Cao Cao did not know that his son had been taken captive. Although Xiahou Heng sent someone to inform Cheng Yu as soon as possible, Cheng Yu did not report the matter to Cao Cao. At this time, it was Cao Yuan's critical moment, Cheng Yu couldn't let extra things divide Cao Cao's heart, and as for whether Cao Cao would blame afterwards, Cheng Yu couldn't care about it.

asked his deputy Jiang Ji to temporarily preside over the affairs of Puyang for himself, and Cheng Yu personally rushed to Runan with thousands of county soldiers. Cao Ang was sent by Cheng Yu to suppress the bandits, and now that Cao Ang has an accident, Cheng Yu has the obligation to get Cao Ang back. After meeting with Xiahou Heng, Cheng Yu listened to Xiahou Heng's report for the first time, before Cheng Yu came, Xiahou Heng had already led people to turn over the entire Woniu Mountain, except for finding a cottage that had long been abandoned, nothing was found.

Cheng Yu is not a fortune teller, he can pinch and calculate. Until he found enough clues, he didn't know Cao Ang's whereabouts now. In the face of the current situation, Cheng Yu had no other way than to work with Xiahou Heng to clear out the bandits and grass bandits in Runan.

And Cao Ang and others, who had lost their whereabouts, are now hiding in the deep mountains and old forests with Lu Xun and his group. Woniu Mountain was indeed the place where Zhou Cang settled in the past, but with the change of owners in Runan several times, Zhou Cang also left there with people. Now Zhou Cang's group of people are resting in Honghua Mountain.

Honghua Mountain was originally Lei Xu's territory, if it weren't for Lei Xu's bad luck, with the complex terrain of Honghua Mountain, Cao Ang and his party would not have solved Lei Xu so smoothly. After Lei Xu's death, Honghua Mountain became a borderless land. Zhou Cang accepted Lu Xun's suggestion and took people to settle down in Honghua Mountain.

Cao Jun has been here before, if there is no need, Cao Jun will not come again, and according to Lu Xun's estimate, the imperial court sent troops to the Central Plains is a matter of one or two months, as long as the imperial court sends troops, then Lu Xun can send someone to contact the official army and present Cao Ang as a letter of nomination for himself and others.

As the so-called dark under the lamp, whether it is Cheng Yu or Xiahou Heng, at this time, the main target of finding Cao Ang is locked on those cottages that have not yet been attacked by Cao Jun, as for those that have been broken, Cao Jun did not consider it for the time being, and as a result, Lu Xun and his group took advantage of the loophole.

Cao Ang, Cao Zhen, and Xu Yi had a very unsatisfactory time during this time. If you don't eat well, you don't even give some pickles, you just give a bowl of water, and your stomach starts to sour when you eat too much. And what can't be made Cao Ang accept is that the three of them were locked in a wooden cage, and I don't know when it started, children sneaked over one after another to see, as if looking at cherished animals, Xu Yi yelled twice, and after the protest was ineffective, he had to give up.

"Zixiu, blame me for underestimating the enemy and rashly ......"

"Cao Zidan, can you say something else." Xu Yi yelled in annoyance. After roaring, he still didn't understand his hatred, so he picked up the wild fruit he had eaten half and threw it over.

"Tiger head, you're quite adaptable." Cao Zhen's neck shrank, and he dodged the wild fruit that smashed over and said.

The wild fruit was brought by the children who came to see Xu Yi and others, and it was the wild fruit in this mountain, which was very small, but it was quite sweet. Xu Yi, who was locked in a cage, was almost mad when she saw the wild fruit handed over by the child for the first time, she was a human, not a monkey! Not only are you kept in a cage for people to watch, but do you have to accept being fed?

"Tiger head, Zidan, can you just shut up and let my ears be quiet?" Cao Ang, who was also in a cage, pleaded while nibbling on wild fruits.

As soon as Cao Ang spoke, Xu Yi and Cao Zhen were honest, but after a while, Cao Zhen was unwilling to be lonely and asked Cao Ang: "Zixiu, what do you say this gang of thieves wants to do?" ”

"Zidan, you forgot, didn't this group of people say that they were going to join the imperial court? Prepare to give us a greeting gift. Cao Ang said with some confusion when he heard this.

"I haven't forgotten, but since you're going to use us as a welcome gift, why do you want to spare our lives?"

"What? Have you lived enough? ”

"Uh...... A soldier may be killed, but not a ......"

