Liu Maohai's eyes were sharp, and he said indignantly: "That guy who plays Yu, on the surface, must be respectful to the emperor, but in fact, he is secretly setting the emperor in the air, and his wolf ambition is obvious!" Now that the plague is raging everywhere, this is clearly God's punishment for him! ”

After saying that, he turned his head to look at Liu Bei, with expectation in his eyes, as if he was waiting for Liu Bei's response.

Liu Bei was silent, but his heart was fluctuating.

He knew very well that what Liu Maohai said was not unreasonable, but rebellion was not an easy task, and the stakes involved were too complicated.

He thought to himself: Xi Yu's true intentions are difficult to guess, and my loyalty to the emperor can be learned. However, the rebellion ...... This step is really dangerous, and if you are not careful, you will never recover.

Seeing that Liu Bei didn't speak, Liu Maohai hurriedly said, "Liu Bei, why don't you speak?" You are loyal to the emperor, shouldn't you stand up and rebel and overthrow Xi Yu at this time! ”

Liu Bei's heart tightened, and he really didn't dare to imagine the consequences of the rebellion.

He settled down and said slowly: "The rebellion is a matter of great importance, involving many people, and it needs to be considered in the long run. ”

Liu Maohai sighed, slightly disappointed in his heart, but also understood Liu Bei's concerns.

Liu Maohai's eyes were firm, staring at Liu Bei tightly, and said, "Liu Bei, I have a plan." The Xianbei people are powerful, and they are eager to enter the Central Plains. We can use their power to fight against Xiyu. Go back and think about it! ”

The corners of Liu Maohai's mouth rose slightly, he looked at Liu Bei with a smile, and said softly: "Of course, Liu Bei, if you want to be prosperous and rich, you can also choose to betray me." ”

Liu Bei raised his head suddenly, his eyes widened, glaring at Liu Maohai angrily, his face was full of anger and firmness, he raised his voice, and said righteously: "I, Liu Bei, am definitely not a treacherous person, I will never be able to betray my brother!" ”

Liu Maohai said: "That's it, you can think about it yourself." I'll be in touch with you again when I'm available. ”

Liu Bei returned to the palace and sat alone in front of the desk, his brows furrowed, and his eyes revealed the contradictions and struggles in his heart.

He muttered and pondered: "Xi Yu's power is really powerful, if I fight against him, the risk is really not small." There was a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Then he stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, pausing and staring at the map on the wall as if contemplating strategy.

"But I also really hope to build my own career, overthrow Xiyu, and seek the well-being of the people in the world." Liu Bei's eyes flashed with longing and determination.

However, a worried look soon appeared on his face, and he thought: "But if I make a wrong step and lose the whole game, I am afraid that I will also end up miserable......"

Liu Bei fell into a deep entanglement.

He didn't know what to choose, and it was as if two voices were arguing in his heart.

Eventually, he sighed heavily, sat back down in front of the desk, rubbed his forehead with his hand, and his face was full of exhaustion and confusion.

On the other side, Xi Yu looked at Ma Lin with a serious face and said firmly: "I decided to go to Qingzhou and personally check the plague situation there. ”

Ma Lin looked worried, and hurriedly persuaded: "My lord, it's better not to go, it's too dangerous to go, and staying here is the best policy." ”

There was earnestness and urgency in his tone.

Xi Yu shook his head slightly, put his hands behind his back, and said in a firm tone: "As the prime minister, how can I turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people? I had to find out what was going on before I could figure out what to do. ”

Ma Lin frowned, and continued to persuade: "But my lord, if you go to Qingzhou, if you are infected by the plague, the consequences will be unimaginable!" ”

Xi Yu comforted: "Don't worry, I'll be careful to protect it." Besides, if you are infected, you will probably be infected here. Guan Yu is brave and good at fighting, and with him guarding here, I am also relieved. ”

As he spoke, he looked at Guan Yu with trust in his eyes.

Guan Yu clasped his fists and said loudly: "Prime Minister, don't worry, Guan Yu will defend this place." ”

Xi Yu nodded, turned around and resolutely embarked on the road to Qingzhou.

