Chapter 657 Red Cliff is gone (1/2)

Guo Jia is here!

Not only Guo Jia, but also Xun Yu also rushed to Xiangyang.

Just when Cao Cao was hesitating, two of his most trusted conspirators arrived in Xiangyang. Moreover, Guo Jia and Xun Yu also strongly advised Cao Cao not to easily start a war against Jiangdong. Their views were surprisingly similar to Cao Peng... Under the persuasion of the two men, Cao Cao's originally wavering determination became even more hesitant. However, not everyone was opposed to sending troops to Jiangdong. Many generals and advisers believed that now was the best time to send troops to Jiangdong.

The representative figures among them are the talkative celebrities headed by Dong Zhao.

"The public has now brought peace to Jiang and Han, to intimidate the Yangtze and Yue; to use Liu's equipment for water warfare, and to take advantage of the Jingchu and Jingchu, it is a good opportunity for shock and a great opportunity to outline. If we don't take advantage of this to seize Wu, will we be in trouble?"

Dong Zhao and others believe that Cao Cao is now serving the emperor to command the princes, pacify the north, sweep across Youzhou, and seize Jingchu without any blood, and his momentum is at its peak. Now that he has Liu Biao's navy, it is a good opportunity to display his grand ambitions. If If we miss this opportunity, we may have to wait a long time before we can pacify Jiangdong.

Cao Peng was ordered to come to Xiangyang just to discuss this matter.

However, when the two sides argued, Cao Peng never participated in it.

He is indeed favored by Cao Cao, but he must be more cautious. What needs to be said has been said. He is now just the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and does not need to participate in this discussion. Everything is judged by Cao Cao, and Cao Peng also believes that Cao Cao can definitely do it. Make the right choice...

Cao Cao was indeed very distressed.

Deep down in his heart, he naturally wanted to succeed in the first battle and achieve unprecedented feats since the establishment of Zhongping.

However, Cao Peng's previous reminders kept echoing in his mind. Guo Jia and Xun Yu even traveled thousands of miles to oppose Cao Cao's sending troops in an extremely tough manner. These three people are Cao Cao's most trusted confidants. , Cao Cao had to think carefully.

I have to say that several of the points raised by Cao Peng are quite reasonable if you think about it carefully.

Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind.

Cao Cao has already taken ninety-nine steps, and is only one step away from capturing Jiangdong. It would be a bit reluctant for him to give up at this time.

Dong Zhao was right. At this time, he was conquering Jiangdong and his luck was booming.

If you miss this opportunity, I'm afraid it won't be that easy to capture Jiangdong again.

It is possible to plan it slowly, or it may be successful in one battle.

This was a decision of great importance. Cao Cao was in a dilemma. One moment he thought what Dong Zhao said was the most sensible, and the next moment he felt that what Guo Jia said was reasonable. But even though deep down in his heart, he was more inclined to go to war with Jiangdong, Cao Cao still Unable to make up one's mind, wavering.

Looking around at the people in the court, Cao Cao frowned.

After a long while, he suddenly asked: "Fengxiao, what if I don't take Jiangdong?"

"To pacify Sun Quan in the east, capture Liu Bei in the south, and ally with Liu Zhang in the west, this is the best policy."

"Then, how to appease Sun Quan?"

Guo Jia knew very well that this was a critical moment and he absolutely could not relax at all. Since Cao Cao asked this, it meant that he still somewhat agreed in his heart. However, the good situation made it difficult for him to give up, and he had to have an extremely stable strategy. Make him change his decision.

"Since the prime minister can give up the chief minister to Liu Zhang, why should he give up the great general to Sun Quan?"

Anyway, you have already appointed Liu Zhang as Chief Situ, so why bother giving Sun Quan the title of General. Now that the imperial court has re-established the Prime Minister's Palace, the positions of the Three Dukes exist in name only. Why not give them a false name and let them stay where they are? Happy but not doing it?

I think back then, Yuan Shao also had the title of general.

But in the end, the winner is the Prime Minister. Therefore, at this time, don't be stingy about official titles, gold, silver, and silk. Just use them... The top priority is to kill Liu Bei, recapture the two counties of Changsha and Wuling, and completely defeat Jingzhou.

Take control.

And Liu Zhang...

Neither Cao Cao nor Guo Jia regarded Liu Zhang as a threat.

Cao Peng stood aside and nodded slightly, secretly praising Guo Jia's idea.

Even though the title of General is just a false title, it is enough to make people salivate. Now, Sun Quan has been granted the title of Marquis of Wu, which can be said to have no further promotion. Above the Marquis of Wu, it is the title of king, which is naturally impossible for Cao Cao.

Accept. The position of general has long lost its original prestige. In many cases, the positions of these three princes are ranks, not positions, and represent a symbol of status.

Sun Quan was not of noble birth.

His old son, Sun Jian, was just a businessman.

Therefore, if his official rank is too high, it will be of great benefit to him to inform Jiangdong.

However, Sun Quan may be able to accept this kind of reward. Do his subordinates agree? There are people like Zhou Yu and Lu Su under Sun Quan, and they must not take it lightly. They may not be able to see through Cao Cao's intentions, and they may not be able to figure it out.

If you do well, you will persuade Sun Quan to send troops.

call!

Cao Peng felt that his brain was a bit exhausted.

