Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 53
When the news that Zhang Ji was shot to death by Liu Shi and that Zhang Xiu took over the army and retreated to Shunyang reached Xiangyang, everyone under Liu Biao began to congratulate him.

Xiangyang State Shepherd's Mansion, beside Liu Biao, Kuai Liang, Deng Yi, Liu He, Zhuge Xuan, Liu Xian, Deng Hong, Wen Ying, and his cronies Cheng Qi and others sat in it. meritorious service.

As I said before, in fact, it is not Cai Mao Kuai Yue and his gang who follow Liu Biao every day, but their gang of state officials, because Cai Mao Kuai Yue and the others are already considered small princes, and they can raise guests and recruit subordinates by themselves. Gongcao, so their status is higher.

However, the status is high, but the gang of them work by Liu Biao's side every day, so they can see Liu Biao every day.Shen Chen also often came to the State Shepherd's Mansion, sometimes to see his uncle, and sometimes to seek Liu Biao's advice on scriptures.

After a period of time, Deng Hong and Shen Chen, the grandparents and grandchildren, became familiar everywhere in the State Shepherd's Mansion. Shen Chen happened to be there today. He came to look for Deng Hong, but he was suddenly summoned by Liu Biao for a meeting in the central hall, and he also came up.

After Liu Biao and the others got together, they looked around and said, "Everyone, there is news from Rangcheng that Zhang Ji was shot to death with a bow and arrow, and the Xiliang army has already withdrawn."

"Congratulations to Duke Ming, congratulations to Duke Ming, you have guarded a piece of land and water, and the people of Jingzhou are grateful for your kindness."

"Duke Ming is responsible for defending the land, so it is the Weijia all over the world. Even if these Xiliang Xiaoxiao people come to attack my Jingzhou, they will only seek their own death."

"This time to defeat the Xiliang army, Ming Gong will surely be famous in the Kanto region!"

Many people who have worked in Biejia's governance offered rainbow farts to congratulate Liu Biao for repelling the invading enemy, and at the same time praised Liu Biao, and the flattery was loud.

Only Shen Chen saw that Liu Biao's expression was not that good looking from a distance below, so he immediately whispered something in Deng Hong's ear.

Deng Hong's face turned slightly pale when he heard it, and he shook his head to refuse, but Shen Chen said a few more words, so he had no choice but to stand up bravely and say: "Minggong, since the Xiliang army has been repelled, why not?" Are you unhappy?"

Liu Biao sighed and said: "Although we defeated them, our army suffered more casualties. The Xiliang army fought fiercely in the wild, not only defeated Deng Ji's troops, killed thousands of people, but also defeated 4000 of our troops with a mere 3000 troops. Quit, how can this make me happy?"

"Forehead"

Many state capitals looked at each other in blank dismay for a while. Thinking about it this way, it seems that it is indeed not worth being happy.

Deng Hong said: "Xiliang is barren. If people are not brave, they cannot survive. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many brave people in Xiliang. I think Duke Ming may be worried. Although they retreat, they may still come. Offending Nanyang, if you want to annihilate them all, I am afraid you will have to pay a high price."

"Yeah, but 1 people can make my [-] troops so hard. If we want to wipe them out, I'm afraid we have to send all the troops in Nanyang, and we have to send reinforcements from Xiangyang to make it possible."

Liu's surface is as sinking as water, he is now 54 years old, and he is not so dizzy in his later years.

The enemy's fierce battle in the field was far stronger than the Jingzhou army, which made him very worried that if he fought again, he would have to send at least 1 to [-] troops to take down the [-] people, and the price he paid would not be small.

Seeing that Liu Biao was as expected by Shen Chen, Deng Hong felt relieved and immediately said, "Ming Gong, I have a suggestion."

"Oh?"

Liu Biao immediately glanced at Shen Chen unobtrusively, and seeing Shen Chen watching his heart at the last table, he realized something in his heart, and asked, "What's your strategy?"

Deng Hong replied: "That Zhang Ji came to Nanyang to eat. It was because there was no food in Guanzhong. He had no choice but to come to Jingzhou to fight. Now that the leader of the Xiliang army is killed, the army's morale will be in chaos. With no leader among the dragons, if Duke Ming sends someone to surrender, If you give money and food to appease them, you will be able to subdue them, and they will be used by Ming Gong from time to time, wouldn't it be wonderful?"

Surrender?

Liu Biao touched the goatee on his chin and thought about it.

Before he could speak, someone said: "Don't do it, Mr. Ming. The Xiliang army often surrenders and then rebels. They are capricious people. If they are recruited, they will open their doors and steal. How can this be possible?"

"That's right, these people are all under Dong Zhuo's command. Don't talk about Dong Zhuo, just talk about Li Jue, Guo Si and others. Which one is not a national traitor? How can we negotiate peace with them?"

