Three Kingdoms King of the North

Junhou led Zhou Cang and Wang Hun into the main hall. Zang Ba immediately recognized Zhou Cang, who was wearing a helmet and armor, stood up quickly, and asked in surprise, "Yuan Fu, why is it you?" How could Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao appear as envoys of Jizhou, because Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao were still on the mountain as bandits? That's why I asked this question.

"I've seen the big boss!" Zhou Cang replied after saluting Zang Ba, "I have taken refuge in the Marquis of Anyang, and now I am an unknown soldier in the Jizhou Army. Because my lord heard that I had an affair with the big boss, I ordered me to escort Mr. Wang." Come and visit."

"Mr. Wang?!" Hearing what Zhou Cang said, Zang Ba instinctively cast his eyes on Wang Hun next to him, pointed with his finger, and asked Zhou Cang tentatively: "Yuan Fu, this is the Mr. Wang you mentioned. ?”

Before Zhou Cang could speak, Wang Hun took a step forward, bowed his hands to Zang Ba, and said with a smile: "I greet you, the chief, I am the new prefect of Le'an County, Wang Hun, who came with Yuan Fu at the order of Marquis of Anyang. Visit the big boss!"

"Le'an County, isn't it in the border of Qingzhou?" Zang Ba couldn't help but wondered when he heard Wang Hun's self-reported family name: "A prefect of Qingzhou doesn't manage civil affairs locally, so why come to Xuzhou?"

"Leader Zang doesn't know. I used to be Yu Qianling. Because Tai Shici, the general under the Marquis of Anyang, went to Danyang and other places to recruit recruits. I felt that Marquis Anyang was worthy of serving, so I gave up my official position and followed Tai Shici's lead. Soldiers go north." Wang Hun explained to Zang Ba: "Thanks to the Marquis of Anyang for not giving up, he enshrined me as the prefect of Le'an County, and I will go to Qingzhou to take up the post in a few days. But before the trip, my lord ordered me to come here to lobby the big boss, hoping The big boss can see the situation clearly and surrender to Jizhou."

Knowing that Wang Hun came to persuade him to surrender, except for Sun Guan, Zang Ba and the others couldn't help secretly heaving a sigh of relief.But Zang Ba still put on a stern look on the surface and asked: "Let me surrender to Jizhou, what kind of benefits will the Marquis of Anyang be willing to give me?"

"My lord has said that as long as Chief Zang is willing to surrender." Wang Hun was a little more confident in lobbying Zang Ba because he read Han Zhan's urgent letter: "Dongguan County and Langya Kingdom can be managed by you. The soldiers and horses under your command are still under your jurisdiction. At the same time, the imperial court will be invited to seal you as Marquis of Kaiyang."

The benefits given by Han Zhan made Zang Ba's heart flutter, because after he surrendered to Jizhou, he could not only maintain the original territory and troops, but also have the opportunity to become a marquis.He originally wanted to bargain with Wang Hun, but after hearing the conditions offered by the other party, he found that he couldn't make any better demands.

Although Zang Ba had decided in his heart at this moment that he was willing to submit to Jizhou, but on the surface, some articles still needed to be worked on, so he looked at several of his subordinates and asked, "What do you think?"

Chapter 472 Chen Deng Visits

Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li and others were deep in the troubled times, so they naturally understood the truth that it is good to enjoy the shade under the big tree. They dedicated Kaiyang to Zang Ba because they fancy that the other party has the strength to rival Tao Qian.Now a thicker thigh is in front of you, where to go, everyone knows how to choose.

Since Sun Guan had just publicly opposed the peace talks with Jizhou not long ago, and now he came forward to express his approval to return to Jizhou, he was a little embarrassed, so he could only turn his eyes for help to Wu Dun and Yin Li who were on the side.

Wu Dun and Yin Li didn't notice that Sun Guan was winking at them, and both of them focused their attention on Zhou Cang.Everyone knows Zhou Cang's background.To Wu Dun and Yin Li, Zhou Cang is a grassroots bandit, with only a few hundred yellow and thin minions under his command. Such people can be reused if they surrender to Jizhou. If they bring tens of thousands of horses there, they can get a higher official position. what?

