Chapter 33 Section VII

The gate of Xuzhou Governor's Mansion is heavily guarded.Liu Bei was lying on the bed in the governor's mansion, and Zhang Fei was massaging his back.Guan Yu stood aside and watched with concern.Guan Yu said: "Why did my brother's waist start to hurt when I heard that Cao Cao was going to lead troops to conquer Xuzhou?" Liu Bei said: "Mount Tai is overwhelmed, it is really too much pressure." Guan Yu said: "Brother said Ma Teng is reliable, Why don't you send someone to contact him as soon as possible, he is in the west of Xudu in Xiliang, and I am in the east of Xuzhou in Xuzhou, so we can defeat Cao Cao?" Liu Bei lay there and shook his head: "It's not easy? Although Ma Teng has elite soldiers One hundred thousand, but there are many troubles in the west, and it is not easy to send troops. Even if we can send troops, we can hardly defeat Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao's personal conquest is very cunning and fickle, and it is very difficult to deal with."

At this time, a military official came outside to report: "General Chen Deng is asking to see you." Upon hearing this, Liu Bei immediately said, "Please come in." At the same time, he got up and dressed.Guan Yu said sarcastically, "Your general of the Chinese army has arrived." Zhang Fei said, "Brother, why are you in such a hurry?" , Feng Yunchang and Yide are the generals of the left army and the right army respectively, and Chen Deng is the general of the middle army. Don't be dissatisfied with the two virtuous brothers. This Chen Deng is really an extraordinary person: less ambition, more strategy , served as the prefect of Guangling at a young age, and made Guangling rule within a year; he once led the army to fight against Sun Ce, the little overlord of Jiangdong, and won a complete victory with one against ten. Wherever he went, the people settled down. Last year, Cao Cao conquered Xuzhou, but he could not succeed without Chen Deng; this year we were able to kill Che Zhou and seize Xuzhou, and it was Chen Deng who resolutely abandoned Cao Cao and stood by our side. This man It's so important, don't wait too long." Said Liu Bei hastily dressed and went out to the front hall.

Chen Deng had already come in, and when he saw Liu Bei, he kowtowed: "The last general Chen Deng kowtowed to Liu Huangshu, General Liu." Liu Beijiu pulled the shoes that were not completely put on to support him and said, "This great gift must never be done. There is no difference between you and me." He pointed to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on the left and right, "It's like me and Yun Chang and Yi De. Same, they are all brothers. I am older than you, and I am nothing more than a fool." He gave up his seat to Chen Deng and sat down himself.Zhang Fei squatted down and put on the shoes that Liu Beizhen had pulled on.Chen Deng asked: "Uncle Liu is resting?" Liu Bei said: "I have a back pain, and Yide is giving me a massage. I heard that you came, and I got up in a hurry, and I can't dress properly. Forgive me." No. 1 in the world, what people want. Chen Deng originally followed Cao Cao to conquer Xuzhou and assisted Che Zhou. According to Cao's promise, Deng would soon replace Che Zhou as the governor of Xuzhou. However, once Uncle Liu turned against Cao, Deng followed Uncle Liu without hesitation," said Liu Bei. : "This is really annoying Cao Cao. He is going to lead an army, but he doesn't know how to deal with it. What is your good strategy, I think you must come here for this."