"Pull you down, you can die if you want, I want to live anyway. Zidan, you remember that only when a person is still alive can there be a chance for revenge, and if a person dies, then the matter of revenge can only be handed over to others. Are you planning to avenge yourself or do you expect someone else to avenge you? ”

"Of course I want revenge. I'm going to put that Lu Xun and Zhou Cang in an iron cage, and then feed them every day, and give two of them at a time. Cao Zhen replied angrily.

Cao Ang listened to Cao Zhen's angry words, and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. To tell the truth, when he was first captured, Cao Ang did think about death, he didn't want to affect his father's judgment because of himself, and he was even more afraid of hearing his father's order to disregard his own life. No one knows that Cao Ang not only respects his father, but also fears his father deep down. And the reason why Cao Ang left the impression of fear is also attributed to Lu Bohao's family. In that year, Cao Cao failed to assassinate Dong and fled, passing by Lu Bohao's house. Cao and Lu were old friends, and Lu Boxuan warmly entertained Cao Cao, but Cao Cao was like a frightened bird at that time, and mistakenly regarded the Lu family's killing of pigs and hospitality as preparing to capture himself so that he could go to the government to ask for a reward, and first killed Lu Bohao's family. On the way to escape, he met Lu Boyao who had returned from drinking, and in order to prevent leaking his whereabouts, Cao Cao, who had already killed the wrong person, did not stop doing two things, and killed Lu Boyao on the side of the road while Lu Boyao was unprepared.

At that time, Cao Ang was only a teenager, and this incident left a deep impression on him. If it is someone else, he will die if he dies, but Lu Bohao knows Cao Ang, and the relationship is not bad. Cao Ang couldn't understand what his father did, but the son didn't say anything about his father, and Cao Ang could only hide this incomprehension in his heart. Later, when he grew up, no one would mention Cao Cao's killing of Lu Bohao's family anymore, but Cao Ang also came to a conclusion that his father would abandon all those who were unfavorable to him when necessary, including himself.

Cao Ang couldn't accept this conclusion, and told himself countless times that this conclusion was wrong, but this conclusion seemed to have taken root in Cao Ang's heart, and it couldn't be eradicated no matter what. When he was captured, this conclusion would pop up involuntarily when Cao Ang had nothing to do.

Cao Ang was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of hearing that Cao Cao had given up on his own affairs, so he had to live and live well. Since Lu Xun doesn't kill himself, it must be because he still has use value, and since he has use value, then he still has the possibility of living.

"Xu Datou, Xu Datou, are you hungry?" A small head poked out from behind the stone and asked Xu Yi in a low voice. It was a little girl who spoke, and it was also the first wild fruit she sent to Cao Ang and the others.

"My name is Xu Yi, not Xu Datou." Xu Yi glared at the little girl and corrected what the little girl called herself.

"Your head is much bigger than the second dog's, why can't you call it a big head?" The little girl asked Xu Yi very seriously.

"Tiger head, you don't have to say a word. Nini, what's wrong with this time? Aren't you afraid that someone will find out and punish you? Cao Ang asked Xu Yi to relieve the siege and asked the little girl.

"Don't be afraid, the adults have gone to discuss things. Here's what I just picked. The little girl shook her head and replied as she handed over the wild fruit.

Cao Ang frowned slightly after hearing this, and Cao Zhen on the side also frowned, and the little girl who watched praised it: "Brother Zidan's frowning look is really good-looking, much better than my sister." ”

"Poof~" Xu Yi, who was gnawing on wild fruits, couldn't help but spray when he heard this, Cao Ang was also a burst of laughter, only Cao Zhen couldn't cry or laugh, no matter how much he was a bastard, he couldn't get angry with a little girl, although the little girl's words made him very angry when he heard it.

"Nini, have you made clear what you asked you to inquire about before?" Cao Zhen hurriedly changed the topic, and could not continue to let the little girl express her opinion on her appearance.

"Oh, I inquired, Brother Lu said that this place is called Honghua Mountain, and said that the three of you will be released from the cage after a while."

"Which brother of the Lu family?" Cao Ang asked.

"It's the second master." Nini replied innocently.

Cao Ang chuckled in his heart when he heard this, yes, the matter was revealed. He wanted to use the child's innocence to help him collect some useful information, but he didn't expect the naïve child to run directly to ask Lu Xun. Now that Lu Xun knows and dares to tell Nini the answer directly, it means that he has no fear.

"Red Flower Mountain? Sounds familiar. Cao Zhen said to himself.

