Cao Cao was stunned for a moment and said with a smile: "I forgot about this matter!" ”

Then he frowned: "It's just that the cost of doing this is a bit big!" ”

The price Cao Cao said refers to the principal and interest or interest to be paid to those merchants in the future, and judging from the tax burden paid by the merchants every year, if he can, Cao Cao still does not want to learn from the emperors of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and have a one-time transaction.

Chen Gong smiled when he heard this: "But compared to pacifying Yizhou, the country of abundance, what is this price?" ”

Cao Cao nodded: "Without further ado!" Gongtai, you are immediately responsible for borrowing grain from merchants. ”

"Weichen Command!" Chen Gong saluted.

After Cao Cao brought in the Imperial Forest Army guarding outside the main hall, he immediately said to Xun Yu: "Wen Ruo, immediately order the military department and the Privy Council to reorganize their arms for battle!" In addition, call Meng Qi and Zilong to me! ”

The Imperial Forest Army, who was waiting on the side, understood, and withdrew from the Qianqing Palace as promised.

A moment later, Zhao Yun and Ma Chao entered the Qianqing Palace in military generals' court clothes, and greeted Cao Cao together: "Weichen greets Your Majesty!" ”

Cao Cao smiled: "The two Aiqing don't have to be polite!" ”

"Your Majesty, but there is a battle?" Ma Chao couldn't wait to ask out loud.

Cao Cao smiled slightly, handed the book in his hand to Ma Chao, after Ma Chao read it, he hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, please let Weichen be the pioneer!" ”

Although Zhao Yun didn't know what was going on, as soon as he saw Ma Chao like this, since he was recalled to Chang'an by Cao Cao, Zhao Yun, who was impatient to stay in Chang'an now, followed and knelt down and asked: "Your Majesty, Weichen is also willing to be a pioneer!" ”

Cao Cao smiled: "The two generals are not more anxious!" This battle I plan to fight in person. The two generals are the left and right lieutenants! ”

Ma Chao and Zhao Yun glanced at each other and bowed together: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" ”

Cao Cao took two written decrees from the desk. handed one of them to Ma Chao and said, "Meng Qi." You immediately rush to Jingzhou with this holy decree and transfer the First Legion to White Emperor City! ”

Ma Chao clenched his fists and agreed, and took the holy decree with both hands, Cao Cao immediately handed over another holy decree to Zhao Yun, and said: "Zilong will take this holy decree to Hanzhong to reorganize the army and fight at any time!" ”

"Weichen Command!"

"If there is no problem with the two generals, act immediately!"

Ma Chao and Zhao Yun hugged their fists together and said: "Weichen takes the first step!" Then he turned around and hurriedly walked out of the Qianqing Palace.

Cao Cao said to Xun Yu and the three of them: "Wen Ruo, Gongtai, Zhicai, during my absence, you and the other three will preside over all government affairs!" ”

Xun Yu and the three of them saluted solemnly: "Your Majesty, don't worry! Wechen will live up to its mission! ”

That day. Chen Gong personally visited the major merchants in Chang'an City, and explained to them the intention of borrowing grain, and the major merchants all agreed, after all, they got a lot of benefits because of the Wei army's borrowing of grain, and in the process of negotiation, the major merchants were very euphemistic and put forward their desire for Shu Jin and Jing Salt business, and Chen Gong promised to consider this matter.

At the same time that Chen Gong lobbied the major merchants in Chang'an, officials in Luoyang and Bingzhou were also lobbying the major merchants in the two places after receiving Chen Gong's order, and the progress was very smooth.

Three days later, the good news came. Bingzhou, Luoyang, and Chang'an raised a total of 500,000 quintals of grain, which was more than enough for the 200,000 army to spend in a month.

Cao Cao looked at the report in his hand and said with a smile: "The efficiency of the public station is really high!" ”

"Your Majesty has won the prize!" Chen Gong said humbly.

