Xuchang.
For Cao Cao, there are two good news.
Huang Hao, who led to Zhuge Liang's assassination, actually chose to defect to him.
Secondly, Sun Quan agreed to help Ququ save the country, and after buying Shu brocade and Shu salt from Liu Mang, he resold it to the Central Plains.
Of course, after seeing the price, Cao Cao wanted to cut Sun Quan into pieces!
He could still accept the price of Shu brocade rising to more than half. After all, the Central Plains gentry were so poor that they only had hypocrisy and money.
The increase in Shu salt made Cao Cao realize that if it were sold to the common people according to this marriage, there might be uprisings in several places.
The reason why he had to give in was a letter from Zang Ba of Xuzhou.
Zang Ba originally belonged to Lu Bu, but in fact he had always been a separatist force in Xuzhou.
After Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu, Zang Ba chose to submit to Cao Cao, but it was still a country within a country.
Most of the Yellow Turban Army in Qingxu Land was also led by Zang Ba.
The famous Qingzhou soldiers had a share of Zang Ba's contribution.
However, when the border changed, Cao Cao felt that his health was not good, but Zang Ba remained as good as ever.
Zang Ba wrote a letter a few days ago, hoping that Cao Cao would put the overall situation first and at least allow Xuzhou to continue to use Shu salt.
After all, everyone knows that the quality of Shu salt is much higher than the bitter salt produced by the imperial court.
If anyone else dared to write such a letter, Cao Cao would definitely order their execution.
However, Zang Ba has troops and horses in his hands, and now the Central Plains cannot fall into war again.
As everyone knows, Zang Ba also welcomed a guest.
This man has an unattractive appearance and never leaves his hand with his wine gourd.
"Mr. Fengchu, I didn't expect that such a stooped figure is really eye-opening for me."
Zang Ba looked at Pang Tong coldly, with a sarcastic look on his face.
Pang Tong's purpose in coming here was simply to add weight to Liu Mang.
Zang Ba is a sensible man. When Lu Bu was defeated, he had already decided to join Cao Cao.
Sure enough, for more than ten years, there was no war between Qingxu and Qingzhou, and Zang Ba was able to strengthen his troops.
Unless Cao Cao calls him into battle, he can live happily in his own territory.
Faced with Zang Ba's sarcasm, Pang Tong just took a sip of wine.
"The big one is vast!"
"The commander is the commander-in-chief!"
"Where's the talk of rickets? It's just that dogs look down on people."
While Pang Tong was speaking, he even held up the wine gourd, looked at Zang Ba, and took another sip!
"Mr. Fengchu, you and I are originally hostile, but I don't know why you are here?"
Zang Ba sneered and said: "If I tie Mr. Wei to the command of King Wei, I will definitely achieve great success."
Hearing this threat, Zang Ba's generals stood up one after another and looked at Pang Tong with evil eyes!
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Pang Tong took a sip of wine and said, "Thanks to you, Zang Ba, who has occupied Xuzhou for many years, you can actually tell a joke. It's so obvious!"
Zang Ba was very uncomfortable. He didn't like talking to these smart people.
Chen Gong, Guo Jia, Xun Yu!
Cao Cao's counselors had all caused him great losses.
In particular, Guo Jijiu, with his sharp tongue, made him give up the opportunity to defect to Yuan Shao, and instead supported the weak Cao Cao at the time.
"What's a joke?"
Zang Ba's eyes showed murderous intent, but at this time he did not want to fall out with Liu Mang without authorization.
If Feng Chu died, Liu Mang would definitely raise an army to take revenge.
Cao Cao once issued an order not to use weapons without permission.
"Zang Ba, now you have become a supreme minister, and you are also in charge of Qingxu's soldiers!"
"He is called a minister of Cao Cao, but he is actually a country within a country!"
"I dare to ask, if you send me to Cao Cao, can he still make you the heir to the throne of Wei? Hahaha!"
Pang Tong smiled contemptuously, but Zang Ba had already sensed the crisis!
"If you don't hide your capabilities and bide your time, just keep your tail between your legs and be a human being!"
"You actually wrote to Cao Cao, suggesting that you, Zang Ba, can continue to purchase Shu salt?"
"It's simply the most ridiculous thing in the world!"
Zang Ba looked solemn, thinking that Cao Cao already trusted him.
What's more, the soldiers really couldn't eat the bitter salt produced by the imperial court. How could they think so much?
“Those who do not realize that trouble is before their eyes and do not decide when things should be decided are fools!”
Pang Tong immediately sat on the ground, drinking alone, choosing not to say a word.
This made Zang Ba anxious, and he immediately reprimanded: "Why are you glaring around my husband? Why don't you get out of here!"
When the generals heard this, they didn't know why, but they still did what Zang Ba said.
"Sir, please take a seat!"
Zang Ba came to Pang Tong and bowed with humility.
"Children can be taught."
After Pang Tong took his seat, he smiled and said, "If you have anything to ask, just ask!"
Zang Ba thought about it and planned to express his doubts.
"Sir! Could it be that King Wei has already become suspicious of me? But I have fulfilled my duties in Xuzhou all these years and have never had any disobedience!"
Pang Tong laughed when he heard this: "Occupying Xuzhou and being able to convince the crowd is your original sin Zang Ba!"
"The common man is innocent, but he is guilty of having a jade! Even if Cao Cao doesn't deal with you now, Cao Pi will definitely take action on you in the future when he succeeds to the throne!"
Zang Ba couldn't help but nodded, Xuzhou was already rich, and he was one of the Taishan thieves, with many soldiers and horses under his command.
If he were to sit in the position of Cao Cao and Cao Pi, he would not be able to tolerate such forces.
"Sir, what should I do?"
Zang Ba just felt that the person in front of him was more terrifying than Guo Jijiu back then!
He also loves to drink and is physically weak, but Pang Tong's plan makes him unable to refuse!
"Easy to handle! First, it would be fun to give up everything in Xuzhou and work as a dog for Cao Cao and his son in Xuchang. It would be fun to be a rich man's dog for the rest of his life."
Pang Tong took a sip of wine and clinked glasses with Zang Ba symbolically.
It's a pity that Zang Ba is not in the mood right now, so he is just perfunctory.
"Sir, what if I want to continue to be a man in Xuzhou?"
"It's better to change the family! The Cao family has always been suspicious. On the other hand, my lord Liu Bei and young master Liu Mang have always been considerate of their subordinates."
Pang Tong chuckled and said: "If you, Zang Ba, are devoted to the Han Dynasty, you will become a feudal official in the future and keep everything you have now."
"If we continue to follow Cao Cao, Xuzhou's soldiers will be nothing more than making wedding clothes for others."
Zang Ba was a little moved. Liu Bei was famous for his trustworthiness in the world, and he believed in his trustworthiness.
"Sir, could it be that the King of Hanzhong wants me to rebel?"
Zang Ba was a little scared. After all, Zhang Liao from Hefei was eyeing him and might not sit idly by.
"No! My lord Liu Xuande will never let his subordinates put themselves in danger easily. Do you think it was Cao Cao who did it?"
"Yes, yes, sir, you are right!"
Hearing that there was no need to rebel, Zang Ba felt very happy and continued to question Pang Tong.
"Sir, what does the King of Hanzhong need from me?"
"Waiting for good news, waiting for the right time!"
Pang Tong left eight words, then stood up and said with a smile: "I have tested General Zang's sincerity. I have completed the task!"
Zang Ba was a little confused. He defected to Cao Cao back then, but only by sending troops and food did he win the trust of Cao Cao.
Now Liu Bei and his son have never asked for it from him.
Is there really such a hero in this incident?
