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Although there were four large charcoal stoves in the banquet hall and the charcoal stoves were filled with red-hot coals, Lu Su, Chen Gui, Chen Deng and his son who were sitting in the hall still felt very cold, as if they were in a cold place.

As cold as an ice cellar.

It’s not that the charcoal fire is not warm enough, nor that the cold wind outside is too biting, nor that the atmosphere of the banquet is not lively enough and the wine is not fragrant enough. On the contrary, the aged wine at the banquet is quite mellow, the atmosphere is also very lively, and the wine is as good as

Zhang Fei, who was destined to die, was also fighting with Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Lu You and other drunkards. The noise almost brought down the roof, but Lu Su, Chen Gui and his son still felt the excitement.

I felt a kind of coldness from my heart. And this coldness came from the two protagonists of this banquet-Deputy Director Tao and Uncle Liu Huang.

The reason why Lu Su and others felt this way was the words and deeds of Uncle Liu Huang and Deputy Director Tao at the banquet. They suffered such a big loss in front of the city gate during the day and were forced to kill their most loyal friend in Xuzhou with their own hands.

As a lackey accomplice, our Uncle Liu Huang can still talk and laugh calmly and behave as usual, as if the Mi Fang incident never happened. His demeanor is heart-breaking. And our Deputy Director Tao is even more amazing. Not only does he talk and laugh calmly, but he also behaves as usual.

As usual, he called Uncle Liu Huang "uncle" in a sweet and affectionate manner. He pulled Uncle Liu's sleeve and just kept urging him to drink. He also left the table more than once to personally pour wine for Uncle Liu's three brothers. He truly achieved the expression and acting skills with ease and superb perfection.

Because of this, Lu Su and others, who were very aware of the feud between Uncle Liu Huang and Deputy Director Tao, felt chills in their hearts. They knew that the acting skills of Deputy Director Tao and Uncle Liu were definitely at a level that they would never reach in their lifetime. Looking at Uncle Liu Huang

The look he had with Deputy Director Tao was naturally the same as seeing two venomous snakes coiled up and spitting out messages.

Tao Qian, who was seriously ill, did not attend the banquet, and asked Tao Ying to accompany him on his behalf, to take care of the three brothers Liu Huangshu. In front of everyone, he delegated to Tao Ying the power to negotiate with Liu Huangshu to defend against the enemy, and openly

Speaking of Tao Ying's decision can make the final decision. In this regard, Xuzhou's civil and military officials knew the implication of Tao Qian's words, and Liu Huangshu could see it thoroughly. But the matter had already reached this point, and Liu Huangshu also

Tao Qian no longer dared to dream that Tao Qian proposed to give up the position of Xuzhou Mu to him for the third time. If he wanted to take over the five counties of Xuzhou, he had to use force. Therefore, Uncle Liu Huang had been thinking in his heart from the beginning, how to find ways to annex by force.

Xuzhou's opportunity, how can he deal with Tao Ying, a dangerous opponent who is very similar to himself?

He quietly made up his mind, and taking advantage of Tao Ying's opportunity to pour him wine in person, Liu Huangshu asked Tao Ying with a smile: "My dear nephew, your Majesty just said that regarding Cao Jun's affairs, my nephew will make the decision for him."

, discussing with Bei how to defend against the enemy, I wonder what my nephew has in mind, how do he plan to join forces with Bei to fight against the enemy?"

Tao Ying blinked his innocent big eyes and replied very loyally: "My nephew is a little talented and doesn't know much about military matters. Regarding this matter, I have to let my nephew discuss this matter with Xuzhou civil and military officials before giving any advice."

Uncle replied."

"Hey, my nephew is so humble." Uncle Liu smiled very gently and said: "My nephew went south to conquer Zuorong last time. He defeated more than ten thousand enemies with 800 cavalry. He became famous all over the world in one battle. Later, my nephew became famous all over the world.

Defeating more with less, using a weak force to defeat Huainan's famous general Sun Bofu, annihilating him and eight thousand elite soldiers, forcing Sun Ce to death, and finally forcing Yuan Jiujiu to defeat him. His military exploits were already so outstanding, but the wise nephew even claimed to not understand military affairs.

, is it too much to be self-effacing?”

"Uncle, it's just a fluke. Zuo Rong and Sun Ce underestimated the enemy, so my nephew got a big advantage." Tao Ying smiled modestly and added: "Since uncle said so, then my nephew has no choice but to show his shame.

