A few days later, we returned to Erlong Mountain.
Lu Zhishen heard that Cao Cao had returned and brought a group of heroes to greet him. When they met, he asked: "Brother Wu, how about Zongze?"
Cao Cao nodded and praised: "Sincerity is a general! What my brother said is indeed true. I met him in a battle, and I underestimated the enemy a little, and almost suffered a big loss from him. Fortunately, my brother dared to fight, and his soldiers were loyal to their lives. His subordinates were all mobs." , this was a great victory. But the brother who stayed in the city as a secret agent was captured by him first, so he had to exchange people with him and return all the prisoners to him. "
At a glance, he saw Sun Li in the crowd and said with a smile: "Sun Tiha, Wu has made a sect's agreement and promised to let you go back. You will also be given back your armor and horses, and we will take two hundred taels of silver as payment. Today, Let’s hit the road.”
Sun Li's face changed several times, and he cupped his fists and said, "Brothers are all heroic and heroic people, and I also want to make friends with you, but my wife and family are all in Dengzhou. Since Brother Wu is willing to let me go, I have no choice but to return to Dengzhou. So." He gave gold and silver, but he dared not accept it.”
Luan Tingyu said with a smile: "Junior brother, if my brother gives it to you, just take it. Could it be that with a mere two hundred taels of silver, you can buy off your great General Sun? It's just a little affection between friends."
Sun Li thought for a moment, then clasped his fists and said, "In that case, thank you very much for the gift."
Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "Why should we meet outsiders? In this battle, all of your brothers have become enemies. When you go back this time, please tell me that each of the two armies is their own master. After the battle is over, everyone will be fine." Men, there is no need to hate each other."
Sun Li said repeatedly: "You should be like this, my brothers are not weaklings."
At that moment, Cao Cao ordered a small soldier to fetch Sun Li's armor and mount, and returned the weapons as well. The gift of silver was wrapped in a bag and tied to the saddle. Sun Li bid farewell to everyone one by one, and rode back to Dengzhou.
After Sun Li left, everyone went back to the mountain to discuss matters. Cao Cao recounted the story of his visit to Zongze and the ensuing battle. Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong and others were experts, so they could naturally hear the danger, and they all said: "That old Zongze is really the best." The talents of famous generals show that the imperial court does not know how to employ people, and such generals will remain unknown throughout their lives."
Shi Xiu also told how he was captured. At that time, according to Cao Cao's words, they found a very hidden gambling house and pretended to be gamblers who made money from business. They wanted to hang out for a day or two while waiting to attack the city, but Shi Xiu was Xiu Sheng was afraid that something would happen in prison, so he secretly found Lehe and told him where he was so that Lehe could contact him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he left, Zongze came to the prison to persuade Erzou to surrender. He heard that Lehe was Sun Li's brother-in-law, so he told him about Sun Li's capture and Shi Xiu and others' evil plans. When Le He heard this, he was furious and immediately reported Shi Xiu. He also said that Shi Xiu happened to be settling in Sun Li's brother's gambling house. Zongze made a decisive plan and asked Le He to take Er Zou to the gambling house to capture Shi Xiu and others.
Shi Xiu was very surprised when he saw Le He and Er Zou, but Le He was also a very smart person. He lied that Zongze sent someone to bring Er Zou to trial, but he was afraid of causing trouble, so he simply released Er Zou first, which happened to be the gambling house. The boss was also a close friend of the two, so they came here to hide together.
Shi Xiu and others did not doubt that he was there, so they revealed the siege plan. They all agreed to attack together in the east city, seize the city gate, and welcome Cao Cao's army into the city. Everyone agreed to enter Hong Kong, and Sun Xin and his wife brought a lot of wine and meat to entertain them. Shi Xiu and others were unprepared, and they were all knocked upside down.
When Shi Xiu and others woke up, they were already locked in a cage. Only then did Le He reveal that all of them had surrendered to Zong Ze, which made Shi Xiu regretful.
Shi Xiu later learned from the prisoners' discussions that Zongze was pleased with his report and knew that Cao Cao only had a thousand men, so he decided to send troops overnight, attack with fire and ambushes at night, in order to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, so he taught Xie Zhen first Two heroes, Jie Bao, led dozens of agile and capable hunters. Relying on their familiarity with the terrain of the mountains, they avoided Cao Jun's overt and covert sentries. They set fire on three sides, forced Cao Cao into a trap, and forced him to surrender or encircle and annihilate him.
After Shi Xiu said these words, Cao Cao fully understood the whole story. In short, he and Zongze seemed to value each other, but in fact they both underestimated each other.
Cao Cao didn't expect Zongze's reaction speed and local energy. Zongze didn't expect Cao Cao's elite men and ability to command on the spot, so they both suffered losses.
Lu Zhishen said: "Brother, now that you have exposed your secret, what should you do now?"
Cao Cao said: "I have thought of a countermeasure along the way. You and I will give you some advice: Lin Chong, Qin Ming and other brothers are still training in Erlong Mountain. I want Shi Xiu and Niu Gao to ride their fast horses back to Yanggu. After picking up a cart of gold and silver treasures, Shi Xiu went directly to Liangshan to wait for me. We would rest for a day, and four brothers, Luan Tingyu, Mu Hong, Fan Rui and Shi Qian, accompanied me. We went to Liangshan to meet Shi Xiu and walked straight to Tokyo. Suffer."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this: "Brother, why did you go to Tokyo for no reason?"
