The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Yuan Tan will be able to arrive at the Pingyuan County boundary in two or three days. The matter is urgent and cannot be delayed. Tian Kai and Qin Gan will return to their own county on the same day, and start preparations according to Zhao Yun's orders.

At this point, I have to insert a sentence. The south of Pingyuan County is bordered by Dong County, but why did Zhao Yun not mention the reinforcement of Dong County?

This is because Dongjun is bordered by Ganling and other prefectures in Jizhou in the west. The troops and horses of Dongjun may rush to help the plain. Zhao Yun can think of it, Xun Zhen can think of it, Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan can of course also predict that it is because Yuan Shao is in Ganling. Ling County's garrison, long before Yuan Tan's troops and horses arrived at Ganling, had already entered the western border of Dong County, and made a posture of threatening Dong County. Therefore, the Xuzhou garrison in Dong County needed to defend itself. The county cannot rush to the aid of the plain.

Of course, it is not absolutely impossible. If Zhao Yun suffered a major defeat in Pingyuan County and fell into extreme danger, then the soldiers and horses of Dong County, including Yanzhou, would also rush to rescue.

There is no need to say more about these, just say that on the day after Tian Kai and Qin Gan returned to their own counties, in the middle of Ganling County and on the east bank of the Qinghe River, the troops and horses under Yuan Tan had recovered their physical strength after two days of rest.

Yuan Tan then pulled out his battalion that morning and set out for Pingyuan County in the northeast.

When passing through the county boundary of Ganling County, the county governor of Ganling County and the county magistrate of Ganling County greeted him at the county boundary.

Yuan Tan was not wearing a military uniform, his head was wrapped in a scarf, he was wearing a brocade robe, and a sword was hanging from his waist. He was about twenty years old, with a handsome appearance, dressed like this, with a good horse under his crotch, and he looked like a noble boy.

Hearing that the Ganling county governor and the Ganling county magistrate were in front of him to greet him, Yuan Tan rode his horse over and dismounted to meet him.

The Ganling county governor and Ganling county magistrate brought some wine and drove a hundred or ten pigs and sheep that were pieced together as a labor force.

Yuan Tan took these things, said goodbye to the two of them, and returned to the marching team, under his own banner, and continued onward.

By the afternoon, the weather was getting warmer, Yuan Tan's forehead was sweating, and the dust raised by the marching troops was blowing in the wind, making his face and clothes dirty. He restrained his mount, took the wet silk scarf handed by the servant, wiped his face, raised his head slightly to look at the sun in the sky, and said, "It's early summer, is it so hot?"

Looking forward and backward.

Looking forward, there are many flags and flags, and the marching troops pass by his horse in an endless stream; looking back, on the day of the armored armor, the soldiers and baggage teams behind him travel several miles away, and hundreds of cavalry are marching west of the infantry. The marching lineup can be called magnificent.

Looking left and right, there are endless fields on both sides of the straight official road, but now most of these fields are barren and overgrown with weeds. When you look around, you can only see the grass waves undulating with the wind, but no farmers. Cool and clear.

However, Ganling County borders Pingyuan County. In the past, Yuan Shao and Tian Kai's armies fought each other in this area, looting each other's people and wheat. Therefore, compared with the hinterland of Jizhou, Ganling is almost the same as Bohai and Hejian. The northern part of the two counties is equal and desolate.

Seeing the end of the marching procession of the soldiers behind, at the front of the line of civilians who were escorting the baggage, surrounded by more than ten chariots and dozens of soldiers, a black chariot was slowly moving forward. Yuan Tan recognized that it was where Xin Pi was sitting. When he was in the car, he ordered left and right and said, "It's hot, and the car might be even hotter. Bring some ice cream to Mr. Xin."

The left and right should promise, and someone will do it.

One of the officials said, "Young Master, since it's hot, why don't you take a car, why do you have to ride a horse?"

Yuan Tan threw the silk scarf back to the servant, pressed his sword and said, "Zhao Yun, the defender of Pingyuan, is the favorite general under the tent of Xun Zhendong. Although most of my soldiers and horses are the elite soldiers of Jizhou, the number of soldiers and horses is not large enough, only more than 4,000. If I want to conquer the plains, it may be a tough battle. In order to encourage morale, as the chief general, Since you should set an example for the soldiers, how can you ride in the car?"

When all the officials on the left and right heard the words, they were all in awe, and there was no shortage of words of flattery and praise.

Yuan Tan has heard such remarks a lot.

Wonder what his origins are? Not only did he come from the Yuan clan in Runan, but he is also a top-ranking clan today. He is also the eldest son of Yuan Shao. He can be said to be the leader of the younger generation of the Yuan clan. It's gone, what kind of flattery has he not heard?

