Cao Jun's military camp on the east bank of Yingshui.
Before Zhang Xiu reached the gate of Cao Jun's military camp, he saw several people standing at the gate from a distance. Among them, the person occupying the C position was a middle-aged man wearing a dark green brocade robe.
This man's long beard fluttered in the wind along with his robes.
Beards were the pursuit of men in the Han Dynasty. It is said that if a beautiful beard grows up, he will be virtuous. In the hearts of women in the Han Dynasty, the standard of a handsome man is: a man who is clean and fair and has a beard.
A beautiful beard can express masculine charm.
One can imagine how proud Guan Yu was when he was praised by the world as a man with a beautiful beard. It was simply the dream of hundreds of millions of girls in the Han Dynasty.
On top of the big horse, Zhang Xiu galloped towards Cao Cao. When he was ten steps away from Cao Cao, Zhang Xiu halted the horse and jumped as high as a person on its front hooves. He held the reins with both hands and glanced over with sharp eyes.
Everyone present felt Zhang Xiu's sharp eyes.
Behind Liu Bei stood two generals, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. Zhang Fei's round eyes were completely unafraid of Zhang Xiu's gaze, and he was not weak at all in the confrontation.
Guan Yu caressed his long beard gently, looking sideways and coldly, his eyes showing not only coldness, but also disdainful arrogance.
On the other hand, Liu Bei in front had dull eyes and expressionless face. Zhang Xiu's aura could not affect his state of mind at all, let alone penetrate deep into his heart to know his thoughts.
He stood there as if he melted into the air, making people ignore him inadvertently. This was his low-key method of hiding in the city.
It would be superficial to judge Liu Bei based on this appearance.
Zhang Xiu came from later generations and naturally knew that Liu Bei was as capable as anyone else and would not ignore him.
After sweeping through everyone, he focused on Liu Bei and Cao Cao. These two will definitely be his strong enemies in the future and cannot be underestimated. Cao Cao now has the basics, and everyone knows that he is a prince.
Liu Bei is the dark horse hiding in the darkness. He is dormant and waits for the right time to make a big splash.
Feeling Zhang Xiu's eyes falling on him, Liu Bei's eyes showed a sharp edge in the plainness. This edge flashed past, and even Zhang Xiu clearly felt it, but he seemed to be dazzled and couldn't see clearly.
I became a little more wary of Liu Bei.
It seems that while making wine and discussing heroes, Cao Cao also noticed that Liu Bei's internal organs were very deep, but he did not fully understand them, which led to the big mistake later.
Cao Cao twirled his beard, narrowed his slender eyes slightly, and looked at Zhang Xiu's sharp eyes without changing his expression. He was not overwhelmed by Zhang Xiu's momentum at all. He couldn't help but admire in his heart: "The spear king of the North." , well-deserved reputation.”
Zhang Xiu stared at Cao Cao and saw that he had slender eyes and a long beard. His sharp gaze seemed to be sinking into the sea without causing any waves. In an instant, he had a clear understanding of Cao Cao. This person was unfathomable.
The same look in the eyes made Cao Cao determined to intercept and kill Zhang Xiu.
Zhang Xiu vowed to become his opponent in the future.
When Lu Bu saw Zhang Xiu's majestic appearance, he instantly felt a feeling of pity for a hero, and laughed heartily: "Ah ha! Brother Bo Yuan is so famous that it is better to meet him. He is indeed a talented person, one of the most outstanding figures in the world."
Zhang Xiu had long noticed the man standing next to Cao Cao. This man was more than nine feet tall, with a thin waist tied to his back. His face looked like Fu Fen, his eyes were black and white, and his head was held high. Who could it be if it wasn't Lu Bu?
What Lu Bu meant by being famous was that he became famous all over the world for defeating Cao Cao outside Duyang City.
Cao Cao had no expression on his face and turned a deaf ear to it, thinking that the person next to him was farting.
Zhang Xiu saw Lu Bu's boldness and joy, so he jumped off his horse and clasped his fists in response: "Brother is brave enough to conquer the world, how dare Xiu'an call himself a hero in front of my brother?"
Lu Bu liked hearing this and laughed heartily. He fell in love with Zhang Xiu even more.
Cao Cao saw Zhang Xiu approaching with his horse, with a gentle and generous smile on his face: "Ah, Boyuan, you're fine!"
