In the evening, the Xiliang army moved all the money, food and property from Sima's mansion, and Guo Huai and Zhuoying registered and confiscated it. Wen County's treasury could not hold it, and he became sad looking at the mountains of property.
Zhang Ren discussed with Ma Chao and others to distribute the remaining grain and cloth to the people in the city first to appease people's hearts, and the whole city was filled with joy.
During the day, everyone was attacked and killed by the Xiliang army. They were in shock. Many people felt sorry for the Sima family. At night, they happily lit a fire and cooked. They all said that the Sima family was well destroyed and they were all grateful to the Xiliang army.
For ordinary people, they support whoever can make them live a good life. As for which flag is erected on the city wall, they are unable to change it. Success or failure has nothing to do with them. Rebuking and abusing cannot fill their stomachs.
The next day, Xu Shu rushed to Wen County. Looking at the Sima Mansion that was burned to ashes, he sighed helplessly: "I didn't want to get drunk and miss important events."
Ma Chao cupped his fists and said, "There is no need for the military advisor to blame himself. A certain person took it upon himself to commit a mass killing. This matter is a responsibility of a certain force. I will write a letter and submit it to the lord today, and let him go."
But Xu Shu shook his head and sighed: "This happened all because I was drunk. As the commander-in-chief, I should be the first to take responsibility. If I should be punished, I should be punished first."
Ma Chao was shocked and said: "Military advisor..."
"There is no need to fight anymore. I will explain the whole story to my lord!" Xu Shu interrupted Ma Chao and said to the generals: "Cao Xiu has arrived with reinforcements. It is important to meet the enemy now."
Zhang Ren had not participated in the battle this time, and was eager to make meritorious deeds. He hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "The last general is willing to be the vanguard and go to resist the enemy."
Xu Shu said: "General, you can go to Huai County and set up defenses by shooting dogs. I ordered Wu Yi to march towards Aocang. The two generals will respond along the river and act according to the opportunity."
Zhang Ren received the order to send troops, and Xu Shu sent an order to Wu Yi in Chenggao. Generals such as Ma Chao temporarily stayed in Hanoi to rest and stabilize the people in order to prevent the Wei army from Hedong and Bingzhou.
Xu Gai led the defeated army and fled to Xiuwu. He sent people to inquire about the news in Wen County overnight. He learned that the Sima clan had been wiped out and no chickens or dogs were left. He couldn't help but feel frightened. He suddenly felt that Xu Huang was so lucky to be captured.
Just as he was about to send someone to ask for help, Cao Xiu arrived with his troops. He was shocked when he heard the news. He scouted the horse and reported that the Han army was coming east, so he had to stop his troops and practice martial arts to prepare to defend against the enemy.
…
Luoyang, Han Xingtan.
The peach blossoms around the courtyard are falling and producing small fruits. Birds are passing through, taking their chicks for a test flight, and everything is full of life.
Zhang Liao and Le Jin were playing chess under the tree, and petals fell on the chessboard. Zhang Liao said with emotion: "Spring is over again!"
Le Jin was waiting for a reply when he heard a heavy cold snort: "Humph, you two are so happy and free!"
The two turned to look, and couldn't help but be startled. After careful confirmation, the chess piece in Zhang Liao's hand fell with a clatter, while Le Jin slowly stood up and let out a long sigh.
Standing at the door was a tall figure with gray beard and hair, but he couldn't hide his murderous aura and his brows were angry. It was Xu Huang.
The three of them looked at each other speechlessly. The courtyard was full of colorful figures, but it was incompatible with the atmosphere. Behind Xu Huang, there was a slender scribe, who was Xun Yu.
In a daze, everyone had the illusion that they were gathering in Xuchang. It seemed that at the next moment, Cao Cao's laughter could be heard from inside the house.
"On this day last year, in this door, the human face and the peach blossoms reflected each other's red color. I don't know where the human face went, but the peach blossoms still smiled in the spring breeze."
Xun Yu stepped forward, flicking the petals on the ground with his steps, and sighed: "Although it is inappropriate for General Liu's poem to be used at this time, it is quite suitable for today's situation."
"The Lord has humiliated his ministers to death! Duke Cao was killed, and you are still in the mood to recite poems and write poems?" Xu Huang's face turned livid, he strode forward and glanced at the three of them coldly: "Young masters are all great men at the moment, why don't you know honor, disgrace, and shame?"
