Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 154

At the beginning of August, Liu Biao's army surrounded Rangcheng.

In this silence, Zhang Xiu could only choose to write to Liu Biao, asking for forgiveness.

But Wenpin still settled in Anzhong, taking care of Zhang Xiu.

A few days later, Wang Bi's head was sent to Xudu, so Xun Yu had no choice but to report the matter to Cao Cao.

On August [-], at the front line of Guandu, inside Cao Cao's camp.

boom!
"Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu are deceiving people too much!"

The official bamboo slips in his hand fell directly on the table, and Cao Cao yelled angrily: "I don't care about the past, I marry him as a legitimate son and a legitimate daughter, but they still kill my envoy without knowing the number of days. I will personally conquer!"

"Minggong."

Guo Jia quickly went up to pick up the official document, read it carefully, and persuaded him: "There is something strange about this matter. Jia Wenhe has promised Ming Gong to persuade Zhang Xiu. It is impossible to recover suddenly. No matter how bad it is, Zhang Xiu will never kill him Messenger, isn't he afraid of dying in the grave?"

Cao Cao glared and said: "He has already sent someone to send Wang Bi's head to Xudu. The master who has been with Gu for many years has been killed like this. How can Gu just let it go!"

"Ming Gong also said that he would not let it go, how could Zhang Xiu not know?"

Xun You pondered, "I'm afraid there is something hidden in it."

Seeing that the two most trusted counselors under his command felt that the matter was not simple, Cao Cao panted heavily, sat back on the table, gradually calmed down, and still panted, "Then tell me, why is this?"

Guo Jia said: "It is possible that the matter was not confidential, and was intercepted by Liu Biao, Shen Chen, Liu Bei and others, so Wang Bi was killed, and the head was sent to Xudu under the name of Zhang Xiu, in order to break Zhang Xiu's heart."

I have to say that Guo Jia is indeed a counselor who has insight into people's hearts.

Historically, his strategy was not as good as Xun Yu's, and his tactics were not as good as Xun You's. The reason why he was favored and relied on by Cao Cao was that he was extremely accurate in guessing the enemy's psychology.Every time Cao Cao fell into a great disadvantage, he could encourage him and bring great confidence to Cao Cao.

For example, the judgment of Yuan Shao, Sun Ce, Liu Biao, Liu Bei and others are all extremely accurate.It can be seen that he is an excellent psychological master, who can perfectly control the enemy's thoughts.

The current situation is that Jia Xu pushed Zhang Xiu to vote for Cao, but Zhang Xiu had concerns, and Shen Chen reminded him. He was also afraid that after voting for Cao, he would be liquidated when the Battle of Guandu was over, so he hesitated to do it. It took nearly a year for an answer to be issued.

You must know that Zhang Xiu surrendered in 199 in history, and he only surrendered now because Shen Chen revealed this matter, which made him afraid that Cao Cao would think of his son and confidant general in the future, and settle accounts after autumn.

But Cao Cao's method is also simple, marrying his son and daughter to each other, so as to dispel Zhang Xiu's concerns.

Logically speaking, Cao Cao has already expressed his goodwill. Even if Zhang Xiu does not accept it, he would never dare to kill Cao Cao's emissary, because this will completely anger Cao Cao, and it will be very detrimental to his current survival and situation. No one would be so stupid to die.

But that's how it happened.

Therefore, Guo Jia believes that there must be other reasons.

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Cao Cao said coldly, "Could it be possible to send an envoy to die alone?"

Guo Jia smiled wryly and said: "I'm afraid it won't happen. If things are as I said, I'm afraid Liu Biao, Shen Chen and others have sent troops to guard Zhang Xiu. His route to the north has been blocked, and he will never return to us."

"Yes."

Xun You sighed: "If he still wants to surrender, he will definitely send someone to explain the matter, but he hasn't sent anyone yet. There are only two possibilities. One is that he is under guard, and the other is that he really killed the messenger and refused to surrender. If it’s the former, it’s okay, if it’s the latter, it’s unimaginable.”

"Oh?"

