Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

15

He decisively said, "We'll go through Hangu Pass, have Xu Rong meet us, escort us outside the pass, and then ask General Zilong for help. Our lord is short of provisions, and this batch of supplies will be just what we need!"

Having said that, he looked at Jia Xu and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

Jia Xu nodded: "Very good, but we must act quickly. Cao Cao could attack at any time, and Hangu Pass may not be able to hold out for long."

**Frowning: "Can't we let General Zilong take Hangu Pass while he's at it? Xu Rong has already surrendered, so taking it shouldn't be difficult."

If one can control Hangu Pass, one will control the throat of entry and exit from Guanzhong, and will be able to advance and retreat freely in the future.

The same principle applies to Sishui Pass.

Jia Xu shook his head: "I'm afraid that won't work."

Jia Xu frowned slightly and said, "Hangu Pass is not comparable to Sishui. This is Cao Cao's heartland. Even if he abandons Bingzhou and Hedong, he will never allow us to occupy this pass. How can he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed?"

Upon hearing this, the man sighed softly, "In that case, it is indeed a pity. But with your abilities, my lord, and our combined efforts in Guanzhong, wouldn't it have been better to seize this place? Why must you hand it over to Cao Cao?"

Jia Xu chuckled and shook his head: "Don't bite off more than you can chew. Our lord's military prowess is undeniable; you all just need to do your jobs. Look at our current territory—from Qing and Yan to Hongnong, it stretches like a thousand-mile-long snake, with the Lujiang enclave hanging over the south. To the north are Yuan Shao and his grandson, and to the south are Tao Qian and Liu Biao. If we were to take Guanzhong, how long would the battle lines stretch? At that point, the likes of Ma and Han from Xiliang would also become a threat from within."

"Such a territory is difficult to defend from both ends, and to attack from both sides. The slightest carelessness could lead to it being cut in half by the other lords. Is this the situation you desire?"

The man exclaimed in realization, "I see!"

"Of course," Jia Xu stroked his beard and said, "To do something knowing it's impossible is unwise. There's a hidden agenda in who we pass this hot potato to. Since our lord has chosen Cao Cao, he must have a deep and far-sighted plan. Right now, the most urgent task is to quickly transport the money and supplies and withdraw some of the secret guards from Guanzhong."

"This place will become Cao Cao's base of operations in the future. This man is far more cunning than Dong Zhuo. One must be extremely cautious when acting in his territory."

**Nodding in agreement, he said, "That's exactly what I was thinking! Didn't you plan to go to Nanyang with Zhang Jijun? Shouldn't we also head towards Nanyang?"

The other party hesitated for a moment: "Let's not rush into a decision. Lü Bu has already gone to Nanyang; let's observe his subsequent actions first. We still have time to maneuver. We can't easily let Cao Cao control Guanzhong; we must engage him in several battles!"

Jia Xu shook his head slightly. Lü Bu's choice of Nanyang was indeed unexpected, but considering the situation in Yanzhou and the Central Plains, it was also reasonable.

"Understood! I will follow your instructions, sir. I will immediately send men to transport the money and provisions out of Hangu Pass, and at the same time send a message to General Zilong." **The deployment began swiftly.

The next morning, Zhao Yun received an urgent secret letter from **. After reading it, he showed surprise: "The secret guards and the Lu Clan Merchant Guild have made a great contribution this time, actually managing to seize the money and grain that Dong Zhuo had hoarded in Meiwu!" He immediately dispatched 30,000 Beiwei soldiers and a large number of logistics troops to Hangu Pass to provide support.

With the cooperation of the garrison commander Xu Rong, Zhao Yun successfully transported all the money and provisions out. Xu Rong proposed, "General Zilong, there is still some money, provisions, and military equipment stored inside Hangu Pass. We can take most of it, leaving only a small amount for daily needs. According to Jia Xu's plan, I will withdraw from Hangu Pass when Li Jue and Guo Si send troops. At that time, we will need your assistance. In addition, we need to build fortifications at the new Hangu Pass. I wonder if you are prepared?"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "General Xu, rest assured, the strategist and the lord have already made arrangements. Half a month ago, our army expanded the old site and built a new fortress. The lord instructed us to name it Tongguan. Its terrain is far more precipitous than this place, and it will surely be able to resist the enemy forces from within the pass."

Xu Rong nodded in satisfaction: "Now I can rest assured."

Despite his doubts about how Zhao Yun and his men had built this magnificent pass in such a short time, he naturally wouldn't say anything more since Zhao Yun had made such a solemn promise.

Ultimately, he has not yet formally submitted to Lu Feng and acknowledged him as his master. Only after withdrawing from Hangu Pass will he set off for Yanzhou to pay homage to Lu Feng and formally pledge his allegiance.

