523 Cao Cao on the Run (1/2)
Mid-March, 201 AD.
Zhuge Liang stood before a thousand official in the court in Ye throne room, reading a golden scroll in his hands.
It was the imperial edict.
\”Ghost Legion and Red Hare Legion are to head toward Yi Province and Jing Province to solicit the area from Huang Zhong and Liu Biao. Navy Legion shall depart from Xiangping port and move south to reinforce our forces at Guangling. Wu Legion and Red Tiger Legion will act as reserve forces to support Gan Ning and other legions freely. Immortal Legion and Monster Legion will move to Lujiang and take the lead in this southern campaign. Also, the prime consort, Diaochan, and the 6th consort, Wang Yi, will head out with the Immortal Legion!\”
\”All ministers must abort the tasks at hand and support the mobilization! We shall now change our domestic policies into wartime policy! Concentrate on producing weaponry and food supplies for the soldiers on the frontline!\”
A grand mobilization order was finally issued and shocked the land once more.
Unlike Tong, who was overly cautious about everything and solved all problems using pacifist methods, Dong Bai was bolder as she utilized everything she had to vanquish her enemies.
Dong Bai didn't bother trying to negotiate or give a chance for Cao Cao to surrender. Instead, she assumed that Cao Cao would join forces with Sun Ce in Jianye.
Of course, she didn't listen to all advice from the clan's strategists, who wanted to negotiate with Cao Cao first.
However, Dong Bai liked some of their suggestions. They wanted Dong Bai to eradicate Cao Cao as soon as possible, but they wanted Dong Bai to issue another edict and claim that Cao Cao became a rebel first. Then, they could have a cause to fool their subordinates and hunt them down.
But Zhuge Liang had another idea. He gave Dong Bai his advice, and she allowed Zhuge Liang to act as he pleased.
\”In addition, Sima Clan is to form a legion and head to Xiapi to apprehend Cao Cao, his subordinates, and their families. He is currently under the suspicion of colluding with Sun Ce, and we need Cao Cao and his men contained during the southern campaign. We will investigate if he had any dealings with Sun Ce later.\”
Dong Bai didn't allow Cao Cao to roam free or declared war against them. Instead, she sent their hidden threat, Sima Clan, to clash against Cao Cao's forces, so these two forces could weaken each other while they were busy fighting against Sun Ce.
\”As for the Silver Axe Legion, they will move to Yan Province to protect the central plain and the logistic supply routes.\”
Even if everything went according to the plan, Silver Axe Legion would still attack the Xu Province and kill the victor of Sima-Cao battle.
In other words, Xu Huang was the executioner who would hunt down Sima Yi, Cao Cao, or both, regardless of whatever outcome.
.
.
.
= Xiapi City, Xu Province =
\”They've moved. We have to make the decision, now.\”
Cheng Yu warned Cao Cao as he got the information from various former colleagues, such as Xu Huang, Zhang He, Zhang Liao, and many others who had submitted to Tong and his family.
As these generals didn't want to see their lords ended up fighting each other, they wanted Cao Cao to stop what he was scheming. Unfortunately, Cao Cao's plan was already in motion.
\”We'll leave Xiapi and head to Jianye. Zihuan, gather our clan members and abandon everyone else. We can't trust those betrayers.\”
Cao Cao had already packed his belonging and informed his men in advance. He also managed to draft 100,000 strong men from the entire province to join his forces using everything in his treasury. In addition, the Xu Province was an agricultural region, so Cao Cao stockpiled more than enough provision for the next war with every gold he had.
He was broke, but he got enough resources for another major war.
With such preparation, Cao Cao asked Cao Pi to begin their migration to regroup with other Lilim's subordinates in Jianye.
\”I'm going to spread a rumor that those generals are plotting to disobey Dong Bai. Then, we can get a bit of time.\”
Cheng Yu was not without fangs. As an elite strategist with two worlds of experience, he could still find weaknesses in Tong's ranks.
Currently, the stance of Xu Huang, Zhang He, Zhang Liao, and many other former Cao Cao's officers were still questionable as they usually acted neutral in every political conflict that Cao Cao had with Tong's wives. However, this upcoming war would force them to take sides if they wanted to continue serving Tong or rejoin with Cao Cao's armies.
As long as Cheng Yu could make Dong Bai suspect these valuable generals, the men would be forced to migrate to Cao Cao's side to save their own skins.
\”Very good. I'll leave it to you,\” Cao Cao rejoiced that Cheng Yu was still as good as ever.
\”I also would like to add that Sima Yi also doesn't like Li Feihong since he has a crush with Princess Zhang Min. I hope you could secret messages to him and persuade him to join our side.\”
\”Already done a long time ago. He refused to migrate with us, but he will act on his own.\”
\”I see. What a pity.\”
The mobilization started, but Cao Cao didn't look sad. Instead, he smugly grinned and texted messages to a couple men, who betrayed his trust.