Cao Cao glanced at the two of them, stroked his beard and thought for two seconds, nodded slightly and said: "Yes, if it is the former, at least Liu Biao and Shen Chen will not believe him, and will not let him go north to Kunyang to attack Xudu. For us Say, it is indeed a good thing, send someone to inform Xun Yu, let him pay attention to Kunyang's movements, and see if there is a large cavalry!"

"only."

Guo Jia drafted the document and sent a messenger to send it back.

After half a month, until the end of August, Xu Du and the Guandu front line kept communicating back and forth, and a large amount of official documents were transmitted, but there was no movement of cavalry in Kunyang, not even an increase in troops.

This made Cao Cao reluctantly breathe a sigh of relief. It seems that Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu are indeed as Guo Jiaxunyou said, not because they don't want to join, but because something happened in the middle.

Although Zhang Xiu was not won over to relieve Nanyang's worries, at least Zhang Xiu did not stand on his opposite side as an enemy. As long as there were no thousands of cavalry in Xudu, it would be an acceptable ending for Cao Cao.

more importantly.

If you can't get married, you will feel less guilty towards Mrs. Ding.

At the end of the month, Cao Cao heaved a long sigh when he saw Xun Yu's report that there were no cavalry in Kunyang in his tent.

Then he put down the official document in his hand, walked out of the tent with his hands behind his back, and looked up at the sky.

Soldiers coming and going around are like a shuttle, and it is about to be late autumn, and the clouds are rolling and the clouds are relaxing, and the weather has become colder and colder recently.

lady.

Cao Cao silently looked at the sky, his heart full of sorrow.

The only tender feeling deep in his heart is his guilt towards Cao Ang and Mrs. Ding.

"Minggong."

At this moment, Xun You came over and said softly: "All the autumn clothes have been delivered. Ren Jun reported that the new millet will be harvested soon. He will send the escorted grain and grass to Xudu before the middle of next month."

"Ah."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Tell Boda to be careful, Yuan Shao's camp has already been built, and he will definitely send people to attack my grain road."

"only."

Xun You bowed and retreated.

Cao Cao walked slowly to a dirt hill and looked at Yuan Ying in the distance.

I saw that Yuan Jun’s camp stretched for dozens of miles, with flags unfurled, covering the sky and the sun, different from just countless tents at the beginning, now all kinds of fences, ditches, and camps have sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain.A large number of earth hills, towers, and walls also stand between the camps.

Crowds of Yuan Jun soldiers shuttled back and forth inside and outside the camp, and from time to time, carriages and luggage were sent into the camp. The densely packed, boundless soldiers and horses were like ants doing their own things in those camps, as if the entire Guandu River north, They were all overwhelmed by the sea of ​​people.

The pressure Yuan Shao put on him was still very great.

In the past few days, they have also received letters from Yuan Shao one after another.The meaning of provocation and humiliation is beyond the letter.

But Cao Cao looked at Yuan Jun in the distance, and he no longer had a trace of fear at this time.

If you want me, Cao Mengde, to admit defeat, you, Yuan Benchu, are not enough!

Cao Cao looked at Yuan Ying and silently clenched his fists.

Then turned around and went down the dirt hill.

this battle.

He must win!
.

.

The storm is coming, it is the eve of the war.

After returning from Nanyang, Shen Chen was still a little depressed.

He had already told Zhang Xiu all the pros and cons, but he didn't expect Zhang Xiu to be capricious after all, and he still wanted to take refuge in Cao Cao.

But after just being frustrated at the beginning, he quickly cleared up his mood.

Nothing to complain about either.

Because Cao Cao can be regarded as having invested a lot of money, it really takes a lot of courage and courage to marry the sons and daughters of the legitimate sons and daughters of Zhang Xiu and the children of Zhang Xiu to tie up their interests.

Even the hatred of killing a son can be ignored, Cao Cao's forbearance can be seen.

So in this confrontation, Shen Chen was not defeated by Zhang Xiu, but by Cao Cao's forbearance and lack of guilt.

At least for Shen Chen, he definitely couldn't let go of his grievances, and he couldn't let go of the guilt of not being able to avenge his family for so long, and to marry and cooperate with the tyrant who slaughtered the city and cannibalized people.

But the results weren't too bad.

