Three Kingdoms King of the North

"But isn't Hu Zhi Zhang Yan's military adviser?" Guo Jia asked with some concern, "If Zhang Yan refuses to submit to us, how can Hu Zhi become the real prefect?"

"Feng Xiao, don't worry!" Han Zhan said to Guo Jia: "Even if Zhang Yan refuses to submit to us, this Marquis can return the Zhending Mansion to him first. You know, he is just a weak ally at best. , the worst is just an insignificant enemy, we don't have any scruples about him."

Out of the corner of Han Zhan's eyes, he caught a glimpse of the Du Bo who was dismounted by Yang Dengzhi with a fork, and his wounds were finished, so he ordered him to say, "Take a few people to chase after General Ziman, and say that all the county soldiers in the city are willing to surrender. , shall not be harmed."

When the cavalry hiding ten miles away from the city arrived, the situation in the city was already under Han Zhan's control.For the county official Guo Qing who was acting as a minion for the tiger, he was merciless at all, and directly ordered him to be dragged to the street outside and chopped up with a knife, and then his head was hung on the city gate for public display for a month.

Although the prefect Yang Dengzhi died, his chief bookkeeper and postal supervisor were still there, so he hurried out to meet Han Zhan.After Han Zhan comforted them a few words, he asked, "Where is the horse dealer Su Shuang who was arrested a while ago?"

"Master Huifu." Hearing Han Zhan's question, the master secretary quickly replied, "Being imprisoned by the former prefect Yang Dengzhi, I am afraid I will die soon."

Hearing what the master said, Han Zhan couldn't help being taken aback, and quickly asked, "Master, what's going on? Tell me quickly and listen to me."

"When Su Shuang went to the grassland to sell horses, the prefect Yang Dengzhi got the news. In order to embezzle these horses, he said that Su Shuang had colluded with foreigners and smuggled salt and iron privately, so he led people to detain him." The chief secretary trembled. Said: "Su Shuang is also straightforward, and wanted to argue with Yang Dengzhi. In the end, Yang Dengzhi, who was old and angry, broke his limbs and became a useless person, locked up with a group of serious criminals."

The words of the master book made Han Zhan understand why Zhang Shiping sent two boxes of gold and silver jewelry to Yang Dengzhi, but the other party still refused to release Su Shuang, because Su Shuang's life was already in jeopardy.

Su Shuang was quickly carried to the lobby by the yamen servants with a door panel, and Han Zhan smelled a pungent musty smell from a long distance away. Needless to say, it must have come from Su Shuang.Han Zhan resisted the unpleasant smell, squatted down in front of the board where Su Shuang lay, and said to Su Shuang, who was staring wide-eyed, "Su Shuang, this Marquis was sent by Zhang Shiping to rescue you."

Su Shuang originally thought that she would be tortured by Yang Dengzhi when she was carried here. She even saw a young man in black official uniform in front of her tell herself that Zhang Shiping sent someone to rescue her, and she couldn't help being overjoyed.For a moment, he was too excited to speak.

After a long while, Su Shuang finally regained his composure. He looked at Han Zhan who was squatting in front of him, and said weakly, "Thank you, sir. Su's life is not long, and I can only repay my favor in the next life." .”

"Su Shuang, you can't die." Han Zhan saw Su Shuang's posture of raising his braids at any time, and said in a panic, "Your friend Zhang Shiping is going around to rescue you. You can't even kill him for the last time." I didn’t see you, so I left so easily. If you are like this, are you worthy of this daring friend?”

Hearing what Han Zhan said, Su Shuang's eyes became bright again, and he spoke more forcefully: "Since your lord said so, Su will definitely persist until Brother Zhang arrives."

Han Zhan and Su Shuang talked for a few more words, then ordered the servants to carry him to the backyard, and invited a doctor to treat him.Since he was already near the end of his life, there was no need for the broken siblings to be reconnected, lest he would suffer unnecessary pain before he died.

When Han Zhan and Guo Jia were discussing who would take over the post of Zhending prefect temporarily, a soldier came in from outside and reported to Han Zhan, "My lord, there is a messenger from Captain Xiahou outside."

"Captain Xiahou's messenger?" Han Zhan couldn't help feeling secretly happy when he heard the soldier's report. Just as he wanted to know about the situation of the Xiahou brothers and sisters, their messenger appeared. He really wanted to sleep, so someone sent a pillow, and he quickly ordered Said: "Hurry up and call the messenger in!"

After a while, a travel-worn soldier walked in from the outside.Seeing Han Zhan sitting in the middle, he quickly stepped forward and knelt down on one knee: "See my lord!"