Xianbei.

The Xianbei leader Tuoba Lu was burly, with a resolute face, and a beard as hard as a steel needle.

There was a hint of wildness and uninhibition in his eyes, like a fierce lion.

Tuoba Lu angrily broke into the tent, and everyone's hearts couldn't help but sink when they saw him like this.

Tuoba Lu glared at everyone angrily and roared: "Our people are suffering, many family members freeze to death in winter, but the people of the Central Plains can live a normal life, this God is really unfair!" ”

Everyone's hearts are full of bitterness and helplessness.

Many people sighed to themselves, remembering the tragic situation of last winter, and the faces of those who had frozen to death kept coming back to his mind.

Someone gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "Yes, why is God so unfair! We nomads are displaced every day, suffering from hunger and cold, while the people of the Central Plains can enjoy peace. ”

Tuoba Lu continued: "We can't go on like this, we have to find a way to change the status quo!" ”

Henchman Tian Chong was silent for a moment, and said slowly: "But, what should we do? War with the Central Plains? That will only cause us more pain. ”

Tuoba Lu frowned, thought about it and said, "Maybe we can try to negotiate with the Central Plains to fight for some space for our people to survive." ”

Tian Chong's heart moved, and he felt that this might be a feasible solution.

Tian Chong stood respectfully in front of Tuoba Lu, and said with a firm look in his eyes: "My lord, I will definitely convey your wishes to Xi Yu and try my best to facilitate this matter." ”

Tuoba Lu nodded, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

In the Xianbei tribe, there was a lot of discussion.

The supporters sat around, and one of the old men said excitedly, "The leader's decision is correct, and this is for the sake of the future of all of us!" There was a glint of hope in his eyes.

Another young warrior also chimed in: "Yes, entering the Central Plains, we can engage in commercial trading, develop agricultural production, and live a stable life. His face was filled with hope for the future.

The opposition, on the other hand, looked worried.

A middle-aged man frowned and said, "But if we enter the Central Plains, won't we be assimilated by the Central Plains people and lose our traditions and characteristics?" There was a hint of reluctance in his tone.

A young man next to him chimed in: "Yes, our culture and customs will be gradually forgotten!" He had a worried look on his face.

The two factions insisted on their own words and argued endlessly.

Tian Chong looked at all this, and his heart was mixed. He was well aware of the importance of the mission, but he was also aware of the divisions within the Xianbei tribe.

He secretly made up his mind that he must try his best to persuade Xi Yu to fight for a better future for the Xianbei people.

In the end, Tuoba Lu was still willing to let Tian Chong go to Xi Yu.

If Xi Yu doesn't agree, then it's war.

The opposition is still opposed. But helplessly, they still have to obey orders.

Tuoba Lu walked quickly into his tent, only to see Tuoba Yu sitting on the couch with a sad expression.

Tuoba Yu was born with skin like snow, eyebrows like distant daisies, eyes like autumn water, and lips that were red without dots.

She was dressed in a unique Xianbei costume, which was very different from the wearing style of the Central Plains people, and the decorations and patterns on the costume were full of national characteristics.

As soon as Tuoba Yu saw his brother coming in, he immediately stood up, with tears in his eyes, and said coquettishly: "Brother, why did you drive my beloved man out of Xianbei? There was grievance and dissatisfaction in her voice.

Tuoba Lu looked at his sister, sighed helplessly, and said, "Yu'er, I'm doing this for your good." His eyes were full of love and concern.

Tuoba Yu stomped his feet and said excitedly, "Good for me? You know how much I love him! Stubbornness was written all over her face.

Tuoba Lu frowned and said solemnly: "That man is not a good match, he is not suitable for you." ”

Tuoba Yu retorted, "He's nice to me, I don't care!" ”

Tuoba Lu's tone gradually became stern: "Yu'er, don't be willful!" The future of our Xianbei people is more important! ”

Tuoba Yu burst into tears and cried, "Brother, you are too selfish! ”

Tuoba Lu's heart tingled, but he still said firmly, "I'm thinking about our people. ”

The brother and sister quarreled endlessly, and neither could convince the other.

