Cao Boss's reputation is still good, said that the retreat will really retreat, after withdrawing the army from Xuzhou City back to the camp, immediately pull out the camp and retreat to Yanzhou, go very urgently, that night to withdraw to the territory of Liuxian, Pengcheng, the city of Xuzhou Prefecture that was once in danger, and finally turned the crisis into safety. After repeatedly confirming the news, the overjoyed Tao Qian sent a letter overnight, inviting Kong Rong, the Taishou of Beihai, and Tian Kai, the assassin of Qingzhou, who were stationed outside the city, to move into the city to celebrate the liberation of Xuzhou.

At noon the next day, Kong Rong and Tian Kai led two support troops came to Xuzhou outside the city together, Kong Tian ordered the army to be stationed outside the city, only a dozen followers into the city, Tao Qian personally led two sons and a nephew out of the city to greet, Tian Kai and Kong Rong invited to the home for a banquet, Liu Bei brothers and Xuzhou civil and military all entered the table to accompany each other. During the banquet, Kong Rong and Tian Kai, honest people who had heard of Deputy Director Tao's 'heroic deeds', were full of praise for Tao Ying, and repeatedly congratulated Tao Qian for teaching his son well, and gave birth to such a good son who was brave and responsible, which was really envious of others.

"The second public has said it, and it has been said." Tao Qian, whose condition improved a lot overnight, was humble, but a pair of old eyes smiled almost into a line, twisted his all-white goatee and said: "This unfilial son, yesterday he went out of the city without permission to deliver a letter, and almost scared the three souls of the old man away. ”

"Tao Fujun is too modest." Kong Rong, the twentieth Kong Rong of Kong Laoer, laughed and said from the bottom of his heart: "If Ling Gongzi is also an unfilial son, then Kong Rong really hopes that his sons are such unfilial sons." Tao Fujun has the son of this hero, not only the blessing of the king, but also the blessing of Xuzhou, the successor of the king, the successor of Xuzhou! ”

"Kong Beihai is overrated, overrated. The dog is mediocre, how can he be praised by Kong Beihai? ”

Tao Qian was humble again, and took the opportunity to peek at everyone's reaction, and saw that Tao Shang, the eldest son who was most qualified to inherit the position of Xuzhou pastor, had a smirk on his face, and seemed to have no mind Kong Rong elevating his brother, and he was very happy; Tao Qian nodded slightly, peeked at Liu Bei again, and saw Liu Bei smiling, and seemed to agree with Kong Rong's opinion; In the end, when Tao Qian quietly went to see his second son Tao Ying, he saw Tao Ying holding his cousin Tao Ji's hand and drinking and chatting, as if he hadn't heard Kong Rong's words. Tao Qian couldn't help but wonder in his heart, "My stupid son, didn't you really hear it?" Or pretend not to hear? ”

"Tao Yingxiaoer, did you really not hear Kong Beihai's words? Or are you pretending not to hear? Liu Bei was also puzzled, and quietly paid attention to Tao Ying, while our deputy director Tao only cared about chatting with Tao Ji, talking about some things about the fun of hunting and throwing pots, and turned a deaf ear to Kong Rong's previous words, Liu Bei saw it, and couldn't help but be vigilant, "If this son is not born stupid, he is abnormal!" Far better than Cao thief! ”

Paying attention to Tao Ying's reaction, it was definitely not only Tao Ying and Liu Bei, hearing Kong Rong's sensitive words, Chen Qi's father and son and Mi Zhu brothers were also observing Tao Ying intentionally or unintentionally, as well as Cao Bao and Cao Hong, one of them was the chief general of the Xuzhou Army, and the other was Tao Qian's number one close confidant, so they naturally cared more about Tao Qian's heir than anyone else, but Tao Ying's reaction made most of them both disappointed and confused, and they couldn't figure out whether Tao Ying was really stupid, fake stupid, or didn't hear Kong Rong's words at all. But there were also two people who secretly rejoiced......

"Sure enough, it's a fool, Xuande Gong and his brother are too careful, a fool who happened to save Xuzhou by luck, what is there to be afraid of?" Mi Fang thought.

