Although Cao Cao joined forces with Yuan Shao to fight the enemy, Yuan Shao did not help him unconditionally, in addition to seeking revenge on Zhang Yan, he also had another purpose, that is, to make Cao Cao his vassal.

Although Yuan Shao arrived in Puyang, he remained unmoved.

For this reason, Cao Cao went to Yuan Shao specifically, hoping that Yuan Shao could join him in attacking Lu Bu and Zhang Yan.

However, Yuan Shao put forward a condition at this time, that is, he wanted Cao Cao to cede to him all the seven counties of Dunqiu, Weiguo, Fagan, Dongwuyang, Boping, Liaocheng and Yangping, which were located north of the Yellow River.

In Cao Cao's room, Xun Yu, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu all looked at each other, and they all learned from Cao Cao about the conditions proposed by Yuan Shao, and they were all thinking about how to deal with it.

Cheng Yu first said: "What is the difference between Yuan Shao and a robber when he does this? Now that our army only has Dongjun in Yanzhou, Yuan Shao knows the situation of our army, but he still wants to do this, which is undoubtedly a failure. At the beginning, he first sent a messenger over to ask the lord to send all his family to Yecheng, and now he has put forward such a condition, so aggressive, it is unbearable! ”

Cheng Yu has a strong personality, and he stopped Cao Cao's idea of sending his family to Yecheng last time, but this time he heard Yuan Shao make such an impertinent request, and he was even more angry, and immediately said his thoughts.

"Lord, I still say the same thing, although Yanzhou is broken, at least there are more than 10,000 soldiers in our army, and we will do our best to give advice to the lord. The counties and states of Yanzhou also surrendered to the enemy army for self-preservation, and their hearts were still on the lord. If the lord is willing to fall, willing to become a vassal of Yuan Shao, and ceded the land and begged him to send troops, if this move spreads, it will definitely cause the world to laugh, and it will damage the reputation of the lord. As soon as Cheng Yu's chatterbox was opened, he couldn't close it anymore, and he would never stop until he finished speaking.

Cheng Yu had already stated his position, and Cao Cao understood it, but he was still worried, and immediately said: "Zhang Yan and Lu Bu have joined forces, which has made it difficult for our army to deal with, and if we offend Yuan Shao again, it will undoubtedly make matters worse." I have known Yuan Shao since I was a child, and I know who he is, if he really wanted to fall into the ground, he would have already taken the opportunity to eliminate me. It was precisely because of my old confidant with him that he first sent Wen Chou to ambush Yu Ban in Cangting, and then personally led an army of 50,000 to here. What's more, Yuan Shao's soldiers are many generals, this is an indisputable fact, if you can borrow his Liliang to eliminate Lu Bu, and repel Zhang Yan, and exchange the land of seven counties for my large area of Yanzhou, which is more important, I think you know better than me. If I am just worried about being ridiculed by the world and losing my reputation, and give up this big opportunity, then I Cao Cao is undoubtedly a big fool between heaven and earth! ”

Xun Yu listened to Cao Cao's words, and immediately arched his hand and said: "The lord can bend and stretch, which really makes Wen Ruo admire." I thought that if Yuan Shao really wanted the land of the seven counties, even if the lord didn't give it, with Yuan Shao's strength, it would be easy to seize it by force. Since Yuan Shao has taken a fancy to that land, he might as well give it to Yuan Shao for the time being, as long as Yuan Shao can help the lord eliminate Lu Bu, repel Zhang Yan, and restore the lord's rule in Yanzhou, the land of the seven counties will be insignificant. Let Yuan Shao fight with Lu Bu and Zhang Yan, and our army can only sit and reap the benefits of the fisherman, why not do it? ”

"The art of war has clouds, but the truth is false, and the virtual is real. The lord's plan to kill people with a knife is indeed clever, and his subordinates also agree with the lord's approach. Xun Yu said softly.

Cao Cao glanced at Guo Jia, who had not spoken, and asked, "Fengxiao, are you and opinion?" ”

Guo Jiadao: "Although the lord's plan is wonderful, his subordinates think that Yuan Shao will only give the lord assistance in terms of materials and money at most, and will not personally confront Lu Bu and Zhang Yan. Although Yuan Shao has a large number of generals, but the rear is not stable, in his north, there is Gongsun Zhan who occupies Youzhou is eyeing him, once Gongsun Chan learns that Yuan Shao is on an expedition to the void, he will inevitably lead the army south, and Yuan Shao will inevitably return to Jizhou quickly, after all, Jizhou is the foundation of Yuan Shao, and there is absolutely no room for loss. In addition, the Montenegrin thief Zhang Yan and others have also been ready to move, Yuan Shao has stayed here for the past few days, nothing more than worrying that Jizhou will change, and he doesn't really want the land of the seven counties, it is just an excuse to prevaricate the lord. If he really wanted to, he wouldn't have proposed it last time to let the lord move his family to Yecheng. ”

As soon as the words fell, Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Xun You, and Cheng Yu all fell into deep thought, Guo Jia's words seemed to make them see another side, and several people frowned and said nothing.

After a long time, Cao Cao said: "Since Yuan Shao has put forward such a condition, whether it is true or false, I will promise him first and see how he reacts." Everyone, let's rest here first, and I'll go see Yuan Shao and find out his tone. ”

Yuan Shao lived in Puyang, and was arranged by Cao Cao in a village courtyard in the city, which was originally owned by a wealthy merchant in the city, and later because the rich merchant rebelled against Lu Bu, after Cao Cao returned, he killed the rich merchant and confiscated the family property, and this house was naturally empty, and it happened to be used as a temporary residence for Yuan Shao.

