The Collection of The End

——AD 187——

Qingzhou, Jinan.

"Lord, the time has come to implement this plan. Please give the order as soon as possible." In the study, Xi Zhicai flipped through the bamboo slips on the desk and said to Cao Cao: "If we go too late, no matter whether Sun Wentai succeeds or fails, we will No one gets a share of the pie."

"Well..." Cao Cao was looking at the roughly painted leather map of the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty hanging on the wall. He seemed to be thinking about something. After a moment, he said, "Look, who else will come to divide this map?" What about 'soup'?"

Although this sentence seems to be asking about drama Zhicai, it is actually also asking about the "stand-in". This skill of communicating with the "stand-in" in normal words and deeds can be said to be becoming more and more proficient. Perhaps in the future, it will be possible to reach the level of "brow level". "Wrinkle" or "flick the sleeves", the "substitute" can know what he wants to say.

"There is no doubt that Dong Zhuo, the governor of Liangzhou," Xi Zhicai said: "His Liangzhou army has essentially occupied Chang'an. They only need an opportunity or an excuse to directly enter Guanzhong. Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, and Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou, are very close to each other. If there is something to be gained, they will definitely take the opportunity to raise troops."

"As for Liu Yu from Youzhou and Liu Yan from Yizhou, it is unlikely that they will travel long distances due to the difficult and dangerous roads and inconvenient transportation." Xi Zhicai put down the bamboo slips and walked to the map: "The only one we can worry about is Jingzhou. Liu Biao, since he is separated by the Yangtze River and has no fear of being held accountable for his failure, he may very well take risks."

"[It happened to be wrong~]" The "substitute" responded from the side: "[Liu Jingsheng doesn't have the final say in Jingzhou like you do in Qingzhou. He has to be restricted by the Kuai family, Cai family and other clans, and he just wants to abide by it." He was holding on to his one-third of an acre of land without intending to go further. In this matter, he was prepared to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, and then intercept those who escaped from Sili, whether it was to capture the fleeing rebels, or to retreat after being caught. The princes are all 'gain without risk' to him.】"

"Well..." Cao Cao nodded slightly: "Liu Biao has nothing to worry about. As for Ding Yuan, if he wants to participate, he has to ask Dong Zhongying whether he agrees. Only Yanzhou, as the only way to set off and return, needs to ensure that it is within our under control.”

"I have made arrangements for this matter," Xi Zhicai said: "In the past, my lord's popularity in Dunqiu and surrounding areas has not completely dissipated. On the contrary, it has become more and more popular in Chenliu and Dongping counties."

"[That must have been what Zhenji fought all the way...]" the "substitute" muttered in a low voice.

What's the use of whispering if only you can hear it?

Cao Cao glanced at the "substitute", turned around and said, "But Zhang Miao, Xu You and other classmates and friends are here to help?"

"Exactly, the Zhang family and the Xu family are both big families in Yanzhou. If necessary, they can directly control it by exerting force at the same time," Xi Zhicai said: "However, in this case, the corresponding authority must be given to them. ——Perhaps this was their original purpose.”

"[If everything goes well, Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou,]" the "substitute" began to crack his fingers: "[That day, Xu Shao said that you were a 'capable minister in governing the world', and he was really right.]"

In fact, there is also a saying that "the traitor in troubled times". Cao Cao looked at the position of the commander on the map, just to see whether after the third chaos in Luoyang, the world would become "ruly" or "troubled".

But no matter what, Cao Mengde is still Cao Mengde.

————

Xi Zhicai's plan sounds simple.

Create rumors to make people who don't know the truth feel that "the throne is being manipulated at will by foreign relatives", and then, when Zhu Jun implements his plan and plunges Luoyang into chaos, he uses the excuse that "Princess Wannian is worried about her younger brother" to find fault As an excuse, Qingzhou can send troops.

As for the matter of stationing troops on the border before the incident happened, and conveniently bringing the states and counties along the way under control... No matter what the outcome of the Battle of Luoyang was, no one would ask about it out of trouble.

Since Xi Zhi is a typical person who "just makes plans and doesn't care how to execute them", after he came up with the rumor, he asked Cao Cao to find a way to spread it. In his opinion, the lord who can always grasp the intelligence of various places in a timely manner naturally has his own intelligence. team, as a counselor it would be inappropriate to have too much contact with them.

But no.

Based on the current ability of the "substitute", when investigating intelligence, as long as it is discussed by the common people after dinner, formulated and written on bamboo slips or paper, or can be seen in specific actions, there will be no problem.

But if the information is discussed in a secret room, or is only told once, or is only kept in the heads of certain people, the "stand-in" has absolutely no choice but to speak out all the relevant information obtained afterwards and let smart people analyze it. This further confirmed the speculation that Cao Cao had such an "intelligence team".

However, based on its ability to be "intangible" and "can be selectively heard and seen by others", it is still very convenient to spread rumors. For example, a group of highly identifiable officials entered a restaurant compartment. , what they say is naturally credible to people who can recognize them, then the "stand-in" only needs to imitate the voices of some of them during their conversations, and insert some "reasonable" discussions without letting the other people talk. When people inside hear it, to outsiders it means they didn't run away.

As for the purpose after sending out the troops, it is also very clear. If Dong Zhuo's purpose is "power", Zhu Jun's purpose is "ten permanent attendants", and the purpose of the Qingzhou Army under the banner of Princess Wannian is "prince".

