After turning back and continuing, using various excuses to send away Chen Sheng's appeasement envoy Li Pan, according to the original plan, Xiang Kang personally led the main force of the young marshal's army, which had more than 7,000 people, from Tancheng to the west to attack the reluctance to surrender to the city of Xianchi.

With the current strength of the young marshal's army, attacking such a small county town as Zhangxian County, which is only garrisoned by county soldiers, it stands to reason that there is no need for Xiang Kang to take action in person, and generals such as Xiang Zhuang, Chao Zhi, Zheng Bu and Ding Ji, who have gradually experienced in actual combat, can be sure to take it directly if they send a random soldier over. The reason why Xiang Kang chose to go out in person is mainly because the geographical location of Zhangxian County is more important, the north is the Bears Ears Mountains, the south is the Lotus Mountains, and the west is Xue County, which has a large number of cities. At the same time, if conditions permit, the main force of the young marshal's army does not rule out going directly south from Zhangxian County to seize Fuyang and Pengcheng and other places.

The battle is indeed not difficult to fight, just after the Qin army in Xiangben and Lanling, which surrendered voluntarily, and expanded the westward expedition to nearly 9,000 people, Xiang Kang has already figured out the general situation of Zhangxian through various channels, knowing that the defenders in the city are less than 1,000, and also knowing that the contradiction between the county order and the county is very serious, and it is very easy to divide and separate, and at the same time, the government of Zhangxian is also very unpopular support, and the young marshal's army has just set foot in the territory of Zhangxian, and the people of Zhangxian County, who are unbearable to the tyranny of the Qin court, have taken the initiative to come to reward the young marshal soldiers, basically it can be said that the city has not yet been attacked, and the young marshal army has already secured the chances of victory.

But there was also something unexpected to Xiang Kang, the people of Zhangxian County, who took the initiative to come to the labor army, also provided an important information to the young marshal's army, saying that two days ago, an anti-Qin army from the north of Surabaya County suddenly entered the territory of Xue County, which borders Xue County, and is currently besieging Xue County. After inquiring about the origin of this anti-Qin army, Xiang Kang, who is actually quite picky in his bones, will inevitably have some bruises on his forehead - this anti-Qin army, which numbered about 3,000 people, turned out to be Liu Ji and Liu Laosan's Peixian army, and Fan Xu, who had deceived Xiang Kang with fake gold and sixty good steel knives, also happened to be in this army.

"The road is narrow! The surname Fan, what you owe me, if you don't spit it out this time, I will still have the face to mix in this world in the future? ”

While gritting his teeth, Xiang Kang once pondered whether to take this opportunity to kill Liu Laosan and directly get rid of the biggest enemy in the future for the old Xiang family? However, after careful consideration, Xiang Kang found that he still couldn't do this, the first reason was that the division was unknown, and if he attacked other anti-Qin rebels for no reason, he would definitely destroy his reputation and be unjust. The second is that the impact of directly killing Liu Laosan will be too great, which will seriously disrupt the future historical process and make Xiang Kang completely lose the advantage of historical prophet. The third reason is more critical, for Liu Laosan's gang who opened up the prosperous era of the Han Dynasty, Xiang Kang, who was formerly a Han person, was actually full of respect in his heart, and he was a little ruthless to kill them directly.

"Let's take a step." After thinking about it, Xiang Kang still chose to be patient for the time being, and said secretly: "It's easy to kill Liu Laosan, but after killing him, if Xiang Yu and I can't get along, who else can help me deal with Xiang Yu in the future?" Let's take a look at the situation first, if Liu Bang may threaten me, I must not be soft, but if he is of use to me, I don't need to kill him quickly, and I will cheapen Hu Hai and Xiang Yu for nothing. ”

With a rather contradictory mood, Xiang Kang soon led the main force of the young marshal army to arrive outside the city of Zhangxian County, but the Qin army of Zhangxian County decisively chose to close the city for self-protection, but Xiang Kang was not in a hurry, while letting the army rush to make siege weapons, while sending people to shoot the letter with bows and arrows to the head of Zhangxian County, threatening that if the defenders of Zhangxian County did not take the initiative to open the city and surrender, then after the city was broken, the young marshal army would definitely kill all the officials in the city. At the same time, the young marshal's army, which had previously infiltrated the city, also took the risk of sending Xiang Kang's letter of persuasion to the county magistrate of Zhangxian County, who had a deep contradiction with the county order.

