Deputy Director Tao had a good habit of marching, that is, no matter how urgent the march was, he would send scouts to open the way ahead, first, to probe the enemy situation in front, and second, to find out the road topography ahead--Tao Ying didn't want the Junzi army to rush headlong into narrow terrain such as valleys, dense forests, and narrow roads. Therefore, although the 100,000 people who went south to the Gepiwu ferry this time were also in a hurry, and they wanted to compete with Cao's interception team, Tao Ying still sent scouts and light horsemen to go ahead and reconnoiter the road and the enemy's situation, so as not to accidentally fall into the enemy's trap.

When the main force of the Junzi Army was still four or five miles away from the Gepiwu Ferry, the scouts sent to the front came back from Pegasus to report that it was near the civilian fortress of Gepiwu in front of them, and it was found that there was an army fighting, and the two warring sides turned out to be the Cao army team and a local village soldier!

"Local village soldiers?" Tao Ying was a little confused at first, and said that the villagers there had eaten the leopard's gall, and they dared to fight with the regular army? Then Tao Ying immediately came to his senses again, and said with a clever smile: "It must be that Boss Cao is hungry and red-eyed, and thinks that mosquitoes are also meat, so he refuses to let go of even a dock fort." ”

Thinking about this, Tao Ying asked the scout without thinking, "Has the Cao thief army attacked the dock fort?" How long will that dock fort last? ”

Of course, there is a reason for Tao Ying to ask, if the dock fort in front can hold on for a little time, then the Junzi army can be like the Lujiacheng treated before, rush up and intervene, harass a Cao army from behind, force the Cao army to stop attacking the dock or even give up the dock, and then deceive the people of the dock fort, which can not only mix a hot meal to eat, but also let the dock people help the army cross the river.

Tao Ying's wishful thinking was croaked, and he didn't want to ask for words, but the gentleman's army scout who came back to report the news was first stunned, and then replied: "Hui Gongzi, Cao thief has not yet attacked the dock fort, on the contrary, the township soldiers in the dock fort also took the initiative to go out of the dock to fight, and there is currently a general in the dock fort, who is fighting with the Cao army general Dian Wei, and Dian Wei is a little overwhelmed." ”

"Smack!" The horsewhip in Tao Ying's hand fell to the ground, and he exclaimed and asked, "Beat Dian Wei a little overwhelmed?" Have you ever seen the wrong person, one Lu, two Zhao, three Dian Wei, who can beat Dian Wei to the point that he can't resist? ”

"Childe, of course the villain can't be mistaken." The gentleman army scout replied with a wry smile: "Childe forgot, all of our gentlemen's soldiers have seen Dian Wei, and they almost shot him to death with cold arrows?" ”

"Yes, you've seen Dian Wei, and Dian Wei is also injured - but even if Dian Wei is injured, it will be terrible to be able to beat the injured Dian Wei to the point that he can't resist!" Tao Ying was even more surprised, and under the shock, he couldn't remember that there was any other macho man so bullish here in Runan, so he hurriedly shouted: "Scout lead the way, the whole army is in a hurry, go to the left flank of the battlefield to check the situation!" ”

The generals of the gentleman's army agreed, and the scouts led the way, and the whole army rushed to the battlefield, traveling for several miles, and the sound of killing drums shook the sky in the snow ahead, and the flag flew over, and the situation was unclear Tao Ying did not dare to join the battlefield rashly, but led the army around the flank of the battlefield, and climbed a gentle slope to check the battlefield situation condescendingly. When he raised the primitive telescope to observe carefully, what made Tao Ying's mouth open was that although there were only more than 200 people in the dock team in Gepiwu Fort, it was really out of the dock to fight, and the two armies were facing each other, and there was really a strong man wearing ordinary civilian clothes dancing with a big sword, and he was fighting with Dian Wei who was holding a double halberd, and the teams on both sides of the war were desperately beating the war drums to cheer for the strong man and Dian Wei.

