Cao Cao's carriage drove out of Xuchang Palace and, under the strict escort of hundreds of cavalry, drove towards the Prime Minister's Mansion. In the carriage, Cao Cao closed his eyes slightly and leaned against the soft mattress, but he was thinking about what happened today.

Obviously, today's gift was just a test of Liu Jing. He went to Jingzhou to fight against rebellion by the order. Although Liu Jing won, he could not get rid of his reputation as a rebel, so he had today's gift, which was to try to make up for his rebellious identity and re-establish a balance with the court.

Cao Cao did not object to this. If he was the winner, he would drive Liu Jing out of the way and would not give him any chance.

But he failed in the Battle of Chibi. As a loser, he needed to restore balance and stabilize the south so that he could do his best to wipe out Hebei and Ma Teng from Xiliang. These northern princes needed him to wipe out within three years.

It was also for this reason that Cao Cao asked the emperor to grant Liu Jing the title of Chu Marquis. On the one hand, it was to stabilize him, and on the other hand, it was to make him on an equal footing with Sun Quan, creating conditions for provoking internal strife in the south.

However, he didn't know about the sudden appearance of Liu Jing's envoy. It seemed that some people in the court had ulterior motives! Cao Cao's eyes narrowed and flashed with fierce light. The minister Xun Yue and Xun Chen from Hebei, was it true that the Xun family really wanted to play against him?

At this time, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Xiahou Dun's voice came from outside the carriage, "I want to see the Prime Minister, please inform me!"

Cao Cao opened the curtain and saw Xiahou Dun talking to the guard leader. He was following his nephew Xiahou Ba. Cao Cao thought about it and guessed that they were looking for him, which must be related to Xiahou Yuan.

Cao Cao asked, "What's wrong with Yuan Rang?"

Xiahou Dun walked forward quickly with his nephew, bowed and said, "I came for my brother's Miaocai. I heard that Liu Jing had already offered the conditions for release. I was extremely anxious and begged the Prime Minister to solve his doubts!"

Cao Cao was stunned. How could Xiahou Dun know that Liu Jing offered the conditions for release? This matter was very secret. He repeatedly told Yang Xiu not to tell him. Who told Xiahou Dun?

"Yuan Rang, what do you know?"

"Report to the Prime Minister, now it has spread in Xudu market. Liu Jing wants to use my brother to exchange Liu Bei's wife and children. It is also rumored that the Prime Minister has rejected this condition, so I am very anxious."

Xiahou Ba also knelt down and kowtowed, crying: "Please beg the Prime Minister to save my father!"

Cao Cao suddenly understood in his heart that it must be that Liu Jing sent someone to promote the matter in Xudu, which made everyone know about it and made him embarrassed.

Cao Cao was indeed in a dilemma. He didn't want to exchange Liu Bei's wife and children for Xiahou Yuan. Although Liu Bei's power is declining now, if he pinched his wife and children, he could make him obedient and restrain Liu Jing from the south.

But now Xiahou Dun also knew about this, which made Cao Cao feel a little embarrassed. He couldn't say that Liu Bei's wife and children were more important than Xiahou Yuan!

"Don't worry Yuan Rang, I will definitely exchange Miaocai back. He is my brother, and I am as anxious as you."

Cao Cao was domineering to Xiahou again: "Get up too! I will give you an explanation for your father's affairs."

"Thank you Prime Minister!"

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Ba bowed, and the uncle and nephew said goodbye and left.

Although he agreed to Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao had no choice but to exchange his wife and children. It seemed that he had no other way than to exchange Liu Bei's wife and children. The key was that Xiahou Yuan didn't care about Liu Jing, but he was also crucial to him, Cao Cao, and he was in a very passive state.

After pondering for a long time, Cao Cao ordered the guards to say, "Go and invite Xun Gongda to my house!"

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Half an hour later, Xun You hurried to the Prime Minister's Mansion. He did not attend the court meeting today, but he also heard that his clan brother Xun Yue secretly helped Liu Jing at the court meeting, which made him a little worried. He has followed Cao Cao for nearly 20 years and knows Cao Cao very well.

Xun Chen from Hebei helped the Yuan family revival, Cao Cao said nothing, but now Xun Yue secretly helped Liu Jing. If Cao Cao still didn't say anything, then the Xun family would be in danger. Cao Cao's silence was even more terrifying than the harsh voice and expression.

