Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 263 Cao Zixiao perishes in Tiger Prison Xia Houyuan defeats Xiegu

"Cao Ren is here to do his best!"

It was Liu Bei who said this. At this time, he was personally leading the people to besiege Cao Ren in the field and these thousands of last remnants in the core.But seeing that Cao Ren was like a crazy tiger, he led these thousands of people, almost fighting desperately with the tens of thousands of Zhang Fei and Zhang Liao surrounding him.With his arm already injured, he was now relying on a single sword to kill the enemy.There were already more than a dozen large and small wounds all over his body, but he didn't seem to notice it, and continued to fight fiercely.What's even more frightening is that he is not the only one, almost all of these thousands of Cao Jun are so willing to risk their lives.

"My lord, this should be Cao Cao's Qingzhou soldiers!" Chen Gong, who drove forward, looked at the vicious fight in the field, and sighed softly.Liu Bei nodded. He knew that Qingzhou soldiers were absolutely loyal to Cao Cao. When they were desperate, it was Cao Cao who took in these desperate Yellow Turban remnants.Since Chuping defected to Cao Cao in the third year, they only recognized Cao Cao as the lord.Historically, even if it was the account of Cao Pi, Cao Cao's successor, they would not buy it at all.If you want them to surrender, don't even think about it.

"The 30 Qingzhou Army, if they are all so tenacious, how can I compete with Cao Mengde?" Liu Bei murmured to himself as he valued the thousands of people who would not surrender.Chen Gong on the side heard the words, and quickly began to comfort him: "Although the soldiers in Qingzhou are loyal to Cao Cao, there will not be as many as 30. Cao Mengde has always exaggerated. There were indeed millions of soldiers when he incorporated the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army, but Excluding the family members of the rebels, the number of those who finally formed an independent army was 8 at most. The rest were either used as farmers or incorporated into the rest of the army. If there were 30 troops, everyone would fight to the death like this, Cao Mengde Why was he so embarrassed in Guandu back then, Yuan Benchu ​​was defeated in one fell swoop long ago."

"That's true!" Liu Bei reacted, and felt a little embarrassed about his talent just now.Looking at Chen Gong, Liu Bei knew that, as Cao Cao's former friend, he should know about these things.At this time, although the Qingzhou soldiers in the field were fighting desperately, after all, Liu Jun was not ignorant, and with the absolute advantage in numbers, he gradually controlled the situation.

Cao Ren didn't know how long he had been killed, nor how many times he had been stabbed, nor was he in the mood to care about the subordinates around him who had just fallen. He only knew that he was about to run out of strength.Finally, after cutting down another enemy, Cao Ren felt a numbness in his hand, and the sword in his hand almost flew away.While he was busy, he looked down and saw that the knife in his hand had many gaps and could no longer be used.

With such a distraction, Cao Ren suddenly felt that something was wrong with the surrounding situation.Quiet, too quiet, not at all like a fierce battle.Cao Ren looked up in a daze, only to find that there was a large area around him, and he was the only one standing there.The large area that fell around was all his own people and Liu Bei's people.After seeing this scene, Cao Ren knew that the general situation was really over.As soon as his breath fell, Cao Ren immediately lost the strength to continue fighting. The knife in his hand fell to the ground with a "clang", and he crouched down and gasped for breath.

"Cao Zixiao, don't come here unharmed!" Liu Bei greeted Cao Ren even though he knew that it was impossible for him to surrender.Hearing this sound, Cao Ren cheered up and raised his head.Looking at Liu Bei in the distance, and Zhang Fei and others who were on full alert around him, Cao Ren heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Uncle Liu Huang has not seen him for a long time. Today, Cao Ren was defeated here. His only complaint is that his skills are not as good as others. Now, there is only one thing to ask for." .”

"What's the matter?" Liu Bei couldn't help wondering what Cao Ren would ask of him.But I heard Cao Ren laughing and saying: "I just ask the emperor to bury me back to the Cao family's ancestral grave in my hometown in Qiao County. I am very grateful!" After speaking, Cao Ren crossed the single sword in his hand and pulled it hard at his neck.

In the splash of blood, Cao Ren's burly figure fell to the ground.Looking at Cao Ren's body, Liu Bei seemed to come back to his senses after a while, and finally sighed: "Send down the order, prepare a good coffin, and send Cao Zixiao back to Qiao County for burial, as he wishes!"

"My lord, Cao Ren is Cao Cao's cousin after all. I think it's better to leave this matter to Cao Cao himself. We are outsiders after all!" Pang Tong remonstrated.Liu Bei didn't think there was anything wrong when he heard the words, so he nodded and left it to Pang Tong to handle the matter.Chen Gong and Xu Shu on the side frowned slightly after hearing this, but they didn't say anything after all.

Although Pang Tong's words sounded more humane, even very kind.But its real intention is to use Cao Ren's death to stimulate Cao Cao.After all, Cao Ren is Cao Cao's cousin. He has followed him for many years since he joined the army, and his friendship is very important.No matter how calm Cao Cao could hold his breath, he would be extremely angry and even lose his mind when faced with Cao Ren's corpse.In this way, it will be easier to lose your calm, which will give Liu Bei more opportunities to take advantage of.Although this method is effective, they really disdain to use this somewhat obscene method.But now that Pang Tong is using it, even if they object, it's hard to say so.

