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The conflict that occurred in Nanyang was a serious incident for both Cao and Han sides, especially when the Han army had just conquered Jiaozhou not long ago, such a conflict undoubtedly stirred the most sensitive nerves of both sides.

The recruit wrote a report to Liu Jing as soon as possible. Liu Jing immediately interrupted his inspection of Bashu and rushed to Nanyang. At halfway, he gave two orders, ordering Huang Zhong's army, who was resting in Nanjun, to immediately go to Nanyang County, and ordered Zhao Yun from Tongguan to prepare for war and ready to attack at any time.

Cao Cao was even more nervous. He was far from ready to fight the Han army. However, something happened in Kunyang, which forced him to worry that the Han army would tear up the agreement. Now that Jiaozhou has been cleared, is Liu Jing unable to wait?

Cao Cao was worried that the situation was critical. He rushed to Xudu regardless of his old age and weakness, and ordered the general Xu Huang to lead 20,000 troops to lead Luoyang, and ordered Zhang Liao to lead 20,000 troops to support Xudu.

On the official road to Xudu, ten thousand Tiger Cavalry lined up in a row, with flags like clouds and great momentum. Cao Cao's wide carriage was in the middle of the team, inside the carriage, Cao Cao was discussing the sudden Yingchuan crisis with Cheng Yu.

Unlike Cao Cao's nervousness, Cheng Yu did not believe that Liu Jing would launch a battle against the Central Plains at this time. After all, the Han army fought continuously in recent years and had just ended the battle in Jiaozhou. The soldiers were very tired, and the national strength and food did not support Liu Jing to launch a larger-scale battle.

"Wei State does not need to be in a hurry. I know Liu Jing. From his attack and destruction of Jiangdong, we can see that in order to attack Jiangdong, he did not hesitate to launch the Hefei War first and controlled Jianghuai, so he attacked Jiangdong with all his strength. In this Yingchuan crisis, I can't see that Liu Jing had any signs of launching the Central Plains War. As far as I know, he was still patrolling in Shu, so I think this was an occasional love, and there must be some reason."

Cheng Yu's explanation made Cao Cao feel a little relieved. He pondered for a moment and asked again: "Do Zhongde think Liu Jing will come to Nanyang?"

"I think it's very likely, just like Duke Wei rushed to Xu Du. If Liu Jing didn't want a war to break out because of this, he would definitely arrive in Nanyang. This matter is equally important to him."

Cao Cao sighed, "I am very worried that he will use this matter to continue to put pressure on Xu Du, causing a situation where he will make mistakes and send troops to the Central Plains at any time."

Cheng Yu nodded, "Wei Gong's concerns make sense. With Liu Jing's style, he will seize every opportunity to build momentum. Although war may not be launched now, he will create a tense situation where a war is about to break out and prepare for his future attack on the Central Plains. In this case, Wei Gong must pay special attention to the movements of the Han army in Hefei, Nanyang and Tongguan. If Liu Jing decides to attack the Central Plains, abnormal movements will definitely occur in this direction at the same time."

Cao Cao sighed, "If I had known today, I would have issued a Ding Order, and I would not have been so passive now."

Cheng Yu was silent for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Duke Wei, there is a saying that I don't know if the empress should say."

"You said that, I've followed me for so many years, and I don't have any more to trust you."

Cheng Yu said slowly: "If it comes to commanding, Cao Zhen misses Xiahou Yuanrangduo, and letting Cao Zhen sit in the Central Plains is definitely not a wise move. I am worried that he will repeat the mistakes of Jiangdong."

Cheng Yu said it was very subtle. He was actually reminding Cao Cao that the factional struggles within Cao Wei were serious. If he valued factions too much like Jiangdong, he would inevitably be tiring of them.

Cao Cao nodded silently. He actually understood this contradiction, but to resolve it, it cannot be done in just one sentence or two sentences. This involves the issue of inheritance. He sighed, "I will consider Zhongde's golden and jade words."

.........