Xun You got off the carriage, and Cao Zhi had been waiting for him at the door for a long time. Cao Zhi quickly walked forward and bowed to salute, "Uncle Shi, please come with me, my father is waiting for Uncle Xun Shi in the study."

"Did the Prime Minister receive me in the study?" Xun You asked with a smile without saying a word.

"Yes! My father asked Uncle Shi to meet in the Nei Study."

Xun You secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked him to go to the inner study, which meant that he had not lost Cao Cao's trust, and Cao Cao would discuss matters when he asked him.

In fact, Xun You also knew that Cao Cao was facing great difficulties now, with the revival of the Yuan clan in the north, the strong enemy of Sun and Liu in the south, Ma Teng in the northwest, and Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang in the southwest, which can be said to be surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Especially this time, the great defeat of Chibi caused Cao Cao to suffer heavy losses in both military and political terms. More importantly, the huge loss of national strength. Cao Cao would never recover within five years.

To get rid of the current predicament, Cao Cao needs great wisdom, and he also needs to give him advice himself. Moreover, Cao Cao's pragmatism can be seen from Cao Cao's proactive suggestion to grant Liu Jing the title of Chu Marquis.

Soon, Xun You followed Cao Zhi to the study, and Cao Zhi reported outside the door: "Father, Mr. Xun has arrived!"

"Please come in!"

Cao Cao's voice came from the room, as if he was not in a bad mood. Xun You sorted out his clothes and hats and quickly walked into the study.

Cao Cao had already changed into a wide-body, thin linen Zen dress, and sat in front of the brazier to read a book, with a leisurely expression.

Of course, he invited Xun You to warn the Xun family. Although Xun Chen and Xun Yue both caused him great trouble, considering the importance of Xun You and Xun Yu to him, he could only bear it for the time being and not cause trouble for the Xun family for the time being.

In the Battle of Red Cliff, Xun You defended Fancheng and did not play a big role. This was something that Cao Cao regretted quite. If Xun You were also by his side, many things would not be Cheng Yu's decision alone, and perhaps he could have avoided the defeat of Red Cliff.

At this time, Xun You quickly walked into the study and bowed, "See the Prime Minister!"

Cao Cao put down the book, waved his hand with a smile, "Please sit down by Mr. Xun!"

"Thank you Prime Minister!"

Xun You sat down, and Cao Cao asked, "Today is the sun, has Mr. Xun not worshipped his ancestors?"

Xun You hurriedly bowed and said, "The ancestor worship is arranged on the fifth day of the lunar month, and I plan to leave and return home tomorrow."

"Haha! I'm also scheduled for the fifth day of the lunar calendar. There are too many things to do on the first day of the lunar calendar, and I still have to attend the court meeting, so it's too late."

After chatting for a while, Cao Cao turned the topic to the main business. Cao Cao pondered for a moment: "Liu Jing proposed to exchange Xiahou Yuan for Liu Bei's wife and children. Mr. Xun thought what was this transaction?"

Xun You smiled slightly, "It's time to do business! Sellers must always have benefits. If the buyer thinks it's worth the money, then make a deal. If the Prime Minister thinks the offer is too high, just refuse."

Cao Cao sighed, "But Xiahou Yuan is my right-hand man, and I must not lose him, but I want to use Liu Bei's wife and children to control Liu Bei and let him use it for my own purposes, so I have a little conflict."

"The Prime Minister and Liu Bei have been dealing with him for so many years, but still don't know this person? So far, can Liu Bei care about his wife and children? Can he send someone to discuss the redemption conditions?"

Cao Cao was stunned and suddenly realized that it had been several months since he captured Liu Bei's wife and children. Liu Bei had never expressed concern. Could this person be so cold-hearted?

Xun You smiled and said, "It's not that Liu Bei doesn't care about his wife and children. He is his only son after all. He just doesn't want to be used by the Prime Minister. In the past, Emperor Gaozu was chased by Xiang Yu. In order to escape, he did not hesitate to push his own children out of the car. What is a hero? This is a hero!"

"Mr. I mean to agree with me to hand over Liu Bei's wife and children to Liu Jing and exchange them for Xiahou Yuan?"

Xun You nodded, "In the Battle of Red Cliff, all the soldiers were severely injured, and the army was disappointed. At this time, the Prime Minister should be people-oriented and pacify the army's morale at all costs. In fact, Liu Bei is no longer a concern, and his wife and children are not strange goods. I suggest that the Prime Minister exchange it."