Looking at the appearance of the strong man, Tao Ying found that this strong man was born very distinctively, he was as tall as the second Guan Lao, but his weight was far better, his waist circumference was at least three and a half feet, his arms were thicker than Tao Ying's thighs, and he was like a mountain of meat when he sat on the horse, but his movements were quite flexible, and a ghost-headed knife was wielded vigorously, and every knife cut out was like a mountain, and he killed Dian Wei, who was injured, and he only had the ability to parry, and he had no power to fight back. Seeing this scene, Tao Ying was inevitably surprised and delighted, and couldn't help but exclaim: "Who is this guy?" So awesome? ”

"Could it be him?" Chen Zhi next to him suddenly remembered something and exclaimed: "Could it be that he is a tiger idiot who drags a cow with both hands and walks a hundred steps backwards, Xu Chu and Xu Zhongkang, who are famous in the Ruying area?!" ”

"Tiger idiot? Xu Chu?! Tao Ying screamed like a pig, and finally remembered that he had forgotten that Niu Fork Fierce General! Then Tao Ying shouted viciously: "Xu Chu I'm going to decide, no matter what means I use, I will snatch him over!" The whole army listens to the order and prepares for battle! ”

"Childe, there is a messenger in Cao's army here!" At this time, Cao Jun had already rushed out of the ranks, and immediately a scribe waved a white flag, but it was Cao Jun who was engaged in Lu Qian, and rode his horse to rush to the front, and shouted from a distance: "Tao Gongzi, you are a benevolent gentleman, and you are true to your word, have you forgotten the covenant with my lord in Dingling?" My lord has sent a special prayer to ask you, is the son going to keep his promise? Or do you want to break your word? ”

Tao Ying's words stopped, although Deputy Director Tao has always regarded gambling and swearing as eating cabbage, but to be treacherous and repentant in front of so many people, Deputy Director Tao is really a little embarrassed. Over there, Lu Qian obviously grasped the weakness of Deputy Director Tao who wanted to be a bitch and set up an archway, and shouted: "Master Tao, your kindness in coming to Runan to help my army transport grain is appreciated by my lord." If you still have the word Xinyi in your son's chest, please retreat quickly, and don't meddle in the war of our army! ”

Tao Ying was even more speechless, but at this moment, the injured Dian Wei over there could no longer parry Xu Chu's fierce offensive, turned the horse's head and walked back, Xu Chu patted the horse and chased closely, and the dock soldiers led by him also shouted up, but the Cao army brigade, which had never been afraid of tough battles, turned around and left, defeated to the south. Seeing this scene, Tao Ying was both surprised and puzzled, and after a moment's thought, Tao Ying pointed at Lu Qian with a horsewhip and said, "Okay, it's okay to ask me to retire, but I have one condition, you have to tell me, why are you fighting with the team of this dock fort?" ”

Lu Qian hesitated, but in order to complete Boss Cao's task to temporarily stabilize the Junzi Army and prevent the Junzi Army from making trouble, he replied truthfully: "Don't hide it from the son, the dock master under the slope took the Yellow Turban thief He Yi who was defeated by our army, and Dian Wei, who pursued He Yi, ordered him to sacrifice, but he refused to agree, but defeated General Dian Wei, and my lord was very curious, so he personally came to fight with this dock master." Okay, Tao Gongzi, I have already said the reason, if you don't want to break your word, please retire. ”

"Take He Yi?" Deputy Director Tao's eyes rolled, and he immediately made up his mind and said: "Mr. Lu, please rest assured, although he is not a sage, he also knows the word Xinyi, and he has received the grace of Meng Degong in the past, so he will naturally not betray his word and go back on his word. ”

"It's okay, this hypocrite still has a little face." Lu Qian quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Childe is a promise of a thousand gold, his words are like a mountain, and he admires him to the end, so that the son first please retire temporarily, and after our army wins, I will come to thank Gongzi." ”

"Wait! I just promised not to interfere, but I didn't promise to quit immediately! Tao Ying brazenly waved his hand, and shouted: "Soldiers, go, follow and see the situation!" After speaking, Tao Ying no longer paid attention to Lu Qian, just patted the horse and chased, the soldiers of the gentleman's army shouted to follow, and chased Cao Jun together, Lu Qian scolded Tao Ying shamelessly in his heart, but he was helpless, so he had to quickly turn the horse's head and go to chase Cao Boss to report the news.