Due to the opening of the city gate in time, the battle of Hulaoguan eventually turned into street fighting.Of the [-] Cao troops guarding the pass, more than [-] were killed or captured. Among them, [-] Qingzhou soldiers were all killed in battle, and thousands of others fled through the back door of the pass.Correspondingly, Liu Bei's army also lost more than [-] people.The first battle of the Northern Expedition was so tragic, which made Liu Bei sigh.

What Liu Bei didn't expect was that it wasn't just at Hulao Pass.At this time in Hanzhong, it was also a scuffle.On a remote path in the Qinling Mountains, Xia Houen was leading the five thousand elite soldiers, led by a few local hunters, to cross the camp set up by the Sichuan army at the intersection, and then to kill Zhao Feng all the way to the rear of the opponent. caught off guard.

"Pass the order down, take a break for now!" Xia Houen looked at the scorching sun, and temporarily ordered the whole army to rest.This was already the fifth day they had entered the Qinling Mountains. According to Orion, who acted as a guide, it would take another three days to completely bypass the enemy camp.

"If you take the valley road directly, you can save more than 200 miles of mountain roads, at least a few days. It takes so much time to detour around this small road. Why is the path in the middle of Sichuan so difficult to walk?" Xia Houen was in the shade of the trees. Next, he also murmured to himself with some complaints.Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, a triumphant voice came from above his head: "Since it is difficult to leave, then don't leave!"

"Who?" Xia Houen was shocked when he heard the words, and quickly looked up.But the next scene made Xia Houen frightened: countless strange pawns, like evil spirits descending from the sky, rushed out from the grass on both sides of the mountain road, from the trees, and even from behind the stones.These people are all strong and flexible.No armor on his body, only a strange rattan coat, his face was painted with oil paint, and he waved a sword in his hand, screaming and rushing towards thousands of bewildered soldiers.

"Hurry up to fight!" After Xia Houen realized it, he became anxious and quickly ordered to fight.But as soon as they fought, these Cao Jun were taken aback.Not only because the opponent's skills are extremely strong, but also because they are really weird. When I cut it with my sword, the fragile vine armor actually remained motionless, and my weapons were swung away. This group of enemies is simply invulnerable.

These Cao soldiers are all the elite under Xia Houyuan's command, and they are also the healthy ones in the army on weekdays.They have also seen opponents who are generally skilled, so they will not panic anyway.But now this group of enemies is really terrifying, with colorful faces and invulnerable skills. With their skills, they are like devils.As soon as this idea came up, these usually brave soldiers also lost their fighting spirit, and more and more people began to retreat, looking for a way to escape.

"Damn it, why can't it be killed!" Xia Houen was in a hurry after several consecutive stabs without success.Gritting his teeth, Xiahouen dropped the steel knife in his hand and drew out the long sword behind his back to fight again.

"嗤嗤" counted the swords, and the rattan armor of several enemy soldiers was also chopped off, and then the people were hacked to death.But not everyone can have this magical weapon. Xiahouen's little effort really can't make waves.Not long after, the rest of the soldiers were either killed, captured or surrendered, and only Xiahouen was still leading hundreds of people to resist.Wang Ping and Zhu Ran, who were leading the team, looked at each other, and both stepped forward to pinch Xiahouen together.

In terms of martial arts, Xia Houen is inferior to both of them.Although there is an extra sword, it is still not an opponent.If the two of them hadn't been afraid that the sword in his hand would cut the iron like mud, and dared not use their own weapons to fight head-on, Xiahouen would have been knocked down within ten moves.Even so, after dozens of moves, Xia Houen was still kicked on the stomach by Wang Ping Xunji, and the whole person was kicked to the ground. Before he got up, he had several weapons on his neck.

"What a fellow!" Wang Ping was full of praise as he looked at the sword Xiahouen had just seized in his hand.Looking at the two ancient seal characters on the scabbard, Wang Ping was illiterate, so naturally he didn't know what was written.Zhu Ran leaned forward and took a few glances, and said with a slight surprise: "Qingzhi Sword?"

"Why is General Yi Feng, you know this precious sword?" Wang Ping wondered.Zhu Ran nodded, and then said: "I heard that Cao Cao has two swords, one is Yitian, and the other is Qingji, and the one on his end is to cut iron like mud. The Yitian sword was matched by Cao Cao himself, and the Qinggang sword is his nephew. Xiahouen wears it. It seems that this guy is Xiahouen!"

"Yifeng is really well-informed, Wang Ping admires it!" Wang Ping knew that Zhu Ran was from a wealthy family in Wuzhong, and his knowledge was much better than that of this old man.Unexpectedly, Zhu Ran smiled and said: "How do I know this, I just heard General Zhao mention it by accident in the past!"

