Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

It's approaching noon.

Cao Cao, dressed in a black robe, rode on horseback, with a vast army of three thousand behind him.

Dian Wei, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Dun, among others, rode alongside Cao Cao on his left.

In the distance, within everyone's sight, Mount Meng could already be seen lying horizontally in the distance.

It was still early spring. In the distance, Mengshan Mountain was still a grayish-brown color, with tender buds just unfurling on the leaves and branches, and patches of green just breaking through the frozen ground.

The thunderous sound of hooves echoed as they headed straight for Mengshan.

Cao Cao, riding on his horse, gazed at the distant Mengshan Mountain, his heart filled with longing.

"Do you know why this place is called Mengshan?" Cao Cao asked, pointing to the distant Mengshan Mountain with his horsewhip.

The generals beside Cao Cao who heard his words all shook their heads.

"Do you know what kind of people have come from this place?" Cao Cao asked again.

Everyone shook their heads again.

After taking a deep breath, Cao Cao said, "The Meng family, a great general of the Qin state, originated from this place."

"This is the hometown of Meng Ao, a general of the Qin state."

"Back when the Qin state was not yet unified, during the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Meng Ao came from the state of Qi to the Qin state to serve King Zhaoxiang of Qin, and rose to the rank of Shangqing (a high-ranking official).

"During the reigns of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, King Xiaowen of Qin, King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and Qin Shi Huang, he led his army on several expeditions and made numerous military achievements. He successively captured more than ten cities in Han, more than thirty cities in Zhao, and more than fifty cities in Wei."

Everyone around Cao Cao listened attentively to his words.

"The Meng family lasted for three generations, and through four generations under the Qin dynasty, they finally witnessed the unification of the Qin state, however..."

At this point, Cao Cao shook his head and said, "In the end, the gentlemen of the world cannot defeat the villains, and the loyal ministers in history will always be framed by treacherous officials."

"Meng Tian led an army of 300,000, but ultimately died upholding righteousness."

"What a pity...what a pity."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

If the second emperor of Qin had been Fusu instead of Huhai, and if Fusu had been able to lead an army of 300,000 back to Xianyang to succeed to the throne.

Will there be another uprising like the one led by Emperor Gaozu who killed the snake? Will there be a line like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's: "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?"

.............

At the foot of Mount Meng, rows of military camps almost completely occupy the entire mountain range.

Although it's called a camp, the chaotic way of setting up camp, the constant coming and going of people in and out of the camp, and the women and children busy by the river and stream make it more like a mountain stronghold.

When Cao Cao led his three thousand troops from the direction of Nanwuyang, most of the refugees and civilians outside the camp fled in panic into the camp.

On the far right of the many chaotic stockades, there is a stockade that looks relatively orderly, with a complete gate and deer antlers.

Around Dazhai stood many Yellow Turban soldiers dressed in earth-yellow long robes, holding various farm tools, and some even wearing simple bamboo armor.

At this moment, the camp gates of the main camp had been opened, and many people wearing armor, who at a glance could be identified as generals of the Yellow Turban Army, were standing in front of the camp gates.

Zhang Rao, who was about thirty years old and dressed in iron armor, stood at the forefront of the many minor leaders of the Yellow Turban Army.

Behind him were two burly generals.

"General, the leader must be Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou."

Xu He pointed to Cao Cao in the distance, who was riding a magnificent black warhorse.

Zhang Rao, who was standing at the front, nodded, then turned to look behind him and said, "Be careful later, don't let Cao Cao notice anything."

Xu He and Sima Ju, who were standing behind Zhang Rao, nodded quickly.

"Don't worry, Commander, there won't be any problems."

While Xu He and Sima Ju were talking, they led a portion of their troops to the gate of the main camp.

Three thousand troops were stationed about three miles from the camp gate.

Cao Cao only brought over two hundred personal guards, along with Dian Wei and Xiahou Dun.

Cao Ren and Cao Hong led three thousand troops to garrison in the same place.

Before Cao Cao could even dismount, Zhang Rao had already led a group of minor leaders of the Yellow Turban Army out of the camp gate to greet him.

"Master Cao."

Zhang Rao smiled and bowed to Cao Cao.

"Haha."

Cao Cao, overjoyed, dismounted and went to greet Zhang Rao.

"General Zhang."

The two walked to the opposite side, and Cao Cao grabbed Zhang Rao's hand and said, "General Zhang's willingness to submit to the court is truly righteous, and I am very happy about it."

Zhang Rao smiled slightly and said, "I have long heard of Lord Cao's name. We were also defeated and joined the rebels. Now that Lord Cao's army has come, we dare not fight against them. We hope that Lord Cao can show leniency and consider that these millions of people are also suffering people."

Cao Cao nodded repeatedly: "That is right, that is right."

