Xun You and Guo Jia were very interested in Han Zhan's statement, and asked one after another: "I don't know what Tinghou has to say, you might as well talk about it." ”

"According to Benhou's analysis, the Yanzhou Yellow Turban Incident is imminent." Han Zhan pretended to be mysterious and said: "Now Jizhou Mu Liu Dai is worried about his life, so we must take precautions and show Yuan Shao to the court as Yanzhou Mu as soon as possible." ”

Hearing that Han Zhan was talking about it again, Xun You couldn't help but sigh and stopped talking. Guo Jia thought about another thing: "My lord, although you are now the Marquis of Zhangshui Pavilion, we have no dealings with the ministers of the court, even if you show the court that Yuan Shao is the pastor of Yanzhou, the court will not agree." ”

Regarding Guo Jia's worries, Han Zhan said with a smile: "Fengxiao, if today's son is just a puppet, it is Dong Zhuo who is in charge. During the days when we went on the expedition, my uncle had been making friends with important ministers in the court through various means, especially Dong Zhuo's adviser Li Ru, who gave him a lot of money. As the saying goes: Money can make ghosts grind, collect money from people and eliminate disasters with people. When we show Yuan Shao to the imperial court as the pastor of Yanzhou, he will definitely help. ”

After Guo Jia heard this, he nodded thoughtfully, feeling that Han Zhan's words were quite reasonable. After a while, he suddenly smiled and said, "Lord, what you said about 'money can make ghosts grind, collect money and eliminate disasters' is quite appropriate. ”

When Han Zhan heard Guo Jia praise like this, the sweat on his forehead came down, and he knew that he was inadvertently saying a common saying that had not yet appeared in this era. But fortunately, Xun You's next question invisibly resolved his embarrassment: "Lord, even if we show Yuan Shao to the court as the pastor of Yanzhou, the court agrees, but Yuan Shao may not give up Yecheng to us?" ”

"That's right, just one Yanzhou pastor is indeed not enough for Yuan Shao to give up Yecheng." Guo Jia agreed with Xun You's statement.

"In addition to Yuan Xi, don't we still have Yuan Tan in our hands?" Han Zhan said confidently: "As long as Yuan Tan is still in our hands, Yuan Shao will definitely weigh the pros and cons, and the chances of us occupying Yecheng are quite large." ”

Seeing that Han Zhan couldn't forget Yecheng, Xun Yu asked puzzledly: "Lord, Jizhou City, as the seat of governance of the entire Jizhou, is also a very good choice, even if Gongsun Zhan raises troops to attack, we have enough strength to defeat them, why do we have to go to Yecheng?" ”

Han Zhan smiled faintly at him, and then said: "Xiying Dajia, that is, the palace and the capital, coercing the Son of Heaven and ordering the princes, accumulating soldiers and horses to seek the backyard, who can control it?" ”

Hearing Han Zhan's words, Guo Jia and Xun You both showed expressions of disbelief. After a long time, Guo Jia saluted Han Zhan on horseback: "The lord is far-sighted, Jia is not as good as it." ”

The three of them converged with Zhao Yun's army and returned to Jizhou in a mighty manner.

There were still five miles away from the city, and Han Zhan saw Zhang He and Tian Feng leading a group of people to greet them on the side of the road. Han Zhan hurriedly turned over and dismounted, and walked towards the two.

Zhang He and Tian Feng saw Han Zhan coming to them, and hurriedly bowed and saluted: "(The last general) subordinates see the lord!" ”

Han Zhan hurriedly stretched out his hand to help him, and said in his mouth: "Jun Yi, Yuan Hao is exempt!" ”

After Tian Feng stood up straight, he pointed to a middle-aged man with three long beards behind him, and introduced to Han Zhan: "Lord, my subordinates will introduce you to you, this is Zang Hong Zang Ziyuan, the son of Taiyuan Taishou Zang Min, and now he is Gongcao under Guangling Taishou Zhang Chao. ”

Although Tian Feng reported a bunch of titles, Han Zhan still didn't know where this Zang Hong was, but when he saw that Tian Feng was so respectful to this person, he must also be an important person in this era, so he still said politely: "Zhan has seen Mr. Zang." ”

Unexpectedly, Xun You, who was standing behind Han Zhan, suddenly said excitedly: "Your Excellency, isn't it Zang Hong Zang Ziyuan, who first initiated the Sour Jujube Alliance?" ”

"It's just down there." After Zang Hong replied without humility or arrogance, he asked rhetorically: "I don't know who Your Excellency is?" ”

Xun You heard the other party's question, and hurriedly replied respectfully: "Xun You in Xiayingchuan!" ”

Han Zhan knew that it was the alliance ceremony of the princes of the Eighteenth Road to discuss Dong Zhuo, which was the sour jujube alliance mentioned by Xun You. He always thought that this alliance was organized by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, but he didn't expect that the Zang Hong in front of him was the initiator. He hurriedly said enthusiastically: "Mr. Zang, this is not the place to talk, let's go back to the Prefecture Pastoral Mansion." ”

