The Three Kingdoms of the Widow

Cai Mao and Cao Cao were classmates.

To be precise, it is a small hair.

At the beginning, we fought eagles and horses together, and passed the age of youth and frivolity.

After Cao Cao took over Jingzhou, Cai Mao felt that his thigh hug was right, so he invited Cao Cao to his house as a guest. The guest was not enough, and he also invited Cao Cao to the back hall to meet his wife.

Cao Cao was very face-saving, and shared with him the memories of classmate Qia's childhood as a jerk, and praised his beautiful home and his wife.

After Cao Cao left, Cai Hao felt very proud. He felt that his actions highlighted the unusual relationship between him and Cao Cao. Now everyone would treat him differently, and Cao Cao would also grant him a high official position.

But as full as the ideal is, the reality is as skinny as it is.Everyone looked down on him, even laughed at him.Someone said: "Who doesn't know Cao Cheng's enthusiasm for married women? I heard that Cai Mao asked Cao Cheng to meet his wife. What's going on here... Some people brought up the battle of Wancheng again to talk about it: Zhang Xiu is good or bad." Still a little bit of backbone, even refused to recognize his uncle's cuckold, Cai Mao... Tsk tsk.In the end, the rumors turned into gambling, and everyone was asking whether Prime Minister Cao would let Cai Mao become a high-ranking official.If Prime Minister Cao appointed Cai Mao as General of the Four Expeditions, then his wife would have "dedicated herself heroically".

So Cai Mao is really brainless. This move not only failed to improve his prestige, but also took his wife's reputation into it.

Cai Hao was so angry that he couldn't get angry, so he waited for Cao Cao to make him a high official. At least, he felt that he was sure to win the water army. Cao Cao needed his experience in leading the water army. When he led the water army to make achievements, By then, hum!Let gossip go to hell!

But after Cao Cao's official appointment, Cai Mao was dumbfounded: Cai Mao was appointed Zhonglang and Sima Changshui Xiaowei, and he was named Hanyang Tinghou.The letter of appointment did not mention anything about the navy.Cai Mao was restless and sent someone to inquire, and the report said that the navy had indeed arranged for people. The front army is still unknown, and it may be led by Cao Cao himself, and the rear army is in charge of Lu Qian.

Cai Mao was not reconciled, he wondered what Lu Qian was!So he went to see Kuai Yue, and asked Kuai Yue to give him an idea.But unexpectedly, when he came to Kuai Yue's house, Kuai Yue didn't see him at all, Cai Mao became even more angry, and simply scolded Kuai Yue at the front door for having no faith and being a villain.While scolding, the small door opened and several young servants came out. The leader deliberately pretended not to know Cai Mao: "Who are you? How dare you come to Kuai Mansion to fight! Fu said: "If you don't like Jingzhou, you like to get a different degree." It doesn't seem like there is someone but relying on the strength of a woman, it is useless to be a human!"

Cai Mao was so angry that he knew that Kuai Yue would not help him anymore, and Kuai Yue helped him before, not because he was good enough, but because of his power. In fact, Kuai Yue, no, not just Kuai Yue, all civil servants and military generals in Jingzhou, probably always looked down on him in his heart, but he didn't show it.Really, why couldn't I see it before?

When Cao Cao heard what Kuai Yue said about Cai Mao's daytime affairs, he waved his hand impatiently and asked someone to tell Cai Mao to go back to Xu Du to take care of the elderly and stop causing trouble here!

Kuai Yue returned triumphantly and told his third brother Kuai Qi.Kuai Qi didn't say anything at the time, but when he returned home at night, he told his wife everything. His wife nodded and said, "As expected in my brother Kong Ming's letter, Mao's villainous face must be given to others. Uncle is very powerful. , must not tolerate Mao, so you can use the power of uncle to demote Mao, and also avenge the former master Jing Shenggong and Jingzhou."

Kuai Qi bowed to the ground: "Madam's words are true. The former master's heroic spirit is still alive, and see today's sycophant end!"

Cai Mao went to Xudu.

Cao Pi had already received the news, and after much deliberation, he was in a dilemma, so he came to Sima Yi.