Zhang Xiu kept a smile on his face: "Prime Minister, Xiu has admired the Prime Minister for a long time but has never met him. I wish to meet him today."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Bo Yuan came from afar to fight against thieves. He is a loyal minister of the imperial court." Then he introduced sideways: "This is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, the shepherd of Yuzhou."
Zhang Xiu cupped his fists and stared into Liu Bei's eyes: "Liu Shijun."
A comforting smile appeared on Liu Bei's face, he held Zhang Xiu's wrist and said kindly: "How dare you accept the gift of marquis? The marquis is declared to be righteous, and he came not far from Nanyang to fight against thieves. This is the Han Dynasty. What a blessing."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Gentlemen, a banquet has been prepared in the tent. Please come to the table."
After several humility, Cao Cao took the lead and entered the tent and took his seat.
…
Just when Cao Cao was hosting a banquet in the army, Yuan Shu also received news that troops were approaching the city.
Beat drums to gather the generals and discuss countermeasures.
Yan Xiang said: "Your Majesty, although Cao Cao's army is large, there is nothing to fear. I have a plan that can make Cao Cao's 100,000-strong coalition collapse without a fight."
Yuan Shu was overjoyed: "Master Yan, if you have any clever ideas, please tell me quickly."
Yan Xiang said: "Cao Cao's coalition forces seem to be powerful, but they all have their own agendas. Lu Bu invaded Yanzhou back then, forcing Cao Cao to put aside his revenge for killing his father and turn around to save Yanzhou. How can he forget such hatred for Cao Cao? Zhang Xiu took over Nanyang, and Cao led ten troops Fifty thousand people marched south, and now Cao Cao has been defeated for only a few months. How can he forget it? We can use a stratagem to divide them and let them kill each other. Ming Gong can just sit back and wait for the profit of the fishermen."
Yuan Shu nodded: "How to use the plan?"
Yan Xiang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you can ask two people who can speak well to sneak into Lu Bu and Zhang Xiujun's tent, and tell them that our army is willing to secretly send troops to help them, kill Cao Cao, and then divide the land of Yan and Hezhou equally. Lu Bu will definitely be moved when he sees profit and forgets his duty. Even if Zhang Xiu is not moved, he will definitely be implicated. If this news is leaked to Cao Cao, how can Cao not be on guard against these two people? With such suspicion, can An have the intention to attack the city?"
"Hahaha!" Yuan Shu was overjoyed, "The master's plan is very clever." He then asked, "Who do you want to send?"
Yan Xiang immediately said: "We can order Chen Ji to sneak into Lu Bu's camp, and then order Ji Ling to sneak into Zhang Xiu's camp, and then spread rumors among Cao's army. This plan will definitely work."
Yuan Shu was overjoyed, nodded and said, "I will follow this plan."
Then he dispersed and went to the harem to have fun. Since becoming emperor, the harem has accommodated hundreds of wives and concubines, all of whom are dressed in luxurious clothes and are extravagant.
Due to excessive arson, his face was haggard and his eyes were dull and lifeless.
The generals dispersed, and only Yan Xiang was left alone in the court hall, standing with his hands down. In the empty court hall, Yan Xiang's thin body looked increasingly small and lonely. He watched Yuan Shu return to the land of gentleness, feeling sad that Yuan Shu was content with the status quo and did nothing, and his good words and persuasion were in vain.
"well--!"
After standing for a long time, Yan Xiang closed his eyes and sighed.
"Why is the chief secretary sighing so long?" A low voice came from behind. Without turning his head, Yan Xiang knew that the person behind him was Ji Ling.
Yan Xiang sighed and said: "I am about to die, and I have many emotions, so I sigh."
Ji Ling smiled and said: "The master is making plans. Cao Cao's coalition forces are about to be defeated. How can you say this?"
Yan Xiang smiled bitterly and shook his head: "There is Guo Jia among Cao's army, Gongtai among Lu Bu's army, and Zhang Xiu is not an ordinary person. How can he be fooled by such a plan?"
"Ah!" Ji Ling exclaimed, "What should we do now?"
Yan Xiang showed a sad smile: "My lord has proclaimed himself emperor and has become a public enemy of the world. How can we survive?"
Ji Ling said: "I have to go to the palace to see your majesty and explain the matter clearly so that your majesty can change his mind and it is not too late to make amends."
Yan Xiang shook his head with a sneer, turned around and walked outside, leaving behind a message: "If His Majesty had any understanding, he would not proclaim himself emperor. General Ji should have made plans in advance."
Looking at Yan Xiang's back, Ji Lingsi thought about it, gritted his teeth, and entered the palace.
