Chapter 16

Early the next morning, Cao Hong got up early as usual, not waiting for Wujiabao's follow-up troops, but waiting for Wujiabao to be ambushed and annihilated by his own people.

news.

Sure enough, the Xuzhou scouts who were traveling more than ten miles around Xuzhou City discovered more than a thousand people under the banner of Wujiabao in Yizhi Mountain. Xuzhou Lieutenant General (sixth-grade senior general) Huang, who was promoted and reused by Cao Hong,

Ren immediately mobilized troops to intercept and kill them.

But they didn’t expect that although Wujiabao suffered heavy losses in the raid, they resisted fiercely under the leadership of the leader. In the end, they retreated while fighting, and retreated to the mountains to defend based on the favorable terrain. For a time, Xuzhou was superior in both military strength and maneuverability.

Many cavalry units lost their advantage and had to dismount like infantry, bending down and carrying knives to attack up the steep hillside. In the end, they had to give up due to too many casualties and no progress. The battle fell into a stalemate.

However, when Huang Ren reported the good news but not the bad news, he ordered his scouts to report to Cao Hong that the enemy had suffered more than half casualties in the attack and could only hold on to Yizhi Mountain. The subordinates of the humble post had suffered hundreds of losses, and they could attack overnight!

Cao Hong was very happy to receive the reward, and asked the scout to bring his commendation order, and then returned to his mansion happily.

Cao Hong was originally a poor scholar. He had never been a scholar, let alone achieved fame. However, he was not the kind of sour scholar who studied to death. He was also very thoughtful and good at speculating and trying to figure out what was going on. When he was thirty-one years old,

At the age of 18, Cao Hong failed in the seventh child examination, and the frustrated Cao Hong's life changed dramatically.

That year, an earth-shattering uprising suddenly broke out in Taiping Road, and Xuzhou was not spared. Cao Hong's parents died of injuries and illnesses during the turmoil, and several brothers and sisters were also killed, some starved to death, and some died of illness. But

Cao Hong miraculously survived.

Most of the Yellow Turban Army were illiterate, but they finally caught one who had read, and they treated Cao Hong well and provided them with good food and drinks. Cao Hong was responsible for the statistics and allocation of supplies and personnel for this group of troops, and sometimes served as the director of the Intelligence Department.

Write secret letters and read announcements.

Cao Hong then became the core figure of this group of Yellow Turban Army, and knew many high-level secrets of the Yellow Turban Army, as well as many strategic arrangements.

Cao Hong knew that these rough men who didn't know a lot of big words and only knew how to conquer cities and seize territory, force and distribute food, and play with captured women when they were full would not be successful. Without a military system with clear rewards and punishments, and orders and prohibitions, there would be no military regulations.

An outstanding general, a lord with outstanding vision, without a group of talented counselors, even if he can be strong for a while, he will only be swallowed up by others in the end.

A gentleman should not stand under dangerous walls. A gentleman should choose good trees to live in. Naturally, Cao Hong would not hang himself on a tree and be destroyed along with these rotten trees.

So while pretending to be loyal and dispelling the Yellow Turban Army's alertness, he also attracted a group of "comrades" who wanted to find a new way out, and began to prepare letters of surrender to the imperial court.

The opportunity came soon.

Due to the Yellow Turban plunder in Xuzhou and Jingzhou, all industries were withered. The governor of Xuzhou was killed by the rebels and dedicated to the city. The governor of Jingzhou, Wang Ruiyou (can't spell this word out), even hated and criticized each other with his own subordinates, Cao Yin, the governor of Wuling County, which made the war eroded.

Unbearable. At this time, the imperial court asked Tao Qian, who had made great achievements in suppressing bandits in Youzhou, to go to Xuzhou to suppress the Yellow Turbans.

Cao Hong had long heard about Tao Qian's reputation as a man of kindness and talent, and thought it was time to take a gamble. So Cao Hong risked his life, sneaked out of the camp at night, and deployed the Yellow Turban troops from all walks of life in Xuzhou. The grudges were entangled, and the recent battle plan

They were all presented to Tao Qian in person.

Tao Qian was overjoyed. He acted according to Cao Hong's secret and united with other princes to launch the most effective attack on the Yellow Turbans. Soon, the Yellow Turbans in Xuzhou were wiped out, and Cao Hong entered the new Xuzhou with great success.

