Section 17 Deng Zhan

In October of the winter of the 13th year of Jian'an, under Wulin Peak on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

The Han Prime Minister Cao Cao led the central army to Wulin, and the camp was stationed on the riverside below Wulin Peak, connected with the water camp composed of Cai Mao's 50,000 naval troops, and was far away from the Jiangdong naval troops on the south bank of the Yangtze River. In Hanyang, Jiangxia prefect Wen Pin led 15,000 naval troops to confront Guan Yu, and each had a battle, each with a victory or defeat. The army led by Liu Bei by land was more than 5,000, relying on the terrain, blocked the 10,000 army of the prefect Man Chong of Runan.

Cao Chong waited for Cao Cao on the road and went south with the army. On the way, he learned the details of the confrontation between Zhang Yun's troops and Huang Gai's troops, and knew that although Deng Zhan severely damaged Huang Gai's central army, in addition to this unexpected achievement, Zhang Yun suffered heavy losses, and the two wings were basically lost. The central army lost nearly half, and only more than 2,000 naval troops were left. However, Cao Cao did not blame him, but comforted him for a while. Although he was not promoted, he rewarded a lot of money and property. As for Deng Zhan, he praised him and promoted the title of Duting Hou.

Deng Zhan was very happy on the day he was rewarded. Although there were military orders in Cao's camp that were not allowed to drink alcohol and that more than three people were not allowed to gather for no reason, Cao Cao issued a special ban and agreed to hold a small celebration. Of course, this was mainly because Deng Zhan was Cao Chong's martial arts master. Deng Zhan had no money, so he gave him all the money he gave to his personal guards, and he died in battle. He was left with only one title of Duting Marquis, and he didn't even have to buy wine. However, he had a good apprentice like Cao Chong, and took on everything with a lot of money. Deng Zhan himself not only did not spend money, but instead received a lot of gifts.

In fact, Cao Chong didn't spend money, and all the money was spent by Zhang Yun. Zhang Yun knew very well that if Deng Zhan had not followed his order and directly rushed to Huang Gai's central army this time, it was not a question of whether he had the opportunity to receive rewards, but whether he could save his life. So he generously transferred all the land and property of Cao Cao to Cao Chong and asked Cao Chong to transfer it to Deng Zhan. This was of course to sell Cao Chong for another face.

Deng Zhan has a very popular reputation in the army, and many generals come to congratulate him. Even if people cannot come, they will send someone to congratulate him. After drinking a lot of wine and receiving a lot of gifts, they were Cao Chong, but Cao Chong refused to leave even a Wuzhu coin and handed it all to Deng Zhan. After all the people were dispersed, Xu Yi and Dianman went out to work after they were guilty. Zhou Buyi had already drunk and was carried out, leaving only Cao Chong and Deng Zhan, the master and apprentice sitting opposite each other. The Mi sisters frowned like a frown, and while delivering Kuai Ying's secret recipe for sobering up tea.

"Master, isn't the loss serious this time?" Cao Chong took a sip of sobering tea, put away his smile, and glanced at Deng Zhan's personal guard standing outside the tent: "There are not many familiar faces this time."

"Oh!" Deng Zhan sighed and put down the wine glass in his hand: "Young Master. I don't know that these people followed me through life and death. Now this one left is the only one left, and all other places have died in battle. I, Deng Zhan, are also descendants of the Deng family in Nanyang. Although I am a defeated clan and are not seen by others, my surname is always Deng and cannot insult my ancestors. I cannot study. I cannot study the scriptures and become an official. I am fortunate to meet a master who has learned martial arts and can only earn a little title based on this martial arts. Young Master, although I can't say that I have achieved success now, I can be considered a small achievement. I am satisfied with my ancestors."

Cao Chong looked at him helplessly and knew his pain. Deng Zhan is a descendant of the Deng family in Xinye, Nanyang. He was just a small clan. He was defeated since his grandfather. He died of both his parents since childhood and depended on his brother. More than ten years ago, he went out to travel and worshipped a mysterious master and learned a good martial arts. Then he joined the army and slashed from a soldier to a general. It was not easy to say. However, although he was good at martial arts, he was not strong in military use, and only knew

Dao fought fiercely. Not only could he not become famous generals like the five good generals, but even Feng Kai and others could not compare. Although he was also a miscellaneous general, he never had the opportunity to lead troops to fight alone. Although he had many generals, he had suffered heavy losses every time his troops suffered heavy losses, and this time he was the same. Cao Cao was very good at rewarding. He knew that Deng Zhan had limited ability to lead troops, and was just a fighting general, with a position and a title and a title, so he was promoted to Duting Hou, but he did not promote his local official.

