This time he followed Cao Hong to fight and successfully captured Taohua Station. Everything went smoothly, so why did Cao Hong become even more angry
Cao Hong sneered: "How do you know there is an ambush ahead?"
Xu Huang frowned and said, "Chasing the enemy late at night is a big taboo. I am just guessing."
Cao Hong asked, "Liu Qi fled in panic, so we should have pursued him. But we missed the opportunity because of our momentary speculation. Xu Gongming, when did you become so afraid of death?"
Xu Huang's face also turned very ugly. Cao Hong was making things difficult for him today. Wasn't this just picking trouble on purpose
He immediately responded in a loud voice: "It's not that I'm afraid of death, I'm just afraid of delaying military intelligence. If the general goes with me, I will go through fire and water and die without hesitation."
"Well, you're not afraid of death!" Cao Hong laughed in anger, sneering: "If I go with you, I'm afraid I'll be the one going through fire and water, right?"
Xu Huang raised his head and stared at Cao Hong: "Why do you say that, General?"
"Xu Huang, you traitor!" Ma Yanchong jumped out and said with a fierce smile, "Liu Qi told me everything yesterday. You are a spy lurking in the camp, pretending to obey but secretly disobeying, and being two-faced."
Xu Huang was furious and said in a deep voice: "General Ma, you were captured by Liu Qi, but you came back to slander me. How can this be possible?"
"I can't believe it!" Cao Hong couldn't help shaking his head and sighing, "I thought only Yu Jin and Li Dian would betray the prime minister, but you, a fellow with thick eyebrows and big eyes, have also betrayed me. You are simply a beast in human form."
"What did you say?" Xu Huang was shocked and clasped his fists and said, "General, this is Ma Yan's one-sided statement. It is absolutely unbelievable. It is very likely that he was deceived or even bribed by Liu Qi and used this as a tactic to sow discord."
"Xu Huang, how dare you bite back!" Ma Yan felt guilty, his face flushed, and he shouted, "Everyone in the army knows that you and Guan Yu are the closest friends. How did you escape Guan Yu's ambush when we were chasing the enemy at Bowangpo?"
Xu Huang was startled, not knowing why he suddenly brought up something so far away. He gritted his teeth and said, "I risked my life to charge and break out."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Ma Yan smacked his lips and clasped his fists towards Cao Hong, saying, "General Cao, do you believe this? In the battle a few days ago, he was no match for Zhang Fei."
Cao Hong squinted at Xu Huang and said, "General Xu, please give me a reasonable explanation."
"This..." Xu Huang was completely confused. The battle situation changed rapidly, so how could he explain it clearly? He snorted slightly: "Why do you mention this past?"
Cao Hong saw this expression and knew that Xu Huang was guilty. He sneered and said, "He won't cry until he sees the coffin! General Ma, confront him face to face."
Ma Yan first asked about the battle at Wuguan Pass, and left Xu Huang speechless with several coincidences. He then repeated Liu Qi's words, and looking at Xu Huang, who was stunned, he smiled smugly and said, "Xu Gongming, you have nothing to say now, right?"
"You bastard, how dare you slander me!" Xu Huang came to his senses from his shock, and became furious. He drew his sword and slashed at Ma Yan.
"Stop!" Cao Hong drew his sword and blocked it, saying sternly, "Do you want to kill me and silence me?"
"Forget it—" Xu Huang was startled, and suddenly he looked up to the sky and sighed, then turned to the east and knelt down, "Xu Huang was highly regarded and promoted by the Prime Minister, and I have been loyal to the country with a clear conscience. I did not expect to be slandered by a villain. I am speechless. I am sorry that I can no longer serve the Prime Minister—"
After bowing three times in the direction of Xuchang, he grabbed the sword and slashed it across his neck, determined to die to show his determination.
"Wait!" Cao Hong was shocked and rushed forward to grab his arm. The sword had already cut his neck and blood was pouring out. He shouted, "Call a doctor!"
Xu Huang looked depressed: "I am already desperate, why stop me?"
Cao Hong didn't know what to do for a moment. He grabbed Xu Huang's arm tightly and said, "If you are really loyal, come with me to attack Wuguan tomorrow. As long as we can break through the pass, all the rumors will disappear."