It was because of this consideration that the two quickly replied to Zang Ba's question: "Boss, since Marquis Anyang is so sincere to you, from my point of view, let's agree."

Wang Hun did not expect that the errand assigned to him by Han Zhan would be completed so easily.After he was stunned for a moment, he said to Wu Dun and Yin Li: "You two leaders, you are wrong."

"Wrong?!" Wu Dun and Yin Li looked at Wang Hun blankly, and asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong?"

"If Chief Zang is willing to submit to Jizhou, you should not call him Chief Chief, but Marquis of Kaiyang." Wang Hun said with a smile on his face: "There are still a few of you, and you don't need to use the title of Chief in the future. I will call you generals."

Even though Sun Guan, Wu Dun and others were in the army, Tao Qian always regarded them as thieves in his heart and didn't pay them any attention at all, otherwise they wouldn't see Zang Ba come out and set up his own family, so they would take the initiative to join him.Now that they know that after returning to Jizhou, they can become real generals, even if they are just miscellaneous generals, they are much better than they are now, so they can't help but be overjoyed.

"Since there is no objection, then this matter is settled." When Zang Ba said this, he deliberately glanced at Sun, worried that he would jump out and object.Seeing that he didn't say anything, but just stood there in a daze, Zang Ba continued: "As soon as the Marquis of Anyang arrives here, Kaiyang will change the flag."

Seeing that Zang Ba had decided to surrender to Jizhou, several subordinates in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.Zang Ba continued to ask: "I don't know who is willing to go to meet the Marquis of Anyang on behalf of XX, and present the printed books."

As soon as Zang Ba finished speaking, Wu Dun and Yin Li rushed to say: "Your subordinates are willing to go to the army of the Marquis of Kaiyang to present the printed and ribboned books, and invite the Jizhou army to station in Kaiyang."

Before Zang Ba could make a decision, Wang Hun stepped forward and waved his hands and said, "The Marquis of Kaiyang doesn't need to do anything extra. Before I came to Kaiyang, my lord said that he would come here to visit with relatives. Why don't you stay here as Marquis of Kaiyang?" Kaiyang, when my lord arrives outside the city, it won't be too late to go out of the city to meet him."

Just when Wang Hun persuaded Zang Ba not to send people to meet Han Zhan's army, Han Zhan was leading the army towards Langya Kingdom.Unexpectedly, as he was walking, he suddenly saw a horse galloping towards Han Zhan. The man came to Han Zhan and reported loudly: "My lord, Chen Deng and Chen Yuanlong, the Xuzhou Mu envoys, Diannong Xiaowei, are asking to see you!"

Chen Deng? !When Han Zhan heard this name, he couldn't help being taken aback, thinking that Tao Qian had something to do and sent Chen Deng to see him.If it was someone else, Han Zhan would have dismissed him immediately, but when he heard that it was Chen Deng, he said to the reporter, "Mr. Chen, please come and see me."

After the reporter left, Han Zhan ordered Chen Dao again: "Uncle Zhi, immediately order someone to set up a tent by the roadside, and this Marquis wants to approach Xuzhou's envoys."

"What about the army?" Chen Dao asked cautiously, "Should they stop and rest?"

"No, let them continue on their way!" Han Zhan waved his hands, and said disdainfully, "Tao Qian is in a state of panic all day long, should he send someone to harm this Marquis? Just leave two hundred tiger and leopard riders to guard around the tent." .”

Chen Dao agreed, and immediately arranged for people to set up tents in the open space by the road.When Chen Deng was brought over, the roadside tent had already been set up, and Han Zhan was sitting in the tent waiting for Chen Deng's arrival.

Chen Deng walked into the big tent, and saw a young man in a black official robe sitting in the middle, a scholar with a feather fan sitting in the lower left corner, and a general on the right.Chen Deng guessed that the person sitting in the middle should be Han Zhan who he came to visit this time. He hurriedly walked two steps, bowed in front of Han Zhan, and said: "Xuzhou envoy Diannong Xiaowei Chen Deng, I pay my respects to the Marquis of Anyang. .”

