Cao Zhen was originally very sure that Pang Tong would take the Wuguan Road, and he came to the conclusion after comprehensive consideration.
In other words, it is a prediction.
This is a conclusion drawn after combining various information.
It's like speculating that the national football team will not qualify.
It is an absolute, iron-clad, and unquestionable conclusion.
However, in Cao Zhen's heart, the worry that Pang Tong might go to Heluo had not been completely ruled out. This worry was invisibly amplified during the anxious waiting.
When you are busy, you have no time to think. The more grassroots people are, the busier they are to survive and take care of their families. They work all day long when they open their eyes, and they can only rest when they close their eyes. Therefore, such hard-working people usually
On the contrary, there is no depression, mental illness, etc., nor insomnia, because they have no time to think about anything, and fall asleep as tired as a dog every day. If they don’t get a good rest, they will not be able to sleep the next day.
If we can't work, the whole family will starve...
Survival comes first after all, this is human nature.
When Cao Zhen was free, the trace of worry in his heart was gradually amplified.
Since Pang Tong has already made a test, it means that he must be aware of it, so will he do the opposite? Such thoughts will become more and more confusing, making Cao Zhen's original conclusion shaky.
Therefore, when Cao Zhen received the news that Huang Zhong was leading his troops to leave Wancheng for Heluo, his original persistence suddenly collapsed. He believed that Pang Tong, in order not to take risks for himself, actually dragged Huang Zhong with him and put the safety of Wancheng at risk.
Regardless!
Pang Tong is so selfish!
Everyone knows that Wancheng with and without Huang Zhong garrison are completely different concepts.
Just like Cao Ren could not leave Jingzhou Xiangyang easily, Huang Zhong could not leave Wancheng easily, but he never expected that Pang Tong would sacrifice the safety of Wancheng in order to protect himself!
Without Huang Zhong, Wancheng is just a sieve!
As long as Huang Zhong is not here, Cao Zhen dares to guarantee that Wancheng will be captured within ten days!
There are insiders in Wancheng...
The reason why Cao Jun could not move Wancheng before was not because of how high the walls of Wancheng were or how deep the ditches were, but because Huang Zhong was there in Wancheng!
Huang Zhong and his relatives are like the magic needle that fixes the sea. As long as he is there, Wancheng will not be able to make any big waves.
But now, Huang Zhong actually left Wancheng to escort Pang Tong!
Is Pang Tong really not afraid, or does he not care?
Cao Zhen suddenly thought of a possibility.
Because Pang Degong passed away, Pang Tong, a subordinate, had a conflict with Pang Shanmin? Maybe it was because they couldn't compete for the position of the head of the Pang family and the two parties broke up?
The possibility of Pang Tong and Pang Shanmin breaking up is not completely impossible.
Cao Zhen has also seen too many brothers and sisters who fight for inheritance or important items after the death of their parents.
It looks so sideways, it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s half the city!
It is indeed possible for such huge interests to compete with each other...
Cao Zhen narrowed his eyes. If he were to deduce this, then Pang Shanmin used his direct status to seize the interests of Wancheng and forcibly expelled Pang Tong, and then Pang Tong simply took Huang Zhong away?
this……
A sneer appeared on Cao Zhen's face. If this is true, it would be a godsend!
The people of Pangshan are seeking their own death, and they cannot blame others!
Only when Huang Zhong is here can Wancheng be here, otherwise the so-called neutral status and the so-called covenant are nothing but a piece of paper!
Is this a case of losing something and gaining something in the east?
I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it, Cao Zhen sneered. If he really couldn't catch up with Pang Tong, even if he didn't capture Pang Tong, Cao Zhen could still find a way to activate the internal response in Wancheng and take advantage of the emptiness left by Huang Zhong's departure.
Take the gap and capture Wancheng!
And if we catch up now, it's hard to say that both Pang Tong and Wancheng can get it!
Cao Zhen was in high spirits.
Before Pang Degong's body was cold, the two brothers separated and broke up, resulting in the loss of Wancheng! Hahaha, this is really a big joke, and it will definitely make everyone in the world laugh at the Pang family!
This also achieves the effect of Cao Zhen following Pang Tong's incident to exert influence on Guanzhong Chang'an. I don't think it will be better now!
Pang Tong was not loyal to his own family and selfishly took Huang Zhong away, causing the fall of Wancheng. Will such a person be loyal to others? If the Pang family weakens because of this, how many people will be left vacant?
Jump in and fight for it?
