At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 297 Darkness Chen Cang

This plan of full favor cannot be said to be evil.

If Zhang Lu really killed the Chu envoy Li Yan, there would be no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides, and Hanzhong could only rely on Cao Cao from then on.

When Yang Song and Yang Ren heard this, their expressions changed drastically, and they both said in unison: "No way, Heavenly Master!"

Yang Song said: "The two armies are fighting. If we don't kill the envoy, if the Heavenly Master kills Li Yan, he will lose the hearts of the people."

Yang Ren also said: "King Piao killed the Chu envoy, Xiang Bode led his troops south, attacked thousands of miles, slaughtered the city and destroyed the country, beheaded King Piao and hung it on the south gate of Xiangyang. The heavenly master should take this as a warning!"

Even Yan Pu advised: "The person to be killed is unknown, and Li Yan is a famous scholar in Nanyang. How can we kill him?"

Seeing that everyone was speaking out against it, Zhang Lu immediately looked at Man Chong and said, "Don't mention the matter of killing the Chu envoy again!"

Zhang Lu is not stupid.

Although Cao Cao and Zhang Lu had the friendship of the same county, how could Zhou Qi and Zhang Lu not have the friendship of the same county?

In terms of distance, Xiang County, where Zhou Qi lives, is even closer to Zhang Lu's hometown than Qiao County, where Cao Cao lives.

Moreover, Zhou Qi now occupies the south of the Yangtze River and has the potential to annex the world. If he had to rely on one person, Zhang Lu would choose Zhou Qi instead of Cao Cao.

The reason why he accepts Man Chong now and even plans to form an alliance with Cao Cao is that in the final analysis, he still can't let go of the foundation of Hanzhong.

If Li Yan is killed now, the escape route will be completely cut off. Zhang Lu will never do such a thing.

Seeing Zhang Lu's resolute attitude, Man Chong couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

He gave such suggestions not only to cut off Zhang Lu's retreat, but also to test his determination.

Now it seems that Zhang Lu's determination to resist the Chu army is not firm.

He glanced at brothers Yang Song and Yang Ren calmly, and then said to Zhang Lu: "The Heavenly Master can write a letter of alliance and send it to Chang'an by night to ask for reinforcements in case the Chu army invades in large numbers. .”

Zhang Lu naturally agreed and asked Yang Song to draft the alliance letter, then handed it to Man Chong and asked Man Chong's entourage to send the alliance letter away.

Immediately afterwards, Man Chong paid tribute to General Zhonglang, the military advisor, and rushed to the front line to help Zhang Wei and others fight against the Chu army.

But it was said that after Yang Song returned home from Tianshi Mansion, when he was angry, he received a letter from Li Yan and immediately entered the posthouse at night.

"I've seen Master Yang Bo!"

When Li Yan saw Yang Song coming in disguise, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, showing no signs of the domineering force he faced Zhang Lu during the day.

In fact.

When Li Yan returned to the post house, he was not summoned by Zhang Lu until nightfall. His heart sank, and he guessed that the other party might not intend to surrender.

It's just that Li Yan has no eyes and ears here, so he has no idea what happened.

Yang Song's arrival was exactly what Li Yan wanted.

Yang Song couldn't help but feel secretly happy when he saw that Li Yan didn't take the initiative to salute Zhang Lu, but instead treated him like this. He also returned the greeting and said, "I have admired you for a long time, and now that I can see you, your reputation is indeed well-deserved."

The two chatted for a while, and Li Yan couldn't wait to ask: "What happened to the Tianshi Mansion after I left?"

When Yang Song heard this, he couldn't help but sigh slightly, and then recounted everything that happened in the Tianshi Mansion.

The more Li Yan listened, the darker his face became.

Especially after hearing that Man Chong suggested to Zhang Lu that he should be killed to sacrifice the flag, he was so frightened that his back was dripping with cold sweat.

After hearing the story of the matter, Li Yan bowed deeply to Yang Song and said, "Thank you Lord Yang Bo Yu for speaking kindly to me in the Tianshi Mansion, otherwise Li Yan would have died!"

