Ma Chao said: "The intention is very simple! I want you to take refuge in the imperial court, and the imperial court will fund you to recover the four counties of Zhenfan, Lintun, Xuansu, and Lelang, and after the matter is completed, you will be crowned the king of Liaoxi, and hereditarily rule the land south of the Wangcheng River! ”

Gongsun Zhan's brows furrowed when he heard this, and his mind kept thinking about the feasible surname of this matter. The Wangcheng River was also known as the Hunshui River at that time, that is, the Yalu River from the beginning of the Tang Dynasty to the present. The four counties of Zhenfan, Lintun, Xuansu, and Lelang are naturally the current North and South Korea. As early as the Western Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty had conquered the Korean Peninsula and established four counties, but later because of the regime [***], its ruling power was gradually disintegrated by the local natives. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, small countries or tribes such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Wofu, and Donghao were gradually formed.

As far as the current situation is concerned, it is almost impossible to rely on Gongsun Chan's 50,000 soldiers and horses to conquer the Korean Peninsula. You must know that the Korean Peninsula is adjacent to the Great Plain of Northeast China, and at that time Northeast China was not a modern grain-producing area, but a vast grassland, where only some nomadic people lived by grazing and hunting, and due to backward transportation, it was extremely difficult to supply military supplies. In addition, at that time, the population of Northeast China and the Korean Peninsula was extremely thin, and the agricultural industry was also extremely backward, and it was difficult to maintain the military needs of tens of thousands of troops by fighting war.

Gongsun Chan has only 20,000 cavalry in his hands and no more than 30,000 infantry troops, which is naturally more than enough to occupy the Liaodong Peninsula, but if he wants to further capture the Korean Peninsula, he will have more than enough strength to do so, otherwise he would have already attacked North Korea, after all, it is also a good choice to be a local emperor there.

After pondering for a long time, Gongsun Chan clenched his fists and said: "The general has a heart, but I don't know if I can talk about it in detail!" ”

Ma Chao said: "The conquest of the four counties of Liaodong is by no means child's play, and it is unrealistic for you to send troops immediately!" On the occasion of the Central Plains War, you can lead the soldiers and horses under your command and the local heroes such as Er's to drive Liaodong County to recuperate and develop strength, and when the general has exterminated Yuan Shao and other princes, you can concentrate on supporting you to send troops, and then there will be four northern states to provide supplies, exterminate the local natives, and it is not difficult to recover the four counties. ”

Gongsun Zhan was greatly moved when he heard this, Ma Chao's proposal can be described as the best of both worlds, there is no need to fight to the death with Ma Chao, and there will be a chance to tear the soil and seal the king in the future. Of course, no one can say for sure what will happen in the future, at least for now, Ma Chao can retreat from the army and avoid his own collapse. After all, Ma Chao's strength is there, if it weren't for Yuan Shao's containment, his Gongsun Zan would not be worthy of letting Ma Chao go out in person, and a Zhao Yun would not be something he could resist, not to mention that the current Youzhou Mu Liu Yu had also taken refuge in Ma Chao, if he really fought, he would be attacked by the enemy and die even worse!

"The general's words are very good, but the stakes are very high, can you think about it carefully, and then give the general an answer after three days?"

Ma Chao was not afraid of Gongsun Zhan's deception, so he agreed, and the two armies returned to the camp without mentioning it. He did this nothing more than to save Ma Tie's surname, and by the way, he delayed the army and drove Gongsun Zhan to Liaodong County without a single soldier. After the war in the Central Plains is calmed down, there is nothing to worry about a mere Gongsun Zhan, if he knows each other, he can spare his life, if not, he can find an excuse to send troops to destroy him, and then use Liaodong County as a base to cripple the ancestors of Goryeo sticks.

When he returned to Gaoyang City and had not yet dismounted, he suddenly had a personal soldier to report that Zhao should not drive Zhao Cai and Cao Bing in Youzhou, and Guo Qian, the general of Duliao, came to visit. Ma Chao was stunned for a moment, knowing that the two must be messengers sent by Liu Yu. After all, he came in person this time, and Liu Yu couldn't get away as a pastor of Youzhou, but the number of courtesies was indispensable.

After groaning for a while, Ma Chao held a banquet in the Chinese army's tent that night to summon the two, and Zhao Yun, Judge, Du Xi, Qin Yi, Tian Hukang and others attended.

"Zhao Gai (Guo Qian) has seen the general, and I have seen all my colleagues!" As soon as the two entered the hall, they bowed and saluted, and their attitude was very respectful. Ma Chao fixed his eyes and saw that Zhao was only weak, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, but he was a handsome person. Guo Qian is in his forties, with a majestic figure and a lofty spirit, and he has the power of a general!

"You're welcome, please take a seat!" After the greetings, the guests and hosts sat down, and Ma Chao said: "Wuheng in the north violated the border, causing another war disaster and the people moving inward!" But I don't know how the war is going now? ”

Guo Qian said: "Since the general united with the Southern Hun cavalry to conquer Wuheng five years ago, the population of Wuheng has decreased sharply and retreated to the area of western Liaoning to recuperate. The state pastor waved his army to conquer, and he had already dispersed it, and he could wave his troops to attack Gongsun Zan with all his might, so I specially sent the two of us to report to the general in advance! ”

Ma Chao was overjoyed and nodded: "So good!" But Gongsun Chan already has the heart to belong to the general, and he will wait for a while! ”

The two frowned when they heard this, and Zhao Cai said: "The general must not be soft-hearted, Gongsun Zhan is ambitious, and it is enough to connive at his subordinates to rob the people, and this time he also colluded with foreigners to commit my big man, and his crime is unforgivable!" Please also ask the general to send troops to destroy it, so that it can be done once and for all, and you will always be peaceful and peaceful! ”

