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

Chapter 370 Secretly assassinating Chen Cang
Chen Deng's words made Yuan Shao overjoyed and immediately said: "In that case, I will send someone to take over Tan County!"

When Chen Deng heard this, he hurriedly stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. I still have something to say."

Yuan Shao looked at Chen Deng with suspicion and asked, "Could it be that Liu Xuande has any other conditions?"

Chen Deng waved his hand and said: "Xuan De Gong cares about the people. Faced with your majesty's plan, it is naturally impossible for him to have any other ideas and be willing to open the city to accept surrender."

"It's just that his subordinates Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others were unwilling to surrender and tried their best to lead the battle, so the two sides had a dispute."

"Finally, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei believed that it was His Majesty's fault that Xuzhou fell into this situation. Moreover, when they were still under Gongsun Bogui's command, they had been at war with His Majesty. The two sides had long-standing grudges, and they were naturally unwilling to surrender. .”

"They even said that if Xuande surrenders the city, the two sides will sever their ties of friendship and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei will lead their troops and surrender elsewhere."

When Yuan Shao heard this, he couldn't help but look angry and sneered: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, these two men really don't know the destiny, they are extremely hateful!"

Chen Deng sighed: "Yes, now that your Majesty has taken over the sky, a great cause has been accomplished, but these two people insist on being enemies with your Majesty. They really can't see themselves clearly."

"However, since Duke Xuande raised his army, Guan and Zhang have followed him. They have gone through many difficulties together over the years. Although the three of them have different surnames, they are actually as close as brothers."

Now that Yuan Shao had spoken, Jushou was still very sensible and did not say anything more.

"Gong Xuande is worried about the people of Donghai County, but he cannot let go of his brotherhood, so he is caught in a dilemma."

It was only then that Jushou discovered something was not right.

Yuan Shao shook his head and said: "With such indecision, Liu Xuande will never achieve great things. Since he can't let go of his brotherhood, he can simply let them go. This will not prevent him from opening the gate of Tan County to surrender."

"Mr. Xuande has sent me here just to ask your majesty to let the two of them go, in order to maintain the brotherhood between the three of them."

This was obviously Liu Bei's strategy to delay the attack until the heavy rain stopped. At that time, even if Yuan Shao really wanted to breach the embankment and flood the city, he would not have the conditions to implement this strategy.

When Feng Ji heard this, he said: "Since the two of them are determined to sever ties with Xuande Gong, why should Xuande Gong worry too much? Just take these two down!"

Besides, Yuan Shao is now the emperor, and he is very eloquent. If he stops the other party before he speaks, it won't be a big deal.

Jushou heard this and spoke hurriedly.

Facing Chen Deng's compliments, Yuan Shao felt relieved and immediately stroked his beard with a smile.

At this time, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei did not have any outstanding achievements, and they were not as famous as they would be in later generations. However, they were not taken seriously by Yuan Shao.

Chen Dengdao: "Now in Xiapi County in the south of Donghai County, two generals from Hebei, Wen Chou and Gao Lan, are stationed here. Xuande Gong is also worried that Guan and Zhang will be intercepted and killed after leaving Tan County. "

Chen Deng smiled bitterly and said: "Gong Xuande has a kind and honest character. Even though Guan and Zhang want to join others, Duke Xuande still can't let go of this brotherhood."

Feng Ji also came to his senses, stepped forward and said to Yuan Shao: "Guan and Zhang left Donghai County in the rain. If we add in the time of traveling through Xiapi County, I am afraid it will take at least ten days. It was raining heavily at that time. It has passed, the weather is clear and the sky is clear, if Liu Xuande goes back on his words and refuses to open the city and surrender, what can he do?"

He knew that Yuan Shao would not tolerate disobedience from others.

"This must never be done!"

He was worried that Yuan Shao would be carried away by Chen Deng's flattery, and if he even agreed to these conditions, he would really fall into the trap.

Seeing that Yuan Shao was very comfortable being praised, Chen Deng said cautiously: "However, although Deng trusts your majesty, it's just that Xuande is worried about the safety of Zhang and Zhang and wants to wait until they leave Xiapi County safely. Kaicheng surrendered, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

Chen Deng hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground and said: "Your Majesty is magnanimous and you are indeed a benevolent monarch!"

When Yuan Shao heard this, he said without hesitation: "What's the difficulty? Although Guan and Zhang are brave, they are still reckless men. Since Xuande cares about brotherhood, I agree to let them pass through Xiapi County. .”

Jushou vaguely felt that something was not right at this time. Just as he was about to give a warning, he heard Yuan Shao agreeing. He had no choice but to swallow the words again.

