Looking at Cao Cao, who was sitting at the bottom, Han Zhan had an unreal feeling, as if he was in a dream. A bold idea suddenly popped up in his heart, should he arrange a group of swords and axes, and later use the cup as a pretext, so that they can rush in and chop Cao Cao into pulp, so that he can get rid of a future henchman.

Cao Cao saw Han Zhan staring at him with a smile and not speaking, and he couldn't help but feel a burst of hair in his heart. In order to alleviate the embarrassing situation in front of him, he hurriedly raised the wine bottle in his hand high, and said with a smile: "Tinghou, you can lend grain to Dongjun, but it is to send charcoal in the snow, I represent the soldiers and civilians of Dongjun, and I respect Tinghou." Do it first! With that, he drank it all. Han Zhan saw that Cao Cao had already drunk the wine, so he also smiled and picked up the wine bottle and drank the wine in the bottle.

While drinking this glass of wine, Han Zhan made a final decision in his heart, Cao Cao can't die yet, although his current strength is not very strong, but because he is good at winning people's hearts, his subordinates are loyal to him. Once he has any strengths and weaknesses here, he will definitely raise troops to avenge him. If the two tigers are exhausted, Yuan Shao will take advantage of the fisherman and annex Dongjun, his strength will increase greatly, and it will not be so easy to clean him up.

It was precisely because of this consideration that Han Zhan decided to temporarily give up his plan to kill Cao Cao, first form an alliance with the other party, let him and Yuan Shao contain each other, and wait until he had the land of Sizhou and unified the north, and then it was not too late to slowly clean him up.

Han Zhan stood up, took the wine jug from his subordinates, walked in front of Cao Cao, poured a full cup for him, and said with a smile: "Cao Taishou, Benhou has admired you for a long time, and it is a blessing for three lives to see you today." He turned around and walked to the front of the case, picked up the wine bottle placed on it, and said to Cao Cao, "Ben Hou respects you a bottle." ”

"Slow down!" When Cao Cao heard Han Zhan say this, a suspicious expression appeared on his face, and he asked curiously: "I met Tinghou for the first time, where do you start with this admiration?" ”

Han Zhan said with a smile: "After Ben Hou heard that Dong Thief was in charge of the government, he trusted Cao Taishou quite a lot, but you put the righteousness first and assassinated Dong Thief in the name of sacrificing a knife. It's a pity that Dong Thief's life should not be extinguished, otherwise there would be no fire to Luoyang, and the saints and hundreds of officials will go to Chang'an. ”

Chen Zhen on the side heard that Cao Cao had assassinated Dong Zhuo, and couldn't help but let out an "ah", and then asked nervously: "Meng De went to assassinate Dong Thief, so how did he get out of danger later?" ”

Hearing Chen Zhen's question, Han Zhan smiled and said, "Filial piety, this matter is a long story, wait for Ben Hou to talk about it slowly." Cao Taishou learned that a certain minister wanted to get rid of Dong Zhuo as soon as possible, so he volunteered, came to the Prime Minister's Mansion with a treasure knife, and asked the people in the Prime Minister's Mansion: 'Where is the Prime Minister?' ’

Because Cao Taishou was deeply trusted by Dong Zhuo and often entered and exited the Prime Minister's Mansion freely, he did not stop him, but told him: "In the small pavilion. ’

Cao Taishou entered the Prime Minister's Mansion and came to the small pavilion. I saw Dong Zhuo sitting on the couch, and his son Lu Bulu was standing on the side. Seeing Cao Taishou coming in, Dong Thief opened his mouth and asked, "Why is Meng De coming?" ’

Cao Taishou replied: "Ma Lu is late. ’

After hearing this, Dong Thief turned his head and said to Lu Bu: "I have Xiliang come in and have a good horse, so I can go and pick a horse to give to Meng De." After receiving the order, Lu Bu walked out of the small pavilion.

Seeing Lu Bu leaving, Cao Taishou secretly rejoiced in his heart: "This thief is dead!" He wanted to pull out a knife and stab him, but he was afraid of Dong Thief's strength and did not dare to move lightly.

Dong Thief was fat and could not sit for a long time, so he fell backwards and turned inward.

Seeing this situation, Cao Taishou secretly thought: 'This thief should rest! 'Hurriedly stabbing the knife in his hand, just about to stab, I don't want Dong Thief to look up at the mirror, see Cao Taishou pulling out the knife behind his back, hurriedly turn around and ask: 'What is Mengde?' ’

Cao Taishou wanted to break the cauldron and assassinate Dong Thief desperately, but unexpectedly, Lu Bu had led the horse to the outside of the pavilion. Cao Taishou saw that it was difficult to succeed in the assassination, so he was in a hurry, knelt down with a knife and said: "I have a treasure knife and offer my kindness." ’

Dong thief took a look at it, and saw that his knife was more than a foot long, and the seven treasures were inlaid with seven treasures, which were extremely sharp, and the fruit treasure knife was also; Then he handed it to Lu Bu and accepted it. Cao Taishou unsheathed and paid cloth.

