newbobooks Chapter 101 Man Chong is sent as an envoy to Xuzhou again, and Cao Cao and Tao Qian form an alliance
Chapter 101 Man Chong is sent as an envoy to Xuzhou again, and Cao Cao and Tao Qian form an alliance
Was Meng Zhuo's death meaningless?
Chen Gong held the storybook, carefully considering each word.
It seems that Yang Hong has been made a hot topic of discussion by the Yanzhou Daily.
In reality, it made Yang Hong take the blame for the death of Zhang Miao's entire family!
Zhang Miao's desperate plan was completely rendered useless by the appearance of the Yanzhou Daily.
"Meng Zhuo, just wait, one day I will tear off Cao Mengde's utterly hypocritical mask!"
Burning the Yanzhou Daily in his hand, Chen Gong headed towards the ruins of Luoyang.
Based on the estimated time, Lü Bu and Xu Si should be almost at the ruins of Luoyang by now.
With only 50,000 troops under Lü Bu's command, it was impossible to defeat Cao Cao.
However, based on the intelligence sent by Xu Si, Chen Gong deduced that Lü Bu's dissatisfaction with Dong Zhuo was growing day by day.
Isn't this exactly what "a rare commodity is worth hoarding" means?
In terms of martial prowess, Lü Bu was unparalleled.
In terms of strategy, Lü Bu's side is exactly lacking a strategist.
Chen Gong was confident that he could win Lü Bu's trust with his silver tongue!
……
Xuzhou
Pengcheng
After Zhang Kai's plot to assassinate Cao Cao was exposed, Tao Qian had been feeling uneasy for days.
Honestly, Tao Qian really wanted to say, "I'm getting old, my energy isn't what it used to be, so please stop messing with me!"
Who would have thought that Zhang Kai, whom Cao Bao sent out, would be turned against him by Chen Gong?
That's fine.
Zhang Kai was waving a banner, claiming to be "on the orders of Tao Qian".
If Cao Song hadn't survived, Tao Qian would have even foreseen Cao Cao's furious attack on Xuzhou!
Could Tao Qian defeat Cao Cao?
Honestly, if Tao Qian were twenty years younger, he might even dare to launch a preemptive attack on Yanzhou!
But Tao Qian is now old and frail, and recently suffered a serious illness.
To put it nicely, it's called getting old and losing energy.
To put it bluntly, Tao Qian's lifespan is running out.
His passing was inevitable.
Not to mention the civil and military officials under Tao Qian, even Tao Qian himself often pondered who he should entrust the future of Xuzhou to.
Two sons, Tao Shang and Tao Ying?
To put it simply, these two are absolutely top-notch at cricket fighting.
To be the lord?
If you can avoid being completely outmaneuvered by your subordinates' civil and military officials, you should be grateful!
Some people are simply not suited to be rulers.
Forcing Tao Shang and Tao Ying into power was definitely a bad thing, not a good thing, for them.
Tao Qian had taken this into consideration, which is why he was so worried.
However, if the position of governor of Xuzhou were given to any one of Cao Bao, Mi Zhu, or Chen Gui, the other two would definitely be unhappy!
This is often how trouble arises.
Although Tao Qian secretly favored Cao Bao and regarded him as a trusted confidant.
However, what Cao Bao did this time did indeed disappoint Tao Qian.
Couldn't they have arranged for a reliable person to escort Cao Song?
We absolutely have to arrange an opening!
Tell me the truth, Leopard, are you trying to piss me off so you can rise to power?
This is not.
The debt collectors are here!
Cao Cao did not send an envoy to Tao Qian to demand an explanation earlier mainly because he was busy dealing with Zhang Miao and Chen Gong.
Now that they have the time, they naturally want to settle accounts with Tao Qian.
……
Pengcheng Council Hall
Man Chong sat in his seat, his nostrils practically pointing to the sky.
As an envoy of Cao Cao's camp, one must maintain this kind of demeanor!
Moreover, Cao Cao's camp is in the right, so they should act like royalty!
Tao Qian walked in from outside with a smile.