The Three Kingdoms are not only an iron war, but also countless conspiracies and conspiracies.

It's really hard to play tricks with these people...

However, how could Guo Jia and the others not consider things that he could consider thoroughly?

It was a dispute, but in the end there was no result.

When it was getting late, Cao Cao let everyone disperse, leaving only six people: Guo Jia, Dong Zhao, Xun Yu, Jia Xu, Xun You, and Cao Peng. Under the greetings of the retainers, the six people came to the back house. Cao Cao received them in the study

The six of them still had a look of embarrassment on their faces, hoping for a result.

“All the princes are wise men and celebrities in this world.

I would like to ask you all not to imitate the people in the market and argue endlessly, but to seek common ground while reserving differences and find the best solution.

Ah Fu has also told me before that now is not the best time to conquer Jiangdong.

But what Gongren said is not unreasonable. In Xinping, Jianghan, our army is in full swing. If we cannot seize Jiangdong, we must wait for the opportunity... To be honest, I am also hesitant and difficult to make a decision. So I invite you here just to discuss

A concrete plan.”

Before Cao Cao could finish speaking, Xun Yu suddenly asked: "How could Qin succeed in destroying Chu in the past?"

"ah?"

This was also the first time Xun Yu spoke today, but it made Cao Cao think, he couldn't help but tremble, and he suddenly raised his head.

Qin destroyed Chu?

Cao Peng remembered...

"History" records that Qin's destruction of Chu also started from Jingchu. But before that, Qin conquered Bashu for hundreds of years, filling the national treasury. It also took advantage of the dragon's head to train a naval army that could fight hundreds of battles. It advanced on land and water side by side, and achieved great success in one battle.

Cheng. Bashu... Xun Yu suddenly raised this question, so naturally he had his own thoughts. He didn't want to continue this endless quarrel. Instead of arguing endlessly, it was better to let the facts speak for themselves.

At the same time, Xun Yu proposed a new direction: Everyone, don’t always stare at Jiangdong, you can take a look at Xichuan!

Compared with the six counties of Jiangdong and Yizhou, which one is better to deal with?

On the surface, Jiangdong's population base is inferior to that of Yizhou. Xichuan's population of 4.3 million is almost double that of Jiangdong.

Economically, Yizhou is a land of abundance, rich in products, and rich in money and food.

Although Jiangdong is said to be rich, it is slightly lacking compared to Xichuan.

In terms of talents, Yizhou is known for its outstanding people, and its capable ministers and military generals are no less inferior to Jiangdong. But if Dong Zhao was given a choice, he would definitely choose Xichuan. The reason? Very simple... One soldier is a raging force, and a raging general is a den.

Sun Quan and Liu Zhang are incomparable in heaven and earth. Liu Zhang is by no means a wise master who can guard Xichuan.

Dong Zhao also immediately closed his mouth.

Cao Cao glanced at Xun Yu, but Xun Yu only smiled and said no more.

"However, even if the Prime Minister wants to appease him, Jiangdong may not be able to accept it."

"Yes, I heard that Zhou Yu and Lu Su are both wise men, and they are assisted by Jiang Biao and Hu ministers. Whether Sun Quan can agree to it or not is still a matter of opinion."

Cao Cao suddenly said: "Ah Fu, why are you silent?"

"ah?"

"Don't be a scoundrel. Everyone is making suggestions, but you, the most trouble-making guy on weekdays, have never spoken out. Could it be that you already have an idea?"

Cao Peng quickly bowed and said, "I don't have any ideas, but I do have some ideas."

"tell me the story."

Cao Peng took a deep breath and tried hard to recall the famous scenes of the Battle of Chibi in history. After a moment, he said in a deep voice: "The Prime Minister wants to appease Jiangdong, so he needs to pay attention to a few things. First, if the Prime Minister

When attacking Jiangdong, who will surrender from Jiangdong and who will take charge of the battle?

When Sun Bofu passed away, he left a message: If you are not sure about domestic affairs, ask Zhang Zhao; if you are not sure about foreign affairs, ask Zhou Yu.

This means that there are already factions within Jiangdong. Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu represent one system; and Zhou Yu also represents another system. As for which one is far and which one is closer, there may not be a conclusion. Therefore, we need

The peace-seeking faction firmly supports the war-seeking faction, and conflicts abound. I vaguely remember a saying in my hometown: No matter how solid the city is, it cannot prevent internal divisions. Therefore, if you want to make Sun Quan stand still, you must start from within. Zhang Zhao

This man is indeed talented, and the Jiangdong nobles are also capable of countless people.

But these people all have selfish motives..."

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and nodded slightly.

On the side, Guo Jia and Xun Yu showed admiration.

"Secondly, Jiang Biaohu and ministers are also divided into old and new.

Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were all veterans of Sun Jian and had great qualifications. However, since Sun Bofu raised his army, a large number of new people were recruited. Zhou Yu, Taishi Ci, Zhang Zhao and others were all Sun Ce's old ministers. At the same time, since Sun Quan succeeded to the throne,

Another group of capable ministers were promoted, among whom Lu Su and Zhuge Jin were the representative figures. These three lines may not necessarily be able to live in harmony. At least in my opinion, old generals like Cheng Pu may not necessarily be interested in Zhou Yu.
To be continued...