…………

The next day, Liu Laosan, who was born with a certain military talent, also inquired about the general situation of the young marshal's army through careful investigation, and at the same time, without much confidence in taking the immediate target Xue County, Liu Laosan, who had already called himself Pei Gong, couldn't help but have some regrets, and said to his brother-in-law Fan Xue with regret: "It's a pity, if there is no matter of buying a knife with fake gold, we can immediately send someone to contact Xiang Kang's stupid boy, try to borrow troops from him, and ask him to help us attack Xue Cheng." This stupid boy's soldiers, but most of them are elite soldiers with the best weapons of the Tyrannical Qin army. ”

"No way, who told us that we were short of money at the beginning, and if we wanted to buy a knife, we had to rely on cheating?" Fan Xu, the famous dog nemesis at the end of Qin, also had some regrets, and then said: "By the way, Pei Gong, I remember that you said before, we can return the money to buy the knife to him first, and then slowly play him tricks, so why don't we try it now, send someone to pay him back the money, and then beg him to send troops to help us fight Xue County?" ”

"Is that easy?" Liu Laosan shook his head and said: "It's you, someone else cheated you out of a sum of money, and afterwards that person returned the money to you, and begged you to make great efforts and spend the price to help him do a difficult thing, how could you agree?" ”

When Fan was deflated, Liu Laosan suddenly changed his mind, and said after thinking: "But you can also give it a try, it is not okay to repay the money and borrow the soldiers directly, we might as well repay the money while selling a favor to him, and then promise to give him half of the money and grain in Xue County, and he may be able to agree." And by doing so, even if we can't borrow soldiers, we can repay the favors we owe him, and we can talk when we meet again in the future. ”

"Clever plan." Fan Xu praised and hurriedly asked, "Then how can you sell a favor to him?" ”

"Send troops to help him take Zhangxian."

Liu Bang's refreshing answer surprised Fan Xu, and Fan Xu couldn't help but exclaim: "Send troops to help him attack the city?" Pei Gong, you're not joking, what if that little vertical son of Yikang takes the opportunity to annex us? Besides, even if he doesn't have this ambition, that little vertical soldier is strong and strong, and his weapons and equipment are much better than we don't know, what can we help if we send troops to help him? ”

"Sure enough, I ate too much dog meat, and I was as stupid as a dog." Liu Laosan scolded with a smile, and then said: "Of course we don't need to send the main force to help him, as long as we divide an army to do something in the past, and we don't really need to help him, as long as we say that we are going to help him, it is equivalent to making him owe us a favor." Stretch out your hand and don't hit the smiling man, if we do this, wouldn't it be much easier to erase the past and borrow troops from him? ”

"Good idea." Fan Xu applauded and said, "Another effect of this is to take the opportunity to test that stupid boy's attitude towards us, if he really wants to be unfavorable to us, it will be easier for our partial division to retreat." ”

Liu Laosan is a cheerful person, and when he made up his mind, he immediately called Cao Shen, a general he trusted very much, and asked him to lead a thousand troops to the east, and sell short favors under the banner of reinforcing the young marshal's army. At the same time, in order to prevent any eventuality, Liu Laosan clearly explained to Cao Shen before taking precautions, saying that if Xiang Kang really mobilized Cao Shen's troops to participate in the siege of the city, then Cao Shen must not be greedy for anything to preserve his strength, and he must really fight with his life, and he must let Xiang Kang see the sincerity of Liu Laosan's army in wanting to become friends with him, and also let Xiang Kang take a look at the morale and fighting spirit of Liu Laosan's army - the weapons and equipment are a little worse, but the army is definitely not dry!

