My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 227 Three Night Banquets
With Xu Huang's intelligence, it's not hard to see that the White Wave Army has completely lost this time.

Moreover, he only had three hundred men under his command, which was far from enough to turn the tide. It would be better to obey the emperor and Yang Feng's orders.

However, when Gao Shun passed by Xu Huang's troops, he specifically raised his voice and asked, "May I ask which general is guarding this place? Would you be willing to come out and meet me?"

Xu Huang stepped forward and said, "I am Xu Huang. I do not deserve the general's praise. May I ask the general's name?"

The two men saw that each other was brave and strong, and calm and composed, and they developed a mutual appreciation for each other.

Gao Shun immediately replied, "I am Gao Shun. I am under military orders, so I will take my leave for now and we will talk again later."

Xu Huang returned the greeting, saying, "General, you may come to the main camp to find me. I will treat you with utmost sincerity."

With the reassurance of Yang Feng and others, the White Wave Army quickly calmed down.

Of course, they were no match for the Kwantung Loyalists, but reducing bloodshed was always a good thing.

By the time Liu Feng and his entourage left the emperor's residence, Anyi City had already returned to normal.

In fact, this outcome was destined long ago.

If the four generals of the White Wave Army had been mentally prepared for battle earlier and had directly sent troops to block the exit of Zhiguan Pass, that would have been the best strategy. After all, if food was insufficient, they could still grit their teeth and make up for it. At least they could have dispatched a group of elite troops to block the gate first.

With the advantage of terrain, the numerical superiority of the Kwantung Loyalist Army could not be utilized at all, and they might be completely blocked in their path.

The middle strategy is to fight a decisive battle outside Anyi County. Although the forces are weaker, they have the advantage of being able to wait in ambush on their home turf, and at least they will have a chance to fight to the death.

Unfortunately, the four of them chose the worst possible strategy: to sit and wait for death, hoping that Liu Feng and his men would deliver grain into the city so they could turn the tables. What's even more absurd is that, because the "palace" was so small, Yang Feng and the others, who were eager to get to the emperor's side, actually broke away from the entourage.

Otherwise, even with the bravery of Dian Wei and Pan Zhang, it wouldn't have been so easy to control the four generals.

Taishi Ci's troops continued to enter the city and had already taken control of the three city gates of Anyi County.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu commanded his army to set up a large camp outside Anyi County, facing the White Wave Army.

When Liu Feng returned to camp, he unexpectedly saw Xu Huang.

This guy was actually in Gao Shun's camp, chatting happily with Gao Shun.

Liu Feng was both surprised and delighted. He had been boasting to Cao Cao, but he never expected that Gao Shun would actually become friends with Xu Huang.

There are actually three main reasons for this development.

Firstly, Xu Huang and the White Wave Bandits were inherently incompatible; he was an anomaly among them. His ability to endure was mainly due to his gratitude towards Yang Feng.

Secondly, Xu Huang was very interested in the Guandong Loyalist Army, which was the army he envisioned. Compared to the Guandong Loyalist Army, the White Wave Army was truly just a bunch of bandits.

Thirdly, the confrontation between Xu Huang and Gao Shun on the main road of the city had created a sense of mutual respect between them, and after the confrontation ended, Gao Shun and Xu Huang actually became friends on the spot.

Xu Huang was invited to the camp by Gao Shun for a chat. Both of them were steady and reliable, quick to act but slow to speak, and they actually got along very well.

If Gao Shun hadn't been a teetotaler, he probably would have already hosted a banquet for Xu Huang.

Even so, Gao Shun ordered a banquet to be prepared and took out the sugar that Liu Feng had given him, which he had treasured, and brewed it into honey water to invite Xu Huang to enjoy.

The sweetness of the honey water surprised Xu Huang. As a military general, he knew all too well the value of frosting sugar. It was a life-saving treasure in critical moments. He never expected that Gao Shun would be willing to use it to entertain him. He was truly a cold-faced but warm-hearted person.

After Liu Feng entered the tent, Gao Shun quickly stood up and introduced Xu Huang to Liu Feng, who in turn quickly stood up and bowed to Liu Feng.

"Young Master, this general is Xu Huang, also known as Xu Gongming. Although he is from Baibo, he is upright and honest, well-versed in military strategy, and disciplines his troops strictly. He is a man of great talent and ability."

Gao Shun greatly admired Xu Huang and openly recommended him to Liu Feng.

Xu Huang sat silently to the side, but his eyes were full of gratitude.

Liu Feng was secretly delighted. Looking at Xu Huang sitting still, he could roughly understand how likely the poaching was to succeed.

Think back to when I went to Cao Bao's house to promote myself. How difficult it was back then. Later, most of the first wave of recruits were also military men because they lacked channels for advancement.

