Cao Cao led his army across the Yellow River through Baimajin and headed straight to the city of Liyang. As soon as he established a camp, a messenger ran to the central army's tent and reported: "Report to the lord! A great victory in Hedong! Lord Zhong Yao and the Xiliang army defeated Yuan's army, beheaded Guo Yuan and surrendered thousands of people!"

After hearing this, the generals in the tent all looked happy, and Cao Cao also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile:

"In the past, during the Battle of Guandu, our army was seriously short of horses. Thanks to Mr. Yuan Chang's sending thousands of horses, and stabilizing the West solved the urgent problem for me. At that time, Xiao He guarded Guanzhong and strictly stabilized the military rations for Emperor Gaozu, and finally helped him win. Today, the yen often stabilized Hedong for the court, and the contribution of subduing Xiliang was comparable to that of him."

As soon as Cao Cao relieved the worries of Hedong, he had no worries. Then Cao Cao prepared to encircle Li Yang according to Xun You's plan and did not attack Li Yang, and then set up an ambush on the necessary road led by Yuan Shang to lead reinforcements. Xun You believed that Yuan Shang would definitely not set up defenses when he was marching in an emergency to rescue Li Yang.

This suggestion is impeccable from a military strategic perspective. Guo Jia, who was in Xu Du, did not go out with the army for physical reasons, wrote to Cao Cao when he learned about it: Mr. Gongda's strategy is feasible, but please don't ask Duke Ming to take Yuan Tan's life after conquering Liyang. On the contrary, he should let him escape to Yuan Shang. Soon Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang will definitely fight to attack each other, and then send troops to recover Jizhou.

Cao Cao followed Guo Jia's suggestion and set up a surprise soldier in Baigou to disperse Yuan Shang's reinforcements and successfully conquered Liyang City. When the city was broken, he instructed Cao Hong to give up the road to Yecheng and let Yuan Tan escape. In the end, Yuan Tan, who thought he was lucky, took Guo Tu, Xin Ping and dozens of horses to escape in a panic. Li Yang returned to Cao Cao's hands again.

After conquering Liyang City, Cao Cao once again followed Guo Jia's deployment and did not take advantage of the victory but stopped moving, waiting for the opportunity.

Shortly after the troops returned to the court, Cao Cao remembered Sima Yi who had returned home after taking the illness before, so he sent someone to Chenggao County Magistrate's Office to ask about Sima Yi's condition, and asked when he would be able to go to Xudu to take office.

However, the messenger did not even see Sima Yi, and only received a sentence from his brother Sima Lang:

"The wind nitus disease that Zhongda suffered from has not improved for a long time. Please tell Lord Sikong that he may not be able to go to serve for the time being."

Cao Cao was a guest at Cao Hong's mansion. After hearing the envoy's reply, Cao Cao didn't believe it. At this time, Cao Hong said to Cao Cao: "I heard that Sima Yi hates you very much on weekdays, so he deliberately pretends to be sick and refuses to become an official. This person has ulterior motives."

Facing Cao Hong's hostility towards Sima Yi, Cao Cao turned his face and looked at Cao Hong and said:

"Zi Lian, I heard that you don't seem to be very familiar with Sima Yi. Why do you know so much about him?"

Cao Hong was speechless by Cao Cao's sudden question and hesitated and replied:

"I heard from you too, but brother, don't you also say that Sima Yi is not simple?"

Cao Cao saw that Cao Hong seemed to want to kill Sima Yi, so he did not obey Cao Hong's advice and punish Sima Yi, but instead sent someone to invite Guo Jia over to ask for his opinion.

Guo Jia was ordered to come to Cao Hong's mansion, and when he passed by a gorgeous lady when he passed by the corridor, he passed by. When Guo Jia turned around, the lady had disappeared at the corner of the corridor. Guo Jia asked the maid who led the way:

"I wonder who was just now?"

The maid replied: "That is the wife that General Cao Hong has been married for a while."

The reason why Guo Jia cared so much about this noble lady was that he felt that the person’s back looked very familiar.

After entering the main hall, Guo Jia saluted Cao Cao and Cao Hong: "Guo Jia greets Lord Sikong and General Zi Lian."

Cao Hong straightened his waist and held his fists and gave him a gift, while Cao Cao invited Guo Jia to take his seat:

"Fengxiao, let us brothers not be so polite. If you are not in good health, please take your seat as soon as possible."

After taking the seat, Cao Cao talked about Sima Yi's incident and said to Guo Jia to listen to his opinion:

"The person who intended to recommend Sima Yi to me was Fengxiao. I wonder how Guo Jia thinks the truth is?"

As soon as Guo Jia heard this, he knew that someone secretly slandered Cao Cao and wanted to harm Sima Yi. Moreover, Cao Cao's words were obviously distrustful in Sima Yi. After pondering for a moment, Guo Jia replied with a smile:

"It's too easy to know the authenticity of this matter. I'll go to Chenggao tomorrow to find out for you."