Chen Deng said: "The final general has thought through everything, and there is only one way to save this situation." Liu Bei said: "What is the plan, please tell me." Chen Deng said: "Cao Cao is now running rampant in the world, and there is only one person to fear, Yuan Shaoye. Yuan Shao now occupies Ji, You, Qing, and the four prefectures and surrounding counties. There are millions of soldiers, civil servants and military generals gathered. Why don't you write a letter there to ask for help, other than that, there is no good strategy." Liu Bei said: "I have no communication with Yuan Shaoxiang, and he just killed his younger brother Yuan Shu. How are you willing to send troops to help?" Chen Deng said, "There is only one way to get Yuan Shao to send troops to help." Liu Bei said, "What way?" Chen Deng said, "There is a man here in Xuzhou who was an old friend of Yuan Shao III, and there are so many people there. He is highly respected at home and abroad, and his children are like a cloud. If you get a letter from Yuan Shao, Shao will come to help you." Liu Bei asked: "Who is it?" Chen Deng said: "This person is the one who used to pay respects to the emperor's uncle in Xuzhou many times. Why? Forget it?" Liu Bei suddenly realized: "Could it be Mr. Zheng Kangcheng?" Chen Deng said: "Exactly. As long as he is willing to write a letter, he will definitely be able to mobilize Yuan Shao. However, it is extremely difficult. Because Zheng Kangcheng is seven years old Thirteen out of ten, he has been in poor health for several months, and has already spoken out that he will no longer intervene in the world's disputes. His disciples have set up barriers in his mansion to prevent others from getting close to Zheng Kangcheng, let alone disturb him. Deng Yu stood in front of the emperor's uncle yesterday to test Speaking of this matter, although I have had a deep friendship with Zheng Gong for many years, it is three points difficult to enter the Zheng residence, and it is even more difficult to get to his side, and it is even more difficult to open my mouth to talk about serious things. It all depends on whether Liu Huangshu can knock on his door." Liu Bei pondered: "As you said, there is only one way to save the current predicament, and ask Yuan Shao to send troops to help. And if this plan can be achieved, there is only one way, which is sure Zheng Kangcheng came forward to write a letter to Yuan Shao. Asking Zheng Kangcheng to write a letter is now more difficult than reaching heaven." Chen Deng said, "Exactly." Liu Bei said, "I will do this." Chen Deng resigned.

Liu Bei said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei: "This Zheng Kangcheng is really incredible. When Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, he was already a minister. Later, when the Ten Changshi Rebellion broke out, he abandoned his official position and returned to the farm. When Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, He Jin, Yuan Kui, etc. Dong Zhuo successively invited him to come out to be an official, but they all refused. What this person does not want to do, it is really difficult to ask him to move. But this is difficult, no one else can do it, but brother has his own way. You will do it for me today Hang out the thank-you card for three days without seeing any guests or going to the hall." Guan Yu said: "Brother is now in charge of the military and political power in Xuzhou, and thanking guests behind closed doors for three days, wouldn't it create a lot of talk and panic in the streets, thinking that something big happened? "Liu Bei shook his head: "Don't ask too much." Then he said to Zhang Fei: "Brother, find a silk fan for me. I want an old one or not a new one." Zhang Fei was surprised: "This is a plaything in the hands of literati and poets. Brother, why do you want it?" Play with it?" Liu Bei said, "There are millions of soldiers in a fan. Please also write two characters for me on the fan. I know that you can write well." Zhang Fei said, "What character?" Liu Bei said: "After getting the fan, pen and ink, I will sue you. Also remember, after writing the words, hang the fan in the yard to expose to the wind and sun for two days." Zhang Fei was even more surprised: "What is the reason?" Liu Bei smiled Laughing, he said, "Make the newly written characters old, just like the old fan." Zhang Fei and Guan Yu didn't understand what he meant, and looked at Liu Bei with wide eyes.Liu Bei said: "Second brother doesn't need to ask too much, just go and do it. Also, find a jade craftsman for me immediately." Liu Bei rubbed a piece of jade around his waist and said, "Maybe a little processing of my ancestral jade. .”

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were puzzled, but they both replied: "Follow brother's order." Three days later, Liu Bei and Chen Deng rode to the gate of Zheng Kangcheng's mansion with a dozen or so entourages.Several servants stood guard in front of the gate.There was silence in front of the door.Liu Bei and Chen Deng got off their horses and handed them over to their attendants. Chen Deng stepped forward quickly and said to the gatekeeper's servant: "Please report to Mr. Zheng Kangcheng that General Liu, the emperor's uncle, is here to visit." The gatekeeper's servant said: "Master Zheng usually doesn't have guests these days. Please go and report first, and then reply." After speaking, a servant turned and entered the gate.As soon as people entered, the door was closed again.Liu Bei and Chen Deng waited quietly in front of the door.