"In Zhou Yu's letter, it seems that he has no intention of accepting Cai Mao. The left and right sentences are all ridiculing Cai Mao. So even if Cai Mao wants to rebel, it seems that Zhou Yu has no intention of accepting him."

Sima Yi looked at the letter in his hand: "The letter may not be true."

"I've thought about this. But after thinking about it, I can't think of the meaning of Zhou Yu's fraud on this matter. Cai Mao has only idle jobs now and cannot be reused. The father will lead the troops to fight against Zhou Yu's navy. If Cai Mao leads the army or It’s fine to stay in Jingzhou to give advice, but he returned to Xudu and has nothing to do with the frontline war, why should Zhou Yu bother to kill this person?”

"It's not necessarily false."

"Zhongda, I don't understand what you said... Is it true or not?"

"I don't doubt that this letter was written by Zhou Yu... I should not be mistaken. What I doubt is whether Zhou Yu wrote this letter on his own initiative? Don't forget, now, beside Zhou Yu, there is another Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu Although he is not involved in the affairs of Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang has a lot to do with the affairs of Jingzhou."

"Makes sense."

"But it cannot be said that this letter is fake. Cai Mao was not reused by the prime minister, and it is said that he complained quite a lot. It is not impossible to say that he regretted surrendering to the prime minister. Besides, even if it is Zhuge Liang, he will definitely be able to work Zhou Yu to do it for him. Is this kind of thing of no obvious benefit to Jiangdong? Even if Zhuge Liang can persuade Zhou Yu to write this letter for her, is Zhuge Liang worth the trouble for a worthless Cai Mao? It was an accident that Cai Mao left Jingzhou, and it was randomly ordered by the prime minister How could Zhuge Liang calculate in advance that Cai Mao would return to Xudu at this time, and arrange for someone to prepare letters here for us to catch? And if this is Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu's plan, in order to make the plan more like a little bit more evidence For one thing, why not simply forge Cai Mao’s letter of surrender to Zhou Yu, and use Zhou Yu’s letter instead?”

Cao Pi thought for a long time: "Then...according to Zhongda's opinion, how to deal with this matter?"

"This matter... Wait, why are you asking me about this matter! Aren't you going to ask Ji Zhong and the others!" Sima Yi suddenly realized that his overtime was not worth it.

Cao Pi scratched his head: "This... don't ask them, because I'm afraid that if they go out, it will spread the matter. Now Cai Hao may or may not rebel. I want to hear your opinion first... "

"Then what do you think should be done?" Sima Yi asked back.

"When he gets to Xudu, find someone to look after him and keep an eye on him."

"It's useless, and it's not worth it." Sima Yi categorically vetoed it, "If he really turned his back on him, and he didn't see Zhou Yu's reply when he arrived in Xudu, he would naturally understand that things have changed. When the prime minister left, the meaning was very clear, you are responsible for half of the important task of guarding Xudu. If he does not rebel, the manpower for surveillance will be wasted in vain, and the price will not be worth it."

"Then Zhongda, what do you mean..."

"Anyway, Cai Hao is useless. It seems that the Prime Minister is also annoying him. Why don't we use means to get rid of him secretly and tell the outside world that he died of illness once and for all without leaving any traces. Isn't it good?"

"This..." Cao Pi was a little embarrassed, "There is no evidence, and the minister is killed, this..."

"Hmph," Sima Yi sneered, "The Prime Minister killed Kong Rong in July, and he was charged with 'unfilial piety'. Excuse me, does the Prime Minister have any evidence of Kong Rong's unfilial piety? Don't tell me what Kong Rong said, drunk People say they kill people, can they be convicted because of this?"

After Cai Mao arrived in Xudu, Cao Pi personally went to comfort him. Cai Mao was very moved. Cao Pi said that you and my father had a very good personal relationship. I used it, so I went back.

But soon Cai Mao felt unwell, and invited a medical officer to come, saying that the climate was not acclimatized from the south to the north, so he prescribed a prescription to treat it.Many ministers heard that Cao Pi had visited Cai Mao, so they rushed to express their condolences, and some sent tonics such as ginseng and deer antler for Cai Mao to use.

