[Three Kingdoms] Carnival

The pavilions and pavilions, in Zui □ □, are the residences of beauties.Dotted lips, rippling autumn waves, the melancholy sound of the piano, the beauty is full of sorrow.

When Cao Zhi entered the courtyard, what he saw was Zhen Mi playing the piano in a state of dismay, and he couldn't help but pause, feeling sad.He sincerely admired Zhen Mi's talent and pitied her for what happened, so he couldn't help but care a little more about this sister-in-law.

The sound of the zither gradually became more and more rapid, but it stopped abruptly at a fierce point, because the strings of the zither had broken.Zhen Mi looked at the blood-stained fingers on the strings and sighed softly, only then did she realize the visitor in the courtyard.

Cao Zhi walked into the courtyard and greeted, "Sister-in-law."

"How did you get in?" Zhen Mi was a little surprised, "Outside the courtyard..."

"It's okay, the guards were dismissed by me." Cao Zhi said.He hesitated for a long time, but still couldn't help asking, "Sister-in-law, what are you and second brother..."

"Zijian don't have to worry." Zhen Mi said, "The city of Ye is not peaceful these days, those guards were sent by your second brother to protect me."

But Cao Zhi was so easy to be prevaricated.In particular, although Zhen Mi's tone was calm at the moment, she could still see a touch of sadness in her eyes, which was obviously a knot in her heart.It's just that since Zhen Mi said so, she didn't want to tell him. If he asked again, it would be out of proportion.

After deliberating over and over again, he still said cautiously: "Sister-in-law, father is in Xudu now, and the second brother needs to take care of Yecheng's affairs, so it's inevitable that he can't take care of some things. If... don't be angry with him."

Zhen Mi was taken aback for a moment, then Shuran couldn't help but secretly smiled wryly, not knowing how to answer.

Back then when the Yuan family was defeated and the city of Ye was destroyed, as a married woman, she had no intention of living in the world.But her mother-in-law, Mrs. Liu, told her that Cao Cao wanted her to marry Cao Pi, and only in this way could the Yuan family members be safe.At first, she didn't understand why Cao Cao would let her eldest son marry a married woman. Later, Cao Pi explained the political considerations in detail to her, and she gradually understood a thing or two.But he felt that he had wronged Cao Pi by marrying him.After they got married, although Cao Pi and her were not very affectionate, they could be regarded as respectful to each other. Mrs. Bian was a generous elder different from Mrs. Liu, and took good care of her.She originally thought that this life could end in such a peaceful way, until... Yuan Xi appeared.

She has passed twenty-eight years earlier, and she has long since dared not ask for the love of Guan Ju and Jian Jia.For her, the most important thing is responsibility, as a wife's responsibility - she can't leave with Yuan Xi willfully, nor can she sit and watch Yuan Xi's death.So she had no choice but to intercede for Yuan Xi at the risk of being blamed by Cao Pi.She knew that every word she said that day was unfair to Cao Pi, but when things got to this point, there was no other way except to disappoint one person.

How could she be angry with Cao Pi... From the beginning, she owed Cao Pi.Although she can't see through the treacherous political situation, she also knows that a wife like her will become more and more of a hindrance to Cao Pi in the future.She will bear the price for everything she has done, as long as Yuan Xi can leave safely.

Seeing a trace of determination in Zhen Mi's eyes, Cao Zhi suddenly had an extremely bad premonition, and just about to ask again, there were hurried footsteps outside the courtyard, and the guards who had been dismissed by Cao Zhi sensed something was wrong and rushed back .Zhen Mi hurriedly said to Cao Zhi: "Zijian, can you help me with something. I know I shouldn't involve you, but now... I can only ask you."

Cao Zhi nodded quickly: "Even if my sister-in-law says, Zhi will definitely do it."

The footsteps were getting closer, and Zhen Ji had no time to say anything more.She took out a silk note from her sleeve and stuffed it into Cao Zhi's hand: "Give this to Guo Jijiu for me, and make sure no one else knows!"

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, Zhi will definitely do it!"

As soon as Cao Zhi put away the note, the guard rushed in.The guard at the head said sharply: "Fourth Young Master, Second Young Master has orders, no one else is allowed to visit Madam, and please Young Master leave immediately!"

