Liu Bei and Zhang Liao can be regarded as old acquaintances.

Anyway, Liu Bei and Lu Bu also had a honeymoon period in Xuzhou. Whether it was Lu Bu's attachment to Liu Bei at the beginning, or Liu Bei's attachment to Lu Bu later, the two sides had a good memory. It's just that because Liu Bei and Lu Bu are not the kind of masters who are subordinate to others, the two of them are also ambitious, so that in the end, they still turned their faces and became enemies.

But this did not prevent Liu Bei and Zhang Liao from making friends, even if Zhang Liao later beat Liu Bei in Peiguo and fled in embarrassment.

At the same time, the relationship between Guan Yu and Zhang Liao is also good, both of them are the masters of super martial arts, so it is inevitable that there will be a sense of sympathy.

Now, Lu Bu is about to perish, and Liu Bei even sent people under the fence...... "Liu Xuande, unwilling!" ”

Cao Peng saw Liu Bei's intentions, and looked at Gan Ning and smiled.

Liu Bei's letter not only wanted to win over Zhang Liao, but also had the idea of burying a way out for himself. With Liu Bei's wisdom, can't he guess that if he and Cao Ying go to Xudu, they will be equal to a bird in a cage. Of course, he will not be willing to become a vassal of Cao Ying, and will try his best to stay in Xuzhou. Xuzhou, which has lost Lu Bu, will inevitably have a period of chaos. And Liu Bei is quite prestigious in Xuzhou, and Elk Zhu Elfang is an old courtier in Xuzhou. If he can stay in Xuzhou, he will definitely get more development opportunities.

But only if he can stay.

If Liu Bei can recruit Zhang Liao, Zhang Liao will temporarily withdraw from Xu County and flee to Peiguo.

It used to be Liu Bei's territory, although it was later driven away by Zhang Liao, but after all, it was operated there, and it can be regarded as a small foundation...... Zhang Liao retreated to Peiguo, where he could get Liu Bei's covert support.

And Liu Bei can also use the excuse of Zhang Liao's rebellion to stay in Xuzhou and continue his ideals.

In short, once Liu Bei really recruits Zhang Liao, it will really become a troublesome matter. Cao Peng would never allow such a thing to happen, at least for now, he would not sit idly by and watch Liu Bei recruit Zhang Liao.

"If it weren't for this letter, I would have almost forgotten about Zhang Liao."

"What is Childe going to do?"

Cao Peng thought for a while and smiled, "Now I can't be separated, but I have to stabilize Wenyuan first, and at the same time I have to teach Liu Xuande a lesson." ”

"Lessons?"

Cao Peng raised his head and glanced at Xiahou Lan.

"Where is the messenger?"

"In the forest outside the camp, the last general will send someone to guard it."

"Kill him, and then give the body and this letter to General Cao Hong."

Xiahou Lan was stunned, not quite understanding what Cao Peng meant. However, since Cao Peng gave the order, Xiahou Lan could only obey the order and turn around and leave.

"Why did you kill the Courier?"

"Actually, even if the messenger is handed over to Cao Gong, Cao Gong will not embarrass Liu Bei, and it is even possible to get rid of the messenger.

Cao Gong is now on the cusp, and he will not have murderous intent towards Liu Bei, at most he will warn him. In that case, whoever kills is the same. ”

After saying this, Cao Peng's heart suddenly chuckled.

When did you become so apathetic?

In his heart, human life seems to have become indifferent, and he will kill when he says it, without the slightest hesitation. That's not your last name...... Cao Peng sat for a moment and shook his head vigorously.

Maybe it was too much stress some time ago that made me numb?

It's better to concentrate, deal with the matter of Xiapi first, and then try to adjust your mentality.

"Xingba, you immediately send someone back to the prime minister, secretly order Deng Zhi, try to go to Xu County, and stabilize Zhang Liao...... After I finish this matter, I will go to Xu County. ”

Gan Ning answered, hurriedly turned around and hurriedly left.