Tuoba Yu was so angry that he turned around and rushed out of the tent, leaving without looking back.

After a while, Tuoba Yu's girl hurriedly ran over, panting and said to Tuoba Lu: "Chief, it's not good! Miss She ...... She left Xianbei, saying that she was going to find the man she liked. ”

The girl's face was full of anxiety.

After hearing this, Tuoba Lu's face instantly turned pale, his eyes widened, and he roared angrily, "What? She was so willful! ”

His fists clenched, and his muscles bulged.

The girl trembled in fright, and said in a trembling voice: "Lord, Miss, she is just too sad......"

Tuoba Lu angrily interrupted her: "Sad? How could she be so ignorant! Now that she's gone, don't come back! ”

After speaking, Tuoba Lu sat heavily on the chair, his brows furrowed, and his eyes were full of helplessness and worry.

The girl looked at Tuoba Road, silently lowered her head, and turned to leave.

After Tuoba Lu heard the news that his sister Tuoba Yu had left Xianbei to find his beloved, the anger in his heart instantly rose.

He thought to himself, "What nonsense! Now Xianbei is in an eventful autumn, with internal and external troubles, and the situation is grim. And her sister ran away desperately for the sake of her children's personal affairs at this critical moment, how could she be so confused! ”

His brow furrowed tightly, and his eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

"Sister, sister, why can't you understand my painstaking efforts? Everything I do is for the future of Xianbei and the stability of our people. And you only think about your own feelings, and you don't care about the big picture at all. ”

Tuoba Lu sighed helplessly, feeling a tingling in his heart.

He knows that the outside world is full of dangers and uncertainties, and his sister may encounter many difficulties when she leaves.

He secretly prayed that his sister would be safe, and at the same time, he was determined to protect Xianbei no matter what, so that his people could live a stable life.

Xi Yu was so anxious that he ran wildly all the way, sweat soaking through his clothes.

Jia Xu's store is in Qingzhou.

Jia Xu had a haggard face, lying on the bed, coughing from time to time.

More and more people are getting sick, and pharmacies everywhere are overcrowded.

Thorn Shi Cheng Yu was anxiously pacing around the mansion, his brows furrowed and his face heavy.

Cheng Yu said helplessly to his subordinates: "How is this good? With so many people getting sick and there is a shortage of medicinal materials, I'm really helpless! There was exhaustion and helplessness in his voice.

The subordinate comforted: "My lord, you don't have to blame yourself too much, this may just be an accident. ”

Cheng Yu shook his head with a wry smile and muttered to himself, "Could it be that I did something wrong and God wants to punish me?" His eyes were full of confusion and confusion.

On the streets of Qingzhou, people looked panicked, and they turned their heads one after another, their faces full of worry.

Many people flocked to the temple praying devoutly, hoping to be blessed by the gods.

At this moment, a Taoist priest appeared on a certain street. He was wearing a Taoist robe, holding a dust whisk, and shouted loudly: "Come and buy my talisman!" Keep you from the plague! He had a confident smile on his face.

People gathered around and asked, "Can the plague really be avoided?" ”

"How do you sell this talisman?"

The Taoist priest said proudly: "Of course it's true! As long as you buy my talisman, the plague will never dare to approach! ”

When Cheng Yu learned about this, his face became very serious, and he frowned and said, "It's just nonsense!" This deception of the people must be stopped immediately! ”

He immediately gathered his men and ordered, "Go and bring that Taoist priest over, and don't let him cheat again!" ”

The men were ordered to leave.

On the street, the Taoist priest watched more and more people come to buy his talismans, the smile on his face became brighter and brighter, and he said to himself triumphantly: "Haha, you can make a fortune now!" ”

However, at this moment, the people from the Assassin's Mansion rushed to the scene and shouted, "Stop! Don't buy this Taoist talisman anymore! ”

Seeing this, the Taoist priest's face changed, and he retorted angrily: "My talisman can cure the plague, why do you want to stop me? Don't you want the people to be saved? His eyes revealed dissatisfaction and doubt.

