The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Cao Cao's troops arrived on the bank of the Bian River in Xingyang that day.

There are four main traffic roads connecting Luoyang and Shandong, one is Mengjindu, which can cross the river to enter Jizhou; Crossing Songshan Mountain and entering Yuzhou; the next one is Liangxian and Yiqueguan where Xunzhen and Sun Jian walked, this place is the main road from Jingzhou and the southern part of Yingchuan to Luoyang; the last one is Xingyang.

From Luoyang east, along the Yiluo River Valley, pass Yanshi and Gongxian County, pass through Sishui, Xingyang Valley Road (that is, Hulao Pass Road), and go straight down to Zheng and Bian.

The throat area of ​​this road is in the line of Sishuiguan and Xingyang.

Therefore, before Cao Cao arrived at Xingyang, Xu Rong could not attack, but once he reached Xingyang, Xu Rong had to attack. Go west, until Luoyang, almost flat.

On the one hand, when Cao Cao arrived here, Xu Rong had to attack and block it; on the other hand, this area was also a dangerous place, basically located in a slit in the loess plain on the south bank of the Yellow River. Misery? top? point? Novels, in other words, that is to say, for those skilled in the art of warfare, this is also a good place for counterattacks that are very beneficial to the defending side.

Therefore, Xu Rong chose to fight Cao Cao here.

Cao Cao and Xu Rong fought fiercely here for a day. Because the enemy was outnumbered, and Xu Rong's troops were all elite, they were defeated. More than half of the soldiers were killed or wounded. Both Bao Tao and Wei Zi were killed in the battle. The mount he was riding was also injured, so his younger brother Cao Hong gave it up with his own horse, but Cao Cao refused to accept it at first. ride on. - It can be seen from Cao Hong's words that the situation was urgent at that time. "There is no flood in the world" has been said. Cao Hong is determined to die. Cao Cao rode on horses, and Cao Hong followed and fled to the bank of the Bian River. The water was too deep to cross. Cao Hong searched along the river and found a ferry, so Cao Cao and Cao Hong escaped to the sky, crossed the river by boat, and returned to the Sour dates.

After arriving at Suanzao, Cao Cao saw that Zhang Miao and the others were still drinking high-level meetings, not trying to make progress. They were both annoyed and angry, and they were very angry. He thought that Cao Cao almost lost his life in order to appeal to Dong. Zhang Miao and others were better. However, they were still drinking and talking, singing and dancing, and they were tolerable, but unbearable. Cao Cao couldn't hold back his anger and accused them face to face.

But it was useless to criticize again. Zhang Miao and others were timid, and when Cao Cao and Bao Xin were defeated, they did not dare to mention the word "fight".

He got so angry with Cao Cao that he returned to the tent and wrote a letter to Xun Zhen.

In his letter, he described the battle with Xu Rong. It was from his letter that Xun Zhen and Sun Jian learned about the specific process of his defeat and escape. The dukes of Suanzao must not be able to accomplish things. They only have a false reputation, but they have no courage, and they are not enough to seek advice. In the end, they have to rely on me. It’s just that I defeated Xingyang, and most of my soldiers were damaged. I can no longer advance with Qing's coalition forces. Qing can wait for me in Yingchuan first, and then I will fight against Dong after I go to Yangzhou to recruit troops and come back.

He went to Yangzhou to recruit soldiers, because Cao Cao's younger brother Cao Hong and Yangzhou governor Chen Wen Sushan, Cao Cao and Danyang prefect Zhou Xin were old friends, and Danyang was a well-known place for producing elite soldiers, so he decided to go to Yangzhou to recruit soldiers to supplement loss.

After Xun Zhen read his letter, he sighed to Sun Jian: "First, before the attack, Meng Deli returned home and nearly died in Yuzhou. Between the months, the two fell to the dead, and this letter from him is impressive, but he does not mean to be discouraged or timid, but he is still majestic, and his ambition is more and more vigorous.

