Guo Jia and Cao Cao discussed for nearly half an hour, and then led the army to continue towards Tongguan.

Tongguan.

The princes of Guanzhong are handsome.

At this time, Han Sui and Ma Chao summoned the princes to gather.

After nearly ten days of waiting, 100,000 bow infantry finally arrived at Tongguan.

After deliberation, the princes prepared to formally attack Tongguan tomorrow morning.

In this siege, all the princes agreed that Tongguan must be taken.

After that, he took Hangu Pass in one go.

Finally, take Luoyang.

Then cooperate with Yuan Shao to break through the Tiger Prison Pass and flank Guandu Cao Cao's army.

At this moment, in Tongguan City, Zhong Xuan also summoned Zhang Ji, Ling Tong, Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai and other imperial army and Wancheng army generals.

The scouts had already received clear information: Ma Chao and other Guanzhong princes' 100,000 bow infantry had arrived.

It should be in these two days, Ma Chao and other Guanzhong princes will launch a full-scale siege.

At that time, it is bound to be a bloody battle.

The purpose of defending the city this time was not to hold Tongguan, but to delay the footsteps of the princes in Guanzhong, so as to give Cao Cao's army in Guandu time to deal with the attack.

However, before the results could be discussed, a soldier rushed in and said, "In the direction of the Tiger Pass, a large number of troops have appeared!" ”

Zhong Xuan and the generals were stunned.

A large army?

Where did the army come from now?

Zhong Miao hurriedly said: "Keep exploring!" ”

The soldier hurried out.

In the tent, all the generals were also noisy.

This time, I didn't have to wait long to see a big man with a sturdy figure walk in.

It was Xu Chu.

Xu Chu, the captain of Cao Cao's personal guards, has always been by Cao Cao's side.

Xu Chu's sudden appearance made the generals even more puzzled.

Zhong Xuan hurriedly greeted him and said, "General Xu, why did you come here?" ”

Xu Chu said: "Where am I, where is the lord." ”

After a pause, Xu Chu said to Zhong Xuan: "Sikong led an army of 60,000 and is about to arrive, so let me inform you." ”

Zhong Xuan was taken aback and said, "Sikong is not in Guandu, why is he here-"

As soon as he finished asking, Zhong Xuan's expression was a little ugly.

This was asked in vain.

Sikong's appearance here shows that the crisis in Guandu has been resolved.

However, it is obvious that Ma Chao and other Guanzhong princes do not seem to have received the news.

Yuan Shao didn't seem to tell them.

And on his own side, why didn't Sikong take the initiative to tell?

I knew that Sikong was leading an army of 60,000 to arrive, so why should I be so nervous during this time?

Xu Chu didn't seem to see Zhong Xuan's ugly face, but glanced at all the generals and said, "Is there Jiangdong reinforcements here?" ”

Ling Tong, Xu Sheng, and Zhou Tai stood up.

Xu Chu looked at the three of them: "You can lead the army back, the lord has already arrived, and there is no need for you to help." ”

Ling Tong, Xu Sheng, and Zhou Tai glanced at each other and left directly.

Zhong Xuan watched the three of them disappear from sight, and his heart felt a lot more comfortable.

It seems that Sikong is planning something big, and he must avoid Jiangdong's sight.

Therefore, during this time, I didn't tell them that they were on the way.

Zhong Xuan looked at Xu Chu and said, "What is Sikong's plan?" ”

Xu Chu said angrily: "I don't know this-"

Before Xu Chu's words were finished, a burst of laughter rang out.

I saw several people dressed as small soldiers walking in.

is the first person, and it is Cao Cao.

All the generals saluted in unison and said, "Sikong! ”

Cao Cao picked up Zhong Xuan and said with a smile: "Those who know me, Yuan Chang also!" ”

"The reason why we didn't inform the generals of our movements this time is indeed because there is something important."

"Tongguan is so critical, I expect that Ding Yuanchang will definitely find a way to recruit Jiangdong soldiers to help."

"And this matter is something that Jiangdong soldiers can't know."

Everyone looked at Cao Cao curiously.