When the time comes, if I provoke you a little bit, I won’t be able to say...
Hahaha.
Cao Zhen suddenly felt happy and not as anxious as before.
This time, Pang Tong will have to taste the consequences of being selfish at the expense of others!
But what happened next made Cao Zhen's good mood not last long...
Just when Cao Zhen hurriedly led 3,000 troops and passed through Xinye, he encountered Cao Jun's soldiers on duty at Bowang Slope.
Bowang Slope. Yes, it is the Bowang Slope where Liu Bei set fire to Xiahou Dun in history.
This place has Funiu Mountain to the north, Yinshan Mountain to the south, and Baihe River to the west, which is a hillock extending from Funiu Mountain. The terrain is relatively dangerous. The thoroughfare of the Xianghan Pass has always been a battleground for military strategists. Of course, Cao Jun
There is a military stronghold here.
However, the military stronghold at Bowangpo failed to stop Huang Zhong...
The military stronghold at Bowangpo is only geographically important, and there are no generals stationed there. This is somewhat similar to Wancheng. If there were generals, then Huang Zhong might not be able to pass, at least not so smoothly, and there are no generals now.
, an ordinary military academy would naturally be unable to do anything against Huang Zhong.
Of course, this cannot be said to be Cao Jun's negligence, because although Bowang Slope is a dangerous and traffic hub, the entire north and south of Bowang Slope belong to Cao Jun's territory, so there is no need to take any special precautions. However, in
After Huang Zhong's actions this time, perhaps Cao will reconsider this issue.
"Where did Wancheng's army go?" Cao Zhen asked the visitor from Bowangpo.
"Report to the general, the Wancheng army is heading towards Wuyang!" The soldiers reported back.
"What? Where to go?!" Cao Zhen was shocked.
"Wuyang direction!" The soldier confirmed.
Cao Zhen's face suddenly became very ugly.
Because heading north of Bowangpo, one direction is to bypass the Funiu Mountains and go to Luyang, and the other direction is to Wuyang. Although there is only one word difference between these two places, the meanings are completely different.
In the direction of Luyang, that is back to Heluo. Huang Zhong passed five passes and killed six generals to escort Mrs. Pang...er, Pang Lingjun returned to Chang'an.
In the other direction of Wuyang, you travel along the Fengshui River, and then enter the Yingshui area. Not far to the north is Linying, and further north of Linying is Xu County!
There are no dangers to defend in these places!
Cao Zhen was so frightened that he trembled!
Although Huang Zhong's thousand men may not be able to bring disaster to Xu County, and it is impossible to say that Huang Zhong can capture so many cities in a short time, Huang Zhong is leading cavalry, maybe like Taishi Ci.
, plundering the prefectures and passing through the counties, and then Xu County would be invaded by someone at every turn, which would definitely make the Cao family's majesty fall to pieces again.
"Quick! Quick! Speed up!" Cao Zhen was anxious and urged his soldiers to rush forward in pursuit.
After passing Bowang Slope, Cao Zhen discovered the traces left by Huang Zhong and others.
Cao Zhen was overjoyed and immediately frightened. He immediately ordered his soldiers to slow down and sent out a large number of scouts to inquire about the situation ahead.
Because normally, when cavalry chases cavalry, as long as the pace in front does not stop, it is difficult for those behind to catch up. The large number of messy traces left here shows that the other party has stayed here, and stayed for a long time.
.
Everyone knows that a war horse can drink water, eat grass, poop and urinate only when its energy and blood have calmed down.
And these feces and urine marks are all fresh...
what does that mean?
Cao Zhen suddenly realized something and his face looked a little ugly.
As expected, the scouts soon came back in panic to report that they had discovered Huang Zhong and others...
Rather than saying it is a "discovery", it is better to say it is an "encounter".
Yes, it is an encounter.
If Cao Zhen hadn't woken up, he would have run into the ambush set by Huang Zhong.
Cao Zhen quickly gathered his soldiers and prepared them in a tight formation.
Are you having an anal fight with Huang Zhong?
Cao Zhen is not as arrogant as General Bai Di.
After Huang Zhong was discovered by Cao Zhen's scouts, he did not want to confront Cao Zhen's three thousand men head-on, nor did he continue to ambush. Instead, he emerged from behind a hill.
"General Cao, you are well!" Huang Zhong stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "One winter day, I was hunting in the mountains. Could it be that General Cao is also in such a good mood?"
Hunting in the mountains?
Huang Zhong meant to think of me as a roe deer?!
