The spring breeze and drizzle outside the pavilion were still falling, and the sky was gloomy, as if this drizzle was just a prelude, and the bigger wind and rain were still to come.

The atmosphere in the pavilion instantly became frozen with Deng Hong's words, and Deng Hong was also nervous at first.

He stared intently at Zhang Xiu's face, afraid that if he was not careful, the other party might suddenly pull out a knife and slash him, so he would also glance at Gan Ning who was sitting next to him.

Gan Ning was still sitting cross-legged normally, but his hand had quietly touched his waist, which made Deng Hong's nervous mood relax a little.

Looking at Zhang Xiu again, he clenched his fists, and the green tendons on his face jumped violently, as if he had reached the verge of some kind of rage.

Hu Che'er was also furious and looked at Deng Hong angrily.

However, after saying the words, Deng Hong abandoned the heart-pounding emotion, gradually regained his composure, and said to Shen Chen lightly: "Ah Chen, serve the wine." ”

Shen Chen said in his heart that Uncle Ancestor had put it up, but he didn't refute it, but took out a bottle of wine and a few porcelain bowls from the bag he was carrying.

Zhang Xiu watched as Shen Chen placed a bowl on everyone's table, and then everyone poured wine.

He and Hu Che'er actually regarded Shen Chen as a servant, this kind of thing is very common, and in the article "The Servant Covenant" written by Wang Bao in the Western Han Dynasty, he described the working life of the slaves at that time, the relationship between slaves and companions, etc.

It wasn't until Shen Chen poured all the wine that Zhang Xiu slowly spoke: "Since Gong Cao sent a war letter on behalf of Liu Envoy, why did he invite me to drink together?" ”

"Forehead ......"

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen, this was different from what he had said in advance.

Shouldn't Zhang Xiu be furious, and then laugh a few times by himself, and in a few words, discipline Zhang Xiu to surrender, and the Xiliang army retreats without a fight?

Why aren't they angry?

However, although he didn't follow the script, Deng Hong reacted quickly and immediately said: "This is because the envoy and I can't bear the lives of the people of Nanyang due to the war, so we came to talk to the general in detail." ”

"Really?" Zhang Xiu picked up the wine glass and sniffed it gently, the aroma of the wine was indeed very attractive, but he didn't dare to drink it before Deng Hong drank it.

"Of course."

Deng Hong naturally knew Zhang Xiu's concerns, so he also picked up the wine glass, took a sip with Gan Ning, put down the wine glass and said: "Does the general know that after learning of the death of the hussar general, many officials in Jingzhou asked Liu Zhijun to take advantage of the victory to pursue?" ”

Zhang Xiu said coldly: "Pursue while you win? You are just taking advantage of defending the city, fighting in the wild, and I will kill as many as you come. ”

"Huh."

Deng Hong said with a smile: "We naturally know the strength of the Xiliang Army, but the general doesn't know that Nanyang is just the place where Jingzhou has the least number of soldiers and horses, and most of the elite soldiers in Jingzhou are in the Yiling area to guard against Liu Zhang, and there are more than 100,000 soldiers with armor under Liu Yuanjun's account, is the general an enemy?" ”

Of course, there are not more than 100,000 people, but 70,000 or 80,000 people.

However, in ancient times, wars were like this, you only had 10,000 people, and you had to blow 40,000 or 50,000.

Cao Cao's army of more than 200,000 troops went south to fight the Battle of Chibi, isn't it also known as 800,000?

So whether the enemy believes it or not, blow the bull out first.

What's more, Jingzhou is indeed very peaceful now, not to mention that it is rich and prosperous, not to mention that the army is also sufficient, and it is said that there are more than 100,000 troops, and others will probably believe it.

Just like now, hearing Deng Hong's words, Zhang Xiu was suddenly silent.

Although he thinks that he has the same number of enemies, and the elite of the Xiliang Army under his command is not afraid of anyone in the fierce field battles, the other party will not talk about martial virtues and only send the same number of troops to compete with you.

Now they are facing only more than 20,000 Jingzhou troops stationed in Nanyang, and if Liu Biao really mobilizes the main force to come, then their situation is indeed very difficult.

At present, there are only seven or eight thousand people under Zhang Xiu's command, and when he originally went south from Guanzhong, there were less than 10,000 people, but he could attack the city and suffer heavy losses.

With the death of his uncle, his morale has also fallen sharply, and in the face of Liu Biao's siege, I am afraid that it will be difficult.

This is also the reason why Deng Hong made provocative remarks before, but Zhang Xiu was silent.

It's really that they're in a terrible situation.

Therefore, in the face of Deng Hong's words, Zhang Xiu did not refute it out loud, but just pinched the porcelain bowl and took a sip according to his previous habits.

"Poof."

