Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Heroes cherish each other

Cao Cao's army won the two cities of Xiaopei and Xuzhou in the first battle, and its mighty momentum was like the rising sun in the east. Although Xuzhou was previously defended by Liu Xuande's Jian Yong and Mi Zhu, they had already abandoned the city and fled. Chen Deng and his son who stayed in the city opened the city gate and led Cao Cao's army into the city. Cao Cao sternly said to Chen Deng and his son: "Before you accepted my favor, you followed Liu Xuande, and today you opened the city gate to welcome me. If you want to blame, you are guilty. But I will give you a chance. If you can do your best to appease the people in the city, I will forgive you for your past crimes."

Chen Deng and his son were overwhelmed by Cao Cao's power, and said again and again: "Don't dare to disobey, I will definitely do it." They blindly thanked Cao Cao for his benevolence, and tried their best to appease the people in the city from that day on, and soon showed their achievements in law and order. Because of the influence of Liu Xuande, the people in the city felt restless and turbulent for a while.But through Cao Cao's decree and appeasement, people's hearts finally stabilized and returned to normal. "Well, Xuzhou is very good like this."

Cao Cao's thoughts shifted to the next battle. In fact, war and politics go hand in hand, just like two feet that people walk with each other. "The rest is Xiapi City." Cao Cao said confidently that at this time he intends to annex this area.But for this important event, out of caution, he first learned about the inside story of Xiapi City from Chen Deng who was familiar with the situation. Chen Dengdao: "Xiapi City is now firmly guarded by Guan Yu, whom the prime minister is familiar with. Previously, Liu Xuande might have worried that such a situation would happen today, so he handed over the old and young and the two wives to Guan Yu to take care of him. Before the large army was dispatched, Liu Xuande's family had been quickly transferred to Xiapi City."

Chen Deng added: "Why did Liu Xuande move his family to Xiapi City? Because there used to be a fort built by the fierce general Lu Bu, and it was a place where the prime minister's army suffered a lot and could not attack for a long time. So this time, Guan Yu was specially chosen to guard this place. city, and entrusted his household to him.” Cao Cao recalled the wars of previous years, and said with emotion: "For me, Xiapi is indeed a battlefield with which I have an indissoluble bond. But it is very different from the time when I attacked Lu Bu. This battle will never be Delaying time. This guy Yuan Shao is already planning to lead his army northward, so this battle is all about being quick."

Cao Cao turned his head to look at Xun Yu, and suddenly asked him if he had come up with a clever plan to capture Xiapi. Xun Yu half-opened his eyes and kept silent at first, but after thinking for a while, he opened his mouth and said, "If you put Guan Yu in the city, you will not be able to conquer it even if you attack a hundred times. The trick I think of is how to lure Guan Yu to the city." foreign." "And then?" Cao Cao continued to ask. Xun Yu replied: "Our army is approaching Xiapi, and we deliberately opened up an opening, so that we will be defeated after a short battle, so that the enemy will become arrogant. During this period, we quietly mobilized the army to cut off his retreat. At that time, Guan Yu was desperate. , can only set up a lonely flag and fight desperately."

"It turns out that as long as Guan Yu can be captured alive, then the city that never falls will exist in name only." Cao Cao adopted Xun Yu's strategy and decided on the strategy of using troops.After the discussion, Cao Cao expressed his thoughts to the people around him: "To be honest, I have admired people like Guan Yu since a long time ago. He is strong on the outside and brave on the inside. He is indeed a broad-minded man with high martial arts skills. It can be called the champion of the three armies. This war is a unique opportunity to realize my usual admiration for him. I must try to get him into my command, so I must capture him intact. Dedicate him as a gift to Xudu gift to bring back."

Cao Cao's request was so difficult that the generals couldn't help but looked at each other. Guo Jia walked up to Cao Cao and pointed out the difficulty of this request, "Guan Yu has the courage of ten thousand men, no one in the world can match it, even if it is not easy to kill him in a war, let alone you ask to be captured alive. To carry out this order, I don’t know how many soldiers will be sacrificed. If it is not handled properly, there is a risk that he will take the opportunity to slip away.” As soon as Guo Jia finished speaking, Zhang Liao stood up from the right column and said, "Don't worry, let me persuade Guan Yu to surrender to our army."

Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Xun Yu and other generals were skeptical of Zhang Liao's remarks.Everyone asked in unison: "Do you have such confidence?" "Yes!" Zhang Liao replied without hesitation, "All you think about is Guan Yu's bravery. Although I also thought of the most difficult point, I thought about it again, he is a hero among men, with both loyalty and faith. Although he has no contacts, he is often a good opponent on the battlefield. Every time we meet, we understand each other, and there is always a feeling similar to friendship. I think he will definitely remember me."

