Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 55
The spring drizzle was still falling outside the pavilion, and the sky was gloomy. It seemed that the drizzle was just a prelude, and a bigger storm was yet to come.

The atmosphere in the pavilion instantly became frozen with Deng Hong's words, and Deng Hong was also very nervous at first.

He stared intently at Zhang Xiu's face, afraid that if he was not careful, the other party might suddenly draw his knife and attack him violently, so he also glanced at Gan Ning who was sitting beside him.

Gan Ning was still sitting cross-legged normally, but his hands had already quietly touched his waist, which made Deng Hong's nervous mood a little more relaxed.

Looking at Zhang Xiu again, he clenched his fists, and the veins on his face were throbbing violently, as if he had reached the verge of some kind of rage.

Hu Che'er was equally furious and glared at Deng Hong.

However, after saying the words, Deng Hong put aside the jittery emotions, gradually regained his composure, and said to Shen Chen indifferently: "Ah Chen, serve the wine."

Shen Chen thought that his uncle pretended, but he didn't refute, but took out a bottle of wine and a few porcelain bowls from his bag.

Zhang Xiu just watched Shen Chen put a bowl on everyone's table, and then everyone poured wine.

He and Hu Che'er actually regarded Shen Chen as a servant boy. This kind of thing is very common. In the article "Tong Yue" written by Wang Bao in the Western Han Dynasty, he described the working life and relationship of slaves at that time.

After Shen Chen poured all the wine, Zhang Xiu slowly said: "Since Gongcao is sending a letter of war on behalf of Liu Shijun, why invite me to drink with him?"

"Forehead"

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen, this is different from what was agreed in advance.

Shouldn't Zhang Xiu be furious, then laugh a few times to himself, and with a few words, discipline Zhang Xiu surrendered, and the Xiliang army would retreat without a fight?
Why didn't people get angry?

But even though he didn't follow the script, Deng Hong reacted quickly, and immediately said: "This is because neither the envoy nor I can bear the loss of life for the people of Nanyang due to the chaos caused by the war, so we came here to have a detailed discussion with the general."

"Really?" Zhang Xiu picked up the wine glass and took a sip. The aroma of the wine was indeed very attractive, but he didn't dare to drink it until Deng Hong had drunk it.

"of course."

Naturally, Deng Hong knew Zhang Xiu's concerns, so he also picked up his wine glass, took a sip with Gan Ning, put down the glass and said, "General, you know that after learning of the death of General Hushi, many officials in Jingzhou all invited Liu Do you want the king to take advantage of the victory and pursue it?"

Zhang Xiu said coldly: "Pursue after victory? You are just taking advantage of the defense of the city. Fighting fiercely in the wild, I will kill as many as you come."

"Ha ha."

Deng Hong said with a smile: "Of course I know how powerful the Xiliang army is, but the general doesn't know that Nanyang is just the place where Jingzhou has the fewest soldiers and horses. Most of Jingzhou's elite soldiers are guarding against Liu Zhang in Yiling. Liu Shijun There are more than [-] armored soldiers under the tent, can the general be defeated?"

Of course Liu Biao does not have more than [-] people now, but [-] to [-] people.

However, this is the case in ancient wars. You only have 1 people, and you have to brag about [-] to [-].

Cao Cao's more than 20 troops went south to fight the Battle of Chibi, isn't it also known as 80?

So whether the enemy believes it or not, let's blow the bull out first.

What's more, Jingzhou is indeed very peaceful now. It is developed and prosperous, not to mention that it also has sufficient military strength. If it is said that there are more than [-] troops, others will probably believe it.

Just like now, Zhang Xiu fell silent when he heard Deng Hong's words.

Although he thought to himself that with the same number of enemies, the elite Xiliang army under his command would not be afraid of anyone in a fierce field battle, but the opponent would not say Wude and only send the same number of troops to fight against you.

Now they are only facing more than 2 Jingzhou troops stationed in Nanyang, and it is very difficult. If Liu Biao really mobilizes the main force, then their situation is indeed very difficult.

At present, Zhang Xiu has only 8000 people under his command. When he went south from Guanzhong, there were still less than [-] people, but the attack on Rangcheng suffered heavy losses.

Following the death of his uncle, his morale also plummeted. Facing Liu Biao's siege, he might be struggling.

This is why Deng Hong made provocative words before, but Zhang Xiu remained silent.

It's really a bad situation for them.

So facing Deng Hong's words, Zhang Xiu didn't refute aloud, but just pinched the porcelain bowl, and took a sip as usual.

"Pfft."

Zhang Xiu only felt the spicy taste in his throat, and immediately spit it out, and said in horror: "What did you put in the wine?"

Deng Hong laughed and said, "It's just ordinary spirits. It's easier to get intoxicated than ordinary wine. The general was born in Xiliang. I heard that Xiliang people are good at drinking. It seems that the amount of alcohol is not enough."