Dong thief led Cao Taishou out of the pavilion to look at the horse, and Cao Taishou Xie said: "I am willing to borrow a ride." Dong Thief told Lu Bu to hand over the saddle bridle to Cao Taishou. Cao Taishou led the horse out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and then quickly whipped his horse and looked southeast. ”

Although Han Zhan explained the entire assassination process very briefly, Chen Zhen was still shocked into a cold sweat after hearing this. He looked at Cao Cao and said, "It's really hanging, fortunately, Meng De's life is big, otherwise he will be poisoned by Dong thieves." ”

And Cao Cao heard the story told by Han Zhan, his face showed a shocked expression, although the content was a little different from the actual situation, but it was also inseparable, he looked at Han Zhan, and asked in an unbelievable tone: "I don't know where Tinghou came from to learn about this?" He was even wondering in his heart if Chen Gong had told Han Zhan about this.

From the expression on his face, Han Zhan knew that he was suspicious of Chen Gong, so he smiled and said, "Cao Taishou, don't look at the fact that only the three of you were present at that time, but after the princes of the Eighteenth Route jointly crusaded against Dong Thief, there were such rumors in Chang'an. Ben Hou also learned about this matter based on the detailed accounts of his subordinates. Cao Taishou is really a hero! ”

As soon as Han Zhan's words fell, the surrounding subordinates also said in unison: "Cao Taishou is really a hero!" ”

"Ashamed, ashamed!" Cao Cao raised his head and smiled, waved around, and said: "You have won the award, if it wasn't for my indecision at that time, Dong Thief would have died a long time ago." As soon as the Dong thief died, there was no fire to Luoyang, and the suffering of the saints and hundreds of officials happened. ”

After Cao Cao re-seated, Han Zhan looked at him and said, "In the spring of the next year, there will be a big battle between Benhou and Yuan Shao, I don't know what Cao Taishou can teach me?" ”

Who knew that Cao Cao heard Han Zhan ask this, but said modestly: "Tinghou has an overreputation, I am a shallow learner, how dare I teach Tinghou." Although Tinghou is young, he can deal with the world meticulously and thoroughly, but I admire it. If I want to give advice, I should ask Tinghou for advice. ”

"Old fox!" After Han Zhan silently scolded in his heart, he diverted the topic: "After Yuan Shao was defeated by our army and Gongsun Zhan's coalition army, he fled to Yecheng. Later, he gathered 100,000 troops from Wei County and attacked Guantao, but the result was also a feather return. If Benhou's estimate is not bad, Yuan Shao will fight a decisive battle with our army in the spring, and if he fails again, he will definitely go south and seize Dongjun. Cao Taishou has to prepare early! ”

Han Zhan's words made Cao Cao secretly shocked in his heart, but he still pretended to be calm and asked calmly: "Dare to ask Tinghou, if Yuan Shaojun goes south to attack me, I don't know where to choose the battlefield?" ”

"White Horse," Han Zhan said secretly in his heart after saying the name of this place without hesitation: If you and Yuan Shao are at war, Liu Guanzhang can be under your command, maybe Guan Erye can stage a good scene of beheading Yan Liang and Wen Ugliness like in history. However, Yuan Shao's four court pillars already have two under his command, and once Yan Liangwen is hung up, Yuan Shao estimates that there will be no decent generals. "According to Ben Hou's analysis, the two of you will definitely start a big battle in Baima."

Just when Cao Cao frowned and pondered, someone outside came to report: "Lord Qi, the grain and grass outside the city have been handed over." Mr. Chen Gong waited outside the city for Cao Taishou to return. ”

"Tinghou," Cao Cao, who was restless, was thinking about how to get out, and after hearing the report, he hurriedly got up and said to Han Zhan: "Since the grain and grass have been handed over, I will not be present for a long time, and I will leave!" ”

"Cao is too guarded and slow," Han Zhan saw that Cao Cao was in a hurry to leave, so he quickly stood up and said to him, "Ben Hou will accompany you to the outside of the city." ”

From leaving the Taishou Mansion to going out of the south gate, Han Zhan and Cao Cao, who were walking together, didn't say a word, but each thought about their own situation.

Seeing a group of people coming out of the city, the grain cart parked outside the city immediately rushed out to meet Han Zhan and the others. Han Zhan looked at the people who came, and he was a military general of about thirty, with a helmet and armor, and a three-pointed two-edged knife in his hand.

When Han Zhan saw the weapon in the hand of the visitor, he couldn't help but be shocked, and said in his heart: Why did Ji Ling become Cao Cao's subordinate, could it be that because of his appearance, there was a deviation in history? He pointed at the galloping rider with his horsewhip, and asked Cao Cao curiously: "Cao Taishou, is it Ji Ling Ji Fuyi, the general under Yuan Highway?" ”

"Where did Ji Ling come from?" When Cao Cao heard Han Zhan's question, a confused expression appeared on his face, and he quickly explained: "This is my lieutenant Yu Ban Yu Wen is also. ”

It turned out to be Yu Ban, and when he heard that the person who came was not Ji Ling, Han Zhan's heart was much more steady. If Cao Cao really colluded with Yuan Shu, his own layout would be affected.