According to Liu Laosan's order, Cao Shen set off with the army to the east early the next morning, all the way lightly and quickly, and arrived near the border of Xue County in only one day, and walked out of Xue County the next morning, entered the territory of Xue County, and immediately met the scouts of the young marshal army patrolling the border. The scout of the young marshal army saw that Cao Shen was outnumbered, and he did not dare to rush forward, and chose to shout loudly in the distance to ask Cao Shen about the intention of joining the army.

It was indeed with good intentions, in order not to misunderstand the young marshal's army, Cao Shen of course immediately ordered the army to stop advancing, and let people come forward to show their identity, and the young marshal army scout listened to the general's letter and replied: "We must report this matter to the young marshal Xiang, and then we can give you an answer." But if you're really here to help us, you'd better just wait here and stay put, because our army is attacking the city, and it's not good for you to go there and cause some misunderstanding. Also, if any of you wants to go to our young marshal and explain the reason to your face, we can take him there. ”

The soldiers who came forward to contact brought the news back to Cao Shen, and Cao Shen did not hesitate, and immediately let the army rest on the spot and maintain proper vigilance, and at the same time sent his own clan general Cao Wuxian as an envoy, carrying the knife money that Fan Hao owed Xiang Kang before, as well as Liu Bang's handwritten letter to Xiang Kang, and rushed to the city of Zhangxian County with the envoy of the young marshal's army to meet Xiang Kang first.

With endless curiosity about the young marshal's army, Cao Wuxian, who received the order, came out of the queue and met Xiang Kang with the young marshal's scout east. However, as soon as he saw the city of Xuanxian County, Cao Wuxian was extremely shocked to find that the city wall was already full of cheering young marshal soldiers and soldiers, as well as the banner of Chu State fluttering in the wind, it was obvious that the young marshal army had successfully taken this county seat. Shocked, Cao Wuxian subconsciously looked up at the sky, and saw that the winter sun had not yet risen to the top, and it was obvious that it had not even reached noon. What kind of army is this? ”

did not tell Cao Wuxian, saying that the reason why the young marshal's army was able to quickly take the county was because the county of Zhangxian suddenly attacked the city when the young marshal's army attacked the city, cut off the head of the county commander who hated him deeply, and took the initiative to open the city gate to welcome the young marshal's army into the city, so Cao Wuxian's admiration and envy have also continued. Because after approaching the battlefield, what Cao Wuxian saw was a column of young marshals and soldiers holding the standard weapons of the Qin army, guns like a forest, flags covering the sky, and a huge number of cavalry crowds, as well as hundreds of flag-standing chariots, strong soldiers and horses, neat and tidy troops, throwing off Liu Lao's third army who had just started the army for more than eight streets.

Still didn't know that Xiang Kang deliberately pulled the main force to show off his military might, in order to intimidate and suppress the Qin army defenders in the city, Cao Wuxian, who was already quite in awe of the young marshal's army, inevitably became more cautious, and after being led to Xiang Kang's banner array, before he had time to see Xiang Kang's appearance clearly, Cao Wuxian immediately saluted politely and said: "Cao Wuxian, the commander under the command of Duke Pei, has seen the young marshal of Dachu Xiang." ”

"Here comes the man who tricked me into the knife." Xiang Kang sprayed poison as soon as he opened his mouth, and when he smiled and just wanted to say a few more jokes, he suddenly changed his words when the words came to his mouth, and asked in surprise: "What is your name?" ”

"The last general Cao is not injured." Cao Wuxian replied truthfully, and only then did he see Xiang Kang's appearance clearly, he was thin and looked a little weakened, but his facial features were quite upright, and his skin was quite fair, and he barely had the capital to eat soft rice.

