Zhao Yunchu had just arrived and did not have an official position yet. Naturally, he did not have the opportunity to participate in military affairs.
Only today did he know that Cao Cao was going to cross the river by force.
Chen Xuan asked him to follow the ship to protect Cao Cao.
Hearing Chen Xuan's request, Zhao Yun was somewhat shocked.
Of course, it was not because he was afraid of death.
It was because protecting Cao Cao was something that only trusted aides could do.
He was shocked that Cao Cao and Chen Xuan had given him so much trust when he just arrived.
Zhao Yun naturally did not dare to betray this trust and blocked dozens of arrows for Cao Cao.
When the Western Liang Army fired their arrows, he had wanted to stand in front of Cao Cao to protect him, but Cao Cao did not allow it.
At this moment, Cao Cao did not stop beating the drums and did not even raise his head. He said,
"Such a risky move, if I don't take the lead, if I don't take the arrow, if I don't beat the drum, who will be willing to cross the river with me?
"I want the soldiers to know that I, Cao Cao, am not afraid of death.
"As long as they are not afraid of death, they will not die.
"Besides, Taia said it.
"With you around, I'll be fine."
When Zhao Yun heard the first few sentences, she felt that Cao Cao really had the air of a hero. He was a true lord of troubled times.
However, when he heard the last sentence, he was stunned for a moment as if he had been struck by lightning.
The burly man could not hold back his tears in the end and bowed to his master on the spot.
He did not understand why Chen Xuan and Cao Cao trusted him so much.
However, he knew that he could not betray this trust.
A scholar dies for a confidant.
Even if his liver and brain were poured on the ground, he would not regret it.
"Chancellor, is what this person said true?
"Killing Hua Xiong and seizing the Si River were all your plans?”
Zhao Yun was still a teenager at this time and was not mature. It was normal to be curious in front of friends.
Chen Xuan nodded silently, leaving Zhao Yun, who was holding the venison, dumbstruck.
"Alright, I understand now.”Xu Rong said righteously.
Cao Cao went behind Xu Rong and untied him.
Xu Rong looked at Cao Cao in confusion, shock, and hatred, not saying a word.
"General Xu is a loyal man, how can I bear to kill him?”Cao Cao sighed," Why don't you join my camp and work for me?”
" Hmph!" Xu Rong snorted coldly." Do you think I'm someone who betrays my master for glory?
"I owe the Prime Minister a debt of gratitude, so I will not betray the Prime Minister.
"Don't pretend anymore, and don't even think that I'll help you!”
Xu Rong knew that Cao Cao had something he wanted from him, or else he would not have spared his life.
However, if he bowed to Cao Cao the moment he was untied, wouldn't that expose that his actions were all fake?
"You said Dong Zhuo did you a favor?"
Chen Xuan felt disdain in his heart. He carried Yitian and slowly walked in front of Xu Rong, staring at the floor." What did he do for you?”
Xu Rong didn't know why Chen Xuan would stand up and cause trouble.
He sneered and cupped his hands in the direction of Luoyang." I will repay your kindness in a hundred deaths!”
Then, he saw from the corner of his eye that everyone, including Cao Cao, was nodding in approval.
" Then let me ask you." Chen Xuan still did not look at Xu Rong.
"Have you ever cultivated an acre of land? Knit a thread of clothes? Have you built a tile before?"
"Why are you asking?" Xu Rong didn't understand." If you want to kill, then kill. Don't talk so much nonsense!”
"None of them?" Chen Xuan continued.
"Then I want to ask about the rice and meat in your stomach, the clothes on your body, and the roof tiles on your head.
"Which one of them isn't supported by the common people?
"Without all these, how could you have survived until today?
"Without these, what life do you have to repay Dong Zhuo's kindness?
"The people have done you a favor?
"You said that the kindness of helping and trusting others will be repaid in a hundred deaths.
"But how are you going to repay the kindness of wearing silk and eating meat, and covering the roof tiles?”
Xu Rong was momentarily stunned by Chen Xuan's question, but then he suddenly felt at ease and snorted,""These are all gifts from the Prime Minister. What does it have to do with the foolish people?!”
Chen Xuan unconsciously gritted his teeth and fell silent for a moment.
"This is your answer.
