Chapter 77 Chapter 10: Yingzhou Qishi Xu Du Welcomes the Emperor (3)

Xun Yu said in his heart, how can Cao Gong and Dong thief's generation be regarded as the same.He didn't want to argue with reason, because he had already expected Cao Mengde's claim.Man Chong took Cao Ren's words and said: "The most important thing at present is to inquire about Yuan Shao's movements. To please the emperor, Yuan Shao is the most powerful. If we fall out with Yuan Shao at this time, it will immediately lead to crisis." Cao Mengde finally spoke: "The news came from the Jizhou Mansion that Yuan Shao's camp has quite different opinions on the matter of flattering the emperor, and the elder faction's trial and distribution forces are against it. General Yuan is not very interested in this. Besides, General Yuan and Gongsun Zan The war between them is just in full swing. From my point of view, Yuan Shao will not take any action against our act of flattering the emperor."

Xun Yu couldn't hold back anymore, and said loudly: "Welcoming the emperor is not purely for utilitarianism. In the past, Gao Zu went east to attack Xiang Yu, and he thought that Emperor Yi's revenge was the name of his teacher, so he got the response of the princes of the world. Dong Zhuo's rebellion started. , the emperor went into exile in Guanzhong, and the general initiated the righteous army to work hard for the king. It was only because of the chaos in Shandong that we were unable to take care of Guanzhong. Although there have been many wars, I believe the general still has his heart for the royal family and takes it as his mission to calm the world! Today, the emperor is out of the control of the Western army. It is a great opportunity. Supporting the emperor and obeying the will of the people is Da Shun; upholding the justice of the world to recover the heroes is a general plan; sticking to righteousness and attracting wise men is a great virtue; all of these are ready, even if our current strength is weak If you can become a prairie fire, if you are hesitant and wait for others to act, it will be too late, and then you will send troops to attack Wudao, and you will have no name."

The atmosphere during the meeting became heated, and the voices of the discussions drowned out the voices of the speakers. In the endless debate, Cao Mengde recalled a conversation with Yuan Shao when the anti-Dong alliance was established a few years ago. Yuan Shao asked: "Meng De, if this campaign fails, where do you think is the most suitable place for us to use as our base?" Cao Mengde asked back: "In your opinion?" Yuan Shao: "I think we should use the mountainous area of ​​Jizhou north of the Yellow River as a base to win the assistance of alien races in the north so as to fight for hegemony in the south."

Cao Cao laughed at Yuan Shao's words at that time.From the bottom of his heart, he looked down on Yuan Shao's political ability at all, it was okay for this person to fight a few times by force, but when it comes to governing the country, this person is short-sighted and soft by nature, he can be regarded as mediocre.Cao Mengde is well versed in the eternal law of "the right weather is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the harmony of people". Geographical advantage is important, but any strong city Tangchi will be breached. The most important thing is the people's hearts. .

As a matter of fact, Cao Mengde at the meeting had long recognized Xun Yu's reasonable analysis. Just as Xun Yu said, although Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty has long lost his name, he is still the heart of the world in a panic and chaotic political situation. what. Cao Mengde couldn't hold back the excitement in his heart anymore, he stood up suddenly from the seat, drew an arc in the air with his hand, and said in an indisputable tone: "I have listened to everyone's high opinions one by one. I am also thinking hard about this big event, today is the time to take big measures, and the only way to do it is to welcome the Han Dynasty and present the emperor!"

Seeing that Cao Mengde was not only moved with awe, but also spoke in a very firm tone, they had to remain silent. On the evening of the day when a major decision was made, Cao Mengde was driven by an inexplicable emotion and walked to his long-lost mansion on foot. Cao Gong's mansion is located in the north of Fengzhou City. It was originally a manor of a big landlord. Naturally, the mansion changed owners several times as it moved with the world.The manor faces north and south, and a pair of giant stone lions at the gate give birth to a majesty for no reason.The manor is not too deep, and the sun can shine on the courtyard. The courtyard is old, many eaves and pillars are crooked, and the withered grass on the corrugated roof is swaying in the wind.The cold wind is blowing, and the fallen leaves are rustling, which is in harmony with the atmosphere of the war-torn Yanzhou City.

As far as the scenery of Caogong Mansion is concerned, it is worth mentioning that there is an artificial small lake behind the mansion, lying quietly under the hill behind the courtyard, surrounded by willow trees. Although the willow leaves have turned into dust and mud, the red willow branches are graceful The reflection of the mountain is in the clear water of the lake, which is in contrast to the reflection of the hill.Constitute a thick and light, vivid ink painting.There is a smooth and cool stone bench three or five steps down the shade of Liu. In the past, Cao Mengde often read "Sun Tzu's Art of War" on the stone bench, read Guan Zhong, Mencius, and Han Fei.

"Ma'am, the lord is back!" the maid Hong Tan happily told Madam Ding. Ding Shi was chatting with a group of maids, when Hong Tan called her, she went out to meet her.Seeing Ding's gloomy expression, Cao Mengde suddenly felt a sense of guilt. Cao Ang died fighting to protect himself during the Zhangxiu rebellion, which has become Cao Mengde's lifelong regret. The pain of losing his son, as a man like Cao Mengde, he will survive through gritting his teeth Yes, but for a mother, it means a kind of pain that cannot be smoothed over.Although Cao Ang was not born to the Ding family, the Liu family passed away prematurely. Perhaps the Ding family regarded Cao Ang as his own flesh and blood because he could not give birth to a child.After Cao Ang's death, Ding's character became more withdrawn and introverted, and he was depressed all day long.Cao Pi and Cao Zhi are not around, and the relationship between Ding and these two brothers can be said to be almost non-existent, and Ding's life is also difficult.

After the couple went through the routine procedure of saluting greetings, they seemed to have nothing to say, so they strolled along the lakeside. "It will be the New Year in a few days. Look at the mess in the yard. You should ask someone to tidy it up." Ding said solemnly. Cao Mengde became annoyed again when he heard that, he originally returned home with a little bit of guilt, and wanted to get rid of all troubles in the tenderness with his wife, so that he could travel lightly and truly implement the big decision to please the emperor.But as soon as he saw Ding's stereotyped face, Cao Mengde's emotional flame that had just been ignited disappeared.

"A man who doesn't sweep the world, but only cares about the snow in front of his own roof, isn't it a joke!" Cao Mengde gave Ding a spoonful of cold water. Afterwards, the two of them just asked about trivial matters.It was almost a question and an answer, like a dialogue without expression, even Meng De himself found it boring. That night, Mrs. Ding was gentle, and Cao Mengde hastily fulfilled her husband's duties.After all, Ding has kept the vacant room for a long time. Although she has full opinions on her husband's indifference, she still feels a relatively strong need physically.Cao Mengde catered to his wife with a sense of guilt.After that, Ding soon fell asleep.

Cao Mengde was not tired, staring blankly at the wooden roof. The moon was dark, and the night indiscriminately flooded the Cao Mansion.Occasionally, there is a very slight sound of "sizzling", which is the small fish in the lake chewing the aquatic plants. They dare not come out during the day, and the big fish will devour them. That small world is also a slaughterhouse for the weak and the strong. Cao Mengde put on a big cloak, walked quietly to the lakeside, sat on a cold stone bench, and let his thoughts wander in the dark night.