Chapter 716 How Can I Be Missing From the Operation to Kill Cao Cao?

Ziwu Valley, one of the seventy-two valleys in the Qinling Mountains, is located in the southeast of Chang'an.

There is a county town called Lantian County at the exit of Ziwu Road. After passing Lantian County and heading east is the famous Tongguan.

At this moment, Xiahou Dun, who had lost his city and son, and the Wei army who were fleeing in embarrassment were led here by Li Miao.

Because of the influx of this defeated army, the atmosphere in Tongguan now...is like four words - bleak autumn wind.

"Alas... alas..."

A series of sighs filled the entire Wei army camp, and the wind swept from all directions, carrying the desolation of the Loess Plateau and the precipitation of history, rolling up pieces of fine dust, as if telling them about the incomparable vicissitudes and hardships they had experienced in the past two years. .

The mountains in the distance look even more desolate in the autumn wind, and their rolling outlines are looming in the afterglow of dusk, revealing an unspeakable loneliness.

The whole Tongguan seems to be immersed in an atmosphere of melancholy and hesitation.

However, every soldier knows that even in Tongguan... they will not be able to stay long. Without Chang'an and Luoyang, these passes themselves have no meaning of existence.

In the army, around the campfire, whispers could be heard from time to time.

"Where should we flee to? Bingzhou? Or Jizhou?"

"Isn't it true that Yuan Shao, who was so arrogant back then, ended up in such a miserable state and his later life was so miserable?"

"Chang'an is lost, then...the king of Hanzhong battlefield...he...can they come back? And the soldiers who rushed there to help, can they...can they come back?"

"Stop talking, stop talking, be careful... be careful if someone overhears you, you will... be punished by military law."

A few whispers came out, but they stopped abruptly.

However, the mood of each Wei soldier was inevitably heavy to the extreme, and they were already on the verge of despair.

Night gradually fell, and the lights turned off in Tong began to flicker.

"Ouch——"

"Woo-"

The cry of Xiahou Dun, the great general of the Wei Dynasty, suddenly sounded at the gate of the city.

He cried, heartbroken.

Losing the city, losing his son...it was so painful and so forbearing, he persisted all the way, but when he arrived at Tongguan, he could no longer hold back.

It was as if the pain... crushed him, an old man in his sixties, all at once. The autumn wind was still blowing non-stop, carrying the echo of history, passing through the ancient city wall, and hitting his despairing mood hard.

"Brother, I'm sorry for you -"

"Zizang, Zijiang, Zilin, I'm sorry for you—"

"Those thousands of Wei soldiers, I...I, Xiahou Dun, can't stand you—"

"Why don't you let me die? Why don't you let me die, ah...ah ah——"

The dead can rest in peace forever, but the living need to bear the pain.

It hurts, it hurts so much——

It was when the Western Expedition was overdue and there was a fierce battle with the Xiliang coalition forces at Tongguan that his eldest brother Cao Cao almost died after cutting off his beard and abandoning his robe.

Even if that humiliating battle is compared with the current situation, it is... far less than the desolation of the entire Wei army today.

"Father, my condolences...Father, my condolences -"

On the top of the city, Li Miao knelt down to support Xiahou Dun, who was already crumbling and in unbearable pain, and said with consolation: "The two sworn brothers sacrificed their lives for the country, and their deeds will go down in history. Their souls in heaven certainly don't want to see it." My foster father is in such pain, not to mention there are so many soldiers. Everyone is looking at the general! Foster father, foster father... you have to cheer up, you have to cheer up!"

For Li Miao, everyone was in pain, including him on the surface.

But in fact, in his heart, he was quite happy... secretly happy!

Because the situation in front of them, the desolation of the entire Wei army in front of them, was certainly Guan Lin's overall plan, but how could it not be without the single-handed control of him... this madman.

The sadder he looked on his face, the happier he felt in his heart.

While he was comforting Xiahou Dun, he was thinking that he killed Xiahou Dun's two sons and caused the Wei Dynasty to lose the military fortress of Chang'an City. But now, Xiahou Dun and all the Wei troops have to thank him!

really…

Just when Li Miao thought of this.

"Hannan... you are right, I must cheer up!" I saw Xiahou Dun holding Li Miao's hand tightly, "The Wei Dynasty has not lost yet, and I have not lost yet..."

Having said this, he grabbed Li Miao's hand tighter and harder, "You are the only one left among my sons. If it weren't for you, I would have died so many times, and all of us would have died." I don’t know if I can come back, but I want to thank you...I want to thank you on behalf of the soldiers of the three armies!”

