Four days later, Cao Cao led his army to Qin County.
When he returned from Jingnan and took up residence in Xijing, he already had 30,000 soldiers in his hands. Due to the shortage of food and grass in the city, he divided half of them and ordered Sun An and others to take them to Liangshan.
Later, the Huaixi thieves were recruited and their strength increased to 30,000. They then defeated the Central Shanxi Army in two groups and selected 8,000 elite troops from among the prisoners to form the Taihang Army. After reaching Shanxi Central, they defeated Qiao Daoqing and marched to Hechuan, Qinyuan, Pingyao, and Qixian. More than ten thousand surrendered troops were obtained.
He divided 3,000 troops to attack Qingyuan, and brought 45,000 troops to rescue Taiyuan. Li Kui got more than 3,000 prisoners, and the main force even stopped Tian Hu's main force from defeating him. They ate a lot of food and selected the best. Jing, carefully plucked out 20,000 to 30,000 strong men and put them into the Taihang Army. The rest were either recruited for Han Cunbao or sent back to their hometowns.
Therefore, when he left Taiyuan, he had a total of 70,000 troops under his command, including 30,000 Huainan troops and 40,000 Taihang troops. It can be said that the troops are strong.
Bian Xiang and Ma Ling asked themselves to be the vanguard and drove to the city. They took out the Tian Hu King's flag and Wu Li's sword to show off. There were only more than two thousand defenders in the city, and they were all frightened. Fan Quan, the governor of the pseudo-capital, saw the situation. Not daring to fight, he decisively opened the door and dedicated the city.
Cao Cao led the army into the city and ordered the troops to commit no crime in autumn and not to disturb the people. He confiscated all the property of the puppet officials - only the puppet uncle Wu Li's family left half of his family property to support his wife in her old age and moved her to Qingzhou. Residence, in order to repay the virtue of adopting Qiongying, and to honor Qiongying's filial name.
When Qiong Ying heard this, she burst into tears of gratitude. She became more and more aware of how kind this uncle was to her.
Why does Cao Cao value this woman so much? The first is because she pities her lonely life, but she does not have the ambition to become a high-ranking woman. She can use the body of a young and weak girl to kill enemy chieftains and avenge the blood of her parents. She is chivalrous and filial; the second and most fundamental reason is that she He is the eldest disciple of Takejiro.
The judge heard: It turns out that the masters and apprentices in ancient times were very different from those in later generations. The so-called king of heaven and earth, relatives and teachers, these five are the foundation of ethics! Among them, teachers and teachers are also different - teachers, such as Lin Chong who taught the forbidden army marksmanship, teachers, such as Zhou Tong to Yue Fei, Wu Song to Qiong Ying, this is a master, one day is a teacher, and a lifetime is a father. It's just an obedient saying, but a real ethical principle.
For example, in the Southern Song Dynasty, the strange hero Yang Guo wanted to marry his master, which shocked the martial arts world. Later generations only regarded it as old-fashioned. However, for people of the time, the behavior of the heroic Condor Hero was indeed contrary to ethics.
Therefore, Qiong Ying was undoubtedly like a son to Wu Song, a eldest disciple who loved his younger brother, and also had great ambitions. Such a rare and good son was the reason why Cao Cao loved him so much.
That night, Cao Cao stayed at Prince Tian Hu's Mansion. Niu Wenzhong came to ask for an audience. He came into the room and said with a smile: "Fan Quan, the guard of this city, is an old acquaintance of me. I just found him and gave him a thousand taels of gold as a bribe. Please take my place." He introduced."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "You are sincere. In this case, I will pay 90% for confiscation and let Fan Quan come in."
Niu Wenzhong went to invite Fan Quan in. Fan Quan was a handsome man, but he only had a flattering attitude, which was unpleasant.
When this man saw Cao Cao, he danced and paid homage. Cao Cao waved his hands and said, "You don't have to be polite. Since you want to see me at all costs, you must tell me something important. Come and let me listen."
