In the second year of Guanghe, he opened the West Mansion and sold officials, and the income was different.

2,000 stone 20 million, 400 stone 4 million, of which half or one-third of the candidates should be selected in the West Garden.

Or the rich will enter the money first, and the poor will lose twice when they reach the office.

He also privately ordered the sale of the public secretary left and right, the public was 10 million, and the secretary was 5 million.

Nowadays, there is a lot of wealth in the West Garden, and Emperor Ling often comes and goes, looking at countless treasures, and there are many feelings.

Today he is painting in the West Garden.

The painting has completed the scenery, and Liu Hong put down the wolf in his hand.

The garden scenery on the paper, the mountains and rivers are ethereal, and there is no half of the copper smell.

At this time, there was Yang Qi serving on the side.

Emperor Ling turned his head and asked with a smile, "What does Yang Shizhong think of this painting?"

"Ethereal and far-reaching, extremely true to calligraphy and painting." Yang Qi replied respectfully.

Liu Hong said with a smile: "The work of mountains and rivers, lonely and high-definition is the best in the distance." It's just that life is in the world, but people outside the painting can't do without a word money no matter what. ”

"It's also interesting to say, when it comes to the tranquility of the artistic conception of painting, it is often the best painting by poor people. Rich people can't paint such an artistic conception. ”

The empty artistic conception on this painting is not a compromise for readers. If you can't ask for wealth, you will find this ethereal meaning. ”

Yang Qi replied, "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, but calligraphy and painting are a small way." The right path of scholars is to govern the country in the Qi family, not for this paper. Only those who are not allowed to embark on official careers will specialize in this fly camp trail. ”

"According to Qing's intentions, is it my selling official that hinders the path of the poor family's advancement?" Emperor Ling smiled dumbly, he stared down at Yang Qi, and there was some deep meaning between his words, "Yang Qing, even if I don't sell my official position, can these official positions be in their hands?" ”

Yang Qi was stunned, but he didn't dare to speak for a while.

Yang Qi was born in the Hongnong Yang family, and was the great-grandson of Yang Zhen, a famous minister in Guanzhong in the past, and the Yang family is a family that is not under the Yuan family in terms of heritage.

He naturally understood what the Spirit Emperor meant.

But the more he understood, the more he didn't dare to speak.

Emperor Ling smiled, but he didn't embarrass him.

"Why do you think I'm like Emperor Huan?"

Yang Qi groaned slightly, but still spoke: "Your Majesty is to Emperor Huan, and it is also like Shun Bide Tang Yao."

Liu Hong was silent, looked at Yang Qi for a moment, and then spoke: "Qing is strong, the true descendant of Yang Zhen, and he will return to the big bird after death."

Yang Qi responded: "This minister is also lucky."

In the past, Yang Zhen was unjustly killed, and a big bird stood on his grave and did not go for a long time.

Emperor Ling laughed.

A loyal minister is a loyal minister, but unfortunately it cannot be used by him.

Sometimes he really wants to ask these families directly.

The family and the country are in the world, in their hearts, who is in front?

……………………

At dusk, Liu Bei was wandering around the city of Luoyang.

Today, he was going to find Jia Xu to plan for the future, but Jia Xu, who didn't want to go out rarely on weekdays, was not in Luoyang City.

As he walked, he pondered in his mind where Jia Xu was going.

He wasn't worried about Jia Xu's safety, after all, when it came to self-preservation, even he had to think that he was at a disadvantage.

It's just that it is not a trivial matter to let Jia Xu go out to cook in person.

"Liu Jun."

Someone shouted not far in front of him.

Liu Bei retracted his thoughts, looked up, and found that the person who spoke turned out to be Han Hao, whom he had seen a few days ago.

Han Hao ran a few steps and came to Liu Bei, "I heard that Liu Jun mentioned the wounded soldiers that day, and Hao still has a lot of things to ask Liu Jun. I wanted to visit the Mt. Gou, but I didn't want to meet here today. ”

Liu Bei said with a smile: "Since Han Jun has asked, Bei naturally knows everything. There's nothing to do today, you and I just go to the wine house and talk while drinking. ”

Han Hao was naturally happy to do so.

The two talked and laughed side by side and walked towards the east gate.

Just walking, Liu Bei suddenly stopped.