"Ming Gong, this will never work. The Xiliang army is ambitious. What should they do if they grow stronger after being given money and food?"

For a while, many people opposed Deng Hong's proposal.

It's not that they have any opinion on Deng Hong. On the contrary, Deng Hong is a well-rounded person, and he has a good relationship with his colleagues. He will give gifts and visits every year and festival, and he is very popular.

The main reason is that there may be so many small problems in the wind review of the Xiliang Army.

For example, the emperor was abolished, the emperor and empress were killed by poison, the royal tomb was excavated, the capital was moved by force, a large number of people in Luoyang Guanzhong were massacred, the emperor was kidnapped in the counterattack of Chang'an, and the three princes and nine ministers were slaughtered wantonly.

Compared with their various evil deeds, Cao Cao's massacre of hundreds of thousands of people in Xuzhou can only be regarded as a trivial matter.

Although Cao Cao is known as Little Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao has also done what Dong Zhuo has done, massacre, tomb robbery, killing the queen, hijacking the emperor, and killing ministers wantonly.

But Cao Cao at least has superficial skills in place, and his personal ability and political level are far superior to Dong Zhuo's. North to pacify the world.

Therefore, although everyone does the same thing, Cao Cao is much better than Dong Zhuo in terms of ability and evaluation.At least in terms of wind reviews at the time, the Xiliang Army couldn't be said to be beaten by everyone, it was also hated by people.

So when Deng Hong suggested that Liu Biao accept Zhang Ji's Xiliang Army, many leaders expressed their opposition.I think the Xiliang Army has no reputation at all, and if they are accepted, I am afraid they will be backlashed by them.

Only Kuai Liang thought for a while, and after weighing the pros and cons, he suddenly stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Duke Ming."

"Ok?"

Liu Biao looked at Kuai Liang and said, "What's Zirou's opinion?"

Kuai Liang said: "You Shuo is right. Although the Xiliang Army is capricious, Zhang Ji is at the end of the road and on the verge of destruction. It is easy to wipe out, but why waste the lives of soldiers? As the saying goes, mourning soldiers must win, if we want to deal with this group of remnants, even if we eliminate them, we will probably have to pay a heavy price.”

"So Zirou also thinks I should surrender?"

Liu Biao asked.

Kuai Liang nodded and said: "Yes, if you surrender them, you can let them station in Wancheng to guard the gate of Jingzhou. Even if they rebel, they will not endanger Xiangyang."

Stationed in Wancheng?
Many people engaged in politics looked at each other, and suddenly felt that Kuai Liang seemed to be right.

It would definitely be impossible to recruit this Xiliang army and let them integrate into the Jingzhou army. In case of civil strife, Xiangyang, the center of Jingzhou, would be endangered.

But it would be a different matter if they were in Wancheng.

Because Wancheng is located in the north of Nanyang, it is closer to Runan and farther to Xiangyang.

Even if the Xiliang army rebelled, they had to cross the triangular line of defense of Xinye, Huyang, and Chaoyang, and then attack Fancheng before they could reach Xiangyang city.

At that time, Jingzhou had already reacted and sent a large army to suppress it, so there was no need to worry about them threatening Jingzhou's safety.

From another perspective, arranging them in Wancheng can serve as a northern barrier.

If the princes of Henan and other places want to attack Xiangyang, they must first defeat Zhang Ji's Xiliang army before they can go to Jingzhou.

In this way, it will not be the Jingzhou army that loses, and the Jingzhou army can be fully prepared.

Such a thing that kills two birds with one stone seems to be a good thing.

"Zirou's words are very reasonable."

"If it is stationed in Nanyang, then it should be fine."

"As long as they don't come to Jingzhou."

"Duke Ming, I second the proposal."

"I also agree."

Several political leaders expressed their approval.

In fact, besides Kuai Liang's suggestion of placing the Xiliang army in Wancheng is very reasonable, the more important thing is that the person who said this was Kuai Liang.

For a long time, Liu Biao relied most on Cai Mao, Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Kuai Liang.

You can tell by looking at the status of these four people. As the prefect of Nanjun, Cai Mao is in charge of the army of Nanjun, guarding against Liu Zhang, Liu Biao's main enemy at present.

Huang Zu was the prefect of Jiangxia, in charge of the Jiangxia navy, guarding the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River, and guarding against enemies from the east of the river.

Kuai Yue was the prefect of Zhangling. According to historical records, the troops in Xiangyang, Fancheng, Zhangling and other places, and even Zhang Yun were restrained by him to guard against the princes who attacked from Henan.

Kuai Liang was Liu Biao's chief bookkeeper, and his status was especially high in many political affairs. Liu Biao would ask Kuai Liang first about everything, and he could be called his mastermind.

In other words, Liu Biao sent Cai Mao, Huang Zu, and Kuai Yue to garrison the enemy who might attack from the east, west, north, and east of the Jianghan Plain in Jingzhou, and Kuai Liang was left by his side as a strategic advisor.