Deng Zhan also knew his limitations, but because of his talent, he didn't care. He was already very satisfied with his position as a general and title as a marquis. Now that he could sit in front of Cao Gong's most proud young master, he was indeed the happiest time in his life.

"Since that's the case, then be content. Whether it's a name or a title, it's not as important as life." Cao Chong sighed sympathetically: "You are not young anymore. Now you are a general and a person with status. No matter how big the soldiers are, they should marry and have children and start a family and a career. Otherwise, no matter how much military achievements you earn will be in vain."

"Hehe, young master, why don't I want it?" Deng Zhan was a little drunk and said as he was not as restrained as usual. He waved his hand and said, "But the young master also knew that the world has been lost since Zhongping. The population of the Han Dynasty is now less than ten million, and there are few women. Even the ugly ones are all able to marry, but there are many men who are bachelors. Although Deng Zhan is a general, he is a rough man who doesn't know a few big words. Those salaries still have to support their subordinates.

Ruxi, penniless and somewhat identifiable, naturally people look down on others. Even ordinary families would rather send their women to wealthy families as concubines and slaves, and would not marry me. So, forget it, my brother died long ago, and now he has a nephew who is wandering around with my widowed sister-in-law. Maybe he is among the refugees in Xiangyang. I have found some clues in Xiangyang a few days ago. After the battle, I will go find them and my mother and son. When I adopt them, I will be considered a future."

Cao Chong looked at Deng Zhan dancing and was a little funny. Is this meaning because he wanted to learn from the Hu people? Brothers and brothers will eventually marry your widowed sister-in-law? But it is impossible to think about it. Although Deng Zhan doesn't know much, he always thinks about the prestige of their Deng family back then, and he still can't do such things.

"How about I find one for you. The girl Huan'er in Yecheng is not young anymore. She is still a decent person. She is also from a poor man. She has a good impression of you. If you have no objection, I will give you a concubine. When will I see the right place and marry another wife?"

"Huan'er?" Deng Zhanluo thought about it. He remembered this person and laughed: "That's a young master, how dare I ask for it?"

"Stop talking, it's not that I don't know how to be a human being." Cao Chong smiled and waved, "Since you have no objection, the matter is settled. After some time, I asked someone to send her to Xinye, Nanyang, and I will do this in your hometown."

"Young Master..." Deng Zhan saw Cao Chong's words solemnly, not like a joke. Hearing Cao Chong said he wanted to send Huan'er to Xinye, he knew that Cao Chong was going to give him a face in front of his tribe. He was overjoyed and quickly turned over and fell to the ground.

"Okay, okay, get up. You are my martial arts master at least, and people see it and think I don't know the master." Cao Chong quickly helped him up: "You go and recuperate for a while first. Don't rush to go into battle anyway, your troops have suffered a lot and it's difficult to replenish them for a while. In a few days, I have something to ask you to do."

"Young Master, just give me instructions." Deng Zhan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and replied loudly: "Deng Zhan must be willing to refuse."

Although Cao Cao won the first battle, he also discovered the problems exposed by the Jingzhou naval army. Ten thousand people faced more than 8,000 front troops against the opponent, but they were beaten so badly. The difference was too big. On the day the army arrived, he found Cai Mao and Zhang Yun and studied it with a few counselors. Considering that the Jingzhou naval army had low combat power, it was still good compared to the northern soldiers with strong combat power and poor water quality. The battle across the river mainly depends on the Northern Army, so the focus should be on the familiarity between the soldiers coming from the north and the soldiers.

Without Cao Chong's expectations, several strategists quickly unified their opinions. Connect the warships together and lay wooden boards on them, so that the stability will be greatly improved. Not only can you walk, but you can ride a horse. Cao Chong did not object, and he also felt that this method was a more practical solution at present. As for the issue of fire attack, before he could propose it, several masters came up with a solution. Several defense lines were laid out outside the water village to prevent the ships from rushing in. Soon, he heard news from the Eastern Wu side. Huang Gai was seriously injured and died, and Cao Chong felt a little relieved.

