In the early morning, the gentle sunshine shines into the room through the window. The three people sleep in each other's arms in the brocade tent, warm and harmonious.
Liu Qi opened his sleepy eyelids, looked at the two women with icy muscles and jade bones in his arms, took a breath and lay quietly on the bed for a while, then looked at the delicate faces of the two women, smiled and quietly got up.
Looking at the peaceful sleeping postures of the two women, Liu Qi smiled with satisfaction. Both women were stunningly beautiful, and Liu Qi was extremely satisfied to be able to have them.
However, Liu Qi could not slack off because of this. Taking back Wancheng would stimulate Cao Cao's nerves. After one day, Cao Cao might have taken action, and Zhang Xiu, who came from Wancheng, should have arrived by now.
After briefly washing up, Liu Qi came to the study and saw that a scroll of bamboo slips had been placed in front of the desk where he usually sat. Apart from Xu Shu, only Xin Xianying could enter and exit his study freely.
Thinking of Xin Xianying getting up early in the morning, receiving the news from Jin Yiwei and putting it in the study for his review, Liu Qi also stopped thinking and sat at the table, picked up the bamboo slips and started reading.
"Man Chong?" Liu Qi was a little surprised. The bamboo slips said that Pang Tong not only captured Wancheng, but also took the opportunity to arrest Cao Cao's envoy Man Chong in Wancheng.
"Man Chong was arrested, Xun Wenruo may not be able to sit still." Liu Qi put down the bamboo slips and thought.
Man Chong was the guard of Fan City. Now that he had fallen into the hands of Pang Tong, how could Xun Wenruo sit idly by and ignore it? However, according to what was written on the bamboo slips, Man Chong should have been secretly escorted to Xiangyang by Zhang Xiu.
"Come, go to the inn to invite Marquis Xuanwei." Liu Qi said to the door. The letter said that Marquis Xuanwei Zhang Xiu had arrived in Xiangyang and was staying in the inn.
"No." A flying tiger guard hurriedly bowed in response and left immediately.
Liu Qi did not want to miss Zhang Xiu, known as the King of Spears in the North. Historically, Zhang Xiu made great contributions to Cao Cao after defecting to Cao Cao, and became known as the King of Spears. Whether it was in leading troops or in martial arts, he was extraordinary.
The bamboo slips also mentioned the battle between Zhang Xiu and Gan Ning. Being able to draw with Gan Ning shows that Zhang Xiu's martial arts were extraordinary.
In addition, the bamboo slips also described what Wei Yan did in Wancheng. Liu Qi understood this somewhat. Wei Yan followed him relatively late and had no military exploits. When seeing Gan Ning, Wang Yi and others naturally felt low.
According to how Wei Yan's character can endure it, if he can go out with Pang Tong this time, he will naturally seize every opportunity to establish his prestige.
Liu Qi placed Wei Yan next to Pang Tong in the hope that Pang Tong could teach Wei Yan. Wei Yan liked to use dangerous tactics, and Pang Tong was also an expert in this field. Learning from Pang Tong would naturally sharpen him so that he could be independent in the future.
"Wei Yan and Pang Tong both like to take risks. If they stay together for a long time, something may happen. Fortunately, Gan Ning is here to make up for this shortcoming." Liu Qi thought for a while and said.
It was because Liu Qi knew that Pang Tong was in danger of dying at the hands of Zhang Ren when he attacked Yizhou that Liu Qi sent Gan Ning to Pang Tong, which could be regarded as a kind of protection. In the end, Pang Tong didn't temper himself enough.
A major event was to lead troops to attack Yizhou. You must know that even though Zhuge Liang was invited to Xinye by Liu Bei three times, it took Zhuge Liang more than ten years from the bottom to truly achieve the position of military advisor.
In the intervening ten years, it is obvious that Zhuge Liang was promoted and established his prestige step by step, and the things he experienced were not comparable to Pang Tong. Pang Tong first served as a counselor under Zhou Yu, and then worked under Liu Bei until he became a military advisor.
, during this period Pang Tong basically did not lead any troops but only made plans. This can be regarded as one of the reasons for Pang Tong's early death.
Just like Ma Di, he was so talented that even Zhuge Liang often asked him about things, but he only knew the importance of experience when he was making plans and actually commanding troops.
Although a war may break out in Wancheng, it will definitely not be too big. Cao Cao will not invest too many troops and horses, and Jingzhou will not invest too many troops and horses. This can be regarded as a training for Pang Tong.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Xuanwei has arrived." Liu Qi was thinking about the soldiers' voices coming from outside the door.
"Let him come in." Liu Qi shouted to the door.
Not long after, a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties came in wearing armor.
"See you, eldest son." The middle-aged man hurriedly bowed down as soon as he entered the study.
"General Zhang, there is no need to be polite. You have a title, so I should be the one to salute." Liu Qi stood up and helped Zhang Xiu up. Zhang Xiu was also a marquis, so he didn't need to salute even when he saw Liu Biao, let alone him.
"How can a defeated general speak bravely? Since Zhang Xiu has decided to surrender, he naturally dare not be rude and asks the eldest son to take him in." Zhang Xiu said and bowed again. He knew that Liu Qi was in charge of Xiangyang now, and he could only save his life by lowering his posture.
Own.
"Haha, General Zhang, please wake up quickly. You are a general under my father's command. How can you say that you were defeated? General Zhang's reputation is as thunderous as thunder. Don't worry, general. Since you have arrived in Xiangyang, you will not let the general down." Liu Qi helped Zhang Xiu up.
smiled.
