Everyone present was silent, only the sound of gentle breathing.
After a long time, Xi Zhi, who had been silent, finally spoke, "I know my lord's temper and thoughts well, well..."
Speaking of this, Xi Zhicai fell silent again, and then the scene continued to fall into silence.
Yang Biao knew that there were some words that Xi Zhicai would never say. The hint was already very obvious.
At this moment, Yang Biao's upper body sagged a little, as if he had collapsed.
The meaning of Xi Zhong's words is actually saying that there is no way to guarantee that although Cao Cao's temperament is bold and unrestrained, he is not a truly benevolent and righteous gentleman. Yang Biao once had objections and had a covenant signed with his name.
Then it is difficult not to be on guard, and even the descendants of his descendants will be on guard. The reason is also very simple. Yang's reputation is extremely high, and he will still have the status of being the best in the world in the future.
"Then..." Yang Biao wanted to ask again, but he didn't know what else to ask, "Well..."
What can I do?
He wanted to ask this question, but the people present didn't have much friendship with him, and it didn't mean anything when he said it.
In addition, Zhong Yao and Xi Zhicai have already established a solid position, and of course they will not be the same as him.
"The Taiwei has made great achievements in keeping the promise, and he is willing to retire to relieve himself of the heavy responsibility. In fact, it is touching. Even the deeds recorded in the school affairs are enough to show that the Taiwei's intelligence, ability and talent are rare in the world. "
"So, I think you can try to find Shaoqing..."
Zhong Yao raised his eyebrows, turned to look at Xi Zhicai, cleared his throat, and said: "Ahem, Mr. Jifu, Shaoqing belongs to my Dali Temple, what do you mean by this?"
Xi Zhicai, a man of good temperament, glanced at him rather arrogantly, "Your man? Bo Chang was recommended by me!"
"Is he the young minister of my Dali Temple now!? He is not allowed to listen to me?"
"I recommended him, but you haven't even been to his home once. What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with me recommending him to the Taiwei?"
"The Lord just said it in advance. I think so too. Lieutenant Commander, please go and meet Bo Chang. Maybe you can gain something..."
"It's wise to pick up people's teeth." Xi Zhicai said with a sneer. Zhong Yao didn't care and just said "I'm still teaching Bochang calligraphy. Can you teach me?"
"You two, stop arguing..." Yang Biao was sweating after hearing this. It was... it really made him lose all his dignity as a Confucian scholar.
Zhang Han... is about the same age as my son. If I go and ask him in person, will there be some...
What would happen if Dezu was asked to ask for it himself? Yang Biao thought complicatedly for a long time, but decided to go by himself.
Young heroes must be arrogant in their hearts, and only by giving them enough respect can they be happy.
"Okay, I understand. When Shaoqing comes back, I will go and see you."
"I don't know if it can be done," Xi Zhicai quickly became serious, "But if there are only two people who can protect you, the Yang family, one is Bo Chang and the other is the eldest son."
"That's it."
Yang Biao nodded secretly and kept all these words in his heart.
…
In December, the winter snow has not yet fallen.
The weather had gradually turned cold, and Cao Cao submitted his return trip to the court.
Along the way, in Yangzhou, Yanzhou and Xuzhou, officials were summoned to discuss the matter, orders were given to requisition grain and grass, transport them to Huainan and Lujiang, and arranged a large number of troops to garrison in Hefei.
However, Zhang Han did not travel with Cao Cao's army.
I don't know what secret report he received, so he left the army and headed for Lujiang and Wancheng.
After Zhang Han arrived in Wancheng, he stayed for a few days, made friends with local celebrities, donated a lot of money, and set up three ferries. After recruiting troops and horses, he left several old generals to guard them.
This place was not too important in the Battle of Yangzhou, but it was actually a critical transportation place for both land and water.
After arriving at the local area and inspecting the terrain, Zhang Han had memorized the situation in his mind, drawn a map, and marked many important points densely, and repeatedly deduced it with Jia Xu.
In the end, both of them came to the conclusion that if when attacking Shu City, a light army crossed the river and made a surprise attack around Wan City, they could burn all his food and grass.
Fortunately, Zhang Han had already forced all the enemy forces back to garrison in Shucheng, and only Sun Ce had this chance.
However, Sun Ce gave up this opportunity and chose to return to Jiangdong to continue to expand his territory, consolidate his strength, and divide his empire to digest the remnants of his old tribe from Yuan Shu.
For them, it is better to make more profits than to continue to devise strange schemes and engage in fierce battles.
You can't give up a great opportunity to consolidate your strength just to gamble on a possibility, and instead continue to fight Zhang Han.
Now, it is of even greater significance to Zhang Han to control Wancheng, build it into a fortified city, and set up a ferry to control water transportation.
It is also a place that connects the north and south and connects the east and west. It will also be quite convenient to develop business routes in the future.
Only at this moment did Jia Xu understand how vicious Zhang Han's vision was.
Even though I had never been to Wancheng before, I saw the importance of this city.
In order to clear up the doubts in his heart, he came to verify it in person, visited local celebrities and heroes several times, and worked day and night to establish government decrees and calculate taxes based on the local customs and conditions.