Ma Chao said: "It's not difficult to get rid of Gongsun Zhan, but the Gongsun family is extremely powerful in Youzhou, if it can't be uprooted, it will inevitably cause another incident in the future!" Besides, General Ma Tie fell into the hands of Gongsun Zhan by mistake, and he would have had to throw a rat trap! ”

Zhao Gai hugged his fists when he heard this: "Don't worry, general, the two of us are here for this matter." Gongsun Zhan was born in a powerful family, and there were many wives and concubines in the family, but only one son named Gongsun Xu, who is now in Yijing City. Since Gongsun Chan used Ma Tie as a bargaining chip, why didn't the general use his own way to govern others, and broke Yi Jing and smashed Gongsun Zhan's lair in one fell swoop! ”

"That's exactly how it should be!" Guo Qian echoed: "As for the affairs of the Gongsun family, the general does not need to scruple at all, Gongsun Zhan's two younger brothers, Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Fan, are both in Yijing City, if this city is broken, the Gongsun Chan family can be uprooted!" ”

"Is that so?" Ma Chao was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then asked: "As far as I know, there is a local warlord Gongsun Du in Liaodong, but I don't know what relationship this person has with Gongsun Zhan?" ”

Guo Qian said: "Gongsun Du is a native of Liaodong, and he is currently the Taishou of Liaodong, and he has always supported my family's state pastor. And Gongsun Zhan is a native of Liaoxi, although he is also from a family, but he has nothing to do with Gongsun Du. ”

"I see!" Ma Chao suddenly realized, followed by ecstasy, he had always thought that even if Gongsun Chan and Gongsun Du were not the same Gongsun family, they were two branches of the same family, and no matter how bad they were, they were closely related. I don't know that the two have nothing to do with each other, and they belong to two hostile camps. In this way, it will be easy to do, since Gongsun Chan only has two brothers and one son, it is not difficult to get rid of them.

After pondering for a moment, Ma Chao was slightly embarrassed: "However, the general has already reached an agreement with Gongsun Zhan, agreeing to give him three days to consider, if he goes back on his word, he may be criticized!" ”

Zhao Gai said: "General Bulao made a move, and my Jiazhou Mu divided 50,000 troops to attack Yijing, and at this moment the troops are already under the city." However, the city of Yijing City is strong, and there are 20,000 elite soldiers of Gongsun Zhan stationed there, and it is difficult to get down urgently. I heard that the general broke through the Tiger Prison in less than half an hour with 100 Xiangyang cannons. ”

"That's it" Ma Chao couldn't help but hesitate, the Xiangyang cannon is a siege weapon, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the highest secret in his army, if it is handed over to Liu Yu, the consequences will be unimaginable if it is leaked out.

Seeing Ma Chao's hesitation, the trial cupped his fists and said: "Don't hesitate anymore, Gongsun Zan is ambitious, and the plan to delay the army can only keep a moment of peace. ”

Ma Chao also thought of this, Gongsun Zhan's credibility is almost zero, and most of the people will really set himself up as the king in the future, he just wants to retain a bit of the vitality of the Han Dynasty, and the main thing is that Ma Tie is still in the hands of Gongsun Zhan, and he has to settle the matter peacefully. At the moment, he asked: "I don't know what kind of plan Zhengnan has!" ”

The judge said: "Since the lord came in person, there is no reason to return in vain, what Gongsun Chan relies on is only General Ma Tie in his hand, if the lord can send troops to break through Yi Jing and capture Gongsun Zhan's family, all problems will be solved!"

Ma Chao hesitated: "But Ben General has promised to give Gongsun Zhan a chance, Ben will be a general of the imperial court, how can he go back on his word regardless of his faith?" ”

The judge said: "The difference between the lord's words has not been tired of deception since ancient times!" Besides, it is enough to defeat Yi Jingsan, and at that time, Gongsun Chan will not be able to agree or not. In this way, the lord only needs to pay a very small price to disintegrate the Gongsun Chan group, if you want to do it once and for all, you can use Liu Yu's hand to completely get rid of Gongsun Chan in the future, and the lord is not dishonest. ”

Ma Chao pondered for a moment, already had an idea in his heart, and asked loudly, "Are the two of you from Yijing?" ”

"Exactly!" The two of them immediately understood what Ma Chao meant, and Zhao said: "Yijing to Gaoyang is only more than two hundred miles, and it only takes two days for the carriage and horse to walk around the Gongsun Zhan camp and rush to Yijing City without realizing it!" ”

The approval stepped forward and asked for orders: "If you are not talented, you are willing to lead 10,000 elite soldiers with General Zilong to escort 100 Xiangyang cannons to assist Liu Zhoumu in attacking Yijing, and you will definitely capture Gongsun Yue, Gongsun Fan, and Gongsun Xu under the main account?" ”

Zhao Yun also stood up, hugged his fists and said: "Please also ask the lord to give an order, Yunding will live up to his mission!" ”

Ma Chao pondered for a moment, finally made up his mind, and said loudly: "Okay, in this case, without further ado, Zhengnan and Zilong immediately ordered 10,000 elite soldiers, quickly dismantled and loaded all the Xiangyang cannons in the city, and set off at the second watch tonight!" ”

"Order!"

Ma Chao thought for a while and said, "It's not easy to bypass Gongsun Zhan's camp, at least you have to distract the attention of its scouts first. After nightfall tonight, King Zuo Xian divided his cavalry into several squads and went to the east of Gongsun Zhan's camp ten miles to bluff, so that Zilong and Zhengnan could take the opportunity to pass through! ”

"Don't worry, Xiao Wang promises to complete the task!" (To be continued.) )