Well…

Li Miao was stunned when he heard this. It was exactly what he thought.

This feeling of hurting others and having others count the money for you is simply not that satisfying!

Ha ha--

He was laughing in his heart, but his long-honed acting skills... still allowed him to always show that worried look in his words, "Father, please take care of yourself. Besides... Chang'an has been lost, and there is no point in continuing to hold on to Tongguan. The foster father should think about it... We, the Wei Dynasty, must retreat strategically, whether it be to Bingzhou or Jizhou, where we can regroup and then... fight these traitors to the death! "

"But..." Xiahou Dun's tears seemed to have dried up from crying. He frowned and looked at Li Miao, "But brother, the King of Wei is still here..."

"General, my adoptive father..." Li Miao's tone was heartbreaking, "Now we are...we can't protect ourselves. The king is in Hanzhong, we...can we still be able to help him? We are in Tongguan again What's the point? For the present... one can only hope that the Taji people will have their own destiny! For the other, we can only regroup if we return to Bingzhou and Jizhou. Only by fighting back can the king have hope of returning. ah!"

this…

Following Li Miao's words, Xiahou Dun's legs staggered, and he who had been helped up by Li Miao suddenly stumbled to the ground again.

Because of the situation of his eldest brother Cao Cao, his expression became more and more sad, and he almost fainted again.

All that was left in his mouth was murmuring: "Does Jiren have his own destiny? Can I, the Wei Dynasty, only rely on prayers now?"

Seeing Xiahou Dun's appearance, Li Miao quickly called out, "Come here, come here, help the general to the hospital quickly... Go quickly, go quickly -"

"No!" A group of soldiers quickly came over to help and helped Xiahou Dun up.

A group of people helped Xiahou Dun to the hospital.

Li Miao also followed, and waited until the doctor told him that the general was just too sad and his life was not in danger. Then he gave some instructions to the doctor who was serving Xiahou Dun, and then left the post house and headed towards his official residence in Tongguan. OK.

Along the way, Li Miao squinted his eyes to review the entire action while walking, and also imagined the next actions.

He knew very well that in Guan Lin's plan, if Cao Cao could not return, then Xiahou Dun, no matter in terms of status or prestige, would be a vital chess piece buried in the Wei Dynasty, and he could also stir up the dispute between the princes of the Wei Dynasty. The chess piece of the ever-changing situation.

Everyone else can die, but... the often-defeated general Xiahou Dun—no!

While reviewing and thinking, Li Miao walked through an alley and turned into the cold street on the side.

Who would have thought... At this moment, dozens of soldiers suddenly appeared from all around, as if they were ambushing here in advance. Each of them had distinct armor and each carried a sword, but the sword was not drawn out.

They surrounded Li Miao and moved forward step by step, approaching Li Miao step by step...

Immediately, Li Miao had an unknown premonition.

He asked tentatively: "Are you..."

As the distance between these soldiers and him became closer, Li Miao recognized the identities of these soldiers. They were Xiahou Dun's personal guards!

——"So...what is their purpose of coming here?" 』

For a time, the ominous feeling in Li Miao's heart became stronger and stronger.

——‘They must have discovered something, right? 』

Just when he was a little shocked and worried.

Only the sounds of "pat" and "pat" could be heard. The soldiers of Xiahou Dun in front of them all knelt down to Li Miao, kneeling straight.

Although it shouldn't be described like this, for a moment, Li Miao felt that their eyes were filled with affection and affection.

It was as if these personal guards... saw their most beloved woman!

…

…

After all, the barbarian troops did not enter Chengdu.

But... Zhuge Liang had a verbal battle with Cheng Yu, and the fact that the loser Cheng Yu was finally cooked was also well hidden.

It was as if the story of the "Southern Barbarian Invasion" was suddenly paused in the middle, and no one knew where it was going.

But the tens of thousands of barbarian soldiers, the roar of elephants and roars of tigers in the middle of the night... brought great pressure to Chengdu as always.

During this period, the barbarian envoys arrived in Chengdu and conveyed Zhuge Liang's words, which was to take the pregnant Huang Yueying as a hostage. On this condition, the barbarian army of more than 100,000 troops evacuated.

This caused an uproar throughout the Chengdu court.

First, if this news hadn't been sent back, no one in Shu would have known that Huang Yueying was pregnant;

Both... Zhuge Military Advisor has already used his body as a hostage to fight with the barbarians and delayed the barbarians' offensive. At this time, how can he send Huang Yueying over again?

Not even with Zhuge’s military advisor’s orders!

