In the evening, Xu Kang came to the door of Zang Ba's room, knocked on the door and said, "Brother Zang, are you asleep?"

Zang Ba's voice came out: "Not yet, please come in."

After Xu Kang entered the door, he sat down with Zang Ba as guest and host, and said straight to the point: "Brother Zang already knows the reason for disturbing each other late at night."

Zang Ba nodded and said: "I will offer tea instead of wine. I would like to thank Brother Xu for his help."

Xu Kang said quickly: "Brother Zang is too polite. I was just a spectator at that time. I didn't help at all. I can't thank you. Brother Zang is willing to listen to what I have to say."

"All ears."

Xu Kang was overjoyed. Although he would continue shamelessly even if Zang Ba said he was unwilling, Zang Ba said he was willing, which meant that he also intended to join forces with him. At that moment, he said exactly what he had prepared all afternoon.

In fact, Xu Kang's words to persuade Zang Ba were basically the same as those he used to persuade Guan Yu. It's just that this time Xu Kang was well prepared and expressed his meaning more systematically. He first tactfully mentioned Zang Ba's current status as a fugitive.

Then he accused the Han court of various perverse behaviors and demoted the court to be useless. Then he pointed out that today's world is controlled by aristocratic families. If you don't have a good family background, you will basically have no chance of becoming a prince or a general. This successfully aroused Zang Ba's worries.

, and finally exaggerated the power of Taiping Dao, as if the emperor in this world was no longer Liu, but Taiping Dao, and finally pointed out his own ideas, the shortcut to Zhongnan and the self-respect of the troops, finally burning the flame in Zang Ba's heart.

Zang Ba was a restless person, otherwise he would not have gathered private soldiers in his hometown. After being instigated by Xu Kang, he gave up and decided to help Xu Kang persuade his father no matter what.

.

So the two of them discussed it, and Xu Kang came in first to persuade him. After that failed, Zang Ba came in to help. Finally, Zang Ba even knelt down and begged, which made Zang Jie change his mind.

The final result was quite satisfactory. When Xu Kang returned to bed, he was already thirsty and sleepy, but he was very happy in his heart. After all, he got four powerful generals: Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yili. It was really

It was great value for money, and it made him feel that he still had the aura of the protagonist.

The group set off again. Since there was no news of the pursuers and there were women in the convoy, the convoy moved very slowly. By the beginning of August, they had just crossed the Yellow River.

Although Zhen Yan was still traveling with him, because he did not come forward to help the Zang family that day, and now that the Zang family was in trouble, there was no need for him to hand over the details, so he and Zang Ba and others were already regarded as fellow travelers. That day he found Xu Kang and said goodbye.

: "Brother Duomengxu wanted to save him, but now he has crossed the Yellow River. I am afraid that my mother at home will be worried, so I came here to say goodbye."

Xu Kang said politely: "Brother Zhen is going back, and I can't accompany you. How about I, Brother Guan, escort Brother Zhen to safety all the way?" Zhen Yan said: "Thank you so much."

Then the two sides parted ways. Xu Kang accompanied the Zang family's motorcade and continued north to Julu, while Guan Yu escorted Zhen Yan back to Yecheng. Guan Yu's mission was of course not as simple as protecting him. After all, Zhen Yan already had dozens of guards around him, and

They are all cavalry, which is enough to ensure their safety. Guan Yu's main task is to go to Yecheng to collect the reward promised by Mrs. Zhen.

It was not until the 10th that Xu Kang and his party returned to Julu.

Cheng Yuanzhi was very happy to see Xu Kang coming back. He also saw the four brothers Zang, Sun, Wu and Yi that Xu Kang had brought back. After talking with them, he was even more overjoyed. He personally held a banquet to receive everyone and tried to win over them.

In the evening, Xu Kang went to Cheng Yuanzhi's room to say hello. Cheng Yuanzhi asked him to sit down and said, "Please tell me carefully about your trip to Wei County."

So Xu Kang recounted the itinerary of the trip. He knew that Cheng Yuanzhi just wanted to know the situation of Zang Ba and others, so he detailed the encounter with Zang Ba and the fight against the enemy together.

Concealing the past on the issue.

After hearing this, Cheng Yuanzhi said: "That's great. You are indeed my lucky star. I didn't expect that just by going out, you would bring me four heroes."

Xu Kang was also very proud of this and said: "My adoptive father has given me a great reward."

"There is no award at all. Although the four of them are still young, they are still good men. Their future achievements will be limitless."

Xu Kang agreed with Cheng Yuanzhi's statement. How could a mere mortal be able to leave a great name in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

The two discussed for a while how to arrange the four Zang Ba people, and confirmed that Zang Ba would be allowed to follow Xu Kang for a while so that he could win over him. Xu Kang added: "I saw many more temporary structures outside the city.

House, it seems that many people came for this big pilgrimage."

"Yes, I also got news that senior brother Ma Yuanyi brought tens of thousands of believers from Jingzhou and arranged them in Ye County, Wei County."

Xu Kang was shocked when he heard this and looked at Cheng Yuanzhi in disbelief.

Cheng Yuanzhi said with excitement on his face: "You have also thought of it. It seems that the master can't wait any longer. I'm afraid he will take action soon."

"This time we gathered tens of thousands of people with such great fanfare. Although it was in the name of worshiping gods, didn't the imperial court have any expression?" Cheng Yuanzhi said with a smile: "It's more than tens of thousands. There is a general drought in the Central Plains this time. I'm afraid that people coming here

There will be hundreds of thousands of people. But you don’t have to worry, the court will not know. However, those aristocratic families may have known it for a long time, but our Taiping Road has always been on good terms with major aristocratic families in the Central Plains, and they also have their own plans, so there is no need

Worry."