At this moment, Zheng Kangcheng was pacing slowly in the study.The housekeeper Ma Wu came in and reported: "My lord, the gate guard said that General Liu, the emperor's uncle, came to visit." Zheng Kangcheng stopped slowly and said, "I knew he was coming, and he did. It must be that Chen Deng who came with me." Well, it’s hard to see this person.” He pointed at the couch: “I’d better lie down. Last year when Cao Cao and Liu Bei came to conquer Xuzhou to attack Lu Bu, I lay down to meet the people from Cao’s mansion, but I sat down when Liu Bei came. See you. Today, Liu Bei, I will also lie down and meet you." After saying that, everyone waited and lay down, and Zheng Kangcheng said to Ma Wu: "Ma Wu, go to meet the guests."

Liu Bei stood there waiting for a long time in front of the gate, standing and taking two steps, taking two steps and then standing.Chen Deng said, "Why haven't you spoken back for a long time?" He wanted to go up the steps and ask the servants who guarded the door.Liu Bei stretched out his hand to signal him not to worry too much: "Just wait." At this moment, the closed door opened, and Ma Wu came out and said, "Please invite Liu Huangshu, General Liu, into the mansion." Liu Bei and Chen Deng climbed up the steps and entered the gate. After passing the first courtyard, I saw hundreds of Zheng Kangcheng's disciples sitting on the ground in rows, reciting "The Analects of Confucius Liren" in unison: "The Master said: 'Wealth and honor are what people want; There is no place. Poverty and lowliness are what people hate. If you don’t get it by your way, you don’t go. A gentleman loses benevolence, is it evil to become famous? So." The Master said: "I have never seen those who love benevolence and those who are not benevolent. If you love benevolence, you can't respect it; if you hate those who are not benevolent, you are benevolent. Don't let the benevolent be added to your body. If you are able to use your strength for a day Is it benevolent? I have never seen anyone who is not strong enough. Gai has it, but I have not seen it...'" Liu Bei and Chen Deng walked quietly in front of the crowd led by Ma Wu.

There was another courtyard gate in front, and several disciples of Zheng Kangcheng stood at the gate. They bowed to Liu Bei and Chen Deng, and at the same time said solemnly: "Master Zheng is old, and he cultivates his morals every day. Please keep your words in mind." Liu Bei Dazed for a moment, Chen Deng had seen this scene before, the two nodded in agreement, and then walked into the gate of the courtyard under Ma Wu's guidance. In the inner courtyard, hundreds of Zheng Kangcheng's disciples sat in rows and recited "Mencius Gao Zixia" in unison: "Mencius said: "Shun was born in the farmland, Fu said that it was held between the boards, glued Li is lifted among the fish and salt, Guan Yiwu is lifted to the scholars, Sun Shuao is lifted to the sea, and Baili Xi is lifted to the city. Therefore, when the heavens will send a great mission to the people of Sri Lanka, they must first pain their hearts and minds, exhaust their muscles and bones, and starve their bodies. Empty your body, and your actions mess up what you do, so you move your heart and patience, and you have benefited what you can't do. People persist in their mistakes, and then they can change; they are trapped in their hearts, weighed in their worries, and then they act; they are manifested in their appearance, and they are expressed in their voices, and then they Metaphor. If you enter, you will be unable to protect your family, and if you leave, you will be invincible to foreign patients, and the country will perish. Then you will know that you are born in adversity and die in peace...'" Liu Bei and Chen Deng, led by Ma Wu, did not dare to disturb the crowd and walked quietly .

There was another courtyard gate in front, and several disciples of Zheng Kangcheng stood solemnly. As usual, they bowed their hands and saluted, and said: "Master Zheng is old, and he is far away from the troubles of the world. Please only talk about greetings, not about other." Liu Bei was blocked again.Chen Deng looked at Liu Bei's reaction, and the two still followed Ma Wu in. In the courtyard in front of you, there are two or three hundred disciples of Zheng Kangcheng sitting on the ground in rows, reciting "Book of Changes Qian Gua No. The time is in accordance with the order, and the good and bad are in harmony with the ghosts and gods. The innate is not against the sky, and the acquired is the time of the heaven. The sky is not against the sky, but what about people? quietly walked by.

