Then there were only two ways before him, either to seek refuge with this future "withered bones in the grave", or to "find his roots", return to the embrace of the Cao family, and seek refuge with Cao Cao, who had recently flourished in Yanzhou.

And this, it seems, there is no need to choose at all!

It is precisely for this reason that the relationship between Cao Ren and Cao Cao is actually very subtle.

In terms of family ties, he, a concubine, cannot compare to Cao Chun, the legitimate son of the first wife.

He took refuge in Cao Cao, just like he brought his own private soldiers to join Cao Cao's army.

His private soldiers are still serving and directly subordinate to Cao Ren...

This is somewhat similar to Soochow's "army conferring system" or "army leading system"!

This is why, when Cao Ren saw his men trapped in the enemy camp, he would rescue them without hesitation.

——These soldiers are not Cao Cao's, they are his own...

——If one dies, one is missing!

To sum up, Cao Ren’s journey to this day has not been easy...

When he was young, he was "separated" and moved to Huaisi, where he formed a cavalry regiment. Then he fought monsters and trained in Huaisi for many years, accumulating rich experience in cavalry combat.

Ten years later, he was forced by circumstances to join Cao Cao's forces.

Although he is not a direct descendant... but relying on the combat experience of the cavalry and his understanding of Huaisi, he was generous and brilliant in the battle against Huaisi's Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, and Lu Bu, with outstanding results and a glorious record of nineteen consecutive victories.

When it comes to cavalry combat, it cannot be said that it is not the best...

However, his ability in water combat was mediocre, and he ended up being defeated in the water battle and ending in embarrassment.

As for his relationship with Cao Cao, he is a clan brother, but not a direct descendant!

Far inferior to the relationship between Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Chun and Cao Cao.

Of course, this is an internal reason within the family, and it is also the reason for "legacy" and "concubine".

It's even more because... Xiahou Dun, Xia Houyuan, Cao Chun... these are the "major shareholders" and "angel wheels" that Cao Cao and Chen Liu took in when he started his army, and Cao Ren... is always inferior.

"--well!"

Cao Ren let out a faint sigh, which contained a lot of sadness and helplessness in his heart over the years.

Of course, now... from his point of view, it seems that he is about to survive.

Cao Chun and the Hubao Cavalry were attacked in the Sunset Valley of Jiangxia. This may have dealt a heavy blow to the Hubao Cavalry, the Xiangfan battlefield, and Cao Wei as a whole.

But for him, Cao Ren, it was a great joy. It was an opportunity to get rid of his status as a "concubine" and become the only legitimate heir of the Cao family, Cao Chi.

In other words, as long as Cao Chun is gone...

From then on.

——His belongs to Cao Ren!

——His younger brother Cao Chun is also Cao Ren!

Everything belongs to him!

And it stands to reason that Cao Ren will replace Cao Chun, become one of the most direct members of Cao Cao's prowess, and become as famous as Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan.

It is true that Cao Ren is sighing, but he is just sighing for the difficulty of the past!

"Why does the general sigh?"

As if hearing Cao Ren sigh, Man Chong reminded him, "Although I fell into the trap of 'Huang Laoxie' this time, it's not without any gains."

Man Chong's eyes moved to the repeating crossbow beside Cao Ren, "At least, we still have such a repeating crossbow. The general has sent a letter to the lord during the day. I think the lord will soon send Liu Ye and Liu Zhubo

Send."

"Liu Ye is proficient in the art of craftsmanship. During the Battle of Guandu, he made great achievements by improving the catapult into the 'Thunderbolt Chariot'. If he came, he would definitely be able to dismantle and imitate this repeating crossbow. What a craftsman in the Wei Dynasty."

How many? By then, we, the Wei Dynasty, will be able to build this repeating crossbow!"

——If you can’t beat it, join!

Man Chong's idea is completely correct.

This was the second time he mentioned this to Cao Ren.

The last time was this morning. At that time, he saw Cao Ren's desolate expression and made the same suggestion.

After some suggestions, Cao Ren's mood obviously became much better, and he immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Bashu.

really…

After hearing this, Cao Ren's complicated mood calmed down a little, and he sighed: "If I, Cao Wei, can really make this repeating crossbow, it will be of great benefit in water battles!"

Man Chong followed Cao Ren's words and continued: "There is also the chariot called the 'side carriage' used by the Guan family army. In our opinion, this side carriage restrains the cavalry, but for Liu Ye, maybe he is very relaxed

, it can be cracked!"

It’s still the Battle of Guandu…

At that time, because Cao's and Yuan's military camps were very close to each other, Yuan Shao sent soldiers to pile up earth slopes and build archery towers on the earth slopes, so that archers and crossbowmen could shoot down Cao's army from a high position.

At that time... the entire Cao army had to carry shields even when leaving the camp, and countless soldiers were shot every day.

It is no exaggeration to say that at that time, such an archery tower almost demoralized Cao Jun.

It was Liu Ye who pioneered the improvement of the catapult into a thunderbolt chariot at that critical moment.

And what is the role of the Thunderbolt Car?

This is equivalent to Yuan Shao's side being a "sniper", but Cao Cao's side being a "mortar".

Destroying Yuan Shao's mounds and arrow towers is no problem...

Some even forced Yuan Shao's army to retreat several miles!

I have to say that Liu Ye... this clan member of the Han Dynasty is very capable and convincing when it comes to inventions and creations.

Exactly, because Cao Ren still has a repeating crossbow here.

Because, at the cost of five thousand tigers and leopards, you get the function of that sidecar...

Man Chong and Cao Ren were confident that they would put the "treasure" on Liu Ye!

If he comes, he will definitely be able to make a repeating crossbow, and he will definitely be able to crack this sidecar!

call…

At this moment, Cao Ren heard Man Chong's enlightenment again, and his frown finally relaxed.

The dark clouds in his heart seemed to have dissipated a lot.

He slowly walked to the window and looked out at the rocky, deserted and silent night, and couldn't help but murmur in his heart.

However, what he said was completely different from what he thought.

"If we can develop a repeating crossbow and break through this sidecar formation, then... we will not let 'Zihe' and these thousands of tiger and leopard warriors die in Sunset Valley..."

"They can rest in peace even if they are under the Nine Springs!"

Cao Ren said it was sentimental, but there was inevitably a little joy in his heart.

With his current prestige and his title of "Heavenly General".

Now that his younger brother is gone, who can stop Cao Ren from becoming the only "head" of his father's lineage?

At this moment, Cao Ren seemed to see the hope of getting rid of his status as a "bastard" and standing up!

But at this moment.

Under the torch, a few rays of light suddenly reflected in the dark corridor, just like a sharp sword blade...the soul-stirring light that can be emitted.

Cao Ren was still muttering in his mind, what is that?

Yes, in the middle of the night...if someone breaks in, who can break into the main hall of his mansion without notifying him?

But as people came closer and closer.

Cao Ren's pupils gradually widened...

In the end, he couldn't help but open his mouth, but the words seemed to be choked in his throat. He was completely shocked.

——"Zi...Zihe?"

——"Is...is it a ghost?"

Before Cao Ren could wake up from this huge shock...

The visitor had already seen him, and soon after, he rushed towards Cao Ren with a sudden burst of speed, and a fierce sword light whizzed towards Cao Ren's neck.

"Cao Zixiao, you guy——

——Take! Life! Come!”

…

…

ps:
Chapter completed!