In Chang'an City, Cao Hong was holding a banquet in the mansion to entertain the officials of Chang'an to show comfort.

In the spring flowers, Cao Hong bought the singer from Hedong, wearing a light gauze short skirt, stepping on the encouragement, very enchanting, and everyone present applauded and laughed.

When he was in the middle of his life, he suddenly reported that Xu Huang was defeated in Wuguan and lost Shang County, and the Jingzhou soldiers were going to Chang'an to kill.

Cao Hong was furious, blasted away the singer, and ordered someone to bring Xu Huang in, seeing that he was embarrassed, without the slightest demeanor of a general, he shouted:

"Wuguan is the gateway to Guanzhong, the prime minister ordered you to take revenge, since the year before now, not only has not made an inch, but the soldiers have been lost, and the 30,000 elite soldiers have been wiped out, so what face do you have to come back to see me?"

Then he ordered his own soldiers to push Xu Huang out and behead him, so as to correct the military law.

When Zhong Xuan heard the news, he hurriedly stopped the soldiers and persuaded: "The general is angry, General Xu is deeply valued by the prime minister, and the defeat of the former army must have a reason, so you can ask about the situation." ”

Cao Hong snorted coldly: "General Xu, Prime Minister Zanru has the style of Zhou Yafu, why are you so embarrassed? ”

Xu Huang replied dejectedly: "I used a strange weapon to put it on the pass, and when it was fired, the arrows rained down, and none of the soldiers survived, so I had no choice but to retreat, who knew that Zhang Fei was in the pass, and the killing generals came out, and the men and horses could not be restrained, so the camp was lost." ”

Cao Hong smiled coldly: "Hmph, Zhang Fei went to Guanzhong, you didn't even know it, it can be seen that there was a mistake in the use of soldiers, no wonder you can't take the military pass before the year, the death penalty can be avoided, the living crime is inescapable, and the rod will be punished forty!" ”

"Never!" Zhong Miao hurriedly said: "Now that the war is raging, it is the time to employ people, so we can temporarily exempt them from their crimes and make them suffer from their crimes and make meritorious contributions." ”

Cao Hong said angrily: "If the general of the defeated army is not punished, how will I command the army in the future?" ”

Zhong Xuan persuaded: "General Xu followed the prime minister from Luoyang, and made many meritorious contributions, victory or defeat is a common thing in soldiers, but you can report to the prime minister first and then make a decision." ”

Cao Hong brushed his sleeves and said: "If you don't look at Zhong Sili's face, you will be disciplined by military law, and I will order you to temporarily guard Lantian and wait for me to respond with the whole army, and make meritorious contributions." ”

Xu Huang was full of shame and sighed and left, not because Cao Hong wanted to punish him, but because Cao Jun didn't ask about those bows and arrows, obviously thinking that he was making excuses and didn't pay attention to it.

At this time, Zhang Ji also heard the news and rushed to learn that Xu Huang was defeated and the 30,000 horses were annihilated, and he was shocked: "Zhang Fei is an enemy of 10,000 people, so Wei Yan is not easy to get along, and there needs to be a general to fight, so you should ask Xuchang for help as soon as possible." ”

Cao Hong laughed and said: "Zhang Fei is a reckless man, he has been defeated repeatedly, why be afraid? There is no need to report to the prime minister, a certain person will go out to fight in person, and he will capture this thief and break through the martial arts. ”

Zhong Xuan hurriedly said: "General can't, Ma Teng is not moving in Chencang, his intention is not clear, if he rushes to send troops, in case the Xiliang army rebels, I am afraid that Guanzhong will not be protected!" ”

Cao Hong said in a deep voice: "Ma Teng's old thief, relying on some troops, has repeatedly disobeyed orders, how about getting rid of this thief first?" ”

Zhang Jiyan said: "The prime minister ordered Ma Teng to take Hanzhong, and previously deduced that the grain and grass were insufficient, and he refused to send troops because of the cold weather. ”

Cao Hong nodded and said: "This plan is very good, but you need to send a confidant to monitor, so as not to be perfunctory and shirk by him, who can go to Chen Cang to supervise the army?" ”

Zhong Xuan hugged his fists and said: "My brother Zhong Jin is a smart person, you can send him there." ”

Cao Hong was overjoyed, so he called Zhong Jin to come forward, worship him as the general of Yamen, escort the baggage to Chencang, and urge Ma Teng to raise troops as soon as possible, and wait for the Xiliang army to set off and then come to pay a report.

He also allocated 5,000 men and horses to Lantian and ordered Ma Yan and Zhang Yi to step up the training of men and horses, and only wait for the horses to free up the troops, and then lead the army and take Wuguan directly.

