Chapter 54: Fellow Traveler (1/2) Seeking Recommendation

  Predicament?

  Dian Wei is a bit too clumsy!

  Wei Yan and Xiahou Lan had guessed a little bit of it, and suddenly their faces changed color.

  Cough...cough...cough...

  Cao Peng was suddenly overcome with a violent cough, and his pale face flushed with an unhealthy red glow. After sitting for a while and talking for a while, he felt a sense of fatigue that he had never experienced before. So he changed his posture, resting his head on the pillar, and let his back hang in mid-air.

  "Hei Da Ge, I heard everything you said earlier. Xia Hou also said that he killed for a night on the west bank and tried to break through the Yu Shui defense line several times, but failed. What does this mean? Zhang Bo Ruan has already controlled the situation in Wan Cheng! You might think that Cao Gong will counterattack, but I'm telling you, Cao Gong will counterattack, but it won't be now. The powerful families of Nanyang will not sit back and watch Cao Gong continue to attack Wan Cheng... If they surrendered without a fight earlier because they were intimidated by Cao Gong's power, then Zhang Bo Ruan has set the best example for them. If Cao Gong continues to conquer Nanyang, it will be a hundred times more difficult than before."

  Dian Wei's dark face twitched a few times, but he didn't say anything.

  Xiahou Lan remained silent, quietly listening in.

  Before, he may have thought that Cao Peng and Dian Wei had some relationship, or even that they were from the same clan as Cao Cao, so he felt fearful. But fear is one thing, to say that he was in awe of them would be unlikely. Now, however, Xiahou Lan has found out that Cao Peng and Dian Wei are unrelated.

  But in his heart, he inexplicably felt a few more points of respect...

  This little doll is not simple!

  Wei Yan wouldn't dare open his mouth because he knew Cao Peng had a very strong sense of overall situation.

  "If it were just the powerful families of Nanyang, Lord Cao would have defeated them long ago. The problem is that the northern warlords are standing by, how could they tolerate Lord Cao's actions?"

  Dian Wei's expression turned solemn, "You're saying..."

  "Huai Nan Yuan Shu, Hebei Yuan Shao, and Jingzhou Liu Biao... especially Liu Biao, will not sit back and watch Wan City fall. If that happens, the gates of Jing and Xiang will be wide open, and Jingzhou will inevitably be threatened. Cao Gong has welcomed the Emperor and taken on the name of righteousness, but has already been envied by others. If Cao Gong were to launch a campaign now, he would certainly be viewed as an enemy by others. Liu Biao is also a member of the Han imperial family, and can unite with Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, and even Xu state's Lü Bu. To avoid being attacked on all sides, Cao Gong has no choice but to retreat, and it is only possible for him to retreat."

  Cao Peng spoke enthusiastically and at length.

  He leaned against the pillar, his thin body and pale face, yet exuding an aura that made one dare not underestimate him.

  Dian Wei said solemnly for the first time: "A Fu, what was that predicament you just mentioned?"

  "Now Zhang Boren is holding out at Yu Shui to defend against Cao Gong. But once Cao Gong withdraws, Zhang Boren's next move will certainly be to eliminate the remaining rebel forces. At that time, the various local clans of Nanyang will all cooperate with him. Hei Da Ge, what do you think we should do to escape this trap?"

  Cao Peng's words made Dian Wei's face change color.

  He nodded slightly, and couldn't help but feel a little worried...

  Fight, kill!

  Dian Wei had never been afraid before. But this didn't mean he could kill his way back from Nanyang to Xudu. Don't look at how big and rough he was, but he wasn't a fool either. After hearing Cao Peng's words, Dian Wei couldn't help but tense up.

  "A Fu, then what should we do?"

  Cao Peng coughed again and smiled bitterly: "I just wish I knew what to do... The most urgent thing is to jump out of the jurisdiction of Wan City before Liu Biao and Zhang Yi recover their relationship. What I can think of is only this, how to jump out, you discuss it yourself."

  Anyway, after I've recovered a bit, I'll go back home to see my parents. As for what you guys will do, I really can't think of a good idea...

  Di Renjie and his three assistants all fell silent!

  Cao Peng was indeed a little afraid, because he knew that Zhang Heng was not to be feared, but what was fearsome was the person behind Zhang Heng: Jia Xu!