Just as Cao Cao was about to arrive in Xudu, Liu Jing's team also arrived in Wancheng. In fact, Liu Jing could not say that he knew nothing about the conflict in Yecheng, otherwise he would not dare to decide without authorization to cause trouble.

Liu Jing had an explanation for the recruitment at the beginning of the year. After the Jiaozhou Battle, he could appropriately provoke a conflict with the Cao army and let the recruitment decide the specific plan.

Before Liu Jing arrived in Wancheng, Huang Zhong led 40,000 troops stationed in Jingnan to Nanyang County first and set up camp outside Wancheng. A total of 60,000 troops stationed in Wancheng, along with the garrisons in Xiangyang and Nanyang, and there were 20,000 Han troops on the front line of Yecheng, and 80,000 troops had gathered in the entire Nanyang County.

In the military camp, the recruitment reported to Liu Jing about the detailed process of the whole matter. Liu Jing listened and pondered, and finally asked: "Have the Cai family's caravan returned now?"

"Your Highness, the Cai family's caravan has not returned yet, so it should still be in the hands of Le Yi. However, Bei Zhi is worried that Le Yi will kill people to silence him."

"It might be better, as long as Cao Cao is careful to investigate, he can't hide such a thing."

Liu Jing now understands that the recruitment was to take advantage of the fact that the Cai family caravan was kidnapped by Cao's army and ordered Cai Jin to provoke trouble. This matter was handled very well and it was easy to turn big things into small things, but it could also turn small things into big things.

Seeing that all the generals were still a little doubtful, he smiled and said, "In fact, I asked the governor to arrange this conflict in advance. The purpose is to test the emergency deployment of Cao's army. Once the Central Plains War really breaks out, how will Cao Cao dispatch troops? In addition, he also needs to establish a state of war. If the war breaks out, we can send troops at any time. It is early May, and at most about half a year, we will start a war, so maintaining a state of war will be beneficial to our attack on the Central Plains."

In the tent, Huang Zhong, Pin, Wei Yan, Xiang Chong, Lu Meng, Xu Sheng, Jiang Qin, Zhu Heng and other generals were silently listening to Liu Jing's explanation, especially the original Jiangdong generals, which were the first time they followed the King of Han to participate in the war against Cao Wei, and everyone was full of expectations.

At this time, the veteran Huang Zhong asked: "Your Highness means that this time is just a drill and a temptation. Does Your Highness think Cao Cao will go south?"

"I believe he will definitely go south. His way south is not only because he is not prepared for war, but also because he is not at ease with Cao Zhen. Now Cao Wei lacks the power of the people and can only use soldiers to farm. Once we remain in the war, the Cao army will also deal with it, which will disrupt his deployment of farming."

Speaking of this, Liu Jing laughed, "Although it won't have a big impact, it's better than nothing."

Liu Jing looked at everyone again. Seeing Lu Meng thinking, he smiled and asked, "What are General Lu thinking?"

Lu Meng bowed and said, "I think why don't we fight and talk while breaking through the army to the north bank of the Huai River, which puts pressure on Cao Cao and forced him to give in to us. Bei Zhi means that with this opportunity, we will break through the army to the north bank of the Huai River."

As soon as Lu Meng finished speaking, Wei Yan interjected from the side: "General Lu doesn't know that our warships have completely controlled the Huai River. We can land on the north bank of the Huai River at any time. In fact, there is no need to station troops in Huaibei."

"Landing on the Huaihe River at any time and scrambling troops in Huaibei are two different things. The latter can establish a logistics location in Huaibei to win time for future wars."

“Isn’t it the same thing to use warships as logistics?”

"What about the people's hearts? What about the people in Huaibei? Why didn't General Wei think about it?"

Lu Meng and Wei Yan argued, and Pin couldn't help shouting: "Don't be rude in front of the hall!"

The two of them were shocked and quickly stopped arguing. Liu Jing waved his hand and smiled, "I have made arrangements for this matter, so don't argue anymore, the two generals."

...........

Everyone dispersed the tent, and Liu Jing looked at the Central Plains sand table alone in the central army's tent. At this time, a soldier reported: "Your Highness, General Xu Sheng is asking for a meeting!"

