Chapter 234: Northern Overlord [Subscribe]

Cao Cao's camp was stationed between Julu and Zhongshan, waiting for Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun to pacify the surrounding areas.

After Gao Lan and Zhang He surrendered to Cao, they, together with the various Jizhou forces behind them, were actively working and lobbying all parties to reduce the resistance of Cao's army entering Jizhou.

For a period of time thereafter, Jizhou gentry, along with some local counties and prefectures, began to submit to Cao.

Of course, there are also those who fight to the death and refuse to surrender.

Cao Cao then wrote a proclamation to announce it to all the parties, counties and prefectures in Jizhou in order to appease the people.

The text says: The confrontation between Yuan, Cao, Jizhou and Yanzhou is a civil war among the Han people, not a mortal enemy. Anyone who is willing to surrender to Yanzhou will be forgiven, and the past will not be blamed.

Cao Cao also listed the northern border threats that had lasted for hundreds of years since the Qin Dynasty.

Because further north of Jizhou is the border county.

Whenever there is a civil war in China, foreign races will take the opportunity to invade the border. Since ancient times, countless soldiers have died and wounded at the border. If we can put an end to the troubles as soon as possible and work together to deal with the outside world, it will be a blessing for all parties, and for the Han people.

This announcement to the people reflects Cao Cao's broad-mindedness and courage, which he gained by combining with memories from later generations.

It was also a feeling that came from the fact that Yanzhou, which he controlled, was powerful and had great ambitions.

Many people from all over Jizhou and even the whole world were touched after watching it.

However, some people think that it was a trick of Cao Cao to fool the people.

Shen Pei and Feng Ji were two of the most important counselors in Jizhou.

Among them, Shen Pei was in charge of Yuan Shao’s government, and was responsible for receiving and sending messages.

After he and Feng Ji retreated to Zhongshan with Yuan Shao, they sneaked into Youzhou, hoping to find a way out for Yuan Shao.

After Feng Ji went to Youzhou, he stayed with Yuan Shao's second son Yuan Xi, who was appointed as the governor of Youzhou, and worked with him to resist Cao's army in Youzhou.

Shen Pei prepared to return to Zhongshan to report to Yuan Shao.

In mid-April, Shen Pei was captured by Huang Zhong on his way back and then sent to Cao's camp.

It was cloudy in the afternoon.

[Shen Pei, courtesy name Zhengnan, was from Yin’an, Wei Prefecture…]

Cao Cao saw Shen Pei being escorted to the camp, and the entries flashed before his eyes.

Since Yuan Shao took control of Jizhou, Shen Pei was entrusted with important tasks and was in charge of Yuan Shao's government.

Later, Yuan Shao appointed Shen Pei and Feng Ji to command military affairs.

Shen Pei felt that he was powerful and was one of those who advocated a decisive battle with Yanzhou.

He also requested to fight several times and wanted to lead archers to fight Cao Cao. He was a man who understood military affairs and was both civil and military.

After the defeat in the Battle of Guandu in Jizhou, Shen Pei's relatives had no time to follow Yuan Shao north and were captured by Cao's army one after another.

Cao Cao did not kill Shen Pei's family. Instead, he arranged for them to be properly settled, which led to Shen Pei being suspected by Yuan Shao and Yuan Wei.

The Yuan family was now at the end of its rope and had reached its final step.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Wei became suspicious and lost their former confidence, worrying that people around them would defect at any time.

Shen Pei was able to continue serving under Yuan Shao only because of the strong support of other Yuan family ministers, such as Feng Ji.

"Since you are under suspicion of Yuan, are you willing to surrender to me?"

Cao Cao sat in the main seat and looked at Shen Pei who was brought in. Zhengnan was his name.

He was forty-seven years old at the time, wearing a dark blue robe, had a long beard, and had narrow, bright eyes.

Shen Pei said sternly: "I am not a treacherous person, how can I surrender to Cao?"

Cao Cao: "Jizhou and Yanzhou are the result of internal strife among the Han people.

You only focus on the present and think that not surrendering is a sign of loyalty. Have you ever considered that if we enter Yanzhou, we Han people will work together to resist foreign tribes in the future, and we can do more! "

"Joining Yanzhou and fighting against the enemies from all directions is the true way to revive Han."

