Xiliang.

Hanyang-gun.

Lü Bu's army had retreated to Zhiji County, Hanyang County, to join Cao Cao.

The Kushan Empire of the Dayue clan, the Qiang, Di, Turkic, and Xiongnu signed an armistice with Cao Cao. In the middle of the agreement, as long as Cao Cao provided food to the aliens and ensured that the alien people did not starve, he would never go to war.

In return, the aliens would also provide Cao Cao with a large number of cattle, horses, and livestock.

The ten counties of Xiliang were garrisoned by Cao Cao, and the land outside the city was cultivated and cultivated by foreign races.

For this, Lu Bu was very unhappy in his heart, and he felt like he was betraying the country.

If Xu Shu hadn't stopped him, he would have killed the envoys sent by various races during the negotiations. For this reason, he also had a very unpleasant quarrel with Cao Cao, and the relationship between the two armies became worse and worse.

"Prime Minister, Yanzhou Urgent Report." Xu Chu came to the living room and handed the letter to Cao Cao.

After Cao Cao saw it, he was very annoyed: "Lu Bu is here, and he wants to take advantage of the fire to rob..." ”

Next to him sat Guo Jia and Xun You.

Xun Yu asked urgently: "Prime Minister, what's wrong?" ”

Cao Cao handed over the letter and said, "You see, Lu Bu took advantage of the battle between our army and Yuan Shao and sent 200,000 troops to Yanzhou. ”

"Huh?!" Guo Jia and Xun You both looked horrified.

Xun You said: "Judging from the current situation, our soldiers in Yanzhou are still overstretched to deal with Yuan Shao's soldiers and horses, and if we add 200,000 Yangzhou troops, then the entire Yanzhou and even Yuzhou will fall one after another." ”

"I'm going to strike first and capture Lu Bu!" Cao Cao was silent for a moment and made a decision.

"The prime minister was angry, and the war report only said that 200,000 Yangzhou troops had entered Yanzhou, but did not say what to do in Yanzhou." Guo Jiadao.

"Does that need to be said?"

Cao Cao's face turned pale, and he said angrily: "Yuan Shao's 400,000 troops have occupied Chenliu, Dingtao, and Puyang one after another, and they are about to capture Xudu. When Lu Bu's army entered Yanzhou at this time, what else would he do besides falling into the well? ”

Xun You said: "Prime Minister, Feng Xiao means that when the Yangzhou army enters Yanzhou, it is also possible to attack Yuan Shao. Because of our relationship with Lu Bu, we are nominally cooperative, and we owe Lu Bu a lot of money and food. It makes sense for him to send troops to help. ”

"Help me? Do you believe it? ”

Cao Cao's face sank, and he said sharply: "Don't say anything, think of a way to control Lu Bu first!" ”

"Think twice."

Guo Jia persuaded in surprise.

"Bonghyo, why don't you understand? Lu Bu was in Xiliang, it was impossible to order an attack on Yanzhou, and the 200,000 troops must have been the handiwork of Chen Gong and Zhang Liang. While Lu Bu doesn't know it now, control him first. lest the news leak out, he guarded against it.... ”

Cao Cao had no doubt that the 200,000 Yangzhou troops that entered Yanzhou were attacking Yuan Shao. In his opinion, his own internal and external troubles, and the great loss of military strength are the best time to be eliminated.

At such a time, Lu Bu would definitely not help him. The 200,000 Yangzhou troops must also be to occupy Yanzhou and Yuzhou.

"Listen, I have made up my mind, and I need no more persuasion. He quickly sent someone to Lu Bu's military camp and invited him to the county guard's mansion for a banquet, saying that it was to thank him for defeating the soldiers and horses of the Kushan Empire of the Great Moon Clan. Cao Cao said.

"No." Xun Yu responded.

Guo Jia couldn't help sighing, but he didn't persuade Cao Cao again. Because he was also not sure whether Lü Bu's army had entered Yanzhou to attack Yuan Shao. Perhaps, as Cao Cao said, it was preparing to occupy Yuzhou and Yanzhou.

Night.

The bright moon hung high, illuminating Lu Bu's military camp.

