Chapter 22 Surrender

Zhang Zhao's nephew, Zhang Fen, is a character Wenjing. He doesn't like reading, but likes to make all kinds of machinery. He once built a siege cart, so he was recommended to Sun Quan by Bu Qian. Sun Quan wanted him to lead the army to fight, but Zhang Zhao didn't like it. He felt that if young people didn't study hard, it would be detrimental to his future development if he led the army to fight too early. Therefore, he was not allowed to go, saying that you were still young and should study hard. As a result, Zhang Fen, who didn't like reading, took the ancients as an example to refute Zhang Zhao, saying that I was several years older than Tong Wang and Ziqi. I should have gone out to work long ago. Zhang Zhao was so angry that he didn't want to talk to him until now.

Now I heard Gu Yong mention Zhang Fen. Although Zhang Zhao is a little unhappy, he also knows that at this juncture, no matter how good the book is, it is useless. The key is to build a Thunderbolt car. Although Zhang Fen can't build a Thunderbolt car, he always has research on this aspect. At present, he is not angry and pretends not to hear it.

Sun Quan was a little happy when he saw Zhang Zhao's squeezing, but he didn't show it on his face. He immediately arranged someone to recruit Zhang Fen - because he was afraid of seeing Zhang Zhao, Zhang Fen took the initiative to ask to stay away and serve under Sun Shao, the governor of Guangling. After everyone retreated, he found Xu Shi again and asked him to go to Cao's camp to ask for surrender. No matter what conditions Cao Qian made, he took a breath first.

Xu Xiang took the order and left.

Cao Qian is evaluating the results with Liu Ye, Yang Xiu and others. After a few days of familiarity, the soldiers of the Thunderbolt gradually began to adapt to the bumps of the warship. The accuracy has been improved, and the results have also begun to be significant. However, this improvement is actually limited. One out of ten can be amazing. In the end, it still depends on quantity to win. It's better for the fixed target dock, but the effect on the mobile target warship is not satisfactory. Therefore, the most direct consequence is that the stone bullets that have been prepared for a few days are consumed at an amazing speed. Zang Ba and Sun Guan, who are happy, have been in a hurry many times. If they don't add more, the Thunderbolt car will become a decoration.

"How many more days can the prepared stones be beaten?" Cao Shen stroked his beard and was very excited. Not only because the war went smoothly, but also because he had just got the news that the prescription given by Sun Shao had been examined by the medical craftsmen in the army, saying that although there was a black head, he had to wait for someone to try the medicine to make sure that it was correct before he dared to take it, but from the perspective of the reasonable compatibility of the whole prescription, it should be out of The hand of a high man. There is a solution to the headwind that has been bothering him, and he is in a much better mood.

"There is one more day at most." Liu Ye said, "It's much harder to do it on a warship than on the flat ground. The hit rate is very low."

"Hmm." Cao Zhen nodded and felt the same way. Yesterday, he boarded the warship and went to the river to have a look. The Thunderbolt car was very lively, but the momentum was far better than the results. He thought for a moment: "Tomorrow, focus on attacking Ruxu Dock. After taking down Ruxu Dock, load the Thunderbolt into the dock."

Liu Ye thought for a little, nodded and smiled, "Your Highness has a good plan. In this way, the heavy transportation of our army will be much more convenient." He hesitated for a moment and said, "It's just that the water is rising in the past few days, and the disadvantages of our army are becoming more and more obvious. Even with the help of a Thunderbolt car, I'm afraid it's difficult to get the current advantage."

"It's good to achieve such results." Cao Wei didn't think so. "Don't give them a chance to breathe. Let them not have time to stop and think about countermeasures. Let Yuan arrange people to cut wood and quarry stones. If you can fight for a day, you can fight for a day. He took a look at Liu Ye and said with some regret, "Don't hesitate this time, so as not to repeat the story of Hanzhong. Ziyang, now think about it, I didn't listen to you at that time, and I was still too timid.

Liu Ye understood it. The story of Hanzhong told by Cao Wei refers to the fact that after taking Hanzhong in those years, he did not take advantage of the situation to take Bashu. As a result, he missed a good opportunity and was firmly established by Liu Bei in Yizhou. Cao said this in front of him, which was equivalent to admitting his mistake and giving him enough face. Of course, he also had to leave some face for Cao. Those who come can't be ssued, and those who come can still be chased. Your Highness did not take Bashu at that time, and it was not wrong to start from the overall situation.

