Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 251

Chapter 251

Cao Cao naturally understood what Guo Jia said. He looked very determined and said, "Feng Xiao, it took three years to destroy Yuan Shu, but we haven't succeeded yet. Judging from the current situation, it may take another one or two years. By then, the princes in the south will rise up, and the court may need another three to five years. Dong Zhuo may need another three to five years. When will our Han Dynasty be able to pacify the world and revive again..."

As he spoke, Cao Cao's voice unconsciously carried a hint of anxiety.

Guo Jia suddenly realized that Cao Cao would be forty years old next year.

"General!"

Before Guo Jia could speak, Xiahou Dun galloped over, jumped off his horse and said, "General, Xu Chu can no longer hold on. Qiao County is about to be broken."

Cao Cao stood up suddenly and said, "Tell me more details."

Xiahou Dun saw that the others had also gathered around him and said, "Guo Si and Zhang Ji have a total of 15,000 men, and their attack is very urgent. Xu Zhu is holding his ground and refusing to come out. The two sides are fighting fiercely."

"Fifteen thousand?"

Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with brilliance. He suddenly put the half-eaten bowl of rice into his arms and shouted, "Pass my order. Everyone, send troops immediately to rescue Qiao County!"

Cao Cao mounted his horse, reorganized his troops, and headed straight for Qiao County with his army.

On the other side, Cao Cao had already entered Qiao County.

Guo Si and Zhang Ji joined forces and turned around and ran away without caring about anything else.

Yang Biao suddenly opened his eyes and understood what was going on. He held the account book and said, "So, what should we do now?"

Yang Biao's eyes were wide open, his fat face was tense, and he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

The guard beside the carriage hurriedly supported him and said, "Yes. We have made careful inquiries and found that General Cao has gone to Qiao County in full force for several days."

Xu Zhu did not move and said, "Please take me in, General!"

Cao Cao looked embarrassed and hesitated, but he stepped forward to help Xu Zhu up and said, "Zhongkang, how about you temporarily submit to my cavalry commander and join my guard?"

If Cao Cao provoked Dong Zhuo at this time, it would definitely ruin his plan!

But Zuo Li was unable to stop Cao Cao now, and was so panicked that he didn't know what to do.

Qiao County is now a troublesome place. If we rescue it, we will definitely offend Dong Zhuo, and the consequences will be unimaginable!

Cao Cao sent troops to rescue, risking his life!

Although Xu Zhu was extremely sleepy, he raised his head and chest and said, "General, I am very familiar with Qiao County. Please allow me to stay aside and do my best for you."

Guo Si suddenly looked horrified and asked, "Brother Zhang, are you saying that the court is going to take action against Lord Dong?"

Some even said that the palace had already decided that Cao Cao would succeed Huangfu Song, who had been in poor health recently, and become the next Grand Marshal!

A cavalryman rushed forward and said, "Cao's army is chasing us."

Cao Cao quickly reached out and helped him up, saying, "Zhongkang's words are too serious. I cannot ignore them for emotional and rational reasons."

"General, we must clean up the mess as soon as possible in case Dong's army comes again!" After everyone laughed and chatted for a while, Guo Jia said to Cao Cao.

The cavalry responded, pulled their horses and retreated.

Compared with the jubilation and high morale on the city wall, Guo Si and Zhang Ji below the city wall urgently withdrew their troops and retreated rapidly.

Seeing this, Cao Cao did not say much. He summoned a group of civil officials and military generals to discuss countermeasures.

Zhang Ji didn't say anything. Since it was none of his business, he just ran away with Guo Si.

In Prime Minister Yang Biao's duty room, everyone had gloomy faces as they discussed various things.

Upon hearing the news, Zuo Li, who was in the carriage, almost rolled off.

Cao Cao laughed and said, "With Zhongkang's words, I can sleep peacefully!"

It can be expected that Dong Zhuo will not let go of Qiao County easily, and Cao Cao may face a fierce battle!

While Cao Cao was reorganizing his troops, regaining the young and strong men of the Xu family, repairing the city walls of Qiao County, and making preparations for war, Zuo Li rushed to Anyang, Runan, exhausted.

Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, nodded wearily and said, "If we take into account the losses, it will be worse than last year."

Yang Biao was even more puzzled, and he moved his butt and asked, "Why is it like this? Shouldn't it increase greatly?"

Zhang Ji raised his head and looked ahead without answering Guo Si's words.

If the imperial court took action against Dong Zhuo so quickly, they would be in big trouble.

Looking at the demolished houses, the wounded soldiers and corpses everywhere, Cao Cao looked sad and sighed, "Zhongkang, I am too late."

Guo Si rode away without even turning his head, saying, "That's because you don't know. Cao Cao is a very treacherous person. If he dares to show up like this, he must have set up other traps. Retreat first and then plan other things!"

Guo Jia, Xiahou Dun and others smiled at each other.

Cao Cao ran to Qiao County. Dong Zhuo's two territories, Chen State and Pei State, were both under Cao Cao's attack. Dong Zhuo would certainly be shocked and angry, and it was unknown what his reaction would be!

Another military officer who was investigating came trotting over from a distance and said, "Sir, there is no other news for now, and there has been no unusual movement from Dong Zhuo."

Xu Chu knocked Guo Bing, who was rushing up with a knife in his mouth, down from the city with a stick, and then looked at the army that suddenly appeared not far away, his blood-red eyes flashing with brilliance.

Pei State is Dong Zhuo's territory, and it would be dangerous to pursue him too deep.

Zuo Li was so upset that he had no idea what to do. Finally, he turned around and got on the carriage, saying, "Let's go back to Beijing. We can't waste a moment!"

