three kings

Chapter 396
In the 14th year of Jian'an, at noon on August [-]th, Hulao Pass.

Cao Ren stuck the helmet in his right arm, let his straight black hair hang loosely on his shoulders, and leaned quietly against his body with a bloody spear.He looked up at the sky, and the floating clouds were blood-colored, as if heralding the imminent battle.The wind was strong, and there was an unpleasant smell of blood floating in the air.

The general who is best at defending the city of Cao Jun is not tall, but he is muscular and majestic like a tiger.The dark and angular face exudes the rough and unrestrained charm of a big man, but the eyes are as cold as ice, and there is a compelling chill between the brows.

At this moment, Cao Ren frowned, making his strong face look a bit gloomy. Not long ago, he received a letter written by Cao Cao, in which he wrote that Sun Can wanted to win Hulao Pass, and repeatedly emphasized the importance of Hulao Pass to him.He grew up with Cao Cao since he was a child, and he knows that Cao Cao has the power to reach the heavens. He must be so concerned about the gains and losses of Hulao Pass that he must have reached a critical point.

The battle situation was also as written in Cao Cao's letter. On the second day after receiving the news, Cao Ren got the news that Xu Huang was stationed in Xingyang and joined forces with Zhao Yun.Immediately afterwards, Xu Huang and Zhao Yun left Xingyang together, taking turns to launch a fierce offensive against Hulao Pass.The opponent seemed to be completely tireless. Within three days, he had launched more than [-] consecutive attacks on Hulao Pass, among which nearly [-] troops were invested several times, regardless of casualties.According to estimates, during these three days, the casualties of both the enemy and the enemy have reached a terrifying [-] or more.Of course, the number of enemy soldiers accounted for the vast majority. Every time he made Xu Huang and Zhao Yun return home in a state of embarrassment, but also because of this, he never left his body during these three days, and whenever he wanted to sleep Just taking a nap on the sidelines.

Because he didn't know when the other party would launch an offensive next time, and he didn't know whether he could hold it without being in Hulao Pass. It was because Hulao Pass was too important that Cao Ren had to be cautious.

Suddenly, Cao Ren's eyes became as sharp as a sword.

In the distance, flags were flying and drums were beating.

Under the clear sky, more than 2 enemy troops lined up in a huge phalanx. The yellow and green land set off their crimson battle robes, which looked particularly eye-catching.

White horse and silver spear, this is the unique symbol of the general Zhao Zilong, "My sons have listened, prepare your weapons, for the unification of the world, for the great military exploits, take down the huge city in front of you!"

"It's the appointed time, and victory or defeat is determined here!" Zhao Yun said in a low voice, "Gongming, I will personally charge in this battle, and you will command it!"

Xu Huang laughed loudly and said, "Okay, as you say."

Zhao Yun's presence in battle is undoubtedly the best encouragement to the soldiers who charged. He is a dignified general, commander of an army, from noble to Tinghou, who are not afraid of death, so what are they afraid of?
Under the leadership of Zhao Yun, the charging fighters rushed towards the mountain-like Hulao Pass with all their strength.

At this moment, a group of soldiers transporting grain at the other end of Hulao Pass had arrived under the pass city of Hulao Pass, and handed over the badge of the logistics general.

Cao Shou, Cao Ren's deputy, was on duty at the west gate of Hulao Pass.

What kind of general, what kind of soldiers, Cao Shou has followed Cao Ren for more than ten years, Cao Ren is very cautious and learned, and he did not dare to make his own way after getting the token to find Cao Ren who was fighting the enemy.

Cao Ren is commanding the soldiers to fight against the enemy, so how can there be time to inspect the food and grass?After confirming that the token was correct, he sent Cao Shou back.

Cao Shou was cautious enough, but not intelligent enough, and he didn't have enough vision, so he didn't notice anything wrong.

When he realized it, it was too late.Because, Gan Ning's knife had already cut off his head.

Naturally, this team of grain transporters was Gan Ning and the others in disguise, and the token was also found by Gan Ning from Sun Li.

Since entering Hulao Pass, he has been waiting for a favorable opportunity. When he found that the soldiers in Hulao Pass were attracted by the fierce battle at the front, he made a decisive decision, drew out his weapon and slashed at Cao Shou.

Without any hesitation, Gan Ning rushed directly to the east gate of Hulao Pass.

Nearly a thousand Cao troops gathered under the east gate.They were all pushing against the closed door of Hulao with thick wooden stakes, and they didn't notice anything unusual.

It wasn't until the scream of "ah... ah... ah..." came to my ears that I realized that a group of soldiers in their own uniforms were constantly waving their weapons at their own people.

They were deluded and crazy at the same time, they couldn't tell who was the enemy and who was the friend.

The only way to keep yourself alive on the battlefield is to kill the enemy.

In order to ensure their own immortality, in this case they can only constantly attack those who are close to them, those who can threaten them, regardless of whether they are friends or foes.

The more chaos, the better for Gan Ning and others. Although they can't accurately distinguish between friends and foes during the chaotic battle, they all have the same goal, which is to open the gate of Hulao Pass.

During the chaos, more than a hundred people killed to the gate of Hulao Pass and quietly opened the thick and heavy gate.

Zhao Yun, who had already made all preparations, was the first to rush into Hulao Pass...

In the 14th year of Jian'an, on August [-]th, Hulao Pass, the largest pass in the view of Cao Sun, officially declared its fall.

The guard Cao Ren fought to the last moment. After refusing Zhao Yun's surrender, he suffered dozens of heavy injuries and fell on the wall of Hulao Pass forever. He fulfilled his promise to Cao Cao-"Unless I die, A tiger prison is never easy to master."

