Chapter 12 League of heroes

In the first month of the first year of Chuping (AD 190), the Kanto states launched a mighty army to challenge Dong, and the momentum was overwhelming for a while. Yuan Shao, the prefect of Bohai, claimed to be the general of chariots and cavalry by virtue of the nobles of the four generations and three princes. He also led the army to Hanoi County, and joined forces with Wang Kuang, the prefect of Hanoi. Qiao Mao, governor of Dongjun, Yuan Yi, governor of Shanyang, Bao Xin, governor of Jibei, Zhang Chao, governor of Guangling, and Zhang Miao, governor of Chenliu with the help of Cao Cao, all entered Suanzao County and approached Xuanmen Pass; Chuan raised troops to blockade the southeast of Yuanguan to contain Dong Zhuo's forces; later general Yuan Shu gathered troops from Luyang as the southern front, preparing to attack Wuguan.The number of soldiers from all walks of life varies, totaling more than 100,000, forming a siege to the land of Henan.

At the same time, the Baibo Rebel Army was also fighting guerrilla warfare in the Hedong area, posing a threat to Dong Zhuo; and just west of Sanfu, the left general Huangfusong was in Liangzhou to fight against the Xiliang rebels, and he also controlled Dong Zhuo's rear. In addition, Mu Hanfu of Jizhou was stationed in Ye County to supply food and grass. Sun Jian, the prefect of Changsha, Zhang Zi, the prefect of Nanyang, and Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou, also prepared to join the coalition army.Dong Zhuo really fell into an extremely isolated situation! Let's say that the army along the Yanzhou Road, after arriving in Suanzao County, built a high platform of more than one foot in the east of the city.Set up an altar on the stage, enshrine green cattle and white horses, plant flags from all walks of life, draft a call to action against thieves, and prepare to make an oath of alliance.Inspector Liu Dai of Yanzhou, Governor of Dongjun Qiaomao, Governor of Chenliu Zhang Miao, Governor of Shanyang Yuan Yi, Minister of Jibei Bao Xin, Governor of Guangling Zhang Chao, Cao Cao, Zang Hong, Xi Zhicai and others came to sit on the stage. .But under the stage was the mighty six-way army. The soldiers immediately stepped down and lined up neatly in the shape of wild goose wings.

Qiao Mao, the prefect of Dongjun, can be said to be the initiator of the campaign against Dong. He forged the Sangong's secret letter and sent it to the states, suggesting an alliance.Ordinarily, he should be the commander-in-chief of the Yanzhou armies, but when things came to an end, seeing that there were many soldiers from all walks of life, his confidence was not so strong, and he sat firmly on the stool and cupped his hands and said: "Mr. The most important thing for us to meet here is to elect a leader with both ability and virtue to be the commander in chief of our journey. I wonder which lord can be competent?" After speaking, he lowered his eyelids with a smile, and waited for the people present to immediately Say his name.

"I don't think there is any need to choose the leader. We are ordinary people. We only need to obey the order of the chariot general Yuan Benchu." The speaker was Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou. Extra shrewd. Qiao Mao felt as uncomfortable as eating a fly, and forced a smile: "Brother Gongshan, you can't say that. Even if we all obey the orders of General Cheqi, we need a leader to coordinate the troops here. Just in case! In Qiao’s opinion, you are very suitable, Brother Gongshan. Here are all the county generals, but you are the envoy of a state, and besides, you are the nephew of the old Taiwei Liu. , although it is an official appointed by Dong Zhuo, but when it comes to status, who among us is more noble than you?"

