Chapter 303: Divide and Rule
First remove the residue, then divide the results...
As Qiao Yan said this with such confidence, she also handed another spoon to Cao Cao.
This time it was certainly not a colander, but a normal spoon for scooping up milk tea from the ceramic bowl.
At first glance, this action seemed to be saying that this was the context of her previous sentence. First, remove the residue and foam in the basin, and what remains is milk tea.
Since we are meeting here, we should treat our guests well. And as Qiao Yan said, it is still within the scope of the alcohol restriction, so it is not a bad idea to use milk tea instead of wine.
But when this sentence was placed in the territory of Yuzhou, and when the person who said this sentence pointed out the identity of the Grand Marshal in the "letter" of invitation, there was some self-evident meaning in it.
This "residue" that Qiao Yan referred to, was it the tea leaves that had been boiled and used up in front of her, or was it Yuan Shu who had left the stage in disgrace during the incident in Yuzhou?
Or is it something else that would interfere with the transfer of power in Yuzhou, such as Yuan Shao who is currently living in Yecheng, or the locust plague that is still raging in Yuzhou?
Qiao Yan didn't explain this clearly, but just put the result of sharing a pot of milk tea after skimming off the residue and foam in front of Cao Cao, and he would naturally understand it.
Of course, it’s okay to understand this sentence as realism.
The dry heat hasn’t reached its peak in early May, so it’s okay to drink some hot tea.
This pot of milk tea was brewed long before Cao Cao arrived here, and not too much sugar was added. When it was scooped into the cup, after the residual heat from the brewing had faded a little, the remaining fragrance of the tea leaves could calm people down.
Cao Cao drank half a cup. Although he felt that it was not as suitable for the current situation as alcohol, since Qiao Yan himself felt that he could justify it, there was really nothing to blame.
Just as he was about to put down his cup, he suddenly heard Qiao Yan ask, "By the way, where is Yuan Gonglu's body? Why didn't Brother Meng De bring it with him?"
Cao Cao almost choked.
It's really unbelievable of her to ask such a question while inviting people to drink tea.
But Cao Cao had already experienced such shocking operations as her leaving Xiahou Dun with nothing but troops and even putting him in shrouds to send him a letter. It was understandable that he only asked about Yuan Shu now.
Besides, this matter had already been mentioned in the invitation.
But anyway, Cao Cao was still a bit rebellious, and he felt that he needed to save face in this invitation.
Qiao Yan said that he only brought one follower with him, so Cao Cao planned to follow suit. After rejecting the self-recommendations of Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong, he chose to bring only Xu Chu.
Since he only brought one person with him, it would obviously be a bit weird if he was asked to carry a corpse.
It’s better not to bring it with you.
However, Cao Cao did not explain this face-saving issue, but replied: "Yuan Gonglu was a member of the Runan Yuan family after all. Since he died, he should be buried in Runan. Even if you trace his roots, he should be buried in Chen County. Why do you insist on reuniting him with his son? Telling others will only make him restless."
Qiao Yan held the teacup and shook his head. "Brother Meng De, what you said is wrong. Yuan Benchu once intended to move the Ru'nan Yuan Clan's ancestral hall to Yecheng to counter Yuan Gonglu's claim that Shao was not a Yuan Clan member. Who can guarantee that after Yuan Gonglu's death, the dispute over the eldest son of the Ru'nan Yuan Clan will not be raised again? I think this is unrest."
This is really hard to accept.
Cao Cao himself received particularly considerable support from his clan, so it was really a little hard to understand the conflict between the Yuan brothers. But it must be said that what Qiao Yan said was indeed possible.
He pondered for a moment before continuing, "The dead are gone. Yuan Benchu was considered a hero of the time and would not do such a thing."
Qiao Yan sneered when he heard this. "If someone like Gongsun Bogui or Tao Gongzu said that Yuan Benchu was a hero, it would still make sense. But it's really funny when you, Brother Meng De, say it."
