Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 753 Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu

While Cao Cao was arranging for everyone to deal with possible situations, a residence in Xingyang.

Jia Xu had just alighted from the carriage and was slowly walking towards the gate of the mansion.

Inside the mansion, a middle-aged man came out to greet him, grinning obsequiously, "Master Jia!"

Jia Xu met the middle-aged man's smiling face and simply nodded, saying, "General Zhang."

The middle-aged man was named Zhang Xiu, and he was the former lord of Wancheng.

In the past, Zhang Xiu followed his uncle Zhang Ji to Hongnong Port to serve the emperor, and that's how Zhang Xiu met Jia Xu and they became close friends despite their age difference.

Afterwards, Zhang Ji led his army away under the pretext of going to Jingzhou to request grain and supplies for the emperor, and Zhang Xiu was separated from Jia Xu at this point.

However, Zhang Ji actually marched south to attack Nanyang in Jingzhou.

As one of Dong Zhuo's generals, Zhang Ji was skilled in mounted combat, so how could he be adept at attacking cities?

During an attack on a city under Nanyang's control, Zhang Ji led the charge but was unfortunately killed by a stray arrow. Zhang Xiu then took over his mantle.

Zhang Xiu was at a loss for what to do.

It was Jia Xu who secretly sent someone to persuade him to shake hands and make peace with Liu Biao.

Jia Xu originally served under the feudal lord Duan Wei.

Duan Wei saw that although Jia Xu was talented, he was also cunning and had multiple escape routes, so he wanted to get rid of Jia Xu to prevent future troubles.

What an intelligent man Jia Xu was!

He had long ago used his connection with Duan Wei, being from the same hometown, to bribe spies under Duan Wei's command.

After learning of Duan Wei's plans from the spy, he contacted Zhang Xiu directly and secretly led his family away, settling down in Wancheng.

Later, Cao Cao led his army to attack, and Jia Xu strongly advised Zhang Xiu to surrender to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao personally received Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu.

Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu both immediately realized that Cao Cao coveted Zhang Xiu's aunt, Zou Shi.

Just when Zhang Xiu was extremely anxious, Jia Xu stepped forward and reminded him that he had the courage of Zhang Sui, but lacked opportunity.

When Cao Cao held a banquet, Jia Xu inadvertently mentioned that Cao Cao's most trusted general, Dian Wei, had been killed by Zhang Sui at Hangu Pass.

Cao Cao then gave up.

After Dian Wei's death, Cao Cao was hesitant to go out alone for a long time.

Now, for the sake of a widow, especially on someone else's territory, Cao Cao really dared not take the risk.

Zhang Xiu greatly admired Jia Xu's actions.

However, the only point of contention was that after the two of them joined Cao Cao, Jia Xu was given even more important positions.

As the former lord of Wancheng and now General Jianwei, he held the position of a captain in the army, commanding only a few hundred soldiers.

Zhang Xiu had been trying to find an opportunity to meet Jia Xu and ask him to put in a good word for Cao Cao.

However, Jia Xu never gave him the opportunity, saying that he didn't want Cao Cao to misunderstand that the two were still in contact, thus arousing unnecessary suspicion in Cao Cao.

Zhang Xiu came to visit again today.

To Zhang Xiu's delight, Jia Xu not only saw him this time, but also nodded at him!
Zhang Xiu was overjoyed.

There is a play!

Zhang Xiu hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Lord Jia, it's so difficult to meet you in private."

"Now I am in a lowly position, and my power is constantly being weakened by Cao Sikong."

"Before I surrendered, I commanded four or five thousand elite soldiers."

"Now, I command several hundred people."

"They are all veterans from Wuwei left to me by my uncle, and they are all in their seventies and eighties."

"If this continues, I will die a horrible death!"

"This is not what you said before."

"Back then you said that Cao Sikong was a ruthless and capable man who appointed virtuous and talented people to high positions."

"But the truth is, Cao Sikong treats us non-family generals who surrender as if we were thieves."

"Lord Jia, you owe me an explanation!"

