Cao Song, as the former imperial court lieutenant, one of the three dukes, is at least a vice premier of the State Council and minister of defense in later generations, and he may be a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and vice chairman of the Military Commission or something, but Xun is a flat-headed ordinary person, Cao Song doesn't wait to see him, pouts and leaves, that is reasonable - Yes Xun has long expected this result, Cao Song did not blast the visitors out directly, but left the scene by himself, which is already very polite.

But from the beginning, Shixun didn't plan to talk to Cao Song about anything. Not only is his status low, but he is also young, so under normal circumstances, Cao Song has to send someone out to meet the guest, at most, that person leads him to bow to Old Man Cao from a distance and salute. was able to ask questions in person, and at first he thought that this old man was quite approachable.

However, it is estimated that it is only because he is under the banner of Tao Qian, Tao Qian is the lord of Xuzhou, Cao Song avoids trouble in Xuzhou, and he can't help but sell the face of the landlord. It's a pity that this old guy is not the end of his morality, if he asks clearly that he is white, even if he smiles and leaves without speaking, he will also look very personable, right? I want to pout my lips and say "Is there no one in Xuzhou", this is too arrogant!

So according to the history books, Cao Cao was a very humble and kind guy when he was young, so he could return from all over the world, but in old age, he became arrogant and arrogant, and it is estimated that no one except Liu Bei paid attention to it - now it seems that it is genetics at work.

Cao Song doesn't like to take care of himself, that's nothing. The problem is that Xun entered the hall, the housekeeper pointed to the master, and then withdrew, he swept his eyes, and only saw Cao Song and the two maidservants beside him, but did not see the third master. As soon as Cao Song left, he was vague, someone had to come to receive him, didn't he? Leaving the guests alone in the hall, what's this called?

But unexpectedly, someone in the corner spoke immediately, almost scaring Shixun. When I looked up, I saw a person arching his hand, and Shi Shiran walked over from the side of the screen. This person is in his thirties, of medium stature, with a broad crown and a long beard, and at first glance he looks like Cao Song, but he has shrunk seven or eight times. It was Xun who lowered his head slightly and saluted the other party, just like that, his eyes were wrong-alas, no, what does this person look like? Why is it that there is no impression in a blink of an eye?

"Sir's last name, isn't it?" The other party introduced himself, "A certain is Cao De, so Taiwei Cao Gong is the father, and Cao Yanzhou is the brother." ”

Oh, sure enough, this is Cao Cao's brother Cao De. According to the historical records, Cao Cao had a large number of brothers, including those surnamed Cao and those surnamed Xiahou, but did he have any brothers? There are only two records, one is mentioned when his father was killed, Cao Song also has a younger son named Cao De, or Cao Ji, and the other is that a certain son of Xiahou Yuan married Cao Cao's niece, so Cao Cao at least had a brother who lived to adulthood.

When he heard Cao De's registration, Shi Xun also hurriedly replied: "It's Xun, the cursive word Hongfu." What do you call Taifu? ”

"Cursive words go to disease."

Oh, Cao Decao went to the disease, and sure enough, the words "virtue" and "disease" were all hit.

He saw that this Cao De's skeleton was not big, and his face was so white that he didn't see the slightest blood, and he estimated that his physique was not very good, and he was sick and calamito when he was a child, so he gave him such a word as "going to disease", right?

After the two sides saluted, Cao De did not go to the couch facing south that his father had just sat on, but sat on the seat of the lord in the east, so Shi Xun also went to the guest seat in the west, took off his shoes, and went to the seat. This hall was originally used to receive guests, so there are mats on the east and west sides, but unfortunately the hall is quite large, the mats are quite far apart, and after the two sit down, the distance is more than three meters - such a conversation is tiring enough.

Cao De slapped his palm, and there were several maids wearing butterflies, holding a few cases and trays, and placed them in front of the host and guest. Hey, there's not only hot water, but also snacks and dried fruits—yes, that's how hospitality is.

Of course, those snacks and dried fruits were basically put on display, and he wouldn't move easily, so he just picked up the water cup and saluted Cao Deyao, and took a sip to moisten his throat. Then Cao De asked: "I don't know if Mr. was ordered by Tao Envoy Jun to pass through the mansion, do you have any orders?" ”

"Don't dare," Shi Xun is not very accustomed to all kinds of false courtesies, politeness, and talking in circles between the scholars and doctors in these years, he replied straight to the point, "I don't want to hide it, this time I was entrusted by the envoy to go to Yanzhou to visit my brother, in order to apply for the good of the two states, I heard that Cao Gong lived here, I didn't dare not come to see him first." ”

In fact, he still said something in circles, but I believe that Cao De can fully understand the subtext: I want to go to your brother to do something, come to meet your father first, and hope to help deliver some good words in front of your brother.

"I see," Cao De lowered his eyes and looked at the ground, "No wonder my father has moved to Xuzhou for more than two years, and Tao Yuanjun only sent Mr. to ...... today" That means: My father is the former Taiwei Alas, he lived in Xuzhou, Tao Qian didn't send anyone to visit, nor did he write a letter to condole, and he didn't send you here until we were useful today. How can I say it, Tao Qian's virtue...... Hey, hey, hey, hey~~

Shi Xun hurriedly explained: "It's not that Tao Yuanjun dares to neglect the distinguished guests and neglect the honorable father, but only a few days ago I learned that the honorable father's father and son live in seclusion here, so I sent a detour to come to ask." "If he had known that you were here, he would have sent someone a long time ago. But there is a sentence that Xun didn't dare to say: Tao Qian followed Gongsun Zan two years ago, Cao Cao followed Yuan Shao, the two sides were friends and enemies, maybe they sent someone over not to ask, but to capture your father and son as hostages - do you really look forward to someone coming from Tancheng?