"If it weren't for the reputation of the three dukes in four generations of the Runan Yuan family laying the foundation for him, and if it weren't for the scholars and generals in Hebei and Yingchuan who fought for him, how could he have the status and honor he has today. In the past, I stopped him on the road in Luoyang City and scolded him for being all show and no substance. Now he dares to say the same thing to him."
She paused, and suddenly said, "No, five years have passed in a hurry. He originally had some advantages in appearance, but now he has become a piece of trash. It can't be said that he is just a beautiful appearance."
Cao Cao couldn't help but cough, and couldn't help but be thankful for the people who attended the meeting today. Even including the two bodyguards, there were only four people, and probably none of them would spread today's conversation.
Otherwise, if Yuan Shao heard such words, he would be so angry that he would be seriously injured.
He didn't need to ask anything. If what Qiao Yan said was true, who in the world could be called a hero?
With the way she dares to say anything, who knows if she will appear -
Gongsun is violent and cruel, Liu Bei is pedantic, Yuan Shao is incompetent, Liu Biao is just a figurehead, Liu Yan has no checks and balances, Sun Ce is careless and unruly, the heroes of the world are just you and me.
If this word were to get out, it would be much more damaging than Yuan Shao's saying that he was just a piece of rotten cotton.
It's not the lethality to other people, but to Cao Cao himself.
He quickly changed the subject, "Let's talk about business. In addition to retrieving Yuan Shu's body, Ye Shu must have something else to tell me."
"For example—Yuzhou?"
If Qiao Yan came to Yingchuan and said that she just wanted to return the favor to Cao Cao first, seek justice for Yuan Shu, and then reminisce about the old allies, this statement might be somewhat credible if it was said to a child who was ignorant of the world, but it was not credible if it was said to a veteran like Cao Cao.
She herself said that she would not do anything without benefits. Even if she had devoted her heart and soul to the restoration of the Han Dynasty in her early years and had traveled to the border areas, it was probably not just because of her passion now.
If someone who could reach such a high position as her did things only by relying on courage, the Three States today would not be what is shown in the Leping Monthly Report.
It is even more impossible for her to be so skillful in offering such an exchange of interests at the Chang'an Wine Conference two years ago.
But if Cao Cao were to return empty-handed, it would also be an underestimation of his ambition.
Qiao Yan's eyes swept over the firm look in Cao Cao's eyes, and he asked back: "Since I came here in person, I really want to discuss business. Otherwise, a letter would be enough. Why put yourself in danger?"
"I won't say anything extra. Some assumptions are just empty talk without a real fight. Chang'an is far away, and Yanzhou is nearby. If I say that I want to fight with Brother Meng De for Runan, you won't believe me."
"I just want to ask you one question. If I withdraw from Yingchuan immediately, will you feel that this place is too hot to handle?"
Cao Cao was about to speak when Qiao Yan interrupted him again, "I told the truth, so Brother Meng De had better not say anything - the more land, the better. This is not a question of Han Xin leading the army."
Cao Cao had originally intended to respond like this, but now he could only shut up.
Is it hot?
Yingchuan is definitely not a easy place to take.
From a geographical point of view, if Yingchuan falls into his hands, he will have two more places bordering other states and counties, and they are all enemies in his current position, which will bring him considerable pressure to station troops.
This is an external trouble.
And internally...the Yingchuan scholars were a very important faction among the scholars. On the Chang'an side, there were Xun Yu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Chen Ji, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai and others; on the Yuan Shao side, there were Guo Tu, Xin Pi, Xin Ping and others. On the contrary, among Cao Cao's subordinates, there was only one Zhong Yao who came from this faction, and he defected to Cao Cao because of the drought in Yuzhou.
This meant that if they wanted to create trouble for Cao Cao within Yingchuan, they could easily make him overwhelmed.
