However, it is said that after Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu retreated in the summer of the third year of Jian'an, they worked hard to develop production on the one hand, store more grain and grass, and on the other hand, train soldiers, build city defenses, and deep ditches and high fortresses to prevent Cao Cao from attacking again.

At the beginning of the fourth year of Jian'an, Zhang Xiu suddenly received a letter from Liu Qi, only to see Liu Qi write in the letter that in view of Zhang Xiu's defeat of Cao Cao last year, it was not only a threat to Cao Cao's southward movement, but also Cao Cao's concern about going north, and Yuan Shao was about to defeat Gongsun Zan of Youzhou, and after unifying the north, he would definitely find Cao Cao for a decisive battle, so this year Yuan Shao would definitely invite Zhang Xiu to jointly attack Cao Cao. Immediately afterwards, Liu Qi bitterly persuaded Zhang Xiu to agree to Yuan Shao's request, otherwise, once Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao, then he Cao Cao would become the biggest overlord in the world, and at that time, even if Zhang Xiu chose to surrender to Cao Cao, I am afraid that the other party would never accept it.

What's more, Zhang Xiu also once killed Cao Cao's nephews and favorite generals, although he was obedient to him when he needed it most, and he would not blame him at that time, but once the situation stabilized, he would definitely settle accounts with himself, even if Cao Cao could tolerate it generously, I am afraid that Cao Cao's sons such as Cao Pi would not tolerate the survival of the person who killed his brother.

When Zhang Xiu showed this letter to Jia Xu, Jia Xu couldn't help but agree that Liu Qi's analysis was correct, in fact, he was originally going to send charcoal in the snow, and persuaded Zhang Xiu to submit to him when Cao Cao was in the most difficult time, but when he saw that Liu Qi had made a series of brilliant achievements in Jingnan, he knew that Liu Qi would definitely be a generation of heroes in the future. I am also afraid that once Liu Qi leads the army to defeat Cao Cao in the future, he will retaliate against his own monarchs and ministers.

Although Jia Xu didn't know what he was judging on the basis of a young man who was only a weak crown could defeat the powerful Cao Cao, but he couldn't help but have such a strong feeling in his heart, so Jia Xu, who had always been extremely confident in his decision-making, hesitated now, just at this time he read the letter sent by Liu Qi to Zhang Xiu, and immediately after reading the letter, he could judge that it was absolutely possible that Cao Cao would deal with Zhang Xiu in the future mentioned by Liu Qi.

Although Jia Xu knew that with Zhang Xiu's talent, he would not be able to achieve the cause of the king in the end, but after all, the other party had the righteousness of a monarch and a minister with him, and of course he hoped to find a good home for him.

It didn't take long for Yuan Shao to send an envoy to invite Zhang Xiu to attack Cao Cao together, because their monarchs and ministers had already planned in advance, so they agreed without hesitation, but they said that they were only subordinates of Liu Biao in Jingzhou, and they needed to get Liu Biao's order to send troops.

From the moment he agreed to unite with Yuan Shao, Jia Xu could predict that Cao Cao would definitely take revenge on the first expedition to the county, so he had already prepared for a big war, and as soon as he got Cao Cao's troops, he applied to Liu Biao for reinforcements.

Jia Xu didn't expect Liu Biao's actions to be so fast this time, Cao Cao came to the city in less than ten days, Jingzhou's reinforcements arrived, and what surprised him even more was that this time the other party actually brought 40,000 reinforcements, if you add more than 10,000 troops in your own city, the strength of both sides is more than 50,000, nearly twice the army of Cao Cao!

"Hehe, Mr. Wenhe, this time is really a thousand joys, our army and Jingzhou reinforcements combined, almost twice as much as Cao Cao, with such a force, even if it is a head-on decisive battle, it seems that this time we can not keep the county, if this time the commander Cai Taishou is willing to make up his mind, even if we break through Xu is not impossible." Zhang Xiu's heart was also extremely surprised, after he got the news that Cai Mao personally led an army of 40,000 to help him, he couldn't help but be excited, rubbing his hands and saying happily.

"The general is right, we can indeed defeat Cao Cao's army, even if it is to take advantage of the situation to attack Xudu, it is not impossible, but Xuchang is open, not conducive to defense, even if we get it, we will lose it quickly, not to mention that although Yuan Shao has declared a decisive battle with Cao Cao, but with his hesitant character, he will never send troops in the short term, and after he reacts, I am afraid that Xu Du has already changed hands, which is also the reason why Cao Cao came to attack us first without fear. However, although we are unable to capture Xudu, we still have great hope of taking advantage of the situation to subdue Wancheng. The last general heard that the situation in Chang'an is changing now, Yongzhou has no owner, if we re-possess Wancheng, we can enter Wuguan, according to Chang'an, the general will send troops to refuse to defend Hangu Pass, and unite Liu Jingzhou to resist Cao Cao, so hegemony can be achieved. ”

Jia Xu's eyes were also full of excitement, he and Zhang Xiu were both from Wuwei, Liangzhou, and naturally hoped to return to their hometown and establish a great cause, so Jia Xu couldn't help but feel moved in his heart and came up with such a wonderful plan.

