My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 62 Inspiring Cao Bao
Chen Qun followed Liu Bei to Xuzhou not only because Liu Bei treated him with great respect, but also because he wanted to calmly persuade Liu Bei to retreat to Yuzhou when Liu Bei realized that he was not on a firm footing and was discouraged.

This is the fundamental reason why Chen Qun did not leave Liu Bei.

Judging from Chen Qun and the Chen family behind him, as well as some of the gentry in Yuzhou, Liu Bei was a very good partner.

As a warlord, Liu Bei never massacred civilians or annihilated entire cities. He was tolerant and respectful of the gentry, and his policies respected their opinions. He had a reputation for benevolence and was also quite capable in battle, making him a perfect partner.

Chen Qun hoped to bring Liu Bei back to Yuzhou to protect the gentry of Yuzhou and wait for the opportune moment.

If they advance, they can help Liu Bei contend for the Central Plains; if they retreat, they can coerce Liu Bei to join the true dragon.

Win-win.

During the conversation, Liu Bei repeatedly hinted that if he could establish a foothold in Xuzhou, he would welcome Chen Qun to invite more scholars from Yuzhou to participate in the administration of Xuzhou.

Looking ahead, the development direction of Xuzhou should also consider Yuzhou.

Chen Qun was quite moved by these words. After returning home, he kept thinking about the issue and finally decided to write a letter to his father to ask for his father's advice and the attitude of his fellow villagers.

************************************
Cao Bao was in the military camp reorganizing his troops, considering which ones should be separated and sent out.

These days he stays overnight in the military camp outside the city, and this is his main task.

It's easy to say, but difficult to do.

He generously told Liu Feng that he was willing to provide twice as many troops.

But when it came to actually choosing soldiers, they felt a pang of heartache, unwilling to give this or that.

After nearly a week of reluctant selection, they finally managed to pick out more than 1,800 people.

We're still far from four thousand.

Just as he was racking his brains over choosing a gift, his personal attendant suddenly came to report that Liu Feng had sent another visiting card, wanting to pay him a visit.

Cao Bao felt his head was hurting even more. Last time he entertained Liu Feng, he lost four thousand troops. Now that Liu Feng was coming again, was he going to lose another four thousand troops?

However, amidst the headache, there was also a secret joy.

He had initially worried that Liu Feng would betray him after using him, but now it seemed that the other party still valued him as his father-in-law quite a bit.

And here they are, eager to bother me again, even though it's only been a few days since we last met.

Cao Bao readily agreed and sent someone to report back first.

Then, seeing that it wasn't completely dark yet, he simply returned to Tancheng and personally arranged the banquet for the next day.

The next afternoon, Cao Bao waited at home for Liu Feng to come again.

Liu Feng didn't keep Cao Bao waiting long. As usual, Pan Zhang accompanied him with twenty armored soldiers as guards.

When Liu Feng got out of the carriage, he saw that Cao Bao was already waiting at the gate.

Liu Feng naturally dared not presume, and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects, but was stopped by Cao Bao.

“Young master, there is no need for such formalities. In public, you are the young master, and I am the subject of the magistrate. In private, we are already related by marriage, so there is no need for such formalities.”

Cao Bao, however, was quite blunt and directly brought in his in-laws.

Liu Feng didn't mind, or rather, Cao Bao's attitude made it easier for him to talk to Cao Bao.

Soon, accompanied by Cao Bao, the two sat down in the main hall.

Liu Feng merely gave a hint, and Cao Bao, as was his habit, immediately dismissed all the maids and attendants.

"Uncle, I've come to pay you a visit to present you with a great achievement." The familiar opening and familiar tone made Cao Bao want to cover the tiger tally.

“My dear nephew, your uncle is already selecting troops. In at most ten days… no, twenty days, he will definitely select the troops and hand them over to the magistrate.”

Liu Feng sighed helplessly. He had come to offer credit, so why was Cao Bao so wary?

He had to reassure him, saying, "Uncle, you are overthinking it. I trust you completely with matters concerning the troops. I have indeed come here to share a great achievement with you."

Seeing Liu Feng's serious expression, Cao Bao couldn't help but feel a little smug. Could it be that the other party really came to offer credit?

Anyway, it won't hurt to listen, so let's see what Liu Feng has to say first.

"Uncle, do you know that the other day I offered you a plan, and you were so kind as to accept it?"

Liu Feng said mysteriously, "Once this plan is implemented, someone in the state will surely be wiped out."

Cao Bao's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively thought of himself first, then realized that he and Liu Bei were almost related by marriage. Liu Feng had even taken the initiative to propose marriage. And if he really wanted to deal with him, why would he come to tell him the truth?

Cao Bao smiled bitterly to himself. He had been relaxed for ten days, yet he was still so nervous. It was clear that the pressure Liu Bei had put on him was indeed considerable.

Who could blame Liu Bei for having such an outstanding record, with several of his trusted brothers being such formidable warriors?
Looking around, he realized that there was not a single person who could withstand several blows from the opponent.

How could one not be trembling with fear, lest Liu Bei turn against them?

"Oh, I wonder who my nephew is trying to take down?"

Cao Bao inquired about it.

Liu Feng's expression turned serious: "It is indeed Zang Ba of Langya!"

"Hiss, it's actually him!?"

Cao Bao was greatly surprised: "Zang Ba once led hundreds of brave men to join Lord Tao. Since then, he has always been at the forefront of every battle, displaying unparalleled ferocity. In the Battle of Dongwu, it was Zang Ba who led the vanguard, along with Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and others, selecting 1,500 elite men to bravely charge ahead and disrupt the Yellow Turban formation, which enabled Lord Tao to achieve a great victory."

For this merit, he was appointed Cavalry Commandant by Tao Gong and stationed in Langya Kaiyang, effectively becoming a vassal state.

“He used to have three or four thousand soldiers, and after these years of development, he probably has no less than ten thousand.”

Cao Bao was worried and took the initiative to persuade Liu Feng: "I worked with Zang Ba for a period of time. He is a man of integrity and etiquette, and is not a barbaric or ignorant person. Right now, he is just sitting on the fence and watching. As long as you, my lord, can remain as steady as Mount Tai, he will surely surrender sooner or later."

Cao Bao's words are very Cao Bao-esque.

This person's biggest goal is simply to preserve his existing power and wealth; he doesn't have much ambition.

Therefore, what he wanted most was stability in Xuzhou and the stability of his position of power.

Therefore, he could even pledge his loyalty to Liu Bei.

Therefore, he did not want Liu Bei to launch a major attack and directly confront Zang Ba. In fact, Liu Feng could be certain that Cao Bao's words were heartfelt and that he was thinking of Liu Bei's best interests.

However, Liu Feng did not want things to continue like this: "Uncle, Zang Xuangao is entrenched in Langya, a strategic location, and he refuses to serve my father. We really cannot keep him here."

This time, we must at least make him loyal to my father before we mobilize troops.

As for the rest, I ask that you first hear my plan, Uncle. If the plan is truly unfeasible, I will naturally not force you to proceed.

Upon hearing this, Cao Bao sat down again, waiting for Liu Feng to speak.

Next, Liu Feng presented his analysis of Zang Ba's power, followed by production data from Kaiyang, which was controlled by Zang Xuangao, and finally revealed his plan to undermine Zang Ba's control.

Cao Bao listened in stunned silence, his expression constantly changing.

(End of this chapter)