Even so, it was all thanks to his father, the governor of Xuzhou. Otherwise, why would Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin recognize Liu Feng?
Not to mention powerful and scholarly figures like Lu Su and Liu Ye.

Now, Liu Feng doesn't even need to recommend himself; Xu Huang, on the contrary, hopes to catch his eye.

It is evident that the name Liu Bei of Xuzhou has truly entered the hearts of the entire Han people.

It is truly not easy to do that.

Liu Feng also greatly admired Xu Huang.

Xu Huang and Gao Shun are indeed quite similar. The advantage of such generals lies in their steadiness, their lack of meddling, and their ability to support the overall situation at crucial moments.

When the Second Master was defeated at Fancheng, Xu Huang made a great contribution.

Even Cao Cao praised Xu Huang, saying, "In my more than 30 years of military experience, and from what I have heard of those skilled in warfare in ancient times, none have ever driven straight into the enemy's encirclement."

Xu Huang's achievements led Cao Cao to create a new idiom – "to drive straight in".

It was Xu Huang's valiant fighting and victory in Xiangfan that truly turned the tide for Cao Wei's Jingzhou and even the entire Central Plains war.

"My name is Liu Feng, and I greet Commandant Xu."

Liu Feng stood up and, surprisingly, disregarded his status, bowed to Xu Huang.

Xu Huang quickly returned the bow, saying, "I am Xu Huang, and I do not deserve such a great courtesy from you, young master."

"Commander Xu is so modest."

Liu Feng smiled and invited the other party to sit down again, then deliberately asked, "I heard that Commandant Xu is a local from Hedong?"

"Exactly."

Xu Huang replied solemnly, "I am from Yang County in Hedong. When I was young, I served as a county official. Later, I followed General Xingyi to fight against bandits and was promoted to Cavalry Commandant for my meritorious service."

The White Wave Army uprising originated in Hedong, with a large number of local powerful families and officials participating. Although it was only a branch of the Yellow Turban Army, its momentum was in no way inferior to that of the Yellow Turban Army in the Central Plains, and it even threatened Luoyang, the capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty, several times.

Although the White Wave Army defeated the Western Liang Army, it ultimately failed to hold out and eventually disintegrated.

Some military leaders like Yang Feng defected to the Western Liang army; Yang Feng himself became a subordinate of Li Jue.

Some of them were originally local powerful figures in Hedong, such as Han Xian, Hu Cai, and Li Le, and they stayed in Hedong.

The final part traversed Bingzhou and headed to Jizhou to join forces with Zhang Yan.

Xu Huang should have followed Yang Feng since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which is about seven or eight years ago.

"What a coincidence."

Liu Feng laughed and said, "Commander Xu may not know, but my second uncle is also a local from Hedong, from Jie County. In my army, there is also General Zhang, who is from Yanmen County in Bingzhou. He is also brave and strong, with extraordinary courage. If Commander Xu doesn't mind, why don't I host the dinner tonight and invite my second uncle and General Zhang to come and have a good get-together?"

Strictly speaking, Zhang Liao's hometown was far away in Yanmen County of Bingzhou, which was separated from Hedong by the entire Shangdang County, making it quite distant. Especially since Bingzhou was a region unlike the Central Plains, the journey from Henan to Shangdang, and from Shangdang to Yanmen, was almost entirely separated by mountains, making it virtually impossible to cross without taking a proper route.

However, Liu Feng considered that Gao Shun was rather dull and not as talkative as Zhang Liao. If Guan Yu and Xu Huang hit it off immediately like in history and became sworn brothers, that would be fine. If they didn't get along, it would be better to have Zhang Liao accompany Guan Yu.

Xu Huang was also thrilled, never expecting that the commander of the Guandong loyalist army would value him so highly.

Given Liu Feng's age, even if he were only nominally appointed as the commander-in-chief, this level of authority was far beyond what I, a mere cavalry captain, could attain.

At present, Liu Feng not only represents the Guandong loyalist army to meet the emperor, but also seems to be very important in the army. At least according to Xu Huang, even a loyal and taciturn person like Gao Shun highly regards Liu Feng.

Before long, Guan Yu and Zhang Liao arrived together, and the affairs of the main camp were temporarily entrusted to Liu Ye.

Zhuge Jin was assigned by Liu Feng to Yuanxiang County to be in charge of the general's logistics.

Zhuge Liang also went with Zhuge Jin, as such opportunities to gain experience in command are rare. Jia Kui was assigned to Wenxi, to be in charge of this important forward base.

Taishi Ci and Pan Zhang led their troops to Anyi County to ensure smooth communication between the Guandong loyalist army and the city.