At the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms, if you want to say "unforgiving", first of all should be Liu Bei, but if you look closely, Cao Cao is also a person who is indomitable and determined. In fact, not only Liu Bei and Cao Cao, but anyone who can leave a name in the history of history Yes, how many are weak?

In life, it is impossible for everything to go smoothly, just like the words of Yang Hu: life is unsatisfactory, nine times out of ten. If you give up your ambition and ambition because of a little setback, that person will never be able to achieve great things.

Xun Zhen used this to forge herself, reminded herself secretly, and said in her heart: "Since the Yellow Turbans, although I have suffered some setbacks in these years, compared to the hardships Meng De has suffered today, and the difficulties that Xuande will suffer in the future, it is incomparable. For comparison, maybe one day, I will also encounter such setbacks and dangers, but I must not shake my heart, I should take Meng De and Xuande as role models, the greater the suffering, the more ambitious I should be.”

There are several ways for Cao Cao to recruit troops from Suanzao to Yangzhou and Danyang, and one of them will pass by Guangling.

Xunzhen wrote a letter to Yuan Sui, Yao Sheng, Chen Bao and others who were left behind in Guangling, asking them to take care of Cao Cao and help them with all their might.

Xun Zhen was a kind intention, but his kind intention was not used.

Cao Cao left Suanzao and first went back to his home in Qiao County, and asked his father and clan to ask for a large sum of money. The family soldiers who had stayed at home to guard the gate were also brought with them, a total of more than a thousand, plus the remaining troops of Cao Cao's headquarters, a total of several thousand people, and then drove to Danyang.

From the southeast of Qiao County, passing through Pei State, and reaching the northern boundary of Pei State, there is a big river in front of it, this is Huai Shui, if you go further, cross the river and go south, it is Jiujiang County in Yangzhou, if you follow Huai Shui To the east, it is the country of Xiapi in Xuzhou. After Xiapi is Guangling, and then going south from Guangling, you can directly reach Danyang County in Yangzhou.

On the north bank of the Huai River, Xiahou Dun, who followed Cao Cao to recruit troops, said, "Xun Guangling has a good relationship with you. I might as well go east along the water, go to Guangling first, and then go down to Danyang."

Cao Cao refused. He stood on the high ground beside the water, holding his sword on his waist, overlooking the waves of Huai Shui, then raised his gaze to the mountains and rivers on the other side, and then looked east again, overlooking the boundary of Xuzhou, and said, "I and Zhen It is shameful to have sent troops to attack Dong, Zhenzhi won consecutive victories, and I was defeated, so how could I be embarrassed to go to his territory again and be entertained by his county officials?"

Xiahou Dun said: "Victory and defeat are common things in the military. Although you have a small defeat, you will not be able to say whether you will win or lose in the future. Xun Hou is a great man, so it is impossible for him to underestimate Yu Jun. Jun is usually lenient, but how can he care about it now? What about small things like this?"

"Zhenzhi wrote to me earlier, calling the world a hero, and I have five fights. What I care about is not whether Zhenzhi will underestimate me, what I care about is that I let Zhenzhi down, how can I have the face to be shameless? The reception of his servants? Let's wait until I have recruited troops and horses, and when we return, I will pass Guangling again and meet Zhenzhi's county officials."

Although Cao Cao was defeated but not discouraged, his ambition grew, but when he was about to reach Xun Zhen's realm, he remembered Xun Zhen's words about him being a hero in the five battles of the world. I'm embarrassed to bother Xun Zhen with those civil and military officials who stayed in Guangling County. His mentality has nothing to do with his stomach, but more importantly, it has more to do with self-esteem.

Hearing what he said, Xiahou Dun and the others stopped talking.

After passing the Huai River, we entered Jiujiang County in Yangzhou.

Yangzhou's prefecture, Liyang, is located in this county, at the easternmost point of this county, bordering Danyang County.

