Chapter 1, Honest Child

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Only one person did not cheer. Tao Yingyi stood by the door of the hall in the city tower, arms crossed, coldly gazing at the battlefield in the distance where the armies of Cao and Liu clashed. His expression was indifferent, as if the bloody battlefield outside the city and the jubilant crowd on the city wall had nothing to do with him, the second son of Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou.

"Second brother, look, that general holding the spear, could he be the third brother of Lord Xuande, Zhang Fei, Zhang Yide?" Tao Shang pointed at the Liu army general in the distance, asking excitedly, "Second brother, do you think he could be the Zhang Yide mentioned by Mi Biejia? The Zhang Fei, Zhang Yide who fought alongside Lord Xuande and Guan Yunchang against Lord Lü Wenhou at Hulao Pass?"

Liu Bei's reinforcements were getting closer to the city gate, and the cheers from the city walls grew louder. Tao Qian had already ordered his trusted aide, Cao Hong, to open the city gates and lead the troops out to welcome Liu Bei's reinforcements, his tone filled with excitement. Tao Qian's younger brother, Tao Shang, was also overjoyed, dancing with delight and raising his arms to shout that Xuzhou was saved. However, Tao Qian remained composed, showing no signs of joy; instead, he felt even more anxious.

"Why not consider pleasing Liu Bei and working for him?" Tao Ying was momentarily swayed, but upon recalling the fates of Liu Qi and Liu Zong, the tragic end of Liu Zhang's family after surrendering to Liu Bei, the disappearance of himself and his elder brother Tao Shang from historical records, and the various upheavals that occurred after Liu Bei took over Xuzhou, Tao Ying inevitably felt a renewed sense of hesitation

Whether the general in the distance is the renowned Zhang Fei, also known as Zhang Yide, is not important. What matters most to Tao Ying at this moment is to preserve his life! This is because Tao Ying has learned that his adoptive father, Tao Qian, in his misguided kindness, sent the captain Zhang Kai to escort Cao Cao's biological father, Cao Song, across the border. That ungrateful Zhang Kai killed Cao Song's entire family and absconded with a large sum of the Cao family's wealth to pursue the promising career of a bandit. As a result, the furious Cao Cao held Tao Qian accountable and led his army to Xuzhou, vowing to slaughter the military and civilians of Xuzhou to avenge his father. As the second son of Tao Qian, if Tao Ying were to fall into Cao Cao's hands, his fate would be all too predictable.

Lord Xuande has arrived! Lord Xuande has arrived! Xuzhou is saved! It is saved!

Thinking of the enemies outside the city who are waiting to take his life, Tao Ying felt a chilling sensation. Each of these individuals could easily crush him into a pulp with just a little finger.

Tao Qian shouted excitedly. After much effort, his murky old eyes finally spotted the large flag with a red background and white characters amidst the chaotic battle. Surrounding that flag was a valiant force of about two to three thousand men, comprising both cavalry and infantry, arranged in a neat assault formation, charging straight towards the northern gate of Xuzhou. Although the Cao army desperately tried to block them, it was evident that they were ill-prepared, and they were thrown into disarray by the troops of Lord Xuande. The hastily assembled formations were scattered one after another by Liu Xuande, resulting in a complete rout. The cavalry and infantry were both present, arranged in a neat assault formation, charging straight towards the northern gate of Xuzhou. Although the Cao army desperately tried to block them, it was evident that they were ill-prepared, and they were thrown into disarray by the troops of Lord Xuande. The hastily assembled formations were scattered one after another by Liu Xuande, resulting in a complete rout.

Cao Cao, Guo Jia, Xun You, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Le Jin, Li Dian, Yu Jin, Dian Wei

Deputy Director Tao was able to possess the honest child Tao Ying, which was also due to Tao Ying's timid nature. A few nights ago, Tao Ying followed Tao Qian's orders to patrol the city and happened to encounter the Cao army attempting to seize the city. A few Cao soldiers, taking advantage of the night cover, climbed the city wall and unexpectedly ran into Tao Ying's patrol team. Outnumbered, the Cao soldiers fought desperately, while Tao Ying, leading a group of thirty to fifty men, was so frightened that he cried out loud and fled for his life, even falling off the city wall and losing consciousness. Ultimately, the Cao soldiers attempting to seize the city were repelled by the Xu Zhou general Cao Bao and his troops. Taking advantage of Tao Ying's unconsciousness, Deputy Director Tao occupied the honest child's body, subsequently bearing the brunt of Tao Qian's scolding and the ridicule of the Xu Zhou military and civilians, feeling so frustrated that he nearly vomited blood

