Article 43 Negotiation in Good Faith

  Let's talk about Cao Jiao again.

  Although Cao Jiao, under Chen Deng's careful planning, seized the opportunity and successfully ambushed the Tianping Army. However, due to the unexpected strength of the enemy's military power, Cao Jiao and his men ended up losing their commander Chen Deng instead.

  If Chen Deng was just the mastermind of this group of young adventurers, Cao Jiao would not be so worried. However, Chen Deng is not only a famous adventurer in Xuzhou, but also the eldest son of the Chen family in Donghai County, the future heir of the family.

  Although the Cao family's power is not inferior to that of the Chen family, if they were to fall out with the Chen family over this matter, I believe Cao Jiao's elder brother would definitely hang him on the wall and give him a good flogging of several dozen lashes.

  So, for the sake of harmony within the Xuzhou Haqiang, for the life of Chen's outstanding son, and even more so for Cao Jue's own future, it is reasonable that Cao Jue must do his utmost to rescue Chen Deng. Fortunately, the opposing Yellow Turbans seemed to know that the hostage was a big fish and did not kill him on the spot. This way, there is still room for maneuver.

  "What? Chen Yuanlong has been taken away?"

  Always gentle and elegant, with a majestic demeanor, Cao Hong of Xuzhou's reputation was renowned. Upon hearing his younger brother's words, his eyes widened in an instant. For a moment, he couldn't be bothered to get angry, instead, he unconsciously began pacing around the large tent, muttering to himself:

  "What's going on? What's going on? …… How can I explain this to Chen Hanyu?"

  Chen Hanyu, that is Chen Deng's father Chen Ke. Chen Ke's wisdom and strategic thinking are renowned throughout Xuzhou. Cao Hong wasn't afraid of Chen Ke, but rather had some... reservations.

  He turned his head and saw Cao Jiao standing beside him, her face pale as a cicada in winter. He shouted angrily:

  "Why wasn't it you who was caught instead? How am I supposed to explain this to Chen Hanyu now?"

  Cao Jiao, although fearless on the outside, had been accustomed to being disciplined by his elder brother Cao Hong since childhood. Facing Cao Hong, he didn't dare speak loudly and only stammered:

  "...When Yuan Long was caught, he called me to come back immediately and bring a large army to rescue him..."

  "Take a large army to rescue him? But Chen Yuanlong's life is in someone else's hands, isn't this like 'dreading the rod while trying to hit the rat'? Unless..."

  For Chen Deng, this very irritable friend, Cao Jiao was also quite concerned. He hastily repeated Chen Deng's last words.

  "In Yuan Long's opinion, it should be with a large army as a shield to discuss the ransom conditions. It is likely that those 'bandits' did not kill Yuan Long on the spot, and they must think that Yuan Long is a rare commodity..."

  "Nonsense! Do I need you to tell me what to do? Prepare the ink! I want to write a letter immediately and send it to that old fox Chen Han-yu. Zhong Biao, assemble the entire army at once and go pursue those ignorant bandits!"

  In the face of this situation, Cao Hong, who had always adhered to "Lao Huang's way", made a rare decisive move. On the one hand, he sent his trusted men to inform Chen Shi's family head - Chen Deng's father Chen Ke and Chen Hanyu; on the other hand, he quickly gathered all his troops and set off in the direction where Tianping Army had left, pursuing them.

  The Tianping army didn't march quickly. Moreover, with Zhang Kuang holding Chen Deng as a bargaining chip, he wasn't too worried about pursuing troops. If Chen Deng weren't as important as he himself said, there wouldn't be any pursuing troops. If Chen Deng were truly that important and the pursuing troops caught up, they would still have to weigh the pros and cons of attacking.

  In Zhang Kuang's heart, he actually still hopes that Chen Deng's identity is a bit more important.

  It is known that the Tianping Army, due to the threat from Bao Xin's troops in Yanzhou, had no choice but to head east and had not received sufficient military rations for some time. Given Chen Deng's background, the possibility of him joining the Tianping Army was close to zero. It would be more meaningful to use him as a bargaining chip for food rather than keeping him in the army.

