Liu Yong and Zhuge Liang finished discussing, and said: "Brother Xian, since my brother has decided not to rely on others, he will stand up to Cao and Sun on his own. www.biquge.info The top priority at the moment is to work together, cherish time like gold, raise and accumulate food and materials in various ways, recruit and train soldiers, and actively prepare for war. This is the opportunity to use people, you and I worship brothers, I am welcome, for my brother want to invite the virtuous brother out of the mountain to help me? ”

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Since my brother has summoned, Kong Ming should be ordered." ”

"The plain is poor and remote, nameless, foolish brothers are light-minded, talented and shallow, there are few people available, and there are only a handful of virtuous and great talents. The foolish brother wants to get a group of friends to come here to seek a job, do you think it is feasible? ”

Zhuge Liang groaned: "I don't know what position my brother entrusts? ”

"I mean Pang Tong is the long history of Juncheng, Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, Meng Gongwei, etc., to assist in handling government affairs; Brother Xian and Xu Shu are the left and right military advisors, do you think it is appropriate to participate in the planning of the military? ”

Zhuge Liang sighed: "A few of us are only famous in the countryside, but my brother has entrusted important positions, given important tasks, and knows people and makes good use of them. Kong Ming dared to speak, and he would happily agree. ”

Liu Yong was overjoyed and said with a smile: "I have to ask for this matter in person, so as to show sincerity." As for Cui Zhouping, I personally wrote a letter, bothering Lao Xian to go to invite him, and Liu Yong was waiting in Yuyuan. ”

"Brother, rest assured, Kong Ming will be worth the trip."

Liu Yong summoned Dong Xi again: "Brother, you send a reliable person to send this letter to Xu Du Cheng Yu as soon as possible, and say that this is my handwritten letter to Cao Gong, and it is urgent." He hesitated and said, "I only hope that Cao Cao can also see this letter when he sees the letter I left in the Xudu Mansion." ”

Dong Xi said worriedly: "Brother, Cao Ren escorted the Holy Lord back to Xudu a month ago. The saint sneaked out of such a major event as Xu Du, Cao Ren would not dare to hide it, and he would definitely go to Yecheng to report it. It's thousands of miles away from Xudu, even if we set off at the same time as him, how can we catch up, will it be too late? ”

"It's not necessarily too late." Liu Yong explained, "I just discussed with Kong Ming for a while. Cao Ren returned to Xu Du and set off immediately, and he must first settle the saint, send more manpower, and arrange various defenses before he can go on the road. Moreover, Cao Cao is still pacifying and annexing the state, and he may not be able to return in a short time. Also, we only need to send it to Xudu, which can save a lot of time. ”

Dong Xi was puzzled: "Cao Cao is now in Jizhou, why don't we send it directly to Yecheng but to Xudu?" ”

"Big brother, this letter is extremely important and weighty, and it cannot be delivered by carrier pigeons, but can only be delivered by fast horses. From us to Yecheng, we can only ride alone, and there are countless passes on the road, when can we get there? If it is sent by Cheng Yu, you can change horses without changing people, and you can go all the way unimpeded, much faster than us. ”

Dong Xi nodded, and said worriedly: "Then will Cheng Yu withhold the letter and not send it?" ”

Liu Yong said categorically: "No." Cheng Yu knew that it was me Liu Yong who sent it, so he would only pay attention to it and send it to the starry night. ”

"Good!" Dong attacked and arched his hand and went to handle it himself. Liu Yong went to the pavilion to meet Xu Shu and Pang Tong, and explained his ambitions and plans, as well as the proposed official position, and explained everything in detail, as Zhuge Liang expected, both of them agreed with a smile, only saying that they would go back to Xiangyang to clean up and then return to Luoyuan to take up their posts. Liu Yong was overjoyed, said goodbye to the two, and went to the barracks to make arrangements.

However, he said that Cao Ren did not dare to slack off all the way to protect Emperor Xian, and rushed back to Xudu last night, so he was relieved. Cao Ren saw Cheng Yu's face with joy, and said with a smile: "Zhongde, as you expected." Shengshang was taken hostage by Liu Yong to Fancheng, but fortunately Liu Biao was not allowed to enter the city, so I took Shengshang back. ”

Cheng Yu asked, "I don't know how the general will deal with this matter?" ”

"Since the saint is safe and sound, I think we will send some more people to guard the palace, and the rest is the same, what does Zhongde think?"