"This must be Liu Xuande's delaying strategy. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Facing the reminders from Ju Shou and Feng Ji, Yuan Shao also came back to his senses at this time. The smile on his face gradually faded. He looked at Chen Deng with a gloomy look and asked, "Don't Yuan Long want to give me an explanation?"

Chen Deng hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground and said, "I'll tell you the truth. I'm worried that it will cause misunderstanding. I also tried to persuade Mr. Xuande that this plan is not advisable."

When Yuan Shao heard this, his expression softened slightly and he asked, "Then how did Liu Xuande reply?"

Chen Deng said: "Xuan De Gong was in a dilemma. After all, I gave you a suggestion to ask your Majesty to give Tan County three more days. Judging from the current weather, the rain will continue to rain for at least two or three days. At that time, even if Xuande When the Duke returns, Your Majesty will have countermeasures, so there is no need to worry about Duke Xuande going back on his word."

"Within two or three days, Guan and Zhang will be able to pass through General Gao Lan's defense line."

When Yuan Shao heard this, he felt that the problem was not big.

As Chen Deng said, the heavy rain will not stop within two or three days. As long as the water level of Yishui can be maintained, there is no need to worry about Liu Bei not submitting.

Seeing that Yuan Shao had been persuaded, Ju Shou shouted sternly: "Your Majesty, since you have promised Liu Xuande to let Guan Yu and Zhang Fei go, how can you ignore your own reputation because of two reckless men?"

"Since the deadline for surrender has been given before, there is no need to change it."

"Your Excellency, you can return to Tan County to report to Liu Xuande. Guan and Zhang can leave calmly, but Tan County must open the city and surrender today!"

Jushou was also worried that there was fraud in it and did not want to delay any more, so he said these words slightly arrogantly.

Unexpectedly, the humility on Chen Deng's face gradually faded, and he ignored Jushou at all. Instead, he turned to look at Yuan Shao and asked, "I wonder if your majesty can make the decision on his own in this big tent?"

What is murder and heart-breaking?
Chen Deng's simple words were so frightening that Jushu broke into a cold sweat and his face turned extremely pale.

Jushou hurriedly knelt on the ground and said tremblingly: "I just overstepped my bounds, please forgive me!"

Yuan Shao's face was as dark as water, and he glanced at Ju Shou with a slight dissatisfaction. Then he turned to look at Chen Deng and said: "Since I have given a deadline, it is not easy to change it randomly. However, I care about the brotherhood between Xuande and am willing to Give Tan County two more days."

"Remember, there are only two days. If Liu Xuande still refuses to surrender after two days, don't blame me for being unkind at that time!"

Chen Deng hurriedly knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Chen Deng said goodbye to Yuan Shao, he hurried towards Tan County and soon entered the city.

Liu Bei, who was looking forward to it, saw Chen Deng returning and asked hurriedly: "With Yuan Long gone, has Yuan Benchu ​​fallen into his trap?"

Chen Deng bowed to Liu Bei and said, "It's my honor to be on the throne and you will live up to your destiny!"

"Tap tap tap!" On the muddy official road, a Xuzhou army marched forward in the rain and soon arrived in front of Gao Lan's defense line.

"He who comes is stopped!"

After receiving the report from the soldiers, Gao Lan hurriedly put on his armor and braved the rain to come to the front line. When he saw clearly the densely packed Xuzhou Army in front, he couldn't help but feel awe-inspiring.

Since the Xuzhou Army did not display a flag and the visibility was poor in the rain, Gao Lan could not determine the specific number of the opponent.

However, if such a Xuzhou army suddenly came, Gao Lan would naturally be very vigilant.

"drive!"

After Gao Lan finished speaking, he saw a general from the Xuzhou Army riding up with a snake spear of eight feet in hand. He stood in front of Yuan Jun's horse and antlers and shouted sternly: "Didn't Yuan Benchu ​​already agree to let my two brothers go south? Why are you still there?" Set a level here?”

Gao Lan couldn't help feeling awe-struck when he saw Zhang Fei coming on horseback.

As a famous general in Hebei, he had fought with Liu Bei more than once, so he naturally knew Zhang Fei's courage.

Fortunately, Yuan Jun had many soldiers and horses and was well prepared. Gao Lan did not need to worry too much, but shouted in a deep voice: "Your Majesty only ordered Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and their subordinates to leave. If you want to pass, you must first After inspection, if it is really just Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and their tribe, they can pass safely!"

Unexpectedly, when Zhang Fei heard this, he couldn't hold back his temper and shouted sternly: "Yuan Shao, you are really unfaithful. You said you would let us go south, but you deliberately let you block the way here."

"A scholar can be killed but not humiliated!"

"A certain man who is also famous in Hebei Province, how can he be inspected by you?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Fei suddenly raised the Zhangba Snake Spear in his hand high, and then shouted sternly: "My sons, let me charge with you. Even if you die in this battle today, you must expose Yuan Shao's hypocritical mask, and let Yuan Shao's hypocrisy be exposed." My brother repented!"

