Hebei Bingzhou-Heishan Mountains west of Shangdang County
Zhang Yan sat alone at a stone table, looking at the dried food on the table with blank eyes, and the previous scenes kept flashing through her mind.
Five days ago, Zhu Jun and Tong Yuan sat across from each other, and Zhang Yan sat beside them. Each of them held a cigarette invented by He Sian. There was a pot of fine wine and several plates of side dishes placed on the round table in front of them.
"It's been a long time since I drank so happily!" Tong Yuan took a deep breath of cigarette and said with a laugh!
"Mr. Tong, it's better to drink less. There are still two battles waiting for us!" Zhu Jun on the side changed from his usual reticence and said with a smile.
"It doesn't matter. Although Tong has reached the age where he can do whatever he wants, he still has enough alcohol! It won't affect the upcoming battle!" Tong Yuan waved his hand and said indifferently.
"Do you really want to do this? Is it... worth it?" Zhang Yan, who was silent on the side, finally spoke.
Zhu Jun looked up at the mountains in the distance and spoke slowly: "Hey!~, what are you talking about, General Zhang! To be disrespectful, Zhu has watched His Majesty grow up. From being submissive to growing up to where he is today, Zhu Jun , very pleased!
Nowadays, the situation is tense, and His Highness is heading south to Yizhou and cannot escape. Although Yuan Zhi is extremely alert, he is still young after all, and Zhu has already reached the age of hearing, so it is better to make a splash! Help His Highness for the last time! "
"Okay! Well said! What's more, now we don't need brothers to die with us brothers, but with the dead men provided by Yuan Shao. Isn't this opportunity a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" Before Zhang Yan could reply, the child beside him Yuan stood up from the table and said loudly.
"Let's go, it's time for us old guys to take action!" With that, he picked up the iron gun on the ground and walked out of the yard hand in hand with Zhu Jun beside him!
At some point, a strong man came over, put a big cloak on him, and said calmly: "Brother, this was originally the choice of Mr. Tong and Mr. Zhu, why do you care?"
"Hey... I just..." Zhang Yan wanted to say something, but her voice was extremely dry!
"Brother, I, Yu Du, am a rough man. I only know that we have been living a life of today and no tomorrow for these years! It is nonsense to say that I am for the people of the world! But in order to find a way out for my wife, children, and children, I, Lao Yuhui, said nothing. Cut off this head!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yan rubbed her face, stood up and punched Yu Du, then stretched her waist.
"How are you preparing? We are going to a new home too!"
"Everything is ready. Yuan Shao has quietly opened the pot. We can leave for Wudu at any time!"
"Well, that's good. Let's leave quickly before Yuan Shao reacts! By the way, third brother, do you miss your mother-in-law and Coyotito?"
"Haha, of course, don't you..."
The two gradually walked away, and silence returned to the courtyard!
Chang'an, nightfall
"Reporting to the Governor, Sikong's army will arrive in Chang'an tomorrow afternoon!" The speaker was Zhang Xiu's counselor Lou Gui. Because of his resourcefulness, he was promoted to chief counselor by Zhang Xiu, mainly responsible for intelligence collection and other matters, because he had worked with Cao Cao in his early years. After meeting each other, Zhang Xiu sent Lou Gui to take charge of matters related to liaison with Cao Cao!
"Is what Zibo (Lou Gui's nickname) said true? Why are you in such a hurry? Didn't you say it will take three days to arrive in Chang'an?" Zhang Xiu asked with a frown.
"Hey, Master Sikong was originally preparing to reorganize in Meiwu. Unexpectedly, he was suddenly attacked by Ma Chao when passing through Long County. He was killed and completely defeated! After finally getting rid of the opponent's entanglement, he was attacked by a group of mysterious troops near Xi County. Lord Sikong was almost directly assassinated!" After Lou Gui finished speaking, he was also sighing!
"How could there be a mysterious force in Xi County? Wudu should not have the power to arrange this at this moment!" Zhang Xiu asked with a frown.
"My subordinates only know that there are about 500 people in this army. The leader is quite old and holds a black iron gun! Martial arts are very valuable, especially the last shot. If it weren't for Sikong's men guarding Dian Wei, he would have fought so hard. He was seriously injured and managed to stop him. I'm afraid Lord Sikong will..." Lou Gui told the information he had found out in detail, but he was also filled with fear when he said this.
He is quite old, holds a black gun, and has perfect marksmanship? !
Zhang Xiu's eyes were dull, and a strong figure with a serious face gradually appeared in his mind.
I recall that when I was young, I studied martial arts with my master Tong Yuan. Although my master was strict, he taught me nothing secret and taught me everything he had to teach me! Zhang Xiu couldn't help but feel more and more uneasy!
"That person...how is he now?" Zhang Xiu's voice was trembling.
"Hey, there are about five hundred people in the entire army, including the old man who led them. They all died in the rebellion. No one was spared!" Lou Gui replied.
"Sir? What's wrong with you?" Seeing Zhang Xiu silent for a long time, Lou Gui raised his head and asked in confusion.
Without answering Lou Gui's question, Zhang Xiu waved his hand and staggered out of the hall.
What Zhang Xiu didn't notice was that Lou Gui behind him narrowed his eyes slightly and raised the corners of his mouth imperceptibly, revealing a strange smile.
Returning to his home in confusion, he realized that the assassin of Cao Cao was most likely his master Tong Yuan. Thinking of the tragic death of his uncle Zhang Ji, he couldn't help but feel even more miserable. When he looked up, he found that he had walked into the courtyard gate of his uncle Zhang Ji.
Not long after his uncle passed away, his beautiful aunt Zou was left alone as a widow!