  So, when He Qian, who had been punished with ten military sticks, found out the news of the Xu State army's mobilization, he quickly reported it to Zhang Kuang. With this, Zhang Kuang, who already had an idea in his mind, smiled confidently and immediately ordered the Tianping Army to choose a small hill and set up camp.

  When the Xuzhou army rushed to the front of the Tianping army's camp, although they had an advantage in military strength, they did not dare to act rashly when facing an opponent who occupied a favorable position. The two armies formed their battle arrays, and Cao Hong, although he didn't like to show his face at the front, still had to drive a fine war chariot, under the protection of Cao Jiao and other generals, to shout at the front lines.

  "Esteemed guest has come from afar to Xuzhou, but I wonder what brings you here?"

  Kid, you come to my turf, want to die?

  Zhang Fei mounted his war horse and rode out among the troops, with Zhou Cang on foot and Yue Jin on horseback by his side.

  "Hehe... just passing by, no intention of disturbing."

  Don't worry, you're not in danger.

  "Thus, I am very much at ease. The other day, a young friend of mine, named Chen Deng, was greedy for the scenery and accidentally got lost. But I don't know if he is in your military camp?"

  Is Chen Dong dead or alive? Give me an answer quickly!

  "Are you referring to Chen Yuanlong?"

  Of course it is alive.

  "Exactly! Is Chen Yuanlong really among your troops?"

  It's better to be alive. Otherwise...

  "Hehe... General, don't worry. Yuan Long is so enamored with our army's unique scenery that he wants to temporarily reside here."

  But it's not that easy to let people go!

  Seeing Zhang's crazy words and deeds, Cao Hong felt a little more at ease. Chen Deng was known for his overbearing personality in Xuzhou. Cao Hong was still worried that this young man would be killed by the other side if he didn't watch his mouth. Now that everything was fine, they could discuss business.

  "Chen Yuanlong's father, Chen Ke and Chen Hanyu, because they haven't seen Chen Yuanlong for many days, are worried in their hearts. So they asked me to pass on a message, inviting him to return quickly. I wonder if your esteemed army can 'help him fulfill his filial duty'?"

  Chen Deng's background is not simple, you'd better be careful!

  "I have my father's orders and should return home as soon as possible. However, Chen Yuanlong is still in our camp and there are some unfinished matters, so I am unable to leave for the time being. I hope you can speak a few words of praise about me to Chen Hanyu."

  Releasing people is possible, but we need to discuss the conditions first.

  "In that case, I shall take a short rest and wait for Chen Yuanlong's return."

  All right, my troops are just outside watching, let's talk slowly.

  Since it can be resolved through language, the commanders of both sides did not intend to fight. After all, in this chaotic world, who doesn't have a few troubles at home? Just as Zhang Kuang was about to turn his horse back, he heard the big man who led the surprise attack on the Tianping Army shouting loudly from horseback:

  "You little dwarf, you managed to escape with your life earlier today at the foot of the steps. It's still early now, dare you have a horseback duel with Cao?"

  Cao Jiao originally clashed with Yue Jin today, clearly at a disadvantage, and only managed to maintain a draw thanks to the help of two assistants. Such a result is a great shame for Cao Jiao, who has always been invincible in Xuzhou. Now seeing Yue Jin riding on horseback, Cao Jiao, confident in his horsemanship, took the initiative to challenge Yue Jin.

  Cao Hong was initially angry, but after thinking for a moment, he shook his head and let Cao Biao take the stage. Although they couldn't force their way in for Chen Deng's safety, showing off their own military strength to the other side would be harmless.

  After all, Cao Jie had been rampant in Xuzhou for several years and had not encountered a few enemies who could match him. Cao Hong was still quite confident in his second brother's military strength.

  However, he did not know that Cao Jiao had previously clashed with Yue Jin and was at a disadvantage. If he knew, he might not have been so at ease.

  But is Le Jin a soft persimmon?

  One of Cao Cao's "Five Elite Generals", ranked only after Zhang Liao, and before Zhang He and Xu Huang, Le Jin's prestige and status were all earned through his spear and sword on the battlefield!

  Ps: Chen Deng's family, historically recorded as not from Donghai Prefecture, but from Xiapei [now northwest of Xuyi County, Jiangsu]. This article has been slightly modified due to the needs of the story.