[Three Kingdoms] Carnival

The moon is in the sky and the night is bright. In the garden of Cao Mansion, which has been carefully pruned and cultivated, the crabapple blooms in late autumn. Beside the stone table, a man in a crow blue robe sits facing the moon, and the fallen petals are all over the table. A few petals are soaked in the colorless and transparent wine of Sangluo wine, dyed a few bright colors.

The originally sharp-edged face with sword-browed and star-eyed eyes softens under the dense night. As long as you ignore the hands that are clenched so tightly that they are almost bursting out, everything can be painted.

Cao Cao has been waiting for Guo Jia here for nearly an hour.

From faint anticipation to full of anger, and now that he was unable to express his anger, Cao Cao took a last look at the bright moon that had risen into the hollow, and then calmly suppressed his emotions as much as possible to call the servants to take the wine back.

Unexpectedly, dare to let the lonely pigeon...

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes dangerously, watching the servants busy, while thinking about how to make such a presumptuous person compensate him for the first hour of waiting for others today for the first time.However, involuntarily, his gaze gradually moved away. In that delusion, on the empty stone bench opposite, there was a man in a green shirt like a bamboo, holding the bronze cup with his slender and slender fingers, his wine-colored eyes were hazy but radiant. overflow color.

Dazed for a moment, Cao Cao suddenly felt a little uneasy.It seems that someone from Zeng Yi came late, not because of breaking the appointment, nor for other reasons, but...

According to Wen Ruo, Guo Jia's health is not good.

"Get the carriage ready, take this altar of wine, and go to the Guo Mansion alone." Without thinking, Cao Cao ordered.

"But, my lord, the curfew has passed..."

Cao Cao glanced at him, the housekeeper shut his mouth awkwardly, and turned to make arrangements.But at this time, listening to the rustling sound from the Begonia bushes, the man in the green shirt came late, and the one who arrived before the others was a voice with a smile:

"This curfew rule was set by Duke Ming. Jiabuli's curfew is fine. If Duke Ming violates it openly, it's not good." Then, the slender and slender fingers deftly grabbed the bronze medal in Cao Cao's hand, and put it in The clear liquid stained with the scent of flowers was drank in one gulp, his black eyes shone slightly, "It's really good wine."

"...Fong Xiao, tonight you—"

"In the bright moonlight, why is Duke Ming so disappointed in the wine?" Guo Jia, who had already consciously sat on the stone bench opposite, poured himself another glass of wine, picked up the bronze jue and made a respectful respect to Cao Cao, and drank it all again.

Therefore, Cao Cao's original intention of blaming was blocked in his throat. After a long silence, he could only sigh secretly, telling himself that it was true, there was no need to disappoint.

But I don't know if it was because of the arrival of the person that the restless heart finally settled down.

The removed sweet-scented osmanthus glutinous rice cakes and several other dishes of melons and fruits were placed back on the stone table, but these carefully crafted items were just dispensable tasteless ribs for the two lovers of wine.After a while, as the drunkenness gradually increased, the atmosphere also eased. Cao Cao's frowning brows also relaxed after watching people narrow their eyes comfortably after drinking, and a little smile appeared on his lips. meaning.

"Feng Xiao, Gu once listened to Wen Ruoyan, did you ever want to become an official?"

"Indeed." Guo Jia said, "Jia's nature is lazy, and he is too tired to deal with the worldly affairs, so he really has little interest in fame and fortune. All he wants in life is a few cups of dirty wine, the bright moon as his companion, cooking smoke as his friend, and spending time in the countryside. land, free and easy in the world."

The leisure and ease in those clear eyes is really intoxicating, but for Cao Cao, who is entangled with the common people in the mountains and rivers, it is just a momentary wish while talking and laughing, or it is a vision after the world is peaceful in the future.Playing with the bronze jue in his hand, he asked again: "Since this is the case, how did you change your mind after Fengxiao?"

"I don't know if Duke Ming has ever heard Wen Ruo say that Jia went to Bashu with Gongda, and then traveled around the world for a few years? His life is in dire straits. In this chaotic world, even if Jia wants to avoid the wind and rain alone, after all, his heart is calm. Can't come down.

Perhaps Jia's power is very small, but if he can help the world to be peaceful sooner, then more people will be able to see the world of peace in their lifetime. "

"However, as a filial piety, you should know that things in this world will be divided for a long time, and they will be united for a long time. Even if you don't do anything, this troubled world will eventually pass."

The words came out subconsciously, and Cao Cao was taken aback again.These words were not originally his intention to devote himself to the community, but when facing people, he followed the trend like this.

