Chapter 193 Two points in Xuzhou

After a water battle, many Jingzhou soldiers were tired, so Cai Mao decided to dock the fleet outside Zhuyang City for a while to rest.

Zhongping had no objection to this. In fact, he was only concerned about whether he could learn the whereabouts of the robbed grain and grass from Gan Ning.

Although the grain and grass purchased by Cao Cao from Yizhou was not large, it was far from what Gan Ning and his group of water bandits could consume completely. Zhong Ping preferred that they have a fixed place to store the grain and grass.

The Jinfan thieves headed by Gan Ning were active in Bajun all year round, and radiated from this place to the surrounding waters. Their operation range was vast and difficult to track, and they would not store stolen goods in one place.

Zhongpei only felt a headache.

He had been in Jingzhou for several days and only saw the water system map in Kuai Yue's hand at Liu Biao's house.

The map only marked several important water systems in Jingzhou, and it was so rough that it could hardly be called a map.

Based on his own memories alone, Zhongping could hardly guess which locations Gan Ning might have used to store the plundered grain and grass from Yanzhou.

He hasn't met Gan Ning yet, but he already has a premonition that it will be difficult for him to get answers from Gan Ning.

Pang Ji's arrival confirmed his suspicion.

To be honest, although Cao Cao is short of food and grass now, it is not so short. Just cutting off this piece of food and grass will not cause much loss to Cao Cao.

Taneping fell into deep thought.

Gan Ning was silent for a long time.

This was the first time Zhong Ping met someone like Gan Ning. He was stunned at first by being scolded, but he soon calmed down.

Gan Ning couldn't hear this the most, and immediately stood up and asked, "When did I become the villain you call me?"

He had long realized that among the four people in front of him, only the youngest Zhongping was the one in charge.

"The matter has reached this point, and there is no point in saying more."

This kind of thing is completely thankless, except that it may cause conflicts between Jingzhou and Yanzhou... Could it be that this is the purpose of the other party? But in fact, even if it was not found out that Gan Ning was the one who robbed the grain, Liu Biao would choose to make up for the loss by himself, thus avoiding a conflict with Yanzhou.

Gan Ning points it out.

Behind him, Wei Zhong and Guoyuan were different. Both of them were scholars who chewed words and studied classics. How had they ever been scolded like this? Scholars at this time were all proficient in all six arts. Not only did Gan Ning scold him, but he also frequently insulted his ancestors. How could these two people endure it?

Everyone immediately drew their swords and tried their best to get up.

He finally chose to speak.

This possibility does not hold true.

He is now able to communicate with the same species calmly.

Zhongping kept up his efforts and softened his voice: "Sikong purchased grain and grass from Yizhou. Although it was not a cover-up, it didn't seem to be so grand that it could attract the attention of a group of water bandits. How did you know that there was a large amount of grain and grass above the overflowing water? ?”

Gan Ning didn't look at him at all.

Gan Ning, who was covered in blood, stared at everyone, as if he was looking at his life-and-death enemy. It would be fine if he didn't remove the coarse cloth from his mouth. Whenever he was asked to speak, he would be full of angry curses. He kept cursing without stopping for a moment.

"At the end of the year, Sikong provided grain and grass to the officials and the emperor, but you robbed him of it. Can such behavior be called 'loyalty'? I use this to say that you are an unfaithful and unfilial villain. What do you mean? Are you going to refute me?"

Zhong Ping paid attention to Gan Ning's expression, and saw that he seemed to be hurt by this question, and his eyebrows were quite uncomfortable. He thought that he might use this as an interjection: "I heard that Gan Ning has a reputation of being polite and respecting scholars. Although he was defeated and captured , I also admired his courage and thought that this man was also a hero of the world. Unexpectedly, when I saw him today... he turned out to be an unfaithful and unfilial villain who has no king or father!"

After all, even if they did get the property, part of it would be given to Liu Biao and part of it would be brought back to Yanzhou to Cao Cao. In short, it would not fall into his hands.

He was not a tolerant person, and he still felt resentful and resentful about Gan Ning's previous insults.

After all, he is still just a young man now. Zhongping broke his momentum, and he immediately lost his strength. He lowered his head and remained silent.

Guoyuan was still a little angry and said bitterly: "Mr. Shanmin, haven't you ever learned the sentence of "Polygonium"? "I'm sorry for my parents, I was born with labor." The traitor dares to insult my parents. If he doesn't kill him, what will he look like? Stand in the world?"

Gan Ning smiled bitterly: "I did it after all. I will recognize it after I did it. What's there to shirk?"

Seeing that he was being tricked, Zhong Ping began to lie with half-truths and half-truths: "He who is disrespectful to his relatives is disrespectful to his relatives. Since you are disrespectful to other people's parents, how can you ask others to respect your parents? You do it because of yourself. When your parents are despised and insulted by others, can your behavior be called 'filial piety'?"

Hearing his words, Wei Zhong seemed to want to excuse Gan Ning, and frowned in disapproval.