Chen Wen, the prefect of Yangzhou, heard the news, sent people to wait at the county boundary in advance, received them, and welcomed them to Liyang Prefecture on the leading road.

Entering the mansion, Cao Cao and Cao Hongdao came out.

Chen Wen, courtesy name Yuanti, is a native of Runan. He is from the same state as Xunzhen, Cao Cao, and Cao Hong. To the west of Runan is Yingchuan, and to the northeast is Pei State. He has known Cao Hong for a long time. Liao Er Cao was here to recruit troops, he said nothing and fully supported him.

So Cao Hong stayed in the prefecture and waited for Chen Wen to recruit troops for him. Cao Cao said goodbye to Chen Wen and went east to Danyang to meet Zhou Xin, the prefect of Danyang.

Zhou Xin, courtesy name Taiming, is from Kuaiji. It is said that he is from the south. Even if he knows Cao Cao and is separated from the north and south, it should be difficult to have any close contacts. However, Zhou Xin tried to study in the capital when he was young. Chen Fan, and Cao Cao, as a son of a nobleman, often lived in Luoyang when he was young, the two of them were able to get acquainted because of this. Later, Zhou Xin was set up by the Taiwei's mansion and stayed in Luoyang all the time, so he had a close relationship with Cao Cao. Secret, the friendship between the two is unusual, not only he and Cao Cao have a good friendship, he has two younger brothers, one is Zhou Ang, the other is Zhou Zhe, and the relationship with Cao Cao is also very good, especially Zhou Zhe, who is also with Cao Cao Cross-contract.

Xun Zhen had sent Yao Sheng to Danyang to recruit troops earlier, under the banner of Cao Cao.

Knowing that Cao Cao was coming, Zhou Xin personally greeted him at the county boundary and took him to the county mansion.

When Cao Cao said that he wanted to beg for troops, Zhou Xin was even more happy than Chen Wen, and said: "All the dukes of Suanzao are afraid to enter, but Weiqing has a great sense of righteousness and does not hesitate to sacrifice his life, so why is it enough to fail? I have nothing in Danyang. , only produce elite soldiers, the minister rises up for the righteous, and asks the directors to pay attention. If you come to my land, why should you recruit troops? I have 6,000 county soldiers, but I can give you 4,000. If it is not enough, allow me to recruit more."

Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "Danyang is known to produce sperm, four thousand is enough, if it's not enough, I'll come and ask for it when the time comes."

The two smiled at each other.

It is good to be from a noble family and to have extensive contacts. Cao Cao and Cao Hong are two brothers and come to Yangzhou and Danyang. They only need to talk about it. Four thousand Danyang elite soldiers are in hand. It didn't take long for news to come from Cao Hong, and Chen Wen also gave it to him. He got 2,000 Lujiang top armors, which is a total of 6,000 elites. If you want to exchange for some other poor disciples, you will wear your tongue, and I'm afraid that you won't be able to get a soldier or a soldier.

With these 6,000 troops, Cao Cao's army was revived.

He wanted to seek Dong, but he didn't stay in Danyang for much longer. After meeting with Cao Hong, he went north from Danyang and entered the border of Guangling County first.

Yuan Sui, Yao Sheng and others received Xun Zhen's instructions, and they were very respectful to Cao Cao. After sending Cao Cao away, Yao Sheng sent a letter to Xun Zhen, in which he wrote: "General Cao is not astonishing in appearance, but he is stalwart in appearance, and has the spirit of dragon and tiger. I look at his person, and he must not be a person who can live in shallow water. Brother General Cao A total of 6,000 top armors have been raised in Yangzhou, and I am watching them, all of them are elites, and now they are returned, I think I will be able to help the monarch and Hou when I will discuss Dong again in the coming day."

Not long after Yao Sheng's letter was sent, and before it reached Xun Zhen's hands, something surprising happened to him.