Although Xu Kang didn't believe it, seeing how confident Cheng Yuanzhi was, it was hard to say anything.

At this time, in the Cao Mansion far away in Qiao County, Peiguo, Xiahou Dun burst into the door and shouted: "Brother, Brother Cao."

In the room, Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai were sitting across from each other, drinking wine and chatting. When they saw Xiahou Dun bumping in, he said dissatisfiedly: "Yuan Rang, why are you so flustered?"

"Brother, I heard that Taiping Dao held some kind of worship event in Jizhou. 36 Fangqushuai and heroes from all over the world gathered together. It was very lively. Why don't we go and take a look."

Cao Cao sneered and said: "What kind of heroes? They are just a group of ordinary people. There is nothing to make a fuss about."

Xiahou Dun was stunned for a moment. Seeing that Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai's expressions did not change, he suddenly said: "It turns out that Brother Cao and Mr. Xi already knew about it."

Xi Zhicai smiled lightly and said: "It's hard for people to not notice such a huge movement on Taiping Road."

"Then shall we go and have a look?"

"No. You are not allowed to go."

"But I'm afraid Meng De should go out now." Xi Zhicai said with a smile.

Cao Cao looked at Xi Zhicai in surprise and said, "Me? Why?"

"Now that Taiping Road's rebellious intentions have been revealed, it is time for heroes to rise up and make meritorious deeds. How can Mengde still be trapped in this small Qiao County?"

Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this and said, "Will Zhicai go with me?"

"Dare to disobey orders."

Xiahou Dun also said quickly: "What about me? Shall I go too? I'm almost going crazy in this stupid place."

Xi Zhicai shook his head and said: "Now is not the time for Yuan Rang to come out."

When Xiahou Dun heard this, his face immediately fell and he said, "Then when will it be my turn? I just read military books and battle books every day. If I can't go into battle to kill the enemy, what's the use?"

"Now that the world is in chaos, is Yuan Rang still afraid that heroes will be useless?"

Xiahou Dun had no choice but to say yes dejectedly.

Cao Cao suddenly said: "By the way, Yuan Rang, how did you know the news about Taiping Road? Didn't I ask you to stay in the house and not go out?"

When Xiahou Dun heard this, he immediately trembled. He looked around and said, "Ah, I suddenly remembered something very important. I'll leave first." After saying that, he started to run out.

"Stop." Cao Cao shouted, causing Xiahou Dun to stop obediently.

"Have you forgotten that you are still a murderer and a prisoner of the imperial court? What will you do if you are recognized?"

Xiahou Dun said nonchalantly: "Even if I am recognized by others, who dares to come and arrest me?"

"You." Cao Cao was so angry that he was speechless and said, "Go and copy Sun Tzu's Art of War 100 times. I'll take a look at it tonight."

"Yes." Xiahou Dun knew that it was hopeless to plead for mercy, so he agreed obediently.

"Go down." Cao Cao waved his hand and said.

"yes."

"Alas." Cao Cao sighed with a headache as he watched Xiahou Dun leave.

"There is no need to worry about Meng De." Xi Zhicai said: "I think Xiahou Dun, brother Xia Houyuan, and Cao Ren are all wise and brave people, and they will definitely be Meng De's right-hand man in the future."

"That's it, Brother Xiahou, don't mention Cao Ren." Cao Cao groaned a little: "His character and his name are two extremes. He is involved in eating, drinking, prostitution and gambling."

"Haha." Cheng Yuanzhi said with a smile: "Meng De is too worried. Zi Xiao is just young and playful now, and he will definitely not be a thing in the pond in the future."

"Then I'll thank you sir for your kind words first, and I hope it goes as expected." Cao Cao said without confidence.

In the inner room of Yuan Mansion in Luoyang, two brothers, Yuan Wei and Yuan Feng, sat opposite each other.

Yuan Feng said: "The news is confirmed."

Yuan Wei said: "Yes. Taoist Zhang Jiao of Taiping Dao is likely to launch a rebellion next year, and now they have begun to gather believers in Julu."

"Zhang Jiao is really a useful chess piece. It's not in vain that we nobles have done so much for him secretly over the years."

"What should we do now? Should we report it to the court?"

"Why? Haven't we been waiting for this opportunity? Waiting for a chance for the emperor to understand. Huh, 400 years of Liu Han seems too long. It's so long that the descendants of the Liu family really think that the world belongs to his Liu family.

.Let old Taoist Zhang Jiao make a fuss. The bigger the fuss, the better. Let the descendants of the Liu family understand, and let the current emperor understand that without the support of our family, his emperor can't do anything with just a few eunuchs."

"Yes, but what if Zhang Jiao's army loses control?"

"Don't worry, although Zhang Jiao has some abilities, it's a pity that his subordinates are just a group of reckless men. Without the support of aristocratic families, he can't achieve great things."

"That's good. Then I'll make arrangements first to bring back the family members so that they don't suffer the same fate as the fish in the pond."

"That's fine, but don't hide them all. Leave some people for Taiping Dao. This way, my Yuan family can completely distance themselves from Taiping Dao."

"Yes, which room should I keep?"

"This is up to you to decide. In addition, this time we will send brothers Yuan Yi, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu out. It's time for them to have some experience, so as not to cause trouble for me in Luoyang all the time."

Huangfu Song's residence in Luoyang. Huangfu Song hurriedly called his servants and said: "Quick, go and prepare a car for me. I want to enter the palace to see the emperor."

"Yes." The servant immediately went down in a panic to prepare the carriage.

After a while, the famous scholar Yan Zhong came in from outside and said, "Where are you going, sir?"

"It turns out to be Brother Yan." Huangfu Song said politely: "I have something urgent to do when I enter the palace. Let's talk some other time. Don't blame me for being rude."
To be continued...