But if Yingchuan could be obtained, except for Pei State, which is currently nominally controlled by Liu Bei, all other counties and prefectures would be in Cao Cao's pocket, making him like Yuan Shao, the governor of one state in name but the commander of two states in reality.
Even if it is hot, should we just throw it away?
It was with this thought in mind that Cao Cao did not answer the question directly. Instead, he scooped up a spoonful of the still hot milk tea in the basin in front of him and poured it into the half-empty cup in front of him. Then he raised the cup to Qiao Yan and asked, "Is this hot?"
Qiao Yan joked, "Brother Meng De's ability to learn and apply what he has learned is really great."
First, she used the method of scooping out the tea residue to express her attitude of dividing the food, and then Cao Cao used the saying that it was hot but delicious to express his unwillingness to let go. It can be seen that she was really learning and applying what she had learned.
But nothing in this world is ever a one-sided thing.
When she raised her eyes, her gentle look changed and revealed a bit of sharpness. "This is not the same as that. I don't need to explain this to Brother Meng De. In the situation where Chang'an is stronger than Yecheng, Yuan Benchu can make concessions to you, Cao Yanzhou, and not ask about your rectification of the powerful families in the state, but he will definitely not be willing to raise a tiger to cause trouble."
"If he lets you dominate Yanzhou and Yuzhou, someone will surely ask, if Yuan Shao can support the emperor in Yecheng, why can't you, Cao Mengde, take his place?"
"In this case, instead of worrying about forcing you to Chang'an, he might as well use his brains on your Yanzhou and directly remove your arm."
Cao Cao frowned.
What Qiao Yan said was not alarmist, but a fact. It was precisely because there was some truth in it that Cao Cao had to hesitate.
He also knew in his heart that plundering Yuzhou was both an opportunity and a risk.
If he didn't have the confidence to take the risk, he wouldn't have had to send troops.
But Qiao Yan's words didn't seem to be trying to persuade him to back out, so he said, "Ye Shu, just make it clear."
"If you want to avoid a crisis, Brother Meng De has two choices." Qiao Yan said slowly, "First, go to Chang'an. Now Bingzhou and Liangzhou, as well as most of Sili and Yizhou and Hanzhong are in my hands. Even if Meng De takes Yuzhou, it will still be a situation of three states against two states. I have no need to be jealous."
"Meng De once told me that if I conquered the west for the Han Dynasty, my life would be worthwhile. Liang Province is now stable, so I don't think it's necessary to conquer the west. I might as well serve as the general who conquers the east."
Cao Cao refused, "Don't say that. Just like Ye Shu probably won't tell me at this moment, what purpose do you want to achieve as a loyal subject in the end."
Seeing Qiao Yan smiling but not saying anything, with a look of indifference that was hard to fathom, Cao Cao knew that this was indeed a question that would not be answered in a short period of time, so he said, "Tell me about another option."
Qiao Yan spoke again, "Brother Meng De will occupy Runan and Chenjun, Liu Xuande will occupy Peiguo, and leave Yingchuan to me."
"Isn't this the situation in Xuzhou today, which allows Liu Xuande to freely associate with the Xuzhou nobles?"
This statement made people not know how to refute it for a moment.
The situation in which Xuzhou was governed along the Huai River was both disadvantageous to the court in Yecheng and an opportunity for Liu Bei.
This favorable situation requires specific conditions to support it.
The position of Xuzhou Mu, which was conferred upon Zhang Yi by the court in Chang'an, and Zhang Yang, who stationed his troops in Hailing, were both conditions that contributed to his current development.
If Qiao Yan were to occupy Yingchuan and form a situation similar to that of Xuzhou, would it be a necessary prerequisite for Cao Cao to stride across Yuzhou and Yanzhou?
While he was hesitating, Qiao Yan said, "If Brother Meng De is willing to agree to my condition, I will have people send the children of the Yingchuan Zhong family to Yanzhou one after another, and will never make it difficult for Brother Meng De. I will not hinder the Yingchuan scholars from staying or leaving. Besides... I don't think I will be a difficult neighbor to get along with, especially in the current natural disaster situation."
