Chapter 501

That would be envious to death.

"Ziyi's subordinates... to have so many fierce generals, it truly makes me envious." Cao Cao said while holding his wine cup: "The credit for this battle belongs to you all; this cup, I toast you all!"

Cao Cao, holding his wine vessel, tilted his neck and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Qing'an turned his head and glanced at Zhang Liao beside him, and the two nodded at each other.

Subsequently, Chen Qing'an took the lead in raising his cup to Cao Cao.

Among the generals, Chen Qing'an was not the fiercest, but he was the most senior by Duan Yu's side and also the most trusted; there was no doubt about this.

One could tell just by looking at the seating arrangement of the generals.

Chen Qing'an stood up, held the wine vessel with both hands, bowed slightly to Cao Cao, and said: "Young Master Cao used unorthodox tactics to capture Poqiang County in one fell swoop; this credit should belong to Young Master Cao."

"On behalf of the Lord, I toast Young Master Cao a cup; Young Master Cao and his clansmen did not hesitate to rush for days to rescue the Lord; this is Young Master Cao's great righteousness; after the battle, Qing'an will certainly report this to the Lord."

"This cup, Qing'an, on behalf of the Lord and all the generals, toasts Young Master Cao."

After saying this, Chen Qing'an drank the wine in the vessel in one gulp.

Cao Cao smiled and nodded, saying: "I am a sworn friend of Ziyi, there is no need for thanks; besides, I only offered advice, it was entirely due to everyone's bravery that we were able to defeat the enemy."

As the saying goes, everyone helps carry the flowery sedan chair.

If you praise me, I should naturally praise you back.

Moreover, when Cao Cao came from Luoyang, he had already resigned from his post.

It was only after arriving in Liangzhou that he was recruited by Duan Yu as a Military Marquis in the army; if one really talked about official rank, Cao Cao was currently the smallest among them.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Cao Cao then cast his gaze on Lu Bu, who was sitting in the back row, tall and sturdy, wearing beast-faced armor, draped in a hundred-flower battle robe, and drinking heavily.

Lu Bu seemed to have drunk a bit too much at this moment, and his face was already visibly flushed.

"Fengxian." Cao Cao looked at Lu Bu and raised his wine cup, saying: "Fengxian is truly a fierce and brave warrior, the likes of which I, Cao Cao, have seen in my life."

Lu Bu, already seven parts drunk, laughed heartily and raised his wine cup, saying: "How about it, Aman, am I fierce or not?"

"Uh..."

Cao Cao, being called by his childhood nickname, immediately felt awkward.

Chen Qing'an turned his head, glanced at Lu Bu, frowned, and said: "General Lu, do not be rude."

Cao Cao hurriedly waved his hand with a smile and said: "No matter, no matter, Aman is Aman; but having said that, Fengxian is truly fierce."

"I originally thought Ziyi was already peerless in bravery, but I didn't expect Fengxian to be so fierce as well; he truly does not lose to Ziyi." Cao Cao continued to praise.

"Uh..."

Now it was Lu Bu's turn to feel awkward.

Although Lu Bu had drunk quite a bit, he hadn't reached the point of being muddled.

Moreover, even if he were muddled, Lu Bu would never dare to admit that he could compare to Duan Yu.

That was simply not on the same level.

That strike against the Xiongnu, Lu Bu still remembered vividly to this day.

And the weapon Duan Yu used.

Its weight alone was several times heavier than his Painted Halberd.

If one were talking about the generals in this room, he didn't take any of them seriously.

But to compare himself to Duan Yu.

Lu Bu hurriedly shook his head: "Aman, do not joke; compared to the Lord, I am far behind, far behind."

Chen Qing'an turned his head and smiled slightly.

This Lu Bu still had some self-awareness.

Amidst the exchange of cups, Cao Cao continued: "Everyone, I have a proposal."

"In today's battle, I used the Huangshui River to block the Qiang cavalry from fleeing; I think this is an excellent method."

"Next, we will surround the main force of the Qiang tribe in Yunwu."

"And according to Ziyi's plan, we have already completed the front and rear blockade, while Ziyi is responsible for the 'blooming in the middle'."

"If we win this battle, where do you think the main force of the Qiang tribe will flee?" Cao Cao's gaze swept across the hall.

While asking, he also had the intention to see which of the generals under Duan Yu were commander material and which were general material.

However, before Cao Cao was even prepared.

Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao spoke at the same time.

"Wuwei!"

"Wuwei Commandery!"

Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao spoke almost simultaneously.

Hiss!

Cao Cao gasped, looked at Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao, and then raised his eyebrows and asked: "How so?"

Chen Qing'an glanced at Zhang Liao, signaling for Zhang Liao to speak.

But Zhang Liao modestly let Chen Qing'an speak: "Qing'an, you go ahead."

Seeing Zhang Liao say this, Chen Qing'an did not decline: "Then, Wenyuan, I will not be polite; you can help fill in the gaps on the side."

The friendship between Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao began in Yanmen Commandery.

The two had been together from Loufan Pass all the way to the Monan grasslands, and they had long since forged a deep friendship.

Moreover, Zhang Liao also wanted to marry a woman of his clan to Chen Qing'an.

This matter had already been reported to Duan Yu.

And it had also received Duan Yu's nod.

They could be married next year.

Chen Qing'an stood up.

Subsequently, at Cao Cao's signal, Cao Ren brought the map.

Chen Qing'an walked to the two soldiers holding the map and began to explain to everyone in the hall.

"Although Yunwu County is on the south bank of the Huangshui River, if we can defeat the main force of the Qiang tribe in Yunwu County, if they flee south, they will be heading toward Longxi Commandery."

"But now Longxi has already made preparations; even if they go to Longxi, there is nowhere for them to attack."

"Instead, they will have no supply route because the road behind them has been cut off by us."

"And Wuwei Commandery and Zhangye Commandery are the places of origin for the Qiang tribe, and there are also miscellaneous Hu tribes like the Xiutu."

"As long as they flee into Wuwei, if we pursue them further, they can still flee toward Zhangye, Jiuquan, and even Dunhuang or the Western Regions."

"And it is impossible for us to pursue them all the way."

"Therefore, I guess."

Chen Qing'an pointed his finger in the direction of Wuwei Commandery and said: "If the Qiang tribe is defeated, they will surely flee to Wuwei."

Zhang Liao, with a serious expression, nodded while listening.

Cao Cao's small eyes were full of brilliance.

A smile also appeared on his face.

Just as he was about to praise him, Chen Qing'an spoke again.

"So, I think Young Master Cao's intention is to make a move on the Huangshui River?" Chen Qing'an looked at Cao Cao and asked: "I wonder if I am right?"

As soon as Chen Qing'an said this, Cao Cao was not just showing brilliance in his eyes, but was surprised.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food.

The generals also dispersed.

Chen Qing'an, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Xun, who were not drunk, walked together.

Li Jue, Guo Si, Hua Xiong, and others had also long since returned to their own lodgings.

As it was about to enter September, the temperature at night was getting colder and colder.

Especially since they were still wearing armor, they could barely feel any warmth at night.

Chen Qing'an, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Xun walked side by side.

"Wenyuan, this person named Cao Mengde... is very capable."

Chen Qing'an said seriously: "This person uses troops with many unorthodox tactics; Brother Duan said this person had never been in contact with troops before, but after these many days, I feel that this person has an ability in using troops that is different from ordinary people."

Zhang Liao nodded: "Indeed; if this person becomes a general, his achievements will certainly not be low."