Xu Huang's words somewhat confused the pottery merchant.
In fact, he originally wanted to send two generals to Fancheng to fight the enemy. As for other things, Tao Shang didn't think too much about it.
But Xu Huang's words did remind him.
The two generals have similar levels and military ranks. In normal times, neither one should be able to restrict the other.
But the current situation is special, so we have to consider it carefully.
Tao Shang even felt a little regretful. He had not thought so much just now, otherwise he would have sent someone else to fight.
But now that the words have been spoken, it is indeed difficult to take them back.
The potter looked at the two of them back and forth, pondered for a long time, and finally said: "Then I will appoint Xu Rong as the chief general and Xu Huang as the deputy general."
"promise!"
The two of them clasped their fists together and went out to prepare their troops. When they reached the door, they heard Xu Huang being greeted by the pottery merchant.
"Gongming, please wait a moment."
Xu Huang turned around and came back.
"Gongming, logically speaking, based on your ability and military skills, I should appoint you as the general. But since Sun Ce died, Xu Rong's temperament has become more sensitive. If I make you the general, I'm afraid I will irritate him.
, I hope you can be more understanding."
Xu Huang smiled generously: "The prime minister is overly concerned. How can the general be dissatisfied with this? General Xu is superior to the general in terms of qualifications, military tactics, and even popularity in the army. The general is
It is common sense that I should serve General Xu as my commander. Prime Minister, please do not doubt me."
The pottery merchant was deeply gratified by Xu Huang's magnanimity and understanding.
But he was still a little worried and told him: "Gongming, Liu Bei's vanguard general is Guan Yu. This person is very ordinary. You need to be more careful."
"Prime Minister, don't worry."
Although Xu Huang agreed with the pottery merchant, he didn't think so in his heart.
In his opinion, Guan Yu basically had no achievements.
Except for the fact that when the princes were attacking Dong Zhuo, he defeated Hua Xiong in a duel and finally forced Hua Xiong to commit suicide, and he also had a battle with Lu Bu at Hulao Pass. Other than that, I didn't think he was anything special.
The only thing that made Xu Huang pay a little attention was that Guan Yu was from Hedong like him.
After Xu Huang left, Guo Jia immediately said to Tao Shang: "In addition to Liu Bei of Jingzhou and Cao Cao of Guanzhong, there is also Liu Zhang of Yizhou. The first two are mortal enemies with the prime minister, but Liu Zhang is different.
To be honest, if you look at it below, Liu Zhang was tied to his chariot by Liu Biao purely because of the Han clan clan. Now that Liu Biao is dead and Liu Bei is in power in Jiangling, logically speaking, Liu Zhang should treat him
I'm not convinced, but I can use this matter to my advantage."
The potter shook his head and said, "I'm afraid it's not as easy as you think."
Guo Jia was stunned when he heard this and said: "What do you mean? The Prime Minister thinks this alienation plan is inappropriate?"
Tao Shang stood up, looked out of the hall, and said: "If it had been the original way, this alienation plan might have worked, but now I'm afraid it will be difficult. You have been working in Chenliucheng during this period, so you don't know much about school affairs."
The government reported that Sun's old troops, led by Zhou Yu, had gone to Xichuan and took refuge with Liu Zhang."
This news is really too exciting for Guo Jia.
He rubbed his brows, thought carefully for a long time, and said: "So, if Zhou Yu is under Liu Zhang, he will definitely make Liu Zhang support Liu Bei and become our enemy. Then it is not easy to persuade Liu Zhang to turn to us.
It’s easier.”
Tao Shang nodded and said: "It's not easy, but it's not impossible. After all, Zhou Yu is a foreigner, and there are so many local Yizhou nobles under Liu Zhang. If Zhou Yu is appointed too high by Liu Zhang, with their From a personal perspective, I’m afraid I’m not willing to do it… What do you think of Fengxiao?”
Guo Jia nodded and said: "This is a very good statement. It's better to let Sun Qian go to Yizhou first and communicate with Liu Zhang secretly to see what the other party's attitude is, and then we can make plans."
…
The next day, Xu Huang and Xu Rong's troops set off from Xuchang and headed to Fancheng to station themselves.
Not long after Er Xu entered Fancheng, Guan Yu's army arrived at Fancheng.
After Guan Yu led his troops to Fancheng, they had just set up camp when a heavy rain began.
The current season is summer, and although the rainfall is heavy, there is plenty of sunshine after the rain, so the soldiers of the Jingzhou Army did not suffer much.
The city of Fancheng was closed and no one opened the city.
Guan Yu took Chen Dao and his son Guan Ping to the foot of Fancheng.
Guan Yu rode out, holding the Qinglong Yanyue Sword, pointing at the top of Fancheng and shouting: "Tell Xu Rong to come out and meet me!"
"General Guan, long time no see."
Not long after, Xu Rong and Xu Huang arrived at the top of the city and looked down at Guan Yu.
Under Xu Rong's mask, the one-eyed light flashed, and he shouted: "Guan Yu is a common man, a traitor to the puppet government! Today, the world is governed by benevolence and virtue, and you and other rats are content to live in a corner, but you are attacking our state and county? Why!"
"The pottery merchant supports the false emperor and establishes the false dynasty, and my brother obeys the sky and seeks rebellion, how can he sit in Jingxiang?" Guan Yu turned the Qinglong Yanyue Sword, and the sun shone on the blade of the Qinglong Yanyue Sword, making people unable to open their eyes.
"Xu Rong, a common man, dare to go out of the city to fight with a certain man?"
Xu Rong said coldly: "Guan Yu, my Fancheng is impregnable. If you have the ability, come and get it. I'll wait for you!"
Guan Yu frowned when he heard this.
At this time, Chen Dao rode up behind Guan Yu and shouted towards the city wall: "Xu Rong, you used to be just an unknown person under Dong Zhuo's command, but now you are vassaling the traitorous pottery merchants. What kind of general have you become?" , you dare to be so arrogant? You are just relying on the fierce power of the pottery merchant to back you up, what's so great about it?...What? When you go to the city, are you afraid of losing another eye?"
It was fine that Chen Dao didn't mention anything else, but when he mentioned the eyes, it just hit Xu Rong's heart.
It felt like a poke, but the pain was like drilling into something with an electric drill.
The one eye under Xu Rong's bronze mask almost spit out fire.
He pointed at Chen Dao's nose from a distance in the city and shouted: "What a bastard! Don't leave if you can!"
After that, he turned around and ran down to the city.
When Xu Huang saw this, he was immediately frightened.
He hurriedly grabbed Xu Rong and said, "General Xu, what are you doing?"
"This man has gone too far to bully others! I will go out of the city to teach him a lesson!"
Xu Huang hurriedly said: "General Xu, we are here just to defend Fancheng, but we are not here to compete with Guan Yu and Chen Dao for supremacy. Besides, Guan Yu's ability is no less than Lu Bu's, so the general must not be reckless."
Xu Rong said: "Nothing! Although Guan Yu is brave, he is just an ordinary man. Xu has been marching and setting up formations for many years, how can he be afraid of him?"
"Then it's better to be careful!" Xu Huang tried his best to stop him: "Besides, we have just arrived here and don't know much about everything in Fancheng. Even if we want to fight Guan Yu, we must first stabilize the situation in the city. Otherwise, wouldn't we To live up to the Prime Minister’s trust?”
Xu Rong took a deep breath and said: "Since Gong Ming said so, I will tolerate him for two days. When everything in the city is settled, it won't be too late to settle the score with him."