Chapter 426

However, Cao Cao's question still had to be answered. Zhong Yao replied immediately: "Actually, calling them wives is probably only correct if they are concubines! It seems they were all sent to him by the Tao family... and other Xuzhou scholar-official clans when Liu Bei was the Governor of Xuzhou and the King of Qi."

"According to the people who intercepted them, Liu Bei seems not to have touched either of them yet!"

"Huh?"

Cao Cao's interest greatly diminished, and he curled his lips speechlessly: "So these are still two young girls? They shouldn't be very old, right? What's the situation with Liu Bei? Is he impotent?"

What a disappointment!

"Uh... *cough cough*!"

Zhong Yao was choked by these words and couldn't help but cough a few times: "They are indeed not very old, only around sixteen, and their looks are quite good!"

"How does the King think they should be dealt with? Should they be sent to Xiapi? Or sent directly to Xudu?"

So you don't want them if they are too young, right?

No wonder people say you like other men's wives!

This nickname is not wrong at all!

Zhong Yao immediately felt that Cao Cao's danger level had risen by several levels.

"This!"

Cao Cao stroked his chin and began to ponder.

They are too young and are still virgins, so he is indeed not interested.

But whether rewarding them to his subordinates or keeping them for himself seems a bit wasteful and doesn't suit his wishes.

The key is that Cao Cao always wants to use these two women to make a fuss and see if he can catch Liu Bei and gain some benefits from it.

"Eh? I've got it!"

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Cao Cao's mind, and he looked at Zhong Yao and asked: "You said earlier that you didn't see Guan Yu go north with Liu Bei, right?"

"Does that mean they were separated, and it's possible that Guan Yu is still in the Taishan area? Or even, he might have gotten lost for some reason? Ran into the Yanzhou area or ran back to the Taishan Commandery area of Xuzhou?"

Cao Cao's imagination was also running wild.

"This... it's not impossible!"

Zhong Yao and Chen Qun hesitated. Although they felt Cao Cao was being whimsical and had gone crazy thinking about Guan Yu, it didn't seem completely impossible!

"Right? You also think it's possible, right?"

Cao Cao said with great excitement: "That Guan Yu is very loyal, his righteousness reaches the heavens. What do you think if I release news to the outside world, promote it widely, and say that Liu Bei's two wives have been captured by my men and are being prepared to be sent to Xiapi? Do you think there is a possibility of fishing Guan Yu out, letting him walk into the trap, fall into my hands, and ultimately be used by me?"

If this really works, that would be making the best use of everything!

He just said it! Even if those two little girls were only Liu Bei's concubines in name and Liu Bei hadn't touched them, they still had their value.

"Eh?"

Zhong Yao and Chen Qun's eyes lit up, and they looked at Cao Cao in great surprise: "The King is wise! This is completely possible!"

"If we can take down Guan Yu by relying on these two concubines of Liu Bei and make him pledge loyalty to you, my King, then we will have more confidence in dealing with Lord Yuan Shao or Su Xuan in the future!"

"We also have some understanding of that Guan Yu; this person should already be at the half-step Celestial Realm and could break through to the Celestial Realm at any time."

Although using someone's wives and concubines to force others to submit is a bit despicable.

But those who eat meat are despicable, and those who want to accomplish great things should not be constrained by trifles.

Not stopping until the goal is achieved is what a hero should do!

"Haha!"

Cao Cao laughed loudly: "It seems you all agree with my idea! Then I will leave this matter to you!"

"Spread this news to the counties around Taishan Commandery as quickly as possible, spread it to Qingzhou, Taishan Commandery, and other places. You must ensure that Guan Yu can receive the news in time to save them!"

"By the way!"

Speaking of this, Cao Cao smiled cunningly: "Remember to spread the word that Liu Bei's two concubines are already pregnant with Liu Bei's children!"

"Huh?"

Zhong Yao and Chen Qun were stunned: "My King! Liu Bei's two concubines are still virgins. This kind of fake news will be easily seen through by Guan Yu, right? It might be counterproductive!"

