Chapter 353: Benevolence and Righteousness

Huailin, Chen Mansion.

"Young Master, Mr. Xuande and the others are leaving." Chen Deng stood silently at the door, looking into the distance. The steward behind him came over and saluted Chen Deng.

After Liu Bei learned that his backup was cut off, he didn't bother much. He just took Guan Zhang, Chen Gong and other confidants and quickly evacuated. As for where he went, no one knew.

Chen Deng nodded silently, but he felt uncomfortable in his heart. After dismissing the steward, he returned to the house. He looked at Chen Gui who closed his eyes and rested. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Father, Mr. Xuande may not be defeated."

"Xuan Degong is the master of benevolence and righteousness, but Xuzhou can no longer withstand such torture. The only blame is that he is too benevolent to women. If Xu Dan, Cao Bao and their like had been driven away early, how could there be any Today's defeat?" Chen Gui turned around, looked at his son, and said solemnly: "Yuanlong, you should know what we want."

The most critical factor in the defeat of Pengcheng was the betrayal of Tao Qian's old party. In fact, this problem existed when Liu Bei took control of Xuzhou. There was already a conflict between Tao Qian's old party and the local gentry in Xuzhou. Liu Bei wanted the support of the gentry. , these old parties should be completely beaten to death. Sometimes, there is no compromise.

Liu Bei couldn't see this problem clearly, or he still had the kindness of a woman in his heart. The final result would only be dissatisfaction on both sides. Cao Bao and the others would not be grateful, and the Chen family would not realize that Liu Bei did the right thing. In this battle between Cao and Liu, the shortcomings were immediately revealed. Pengcheng, which served as a barrier, was easily captured by Cao Ren. Among them, Tao Qian's old troops were indispensable.

The purpose of the family is to continue the prosperity of the family. It is undeniable that Liu Bei did have the appearance of a wise master during his time in Xuzhou, and he was not bad to the Chen family. Chen Deng and Liu Bei got along even more harmoniously. However, Xuzhou has lost most of it and continues to support Liu Bei. For the Chen family, there may be a danger of annihilation!

The risk was too great, and Chen Gui was naturally unwilling to gamble with his family on Liu Bei's already slim future. Liu Bei could run away, but the Chen family could not.

Chen Deng naturally knew this, but...that's all, things had already happened, and he had already turned his back on Liu Bei, so what else was there to say.

"Master of the family." While the father and son were looking at each other in silence, a family general came in, handed a letter to Chen Gui and said, "This is sent by Duke Xuande."

Chen Gui didn't read it and handed the letter to Chen Deng. It was probably a complaint.

However, Chen Deng was speechless for a long time while looking at the letter.

"This defeat is so miserable. How can we not be resentful? My son doesn't need to care too much." Chen Gui looked at Chen Deng and thought he couldn't accept being scolded, so he shook his head and sighed.

"My child, I would rather my lord punish me harshly..." Chen Deng smiled, his smile a little dry. He didn't defend himself, but just handed the letter back to Chen Gui.

The content of the letter is not much, but it probably means that I regretted not listening to my husband because of today's difficulties. Now that half of Xuzhou has been destroyed, I really have no face to see my husband again. In order to avoid implicating the Chen family, I will abandon Xuzhou and go north. That's it. Don't pass it, sir, don't miss it.

Chen Gui read the letter and after a long silence, he sighed and said, "It is my Chen family that feels guilty towards Duke Xuande."

Chen Deng didn't comply this time. It doesn't matter whether he feels guilty or not. Anyway, things have reached this point, so what can he do?

Liu Bei withdrew, but Cao Cao failed to capture Liu Bei. The general who stayed to lead the army was a local general in Xuzhou. Although he did not leave with Liu Bei, he held Liu Bei in check for three days until Cao Cao realized something was wrong and led his army to attack. He surrendered, but only handed over troops and horses. He did not join Cao's army, but just said goodbye and left.

"This Liu Bei is very decisive." Cao Cao naturally knew the cause and effect. Liu Bei left without hesitation. After realizing that he could not continue fighting, he immediately led those who were willing to leave to leave with him. Cao Cao admired this courage, but it was a pity.

Chen Qun didn't leave either. After Liu Bei confirmed his departure, he surrendered to Kaicheng. Cao Cao was no stranger to this person. The Chen family in Yingchuan was not much worse than the Xun family, so he naturally received him well.

"Mr. Cao, I have something to ask of you." After the two sides exchanged greetings, Chen Qun said with a solemn salute to Cao Cao.

"Oh?" Cao Cao said with a smile: "There is no need to be polite in the long article. If you have anything to do, it doesn't matter if you say it."

"Thank you, Duke Cao." Chen Qun bowed to Cao Cao and said, "Qun hopes that Duke Cao can return Duke Xuande's family and don't make it difficult."

Everyone in the tent showed displeasure for a moment, and someone frowned and said, "Chang Wen, since you have surrendered, you should serve the lord, so..."

Cao Cao raised his hand, stopped the man's words, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Chang Wen, Cao Cao had this intention. Unfortunately, no one knows where Xuande is now. When I find out, I will definitely take care of his family." return!"

"Thank you, Mr. Cao." Chen Qun's expression softened a little. After bowing to Cao Cao, everyone continued to enjoy the banquet.

It wasn't until after the banquet that Chen Qun said goodbye and left that Cao Hong looked at Cao Cao and frowned: "My lord, is Chen Qun still thinking about Liu Bei?"

"Zhang Wen surrendered to me because of helplessness. If we immediately cut off relations with Liu Bei, can these people really be reused?" Cao Cao shook his head and smiled: "In other words, if one day Cao Cao is defeated, you will have no choice but to surrender. How many people can be as good as a long article?"