Now it was Tanehira's turn to be stunned.

"...This news was indeed leaked to me intentionally."

However, Gan Ning's words were not tempting to him.

Gan Ning was speechless.

Zhongping knew that he had something to rely on when he said this. After all, apart from him, it would be difficult for anyone else in the world to find the whereabouts of these belongings.

"I have been a water bandit for several years, and I have robbed a lot of property. If you are willing to accept my request, sir, these properties..."

Seeing this, Gan Ning laughed heartily, spat out a mouthful of bloody spit, and said provocatively: "Kill if you want, but if you blink, you are not a good man!"

"You are already a prisoner of my subordinates. How to deal with it? It's just a thought for us. Why should we comply with such unreasonable demands?"

Zhong Ping knew that he had a death wish, so he grabbed Guoyuan and Wei Zhong's sleeves to stop them.

At this time, Pang Ji could somewhat understand why Cai Mao was so angry at that time, and he also advised: "This thief just wants to die. If you kill him, you will do what he wants. You two gentlemen, please don't be impulsive." .”

"Although Gan Ning is a thief, he also has a loyal heart. He has always told the truth about the property he has robbed, except for rewarding his brothers. The rest of the property he has stolen must be told the truth... Gan Ning has only one request: all my brothers died because of me, please Give him a good burial and place his family in a safe place.”

Wei Zhong just snorted coldly.

ah? No, I just made a random comment. It turns out there is really someone behind the scenes? Who is so bold as to rob Cao Cao's food and grass for nothing?

Could it be Yuan Shu? It's impossible. No matter who is short of food, Cao Yuan Shu will not be short of food.

He really didn't expect that robbing food and grass could be related to the emperor.

"Actually, I have some doubts."

Gan Ning didn't know Zhongping's identity, so he could only guess secretly: He heard that Liu Biao had a young son named Liu Cong, who was exactly that age. Pang Ji next to this person was Liu Biao's counselor, and he respected him very much. I thought this person was Liu Cong.

"Xingba is extraordinarily brave, chivalrous and righteous. I respect him deeply. Is there any reason why I can't obey?"

Zhong Ping continued to praise him, but he was actually a little surprised at why Gan Ning suddenly called him 'Young Master'. However, this was not the opportunity to ask, so he did not express his doubts.

Gan Ning saw that his expression was sincere and he was not pretending, and he actually felt a little happy in his heart that he had met a close friend. His reputation as a water bandit and plunderer had spread widely. Except for his group of brothers, no one with his status had ever heard such praise for him.

Seeing Gan Ning's expression change, Zhong Ping thought that his ninety-five-year-old charm must have played a role. He took two steps forward, leaned over and untied the rope from Gan Ning's body.

Pang Ji was taken aback and said to stop him: "The thieves are fierce, I'm afraid they will hurt Tai Shi."

Zhongping didn't take it seriously and said with a smile: "I respect Gan Xingba as a hero, how can I have the heart of a villain?"

After saying that, he stopped and Hu Zi, who wanted to step forward to protect him, untied Gan Ning and lifted him up with both hands.

Gan Ning was deeply moved by the courtesy he received, and asked hesitantly: "Could it be that Taishi Zhong was in person?"

Zhong Ping was stunned when he was asked. He really didn't expect that his reputation had become so widespread that even Gan Ning had heard about it. In the past, he could hear the words "long admired" from local officials when he went to various places, but he only thought it was a polite statement. , not taken seriously.

Gan Ning got the answer from Zhong Ping's silence. His expression became excited and his eyes showed longing: "If a man is established in the world, if he cannot be famous in the world, how is he any different from a dolphin or a dog! Gan Ning would rather drive for Taishi and lead the horse. If you fall into a stirrup, you will do whatever you want!"

This was the first time Zhongpei knew that his name was so useful.

He began to think, if he had announced his family status from the beginning, would Gan Ning have directly brought people to join him? Maybe there wouldn't be so many things happening later...but he just thought about it.

If he wanted to pursue the path of hegemony, then he would be laughing up to the sky now, grabbing Gan Ning's hand and saying something like: "I want to gain hegemony, and I will become more powerful like a tiger."

However, he didn't have such thoughts, so now he was a little embarrassed.

Zhong Ping is now focused on running away, so he must have as few people in Xudu as possible. What's the point of bringing Gan Ning back?

Furthermore, now that Gan Ning is still robbing food, it would be easy to save his life, but if he takes Xu Du back...

Zhongpei suddenly felt that being famous was not a good thing.

So he held Gan Ning's hand and spoke sincerely: "In today's water battle, I watched Xingba control the situation well and command with determination. He used the lightness of the boat to deal with the stern. I was amazed every time, thinking that Xingba was a true general! If you lead your horse and ride with me, won't your talent be buried in vain? I can't bear to let this pearl become dusty."

Gan Ning was so moved that he almost choked and couldn't speak.