  This time Zhang Hua's rebellion was probably written by Jia Shi.

  Just by looking at his linked attacks, Cao Peng could feel the fear of Jia Xian.

  In short, he didn't want to be an enemy of Jia Yu at all...

  "I'm hungry!" said Cao Peng.

  "Eat first, eat first...... after eating one's fill, then there is energy to make plans."

  Dian Wei hastily shouted loudly, and Xia Houlan and Wei Yan took action one after another. Wei Yan tore off a rabbit leg, and Xia Houlan handed over a bowl of rabbit bone soup to Cao Peng, with miscellaneous noodles inside, emitting a strong meat fragrance. Cao Peng didn't stand on ceremony either, wolfing down a rabbit leg and drinking two bowls of bone and noodle soup. His empty stomach suddenly felt comfortable. Cao Peng had just spoken for a while, feeling very tired, so he lay down on the grass heap, closing his eyes to rest. At the same time, he silently practiced the twelve sections of Jin Jing Gong from Bai Yuan Tong Bei. Although it couldn't be combined with the eight-character mantra, for his current physical condition, the twelve sections of Jin Jing Gong were undoubtedly the most suitable.

  "Governor, what should we do?"

  Xiahou Lan drank a bowl of soup and couldn't help but ask.

  Dian Wei scratched his head and couldn't think of a good solution... Letting him take action was fine, but letting him use his brain was really difficult for him.

  "What did you say, Wen Chang?"

  Wei Yan also scratched his head and said in a low voice, "To the north of Wan City is Nan'e County and Dongwu Pavilion. If we go straight north from Wan City, the Yu River will be very wide. Now that spring flooding is approaching, the river water must be rapid. The only way to cross the river is from Dongwu Pavilion, which can lead directly to Zuo County. From the current situation, this is the most convenient route. I remember that Zuo County also surrendered to Cao Gong, and we will take about two days to get there."

  "Then let's go to Dongwuting!"

  "But the question is, if what Ah Fu said earlier was true, let's not talk about this road to Dongwu Pavilion for now, whether we will encounter Zhang Baojun's troops or not. But Dongwu Pavilion, Zhang Baojun must have heavily guarded it. And, on the other side of Zhiji County, whether there will be a local uprising as Ah Fu said... If such a situation arises, going to Dongwu Pavilion would be suicidal." Wei Yan looked at Dianwei and said in a low voice.

  Dian Wei's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this.

  Xiahou Lan couldn't help but say: "Maybe... Lord Cao's son is just guessing? Perhaps Zhang Boren didn't station troops at Dongwu Pavilion after all?"

  Wei Yan sneered: "You don't understand Ah Fu,"

  He is different from ordinary children. His brother-in-law, Deng Ji, had told me before he passed away: "Ah Fu's future prospects are unmatched." If he wasn't certain, he wouldn't have said it lightly. Since he said it, eight or nine out of ten, the situation he mentioned will occur. On this point, I believe him!

  A look of "you don't understand, shut up" on his face made Xia Houlan speechless, unsure of how to speak.

  Xiahou Lan wanted to argue again, but then he heard Dian Wei say: "I haven't been in contact with Ah Fu for a long time, but I can feel that he is different from ordinary children."

  Dian Wei gently rubbed his temples and suddenly raised his head: "I believe Ah Fu."

  Even Lian Tianwei said so, Xiahou Lan can only shut his mouth even if he has a lot of opinions.

  Wei Yan said: "There is still one way, which is to go south."

  "Oh?"

  "We can pass through Liu Biao's territory and return to Cao Gong."

  But at present, Zhang Bojun is likely to block the north-south passage. He will not relax his vigilance before reuniting with Liu Biao.

  So, going directly south won't work either...

  Xiahou Lan grew anxious, "If we can't go south and can't go north, are we supposed to head west?"

  West of Wan City, that is purely Zhang Xiu's territory.

  Wei Yan thought for a moment, "Going west is actually a good idea."

  "What's the meaning of this?"

  Wei Yan took a sip of the soup and said seriously: "Cao Gong and Zhang Bo Ruan are now concentrated on the banks of Yu Shui. In fact, going west, although it is Zhang Xiu's territory, but has not been affected by the war. Its defense must be much looser."

  As he spoke, he picked up his short sword and quickly drew a crude map on the ground.

