Xu Huang returned to camp overnight and adjusted the Wen County garrison to set up defenses along the Jishui River. When he learned that Zhi County had been lost, he could only sigh helplessly as he had no generals available, which he had expected.
At noon, Ma Chao led the Xiliang cavalry to Jishui. The dust on the shore was flying, and people were shouting and neighing, and they were very arrogant.
Ma Chao single-handedly challenged Xu Huang to fight, but Xu Huang was unable to avoid the fight. The two armies faced each other across the river and fell into a stalemate for a while.
After Xu Shu's army arrived, they set up camp. They were not in a hurry to advance. They first calmed people's hearts and taught the people in the territory to do spring farming, and waited for news about the war in the Central Plains.
At this time, a fierce battle was going on in the Central Plains. Zhuge Liang was in Guandu and crossing the river to the north. He wanted to directly capture King Qin of Wei County to rescue him. He lured Cao Zhen to send troops to rescue him. He ambushed the Wei army in the river and outsmarted Puyang.
Just as he was preparing to march into Yanzhou, Xiahou Dun's reinforcements arrived. He set up camp in Caoxian County and mobilized troops from various counties to fight against the enemy.
Zhuge Liang sent out troops several times but was discovered by Sima Yi. They fought with each other to win or lose. Everyone was vigilant, and the two armies faced off in Heze.
Within the territory of Yuzhou, Guan Yu marched eastward. When all the counties along the way heard Guan Yu's name, they all surrendered. Anyone who tried to stop him was killed. In just one month, he captured Runan County and was invincible.
In April, the troops arrived at Qiao County. Guan Yu intended to go north to capture Qiao County, Cao's home base. If Cao County was captured and Cao's clan members were imprisoned, the Wei army would be in chaos without a fight and would surely fall apart.
However, military advisor Liu Ye suggested continuing to advance eastward to join Liu Qi's army in Xuzhou, connecting the city from east to west and forming an encirclement of the Central Plains, which could be decided in a single battle.
When he was hesitating, suddenly a horse came to report that the Wei army was defeated across the Huaihe River, Cao Xiu's navy was lost, Cao Ren was trapped in Shouchun, Cao Cao's whereabouts were unknown, Zhang Fei attacked Pengcheng.
Guan Yu was overjoyed when he heard the news. Without hesitation, he stroked his beard and laughed and said, "I didn't expect that my third brother would capture Xuzhou! God's will calls for a certain brother to meet in Xuzhou again, and immediately send troops to Xiaopei."
The generals went to prepare, but Guan Yu fell into silence alone. Xuzhou was both a blessed place and a difficult place for their brothers. After many ups and downs, reunions and separations, now the brothers from the north and the south are reunited, but without their brother Liu Bei, for a time There are mixed feelings in my heart.
When he arrived in Xuzhou, although he was not his hometown, Guan Yu felt a sense of cowardice in his hometown.
Guan Ping was preparing his armor. Seeing Guan Yu's sad expression, he asked, "Father, do you miss your mother?"
Guan Yu's heart sank when he heard this, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, and said slowly: "She has been traveling in the Central Plains for nearly ten years, and the whereabouts of her mother and son are still unknown. I'm afraid..."
It turned out that when Liu Bei led Xuzhou, he married Guan Yu's wife Hu. Unexpectedly, he was defeated when she was pregnant. The brothers were separated. He was trapped in the mountains and temporarily surrendered to Cao Cao to protect his brother and sister-in-law.
Everyone in the world praised him for escorting his brother and sister-in-law from thousands of miles away, for his righteousness and kindness, but no one knew the bitterness behind it. A tall and dignified man, but he could not even save his wife and children, and he secretly shed tears of a hero several times.
Finally, he arrived in Jingzhou, but before he could send someone to inquire about the news, Liu Bei was killed by Cai Mao again and his liver and intestines were broken. When the war in Jingzhou was settled, he would look for news again. Even the Hu family village was looted by the bandits, and the Hu family disappeared like a stone in the sea. news.
Both Liu Qi and Yi Ji worked as matchmakers for Guan Yu, but Guan Yu felt ashamed of being with the Hu family and refused to renew their relationship. Now, Guan Ping suddenly mentioned something sad, and instantly his nose became sore and his eyes turned red.
Guan Ping comforted him: "My father is a hero, and her mother and son must be protected by the gods, and they will definitely turn danger into safety. When they arrive in Xuzhou this time, I will do their best to investigate their whereabouts."