"You, Shen Zhengnan, can only see the struggles between Yan and Ji, Yuan and Cao? Can't you see the rise and fall of the Han people, and how to build a prosperous era together, which is the righteousness?"

Shen Pei sneered and said, "What a lie! Do you think I, Shen Pei, am a three-year-old child who would believe you?"

No matter how Cao Cao advised him, Shen Pei just refused to surrender.

"It seems that I have overestimated you. Your vision does not allow you to see a wider world. Since you are determined to die, I will grant your wish."

Cao Cao waved his hand and dragged him away to be beheaded.

He is useless and is full of hatred towards Cao Cao, so why not kill him?
"Cao Cao, although I have lost Jizhou, you are evil-minded and will soon be defeated by others."

Before being taken away, Shen Pei said, "You want to resist the foreign tribes, but soon the foreign tribes will come to fight you and see if you can resist them."

In May, the Wuhuan people rose up in arms and rescued Yuan Shao's second son Yuan Xi before Cao's army attacked Youzhou and captured Yuan Xi.

It was Shen Pei who went out with Feng Ji to contact Wuhuan, hoping to use external forces to fight against Cao.

The Wuhuan leader Tadun saw an opportunity to profit from keeping Yuan Xi, disrupting Youzhou and Jizhou, causing constant civil strife in the Han Dynasty, so he sent out troops and snatched Yuan Xi away before Cao's army.

Except for Youzhou, where the situation was still quite turbulent, Bingzhou and Qingzhou had experienced nearly two months of confrontation, with some fighting and some surrendering, and gradually stabilized.

At this time, Yuan Shao sent someone to deliver a letter to Cao Cao.

In the letter, Yuan Shao questioned Cao Cao, but forgot his support and promotion in the past. He cursed Cao Cao for being ungrateful and becoming his enemy.

Cao Cao also wrote a letter back to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao was lying on his couch, asking someone to read to him, but he no longer had the strength to hold the letter.

“…I’ve never forgotten what happened back then.

But ever since Yuan Shikai took action and lured Dong Zhuo into Luoyang, causing chaos throughout the country, you should have foreseen what would happen today."

"When Dong Zhuo's followers pierced the heads of the people of Luoyang with spears and hung them up for fun, did you see it, Benchu?
When the world is in chaos, people eat grass and trees, and even trade their children for food. Have you ever seen this?
The gentry held the privilege of selecting officials and land, and used "Confucianism" as an excuse to promote hierarchy and class division among people, occupy ideological privileges, and enslave others.

...Have you ever seen all these things?"

"The Yuan family, and even most of the noble families, are the culprits of the chaos in this world."

"The nobles are in power, and nothing they do benefits the people. Isn't it better to be defeated by me than by others?"

Yuan Shao lay on the couch, his face haggard, and all the past events flashed through his mind.

In this letter, Cao Cao still acknowledged the private friendship between the two.

But he also made it clear that he would not let Yuan go.

Yuan Shao deserved to die. His death was the best explanation for the millions of people who died because of Yuan's scheme.

After reading the letter, Yuan Shao felt extremely sad and murmured:
"Let Cao Mengde let my son go, and leave a bloodline for my Yuan family... If he doesn't let my son go, all the Yuan family members who are loyal to the Yuan family will take it as their mission to kill the entire Cao family for the rest of their lives, no matter what means they have."

Cao Cao's letter seemed to give Yuan Shao the final courage.

He stopped eating and died two days later.

Yuan Wei's eyes were bloodshot and he sat dejectedly beside his bed. He died the next day.

It was not until early June that the remaining troops of the Yuan family surrendered and gave up resistance.

Cao's army entered Zhongshan and Hejian counties and accepted the surrender of Yuan's troops.

The dispute between Yuan and Cao and the Battle of Guandu ended here.

When the news came out, the world was shocked.

When Cao Cao received the news of Yuan Shao's death, he did not feel the joy he had expected. Instead, he felt a little disappointed and as if he had lost something.

He sat in the tent and remained silent for a long time.

He and Yuan Shao were good friends but also mortal enemies.

The outcome is now decided.

At the height of the Han Dynasty, Jizhou had a population of 9.8 million, close to 10 million.

