The first general of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 144 Tai Shici Makes a Bet
"This day I am in Xuzhou! Tao Qian is the only one to blame, but Tao Qian doesn't want to hurt his father and fellow villagers. Now, in order to repay the people of Xuzhou not to be slaughtered by Cao's bandits, we also ask Wen Ju to succeed Xuzhou Mu. Only by writing can the world name, Cao Cao will not dare to usurp it, so he can retreat Cao Jun!"

Originally, Wei Tao thought that this invitation was to discuss how to retreat Cao Cao, but what Wei Tao didn't expect was that Tao Qian turned out to be like this when he opened his mouth.

"No, no, absolutely no!"

No matter what Tao Qian was thinking, it was absolutely unbearable for a Confucian gentleman like Kong Rong.

The two pushed back and forth for a while, but they were at a stalemate.

The others didn't feel anything yet, but Wei Tao became more and more impatient the more he watched, and he finally understood why Cao Cao pursued Dong Zhuo in despair in the end when the coalition forces challenged Dong Zhuo in the past, and even left directly after being defeated.

At that time, he didn't feel that he had less contact with the princes of the coalition army, but now that he had more contact with him, Wei Tao was bored for a while.

Can this work?

"Mr. Wenju, I thought that you should be granted this position first, and then hand it back to Duke Tao's son after Cao Cao's retreat. I don't know what you think?"

At this moment, another person spoke. Seeing this person, everyone couldn't help being stunned. The person who spoke to persuade was none other than Xun You.

Xun You ignored the many eyes looking at him, but continued to speak with a slight smile.

"If Mr. Wen Ju can replace Xuzhou Mu, then you may have a plan to retreat Cao Cao."

"This……"

Kong Rong, who was determined not to accept it, hesitated for a moment. If he could save his life, it would be nothing to Kong Rong even if his reputation was damaged.

On the contrary, Tao Qian's complexion changed slightly at this time, but Tao Qian had no choice but to act at this time. If he repented at this time, then Tao Qian's reputation in his life would be ruined, and Tao Qian also wanted to see it.

"Mr. Gongda's words are very true, not to mention that Wenju itself is superior to the old man, and can be in charge of a state. Even now, the old man has reached the age of knowing the destiny, and he should be the next master of Xuzhou. It's just that the old and the old are not talented and cannot be trusted, so they are entrusted to Wenju, how can Wenju not accept it?"

"This this……"

Tao Qian's sincere words finally touched Kong Rong. Kong Rong's complexion changed, and after a while, his complexion became fixed. He bowed to Tao Qian and then spoke seriously.

"Originally, the official position should be appointed by His Majesty, but now His Majesty is in the hands of warriors, and Xuzhou is facing Cao Cao's persecution. Rong has no choice but to take up the position temporarily. When Cao Cao retreats, Rong will return his position to Tao Shijun Hand, if there is any violation of this statement, heaven and earth will be destroyed, and there will be no good death!"

The people present may include Tian Kai and Wei Tao, the shepherds of a state. Kong Rong made a promise.

Kong Rong really deserved to be a gentleman, even Wei Tao couldn't help admiring him for what he did.

In fact, this is indeed the case. After receiving the Xuzhou seal handed over by Kong Rong, Kong Rong immediately turned around, walked in front of Xun You, and then bowed respectfully.

"I believe in the name of the Xun family and hope that Gongda will not let me down. Dare I ask if Mr. Gongda has a plan to defeat the enemy?"

"The adults will know about this matter tomorrow."

Xun You smiled slightly, but didn't say anything.

"General, I don't know..."

Seeing that Xun You didn't answer, Kong Rong was slightly taken aback, and turned to ask Wei Tao again, but unfortunately Wei Tao didn't know what Xun You wanted, but he still trusted Xun You Wei Tao, so he said the same.

"Mr. Wenju will know at the battle tomorrow!"

So Kong Rong was helpless, and had to wait until the second day to understand.

The next day, Cao Cao challenged others and won the Xuzhou elite soldiers led by Cao Bao, which immediately restored Cao Jun's strength. Although those soldiers were not easy to use to attack Xuzhou City, it was not a problem to make them guard the rear camp after they were mixed.

Of course, Wei Tao is not without benefits. Kong Rong is Xuzhou's shepherd now. Kong Rong obviously does not value military power as much as Tao Qian, so he allocated all the last few elite soldiers in Xuzhou to Wei Tao, and let him reluctantly join in. Gathered an army of 5000 men.

"Dong dong dong dong..."