Cao Zhi comforted Zhen Mi with his eyes, then turned around and frowned and said, "Second brother is talking about someone else, Zhi and second brother have always had a deep relationship, so can they be considered someone else?!"

How many people in this mansion don't know about the heir dispute between the Fourth Young Master and the Second Young Master.The guard was thinking in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it, he could only repeat: "Young master please leave!"

Cao Zhi didn't really intend to stay at all. Seeing that the guards were very persistent, he also went down the donkey along the slope, made a look of regret, turned around and said softly to Zhen Mi: "Forget it, then Zhi Zhi will come to see his sister-in-law some other day. What does that poem mean?" , Zhi must go to everyone to seek solutions for his sister-in-law, and please rest assured her sister-in-law."

Zhen Mi heard the meaning of Cao Zhi's words, and her mind was settled, and said softly: "Then there will be fourth brother Lao."

Cao Zhi nodded, and was about to lift his foot to walk out of the courtyard, but the guard stretched out his hand to stop him: "Second Young Master ordered that anyone who enters or leaves this courtyard must be searched, Fourth Young Master, please forgive me."

"Ridiculous!" Cao Zhi was furious in an instant, "Who are you to search me?! I'm afraid you are not using the name of the second brother to pretend to be a tiger here! If you dare to touch me today, I will kill you immediately! "

Cao Zhi has always been gentle and humble to everyone, not to mention murder, he never said a serious word to his servants.So many people, such as this guard, have forgotten that Cao Zhi is Cao Cao's son anyway.How could the tiger father have dogs? Cao Zhi became angry at this time, and the aura on his body made the guards shudder, and they dared not say more.But the body search was indeed Cao Pi's order. If they did not follow the order, they would also be punished by Cao Pi.Caught in a dilemma, hesitated again and again, and when he was about to speak, Cao Zhi had already walked away.

"Ma'am..." The guard couldn't help but turn around and look at Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi said coldly: "Will you tell Zihuan about this matter, you can decide for yourself, don't ask me." She turned around shyly, avoiding the guard's sight, and secretly put her hand on her heart.

The news that Yuan Xi was imprisoned by Cao Pi was told by Guo Jia himself.She didn't know why this Guo Jijiu, who had only met a few times at the banquet, told her what the news was, but Guo Jia promised her at the time that as long as she did what he said, she would definitely help her get Yuan Xi away. rescued.

Perhaps, with the resourcefulness of this gentleman, he can really find a perfect solution.

She doesn't like to gamble on anything, but Guo Jia is her and Yuan Xi's last hope.

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When Jia Xu saw Guo Jia at the gate of Sikong Mansion, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Xu thought you had already left."

"Jia is going to Yecheng, so I have to come and say goodbye to the master first." Guo Jia walked up to Jia Xu and said, "Jia has just arrived, let's go in together."

Guo Jia told him that he would go to Yecheng first, but ten days ago, there was already time for saying goodbye.And Guo Jia is not a person who will look forward and backward in matters of business, so there must be a change in the situation, which made Guo Jia stay for another ten days...

Seeing Jia Xu's downcast eyes flickering, Guo Jia jokingly said, "You old fox, don't you always keep your ears to the outside world? Why are you so curious lately?" After a pause, he added, "But Seeing the lord in a while, maybe Wenhe is still as good as before."

"Oh?" Jia Xu turned her eyes slightly and asked tentatively, "Could it be..."

"Jia didn't say anything." Guo Jia said immediately, and then frowned slightly, "The situation is indeed more complicated than Jia thought, but Jia still doesn't know what's going on, so it's better to take it one step at a time... ..."

"You can't find a clue after searching for so many days, but Xu is getting more and more curious about who is behind everything."

The two chatted without saying a word, and they had already reached the meeting hall while talking.Looking into the hall, Cao Cao was sitting behind the desk looking at a volume of documents. The servant at the door was about to go in to report, but Guo Jia had already stepped through the threshold first.

"Duke Ming, Jia..."