Zhang Xiu only felt that the spicy food entered his throat, and he suddenly squirted out in one gulp, and said in shock: "What did you put in the wine?" ”

Deng Hong laughed and said: "This is just an ordinary liquor, it is easier to get drunk than ordinary wine, the general was born in Xiliang, I heard that Xiliang people are good at drinking, this amount of alcohol seems to be not good." ”

Zhang Xiu put down the wine bowl, wiped the corners of his mouth, and said in a deep voice: "Gong Cao doesn't need to speak to make people understand, since you said that you are talking about peace, then there is something to say, it is twisting and turning, it is not very pleasant, please say it clearly." ”

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen again, and said in his heart that his grandson had miscalculated this time, Xiliang people are all straight, there is no need to talk about those messes, just go straight to the point.

Shen Chen on the side was also more embarrassed.

It was indeed miscalculated.

He came from an engineering background and was engaged in architectural design.

The history of the Three Kingdoms is generally learned, and I learned the history of the Three Kingdoms when I was a child watching the 94 version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and many real histories are different from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

In the past, when watching TV dramas, those lobbyists generally provoked each other, and then laughed a few times, and then bitterly stated the benefits.

So I thought about learning it, but it turned out to be an imitation of Dong Shi, and people were not moved at all.

For a while, he was also reflecting on himself, and he still didn't take TV series as real history.

Sometimes this trick may work, but in case you meet an unreasonable master, no matter how loud your laughter is, it is useless. Even people think you're mocking him, and if you can't say it's good, you will push it out and cut it.

Deng Hong saw that Zhang Xiu didn't want to go around in circles with him, so he began to say with a straight face: "Actually, this time I came to talk to the general, but also to make peace with the general, the general thinks, if Jingzhou wants to annihilate the general's forces, can it do it?" ”

Zhang Xiu immediately said: "Maybe it can be done, but my Xiliang army is brave and good at fighting, even if it is defeated by you, it will definitely make you pay a painful price." ”

Deng Hong smiled and said: "But there is countless money and grain in Jingzhou, and now there are millions of households in Dingkou, and there are countless young people who can be conscripted into the army, and one of the general's soldiers dies." Even if you exchange 20,000 people for 10,000 people, it's a big deal to recruit another 20,000 people, what can Jingzhou lose? ”

"This ......"

Zhang Xiu's legs, which were originally sitting cross-legged, bounced up, and he wanted to refute it, but when he said it, he couldn't refute others, and his hands were raised in the air, and in the end he could only sit down weakly, with a depressed expression on his face.

Deng Hong said again: "So if the general continues to be the enemy of Liu Yuanjun, it is tantamount to asking for his own death." Now there are only two roads in front of the general, one is to retreat to Guanzhong, so the general thinks about it again, what is Guanzhong like now, after returning to Guanzhong, is there still a place for the general? ”

Zhang Xiu said silently: "Guanzhong is already in a mess, and Li Dao Guo Yan is here again, how can I still have a foothold." ”

"That's it."

Deng Hong spread his hands and said: "So the general has only one last way to go, Liu Lingjun is generous and elegant, knows the difficulties of the general, so he is willing to accept the general, this land of Nanyang is fertile, there are many Dingkou, if the general surrenders to Jingzhou and stops in Wancheng, wouldn't it be a good thing?" ”

Surrender Liu Biao?

Zhang Xiu actually thought about this problem.

But what he was most worried about was that after the surrender, Liu Biao would strip him of his military power.

Zhang Xiu knew too well about this, because there was a general in the Xiliang army named Fan Chou, who was killed by Li Dao last year and took away his army.

Nowadays, the military power of this world is the foundation of life, and without the protection of the army, no matter how brave and brave it is, it is only a lost dog.

Isn't that what Lu Bu is?

Although he won the three armies, after Dong Zhuo's death, he was counterattacked by the Xiliang army, and finally could only escape from Chang'an in embarrassment.

Zhang Xiu asked himself that he was not as brave as Lu Bu, and secondly, he did not have a good family background like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

If he doesn't even have military power, then he will be completely slaughtered.

Therefore, he said with some hesitation: "I also know that there is no way to talk to Liu Yuanjun at this point, but I want to know, after stopping in Wancheng, will my army be at my disposal?" ”

"It's nature."

Deng Hong said: "Many people say that the general's troops should be attributed to other places, but I argue with reason, thinking that the general is familiar with the tactics of the Xiliang Army, if it is attributed to other places, how can he have combat power?" This made Liu Zhijun reluctant to respond. ”

Zhang Xiu was overjoyed, and bowed his hand to Deng Hong and said, "Thank you Gongcao." ”

Deng Hong said: "I didn't do this to get the general's gratitude, but for the stability of Nanyang." And I also strongly persuaded the envoy to ask him to help allocate grain and grass for the general, and recuperate in Wancheng, unless it is absolutely necessary, try not to dispatch the general, so as to calm the general's heart. ”

Zhang Xiu's eyes widened, he originally thought that after the surrender passed, there would be many conditions, but he didn't expect Liu Biao to let him be stationed in Wancheng, and also allocated grain and grass to him, which was a great thing.