"Why did Cao Ying cheat?" On the way to chase Xu Chu, Tao Ying nervously recalled and calculated in his head, and analyzed the reason for Boss Cao's deliberate defeat, "With Cao Ying's surname of loving talent, he must be reluctant to kill Xu Chu like this, it is impossible to arrange a strong bow and crossbow to shoot Xu Chu to death, he must want to capture Xu Chu alive, so what method does he want to use to capture Xu Chu alive?" Yes! Come to think of it! ”

Thinking of this, the frightened Tao Ying ignored that Xu Chu's Wuding team had already discovered him, turned around and prepared to face the Junzi Army, and just shouted madly in his mouth, "Xu Chu! General Xu Chu! Pitfall! Watch out for the traps on the ground! ”

Not to mention, Deputy Director Tao's voice was really not small in his anxiety, and the warning was really heard by Xu Chu and Dian Wei, who were chasing and fleeing in front, hearing this shout, Dian Wei was of course shocked, and didn't understand how Tao Ying knew that the army had dug a trap on the road? Xu Chu was full of confusion, and suddenly lost his mind - don't forget that Xu Chu's nickname is Tiger Idiot, and the meaning of Tiger Idiot is that Xu Chu is both brave and a little stupid, and his head is relatively slow to react. So after hearing this, Xu Chu not only did not stop chasing, but was also very distracted, and he didn't notice Dian Wei in front of him detouring the road, and chased straight after him, but suddenly stepped on the trap on the road, and even the people and horses fell down.

Xu Chu fell into the pit, Dian Wei immediately turned around and killed, stopped Xu Chu's team of docks, and the Cao army hookers who were ambushed on both sides of the road also immediately rushed out, and the long hook stabbed in a mess, and soon hooked Xu Chu's hands and feet, dragged the trap and waved the rope to tie up, and the main force of the Cao army that retreated in front of him also immediately turned around and rushed back to slash and kill the Wu Ding team, and the two hundred or so Wu Ding who were leaderless in the group were suddenly in chaos, and soon dispersed, leaving the stunned Deputy Director Tao to lead the Junzi Army to confront the main force of the Cao Army.

Although the Cao army team did not dare to rush up to block the gentleman's arrows, they also quickly sorted out the team, pushing the long shield to the front to block the arrows, and quickly arranging strong crossbows to restrain the cavalry of the gentleman's army. The Junzi Army here also hurried to protect Tao Ying, and at the same time urgently lined up the battle queue to prevent the Cao army from attacking.

"Hahaha!" At this time, the smug Boss Cao had already laughed and walked out of the formation, stood still in front of the formation, and said with a smile to Tao Ying: "Thank you Tao Gongzi, thank you, I have seen it, if it weren't for Gongzi's help, dividing the mind of this dock master, and restraining his team, I really may not be able to capture him alive!" Childe's support is unforgettable. ”

Seeing Boss Cao's smug ugly smile, Deputy Director Tao really wanted to slap himself twice - Deputy Director Tao also saw it very clearly just now, Dian Wei obviously had a move to bypass the trap, but Xu Chu rushed forward in a daze, obviously distracted. Thinking that he actually helped Boss Cao catch the tiger idiot Xu Chu, Tao Ying simply had an urge to buy a piece of tofu and kill him!

"No, you can't give up, judging from Lu Qian's tone just now, Cao Thief shouldn't know the name and identity of this Xu Chu yet, maybe there will be a chance!" Deputy Director Tao was Deputy Director Tao in the end, and he quickly calmed down, first moved the muscles on his face, changed his smiling face, and then rode out of his horse, hugged his fist to Boss Cao, and said loudly while thinking about countermeasures: "Ming Gong doesn't have to be polite, it's just a trivial matter, why worry about it?" ”

"Good boy, sure enough, calm enough." Secretly praised Tao Ying's calmness, Boss Cao asked with a smile: "Tao Gongzi, you and I have an appointment in Dingling, you break the Yingchuan demon thief, I break the Runan demon thief, I don't know why Gongzi went deep into the hinterland of Runan?" Could it be that Childe wants to help me break the thief? ”

