Zhou Tai was born into a wealthy family. His mother, He, was a lonely and helpless mulberry-picking girl. Because of her beauty, she was attracted by the young master of the Zhou family and married her as his wife. Zhou Tai could have lived a life without worries about food and clothing, but it was a pity that his father was a ruthless playboy. In order to marry a more beautiful daughter of a wealthy family, he drove Zhou Tai and his son out of the house.
Zhou Tai was only 5 years old at this time. He took him to a foreign land and settled in a small village, where he resumed his work of picking mulberry and raising silkworms.
"You are just an object that no one wants, why are you so arrogant?"
Zhou Tai held the toy tightly in his arms and refused to give it to other children in the village to play with, which inevitably made them ridicule.
"I'm not! My father will come to pick me up and my mother sooner or later. I'm different from you poor boys!"
People always yearn for beauty. Being praised and recognized by others makes people feel happy.
Children are simple in nature, as clear as water. They always just reach out for the beauty they yearn for, without considering the feelings of others at all. As pure as evil is, they regard the sense of superiority brought about by belittling others as sweet honey.
It's nothing to be surprised about, it's just an ordinary thing.
"How dare you scold us and beat us!"
The "poor boys" were naturally very angry. After hearing this, they gathered around and beat Zhou Tai.
Little Zhou Tai is a spoiled child, how can he stand up to everyone? In an instant, he was beaten and huddled on the ground.
"What are you doing?!!"
In the distance, Mr. He dropped a piece of mulberry leaves and ran towards here in a hurry.
The children were angry for a moment, but now they were frightened when they heard the adult's voice. They didn't care whether they were in trouble or not, so they ran away first.
After driving away a group of children, He hurriedly helped Zhou Tai up and felt relieved when she saw that he was fine. Seeing his mother constantly dusting him off, Zhou Tai asked with his lips pouting while holding back tears.
"Mom, am I useless? I will only drag you down."
He Shi unconsciously showed a charming smile. She continued to pat the dust off Zhou Tai's body and hugged Zhou Tai gently.
"How could it be? My Tai'er is the best, a treasure given to my mother by God."
Zhou Tai's face suddenly turned clear, his eyes glowed with dazzling light, and he said to He excitedly.
"Mom, I will protect you from now on. Sooner or later, I will take you back to the Zhou family in glory."
"Okay, mother, wait."
······
This year, Zhou Tai was 9 years old.
"Your mother is a loser, that's why she was kicked out of the house."
Zhou Tai punched Aunt Zhao's son with one punch, knocking out his front teeth.
How could that boy be willing to give up? He got up from the ground and immediately pounced on Zhou Tai. The two fought fiercely, but Zhou Tai obviously had the upper hand.
It's clear who has the toughest fist over the years.
The children gathered around to watch the excitement and shouted.
"Zhou Tai bullies people again!"
"Zhou Tai bullies people again!"
It didn't take long for a group of adults to separate the children and take them home.
He also scolded Zhou Tai severely after taking him home.
"You kid, why can't you get along well with others? Are you going to make me mad? Tomorrow, I will take you to apologize to Aunt Zhao."
Zhou Tai turned his head away, his face full of dissatisfaction. He knew that these days of war and chaos, it was extremely difficult for his mother to run a household, and their family also had a lot of help from people in the village. He also wants to get along well with others, but some people just go too far! Only when you beat them until they are scared will they shut up!
I am right!
Zhou Tai felt aggrieved. He wanted to explain to his mother, but when the words came to his lips, he turned out to be...
"It's because you are so cowardly that dad doesn't want you."
He was speechless immediately, and she lowered her head sadly.
No, I don't mean to scold you. I just can't see you being weak or stupid.
Zhou Tai regretted it as soon as he said it, and he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable looking at his silent mother.
"Mother, I was wrong."
"Don't fight again."
"yes."
Zhou Tai only apologized for making his mother sad, but He wanted to take it as an apology for beating. Both mother and son were very stubborn.
······
This year, Zhou Tai was 12 years old.
He fell ill in bed, and she touched Zhou Tai's face, full of reluctance and worry.
"Tail, your uncles and uncles in the village will help you in the future. But you have to remember that there is never a savior in this world. If you don't save yourself, no one can save you."
He passed away.
"poor child."
Wherever Zhou Tai goes, there are whispers like this following him like a shadow.
His mother also left a lot of savings, and people in the village would occasionally donate one or two eggs and steamed buns to him, but Zhou Tai quickly understood the meaning of his mother's words. From now on, he can only rely on himself.
