Zang Ba nodded and said, "Being able to hold the East China Sea, General Wu has made a lot of contributions. ”

Wu Dun said: "General, why didn't you see the military division returning with the army." ”

Zang Ba said: "There is no need to worry about the affairs of the military division, Cao Jun intends to ambush the general outside the city, so that the military division can see through, and the military division will lead the infantry to return to the East China Sea from another road." ”

"If the Cao army wants to seize the East China Sea from the hands of General Ben, it depends on whether they have the ability, and sent Sun Guan to send two thousand soldiers to the East China Sea." Zang Ba ordered.

Glancing at the generals in the field, Zang Ba said: "You have been following this general for many years, although the Cao army is outnumbered, as long as you defend the city with your heart, you can repel the Cao army." ”

"Whoa." The generals in the arena hugged their fists in unison, and they had confidence in Zang Ba.

Now there are 4,000 defenders in the city, plus more than 1,000 foot soldiers led by Chen Gong and 2,000 foot soldiers sent by Lang Xie and the cavalry brought back by Zang Ba, the number can reach 8,000 people.

After the Xiapi incident, Zang Ba raised his vigilance against the family, and the family in Xiapi can do something to betray him, and the family in the East China Sea may also choose to do so.

"Let the head of the family in the city come to see General Ben." When mentioning the family, Zang Ba's voice was a little low.

After everyone left, Wu Dun said in a low voice: "Why don't the generals follow the example of the Marquis of Jin and eradicate all the families in the city, without the secret help of the family, it is naturally not a problem to resist the Cao army." ”

Zang Ba shook his head and said: "The strength of the family is not as simple as it seems, this general does not have the strength of the Jin Marquis, he can only make peace with the family, this general has occupied the East China Sea for a long time, presumably these families will have a wise choice." ”

"General, the family has a lot of private soldiers in their hands." Wu Dun reminded.

Zang Ba nodded, he gathered the family in the city together, just for the private soldiers in the hands of the family, this time, whether the family agrees or not, the private soldiers of the family must be firmly held in their hands first, and it is best to consume the private soldiers of the family to the greatest extent.

The news of Zang Ba's defeat and loss of Xiapi spread among the families in the city at a very fast speed, and Cao Jun became the biggest shadow in the hearts of the family.

Under the threat of Zang Ba, the family obediently handed over the private soldiers in their hands, which is also the family in Donghai City has a certain confidence in Zang Ba, over the years, Zang Ba is very good to the family, and the family has also benefited from it, and handed over the private soldiers to Zang Ba, but also hopes that Zang Ba can resist the attack of the Cao army.

There may be benefits to taking refuge in Cao Cao, but there are many families under Cao Cao's rule, once the hands of these families are extended to the East China Sea, it will have a great impact on their interests, and they will not easily give in to Cao Cao on the premise of being able to hold the East China Sea.

In this way, Zang Ba once again got thousands of private soldiers in his hands, and the strength of the defenders increased a lot.

Cao Cao gathered troops in Yanzhou to attack Zang Ba, and Lu Bu got the news soon after returning to Chang'an, but his rule was not close to Xuzhou, and it was impossible to give Zang Ba military support, and at this time his rule was in recuperation, and the Chang'an army spent a lot of grain and grass when he was dispatched.

Cao Cao sent troops to attack Xuzhou, which made Lu Bu have a deeper concern about the situation in Xuzhou, he was extremely clear about what kind of means Cao Cao had, and Cao Cao's ability to lead troops to fight was beyond doubt.

Of course, Lu Bu also understood that Cao Cao would not let Zang Ba make trouble in Xuzhou so easily, Xuzhou is a rich land, if it can be stable, Cao's army will be able to get more support in terms of grain and grass in the future, and Xuzhou is of great significance to Cao's army.

Before Zang Ba occupied Lang Xie and the East China Sea to repel the defenders of Xuzhou, it did not cause a large-scale attack by the Cao army, this time Zang Ba captured Xiapi, it must have caused Cao Cao's jealousy, the same thing on Lu Bu's body, will not let go of Zang Ba so easily, Ma Teng is a good example.

If Zang Ba's power in Xuzhou is damaged, it will be extremely unfavorable for Lu Bu to capture Xuzhou in the future.

"Shi Yuan, now Ben Hou has encountered a trouble." Lu Bu sighed.

Pang Tong was puzzled: "My lord, now that Liangzhou is peaceful, there are no thieves in the land of Sanfu who dare to make trouble, why is the lord worried?" ”

Zang Ba's matter is absolutely confidential in Bingzhou, and Pang Tong has just taken refuge, so naturally he will not know about it.

"Shiyuan, now Cao Cao is leading his troops to attack Xuzhou, and Zang Ba is in danger." Lu Budao.

Pang Tong is such a shrewd person, Cao Cao sent troops to attack Zang Ba, within his expectations, "The lord is saying that Zang Ba secretly took refuge in the lord." ”

Lu Bu nodded and said: "At the beginning, Benhou rushed to help Xuzhou, but when he passed through Langxi, he had some conflicts with Zang Ba, and then Zang Ba recognized Benhou as the master. ”

The surprise in Pang Tong's heart can be imagined, and it can be seen in the planning of this matter that when Lu Buchi came to the aid of Xuzhou, he had the intention of seizing Xuzhou, and ambushed the banner of Zang Ba in Xuzhou, the importance of Zang Ba in Xuzhou can be imagined, otherwise Cao Cao would not have led an army of 50,000 to attack Zang Ba.

At this time, it was the time for the princes to recuperate, and blind conquest was extremely detrimental to the stability of the rule, unless it was a last resort.

"In this way, Zang Ba is in danger now, who is Cao Cao, he secretly must see through the clues that Zang Ba is involved with the lord." Pang Tong said: "Although there is no clear evidence, as long as there is a slight possibility, Cao Cao will not let Zang Ba go down in Xuzhou." ”

Lu Bu nodded helplessly, although Zang Ba's power in Lang Evil was not small, but he did not obtain the ruling power of Lang Evil, with the troops in his hands at the beginning, it was difficult to capture more cities in Lang Evil, in order to support Zang Ba's rapid rise in Xuzhou, Lu Bu secretly sent Lang Evil War Horses were not a few, before Chen Deng led the Xuzhou army to attack Pi, it was sent to Lang Evil Many craftsmen, secretly built thunderbolt cars and bed crossbows for Zang Ba to resist the Xuzhou army.

"Lord, although Cao Cao said that he broke through Xiapi, but he lost his troops, and the lord secretly had a connection with Zang Ba, it was just Cao Cao's guess, the lord might as well order Zang Ba to temporarily take refuge in Cao Cao, for the stability of Xuzhou, Cao Cao may believe in Zang Ba and withdraw from the army." Pang Tong said.

(End of chapter)