A few days later, Cao Cao arrived in Xuzhou City.

There was no fanfare, and he didn't even bring a few entourages, and he knew that he had a bad reputation in Xuzhou, so he just came quietly.

Before learning that Cao Cao arrived at the house, Liu Bei put aside the affairs in his hand, went out to greet him, and ordered someone to prepare a banquet and set up a banquet to entertain him.

"Xuande Gong, I haven't seen you for a long time, and your demeanor can be said to be better than back then, hahaha......" Cao Cao laughed heartily, holding Liu Bei's palm and patting it lightly, like a friend who hadn't seen him for a long time.

Liu Bei was obviously stunned by Cao Cao's enthusiasm, but he was also an unusual person, so he quickly came to his senses and showed a kind smile: "You remember that when the princes were begging for Dong, only Cao Gong did his best, and he can be described as a pillar of the Han Dynasty......."

The two met and praised each other, and this wave of operations stunned Zhang Fei, Dian Wei and others. After all, before this, when Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, Liu Bei repeatedly ruined his good deeds, Cao Cao scolded angrily, and swore that he would not stand with Liu Bei and would definitely take his head.

Now that they meet, the two of them have friendly smiles on their faces at the same time, and they can't see the slightest bitterness and hatred.

After the guests of honor were seated, the topic was brought back on track.

"I don't know what happened when Gong Cao went to Xuzhou?" Liu Bei asked casually.

Cao Cao sighed, arched his hand to Liu Bei, and made a look of remorse: "It's not a secret, Cao Mou has been disheartened since he lost to Lu Bu in Yanzhou. When I think of the sins I have committed in the past, I can't sleep all night. So he came here shy this time, just to return Peng Cheng to Xuande Gong, which can be regarded as Cao's atonement. ”

When Guan and Zhang, who were standing behind Liu Bei, heard this, they were all happy, and they looked like they knew each other.

Is Cao Cao really so kind?

Liu Bei had doubts in his heart, he was no more upright than the two sworn brothers, and he was suspicious of what Cao Cao had just said that Liu Bei would believe, lest Cao Cao secretly make him bad.

The two touched a glass of wine, and Liu Bei asked after drinking: "Forgive me, I don't know what Cao Gong's plans are in the future?" ”

At the mention of this, Cao Cao's expression became much darker, and he took a sip of wine, with a trace of loneliness and self-deprecation on his face: "What else?" After I returned, I dismissed my team, and then returned to the countryside to farm, became an ordinary farmer, and no longer cared about the affairs of my family and country. As for the title of Cao Gong, Xuande Gong doesn't need to mention it in the future, Cao really doesn't dare to take it, just call me Meng De. ”

Hearing that Cao Cao was going to dismiss the team, Dian Wei, who was waiting not far away, shouted anxiously: "Lord, no!" ”

Liu Bei also tried to comfort Cao Cao with kind words: "Since ancient times, victory and defeat have been a common thing in soldiers, so why should Brother Meng De blame himself too much." If you lose this time, you will win it back next time. ”

A 'Brother Mengde' seems to have brought the relationship between the two a lot closer.

Liu Bei's comfort didn't play a big role, Cao Cao still sighed, full of decadence and disappointment: "I can't win against Lu Bu with the strength of a state, even if there is a next time, I can't win against him......"

Alas~

Cao Cao sighed: "Xuande Gong, be more careful!" ”

The seemingly unintentional sigh gave Liu Bei a wake-up call.

At present, Lu Bu has been in Zhong, Sili, Xiliang, Hanzhong, Bingzhou and other places, plus Yanzhou, which was taken not long ago, almost half of the territory of the Han Dynasty is in his hands.

After taking Yanzhou, if Lu Bu does not return to Guanzhong, the next strategic direction will be in Jizhou and Xuzhou, choosing one of the two.

As strong as Cao Cao's defeat to Lu Bu, Liu Bei, who has not been able to complete the unification of Xuzhou, is not Lu Bu's opponent.

