Cao Pi got Xun Yu's plan and felt a little at ease, and looked at everyone with the three plans written by Xun Yu. The palace saw that these three plans were all good. It is not a big problem to summon Sima Yi and take back Liu Xie, the Duke of Shanyang, but who will help Li Ru defend Xuchang is a big deal. Anyone with a discerning eye can see the danger of Xuchang, Xun Yu did not let Cao Pi drive the expedition in person, presumably because he felt that this battle was difficult, and his life would be lost if he made a slight mistake, and he was even ready to abandon Xuchang to defend Yecheng. Therefore, all the generals looked at each other, and they did not dare to ask for battle easily.

Just when the generals were silent, suddenly a person came out of the class and said: "Your Majesty, the last general is willing to go to Xuchang!" ”

The man's voice was still a little immature, but it was very loud. Everyone looked at it with their eyes, it was Cao Zhang, the younger brother of Cao Pi. Cao Cao has many heirs, but there are only a few people who have left their names in history. The first is Cao Ang, the eldest son of Wancheng, who died in battle, the second is Cao Pi, who inherited the throne, the third is Cao Zhi, who is talented, the fourth is Cao Chong, who is intelligently called the elephant, and the fifth is Cao Zhang, who is known as Huang Xuer.

Cao Zhangzi Ziwen is the second son born to Cao Cao and Bian, and is also the younger brother of Cao Pi and the brother of Cao Zhi. He was good at riding and shooting at a young age, and his strength was outstanding, and he could kill fierce beasts with his bare hands.

Cao Cao saw that Cao Zhang was good at dancing with guns and sticks, and once asked the young Cao Zhang: "You don't study and are good at bowing horses, what is the value of this horseman's bravery?" ”

Cao Zhang replied: "How can a husband be a scribe when he learns from Wei Qing and Huo Quai, makes meritorious contributions to the desert, drives hundreds of thousands of people, and dominates the world?" ”

Cao Cao asked Cao Zhangzhi again. Cao Zhang replied: "I am willing to be a general." ”

Cao Cao asked, "What should I do?" ”

Cao Zhang replied: "Wear a firm and stubborn face, regardless of difficulties, and take the lead." The reward must be done, and the punishment must be believed. Cao Cao laughed when he heard this.

Due to Cao Cao's death in Huarong Dao, when Cao Pi succeeded to the throne at a young age, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi were younger, so there was no competition for the throne. In the past few years, Cao Pi has gradually taken power, although he was wary of his two younger brothers and did not give them heavy power, but he did not force them too much, and did something to compose poems in seven steps.

Cao Zhang's ambition is to lead the army as a general, but how difficult it is for him to lead the army under Cao Pi, so he will take at most three or five generals on weekdays to train more than 100 personal soldiers. Now seeing that all the generals were reluctant to go to Xuchang, he volunteered to fight Cao Pi.

Cao Pi was overjoyed when he saw that it was Cao Zhang's invitation to fight, Cao Zhang's special identity and love to take the lead, if he could go to Xuchang to defend the city, he would definitely be able to improve his morale. Even if he is defeated and dies, Cao Pi can also remove a hidden danger. Although Cao Pi was happy in his heart, he said: "The virtuous brother is willing to defend the city on my behalf, and I am very comforted." It's just that the three-way soldiers are coming this time, which should not be underestimated. The virtuous brother has never led the army before, how can he go lightly? ”

Cao Zhang arched his hand and said: "Although my brother has never led the army to go out, but this time he is only defending the city, and he has the guidance of Wen Xiansheng, so he will not make a mistake." Now that the enemy is present, my younger brother is not the commander of the army, but also willing to be a former colonel of the first army, and go into battle to share the worries of my brother. I also ask Your Majesty to grant me. ”

Cao Pi was overjoyed when he heard this: "Okay! Brother Xian is really brave! This time, he named the virtuous brother as the general of Beizhong Lang, and commanded 5,000 troops to help in the war. I wonder who else would like to go with me? ”

The young Cao Zhang's request for war really boosted the morale of the generals. Xiahou Shang, Xiahou De, Deng Yi, Liu Xian, and Niu Jin successively asked for battle. Cao Pi allocated another 5 people and 45,000 horses, and Cao Zhang gathered 50,000 troops to meet the enemy in Xuchang.

Li Ru learned that Cao Zhang and other six people would come to the aid in Xuchang, and hurriedly ordered the people to open the city gate and welcome the generals into the city. Then he immediately discussed with the generals about the withdrawal of the army.