Xu Zhoumu Tao Qian stumbled out from the city tower. The heavy pressure and painful torment of more than half a year had left this sixty-two-year-old man with white hair and a haggard appearance, requiring assistance to walk, frail enough to collapse at any moment. Yet at this moment, Tao Qian seemed to have suddenly regained twenty years of youth, needing no support as he ran down the city tower steps by himself, rushing to the edge of the arrow tower, straining to open his cloudy old eyes to gaze eastward, nervously and excitedly asking aloud, "Has Lord Xuande's army arrived? Where is Lord Xuande?"

Tao Ying is not a person of this era. In the twenty-first century, he is known as Tao Mingwu, an exemplary public servant characterized by integrity, high moral standards, and a promising future. At a critical moment when he was striving for a promotion to a departmental level position, Tao Mingwu, having inadvertently made a driving error after attending three consecutive banquets, found himself confused and unaware of the cause of his car accident. He inadvertently arrived in this era, becoming the second son of Tao Qian, the renowned governor of Xuzhou in history, known as Tao Ying. Due to his driving error and the series of banquets, Tao Mingwu was completely oblivious to the reasons behind the accident, and in a daze, he transitioned into this era, becoming the second son of the historically significant Tao Qian.

In short, Mi Zhu has made a significant contribution to Xuzhou this time. If the reinforcements he has requested can drive back Cao's army, his already high status and influence will undoubtedly allow him to speak with great authority in Xuzhou, making it no difficult task to overshadow the deeply rooted Chen Gui and his son, Chen Deng.

Liu Bei! Guan Yu! https://m.hetushu.com! Zhang Fei! Zhao Yun! By the way, it seems there is also Chen Dao, who is not mentioned in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," yet his martial prowess is hardly inferior to that of Zhao Yun, a fierce warrior!

Impressive! Truly impressive!

Deputy Director Tao is also quite troubled. Tao Qian is known for his gentle and sincere nature in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," yet his two sons are even more honest and loyal than he is. The elder son, Tao Shang, is timid and weak, lacking both martial and literary skills. The younger son, Tao Ying, is even more inept, unable to accomplish anything significant. He is so simple and honest that he nearly appears foolish. When Tao Qian tells him to go east, he absolutely does not dare to take a single step west. When Tao Qian instructs him to study, he holds onto his bamboo slips from morning till night, not daring to put them down without his father's command. Even when faced with urgent personal matters, he does not move, leading to countless humorous situations. He has no opinions of his own; not to mention the officials and generals of Xuzhou, even ordinary citizens and the servants of the Tao household do not hold him in any regard.

Because Tao Ying should know that soon, his adoptive father Tao Qian and Liu Bei will be involved in a momentous event—his adoptive father Tao Qian will pass the position of Governor of Xuzhou to the outsider Liu Bei, who has no familial ties. As the second son of the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Ying will completely fall into the role of a bystander, forever fading into the annals of history. Whether he will die at the hands of the future lord of Xuzhou, Lü Bu, or at the hands of Cao Cao, or meet an unclear end like Liu Qi, who is so obscure that history books do not bother to record him, remains uncertain. As the second son of the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Ying will completely fall into the role of a bystander, forever fading into the annals of history. Whether he will die at the hands of the future lord of Xuzhou, Lü Bu, or at the hands of Cao Cao, or meet an unclear end like Liu Qi, who is so obscure that history books do not bother to record him, remains uncertain

Coincidentally, Tao Yingzi Mingwu can also be referred to as Tao Mingwu, which happens to share the same name and surname as Deputy Director Tao.

What you say is absolutely correct, it must be General Zhang Yide. Deputy Commander Mi has also mentioned that the weapon in General Zhang's hand is indeed the eight-foot-long snake spear. Tao Ying casually responded, but in his heart, he was contemplating another significant matter.

I see it, I have spotted the banner of Lord Xuande!

