The setting sun was shining slantingly, and twilight enveloped the land outside Chang'an City.
Cao Zhang and Xu Shu rode horses, protected by Li Jin and several personal guards, and slowly patrolled and surveyed the periphery of Chang'an City.
Several days have passed since Cao Zhang wrote a letter to Cao Cao, hoping that the imperial court would recruit An and reward the heroes of Guanxi, but the imperial edict has not yet arrived.
Although Sima Lang delivered the general food and materials in time to ensure that there would be no problem with the supply of the army, the deadline agreed in the military order was getting closer and closer, and Cao Zhang began to feel anxious.
Although his suggestion was of great benefit to Cao Cao, but he was not in Xudu, it was inevitable that there would be people who would interfere with it, block it, and delay time.
In order to avoid exceeding the deadline, Cao Zhang had to make the worst plan, which was to attack Chang'an. So he took Xu Shu to survey the terrain and prepare for a strong attack later.
The two walked slowly, their eyes wandering around the surrounding environment. They only saw the devastated plains of thousands of miles away and sparsely populated.
Haze enveloped the entire land, the sun could not penetrate the gray fog, and a dull atmosphere enveloped the entire sky.
Cao Zhang squinted his eyes and observed the distant horizon.
In this once prosperous and lively land, the plunder of the Xiliang warlords has turned the prosperity into ruins, with broken walls and trees whose vitality has been destroyed everywhere.
Xu Shu clenched the riding whip in his hand, frowning, looking at the dilapidated buildings along the way.
The faint breath emanating from the ruins made him feel heartbroken and helpless.
The dilapidated fields were blown to pieces by the wind, and a few lonely trees groaned sadly in the breeze.
The fields that were once rich in grain have become barren, with only a few remaining seedlings swaying in the wind.
Cao Zhang slowed down his horse and stopped in front of a severely damaged village.
The houses in the village have long since collapsed, with broken walls and scattered rubble forming a tragic picture on the ground. The people who once lived here have left, with endless pain and disappointment, looking for a new life.
"There is no chaos in Xijing, and the jackals and tigers can escape. Abandon China again, and devote myself to the Jingman. My relatives are sad for me, and my friends are chasing me. When I go out, I see nothing, and the white bones cover the plain..." Xu Shu couldn't help but recited. "Seven Poems of Sorrow: Chaos in Xijing" written by the famous poet Wang Can.
This poem was written in the second year of Chuping (AD 192). At that time, Wang Can left Chang'an with his tribe and friends and went to Jingzhou to join Liu Biao. What he saw along the way was shocking, so he described the pain he experienced and what he felt personally. Sadness, this poem was written.
Xu Shu also met Wang Can when he was in Jingzhou, so he knew this poem. Today, he was so moved by the scene that he couldn't help but recite it.
Cao Zhang also felt the pain in Xu Shu's heart and exclaimed: "Yuan Zhi, look at this devastated place, it's really heartbreaking."
Xu Shu sighed softly: "The king's affairs were corrupted, and the warlords in the Guanlong area were fighting, and the innocent people were affected. Li Jue, Guo Si and others were greedy and reckless, and they almost flattened this land."
"So, we must eradicate Li Jue, quell the warlord separatism, and restore the past glory of this place." Cao Zhang gritted his teeth, his voice full of determination.
Xu Shu looked up at Cao Zhang, with a hint of appreciation and admiration in his eyes.
In the past, he only felt Cao Zhang's bravery, wisdom and political opinions. Today, when he heard his ambition, he deeply felt that he also had a heart to love the people. For people living in troubled times, it would be great to encounter such a person. A wise master is very valuable.
A fast horse galloped from a distance. The man on the horse was Xiahou Ba. He shouted excitedly: "Ziwen, Ziwen!"
When Cao Zhang and Xu Shu heard this, they didn't know what was going on and hurriedly rode up to meet him: "Zhong Quan, what's the matter?"
Xiahouba said excitedly: "I just came to report that General Ningji, Duan Yan, has brought five thousand soldiers and horses from Huayin to support us. He is less than ten miles away from us. With him, there are also people sent by the imperial court to recruit Guanzhong. The envoys from the princes serve Zhong Yao."
Xu Shu was overjoyed when he heard this and said to Cao Zhang: "Sir, it seems that Sikong agreed to the proposal in your letter and made arrangements. We can defeat Li Jue and pacify Guanzhong!"