Cheng Yu shook his head and said, "The general's trip is extremely inappropriate. According to Cheng Yu's opinion, after the general is properly settled, he needs to go to Jizhou to meet the prime minister as soon as possible, and ask for the crime of negligence and dereliction of duty, and he must be sincere in his intentions. If the prime minister is to blame, the general can accept it calmly, and it must not be justified. ”

Cao Ren was a little disappreciative and said, "Zhongde is too careful." Although the saint left, it was Liu Yong's trickery, and it has nothing to do with us. What's more, when we work hard to welcome the Holy God back, we will also make up for our mistakes. The prime minister is far away and has a lot to worry about, so there is no need to bother him with such trivial matters, right? ”

Cheng Yu persuaded again: "The general is Cao Gong's younger brother, how come he doesn't know the prime minister's thoughts?" The prime minister hates that some people make their own opinions, and even more hates that there are things to deceive, and the general must think deeply! ”

Cao Ren thought about it, nodded helplessly, and said, "I listened to Zhongde's words." ”

The two discussed for a while, and placed Emperor Xian still in the palace, and after Fu, he lived in seclusion in another courtyard, and at the same time allocated 2,000 personal soldiers to strengthen the guard, and transferred heavy troops to inspect the four gates of Xudu to strengthen the city defense; At the same time, a clean-up was carried out in the city to exterminate Liu Yongyu's party.

Cao Ren made arrangements and set off for Yecheng overnight. Half a month later, Liu Yong's letter was also sent to Xudu. Sure enough, Cheng Yu didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly called for a quick horse and sent it to Jizhou. By the time the letter was delivered to Yecheng, Cao Ren had been in Yecheng for ten days. It's just that Cao Cao is still personally recruiting senior cadres and has not returned, and Cao Ren has to wait anxiously in the post house. Half a month later, Gao Gan was headed, Cao Cao pacified and merged the state, and the class returned to Yecheng. Cao Ren hurriedly came with two letters to ask for a meeting.

Cao Ren came over tremblingly and met Cao Cao. Cao Cao asked casually: "Zixiao doesn't guard Xudu with Zhongde, what is the matter with Jizhou?" ”

Cao Ren looked left and right, and said in a low voice: "There will be a confidential event to invite the prime minister." ”

Cao Cao nodded, and ordered, leaving only Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xun You and other strategists, in fact, they all retreated. Cao Cao's face was as usual: "Zixiao, there is no one else now, if you have any confidential things, just tell me." ”

Cao Ren knelt on the ground with a "poof", bowed to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, and pleaded: "Prime Minister, the last general and Zhongde didn't notice, but they were blinded by Liu Yong, and he kidnapped the saint out of the city. ”

Guo Jia and other advisers were shocked, and Cao Cao was also stunned, and said angrily: "Where is Liu Yong hijacking the saint?" If there is a mistake in the saint, Lone will kill you to relieve the hatred in your heart. ”

Cao Ren was startled, and hurriedly replied: "Back to the prime minister, the last general and Zhongde Zhisheng escaped, and he was so anxious that he ordered all the armies to go out in multiple ways, wearing stars and moons, and searching along the way. Fortunately, with God's blessing, Liu Biao did not dare to take in the saint, so the minister has welcomed the saint back, and sent more people to serve carefully, and nothing goes wrong. ”

Cao Cao's face was not shocked, and he said: "Zixiao, you will explain the cause and effect of this matter in detail." ”

"Yes." Cao Ren settled down, and deceived the palace deacon with how Liu Yong made Song Jiu dress up as Emperor Xian's wife and sneaked out of Xu Capital; met Liu Yong in Anchang, how to fight, and how to be deceived into chasing the wrong direction; How to persevere, I had no choice but to go to Xiangyang to gamble on my luck and "invite" the emperor to return to the emperor, etc., without a trace of concealment, and said it all.

