Chapter 102 Hanoi

A capable minister in governing the world, a hero in troubled times.

Cao Mengde is worthy of this comment.

In the later novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the last half of the sentence was changed to "hero". Although it sounds more vicious and cunning, it is not wrong.

To pacify the world, if you don’t advance, you will retreat. While Cao Mengde was managing internal affairs, he did not let go of spying on the surrounding princes.

The Yuan Shao family in Hebei has a great cause, but for the time being, it is not easy to start. But from every corner, you can create some trouble for him, distract him, and confuse his hearing and hearing.

Although the warlords of Xiliang in Guanzhong inherited the military power left by Dong Zhuo, they were powerful on the outside and cadre on the inside. It looks powerful, but is actually very weak. In addition, there are many internal contradictions, which is the best target to attack.

Zhao Yu couldn't help but feel pity for Li Jue, Guo Si and others. Even if they attack directly, Li Jue and Guo Si can't stop Cao Mengde. What's more, there's a conspiracy?

However, Zhao Yu thought of another person and couldn't help but said: "There is another person in Guanzhong who has great plans. He may not be able to see through your methods."

"oh?"

Cao Mengde's expression changed: "There are such people in Guanzhong?!"

Zhao Yu said: "This man's surname is Jia, his given name is Wenhe, and he is from Wuwei, Liangzhou. He is most scheming. He must be under Zhang Ji's command at this time."

"Jia Xu?"

Cao Mengde muttered secretly: "I seem to have heard something somewhere."

Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Jia Xu was not famous when he was young. Only the famous scholar Yan Zhong thought he was different and said that he was kind and peaceful. In his early years, he was considered a filial and honest man. He resigned due to illness and returned home. On the way home, he met a rebel Di people and was captured by the Di people along with dozens of others. Jia Xu pretended to be Duan Jiong's grandson to scare the Di people. As expected, the rebel Di people did not dare to harm him and even swore an alliance with him to send him away. He went back, but the rest of the people were killed. This person has become flexible, bold and careful, which is extraordinary."

"Oh? Hanyang Yan Zhong actually praised him for his extraordinary ability?!"

Cao Mengde really became energetic: "Sir, did you say that he is under Zhang Ji's command at this time?"

Zhao Yu nodded with a smile.

Cao Mengde suddenly had a suspicion in his mind.

Zhao Yu looked at Cao Mengde's expression and couldn't help but smile: "Mengde has developed a love for talents again?"

Cao Mengde said: "Sir, you know me."

Zhao Yu said: "Jia Xu is the best at protecting himself. With his wisdom, how can he not see that the Xiliang warlord is declining? Mengde only needs to send people to contact him, and he will be used by Mengde."

Cao Mengde's beard curled up: "This is the best."

Then he asked: "Since Jia Xu's wisdom is praised by even Mr. Jia Xu, why hasn't he become famous?"

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Mr. Zhicai, had he ever become famous before he voted for you?"

"This..." Cao Mengde's expression changed: "That's true."

Zhao Yu said: "It is said that those who seek the country seek themselves first. If they cannot even protect themselves, how can they talk about seeking the country? Jia Wenhe has been working under Dong Zhuo for a long time, but he has never shown his talent. With his wisdom, I am afraid he has already seen Dong Zhuo's fate. Working under him was just for the purpose of settling down. He never paid homage to his master. Whether it was Dong Zhuo or Zhang Ji, he was just like a guest. You can imagine how cautious he is. Now that you are so powerful, you just don’t go looking for him. Sooner or later, he will work under you. But since you want to seek Guanzhong, then take him under your wing. He will definitely play a big role in Guanzhong."

"Sir, what you said makes sense."

Cao Mengde couldn't help but admire him.

Speaking of Guanzhong, Zhao Yu added: "Guanzhong is not the key point. The dry bones in the tombs of Li Jue and Guo Bin are insignificant. The key is that after taking Guanzhong, it will border Xiliang. Xiliang also has Ma Teng and Han Sui, and there are many Qiang and Hu. This is the key. Ma Teng and Han Sui are both ambitious people. Once there is a change in Guanzhong, they will be ready to take action."

