I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 222 - 16: Cao Cao Establishes Liu Xie, Cao Cao Fails to Take Chang’an (2)

Chapter 222: Chapter 16: Cao Cao Establishes Liu Xie, Cao Cao Fails to Take Chang’an (2)

Coordinate with Liu Bei for a pincer attack on Lu Bu.

August;

Lu Bu suffered a major defeat at Xiapi and led a few riders to retreat to Yu Province, seeking refuge with Yuan Shu.

His current reputation is indeed quite tarnished.

First, he murdered his adoptive father Ding Yuan, and later, in times of crisis, he abandoned Yuan Shao.

If it were any other warlord in the world, they would not accept Lu Bu’s surrender, no matter how brave they knew Lu Bu to be.

But Yuan Shu is different.

Yuan Shu is now completely cornered.

He is under pressure from three different forces, just like Yuan Shao was in the past.

Moreover, his current generals are indeed quite lacking.

In such a situation.

Yuan Shu actually accepted Lu Bu’s surrender.

October;

Liu Bei and Tao Qian’s armies crossed Guangling to enter Yangzhou, attacking Jiujiang.

At the same time, Cao Cao also mobilized from Yan Province.

Though this time he did not personally lead the campaign.

Instead, he appointed Cao Ren as the commander, with Cao Hong, the Xiahou brothers, and others as generals, dispatching a hundred thousand troops to attack Yu Province.

End of October;

Gu Chen successively captured the counties of Hongnong and Hedong,

just one step away from unifying Sii Province. .....

...

Xuchang.

"Fengxiao, you must understand my intentions, right?"

Cao Cao looked at the young man in front of him with a calm expression, not hiding his admiration for him at all.

Although Guo Jia had not been in Cao’s camp for long.

He came with the aristocrats from Yingchuan, all coming to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao.

But due to his unparalleled talent.

Cao Cao also held him in high regard.

Guo Jia’s expression was very calm, instead of answering directly, he asked, "Does the lord intend to pacify Qing and Bingzhou?"

Upon hearing this, there was no anger on Cao Cao’s face, and he nodded directly: "Indeed."

"Today, all the warlords from all around gather."

"However, except for Gu Ziyi and Liu Xuan De, the others do not catch my eye."

Cao Cao did not hide anything.

He had been contemplating this matter all this time.

It seemed inevitable that there would be a great battle between Gu Chen and him, and this battle was not far away.

As for Liu Bei—

This person has always been loyal to the Han Dynasty, not to him, Cao Cao.

This destined that there would also be a battle between them in the future.

He did not personally lead the expedition against Yuan Shu this time because he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to strike first.

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia also slightly nodded, bowed to Cao Cao, and said, "The lord is wise."

"I also think that these two are surely the lord’s great enemies."

"This person Gu Ziyi..."

"I once sent people to inquire about his character."

"This person’s will is as unyielding as iron, he has never made a mistake in commanding troops, and his martial skills are also among the strongest of the present age."

"The lord must not confront him directly...should target others."

Guo Jia’s tone was very calm.

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao couldn’t help but frown, and softly probed, "Fengxiao, are you suggesting targeting his elder brother, Gu Wei?"

"Precisely."

Guo Jia immediately nodded, gave a slight laugh, and said, "I have heard of this person, once regarded as the greatest prodigy of the Gu Clan’s generation."

"Does the lord know his character?"

The greatest prodigy?

Cao Cao was taken aback for a moment, recalling this title, and then suddenly laughed.

In the past, he also used to think so.

But now it seems that compared to the once-unknown Gu Chen, he is far less distinguished.

He remained silent for a long time before leisurely speaking, expressing just one word:

"Arrogant!"

A single word, simple and direct.

Just as Gu Yi’s judgment of Gu Wei was.

Cao Cao’s judgment of Gu Wei was also arrogance!

"Arrogant?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia was momentarily stunned, then laughed again: "Indeed, he is a scion of the Gu Clan, he has the capital to be arrogant."

With that said, he fell silent.

He began to contemplate a strategy, and Cao Cao did not rush him.

The entire hall fell into a calm silence.

It was only after a long time that Guo Jia spoke again: "My lord, this Gu Wei is a member of the Gu Clan."

"Ordinary schemes of sowing discord are useless against him."

"Whether it is sowing discord between brothers or among his subordinates."

"However, if he is arrogant...then there is an opportunity to exploit it."

As he spoke, Guo Jia slowly stood up, walked directly to the map, and pointed to the Heishan on the map.

——Black Mountain Army Zhang Yan!

In just an instant, it seemed that Cao Cao guessed what it was about.

His eyes suddenly lit up.

But he quickly shook his head: "Fengxiao, do not forget that Zhang Yan is from Changshan."

"With the Gu Clan’s renown in Jizhou."

"How could he be persuaded to go to Bingzhou?"

No need to discuss further, Cao Cao already understood Guo Jia’s idea.

"Why should the lord care about these things?"

Guo Jia smiled faintly, looking at Cao Cao: "If we capture Zhang Yan and his close family members, how could he not go?"

"I have heard that Zhang Yan has always shared joys and sorrows with his soldiers over the years."

"I imagine...he would follow orders to arrive in Bingzhou."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately fell silent.

Treating those who come to pledge allegiance in such a way, if word were to spread, it would certainly have a huge impact.

But if it could indeed be seized upon this opportunity to take Bingzhou.

Breaking Gu Chen’s wing.

It would be an absolutely advantageous move for him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Cao Cao was not someone known to hesitate, and after a brief moment of silence, he nodded directly:

"Yes!"

"The lord is wise."

Guo Jia smiled and bowed to Cao Cao, then continued: "As for Qing Province...."

"The lord can also take advantage of this opportunity to ensure Liu Bei cannot return to Qing!"...

....

Bingzhou.

The current Bingzhou region is a new sight compared to the past.

——All the disorderly troops have been successively subdued.

Even the multitude of bandits of the past now dare not commit crimes under Gu Chen’s renown.

Gu Wei’s skills in internal affairs and winning over people’s hearts are not lacking.