———————————————————————————————— time, the day was just dawning.

After Liu Bei turned around in his small camp, he was about to go back to the military tent to rest, when he suddenly heard a report from the colonel: Cao Sikong is invited! "Zhang Fei and Guan Yu went out early in the morning to walk their horses, so they were not in the camp.

Liu Bei didn't dare to slack off, hurriedly changed his clothes, and followed the little school to Cao Ying's residence.

Cao Ying lived in the official office of the former Xiapi County, and Dian Man and Xu Yi were dressed in military uniforms and were on duty outside. It was cold, and there was ice under the eaves. Liu Bei hurriedly came, Dian Man and Xu Yi didn't give him a good face, but just made a report and let Liu Bei go into the house by himself.

Liu Bei also knew that these two people and Cao Peng were sworn brothers.

He robbed Cao Peng's grain and grass before, how could he give him a good face when he was full of Xu Yi.

While secretly complaining in my heart, I was a little surprised. Because during his time in Cao Ying, he found that Cao Peng and Cao Ying's generals had a good relationship. In particular, the generals of the Cao family, such as the children of the Cao family and the Xiahou family, have a very close relationship with Cao Peng.

He began to regret a little, he shouldn't have provoked Cao Peng.

There were two braziers in the house, and the charcoal fire in the basin was very strong.

Cao Ying, wearing a brocade robe, was looking through the file, and when he saw Liu Bei coming in, he laughed and got up, stepped forward to take Liu Bei's hand, and sat down together.

"Xuande, these two are so busy with official business that they have neglected Xuande, please don't blame Xuande."

"Where did Sikong start with this, he was taken in by Ming Gong, and he was grateful. Besides, Bei has been quite free recently, where is there any neglect. ”

"It's good to be carefree, but if people are too carefree, they will inevitably have distracting thoughts."

"Huh?"

Liu Bei chuckled in his heart.

From Cao Ying's words, he heard a hint of extraneous sound.

Ming Gong laughed.

Cao Ying's eyes narrowed and his face sank, "Xuande, I heard that you are very familiar with Zhang Wenyuan from Xu County?" ”

"This ......"

"Wenyuan is talented, but now he is trapped in Xu County, and he is exhausted. I want to recruit Zhang Wenyuan, but I can't find a suitable candidate around me. If it stays in Xu County, it will not be a long-term thing. I was thinking about this, and I heard that Xuande and Zhang Liao knew each other, so I wanted to ask Xuande to work hard and go to Xu County. If you can persuade Zhang Liao to surrender, it is best, if you can't persuade Zhang Liao...... In short, do not let it flee the country. ”

Liu Bei secretly gasped in his heart.

What does Cao Ying mean by this?

is as smart as Liu Bei, but he can't hear it.

"Ming Gong is afraid that he has misunderstood, Bei and Lu Bu have repeatedly raised soldiers since the first year of Xingping, how can they have a friendship?"

"That's a pity!"

Cao Ying looked at Liu Bei and suddenly smiled.

"Since I don't know, forget it, because I didn't talk about it.

Xuande, the end of the Xuzhou War is imminent, and I want to return to Xudu after the war. However, Xuzhou still needs someone to guard it, I don't know what Xuande wants? ”

The meaning of those words is to tell Liu Bei that I am ready to let you stay in Xuzhou.

Speaking of which, this is exactly what Liu Bei is thinking.

But for some reason, Liu Bei felt a strong killing force. This small room is filled with an air of gold and iron...... Liu Bei believed that as long as he dared to nod, Cao Ying would immediately turn his face and take other people's heads. Cold sweat ran down his spine and wet his clothes.

"Ming Gong, don't do this.

Preparation is sparse and shallow, how can you control Xuzhou. If he really had such talents, he would not have been driven out of Xuzhou by Lu Bu and would have been homeless.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has newly obtained Xuzhou, it is necessary to send a strong person out of the town.

