In Chang'an City, Cao Hong was hosting a banquet in his mansion to entertain the officials of Chang'an as a token of comfort.
Spring is warm and the flowers are blooming. The singer Cao Hong bought from Hedong is wearing a light gauze skirt and dancing. She is very enchanting. Everyone present applauds and laughs.
Just when they were enjoying themselves, it was suddenly reported that Xu Huang was defeated at Wuguan and lost Shang County. Jingzhou soldiers were heading towards Chang'an to kill.
Cao Hong was shocked and furious. He drove the singer away and ordered Xu Huang to be brought in. Seeing that she was in a state of embarrassment and showing no signs of a general, he shouted:
"Wuguan is the gateway to Guanzhong. The Prime Minister ordered you to take the pass to take revenge. From the year before to now, not only have you failed to make any achievements, but you have lost troops and generals. All 30,000 elite soldiers have been wiped out. How can you have the dignity to come back to see me?"
Then he ordered his own soldiers to push Xu Huang out and behead him to correct military law.
Zhong Yao came over after hearing the news, and hurriedly stopped the soldiers and advised: "General, calm down. General Xu is highly regarded by the Prime Minister. There must be a reason for the defeat of the front army. You can ask for the situation."
Cao Hong snorted coldly: "General Xu, the Prime Minister praised you for being like Zhou Yafu, why are you in such a mess?"
Xu Huang replied dejectedly: "Another strange weapon was placed on the gate. When it was fired, arrows rained down. None of the soldiers survived, so they had no choice but to retreat. Who knew that Zhang Fei was actually in the pass, and the killing generals came out, and the men and horses could not restrain them. Therefore, Lost the camp."
Cao Hong smiled coldly: "Humph, you didn't know anything about Zhang Fei's arrival in Guanzhong. It shows that the troops were used incorrectly. No wonder the military campaign failed to pass the pass years ago. Death penalty can be avoided, but living crime cannot be escaped. Forty punishments with the rod!"
"Absolutely not!" Zhong Yao said hurriedly: "With wars raging now, it is the time to employ people. We can temporarily exempt them from their crimes and make them perform meritorious service."
Cao Hong said angrily: "If the defeated general is not punished, how will I be able to command the army in the future?"
Zhong Yao advised: "General Xu has followed the Prime Minister from Luoyang and has made many achievements. Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. You can report to the Prime Minister first before making a decision."
Cao Hong then waved his sleeves and said: "If you don't look at Zhong Sili's face, you must correct the military law. I order you to temporarily guard Lantian until I organize the troops to respond. You will be punished and meritorious."
Xu Huang was ashamed and left with a sigh, not because Cao Hong wanted to punish him, but because Cao Jun didn't ask about those bows and arrows. Apparently he thought he was making excuses and didn't pay attention to them.
At this time, Zhang Ji also came after hearing the news. When he learned that Xu Huang was defeated and his entire army of 30,000 men was wiped out, he was shocked and said: "Zhang Fei is an enemy of ten thousand people, and Wei Yan is not easy to fight with. We need a general to fight, so we should attack him as soon as possible." Xuchang asks for help."
Cao Hong laughed and said: "Zhang Fei is just a reckless man. He has been defeated by so and so many times. Why should he be afraid? There is no need to report to the prime minister. So and so will go out personally to fight. He will definitely capture this thief and break through the military pass."
Zhong Yao said hurriedly: "General, no, Ma Teng is holding back his troops in Chencang. His intention is not clear. If we send troops rashly, if the Xiliang army rebels, Guanzhong may not be safe!"
Cao Hong said in a deep voice: "The old thief Ma Teng has disobeyed orders many times because of his strength. How about we get rid of this thief first?"
Zhang Ji said: "The Prime Minister ordered Ma Teng to take Hanzhong. He previously said that there was insufficient food and grass, and he refused to send troops because of the cold weather and ground. Now that spring has begun, why not allocate some military equipment, food and grass, and urge him to send troops to Hanzhong to avoid future worries. After that, it’s not too late to take Wuguan again.”
Cao Hong nodded and said: "This plan is very clever, but you need to send close people to monitor it to avoid being perfunctory and shirking. Who can go to Chencang to supervise the army?"
Zhong Yao cupped his fists and said, "My brother Zhong Jin is a smart man, so I can send him there."
Cao Hong was overjoyed, so he called Zhong Jin to come, worshiped him as General Yamen, escorted the baggage to Chencang, and urged Ma Teng to raise troops as soon as possible, and report again after the Xiliang army set off.
