When Zhang Ji was shot dead by a stray arrow, and the news that Zhang Xiu had taken over the army and retreated to Shunyang reached Xiangyang, Liu Biao's subordinates began to congratulate him.

In the Xiangyang Prefecture Pastoral Mansion, Liu Biao's Kuai Liang, Deng Yi, Liu Qi, Zhuge Xuan, Liu Xian, Deng Hong, Wen Ying, and his cronies Cheng Qi and others sat in it, they were all Liu Biao's engagement, don't drive, govern, and gongcao.

As I said before, in fact, it is not Cai Maoyue's gang that follows Liu Biao every day, but their gang of state capitals, because Cai Maoyue, they are already a small prince, and they can raise guests to recruit their subordinates, so their status is higher.

However, the status is high, but their gang is doing things by Liu Biao's side every day, so they can see Liu Biao every day. Shen Chen also often came to the governor's mansion, sometimes to see his uncle, and sometimes to go to Liu Biao to ask for scriptures.

After a period of time, Deng Hong and Shen Chen, the two ancestors and grandsons, were familiar with each other everywhere in the Prefecture Pastoral Mansion, and it happened that Shen Chen was also there today, he came to find Deng Hong, but he was suddenly summoned by Liu Biao to have a meeting in the middle hall, and he also came.

After Liu Biao and the others gathered, he looked around and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is news from the city that Zhang Ji was killed by a bow and arrow, and the Xiliang army has withdrawn. ”

"Congratulations to Ming Gong, congratulations to Ming Gong, who guarded the water and soil, and the people of Jingzhou are grateful for the kindness of the public."

"Ming Gong has the responsibility to defend the land, he is Weijia all over the world, such a young person in the West Liangxiao, even if he comes to attack my Jingzhou, he is just asking for his own death."

"This time to repel the Xiliang army, Ming Gong will definitely be able to shake the Kanto!"

Many people who are engaged in other driving and governance have offered rainbow farts to congratulate Liu Biao and repel the incoming enemy, and at the same time praised Liu Biao fiercely, and the sycophants were shocking.

Only Shen Chen saw from a distance below that Liu Biao's face was not very good-looking, so he immediately whispered a few words in Deng Hong's ear.

Deng Hong's face turned slightly pale when he heard this, and he shook his head and wanted to refuse, but Shen Chen said a few more words, so he was helpless, and stood up and said, "Ming Gong, since you have repelled the Xiliang army, why are you depressed?" ”

Liu Biao sighed and said: "Although we defeated them, our army suffered greater casualties, and the Xiliang army fought fiercely in the field, not only defeated Deng Ji's army, killed thousands of people, but also repelled 13,000 of my troops with a mere 4,000 troops, how can I be happy?" ”

"Forehead ......"

Many state capitals looked at each other for a while, and it seems that it is indeed not worth being happy to think about it.

Deng Hong said: "Xiliang is barren, and people can't survive if they are not brave, so it is not surprising that there are many brave people in Xiliang." I think Ming Gong may be worried, although they retreat, they may still come to attack Nanyang, if they want to annihilate them completely, I am afraid they will have to pay a lot of price. ”

"Yes, but 10,000 people can make my 20,000 army so difficult, if I want to annihilate them all, I'm afraid I have to send all the troops in Nanyang, and I have to send reinforcements from Xiangyang to make it possible."

Liu's surface is as heavy as water, he is now fifty-four years old, and he is not as dim as he is in his old age.

The enemy's fierce battle in the field was far stronger than the Jingzhou army, which made him very worried that once the war started again, he would have to send at least forty or fifty thousand troops to eat these ten thousand people, and the price he would pay would not be less.

Seeing that Liu Biao was indeed as Shen Chen expected, Deng Hong relieved himself and immediately said, "Ming Gong, I have a suggestion. ”

"Oh?"

Liu Biao immediately glanced at Shen Chen without a trace, and when he saw Shen Chen looking at his nose and nose at the end, he had a realization in his heart, and asked, "What is the best plan for Youshuo?" ”

Deng Hong replied: "That Zhang Ji came to Nanyang to eat, it is nothing more than that there is no food in Guanzhong, and he has no choice but to come to my Jingzhou to fight." This time the leader of the Xiliang army was killed, the army's heart will inevitably be in chaos, and the dragons will be leaderless, if the Ming Gong sends someone to surrender and give money and food to appease, he will be able to subdue them, and they will all be used by the Ming Gong at all times, isn't it wonderful? ”

Surrender?

Liu Biao touched the goat's whiskers on his chin and thought about it.

Before he could speak, someone said: "Ming Gong can't, the Xiliang army often surrenders and rebels, but it is a capricious generation, if you surrender them, wouldn't it be open to thieves?" How can this work? ”

"Yes, these people are all Dong Zhuo's subordinates, not to mention Dong Zhuo, just Li Dao, Guo Yan and others, which one is not a national thief? How can you make peace with them? ”

"Ming Gong, this will not work, the wolf ambition of the Xiliang Army, given money and food, how can it be good for them to fight back after they grow?"

