Chapter 47 Section five

Cao Cao led the army back to Xudu, and did not rest that night. Early in the morning of the second day, he went to court on time.The officials in the main hall had finished prostrating and wishing long live, and Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty had also sat down on the throne, letting all the officials be flat.The civil and military ministers stood in two groups, with Cao Cao standing at the head of the group.The head of the palace came out as usual and announced loudly: "If there is something to do, go out to play, and if there is nothing to do, roll up the curtain and retreat." Emperor Xian of Han stroked his teacup and said: "Today, the court is different. Prime Minister Cao led a large army to Xuzhou to attack Liu Bei. The class teacher was triumphant yesterday. Prime Minister Cao must have something to play today when he goes to court." Cao Cao said: "I do have something to play."

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty smiled calmly and said: "Before the prime minister's performance, I will introduce three new ministers to you. They are all nominated by the prime minister before the expedition. I probably saw it already. The first one is the head of the country, Fu Wan, and he has been nominated as a Taiwei just like the prime minister." Fu Wan came out of the queue, bowed to Cao Cao and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister, for appreciating the nomination." Cao Cao slightly requite.Emperor Xian of the Han extended his hand and introduced: "The second son of Fu Wan, Fu Jian, has been nominated by the prime minister as a charioteer general." Fu Jian also came out to salute Cao Cao and said: "Prime Minister Xie, before your majesty, nominated him to be promoted to a humble position. .” Cao Cao also returned the courtesy slightly.Emperor Xian of the Han extended his hand to introduce again: "The third person is Yang Xiu, the son of the former Taiwei Yang Biao. He was also nominated by the prime minister, and he has been decreed to be the Minister of Rites." Yang Xiu also came out to salute Cao Cao: "Thank you, Prime Minister, for your appreciation." Confidence, I will be nominated and appointed to a humble position before Your Majesty." Cao Cao also returned the courtesy slightly.Emperor Xian of the Han then said to Cao Cao: "Also, if the prime minister invites you, an order has been issued to seal Concubine Rong. Well, that's all I want to say. If the prime minister wants to play, you can speak freely."

Cao Cao said: "Qi Zou, Your Majesty, this time I led an order to conquer Xuzhou to attack Liu Bei. With the help of Your Majesty's power, the attack was invincible. When we arrived at the Xuzhou war zone, we captured Xiaopei on the first night. Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were defeated and disappeared. The second The day they attacked Xuzhou, the soldiers approached the city to find out their interests, the rebel general Chen Dengxian surrendered, and occupied Xuzhou without bloodshed on the same day. On the third day, the minister led the troops to attack Pi, Guan Yu went out to fight, was surrounded by our army, and was trapped on the earth mountain for a day and a night. Zhang Liao went up the mountain to persuade him to surrender, but Guan Yu understood the righteousness and knew how to advance and retreat, so he also surrendered to my man." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said, "Oh? That is Liu Bei's sworn brother? It is said that he has the courage that a man should not have." Cao Cao said: "Exactly. The minister is right I love this man's superb martial arts skills, so I put a lot of thought into it. I captured Xiaopei and Xuzhou in one day, but it took me two days to capture Pi and capture Guan Yu. The power of heaven is manifested. In order to make the world's civil and military talents return in a steady stream, I also asked your majesty to confer an official title on Guan Yu."

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was very interested: "Where is Guan Yu now?" Cao Cao said, "I am waiting outside the hall. Your Majesty can announce him into the hall at any time." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty immediately said: "Announce him in." The head official of the hall immediately declared loudly : "Xuan Guan Yu enters the hall." Outside the gate of the hall, the officials in front of the hall proclaimed loudly: "Xuan Guan Yu enters the hall." Guan Yu was kneeling and waiting outside the gate of the hall. And went up to the main hall, and bowed three times and kowtowed nine times to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said very sublimely: "Aiqing is flat."

Guan Yu got up and stood still. He was indeed tall and burly, with a dignified appearance.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "This is the first time I have met you so positively in the court hall. Prime Minister Cao praised you for your outstanding martial arts skills. From my first glance, you are really a good-looking talent." Guan Yu bowed his hands and said: "Thank you for your praise, I am willing to serve you The work of a dog and a horse." Emperor Xian of Han nodded happily, and seeing a gauze brocade bag hanging on Guan Yu's chest, he asked, "Why is this brocade bag hanging on Aiqing's chest?" Guan Yu said: "I have a long beard and beard. The prime minister gave me a pouch to keep my minister's long beard." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty curiously said: "Aiqing's beard is so long? You can show it in the hall, and I will see it soon." Guan Yu untied the brocade pouch, pulled out his long beard, Flying over his belly.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty praised: "The bearded man is really beautiful." The head official of the palace immediately announced loudly: "The emperor bestows the title Guan Yu, the bearded man." All the officials shouted "The bearded man!"

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was very emotional, and said with a smile: "I call you the beautiful bearded man, and you, the 'beautiful bearded man', will become famous all over the world. Prime Minister Cao just played, please confer an official title on you. Prime Minister Cao, what official title is appropriate?" Cao Cao said: "Guan Yunchang has a deep understanding of righteousness and is versatile in both civil and military affairs. He can be named a partial general first. After he has made meritorious service in Hitachi, he will be rewarded generously." Guan Yunchang is a partial general." Immediately there was a hall official next to him loudly proclaiming: "This is the decree to seal Guan Yu and Guan Yunchang as a partial general." Guan Yu kowtowed and said, "Thank you for the grace of the emperor."

