"It is unknown how the world will go back and forth, and we will be in agreement with each other in the state. Although there is a small disagreement, we must be united and share the same message." Biography of Dong Zhuo in the Later Han Dynasty.
But I saw a man with an ordinary appearance, wearing a well-fitting armor, surrounded by generals, standing in the middle like stars over the moon.
Without thinking, Sun Ce knew that this general in his thirties or forties was Zhang Chao, the captain of the Diannong School in Henan and the commander-in-chief of the army heading south to Runan this time.
Sun Ce took a few glances at Zhang Chao and didn't notice anything new. However, there was a man in his twenties, tall and lean, who was closely following him. The man did not tighten his body deliberately.
He was just standing casually with his sword in hand, but it was difficult for people to ignore him and even mistaken him for the leader.
"Who is that person?" Sun Ce asked quietly as he walked.
Sun Ce's cousin Sun Ben came up to him from the side. He raised his head and followed the other person's eyes and glanced at the man. He whispered: "Jiangxia Li Tong is quite famous as a chivalrous person in Langling area."
"He seems to be a difficult person." Sun Ce walked up to Cheng Pu at this time. Without listening carefully to the conversation between the two, Sun Ce understood what was going on.
Speaking of which, Zhang Chao had a relationship with his father, Sun Jian. When the Yellow Turbans were in rebellion, Zhu Jun was worshiped as Zhonglang General and went to Yingchuan to quell the rebellion. Sun Jian, who was the Prime Minister of Xia Pi at that time, was promoted by Zhu Jun to be the Assistant Army Sima. Under Zhu Jun's command,
Conquered the Yellow Turbans and recovered Wancheng. Zhang Chao was also a Sima under Zhu Jun at that time. The two had a relationship with each other, and Sun Jian's generals such as Cheng Pu and Huang Gai also met Zhang Chao.
"Uncle Cheng is feeling embarrassed?" Sun Ce asked.
Cheng Pu was older, with a few long beards under his chin. He had a good appearance and was well-liked by the sergeants. A long time ago, he accompanied Sun Jian on expeditions to all sides, attacked cities and fought in the field. He was beaten and barbarized, but he made outstanding achievements for the Sun family.
After Sun Jian's death, he followed Sun Ce in Huainan and was loyal to him. He looked at Sun Ce with the eyes of admiring outstanding sons and nephews, and couldn't help showing a trace of satisfaction in his eyes, but he said lightly: "What kind of friend? It's nothing more than a crisis.
At this critical moment, I want to use this matter to build friendship. In the past, we conquered the Yellow Turbans, and we did a lot of things to compete with each other. What's more, even if we are old friends, each is his own master now, and I will not ruin a big thing for personal reasons.
"
"Then why bother?" Sun Ce already knew the relationship between Cheng Pu and Zhang Chao. Lu Fan also analyzed the pros and cons for him on the way here. Although he had an idea in his mind, he still wanted to try these late fathers.
Because of the attitude of his old troops, he asked deliberately: "Just work hard and attack and defeat the enemy."
"It's not up to me whether I recognize him as an old friend or not, and whether I talk about our friendship back then." Cheng Pu said casually, then straightened his face and said, "It's up to you, Bo Fu. After all, he is a Polu.
The general's former colleagues are also your uncles. Now that we are facing each other, it is up to you to make the decision."
Cheng Pu was good at dealing with the situation and was quite strategic. At this time, he casually raised the topic to Sun Ce, turning the situation into one where he was testing Sun Ce's attitude.
Sun Ce raised his handsome eyebrows and looked towards Zhang Chao's position, pretending to be thoughtful. Zhang Chaohan was nothing, but the former general Zhu Jun behind Zhang Chao, and even the court behind Zhu Jun, could not be ignored. Today they
If Zhang Chao was cruelly dealt with, and if Sun Ce ignored his father's friendship with Zhu Jun and openly broke with him, the reputation Sun had gained as a loyal Han Dynasty official by crusading against Dong would be wiped out overnight.
Became an enemy of the imperial court.
At present, when the imperial court is strong and its majesty is still there, and Yuan Shu has not yet completely opened up the situation in Huainan, it is not a good deal for the Sun family to offend Zhu Jun too much without leaving any room for change.
Therefore, the plans and decisions mentioned by Lu Fan and Cheng Pu were, on the surface, to let Zhang Chao outdo each other for the sake of mutual friendship, but in fact, they were planning the long-term future of the Sun family.
