The Battle of Nanyang had already caused his reputation to plummet because of the issue of jerky and military rations, and if he flooded Shouchun again, it would surely cause public outrage.
What's more, the situation is different now. He is the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty and is planning to be promoted to Duke of Wei and be awarded the Nine Gifts. How can he convince the people by doing such a thing
When Sima Yi saw Cao Cao hesitating, he was puzzled. Why was this tyrant, who used to kill people without blinking an eye and massacre cities at will, so hesitant today
He then advised: "Lu Su has built a new city in Hefei and dug a waterway to connect the Huai River and the Fei River. This must be Jiangdong's attempt to use the navy to protect Huainan and wait for an opportunity to advance into the Central Plains. If we retreat now, not only will all our previous efforts be wasted, but once the waterway is dredged, the Central Plains will be in danger!"
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and sighed after a long while: "This is a serious matter. Let me think about it."
Sima Yi had no choice but to leave the tent and look up at the dark sky, feeling depressed. Could it be that he had guessed Cao Cao's thoughts wrong again this time
Ever since Cao Cao transferred him to participate in military affairs, Sima Yi decided to make a change. He changed his previous elegant scholar style and learned from Cao Cao's decisiveness, ruthlessness and cunningness in order to gain his appreciation.
Seeing that Cao Cao's health was deteriorating and Cao Pi was about to take power, if he didn't take this opportunity to show his abilities, how could he be valued and realize his ambitions
But he had no idea that Sima Yi at this time was experiencing the same time that Cao Cao was full of vigor and vitality.
But Cao Cao today, having reached the highest position among the officials and having established an empire, is no longer the willful and reckless hero, but a founder who is ready to pave the way for future generations.
The next morning, the army was ready to break camp, but Cao Cao was still undecided and was about to consult Xun You when a scout suddenly arrived in the rain with an urgent report.
Cao Cao opened the letter and flew into a rage, saying, "How dare you, Xianbei thief, deceive me?"
Cao Chun asked, "Ke Bineng has always been on good terms with the Prime Minister. What happened?"
Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "Urgent news from Youzhou, the Liaodong Xianbei have joined forces with Gongsun Kang to rebel, and are attacking Liaoxi, and are planning to join forces with the Central Xianbei to invade Youzhou."
Cao Chun was shocked and asked, "Kebineng is the Great Chanyu of the Xianbei, and has received many favors from the Prime Minister. Why doesn't he exercise restraint?"
Cao Cao sighed, "We had no choice but to borrow troops from the Xianbei, but our troops were lost at Ruxu. Those people came to the Central Plains to take credit for this. Most of them were close relatives of the various tribes. This incident caused public outrage, and Kebineng could no longer suppress it."
When Cao Cao borrowed troops, he promised the Xianbei that after they broke into the city in the Central Plains, he would allow them to plunder first, and there would also be rewards. All the tribes rushed to send troops, and this matter even caused duels between tribes.
The Xianbei people treated the war as a child's play, thinking they were coming to the Central Plains to rob supplies. However, when a battle was necessary, they were outwitted by Liu He and Zhou Yu, and their cavalry was completely wiped out. Only 300 remnants of the 20,000 Xianbei cavalry returned to the tribe.
After Kebi Neng reunified the Xianbei, he settled in Shengle City and divided it into three parts. The western Xianbei was mainly composed of the Tuoba tribe, the central Qifu tribe was located north of Youzhou, and the eastern part was mainly composed of old Xianbei tribes such as the Murong and Yuwen tribes.
Although the three tribes respected Kebineng as the Great Khan, they actually acted independently and did not completely obey his orders. Now that their relatives had died in battle in the Central Plains, they were all furious and rose up in arms.
Cao Chun frowned and cursed: "The Hu people are like jackals. They come for profit, but once there is no profit, they turn against us and even turn against their masters. We should have nothing to do with them."
Cao Cao sighed and ordered, "Call Yuan Rang and Zi Lian."
Soon Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong arrived at the tent. Cao Cao informed them of the war in the north and said, "I want to personally attack the Xianbei. Zi Lian will go with me. Yuan Rang will lead the troops in Huainan."
Xiahou Dun was surprised and said, "If the Xianbei invaded, Yan Rou would be able to deal with it. Why should the Prime Minister lead the army in person?"