After everyone heard this, they thought about it carefully and realized that this was the truth. They stopped talking and dispersed angrily.

Cheng Yu sat next to Cao Cao, looked at the letter in his hand and said: "Liu Bei is quite good at winning people's hearts. Although the Chen family surrendered, they also wrote to hope that we would not embarrass Liu Bei's family. It would be best if we can return."

Although the words were said tactfully, if Cao Cao really dared to touch Liu Bei's family at this time, I'm afraid there would be no peace in Xuzhou. In Xuzhou, the threat of Chen Gui and his son was much higher than that of Chen Qun, and Cao Cao could not take this risk.

"I remember that Mi Fang was also captured when we went to Xiapi." Cao Cao asked.

"Not bad." Cheng Yu nodded.

"Let..." After Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Let Mi Fang take Liu Bei's family to find Liu Bei. Pass on my order and there will be no difficulties at any checkpoint along the way."

Although Liu Bei's two wives were really attractive and suited Cao Cao's taste, Cao Cao still chose to give up. After all, Liu Bei had the same status as a prince like himself. Even if he was defeated now, Liu Bei's reputation was so good that Cao Cao really didn't dare to take it by force, especially Xuzhou. Chen's attitude, if Cao Cao goes too far, Chen will not do it, and they will not directly confront you, but will try hard to trip you up, not to mention that there is no evidence, even if there is evidence, they cannot kill indiscriminately. I still remember clearly that it was at that time that Chen Gong and Zhang Miao left.

He was also too young at the time.

Cheng Yu nodded silently.

"Yuan Shu hasn't crossed the river yet?" After talking about Liu Bei, Cao Cao turned his attention to Yuan Shu. Liu Bei was successfully repelled by him, and then it was time to deal with Yuan Shu.

Cheng Yu shook his head: "We fought several times around Ruxukou and failed to enter the river. It seems that the Jiangdong gentry still reached an agreement with the Sun family. After careful analysis of the information sent, Sun Quan has now made good friends with the Lu family, the Zhu family, and the Zhang family. There is much less chaos in Jiangdong. At this time, Yuan Shu has missed the best opportunity to cross the river. "

"In that case..." Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu: "Zhongde, if the road dies on the river and we take Runan and Jiujiang with tears, you won't blame me at first, right?"

Cheng Yu smiled when he heard this. In fact, Yuan Shu's life and death is not important now. What is important is that Cao Cao captured Xuzhou first. At this time, there is no external threat. Next, it will be easy to advance into Jianghuai. As for Yuan Shao... so what if he is angry? Will Lu Bu watch the war in the Central Plains? In fact, by this time, Yuan Shao was no longer able to take care of Cao Cao. The primary and secondary status of the two sides had actually ceased to exist since Yuan Shao lost to Lu Bu.

"With three parts of the world, Mr. Yuan will not be so unwise." Cheng Yu said with a smile.

"Then I'll be relieved." Cao Cao laughed.

In the next few days, Cao Cao still calmed down the various ethnic groups in Xuzhou without hesitation, offered sacrifices to heaven and apologized for his actions in massacring the city, and exempted the area where the city was massacred from paying taxes for two years.

Liu Bei fled Xuzhou, and the Chen family chose to surrender to Cao Cao. Naturally, other Xuzhou powerful people had no reason to object and surrendered one after another. The Battle of Xuzhou has only lasted two months since Cao Cao attacked Pengcheng. No one expected that Yuan Shu could be defeated. Liu Bei, who was beaten hard, would be defeated so quickly and completely.

Ruxukou, Zhou Yu looked a little complicated after receiving the news.

"Liu Bei was defeated so quickly. It's time for Yuan Shu to retreat." Lu Su fumbled his beard, looked at Zhou Yu and said, "Should we make peace with Yuan Shu and let him go back?"

After Zhou Yu closed his eyes and thought for a moment, he shook his head and said, "No!"

"If Cao Cao is allowed to take all the land in the Jianghuai River, won't our army be in danger?" Lu Su asked with a frown.

"That's not necessarily the case!" Zhou Yu shook his head and said: "The navy has the final say in the Jianghuai area, and if the Central Plains army wants to enter the river, it can only enter through Ruxukou. If our army can control Hefei, even if Cao Cao has all the territory north of the Yangtze River, What can the earth do to me?”

"But Hefei is still some distance away. We..." Lu Su looked at Zhou Yu mid-sentence and said, "Gong Jin is saying that Yuan Shu should voluntarily give up Hefei to our army?"

"Not bad!" Zhou Yu smiled and nodded: "As long as Hefei is in hand, our army can advance, attack, retreat and defend!"

With Hefei in hand, the Central Plains army has no ability to build a navy. Even though the Yangtze River is so long, if you want to build a navy, you have to build ships, right? Shipbuilding cannot be completed in a day or two. For shipbuilding on the Yangtze River, it is as difficult as climbing to the sky to avoid the sight of Jiangdong. For shipbuilding inland, if the ship is to be sent to the Yangtze River, the only options are Ruxukou and Han. These small inland rivers transport ships. As far as the Central Plains is concerned, as long as Jiangdong takes Hefei and controls Ruxukou, the Central Plains princes, no matter how powerful they are, will hardly pose a threat to Jiangdong.

Now Cao Cao has captured Xuzhou and secretly united with Jiangdong. If Cao Cao has no idea about Yuan Shu, Zhou Yu doesn't believe it. He doesn't need to go to other places, but in Hefei, Zhou Yu is determined this time. Whether it is Yuan Shu or Cao Cao, everything south of Hefei It must be Jiangdong's territory.

Lu Su and Jiangdong generals were aware of this and each got up to prepare...