There is another door in front of it, and seven or eight disciples stand in front of it.When Liu Bei and Chen Deng arrived, they saluted with a long bow, and then stretched out a finger in front of their mouths to express their respect and silence.Entering the gate, there was silence in front of me.Hundreds of disciples sat neatly on the ground, their eyes drooping in silence. When Liu Bei and Chen Deng walked through the crowd, it was as if they had entered a world of silence. In front is Zheng Kangcheng's study.A few disciples and servants stood in front of the door. Seeing Liu Bei and Chen Deng saluted as usual, they raised their hands slightly to signal to Liu Bei and Chen Deng, please be quiet.Ma Wu whispered to them: "Your honored guest understands." Entering the room, what Liu Bei and Chen Deng saw was Zheng Kangcheng lying there with a slightly raised pillow, surrounded by several disciples and servants.Liu Bei strode forward to salute solemnly and modestly, and said in a low voice, "Is Mr. Zheng well? Disciple Liu Bei is here to pay his respects." Zheng Kangcheng raised his hand to signal for Liu Bei and Chen Deng to sit down.Some couches had been brought in a long time ago, and Liu Bei sat down in front of the couches.Chen Deng waved his hands and stood behind Liu Bei instead of sitting down. Liu Bei was overwhelmed by the atmosphere along the way and the atmosphere in the study, so he dared not open his mouth to speak for a while. On the contrary, Zheng Kangcheng said slowly: "I have heard that Xuande has arrived in Xuzhou, but this time he did not conquer Xuzhou with Cao Cao, but conquered Xuzhou against Cao Cao." Speaking of this, the two disciples who stood beside him cautiously advised "My lord, it's better to talk less and rest more." Zheng Kangcheng nodded and closed his eyes. After a while, he opened his eyes and said to Liu Bei: "I am seventy-three years old this year, and I have lived as long as Confucius. I know that my life is coming to an end, so I cultivate myself Don't ask too much about world affairs. They," he pointed to the disciples around him, "are in charge of me." He closed his eyes again, paused for a while and said slowly, "Is Xuande all right?" It was a word of entertainment, so Liu Bei had no choice but to answer and said, "Thanks to my lord, Bei has been away for more than half a year, and everything is fine." Zheng Kangcheng still closed his eyes: "Everyone in Xuzhou is talking about you. I have come to thank you behind closed doors for the past three days. If you don’t get promoted or work, why is it that you are unwell?” Liu Bei replied: “It’s not that you are unwell.” Zheng Kangcheng still kept his eyes closed, and asked slowly, “Is it offering sacrifices to the gods in Zhaimu?” Liu Bei replied: “It’s true that I’m in Zhaimu. Mu. It's not offering sacrifices to the gods, it's better than offering sacrifices to the gods." Zheng Kangcheng slightly opened his eyes: "What is better than offering sacrifices to the gods?" Liu Bei said: "Prepare for three days of fasting and bathing, just to meet Mr. Zheng today." Zheng Kangcheng opened his eyes all of a sudden: "This is too serious." Liu Bei sat there and saluted: "In the sky, the gods clearly believe in them, but they have not seen them. Hearing this, Kang Cheng was terrified, so he stood up and said to the disciples on the left and right: "Help me to sit up." Everyone wanted to persuade them but dared not disobey: "My lord..." Zheng Kangcheng said: "Help me to sit up, Xuande's words must not lie Accept it." Everyone helped Zheng Kangcheng to sit up, and put a cushion on his back.Zheng Kangcheng said to Liu Bei: "General Liu, you are really serious just now. I, Zheng, dare not be a god." Liu Bei shook his head, expressing that he did not agree with Zheng Kangcheng's words, and then picked up the silk hanging from his waist The fan shook lightly and remained silent for a long time.Zheng Kangcheng sighed: "I know that you will talk about world affairs when you come, but I have already told the world that I will no longer care about world affairs. I really disappointed Xuande." Liu Bei shook his head slightly again, remained silent, and continued to shake his fan .Zheng Kangcheng had nothing to