For a while, he was a little incredulous, and said in shock: "Is this really the case? ”

"Nature."

Deng Hong nodded and said, "This is all a matter for the gentleman to deal with in person. ”

Zhang Xiu suddenly got up, walked to the center of the hall, bowed down respectfully to Deng Hong and said, "Sir's great kindness is beyond repayment, please accept my gift." ”

Then you have to kneel down and kowtow.

You must know that the Han Dynasty did not raise kowtow salutes, only the prince of heaven and earth was the first salute, this so-called dun head ceremony is the later kneeling kowtow, which was a very big etiquette at that time, even the emperor only had a very high standard of court meetings or sacrifices to heaven and earth, and the ministers would pause.

Deng Hong immediately went up to stop him, and said with a smile: "Liu Yuanjun has always been benevolent and righteous, and he is also to prevent the people of Nanyang from suffering from unwarranted military disasters. However, the sage said: "What you ask for, so you don't get it for nothing." The general will not get it for nothing. ”

"Of course, of course."

Zhang Xiu hurriedly said: "What does Mr. want me to do, just ask." ”

Deng Hong muttered: "The people that Liu Yuanjun is worried about are nothing more than the Yellow Turban bandits in Gaoling Mountain and Dabie Mountain, these people often loot Nanyang, and come and go without a trace, which is quite a headache. If the general can help them design it, the king will also be happy. And this matter is also good for the general. ”

Gaoling Mountain is Funiu Mountain, which is recorded in the "Hanshu Geographical Chronicles". Needless to say, "Advance into Dabie Mountain" is a primary school text in later generations, its name first came from "Shangshu", and it was called Dabie Mountain during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

Now there are countless bandits in these two large mountain ranges, and a large number of Runan and Nanyang Yellow Turban remnants are entrenched in them, ranging from hundreds to thousands, and tens of thousands. They often attacked Nanyang and Runan, threatening the security of the Nanyang area.

From a certain point of view, Liu Biao sent 20,000 people to be stationed in Nanyang counties, in fact, not to guard against the northern princes, but to guard against these bandits, after all, no one from the northern princes will come to attack him now.

So if these yellow turban remnants can be cleared, Liu Biao is probably still very happy.

Hearing Deng Hong's words, Zhang Xiu asked curiously, "What's in it for me?" ”

"Huh."

Deng Hong laughed: "Isn't the general going to garrison Nanyang?" After I go back, I will strongly persuade General Junbiao to be the Taishou of Nanyang, so that the surrounding counties will all belong to the general, and then the grain and grass will no longer need to be transported from Xiangyang every year, and will be directly provided by the local government. If these yellow scarves often come to Kouluo, wouldn't it be a loss for the general to reduce the amount of money and food used every year? ”

Zhang Xiu's breathing suddenly became short, and he said, "The entire Nanyang belongs to me?" ”

The Nanyang Basin is only slightly smaller than the Guanzhong Basin.

What's more important is that now Nanyang is not like Guanzhong that has been severely damaged by military disasters and withered and dilapidated, with a population of millions.

At that time, I am afraid that it will be even stronger than the current Li Dao, Guo Yan and others, and with money and food, they will be able to recruit soldiers and horses, and it is possible to kill them back in Guanzhong.

However, Deng Hong poured a basin of cold water and said: "That's naturally impossible, it's just a few surrounding cities." I still have to go back and discuss with Liu Yuanjun before deciding which cities, but no matter what, it's not a bad thing for the general, is it? ”

Zhang Xiu calmed down, he also understood that Liu Biao could not give him the entire Nanyang, at most it was a few counties around Wancheng. As for what Liu Biao is thinking, he can guess with his toes, it is nothing more than asking him to help guard Nanyang.

Nanyang is the gateway to Jingzhou, and Wancheng is the first to bear the brunt. Therefore, to break Jingzhou and take Nanyang first, this is an eternal truth, Liu Biao led him to settle in Wancheng, how could he have a good heart?

It's just that now Zhang Xiu is really not qualified to talk about the conditions, so he also nodded and said: "What do you want me to do, sir, please make it clear." ”

"It's simple."

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen, and said with a slight smile: "I hope that the general can contact Yingchuan, Runan, Nanyang and other places of the Yellow Turban, saying that you have defeated the army sent by Liu Yuanjun to conquer you and occupy Wancheng, and I am willing to invite them to occupy Nanyang together and participate in the grand event, and wait until Liu Yuanjun's army arrives and fight back." ”

Zhang Xiu's face was silent, but he was thinking in his heart.

This Gong Cao.

It's really vicious.