Zhang Liao seemed to have lost a lot of weight, and his cheeks were slightly sunken, making him look haggard.
However, his eyes were still burning, like two sharp swords. Cao Peng smiled, but Zhang Liao didn't seem to see it, with a stern look on his face.
"Why, you don't believe that my sword is sharp?"
Cao Peng said: "Wenyuan's sword is sharp, but it can only live in this small place, lingering. Is the cauldron of hot oil at the door prepared for me? You know my purpose of coming here, and you will kill me if you want, why bother to play tricks?"
There are so many tricks. But if you kill me today, you will definitely become an unkind and unjust person."
"If I don't surrender to Mr. Cao, am I being unkind and unjust?"
Zhang Liao seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world and burst out laughing.
Cao Peng stood in the hall with a calm expression.
After Zhang Liao finished laughing, he said: "The prince is dead."
"I know... Chen Yuanlong already said it yesterday, so what?"
Cao Peng's eyes swept across the hall.
Zhang Liao was a smart man and immediately understood what Cao Peng meant. However, he seemed as if he hadn't seen him, and still stared straight at Cao Peng with his eyes.
Cao Peng said: "It is precisely because the king is dead that I say you are unkind, unjust, unfaithful and unfilial."
"Ah Fu, you are not a good lobbyist." Zhang Liao sneered, "The prince died in battle, so I should be loyal to the prince. How can I be disloyal and unfilial?"
"In that case, why do we need to say more?
If you want to kill me, just do it; if you don't kill me, I will leave... It's a pity that after your death, you can't even take care of your family..."
"What did you say?"
Zhang Liao suddenly leaned forward and asked in confusion: "Junhou's family is young, what happened?"
Cao Peng, however, remained silent.
Zhang Liao knew very well what Cao Peng was thinking, but he was helpless.
So he waved his hand to signal the knife and axemen in the hall to leave, and then ordered people to remove the oil cauldron.
"You come with me."
Zhang Liao took Cao Peng through the back hall and came to the backyard.
He ordered his personal guards to stand guard all around, and the two of them stood in an open space. Zhang Liao then asked, "Tell me, what is going on?"
"Before his death, the king entrusted me with his wife and children."
"ah?"
"I have secretly brought Junhou's wife and children out of Xiapi, but Duke Cao is closely pursuing them, so I have to make other arrangements. There are only so many things I can do. If you want to protect Junhou's family, Xiao Zhouquan, you still have to make other arrangements.
A strong person is needed. Looking at Cao Gong's account, there are many people who are enemies with the monarch, but there are few trustworthy people... Do you know who killed the monarch? It was Liu Xuande's brother, Guan Yu.
Liu Bei and his princes have always had a grudge.
Moreover, Lu Ji, the fake prince, has defected to Liu Bei... If they gain a foothold under Cao Gong's tent, they will definitely track down the whereabouts of the ladies. But I am unable to continue to protect them. In the end, the bloodline of the prince will be destroyed.
.If the general is not unkind, what is he?"
Zhang Liao understood what Cao Peng meant.
This is because he hopes to surrender and be a supporter for Lu Bu’s wife and children!
He was silent and wandered in place.
Cao Peng said again: "General Zhang, I came here today not only to persuade you to surrender to Duke Cao, but also to hope that with your talents, you can find a way out for the princes, wives and children in the future. Now, they are a group of orphans and widows.
Difficulties require someone to take care of you secretly... And the general has great talents, so he should serve Duke Cao properly. Duke Cao serves as the emperor to command the princes and occupy the world for justice. General Zhang, if you continue to persist, you will inevitably be scolded later.
If you are a ruthless and unjust person, you will be called a rebel. How can this be so painful?
Besides, General, you are highly skilled in martial arts and have outstanding military skills.
But there is no chance to show off his talent... Cao Gong is very thirsty for talents. If the general surrenders, Cao Gong will replace him with a national scholar, so that the general can get what he wants. If the general refuses to surrender, he will only get a bad reputation; but if the general surrenders,
Fang Wei kills three birds with one stone."
Zhang Liao, my heart is moved!
Historically, he surrendered to Cao Cao when he was at Baimen Tower.
Now, Baimen Tower is gone, but he is faced with another choice.
Zhang Liao also had great admiration for Mr. Cao. The two of them were old acquaintances. They had both served under Dong Zhuo back then...
Cao Peng's words also made Zhang Liao hesitate.
"Madam and your family, where are they now?"
Cao Peng looked at Zhang Liao but refused to answer.
Zhang Liao smiled bitterly and said, "Afu, since you don't believe me, why bother asking me to help you?"
"The fewer people who know Madam's whereabouts, the better. I am also trying my best to arrange it now. As soon as Madam settles down, I will let you know. Now, even if you join Cao Gong, you will not be able to help much. When I think it is appropriate
When the time comes, I will tell you."