Cao Cao was silent for a long time after hearing this, and Cao Ren was worried in his heart and didn't dare to move. After a while, Cao Cao said: "Although Zixiao and Zhongde have the responsibility of not being strict in guarding, they are calm and calm in case of trouble, and they deal with it decisively and quickly, welcome back to the saint, and work tirelessly, and come to report on the starry night, asking themselves for their crimes, so they will not be investigated." ”

Cao Ren secretly sighed, and his heart was settled, but he heard Cao Cao say again: "Actually, Gu has known about this matter for a long time, but he doesn't know the deep meaning, and the war in the state is so tight that he can't take care of it." Zixiao and Zhongde did not hide or report this matter, they were open-minded, loyal to their true appearance, and very relieved by their loneliness. When Cao Ren heard this, he immediately sweated like rain, his chest and abdomen were wet, and he couldn't help but admire Cheng Yu's foresight and sagacity.

Cao Cao raised his right hand and said to Cao Ren, "Get up." He also ordered someone to give Cao Ren a seat.

After Cao Ren sat down, Cao Cao asked again, "Do you know how the Holy Lord got out of the palace?" ”

Cao Ren arched his hand and replied: "The general and Mr. Cheng were also puzzled by this matter, and finally asked the Holy Lord to find out." It turned out that Liu Yong saw that the guards at the dung road were lax, so he imitated a dung truck with a built-in mezzanine, and the appearance and weight were no different from the real car. Liu Yong hid the emperor and queen in it, and then went out of the city. ”

Cao Cao covered his palms and exclaimed: "Liu Yong's strategy is really unpredictable. He smiled and said to Guo Jia and others: "You may come up with this plan?" ”

Xun You shook his head and said, "Xun You is open-minded and disdainful. ”

Xun Yu sneered and said: "This kind of subplot can only be deceived in a small place, and it is not enough to make a big deal!" ”

Guo Jia said: "Liu Yong is indeed very wise, Nai Tianyou Prime Minister, the saint will eventually return to Xudu, how can Liu Yong go against the sky?" ”

Cao Cao smiled slightly, noncommittal, and sighed: "It's a pity that Liu Yong won't be used for me in the end." He also said to Cao Ren: "Allocate heavy troops to watch carefully, so as not to let the saint make any mistakes." Otherwise, the lonely will take the head of you and others. ”

Cao Ren hurriedly bowed down and replied: "The last general will take the order." ”

Cao Cao stroked his beard, closed his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and ordered: "Zixiao, after you go back, you will send Fu Shou into the cold palace and not meet with anyone; will be dismissed from his post after the ambush will be strictly handled, his mansion will be raided, and if there is any retrograde, he will be detained first, and he will be disposed of when he returns to Xudu. In addition, the orphaned daughters Cao Xian, Cao Jie, and Cao Hua were sent into the palace to be named nobles and serve the saints. ”

Cao Ren said cautiously: "Prime Minister, the two sisters Cao Jie and Cao Hua are still minors, how can they serve the emperor?" ”

"First set the name for the two daughters, put them in a separate courtyard to live in, select a number of female officials, teach them to music, sing and dance, and wait until they are married, and then send them to the palace."

"Yes!"

"Liu Biao actually colluded with Liu Yong, his heart can be punished, although he does not dare to accept the saint, it is difficult to eliminate the hatred in his lonely heart." Cao Cao said angrily, "When the Yuan family is settled, he will point his sword at Jing Xiang, which will make Liu Biao regret it." He asked Cao Rendao again, "Is there anything else wrong with Zixiao?" ”

Cao Ren bowed down and replied: "Liu Yong still has two letters and the prime minister. ”

"Oh." Cao Cao was stunned, "Present it." ”

Cao Ren shouted outside, "Come, bring me those two letters." As soon as the words fell, an attendant outside the door had already opened the door, and one of Cao Cao's guards walked in with a brocade box and a tray in his hand. The guard holding the brocade box carefully took out the two letters, placed them in a tray next to them, and presented them to Cao Cao by another guard.

Cao Cao saw that the letter was in good condition, and when he opened it, he asked, "Have you read this letter?" ”

Cao Ren didn't dare to hide it, and bowed down and replied, "Yes." At that time, there was no trace of the saint, and I was at a loss, so I opened it without permission in a hurry. Without asking for instructions, please also ask the prime minister to punish him. ”

Cao Cao waved his hand and said magnanimously: "The situation is urgent, and you are lonely and far away in Jizhou, you can naturally act cheaply, what is the crime?" ”

"Prime Minister Xie."