(Note: Because of the joint rule of Xiliang, Lü Bu and Cao Cao fell out, and the army was stationed outside the city.) ）

Cao Cao's envoy came to Lü Bu's military camp and invited Lü Bu to the county guard's mansion for a banquet.

"Cao Cao's news is still very well-informed, so soon to know the war in Yingchuan County (Xudu), he must want to thank me in person." Lu Bu was not suspicious, and the envoy ordered: "You go back and tell Cao Cao, and I will arrive later." ”

"No."

The messenger departed.

Lu Bu picked up the Qingyu Sword on the landing platform and prepared to leave the camp.

Liu Bowen hurriedly said: "Lord, you can't go to the banquet. ”

There are also Xu Shu and Li Cunxiao in the tent.

(Note: Li Cunxiao's Flying Tiger Army, when he was in Guangcheng Pass, separated from Lü Bu to assist the Guangcheng Pass guards, defend against rebel forces and suppress the Shi clan, and was only recently transferred to Xiliang.) ）

"Why?" Lu Bu didn't understand: "Bowen won't think that it was Cao Cao's Hongmen banquet, right?" ”

Liu Bowen said: "Whether it is a Hongmen banquet or not, I don't know for the time being." But there are two doubts. ”

"Berwyn, but it doesn't hurt to say that."

Liu Bowen said: "First of all, the time is wrong, the lord should be feasted at noon, how can it be at night?" Moreover, the news of General Luo Cheng's surprise attack on Yuan Shao's camp was sent by the shadow only yesterday. Lord, please think, can Cao Cao know so quickly? If he didn't know, then what was the purpose of the banquet? For the sake of the lord's safety, it is better not to go to the banquet. After some time, we will invite Cao Cao to come to our camp and make amends to him in person. ”

After listening to Liu Bowen's analysis, Lu Bu couldn't help but suspect that with the speed at which the shadow transmitted the news, Cao Cao's soldiers would definitely not be able to catch up. Now at best, I know that the 200,000-strong army has just entered Yanzhou.

"If it's a Hongmen banquet, then I should go and see it..."

Lu Bu chuckled.

Xu Shu asked suspiciously: "What does the lord mean?" ”

Lu Budao: "There is news from the shadows that the Military Aircraft Department is preparing to help Cao attack Yuan, and transfer the target of the attack from Cao Cao to Yuan Shao. This Hongmen night banquet is the best opportunity to test Cao Cao. ”

Lu Bu's gaze fell on Li Cunxiao, and said, "With Cunxiao's escort, I am not afraid of Cao Cao." ”

"Lord, if you have to go, take Yuanba with you." Xu Shu said.

When Li Cunxiao heard this, he was very unhappy: "Mr. Yuanzhi, what do you mean by this?" Do you look down on me? ”

Since Li Cunxiao joined, he has experienced several battles, the most famous of which was the defeat of Ma Chao in Wuchang City. However, this record is too insignificant compared to Li Yuanba.

If you want to go to the Hongmen night banquet, of course, it is the invincible Li Yuanba in the world, which is the most reassuring.

Xu Shu hugged his fists and said: "Cunxiao doesn't have to be angry, I also think about the safety of the lord." ”

"You say that, and you still don't look down on me?"

"No, no, no..." Xu Shu hurriedly prevaricated.

Li Cunxiao picked up his weapon, Yu Wang Lance, hugged his fists and said: "Rest assured, I swear to protect the lord to the death, and if there is a mistake, I will apologize for my crimes." ”

"Alright, let's go." Lu Bu took the Qingyu Sword and walked out of the camp.

Li Cunxiao followed.

Xu Shu and Liu Bowen were extremely worried. Xiang Yu and Li Yuanba were brought in to discuss countermeasures.

Half an hour later.

Lu Bu and Li Cunxiao came to Jicheng County Shoufu.

Cao Cao had already set up a banquet and waited for Lu Bu to sit at the table.

Hoo hoo hoo ...

When they came to the door, Lu Bu and Li Cunxiao grabbed the reins of their horses. Two soldiers came over and led the horses for Lu Bu and Li Cunxiao.

"No need. I heard that Cao Cao set up a Hongmen banquet for me, and when I escaped, I would use a horse, just bolt it at the door, and it would be convenient to use it. Lu Bu did not shy away at all, and said to the soldiers who were about to lead the horses.

(End of chapter)