But having said that, with Yuan Tan's background, he was spoiled and raised from a young age, and such a gentleman in fine clothing and food was able to ride a horse instead of a car before the battle, and marched with the soldiers under the sun, even though he said it. It was only early summer, and the sun wasn't poisonous yet, but it was pretty good, at least much stronger than his other, more pampered younger brother.

Yuan Tan didn't show any joy at the flattery of the subordinates. One reason was this, and in a deep sense, there was another reason.

The reason for this is what he said just now. Zhao Yun is a "little famous" general. Although Yuan Shao listened to Guo Tu's suggestion and agreed with him to come to Pingyuan County, he only gave him more than 4,000 soldiers. Ma, because it was—he was not so sure of winning.

If this is his first time attacking Pingyuan County and he can't defeat it, that's fine, but the problem is that this is his second time attacking Pingyuan County. Returning, he felt that it might damage his reputation. With such a concern, it would be difficult to impress him with a few words of flattery.

This place is less than 100 miles away from Pingyuan County. At this marching speed, it is possible to reach the Pingyuan County boundary tomorrow afternoon.

Yuan Tan looked forward again, raised his whip, and was about to hit the horse again, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a hare running across the grass by the roadside.

He turned his eyes and saw that it was a gray-brown rabbit.

He hurriedly took off the eagle bow on the side of the saddle, drew an arrow, pulled the bow and shot, and hit the rabbit with one arrow.

The servants on the left and right shouted in unison, and they all said, "Young Master Shenshe!"

Another official said: "Congratulations to the son, Hexi son, the rabbit ran at the first sight, this is the son's attack on the plains, the horse will be successful, and the victory will be a good sign!"

A smile finally appeared on Yuan Tan's face.

When the servants brought the rabbit over, Yuan Tan urged the horse and continued to lead the troops forward.

Going into the night, I found a suitable place and set up camp.

Rest for one night and continue the next day.

However, when the army marched to this day, it was almost noon, and the plain was in sight, and a military official came to report, saying, "Young Master Qi, several soldiers are in front of you to ask to see him."

Yuan Tan asked, "What kind of scholar?"

The military official replied: "The leader of the scholar calls himself Hua Yan."

Yuan Tan said, "Hua Yan?"

The soldier replied, "Yes."

Since the frontier was about to reach the border of Pingyuan County, several important generals of the army who led the marching troops in each section of the marching team yesterday gathered around Yuan Tan at this time.

Hearing Hua Yan's name, a young general said, "Master, this scholar calls himself Hua Yan, and there is Pingyuan in front of him. Could it be Gao Tang Huayan?"

Hua Shi of Pingyuan County is a relatively famous noble family, and Hua Xin, who is now very much used by Xun Zhen, is a member of this family. Among the scholars of this clan, the most famous now, besides Hua Xin, is Hua Yan.

The young general who spoke was younger than Yuan Tan, his name was Wen Tong, and he was the younger brother of Yuan Tan's wife.

Yuan Tan rode his horse to meet the scholar who called himself Hua Yan.

After making an appointment, I saw two or three chariots on the side of the road, and there were three scholars standing beside the chariots.

Yuan Tan dismounted, and Wen Tong and others followed.

The three scholars greeted them.

Everyone sees each other.

Yuan Tan observed that the leader of the three scholars was in his forties, with a length of more than seven feet, a long beard under his chin, and a majestic appearance.

The scholar bowed down and said, "In the lower Gaotang Huayan, I will meet the son."

As soon as he said these words, everyone was sure that this person must be Hua Yan of Gaotang Hua.

Yuan Tan was suspicious and thought: "Hua Xin is now under the Zhendong tent, and it is very important, but what is Hua Yan coming to ask me for?" He said politely, "Mr. Unknown is waiting here, Mr. Lao has been waiting for a long time, Tan Zhi I have passed. Dare to ask Mr., what is wrong with me at this time?"

Hua Yan said: "Xun Zhenzhi invaded our land in Qingzhou without an edict, and re-appointed Zhao Yun as the governor of plain county. After Zhao Yun arrived in the county, he was brutal and abusive to the people. Also. So when I heard that the son was coming to punish the rebels, the servant hurried to greet him, willing to do his best for the son! Eliminate harm and violence for the sergeant and civilians in the county! Give me back the glory of the plain."

But it turned out to be defecting to Yuan Tan.

Yuan Tan was even more suspicious, thinking: "With Hua Xin's relationship, why didn't he vote for Xun Zhendong, but why did he vote for me? Could it be... This is Zhao Yun's plan, do you want to use him as a trick? For me?"

With this layer of doubt, it is inevitable that there will be some perfunctory responses in words.

Hua Yan saw the suspicion in Yuan Tan's heart, but he couldn't justify it.

This Hua Yan really didn't lie to Yuan Tan on the orders of Zhao Yun, he really wanted to join Yuan Tan.