He was actually full of anticipation for this day.

He wanted to witness firsthand whether Wu Hou Lu Feng could truly become the wise ruler destined for him.

Subsequently, Zhao Yun led his troops, escorting the money, grain, and supplies obtained from Meiwu, and marched in a grand procession towards Yanzhou.

Three days later

Cao Cao's vanguard general, Cao Ren, led his army across the Yellow River and marched straight for Xia County, advancing with unstoppable momentum. After capturing Xia County, they continued their advance towards Heyang, Chengcheng, Dali, and other cities.

Cao Cao personally led his main force closely behind, crossed the Yellow River when low clouds covered the sky, and after entering Xia County, he rushed to Hangu Pass, intending to seize the pass before Li Jue and Guo Si could.

By the time Li and Guo received the news and sent troops to intercept him, Cao Ren had already attacked Xiagui County and was preparing to cross the Wei River again, aiming his sword at Weinan.

Meanwhile, Li Jue and Guo Si, who had been warned by Jia Xu, had already set up a tight defense line in Chang'an, Weinan, Huayin and other cities.

At the same time, a large army was dispatched to press on Hangu Pass.

Cao Cao was ultimately too late.

When Li Jue and Guo Si's troops arrived at the pass and found the city gates tightly shut, Li Jue immediately shouted, "Xu Rong! I, Li Jue and Guo Si, am here! Open the gates immediately and welcome us!"

On the city wall, Xu Rong looked down at the dark mass of Xiliang troops, his gaze finally settling on Li and Guo: "Entering the pass is not difficult. We can even surrender Hangu Pass without hesitation—but we'll have to exchange it for money and provisions."

"Insolence! You scoundrel!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue and Guo Si's expressions darkened.

How dare they demand money from them?

Having once served under Dong Zhuo, and now with Li Jue and Guo Si in command of the Xiliang army, Xu Rong should rightfully surrender the pass and submit.

Of course, they have always looked down on Xu Rong.

After all, Xu Rong was not a direct descendant of Xiliang. Back when Dong Zhuo was alive, Li Jue and Guo Si had often ostracized him.

"Xu Rong, cease your arrogance! Open the gates immediately, and I might spare your life. But if you wait until the city falls, I will surely have you beheaded!"

Li Jue, enraged, shouted angrily, "You bastard!"

Xu Rong sneered and replied without fear, "Li Jue, stop bluffing! Cao Cao's vanguard is already approaching the Wei River and will soon attack Weinan. The main force is only a hundred li away. Do you still have time to entangle with me?"

He raised his head and said, "My five thousand soldiers inside the pass are more than enough to hold the line for a day or two. Perhaps Prime Minister Cao will be more generous than you, and this deal could really go through—why don't we give it a try?"

Xu Rong thought to himself: Who can't threaten someone? This idea of ​​extorting money was originally Mr. Jia's, and he was just following the rules. If he could take a large sum of money and go to Lu Feng, wouldn't that better demonstrate his value?

Since he had a long-standing grudge against Li and Guo, Xu Rong didn't feel it was inappropriate to provoke them at this moment.

"Insolence!" Li Jue's veins bulged, and he was about to explode when Guo Si quickly pulled him aside and whispered in his ear, "His words may be harsh, but they are true. The most urgent task is to capture Hangu Pass as soon as possible; the situation in Weinan and Chang'an is extremely critical."

Li Jue gritted his teeth and flung his hand away: "You go talk to him! I'd be furious if I said another word to this bastard!"

Guo Si raised his voice, "Name your price! How much do you want for me to hand over the pass?"

Xu Rong's lips curled slightly, and he casually uttered, "Ten thousand taels of gold, no more, no less."

Upon hearing this, Li and Guo were speechless with astonishment.

Guo Si instantly flew into a rage: "How much? Say it again!"

The sum of 100,000 gold completely enraged him, and he roared, "Are you insane? What does 100,000 gold even mean? We might as well just rob someone! I absolutely cannot accept this!"

"It seems you have no intention of negotiating at all!" Guo Si turned around and was about to order an attack on the city.

Xu Rong sneered inwardly: Isn't this blatant robbery?

"Don't be impulsive!" Li Jue hurriedly grabbed Guo Si, lowering his voice, "Brother Guo, calm down! This is clearly Xu Rong deliberately making things difficult for us. Why don't we pretend to agree first, then kill him once we get into the city, and get the money back!"

At this moment, Li Jue had already decided to kill Xu Rong.

"Good idea!" Guo Si thought for a moment; the most urgent task was to trick them into opening the city gates. But then he frowned: "But where would we get so much cash?"