Fan Quan didn't expect that Niu Wenzhong actually told the story about accepting bribes. He was stunned for a moment, and then he put on a smile and said cautiously: "The villain has taken the liberty to come to see you, not for any other reason, just because the villain has a daughter who is famous in the country. She has a beautiful face. The villain once asked an expert to tell her fortune, but it turned out to be an extremely precious fortune and a very prosperous husband. Later, Tian Hu heard about it and forced her into the palace. It was ridiculous that Tian Hu was a rebel. He was just a reckless person. , how can I afford my beloved daughter? Today, the villain looks at the majesty of Jiedushi, who actually has the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix, and the body of the sun. He is filled with admiration in his heart, so I specially offer my daughter to him. One of them shows the villain's loyalty. The two of them can explain the loneliness of the general."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "It's rare that you have such intention..." He put his hand into his waist, but found nothing. Just because the Yitian Sword was given to Qiong Ying and he had not found a new sword to wear it, his expression did not change. , waving and smiling: "Come forward."
Fan Quan didn't know what he meant, so he stepped forward to meet him. Cao Cao reached out and pulled out Fan Quan's sword, and pierced Fan Quan's heart with the sword. Fan Quan was about to scream, but Cao Cao kicked half of his teeth off, and he could only shut up and howl. With a ferocious smile on his face, he said: "We are all close relatives of flesh and blood, but you want to sell your daughter to seek glory, and even sell her again and again. You really don't have any shame. If people like you are trying to survive in this world, wouldn't it be in vain for me to fight to save the world?" effort?"
After saying that, he twisted the sword until Fan Quan convulsed and died, then slowly pulled it out, sneered and asked, "Did you bring his daughter?"
Niu Wenzhong turned pale with fright. He nodded repeatedly and said, "His daughter is outside the door. She is Fan Meiren, whom Tian Hu regards as a treasure."
Cao Cao said: "Take me to see him."
Niu Wenzhong quickly led the way, and Cao Cao followed him out of the room. He saw an exquisite and embossed beauty standing silently with her head hanging down in the corridor not far away. Looking at her pitiful appearance, I felt pity for her.
Cao Cao couldn't help but walked forward quickly. When the woman heard the footsteps, she slowly turned around and saw that she had a face as flawless as jade, a pair of apricot eyes, eyes like paint spots, and lips like cinnabar. She was breathtakingly beautiful. .
At that time, the bright moon was in the sky, and the silver light was shining down. The woman's body was bathed in it, just like Chang'e descending into the mundane world in the middle of the moon.
Cao Cao had seen all the beauties and romantic figures, but he didn't expect this woman to be so beautiful. He couldn't help but gasped and thought to himself: "No wonder that careless Fan Quan dares to sell girls. The price is so generous." Capital! But he made a mistake. If he actually brought his daughter to see him, even Cao might not have the heart to kill his father in front of this daughter. "
I couldn't help but take a closer look at the girl again, sighed, and thought: "Fortunately, I killed him first, killing his father and then taking possession of his daughter. If this thing spreads, some brothers will be dissatisfied with me." , and this is why I can restrain my evil intentions!"
With his mind determined, the look of obsession in his eyes disappeared. He rolled his eyes twice and suddenly came up with a plan. He looked at the beauty and said with a smile: "Tian Hu's rebellion is a major crime against the Nine Clan. In terms of legal principles, even you can't do it." There is no escape, but your appearance is rare in the world. If you die early, you will really be arrogant! In my opinion, it is better to take you back to the capital and dedicate it to the officials. The officials will definitely love you deeply, and you will be rich and powerful from now on. Wuyou, this can be regarded as a sign of pity and cherishment, I wonder what you mean?"
When the woman heard this, she was in disbelief at first, and then she couldn't help showing a look of ecstasy. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she looked at Cao Cao without blinking and said, "If this can be done, the general will be my reborn parent."
Cao Cao laughed, waved his hand and said: "Don't talk about your parents. Although I may not be a good person, I don't want to be compared with your father. Did you know? He wanted to dedicate you to me for wealth, but he was afraid of suffering. I went to Tian Hu's old headquarters to take revenge, so I sold you for three thousand gold and fled in a hurry with my belongings, not caring about how I treated you. Haha, such a cold-blooded person is really rare in the world."
