Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 351
When Cao Cao went to Lu State, only a few of the aristocratic families who met with Bian Rang escaped, and the rest came to apologize. They only said that they were deceived by Bian Rang, but they didn't know about it.

These people usually think that they are noble, but when it comes to life and death, they all reveal their true colors. In order to save their wealth and lives, the moral code that they claim to restrain others is repeatedly broken.

At this point, Cao Cao did not want to pursue the matter anymore. He just wanted to stabilize the country, keep Xuzhou, and find ways to expand outward. The Central Plains was barren and Yangzhou was rich, especially the land of Huainan, which made Cao Cao think.

Now Tao Qian is weak and unable to manage affairs in the state. Sun Jian occupies Danyang and Kuaiji counties in Jiangdong. Tao Qian is powerless to suppress him and can only let him grow.

After the Kingdom of Lu was pacified, Cao Cao left Xia Houyuan to guard the city, guarded the eastern part of Yanzhou with Cao Ren, and led troops to Pengcheng to prepare for Yangzhou in the south.

Cao Cao got Cao Xiu's letter and discussed Huainan with Chen Deng, the prefect of Pengcheng. If he can win this land of fish and rice and develop the farmland, he will have enough money and food for three years, and it will not be too late to take the Central Plains again.

Chen Deng said: "Yuan Shu has the heart to seek hegemony, but he has no intention to make progress. He has great ambitions and few talents, so he doesn't know what it means! The Duke of Ming does not want to take Yangzhou, so Yuan Shu definitely has no such intentions. If Duke Ming wants to take Shouchun, Yuan Shu does not want others to benefit. We also want to take a share of the pie, and the soldiers of Yuzhou have to guard against it."

Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled, "Yuan Gonglu is no more than a dead bone in the tomb, so why should I be afraid? If he comes to take Shouchun, I can just attack Xiaopei and cut off his way back, killing two birds with one stone."

Seeing that Cao Cao was already prepared, Chen Deng nodded and said, "Since that's the case, if Duke Ming wants to take Shouchun, he needs to start from Xiapi alone."

"Oh?" Cao Cao was preparing for Xiapi, and he didn't want Chen Deng to talk about Xiapi, so he hurriedly asked, "Hurry up, Yuanlong."

Chen Deng was originally from Xiapi, so he naturally knew the details, and said: "There is a hero in Xiapi named Que Xuan. Then you can raise troops to attack."

"There are such people?" Cao Cao frowned slightly. If it weren't for Chen Deng's news, Cao Xiu probably didn't know that Que Xuan had the intention of rebellion, and there was another idea in his plan.

Chen Deng said: "After Ming Gong wiped out Que Xuan, he could forge a letter and tell the outside world that Tao Qian secretly supported the matter. If the troops march into Shouchun, they will be famous."

"Isn't this too far-fetched?" Cao Cao frowned and said: "How can Tao Qian, a dignified state pastor, submit to the roughness of the rivers and lakes? Once this plan comes out, it will be a cover-up, and he will be laughed at by the world."

Chen Deng said: "It is a fact that Tao Qian and Que Xuan have secret contacts. If Duke Ming wants to send troops, he can only use this as an excuse. Otherwise, the troops will come out without a name, and people will not be convinced."

Cao Cao nodded and said: "Yuan Long's words are reasonable. I will leave this matter to you. First, instigate Que Xuan to claim to be the emperor. I have my own reasons."

"Follow orders!" Chen Deng took the order, and asked again: "If Duke Ming takes Shouchun, it may be difficult to wait until the autumn harvest. We need to prepare money and food early, so as not to affect the morale of the army."

Cao Cao Fuxu asked: "I have a plan for this matter. I heard that Ruo Rong is amassing money in Xiapi under the guise of Buddhist affairs. How much does Yuanlong know?"

When Chen Deng heard this, he knew what Cao Cao meant and replied: "Ze Rong is actually a gangster in Danyang. This man is cruel by nature. In his early years, he robbed merchant ships along the river and amassed property. Now he believes in Buddhism. He is probably trying to atone for his sins and gain peace of mind." , but he still accumulates financial resources secretly and is greedy and insatiable."

Cao Cao said coldly: "I heard that this person has recruited more than ten thousand believers. He doesn't follow the law, doesn't pay food taxes, and manipulates people's hearts. These evil people are good at deceiving people's hearts. They are no different from Zhang Jiao and others. They must be kept. Big trouble."