On this day Zhou Tai knelt down in front of He's grave.
"Mother, they are wrong. I am not pitiful at all. You could have abandoned me and remarried, but you chose to raise me. After twelve years, Zhou Tai has been content. Mother, today I swear an oath in front of your grave. You want to achieve great success, be crowned king, and become a marquis. When that happens, I will build you a beautiful tomb."
On this day Zhou Tai went hunting in the mountains, and it was not until dark that he came back dragging a wild boar covered with wounds.
The people in the village were very surprised, because not everyone can do hunting. There are many venomous snakes and beasts in the mountains, which are extremely dangerous. Even adult men must be careful and often go into the mountains together.
The village chief came to Zhou Tai soon, not to praise him, but to blame him. He ordered Zhou Tai to follow him and learn farming from now on, but Zhou Tai refused.
From then on, in addition to hunting in the mountains, Zhou Tai also learned how to make bows and arrows and practiced martial arts in his spare time.
"You don't know the hearts of good people! What's so great about being able to defeat us? I really thought I could go to the battlefield and become a general. I might die in the mountains one day."
Zhou Tai put down the long stick in his hand and stared at him, and the children immediately dispersed.
Standing in the wide open space, Zhou Tai paused for a long time. Although he doesn't understand the ways of the world, he also knows the village chief's kindness. People in the village regarded him as an idler who liked to be lazy so he didn't farm. He did dangerous work like hunting just to be lazy, so they laughed at Zhou Tai.
Zhou Tai knew that his ambition was unrealistic, and he was often confused. Maybe what those people laughed at was not wrong. It's not a big deal to defeat them. This is just a small mountain village. If he really goes to the battlefield one day, he might be the first to die.
But pride flowed in his blood and was integrated into his bones.
If that's the case, then die.
Is he not the only one harboring such delusions? At that time, he will be just one of the ridiculous people who fell on that road, and he will not be worth mentioning.
Suffering in ridicule every day, fighting the despair born of emptiness in the white eyes, and keeping company with loneliness.
Until he met Sun Ce.
"You want to prove yourself to others, why don't I, Sun Ce, want to prove myself?"
"Just stay here and see how my Tiger Roaring Battalion, which is traveling all over the world, can wipe out the bandits! See if I, Sun Ce, can lead you to wipe out the heroes!"
······
Today, I am no longer alone. I have more than 3,000 like-minded brothers under my command.
For the king, wipe out the princes, unify China, and create a bright and prosperous world. There are hundreds of thousands of literati and military men throughout the Chu State who share the same ambition and walk on the same path.
Loneliness used to make me feel different and despise the ignorance of others. I have never been afraid of loneliness, but why is the world he brought me into so fascinating?
Once you step in, there's no turning back.
I will never go back even if I die.
Even if I lose my life at this moment, the joy in my heart can still be uncontrollable!
Mother, you are wrong, there is a savior in this world. I was saved by him, now it's my turn to save him.
Zhou Tai slowly raised his head. When he opened his mouth, a stream of cold air entered his throat. When he exhaled, a stream of white mist came out of his mouth.
A few steps away, some Wei soldiers were pushing stones into the river, but none of them came to confirm my life or death?
Can your body still move?
Moved.
Fatigue, coldness, and pain covered the entire body, so much so that one didn't even know what it felt like.
kill!
Strangely, I couldn't make any sound except breathing when I opened my mouth.
"He, he, is alive again!"
Wei Bing, who was the first to notice his actions, was trembling in front of him and unable to move.
How stupid.
A wave of the spear in his hand seemed to tear the air, as if the wind generated by it turned into a blade, and the soldier's head fell to the ground.
Am I that strong?
never mind.
No longer thinking, Zhou Tai turned to look at the next target.
Wait, they actually ran away? Are the elite soldiers of Wei State so cruel?
Zhou Tai just stood there quietly, he had no strength to pursue anymore.
I'll just wait for them here and see if they dare to come over!
······
Cao Cao is here.
From the beginning of the plan to counterattack Shouchun, he handed over Xu Du to Xun Yu and set off for Shouchun himself.
This battle is so important, even if it is not the most important part of the entire plan, Cao Cao still wants to confirm with his own eyes whether his final enemy will be Sun Ce or Liu Bei.