"Exactly." Tao Ying hit the snake with the stick, and said with a smile: "I know that the demon thief in Runan is powerful, and I am worried that Ming Gong will not be able to resist the enemy, so I came to help, I never thought that Ming Gong is extraordinary, and the demon thief has been broken, and it seems that this time it is going to run in vain." ”

"Childe is really a moral gentleman, which is admirable." Boss Cao sneered, and said with a smile: "In this case, I don't know what the son has to do then?" ”

"I don't have any plans." Tao Ying's eyes rolled wildly and said: "I just want to plead with Ming Gong in Xia, please let me meet with the dock master before, say a few words, and then withdraw immediately." ”

"Why did Childe want to see him? Talk to him? "Boss Cao was a little confused.

"Just because I have admired his name for a long time, I have admired him for a long time, and now I finally got here, so I have to say a few words of admiration to him, otherwise I will enter the treasure mountain and return empty, and regret to death." Tao Ying casually sneered, patted his chest and said: "Ming Gong, please rest assured, you can swear to the sky in the next place, just ask to meet the dock master, say a few words, and then return to Chen Guo immediately!" Never be embarrassed by Ming Gong! ”

Boss Cao was even more strange, saying that he didn't understand why Tao Ying wanted to meet that brave and extraordinary dock master, but Boss Cao also understood one thing, that is, never do what the enemy wants you to do, so Boss Cao quickly sneered and asked, "Master Tao, what if I don't agree?" ”

"Then I won't leave." Tao Ying played a scoundrel and said: "I will accompany Ming Gong here until Ming Gong agrees to my request." ”

Boss Cao was secretly angry in his heart, and the generals of the Cao army were also furious, and they all went to Boss Cao's side to ask for battle, and Boss Cao wanted to agree, but considering that the grain that he had finally grabbed was still hoarded in Yangshan, even if he could shoot away Tao Ying, a scoundrel, with a strong crossbow, on the way back to Yanzhou, he would definitely attract the endless entanglement of the group of leper dogs of the Junzi Army - in the tragic terrain of the hinterland of Yuzhou, the Leper dog tactics of the Junzi Army were incomprehensible. So Boss Cao weighed for a moment, and finally waved his hand back to the generals, and said to Tao Ying: "Master Tao, I can agree to your request, but you must also promise me a condition, on my way back to the division, your gentleman's army is not allowed to go west of Chen Guojun." ”

"A gentleman promises a thousand gold, and the deal is made." Tao Ying, who probably had the bottom in his heart, readily agreed.

Boss Cao also knew very well that Tao Ying wanted to be a bitch and wanted to set up the surname of the archway, and knew that since Tao Ying made a promise in public, he would definitely abide by it, so Boss Cao did not hesitate, and immediately ordered Xu Chu to be in front of the battle. After a while, Xu Chu, who was covered in five flowers, was escorted to Boss Cao's side, and Boss Cao said to Tao Ying again: "Master Tao, this dock master is here, please say something." ”

Tao Ying first turned over and dismounted, hugged his fists to the confused Xu Chu, bowed deeply, and said loudly: "Xu Chu, Xu Zhuangshi, introduce yourself, under the surname Tao Mingwu, the second son of Xuzhou Thorn Shi Tao Gong, now lives in Xuzhou to point the soldier Sima, and was ordered by his father to lead the troops west into Yuzhou to exterminate the Yellow Turban thieves who endangered Yuzhou!" The name of the strong man has been heard of for a long time, and today it is said that the strong man is invited to meet, not for anything else, but to ask the strong man for his guilt. ”

"Please? What sin please? Boss Cao and Xu Chu were both inexplicable, Xu Chu shook his fat head that was still dizzy, and asked Tao Ying: "This Tao Gongzi, you and I don't know each other, and you have never offended me, why do you want to ask me for guilt?" ”

Tao Ying's tone was heavy, and he arched his hand to Xu Chu and said: "Xu Zhuangshi, the reason why I ask you for guilt is because I am a step late and I can't save you, so I have to ask you for guilt." Xu Zhuangshi, I know that you hate the Yellow Turban Thief the most, and I also know that the Yellow Turban Demon Thief all hates you to the core, and they all want to kill you as soon as possible, and now you unfortunately fall into the hands of the Demon Thief, but Tao Ying is unable to save you because of the small number of soldiers and insufficient strength, so he must ask you for guilt. ”

"Tao Yingxiaoer, who do you say is the Yellow Turban Demon Thief?" Cao Ying asked angrily.

