan Long has worked hard. The governor has something to ask Yuan Long, so he specially invited Yuan Long over. It's a disturbance to Yuan Long, don't mind."

  "Sir, you're being too polite. It's an honor for Yuan Long to serve you, sir. What can I do for you today?" Could it be that Cao wants to ask for his advice? Well, fortunately, he had been prepared for this.

  "Yuan Long? Is there a general named Qin Yilu under Lü Bu?"

  "Yes, Lord Cao, Lü Bu indeed has a subordinate named Qin Yilu, who was one of his men when he killed Dong Zhuo!"

  "Oh? I wonder who this person's wife is? Is she a stunning beauty? A ravishing woman?"

  Chen Deng was stunned as soon as he heard it. Cao had come to find him just because of a woman? He asked about the appearance of this woman.

  Suddenly, Chen Deng remembered the secret report of the Zhōu family in Wǎn City and immediately understood. Then he bowed and said: "Duke Cao, this woman is not worthy to be seen by Yuán Lóng, but I've heard that she's a beautiful woman. If Duke Cao likes her, after breaking through Pí Xiè, Yuán Lóng will offer this woman to Duke Cao. Duke Cao entrusts this private matter to Yuán Lóng, and Yuán Lóng will definitely not betray the mission!" After finishing speaking, he looked at Cao with an excited face.

  Xiao Dengdeng, you misunderstood. You thought that Ni Qi's wife told you this private matter in order to win you over? No, it was actually Ni Qi's wife who had an affair with someone else and took a liking to your husband!

  Seeing Chen Deng's eyes, Cao hastily waved his hand and said: "Yuan Long misunderstood, this is what Yunchang wanted, asking this woman to be his wife. Ben Si Kong was just casually asking, Yunchang is a fierce tiger, he should also have a good match."

  "So that's how it is! Sir Cai indeed cares for his subordinates, Yuan Long admires him!" Chen Deng thought to himself: This matter must be accomplished for Sir Cai!

  Afterwards, Cao and Chen Deng discussed the situation in Xuzhou for a while before letting Chen leave. After he left, Cao walked back and forth alone in front of the map, muttering to himself from time to time, thinking about strategies to deal with Lü Bu!

  Lü Rui supported his chin with his hand, looking at Cao, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Poor little BuBu, Xuzhou hasn't even been lost yet, and others have already started dividing the spoils, discussing how to divide your Xuzhou, not even sparing your subordinate's wife? This marquis is not greedy, just that red rabbit horse of yours will do! Thinking of this, Lü Rui hehe smiled.