Ma Yan said anxiously: "General Cao, you can't..."
"Shut up!" Cao Hong shouted at Ma Yan, helped Xu Huang up, and said slowly: "Everyone go to rest early, I have my reasons."
The doctor came and checked Xu Huang's wound. Fortunately, it was just a skin break and no serious injury. All the generals returned to their camps.
Cao Hong walked around the tent twice with his hands behind his back, and sent several personal soldiers to quietly leave the city and head towards Wohugang to investigate the situation.
At daybreak, the personal soldiers came to report that there was indeed an ambush at Wohugang. The person leading the troops was none other than Zhang Fei. After daybreak, they retreated towards Wugu Pass without waiting for the pursuers.
Cao Hong remained calm and waited for his troops to rest and have lunch. Then he ordered his troops to attack Wuguan with Xu Huang as the vanguard.
When Liu Qi heard the defenders beating drums to warn, he and Pang Tong came to the gate tower. They were surprised to see that it was Xu Huang who came.
Pang Tong said with emotion: "With such a plan, Xu Huang was able to lead the army, and Cao Hong was willing to use him. This man is indeed Cao's trusted general."
Liu Qi frowned and asked, "Could it be that Ma Yan was afraid of being punished and didn't dare to tell the truth?"
Pang Tong shook his head and said, "If Ma Yan wants to save his life, he has to tell the general everything he said. Even if he whitewashes it, it is only to exonerate himself, and will never exonerate Xu Huang."
"What a loyal and righteous man!" Liu Qi couldn't help but sigh.
At this moment, he suddenly understood Cao's feelings and why he was always obsessed with Guan Yu.
Which leader wouldn’t like such loyal and reliable subordinates
This really proves the old saying: What you can't get will always cause you trouble.
He was not interested in Ma Yan's voluntary surrender and even treated him as a chess piece to be handed over to Cao Hong. He tried his best to persuade Xu Huang to rebel, but to no avail.
At this time, Xu Huang had already arrived at the pass. He pointed at the pass and cursed: "Liu Qi, you little bastard, actually used despicable means to alienate me. It's just a waste of time. Come and die quickly."
Zhang Fei clasped his fists and said, "This kid is stubborn. I can capture him and persuade him later. Why go to such great lengths?"
When Zhang Fei thought of the look of covering his mouth and pretending to be shocked last night, he still felt embarrassed and got goose bumps all over his body. It would be better to capture him alive.
"Hehe, our plan is not without results!" Pang Tong suddenly sneered, pointing at Xu Huang and said, "General, please see, Xu Huang is injured on the right side of his neck. He must have died to show his determination, so that he can regain Cao Hong's trust. If Cao Hong really believed in him, he should have stayed in the camp to recover. Now I order him to be the vanguard, both to test his loyalty and to prevent future troubles!"
"So, there is still hope?" Liu Qi's eyes lit up.
Even if there is a small crack between them, as long as the hoe is used diligently, there is no corner that cannot be dug.
Pang Tong frowned and said, "But we have nowhere to retreat. Cao Hong is here to supervise the battle, so it's hard to use any tricks."
Liu Qi chuckled and said, "Even Fengchu has his limit?"
Pang Tong shook his head and smiled, "Sooner or later, the two of them will face each other. If there is any mistake, it will backfire and all the previous efforts will be wasted."
Liu Qi raised his eyebrows and said slowly: "What is visible and invisible is all a plan..."
"What's the plan?" Zhang Fei turned his head and looked at Liu Qi with wide eyes, like a curious baby.
Although he was not as close to Liu Qi as Liu Bei, he was equally ambitious and had more heroism and intelligence than Liu Bei, which was what made Zhang Fei most satisfied.
Liu Qi smiled and said, "Xu Huang is injured and has come from a long way, so his victory is not fair. Uncle San will arrange another date for him to fight again and chat with him more."
Zhang Fei was stunned: "What can I have to say about his past?"
Liu Qi said: "I heard that Cao Cao treated my second uncle very well in Xuchang. Can you ask for the details?"