He also sent 5,000 men and horses to Lantian, and ordered generals Ma Yan and Zhang Wei to train their men and horses more intensively. As soon as the horses were freed, they would lead the army and march directly to Wuguan.
Zhong Jin transported grain out of Chang'an and went straight to Chencang. He was in high spirits along the way and followed his brother to Chang'an. After waiting hard for three years, the opportunity finally came.
Although he is Zhong Yao's younger brother, they are nearly twenty years apart. The eldest brother is like a father, and they usually meet each other as elders.
Zhong Yao still has no heirs, but he loves him very much. The family fortune will naturally fall on him in the future.
The food transportation this time was a free effort, and the recommendation from my brother meant that he would gain experience. As long as he performed well, he would be successful in the future.
Not long after I came to Chencang, I saw people and horses galloping outside the city. Countless cavalry were running wildly across the field. The dust was flying, but the lineup was not chaotic at all. I couldn't help but exclaimed: "The Xiliang Iron Cavalry really deserves its reputation."
While they were watching, a group of cavalry rushed forward. The leader, about twenty years old, looked very heroic. He cupped his fists and said, "Is this General Zhong coming?"
"Ahem, that's right!" Zhong Jin calmed down and returned the courtesy: "I came here with the fate of General Cao."
"I'm dismounting. My father is waiting in the city to invite the general to enter the city."
Cao Hong had already sent military orders to Chencang, and Ma Teng sent his son Ma Tie to greet him, which greatly satisfied Zhong Jin.
After arriving in the city, after checking the food and baggage, Zhong came to the government office and saw Ma Teng waiting outside the government office. He was flattered and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him: "General Ma is a powerful person in Xiliang. I have heard about his name for a long time. How dare you go out to greet him?"
Ma Teng clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Thanks to General Cao for sponsoring the money and food, and General Lao personally delivering it, we are very grateful. Please come in quickly."
In the past, when Zhong Jin was in Chang'an, he always followed Zhong Yao and kept a very low profile. Zhong Yao did not introduce him deliberately. He was no different from the bodyguards and followers, so he was often ignored by others.
Today, I suddenly received such courtesy, and the other party was Ma Teng from Xiliang. The princes of the party felt a little carried away and almost fell to the ground when they entered the door.
A banquet was held at the government office that night. Ma Teng and his son took turns toasting. While flattering, they took the opportunity to ask about Chang'an.
Zhong Jin was so flattered that he couldn't find the north. In addition, he drank a few more drinks and told Ma Teng everything he knew. He even told Ma Teng that Cao Hong was planning to attack Wuguan personally.
He ordered people to help Zhong Jin, who was completely drunk, to the back hall to rest, while Ma Teng discussed countermeasures with his second son.
Ma Xiu frowned and said, "Cao Hong wanted to take Wuguan, but he first sent someone to urge us to send troops. This shows that he doesn't trust us. If he doesn't send troops again, he may become suspicious."
Ma Tie clenched his fist and said: "Cao Hong sent Zhong Jin to transport grain. He said he was cheering for our army before leaving, but in fact he was urging us to wait until our troops sent Hanzhong before returning to Chang'an. This is too much of a lie. It would be better to kill this thief to sacrifice the flag and take Chang'an overnight."
"Nonsense!" Ma Teng glared at Ma Tie and said slowly: "Cao Hong leaves Chang'an, which is a good opportunity to send troops. We must not scare the snake at this time, but stabilize Zhong Jin first. But how can we make Cao Hong feel confident to send troops?"
Ma Xiu said: "For the current plan, we have to do it for real, deceive Zhong Jin, and wait for the opportunity."
Ma Teng twisted his beard and said thoughtfully: "What is Erlang's countermeasure?"
Ma Xiu said: "Tomorrow I will vow to send out troops and disperse the troops out of the pass into the Qinling Mountains. Zhong Jin will be satisfied and leave. But he hid his elite soldiers in the mountains. My father marched slowly with false flags, waiting for the troops from Chang'an to come out. Taking Chang'an with lightning speed can be decided in one battle."
"Great idea!" Ma Teng was overjoyed when he heard this. He rubbed his hands and said with a smile, "Now that Erlang has grown up, his intelligence is no less than that of Meng Qi. I am very relieved."
Ma Tie curled his lips in dissatisfaction and muttered: "Brother can only dance with swords and guns, how can he have any strategy?"
Ma Teng turned around and said, "What did you say?"
Ma Tie said hurriedly: "My child said that my eldest brother is outstanding in martial arts and has strategies. He is really good at both civil and military skills."
Ma Teng stroked his beard and smiled: "Meng Qi will definitely rejuvenate our Ma clan!"