What to do?

Liu Bei fell into deep thought.

Looking at the frustrated Cao Cao in front of him, suddenly, a spiritual light flashed quietly in his mind.

Liu Bei straightened his clothes, sat down and asked Cao Cao: "I don't know what Meng De thinks of Lu Bu?" ”

"It's called a general, but it's really a thief who steals the country!"

Hearing this, it was like a drunk Cao Cao scolded loudly, drunk: "He relied on the credit for saving His Majesty from Dong Zhuo's hands, controlled the government and the opposition, acted arbitrarily, and played with the Son of Heaven and all the officials. I want to ask him, in this world, is the surname Liu or the surname Lu! ”

Liu Bei's spirits were greatly boosted, and he immediately took out the secret letter from his arms and handed it to Cao Cao: "Brother Mengde, please read this letter." ”

Cao Cao opened it and took a look, a touch of fierceness flashed in his cloudy eyes, and then it dissipated, and he returned to his drunken appearance, and his tone was a little more calm than before: "If Xuande Gong wants to take a certain head, please do it!" I don't blame you. ”

Zhang Feihu's eyes were open, and his body exuded a dry atmosphere, as long as the eldest brother gave an order, he could go up and take off Cao Cao's head in minutes.

Sensing the aura of danger, Dian Wei took two steps forward at the same time, holding on to Cao Cao's side to prevent the enemy from attacking.

The originally harmonious atmosphere instantly became tense.

"If I want to kill you, how can I drink with you here?"

Liu Bei poured himself a glass of wine, looking indifferent.

"What does Xuande mean ......," Cao Cao asked tentatively.

"Lu Bu's move is nothing more than wanting to kill people with a knife, but he underestimated me, how could I be a villain who betrayed his friends for the sake of false fame!" Liu Bei spoke loudly and righteously.

Hearing this, the second brother Guan behind him narrowed his Danfeng eyes and stroked his long hair, which meant that he was proud of his eldest brother.

"The Han family is in decline, and the traitors steal their lives, causing the Lord to be covered with dust. Lonely and unreasonable, I want to believe in the righteousness of the world, but today I am still weak and ashamed of the world......"

Liu Bei stood up and talked about his ideals and ambitions, and by the way, he also spurred a wave of Cao Cao: "The public is loyal to the Han family, and he is dedicated to serving the country, how can he be depressed because of this small setback!" ”

Cao Cao's movements stopped, as if he had some intentions, and sighed: "It's not that Cao Mou doesn't want to revitalize the Han family and save the Son of Heaven, but now he doesn't even have a place to live, so he is really powerless." ”

Liu Bei didn't say a word, and immediately said: "If the prince wants to regroup, he is willing to lend Pengcheng to Meng De temporarily, and then you and I will join forces to fight against Lu Bu!" ”

In fact, Liu Bei also knew that even if Cao Cao returned to Pengcheng, it would make room for those local families, and he estimated that it would be difficult to even take a sip of soup.

Lessons like this are not uncommon. In that case, it might as well be used to find an ally for yourself.

Cao Cao was greatly moved, and shed two lines of tears.

About dusk, Cao Cao left Xuzhou City, with the documents stamped by the state pastor, and went to Pengcheng.

On the way, Dian Wei, who followed beside him, said honestly: "Lord, this Liu Yuanjun is really a good person!" ”

Good?

A sneering smile hung on the corner of Cao Cao's mouth, heh, this guy is far smarter than he imagined.

Why was it only lent to Pengcheng and not elsewhere? It is because Pengcheng is in the middle of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and if Lu Bu wants to enter Xuzhou, he must break Pengcheng first.

Liu Bei said it nicely, but in fact, he was using me as a shield!

Cao Cao didn't say these words, he was stuffy in his heart.

Seeing that the lord did not answer, Dian Wei asked again: "Then will you still dismiss our army?" ”

Cao Cao shook his head.

The Han family has not risen, and I Cao Mengde will not give up until he dies!

This is my life's work!