Han Hao raised his eyes and saw that Liu Bei was turning his head to look south, for a moment, with a heavy look of doubt on his face, he opened his mouth and asked, "Liu Jun is in trouble?"

Liu Bei turned his head and said with a smile: "It's not that there has been any major incident, but it seems that I have seen an old man." Han Jun, it seems that we have to delay this drinking matter a little bit. ”

He raised his hand and pointed to the guide.

Han Hao understood what he meant, and the two of them walked towards the south.

The two turned left and right on the avenue, and finally followed into an alley with no pedestrians.

"Who was I at that time, it turned out to be Xuande." Someone behind them laughed.

Liu Bei turned around and looked at the hero who had gone and returned with a smile, "Meng De is also returning quickly." ”

Standing behind Liu Bei was Cao Cao, who left Luoyang not long ago, and there was another person beside Cao Cao at this time, but it was not Lejin who left Luoyang with him at the beginning.

This person is in a fierce shape, even if he just stands empty-handed, he has some awe-inspiring murderous intent.

The four of them never left, and they began to talk in the alley.

"Meng De's return to Luoyang is also a happy event, not to mention inviting me to drink with him, why are you hiding so much?" Liu Bei asked.

If he hadn't caught a glimpse of Cao Cao on the avenue, I was afraid that he wouldn't know that Cao Cao had returned to Luoyang.

"Xuande didn't know that he actually came back to Luoyang this time. That's why I didn't dare to speak out. Now that the Song family has not passed the limelight, they are afraid that something will happen out of thin air. Cao Cao smiled, "Naturally, this is just one of the reasons." Another reason is my cousin who came with me. ”

Cao Cao let the person who was born behind him and said with a smile: "This is Xiahoudun of Qian County, who killed people for his teacher when he was a teenager and fled to the rivers and lakes for five or six years. I often want to come to Luoyang to see the world, but I can't refuse, so I brought him to Luoyang. It's just that now that he has a lawsuit, it's naturally not good to act openly. ”

Liu Bei glanced at this person again, and it turned out to be Xiahoudun.

Each of the four saluted.

Xiahou said with a smile: "I often hear Meng De mention Liu Jun's name, and I heard that there is a long-bearded warrior beside Liu Jun, who has always liked martial arts, if he has leisure in the future, I hope to try a game or two with this person."

Liu Bei smiled when he heard this, and Cao Cao on the side rubbed his forehead.

Since he wanted to bring humiliation on himself, he naturally had no reason to stop Xiahoudun.

Liu Bei asked, "Meng De only came here this time to bring Yuan to travel?"

"Traveling with Yuan is certainly one of them." Cao Cao said with a smile, "The other thing is to visit Qiaoxuanqiao Gong on the way." When he left Luoyang that day, he was in a hurry, and Qiao Gong was not at home, so he never said goodbye. Now that he has come to Luoyang, he naturally wants to visit one or two. ”

Liu Bei nodded, Qiao Xuan's appreciation of Cao Cao was quite popular among the scholars.

Many scholars couldn't figure out why the world-famous Qiao Gong would often praise a eunuch born as a eunuch.

"If you have nothing to do today, why don't you go?" Liu Bei said with a smile.

He also wanted to visit this world-famous Confucian for a long time, but he never had the opportunity.

"It's okay to go together, Qiao Gong said before that he wanted to meet you, a rising star in Luoyang."

The four of them talked and laughed and walked towards Qiao Xuan's house.

Along the way, Han Hao talked to Xiahoudun quite speculatively.

Both were martial artists, and both had read some books. There is a feeling of seeing each other and hating each other late.

………………

Taizhong Doctor Qiao Xuan, strong sex, not a powerful person, humble and thrifty, and good at characters, people thought they were famous ministers.

"Xuande, we should bring some drinks and food."

At this time, the four of them had come to the bridge not far away, and Cao Cao slapped his forehead.

"I've always heard of the name of Qiaogong's incorruptibility, is it so incorruptible?" Liu Bei looked at Cao Cao in astonishment.

You must know that Qiao Xuan has just stepped down from the post of captain now.

Taiwei is one of the three princes, and it is not an exaggeration to say that one person is under ten thousand people, even if he is honest and selfless, there are two thousand stones for Yulu alone.

