When Dong Zhuo's army expeditioned to Xiliang, the princes of the Central Plains were not idle, and the situation could be said to be a mess, first Cao Cao after a hard battle, with the strong combat effectiveness of the Qingzhou soldiers and tiger and leopard cavalry, and with the strategy of Guo Jia and Cheng Yu, finally eliminated Chen Liutaishou Zhang Miaojun and Yanzhou assassin Liu Daijun in late July, and dominated Yanzhou. Since then, Cao Cao has gathered talents, recruited troops and horses, gathered grain and grass, and his power has become increasingly prosperous.

After Yuan Shao destroyed Han Fu in Jizhou, the troops continued to advance southward, relying on a large number of troops, and annexed the territories of Qiao Mao of Dongjun, Zhang Chao of Guangling and Zhang Yang of Shangdang in one fell swoop.

Beihai Taishou Kong Rong knew that he was not Yuan Shaojun's opponent, and immediately sent his general Tai Shici to Xuzhou Liu Bei for help, and Liu Bei in Xuzhou under the sign of the Han clan, after a year of painstaking management, has gradually become a climate, the soldiers in his hands are full of food, and he has long had the intention of annexing Qingzhou. At that moment, Zhuge Xuan offered Liu Bei a false plan to defeat him, under the pretext of helping Kong Rong resist Yuan Shao's brutal invasion, and sent troops into Qingzhou, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack. Liu Bei praised Zhuge Xuan's plan, left Guan Yu to guard Xuzhou, led Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong, two generals, with Zhuge Xuan as his military advisor, and led an army of 100,000 to advance into Lu State, preparing to march to Boyang.

In the past, Yuan Shao sneered at the big ear, a weaver and peddler, and didn't take him seriously at all, but after Yan Liang died at the hands of Guan Yu at the civil and military conference, Yuan Shao was already secretly wary of Liu Bei, and when he heard that Liu Bei was heading north, Yuan Shao immediately gave up the plan to go west to Tai'an, led the army to attack Juping, and prepared to meet Liu Bei. And Liu Beijun learned of Yuan Shaojun's movements, Zhuge Xuan offered Liu Bei a plan to draw salary, and asked Liu Bei to send a strategist Jian Yong to Beiping Gongsun Zan to meet up to attack Yuan Shao, promising to send Jizhou to Gongsun Zan after the fact, Liu Bei only needs Jibei, Gongsun Zan has long been itchy about Jizhou, and was encouraged by Jian Yong, and then raised troops to fight Renqiu and Gaoyang, Yuan Shao had no choice but to collect troops and return to Jizhou in case his hometown was copied.

Yuan Shao was not the only one guarding against Liu Bei, Cao Cao heard that Liu Bei was stationed in Lu State, and he was so angry that he scolded, "This cunning head is so cunning that he is cunning." Regardless of the initial decision of Yanzhou and the fatigue of the sergeants, Cao Cao immediately led 120,000 horse infantry to expedition to Shanyang, to grab the fat of Qingzhou with Liu Bei - by the way, annex the remnants of Yuan in Shanyang.

And the rich Xuzhou attracted a hungry wolf, Huainan Yuan Shu in addition to continuing to attack Jiujiang, suddenly divided troops to rob Xuzhou, Xuzhou terrain is flat, there is no danger to defend, Yuan Shujun soon occupied Cai, the soldiers are on the Lingbi, forcing Liu Beijun to fight on two fronts, the situation is not optimistic. The central government of the poor Han Dynasty has repeatedly issued orders to the princes to persuade peace, hoping that they will give priority to the stability of the people in the country, stop calling around, and pay some tribute to the emperor by the way, so as to solve the urgent needs of the imperial court. It's a pity that the princes all take the holy decree of a few old stubborn people who discussed in the early court as bullshit, you declare your will, I still fight my war, and I want money and food, then there is no way! Please look at what we eat in the army, human jerky! If you want it, take it, and where will I go up and find the food?

At this time, the news of Dong Zhuojun's victory in the Battle of Xiliang spread all over the world, Dong Zhuojun's new weapons showed the terrifying power, the appearance of Shenguo and Shenmi, these shocking news were sent to the Central Plains princes by the princes in Chang'an, the princes were shocked, and they all stopped internal friction, so as not to cheapen Dong Demon King in vain, Cao Cao immediately collected troops from Shanyang, Liu Bei also withdrew to Lu, Yuan Shujun did not move in Xia Cai, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zhan shook hands and made peace, and turned their eyes to Chang'an together, I'm afraid that Dong Zhuo will fight back to the Central Plains at this time, who can stop him at that time?