Chen Deng nodded and said: "What Duke Ming said is very true. However, Ruo Rong has a lot of followers and is quite prestigious in Xuzhou. It is even worse than Bian Rang and others. Killing Bian Rang will only cause scolding by scholars, it is irrelevant. However, killing Ruo Rong may cause shock in people's hearts, Duke Ming should think twice."

Cao Cao snorted coldly, stroking his beard and said: "It is for this reason that we must get rid of it early. If we remain undecided, we will definitely be raising tigers and causing trouble. I have my own countermeasures."

Chen Dengyan said: "The Buddhist temple built by Ruo Rong is extremely luxurious. It also casts a large gold and copper Buddha. The wine and food are tens of miles long, and the cost is in the trillions. If Duke Ming is determined to eradicate this person, collect his possessions, and sell the Buddha statues, he will get money and food for at least three years."

"Okay!" Cao Cao slapped his thigh when he heard the words, finally made up his mind, and said with a smile: "Getting rid of Ruo Rong can not only eliminate hidden dangers, but also get money and food. Why not do it?"

Chen Deng asked: "How does Duke Ming plan to act?"

Cao Cao said: "Yuanlong first tries to instigate Quexuan to stand on his own, and I will make my own arrangements."

Chen Deng said goodbye and left. Cao Cao found his brother-in-law Qin Shao. Qin Shao was loyal and intelligent. He once helped Cao Cao recruit troops in Qiao County. Now he is in charge of the guards and intelligence and is one of his confidants.

The left and right screens receded, Cao Cao sat for a long time, and then asked: "I heard that the master has worshiped Buddhism since he came to Langya, and meditated and chanted sutras every day. Is there such a thing?"

Qin Shao nodded and said: "Father-in-law deeply felt that he had committed a lot of crimes in his early years. He was ashamed of the late emperor and shamed his descendants. Reciting scriptures is to redeem sins and pray for blessings for descendants."

"Blessing?" Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, and sighed: "If there really is a god, he should protect my Cao family under the Nine Springs, so that he can bless our descendants!"

Qin Shao was shocked and said, "Why did brother-in-law say such ominous words?"

Cao Cao let out a long sigh, and suddenly stood up and knelt down in front of Qin Shao, saying: "I belong to the Cao family, and if I want to entrust important matters, it is a matter of life and death. Only Bonan can be trusted. I hope you can help me."

Qin Shao was shocked, and hurriedly knelt down, grabbed Cao Cao's arm, and said: "You and I are brothers and sisters. For the sake of great things, my brother is willing to die for the public, but please tell me that it doesn't matter, this great gift must not be done."

Cao Cao wept and said: "Since the master believes in Buddhist affairs, and Futu Temple is the most important Buddhist event in Xuzhou, you can go back to Langya and send the master to Futu Temple to offer incense and chant scriptures on the Ghost Festival in order to fulfill his wish."

Qin Shao was confused when he heard this. He didn't know how this matter was related to the important event entrusted by Cao Cao. He asked: "Sending my father-in-law to Futu Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings is an auspicious thing. Why is my brother-in-law so sad?"

Cao Cao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "On the day of Zhongyuan, there will be a catastrophe at Futu Temple... Bonan is serving the master in the temple, but he can't let him escape, but...he will die at the hands of thieves."

"What?" Qin Shao sat down on the ground like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, with cold sweat on his forehead. He didn't expect Cao Cao to be so ruthless, and he looked at him in disbelief.

Cao Cao wiped his tears, sat on the ground, and said in a cold voice: "My father's name has affected me, and I was blocked in Yanzhou. Now I want to take Yangzhou, but I only use this strategy to achieve great things at the expense of one person, and it also allows me to return to him." So, do you dare to go?"

Qin Shao looked at Cao Cao's suddenly sharp gaze and shivered. He knew that if he didn't agree, Cao Cao would probably not let him go. He gritted his teeth and knelt down, cupped his fists and said, "Don't worry brother-in-law, it's just that this matter is dangerous. If anything happens... please take good care of Zhen'er."

Cao Cao's eyes suddenly shrank, as if he had guessed Qin Shao's choice, he sighed and waved his hands.

A long time after Qin Shao left, Cao Cao got up and came to the window. Watching the peach blossoms falling in the courtyard, he said slowly, "Only when the flowers fall will they bear fruit. I would rather teach me to bear the people of the world, and don't teach the people of the world to bear me."

(End of this chapter)