Seeing Guo Jia suddenly stop there, Jia Xu was just confused, and when he saw the other person in the hall besides Cao Cao, he couldn't help but pause, a crack appeared on his usually calm face.

Sitting on the left side of the mat is a man in an ocher robe.He has a handsome face and a relaxed expression, which can be said to be a good-looking talent.But what really surprised Jia Xu was that this person's appearance was very similar to Guo Jia's.However, if you take a few more glances, you will find that the bridge of this person's nose is even taller, and the look in his eyes is very different from Guo Jia's. A thin layer of calluses can be seen on the tiger's mouth of the hand holding the teacup. , This is the trace left by handling weapons all the year round.Therefore, people like Jia Xu who are familiar with Guo Jia, although they may be surprised at first sight, will soon be able to distinguish the two.And those who have only met Guo Jia a few times, it is difficult to distinguish clearly.

Looking at the accessories on this person's waist, they seem to be from Xiliang.But Jia Xu never remembered that there was such a person in Xiliang.I couldn't help but think of Guo Jia's words on the road when Guo Jia advised him not to be too curious today, and a trace of suspicion flashed in my heart. Looking at Guo Jia's expression at this time, he seemed extremely surprised, but it was...too deliberate to be surprised.

The old fox rolled his eyes again and again, and when he finished bowing to Cao Cao, he had already thought of an excuse to say goodbye for a while.

"Feng Xiao and Wen He are here." Cao Cao put down the bamboo slips and looked up at Guo Jia.He saw Guo Jia looking at the person on the side seat with a delicate expression, and then turned his head to look at him.

Looking at each other, Cao Cao vaguely guessed something.

Cao Cao smiled secretly in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He opened his mouth to explain Guo Jia's confusion, "This is Kong Gui Kong Shulin, the captain of the cavalry, and the envoy of General Yang Qiu. He just returned to Xudu with Yuan Chang today."

"I've seen Supervisor Mufu and Dr. Jia." Kong Gui stood up and bowed slightly to Guo Jia.His voice was very gentle, not at all like the roughness of Xiliang people, "I heard Mr. Guo's name earlier, and I saw him today, and he is indeed very charming and extraordinary."

Guo Jia ignored Kong Gui, turned around and asked Cao Cao first, "Yuan Chang has arrived in Xudu? Why don't you see him coming to see the lord?"

Cao Cao said: "Yuan Chang encountered bandits fleeing on the way to Xu and was injured. Gu asked him to go back to the mansion to see a doctor. Before you came, Gu Zheng and Shu Lin were talking about this matter." The bamboo slips he was looking at were passed to Guo Jia, "This is a document sent by the station about this matter. For more detailed matters, Gu has already asked Shu Lin. Shu Lin, please tell Feng Xiao the detailed situation at that time again."

Kong Gui nodded, and calmly withdrew his bowing hand, completely unable to see the embarrassment of being ignored by Guo Jia.He waited quietly for Guo Jia to finish reading the documents, and said in a leisurely manner: "The incident happened at the junction of Yan and Hebei. At that time, everyone was very tired after walking for two days and two nights, so when the bandits came, The soldiers were unable to react in time, and the Captain Sili was injured. There were only 100 bandits in the gang. From the clothes of the beheaded bandits, Gui guessed that they might be the remnants of the Yellow Turbans who roamed the mountains, but unfortunately no one was left alive. .”

"Yuan Chang was injured and needs to recuperate, so who is in charge in the army during this time?"

Kong Gui's answer was still calm and steady: "The captain of Sili is still in charge, but some trivial matters will be handed over to the subordinate officers. It's a pity that Gui's talent is so poor that he can't help much." Kong Gui is Yang Qiu's man. If you are not an official of Zhong Yao, you will not have the opportunity to come into contact with affairs, let alone do anything in the army.When Kong Gui said this, he was trying to subtly remove his suspicion by using the reason that he didn't have any income.

After all, if there is no internal support in the army, how can it be so easy to encounter bandits who dare to attack the army.

On the other side, Cao Cao asked Jia Xu to sit down and asked him why he came.

