Chapter 154 The heroic spirit of heaven and earth remains awe-inspiring for thousands of years.
In early August, Liu Biao's army surrounded Rangcheng.
In this silence, Zhang Xiu could only choose to write to Liu Biao, asking for forgiveness.
However, Wenpin still moved into Anzhong and took Zhang Xiu under his custody.
A few days later, Wang Bi's head was delivered to Xudu, and Xun Yu had no choice but to report the matter to Cao Cao.
August 8, on the front line of Guandu, in Cao Cao's camp.
boom!
"Zhang Xiujia's accusations are too deceiving!"
The official document on the bamboo slip in his hand was directly smashed on the desk, and Cao Cao shouted angrily: "I have ignored the past grievances and married him as my son and daughter, but they still kill my envoys. This generation does not know the fate. When they kill Yuan Shao,
I will conquer it myself!"
"Ming Gong."
Guo Jia hurriedly picked up the official document, read it carefully, and persuaded him: "There is something fishy about this matter. Jia Wenhe has promised Duke Ming to persuade Zhang Xiu. It is impossible for him to suddenly revert. No matter how bad it is, Zhang Xiu will never kill him."
Messenger, isn't he afraid of dying in the grave?"
Cao Cao glared angrily and said, "He has already sent people to send Wang Bi's head to Xudu. The chief secretary who has followed Gu for many years has been killed like this. How can I just let it go?"
"Ming Gong also said that he would never give up. How could Zhang Xiu not know this?"
Xun You thought deeply: "I'm afraid there's something hidden in it."
Seeing that the two most trusted advisors under him felt that the matter was not simple, Cao Cao panted heavily and sat back on the table. He gradually calmed down and still gasped: "Then tell me, why is this?"
Guo Jia said: "It is possible that the matter was not secret and was intercepted by Liu Biao or Shen Chen Liu Bei and others, so Wang Bi was killed and his head was sent to Xudu in the name of Zhang Xiu to exterminate Zhang Xiu's heart."
It must be said that Guo Jia is indeed a counselor with insight into people's hearts.
Historically, his strategy was not as good as Xun Yu's, and his tactics were not as good as Xun You's. The reason why he was favored and relied upon by Cao Cao was that he had extremely accurate predictions about the enemy's psychology. Every time when Cao Cao was at a great disadvantage, he could encourage him and provide support for him.
Cao Cao brought great confidence.
For example, his judgment on Yuan Shao, Sun Ce, Liu Biao, Liu Bei and others were extremely accurate. It can be seen that he is an excellent psychological master who can perfectly control the enemy's thoughts.
The current situation is that Jia Xu strongly urged Zhang Xiu to defect to Cao Cao, but Zhang Xiu had concerns. Shen Chen reminded him. He was also afraid that after surrendering to Cao Cao, he would be liquidated after the Battle of Guandu, so he did not dare to do so.
It took nearly a year to get a reply.
You must know that Zhang Xiu surrendered in 199 in history and only surrendered now because Shen Chen exposed this matter and made him afraid that Cao Cao would think of his son and confidant general in the future and settle the score in the future.
But Cao Cao's approach was simple, marrying his legitimate son and daughter to each other to dispel Zhang Xiu's concerns.
Logically speaking, Cao Cao has expressed goodwill. Even if Zhang Xiu does not accept it, he will never dare to kill Cao Cao's envoy, because this will completely anger Cao Cao and will be very detrimental to his current survival and situation. No one would be so stupid.
of seeking death.
But that's exactly what happened.
So Guo Jia believes that there must be other reasons for this.
Hearing Guo Jia's words, Cao Cao said coldly: "Is it necessary to send an envoy to die alone?"
Guo Jia smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid it won't work out. If things are really as I said, I'm afraid Liu Biao, Shen Chen and others have already sent troops to guard Zhang Xiu. His road to the north has been blocked, and it will be impossible for him to return to us."
"yes."
Xun You sighed: "If he still wants to surrender, he will definitely send someone to explain the matter, but he has not sent anyone yet. There are only two possibilities. One is that he is under guard, and the other is that he actually kills the envoy and refuses to surrender.
If it’s the former, that’s fine, but if it’s the latter, it’s unthinkable.”
