Chapter 593: Withdrawal from Runan
It is said that Cao Cao was in danger alone, and the relationship between father and son was touching. Zhao Yun, a loyal and good general, finally nodded in approval and personally escorted Cao Ang out of the city to meet Cao Cao and his son.
The mounts under the three people's crotches are all top-notch BMW horses in the world. One is white, one is red, and one is dark brown. At this moment, they are actually drinking water and eating grass together. The sun shines on the three BMWs, and they are all shining like sculptures. , the picture is extremely harmonious.
However, although the picture is beautiful, Cao Mengde and Zhao Zilong will never become partners. Because of the difference between ideals and concepts, Zhao Zilong recognized the kindness and generosity in Chen Long's heart and abandoned the cruelty and viciousness in Cao Mengde's nature.
When Cao Mengde saw the Qingzhi Sword hanging on Zhao Zilong's waist, he couldn't help but pull out his Yitian Sword from his waist for Zhao Yun to watch, but this caused the Qinglong Army's iron arrows from the tower to attack. Zhao Zilong listened to the wind to identify his position, without looking back, he waved his hand and drew out the green flying iron arrow. His movements were smooth and smooth. Cao Cao was dumbfounded and praised: "Zilong, I thought that all the famous generals in the world would be under my control. Now, From the looks of it, I am like the sky and the earth with Zilong. If Zilong is willing to help me, why worry about losing the world? I am willing to give up my position as prime minister."
Zilong saw that although the Yitian Sword was an ancient divine sword, it was as sharp as a new one, and he praised casually: "What a Yitian Sword! Although it is an ancient divine sword, it is still as sharp as new. This new thing is always exciting, If it can surpass the old one, the sun and moon can also be replaced by a new sky.”
With Cao Cao's wisdom, he naturally heard the pun in Zhao Zilong's words, and asked after hearing the words: "Zilong, our Qingzhou soldiers occupy half of the Central Plains today, and our soldiers and horses are strong, so we are naturally the strongest in the world. If the Qinglong army is willing to cooperate, it will be very easy." We will soon be able to unify the world. However, I also admire your lord Chen Long very much. I have a gracious favor from Zilong today."
Zhao Zilong was slightly surprised and said: "If you want me to help you conquer the world, let's not talk about it!"
Cao Cao smiled and shook his head and said: "When Zilong sees Chen Long, please help me pass a message to him, saying that Cao Mengde hopes to form an alliance with the Qinglong Army, and after a quick unification, use Luoyang Wancheng, Jiangxia line as the boundary, divide the world equally, and stop the war."
Zhao Zilong was a little puzzled and murmured: "Divide the world equally? The Qinglong Army and the Qingzhou Soldiers split the world equally. It sounds really ridiculous... How is this possible?"
Cao Cao's eyes flashed and he said: "How is it impossible? With the strength of both of us, if we join forces, defeating Yuan Shu and Sun Ce is just a piece of cake. Doesn't Chen Long want to unify quickly? Starting from the overall situation and achieving the set goals, isn't that what a man should do? Did you do it?”
Zhao Zilong recovered from the shock, handed the Heavenly Sword back to Cao Cao, and simply said: "I just want to lead the generals of my army. Your proposal is too big. I promise you that you will have the opportunity in the future. The exact words will be conveyed to the lord." That’s it.”
Cao Cao slowly returned the Yitian Sword to its scabbard. Remembering that he had neglected Cao Ang, he patted Cao Ang's back to comfort him. Then he looked at Zhao Zilong and said, "Zilong, what do you want to do to let my son go?"
Zhao Yun smiled and said: "My lord has always taught us to govern the world with benevolence and righteousness, and to please others with virtue. It is nothing to let your son go, it is just to reunite a father and son."
Cao Cao raised a glimmer of hope when he heard Zhao Zilong continue: "But this matter concerns the entire army and civilians in Hefei City. The involvement is too great. How can I dare to use private interests to deprive public officials?"
Cao Cao pondered: "Zhao Zilong, do you think I would give up Hefei City for the sake of my father-son relationship?"
Zhao Zilong shook his head and laughed and said: "Unfortunately, I don't know Meng De. If you want to capture Hefei at the expense of Cao Ang's life, then I can only defend Hefei with my life until the end of my life. I will ensure that Cao Ang lives. But after the city is broken, I am already dead. Whether others will use Cao Ang to survive is beyond my control."
The negotiation between the two people entered a strange state of contention. As Cao Ang was a hostage, his life was still used by Zhao Zilong to threaten Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked at his strong and handsome eldest son, and really couldn't bear for him to end his young life. He thought for a while and finally said: "Zilong, if Cao Cao's army retreats and promises not to march south within three years, can we let Cao Ang and Xiahou Ba go?" ?”
Zhao Zilong did not expect Cao Cao to be so straightforward. He was slightly startled and then said: "Although I believe that you, Cao Mengde, can keep your word, but will you really give up such a vigorous southern expedition because of your son's life? These hundreds of thousands of troops and horses , How much food did you spend on going south for hundreds of days? If you come back with nothing, how should you explain to your subordinates? This is really unbelievable to me. They say that Cao A is hiding and treacherous, and I, Zhao Zilong, am not a fool!"