Even, taking a step back, if Huang Yueying really passed away, wouldn't every man in Shu be ridiculed and have his back poked for the rest of his life——

But helpless, Huang Yueying was the most persistent. She supported Zhuge Liang unconditionally, and even at dusk, she arrived at the barbarian military camp in a carriage.

Through the car window, I looked at the ferocious beasts around me, and their bloody mouths were intimidating—

For a moment, Huang Yueying couldn't help but be moved.

——"Is it necessary to be like this?" 』

——"Do we have to risk our entire family's fortune and life?" 』

"Roar--"

"Definitely -"

Just at this moment, a tiger neighed and suddenly I remembered that the horses were suddenly frightened due to the fear of facing the tiger and the roar of wild beasts... The two horses stood up at the same time. The groom had obviously never experienced this scene. If you cannot control it, the horse will lose control of the reins...

Huang Yueying in the carriage only felt the bumps were severe. She tried her best to protect the fetus in her belly, but the shaking was getting bigger and bigger, and she was about to lose control completely.

A critical moment...

At this moment, through the window, Huang Yueying seemed to see something, a silver blade.

Then, a stick eight feet long suddenly attacked and was thrust in front of the horse.

It stands to reason that in this situation... the horse should be more frightened, but at this moment... a middle-aged woman wearing barbarian costumes with sharp eyebrows jumped out and grabbed the reins of the horse.

In the dark night, I couldn't see clearly what her hands were doing, but I could only hear a voice: "Be honest..."

The two horses were miraculously stable.

Look at this woman again. With one hand holding the reins of the two horses and with the other hand pulling out the eight-foot long rope, she looks like a goddess in the fire. Especially the red hair, like a burning flame, red and hot. Gotta be unrestrained.

The bridge of his nose is high and his lips are as red as cherry. Even when he speaks fiercely, he still reveals a row of teeth as white as pearls.

What caught Huang Yueying's attention the most was the exposed...smooth and powerful muscles.

Flame, strength, unrestrained, passionate, and tenacious, these are the labels that Huang Yueying subconsciously gave to the woman in front of her...

So much so that she couldn't help but ponder.

——‘Are all barbarian women so passionate and unrestrained? 』

But then she thought that she was here to use her body as a hostage, and she couldn't help biting her lips. She was worried about the future!

at this time…

The barbarian red-haired woman opened her mouth, "Which blind trained beast is this that almost disturbed the distinguished guest?"

ah…

Huang Yueying was shocked by the words of the barbarian red-haired woman.

Distinguished guest? So...is it her?

Isn't she just a hostage? Why have you become a distinguished guest?

But at this moment, the red-haired woman turned around and opened the curtain of the carriage herself. Her tone was completely opposite to the cold and serious tone just now. She actually asked with a smile on her face: "My sister must be Mr. Zhuge's wife, Mrs. Huang Yueying." Right? My name is Zhu Rong, and my husband is the king here. He admires your husband and begs you to marry Jinlan. From now on, you and I will be Jinlan sisters!"

Zhu Rong's words made Huang Yueying confused...

Jinlan?

Betrothed to Jinlan?

Kong Ming and the barbarian king actually...actually became sworn brothers, Jinlan?

Then...her hostage.

Seemingly seeing the confusion on Huang Yueying's face, Zhu Rong quickly continued to explain, "Sister Huang, don't worry, we barbarians admire Mr. Zhuge very much from top to bottom, and we will definitely not hurt him, let alone you, and the reason why It was Mr. Zhuge's plan to send an envoy saying that you would be held hostage. The purpose was to confuse Cao Cao's spies and make him think that... the barbarians are fighting against the Shu army. In fact, Mr. Zhuge has already sent one, and we are here to choose! The seven-dong soldiers and horses, who are best at traveling, marched north together to attack from both inside and outside... Cao Cao was buried in the Bashan Mountains in one fell swoop!"

this…

this…

Zhu Rong's words made Huang Yueying blink continuously, as if he had profound doubts about every word.

But... coincidentally, everything in front of him clearly told him that these were all true.

--"done…"

——"Kong Ming broke into the barbarian camp alone, and he did it. He won the hearts of these barbarians by himself!" 』

Thinking of this, Huang Yueying almost cried with joy.

Of course, she could guess that this must be due to Yun Qi's "explosive package" making the map, but even so, attacking the heart is ten or a hundred times more difficult than killing!

Thinking of this, she didn't know whether it was because she was moved by her husband Zhuge Liang's miraculous skills, or because she thought more about Kong Ming's difficulties. For a moment, Huang Yueying actually cried, and the big tears poured out "tick-tick-tick". .