After Cao Cao came out of the Taishou Mansion, he soon came to Yuan Shao's residence, but when he saw that Yuan Bing was guarding the inner three floors and the outer three floors here, if he wanted to go in and see Yuan Shao, he needed to report it layer by layer.

However, Cao Cao was an exception, swaggering into the courtyard, but no one dared to stop him.

At this time, Yuan Shao was chatting with the strategists in the hall, and suddenly heard that Cao Cao was coming, so he took the initiative to greet him.

Yuan Shao is slightly older than Cao Cao, in his forties, but he is handsome and extraordinary, his face is as white as jade, his lips are like grease, his eyes are bright and his teeth are bright, a few wisps of emotion hang on his chin and hang down his chest, he is wearing a robe, and there is a high-quality jade pendant hanging from his waist, and his whole body exudes a kind of nobility.

It's no wonder that Yuan Shao was born in a famous family, and his family is the fourth generation and the third duke, and he has been a nobleman since he was a child. In addition, in the past few years, he has been pampered in Jizhou, and his body is slightly blessed, but his face is full of red, and he doesn't look like a person in his forties, as if he is thirty-five or sixteen.

Yuan Shao even walked to the door of the hall, and he bumped into Cao Cao head-on, Cao Cao, who was short and rugged-looking, standing beside Yuan Shao, couldn't help but be a little dwarfed. And Cao Cao's face, which was already full of wrinkles, beard, black face, and the marks carved on his forehead by the years, was much older than Yuan Shao.

One is a reckless man with a cold face and a cold face, and the other is a pampered and dominant overlord in the world, no matter when the two stand together, the focus will always be on Yuan Shao.

"Meng De, I'm about to pick you up, I don't think you're already here, please sit inside!" Yuan Shao grabbed Cao Cao's shoulders, and just like back then, the big brother hugged the little brother.

Cao Cao was brought into the hall by Yuan Shao, and after taking a seat, Cao Cao said straight to the point: "Brother Benchu, I have thought about it for a long time, and I think that the conditions you put forward are very reasonable, and I am willing to cede the seven counties located in Hebei under the rule of Dongjun to Brother Benchu." ”

As soon as these words came out, Yuan Shaodeng was stunned, looked at Cao Cao with surprised eyes, and asked in disbelief: "Meng De, I'm not dreaming, right?" Are you really willing to cede those seven counties to me? ”

Cao Cao said: "Brother Ben Chu has helped me so much, and I should cede those seven counties to Brother Ben Chu." Now that Lu Bu and Zhang Yan are shrinking their forces, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan have also occupied Chenliu, Lu Bu has lost his troops, and now there are not many soldiers and horses left, if the first brother can send an army to attack Lu Bu with me as soon as possible, I believe that Lu Bu will be able to fight a battle. After eliminating Lu Bu and dealing with Zhang Yan, it will be much easier. ”

Yuan Shao heard Cao Cao mention the matter of sending troops again, so he glanced at Tian Feng, who was sitting on his right.

Tian Feng understood, and immediately said: "Cao Yuanjun, as far as I know, Lu Bu occupies Dingtao, Zhang Yantun troops are in Changyi, and the distance between the two cities is only eighty or ninety miles, and Lu Bu and Zhang Yan are actively building fortifications, and the two of them are each other's horns, I am afraid that it will be difficult to destroy in a short time." Our army has come from afar, and the soldiers are a little unaccustomed to the water and soil, so it is better to rest for a few days, and wait for the officers and men of our army to rest and recuperate, and then attack again! ”

Cao Cao said: "The soldiers are fast, we have already missed a good opportunity, how can we miss this time again?" Once Lu Bu and Zhang Yan's fortifications have been built, if you want to destroy them, I am afraid that it will be even more difficult. What's more, Lu Bu is brave and unparalleled in the world, if he is given a chance to breathe, he will inevitably make a comeback. Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I ask my brother to send troops as soon as possible......"

Yuan Shao saw that Cao Cao was impassioned, and suddenly "coughed", and the "cough" was very strong, and it didn't stop for a long time.

After a while, Yuan Shao said to Cao Cao: "Meng De, I'm really sorry, I occasionally feel cold and cough badly, and now the soldiers of our army are even more unaccustomed, and it is very serious, it is better to postpone the discussion on the matter of sending troops." ”

"But Brother Ben, this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity......" Cao Cao said.

Tian Feng interjected: "Cao Yuanjun, my lord is unwell, and most of our army is not adaptable, even if it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, our army must rest before sending troops." Since Cao Envoy Jun is so anxious to send troops, then Cao Envoy Jun can lead all the soldiers and horses to attack Lu Bu, and our army will be stationed in Puyang, looking forward to this city for Cao Envoy, and waiting for the news of Cao Envoy's triumphant return here! ”

Yuan Shao hurriedly said: "Meng De, what Mr. Tian said is very true, you still have more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, it is better to take them to fight with Lu Bu first, and when I have raised the handle, cough cough cough...... Then you will rush to go! ”

"That's the case, that's the only way. It's just that our army has little food and salary, and I'm afraid that the soldiers will not work hard to move forward......"

"You can rest assured of this, I brought a lot of grain, grass, and military salaries, but I can temporarily subsidize you, and when Lu Bu is destroyed, you can pay me back." Yuan Shaodao.

Cao Cao said: "Thank you to Brother Ben Chu." ”

After coming out of the hall, Cao Cao immediately rushed back to the Taishou Mansion, he already had an understanding of Yuan Shao's attitude, and couldn't help but secretly think: "Sure enough, as Guo Jia expected, Yuan Shao had no intention of using troops against Lu Bu and Zhang Yan!" ”