Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 749 Aspirations in Troubled Times

Yuan Xi led everyone on horseback out of the camp and walked eastward for seven or eight miles. He saw Xu Huang standing outside the woods waiting. Seeing Yuan Xi coming, he hurriedly came up and said: "When encountering some difficult things, the general will not dare to specialize. , I came here to invite you."

Yuan Xi jumped off his horse, walked side by side with Xu Huang inside, and said loudly: "It can't be Cao Cao, it doesn't look like it even if the time and distance are calculated."

Xu Huang whispered: "Of course not, the young master will know it as soon as he sees it."

The two of them walked inside, and after walking for more than a mile, they saw soldiers setting up a tent inside. When Yuan Xi went in and took a look, he saw a dead body covered with wounds on the ground. Judging from its clothing, it seemed that His status is not low.

Xu Huang followed up and said: "Based on the tokens on his body, this should be Cao Cao's nephew Cao Anmin. He was caught and killed by the Youzhou army when he was escaping."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi said in a deep voice: "Death is death. On the battlefield, swords and guns have no eyesight. Regardless of status, everything is fair."

Xu Huang pointed to the corner, and Yuan Xicai discovered that there was another person lying on the ground covered in blood. He was not dead, but he was also seriously injured.

Xu Huang said: "He is near Cao Anmin. Do you want to save him?"

Yuan Xi couldn't make out the face of the man, but he saw several deep wounds on his body. One of his thighs was turned out, probably broken by a war horse. There was blood oozing from his mouth, his eyes were closed, and his face was pale. You could die at any time if you go up there.

When he saw the other party's attire, he vaguely guessed it, and said in surprise: "Could it be...?"

Xu Huang put his mouth to Yuan Xi's ear and whispered his name. Yuan Xi nodded slightly, thinking that this person is very lucky!

Cao Ang.

Yuan Xi knelt down and looked at Cao Ang's injuries, feeling that the possibility of saving him was not very high.

But if the other party dies, he will die, but it will be of no use anymore. If you can save his life, maybe you can exchange some benefits with Cao Cao in the future?

Although Yuan Xi thinks this possibility is very small, anything can happen. If the person he wants is in Cao Cao's hands, Cao Ang might really be able to become a bargaining chip.

Forget it, let’s treat a dead horse as a live doctor.

He stood up and said to Xu Huang: "Call a few doctors over and try our best to treat him."

"If he can save his life, I will arrange for someone to send him away as soon as possible."

"By the way, this matter must be kept secret."

Xu Huang quickly accepted the order. Yuan Xi patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Gongming has done a great job this time. There are not many generals who can stop Yu Jin."

Xu Huang hurriedly said humbly: "It's all about your ability, but Huang is afraid."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "I know it well, Gongming is working hard."

Xu Huang followed Yuan Xi out of the camp, feeling happy because Yuan Xi made it clear. I was afraid that after this time, he would be able to take a step closer and enter Yuan Xi's inner circle.

Zhang Xiu pretended to be entangled with Liu Bei for a day and a night. It was not until news came from the direction of Wancheng that he breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally relieved.

However, when he learned that the one who attacked Cao Cao was Yuan's Fierce Tiger, Zhang Xiu was extremely surprised. He thought about it and couldn't figure out how he escaped from Heishan.

Cao Cao was defeated so miserably that Zhang Xiu had expected. The news that Cao Ang, Dian, Wei, and Cao Anmin were all dead made Zhang Xiu bitter. In this way, Cao Cao was fighting the fierce tiger to the death, and together with them You will also be implicated!

In fact, in Zhang Xiu's view, although surrendering to Cao Cao was a last resort, it was the lesser of the two evils, and among the forces whose territory was close to his, Cao Cao was the strongest, so it was not a wrong choice.

However, Xiu Hu used this battle to prove his ability to defeat Cao Cao on his own, and it also gave Zhang Xiu a little peace of mind. At least this sense of security was something Liu Biao could not give him before.

Joining forces with Fierce Tiger, Nanyang is also bordering Jiujiang, although it is separated by the swamps in the upper reaches of the Huai River. This is tantamount to blocking Cao Cao's offensive, and the situation is not much improved from the previous situation.

But for Zhang Xiu today, this is already the best choice. After all, Fierce Tiger belongs to the Yuan family and is already on good terms with Liu Biao. Liu Bei of Xinye is also his ally. In this way, if Cao Cao wants to attack him, these three parties They can all help themselves.

Zhang Xiu immediately figured out the link and sent people to negotiate a truce with Liu Bei. Liu Bei had been waiting for Zhang Xiu to do this for a long time. The two sides shook hands and made peace, planning to head to Wancheng together.

Liu Bei knew the opportunity and gave way to Zhang Xiu to rush back. He saw that Zhang Xiu was also hesitating. Just when he was confused, he heard Xu Shu say: "My lord, Zhang Xiu is afraid that we will fall out, so he and Yuan Shijun will attack from both sides." , at that time he had no wings to fly, so he didn’t dare to go first.”

"If he were to follow us, he would at least have the possibility of escaping if he was attacked."

"So as long as we leave first, we can dispel his doubts."

After hearing this, Liu Bei suddenly said: "That's it, thanks to the military advisor's advice!"

He immediately said with admiration: "I'm so lucky to have a military advisor to help me. All my doubts have been solved. I only wish I hadn't met Mr. earlier!"

Xu Shuqian said: "I'm just a little clever, there are many people who really have great wisdom."

