Zhang Cheng, who has long been famous for opposing Dong Zhuo, took the lead in replying

"My lord, I and the Hanoi families have long been indignant because of the chaos in the world, and this Xiliang thief is the first evil of the trouble. It's a pity that Zhang Yang is weak, Yuan Shu is arrogant, and he has never had a chance. ”

"Now that the lord's male soldiers are here, we have already prepared grain and grass, tribes, and people, ready to cooperate to defeat the Xiliang thieves and assist the Son of Heaven Zhongxing."

It turned out that this Zhang Cheng was a speaker as early as when the Kwantung heroes opposed Dong Zhuo, and he was ready to raise troops against Dong.

And Zhang Zhao, the third brother who was also a councillor, returned from Chang'an to persuade Zhang Cheng, believing that Dong Zhuo's soldiers were fierce and fierce, and he was not an opponent at all with the Zhang family's mobilization of troops and limited training of peasants. It is better to take refuge in the powerful princes for the time being, and wait for a better time to raise an army again.

In the end, the Zhang family in Hanoi did not take the risk, and the three brothers went to the jurisdiction of Yuan Shu in Yangzhou. As a result, Yuan Shu disappointed them very much, and before he became emperor, he returned to his hometown of Hanoi County.

After Zhang Cheng expressed his support for Cao Cao's exorcision of thieves, Yang Jun and Sima Lang also had this intention and were willing to fully cooperate.

Cao Cao was overjoyed, and took out an eclectic attitude of employing people, so that everyone could recommend more talents.

Yang Jun saw Cao Cao in front of many scholars, and still said that the employment of people first valued ability, followed by morality, and finally birth, and couldn't help but be impressed by his courage.

He said, "I know a man who came from a poor family, lost his parents, lived in a very poor life, and ended up herding sheep for others. ”

However, when he was herding sheep, he still did not forget to borrow books to read, and now he has good ability and moral character, but unfortunately no one appoints him. I wonder if such a talent can be used by the Lord? ”

Cao Cao was surprised, "Oh, so lonely and poor, but will not forget the roots, and is keen to learn while herding sheep, if I can, I will definitely let such a person display his talents." ”

Yang Jun said, "This person's name is Wang Xiang, the word Xibo, is a native of Huai County, Hanoi, where we are now. ”

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Haha, such an excellent talent is so close at hand, I didn't know that it was really contrary to the slogan of meritocracy." Please also ask Yang Xiucai to introduce me. ”

Sima Lang was a generous man and had a good relationship with the families in the county, and he said, "There is a man named Xun Wei, who is only eighteen years old. This person is keen on literature, his literary talent is not under Chen Lin, and he is quite talented, and he is a well-known young talent in the county. ”

Cao Cao heard that this person was good at writing, and was not even worse than the famous Chen Lin, so he immediately sent someone to invite him.

He and Chen Lin used to work together under He Jin, and of course they knew how high Xun Wei's literary level was because of this evaluation.

Sima Yi recommended two people for the finale, but these two people are a little special.

The first is Sima Yi's teacher, Mr. Kong Ming.

Hu Zhao, the word Kongming, Yingchuan people. Sima Yi completely ate his family education when he was young, and worshiped Hu Zhao and Hu Kongming as his teacher, and studied official calligraphy and literature.

Once, Sima Yi had a bad relationship with a person named Zhou Sheng in the same county, and when Hu Zhao heard about it, he crossed the hardships on foot, chased Zhou Sheng in the area of Kunshan and Mianchi and asked to let Sima Yi go.

Of course, Zhou Sheng disagreed, Hu Zhao was eager, crying and begging him, and finally moved Zhou Sheng to release Sima Yi.

Sima Yi knew that Hu Zhao did not like politics, but his calligraphy and writing were excellent, and his moral character was high, so he could be regarded as a model for the world.

Cao Cao had known Hu Zhao in Yingchuan for a long time, but this person had always returned to his hometown and had no intention of becoming a scholar, so he could only be a friend of calligraphy and literature.

But Sima Yi respected the teacher and did leave a good impression on him.

He continued to recommend, "There is another person, named Chang Lin, whose name is Bohuai, is from Wen County, Hanoi. He is currently hiding in Shangdang to escape the troubled times and make friends with the local scholars. ”

Suddenly, a gleam flashed in his eyes, and the whole person said with great confidence, "If the lord is willing to break the Xiliang thief, he can contact Chang Lin and join the party in one fell swoop." ”

"Hahaha!"

Before everyone could react, Cao Cao was already laughing. He thought in his heart that the future of this son is limitless, and this recommendation is also a strategy, and the goal is directly aimed at the Shangdang County he wants to take.

He asked Xun You, who was traveling with him, to meet with everyone to discuss the strategy of breaking the thief, and recruit talents.

After the discussion, Zhang Cheng and Zhang Zhao stayed under Cao Cao's tent, while the eldest brother Zhang Fan bid farewell to his two younger brothers and returned to Hanoi to cultivate martial arts. Suddenly, he thought of something and stopped.

His face is slightly sideways, and his handsome and majestic face makes people look at him intently, making people think that he will really stay young forever.

"Gongxian, do you remember what you said to Yuan Shu at that time?"

Zhang Cheng replied, "Of course! Although Hande declined, the mandate of heaven has not changed. ”

Zhang Fan admonished, "Okay, but remember that although the Sima clan and the others have a common plan with us, the two families are not the same road, don't get too close to them." ”

Zhang Cheng and Zhang Zhao solemnly replied, "I understand, the two of us will be careful." ”

Three other brothers were also talking.

"Zhongda, why don't you tell us about your arrangement in Taihang in advance?"

Sima Yi smiled slightly awkwardly, not intending to answer Sima Fu's slightly reproachful question head-on.

Brother Sima Lang said, "Shuda doesn't need to blame, Zhongda's arrangement is indeed a lot of thought for the Han and the family." ”

Sima Fu was young and vigorous, and he always felt that this was the previous layout of his allies, and he would not save him from death, which was not in line with his life standards.

But Sima Yi did this, and Cao Cao adopted it entirely, and Sima Lang also supported Sima Yi's approach, so he had nothing to say.

Sima Lang glanced at Sima Yi, both of them felt that the third brother's character was too upright, and it seemed that it was correct not to tell him about it.

Cao Cao, Dong Zhao, and Xun You are also doing follow-up discussions.

Hanoi County is separated from Yanzhou by the river, and although it is backed by its ally Yuan Shao, with the change of the situation in Shangdang County, it will soon become a salient situation of the Xiliang Army on three sides.

So this time when crossing the river, Cao Cao came to solve this problem and broke the situation significantly.

Dong Zhao said, "My lord, please rest assured, Hanoi County has sufficient supplies and the support of the major scholars, and the plan will definitely be achieved." ”

Xun You said, "Now there is Sima Zhongda's clever plan, as long as the time is ripe, our army will definitely be able to catch up." However, "

Cao Cao heard Xun You's words and said, "Has Gongda also found out?" ”

Xun You nodded, paused slightly, and said, "Before crossing the river, we had two plans, but after some exchanges today, it is obvious that we are going to move towards the original second plan. ”

Cao Cao groaned, "Yes, the last time was taken precautions by Li Ru in advance, and this time there is a better chance to appear." ”

Cao Cao, who was upright and domineering, had a somewhat grim vision, and had to accept, "Is there really no chance to welcome the Son of Heaven?" ”

Xun Yu knew Cao Cao and Xun Yu's original plan, but there was a better opportunity to appear, and of course it should not be missed.

Cao Cao also thought the same way, although Shangdang was far away from his core area, but when he mastered it, he controlled the initiative.