Cao Cao restrained the smile on his face and said in a deep voice: "I have given up the Central Plains, and the families of the generals have also been brought over by me from Xudu. ”

"This time, we have no other way but to defeat the princes of Guanzhong, occupy Liangzhou, open up Hanzhong, and then take Yizhou directly."

The whole tent was silent.

Including Zhong Xuan, everyone opened their mouths wide and looked at Cao Cao with a shocked expression.

Behind Cao Cao, there were generals such as Xun You, Guo Jia, Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Xuan, Xu Huang, and Yu Ban.

Cao Cao walked to the seat of the handsome tent, knelt down, and motioned for the generals to sit down.

Only then did the generals come back to their senses, and they knelt down one by one with inexplicable expressions.

Cao Cao said: "The generals should know that we are now in the encirclement of Jiangdong and Yuan Shao. ”

"If we don't find a way to break through, we will all be eaten away sooner or later."

"Either defeated by Yuan Shao, or defeated by Jiangdong."

"And this time, Yuan Shao united with the princes of Guanzhong and wanted to flank us. Jiangdong attacked the plain from Xuzhou, and then approached Yecheng, forcing Yuan Shao's army to withdraw. ”

Zhong Xuan was stunned.

And so it was.

Cao Cao continued: "The Marquis of Jiangdong Wu asked us to attack the princes of Guanzhong, so as to avoid the fate of being flanked. ”

"This is the perfect time for us to escape the encirclement."

"The families of the generals, as well as the Son of Heaven, are all walking together this time."

"Therefore, I didn't inform you in advance before, for fear that the Jiangdong soldiers would know, so I would tell Wuhou Lu Yi's kid."

"If that's the case, we won't be able to get out of this Tongguan."

"However, now, we not only want to get out of Tongguan, but also to defeat the army of Ma Chao and other princes in Guanzhong."

"Otherwise, we have no way out, we can only perish."

"Generals, I hope you will fight with all your strength against the enemy."

"You are all my Cao Cao's ministers."

"With me Cao Cao, there will be a day when you will be prosperous and rich in the future."

"Without me Cao Cao, whether it is Yuan Shao or Lu Yi'er, they may not be willing to accept you."

"Even if you are accepted, it will never give you the opportunity to make meritorious contributions to their ministers."

Cao Cao glanced at everyone, slowly drew his sword, and said, "Moreover, I hope you generals are clear. ”

"Before the battle of Guandu, any of you wrote a letter to Yuan Shao, I know."

The generals' faces suddenly turned pale one by one.

They think they're doing it very secretively!

Cao Cao squinted his eyes and sneered: "If you don't want people to know, you can't do it unless you do." ”

"But that's all in the past."

"If a man is not a saint or a sage, he can do no wrong."

As he spoke, he slapped his face.

Four soldiers came in with two wooden boxes, placed them in front of the crowd, and opened them.

Inside was a letter.

Including Zhong Xuan, everyone's palms were a little sweaty.

Zhong Miao saw his letter at a glance, and he knew the handwriting best!

Cao Cao stood up with his sword in his hand and walked over to the two wooden boxes.

All the generals did not dare to make a sound.

Cao Cao looked around at the generals, and then in the surprised eyes of all the generals, he took out a fire fold, lit the letters in the two wooden boxes, and said in a deep voice: "The past, start from now, all the past." ”

"I didn't see it."

"Nothing happened to you either."

"But, from now on, there will be such people—"

Cao Cao directly slashed a sword on the desk behind him, cut the case in half, and said coldly: "Rather teach me to pay the people of the world, and stop teaching the people of the world to bear me." Those who bear me, all of them are like this, and there will be no recovery! ”

With that, he slowly inserted the saber into the scabbard.

All the generals prostrate in unison and said: "Swear allegiance to the lord to the death!" ”

"Swear allegiance to the Lord!"

"Swear allegiance to the Lord!"

The shouts echoed throughout the barracks.

Cao Cao returned to his seat and said lightly: "Get up!" ”

Only then did all the generals get up.

Cao Cao looked at Zhong Xuan and said, "What is the situation of the princes in Guanzhong now?" ”

Zhong Xuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "According to the scout's report, Ma Chao and other Guanzhong princes already have 50,000 cavalry and 100,000 bow infantry. ”

"Among them, 100,000 archers arrived at the barracks this morning."