Cao Zhang was also very happy: "Quick, let's go back and prepare to welcome the Holy Envoy and General Duan Xuan."
The group of people quickly flew towards Cao Zhang's camp.
Half an hour later, Cao Zhang and everyone were waiting at the gate of the camp.
A group of men and horses came from afar. The leader was a general in his forties. He was wearing a battle armor and looked majestic and majestic. He was Duan Yan.
Duan Yan looked at Cao Zhang at the gate of the camp from a distance, quickly dismounted and walked forward.
Cao Zhang stepped forward quickly and greeted with a smile: "General Duan, I'm Cao Zhang, I'm sorry to welcome you from afar."
Duan Xuan hurriedly returned the gift politely: "I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Cao went out to greet me. A few days ago, when Mr. Cao passed by Huayin, I had the intention to send troops to help. However, I was in a hurry and didn't have time to allocate money and food for the troops, so I came late. A few days ago, I came too late. Zhong Shizhong came to Huayin with the imperial edict and ordered the last general to send troops to help the young master. The last general did not dare to delay, so he personally led five thousand troops and horses to obey the young master's dispatch."
After hearing Duan Xuan's words, Cao Zhang hurriedly said politely: "General Duan is a senior. Your brother Duan Juan was very powerful in Xiliang back then and was known as the Three Heroes of Liangzhou. I have great admiration in the hearts of the younger generation. The general made great contributions in escorting His Majesty when he returned eastward." , he is the pillar of the imperial court, a role model for us to learn from. Zhang is a junior, so he should treat each other with courtesy. We are fighting together, and we dare not use the word "dispatch". "
Cao Zhang respectfully mentioned the past glory and achievements of Duan Xuan and his brother Duan Ji, expressing his respect for them.
Duan Xuan smiled slightly, and then said: "Young Master, you are too complimentary. My Duan family has been loyal for generations, and it is my duty to protect Your Majesty. It is really an honor for me to come to help you today, and to exterminate the rebellious party Li Jue together. Young Master. There’s no need to be polite to me.”
"Then thank you General Duan for your help." Cao Zhang thanked him again, and then asked doubtfully: "By the way, why is General Duan the only one here? Where is Zhong Shizhong?"
"Attendant Zhong is accompanied by the Emperor's guard of honor, so he will be arriving a little later." Duan Xuan explained quickly.
"General Duan will go to the camp to rest for a while. I have prepared a banquet and wait for Zhong Shizhong to arrive to greet you. Zhong Quan, please go to the central military tent to rest." Cao Zhang ordered Xiahou Ba to greet him first. Duan Xuan entered the camp, while he himself waited for Zhong Yao's arrival.
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhong Yao, surrounded by the emperor's honor guard, also arrived at Cao Zhang's camp.
Cao Zhang came forward and the two of them also exchanged greetings.
After the greetings, Zhong Yao whispered to Cao Zhang: "Sir, in addition to General Duan Xuan, I have arranged for someone to send my autograph letter to Ma Teng and Han Sui by fast horse in advance, asking them to lead troops to Chang'an to receive it. The emperor conferred the title and assisted the young master in besieging Li Jue."
Cao Zhang was very grateful after hearing Zhong Yao's words. His arrangement greatly shortened the delay in delivering the imperial edict and bought him more time to defeat the enemy.
"Thank you, Sir. This kindness will never be forgotten by Cao Zhang." Cao Zhang expressed his sincere gratitude to Zhong Yao.
"Young master, you don't have to be polite. I'm just following Sikong's instructions and trying my best to help you buy time. If you want to thank me, you should go back to Xudu to thank Sikong." Zhong Yao responded to Cao Zhang with a smile.
Cao Zhang suddenly understood, and then smiled and greeted Zhong Yao to join him in the camp for the banquet.
Cao Zhang was extremely pleased. It seemed that his previous performance in Xudu had deeply moved Cao Cao. Not only did he agree to his suggestion to recruit the princes of Guanxi, he also took the initiative to arrange for Zhong Yao to cooperate and seize the time. This all shows his feelings. It has begun to tilt.
The next thing Cao Zhang has to do is to wait for Ma Teng, Han Sui and other warlords from Yong and Liang to arrive, attack Li Jue together, and pacify Guanzhong as soon as possible...
