At the beginning of August, Liu Biao's army besieged the city.

In this silence, Zhang Xiu could only choose to write to Liu Biao and ask for forgiveness.

But Wenpin still stationed in Anzhong, which can be regarded as taking care of Zhang Xiu.

A few days later, Wang Bi's head was sent to Xudu, and Xun Yu had no choice but to report the matter to Cao Cao.

On August 8, at the front line of Guandu, Cao Cao's camp tent.

Bang!

"Zhang Xiujia is too deceitful!"

The bamboo slip in his hand smashed directly on the table, and Cao Cao shouted angrily: "Lone has already ignored the previous suspicions, and married him with his son-in-law and daughter-in-law, but they are still good at killing my envoy, this generation does not know the number of days, and when Yuan Shao is killed, I will personally recruit!" ”

"Ming Gong."

Guo Jia hurriedly went up and picked up the official document, and after reading it carefully, he persuaded him: "There is something strange about this matter, Jia Wenhe has promised Ming Gong to persuade Zhang Xiu, it is impossible to suddenly recover, no matter how bad it is, Zhang Xiu will never kill the messenger, is he not afraid of self-isolation from the grave?" ”

Cao Cao said angrily: "He has already sent someone to send Wang Bi's head to Xu Du, and the master who has followed Gu for many years has been killed like this, how can Gu give up!" ”

"Ming Gong also said that he would not give up, how could Zhang Xiu not know?"

Xun You pondered: "I'm afraid there is another hidden secret. ”

Seeing that the two most relied on strategists under his hands felt that things were not simple, Cao Cao gasped, sat back on the table, gradually calmed down, and still gasped: "Then tell me, why is this?" ”

Guo Jia said: "It may be that there is something unconfidential, and it was intercepted by Liu Biao or Shen Chen, Liu Bei and others, so they killed Wang Bi, and sent the head to Xu Du in the name of Zhang Xiu, so as to cut off Zhang Xiu's heart." ”

I have to say that Guo Jia is indeed a strategist who understands people's hearts.

In history, his strategy was not as good as Xun Yu, and his tactics were not as good as Xun Yu, and the reason why he was able to win Cao Cao's favor and rely on was that his psychological guesses of the enemy were extremely accurate. Every time Cao Cao fell into a great disadvantage, he could encourage him and bring Cao Cao a lot of confidence.

For example, the judgment of Yuan Shao, the judgment of Sun Ce, Liu Biao, Liu Bei and others are extremely accurate. It can be seen that he is an excellent psychological master, and can perfectly control the enemy's thoughts.

The current situation is that Jia Xu pushed Zhang Xiu to join Cao, but Zhang Xiu had concerns, Shen Chen mentioned him, and he was also afraid that after joining Cao, he would be liquidated after the end of the battle of Guandu, so he did not dare to reply for a long time, and it dragged on for nearly a year.

You must know that in history, Zhang Xiu surrendered in 199 and only voted now, because Shen Chen broke this matter, which made him afraid that Cao Cao would think of his son and confidant in the future, and settle accounts after the autumn.

But Cao Cao's approach was also simple, marrying his son-in-law and daughter-in-law to each other, in order to dispel Zhang Xiu's concerns.

It stands to reason that Cao Cao has already expressed goodwill, and even if Zhang Xiu does not accept it, he will definitely not dare to kill Cao Cao's envoy, because this will completely anger Cao Cao, and it will be very unfavorable to his current survival and situation, and no one will die so stupidly.

But that's exactly what happened.

So Guo Jia believes that there must be other reasons for this.

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Cao Cao said coldly: "Could it be that you still have to send a messenger to die alone?" ”

Guo Jia smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid it won't happen, if things are really as I said, I'm afraid that Liu Biao, Shen Chen and others have already sent troops to watch Zhang Xiu, and the road to his north has been blocked, and it will be difficult to surrender to us again." ”

"yes."

Xun You sighed and said: "If he still wants to be attached, he will definitely send someone to explain this matter, but no one has been sent yet, there are only two possibilities." One is that he was taken into custody, and the other is that he did kill the messenger and refused to return. If it's the former, it's fine, but if it's the latter, it's unimaginable. ”

"Oh?"