"No, no, no!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and denied it: "You don't understand! Not everyone can easily judge whether a woman is a virgin or a young married woman!"

"Especially Guan Yu, who has been a bachelor for many years, it's even more impossible for him to judge;"

"Therefore, Guan Yu absolutely cannot know for sure whether Liu Bei has had a good time with these two concubines;"

"Even if Liu Bei told Guan Yu he hadn't, could Guan Yu really believe it?"

"What if it's true? What if Liu Bei's two concubines are really carrying Liu Bei's flesh and blood?"

"Guan Yu absolutely cannot afford to gamble!"

"Liu Bei has drifted for half his life, without even a decent wife, let alone offspring!"

"If it were you, if you knew that your big brother's concubine might be carrying your big brother's only or one of the only flesh and blood, could you just watch them die and let them fall into the hands of the enemy?"

Zhong Yao: "..."

Chen Qun: "..."

They really wanted to say that they have many children, and for the sake of their own lives, they really could!

But such disloyal and unrighteous words certainly cannot be brought to the table.

Moreover, according to their understanding, Guan Yu certainly cannot sit idly by.

Therefore, the two immediately said: "The King is wise! In this way, Guan Yu certainly cannot let it go!"

"Of course, all the premises are that Guan Yu has not yet reunited with Liu Bei, has not entered Jizhou, and can receive the real news later."

Otherwise, Guan Yu might not receive the news, or he might get the exact news from Liu Bei and not be fooled.

"Then that depends on you! Spread the news for me as quickly as possible!"

"I will have the army cooperate with you;"

"In addition, the trap must be set carefully. You must make a gesture of transporting Liu Bei's concubines to Xiapi, leaving some loopholes for Guan Yu to drill into. You can't let him see no opportunity at all, understand?"

"Of course, these loopholes are not real loopholes. Remember to set up a few more backups so that people don't really run away!"

Cao Cao instructed earnestly.

Although the possibility is not very high, if he can really earn Guan Yu with this move, then he will have really made a big profit.

What? You are worried that even if it succeeds, Guan Yu will find out later that Liu Bei's concubines are not pregnant? That there are no children of Liu Bei?

Or even that Liu Bei hasn't touched them?

These are not issues! If there are no children of Liu Bei, there can be children of Cao Mengde!

Although he likes those who are more mature in age, for the sake of his great cause and to keep Guan Yu, a great general, he can also make some appropriate self-sacrifices.

"Hmm... No! This matter must be handled securely first! I have to deal with Liu Bei's two concubines!"

Cao Cao also understood the loopholes in this matter and prepared to fill them, so he informed Zhong Yao and Chen Qun of his thoughts.

Zhong Yao: "..."

Chen Qun: "..."

They have never been as speechless as they are today.

What kind of lord is this?

What kind of bad idea is this?

No! It should be said, is this an idea that a normal person can think of?

But they have to admit that Cao Cao's brain is still very flexible, and he quickly discovered the loopholes in this matter and thought of a perfect countermeasure.

"The King is wise! Then there is no time to lose! My King, you should set off for Taishan Commandery quietly as soon as possible, and at the same time, we will start spreading the news, how about that?"

Although this is very immoral, Zhong Yao and Chen Qun still advised.

Everything is for the family to be greater.

The key is that even if this matter is exposed in the end, the one who will be truly notorious is Cao Cao, not them.

And as for Cao Cao! Anyway, his reputation in this regard is already as bad as it can be, so adding one more stroke doesn't count for anything.

"Very well!"

Cao Cao nodded and agreed immediately: "Then let's do this: Yuanchang, you accompany me to set off for Taishan Commandery immediately, and at the same time, you will be fully responsible for spreading the news;"

"And Wenchang, the stability and governance of Xuzhou will be left to you, how about that?"

"Yes!"

Zhong Yao and Chen Qun took the order immediately.

— Author's Notes —

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