However, there was news: Cao Cao, Cao Hong, Xiahou Dun and others had just returned to Yuzhou, and not long after they entered Pei Kingdom. In Longkang County, the soldiers they had recruited from Yangzhou and Danyang did not know why, maybe it was Because of homesickness, he did not want to leave his hometown and went to the front line to fight against Dong Zhuo. Perhaps because he knew that Cao Cao had been defeated by Xu Rong earlier, he did not want to follow Cao Cao to his death. Dozens of people had to go out to camp and were rescued by Xiahou Dun and others who came after hearing the news. Some of the rebellious soldiers were suppressed by Xiahou Dun and others, and some fled. After checking, there were only more than 500 soldiers who did not betray Yangzhou soldiers.

It's really a rainy day.

First defeated by Xu Rong, and then the soldiers rebelled.

In addition, the first time he nearly died in Yuzhou, Cao Cao went back and forth three times on the line of life and death in just a few months.

But Cao Cao is the best among the people, and he is still not discouraged at all. This has already entered the country of Pei, and it is his hometown. Since many soldiers were rebellious, he simply recruited soldiers in the country of Pei, and Long Kang went to the country. The north is Qixian. Starting from Qixian, Cao Cao went all the way to raise all the way, through Chuxian, Danxian, Yanxian, Jianping, and raised more than 1,000 people before and after, and the army recovered a little.

- In Danyang, Zhou Xin said that if there are not enough troops, he can recruit for Cao Cao again, but now that the troops have betrayed, why doesn't Cao Cao go back to Danyang? This is: everyone has a face. Just like Cao Cao was ashamed to go to Guangling to see Xun Zhen's men before he summoned the soldiers, now that Yangzhou's soldiers are betrayed, he is embarrassed to go to Zhou Xin again. Chen Wen and Zhou Xin gave him a total of 6,000 soldiers without shirk. It was he who was "incapable of being able", which led to the rebellion. How could he be so embarrassed to go to Zhou Xin to ask for soldiers?

In Jianping County, Cao Cao temporarily stopped.

After leaving Jianping and moving forward, it is no longer the border of Pei, but Liang, and after Liang is Chen Liu.

Cao Cao discussed with Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Shi Huan and others: "I am going to Yangzhou to recruit troops now, and the soldiers will betray halfway. With the current strength, if I go to Suanzao again, Zhang Mengzhuo may be defeated. The gentlemen sneered at the small things, and it is difficult to reassure the directors. I think that the gentlemen of Suanzao will end up doing nothing, and nothing can be accomplished. In my opinion, it is better for me to leave the Suanzao and go to Hanoi. What do you think?"

Xiahou Dun said: "Your intention is to discuss Dong. Although General Yuan has a large number of troops, but his intention is not on Dong Zhuo, he will go to Hanoi. I am afraid that it will be difficult to do anything. You are friendly with Xun Hou, and both Xun Hou and Sun Hou dare to fight. Scholar, why don't you go to Yingchuan and join forces with Marquis Xun to conspire to attack Dong?"

Cao Cao said: "Luoyang's mountains and rivers are blocked, and there is no one who can be attacked all the way. If I go to Yingchuan, although I can join forces with Zhenzhi, but I only go all the way, go straight and go straight, there is no response, Dong Zhuo is easy to deal with. , it is better to go to Hanoi, maybe you can persuade Primordial, even if it doesn't help, you can try to borrow some soldiers from him, so that you can echo the north and south of Zhenzhi, and advance both ways, which is the best strategy for the military."

Cao Cao's remarks are sincere. Although he has a common problem with men, he has a little "good face", but it is related to military affairs, but he seeks truth from facts.

Xiahou Dun and the others heard what he said and felt that what he said was right and reasonable, so he no longer had any objections.

After resting for a day in Jianping, the next day, Cao Cao led his troops out of the county, passed Chenliu Suanzao without stopping, and went to Hanoi to join Yuan Shao.