Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

After gently comforting Zhao Yun, he strode up the city wall.

"Haha, I have long heard of General Zhou's reputation, how he single-handedly manipulates the feudal lords of the world."

"Today's meeting confirms that you are indeed an outstanding person."

Xin Ping strode forward and bowed.

"Haha, I have long heard of Xin Ping Xin Zhongzhi, a great talent under Yuan Shao. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

"One doesn't hit a smiling face," Zhou Heng replied in return.

"Zixiu is mistaken."

"I have prepared a small feast; would you do me the honor of joining me, Zixiu?"

After a brief exchange of shivers, Xin Ping said.

"please."

"please."

Soon, after a few rounds of drinks, Xin Ping stopped wasting words and directly stated his purpose.

"Brother Zhou, you have come from afar and have gained a lot this time."

"It's just a pity for my lord, who has lost his beloved son and suffered several hardships, almost surrounded by enemies on all sides."

"However, my lord is very benevolent and righteous. Not only did he not blame Brother Zhou, but he also asked me to personally escort Brother Zhou out of the city."

Do you agree, Brother Zhou?

Xin Ping said.

Zhou Heng glanced at the other person but did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Zhao Yun beside him.

"Brother Xin, what do you think of the person beside me?"

Xin Ping frowned, but still followed Zhou Heng's words and said, "He has a very imposing appearance and an innate heroic spirit. He is a rare talent for a great general."

"Then do you know who this person is?"

"I do not know the general's name."

"This is Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong, a former general of Yuan Shao."

Zhou Heng smiled.

"Oh, Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong?"

Xin Ping's heart stirred.

Knowing full well that the other party wouldn't make baseless accusations, he immediately began to ponder the matter.

They quickly came up with a candidate.

"Could he be the young general in white robes who fought General Wen Chou for thirty rounds to a draw?"

Zhou Heng nodded: "Indeed."

Xin Ping was greatly surprised: "Please forgive my poor eyesight, I was so blind as to not recognize a great man, I did not know that it was General Zhao Yun in front of me."

Zhao Yun coldly replied, "Sir, you have long been in a high position; how could you possibly know those below you?"

These words seem rather nonsensical.

But this is precisely where their brilliance lies.

The other party had gone to great lengths to invite me to a meeting on the city wall; it was clear they couldn't have just wanted to see me for the sake of it.

Something's definitely wrong.

However, the current situation in the world is very favorable to him.

Naturally, I didn't want to agree to anything he asked for anymore.

If the other party threatens with their life.

This inevitably led to some unpleasantness.

I'm still in their city, so of course I don't want to see this kind of scene.

That's why Zhao Yun was specifically mentioned.

It's to make the other person be careful what they say.

Just like when Zhou Yu invited Liu Bei, he specifically gave Guan Yu, who was by his side, a heads-up first.

In this way, the other party would be hesitant to act rashly.

Naturally, he wouldn't dare to make too many excessive demands.

"Haha, please don't be offended, sir. Zilong is straightforward and may have been impolite. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhou Heng laughed heartily.

He quickly laughed it off.

Then, the conversation immediately shifted back to Xin Ping's original statement.

"I am at your service to hear what you were trying to say."

Xin Ping's expression changed slightly: "It's nothing, I just want to cooperate with Brother Zhou."

“Oh, it is quite an interesting thing to cooperate with me, sir. Please speak freely.”

"If this matter is beneficial to both of us, it is not impossible."

Having revealed his hand, Zhou Heng stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly.

"Since that's the case, then I will speak frankly. If I offend you in any way, please forgive me, General."

Xin Ping nodded, then continued.

"Brother Zhou's visit to Jizhou this time is quite a calculated move."

"They have successively plotted against Zhang Yan, Cao Cao, my lord, and even Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and other warlords."

“It was very rewarding.”

"However, although Brother Zhou has made good progress this time, there is also a considerable hidden danger."

“After this incident, the world will surely regard Brother Zhou as their rival.”

"It is indeed difficult to hide in the shadows."

"Brother Zhou is relatively weak. If he returns to Xuzhou this time, Cao Cao will certainly not do as Brother Zhou wishes."

"Lu Bu and Liu Bei launched a counterattack on Xuzhou, which is in imminent danger."

"Brother Zhou is surrounded by enemies on all sides."

"My lord cannot bear to see such a hero as you, General, end his life like this."

"so........."

Xin Ping whispered a few words in Zhou Heng's ear.

For a moment, Zhou Heng's face turned extremely ugly.

"I cannot agree with what Brother Xin has said."

"Moreover, Mi Zhu is my brother, my dearest friend and relative, not my subordinate."

"Please forgive me, but I am unable to do so."

Zhou Heng flatly refused.

Are you kidding me? This is like cooperating with yourself! It's like using yourself as a weapon.

So that you can reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

Why send Mi Zhu as a hostage?

This was his number two subordinate; he owed a great deal to the man's success.

So you said you'd send him over as a hostage.

To ensure our cooperation.

Are you kidding me?

Are you stupid or am I stupid?

"Brother Zhou, don't you think about yourself or your subordinates?"

"This cooperation will be entirely beneficial to both of us."

"Otherwise, my lord will surely become the general's adversary."

"At that time, Brother Zhou was surrounded by enemies on all sides. Xuzhou would fall into Cao Cao's hands sooner or later, and his life would be in danger."

"Why not take a gamble?"

Xin Ping didn't take it seriously at all and spoke again.

"There's no need for Brother Xin to worry about this."

"When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. If we are ultimately defeated and killed by Cao Cao, it will be our fate."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

"Sir, there's no need to see me off so far."

Zhou Heng said calmly.

He then prepared to get up and leave.

But right now.

Suddenly, Xin Ping smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground.

"Is that so? Brother Zhou, with Zilong by your side, you naturally have nothing to fear. But since I invited you here, how could I have come without the slightest preparation?"

The words fell.

Suddenly, countless swordsmen and axemen appeared from under the eaves, creating a scene where a fight could break out at the slightest provocation.

"Brother Zhou, what do you think of the two people beside me?"

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Xin Ping spoke again.

As he spoke, he glanced at the two generals beside him.

"Appreciate further details."

Zhou Heng's heart stirred.

"Brother Zhou, have you ever heard of the Four Pillars of Hebei?"

Xin Ping laughed.

"The Four Pillars of Hebei, could these two be Zhang He and Gao Lan, who are as famous as Yan Liang and Wen Chou?"

Zhou Heng was startled.

Wen Chou was still in Bingzhou, and Yan Liang was still attacking Zhang Yan.

The only ones who could appear here as the Four Pillars of Hebei are Gao Lan and Zhang He.

"Gao Lan and Zhang He greet General Zhou."

Seemingly to confirm Zhou Heng's guess, the two bowed simultaneously.

"I advise the general to carefully consider my previous proposal. The benefits for both of us are self-evident."

"Otherwise, with only Zilong by his side, I'm afraid the general would not be able to leave today."

Xin Ping said.