Cai Ji received Liu Bei, who came to "reminisce" in his own account. Don't look at the cold wind outside, but inside the tent is warm like spring, and the room is full of fragrance. Liu Bei took off his heavy fur jacket and sat opposite Cai Ji, and the sweet wine and pastries placed on the dining table in front of him reminded him of the scene of drinking with Cai Ji in the Yang Mansion in Xu Du six years ago. At that time, Liu Bei had just been taken by Lu Bu and Peicheng, and in desperation, he had to rush to Xudu to defect to Cao Cao. Who would have thought that in just six years, Liu Bei had already laid a huge foundation in Jingnan, and forced Cao Cao into a desperate situation. Of course, Liu Bei's achievements are nothing compared to Cai Ji on the other side. You must know that the female prince in front of her not only killed the former "benefactor" Yuan Shao, but also pocketed half of the Yuan family's country, and turned into a great prince who owns the four states of Qing, Xu, Hebei, and You. The ruthlessness of his methods made Liu Bei sigh to himself.

However, before Liu Bei could speak, Cai Ji first mentioned the old thing, "The last time Gu and General Zuo drank was at the mansion of Taiwei Yang in Xudu, I never thought that after six years, it would be a thing or a person." ”

"In the past, if it weren't for the guidance of Qi Hou and the help of Gu Nan to cross Yangzhou, it would be difficult for Gu Nan to have today's foundation." Speaking of this, Liu Bei picked up the wine bottle in front of him and saluted Cai Ji, "Lone is here to give Qi Hou a glass first." ”

"General Zuo praises also. Back then, it was just a mutual benefit. Cai Ji raised his glass and said humbly.

"Then it will be mutually beneficial." Liu Bei said, raised his head and drank the wine in the cup.

"Respect for mutual benefit." Cai Ji also quietly raised his glass and drank it all.

With two glasses of water and wine, the atmosphere at the scene suddenly eased a lot. I saw Liu Bei wiping the wine from the corner of his mouth. Directly to Cai Ji straight to the point, "Don't hide it from Qi Hou, Gu came to visit today to ask Qi Hou for a lesson or two." ”

"Don't dare to ask for advice." Cai Ji put down the wine cup in his hand. adjusted his sitting posture and said, "General Zuo has something to say." ”

"You're welcome." Liu Bei leaned over slightly and asked Cai Ji, "The Son of Heaven is about to arrive in Xiangyang, if Cao Cao gets out of trouble and defaults, what should he do?" ”

After hearing this, Cai Ji knew that Liu Bei was afraid that the "Yunmengze Covenant" he had made earlier would not be fulfilled. It must be known that the current relationship between the four families corresponds to the saying "hemp rod beats the wolf, and the two ends are afraid". That is to say, this hemp rod is actually not a powerful weapon, and the person who beats the wolf with it is afraid that it will have no effect on the wolf, and the wolf will be afraid when he sees someone hitting it with a pole. Just as Cai, Cao, Sun, and Liu seem to have reached an agreement. Just wait for the Son of Heaven to come to Xiangyang to open the sealing ceremony. But in fact, Liu Bei was worried that after the tiger returned to the mountain, the father and son of the Cao family refused to recognize the "Yunmengze Covenant". After all, so far Cao Ang has not officially responded to Liu Bei's conditions. As for Cao Ang, he was also afraid that once he met the conditions put forward by Cai, Sun, and Liu, the other party would suddenly turn his face and deny people and harm Cao Cao.

Since the siege of Dangyang, this "hemp pole" has gradually lost its deterrent effect. Naturally, stronger forces need to be involved to restrain the parties. In fact, this is also one of the purposes of Cai Ji's southward trip. So in the face of Liu Bei's temptation, Cai Ji immediately waved his hand and said proudly, "Don't worry, Xuande Gong. There is loneliness. Tell Cao Gong to fulfill Yun Mengze's covenant. ”

On the one hand, Cai Ji's cheerful attitude surprised Liu Bei, and on the other hand, it confirmed Zhuge Liang's previous photo judgment. Cai Anzhen does have the heart to balance the princes. It is precisely because of the ambition to dominate the world that the woman in front of her will give up the small profits in front of her and focus on promoting the great cause of separation.