Zhang Xiu put down the wine bowl, wiped the corners of his mouth, and said in a deep voice: "Gong Cao doesn't have to speak for people to understand. Since you are talking about peace talks, then there is always something to say. It is very confusing. Pleasure, please speak plainly."

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen again, thinking that his grandson had miscalculated this time, Xiliang people are straight-hearted, so there is no need to talk about those nonsense, just get straight to the point.

Shen Chen on the side was also rather embarrassed.

Really miscalculated.

He came from an engineering background and was engaged in architectural design.

The history is so-so, the history of the Three Kingdoms was learned from watching the 94 version of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" when I was a child, and many real histories are different from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

When watching TV dramas before, those lobbyists usually irritate the other party, and then after a few laughs, they complained bitterly.

So I wanted to learn it, but it turned out to be a mere imitation, and people were not moved at all.

For a while, he was also reflecting on himself, and he should not take TV dramas seriously as history.

Sometimes this trick may work, but in case you encounter an unreasonable master, no matter how loud you laugh, it won't help.People even think that you are mocking him, so if you can't say it well, they will push it out and chop it up.

Seeing that Zhang Xiu didn't want to make trouble with him, Deng Hong said seriously: "Actually, the purpose of meeting with the general this time is to make peace with the general. The general thinks that if Jingzhou wants to annihilate the general's power, can it be done?"

Zhang Xiu immediately said: "Maybe it can be done, but our Xiliang army is brave and good at fighting, even if we are defeated by you, you will definitely make you pay a heavy price."

Deng Hong said with a chuckle: "But Jingzhou has countless money and food, and now there are millions of households. There are countless strong young people who can be recruited into the army, and every death of a general's soldier will be one less. Even if you exchange 2 people for your 1 people At worst, another 2 people can be recruited, what loss can Jingzhou have?"

"This"

Zhang Xiu was sitting cross-legged, his legs jumped up, and he wanted to refute, but he couldn't refute him when he got to the point of speaking, his hands were raised in the air, and finally he could only sit down weakly, with a slumped expression on his face.

Deng Hong said again: "So if the general continues to be an enemy of Liu Shijun, it will be tantamount to seeking his own death. Now there are only two roads in front of the general. One is to retreat to Guanzhong. Then the general thinks about it again. , What is Guanzhong like now? After returning to Guanzhong, will there still be a place for the general?"

Zhang Xiu said silently: "Guanzhong is already a mess, and Li Jue and Guo Si are here, so there is no place for me."

"That's it."

Deng Hong spread his hands together and said, "In this way, the general has only the last way to go. Mr. Liu Shijun is generous and magnanimous. He knows the general's difficulties, so he is willing to accept the general. Wouldn't it be a good thing for Jingzhou to stay in Wancheng?"

Surrender Liu Biao?
Zhang Xiu actually considered this issue.

But what he was most worried about was that after the surrender, Liu Biao would strip him of his military power.

Zhang Xiu is very clear about this point, because there was a general in the Xiliang Army named Fan Chou, who was killed by Li Jue last year and took his army away.

In today's world, military power is the foundation of one's life. Without the protection of the army, no matter how brave one is, he is just a lost dog.

Isn't that what Lu Bu is like?

Although he won the three armies bravely, after Dong Zhuo's death, he was counterattacked by the Xiliang army, and finally had to escape from Chang'an in embarrassment.

Zhang Xiu asked himself that he was not as brave as Lu Bu, and he was not as good as Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

If he doesn't even have military power, then he will be completely slaughtered.

So he said with some hesitation: "I also know that there is no way to talk to Liu Shijun at this point, but I want to know, after stopping in Wancheng, will my army be dispatched by me?"

"It's natural."

Deng Hong said: "A lot of people said that the general's troops should be transferred to other places, but I argued with reason, thinking that the general is familiar with the Xiliang army's tactics. Go down."

Zhang Xiu was overjoyed, and bowed his hands to Deng Hong and said, "Thank you for your meritorious service."

Deng Hong said seriously: "I didn't do this to get the general's gratitude, but for the stability of Nanyang. And I also urged the envoy to help allocate food and grass for the general, and recuperate in Wancheng. Unless it is absolutely necessary, try not to dispatch the general. , so that the general's heart can be reassured."

Zhang Xiu's eyes widened. He originally thought that after the surrender, there must be many conditions. He didn't expect that Liu Biao would allow him to station in Wancheng, and even allocate food and grass to him. This is simply a great thing.

For a moment, he couldn't believe it, and said in shock: "Is that really the case?"

"nature."

Deng Hong nodded and said, "This is something that you should personally agree to."

Zhang Xiu got up immediately, walked to the center of the hall, bowed respectfully to Deng Hong and said: "Sir, I can't repay your kindness, please accept my gift."