Cai Mao took a lot of medicine and supplements, but his illness became worse day by day.After less than two months of delay, people went very flatly.

On the day of Cai Mao's death, Cao Pi symbolically went to condolences to the family, and when he returned to Sikong Mansion, he saw Xun Yu standing in the yard unexpectedly.

"Xun... Xun Lingjun..." Cao Pi felt a little guilty about Cai Mao's death. Facing Xun Yu, his eyes were also averted. He vaguely remembered that Wu Zhi had told him that many officials had visited Cai Mao, but Xun Yu hadn't. Go, don't even send someone to express.

Xun Yu didn't even look at Cao Pi, he slightly raised his head to look at the sky, and after a while he said, "If Feng Xiao is here, why is it so?"

Before Cao Pi understood what Xun Yu meant, Xun Yu had already walked out the door.

Cao Pi touched his nose guiltily.

Zhuge Liang bid farewell to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu smiled and said that you were either saying goodbye or asking for leave, and you will have to come back soon.

Zhuge Liang was noncommittal: I know I have to come back, I am the hostage, although I think this hostage is unnecessary.

Zhou Yu knew that Zhuge Liang was going back to rectify the army, and Xu Shu left. Liu Bei wrote a letter every day: When will you come back from vacation?Zhuge Liang suddenly returned to his college days when he watched it. As soon as July or December entered, his parents sent a text message every day asking when you would go home?

As soon as Zhuge Liang left, Lu Meng came to see Zhou Yu: "General, my lord beat the drums to gather the generals."

Here comes the opportunity that Zhuge Liang said "needs his statement in a formal occasion as a catalyst". Zhou Yu smiled lightly: "Xiaoqiao, help me change my clothes."

Zhou Yu went to the hall in uniform and shocked everyone.

Zhou Yu took off the sword at his waist and handed it to the servant next to him. Sun Quan waved his hand: "Gongjin, there is no need to be polite. Gu Shicai discussed with everyone about Cao Cao leading the troops here, and was about to ask Gongjin for advice."

Zhou Yu stepped forward and saluted: "My lord, how about the discussion just now?"

"Inconclusive."

"If there is no conclusion, there must be controversy?"

"Zibu and others were arguing with everyone just now."

After hearing this, Zhou Yu walked up to Zhang Zhao in a few steps, without saluting, "So, I would like to hear a good opinion."

Seeing Zhou Yu's attire and attitude today, Zhang Zhao was somewhat surprised. Zhou Gongjin, who was always modest in the past, was uncharacteristically fierce today.But Zhang Zhao didn't care. He has been a veteran of three dynasties, and his seniority is always a bit emboldened, so he unhurriedly repeated his attitude: Cao Cao has an edict from the emperor; Cao Cao has hundreds of thousands of troops; All the way, the morale of the triumphant song is booming; Cao Cao treats the surrender preferentially but treats the opponent harshly...

"A pedantic opinion!" Zhou Yu's words confirmed Zhang Zhao's character.

"I thought Mr. Zhang must have felt something when he learned Kong Ming's words. I didn't want Mr. Zhang to be so circuitous!" Zhou Yu showed a heartbroken expression. If you want to punish Cao Cao, why is there no edict from the emperor! Everyone in the world knows that the edict of the emperor held by Cao Cao is false! Such an edict does not have to be obeyed! Those who obey Cao Cao must obey Cao, not Han. This is an act of treason! This is not good! Although there are hundreds of thousands of troops, most of them are generals who surrendered from Jingzhou, and they probably brought no more than a hundred thousand troops. The number of fighters who can fight is only [-]! This is disadvantageous! Before the operation, the morale was high, and there was no defeat. This is the time when the three are exhausted, and it is appropriate to lose! How can an arrogant army win! Three disadvantages! In addition, being good at land warfare is not good at water warfare, but this time, you will abandon your strengths and take advantage of your weaknesses, and use boats and boats to compete with our southern army. This is disadvantage four! Many people in the north are unacceptable to the soil and water, and they will inevitably suffer from diseases in the south. , there are fewer soldiers capable of fighting, and this is five disadvantages! There are five disadvantages, but none of them. You still only need to surrender, but it is for personal fame and fortune! What Zhang Gong said just now, I am afraid that only the last sentence is true.—— —Cao treats those who surrender preferentially, everyone can surrender Cao, have you ever thought about Jiangdong!"