"Childe, they seem to be officers and soldiers, not yellow turban thieves?" Xu Chu also asked in surprise.

"Xu Zhuangshi, you may not know something." Tao Ying shook his head, pointed at Boss Cao and said: "Xu Zhuangshi, please let me introduce to you, this Ming Duke surnamed Cao Mingzi Mengde is the general of Zhengdong who was awarded the title by the Han court. When this Ming Duke went east to conquer Qingzhou, he surrendered a large number of Yellow Turban Demon Thieves, and there were many thieves in the team....... ”

"Tao Yingxiaoer, Hugh is unbelievable!" Boss Cao's nose was almost out of breath.

"Ming Gong, is there a lie below?" Tao Ying asked unceremoniously: "Could it be that there are no Yellow Turban soldiers in the ranks of Ming Gong?" ”

Boss Cao was speechless, but Xu Chu came to his senses, laughed and said: "So that's the case, thank you Childe, Childe doesn't have to ask for guilt, I just accidentally fell into the trick of the demon thief and fell into the trap of the demon thief, what do you have to do with Childe, why should Childe ask me for guilt?" Since I accidentally fell into the hands of the demon thief, then die or die, it's no big deal! Childe's affection, I will not forget even if I die, if there is a next life, I Xu Chu will definitely come to repay Childe again! ”

"Who has not died in life since ancient times, leaving Dan to take care of the sweat! A strong man is indeed a hero! Tao Ying wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and then clasped his fists and said: "Strong man, please rest assured, although I can't save you back, I can guarantee that I will definitely bring your family in the dock fort to Xuzhou, so that they can have no worries about food and clothing, and talk about the admiration for the strong man in the next place!" ”

"Tao Yingxiao'er, you are dreaming!" Boss Cao was furious, and said in his heart that you took his family to Xuzhou, how dare I use this rare fierce general in the future?

"Tao Yingxiaoer, you don't sell short favors here!" Xun You also stood up, pointed at Tao Ying and said angrily: "My lord is thirsty for talent, love is like life, and he will treat this Xu Zhuang man well!" If you still have a little shame, get out of here! ”

"Thank you, Childe!" Xu Chu was moved by Tao Ying's sincere words, and shouted to Tao Ying: "Son, my brother Xu Ding is staying in the dock fort now, you can go to him and ask him to take my family to Xuzhou with you, and by the way, tell my brother that he must avenge me!" ”

Boss Cao would have already repented of his intestines, so he had to hurriedly say to Xu Chu: "Strong man, don't listen to this hypocrite's nonsense!" I....... ”

"Phew!" Xu Chu's mouthful of thick phlegm spit on Boss Cao's face, and shouted: "Yellow Turban thief, kill if you want to kill, Hugh is noisy!" If I frowned, I wouldn't be called Xu Zhongkang! ”

"Grass thief! Dare to insult my father-in-law! The generals of the Cao army next to him were all furious, and they all drew their knives to kill Xu Chu, but Boss Cao hurriedly stopped it, but Xu Chu yelled again, "Fearless thieves, they can only cheat, kill if you want to, I'm afraid you won't succeed?!" ”

"Tao Ying Xiaoer!" Finally caught Meng will be provoked like this in a few words, Boss Cao was so angry that he was about to go crazy, and pointed at Tao Yingxiaoer with a horsewhip and scolded, "You are a thief!" The world's number one thief! ”

"Ming Gong, please calm your anger, please listen to the next word." Tao Ying's stomach was about to explode with laughter, but his face was full of seriousness, and he arched his hand to Boss Cao and said: "Ming Gong, this Xu Chu Xu Zhuang is indeed a rare loyal hero, Ming Gong will kill him, it is too pity, and it is not good for Ming Gong's prestige!" Why don't we make another deal? ”

"Don't do it! I won't fall for you again! Boss Cao roared like thunder.