Such personal efforts and bold design are rare in the world.
Jia Xu truly saw in him the unparalleled demeanor of a famous minister.
Then Zhang Han took in the pair of sisters from the local Qiao Gong family, whose reputation spread far and wide, and evacuated happily.
He took his concubine back to Xudu together, and as if the bandits had succeeded, he kept talking to Jia Xu about his plans along the way. He was clearly here for these two women.
Jia Xu was so angry that he howled.
"I was praising him at the time. When I heard the name of Xiao Qiao, the prince's face did not change, and he was not moved at all. He only exchanged a few words with Liu Xun and showed his elegant demeanor."
"Who knew, he had already thought about it, and for this, he went around a lot and found so many reasons, including favoring the government, garrisoning troops, and also advocated turning Wancheng into a strategically important capital."
"For a word of sex! He worked so hard!! Isn't this rare in this world!"
He deserves this beautiful blessing! !
Whoever says that a prince is greedy for money and lustful in the future, I, Jia Xu, will be the first to deny it! He deserves it! !
A counselor does not use his strategic skills on the battlefield, but uses them on these things!
It’s so wonderful! !
…
Back in Runan, Zhang Han had just settled in the city and was planning to find a war horse locally, buy it and give it to Dian Wei as a gift.
But as soon as they settled in, a sentry came to deliver the order, and they broke into where Zhang Han and Dian Wei were. The person who came was Xia Houen, who came with Cao Cao's Heavenly Sword.
Yitian Sword, as the name suggests, relies on the authority of the emperor and performs his duties on behalf of the emperor. It is called Yitian.
Zhang Han's guards just followed in and did not stop him, because the fact that he came here with a sword meant that something major had happened.
Xia Houen entered the main hall, then raised the Heavenly Sword and shouted: "Where is Zhang Bochang, the young minister of Dali Temple!!! Come and listen to the order!"
Dian Wei kicked him out of the door.
He quickly got up, walked to the door in small steps, bowed and said, "May I ask, are you here? My lord ordered me to gallop through the starry night to invite you."
"Yes, I'm here," Zhang Han drank, nodded, and waved the guards on both sides to go out. Dian Wei stood beside him, glaring.
Xia Houen did not dare to make eye contact with him, feeling a strong sense of fear in his heart.
He had been trained under Zhang Han, Dian Wei, and Gao Shun before, and he was selected to guard the generals of the Cao family due to his outstanding performance.
And because of his well-connected connections, strong connections, and superb swordsmanship, he was spotted by Cao Cao during the battle in Yangzhou and became a sword-wielding general.
Among the many Suwei commanders, he was also a person with outstanding martial arts skills, but compared with Dian Wei, he was still not worth mentioning.
Just one kick.
Not to mention Zhang Han.
"Come on, come on," Zhang Han waved him in, "Tell me what's going on."
Xia Houen glanced at Dian Wei in fear, but quickly stepped in, bowed in front of Zhang Han, and said softly: "Your Majesty, my lord was ambushed in Yingyin. There were many assassins, hundreds of them." The man has been repulsed by Xu Zhongkang."
"Xu Zhongkang?" Zhang Han looked at him suspiciously and said, "What were you doing at that time?"
You are a general with a sword on horseback, why can you be so proud to say something like others repelling assassins?
Xia Houen's face was straight: "Hold the sword and oversee the army."
Dian Wei and Zhang Han looked at each other.
Somewhat helpless.
In the future, never go out and say that we trained you, "You, in the future... if you meet someone named Zhao, remember to hide away."
Xia Houen: "???"
"Why?"
Zhang Han didn't want to pay attention to him, so he and Dian Wei figured it out that some people in Xu Du were anxious and didn't want Cao Cao to return to Xu Du.
This time, I don't know what title I will receive based on my current achievements, but I will definitely be able to be ranked among the top three in the world, and it will also be recorded in the annals of history.
In fact, these people most likely had the secret support of Yuan Shao of Jizhou or the princes outside the pass, so they dared to act so boldly.
Having nothing to rely on is timid.
If you have something to rely on, your energy will be strong.
Everyone in the world is like this.
It's just that some of these "reliances" are based on principles of great justice, some are feelings of small justice, and some are emboldened by interests.
All can make people brave, fearless and daring!
…
After Xia Houen was bullied for a few more times, he mounted his horse dejectedly with his sword in hand and returned to Yingyin to resume his life.
Zhang Han was more relaxed and told everyone that there was no need to summon them, but that they should camp step by step and advance slowly to become a unique force of Cao's army.
At this time, he found that Jia Xu didn't speak much from the beginning to now, and his face was very ugly.
So he asked with concern: "Mr. Wenhe, what's wrong?"
"Uh..." Jia Xu thought deeply for a moment, raised his head and smiled bitterly: "I was just thinking... Sikong Huidu was ambushed. Although he knew who the enemy was, Junhou was not around at the moment. Although Sikong was not seriously injured, …”
"Well, moreover, it just happened that due to the bridge on the way... due to the strategic strategy of Wancheng, they separated from the troops and horses, and the most elite black-robed armored cavalry of the Su Guards were taken away. This..."