"Alright, let Zhang Liao convince him alone!" Cao Cao seemed to agree to Zhang Liao's request.Perhaps a hero knows a hero, and he feels the same about the understanding between Zhang Liao and Guan Yu. Cheng Yu and Guo Jia disagreed.They think that it is good to change from an envoy of persuading surrender to a lobbyist, but if it has no effect, it will only strengthen the will of the enemy.This will be even more harmful to the strategic policy of quick wins. "No, I have already thought of a perfect plan. As long as I hand over the two hundred Xuzhou captives currently in the formation, I will be able to capture Xiapi City according to the plan. And as Xun Yu said just now, lead Guan Yu to the wild, Let him be isolated and helpless." Zhang Liao was full of confidence in this.

Everyone asked him: Why do you want to use Liu Xuande's captives after he left Xuzhou? "I released these captives on purpose and drove them to Xiapi City. These captives and the soldiers guarding the city were originally a family. Of course Guan Yu would put them in the city. These people are like I buried there. Waiting for the fire to show its power when the wind blows." Zhang Liao briefly explained. Cao Cao clapped his hands and praised: "This wonderful move is called "burying soldiers in the enemy's soil. Then let Zhang Liao do it first!" After discussing with the generals, Cao Cao quickly formulated the policy and strategy of the battle.