Liu Bei has always been self-motivated by light and martial arts, and he also has the ambition of dominating the world and rejuvenating the Han family. But he knew that his strength was limited, and he couldn't pry the situation of the world as big as Cai Ji. Because of this, Liu Bei will never let go of any opportunity to accumulate strength. However, at this time, he did not ask Cai Ji how to make Cao Cao comply. Because what Liu Bei wants is Cai Ji's attitude, or more precisely, Cai Ji's promise. So the next moment, Liu Bei hurriedly asked, "This is true!" ”

"There is no lie. Xuan Degong didn't believe it. Lonely can high-five as an oath. After speaking, Cai Ji generously stretched out his hand to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei didn't expect Cai Ji to come to this show, and he was stunned at first. Immediately laughed and said, "Qi Hou is really a heroine among women." High-fives are not necessary, and the lonely belief in Qi Hou is a promise. ”

Liu Bei is not pretending to be reserved, but Cai Ji does enjoy the name of "a promise and a thousand golds" in the outside world. Because whether it is facing Yuan Shao's father and son in the early years, or Cao Cao's father and son later, or the court of the Son of Heaven, no matter what Cai Ji's relationship with the other party is, as long as she promises something, she will definitely fulfill her promise. In addition, Liu Bei has not restrained Cai Ji's strength now, so instead of forcing Cai Ji to swear, it is better to simply trust the other party to be chic.

Sure enough, Liu Bei's move won Cai Ji's favor. The latter immediately withdrew his hand, and while motioning to the maid to pour wine for Liu Bei, he poured himself a glass of sweet wine and saluted Liu Bei, "It's rare that Xuande Gong trusts Gu so much, and Gu respects Gong again." ”

Liu Bei raised his glass in response, "Qi Hou is polite." ”

only heard a crisp sound of "ding", and the moment the wine cups touched, Cai Ji and Liu Bei invariably showed a knowing smile.

With Cai Ji including Liu Bei in his camp, Liu Xie and his entourage, who set off from Xudu, finally arrived at Beijinshu, which is located three miles southwest of Xiangyang City, in mid-December of the eighth year of Jian'an. Because the north canal that connects the east of the lake with the Han River, the Tanxi River channel, can easily enter and exit the Han River, and the opposite bank of the river slope is an iron window with high terrain, which can be opposite to the Beijin Shu to return to and from the wharf, which has the superior natural conditions for large-scale military ferries. Therefore, as early as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the overlord Chu State, which was entrenched in the south, had successively expanded northward, eastward, and westward, and would use Beijin Shu as a gathering place for the entry and exit of the Chu king's division. Over time, the state of Chu established a military fortress here with a considerable scale of infrastructure and the preparation of boats and grains, and gradually developed into a city guarded by soldiers. In the Qin and Han dynasties, the water in the west of the city was forced to be diverted to the north foot of the mountains in the south of Xiangyang City due to the rainy season and the flood season to the eastern foot of Da Xian Mountain, and finally flowed into the Han River from the Guanyin Pavilion in the south of Da Xian Mountain, which was called Xiangshui, and the county set up in Beijin Shu was renamed Xiangyang County because it was located in the Yang of Water in the Han Gao Emperor period, and Beijin Shu was renamed Xiangyang.

