However, he said that the soldiers of the Iron Blood Army who were surrounding and killing were all shocked when they saw Yu Ban being defeated by Zhang Liao. By the time he reacted, Zhang Liao had already broken through from a corner. Xiahoudun rushed to the scene and hurriedly ordered his soldiers to rush to the fight. Zhang Liao only cared about galloping his horse and hurried away, and his subordinates rushed over to meet him early. When he was young, Zhang Liao joined his deployment, and with Zhang Liao's order, the troops rushed to the camp to retreat. Seeing this, Xiahoudun was furious, and was about to order the whole army to be killed and break through the enemy camp in one fell swoop.

At this time, there was a sudden sound of the golden horn, but it was Cao Cao who ordered the withdrawal of the army. Xiahoudun learned that he was unwilling and angry, but he didn't dare to disobey the order.

On the same day, it was said that the two armies were withdrawn. In Cao Cao's tiger tent, Xiahoudun and Yu Ban knelt down and bowed their heads, the two of them were like two arrogant but defeated beasts, although they lowered their heads, they were short of breath, and their bodies faintly exuded a fierce murderous aura.

"Hmph, victory and defeat are common things in soldiers, how can there be an army that always wins in the world? suffered such a small setback, and was aggrieved to this point. Xiahou Yuanrang, Yu Wenze, you two want to be on your own, but it's still far away~!! When Cao Cao saw it, his face turned cold, and his eyes looked down at Xiahoudun and Yu Ban fiercely. When Xiahoudun and Yu Ban heard it, they couldn't help but change color darkly. Yu Ban hurriedly raised his head and said: "This is all the last general's ineffective battle, defeated by that Zhang Wenyuan's hand, and has nothing to do with General Xiahou and the soldiers of the army!" The last wish is to accept the sin!! Please also ask the lord to blame General Xiahou and the soldiers of the army! ”

"Humph! If you wait for a part, you should advance together in honor and disgrace! What's more, Xiahou Yuanrang is the head of the first army, but he is arrogant and takes the initiative to fight, but he is taken advantage of by the enemy generals. When Cao Cao heard this, he shouted coldly!

When Yu Banyan heard this, he was secretly frightened, lest Xiahoudun resent himself because of this, and was about to explain again. At this time, Xiahoudun raised his head, his eyes flashed with a brilliant light, and he said angrily: "The lord is right! No matter how the lord punishes, the last general is willing!! If you can still survive the remnants of your life, you will remember this mistake in the future and never do it again!! ”

"Hmph, the general of the defeated army is not brave enough!!" Cao Cao listened, but he slapped the case, and shouted coldly, looking domineering and stern. When the generals saw this, they couldn't help but change color, and they were anxious to kneel down and plead for Xiahoudun. Yu Ban was even more frightened, and his face was even more frightened, and he seemed to be about to cry when he saw the excited and guilty look.

Cao Cao's expression gradually improved, and he shouted coldly: "Xiahou Yuan, let this time look at everyone's face, I will spare your life!" But capital sins can be forgiven, but living sins are inevitable! I demoted you to the general of the army, and the iron-blooded army was temporarily led by Cao Hong, and then deducted half a year's salary from you as a pension in the army. Are you convinced!? ”

But seeing Cao Cao's majestic momentum, he was full of great power, which was beyond doubt. Xi Zhicai secretly bowed his head and was pleased.

"It seems that the lord is becoming more and more proficient in employing people. The so-called no rules are not based on square circles, and law enforcement can neat people's hearts. But it can be powerful but can pay attention to human feelings, suitable for benefits, prove that it has been the main authority at the same time, and can buy people's hearts and show generosity. Over time, you can be the world's heroes! Xi Zhicai's brain was racing, and after thinking about it, he couldn't help but show a bright smile.

Cao Hong listened, he was straightforward, but he didn't know Cao Cao's intentions, he knew that he was difficult to replace Xiahoudun, and he also felt wronged for Xiahoudun, so he couldn't help but feel anxious, and he wanted to intercede again.

At this time, Xiahoudun did not hesitate to shout: "The lord is magnanimous, and the last general must remember this kindness and repay him with death in the future!" I'm convinced! ”

"Good! Xiahou Yuan, let you still be a character! When Cao Cao heard this, he bowed his head heavily, and then set his eyes on Yu Ban's body, Yu Ban was busy bowing his head, and he couldn't help but have a cold sweat on his face.

