Chapter 1153: Invitation【1】

The time approached noon.

Cao Cao, dressed in black robes, rode on horseback, followed by a vast army of three thousand.

Dian Wei, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xia Houyuan, and Xia Houdun, among several others, rode on horseback to the left of Cao Cao.

In the distance, within the reach of everyone's gaze, the Mengshan mountain range could already be seen lying horizontally.

It was still early spring; the distant Mengshan was still a greyish-earth color, the buds on the branches had just unfurled their tender leaves, and the specks of green on the ground had just broken through the frozen soil.

The sound of horse hooves thundered as they headed straight toward Mengshan.

Cao Cao, riding on his horse, gazed at the distant Mengshan, his spirit yearning.

"Do you know why this place is called Mengshan?" Cao Cao asked, pointing his horse whip toward the distant mountain.

The generals beside him who heard Cao Cao's voice all shook their heads.

"Then do you know what kind of figures have emerged from this place?" Cao Cao asked again.

The group continued to shake their heads.

Cao Cao took a deep breath and said, "The Meng clan, great generals of the Qin State, originated from this place."

"This is the hometown of the Qin general Meng Ao."

"Back when the Qin State had not yet unified the land, during the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Meng Ao entered Qin from the Qi State to serve King Zhaoxiang, rising to the rank of Senior Minister."

"Over the four reigns of King Zhaoxiang, King Xiaowen, King Zhuangxiang, and the First Emperor of Qin, he led armies on campaigns several times and repeatedly achieved military merit. He successively captured over ten cities from the Han State, over thirty from the Zhao State, and over fifty from the Wei State."

The people beside Cao Cao listened earnestly to his words.

"The Meng family served for three generations, and after four generations of Qin, they finally saw the unification of the Qin State, yet..."

Speaking to this point, Cao Cao shook his head and said, "The gentlemen of the world ultimately cannot defeat the villains, and the loyal ministers in history books will always be framed by treacherous sycophants."

"Meng Tian led an army of three hundred thousand, yet in the end, he died for righteousness."

"What a pity... what a pity."

Upon hearing this, the group could not help but sigh.

If the Second Emperor of Qin had been Fusu instead of Huhai, if Fusu could have led the three hundred thousand troops back to Xianyang to ascend the throne.

Would there still have been the uprising of Gao Zu after slaying the snake? Would there have been that line from Chen Sheng and Wu Guang: 'Are kings and nobles born with a special lineage?'

At the foot of Mengshan, rows of connected camps occupied almost the entire mountain.

It was called a camp, but the chaotic layout, combined with the constant movement in and out of the stockades, and the women and children busy by the rivers and streams, made it look more like a mountain stronghold.

When the three thousand troops led by Cao Cao arrived from the direction of Nanwuyang, most of the refugees outside the stockades ran toward the camps in a panic.

And on the far right side of the numerous disorganized large camps, there was a large stockade that looked relatively orderly, with a complete camp gate and deer-antler barricades.

Around the large stockade stood many Yellow Turban soldiers dressed in earthy-yellow long robes, holding various farm tools, some wearing simple bamboo armor.

At this moment, the camp gate was already open, and many people wearing armor, who could be identified at a glance as generals among the Yellow Turbans, were standing in front of the gate.

Zhang Rao, in his early thirties and wearing iron armor, stood at the very front of the many small Yellow Turban commanders.

Behind him were two burly generals.

"Commander, that leader must be the Yanzhou Inspector, Cao Cao."

Xu He pointed at Cao Cao, who was riding a mixed-black divine warhorse in the distance.

Zhang Rao, standing at the front, nodded, then turned his head to look behind him and said, "Be careful later; don't let Cao Cao see any clues."

Xu He and Sima Ju, standing behind Zhang Rao, nodded hurriedly.

"Don't worry, Commander, I guarantee there won't be any problems."

While Xu He and Sima Ju were speaking, they led a portion of the troops to the front of the stockade gate.

The three-thousand-strong army stationed themselves about three miles from the gate.

Cao Cao only brought over two hundred personal guards, along with Dian Wei and Xia Houdun.

Cao Ren and Cao Hong led the three thousand troops to station in place.

Before Cao Cao could even dismount, Zhang Rao had already led a group of small Yellow Turban commanders out of the gate to welcome him.

"Lord Cao."

Zhang Rao smiled and bowed to Cao Cao with cupped hands.

"Haha."

Cao Cao dismounted with great joy and met Zhang Rao.

"General Zhang."

The two walked toward each other, and Cao Cao grabbed Zhang Rao's hand and said, "General Zhang's willingness to submit to the imperial court is truly a great act of righteousness; this official is very happy."

Zhang Rao smiled slightly and said, "I have long heard of Lord Cao's name. We were also forced to become rebels. Now that we have received Lord Cao's army, we dare not resist. We hope Lord Cao can show mercy, considering that these million commoners are also miserable people."

Cao Cao nodded incessantly: "It should be so, it should be so."

Zhang Rao gestured toward the inside of the stockade and said, "Lord Cao, please. I have prepared some wine and food, and I also want to hear how Lord Cao plans to settle these million commoners."

Cao Cao's gaze looked into the stockade.

And the large stockade not far away.

Next to this stockade of Zhang Rao's, there was another large stockade.

Perhaps because of the arrival of their group, many old, young, women, and children inside the stockade were looking in their direction.

Compared to the stockade nearby, Zhang Rao's stockade had no old, young, women, or children, but mostly young and strong Yellow Turbans.

After a moment of thought, Cao Cao turned his head to look at Dian Wei behind him.

Dian Wei, carrying double halberds on his back, stood behind him like an iron tower, his tiger eyes exuding immense pressure.

Cao Cao, turning his head back, nodded with a smile and said, "I have exactly that intention."

"Lord Cao, please."

Zhang Rao bowed and invited him with a smile.

Subsequently, the many small Yellow Turban commanders behind Zhang Rao cleared the path.

Inside Zhang Rao's main military tent, wine and food had already been placed on the tables.

Cao Cao and Zhang Rao sat side by side not far apart; on the table in front of them were whole chickens, fresh fish, and freshly boiled mutton.

Besides that, there were two young and beautiful women kneeling on their left and right to serve them.

Near Zhang Rao's side, Xu He, Sima Ju, and a group of small Yellow Turban commanders sat in a row. ===== CHAPTER 1155 =====