Zhang Zhao didn't panic when he heard Zhou Yu's upright and strict words, and he twitched his beard calmly: "Gong Jin doesn't have to be so indignant. He said that we are only serving civil servants for himself, and military generals may not think so. How many people want to win fame through this battle, compared to Zhao How smart is it to wait?"

Cheng Pu, Huang Gai and others were angry when they heard what Zhang Zhao said, and someone wanted to stand up, but was held down by the people next to him.

After hearing this, Zhou Yu sneered and said, "Zibu's words are heartbreaking. Those who Yu despises are those who harm the country for their own sake. I'm afraid all civil servants are like Zibu. Zibu's words are deliberate slander. Others still create gaps between Jiangdong's officials? As for the general who wants to fight, even if he has personal desires, Yu only asks whether his actions are beneficial to Jiangdong! Anyone who is self-interested and beneficial to Jiangdong can be used! Like Zibu, who only seeks personal gain, but puts the lord, But where will Jiangdong be placed!"

There was no sound at all.

Sun Quan said in the seat: "Can Gongjin fight Cao Jun?"

Zhou Yu bowed to the ground: "Yu only needs 5 horses, please break the cao for my lord!"

"Gong Jin's words are very strong!" Sun Quan jumped up against the case, drew his sword, and cut off the corners of several cases, "I have decided my loneliness, and I will fight Cao Jun in the future! If there is another word to surrender Cao, it will be the same as this case! "

No one dared to speak anymore.

"From now on, order Zhou Yu to be the governor of the left, Cheng Pu to be the governor of the right, and Lu Su to be the lieutenant of the Zan Army, and to take charge of the marching of the army!"

"Yes!"

It was getting late, and Sun Quan was sighing in the courtyard.

In fact, he was quite disturbed. Although he threw out big words in front of so many people during the day, he was provoked. Zhou Yu clearly linked the "surrender view" of Zhang Zhao and others with "not putting the lord first". I can't help but support those main fighters.Having said that, it doesn't mean that he is really not afraid of Cao Cao's army; Mrs. Wu also fell ill a while ago, and it seems that she will stay in bed for a few months at best; Zhou Yu refused to enter the mansion unless he was ordered in private. Even when they met, they were very talkative and had nothing to say.

The maid beside Mrs. Wu walked by with a basin of water, and Sun Quan stopped her: "How is mother?"

The maid replied respectfully: "Better than the daytime spirit, Zhou Dudu is serving in person."

Sun Quan was very surprised by this answer: "Gongjin is in the inner house?"

"Yes."

So Sun Quan hurried to the back to see his mother, stopped at the door, and looked in through the curtain of the door.

Sure enough, Zhou Yu was dressed in pea-green three waffles, with her hair tied up, and was kneeling beside Madam Wu's couch to serve soup and medicine.

"Yu'er...mother, I'm sorry..." Madam Wu finished her medicine, looked at Zhou Yu, and couldn't help crying.

Zhou Yu grabbed Mrs. Wu's outstretched hand, and her eyes were also red: "Mother, stop talking, take care of yourself, Yu will regret it if he doesn't serve for a long time."

"How does Zhongmou treat you now?"

Zhou Yu was silent for a long time: "There are many ministers who have won."

"The military power...has he returned it to you? A few days ago...he just talked about it, Yu'er, don't hate him, he also..."

"Yu hasn't hated the lord for a day, mother, don't worry." Zhou Yu comforted in a low voice.

"That's good... that's good..." Madam Wu's eyes were filled with tears again.

Zhou Yu also turned away, as if wiping away tears.

Sun Quan felt sad when he heard it outside, and wanted to go in immediately, but held back.

Suddenly, there was a strange voice, Mrs. Wu said a little uneasy: "Yu'er, what's wrong?"

