In the Jiade Hall of Luoyang Nangong, Emperor Ling put down the pen in his hand, and then casually closed the corrected music and rolled it aside.

He got up and stretched, raising his eyes to look at Zhang Rang, who was kneeling at the bottom of the steps.

The temple is vast and magnificent, the sunlight is very low by the flying tiles in the corner of the house, although there are many candles lit in the hall, but even if it is sunny and daylight, it still looks a little cold and dim.

It has been more than 100 years since the completion of this temple, and the treacherous stories during it are too many to count.

Emperor Ling smiled and spoke, "You mean Zheng Xuan has entered Luoyang?" It's a rare guest. ”

"Yes, yes. The slave maid heard the news before and specially sent someone to investigate, and now Zheng Xuan lives on the Wushi Mountain outside Luoyang City. Zhang Rang not only didn't dare to raise his head, but also pressed his head extremely low, clinging to the stone slab on the ground.

The Spirit Emperor standing on the high level didn't say a word for a long time, just paced back and forth on it.

A chill on the ground surged down Zhang Rang's forehead and over his body.

Such a cold place, but it already made him sweat.

Emperor Ling suddenly smiled and said, "I remember that Zheng Xuan is a disciple of Ma Rong, Lu Zhi's fellow disciple, and a master of the ancient literature school. I haven't been in Ruoyang for many years, and now I have come to Luoyang, thinking that it is for the debate of the present and the ancient. Am I right? ”

"Your Majesty. The slave maid thought hard for many days before thinking of this, and His Majesty could crack it in just a moment. ”

The eyes of the senior level were fixed on Zhang Rang, "Since you have thought of it, haven't you done anything?" ”

Zhang Rang kowtowed again and again, not daring to look up at Emperor Ling, and said cautiously: "Now the modern literary school in the city respects He Xiu as a sect. After the slave and maid verified, they had already ordered people to keep an eye on He Xiu in the city and Zheng Xuan on the Wushi Mountain, as long as they made a move, they would immediately come back. ”

"It's not bad, and I dare to do it. You are the wisest of all the servants. I can also rest assured that I am smart, but sometimes I don't have to be smart to be mistaken. ”

Zhang Rang seemed to be able to detect the gaze on the steps, and immediately kowtowed again and again, "The slave and maid don't dare, don't dare to deceive Your Majesty, the slave and maid are indeed selfish." These scholars have always regarded our eunuchs as a thorn in their side, and the slaves and maids are also worried that if they really divide the superiority, there will be no more school disputes, and in the future, these scholars will unite, I am afraid that it will be unfavorable to the slaves and maids, and it will also be unfavorable to Your Majesty, so they make their own opinions, and ask Your Majesty to forgive their sins. ”

Emperor Ling smiled: "I didn't mistake you, you are really a smart person. It is not unreasonable for you to be worried, for you have indeed been at odds with those scholars all these years. I can't say that this time they want to divide the superiority, and it has something to do with you. If they give up their old suspicions, they will naturally have to deal with you insatiable eunuchs. ”

Zhang Rang didn't dare to speak.

Many of the things they did in Luoyang were actually secretly instructed by the Spirit Emperor, and most of the money they plundered went into the Ling Emperor's pocket.

Otherwise, the Spirit Emperor would not tolerate them to this day.

They are just knives in the hands of the Spirit Emperor, which can make the Spirit Emperor kill people without blood.

"But as long as I'm here, you'll be safe. If they want to move you, they have to ask me if I agree. Moreover, the dispute between the present and the ancient has been going on for a long time, and it is so easy to distinguish the winner and loser. Even if they do decide the winner, I still have a trick to play outside. ”

The Spirit Emperor sat back on the dragon chair behind him, pinching the dragon head on the chair.

"I love to be lively the most, and it has been a long time since I was lively. Since they have a heart, let them be lively this time, and they can't be stingy, right? ”

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

Leaning back on the chair and looking at the dark and roofless temple above his head, Emperor Ling smiled and said, "How can I pretend not to know such a big thing as the debate between the gods and the sea?" It's just that I can't show up, otherwise everyone won't be happy at that time. When you go to preach the decree, you will choose the place of debate in Biyong, and leave the presiding matter to Liu Kuan. I can't say that this event will become a grand event that will go down in history in the future. ”

"Yes." Zhang Rang got up, and was about to retreat.

"Wait." Liu Hong suddenly called him to stop, "Have you found all the people I want you to find to guard the tomb?" ”

"I found it, and I found it according to His Majesty's wishes." Zhang Rang hurriedly turned around and replied.

"Just find it, stand down." Liu Hong waved his hand and tilted his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

Zhang Rang came to the door of the main hall, and the warm sun shone one step in front of him.

He stole a glance back.

Just as a gust of wind blew into the temple, the candlelight on both sides swayed, swaying from side to side, and was about to be extinguished.