"Okay, the second son is really rotten wood that can't be carved, now I'm relaxed." Cao Bao thought in his heart, "As long as I have a good relationship with the second son, and when he inherits the position of the state pastor of the lord, Xuzhou, it is my Cao Bao who has the final say." ”

At this time, the banquet was coming to an end, Tao Qian ordered his two sons and one nephew to step forward, pointed to Kong Rong, Tian Kai and Liu Bei, who were sitting at the top, and ordered his son and nephew: "You and others kneel, this time Xuzhou suffered a tragedy, it all depends on your three elders to send troops to rescue, which relieved the siege of Xuzhou and saved your surname, why don't you quickly kowtow to the three uncles and thank you?" ”

"The little nephew and others thank the three uncles for their great kindness." The eldest brother potter is the most honest, obediently knelt down and kowtowed, and thanked Kong Rong, Tian Kai and Liu Bei, who was not a few years older than him.

"Xuzhou is relieved, my second brother should take the first credit." Tao Ji was a little unconvinced, but Tao Ji's father died early, and he was raised by his uncle Tao Qian, who respected Tao Qian very much, so no matter how unconvinced Tao Ji was, he could only kneel down obediently and thank Kong Rong, Tian Kai and Liu Bei. Tao Ying actually saluted faster than the two brothers, but Tao Ying didn't speak before the elder brother, but just echoed his cousin Tao Ji.

"Three virtuous nephews, please get up quickly." Kong Rong, Tian Kai and Liu Bei left the table together, got up and came to support the three brothers of the Tao family, Liu Bei took the first step to hold Tao Ying, and said with a smile: "The virtuous nephew doesn't have to be polite, this time the siege of Xuzhou was relieved, thanks to the virtuous nephew who went deep into the Cao camp single-handedly and persuaded Cao Gong to withdraw from the army. ”

After that, Liu Bei paid attention to Tao Ying's reaction, but saw Tao Ying smirking silently, as if he was very embarrassed by his own praise, and he was very proud, neither hypocritical and slick modest and polite, nor did he his tail to the sky like a villain. Liu Bei observed carefully and found no flaws, and his heart was inevitably a little shaken, "Is it really just a stupid boy?" Blind cat meets dead mouse? ”

"Ignorant child, what are you smiling at? Do you still want to be proud of your achievements? Tao Qian walked to Tao Ying and Liu Bei at some point, and scolded his son: "Do you think that Cao Ying's withdrawal from Xuzhou is all due to you, a yellow-haired child?" Without Kong Taishou, Tian Tingshi and Xuande Gong sending troops to Xuzhou, without Xuande Gong entering Xuzhou, Cao Ying would have retreated so easily? ”

"The child doesn't dare." Tao Ying hurriedly bowed his head to make amends, and Liu Bei also hurried to be humble.

"Everyone, everyone, please be quiet, be quiet." Tao Qian suddenly bowed his hand to everyone, as if he had something to say, and the civil and military officials of the various armies who were drinking and chatting stopped one after another, and all turned their eyes to Tao Qian.

"All the gentlemen here, please don't speak for the time being, and listen to Tao Qian's heartfelt words." Tao Qian bowed his hand to everyone again, and said loudly: "Gentlemen, the old man is old, the second son is not talented, and he is not worthy of the country's heavy responsibilities. Xuande Gong is the emperor of the imperial family, with high virtue and talent, and can lead Xuzhou. Therefore, the old man is willing to give up the post of Xuzhou Mu to Liu Gong, begging to recuperate, from now on, Xuzhou Mu is no longer old, but Xuande Gong! ”

"What?" Many people screamed, looking very surprised, Tao Ji, Cao Hong, Cao Bao and other Tao Qian's henchmen jumped up in shock, and said together that the lord was crazy, why did he give Xuzhou to Liu Bei again and again?