However, the Xiangyang City that the world calls at present is not the ancient city of Beijin, but the new city built by Liu Biao in the northeast of Beijinshu. The size of the new town is not only several times larger than the old one. And the facilities are also more grand and comfortable. As for Beijin, it was once again transformed into a purely military fortress, and is now guarded by the general Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen, Zidan. It is Cao Cao's righteous son. It is said that Cao Zhen's surname is Qin, and his father Qin Shao has always been kind to Cao Cao. In the last years of Xingping, Yuan Shu and Cao Cao fought in Yuzhou, Cao Cao went out to reconnoitre, encountered Yuan Shu Qu chased and killed, fortunately Cao Zhen's father impersonated, Yuan Shu Bu Qu mistakenly thought he was Cao Cao. He killed him and left, so that Cao Cao escaped a catastrophe. Cao Cao cared for Qin Shao Ende and adopted his son. and changed his surname to Cao. Cao Zhen has lived with the sons of the Cao family since he was a child, and Cao Cao regards him as his own. Once, Cao Zhen went out hunting with Cao Jiang. Chased by a tiger on the way, Cao Zhen turned around and shot the tiger, and the tiger fell in response. When Cao Cao heard the news, he praised Cao Zhen's martial bravery. Let him lead the tiger and leopard ride. Recruit the Yellow Turban Thieves entrenched in Lingqiu. The young Cao Zhen won a complete victory in the first battle, annihilating all the Yellow Turban thieves in one fell swoop, and was named the Marquis of Lingshou Pavilion by the imperial court.

I think that when Cao Cao was just driven into Dangyang City by Guan Yu, Cao Zhen listened to orders under Cao Ren's account. Cao Zhen, who learned that Cao Cao was trapped in Dangyang, didn't say a word, so he took the initiative to ask Cao Ren to go south to rescue his father-in-law. Cao Ren considered that the Beijin army was the key point of the north-south waterway, and once the code was lost, all the Cao army in Jingzhou would become a turtle in the urn, not only rejected Cao Zhen's request to fight, but also ordered him to go north to defend the Beijin army. Cao Zhen refused to accept the order at first, but under Cao Ren's persuasion with emotion and reason. In the end, he led a thousand troops to Xiangyang to defend the Beijin Garrison, and soon succeeded in repelling the sneak attack from the Wu army.

Now facing Liu Xie's entourage who moved the capital to the south, etc. Cao Zhenqin led the most elite troops under his tent to set up a formation outside the Beijin Garrison City to welcome the holy car. However, how did Cao Zhen know that his actions were provocative in the eyes of the Son of Heaven. In particular, the "Cao" military flag waving in the wind invisibly touched Liu Xie's sensitive nerves.

"Why are your eyes full of Cao Ziqi?" The young Han Tianzi asked with a blushing face.

Xun Yu, who was guarding Liu Xie's side, replied, "Back to Your Majesty, the general of Beijin is Cao Zhen, the general." ”

Xun Yu's answer obviously did not satisfy Liu Xie, so he asked in a different way, "Why don't you see the Chinese character flag?" ”

"Under the whole world, all are Han land, and within the four seas, all are Han Chen, so why do you need to hang the Chinese character flag alone." Xun Yu quibbled quietly.

Liu Xie was so speechless by Xun Yu that he had no choice but to snort coldly and skim his head. And the Hanchen who followed behind also dared to be angry in the face of Cao Jun, who was surrounded by fresh clothes and bright armor and long spears. In the final analysis, Liu Xie is still under the control of Cao Jun, and he lacks a pro-army that can be used by him to protect him. In this case, even if Liu Xie arrives in Xiangyang, it is difficult to get rid of the situation under the fence.

Just as the atmosphere at the scene was becoming awkward, Cao Zhen, who was dressed in military uniform, had already stepped forward and saluted Liu Xie, "Minister Cao Zhen, knock to see Your Majesty." ”

Cao Zhen's gift made Liu Xie calm down his dissatisfaction a little. But seeing him with a reserved smile, he bowed his head slightly and said, "Cao Qing, please get up." ”

But who knew that Cao Zhen did not get up, but continued to kneel in front of Liu Xie and pleaded, "The minister has something to ask for, and please fulfill it." ”

Hearing that Cao Zhen had something to ask for, Liu Xie cleared his throat and said loudly, "It's okay to talk about it." ”

