Compared with half a year ago, Cao Ying looks much older.

This year, Cao Yingfang is forty-four years old, but looking at his white sideburns, people will think that he is over fifty years old. The light in the flower hall was a little dim, which made Cao Peng not very auspicious. However, he could still feel the exhaustion on Cao Ying's body.

"Humble Cao Peng, I've seen Sikong."

Cao Ying waved his hand, "Youxue, sit down." ”

"Whoa!"

Cao Ying leaned on the couch and did not speak immediately.

After a long time, he said in a deep voice: "At the end of the year, your father will go to Qian County to submit the family tree, and then he can return to the ancestors and recognize his ancestors." ”

"Huh?"

"Your branch, which has been exiled for nearly three hundred years since its own conquest and two years of turbulence, has indeed suffered a lot...... Now, it's time to go home. ”

Cao Ying's words were full of emotion.

Cao Peng hurriedly crawled on the ground, "If it weren't for Sikong, my father would have been able to return to the sect." ”

"Alright, get up.

I have checked the genealogy, and in terms of generation, your father is the same generation as me, and you should call me my father. Ah Fu, I don't hide it from you, lately I have often felt powerless, but I can't communicate with outsiders. You are a young man, but you are a sensible child. You did a great job in Luoyang, even exceeding my expectations...... It's just that this matter is not over, and it is even just a beginning...... I really don't know how to put it. I'm glad you solved the case; But in my heart, I don't want you to solve the case. ”

"Where do you start with what the father said?"

Cao Ying's eyes sparkled, and he said softly: "Do you know that you solved this case, but I had to go to the opposite side of the Han family." ”

Cao Peng, gasped.

That's right, the big case in Luoyang has been solved, and it is inevitable that a group of people will be implicated.

Among them, it is very likely that the Han family will be implicated, which is not a good thing for Cao Ying. Cao Peng is not clear about what kind of mentality Cao Ying had when he solved the problem of the edict in history. But it is precisely because of this that Cao Ying got the name of a national thief and completely turned against the Han family. Although the two sides have been safe since then, they have never broken off their open and secret battles with each other...... The family swayed, which gave Cao Ying a headache.

So in the end, Cao Ying had to issue a meritocracy order, saying that he did not ask about his background, did not ask about his virtue, but only said his ability...... Its purpose is to eliminate the influence of opposition to the Han family.

The family's non-cooperation, or the family's hesitation, made Cao Ying embark on the road of being in charge of the cold family.

However, this also caused a conflict between Cao Ying and the family. There is nothing wrong with the meritocracy, but unfortunately the time it has been implemented is too short.

In the fifteenth year of Jian'an, the first meritocracy order was promulgated, and by the twenty-second year of Jian'an, the third meritocracy order was issued, and the time for the poor to enter the political arena was only a few years. If Cao Ying had enough time, he might be able to resolve the contradictions and conflicts between the Hanmen and the Shi clan, but three years after the third meritocracy order was issued, Cao Ying died of illness. After Cao Pi ascended the throne, he compromised with the family in order to usurp the Han family.

As a result, Chen Qun went to the nine-grade Zhongzheng system, which began the centuries-long era of the clan gate valve...... In later generations, there was a remark that Sima usurped Wei, which was the counterattack of the Shi clan against the Hanmen. If you think about it, there is some truth to it.

In Cao Peng's mind, a thought suddenly came to mind: What if Cao Ying could be made to issue a meritocracy order in advance?

But the thought was fleeting.

The consequences of this incident are too serious...... It was so serious that Cao Peng couldn't bear it.

Once he made this suggestion to Cao Ying, it would inevitably lead him to the opposite side of the world. The clan may have no way to deal with Cao Ying, but there are countless means to clean him up. At this time, I can't help but be a little weak...... The friendships that have been painstakingly forged with the clan since the rebirth are likely to be shattered. This is also the result that Cao Peng does not want to see! It's just that with this thought, Cao Peng can't stop anymore. The clan gate valve, which has existed since ancient times, cannot be completely extinguished. Even in the era when Cao Peng lived in the previous life, the family gate valve also existed! It's just that they exist in another form, or they can be called 'interest groups'.

The dynasty is changing, and the family gate valve is also changing.

The death of the old clan and the rise of the new gate valve are a law that cannot be changed.

Meritocracy must be implemented!

But the person who put forward this idea must not be Cao Peng...... He can be Cao Pi, he can be Cao Zhang, he can be Cao Zhi, he can even be Guo Jia, he can be Cheng Yu, but he must not be him!

"Ah Fu?"

"Ah, my nephew is here."