Whether it is Liu Xie or Liu Bian, they can just take advantage of the chaos and rescue one of them and bring them back to Qingzhou. It would be best if they could both be taken away, but the emperor and the mother clan of these two princes must not be touched. ——Because Liu Nai’s identity cannot suppress them at all.

If the two younger brothers are dissatisfied with Qingzhou and Cao Cao, Liu Nai can use her identity as the eldest sister to suppress them. After all, this is a family matter, and no one else can find an excuse to interfere. But if the emperor himself or the prince is instigated by his mother's clan, If you issue an imperial edict to Cao Cao, you will be in big trouble.

If you obey the order, you will be led by others, but if you disobey the order, you will be accused of being Wang Mang's second best.

In this regard, Xi Zhicai said that if it is absolutely necessary, even if a prince is not saved, it is acceptable. After all, as long as Liu Nai has done such an act of "rescuing", Liu Nai will have the reason to "proclaim himself emperor and fight against thieves", but It would be a lot more troublesome to implement than to actually "save" it.

However, that is something that needs to be considered after the fact.

At this time, what really cannot be decided quickly is the candidate for this attack.

First of all, Liu Nai must be brought along, otherwise the teacher will be in vain.

After taking her, Yuan Shao had to take her with him, and in order to protect them, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and Zhang Jue also had to go with her.

As the most powerful force in Qingzhou, it is unreasonable not to bring the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry". However, the Xiahou brothers are still in Qiao County, so they can only be led by Cao Chun. Since he himself is not powerful enough, he has to cooperate with Le Jin and Li Dian helps.

Then, there is Cai Yan. After she has an alpaca mount, even Cai Wan is not easy to catch up. Instead of letting her run to Luoyang to find Zhao Yun out of curiosity-who said Zhao Yun would be in Luoyang? It's better to let her go with Zhen Ji and watch her under her nose.

But in this case, only Cao Ren, Taishi Ci and Xi Zhicai were left in Qingzhou.

These two people who are good at guarding the family and consolidating the land can rest assured if they stay here. However, although Xi Zhicai is smart enough, he is not in good health... With no one to help him, he is overwhelmed just handling the government affairs of Jinan. At this time, he will If the whole Qingzhou was given to him, he would be exhausted, which would go against what Wen Ruo had originally asked him to do.

————

"Mengde! Mengde!" Yuan Shao's voice came from far and near: "Look who is here?"

"[Why does it feel a bit familiar?]" The "substitute" muttered and ran out first.

Of course it seemed familiar, Cao Cao shook his head and walked to the door. The first time he did this, he brought Xiahou Dun and Xia Houyuan, the second time he brought Le Jin and Li Dian, and this time it was those generals.

However, as the territory gradually expands, everyone is welcome, and it would be best if they are scribes.

Cao Cao came to the door of the study and was looking for shoes when he saw his "substitute" rushing back like a gust of wind: "[These are smoked fish! Three in total!]"

What fish? How many?

"[Bah, bah!]" The "substitute" quickly changed his words: "[Xun Wenruo! Three in total!]"

Xun Yu? Three?

Although it was still quite strange, before Cao Cao could figure out what the word "substitute" meant, he had already rushed out without hesitation with his shoes on.

He wears a silver-inlaid crown, a carved belt, a light blue academic gown, deerskin black boots, and a black satin stand-collar short cloak over his shoulders. His eyebrows are like thin swords, his eyes are like cold stars, his lips are thin and his nose is high, his expression is gentle, and he wears a high crown. The loose black hair is tied into a ponytail that reaches shoulder length. Overall, it gives people a sense of trustworthiness and will never let down their trust.

Could it be that he was Xun Yu and Xun Wenruo whom he had met in Yingchuan? The person next to him was Xun Chen, who had returned to Yingchuan after the Xiliang Rebellion.

"Wen Ruo, You Ruo, long time no see," Cao Cao stepped forward and grabbed their hands respectively: "You are here this time, why don't you leave?"

"That's what I said. Could it be that Meng De, you want to stay in Qingzhou and not leave?" Xun Chen, who was familiar with him, responded in a joking tone.

"Haha..." Cao Cao was determined. When he said these words, it meant that the Xun family was optimistic enough about him, so he sent the younger generation of heroes to help: "I haven't asked for advice yet, who is this?"

The "substitute" said that there are three Xun Yus, but it is not nonsense. When these three young men with quite similar heights, appearances, and manners appear at the same time, unless they are carefully distinguished, they may be mistaken for three brothers.

"This is my eldest nephew, Xun You Xun Gongda." Xun Yu smiled and said, "Although he is younger, he is older."

Isn't that the opposite...

"I've seen Cao Qingzhou," Xun You said, his voice sounding quite serious: "Does Cao Qingzhou think that we don't know the allusion of 'falling back to meet each other'?"

Cao Cao followed his gaze and found that he was wearing the wrong shoes - both feet were on the left.

"Hey~ Gongda's eldest nephew~" Xi Zhi, wearing the right pair of shoes, walked out of the study room crookedly: "You can't walk backwards when you wear the wrong shoes."

"..." Xun You was silent for a moment, and then looked Xi Zhicai up and down: "Do you want to call it 'The Monkey and the Crown'?"