This last sentence actually hits Cao Cao's sore spot more than the previous ones.
Before he conquered Runan and Pingyu, he never thought that Runan County, which should have better geographical conditions than Yanzhou, did not have enough food and grass stored in the county treasury. This also forced Cao Cao to give up his original idea of using the war gains to promote internal unity in Yanzhou in the face of reality.
From this perspective, he really needs a neighbor who can act as a role model at a closer distance.
During this negotiation, the temperature of the teacup in his hand had gradually dropped and was no longer as hot as before.
Regardless of whether this could be considered a response that suited the situation, Cao Cao had to admit that although he still had the ambition to accomplish his goal, he was convinced by Qiao Yan's words.
After another period of silence, he replied: "I can stop attacking Yingchuan, but the governor of Yingchuan must be named Yuan."
Qiao Yan replied without hesitation: "Then let Yuan Yaoqing take this position."
Cao Cao's idea was nothing more than hoping that this position would not be handed over directly to Qiao Yan's own people, and that he could use Runan and Chenjun You to restrain him. However, whether they were his own people or not could not be judged based on today's standpoint.
Qiao Yan is confident that with the help from Yingchuan, talents like Yuan Huan are already in her pocket!
However, Cao Cao probably knew this too.
What he didn't expect was what Qiao Yan said at the end of the meeting.
"By the way, since we have to reach a division agreement, I have to tell Brother Meng De some truths. I can't keep it a secret, right?"
While instructing Dian Wei to put away the tools for making milk tea, Qiao Yan said to Cao Cao slowly, "My coming to Yingchuan this time is purely an accident. You don't have to treat me as a god who can predict the future."
When Cao Cao heard this, his eyelids twitched and he immediately thought of the question he asked Chen Gong.
Qiao Yan continued, "The elite soldiers under my command, plus the men borrowed from the Xun family in Yingchuan, are less than 2,000 people, let alone the idea of splitting up the troops to harass the rear. If Brother Meng De had the courage to attack Linying directly earlier, Yingchuan might have been in your hands long ago, and even I would have had to withdraw my troops and flee."
She disclosed her own weakness so frankly, without any wavering in her words, which made Cao Cao suddenly realize that before, this might have been her weakness and the only chance for Cao Cao to attack Yingchuan, but now it was no longer possible!
Sure enough, she was heard saying afterwards: "It's a pity that this best opportunity is fleeting. When Brother Meng De raises his troops and rushes to Yingchuan, the troops of Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou should have arrived from Nanyang, and our Guanzhong garrison has also entered Henan through Huanyuan Pass and is stationed around Linying. In this contest between Ruying and Meng De, although Brother Meng De and I have both come from afar, I think I still have the upper hand."
A look of depression flashed across Cao Cao's face.
It is probably impossible to say that he was not greedy for the achievement of capturing the Grand Marshal of Chang'an.
But now that the opportunity has been missed, there is really no need to talk about such useless things at this time.
He laughed and said, "Ye Shu, if you say that now, aren't you afraid that I will immediately mobilize my subordinates and take you down with the advantage of numbers?"
Qiao Yan replied, "Someone once said that when a common man is angry, blood will splatter five steps away. I am not a common man, but I have good martial arts skills. Brother Meng De, do you want to try and see if you and this warrior Xu who came with you can be a match for me and General Dian?"
Cao Cao: “…”
This... this is better not to compare.
Even if we ignore Qiao Yan's archery skills, and only discuss the level of martial arts, Qiao Yan is unique among the governors of various states.
Other achievements might have relied on the help of subordinates, but the two campaigns against the Xianbei in the northern border required a lot of physical strength. Cao Cao felt that if such a task was given to him, he would be dragged down by the forced march and fall ill on the road.
Even if Xu Chu was lucky enough to defeat Dian Wei, he would have been defeated by Qiao Yan long ago.
