"Young Master Zixiu, don't worry, I'm already used to my eldest brother being like this."
Xu Chu, who was following him, winked and smiled at Zhao Yun, who was beside him.
"Third brother, is that so?"
"That's right."
Zhao Yun also nodded.
"You two guys are getting more and more outrageous now!"
Yang Ling feigned anger and glared at the two of them.
Cao Ang also understood and couldn't help but laugh.
"Teacher, the color is a bone-scraping steel knife. You should pay attention to your health."
"Don't worry, teacher, I'm in good health."
Yang Ling waved his hand and didn't care.
Seeing him like this, Cao Ang's heart moved, as if he had some idea.
This time Cao Cao sent troops to stop Zhang Xiu, and it can be said that Cao Cao was generous, giving him a total of 15,000 troops!
In addition, he also sent Xu Chu to Cao Ang for fear that he would be in danger.
The love for children can be seen from this!
Except for necessary rest, the army did not stop at all along the way.
In less than two days, Yang Ling and others arrived in Nanyang County, Jingzhou.
Compared with other counties that Yang Ling had visited before, Nanyang County seemed more dilapidated, with ten rooms and nine empty houses, and no human habitation could be seen along the way.
Nanyang was considered the largest county in the world during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Even though it has experienced many wars since the Yellow Turban Uprising, it still has millions of people.
But the current situation is all thanks to Yuan Shu.
As the legitimate son of Yuan Feng, Yuan Shu had a more prosperous background than Yuan Shao.
It's a pity that his ability is far inferior to that of Yuan Shao.
He occupies the most prosperous Nanyang County and could have developed better.
It's a pity that he is arrogant and licentious. He only cares about enjoying himself and doesn't care about the people at all.
As a result, the huge Nanyang County was transformed into what it is today!
When talking about who was the best at seeking death in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shu was ranked first, and no one was ranked second.
He had a good hand but was beaten to pieces by him!
No wonder later generations were called the dry bones in the grave!
Yang Ling cursed secretly in his heart and followed the army into Ye County City.
There were very few people left in the city. When they saw Cao Jun coming, they didn't dare to show their faces.
After taking control of the entire city, Yang Ling, Cao Ang, Zhao Yun, and Xu Chu came to the already dilapidated county government.
"How is the condition of the city wall?"
Yang Ling asked Cao Ang.
"Not too optimistic."
Cao Ang shook his head slightly and said,
"Ye County is a small city to begin with, and due to its age and disrepair, the city walls have long been in tatters."
After hearing this, several people frowned.
If this is the case, it would be impossible to garrison Ye County to resist Zhang Xiu's troops.
"Teacher, do you have any good ideas?"
Cao Ang looked at Yang Ling expectantly.
Yang Ling looked at the map spread on the table and fell into deep thought. After a moment, he smiled and said,
"Since we can't defend the city, why not take the initiative?"
"Teacher, my father wants us to resist Zhang Xiu, not take the initiative."
Cao Ang said hesitantly.
"Having said that, the battlefield situation is changing rapidly and we cannot stick to orders."
Yang Ling smiled and said,
"Besides, there's a saying that says, the best defense is offense!"
After hearing what he said, several people immediately didn't know how to refute.
"But that one has Liu Biao as a backup, and our troops don't have the advantage. How can we attack him?"
Cao Ang said doubtfully.
"I have a great plan!"
Yang Ling smiled confidently and said to Zhao Yun,
"Third brother, I am going out with Mr. Zixiu in the next few days. You and Zhong Kang will be responsible for all matters in the army."
Zhao Yun and Xu Chu were stunned when they heard this.
what's the situation?
We have just arrived in Ye County, are you going to take Cao Ang out?
Cao Ang was also confused, not knowing where Yang Ling was taking him or what he was going to do.
Yang Ling didn't explain too much, so he called Cao Ang to walk towards the backyard.
He found two sergeants, whispered instructions, and they turned and left.
After a while, the two sergeants came back with a few more ordinary clothes in their hands.
"Here, Mr. Xiu, please put on your clothes."
As Yang Ling spoke, he threw the clothes in his hands to Cao Ang.
"Teacher, where are we going?"
Cao Ang couldn't hold back his curiosity, so he took the initiative to speak.
Yang Ling spit out two words from his mouth,
"Jingzhou!"
"What?"
Cao Ang was immediately shocked!
Now his father Cao Cao controls the emperor and is regarded as a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh by all the princes!
If Yang Ling wants to take him to Jingzhou, isn't he throwing himself into a trap? !
Seeing Cao Ang's shocked look, Yang Ling, after changing his clothes, sat down with a smile and said slowly,
"Don't worry, Mr. Zixiu. Liu Biao and others from Jingzhou have never met you and me. How do they know our identities?"
Cao Ang thought about it carefully and found that it was the same truth, and the surprise in his heart gradually dissipated.
But following him there were other questions,
"Then why should we go to Jingzhou?"
"Lobby Liu Biao to stop supporting Zhang Xiu!"
Yang Ling said slowly,
"The reason why Zhang Xiu dared to raise troops to seize the Holy Emperor was because he had Liu Biao's support!"
"If we can persuade Liu Biao, we might have a chance to defeat Zhang Xiu and occupy Wancheng!"
Cao Ang's eyes lit up.
yes.
Why did Zhang Xiu’s uncle Zhang Ji die?
Wasn't it because the army was short of food, so he went to attack Wancheng and eventually died under a stray arrow.
If Liu Biao is really persuaded, then there is no need to worry about Zhang Xiu?
"But Liu Biao is a cunning man. Can we persuade him?"
"Don't you believe in my strength, teacher?"
Yang Ling asked with a smile.
"Of course I believe it!"
"Why don't you change your clothes quickly? I'll wait for you outside."
Yang Ling smiled and walked outside.
He calculated in his mind that when he went to Jingzhou this time, in addition to trying to persuade Liu Biao, he also wanted to meet Zhuge Liang.
It would be best to persuade Zhuge Liang to come over and join Boss Cao.
If persuasion fails, I can't let him defect to Liu Bei in the future!
After a while, Cao Ang changed his clothes and walked out.
The two said hello to Zhao Yun, then quietly left Ye County and embarked on the road south.
Zhang Xiu knew the news of Cao Jun's arrival early and set up checkpoints at various intersections to prevent spies from sneaking in.
Yang Ling and Cao Ang were interrogated countless times along the way.
Due to the continuous wars in the Central Plains, Jingzhou under Liu Biao's rule was relatively safe. Many scholars and people fled the Central Plains at that time and chose to go to Jingzhou to escape the war.
Among them were Sima Hui, Zhuge Liang and others.
Therefore, Yang Ling also claimed to be a scholar who came to seek refuge, and Cao Ang was his boy.
In this way, the two of them successfully passed the test.
A few days later, the master and apprentice finally arrived at Xiangyang City, the seat of Jingzhou.
Looking at the tall and majestic city, the bustling crowd at the city gate, and the majestic and brave Jingzhou soldiers, Yang Ling couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Liu Biao was able to take charge of a state in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He was indeed extremely talented!
