Ji Han Liu Zhang

Longxi County, outside Xiangwu City.

As the salient of the Shu army's camp, the place where Meng Da was located had received special attention from Han Sui's side in the past few days. Whenever Han Sui's army was deployed, they would choose to attack Meng Da's camp. The attack could last as short as three or four hours or as long as from morning to night.

As a result, whenever the fighting stopped in the past few days, Meng Da would feel a wave of fatigue rising from the soles of his feet to his heart. Putting down his weapons, he would gasp for breath like a drowning man to relieve the fatigue and aches in his body.

Although he was physically tired, Meng Da was in an unusually good mood. After learning from his good friend Fa Zheng that Lord Liu Zhang said he had the potential to be a good general, Meng Da had been in a happy mood for the past few days.

"Good general, I have decided." Meng Da's heart was burning with anger.

Meng Da claimed that he understood his wise lord. In his eyes, Liu Zhang was one of the most benevolent people. However, compared with Liu Zhang's character, Meng Da valued Liu Zhang's style of doing things more. He knew that Liu Zhang was the most fair in rewarding and punishing.

If you have made contributions, you will be rewarded; if you have made mistakes, you will be punished. When you work under Lord Yu Ming, you don't have to think about anything else. You just need to work hard. Your contributions are your contributions, and others cannot take them away. You will definitely be rewarded.

Meng Da raised his head slightly, looking at the setting sun over the western hills and the weary birds returning to the forest. It was clearly the time when the setting sun was fading its brightness, but in Meng Da's eyes, he felt that today's sunset was even more gorgeous than the rising sun at dawn.

"How beautiful!" Meng Da exclaimed unconsciously.

At this time, Meng Da's nephew Deng Xian, after commanding his soldiers to repair the antlers and fences destroyed by the Liangzhou bandits, came to Meng Da and reported to him: "Uncle, the damaged antlers have been replaced, and the burned fences have also been repaired."

"Well, thank you for your hard work." Meng Da nodded and said comfortingly.

Then the two of them walked towards the central army tent, one in front and one behind. Deng Xian was seven feet tall, with a strong figure and thick eyebrows. He exuded a heroic spirit from the inside out. He was a man with no control over his words. As he walked, he asked in confusion: "Uncle, why did you place my troops here, with no friendly troops nearby, resulting in us being attacked recklessly by the Liangzhou bandits every day? Why is that?"

Deng Xian felt a little strange, or rather, he felt a little unhappy. Being placed in a prominent position, he was given special attention by the Liangzhou bandits every day and was not allowed to rest for even a single day. It was really very hard for him.

Seeing the slight resentment on Deng Xian's face, Meng Da said seriously: "Ming Gong, there must be a reason for the arrangement. When setting up camp, there will be several small camps on the periphery to detect and fight against the bandits in advance. We will serve as outposts to attract the attention of the Liangzhou bandits."

"But why us?" Deng Xian had the idea of ​​being lazy. He was exhausted from fighting and attacking every day. He wanted to rest in the safe camp in the rear, just like the other soldiers stationed in the camp.

Hearing this, Meng Da showed a slight smug look on his face. He reminded Deng Xian: "Isn't this obvious? This is because you trust us, so you gave the task of guarding the outpost to your uncle. Otherwise, why wouldn't others get this opportunity?"

At this point, Meng Da lowered his voice and said, "The other day, Fa Xiaozhi came here and told me that you are very optimistic about me and think I have the potential to be a good general... So what happened today is your way of honing us."

"So that's how it is." Deng Xian nodded and showed a look of admiration towards Meng Da.

……

Xiangwu City, in the county temple.

A voice that was deliberately suppressed but still resounded throughout the hall was heard. Captain Yan Xing cupped his hands and reported to Han Sui: "General, according to reports from the soldiers below, another small tribe of Qiang and Hu escaped in the dead of night."

"Okay, got it." Han Sui nodded helplessly. Although he had detained all the leaders of the Xiaozhong Qiang Hu tribe together before, the Xiaozhong Qiang Hu tribe who came to help were left without a snake leader. Then he forced the Xiaozhong Qiang Hu to attack the Shu army camp and used the flesh and blood of the Xiaozhong Qiang Hu to consume the Shu army.

However, although the Xiaozhong Qiang and Hu had lost their leader Qu Shuai, they had more or less understood their future fate through the war in the past few days. If they stayed here, they would end up as cannon fodder. If they abandoned the detained Qu Shuai and escaped, they might have a chance to survive.

So after several days of hard fighting with the Shu army camp, there were reports of the Xiaozhong Qiang and Hu people abandoning their leader and fleeing. As of today, three such incidents have been reported, and the number of Xiaozhong Qiang and Hu tribes that came to help was no more than sixteen.