Therefore, it can be understood that Liu Biao has entrusted the safety of the entire Jingzhou to these four people. Currently, apart from Liu Biao himself, these four people have the highest status.

To a certain extent, Deng Hong was just a middle- and lower-level official after all, and his words didn't carry much weight.

But if these words came out of Kuai Liang's mouth, it would be different.

Seeing everyone's support, Liu Biao nodded. He actually thought so too, mainly because the strength of the Xiliang Army made him very worried.

I sent 2 people there, but I was defeated. If I hadn't been lucky enough to shoot Zhang Ji to death, I am afraid that I would have to send at least 5 to 1 people to wipe out the [-]-strong Xiliang army. Troops, and there will be great losses.

Now if the situation is considered good, if the enemy is forced to retreat, the two sides will have room for peace talks.If it can be surrendered, placing it in Nanyang Wancheng as a barrier to the north will indeed kill two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao looked around and said, "Since everyone thinks that surrender is the best thing, who should I send to recruit them?"

"Forehead"

"this."

"Well"

The government officials who were still talking about it just now fell silent for a moment.

Although Deng Hong and Kuai Liang also analyzed it, they believed that once Zhang Ji died, the Xiliang army would have no leader, so they would definitely be willing to surrender to them.

But no one can guarantee that it will be safe to go.

You must know that there are not a few people who escaped from the Guanzhong who cannibalize human flesh.

"Dong Zhuo died at the beginning, and there were still hundreds of thousands of households in the Sanfu people. Li and others sent troops to loot and starve them. In two years, the people were almost exhausted."

This sentence is not only recorded in history books, but also known to the world at that time.

Many common people, soldiers and even generals in Guanzhong, such as the later Cao Wei Qingche general Wang Zhong, all ate human flesh in Guanzhong during this period.

Although this may be a helpless move, the brutality of the Xiliang Army still makes the world feel intimidated, and they instinctively feel that they are terrible.

What's more important is that Zhang Ji died. If they refused to accept the surrender and insisted on fighting Liu Biao in the name of avenging Zhang Ji, then those who go to surrender may...

Under such circumstances, these state officials are naturally unwilling to risk their lives to surrender. What if they anger the enemy?
However, among the crowd, someone stood up and said, "Ming Gong, I would like to go."

Everyone looked at it, but they didn't expect it to be Deng Hong.

Deng Hong married Cai's daughter last year, and now she is the hottest new dignitary in Jingzhou.

Logically speaking, with the endorsement of the Cai family, the largest family in Jingzhou, the official career should be worry-free, and there is no need to take risks.

I didn't expect him to be so courageous, and he was willing to go to the dragon's pond and tiger's den, which is really admirable.

For a while, many colleagues looked at him with admiration.

No wonder people can be promoted, young people really have the spirit of daring to fight.

Only Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen who was sitting at the bottom seat, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

He really had no choice but to be forced to stand up.

Instigated by his great-grandson, what he said would surely keep him safe.

joke.

That is the Xiliang Army who eats people but does not spit out their bones.

Rumor has it that murders don't blink.

Although the grandson's words have never been missed.

but..

But does TM have such a trick for grandpa?
Seeing Deng Hong glance at him, Shen Chen immediately put on an air of nothing to do with himself, and looked away, almost whistling as if he was a viewer.

"good!"

Liu Biao was overjoyed and said: "You Shuo is worthy of being a hero in Jingchu, this time you will be sent as an envoy to the Xiliang army to recruit them."

Deng Hong could only bite the bullet and say, "Hong will not insult Ming Gong's mission."

"it is good."

Liu Biao nodded in satisfaction, and said, "If you need anything, speak up as soon as possible."

Deng Hong thought for a while and said, "I want to know the conditions for Duke Ming to recruit them. Is it enough to give them enough food and grass, and let them be stationed in Wancheng?"

"Yes."

"And what if they have other requests?"

"any request?"

"Expand the army, or ask the surrounding counties to attach themselves."

"this."

Liu Biao pondered for a moment, then said, "We need them to defend the north, and it's okay to give them the surrounding cities, but Zhangling and the surrounding cities of Xinye must be under our control."

"I see."

Deng Hong nodded, cupped his hands and said, "Then Hong will set off for the champion today, lobby Zhang Ji's remnants, and surrender to Duke Ming."

Liu Biao was slightly surprised, "Are you going so soon?"

Deng Hong said: "It's not too late."

"good."

Liu Biao suddenly admired Deng Hong a little bit.

Before, he had always felt that Deng Hong was able to achieve today entirely because of Shen Chen, but now it seems that although Shen Chen really had the idea behind it, the courage to live and die with his grandson cannot be faked.

Maybe this is why they, Mrs. Deng, were able to obey the words of a child and were willing to leave their hometown and come to live in Jingzhou all the way!
(End of this chapter)