"Hey hey hey, why does Ziyang have to hide his shame for loneliness? It's wrong." Cao Qian shook his head helplessly, was silent for a moment, and then turned his head to Yang Xiu, "Where is Sun Shao?"

"According to the time, it should be almost to Jiaozhou."

"Alas--" Cao Qian sighed, his face was a little gloomy, and he said semantically, "The disaster is in the wall. Sure enough."

Yang Xiu was silent.

"The Prime Minister, the messenger invited by Jiangdong is here." Xin Pi walked in quickly and said softly.

When Cao Qian heard this, his eyes suddenly flashed and he became energetic. He looked at Liu Ye and Yang Xiu with the same happy face with a smile and laughed: "Sun Zhongmou really can't stand it anymore."

"Your Highness." Liu Ye and Yang Xiu said in unison.

"Let the messenger in." Cao Xiu straightened up and waved his hand, which was very domineering. After a short time, Xu Xiang respectfully walked into the big tent and bowed his head and saluted: "Xu Xiang, the captain of the general's mansion, was ordered by the general to meet the Prime Minister, His Royal Highness the King of Wei."

"The riding general?" Cao Jian snorted: "Sun Quan and Liu Bei represent themselves. When did the court admit it?"

Xu Shi is neither humble nor arrogant: "The watch is indeed on, but the thieves are rampant, and the Central Plains is restless. I'm afraid it's possible that Your Majesty has not received the seal. Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, such things have been common. My general just acted according to the routine.

"Act according to the example, what kind of example do you follow?" Cao Yan shook his hand and looked at it disdain: "I was ordered by the emperor to lead the king's master to refuse to obey. The first one is rewarded, and the latter is killed. How can there be another way?"

Xu Xian didn't say a word, and waited quietly until Cao Qian finished speaking. Then he smiled and said, "The world is in chaos, and the princes are everywhere. There are loyal ministers and officials, and there are no tears to serve the country. The Prime Minister raised an army to fight against Dong, marched east and west, paced the Central Plains, and became the prime minister, and the king of Wei. He was sincere to the hope of the world. My general inherited the will of my father and brother and guarded Jiangdong for the Han family. Since Zhongping, he has been conscientious and dare not neglect at all. Why can't he be a rider with the function of my general?

Xu Xiang's words were soft and strong. First, he blocked Cao's mouth with words. You can be the king of Wei. Why can't my general be a riding general? Everyone is not a good person. Don't talk about these reasons.

"In this case, at this point, why didn't he, a riding general, come to visit him, but set up a large army to fight against the king's division?" Cao Shen snorted coldly, "Is this Jiangdong the Jiangdong of my big man or the Jiangdong of his Sun family?"

"My general came to meet the Prime Minister, but under the Prime Minister's anger, he was killed without teaching. Jiang Dong was shocked and did not dare to come rashly." Xu Shishun went down the donkey and presented Sun Quan's letter with both hands: "My general is here. Please take a look at it."

Cao Yan glanced at Liu Ye. Liu Ye stepped forward and took the watch and sent it to Cao Qian's case. Cao Qian opened it and glanced at it. He tilted the corners of his mouth and disdained it: "Sun Quan has the intention to turn, but it's good, but it's just a watch. How can I believe his sincerity?"

Seeing that Cao Qian's tone was relaxed, Xu Xiang was secretly relieved and kowtowed: "My general naturally made peace with the Prime Minister in good faith, but he did not hear the Prime Minister's approval, so he sent his ministers to discuss with the Prime Minister. Please ask the Prime Minister to rest the anger of thunder. Naturally, my general is ordered to come. Now the stones on the river are flying. Even if he wants to visit the Prime Minister, he can't get it.

"Hey hey..." Cao Yan and Liu Ye looked at each other and nodded with a clear heart. Sun Quan really couldn't stand it. He nominally asked to surrender, but in fact, he took a plan to slow down the army. He didn't say anything. He just looked at Xu Sui gloomily. Xu Xiang lay on the ground and couldn't see Cao Qian's face, but he felt great pressure. He had a big mill on his back, which made him a little breathless. This is different from the last time I saw Guan Yu. Guan Yu's murderous spirit was like a knife, which made people scared, and Cao's domineering was like a mountain, which suffocated him.