Cao Cao smiled bitterly, "If I remember correctly, the last time I went to Qiaofu, there were only a few chickens and ducks in the mansion. As for the only thing used to entertain guests, it is only bean rice. ”

"Liu Jun, Cao Jun, there seems to be something wrong in front of the bridge house." Han Hao suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, several people followed his gaze, and sure enough, they saw someone in front of the bridge mansion sneakily looking around outside the mansion.

These men had a vicious face, and each with a sword at his waist, and was clearly not a good man.

At this time, a child of eight or nine years old happened to come out of the house.

A man with a few scars on his face, who was circling in front of the house, stepped forward quickly and took the child in his hands.

All of a sudden, the men who were originally scattered outside the mansion quickly gathered together and rushed directly towards the mansion.

At this time, the four of them didn't know how to meet a strong man, although these people are now powerful, and they seem to be some ruthless characters, but they naturally have no reason to ignore them.

Cao and Liu glanced at each other.

Cao Cao said softly: "Han Jun can quickly go to Henan Yin to ask for troops, Yuan Rang stays here, if these people want to escape, they must think of a way to drag them for the time being." Now these people dare to go straight to Qiaofu, it must not be as simple as looting. ”

He turned his head to look at Liu Bei again, and said with a smile: "Cao often comes to Qiaofu, but I know that there is a back door that leads directly to the backyard." If you want to enter the house to watch the changes of the times, I don't know if Xuande dares to go along?"

"Mengde doesn't need to be excited, what you Cao Mengde dares to do, how can I Liu Xuande not dare?" Liu Bei said with a smile.

Han Hao and the two wanted to stop each other, but at this time, there was no better way, so they could only see Cao Liu and the others get up and run towards the back door.

………………

There are not many servants and maids in the bridge mansion, and these people seem to look down on the property in the mansion, and the smashing in the mansion is more like deliberate.

Liu Bei and Cao Cao had already gone around to the back door, and at this time, the two of them couldn't care much more, and directly cut the iron lock on the door with the sword in their hands.

There was a two-story building in the backyard, and the two of them ran directly to the second floor.

Ascending high and looking into the distance, you can see the actions of those strongmen in the house.

"What does Xuande think of these people?" Cao Cao looked at it for a while, and then suddenly spoke.

"These people have a lot of rules between their actions, but I'm afraid they are not ordinary thieves." Liu Bei touched the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Naturally, it won't be an ordinary thief, at the feet of the Son of Heaven in Luoyang, Qiao Gong is famous for his incorruptibility, if it is a real thief, it is nothing to dare to take risks in Luoyang, but it is not possible to find out the target before taking risks." Cao Cao said.

Now, Liu Bei has to admit that Cao Cao is indeed an extraordinary person, such a critical fashion and can have such speculation.

Liu Bei nodded, "I think it's Qiao Gong who is blocking some people's path." But this is not the time to talk about these things. Mengde, it seems that the matter between you and me has come. ”

While the two were talking, those thieves were already running towards the backyard with Qiao Xuan's young son in tow.

……………………

At this time, Captain Si Li and Henan Yin's men had arrived and forced into the backyard.

The thieves in the backyard were forced to retreat into the building, shouting for money.

Duan Cheng, who had just taken over the position of Captain Qiao Xuan, was standing outside the building with two men and horses at this time, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

The thieves in the building are naturally easy to deal with, but now these people are still holding Qiao Xuan's young son hostage.

Rat-throwing traps.

Han Hao and Xiahoudun were standing beside Duan Cheng, looking around in the backyard at this time, but they couldn't find Cao Liu and the others anywhere.

Han Hao leaned over to Xiahoudun's side, pointed upstairs, and said softly, "Will the two of them be on it?"

Xiahoudun smiled bitterly, he didn't know how Liu Bei was this person, but Cao Cao liked to take risks the most.

Now there is no trace of the two in the backyard, it must be upstairs.

At this time, Cao and Liu on the second floor were hiding in the shadows of the building, each pressing their swords without saying a word.

The thieves on the first floor were scattered, each on guard.

The scar-faced man at the head poked his head out of the building.

In such a dangerous situation, there was no fear or hesitation in this person's eyes.

They are dead soldiers, and they die early and late, and they die the same everywhere.

He turned his head and glanced at Qiao Xuan's young son, a child of such an age suddenly experienced such a change, and he couldn't stop crying for a while.