"But are we going to chase them back?" Yan Xing observed Han Sui's expression and saw the displeasure and depression on his face, so he asked.

Han Sui shook his head upon hearing this. He sighed and said, "Let them go if they should. We can't catch them back..." Han Sui's eyes suddenly flashed with murderous intent, as if he was facing the Qiang Hu fleeing and giving up on doing anything. He said calmly, "Since all the members of this small Qiang Hu tribe have run away, there is no point in keeping their leader."

"Go." Han Sui gave an order: "Kill the leader of this escaped small Qiang Hu tribe. Without his people, he is of no use. It's a waste of rice to keep him." Han Sui's tone was flat, but his words were sharp. He killed a Qiang Hu leader as easily as eating and drinking water.

"Yes." Yan Xing secretly swallowed his saliva and accepted Han Sui's order. After all, these small Qiang and Hu leaders came to help, and they were benefactors to Han Sui. However, because of their weak strength, they were first detained, and then killed by Han Sui after their subordinates fled. It was really pitiful.

The thoughts of this poor Qiang Hu leader only lasted for a moment in Yan Xing's mind before vanishing into thin air. In Liangzhou, a land where the strong prey on the weak, the weak are destined to be overpowered and trampled on by the strong. Who told you to be weak? If you are weak, you must die!

After sending Yan Xing away, Han Sui summoned Cheng Gongying. He asked Cheng Gongying, who was going to coordinate the food and wages, "How many days can the food in the army last?"

"Due to the fact that the Qiang and Hu people have been fleeing in large numbers recently, the number of soldiers has decreased, so the food and fodder that could originally only last for seven days can now last for about ten days." Cheng Gongying answered and gave a rough result.

"Ten days?" Han Sui sighed deeply. After ten days, once the food ran out, it would be his time to be destroyed. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration came to Han Sui's mind, and he said to Cheng Gongyingyan: "Go and tell the grain officer to make porridge in small quantities in the next few days. Remember, give him a verbal order, not a written one."

"Yes." Cheng Gongying did not ask any questions about Han Sui's order, he just nodded in response.

……

Xudu.

Sikong Cao Cao was sitting at his seat, quietly waiting for the arrival of two guests. One was from Guanzhong, surnamed Zhang Ren, courtesy name Gongyi, and the other was from Jingzhou, surnamed Huang Zhong, courtesy name Hansheng. They were both sent by their lord to help Cao Cao conquer Yuan Shu in Huainan. Cao Cao had some knowledge of Zhang Ren. According to the spies sent to Shu, Zhang Ren was born in a poor family and was a county official for generations. His riding and spear skills were extraordinary, and he could be said to be the best in Shu. In the battle of Liu Zhang's conquest of Ba County, Zhang Ren was as powerful as a thousand horses and defeated the bandit cavalry. Therefore, he was favored by Liu Zhang and was promoted from a county official to the high position of Xiaoqi Xiaowei. Now he has been promoted to Xiaoqi Zhonglang Jiang, and can be regarded as one of the best generals under Liu Zhang.

Liu Zhang's sending of such a person made Cao Cao look at Liu Zhang with a higher opinion. After all, he was kind enough to send a great general to help instead of sending an unknown officer. It can be seen that Liu Zhang was a good person and had no intention of fooling him.

The so-called unknown officer refers to Huang Zhong sent from Jingzhou.

Cao Cao also had spies stationed in Jingzhou. Among the famous generals in Jingzhou were Huang Zu, who set an ambush and killed Sun Jian and is now guarding Jiangxia, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun who are proficient in water forces, and Liu Pan who is famous for his bravery. However, Huang Zhong is not very well-known and has no resounding deeds.

It can be seen that Liu Biao sent Huang Zhong here just as a formality, to gain a reputation of helping the court fight against the enemy. This is what Cao Cao thought of the general from Jingzhou.

Cao Cao didn't have to wait long. Soon, Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong were brought before him.

"Heroic and strong." This was Cao Cao's first impression of Zhang Ren, who was dressed in brocade clothes. It was a very good impression. Huang Zhong, who was standing next to Zhang Ren, nodded after Cao Cao took a quick look at him. Huang Zhong was even stronger than Zhang Ren, and it was clear at a glance that he was not an ordinary person.

Cao Cao overturned his original inference. It seemed that Liu Biao did not send any inferior officers. He was more or less concerned about his own and the court's face, so he at least sent a brave-looking officer to help.

"Zhang Ren from Shu County, meeting the Minister of Works."

"Nanyang Huang Zhong, meet Sikong."

Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong stood up straight, leaned forward slightly, and bowed together to greet the Sikong Cao Cao who was in the upper position.

"No need to be so polite, generals." Cao Cao spoke in a dashing and unspeakably generous manner. He motioned Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong to take a seat first.

At the same time, Cao Cao introduced the civil and military officials present to Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong.

