Chapter 339: See Cao Wei draw his bow again [Subscribe]

The few people from the Western Regions who came were indeed carrying a giant turtle as big as a millstone.

They were wearing clothes with distinct Western colors, and there were also several slim and beautiful Western women accompanying them in the procession.

After a strict search by the imperial guards, the group entered the study.

Hearing that people from the Western Regions were coming to pay homage, Diao Chan and Wen Ji also came to the study.

Including several civil and military officials in Cao's camp, Guo Jia, Xun You, and Dong Zhao.

Zhong Yao, who had just been transferred from Luoyang to Yecheng by Cao Cao and was the new Minister of Justice.

Sitting below Zhong Yao was a new-looking man, about thirty-four or thirty-five, with a short moustache.

This man had sparkling eyes. His name was Jiang Gan, with the courtesy name Ziyi. He was from Jiujiang and was a famous scholar and debater in the late Han Dynasty.

The historical books describe this person as having good manners, known for his eloquence, and unrivaled in the Jiang and Huai regions. This is completely different from the image he portrayed in the romance.

He has been in Cao's camp for some time.

After accumulating merit and being promoted, he was appointed by Cao Cao as the "diplomat" of Cao Wei and was able to enter the central government.

When foreigners came to pay homage, Jiang Gan, who was professionally qualified, was transferred over.

There are a total of four tribes from the Western Regions coming this time.

Dongqiemi, Gaochang, Haitou, and Shanshan.

The rest of the entourage was outside, and only four envoys were allowed to enter the study.

Dong Qiemi's envoy has brown pupils and short stubble.

He has a high nasal bone and wide nose wings, which is very impressive.

The rest of them had different appearances.

The countries in the Western Regions were ruled by the Han Dynasty for many years and had become highly sinicized.

The envoys were people from their respective tribes who were proficient in the Chinese language.

Rui Qule, the envoy of Dong Qie Mi, said loudly: "Dear King Wei, we know that your army defeated the powerful Western Xianbei, and all the countries in the Western Regions are spreading the news.

We also know that you have calmed down the unrest in the vast land within a few years and restored your people to order."

"Our leader said that you are the greatest monarch and we are willing to follow your leadership, as always."

'Same as before' refers to the period before the end of the Han Dynasty, when they had accepted being part of the Han Dynasty since Emperor Wu.

The real reason these envoys came to pay tribute was that Huang Zhong's troops, after sweeping away the Western Xianbei, entered the Western Regions in full force.

These envoys all came from the forces located in the border area between the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor.

If they didn't come, they would have to face the attack of the Wei army.

Their arrival will serve as an example to other countries in the Western Regions.

From Cao Cao down, all civil and military officials at all levels welcomed the event.

The country was weak at the end of the Han Dynasty, and some forces in the Western Regions began to wait and see.

However, Cao Wei's defeat of the Western Xianbei brought a strong shock to them.

The Western Xianbei were located north of Hexi, and their influence extended to parts of the Western Regions.

Many people in the Western Regions were full of awe for the power of the Western Xianbei.

Before the Wei army came, they were more inclined towards the Western Xianbei, and many of their interests were taken away by the Western Xianbei.

Even though the Wei army marched westward, there were still many forces that were optimistic about the Western Xianbei and secretly colluded with them.

After all, the Han people had just put down a great rebellion and their strength had not yet recovered. How strong could they be?

Unexpectedly, the Western Xianbei were defeated by the Wei army in one fell swoop.

Some forces in the Western Regions that had originally been prepared to wait and see were greatly surprised, and were forced to change their attitude and send envoys.

After Dong Qiemi's envoy finished speaking, the envoy from Shanshan, a middle-aged man in his thirties wearing a jeweled hat, stepped out:

"We, the Shanshan people, are willing to obey the Wei Dynasty just as we respect the Han Dynasty. Please accept our loyalty."

Several people handed over the leader's "letter of credence" in turn to express their submission.

Jiang Gan stood up, took it and presented it back to Cao Cao.

"We originally prepared beautiful women to present to you as gifts, but after coming here, we no longer dare to present them to you."

When several envoys from the Western Regions came in and saw Diao Chan, Wen Ji was stunned.

