The setting sun is like blood.
At dusk, the village that had been ravaged by war looked extremely desolate.
The once peaceful and joyful village was now in shambles.
Charred rubble and collapsed walls littered the streets, as if it had experienced a catastrophic decline.
The raging fire once raged here, but now the smoke is filled with a strong smell of burning.
Occasionally remnants of charred wood and broken ceramics can still be seen.
Some of the houses of the common people only have tiles left, while others are in ruins.
In the distance and near, the roof was damaged by the fire, the wooden beams were twisted and deformed, and the broken tiles were scattered on the ground. There were burn marks and black marks on the walls. The doors and windows of the house had long been burned to ashes, and broken window glass was scattered around.
A few lone trees were still standing, but their branches and leaves were brown and dry.
The afterglow of dusk shines through the smoke on the ruined villages, creating a desolate scene.
In this mess, it seems that the laughter of children and the songs of family reunions can still be heard, but now there is only silence and fragmentation.
When it prospers, the people suffer, and when it dies, the people suffer.
The people who were devastated by the war were even more miserable.
certainly...
Zang Ba was also in the same mood as this dilapidated house at this moment.
Before coming here, he had an army of tens of thousands, had unlimited glory, and hoped to conquer the world.
Now he was beaten like a lost dog.
There were only thirty people following him.
Moreover, each one of them was in disheveled clothes and did not look like a warrior who had fought a hundred battles. They were just deserters and beggars.
Zang Ba took advantage of the heavy fog to break out this morning.
While the army was withdrawing towards Xuzhou in the northeast, Zang Ba and his cronies withdrew towards the south.
Run to the northeast. If you succeed, the sea and sky will be brighter.
but...
He has no horses, how can he outrun the Wei cavalry?
That's the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!
Therefore, Zang Ba was caught by surprise and fled towards Chengde in the south.
He knew that the current Jiangdong army was about to defeat Chengde.
To get to Sun Quan, you can enter Xuzhou from Guangling County.
This is the best way to escape from the Wei army's pursuit!
At this time, Zang Ba felt heavy and tired. The camp was lost, the soldiers were scattered, and the future was unknown...
While Zang Ba was thinking wildly, Zang Shun shouted and said: "Father, we saw a group of troops in front of us. They were flying the banner of Lu. They should be Lu Meng and Lu Ziming, the governor of Jiangdong!"
Zang Shun's words immediately brought Zang Ba back to his senses, and he became much more awake.
"Quick! Send out the flag!"
The broken Zang banner was raised, and the troops in front saw it and quickly came towards Zang Ba.
"Xu~"
Besieging Zhang Liao, Lu Meng completed his task well.
Therefore, he led his troops to cruise near Chengde, inquiring about information and at the same time preventing a sneak attack by the Wei army.
Don't you expect to see Zang Ba's banner today?
He ran closer and looked, but the expression on his face was particularly wonderful.
These twenty or so people looked really miserable.
"Are you the envoy sent by Zang Ba?"
Lu Meng looked at Zang Ba.
We really can't blame him for treating Zang Ba as a messenger.
After all, there is no such thing as a hero, and there are only about twenty people around him.
To say he was a messenger would be considered embarrassing.
"I am Zang Xuangao!"
Declaration is Zang Ba’s word.
Zang declared?
Lu Meng was stunned.
"General Zhendong?"
Lu Mengyou didn't believe it and asked again.
"It's me who made the governor laugh. Please inform Marquis Wu on your behalf that I have something important to discuss with you."
The dignified General Zhendong actually fell to this?
Lu Meng looked shocked.
"The general was defeated?"
Zang Ba's face looked like a scapegoat, but he still nodded slightly.
"The food route was cut off and the generals rebelled. In desperation, they had to leave the camp and fell into Cao Pi's treacherous plan!"
Hey~
Zang Ba let out a long sigh and said, "It's a shame that Mr. Liu, despite his oath of alliance, didn't come to attack. As a result, I was besieged by the main force of the Wei army, resulting in a huge defeat."