Zhang Rao gestured towards the main camp, saying, "Lord Cao, please. I have prepared some wine and dishes and would like to hear how you plan to settle these million people."

Cao Cao's gaze turned towards the main camp.

And Dazhai, not far away.

There is another large village next to Zhangrao's large village.

Perhaps because of their arrival, many elderly people, women, and children in the village were looking in their direction.

Compared to the large village next to it, Zhang Rao's large village had no elderly, women, or children; it was mostly inhabited by young and strong men of the Yellow Turbans.

After a moment's thought, Cao Cao turned and glanced at Dian Wei behind him.

Dian Wei, carrying two halberds on his back, stood like an iron tower behind him, his tiger-like eyes radiating an immense sense of oppression.

Cao Cao turned around, smiled, and nodded, saying, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

"Please, Lord Cao."

Zhang Rao smiled and bowed in invitation.

Then, the numerous minor leaders of the Yellow Turban Army behind Zhang Rao moved aside to pass by.

..............

Inside Zhang Rao's central command tent, wine and dishes had already been served on the table.

Cao Cao and Zhang Rao sat side by side not far apart, with a whole chicken, fresh fish, and freshly cooked mutton on the table in front of them.

In addition, two young and beautiful women knelt on either side of the two men, serving them.

Near Zhang Rao, Xu He, Sima Ju, and a group of minor leaders of the Yellow Turban Army sat in a row.

Sitting opposite them were Cao Ren and Dian Wei.

"Lord Cao, this cup is for you."

Zhang Rao raised his wine cup to Cao Cao and said, "Fortunately, Lord Cao is magnanimous and forgiving, and has taken us in despite past grievances."

"I wonder how Lord Cao plans to settle these million people?"

Cao Cao took a sip of wine from his cup, then looked at Zhang Rao and the many minor Yellow Turban leaders in the tent.

As early as when he learned that a million Yellow Turban refugees from Qingzhou had entered Taishan County, Cao Cao had already begun to plan how to settle these million people.

Yanzhou has twelve counties, among which Dongjun was almost emptied of its population due to the rebellion of Bu Si, the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

There is also a large amount of vacant land.

Therefore, Cao Cao's plan was to settle the vast majority of able-bodied men in Dongjun.

Of the million Yellow Turban soldiers in Qingzhou, proportionally speaking, only about 300,000 to 400,000 were able-bodied men.

The rest were the elderly, women, and children.

These Yellow Turban rebels always brought their families with them wherever they went, and most of them were family members.

As for the rest, Cao Cao planned to disperse and settle them in the remaining counties.

This also includes Taishan County.

"I intend to break these million refugees into smaller groups and settle them in Taishan, Dongjun, Jibei, Shanyang, Dongping..."

"I wonder what General Zhang thinks?" Cao Cao asked Zhang Rao.

Holding his wine cup, Zhang Rao listened to Cao Cao's words and nodded, saying, "Indeed..."

Ok?

Cao Cao was suddenly taken aback.

"really?"

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow and said, "General Zhang, what exactly do you mean?"

"oh oh."

"nothing."

Zhang Rao quickly waved his hand and said, "What I mean is that this is indeed the best way."

"Come, come, Lord Cao, and these two generals, let's drink."

Zhang Rao raised his wine cup again, toasting Cao Cao, Cao Ren, and Dian Wei in turn.

Cao Cao and Cao Ren both raised their wine cups, but only Dian Wei did not.

"General...doesn't he drink?" Zhang Rao glanced at Dian Wei, then asked Cao Cao beside him.

Cao Cao chuckled and said, "This is one of my generals, a man of unparalleled bravery. He can take the head of a general from among ten thousand soldiers as easily as taking something out of a bag."

"But he is a bit stubborn and never drinks alcohol when he accompanies me on outings."

"General Zhang, please don't mind, let's drink."

Zhang Rao nodded, and as he picked up his wine cup to drink, he secretly glanced at Dian Wei, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

After setting down his wine cup, Zhang Rao looked at Cao Cao again and said, "Lord Cao must also know that the decision regarding these millions of people is not made by me alone."

"In fact, before surrendering, I had discussed it with many of the commanders for a long time."

"Today we have received a definite answer from Lord Cao, which has dispelled their worries. Why don't we take this opportunity to summon them all here today and hear what Lord Cao has to say about our arrangements?"

"This can be considered a straightforward resolution, and we can proceed as instructed by Lord Cao from tomorrow onwards."

Cao Cao thought for a moment and then nodded: "That should be the case."

Zhang Rao turned to Xu He and said, "Xu He, go and inform Commander Zhang Kai that Lord Cao has arrived and ask him to come and meet him."

Xu He, who was sitting below Zhang Rao, immediately stood up and nodded in agreement: "This subordinate obeys!"