say for a while and said, "Xuande, you are a hero in the world, when did you shake off this kind of literati fan?" Liu Bei put away his fan and said, "The things you are used to will turn a blind eye. Carrying an unused fan with you can always keep you alert.” Zheng Kangcheng was puzzled: “Why do you keep alert and never forget?” Chen Deng and the others also looked at Liu Bei in amazement.Liu Bei shook his fan, seemingly hesitating to speak.Zheng Kangcheng said: "Xuande, but it doesn't matter what you say." Liu Bei sighed and said, "I didn't want to say it, but Mr. Zheng asked again, and Bei had to tell the truth." Then, he handed the fan to Zheng Kangcheng, "Please look at it, my lord. There are two words written on it." Zheng Kangcheng took it and looked at it, and saw two large characters: "External momentum." Zheng Kangcheng was terrified: "That's how it is." Liu Bei said: "Before I left Xuzhou last year, I asked my lord for advice. Your lord taught me that Cao Cao is strong inside Xudu, but weak outside the four directions. I hope that I will seek a corner in the four directions and develop external forces to survive. There has been no day for more than half a year. Dare to forget your lord's teachings, carry this fan with you every day, and think about fighting for external power every day. This time, you have the opportunity, dare to take a huge risk, ask for orders to lead troops to conquer Xuzhou to destroy Yuan Shu, and then kill Che Zhou to occupy Xuzhou, all of them Follow the teachings of the adults. Without the teachings of the adults, there is no Liu Bei's early establishment of foreign power today." Zheng Kangcheng understood, nodded, sighed, and returned the fan to Liu Bei: "It's not easy for you. You don't need to beat the drum hard , A good horse doesn’t need to be whipped. But I can’t take too much care of what’s going on. I have more energy than I have. I also hope that Xuande will take care of himself and seek his own future.” Liu Bei held the fan in one hand and rubbed the jade around his waist with the other.This also caught Zheng Kangcheng's attention.After a long time, Zheng Kangcheng asked: "What do you say when you touch the jade?" Liu Bei untied the jade and handed it to Zheng Kangcheng: "Please have a look at it, sir." Zheng Kangcheng took it and saw two words engraved on it: " Words." Liu Bei explained: "Zheng Yan, Zheng Yan, read it as solemn and cautious words to others, and remember the words of Master Zheng if you don't listen to Master Zheng's words. Zheng Kangcheng sighed again, in a trance, handed Peiyu back to Liu Bei, and then said: "It's still the same sentence, I don't want to meddle in the affairs of the world, especially I don't want to come out to meddle in the affairs of the world. I hope Xuande can do it for himself and seek for himself." Future." Then, he lowered his eyes and sat there quietly.Several disciples came up and gave him a gentle thump on the back. Liu Bei stroked Peiyu with one hand and gently shook the fan with the other, and was speechless for a while. Chen Deng stood behind and watched helplessly, helpless. After a long time, Liu Bei said: "Based on your lord's god-like instructions, I have prepared a situation beyond today's situation. Going down, I really don't know how to settle down and guard against other situations. Since my lord has something to say, Bei has no choice but to resign himself to it. The way out, I'm afraid it will die halfway, or disappoint Master Zheng. Well, I have visited Master today, and this disciple will take my leave. Please accept the gift of disciple." Saying this, he got up and bowed three times in front of Zheng Kangcheng.Zheng Kangcheng quickly raised his hand and said, "Don't dare, dare not." Liu Bei got up and said goodbye to Chen Deng and left the study.As soon as he got outside the door, before he stepped down the steps, Liu Bei looked up to the sky and cried bitterly: "Although Master Zheng has instructed you, Bei is really incompetent! Bei is really incompetent! Bei is really incompetent!" After three sighs, he cried down the steps and wanted to leave . Zheng Kangcheng heard it inside, couldn't bear it, raised his hand and said to Ma Wu: "Please come back again." Just as Liu