  "You see, this is Wan City, and here is Yu Shui. Heading north is Dong Wu Pavilion, heading south is Ci Yang... I suggest we head west. In about a day's time, we can reach Tuan Water. Then we follow Tuan Water south, bypassing Rang County, which is An Zhong. Once we arrive at An Zhong, it belongs to Liu Biao's jurisdiction, and there will definitely be no defense here. We cross Ci Shui from An Zhong, follow Bi Shui east, pass by Que Shan, and that's Ru Nan Prefecture. Ru Nan Prefecture is under Cao Gong's control, once we reach Ru Nan, won't we be safe?"

  Dian Wei also couldn't help but be moved by what he heard.

  "How long will it take if we go this way?"

  "If we ride horses, following this route, it will take us about three to five days to get to Anzhong. From Anzhong to Queshan, it will take another three to five days. As for how long it takes to get from Queshan to Langling, I'm not sure. I've only been to Queshan before and haven't been to Runan."

  "That is to say, at least ten days are needed!"

  Dian Wei said, and then revealed a thoughtful expression.

  Jian Dingwei hesitated for a moment, and Wei Yan's eyes rolled over, thinking of a plan.

  "General Dian, let's talk outside."

  Dian Wei responded with a grunt and stood up, turning his head to glance at Cao Peng who was already asleep on the pile of grass.

  "Xiahou, take care of Ah Fu for me."

  As he spoke, he strode out with Wei Yan.

  Standing in the empty stockade, Dian Wei asked: "Wen Chang, if you have anything to say, then speak."

  "What does General Dian think of Ah Fu?"

  Dian Wei was taken aback, thought for a moment and replied: "Ah Fu is very good."

  "Ai Fu is still young this year, but in the future, he will definitely achieve great things. Such a person, General Jian would not want to introduce him to Cao Gong?"

  "Of course I want to, but he has to go home!"

  "General, if we follow the crowd, we will inevitably pass through Jiyang. I'll go talk to Ah Fu right away and we can leave together. Once we arrive in Jiyang, we can take Ah Fu's parents with us, Ah Fu is a filial son, he will definitely be willing to flee to Cao Gong with us."

  Dian Wei was overjoyed upon hearing this.

  "This is a great idea."

  Wei Yan said: "Ah Fu is young but mature, I heard from Deng Jie that he often praises Cao Gong... It's a pity about Deng Jie... He was also a talented person and honest by nature. Although he only helped me with two or three things, it broke my heart."

  If it weren't for Huang Sha...

  Wei Yan spoke with a clenched jaw and gritted teeth.

  Lian Dianwei and others couldn't help but reveal a look of regret, "As Yi Wenchang said, this Deng Ji will come to no less than Mao Xiaoxian in the future."

  Mao Xiaoxian, named Mao Jing, was a native of Pingqiu, Chenliu, and is also considered a fellow townsman of Dian Wei.

  When he was young, he served as a county official and was known for his integrity and impartiality. When Cao Cao was the governor of Yan Province, he summoned Mao Jie as the Zhongzheng Congshi. At that time, Mao Jie presented a strategy to Cao Cao, saying: "Today, the world is divided, the emperor has moved to another place, and the people have abandoned their original industries. The country does not have a year's worth of grain reserves, and the people do not have the idea of settling down in their original industries. This situation cannot last... To achieve great things, we must have long-term plans and establish a foundation. In war, a righteous army will surely win, but to maintain its position depends on financial power. Therefore, you should respect the emperor and issue orders to local lords in his name. Develop agriculture, accumulate wealth, only then can you succeed."

  During the Three Kingdoms period, there was often talk of "using the Son of Heaven to control the vassals".

  In fact, before and after Jian'an, many insightful scholars saw this point.

  Mao Jie was the first person in Cao Cao's camp to suggest that he should honor the Emperor and command the vassals, and it was also his suggestion that led Cao Cao to decide to station troops to grow food.

  Dian Wei and Mao Jie were familiar with each other. Now, putting Deng Ai and Mao Jie on the same level would surely make Deng Ai feel ashamed and fearful if he knew about it.

  After a moment of contemplation, Dian Wei made up his mind, "Let's follow Wen Chong's words and go with Ah Fu together. When the time comes, we'll pick up his parents and head to Xudu together."

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  Old routine, seeking recommendation, seeking collection, seeking clicks, seeking strength...