Not to mention, if Tao Qian really asked the Han court for help, Cao Cao would be overwhelmed by an imperial edict.

To answer or not to answer?

"This?"

Xi Yu's words made Cao Cao feel numb. Thinking about it carefully, this is indeed the case.

However, now that Xuzhou has been captured, it seems that all he needs to do is force himself to annex the entire Xuzhou.

How could he be willing to let him give up like this?

"Could it be that our army can't capture Xuzhou?"

Cao Cao was a little distracted, and the words he blurted out subconsciously became a little anxious.

Xi Yu shook his head: "Brother, don't worry!"

"It's not that we can't annex Xuzhou, but we can't be too hasty about this!"

"Our army's attack on Xuzhou naturally cannot be useless. Now the towns in Xuzhou under our command have shown miraculous results!"

"Brother, I will advance slowly this time. I expect that Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan in the north will face each other again soon."

"At that time, the two are incompatible with each other, and Yuan Shu in the south will not be a concern!"

"At that time, Xuzhou will no longer be able to resist my brother."

Xi Yu spoke slowly, and Xi Zhi beside him nodded.

I definitely still need to fight, but there is no need to fight so urgently now.

Annexing Xuzhou bit by bit will not only force the entire Xuzhou to death, but also allow the other party to pretend to have a breath of air.

This is indeed a good idea.

Cao Cao sighed and thought carefully, but there was nothing wrong with what Xi Yu said.

This seems to be the only plan for now.

"Now, our army should start there first!"

Cao Cao casually spread out the Xuzhou map placed on the desk, raised his eyes and asked Xi Yu.

The latter moved his body to the side of the desk, and when he saw it, he saw the circle that Cao Cao had marked on the map.

Tancheng!

It seems to be where Liu Bei's troops are stationed.

Almost subconsciously, Xi Yu raised his head and glanced at Cao Cao, who was smiling with narrowed eyes.

"Brother, do you want to deal with Liu Bei first?"

Xi Yu's expression was a little playful. He never thought that Cao Cao would consider Liu Bei so important in his heart.

"Humph, this time Cao avenged his father, and all the other princes did not send troops, but Liu Xuande was the only one who rushed over to be a good person?"

"He really thought Cao had no temper!"

Thinking of Liu Bei, Cao Cao's teeth couldn't help but itch!

I issued the edict this time, clearly stating that I was avenging my father and holding up the banner of righteousness.

He even sent a letter to Liu Bei to explain the matter before. He thought that the other party would not show up, but he never thought that Liu Bei would come anyway!

How can this not make Cao Cao angry?

He originally thought that Liu Bei and he were friends, and they had many contacts with each other when the princes met for alliance.

At that time, he and the three Liu Bei brothers were talking happily.

But now, Liu Bei doesn't give himself any face, how can this not be annoying?

"Okay, Tancheng is not bad!"

Xi Yu nodded. Now Cao Ren and Xia Houyuan have won against Shang Zangba and Sun Guan.

The morale of Xuzhou is weak. If Cao Jun can defeat Liu Bei this time, the morale of the entire Xuzhou will definitely be hit hard again.

As for Liu Bei, Guan Yu and others.

After all, Xi Yu is quite interested. Since coming to this era, Xi Yu still wants to get to know celebrities such as Liu Bei and Guan Yu personally.

Later generations' evaluations of Cao Cao and Liu Bei were mixed, but Xi Yu didn't have much opinion on this.

Those who can be recorded in history books and passed down are never mediocre people.

What's more, one is Emperor Zhaolie of Han and the other is Emperor Wu of Wei.

……

After Cao Jun made the decision, the next day the army began to march in the direction of Tancheng.

As the movement of Cao's army became clear, Liu Bei, who was in Tancheng for the first time, also received the news.

Tancheng Government Office.

When he learned that Cao Cao's army was invading, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a little numb.

How can Tancheng, a small land in the East China Sea, resist the invasion of Cao Cao’s army?

He now has more than ten thousand soldiers, including Tian Kai's soldiers, so how long can such soldiers be able to hold off Cao Cao?

As soon as Liu Bei received the news, he sent people to rush back to Xuzhou City.

Tao Qian, who also received the news, glanced hard at Cao Bao after hearing the letter from Liu Bei's envoy.

"General Cao, please lead the troops to help Liu Xuande. Don't let Cao Cao invade our Xuzhou territory!"

Tao Qian was weak, and Cao Bao beside him couldn't help but shake hands.

"Your Majesty, can you really trust Liu Xuande?"

Cao Bao glanced at Tao Qian with some doubts. He didn't have much contact with Liu Bei.

However, Cao Bao's impression of Liu Bei's escape was not very good.

Now that Tao Qian asked him to bring the remaining troops from Xuzhou to help Liu Bei, he was somewhat reluctant.

If the time comes, what if Liu Bei opens the city and surrenders, directly welcomes Cao Cao in, and gives up the city?

He heard that Liu Bei and Cao Cao still had some friendship.

"General Cao, don't be suspicious. Xuande understands justice well and is a benevolent person. He will never do what you think!"

"He can help me in Xuzhou at this time. If I shrink back at this moment, how will the world view Xuzhou?"

Tao Qian forced himself up and looked at Cao Bao quietly.

At this time, he has become more and more aware that he may not be able to hold on for long, and even if he recovers from his illness, he will never be able to regain his youthful strength.

He was somewhat confused about what Xuzhou would look like in the future.

"Go and help him!"

He could only place his hopes on Liu Bei for the time being.

The other party has been able to help Kong Beihai before, so he is worthy of trust.

After hearing what Tao Qian said, Cao Bao didn't say much. This time Tao Qian asked him to help Liu Bei, and he understood the meaning to some extent.

Now that Tao Qian is old, he has followed Tao Qian for a long time, and the other party now thinks about him.

If we can establish a good relationship with Liu Bei at this moment, it will be a good thing for Cao Bao in the future.

At least, if Tao Qian really dies one day, Cao Bao will have something to rely on in the future.

"My lord, take good care of your health, I will leave now!"

He bowed his hand towards Tao Qian, and then Cao Bao didn't delay any more, except that he received the order from the State Mufu and began to lead the army towards Tancheng.

At the same time, within Tancheng.

The spies have come to report that Cao's army will arrive at the city in a few days.

Liu Bei felt a little panicked about this situation.

Since entering Tancheng, he has ordered his soldiers to start building the city wall. The originally small Tancheng city wall has now become somewhat taller and expanded.

But, it’s still not enough!

After all, this town is too small.

It’s not a big city like Xuzhou City.

Such a town cannot be defended for long. If it is really surrounded by Cao Cao's army, it will become a dead end.

In desperation, Liu Bei could only choose to station his troops and horses in front of the city wall of Tancheng, waiting for the arrival of Cao Jun's army.

He somewhat hoped to persuade Cao Cao to retreat in front of the two armies.

However, such an idea still flashed through Liu Bei's mind.

This letter he sent to Cao Cao has been for a while, and I think Cao Cao has read it by now!
To be continued...