After hearing this, Cao Cao also laughed and said, "I won't worry if you go, but after seeing Sima Yi, you can bring me a word..."

At this time, Guo Jia noticed that the expression on Cao Cao's face had changed, and a gloomy murderous aura was hidden under his plain expression:

"Since he is sick, I don't want to force others to do anything. However, if he is in a health condition, he should be well cultivated at home. Do not force himself to go out and run around, otherwise his life will be lost and he will be unable to pay for his death in a foreign land..."

After returning home, Guo Jia quickly packed his luggage and was about to go to Chenggao immediately. Zhang Ning, who was holding Guo Yi in his arms, saw that Guo Jia's expression seemed not as relaxed as usual, so he stepped forward and asked, "Brother Fengxiao, where are you going in such a hurry?"

Guo Jia replied: "Sima Yi is in danger, I must go to Chenggao quickly."

"Danger?"

Zhang Ning didn't understand what he said, and Guo Jia didn't explain to her and just said to her:

“It’s a big deal, the less you know, the safer it is.”

While packing his luggage, Guo Jia accidentally discovered a ring-shaped jade pendant that fell to the ground. Guo Jia had never seen this jade pendant before. He asked Zhang Ning: "Why have you never seen you take out this jade pendant?"

"This, this jade pendant was given to me by Chunhua when I was in Yecheng. At that time, I insisted on following my elder brother to the Guandu battlefield despite my family's opposition. Before leaving, Chunhua gave this protective jade pendant to me to ensure my safety..."

Speaking of this, Zhang Ning couldn't help but sigh: "I don't know how Chunhua is now. When I was not by her, she always had nightmares. There were several times when she murmured in her dreams. After she woke up, I asked her who Zhongda was. She said she didn't know this person at all, so she was very impressed..."

A few short words of memories aroused Guo Jia's concern. Thinking of the moment when Zhang He mentioned the word "Zhang Chunhua" when he talked with Sima Yi, Sima Yi's expression changed significantly. In addition, Zhang Ning's mouth was also calling out the word Sima Yi in many dreams, Guo Jia finally confirmed something...

He hugged Zhang Ning's shoulders and said a little excited: "Ning'er, do you know that Sima Yi's word is 'Zhongda'?"

"So..." Zhang Ning also realized the profound meaning of Guo Jia's words, and his expression was particularly surprised.

They all understood that the people around each other have always missed each other day and night, are by their side...

Xu Du was far away from Chenggao. In order to ensure Guo Jia's safety, Cao Cao specially let Xiahou Yuan, who was closely related to him, go with him. However, while Xiahou Yuan was taking the order, Cao Cao secretly issued such an order to him:

"If Sima Yi is found to be pretending to be sick, he will be executed immediately..."

Cao Cao had not discussed this matter with Guo Jia, and did not allow Xiahou Yuan to reveal a single word to him.

Before leaving, Guo Jia specifically instructed Zhang He to take Zhang Ning and his two children to his home to avoid accidents.

When they arrived in Chenggao City with a short break, the two went directly to the county magistrate's office to meet Sima Lang.

Because Cao Cao asked Xiahou Yuan to closely monitor Guo Jia along the way, he clearly understood the real purpose of Cao Cao's sending Xiahou Yuan to follow him, but Guo Jia had no time to notify Sima Yi that danger was coming. When he stepped on the steps at the county yard, he was not very sure that Sima Yi could pass this level.

Hearing that Guo Jia and Xiahou Yuan came to visit the disease on Cao Cao's order, Sima Lang did not dare to neglect and respectfully welcomed the door:

"Two adults have worked hard all the way, please go to the inn to rest first and wait for the officials..."

"No need." Before Sima Lang finished speaking, Xiahou Yuan, who ignored this trick, interrupted his words:

"We are here to visit Sima Yi's condition on the order of Lord Sikong, and then we will rush to Xudu to report."

Guo Jia knew that Xiahou Yuan's words and deeds must have been instructed by Cao Cao. He was worried that Sima Lang would be able to go straight to the point of delay. Seeing this, Guo Jia didn't know how to say anything, so he said to Sima Lang respectfully:

"Mr. Sikong is very concerned about Ling's condition, and he bothered the magistrate of Lao County to lead the way..."

Seeing that there was no way to stop him, Sima Lang had to turn around and lead them to the inner hall.

When he arrived at the door of Sima Yi's room, Xiahou Yuan and Guo Jia heard the sound of reading in the room. Xiahou Yuan's face changed slightly when he heard it, and looked at Sima Lang with suspicion and asked:

"Didn't I be unable to take care of myself after I got the disease of wind and numbness? Why did I hear the sound of reading so vigorously?"

Seeing that Xiahou Yuan was already suspicious, Sima Lang was not panicked but stretched out his hands to push the door open. Xiahou Yuan and Guo Jia stepped into the house one after another and found that there was another person who recited the book, while Sima Yi was lying on the bed without moving, and his face was very weak.