, in my nephew’s humble opinion, just maintain the status quo.”

"Maintain the status quo?" Liu Huangshu was a little surprised and asked hurriedly: "Xiannephew, do you think it is enough to maintain the status quo? Can you block Cao Cao and Marquis Lu Wen?"

"That's right." Tao Ying nodded vigorously and said with a simple smile: "In my nephew's humble opinion, Xiaopei is the north gate of Xuzhou. Whether Cao Cao or Marquis Lu Wen invades Xuzhou, they must first pass through Xiaopei, so as long as my uncle defends Xiaopei,

Even though Pei, Cao Cao and Lu Wenhou had thousands of troops and millions of soldiers, they did not dare to go deep into the hinterland of Xuzhou. Moreover, in my nephew's opinion, the Xiaopei city surrounded by Surabaya and Paoshui on three sides was strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

With a world-famous general like my uncle sitting in command, whether it is Cao Cao or Marquis Lu Wen, they can only look at the city and sigh. Therefore, my nephew believes that the status quo can be maintained."

Uncle Liu Huang once again had the urge to strangle Deputy Director Tao to death. He thought to himself that you, a little thief, had a very good plan. Maintain the status quo and let me stick to Xiaopei. Let me take the lead and fight with Cao Cao and Lu Bu. Let me

If you hide behind and watch the fight between tigers and tigers, don't you, the little traitor, suffer too much?

"My dear nephew, I am not blaming you as an uncle, but you are too conservative." Uncle Liu shook his head and sighed, as if he regretted the conservative and negative attitude of his younger generation, and then said with a smile: "My younger generation is well-read in scriptures and is familiar with strategies. Don't you know how to sail against the current?

The principle of advance is followed by retreat? The people of Xiaopei are short of food and the city is in ruins. How can they defend it for a long time? If Cao Cao and Lu Bu really attack, even if the uncle sticks to Xiaopei, how long can he hold it? By then, the city may have no food.

If they are exhausted, or if they are prepared a hundred dense and sparse, they are occasionally lost, and the city of Xiaopei is destroyed, what can the wise nephew do?"

"Don't worry. When the time comes, you will have to fight Cao Cao and Lu Bu and both of us will be injured. It will be easier for me to defend Xuzhou, so I'm not worried." Tao Ying smiled affectionately on his face and muttered in his heart, and then said with a silly smile: "

Uncle, please rest assured that if the enemy invades, my nephew and father will supply my uncle with food, grass and military supplies at all costs. At the same time, my nephew will personally lead the army of gentlemen to the north at the appropriate time and support my uncle from the side."

"It doesn't have to be so troublesome." Uncle Liu continued to shake his head and said with a smile: "I have a plan. If my nephew is willing to do it, he can ensure that the five counties of Xuzhou are as safe as Mount Tai and there will be no more trouble from Cao's army."

"Uncle, what's your clever plan? Please give me some advice." Tao Ying asked with surprise on his face.

"The Art of War says: If the enemy can do great harm, take advantage of the situation, and use force to defeat the soft!" Uncle Liu Huang was also not modest, and kindly gave guidance to the younger generation: "The meaning of this sentence is that the enemy is in a difficult situation, and I will take advantage of it.

Use favorable opportunities to send troops and attack the enemy resolutely in order to achieve victory - my dear nephew, do you understand what your uncle means?"

"Not good!" Lu Su, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, who were listening attentively, suddenly changed their faces. They already understood Uncle Liu Huang's next plan - he wanted to use the pretext of taking advantage of the situation to induce Tao Ying to take the initiative to send troops or form a coalition of Tao and Liu.

Take the initiative to attack Cao Cao, who is troubled by food shortages, and then use the war between Tao and Cao to profit from it!

Worried, Lu Su quickly stood up and wanted to remind Tao Ying not to fall into the trap, but he never thought...

"Uncle's brilliant plan! It really is a brilliant plan!" Tao Ying jumped faster than Lu Su, clapped loudly with both hands, and shouted excitedly: "Generals, gentlemen, please be quiet, please be quiet! There is a good one

The news tells you that my uncle Xuande came up with a clever plan. He wanted to take advantage of Cao Cao's traitor's food shortage and take advantage of the enemy's weakness. He led Xiaopei's army to send troops north to take the initiative to attack Cao Cao's traitor, completely eradicate Cao Cao's traitor, and protect Xuzhou for five years.

