Cao Cao's court had already decided on a major event, so he set up a banquet in the back hall and gathered all the soldiers to discuss it. Cao Cao said, "Liu Beitun soldiered Xuzhou and took charge of the state affairs; recently Lü Bu went to vote because of the defeat of the army, and Liu Bei placed Lü Bu in Xiao Pei. If the two of them lead the army together to attack, it is a problem for the heart. What's the best idea for the public? Xu Chu said, "I would like to borrow 50,000 elite soldiers to behead Liu Bei and Lü Bu and dedicate them to Xiang Xiang." ”
Xun Yu offered his plan
Xun Yu smiled, "Although the general is brave, he does not know how to use it." Now that Xu Du has been newly determined, it is forbidden to create secondary use of troops. I have a plan that can be called 'two tigers competing for food'. Although Liu Bei led Xuzhou, he did not receive an edict. Duke Ming could play an edict and grant Liu Bei the title of Pastor of Xuzhou, and then secretly repair the book to Liu Bei and ask him to kill Lü Bu. If the matter is successful, Liu Bei will not have the support of fierce soldiers, and then gradually he will be able to figure it out; if it does not succeed, Lü Bu will kill Liu Bei. This is the 'two tigers competing for food' strategy. Cao Cao was overjoyed, obeyed Xun Yu's words, and immediately sent emissaries to Xuzhou, sealing Liu Bei as the general of Zhengdong and the Marquis of Yicheng Ting, leading Xuzhou Mu; and secretly attaching a secret letter.
Liu Bei was in Xuzhou, and when he heard that Emperor Xian was now in XuDu, he was about to go to the table to celebrate. Suddenly an angel came, and guo greeted him into the county, and by grace he set up a feast to entertain the envoy. The envoy said, "The prince's grace is indeed the power of General Cao's sponsorship before His Majesty." Liu Bei thanked him. The emissary took out the secret book and handed it to Liu Bei, who looked at it and said, "This matter is still for me to consider." "Scattered, placed to rest at the embassy. Liu Bei gathered everyone to discuss the matter overnight, and Zhang Fei said, "Lü Bu was originally an unrighteous person. What's the harm in killing this person! Liu Bei said, "He came to vote for me because he was poor." If I kill him, it is unrighteous. Zhang Fei said annoyedly, "It's hard to be a good person!" "Liu Bei did not comply.
The next day, Lü Bu came to congratulate him, and Liu Bei invited him to meet him in the hall. Lü Bu said, "I heard that the Gong was ordered by the imperial court to come and congratulate him." Liu Bei humbly thanked him. At this time, only to see Zhang Fei carrying a sword to the hall and wanting to kill Lü Bu, Liu Bei hurriedly stopped him. Lü Bu exclaimed, "Why did Yi De just kill me?" Zhang Fei shouted, "Cao Cao said that you are an unrighteous person, ask my brother to kill you!" Liu Bei even shouted and ordered Zhang Fei to retreat.
Liu Bei led Lü Bu into the back hall with him, told him the cause of the past, and gave Lü Bu a closer look at the secret letter sent by Cao Cao. Lü Bu looked at it and cried, "This is Cao Thief's desire to make me two discord!" Liu Bei said, "Brother Lü don't worry, Liu Bei swore not to do such an unrighteous thing." Lü Bu thanked him again and again. Liu Bei left Lü Bu to drink and returned in the evening. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei asked, "Why didn't my brother kill Lü Bu for this reason?" Liu Bei said, "This is Cao Mengde's fear that I and Lü Bu will conspire together, so he uses this plan to make the two of us annex each other, but he profits from it." How could I be used by Cao Cao? Guan Yu nodded and said yes. Zhang Fei said, "I just need to kill this thief to avoid any trouble!" Liu Bei shook his head, "This is not the work of the eldest husband." ”
The next day, Liu Bei sent the emissaries back to Beijing, paid homage to Xie En, and returned the letter to Cao Cao, only to delay the discussion. The emissary returned to Cao Cao and said that Liu Bei would not kill Lü Bu. Cao Cao asked Xun Yu, "If this plan doesn't work, how can it be good?" Xun Yu said, "I have another plan, which can be described as 'driving away the tiger and swallowing the wolf'." Cao Cao said, "What is the magic plan?" Xun Yu said, "You can secretly send people to Yuan Shu's office and report that Liu Bei is on the secret list and wants to occupy Nan County." When Yuan Shu heard this, he would attack Liu Bei out of anger, and Gong Zaiming ordered Liu Bei to go on a crusade against Yuan Shu. When the two sides fight, Lü Bu will have a different heart. This is the 'strategy of driving the tiger and swallowing the wolf'. Cao Cao was overjoyed, and first sent someone to Yuan Shu's place to make a secret report, and then went to Xuzhou under the pretext of the Edict of the Son of Heaven to declare the edict.