Although Li Yan knew it, Zhang Lu might not dare to kill him even if the Yang Song brothers didn't speak up for him.

However, thanking Yang Song at this time has only advantages and no disadvantages for Li Yan.

As expected, Yang Song was filled with joy when he saw Li Yan, the governor of Badong County, being grateful to him.

Contrast only comes from comparison. Yang Song became even more disgusted with Man Chong at this time, and immediately said: "I think Man Chong should not be underestimated. If he is sent to the front line to help Zhang Wei, I am afraid it will bring some trouble to Governor Zhou." .”

Li Yan thought for a moment and then asked, "Is your brother leading the troops on the front line?"

Yang Song nodded and said: "Of course."

Li Yan immediately said: "If my younger brother is on the front line and takes care of me, and if Yang Lord Bo is by Tianshi's side to give advice, there is nothing to be afraid of."

"What I'm worried about is that after Man Chong's entourage sends the alliance letter and the letter asking for help to Chang'an, Cao Mengde will lead troops into Guanzhong."

"Although the King of Chu is not afraid of Cao Mengde, his main enemy is Yuan Benchu ​​from the north, and he does not want to waste too much time in Hanzhong."

At this point, a stern look flashed in Li Yan's eyes, and he said in a low voice: "Since Yang Lord Bo has long been interested in the King of Chu, he has accomplished a great feat this time. I wonder if Yang Lord Bo dares to do it?"

Yang Song hurriedly asked: "What's the credit?"

Li Yan said in a serious tone: "Send someone to catch up with Man Chong's followers, and then..."

But Li Yan stretched out his right hand and made a sudden stroke in front of his neck with his palm. The meaning was self-evident.

When Yang Song heard this, his expression changed slightly.

Intercepting and killing envoys is not a trivial matter. Once the matter is revealed, not only will Cao Cao be furious, but even Zhang Lu will not be able to spare him.

Seeing Yang Song's hesitation, Li Yan immediately said in a deep voice: "Wealth can be found in danger."

"With the Yang family's background, they have long been able to join the ranks of aristocratic families, but they suffer from the fact that there is no one in the court, so even if they can run rampant, they are still just Hanzhong's wealthy family."

"Today, the strongest people in the world are none other than Yuan Shao from the north and King Chu from the south of the Yangtze River."

"Although Yuan Shao is strong, he is scheming and decisive. He can only rely on aristocratic families. He has not gained any benefit from the two confrontations with the King of Chu, and he may not be able to think highly of the Yang family in Hanzhong."

"On the other hand, the king of Chu started from a young age, with great talents and strategies. He was sitting in the prosperous land in the south of the Yangtze River. He had strong soldiers and horses under his command, and he had the ambition to annex the world."

"The most commendable thing is that because of his background, the King of Chu has no respect for the children of poor families and local powerful people. Many local powerful families have risen because of the King of Chu."

"If Master Yang can accomplish this and help the King of Chu seize Hanzhong, the Yang family will have a bright future!"

Today, Zhou Qi has a good reputation both among scholars and local powerful people.

This is also the result of Zhou Qi's marriage with aristocratic families since he entered Yangzhou. Although there are hidden dangers in doing so, it can reduce a lot of resistance to his fight for the world.

Especially for those local tycoons who want to advance their family even though their background is neither high nor low, Zhou Qi's appeal is far more attractive than Yuan Shao's.

as predicted.

Bewitched by Li Yan, the hesitation in Yang Song's eyes gradually faded, and his eyes became more intense.

He bowed deeply to Li Yan and said: "Please rest assured, envoy, the envoys under Man Chong who carry the alliance letter will never leave Hanzhong alive."

Next, he said: "But no matter how concealed I am, it won't delay it for too long. Once the Heavenly Master cannot wait for Cao Mengde's reply, he will definitely investigate the matter."

"Please enable me to send a message to the Commander-in-Chief to invade Nanzheng as soon as possible!"

