At this moment, outside the Zhang Manor in Xuchang, two groups of soldiers were in a confrontation. Both sides were at daggers drawn.
"Zhang Xiu, I advise you to be sensible and obediently hand over Madam Zou. Otherwise, it will be too late for you to regret.”
Cao Anmin brought hundreds of soldiers and stared at Zhang Xiu in the residence as he threatened Zhang Xiu.
"Cao Anmin, don't go too far. Don't you know the promise Second Young Master made to me back then? Aren't you afraid that the Prime Minister will settle the score with you if he finds out?”
Zhang Xiu could only stall for time. He knew that everything would be resolved once Cao Zheng arrived.
"Zhang Xiu, you're too naive. I'm the Prime Minister's nephew, so what if the Prime Minister knows? Besides, your aunt is going to be presented to the Prime Minister. Do you think the Prime Minister will blame me?”
When Zhang Xiu heard this, he agreed. Cao Cao was very good to his family, especially to his nephew whose parents had died. In the end, Cao Cao might not be able to help him.
Just as Cao Anmin was about to force his way in, someone suddenly shouted,"Stop!"
Cao Anmin took a look and saw that it was Cao Zheng, who had always been cold to him.
"Ziyi, why are you here?" Cao Anmin was a little flustered. He knew the relationship between Cao Zheng and Zhang Xiu. It could be said that Cao Zheng and Zhang Xiu were like blood brothers.
"An Min, what are you doing here again?”Cao Zheng questioned.
"Ziyi, I'm doing this for the Prime Minister.”Cao Anmin said to Cao Zheng.
Cao Zheng was furious when he heard this. In history, it was because Cao Cao slept with Zhang Xiu's aunt that his sons, nephews, generals, soldiers, and a large group of adult sons and nephews died in Wan City.
Initially, Cao Zheng thought that since Zhang Xiu and Zhang Ji had submitted to Cao Cao, this matter could be avoided. He did not expect Cao Anmin to openly come to the other party's house to snatch them away.
Cao Zheng grabbed Cao Anmin's neck and asked,"Is this your idea or my father's idea?”
Cao Zheng thought that if Cao Anmin had acted on his own accord, he would throw him out to win back Zhang Xiu's heart. If it was Cao Cao's idea, he would ask Cao Cao to retract his order and hand Cao Anmin over to Man Chong to be sentenced to the crime of kidnapping a commoner's woman. He would then be locked up for a few years to give Zhang Xiu an explanation.
"This is the Prime Minister's intention." Cao Anmin said softly.
It turned out that when Cao Cao returned home drunk the day before, Cao Anmin had told Cao Cao about this matter. When Cao Cao heard that she was a widow, he became even more interested and asked Cao Anmin to bring Madam Zou back.
Unexpectedly, Madam Zou had gotten rid of Cao Anmin and hid in Zhang Xiu's residence. Cao Anmin had no choice but to lead his troops to snatch her away.
Moreover, Cao Anmin had brought along Cao Cao's elite Tiger Guards. If they were to fight, Zhang Xiu might not be a match for them. However, Cao Cao had already said that he was not allowed to hurt Zhang Xiu. He was mainly afraid that Cao Zheng would be angry.
After Cao Zheng heard this, he said to Cao Anmin,"Just you wait. I'll go find my father and take back my order. But if I find out that you did it on your own, don't blame me for being merciless. If you don't listen to me and do it on your own, I guarantee that I'll turn you into a eunuch and completely cut off your thoughts.”
After Cao Zheng finished speaking, he galloped towards the Prime Minister's Mansion. Cao Anmin was so frightened by Cao Zheng's words that he broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that Cao Zheng was a man of his words. He would kill people when he said he would. He would never beat someone until they were half-dead.
After Cao Zheng reached home, he went to find Cao Cao.
At this moment, Cao Cao was discussing something with Chen Deng. It turned out that Yuan Shu had wanted to marry Lu Bu, but Chen Gui had interfered.
Later, Yuan Shu was defeated by Cao Zheng, so Lu Bu listened to Chen Deng's advice and sent Chen Deng to escort Yuan Shu's marriage envoy Han Yin to Xuchang.
After Chen Deng arrived in Xuchang, he was treated well by Cao Cao. He was granted the title of Governor of Guangling, and his father, Chen Gui, was given 2,000 households.
Chen Deng was very satisfied with this treatment. He immediately promised that as long as Cao Cao sent troops to attack Xu Prefecture, he would secretly help.
Just as the two of them were chatting happily, the chamberlain came to report,"Prime Minister, Second Young Master requests an audience."
This surprised Cao Cao, but he still asked the chamberlain to invite Cao Zheng in.
After Cao Zheng entered, Cao Cao introduced,""Ziyi, this is Mr. Chen Deng, Chen Yuanlong.”
Cao Zheng was very familiar with Chen Deng. After all, he had eaten himself to death by eating sashimi.
"Cao Zheng greets Mister Yuanlong." Cao Zheng cupped his hands at Chen Deng.
"Alright, this is surprising. It is my honor to meet the general.”Chen Deng replied.
"Ziyi, we are discussing the matter of attacking Xu Prefecture. You should also come and listen to Mister Yuanlong's brilliant opinion.”
Cao Cao said to Cao Zheng. After all, Cao Zheng was going to attack Xu Prefecture in the future.
"Prime Minister, General, Lu Bu is brave but not resourceful. However, the Prime Minister will definitely have a battle with Yuan Shao in the future. Thus, Lu Bu is a thorn in the Prime Minister's side and must be removed. Otherwise, Lu Bu will definitely sneak up on the Prime Minister's rear when the Prime Minister and Yuan Shao are fighting.”
Chen Deng said.
"That's right. Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and Xun You all told me the same thing. Although Yuan Shu has been defeated, he still has some power in the south. Lu Bu only wants this Xu Prefecture Overseer.”Cao Cao said.
"Prime Minister, you mustn't do this. If you do this, Lu Bu will definitely think that you are afraid of him, and that will further boost his arrogance.”
Chen Deng said.
"Then, in your opinion, what should I do?”Cao Cao asked.
"The Prime Minister can reject Lu Bu's request, but he has to give Lu Bu a good excuse. On the other hand, he can drive a wedge between Lu Bu and Chen Gong. As long as Lu Bu doesn't trust Chen Gong, Lu Bu will be completely crippled. With the elite soldiers and generals under the Prime Minister's command, he can completely take down Xu Prefecture.”
Chen Deng advised Cao Cao.
"Good, Mister is indeed a great talent.”Cao Cao praised.
"Prime Minister, you flatter me." Chen Deng said humbly.
"Prime minister, it's getting late, I should set off.”Chen Deng continued chatting for another two hours before bidding farewell to Cao Cao.
"Ziyi, help me send Mister off."
Even though Cao Cao was busy dealing with matters, he still let Cao Zheng send Chen Deng off on his behalf.
"Thank you for sending me off, General.”Chen Deng bowed and said goodbye.
"Sir, take care. When the time is right, we will definitely send troops to attack Xu Prefecture.”
Cao Zheng said.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]