Chapter 413 I will kill you first, and then I will destroy your Cao family! With such a genius assisting you, the country is blessed, and you have a promising future!
"Ma Chao, the traitor—"

"I am a member of the royal family of the Great Qin, and my father is the General of the Cavalry of the Great Qin!"

"How dare you, a traitor, kill me?"

"If you dare to kill me, my uncle will never forgive you, and my father will never forgive you either~~"

Cao Tai was so excited that his eyes were bloodshot and he roared at Ma Chao in a hysterical manner.

Even when death was imminent, he still refused to give in and wanted to bring up Cao Cao and Cao Ren to intimidate Ma Chao.

"The thief Cao killed my entire family. Today I will kill you first, and one day I will kill Cao Cao and your father Cao Ren with my own hands!"

"Not only will I kill those two, I will also wipe out your entire Cao family!"

Ma Chao gritted his teeth and swore a solemn oath, then stabbed forward with the bloody spear in his hand without hesitation.

Death is at hand.

At this moment, Cao Tai finally panicked, and his originally ferocious and angry expression was instantly replaced by endless panic.

"Ma Mengqi, you——"

Unfortunately, when he wanted to speak again, he no longer had the chance.

The bloody spear stabbed down.

"puff!"

Accompanied by a loud tearing sound.

Cao Tai's head was cut off by a gun and rolled to the ground.

Ma Chao let out a long sigh, as if the rage for revenge in his heart had been vented a lot, and his body and mind felt a long-lost sense of relief.

When he raised his head, just a glance was enough to frighten the remaining Qin army into panic.

The commander was beheaded, the morale of the Qin army completely collapsed, and they fled westward like a frightened bird.

Behind Ma Chao, the Han cavalry poured in like a tide, crushing the fleeing Qin army like ants.

A bloody road extends from the east gate of Jiguan all the way to the west gate.

At noon, the killing finally came to an end.

Above the east and west gates of Jiguan City, battle flags with Chinese characters were flying, announcing that this gate to Bingzhou had been kicked open by Ma Chao.

Ma Chao climbed up the Xiguan City Wall, threw Cao Tai's head down, and shouted:

"Hang this thief's head high on the city wall for public display."

"I want Cao Cao to know that I was the one who killed his nephew. I, Ma Chao, have returned and I want to seek revenge on him!"

Cao Tai's head was soon hung high on the city wall.

Behind him, Ma Dai also climbed onto the city wall, and soon after, Ling Tong arrived with 3,000 infantrymen.

"Congratulations to Meng Qi for killing the general and capturing the city, and for being the first to defeat Qin!"

Ling Tong smiled and bowed to Ma Chao to congratulate him.

Ma Chao, who was always conceited, did not show off his achievements this time. Instead, he also bowed:

"If it weren't for the swiftness of your navy, Gong Ji, which transported my three thousand cavalry to Henei without anyone noticing, how could I, Ma Chao, have achieved this feat?"

"This credit belongs to you and me!"

After experiencing the destruction of his family, first joining Zhang Lu and then Liu Zhang, and suffering all kinds of hardships, Ma Chao is no longer the arrogant and proud Lion of Xiliang.

At this moment, he has become much more mature, understands human nature, and knows how to get along with his colleagues.

Although Ling Tong was a deputy general, he had already surrendered to Liu Bei when Liu Bei pacified Jiangdong. Although he was about the same age as Liu Bei, he was already an "old man" in the Han Dynasty.

For such an old man, Ma Chao naturally understood that he should not act like a commander and should share the credit with him.

Ling Tong felt comfortable listening to this, and he praised loudly:
"In today's battle, Mengqi, you were outstanding. The name of Xiliang Jin Ma Chao is indeed well-deserved."

"It is my honor to fight alongside you, Mengqi!"

Ma Chao laughed and patted Ling Tong on the shoulder:

"Brother Gongji, let's have a few drinks tonight to celebrate this achievement!"

Ling Tong also laughed loudly.

On the side, Ma Dai smiled and reminded:
"Brother, Brother Gongji, of course we have to drink the celebratory wine."

"But don't forget, His Majesty has also instructed us that after we capture Jiguan, we still have a mission to accomplish."

Ma Chao and Ling Tong stopped laughing and immediately remembered the important task at hand.