"Are you the messenger sent by Captain Xiahou to Yecheng?" Han Zhan asked.

"Yes!" The messenger took out Xia Houlan's letter from his arms, and held it above his head with both hands.Dian Wei, who was standing aside, hurried forward, picked up the letter and placed it in front of Han Zhan.

After reading the letter, Han Zhan couldn't help frowning.He handed the letter to Guo Jia, and said at the same time: "Feng Xiao, read the letter written by Xia Houlan, and then talk about your opinion."

Taking advantage of Guo Jiabai~Wan Xiao!'s letter, Han Zhan curiously asked the messenger: "How do you know that the Marquis is in this city?"

"Return to the lord," the messenger hurriedly replied when he heard Han Zhan's question, "When I was passing through the city, I heard the people on the street say that the prefect of the city was killed by the lord, and the lord is in the city at the moment, so I intend to Come and see you."

After the messenger finished speaking, Han Zhan guessed that Guo Jia had read the letter almost, so he turned his head and asked him, "Feng Xiao, after Xia Houlan and the others arrived in Montenegro, Zhang Yan kept saying that he was sick and never saw anyone. Tell me, what should we do?" ?”

"My lord, in Jia's opinion," Guo Jia said slowly, "Zhang Yan must have guessed the lord's intentions. The reason why he said he was ill and did not see Xia Houlan brothers and sisters was probably because he felt that the lord was not sincere enough."

"The Marquis's sincerity is not enough?" Han Zhan silently recalled Guo Jia's words in his heart, and felt that what he said made some sense. How could he appoint two school lieutenants for such a major matter as persuading Zhang Yan to surrender?

Guo Jia saw that Han Zhan was silent, so he continued: "The Black Mountain Army is known as a million, and can fight as many as 10,000+ horses. Such a force, if it is not sincere enough, will definitely not easily defect to any prince. "

Of the millions of people in the Montenegrin Army, except for the 10,000+ who can fight, the rest are farmers who can only plow the land.And these 10,000+ people can become elites, but only a few thousand people.For a weak force like Zhang Yan, if Guo Jia hadn't proposed to persuade them to surrender, Han Zhan would have no intention of recruiting them at all.Unexpectedly, facing the envoy he sent, Zhang Yan would put on airs. If it really doesn't work, in order to show enough sincerity, he can only go there by himself.

Thinking of this, he said to Guo Jia: "Feng Xiao, in order to show enough sincerity. Tomorrow morning, you and I will set off for Montenegro to pay a visit to this troubled general and hear what he really thinks."

When he set off the next day, Han Zhan asked the master to temporarily act as the prefect. In order to prevent people from rioting in the city, he specially left a thousand cavalry to suppress possible rebellions.After arranging everything, Han Zhan marched towards Montenegro with Dian Wei, Guo Jia and the remaining [-] cavalry.

On the way, Guo Jia even asked a special question: "My lord, are you not waiting for Zhang Shiping?"

Han Zhan waved his hand and said, "Benhou promised him to rescue Su Shuang, and this promise has been fulfilled. At present, Benhou has nothing to ask for his help, and there is no need to meet for the time being. If he trusts Benhou, he will take the initiative to see Ben sooner or later. Hou's."

When there were still seven or eight miles away from Montenegro, Dian Wei sent a scout horse to report: "My lord, there is a soldier and horse blocking the road ahead on the official road."

"How many soldiers and horses are there?" Han Zhan asked.

"About two thousand, all infantry." Tan Ma quickly replied, "There is a word Du on the banner."

"Du character banner?" Han Zhan thought for a moment, and then guessed who the other party was: "It turned out to be Du Chang, Zhang Yan's number one general. He must have been ordered by Zhang Yan to come here to meet us."

Han Zhan guessed right, the Black Mountain Army on the official road ahead was indeed led by Chief Du.Knowing that Han Zhan had captured Zhending Mansion, Zhang Yan guessed that he would definitely come to Montenegro, so he sent his confidant and beloved General Du Chang to meet him.

Du Chang waited until Han Zhan approached, and quickly clasped his fists on the horse's back and saluted: "The last general, Du Chang, has met Mr. Han!"

Han Zhan hurriedly clasped his fists to return the salute, and said with a smile, "So it's General Du, he's been famous for a long time!"

Although Du Chang has a bit of force, he belongs to the kind of brave and foolhardy. After hearing Han Zhan's polite words, he asked in surprise: "Mr. Han has heard of the last general?"

Han Zhan laughed and said, "Of course I have heard of it. You must know that when Ben Hou raised his troops to expel Yuan Benchu, it was General Du and Junshi Hu who led the troops to help."