"The Han Dynasty has not yet emerged, so why should we take care of the family?" Guan Yu gathered his thoughts, stood up, stroking his beard and looked to the southwest, clasping his fists and saying: "I was entrusted by my brother to destroy Cao Cao's thieves and revitalize the Han Dynasty. A true man must be loyal and righteous first. How can children love each other for a long time? This matter must not be mentioned to outsiders again, and it must not be used for personal gain."
Guan Ping was awe-inspiring. He put on Guan Yu's armor and raised his tent, leaving Huo Jun to guard Runan. Yang Yi supervised the transportation of grain and grass. The three armies moved to Xiaopei.
As soon as the troops and horses set off, another news arrived from the expedition. Cao Cao was lured to Huai River by Wu generals Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong, and was killed.
Everyone was shocked, and even Liu Ye couldn't believe it. He quickly dismounted his horse and called the visitor to ask in detail about the battle in Huainan.
The man explained carefully, and for half an hour he was spitting. Liu Ye said with enthusiasm: "The general is a truly talented man, and the Han Dynasty will not be far away from re-emergence!"
Guan Ping laughed and said: "Cao Cao, Cao Cao, even if you are cunning and cunning, you will still be no match for General Liu. This is the way of heaven!"
Guan Yu stood at the side with his hands behind his back, his phoenix eyes opening and closing from time to time, showing no emotion or anger. After a long time, he stroked his beard and sneered: "Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, unknown people, Cao Mengde's first tycoon, died at the hands of such a young man, isn't it? Make the world laugh at you?"
…
At this time, Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong were holding Cao Cao's head to celebrate their victory in Shouchun. Overnight, they became famous.
Not only was everyone in the army envious, but the people in Xuzhou and Huainan even burned incense and prayed to thank the two men for beheading the Cao thieves and avenging them. Those relatives who died in vain and the ancestors who had their ancestral graves dug up could finally rest in peace under the spring.
The Wei army was trapped in Shouchun for one day. Their morale was low. When they saw Cao Cao's head again, Cao Ren fainted and died on the spot. Cao Zhang was so angry that he vomited blood and led his troops out of the city to seek revenge. They were captured by Zhao Yun. The rest of the Wei army was disheartened and surrendered in Kaicheng.
Since then, the war in Huainan has calmed down, and it coincides with the time of spring plowing again. Liu Qi sent orders to the three armies to celebrate their victory, and recruited exiled people from all over the country to go to the nearest county government to register their households and divide the land. People in the territory were happy and full of vitality.
Cao Ren was captured again. He was so ashamed and angry. In addition, Cao Cao was defeated and he was disheartened. He went on a hunger strike at the same time as Cao Zhang. After fainting from hunger, he was sent to Jianye for temporary custody. The rest of the surrendered generals were sent to Jingzhou.
Not long after, Lu Xun also sent Huainan prisoners to Shouchun. Cao Xiu, Xia Houmao and others all escaped, except Wen Qin who was captured by Zhou Tai after his death.
Liu Qi knew that Wen Qin was loyal to the Cao family, so he did not ask for surrender. He just asked: "Where is your son now?"
Wen Qin snorted coldly: "If someone is not married yet, how can he have children?"
"Ah this..." Liu Qi felt very sorry that Wen Yang hadn't been born yet. Wouldn't it mean that he was missing a tiger general, and asked again: "Then do you have an engagement?"
Wen Qin's face was full of grief and anger, his red eyes stared at Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong, and he gritted his teeth and said: "After returning from the Northern Expedition, the Prime Minister has arranged a marriage for me. Unexpectedly, he will be plotted by you... I swear to take revenge. .”
Pan Zhang said angrily: "If a prisoner below the rank dares to utter arrogant words, I'm looking for a beating!"
Liu Qi stopped Pan Zhang and did not feel dissatisfied. Instead, he smiled approvingly and said, "Young people have ambitions. I admire them very much! I will let you live. You can leave now."
Wen Qin was startled and looked at Liu Qi suspiciously: "Seriously?"
Liu Qi nodded seriously and said: "This is within the government office, there is no such thing as joking in the army!"
Wen Qin narrowed his eyes slightly, lowered his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly pointed at Liu Qi and cursed: "Liu Boxei, don't bully others too much."
"Bold!" Pan Zhang said angrily: "General Liu has spared your life. Why don't you get out of here and seek death?"
"A man would rather die than surrender!" Wen Qin puffed out his chest and said solemnly: "Kill if you want. I will never be humiliated."
Liu Qi frowned and said, "I kindly let you live and allow you to take revenge in the future. Why did the general say this?"
Wen Qin roared angrily: "All the generals in Huainan were imprisoned, why did you let me go back to the camp alone? It's obvious that you despise me and think Wen Qin is a useless person. How can this be unreasonable!"