When Fan Meiren heard this, she couldn't help showing anger at first, and then she suppressed it forcibly. When she raised her head again, she showed a pitiful expression and sobbed softly: "He has been like this since he was born. He promised me to one person first. As a grandson, I received generous gifts from others. Later, when Tian Hu gained power, he dedicated me to Tian Hu. But now he is even more ruthless. Well, since ancient times, beauties have had bad luck, let alone concubines. I just let the general spend a lot of money in vain. , It really makes me feel uneasy, otherwise..."
She blinked her eyes, and the few tears she had just shed disappeared. She looked at Cao Cao charmingly and exhaled softly: "Otherwise, I can simply accompany the general for a few days, and when I get to Bianjing, I can dedicate my body to the official family." Chi, although this move is disrespectful to the officials, it finally repays the general's kindness."
Cao Cao's eyes widened instantly, thinking to himself that such a woman really repays her kindness! Is this trying to teach Cao to learn from Lu Buwei? But if I plant a seed, how can I let him accept such a waste as his father?
After a slight struggle, he waved his hands with an upright look and said, "It's not that Mr. Wu doesn't understand good intentions, it's just that a king is a minister. Since I am determined to dedicate you to the official family, I will naturally treat you with courtesy and kindness. I don't dare to have other thoughts."
Fan Meiren showed a hint of surprise, then nodded and said: "In this case, if I make any progress in the future, I will never forget the kindness of the general."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "The harem is also a place for cannibalism. I am the beloved general of Privy Tong. Since I sent you there, I will not turn a blind eye. I always ask Privy Tong to take care of you so that you can live happily. I wish that would be enough." .”
Fan Meiren thanked her again, and Cao Cao immediately called Shi Qian and ordered him to be responsible for protecting Fan Meiren from today on, and not to let anyone else get close to her.
When Qian Qian led Beauty Fan down, Niu Wenzhong stepped forward and said with admiration: "You are so beautiful and unwavering in the present, my brother is really a man!"
Cao Cao looked up at the bright moon for a long time, with a holy face, and sighed: "If you have killed your brothers and relatives because of lust, you will naturally learn to control your own desires."
Niu Wenzhong's respect grew more and more, and he thought that if he only talked about women's lust, he would be better than Tian Huduo. I will follow him wholeheartedly, and there will be some results in the future! Just as he was sighing, Cao Cao turned around, with a bulge under his belt, and a hint of a smile on his face: "Although this woman is a snake and a scorpion, she is really alluring. Brother Niu, let's not talk about anything else. Are there any skilled women in the city?"
Three days later, the army plundered all Tian Hu's treasury and set off. Within a few days, they arrived at Wei Sheng's army. With Du Bo and Niu Wenzhong as the vanguard, they defeated Tian Biao. Du Bo charged into the formation and killed seven generals. Niu Wenzhong After more than thirty battles, Tian Biao was captured.
The army continued to move south, and one day later, they captured the back road of Huguan.
The defenders of Huguan had been relying on the terrain to hold a stalemate with the Song army led by Wang Huan, the military governor of Henan and Hebei, and Zhang Zhang, the military governor of Zhongshan Anping, for many days, blocking them to the east of the Taihang Mountains. Now they saw that they were attacked from both sides and their food routes were cut off. After some discussion, they all decided to surrender. They had fought with the Song army in Hebei for many days and had a blood feud, so they came to ask Cao Cao to surrender. A total of six generals took off their clothes and carried thorns, and tied themselves to surrender.
Cao Cao took the rope with his own hands and asked their names one by one. They were Wen Zhongrong, Cui Ye (Yin Ye), Jin Ding, Huang Yue, Mei Yu, and Jin Zhen. He comforted them with kind words and took them under his command, treating them all as brothers.
These six people heard that it was the famous "Wu Mengde", and they were all very happy. They all shouted: "Brother has a great name, which is like thunder. If it was my brother who led the troops to attack Hu Pass before, we have been offering the pass for a long time."