At any rate, Cao Cao's plot was thwarted. Although Zhang Xiu's help was missing, to a certain extent, everyone was just back to the original point.

Shen Chen did not strengthen, and neither did Cao Cao. Instead, after September, Ren Jun wanted to deliver grain and grass, and Xudu would be empty again.

Therefore, judging from the results, everyone can only count as a tie in this fight, and no one is considered a loser.

In mid-August, when the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning and others went out to hunt in the city. Liu Bei and Guan Yu toured the city together and returned to the mansion.

It seemed that there was no sunshine in the afternoon. It was cold recently, and everyone added clothes. Shen Chen went back to Kunyang to make up for autumn clothes.

In the mansion, Liu Bei cooks himself and made some thick pancakes for distribution to the generals and advisers who followed him.

Shen Chen naturally also has a share.

At this time, he was doing some clerical work in the city. He dismounted to manage logistics in peacetime, and charged in battle when he was on horseback. He was praised by Liu Bei as a talent with both civil and military skills.

Knowing that Liu Bei called him over in the afternoon, Shen Chen went to the county government mansion, and came to the backyard to see Liu Bei and Guan Yu sitting cross-legged on the porch.

"Sir."

When Liu Bei saw him coming, he stood up with Guan Yu and saluted.

Shen Chen also returned a salute: "Mr. Xuande."

He didn't call the lord.

The Han Dynasty actually had a dual monarchy theory.

In addition to the emperor, there are also some high-ranking people who can open houses to recruit talents.

Such as the Sangong and the General.

And the people recruited to open the mansion do not need to be filial and honest, like the three generations of the Yuan family, who can build teeth and open the mansion.

Therefore, the disciples and former officials of the Yuan family are all over the world.

These disciples and old officials are not necessarily all promoted to Xiaolian or Mao into the official position, nor are they necessarily in high positions.

But as long as you once served as an official of the Yuan family, after being filial and honest, you enter the officialdom and have the brand of the Yuan family on your body, you will become an old official.

As for those who are not filial, honest and talented, the worst is the local county-level powerful and small family, who can control the power of a county.

Therefore, this is why Yuan Shaodeng called for an alliance to resist Dong, and there are so many followers in the world.

Now at the end of the Han Dynasty, the princes and state herdsmen all over the country have established their own houses.

Although Shen Chen did not agree to Liu Biao's appointment as an official, he accepted Liu Biao's position as a general, and he was regarded as Liu Biao's official.

So at least before he resigned or before Liu Biao died, he couldn't just follow Liu Bei.

"Sit down, sir."

Liu Bei asked Shen Chen to sit down.

In addition to the three mats on the porch, there is also a tray in the middle, with wine and some coarse grain cakes on the tray.

The three of them sat in a triangle, Shen Chen asked: "Mr. Xuande invited me, why?"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, brother made some rough cakes."

Cubing is the prototype of the later moon cakes. Although the Mid-Autumn Festival was not the top festival in the Han Dynasty, it was also ranked after the Spring Festival, Cold Food Festival, and Double Ninth Festival.

In the Han Dynasty, there were activities of respecting the elderly, caring for the elderly, admiring the moon, and giving male cakes on the day of Mid-Autumn Festival or Beginning of Autumn, but it was not very common. Before the Jin Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival was not popular in northern China, and most southerners celebrated this festival.

"I heard that southerners will respect the elderly, admire the moon, and eat coarse pancakes on the [-]th day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Wanderers studying abroad will think of their hometown when they see the moon."

Liu Bei raised his chopsticks and said with a smile, "So I made some pancakes and invited Mr. Xiao to taste them together."

Shen Chen also picked up the chopsticks, and said with a smile, "It just so happens that I'm hungry."

"Try it."

Guan Yu poured a glass of wine for the two of them himself.

Shen Chen picked up a thick pancake and took a bite. The food in the Han Dynasty was actually not very tasty, but he was used to it. He nodded slightly and said, "That's right, Mr. Xuande's craftsmanship is excellent."

"Just delicious."

Liu Bei smiles all over his face, wandering around, and has not developed the habit of being served by others. He has been able to cook since he was a child, so how can he be unfamiliar with his skills.

