After writing the word "sincerity", Zhang Xiu looked at the word with satisfaction and said to it: "You are a Huns, and it is difficult for you to come into contact with calligraphy every day. Come and see how I write this word."
Liu Bao swallowed and walked over.
I saw a piece of white paper with a big word "sincerity" written vigorously and forcefully.
Looking at this character, he felt a domineering feeling coming to his face. It was not like he was reading the characters, but more like the domineering character was looking at him. Liu Bao said: "My lord's characters are written vigorously and powerfully. The momentum is soaring to the sky.”
Zhang Xiu laughed, "Do you recognize this word?"
Although Liu Bao didn't like to study, he still knew the most basic characters and said without hesitation: "My lord wrote with the character sincerity."
"That's right." Zhang Xiu nodded and put away the smile on his face, ""The Doctrine of the Mean" says: 'Sincerity is the way of heaven, sincerity is the way of man.' Sincerity is the nature of human beings. It's something you're born with. A country can be changed easily, but a nature can't be changed. Tarto is born to be rebellious, and will rebel sooner or later. It's better to rebel late than to rebel early, so that I don't have to catch him in the future. You are different. Although you are a Huns, But he has the blood of Maodun and is a loyal person, so I will leave the city defense to you."
Liu Bao was moved: "General, I would like to thank my lord for your trust."
Zhang Xiu: "Although you have a Han name, you don't have a Han character. How about I make the decision today and write an inscription for you?"
Liu Bao: "Please give me the words, my lord."
Zhang Xiu: "How about calling him Xiaocheng? Huchuquan is your uncle, and you should be filial to him. The word "Cheng" comes from what you did today."
Liu Bao knelt down on the ground and said, "Liu Xiaocheng, my last general, I would like to thank my lord for the words." As he said this, he kowtowed firmly and the ground made a muffled sound.
This head knock is strong.
Zhang Xiu helped him up and said, "You should return to the top of the city immediately and take the French army with you to discuss how to deal with Cao Jun. It is best to use this opportunity to defeat Cao Jun."
"Here!"
Liu Bao retreated.
…
The news that Huchuquan surrendered and that Zhang Xiu had arrived at Hangu Pass were sent to Cao Cao together.
Looking at the two secret letters in his hand, Cao Cao's face was so gloomy that he could shed water.
The entire army fought bloody battles for a day, and finally exhausted the defenders of Hangu Pass. They only had to wait for the battle tomorrow to capture Guancheng. I didn't expect Zhang Xiu to come so quickly.
He never thought that Huchuquan would surrender to Zhang Xiu.
This means that Cheng Yu is also in the hands of Zhang Xiu, but now that Cheng Yu has sinned so much that he will be killed by Zhang Xiu, but if he comes back alive, it will be difficult to deal with him.
After thinking calmly for a while, Cao Cao summoned his advisers to discuss the matter.
"There is news from the hidden guards," Cao Cao handed over two secret letters. "Huchuquan has surrendered to Zhang Xiu, and all the tens of thousands of Xiongnu troops have been transferred to Zhang Xiu. The other one is that at dusk today, Zhang Xiu, Lead the army to Hangu Pass."
Everyone read the letter quickly, with heavy expressions on their faces.
The arrival of Zhang Xiu's reinforcements means that today's battle is in vain. Attacking the city tomorrow will only be more difficult. It is almost impossible to break through Hangu Pass.
Everyone expected this result and fell silent.
There was silence in the Chinese army tent.
"Do you have any good ideas?" Cao Cao broke the silence, "Zhang Xiu came so quickly! It took more than five days and more than 500 kilometers to arrive, almost day and night; Huchuquan went to Zhang Xiu, and Han Sui went north to capture it. I'm afraid Hetao will retreat without a fight. Yuan Shao lost to Zhuge Liang and defeated Manhan Mountain. In this way, of the five armies that captured Guanzhong this year, we are the only ones left. What do you think we should do?"