Sun Ce couldn't hold himself back. He didn't test Cheng Pu's thoughts, but simply stated his thoughts: "Since he respects my ancestors and is an old acquaintance, now that we meet on the battlefield, I should show him some kindness." .”
"That's the truth!" Cheng Pu said with relief. In fact, no matter what decision Sun Ce made, he would give his full support because of Sun Jiang's deep kindness to him. However, in public and private matters, he would still I hope Sun Ce can choose a correct and beneficial path.
"In that case, I'll go over and talk to him about old times." After saying that, Cheng Pu was ready to move forward.
At this moment, a soldier suddenly walked up from behind, followed by an embarrassed young man.
"What's wrong?" Sun Ce asked curiously when he saw this. Cheng Pu, who was about to step forward, also stopped.
The soldier felt deeply that the matter was of great importance and did not dare to speak out. He wanted to report it to Sun Ce alone. Sun Ce had no objection to this, but Lu Fan took a step forward and stood between the two with a cold expression: "What's the inconvenience?" Those who preach and tell, you speak first and let me listen."
He was worried about Sun Ce's safety, so he first took the soldier to inquire about the news. After hearing the news, Lu Fan's originally calm expression suddenly changed. He raised his head and glanced at Sun Ce, then walked back quickly. Sun Ce, Sun He and Cheng Pu, who had not yet left, also gathered around and listened to what Lu Fan was saying in a low voice.
"What are they planning?" Zhang Chao on the other side looked confused and asked Li Tong next to him: "Wenda, will they agree to the method you mentioned? Although Cheng Pu and I are indeed in front We worked together under the general for a while, but our friendship was too shallow. If I were them, I would never let us leave with such a small amount of friendship in mind."
Li Tong's eyes were not very bright, but they were particularly deep, like an ancient well. Even the firelight and moonlight could not shine into the deepest part. In his heart, he looked down on Zhang Chao's intelligence. If it weren't for Zhu Jun's fame and memorization, Relying on the imperial court, Li Tong would not rush to lead the people to defect, and even offered advice and assistance under Zhang Chao. At this time, he was thinking about things endlessly. When he heard Zhang Chao's words, he did not react for a moment. He remembered the past on the other side.
Back then, he and Chen Gong from the same county raised an army in Langling to dominate the area and joined forces with a hero named Zhou Zhi. At that time, the three of them were not brothers and were in harmony. But in fact, they were afraid of and hated each other until Li Tong Designed to kill Zhou Zhi, and led troops with Chen Gong to eliminate the rebellion, and annexed Zhou Zhi's tribe. The law of survival in troubled times is the law of the jungle. As long as you block the way, no one will let you go for the sake of friendship.
Even Chen Gong was later killed by his closest relatives, let alone Zhang Chao and Cheng Pu, a pair of colleagues who had only a superficial friendship?
When Li Tong proposed this plan to Zhang Chao, he did not think that the other party would really open up because of friendship. The reason why he was so determined was because he believed that the benefits would move people's hearts, and letting Zhang Chao go would be more beneficial to them than anything else. Disadvantages.
"Wenda, Wenda." Seeing that Li Tong didn't reply immediately, Zhang Chao looked a little hesitant.
Li Tong came back to his senses, glanced at Zhang Chao, put away a trace of disdain in his eyes, and said very frankly and helplessly: "The army is in panic and it is difficult to escape from the chaos. If you want to preserve your strength, this is the only way right now."
.As for whether they will miss their old relationship, it is not something that can be predicted."
The taciturn Xu Ding, who was standing aside, thought for a moment and made a promise: "The captain is relieved for the time being. Even if it doesn't work out, I will risk my life to escort the captain out of the siege."
"He is truly a righteous man, a righteous man." Zhang Chao was slightly afraid at this moment. If Li Tong, Xu Ding and others had not sacrificed their lives to save him just now, I am afraid that he would have died in the rebel army. If he had known better, he would have been more cautious at that time.
After all, this defeat has wiped out all the credit for defeating the Yellow Turbans. I don’t know if the merits and demerits will be equalized after returning.
While he was thinking wildly, Zhang Chao suddenly noticed that there was no movement on the other side, but instead he saw Cheng Pu and others discussing something with solemn faces.
"What are they doing?"
Li Tong frowned, seeming to think of something, and his eyes suddenly lit up.11