In the south of Xudu, a medium-sized house.

This is Sima Fang's residence in Xudu.

Sima's hometown is in Wen County, and he is an official in the court, so he settled such a house in Xudu.

Now that there is a paper mill and the business of printing "Thousand Character Text", the status of the Sima family has improved a lot, but they have not considered changing their residence for the time being.

The main hall of Sima's house.

Sima Fang sat on the main seat in the center, and his three sons, Sima Lang, Sima Yi, and Sima Fu, stood in front of him, reporting to him on the business situation in the past few days.

Because of the intervention of the four major families headed by the Xun family, coupled with Cao Cao's naming of the new paper, the sale of Cao Gong paper and "Thousand Character Text" far exceeded the expectations of the Sima family.

Sima Fang was very happy after hearing this, which means that the business will get bigger and bigger, and the Sima family will monopolize two percent of the profits, and the income will be more and more.

Sima Fang was a cautious person, and told his son: "Boda, when Ziwen Gongzi leaves, he will completely hand over the business to you, you must be more careful, and you must not make mistakes because of a lot of business." ”

Sima Lang nodded and responded: "Please rest assured, father, with my two younger brothers, Zhongda and Shuda, to help me take care of it, everything is running normally." ”

"That's good, also, Ziwen Gongzi's expedition to Chang'an, his logistics, grain and grass supply, you also have to transport it in time, don't delay the trip." Sima Fang continued to remind uneasily.

Sima Yi hurriedly replied for Sima Lang: "Father, don't worry, two days ago, my eldest brother and I have sent the allocated grain and grass materials to Chang'an, and there will be no delay." ”

Sima Fang nodded with satisfaction: "The Sima family can have today's results, it is completely the grace of Ziwen Gongzi, we must repay the kindness and repay it with our hearts." ”

The three sons responded together: "Yes, please rest assured father." ”

A subordinate of the Sima family hurriedly walked in from the outside and came to Sima Fang's side to report: "Master, General Cao Ren and Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu asked to see each other outside the door, and they also brought a large number of gifts. ”

Sima Fang was stunned when he heard this, obviously he didn't expect Cao Ren to come to visit him with gifts.

Sima Fang hurriedly got up and beckoned his three sons: "Go, come with me to meet General Cao and the two sons." ”

Sima Fang was the first to walk out of the hall, followed by his three sons.

Sima Yi whispered to Sima Lang helplessly: "I'll just say that there are constant troubles, last time it was a paper mill, and this time I came directly to the house." ”

Sima Lang glared at him and whispered, "Don't talk about yin and yang, didn't you hear what your father said?" Regardless of whether you enter the office or not, we must treat the matter of Ziwen Gongzi with care! ”

Sima Yi nodded helplessly: "Yes, I just listened to my father and eldest brother." ”

Sima Fang came to the door of the mansion with his three sons, and greeted Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, and Cao Xiu who were waiting at the door from a distance: "The old man didn't know that General Cao and the two sons were coming, and they missed the welcome, and they hoped to forgive their sins." ”

Cao Ren laughed and returned the salute: "Sima Gong, don't be polite, it's us who came abruptly." ”

Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu also stepped forward to salute together, and the three brothers Sima Lang also bowed down.

Sima Fang hurriedly gave way to Neiqian: "General Cao and the two sons, please." ”

Sima Fang and the others led Cao Ren and the others to the main hall and sat down as guests.

Sima Fang looked at Cao Ren in front of him suspiciously: "General Cao visited today, and he brought such a generous gift, I don't know what to see, but what kind of dispatch did Sikong send?" ”

Cao Ren looked at Sima Fang and said with a smile: "Sima Gong doesn't have to worry, in fact, I came today to bring a happy event to Sima Gong." ”

"What's the happy event?" Sima Fang asked more and more curiously.

Cao Ren raised his head and said with a bit of arrogance: "Sima Gong, my family is now the leader of the ministers and the world. Zihuan is now his eldest son, and he is also a young talent with both civil and military skills, both ability and political integrity. I came today specifically to propose to you for Zihuan. ”

Sima Fang was stunned by Cao Ren's words: "General Cao, I'm afraid you're mistaken, my Sima family only has eight sons, but no daughters, how do you let me marry Zihuan's son?" ”

"Sima Gong, you don't have a daughter, but your old friend has a daughter who lives in your house now, don't you know?" Cao Xiu responded to Sima Fang and directly turned the topic to Guo Zhao.

Sima Fang suddenly said: "What did the son say is Ah Zhao?" ”

"Exactly, Zihuan has a soft spot for Miss Guo, so he specially found Sikong and begged Sikong to propose marriage for him. Today, Zidan and Wen Lie and I came to visit Sima Gong specifically for this matter. Cao Ren explained to Sima Fang with a smile.

