Chapter Eleven: Undercurrents Surge

  Cao Anmin did not expect that the strategy he had stolen from Cao Cao seventeen years later to deal with Ma Chao would go so smoothly, and even more unexpectedly, Cao Ang would unhesitatingly attribute all the credit to his predecessor.

  Unfortunately, however, Cao Anmin was unable to change the course of history. The wheels of history ruthlessly crushed his body and mind, while he could only remain silent like an ant, unable to stop the rolling red dust of history despite his reluctance.

  For the first time, Cao Anmin felt a sense of humility, realizing that changing history wasn't so simple.

  However, at least Cao Cao's side had not yet received news of Xuzhou.

  As soon as he finished reading the letter in his hand, a look of astonishment appeared on Cheng Yu's face, and he suddenly looked around at the crowd, only to see that everyone was also staring at him in surprise.

  At this time, Cao Cao had unknowingly returned to his original position, but at this moment, he also changed his expression and tone of voice, somewhat surprised, "The battle of Rencheng, not losing a single soldier or general, easily taking the city, was actually Cao Xin's plan to sow discord..."

  Guo Jia, who was standing beside Wen Hui, suddenly pulled out a fan and smiled as he fanned himself slowly. "My lord," he said calmly, "Cao Xin is indeed no ordinary person. The other day, I had the good fortune to meet Cai Yong, and we happened to run into a strange man reciting poetry in front of the government office. It turned out that it was Cao Xin after we inquired about him. Even Mr. Cai couldn't help but praise his poem."

  "Oh?" Cao Cao hadn't reacted yet, only slightly stunned for a moment, and then asked again: "Then, in your opinion, how will this battle of Ren City turn out?"

  As soon as the words fell, the originally gently swaying fan suddenly stopped in mid-air, and the smile on his face was simultaneously retracted. Looking at him, Guo Jia said solemnly: "But observing the Battle of Rencheng, it can be seen that this person is quite familiar with the principles of military strategy, the way of defeating the enemy's plan. Cao Xin, although he acts strangely, has a hidden cleverness. I think this person... really has the talent of Han Xin."

  As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was shocked again. Unexpectedly, Guo Jia actually compared the humble Xuzhou Ashin to the likes of Han Xin, immediately triggering a wave of head-shaking and murmurs from the crowd.

  Although Cao Cao's expression remained unchanged, his tone was laced with doubt as he said: "But at the banquet that day, you also saw it, didn't you? He actually dared to say such foolish words that Tao Qian would kill my father. Even if we won a small victory this time in Ren City, I still find it hard to entrust Cao Xin with important tasks..."

  "Perhaps this is due to Cao Xin's eccentric personality..."

  However, just as Guo Jia was about to make an explanation, he suddenly heard another shout coming from outside the council hall.

  But this time, it was not a scout who came, but rather Cao De, the senior historian of the imperial court.

  "My lord~, My lord ah~"

  A cry of grief, and at this moment all the people were shocked awake. However, there was a kind of ominous premonition surrounding Cao Cao's heart. He immediately stood up from his seat and quickly walked out of the hall.

  And all the people seeing the master like this, although they don't understand why, followed him in a hurry.

  "What's wrong with you, Cao De?! What is it that you want to report?"

  At this time, Cao De also saw Cao Cao's face, but he stumbled and his face was even more painful. He looked at the former and cried: "Regret... not listening to An Min's words... Father, he..."

  "What? What did you say? About Father Cao? How is he?" A hint of panic finally appeared on his face, and Cao Cao hastily asked.

  But at this moment, Cao De's next sentence instantly shocked Cao Cao and the civil and military officials behind him.

  Only then did Cao De continue to cry and sob, saying: "A scout has come to report... Xu State... Zhang Ke, a general under Tao Qian, last night... killed and murdered Father, taking the wealth and fleeing... Now Father's corpse... has been sent back by that Tao Qian... Brother! Father really was killed by Tao Qian..."

  "...". A loud buzzing sound in his mind, Cao Cao suddenly stumbled backward one step, but was caught by Wen Wu and others behind him, otherwise he would have fallen down immediately. However, at this moment, Cao Cao also felt extremely bitter, muttering to himself: "Really been spoken by Cao Anmin, really been... weighed down by Cao Anmin."