"So that's how it is!" Wang Ping nodded and looked at the sword in his hand. Wang Ping thought for a while and said, "Wang Ping is grateful to General Zhao for his kindness. I can't repay you. Now I want to give this sword to General Zhao." Let’s talk about what you want, I don’t know what General Zhu wants?”

Although Wang Ping came from a humble background, he also knew the ways of the world.Xia Houen was captured by himself and Zhu Ran. How to dispose of the spoils needs to be discussed with Zhu Ran.Zhu Ran thought about it for a while, and remembered that he was Sun Quan's child. Since Sun Quan was killed all these years, it was Zhao Feng who placed himself in Hanzhong to avoid being squeezed out with Sun's old ministers, which was considered a kindness to him.Now I might as well follow Wang Ping and be a favor, and I agreed immediately.

"Zijun, Yifeng, you guys are so embarrassing, Zhao deserves it!" Looking at the green sword in his hand, Zhao Feng couldn't put it down.This kind of magic weapon, which martial arts practitioner doesn't like it?Since Zhao Yun is not here now, he is taking advantage of himself.

"The general is serious. By the way, general, Xiahouen has already been captured. I don't know how the general plans to deal with it?" Wang Ping asked modestly.Zhao Feng smiled after hearing the words, then waved his hands and said: "Tie him up and hang him in front of the army with his banner. Xia Houyuan will see it, and he will naturally know what to do!"

"General, Xiahouen is Xiahouyuan's nephew. If we insult him, wouldn't Xiahouyuan want to fight us for the rest of his life?" Wang Ping wondered.

"Hehe, Xia Houyuan marched into the Xiegu Road, and sooner or later he would run out of food and grass. The reason why he refused to retreat was because he was counting on Xia Houen's surprise attack. After seeing his nephew, Xia Houyuan would naturally be able to distinguish priorities. Unless he wants to spend a hundred thousand The entire army will be buried here, otherwise they will definitely retreat!" Zhao Feng said confidently.

"Or so!" Zhu Ran nodded, and immediately ordered someone to tie Xiahouen's five flowers, push him to the front of the army and bind him to a wooden stake, and hang up his war chess together.Cao Jun's patrol sentries rushed to report to Xia Houyuan after seeing it.

"What?" Xia Houyuan was also taken aback when he learned that his nephew was captured alive.After being depressed for a while, Xia Houyuan suddenly ordered: "Pass on my general's order, the whole army will withdraw to Chang'an as soon as possible!"

"General, don't you care about the major general?" Xia Houlan couldn't help but wondered when she heard the general order.Xia Houyuan smiled wryly when he heard the words: "The reason why Zhao Botao tied En'er up for public display was to tell me not to count on his amazing army. If I stay here again, I will die once the food and grass are exhausted. I should withdraw as soon as possible." That's good." Having said that, Xia Houyuan really felt aggrieved by being eaten to death like this.

"I see!" Xia Houlan nodded, and went to arrange for the withdrawal of the army.A few days later, all Cao troops withdrew from Xiegu Road, and Zhao Feng released Xiahouen as Xiahouyuan wished.In this battle of Hanzhong, in the end Zhao Feng relied on his geographical advantage to make Xia Houyuan return without success.But the two of them felt aggrieved, Xia Houyuan was like this, and Zhao Feng was also like this.The latter advocated offense all his life, but when he encountered Xia Houyuan several times, he was forced to defend to the death due to insufficient troops, which was really aggrieved.

"Xiahou Miaocai, I really hope to have a chance to compete with you!" Zhao Feng muttered to himself.Xia Houyuan has always fought bravely in battle, and it is definitely worth looking forward to a quick fight with him.However, what Zhao Feng didn't expect was that he never had such an opportunity.

Only Zhao Feng and Xia Houyuan were aggrieved. At this time, Cao Cao, the king of Wei and prime minister, was proudly watching the mighty team crossing the river by the Yellow River.He personally led an army of 20 to the south to deal with Liu Bei, and he has already crossed half of the river.

"King of Wei, King of Wei!" Just when Cao Cao was in high spirits, he saw a horse coming at a high speed from afar, and the man on the horse was the counselor Cheng Yu, who was yelling as he came.

"Zhongde, why are you so panic-stricken and so impatient, did you learn from Xu Ziyuan?" Cao Cao, who was in a good mood, also joked. As soon as he said this, even Xu Chu, who was always serious beside him, couldn't help but grin.Xu You has been arrogant and ignorant of etiquette since he defected to Cao Cao. Cao Cao couldn't bear it a few years ago, and finally found something wrong, and sent him to Bohai to be a small county magistrate, just to keep out of sight.

"King Wei!" Cheng Yu's tone was anxious, without any intention of joking.Seeing the smile on Cao Cao's face, Cheng Yu gritted his teeth and said truthfully: "According to the report from the detective, Liu Bei led his army to break through Hulao Pass the day before yesterday, and General Cao Ren died on the battlefield!"

"What?" After hearing the bad news suddenly, Cao Cao felt his mind spinning, and fell off his horse when his eyes went dark.

(End of this chapter)