Chapter 718

For a long time.

Cao Cao sighed:

"Wenruo, you have followed me for several years."

"To tell the truth, if Cao didn't have your following, at best I could only be a small warlord splitting Yanzhou, or even worse."

"But with you, talents under Cao's command are endless."

"It's a pity that Cao is ultimately not the person who can take the world."

"In the future, follow Gu Linzhi."

"Gu Linzhi's personality, although decisive."

"But... he is not the kind of person who doesn't reason."

"And, he cherishes talent."

With your talent, plus Gongda's persuasion on the side, presumably Gu Linzhi will not only not make things difficult for you, but will heavily use you."

After listening to what Cao Cao said.

Seeing Xun Yu's breathing became more and more urgent.

He originally thought that the reason Cao Cao agreed to Sima Yi's stupid move of "rapid troop expansion" was because he had no other choice.

But now it seems.

If Sima Yi stood on the second floor, then Cao Cao must be standing on the seventh floor.

The scenery the two saw was completely different.

However.

Cao Cao also knew in his heart that he simply couldn't defeat Gu Yi.

Of the thirteen provinces of the Han, Gu Yi had already obtained twelve.

The only remaining one was just half of Qingzhou plus Liaodong.

Relying on such a small territory and an army that had no advantage, how could he possibly defeat Gu Yi?

When the strength gap between the two sides reaches a certain point.

A wise monarch would absolutely not think about winning on the battlefield.

Instead, how to preserve his life.

But if Cao Cao actively surrenders, will Gu Yi spare Cao Cao's life?

The answer is no.

Both are heroes of the time.

If Gu Yi didn't exist, Cao Cao would likely become the founder of the Cao Wei regime like in original history.

Now.

Although there was Gu Yi, Cao Cao still made a career of his own.

This point is enough to prove Cao Cao's own ability.

But... Gu Yi is too powerful now.

The successive defeats of Liu Bei, Sun Ce, Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, and others made Cao Cao see through the future trend.

Rather than letting Gu Yi slowly destroy everything, it's better to make some layouts in advance.

And this layout is precisely to let Gu Yi spare the lives of Cao Ang, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and others.

Although Cao Cao understands that his sons will probably only live the life of a rich man under surveillance in the future.

But this is already enough.

To tell the truth, Cao Cao considers himself not a good father.

Cao Ang's biological mother died of a serious illness, and Cao Cao was forced to go to jail because he hit the uncle of one of the Ten Eunuchs.

If it weren't for Lady Ding finally standing up to raise Cao Cao.

I'm afraid... Cao Ang would have lost his life when he was young.

And among the remaining sons.

Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, when they were born, Cao Cao was out on an expedition, and didn't return home until nearly a year later.

Cao Zhi was better.

But it was only relatively better.

Cao Cao could risk his life and choose to fight Gu Yi to the death.

But besides making a final desperate resistance, what other meaning could it have?

It's better to use the plan against the plan, use the Sima family and other aristocratic remnants to pave a final road for his children.

Seeing Xun Yu, who knew Cao Cao's purpose, was about to persuade Cao Cao again.

But the words reached his lips, only to be swallowed back by a look from Cao Cao.

"Wenruo, I am different from Yuan Benchu."

"He and Ju Shou could never be heart-to-heart."

"But you and I can."

"In the past, I listened to your suggestions."

"But this time, I hope you can listen to me."

"In this way, with you alive, you can also take care of Ang'er, Pi'er, and Zhi'er."

Seeing Xun Yu smiled bitterly.

He didn't know how to describe the feeling in his heart.

Cao Cao wanted to arrange things for his sons as much as possible in the limited time left.

Cao Ang, who clearly had a chance to flee, thought about sharing adversity with his father.

This pair of father and son is truly moving.

Actually, Seeing Xun Yu is not afraid of death either.

He is different from Ju Shou.

Ju Shou is a purely interest-first person.

For the sake of his own interests and the interests of the faction behind him, he could publicly ignore Yuan Shao's interests and launch an internal rebellion at the most critical moment in the Yuan camp.

But Seeing Xun Yu wouldn't.

In original history.

Rather than being forced to death by Cao Cao.

It's better to say.

He was caught between Cao Cao and the Henan faction, and ultimately chose to die himself to delay the relationship between the two sides.

His sacrifice had a certain effect in original history.

At least, before Cao Cao passed away, he did not walk the path of claiming the title of emperor.

He didn't completely break with the Henan aristocratic families, triggering a civil war in the Cao camp.

After all.

Besides his own ideals and aspirations, Seeing Xun Yu is also an emotional person.

The deep private friendship between him and Cao Cao is also a point that cannot be ignored.

And now.

Looking at Cao Cao's tone of entrusting his orphans.

Seeing Xun Yu finally chose to follow Cao Cao's instructions.

Half an hour later.

A slaughter broke out in Beihai City.

Sima Fang, Sima Lang, Sima Fu, and others all died in this slaughter.

The friendship between their Sima family and Cao Cao was exhausted the moment they tried to use Cao Cao.

After killing the Sima family, those remaining aristocratic remnants also didn't escape this purge.

And the initiator of this purge, Cao Cao, was calmly drinking tea throughout.

After hearing that the mission was fully completed.

He smiled and closed his eyes.

Yes.