Zhong Ping continued: "I believe that the robbery of grain must be a trap for Xingba. He was confused for a moment and did this. When the grain and grass are recovered, I will explain the inside story to Sikong so that Xingba will not be humiliated."

As he spoke, he looked at Pang Ji.

Pang Ji understood that what he meant was that he was willing to give Gan Ning the truth. He also had a clear understanding of the situation in Yanzhou, so he understood Zhongping's difficulties.

People from the aristocratic family always like all parties to sell well and bet, but now Zhong Ping clearly wants something. He sells a good profit at this time, without mentioning whether there will be rewards in the future, just treating it as a favor to the Zhuge family, which is also stable. A profitable business.

So he took advantage of the situation and said: "Gan Ning was good at the navy. If he went to Yanzhou with Taishi, it would be a useless place for heroes. Why not let him stay in Jingzhou and start in the army as a primary school? If he achieves something in the future, he will live up to it. Taishi’s heartfelt words today.”

Zhong Ping was still hesitant: "Xiaojun...the Jingzhou navy is all led by the Cai brothers. I'm afraid those two have resentment and will deliberately make things difficult for them."

"Taishi's kindness, Gan Ning will remember it in his heart."

Gan Ning was very touched that Zhong Ping could think so much about himself. How could he be bothered anymore?

"I am willing to start as a soldier. If I don't get ahead, I will be content with being incompetent and cannot blame others!"

He had already shown his determination by speaking to this point. Zhongping didn't want to say anything more. He also really cherished Gan Ning's talent. He thought to himself that when he went back to see Liu Biao, he would have to mention it at least a few words. .

Although the locations where Gan Ning stored his belongings were scattered, with the help of Cai Mao's army, the search only took a day or two.

In the past two days, Zhong Zhongping and others followed Pang Ji and Liu Cong back to Xiangyang.

He now understood why Liu Biao had to send Liu Cong to follow him: firstly, he knew that Cai Mao was difficult to control, and Liu Cong could give him some advice; secondly, it was to gild Liu Cong, allowing Liu Cong to gain military exploits in vain, for this The younger son seeks fame.

Perhaps because of this relationship, when Zhong Ping asked Liu Biao to secretly support Gan Ning, Liu Biao agreed readily.

Just when Zhong Ping was racking his brains to think about who came up with the plan to trick Gan Ning and let Gan Ning rob Cao Cao's food and grass, a piece of news from Yanzhou made him focus on the target of his guess.

On the tenth day of the year, which was half a month after Cao Cao's hunt in Xu Tian, ​​Lu Bu led his Xiliang cavalry through the Mengshan Mountains and entered Langya from Linyi, almost as fast as lightning. With such power, they occupied the entire counties of Langya and Donghai, as well as most of Guangling.

Tao Qian and Cao Bao were forced to retreat to Xiapi.

The news that almost reached Zhongping's hands was that Tao Qian, who had occupied Xuzhou for five years, finally failed to withstand the ravages of illness and died of injuries shortly after Lu Bu entered Xuzhou.

Before he died, he ordered Cao Bao to enter the city with his youngest son Tao Ying, holding a seal ribbon in his hand and a beautiful jade in his mouth, and presented Xiapi to Cao Cao.

From then on, Xuzhou was divided into two parts: Cao Cao and Lu Bu.

Zhongping put away Xi Zhicai's message.

Mengshan...

He didn't have a map, so he didn't know how Lu Bu escaped Cao Cao's search and successfully entered Xuzhou.

But he could already guess that the person who instigated Gan Ning to rob Cao Cao's food must have something to do with Chen Gong.

Apart from Xi Zhicai's letter, the only thing that could comfort him was the news he got from Zhang Yan.

Perhaps he was worried that the incident in Xuzhou would make Cao Cao even more angry at the previous betrayal of the two Zhang Miao brothers, or perhaps the letter Zhong Ping asked Zheng Xuan to write had an effect.

Zang Hong finally agreed to write a letter to Zhang Miao brothers, urging them to go to Yanzhou and confess to Cao Cao.

In addition, the conflict between the remaining Bai Bo troops in Hanoi and Li Jue became increasingly fierce.

In the short three months since he entered Hanoi, Li Jue had sent troops several times to encircle and suppress the Bai Bo army.

The Bai Bo Army was active in the East County of Hanoi and was very good at hiding. Logically speaking, it should be extremely difficult for Li Jue to completely wipe out the Bai Bo Army.

However, the news that Zhang Yan received was that the Baibo Army was almost suppressed by Li Jue to his hometown of Baibo Valley, and was now even trapped to the point of being unable to escape. Although he did not find out the reason, he learned that another person might let Zhong Ping News of interest.

Zhang Xiu now leads Li Jue's army alone, and he seems to be very popular with Li Jue.

Zhongpei rubbed his eyebrows.

He thought that the last few days of the first four years of Chuping would be spent smoothly.

Now it seems that it is one wave after another.

He couldn't help but look worriedly in the direction of Xu Du.

I wonder what big things will happen when he returns to Xudu?

(End of this chapter)

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