si-mexico Chapter 124: The Boss Leads the Way to Assist Cao Bao? Cao Cao's Army Approaches Xiaopei!
Chapter 124: The Boss Leads the Way to Assist Cao Bao? Cao Cao's Army Approaches Xiaopei!
"My lord, Mr. Mi and Mr. Chen request an audience."
The newly appointed leader of the personal guards, Chen Dao, came to Liu Bei's side and reported to him.
"Quickly, please invite Zizhong and Mr. Chen in!"
Chen Gui was of the same generation as Tao Qian, and Liu Bei generally did not address him by his courtesy name, but rather as Old Master Chen.
Soon, Mi Zhu and Chen Gui arrived together.
As the biggest local bullies in Pengcheng, they naturally had their own intelligence network.
Generally, by the time Liu Bei, the puppet governor, received the news, the two of them had not only received the news but had even come up with a countermeasure.
Seeing Liu Bei's worried expression, Mi Zhu knew it was time for him to perform again.
Mi Zhu then cupped his hands to Liu Bei and said:
"On the way here, I heard that Zuo Rong rebelled. Is my lord worried about this?"
Liu Bei nodded and said:
"Zizhong understands me best."
"Zuo Rong controls Xiapi, which has high walls and thick walls, and there is a large amount of grain inside the city."
"If we launch a full-scale attack on Zuo Rong, not only will we suffer heavy losses, but we may also give some people with ulterior motives an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
Liu Bei's words were practically a blatant statement that Cao Bao was a person with ulterior motives.
after all.
Even a fool could see that Cao Bao was the mastermind behind the Danyang soldiers' wage dispute.
As for Zuo Rong's rebellion, it's possible that Cao Bao was secretly involved.
Mi Zhu smiled dismissively and offered a plan to Liu Bei:
"My lord, do not worry. You must not forget that you are the governor of Xuzhou."
"Cao Bao's title of General of Xuzhou is nothing more than a military rank attached to your name!"
"All soldiers of Xuzhou should obey your orders."
"It is only right that you reorganize the existing army using your title as governor!"
Liu Bei's eyes suddenly lit up!
Yup!
He was the governor of Xuzhou, while Cao Bao was merely a general in Xuzhou.
After the abolition of the governorship and the establishment of the prefecture governorship, both the existing prefecture governors and governors now possess administrative power over the entire prefecture.
Although, in many cases, one has to rely on the local bigwigs.
However, as the nominal leader, Liu Bei did indeed have the power to reorganize the army.
The Danyang soldiers are very arrogant, aren't they?
Row!
We'll reassign you to other armies and see if you can maintain your original cohesion!
Seeing that Liu Bei had adopted Mi Zhu's strategy, Chen Gui maintained a smiling face throughout.
Unlike Mi Zhu, the shrewd Chen Gui felt that Cao Bao was acting very strangely lately.
The original Cao Bao was never as clever as he is now.
There's probably a mastermind behind it all.
……
"Hahahaha!"
"Liu Bei, that brat, is truly a fool!"
"They actually managed to reorganize the army."
"Doesn't he know that the reorganization of tens of thousands of troops cannot be completed overnight?"
"This man appears to be experienced in combat, but in reality, he knows nothing about warfare!"
In the Cao Mansion
Cao Bao mocked Liu Bei mercilessly.
Cao Bao's 60,000 troops and Mi Zhu and Chen Gui's 40,000 troops were reorganized together, bringing the total to 100,000.
If Liu Bei were given time, he could recruit some new soldiers and have Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, and others train them.
Perhaps a significant portion of Cao Bao's 60,000 troops could actually be turned against him.
But the sheer number of troops under Cao Bao's command was undeniable.
In a short period of time, Liu Bei simply cannot absorb Cao Bao's 60,000 troops, and may even suffer a backlash!
"General Cao, in a few days, when Liu Bei is full of confidence and leads his reorganized army to attack Xiapi, you can launch a coup."
It was still that resolute yet slightly hoarse voice.