Second brother! Second brother! Have you seen it? Have you seen it?" The eldest brother Tao Shang shouted as he rushed up the steps, coming to stand in front of Tao Ying, grabbing Tao Ying's shoulders with both hands and shaking him incessantly, excited as if he were a child who had just received a beloved toy

"Brother, I have seen it," Tao replied respectfully, making every effort to familiarize himself with the speech patterns and forms of address of this era as quickly as possible

Just thinking about the few opponents coming from outside the city to seize territory, Tao Ying not only felt a chill run down his spine but also experienced a tingling sensation on his scalp. What kind of wicked deeds had he committed in his past life for the heavens to arrange such terrifying opponents for him? He was not like Boss Dong, who had Lü Bu to deal with these perverts

My lord, please look. Beneath that distant banner, the one riding the white horse is indeed Lord Xuande. My lord, over there is the large flag with the red background and white characters that reads 'Pingyuan Liu Xuande'.

Has Lord Xuande arrived? Is Lord Xuande really here?

As one Cao soldier after another perished on the battlefield, turning to dust before the forces of Lord Xuande, the people and troops of Xuzhou, who had suffered under the tyranny of the Cao army for months, erupted once again in fervor. The sounds of their cheers echoed endlessly in the skies of Xuzhou, unabated for a long time. Tao Qian was so moved that tears streamed down his face, repeatedly exclaiming, "Xuzhou is saved, it is saved!"

Tao Qian was a middle-aged man in his thirties, tall and handsome, serving as the assistant magistrate of Xuzhou, known by the courtesy name Zizhong. This time, Cao Cao personally led a large army, dividing it into three routes to invade Xuzhou in revenge for his father, slaughtering five counties and severely damaging four commanderies. The momentum was unstoppable as they advanced into the capital of Xuzhou, Pengcheng, leaving the people of Xuzhou helpless. Only Mi Zhu volunteered to seek peace with Kong Rong of Beihai and Tian Kai of Qingzhou, hoping to request aid. As a result, not only did he secure the assistance of Kong Rong and Tian Kai's troops, but he also unexpectedly invited Liu Bei, known as Liu Xuande, who had defeated the Yellow Turbans and fought against Lü Bu, along with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun.

The ecstatic shouts echoed over the city of Xuzhou, and the soldiers and civilians on the city walls were also stirred up. Exhausted soldiers, holding their broken weapons, jumped and danced, waving the banner of the Han Dynasty and roaring loudly. The citizens of Xuzhou, who were defending the city, were even more excited than the soldiers, with many embracing each other and weeping profusely. The sounds of shouting and cheering shook the packed earth of the city walls, causing it to crumble. Thousands of soldiers and civilians, the entire populace, were hoarsely repeating the same honorific title, "Lord Xuande!" The citizens of Xuzhou, who were defending the city, were even more excited than the soldiers, with many embracing each other and weeping profusely. The sounds of shouting and cheering shook the packed earth of the city walls, causing it to crumble. Thousands of soldiers and civilians, the entire populace, were hoarsely repeating the same honorific title, "Lord Xuande!"

Tao should know better that Liu Bei, the perennial loser and master of battlefield survival, also known as Liu Huangshu, has another nickname—The Nemesis of the Boss! Aside from Cao Cao, who is even more resilient than him, he has defeated everyone else!

Deputy Director Tao is not at a disadvantage. Tao Ying is currently in his prime at the age of twenty, with a strong and healthy physique. He is also unmarried and without children, allowing Deputy Director Tao to enjoy several more years of youth without the burden of supporting a wife and children. Additionally, Tao Ying's status as the second son of the Xu Zhou governor is significantly superior to Deputy Director Tao's previous position as a deputy section chief.

The renewed cheers interrupted Tao Ying's recollections. He focused his gaze and saw in the distance on the battlefield, a general of the Liu army, Liu Junhu, leading the charge with an almost exaggerated long spear. He was the first to break through the formation of the Cao army. Wherever the spear struck, the soldiers and generals of the Cao army fell before it. One Cao general was even directly impaled and thrown from his horse by the spear, his dying screams audible even from the walls of Xuzhou city, which once again ignited a wave of inspiring cheers from the soldiers and civilians on the city walls.

Well done! Well done! Eliminate all the Cao thieves!