Cao Cao sneered to himself when he heard this, and thought, "It's really not as good as being famous when we meet. Thanks to him, Qiao Yuanwei is still Qiao Xuan's nephew, and his speech is so sinister. On the surface, he praised Liu Dai, but in fact he pointed out that Dong Zhuo gave him his official position." Yes, insinuating that he is not qualified to be the leader of the alliance. You elected him, and then said that he is not qualified, but in fact, you want him to push you back?" Unexpectedly, Liu Dai refused to let Qiao Mao's cleverness succeed, he repeatedly waved his hands and said, "I don't dare to accept this post. Although I am the governor of Yanzhou, which one of the few sitting here is not a person with both ability and political integrity? Also, Brother Zhang Chao is not under my rule in Yanzhou, let alone the soldiers brought by Meng De, I am nothing as the governor. But since General Qiaojun is talking about his background, who among us can compare with Brother Boye!"

Yuan Yi is an elegant Confucian scholar, sitting there is even weaker than Zhang Miao, hearing Liu Dai's recommendation of him, he quickly shook his head and waved his hands: "Brother Yu has little morals and poor morals, I can't bear this job, I am ashamed, I am ashamed." "Brother Boye, why should you be humble?" Liu Dai praised him even more knowing that he couldn't hold the position. We all know it. What's more, you are Yuan Benchu's brother, since you are a chariot general in Hanoi, how can you be inferior to me here?" It is true that Yuan Yicai has learned a lot, but he is a white-faced scholar who is not good at running the army. How can he take on this important task, so he hastily declined: "No, brother Yu is really not good at military affairs. You can take this position, I will obey my orders. That's it."

"Since that's the case, how about brother Meng Zhuo becoming the leader?" Liu Dai threw the stone to Zhang Miao again.Zhang Miao also shook his head and declined, Liu Dai said a few words of comfort, and then asked Zhang Chao to ignore Qiao Mao. Zhang Chao is determined to take the lead, and he is quite confident in the battle, but he is the youngest in this group of people, and he is the smallest in terms of military strength. After weighing the weight, he really can't take it up. ? Push the most suitable person, Bao Er Er, you come!" If it is said to lead the army to fight, all the people here must give way to Cao Cao and Bao Xin.Now that Cao Cao has no status, Bao Xin is indeed the best candidate, but he looked at these people coldly for a long time, feeling disgusted by hypocrisy, and sneered: "Forget it, I can't control you! I think Brother Yuanwei has been eager to try , or you come to be the leader of the alliance."

He threw out the words so bluntly, Qiao Mao took care of his face, no matter how much he wanted to do it, he couldn't agree, bowed his head and said: "Don't dare, it's still General Baojun who will do his part." "Hmph! I dare not." Bao Xin became angry. The more Cao Cao listened, the more impatient he became, and each of them had hidden so many secrets before the confrontation. If this battle is delayed for a long time, it may not be a good situation in the future!He really wanted to go to the altar to claim the alliance of the blood lord, but now he is a Bai Ding who has no official position, at best, he is only Zhang Miao's subordinate, his name is not right, how can he make such a head?Besides, what they've been talking about for a long time is family background, how can I, a descendant of eunuch like myself, do it well...

Zhang Miao also felt that it was really inappropriate to give in to each other, and it was not an option to ask tens of thousands of soldiers to wait under the stage, so he said, "Listen to me, Lord Lie. Now we are fighting for the country, so we must not give in to each other." It is a major matter of delay. There is no objection to the plan to destroy Dong Qin Wang, and I will be dispatched from the chariot general. Now it is just to set up a temporary commander here to deal with the change. I think so, please take care of yourself, Mr. Lie Whoever is confident that he has the ability to form an army to command the army will take the initiative to join the altar as the main alliance, and the others will be willing to obey, how about this?"

As soon as he said that, the originally bustling scene suddenly cooled down.Liu Dai looked aside and seemed to be preoccupied, Qiao Mao sat indifferently, Yuan Yi kept stroking his beard and muttering, Zhang Chao seemed to be still watching the fun with a smile on his face, it seemed that no one was willing to take the responsibility.When Bao Xin saw that no one was bothering him anymore, he got up and stepped forward. Bao Tao grabbed his elder brother and whispered, "There has already appeared a chariot general in Hanoi, and he is here to lead this alliance. Maybe it is to touch Yuan Benchu's taboo." .” Bao Xin frowned, then sighed and did not move.Seeing that no one spoke to him, Zhang Miao turned his head to look at Cao Cao, and signaled him to go to the altar as soon as possible.Cao Cao was overjoyed for a while, and when he was about to speak, he felt someone behind him tightening his eyes, looking sideways, Xi Zhicai lowered his head and firmly grabbed his robe.