Cao Cao glanced at the two of them, stroked his beard and thought for two seconds, nodded slightly: "Yes, if it is the former, at least Liu Biao and Shen Chen will not believe him, and will not let him go to Kunyang to attack Xudu in the north, it is indeed a good thing for us, send someone to inform Xun Yu, let him pay attention to the movement of Kunyang, and see if there is a large group of cavalry!" ”

"Yui."

Guo Jia drafted the document and sent a messenger to send it back.

Half a month later, by the end of August, Xu Du and the Guandu front line continued to communicate back and forth, and a large number of official documents were transmitted, but there was no movement of cavalry on the Kunyang side, and there was not even a reinforcement of troops.

This made Cao Cao reluctantly relieved, it seems that Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu are indeed as Guo Jiaxunyou said, not because they don't want to belong, but something happened in the middle.

Although Zhang Xiu was not co-opted to relieve Nanyang's worries, at least Zhang Xiu did not stand on the opposite side of him as an enemy, as long as Xu did not appear thousands of cavalry, then it was also an acceptable ending for Cao Cao.

What's more.

If you can't get married, it can be regarded as one less guilt for Mrs. Ding.

At the end of the month, in the camp tent of the commander of the Cao army, looking at the battle report sent by Xun Yu that there were no cavalry in Kunyang, Cao Cao sighed.

Then he put down the official document in his hand, walked out of the tent with his hands in his hands, and looked up at the sky.

There are soldiers coming and going around him, and the clouds are rolling in late autumn, and the weather has been getting colder and colder recently.

Madam.

Cao Cao looked at the sky silently, his heart full of grievances.

The only tenderness in his heart is his guilt for Cao Ang and Mrs. Ding.

"Ming Gong."

At this moment, Xun You walked over and said softly: "The autumn clothes have been delivered, Ren Jun reported that the new millet will be harvested immediately, and he will send the escorted grain and grass to Xudu before the middle of next month." ”

"Hmm."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Tell Boda, let him be cautious, Yuan Shao's camp has been built, and he will definitely send someone to attack my grain road at that time." ”

"Yui."

Xun Yu bowed and retreated.

Cao Cao slowly walked to a dirt hill and looked at Yuan Ying in the distance.

I saw that the camp of the Yuan army stretched for dozens of miles, waving flags, covering the sky and the sun, unlike at the beginning when there were only countless tents, at this time all kinds of fences, trenches, and barracks sprung up like mushrooms after a rain. A large number of earthen hills, towers, and walled walls also stand between the camps.

Groups of Yuan soldiers shuttled back and forth inside and outside the camp, and from time to time there were carriages and wagons sent into the camp, densely packed, and the boundless soldiers and horses were like ants in those camps, as if the entire north of the Guandu River was flooded by the sea of people.

The pressure Yuan Shao gave him was still very great.

In the past few days, I have also received letters from Yuan Shao. The provocation and humiliation in it overflowed with letters.

But Cao Cao looked at Yuan Jun in the distance, and there was no trace of fear at this time.

If you want me Cao Mengde to admit defeat, it's not enough for you Yuan Benchu!

Cao Cao looked at Yuan Ying and silently clenched his fists.

Then he turned around and went down the dirt mountain.

This battle.

He had to win!

．

．

The storm is coming, and it is the eve of the great war.

After returning from Nanyang, Shen Chen was still a little depressed.

He had already told Zhang Xiu the pros and cons, but he didn't expect Zhang Xiu to be capricious after all, and he still wanted to take refuge in Cao Cao.

But after just the initial frustration, he quickly cleaned up.

There's nothing to complain about.

Because Cao Cao also made a bloody investment, it does take a lot of courage and courage to marry his son-in-law and Zhang Xiu's children to each other and bundle interests.

Even the revenge of killing his son can be ignored, and Cao Cao's forbearance can be seen.

So in this confrontation, Shen Chen was not defeated by Zhang Xiu, but by Cao Cao's forbearance and guiltlessness.

At least for Shen Chen, he definitely couldn't let go of his grievances, and he couldn't let go of the guilt of not being able to avenge his family for a long time, and went to marry and cooperate with the tyrant who slaughtered the city and ate people.