Going out of the city, I saw Cao Jun's formation in front of him, and his soldiers looked even more majestic. On the other hand, Wei Tao's side, although they were also lined up, there was always a look of fear.

"Ziyu, you still dare to go out of the city to fight with me? I have already captured the night attack army, so why don't you want the city to be my prisoner!"

Cao Cao rode out and shouted suddenly.

"Our army will surely win, the mere Xuzhou army will definitely not be our opponent!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

Sure enough, after a big victory, Cao Jun's morale reached its peak again. After three shouts, the sound shook the world, making people unconsciously terrified.

Just by seeing this momentum, Wei Tao understood that if he was really fighting against Cao Jun, that alone would not be enough. If he really wanted to defend, he might only be able to use the high walls of Xiapi City to resist the wear and tear.

However, when talking with Xun You yesterday, although Wei Tao also didn't learn about the plot from him, he already had some speculations in his heart, so he was calm at this moment.

"Meet General Mengde."

Xun You was not polite and just went to the front of the formation and bowed to Cao Cao.

"The general's attack on Xuzhou is to avenge his father. I don't know if you take it right? Now I heard that the culprit has been captured by the general. Why doesn't the general retreat?"

Cao Cao invaded Xuzhou with such great fanfare, even if those rebels fled to other states, no one would protect them, and after they were captured, they were given to Cao Cao.

"Hmph! The gangsters who murdered my father are certainly hateful, but if it weren't for the old thief Tao Qian who made him do this, how could my father have been killed? I also heard Wen Ruoyan say that Gongda's power is plotting to change, and the enemy is ahead of time. Now Gongda is Do you want to do it for three inches?"

Cao Cao said so, but in fact, it can be said that all knowledgeable people understand that Cao Cao has not only invaded Xuzhou to avenge his father, but more importantly, brought Xuzhou under his command.

He has already occupied Yanzhou, if he can capture Xuzhou, then Cao Cao's strength will naturally be greatly enhanced.

Although Wei Tao still has some heart to help Cao Cao even at this time, Wei Tao's thinking has gradually changed.

Originally, when Wei Tao thought that his family had funded Cao Cao from the beginning so that he could recruit soldiers, his plan was to use this to join Cao Cao's army, and then rely on his own ability to become a trusted general like Guo Jia and others It shouldn't be too difficult.

After all, Cao Cao has been in crisis several times in his life, as long as he can save him, then Cao Cao must have more trust in him.

Moreover, Wei Tao's ambition has always been to expel the alien race, and it is the same ambition as Cao Cao's original ambition. It is not impossible to gain Cao Cao's trust in the future, and use his military front to resist or even expel the alien race.

But now the situation has changed a bit. Wei Tao himself also possesses not weak strength. Although he is not as well-equipped as Cao Cao's men, and his soldiers are elite, it is impossible to throw himself into Cao Cao's account at will.

What's more, in the current situation, Wei Tao also understands that only with his own strength can he better realize his ambition.

So now, Wei Tao's thinking has changed a bit. After all, Cao Cao can still be said to be loyal to the Han Dynasty throughout his life. If he can work with Cao Cao to support the Han Dynasty and make a contribution to the people of the Han Dynasty, then perhaps it is the most appropriate practice.

That being the case, it is naturally impossible to be like a subordinate, everything is considered for Cao Cao, and Wei Tao also considers restraining the growth of his strength.

"Haha...Cao Mengde, I dare to ask, how is your strength compared to that of Dong Zhuo? In the past, Dong Zhuo could only flee from the world's coalition forces and rely on the danger of the pass to resist the enemy. Now Yanzhou and Xuzhou are all flat. The army is coming, why do you refuse?"

Xun You smiled at this time.

"There are many heroes in the world, but you, Cao Mengde, monopolize the land of the two states. How can the heroes of the world tolerate it? Besides, now that Tao Qian has abdicated to let the virtuous, the world's great scholar Kong Wenju was invited to be the Xuzhou pastor. Wouldn't it be shameful for the world to attack Xuzhou again? Now that we are bordered by Jizhou in the north and Yangzhou in the south, I wonder how Cao Mengde will respond?"

Yuan Shao, the shepherd of Jizhou, and Yuan Shu, the shepherd of Yangzhou, although the Yuan family has not yet fully grasped the location of these two states, but if Cao Cao really occupies this Xuzhou, then I am afraid that they will really be attacked by two sides.

"Hahahaha... Gongda is really talented! It's a pity that Gongda has already entered Ziyu's tent, otherwise I will invite him personally!"

Naturally, Cao Cao would not be ignorant of the truth, and now that Xun You pointed it out, he immediately laughed out loud.