On Cao Cao's side, Cao Cao found Zao Yi as soon as he returned to Chenliu, "Mr. Zao, is the divine fruit and divine rice planted by the Dong thief really a gift from God?" Is there really such a high yield per acre? ”

Since returning to Chenliu, Zao You's health has been bad, often coughing and vomiting blood, and today he was carried by the servants. Zao Yi replied: "Back to the lord, Zao Yi saw with his own eyes that the divine fruit and divine rice were indeed given to Master Dong by God, and they fell from the sky in a divine car. Dong Taishi said that the fruit of God and the rice yield 1,000 catties per mu can feed the people of the world, but at that time Zao only didn't believe it, but now Dong Taishi's words really worked, and Zao only admired Dong Taishi so much that he threw himself to the ground. Zao Yi sighed and said in frustration: "It's a pity that Zao Yi is blessed with little luck, and I don't have the opportunity to see the harvest of divine fruit and rice." ”

Cao Cao's eyes flashed with greed, and he said impatiently: "That gentleman has returned from Dong Thief, can he bring out the divine fruit and divine rice, as well as the seeds of the divine melon?" ”

Zao Yi was very angry, and said: "Lord, who do you think of Zao You?" Dong Taishi treats Zao You's kindness as heavy as a mountain, Zao Yi resigns to him, Dong Taishi not only does not stop him, but also leads the people of Chang'an City to see Zao Yi off, how can Zao You do that grace will take revenge? ”

Cao Cao was furious and was about to have a seizure on the spot, when Guo Jia coughed and gave Cao Cao a look, before turning to Zao Yi and saying, "Mr. Gaoyi, Guo Jia admires." Mr. has been in poor health recently, and it just so happened that Guo Jia heard that Mrs. Dong's beloved wife, Miss Cai, was going to give birth soon, so it was better for Mr. and Zao Yi to go to Chang'an to congratulate Mrs. Dong, and Mr. sought medical treatment from Hua Tuo, the world's first divine doctor, by the way, I don't know what Mr. wanted? ”

Zao is only overjoyed, Chang'an's Tuntian is presided over by him, and now his hard work has borne fruit, can he go and see it with his own eyes? What's more, Master Dong is so kind to him, it is natural to congratulate him. Zao Yi replied repeatedly: "Okay, good, Zao Yi is willing to go." ”

Guo Jia smiled and nodded, and motioned for the servant to carry the jujube to rest. As soon as Zao Yi left, Cao Cao immediately asked, "Fengxiao, do you want to go to Chang'an to steal the seeds of the Divine Fruit and Divine Rice?" No, it's too dangerous for you to go, so we'll send a little bit to steal it. Cheng Yu also objected, feeling that Guo Jia was too risky.

Guo Jia smiled and said: "Don't worry, the two countries are fighting each other, and if they don't kill them, then Dong thief will also learn from the lord in Chang'an to post a recruitment list to gather virtuous people, and he will definitely not kill the wise men indiscriminately, although Guo Jia goes to the tiger's wolf's den, there will be no danger." Guo Jia said again: "How precious is the seed of the Divine Rice Divine Fruit, it must be guarded by heavy soldiers, how can ordinary and meticulous work be easily approached?" Only by letting Dong Thief have an old jujube to go, Guo Jia will have the opportunity to act again, and only then will he have the opportunity to steal the seeds. ”

Cao Cao pondered for a long time, but still refused to nod. Guo Jia was anxious, "Lord, don't wait for me, Dong Thief has a heavy army in his hand, a fierce general is like a cloud, and he has a divine fruit and divine rice in his hand, so he has taken the lead." Our army did not try to remedy it, and within three years, the Dong thief was full of wings and then went east to Tongguan, at that time we bore the brunt, and the Dong thief had food and soldiers, what did we resist? ”

Cao Cao sighed, left the table and held Guo Jia's hand, "Sir, be careful, it doesn't matter if you can't get the seeds, Sir, you must come back safely." ”

On Liu Beijun's side, Zhuge Xuan was also saying similar things to Liu Bei, and he was also worried that Dong Zhuo would expand eastward after steady development, and he would also drink the full moon wine of the child in Cai Wenji's stomach, and by the way, he would like to thank Dong Taishi for his promotion.

On Yuan Shaojun's side, Tian Feng, Xin Ping, and Fu Zhu also suggested to Yuan Shao that it was time to thank Dong Taishi, thank Dong Taishi for his grace in the Tiger Prison more than a year ago, and congratulate Dong Taishi on having a noble son or daughter, just see if that Shenguo Shenmi is really so magical, and solve the hidden danger of food shortage in the Jizhou Army.

Yuan Shujun, Gongsun Zhan, Kong Rong, and Hanoi Taishou Wang Kuang all remembered Dong Taishi's grace of not killing, and even Liu Biao in Jingzhou, Liu Yan in Yizhou and Zhang Lu in Hanzhong all remembered that Dong Taishi's favorite wife, Miss Cai, was about to give birth, and Sun Jian, who was a son and daughter of Dong Taishi, could not be left behind, so they all sent envoys to Chang'an to thank Dong Taishi, and congratulated Dong Taishi on his happy son or daughter by the way......

It's a pity that the princes have forgotten that the Han Dynasty also has a nominal court, and they are willing to send a large number of generous gifts to Chang'an, but they are reluctant to give tribute to the emperor, can the court be happy? What's more, the situation of this court is the most difficult time.