"That's fine, it's up to you."
Zhang Liao is not ignorant of the importance. Of course he knows that the fewer people who know about this kind of thing, the better.
"How do you want me to surrender to Duke Cao?"
"Just exit Xu County and follow Chen Deng to Xiapi."
"how about you?"
"I?"
Cao Peng smiled and said softly: "Mr. Cao has already suspected me, so I can't get too close to you at this time."
"this……"
"You can think about it slowly, but you don't have much time."
Zhang Liao thought for a moment and said, "Let me think twice."
At the same time, in Yilu Bay, Mrs. Yan and her party boarded the ship.
"Shu Long!"
The moment he saw Cao Xing, Gao Shun couldn't help but be filled with emotions. And Mrs. Yan and others all felt inexplicable emotions.
Of the eight capable generals in the past, now apart from Zhang Liao and Zang Ba, only Cao Xing remains.
Hao Meng and Cheng Lian were long gone, and Song Xianhou and Wei Xu also passed away. Zang Ba surrendered to Cao Cao, leaving only Zhang Liao still insisting. But judging from the current situation, if Zhang Liao does not surrender to Cao Cao,
*, it is also more dangerous than good. As a result, the only person who can follow him is Cao Xing! Cao Xing is Lu Bu's old minister, so the moment they saw him, everyone was very excited.
"Shulong, I thought you..."
Cao Xing looked up to the sky and sighed, "I also thought that I... But Cao Peng told me that he would try his best to save the ladies and Lingqi. I endured the humiliation and survived just for this reason, otherwise... Cao Peng would have...
Guy, you finally didn’t lie to me, I’ve been waiting so hard.”
"Uncle Cao, my father..."
Lu Lan said sadly.
Before he finished speaking, tears burst into his face.
The news of Lu Bu's death in battle has reached their ears.
Although I had been prepared before, when I heard the news, I still couldn't help but feel sad.
"Madam, let's leave here first."
"where to?"
"Yuzhou Mountain."
After Cao Xing finished speaking, he suddenly lowered his voice and said: "Things may have changed. Cao Peng's envoy is waiting on the boat now. Everyone has boarded the boat, and we will talk about it at Yuzhou Mountain. Xiahou... your young master wants you to rush back immediately.
Qu Yang, wait for his notification."
"The soldiers and horses..."
"These people were brought to Yuzhou Mountain."
Except for Gao Shun's fifty men, most of the soldiers and horses accompanying him this time are subordinates of the lower ministers, that is, Cao Xing's subordinates. "
Xia Houlan did not hesitate, immediately mounted his horse and said goodbye.
"That bad guy finally has some conscience."
In the past two days, Lu Lan has been cursing Cao Peng.
But now, she finally said something from her heart... She supported Madam Yan, while Qi'er followed Madam Cao and Diao Chan. The group quickly walked into the cabin and saw a young scribe waiting in the cabin.
"This is Bu Zhi, Bu Zishan, Mr. Bu."
Mrs. Yan quickly stepped forward to greet him, "I have met Mr. Zishan personally."
"Madam, we don't need to say any more polite words. I came here today actually on the orders of my young master.
Shulong, you go prepare the troops and board the ship. We will go to sea first, and then we will explain it in detail to my wife when we get to the sea. Old Zhou is waiting at Yuzhou Mountain."
Cao Peng had a total of eight sea-going ships, four of which are now docked at Yilu Bay.
On average, each sea-going ship can accommodate 200 people. So four sea-going ships are more than enough...
In addition to the sailors, there were fifty healthy soldiers on the ship that Mrs. Yan was on. Gao Shun also stayed on the ship and was responsible for guarding.
After leaving Yilu Bay, the ship headed towards Yuzhou Mountain.
Mrs. Yan asked nervously: "Mr. Zishan, what happened?"
"My young master is under suspicion!"
"ah?"
"Mr. Cao seems to have doubts. He suspects that it is my son who wants to rescue you.
The young master asked me to come here just to tell you: Originally, the young master planned to let you hide in Yuzhou Mountain temporarily, but now it seems that it is a bit dangerous. Qu County is only a day's journey from Yuzhou Mountain. If anyone wants to inquire,
It’s really hard to notice.”
"Then what your young master means is..."
"Go further away."
Bu Zha let out a breath, took out a pair of white silk from his arms, handed it to Gao Shun, and then Gao Shun placed it in Mrs. Yan's hands.
Mrs. Yan did not open the white silk immediately, but looked at Bu Zhao.
Bu Zhi smiled and said, "Madam, please don't misunderstand me. My young master is currently trying to find ways to protect Madam and her family. This white silk is a map of Mahan. After I received it, I immediately checked some files to learn about Mahan's situation.
I got a rough idea...
We will stay on Yuzhou Mountain for three days.