"Yes, yes, yes." Xun You hurriedly said, "Mr. Zang, let's go back to the Prefecture Pastoral Mansion." ”

Half an hour later, Han Zhan held a banquet in the state pastor's mansion to entertain Zang Hong. After three rounds of wine and five flavors, Han Zhan asked politely: "Mr. Zang, I don't know if you came to Jizhou today, do you have any advice?" ”

"It's a long story," Zang Hong sighed and said: "After the Sour Jujube Alliance, the Kwantung Coalition Army once achieved the momentum of burning the plains, but after the fire, due to the mutual suspicion of the princes of all walks of life, they hesitated, and let the Dong thief hold the Son of Heaven hostage and flee to Chang'an. Later, due to the exhaustion of food and grass, the coalition army collapsed. Today, Guangling guarded Zhang Chao and ordered me to go to Youzhou to contact Liu Yu, and prepare to raise troops to attack Dong Zhuo again. Who knew that when he walked near the boundary bridge, he found that the two armies of Yuan Benchu and Gongsun Bogui were fighting, and the front was impassable, so he could only return here temporarily. ”

When Han Zhan got up to go to the toilet, Xun You also followed, and he whispered to Han Zhan: "Lord, Zang Ziyuan is a rare talent, you must find a way to leave him behind." ”

Regarding Xun You's recommendation, Han Zhan did not immediately agree, but asked rhetorically: "Cousin Gongda, is this Mr. Zang really a usable talent?" ”

Seeing that Han Zhan was not interested in Zang Hong, Xun You was a little anxious, and hurriedly said: "Lord, Zang Ziyuan's talent is better than You, and he is a rare talent. If the lord lets him go today, sooner or later he will regret it. ”

Seeing Xun You admiring Zang Hong so much, Han Zhan thought in his heart, since Xun You recommended it so, it seems that this person's ability is not bad, and he just wants to attack Qingzhou. After seizing Qingzhou, he can be allowed to serve as the assassin of Qingzhou, presumably he will be competent.

Because he was thinking about how to leave Zang Hong, he was a little absent-minded after taking his seat, so much so that Guo Jia called him a few times before he woke up from his contemplation. He looked at Guo Jia sideways and asked confusedly, "Fengxiao, do you have something?" ”

"Lord," Guo Jia sat up straight in his seat and saluted Han Zhan, "Mr. Zang is asking Lordship, is the road to Youzhou smooth now?" ”

"Unobstructed, unobstructed, so to speak." After Han Zhan said this, he hesitated for a moment and decided to open his mouth to keep Zang Hong, after all, there are too few people in his hands now: "Mr. Zang, Zhan has a reluctant request, I don't know if to say it or not?" ”

"Pavilion Marquis, please speak!" Zang Hong said politely.

"Mr. went to Youzhou, just to contact Liu Yu and form a coalition to fight Dong again, right?" Speaking of this, he deliberately paused for a moment, and when he saw Zang Hong nodding in affirmation, he continued: "However, in Zhan's opinion, it is impossible to gather the princes of the Eighteen Roads again. ”

"What Tinghou said is extremely true," Zang Hong agreed with Han Zhan's statement: "Therefore, Hong plans to contact Liu Yu first, he is a relative of the Han family, and if he comes forward, there must be many capable people with lofty ideals to respond." ”

Faced with Zang Hong's naïve thoughts, Han Zhan shook his head and said to him: "Mr. Zang, please forgive Zhan's words, your trip must be a bamboo basket for nothing. Even if Liu Yu agrees to send troops with Zhang Taishou to crusade against Dong Zhuo, do you think you can defeat Dong Zhuo with the strength of your two families? ”

Hearing Han Zhan's sharp question, Zang Hong shook his head with a wry smile: "Tinghou, don't talk about the strength of our two families, even if there are a few more princes, they are not Dong Thief's opponents at all." ”

Han Zhan saw that Zang Hong was not stubborn, so he asked tentatively: "Mr. Zang, I wonder if you can stay in Jizhou and assist me?" ”

"Tinghou, what did you say?" Zang Hong stared at Han Zhan with wide eyes and asked rhetorically, "You let me stay in Jizhou and assist you?" ”

"That's right." Han Zhan nodded, and repeated what he had said to Guo Jia and Xun You: "Zhan wants to welcome the west, that is, the palace and the capital, coerce the Son of Heaven and order the princes, and accumulate soldiers and horses to ask for the back court, who can control it?" ”

Zang Hong and Tian Feng couldn't help but be taken aback when they heard Han Zhan say this, neither of them dreamed that he would have such ambitions. After a long time, Zang Hong asked tentatively: "Tinghou, do you think that with the few cities you occupy, you can dominate the northern land and win the world?" ”

Zang Hong's words were very tactful, but Han Zhan still heard his disdain from his words. After a moment of silence, Han Zhan nodded and said, "Mr. Zang, I plan to send troops to take Qingzhou. After I seize Qingzhou, I wonder if Mr. Zang can succumb to the position of Qingzhou Assassin? ”