  "Taoyan matches husband! I swear to kill you!!" Suddenly a loud shout, "Puff" sound, a mouthful of turbid blood suddenly spurted out from the former's mouth, but after finishing this sentence, Cao Cao immediately fainted and died.

  "Master! Master!"

  On the other hand, when Cao Anmin was rushing back to Xuchang with Zhou Yu, another worrying thing had already happened in Chenliu County.

  Yanzhou, Chenliu.

  In the county government office, Zhang Mao and a middle-aged military general were sitting opposite each other on a mat in the house, seemingly discussing something secretly.

  At this moment, the middle-aged general said: "Governor, I have come here on the orders of my master to discuss with you how to capture Yanzhou."

  When he heard the opposite words, Zhang Miao's eyes lit up, but he didn't know what the other meant. He coldly laughed and said: "General, your words are wrong. I have a good relationship with Cao Gong, and we were once close friends. Now that Cao Gong has pacified Yan Province, he appointed me as the governor of Chenliu, how could I betray him?"

  The middle-aged general heard this, but burst out laughing and looked at Zhang Yan with ill intentions, saying: "Governor, why must you tease a small person like me? Outsiders all know that Cao Cao's position was originally under yours, but now his status is higher than yours. There have been rumors outside that you and Cao Gong are not on good terms because of this. Why do you need to hide it from me?"

  "Wei Xu's words have gone too far... Alas! But Zhang Mao doesn't know... What does our lord mean?"

  That was the middle-aged general who was called Wei Xu by Zhang Miao, and at this moment, seeing that Zhang Miao had already agreed, he was overjoyed and smiled secretly: "My military strategist has calculated that Cao Cao will attack Xuzhou in no time. My lord will lead the army to take advantage of the situation and attack Yanzhou when its forces are empty. Yanzhou must belong to my lord. If Governor Zhang surrenders, then after my lord obtains Yanzhou, he will appoint Governor Zhang as a senior general and petition the emperor to grant him a marquis title."

  "This... " On the surface, there was some hesitation, but in Zhang Miao's heart, he couldn't help but secretly rejoice. Yet, as if thinking of something else, he said to Wei Xu: "General Lü Bu is brave and fierce, I've already heard about it, but Cao Cao's power is great, with 100,000 elite soldiers in his hands, and many civil and military officials, can't we take over Yan Province in one move?"

  "Don't worry, sir. Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was killed by Zhang Kai of Tao Qian's forces. This time, Cao Cao has an excuse to attack Xuzhou and will surely launch a full-scale assault on Xuzhou. When that happens, the troops in Yanzhou will be depleted, presenting us with a rare opportunity to strike. I hope you won't hesitate, sir."

  "What should I do." A faint glint of cold light flashed in his eyes, and Zhang Miao also had no more scruples at this moment.

  At this moment, Wei Xu saw that the other party agreed and was constantly sneering: "When the time comes, my master will bring 30,000 iron cavalry to attack in three ways..."

  He then laid out a map of Yanzhou on the table, pointing to it as he spoke: "Here... here... here. Then launch a surprise attack on Puyang, and then attack Juancheng. At that time, all the governor needs to do is send troops to capture Zhenfan and Dong'a counties, and the gates of Yanzhou will be wide open. Then Yanzhou can be captured!"

  Zhang Yan nodded slightly and couldn't help but laugh: "Indeed a wonderful plan, as long as we can take down Yangzhou, Cao Cao will fall into a dilemma of advancing or retreating, then Cao thief is sure to die!"

  "Haha, what the adults said is indeed true. My military advisor said that since Cao Cao has just taken over Yan Province and hasn't yet won over the hearts of the people in various parts of Yan Province, this time when Cao Cao attacks Xuzhou is exactly a heaven-sent opportunity. Sir, Yan Province will definitely be ours for the taking... haha..."

  In this way, in this place, Lü Bu began to make a move outside the borders of Yanzhou. Just as Xuchang was in a state of chaos, on the other side, they were already plotting how to seize Yanzhou. It seemed that Yanzhou had become a piece of fragrant and tender meat, which would be swallowed up instantly if it lost its guard.

  And this is exactly what Cao Anmin is most worried about now.

  PS: Please forgive me, everyone. When I read books, I hope you must collect them. Thank you all in advance.