Compared with Cao Zhang's tenderness and sweetness, in the study of Sikong Mansion at this time, Cao Cao's mood was particularly complicated.

Cao Ren recommended Cao Zhang, Cao Pi, Cao Zhen, and Cao Xiu contributed to the troubles, and Cao Cao knew the thoughts contained in this, but he didn't want to break it.

As for why Cao Zhang took the initiative to ask for battle, Cao Cao also knew very well in his heart.

Yuedan commented on the double first-class poems; sacrifice himself to protect his father in the hunting ground and fight the tigers; Until now, Cao Gong paper has been created and "Thousand Character Text" has been printed to help him solve the problem of military spending, all of which show Cao Zhang's ability, scheming and ambition.

Cao Zhang had unconsciously accumulated prestige, expressed filial piety, and won over the Han courtiers including Xun Yu.

In this battle, if he can really complete the military order with such harsh conditions, kill Li Dao, and recover Chang'an, Cao Zhangzhi will create another miracle, and he can also establish a strong prestige in the army, and can even form a certain deterrent to everyone in the Quartet.

Cao Zhang's purpose in doing this is undoubtedly to convey a message: I am your strongest son of Cao Cao, please pass on the position of the prince to me!

Cao Cao felt Cao Zhang's strong desire for victory, so he finally agreed to his request for battle, but he also knew in his heart that it was not easy to go to Li Dao, and Cao Cao had no bottom in his heart about how sure he was.

The more Cao Cao thought about it, the more anxious he became, only to feel a headache, which became more and more serious, and finally reached the point of a splitting headache.

Cao Cao stretched out his hand and kept patting his head, but it did not alleviate his pain at all, he continued to slap while shouting loudly: "Come on, come on!" ”

When Mrs. Bian heard Cao Cao's shout, she hurried over from the back hall, saw Cao Cao's painful appearance, and hurriedly stepped forward to ask, "Ah Pu, what's wrong with you?" ”

Cao Cao pointed to his head and kept shouting: "Headache, headache!" ”

Mrs. Bian hurriedly stepped forward and helped Cao Cao knead his temples with her hands.

After a while, Cao Cao's headache slowly subsided and calmed down.

"Ah Gou, what's wrong with you, do you want to send the medical officer to take a look?" Mrs. Bian asked with concern.

Cao Cao shook his head helplessly: "I have a heart disease, and the doctor can't cure it!" ”

A subordinate from Sikong Mansion came in and said, "Sikong, Xun Lingjun and Guo Junshi have arrived and are waiting outside the door!" ”

"The person who can cure my heart disease is here, please!" Cao Cao said to Mrs. Bian.

It was precisely because he had no bottom in his heart that he sent someone to invite Xun Yu and Guo Jia before, wanting to hear their opinions.

Madame Bian stood behind Cao Cao and helped him continue to rub his head and relieve his pain.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia walked in, bowed to Cao Cao and Mrs. Bian: "Meet Sikong!" Meet Madame! ”

Cao Cao waved the sleeves of his robe, signaled that the two of them didn't need to be polite, and asked directly: "Wen Ruo, Feng Xiao, what do you think are the chances of Ziwen winning this expedition against Li Dao?" ”

He has worked with the two for many years, and they are very familiar with each other's personalities, and there is no need to talk nonsense, and he goes straight to the topic.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia glanced at each other, and then took the lead in speaking: "My subordinates think that the chances of Ziwen Gongzi winning should be five or five!" ”

"Judging from many factors such as the number of troops, the experience of facing the enemy, and the stipulated time to break the enemy, Ziwen Gongzi does not have an advantage."

Cao Cao nodded slightly after listening to Xun Yu's words, in fact, the thoughts in his heart were very close to Xun Yu, and he was not optimistic about Cao Zhang, so he was so uneasy.