Cao Zhen squinted his eyes sullenly and did not answer immediately, but looked around Huang Zhong.
But Pang Tong was not seen.
Cao Zhen's heart suddenly sank.
"Where is Pang Lingjun?" Cao Zhen asked, "When I heard that Pang Lingjun was back in Jing, I wanted to come and invite him, but I never thought that Pang Lingjun would leave without saying goodbye, which is against the way of hospitality, so I asked Pang Lingjun to come back to Xiangyang to show my friendship as a landlord!"
Huang Zhong seemed to have a sarcastic expression on his face, "Pang Lingjun? Pang Lingjun is not here!"
Cao Zhen's expression changed, "I heard that General Huang is loyal and righteous first, so don't lie!"
Huang Zhong laughed loudly, then raised his head and shook his chin, "Pang Lingjun is indeed not here."
Cao Zhen gritted his teeth, and he suddenly realized that Huang Zhong might be telling the truth!
Pang Tong is not here!
That's right, even if Pang Tong chooses to take the Heluo line, he will not take the risk himself to attack Yingchuan or even attack Xu County! After all, Pang Tong is also an important figure under the Qiusi. If he takes Huang Zhong with him
Arriving in Yingchuan and not having any particularly good reputation, wouldn’t it be the same as rebellion?
You must know that the reason why the Hussars marched back then was because Wang Can paid for it with his life!
Fortunately, the emperor did not nod at that time, otherwise the emperor would be in Chang'an now!
And now if Pang Tong led his troops to appear near Xu County, what is the reason? The troops are unknown! How could a person like Pang Tong do such a thing? It’s just that he was too anxious before and forgot to care about this matter!
Cao Zhen's face was uncertain, and he forced a smile, "If there is no Pang Lingjun, then why did General Huang leave Wan in such a hurry?"
Huang Zhong smiled and said, "The dogs and horses have become wilted after living in the pen for a long time, so I took them for a walk. I never thought that General Cao would chase them... If General Cao is interested, how about hunting together?"
Does this mean that I am a dog and a horse? Cao Zhen gritted his teeth secretly. How could he agree to Huang Zhong's invitation? Instead, he smiled and said, "General Huang is hunting here, so he is not afraid of changes in Wancheng?"
Huang Zhong's face turned solemn, "If Xiao Xiao dares to commit murder, don't blame a certain knife for being ruthless!"
Huang Zhong's voice fell, but his murderous aura rose, and his eyebrows seemed to move automatically in the absence of wind, and there was actually a sense of desolation in gold and iron.
Cao Zhen laughed forcefully, "Since General Huang is so confident, Wancheng is naturally safe. I won't disturb General Huang's hunting. I'll take my leave!"
Cao Zhen ordered the entire army to turn around and change their route to pursue Luyang!
Cao Zhen realized that Huang Zhong's presence here must be Pang Tong's plan to seize the opportunity to attack the east and attack the west!
If Cao Zhen was impatient and failed to send out scouts for detection, Huang Zhong would definitely not be so polite. He might as well have "hunted" Cao Zhen and others as if they were prey! Anyway, at worst, he would issue an announcement afterwards, saying that it was coming soon.
...Bah, the trainee scout admitted his mistake, thinking that Cao Zhen and others were bandits or something, and accidentally injured Yun Yun.
Now Huang Zhong sees that he is cautious, so he shows up on purpose, just to entangle and delay!
If he didn't believe what he said, he would definitely stay to see if Pang Tong was hiding in the army, dressing up as a soldier or something. But just like what Cao Zhen had just thought, even if Pang Tong dressed up as a soldier, Huang Zhong and others
It is impossible for people to really attack Xu County!
Then there is only one answer left, that is, Huang Zhong and his people attracted the attention of Cao Zhen and others. In fact, Pang Tong secretly went to Luyang!
Now Huang Zhong's position is not too far away from completion. If something really happens in Wancheng, Huang Zhong can get there within one day with his long drive, but if it is too far, Wancheng really
If something happens, Huang Zhong may not be able to rush back in time. Moreover, Cao Zhen is planning to trick Huang Zhong in turn...
Cao Zhen lurked in the mountains and forests on the side of the road leading to Luyang.
Just now Huang Zhong was waiting for him, now he is waiting for Huang Zhong!
Now the problem lies in Huang Zhong's hands. Should he return to Wancheng or come to stop him?
If he returns to Wancheng, Cao Zhen doesn't care. If he wants to stop and harass him, Cao Zhen plans to ambush Huang Zhong. He may not be able to kill Huang Zhong, but he can also be defeated!