"Lord," Guo Jia stood up first, "Zhang Xiu has come a long way, and he is trapped and exhausted. He may not be able to fight. Tomorrow he will continue to attack Hangu Pass. The enemy is exhausted and exhausted. How can he be our opponent? Although there are reinforcements, But it is a futile effort. Tomorrow, our army will definitely be able to get to Hangu Pass in a battle."
Cao Cao originally wanted to retreat.
After so many battles with Zhang Xiu, there was no victory, which made Cao Cao scared. Fortunately, Guo Jia stepped forward and gave him some comfort. But comfort is still comfort after all. How should we fight tomorrow's battle? This is a problem. Zhang Xiu's arrival will inevitably strengthen the defense of Hangu Pass, and the siege will be even more difficult.
At this time, Chen Qun stood up and said: "Ming Gong, although Zhang Xiu is far away, his army's morale has been stabilized and everyone is united. It is not easy to break the city. Moreover, Yuan Shao has withdrawn his troops, Lu Bu is in Xuzhou, and Liu Bei is in Qingzhou. We must take precautions.”
What Chen Qun said is very clear.
We'll find out if we can fight tomorrow. If we can't fight, withdraw our troops early to avoid instability in the rear.
Cao Cao looked at Chen Qun and remained silent for a long time.
At this time, a soldier walked in from outside the tent: "Ming Gong, there is a man coming from the enemy city and saying that he has something important to tell you."
Cao Cao was surprised for a moment, thought about it carefully, and hurriedly said: "Please come in quickly!"
Not long after, Tarto came in.
After Cao Cao saw Tartuo's unique Huns appearance and clothing, he showed an excited smile. At the same time, he turned his eyes to the others and saw a faint smile on Guo Jia's face. He had already expected it. .
"The Xiongnu Chanyu is under the command of King Zuoxian, and Taltuo meets the prime minister." When he said this, Taltuo knelt down on one knee.
Cao Cao immediately raised his hand, with a smile on his face: "Ah~ It turns out they are the subordinates of King Shanyu Zuoxian, please get up quickly! Please get up quickly!"
"Thank you, Prime Minister!" Tal Tuo stood up, took out the letter from his arms, and presented it with both hands, "Prime Minister, now that my Shanyu fell into Zhang Xiu's plan, he was defeated at Xiaofengkou. Our wise king is unwilling to follow Zhang Xiu, so he has come here to order I am sending you a letter to make an appointment with the coalition forces to open the city gate at midnight tonight and invite the Prime Minister's army to enter the city."
"oh?"
Cao Cao put away the smile on his face, "You are the new generals. Didn't Zhang Xiu keep strict supervision on you?"
"Ming Gong, this is Zhang Xiu's carelessness. He said that he does not trust the people he employs and does not use the people he doubts. When he comes tonight, he will order my wise king to put on the city defense and put his own safety at risk." When he said this , Talto showed the urgent excitement that the opportunity must not be lost and never come back.
"I see!"
Cao Cao nodded, "You go down and rest first. I will discuss this matter for a while and then I will reply to your wise king."
"Here! Prime Minister, you can't miss this opportunity. Please cut it off quickly!" He said and retreated.
After he exited, Cao Cao looked at the advisers below and asked, "What do you think, sir? That Zhang Xiu is also a resourceful person. Can you believe this?"
"Ming Gong, Zhang Xiu's employing people are really clever. After Gan Ning and Ji Ling joined his account, they gave him 100% trust and handed over military power to these people. Now that the Huns have surrendered, he may also want to take advantage of them. This method can gain the gratitude of the Huns and completely control the Huns cavalry." Chen Qun thought for a while and said firmly.
Cao Cao nodded.
Guo Jia's eyes were shining with command, and he was staring at something ahead, thinking quickly in his mind.
In his opinion, Zhang Xiu would never be foolish enough to leave his life and safety in the hands of a newly surrendered Huns. If he was not of my race, he would be punished. It was impossible for Zhang Xiu not to know. Since he knew, then this Tarto came to report the news, which was probably part of Zhang Xiu's plan.