"I'm coming!" A high-pitched voice broke the silence. Everyone stared at him, and a tall young man walked out from behind Zhang Chao. It was Zang Hong, the meritorious Cao of Guangling County.He is the son of Zang Min, a famous general who fought against chaos. He has practiced martial arts since he was a child and has a straightforward personality. If cinnabar is not as valuable as red soil, then I, Zang Hong, is willing to take this responsibility!" Qiao Mao was taken aback, then smiled to the left and right: "Okay! Zang Ziyuan is the son of a general, and I am convinced that he is the leader of the alliance. , what do you think?" Liu Dai saw that Qiao Mao pretended to be a gentleman and let others be a villain, so he couldn't be fooled by him, so he quickly echoed: "Brother Ziyuan is so modest! In the past, Han Xin was just a spearman under Xiang Yu's tent before he came to the stage to worship the commander. Now we To seek thieves for the country, even ordinary soldiers who are talented and virtuous should be worshiped as the leader, not to mention you are a dignified Guangling meritorious Cao!" Yuan Yi also nodded repeatedly: "Ziyuan will do his part." Brothers Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao were not very willing at first, but seeing how the three of them expressed their views, it was hard for them to say anything against it; Bao Xin's face was still gloomy, and he didn't have the nerve to stop him.Everyone looked at each other for a moment, then stood up together, gave Zang Hong a deep bow, and respectfully invited him to take the stage. Zang Hong did not refuse, accepted it calmly, stepped up to the high altar with vigorous steps, bowed to the soldiers of the three armies below the stage, unfolded the oath on the altar, and recited loudly: 〖Unfortunately for the Han Dynasty, the emperor’s principles were lost, and the traitorous minister Dong Zhuo took advantage of his provocations to inflict harm on him.Great fear of losing the country and destroying the world.Yanzhou Inspector Shi Dai, Yuzhou Inspector Shi Ni, Chenliu Prefect Miao, Dongjun Prefect Mao, Guangling Prefect Chao, etc., gathered volunteers and went to the country.All our alliances, working together, so that the festival of ministers, the death of the head and the death of the Yuan, will have no two ambitions.If there is an alliance with Yu, you will be killed, and there will be no inheritance.Empress Dowager Land, Ancestor Ming Ling, all learn from it! 〗 His voice was high-pitched and powerful, and he recited a book of oaths in cadence and rhythm. His thick voice spread so widely that even the soldiers lined up in the distance could clearly hear it.After reading the entire text in a short time, Zang Hong put the bamboo slips on the top, picked up the ear knife on the altar, and stabbed it on the middle finger of his left hand-the bright red blood immediately spread out in the clear wine basin. Even though all the herdsmen had their own concerns, they couldn't help but be moved to see him so decisive, and the soldiers in the audience were even more encouraged by seeing this. "Destroy the Dong bandits and revive the Han Dynasty!" Zang Hong raised his fist and raised his fist to the sky and shouted.As soon as he shouted, the war drums sounded like galloping horses in an instant, and the shouts of the soldiers shook people's hearts.Liu Dai, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, Zhang Miao, Bao Xin, and Zhang Chao stepped onto the stage one by one, drank blood, shouted slogans, and shared the blood wine.The soldiers in the audience saw their respective commanders on the altar, and the shouts followed one after another... Cao Cao was also infected by this majestic spirit, and shouted a few times, but when he saw Zang Hong standing majestically in the center of the altar, he suddenly felt sour again, and looked back at Xi Zhicai: "Mr. It’s enough to make an alliance with another family’s Mushou, but Zang Ziyuan took the lead.” Xi Zhicai sneered and said: "Zang Hong is a mere meritorious officer. He has no soldiers, no rights, and young morals. Who is willing to listen to him? Orders cannot be enforced, and prohibitions cannot be stopped. Being the leader of this alliance is in vain. Humiliation, why do you fight for this suffering?" What