lovenovelstory Chapter 64 Should we send Cao Sikong to kill one more person?
Chapter 64 Should we send Cao Sikong to kill one more person?
Xun Yu also felt a headache upon hearing this.
Although Cao Cao's army is currently far larger than Qingzhou's army, their food supplies are running low.
If Yuan Tan is determined not to lend grain, are you really going to turn against him?
Wouldn't that force Yuan Tan to rebel?
We can't even defeat Yuan Shu alone, are we going to make an enemy of Yuan Tan as well?
Cao Cao, clearly sharing the same question, rubbed his temples and asked:
"Zhongde, if Yuan Tan truly refuses to lend us grain, do we have any other options?"
Cheng Yu squinted and said:
"The affairs of this world are not entirely determined by fighting and killing. If Yuan Tan really refuses to lend grain, our army will, in the name of His Majesty, inform the world that Yuan Tan is colluding with Yuan Shu and raising a bandit to enhance his own power. When the imperial edict is issued, even if he has ten thousand mouths, it will be of no use."
Upon hearing this, Xun Yu also sighed inwardly.
Cheng Zhongde is truly cunning. If he were to use His Majesty's name to accuse Yuan Tan of being a traitor, Yuan Tan would be unable to clear his name even if he jumped into the river.
Although it seems that there is nothing that can be done to him at present, in the long run, Yuan Tan's reputation will inevitably be damaged, and no talented people in the world who still have the Han Dynasty in their hearts will submit to him.
It can be said that the enemy was subdued without a fight.
Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu and knew that he was a man of strong and fierce character, decisive in his actions, eloquent, and skilled at coercion and inducement.
Right now, no one is more suitable than him.
He hesitated for a moment, then resolutely said:
"Alright! As you say, Zhongde! Take my warrant and go to the Qingzhou camp again. Tell Yuan Xiansi to quickly dispatch 100,000 shi of grain to meet the army's urgent needs!"
Once Shouchun is captured, the treasury's reserves will be repaid double! Any further delays... will be tantamount to colluding with the traitor Yuan Shu, and don't blame me for showing no mercy!
"Yu, I obey!"
Cheng Yu bowed and accepted the order, his eyes flashing even colder.
He knew the journey would be difficult, but he also knew that military supplies were crucial to the survival of the entire army. Even if it meant breaking ties with Yuan Tan, he had to find a way to get through Yuan Tan.
……
East of Shouchun City, in the main military tent of the Qingzhou Army.
The atmosphere inside the tent was somewhat somber.
Next to the huge map of Shouchun's city defenses, a map of the Huainan water system and land routes was also laid out.
Yuan Tan, Guo Jia, Xin Pi, Zhao Yun, and others were discussing the map.
The current situation is quite optimistic. With Yuan Huan as an inside agent, it's only a matter of time before we capture Shouchun and win the first victory.
However, how to transport these valuables from Shouchun became a problem.
"My lord, even by the most optimistic estimate, if the city falls, the wealth stored in the treasuries and palaces will be immense. Our current fleet, operating at full capacity, is only enough for troop rotations and resupply of provisions and weapons; its holds are already full. If we were to use it to transport valuables, we would have to abandon our troops and weapons, which would be like cutting off our own claws and teeth—absolutely unacceptable."
Zhao Yun pointed to the waterway, his brows furrowed.
Guo Jia stroked his short beard, his gaze falling on Lu Lu:
"Taking the land route and returning north via Xuzhou is the only option. However, Lü Bu, like a hungry wolf, has just pounced on Xiaopei, and the rear passage is under his control."
"Our journey, laden with treasure, is like a child carrying gold through the market. Will Lü Bu let us pass? We risk losing both our wealth and our lives, only to have our spoils benefit someone else."
Sinpi sighed:
"Dividing the troops for escort is also not feasible. If the forces are scattered, they will be easily defeated one by one by Cao Cao or Lü Bu. Are we to... bury it on the spot and retrieve it later?"
This idea was immediately rejected. There's always something going on; who can guarantee that he'll be able to come back someday?
As the proposals were rejected one after another, everyone fell silent.
Yuan Tan was also deeply moved.
It seems we still have too few strategists on our side.
Although Guo Jia's intelligence surpasses that of most people in the world, there are always times when he falls short.
At this point, if there were more strategists, there might be a better solution.
Just when everyone was at a loss, a guard outside the tent announced loudly:
"My lord! Cao Cao's messenger, Military Advisor Cheng Yu (Cheng Zhongde), has arrived!"
Yuan Tan and Guo Jia exchanged a glance, realizing that Cao Cao would not let the matter rest.