Zhang Xiu's parents died when he was young. After leaving his master Tong Yuan, he followed Zhang Jinan in the Northern War. The two were called uncles and nephews, but in fact they were no different from father and son! It can be said that Tong Yuan and Zhang Ji are the people Zhang Xiu respects the most in his life!
In the dead of night, Zhang Xiu would not rush into the house to share a room with his aunt alone!
Originally, Zhang Xiu planned to go out secretly, but the conversation coming from inside the house stopped Zhang Xiu!
"Madam, I heard that Cao Sikong will arrive in Chang'an tomorrow. What should I do if he bullies Madam again?" The person who spoke crisply must be Zou's personal maid!
"Now that the matter has come to this, what can we do? The thing that my husband worried about the most during his lifetime was Youwei (Zhang Xiu's name). Now Youwei's official career is all decided by Master Sikong. I, a Taoist woman, can only rely on this." While I can still get into Sikong's Eyes, I'll try my best to get some benefits for Youwei..." At this point, Zou couldn't say any more, she just lowered her head and cried silently...
Liangzhou, Cao Cao's Central Army
If Yuan Shao's previous revolt was just the reason for inducing Cao Cao to withdraw his troops, then the information in front of him made Cao Cao want to spread his wings and fly back to Xuchang immediately!
The incident happened during the court session yesterday. The cause was that Zhu Jun, who was supposed to be in Montenegro, suddenly appeared in the court hall, pointing at the princes and yelling at them!
"Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Cao Cao is a member of Wang Mang's generation, who wants to usurp the Han Dynasty and replace him! Why do you just turn a blind eye? My minister Zhu Jun has acted openly and above all in his life. He is worthy of the monarch and the people. He is willing to die in exchange for The princes know that this world belongs to the Han Dynasty!" After saying this, he killed himself on the spot!
Seeing this scene, the court was in chaos. Some spoke harshly, some looked away, and some burst into tears. Even Han Xian Emperor Liu Xie, who was sitting on the dragon throne, lowered his head and shed tears!
As soon as this happened, Guo Jia immediately blocked the news! However, Zhu Jun's sudden appearance in the court proves that there are many doubts about this matter, not to mention that there is no airtight wall in the world? In just half a day, everyone in Xuchang became known!
"Hey!" Cao Cao sighed. At this time, he was in an extremely embarrassed state! The robe obviously didn't fit him very well, and his originally flowing beard had been cut into pieces!
Looking back at the scattered troops behind him who were killed by Ma Chao, Cao Cao couldn't help but narrow his eyes, then raised his head and laughed!
"Why are you laughing, father?" Cao Ang hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern, fearing that Cao Cao would collapse due to the disastrous defeat in this battle.
When the surrounding soldiers heard Cao Cao's laughter, they all turned their attention to Lord Sikong, who is known as "the capable minister in governing the world and the traitor in troubled times!"
First, he gave his beloved son a reassuring look, and then he said loudly: "Of course I am laughing at myself and Xu Shu. I consider myself famous for my whole life, and my filial piety and ambition are comparable to those of Guan and Le (Guan Zhong and Le Yi). (a famous military strategist during the Warring States Period), and that Xu Shu was also a rare young talent! We plotted with him, but we didn’t expect that the brave and foolhardy Ma Chao’er ended up taking advantage of him! I’m okay, although I was defeated. , but also gained most of Yongzhou. On the other hand, Xu Shu not only lost his troops, but also gained nothing! Do you think it is ridiculous?"
When everyone heard this, they all looked thoughtful. I don't know who burst out laughing first, and then burst into laughter one after another!
After everyone laughed, Cao Cao called Xiahou Dun on the side, coughed twice, and loudly ordered him: "Yuan Rang, the pensions of the brothers who died in this battle must be paid in full! In addition, the brothers who accompanied Cao on the expedition, all of them COFCO tax reduction for one year!”
Hearing this, deafening cheers sounded all around! Cao Cao pressed his palms downward, and then shouted: "Don't delay, everyone, come home with Cao Cao!"
After saying this, Cao Cao took the lead in getting on his horse and led his troops straight to Chang'an!
The next afternoon, Cao Cao's army finally arrived near Chang'an. When he saw Zhang Xiu lined up outside the city to greet him, Cao Cao was completely relieved!
After all, Ma Chao pursued him closely and was assassinated by a dead soldier on the way. At this moment, Cao Cao was exhausted both physically and mentally.
After some pleasantries with Zhang Xiu, Cao Cao knew clearly that he should continue setting off at this moment. Maybe he could arrive in Xuchang by nightfall, but Cao Cao couldn't help but flash in his mind the beautiful lady in mourning clothes with a voluptuous figure.
After swallowing, Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, then called Xiahou Dun on the side and ordered: "Yuan Rang, you lead the troops back to Xuchang first. I will stay in Chang'an overnight to discuss the follow-up matters regarding Yongzhou with Zhang Governor!"
"But my lord's safety..." Xiahou Dun hesitated.
"Don't worry, General Xiahou. There is something evil coming from the past. What is there to be afraid of? The old man's last few shots were so exquisite. Didn't he still die under Dian Xiaowei's halberds?" He patted Dian Wei on the hand. shoulder, and said to Xiahou Dun with a smile.
At this time, Cao Ang on the side also took a step forward and said: "If Uncle Xiahou is worried, Anmin (Cao Anmin, Cao Cao's nephew!) and I will lead a team of troops to stay here to protect my father!"
In the end, Xiahou Dun led his troops back to Xuchang first, while Cao Cao and others entered Chang'an accompanied by Zhang Xiu.
Although Zhang Xiu looked respectful on the surface at this moment, his smile was somewhat genuine and somewhat fake, which was thought-provoking!