"Look at that posture, there will be a siege in the next two days."

Cao Cao smiled sadly and said, "Ma Chao, right? ”

Looking at Xu Chu, Cao Cao said: "Xu Chu! ”

Xu Chu stood up, walked out quickly, and said loudly: "Here!" ”

Cao Cao said: "Go and escort Ma Teng's family and Han Sui's son-in-law to the city wall, and throw them down headfirst in front of the army of the princes of Guanzhong!" ”

"Remember, don't rush to throw it."

"Let them die clearly."

"Who killed them?"

Xu Chu hugged his fists and retreated quickly.

Xu Chu left the tent and rushed to the army of 60,000 that had just arrived.

This time, not only the Son of Heaven and the families of Cao Cao's major cronies rushed to Tongguan with the army, but Ma Teng's family and Han Sui's son-in-law Yan Xing were also among them.

However, all of these people were imprisoned in prison cars.

Xu Chu escorted these people to the city wall of Tongguan.

Ma Teng, Ma Xiu, Ah Tie, and Yan Xing were tied up by five flowers and stood on the city wall.

Xu Chu found dozens of soldiers, pointed to the outside of the city and said: "Shout outside the city, just say that Ma Teng's family and Han Sui's son-in-law are on the city wall, let the Guanzhong rats come and take a look!" Otherwise, you'll only see the dead later! ”

A soldier shouted loudly: "The rats in Guanzhong are coming quickly, Ma Teng's family and Han Sui's son-in-law are here!" If you don't come again, you'll only see their corpses later! ”

Seeing this, the other soldiers glanced at each other, and shouted in unison: "The rats in Guanzhong are coming quickly, Ma Teng's family and Han Sui's son-in-law are here!" If you don't come again, you'll only see their corpses later! ”

Outside Tongguan, the princes of Guanzhong are handsome.

Han Sui, Ma Chao and others, who were discussing the steps of tomorrow's siege, heard the movement and looked outside suspiciously.

Han Sui scolded: "What's going on outside? ”

A soldier rushed in and said, "Dudu, four people have appeared on the wall of Tongguan, it is said that it is General Ma Teng's family and your son-in-law!" ”

Han Sui's face changed suddenly.

Ma Chao's expression was also inexplicable.

The other princes all looked at each other.

Han Sui was about to stand up.

Ma Chao grabbed his wrist.

Han Sui frowned and said, "Meng Qi, what are you doing?" ”

Ma Chao took a deep breath and said to Han Sui: "This must be the enemy's conspiracy. ”

"They want to use the lives of my family and the lives of your father-in-law, your second son, and son-in-law to demoralize us."

"If we go out and watch, we will be controlled by people."

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu and the Overlord of Chu competed for hegemony in the world, and Emperor Gaozu's parents, wives and children were captured alive by the Overlord of Chu, and threatened to cook."

"How did Emperor Gaozu do it?"

"He let the overlord of Chu do it!"

"He even asked people to talk and cook his family, hoping that King Chu would reward him with a piece of meat to taste, he wanted to see the taste of his relatives."

"In the end, the Overlord of Chu knew that he couldn't use these to restrain Emperor Gaozu, so he let them go."

"It's the same today!"

"If we don't go, they may be left dead."

"If we go, they will surely die."

Han Sui said with a gloomy face: "There is my second son there!" I didn't give him anything from his childhood to adulthood. Now that he is in danger, how can I sit idly by? ”

In Han Sui's stunned gaze, Ma Chao knelt down and said with a resolute face: "There is also my father and my brother there!" ”

"Today, the enemy army really killed them, father-in-law, you lost your second son, and my Ma Chao also lost my biological father and brother!"

"Father-in-law, then I am your son!"

"You're my real father!"

"For the sake of the great cause."

"Please think twice about my father-in-law!"

"Those who travel a hundred miles are half ninety, that's a shame!"

"What is related to the father-in-law is not only the honor and disgrace of the father-in-law, but also the honor and disgrace of all the princes in our Guanzhong!"

"I beg my father-in-law to think carefully for the sake of all the princes!"

(End of chapter)