"This is Xiahou Yuan, the military commander of my special unit, whose courtesy name is Miaocai."

"This is my cousin Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao."

As Cao Cao was introducing the people, Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong greeted the people Cao Cao introduced at the same time. When it came to Xiahou Yuan, Huang Zhong bowed to Xiahou Yuan and smiled at him. Xiahou Yuan also bowed back, showing a harmonious scene.

"This time we will conquer Huainan, Miaocai will be the vanguard, Zixiao will be the rear guard, and I will lead the central army." Cao Cao said about his arrangements for the Huainan expedition army, and gave the assignment to Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong: "You two will go with Miaocai and serve as the vanguard."

"I will obey your command." Zhang Ren bowed and accepted the order without any doubt. Since he was here, he should follow Cao Cao's command.

"Zhong obeys the order." Huang Zhong also obeyed the order in a serious manner.

After finishing the business, Cao Cao asked Zhang Ren, "I heard that the Grand Marshal is conquering Longyou. I wonder what the current situation is like... The soldiers in Guanxi are strong and not easy to deal with." The shadow of being defeated and nearly killed by Xu Rong, a general under Dong Zhuo, would occasionally linger in Cao Cao's mind.

"When I left Guanzhong, my lord was stationing troops in Chencang and was about to send troops to Longyou." Zhang Ren chose his words carefully. He replied: "According to recent news, my lord has already sent troops to Longyou and is fighting against the Liangzhou bandits Han Sui and Song Jian. The outcome is still unclear."

"Han Sui has been rampant in Longyou for more than ten years, and Song Jian has been rebelling against Fu Han for more than ten years. The two thieves are deeply rooted in Longyou. It is difficult for ordinary people to defeat them in a short time." Cao Cao sighed, and then he changed his tone and said with a smile: "But if the Grand Marshal goes there, there will be nothing he can't do. Han Sui and Song Jian are no match for the Grand Marshal. After all, heroes like Li Jue and Guo Si were defeated by the Grand Marshal."

Faced with Cao Cao's praise for his master, Zhang Ren did not refuse. He just nodded and smiled to show his agreement.

After talking with Zhang Ren for a while, Cao Cao turned to Huang Zhong and asked, "Changsha is close to Jiangdong. Han Sheng must know about Jiangdong's affairs. I previously sent the counselor Wang Yu to order Sun Ce to send troops to attack Yuan Shu, but there has been no movement so far."

Huang Zhong answered and told what he knew: "According to what I heard, Yuan Shu was resentful of Sun Ce's breaking of friendship, so he sent messengers to secretly cross the river and distribute seals to the leaders Zu Lang, Jiao Yi and Yan Baihu of Wu County and Wucheng in Yang, Xuancheng, Jingxian, Lingyang, Shi'an, Yixian, Shexian and other places, asking them to act as internal support to stir up trouble in other places. Therefore, Sun Ce must first deal with the internal troubles, and then worry about the outside world."

"So that's how it is." Cao Cao nodded. He had originally thought of attacking Yuan Shu from both sides to cut off his escape route to the south. But now it seems that it is unlikely to be achieved. Instead, he granted Sun Ce the position of General Ming Han in vain.

At night, Cao Cao held a small banquet to welcome Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong.

Within a few days, the army to attack Yuan Shu set out from Xudu. Sima Xiahou Yuan, a special military officer, led two teams of troops led by Zhang Ren and Huang Zhong as the vanguard. They cleared paths through mountains and built bridges over rivers along the way, acting as the vanguard of the army and heading towards Huainan.

"Han Sheng, you and I hit it off the moment we met. There is an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if we had known each other in our previous life." Xiahou Yuan said to Huang Zhong while walking. He was a generous man who said whatever he wanted to say without regard for Huang Zhong's identity as a general of Jingzhou.

In contrast, Huang Zhong was slightly more cautious. He cupped his hands and said, "It is my good fortune that Sima has hit it off right away. However, it is hard to explain the things in the past life. It is probably a secret of heaven."

"Han Sheng, after the battle of Huainan, are you willing to stay in Xudu?" Xiahou Yuan was trying to win over Huang Zhong. He felt very close to Huang Zhong and wanted to keep him, so he asked casually.

Huang Zhong was somewhat shocked when he heard this. He refused immediately, "I am a subordinate of Liu Jingzhou. I will return to Jingzhou after this battle. As the saying goes, a loyal minister does not serve two masters."

"Han Sheng is truly a loyal minister." Xiahou Yuan was a little disappointed, but more of admiration. He praised Huang Zhong.

Xiahou Yuan was heading towards Huainan, and the news of the imperial army's expedition to Huainan soon spread to Shouchun City. Yuan Shu, who called himself "Zhongshi", was immediately in a panic. (End of this chapter)