"Tao Gongzu still plans to give Xuzhou to me?" Liu Bei was also shocked, saying that he never thought that Tao Qian would offer to give Xuzhou to himself! But after thinking about it, Liu Bei immediately realized that this Tao Qian is not as loyal and honest as the legend, he has proposed to give Xuzhou to me before, this will Cao Jun has retreated, if he pretends to be deaf and dumb and does not mention it, the world will inevitably scold him for crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, ungrateful, this will he raise this matter in public, which not only blocks the mouth of the world, but also makes me unacceptable.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei hurriedly waved his hand and said more sincerely: "Tao Gong, don't do it!" Kong Wenju ordered Bei to save Xuzhou, for righteousness. Now there is no justification, and the world will be prepared for the unrighteous. Although he is not talented, he does not want to be infamy! What's more, this time Cao Jun retreated, the first person to be credited is the son of Tao Fujun, what kind of face does he have to lead Xuzhou? ”

"Uncle is too modest." To everyone's surprise, Tao Ying actually stood behind Tao Qian, and said to Liu Bei: "Uncle Rende is in the world, and the military and people of Xuzhou all know the name of their uncle. ”

There was no sound in the banquet hall at all, almost everyone looked at Tao Ying like an alien, and they all had a feeling that Zhang Er King Kong was confused - you know, Tao Ying jumped into the oil pot yesterday in exchange for Cao Ying's retreat, Tao Ying's reputation in Xuzhou City can only be described as Zhongtian, when he returned to the city, Xuzhou was almost the whole city to greet Tao Ying, the military and the people welcomed him, chanted Tao Ying Gongzi in unison, and worshiped countless people, in the hearts of the Xuzhou military and civilians, It can be said that it is the ironclad successor of Xuzhou Mu!

In this case, Tao Ying even echoed Tao Qian to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei, and there were only two explanations, one is that Tao Ying is self-aware, knowing that he can't sit in the position of Xuzhou Mu, and he sincerely gives in, and the other explanation is that Tao Ying is a hopeless fool!

"Virtuous nephew, don't mess around." The person who broke the silence was Liu Bei's sworn brother Zhang Fei and Zhang Yide, and said in a loud voice: "This time Cao Thief retreated because of you, my eldest brother is at most a helper, so he is embarrassed to accept your Xuzhou?" You don't need to be polite, Xuzhou is now Tao Yuanjun's, and it will be yours in the future, your nephew and I Zhang Fei have identified! ”

"What the third brother said is extremely true, my brothers really can't receive Xuzhou, and I ask Tao to take back your life." Guan Yu also stood up to help - although Guan Yu very much hoped that his sworn brother could have a piece of land to gain a foothold, but yesterday Tao Ying sacrificed himself to save Xuzhou's tragic scene Guan Yu witnessed with his own eyes, so this will Tao Qian give up Xuzhou, whether it is true or false, Guan Yu is embarrassed to persuade the eldest brother to take over Xuzhou.

Zhao Yun is still Liu Beijun's guest general, so it is inconvenient to express his opinions, but his expression is also extremely echoing Guan Zhang's opinion, and he does not approve of Liu Bei sitting in Xuzhou and snatching Tao Qian's foundation. And Liu Bei was extremely depressed, and said against his will: "Tao Fujun, second son, your kindness Liu Bei has received, but he will never dare to obey his fate in this matter." ”

"Xuande Gong." Mi Fang was a little anxious, and couldn't help but stand up and say: "Today, the Han Dynasty is late, Haiyu is subverted, and the achievements are made at this time. Xuzhou is rich, with a million household registrations, and Xuande is the one who receives this, and it is impossible to resign. Saying that, Mi Fang also quietly gave Liu Bei a look, and said in her heart Xuande Gong, you accept it quickly, Tao Ying'er's prestige has soared, if you don't seize this opportunity, I'm afraid that there will be no chance in the future.

Hearing Mi Fang's words, Tao Ji, Cao Hong and Cao Bao and other Tao's loyal ministers were angry together, Tao Qian, Mi Zhu and Chen Qi father and son were silent, and the pottery merchant who was so honest that he couldn't beat a fart with three hammers was at a loss, and he didn't want to see his father give Xuzhou to Liu Bei, and he didn't have the courage to object. The two important guests, Kong Rong and Tian Kai, glanced at each other and did not speak - Kong Rong did not want to be nosy and offend people, and Tian Kai, who was a subordinate of Gongsun Zhan, hoped that Liu Bei, who was close to Gongsun Zhan, would sit in Xuzhou and become a strong reinforcement in Qingzhou, but it was inconvenient to open his mouth casually.