When Yu Ban came to salute Cao Cao, Cao Cao said to him: "This is the Marquis of Zhangshui Pavilion, you come over and see him quickly!" ”

Hearing Cao Cao's order, Yu Ban hurriedly bowed down on horseback and clasped his fists to salute: "Captain Yu Ban, meet the Pavilion Marquis!" ”

"Captain Yu is exempt!" Han Zhan saw that Chen Gong was also riding towards him, so he smiled and said to Cao Cao, "Cao Taishou, Benhou will send you here." Take care all the way, we'll see you later! After speaking, he gave a salute to the other party, turned the horse's head and went back to the pavilion.

Cao Jun escorted both sides and returned to Dongjun along the official road covered with snow. Cao Cao deliberately rode to Chen Gong's side, and after sending away the idlers, he said, "Gongtai, I have something to ask you." ”

"Gong Cao," Chen Gong saw Cao Cao send the people around him away, and he knew that the other party had something important to say to him. However, he thought that Han Zhan actually knew a lot of secret things and had to report them to Cao Cao as soon as possible, so he hurriedly said, "My subordinates have important things to report to you." ”

"My things are also important." Cao Cao said straightforwardly: "When I entered the Taishou Mansion in Guantao's banquet, I actually heard the Han family children talk about my assassination of Dong thieves in Luoyang. Although what he said is different from the actual situation, it is not far off. I want to find out, how did he know about this? ”

Chen Gong saw Cao Cao staring at him intently, and knew in his heart that the other party must be suspecting that he was talking too much and said something to Han Zhan that he shouldn't have said. However, he didn't care about explaining, but lowered his voice and said to Cao Cao: "Duke Cao, this Zhangshui Pavilion Marquis is really unfathomable, a few days ago in Jizhou, he talked about his subordinates abandoning the official and running to the county with you. actually asked about Lu Bo's extinction. ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he almost rolled off his horse. He asked tremblingly: "Gongtai, how did he know about this?" ”

Chen Gong shook his head and said, "Please atone for your sins to Duke Cao, my subordinates don't know how he knows." ”

After a long time, Cao Cao muttered: "If I say that I assassinated Dong and the thief, it may be leaked by the subordinates of the Prime Minister's Mansion." But what happened to Lu Boxuan, after all, there were only you and me at that time, how could he know about it, could he really have met a ghost? ”

"Gong Cao, please rest assured," Chen Gong saw the murderous aura in Cao Cao's eyes, and hurriedly persuaded him: "When he asked about Lu Boxuan that day, his subordinates prevaricated him, saying that when we arrived at Lujiazhuang, all the people in the village were dead, maybe they were killed by thieves. And you and I didn't dare to stay in order to avoid suspicion, so we went to the county in the starry night. ”

"Gongtai," Cao Cao heard Chen Gong say this, his heart was a little more steady, and he arched his hand towards the other party: "Thank you for covering up this matter for me, great kindness, I remember it." ”

Cao Cao secretly decided in his heart that after returning to Dongjun, he must send more detailed work, let them sneak into Jizhou, monitor the state pastor's mansion, and see who usually goes in and out, so that he can find out where Han Zhan's source is.

Chen Gong turned his head to look at the convoy that could not be seen at a glance, and said to Cao Cao: "Duke Cao, the Marquis of Zhangshui Pavilion is generous, and when he heard that we were going to borrow grain, he agreed to give us 80,000 pieces of grain without hesitation. When this batch of grain and grass arrives in Dongjun, we can solve our urgent needs. ”

When Cao Cao heard Chen Gong say this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly: "If I knew that the Han family was so generous, I wouldn't have borrowed 80,000 Hu from him, but 200,000 Hu." These grains and grass are only enough for Dongjun for two months, and next, we may have to go to Yuan Highway to borrow grain. ”

"Looking for Yuan Highway to borrow grain?" Hearing Cao Cao say this, Chen Gong hurriedly persuaded him: "Yuan Highway is narrow-minded, and when he was crusading against Dong Thief, he once had a gap with you, and if you want to borrow food from him, it is tantamount to seeking skin from the tiger." ”

"Yuan Highway can't borrow food there, we can still borrow it from Yuan Benchu." Cao Cao said disappreciatively: "Gongtai should listen to what the Han family children said, they will fight with Yuan Shao in the spring of next year." If Yuan Shao sends troops to attack Guantao, he has to worry that we will take the opportunity to send troops to capture Yecheng, so he must befriend us in order to relieve him of his worries. If I send someone to borrow food from him, perhaps he will not be able to ask for it. ”

Regarding Cao Cao's thoughts, Chen Gong said worriedly: "Cao Gong, we privately asked Yuan Benchu to borrow grain, if this matter is known to the Marquis of Zhangshui Pavilion and sends someone to ask for the guilt, how should we deal with it?" ”

"Don't worry about Gongtai," Cao Cao sneered and said, "Even if the Han family knows that I borrowed grain from Yuan Benchu and sent someone to Xingshi to ask for guilt, I have words to deal with it, so you don't have to worry." ”