Mentioning the joint dispatch of troops back then, the relationship between the two sides became closer again. Du Zhang hurriedly said politely: "Han Fujun, my lord heard that the Fujun was coming, so he ordered the last general to come to greet him. The last general Lead the way for the Fujun in front, please!"

The two soldiers joined forces and set off towards Montenegro.When he came to the foot of Montenegro, Du Chang saw another team waiting, and he couldn't help muttering to himself: It is enough for the lord to send me out to meet Mr. Han, why did he send another team.

After the two sides approached, Du Chang saw clearly that the leader of the team was Hu Zhi, the military adviser.Han Zhan was very happy to see Hu Zhi, and he took the initiative to greet him: "Mr. Hu, long time no see, are you okay?"

"Thank you Tinghou for your concern," Hu Zhi replied politely: "Everything is well with Hu. Hu is here to welcome Tinghou on the orders of the lord. Please Tinghou come with Hu."

On the way up the mountain, Hu Zhi told Han Zhan in a low voice: "Tinghou, the reason why my lord has been reluctant to see Xiahoulan brothers and sisters is simply because he thinks you are not sincere."

"No sincerity?" Han Zhan heard the same statement as Guo Jia from Hu Zhi's mouth, and couldn't help asking curiously: "What do you mean by that?"

"Tinghou, don't you really know that our Black Mountain Army has millions of people, and we can recruit 10,000+ warriors." Hu Zhi blushed and said, "Such an army is recruited by the princes from all walks of life. Object. Marquis Ting wants to get this army, just come here in person, and Hu is willing to help you. Unexpectedly, you sent two captains to handle this matter, which made my lord feel very dissatisfied, so I kept He said he was sick and refused to see the two of them."

Han Zhan waited for the other party to finish speaking, then nodded slightly, and said: "Mr. Hu's words are very true. This Marquis just felt that sending Xiahou brothers and sisters to Montenegro to lobby General Zhang was a bit too hasty, so he led the troops here. I don't know Zhang Will the general avoid me too?"

"Don't worry, Marquis Ting." Hu Zhi patted his chest and said to Han Zhan: "You have saved my lord's face by doing this. Even if you don't see him, he will take the initiative to come to see you."

Chapter 357 Meeting Zhang Yan for the First Time

Halfway up the mountain, a rider rushed forward. After getting close, Han Zhan saw clearly that it was a small leader of the Black Mountain Army.Seeing the other party, Hu Zhi quickly asked, "What's the matter?"

The little leader said to Hu Zhi with a smile on his face: "Qi to the military commander, my lord heard that Jizhou Mu came to visit, so he came out to greet him in person. He is waiting at the welcome pavilion not far ahead."

When Han Zhan heard what the little boss said, he thought to himself: "Damn, aren't all the welcoming pavilions built at the foot of the mountain? Why is there one halfway up the mountain?"

But before he could ask, two more cavalry appeared in front of them.Seeing the two young generals in silver helmets on horseback, Han Zhan couldn't help showing a discouraged smile on his face.After the two approached, he asked first, "Two lieutenants Xiahou, are you all right?"

It turned out that the two people who came here were none other than Xiahoulan and Xiahouyun, brothers and sisters sent here by Han Zhan to lobby Zhang Yan.When the two heard Han Zhan's question, they couldn't help blushing.In the end, it was Xia Houyun who said: "Master, the brothers and sisters of the last general have insulted their mission, and they have not fulfilled their mission until now. Please punish them."

"Captain Xiahou, you don't have to blame yourself." Han Zhan was thinking in his heart, it was Guo Jia who suggested you to come here to lobby Zhang Yan.Although he was one of the best military advisers in the Three Kingdoms period, it is a pity that he is too young now to be as experienced and exhaustive as he was when he assisted Cao Mengde.Now, seeing the guilty faces of Xiahou brothers and sisters, he quickly said to Xiahouyun: "Since this Marquis is here, I will do the rest of the work."

After walking for another two or three miles along the mountain path, I saw a pavilion next to the mountain path ahead.Outside the pavilion, nearly a hundred Heishan soldiers in helmets and armor stood guarding a middle-aged man in fish-scale armor sitting in the pavilion.Han Zhan is guessing: Could this person be Zhang Yan.

"Tinghou," Hu Zhi's voice sounded from the side: "The person in the pavilion ahead is my lord Zhang Yan."

Seeing Han Zhan getting closer, Zhang Yan, who was sitting in the pavilion, got up and walked out of the pavilion, standing on the side of the road and waiting.When Han Zhan approached, he clasped his fists and said, "Ping Nan Zhong Lang, Zhang Yan, has met Mr. Han."