Who would carry such a large sum of money with them?

Li Jue sighed and said, "Let the soldiers contribute. We've recently confiscated a lot of property from powerful families; that should be enough." Anyway, we can get it back later.

"This is the only way." Guo Si sent someone to convey that he agreed to the conditions, but it would take time to raise funds.

Xu Rong replied leisurely, "No rush, I have plenty of time to wait."

These words infuriated the two of them, making them grit their teeth.

"I want to kill him right now!" Guo Si said hatefully.

"Let's raise the money first. There will be plenty of time to settle accounts later," Li Jue reassured him.

Soon, they plundered 100,000 gold coins from the army of over 100,000 men.

"The money is all prepared. Shouldn't the city gates be open by now? Perfect timing to send the money in!"

This is clearly a ruse to deceive the city!

"No need! We don't trust you! We've prepared dozens of bamboo baskets; you put the money in, and we'll pull it up ourselves!"

Xu Rong flatly refused.

Do you think he's easy to fool?

"That won't do! If they take the money and then don't open the door, wouldn't our money be wasted?"

Guo Si immediately retorted.

"Then don't give it to me! I'm not in a hurry!"

"Besides, I'm just gathering some travel money to run away; why should I make a mortal enemy of your master?"

Xu Rong remained calm and composed.

He looked completely at ease.

This infuriated Guo Si and his men, who were seething with rage.

"Alright, alright! As you wish! You must open the door within half an hour, or don't blame us for a full-scale attack!"

Guo Si waved his hand impatiently.

He cursed Xu Rong in his heart, calling him cunning and treacherous like a devil.

How come we didn't notice it before?

"Don't worry, it'll be ready soon!"

Xu Rong finally smiled.

He ordered his men to put down dozens of bamboo baskets so that Guo Si could fill them with money.

"They even prepared so many bamboo baskets; they clearly planned this all along! Once I enter the pass, I'll make that scoundrel wish he were dead!"

Guo Si gritted his teeth and growled.

"Count me in! We can't let him die too easily!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Jue's eyes.

"Hurry up! Bring everything up! Everyone gets a reward if you do a good job!"

Xu Rong looked at the bamboo basket full of silver coins and grinned from ear to ear.

"Yes, sir!"

Although the soldiers' eyes were gleaming with greed, they still strictly adhered to military discipline and dared not act recklessly.

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Content

The city tower was soon piled high with valuables worth 100,000 gold coins.

"Xu Rong! Shouldn't the city gates be opened now?" Li Jue and Guo Si shouted from below the city.

They couldn't wait to rush into the city, seize Xu Rong, and torture him to death.

Xu Rong replied with a smile, "What's the rush? We agreed on half an hour, can't you even wait that long?"

"Xu Rong! You want to back out?" Li Jue asked, frowning.

"What else do you want after you've taken the money? Open the city gates now!" Guo Si urged sternly.

"Ha!" Xu Rong sneered, "We were already sworn enemies, and today's events have only made you hate me more. If I opened the city gates and let you in, would you still be alive?"

"You can climb up slowly! I'm not going to keep you company any longer!" With that, Xu Rong disappeared from the city wall.

After capturing the city, Xu Rong immediately ordered his soldiers: "Load the goods onto the carts and evacuate!"

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers quickened their pace. Everyone knew this was not a place to linger.

At this moment, Zhao Yun rode up on horseback: "Is everything ready?" He glanced at the valuables being loaded onto the carts and laughed: "Is this what Mr. Jia asked you to get from Li Jue and Guo Si?"

It's clear that Zhao Yun already knew about this, which is why he was there to provide support.

"Exactly." Xu Rong nodded. "A total of 100,000 taels of gold. Mr. Jia said we could take this opportunity to extort another sum from them and present it to our lord. I wonder if our lord will be satisfied?"

As he said this, Xu Rong glanced at Zhao Yun. Back when the warlords were fighting against Dong Zhuo, Zhao Yun was the garrison commander of Sishui Pass, and he remembered the events vividly.

After Lü Bu arrived, he remained stationed at Sishui Pass and witnessed every clash between Zhao Yun and Lü Bu.

Zhao Yun's martial arts skills are truly admirable; it is rare for someone to elevate their personal martial prowess to such a level.

"Ha ha!"

Zhao Yun laughed heartily: "My lord will surely appreciate General Xu's generous gift!"

"kill--"

"Break down the city gates! We swear to take Xu Rong's life!"

Suddenly, deafening shouts of battle erupted from beyond the pass.

Zhao Yun and Xu Rong exchanged a startled look.

Zhao Yun chuckled, "It seems some people are getting impatient. We should retreat to avoid fighting them. Let Cao Cao deal with these people!"