The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 48: Teaching Lao Liu the real art of controlling people (Please read on!)

Li Yi's praise made Cao Bao feel embarrassed.

Why did Cao Bao stay in the army for so long these days?

Isn't it because he is afraid that he will be suddenly defeated by Liu Bei one day and he won't even have the chance to resist?

So he only dared to stay in the military camp and sleep with his armor on every day.

"...Mr. said he came here specifically to congratulate me. I wonder why I am so happy?"

Cao Bao held the teacup in both hands and asked carefully.

Li Yi took a sip of hot tea calmly and said:

"Does the Zhonglang General know that he will be in trouble?"

I go!

Cao Bao stood up directly, his eyes wide open.

I was thinking to myself, you kid don’t play by the rules. Didn’t you congratulate me just a second ago?
How come the next second you say I'm in trouble?
"…Unknown."

Li Yi's face was as calm as water, and he said in an orderly manner:

"Han Xin did not listen to Kuai Tong's advice, and the disaster in Weiyang Palace occurred; the minister Zhong did not follow Fan Li in Wuhu, and finally fell on his sword and died."

"These two men have both achieved great success."

"Now that the General of the Central Army has achieved great success and has intimidated his lord, he has a large army in Danyang. Isn't this a way to die?"

This!
Cao Bao was indeed frightened by Li Yi's "alarmist" words. After hesitating for a moment, he knelt down on the ground.

"This is exactly what Leopard is worried about. Sir, you are here so late at night, you must have some good advice for me."

"Leopard is all ears!"

Cao Bao was still clear-headed and knew that Li Yi must have come for this matter.

"The General of the Central Army has been in office for many years and is Yi's elder. Yi still has many matters to consult with the general. Why is the general asking Yi for good advice?"

As he spoke, Li Yi reached out his hand to help Cao Bao up, smiling and saying:

"The General of the Central Army is a pillar of the country and your beloved general. I am not worthy of such a great gift."

Cao Bao felt ashamed and bowed:

"Sir, please stop teasing Cao."

"Sir, you are a wise man. I will definitely listen to the words of a wise man!"

Ok……

Li Yi's lips curled up slightly in a smile.

I have to say, this cold treatment method really works.

When Liu Bei came to power, he conferred titles on a large scale.

Originally, considering Cao Bao's influence in Xuzhou and his many years of hard work and great achievements, he was going to be given a high position as the Prime Minister of Xia Pi.

But he was held down by Li Yi.

Li Yi not only prevented Liu Bei from appointing Cao Bao as an official, but also did not allow Cao Bao to participate in any important affairs of Xuzhou, thus marginalizing him politically.

Liu Bei was worried that this would force Cao Bao to rebel.

Li Yi comforted him, saying, "Cao Bao is in dire straits and will not dare to rebel."

Liu Bei naturally trusted Li Yi, so he did as he said.

During these days, the emperor and his minister dealt with the Mi family and the Chen family, and discussed many matters such as military farming and the release of refined salt.

The only person he didn't care about was Cao Bao.

Cao Bao didn't know Liu Bei's intention, and he lived in fear every day.

Now he was silent as a cicada, being gently controlled by Li Yi.

"The gentleman came to visit me alone late at night, bringing me cattle and wine, and also wanted to congratulate me."

"I think you must have a good plan. Please don't ignore my humbleness. I will listen to your advice."

Li Yi knew that the time was almost right, so he said methodically:

"General, you are also a government official. I don't think you need Yi to teach you how to be an official."

"In the past, Xiao He defiled himself to preserve his integrity; Wang Jian sought a title to protect his body."

"Now that the general has a large army under his command, how can he learn from King Xiao and the other two to protect himself?"

Xiao He's self-defilement and Wang Jian's request for a title emphasize that advice cannot be greater than imperial power. Both of them showed weakness to show their monarchs that they had no ambitions.

Now that things have come to this, even a fool like Cao Bao should understand.

"Sir, do you want me to hand over the military power of Danyang?"