Cao Ying smiled: "What do you think? ”

"The nephew thinks again, how to share the worries and sorrows of the father."

Cao Ying couldn't help laughing, and said softly: "I am very relieved that you have this heart."

However, I do have one thing that I need you to do for me...... Ah Fu, do you dare to kill? ”

Cao Peng was stunned, and Li Ru's words immediately echoed in his mind: No matter what Cao Gong asks, you must agree without hesitation.

"Dare!"

"If this person is so famous, and maybe even infamous, that you dare to do it?"

"Dare!"

But in my heart, I couldn't help but mutter.

Lao Cao didn't want me to kill Emperor Han Xian...... "Hahaha......"

Cao Ying couldn't help laughing, and seemed to be much happier all of a sudden.

"You kid, it's refreshing, don't you ask, who do I want you to kill?"

"Whoever is an enemy of the Father may be killed."

Cao Peng raised his head and replied loudly.

Cao Ying laughed again, "There are countless enemies with me, do I want you to kill Yuan Shao, and you will go too?" ”

"This ......"

Li Wencheng, you fucking framed me!

Cao Peng was furious in his heart.

Could it be that Lao Cao wants me to lead the troops and fight against Yuan Shao?

"Hehehe, Youxue, you have the heart to protect the family, I am very relieved. However, when you answer in the future, you still have to think twice.

Don't worry, I won't let you kill Yuan Benchu. With your current ability, I'm afraid you are not Yuan Shao's opponent. ”

Cao Peng suddenly felt relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who does the Father want me to kill?"

"Well, you don't have to ask...... When it's time to do it, I'll let someone tell you. But before I do that, I have a lot of responsibilities to do. ”

"What?"

"You go back first, and I'll send someone over later."

Cao Peng was still confused, and he couldn't figure out Cao Ying's thoughts.

However, since Cao Ying has spoken, he can only obey.

After gossiping with Cao Ying for a while, feeling that Cao Ying's spirit seemed to be much more uplifted, Cao Peng offered his farewell.

Cao Ying took Cao Peng's hand and sent him out of the flower hall.

This seemingly ordinary act made the servants in the house very surprised.

Who is Cao Ying?

When the dynasty is empty, he ranks as the third duke. It's not anyone who can let him hold his hand and send him off, even Xiahou Yuan and Cheng Yu just now didn't have such an honor. And Cao Peng, the official is only 300 stone and the northern lieutenant of Luoyang, it is actually Cao Ying who is holding his hand and sending it away...... It can be seen that Cao Ying attaches great importance to Cao Peng.

Previously, Xun Yu had received such honors; Guo Jia has received such honors; Now, Cao Peng has also received such an honor!

—————————————————————— is located next to the Yuxiu Gate of the Imperial City, a majestic mansion, which is extremely eye-catching in the night.

Liu Guang stood in the garden, coughed lightly twice, and turned his head to look at the family behind him: "You mean, Cao Sikong is holding his hand to send him off?" ”

"The news from Sikong Mansion is exactly like this."

"What else?"

Cao Sikong said that he was very busy today, and it is said that he met with many people.

Among them are Liu Yan, the new Taishou of Dongjun, Xiahou Yuan of Chen Liutai, and Yin Chengyu of Henan...... After that, he and Cao Peng talked in the flower hall for almost half an hour. ”

"They talked for half an hour?"

"Whoa!"

Liu Guang turned around and stood with his hands in his hands.

Looking up at the starry sky, he couldn't help but have a strange smile on his face.

Being able to talk to Cao Ying for half an hour shows that Cao Ying trusts and values Cao Peng.

Liu Guang closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, and said softly: "Prepare the car immediately, I want to enter the palace." ”

"At this time?"

"Yes!"

At this time, it was getting late, and the palace gate was already closed.

But for Liu Guang, time is not an issue.

He is a relative of the Han family and has followed the Han Emperor for many years, so it is quite convenient to enter and exit the palace.

The retainers hurriedly went down to prepare the car, Liu Guang sighed, and after a while, he said to himself: "Perhaps, it's time to learn from Cao You for a while." ”

—————————————————————————————— Cao Peng didn't expect that Cao Ying took his hand, and it would become a matter of concern for many people.

Back at Cao's Mansion, Cao Peng saw Wang Meng sitting in the middle of the flower hall, talking with Xu Yidianman and Deng Fan. Kan Ze sat aside, and Gan Ning also listened quietly. Seeing Cao Peng coming back, everyone stood up one after another, and Wang Meng walked out of the hall with a smile and patted Cao Peng's shoulder hard.

"Father, you are lighter."