On the top of the steps, the Spirit Emperor was hidden on the dragon chair engraved with a golden dragon.

There was a shadow over him, and he didn't see him.

…………

A few days later, in Yuan Shao's private house, the visiting Cao Cao was playing against Yuan Shao.

Xu You stood behind Yuan Shao, holding a few five-baht coins in his hand.

He and Cao Cao are also old acquaintances, and they are both old playmates with Yuan Shao who have wandered in Luoyang City since childhood.

And behind Yu Cao Cao was also standing a person, a little short, also holding a few coins in his hand.

This person is Cao Cao's younger brother, Cao Hong and Cao Zilian.

At this time, the two people who were playing against each other had already walked more than 100 steps on the chessboard, and they had won and lost each other, and it seemed that Cao Cao had the upper hand.

Yuan Shao's fall gradually slowed down, and at this time, he twisted the chess pieces and fell into the long exam.

"Zixiao, it's not interesting for them to play against each other like this. Why don't you and I make a bet and see who wins in the end? Xu You smiled and looked at the coins in Cao Hong's hand.

Now he is naturally not short of money, but he can't see any money dangling in front of his eyes and can't enter his hands.

Cao Hong also glanced at the five-baht coin in his hand, squinted his eyes, showing some greed, but finally shook his head, "Hong is not good at gambling, so he has to make money honestly." ”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Although they are not acquaintances, they are in Luoyang, and they have naturally heard each other's names.

At this time, Yuan Shao had already fallen on the chessboard, and between more than ten steps, he turned defeat into victory and defeated Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was still a bad move in the end and lost to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao smiled while gathering the chess pieces on the chessboard: "Meng De doesn't need to be discouraged, winning or losing is an ordinary thing. Winning or losing once or twice is nothing. If you lose this time, you can't say that you will win it back next time. ”

"It's a winner, so of course. If you had lost at the beginning, now I am afraid that you may not be able to calm down. Cao Cao also laughed.

Yuan Shao didn't say anything more, and asked the right question, "What does Meng De think of this debate?" Can you guess what it means? ”

"The debate between ancient and modern times has long been there, and I thought that this debate might be divided into winners and losers? If not, it's just a lively scene as before. Cao Cao said with a smile.

Yuan Shao asked rhetorically, "But what if you can?" If the debate between the ancient and the modern is once divided into winners and losers, wouldn't this time be a rare opportunity for you and me? Gathering together to attack His Majesty may not be impossible to use to get rid of the eunuchs. ”

Cao Cao, who had already packed up the chess pieces in front of him, glanced at Yuan Shao, "What did you really think about at the beginning?" No matter what the result is, as long as Ben Chu makes a decision, Cao Ding should be a pawn. ”

Yuan Shao laughed, "What I want this time is Mengde's words, three days later, you and I can go to Biyong to watch the debate." When the scholars gather, it is also a good opportunity for you and me to make a name for themselves. Meng De's peace of mind, I will say a few more words for you at that time. ”

Yuan Shao's words naturally refer to Cao Cao's background.

Cao Cao smiled, "Then I have to thank Ben Chu first." ”

The two chatted a few more words, and Cao Cao got up and left with Cao Hong.

Yuan Shao pushed the chessboard on the table aside and restrained the smile on his face.

"Ziyuan, do you think Meng De is telling the truth?"

Xu You put the five baht coins to his mouth and blew it, making a crisp sound, "I don't know if what Meng De said is true." However, he just let you make a few moves in a game of chess, even a layman can see it. If he wants to win, the game should be over in the middle game. ”

"Meng De does have some talent. It's just that I'm winning in the general trend, and he Cao Mengde will lose if he doesn't lose. Victory or defeat on the chessboard is not only on the board, but also outside the board. It's also a skill to be born to have a good baby, so in the end, I won. Yuan Shao smiled.

"So there is no need to tell whether what Meng De said is true or not, as long as you keep holding on to the general trend, Meng De will be your sharpest knife." Xu You smiled, "It's just a pity that I couldn't win Cao Zilian's money today, it's a pity." ”

Yuan Shao laughed, "I really don't know which of you two is the most stingy." ”

Xu You put the coins in his sleeve, "You make all the money you make." ”

Outside Yuan Shao's private residence, Cao Cao and Cao Hong were walking slowly.

Cao Cao bought a small sprig of hairpin from a stall on the side of the road, and then took out a piece of brocade from his bosom and carefully wrapped the pearl hairpin.

Cao Hong is not surprised, Cao Cao carries a piece of brocade in his arms all the year round, and there are always some hairpins and sachets and other women's favorite objects in it.

"Why didn't Zilian bet with Ziyuan today, did he think that I couldn't win the original thing?"

"Only when you can win can you gamble, why should I give Xu Ziyuan money for nothing in this kind of game that must be lost. My money is hard earned. Cao Hong pursed his lips.