However, not long after Cao Zhen changed his route and set up an ambush in Luyang, the scouts who stayed behind caught up with him, indicating that Huang Zhong did not stay in the direction of Wuyang for long, and then the queue went to Wancheng in an orderly manner, not to Luyang.
Come……
Cao Zhen was stunned for a moment, "You're not here? Are you back in Wancheng?"
Scout should be.
Cao Zhen suddenly realized that his prediction might be wrong again!
Pang Tong was probably not on the Luyang route either!
If Pang Tong and Huang Zhong played a trick of trying to win in the east and attack in the west, then Huang Zhong knew that Pang Tong had taken the Luyang route, and now that Cao Zhen had changed his route to Luyang, Huang Zhong should have intercepted one or two, or caused some trouble for Cao Zhen.
Let’s delay for a moment. How could you return to Junwan City so easily?
Unless Huang Zhong lied? Pang Tong was actually hiding in his army? Then Huang Zhong returned to Wancheng, and Pang Tong disguised himself and walked to Yingchuan?
No, Cao Zhen shook his head again.
Cao Zhen recalled Huang Zhong's previous words and attitude.
At present, the moral standard of the Han Dynasty is not like that of some people in later generations, who regard oaths as food and promises as jokes. Although both sides have their own strategies, they will never tell lies with open eyes...
Huang Zhong doesn't seem to be lying.
Huang Zhong did not dodge or cover up at that time. Instead, he had a look that vaguely made Cao Zhen feel that he was watching a joke. He seemed to be very relaxed, as long as he saw Cao Zhen and others, it would be over!
easy……
easy?!
Cao Zhen suddenly figured it out, thought it through completely.
"Alas... gather the soldiers and go back..." Cao Zhen suddenly felt a little tired and his voice became hoarse when he spoke, "All the troops, go back to Xiangyang..."
"What's wrong, General? Aren't you going to pursue him?" asked the guard at the side.
Cao Zhen closed his eyes and sighed, "Pang Shiyuan is not here..."
Huang Zhong turned around and had no intention of stopping Cao Zhen from pursuing Luyang. This means that either Huang Zhong was convinced that Pang Tong had left first and Cao Zhen could not catch up no matter how hard he chased, or that Pang Tong was not traveling with Huang Zhong at all.
, instead of taking the Heluo Line, we still took the Wuguan Road!
The latter one is more likely!
Now Cao Zhen can only rush back and place his hope in the hands of the people he arranged at Wuguandao.
But, it's too late.
Just after Cao Zhen left Danshui in a hurry, a small boat came from the water and swayed along Danshui, taking his time.
As dusk approached, we stopped near Cai's merchant ship.
Steward Cai stood respectfully on the shore. When he saw Pang Tong, he was not only a little surprised. He only received Cai Mao's order. In addition to purchasing goods in Guanzhong, he also had to wait halfway.
Of course, Cai's manager didn't know who he was dealing with, and even Cai Mao wasn't sure.
Perhaps Cai Mao could guess that it was Pang Tong, but Cai Mao didn't dare to gamble with this news.
After all, Cai Mao is not sure whether this request is a loyalty test...
Cai and Qiaoqi are now cooperating in secret, but Cai Mao can't guarantee that Qiaoqi will be at ease with Cai. If the news given to him is false, and someone is watching him, it won't matter if a message is sent to him.
A small person, and then was captured by Cao Jun, then wouldn’t the relationship that he had finally built up in Chang’an be wasted?
Because the order Cai Mao received was to know that someone might come with Cai's token. If no one was waiting for him by noon the next day, the merchant ship could leave directly.
Cai Hao didn't dare to take a gamble, and he didn't think that selling this information to Cao would get more benefits than the Hussars, so Cai Hao specially sent his confidants to take charge...
The setting sun shines on Danshui, making the mountains and rivers look golden.
Pang Tong slowly got off the boat and stood on the shore looking around at the scenery.
Long robe with big sleeves and silk scarf with broad belt.
However, Pang Tong did not stay long before he boarded Cai's merchant ship with a few guards.
Manager Cai stood by with his head lowered.
He heard Pang Tong sighing slightly in the mist of Danshui Mountain, which seemed to be mixed with some emotion?
What is this emotion?
Naturally, Cai's manager did not dare to ask any more questions, and even pretended that he had not received Pang Tong and the others at all. Then the merchant ship set off and headed upstream to Danshui River...