Shouchun had been captured long ago, but Cao Cao did not expect that Xiahou Dun's tribe, which was supposed to be the main force to encircle and suppress Sun Ce, would be blocked in a small Pengcheng for three days, missing the most advantageous opportunity.
"Where is Yuan Rang? Let him come to see me."
"General Xiahou was defeated in a duel with Chu Army General Zhou Tai. He is now at the military doctor's office. Although he is fine, he is still in a coma for the time being."
"Why doesn't the army advance now?"
"This this······"
Seeing that the young general was hesitant to reply, Cao Cao turned around and glared at him, frightened him and said quickly.
"The enemy army has not been completely destroyed, so we cannot advance."
absurd!
Although Pengcheng Fortress suffered heavy casualties, Xiahou Dun still had more than 30,000 troops.
How can more than a thousand people without a fortress be able to fight against my 30,000-strong army until now?
Cao Cao ignored the man and walked straight to the road. Dian Wei and Xu Chu, who were serving as guards, heard that the enemy army was not destroyed, so they quickly chased after Cao Cao and opened the way in front of Cao Cao.
The crimson river flowed on one side, but there was no sound of fighting in the ears, only a strange tranquility.
Cao Cao climbed up the rock blocking the road ahead, and what he saw was corpses covering the ground. One body pressed against another, piling up into a mountain. Cao Cao has been a soldier for half his life and is used to fighting. The Battle of Guandu was the grandest in his memory. There were battles everywhere, fighting everywhere, wailing and surrender sounds everywhere, but nowhere seemed to be as tragic as this. Cao Cao frowned.
The sun has not yet set, but the place seems to be a red, like a hell-like scene, which makes people feel chills down their backs.
At the end of the mountain of corpses, a man was kneeling there on one knee, standing with a spear, his hair disheveled, but he had not yet fallen.
His body was covered with wounds, and he had no idea how many arrows and knives he had been hit by.
There are still several arrows stuck in the body that have not been pulled out.
There was no blood at the wound.
Already drained.
At this point, he should die, right?
He should be dead!
Cao Cao walked forward, wanting to lift up the man's face and take a closer look.
"My lord, no! My lord!"
But his generals who were covered in blood stepped forward to hold Cao Cao back.
This ghost is still alive here!
This ghost is still alive here!
Their eyes told Cao Cao so.
Cao Cao's eyes wandered, as if he had walked into their nightmare!
Cao Cao's footsteps stopped. At the end of the mountain of corpses was an insurmountable monument.
"He, is he dead? Dianwei, go up and have a look."
"yes!"
Dian Wei took the halberd from his back and walked over slowly step by step. When he got closer, Dian Wei carefully used a hand halberd to brush away Zhou Tai's messy hair.
"Lord, he is dead."
Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously. Looking at everyone, Cao Cao sighed.
"How magnificent! This is how a man should stand in heaven and earth! Zhou Tai is no less than my Xu Chu and Liu Bei's Guan Yu. Sun Ce's life should not be cut off!"
"Send people to clean up the battlefield and retreat."
After speaking, Cao Cao turned to look at Li Dian and continued.
"Where are the prisoners? Let them take Zhou Tai's body back to Chu State."
After hearing this, Li Dian said awkwardly.
"All three thousand Tiger Roaring Camps died in battle."
Cao Cao was stunned and sighed.
"It is indeed the Tiger Roaring Battalion, the most elite of the Chu Kingdom. When Cao Chun can train my Tiger and Leopard Battalion to look like this, why should I fear Lu Bu's trap?"
······
Everyone returned to the Chinese army's tent to rest.
At this time, Xiahou Dun had woken up. He knelt down in front of Cao Cao and said.
"I delayed my lord's important affairs, please punish me."
"Yuan Rang wiped out the Tiger Roar Camp for me, it was like tearing a big piece of flesh out of Sun Ce's heart. It's a great achievement, so what's the crime?"
After saying that, Cao Cao stepped forward to help Xiahou Dun and pulled him to sit down.
Although Cao Cao comforted him, Xiahou Dun still looked troubled and continued to plead guilty.
"I feel ashamed. If my lord does not punish me, I will feel uneasy."
Cao Cao laughed.
He liked Xiahou Dun's serious and stubborn character.
After a pause, Cao Cao asked.
"Yuan Rang, what do you think the Wei Dynasty should do to bring peace to the world?"
Cheng Yu, who was accompanying him, glanced at Xiahou Dun inexplicably.
Xiahou Dun was confused after hearing Cao Cao's question and couldn't help but blame himself.