Cao Cao captured Huguan without bloodshed, so he sent people to change the Song flag and went out to inform the Song army in Hebei.
"Old Fengliu" Wang Huan and "Kaishanhu" opened their mouths to receive the letter, and both cursed: "We have been fighting for many days regardless of life and death, but let him enjoy the great success! Let's go and argue with him!"
The two veteran generals came angrily with hundreds of their best men and women. Cao Cao had already led the generals to greet him at the gate. The two angry generals did not dismount, but rode their horses until they stopped two feet in front of Cao Cao. The generals behind Cao Cao suddenly changed their colors.
Cao Cao seemed unaware and smiled to himself: "Wang Jiedu and Zhang Jiedu have fought hard. The younger generation is Wu Zhi, the envoy of Qingzhou Jiedu, who is specially here to welcome these two veteran generals into the pass."
Zhang Zhang shouted: "Since you know how hard it is for us to fight, how can you secretly take this pass? How can you come to me to take credit for marching along the Qinshui River?"
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Old General Rong Zhen, I and General Liu Yanqing marched all the way and captured Qinyuan. When they heard that Taiyuan and Jinning were fighting fiercely, they divided their troops to help. After going all the way to Taiyuan, they destroyed the fields. The tiger queen discussed with Han Jiedu and returned to the court. Along the way, he defeated Tian Biao and saw that Hu Pass had not yet been conquered, so he came to help, but he did not intend to take credit. In the document reporting the victory, it only said that the Hebei army defeated Hu Pass. Wouldn’t it be great if our army arrived?”
Hearing that he was willing to give up the credit for Huguan, the two veterans looked at each other, and their anger was half gone. Wang Huan said again: "In this case, you know etiquette. We are all veteran generals, so we don't care about your juniors. But among the generals who surrendered, one was named Wen Zhongrong, and the other was named Jin Ding. These two killed two of my favorite generals. You should hand over the two thieves, and I will take the heads, hearts and livers as a memorial to my subordinates. "
Hearing this, Cao Cao was stunned, raised his hands and smiled bitterly: "Wang Jiedu said this too late. If he had said it earlier, it would have been okay to let Wang Jiedu kill him. But now I have allowed them to surrender. If they go back on their word, I will Having lost his trust, he would no longer be able to lead troops. He had no choice but to ask Wang Jiedu for forgiveness. As for the two generals who died in the battle, Wu paid a generous pension from his own pocket, which was regarded as paying for the lives of Wen and Jin. how?"
Wang Huan rolled his eyes strangely and shouted: "What you said is funny. Don't you have money to bully me? Wang Huan? Besides, whether you can bring soldiers or not is your own business. I only want to avenge my subordinates and nothing else." ask."
Zhang Kai stood aside and pretended to persuade: "Wu Jiedu, you don't know that Lao Wang loves his brothers the most. Why did you hurt your own master's heart for the sake of two thieves? This is your fault. "
When Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help but get angry. He treated these old Jiedu with smiles. Firstly, he respected them for their merits in fighting against foreigners. Secondly, he also wanted to form a good relationship so that he could respond to the chaos in the future. But if you think he is easy to bully because of this, I am afraid these people are overthinking it.
Immediately his face turned cold and he shouted in a deep voice: "Two old generals, please respect yourselves. Why should I let you kill someone who Wu surrendered based on his own ability?"
Wang Huan said angrily: "You, a junior, are so arrogant. If I and I hadn't attacked day and night, how could you have taken advantage of the chaos and attacked the retreat? Why do you think so? Just because of this spear in Wang's hand!"
Zhang Kaiyi shouted: "There is also this spear in Zhang's hand! Wu Jiedu, with these two spears, don't I deserve to ask for two people from you?"
At this point, before Cao Cao could speak, several people behind him laughed loudly at the same time: "Haha, haha, interesting, interesting!"
Youfen teaches: When a tree wants to be still, the wind does not stop, and when people think about it and are angry, it is difficult to calm down. Why the turmoil in front of the pass is only because few heroes know it.
(End of chapter)
