Chapter 490 Ambition

Yuan Shao's death suddenly made the war in Kanto no longer have any suspense.

Cao Cao pursed his lips and looked at the battle reports teleported from all over the place. The gloom on his face became stronger and stronger, and his whole body was like a puppet.

After only one month, Cao Cao found that he was powerless to turn things around.

"In mid-August, when Qianzhao was pacifying the Zhen family in Zhongshan Kingdom, he was ambushed by Zhang He's selection army. After the Zhongrenting Battle, Qianzhao was almost wiped out and he fled back to Xindu with only hundreds of remaining soldiers. Zhang He took the opportunity to seize Changshan Kingdom, and Xian Yufu and his son asked to surrender."

Man Chong thought about the battle report in his hand without emotion, and seemed to have no awareness of the gloom on Cao Cao's face.

In the lobby of the government office, the civil and military ministers were silent, listening quietly to Man Chong's cold reading and watching Cao Cao's reaction.

"At the end of August, Dong Qi's troll army advanced in three directions and occupied most of Jizhou.

On the way back to Xindu, Yuan Tan was intercepted by Dong general Qu Yi's Beiwei army, and suffered heavy casualties... Yuan Tan himself was beheaded by Yue Xi.

In early September... I was in Xindu and led my troops to surrender..."

Man Chong tried to recite in an extremely calm tone. But gradually, his voice began to vibrato. In just one month, Dong Qi took the entire Jizhou in his hands. The three armies of the Selected Front Army and the Troll Army were heading towards Yanzhou.

Today, Dong Qi has gathered nearly 500,000 troops in Yanzhou and Yuzhou.

If the three troll armies and the front-selling army also arrived, then Dong Qi's total strength would reach 800,000, which was far from comparable to Cao Cao.

Eight hundred thousand army!

This is a number that scares everyone.

Many people, already looked like human faces, bowed their heads in front of the hall to ponder. As for what they were thinking about, only they knew.

Cao Cao raised his head...

"My men, the situation is bad, right?"

With his eagle-like eyes swept across the hall, he smiled bitterly: "But I can guarantee that this is definitely not the worst news.

Boning, please continue reading!"

Man Chong glanced at Cao Cao, wondering what Cao Cao was thinking about at this moment.

"In early September, Liaodong Prefect Pan Zhang entered Jiaoshui from the sea, landed in Hanting, seized Duchang (now Changyi, Shandong), and cut off Guan Hai's retreat. Zheng Hun tried to rescue Guan Hai, but was ambushed by Pan Zhang on the way. Liaodong General Ling Cao ordered his son Ling Cao to guard Yangqiu Mountain, and then attacked Ting County (now Laiyang, Shandong), occupying Jimo. Now, the Liaodong Navy has united troops and is the general Guan Hai..."

Man Chong looked up, glanced at Cao Cao with a blank expression, and gritted his teeth and said, "Piece Guan Hai's troops and horses in the area of ​​Luxiang..."

Cao Cao added: "Qu Yi's Beiwei army has already attacked Pingyuan County, Zheng Hun has been defeated in a row and has retreated to Licheng, and the situation is in danger."

After saying that, he stood up and said word by word: "But I don't know what the Lords think now?"

There was silence in the hall.

Cao Cao said: "The situation in Kanto has become irreversible. The army of despicable men is approaching, and our retreat is getting fewer and fewer. Three days ago, Dong Qi sent my Huang Xuer to Kangfu, trying to surrender to me. I believe that all the officials have also received letters from their families."

There was still silence in the hall, suffocating silence.

Cao Cao took out a letter and shook it at everyone, "Dong Xiping asked me to surrender, saying that he was willing to recommend me as prime minister. Haha, this guy really respects me... I believe that Dong Xiping has also put forward many attractive conditions in the family letters with the masters."

Although no one stood up to speak, silence was the best answer.

"I refused!"

Cao Cao said: "I made friends with Dong Qi in Luoyang and had a great time. He had fulfilled what I wish in my life, and I had no regrets. So I asked Huang Xuer to reply to Dong Qi and told him: If I, Cao Mengde, surrender, even if I continue to be the prime minister, is Cao Mengde still Cao Mengde? I would be so happy to have an opponent like Dong Qi in my life... So I want to fight him to the death."

Speaking of this, Cao Cao paused.

"But this is ultimately a battle between me and Dong Qi. Until the last moment, there is no possibility of stopping without any life or death. If you don't want to fight again, just leave... Dong Xiping promised a fortune, and there would be no possibility of repentance if he said it.

Starting today, I will open the Kangfu checkpoint. Anyone who is willing to join Dong Qicheng can leave with confidence within three days.

However, three days later, I hope to work together with me for those who stayed. Although the war is corrupt, it is not irreversible."

There was an uproar above the lobby.

Cao Peng stood up and roared angrily: "The Prime Minister treats us as much as a mountain of kindness. How can we bear our lord's grace? Whoever dares to retreat, I will never forgive him!"

"Cao Peng, retreat to the side."

Cao Cao shouted angrily, and Cao Peng retreated unwillingly.

"I have ordered Zheng Hun to retreat to Taishan County. Next, it is time for the dukes to choose... Where to go, I will never stop it."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he shook his sleeves and turned into the inner hall.

Man Chong and Xun You looked at each other and hurriedly chased after him.