"However, it is impossible to let me return to Yanzhou regardless of the loss of soldiers and generals! Although the old thief Tao Qian gave up the position of Xuzhou Mu, it is an indisputable fact that my father died because of it. Compensation, how is my heart at ease?"

Obviously, it is simply impossible to make Cao Cao succumb just by talking at the moment.

"General Meng De, as far as I know, all the troops in Xuzhou have been raised here, and Yanzhou is already empty. If there are troops from the north and south, Yanzhou may also be difficult to protect. General, don't you worry?"

Hearing this, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, not only Cao Cao, but also Wei Tao was stunned, not understanding why Xun You said that.

After all, I came to Xuzhou only because Mi Zhu asked for help. It is impossible for me to send troops from Bingzhou to attack Xuzhou.Xun You's threatening words are useful to other people, but to Cao Cao, they should be able to see through at a glance.

"Humph!"

Sure enough, Cao Cao snorted immediately, but Xun You didn't care at all, and said slowly.

"What's more, after several months of fighting, the general's camp is not enough food and grass. If I mainly defend Xiapi, then the general will have to retreat if the stalemate lasts for three months. So, I secretly think that it is wrong for the general to attack Xiapi at this time. OK."

Speaking of this, Xun You just paused for a while, and then his expression suddenly became serious.

"How about a bet with the general? Before, my lord sent several generals to fight with General Cao. Unfortunately, the battle ended before the end. Now, if General Mengde wins, I will no longer care about Xuzhou's affairs. , if our army wins, we will use Xiaopei as the boundary, how about asking the general to retreat?"

Cao Cao took another deep look at Xun You.

I have to say that Xun You's words hit Cao Cao's heart. For Cao Cao, he also knew that he could not control the land of the two states with his current strength. The best thing is to occupy Xiaopei.

It's just that the hearts of the people are not enough. At this time of the war, Cao Cao may not have the idea of ​​taking down Xuzhou in one fell swoop.

"Is this statement true?"

Cao Cao turned his attention to Wei Tao, and such a major matter can only be decided by Wei Tao.

"Naturally."

Wei Tao had already guessed that a war would be unavoidable, so he responded with certainty.

"Okay! How are you going to bet?"

Since Cao Cao agreed, he didn't mean to go back on his word, so he just asked.

"How about a bet on the military flag? Bet on whether we can shoot down this flag with one arrow!"

Xun You raised his hand and pointed, and it was Cao Cao who hung the army flag high behind him.

The military flag is equivalent to the position of the chief general in the army. If the military flag falls, it often means that the general's place has fallen. If the military flag cannot be erected immediately, it will deal a great blow to the army and even cause collapse.

After all, there is no means of long-distance communication in this era, except for sending people to send messages, relying on military flags.

"Where did you shoot from?"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly.

"How about taking my place as the boundary?"

Although Cao Cao was ahead of the battle, the flag representing the general was also moved forward, but Xun You was a hundred steps away from the flag, and the flag was hung high, even the top generals in Cao Cao's army could not stand. It is impossible.

"Okay, I don't know who is going to fight? Zhang Wenyuan? Or Wei Ziyu, are you here?"

Cao Cao nodded and swept his eyes away.

Wei Tao shook his head secretly. Wei Tao is naturally proficient in archery, but it is still impossible to shoot down the flag with one arrow, and the same is true for Zhang Liao.

"General Ziyi, the safety of Xuzhou is entrusted to you."

At this moment, Xun You bowed his hands to Tai Shici next to him and said.

"Now that Mr. Wen Ju is Xuzhou's shepherd, only a general is qualified to shoot an arrow that concerns the safety of Xuzhou."

"promise!"

Tai Shici was taken aback for a moment, and responded, then quickly took down the bow and arrow from behind and aimed at the flag, only to see that the bow was pulled by Tai Shici, and it bent like a full moon!
Seeing that it was Tai Shici, Cao Cao was slightly taken aback, but he didn't say anything. As soon as he raised his hand, he saw a shocking cry from behind him.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

During the shouting of the landslide, Tai Shici seemed to have never heard of it, and focused his attention on aiming. After a long time, he suddenly let go of his hand, and an arrow shot straight at the flag like a thunderbolt.

"call out!"

With a soft sound, the arrow flew straight past, and it was immediately seen that Cao Jun's flag was tilted suddenly, and it fell slowly. With one arrow, Tai Shici shot it down!
(Thanks to Tianye № Wukong for the reward, and also to other book friends for their support, thank you!)
(End of this chapter)