The person from the Assassin's Mansion said solemnly: "This is the order of Lord Assassin!" You must leave now or you'll be in jail! ”

But the common people didn't buy it, and they shouted one after another.

"What's the point of the people in the Assassin's Mansion? Now that God has sent a plague, it must be that the assassin has done something wrong! ”

"That is, we finally have a Taoist priest to help us, how can we treat him like this?"

Anger and incomprehension were written on people's faces, and some even rolled up their sleeves and jumped to try.

Seeing this, the people from the Assassin Mansion hurriedly persuaded: "Everyone calm down, Lord Assassin naturally has his considerations......

However, before they could finish their words, they were drowned out by the voices of the masses.

At this time, the angry people became more and more agitated, and they surrounded the people of the Assassin's Mansion one after another, pushing and shoving them, and constantly cursing and scolding in their mouths.

"Get out of the way! We just want to buy the Taoist talisman! ”

"Don't get in the way of us saving lives!"

The faces of the people were full of anger and resentment, and some even raised their fists, looking like they were about to hit the people who assassinated Shifu.

The people of the Assassin's Mansion looked very helpless, and they frowned, trying to explain.

"Don't be impulsive, this is Lord Thorn's order!"

"We're just doing what we're told, so please calm down."

Their voices were filled with anxiety and grievance, but they didn't dare to resist too much.

One of the people from the Assassin Mansion couldn't help but complain in a low voice: "Master Cheng has instructed that you must not do anything to the people casually, what can you do now?" ”

The other sighed: "Alas, I can only endure it first, I hope they can calm down as soon as possible." ”

The people who assassinated the Shifu returned to the mansion with the injuries on their bodies and a look of embarrassment.

They reported to Cheng Yu in frustration what had happened, and their tones were full of grievances.

"My lord, we went to forbid the people to buy the Taoist talisman according to your order, but not only did they not listen, but they also did something to us, we really can't help it."

"Yes, my lord, we're all hurt, how can this be?"

Their faces showed a look of pain and helplessness, hoping to get Cheng Yu's understanding and support.

Cheng Yu listened to what they said, frowned, and sighed: "That's it, you go down first." ”

There was a hint of exhaustion and helplessness in his voice.

After the subordinates retreated, Cheng Yu sat on the chair alone, rubbed his eyebrows, and said to himself: "That Taoist priest may be lying, but the people are willing to believe it, what can I do?" Now that the plague is raging, I am already anxious, and I really don't know what to do to save the people of Qingzhou. ”

His eyes were full of confusion and helplessness, as if he had lost his direction.

Although Xi Yu was in a hurry, he also needed to take it step by step, and stayed at the inn that night.

Xi Yu's face was full of anxiety, but he still tried to calm himself down.

He walked up to the innkeeper and asked, "Shopkeeper, may I ask if there is anyone in this neighborhood who has the plague?"

When the shopkeeper heard this, there was a look of surprise on his face, he looked at Xi Yu, and replied suspiciously: "I haven't heard of anyone nearby getting the plague, why does the guest officer ask so?" ”

"It's nothing, I'm just asking."

Seeing this, the shopkeeper hurriedly comforted: "Don't worry too much, our area has always been safe, and I haven't heard of the plague." ”

Xi Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was still hanging, and he continued to ask: "The shopkeeper, do you know if there are any special places or groups of people around here that may be at risk of contracting the plague?" ”

The shopkeeper shook his head and replied, "I don't know much about that. ”

Xi Yu reluctantly ordered some food, his eyes wandered, he had no appetite, and his chopsticks were unconsciously fiddling in his hands.

The shopkeeper noticed Xi Yu's abnormality and asked with concern: "Guest officer, I see that you seem to have something on your mind, but I don't know what happened?" If you can trust me, you might as well speak up, and maybe I can help." ”

Xi Yu shook his head gently, with a wry smile on his face, and said softly: "Thank you for the shopkeeper's concern, it's just my business, I'm afraid you can't help." ”

The shopkeeper frowned slightly, and continued to persuade: "Guest officer, how do you know that I can't help if you don't say it?" Sometimes speaking out makes me feel more comfortable. (End of chapter)