My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 99 If you don't leave, I'll raid your lair! Cao Cao: Who drove Xiao He away? I'll exterminate his entire clan!
Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he asked anxiously:
"Does Bo Wen have any good plan to make Cao Cao withdraw his troops?"

Xiao He stood up and walked to the map, pointing the tea bowl in his hand towards the northwest:
"Cao Cao suffered a crushing defeat at Fancheng, severely damaging his vitality and strength. Naturally, the fear and awe of Cao Cao among the generals in Guanzhong has also been greatly reduced."

"My Lord, you can take advantage of this and send spies deep into the Xuzhou, Luoyang, and Chang'an lines to spread rumors that the generals in Guanzhong are planning to take advantage of Cao Cao's disastrous defeat at Fancheng and his severe damage to his strength to rise up against him."

"We can also have our spies announce that the Guanzhong Army will split into two groups. One group will march eastward from Tongguan to capture Luoyang first and then Xudu. The other group will march out of Wuguan to capture Ye County and cut off Cao Cao's retreat route."

"After Cao Cao got wind of this, did he still dare to stay in Wancheng and wait for his lair to be raided by the generals in Guanzhong?"

After the plan was revealed, Xiao He sat back down and poured himself a new bowl of tea.

Liu Bei was greatly encouraged. He jumped up and walked to the map. He scanned the map quickly and gradually saw the moon in his eyes.

"My lord, Advisor Bo Wen's rumor-mongering tactic has hit Cao Cao right in the nick of time!"

Xu Shu also jumped up and pointed at the map excitedly.

"Cao Cao only unified the north in name only. Guanzhong and Liang Province were only nominally subordinated. In reality, the generals in Guanzhong all held their own troops."

"Cao Cao was actually quite wary of Ma Han and other Xiliang generals, so before he invaded Jingzhou in the south, he used a combination of kindness and force, using both soft and hard tactics to lure Ma Teng into the court."

"And Ma Teng and Han Sui are the two most powerful warlords among the generals in Guanzhong."

"Cao Cao lured Ma Teng to the court simply to control Ma Teng and thereby contain the Ma family army in Guanzhong. This, in turn, would allow him to contain Han Sui and other Guanzhong generals, preventing them from joining forces and threatening Xu and Luo during their southern invasion of Jingzhou."

After swallowing his saliva, Xu Shu continued:

"However, Cao Cao, with his political cunning, naturally knew that it was unrealistic to expect a mere Ma Teng to control the Ma family army, or even the generals in Guanzhong."

"The Ma family army and the generals in Guanzhong are therefore keeping to themselves. What they really fear is Cao Cao's powerful strength."

"Now, the situation has changed."

"Cao Cao has been garrisoning his troops in Wancheng and has been reluctant to withdraw north. He must be hoping to sit back and watch, waiting for us to fight Sun Quan to the death. He can then reap the benefits and move his army to take Xinye."

"Now that our army has defeated Sun Quan twice, Cao Cao will undoubtedly realize that his plans have failed and will likely begin to consider retreating."

"The rumors in Guanzhong were the last straw that broke Cao Cao's back. Whether he believed them or not, he certainly didn't dare risk losing Xuzhou and Luoyang and having his route back cut off. He had no choice but to lead his entire army back north."

"In this way, the pressure from Cao's army on Jingzhou will be completely eliminated, and my lord will be able to lead the army south!"

"Now, Sun Quan has no bargaining power with us. If he wants Cheng Pu back, he'll have no choice but to agree to our terms!"

Xu Shu thought hard and presented the underlying logic of Xiao He's plan to Liu Bei.

Having said this.

Xu Shu looked at Xiao He with respect and sighed:
"I didn't expect that Military Advisor Bo Wen was also well aware of the situation in Guanzhong. He even thought of taking advantage of Cao Cao's fear of the generals in Guanzhong to spread rumors and force Cao Cao to return north."

"This kind of vision and perspective is beyond the reach of most people."

Xiao He didn't say anything, just smiled and nodded to show his agreement.

To be honest, he hadn't thought about it that deeply.

He just remembered that Cao Cao had led a large army to fight for the actual control of Guanzhong, and fought fiercely with the 100,000-strong Guanzhong army. In the battle of Weishui, he was almost killed by the tough guy from Xiliang.

From this, we can infer that Cao Cao must have had different ideas towards the generals in Guanzhong. On the surface, he treated them with respect, but in fact, he had been planning evil for a long time and was looking for the right time to deal with these tigers and wolves from Xiliang.

Since that’s the case, let’s take advantage of Cao Cao’s thoughts and force him to pack up and leave.