After saying that, he knelt down and kowtowed.

You must know that kowtow ceremony was not popular in the Han Dynasty. Only the emperors, relatives and teachers of heaven and earth received the first bow ceremony. This so-called first bow ceremony was later kneeling and kowtow. It was a very big etiquette at that time. The ministers will only bow their heads when they worship the heaven and the earth.

Deng Hong immediately went up to stop him, and said with a smile: "Liu Shijun has always been benevolent and righteous, and he also wanted to prevent the people of Nanyang from suffering unreasonable military disasters. However, the sage said: "What you want is what you want, so you can get it without working." The general should be It won’t be for nothing.”

"Of course, of course."

Zhang Xiu quickly said: "Sir, just ask me what you want me to do."

Deng Hong murmured: "What Mr. Liu is worried about is nothing more than the yellow turban bandits in Gaoling Mountain and Dabie Mountain. These people often plunder Nanyang, and they come and go without a trace. It is quite a headache. If the general can help design For them, the envoy will also be very happy. And this matter is also good for the general."

Gaoling Mountain is Funiu Mountain, which is recorded in "Hanshu Geography".Needless to say about Dabie Mountain, "Advancing into Dabie Mountain" is a primary school text for later generations. Its name first came from "Shangshu", and it was called Dabie Mountain during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods.

Now there are countless bandits in these two large mountain ranges, and a large number of Runan and Nanyang Yellow Turban remnants are entrenched in them, ranging from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands.They often invade Nanyang and Runan, threatening the safety of Nanyang.

From a certain point of view, Liu Biao sent 2 people to station in various counties in Nanyang, not to guard against the northern princes, but to guard against these bandits. After all, no one from the northern princes will come to attack him now.

So if these remnants of the Yellow Turbans can be wiped out, Liu Biao is probably very happy.

Hearing Deng Hong's words, Zhang Xiu asked curiously, "What's good for me?"

"Ha ha."

Deng Hong laughed: "Didn't the general want to garrison Nanyang? After I go back, I will urge General Junbiao to be the prefect of Nanyang, and let the surrounding counties belong to the general. By then, there will be no need to bring food and grass from Xiangyang every year. It is directly supported by the local government. If these yellow scarves come here frequently, the annual cost of money and food will be reduced, wouldn’t it be a loss for the general?”

Zhang Xiu's breathing suddenly became rapid, and he said, "The whole Nanyang belongs to me?"

The Nanyang Basin is only slightly smaller than the Guanzhong Basin.

What's more important is that Nanyang is not withered and dilapidated by the severe military disaster like Guanzhong, with a population of over one million. If we can get such a resident, why not grow up?

At that time, I am afraid that they will be stronger than the current Li Jue, Guo Si and others. With money and food, they can recruit soldiers and horses, and it is possible to kill them back to Guanzhong.

However, Deng Hong poured cold water on him and said, "That's naturally impossible. It's just a few cities in the surrounding area. I have to go back and discuss with Liu Shijun before deciding which cities to choose, but no matter what. , doing so is not a bad thing for the general, is it?"

Zhang Xiu calmed down, he also understood that Liu Biao couldn't give him the whole of Nanyang, at most it was a few counties around Wancheng.As for what Liu Biao was planning, you could guess with your toes, it was nothing more than asking him to help guard Nanyang.

Nanyang is the gateway to Jingzhou, and Wancheng bears the brunt of it.Therefore, to break Jingzhou, take Nanyang first. This is an eternal truth. How could Liu Biao have good intentions when he introduced him to Wancheng?
It's just that Zhang Xiu is really not qualified to negotiate terms now, so he also nodded and said: "What do you want me to do, sir, please tell me clearly."

"It's simple."

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen, smiled slightly and said, "I hope the general can contact the yellow scarves in Yingchuan, Runan, Nanyang and other places, saying that you have defeated the army sent by Liu Shijun to conquer you and occupied Wancheng, and you are willing to invite them Let's occupy Nanyang together, and participate in the grand event together, and wait until Liu Shijun's army arrives, just fight back."

Zhang Xiu's face was silent, but he was thinking in his heart.

This hero.

It's really vicious.

　The last few chapters should be reaching a climax, and the main plot is fully promoted, but unfortunately it is still for the new book list. The time for me to be off the list is September 9th. If there are new updates every day, I will be off the list in two or three days, so now It can only maintain 15 words per day, and it is expected that more than 4000 words will be off the list around September 9th.There is no way, there is no recommendation now, and there is no other way to expose, so I can only make this bad move.But don’t worry everyone, after the list is released, it will start to explode immediately, with a minimum guarantee of 14 words per day, and the carnival will last until the end of the month.I hope you will continue to read more. The data is not good now. Please read how many more every day. Don’t think about fattening. How many recommended resources I can get in the early days depends entirely on you.

　　


(End of this chapter)