"This is our first battle against bandits, and Lei Xu was originally the king of the mountain here." Cao Ang reminded angrily. Cao Zhen thought about it now, and if he didn't want to get up, he would be helpless.

"This surnamed Lu is cunning enough." Cao Zhen said angrily.

"Thanks for the compliment." Lu Xun answered and walked over. Rubbing Nini's little head, he frightened: "It's not good again, at this time you should go and learn words from the master." ”

"Oh, brother of the Lu family, don't be angry, Nini will go."

"Go ahead, next time you want to pick wild fruits, remember to call your friends together, don't always sneak out alone, and also, pick wild fruits and send them to whoever you want, don't sneak around."

"Oh, Nini remembers."

"Let's go play." Lu Xun smiled and patted Nini's little head and said.

After sending Nini away, Lu Xun moved a wooden stake to Cao Ang's cage, sat down and said: "Lu Mou has been quite idle recently, if you have anything to ask, just ask me, don't look for the idea of beating children." To be honest, it's a shame. ”

Cao Ang was a little ashamed of Lu Xun's words, only Cao Zhen muttered unconvinced, and he didn't know what he was saying. Lu Xun also ignored Cao Zhen, just looked at Cao Ang. And Cao Ang was silent for a while and then asked Lu Xun, "Lu Xun, how is the situation outside now?" ”

"It depends on what you're asking. If you ask anyone who is looking for your whereabouts, the answer is yes. Cheng Yu and Cheng Zhongde personally went out and took Xiahou Heng to pick eighteen villages during this time, in order to find your whereabouts. But don't worry, it's safe here, and he won't bring anyone to find it for a while. ”

This is not good news for Cao Ang, but what Cao Ang wants to ask is not this, "Is there any other news?" For example, has Yuan Cao already started a war? ”

"You ask this, there hasn't been a big war yet, but according to my estimate, it's going to be soon, if you really have to wait until the imperial court sends troops to join forces with Hebei to attack the Cao army, your father's chances of victory will be even lower."

"Why can't it be Yuan Cao teaming up to deal with the imperial court's attack?" Cao Zhen asked unconvinced.

"Huh...... Cao Zidan, your idea is good, but don't forget, the world is still surnamed Liu, and the imperial court represents orthodoxy. Although it is already a well-known thing for Yuan Cao and the court to tear their faces at the moment, the last layer of window paper has not been completely pierced. The imperial court is the king, and Yuan Cao is just a minister. Think about it when Yuan Shao attacked the imperial court, he had to find an excuse to be on the side of the Qing monarch, and you Cao Jun also had to hide everything, worrying about this, afraid of that, it was nothing more than afraid of confirming the identity of this chaotic minister and thief. As for you saying that Yuan Cao joined forces...... Cao Zidan, if you are Yuan Xi and the imperial court sends troops to attack Cao Cao, do you choose to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight or choose to get involved? ”

"Of course it's ......" Of course Cao Zhen won't go down, indeed, as Lu Xun said, if the imperial court really sends troops to attack Cao Cao, the Yuan fisherman of Hebei may have a greater desire to benefit. Even if he is willing to send troops, I am afraid it is under the premise that Cao Jun pays a huge price.

"Huh...... It seems that you yourself have thought of it. Lu Xun saw Cao Zhen's face change and said with a smile.

"Lu Xun, can you tell me, why are you sure that the imperial court will win in the end? What kind of prince will Xiangning have? In the past, Gaozu was just a pavilion chief, why do you think that my Cao family has no possibility of winning the Ninth Five-Year Plan? Cao Ang looked at Lu Xun puzzled and asked.

“…… That's a direct question...... Indeed, the court has had many disasters and difficulties in the past few years, giving the world the opportunity to compete in the Central Plains, but everything must have a long-term vision. As for your Cao family, if there is no Chang'an Imperial Court, it may be the most powerful, but now that there is more variable in the Chang'an Imperial Court, your Cao family ......"

"Are you so optimistic about Chang'an? What Chang'an can give you, can't my Cao family give it to you? Cao Ang asked unrelentingly.

"Master Cao, don't bother. Yes, you are right, the Cao family is indeed good, if there is no Chang'an, it is also a choice for me Lu Xun. But only Chang'an can give me Lu Xun, what your Cao family can't give me. ”

"And what do you want?" Xu Yi couldn't help but interject and asked.

