Outside Luoyang City, on the bank of Luoshui River.
Tai Shici was waiting alone at the same place where Zhang Heng and Zhang Wen met yesterday.
When Zhang Heng arrived here yesterday, he thought this place was good. The surrounding area was open and it was difficult to be ambushed, so he simply chose this place to meet Xu Rong.
When the sun was at its peak, Taishi Ci saw a figure appearing on the horizon in the distance.
Xu Rong finally came.
After thinking about it for a long time last night, he finally figured out something. Regardless of whether he wants to turn to Liu Bei or not, he has to go there.
Not to mention Zhang Heng's kindness to him, since the battle on the front line has not yet decided the winner, he can't go to his death.
However, he still maintained his usual cautious attitude. He didn't even bring a servant with him and came to the meeting alone.
When he arrived at the agreed place, he couldn't help but feel a little strange when he saw that Tai Shici was the only one there.
Who is this person?
Where is Mr. Ziyi?
A smile appeared on Taishi Ci's face, he walked forward and cupped his hands and said, "Is the person here General Xu?"
Hearing this, Xu Rong immediately dismounted, raised his hands and returned the greeting: "It's Xu. May I ask who you are?"
"My humble name is not worth mentioning. My master has ordered me to be here waiting for the general."
"Where is Mr. Ziyi?" Xu Rong asked.
Taishi Ci smiled and said, "General, please be patient and calm down. The chief will show up to meet you later."
Hearing this, Xu Rong suddenly understood.
I was hesitant on my side, and Mr. Ganqing Ziyi was also worried about being deceived, so I sent this person to wait in front.
But Xu Rong can also understand. After all, this is Luoyang. If Zhang Heng comes alone, he will be shattered to pieces if he is not careful.
Time passed little by little, and until about half an hour had passed, Taishi Ci looked around again and saw that there was no ambush, and then he really believed that Xu Rong came alone.
"General Xu, follow me!"
Taishi Ci greeted him and took the lead in mounting his horse.
Xu Rong also quickly mounted his horse and followed behind.
The two walked forward for more than ten miles, and Xu Rongcai finally saw Zhang Heng.
Seeing this scene, Xu Rong called him an expert.
Good guy, I thought I was cautious enough, but compared with Mr. Ziyi, it pales in comparison.
Seeing Taishi Ci bringing Xu Rong, Zhang Heng stood up and walked towards him slowly.
Xu Rong quickly dismounted, trotted forward, and solemnly saluted: "See Mr. Ziyi!"
Zhang Heng smiled, with a satisfied look on his face.
"General Xu, you are fine."
Xu Rong quickly cupped his hands and said: "Farewell to Juan County, I am always grateful for your life-saving grace. I am lucky enough to meet you today, but your grace is still the same!"
"General Xu is flattered. The wilderness is primitive, but I feel wronged by the general."
Zhang Heng waved and smiled, making a gesture of invitation at the same time.
Not far away, soldiers had already laid out a carpet.
This familiar scene made Xu Rong feel a little dazed.
When Bianshui was defeated in the past, Mr. Ziyi treated himself like this.
Now when we meet again, he is still dressed in white, with a faint smile on his face, proud and independent.
If there is a difference, Zhang Heng today is calmer and more unpredictable than he was then.
Zhang Heng didn't notice the strange look in Xu Rong's eyes. He picked up a pot of wine and filled it up for Xu Rong.
"General Xu, please!"
"Thank you sir for the wine!"
Xu Rong quickly took it and drank it down in one gulp, and then asked: "May I ask, sir, what is the important matter for me to come here?"
"Why, why not catch up with old friends?" Zhang Heng said with a smile.
"Sir, why are you joking..." Xu Rong waved his hand and said with a bitter smile, "Now that Luoyang is still under the control of Prime Minister Dong, sir, I took the risk and came here. If I say that I have no agenda, I will not believe it."
"Hahaha... General Xu is a quick talker."
Zhang Heng did not expect these straightforward words coming from Xu Rong's mouth, so he laughed on the spot.
Xu Rong quickly explained: "Sir, I know that you are very resourceful and far-sighted, so I simply tell the truth. Please forgive me."
The implication is that I know I can't beat you, but I'm honest enough that I'm not.
"General Xu is so honest. If I keep secretive, I will become a villain." Zhang Heng said with a smile, "To be honest, I came here to take uncle Zhang Wen out of Luoyang."
Hearing this, Xu Rong nodded. This answer was within his expectation.
"Sir, your sincerity and filial piety are admirable. If there is any use for me, just do as you are told, so as to repay your kindness for forgiving me last time."
The implication is that I can help you, but to a certain extent. And after helping you, our grudges will be settled and wiped out.
Zhang Heng couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
This Xu Rong still wants to swing!
But it's also a good thing to have a swinging attitude, which means he can fight for it.
Forget it, let him see my methods.
When it comes to planning affairs, planning armies, and planning the world, I, Zhang, may be a little bit behind it, but when it comes to planning people, no one in the world is better than me!
Zhang Heng raised his glass and took a sip of wine, and said with a faint smile: "I am not in a hurry to ask the general for help. I have invited the general here today because I have a question."
"Sir, please give me your permission." Xu Rong said quickly, cupping his fists.