Zhu Rong quickly hugged Huang Yueying and comforted her.

"Don't cry, don't cry, there is still a baby in your belly? How can you cry?"

"Come here, bring a blanket quickly. It's windy here at night. Don't let me, the Huang family's girl, get cold—"

"Sister of the Huang family, Mr. Zhuge cares about you very much? And the baby in your belly, during this period, if you don't mind, I will take care of you two!"

The thoughts of the barbarians are very simple. They love their houses as much as they love birds. Since they admire Zhuge Liang, they also treat his wife with the highest courtesy.

Huang Yueying bit her lip and asked quickly: "Where is Kong Ming? Where is Kong Ming?"

"He..." Zhu Rong thought for a moment, "He should be discussing with my man in the big tent how to attack the Seven-hole Barbarians from the Northern Expedition and how to make the Cao thief have no way to escape -"

…

…

"Mr. Li, please take us in -"

In Tongguan, the night wind is still cold.

But for Li Miao, the trend suddenly changed. He thought...these soldiers had found something or guessed something. They came to take revenge or to torture and interrogate him.

But never thought that these soldiers would kneel down immediately.

Then each one shouted in an extremely low but extremely firm voice, "Please take us in..."

The tone was extremely moving.

call…

Li Miao took a deep breath, pondered for a moment, and then opened his mouth, "What do you mean? You are the personal guards of General Xiahou, why do you need me to take you in?"

"No…"

The leader of the bodyguards took a step forward and said, "Isn't it because of the old general that we are here?"

"That is?"

Li Miao just blurted out his words.

With a "boom" sound, the guards all knocked their heads to the ground. The leader said: "Please take us with you, Mr. Li!"

"What do you mean?" Li Miao then asked.

"The people who assassinated Xiahou Zang below the city tower must be Mr. Li's men!"

Following the leader's words, Li Miao suddenly became nervous...

And the leader's voice continued, "We are not saying this to threaten Mr. Li, but...but since Mr. Li has such a traitor to the Han, please...please take us!"

——"Fuck..."

At this moment, Li Miao couldn't help but curse.

Scared him to death, scared him to death...

… So, it’s because of this.

Speaking of which, if this kind of thing happened within Cao Wei, you would lose your head. It could also be a test by the enemy!

But after a little thought, Li Miao could deduce one or two things.

If these guards wanted to kill him, just because they saw that the assassin of Xiahou Zizang was Li Miao’s people, Li Miao would never be able to clear himself!

As guards, they did not report to Xiahou Dun, but found him...

Hehe!

Hehehe!

Li Miao couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s true that when the thought of surrendering to Han came up, the world was wide open——

“Okay!” Li Miao simply didn’t hide it, “You should think about it. Once you make a decision, it will be difficult to change it!”

“We swear to follow Mr. Li until death…”

Along with this voice, these guards bowed their heads again.

Looking at them like this, Li Miao felt an extreme pleasure rising in his heart.

He admired himself.

——『This undercover, I really did my best! 』

——『There are good horses only when there are good people. Haha, it's thanks to Yunqi's good eyesight that he can recognize me as a good horse! I'm bringing him glory! 』

Li Miao was even thinking that if things continued like this.

On the day when the Wei Dynasty was destroyed, if there was a celebration banquet, he would not start until he started eating!

His heart was filled with emotion!

Li Miao smiled and said to the guards, "From today on, you are the most loyal warriors of my Han Dynasty!"

Hearing this...

These guards bowed as if they had been pardoned, and said, "I will follow Mr. Li's lead!"

Then Li Miao explained something to them.

And when this group of people dispersed...

Li Miao returned to the government office and his temporary residence.

Li Miao slowly walked to the window, opened it, and looked out at the starry sky.

But at this moment...

A "creak" sound came from the room.

Li Miao became cautious again and was very alert.

He put one hand on the dagger at his waist and stared at the sound.

"Who?"

"Who?"

He heard two sounds in a row, and he was sure that there was an outsider in the room.

At this moment, a bright dagger light was reflected, and Li Miao felt a trance in front of his eyes... When he opened his eyes again, a young figure was already sitting on the stool, with his legs crossed, playing with the dagger in his hand.

And seeing the face of this person clearly...

Li Miao couldn't help but exclaimed:

"It's you! Why are you here--"

The dagger that the young man was playing with suddenly stopped, and with a "clang", the dagger was inserted into the table, and then the young man's words came out.

"How can I be missing in this final operation to kill Cao Cao--"

"Mr. Li, I need your help!"

...

... (End of this chapter)