Zhang Liao selected about 200 surrendered soldiers, and through threats and lures, he bought them off.And let this group of people escape from the position in the dark night. From early morning to morning, they tried to sneak into Xiapi City in batches. Since they were all soldiers of their own army, Guan Yu's generals believed in them. The soldiers shouted outside the city: "Cao Cao's direct troops attacked Xuzhou, so we are not their opponents at all. Xuzhou City fell quickly. Although Cao Cao and his central army boasted of victory, they arrived there We stopped advancing, and the only two troops chasing us were Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan. They were exhausted after a long and rapid march. If you go out of the city to fight back now, you will be able to annihilate them on the plain. We promise that everything we say is true truth." The sound of surrendering soldiers spread to the city, Guan Yu did not immediately accept their opinions because these people were insignificant miscellaneous soldiers.But the scouts sent out kept reporting the following information: "There are only a few enemy troops outside." "The troops attacking Xiapi accounted for only one-fifth of the enemy's entire army." Guan Yu finally listened to the report of the scouts, ordered people to open the gate of the city, and heroically led a group of people to fight towards the battlefield in the blue sky. Guan Yu set up an awning and looked forward, only to see Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan's armies forming a black formation of dark clouds, and their banners were quietly submerged in the blue field. At this moment, a one-eyed general with a silver helmet and bright armor patted his horse in front of Guan Yu. He mobilized his tongue and cursed: "Hey, you long-bearded villager, why do you deliberately put on airs and want to run rampant in our Wumen?" The outlaw leader Liu Xuande and the rascal Zhang Fei were frightened by the majesty of our prime minister and fled after hearing the news. Why do you still uselessly guard this city of Xiapi? You should go back to your own country as soon as possible. Isn't it fun to wipe the snotty noses of the village children or scratch the lice in your beard?" The calm and brave Guan Yu kept his mouth shut and ignored Xiahou Dun's provocation.After a while, he raised his head and asked the one-eyed general, "Are you Cao Cao's general Xiahou Dun?" Guan Yu is also a sentimental person, and everyone can see that the raging anger has been ignited in his heart at this time.Suddenly, like a gust of wind, the dark war horse Heilu raised its hooves and galloped wildly. Guan Yu raised the Qinglong Yanyue Knife gleaming in the sun and roared, "Don't move, you one-eyed dragon!" Guan Yu jumped on his horse and rushed over.Although Xiahoudun, who originally came to trick Guan Yu, was good at fighting, he turned around and fled this time, turning around from time to time and continuing to abuse. Guan Yu was furious, and while strictly ordering his 3,000 soldiers and horses to march forward bravely, he himself chased Xiahou Dun for more than 20 li. But, with his lion-like pursuit, he eventually lost touch with his troops. Guan Yu also seemed to realize this, and said, "Oh, I chased too deeply!" Then he turned his horse's head and hurried back. At this moment, the enemy generals Xu Huang on the left and Xu Chu on the right led the ambush troops to fight out together, cutting off Guan Yu's retreat. More than a hundred bows and crossbows were fired at once, and the arrows screamed like locusts and shot at Guan Yu.Seeing that this road was blocked, Guan Yu hurriedly steered his horse and ran to another road. Who knew that there was also a cry, and ambush soldiers swarmed! Like a hunter who patiently hunts a beast, the enemy gradually drives Guan Yu into the preset cage.Finally, Cao Cao's various armies surrounded Guan Yu. At this time, the sun was about to set, and the field gradually dimmed.Guan Yu fled to a low hill. At night, Guan Yu looked in the direction of Xiapi, and saw a fire rising there, illuminating the dark night sky. The surrendered soldiers who had sneaked into Xiapi City set fire to the city, and then opened the door to let Xiahoudun's troops into the city.As a result, the city of Xiapi, which was said to be difficult to attack, easily fell into Cao Cao's hands. "It's been tricked! It's been tricked! How can I have the face to meet the lord? Well, as soon as the sun breaks, I'll go down the mountain and fight the enemy army to the death." Guan Yu made up his mind to fight to the death. For tomorrow's action, he decided to rest for a while, so that the war horse could eat some grass.He calmed down and prepared seriously, without any panic, only looking forward to the white dawn in the east. Morning dew fell from the sky, and the clouds in the east glowed red.Guan Yu set up a pergola and looked towards the foot of the mountain. He saw that Cao Jun was like a giant python winding up a mountain, with countless positions connected in a ring. "It's really a big deal." Guan Yu smiled wryly. He slowly sat on a boulder on the mountain, tightened the leather buttons on his armor, licked the dewdrops on the grass blades with his tongue, and stood up calmly. At this time, it seemed that someone was climbing from the foot of the mountain. Guan Yu stared at the person coming. The man was calling his name. "Who is that person?" Guan Yu waited suspiciously for someone to come. After a while, the man got closer and closer, and it turned out to be Zhang Liao.He had a riding whip in his mouth and a smile on his face. Although Guan Yu and Zhang Liao had no contacts in normal times, they fought against each other several times on the battlefield and admired each other.This may be the so-called heroic sympathy. "Oh, it's Zhang Liao." "Ah, General Guan Yu!" The two stood facing each other, looking at each other with deep emotion. Guan Yu asked, "What's the matter with you here? I heard that Cao Cao ordered Guan Yu's head to be taken from me. Did you follow the order to go up the mountain?" "No, you are wrong. I think of our usual friendship, and feel sorry for the general's end." "Then are you here to persuade me to surrender Guan?" "I didn't mean that. I was rescued by the general before, how can I stand by and watch your tragic fate today?" Zhang Liao pointed to the big rock and said, "Let's go there first, and let's talk about it after sitting down." After he sat down, he talked eloquently to Guan Yu: "You must feel this way now. Both Liu Xuande and Zhang Fei have fled, and their whereabouts are unknown. Only Liu Xuande's family members are still in Xiapi City. It was also captured last night. It fell into the hands of our army, so the lives of the two wives are completely in the hands of Prime Minister Cao." "...I don't think about anything now...My lord has placed high hopes on me and entrusted his family to me. I never thought that it would all fall into the hands of the enemy for nothing." Guan Yu lowered his head and sighed, he did not regret his death, just like the morning