Guan Yu was initially somewhat displeased when he was invited. His army had just been stationed and he had countless matters to attend to, so he had no time to attend the banquet.

Upon seeing Xu Huang, Guan Yu couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill. Later, when he learned that Xu Huang was from the same hometown as Guan Yu, the proud Guan Yu lowered his guard and began to reminisce with Xu Huang about their shared hometown.

Zhang Liao would occasionally chime in, eliciting laughter, which inadvertently neglected Gao Shun, the host.

Fortunately, Gao Shun wasn't angry at all. He just listened quietly, occasionally pointing out others' mistakes.

Those who don't know Gao Shun will only think he's deliberately picking a fight and provoking them, but only those who are truly familiar with him will understand that it's just his personality and he's not targeting anyone in particular.

Liu Feng was having a great time, and the emperor's residence was also quite lively.

Similar to Liu Feng's situation, the Emperor also specially hosted a banquet for Yang Feng and others tonight.

For the emperor, the conflict in the "palace" today is not a bad thing; on the contrary, it gives Liu Xie a lot of room to maneuver.

The four generals of the White Wave Army, who were originally arrogant and self-assured, immediately deflated, looking like eggplants that had been hit by frost, listless and dispirited.

Liu Xie was secretly delighted. He not only used the snow salt and frost sugar from Xuzhou at the banquet, but also comforted the four generals of Baibo.

Liu Xie still had a lot of affection for the four generals of Bai Bo.

Unlike the Liangzhou warriors who indiscriminately killed Liu Xie's ministers and palace servants, the other party still maintained a degree of respect for Liu Xie. These two points alone deeply moved Liu Xie. More importantly, Liu Xie lacked military power, and the only military power he could hope to gain at this stage was the White Wave Army before him.

At this point, the generals of the White Wave Army were indeed somewhat dejected. They had always believed that if they could contend with the warriors of Xiliang, they would be the strongest army in the world.

But unexpectedly, after clashing with the loyalist army of the Kwantung Kingdom, their true nature was immediately exposed.

While the capture of the four generals inside the "Imperial Palace" could be attributed to the bravery of Dian Wei and Pan Zhang, the battle between the guards outside the "Imperial Palace" was a genuine defeat for Dian Wei.

Both sides were fighting with 200 against 200, but our side suffered four times the casualties of the enemy, and we didn't even make it to the end before collapsing and fleeing.

Yang Feng and his men were unaware that their opponents were elite troops selected from among the best of the Xu and Yan armies, specifically responsible for the safety of their lord.

Yang Feng's personal guards have truly lived up to the expectations of the White Wave Army generals by achieving such a feat.

While the emperor was hosting a banquet for the four generals of the White Wave Army, Ding Chong secretly left the city and went to Cao Cao's camp.

Upon seeing Ding Chong's visit, Cao Cao was overjoyed and quickly prepared a banquet to entertain him.

Ding Chong was from Qiao County, Pei State, and was a fellow townsman of Cao Cao, both from the same county.

During the Xingping era, Ding Chong had already served as a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate.

After the outbreak of the civil war in Xiliang, he conspired with Yang Qi, the Chamberlain, and Yang Feng, the General, to assassinate Li Jue, but the plot failed because Yang Bo was unexpectedly executed by Li Jue.

Ding Chong did not dislike Liu Feng; it was simply that he was closer to Cao Cao.

Ding Chong and Cao Cao had been friends since childhood and had a very close relationship. They were typical childhood friends from the same hometown, and their relationship was even closer because of marriage. Later, Cao Cao married Lady Ding, Cao Ang's legal mother and adoptive mother, who was Ding Chong's cousin.

The two sides are related by marriage and are allies.

By this time, Ding Chong had been promoted to the rank of Imperial Advisor, yet he remained firmly on Cao Cao's side. His earlier attempt to use the emperor's edict to appoint Cao Cao as vanguard was an attempt to secure more benefits for Cao Cao.

Cao Cao and Ding Chong had been friends for many years and knew each other's preferences. After setting up a banquet, Cao Cao specially brought out the fine wine that he had brought with him during the army.

Among them were not only fine wines from his hometown of Qiao County, but also delicious wines from Yanzhou, and even famous wines from Hanoi, which delighted Ding Chong.

Ding Chong was fond of drinking, and whenever he had free time, he would get drunk and remain unconscious.

As Cao Cao poured him wine, he also advised him, "Ji Shu, you must not drink too much."

Ding Chong, courtesy name Jishu, was Cao Cao's brother-in-law. Although Cao Cao himself enjoyed drinking, he rarely drank excessively.

Ding Chong, however, didn't care at all, his eyes fixed on the fine wine.

As soon as Cao Cao filled his cup, he picked up the wine goblet and drank it all in one gulp, then let out a sigh.

