December 196 AD, Wancheng.
The first heavy snow after winter fell last night. When I woke up in the morning, the snow was still falling in the sky and a thick layer had fallen on the ground.
Zhang Xiu stepped on the snow with a crunching sound and walked up the city wall of Wancheng. He felt the coldness of the melting snowflakes on his exposed cheeks and neck, and subconsciously tightened his clothes.
Behind him was an old man who was nearly fifty years old. He was dressed simply and had a goatee on his chin. There was a hint of shrewdness in his narrow and slightly narrowed eyes.
Walking up to the city tower, looking at the vast expanse of white inside and outside the city wall, and then looking at the majestic ancient city wall at his feet, Zhang Xiu still can't believe that he has traveled through time.
Zhang Xiu's uncle Zhang Ji was shot by a stray arrow when he attacked Rangcheng in November and died unfortunately.
The original commander Xiang Xiu was furious, organized his troops, and wanted to fight Liu Biao to the death.
Jia Xu persuaded Zhang Xiu and persuaded him to join Liu Biao and become his vassal in the north. Zhang Xiu passed out in grief and was penetrated by the current Zhang Xiu's soul.
Now Zhang Xiu was a history college student from later generations, and he came here in a daze for some unknown reason. It has been a month.
During this period, Liu Biao ceded Nanyang County to Zhang Xiu and provided sufficient food and grass.
Liu Biao's purpose was very clear.
Nanyang County is the gateway to Jingzhou. It has to face Cao Cao's troops from the north. Liu Biao placed him here in order to use his Xiliang cavalry to block Cao Cao and preserve his foundation in Jingzhou.
Today, Cao Cao controls Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and half of Sili, with 200,000 soldiers and horses, and is unmatched in strength. On the other hand, Zhang Xiu only has one county in Nanyang, with 23,000 soldiers and horses.
According to historical records, in January of next year, also in January 197 AD, Cao Cao marched south with 150,000 troops.
How to resist?
Or should we surrender as recorded in history?
Zhang Xiu didn't want to surrender.
Now that you’re here, you have to try it!
But what he wants to know most now is the thoughts of Jia Xu, the most poisonous warrior in the Three Kingdoms behind him.
Jia Xu was not always by Zhang Ji's side. On the third day after Zhang Ji's death, Jia Xu left Duan Xuan in Chang'an and took refuge with him.
Zhang Xiu knew in his heart that Jia Xu didn't really want to join him. His target was Boss Cao in the north. This place was just a springboard.
The snow was still falling in the sky, and the two of them had already walked from the south gate to the north gate.
Zhang Xiuha let out a hot breath, rubbed his hands, glanced at Jia Xu behind him and asked, "Does my uncle think that Nanyang is my place to stand?"
Zhang Xiu didn't say we, but me, obviously not including Jia Xu, indicating that he had seen through Jia Xu's purpose.
Jia Xu had long seen Nanyang's awkward position.
This was an important reason for him to come here.
There is no danger in Nanyang to defend. The Nanyang Basin's facade blocking Yangcheng is considered a barrier, but that barrier cannot stop Cao Cao's army. In front of them is the Feishui River. From the Feishui River, it is under the Wancheng City. Cao Cao's army can directly attack the city.
At that time, Zhang Xiu had only two choices: fight to the death or surrender.
He would persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender, so that he could legitimately become Cao Cao's man, and with his intelligence, he would be able to be reused by Cao Cao.
He is from Xiliang. Under Cao Cao's tent, almost all the advisers are from Yingchuan. If he doesn't have a good 'dowry', he will be overwhelmed by the Yingchuan clan under Cao Cao's tent.
Zhang Xiu's 20,000 Xiliang cavalry was the dowry he planned to give to Boss Cao.
Zhang Xiu suddenly asked this question, which made him a little surprised, and he also keenly caught another meaning in Zhang Xiu's words.
Unexpectedly, the other party saw his purpose, which made Jia Xu's heart tremble.
After thinking about it, Jia Xu said objectively: "Nanyang is the place where the four battles took place. Cao Cao is in the north, Liu Biao is in the south, and Zhang Lu is in the west. We cannot stand here."
Zhang Xiu nodded: "If Cao Cao leads his troops to invade, I will be in a dilemma. Fighting, being invincible, surrendering, I can't stand up to my uncle's spirit in heaven. What can I do?"