Cao Cao turned to Guo Jia and asked, "Fengxiao, what do you think?" ”

Guo Jia also echoed Xun Yu's opinion: "I and Ling Jun's thoughts coincide, and I also think that the odds of victory and defeat are mixed. ”

"Then do you think it was a wrong decision for me to agree to Ziwen to lead the troops into battle?" Cao Cao was already at a loss, and the two think tanks also expressed their confidence in Cao Zhang's victory, which made him even more worried.

"Lord, although Gongzi has many disadvantages, Gongzi's overall situation and vision are extremely high, and he is calm, these are the things where he is far superior to Li Dao. As long as he responds calmly and does not rush to success, there should not be much of a problem, and the lord does not have to worry too much. Xun Yu hurriedly comforted Cao Cao.

"Yes, Gongzi can sort out such a military strategy as "Thirty-six Strategies", which is far from being comparable to Li Dao, if Gongzi can make good use of strategy, win more with less, and defeat the strong with the weak, it is not difficult to do." Guo Jia also echoed Xun Yu and said.

"The change of generals in the battle has greatly damaged morale, since the lord has chosen to believe in Ziwen Gongzi, he should use people without suspicion and insist that he lead the troops into battle. Otherwise, it will be a huge blow to his future growth. Xun Yu reminded Cao Cao.

"If the lord is really not at ease, he can arrange for Yu Ban to bring 5,000 soldiers and horses to garrison fifty miles west of Xudu City, and once Ziwen Gongzi fights unfavorably, he can respond at any time." Guo Jia proposed a remedy to Cao Cao.

Seeing that the two most trusted strategists chose to support Cao Zhang to continue to lead the troops into battle, Cao Cao's heart was a little more steady.

"Okay, since Wen Ruo and Feng Xiao both think that Ziwen should continue to lead the troops to fight, I will not change my original intention. I think Feng Xiao's suggestion just now is extremely necessary and can be arranged. ”

"Let Yu Ban lead 5,000 soldiers, and at the same time arrange for Cao Chun's tiger and leopard cavalry to be ready to respond at any time." Cao Cao explained to the two.

After all, it was his own son, and he had been doing well recently, and Cao Cao also wanted to do his best to ensure his safety.

Hearing that Cao Cao did not hesitate to arrange the tigers and leopards to ride out as Cao Zhang's response, Xun Yu and Guo Jia were also slightly shocked, and it could be seen that Cao Cao really cared about Cao Zhang.

"When the minister understands, he will arrange it immediately." Xun Yu and Guo Jia agreed repeatedly.

"Remember, you must keep it secret, and you can't let Ziwen know in advance." Cao Cao deliberately told him that he didn't want Cao Zhang to feel that he was not at ease with him.

At this time, Cao Cao was not only a commonplace, but also a loving father who wanted to let his son fly high, but he was not at ease, and he was even more afraid of hurting his self-esteem.

"The minister understands, the minister retires!" Xun Yu and Guo Jia agreed and withdrew from Cao Cao's study.

After arranging everything, Cao Cao's heart was steady, and the headache was completely eliminated, and he waved his hand to signal Mrs. Bian not to rub it anymore.

Mrs. Bian looked at Cao Cao worriedly: "Ah Pu, do you really insist on letting Ziwen go to Li Dao?" ”

"Didn't you listen to what Wen Ruo and Feng Xiao said just now? At this time, the arrow is on the line, and it has to be released! Cao Cao replied.

"Ziwen is only sixteen years old, can you really rest assured? What if he had three long and two short? Mrs. Bian said distressedly.

"We already have proper arrangements, but Ziwen is fine." Cao Cao comforted Mrs. Bian, then stood up and continued, "The current Ziwen, but now it is not what it used to be, even I dare not say that I can completely see through him, you really don't need to worry too much." ”

Speaking of this, Cao Cao let out a sigh: "It's just a pity that Ziwen is not Zijian, and there is also a Zihuan above him." ”

Mrs. Bian heard the implicit meaning of Cao Cao's words, and raised her head to look at Cao Cao in shock, "Ah Pu, you are ......"