"Good wine, good wine."

After savoring the moment for a while, Ding Chong looked up at Cao Cao, raised his wine cup to signal him to pour more, and said, "Mengde, before I came out, what did you guess the Emperor was doing?"

As Cao Cao poured wine for Ding Chong, he glared at his brother-in-law with annoyance: "How dare I, as a subject, presume to know the emperor's words and actions? Ji Shu, don't implicate me as disloyal."

Ding Chong burst into laughter and drank another full cup.

After savoring the moment, he put down his wine cup, straightened his expression, and said to Cao Cao, "The Emperor is hosting a banquet in the palace to entertain the Four Generals of the White Waves."

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow, then relaxed his grip: "The four generals of Baibo fought their way to Hedong, and their merits are outstanding. Today they have been deceived by Liu Feng. It is truly a benevolent act for Your Majesty to appease them."

Ding Chong nodded: "Our emperor is exceptionally intelligent and also very patient, just like the late emperor."

Cao Cao quickly tried to dissuade him, saying, "Ji Shu, you're drunk."

"Mengde, when did you become so cautious?"

Ding Chong rolled his eyes at the other man with displeasure: "What is the Emperor thinking this time? Do you think I don't understand?"

Cao Cao slowly shook his head, pouring wine for Ding Chong as he replied, "But he is, after all, the emperor."

"Even the Son of Heaven can be like the late Emperor!"

Ding Chong, however, uttered some radical words that made Cao Cao somewhat fearful: "Was the late emperor not wise? Yet he never used his wisdom to govern the country, resulting in the current chaos and suffering of the people. If the emperor were to gain military power and follow the example of the late emperor, would there be any hope for the country?"

Cao Cao looked up at his brother-in-law and fell silent.

Ding Chong pressed on, saying, "Mengde, I know you have ambitions for the world and wish to assist the emperor in bringing peace to the land. Today I ask you a question: do you still have such ambitions?"

"How can it not exist!?"

Cao Cao's words stirred Ding Chong's heroic spirit, and since he desperately needed Ding Chong's support, he naturally couldn't disappoint him. So he spoke passionately: "I, Cao Cao, still cherish the ambition to assist the emperor and bring peace to the people, but I regret that the time is not right. Now, Yuan Shao is occupying Hebei, yet he doesn't think of welcoming the emperor, while Liu Bei is seeking fame and fortune, annexing provinces and counties, and even eyeing Yan and Yu provinces. I, Cao Cao, have been betrayed by villains, and only now have I been able to pacify Yan province. I am truly powerless to do so."

Ding Chong nodded in satisfaction: "Mengde, why be discouraged? In my opinion, Yuan Shao is nothing but a guard dog, vainly trying to gain fame and prestige. Liu Bei, though ambitious, is too far away to reach you. Mengde, your opportunity is not in the Central Plains, but in this land of the Three Rivers."

The "Three Rivers Region" mentioned by Ding Chong refers to a unique political territory of the Han Dynasty, namely the three commanderies of Hedong, Henan, and Henan. Among them, Henan Commandery was a commandery during the Western Han Dynasty and a prefecture during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was the location of the capital Luoyang.

These three prefectures all begin with the character "河" (river) and are located on both sides of the Yellow River. Although separated by mountains, the Yellow River connects them into a whole.

More importantly, the Sanhe region consists of three connected plains, which are also connected by land routes. The land within the prefecture is fertile, the population is large, and the resources are abundant. In Hedong alone, there was the largest brine mine in the country during the Eastern Han Dynasty, as well as pastures, mineral deposits, and many other resources.

Although Henan Yin has been emptied out, Hanoi and Hedong still have considerable resources. If they could be acquired, it would greatly improve Cao Cao's current predicament.

This not only provided Cao Cao with an additional rear base, but also opened up a passage to Guanzhong and Longxi for him to develop.

This direction avoids Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, the two most powerful warlords at the moment, allowing Cao Cao to observe from the sidelines.

If it were only Yanzhou, it would be extremely difficult to remain uninvolved.

Cao Cao had already analyzed Ding Chong's analysis with Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Man Chong, and others.

They also believe that this is indeed the best way out at present, but there are actually quite a few difficulties.

First, Zhang Yang of Hanoi was nominally allied with Yuan Shao, making him an ally of Cao Cao. Cao Cao couldn't easily turn against Zhang Yang without a very good reason. Furthermore, without capturing Hanoi, it would be difficult to advance into Hedong, for reasons previously mentioned: Shancheng was in the hands of the Xiliang army, making it impossible to cross the Yellow River by water. Meanwhile, Henan Yin was in ruins, unable to assist Cao Cao in attacking Shancheng by land.

(End of this chapter)