"Yu Wenze, although you are not defeated by the enemy generals, you have gone all out, and you can be regarded as heroic. But this failure to intercept Zhang Liao has frustrated the morale of our army and shaken the morale of the army, but it has nothing to do with you! I demoted you to the rank of lieutenant in the army, and deducted half a year's salary, can you be convinced!? Cao Cao spoke harshly, but the punishment for the ban was not as severe as Xiahoudun. Many soldiers frowned secretly when they heard this. Yu Ban didn't dare to take the order for a while. Cao Cao seemed to sense everyone's thoughts, so he looked around coldly, and everyone didn't dare to look directly at him. Cao Cao said: "Xiahou Yuanrang was the head of an army, but he acted impulsively and left his post without permission. On the contrary, Wen Ze did everything that the deputy general should do, and he was defeated by Zhang Liao, and he was not unwilling to fight, all because the enemy was really brave! This is punished according to the crime, naturally Xiahou Yuan makes the sin even greater! I enforce the law impartially, do you have any objections!? ”

As soon as Cao Cao's words came out, the generals were busy and didn't dare. At this time, Xi Zhicai secretly glanced at Yu Ban a few times, couldn't help frowning, and said in his heart: "This person has a small and smooth heart, I have to remind the lord that if you use this person in the future, you must be more careful." ”

Cao Cao punished him, and then taught everyone to sit down and return to their positions, and the two guilty generals Xiahoudun and Yu Ban stood aside. At this time, Cao Cao was thinking about it, and couldn't help but ask: "Is the drama sacrificial wine thinking about the strategy of breaking the enemy?" ”

As soon as Cao Cao's words came out, Xi Zhicai quickly reacted, looked at him, smiled, and arched his hand: "My lord, before my subordinates say something, I want to ask, does the lord have the heart to swear to Hedong?" ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help but look slightly stunned, and a trace of displeasure flashed on his face. Cao Cao, what he doesn't like the most is to be known about his thoughts, not to mention that once his thoughts are said now, it is really undignified.

But seeing Xi Zhicai's eyes blazing, Cao Cao secretly scolded Xi Zhicai, and then Zhense told truthfully: "You also saw it today, that Zhang Liao is not only good at using troops to arrange, but also has courage and courage, retreat can be defended, and advance can be attacked." Such a tiger general is really hard to find, and it may be extremely laborious to defeat him. At the same time, now Yuan Shao has also withdrawn his troops. I'm hesitating about it. ”

Although Cao Cao did not make it clear, everyone already knew that he had the intention of withdrawing his troops. When Xiahou heard this, he couldn't help but tighten his face, and secretly clenched his fists with both hands, thinking that it was all his fault. As for Yu Ban, he was terrified when he heard it, and he was afraid that the soldiers in the army would remember this defeat on his head.

But when he saw that Xi Zhicai heard this, he smiled again, and said leisurely: "But if the lord wants to stabilize the Central Plains and make the Son of Heaven return to Luoyang, he can quickly reorganize the dynasty, he must first take Hedong." Otherwise, with the strong tiger on his side, how can the hundred officials of the court have the heart to go to court, and how can His Majesty have the prestige of the Son of Heaven? ”

As soon as Xi Zhicai said this, Cao Cao's face couldn't help but change, his brows were wrinkled even tighter, and he said: "Although what you said is reasonable, if I fight too hard with Zhang Liao, even if I take Hedong, I am afraid that I will have to lose most of the soldiers and horses, and my vitality will be greatly damaged. ”

When Xi Zhicai heard this, his face finally turned pale, and his eyes suddenly shot two fine lights, and said: "It is indeed difficult to repel Zhang Liao, but if he takes the initiative to withdraw, so what?" ”

When Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help but glare, his face suddenly became excited, and he exclaimed urgently: "What is Zhicai's plan!?" Come on~!! ”

"Hehe, my lord, don't worry. Although there is no war in Yanzhou now, because its lord Ma Xi has been away for a long time, there is gradually a tendency for people to panic. And now the army of Yanzhou is only 20,000, but if the lord secretly teaches people at this time, they report to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, saying that they will take the ambition of Hedong, and teach the two to attack Yanzhou, the Yuan brothers will readily agree! Xi Zhicai's words were full of color.

