Chapter 256 Qin Zhen's Determination, Gold Seal and Purple Ribbon Zhongli County was established when Qin conquered the State of Chu. It is located in the east of Huainan and is the gateway to Huainan. In the past, after Lu Bu defeated Zhang Xun and others, he went downstream to capture Zhongli, and then entered Huainan to plunder. Therefore, long before Lu Bu arrived at Xutai, Qin Zhen went all the way north to the Li Mountain south of Zhongli. Originally, according to Xu Sheng's opinion, after they went north, it would be best for them to enter Zhongli first to resist the enemy. But Qin Zhen held the opposite opinion, because Lu Bu did not know that they were heading north. Compared to entering the city directly to resist Lu Bu's troops, he preferred to stay outside and wait for the opportunity. Therefore, when Gao Shun and Zhang Liao's troops arrived at Zhongli, they actually did not know that an army was already hiding outside the city of Zhongli. Seeing that Zhongli's side had fortified its defenses and cleared the countryside, the two men set up camp and sent someone to inform Lu Bu while at the same time sending someone to monitor the movements in the city. They waited like this for four days, and neither of them ordered their troops to attack the city.

Seeing this, Xu Sheng became a little anxious, because they came here on a forced march. He only brought ten days' worth of dry food with him. Since crossing the river and heading north, he only stopped in Quanjiao and Dongcheng for supplies along the way. It took three days to reach the outskirts of Zhongli City, and then they waited for another four days, but there was no sign of the enemy attacking the city. The weather is getting colder now, and they have no camp to block the wind. Morale is gradually declining. This is not a solution. So after quietly patrolling the mountain that afternoon, he came to Qin Zhen and said: "Military Advisor, the enemy has not attacked the city today. If this continues, what should we do?" At this time, Qin Zhen was wearing a blanket and sitting by the fire drinking pine branch tea. Hearing this, he used a branch to move the firewood and said with a smile: "Wen Xiang has the talent to be a general. He should know that one should not be impatient when leading an army!" "We have just arrived here and do not know the details of the enemy. How can we move rashly?" "I ordered you to set up sentries outside the mountain to investigate any unusual behavior of the enemy. I wonder if you have any results?" Xu Sheng felt annoyed when he heard what he said, but he still sat down opposite Qin Zhen and warmed himself by the fire: "If there really was something wrong with the enemy, I wouldn't be so anxious!" "It is because I see that the enemy neither attacks the city nor advances that I get impatient." "We only have three days' worth of food and fodder left. If we wait for Lu Bu to come and surround the city, it will be difficult for us to enter the city!" While Qin Zhen was listening to this, he looked towards the fire and said: "The enemy is no different, that's what's different!" "Don't you know that the enemy generals Zhang Liao and Gao Shun are both fierce generals in the world?" "Now that Lu Bu has two men as his vanguard, how can he not attack the city?" "From the look of the enemy, I can see they are waiting for some news!" "So our army should not move now. If the enemy does not move, I will not move!" Having said this, he handed the bamboo tube to Xu Sheng and said: "This tea can refresh your mind, why don't you try it?"

