Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 370
Tao Qian sent people out of the city overnight to ask for help, and asked Lu Kang to lead troops to Hefei to assist. He also formally appointed Wu Jing as the governor of Danyang, and ordered Sun Jian and Wu Jing to lead troops north to rescue.

The prefect of Danyang was originally Zhou Xin. After Sun Jian grew stronger in Wujun, he had long wanted to dominate Jiangdong.

Sun Jian was furious, appointed Wu Jing as the captain of cavalry, and sent troops to attack Danyang. Zhou Xin knew that he was not Sun Jian's opponent, and he did not want to harm the people, so he resigned and returned to his hometown. Although Wu Jing occupied Danyang, he has not yet received an official position. .

In times of crisis, Tao Qian had no choice but to appoint Wu Jing as the prefect of Danyang to make friends with Sun Jian. In addition, the two had worked together under Zhang Wen's account, so he wrote to ask him to remember his old love and send troops to help.

For three days in a row, Cao Cao sent troops to attack Shouchun, and both sides lost thousands of soldiers and horses. Seeing that the reinforcements had not arrived, Tao Qian didn't know what Sun Jian was thinking.

People in Shouchun City were panicked and morale was low. Tao Qian was about to abandon the city, but he feared that Cao Cao would massacre the people of Shouchun, and it would be even more dangerous to be followed by him.

When he was in a dilemma, Jiang Qian, a famous scholar from Shouxian County, came to see him. Tao Qian was overjoyed, so he quickly cheered up, put on his clothes and got up to meet Jiang Qian.

Jiang Gan is famous for his talent and debate, and he is alone in the river and Huaihe River. Tao Qian once asked him to be the master bookkeeper, but Jiang Gan devoted himself to studying and did not want to be an official. At this time, he heard that Shouchun was in trouble, so he came here. Goodbye.

Tao Qian asked: "Cao Cao's army to avenge his father is actually the fault of Que Xuan. He has nothing to do with the old man and has harmed the people of Shouchun. How can I bear it?"

Jiang Ganyan said: "You don't need to worry about the government. Shouchun is strong. It can't be broken without several times the soldiers. Now it's the rainy season, and there will be heavy rain soon. The government and the people stick to it and don't go out. I have a plan, which can teach Cao Cao to have to retreat. .”

Tao Qian hurriedly asked: "The plan will be released?"

Jiang Gan stroked his beard and said: "Cao Cao first occupied the eastern part of Yanzhou in the Central Plains, and also took over the land of Lu in Yuzhou. Now that Lu Bu has entered the Yanzhou governorship, he must establish his power to correct his position. Yuan Shu must also hate Cao Cao for taking away his land. If he sends When people go to the Central Plains to ask for help, these two men will definitely send troops, and chaos breaks out in the rear. Cao Cao sees that Shouchun cannot attack for a long time, so he has to retreat."

"What a brilliant plan!" Tao Qian's eyes lit up, and then he shook his head and sighed: "I have been in Yangzhou for several years, but no one can help me. Cao Hong and his like are useless. I don't know who should be sent to see Yuan Shu and Lu Bu?"

Jiang Gan cupped his fists and said, "I'm just not talented, but I'm willing to go through this for the people of Shouxian County."

Tao Qian got up to thank him, and asked, "Cao Cao is besieged on all sides, how can sir get out?"

Jiang Gan smiled and said: "I have my own way out of Cao Cao's camp, and I ask you to hold on for a few more days. When Lu Kang and Sun Jian's troops arrive in Jiangbei, they will contain Cao Cao."

Tao Qian bowed and said, "Thank you very much sir."

Jiang Gan bowed and left, went outside the north gate, and ordered the guards to see him put down the city wall with bamboo baskets, and crossed the suspension bridge alone to Cao Ying.

Seeing a scribe coming alone, the defenders shouted to stop, and Jiang Gan clasped his fists from a distance and said, "Jiang Gan in Huainan begs to see General Cao."

The defenders reported to the camp, Cao Cao was worrying about the siege of the city, when he heard that Jiang Gan had come to see him, he frowned slightly and ordered someone to bring him into the central army.

Seeing Jiang Qian's good appearance and calm demeanor, he sneered: "I asked Jiang Ziyi if he is not right in eloquence. Could it be that he is working as a lobbyist for Tao Qian?"

Jiang Gan asked with a smile, "No, I'm not here for Tao Qian, but for the elders of the people in Shou County."

"Oh?" Cao Cao narrowed his long and narrow eyes slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Revenge is the law of nature, so there is no need to say anything."