"Bo Wen actually took Guanzhong into consideration. His vision is truly unmatched."

Liu Bei sighed and punched Guanzhong with his fist:
"Okay, let's use Bowen's plan. Quickly order Ling Gongyou to send spies to Guanzhong and Xuluo to implement Bowen's rumor-mongering plan!"

...

Wancheng, the county seat.

"How could Guan Yu lead the navy from Xiashui to the Yangtze River and catch the Jiangdong army off guard?"

"What a great plan to deceive the world!"

Cao Cao, sitting high in his seat, looked at the latest intelligence from Xiakou and couldn't help but applaud.

After cheering, Cao Cao suddenly came to his senses and his brows suddenly furrowed.

Liu Bei defeated Sun Quan, which means that your plan of sitting on the mountain and watching the fight between two tigers has failed. Why are you so happy?
"I have to say, this deceptive plan is truly a brilliant way to win. If Yu is right, Liu Bei's plan was most likely the work of Xiao He."

"With just one trick, he foiled our plan of two tigers competing for food. This man's wisdom is beyond Yu's reach."

There was a hint of frustration in Cheng Yu's eyes and tone.

"Xiao He, is it him again..."

Cao Cao tightly grasped the silk book in his hand, his eyes revealing a very complicated look.

In his eyes, there was both admiration for this rare talent and resentment and dissatisfaction at not being able to use him.

"Father, I believe that since Sun Quan has broken the Sun-Liu alliance and treacherously launched a surprise attack on Xiakou, the two traitors, Sun and Liu, will be at loggerheads, with no possibility of reconciliation."

"Although Sun Quan suffered a crushing defeat, he only lost over 10,000 soldiers and horses. He wasn't seriously injured. He could still get reinforcements from Jiangdong, regroup, and attack Xiakou again."

"Jiangdong always has a naval advantage. Sooner or later, Xiakou will be in danger, forcing Liu Bei to lead his main force south to rescue it."

"As long as father continues to station his troops in Wancheng, we will surely have the opportunity to wait until Liu Bei marches south and retake Xinye!"

Cao Pi, who was standing by, took the opportunity to show off while adding soup and tea to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao glanced at Cao Pi, and there was a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He obviously did not expect that Cao Pi could have such insights.

The dissatisfaction that had previously arisen from Cao Pi's hesitation and reluctance to give up his horse was now slightly reduced due to his outstanding performance.

"Well, Zihuan's words make sense. I will continue to station troops in Wancheng. I don't believe I can't wait until Liu Bei can withdraw and march south."

Cao Cao nodded slightly and gave his son a look of approval.

Cao Pi was secretly delighted and was just about to strike while the iron was hot and make a few more profound remarks.

Footsteps were heard, and the Tiger Guards hurried in, presenting an urgent report from eight hundred miles away that had just been sent by the Inspector of the Imperial Capital, Zhong Yao.

When Cao Cao heard the urgent news from Guanzhong, his nerves immediately tensed up.

The Tiger Guard presented it to Cao Cao, who snatched it away and couldn't wait to unfold it and take a closer look.

After glancing at it for a few seconds, Cao Cao's face erupted in fury, and he threw the silk scroll to the ground. "Han Sui and his group of Xiliang beasts, I knew they were hard to change, with no loyalty, righteousness, or shame!"

Cao Cao was furious and started cursing.

Cheng Yu and others were startled, and hurriedly picked up Zhong Yao's urgent report and rushed forward to read it.

"Rumors are spreading throughout Guanzhong. Han Sui and ten other Xiliang generals intend to take advantage of the Prime Minister's recent defeat to gather their forces and rebel. They will attack Luoyang in the east and Ye County in the south. Yao asks the Prime Minister to destroy them. We should be on guard!"

This is what the emergency report contains.

There was an uproar in the hall.

"Our army has just suffered a defeat. Not only has morale on the front lines been crushed, but the people in the rear are also shaken. If the generals in Guanzhong take advantage of the situation and attack Tongguan, I am afraid our army will be unable to resist. Luoyang will be difficult to defend, and Xudu will be in danger!"

Liu Ye took a breath and said anxiously:

"Prime Minister, Xu Luo must not be lost. It seems we can't stay in Wancheng any longer. We must return north as soon as possible!"

All the counselors agreed.

Cheng Yu thought for a moment, then said:
"Zhong Yuanchang's urgent report only stated that it was a rumor, without any confirmation. Yu wondered if Liu Bei was deliberately spreading rumors to force the Prime Minister to withdraw his troops north."

Cao Cao, who was originally angry, was slightly shocked and suddenly calmed down a little.

