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Cao's army built a camp on the north bank of the Huai River, confronting the Han army camp on the south bank of the Huai River. The first heavy snowfall in winter came unexpectedly. Snowflakes covered the sky like ticks. The earth quickly covered with thick snow jackets. The whole world turned into a gray area. The heavy snow blocked the sight, and even the Huai River was unable to see clearly.

Amid the flying snowflakes, Cheng Yu hurried to Cao Cao's tent. Xu Chu stepped forward, shrewd his index finger on his lips, and invited Cheng Yu to the side and whispered: "The Prime Minister did not sleep all night last night. He just fell asleep. The military advisor will come back later."

Cheng Yu nodded and sighed in his heart. Although he finally saw through Liu Jing's real strategy, he was still one step late. He was finally lost. The Bingzhou government surrendered. The Prime Minister was hit hard and had been locked in the tent for two days.

He asked again: "The Prime Minister can eat."

Xu Chu smiled bitterly, "I took a few sips of porridge. I heard from the guard who delivered the porridge that the prime minister seemed to have grown ten years old overnight."

Cheng Yu shook his head. The prime minister was old and it would not work. He said to Xu Chu again: "If the prime minister wakes up, I will inform me immediately and I will persuade the prime minister."

"I understand, I will notify the Prime Minister."

As soon as Xu Chu finished speaking, Cao Cao's tired voice came from the tent, "Is it Zhongde outside?"

Cheng Yu and Xu Chu looked at each other and smiled bitterly helplessly. Cheng Yu had to go forward and said, "It's the Wei minister."

“It’s cold outside, please come in”

"Prime Minister, take a rest, please come back later."

"Zhongde, please come in"

Helplessly, Cheng Yu had to walk into the big tent, and Xu Chu followed in with no confidence. Cao Cao was wearing a cloak, sitting next to the brazier, fiddling with the charcoal fire with a fire stick. Under the reflection of the charcoal fire, his eyes were red and his expression was exhausted, especially his hair became even more gray. It was obvious that he was indeed much older.

Cheng Yu hurriedly bowed and said, "Meet the Prime Minister."

"Zhongde, please sit"

Cao Cao asked Cheng Yu to sit down and said to Xu Chu again: "I suddenly wanted to drink some chicken soup and stew one more so."

"Go to the job now"

Xu Chu ran out with a tent, Cao Cao shook his head, sighed and said to Cheng Yu, "Let's tell me, why are we always so passively led by Liu Jing?"

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Liu Jing took the Yangtze River and Han River as a harm, the Bashan and Qinling Mountains as an obstacle, and the powerful navy as a supplement. His defense foundation was very solid. In addition, Jingzhou had the foundation laid by Liu Biao, and Yizhou was generous and gentle, not harmful to the interests of Shu people, and was well-employed. Although there were conflicts between Jing and Shu, under the temptation of this great benefit of the world, the forces of Jing and Shu were able to be at peace for the time being, and worked together to help the Han army in the north. I believe this was Liu Jing's greatest foundation."

"What about me?" Cao Cao asked again: "Where is my weakness and where is the foundation?"

Cheng Yu knelt down and bowed, "The Prime Minister forgives me for not being guilty, but I dare to say it."

"I forgive you for being innocent. Just tell the truth. I want to hear the truth now."

Cheng Yu sighed and said, "The Prime Minister's defeat led to today's passive situation."

"Tell me a little more, how can I lose?" Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu with a serious expression.

"The first defeat was that the southern expedition was too early. I was eager to fight the southern expedition just after I destroyed the Yuan family, but I didn't know that Yuan Shao was kind to Hebei. The senior officials got the hearts of the military and civilians in Bingzhou. The prime minister destroyed the Yuan family and killed the senior officials. However, he should completely stabilize Hebei and Bingzhou and then fight the southern expedition. As a result, the prime minister was too anxious. Once the Red Cliff was defeated, the north would be unstable."

"I also know that Hebei and Bingzhou must be stabilized, and even moved the capital to Yecheng, and reduced taxes. It took six or seven years to start a large-scale southern expedition. Isn't that enough?"

"Although the Prime Minister gave mercy to Hebei and exempted from duty in Bingzhou, a southern expedition doubled its exploitation of Bingzhou and Hebei. In order to build a boat to cross the river, the houses along the Yellow River were almost completely demolished. The levy was collected and the levy was given ten times, and twice returned. Therefore, the remnants of Yuan's family were together, and Hebei was whistling and reconciling. The reason was that the Han army attacked the original land, but the various parts of Bingzhou surrendered. Before the Han army arrived, the county and county had changed their flags. Do the Prime Minister understand the reason for this? Bingzhou people have been dissatisfied with the Prime Minister for a long time."