It's as if someone once summed up the people who died in the troubled times as "but" lightly.

Guo Jia didn't miss Cao Cao's stupefaction for a moment after he spoke, his wine-colored eyes flashed a little light, he straightened up slightly, and touched the branch of Tanghua that came from behind, the blood-colored petals immediately scattered, A little fell on the people's green shirt.

"It turns out that Duke Ming's memory is much better than Jia expected."

"What did you say, Feng Xiao?"

"It's nothing." Guo Jia smiled lightly and shook her head, covering up what she had just muttered just now, and brought up the topic just now.

"When Jia traveled to the Xiangnan area, it was the time when the epidemic was at its worst. Looking around, there were already emaciated corpses and dying people all over the place. Changing children to eat, killing wives to feed mothers and children... mentioned in the past It's a shocking thing, but in this troubled world, I'm used to it.

Coincidentally, Jiana also brought some medicinal materials and food with him, which could save some people.Those women and children with babies in their arms are crying and willing to pay with their lives, just to save the flesh and blood in their arms; those old people who are very old would rather commit suicide than drag their sons who are in their prime... Jia is just saving One person, they fell to their knees, almost grateful...

Minggong, if those people are really just numbers on the battle report, then why in this world would there be people who are saddened by their death and overjoyed by their survival?

If Jia had the ability, even if he could save one more person a moment earlier, it might not make any difference in this world, but for that family, it would be the greatest blessing. "

Guo Jia narrated slowly, and Cao Cao listened silently.When he heard those appalling but deplorable things, he also frowned and his eyes became more determined.

"And..." Taking the thoughts in Cao Cao's firm eyes into his heart, Guo Jia filled Cao Cao's wine glass with clear liquid, and then raised his glass to others, "Wen Ruo, Gong Da, Zhi Cai...they are all willing to stay Here at Duke Ming, so Jia, naturally wants to take a look——

Minggong will return the world to the heaven and earth, and finally will paint a magnificent picture of the prosperous age. "

Then, the bronze ware was bumped lightly, and it was so rare to be lucky to meet a confidant, and they all entered the bosom with the wine, which was really refreshing and refreshing.

Although there are still doubts in my heart, I am a little sure.Finally, after Cao Cao put down his wine glass, he asked, "Feng Xiao, have you ever been in Yangdi, Yingchuan—"

"By the way, Duke Ming. Jia wants to use that octopus guard to kill someone. I wonder what Duke Ming will do?"

Guo Jia didn't seem to hear Cao Cao's words, and interrupted Cao Cao before he finished speaking.Cao Cao saw that although his face was drunk, he looked serious. Knowing that he was going to talk about business, he also looked serious and said:

"The establishment of the octopus guard was not only for information... but, who is Feng Xiao going to kill?"

"This person is the county lieutenant Wang Yi. He colluded with bandits, corrupted the law, and had a lot of influence. However, he made good friends with many people in Yanzhou. Do it, I'm afraid it will be a little troublesome."

"Since you are greedy, there is no trouble." Cao Cao said in a deep voice, "It just so happens that Guzheng needs someone to act as a raft to rectify Yanzhou officials. For this person, Feng Xiao does not need to use the octopus guards."

"Jia understands." Guo Jia nodded.Since Cao Cao has already made plans, there is no need to persuade him.

"It's just, Duke Ming, if you want to deal with this matter in this way, there will be two more people who will be killed..." Guo Jia handed a wooden card with the back side up to Cao Cao.This unique sandalwood board, with the names written on it, are those who should be paid special attention to among the octopus guards.

"Zhang Miao?" Seeing the name on the wooden sign, Cao Cao frowned and said immediately, "Feng Xiao, Meng Zhuo is an upright person, and even a lonely friend. How can you..."

"Duke Ming, Wang Yi and Zhang Miao have been friends for many years. Besides, if Duke Ming moves Wang Yi, the other officials in Yanzhou will definitely be intimidated. Only with the exception of Zhang Miao can Yanzhou be completely stable."

After saying this, Guo Jia fell silent, waiting for Cao Cao's final decision.Cao Cao held the wooden card tightly in his palm, and his fingers stroked the indentations on it over and over again, until the wooden card became warm in the night wind, before he heard him say in a deep voice:

"Meng Zhuo and Gu are life-and-death friends. It must be inappropriate to speculate just because of this point... Feng Xiao will not mention this matter for the time being."

Guo Jia knew that Cao Cao and Zhang Miao had been friends for nearly ten years. Yuan Shao asked Cao Cao to kill Zhang Miao, but Cao Cao never listened to him. Before attacking Tao Qian, he even entrusted his family to him.Therefore, the possibility of Cao Cao killing him at this time is indeed very slim.