The ministers and vice-ministers of the six ministries, the ministers of the nine temples, and so on, came and went.

If this kind of account book was handed over to the palace, the palace would definitely be furious.

Cao Cao nodded heavily and said, "Qiao County must not be lost. I will arrange it myself!"

In the past few years, the imperial court was in extreme distress, and officials at all levels of the court had to raise money everywhere. Prime Minister Yang Biao, using his great reputation as a third-generation official, borrowed money for the court again and again.

There was no frills, the cavalry was in the front, like an arrow shot from a bow, showing their sharp edge.

Qiao County is not far from Pei State and Liang State, and is a place where troops can be dispatched in all directions!

Such a special person suddenly appeared in Pei State and captured Qiao County, which belonged to Dong Zhuo's sphere of influence. The hidden meaning behind this is truly thought-provoking!

Guo Si felt that his breathing was not smooth, and he rode his horse as fast as he could.

Xu Chu hadn't slept for days and nights. He knelt on one knee and raised his hand. He said in a deep voice: "General Cao is here. I know it's not easy for you. You worked day and night to save the Xu family in the most difficult time. I have no way to repay you. I am willing to be your vanguard and serve you at your side!"

The guards didn't quite believe it, but they had already retreated, so there was nothing else to say.

On the city wall of Qiao County, everyone was extremely excited because with reinforcements, they would not die!

Seeing this, Cao Cao sighed helplessly and said, "Zhongkang is right. The court doesn't even know that I'm here. Cao Cao is not tolerated by the court and the people. If you follow me, I'm afraid you won't be rich and noble, and you'll probably be homeless."

Hearing this, Xu Zhu said in a deeper voice: "I only want a meal, not wealth!"

Seeing that it was almost time, Guo Jia stepped forward and said, "General, Xu Zhuangshi and the others are all loyal and righteous men. It is a bit unreasonable for you to save them and then abandon them. I remember that there is a vacancy for the guards in your tent. Why don't you..."

Zuo Li sneered and said, "Either there is nothing, or if there is, it will definitely be earth-shattering!"

Zhang Ji didn't finish his words and stared at Guo Si.

Although he stayed in Jingzhou for two years, he stayed with Liu Bian longer and was well aware of some of Liu Bian's established plans.

But the reality is that the land has been bought by wealthy families and they no longer have to pay taxes, so there is nothing they can do.

"General of the Central Army,"

The Shangshu Terrace, which is usually a little deserted, seems unusually lively today.

"What, Cao Cao went to Qiao County?"

"Confused!"

However, the personal soldiers behind Guo Si were somewhat unwilling to accept the defeat. They said, "General, Cao Cao has come from afar, and his troops must be exhausted. Qiao County will soon be broken. Why should we retreat? We can just fight!"

Xu Zhu's bravery was well-known throughout the entire Yuzhou. Moreover, there were thousands of young and strong men of the Xu family behind him in Xuzhou. In addition, Cao Cao risked his life to rescue the Xu family, and the news of his joining the association spread to all counties in Yuzhou. By then, who knows how many aristocratic families would come to join him.

Yang Biao flipped through the Taicang account book in his hand, examined it carefully, and asked in shock and confusion: "This year's summer tax is only 50,000 dan more than last year?"

Luoyang, Imperial Palace, Shangshutai.

The so-called "Sleeping Guards" are the people who are responsible for guarding Cao Cao's tent at night. Such people must be absolutely trusted.

Guo Si looked back and said, "Don't worry, he doesn't dare to chase too far."

Zuo Li got off the carriage in a hurry, his pale face showing shock and anger.

Xu Zhu did not kneel still, but stood up, raised his hands, opened his eyes wide, bloodshot and determined, and said in a sonorous tone, "Thank you, General! With Xu Zhu here, no one can get close to you!"

Talents are coming, young and strong, we have them all!

Cao Cao's narrow eyes were shining with brilliance, and he felt as happy as if he had drunk honey snow in June!

Xun Yu saw Sima Jun, Zhong Yao and others also looking over, and said thoughtfully: "It stands to reason, but judging from the data, the land subject to tax has decreased compared to last year."

Cao Cao's 10,000-strong army rushed out and was soon noticed by people in Qiao County.

The middle-aged man looked at the huge flag with the Chinese character "Cao" on it, and was so excited that he pulled Xu Zhu and said, "It's Cao Cao, it's Cao Cao, Cao Cao really kept his promise and came!"

Just as Guo Si had expected, Xiahou Dun and Le Jin, who were pursuing, reined in their horses and began to turn back before they had chased the enemy for fifty miles.

At this point, he looked at Xu Zhu and the others, all of whom looked tired, and said quickly: "Zhongkang, take a good rest. When you wake up, we will talk in detail."

The others didn't dare to speak. They couldn't understand or hear anything about this big thing.

Cao Cao's identity was not ordinary. The whole Han Dynasty knew that this man was highly favored by the current emperor. He successively pacified the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou and the Black Mountain Army in Jizhou. He even entered the Grand Marshal's Mansion and became the Chief Secretary. He was the successor trained by Lu Zhi.

Zhang Ji was alert at this moment, and said solemnly: "Brother Guo, Cao Cao's appearance in Qiao County means..."

The uncles and nephews behind Xu Zhu suddenly came to their senses, knelt down and said, "Thank you for saving our lives, General. We are willing to follow you till death!"

Xun Yu knew what Yang Biao meant, so he said, "Prime Minister, the loans from various states, counties, and prefectures, plus the money the court borrowed in the past few years, are almost due one after another."

Now, these loans are about to expire.

"How many are there?" Yang Biao asked. He felt his mouth and throat were very dry, and his voice was even drier.

"Three hundred thousand." Xun Yu said in a flat tone.