He and Cao Cao are brothers and grew up together since childhood, if they understand Cao Cao, no one can compare to the people around them.

In today's game, Cao Cao can win but can't.

"You're just too stingy."

Cao Cao said with a smile, "Sometimes you can suffer some small losses, and you can only get great blessings in the future." A dog has his day. I've always believed in it. ”

"The general trend is always biased towards smart people."

…………

In Jia Xu's small house in the north of the city, Liu Bei is helping Jia Xu tidy up the vegetable garden.

Jia Xu stood aside, he had just been working for a moment, and his waist and legs were a little sore at this time.

He is not a weak scholar, he often worked in the fields when he was in Liangzhou, but he was idle after entering Luoyang, and he occasionally worked, but he couldn't adapt to it for a while.

Liu Bei is very familiar with these agricultural things, and he is very light, as if he has done it many times.

"I heard that Xuande used to weave mats and sell shoes when he was in Zhuo County, so this is really the case."

Liu Bei put the hoe in his hand on the ground and wiped the sweat on his head, "This is indeed the case." It's just that I got a little older later, and I actually had a lot of money after they fought in Zhuoxian County. In addition, selling horses with Su Shuang and others, not to mention the side, at least eating and drinking are not worried. ”

He didn't wait for Jia Xu to ask, but he told the inside story and the discernment, "As for the later weaving mat sales, it was just deliberate on my part." Naturally, there is nothing to talk about between you and me. ”

"I did this just to seek fame."

Jia Xu didn't look a little surprised, he had already thought of this.

In today's world, the matter of filial piety and honesty is more and more deviated from the original intention, and if you want to ask for fame, you must have a different behavior.

Just like the Hanoi Xiangxu, riding a donkey into the downtown area, promising himself as a beggar, pretending to be amazing, in the end he didn't get a name, and he entered the official career again.

"Wen He really thought of it." Liu Bei smiled, "If you want to embark on a career, this innocent name is indispensable." In the future, if I want to embark on a career in office, the person who recommends it can say that I can weave mats and sell shoes, and my mother will be filial to Liu Xuande. At that time, weaving mats and selling shoes became a good name. ”

"Xuande knows the way to be an official." Jia Xu smiled dumbly.

Jia Xu turned around and sat down on the steps in the courtyard, and suddenly said, "But what you said today about Sun Gongyou's search for you, you must not go down."

"In the land of the four battles in Xuzhou, even with the courage of the overlord back then, he only ended up with a dead family. Don't say that they just want to find you to raise Gu, even if you fully support it, you may not be able to sit firmly here. ”

Putting down the hoe in his hand, Liu Bei came to Jia Xu and sat down, and said with a smile: "I naturally know about this, and I don't plan to respond." Just think about Xuzhou is indeed a rich place, although I know that it is unlivable, but I am still a little reluctant in my heart. ”

"It's not hard to give up." Jia Xu said with a smile, "On the side of Xuzhou, there is still Qingzhou. Its easternmost three faces the land, one side is surrounded by the sea, and it is the old land of Qi country. Its north is Xuande's hometown Youzhou, and now Youzhou Assassin Liu Yu and Xuande are both relatives of the Han family, and this person is good at people's livelihood but not good at military affairs, which is enough to be a northern fence. Xuzhou in the south is the place of the four wars, and it is still too busy to take care of itself, and it is impossible to look east. If you retreat, you will defend by the sea, and if you advance, you will watch in all directions. Xuande has no intention? ”

Liu Bei smiled and shook his head, "Why does Wen He think he is waiting for someone?" Prepare the ambition, but restore the glory of my lineage, and do more for the world. When people talk about it in the future, it can be seen that there was Liu Xuande in the world, which is enough. ”

】

"That's a gaffe." Jia Xu smiled, "It's just that if Xuande wants to do things, he must have a foundation first." Now that the situation is unknown, it is better to settle down first, the wolves in Luoyang are waiting, it is not a place to live for a long time, Xuande still has to make plans in advance. ”

"Wenhe's words are reasonable, wait for me to think about it carefully." Liu Bei smiled.

Seeing Liu Bei like this, Jia Xu didn't say anything more.

He is a person who knows how to measure, and the way to stand up is to be stable.

Jia Xu smiled and said: "This matter can be put aside for the time being, but the debate in three days is a good opportunity." Xuande's wine can be used to make a name for itself. ”

Liu Bei nodded, "I also thought about it, so I have made a lot of drinks with Uncle Chen these days, and Uncle Chen's drinks don't taste bad, and with a little adjustment, they are not much different from the drinks made." ”

"Has Xuande ever figured out how to make a name for himself?"

"This matter is not difficult, Wen He is just afraid that I don't know that I have the name of Liu Xuande in the belly of the Gou Mountain."

Liu Bei smiled, this time I was afraid that I would be a copyist again.