Please have a good rest, ladies and gentlemen, during these three days. My young master has ordered that if there is no news from him after three days, he will leave immediately. To be honest with the ladies, although the Mahan area is a bit dilapidated, overall, it is quite comprehensive.
.The soldiers and horses escorting the ladies this time are all Cao Shulong’s men in the past. Together with General Gao Shun, the ladies are enough to gain a foothold in Mahan... From Mahan to Haixi, it takes about three days to travel by sea. By then we will pass through various
A way to transport baggage to the ladies to ensure their safety.
If you continue to stay in Yuzhou Mountain..."
"I see!"
Mrs. Yan suddenly stopped Bu Zhao's words and stood up.
"Master Cao treats the Lu family with deep affection, and I can't thank you enough.
But can I please discuss this matter with my daughter? After all, if you go to Mahan, you will be far away from your homeland for who knows what year..."
"It's normal for this person. If it were me, it would be the same."
After Bu Zhao finished speaking, he stood up to say goodbye and walked out of the cabin.
"Aunt..."
After Lu Lan quietly listened to Madam Yan's words, she suddenly said: "Mr. Cao, do you want to drive us away?"
"It's not that Mr. Cao is driving us away, but that we have to leave now."
Mrs. Yan also knows that Cao Peng has done his best to achieve this step. His current identity and status are not too high, and I am afraid he can only do so much. If Cao Peng continues to pursue, he will
Eventually they will be found sooner or later, and even Cao Peng will be implicated.
Cao Peng has done too many things for them.
Although he initially went to war with Lu Bu, he did so as a last resort.
Now, he is risking his life to protect the safety of his family. It is rare to be able to do this without any relatives or friends.
Madam Yan suddenly asked: "Xiu'er, what do you think?"
Diao Chan was looking at the map. When she heard Mrs. Yan's question, she raised her head.
There is no hint of joy or anger in her face as delicate as a flower.
Diao Chan said softly: "From the current point of view, Mr. Cao's arrangement is probably the best way. Unless we want to be the prisoners of the lower ranks and be slaughtered by others."
As she spoke, she looked towards Mrs. Cao.
"Is this the only way?"
Mrs. Yan said in a deep voice: "This is the only way left."
"Then, just follow your sister's orders."
"Okay, let's go up to Yuzhou Mountain first and then make preparations.
Didn't Mr. Cao say that he will arrive within three days... If he cannot arrive within three days, we will set off."
"Aren't you waiting for Ah Fu?"
Lu Lan asked softly.
Looking at her daughter's beautiful face, Mrs. Yan couldn't help but feel a throbbing in her heart.
If Lu Lan goes to Mahan, I'm afraid he will never be able to return to the Central Plains again! The poor child will be born in a barbarian from now on, and his life will be over.
But, what else can be done?
Who told her to be Lu Bu’s daughter?
"It depends on the situation."
Mrs. Yan thought for a while and smiled at Lu Lan.
At this time, a voice came from outside the cabin: "Madam, we are almost at Yuzhou Mountain!"
"Everyone, please get ready...Qi'er, come with me."
Mrs. Yan said and stepped out of the cabin.
Qi'er followed Mrs. Yan with some confusion, came to the deck, and stopped.
The sea is calm, and in the distance, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the sea, adding a fiery red color to the sea. The scenery is extremely beautiful...
"Qi'er, from now on, you have to keep an eye on the second lady."
When Qi'er heard this, he couldn't help but be startled.
"The second lady has been well-dressed and well-fed since she was a child. She has enjoyed all the glory and wealth since she married a prince. When we were discussing just now, I saw some hesitation in her words. Keep an eye on her and watch her every move.
If she behaves abnormally, you can take her first..."
Mrs. Yan said, making a killing motion with her hands.
Qi'er shuddered, bit her red lips, and nodded after a while.
"Qi'er, these are extraordinary times, and we must not be merciful in the slightest. Otherwise, not only our lives will be in danger, but Mr. Cao's family...
He has helped us so much, how can you and I bear it if we cause trouble for him again?"
"Don't worry, madam, Qi'er knows what to do!"
Mrs. Yan nodded, turned around and looked at the sea.
Behind them, three sea ships followed closely; and directly in front, an island showed its outline in the afterglow of the setting sun.
On December 15th of the third year of Jian'an, Zhang Liao opened the gates of Xu County and went out to surrender.
When Mr. Cao learned about it, he was overjoyed.
He immediately ordered Guo Jia to go to Xu County, worship Zhang Liao as Zhonglang General, and grant him the title of Marquis of Guannei. At the same time, Guo Jia also brought Cao Peng's order, asking Zhang Liao to lead his troops to Xiapi. Cao Peng was credited with persuading Zhang Liao to surrender.
, he was also given the title of five great officers and the Cavalry Captain, and accompanied him back to Xiapi...