Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 120
The boat went north along the Han River and entered the Feishui. By the evening, it was already approaching the sun.

It is less than 26 kilometers from Xinye to Xiangyang, and the speed upstream is not fast. It is driven by human sculls, with an average speed of about five or six kilometers per hour, which is far inferior to the average speed of [-] kilometers per hour in Qianli Jiangling in a day.

So if Shen Chen chooses to go north by boat, it may take seventeen or eight hours.Basically, it starts at noon and arrives the next morning. It is not as fast as riding a horse.

By the time he arrived in Xinye, it was already the first moment of the morning eclipse on the second day.

Sending people to the county to convey the news, Deng Mao quickly brought people from the county government over to help the soldiers transport the armor presented by Liu Biao, and then arranged for a carriage to be sent to Huangmen Pavilion.

While carrying the armor, Shen Chen and his great grandfather Deng Mao stood together, watching the soldiers carrying the armor, Deng Mao tentatively asked: "Ah Chen, do you really want to lead the troops north to attack Cao Cao?"

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded: "Cao Cao bullied the emperor and slaughtered the people. We must never forget the blood feud of hundreds of fellow villagers in Zenyang."

"Well"

Deng Mao pondered for a moment, then said bitterly: "It stands to reason that many of our Deng family died at the hands of the Cao bandits. I am not qualified to persuade you. But Ah Chen, now you are the second of our Deng Shen family. Qilin'er, going to the battlefield is always dangerous, let others go. If it's not possible, let Uncle Ni go, I'd rather lose my son than you."

Shen Chen said seriously: "Uncle, I know what you mean, but I also have reasons why I have to go. Not only because of hatred, but also because of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness. If the world dare not speak out because they are afraid of Cao's power, then When he usurps the throne in the future, no one will resist him, and I must set an example."

"This"

Deng Mao smiled bitterly and said, "Okay, I know I can't persuade you, but I hope you can come back safely."

Shen Chen nodded and said: "I understand, don't worry, Uncle."

He understood Deng Mao's thoughts. Although the blood of the enemy is important, the continuation of the family is more important.

Now Deng Chen's second family can survive in Xinye, and he even became the county magistrate of Xinye, controlling the people's livelihood, all because of Shen Chen's activities in Jingzhou and the benefits he brought to them.

If one day Shen Chen died on the battlefield, although Deng Hong married Cai's daughter to barely support the family business, it would be like a ship without a helmsman, a carriage without a driver, and the family would lose their way forward.

This is a very dangerous thing for a clan, so Deng Mao would rather let his son Deng Zhao die in battle than Shen Chen.

But there are some things, even if you know that things cannot be violated, you must do them.

It's as if the emperor's uncle was brutally beaten countless times in the north, and he was beaten to death countless times, but he still didn't change his original intention.

You can't be afraid because the enemy is strong, and you can't give up the justice you hold in your heart because you may die.

For a person like Cao Cao, you can admire his great talent and strategy, and you can also admire his literary and martial arts, but you must not agree with his cruelty and crime.

This is the basic principle of being a human being, and it is also the bottom line of conscience that Shen Chen cannot cross.

So in the matter of resisting Cao, Shen Chen will definitely be consistent!

Soon the armor was almost moved, and the team slowly drove to Huangmen Pavilion, and they arrived here in less than half an hour.

After five years of development, today's Huangmen Pavilion is comparable to a city, because during the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Nanyang, the population plummeted and the wasteland increased. After Shen Chen came, he used the retting technology to reclaim a large amount of wasteland, and the grain output increased sharply.

At the same time, the vigorous development of the handicraft manufacturing industry requires a large amount of labor. For this reason, many surrounding villagers have been attracted to work and farm. The population has exceeded [-], and it is becoming more and more prosperous.

From the surrounding countryside all the way into the market, and finally to the gate of the manor, Deng Zhao, Shen Zhen and the others were already waiting for him.

"Father, uncle!"

Shen Chen got out of the carriage and bowed his hands to the two of them.

Shen Zhen said: "Well, my son has grown a lot, how about his studies?"

"I did not live up to my father's entrustment."

Shen Chen replied.

"That's good."

Shen Zhen nodded, he really wanted to teach his son.

But he found that his son was really outstanding, his knowledge was comparable to that of a great Confucian, and he also practiced martial arts diligently every day, and he seemed to have nothing to teach him, which made Shen Zhen, the father, very ashamed.