The county is safe!"

Uncle Liu Huang almost vomited blood, but Chen Gui, his son and Lu Su almost laughed out loud. They thought to themselves that we definitely don’t have to worry. I’m afraid there’s no one in this world who can make our second son suffer a loss and be deceived. Over there, Cao Bao

Although he, Zang Ba and other Xuzhou generals did not understand why Uncle Liu Huang became so generous and proactive, they applauded desperately, hoping that Uncle Liu would get out of Xuzhou and fight to the death with Boss Cao! Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at each other, not knowing that their brothers

Why did your eldest brother get so crazy and take the initiative to fight with Boss Cao, who is notoriously difficult to mess with?

"My lords and generals." Deputy Director Tao did not give Uncle Liu Huang the slightest chance to defend himself, and shouted loudly: "Mr.

Duke Xuande bowed and thanked you."

After saying that, Tao Ying really bowed to Uncle Liu, and the Xuzhou officials present also quickly left their seats and stood up, ready to thank Uncle Liu for his generosity, righteousness, and courage. Uncle Liu was anxious and waved his hands quickly and said, "My dear nephew, you misunderstood.

Uncle, that's not what I meant. When did I say that I would send troops to attack Cao Cao?"

"Isn't that what you mean?" Tao Ying raised his head and asked with surprise: "Uncle, why did you propose to take advantage of the enemy's weakness? Uncle, do you want your nephew and father to take the initiative to send troops to attack Cao Cao?

What?"

"Yes, that's right." Liu Huangshu nodded quickly and explained: "Currently, Cao Cao's army is weak and troubled by food shortages, and his nephew is extremely brave and can use his troops like a god. If he raises his troops and goes north to attack Cao Cao, he will definitely be able to defeat the enemy in one battle and forever.

No future trouble!"

There were slight boos among the Xuzhou generals, who were all extremely disappointed with Liu Huangshu's words. Tao Ying looked embarrassed and said with a wry smile: "Uncle, how is this possible? The last time Cao Cao's rebellion caused Xuzhou's vitality to be severely damaged, it was difficult to protect itself.

Still feeling inadequate, and having the strength to be aggressive, he took the initiative to send troops to attack Cao Cao? Besides, besides his uncle, who else in the world can be the opponent of Cao Cao's traitors? My nephew is stupid and loyal, so he took the initiative to send troops to attack Cao Cao, isn't it?

Drive sheep and fight tigers?"

"If you are stupid and loyal, then there will be no cunning and cunning people in this world!" Uncle Liu roared in his heart and said with a smile: "My nephew is humble again. In my uncle's opinion, based on your performance on the Guangling battlefield, you may not be the best."

He is no match for Thief Cao."

"My nephew is just lucky in Guangling. Is there such a thing as continuous good luck in the world?" Tao Ying shook his head and said honestly: "Besides, even my uncle didn't dare to attack the Cao thieves. How dare my nephew do that?"

"Master Tao, what you said is wrong." Zhang Fei, who was already blushing and thick-necked from drinking, was a little unhappy. It was only because he had a very good impression of Tao Ying that he didn't yell out, but he still said loudly: "Who dares to attack Cao Ying?"

A thief? As long as big brother gives the order, I will go and behead that thief..."

"Third brother, don't talk nonsense!" Uncle Liu Huang was a little anxious, fearing that Zhang Fei would fall into the trap and be encouraged by Tao Ying to attack Cao Cao, so he quickly shouted to stop Zhang Fei. Then Uncle Liu Huang turned to Tao Ying and put on a more cordial smile.

, smiled and said: "My dear nephew, why are you so impatient? My uncle hasn't finished speaking yet, so you don't have to be so impatient, right?"

"My nephew knows the crime, please forgive me." Tao Ying confessed his crime honestly and treated Uncle Liu with such respect that he looked like a junior.

"Nothing, just listen to what uncle has to say." Liu Huangshu waved his hand magnanimously and said kindly: "What uncle wants to say is that Cao Cao's traitors are indeed difficult to deal with. Even if they are troubled by food shortages, they are still strong.

Don't underestimate the enemy, so don't say that my uncle and nephew sent out troops to attack him alone. Even if they join forces to attack him, I'm afraid they have no chance of winning."