He pointed to the two companions holding the child hostage, and said in a deep voice, "Take him upstairs." You should know how to do it. ”

The purpose of their trip is to force Qiao Xuan to make a choice, if Qiao Xuan disregards the life and death of his young son, he forcibly attacks. Although you can get a reputation for being loyal and upright, you will inevitably feel guilty about it in the future.

But if Qiao Xuan didn't dare to attack because of his young son's life and death, then his innocent name would no longer be able to be kept.

When the two thieves heard this, they immediately took the child in their arms and walked up.

………………

Outside the building, Qiao Xuan, who got the news, had already rushed back.

"Bridge Gong." Duan Cheng talked to Qiao Xuan about the matter here.

Qiao Xuan heard that his young son was in the hands of these people, and he was silent at this time.

After a long time, he sighed, "Duan Gong, get ready to attack." ”

Duan Cheng was not surprised that Qiao Xuan would make such a decision.

He has worked with Qiao Xuan for many years, but he still doesn't know Qiao Xuan's temperament.

Most people in the world are strict with others but light on themselves, but Qiao Xuan is not, he is a rare person who is consistent on the outside and inside.

He is ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to his own people.

It's just that Duan Cheng still asked, "Gong Qiao, you have to think clearly." Now that the thief is in the building, if he attacks it, he is afraid that it will be difficult to save the life of Qiao Gong's young son. ”

Qiao Xuan said in a deep voice: "The traitor has no form, how can Xuan be a thief with the life of a son." The affairs of the family and the country are in front, how to tolerate the selfishness of one person. ”

At this time, Han Hao and Xiahou Xuan, who were on their sides, were both shocked in their hearts, and they were suddenly moved by Qiao Xuan's awe-inspiring aura.

Qiao Xuan's words were so far, Duan Cheng didn't say more, and ordered his subordinates to prepare for a strong attack.

………………

On the second floor, Cao and Liu, who were hidden in the darkness upstairs, glanced at each other.

They all slowly drew out the long swords at their waists.

The two of them followed the shadows towards the front of the stairs.

At this time, the two thieves had already ascended the stairs, and as they went upstairs, they cursed in their mouths.

It seems to be complaining that the luck this time is too bad, and when the lottery is drawn, it will be drawn to his own house.

It's just that the two of them complained and complained, and resentment returned to resentment, but they couldn't raise a trace of rebellion in their hearts.

Over the years, the lord's family has treated them well, and they have been gracious for many years, isn't it just for today?

The so-called dead soldiers, when they die, they die.

And most of them drag their families with their mouths, and their wives and parents are in the hands of the main family, and the main family is not a soft-hearted character. The lives of people like them may not be more precious in the eyes of the Lord than the cattle and horses kept in the pen.

Therefore they complain and complain, but they still do according to the commands given to them by the Lord's house.

There is still a chance to act according to orders, but if you don't listen, it will probably end up with the death of the whole family.

At this time, the two had already dragged the child to the second floor.

The two of them looked at each other casually, and wanted to drag the child to the side corner.

One of them had just stepped into the shadows, and was about to beckon his companion to come with him, but someone stepped out of the darkness, stabbed the sword in his hand straight into the man's chest, and then twisted the long sword in his hand, killing him in the blink of an eye.

And as the man drew his sword, he stretched out his hand to hold the thief, who was already out of breath and was about to fall to the ground.

The person who shot it was Cao Cao.

The thief who dragged the child in his arms was shocked when he saw this, and he opened his mouth to shout, but before he could say anything, Liu Bei had already turned out from behind him, and when he lost his mind, the long sword in his hand swept across his neck.

Blood slowly dripped down the tip of the sword.

Cao Cao took a few steps forward and snatched the child from the man's hand, covering his mouth just as he was about to scream.

Liu Bei slowly put the corpse in front of him on the ground.

The two of them shot sharply, and everything was between lightning and flint, so they did not alarm the thieves downstairs.

Cao Cao often came and went in Qiaoxuan's mansion, and Qiaoxuan's young son naturally knew Cao Cao, but he also quieted down temporarily.

The two looked at each other and nodded.

Cao Cao handed the child into Liu Bei's hands and picked up the short Ge dropped by the two thieves.

The two came to the window on the second floor, and Cao Cao made a gesture downstairs.

It was so far from the ground that even the two of them might not be able to jump straight from it, let alone a child.