For a time, many people opposed Deng Hong's proposal.

It's not that they have any opinions about Deng Hong, on the contrary, Deng Hong is exquisite, and his relationship with colleagues is not bad, and he will give gifts and visit every New Year's holiday, and his popularity is very good.

The main reason is that there may be so many small problems with the wind evaluation of Xiliangjun now.

For example, the emperor was abolished, the emperor and the empress were poisoned, the royal tombs were excavated, the capital was forcibly moved, the population of Luoyang Guanzhong was slaughtered in large quantities, the counterattack on Chang'an was abducted by the Son of Heaven, and the three princes and nine ministers-level ministers were wantonly killed.

Compared with them, Cao Cao's massacre of hundreds of thousands of people in Xuzhou can only be regarded as a trivial matter.

Although Cao Cao is known as Little Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao has also done the things that Dong Zhuo has done, massacres, tomb robberies, killing the queen, kidnapping the Son of Heaven, and wantonly killing ministers.

However, Cao Cao at least achieved the superficial kung fu in place, and his personal ability and political level far surpassed Dong Zhuo's 108,000 miles, and he called "coercing the Son of Heaven to order the princes" in the name of "serving the Son of Heaven to please not be a minister", and pacified the world with his eloquence and ability to stabilize the north.

Therefore, although everyone does the same thing, Cao Cao is much stronger than Dong Zhuo in terms of ability and evaluation. At least in terms of the wind at the time, Xiliangjun can't be said to be shouted and beaten by everyone, that is also disgusted by people.

Therefore, when they heard Deng Hong suggest that Liu Biao accept Zhang Ji's Xiliang Army, many people expressed their opposition. thinks that the Xiliang Army has no credibility at all, and if they are accepted, I am afraid that they will be counterattacked.

Only Kuai Liang thought for a while, and after weighing the pros and cons, he suddenly stood up and said, "Ming Gong." ”

"Huh?"

Liu Biao looked at Kuai Liang and said, "What is Zirou's opinion?" ”

Kuai Liang said: "Youshuo is right, although the Xiliang Army is capricious, but at this time, Zhang Ji is at the end of his rope and on the verge of annihilation. It's easy to annihilate, but why waste the lives of the soldiers? As the saying goes, the mourning soldiers will win, and if you want to deal with this remnant army, even if you eliminate it, I am afraid you will have to pay a painful price. ”

"So Zirou also thinks I should surrender?"

Liu Biao asked.

Kuai Liang nodded and said, "Yes, recruit them, and let them be stationed in Wancheng to guard the gate of Jingzhou." Even if they rebelled, it would not endanger Xiangyang. ”

Stationed in Wancheng?

Many people engaged in governance looked at each other, and suddenly felt that Kuai Liang seemed to be right.

If this Xiliang army is surrendered and let them integrate into the Jingzhou army, it will definitely not work, in case of civil strife, it will endanger Xiangyang, the center of Jingzhou.

But if they were to be in Wancheng, it would be a different matter.

Because the location of Wancheng is in the north of Nanyang, it is closer to Runan and farther away from Xiangyang.

Even if the Xiliang army rebelled, they had to cross the triangular defense line of Xinye, Huyang, and Chaoyang, and then attack Fancheng before they could reach Xiangyang City.

At that time, Jingzhou had already reacted and sent a large army to suppress it, so there was no need to worry about them threatening Jingzhou's security.

From another point of view, if they are arranged in Wancheng, they can be used as a northern barrier.

If the princes of Henan and other places wanted to attack Xiangyang, they first had to break Zhang Ji's Xiliang army before they could reach Jingzhou.

In this way, the loss will not be the Jingzhou army, and the Jingzhou army will be fully prepared.

Such a win-win-win-win thing doesn't seem to be a good thing.

"Zirou's words are very reasonable."

"If it is stationed in Nanyang, it should indeed be fine."

"As long as they don't come to Jingzhou."

"Ming Gong, I second."

"I also second."

Several people in the administration have expressed their approval.

In fact, in addition to Kuai Liang's suggestion to place the Xiliang Army in Wancheng is very reasonable, what is more important is that the person who said this is Kuai Liang.

For a long time, Liu Biao has relied on Cai Mao, Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Kuai Liang.

Just look at the status of these four people, Cai Mao, as the Taishou of Nanjun, is in charge of the Nanjun army and guards against Liu Zhang, Liu Biao's main enemy at present.

Huang Zu was the Taishou of Jiangxia, in charge of the Jiangxia Naval Division, guarding the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River, and guarding against enemies from Jiangdong.

According to historical records, the soldiers in Xiangyang, Fancheng, Zhangling and other places, and even Zhang Yun were restrained by him to guard against the princes who attacked from Henan.

Kuai Liang is Liu Biao's main book, and his status is especially above that of many governance, and Liu Biao will ask Kuai Liang first about anything, which can be called his mastermind.