But the results weren't too bad.

finally foiled Cao Cao's conspiracy, although without Zhang Xiu's help, to a certain extent, everyone just returned to the original point.

Shen Chen did not strengthen, and Cao Cao did not strengthen, but after September, Ren Jun had to transport grain and grass, and Xu Du was empty again.

Therefore, judging from the results, this fight, everyone can only be regarded as a draw, and no one is a loss.

In mid-August, approaching the Mid-Autumn Festival, on this day, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yuntai, Shi Ci, Gan Ning and others went out of the city to hunt, Liu Bei and Guan Yu inspected the city together and returned to the mansion.

There seems to be no sunshine in the afternoon, and it has been cold recently, so everyone has also added clothes, and Shen Chen returned to Kunyang a while ago, also to make up for autumn clothes in the future.

In the mansion, Liu Bei personally cooked and made some male coarse cakes, ready to be distributed to the generals and strategists who followed him.

Shen Chen naturally has a copy.

At this time, he was doing some clerical work in the city, dismounting to manage logistics in peacetime, and charging into battle on horseback in wartime, and was praised by Liu Bei as a talent in both civil and military affairs.

Knowing that Liu Bei called him over in the afternoon, Shen Chen went to the county mansion and came to the backyard to see Liu Bei and Guan Yu sitting cross-legged under the corridor.

"Little sir."

When Liu Bei saw him coming, he and Guan Yu got up and saluted.

Shen Chen also replied: "Xuande Gong." ”

He didn't call the lord.

In fact, the Han Dynasty had a dualistic monarchy.

In addition to the emperor, there are also some high-ranking and powerful people who can also open a government to recruit talents.

Such as the three princes and the great general.

And the people recruited by the Kaifu do not need to be filial piety, like the three princes of the Yuan generation, who can build a tooth and open the mansion.

Therefore, the protégés of the Yuan family are all over the world.

These protégés and former officials do not mean that they all have to be filial piety or Mao into the office, and they may not be in high positions.

But as long as you used to be in the Yuan family, after being filial piety and honesty, you joined the officialdom and also laid the Yuan brand, and you became an old official.

As for those who have not raised filial piety, honesty and talent, at worst they are also local county-level powerful small families, who can control the power of a county.

Therefore, this is why Yuan Shao ascended to the top and called the alliance to resist Dong, and the world is like a cloud.

Now, at the end of the Han Dynasty, all the princes and governors have built their yakai mansions.

Although Shen Chen did not agree to Liu Biao's appearance, he accepted Liu Biao's position as a general, which was regarded as Liu Biao's subordinate officials.

So at least before he resigned or Liu Biao didn't die, he couldn't follow Liu Bei directly, just to show his heart and join the company again in the future.

"Sit down, little gentleman."

Liu Bei beckoned Shen Chen to sit down.

Under the porch, in addition to the three mats, there is also a tray in the middle, on which there is wine and some coarse grain cakes.

The three of them sat in a triangle, and Shen Chen asked, "What is the reason why Xuande invited me to come?" ”

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said: "It's about to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the eldest brother made some coarse cakes. ”

Although the Mid-Autumn Festival was not the top festival in the Han Dynasty, it also ranked after the Spring Festival, the Cold Food Festival, and the Double Ninth Festival.

In the Han Dynasty, there are activities of respecting the elderly, providing for the elderly, admiring the moon, and giving male coarse cakes on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival or the beginning of autumn, but it is not very common, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not popular in northern China before the Jin Dynasty, and most of the southerners celebrate this festival.

"I heard that the southerners will respect the elderly, admire the moon, and eat coarse cakes on the 15th day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Liu Bei raised his chopsticks and said with a smile: "So I made some cakes and invited Mr. Xiao to taste them together." ”

Shen Chen also picked up the chopsticks and said with a smile: "I just happened to be hungry." ”

"Taste it."

Guan Yu personally poured a glass of wine for the two.

Shen Chen picked up a coarse cake and took a bite, the food in the Han Dynasty was actually not very tasty, but he was used to it, and nodded slightly: "Yes, Xuan Degong's craftsmanship is excellent." ”

"It's delicious."

Liu Bei smiled, wandered around, and did not develop the habit of being served, he has been cooking since he was a child, how can his skills be unfamiliar.