On August [-]th, Sun Can received a letter from Xu Shu in Xichuan, issuing an order to withdraw troops.

The one-year war finally ended at this moment. On the surface, Sun Can did not take advantage of it. Not only did he lose generals Hua Xiong and Fan Wu, but he also lost [-] elite soldiers. However, he succeeded in taking down Xichuan and He in Hulao is undoubtedly the biggest winner of this battle.

Fan Wu is the general who has followed Sun Can the longest. He and Gao Shun are the oldest in the entire army, and he is also one of Sun Can's most trusted confidantes. Unfortunately, when he attacked Luoyang and used it as a cover to seize Hulao Pass, he missed Flow arrow and die.

When Sun Can returned to Xuchang, he had to report that the Xichuan generals had arrived at the posthouse and were waiting to be summoned.

Without hesitation, Sun Can immediately ordered the whole army to stand by. He glanced apologetically at Cai Yan and Diao Chan who greeted them at the gate of the city, and brought some civil and military officials to host a banquet to meet the generals of Xichuan.

Xichuan surrendered many generals, but for local safety, only some representatives came, namely Zhang Song, Yan Yan, Fazheng, Zheng Du, Huang Quan, Dong He.

"Xichuan's surrendered general'surrender' pays homage to the general." The six people respectfully bowed to Sun Cana.

Sun Can laughed, and stepped forward to help them up one by one, "They are all officials of the big man, why come to surrender, surrender?" Sun Can paused, and continued, "Compared to the generals, I really hope that you can be called the generals." It's more fun to say 'Master'."

"My lord, the mistress seems to be a little upset!" Jia Xu interrupted suddenly.

"It's okay!" Sun Can was a little confused and didn't react for a while, "Didn't you see that I was meeting Xichuan Yinghao?"

"But...my lord, the mistress looked forward to it every day during the lord's expedition, but as soon as you arrived in Xuchang..." It was the upright Xun Yu who said this.Xun Yu didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew what it meant.

The generals of Xichuan also showed shocking expressions. They were all surrendered generals, but Sun Can did not return because of their family, and summoned them as soon as he arrived in Xuchang. What an honor and respect! ! !
Sun Can also suddenly came to his senses, understood the ultimate goal of Jia Xu and Xun Yu, glanced at them approvingly, and said with a serious face: "Official matters are more important than anything else, so don't mention private matters." After finishing speaking, he smiled kindly at the generals of Xichuan, "Let everyone see a joke. Let's sit down and talk about Xichuan together. I have heard that it is called 'Tianfu' for a long time. I really want to go and have a look."

The generals of Xichuan looked at me and I looked at you, and suddenly they bowed together again: "Zhang Song, Yan Yan, Fazheng, Zheng Du, Huang Quan, Dong He have met the Lord." It will be the first time to meet the new owner, it is inevitable that there will be some embarrassment and anxiety.He was worried that they would not be reused, and that Sun Can would dislike them as ministers of the two lords, but when Sun Can returned to Xuchang, he met them without even entering the house.Chan's enthusiasm and respect had already dispelled all the uneasiness in their hearts, and they shouted "Master" in unison.

At the banquet, Sun Can kept talking about Xichuan, letting all the generals of Xichuan who had been in Xichuan for more than ten or twenty years talk freely about the local customs and habits.Under Sun Can's ingenious arrangement, different people from the two places talked together very harmoniously.

The generals of Xichuan also expressed their affection for Sun Can, the lord.

However, two people caught Sun Can's attention. They were Fazheng, Fa Xiaozhi, Zheng Du, and Zheng Zixiu.

The others were all infected by the atmosphere of the banquet, laughing heartily, and the two of them were the same, but the difference was that they also laughed, but their eyes showed calmness, and they were not infected by the outside world at all.

This is very similar to the counselor who accompanied him to drink.

At the end of the banquet, the generals of Xichuan left, but Sun Can left Fazheng and Zheng Du behind.

After the banquet was withdrawn, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Fazheng, Zheng Du, and Sun Can remained in the hall, which seemed extremely empty.

"I want to keep the two by my side. Is it meaningful?" Sun Can opened the topic first.

Fazheng originally had great ambitions, and he knew that as long as he nodded, he would be Sun Can's confidant, and he was only one step away from the core of Sun Jiajun, so he agreed without hesitation.Zheng Du has a love for his hometown, and he is not very willing to leave his hometown, so he hesitated for a while and nodded in agreement.

"Okay!" Sun Can restored the majesty that General Ke should have, glanced at Fazheng and Zheng Du, and said, "Since you think you are our army's advisers, you must abandon your prejudices and put our army's interests first. Xichuan belongs to our army All, but some funeral matters still need to be dealt with. A snake without a head can’t do it, and Xichuan is located on the border of Cao Cao, and there can’t be no state shepherd and general in charge of the army. As for the candidate, what do you think, should we use the veteran of our army or the general of Xichuan?”

Xun Yu took the lead and said: "Xichuan has just been taken, and the people's hearts are not stable. It is the best policy to govern Sichuan."

Zhuge Liang also said: "The general of Sichuan does not know the benevolence of the lord, nor does he know the thoughts of the lord. It is easy for outsiders to rule the river and cause unnecessary friction and disputes."

At this time, Xun Yu bowed his ear and said something in Sun Can's ear. Sun Can frowned slightly after hearing this, but finally nodded in agreement, and said to everyone: "I have decided to appoint Wu Yi of Xichuan as the shepherd of Yizhou. Yan Yan led the Yizhou army for General Jianwu, and on the sixth day of the next month, he will marry Wu Yi's younger sister Wu Shi."

(End of this chapter)