Back in Luoyang, Yuan Xi ordered Xun Zhan to write a war report to Yuan Shao, and then hosted a banquet for Ma Chao, Zhong Xuan and his soldiers to celebrate the successful capture of the Tiger Prison Pass this time. Yuan Xi thanked Zhong Xuan and Ma Chao: "Thanks to the help of the two of you this time, I will give you a drink." Zhong Xuan didn't have much expression and drank a glass silently. Ma Chao said happily: "With a lot of effort, the general should not forget the previous agreement, General Zilong doesn't know when he will be free?" After speaking, he looked at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun replied with a smile: "After the banquet, I will accompany you at any time, and it is also very beneficial to be able to fight with General Meng Qi!" ”

After the banquet, everyone watched the competition between Ma Chao and Zhao Yun. Compared with the last time, although it was not a battlefield duel, but it was also an all-out battle, and the two fought for hundreds of rounds without a win, Yuan Xi persuaded: "The two generals have high martial arts, and they are unparalleled in the world, and it is difficult to distinguish between winning and losing if they continue to fight, so it is better to stop the draw." The onlookers also agreed with Yuan Xi's proposal, and Ma Chao and Zhao Yun also didn't know each other, and they cherished each other, so they naturally shook hands and made peace.

On the second day, Yuan Xi led the generals to see off Zhong Xuan and Ma Chao. Ma Yunlu felt that it was not easy to come out, and he didn't want to go back to Xiliang for the time being, Ma Chao was very fond of his sister, and he said to Yuan Xi helplessly: "General Yuan, my sister, I still want to stay in the Central Plains to play, I don't know if I can stay for a few more days?" Yuan Xi laughed happily and said: "Welcome, if it weren't for military affairs, I would invite the two of you to visit my Jicheng." Ma Chao ordered Pang De and Ma Dai to return to Weiwu first, and said a few words. Yuan Xi ordered Zhao Yun to accompany Ma Chao's brothers and sisters to visit Luoyang City, and he discussed a major matter with Xun Zhan, Xu Shu and Sima Yi, whether they should exchange the thousands of captives in Luoyang for Zhang Xiujiaxu's family, so that the two of them could serve our army with peace of mind.

After listening to Yuan Xi's words, the three of them also thought quietly, Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu's repeated behaviors were really uneasy, and they were all thinking about whether it was worth it. Xu Shu said truthfully: "Zhang Xiujia is a self-protecting person, the general treats them so well, they can remember the favor, but they can't guarantee allegiance at a critical moment!" This should also be what everyone is worried about, but Yuan Xi thought about it and made up his mind: "Don't use suspicious people, don't doubt people, if I treat him sincerely, he will be grateful to Dade." It's just that I don't know who can go to Cao Cao's place to be a lobbyist? Sima Yi took the initiative to ask: "Why don't I go, and by the way, I will find out the truth of Cao Jun." Yuan Xi nodded, but this matter still had to be asked about Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu.

Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu came over, and when they heard that Yuan Xi was going to exchange the captives for his family, they knelt in front of Yuan Xi gratefully: "Thank you general, no matter whether it succeeds or not, Zhang Xiu is willing to go to the soup for the general." Jia Xu also thanked him and asked: "Thank you very much for the general's consideration for the two of us, I wonder how the general is going to trade with Cao Cao?" Yuan Xi replied: "Zhongda is willing to go to Cao Jun as a lobbyist for me." Jia Xu replied: "Zhongda must go and never return!" ”

Sima Yi was surprised, Jia Xu would definitely not be untargeted, and humbly asked: "I still hope that Mr. Wenhe will solve his doubts!" Jia Xu sighed: "Cao Cao and I and General Zhang Xiu have a deep enmity like the sea, and this time we must settle accounts after the autumn." As for the captives, Cao Cao was dispensable and did not matter. Cao Cao knew the name of Zhongda, and he would be detained. Sima Yi also felt reasonable, it was his own carelessness. Yuan Xi looked at Jia Xu and said: "Wenhe has been fighting with Cao Cao for many years, and he can win slightly every time, so I think I am confident this time." ”

Jia Xulian said that he didn't dare to be, and modestly suggested: "I want to skip Cao Cao and find Xun Yu directly!" The army pressed the border and exchanged 2,000 captives for Diao Chan and our family, and he would definitely agree for the sake of the overall situation. Everyone was surprised, and Jia Xu continued to explain: "If Xuchang is ruined for Diao Chan, Xun Yu can't afford this crime, he will agree." Xun Zhan listened to Jia Xu's words, shook his head and said: "If the lord raises troops for a woman, I'm afraid his reputation will be damaged!" ”

Yuan Xi thought of Diao Chan's pitiful life experience, and was also sympathetic, and said: "Diao Chan is also a rare woman in the world, in order to get rid of the national thief Dong Zhuo, she is willing to dedicate herself, take on the responsibility that should not belong to her, and also bear the infamy of being a red face and a disaster. Seeing that Yuan Xi's mind had been decided, Xu Shu supported Jia Xu's opinion and said: "Since we are going to send troops, then we will be as fast as possible, so that Xun Yu has no more time to think about it, so he can only comply." ”

Yuan Xi took Zhao Yun and led 5,000 cavalry as the vanguard, led the Chinese army himself, brought siege engines and catapults, and pressed the captives who were willing to return to Xuchang towards Xuchang. Ma Chao thanked Yuan Xi for his warm explanation in a few days, and was willing to go to Xuchang together to cheer and shout, Ma Yunlu naturally had to follow, Yuan Xi naturally agreed, Ma Chao's prestige not only has a deterrent effect, but also Ma Teng's Xiliang Army is also biased towards himself.

When Zhao Yun's vanguard suddenly appeared in Xuchang, Xun Yu was also shocked when he heard the news, and hurried up to the city gate to check. Zhao Yun shouted at the Xuchang City Gate: "I don't know if Xun Lingjun is here? I am Zhao Yun, a general under General Yuan, and I am here to trade today. Xun Yu was puzzled, he was not familiar with Yuan Xi, where did the deal come from? I saw Zhao Yun take an arrow and look at the flagpole of the city gate and shoot it. Xun Yu hurriedly dodged, let out a cold sweat, and looked back to see that the arrow happened to be shot on the flagpole impartially, and there was a letter on it.

Xun Yu admired Zhao Yun's archery skills, and at the same time took down the letter and read: Xun Lingjun is fine, Xi heard that there is a peerless beauty Diao Chan in Xuchang, and he is here to take it today. In order to show our sincerity, I am willing to return the captured soldiers in Luoyang, of course, I also want Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu's families to escort Diao Chan, if I have wronged Diao Chan, then I am sorry, I have to raise troops to take it. You only have half a day to think about it!

After Xun Yu read the letter, Yuan Xi wanted Diao Chan to be fake, and wanted Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu's family to be, but this could involve Cao Cao's family affairs, and Cao Pi had to be discussed. So, Xun Yu hurriedly said to Zhao Yun: "Please wait a while, General Zhao, I will discuss this matter with my son-in-law." Zhao Yun replied: "Naturally, but my son-in-law is a quick temper, I hope Xun Lingjun will make arrangements as soon as possible!" ”