"That's all, Mengde and I have known each other since childhood. He is unkind, but I cannot be unjust."
I'd better wait for the next opportunity before I'm unjust.
After Zhang Miao thought for a long time, he decided to give up for the time being and not do such unpredictable things. If he wanted to break with Cao Cao, he must find a foolproof opportunity.
Give them a break.
Um? Is this Confucian scholar peeking at me? I'm afraid I'm a little too worried, but those who plan for the military have a dirty heart, and they are probably thinking about how to plot in their hearts.
"Mengde, this time Jin Shang came here with an imperial edict. Thanks to you for seeing through it, he fled to Nanyang after his defeat."
Cao Cao happily put down his glass of wine and said nonchalantly: "It turns out that the Black Mountain bandits are also gathering in the north, and there are many remnants of the Huns in the south. Even Tao Qian of Xuzhou is ready to make a move."
"After this battle, the rightful owner is gone, and it's time for these rabble to disperse."
"This time we defeated more than 3,000 Jin Shang men, and gained countless valuables, more than 1,000 soldiers, and 200 horses. The loss was only a few dozen. I would like to thank Chang'an for the commendation he sent Cao."
Dozens? Doesn’t this mean nothing? For such a small price, he was able to capture thousands of surrendered soldiers and an unknown amount of money.
Zhang Miao's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly. This number was indeed beyond his expectation. Even three thousand celebrity bandits wouldn't be like this, right?
Or is it that Jin Shang is not good at leading troops, or that Cao Cao's elite cavalry is too powerful?
No, I have already seen it when I came here. Although this cavalry armament is very sophisticated, it has not yet reached the point of being "built with a lot of money", and there are still many aspects that need to be improved.
Although it was a great victory, there was also a counter-attack relying on military tactics, an element of surprise, and also a secret calculation that made me make Jin Shang lose his heart. However, the gap in military power between the two sides in this game cannot be to such an extent.
"Don't think too much," Cao Cao glanced at him sideways, "My spies sent the news half a month ago. There is a severe drought in Guanzhong this year. People along the way have no food to eat, starvation is everywhere, and corpses are everywhere. , even those fleeing the famine would not hesitate to exchange their children and eat each other to save their lives."
"Jin Shang came from Chang'an and had to pass through these places along the way. There was not enough food to share. The soldiers and horses were thin and yellow, and they were tired all the way. How could they fight?"
No wonder he dared to agree. It turned out that he had more factors to consider.
After hearing this, Zhang Han was thinking deeply in his heart.
All he could think of at that time was to catch him by surprise and highlight the words "quick, strange and cruel", just like when he went to check the fence, Huaer had already dressed up and left before he could react.
Unexpectedly, there was also information about severe drought and food shortage. Boss Cao was disappointed, but he still considered it carefully.
"That's it," Zhang Miao nodded slightly, stroking his beard and sighing. This sigh was a sigh of relief that Cao Cao knew how to use troops. Under the simple and clear military strategy, he actually already had perfect military intelligence.
Zhang Miao chatted with Cao Cao for a long time and did not leave until late at night. He placed the government office in Jiwu and promised Cao Cao to deploy troops and horses from Fengqiu to Kuangting to guard against Nanyang and at the same time make way for Cao Cao to leave Yingchuan. .
After a deep conversation, he already understood that Cao Cao's eyes should be on Yingchuan and Xuzhou next.
Yingchuan is a place of cultural exchange, where talented people have emerged one after another for hundreds of years, and Tao Qian of Xuzhou is already old, which is also a contestable place for Cao Cao.
There should be no chance in a short period of time.
Zhang Miao gave up all his dissent and respected Cao Cao as his lord and superior. Although Cao Cao did not accept his attitude, it still made him feel uncomfortable.
After seeing off Zhang Miao and leaving the city, Zhang Han and Cao Cao walked together to see them off until they reached the mountains and forests outside the city.
When he was about to get on the carriage, Zhang Miao looked back at Zhang Han, and at the same time he looked at the strong man behind Zhang Han with his arms folded and his eyes lazily. So he stopped, took a deep look, and asked: "There is something about this man." Looks familiar, like deja vu!?”
Cao Cao and Zhang Han looked at Dian Wei at the same time and nodded at him.
So Dian Wei cupped his fists and said, "Dian was originally a pawn in Chenliu County. Due to a conflict with the superior, he had to transfer elsewhere."