A smile appeared on Li Yan's face and he said: "Master Yang, please don't worry. As long as your brother secretly helps me, a mere [-] Hanzhong soldiers and horses are nothing." That night, Yang Song secretly sent out the troops raised at home. Dead soldiers, let them go after Man Chong's followers.

Given the power of the Yang family in Hanzhong, there was no surprise at all. They quickly caught up with the envoys carrying the alliance letters and letters asking for help, and slaughtered them all. Their bodies were then destroyed and traces were destroyed, which greatly delayed the Guanzhong reinforcements from entering Hanzhong. speed.

Early the next morning, Li Yan asked to see Zhang Lu again, but Zhang Lu refused to meet him on the grounds of physical discomfort.

Li Yan had no choice but to say goodbye, wanting to return to Dingjun Mountain as soon as possible and tell Zhou Yu everything that happened here.

Before leaving, Li Yan found Yang Song again and said, "Since Man Chong has murderous intentions towards me, he will definitely not let it go."

"I am staying in Nanzheng now, and Man Chong dare not move rashly."

"This time he has joined the army and can mobilize troops. If he knows that I have returned to Dingjun Mountain, he will definitely send people to rob and kill him."

Yang Song couldn't help but look solemn when he heard this, and asked: "How should we deal with it?"

Li Yan pondered for a long time, and then whispered in Yang Song's ear.

After Yang Song listened to Li Yan's plan, his eyes couldn't help but brighten, and then he put his hands on his hands and laughed: "You are really good at calculating."

Yang Song immediately went to see Zhang Lu secretly and said, "Chu envoy Li Zhengfang could not see Master Tian and wanted to say goodbye and return. What did Master Tian think?"

Zhang Luzi did not want to offend the Chu State by killing him, so he immediately said: "Since he wants to leave, let him leave."

However, Yang Song lowered his voice and said: "If Li Zhengfang is allowed to leave like this, I am afraid that the lives of the Heavenly Master and us will not be saved!"

Zhang Lu couldn't help being shocked when he heard this, and asked hurriedly: "Why did Master Yang say this?"

Yang Song did not answer and asked instead: "Master Tian, ​​do you know why Man Boning offered a plan yesterday to let us kill the envoy of Chu?"

Zhang Lu frowned and said, "Isn't it to strengthen your moral integrity?"

Yang Song sneered and said, "Master Tian's words are wrong."

"From my perspective, although Man Boning was nominally trying to strengthen the moral integrity of the Han people, he was actually trying to cut off the Celestial Master's retreat."

"If Li Yan died at the hands of the Heavenly Master, the King of Chu would definitely not give up. At that time, the Heavenly Master could only rely on Cao Mengde."

"Regardless of the fact that Cao Mengde is not the opponent of the King of Chu, even if he is lucky enough to be able to repel the Chu army, if the Guanzhong army wants to occupy the magpie's nest, with the power of Hanzhong, can the Tianshi compete with it?"

When Zhang Lu heard this, he frowned and said, "Is what Yang Lord Bo said a bit too alarmist?"

Yang Song said: "Whether Man Boning has any different intentions, the Heavenly Master will know after a test."

Zhang Lu asked: "How to test?"

Yang Song said: "Tianke asked someone to pretend to be an envoy from Chu, ordered him to return to Dingjun Mountain, and specifically let Man Chong know the news."

"If he has other intentions, he will definitely send troops to rob and kill him even though he knows that the Heavenly Master is unwilling to kill the envoy of Chu!"

Zhang Lu was doubtful, but he followed Yang Song's plan and asked him to pretend to be an envoy from Chu and headed towards Dingjun Mountain, while Li Yan concealed his whereabouts and left.

Hanzhong military camp on the front line.

When Zhang Wei learned that Zhang Lu had appointed Man Chong as military advisor Zhonglang General and asked him to help him resist the Chu army, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.

Zhang Wei was a die-hard war fighter and was not willing to let Zhang Lu give up Hanzhong to Chu.

However, the Chu army was powerful, and everyone in Hanzhong wanted to surrender to Chu. This also made Zhang Wei, who was trying his best to lead the battle, unavoidably feel a little uneasy.