Zhong Jin transported grain out of Chang'an, went straight to Chencang, and was full of spirit along the way, came to Chang'an with his brother, waited for three years, and finally waited for the opportunity.

Although he is Zhong Xuan's younger brother, the difference between the two is nearly 20 years old, and the eldest brother is like a father, and they usually meet each other as elders.

Zhong Xuan has no heirs so far, and he loves him very much, and the family business will naturally fall on him in the future.

This grain transportation is a credit for nothing, and the brother's recommendation has the meaning of experience, as long as the performance is good, it will be prosperous in the future.

When I came to Chencang in a day, I saw people and horses galloping outside the city, countless cavalry staggered and galloping on the field, dust flying, but the lineup was not chaotic at all, and I couldn't help but exclaim: "Xiliang Iron Cavalry, it really lives up to its reputation." ”

When he was watching, a group of cavalry rushed to the front, and the people in the lead were about twenty years old, heroic, and hugged their fists and said: "Is it General Zhong?" ”

"Ahem, exactly!" Zhong Jin reined in his mind and saluted: "I came here to serve the fate of General Cao." ”

"In the dismount, my father is waiting in the city, please enter the city."

Cao Hong had already sent a military order to Chencang, and Ma Teng sent his son Ma Tie to meet him, which made Zhong Jin greatly satisfied.

When he arrived in the city, he checked the grain and grass, Zhong came in to the mansion, and saw Ma Teng waiting outside the mansion, he was flattered, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "General Ma is powerful and cold, and he has heard of the name for a long time, how dare he go out to greet him?" ”

Ma Teng clenched his fists and said with a smile: "Thanks to General Cao's financial support for the money and food, and General Lao personally transported it, I am grateful, please come in quickly." ”

When Zhong Jin was in Chang'an in the past, he followed Zhong Xuan, extremely low-key, and Zhong Xuan did not deliberately introduce him, and he was no different from the guards and his entourage, and was often ignored.

Today, I suddenly received this courtesy, and the other party was Xiliang Ma Teng, and the princes of one side felt a little fluttery, and almost fell to the ground when they entered the door.

That night, a banquet was held in the government to catch the wind, and Ma Teng's father and son took turns to toast, flattering, and taking the opportunity to ask about Chang'an.

Zhong Jin has been praised so much that he can't find the north, plus he has drunk a few more cups, he knows everything, he has endless words, and even Cao Hong is going to attack Wuguan in person, and he also informed Ma Teng.

Ordered someone to help Zhong Jin, who was drunk into mud, to the back hall to rest, and Ma Teng discussed countermeasures with his second son.

Ma Xiu frowned and said: "Cao Hong wants to take the military pass, but he first sent people to urge the troops, which shows that he does not trust us, if he does not send troops again, I am afraid that he will be suspicious." ”

Ma Tie clenched his fists and said: "Cao Hong sent Zhong Jin to transport grain, saying what to cheer for our army, but in fact, urging us to wait for the soldiers to go back to Chang'an, it is really too deceitful, it is better to kill this thief and sacrifice the flag, and take Chang'an directly overnight." ”

"Nonsense!" Ma Teng glared at Ma Tie and said slowly: "Cao Hong's departure from Chang'an is a good opportunity to send troops. It's just how to make Cao Hong feel at ease to send troops? ”

Ma Xiuyan said: "For today's plan, I have to fake the show, deceive Zhong Jin, and stand by." ”

Ma Teng twisted his beard and groaned: "What is Erlang's countermeasure? ”

Ma Xiuyan said: "Tomorrow, I will swear to send troops and send people and horses out of the pass and enter the Qinling Mountains, and Zhong Jin will be satisfied." But the elite soldiers were hidden in the mountains, and his father walked slowly with a bluff flag, just waiting for the Chang'an soldiers to come out, and then he took Chang'an with lightning speed, but it was decided by a battle. ”

"Brilliant plan!" Ma Teng was overjoyed when he heard this, rubbed his hands and smiled: "Now that Erlang has also grown up, his wisdom is no less than that of Meng Qi, and I am very relieved." ”

Ma Tie pursed his lips unconvinced, and muttered: "Big brother can only dance swords and play with guns, how can he have a strategy?" ”

Ma Teng turned around and said, "What did you say?" ”

Ma Tie hurriedly said: "The child said that the eldest brother has outstanding martial arts and strategy, and he is really both civil and military. ”

Ma Teng stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Meng Qi will definitely greatly prosper my Ma clan!" ”