But what made him very proud was that such an outstanding person was his son, so what regrets could he have for having such an heir?

Entering the manor with my father and uncle, the armor given by Liu Biao was also brought in to arm the soldiers.

Although Huangmenting can produce iron armor, who would dislike having too many armors?
At this time, the manor is another scene. I said before that the manor covers a large area. It is the main village elders of Huangmen Pavilion and the training ground for soldiers. Entering is a huge school ground.

The soldiers in the school field are practicing one after another. They don't have to work. Their daily task is to practice their skills and constantly train themselves. They must obey orders and prohibitions. Discipline and efficiency are indispensable.

Compared with the 500 people in the previous year, after two years of development, the number of soldiers and horses has nearly doubled.There are already 1 soldiers, plus Gan Ning's soldiers and horses, almost [-] people can be gathered to go north to deal with Cao Cao, and the force is sufficient.

Seeing the soldiers practicing daily, Shen Chen was very satisfied, and walked all the way to the main hall of the manor. In the hall was a lobby, with grand master chairs and tea tables on the left and right, a bit like the living room of a wealthy family in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Although I have to kneel and sit on the mat every day outside, I can’t be wronged at home, I still have to fix some chairs, otherwise I will kneel and sit every day, not to mention the pain in the waist and legs, and it is easy to be deformed.

"Father."

Shen Chen sat on the chair and asked, "Is there any answer from Zhang Xiu?"

"Well, I sent you brother Cong yesterday."

Shen Zhen and Deng Zhao also sat down, and he said, "If you calculate the time, you should be back by noon at the latest."

"Brother Muzi?"

"Ah."

"He also joined the army?"

Shen Chen frowned.

Shen peach, because peach wood belongs to plants, so the word Muzi.

He is the eldest son of the Seventh Uncle's family, and only he and Shen Chen survived the Zengyang massacre.

Shen Chen doesn't have many relatives now, they are either relatives from her natal family like Deng Hong, or relatives like elder brother Shen Zhong who live in a foreign country.

Shen Tao is the only close relative of the Shen family, so Shen Tao also said before that she wanted to join the army, but she was rejected every time.

Seventh Uncle's family is only a single seedling, how can he go to the battlefield to kill the enemy?
Shen Zhen sighed: "Your brother Muzi has hatred in his heart. He was married the year before last and now has two sons under his knees, so he is arguing all day long that he wants to join the army to avenge his parents. If he doesn't agree, he will go north alone to assassinate Xu Du Cao Cao, I can't stop him."

"Brother is too strong, I'm afraid I won't be able to persuade you."

Shen Chen thought for a while, and there was no other way. Cao Ren personally killed his seventh uncle and seven aunts, as well as Shen Tao's younger brother. Even though Cao Ren had been beheaded to avenge them, the hatred in elder brother Shen Tao's heart must still not disappear. .

Just as he was talking, about a quarter of an hour later, there was suddenly the sound of galloping horseshoes outside.

Looking out through the hall, I saw several knights entering the manor on the school field in the distance, dismounted at the gate of the manor, and then ran quickly inside.

When they got closer, the leader was indeed Shen Tao, who was 24 years old this year. The reason why he survived back then was because his parents asked Shen Chen's family to eat chicken together. Shen Tao went to call them back, but escaped unharmed.

After Shen Tao dismounted, she entered the hall, saw Shen Chen, and said pleasantly, "Brother, are you back?"

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded and said, "Brother."

"You don't need to persuade me."

Shen Tao knew what he was going to say, waved her hands and said: "I've made up my mind."

"Ok."

Shen Chen said helplessly, "How?"

Shen Tao said: "Zhang Xiu asked us to meet tomorrow in Yuyang."

"it is good."

Shen Chen nodded: "If you can convince Zhang Xiu, your chances of winning will be higher."

At this time in history, Zhang Xiu had already voted for Cao.

At that time, facing Yuan Shao's wooing, Jia Xu refused verbally, and finally urged Zhang Xiu to defect to Cao Cao, which made Cao Cao overjoyed, named him General Yangwu, and let his son marry Zhang Xiu's daughter.

But now after some reminders from Shen Chen, Zhang Xiu understands that Cao Cao may now clear up his suspicions because of the enemy, but once the enemy is resolved, the score will be settled after the autumn, I am afraid...