Cao Cao stopped talking and waved his hand to interrupt her: "It's late, go to sleep!" ”

Cao Cao took the lead in walking to the back hall, Mrs. Bian looked at his back, and didn't dare to say anything more, so she could only lower her head and follow Cao Cao to the back hall......

Sima's paper mill is located in a small village on the outskirts of Xu County.

The morning sun shines through the sparse clouds, making it warm and peaceful.

Birds flew through the air, and cheerful chirping echoed in the air.

The rippling waters of the lake in the distance are in contrast to the red walls and green tiles of the workshop.

Although it was just dawn, the Sima family's paper mill was already extremely busy, and the craftsmen had already begun to work intensively.

They cooperate with each other, some split bamboo, some boil juice, and some prepare cloth filter paper.

Everyone was engrossed in their work, because they were all rewarded by Cao Zhang, and they also knew that they would have to make a large number of Cao Gong paper in the future, and they were all full of energy.

Among this group of craftsmen, there is a girl who is particularly eye-catching, she is Guo Zhao.

Guo Zhao once followed her mother to learn the technology of papermaking, she lived in Sima's house, and learned that the papermaking matter was explained by Cao Zhang, so she took the initiative to come to the paper mill every day to help work.

Despite her young age, she has more experience and skilled skills than many craftsmen.

Guo Zhao held a handful of small bamboo chopsticks intently, gently stirring the pulp, his eyes full of dedication and love for paper.

She understands that every step counts and that she needs to stay focused at all times to ensure that the pulp is at its best in terms of consistency and texture.

Guo Zhao's fingers deftly stirred the pulp, watching the paper form, and only when she met her requirements would she stop what she was doing and pour the pulp onto the thin bamboo strips.

Gradually, the bamboo strips in Guo Zhao's hands became heavier and heavier, and the pulp slowly solidified on the bamboo strips, forming a flawless piece of paper.

She carefully removed it from the bamboo strip and set it aside to dry with a smile.

Then, her eyes quickly looked around to see if anyone else needed her help.

"Azhao!" There was a shouting in the distance.

Guo Zhao turned his head to look, but it was Sima Lang and Sima Yi coming from a distance.

"Big brother, second brother!" Guo Zhao hurriedly stepped forward to say hello.

"Why did you come to the workshop so early and not sleep a little longer?" Sima Yi asked with concern.

"I can't sleep anyway, so I came over early to help. Big brother, second brother, you didn't come very early. Guo Zhao responded with a simple smile.

"I'm different from you, Gongzi Zhang is about to lead the troops to battle, the production of this Cao Gong paper, as well as the publication and sale of "Thousand Character Text", have all been handed over to our family to be responsible, I dare not slack off in the slightest."

"Originally, this was a good opportunity to show to Gongzi Zhang, but your second brother and third brother were unwilling to join the ranks. I'm just talking about it, your second brother promised me to come to the workshop to help, if it wasn't for your help before, I would be really tired to death. Sima Lang replied to Guo Zhao's words, and pointed to Sima Yi beside him and complained helplessly.

"The second brother and the third brother just want to study hard, don't embarrass them, eldest brother, just tell me if you have something in the future." Guo Zhao persuaded Sima Lang for Sima Yi.

Sima Lang didn't lose his anger, and continued to accuse Sima Yi and said: "If you don't want to join the ranks, you can talk about this slowly." But the production of new paper and the publication of "Thousand Character Text" are things that can not only make the Sima family make money, but also earn fame, and also benefit the people, he still pushes back, if it wasn't for my father's speech in the end, he would not come. ”

Sima Yi respectfully explained to Sima Lang: "Big brother, it's not that I don't want to help, but once I step in, I can't go out again, how deep the water is, big brother, you actually know better than me." ”

Sima Lang was about to speak, but he heard a noise at the door of the workshop: "You can't go in, you can't go in!" ”

Brother Sima and Guo Zhao were both stunned, turned their heads to look at the door, but saw that Cao Pi, accompanied by Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, had pushed away the obstruction of several craftsmen and had already broken in.