Upon hearing this, Cao Bao's lips curled slightly upward, and he said to the scholar:
"Once I succeed, I will appoint you as the Prefect of Xuzhou and put you in charge of the administration of Xuzhou."
The scholar immediately bowed and thanked him, saying:
"Zibu thanks General Cao for his kindness."
Cao Bao was in a great mood.
This scholar was named Zhang Zhao. He had been imprisoned by Tao Qian for three years after angrily rebuking him. (True account)
When Tao Qian was on his deathbed, Cao Bao released Zhang Zhao from prison and asked him to come up with strategies for him.
Otherwise, given Cao Bao's intelligence, he truly couldn't outmaneuver the combination of Liu Bei and Mi Zhu.
Many people's impression of Zhang Zhao may be limited to him being the "leader of the Jiangdong rebels".
It is true that he was brought in, but in the original history, not long after Zhang Zhao left Xuzhou, he was hired by Sun Ce as his chief secretary and regarded as a confidant.
When entrusting his son to others, he even uttered the dying words, "If there are any internal matters to decide, consult Zhang Zhao."
This shows that Zhang Zhao was quite capable; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to become the head of the civil officials in Jiangdong.
At this moment, Zhang Zhao helped Cao Bao because he had no other choice.
Not help Cao Bao?
Cao Bao will just throw you back into jail and keep you there forever!
……
A few days later
Liu Bei approached Cao Bao and proposed the reorganization of the army.
Cao Bao followed Zhang Zhao's advice, feigning anger, and then, under Liu Bei's combined pressure and persuasion, agreed to the proposal.
Liu Bei was overjoyed!
After the reorganization, he will become a powerful warlord with an army of 100,000.
In addition, Xuzhou has always been more prosperous than Yanzhou.
If developed properly, its war potential will be no less than that of Cao Cao next door!
Seeing that Cao Bao had relinquished his military power, Liu Bei gradually relaxed his guard against him.
However, Chen Gui realized something was wrong and deliberately kept his distance from Liu Bei, while taking the initiative to visit Cao Bao.
Cao Bao's original intention was to eliminate Liu Bei, Chen Gui, and Mi Zhu all at once.
But since Chen Gui took the initiative to show goodwill, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
And so, the old fox Chen Gui once again chose to waver.
Liu Bei still didn't realize the seriousness of the problem.
Half a month later, he decided to personally lead an expedition to Xiapi to punish the rebel Zuo Rong!
The one who stayed behind to guard Xuzhou was naturally Zhang Fei.
To prevent Zhang Fei from becoming an alcoholic, Liu Bei kept Sun Qian and Chen Dao to assist him.
Liu Bei himself, along with Guan Yu, Mi Zhu, and Jian Yong, went on the expedition.
……
Xiaopei
Cao Cao and Su Yu, leading tens of thousands of elite troops, arrived at the city of Xiaopei.
Cao Ren and Yu Jin opened the city gates to welcome them.
"Zixiao, Wenze, you've worked hard these past few days."
Cao Cao patted Cao Ren and Yu Jin on the shoulder and promoted them both by one rank in the military.
Of course, this is only a matter of reputation.
With their abilities, Cao Ren and Yu Jin were destined to become top generals in Cao Cao's camp.
Cao Cao would not fail to value them.
"By the way, where are Zilong and Boyuan?"
"Have they already set off?"
Su Yu asked Cao Ren and Yu Jin.
Cao Ren pointed at the map and complained:
"Upon receiving the intelligence report, Zilong and Boyuan, those two impatient men, immediately led their troops toward Dongguan, as if their beloved was there!"
"At this point, they've probably already reached the walls of Dongguan's main city!"
Cao Cao laughed loudly:
"In that case, we cannot fall behind."
"Otherwise, the credit would have gone to Zilong and Boyuan!"
Upon hearing this, several of Cao Cao's generals, such as Xiahou Yuan, Yue Jin, Taishi Ci, and Cao Hong, were also filled with fighting spirit.
Especially Taishi Ci.
This is his first battle after joining Cao Cao's camp, so naturally he has to fight it brilliantly!
……