"Yuanlong is free of courtesy! Please sit down quickly." Han Zhan motioned Chen Deng to sit down next to Guo Jia, and asked, "I don't know why Yuanlong came today?"

"Back to the Marquis of Anyang," Chen Deng, who had just knelt on the mat, sat up straight when he heard Han Zhan's question, cupped his hands and said, "My lord Tao Xuzhou has learned that tens of thousands of troops have poured into this state. I don't know where it is sacred, so I sent my subordinates to come here to check."

"Yuanlong doesn't know something," Han Zhan said with a bitter face on purpose, "Benhou ordered General Taishi Ziyi to go to Yangzhou to recruit recruits. On the way back, Yuan Shu sent troops to surround Licheng. The army came to rescue. If Yuanlong doesn't believe it, he can ask General Ziyi face to face."

As soon as Han Zhan finished speaking, the general sitting opposite Chen Deng stood up, cupped his hands at Chen Deng and said, "Lieutenant Chen, what my lord said is true. After I recruited new soldiers from Danyang and other places, I was on my way back to Qingzhou , was chased and killed by Yuan Shu's general Lu Bu, and was trapped in Licheng for half a month. If my lord hadn't sent troops to rescue him, a certain terror would have died."

"Since the Marquis of Anyang is only here to rescue General Taishi." Although Chen Deng knew that what Han Zhan said was just an excuse, he couldn't help but bite the bullet and asked, "Now that General Taishi has been rescued, when can I return it to Licheng? "

"Why did Yuanlong say that?" Licheng was an enclave of little significance to Han Zhan, so when he ordered Zhao Yun to lead his troops northward, he voluntarily abandoned the city.Hearing Chen Deng's question at this moment, he pretended to be surprised and asked back: "There is no one soldier from Jizhou in Licheng, so Yuanlong still doesn't know?"

Chen Deng came directly from Xuzhou to meet Han Zhan. He didn't know that the Jizhou army had already evacuated Licheng, so he replied in a bit of embarrassment: "I came directly from Xuzhou and have never been to Licheng, so I don't know the situation there. How about it. If there is something abrupt, please also invite Anyang Hou Haihan."

Han Zhan knew that although Chen Deng was a civil servant, he was quite good at using soldiers, so he had the idea of ​​recruiting him under his command.He waved his hand at Chen Deng, and said with a smile: "As the saying goes: Those who don't know are not guilty. Yuanlong came in a hurry and didn't have time to go to Licheng. It's understandable that he didn't know the situation there."

Chen Deng stood up, ready to say goodbye to Han Zhan, so that he could rush to Licheng as soon as possible to see if all the Jizhou soldiers and horses in the city had withdrawn.Unexpectedly, he had just stood up and before he had time to speak, he suddenly heard Han Zhan asking: "Yuanlong, I wonder if you are willing to play for Jizhou?"

Chapter 473 Han Zhan's Thoughts

Chen Deng didn't expect Han Zhan to see him for the first time, so directly wanted to pull him over.He hesitated for a long time before replying with a wry smile: "Mr. Tao has the kindness to know Chen, even if Chen is smashed to pieces, it will be difficult to repay it. Please forgive Chen for not obeying the kindness of Marquis of Anyang."

Han Zhan considered that his future land would become bigger and bigger, and his talents would soon be insufficient.And Chen Deng is not only a noble family in Xuzhou, but also has real talents and learning. If he is willing to surrender, he can be appointed as Xuzhou shepherd to win over the aborigines in Xuzhou.At the same time, he can also contain Yuan Shu in Yangzhou and Sun Jian in Soochow, so that he has no worries about going south.

He knew that it would be too abrupt to solicit Chen Deng in public when they met for the first time, and there was not much hope of success.But he still decided to throw stones to ask for directions. Seeing that Chen Deng had rejected his offer without hesitation, as he had expected, he was not only not angry, but smiled and said: "Yuan Long is loyal to Mr. Tao, but this Marquis So reckless."

After finishing speaking, he no longer tried to keep Chen Deng, but bowed his hands to the other party, "Yuan Long, the Marquis has important matters to attend to today, so I won't keep you. If there is any impoliteness, please forgive me." He said After finishing, he yelled outside, "Come here!"