Cao Hong didn't understand, his face was full of suspicion, and said: "The sacrificial wine lord said simply, not to mention the arrogant and arrogant Yuan Shu, just his brother Yuan Shao, this person is cunning and shrewd, and very ambitious, and has always regarded the lord as his henchman, this time as soon as he heard that the Son of Heaven was fake, he immediately withdrew his army, how could he suddenly attack Yanzhou and help our army get Hedong?" ”

"Hahahaha~!! Zilian's thinking is too simple~!! At this time, Cao Cao's eyes lit up, as if he had guessed Xi Zhicai's thoughts. Cao Hong was obedient and hurriedly asked, "Could it be that the lord already knows the reason?" ”

"Huh. I'll ask you first. What conditions did Yuan Shao and I use as an alliance to attack Hedong together? ”

"Yuan has the son of heaven, and the lord takes Hedong."

"That's it. Since Yuan Shao learned that the Son of Heaven was fake, how could the mercenary villain be willing to use it for me? ”

When Cao Hong heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned, and after Cao Cao's reminder, he seemed to understand whether he understood or not. At this time, Cao Cao said again: "And Yuan Benchu had the heart to unify the north, and he had been eyeing the treasure land of Yanzhou for a long time. Now that he has been merging with the state, he naturally wants to take advantage of the victory to pursue, and then take Yanzhou, and become the overlord of Hebei in one fell swoop!! Therefore, Zhicai, rightly, as long as he knows that I have the heart to swear to Hedong, seeing that Yanzhou is weak and Zhang Liao is stopped, he will be willing to send troops to Yanzhou!! ”

"What about Yuan Shu?"

"Yuan Shu, this person is much simpler than his brother Yuan Shao. This person has always been eager to revenge, but he failed to attack Yanzhou that year, but was defeated by Ma Xi and Sun Jian together, and he lost face and had a heart of revenge. But if you see Yanzhou in trouble, won't you come to the well? Of course, he will not send troops in a big way, but will only let his subordinates show off their strength and then withdraw. ”

"What did the lord say?" Yu Ban listened attentively, and suddenly forgot that he was guilty, and listened to it with relish, and couldn't help asking.

Cao Cao sneered and said, "Because his brother Yuan Shao, once he sends troops, he is bound to win, so he will definitely mobilize a large number of troops and horses." For Yanzhou, Yuan Shu, who only has the heart to dominate Huainan, does not attach as much importance to it as his brother. What's more, the remaining old immortals of the Yuan family will not let Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu turn against each other for the sake of fighting for Yanzhou, so they will definitely persuade Yuan Shu to rule with his brother in the north and south. Yuan Shu is also a person who can remember his favors, and the reason why he was able to raise capital and make a fortune in Nanyang and Runan counties was because of the strong support of the elders of the clan. Therefore, under his trade-off, in the end, he will only send some soldiers and horses, make a show, and bluff. First, you can take revenge and regain face. Second, you can also sell Yuan Shao a favor. ”

"The lord is smart, and the subordinates are not as good." After hearing this, Xi Zhicai showed a bright smile, it is a blessing for the minister to be able to serve under a smart master.

"Hmph, you don't have to come and slap my ass! Say, what am I going to do next? Cao Cao's eyes were sharp, and he had already made up his mind to take Hedong. When Xi Zhicai heard this, his expression was also solemn, and he replied: "What the lord has to do now is to continue to transfer troops and horses here, and put on a posture of going to fight Zhang Liao to the end." When the Yuan brothers sent troops to Yanzhou, Zhang Liao was forced to abandon Hedong and go to Yanzhou, and then went to cover up and conquer Hedong in one fell swoop to pacify the Central Plains! ”

Xi Zhicai's voice can be described as loud, and every word is sonorous and powerful. When the Cao family heard this, their faces were shocked, and they were shaken.

When Cao Cao heard this, he rose up and clapped his hands and applauded: "Good!! ”

On the other side, Zhang Liao returned to the tent and was discussing with the generals. At this time, Gao Ran walked out with a tense face, and said sternly: "General, you are the head of an army, how can you go out to fight without authorization, and rashly break into the enemy's position, but if there is a loss, you will put Hedong in a place of no return!" ”