"What the third brother said is that someone will come to help you!"

After Zhang Fei finished speaking, it was Guan Yu who responded first and rushed over on horseback.

The Xuzhou troops following them all shouted in unison: "Yuan Shao has no faith, we are willing to fight to the death with the general!"

The earth-shattering shouts resounded through the sky, and Gao Lan's expression changed drastically.

He just wanted to find out the identity of the visitor, but he didn't want to actually start a war with the Xuzhou Army.

It's not that Gao Lan is afraid of the Xuzhou Army, but if a war really breaks out, Yuan Shao will be stigmatized as a disbeliever. If the news reaches Tan County, Liu Bei will definitely refuse to open the city and surrender.

Whether it was ruining Yuan Shao's reputation or delaying the important matter of taking Tan County, Gao Lanke couldn't bear it.

The deputy general next to him also knew the power and hurriedly lowered his voice and said: "Since Your Majesty has given the order to let them go, the leaders of the soldiers are indeed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The general can only act according to the order."

"If we really fight with the Xuzhou Army here and delay His Majesty's important events, we won't be able to bear the consequences until the court punishes us!"

Hearing this, Gao Lan could only sigh secretly as he looked at the Xuzhou Army who kept shouting outside, and then shouted sternly at Zhang Fei: "Don't talk nonsense and ruin your Majesty's reputation. I will let you go now!"

Listening to Gao Lan's shouts, Xuzhou Army's shouts gradually stopped.

Not long after, the horses and antlers blocking the road were moved away, and Gao Lan also asked his soldiers and horses to retreat and give way to the road, so as to avoid friction with his own soldiers when the Xuzhou Army passed.

"Tap Tap!"

The Xuzhou army, led by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, marched forward in an orderly manner.

Gao Lan stood not far away, looking at the Xuzhou Army who kept passing through the checkpoints, the look of confusion on his face getting stronger and stronger.

"The Xuzhou army only has 50,000 or 60,000 soldiers and horses at full strength. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are just generals in charge of the army. How many troops can they have under their command?"

"But now, they have passed by and there are 20,000 to 30,000 troops. There must be something wrong among them!"

Gao Lan was thinking this, but he didn't dare to attack rashly.

The sight was not good before, and the Xuzhou Army did not display a flag, so Gao Lan could not judge the specific strength of the Xuzhou Army.

But now, Gao Lan vaguely realized that this Xuzhou army might be the main force in Tan County.

He only had 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers and horses in his hands. If he had occupied the pass and defended according to the danger, he would not be afraid at all even if all the Xuzhou army came.

All he had to do was delay, and when the news reached Yuan Jun's stronghold, Yuan Shao could lead his troops to kill him.

At that time, the Xuzhou Army was bound to be defeated by a pincer attack.

But now, the pass has been given away. If a conflict does break out, with the courage of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and the Xuzhou Army's superior strength, I am afraid that his troops will be defeated before reinforcements arrive.

The most important thing is that Yuan Shaoke ordered Gao Lan to be released.

If Gao Lan sends troops to intercept without authorization and ends up failing, he will definitely be punished, and it is not an ordinary crime. He will be punished for both resisting the decree and defeating the war.

On the contrary, Gao Lan pretended to be confused at this time and deliberately let the Xuzhou army go. Although he might be reprimanded by Yuan Shao afterwards, he was acting under an imperial order after all, and at most he could only be convicted of negligence.

Gao Lan is not only an excellent general, but also well versed in the ways of the world, so he naturally knows what choice he should make at this time.

In this way, tens of thousands of Xuzhou troops, led by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, broke through Gao Lan's line of defense openly.

It wasn't until all the Xuzhou troops left that Gao Lan's deputy general said hesitantly: "Didn't the general realize that there seems to be something wrong with the number of these Xuzhou troops?"

Gao Lan, who had known this for a long time, deliberately pretended to be surprised when he heard this and asked, "What's wrong?"

The deputy general said: "This does not seem to be a part of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, but the main force of the Xuzhou Army!"

Gao Lan was shocked when he heard this, and said hurriedly: "You should quickly lead the troops to pursue me, and I will go and report this to Your Majesty right away!"

After speaking, Gao Lan left in a hurry, leaving only the lieutenant messy in the rain.

He secretly thought: "The Xuzhou army has passed the checkpoint, and there are so many soldiers and horses. If I are to lead the pursuit at this time, wouldn't I be risking death?"

He rolled his eyes slightly, then ordered a group of men and horses, pretended to pursue them, and then retreated on the grounds that the rain was too heavy and he could not catch up with the Xuzhou Army.

(End of this chapter)