At this time, Liu Ye sighed:

"Tongguan and Luoyang are only a few hundred miles apart. Once the Xiliang cavalry leave the pass, they can gallop day and night and reach Luoyang in less than two days, and the city of Xudu in four!"

"Regardless of whether the rumors are true or false, whether they are the truth or spread by Liu Bei, we cannot take the risk."

Cao Cao's heart trembled and his face became gloomy again.

Cheng Yu didn't dare to speak.

After all, this concerns Xu Luo's safety. If he makes a wrong judgment and prevents Cao Cao from returning north, causing Xu Luo to be captured and the emperor to fall into the hands of the generals in Guanzhong, he cannot afford the consequences.

Cao Cao held his forehead with his hand, closed his eyes, and fell into deep thought.

After weighing the pros and cons for a long time, when Cao Cao opened his eyes again, his eyes had become helpless.

"Zi Yang's words make sense. Regardless of whether this is a plot by the Big Eared Thief, I absolutely cannot take this risk."

"Forget it, forget it. The southern expedition ends here."

"Pass on my order, the army will return north immediately!"

Cao Cao waved his hand weakly and chose to withdraw his troops.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had suddenly been lifted from their shoulders, and everyone felt relieved.

"If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Xiao He during this southern expedition, I would have unified the world long ago!"

"I have come to this point where I have nothing to gain and have lost many soldiers and generals returning north, all because of this defeat by Xiao He!"

"How hateful! How hateful~~"

Cao Cao became more and more angry, so he shouted:
"I ordered you to investigate carefully whether this Xiao He has a wife, children, and relatives in the north. Have you found out?"

The counselors all shook their heads, obviously gaining nothing.

Liu Ye's eyes were full of confusion, and he sighed:
"We've searched the ground for thousands of feet, but we haven't found any connection to this Xiao He. It's as if this person just appeared out of thin air and has no connection to anyone in this world."

Dropped from the sky…

The four words "Liu Ye" made Cao Cao's heart tremble, as if a sensitive nerve was touched.

A brilliant and resourceful man who had come out of nowhere, had landed right in front of Liu Bei and was appointed his military advisor...

Could it be that this was a strange man sent from heaven to help Liu Bei?
Does that mean that Liu Bei was destined to succeed?
The more Cao Cao thought about it, the more horrified he became, and he couldn't help but shudder.

"Prime Minister, before I came here from Xudu, I heard some rumors about Xiao He. I wonder if I should share them with you?"

A strategist in his thirties with an imposing bearing suddenly spoke.

The person who spoke was none other than the chief clerk Yang Xiu.

"Dezu, what did you hear? Tell me!"

Cao Cao immediately sat up straight and pricked up his ears.

Yang Xiu stood up and said slowly:

"When Xiu was passing by the camp in the southern suburbs of Xudu, he overheard the soldiers talking about how, before the Prime Minister's southern expedition, a man in strange clothes, who called himself Xiao He, wanted to meet the Prime Minister."

"As a result, the soldiers guarding the camp gate regarded him as a madman and shouted him off."

This statement came out.

Cao Pi, who was pouring tea for Cao Cao, suddenly changed his expression and his hands shook violently, spilling the tea onto Cao Cao's hands.

If this had happened under normal circumstances, Cao Cao would have been so angry that he would have jumped up and down and severely reprimanded Cao Pi.

At this moment, Cao Cao was not able to bear the heat, and asked anxiously with his teeth bared:
"Did Xiao He really seek refuge with me?"

"Who is that person who dares to drive Xiao He away?"

Cao Pi's heart was in his throat and he almost jumped up to cover Yang Xiu's mouth.

Yang Xiu coughed a few times and said:

"Xiu just overheard it and didn't have time to ask for details. As for who drove Xiao He away, Xiu still needs to verify it."

Cao Cao's eyes widened and he was so angry that a mouthful of blood blocked his chest.

Such a brilliant and resourceful man with countless ingenious plans, whose intelligence is even greater than Guo Jia's, actually defected to me?

The key point is that he was driven away by his own subordinates as a madman?
In other words, there was once such a rare genius in front of him, but he did not cherish it and gave it to his mortal enemy Liu Bei!
This extraordinary genius single-handedly helped Liu Bei shatter his dream of unifying the world, leaving him with only the regret to savor at this moment!

For a powerful ruler who aspires to unify the world, this is the most painful thing in the world!

Cao Cao, who was so angry that he wanted to vomit blood, suddenly roared:
"Hurry up and check for me. Find out who is this blind person who dared to drive Xiao He away!"

"I will exterminate his three clans!"

(End of this chapter)