Xun Yu looked up at the sky and said slowly: "The King of Wei today is no longer the Duke Cao of the past!"
Zhang Liao didn't want to talk about the current situation. Seeing Xu Huang's gray beard and hair, he shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Gongming is old!"
Le Jin was still the same as before, the surprise and loneliness in his eyes flashed away, and his face was dark and silent.
"Although I am old, my ambition is not old!" Xu Huang snorted coldly. He stepped forward and was about to scold Zhang Liao. When he lowered his head and saw that the chessboard on the stone table was different from what he usually saw, he let out a sigh.
A red and black wooden chess piece the size of a bowl cover has the words "忥卌肖士General" written on it. He frowned and said: "Han Jie, Wei River... and generals, what kind of chess is this?"
Zhang Liao said with a smile: "This is chess, specially used for attacking and fighting. General Liu was afraid that we and others would be bored, so he taught us how to play chess. It is more enjoyable than the black and white pieces."
After all, Xu Huang was a military commander. He could tell at a glance that this was a situation where two armies were facing each other across the river, and he quickly asked: "How to use it?"
Zhang Liao pointed to the figure on the chessboard and said: "I have already crossed the other side, gone straight to Wenqian's old camp, and penetrated deep into the enemy's territory. The victory is guaranteed!"
"Not necessarily?" Le Jin, who had always been taciturn, couldn't help but speak. He moved the black chariot to the river bank and said loudly: "I also have a chariot. If you go deep alone, we will face each other. The outcome is uncertain."
Zhang Liao said with a smile: "If you lose your chariot to protect your commander, you will lose a son first, and your defeat is certain."
"That's not necessarily the case!" Le Jin blushed and looked at Xu Huang: "Losing a son does not necessarily lead to defeat. Do you think so, Gongming?"
"Why are you asking me?" Xu Huang looked at the red chessmen until the opponent's last line. He couldn't help but remember that he was captured when he crossed the river to attack the camp. His old face turned red, and he rolled his sleeves and said angrily: "I don't understand this chess skill."
Xun Yu saw Xu Huang's embarrassment and said with a smile: "The world is like a chess game. Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. Why do you two have to argue?"
Le Jin refused to give up, and forced Zhang Liao to finish the game and let Xu Huang see what happened. While they were making a noise, a couple walked out of the backyard. The lady had eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, and her waist and abdomen were bulging. She was obviously pregnant with Liujia. .
"Father, Feng'er will be born soon. It's time to give him a baby..." The man was talking when he was suddenly startled: "Why is Uncle Xu here?"
"Huzi?" Xu Huang turned around and saw Zhang Hu, pointing to the wife he was supporting: "When will you get married?"
Zhang Hu said with a smile: "When we first arrived in Luoyang, General Guan made an engagement for the two of us. This is General Guan's daughter Guan Feng."
Then he introduced Xu Huang to Guan Feng. After all, Guan Feng was also the daughter of a general. She took two steps forward and clasped her fists and said, "I have heard about General Xu for a long time. My father often mentioned the general when he was in Xiangyang. He once said that one day he would return home in glory together with the general."
"Which one joins hands with him?" Xu Huang was shocked. He snorted and turned back to point at Zhang Liao: "What a Zhang Wenyuan, you... you have fallen so fast!"
Zhang Liao said helplessly: "I was also plotted by Yun Chang at that time. Out of helplessness, I knew that I was ashamed of everyone, so I didn't announce it."
"Okay, okay, I really misjudged you!" Xu Huang was furious and pointed at Zhang Liao and cursed: "You married Guan Yu just after you were captured. The prime minister was killed in Huainan, but you are playing chess here for fun. It turns out that you are unfaithful. Unjust people.”
Zhang Liao originally wanted to wait until his grandson was born and commit suicide after just one look at him, but he stopped talking. Now that Cao Cao is dead and the situation has changed drastically, his will is not as firm as before. And now that the matter has come to this, there is no need to explain more. It will make people laugh.
Xun Yu said from the side: "The three of them are all loyal, strong and resolute generals, with wisdom and strategies! When a man has established a reputation for merit, he should judge the changes between evil and good, and distinguish between good and bad. He should be brave enough to die in vain, be strict in integrity, and change in bending and stretching. If only the Tao exists, then loyalty and filial piety will not fall away, and your reputation will be honored in the future!"