"It's all right, don't worry, mother." Zhou Yu said obviously restrained.

Sun Quan was a little puzzled, so he stretched out his hand to open the curtain and was about to go in, when suddenly someone rushed out from behind the curtain in the room, pushed Zhou Yu down, screamed, grabbed Zhou Yu and beat him.There was a sudden chaos in the house.

When Sun Quan came into the room, he saw clearly that it was his own sister, Mrs. Sun, and the maidservants on the left and right did not dare to go forward. Mrs. Wu had tears in her eyes and tried to stop her, but Mrs. Sun didn't listen at all, and only knew how to beat Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yu also If you don't fight back, let her beat you.Sun Quan was furious: "Quickly pull them away!"

Only then did the servant girl boldly step forward to separate the two.

Sun Quan's face darkened: "I told you to keep an eye on her, but why did you let her come and go in and out of the inner house casually! Why don't you drag her back to the room!"

Sun Xiaomei was dragged away in the hysteria of "Zhou Yu, you have bad intentions", "Damn you" and "Kill you". Only then did Sun Quan care to look at Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu's clothes were messed up and her hair was also loose, but her face was full. Calm, simply gathered up his clothes, pulled his hair back, and still did not forget to salute to Sun Quan, and then together with Sun Quan, comforted Madam Wu to lie down, helped Madam Wu to calm down, then took her leave and left the inner house.

Sun Quan held Zhou Yu's hand, turned back to his residence, and sent all the servants away. While hesitating, Sun Quan said, "Gong Jin, little sister..."

"Little sister lost her composure for a while, please don't take it to heart, my lord."

"Oh? Oh... just don't blame her."

"Yu has something important to report to the lord."

"Gongjin, tell me."

"My lord still has doubts about fighting against Cao?"

"Well... Cao Cao is powerful after all..."

"No. You might as well do the math for your lord: Cao Cao's headquarters are only [-] to [-] people, and they are too exhausted to use after a long journey. Cao Cao doesn't trust him, and he can't be reused. Although Cao Cao has a large number of people, there is no reason to be afraid that we can defeat him as long as we have [-] elite soldiers. My lord, you don't have to worry about it."

After hearing this, Sun Quan nodded repeatedly. He hugged Zhou Yu and said sincerely: "There are some things I wanted to say during the day: Zhang Zhao and others only think about themselves. Although they are my teachers, they really let me down. Still It’s God’s will to have you and Zijing help me! Now you say that 5 people can break the cao, I believe it, but I really don’t have 5 people now, but all the [-] elite soldiers I have selected are all yours! Ships! There are also food, grass and all kinds of war equipment. If you need anything else, just tell them and I will let them prepare immediately. You, Demou and Zijing are ready to go at any time, and all the horse-buoyant troops are dispatched by you! I will continue to dispatch soldiers, food and grass, Be your backup. You can defeat Cao Cao in one battle, of course it is good; if you encounter setbacks, don’t worry, don’t you still have me? Come back to me, and I will personally fight Cao Cao!”

Zhou Yu leaned on Sun Quan's shoulder and said softly to him, "Since my lord has made all preparations, Yu should do my best. There is only one more thing: Yu may offend the lord, and she still wants to ask for forgiveness from the lord."

"What's the matter?" Sun Quan was very curious.

"It's just—" Before Zhou Yu finished speaking, he suddenly pushed Sun Quan away, held onto the cabinet next to the scrolls, and vomited.

Sun Quan turned pale with shock, rushed forward to hug Zhou Yu, and asked repeatedly: "What's the matter? Gong Jin, what's the matter with you? Come on! Call the medical officer!"

Sun Quan had a farewell party for Zhou Yu and others the next day, and sent them back to Chaisang to prepare for the battle. All the accompanying officials couldn't help whispering: My lord seems to be very happy today. How can he laugh so much with his calm temper? When like a flower?

In a place where no one could hear, Sun Quan quietly told Zhou Yu: You must take care of your health, and return to Lujiang to recuperate when you are almost ready.

In the eyes of everyone, Zhou Yu returned to the front line in high spirits.

Zhou Yu quietly wiped away a tear in a place where no one could see.