Lu Bu and Diao Chan stood outside the city gate, watching Zhang Feng, who was drifting away, constantly turning around and waving goodbye to them.

"He still won't let you go." Diao Chan said in disappointment.

"Do you see he's lying?" Lu Bu looked at the avenue outside the city and asked faintly.

"If it's really as he says, just hoping that I can be happy, why should he be right and wrong. Now that you and I can live here in peace, it is better than fighting all day long, and he did this only because he wanted you to suffer again. Diao Chan covered his chest with his hands, holding back the sadness in his heart.

has experienced a lot of things, whether it is Lu Bu or Diao Chan, they no longer trust anyone, Zhang Feng "woke up" this time, it was too pretentious. They forgave Zhang Feng on the surface, but in their hearts, they deeply understood that Zhang Feng would always haunt the two of them like a ghost until death.

Lu Bu was afraid that Diao Chan would be upset, so he forced out a smile and said, "It's okay, I also wanted to find Duan Xuan for revenge, and I just planned it, which saved me a lot of trouble." ”

Diao Chan knew in his heart that Lu Bu was just comforting himself.

More than once, Diao Chan peeked at the loneliness and sadness on Lu Bu's face when he was alone. He is not a bloodthirsty person, the Quartet is forced to kill, Diao Chan knows that if possible, Lu Bu would rather be an ordinary person.

However, this seems to be a distant dream for them......

——————————————

Yanzhou, Changyi.

In recent days, Cao Cao issued an order to recruit soldiers and raise food and wages throughout Yanzhou.

And the reason is naturally because of Duan Xuan, of course, he should now be called Cao Cao's think tank "Xi Zhicai".

Subduing the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army led by Nie Hong and others and removing Yuan Shu's threat to Yanzhou may be a great encouragement to the soldiers of the Cao Army, but in Duan Xuan's overall plan, this is just a prelude.

After a short rest, Duan Xuan analyzed the current situation for Cao Cao: although Cao Cao's strength had increased greatly at this time, Yanzhou's geographical location was not good, and even if he could stabilize his neighbors now, it was difficult to guarantee that something would happen and it would become a place where enemies were attacked on all sides. The top priority is to expand the territory, Li Dao in the west holds the emperor hostage, which can not be conquered, once it is self-defeating, he bites back, and becomes a "thief" in the world; Liu Biao and Yuan Shu in the south are very strong, and even if they can take it, they will pay a heavy price; Yuan Shao in the north is still an ally at the moment, so naturally he can't be provoked.

Therefore, without any suspense, Duan Xuan set his goal on the east - Tao Qian.

The geographical location of Xuzhou has irreplaceable strategic significance for the struggle for hegemony in the world. As a place bordering Yan, Henan, Qing and Yang, Xuzhou can be said to be a place where soldiers must fight.

After defeating the local Yellow Turban Army, Xuzhou Mu Taoqian implemented Tuntian and resumed production, making Xuzhou relatively rich now.

And Tao Qian's subordinates have no fierce generals who are capable of fighting well, nor do they have strategists who can pass through the heavens and latitudes, and the reason why he can hold the land of a state for so long and make the princes dare not act rashly is only because of a special army under his command - Danyang soldiers.

Tao Qian himself is a native of Danyang, so this army is very loyal to him.

The terrible thing about Danyang soldiers is that their people are martial and have an absolute worship of strength. This unit fought fearlessly and courageously, and it can be said that there are few opponents in the infantry in the world.

But blindly brave and reckless are no different, without a good commander, they are just a group of reckless men.

Cao Cao also knew that this was indeed the best choice. With his current strength, it is not difficult to deal with the princes of one side, but if someone unites, it will be difficult for Yanzhou's current strength to hold out for too long.

It took a long time to recover from the millions of people in Qingzhou, and now grain and grass have always been a problem that plagues Cao Cao in every battle. And Xuzhou, with its abundant grain reserves and many productive forces, is simply a piece of fat. Whether it is to protect oneself in troubled times or to revive the heroic style of the Han Dynasty, Xuzhou is a must.

Of course, there is one more thing that fights for war, and that is the economy. At this point, there is no need for Duan Xuan to say much, Cao Cao also knows who to go to.

……

"Meng Zhuo, I hope you can help me with this time." Cao Cao said with a smile.

The person he was looking for was Chen Liutaishou Zhang Miao.

This person was also one of the princes of Dong back then, because he was chivalrous and often helped the poor, and was known as one of the "Eight Kitchens" by the world.

Zhang Miao had a very close relationship with Cao Cao, so whenever Cao Cao needed money, he would reach out to him "very invisible".

"Mengde, Tao Gongzu is upright and benevolent, this time to send troops, is it ...... Is there something wrong? Zhang Miao hesitated.

"I know Meng Zhuo's benevolence and righteousness, but if you want to complete the great cause of you and me to support the Han family, this Xuzhou can no longer be left in his hands. Let's ask, Tao Qian has lived in Xuzhou for many years without thinking about serving the country, but the world is in chaos but he doesn't know Kuang Zheng, what virtue does he have, how can he occupy such a big state. Those who want to achieve great things, they must not stick to small things, and when you and I settle the world for Your Majesty, Meng Zhuo will definitely know the true meaning of my decision today. ”

"Alas! Of course, I can't say anything about you. Anyway, from this day forward, I will fully support you. Zhang Miao smiled helplessly.

"Hahahaha! is still Meng Zhuo is refreshing, then Cao has one more matter, so he also made it clear. ”

Zhang Miao maintained a helpless look, and stretched out his hand to signal Cao Cao to continue.