"In troubled times, Dian only wants to have enough to eat."
Zhang Miao's eyes suddenly widened, and his expression became unnatural for a moment, but he still maintained his demeanor and smiled at Dian Wei: "It's a good thing that you can find the Ming Lord, so you can take care of yourself."
When he was getting on his horse, Zhang Miao cursed in a low voice while no one was listening.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I became and walked away.
…
"If you celebrate your father's death, you will still be in trouble!"
"There are Dong thieves in front of us, and Xiliang generals in the back! Now there are powerful people from all over the country taking advantage of the opportunity. The country is in catastrophe! When will the troubled times end?"
"Cao Mengde, you don't respect the emperor's order! You expel the governor appointed by your majesty! You don't respect the king's way! You are hypocritical and the chief culprit!"
"To have such a thief who steals the country is really a misfortune for all people in troubled times. He was originally an eunuch, but he also did things that harmed the country. His nature of fighting for power and profit and excluding dissidents is clearly demonstrated! He is not appointed based on virtue, only talent! Talent is like this A sharp sword, a sword has a double edge, and it can hurt others!"
"I will never agree!"
After the autumn harvest and before winter, there were many more Confucian scholars drinking in wine houses and taverns, as well as in the courtyards.
Bian Rang entertained Confucian students at a banquet. No friendship was asked of anyone who came. Anyone who came by name could enter the house. After a night of drinking, all his friends and students spread his words.
The thin old man Bian Rang had become a great scholar in Yanzhou and was deeply respected by the gentry. At the same time, he had experienced the years of party imprisonment and witnessed what the eunuchs had done in the early decades.
Therefore, I hate the house and the bird, and from the bottom of my heart I do not agree with the so-called meritocracy.
The coolness of late autumn was very strong. Bianrang, who was wearing a robe, said goodbye to many friends in the deep house and refused to meet many old friends in Yanzhou. He knew that once he opened his mouth, his life would be short.
He did not want to be scorned and reviled by world friends under Cao Cao, and he was unwilling to calm down his anger. However, he knew that if he said this in public, Cao Cao would not tolerate him due to his status and influence on the scholars.
"What a pity for the troubled times, what a pity for the incompetence."
The thin and tired Bian Rang lay on the desk and fell into a deep sleep.
…
Winter.
"As winter approaches, people's hearts become more impetuous. Winter is a day for small gatherings, and these celebrities and great scholars all discuss business at this time."
"That's what I think. After the autumn harvest, there will be some food. At least they won't have to worry about food in winter. As for the warmth, they can write poems, drink wine, and comment on the world's people, so they won't feel cold." Zhang Han invited Xi Zhicai at home Eat wine.
Xi Zhicai laughed when he heard these words: "There is nothing to be done, cynical! This is self-righteousness, abiding by the courtesy of scholars will not win the support of talented people, and they will spit on me if I don't obey the courtesy of scholars, which puts me in a dilemma."
"We might as well leave the troubles to others, why should we worry about it ourselves, so I heard that Bian Rang has been arrested and died of illness in prison."
Zhang Han was stunned for a moment, raised his glass and asked, "If I let Yi die, wouldn't the rest of the gentry students be spreading rumors and angrily reviling him?"
Xi Zhicai said: "It's okay, thanks to it being winter, I'm scolding in a thatched cottage."
But after he finished speaking, the corner of his mouth raised, and he moved slightly closer to Zhang Han with blurred eyes: "But when spring comes next year, it will be difficult. This winter, you can pick some leaves and enjoy peace and quiet for a while. We will talk about next year."
"Nothing to do today, let's listen to music on Goulan..." Zhang Han felt that this was what Jijiu wanted to say, but unfortunately in this era, there was no such thing as Goulan House.
Dancing girls were also invited by the host of the banquet, or they were raised by themselves at home and came from slaves.
"What does Goulan mean?" Xi Zhicai narrowed his eyes and suddenly became interested. It sounded like a place for listening to music and dancing. Could it be the place where the Luoyang Prince's Guild entertained guests in the past?
No, in the past, banquets were held at home and in the mansion so that friends could gather together.
"Well, when we usually go to Pia for wine and have fun, where do we go?" Zhang Han really didn't know about it. Since it was just a small talk, he might as well take the opportunity to ask more questions.