The Shanshan envoys meant that the beauty of Diao Chan and Wen Ji made the women they were preparing to present as tribute pale in comparison, so they did not dare to present them to make a fool of themselves.

These words were quite pleasing, and Cao Cao also smiled.

"Fortunately, we have prepared a BMW from the Western Regions for you. The woman we present cannot win your favor, but she can become a dancer in your house.

We have also prepared the most important treasure."

The important treasure they were talking about was the giant turtle.

"We found this turtle in the West Sea, and some say it is over 500 years old.

It has long predicted that you will become the new master of the earth."

The West Sea is the Qinghai Lake in later generations, the largest inland saltwater lake in China.

The tribes living in the surrounding areas all say that Qinghai Lake is the relic of God and hold grand sacrificial ceremonies every year.

Someone brought in a giant turtle.

The ancients often used tortoise shells to tell fortunes, believing that tortoises had mysterious powers of divination and prophecy.

The old turtle's shell has weathered texture, and at one place there is a phoenix-like texture.

This is called the dragon and phoenix pattern.

The ancients believed that turtles were a kind of dragon.

Turtles that are over a hundred years old are known as little green dragons.

The phoenix pattern on the tortoise's back represents the entanglement of a dragon and a phoenix, implying the harmony between heaven and earth, the changing of all things, and the change of dynasties.

It is not wrong to say that the prophecy on the turtle's back is a natural prophecy that Cao Cao will become the ruler of China.

"This sacred turtle foreshadows the founding of the Wei Kingdom. After we learned about it, we bought it from the Qiang people at a high price and presented it to you."

Cao Cao gladly accepted the gifts and encouraged the envoys.

But as soon as they left, Cao Cao immediately ordered Huang Zhong to attack Dongqiemi.

The reason was that he listened to the inner voice and when he met the envoy from Dong Qiemi, he knew that he was still communicating with the Western Xianbei secretly.

Dong Qiemi still had a wait-and-see attitude towards Wei, and was also prepared to report the movements of the various families in the Western Regions and Cao Wei to the Xianbei people at any time.

Cao Cao was just about to kill a few Western Regions forces to scare the monkeys, so he started with Dongqiemi. "Hit Dongqiemi hard and replace them with an obedient leader." Cao Cao sent a message to Huang Zhong.

When dealing with foreign races, killing is not enough to restore authority, and just appeasement is not enough.

You have to win over with one hand and bloody with the other.

Huang Zhong immediately launched a raid in the Western Regions.

In late July, when the autumn grain harvest was about to begin, Cao Wei began to gain strength again.

The Wei army mobilized and stationed troops in Chang'an to implement Cao Cao's plan. They used the Qin Straight Road and Chang'an as a backing to quickly provide military support to the north and west to further expand their power.

At the same time, Ma Chao and Pang De led their troops into Hu Ji, using it as the center to attack the surrounding tribes.

Ma Chao and Pang De headed eastward from Huji and advanced towards Bingzhou first.

Because Zhao Yun and his troops were stationed in Bingzhou, they could support each other.

Another group of troops, led by Huang Zhong, headed west to attack Dongqiemi.

Since Gaochang, Shanshan and Haitou were truly surrendered, the Wei army stationed there to provide support.

The cattle, sheep and baggage seized during the fight against the Western Xianbei were supplied from Hexi to the Wei army entering the Western Regions. This was just enough to sustain consumption and reduce the burden of transporting baggage over long distances.

This is a strategy of relying on war to support war, and fighting depends entirely on plundering.

Cao Wei was seen again drawing his bow to capture cities and expand new territory.

The resistance will of the parties in the Western Regions was not firm, and they were not originally in hostile relationship with the Han territory.

When Ma Chao and Pang De continued to sweep the surrounding tribes in Qianghu and other places, the Western Xianbei were driven back hundreds of miles to the north.

After these surrounding obstacles were cleared, the number of forces and tribes that came over from the Western Regions began to increase.

Qiuci and Qiezhi in the central Western Regions successively sent letters of surrender.

You should know that Qiuci was one of the "Great Western Regions" and was extremely influential.