"Hehe, the little thing in the past has now grown strong and sincere...... Why, can't even stand this bit of strength? I heard Xingba say that your skills are not bad now, and you have surpassed Uncle Wei. ”

"Father, don't listen to Brother Gan's nonsense."

Gan Ning spoke on the side, "I didn't talk nonsense, otherwise let Gongzi take a look?" ”

"Come on, it's been a bumpy ride, and my bones are falling apart.

By the way, have you eaten it? ”

"My mother and Xiaoluan are arranging in the kitchen, and it is estimated that it is almost there."

Deng Fan opened his mouth to answer.

He still lives in Cao Mansion, and even though he has now become a Yue Qi Sima, he refuses to move out. Hong Niangzi and Deng Juye are now presiding over the affairs of Cao Mansion. Since Cao Peng diluted his gambling house shares in Luoyang, he intended to make Deng Juye withdraw.

Deng Juye didn't care, after returning to Xudu, he was more leisurely.

Cao Peng stepped forward, hugged Deng Fan vigorously, and then beckoned people to sit down.

Only this time, Cao Peng sat on the main seat.

Wang Meng is an elder, so he sits at the top, and the rest of the people sit at the bottom of Cao Peng.

"Ah Fu, what are you doing when you bring a layman back? Do you want to be a disciple of Futu? ”

"yes, that guy looks weird...... is gloomy and compassionate, and doesn't like to talk. As soon as he came back, he dominated a cross-hospital. ”

Cao Peng and Kan Ze Ganning looked at each other and smiled, "Don't ask about the affairs of the layman."

I was away all the year round, and my mother was a little worried, so I invited a layman to pray at home. Sixth brother, you go back and talk to Uncle Juye, that courtyard will be for lay people to practice, don't let people disturb you if you have nothing to do...... Don't underestimate him, he is not low. ”

Dianman and the others, as if they didn't care, gossiped.

After a while, Bu Luan came over and said that the meal was ready. So Cao Peng and others went to the wine table together, pushing glasses and changing lamps, which was so lively.

"Why didn't the eldest brother come?"

"He's comfortable...... The tiger and leopard cavalry training, he went with him.

It is estimated that when I come back this time, I will definitely have a promotion...... I estimate that the tiger and leopard will not have a problem riding Sima, and may even be more powerful. ”

Tiger and leopard cavalry training?

Cao Peng keenly caught a clue.

That's right, after the tiger and leopard riders have been trained, they will often leave Xudu for training.

The bandits near Xudu were almost wiped out by the tigers and leopards, and they did not dare to stay in the vicinity at all. However, at this time, let the tiger and leopard ride away from Xudu...... Cao Peng seemed to have some understanding in his heart.

It seems that Lao Cao really has a big move!

Yuan Shao...... It should be unlikely. Then the most likely one is Liu Bei.

Cao Ying even dispatched the tiger and leopard rider this time, indicating that he intended to put Liu Bei to death, and he made up his mind!

However, it was impossible for him to ask about these things at the wine table. Looking at Dianman and Xu Yi, they may not be clear about Cao Ying's true intentions.

Suo put down his mind and drank wine.

The whole calculation is too hard.

Cao Peng himself is not a person who likes to calculate, so if he can have a moment of leisure, why should he calculate and calculate?

This meal of wine was drunk until near the end of the day. Dian Manchu Xu Yi came and said that there was still military affairs, so he stopped and said goodbye to Cao Peng and left.

Wang Meng was a little too much, and with the support of Deng Fan, he went back to the room to rest.

Cao Peng was also a little smoky, after the banquet dispersed, he did not go back to the room, but went to the backyard and came to Li Ru's residence...... Li Ru looked very leisurely, sitting on the couch, reading with his legs crossed.

"Li Wencheng, you almost killed me today."

As soon as Cao Peng entered the door, he said angrily.

"Oh?"

Li Ru smiled, "How did I hurt you?" ”

"You ......"

Cao Peng said it, but he didn't know how to say it.

yes, how did Li Ru hurt him?

That's right, Li Ru asked him to agree to Cao Ying's request. But Cao Ying's words that made him kill Yuan Shao were obviously just a joke.

sat down on the side, picked up the water bowl on the table, and drank it all.

"Cao Gong came to me today and said something inexplicable."

Li Ru still looks light-hearted, but his face more or less destroys the atmosphere. He put down the book, sat up, looked at Cao Peng and said, "What did Cao Mengde say today?" ”

He wouldn't call Cao Ying 'lord', because in his eyes, Cao Ying didn't have that qualification.