"I want the Lu family to be revitalized again and become a wealthy family in Jiangdong again. Cao Gongzi, can your Cao family give it to me? Lu Xun looked at Cao Ang and asked.

“…… It really can't be given. Could it be that the imperial court can give it to you? ”

"At least he can give it, isn't it?" Lu Xun shrugged and replied.

"Are you planning to use us in exchange for the imperial court's support for your Lu family?" Cao Zhen asked out loud.

Lu Xun shook his head when he heard this, "Cao Zidan, don't take yourself too seriously, even if the three of you are added together, it doesn't seem to be worth it for the imperial court to favor my Lu family, right?" ”

"And what do you want to do with us?"

"Don't you have to prepare a gift for your first visit? Although it's not worth anything, but the courtesy is light and affectionate, do you understand? Lu Xun's words were very sincere, and the honest Cao Zhen wanted to beat people.

"You guys stay well, I guess the court won't do anything to you then, after all, compared to your fathers, you are really nothing now."

Seeing that Lu Xun was about to leave, Cao Ang hurriedly shouted, "Wait a minute, I still have a question." ”

"Excuse me."

“…… When do you think the imperial court will send troops? Cao Ang looked at Lu Xun and asked.

"It's been the past two months, and surprise can indeed have the effect of attacking him unprepared, but if the opponent is already on guard, then I don't think there is any need to continue to hide."

……

Changan

"Sending troops ahead of schedule? Why? When Xu Huang heard Liu Xie's decision, he couldn't help but ask. The Liberation Army is an army established by Liu Xie in the early days, but in recent years, the Liberation Army has not made any major battles, and it has played hide and seek with the Xiongnu and Xianbei in the north. This time he sent troops to the Central Plains, Xu Huang was very happy to learn that Liu Xie had ordered his general, but after receiving the general's order, Xu Huang felt a lot of pressure on his body.

He doesn't have to worry about his defense area, after the Liberation Army is transferred, Zhao Yun and Pang De will take over by Zhao Yun and Pang De, who are beside Liu Xie. What made Xu Huang feel a little pressure was the expansion of the Relief Army, how to integrate the 20,000 veterans and the 30,000 county soldiers transferred from various counties and counties to maintain combat effectiveness, which was a task that tested the ability of leading generals.

Not only Xu Huang has to face this problem, but also the You Yi and Tabai Second Army, Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren, who participated in the war this time, also have to face this problem. Fortunately, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Ren are all generals, and this thing can't stump them. It's just that what made them a little puzzled was that Liu Xie suddenly called them to announce that the plan to send troops was advanced.

"Cao Cao has already taken precautions, Tiger Prison Pass and Xu Du have strengthened their vigilance, and the big war between Yuan and Cao has not broken out for a long time, we can't continue to wait and give Cao Cao more time to prepare." Liu Xie explained to the three of them.

"Can you find a way to let Yuan Cao start the war first?" Zhang Ren asked out loud.

"It's very difficult, I'm afraid that the move of Frustration will not work, Tian Feng's ability is really not bad, with him by Yuan Xi's side, it is difficult for Frustration to move Yuan Xi. So let's ask for others rather than ourselves, instead of waiting for Yuan Cao to cease the war, Cao Cao turned around and led the army back to the Central Plains, it is better to take advantage of the fact that Yuan Cao is still suspicious of each other, even if Cao Cao wants to return to the army, it will take time. ”

Zhang Liao saw that Liu Xie's willingness to send troops was obvious, so he asked: "Lord, when will you send troops?" ”

"How many more days do you need to prepare?" Liu Xie asked rhetorically.

Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Zhang Ren looked at each other, and Zhang Liao's representative replied loudly: "It will take at least five days to prepare for the last general." ”

"Okay, then I'll give you ten days to prepare. Remember, this battle is up to the three of you, and you can discuss the specific battle plan yourself, I only need the result, I don't need you to defeat Cao Cao in a battle, but before the end of this battle, I hope that Yan and Henan will be placed under the rule of the imperial court from now on. ”

As soon as Liu Xie's voice fell, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Zhang Ren got up and hugged their fists and said, "Don't worry, my lord, we will do our best." ”

There is no suspicion in employing people, and there is no need for suspicious people. Liu Xie knew that he was not a genius, if he didn't have the identity of this son of heaven, it would be difficult for him to survive in this troubled world. As for the difficult things, just leave them to the professionals, you don't have to be proficient in everything, you just need to provide a stage for those who are proficient to show, then you are a wise lord.