Chapter 97 Chapter Thirteen: Meng De’s Laughing Call to Wenyun’s Three Events (3)

"The prime minister is too modest. I don't know how far I am from Cao Gong who is horizontally sculpting and writing poems." Kong Rong said with a very graceful smile. Cao Mengde adopted Kong Rong's suggestion and sent Liu Ye to lobby Zhang Xiu. When Liu Ye arrived in Xiangcheng, he first called on his good friend Jia Xu.The next day, Liu and Jia went to see Zhang Xiu together.The three of them were chatting in Haikuotian when Yuan Shao's envoy also came to the door. Knowing the purpose of the envoy's visit, Jia Xu asked, "Recently, Yuan Shao's army attacked Cao Cao. How did they win or lose?"

The envoy replied: "Now is the severe winter, Lord Yuan has delayed his advance. However, according to General Yuan's foresight and the shrewdness of his subordinates, capturing Cao Cao is like catching a turtle in a jar. Both General Zhang and Liu Biao of Jingzhou have the demeanor of a national scholar, so they came here on purpose. General, please help Master Yuan." Jia Xu laughed and said: "Your mission has been completed. You go back and tell Yuan Shao that brothers and sisters can't live in harmony. How can they tolerate the soldiers of the world." . Liu Ye was a little uneasy at first, but after seeing Jia Xu's performance, he felt more at ease.

But Zhang Xiu seemed a little nervous, and scolded Jia Xu, "Now that you are destroying books and scolding envoys, what if Yuan Shao joins us in a rage?" Jia Xu seemed to come up with an idea suddenly and said, "It's better to vote for Cao Cao." Zhang Xiu shook his head again and again and said: "I have an old grievance with Cao Cao. His son Cao Ang died by my sword. How can he tolerate me?" "Cao Mengde is not as bad as said in the proclamation. The reckless man Xu Chu, the poor scholar Guo Jia, and the quack doctor Ji Ping, Cao Mengde used his strengths, and General Kuang's talents have long been known to him."

Zhang Xiu's heart was moved. Seeing that the heat had come, Jia Xu had no time to swallow the wine in his mouth, and said: "There are three reasons for voting for Cao Cao: First, Cao Cao has already established a firm foothold in Xudu, especially the garrison system he implemented has made the country's people more prosperous in just a few years. The granary is full and the people live and work in peace and contentment. This is the basic guarantee for victory; second, Yuan Shao is so powerful that we voted for him, but he didn't pay attention to us. Third, although Yuan Shao has many capable men, he also has many factions, and his power is consumed in the network of relationships, while Cao Cao's men are much purer and can be twisted into one rope."

Zhang Xiu said: "That's good, let me learn from Lian Po." Zhang Xiu then handed over the army to Jia Xu, tied up the soldiers himself, and sat on a horse to go forward. After a few days, he arrived in Xudu. Cao Mengde was worried that Liu Ye's persuasion would fail, so Jia Xu led Zhang Xiu's army into Xuchang City. "General Zhang, why are you doing this?" Seeing Zhang Xiu being tied up, Cao Mengde felt puzzled, thinking that Jia Xu had turned against him personally. Liu Ye quickly stepped forward and explained: "General Zhang is learning from Lian Po."

Cao Mengde was so moved that he hurried down the steps, untied the rope himself, held Zhang Xiu's hand tightly and said, "If you make a small mistake, don't take it to heart. I also want to learn from Lin Xiangru." My heart is clouded.Cao Cao immediately ordered Zhang Xiu to be named General Yangwu.Feng Jiaxu was appointed as the envoy of Jinwu. Cao Mengde asked Zhang Xiu to write a letter to recruit Liu Biao.Zhang Xiu looked distressed and said, "I really can't do anything about this matter. I don't have a deep relationship with Liu Biao." Jia Xu said: "Liu Jingsheng likes to court celebrities. If there is a celebrity with outstanding literary talent to persuade Liu Jingsheng, the possibility of success is greater."

Cao Mengde said wildly and confidently: "Except for me and Kong Rong, who else has outstanding literary talents? It seems that Prime Minister Bei Hai must be invited to come out of this matter." Kong Rong said: "I have a friend named Mi Heng, whose word is Zhengping, and whose literary talent is ten times that of mine." Cao Mengde felt that Kong Rong’s words were a bit exaggerated. In the whole world, is there anyone with literary talents that I don’t know? Kong Rong is no exception. Besides, Chen Lin, Xu Qian, Liu Zhen, Cao Zhi brothers, Cai Yong… just none Heard of Mi Heng's name, could it be that he is a hermit who has been born for a long time and has profound attainments.

"According to what you said, isn't that talented man named Mi Heng ten times as talented as me?" Cao Mengde jokingly said. Kong Rong secretly admired Cao Mengde's quick response, and said humorously: "The prime minister is quick in thinking and sharp in eloquence. Who can match him? He just combines government and military affairs in one body. How can I let you do it yourself?" Cao Mengde then asked someone to invite Miheng, but Niheng was very straightforward, and arrived as soon as he was invited. All unusual people have unusual actions, which seems to have become an unwritten rule or secret to identify talents.Cao Mengde is also using this rule.

After giving the gift, Cao Mengde intentionally refused to ask Mi Heng to sit down.You Heng looked up to the sky and sighed, "I heard that Xuchang is full of talented people. Why can't I see a single person when I get here?" Cao Mengde said: "There are so many heroes under my command, how can there be no one?" Mi Heng said: "The prime minister, please list the names of these people." Cao Mengde then listed the names and talents of his civil servants and generals one by one. "Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu are brilliant in intelligence and resourcefulness. They are the reincarnation of Xiao He and Chen Ping. Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Le Jin are brave. Cen Peng and Ma Wu may not be able to catch up. Lu Qian, Manchu Favor is the work, Yu Jin, Xu Huang is the vanguard; Xia Houdun is a genius in the world, Cao Zixiao is a fierce general in the world. How can I say that I have no one under my command.”

Unexpectedly, Ni Heng half-opened his eyes, with an expression of half-listening, half-sleeping, listless. Cao Mengde suppressed his anger and watched Mi Heng's performance patiently.He warned himself: Don't be impulsive, let the Gazeski slip away from under your nose.