Guan Yu raised his wine glass and said, "Come, have a drink." ”

"Drink!"

Shen Chen raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with the two of them.

He only turned fifteen in October of this year, and now he is technically fourteen, but this does not prevent him from drinking, because the Han Dynasty millet alcohol is very low, which is no different from drinking water.

Putting down the wine glass, Liu Bei raised his head and looked at the sky, and said: "Later, when Yide and them come back, I will cook some meat after hunting the prey, the moon is exceptionally round these days, and the sky is very clean, which makes my heart groan." ”

"It's a clean sky, so why bother, it seems that Xuande is not quiet."

Shen Chen said: "Do you remember your hometown?" ”

"Oh, yes."

Liu Bei sighed: "I have been weaving mats and selling shoes with my mother since I was a child, and later I learned from my son to do business, but I didn't learn anything, and I disappointed my uncle. After my mother died of illness, coinciding with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, I enlisted in the army, and often thought about reporting to the country and the people. But now it has been more than ten years since he left his hometown, but he is still floating around, achieving nothing, and in the end, he can only have empty ambitions, how can he not have relatives in his heart? ”

Guan Yu was a little moved by what he said, and sighed slightly: "Brother reminds me of the peach blossoms in the spring of that year, and our three brothers swore to support the Han family and work together to ensure social security. Now many years have passed, but I haven't been able to do it, I don't know if the peach orchard is still there, and whether the peach blossoms are still bright? ”

"Second brother, it's the elder brother who is incompetent and has failed to lead the two brothers to achieve a great cause."

Liu Bei suddenly felt very ashamed, he felt that it was precisely because of his incompetence that a warrior like Guan Yu did not serve the country.

Guan Yu shook his head and said seriously: "Yu has never regretted following his brother, following him in life and death, even if he has not made meritorious contributions, he is only willing to gallop on the battlefield with his brother, and fight horses all his life. ”

"Second brother."

Liu Bei was moved to tears, he is not a person who sheds tears easily, but his love is also suffocating.

Shen Chen sighed: "The ambitions of Duke Xuande and Duke Yun Chang are admirable, but the towering Yan Han is far away, Cao Thief is in power, the princes from all over the country are competing for power, and the people are in chaos. All the people are miserable, and the lives are miserable. Our future is still very far away. This battle is the battle of our Kuangfu Han family, if we can eradicate Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and set the world, one day, the public will be able to return to his hometown with honor, and then look at Taoyuan! ”

"Okay."

Liu Bei raised the wine glass in his hand, wiped the tears that had not yet flowed for Shen Chen, suddenly became arrogant, stood up and said: "Mr. Xiao is right, if I wait for the dragon in the abyss, there will be a day when it will take off." The road ahead is still far away. But I firmly believe that as long as our brothers work together, the enemy will not be able to stop them, and the great cause will be accomplished in the future! Your Majesty is still waiting for us, the country is still waiting for us, and all the people are waiting for us! ”

"Xuande Gong's words are really heroic, heroic like a lake and a sea!"

Shen Chen was also infected by Liu Bei's bold words, raised his wine glass and said solemnly: "Chen vows to go to the soup for the public to save the Han family and the people of the world!" ”

"Come, drink this wine!"

After Liu Bei and Guan Yu Shen Chen clinked glasses, they stood with both hands and drank the wine.

When he put down the cup again, he had completely lost the heart of his relatives who had seen the moon and felt homesick before, only fortitude and tenacity, hanging on his face, full of longing for the future.

He had fallen countless times.

He has also been defeated countless times.

Many people ridiculed him and laughed at him for being stupid.

There are also many people who look down on him and feel that he is nothing.

Only he has never looked down on himself.

Because he knows.

As long as there is a heart in my heart that can help the Han family and save the people, there will always be a day when we can achieve great things.

So in the past, even when you were embarrassed, you lost badly.

He just patted the dust on his body, then stood up and said proudly to the brothers who followed him.

"The Han family is in decline, and traitors are in charge. I can't do it, I want to do justice in the world! ”

Heaven and earth are heroic, and the autumn is still awe-inspiring.

The wind of the Flame is eternal!

This.

It's him Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!

(End of chapter)