Capturing Jiguan was just the beginning; capturing Hedong and blocking the Yellow River were the top priorities.

"Ziyue's words make sense."

"Quickly send a messenger to Tongguan to report the victory to Your Majesty. Please quickly lead the army north and lead the main force of our Han Dynasty to Hedong through Jiguan."

"Gong Ji, you lead the infantry to guard Jiguan Pass and wait for His Majesty to lead the main force to join us."

"I will lead the cavalry out of the pass and head west, directly to Pubanjin, to cut off the connection between Hedong and Guanzhong!"

The three of them made their decision after discussion and immediately went their separate ways.

...

Bingzhou, Jingxing Pass.

As the setting sun set, the sounds of fighting and drums gradually died down, and the Han army, which had been attacking the city for half a day, slowly retreated like the receding tide.

Above the city gate.

Cao Ren and Cao Zhi stood side by side, watching the Han army retreat with sneering eyes.

Over the past seven days, the Han army led by Zhang Fei has launched six attacks on Jingxing Pass, and the offensive can be said to be fierce.

Unfortunately, Cao Ren had already made sufficient preparations.

The city wall, reinforced and thickened with rocks, could easily withstand the fierce bombardment of the Han army's Hanwei cannon and still stand firm.

Nearly 40,000 soldiers were stationed in the city gate, with sufficient food and weapons, and brave generals such as Li Dian were gathered there.

With Cao Ren, the Cao family's top general, in addition, it was more than enough to defend Jingxing Pass. "Zhang Fei is known as a famous general of the pseudo-Han Dynasty, but he is just so-so."

"They are both cavalry generals, but the butcher is just a figurehead and is far inferior to Uncle Zixiao."

Cao Zhi pointed outside the city and made a sarcastic remark, then flattered Cao Ren with a smile.

Since he was competing with Cao Pi for the position of crown prince, it was natural for him to win over and please Cao Ren, the most important general of the Cao clan.

Cao Ren stroked his thin beard and smiled faintly, and complimented him in return:

"If you, the Prince of Chenliu, hadn't seen through the big-eared thief's plan of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, I wouldn't have been able to make adequate preparations in advance, and I wouldn't have been able to repel Zhang Fei's repeated attacks so easily."

Although he was Cao Zhi's uncle, there was a difference between the emperor and his subjects, so he still had to respectfully address Cao Zhi as the King of Chenliu, thus giving back the credit.

"Uncle Zixiao, you are being too formal. What's the point of calling me Prince of Chenliu? Just call me Zijian. Otherwise, it will seem strange."

However, Cao Zhi took the initiative to lower his status in order to get closer to Cao Ren.

Cao Ren looked at his nephew, and his eyes revealed a look of admiration.

He had watched Cao Zhi grow up since he was a child. This child was extremely talented and gifted, and his literary talent and poetry were so outstanding that even his father Cao Cao could not compare to him.

Geniuses are often arrogant and conceited, and Cao Zhi is no exception. Therefore, he is somewhat conceited and arrogant in his dealings with others.

After not seeing him for a few months, Cao Zhi had become so approachable and his arrogance had been much restrained, which inevitably surprised his uncle Cao Ren.

"Zijian, we haven't seen each other for a long time. You have changed a lot."

"I really didn't realize that you are so smart and insightful that you can see through the big-eared thief's plot."

Cao Ren exclaimed in admiration.

"Uncle Zixiao, you are too kind to me. I am ashamed to accept your compliments."

"In fact, my nephew has also been discussing military tactics with Yang Dezuo in recent years, and has gained some insights."

Cao Zhi glanced at Yang Xiu beside him.

He wanted to take this opportunity to promote Yang Xiu so that he could, with the help of Cao Ren's appreciation and recommendation, gain a place in the court in the future.

After all, it would be of great benefit to him if his confidant could be appointed as an official in the court.

"Yang Dezu, is he the son of Lord Yang, the child prodigy of the Hongnong Yang family?"

Cao Ren showed a strange look on his face and looked at Yang Xiu anxiously.

Yang Xiu smiled faintly, cupped his hands and said modestly:
"Xiu has met the General of the Cavalry. General, you are too kind. Those are just exaggerated rumors. Xiu does not deserve the title of a child prodigy."