dew before his eyes.But thinking of the two frail wives and the youngest son of the lord, even a generation of heroes couldn't help crying. "...General Guan Yu, you can rest assured about the affairs of Liu Xuande's family. After Prime Minister Cao captured Xiapi City, as soon as he entered the city, he first sent people to move Liu Xuande's wife and children to another pavilion, and the door was guarded by guards. If someone unauthorized One step in, they will be killed immediately. They are under the strict protection of the prime minister." "Ho, is it?" "Actually, I came here to tell you about this matter, and I came here with the consent of the prime minister." After Guan Yu heard this, his eyes suddenly changed, and he said sharply: "You have been talking for a long time, but you finally persuaded me to surrender in the name of repaying your favor, didn't you? It's ridiculous! It's ridiculous! Cao Cao doesn't even know the heart of a hero. I Although the Jedi is alone today, he still regards death as home. Life is like morning dew, so what can we do to cherish it? Want to persuade me to surrender? You underestimate me too much. You should hurry down the mountain, I will fight soon." Zhang Liao could clearly see Guan Yu's sorrowful mood and sudden change of tone. He looked at Guan Yu's side face and deliberately laughed: "The general's words express the hero's thoughts and extreme conceit, but the general's magnanimity It's still a little small. If you end your life as the general said, you will definitely be laughed at by future generations." "Why is it ridiculous that I seek my own fate in order to preserve my loyalty?" "If you die here, you will be charged with three major crimes. Think about it carefully! Your loyalty and bravery will be humiliated by these crimes." "Then I would like to ask, what are the three major crimes I have committed?" "First, after you die, what should you do if Liu Xuande is still alive? You have betrayed the lonely lord, and you have broken the brotherhood of Taoyuan. Second, your lord entrusted his family to you. For the sake of the future, if you die heroically alone, it is okay to say that you are short-sighted and dishonest. Third, you respect the emperor and worry about the future of the world. But if the general is eager to die, he will not live to help him. Sheji, just irresponsibly showing his blood and courage, how can it be called true loyalty? I heard that the general is not only outstanding in martial arts, but also a man of knowledge. How do you explain the three crimes I mentioned? I I think it's better for the general to consider carefully." Guan Yu lowered his head and pondered for a long time. As for what Zhang Liao said, he believed that it really reflected his true feelings for his friends, and it was also very reasonable.Perhaps because of the accusations of emotion and reason, Guan Yu has been struggling in pain in his heart. Zhang Liao further said: "You should temporarily prolong the life you are going to give up here. The first is to seek news about Liu Xuande; the second is that Liu Xuande entrusted his wife and children to you. You must try to protect their safety. This is true loyalty." .Do you think so? If the general had such an idea, he wouldn’t blame me for plotting against you.” Guan Yu bowed in thanks and said, "Thank you very much! If you hadn't reminded me, I might have left the tomb of a man in the grass on this hill. Now that I think about it, that was really short-sighted. But, no matter what Said, I am alone in the defeated army, and I have no other choice. Even so, I will live for righteousness, as you said, and I will bear no matter what hardships and shames, other than that There is no other way." "For this purpose, the general may wish to temporarily surrender to Prime Minister Cao. An upright gentleman like the general can put forward corresponding conditions. I don't know what you want?" "There are three conditions I want to talk about. In the past, when I became sworn brothers with Uncle Liu Huang at the Taoyuan Yihui, the first requirement was to rejuvenate the Han Dynasty. So even if I am disarmed and descended from the mountain, I will never surrender to Cao Cao. I can only surrender to the Han Dynasty. This is number one." "What about the other two conditions?" "The safety of Uncle Liu's two wives, his own son, and his slaves must be protected, and they must be treated with solemn courtesy and corresponding treatment." "This matter can be agreed, so what is the last condition?" "Now I don't know the news about Liu Huangshu. But if I know his whereabouts, I won't stay under Cao Cao's command for another day. Even if it is thousands of miles away, I will leave without saying goodbye and return directly to my old master. … If you can get a clear commitment to the above three conditions, I will obey your words and go down the mountain. If you don’t agree to my conditions, you would rather leave a name of stupidity to thousands of generations, and you will not hesitate to fight to the death. I know that today is only my last day. " "I understand the general's mood. I will go down the mountain immediately and tell the prime minister what you mean, and then I will come up the mountain again. Please wait for a while." Zhang Liao went down the mountain immediately.Looking at the back of his friend, Guan Yu couldn't help but get hot in his eyes. Zhang Liao got on his horse and galloped straight to Xiapi city. After seeing Cao Cao, Zhang Liao immediately reported the truth of his conversation with Guan Yu without pretense. Of course, he also stated the three conditions mentioned by Guan Yu in a matter-of-fact manner.Cao Cao, who was self-willed, had a look of surprise on his face after hearing this.He is well aware of the weight of these three conditions. Cao Cao said: "Guan Yu really deserves to be a loyal person, which proves that my vision is correct. He cares about surrendering the Han and not surrendering me, Cao Cao. That's no problem. I am also the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty is me. As for Liu Xuande Taking care of the lady is also very easy to do. It's just that once you know the news about Liu Xuande, you insist on leaving, which is more difficult." Zhang Liao saw that Cao Cao was embarrassed by the last condition, so he remonstrated enthusiastically to Cao Cao: "No, Prime Minister, this one is actually not difficult. The key to why Guan Yu admires Liu Xuande so deeply is that Liu Xuande can do it well. Grab Guan Yu's heart. If the prime minister treats him with kindness and kindness, treating him far above Liu Xuande, he will be deeply moved by the influence of his ears and eyes. After a long time, he will eventually be convinced by the prime minister's kindness. The ancients said that a scholar To die for a confidant. In this regard, doesn't the prime minister have the means and methods to treat good generals favorably?" Under Zhang Liao's persuasion, Cao Cao finally agreed to Guan Yu's three conditions and decided to welcome Guan Yu immediately.Like waiting for a lover, he has been waiting impatiently.