"Is Sun Quan sincerely asking for surrender?" Cao said slowly. He said.

"Naturally, it's true." Xu Shi nod his head again.

"Well, since it's a drop, send the proton to my camp. When the proton arrives at the camp, when I stop attacking and withdraw the troops back. As soon as I don't reach the camp, I will attack fiercely. If you go back and let him make a decision early. If he wants to slow down the army, he will think it wrongly. When I cross the river, he will want to surrender again, which is not such a simple thing.

Xu Xiang suddenly suffocated. Since it is to ask for surrender, it is a matter of course, but Sun Quan is a fraudulent surrender. He just wants to take a breath for two days. It's not a real surrender. If you really want to send the protons over, what's the chance to turn over? Sun Quan is more than 30 years old, but there is only one son, Sun Deng. How can he send Sun Deng to Cao Ying as a pledge?

But if you don't send it, then Cao can say it. If you don't count every day, I will play for a day. I won't give Jiangdong a chance to breathe at all. How many days can Jiangdong last?

"Go ahead, don't talk too much about other gossip, when to send the protons, and when to talk about it." Cao Qian waved his hand impatiently, making him bombard Xu Xiang, who had not yet recovered. The last sentence Xu Xiang heard was, "Zi Yang, don't expect Sun Quan to surrender. That vertical is very cunning. You should seize the time to build a thousand Thunderbolts. It's better to talk about it.

Xu Shi did not dare to stay longer. As soon as he left Cao's camp, he immediately returned to Jiangdong to report to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan heard this, he suddenly became angry and jumped up: "Send quality? He treats me as a fool."

Xu Xing wiped the sweat on his forehead: "Supreme, Cao Thief doesn't believe us at all. If the protons don't come, he won't stop attacking, but I'm afraid..." Thinking of Cao's last domineering words, he swallowed his saliva and didn't dare to say anything, for fear of stimulating Sun Quan again.

"Don't even think about it." Sun Quan waved and turned around to leave. Xu Shi hesitated for a moment and shouted urgently, "Supreme."

The annoyed Sun Quan was very impatient. Originally, he wanted to slow down the army, but he didn't expect that Cao Yan's old annipery was slippery. He ignored his way at all. He directly asked for it. As soon as the proton was sent, the fraudulent surrender became a real surrender. The old thief's hand was really cruel, and he didn't give any room for maneuver. Since the fraudulent surrender failed, there is only a fight to the death. Lu Su's army can't arrive in a day. It seems that Lu Xun and He Qi have to be transferred to reinforce. He was calculating the situation, but he didn't notice that Xu Xing's face was a little strange: "What else?"

"I..." Xu Xiang licked his lips nervously.

Sun Quan was attracted by Xu Xiang's expression. He knew that it was very important but not sure enough that Xu Xiang could make him so hesitant. He twisted his eyebrows and softened his tone. Suddenly, he calmed down: "Speak slowly, don't worry."

"Oh." Xu Shi paused his head, and then said carefully, "When I was in Cao's camp, I occasionally heard a sentence that the ship was loaded with a Thunderbolt, which seemed to have something to do with... Captain Sun?"

"Who?" Sun Quan didn't react for a moment. After a while, he remembered, "Feng Xian?"

"Yes." Xu Xiang said carefully, "Supreme, although I can't believe this sentence, I vaguely remember that this Thunderbolt car seems to have appeared after Captain Sun came back from Cao Ying. I heard that Captain Sun and Liu Ye had a good talk, isn't it..."

"Impossible." Sun Quan's face suddenly became ugly. He waved his hand and interrupted Xu Xiang's words indisputably, as if to say to Xu Xiang, and as if to himself, "Even if he has any ideas, he will not do such a bad idea. Don't think about it. This must be the old thief's annillusionment to alienate our uncle and nephew. Humph, in this way, those recent rumors must also be his handwriting.