In the lobby, everyone was worried, either whispering to discuss, or got up and walked out of the lobby.

Man Chong chased him into the back hall and asked with some anger: "Master, why is this?"

Cao Cao seemed to have become very relaxed. The gloom on his face disappeared, and he smiled, "Boning, Gongda, you guys sit first."

After the two sat down, Cao Cao spoke, "You may not understand why I said those words. It was not because I wanted to do this, but I had to do this. We retreated from Chengyang to Kangfu, Yuan Shao was defeated in disastrously, Qingzhou was in danger... In addition, Liu Bei's troops were also trapped in Yingchuan. Seeing that the cold winter was approaching, our situation would become increasingly difficult. At this time, we need to work together."

Xun You seemed to understand a little and nodded thoughtfully.

But Man Chong still didn't understand and asked, "But what does this have to do with your previous words?"

"Boning, you have also seen the situation today. Many people's families fell into the hands of Dong Qi, and the situation was so critical that everyone's hearts were no longer stable!

I want to fight Dong Qi, but I need to stabilize the rear.

But these people have become unstable factors and make it difficult for me to control. Hehe, it is going to rain, and my mother wants to get married... Since everyone's mind cannot be together, they just want to do so... It is not a good thing for us to do this."

"Master..."

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said softly: "To be honest, I received a letter from Liu Bei. In the letter, he proposed to join forces with me to resist Dong Qi. Yanzhou has no support. We need time and space to deal with Dong Qi... We need Xuzhou.

I have secretly ordered Zheng Hun to bring the military farming army from Taishan County at all costs. There are about 200,000.

Now, the Dong family's troops in Jingnan are restrained by Zhou Yu and it is difficult to do their best. Liu Biao and Sun Ce have agreed to join forces with us. Sun Ce has begun to gather troops from Jiangdong to come to Xuzhou to meet us. Liu Biao will block Shamoke's army, so that we will not have to worry and be attacked from both sides.

Boning, Gongda!

I need time now.

At that time, our four soldiers gather together and may be able to compete with Dong Qi. If this battle is won, we will have the capital to negotiate with Dong Qi. But if it fails, we will be defeated. So... I need your two people to help now."

Cao Cao is having a good relationship with Man Chong Xun You!

The two looked at each other and gradually understood Cao Cao's intention.

Rather than saying it is a bluff and delaying time.

I believe that those who defect to Dong Qi will convey Cao Cao's words. In this way, Dong Qi will definitely be careful and buy time for Cao Cao to mobilize troops. Of course, this is just a contour, and the specific implementation needs to be pondered in the subtle points.

Man Chong thought for a while and stood up and said, "Prime Minister, I am willing to go to Taishan County to assist Zheng Hun, bring the troops back, and drag Dong Qi to the same place."

"this……"

Cao Cao was a little hesitant.

However, he did not distrust Man Chong. On the contrary, he valued Man Chong very much. Lu Su died, Xun Yu died... There were fewer and fewer people around him who were trustworthy.

Go to Taishan County and drag Dong Qi's troops?

It seems easy to say, but it is a life-and-death task. Once the disguise is discovered by Dong Qi, Man Chong will die without a place to bury him.

Cao Cao, I'm reluctant to let it go!

But it seems that apart from Man Chong, he really can't find someone to trust to take on this task.

Cheng Yu, with Liu Bei's envoy, went to Xunzhou secretly; Xun You and Cao Cao are now inseparable from Xun You.

Even Yiji and others, Cao Cao could not believe it anymore.

Although Yi Ji followed him for a long time, even longer than Cheng Yu and Xun You, this person has a very active eye value and a very vague mind. It is hard to say what choice Yi Ji would make when he was over. Cao Cao could not believe such a person.

"Boning, it is very dangerous to go to Mount Tai." Cao Cao held Man Chong's hand, "I'll let Cao Peng go with you. If you can, you can drag it, don't drag it. Never fight with Dong Qi. You can escape into the deep mountains and deal with Dong Qi with the terrain of Mount Tai. If it really doesn't work, I hope you don't abandon this body easily. I will arrange for Liang Mao to try to pick you up in Wenyang...

As long as it can be delayed until the beginning of the next year, it will be considered successful.

If you can't delay, as long as you can come back safely, it will be a victory."

Full of Chong's eyes were filled with tears, and he bowed, "I wish to repay the Prime Minister's love today."

After saying that, Man Chong turned around and left.

Cao Cao reminded Cao Peng again, and then he calmed down.

When Man Chong and Cao Peng left, Xun You suddenly asked, "Prime Minister, Liu Bei... Can you believe it? This man is very scheming and too cunning."

Cao Cao sighed, "Don't I know? But now we have no choice. If we share, we will benefit, and if we divide, we will harm. Now, we can only have some chance of winning by cooperating with Liu Bei and Sun Ce. Dong Xiping's power is getting bigger and bigger, and we have no choice."

Xun You also fell into deep thought.

"Prime Minister, can Liu Biao really hold Samoke?"

Cao Cao said: "As long as Shamoko cannot solve Zhou Yu's navy, he will not be able to let go and fight Liu Jingsheng with all his might.

As long as Liu Biao was alive, Shamoke would find it difficult to break through the Jingbei defense line easily.

Gongda, we are gambling now. My luck has always been good before, and I hope this time, my luck will still follow me."

Xun You nodded and was speechless.
Chapter completed!