Zang Hong waited for Han Zhan to finish speaking, and a contemptuous smile appeared on his face: "Tinghou, if you remember correctly, although you have a knighthood, it is just a small state-related order, how can you appoint me as the Qingzhou Assassin?" ”

"Mr. Zang, you're right. Zhan's current official position is only a small state-related order. Han Zhan saw that Zang Hong was reluctant to serve himself, so he said: "But don't forget, Zhan can lead the Jizhou pastor by himself." Once Zhan became the state pastor, the old subordinates of the former father would come to vote one after another. When I take Qingzhou and annex the state, then I will have the land of three states, and then welcome the Son of Heaven to the west, and then I will be able to dominate the northern border. ”

Han Zhan's words made Zang Hong stunned. After thinking for a long time, he asked, "Tinghou, I don't know how you plan to capture Qingzhou?" ”

"The yellow turbans in Qingzhou were in turmoil, and the state was depressed, and they were all ruins. The current Qingzhou Thorn Shi Jiaohe is critically ill and will die soon. Han Zhan said confidently: "I only need to send one general to the east, and I can easily capture Qingzhou." It's just that it's easy to occupy Qingzhou, but it's not easy to govern, I don't know if Mr. is willing to help me? ”

"This, this?" Zang Hong couldn't help but hesitate when he heard Han Zhan say this.

"Mr. Ziyuan," seeing Zang Hong's uncertain look, Xun You was a little anxious, and hurriedly persuaded beside him: "If you are willing to serve as the assassin of Qingzhou, Jizhou will provide you with money and food to help you govern Qingzhou." ”

"That's right, Ziyuan, my lord is right." Tian Feng listened to it for a long time, and felt that it should not be difficult to seize Qingzhou, if this old friend of his was to serve as the assassin of Qingzhou, he would definitely make Qingzhou show a new look, so he also persuaded him: "Qingzhou has more people and less food, as long as you serve as the assassin of Qingzhou, we will provide you with enough money and food." With money and food, are you still afraid that Qingzhou will not be well governed? ”

Seeing that his friend was also persuading himself, Zang Hong finally nodded and said, "Okay, since Tinghou is so gracious, then Hong will promise you." As long as you take Qingzhou, Hong will be able to take office. ”

After getting the candidate for the Qingzhou Thorn History, everyone drank again. After the banquet was dispersed, Han Zhan called Guo Jia to his study and asked him for advice: "Fengxiao, do you think it is feasible for Benhou to lead the Jizhou pastor?" ”

"It's not enough to just lead the Jizhou pastor." Han Zhan originally thought that his proposal would be opposed by Guo Jia, but he said: "I suggest that the lord proclaim himself General Wei again, so that the capture of Qingzhou and Bingzhou will be justified." ”

Guo Jia's proposal startled Han Zhan, you must know that Yuan Shao is just a self-led general of the chariot cavalry, and this general Wei is only one level lower than the general of the chariot cavalry, he asked cautiously: "Fengxiao, is this appropriate?" ”

"Suitable!" Guo Jia said with certainty: "Now that Xun County Cheng is helping the lord to contact the important ministers of the court, as long as Dong Zhuo does not object, the court will also acquiesce in this matter." ”

Han Zhan got up and walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, thinking about whether he should follow Guo Jia's advice and proclaim himself General Wei, after all, it was a bit too shocking to do so. After walking back and forth in the house for a few times, he suddenly thought that if he proclaimed himself General Wei and Jizhou Mu, then the positions of Guo Jia and others could also rise, and the uncles and nephews of the Xun family would no longer have to be aggrieved to hold county-level positions.

Thinking of this, he stopped, stared at Guo Jia and said, "Fengxiao, you immediately send someone to send a letter to my uncle, informing me of my preparation to lead the Jizhou pastor and self-proclaimed General Wei, and talk to him to see how he can contact the imperial court." ”

Guo Jia saw that Han Zhan had followed his advice, and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, saying that as long as your position is improved, there will be a steady stream of people coming to you. The cases of Chen Zhen's resolute resignation and departure will be greatly reduced in the future. He stood up and said to Han Zhan: "Please rest assured, my lord, I will immediately repair a letter to Mr. Xun and send a fast horse to send it to him." In four days at most, we will be able to get a reply from Mr. Xun. ”

As soon as Guo Jia left, Patch walked in from outside, walked to Han Zhan's side, and said in a low voice: "Childe, the Marquis of the Chu Army of the Strong Crossbow Camp asks to see you!" ”

"Chu Ge wants to see me?" After Han Zhan heard the patch's report, he was stunned at first, and then remembered that he had promised Chu Ge that once he captured Jizhou, he would take his sister Chu Wan'er as a concubine. Chu Ge is here at this moment, and it must have something to do with it. After thinking for a moment, he ordered the patch: "Patch, please let the Marquis of Chu in." ”