the enlightener says

Cao Meng thought for a long time, and finally sighed: "Liu De, it seems that I was wrong. I didn't listen to your strategy earlier. Now it is obviously impossible for us to conquer the Mohist family. Seeing that we can't defend this Hongguan down."

Liu De didn't speak.

Cao Meng also knew that Liu De was giving him face, so he smiled and said: "Since this is the case, it is time to make a decision. Before we run out of food, there is always time to withdraw our troops."

"Withdraw troops?" As soon as the words came out, the three generals immediately looked sideways.

"Where are you going?" Guan Changyu asked.

Cao Mengdao: "Naturally, we will withdraw from Hongguan, and we will lose all the places we occupied before. If we leave [-] troops to garrison Pangdong, we still have two counties. It's better than coming here for nothing."

Zhang Yi immediately widened his eyes: "So much land, don't you want it?"

Liu De calmly explained: "It's useless to come. Our army's food and grass are not enough to supply 25 troops. The larger the place to defend, the more manpower we need. On the contrary, it is easy to fall into Sun Boling's strategy of exhausting the enemy." .”

Cao Meng nodded: "That's right, if that's the case, not to mention the place we occupied before, even the land of the two counties will not be guaranteed. Sun Boling will not give us a chance. Once he gains power, our army will definitely be in a tight spot. We want to leave at that time." I can't even go."

Liu De looked at Cao Meng and asked a crucial question: "What about the [-] captives?"

"What do you think?" Cao Meng asked for Liu De's opinion.

"Why do you need to ask more questions?"

"I understand." Cao Meng sighed slightly: "Let them all go, let them... go home."

"Release?" Guan Changyu stood up in shock, "That's 5 people. Once they are allowed to go back, they will be an army. Big Brother, King, you must have drunk too much..."

"Haha." After thinking it through, Cao Meng laughed loudly, "On the contrary, Gu is now more sober than ever. Since it is difficult to blackmail the Mohists with captives, and it is impossible to kill the captives and lose the hearts of the world, it is better to let them go back. Actually ... What is 5 people? The Mohists would rather defend the walls and clear the country than protect the pass. This is inhumane. It is unrighteous not to care about the life and death of these captives. But it is benevolent and righteous to release these captives alone. For the inhumanity of the Mohists, after these 5 people go back, the common people will definitely know what kind of person I am Cao Meng."

He said in a deep voice: "And there are thousands of people in this world, if there is a 'teacher of justice', then there will be more people who will come to seek refuge in Gu, and it will not be more than [-]?"

"The lord is wise."

Liu De stood up straight, his hands and wide sleeves fluttered with his movements, and with a face like a crown of jade, he slowly lowered his waist and buried his head in the overlapping sleeves.

This is the person he chose. If he hadn't had such a magnanimity, how could he have given his all and served him with all his blood?

However, at this time, Cao Meng sighed and said: "Speaking of which, I regret not letting Zhi'er go with the army, otherwise I can listen to his thoughts and see if it is the same as Pei'er's."

Liu De lowered his head and closed his eyes slightly.

Of course he knew that Cao Meng never liked his son Cao Pei, but preferred his third son Cao Zhi.

The third son of Cao not only has a high attainment in literature and Taoism, but also has a free and easy air. In comparison, Cao Pei seems overly cautious, and he is indeed at odds with his father's temperament.

However, it is this slutty attitude in Cao Zhi that makes him always act recklessly, making it difficult to control the overall situation, and he is not a good choice for the crown prince.

On the contrary, Cao Pei is cautious and prudent, and seems to be able to carry the entire beam of the sea.

"The third son has a brilliant literary talent, but..." Liu De said in a low voice, "I'm afraid he is not in charge of military affairs."

Of course Cao Meng knew that Liu De had always been more interested in Cao Pei, but he could follow Liu De in other things, including adopting Liu De's strategy of releasing [-] prisoners.