about your errand?" Hearing what he said, Cao Cao smiled wryly and said, "I remember that in "Lu Lan" there is a saying 'People's intentions are kind, although they don't know how to grow', why don't you mention it now?" Xi Zhicai saw him Using his own spear to attack his own shield, he was at a loss for words for a while. At this moment, Bao Xin had already got off the altar, bowed his head and came to Cao Cao: "Meng De, you also go up to drink blood for alliance?" "I'm nameless now, how can I have any qualifications to go to the altar to drink blood?" "Hmph! With your talent, don't say you should be the leader of this little alliance, why not just change with Yuan Benchu?" Bao Xin complained.Cao Cao didn't want to complain with him, but he couldn't help but raised his head and chanted Xiang Yu's "Gaixia Song": "Strengthening the mountain and overwhelming the world, and the time is not good. The time is not dying. What is the time when the time is not dying. What is the reason for the danger? ?” "Don't be ashamed, you don't have your Lady Yuji here." Bao Xin jokingly pushed him, "Don't look at Yuan Benchu ​​and this group of people for a while, but it is clearly stated in the oath, 'With this alliance, I'm going to die', you don't have to drink blood, so you don't have to worry about taking the oath in the future." "I'm afraid it's inappropriate for you to promise one by one before the battle begins?" Bao Xin sneered for a while: "Isn't it right? Which of these people don't agree with each other? I guess it will be a matter of time before they turn their faces. People say that Dong Zhuo made a mistake in letting them serve as Mu Shou, but I think it's a great plan. Sooner or later, they have different ideas. To fall apart." Listening to your words, isn't it already falling apart with them?Although Cao Cao thought so, he said: "I hope that the battle will be resolved quickly, and this chaos will be brought to an end earlier, so that the court's majesty can still be restored." Looking at his serious expression, Bao Xin sighed: "A husband is not born in the world, but Mengde is the only one who can always be a hero to set things right! If you are not a man, even if you are strong, you will die." After finishing speaking, he looked at the altar meaningfully. He said to himself, "Could it be that God asked these people to open the way for you?" At this lively moment, suddenly a cavalry scout rushed to the side of the high platform: "My lords, there is an envoy from the cavalry general." Qiao Mao, Liu Dai and others waved their hands, the drums stopped beating, and the soldiers gradually quieted down.Cao Cao went to the side of the stage to look around, and saw a dozen soldiers surrounded by a high-spirited man galloping through the ranks—it was Xu You who came.He felt kindness in his heart, and really wanted to shout "Zi Yuan" from a distance, but Xu You ignored all the guards and only glanced at him, Cao Cao felt a chill in his heart. "Today, a great general's hand is here!" Xu You got off his horse and stepped onto the stage quickly. Qiao Mao and the others looked at each other for a long time, but they took a few steps back and bowed one after another. Cao Cao also knelt down.Xu You came to the center of the altar, took out Yuan Shao's palm, and read aloud: "The chariot general is ordered, Xiliang soldiers and horses are tyrannical, and the adults of each family must stick to Suanzao County. The preparations have been made before going to war. If there is no sure-win strategy We can wait for General Cheqi and Hanoi Prefect Wang Kuang to break through Mengjin, and then the armies will respond again. With Yu’s order, the alliance will be defeated!” Although Yuan Shao's order was vague, everyone had figured out the essence. Yuan Shao wanted to win over Meng Jin to make the first contribution.Liu Dai and the others didn't intend to make any effort at all, they only wished to show their momentum from a distance, so they responded in unison: "I would like to listen to the orders of the general of chariots and riders!" "Please hurry up, gentlemen. You just acted according to your orders, and you will be offended." Xu You put away his hands and bowed again and again, and immediately became amiable. He looked up and looked for Cao Cao again, "Brother Ah