Compared to the last time Man Chong met Tao Qian, Tao Qian looked noticeably older this time.
His gaunt face constantly revealed Tao Qian's poor physical condition.
"Young friend Bo Ning has come from afar. I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality."
Tao Qian adopted a very humble attitude.
Upon hearing this, Man Chong said sarcastically:
"Prefect Tao is joking."
"You have already shown me great courtesy by not sending your generals to escort me through Yanzhou."
"I am so grateful to you, how could I possibly blame you?"
"you!!!"
Cao Bao, standing next to Tao Qian, was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he was about to hit Man Chong.
"Cao Bao! Get out of here!"
Tao Qian couldn't hold back any longer.
They were already in the wrong, and if they hit Man Chong now, do you believe their reputation would be completely ruined?
after all.
Tao Qian had already realized the power of the Yanzhou Daily.
To put it bluntly, this thing can easily kill without leaving a trace!
Furthermore.
Tao Qian was already old and frail, and did not want to start a war.
If we further anger Cao Cao, who will bear his wrath?
Cao Bao angrily flung his sleeves and left the council hall.
This incident with Zhang Kai has made him a laughingstock throughout Xuzhou!
Let alone political rivals Chen Gui and Mi Zhu.
Even his underlings had reservations about Cao Bao, the leader of the Danyang faction.
Cao Bao needs comfort right now.
Tao Qian's reprimand only fueled Cao Bao's resentment.
of course.
Man Chong didn't care what Cao Bao was thinking.
As an envoy of Cao Cao's camp, he had only one task today.
That is...
Try to get Tao Qian to give up as much benefit as possible!
The next hour.
Man Chong displayed a fearless spirit and bargained with Tao Qian.
He was spitting everywhere, spraying spittle like wildfire!
It's just a pity for the old man Tao Qian, who was spoiled by Man Chong to the point of turning red!
Tao Qian swore that if he were twenty years younger, he would have drawn his sword on the spot and beheaded Man Chong!
At last.
Unable to withstand the pressure, Tao Qian summoned Mi Zhu and Chen Gui to discuss the price offered by Man Chong.
What price did Manchong offer?
Specifically, there are the following three points:
First, further increase trade between Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and establish Shanyang County in Yanzhou, which is located on the border, as a "special county" to allow merchants from Xuzhou and Yanzhou to buy and sell real estate and acquire businesses there.
Second, when Cao Cao's army attacks Xiaopei County in Yu Province, Tao Qian must not send troops to support Yuan Shu, otherwise it will be considered a provocation against Cao Cao's army!
Third, Tao Qian should sell a batch of grain seeds to Cao Cao at a price lower than the market price, with payment settled on the spot.
……
"My lord, let's just agree to Man Chong's request."
"Making friends with Cao Cao is now an urgent matter."
"Moreover, these three points are not necessarily a bad thing for Xuzhou."
"We have as much grain and seeds as we need in Xuzhou, even more than we need, and there is even a surplus or waste."
"Using it to exchange for money with Cao Cao, even at a price lower than the market value, would still guarantee a profit."
"As for Xiaopei, although it is Yuan Shu's territory."
"But Xiaopei is an independent enclave located in the heart of Xuzhou. It is not a good thing that it is occupied by Yuan Shu."
"It would be better to let Cao Cao's army capture Xiaopei."
"At least, Cao Cao wouldn't act like Yuan Shu, who would commit robbery without any reason."
Chen Gui and Mi Zhu both gave the same opinion.
Recently, due to the opening of trade routes between Yanzhou and Xuzhou, the Mi family has made a lot of money.
As a businessman, Mi Zhu was naturally willing to support increased trade exchanges between Xuzhou and Yanzhou.
As for the Chen family, as representatives of the local people of Xuzhou, they were equally indifferent to the war.
and.
Because Yuan Shu seized a property belonging to the Chen family in the Huainan region for no reason, the Chen family deeply resented Yuan Shu!
In comparison to the other side.
Mi Zhu and Chen Gui had absolutely no reason to oppose the three treaties proposed by Man Chong.
……