Five hundred and seventieth chapters take the road
Although Cao Cao and the pottery merchant were wary of each other, they also understood each other.
This is a troubled world, this is the human heart, and no one can stay out of it.
The two of them laughed and walked hand in hand into the open space arranged in front of Cao's camp. The heroes behind them were divided into two lines and entered one after another.
Many bonfires have been set up in the open space at the entrance of the camp, and the blazing fire is dancing in the air. The fat sheep being roasted on the bonfires are spitting out oil, which makes people move their index fingers and tremble.
The wine in the large altar was moved to the center of the venue by Cao Jun's soldiers. After the altar was opened, the aroma of the wine overflowed, and everyone couldn't help but salivate after smelling it.
Not only mutton, but also many food cauldrons were brought up by Cao Bing's attendants, which contained various kinds of venison and other game meat.
Some of the Tao generals sat down and some stood aside. Everyone had their own division of labor. It was obvious that no one was fooled by the superficial appearance of singing and dancing. Now everyone no longer trusts everyone in the other party.
The same was true for the generals of Cao's army. They stared at the generals of Tao's army led by Zhao Yun, Xu Huang, Xu Chu and others like a group of wild beasts.
Cao Cao smiled and ordered the wine barons to be screened for everyone, and then asked everyone to raise their wine cups and drink." This was a great victory over Yuan Shao, and he defeated Yuan Shao's hundreds of thousands of people. Looking at the past and present, this great victory was achieved.
How glorious is it? Such extraordinary achievements are all due to the bravery of the soldiers of the two armies to kill the enemy. Today is a feast, and those of us present will drink this wine together first to build up our momentum..."
Before Cao Cao could finish his words, he saw the wine jue in the pottery merchant's hand suddenly fell to the ground with a loud "clack".
Everyone was listening to Cao Cao's words carefully, so they remained silent. The scene was very quiet. Tao Shang's prince fell down. Although the sound was not loud, it was extremely sharp, which immediately aroused the tension of everyone present.
Many people even put their hands on the hilt of their swords.
But he saw that the pottery merchant first looked around, then he carefully scanned the surroundings. After confirming that everything was correct, he clapped his hands vigorously and said to Cao Cao with a smile: "What Brother Meng De said is really good. It's true."
The words were so profound and so sincere that they moved the wine prince in Tao's hand! Brother, I am really useless, I always get nervous when the critical moment comes..."
After saying that, he picked up the wine prince from the ground with a smile and ordered people to pick up the wine prince again.
Others didn't take this detail seriously, but Cao Cao was furious with Tao Shang.
Because he really knows the pottery merchants very well.
Are you nervous? You are so nervous! No one here is smarter than you.
This kid didn't accidentally drop the wine baron. He was clearly demonstrating "throwing the cup as a sign" to see if he had any swordsmen in the camp!
You're so damn smart!
He really regarded Cao as the Hongmen Banquet, and he was simply judging the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain!
Still smashing the cup? Just lift the table and give it a try.
Although Cao Cao felt unhappy, he subconsciously considered whether to arrange for a swordsman.
But after thinking about it carefully, I decided to forget it.
A pottery merchant would definitely be wary of himself, as he would definitely bring no fewer people to the banquet, and this was indeed the case.
When the time comes, not only will Cao Cao be unable to trap him, but the two of them will also directly quarrel with each other and make the world laugh at them.
Secondly, although Yuan Shao was defeated, he had not been gone for too long after all, so he had to be prepared for him to come back and make a comeback.
Third, after this battle, we are already exhausted, and the Central Plains also needs stability. It is indeed not a good time to fight against the pottery merchants. We must at least survive this stage.
Therefore, Cao Cao buried this clumsy idea of ambushing the swordsman deeply in his heart and did not implement it.
Although he also had evil thoughts, seeing the potter guarding him as guarded against a dog made Cao Cao feel uncomfortable.
I'm not really a dog, why are you so defensive about me?
Cao Cao is a bit unreasonable and willful.
Because of the potter's actions, the first wine was tasteless, and the rest of the banquet was basically a formality. The two parties guarded each other as if they were guarding against thieves, and everyone understood each other tacitly.
The politeness during the toast was almost nauseating.
Halfway through the banquet, Guo Jia winked at the pottery merchant.
Tao Shang understood and immediately said to Cao Cao: "Brother Meng De, do you still remember the promise you made to me?"