Cao Cao quickly laughed and said: "Zilong is joking! However, how to explain to my subordinates is my business, so you don't have to worry. You don't know, Cao Ang's mother died early, and my current wife is his adoptive mother, so to him Extremely caring, and most nervous about his safety, even more than any other of my children. No matter what, I don't want to let her down."
Cao Cao was naturally talking about the current Madam Ding, and both Madam Ding and Madam Bian loved Cao Ang as if they were their own children, even more than Madam Bian's own three sons. Logically speaking, Cao Ang is also the legal heir designated by Cao Cao. He will be the successor who will pass on the Cao family in the future, so it is indeed of great significance to the Cao family.
Cao Cao continued: "Now, Zilong should believe the sincerity of my words, right?"
Zhao Zilong pondered for a long time, then suddenly stood up and grabbed the reins of the white dragon horse. The white dragon horse was chatting with Ziying when it was suddenly pulled by its owner and kicked a few times rather unwillingly. Zhao Zilong got on the horse and said loudly: "Cao Mengde, wait, I went to get Xiahou Ba, you and your son , take them away together! If you regret to attack the city, I, Zhao Zilong, have made all preparations to defend the city and will die to prove my innocence!" After saying that, he no longer looked at Cao Mengde's surprised eyes. Bai Longma, a beautiful man, stood up He turned around, spread his hooves and ran towards the city gate.
It turned out that Zhao Zilong was an upright man. Although he captured Cao Ang and Xiahou Ba, he quite disapproved of using Cao Ang as a hostage to threaten Cao Cao. In other words, he had some inner demons and thought that some villains were acting like this. This time I simply decided to end it once and for all, and return Cao Ang to Cao Cao, which would be considered as dispelling the inner demons, and finally seeing the real deal with Cao Cao on the battlefield.
Cao Cao led Cao Ang and Xiahou Ba and slowly disappeared from Zhao Yun's sight. Zhao Yun was on top of the city, his eyes clear again. Although the Qinglong Army behind them believed in their coach, they inevitably had some doubts. Zhao Yun's voice came: "Everyone, be prepared to defend Hefei City to the death!"
Cao Cao was in danger alone, but he took Cao Ang and Xiahou Ba back to the military camp. All the generals around him were stunned and congratulated Cao Ang and Xiahou Ba on their rescue. Cheng Yu looked at this scene with a smile until Cao Cao called Cheng Yu to the military tent and turned away everyone: "Zhongde! Do you know what I want to ask you?"
Cheng Yu smiled and said: "It's really gratifying and congratulatory that Zixiu and Xiahou Zhongquan have returned at the same time. But their return is naturally due to the Lord agreeing to some conditions."
Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu with a smile and said: "You are indeed worthy of being the mastermind of our Qingzhou soldiers. Although I agreed to some conditions, for the sake of world affairs, I have nothing to fear even if I break my oath and be reviled by thousands of people."
Cheng Yu immediately remembered Cao Mengde's famous saying: "I would rather teach the world to betray me than teach me to betray the world!" Cheng Yu couldn't help but trembled in his heart. On the surface, he said calmly: "What my lord cares about now is of course whether I should or should not." Take down Hefei in one fell swoop."
Cao Cao laughed and said: "How do you know that what I care about is whether I should win, not how to win?"
Cheng Yu said: "At present, the Sun Long Alliance is still unbreakable, just because the lord has given them enough pressure. If the lord presses harder, they will naturally have no choice but to unite to fight." Cao Cao nodded slightly, because Cheng Yu was following his train of thought. , giving some reasonable guesses, and getting closer to the final answer step by step.
"With my lord's current strength and food situation, if I decide to fight them, even the victory will be a tragic victory, and it will be very miserable. For example, if Hefei City is broken, the food and grass in the city will be burned immediately, and all we will get is An empty city. And the alliance between the Qinglong Army and the Jiangdong Army is not so easy to break, and I am afraid our army will need to further accumulate strength."
"Now there is bad news. Huang Zu's son Huang She has surrendered to Gan Ning, and the troops of Huang Zhong and Xi Zhicai have entered Queyue City in Jiangxia. I'm afraid it's time to withdraw."
After Cheng Yu finished speaking, he stood upright with his hands raised, waiting for Cao Cao to make the final decision. Cao Cao thought for a long time and finally said: "Both the Sun Long family have ambitions for Hefei City and Queyue City. I am also very curious. Once we leave, will the Sun Long family fight with Hefei over Jiangxia? "
"However, it is a shame for our army to return to the Central Plains. The most abominable thing is that Yang Feng, Yuan Shu's subordinate in Runan, actually let Zhao Zilong's troops pass through Runan like this. As a result, you and I missed the meeting of Zhao Zilong's troops. A long journey to Hefei."
Cheng Yu was slightly shocked, and sure enough, Cao Cao gave an unexpected answer: "Zhongde, order the entire army to retreat, but not to Xuzhou, but to attack Runan! After destroying Yang Feng, everyone will go to Runan You can only eat in Nancheng!"
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