Guan Yu raised his glass and said, "Come, have a drink."

"drink!"

Shen Chen raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with the two of them.

He only turned 15 in October this year, and he is technically 14 now, but this does not prevent him from drinking, because the millet wine in the Han Dynasty has a very low alcohol content, which is no different from drinking water.

Putting down his wine glass, Liu Bei raised his head and looked at the sky, and said, "I'll wait for Yide and the others to come back later. I'll cook some meat after hunting the prey. The moon is very round these days, and the sky is also very clean, which makes me sigh." what."

"Since the sky is pure, why bother to be so sad, it seems that Duke Xuande's heart is not calm."

Shen Chen said: "Did you think of your hometown?"

"Ah, yes."

Liu Bei sighed: "I have been weaving mats and selling shoes with my mother since I was a child. Later, I learned from my son to do business, but I failed to achieve anything. I failed my uncle's wishes. After my mother died of illness, just in time for the Yellow Turban Rebellion, I was drafted into the army. , I often want to report to the country and go down to the people. But now it has been more than ten years since I left my hometown, but I am still wandering around, accomplishing nothing. In the end, I can only have empty ambitions. How can I not feel sorry for him?"

Guan Yu was a little moved by what he said, and he sighed slightly: "Brother reminds me of that spring day when the peach blossoms were in full bloom. Our three brothers vowed to help the Han family and secure the society together. Many years have passed, but we have not If I can achieve my wish, I don’t know if the Taoyuan is still there, and if the peach blossoms are still bright?”

"Second brother, it is the elder brother who is incompetent and failed to lead the two brothers to achieve a great cause."

Liu Bei immediately felt very ashamed. He felt that it was because of his own incompetence that a warrior like Guan Yu did not serve the country.

Guan Yu shook his head, and said earnestly: "Yu has never regretted following his elder brother, and has been with him from life to death. .”

"Second brother."

Liu Bei was so moved that his eyes were full of tears. He is not a person who sheds tears easily, but his love is deeply embarrassing.

Shen Chen sighed: "The lofty ambitions of Duke Xuande and Duke Yunchang are admirable, but the majestic Han Dynasty is far away, the Cao bandits are in power, the princes from all over the world are fighting for supremacy, and the people are in disorder. The people are devastated, and the lives are in distress. Our future road , is still very far away. This battle is our battle to help the Han Dynasty. If Cao Cao and Yuan Shao can be eradicated, and the world will be established, one day, the Duke will be able to return to his hometown in glory, and then look at Taoyuan!"

"it is good."

Liu Bei raised the wine glass in his hand, was infected by Shen Chen, wiped away the tears that hadn't shed yet, and suddenly stood up with pride, and said: "Mr. .The road ahead is still far away. But I firmly believe that as long as we and our brothers are united, nothing can stop us, and great things will be accomplished in the future! Your Majesty is still waiting for us, the country is still waiting for us, and all the people are waiting for us!"

"Xuan Degong's words are truly heroic for thousands of years, as heroic as the lake and the sea!"

Shen Chen was also infected by Liu Bei's bold words, raised his glass and said solemnly: "Chen vows to go through fire and water for the public, so as to save the Han Dynasty and the people of the world!"

"Come, let's drink this wine together!"

After Liu Bei clinked glasses with Guan Yu Shenchen, they stood with their hands together and drank the wine.

When he put down his cup again, he no longer felt homesick when he saw the moon. He only had fortitude and tenacity on his face, full of longing for the future.

He fell down countless times.

He has also been defeated countless times.

Many people ridiculed him and ridiculed him for being stupid.

There are also many people who look down on him and think he is nothing.

Only he himself never underestimated himself.

Because he knows.

As long as there is a heart that can help the Han Dynasty and save the people, one day, you can achieve great things.

So no matter how embarrassing it was in the past, no matter how miserable it was.

He just patted the wind and dust on his body, then stood up and said proudly to his brothers who followed him.

"The Han Dynasty is in decline, and treacherous ministers are in power. Prepare beyond our means, and want to extend justice to the world!"

The heaven and earth are heroic, and they are still awe-inspiring.

The wind of Zhao Lie is eternal!

This.

It's him Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!
(End of this chapter)