Three Kingdoms, I'm really not a general!

Chapter 528 The Last Bloodline of the Cao Family

Zhang Liao is an honest man, so it is not a big deal for me to take the blame for him.

Ma Chao and I have a deep relationship, so he would definitely not be angry if I said this.

On the contrary, now that he said this, problems would arise.

As expected, Ma Chao said with some dissatisfaction: "I have heard a lot about General Zhang's ability from the general, but now he can't even take down Cao Zhang. Is it because of the old friendship with Cao that he is holding back some strength?"

Zhang Liao was not bothered by Ma Chao's criticism. Instead, he said seriously, "Cao Zhang had many close guards, and they worked hard to escort Cao Zhang out. That's why we failed to capture him. I definitely didn't show any mercy."

Ma Chao wanted to say more, but Xing Daorong could no longer bear it.

Our Mengqi is still a little impulsive in doing things.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have harmed the entire family because of his actions.

He quickly interrupted and said, "I have already said this. I deliberately let Cao Zhang go. Everyone, please listen to me. If you think I didn't let too many people go, then we can discuss it properly."

After hearing this, Ma Chao didn't dare to go any further and just kept silent.

Xing Daorong said: "After Hangu Pass, we naturally have to go to Luoyang. Cao Zhang has nowhere to go, so he can only go to Luoyang."

"He is a defeated general of ours. It would be best if he could defend Luoyang."

"It's easy for us to grasp, and it's better for morale."

Everyone nodded when they heard this, feeling that Xing Daorong had far-reaching concerns.

It's all interconnected like this, who can escape Xing Daorong's plan?

Ma Chao also said: "I see, since this is the general's plan, let's just leave it at that."

Xing Daorong could hear Ma Chao's dissatisfaction and said with a smile, "This is just one of the reasons."

As he spoke, he noticed the inquiring gazes of the crowd and continued calmly, "The second reason is that Cao Zhang is the last bloodline of the Cao family. If Cao Pi knew of Cao Zhang's plight and had to rescue him, he could surround him and attack his reinforcements, and then kill the fresh troops of the Northern Wei."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

When it comes to describing it as "the last bloodline of the Cao family", these people really haven't thought about it carefully.

In fact, as Xing Daorong said, as the situation today, Cao Zhang is indeed the last bloodline of the Cao family.

Of course, this bloodline refers to the direct bloodline. If you count the collateral bloodlines, there will be many more.

The Cao family is indeed more fertile than the Liu family.

According to historical records, Cao Cao had a total of twenty-five sons, and of course almost half of them died before Cao Cao.

Among them, the most outstanding ones recognized by history include Cao Ang, born to Lady Ding, who was also Cao Cao's eldest son; the four sons born to Lady Bian: Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, and Cao Xiong; Cao Chong born to Lady Huan; and Cao Gun born to Lady Du.

Cao Ang died in Wancheng.

Cao Gun was quite talented. It was said that he was studious when he was young and could write articles when he was a teenager.

Every time he read, his ministers were always afraid that he would become ill due to the loss of energy and tried to dissuade him many times, but he loved reading and could not stop.

After becoming a feudal lord, he advocated frugality and urged his wives and concubines to spin and weave, which became a daily routine for the family.

In later times, Cao Gun wrote articles totaling more than 20,000 words. Although his talent was not as good as that of his brother, Cao Zhi, the Prince of Chensi, he shared the same interest in this.

However, despite his talent, Cao Gun was never at the center of power.

As for Cao Pi's brothers, Cao Xiong died early, Cao Zhi died in a rebellion, and only Cao Zhang was left.

Of course, even if they were all dead, it wouldn't really matter. However, given that Cao Zhi died in rebellion, Cao Zhang's last brothers were extremely valuable. "So that's how it is! Cao Zhang is actually so useful!"

Ma Chao reacted quickly. After a quick calculation of the Cao clan members, he understood what Xing Daorong meant.

But he rubbed his hands and said: "Not bad, not bad. If Cao Zhang dies again, Cao Pi will really become a lonely man."

"If we save them, we will suffer the consequences of the attack."

"If you don't save him, you will lose your last brother!"

"Well, well, let Cao Pi also suffer the pain of losing his brothers and let him suffer greatly."

The hatred in his words is still so obvious. No wonder Ma Chao died in depression. It was because the family hatred was difficult to dissipate in his heart!
Although what he said at this moment might sound a bit cruel to others, he himself felt extremely happy and let go of the fact that Zhang Liao "let go" of Cao Zhang.

Xing Daorong saw that everyone had calmed down, but he said, "Although Hangu Pass has been breached, we must not stop."

"I will assign Xun Ya and Chang Lin to guard Hangu Pass, and you all will follow me to Luoyang."

Naturally, everyone responded.

If we can capture Luoyang, it will naturally be a great achievement. No one wants to stay in Hangu Pass.

To put it bluntly…

No one thinks that Cao's army can fight their way back to Hangu Pass. Staying at Hangu Pass... is just a waste of time.

but…

Speaking of which, Xing Daorong was having so much fun playing that he seemed to have forgotten one person.

Who?
It was the general, Bao Long, who was sent by Xing Daorong to Hexi to gather information!
But on that day, after we had captured Hangu Pass and were sending Cao Xiu back to Chengdu, we were about to attack Luoyang again when a letter finally arrived from our General Bao Long.

Xing Daorong naturally did not forget Bao Long, but the Battle of Hangu Pass was probably the most successful battle Xing Daorong had ever fought.

Even the attack on Zhang Lu in the Battle of Hanzhong was not so smooth.

Given the overall advantage, there was really no need to call Bao Long back. Instead, it would be better to ask him to stay in Hexi and continue to observe the confrontation between Sima Yi and Cao Pi.

The reason why Bao Long wrote to me this time was because there were indeed some changes in the battle of Hexi.

Cao Pi compromised!
After failing to suppress Sima Yi's rebellion in Hexi, he negotiated peace with Sima Yi in Gaolang, an important town in Hexi.

The name Gaolang was first seen in "Strategies of the Warring States. Strategies of Zhao": "Zhi Bo led the forces of Zhao, Han, and Wei to attack the clan of Fan Zhongxing and destroy it. After a few years' rest... he sent people to Zhao again to ask for the land of Cai and Gaolang, but Zhao Xiangzi refused."

"Records of the Grand Historian" also recorded: "Meng Zeng (the ancestor of the Zhao family) was favored by King Cheng of Zhou, and was named Zhai Gaolang." That is, he was named after the place where he lived.

This place name is rarely seen in later generations, but it is recorded in various ancient books.

Now, the peace talks between Cao Pi and Sima Yi is indeed very important news.

On the one hand, Cao Pi was able to quickly respond to external threats and provide support to the Central Plains.

On the other hand, since Sima Yi was able to sneak back from Chang'an, there was no guarantee that he could sneak back to Chang'an from Hexi and launch a surprise attack.

This matter still made Xing Daorong feel a little troubled, but it was just a little bit.

With Bao Long's presence, he has full control over the movements in Hexi. If Sima Yi really dares to sneak back to Chang'an, he will naturally be in big trouble!

Although this news will cause some trouble to Xing Daorong, it will not affect the overall situation.

(End of this chapter)