When Xun Yu came to borrow grain that day, I had already refused him once. Now that he's come to borrow grain again, it will be difficult for me to refuse him again.
Moreover, if Cao Cao really just wanted to borrow grain, that would be fine. You bring it out, and I'll give you the grain. That would be fair, right?
But the first thing you do is ask for it, without ever mentioning how you'll pay it back.
What's wrong? Does Qingzhou owe you something?
In addition, Xun Yu was, after all, a prominent family in Yingchuan. If he had any sense of face, he could at least make excuses if he really didn't want to lend grain.
Cheng Yu has eaten human flesh before; he's full of wicked ideas, and who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause.
Well, there's no point in thinking about it too much. Let's just take it one step at a time.
Yuan Tan instantly adjusted his expression, replacing it with a warm smile:
"Please come quickly!"
Cheng Yu strode in. He was not tall, but his face was cold and stern, making him seem difficult to get along with.
He politely bowed to Yuan Tan, got straight to the point, and his voice even carried a hint of arrogance:
"Yuan Qingzhou, Cao Cao sent Yu to ask a question: When will the 100,000 shi of military rations requested last time be delivered to the camp? The three armies need rice to cook, and they cannot go a day without it."
Listen to that tone!
So you think I'm your servant?
Okay, okay, Cheng Yu, right?
You're in trouble, you know that?
Yuan Tan's eyes darted around, then he put on a "deeply distressed" expression and let out a long sigh:
"Mr. Zhongde! It's not that I'm making excuses, but I'm truly powerless! You know how barren Qingzhou is. My journey south has been like draining a pond to catch all the fish; my soldiers are even cutting back on food. How could I possibly have any surplus to lend? Lord Cao, please... grant me some more time?"
"Yuan Qingzhou,"
Cheng Yu leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.
"Let's not beat around the bush. Our army's food supplies are indeed running low. This pass is crucial to the overall victory against the rebels, and it also concerns the safety of Qingzhou. If the imperial army collapses due to lack of food, the rebels will be able to catch their breath. At that time, Qingzhou will be unable to hold on alone, which is probably not what Lord Yuan wants to see."
He paused, observed Yuan Tan's expression, and continued:
"Lord Cao promises that if Qingzhou can resolve this urgent crisis, upon the capture of Shouchun, Qingzhou will receive 70% of the gold, jewels, and grain stored in the city by the rebels! This is Lord Cao's greatest sincerity; we hope that Governor Yuan of Qingzhou will prioritize the overall situation and not hesitate!"
The tent fell silent instantly.
Guo Jia, Xin Pi, and the others glanced at Yuan Tan.
These conditions were undeniably generous, practically acknowledging Yuan Tan's right to the main profits after the city fell.
A complex expression first appeared on Yuan Tan's face as he rubbed his hands together and said:
"Mr. Zhongde, I am deeply grateful for Lord Cao's kindness! But... alas, my Qingzhou is truly..."
Just as he was about to continue "crying poor," Guo Jia, who was standing behind him, gently shook his head as he served tea and water.
Yuan Tan understood instantly.
That's right! The wealth of Shouchun City is already mine, why should I need to share it with others?
If Guo Jia hadn't reminded him, he would have almost forgotten.
Yes, he went to great lengths to deceive everyone, all for the sake of monopolizing the lucrative prize of Shouchun.
Cao Cao is now using "money that rightfully belongs to me, Yuan Tan," to make a deal with me, trying to get something for nothing?
That's an absolute joke!
A feeling of utter absurdity welled up inside him, almost making him laugh out loud.
But outwardly he remained calm and continued, going along with what he had just said:
"...We are truly depleted and powerless! Mr. Zhongde, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but... alas, if we had ample provisions, we wouldn't need Cao Cao's promise; we would have already proactively supported the royal army! Perhaps we could grant a few more days... alas!"
Seeing that his gentle approach was ineffective, Cheng Yu grew increasingly annoyed. He glared at Yuan Tan and sternly rebuked him:
"Grace period? Governor Yuan, this is a matter of national importance, not child's play. Without provisions, the army's morale will collapse, and the great cause of suppressing the rebellion will be ruined. Can Governor Qingzhou bear this responsibility?"
good good!
So you came here today just to start a fight, huh?
Do you believe I'll arrange for two crossbowmen to shoot at you on your way back?
Yuan Tan was momentarily speechless, and his "worried" expression deepened:
"This...this is truly a case of 'even a clever cook can't cook without rice'! Lord Cao has many talented men under his command, and didn't he already deal with Wang Houyao? Surely...surely he can come up with some other solutions? Perhaps if we send Cao Sikong to kill another person, we can hold out for a few more days?"