Jiang Gan clasped his fists and said: "I heard that the general raised his troops to take revenge and wanted to kill all the people. This fact arose because Que Xuan coveted Ruo Rong's money and food. His father was a disaster. Now Que Xuan and Ruo Rong are both dead. The revenge of the respected father has been avenged. Why bother the general?" More aggressive?"

"Hahaha, what a joke!" Cao Cao laughed coldly, glaring at Jiang Ganyan and said, "Tao Qian secretly ordered Que Xuan to kill my father. The evidence is solid. If I don't kill this old thief, I will never let go of my hatred."

Jiang Gan sighed helplessly, and said again: "When I went out of the city, I visited Tao Qian. He has deeply repented, and he is willing to cede the north of Feishui to the general in order to pay for the crime of killing his father. I only ask the general to let Tao Qian go. Your people have no enmity with Duke Ming, please treat them kindly."

"Hey, you really came here to intercede for the old thief Tao Qian?" Cao Cao sneered, stroking his beard, and said angrily, "Tao Qian was the chief culprit for my father's death. This hatred is irreconcilable. I can't wait to avenge it sooner or later. I swear Take this old thief out of his guts and heart, and let Xuewu hate him!"

Seeing that Cao Cao was angry, Jiang Gan had no choice but to ask again: "Ming Gong insists on revenge, but killing Tao Qian alone is enough. Can you please forgive the people in the city?"

Cao Cao laughed and said: "The people in the city who help the old thief are my enemies. If they are willing to tie the old thief out of the city to offer, I can make an exception. Those who are evil with Tao Qian will not be left alone."

"This... I'm afraid it's difficult for a strong man!" Jiang Ganyan said: "Tao Qian has been guarding Yangzhou for a long time, and he is very popular in Huainan..."

"Since that's the case, there is no need to say more!" Cao Cao interrupted Jiang Gan, waved his hand and said: "If you don't think that you are dedicated to the people, I will cut you off first to sacrifice the flag, please go back!"

Jiang Gan sighed helplessly, "When I left the city, I boasted that I would go to Haikou, and I would be able to live in good health and bear the high hopes of all the people. Who knows that the general is so heartless. How can I see my elders in the city again?"

Cao Cao snorted slightly and ignored him. Jiang Gan sighed softly and resigned from the camp. He returned to the city without shame and left the north gate of Cao Cao's camp alone.

Cao Ang sent Jiang Gan out of the camp, and when he came back, he said helplessly, "Father, since Tao Qian is willing to give up Shouchun, why didn't he agree to his conditions, and let the soldiers attack the city desperately?"

"You son!" Cao Cao was furious, pointing at Cao Ang and scolding: "You came here to avenge your grandfather, not for the land of Yangzhou. If Tao Qian gave up Shouchun, he would ignore the past. Wouldn't it make people laugh? A certain Cao Mengde attacked the city in the name of his deceased father?"

Cao Ang suddenly realized that he bowed his head in fright and didn't dare to speak anymore. Cao Song had just died, so it was really wrong to use him to exchange the city at this time.

"Not good!" Cao Cao was about to summon Cao Hong when he suddenly turned around and narrowed his eyes slightly: "Could it be that Jiang Ziyi also expected that someone would never agree to this matter, so he did it on purpose?"

Cao Ang wondered: "Since he knows that his father will not agree, why does he want to humiliate himself?"

"What a Jiang Gan, how dare you plan against me?" Cao Cao's face darkened, and he ordered Cao Ang: "Send someone to chase Jiang Gan immediately, and bring him back to me."

Cao Ang was puzzled, but he didn't dare to disobey his orders. He hurriedly led a hundred soldiers out of the camp to look for them, but there were mountains outside the camp.

"I'm afraid that Jiang Gan has gone to the Central Plains. If he tells Yuan Shu and Lu Bu to attack me, it will be very disadvantageous to me." Cao Cao stroked his beard and sighed softly, and said to Cao Ang: "Send an order to raise the account!"

Not long after Xiahou Dun and others arrived, Cao Cao said: "Tao Qian has ordered Lujiang and Wujun to send troops to help, and now he is going to join Yuan Shu to attack me. How can I not avenge my father? You must be careful, and within three days Capture Shouchun, capture and kill the old thief Tao Qian."

Xiahou Dun clenched his fists and said loudly: "My lord, don't worry, if I don't kill the old thief, I promise not to retreat."

Cao Cao divided his troops into four groups. Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and Le Jin each led an army. From that day on, they attacked Shouchun day and night, without giving Tao Qian a chance to breathe.

(End of this chapter)