"For example, Zhuge Kongming, who is known as Wolong in Wancheng, is many times better than me."

"Now that my lord has arrived in Wancheng, he must not miss this opportunity. He must try his best to get this person!"

"With this person here, I can at least dominate one side. If I have both the dragon and the phoenix, I can bring peace to the world!"

Liu Bei heard Xu Shu praise the two of them so highly more than once, but the two were related, which made Liu Bei extremely curious. He immediately laughed and said, "Since the military advisor said this, I would like to go and pay a visit!" Zhang Xiu heard that the outpost said that Liu Bei's army He had already taken action before letting go. It wasn't that he was suspicious, but that he had become a frightened bird now and really couldn't stand the torment.

At this point, Liu Beijun and Zhang Xiujun went to Wancheng along the road.

In Wancheng, Yuan Xi was performing the scene of visiting the thatched cottage three times in a mechanical way.

To say it was just a third visit was really because he looked down on Yuan Xi. In fact, he had come here seven or eight times in the past few days.

In the first few times, he came over with meal orders and wanted to invite Zhuge Liang to eat together. After being rejected by Zhuge Liang, he stood outside pitifully, waiting for Zhuge Liang to finish eating, and then tried to get close to Zhuge Liang. Later, he was politely invited out by Zhuge Liang. outside.

Later, he learned well. Every time he rushed to the meal, he would help Zhuge Liang chop the firewood, then light the fire, and finally leave voluntarily. His attitude was so humble that people can't even imagine it. He was famous all over the world. The fierce tiger.

Huang Yueying was standing by the window at this time, holding a porcelain bowl in her hand, taking the freshly steamed rice into her mouth, and said to Zhuge Liang: "Husband, something is wrong, something is wrong!"

"You said he is now living in three states, why is he so groveling to his husband!"

"Husband, you must protect yourself!"

Zhuge Liang stretched out his hand and hit Huang Yueying on the head several times, which made the other person burst into tears and said angrily: "What nonsense are you thinking about again!"

Huang Yueying rubbed her head and muttered: "I just can't figure it out. Didn't my husband originally want to ask her for stargazing skills? Why did she reject him instead?"

Zhuge Liang sighed: "Just because I can't figure it out, I just wait and see for the time being."

"When things go awry, there must be a demon. What I'm worried about is that he really has the art of stargazing, and he saw that I might play a key role in the future."

"That's why I'm so hesitant."

"After all, in my heart, a qualified lord should take a fancy to my ambitions, appreciate my talents, and agree with my ideals, rather than recruit me based on divination."

Then he laughed at himself and said, "Maybe my idea is too rotten. How can such a thing happen in the world? A king is a king and his ministers are ministers. Being able to trust each other is already a great thing."

After hearing this, Huang Yueying looked at the sky outside the window and was silent for a long time before speaking out: "The world is in chaos, and people with lofty ideals are like crucian carp crossing the river. With your husband's ambition in mind, you are actually not willing to be a bystander, right?"

"In that case, husband, why don't you have a good talk with each other?"

After Zhuge Liang heard this, he laughed dumbly and said, "Madam is absolutely right."

"Yes, instead of going around in circles, trying to figure out each other's thoughts and causing unnecessary misunderstandings, why not be honest and get to know each other better?"

Huang Yueying covered her mouth and smiled: "My husband has a clear mind, but his temper is a bit stubborn."

"But it is also true that my husband's ambition is so lofty and yet so difficult to reach."

Zhuge Liang sighed: "Yes, my ambition is still too illusory."

"But after only a few decades in this world, it is very satisfying to have a goal that you can always see and do something for it."

He stood up and said, "I'll invite him in right now."

Outside Zhuge Liang's small courtyard, Lu Lingqi was walking around anxiously, with two short halberds dancing like flowers in her hands, making a whining sound.

She said angrily: "This Zhuge Kongming is so ignorant!"

"My husband has given him enough face, but he has taken control of it!"

"Uncle Zhang, come and demolish his yard with me!"

Zhang Liao smiled bitterly, "My lord is watching. Madam must learn this qi-nurturing skill from my lord."

Lu Lingqi snorted, "A sour scholar makes my husband wait. I don't know how precious your time is!"

"Husband, it's true. I've been spending these two days here. What if Cao Cao leads a counterattack?"

Hearing this, Zhang Liao and Tai Shici looked at each other with helpless expressions on their faces, because Lu Lingqi was right, Wancheng was not safe here, and according to their wishes, Yuan Xi should leave as soon as possible and leave this place to Liu Bei. .

Guo Jia has also planned the route. After Cao Cao escapes this time, he may not send troops to block Yuan Xi's southward route, so the next step is to rush east to the upper reaches of the Huai River and then take a boat eastward.

However, now that Yuan Xi has made a decision, it seems that in his eyes, Zhuge Liang is more important than anything else. Their subordinates have nothing to say and can only wait patiently.

Yuan Xi, who was leaning on the carriage shaft, stared at the clouds in the sky and was thinking about the next step.

He was indeed waiting for Zhuge Liang, and he was also waiting for military news from the direction of Wancheng in Shouchun.

He has not yet decided how he should respond to Jiangdong's treacherous behavior of attacking Wancheng.

Should we put the overall situation first and endure the loss, or should we fight back decisively and teach Jiangdong a lesson?

While he was thinking, the courtyard door creaked open, and Zhuge Liang came out and said to Yuan Xi, "Can you please come into the house to talk?"

(End of this chapter)