Zhang Han's mouth twitched fiercely, and he immediately stood up, as if facing a formidable enemy, "Yi... bah, my father-in-law is in trouble, don't be lazy, immediately inform the black-robed armored cavalry, immediately reorganize and dispatch the troops, leave Runan, rush on the starry night, and arrive tomorrow Yingyin, escort us!"
"No matter who dares to ambush my father-in-law secretly, I, the iron-clad Zhang Bochang, will thoroughly investigate and kill him no matter how powerful he is!"
Overnight, the black-robed cavalry came out in full force, and in less than ten hours they crossed hundreds of miles and caught up with Cao Cao's army.
When we arrived, Yingyin happened to be locking the city, forcing the nearby bandits to gather in piles. It was not known whether there were assassins inside.
Seeing this, Zhang Han and Dian Wei only asked if the eight hundred horsemen in the army were tired. Everyone said that they could still fight fiercely for a day and night, so they cleared the nearby suspicious gathering places and killed hundreds of thieves who had gathered.
These thieves will breed in groups every once in a while. No matter it is in prosperous times or troubled times, there will be such people.
It's just a matter of "how much" and "speed".
Many of the thieves near Yingyin, even those whose behavior could not withstand questioning, were arrested and killed by Zhang Han. Afterwards, no one cared about them, and no common people came to complain.
Therefore, the entire Yingyin family was shocked in one day. They donated slaves and money one after another, recruited strong men and warriors in the name of each family, and cooperated with Cao's army to investigate the people in the whole territory.
The Xun family even sent out their family members to be on guard nearby. It was not until they saw the black-robed army that they relaxed.
Xun You came out to greet him personally. After Zhang Han dismounted, he came to him and explained the previous situation: "The people who ambush are well-armed, and most of the dead bodies have calluses on their hands."
"People who have been trained in the army for many years," Zhang Han said decisively.
"Yes, Sikong has made it clear that after returning, he will definitely rectify the commanders around Xudu and take all the military power to guard Xudu."
"What if those people don't admit it?" Zhang Han asked with a smile.
"It's true that they don't have to admit it, but if this matter is revealed, unless Sikong is willing to swallow his anger."
"Can we retreat to advance?"
Zhang Hanying raised his eyebrows and stared at Xun You. Both of them stopped at the same time.
Xun You nodded: "Then stay in the Xun clan's ancestral home in Yingyin for a few days, then set off secretly and let people spread the news."
"Has there ever been a prince in the army...someone whose identity is unknown but who has never been singled out?"
Zhang Han raised the corners of his mouth and smiled mysteriously.
"As expected of Military Advisor Xun, there are many gentlemen with this kind of humanity."
The two of them entered the main room and saw Cao Cao having tea. The elder Xun was also chatting with him. They looked very happy while chatting with him.
Seeing Zhang Han come in, Cao Cao winked calmly and motioned for Zhang Han to sit next to him.
Seeing this, the elders Xun and others immediately took their leave and left the main hall, waiting for Xun You to come and take a seat.
The two talked about what they were planning outside just now. Cao Cao shook his head and said: "No need to guess, we can also know that it was Yuan Shao or other princes who gave the instructions, and Dong Cheng, Fu Wan and others must also be involved."
"It's just that the prosperity of these gang members lies in their status. We have been feuding for too long, so there will be many people who want me dead."
"The same is true in the court. It would not be wise to force them out at this time. If we force people out and kill them, will the court be clear?"
"Hehehe, no."
Cao Cao was very aware of the current situation. "We will set off tomorrow and enter the city through the north gate. We will also take a look at how the city defense construction is going and whether the previously designed city defense has been completed after a year."
"As for the army, go through the south gate, set up a sedan chair, and let them assassinate you. Just use up this group of secrets so that I can go to the court and ask for more power."
Neither Zhang Han nor Xun You thought of it, so they remained silent.
Mainly, if Cao Cao had bared his fangs from the beginning and treated Liu Xie with force and coercion, there would be no harm in his straightforward style of killing decisively.
Now is the time of benevolence and righteousness, so we need to be smart enough.
"Why don't you go through the south gate and I'll go?" Zhang Han suddenly looked at Cao Cao with a strange look on his face.
"Huh? You want to be in the limelight again, right?" Cao Cao rolled his eyes at him. He didn't show any performance on the day of the assassination. Did he feel it was a pity? !
You are now the Young Minister of Dali Temple, and you are still fighting and killing all day long. You are not a vulgar martial artist!
"No, no, no," Zhang Han touched his nose and said, "I also want something."
He glanced at Cao Cao with a guilty conscience and felt that he had to find the lowest merit first, and this was a scapegoat, which to others meant a narrow escape from death and wealth.
But it was different for Zhang Han, who just took it with his hand...
Cao Cao, on the other hand, looked disgusted, but he actually knew it very well.
Haha, this guy must want to ask His Majesty for a title...
What a greed for fame and fortune! Not even your life!
(End of chapter)