In the silence caused by comparison, Qiao Yan laughed loudly, breaking the silence: "Brother Meng De, since you have made up your mind, please take me ten miles. I trust others, but I am not sure about Chen Gongtai's ability to send troops to pursue me. I have to go further."
Xu Chu didn't even think twice before answering, "Then isn't this hijacking?"
Just as he was about to roll up his sleeves and take action, Dian Wei pressed his shoulder and said, "It's not nice to say hijacking. It's obvious that my Lord and your Governor were having a pleasant conversation and saw each other off for ten miles."
Cao Cao was almost amused by Qiao Yan's frank and shameless behavior.
Dian Wei is an old acquaintance of his. In the past, he was a reckless man who could fight against Bo Cai with one hand and Liang Zhongning with the other. Now he has become a genius who can say hurtful words. This is in line with the principle that birds of a feather flock together.
He couldn't help but ask, "Then you're not taking Yuan Gonglu with you?"
Qiao Yan replied, "The host and the guest were so happy that they forgot everything else and left the gift behind. I'd like to ask Brother Meng De to deliver it to Linying later to preserve this wonderful story."
Cao Cao was speechless for a moment.
If Yuan Shu, who is already dead, could come out to clear his name, he would probably come to Qiao Yan to discuss whether he is a gift or a person.
But what can I say... As a hostage, and since he and Yuan Shu don't actually have much friendship, there's no need to have too much sympathy for him.
As Cao Cao's subordinates watched in fear, Qiao Yan and Cao Cao discussed Cao Pi's education at Leping Academy while calmly walking ten miles towards Yingchuan. Then they mounted their horses and rode away in an unusually casual manner.
What Qiao Yan said about the arrival of reinforcements on her side was indeed not just a lie to save face.
When Cao Cao had Yuan Shu's body sent to Linying, two days had passed since the meeting at Chenting outside Pingyu City.
When the carriage carrying the governor's body entered the Linying city, Cao Chun, who was traveling with it, noticed that there were quite a few well-trained soldiers here. In addition to the garrison on the city wall that made this place look like an iron wall, a military camp had also been set up outside the city to accommodate the soldiers.
After a quick inquiry, Cao Chun learned that the current situation was that Zhao Yun, who was originally guarding Guanzhong, had arrived.
The number of Guanzhong defenders accompanying him was at least over 6,000.
Don’t even mention that this number is less than Cao Cao’s garrison in Yuzhou.
These 6,000 men only had to defend Yingchuan, but Cao Cao had to pay attention to Runan and Chenjun. At present, most of Cao Cao's soldiers have been deployed to rescue the disaster-stricken people in Yuzhou.
After all, Yuzhou is a popular place, but also a mess left behind by Yuan Shu.
If a real battle were to take place on the battlefield, the cavalry that Qiao Yan had brought earlier, plus these 6,000 reinforcements, would be more than enough, and could even allow Cao Cao to feel the pressure of having a powerful enemy by his side.
It's not just this one way.
When Cao Chun completed the handover and was about to return, he saw another team coming towards Linying City.
When the leading general arrived at the city gate, he shouted, "Nanyang Huang Zhong has been ordered by Liu Jingzhou to come to support us. Four thousand elite soldiers from Jingzhou have arrived in Wuyang County and are at the disposal of Marquis Qiao."
These two pieces of news were reported to Cao Cao after Cao Chun returned to Pingyu.
Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh: "In terms of courage and carefulness, there are very few people in this world who can match Qiao Yeshu. She has also obtained the most suitable capital for her to gain a foothold here."
Cao Chun: "Then for now..."
"It's useless to think too much, it will only cause trouble." Cao Cao raised his hand to stop Chen Gong from apologizing and said, "Tell Yecheng the news that Yingchuan is not feasible. Just like Qiao Yeshu said, an incomplete Yuzhou is the only place we can control."
This is what they call, A blessing in disguise!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