"oh?"
Cao Cao glanced at the two of them, stroked his beard and thought for two seconds, nodded slightly and said: "Yes, if it is the former, at least Liu Biao and Shen Chen will not believe him and will not let him go north to Kunyang to attack Xudu. For us,
He said, it is indeed a good thing. Send someone to inform Xun Yu and ask him to pay attention to Kunyang's movements and see if there is a large group of cavalry!"
"only."
Guo Jia drafted the document and sent a messenger back.
Half a month passed, and by the end of August, Xu Du was constantly communicating back and forth with the Guandu front line, and a large number of official documents were transmitted. However, there was no movement of cavalry on the Kunyang side, not even an increase in troops.
This made Cao Cao reluctantly breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu were indeed as Guo Jiaxunyou said. It was not that they did not want to join, but that something happened between them.
Although Zhang Xiu could not be won over to relieve Nanyang's worries, at least Zhang Xiu did not stand against him as an enemy. As long as Xu Du did not show up with thousands of cavalry, it would be an acceptable ending for Cao Cao.
more importantly.
If they can't get married, it will be another part of Mrs. Ding's guilt.
At the end of the month, in the general's camp, Cao Cao sighed deeply when he saw the battle report sent by Xun Yu that no cavalry had appeared in Kunyang.
Then he put down the official document in his hand, walked out of the tent with his hands behind his back, and looked up at the sky.
Soldiers were coming and going around us like a shuttle, and late autumn was approaching, the clouds were rolling in, and the weather had become increasingly cold recently.
lady.
Cao Cao looked at the sky silently, his heart full of sorrow.
The only tenderness deep in his heart was his guilt for Cao Ang and Mrs. Ding.
"Ming Gong."
At this moment, Xun You came over and said softly: "All the autumn clothes have been delivered. Ren Jun reported that the new millet will be harvested soon. He will escort the grain and grass to Xudu before the middle of next month."
"Um."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Warn Boda and ask him to be careful. Yuan Shao's camp has been built. When the time comes, he will definitely send people to attack my grain road."
"only."
Xun You bowed and retreated.
Cao Cao slowly walked to a hilltop and looked at Yuan Ying in the distance.
I saw Yuan Jun's camp stretching for dozens of miles, with flags fluttering and covering the sky. Different from the countless tents at the beginning, now all kinds of fences, trenches, and forts have sprung up like bamboo shoots after a rain. A large number of mountains and towers.
, the village wall also stands between each camp.
Groups of soldiers and soldiers from Yuan were shuttled back and forth inside and outside the camp. From time to time, carriages and supplies were brought into the camp. The densely packed and boundless soldiers and horses were like ants going about their business in those camps, as if the entire north of Guandu River,
They were all overwhelmed by the sea of people.
The pressure Yuan Shao put on him was still very high.
In the past few days, I have received letters from Yuan Shao one after another. The provocation and humiliation in them are overwhelming.
But Cao Cao looked at Yuan Jun in the distance, and now he no longer had any fear.
If you want me, Cao Mengde, to admit defeat, you, Yuan Benchu, are not enough!
Cao Cao looked at Yuan Ying and silently clenched his fists.
Then he turned around and went down the mountain.
This battle.
He must win!
．
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The storm is coming and it is the eve of the war.
After returning from Nanyang, Shen Chen was still a little depressed.
He had already told Zhang Xiu all the pros and cons, but he didn't expect that Zhang Xiu would be capricious after all and still wanted to join Cao Cao.
But after the initial frustration, he quickly calmed down.
There is nothing to complain about.
Because Cao Cao also spent a lot of money, marrying his legitimate son and daughter to Zhang Xiu's children and bundling their interests really required a lot of courage and courage.
He could even ignore the revenge of killing his son, which shows Cao Cao's forbearance.
Therefore, in this confrontation, Shen Chen was not defeated by Zhang Xiu, but by Cao Cao's forbearance and lack of guilt.
At least for Shen Chen, he would definitely not be able to let go of his grudges and the guilt of not being able to avenge his family, so he would marry and cooperate with the tyrant who massacred the city and cannibalized people.
But the result is not too bad.
At least Cao Cao's conspiracy was defeated. Although Zhang Xiu was missing the help, to a certain extent, everyone was just back to the starting point.