Even during the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, Jizhou was still the largest province in terms of economy and population.

Its seat of government was originally in Gaoyi, Changshan, and later moved to Yecheng, Weijun.

[You have just defeated the Yuan family. Jizhou has 9 counties and 100 towns. The current population is 677 million and 98 households]

[The situation in Jizhou has been initially determined, and the population under your jurisdiction has increased significantly]

[Cao Ying has met the conditions for upgrading, power rating: Ji (fifth in the heavenly stems, at its peak)]

[You are the leader of a region, gathering the luck of all living beings, and have both civil and military officials under your command. Your reputation has exceeded 4.3 million. Please keep up the good work.]

[Your military strategy ability, listen to the battlefield level increase...]

A series of prompts appeared in front of Cao Cao's eyes like a screen refreshing.

At this time, more than half a year, or more than seven months, had passed since the Battle of Guandu began.

Yuan Shao was defeated, and Cao's army crossed the Yellow River in half a year and captured Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Bingzhou.

Although there are still some local wars.

But the situation is set.

Currently only Youzhou is left, and it is being disturbed by the Wuhuan. Huang Zhong is stepping up his military operations.

It is worth mentioning that Zhang Xiu had been ordered to march into the north and repeatedly attack foreign tribes, but now he changed direction and assisted in attacking the Wuhuan from west to east.

Chinese army camp.

Cao Cao summoned Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Xun You and other civil and military officials to report on the overall battle results and gains and losses in order to make subsequent adjustments.

Looking at the map, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Bingzhou, Qingzhou, Sizhou, Yuzhou and Xuzhou are connected together.

Of the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty, seven central states and counties were all under the control of Cao Cao.

The Youzhou offensive is more than halfway completed.

Cao Cao has truly become the number one prince in the world and the overlord of the north!
"After Yanzhou absorbs Jizhou's craftsmen, the number of craftsmen in the Gongzaoying Camp will expand to 6,372. Haha... the total population under its jurisdiction is nearly 40 million."

Guo Jia and Xun You took turns reporting and summarizing their gains.

As they spoke, they raised the corners of their mouths.

"According to the governor's order, next, Yanzhou will do its best to pacify Youzhou, manage Hexi and Liangzhou, in order to reopen the trade route and completely pacify the north. At the same time, we will send more troops to guard the border to prevent Wuhuan, Fuyu, Xianbei..."

----

Luoyang.

Inside the imperial palace, Fu Shou walked slowly into a palace.

The emperor was sitting by the window.

When Fu Shou came closer, she saw the emperor with tears streaming down his face, crying silently.

"Why is your majesty so sad?"

Liu Xie was not sad, but felt that it would be difficult to revive the Han Dynasty in his hands.

Yanzhou is better than Jizhou.

Of the Thirteen Prefectures of the Han Dynasty, more than half fell into the hands of Cao Cao.

The emperor felt almost desperate and wanted to burst into tears.

Liu Xie was worried that he might always be a puppet of Cao Cao and be manipulated by him, with no hope of fighting back in the foreseeable future.

Last time, Cao Cao killed Dong Cheng's entire family.

The emperor and the Fu family were really scared.

But they were unwilling to just rest in peace.

He didn't dare to continue to oppose Cao Gong.

When people from Jizhou came to contact secretly before the Battle of Guandu, the emperor, under the instigation of the Fu family, wrote a secret edict to the Yuan family.

Yuan used this secret decree to persuade Kong Rong and others, secretly helping them to suppress Yanzhou and prevent Cao Cao's power from rising again.

That's why Kong Rong helped Liu Bei to convey the news of Cao's camp's defense line.

At this time, Cao Cao defeated the Yuan family and occupied Jizhou, which was considered a major victory at this stage.

Your Majesty, Fu is in a state of panic.

"Since Cao Cao has occupied Jizhou, I will have to reward him to show that he has put down the rebellion and revived the Han Dynasty..."

The emperor said in a sad voice: "What title should be given to him this time? Prime Minister, or... King?"

In mid-June, when the weather had warmed up, Cao Cao headed south back to Yecheng.

And Cao’s camp will usher in an unprecedented grand celebration, consecrating the altar and worshipping the generals to show the world!

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(End of this chapter)