Then, just as Yuan Tan thought, with Hua Xin here, why didn't he seek an official position with Xun Zhen through Hua Xin, but instead came to join Xun Zhen's enemy Yuan? The reason is also very simple. Although Hua Yan is famous, his character is not good. Although Hua Xin and he are of the same clan, they have always had a normal relationship, so Hua Xin refused to introduce him and could not get Hua Xin's It is recommended that you can't serve in Xuzhou Prefecture, so take a step back, it is also possible to be an official in Pingyuan County, and this Hua Yan was originally the county official of Pingyuan County, but after Zhao Yun arrived in the county, he found him and the thieves in the county. There was collusion, so he was fired.

Next time, will Hua Yan not have any hatred in his heart?

So after hearing that Yuan Tan's troops were approaching Pingyuan, he didn't do anything about it, he simply went out of Pingyuan and came to join Yuan Tan.

Hua Yan couldn't say these words to Yuan Tan.

But he was not in a hurry. He believed that the two scholars who came to join Yuan Tan with him could explain it clearly to Yuan Tan.

Hua Yan is also a famous person after all, and the Hua family has a right surname in Pingyuan. Since he came to vote, it is difficult to drive him away before he is sure that he is a spy sent by Zhao Yun, so Yuan Tan will take him and his followers. The two scholars he had come with were taken with him in the army.

It was almost evening, and the border of Pingyuan County was not far away.

Camp on the spot that night.

It was easy to be the night, and the two scholars who came with Hua Xin visited Yuan Tan, beautified the whole story of Hua Yanlai's vote, and told Yuan Tan in detail. Yuan Tan heard this and let go of his doubts.

The next day, Yuan Tan saw Hua Yan again, his attitude changed greatly, he became more intimate, and introduced Hua Yan to Xin Pi.

Yuan Tan asked Hua Yan, and said, "In Pingyuan County, how is the current defense?"

Hua Yan said: "I heard that the son was inviting a heroic division to attack, Zhao Yun was horrified, and now he is shrinking in the city, and he does not dare to leave the city for half a step."

Yuan Tan asked, "How many guards are there in his city?"

Hua Yan replied: "There are many thieves in Pingyuan County, and most of Zhao Yun's soldiers are now scattered in the rest of the county, fighting against the thieves in each county. Now, there are only a thousand guards in Pingyuan City."

Yuan Tan said in surprise: "There are only a thousand people?"

Hua Yan said: "There are indeed only a thousand people."

He paused for a moment, and then said, "Sir, there are not many guards in Pingyuan City now, and in a hurry, Zhao Yun's soldiers and horses scattered in various counties, it is difficult for him to transfer them back to the Pingyuan; even if he transfers back, those The soldiers and horses are divided into several groups, each with a small number of people. If you dare to come to rescue the plain, the young master can also defeat them one by one. With the foolishness of the servant, the current young master has a good opportunity to seize the plain! The son may wish to lead his troops. , rush to Pingyuan to attack it, and you will be able to pull this city in one fell swoop! Once Zhao Yun is captured, then Pingyuan County will be your son!"

Yuan Tan thought for a while, then asked Xin Pi, and said, "Mr. Hua means this, what does Mister think?"

Xin Pi said: "If according to what Mr. Hua said, there are not many guards in Pingyuan City, then of course this Pingyuan County can be attacked in the first attack, but Zhao Yun is a valiant general and should not be underestimated. It's close at hand, and reinforcements may come soon, so this battle can't be too urgent, I think it's better to go to the plain city first, try to fight a dozen, see how the situation goes, and then make a decision before it's too late."

Xin Pi's remarks are old-fashioned.

Yuan Tan followed his suggestion and ordered his troops to march towards Pingyuan County.

When the soldiers entered the border of Pingyuan County~www.wuxiaspot.com~, they had already entered the enemy territory. From Yuan Tan and below to the soldiers in the army, the whole army and more than 5,000 civilians were all lifted up. After walking for about two or three miles, suddenly there was a commotion from the team of people who were escorting the luggage behind.

Yuan Tan asked Wen Tong to go and see what was going on.

Shortly after Wen Tong left, he rode his horse back and reported to Yuan Tan, saying, "There were two civilian husbands who ran into each other for some reason, and they quarreled. , so there was a commotion."

Yuan Tan was furious and said: "I have ordered three times and five appeals to prohibit noise during the march. If there is any violation, military law will be carried out. Do you consider my military law as nothing?"

Wen Tong received the order and sent officials to march to the military.

Not long after, two **** heads were held up.

Yuan Tan glanced at it briefly, then waved his hand and said, "Hang it on a bamboo pole to show the public, so that the whole army can see it!"

The military officer who had brought the head complied with his promise and left.

Hua Yan stretched his palms, admiring from the side, and said, "Young master's military discipline is strict, this attack on the county town of Pingyuan is sure to win!"