Bei really didn't dare to take on this important task, and asked Ming Gong to choose another smart person. ”

"That's a pity!"

Cao Ying smiled and said no more.

He and Liu Bei exchanged pleasantries without a word, but every word made Liu Bei tremble and sweat coldly...... After a while, Liu Bei made an excuse and left.

As soon as he walked on the front foot, Guo Jia and Xun You walked into the room on the back foot.

"Liu Xuande, he really has great ambitions."

Cao Ying raised his head, his face showing an eerie color.

"Why doesn't Ming Gong take it down to prevent future troubles?" Xun You frowned and asked softly.

"If you kill Liu Bei today, I'm afraid that you will be truthful...... However, when he returns to Xudu with me, I have a good chance to get rid of him. ”

Having said that, it can be heard that Cao Ying is still a little reluctant.

Xun You still wanted to speak, but Guo Jia pulled him and shook his head.

"However, that Zhang Liao ...... It would be a pity to kill him. ”

Cao Ying pondered for a moment and asked, "Fengxiao, who do you say you should send to Xu County, and say that Zhang Wenyuan will be surrendered?" This man is indeed capable. ”

Guo Jia thought for a while, "I recommend one, maybe it can be successful." ”

"Who?"

"I was drinking with Changwen some time ago, and I heard Changwen say that Cao Youxue had a good relationship with Zhang Liao. Later, Zhang Liao also gave Cao Youxue 200 soldiers and horses as guards. Initially, Zhang Liao did not approve of Lü Bu's attack on Haixi, and was driven out of Xiapi and stationed in Xu County...... Among them, there must be Cao Youxue's involvement. In this case, why not make Cao Youxue send an envoy to Xu County, saying that Zhang Liao is in the Ming Dynasty? ”

"It's that stinky boy again."

Cao Ying couldn't help laughing.

has a good impression of Cao Peng and Cao Ying.

The family served their lives and went to Haixi alone with their brother-in-law.

It's just that this kid's surname is too stubborn, which made Cao Ying quite shameless before. And until now, he refuses to apologize to Cao Ying.

But the more this is the case, the more Cao Ying feels that Cao Peng has integrity.

"By the way, how is Junshi doing now?"

Jun Shi is Cao Peng's father, who is now the supervisor of the Shaofu Zhuye Supervisor, and the fifth doctor Cao Ji.

Guo Jia was stunned, and smiled a little embarrassedly: "I don't know this very well." ”

Xun You said with a smile: "Jun Shi has been loyal and diligent since he was appointed as the first supervisor of He. In the past year, a total of more than 3,000 swords and shields, 500 sets of iron armor, and the rest should be agricultural tools, which is also quite accomplished...... In addition, he supervised the improvement of a Cao Gong plow, which was more effective than the plough used earlier. Before the expedition to Xuzhou, Xiu Ruo also made a special trip to inspect it, and it was indeed worthy of the name of the Hidden Ink Juzi. It is estimated that in the coming year, the Heyi Workshop can produce 5,000 pairs of swords and shields, and more than 1,000 iron armors...... Zihe was very appreciative of the armor produced by the Heyi workshop, and said that if the tiger and leopard were successful, the Cao father and son should be the first to take credit. ”

In the past year, Cao Ying's attention has been focused on the war, so he really doesn't know much about the affairs of the Heyi Workshop.

"Cao Gong plow?"

Cao Ying couldn't help but laugh, "What is this?" ”

"It is said that Junshi was transformed according to the gadgets that his son Cao Youxue conceived when he was a child, and he succeeded in doing so.

After the trial, Gongruo found that this plow is easier to build than before, and is ready to be promoted in the coming year. As for the name of Cao Gongli, it is also proposed by Junshi. If it weren't for Cao Gong to give him the opportunity, it would never be possible to conceive from this, so he ordered Cao Gong to plow with the surname Sikong. ”

Gongruo, is the former Tuntian Captain, the current Tuntian Zhonglang will be the expression of the Tuntian.