Tao Ying stopped interrupting this time and just nodded obediently. He also had a bad feeling in his heart. He knew that Uncle Liu Huang must have no good intentions and would use some unethical idea to deal with him. Sure enough,

Uncle Liu Huang said with a smile: "Therefore, my uncle thinks that my nephew, you can send the envoy Shanyang to form an alliance with Marquis Lu Wen to jointly attack the Cao traitors."

"Alliance with Lu Bu? Am I looking for death?" Tao Ying sneered in his heart, saying that I would rather form an alliance with Cao Cao than with Lu Bu! Although Boss Cao is immoral and vicious, he at least has some principles and rules in doing things.

I will attack my allies casually and form an alliance with Lu Bu. If we make an alliance today, maybe Lu Bu will chop off my head the next day! That shameless Lu Xiaoqiang, will he care about the infamy of killing his allies?

"My dear nephew, you can rest assured. My uncle can be sure that Marquis Lu Wen will definitely agree to the alliance!" Liu Huangshu said plausibly: "Cao Cao's retreat was all due to Lu Bu's attack on Yanzhou, and the two families formed a mortal feud!

Later, the Cao and Lu families fought for half a year, each with their own victory or defeat, and the war situation was always stalemate. At this moment, the wise nephew proposed to form an alliance with Lu Wenhou to fight against Cao, and Lu Wenhou would definitely agree! By then, the three of us will join forces and send troops to attack Cao's thieves. How difficult is it to defeat Cao? And

After defeating Cao Cao, the five counties of Xuzhou can be as stable as Mount Tai, and the young master can avenge the innocent people and soldiers of Xuzhou who were killed before, and gain the gratitude of all the people of Xuzhou. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Not to mention, Uncle Liu’s proposal is really reasonable. If the three families of Tao, Liu, and Lu can really work together to defeat Cao Cao, Boss Cao will really have to prepare for his own funeral, so some Xuzhou civil and military officials will inevitably be very moved.

He agreed with Uncle Liu's proposal, but several officials and generals said worriedly: "I'm afraid this won't work, right? Lu Bu is troubled by a food shortage. If he takes the initiative to seek an alliance, why shouldn't Lu Bu take the opportunity to ask for food and grass?"

"It is possible." Liu Huangshu nodded and said with a smile: "But it doesn't matter. Marquis Lu Wen once indirectly saved Xuzhou's disaster and the young master's life. It is natural to repay him appropriately. Besides, after supporting the grain and grass, Marquis Lu Wen had food and Cao Cao did not.

Food, maybe you don’t even need to send troops, Cao’s thieves’ heads have already been sent to Xuzhou by Marquis Lu Wen to show to the public, so why not spend a little money and food?”

Speaking of this, Uncle Liu took the initiative and said generously: "Bei also knows that Xuzhou is not rich in grain and grass. If Marquis Lu Wen asks for food, Bei is willing to give out 10,000 dendrobium of grain to help the young master support Marquis Lu Wen in defeating Cao."

"Give me the food from my family as a favor. Your uncle Liu Huang is really a good material for a profiteer." Tao Ying muttered in his heart, but the Xuzhou civil and military officials over there were greatly moved. They all agreed and agreed with Uncle Liu's proposal and supported it.

Seeking an alliance with Lu Bu, the three families joined forces to fight against Cao Cao. Even Cao Bao felt that Liu Huangshu's words were reasonable and couldn't help but said: "Sir, you can consider this idea as a general. Marquis Lu Wen is extremely brave and unparalleled in the world. He has elite soldiers and strong generals."

There are countless of them, if we can join forces with him, it will not be difficult to defeat Cao Cao."

If he were not afraid of Lu Wenhou's capriciousness, Deputy Director Tao would really like to agree to Cao Bao's request - and then take the opportunity to encourage Cao Bao to sell the ugly and frightening Cao Ling to Lu Wenhou, who has a huge appetite. However, because he knows Lu Wenhou's virtues better than anyone else,

So Tao Ying immediately shook his head and said: "Uncle Cao, don't be joking. Lu Bu is capricious and has the nature of a wolf. What is an alliance with him other than seeking the skin of a tiger?"

As soon as the words in his heart came out, Tao Ying immediately regretted that he spoke ill of people behind their backs and was unbecoming of a gentleman. When he quickly looked at Uncle Liu's expression, he saw that although Uncle Liu's expression was calm, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, revealing

Tao Ying suddenly became a little nervous with a mysterious smile that was unpredictable, and said to himself: "Why is the big-eared thief smiling? What kind of evil idea is he holding back?"
To be continued...