Don't say anything first, throw the pot away first and then talk.
"The general still has a foundation in Xuzhou, so there may be no chance of a comeback."
Lu Meng naturally knew what Zang Ba was thinking.
But it would be wrong to say that Liu Gongsi had not taken any action.
Zang Ba was surrounded by Wei troops and the news was not smooth.
The Jiangdong side knew that Liu Chan had already defeated all the news about the rule of Runan County. The shock in Runan would probably attract a lot of troops from the Wei State.
"This is also the purpose of coming to see Wu Hou. In order to make a comeback, I also asked the governor to let me go to see Wu Hou!"
Although Zang Bahu fell in Pingyang, Lu Meng still treated him with courtesy.
"General, follow me."
Seeing that Zang Ba didn't even have a horse, he turned to the deputy general and said, "Give your horse to General Zhendong."
"promise."
The deputy jumped off his horse and handed the reins of the war horse to Zang Ba.
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief."
Jumping on the war horse, the sense of security has increased.
"Drive~"
Lü Meng drove his horses towards the east.
Zang Ba naturally followed behind.
Soon
In a wilderness outside Chengde, he saw a temporary walled city with bright flags fluttering in the wind, with the names of various generals written on them, but the flag with the character Sun was the most numerous.
With Lu Meng in front, Zang Ba had an unobstructed journey.
"Go quickly and tell the lord that General Zang Ba of Zhendong wants to see you."
Lu Meng ordered the soldiers outside the main tent of the Chinese army.
Soon.
The main tent door opened, and what came out this time was not the soldier who was delivering the order, but Sun Quan who was wearing strong armor and wearing a purple robe.
"Hahaha~"
He laughed first and nodded to Lu Meng, then looked at Zang Ba, enthusiastically stepped forward and took Lu Meng's hand, saying: "I have admired the title of General for a long time, please!"
"Wu Hou, I..."
Zang Ba opened his mouth, but before he could speak, he was dragged into the main tent of the Chinese army by Sun Quan.
"General, please."
After letting Zang Ba sit down at the guest seat, Sun Quan walked to the host seat.
"Marquis Wu, I am the general of the defeated army. Now I come here to pay my respects with my face licked. All I want is to borrow troops."
Borrowing troops?
Sun Quan's brows furrowed slightly before his butt was even hot from sitting on it.
Zang Ba stood up, bowed to Sun Quan, and stated his difficulties and requests to Sun Quan.
"Although I am defeated now, I still have my family business in Xuzhou. I would like to ask the general to lend me some soldiers. After I return to Xuzhou, I will repay my kindness!"
Sun Quan sat high up, looking down at Zang Ba, his eyes showing thoughtfulness.
After a while, he finally spoke: "The general is a well-known general. Although he is in trouble now, he still has the heart to regroup and respect him. I am willing to lend help and go to Xuzhou with the general to regroup for you. "
Zang Ba felt a surge of heat in his heart, and he looked at Sun Quan in disbelief.
He knelt down half-kneeling in gratitude and said solemnly: "Marquis Wu is a great kindness. I will remember it in my heart. If I have any orders in the future, I will definitely help you."
"General, there is no need to be polite."
Sun Quan chuckled and said, "Now that the general is defeated, Xuzhou will inevitably be unstable. I can borrow the general's 10,000 elite troops to stabilize the situation in Xuzhou."
Ten thousand?
Zang Ba's face showed a look of ecstasy.
Jiangdong's counselors in the tent couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.
Many people were already getting ready to get up.
"Lord, no."
"Ten thousand people is too many."
"Now I, Jiangdong, am also short of soldiers. My lord, please think twice!"
...
Hearing the objections from Jiangdong's generals and advisors in the tent, Zang Ba also calmed down.
"Wu Hou, I think ten thousand people are too many. Three thousand people are enough!"