"I have told my wife's subordinates that if I encounter an accident in this army, I will all come to Meng Zhuo and you, and I hope to take care of my family for me when the time comes." Cao Cao said, thanking Zhang Miao.

"This kind of childlike state is not suitable for you Cao Mengde. Although the Danyang soldiers are fierce, it is a pity that Tao Qian has no one under him, just like although there are divine weapons, there is no martial arts to match them. Then Tao Qian is your opponent, you just need to ......"

"Big brother," a voice interrupted the conversation between the two, it turned out to be Zhang Miao's younger brother Zhang Chao, as soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Cao Cao was also there, and hurriedly greeted: "I've seen General Cao." ”

"Meng Gao, why are you so flustered." Zhang Miao asked.

"Big brother, that person is ...... He killed the food delivery man again, and in the long run, I am afraid that it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction in the army. It's not as good as ......."

"Alas...... He is a miserable man, and I cannot bear to kill him because he is faithful to me. Zhang Miao said sadly.

"Meng Zhuo, what's the difficulty, is it convenient to inform Cao?" Cao Cao asked curiously.

"Ahem, it doesn't hurt to tell you, it's my subordinate, this person is bold and has superb martial arts. didn't want his sister to go out one day, was captured by the remnants of the Yellow Turban, and was brutally killed after all kinds of humiliation. And this man became mad, and knew no one, and killed anyone he saw. I took pity on him, and I shut him up in a dungeon and chained him. After that, he sent people to bring him food every day, but occasionally a soldier accidentally caught him and strangled him to death. If it continues like this, I am afraid that the generals will not be convinced, and Meng Gao will persuade me to kill him, and I will not be able to do it. ”

"Oh? Can you show me? Cao Cao cherishes talents very much, and when he heard that this person is superb in martial arts and attaches great importance to affection, he is naturally very interested.

"It's okay to see, but Meng De must be careful."

……

In the dungeon, with the help of flickering torches, Cao Cao followed Zhang Miao to the deepest part of the dungeon.

This is a corner where the torches can't shine, and it's so dark that you can't see anything clearly.

But in this cell, there was the occasional sound of chains.

Cao Cao approached the railing, wanting to take a closer look. Suddenly, a figure rushed towards him at an extremely fast speed, and Cao Cao instinctively took a step back before stopping again.

Although the people inside were carrying heavy chains, they did not affect their speed in the slightest. Cao Cao couldn't help but be taken aback when his face was exposed to the light—they weren't human eyes at all, his eyes were bloodshot like a vicious tiger and a wolf.

The man struggled constantly, pulling the chains and rattling, his eyes looking viciously ahead, and even though there was a wall in front of him, he was still staring viciously in that direction.

Cao Cao suddenly walked up to the man and said through the railing, "Coward! ”

Zhang Miao was startled and said, "Mengde, don't get too close, be more careful." ”

Cao Cao didn't seem to hear at all, and still stood very close. The man seemed to understand, his gaze turned to Cao Cao, and then, he roared angrily, his hands trying to reach forward, and although his wrists had been strangled with blood, he still did not give up.

"Stupid! Cowardly! Impotent! Cao Cao ignored the threat in front of him and said loudly, "It is painful to lose a loved one, but a dignified seven-foot man is so crazy!" With such brute strength, he doesn't want to avenge his loved ones! Impotent! ”

Unlike what Zhang Miao thought, the man suddenly became quiet. He stopped struggling, and the angry expression on his face gradually replaced by sadness.

Under Zhang Miao's surprised gaze, the man actually spoke for the first time: "I...... No...... Coward! ”

"Open the prison door!" Cao Cao roared.

"No! This person is crazy, Meng De, you ......" Zhang Miao's words were stopped by Cao Cao's equally angry eyes.

The cell door was opened, and Cao Cao walked in slowly.

Zhang Miao was so frightened that he wanted to step forward and hold it, but Cao Cao closed the prison door again.

"If you are not a coward, then prove to me, why don't you do it because I humiliated you in every way!"

"Whew!" The man suddenly exerted force, grabbed Cao Cao by the collar, and pressed him against the wall. Then the man's hands began to shake violently, and tears began to groom in his eyes.

It was as if time had stopped, and none of the three of them had moved.

After a long time, the man's hand slowly let go, "You...... Not a bad guy, I won't kill you. ”

"So how are you going to go? Will you be locked up for the rest of your life? ”

"What can I do?" The man didn't speak as staccato as he had been.

"Rely on your own ability to take revenge."

"Huh, what about after that? Will you be locked up again? ”

"If you have a heart, follow me, build immortal achievements, and leave your name in history." Cao Cao's gaze was resolute and involuntarily convincing.

"Who are you?" The man asked.

"In Xia Cao Mengde."

"You're not afraid I'll be crazy again?"

"Hahahaha, if you were afraid, Cao wouldn't have said this. What's more, you are a bloody man, and Cao can be trusted. ”

The man lowered his head and fell into thought.

Suddenly, the man knelt down on one knee within the limits of the chain, and said to Cao Cao, "I've seen the lord." ”

Cao Cao smiled and said to the guards outside, "Give him the chains." ”

The guards removed the chains, and the man slowly moved his muscles and bones, and prepared to follow Cao Cao out of the prison.

Cao Cao suddenly asked with interest, "By the way, I haven't asked your name yet." ”

The man moved his shoulders and replied casually, "My name is Dian Wei." ”