Although the history is sparse, what kind of person Cao Wuxian is, Xiang Kang, who has seen the Hongmen Banquet, is still clear, and it is precisely because Cao Wuxian has some value of buying and winning over, Xiang Kang also immediately changed his mind, and said with a smile: "It turned out to be Cao Duwei, just said a joke, Duwei is not strange." With only sixty knives, I won't be sad, and I still admire your Pei Gong's brother-in-law, General Fan Xufan, who looks so rude, but in fact he is as careful as a hair, and even I can be deceived, admire, admire. ”

"The young marshal forgives the sins." Cao Wuxian said a little nervously: "Our Pei Gong and General Fan were also forced to play some tricks at that time, and they have been repenting afterwards, so this time I heard that the young marshal you led the army here, Pei Gong hurriedly asked Cao Shen Cao Zhongjuan to lead the troops to come over for reinforcements to thank him for the crime of the day before yesterday." In addition, Pei Gong asked the little envoy to bring the arrears of the knife money before, please accept the young marshal with a smile. ”

After that, Cao Wuxian hurriedly untied the package on his body and opened it, revealing a bag of gold and a jade wall representing interest, Xiang Kang thought about it for a while, and soon smiled: "A little money, it was nothing to worry about, but if I don't accept it, Pei Gong may suspect that I still remember the past, since this is the case, then I will accept it." Someone came, took the things brought by Cao Duwei, set up a seat to prepare wine, and washed the dust for Cao Duwei. ”

According to Xiang Kang's order, the left and right guards immediately took the package brought by Cao Wuxian, set up seats, and invited Cao Wuxian to sit down, Cao Wuxian was flattered, and sat down tremblingly after being humble again and again, and presented Liu Laosan's handwritten letter, Xiang Kang took it, and saw that the letter was full of apologies and guilty words, and couldn't help laughing again, and said: "Pei Gong is really polite, a trivial matter, why apologize again and again?" ”

After laughing, Xiang Kang asked Cao Wushu again: "Captain Cao, Duke Pei asked you to come here, is there anything else besides wanting to help me take the county?" If you have anything, please feel free to speak up, if you can help, I will try my best to help. ”

"The young marshal is really fast-talking, so the general will be bold." Cao Wuxian said very carefully: "Don't hide it from the young marshal, my family Pei Gong also wants to ask you to help our army after capturing Zhangcheng, and send an army to help us take Xue County, after the matter is completed, my family Pei Gong is willing to take out half of Xue County's money and grain to thank the young marshal." ”

"It is said that Liu Laosan is a hooligan, and he really deserves his name. Sending a rabble to pretend to be a favor, selling me an empty favor, not only erased the previous things, but also took the opportunity to borrow troops from me, and made a good calculation. No, I can't fall for this! ”

Xiang Kang snorted coldly in his heart, but the smile on his face was still there, and he said: "Captain Cao, then I'm afraid I'm going to let you run for nothing this time, how can this young marshal personally command the troops here, how can the purpose be for a small county town?" ”

"The young marshal also has plans to attack Xue County?" Cao Wuxian asked in surprise.

"I'm not sure yet, but our next target is either Fuyang or Xue County." Xiang Kang said: "So there is no way, for the sake of the same anti-Qin rebels, and for the sake of Pei Gong taking the initiative to help, I can only promise not to attack Xue County during your siege of Xue County." But if we want to send troops to help you take Xue County, we can't let you take Xue County, blocking our way into the hinterland of Xue County. ”

Cao Wuxian opened his mouth and stammered, so he could only reply to report the matter to Liu Laosan and ask Liu Laosan to make a decision, Xiang Kang laughed, and just invited Cao Wuxian to raise a glass and drink together, and was so affectionate to Cao Wuxian. During this period, several young marshal officers came to report on the situation after the young marshal's army entered the city, Xiang Kang waved his hand and ignored it, and let the young marshal generals deal with it themselves.