Cao Ying nodded, "The Cao family is all pure and good people." ”

He suddenly felt a little emotion and scratched his head.

When Cao Ji was first used, it was also due to Cao Ji's contribution to the stirrups and Takahashi saddle. The Heyi Workshop has been abandoned for many years, and Cao Ying also tried to let Cao Ji take over. Unexpectedly, Cao Ji really did it, and the results were outstanding. Now he has made Cao Gongli, which is a great credit...... Previously, Cao Ji had offered 300 knives to strengthen the combat strength of the Tiger Army.

At that time, Cao Ying did not give a promotion under the pretext that Cao Ji had been in the office for a short time, and only gave him the title of a fifth doctor.

Now it seems that this title is a little light.

After pondering for a while, Cao Ying said: "Junshi has this merit, and he must not be rewarded, otherwise it will cold everyone's minds." Now that the Heyi workshop has been reopened, I want to set up the commander of Zhuye and make Junshi at will. What do you think? ”

Since the Han Dynasty and the Han Dynasty, the titles were mainly for the king and the princes.

At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, there was a rule that if you were not King Liu Be, you would not be a meritorious. It's just that since the middle of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there have been a large number of titles of eunuchs, relatives, and graces, which has corrupted the principle of non-merit and non-merit. Of course, the sequence of titles such as county, township, and pavilion marquis has not changed. It's just that there are many more names. This kind of title is only a recognition of merit, and there is no actual fief or eup, and it cannot be hereditary.

Even the relatives of the eunuchs can be crowned marquis, not to mention that Cao Ji has a great merit?

But the problem is that to make Cao Ji a marquis, you must get the consent of the courtiers.

Guo Jia is better, and Xun You's attitude has become particularly important.

As for the official position of Lieutenant of Zhuye, it is a real promotion. Previously, the Shaofu had already set up a water balance captain, the main water army, boats and equipment, and a commander Cao Du Lieutenant for the succession of military rations. The duty of the commander of Zhuye is to supervise the manufacture of weapons and armor...... Than a thousand stones, that is, you can get 900 buckets of Yulu every month. This promotion, for now, to be honest, there is really no one more suitable than Cao Ji.

Cao Ji did a very good job in Heyi Workshop, and now he has expanded this talent.

Xun You thought for a while, nodded and said, "Captain Zhuye, it is none other than Junshi...... It's just that this river is a marquis, and Junshi's qualifications are slightly insufficient. ”

Is it a lack of qualifications?

No!

To put it bluntly, it's a matter of origin.

Although Xun Yu didn't explain it, Cao Ying heard the meaning.

He thought about it, turned around and said to Guo Jia: "What good idea does Feng Xiao have?" ”

The question of this origin is really a troublesome matter.

Guo Jia thought for a while, and suddenly asked: "In the middle of the year, when Junshi was still reporting on his work, I heard him say that he was born in Nanyang, but his ancestors were not from Nanyang...... It is said that his ancestors moved to Zhongyang Mountain during the Zhenghe period, after the Gonghou...... I don't know if it's true. ”

Xun You squirted out a mouthful of water, looked up at Guo Jia, and was speechless for a long time.

And Cao Ying coughed violently, and it took a while to ease up, and he didn't know what to say for a while.

Why did the two react so strongly, you ask?

That still needs to start from the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty. Gaozu Liu Bang Xinghan, there is a person under the tent, named Cao Shen, and Emperor Gaozu is a fellow villager.

This person may not be as famous as Zhang Liang, Han Xin, and Xiao He, but he is the number two person among the heroes of the Xinghan Dynasty.