Qiuci pledged loyalty, and many tribes in the Western Regions accepted Cao's army and submitted to Cao Wei.

Cao Cao was also very happy when he heard the news. As the trade route was about to be reopened, he held a banquet to entertain his ministers.

That night, he came to Zhen's smoking room after getting a little tipsy.

She was wearing a spotless white dress, the fabric on her chest was held up high and proud, and above the collar was a fair neck and delicate collarbone.

Looking down, there is a flat belly and a slender waist, and her steps are light and graceful, like a willow swaying in the wind.

The night is getting darker.

After the clouds cleared and the rain stopped, Cao Cao came to the study alone.

He sat quietly for a while, opened the map, and looked from Jiangdong to Jingzhou and Yizhou.

The Western Regions will soon fall into his hands.

He had just received the news that Liu Bei saw an opportunity after Fa Zheng contacted him, and had written back to Liu Zhang, saying that he was willing to form an alliance.

Once the two sides form an alliance, Liu Bei will enter Yizhou as soon as possible.

Cao Cao took up his pen and slowly wrote the four big words "unify the world" on the map.

He thought to himself that after Liu Bei entered Yizhou, things would speed up and the unification of the world would not be far away.

----

Yizhou.

On the same morning, Emperor Liu Xie sat on the couch with a gloomy look on his face.

Fu Shou got up from the couch behind him and sat quietly with him.

The emperor, the Fujia family, and Kong Rong all thought that if they left Cao Cao as soon as possible, they would have a bright future and great opportunities.

During the 400 years of the Han Dynasty, there were many loyal ministers like Kong Rong, even though the Han Dynasty was no longer prosperous.

But after they came out, everything went wrong.

Kong Rong didn't expect it, the Fu family didn't expect it, and the emperor himself didn't expect it.

His importance is far less than expected.

Even after Cao Cao left him, he was still Cao Cao.

After leaving Cao Cao, he thought he could be himself again and consolidate the imperial power.

But it seems not.

News came one after another that after he left, Cao Cao established the Wei Dynasty.

The people of the states and counties supported the establishment of a new dynasty, which gave them enough food to eat.

The other parties remained silent, and no one stood up to accuse or oppose Cao Cao of establishing the Wei state and usurping the Han dynasty.

Then Cao Cao entered Jingzhou and moved his troops south to Xiangyang.

Going west, Cao Wei regained Hexi.

The continuous victories in foreign military campaigns made Cao Wei's foundation increasingly solid.

As these news came one after another, Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, became increasingly cold towards the emperor.

Not long ago, the Han Dynasty's national sword Chi Xiao was summoned by Cao Cao and traveled thousands of miles, shocking the world.

When the emperor found out, he was shocked and angry, and ordered someone to call Liu Zhang to discuss the matter.

Liu Zhang only sent a trusted confidant to reply: "The governor is busy. Your Majesty, you should know when to advance and when to retreat, and respect yourself. This is Yizhou. The governor is here to welcome you when you have nowhere else to go."

After Liu Zhang's confidant left, the emperor smashed the cup in his hand.

He shouted at Kong Rong: "Cao Cao is a traitor. I don't believe that Emperor Gaozu's Chi Xiao will be summoned by him.

But some foolish people believed him. He is a traitor. "

Kong Rong was silent for a while, then said:
"Your Majesty, have you heard of Liu Xuande? I had contact with him a few years ago. He is loyal and righteous, a relative of the Han Dynasty, and he is committed to reviving the Han Dynasty.

He is now in charge of the army in Jingzhou, and Liu Zhang is sending people to ask for his help. Your Majesty may weigh the pros and cons and look for opportunities."

“Your Majesty, Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Shizu both went through hardships before they achieved their great cause.

Gaozu was born in a humble family and was nearly fifty when he organized his army to fight for the world, but you are still young. "

The emperor was slightly encouraged: "Mr. Kong is right. I will wait and see what will happen to these rebellious officials."

At the same time, Liu Bei was preparing to set off to the border between Yizhou and Jingzhou to meet Liu Zhang first.

Ps: There will be a separate chapter later to talk about the doubts of some people recently.

(End of this chapter)