At this time, Han Hao, who was staring at the second floor, found the two of them, and also saw Cao Cao's gesture of attacking.

He immediately came to Duan Cheng and Qiao Xuan's side and informed Duan Cheng and the others of the matter.

On the second floor, Liu Bei cut off a strip of cloth and covered the child's eyes.

Then the two of them approached the stairs.

At this time, the thieves in the building also noticed that something was wrong, and the scarface leader frowned, and said strangely: "Why can't they hear the child's cry when they go upstairs just now?" Come up with me and see. ”

He stood up, followed by several people behind him.

It's just that before he could walk up the stairs, there was already a loud shout of killing outside the building, and Xiahoudun and Han Hao led the soldiers outside the building to attack the building.

】

The scar-faced man yelled, "Follow me upstairs!" ”

Now that the hostages are gone, they dare not confront the officers and soldiers head-on.

At the moment of life and death, everyone couldn't care about it anymore, so they all ran up the stairs and went straight upstairs.

The staircase is narrow and can only accommodate three or four people at a time.

The leader of Scar originally rushed to the front, but suddenly thought of the strangeness of the upstairs, and he unconsciously slowed down.

And just as the two people who rushed to the front were about to step onto the second floor, two people flashed out from both sides, and when they were unprepared, they raised their hands and killed the two people who rushed to the front.

The scar-faced man secretly shouted for joy, but he was also suddenly furious.

He thought in his heart that most of his family would not be spared today, and the only chance now was to snatch the child back and use it as a hostage, so as to threaten Xuan to compromise, so he couldn't say that he could still get out of the way, otherwise the officials and soldiers downstairs would never let go of their lives.

Taking a step back, even if they can rush out, this matter will not work, and they will not be able to save their lives when they return to the Lord's house.

It's just that even if he dies, he has to drag these two people to be buried together.

He raised his hand and pointed at Cao Cao and the others, and said angrily: "Kill them and snatch the children back."

Those thieves also knew that this was the only way now, so they were all fighting for their lives at this time, intending to fight to the death.

Cao Cao wiped the blood stains on the Qinggang sword with the sleeve of his robe, and said with a smile: "Xuande, how sure are you?"

Liu Bei, who was on one side, shook the double swords in his hand, and said with a smile: "Naturally, it is nine times out of ten, people like you and me, where will they die here."

"That's right." Cao Cao held the sword in both hands and crossed his chest, and laughed, "You and I are going to do great things." ”

Liu Bei raised his right arm flat, the tip of the long sword in his hand just touched the wall on the right, and his left hand was raised, and the sword in his hand pointed at the scar-faced man not far away.

He chuckled softly, "Come on."

The scar-faced man roared, "Kill me!" ”

…………

At this time, Han Hao, Xiahou and others had already rushed into the first floor with the official army.

The building was empty, and only the staircase shouted to kill the sky. The two of them hurriedly led people towards here.

It was only when they reached the stairs that they found that the shouts of killing had fallen silent.

At the entrance to the stairs on the second floor, there were already seven or eight corpses piled up at this time.

Blood flowed slowly down the wooden ladder to the feet of the thieves.

Everyone on the stairs, including the scar-faced man, was stunned at this time.

All of them had a lot of lives on their hands, and even ordinary sergeants and soldiers were not necessarily their opponents.

It's just that the two people on the stairs now make them feel that they are afraid that they will not be able to go up to the second floor today.

At this time, Cao and Liu also had many wounds on their bodies, but both of them were used to fighting in groups, so they did not hurt the vital point.

Cao Cao wiped a handful of blood from the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "Today I have seen Xuande's skills, no wonder there are rumors in the city that Xuande is a civil and military all-rounder."

"Meng De's skills are not bad, naturally he is still a little worse than me. After all, I'm a master of fighting on the battlefield. Liu Bei laughed.

"Not really." Cao Cao laughed.

Both laughed at the same time.

At this time, Han Hao and the others had already outflanked the thief.

The front and back were surrounded, and there was no way out.

The man with the scar shouted angrily, holding the knife in his hand, "Rush with me!" ”

led people straight towards Liu Bei and the others.

Since it is a life-and-death fight, instead of colliding with the officers and soldiers behind him, it is better to try again to see if he can snatch the son of Qiao Xuan.

Cao Liu and the two glanced at each other and exhaled.

The blade of the sword in his hand, straight away!