Cao Bao looked very unhappy. The Danyang soldiers were his only support. If he handed them over, he would completely lose his bargaining chip.

Does he really want to risk his life and property because of Li Yi's words?
"No!"

Li Yi rejected Cao Bao's idea.

Cao Bao raised his eyebrows and thought to himself, could there be a chance of recovery?
"In the past, Lord Tao once gave you four thousand Danyang soldiers. Now, the General of the Household only needs to hand over four thousand Danyang soldiers to save himself." This is the cleverness of Li Yi.

He did not take all of Cao Bao's Danyang soldiers in order to gain his trust.

This means that we want the Danyang soldiers just to give you peace of mind, and we keep the Danyang soldiers for you to give you peace of mind.

This is the true way to build mutual trust.

It would be too immature and naive to just retain all military power like Lao Liu did. He actually wanted to impress Cao Bao with his sincerity.

The world is full of goodwill, and the world is all good.

At this time, Old Liu still retained a strong gangster spirit and lacked political training.

Therefore, they are not mature enough in dealing with the Xuzhou issue.

"...Four thousand Danyang troops?"

Cao Bao put his hands behind his back, turned his back and fell into deep thought.

Although Li Yi did not deprive him of all his military power, he took away 4,000 main forces from Danyang, which was enough to prevent him from causing any trouble.

It's like crippling him.

But if I don’t pay it, I’m afraid it won’t just be a simple matter of becoming disabled…

Li Yi didn't urge him either. He knew that in this situation, the more he urged, the more likely it would have the opposite effect.

After a while, Li Yi slowly spoke:
"General Zhonglang, do you still remember that when you first came here, Yi said he wanted to congratulate you?"

Cao Bao looked back and smiled helplessly:
"Today, people are the butchers and I am the meat. Why should I be happy?"

Hahaha.

Li Yi grinned and laughed out loud:

"General Zhonglang, there is no need to do this!"

"You are an old general of Lord Tao, and also the envoy's favorite general."

"In this battle to repel Cao's army, you and your Danyang soldiers also made great contributions."

"How could the envoy mistreat his meritorious officials?"

As he spoke, he took out a brocade box and handed it to Cao Bao.

"Please take a look, General."

Cao Bao took the box with a dull look, opened it and saw that it was a big seal.

"This is……?"

"The envoy has decided to recommend the General of the Central Army as the governor of Xia Pi."

"Oh? Are you serious?"

Cao Bao was surprised and happy, his face full of disbelief.

The Prime Minister of Xia Pi was a high-ranking official at the level of a prefect, and Liu Bei’s current seat of government was in Xia Pi.

Cao Bao, the Prime Minister of Xia Pi, is equivalent to a mayor or a high-ranking official!

"Haha, how can you not take it seriously?"

This is the art of controlling people.

Although Cao Bao was also appointed as the Prime Minister of Xia Pi, the emotional value he gained was different.

In history, Liu Bei retained all of Cao Bao's military power, and then appointed him as the Prime Minister of Xia Pi as soon as he took office, allowing him to participate in all major affairs of Xuzhou.

I was almost afraid that it would melt if I put it in my mouth, and I was afraid that it would fall if I held it in my hands.

He spoiled her like this, thinking that his sincerity could earn Cao Bao's loyalty.

But little do you know, for some people, the better you treat them, the more they will take your kindness for granted.

Not only are they not grateful, but they keep asking for more.

Liu Bei made such a mistake, but it is understandable.

In fact, the three brothers have been growing all the way.

Liu Bei is the most obvious example. Liu Bei after entering Shu and Liu Bei in Xuzhou are two completely different people.

He also gradually realized that many political issues could not be solved by his own set of chivalrous rules.

Now that Cao Bao has been constantly ignored, he is worried that he will be purged.

Now he was suddenly told that not only could he retain some military power, but he could also hold a high position like the Prime Minister of Xia Pi.

How could this not surprise him?

……

……

　Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read! Please read!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)