But on this matter, he felt unable to back down.

"Really? I don't think so. Because of his military and political shortcomings, he should practice more, broaden his horizons, and increase his knowledge."

Although there were countless thoughts in his mind, Liu De still took a deep breath, and said in a calm tone: "Yes, but it's up to the sovereign to decide."

Cao Meng stared at Liu De for a long time, and naturally noticed his obedience on the surface, and even more the persistence in his heart, sighed and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this for now. Now that the strategy has been decided, let's do it as soon as possible." Let's go. When the Canghai Cavalry comes, it will swallow thousands of miles like a tiger, and when it leaves, it must not be caught by the tail!"

649 Chapter Renyi

Almost all the troops in Canghai withdrew overnight.

Such a big event quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jicheng.

And when everyone heard that not only were the [-] captives safe and sound, they were even released by Cang Haijun with travel expenses.

If this is true, how does this look like a northern barbarian beast?

If it is said to be false, then this overwhelming news cannot be groundless.

As a result, the people spontaneously divided into two factions, and the sound of quarreling spread all over the teahouses and restaurants, even Jishang Academy was no exception.

One group believed that the news was false, and the Canghai people could never be so kind.

The other faction believed that Canghai people were also human beings, not to mention that Cao Meng was originally from the Central Plains and a monarch who knew benevolence and righteousness, so it was reasonable to do such a thing.

However, there are still more people in the former.

For so many years, the people of the Central Plains have already had prejudices against the northern grasslands, thinking that those people are barbarians who "do not do production, but do looting".

Once they heard that they didn't kill people, not only released them back to the captives, but even the common people were not disturbed too much, they all became somewhat suspicious.

However, as the news was confirmed, the people of the Mo family had to accept this fact, and some people even began to praise Cao Meng in private.

After all, ordinary people have always hated war.

The survival of these [-] captives is equivalent to allowing countless parents to see their sons again, allowing wives and girls who cry day and night in their boudoirs to embrace their lovers again, and young children no longer need to worry that they will one day become a child without a child. Poor daddy.

Later, the news that Cao Meng killed his general Jebige for the sake of the people also spread, which made many people completely change their views on Cao Meng.

Even the old Confucians in Jishang Academy heard the news, and they praised it endlessly: "Cao Meng was born in the Central Plains after all. Although most of his rulers are barbarians from the north, he still knows the etiquette and abides by benevolence and righteousness."

But in a certain side hall of the Jicheng Palace, a group of people are uttering the most vicious insults to Cao Meng: "Cao Meng's plan is really vicious. This is not benevolence or righteousness. It is clearly a cunning hypocrite who deliberately spread these things. The news, fortunately, people have a good name in their hearts. Master, we can’t let this momentum continue. At this time, we should use heavy codes to punish those who praised Cao Meng as the crime of rumors and disrupt the country, and stop this trend. momentum."

Today's Mr. Zhong looks a little lighter, but the broad Beiren skeleton still supports his stalwart body. When everyone was arguing, he still didn't speak, but frowned at the report and circled it.

"Master..."

"I listen to what you say, and I know what you mean." Mr. Zhong finally approved the file, then shook his head and said, "It's just that it's not advisable to judge the crime with a heavy code."

A minister with a somewhat stern face said: "Why? These days, there have been constant voices praising Cao Meng's benevolence, and some people even used it to criticize the court for ignoring the life and death of the [-] prisoners. If it continues like this , I am afraid that it will be difficult to govern the country."

"Governing a country depends on behavior, not words. If you correct your own behavior, what is so difficult about politics? If you can't correct your own behavior, how can you make others correct?"

After a pause, Master Zhong said again: "I know all about the captives, but this matter is ultimately my court's fault, not the common people's fault. We did not rescue the fifty thousand captives ourselves, but in the end we blamed Cao Meng for releasing them. Fifty thousand captives have ulterior motives, what is the reason for this?"