The top management of the team.

But Cao Hongwen couldn't govern a state or county, and Wu couldn't lead troops and staff, so he looked really unworthy among the officials. But Cao Hong had a clever mouth and an exquisite heart, especially his familiarity with the world of people.

The method of direct ministers and officials was comparable. The superiors could cater to the superiors, and the subordinates could use kindness and power. They quickly replaced the original Zhao Yu and Wang Lang in Xuzhou and became Xuzhou's successors after the Tao family and the Mi family.

The third largest force.

Cao Hong's parents and brothers all died in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, so he especially cherished his natal family, especially his wife Zang's younger brother Zang Lin, who had studied poetry and calligraphy with Lu Zhi, a famous scholar of the time, and he took great care of him.

Not only did he take care of him like a younger brother to make up for the regret of the tragic death of his loved ones, but he also supported Zang Lin in his promotion to help himself.

No, before Cao Hong reached the backyard, he heard the cadence of reading aloud.

"Cao et al. would like to declare to the world with great righteousness: Dong Zhuo deceived the heaven and the earth, destroyed the country and killed the king; he was filthy and disorderly in the palace, killing the living beings; he was cruel and unkind, and he was full of sins! Today, under the secret edict of the emperor, a large number of righteous soldiers are gathered, vowing to wipe out Tsinghua University

In the summer, annihilate the group of murderers, hope to promote the righteous army, and vent public anger together; support the royal family and save the people. When the day comes, the proclamation must be implemented quickly! This Cao Cao is indeed talented in literature, but what greatness can he become after being an eunuch?

Things are far worse than those of my teacher, Taiwei Lu. My teacher praised me for having the potential to be a famous general, but I just lack experience. Now that the world is rampant with thieves, it is time for our generation to rise up! In order to become a famous general and prince earlier, I

I have to find a way to lead the troops to practice, but without anyone to lead them, how can I have a chance!" A young man first finished reading aloud with great momentum, and then sighed anxiously.

Then I heard a young woman smiling lovingly and saying: "Brother, are you talking about making achievements again? Haha, you are the most promising person in our family. When I was a child, the fortune teller said that brother, you will definitely be a marquis in the future.

To worship the prime minister. Just to make achievements, you don’t necessarily have to go to the battlefield. Isn’t it also a way to be promoted step by step as a civil servant such as a county magistrate and governor? Sword

Jianyan, the war disaster, you are the only male in our family, and your parents are getting older, so we are counting on you to inherit the family name. My sister still hopes that you can follow your brother-in-law and work in the government office peacefully, as long as you

You are capable, and you have the help of your brother-in-law, but you are still worried that the governor will not appreciate you? You are weak, so you should stop thinking about war, huh?"

Listening to the woman's gentle and loving voice, the tired Cao Hong felt warm in his heart, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

In the past, Cao Hong's family was very poor, and the whole family hoped that he would be elected as an official to change the status quo. However, Cao Hong was not that material at all. The family lived in austerity for more than ten years, but in the end they had hope again and again, but failed.

Once again, the passion was shattered.

Therefore, no one who knew his family's situation would throw their daughter into a pit of fire. Therefore, in his early thirties, Cao Hong was still single until he was put into important positions by Tao Qian, and people came to marry him one after another.

Just got a home.

His current wife is a daughter of the Zang family in Guangling, her name is Zang Rou. She is not a well-known family. She is thirteen years younger than him. She is beautiful but not outstanding, but gentle, kind, considerate, and always keeps the house in order.

Gotta do it clean

Clean and well-arranged. Every day when I go home, I can hear sincere greetings, see her simple and touching smile, eat hot meals cooked by her own hands, and be served in the bathtub by her little hands.

sleep……

There are too many supercilious looks, too many hardships, too many calculations and cunning. Cao Hong, who is almost forty years old and has white hair, is also a little tired. He cherishes the home in front of him that makes him feel at ease and misses him. This home.

Not very beautiful but my most beloved little wife.

Maybe many people disdain Cao Hong's behavior, he is sweet-talking, ruthless, and greedy for power and money, but he is a good husband. No, they have been married for three or four years. In the early spring of this year, his wife had good news, and she will give birth by the end of the year.