The matter is not over, when Cao Wuxian, who ran for nothing, asked him to take a generous reward of gold and jade, Cao Wuxian refused to accept it, but Xiang Kang resolutely refused to comply, and forced Cao Wuxian to accept his gift and say goodbye to Cao Wuxian. As a result, after Cao Wuxian left, Zhou Zengcai next to him asked, "Young Marshal, do you really plan to fight Xue County?" ”

"Of course not." Xiang Kang replied: "Although Xue County is still important, our main force is too far away from the rear of the lower minister, and it is a wise choice to take Fu Yang and Pengcheng next step and consolidate our western flank." I deliberately replied to Liu Ji like this because I wanted to see his reaction and test his attitude towards us. ”

Zhou Zeng nodded in understanding, and then asked, "Young Marshal, then why are you so respectful of this Cao Wuxian?" With his identity, he doesn't deserve to be so polite to him? ”

Of course, Xiang Kang couldn't tell Zhou Zeng that Cao Wuxian would be one of the most dangerous traitors around Liu Laosan, so he made an excuse and said: "Of course it's for Liu Ji to see, he knows that I am so good to one of his generals, and when he is cornered, he will think of defecting to us." If there is an opportunity, it can also be easier for us to propose to recruit and incorporate Liu Ji's army. ”

…………

After Cao Wushu brought Xiang Kang's reply and the news that the young marshal's army had taken the city back to Cao Shen, Cao Shen, who continued to advance eastward to no avail, did not hesitate, and immediately withdrew to the city of Xue County with the army that had come to do a short favor, and rejoined Liu Laosan. And after Liu Laosan learned of Xiang Kang's reply, he didn't hesitate at all, and said after a little calculation: "Withdraw the troops, break the siege, and go west to fight Huling!" ”

"Pei Gong, why do you want to withdraw from the army?" Fan Hao was anxious when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Are you afraid of Xiang Kang's stupid boy?" ”

"What's wrong with him? The strength is here, and you have to pretend to be cowardly when you should pretend. Xiang Kang Xiaozhuzi has already made his words clear, saying that if we take Xue County, it will block his way to enter the hinterland of Xue County, and if we insist on continuing to fight Xue County, it is tantamount to deliberately making things difficult for him. We have just started our army, and our strength is far from enough, and we cannot afford to offend a strong friendly army for the sake of a county town. ”

Liu Laosan snorted coldly, and said: "Anyway, we are not sure to take Xue County, rather than wasting grain and grass in vain like this, it is better to withdraw immediately, find another place that is easier to start, and by the way, make an empty favor to Xiang Kang Xiaozi." And if this little vertical man really enters Xue County, it will not be a bad thing for us, at least he can contain the main force of Xue County of Tyranny for us, he is strong and I am weak, and the Tyranny Qin army of Xue County will only do its best to prevent him, and will not directly target us, we also have a chance to fish in troubled waters, understand? ”

He has always been in awe of Liu Laosan's boss demeanor, and generals such as Fan Xu and Cao Shen did not say much, and immediately asked the army to prepare to retreat according to Liu Laosan's order, and withdrew from the battlefield under Xue County on the same day. At the same time, Liu Laosan naturally had to send a letter to Xiang Kang, and he respectfully expressed his willingness to give up Xue County to the young marshal's army. Xiang Kang sighed when he heard this, and sighed secretly: "Sure enough, it's the true nature of a hooligan!" When it's time to show weakness, I pretend to be better than anyone else, no wonder my well-limbed lobby brother can't play him, and if he really becomes my opponent in the future, it will definitely give me a headache. ”

Xiang Kang's other efforts were not wasted, as Liu Laosan retreated to the west, playing with the jade that Xiang Kang gave him, and recalling Xiang Kang's polite salute to himself, as well as the strength of the young marshal's army, Cao Wuxian, who is not currently in Liu Laosan's army, inevitably has some regrets, regretting that he was born in the wrong place and did not get the opportunity to join the young marshal army early?