"Uncle, Mi Zhi is reasonable." Tao Ying once again unexpectedly said: "Uncle is the hero of the world, he should lead Xuzhou to show his strength, my father will give Xuzhou to my uncle, it is far better than passing Xuzhou to my little nephew!" ”

"Is this kid talking from the heart, or is he squeezing me?" Liu Bei was puzzled, and quietly went to see Tao Ying, seeing that Tao Ying's face was full of sincerity, his eyes were sincere, and it didn't seem to be fake, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a little moved for a while, and said secretly: "Tao Qian's father and son are so sincere, or will they agree?" At most, after I sit in Xuzhou, I will treat Tao Qian's two sons well. ”

The heart is heartbeat, but Liu Bei, who has strong self-control, will not be carried away by greed - Liu Bei knows very well that this time Cao Ying retired from the army, and the person who the Xuzhou military and people are most grateful to is Tao Yingtao's second son, if he takes over the post of Xuzhou pastor, not only will he be swallowed and infamy, but the people of Xuzhou will definitely not belong to him! So Liu Bei just changed his mind slightly, and immediately shook his head firmly and said: "No, Liu Bei swears not to die for an unrighteous thing!" Please also ask Tao Fujun to choose another sage to let him! ”

"Xuan ......." Mi Fang still wanted to insist, but Mi Zhu quietly grabbed him and forced him to close the crow's mouth.

"If Xuande Gong leaves me, I won't be blind to death!" Tao Qian cried out loud, and repeatedly asked Liu Bei to accept Xuzhou, but Liu Bei firmly refused, and finally Tao Qian had no choice, so he had to change his words and said: "Xuande Gong is resolutely not accepted, then Tao Qian has another idea, here near the city, the name is Xiaopei, enough to garrison the army, please Xuande Gong temporarily garrison this town?" ”

"Old fox, it's waiting for me here!" Liu Bei finally came to his senses, and said in his heart: "No wonder you Tao Qian Lao'er let Xuzhou run again, and you want me to be a watchdog for you for a long time!" Xiao Pei, that's the first line to resist Cao Thief's southward movement! If the old thief Cao Ying goes and returns, I will immediately become Xuzhou's shield! ”

"Uncle, Xuzhou can't live without you!" Tao Ying suddenly knelt down on his knees again, hugged Liu Bei's legs and cried: "Now there is a big chaos, the white bones are exposed in the wild, there is no rooster crying for thousands of miles, the people of Xuzhou are suffering from the war, my father is old and sick, Tao Ying's brothers are mediocre and incompetent, and they are powerless to protect Xuzhou. ”

"Xuande Gong, please stay." Chen Jue and Chen Deng, father and son, who had been silent, also stood up and persuaded Liu Bei to stay together - no way, the Xuzhou army in the Battle of Surabaya was greatly injured, and the Zang Ba team who actually read in Kaiyang did not listen to the tune, and they could not be counted on at the critical moment.

"Duke Xuande, the lord is kind enough to stay, please don't refuse." Mi Zhu, the richest man in Xuzhou, also opened his mouth to stay, and quietly gave Liu Bei a look, urging Liu Bei to seize the opportunity to agree quickly. On the side, Kong Rong, Tian Kai and others also opened their mouths to persuade Liu Bei to accept Tao Qian's invitation and garrison Xiaopei.

"Do you accept it?" Liu Bei thought in his heart, "Staying and stationing Xiaopei is to be a watchdog for Tao Lao Fox, it's okay if Cao Bing doesn't come, once Cao Thief goes and returns, I will be pushed to the front by Tao Lao Fox and fight with Cao Thief." But if I don't stay, my previous efforts ....... ”

"Forget it, stay, there is still a chance to stay, and if you leave, you may never have a chance!" Liu Bei gritted his teeth and stomped his feet to make up his mind, and arched his hand to Tao Qian: "The prince of the mansion is so invited, it is hypocritical to be ready to excuse himself, and he will agree to it, and he will lead the army out of the city and move to Xiaopei!" ”

"Thank you Xuande Gong, Xuzhou has Xuande Gong to help, and the old man can sit back and relax." Tao Qian was overjoyed, hurriedly thanked him, and quietly looked at Tao Ying's expression, but saw that his youngest son was full of joy and a sincere smile, Tao Qian couldn't help but wonder in his heart, "My son, is he really stupid?" Or are you playing dumb? Well, it's time to talk to this silly son. ”