Although Sun Quan had not sent envoys to seek peace, he did not order Zhou Yu and others to attack. Cao Cao trained a large army all day long in Jiangbei and was not able to launch an offensive in a short period of time. On the Yangtze River, he calmed down for a while.

In addition to studying military affairs around Cao Cao, Cao Chong only watched the navy training every day, or instigated Huang Zhong and Dian Man and others to fight. Not only did he fight alone, but more often he would let Dian Man and Xu Yi take the three hundred pieces of Tiger Soldiers and Huang Zhong against each other. However, as Xu Yi expected, one hundred Tiger Soldiers can only face at most 150 personal guards. If they face two hundred, basically nine out of ten times will lose, which made Xu Yi and Dian Man very depressed.

Even Xu Chu knew about something, and came to watch it several times. Soon, the reputation of Huang Zhong's Three Hundred Division spread throughout the entire Cao army camp. After hearing Xu Chu's words, Cao Cao was surprised. He never thought that Jingzhou had such a general, with a reputation and great ability. Even Xu Qian, who was the best at charging three hundred people in the camp, admired him. He even felt strange that how could Cao Chong know about this person? Just listen to Wei Yan's words?

On that day, Cao Chong sat on the earth slope under Wulin Peak, watching Huang Zhong and Dianman and others discuss offensive and defensive skills. Jiang Gan, who was recommended to Yizhou, came back proudly. When he saw that Cao Chong was fully focused, he bowed with a smile: "Young master, you've come back, fortunately this time he fulfilled his mission."

"Ziyi, you will know this way. Come and see if you can win this ritual first and then talk about your trip to Sichuan." Cao Chong smiled and looked at him, then came back and stared at the two sides who were fighting fiercely on the court. He really couldn't figure out how Huang Zhong trained. These three hundred people could actually compete with one hundred tiger soldiers and one hundred Wei Yan's dice team, and they would not be at a disadvantage. At present, one hundred and fifty people were on the defensive posture to block the one hundred tiger soldiers, and the other one hundred people rushed Wei Yan's 100 formation to a staggering sway, and it seemed that they could lose at any time.

"Ziqian, Ziqian, I can't stand it anymore, come and help." Wei Yan saw his people being kicked out one by one, waving his long sword that was unsheathed, resisting stubbornly while turning his head and shouting.

"Come on, come on." Dian Man responded, and moved to the side with twenty tiger soldiers. When he saw him transfer, some gaps were revealed. Huang Zhong, who had been hiding in the formation, suddenly exerted his strength, and roared in with his most elite guards, and broke through the defense in one fell swoop, and cut down the big flag in the middle cleanly.

"What are you doing? Ziqian, can't you transfer people from behind?" Xu Yi threw the knife to the ground angrily and roared at Dian Man.

Dian Man scratched his head and smiled honestly. Although he had good martial arts skills, his grasp of the battle formation was not as good as Xu Yi. Huang Zhong's breakthrough was either guarded by him, or he had a flaw when he changed the formation. Xu Yi had experienced the battle formation for a long time, and this was much better than him. He lost too much these days, so Xu Yi was already a little anxious. His face was naturally a little unfair.

"Zhengli, you can't hold on to whom you blame, so you're so embarrassed to say." Cao Chong looked at Xu Yi with dissatisfaction. Huang Zhong walked forward with a smile: "Zhengli, I have many people, and I always have to take advantage of it. You have been staying on the ground for a moment more than yesterday, and you have made a lot of progress. In a few days, I'm afraid I won't beat you."

Xu Yi also felt a little embarrassed to get angry when she lost the fight. She smiled awkwardly, held Dian Man's shoulder and went to the side to discuss how to deal with Huang Zhong. Huang Zhong pulled up and was sent off. Wei Yan, who was standing aside, scratched his head, took over the guard's task.

Jiang Gan looked at Huang Zhong who was walking away steadily and asked in confusion: "Young Master. Who is this person? How could he beat Xu Zhengli upset?"

"General Huang Zhong and Huang Hansheng, Xingli." Cao Chong turned around and looked at Jiang Gan, "How is it? This time I went to Yizhou and Chaisang, right?"

"It's different, of course it's different." Jiang Gan's eyebrows danced. She sat on the stump in front of Cao Chong, raised her hand and patted the dust on the shear of her clothes and said, "Young Master, you can't imagine how polite that Liu Zhang was when he saw me. I have never been so majestic in my life. I have prepared a lot of words and said a little bit, and Liu Zhang agreed to send someone to come with me. Oh, it's so satisfying to say."