Jia Xu didn't expect Zhang Xiu to think so far.
Based on his understanding of Zhang Xiu, this person is an honest and responsible person. In previous interactions, he always obeyed his words and would not ask too many questions. Since he woke up from a faint last time, his words have become less and his eyes are often full of words. The steady and seasoned meditation made him unable to see through.
That look was completely inconsistent with his age of twenty-two.
So he asked: "What is the general's ambition?"
Zhang Xiu looked at the frozen water and said: "The Han Dynasty is declining, and all the heroes in the world are rising together. How can Xiu want to live a mediocre life and achieve nothing?"
Jia Xu looked at Zhang Xiu again in surprise.
He had already looked at Zhang Xiu twice today.
But the future leader in his heart was not Zhang Xiu. After one glance at Zhang Xiu, he withdrew his gaze and looked towards Jieshui.
Seeing Jia Xu's actions from the corner of his eye, Zhang Xiu smiled bitterly in his heart.
The lofty ambitions he expressed did not arouse Jia Xu's interest, and that's right. With his current strength, in Jia Xu's eyes, he is just a castle in the air and a passing cloud.
He continued to look at Feishui and said frankly: "Cao Cao can only make enemies with him. I am planning to ally with Liu Biao in the south and Cao Cao in the north. In January next year, we will send troops to Wuguan to seize the land of Yongzhou as the foundation. The so-called 'according to Wei Han' "I want to be strong and support the land of Yongzhou, waiting for the world to come. What do you think, uncle?"
This was the way out that he spent a month thinking hard about, and it was also the only way out.
From the corner of his eye, he secretly observed Jia Xu's expression. When he heard, "According to the stronghold of Wei Han, support the land of Yongzhou", his face was obviously moved.
This was the third time Jia Xu looked at Zhang Xiu differently. This time, his heart was touched.
I also understood why Zhang Xiu asked him to come out for a walk.
This is the olive branch that Zhang Xiu offers to him. It depends on whether he accepts it or not.
It is better to stay and provide help to Zhang Xiu than to run to add glory to Cao Cao. There are many counselors around Cao Cao, and there is no shortage of him. But here, Zhang Xiu only has Jia Xu.
Only here can he exert his greatest value.
Nowadays, Li Jue and Guo Si, two mediocre people, occupy the land of Yongzhou. With Zhang Xiu's bravery and Jia Xu's talent, they can take it from Yi Er.
Jia Xu also has a strong balance in her heart.
Facing Jieshui, he thought for a long time and slowly asked: "If I don't accept the general's kindness, what should the general do?"
"Kill you!" Zhang Xiu's answer was crisp and clear.
Jia Xu's hands in his sleeves couldn't help but tremble. He looked back at Zhang Xiu, who was as calm as water, and his heart couldn't help but tremble again. It wasn't fear, but a keen sense that Zhang Xiu had changed.
Less dull and honest, more courageous and ruthless.
Zhang Xiu turned his head and squinted at Jia Xu, his eyes sharp and leering. Jia Xu was so frightened that she couldn't help but avoid Zhang Xiu's gaze.
"Without you, there is no possibility for me to defend Nanyang. When Cao Cao comes to attack me, I will abandon Nanyang County and attack Yongzhou with all my strength. I will fight to the death!" Zhang Xiu's tone carried a power that made people surrender.
The four words "fight to the death" are loud and clear, expressing his determination and courage.
Jia Xu was entranced by the powerful voice for a long time.
Finally, he was impressed by Zhang Xiu's scornful aura and the big cake he drew. He turned around and bowed to Zhang Xiu with a solemn expression: "The general has great ambitions and is not talented. I am willing to help the general."
Zhang Xiu breathed a sigh of relief.
He quickly helped Jia Xu up and said, "Only with my uncle's help can Xiu's ambition be realized. Please pay me my respects to Xiu."
With that said, Zhang Xiu immediately bowed at a standard ninety degrees.
Jia Xu was moved and quickly helped Zhang Xiu up: "General, Xu'an dares to accept this great gift. Please get up quickly."
The snow in the sky stopped at some point.
The two faced the water and began to discuss the detailed plan for each step.
A cold wind blew, carrying cold snowflakes from the north, but the cold snowflakes could not stop the enthusiasm of the two. Facing the north wind, the two of them breathed in the heat and studied.