"Has the general received the battle report from Xingyang?" Zhang Heng asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Xu Rong's expression froze, and then he shook his head.
Dong Zhuo would naturally send back battle reports from the front line, but only Li Ru and Dong Min knew the core content, and Xu Rong naturally didn't know.
Moreover, aren't we talking about Luoyang? Why did the topic suddenly change to the front line?
"Since the general doesn't know, then let me explain it to the general."
Zhang Heng ignored Xu Rong's doubts and directly recounted the battle on the front line. Zhang Heng didn't hide anything about the whole process, but Xu Rong was shocked when he heard it.
Unexpectedly, the Guandong princes were not monolithic, so they were defeated by Dong Xiang.
However, Mr. Ziyi and Liu Xuande's troops were not damaged, so the next war must have entered a stalemate.
Xu Rong is worthy of being a veteran in the army, and he can see the essence of the problem at a glance.
After thinking hard for a long time, Xu Rong cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry that I'm stupid and don't understand what you mean."
I know that Mr. Ziyi is a scholar, but you can just say what you want, why bother playing riddles with me here.
"General, is he really not understanding or is he pretending not to understand?" Zhang Heng said with a half-smile but not a smile.
"I really don't understand. I would like to ask your teacher for guidance."
"Okay, then I'll tell you." Zhang Heng suddenly sneered, "Now that Thief Dong and the coalition forces are confronting Xingyang, the reason why I dare to come to Luoyang with confidence is because if Thief Dong is given another year, he won't be able to Do you think the general is serious about conquering Xingyang?"
Xu Rong nodded, knowing that Zhang Heng was telling the truth.
"But what about Luoyang? Without Dong's army stationed there, how long can Luoyang last?" Zhang Heng suddenly said in a serious tone.
"Sir, what you said is wrong. The surrounding passes are heavily guarded, and Luoyang is impregnable." Xu Rong shook his head, expressing his disapproval of Zhang Heng's statement.
"General, why should you deceive yourself? Yuan Gongluo stationed troops in Nanyang, Yuan Benchu stationed in Hanoi, and left general Huangfu Song guarded Chang'an. These three armies are all in serious trouble. Dong's army has been confronting the Kwantung Allied Forces for a long time. Guess whether they will Any ideas?"
It's okay to lie to your brothers, but don't also lie to yourself.
"this……"
Xu Rong was speechless for a moment and couldn't answer.
If he were to lead these three armies, he would definitely take the opportunity to attack Luoyang.
After thinking for a long time, Xu Rong continued: "Sir, what if Prime Minister Dong returns to guard Luoyang and then moves the capital to Chang'an?"
"If Thief Dong retreats, it will be equivalent to defeat, and the princes of Guandong will surely advance with great success. Furthermore, do you think Huangfu Yi, who is a real man, will allow Thief Dong to enter Chang'an smoothly?" Zhang Heng asked coldly.
"this……"
Xu Rong was speechless again.
To be honest, Zhang Heng is a bit suspected of deceiving people. Not to mention that the princes of Guandong are unable to work together and each has his own little calculation. Just talking about the Eight Passes of Luoyang is not so easy to break.
However, the authorities were confused and Xu Rong didn't know the inside story, so Zhang Heng was naturally deceived by taking advantage of the information gap.
In Zhang Heng's description, Dong Zhuo at this time has become a broken ship that is about to sink, and it is only right to escape as soon as possible.
Seeing Xu Rong's silence, Zhang Heng continued to pursue the victory and said: "To be honest, I came to Luoyang this time. After picking up my uncle, I will go west to Chang'an and contact Huangfu Yizhen. Ask him to send troops from Chang'an to fight with the princes of Guandong. Attack Thief Dong from both sides!"
Hearing this, Xu Rong's pupils trembled.
Yes, he believed it, and he believed it deeply.
If you want to pick up Zhang Wen, can you just send someone randomly? Do you have to take the risk of Mr. Ziyi himself?
Zhang Heng's position in Liu Bei's group was very clear to him. For such an important person to be personally involved in danger, he must have some agenda.
The task of contacting Huangfu Song was just enough important to meet Zhang Heng's conditions for dispatch.
Not to mention Xu Rong, anyone else would believe it.
If Huangfu Song and the Kwantung Allied Forces attack Dong Zhuo from both sides, then... Xu Rong can't even imagine the outcome.
Just when Xu Rong was frowning and thinking hard, Zhang Heng's voice came again.
“On the banks of the Bianshui River in the past, I once advised the general to abandon darkness and embrace the light. Today I will say it again, but it is also the last time.
Weizi went to Shang Dynasty and became Zhou Bin; Chen Ping turned his back to Chu and eventually became the prime minister of Han Dynasty.
I thought that if a general had the talent of a great general, he would eventually make great achievements, and I couldn't bear to let him be buried there. If you wait until the day when the ax comes before you make a decision, it will be too late!
I hope the general will think about where to go! "
After saying these words, Zhang Heng raised his glass to Xu Rong again, drank the remaining wine in his hand, and then turned and left.
The fact that Xu Rong dared to come to see him alone today showed that he was a smart man, and Zhang Heng believed that he would make the right choice.
But you can't push too hard, you have to give this guy some time to think.