Xun Yu said: "Your Majesty, the grain and grass have been arranged by mistake. It's time to send troops! ”

Cao Cao nodded and said, "I'll send troops tomorrow!" ”

"By the way, Your Majesty, many families hope to be able to operate Shu brocade and well salt, what does Your Majesty think?" Chen Gong remembered something and asked.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment. "Can't let them down, but also can't fully satisfy them! So be it. The management rights of Shu brocade and well salt are taken out for sale, and the one with the highest price wins! What does the public station think? ”

Xun Yu and the three of them glanced at each other. I couldn't help but secretly say in my heart: 'Your Majesty doesn't go to be a businessman, it's a pity that you're a talent!' ’

The three of them said together: "Your Majesty is wise! ”

Early the next morning, Cao Cao led 5,000 Imperial Forest troops to leave Chang'an, and the accompanying generals were Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and Tian Feng, who were also accompanying him as the military advisor this time.

Cao Cao led 5,000 Imperial Forest Army straight to Hanzhong to join the main force of the Fifth Army led by Zhao Yun, at the same time, Ma Chao, who had received Cao Cao's order, was storming Baima Pass, the first army was strong, and the siege equipment was extremely sharp, although Baima Pass was an invincible Xiongguan ladder trap, but it was still crumbling in the face of the collapse of the first army's attack wave.

After Cao Cao arrived in Hanzhong, he immediately led the army straight to Baishui Pass, which is the throat road leading to Sichuan in Hanzhong, the terrain is extremely dangerous, but due to the problem of Meng Huo's rebellion, the defenders on Baishui Pass are only a few thousand, and the defender will be Liu Yan's son, Liu Zhang's brother Liu Dan, although Liu Dan has the name of a general, but he is cowardly by nature.

Liu Dan leaned on the edge of the wall and looked at the imposing Wei army outside the city, and couldn't help but be shocked in his heart, the defenders were all pale, their eyes wandered, and there was an atmosphere of despair on the white water gate.

Cao Cao glanced at the White Horse Pass not far away, and asked Tian Feng, "Yuan Hao, attack, right?" ”

"Wait! Your Majesty, Wei Chen sees that the morale of the defenders of this Baishui Pass is extremely low, so he can send someone to persuade him to surrender first! If not, it's not too late to attack! ”

Cao Cao nodded, and ordered a general around him to go to persuade him to surrender, and the general rode his horse to the city gate, and shouted: "Listen to the defenders of Guanzhong, open the city and surrender early, so as not to shed blood!" ”

Liu Dan's heart jumped, and the hospital hurriedly asked a general next to him: "What should I do?" What should we do? ”

The general clenched his fists anxiously and said: "General, the Wei army's combat strength is the best in the world, and it is dozens of times larger than mine, and Your Majesty was trapped by the barbarian king of Meng Huo in Yizhou, if we resist, there is only a dead end!" It's better to surrender in Kaesong! The last general heard that the Great Wei was about to surrender and would be prosperous! ”

"No! The Lu of the Eater, the Worry of the Shan King, how can we turn our backs on the Lord and join the enemy!! An older general said angrily.

"Hmph, now the form of the world has long been clear, this country has the surname Cao, I can't wait to abandon the dark and turn to the light as soon as possible to be the real rebellion!"

"You this"

The older general looked at his chest in disbelief, and suddenly saw a steel knife passing through his chest, and pointed at the other party with trembling fingers: "You!! ”

Liu Dan was also stunned.

"General, we have no choice!" The general knelt in front of Liu Dan and persuaded anxiously.

Liu Dan hesitated for a long time, glanced at the frightened look on the faces of the surrounding soldiers, and nodded helplessly, "Okay!" Kaesong! ”

The surrounding soldiers were relieved, and the generals responded to the promise and hurriedly rushed down the city gate tower, and after a while, the city gate was opened, and Liu Dan led a group of soldiers to flock out. (To be continued.) )