Three Kingdoms: Cao Cao is stunned when he reveals his time-traveling identity.

Wancheng.

Early in the morning, Wancheng opened its city gates wide, and more than a hundred soldiers lined up on both sides, seemingly waiting for someone.

Zhang Xiu stood guard at the city gate, with Jia Xu by his side.

You could tell that there was a hint of impatience on his face.

"It's just a small vanguard force, only about five hundred men."

"Even Cao Cao is unwilling to come and accept the surrender in person, yet we still have to open the city gates wide to welcome him."

"If we act this way, won't Cao Cao take us even less seriously?"

Zhang Xiu gazed into the distance, but saw no one, and couldn't help but complain.

Although surrendering was a last resort.

But a true man should have some backbone even when surrendering.

How can you be so servile?

If that's the case, then I might as well be dead.

However, Jia Xu shook his head and said:

"Cao Cao could never fully trust us."

"The vanguard sent this time is also to test us."

"General, please be patient. Cao Cao will arrive in no time."

Zhang Xiu was about to say something more.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from not far away.

"They're here."

Zhang Xiu narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice:

"Cao Cao actually sent his most beloved eldest son as the vanguard."

"Aren't you afraid I'll use their son as a hostage to threaten them?"

Jia Xu shook his head slightly and said:

"If that's the case, then the general's fears have come true."

"Cao Cao will use this as a pretext to take over the matter of Xuzhou from Wancheng."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu's expression turned noticeably unpleasant.

But he said nothing more and waited for the arrival of Cao Cao's vanguard.

"We will reach Wancheng in another five hundred steps."

"Zixiu, we still need to be careful."

Looking at the faintly visible Wancheng in the distance, Cao Chun slowly spoke.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't give them any chance."

"If anything goes wrong, retreat immediately."

Cao Ang spoke with unwavering confidence:

"General Xu, has the retreat route been arranged?"

Xu Huang nodded and said:

"Don't worry, young master. Although the retreat route isn't the best one..."

"But there were no signs of an ambush nearby, making it virtually impossible for Zhang Xiu to pursue them under these circumstances."

The group discussed the matter, but Su Chen remained completely calm and composed.

It was as if everything was under their control.

Su Chen was certain that Zhang Xiu would not make a move, at least not before Cao Cao's army arrived.

If he didn't want Wancheng to become the next Xuzhou, he wouldn't be foolish enough to take action against Cao Ang.

This is why Cao Cao was so confident in sending Cao Ang.

Soon, the group was only a hundred paces away from Wancheng.

At this moment, the welcoming procession outside Wancheng was clearly visible.

"Zhang Xiu simply didn't have the guts to resist."

"He led his troops to greet us at the gate early in the morning; this man is not a threat."

Upon seeing this, Cao Ang raised an eyebrow slightly and calmly spoke.

Zhang Xiu's decision to open the city gates wide to welcome them was a sign of weakness, wasn't it?

Soon, Cao Ang and the others arrived in front of Zhang Xiu.

"I have long admired General Zhang's name!"

Cao Ang stepped forward politely.

Although he looked down on Zhang Xiu, there was no disdain on his face.

That's just Cao Ang's personality, and he's not stupid either.

Being too arrogant will only lead to a crushing defeat.

"This must be Young Master Cao Ang! He truly is a man of exceptional talent."

Seeing this, Zhang Xiu immediately forced a slight smile and said:

"Where is the Grand Commandant's army now?"

"When will you come to accept our surrender?"

Zhang Xiu's biggest worry right now is that Cao Cao won't come.

If Cao Cao refuses to come and accept the surrender...

Even if he decides to go solo again later, he will lose his authority.

"Father has already led a large army to the Wei River."

"I was specially dispatched to lead the vanguard to Wancheng."

Cao Ang responded calmly.

Su Chen took in his reaction.

No wonder everyone says that Cao Ang was Cao Cao's favorite son.

Thinking back on his younger brother's later behavior, he was truly far inferior to him.

If Cao Ang had not died in official history, would the final outcome of the Three Kingdoms period have been different?

Just then, Zhang Xiu glanced at Su Chen beside Cao Ang and asked in confusion:

"And this is...?"

Zhang Xiu naturally recognized Cao Ang and Cao Chun.

Xu Huang, being quite sensible, rode his horse behind Cao Ang.

Su Chen was the only new face, and being so young, he was actually keeping pace with Cao Ang.

Could this person be another son of Cao Cao?

However, Cao Cao's eldest son was Cao Ang, and his second son, Cao Pi, was only a teenager at the time, so their ages don't match up.

Su Chen not only attracted Zhang Xiu's attention.

Jia Xu, who was standing behind him, also noticed this.

"My name is Su Chen, courtesy name Jingming. I am merely a clerk under the Minister of Works, nothing more than that."

"Greetings, General Zhang."

Su Chen introduced himself calmly.

Registrar?

Upon hearing these two words, Zhang Xiu was taken aback.

It turns out that the young man in front of him is Su Chen, the chief clerk who has caught Jia Xu's attention!

Zhang Xiu never expected that Su Chen would be so young!

He looks even younger than Cao Ang.

Normally, Zhang Xiu would never have been interested in a mere registrar.

However, someone even Jia Xu couldn't help but mention must have been a talented individual.

"So it's Mr. Su. Truly, a hero emerges from among the young."

Zhang Xiu said with a smile.

The meeting between the two sides did not resemble a surrender ceremony, but rather a meeting between long-lost friends.

But Su Chen knew very well that the calm before the storm was often the calmest.

Zhang Xiu surrendered earlier than Su Chen had anticipated.

No one knows whether his surrender was truly from the heart.

It's best to be cautious in everything.

"I have prepared a banquet in the city, and I invite you to attend, sir."

"How about we wait for the Minister of Works to arrive in the city?"

Zhang Xiu spoke calmly.

Thank you for your trouble.

Cao Ang naturally had no reason to refuse.

Although there may be dangers in going into the city.

But since Su Chen hadn't said anything yet, Cao Ang was temporarily relieved.

Judging from this, Zhang Xiu seems to have truly surrendered wholeheartedly.

"When did Mr. Su join Sikong's ranks?"

"I've never heard of Mr. Su before."

On the way, a slightly weathered voice suddenly called out to Su Chen.

Su Chen was taken aback and looked in the direction of the sound.

The speaker was none other than a middle-aged man with a small mustache!

Who else could this person be but Jia Xu, following behind Zhang Xiu?

Thinking of this, Su Chen smiled calmly and said:

"I am but a minor clerk, not worth mentioning."

"Unlike Mr. Wenhe, who has a reputation as a ruthless strategist."

"I've heard so much about you."

Upon hearing this, the people standing nearby were taken aback.

Even Jia Xu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Before he could say anything, Su Chen recognized Jia Xu's identity at a glance!

It seems his guess was correct.

Su Chen is definitely not an ordinary clerk!

He was so highly regarded by Cao Cao that he was specially sent to Wancheng as the vanguard of Cao Ang's army.

He's definitely not an ordinary person!

……