Chapter 532: Under Hefei City
It is said that Gan Ning shot Deng Long to death with an arrow and burned Huang Zu's water stronghold, which unexpectedly attracted Huang She to surrender. However, he received shocking news that Huang Zu had already surrendered to Cao Cao and had led Cao's army to Queyue City.
It turned out that Cao Cao had already secretly reached an agreement with Huang Zu before he captured Hefei City. At that time, the envoys sent by Cao Cao for secret negotiations were Huainan celebrities Jiang Gan and Jiang Ziyi. This person was very good at debating, and he used current events to impress and persuade Huang Zu to surrender to Cao, with almost no effort.
Jiang Qian, courtesy name Ziyi, was born in Jiujiang. In the official history, Jiang Qian was a famous scholar and debater at that time, traveling between the Jianghuai River and the Huaihe River. In "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Jiang Gan was portrayed as a clown who was fooled by Zhou Yu, which is purely fictional. The official history describes Jiang Qian as "well-groomed and renowned for his talent and eloquence. He stands alone among the Jiang and Huai Rivers and cannot be compared with anyone else." At first, Cao Cao heard that Zhou Yu was young and talented, so he secretly went to Yangzhou and sent Jiujiang Jiang Gan to see Zhou Yu, hoping to persuade Zhou Yu to leave Sun Quan and join him. Jiang Qian had a beautiful appearance and was famous for his eloquence. He was outstanding in the Yangtze and Huaihe areas. No one could argue with him. So Jiang Gan went to see Zhou Yu in the name of a private visit. Zhou Yu went out to greet him in person and immediately said to Jiang Gan: "Ziyi Lianggui, you traveled far across the rivers and lakes to work as a lobbyist for the Cao family?" Jiang Gan said: "I and I are separated from each other in the prefecture of Zuxia, and I heard Fang Lie in the distance, so Isn't it treason and deceit to come to talk about Kuo and observe elegant rules, and to talk about lobbyists?" Zhou Yu said: "Although I am not as good as Kui and Kuang, I can hear the strings and appreciate the music, so I know the elegant music." Then he and Jiang Qian ate together. Three days later, Zhou Yu invited Jiang Gan to visit the military camp. During the banquet, he also asked the waiters to display clothing and treasures, and said to Jiang Gan: "When a husband is in the world, when he meets his master, he trusts the righteousness of the emperor and his subjects externally, and the kindness of his flesh and blood internally. He follows his words and deeds. It is a blessing and a misfortune. If Su Zhang is reborn and Li Sou comes back, he still strokes his back and breaks his words. How can a young child be able to move them?"
Jiang Gan smiled but never spoke. But after returning, Jiang Gan praised Zhou Yu to Cao Cao for his magnanimity and elegance, which could not be separated by words, and persuaded Cao Cao to give up the idea of recruiting Zhou Lang to surrender.
During the period of Three Kingdoms history that Chen Long traveled through, Jiang Gan used his sharp tongue to successfully persuade Huang Zu to return to Cao Cao. Seven routes of Cao's army captured Hefei, five routes continued to put pressure on Jiangdong's army in Lujiang, two routes and tiger and leopard cavalry raided Queyue City and seized control of Jiangxia. This was Cheng Yu's personal military strategy for Cao's army to go south after Huang Zu's surrender. Cao Cao thought so.
When Cao Cao was in the camp in front of Lushan City, he learned that Xiahou Dun's army was defeated and returned with nearly 10,000 casualties. He was furious and pulled out the Heavenly Sword from his waist, intending to kill Xu Chu, who was ordered to meet Xiahou Dun, and the three captured Wenpin father and son. Everyone was advised to die and be spared. Cheng Yu knew that Xiahou Dun was Cao Mengde's closest relative, so he persuaded him: "My lord! General Xiahou is blessed with great fortune. Although he was seriously injured and captured, he should be back in good health. Wenpin, father and son are left alone, why not change them before the battle?"
Just these words awakened the dreamer. Cao Cao put aside his anxiety and sent someone to Huang Zhong's camp to deliver the message immediately. Xiahou Dun's status was extraordinary, and he himself was Cao Mengde's cousin. Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was the adopted son of Cao Teng, the great eunuch in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, but his ancestry was from the Xiahou family. According to the annotations of "Three Kingdoms. Book of Wei. Chronicle of Emperor Wu", the two books "Cao Man Biography" and "Shiyu" are quoted: "(Cao) Song, son of Xiahou family, uncle of Xiahou Dun. Taizu (referring to Cao Cao) Yu Dun followed his father's brother ." From the perspective of blood relationship, Cao Cao is actually a descendant of the Xiahou clan. His number one general Xiahou Dun is his cousin, and another general Xiahou Yuan is also his clan brother.