Bei and Chen Deng stepped down the steps, Ma Wu had already gone out to catch up: "Master Zheng, please stop Liu Huangshu." Chen Deng saw that there was a turning point, and his eyes lit up.Liu Bei wiped away his tears with his sleeves, turned around with Chen Deng, entered the study, and came in front of Zheng Kangcheng.Zheng Kangcheng sighed and said to Liu Bei: "Although I told the Quartet to stop meddling in world affairs, Xuande is so loyal and sincere that it is difficult to refuse. Now that Cao's army is attacking, the only way to save Xuande is to ask Yuan Shao to send troops to help. Zheng Kangcheng paused for a moment, and then said, "There is actually only one way to ask Yuan Shao to send troops for help. I, Zheng Kangcheng, write a letter. I'd better help you." Liu Bei said, "I really can't bear to trouble Mr. Zheng." Zheng Kangcheng said: "The letter, I actually wrote it. I knew that this matter would not escape, but I always wanted to escape if I could. The destiny is not necessarily death. I didn't expect that today is so impossible to escape. I didn't expect that human feelings are as great as the laws of heaven. Do you know what is the greatest in the world? Imperial power? Military power? Money? things, you can win and govern the world.” He turned to Ma Wu and said, "Ma Wu, bring that letter." Ma Wu said: "Miss Chi Shao is taking it to read." Zheng Kangcheng asked: "Why?" Ma Wu said: "Miss Chi Shao has been studying poetry, calligraphy and painting recently, and took the letter from adults as a post to visit Yes. I'll fetch it now." Zheng Kangcheng asked Liu Bei to sit down again, and said: "I have been in contact with Yuan Shao's grandfather and father for a long time. I wrote to him, and he would never ignore him. He always wanted me to come to him to make him look good, and I declined for many years. This Writing a letter this time may solve Xuande's emergency, but it may have mortgaged me to Yuan Shao. If he asks again, my favor will be difficult." Sitting there, Liu Bei clapped his hands and said, "Late birth really makes Mr. I'm tired." Zheng Kangcheng said: "As soon as this letter comes out, the world will change, I know that. The so-called ruler book can move the world, and the so-called words can make a storm." Chi Shao and Ma Wu entered the study together. Chi Shao held a letter in his hand and handed it to Zheng Kangcheng: "Grandfather, here is the letter." Zheng Kangcheng took it, and handed it to Liu Bei: "Xuande has a look, if possible, send a reliable person, and send it directly to Yuan Shao." Liu Bei opened the letter, took a look, and said with great joy, "Master Zheng is so kind. The letter, every word is precious, and every sentence is a thousand pieces of gold! Yuan Shao will definitely respond when he reads it." He passed the letter to Chen Deng, and Chen Deng said: "If Uncle Liu Huang can trust me, he will send the letter to him in the end." Liu Bei nodded: "Then It's the best." Zheng Kangcheng also pointed at Chen Deng and said, "Chen Deng can't be more reliable in sending letters." Then he pointed to Chi Shao to Liu Bei and said, "Has Xuande seen this granddaughter Chi Shao?" Liu Bei replied: " In the past few times when I came to the mansion, I only saw that polite Bai Shao, but never saw this lively Chi Shao." Chi Shao pouted mischievously.Zheng Kangcheng asked: "Has Xuande ever seen Bai Shao in Xudu this time?" Liu Bei said: "Her talent has been well-known in the capital, and she once said that Wenkui Kong Rong was ashamed, but I only met her once. It was while drinking in the back garden of the Cao Mansion." Zheng Kangcheng asked, "How about watching her get along with Cao Cao?" Liu Bei thought for a while, and said carefully, "It looks peaceful on the outside, but I can't see it from the inside." Zheng Kangcheng looked thoughtful, and asked again: "How is Your Majesty?" Liu Bei looked around.Zheng Kangcheng said: "I have no outsiders here, but Xuande can say nothing." Liu Bei said: "Everything is tight, and everything is tight." Zheng Kangcheng nodded: "Understood." Then he pointed to the letter in Chen Deng's hand and said, "I just said that once this letter is published, the world will change. Cao Cao's life will be difficult."