" King Xuan of Qi asked Mencius,'Shang Tang let Jie go, King Wu conquered King Zhou, and I killed my monarch. Is that okay?
"Mencius said that I have heard of killing a man, but I have never heard of killing a king.
"Dong Zhuo poisoned the Son of Heaven, monopolized the government, corrupted the palace, and ruined the country.
"These are all matters between the emperor and the generals. I don't care how Dong Zhuo is compared to Jie and Zhou.
"But now, I have to discuss with you the matter of plundering the people and moving them to Chang 'an.
"I was on Mang Mountain, and the wails in my ears never stopped.
"As for the foot of Mount Mang, in the Luo Yang Han Valley, corpses are piled up for more than two hundred miles.
"Babies and old women, some without hoofs, some stepping on human feet, their brains spilled on the ground, their stomachs rotten.
"The water of the Luo River is piled up with corpses and hands and feet resting on each other. The two rivers do not flow.
"Humans have a predator.
"An old woman holding a dead child, cooking and crying.
"Some people say that if I don't eat people, people will eat me.
"All these.
"My mouth cannot speak, my nose cannot smell, my eyes cannot bear to look, my ears cannot bear to hear.
"Dong Zhuo's actions, compared to Jie Zhou, are they inferior?
"Loyalty, loyalty.
"It's laughable that you don't know that you're helping a tyrant, and you don't reflect on yourself when you harm people.
"Instead, you keep talking about loyalty and righteousness, thinking that you can be a loyal minister and righteous man whose name will be engraved in history.
"Are you worthy?
"Is your loyalty worth a penny?
"You're really shameless.
"Since you keep saying that you want to repay Dong Zhuo for his help, I will not let you go.
"I'll give you a chance."
Chen Xuan sneered and forcefully stuffed Heavenly Sword into Xu Rong's hands.
"Chancellor, you can't!"
Zhao Yun was the first to see what Chen Xuan was going to do. She rushed out in an attempt to stop Chen Xuan.
However, the sword was already in Xu Rong's hands.
The others were also shocked.
Chen Xuan raised his hand to block Zhao Yun and looked at Xu Rong contemptuously.
"What right do you have to seek death?
"What right do you have to claim to repay a debt of gratitude?
"What right do you have to pretend to be righteous here?!
"You have a sword in your hand. You don't dare to kill me, nor do you dare to commit suicide.
"Then why are you still acting like this?!”
Chen Xuan's expression was stern. He snatched the sword from Xu Rong's hand and placed it on Xu Rong's neck.
Xu Rong closed his eyes and did not resist at all. His face was flushed red.
Chen Xuan was right. He didn't want to die, nor did he dare to die. He was indeed putting on an act.
He had acted as a loyal minister and righteous man for half his life, a famous general from ancient times. When he really died, his achievements were still broken.
At this moment, he hoped that Chen Xuan would stab him, but he was also afraid that Chen Xuan would really stab him.
Chen Xuan put down the sword and handed it to Zhao Yun.
"Do you think you have any other choice?
"I'll let you go and tell Dong Zhuo and Li Ru that we've taken Mengjin Pass from you again.
"Do you think they will give you another chance?
"Let me tell you, if you want to live, there is only one way.
"Cooperate with us and pretend that nothing happened.
"In the future, I can still leave a good reputation for bringing order out of chaos.
"Of course, it's fine if you don't cooperate.
"At worst, we can just retreat to the north bank of the Yellow River and kill the two thousand Western Liang captives.
"Don't think that we will put you in an important position after you cooperate with us.
"After this matter is over, we will let you leave on your own.
"You can go back to Liaodong and tell him that Gongsun Du, who you recommended to Dong Zhuo, is there.
"Think about it, the people from Luoyang will be here soon.”
Xu Rong was dejected and did not say a word.
He knew that there was no need for him to perform anymore.
He just didn't expect Chen Xuan to be so direct. Not only did he need him, but he didn't even give him a way out.
However, Chen Xuan had indeed made the stakes clear to him.
Chen Xuan ordered Xu Rong to be thrown into prison and gave him a dagger.
Two hours later, Xu Rong walked out of the prison to welcome the patrolling cavalrymen from Luoyang.
"Go and report to the Prime Minister and Military Advisor that Meng Jin is fine.
"It's just Cao Cao's bluff.”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。