In fact, if you are sincere, Jia Xu's strategy is indeed feasible, because once he is in charge of the matter, he can greatly weaken Cao Cao's power, and then promise to unite with Liu Biao's father and son in Jingzhou, even Liu Qi, although it is regrettable that Jia Xu cannot be taken under his own account, but he is completely able to accept this fact.

It's a pity that Jia Xu's qiē is based on the assumption that Cai Mao will sincerely cooperate with him and work together to defeat Cao Cao, and such a situation is almost impossible.

First of all, Cai Mao came back to Sui County to plot against Zhang Xiujunchen's territory, not to help them. Secondly, although there is such a variable as Huang Zu, once Huang Zu is exposed, it is very likely that the 30,000 army will lose most of it, and he can't afford such a loss, not to mention that Liu Qi has also taken this situation into account, it is impossible for him to use such a big loss to marry others.

Therefore, Liu Qi had already instructed Huang Zu in advance that he must not expose the fact that he was Liu Qi's undercover agent.

Therefore, based on the above reasons, Jia Xu's strategic intention can only be a utopian dream, and there is no room for realization.

Zhang Xiu listened to Jia Xu's words, and was also excited in his heart, and he couldn't wait to defeat Cao Cao now, so as to take advantage of the situation to occupy Wancheng, and then go back to Chang'an to establish the cause of the king.

But at this moment, Zhang Xiu suddenly heard Hu Che'er, the general of the city patrol, say: "When the last general was patrolling the city, he suddenly saw someone shooting an arrow book outside the city. ”

Zhang Xiu opened the letter and saw that his originally fiery heart suddenly cooled by half, his complexion changed suddenly, he was silent, and immediately waved his hand to get rid of all the attendants, even Hu Che'er let him retreat, and then quickly handed the letter to Jia Xu to see.

Jia Xu saw Zhang Xiu's expression like this, and he didn't know that it was good, and his heart couldn't help sinking, and then he opened the letter and took a look. only to find that it was written by Liu Qi, the assassin of Yangzhou.

After seeing the letter, Jia Xu couldn't help but be silent, his original ambition dissipated, and after a while, he said to Zhang Xiu: "Lord, do you think this matter is true or false?" ”

Zhang Xiu couldn't help but smile bitterly when she heard this, and then said: "In terms of identifying authenticity, Mr. is an expert, why is he asking me now?" ”

Jia Xu sighed softly, and then said: "Actually, the lord should be able to see that this letter was indeed written by the eldest prince, but it is obvious that the eldest prince deliberately chose to send us the letter when both sides were in the city, because at this time we have already fought with Cao Cao, according to the rules formulated by Cao Cao, even if we submit to Cao Cao at this time, at most we will not be guilty, and it should be difficult to get his reward, not to mention Cao Cao's famous general Xianji, and he also has three times our troops, In addition, the 40,000 troops brought by Cai Mao will have seven times our strength, and Cai Mao's counterattack will definitely make the morale of the city fall, and in the end, even if we insist on fighting, I am afraid that we will be tied out of the city gate by the soldiers, and we might as well rely on the ......."

"But now that we have only received such a letter, we are really a little unwilling to abandon this great cause immediately. What's more, although it is very likely that this is true, if it is false, wouldn't we be too stupid? Zhang Xiu still felt unwilling, and said with a slow sigh.

"In fact, it is really easy to judge whether it is true or false, as long as we see if Cai Mao asks to enter the city tomorrow, as long as he makes such a request, it is enough to prove that he will definitely cooperate with Cao Cao. However, we need to pack our bags in advance and evacuate decisively when the time comes, otherwise the consequences will be unpredictable if we delay. Of course, the last general can't cheapen Cai Mao in vain, and this time he will definitely have to teach him a lesson and let him know that I, Jia Wenhe, am not easy to mess with. ”

A hint of cunning flashed in Jia Xu's eyes, and he said slowly to Zhang Xiu.

"I wonder what the gentleman has planned? It's all this time, don't startle the snake, sir. Zhang Xiu's face broke out in a cold sweat, and he said carefully to Jia Xu.

"Hehe, although I am in such a critical situation, but if I want to rectify Cai Mao, it is also easy, but this is also thanks to the eldest prince to make arrangements in advance, so that we can retreat along the way, thus giving me a chance to create zào, this eldest prince is really shrewd and calculating, I didn't expect that I Jia Xu has been calculating all my life, but I was calculated by the eldest prince, but I am also happy and convinced, because this makes me see hope, if he Liu Qi is a mediocre person, I would rather immediately return to Cao Cao."

Jia Xu saw that Zhang Xiu was still puzzled, so he said slowly: "Actually, Cai Mao should understand that we will naturally refuse without hesitation, and then he will use this as an excuse to lead the crowd to attack the city, and then tacitly agree not to fight with Cao Cao, attack the two city gates, force us to surrender to Cao Cao, and then use this as evidence that we really defected, but how can I, Jia Xu, put us in such a disadvantageous position?" So this time, I will definitely let Cai Mao expose the evidence of collaborating with Cao Cao. ”