Seeing someone walking into the house, the young reciter stood up from the edge of the bed. Sima Lang introduced to Guo Jia and Xiahou Yuan: "This is Sima Kui, my fourth brother, because Zhongda loves reading on weekdays, and now he can't get up on the bed. That's why I asked Ji Da to recite "Spring and Autumn" and "The Strategies of the Warring States" for him every day."

Sima Kui saluted Guo Jia and Xiahou Yuan respectfully and then lowered his head and left the room. Guo Jia, who was beside him, saw the suspicion on Xiahou Yuan's face faded, and without saying anything, he walked slightly to Sima Yi's bed and sat down. He looked at the sick man with slightly closed eyes and a pale face, sighed and said to Sima Yi:

"You were so energetic when we met last time, but I didn't expect you to become like this after a few days."

As he said that, Guo Jia looked sideways and looked at Xiahou Yuan standing behind him with his right hand tightly holding the hilt of the sword:

"Master Sikong asked me to give you a word. If you are really sick, keep it at home. Don't go out and run around, otherwise your disease will be aggravated and you will die young, which will not be worth it..."

Sima Lang, who was present, heard the murderous intent hidden in Cao Cao's words entrusted to Guo Jia, and felt nervous.

Sima Yi, who was lying on the bed, closed his eyes slightly. Although he pretended not to speak, he also felt that Xiahou Yuan's hand was ready to pull out the sharp sword to kill him at any time. He understood Guo Jia's intention in his heart and kept a stiff state and still moved.

Xiahou Yuan, who had been paying close attention to Sima Yi's actions, found that he seemed to be very sick, not as if he was pretending, and his hand holding the hilt tightly released and put it down.

Guo Jia stretched out his left hand and held Sima Yi's right hand, then covered his right hand with his hand and said earnestly:

"The court will soon send troops to Hebei. You are a smart person. I think you should know better than me what to do next..."

After saying that, Guo Jia put his hand back into the quilt and gently patted Sima Yi's back of his hand.

Seeing that there was nothing suspicious about the matter, Xiahou Yuan and Guo Jia said goodbye and left. Before leaving, Xiahou Yuan handed over the herbs for curing wind numbness that Cao Cao had brought to Sima Lang. Sima Lang thanked Cao Cao for his grace.

After Guo Jia and Xiahou Yuan left, Sima Yi quickly sat up and spread his right palm. He was surprised to find that Guo Jia had just taken the opportunity to hold his palm and placed the ring-shaped jade pendant in the palm of his hand.

What surprised Sima Yi even more was that this jade pendant was exactly the same as the one he gave to Zhang Chunhua...

The mission had been completed, Xiahou Yuan secretly sent someone to send back the news that he had verified that Sima Yi was indeed ill in bed. Then Sima Lang specially came to visit the hospital to entertain him in the inn.

After nightfall, Sima Lang raised his glasses to Xiahou Yuan at the evening banquet, and Guo Jia also poured wine to him. Finally, he got Xiahou Yuan drunk. After confirming that he was unconscious, Sima Lang immediately knelt in front of Guo Jia.

This unexpected action surprised Guo Jia quite. He did guess that Sima Yi would ask his brother to stay with him and Xiahou Yuan after seeing the jade pendant. He also guessed that Sima Lang would frequently persuade him to drink during the meal to get Xiahou Yuan drunk and ask him about Zhang Chunhua's whereabouts, but Sima Lang was so sincere in himself, and his behavior of kneeling down to him regardless of his identity was beyond Guo Jia's expectations.

"Does Mr. Fengxiao know Zhang Chunhua's whereabouts..."

Sima Lang's words were quite excited: "If you know, please let me know."

"Sir, why should I do this? I'm waiting for you to ask me about this." Seeing this, Guo Jia quickly stood up and helped Sima Lang up:

"To be honest, if I expected, Zhang Chunhua in your mouth is right, he should be in Youzhou, Hebei at this moment. After listening to my wife's words, they met Zhang Chunhua and brought him back to Yecheng. Later, they were appointed as the adopted daughter by Yuan Shao for his contribution to rescue the car. After the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao took the blame for Zhang He's rebellion. Fortunately, Mrs. Zhen rescued him and escaped. According to the letter Mrs. Zhen secretly sent to my wife, she learned that she was in Ji County, Youzhou, and was taken care of by Yuan Tan."

Guo Jia used a few short sentences to describe what Zhang Chunhua experienced after he was separated. When Sima Langdon thought of this, he felt heartbroken, and Sima Yi, who had been hiding outside the door, also walked into the house:

"In the morning, you told me by my bedside that the court was about to send troops to Hebei, which means..."

Looking at Sima Yi's anxious gaze, Guo Jia's expression was also a little serious:

"My meaning is very simple. The three prefectures of Hebei will suffer from war disasters in the future. The Yuan brothers have been defeated. I cannot determine whether your Zhang Chunhua will be safe while staying with Yuan Xi. So I said you should be clear about what to do next."

Sima Yi took the jade pendant in front of him and said thoughtfully:
Chapter completed!