Chapter 48: Wan City's Gao Qiu Pavilion (2/3)

  The second one is also presented!

  The last day on the new book list, Lao Xin thickened his face and continued to ask for recommendations and collections...

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  Laohekou, located southwest of Wancheng.

  It is about forty miles from the Sunset Gathering, and about ten miles from Wan City. Standing in a high place, one can vaguely see the flags standing in the direction of Wan City.

  Wei Yan and Cao Peng stood at the river bend, looking around in all directions.

  According to Wei Yan's words, there should be a ferry here. But after searching for half a day, not even the shadow of a ferry boat could be seen...

  "How come there's no boat?" Cao Peng asked with a puzzled expression.

  Wei Yan scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said: "How would I know? There used to be a lot of ferries here. I remember the last time I passed by, there were three ferries docked on this side."

  "Uh, when was it that you came over last time?"

  Wei Yan thought for a moment and replied very solemnly: "Two years ago!"

  Drop dead!

  Two years ago, you passed by here and there were many ferries. But now it's two years later, and Cao Cao and Zhang Liao have just finished their great battle, how can there be any ferries?

  "Brother Wei, apart from here, where else is there a ferry crossing?"

  "Going east, about three to five miles away, there is a high hill pavilion, said to have been built during the Qin Dynasty, but now it has been abandoned. The river water there is relatively calm and the river surface is also very narrow. However, as it's early spring now, the ice and snow are melting, so I'm not sure if the river water has already surged."

  Cao Peng smiled wryly and said, "Then let's go take a look."

  It was around 10 o'clock in the morning when the sun shone brightly and warmly on people's bodies, making them feel very comfortable.

  The early spring breeze, though somewhat chilly, was soft and gentle, like a young girl's slender fingers brushing against the face. Cao Peng led his horse, walking shoulder to shoulder with Wei Yan. The brutal slaughter of the previous night was not mentioned again by either of them. But both he and Wei Yan were well aware that everything that had happened that evening was deeply etched in their memories. Unless one day they could avenge themselves, it would never be possible to forget...

  That hatred, carved into my bones!

  "A Fu, what do you plan to do this time when you go back?"

  "If there's nothing at home, we'll go to Fuyang Mountain." Cao Peng forcefully spat out a mouthful of turbid air, as if wanting to vent all the depression in his chest. He fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Tiger Head's father used to do business without capital. He has some old brothers living in Fuyang, we might first settle down there and then slowly plan for future things."

  Business without capital is actually just robbery.

  Wei Yan's face revealed a strange smile, and he said in a low voice: "The bandits of Tufu Mountain?"

  "Hmm!"

  Those people are a good bunch, although I haven't had contact with them, but their local reputation is not bad. Who would have thought that Tiger Head had such a secret... His father's status back then shouldn't be too low either. If it's like this, then it'll be a good place to go later." Wei Yan said, his expression serious, he lowered his voice and asked: "But I don't understand, why are you unwilling to go and surrender to Cao Gong? It's better than being a mountain bandit anyway."

  "Throwing in with Cao Gong... Look at me, I have no ability to even truss a chicken, my learning is limited to the Book of Poetry and the Analects. What qualifications do I have to stand under Cao Gong's command? Moreover, even if I were to go now, there would be no one to introduce me. It's not certain that I would be taken seriously. Rather than this, it's better to return home and slowly build up my strength."

  These two words "origin" are really too important!

  Did Cao Peng not think of recruiting Wei Yan? Of course, he did! However, he knew that he didn't have the capital or the strength for it. At this time, family background and reputation were two important factors in establishing oneself in the world. Of course, aside from these, having some ability would allow one to achieve something. To put it simply, before Liu Bei obtained the title of "Liu Xianxiong", he had only a few thousand soldiers under him, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei being his only notable generals, and his advisors were merely Sun Qian and Jian Yong... Even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed him because they shared a brotherly bond. As for Sun Qian and Jian Yong, they were just minor characters... He was able to establish himself in Xuzhou because he had married into the local aristocracy, which allowed him to gain a foothold.

  Drifting like this all along...

  Until he got the title of 'Liu Huangshu', he began to build his team.

  Don't you see that even Liu Bian and Gong, the bandits of the Yellow Turbans, have come to join him? The reason is precisely because of his origin as 'Liu Xiong'.

  Now even Liu Bei, who has yet to make a name for himself, is more prominent than Cao Peng. What makes him think he can recruit others?

  A man is valued for his self-awareness!

  Cao Peng did this one thing quite well. Since getting to know Wei Yan, he used all sorts of small tactics to get close to him. As for later... let's talk about it later.

  He is not yet qualified to talk nonsense about the future.

  Wei Yan fell into deep thought after hearing Cao Peng's words.

  To be honest, he is much better off than Cao Peng. At least he has a special skill and can be considered a military general. But the problem is that apart from this, his situation is extremely similar to Cao Peng's. The same humble origin, the same lack of fame. In this way, recklessly joining Cao Cao's camp, what can be done? At most, start from a Wu Chang or Shi Chang and climb up step by step.