"Please come in!"

After a moment, Xu Sheng quickly walked into the tent and bowed and said, "I am not good at ease, please see Your Highness!"

"Is there anything wrong with General Xu?"

Xu Sheng said in a deep voice: "Today, Your Highness also said that Cao Cao is not ready for war yet, so he doesn't understand why His Highness doesn't take advantage of this opportunity to attack from the west and capture Luoyang or Bingzhou. When Cao Cao seeks peace, will we make the results we have obtained become a fait accompli?"

Liu Jing shook his head gently and said, "Although Cao Cao was not ready for war, in fact, we were not ready for war either. On the one hand, the military rations were insufficient and it would not last long. Secondly, once the war started, a large number of refugees would pour into Guanzhong. How should they be resettled? These things seem simple, but in fact they are very difficult to deal with. We must be well prepared."

Speaking of this, Liu Jing smiled gently at Xu Sheng and said, "I can understand General Xiang's mood, but attacking Cao Wei is of great importance. You must make arrangements and make full preparations. You must know how to make choices. Although there are many opportunities in front of you, you must also consider it from the long run and not be in a hurry. This time, during the Yecheng conflict, I just put pressure on Cao Cao, observe his dispatched troops and generals, and at the same time establish a state of war. As long as this goal is achieved, you can stop. I believe that after this temptation, I will be more confident in attacking the Central Plains."

Xu Sheng said with a little shame: "I have considered it lightly."

Liu Jing smiled and patted his shoulder, "As a general, in response to the war, seize the opportunity, your suggestions are completely correct. Now that Cao Wei's army is concentrated in the Central Plains, Bingzhou is empty, I can completely order Zhao Yun to send troops to Bingzhou. This is the suggestion of a good general. As a general's general, my vision cannot be limited to one city and one territory, and to the gains and losses of a war. Sometimes I feel it is a pity, but I must endure it and restrain my own **, which is understandable?"

Xu Sheng nodded silently. Although he couldn't do it, he could understand it. Liu Jing said again: "But appropriate pressure is still needed. Don't be too anxious. You can gradually escalate. It depends on the situation of the negotiations?"

Xu Sheng was puzzled, "What is your highness going to negotiate?"

Liu Jing said lightly with his hands behind his back: "At least Cao Cao must admit that he was the first to provoke this conflict, and he must give me an explanation."

...........

Cao Cao also arrived in Xuchang. As soon as he entered the Xuchang city gate, he didn't care about rest and immediately asked someone to summon Cao Zhen and General Le Qun to see him!"

Cao Zhen and Lequn were both in the military camp outside the city. When they heard the order of Duke Wei, they rushed to pay their respects. At this time, Cao Cao was talking to Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi was named Xu Du, but in fact he was just a false position. Xu Du's military and political power was not in his hands. After more than a year, Cao Zhi finally saw his father. Tears fell down and his voice choked up, "It's because the child cannot serve his father, it's because the child is unfilial!"

Cao Cao liked this one the most. He had to neglect the child cruelly because he considered the inheritance of Wei State. At this time, he felt quite sad and reluctantly smiled: "There is no need for a fool. He is in good health for his father. You are alone in Xudu, and you are very worried about your father and your mother. It seems that you are in good shape. Remember, don't indulge in wine and sex anymore."

"Children obey his father's orders!"

Cao Cao sighed again, "In the future, you will understand that being a father is entirely for your own good, and to save your life. One day, you will no longer resent your father."

Cao Zhi burst into tears, "The boy understands! He really understands his father's painstaking efforts."

Cao Cao stroked his hair lovingly and said with a smile: "Don't cry anymore, the military advisor and General Cao Zhen are coming, don't let them laugh."

Cao Zhi wiped away his tears, "Children obey the order!"

At this time, Cao Cao asked the guards at the door, "But they have arrived?"

"Yes! General Cao Zhen and the military advisor were waiting outside."

"Let them come in!"

Cao Cao smiled at his son again and said, "You just sit next to your father, and today you will make an exception to let you participate in military affairs."
Chapter completed!