Cao Zhen was overjoyed, and hurriedly hugged his fists and said, "The minister implores His Majesty to send a decree to rescue Prime Minister Cao." ”

Liu Xie listened to what Cao Zhen said, and the smile on his face suddenly froze. At this time, Guo Jia, who had not spoken before, arched his hand and said to Liu Xiejin, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Cao Cheng will get out of trouble as soon as possible, and the Marquis of Qi and Marquis Wu will be able to escort him north as soon as possible." ”

Liu Xie was reminded by Guo Jia and immediately came back to his senses. I think the reason why he is so aggrieved at the moment is not because there are no available soldiers around him. Once Cai Ji, Sun Ce, and Liu Bei go north, Cao Jun will still be able to spread his wildness in front of me. Thinking of this, Liu Xie's spirit suddenly perked up, and he immediately ordered loudly, "Someone! Pen and ink waiting. ”

Xun Yu first glanced at Guo Jia meaningfully. Seeing that Guo Jia had already retreated to the side, still looking at his nose and nose, he turned around and nodded to the attendant beside Liu Xie. Seeing this, the chamberlain hurriedly put the pen, ink, paper, inkstone, and the desk in front of the Son of Heaven. Liu Xie, who was in a good mood, waved his pen and wrote a holy message to Cao Zhen in a short time.

Cao Zhen got Liu Xie's handwritten edict, and hurriedly sent his best riders to ride the fastest war horse in the camp and take the edict all the way south to Nanjun. The rider was also angry, and it only took three days to deliver the Son of Heaven's edict to the Nagasaka Cao camp. Cao Ren and Sima Lang got the edict, and they were also like treasures. Inevitably had a long night and many dreams, Sima Lang went to Liu Ying with a decree that day to ask Liu Bei to release him. This time, in the face of the edict written by the Son of Heaven outside Xiangyang City, Liu Bei could no longer use the authenticity of the holy decree as an excuse to shirk it, so he had to withdraw his troops and let Cao Cao out of the city.

Early the next morning, after nearly four months of siege, Cao Cao was finally able to get out of Dangyang City and see the light of day again. Facing the rising sun and the slightly chilly morning breeze, Cao Cao rode his horse and jumped over the suspension bridge of Dangyang City. At this moment, he felt relaxed and refreshed, and the pain that had haunted him for months disappeared overnight, replaced by an abundance of energy that overflowed his body and mind from the inside out.

Cao Ren and Sima Lang, who had been waiting outside the city for a long time, saw Cao Cao leaving the city, and hurriedly patted their horses and stepped forward to greet them, "I've seen the lord." ”

"Zixiao, you and others are hard." Cao Cao stretched out his hand and patted the shoulders of the two of them and encouraged, "Go!" Go back to the Central Plains with the orphan. ”

"Whoa!" Cao Ren and Sima Lang answered in unison, and both led the team to follow Cao Cao.

But who would have thought that everyone had only traveled three or four miles, and suddenly saw a black and overwhelming figure on the horizon in front of them, and a tide-like figure was slowly surging towards this side. The spears and iron ges of the spears one after another glowed with a dazzling cold light under the sunlight, and the three battle flags embroidered with the words "Cai", "Sun" and "Liu" were hunting in the morning breeze.

"Cai, Sun, and Liu are all in force! It's the Cai, Sun, and Liu alliances! ”

I don't know who shouted, causing a commotion in Cao Jun's camp. But at this time, Cao Cao did not investigate who was disturbing the morale of the army. I saw him squinting together, a pair of Danfeng eyes remained motionless, staring at the coalition forces surrounded by mountains and fields on the opposite side. Not long after, the three coaches led by Cao Cao have already met Cao Cao's eyes. They are Sun Ce, who is in red clothes and gold armor and carrying a halberd, Liu Bei of Lu who is in Eguanbo with his feet, and Cai Ji who is smiling in green shirts and green clothes. (To be continued......)