In later generations, there was Xiao Gui Cao Sui, and it was this Cao Shen. Cao Shen has a son, named Cao Ji (ku, two sounds), who is the Marquis of Pingyang, and served as the imperial historian in the Gaohou period. After Emperor Xiaowen ascended the throne, he was dismissed as a marquis, and he waited for his name after his death. Cao Qi, the son of Cao Qi, was the Hou for seven years, and was nicknamed Jian Hou; Cao Qi's son Cao Shi married Princess Pingyang for 23 years and was nicknamed Marquis Yi; Cao Shi's son, Cao Xiang, married Princess Wei Chang and died in the sixteenth year of Hou. This Cao Xiang is the 'co-marquis' that Guo Jia said.

Cao Xiang's son, Cao Zong, was implicated in the mutiny launched by the prince of Emperor Wu in the second year of Zhenghe, and was convicted and executed.

The Cao clan was then abolished, and the Cao clan's children were also exiled. One of the children settled in Qian County, which was later known as Hao County in Anhui Province.

Cao Ying, that is, was born in the Cao family of Qian County.

Guo Jia said that Cao Ji is a descendant of the 'Gonghou', doesn't he mean that Cao Ji and Cao Ying are of the same clan?

If this is the case, don't say that it is 'Heyi Hou', even if Cao Ji is named the Marquis of Guanzhong and the Marquis of Guannei, no one will object.

Cao Yingxin said: I just asked you to help me think of an idea, but I didn't let you pull relatives for me!

For a while, Cao Ying was a little crying and laughing, looking at Guo Jia and shaking his head again and again.

Who knows, Guo Jia Zhengse said: "Lord, this is not Jia's nonsense, but Cao Ji's own words." Wen Ruo was also present at the time, and he was also very surprised when he heard it. However, we can feel that Jun Shi is not a fool, he doesn't even know that Cao Gong is also Cao Xiangguo, so he just talks about it casually. Wen Ruo also checked the genealogy of Junshi for this reason, and his ancestor was named Cao Min, who settled in Zhongyang Mountain in the fourth year of Zhenghe. And Cao Min is the nineteenth son of the co-marquis, but he is not a concubine...... If it hadn't been for Gongda's mention, I would have almost forgotten about it. ”

"Really?"

Cao Ying couldn't help but be interested.

And Xun You said cowardly: "That hidden ink giant ......"

"The hidden ink is not a fact, but a rumor in the market. The first time I met with Junshi, he explained it clearly. ”

"So, Cao Ji is really a member of the Sikong Clan?"

"This ......"

Cao Ying was also a little uncertain.

In the second year of Zhenghe, Cao Zong was convicted, the feudal country was abolished, and the children of the Cao family were scattered, and no one could tell the whereabouts of the clansmen. But listening to what Guo Jia said, it seems to be true. If Cao Ji is really a disciple of the Cao family, it seems to be a good thing for Cao Ji.

The clan is great!

And Cao Ji is indeed capable, can make knives, and can also cast farm tools.

His family of three has also established meritorious ...... For the Cao family, it is undoubtedly a good thing to be able to recover the children who were exiled in the past.

Of course, if Cao Ji's father and son didn't have any skills, Cao Ji might not agree.

But here's the problem...... After Cao Ying pondered for a long time, "This matter will be put aside for the time being, and I will investigate this matter thoroughly after returning to Xudu." If Junshi is really a child of my clan, it is also a great blessing for my Cao family. ”

Xun You heard this and nodded again and again.

Returning to one's ancestors is not a trivial matter, and it does require caution.

After all, Cao Zong was convicted in the second year of Zhenghe, that is, in 90 BC. Almost 300 years later, who can say clearly?

On the eighth day of December ————————————————————————————, Cao Peng was restless in a small tent.

Today is the time he agreed with Lu Bu, and it is also Lu Bu's expression of attitude. Therefore, he has not dared to rest, waiting for an answer.

Time, little by little.

Just after the fourth watch, Xia Houlan suddenly rushed into the small tent.

"Childe, there is a fire at the north gate...... Lu Bu agreed! ”

Cao Peng stood up suddenly and hurriedly rushed out of the small tent. Looking in the direction of the north gate, I saw the flames soaring into the sky! He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief!

(To be continued)