Sun Quan waved his hand, looked at Zang Ba with burning eyes, and said: "I am willing to lend 10,000 troops. There are requirements. I can stabilize Xuzhou and even Qingzhou, but they must be loyal to me, Jiangdong."
Allegiance?
This is impossible!
Ten thousand soldiers, do you want to capture the entire Xuzhou?
How can there be such a cheap deal!
"Marquis Wu is joking. I, Zang Ba, don't own Xuzhou, so how can I offer my land to it?"
Although he felt very unhappy, but now people had to bow their heads under the eaves, Zang Ba kept an awkward smile on his face.
Sun Quan saw what Zang Ba was thinking and said, "How about borrowing three thousand troops and replacing them with Guangling County?"
Zang Ba was not something he, Sun Zhongmou, could conquer at this time.
This person still has ambitions, and only Cao Mengde can suppress him.
I am afraid that Sun Zhongmou does not have this kind of personality charm.
The land of Xuzhou is definitely beyond planning.
But if you want me, Sun Quan, to borrow troops, what are the benefits?
Three thousand troops are being exchanged for Guangling County. Do you want to do this deal?
Zang Ba's expression, which originally had a slight smile, now gradually darkened.
"If Marquis Wu wants Guangling County, he can send troops to get it!"
Zang Ba's attitude has become tougher.
"Your Excellency, if you don't have my help now, not to mention Guangling County, even your life may not be saved."
The murderous intent in Sun Quan's words was also undisguised.
"Wu Hou is free to kill me."
Zang Ba snorted coldly, and then said: "Without me dragging the Wei State in Xuzhou, how can you take Hefei, and now you dare to attack Chengde?"
When asked by Zang Ba, Sun Quan was choked.
But Zang Ba’s phone didn’t stop:
"You and I were originally allies, but now I am defeated and in trouble. I beg you to give me some help, but you want to take advantage of the situation. Wu Hou, what kind of hero are you?"
Sun Quan's face turned red and he felt a little ashamed.
But fortunately, he was thick-skinned and said with a sarcastic smile: "What I said just now was all a joke. General, you don't have to take it seriously. I also ask General Zhendong to go and rest first. I will definitely borrow the troops. It's just a few. Please treat me as a king and minister." Let’s discuss it and then make a decision.”
"snort!"
Zang Ba snorted coldly and walked away directly.
No wonder everyone calls them Jiangdong Rats. What is such a villain if not a Rat?
After Zang Ba left.
Sun Quan was sitting on the throne of the chief of the Chinese army.
The plan failed just now, and Zang Ba yelled at him a few times, making Sun Quan feel a little unhappy at the moment.
There was a map placed on the document in front of him, which marked various key points of Xuzhou and related information.
Borrow troops, borrow troops.
Although it is beneficial for me, Jiangdong, for you, Zang Ba, to regain control of Xuzhou, but I, Jiangdong, cannot give you soldiers in vain?
Back then, my brother borrowed troops from Yuan Shu and even used a jade seal to pass down the country!
Besides...
Can I really regain control of Xuzhou by borrowing troops from you?
The hidden risks and pros and cons made him think carefully.
Sun Quan took a deep breath, then patted the table gently, signaling the attendants next to him to summon Lu Meng, Gu Yong, Zhuge Jin and other important ministers to come for discussion. These people are his most trusted advisers, and their wisdom and opinions are crucial to the next decision-making.
Lu Meng, Gu Yong, Zhuge Jin and others walked into the tent one by one, bowed to each other and sat down, watching Sun Quan and waiting for his instructions.
Sun Quan's brows wrinkled slightly, and he spoke slowly: "Now the situation has changed drastically. Zang Ba has been defeated, and he is now asking me to borrow troops to support him. But we must consider it carefully, as this involves Jiangdong's interests. What do you guys do? look?"