"I am too stupid to share my lord's worries."
Cao Cao didn't care and asked again.
"Look, I don't care about Liu Bei. How about going south to take the land east of Jiangdong?"
Xiahou Dun only thought for a moment and then categorically objected.
"No. Although the land of Jiangdong is fertile, seizing Jiangdong means breaking the covenant with Liu Bei. Not only did it offend Liu Bei, causing Yanzhou and Qingzhou to face crisis again, but it also made the lord break his trust in the world, and the gain outweighed the gain. Moreover, there was Taishi Ci's 80,000-strong army in Jingzhou. We are prepared to prepare carefully. If we capture Jiangdong, we will inevitably return to the situation of conquering the three kingdoms at the same time. In this way, Wei will be in danger."
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction.
"Since you understand this truth, you naturally understand that it is even more unfeasible to invade Xuzhou."
Cao Cao kept tapping the table with his fingers and continued.
"Then where is the way out for Wei? There is only Dong Zhuo!"
"Destroy Dong Zhuo and unify the north! Then go south to take Hanzhong and Shuchuan, and finally eliminate Sun Ce and Liu Bei. This is the national policy pursued by the Wei State."
"The Battle of Xuzhou and the Battle of Shouchun are all to reduce the pressure on the south, freeing me up to deal with Dong Zhuo!"
"It is true that Sun Ce is a big worry for me. I want to kill him quickly, but I don't have to kill him now. Yuan Rang, you have indeed made a great contribution to me in eliminating Sun Ce's Tiger Roar Camp."
"Now, we should go back and deal with Dong Zhuo. This is the most important part of the entire plan!"
"As for Shouchun, I will give it to Liu Bei first as agreed, and let him and Sun Ce fight over it slowly. I have done everything I promised Liu Bei."
When Cao Cao said this, he laughed heartily.
Xiahou Dun still had some doubts, so he asked again without hesitation.
"My lord, what if Sun Ce escapes Liu Bei's siege and comes to cause trouble for us?"
After hearing this, Cao Cao nodded happily and turned to look at Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu understood, smiled and said with his hands.
"General Xiahou is overly worried."
"Not to mention that the final outcome of the Xuzhou War is not yet known. If Sun Ce dies, it will be Liu Bei's attack on Chu, which has nothing to do with our Wei State."
"Even if it is true as General Xiahou said, Sun Ce is not dead."
"But you must know that Sun Ce and my lord have a personal enmity. Liu Bei betrayed his alliance with Sun Ce and designed the Chu army, which resulted in the Chu army's defeat. Tens of thousands of Chu army soldiers died inexplicably. What is this? This is a national feud! "
"Can't Sun Ce know which one is more important? To take a step back, even if Sun Ce can't tell the difference, does Chu really dare to go to war with Wei and Xu Han at the same time?"
"At that time, we only need to send envoys to Jiangdong, deny all the grudges between Sun Ce and the lord, and give gifts to seal the relationship."
Xiahou Dun suddenly realized that he finally understood his lord's foresight and immediately admired him.
Cao Cao nodded and gave instructions to Cheng Yu.
"Then the Chu prisoners captured in the Shouchun Battle and Zhou Tai's body should be returned to Sun Ce together."
After saying that, Cao Cao seemed to think of something again.
"By the way. Cheng Yu, I remember you said that after your plan failed last time, the person we arrested married Zhou Tai and became his real wife?"
Cheng Yu cupped his hands and replied.
"Yes, her sister Shangguan Wan'er is still with us."
Speaking of Zhou Tai, Cao Cao couldn't help but nod slightly. He loves talents, even if he is an enemy.
"Send her sister over too, so that they can be reunited."
"yes."
At this point, things in the south are basically settled. Cao Cao breathed a long sigh of relief.
"The next step is the decisive battle with Dong Zhuo!"
He had been waiting for this day for so long that he almost forgot what she looked like.
Cheng Yu nodded and said again.
"Dong Zhuo is also coming with force this time. I just received news today that in addition to the general Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo also appointed Ma Chao as the general, Jia Xu as the military advisor, and led an army of 50,000 people to set off from Wancheng and attack Xuchang."
Jia Xu? Onizuka's intelligence was ranked first in the rankings.
Cao Cao chuckled.
"With all the ministers helping me, I am not afraid of Lu Bu. What does one more Jia Xu mean?"
Everyone quickly bowed their hands and bowed.
"I will help my lord unify the world and achieve hegemony!"
