Finally, under Fang Yu's persuasion, Hu Chuquan agreed that both sides would temporarily stop fighting, but he would have to see Zhang Xiu in person and talk with him before making a decision on whether to surrender. At the same time, he ordered someone to take Cheng Yu into custody.
The plague in Xiaoguan gradually weakened under well-organized control. Zhang Ji diagnosed the disease and prescribed medicine, allowing those who were infected with the plague to recover quickly. Of course, there were not one thousand but eight hundred people in Xiaoguan who died in the plague.
The whole street was deserted and desolate.
If you stand on the top of the city wall of Xiaoguan and look down, you will see that almost half of the people's homes are wearing mourning clothes, and the sound of crying can be heard faintly in the wind.
Standing on Guancheng, Hu Che'er next to him felt pity for these poor people, "My lord, you used to say that it's hard for the people to prosper and to die for the people. I still don't understand the meaning of this sentence. Now I'm standing on the city wall, looking at the city. The common people in every family suddenly understood that the rise and fall of a dynasty will always be the people who suffer. Although Cheng Yu is an elegant scholar who is well-read in poetry and books, his heart is vicious and he will do anything to achieve his goals and torture the people. How is it different from Dong Zhuo back then?"
Zhang Xiu turned his head to look at Hu Che'er in surprise: "I have made some progress, and I can also say a few words to Zou Zou. It seems that staying by my side has not been in vain. After this battle, the position of the Tenglong Cavalry Camp will be released." , I’ll give you 20,000 Huns cavalry.”
Hu Cheer chuckled and rubbed the back of his head: "I'm afraid of embarrassing the lord, but I still want to stay with the lord to protect your safety."
"Do I need your protection?"
"That's different. Two fists can't beat four hands. If there is an emergency, I will die in front and trade my Hu Che'er's life for the master's life." When he said this, he grinned innocently.
Zhang Xiu laughed and scolded: "You can't say a few good words in your mouth. Just after you finished your praise, you are going to die? If you die, where will I find such a good guard?"
"Hehe!" Hu Cheer smiled naively.
At this moment, Tan Ma galloped over, knelt down in front of Zhang Xiu, and handed a letter with both hands.
After opening it and reading it, Zhang Xiu laughed: "This Fang Yu is also a courageous talent. He entered the enemy camp alone and persuaded Huchuquan to surrender. It seems that talents still need to be discovered."
"Huchuquan surrendered?" Hu Cheer's face was full of surprise.
"Yes!" Zhang Xiu nodded, "Go down and get ready. I'll leave for Xiaofengkou tonight. Huchuquan wants to talk to me about the two clans."
"Here!"
Hu Cheer went down to prepare.
…
Day five, afternoon.
On the top of an unknown mountain on the right side of Xiaofeng Pass.
Zhang Xiu took Hu Che'er and Hu Chuquan took Lebat, and they met on the top of the mountain.
After climbing to the top of the mountain, I saw Lebat's tall and burly body gradually approaching from a distance. In front of Lebat, a middle-aged man with the same stature, but a weathered face and a gray beard, walked slowly, majestic. He has a strong and unquestionable aura of being in power for a long time.
Since 195, after the death of Yu Fuluo, Huchuquan has been in charge of the Southern Xiongnu for three years now.
Similarly, Hu Chuquan squinted his eyes and looked at Zhang Xiu.
young.
This was Hu Chuquan's first impression of Zhang Xiu, and it also frightened him.
At such a young age, he has actually accomplished this step. It shows the means and strength of this person. In just two years, he not only occupied the land in Guanzhong, but now he has gone north to capture Hetao, and after further capturing Xiliang, his future is very strong. Limited quantity.
After the two sides got closer.
Hu Chuquan clearly saw a vague ruthlessness in Zhang Xiu's deep and steady eyes, which made his heart shrink suddenly.
Only the eagle on the grassland has that kind of gaze.
I thought quickly in my mind.
Before the two parties talked, Hu Chuquan gave Zhang Xiu high praise, because only those like Zhang Xiu who can hide their murderous intentions can catch prey and survive on the cruel grassland.
The two sides meet.
Zhang Xiu clasped his fists in respect at each other for a long time, and his hearty laughter was contagious, "Haha! I have heard about Shan Yu for a long time. You and I have been fighting each other for more than a month, but we haven't seen each other for a long time. It is Xiu's blessing to see Shan Yu today." also."
"The words of Marquis Xuan are serious." Huchuquan clasped his fists in reply, "I am now trapped in the valley, a prisoner of the rank, and a desperate soul. How can I bring blessings to the Marquis? The disaster to the people of Xiaoguan, even if it is Cheng Yuzhi This is a plan, but I have done it. I came to meet with Xuanhou this time. I don’t want to seek a chance of survival. I just want to hear Xuanhou’s implementation of "seeking common ground while reserving differences". If it is really beneficial to the development of the two races, even if I use my heart It’s worth paying for the head in exchange for it.”
"Well... Shanyu, please sit down!" Zhang Xiu nodded and stretched out his hand to signal him to sit down. After the two sat down, Hu Che'er walked to the side and poured wine. Zhang Xiu said, "I came here today not to Take Shan Yu's life. If that's the case, just because you and Cheng Yu are colluding and plotting evil tactics to kill the people of Xiaoguan, I will not let you live. But in order to promote the development and harmony of the two races, I cannot If I don’t sit here and have a good talk with you, it can be regarded as the millions of Huns who saved your life.”
Hu Chuquan laughed, "It seems I have to thank my people."
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Where could the emperor come from without his people? Where could the Chanyu come from?" Zhang Xiu said, "The Huns have repeatedly invaded the borders of the Han Dynasty for hundreds of years. Their purpose is just to plunder the resources of life, especially the In winter, the grassland is frozen, and the hard life forces you to look at the wealthy and vast man."
Hu Chuquan nodded in agreement.
"Chanyu, please!" Zhang Xiu raised his glass in a toast.
Hu Chuquan raised his glass to show his respect, then drank it all in one gulp. He felt a ray of fire burning down the tip of his throat. It was strong and pleasant. After taking a sip, he couldn't help but praise: "Good wine!"
Hu Che'er next to him said: "Of course, this is brewed by my mother's hand."
Hu Chuquan's heart seemed to be heated by the strong wine, but he pursed his lips and said nothing because Zhang Xiu had not yet said the main point.
"The purpose of proposing a plan to seek common ground while reserving differences is to promote the harmonious development of the two ethnic groups. How can we develop quickly and effectively? The fastest and most direct way at the moment is for each to take what it needs and make use of its strengths."
"Please also ask Xuanhou to be more detailed."
"What do the Xiongnu lack most? The meat and skins of cattle, sheep, horses and other grassland creatures, but these things are scarce for our Han people. The food and handicrafts of our Han people are not available to you. We two Through this kind of trade exchanges, the tribes can each get what they need and seek common development. There is no need to go to war for survival, and the people will not shed blood and sacrifice."
"How to price?"
“This requires an assessment of the purchasing power of the two groups and market prices, and we will then finalize the price through negotiation.”
Huchuquan thought silently.
After a moment, a smile appeared on his face, and he raised his glass to invite the wine: "To promote the harmonious coexistence of the two peoples, I would like to dedicate this glass of wine to the Marquis."
Zhang Xiu breathed a sigh of relief and clinked glasses to drink.
Lebat, who was standing next to him, also smiled.
Hu Cheer also laughed.
After the major matters were agreed upon, the two relaxed and chatted over a drink. Lebat had already smelled the aroma of wine, so he finally sat down, poured a full glass, drank it with Hu Che'er, and made a trembling sound as if it came from his soul.