Gu Yong said in a deep voice: "My lord, Zang Ba lost the battle of Feishui and was defeated like a mountain. Now he wants to borrow troops, which shows that the situation is very serious. But if we lend him the army, what guarantee is there that he will not Take this opportunity to fall out?"
Sun Quan nodded in agreement and sighed deeply: "What Mr. Gu said is absolutely true. Zang Ba is the defeated general. He made such nonsense in the tent before. Even if he lends troops to him, he will not be grateful. In this way, he What benefit will it bring to us if we win Xuzhou?"
Zhuge Jin had a good idea of Sun Quan's thoughts and hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Master, I think we can reach some kind of agreement with Zang Ba in exchange for corresponding benefits. At the same time, if the situation goes bad, we can withdraw everything." Send an army.”
Lu Meng added: "In addition, we can also send some elite troops to accompany us, which can not only control the situation, but also ensure that our interests are not harmed."
At the critical moment, the place controlled by Zang Ba can also be captured.
Guangling County, you won’t give it, right?
Then I’ll take it up and talk about it!
After listening to everyone's suggestions, Sun Quan nodded slightly.
The decision at hand may affect the future of the entire Jiangdong.
That’s Xuzhou!
He stood up and looked outside the tent, watching the night gradually fall, with many thoughts in his mind.
Finally, he turned to face the ministers and said firmly: "Gu Gong, please tell Zang Ba about this matter. If he agrees, you can borrow three thousand troops. If he doesn't agree, give him some food and grass. Let him go back to Xuzhou by himself."
Want to prostitute me, Sun Quan, for free?
There are no doors!
...
Jiujiang County.
Shouchun.
People feel refreshed when happy events occur.
Cao Pi walked up to the top of Shouchun City in a happy mood and looked at the flag on Zang Ba's camp in the distance, which had turned into a banner with the word Wei.
Defeating Zang Ba and regaining the lost territory is undoubtedly good news.
He was finally able to free his hands to deal with Liu Gongsi and Sun Zhongmou!
However, he hadn't smiled for long before the smile on his face turned a little gloomy due to the next news.
A messenger on horseback came in a hurry and presented a letter to Cao Pi. He lowered his head to read, his face gradually becoming heavy.
It turned out that Zang Ba actually escaped the encirclement and interception of the Wei army after his defeat.
"In such a desperate situation, how can you let the thief escape?"
This news disappointed Cao Pi. He originally hoped to completely eradicate Zang Ba and eliminate hidden dangers in Xuzhou, but now it seems that things have not gone as he wished.
Zang Ba is still alive, then...
There will be no stability in Xuzhou.
Cao Pi held the letter tightly, his eyes becoming firm.
but...
Want to escape back to Xuzhou?
Have you asked me about the Wei cavalry?
Cao Pi decided to send cavalry troops to strengthen patrols on the road to Xuzhou, forcing Zang Ba into a blind corner and never giving him another chance to escape.
He stood up, looked at the general beside him, and said: "You have a serious problem in your heart. Don't let the tiger go back to the mountain. Zang Ba wants to see people alive and his body dead! Issue a military order immediately and strengthen inspections. Whoever finds Zang Ba will be sealed." He is a marquis!"
There must be a brave man under a heavy reward.
Cao Zihuan doesn't believe it anymore. Is it possible that he still can't find you, Zang Ba?
Phew~
Cao Pi slowly exhaled a breath.
The matter of tracing Zang Ba will be put aside for now.
Even if Zang Bazhen escapes, there will be no military disaster in Xuzhou in the short term.
Now...
Should he deal with Jiangdong first?
Or should we fight Liu Gongsi first?
If he followed his inner thoughts, he would definitely get rid of Liu Chan first.
After all, this guy stole his wife.
but...
You still need to discuss this matter with your own think tank before you can make the most correct decision.
With his army outside, Cao Pi needed a perfect victory to pave the way for him to succeed Han.
Wei Wang Cao Pi?
No!
I want to be Emperor Cao Pi!