After listening to Cao Ren's words, Sima Yi whispered to Sima Lang beside him: "Big brother, she is from Ben Azhao, you know her relationship with Ziwen Gongzi, what can I do?" ”

Sima Lang glanced at him and responded in a low voice: "Don't talk too much, you have a father, just listen to how your father responds." ”

Sima Fang listened to Cao Ren's words, but he showed a look of surprise on his face, and responded in fear: "General Cao, Ah Zhao is the daughter of my deceased, but her parents are dead, and now she is helping in the paper mill. This status is very different from that of Zihuan's son, and I am afraid that he is not worthy of his son. ”

Cao Zhen was anxious, and when he saw Sima Fang's prevarication, he stood up and said: "What kind of status, Zihuan can take a fancy to her, it is her blessing, now Sikong has agreed, and specially sent us to propose marriage, Sima Gong, what are you afraid of?" ”

Cao Xiu also added coldly: "Sima Gong, you have been very effective in helping Sikong recently, Sikong is very appreciative of the Sima family, so he will agree to this marriage, and your rejection of Sikong's face like this is very detrimental to the future of the Sima family." ”

Sima Fang listened to Cao Xiu's words, and his heart was cold. has been an official for many years, and he is well versed in the way of officialdom, and of course he understands that Cao Xiu's words are a naked threat.

Sima Fang has also heard of the relationship between Guo Zhao and Cao Zhang, and if he agrees to Cao Pi's proposal at this time, he will undoubtedly offend Cao Zhang.

Sima Fang knew very well that the current short-term glory of the Sima family was given by Cao Zhang, and offending him meant that everything was gone.

Originally, Cao Cao didn't like Cao Pi, and everyone knew it, but now he is proposing marriage for Cao Pi, which Sima Fang couldn't think of at all.

If he insists on refusing, it is tantamount to offending Cao Pi and Cao Cao again, and he can't afford this consequence either.

Sima Fang was in a dilemma, and could only smile awkwardly: "General Cao and the two sons' words, of course the old man understands. It is her blessing that the son of Zihuan can take a fancy to the daughter of the deceased......"

"In that case, why don't you hurry up and agree?" Cao Zhen urged.

"Childe, although Guo Zhao is staying in my house, she is only the daughter of my father's deceased after all, not my Sima family, how can my father make decisions for her casually? I think I still need to discuss it with her before replying. If she insisted, my father would not be able to do so. Sima Yi saw that his father was embarrassed, and hurriedly stood up and explained.

Sima Fang hurriedly echoed: "Yes, yes, please allow me to discuss with Ah Zhao, and then reply to the three." ”

"The order of the parents, the words of the matchmaker. Her parents are both dead, she lives in Sima's house, and you are her father's friend, her elder, and she is also a member of your Sima family, so you can't call the shots? Cao Zhen replied dissatisfiedly.

Cao Ren's face also sank: "Sima Gong, Sikong took the initiative to propose marriage, Guo Zhao raised his eyes and had no relatives, if he married Zihuan, it would be a step to the sky, such an opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you agreed to the marriage, it is also for her good, why do you need to discuss with a woman?" ”

"The general doesn't know that now the sales of Cao Gong paper are in good condition, and the supply in various places is in short supply, and it is necessary to increase production. Although Ah Zhao is a woman, she is a craftsman in papermaking, and she is also the core. If you don't consult with her at all and blindly force her, in case she insists on refusing, plays tricks, and affects papermaking, it will be a big thing that will be ruined, and none of us can afford it. Please forgive me, let us go and ask what Ah Zhao means, and then reply. Sima Yi once again found an excuse for Sima Fang to excuse himself.

Cao Ren listened to Sima Yi's words and hesitated. The sale of Cao Gong's paper was of great significance to Cao Cao, and he naturally didn't want to affect it for his own reasons.

Cao Zhen didn't care about it, and continued to shout: "Joke, such a big thing as papermaking, can't you be a woman without her?" ”

Sima Yi replied respectfully: "Gongzi once went to the paper mill, and he also witnessed Ah Zhao's work there, so he didn't dare to tell half a lie. ”

Cao Xiu reacted quickly and quickly made a decision: "Since Sima Gongzi said so, then please ask Sima Gong to invite Miss Guo and ask her face to face." I believe that Miss Guo is a sensible person, and after receiving such a great favor from the Sima family, she should not ignore the safety and future of the Sima family. ”

"Yes, ask now, see what she has to say!" Cao Zhen also shouted.

Cao Ren turned his head to look at Sima Fang: "Sima Fang, after all, General Ben is acting on orders, if you don't give me a satisfactory result, I can't go back and explain to Sikong, and I ask Sima Gong to forgive me." ”

At this point, Sima Fang also understood that it was impossible to shirk any longer, so he could only instruct Sima Lang and Sima Yi: "Boda, Zhongda, you two go to the paper mill immediately, find Ah Zhao back, and let her give General Cao and the two sons an answer in person." ”

Sima Lang and Sima Yi had no choice but to receive orders: "Yes!" ”

"Shuda, arrange for tea." Sima Fang issued another instruction to Sima Fu.

"Please wait a moment for the general and the two sons, and they will definitely give the three of them an answer today." Sima Fang said to Cao Ren and the others.

Cao Ren nodded slightly: "There are Lao Sima Gong and the three sons." ”

Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen also sneered and stopped talking.

Sima Lang and Sima Yi didn't dare to delay any longer, so they could only walk out quickly......