Cao Cao nodded. Although Cheng Yu spoke frankly and pointedly, he was not angry, but silently accepted Cheng Yu's accusation. He sighed, "Zhongde is right. Although I unified the north, the north is not stable and hastily fought south, so that Liu Jing became a big shot. It can be said that he is wrong in one step, and every step is wrong. Please Zhongde will say that he will lose the second time."

"The second defeat of the Prime Minister was the defeat of the poor Legalists. The Prime Minister established a poor family and derogated the Fathers, respected the Confucians, suppressed the Confucians, killed the Bian Rang, and killed Kong Rong, which made the famous families feel disappointed. In fact, Liu Jing did not do well. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that he advocated the Legalists as much as the Prime Minister, but he was a little implicit. Confucians are skin and law is the bones, but he did not distinguish between scholars and common people. Only by taking this one, it made the famous families very disgusted. However, he made a little more flexible, and on the basis of taking care of the aristocratic families first, and then fairness, he slightly won the hearts of the aristocratic families. In addition, after the Battle of Red Cliff, he released more than 100,000 prisoners of war, winning the gratitude of the northern clans, which laid the foundation for his attack on the north today."

Cao Cao sighed, "You are right. I am indeed a mistake in killing Kong Rong. It's too late to regret it now."

At this time, the curtain was lifted open, and Xu Chu led several guards to bring in a can of chicken soup and brought a few side dishes. Xu Chu acted quickly. Without waiting for Cao Cao to object, he placed bowls and chopsticks and dishes, and served Cao Cao a full bowl of thick chicken soup.

Cao Cao took the chicken soup and took a sip, nodded, and said to Xu Chu: "Pour a bowl for the military advisor."

Xu Chu also poured a bowl for Cheng Yu, and Cheng Yu took a sip and said with a smile: "General Xu is very considerate."

Xu Chu's face turned slightly red. Cheng Yu saw through his thoughts. This was no longer pure chicken soup. It contained yam and ginseng and mixed together. Cao Cao also understood in his heart that he was not in the mood to eat, but after Cheng Yu untied some knots for him, he also had an appetite and felt really hungry. He drank a bowl of soup and another bowl of porridge, and then ordered Xu Chu to take away the things.

At this time, Cao Cao asked again: "Please tell me if the military advisor is defeated."

Cheng Yu hesitated for a long time, "I don't want to say this first defeat."

"You must say it, I want to hear it," Cao Cao said solemnly.

Cheng Yu nodded silently and said, "This defeat is the prime minister's political defeat."

"Zhongde said that I was granted the title of Duke of Wei and added Jiuxi"

"Not only that, the Prime Minister used the heaven to command the princes to command the princes, but lost in morality. At the beginning, the heroes rose up and the world was divided. The Prime Minister respected the king and expelled the barbarians, attacked the four directions in the name of heaven, and unified the north. At this time, the Prime Minister used the heaven to command the princes to command the princes, and everyone could accept it and supported it. It was considered to be a move of power, but it did not last long. Especially after unifying the north, the Prime Minister defeated the royal family Liu Bei and Liu Biao in the name of heaven. In fact, he lost in politics. Now Liu Jing has raised the banner of reviving the Han Dynasty, also called his army the Han army, with clear flags and clear goals, and has an advantage in politics. If not, how could the Han army be so smoothly? The people of the government along the way have not resisted harassment?"

"Zhongde is right," Cao Cao sighed helplessly.

"In fact, it was only after I realized that the humble position was slowly realized. At that time, the Wei minister was also confused. Isn't it just that the Wei minister strongly advocated it? Isn't it that Wei minister also regretted it and could not persuade the Prime Minister to conquer Jingzhou a few years later."

"What's the use of saying these regrets now? The key is how I face the current dilemma. Liu Jing captured Yuan, Bingzhou was in danger, Yedu was in danger, but I couldn't withdraw my troops. Zhongde taught me what should I do now."

Cheng Yu smiled and said, "Does the Prime Minister still remember the incident of being on the floating bridge with Liu Jing for a while?"

Cao Cao nodded, "Of course I remember, so what?"

Cheng Yu said meaningfully: "I thought about it over and over again, and I feel that Liu Jing is actually hinting at the Prime Minister that he hopes to end the dispute with the Prime Minister through negotiation. I have also said that Liu Jing has been fighting for many years, and he may not be able to support him. This time, the attack on the Yuan, including the uniting Jiangdong to the Central Plains, I think his real purpose is to force the Prime Minister to negotiate. Of course, he is to obtain the greatest benefit."

In fact, Cao Cao also realized that Liu Jing wanted to bargain with him. With Liu Jing's current strength, he could not attack in the face, so he pulled Jiangdong into the water. The attack was originally a sneak attack method, and it might not be able to truly occupy Bingzhou.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, "I can give him Guanlong, but he must withdraw from Bingzhou. Does the military advisor think it is possible?"

"I don't know either, but I can try it. If the Prime Minister agrees, I am willing to negotiate with Liu Jing on behalf of the Prime Minister."
Chapter completed!