That night, Zhu Xian came to the house of the Taifu Ma Ridan angrily, and as soon as he entered Ma Ridan's study, Zhu Xian shouted, "Those chaotic ministers and thieves, in vain because they are full of poetry and books, the world eats Hanlu, the court is so difficult, they ignore it, but go to celebrate Dong Zhuo's child......" Zhu Xian couldn't shout anymore halfway through his words - Dong Zhuo's two fathers-in-law, Fu Wan and Cai Yong, were sitting in the study, and Dong Cheng.

Zhu Xian smiled embarrassedly, bowed and saluted, "The three adults also came to visit Master Taifu?" Zhu Xian was rude just now. ”

Dong Cheng returned the gift to Zhu Xian, but Fu Wan and Cai Yong's faces were gloomy, Zhu Xian's words just now had pierced the most painful scar in their hearts. Ma Ridan saw Zhu Xie's embarrassment, and hurriedly opened the topic: "Lord Zhu, please take a seat, are you here for the passage of the princes outside the Guanwai from Luoyang?" ”

Zhu Xian knelt on the seat and said: "What Ma Taifu said is true, yesterday it was Wang Kuang's envoy passing by, and today it was Liu Bei and Yuan Shao's envoy passing by, all of them were the brigade carrying heavy gifts to congratulate Dong Zhuo, but they didn't even want to go into the city to greet the emperor. Zhu Xian added angrily, "The court has not issued a single article for four months, if it weren't for the fact that the military power in Luoyang is now in the hands of Yuan Kui, Zhu Xian really wants to send troops to rob those horse teams to solve the urgent needs of the imperial court." ”

Ma Ridan shook his head and said: "Master Zhu has said that kind of arrogant words, we are all officials of the imperial court, how can we do such illegal things?" ”

Dong Cheng interjected: "That Yuan Kui is not a good thing, relying on the money and food in his hands, he organized some ruffians and hooligans to act as an army to defend Luoyang, and rode on the head of Ma Taifu, I really don't know where his money and food came from." If this continues, one day, he will be the second Dong Zhuo! ”

Hearing Dong Cheng mention Dong Zhuo again, Fu Wan and Cai Yong's faces became even more gloomy, and Fu Wan snorted: "Lord Dong, what are you doing mentioning that chaotic minister and thief?" I heard that he won another battle in Xiliang, and killed countless Qiang people, and he will kill himself if he commits many injustices, and he will be punished one day. If you die, you will go to eighteen layers of hell, and you will never be able to turn over! "The father-in-law has put such a poisonous curse on his son-in-law, and it is the first one to be ambushed.

Ma Ridan and Dong Cheng glanced at each other, nodded, got up together and left the table and knelt down in front of Fu Wan and Cai Yong, Ma Ridan choked and said: "Lord Fu, Lord Cai, the old man and Lord Dong have something to ask for, and I hope the two adults agree." ”

Fu Wan and Cai Yong were shocked, and hurriedly got up to pick up Ma Ridan and Dong Cheng, "Mrs. Ma, Master Dong, please get up and say something about it, it's too torturous to kill us." ”

Ma Ridan was already in tears, "No, if the two adults don't agree to this, the old man won't get up." ”

Fu Wan and Cai Yong were helpless, "Then Mrs. Ma, please say, we will do our best." ”

Ma Ridan wiped away his tears, "The two adults, for the sake of the emperor and the Han Dynasty, the old man wants to invite the two adults to go to Chang'an, and ask Dong Taishi to offer the seeds of divine rice and divine fruit to the imperial court, and then borrow a sum of money and grain to solve the immediate difficulties of the imperial court." ”

Fu Wan and Cai Yong both took a few steps back, and their faces suddenly turned from blue to white, from white to blue, and the speed of the transformation was breathtaking. They are all Confucians, and they value face more than life, Boss Dong robbed their daughter as a wife, they are already so angry that they are alive, and now they want to beg the son-in-law who is older than them, how can they pull their faces?

"Ma Ridan's matter made the two adults very embarrassed." Ma Ridan kowtowed and said: "Since the second year of Jianning, the wind and green snake have attacked the temple, the Luoyang earthquake, the sea flooded, the hen turned into a male, the black gas rushed to the palace, the rainbow appeared in the hall, the five plains were cracked, all kinds of ominous, not only one end, this is the warning of the heavens to kill my Han." And Dong Zhuo was blessed by God with the Divine Rice Divine Fruit, which can produce thousands of catties, this auspicious rui has not been heard of in ancient and modern times, it is actually the destiny of heaven, and the folk have rumors that Dong Zhuo is the destiny of heaven and the true dragon of heaven. ”

Dong Cheng said: "I discussed with Ma Taifu, and now the plan is to ask for the Divine Rice Divine Fruit from Dong Zhuo's hands, plant it in Luoyang, and let the auspicious rui shine on the saint, in order to keep my Han foundation." And we and Dong Zhuo are not related, Dong Zhuo will not hand over the seed of the divine rice divine fruit to us, so we have to beg the two adults. ”

Fu Wan and Cai Yong suddenly realized, but they still couldn't pull their faces to agree, at this time, Zhu Xian also 'pounced' on their knees, "Two adults, the stakes are very high, Zhu Xian also kowtows to you, please look at the foundation of the Han Dynasty, and be wronged." ”