Man, you have escaped so hard that you will be safe!" Cao Cao felt embarrassed to hear that he had to call out his nickname on such a solemn occasion, but seeing that he had a friendly smile on his face, he also smiled and said, "Brother Yu is fine." "Brother Benchu ​​was very happy to hear that you came. He has already repaired the watch and asked you to take the post of General Fenwu temporarily." The so-called repair of the watch is naturally to be handed over to the emperor, but I don't know if Yuan Shao's watch can be handed over at this moment. where.But in any case, Cao Cao finally has a name, and such a high honor as a general is enough to be on an equal footing with other Mushous in name. Xu You had already walked up to him while talking: "Brother Benchu ​​said that Suanzao County has already garrisoned soldiers of the Sixth Route. If there are enough soldiers and horses here, Brother Ah Mo might as well go to Hanoi. Let's join forces and discuss together. It's a plan to capture Mengjin." Qiao Mao and others were displeased when they heard that he was going to win over Cao Cao as soon as he arrived.Cao Cao glanced at Zhang Miao, only to see him bowing his head silently - I am now Zhang Mengzhuo's backbone, how can I bring my entourage to belong to Yuan Shao?I want to reply with a smile at this point: "Ziyuan, please thank Brother Benchu ​​for my kindness first. It's just that I'm busy with military affairs when I first arrive in Suanzao. After a few days, I will make arrangements. If there is nothing else, Brother Yu will go to Hanoi on his own. Listen to the command of the chariot general." How clever Xu You is, he knew that he couldn't go away by observing his words and expressions, so he hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Soldiers are impermanent, so it should be like this." Then he looked at the others, "If you have no objection, I will turn back to Hanoi and ride to the chariot. The general has returned." After speaking, he smiled at Cao Cao. Seeing this, the Mushous of the family sent him off the stage with no relatives or close relatives, watching him lead his soldiers away on horseback.Qiao Mao was the first to break the silence: "Since General Cheqi has an order, let's set up our own troops to defend first. If the east side of Suanzao is empty, I will lead the troops to camp there, and the next officer will go ahead. What's the matter?" All you need to do is send someone to my camp to discuss it." He said and went back to greet his soldiers. Seeing him walking away, Liu Dai couldn't help sneering: "The west side is close to the enemy, and the east side is far away from the enemy. He is not stupid. Don't tell him to steal and cheat. I will go too." After saying that, he ran to his team without looking back. Walk.Seeing this, Yuan Yi cupped his hands again and again, exchanging pleasantries and leading his troops away. But Bao Xin ignored them at all, and was aggrieved: "Yuan Benchu ​​is too crazy, and he can't let him take away this first achievement!" Looking back at his younger brother Bao Zhong, "Fourth, you have always been close to Wang Kuang. I will share it with you." Eight thousand soldiers chased Xu Youtong to Hanoi, and together with them took Mengjin and went straight to Luoyang, we brothers must share in the credit." "Little brother understands!" Bao Zhong accepted the order with cupped fists, and immediately called for troops. Seeing that Cao Cao was still staring at the altar, Zhang Miao gave him a hand and said, "Others are camping in the east to avoid the enemy. I don't think we should learn from them, but stay here to guard the Suanzao City on the west road. It is for the sake of the country." How can righteousness back down, let's bear the heavy burden. However, I don't understand military matters, so I have to rely on Lao Mengde to set up camps." Zhang Chao also said: "I have few soldiers, so it's good to camp with you. But Ziyuan is now the leader of the alliance, do you want to set up another big tent for the Chinese army?" Cao Cao sighed helplessly: "Alas...what's the point of standing up or not!" Brother Zhang Miao followed his gaze and saw Zang Hongzheng standing listlessly on the altar in a daze. Soldiers and horses go their own way - how can anyone put him in the eyes of the leader?