That is to say, the entire Jianghan Plain of Jingzhou may attack the enemy from the east, west and north, Liu Biao sent Cai Mao, Huang Zu Kuai Yue and three people to garrison, leaving Kuai Liang as a strategic adviser.

Therefore, it can be understood that Liu Biao handed over the safety of the entire Jingzhou to these four people, and at present, except for Liu Biao himself, these four people have the highest status.

To a certain extent, Deng Hong is only a middle- and lower-level official after all, and his words do not carry much weight.

And if this is said by Kuai Liang's mouth, it will naturally be different.

Seeing that everyone was supportive, Liu Biao nodded, he actually thought the same way, mainly because the strength of the Xiliang Army made him very worried.

If it weren't for the luck of shooting the thief Zhang Ji, I am afraid that at least 40,000 or 50,000 people would have to be sent to completely annihilate this Xiliang army of only 10,000 people, and there will be great losses.

Now, if the situation is already good, and the enemy is forced back, there will be room for peace talks between the two sides. If it can be surrendered, it will be placed in Nanyang Wancheng as a barrier to the north, which is indeed a double win.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao looked around and said, "Since everyone thinks that surrender is superior, then who should I send to recruit them?" ”

"Forehead ......"

"This ......."

"Hmm......"

The people who were still talking about it just now stopped talking in an instant.

Although Deng Hong and Kuai Liang also analyzed it, they believed that as soon as Zhang Ji died, the Xiliang army would be leaderless and would be willing to surrender to them.

But no one can guarantee that it will be safe to go.

You must know that there are not a few people who have escaped from Guanzhong now who eat human flesh.

"Dong Zhuochu died, the three auxiliary people still have hundreds of thousands of households, Li and others let the troops plunder, and starved, in two years, the people cannibalized a little."

This sentence is not only recorded in the history books, but also known to the world at that time.

Many people, soldiers and even generals in Guanzhong, such as Wang Zhong, the later general of Cao Wei's light car, ate human flesh in Guanzhong during this period.

Although this may be a helpless move, the brutality of the Xiliang Army still makes the world feel fearful, and instinctively feels that they are terrible.

What's more important is that Zhang Jicai died, in case they don't accept the surrender, and they have to fight Liu Biao in the name of revenge for Zhang Ji, then the people who go to surrender are afraid ......

Under such circumstances, these state officials were naturally unwilling to risk their lives to surrender, in case they angered the enemy?

However, in the crowd, someone stood up and said, "Ming Gong, I am willing to go." ”

Everyone looked at it, but they didn't expect it to be Deng Hong.

Deng Hong married Cai's daughter last year, and now he is the hot new magnate in Jingzhou.

It stands to reason that with the endorsement of the Cai family, the largest family in Jingzhou, the official fortune should be worry-free, and there is no need to take risks.

I didn't expect him to be so bold and willing to go to the Longtan Tiger's Den, which is really admirable.

For a while, many colleagues looked at him with admiration.

No wonder people can be promoted, young people really have the spirit of daring to fight.

Only Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen, who was sitting at the end, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

He was really forced to stand up.

was instigated by his grandson, saying that he would be safe from anything.

Joke.

That's the Xiliang Army that eats people and doesn't spit out bones.

It is rumored that the murder does not blink.

Although my grandson's words have never been missed.

But.......

But does TM have such a pit grandfather?

Seeing Deng Hong glancing at him, Shen Chen immediately looked like he had nothing to do with himself, looked away, and almost whistled as a person watching the scenery.

"Good!"

Liu Biao was overjoyed and said: "Youshuo is worthy of being my Jing Chu Junjie, this time you will send the Xiliang army to recruit them." ”

Deng Hong could only bite the bullet and say: "Hong will not insult the mission of Ming Gong." ”

"Okay."

Liu Biao nodded with satisfaction and said, "What do you need, speak as soon as possible." ”

Deng Hong thought for a while and said, "I want to know if the condition for Ming Gong to recruit them is to give them enough grain and grass and let them be stationed in Wancheng?" ”

"Yes."

"And what if they ask for anything else?"

"What requirements?"

"Expand the army, or ask the surrounding counties to be attached to it, or something like that."

"This ......"

Liu Biao pondered for a moment and said: "We need them to defend the north, and the surrounding cities will be fine if they are given them, but Zhangling, as well as the surrounding cities of Xinye, must be controlled by us." ”

"I see."

Deng Hong nodded, arched his hand and said: "That Hong will set off for the champion today, lobby the remnants of Zhang Ji, and surrender to Ming Gong." ”

Liu Biao was slightly surprised: "Do you want to go so soon?" ”

Deng Hong said: "Without further ado. ”

"Good."

Liu Biao suddenly admired Deng Honglai.

Before, he had always felt that Deng Hong had completely relied on Shen Chen to get to where he is today, but now it seems that although Shen Chen did have an idea behind him, the courage to live and die with his grandson cannot be faked.

Perhaps this is also the reason why their Deng family was able to listen to the words of a little child, and was willing to leave their hometown and come all the way to Jingzhou to live in peace!