Following the shout, Chen Dao came in from the outside and bowed to Han Zhan: "What's your order, my lord?"

"Send someone to escort Mr. Yuanlong to Licheng!"

As soon as Chen Dao just agreed, Chen Deng interjected and said, "Mr. Chen appreciates the kindness of the Marquis of Anyang. Licheng is the boundary of Xuzhou. Presumably Chen will not encounter any danger, so I dare not trouble the Marquis of Anyang." Sorry to bother you. Farewell!"

After Chen Deng left, Han Zhan ordered Chen Dao to lead people to stay and dismantle the tent, while he, Guo Jia and Tai Shici led fifty tiger and leopard riders to chase the army ahead along the official road.

On the way, Guo Jia, who was riding on the horse, suddenly laughed inexplicably, which aroused Tai Shici's curiosity: "Military Master, why are you laughing?"

"I'm thinking about my lord recruiting Chen Yuanlong in public." Guo Jia said thoughtfully: "My lord knows that if I meet Chen Yuanlong for the first time, I will definitely not succeed if I take the initiative to solicit him, but I still do it anyway. It seems quite reasonable Profound."

Han Zhan wanted to know if Guo Jia had guessed his true thoughts, so he asked with a smile, "Feng Xiao, why do you think this Marquis wanted to recruit Chen Yuanlong?"

"My lord's territory is getting bigger and bigger, but the civil servants and generals who can be used are very limited." When Guo Jia saw Han Zhan asking, he said what he thought in his heart without hesitation: "Qingzhou is now the lord's territory. , but the candidate for Qingzhou Mu, the lord had exhausted all his efforts to choose Zang Hong. If Xuzhou also fell into the hands of the lord, who should he choose to be the lord of Xuzhou? From the current Judging from the situation, Chen Yuanlong is undoubtedly the best candidate."

Regarding Guo Jia's analysis, Han Zhan nodded with a smile, and said approvingly: "Those who know me, are filial piety." In order for Guo Jia to fully understand his intentions, he continued, "We have captured the northern four After the state, the next thing to take is Xuzhou. Xuzhou is a place where the Four World Wars took place, and there is no capable person to sit in the town, so the Marquis is not at ease."

Although Guo Jia guessed that Han Zhan was optimistic about Chen Deng, he didn't expect him to place such high expectations on Chen Deng.He tentatively asked: "My lord, are you planning to let Chen Deng sit in Xuzhou in the future?"

"That's right." Han Zhan didn't intend to hide his true thoughts, "After thinking about it, I think Chen Yuanlong is the best candidate. With him sitting here, no matter whether it's Yuan Shu from Yangzhou or Sun Jian from Jiangdong."

"Jiangdong Sun Jian?" Tai Shici was stunned for a long time when he heard the order mentioned by Han Zhan, and then said: "My lord, Sun Jian can gain a firm foothold in Jiangdong only by relying on Yuan Shu. My lord compares him with Yuan Shu, is it true?" Don't you think too highly of him?"

"Don't look at Sun Jian's few generals now, but he will definitely be the overlord in the future." Han Zhan did not explain to the two why he was optimistic about Sun Jian, but said to himself: "Don't look at Yuan Shu's four generations and three princes, but now It is already going downhill. When Sun Jian sees that his power is not good enough, he will find a way to stand on his own, and then he will become a strong enemy for us."

Guo Jia was not familiar with Sun Jian, so naturally he didn't feel much about what Han Zhan said.He changed the topic in time and said to Han Zhan: "Master, you said that Wang Hun and Zhou Cang are going to Kaiyang, can you persuade Zang Ba to surrender?"

When Han Zhan heard Guo Jia's question, he didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "Feng Xiao, what do you think?"

"If the gentry in Licheng hadn't told us that Zang Ba controlled Kaiyang and other places in addition to Mount Tai, the original conditions would not be enough to persuade him to surrender." Guo Jia said slowly: " My lord sent someone to send a letter to Wang Hun, asking him to propose the matter of ennobling Zang Ba as a marquis, I think most people will make the right decision without hesitation when they know that they can be enshrined as marquises after submitting to Jizhou."