"Reporting to my lord, I claim that this visit is for the court's discussion." Although Jia Xu has always only received his salary for the position of Taizhong doctor and did not do anything about it, when encountering some important matters, he still needs to report to him. Cao Cao reported, "But the matter is too complicated, and Xu may not be able to explain it clearly. It is better for Xu to write another document and submit it to the lord."

After finishing speaking, he raised his eyes slightly and pointed to the side with his eyes.

Cao Cao followed Jia Xu's gaze and glanced at Kong Gui who was telling Guo Jia the details.It is absolutely impossible for Jia Xu to come here to make a special trip to talk about the court, and it is absolutely useless to let people in Xiliang Yang Qiu hear it, it will indeed be risky.But according to common sense, when Jia Xu reported something, he would definitely let outsiders back down, so Jia Xu didn't need to worry at all.As for the old man's slurred speech, he knew it was an excuse when he heard it. When Jia Xu said this, it was probably because he had sensed something and didn't want to get involved in today's troubled waters, so he followed the words and found an excuse to resign.

Cao Cao also thought of Guo Jia's behavior of ignoring Kong Gui just now, and felt that Guo Jia and Jia Xu were both very strange today.And the reason for this seems to have something to do with Kong Gui.

Sure enough, after Jia Xu said these words, she was about to get up and leave.But at this moment, an eunuch from the Huang family came over from a distance, and when he saw Cao Cao, he smiled obsequiously: "There is a decree in the Holy Spirit, I don't know the prime minister..."

Cao Cao directly interrupted his words: "Your Majesty's will, I must be fully respectful." After finishing speaking, he got up and walked out from behind the case, bowing respectfully.

This Huangmen wanted to please Cao Cao and directly entrusted the imperial decree to Cao Cao's case, but before it was sold, it hit a hard nail.He could only lower his head in embarrassment, avoiding Cao Cao's sharp gaze, and read out the imperial decree:

"I heard that the ancestors established the dynasty and enshrined it with meritorious deeds to show the selflessness of the world, so that they can avoid the discussion of officials and virtuous people. The prime minister Zipi has little ambition. He has been in the army for a long time and has made great achievements. Today, the meritorious service of the prime minister to establish Jiangdong, In addition to being a general with five sense organs, he will be recorded as a deputy minister."

"My minister Cao Cao thanked His Majesty for His grace on behalf of the dog."

After Huangmen left, Guo Jia, who sat behind the case, smiled and said: "Your Majesty's reward this time is really happy."

Cao Cao put the imperial decree on the bamboo slips.The emperor's award to Cao Pi this time was expected, and he told the emperor how to award the reward after weighing it.It's just that he, like Guo Jia, thought that the emperor would deliberately delay for a few days, but he didn't expect that the imperial decree came very happily.

Thinking of the emperor in the palace, Cao Cao couldn't help sighing secretly.It's not that he doesn't know the subtlety of Xudu's situation after Jiangdong is pacified, but at this point, no matter which choice he chooses, he is no longer in his control.

At this time, Guo Jia said again: "However, Duke Ming has served His Majesty for more than ten years, and the sons have been in danger many times. Now, Duke Ming is only following his father, and none of the sons To enjoy the noble salary, I don't know how His Majesty can get the reputation of meritorious deeds."

Jia Xu frowned slightly.He felt something was wrong in Guo Jia's words, but he had already lost the chance to stay away from today's muddy water.

Cao Cao said in a joking tone: "Then I don't know what to do with this reward in the view of filial piety?"

"Since it's about merit and deeds, those young masters must enjoy the title of county marquis. And Ming Gong, Jia believes that at least he should be accompanied by a red robe and a crown, and he should be respected as a king."

The voice fell, and the hall suddenly fell silent.After a long time, Cao Cao opened his mouth slowly, his voice indistinguishable from emotion or anger: "Feng Xiao, has he forgotten the ancestral motto of the Han family that 'you cannot be called king unless you have a different surname, and the king will be attacked by the world'?"

Guo Jia smiled lightly, as if he didn't notice the gloomy look in Cao Cao's eyes, and there was a touch of mockery in his voice: "Er Yuan tied his hands, and Nantu returned. In today's world, who else can compete with Duke Ming? Even now Didn’t the Han family rely on Duke Ming to barely survive? Then why bother with those old clichés from a hundred years ago. Let alone the throne, it’s just..."