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh, "If I had listened to my husband's words, I'd probably not have been defeated by Chibi."

Xun You smiled and said, "But the Prime Minister still has to take this step in Jingzhou, right?"

"Sir, right, Liu Jing is indeed my strong enemy. Looking back now, the only strategy to defeat the Jiangxia army was to compete for national strength. If it could be delayed for half a year, the Jiangxia army would not be able to support it. Unfortunately, Liu Jing also realized this and he provoked the Yuan family rebellion. This is also God's will!"

Speaking of this, Cao Cao was a little depressed. Until now, he could not think of a strategy to defeat the Jiangxia army. After thinking about it, it was because he did not have a powerful naval army, but for the north, there was no foundation to establish a powerful naval army. So when will he destroy the south and unify the world?

"Mr. Xun, what should I do now?" Cao Cao was at a loss. He was eager to get good advice from Xun You.

Xun You laughed, "The Prime Minister suggested that the emperor sign Liu Jing the Marquis of Chu, isn't this direction the right way?"

"Mr. Xun means to let me make peace with Liu Jing?"

Xun You nodded slowly, "If the Prime Minister is not sure to destroy Liu Jing within three years, then he should try his best to stabilize him, then eliminate the remnants of Yuan's family, destroy Ma Teng and Zhang Lu, eliminate the troubles in the north, and then practice internal affairs while waiting for the opportunity in the south. I believe that ten years later, the north will become stronger and unify the world will be the general trend."

Cao Cao sighed, "Mr. Xun's words made me wake up as if I was dreaming. The defeat at Chibi this time was not a strategy, nor was it a mistake for me to underestimate the enemy, nor was it a destiny of God. The fundamental reason is that the north is not strong enough, and the time to unify the south is far from ripe."

Xun You laughed, "The general trend must be matched with details. I have four strategies to let the Prime Minister overcome the current crisis."

Cao Cao was overjoyed, "Please tell me if you are Mr. Xun!"

"First, Jiang Xia Ce should focus on stability. The Prime Minister suggested that Liu Jing be appointed as the Marquis of Chu was a wise move, but it was not enough. I suggest that the Prime Minister marry him and give his daughter a wife. I wonder if the Prime Minister is willing?"

Cao Cao admired Liu Jing very much in private, wishing he was his son. If he was willing to surrender to him, Xun You would take the initiative to marry his daughter to Liu Jing, but Cao Cao was a little hesitant now, and he had to consider the feelings of the soldiers.

He pondered for a moment, "This matter made me think about it again, Mr. Xun, please continue to say it."

"My second sect is Jiangdong Ce. The Prime Minister can grant Cheng Pu the title of prefect of Nanjun, hand over Nanjun to Dongwu, and lay the root of internal strife between Jiangdong and Jiangxia."

"Speak!" Cao Cao's eyes flashed with light, and Xun You had already spoken to his heart.

"The third strategy is Hebei strategy. The prime minister can send people to negotiate with the Yuan family and recognize their existence, but the condition is that they go to Liaodong to develop, and they can be granted the title of the Marquis of Liao and the prefect of Liaodong."

Cao Cao was stunned, "Did Mr. Xun ask me to cede Liaodong to Yuan?"

Xun You smiled faintly, "Hebei is the water of Yuan's family. Can he survive if the fish leaves the water?"

"But... Yuan wants Youzhou but refuses to give up Hebei, what should I do?"

Xun You laughed, and Cao Cao suddenly realized that with Liaodong, Yuan could no longer defend Hebei.

Cao Cao bowed deeply to Xun You, "Please tell me the fourth strategy!"

"The fourth strategy is the Western Liang Sect. The Prime Minister can ask the emperor to issue an edict to posthumously grant the Han general Ma Yuan as the Marquis of Xinxi, posthumously named Zhongyong, and rebuilt his tomb. Three months later, the emperor will pay personal respects. In this way, Ma Teng must go to Beijing to thank him. Then the Prime Minister can grant Ma Teng the court official and stay in the capital as a magistrate. At the same time, the Prime Minister will send a secret envoy to see Han Sui. I believe that there will be internal strife between Ma and Han."

Cao Cao pondered for a long time and said, "I'm afraid Han Sui will not use it for me."
Chapter completed!