So in the face of Jia Xu's constant persuasion, Zhang Xiu has not expressed his position, but he has no plans to send troops, obviously intending to wait and see the situation first.

However, Shen Chen knew Zhang Xiu's concerns, so he planned to invite Zhang Xiu to attack Cao bandits together, at least he must not be allowed to get on Cao Cao's chariot.

After learning about this situation, Shen Chen took a rest at Huangmen Pavilion that day.

Early the next morning, he personally led [-] soldiers and horses, marched to the north in the direction of Yuyang.

Most of these soldiers have armor, so there are more than 1000 carriages in the rear. In addition to placing armor and weapons and other ordnance, there is very little food and grass.

Because Shen Chen had already sent people to send a large amount of food and grass to Gan Ning in Biyang to stock up in advance. After reuniting with Gan Ning, he would integrate the army, take all the supplies away, and head straight to Runan.

After noon, their army had already arrived in Yuyang.

Yuyang is located to the west of Yushui, but the place they agreed on was in a countryside to the east of Yuyang. At this time, Zhang Xiu rode on a horse and watched from afar on the hillside in the distance.

Seeing Shen Chen's army approaching, he asked his personal guard to call him over.

After a while, Shen Chen and more than a dozen guards came on horseback. When they arrived on the mountain, they saw Zhang Xiu not even wearing armor, carrying a bow and arrow, and only brought a few guards by his side. Some wondered: "General Zhang, what So light and simple?"

Zhang Xiu smiled wryly and said: "Uncle Wenhe has a very high prestige in the Xiliang army. He recently persuaded me to join Cao Cao, and many of his subordinates were also persuaded by him. I dare not come here directly. This is because I came here secretly with the excuse of hunting." You meet."

"The general has worked hard, and Mr. Wen He is indeed very good."

Shen Chen said: "But let's not gossip, what does the general think, can you still rely on Cao Cao now?"

"Well"

Zhang Xiu hesitated and said: "Uncle told me that if he votes for Cao, he will not harm me."

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded: "If I were Cao Cao, I wouldn't harm the general at this time. But after repelling Yuan Shao, the general's life or death depends entirely on Cao Cao's mood."

"This"

Zhang Xiu frowned tightly. This was indeed what he was most worried about, so he hesitated until now.

Shen Chen also said: "Before you entrust your wealth and life to others, you must think clearly whether that person is worth entrusting. Yongjiu entrusted his wife with secret affairs, but in the end he was killed. King Zhao handed over the soldiers and horses to Zhao Kuo In the end, Zhao State almost perished. If you have already formed a deadly enmity with someone, and instead of destroying him when he is in danger, you help him instead, it is possible that the matter between San Que and Xu Chen will happen in the end."

There are three allusions here. Needless to say about Zhao Kuo’s story, Yongjiu’s story comes from the idiom “Everyone can do his best.” It is about the Spring and Autumn Period. Yongjiu, the son-in-law of Jizhong, was sent to do it. Yongjiu told his wife Yongji, who turned around and betrayed her husband and Duke Zheng Li.

There are also San Que and Xu Chen, which refers to Xu Chen's kindness to the Que family in the early years, but after the Que family became prosperous, he repayed his favor and suppressed Xu Chen's descendants.It can be understood as a realistic version of the farmer and the snake, which is a very typical image of ungratefulness.

In fact, Zhang Xiu was born in the Zhang family of Wuwei, a noble family in Liangzhou, so it is impossible not to know these allusions, so when he heard Shen Chen's words, his brows became tense, and his heart was very entangled.

Seeing him like this, Shen Chen stopped persuading him, but said: "I am in a hurry to go north to deal with Cao Cao. It doesn't matter if the general is unwilling to send troops to help, but please try not to surrender to Cao Cao. Otherwise, if Cao Cao fights in the future Retire Yuan Shao, when you want to kill the general, don't regret that I didn't remind the general today."

"I see."

Zhang Xiu let out a long sigh, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you Shen Xiaolang, let me go back and think about it."

"Then I say goodbye."

Shen Chen cupped his hands, reined in his horse and turned to leave.

Although he didn't talk about Zhang Xiu, as long as he didn't vote for Cao, it would be a great help.

Otherwise, if Cao Cao got another seven or eight thousand Xiliang elites, his plan to go north to attack Xuchang would lose one more chance of winning.

(End of this chapter)