Seeing his leisurely look, Xu Sheng could only smile helplessly, took Qin Zhen's bamboo tube, blew some hot air out of it and took a sip. Watching Xu Sheng drink the pine branch tea, Qin Zhen smiled, stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked by the lake. In fact, what Xu Sheng is worried about now is also the problem he is thinking about. Although he was full of confidence and asked to go north to resist Lu Bu this time, he had no plan to defeat the enemy. The reason is very straightforward, because the area south of the Huai River is almost indefensible. The information they now know is that Lu Bu is sending 30,000 troops south. But no one knew the marching route or the strategic intention. That was why he ordered Xiahou Lan to fortify the city and clear the fields before arriving, and at the same time transferred troops to the city of Zhongli. There are two purposes for this action. The first one is naturally to guard the gateway to Jiujiang. The city of Zhongli is very special. In addition to being the gateway to Jiujiang, it is also the main channel of the Huai River. Once Zhongli falls, Lu Bu can march straight in via the waterway. As for the second purpose, it is to see what Lu Bu is doing! What is certain is that they are now short of troops and have no cavalry, and are no match for Lu Bu in a field battle. If Lu Bu's army came to Zhongli City and launched a fierce attack, needless to say, he would directly enter Zhongli City. Even if all of Lu Bu's troops were spent here, he would not be able to capture Zhongli. If Lu Bu went around the city, he would first defeat the troops outside the city and then take the opportunity to block Lu Bu's retreat. But now Lu Bu has not taken any action, and there is no news from the southern city. This is obviously a bit unusual. So the only thing he could do now was to wait quietly. However, Xu Sheng's worries were not unreasonable. He led his troops here without any logistical supplies. The maximum period he can wait is three days. Once three days are up and his dry food is gone, he must make a decision. Should he lead the troops into the city, or contact the troops in the city to give Zhang Liao and others a surprise directly? Thinking of this, he suddenly stopped at the lakeside, looked at the lake quietly and murmured: "Lü Bu is here, but he won't advance, and he won't retreat. Does he really want to bypass the city?" This lake was a reservoir in the southeast of Fengyang County in later generations. It had not been developed at that time and the scenery was quite beautiful. While talking to himself, he picked up a stone and threw it into the lake. The flat stone jumped several times along the lake water, creating layers of ripples before falling into the water. Looking at the sparkling lake, a hint of determination appeared in his deep eyes. If Lu Bu is going around the city, then maybe we can try to keep Lu Bu in Huainan! Thinking of this, he turned around and ordered Xu Sheng: "Wen Xiang, pass on my military order and quickly send Jiang Ziyi from Shouchun to see me!" Ever since Jiang Gan had dealt with Taishi Ci and Yuzhang successively during his diplomatic mission in the past, he returned to Shouchun to report.

Because of his contribution on this diplomatic mission, he was appointed by Liu Bei as Jiujiang Councilor, and is now serving under Liu Fu. Since Lu Bu is to be kept, Zang Ba's power is absolutely indispensable. He might need to seize the opportunity to send Jiang Gan north to persuade Zang Ba to join him in dealing with Lu Bu. Under his command, Xu Sheng naturally asked the knight to pass on the password, but before he could pass it on, he saw his patrol soldiers carrying several people coming into the mountain. When Xu Sheng saw them, he hurriedly asked who they were. Before the soldier could answer, a scholar in brown clothes shouted: "May I ask if General Liu's troops are stationed here? I am not a spy, but Chen Jiao, the Gongcao of Guangling." "I am here on the order of Lord Chen of Guangling to see Lord Qin of Yiyang Marquis regarding an important matter!" "I hope you won't stop me and ruin our plans!" That's right, the man who was being forced here by his subordinates was none other than Chen Jiao, who was following Chen Deng's orders. Coincidentally, Zhongli should have been in the southwest of Xutai. If Chen Jiao had gone directly to Zhongli, he would not have met Qin Zhen. Because Qin Zhen’s current location is in the mountains south of Zhongli, which is quite far away from Zhongli. But the coincidence lies here. Chen Jiao came from the northeast, and Gao Shun and Zhang Liao were stationed in the northeast as well. Both of them were good generals. Although they did not receive orders to mobilize troops, they scattered a large number of spies on the important roads around the camp. After Chen Jiao and others arrived at Zhongli, they were stopped by Zhang Liao's scouts. Faced with this situation, Chen Jiao naturally did not dare to say that he was going to Zhongli. He just said that he was passing through here and was preparing to go south to Lujiang to visit a friend. The scouts under Zhang Liao's command did not ask too many questions, but just said that there was a war going on in the west and they could only march south. So Chen Jiao took a detour and prepared to go around the mountain from the southwest to enter Zhongli. Unexpectedly, because of his suspicious behavior, he was caught by the scouts sent by Qin Zhen. Although Chen Jiao was not good at military affairs, he was a smart man. When he saw soldiers in the wild mountains, he knew that most of them were Liu Bei's army. Then the current scene appeared. Before Xu Sheng asked any questions, he gave his name. When Xu Sheng heard that the other party wanted to see Qin Zhen, but he didn't know that Qin Zhen was in the mountains, he smiled and said: "You said you were under the command of Chen Guangling, but I wonder why you want to see my military advisor?" He originally wanted to tease him, but when Chen Jiao heard this, his face turned serious and he said: "This is a military and national issue, not something a reckless person should be allowed to hear!" "I know that Qin Jun is in Zhongli. Let me go immediately. Otherwise, if I make a big mistake, you will all be guilty of a serious crime!" Xu Sheng was already in a bad mood, and when he heard this he became even more angry: "Who do you call a reckless man? Do you know who I am?" Chen Jiao was arrested, and he was also upset. Hearing this, he said:

"We have never met before, how do we know your name? If you say you are not a reckless person, why don't you let me go?" Xu Sheng was displeased when he saw that he was being ruthless. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice in the distance: "Why is Wen Xiang making such a fuss here? What happened?" As he spoke, Qin Zhen had already walked towards this place. Xu Sheng wanted to talk to him, but Chen Jiao said to Qin Zhen: "General, you have come at the right time. I am Chen Jiao, and I am here to see the King of Qin on the orders of Chen Guangling!" "This person is quite rude, I hope the general can rescue him!" Because Qin Zhen was dressed in military uniform and had a tall stature, Chen Jiao mistook him for a military general. But the meaning conveyed in his words caught Qin Zhen's attention. Hearing that it was someone sent by Chen Deng, Qin Zhen ordered his men to release Chen Jiao and said: "Sir, you are here on the orders of Chen Yuanlong. What do you want to tell me?" Chen Jiao was finally released. Seeing him asking about this again, he frowned and said: "I heard that Lord Qin has always been very strict in managing his army. Don't you know that secret reports should not be spoken lightly?" "I saw that the general was also a gentleman. He knew that I had an important matter to meet the King of Qin. He knew where the King of Qin was, so he took me to meet him." "If you don't know where Lord Qin is, send me into the city and I will go find him myself." "Why do you keep asking me questions?" "If I say this and the secret information is leaked, who will be blamed?" But as soon as he finished speaking, Qin Zhen's guards around him burst into laughter, and Qin Zhen also smiled and said: "You are a man who is loyal to his duties. No wonder Chen Yuanlong asked you to pass on the order!" "I think my subordinates didn't tell you clearly, so you don't need to look for it elsewhere!" "I am Qin Zhen. Can I tell you something important this time?" Originally, he was somewhat skeptical about Chen Jiao's sudden arrival, but seeing how stubborn he was, he knew that this man was Chen Jiao, a famous official of the Wei State in the future. After all, in the original process, when Emperor Cao Rui passed by and wanted to check the documents, he was rejected by this person. Not to mention that now these unidentified people want to ask for secret information. As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jiao looked puzzled and stared at Qin Zhen and said: "Are you Lord Qin? Do you have any evidence for me to see?" "I haven't even asked you for proof, but you're asking me for it?" Qin Zhen found it amusing and simply opened the brocade bag on his waist and said: "In this case, sir, can you believe that I am Qin Zhen?" Inside his brocade bag was a golden seal, which was the golden seal and purple ribbon that only marquises, princes and ministers could wear. In the entire Liu Bei army, currently only he, Liu Bei, and Guan Yu are qualified to wear it.

As the golden seal appeared, Chen Jiao immediately bowed to Qin Chen and said: "So it is really Mr. Qin who is in front of me. I hope you can forgive my disrespect!" He had no choice but to believe it. In this era, making seals privately would result in beheading. Especially the imperial seal, basically no one dared to forge it. But after saying this, he added with a firm look on his face: "But this matter is of great importance and cannot be disclosed to outsiders. Please block your left and right and I will report it to you below!" Seeing him like this, Qin Zhen simply waved his hand and asked everyone to leave. Seeing this, Xu Sheng stepped forward with some concern and asked: "Military advisor, this person's origins are unknown, beware of fraud!" He was thinking about Qin Zhen's safety, but Qin Zhen just laughed; "It's okay. I see that you are a trustworthy person, so nothing will happen!" Then he asked Xu Sheng to leave. After everyone had gone far away, Chen Jiao told Qin Zhen exactly what Chen Deng had said. After hearing what Chen Jiao said, Qin Zhen couldn't help but raise his lips and said: "So, Chen Yuanlong is willing to help me get rid of Lu Bu?" He was still thinking about using Zang Ba's power to keep Lu Bu, but he didn't expect that Chen Deng also had the same idea. With Chen Deng as an insider, there is a chance to capture not only Lu Bu but also Xuzhou! (End of this chapter)