  One's own family affairs, one's own family knows best!

  Wei Yan had been a soldier for six years and his military achievements were countless, but at most he only became a garrison general.

  Even if Cao Cao had a keen eye for talent and he himself had gone through this, it would probably take five or six years before he could enter Cao Cao's line of sight.

  In another five or six years, if I'm still alive at the age of 30, I'll be in my prime!

  It's really a headache when there is no one to introduce you. But it's not easy to find someone to make the introduction either.

  Wei Yan couldn't help but glance at Cao Peng.

  In the bright sunlight, Cao Peng's slender face still retains a bit of youthful innocence. However, his clear eyes reveal an extremely calm and capable temperament.

  Actually, what Ah Fu said makes sense.

  He has a broad vision and is also good at observing things in the world.

  If nothing unexpected happens, I will definitely stand out in the future... Why not make a name for ourselves with him first?

  This thought flashed through Wei Yan's mind and was immediately shaken off.

  I am different from Ah Fu, I have passed my twenties, if I don't strive hard, I'm afraid I won't achieve anything in the future; while Ah Fu is still young, he has enough time and reason to grow up and accumulate strength. If I just seek to rely on others now, I'm afraid I won't be able to sit with him in the future.

  Everyone has their own dreams!

  Wei Yan was the same.

  Moreover, he is proud and arrogant, and cannot tolerate relying on someone weaker than himself, a little kid. If that's the case, he wouldn't have bothered with Yi Yangwu back then and would have directly gone to Wen Ping instead. At the very least, he could have become a county magistrate by now...

  The two of them each had their own thoughts and didn't speak again for the rest of the journey.

  Suddenly, Wei Yan stopped in his tracks and reached out with one hand to grab Cao Peng's arm.

  "Brother Wei, what's going on?"

  "Listen!"

  Wei Yan's face was solemn, and he pretended to listen carefully with his ear tilted to one side.

  Cao Peng concentrated his mind and listened carefully, faintly hearing the distant sounds of people shouting and horses neighing. From time to time, a series of mournful cries were carried by the gentle breeze into Cao Peng's ears.

  Is there a fight in front?

  Cao Peng turned his head and took a look at Wei Yan, but saw that Wei Yan had taken two quick steps forward, got down on all fours, and pressed his ear to the ground.

  "There is a cavalry unit coming this way."

  "How many people?"

  "At least thirty or forty horsemen."

  Cao Peng took a deep breath of cool air and hastily looked around him.

  "Brother Wei, quickly enter the forest."

  As he spoke, he led his horse to a nearby grove of trees. A thought flashed through his mind: the Battle of Wan! Zhang Xiu's counterattack!

  It must be so, Cao Cao must have messed with Old Zhang's aunt, provoking Zhang Xiu.

  Isn't it said that Lao Zhang's counterattack was at night? How can he openly counterattack in broad daylight?

  Cao Peng thought for a moment and then ran into the woods.

  Wei Yan also followed closely behind. After the two entered the woods, Wei Yan looked around and said, "Ah Fu, should we hide here?"

  Cao Peng glanced at the war horse beside him and suddenly gritted his teeth, fiercely slapping its buttocks.

  The war horse was startled and suddenly galloped northward.

  Wei Yan shouted in surprise: "Ah Fu, what are you doing?"

  "Up the tree, let's climb the tree!"

  "Huh?"

  "Stand high and look far. No matter who is fighting, they will definitely not notice what's above! Let's hide first and observe secretly."

  Wei Yan thought for a moment and realized that Cao Peng was right!

  He no longer hesitated, hung the dragon bird on his back, and quickly climbed up a tree with his hands and feet. Cao Peng was even more relaxed! Don't look at his slender body, but he was better than Wei Yan in climbing high and low by half. After climbing to the top of the tree, Cao Peng wiped his hand on his body, only to find that there was no defensive weapon on him. His Han ring knife had been lost since he was knocked unconscious by Wei Yan at dusk.

  "Brother Wei, is there any weapon?"

  Wei Yan was not far away from him, and upon hearing this, he immediately drew a short sword from his waist.

  About forty centimeters long, the sword and stem are forged together, with a black lacquered jujube wood handle wrapped in a layer of coarse cloth, but there is no guard.

  This is a cavalry sword equipped by the riding army, for Wei Yan, its decorative purpose is greater than its combat function.

  He nodded to Cao Peng, and then threw the short sword high into the air. Cao Peng sat on a thick branch as big as a thigh, stretched out his hand to catch the short sword, inserted it into his waist, and immediately stood up, hiding behind the sturdy trunk. Since the severe winter had just passed and early spring had just arrived, there were no leaves on the trees. Fortunately, these tall trees all had continuous annual rings, lush branches, and thick trunks. Hidden among them, if viewed from outside the forest, it would be difficult to spot Cao Peng's figure.

  Wei Yan saw Cao Peng's actions and also hid himself well.

  Just as the two people had hidden their bodies, the sound of horseshoes in the distance grew louder and louder, a rumbling sound like muffled thunder, entered Cao Peng's ears.

  Cao Peng, looking up with rapt attention...