After Xiangzhou City fell into the hands of the male Jiaren, it was strengthened again.

The rammed earth layer was added, the outside was built with green bricks, the dodge wall was increased to more than one person high, and the parapet wall was added behind to prevent the heavily armored soldiers defending the city from being knocked unconscious and falling off the city.

Zhang Yunlong's Xuanjia army, like a group of iron ants, really climbed the city wall, and once climbed to the top of the city three times, but was still repelled by the enemy.

On the city of Xiangzhou, there are at least three eight-rank generals, all of whom are fierce and vicious, even Zhang Yunlong, who is old and strong, is also looking at the city and sighing. At this time, he suddenly received Huo Zizhen's order: "Surround but not fight." ”

Huo Dashuai means: If you have the ability, let them rush out.

"Why did Huo Zizhen suddenly give such an order?"

Zhang Yunlong looked at the Xiangzhou city defense map and asked Cao Sheng beside him.

Cao Sheng smiled and motioned for Zhang Yunlong to go out of the room to talk, and Zhang Yunlong walked over with him.

Letting the guards close the door, Cao Sheng said: "Wanyan Trout suddenly changed his combat strategy, and now Huo Zizhen also feels a headache. He won't take action until he finds a good way to break the cobwebs. Huo Zizhen, this kid is actually quite stable. ”

Zhang Yunlong snorted lightly: "If Wanyan Trout wants to fight a protracted war, the consumption of both sides will increase exponentially. But I don't think they have any hope of winning. ”

"You can't say that." Cao Sheng restrained his expression: "They have never given up their efforts to find helpers. My spy reported that they had sent another group of envoys to bypass the Yinshan and Hetao areas and go to the Hexi Corridor. This time they put forward very attractive conditions to the Sangla people, and the order given by King Nanjia to the envoy was only one sentence: no matter what conditions the Sangla people put forward, he would agree. ”

Zhang Yunlong's expression was solemn, and he shuddered when he remembered the dilemma of fighting on the eastern and western fronts when the first emperor was there.

When the emperor came to the battlefield in person, although he was very tired from fighting, everyone was very energetic, and no matter which gate valve he was, he could do his best. But now, Huo Zizhen does not have the prestige to control all the troops like the first emperor.

If it's just a fight against men, Huo Zizhen is enough, but if it comes to fighting on two fronts, Huo Zizhen will definitely not succeed.

"This is not a problem that we should consider now," Zhang Yunlong waved his hand: "This is the time to test Zhao Ce, we just need to execute the order." ”

"You call the emperor's name again, taboo!"

"It's just the two of us in this room, are you going to report me?"

"Hehe, of course not." Cao Sheng smiled: "I'm just worried that you are used to it, and you won't be able to keep your mouth shut in the future." ”

Zhang Yunlong squinted at Cao Sheng, and suddenly said in a sarcastic tone: "Hey, old Cao, I have always felt that you are a particularly sinister person. But only for me, it's still very buddy righteousness. Hey, tell me, why haven't you been looking for a new person for Empress Dowager Cao? ”

"Zhang Yunlong, are you crazy!" Cao Sheng's eyes widened: "Here, discuss this issue!" Great rebellion! ”

Hurriedly stood up and wanted to look outside through the crack in the door, but found that Zhang Yunlong's retreat tent was very tight.

"Hey, it's okay, it's okay, my tent is best closed, and people outside can't hear it." Zhang Yunlong gritted his teeth and said, "Old Cao, after so many years, I can't figure it out.

You said, as the cousin of the Empress Dowager Cao, it stands to reason that you should be the first relative of the current Great Liang Dynasty.

Twenty years ago, you were the right Xiaowei Dutong, the rank of Zhonglang general, and at that time, the Empress Dowager Cao was still Concubine Rong. Later, it became the main palace, and then it became the queen mother. There is always a part of your credit for this.

Later, Empress Dowager Cao listened to the government and promoted you less, but you refused. Later, the Empress Dowager Cao asked you to help him cultivate his power, but you pretended to be a king and didn't work hard.

I don't understand that. ”

Cao Sheng's face was cold, he sat down slowly, and looked at Zhang Yunlong: "What do you old boy want to say?" ”

Zhang Yunlong suddenly clenched his fists into the sky, "When the first emperor was here, he regarded me Zhang Yunlong as a brother." Now, although he has died, in my heart Zhang Yunlong, I will always be loyal to the first emperor. Zhao Ce is still young, although I, Zhang Yunlong, am not an auxiliary minister, but I also have to protect the roots of the Zhao family. ”

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I think you're the same as I think."

Cao Sheng waved his hand and said, "Zhang Yunlong, I'm not as noble as you. I'm doing this out of self-preservation. ”

"Tell me about it." Zhang Yunlong pushed his hand, his back was pressed against the back of the chair, and he looked at Cao Sheng with a relaxed expression.

"I don't think Empress Dowager Cao can do what Wu Zetian did." Cao Sheng clenched his fists: "It's not that she doesn't have that heart, but she didn't catch up with the good time."

If Daliang was a unified dynasty, I think Zhao Ce would have become Li Dan a long time ago. Now, she can only support Zhao Ce, externally, against strong enemies such as Nanjia, Sangla, Southern Jin, and Shu Han; Internally, it is necessary to fight against the three major warlords of Meng, Tang, and Sima.

Why, then, do I expand my influence for her?

In the future, Zhao Ce will take power sooner or later, and at that time, what will he think of me?

If I have power in my hands and the court is full of disciples, won't I seek death myself?

Compared to the three major valves, my foundation is too thin. I can't afford it. ”

"Well, pretty self-aware." Zhang Yunlong stood up, patted his old partner on the shoulder and said, "I just like you, and you can be level-headed at any time." With you, I have suffered a lot less. ”

Cao Sheng didn't speak.

Zhang Yunlong smiled again and said: "Hey, Cao Sheng, how did I hear that in fact, at the beginning, the Queen Mother planned to let you be the commander of the Northern Army?" ”

Cao Sheng smiled bitterly and did not speak.

Zhang Yunlong looked at the taste: "You refused again?" ”

Cao Sheng sighed lightly and said: "She looked for me twice openly and secretly, but I refused and didn't leave her any ground. In fact, the reason is the same as what I said just now, that is, I don't want to improve any prestige and official position, I want the emperor to know that I, Cao Sheng, have no ambitions. In this way, our Cao family can be stable and long-lasting. ”

"Your niece is so smart, can't she think of that?"

"She?" Cao Sheng shook his head: "When you climb to the top of Mount Tai, you will know what it means to see the mountains at a glance." At that time, I thought I was the top of the mountain. I only hope that when Zhao Ce starts to seize power in the future, he won't be too harsh on his mother. ”

"As for it?"

"Please don't ask such questions." Cao Sheng tapped his fingertips on the table and said, "It's not 'as for it', but for sure!" It's just a matter of severity. ”

Listening to Cao Sheng's words, Zhang Yunlong turned his back and sneered. turned around, and said with a playful expression: "It seems that you also pushed the Zhao Guangda brothers to the forefront." ”

"Eh, you can't say that, this is what they took the initiative to get." Cao Sheng smiled evilly and waved his hand.

Zhang Yunlong laughed.