Perhaps, for Li Ru, there is only one father-in-law, and that is his father-in-law Dong Zhuo. I think that at the beginning, when he followed Dong Zhuo into Luoyang, Cao Ying was just an unworthy military captain among the eight schools in the West Garden. But at that time, Li Ru had already worshiped the Zhonglang general.

To this day, Dong Zhuo is dead.

It was difficult for Li Ru to surrender to anyone again.

Even if it's Cao Peng, it's more of a deal.

If Li Ru really worships Cao Peng, Cao Peng really doesn't have that qualification.

Cao Peng didn't mind Li Ru's rudeness, let alone care, Li Ru called Cao Ru's name.

He calmed down and repeated the words he had said when he met Cao Ying today. Li Ru listened very carefully, and would ask a few questions from time to time.

After a moment, he burst into laughter.

"In that case, I'm going to congratulate Childe."

"Where does the joy come from?"

"If my guess is correct, Cao Mengde is probably ready to attack Xu Du's people."

"Oh?"

"Now Yuan Shao is entrenched in the four states of Hebei and has strong strength. The battle between Cao Ying and Yuan Shao was inevitable. He made so many arrangements, in fact, he was preparing to clear the obstacles around him, and he could fight with Yuan Shao with all his might. In terms of the current situation, Cao Ying has two henchmen. First, Runan Liu Xuande; The second is those who secretly oppose him in the city of Xudu.

Liu Xuande...... I don't know too much.

But with Cao Mengde's current strength, Liu Xuande is not worried.

The one Cao Ying feared was the opponent in Xu Ducheng. These people are either in high positions, or in military power, or from extraordinary backgrounds, or with great fame. He will offend many by moving these people. At the beginning, he was in the name of the princes of the Son of Heaven, and it is possible that he will be affected by this; But if he doesn't do it, he can't deal with Yuan Shao with all his might, so he will definitely choose some insignificant people to do it. ”

It's been seven or eight years!

When Li Ru talked eloquently, it seemed to return to the feeling of being by Dong Zhuo's side, giving advice and strategizing.

Although I haven't made a move for many years, this vision is still there.

Li Ru thought for a while, "If my guess is right, Cao Mengde is very likely to appoint you as a candidate in the Northern Army." ”

"Huh?"

When Cao Peng heard this, he couldn't help but be surprised.

Lieutenant of the Northern Army, under the jurisdiction of Zhijinwu, in charge of the five battalions of the Northern Army.

His rank is really 600 stones, and he has the responsibility of supervising the captain of the fifth battalion. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, officials with low rank and officials with high rank in inspection were extremely normal. The five battalions included the Tun Cavalry, the Viet Cavalry, the Infantry, the Chang Shui and the Archery. The captain of the fifth battalion, Zhizhen 2,000 stones, was in charge of the Gyeonggi Suwei and had great power. However, when the Northern Army was waiting for supervision, the captain of the fifth battalion must obey the supervision, otherwise he would be regarded as complicit.

The position is not high, but the responsibility is great, and the authority is extremely heavy.

"How so?"

Li Ru sneered: "Let me ask you, who is Tunqi Sima?" ”

"My second brother."

"Who is Yue Qi Sima?"

"My sixth brother."

"Who is the infantry Sima?"

"My third brother ......"

Li Ru said: "If my guess is right, Sima of the two battalions of Changshui and Shooting Sound will not be strangers to you." ”

"Oh?"

"When the lieutenant of the fifth battalion was supervised by the lieutenant of the Northern Army, his military power was temporarily controlled by Sima in the battalion. In this way, when you enter the camp to monitor, the five camps are under your control. You can use the power of the Northern Army to arrest the captain of the fifth battalion, and you can take it without blood. ”

"You mean ......"

Li Ru smiled: "So I want to congratulate my son, Cao Mengde is giving you credit." ”

At this point, if Cao Peng still doesn't understand who Cao Ying wants him to deal with, he will be a fool. The captain of the fifth battalion was first erected, and then Cao Peng came forward to be responsible for supervision. This big case in Luoyang involves the Changshui school captain...... And the seed series is one of the masterminds of the edict. Cao Ying used to attack Liu Bei to divert everyone's attention from the edict of the cloth belt, and turned to the momentum of thunder...... Cao Peng looked at Li Ru, and his thoughts couldn't help but be a little complicated.

If the seed album falls into his hands, then he will inevitably fall into the reputation of an accomplice of Cao Ying.

Cao Ying is an old Cao thief, so he is a little Cao thief...... Cao Ying really looks up to himself. No wonder Li Ru said that he must agree...... I'm afraid this is the so-called 'vote for the name'!

(To be continued)