"I don't know where I heard about my father?"

Shi Xun thought about it and decided to tell the truth: "Brother Cao Zhonghui was originally an official in the state, but he didn't dare to reveal Cao Gong's whereabouts because of the disagreement between Tao Yuanjun and Brother Zun. This time, Tao made Jun have the intention of making peace, so he gave this feeling...... paused, and specially added: "It was a certain trip to Cao Zhonghui, Zhong Hui said: 'If Qing thinks that the king is very sincere, you can go to Haiqu and visit the eldest brother in advance; If you think that his intentions are insincere, you must not reveal the location of the eldest brother. ’”

He added that this sentence has two hidden meanings, one is to point out that his relationship with Cao Hong is not ordinary - Cao Hong told him that Cao Song himself doesn't hold much grudges, so pulling him out should not affect the conversation between himself and Cao De later. The second deep meaning is to continue to raise his worth: Look, Tao Qian is sincere or false, even Cao Hong can't see for sure, so only Lao Tzu is Tao Qian's real confidant, do you believe it or not?

When Cao De heard this, his eyes flickered slightly, and he thought about it for a while by drinking water, and then asked: "Cao is lonely and unheard, and I have never heard of Mr. Chen's good name before." Mr. & Uncle Unknown...... Is Cao Zhonghui old? "Who are you? You are dressed in white, how much ability and fame do you have to be entrusted by Tao Qian? But how come I've never heard of you? And why did Cao Hong even tell you so heart-wrenching? How good is your friendship?

Shi Xun smiled slightly: "How dare you be a 'virtuous' word." A few months ago, he had just hired Cao Shuyuan's daughter as his wife, and his brother married Elk Zhongmei as his wife, so Tao made Jun turn it over, and Cao Zhonghui just treated it with his heart. "He has not officially married Miss Cao at this time, so he can call Cao Hong's brother's cousin, which not only seems close, but also elevates his status. deliberately pointed out that it was the matter of marrying Miss Elk, he wanted to see if the Cao Decao in front of him was a mediocre person who "didn't hear anything outside the window", and didn't know the inside story of Xuzhou. If you understand, you will understand that now I am a family in Xuzhou in a pivotal position, if you don't understand - okay, then I will make it up blindly.

"I see," Cao De took another sip of water, and when he put down the cup, his face was already full of smiles, and he asked bluntly: "But I don't know if Mr. went to Yanzhou to negotiate peace this time, is it the meaning of Tao Envoy, or the meaning of the Cao family and the Elk family in the state?" ”

I rely on you this guy to have a very sharp brain, and his thinking is also very erratic, he deserves to be Cao Cao's brother! Shixun immediately looked at the ordinary-looking Cao De in front of him, and quickly adjusted his attitude and words - we don't need to go around in circles anymore when talking to smart people, sometimes it is more effective to be straightforward.

"Zhong Hui really has this intention, but Brother Zun refuses to be thousands of miles away." Cao Hong wants to negotiate peace, but your brother's current attitude really doesn't help solve the problem, so I came here to follow your father's path.

Cao De suddenly asked, "Has Mr. seen my brother?" Shixun shook his head. Cao De stood up suddenly, didn't wear shoes, just ran to Shixun's side in a few steps, sat down with him, and then lowered his voice, threw away all the false sets, and explained directly: "My brother is a mercenary, as long as it is beneficial, he will do it." ”

Since Cao De suddenly changed to this attitude, Shixun was even more open-minded, and asked him: "Is Xuzhou considered a benefit?" "Of course," Cao De laughed again, "so I don't need my father's help to ease his cheeks, you have to tell him this, he won't remember the past - aren't they all the same surname Cao?" Aren't they all the same ancestor? What can be an indelible holiday? ”

"This is the best," Shi Xun then completely affirmed his intentions, "this time, on the order of Tao Envoy, he specially brought three hundred soldiers to protect Cao Gong. When Cao De heard this, his face suddenly changed, and he leaned back: "Do you want to take my father and son as a hostage?!" ”

Shi Xun smiled faintly: "If this is really the intention, there is no need to come to the door to explain first-I'm afraid that someone will get in the way." If Duke Cao intended to go to Yanzhou, this army would be safe. After all, the yellow scarves are still in chaos in Yanzhou, and the road is not necessarily peaceful......"

"Father probably won't ......leave," Cao De smiled slightly wryly, "He always thought that it was still the world of the Han family, and no one dared to ......offend him with the respect of the old captain" was Xun grabbed his words: "Isn't it the world of the Han family now?" Cao De glanced at him, and suddenly laughed slyly: "If it is really the Han family, how can you allow Qing and others to give the land of a state to each other privately?!" ”

Cao Song really refused to leave, and in the end Cao De just asked for a letter and asked Shixun to go to Yanzhou to bring it to Cao Cao. As for the 300 soldiers allocated by Zang Ba, Cao Song claimed that there were dozens of sturdy Ding Yong in the village, which was enough to protect safety, but he resolutely refused to stay. Shi Xun had no choice, so after leaving Cao's Zhuangyuan and meeting Sun Fan, he asked him to temporarily set up all the soldiers and horses outside Haiqu County, and often sent people to Cao's house to inquire about the situation - "Please ask General Zang to write a letter, and the supply will depend on Haiqu County in the future." ”

Sun Fan nodded: "In short, in order to ensure the safety of Cao Gong - the villain can save it, Mr. does not need to worry." The two were discussing it, when suddenly a soldier next to him pointed into the distance and shouted loudly. Shi Xun looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw that in the direction of Caojiazhuang Courtyard, a fire rose into the sky!