Yes, Cao Hong was extremely happy.

Immediately a banquet was held and all the prominent people in Xuzhou were invited. He was very drunk at the banquet. Cao Hong, who was extremely happy and sad, cried bitterly. He had lost his father and mother and had no brothers. At this moment, he was about to become a father. He

Now that I have a complete family, there are people who cry when I die, and people burn paper at the grave. I am no longer a wandering ghost alone!

"Rourou, Alin, I'm back." Cao Hong took off all disguises, walked in relaxedly and said with a smile.

"Husband, you are back." Zang Rou was already pregnant at this moment, with a slender body and a big belly, and a look of kindness and tranquility on her face as if she was about to be a mother. Cao Hong looked at her and saw all the impetuousness in her heart disappear.

Zang Rou said that she was about to come over to wait for Cao Hong to take over the clothes, but Cao Hong walked up to her, held her little hand, touched her face lovingly and scolded: "I'm going to give birth next month, don't mess around.

Walking around, slipping or slipping are all big things."

Zang Rou smiled gently at her husband and nodded meekly: "Whatever your husband says, that's what it is."

However, Zang Lin, who was pretending to be worried, couldn't help but interrupt the tenderness between the two of them: "Brother-in-law, please do me a favor."

As soon as Zang Lin opened his mouth, Zang Rou knew what his brother was planning. She gave him a scolding look and asked him not to trouble his brother-in-law. Then she stroked her belly and went back to her room to rest with the help of her maid.

Zang Lin took Cao Hong's arm and said close to him: "Brother-in-law, I will be an uncle next month. I should prepare a gift for my nephew. And the gift must be heavy. If it is light, wait for a while."

When he grows up, he will definitely want to settle accounts with me!"

After hearing what his brother-in-law said, Cao Hong couldn't help laughing and scolding: "Boy, if you have anything to do, just say it clearly and don't beat around the bush. Your brother-in-law is not an outsider. When has he ever resigned from someone who can help you?"

Upon hearing this, Zang Lin scratched his head in embarrassment and said: "Yes - that's it. This time, the governor is going to send a large army to attack the Xiapi rebels. I want to go with the army. When they triumph, I will get this reward."

There must be quite a few, I

I just want to use the reward money to buy some gifts for my nephew who is about to meet - Hehe, brother-in-law, I'm not greedy for merit. I just want to use the money I earned from my own efforts to buy gifts. I think it's meaningful, nothing else.

mean!"

Cao Hong heard Zang Lin's words clearly just now, and he still didn't know what his plans were. However, thinking about the child that was about to be born, Cao Hong felt warm in his heart, and a strong emotion crept into his heart.

"Don't worry, my brother-in-law is here. This time, the reward for your military achievements can buy half a street! When my son grows up, he will only tell people how his uncle risked his life on the battlefield for him, how he took the reward, and how he loved him.

!" Cao Hong patted Zang Lin's head and said with a smile.

"Really! Brother-in-law, you are closer than my own brother-in-law!" Zang Lin was so proud that he hugged Cao Hong and said coherently.

"You bastard, you are talking nonsense. If you don't change your rough temper, you will be lucky to come back alive after going to the battlefield!" Cao Hong rolled his eyes at Zang Lin and said.

At this moment, Zhang Yang and Wu Na were sitting in the tent worrying.

"The sun is almost setting, and Long Yang hasn't come back yet. I think they either got excited for fun and went to the village to have fun, or they were completely drunk after hunting game and eating soju. But, even so, they should come back now.

It's over!" Zhang Yang looked at the rays of the setting sun that penetrated the tent, pacing back and forth uneasily.

"Brother Long Yang is not a person who doesn't know what's important. I think they must be in big trouble." Wu Na's face was heavy, but she became more and more calm. Compared with Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang's psychological quality is far inferior to those who have experienced thousands of years of experience due to lack of experience.

She fought a dangerous and bloody battle.

Yes, at this moment, Long Yang sneaked out of the Xuzhou camp with a team of a thousand people. After resting at Yizhishan for less than three hours, he was about to return to the Xuzhou camp. He was already weak.