Zhang Xiu escorted this man along the way. Although it would not be a great achievement if he defected to Cao Cao, it would be enough for him to gain a foothold under Cao Cao. However, Zhang Xiu did not do this, which shows that Zhang Xiu knew how to weigh the pros and cons.
"General Zhang has done a great job by escorting Man Chong to Xiangyang. I have prepared a residence for the general in Xiangyang. The general will rest in Xiangyang for some time. I think the general should also have an understanding of the current situation in Xiangyang. When the time comes, it will be necessary
The general will help me in Jingzhou to repel the powerful enemy." The two sat down, Liu Qi looked at Zhang Xiu and said, since Zhang Xiu did not escape along the way, he would naturally have to express something.
"Thank you, eldest son." Zhang Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. What he was most worried about was that Liu Qi would imprison him in Xiangyang, which would be the end of his life.
"Haha, the general escorted Man Chong all the way. I wonder if he ever thought about releasing Man Chong and defecting to Cao Cao with him?" Liu Qi looked at Zhang Xiu and asked.
"I will not dare." Zhang Xiu bowed and said.
"Oh, why don't you dare? You must know that Man Chong is extremely favored by Cao Cao. If the general lets him go, Cao Cao will definitely be grateful to the general. Then the general will naturally be able to gain a foothold under Cao Cao. Hasn't the general considered it?" Liu Qi
said with a smile.
"The eldest son is joking. The general has a grudge against Cao Cao for killing his son. How can Cao Cao let me go for a favor? Even if I let the general go now, he will be removed in the future." Zhang Xiu thought in his mind.
"Tight," he said hurriedly.
It's not that Liu Qi said that he hadn't thought about it, but firstly he was afraid that Cao Cao would settle the score with him, and secondly he asked Jia Xu to see if there was anything he could do, and rushed to Xiangyang on his own initiative. Liu Biao shouldn't be too concerned about him.
It was too difficult. If Jia Xu had any way to find a chance to leave at that time, he didn't expect Liu Qi to see through his thoughts.
"The general is right. Although the general has defected to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will not do anything to the general for the sake of reputation, the general has a personal feud with the Cao family after all. How can Cao Cao's son and grandson let the general go in the future?"
Liu Qi shook his head and sighed.
Historically, after Zhang Xiu defected to Cao Cao, he made great achievements in battle. He did nothing to Zhang Xiu until Cao Cao's death. However, after Cao Pi came to the throne, someone framed Zhang Xiu for treason, forcing Zhang Xiu to commit suicide. Zhang Xiu's son also committed suicide not long after.
He was implicated in treason and was killed. This had to make Liu Qi wonder whether Cao Cao had secretly instructed Cao Pi.
The speaker had no intention of listening, but Liu Qi's words were like thunder in Zhang Xiu's ears. Yes, he defected to Cao Cao, but Cao Cao would not immediately attack him because of his reputation. He thought of this, so he was ready to rely on this
He made military exploits to protect himself, but he neglected one thing.
Cao Ang is Cao Cao's eldest son and the best among Cao Cao's sons. Because of his own death, how could Cao Cao be indifferent? No matter how many military exploits he made, he could not make up for this. And once he defected to Cao Cao, he would
, one's own sons and grandsons will be under the eyes of the Cao family. As long as Cao Cao's sons and grandsons take action against him, he can be removed at any time.
At this time, Zhang Xiu had broken out in a cold sweat. He looked at Liu Qi calmly and said, "The eldest son is right."
"Well, the general has just arrived in Xiangyang and doesn't know much about the situation in Xiangyang. He should take a rest for the next few days. If you need anything, just come to me directly." Liu Qi looked at Zhang Xiu's reaction and wondered what Zhang Xiu was thinking.
He had already guessed part of it, but he didn't pay too much attention to it. Since Zhang Xiu arrived in Xiangyang, he couldn't escape his control.
"No." Zhang Xiu bowed.
"In that case, general, please go back and rest first. As for Man Chong, I will send someone to receive him." Liu Qi saw Zhang Xiu's tired look, and thought that Zhang Xiu had only arrived in Xiangyang late last night, so he asked him to go back and rest first.
"Promise, I'll leave at the end." After saying that, Zhang Xiu stood up and bowed to Liu Qi before leaving.
"By the way, General, does he know what's going on in Wancheng now?" Liu Qi suddenly asked.
"I would like to inform you that when the last general leaves Wancheng, General Wei Yan has already controlled Jiyang and Nieyang. It only takes a few days to completely control Wancheng." Zhang Xiu thought for a while and said, he didn't know much about Pang Tong.
Not much, just guessed based on the information I got.
"Oh, general, please go back first." Liu Qi waved his hand and asked Zhang Xiu to leave.
"Come here." After Zhang Xiu left, Liu Qi shouted to the door.
"Lord." A soldier came in and bowed.
Liu Qi lowered his head and picked up a pen on a scroll of bamboo slips. He wrote a few sentences and said to the soldiers: "Give the bamboo slips to General Wang Yi."
"No." The soldier took the bamboo slips and bowed out.
Regarding Zhang Xiu, Liu Qi is relieved for the time being. Zhang Xiu should be calmer in a short time, but it depends on whether he is really willing to surrender.
After that, Liu Qi read all the bamboo slips on the table before getting up and heading towards the backyard. At this time, Da Qiao and his two daughters should have already gotten up. Liu Qi ordered his servants to deliver the meals to Da Qiao's room. He wanted to accompany the two girls.