"Can……"

Master Zhong raised a hand to stop the words of the ministers, and said in a deep voice: "Whether Cao Meng has ulterior motives or not, he did not hurt the people of our Mohist family, let alone kill the captured soldiers of our Mohist family. The people are grateful for his kindness. It makes sense. If heavy codes are used to control speech and punishment hurts the hearts of the people, then the people will have even more reason to resent the court."

Speaking of this, all the ministers naturally understood, so they all had a heart of admiration for Master Zhong. Even the minister who proposed to impose a heavy code before was a little ashamed at this time, and bowed heavily: "Master said Well done, the minister has been educated."

Master Zhong nodded in satisfaction, and said, "However, this matter cannot be allowed to develop. Zilu, come here."

"Master."

"Take someone with you and go check it out." Master Zhong handed over the bamboo slips he had just circled, "This matter has spread so fast and so widely, there must be hidden stakes left by Cao Meng intentionally to fuel the flames .”

"Copy multiple copies of this bamboo slip and distribute it to various places, so that people can find out who is secretly manipulating it. If you can catch it, you can catch it, but don't torture it, just take it back to Jicheng."

"Yes."

"Jicheng is the most important thing. You will personally supervise all the hidden stakes here. You must catch those hidden stakes one by one, and then send them to the embassy before the public and hand them over to the Canghai envoy. In this way, things can be settled. "

"As for the people praising Cao Meng, don't worry about it. No matter how they praise Cao Meng, the people of my Mo family are Mo family after all. For the current plan, our Mo family needs to strengthen the foundation. If it can make people's livelihood happy, the people will naturally feel grateful The benevolence of the court."

This action not only made all the officials praise, but Zilu held the bamboo slips, but felt that he was holding a heavy responsibility, so he bowed and strode away.

"Is there anything else?" Master Zhong asked Baiguan with a smile.

In fact, even though the edict of Juzi's passing on the throne was issued, all the officials had no objection on the surface, but after all, some people would have doubts about Master Zhong's ability to lead the government.

But after the previous treatment, even those who had doubts about Mr. Zhong's administration before had no more to say, and naturally the hall gradually fell silent.

At this time, a person stood up and said: "Master, General Gao is about to leave Jicheng today to return to Jingwu, and the guard of honor is complete. I wonder if Master plans to see him off in person?"

"General Gao..." When he mentioned Gao Changgong, he realized that today was the day Gao Changgong left the city.

Since he intends to leave, it means that he should no longer need to rely on Lu Fuzi to continue his life.

Could it be...has that person successfully broken through?

If that's the case, I'm afraid that Jing Wu will really produce a martial sage.

Although Jing Wu is still an alliance of the Mohists at present, they are definitely not blood ties. A saint really came out, and I don't know what impact it will have on the future situation of the two families, good or bad.

The disc-like sun hangs in the sky, making it a bit warmer in winter.

In the bamboo forest outside Lu's mansion, Cai Yan looked at the servants who were carrying things, pouted and said, "I'm leaving Jicheng so soon, I haven't had enough fun yet."

Qin Ke was standing beside her, wearing a robe with wide sleeves, he really looked like a student of Ji's school.

But at this moment, he felt a slender hand sneaking in through his sleeve silently.

That hand was a little cold, and then he held his hand, interlocking his fingers.

The cold touch along his wrist seemed to be able to reach the atrium, but it made him feel an unspeakable warmth.

Of course Qin Ke knew whose hand it was.

So he looked around subconsciously, until he found that no one was looking at him, and Cai Yan's movements were so secretive that no one could notice, he was relieved.

However, he soon began to laugh at himself again. There was nothing shady about his relationship with Cai Yan, so why be so nervous?

"Hey, did you listen to me?" Cai Yan squeezed his palm.