Jia Xu stopped and looked at Zhang Xiu with some helplessness, saying, "General Zhang, you are indeed a bit of a rogue."

Zhang Xiu was about to refute.

But Jia Xu said, "Come in first." Zhang Xiu suppressed his surprise and quickly helped Jia Xu into the residence.

The two walked into the depths of the mansion, to Jia Xu's study, where Jia Xu gestured for Zhang Xiu to find a place to sit down.

Zhang Xiu laughed and said, "Why is Master Jia so cautious?"

"This is only the second time we've met since we parted ways in Wancheng."

Even if Minister Cao were bothered by it, he wouldn't say anything.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiu said sadly, "Could it be that Lord Jia dislikes me because I am not valued and therefore not well-liked?"

Jia Xu poured two cups of tea, pushing one towards Zhang Xiu and holding the other for himself. He took a small sip before saying in a hoarse voice, "General Zhang, why do you say such angry things?"

"If I hadn't cared about General Zhang, I would have already used his head to gain merit."

"Cao Cao was inherently suspicious and secretly suppressed generals from other clans."

“General Zhang has been trying to contact me. If I just find some excuse to expose General Zhang, Cao Cao will definitely take General Zhang’s life.”

"I've seen Hu Che'er, one of General Zhang's generals, and some of his cavalry."

"They still remember General Zhang and often tell stories in the army about their past battles with your uncle."

"General Zhang, ask yourself honestly, you have subdued the surrendered enemy, but his soldiers still cherish his memory. Can you rest easy?"

"Not to mention, Cao Cao was a suspicious man."

"However, he has been struggling to find evidence, and he has killed many people, so he recently executed Kong Rong's entire family."

"He needs time to calm the anxieties of both civil and military officials."

"General Zhang has been coming to see me."

"If I hadn't protected you, General Zhang would have lost several lives."

Upon hearing Jia Xu's words, a bead of sweat rolled down Zhang Xiu's forehead, and he said awkwardly, "This, this I really don't know!"

"I thought that now that Hu Che'er and the others have left me and are trusted by Cao Sikong, they would no longer remember me as their former master."

Jia Xu said irritably, "General Zhang, you have far too little confidence."

“You are a member of the Zhang family, a prestigious clan in Wuwei, and Hu Che’er was once under your command.”

"Those who were able to reach this Central Plains earned it through hard work and perseverance."

"Now that Cao Cao is being suppressed and beaten by Hebei, you are all feeling aggrieved. How can you not miss the past?"

Zhang Xiu hung her head and said, "That's true."

"Back then, my uncle and I followed Dong Zhuo in his campaigns, and we were invincible."

"But now, he is working under someone else's command."

"We haven't done anything yet, and we still have to be extremely cautious."

"Although Dong Zhuo is cruel and has unrealistic ideas, he treats his soldiers very well."

"Moreover, we often give people opportunities to make contributions."

"Under his command, there is no need to live in fear."

Jia Xu said quietly, "Let's not bring up the past anymore."

"What's past is like the flowing river; it can never return."

"General Zhang is also getting on in years; it's time for him to grow up."

"Nowadays, the warlords of Liangzhou and Guanzhong are all kneeling before Cao Cao. General Zhang, you shouldn't seek trouble in your current situation."

Zhang Xiu raised her head, looked at Jia Xu, and said with tears welling up in her eyes, "Is this really the end for me? Is there no hope left for my whole life?"

Jia Xu met Zhang Xiu's hurt gaze and shook his head.

Setting down his teacup, Jia Xu said, "One must learn to be patient, General Zhang."

"Be patient and you will have a peaceful life."

"Well, here comes your chance."

When Zhang Xiu heard the first half of Jia Xu's words, his heart sank to the bottom.

Just as he was about to punch the table beside him, he suddenly heard the second half of Jia Xu's words.

Zhang Xiu quickly stood up, strode over to Jia Xu, grasped Jia Xu's hands with both, and said excitedly, "Master Jia, teach me!"

(End of this chapter)