Xu Shi didn't dare to say any more. He is a secret worker and knows the recent rumors. After Sun Shao left the barracks, there was a saying in Jiangdong that Sun Quan suppressed Sun Shao for fear that he would make contributions and affect his prestige. Therefore, although Sun Shao made great contributions, he was forced by Sun Quan to leave the barracks to do business. The news spread so quickly that people couldn't tell whether it came from the barracks or from outside. In short, there was a smell of conspiracy. But everyone knows that even if this is a rumor spread by Cao's army, it is not ridiculous. Sun Quan's suppression of Sun Shao is obvious to all. It's not a secret, but Sun Shao left the barracks immediately after defeating Zhang Liao, which is a little unexpected.

But now with this news, Xu Shi** realizes that I'm afraid it's not that simple.

Conspiracy? You can say it's a conspiracy, but if the conspiracy is used openly and makes you indefensible, it will become a conspiracy.

Xu Xiang retreated. As a minister, what he could do had been done. How to decide? That's Sun Quan's business. He wanted to leave room for Sun Quan to think.

Sun Quan sat in the big tent and didn't move for a long time. His face was ferocious for a while, and he was a little disdainful for a while. Will Sun Shao ask Cao to load a Thunderbolt on the warship to attack Jiangdong? Is he crazy? This is impossible at all. This must be the annihronism used by Cao Wei to provoke his relationship with Sun Shao. Sun Shao has gone into business. There is no need for him to kill Sun Shao. If he is caught in Cao's plan and really attacked Sun Shao, he will not be able to face the criticism of the clan, nor can he explain to the ministers that a public who can voluntarily give up power and stay away from the center of right and wrong are not spared. What kind of security do others have? He won't be so stupid and won't let Cao succeed.

However, another voice stayed in his mind tenaciously. Although it was weak, it was lingering: Why didn't the Thunderbolt car be loaded on the warship for a long time, but Sun Shao went to Cao's camp, and Cao Qian thought of loading the Thunderbolt car on the warship? Is it really a coincidence? Sun Shao can make wine and is also interested in Thunderbolt. It is not surprising that he can come up with this idea.

Sun Quan walked around the tent annoyance. Rationally, he was 90% sure that this was Cao Jian's alienation, but the remaining 10 percent was poked in his flesh like a thorn, making him restless. More importantly, his delaying plan was seen through by Cao Hen, which had no effect on Cao Hen. Instead, he exposed his guilty weakness in front of Cao Hen. According to his understanding of Cao Hen, he could guess with his toes that Cao Hen would definitely strengthen the offensive tomorrow and force him to bow.

Sun Quan stood still, held his lips tightly, and took a deep breath to make himself look calm. Then he said to Zhu Ji, "Please ask Mr. Zhang, Mr. Gu, etc. to discuss the matter."

Zhu Ji turned around and paid the bill.

In a short time, Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong and others all arrived. As soon as they heard Sun Quan's report, they were all surprised. Now he couldn't slow down the army, and it was self-defeating. Cao's 30 years of experience in commanding the army was really extraordinary, and he saw through their thoughts at a glance.

"Talk about it again." Teng Dan got up first and couldn't control his emotions. His voice was obviously very loud: "The water has risen sharply in the past two days, and it will take two or three days for several reinforcements to arrive. In any case, these two days must be delayed. If he wants a hostage, he will promise to send the hostage, but we won't send the hostage before the condition is negotiated.

Sun Quan looked at Teng Dan's red face and suddenly smiled easily. His smile was like a spring breeze, which immediately made the ice-like atmosphere in the tent blow open a crack. He waved his hand and said, "Well, it's not that serious. In my opinion, the old thief is also bluffing. Although his Thunderbolt car is powerful, its accuracy is very poor. It is not easy to replenish so many stone bullets every day."

"The Supreme Holy One." Everyone knew that Sun Quan was comforting them, but they still felt much more relieved.

"And I think that if he really wants to be honest, there is no need to be so urgent. You can talk about it slowly." Sun Quan was just comforting others, but suddenly he flashed and found that he seemed to have missed something. He raised his big hand, stroked his beard, and meditated for a moment. His eyes slowly lit up, and his voice became calmer: "The old thief has been in the army for many years, and he has also had some experience in this water war. It is impossible for him not to notice the growth of water potential. He is so anxious that he should know that he does not have many opportunities, and it is impossible to break through Jiangdong at all. That's why I want to mess up and not give us a chance to think about it.

Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong and others looked at each other and felt reasonable, and their looks slowly eased.

"Send someone to talk about it again." Sun Quan was a little excited, "I'd like to see who can make it to the end. Generals, the old thief is anxious. He will definitely go all out in the past two days. You can't take it lightly. If you hold on these days, the old thief can only look at Jiang Xing and sigh.

The generals listened and responded with a bang.

"Generals fight, literati plan, everyone, who recommends someone who can speak and cross the river again?" Sun Quan looked at Zhang Zhao and others with a smile. Zhang Zhao and others looked at each other and thought about it with their hearts. This person chose to shoulder the heavy responsibility of whether he could talk about Cao Can, which was not competent for anyone.

At this moment, Zhou Xun, the governor who had been standing behind Sun Quan, suddenly stepped forward and whispered in Sun Quan's ear. Sun Quan turned his head slightly, glanced at him, and hesitated: "Zhang Wen?"

"Exactly, he just sent wine to the camp, and he is still in the camp."

Sun Quan blinked his eyes and turned his head to Teng Dan and others, "Guys, how about Zhang Wen? I only know that he is famous, but he has real talent and learning?

Yan Yu, a middle-aged man, replied, "Zhang Wen is indeed a talent. He is not only good at writing, but also quite eloquent. He is a suitable candidate for his mission."

"Is it?" Sun Quan didn't think so. There were many talented people, but many of them were nerds. They really had to do things but were a mess. This Yan Zhen was an obvious example. Sun Quan didn't believe the person he recommended. Who can I be with?

The attendant Liu Jiying said, "Be the same as Quan Cong."

Sun Quan's eyes flashed. He knew Quan Zon very well and was indeed a talent. Quan Zong is from Qian Tang and is very close to Fu Chun. His father Quan and Sun Jian are old acquaintances. Sun Ce raised an army to attack Wu. At that time, Quan Rou was a lieutenant in the east of Huiji. First of all, he responded to the army, which can be regarded as a consoner. Quan Cong is young and talented, and has a good reputation. He became an official a few years ago, and in a few years, he had nearly 10,000 elite soldiers. Now he is stationed in Niuzhu, and he is a person with high expectations from Sun Quan. If Zhang Wen can really be compared with Quan Cang, then he can use it.

"Gu Gong, can Zhang Wen really compare with Quan Zong?" Sun Quan is used to consulting Gu Yong. Gu Yong shook his head: "Jingyu (Liu Ji) is wrong."

"Oh, why?" Sun Quan looked at Gu Yong curiously. Gu Yong was not like this before. If he agreed, he nodded. If he didn't agree, he would not say anything. Generally, he didn't have to refute others face to face, even if Liu Ji was just a servant with a low official position. There are some exceptions today.

"Can Zhang Wen compare with Quancong?" Gu Yong's eyes were calm and gently spit out a few words: "Zhang Wen, there is no generation now."

A word came out, and all four of them were shocked. Everyone knows that Gu Yong didn't say much. On the other hand, he learned well and had a high vision. He easily didn't allow people. Now he gave Zhang Wen such a high evaluation, which can be said that it had never happened before. Everyone was a little surprised when they heard it. Even Zhang Zhao looked at Gu Yong unexpectedly, curled the corners of his mouth, and was a little disapproving. Sun Quan smiled with a smile on his face, but he muttered in his heart. What's wrong with Gu Yong today? He knew that he had some opinions on Zhang Wen, but he still respected Zhang Wen so much in front of so many people. He simply forced himself to use Zhang Wen. He was silent for a moment and smiled softly: "If so, then Zhang Yun is also a successor. Come on, call Zhang Wen."

Zhou Xun breathed a sigh of relief and immediately turned around and paid the bill. Zhang Wen was reading in his account. Seeing him hurrying in, although his face was calm, there was a smile in his eyes, and he knew that there was a play. He smiled and said, "It seems that I owe you a favor."

"Don't appreciate me." Zhou Xun took a big sip of water in the ear cup of the case, "You have to take care of Gu Gong."

(to be continued)