Liu Bei was in Xuzhou, and when he heard that another emissary had arrived, he went out to greet him; the emissary read the edict, and it turned out that he was going to raise an army to recruit Yuan Shu. Liu Bei took the order and sent the emissary back first. Mi Zhu said, "This is Cao Cao's plan again." Liu Bei said, "Although it is a plan, the king's orders cannot be violated." "Then the army and horses were ordered, and the departure was made." Sun Qian said, "You need to settle the people who guard the city first." Liu Bei said, "Among the second brothers, who can be defended?" Guan Yu said, "Brother is willing to defend this city." Liu Bei said, "Sooner or later, I will have to discuss with you, so why should I be separated?" Zhang Fei said, "The younger brother is willing to guard this city." Liu Bei said, "You can't defend this city." First, you are strong after drinking and lash out at soldiers; second, you do things easily and do not listen to people's advice. I'm not at ease. Zhang Fei said, "From now on, my brother will not drink alcohol or fight non-commissioned officers. Mi Zhu said, "I'm just afraid that my mouth shouldn't be heartbroken." Zhang Fei said angrily, "My brother and I have been with me for many years, and I have never lost faith." How you despise me! Liu Bei said, "Although this is the case with my brother's words, I am not at ease in the end." Please also ask Chen Yuanlong to help him, and advise him to drink less in the morning and evening, and not to make a mistake because of this. Chen Deng promised. Liu Bei ordered him to stop and command a horse infantry army of 30,000, leaving Xuzhou and marching towards Nanyang.
Guan Yu Zhan Ji Ling
Yuan Shu heard that Liu Bei was on the table and wanted to swallow his prefecture and county, but he couldn't help but be angry, saying: "You are the husband of the weaving mat weaver, and now you occupy the big county, and you are in the same rank with the princes." I didn't cut you down, but you came to cut me first!" It's hateful! So he sent the general Ji Ling to raise an army of 100,000 and kill Ben Xuzhou.
The two armies will meet in Xuyi. Liu Bei had few soldiers, and he was walled by the mountains and the water. Na Ji Ling was a native of Shandong, and he had a three-pointed knife in his hand and weighed fifty pounds. On that day, Ji Ling led the troops out of the battlefield and scolded: "Liu Bei village master, how dare you invade my borders!" Liu Bei said, "I have received an edict from the Son of Heaven to please those who are not subjects." Thou shalt dare to come and refuse, and the sin is beyond reproach! Ji Ling was furious, slapped the horse and danced the knife, and took Liu Bei directly. Guan Yu shouted, "Pifu Hugh got away with it!" "The battle between Chu Ma and Ji Ling, in a row of thirty, does not distinguish between victory and defeat.
Ji Ling shouted for less rest, and Guan Yu rode back to the front and waited in front of the line. However, Ji Ling sent his deputy general Xun Zheng out of the horse. Guan Yu said, "Just ask Ji Ling to come and wait for me to duel with him!" Xun Zheng said, "You are a nameless general, how can you be worthy of fighting Against General Ji!" Guan Yu was furious, and took Xun Zheng directly, crossed the horse together, and cut Xun Zheng under the horse. Liu Bei drove his troops to kill the generals, Ji Ling was defeated, retreated to the mouth of the Huaiyin River, did not dare to fight; only asked the sergeants to come to steal the camp and rob the village, all of which were killed and defeated by the Xuzhou army.
The two armies faced each other against each other.