But now, the envoy from Guanzhong arrived in Nanzheng, convinced his brother Zhang Lu, and was sent to help him resist the Chu army. How could Zhang Wei not be happy?

Especially after talking with Man Chong, he was overjoyed and learned that Man Chong was capable of both literary and martial arts, and was quite proficient in military tactics and strategies, and planned to entrust him with important tasks.

Man Chong was also extremely happy to see Zhang Wei.

When he was in Tianshi Mansion, he had a vague feeling that many Han Chinese civil and military officials were unwilling to fight with the Chu State, and he was also worried that Zhang Wei, who served as the commander on the front line, did not have the willpower to resist the Chu army firmly.

If this is the case, even if Man Chong has great talents, it is impossible to change the general trend.

To Man Chong's relief, at least Zhang Wei, the commander-in-chief of the Hanzhong Army on the front line, was an out-and-out combatant, which also made Man Chong quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

At this moment, a scout suddenly came to report: "General, Chu State envoy Li Yan has left Nanzheng and is heading to Dingjun Mountain. He will pass by our military camp soon!"

Zhang Wei couldn't help but look gloomy when he heard this, then looked at Man Chong and said, "Fortunately, the military advisor arrived in time, otherwise my brother would have been persuaded by Li Yan and handed over Hanzhong to others."

"I originally captured Li Yan on his way to Nanzheng and wanted to behead him to calm the morale of the army."

"However, the Chu army was so powerful that all the generals did not dare to kill the Chu envoy. They all persuaded me to let him go, so I let Li Yan go to Nanzheng."

Seeing Zhang Wei gnashing his teeth, Man Chong's eyes flashed, and then he said: "Since the general knows that all the generals are afraid of the Chu army, why did he let Li Yan go and leave a way out for everyone?"

"If you want to strengthen your resolve to defend Chu from above and below, the only best option is to kill Li Yan."

Zhang Wei was quite moved when he heard this, but he still said hesitantly: "The Chu army is so powerful. If we kill the envoy, how can we survive after our defeat?"

Man Chong said: "As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, the general is still hesitant in his heart. How about the generals?"

"The general was afraid of the Chu State before because there was only one county in Hanzhong and there was no strong support as a backing."

"The situation today is very different."

"Hanzhong has signed an alliance with Guanzhong. In a few days, [-] Guanzhong soldiers and horses will come to the general's aid."

"At that time, what did the Chu army have to fear?"

"In my opinion, the general should use thunderous means to kill Li Yan Chuanxiu's three armies to strengthen the hearts of everyone!"

When Zhang Wei heard this, the hesitation on his face gradually dissipated, and instead he slowly became serious.

He picked up a command arrow, handed it to Man Chong, and said in a deep voice: "All the generals are afraid of Chu's military front. If they learn about this, I'm afraid there will be another disturbance."

"The military advisor can lead the troops to rob and kill Li Yan first, and then tell everyone that the dead end is at stake and the generals have no choice but to fight to the death!"

When Man Chong heard this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed. After receiving the order, he bowed deeply to Zhang Wei and said: "No one in Hanzhong is as brave as the general. Fortunately, I have the general's trust. I will live up to his trust!"

After bidding farewell to Zhang Wei, Man Chong immediately led more than a hundred people to rob and kill the Chu envoy.

But after the Chu envoy was besieged, Man Chong was shocked to discover that the man was not really Li Yan.

After being tortured and interrogated, it was discovered that this person was sent by the Heavenly Master, and Man Chong couldn't help but feel his heart sink.

He let go of the pretended Li Yan, sent people to search for the real Li Yan, and went to meet Zhang Wei to report the matter.

As everyone knows, Li Yan had already used the strategy of secretly attacking Chen Cang. At this time, Yang Bai had sent troops to Dingjun Mountain and escaped a fatal disaster.

　The cold wave is coming, and it seems to be snowing. Brothers in the central and northern regions should keep warm and avoid getting sick from the cold.

　　Brothers living in the south are so happy. I wonder if anyone still wears short sleeves.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)