Cao Mengde said: "I am also worried about this. Therefore, in the past six months, I have recruited another 30,000 troops."

He said: "Once Guanzhong is captured, the defense line will be much longer. Bingzhou in the north has almost fallen under the iron hooves of the Xiongnu and Xianbei. There is also Ma Teng and Han Sui in the west. It is really a bit nerve-wracking. I intend to capture Hedong and Hanoi first, Guarding the pass, what do you think, sir?"

Zhao Yu thought for a while and said, "I'm afraid Yuan Shao doesn't want to."

Bingzhou has been in decline for a long time. In Dingyuan, all the troops were mobilized and marched south to Luoyang, and there was almost no sound from the court in Bingzhou. Over the years, the Xiongnu and Xianbei almost regarded Bingzhou as a racing ground. Although Yuan Shao gradually encroached on Bingzhou after occupying Hebei, he only managed a few counties in the eastern part of Bingzhou. Most areas are still dominated by the barbarians.

However, the Han people are now extremely powerful. Even though the Han Dynasty has declined to such an extent and is torn apart, the princes on the border can still suppress the surrounding barbarians so that they dare not move arbitrarily. However, the decline of the Han Dynasty was inevitable, and many places without the influence of the imperial court would naturally fall into decline, and there was nothing to be done about it.

"Hanoi is still under the rule of Zhang Yang." Zhao Yu said: "Yuan Shao also covets it. If you want to take Hanoi, Yuan Shao will definitely refuse."

Then he said: "You still don't want to come into contact with Yuan Shao, right?"

Cao Mengde said: "Sir, you are right. I really don't want to have a direct confrontation with Ben Chu. Now under my rule, it is the time when people's livelihood is booming. We must not go to war to avoid affecting people's livelihood. But..."

He smiled slightly: "To capture Hanoi, we don't have to go to war."

"oh?"

Zhao Yu was slightly surprised.

Cao Mengde said: "Sir, have you forgotten Lu Fengxian?"

When Zhao Yu heard this, his thoughts changed and he suddenly realized: "Yes, yes! Lu Fengxian and Zhang Yang are close friends. If we had not secretly sent Lu Fengxian to Hanoi, we might not be able to surrender Zhang Yang."

But he smiled and said: "With Lu Bu's temperament, Mengde is not afraid that if he leaves Puyang, he will rebel against you?"

"He dares!"

Cao Mengde laughed loudly: "Sir, have you forgotten what you said?"

Zhao Yu was startled, then laughed and said, "Yes, I forgot about it."

When Cao Mengde surrendered to Lu Bu, Zhao Yu once said that if Lu Bu dared to do it again, he would be killed.

In this way, regardless of whether Lu Bu is honest or not, Hanoi will definitely fall into Cao Mengde's hands. If he was honest and went to Hanoi to meet Zhang Yang, he would definitely tell the truth about Zhao Yu and try his best to persuade him to surrender. Zhang Yang knew that there was a true immortal supporting Cao Mengde, so one can imagine the probability of his surrender. If he is not honest, Cao Mengde only needs to come and tell Zhao Yu, and Zhao Yu will go there in person to kill Lu Bu. Zhang Yang will be shocked when he sees it, and he will not dare to resist.

In this way, it is all part of Cao Mengde's calculations.

"Well, you Cao Mengde, you have plotted against me."

Zhao Yu laughed.

"It's rare for you to make a move, sir. How could I let it go if I have the chance." Cao Mengde said with a smile.

"Hanoi can be captured without spending a single soldier. With Lu Bu as general and Zhang Yang's troops, we will resist Yuan Shao in the east and advance to Hedong in the west. As for the Baibo bandits in Hedong, Yang Feng is dead, but there are only remnants, so we will attack immediately. So we attacked immediately. Start in Hedong." Zhao Yu said: "Then there will be chaos in Guanzhong, and Lu Bu is threatening in Hedong. You will send troops to Hangu, and attack from both sides. Not even a single Xiliang army can escape."

"exactly!"