Xiahou Dun stood alone for a long time. He "showed great respect for each other and went in and out of his bed, and all the generals were incomparable" ("Three Kingdoms. Book of Wei. Biography of Xiahou Dun"). Xiahou Dun was highly trusted by Cao Cao. In addition to his own talents and achievements, his kinship with Cao Cao was an important reason why he was so favored. Therefore, Xiahou Dun's value to Cao Cao was the support of the entire Cao and Xiahou clans, and it was logical to save Xiahou Dun at all costs.
At the same time that Cao Mengde's envoy arrived at the gate of Huang Zhong's army camp, Xi Zhicai, Huang Zhong and Chen Dao were discussing the military situation in the Qinglong army's tent. Xi Zhicai frowned, showing a rare look of worry, and said to Huang Zhong: "I didn't expect to encounter an ambush by Cao's army here. So many brothers were killed and injured. Master Wenpin and his son were captured. It's my fault."
Huang Zhong said: "Fortunately, General Chen Dao arrived and turned the tide. Has the plan to surprise Hefei been shelved? I haven't figured it out yet. We still need Military Advisor Zhicai to quickly determine the whereabouts of the army."
Xi Zhicai said: "Zhuge Military Advisor once said in the Fei Ge Biography that He Fei City is the top priority, and all actions are aimed at occupying He Fei as the ultimate goal. Thinking about it today, it makes perfect sense. Fortunately, although we encountered In the event of a major setback, at least a surprise force will be able to attack Hefei City."
Chen Dao nodded slightly and said: "Jushou's military advisor sent me here to inform General Zhao Yun that regardless of whether Yuan Shu agrees or not, he will lead his troops through the Runan countryside and rush to the foot of Hefei City for a long distance. If the Han Dynasty's promotion of the army goes smoothly, it should be with Zilong The generals met at Lu'an and stormed Hefei. Now it seems that the march plan needs to be rearranged."
Xi Zhicai was still frowning, as if he was thinking about some important plan, but he couldn't figure it out for a while. Huang Zhong and Chen Dao glanced at each other, and their faces turned gloomy when they saw the handsome Xi Zhicai in front of them. Knowing that he was thinking nervously, they both sat down quietly without disturbing him.
Suddenly, someone reported outside the tent, interrupting Xi Zhicai's contemplation. It turned out that Cao Mengde's envoy had arrived, and he wanted to exchange the lives of Wenpin and his son for the seriously injured Xiahou Dun. Xi Zhicai suddenly slapped his forehead and said: "It seems that Cao Mengde's actions are indeed another trap."
Huang Zhong and Chen Dao were confused by what they said. Xi Zhicai waved off the reporting soldiers and explained: "In the current war situation, everyone sees that Hefei is the top priority. Cao Mengde has advisers like rain, how could he not know that? There must be no mistake in He Fei. Cao Cao likes to take risks when using his troops. He knew that both Jiangdong Army and Qinglong Army would have designs on He Fei, but he just let him lay many traps."
Huang Zhong realized the seriousness of the problem and frowned: "Zhicai said, Hefei City itself is the biggest trap?" As soon as he said this, Chen Dao's brows could not help but tremble slightly.
Xi Zhicai nodded slowly and said: "Cao Cao failed in Zhangjiachong. Logically speaking, the army should move towards Macheng to block the passage for our Qinglong Army to attack Hefei, thus completely ruining our plan to surprise Hefei. However, Cao Cao did not He chose to move his troops to the countryside outside Lushan City, and made a posture of attacking Lushan City, exposing a passage for our army to continue northward through Macheng. Isn't he afraid that we will continue to lead the army to attack Hefei?"
Chen Dadao said: "Zhicai said that if we go north to Macheng and take Lu'an, there will be a second trap for Cao Jun?"
Xi Zhicai said: "Exactly. Cao Jun must have many traps on the passage that our third legion must pass through to attack Hefei, waiting for us to step on them. The only thing we are lucky about is that Gan Ning's navy legion and those left behind The defenders can protect Hanyang City for the time being."
Huang Zhong said: "Military advisor, is the next step only to have a decisive battle with Cao Cao here?"
Xi Zhicai shook his head slightly and said: "Did Han Sheng forget what Zhuge's military advisor said? The most important thing is to unite Fei. General Han Sheng, please send an order to the three armies now, leaving 10,000 people to garrison here and change generals with Cao Cao in front of the formation. The rest of the troops will immediately head north to Macheng."
Huang Zhong couldn't help but open his eyes in surprise and asked: "You know there is a trap, but you still step on it?"
Xi Zhicai's wise eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of fog, and he looked at the illusory distance and said: "In order for General Zilong's troops to reach Hefei City smoothly, any sacrifice of our third army will be worth it. I bet Although Cao Cao was extremely resourceful, he failed to calculate that Zilong could pass through Yuan Shu's territory without any hindrance and reach the foot of Hefei City."
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