Cao Hong also said: "The Prime Minister has been feeling unwell recently. It would be better for him to return to Xuchang to recuperate. The Xianbei are nothing to be afraid of. If you are worried, I will lead the troops north."
Cao Cao said with emotion: "This matter was caused by me, so I must solve it myself! I have fought in many battles all my life, even if I have implicated many people and have been framed, it is only for the sake of the Han Dynasty, and I am not afraid of other people's comments. But if it is because of me that foreign tribes enter the country and harm the people, then I will be a traitor and be infamous for thousands of years, which is not what I want!"
Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong and Cao Chun tried to persuade Cao Cao that it was not suitable for him to go on a long expedition given his current health condition. It would be dangerous if anything happened to him.
"No need to say more, everyone. Feng Xiao will accompany and protect you on this northern expedition, so there is no need to worry!"
Cao Cao walked to the door of the tent with his hands behind his back. Seeing the rain outside, he said slowly: "I, Cao Mengde, would rather be a 'Han thief' than a 'traitor'!"
These people knew Cao Cao best and knew that he had made up his mind, so they stopped trying to persuade him. Cao Cao ordered Cao Hong and the other two to prepare immediately, first go to Xuchang to arrange government affairs, and then rush to Youzhou immediately.
Xiahou Dun asked, "How should we arrange the withdrawal of troops?"
Cao Cao said, "I have already discussed this matter with Sima Yi. Zhongda will come later, and you can discuss and decide on your own!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiahou Dun clasped his fists and accepted the order.
Cao Cao put on his clothes and hat, and patted Xiahou Dun on the shoulder before leaving: "Zixiao was injured by Zhou Yu, the affairs of Huainan are entrusted to you. Zixiao's revenge still depends on you!"
"Don't worry, Prime Minister. I will do my best to avenge Zixiao!" Xiahou Dun bowed. Cao Cao had already walked away quickly, and the group disappeared in the rain and fog.
Xiahou Dun stood there in a daze until a gust of cold wind blew in, then he came to his senses and ordered people to invite Sima Yi and Xun You to come and discuss the matter.
After a while, only Sima Yi came alone. Xun You was transferred away by Cao Cao and went to Xuchang together.
Without waiting for Xiahou Dun to speak, Sima Yi asked first: "What military information did the Prime Minister tell you before he left?"
Xiahou Dun frowned and said, "The Prime Minister only said that he had discussed it with you, but I don't know what decision he made?"
Sima Yi was startled, lowered his head and thought for a moment, then he immediately understood Cao Cao's intention, clasped his fists and said, "I have a plan to capture the city, which is enough to defeat 200,000 elite soldiers. Please make your decision, General."
Xiahou Dun was shocked, his eyes widened as he asked, "What's the plan?"
Sima Yi smiled and said, "We have a precedent. General, do you remember when we defeated Lu Bu at Xia Pi?"
“Defeat Lu Bu?” Xiahou Dun frowned slightly, then suddenly laughed and clapped his hands, “Great! What a great idea… Hiss—”
Suddenly, he felt something was wrong and said hesitantly, "Xia Pi was only near the river at that time. It wouldn't be too dangerous if the city was surrounded and the water was released. The Huai River is not comparable to the Si River. Once it is opened, it may be difficult to control. I am afraid that the entire Shouchun area will become a vast ocean, killing many innocent people."
Sima Yi sneered, "The Wu army is exhausted now. If we don't take advantage of the situation to capture the city, won't those soldiers who died in battle have lost their lives in vain? When we come again in the future, we will lose many more men and women. Aren't the lives of our soldiers worth the lives of others?"
"This..." Xiahou Dun frowned and walked back and forth in the tent for a few steps. Suddenly, he remembered Cao Cao's last instructions before he left. He stopped abruptly and said through gritted teeth, "Okay, I'll leave this matter to you to arrange. Start in three days."
"Yes, sir!" Sima Yi clasped his fists and accepted the order. He shook his head secretly as he left the tent. The matter of the Cao family was really difficult to deal with.
The big tent was empty, and only the sound of raindrops hitting the tent could be heard. Xiahou Dun stood there for a long while before taking a deep breath: "Zixiao, let me avenge you!"