"Fengxiao!" Cao Cao snorted, "did you drink again when you came here today? Why are you talking drunk!"

Cao Cao deliberately told Guo Jia to shut up, but today Guo Jia seemed determined to puncture all the window paper.He stood up and walked to the center of the hall, insisting: "Jia is not drunk, but Ming Gong is drunk, and he cannot wake up from the dream of Han's loyal ministers. Since Huanling, the Han Daoling was late, and after Dong Zhuo entered Beijing Among the vassals of the Eighteenth Route, besides Duke Ming, who still has the Han family in mind? It wasn’t Duke Ming who worked so hard to save the little emperor to Xudu. As a result, those pedantic ministers in the court all regarded Duke Ming as their leader. The treacherous ministers, even His Majesty, don’t know what is good or bad, they listen to those villains repeatedly, and even want to harm Duke Ming. The world is home to the virtuous, and it is Duke Ming who makes the Han officials rich and rich, and it is Duke Ming who saves the people from the torment of war. Minggong, the power of the Han family has long been exhausted. Since the people of the world have long since regarded Minggong as a Han subject, Minggong might as well obey their wishes and change the Han family’s destiny, what shame is there?!"

Cao Cao jumped up against the case and said angrily: "Guo Fengxiao, did I treat you too tolerantly in the past, making you dare to say such outrageous things!"

"Ming Gong..."

"Say one more word, and you will be punished in isolation!"

Guo Jia bit her lower lip, as if she had used great strength to swallow the words reluctantly.

"But Jia was wronged for Duke Ming."

Cao Cao was taken aback, and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Jia Xu on the side drank the tea in the cup silently.Now, he regretted not being able to leave early, and it was worth it to stay here and watch this good show, even if it caused some trouble.The two people in this play have the same heart, even if they didn't discuss it in advance, they cooperated very tacitly.In this tepid scene, the only ones who can deceive, and those who want to deceive, are probably newcomers to Xudu who don't know much about Guo Jia.

Seeing Jia Xu looking over, Kong Gui nodded slightly.There was always a just right smile on the corner of his lips, and his face was calm as if he ignored the ongoing quarrel.His indifference and gentleness are like a thick layer of mist, carefully enveloping his true emotions, making it impossible for anyone to see into his heart.

Jia Xu had never heard of Kong Gui, but he knew Yang Qiu.A person like Kong Gui would not be willing to work for someone like Yang Qiu.

Here, Cao Cao seemed to be moved by Guo Jia's last words, and he was silent for a long time, sighed deeply, and said, "Feng Xiao came to see Gu today, why?"

"...There are some matters in Yecheng that need to be dealt with by Jia in advance, so I came here to bid farewell to Duke Ming."

"That's good, you should leave as soon as possible. And..." Cao Cao paused, but he still couldn't get out the words to reprimand Guo Jia, "Forget it, I'll talk to you when I return to Yecheng alone."

Guo Jia wanted to say something more, but seeing Cao Cao's calm face, he could only salute hastily and turned away.

Cao Cao sighed again, and turned to look at the rest of the people in the hall.It doesn't matter whether Jia Xu heard what Guo Jia said just now, but Kong Gui...

"Prime Minister, don't worry." Kong Gui is very considerate, "It's nothing more than some fermented wine. When Gui came to Xudu this time, he also brought a few jars of good wine from Xiliang. The prime minister is angry."

Cao Cao was slightly surprised.

"Gui only remembers drunk and non-drunk." Kong Gui blinked at Cao Cao, wondering, "Didn't the Prime Minister and Mr. Guo just talk about wine?"

Cao Cao was taken aback for a moment, then understood, and couldn't help laughing: "Good job, Kong Shulin! I'm so lonely that I really can't bear to let you go back to Yang Qiu. How about this, I will go back to Yecheng with Gu in a few days."

There was still a gentle and submissive smile on Kong Gui's lips, as if everything had been carefully calculated.He bowed down, raised his bowing hand, concealed the faint mockery and disdain in his eyes, and said, "Gui leads the order."