"Why is this letter unopened?"

"Prime Minister, that letter was left by Liu Yong when he left, but this letter was sent by Mr. Cheng after the general arrived in Yecheng."

"Oh? That's kind of interesting. Cao Cao was a little puzzled, even more curious, picked up the letter, only to see that it was written with the words "Prime Minister Kiss Qi", Cao Cao was silent, and after a while asked Cao Rendao: "Zixiao, what did Liu Yong say in the first letter?" ”

"Back to the prime minister, Liu Yong didn't say anything, just left a poem."

"A poem?"

"Yes. Mr. Cheng was full of praise when he saw it. ”

"Oh, then you read!" Cao Cao handed the letter to Cao Ren, and said to Guo Jia and the others, "Let's all listen to this poem that Zhongde praised." ”

"Yes." Cao Ren bowed down and took it, took out the paper from the envelope, unfolded it, and read it aloud, "The festival woman groans? Sent to Prime Minister Cao Cheng of Jizhou ......"

"Lady? Isn't that a woman's tone? Is this written by Liu Yong? ”

"Back to Prime Minister, this is indeed Liu Yong's own handwriting."

Cao Cao was even more surprised, and raised his hand to signal Cao Ren to continue reading. Cao Renliang opened his throat and read aloud:

Jun knows that the concubine has a husband, and gives the concubine a double pearl.

Feeling lingering, tied to the red shirt.

The concubine's high-rise building is even rising, and the lover is holding the halberd in the bright light.

Zhijun's intentions are like the sun and the moon, and the husband vows to live and die together.

Returning Jun Mingzhu's tears, he hated to meet when he was not married.

"Returning Jun Mingzhu's tears, I hate to meet when I am not married." Cao Cao read it in a whisper and exclaimed, "It's really a good sentence." Then he asked the strategists: "Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think Liu Yong means by writing this poem?" ”

Xun Yu said: "Prime Minister, this poem is left by Liu Yong when he hijacked the saint and sneaked out of Xudu. Liu Yong's meaning is very clear, on the one hand, he will not forget the kindness of the prime minister in the past, and on the other hand, he will not conspire with the prime minister, and he will be far away, and he will not give up. ”

Guo Jia also said: "This is a pun, borrowing the mouth of the festival woman, and rejecting the good intentions of the prime minister, so as to make your ambition clear." ”

The poem quoted by Liu Yong is from the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji, and the original poem is "The Song of the Woman? Send Dongping Li Sikong Shidao". After the Middle Tang Dynasty, the feudal towns were divided, and the troops were self-respecting, and in order to win the hearts of the people, they were allowed to win over the literati and writers with heavy money, and the vassals were elegant, and it became a common practice. At that time, Li Shidao was the envoy of the Pinglu Ziqing Festival, one of the feudal towns, and was also crowned with the title of the inspector of the school and the Pingzhangshi under the Tongzhong Shumen, and his momentum was hot. Li Shidao admired Zhang Ji's knowledge very much, so he promised to be a high-ranking official and hire him to serve him. However, Zhang Ji advocated national unification and opposed the division of feudal towns. It was inconvenient for Zhang Ji to refuse Li Shidao's recruitment head-on, so he wrote this poem "The Song of the Lady", using a wife who was loyal to her husband, after an ideological struggle, to keep the woman's way, and rejected the process of being pursued by an amorous man to express his determination to be loyal to the imperial court and not to be co-opted and bought by high-ranking officials in the feudal town. This poem is euphemistic and resolute, and it is a rare masterpiece.

Liu Yong's mood was the same as that of Zhang Ji, not only thanking Cao Cao for his appreciation and courtesy, but also insisting on the determination to revive the Han dynasty and reunify himself. You can't have both fish and bear's paws, so you have to endure the pain and cut your love, and politely refuse Cao Cao's affectionate kindness.

Cao Cao sighed and said to Cao Ren again, "Open that letter as well." ”

Cao Ren said: "Prime Minister, this letter Liu Yong has repeatedly instructed that it needs to be opened by the Prime Minister in person. ”

Cao Cao was stunned, and Xun Yu said on the side: "Prime Minister, now that Liu Yong has betrayed as an enemy, if you put Gu poison in the letter paper and kill the prime minister, the prime minister must not be guarded against!" (To be continued.) )