Shen Chen did not strengthen, and neither did Cao Cao. Instead, Ren Jun had to transport grain and grass after September, and Xu Capital was once again empty.
Therefore, judging from the results, this battle can only be regarded as a tie, and no one loses.
In mid-August, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Taishi Ci, Ganning and others went out to hunt in the city. Liu Bei and Guan Yu inspected the city together and returned to their mansion.
There seems to be no sunshine in the afternoon. It has been cold recently, so everyone has put on more clothes. Shen Chen went back to Kunyang to add some autumn clothes.
In the mansion, Liu Bei personally cooked and made some thick cakes to distribute to the generals and counselors who followed him.
Shen Chen naturally also had a share.
At this time, he was doing some clerical work in the city, dismounting from his horse to manage logistics, and mounting his horse to charge into battle during war. Liu Bei praised him as a talented man with both civil and military talents.
Knowing that Liu Bei had called him over in the afternoon, Shen Chen went to the county government residence and came to the backyard to see Liu Bei and Guan Yu sitting cross-legged on the porch.
"Little sir."
When Liu Bei saw him coming, he stood up and saluted Guan Yu.
Shen Chen also bowed back: "Mr. Xuande."
He didn't call me Lord.
The Han Dynasty actually had the theory of dual monarchy.
In addition to the emperor, there are also some high-ranking people who can also open mansions and recruit talents.
Such as Sangong and the general.
The people recruited to open a mansion do not need to be filial and honest. For example, the three princes of the Yuan family can build a family and open a mansion.
Therefore, the disciples and former officials of the Yuan family are spread all over the world.
These disciples and old officials are not necessarily promoted to be filial and honest or to be promoted to officials, nor are they necessarily in high positions.
But as long as you have served the Yuan family, promoted filial piety, honesty and talent, entered the officialdom, and imprinted the Yuan family's mark on you, you will become an old official.
As for those who have not been praised for their filial piety, integrity and talents, at worst they are powerful and small aristocratic families at the local county level, capable of controlling the power of a county.
Therefore, this is why Yuan Shao ascended the throne and called for an alliance to fight against Dong, and there were so many followers in the world.
Now at the end of the Han Dynasty, the princes, governors, and governors all over the country had established their own offices.
Although Shen Chen did not agree to Liu Biao's official position, he accepted Liu Biao's position as a lieutenant general, and he was considered a subordinate of Liu Biao.
Therefore, at least until he resigns or Liu Biao is alive, he cannot directly follow Liu Bei. He is just showing his intentions and hoping to join the company again in the future.
"Sir, sit down quickly."
Liu Bei asked Shen Chen to sit down.
In addition to three mats in the corridor, there is also a tray in the middle with wine and some coarse grain cakes.
The three of them sat in a triangle, and Shen Chen asked, "Why did Duke Xuande invite me here?"
Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, so my eldest brother has made some thick cakes."
Thick cakes are the prototype of later mooncakes. Although the Mid-Autumn Festival was not the top festival in the Han Dynasty, it was also ranked after the Spring Festival, Cold Food Festival, and Double Ninth Festival.
In the Han Dynasty, there were activities of respecting the elderly, providing care for the elderly, appreciating the moon, and giving them cakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Beginning of Autumn, but they were not very common. Before the Jin Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival was not popular in northern China, and most people in the south celebrated this festival.
"I heard that southerners will respect their elders, admire the moon, and eat cakes on the 15th day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Those who study abroad will think of their hometown when they see the moon."
Liu Bei raised his chopsticks and smiled: "So I made some pancakes and invited the young gentleman to taste them together."
Shen Chen also picked up the chopsticks and said with a smile: "I happen to be hungry."
"Taste it."
Guan Yu personally poured a glass of wine for the two of them.
Shen Chen picked up a piece of cake and took a bite. The food in the Han Dynasty was actually not very delicious, but he was used to it. He nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Xuande Gong's craftsmanship is excellent."
“As long as it’s delicious.”
Liu Bei was always smiling and moving around. He never developed the habit of being served by anyone. He knew how to cook since he was a child, so how could he be unfamiliar with his craftsmanship?
Guan Yu raised his glass and said, "Here, have a drink."