However, in this world, people's hearts are the most unpredictable.It is not common to be able to rely on life and death at the time of life and death, but to turn against each other at the time of wealth and honor.

"Feng Xiao, besides these two, there is another person, who is it?"

After a pause, Guo Jia took out the last wooden card from his sleeve and slowly handed it to Cao Cao.And when Cao Cao saw the name above, his expression was even more startled than when he saw the word "Zhang Miao" just now.

The person on the wooden sign is the person who followed Cao Cao in the early days and lobbied for Cao Cao to occupy this Yanzhou.

Chen Gong, Chen Gongtai.

Guo Jiacai left Cao's mansion when the east was turning white. He was still wearing the black sable fur that Cao Cao rewarded him because he thought Ye Han didn't know how to wear more.

"Are you back from Xiliang?"

Guo Jia was slightly taken aback when he saw Gan Jiu waiting at the door of the Cao Mansion in a carriage.Gan Jiu silently helped Guo Jia into the carriage, and then said in a cold voice, "I just arrived in Puyang last night." What he didn't say was that, as soon as he arrived in Puyang, he rushed to Guo's residence in a hurry. But was told that Guo Jia was not in the house.

The momentary disappointment made him speak coldly to Guo Jia who had been waiting for nearly midnight.

Guo Jia went to Bashu with Xun You at the beginning, and later traveled to various places. He didn't even bring Xi Wu, who always accompanied him, but brought Gan Jiu, who was only 11 years old at the time.After he returned to Yingchuan, he asked Gan Jiu to go to Xiliang for training.A boy who has grown up through the wind and rain, his childishness has long since faded away completely. Although he is not yet crowned, his brows have already matured like an adult.

However, what made Guo Jia especially upset was that after this training, although the young wolf was good at his skills, it was a pity that his vicious and cold personality hadn't changed at all, and it was getting stronger and stronger.

"Cao Cao, do you want to kill Zhang Miao and Chen Gong?"

Guo Jia had someone make a separate copy of everything about the guard and gave it to Gan Jiu, so Gan Jiu didn't surprise him when he knew about it.Guo Jia shook his head, and said helplessly, "I'm a close friend, and I'm just guessing here, how could my lord agree to do it?"

"Really," Gan Jiu said, with a slightly mocking and gloating tone, "Then, I'm afraid his Yanzhou will never be stable."

"My lord doesn't kill me, I just care about the old relationship. However, some people don't deserve this trust... Anyway, since Yanzhou is going to be rectified, it's better to make a big mess and use their hands to break it down and then rebuild it." Said After finishing, Guo Jia regretted again, "It's a pity, this time I sent troops to Xuzhou, and I can only return with regret. I don't know when Tao Qian's life will be taken down."

"Tao Qian..." Gan Jiu narrowed his eyes like a wolf, and said, "After these two battles, he was frightened. His life may not last long."

Guo Jia paused for a moment when he heard this, and immediately understood what he meant, with a smile on the corner of his lips: "You can give it a try. If Tao Qian can be sent to heaven earlier, this Xuzhou might still be able to swallow it." .”

Following the words of the two, the carriage rumbled away, riding on the warmth brought by the newly promoted Dong Jun.

In the fourth year of Chuping, when the millet was just accepted at the end of Xia, Cao Cao led an army to attack Xuzhou again.With the combat experience of the previous year, the trained Qingzhou soldiers became more and more courageous, and within two months they reached the East China Sea. Tao Qian was frightened and begged for peace. Tell Cao Cao that there are no soldiers in Xuzhou who can compete with Cao Cao's army.

However, when another great victory was achieved, news came from Yanzhou.Lu Bu took advantage of Cao Cao's army to attack Xuzhou, and Yanzhou was empty, so he led the old troops who fled Luoyang with him to unite with the people of Yanzhou and captured Yanzhou.Now, except for Zhencheng, Fanxian and Dong'e who are still standing firm, all other places have fallen.

The most ironic thing is that the one who welcomed Lv Bu into Yanzhou was the guard of Chen Gong in Dongjun, and Zhang Miao also surrendered to Lv Bu shortly thereafter.

People's hearts are changeable, but I don't know whether it is because of different ways and conspiracy, or the gradually expanding ambition.

Yanzhou is Cao Cao's rear, and there must be no loss.And when Cao Cao walked into the camp anxiously, he saw Guo Jia sitting calmly behind the desk, with the route back to the army drawn on a cowhide map in front of him.

"Ming Gong, don't worry, this Yanzhou, wait for us to fight back slowly."