As soon as the word "promise" was mentioned, Cao Cao suddenly broke into a sweat. "Cao has made a lot of promises in his life, but not everyone can remember them one by one... Which one is Brother Tao talking about?"
Seeing Cao Cao's expression, the pottery merchant couldn't help but feel happy.
This expression was all too familiar to him.
He usually has this look on his face when he tells too many lies. When someone asks him for a promise, he feels guilty.
Tao Shang said to Cao Cao: "Brother Meng De, don't be afraid. It's just a small incident not long ago. At that time, Tao and Mr. Ling returned from Xuchang together. I asked Brother Meng De for instructions. If Yuan Shao is defeated by God's will, I would like to borrow it."
I want to go to Yingchuan and Yangzhai Road, and then return to Xuzhou. I wonder if Brother Mengde will allow it?" "Ah!" Cao Cao suddenly slapped his forehead and suddenly realized: "So this is what happened! Cao remembers it."
"Brother Meng De, I plan to pull out the army soon and return to Xuzhou. But before returning to Xuzhou, I want to take a road trip to Yangdi first. I think Brother Meng De will keep his promise, right? This is what we say
OK."
Cao Cao did not speak in a hurry, but glanced sideways at Xi Zhicai beside him.
Xi Zhicai smoothed the beard on his chin, thought for a long time, and then nodded to Cao Cao.
Although Xi Zhicai's movements were very slight, they still caught Guo Jia's eyes exactly.
Guo Jia remained silent, but felt secretly happy in his heart.
You loyal old dog, let’s see if Guo will kill you this time.
Cao Cao knew that Xi Zhi was just thinking about things and didn't think of any flaws, so he wanted to nod and let himself carry out the two people's previous plan.
Cao Cao's confidence grew stronger.
He nodded to the pottery merchant and said arrogantly: "How can Cao act like a rogue with his brother after he has made a promise? Brother Tao helped me defend Xuchang before, and he was not unkind to me. Cao kept his word.
Since you want to go, then Cao will never stop you."
Tao Shang smiled and raised his wine cup, and drank another drink with Cao Cao: "Thank you, Brother Meng De, for your generosity. Thank you, little brother."
"But..." Cao Cao smoothed the beard on his chin and said slowly: "Although it is a favor, but with so many of your troops crossing the border, the toll should be paid, at least that's what it means..."
Tao Shang shook his head and said: "Brother Meng De, you are not being honest. With our friendship and our alliance to defeat Yuan Shao, if you ask me for money, I will kill you in the middle of the night."
Not outside the front door of your home.”
"You are serious! Are you lying to me?" Cao Cao's eyes suddenly lit up. He could not only get money but also eliminate his most powerful opponent. There are not many opportunities like this in the world.
Tao Shang took a sip of wine, and the old god said calmly: "I'm just teasing you, just have fun. Really, this man takes everything seriously at his age."
Cao Cao: "..."
…
A few days later, Tao Shang ordered Zhao Yun, Zang Ba, and Li Tong to be the vanguard. He led a powerful army back to Pei State to reorganize, open roads in the mountains, and build bridges when encountering water. He himself led the follow-up troops to start.
Head west and march towards Yang Zhai's location.
Of course, the potter's trip was euphemistically called to pay homage to Confucius.
Cao Cao's spies had been closely observing the potter's actions until they heard that his troops had indeed left the Guandu territory. Cao Cao immediately sent out various generals to prepare to issue his orders.
"Yuan Rang, Zi Lian, you two will lead a heavy army and go back to Xuchang to garrison first. On the surface, you are going back to Xuchang to garrison to open the way, but in fact, you have to closely monitor the movements of the pottery merchant and wait until his troops enter Yingchuan Yang.
As soon as the territory of Zhai reaches one step, send troops immediately to cut off the pottery merchant's return route to Pei. You don't have to fight with him too much. You only need to trap him in the territory of Yangzhai. Cao will then lead the Chinese army to support him.
As long as he runs out of food and fodder, we can win without a fight."
Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong immediately accepted the order after hearing this. "Sikong, why don't you go there in person? Wouldn't it be more reliable this way?"
After hearing the question, Cao Cao immediately answered everyone: "The pottery merchant is not an idle person. Cao cannot act rashly now, lest he make the pottery merchant suspicious and lose the opportunity. I will pretend not to move and let him think that Cao is lax, so I will
I'll go and do his thing, and then...hehe, since he wants to seek death in Yingchuan, so why does it matter if Cao makes it happen for him?"