"drink!"
Shen Chen raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with the two of them.
He only turned fifteen in October this year, and is now technically fourteen, but this does not prevent him from drinking, because the alcohol content of millet wine in the Han Dynasty was very low, no different from drinking water.
Putting down his wine glass, Liu Bei raised his head and looked at the sky, and said: "When Yide and the others come back later, I will cook some meat after hunting prey. The moon has been extraordinarily round these days, and the sky is also very clear, which makes me sigh. ah."
"Since the sky is pure, why should we sigh? It seems that Mr. Xuande's heart is not at peace."
Shen Chen said: "Do you think of your hometown?"
"Oh, yes."
Liu Bei sighed: "I have been weaving mats and selling shoes with my mother since I was a child. Later, I learned from Zi Qiangong, but I failed in my studies and failed my uncle. After my mother died of illness, it happened to be the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and I was drafted into the army. , I often want to report to the country and bring peace to the people. But now I have been away from my hometown for more than ten years, but I am still wandering around and accomplishing nothing. In the end, I can only have empty ambitions. How can I not feel sad? "
Guan Yu was a little moved by what he said, and he sighed slightly: "Brother, it reminds me of that spring when the peach blossoms were in full bloom. The three of us brothers vowed to help the Han Dynasty and secure the country together. Now many years have passed, but we have not yet If I can get my wish, I wonder if the peach garden is still there and whether the peach blossoms are still bright?"
"Second brother, it is the elder brother who is incompetent and failed to lead the two brothers to achieve great things."
Liu Bei suddenly felt very ashamed. He felt that it was because of his own incompetence that brave generals like Guan Yu did not serve the country.
Guan Yu shook his head and said seriously: "Yu has never regretted following his brother. He has been with him all his life and death. Even if he has never made any achievements, he is still willing to ride on the battlefield with his brother and fight for the rest of his life. Even if he dies, he will never regret his oath. .”
"Second brother."
Liu Bei was moved to tears. He is not a person who sheds tears easily, but the depth of his love can also make people sad.
Shen Chen sighed: "The ambitions of Xuande Gong and Yun Changgong are admirable, but the majestic Yanhan is far away, Cao Cao is in power, princes from all over the country are fighting for supremacy, and the people are in chaos. All the people are in ruins, and the lives are in sorrow. Our future road , is still very far away. This battle is our battle to help the Han Dynasty. If we can eradicate Cao Cao and Yuan Shao and rule the world, one day, the Duke will be able to return to his hometown in honor and see Taoyuan again!"
"good."
Liu Bei raised the wine glass in his hand and was infected by Shen Chen. He wiped the tears that had not flowed out. He stood up with pride and said: "The young gentleman is right. I am like a dragon hiding in the abyss, but I will eventually take off." .The future is still far away. But I firmly believe that as long as we and our brothers work together, no enemy can stop us, and great things will be accomplished in the future! Your Majesty is still waiting for us, the country is still waiting for us, and all the people are waiting for us!"
"Xuan Degong's words are truly heroic for the ages, as heroic as the lakes and seas!"
Shen Chen was also affected by Liu Bei's heroic words. He raised his wine glass and said solemnly: "Chen Chen vows to go through fire and water for the public service to save the Han Dynasty and the people of the world!"
"Come and drink this wine together!"
After Liu Bei and Guan Yu clinked glasses together, Chen Chen drank the wine while standing still with both hands in his hands.
When he put down the cup again, he had completely lost the homesickness he had felt when he saw the moon. Only perseverance and perseverance hung on his face, full of longing for the future.
He fell down countless times.
He has also been defeated countless times.
Many people ridiculed him and laughed at him for being stupid.
There are also many people who look down on him and think he is nothing.
Only he himself has never looked down upon himself.
Because he knows.
As long as you have a heart that can help the Han Dynasty and save all people, you will one day be able to achieve great things.
So in the past, no matter how embarrassed we were, we would lose miserably.
He just dusted himself off, then stood up and said proudly to the brothers following him.
"The Han Dynasty is in decline, and treacherous ministers are in power. They are prepared to overwhelm their capabilities and want to do justice to the world!"
The heroic spirit of heaven and earth remains awe-inspiring for thousands of years.