Just when Jiang Gan returned from Chaisang and died, Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, sent a Hanoi man named Yin Pu to Xiangyang to see Cao Cao in a test. At that time, Cao Cao was very successful and was indeed willing to take over the opportunity to take Jingzhou. However, Liu Bei was still in Jiangxia. Sun Quan did not surrender, and Yizhou was in a dangerous terrain and was not so easy to take. At this time, he could not turn against Liu Zhang, so he received Yin Pu and had a good hospitality. At this time, Jiang Gan came back from Chaisang, and Cao Chong understood Cao Cao's ideas. He recommended Jiang Gan to enter Yizhou again. This time, Jiang Gan was accomplished.

"How? This feeling is really good." Cao Chong looked at Jiang Gan, who was trying hard to suppress the joy in his heart and said with a smile, "Bringing a million troops as a backing, he was arrogant and guided to the kingdom. I think Zhang Yi was probably just like that back then. Ziyi must have gained a lot. Come and tell us what he saw in Sichuan, so that we can see it for a long time."

He paused, glanced at the four tiger soldiers following him, and then glanced at Mi Dashuang who had no good face to Jiang Gan, and turned around and said to Jiang Gan: "If you say that it's just a girl in Sichuan, don't blame me for throwing you into the river to take a cold shower."

Jiang Gan was embarrassed. He knew that Cao Chong was asking Cao Chong for Mi Dashuang on the day he joked. He quickly shook his hand and said, "Young Master is joking. It's important to do serious things. Even though he is boring, he will not be so."

A few people laughed out loud. Amid the laughter, Jiang Gan began to tell his journey in the river. Yizhou was surrounded by mountains, and his human customs were similar to Jingzhou, but there were many differences. It was nothing for people like Zhou Buyi, but for those people around Cao Chong from the north, it was too strange. Needless to say, Jiang Gan's eloquence was, in Cao's camp, perhaps only Cao Chong, who was used to playing big bulls in his previous life, could only barely compare it to Cao Chong. Speaking of things, it was indeed interesting and fascinating. He not only saw the local people in Yizhou, but also many barbarians and many strange things in Sichuan. In his mouth, Yizhou seemed not the boundary of the Han Dynasty, but in another world.

"Young Master, I also saw a weird man with blue eyes and yellow hair." Jiang Gan suddenly stopped Tan Feng and looked at Cao Chong with some show-off.

"Blue eyes? Yellow hair?" Cao Chong smiled after thinking for a moment. He had seen many foreigners like this in his previous life, not only with blue eyes and yellow hair, but also with dark hair. "Isn't it an Anxie or a Daqin person?"

"Young Master knows?" Jiang Gan said with a little discouraged.

Zhou Buyi snorted from his nose and said with some disdain: "Of course, my master knows that whether it is the Han Shu, Mr. Cai and the Dongguan Han Ji, they all mentioned that Westerners came to do business from Tianzhu to Yizhou to the Han Dynasty. Jiangling, Jingzhou, was one of the important towns. Many of these people with blue eyes and yellow hair have seen them, but in recent decades, Jiangling has not been seen. What is so strange about it?"

Jiang Gan choked by Zhou Buyi, rolled his eyes in anger, but he was indeed very strange to him, and he couldn't say anything for a moment. He remembered something and was too lazy to argue with Zhou Buyi, and said, "Young Master, I happened to meet a Western businessman. He heard that I was the Prime Minister's envoy, and tried hard to please me. He specially gave me this thing. It would be useless to take it with me. You can take it to reward people." As he said, he took out a small brocade box from his sleeve and carefully delivered it to Cao Chong.

"What is so precious?" Cao Chong couldn't help laughing when he saw his solemn look. Jiang Gan's family is not well-off, and he may not have seen anything strange. He is different. Although he was poor in his previous life, he often went to the museum. He was a perfect ** in this life. He has basically seen all the good things in Yecheng, and His Majesty Xu County has also seen a lot of good things, and there are not as many good things as in Yecheng. To be honest, he is indeed a little aesthetically exhausted. Ordinary things may not be attracted by them. Seeing Jiang Gan so nervous, he couldn't help feeling condescending.

However, when he opened the brocade box, he couldn't help but hold his breath.
Chapter completed!