This is the first time Cao Zhang has led troops to battle, and he is inevitably excited in his heart, sitting under Li Ru, and listening attentively to his explanation of the current battle situation.

Li Ru saw that Cao Zhanggui was the emperor's younger brother, but he did not intervene, but was very obedient, and he was also very satisfied, and said to the generals: "Now the three-way army has arrived, with a total of 300,000 soldiers and horses. We have no more than 100,000 soldiers defending the city. If you wait for the three soldiers to come, this city will be difficult to defend. In my opinion, it is better to raise troops and retreat all the way, and then defend the city. What do you think? ”

Xia Houde said: "Behind the high wall of Xuchang City, the enemy army is twice as large as our army, and it is difficult to get off this city." Why venture out of town? ”

Li Ru said: "If only Sun Quan and Liu Bei come this time, Hugh said 300,000, even if 500,000 horses come, it will be difficult to capture this city." But Nanye National Division sent troops, and we must not deal with it carelessly. ”

Cao Zhangdao: "I listened to Mr. Shicai, Sun, Liu, and Nan have 100,000 soldiers and horses all the way, and we have about 150,000 soldiers in the city. I am willing to be the pioneer and take the head of Nanye. ”

Li Ru was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then said with a smile: "Three-way soldiers and horses, why does Your Highness want to take Nanye?" ”

Cao Zhangdao: "Didn't Wen Xiansheng say that Nanye needs to be guarded against the most? As long as you take Nanye first, the other two roads are not to be feared. ”

Everyone laughed when they heard Cao Zhang's words, and deeply felt that Cao Zhang was a newborn calf who was not afraid of tigers. Xiahou Shang said with a smile: "Nan Ye conquered all directions, how could it be easy to match him?" This time he passed through Yuzhou again, and Liu Bei came together, if he attacked one way, it would be to attack him and Liu Bei two ways, how could there be a reason to win? ”

Li Ru nodded and said: "Boren's words are yes." In the Third Route Army, it is best to retreat Sun Quan first. ”

Cao Zhang's belligerence is true, but he is also self-aware and knows that he is inexperienced, so he is very modest. After listening to Xiahou Shang and Li Ru's explanation, he no longer insisted on his own opinion, but patted his chest and said: "If you fight Sun Quan, the last general is willing to be the vanguard!" ”

Li Ru had heard of Cao Zhang's bravery, and he also understood that Cao Zhang's participation in battle could boost morale. But what is Cao Zhang's martial arts, and whether he will pee his pants as soon as he goes into battle, Li Ru is not sure. So he said: "The vanguard of the army must not only build bridges and repair roads, but also defeat the enemy. If His Highness wants to be a pioneer, he must first show his bravery before the soldiers. ”

Cao Zhang was very confident in martial arts, and said excitedly: "I don't know how I can show my strengths?" ”

Li Ru said: "You can go to the school to compete." ”

What Cao Zhang is not afraid of the most is a martial arts competition, and he pulls everyone out. When the soldiers on the school ground heard that the second son, Cao Zhang, was going to compete with the generals, they all rushed over.

The soldiers saw Cao Zhang wearing a golden crown, holding a halberd, and a BMW named White Crane on his crotch, riding a horse to the middle of the school and asking: "Who will fight with me?" ”

Li Ru knew that among the generals, Niu Jin had the highest martial arts, followed by Xiahou Shang and Xiahou De brothers, and Jingzhou generals Deng Yi and Liu Xian had the worst martial arts. In Li Ru's opinion, as long as Cao Zhang's ability can beat Deng Yi and Liu Xian, he will be okay, at least he will not go into battle and give his life, if it is not as good as these two, then it is best to let him stay in the city honestly. So Li Ru instructed: "Please also ask General Deng to come forward and give it a try." ”

Deng Yi pursed his lips, and was unwilling to be a sparring partner for Cao Zhang, who was seventeen years old, but his official position was humble and he couldn't disobey his orders, so he had to come to the front of the battle with a horse and a gun: "Please also ask Your Highness to be merciful!" ”

Cao Zhang didn't know that Deng Yi was polite, nodded and said, "Hmm~ I will pay attention to proportion." The tone was like victory.

Seeing Cao Zhang's arrogance, Deng Yi couldn't help but feel angry in his heart, and said, "Your Highness, be careful!" Then a shot struck.