"Ah... oh..." Qin Ke was slightly taken aback, then smiled helplessly and said, "That's not enough. These days, which one of the streets and alleys in Jicheng, big and small, didn't accompany you, wasn't it yesterday?" I also accompany you to buy that big kite that is taller than me, and I went to Kangshifu, where I ate the world-famous big bowl of beef noodles, and several sacks of nuts from three pine trees...what is good in this city? You basically have fun eating..."

"Then what's the matter, anyway, you still have a lot of gold bars that Gongshu Yinxue gave you, all I can spend is my own money..."

Cai Yan said to himself, as if he was getting more and more upset, he hummed: "There are so many delicious and interesting things in Jicheng, how much have I just seen? It's less than [-]% of them. By the way, I just remembered, I'm the most I haven’t gone where I want to go.”

"Ah? Where are you talking?"

"That!" Cai Yan slipped his finger out of Qin Ke's sleeve and pointed far away. Although the bamboo forest is deep, he can still see the majestic Wuwei Mountain, which is the direction of the organ city.

6 Chapter Fifty

The expression on Qin Ke's face suddenly turned bitter: "That's the organ city of the Mohist family, where you can enter it casually."

Cai Yan's expression was a bit taken for granted: "Of course I know I can't go in casually, so I want to go in and have a look. It's because Gao Changgong refused to take me to the Great Court Meeting, which caused me to miss the fight between Gongshu Ban and Master Zhong!"

After a pause, Cai Yan said with a bit of reverie: "Ah Ke, if you become a master master in the future, can you secretly take me in like Gongshu?"

It's just that Cai Yan didn't know that even if he was a public loser, he had to take another shortcut that no one else could take to get into the Mohist Trick City.

"Then I have to be able to enter the realm of the master. Although I have broken the realm now, but think about the master..." Qin Ke drooped his head and shook his head weakly, "I don't know that the year of the monkey can reach that threshold. .”

It was only after he broke through the realm of the little master that he realized the difficulties in his future practice.

The three realms of qi and blood that he experienced earlier were just a process of accumulation. As long as the talent is good enough, the growth of cultivation base is almost a matter of course.

It's like walking on a straight road, whether you walk fast or slow, you will always see the end slowly.

But after entering the realm of the little master, the energy and blood in the meridians have gradually filled up, but the human meridians, bones, and bone marrow have reached a bottleneck state in cultivation.

Going forward is like exploring aimlessly in a huge and boundless virgin forest.

There is no road ahead, there is only a confusing fog, and there are thorns all over the foot.

He had to cut through the thorns and open up a path by himself before he could see the light in the distance...

There may be 10 people who entered this forest, but those who really went out in the end were only a few of them.

Grandmaster realm... He couldn't help but sighed silently in his heart again.

Cai Yan was a little displeased: "I didn't ask you to become a master right away, I just asked if you would like to take me in, and you just answer, or do you have no ambition at all?"

Of course, Qin Ke doesn't understand women's delicate thoughts, but fortunately he has a sincere heart, so he said without thinking: "Yes, yes! Wherever you want to go, I will take you there."

"It's your acquaintance."

Cai Yan glanced at Qin Ke up and down, and found that Qin Ke's Confucian robes today are quite decent, even slightly better than those princes and brothers from the Tang Dynasty who came to ask for marriage.

Those were all chosen by her father, but this person was chosen by herself.

She lightly patted the folds of his clothes with her other hand, and said in a low voice, "Besides, you listen to me especially when you look at it."

After she finished speaking, she burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Qin Ke looked at her puzzled.

"You take care of me, I'm happy." Cai Yan hummed a song, and her little hands hidden in her sleeves kept playing the game of "chasing after me" with Qin Ke's hands.

Even so, the two still showed no abnormality on the surface, they just looked at each other tacitly.

After a while, Cai Yan finally found a way to pull his hand out of Qin Ke's.

"I won't quarrel with you anymore, I'll go see how the horses and chariots are getting ready."

The silver bell-like laughter gradually faded away, but the bamboo forest seemed to be full of vitality.