"I just received news that Yuan Shao has begun to gather troops and horses, and I am afraid that he will go south in the next few days."
Cao Cao looked serious.
Yang Ling was startled and then understood.
It's the Spring Festival recently, and everyone is celebrating the New Year.
Yuan Shao chose this day because he probably wanted to catch Cao Cao off guard.
But he underestimated the ability of the school affairs office.
"What does father-in-law mean?"
"It will take at least ten days for the imperial army to be assembled. So I plan to let you lead a group of troops northward to resist Yuan Shao's army for the time being. What do you think?"
Yang Ling was speechless.
This is the Spring Festival, a statutory holiday, and I actually have to work overtime.
I'm really impressed by Yuan Shao, the sixth man. He won't come sooner or later, but now it comes at this critical moment!
"My father-in-law ordered me, how dare my son-in-law refuse?"
Yang Ling reluctantly nodded and agreed.
"I know this is a bit forced, but only you can take on this important task."
Cao Cao was also slightly apologetic.
But there are only a few people under him who can stand alone and deal with Yuan Shao.
Only by sending Yang Ling can he rest assured.
"If you have any requests, just ask."
Yang Ling thought for a while and stretched out three fingers.
"My son-in-law has three conditions."
"Zi Yi just said so."
"The first condition is that my father-in-law allows me to select my own personnel."
"The second condition is that my father-in-law can provide me with Ling Yue Repeating Crossbow, black powder and other ordnance in large quantities."
Although Yang Ling has a vision that surpasses the ancients for thousands of years, for the sake of safety, he still plans to equip a large number of elite ordnance, just in case.
Facing the conditions proposed by Yang Ling, Cao Cao didn't even think about it.
"Okay, no problem. What about the third condition?"
"The Spring Festival is a legal holiday. I hope my father-in-law can give me three times my salary."
Yang Ling said confidently.
Cao Cao: "..."
After some haggling, the two successfully reached an ulterior PY deal.
Yang Ling got up and left the Prime Minister's Mansion, returned to his own home, and told Cao Qing and his daughters that he would leave Xudu tomorrow.
"Husband, are you leaving in such a hurry?"
Cao Qing was slightly surprised.
The other women were also extremely surprised.
"There is no way, this is what the Prime Minister requested."
Yang Ling shrugged and said helplessly.
"No, I'm going to find my father! How could he do this? It's the Chinese New Year these days and he would send you out."
Cao Qing pursed her lips, stood up angrily, and planned to go find Cao Cao.
Yang Ling quickly grabbed her,
"Madam, please don't be impulsive. My father-in-law is also helpless. Who makes Yuan Shao not a human being?"
"Husband, I heard that Yuan Shao has strong soldiers and horses. If you go this time, you must return safely."
Mi Zhen held Yang Ling's hand and expressed concern.
"Yes, we sisters don't ask for great achievements from our husbands, we only want him to be safe!"
"We will all pray for our husbands at home."
Diao Chan, Lu Lingqi, Zou Rui, and Huang Yueying looked at Yang Ling with beautiful eyes full of affection.
Yang Ling's heart warmed and he took them into his arms one by one.
"Don't worry, a mere Yuan Shao will not be looked down upon as a husband!"
Cao Qing thought for a while and said to Guo Zhao beside him,
"Queen, you will go with your husband this time."
"Ah, I'm afraid that won't work. Women are not allowed in the army."
Yang Ling was stunned for a moment.
"You are my husband. I asked Guo Zhao to serve you. Who dares to say no?"
Cao Qing snorted coldly and said charmingly,
"Besides, Guo Zhao is not your secretary, so it is natural for him to follow you."
"this……"
Yang Ling hesitated and looked at Guo Zhao aside.
"Husband, I can dress up as a man. I usually only stay in the military camp, so just let me go."
Guo Zhao's eyes were also filled with anticipation.
"Yes, husband, marching and fighting are so hard, you also need someone to take care of you."
"I think it would be most appropriate for the queen sister to follow you."
The other women also talked in various directions.
Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but finally nodded.
…
Early the next morning.
All the beauties at Yang Linggen's house said goodbye and took Zhao Yun and Guo Zhao, who was disguised as a man, straight to the military camp outside the city.
After verifying his identity, he invited him to the Chinese army camp.
Dian Wei, Gan Ning, Huang Zhong, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Zhang Xiu and other generals have been waiting here for a long time.
Seeing Yang Ling arriving, they all saluted.
"I've seen the general with great facial features!"
Yang Ling smiled and waved her hands and said,
"We all belong to our own people, no need to be polite from now on, just call me by my name!"
Gan Ning rubbed his hands and laughed and said,
"Speaking of which, I would also like to thank Brother Ziyi. If it weren't for you, how could we have taken advantage of the opportunity and made great achievements!"
Gao Shun on the side joked,
"Xingba, how can you be so sure that you can defeat Jiangong Liye?"
"Yes, you must know that Hebei is full of talents."
Huang Zhong also said with a smile on his face.
"Tsk, in my opinion, those people in Hebei are just bidders."
Gan Ning smiled proudly.
"Okay, let's laugh again and make trouble, but don't be careless."
Yang Ling smiled and said,
"It's almost time, shall we set off from here?"
"I will obey the orders of General Wu Guan in everything!"
Everyone said in unison.
This time Cao Cao sent Yang Ling northward only to hold him back, so he only allocated 30,000 troops.
Yang Ling ordered the entire army to assemble, and after holding an expedition ceremony outside the city, he led the army to leave Xudu in a mighty manner.
The battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is about to break out!
…
The army marched for several days and came to a place with dense mountains and forests.
Yang Ling glanced at the sun and found that it was almost noon, so he ordered the pots to be buried on the spot to make rice.
"This place has beautiful mountains and clear waters. I don't know what its name is."
Yang Ling asked with a smile.
Zhao Yun waved to several scouts, and after asking, he said,
"Brother, they said this place is called Woniu Mountain. On the mountain not far ahead, there is a group of bandits gathering in the forest to cause trouble."
Woniu Mountain?
Bandits gathering in the mountains and forests?
Why did Yang Ling feel so familiar when he heard it, and his eyes lit up.
Could it be Zhou Cang? !
Well, it must be him!
Historically, Master Guan Er passed five passes and killed six generals, and it was at Woniu Mountain that he met Zhou Cang!
Zhou Cang was originally a subordinate of Zhang Bao, the general of the Yellow Turban Army.
After Zhang Bao died, he and Pei Yuanshao, who was also a member of the Yellow Turban Army, led the remaining troops and gathered in the forests of Wolong Mountain.
Although his military strength is average, he is far inferior to first-rate generals such as Guan Yu and Zhao Yun.
But fortunately he is loyal.
It just so happens that he has 300 guards around him and does not have a commander. It would be too much of a waste of talent to let Zhao Yun continue to bear the responsibility.
It's better to recruit him here, firstly, to serve as his guard commander, and secondly, to prevent him from joining Liu Bei in the future.
Thinking of this, Yang Ling no longer hesitated and said to Zhao Yun,
"Zilong, Xingba, please follow me into the mountains to meet these bandits!"