Cao Cao said: "I have thought carefully about Zongze's methods. In terms of military skills, although they are somewhat extraordinary, they are not earth-shattering. The most powerful thing about this man is that he can convince people's hearts and everyone is willing to contribute to him. If I mobilize all my troops and horses, I will go down. Dengzhou is easy, but the damage will be heavy. Our original intention is to take over the territory as a foundation, and we also want the people to have a place to live and work in peace and contentment. If the damage is heavy, I don't know how long it will take to win the hearts and minds of the people of Dengzhou."
After hearing this, Lu Zhishen said happily: "My brother has this idea, which is a blessing to the people."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Senior brother, I have over-praised you. But just because of this thought, I don't want to compete with him on the battlefield. I spent some gold and silver treasures to buy him far away from Shandong. Wouldn't everyone be safe?"
Lu Fang and Guo Sheng both said: "In that case, we will also accompany our brother for a walk."
Cao Cao said: "Brother, this trip probably doesn't require the use of force, so there is no need for a large number of people. It's rare that senior fellow Lu, Yang Zhishi, Lin Jiaotou, Huazhizhai, General Huyan, General Qin and other capable people are here, and you are not two years old." There is still room for improvement in my kung fu, wouldn’t it be a good time to ask them for more advice? In the future, I can help my brother to take care of his worries."
When he said these words, Lu Fang and Guo Sheng nodded, and Zhou Tong also interjected: "Originally, I also wanted to join the army, but my brother's words came from my heart. He only wore the title of 'little overlord', but he went into battle but If it doesn’t help, I should ask my brothers for advice.”
After hearing this, Cao Cao was delighted and said: "If you have such thoughts, why worry about not being able to make progress? All of you brothers, please remember my brother's words: When we want to do something earth-shattering, we must fight for fame and glory on the tip of the knife. The hope of survival in the future will be greater! When great things are accomplished, who is the king, which is the duke, which is the marquis, doesn’t it still depend on the individual’s ability?”
His words made everyone in the hall excited. Mu Hong shouted: "That's it, what my brother said couldn't be more clear. I'm going to write a letter right now. Brother Shi Xiu will give it to my family, Mu Chun, when he returns to Yanggu. Don't just play around. You still need to polish your skills with the gun and stick."
Cao Cao said to Niu Gao again: "I failed to become a disciple before and I haven't explained it to your mother yet. This time you and Shi Xiu go back and stay at home to explain it to your mother. I only say that I am sorry for my brother. No matter what, I will find you." A famous teacher will give it to you."
Niu Gao was a little reluctant, but Cao Cao's previous words were still in his ears, so he had no choice but to agree first.
After finishing their meal, Shi Xiu and Niu Gao hurriedly left Erlong Mountain.
On the second day, Cao Cao took Luan Tingyu, Mu Hong, Fan Rui and Shi Qian, bid farewell to Lu Zhishen and others, and rode to Liangshan.
When they arrived in Liangshan, Wu Yong took the initiative to ask Ying to talk about his previous situation and countermeasures: "In this way, when you arrive in Bianjing, it is inevitable that there will be intrigues and incompetence, so I would like to follow the example of Sui Sui and recommend myself to go with my brother. We can discuss everything." good."
Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "I was just about to ask Mr. Jialiang to go with me."
The next day, Cao Cao and others went to Zhu Gui's hotel to wait. Not long after, they saw Shi Xiu driving a large car. Cao Cao frowned and said, "Brother, why are you so careless? Although you are very capable, if What should you do if you encounter a situation where there are many people?”
Shi Xiu smiled and said: "I didn't dare to be careless at first, but I got two bodyguards. With the three of me, I'm afraid there will be nowhere in the world to go."
Before he finished speaking, two people on horseback appeared from behind the cart. Cao Cao was surprised when he saw it and laughed: "Why are you two here?"
There is a branch of teaching: if you want to defeat a powerful enemy, you don’t need soldiers. Nine tigers are raging in Bianjing. Who can tell who wins or loses? Loyalty may be lighter than gold and silver.
Some friends questioned Zongze's ability to lead combat operations.
In fact, since Zongze gained the power to command operations, he led a group of subordinates who could be said to be a ragtag group of men and won thirteen consecutive victories. Jin Bing was so beaten that he shouted "Grandpa Zong". People then realized that Jin Bing was not Invincible;
Later, they were stationed in Kaifeng and built the "Lianzhu Village" defense system. The invincible Jin soldiers could hardly move forward. Isn't this a reflection of combat capabilities?
Comparing this situation with the collapse of Zongze after his death, and the collapse of the Central Plains, we can better understand his ability and value.
He led the army at the age of sixty-eight and was ordered to face a crisis. He died of illness at the age of seventy. He crossed the river three times before his death. In just two years, he blossomed into a magnificence that was not inferior to any famous general.
Another point is that people who are late bloomers often have one thing in common: when they step on the stage, it means the most peak moment. That is to say, debut is the peak.
They are indeed novices, but don't expect them to make novice mistakes. They have already made all the preparations during the long waiting process.
(End of chapter)