They encountered the Xuzhou soldiers blocking the road again. After the Xuzhou soldiers asked them where they were coming from, they rushed up to kill them indiscriminately. The unsuspecting Longyang army was scattered in all directions, but for Long Yang and the more than 300 soldiers around him.

Help brothers fight hard

Resist, use this wasted time to gather the retreating soldiers, stabilize the position, and then retreat while fighting, retreating to the foot of Yizhi Mountain where they were hiding at night. All of them had long been killed in the more than two thousand cavalry.

Got off.

Since they had rested and camped here for two nights and had a certain understanding of the terrain here, they quickly seized advantageous terrain and guarded various checkpoints. The Xuzhou soldiers, who were mostly light cavalry, were dumbfounded.

Yizhi Mountain is not majestic and steep, but even with such a slope, it is not possible for horses to swoop up. They can only tie up their horses, and then use their swords and guns to brave the stones and mountain trees that are constantly rolling down.

They climbed up through the jaws. Even if they could survive the bombardment of rocks and wood, they would be greeted by countless spears and swords at the top.

After attacking for two hours, they suffered more than 400 casualties and failed to make an advance. Commander Huang Ren had no choice but to issue a ceasefire and rest.

At this moment, there were less than 500 Longyang troops left on the hillside out of more than 1,000 people. In the attack just now, they lost more than 300 people. Then during the offensive and defensive battle, although they occupied a favorable location, they still

One or two hundred people were shot to death by Xuzhou soldiers' crossbows.

At this moment, they were tired, sleepy, hungry and thirsty. They looked at the dead brothers with arrows stuck around them, smelled the smell of blood, and saw the horses neighing one after another at the bottom of the mountain, and pairs of brightly shining horses.

Armor, everyone's heart has fallen to the bottom.

"Let's just surrender! Tao Qian has always been known for his generosity and kindness. Wasn't even his deputy Zhang Kai a bandit before he was recruited? If they kill us, won't they be afraid of Tao Qian punishing them?" Sun Erhu said.

Tsuya

He brought more than 600 of his brothers out to perform tasks. He was a master who would punish others for his own sake. Naturally, he would not fight with the Xuzhou soldiers for the sake of loyalty to Wujiapu. So when he encountered trouble, he immediately acted as if he had arrived.

Surrender and save your life.

"Shut up! Haven't you seen it yet? These people have made it clear that they want to kill us all! If we fight hard with them, we may still have a chance to survive. If we are captured without mercy, then we are really dead! Sons, come out this time.

I only want to make contributions and gain benefits, but I don’t want anyone in Xuzhou to

They have secretly plotted against us. We cannot die in vain. Even if we die, we must make them feel chilled and frightened when they think of this battle in the future! If you are a man, hold on! If you are a man, you must stand even if you die.

Die!" After Long Yang taught Sun Erhu a lesson, he immediately stood up, raised his arms and shouted.

"Stand and die, stand and die!" Long Yang's words made these heartless straight men's blood boil. They shouted at the top of their lungs. Sun Erhu wanted to refute anything, but was kicked down by Long Yang.

"Keep an eye on him. If he dares to talk nonsense and affect morale again, I'll beat him to death!" Long Yang glared at Sun Erhu fiercely, and then two brothers from the Surabaya Gang stood up and beat Sun Erhu one after another.

They were clamped tightly. Sun Erhu's gaze could kill people, but he could only spit hatefully and did not dare to act rashly again.

Long Yang was very anxious. He was afraid that if something happened to him, Wu Na would also be attacked. But now he was almost in danger. He couldn't even break out of the encirclement. How could he protect his beloved sister Ying'er?

.

However, sister Ying'er is much more powerful than him, so she will be fine. If she goes there on her own, she will only cause more trouble...

While Long Yang was thinking about how to get out of trouble, he comforted himself bitterly.

The sun was gradually setting. At this moment, the welcoming pine tree behind the steep Yizhi Mountain suddenly shook, and seven or eight men covered in injuries climbed up.

"The second in charge!"

"Brother Black!"

Someone in the crowd immediately couldn't help shouting. Long Yang was startled, and after asking, he found out that one of these people was Liao Hua, the bandit leader who had just made the down payment to Wu Na, and that except Lao Hei, the others were from Mutuoling.
Chapter completed!