Cao Ren looked at Yang Xiu, then at Cao Zhi, and suddenly understood.

No wonder Cao Zhi has been in the spotlight recently, with his outstanding performance and impressive wisdom and strategy.

It turns out that there was a military advisor named Yang Xiu assisting him behind the scenes.

Yang Xiu's reputation as a child prodigy had long been known throughout the country, so how could Cao Ren not have heard of it?

Cao Zhi was originally gifted with extraordinary talents. After interacting with Yang Xiu and discussing philosophy, he was influenced by him and his knowledge and strategies improved by leaps and bounds.

"I have always heard that you, Dezu, are extremely talented and wise."

"Then in your opinion, Zhang Fei has repeatedly attacked Jingxing Pass but failed. What will he do next?"

Cao Ren wanted to test Yang Xiu's background, so he asked him this question.

Yang Xiu didn't even need to think for a moment. As soon as Cao Ren spoke, he said without hesitation:
"Although Zhang Fei was a common man, his assistant Pang Tong was cunning and resourceful."

"I expected that Pang Tong, seeing that Jingxing Pass was impregnable, would definitely offer advice to Zhang Fei. He would use his main force to feint an attack on Jingxing Pass, but secretly split his troops into two groups. One would go south to attack Huguan, and the other would go north from Youzhou to attack Dai County, and from the north..."

Yang Xiu spoke eloquently and endlessly about the state of affairs, as if he was in control of everything.

Cao Ren kept nodding his head, with an expression of admiration and praise on his face becoming more and more intense.

Generals such as Li Dian on the left and right also looked at each other and nodded secretly.

The generals on the city wall were obviously impressed by Yang Xiu's vision and wisdom.

Seeing this, Cao Zhi's mouth corners slightly raised, and a hint of imperceptible pride flashed across his eyes.

"Huguan is guarded by General Zihe, who has more than 20,000 soldiers and horses. Even if Zhang Fei divides his troops to launch a surprise attack, as long as we remind him to be on guard, I believe Huguan will be safe."

"As for Dai County, Xiu thought that the General of Cavalry would send a general to secretly march north under the pretext of escorting grain and set up an ambush at Pingcheng. This would surely inflict heavy damage on the invading Han army."

"In this way, the two enemy armies will be defeated, and the morale of the Han army will certainly be greatly damaged, and the morale of our army will naturally be greatly boosted."

"Bingzhou will be even more solid than ever!"

Yang Xiu raised his hand and waved, his expression and words exuding absolute confidence.

"Well, well, well, Dezu's plan is truly a brilliant one!"

Cao Ren patted the battlements and praised them, looking at Yang Xiu with admiration:

"Today I have finally witnessed the legendary Yang's prodigy. It is a blessing for our Great Qin to have a genius like you!"

"Zijian, you have a genius like Dezuo to assist you, your future is promising!"

What Cao Ren meant was, of course, to imply that Yang Xiu had the talent to assist the king. With such a talented person to give advice and suggestions, Cao Zhi had a great chance of winning the position of crown prince.

There was even a hint in his words that he might be on Cao Zhi's side.

After all, it is well known that Cao Cao favored Cao Zhi more.

Now Cao Zhi had seen through Liu Bei's plan of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, and he had made great contributions in the battle against the invasion of the Han army.

Cao Cao's move of sending Cao Zhi to Bingzhou obviously also included the intention of allowing Cao Zhi to gain military merit and establish prestige.

Taking all these factors into consideration, and with the help of a genius like Yang Xiu, Cao Ren, with his experience, would have been able to see that Cao Zhi had gained the upper hand in the fight for the position of crown prince.

It is only natural to show some goodwill at this time.

Cao Zhi heard the hidden meaning in Cao Ren's words and was secretly delighted. He immediately smiled and bowed, trying to flatter and win over Cao Ren further.

Before he could finish his words, a soldier climbed up to the top of the city wall, holding up a battle report and shouting.

"General Hussar, Your Highness!"

"Jiguan was breached by Ma Chao the day before yesterday, our defending army was completely wiped out, and Yang Qiu was killed by the enemy!"

"General Zi'an failed to evacuate in time and was beheaded by Ma Chao himself. His head was hung on the tower of Jiguan!
(End of this chapter)