"Ming Gong, please don't refuse yet, listen to the next word." Tao Ying said loudly: "Duke Ming, Tao Ying is willing to give up the whole county of Chen State, and then give 30,000 Hu to Duke Ming's army, just ask Duke Ming for the matter, ask Duke Ming to forgive this Xu Zhuang for his offense against Duke Ming, and spare him from dying!" ”

"Childe! What did you say? Xu Chu opened his mouth and exclaimed, "You take Chen Guojun and 30,000 grains in exchange for not dying?!" ”

"Not bad!" Tao Yingyi said rhetorically: "Xu Zhuangshi, you are a hero, a rare hero, you can exchange 30,000 grains for your life in Chen Guoyi County, I think it is very worthwhile!" ”

After saying that, Tao Ying turned to Cao Ying again and shouted: "Ming Gong, the next words have been finished, please Ming Gong decide." This Xu Zhuang is extraordinarily chivalrous, it is a pity to kill him, and he has always been true to his words, and please think twice. ”

Xu Chu was dumbfounded, and Boss Cao was also dumbfounded, I really couldn't think of such a thing in this world, and there was such a shameless person, who would use Chen Guojun, who was destined to give up, as a short-headed favor to sabotage his talent acquisition plan? As for the 30,000 grains - to be honest, Boss Cao, who is suffering from a food shortage, is really a little tempted.

"Ahh At this time, Xu Chu suddenly roared, shook off a few Cao soldiers who held him down, knelt down on Tao Ying's knees, knocked his head three times, and yelled with tears: "Tao Gongzi, your kindness, I Xu Chu has received it!" If Xu Chu can still live, this life is yours of the son, go to the soup and go to the fire, go up the knife mountain and down the sea of fire, and never frown! ”

"Strong man, please get up." Tao Ying returned the salute with his fists, and said with tears rolling in his eyes: "Xu Zhuangshi, Xu Yishi, I only hate that I am one step late, one step late!" ”

Seeing Xu Chu's appearance and hearing Xu Chu's words, Boss Cao wanted to strangle Tao Ying to death with his own hands more and more, and Xun You next to him came up and whispered in Boss Cao's ear: "Lord, this Xu Chu can't stay, even if he can keep his people, he can't keep his heart." The lord has only two choices, one is to kill this Xu Chu and not add an arm to Tao Yingxiao'er, and the other is to agree to Tao Ying'er's request and exchange this Xu Chu for 30,000 grains and Chen Guojun - Although the county treasury and county treasury of Chen Guojun have been looted by Tao Yingxiao'er, the people can still collect a little more grain. ”

Boss Cao didn't answer, but stared at Tao Ying with fire-breathing eyes, Tao Ying had a serious face, looked back at Boss Cao unceremoniously, and the four eyes collided in the air, as if splashing a little spark.

After fighting for a long time in his heart, Boss Cao suddenly smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Tao Gongzi still has such a chivalrous heart, then okay, I am honest and benevolent, I agreed, Xu Chu Zhuangshi, you can go." Come and loosen the ties to Xu Zhuangshi. ”

"Thank you Ming Gong!" Tao Ying, who was seriously lacking in fierce generals in his hands, bowed deeply to Boss Cao, and said loudly: "After withdrawing to the Chen State, just wait for the Ming Duke to receive the arrival of the army, and immediately cede the entire territory of the Chen State in the Xia, and leave 30,000 grains for the Ming Gong!" ”

"Childe is a promise, I believe it." Boss Cao nodded, knowing that it was impossible for Tao Ying to cheat in this matter. Then he looked at Xu Chu, who knelt down in front of Tao Ying, sighed regretfully, and finally turned his gaze to Tao Ying, and said secretly in his heart: "Those who can compete with me for the world, only this son!" ”

(To be continued)