"Cao Pigongzi, what is he doing here?" Sima Lang muttered suspiciously, but he didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, and walked quickly to meet him.

Sima Yi looked at Cao Pi in the distance and the eldest brother who came forward, and muttered helplessly: "Look, I'll just say that the water is deep, this trouble has come." Then he could only follow helplessly.

Guo Zhao was worried about Brother Sima, so he hurriedly followed.

Sima Lang walked quickly to Cao Pi and the others, and ordered the craftsmen: "Don't be rude!" ”

The craftsmen were instructed by him to retreat.

Sima Lang respectfully saluted to Cao Pi and the three: "Meet the three sons!" I don't know what the three sons are here for? ”

Cao Pi pretended to be calm and said: "Boda, isn't your family responsible for making Cao Gong paper and printing the "Thousand Character Text", the three of us also want to buy a batch of Cao Gong paper and buy a few copies of the "Thousand Character Text" to go back, but looking at the appearance of your family, it seems that we are not welcome." ”

Sima Yi hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Childe misunderstood, you come to buy Cao Gong paper and "Thousand Character Text", we are naturally welcome, but this is a paper-making workshop, not a bookstore. I also ask the three sons to move to the bookstore, and we will immediately send them papers and books for you to choose from. ”

Cao Pi pretended to be abrupt: "Oh, that's it, I'm too lazy to leave, just take a look here." Zidan and Wen Lie, you go to the bookstore with the two Sima Gongzi to choose, remember, you must pick carefully. ”

Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen understood, and immediately urged Sima Lang and Sima Yi: "Let's go, take us to choose." ”

Sima Lang said anxiously: "Childe, this is a paper-making workshop, it is a top secret place, outsiders are not allowed to enter to watch it......"

Cao Zhen said dissatisfiedly: "What did you just say? Alien? Let me ask you, are the Cao Gong paper and "Thousand Character Text" you sell our Cao family? So tell me, are we outsiders? ”

Sima Lang was eloquent, but he was speechless for a while by Cao Zhen's question, and he was so embarrassed that he didn't know how to respond.

Sima Yi reacted quickly and wanted to defend himself, but where did Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen give him and Sima Lang a chance to talk again, and set up the two brothers and left.

The two Cao are both military generals, and the Sima brothers are all weak scholars, where they have great strength, they will be directly carried away by them.

Cao Pi watched them leave, smiled and turned his head to look at Guo Zhao who was standing on the side: "Miss Guo, can you take me for a tour?" ”

Guo Zhao was very unkind to Cao Pi, and said with a cold face: "Childe, the papermaking and printing of "Thousand Character Text" was handed over to the Sima family by Ziwen Gongzi, and it was strictly kept secret, although you are also a member of the Cao family, I can't let you walk around here at will." ”

Cao Pi didn't care at all, and said with a smile: "Miss Guo, I don't know the technology of papermaking, what can I do if I just look at it?" ”

Cao Pi said, he wanted to step forward and take the opportunity to pull Guo Zhao's hand.

Guo Zhao dodged in a hurry to avoid it, and pulled a posture to stop Cao Pi: "Childe, if you break in again, I will do it." ”

Cao Pi didn't care, but said with a bit of banter: "Do it? Well, I'd like to see how you stop me. Don't say it's you, even if Ziwen comes, he can't stop me, who is an older brother, from looking at the paper mill! ”

As soon as Cao Pi's words fell, a cold response came from the door of the paper mill: "Who said I wouldn't stop it?!" ”

Cao Pi was stunned when he heard the voice, and quickly turned his head to look, but saw Cao Zhang striding into the paper mill.

What made Cao Pi even more surprised was that Cao Zhang walked in with several school officials led by Zhao Da, all of whom were unsheathed with their swords and quickly surrounded Cao Pi......