Cao Cao went out to the Meridian Gate, where hundreds of personal guards and sixteen large sedan chairs were waiting there. Cao Cao got off the sedan chair under the service of all the people, and all the sedan chairmen shouted "Prime Minister get up" and lifted the sedan chair. Li Dian, who was down at the same time as Cao Cao, got on his horse and led hundreds of soldiers to escort Cao Cao back home.A group of people walked through the streets of Xudu majestically.Cao Cao's sedan chair stopped in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion.The guards outside the gate immediately changed their weapons neatly and paid attention to Cao Cao.

Zhu Liu had already led his family members to greet him outside the gate, and at this time he proclaimed loudly: "The prime minister is returning to the mansion." He heard the voices from inside the gate saying: "The prime minister is returning to the mansion." Cao Cao entered the gate surrounded by everyone and walked through the courtyard , entered the lobby, and sat in the hall.Yang Gang came up to report: "The civil and military officials summoned by the prime minister will come immediately." Cao Cao nodded.After a while, dozens of people including Wen You, Guo Jia, Xun You, Kong Rong, etc., and Wu You, Li Dian, Xu Chu, Zhang Liao, etc., filed in. They all bowed their hands to Cao Cao and saluted: "Kowtow to the Prime Minister." Then they quickly lined up on the left and right, and stood neatly .Cao Pi also came in with others and saluted Cao Cao: "Kowtow to my lord father." Cao Cao nodded slightly as usual.Cao Pi stood behind Cao Cao.Cao Cao looked to the left, only one white peony root was missing, so he couldn't help shaking his head.

Cao Cao pointed at the crowd and said: "The lonely civil and military officials are all here again. This time Xuzhou was conquered and Liu Bei won a complete victory. Kong Rong, Yang Gang and Cao Pi, you stayed in Xudu and protected the rear. It is indispensable. Today Gu went to court and won a complete victory. First, he took out Guan Yu and Guan Yunchang, which shocked His Majesty and all the officials. He was defeated, and even his brother Guan Yu was recruited to surrender. Second, Gu showed another His Majesty, and a huge imperial court, to show Guan Yu what is justifiable and magnificent. Didn’t he say that he only surrendered to Emperor Han and not Cao Cao? Didn’t he say that he wants to help the Han family together with the brother who worshiped him? Now the Emperor Han’s family is here with Cao, please help him well. Third, let the whole world and the fugitive Liu Bei know that I, Cao Guan Yu accepted, sealed, and rewarded him, so much so that he officially went to court, which made Liu Bei feel uncomfortable. Fourth..." Cao Cao turned his head to look beside him involuntarily, where Bai Shao was the secretary's seat Still empty.Xun You smiled shrewdly: "Fourth, after the prime minister talked about it, he turned around and found that there was a master book missing by his side."

Cao Cao heaved a long sigh: "I'm not used to bragging without a master book who dares to comment and can comment alone. You don't dare to talk like her." Xun You said jokingly: "The master book, I will wait for you. Really can’t do it, heal wounds, soothe pain, tickle itches, make fun, everything is available, it’s really hard to talk like that.” Cao Cao shook his head and sighed: “These days, it’s really a bit boring to have less people to talk with. This kind of talent is hard to come by." Xun You said: "That's not easy, the prime minister just wrote a letter to call her back early." Cao Cao smiled, nodded and said: "This matter still needs to be shameless and write a letter Urge her."

At this time, a military official reported: "General Chen Deng has arrived." Cao Cao said: "Let in." Chen Deng hurried in.As soon as he entered the hall, Li Dian stepped forward and stretched out his hand: "Chen Deng, please take off the sword first." Chen Deng was startled for a moment, and he saw Li Dian, Xu Chu, Zhang Liao and other generals all wearing swords.Li Dian said: "You rebelled first and then surrendered. The suspicion is still there. Don't bring your sword into the prime minister." Chen Deng thought for a while, and reached out to pick up the sword.Cao Cao stretched out his hand and said, "Don't take it off, let him carry the sword with him." Li Dian looked at Cao Cao, thought for a while, and withdrew his hand as ordered, and retreated into the queue.Chen Deng stepped forward and kowtowed: "Kowtow to the Prime Minister." Cao Cao asked him to stand up, and then said to everyone: "You all go down, I have a word with Chen Deng alone." Li Dian, Xu Chu and others were all stunned.Chen Deng also felt abrupt, thought for a while, and wanted to take off his saber again.Cao Cao stretched out his hand again and said: "Chen Deng doesn't need to pick up the sword." Then he said to everyone: "You don't have to be suspicious of Chen Deng, he has no intention of harming orphans."Only Cao Pi was left standing behind Cao Cao with his sword.Cao Cao turned his head and said, "Cao Pi, you go down too." Cao Pi hesitated to speak, glanced at Chen Deng, then at Cao Cao, and went down too.Only Cao Cao and Chen Deng were left in the huge lobby. Cao Cao said: "Chen Deng, I call you today to discuss something important." Chen Deng suddenly knelt down to Cao Cao again.Cao Cao said: "I have already performed the great ceremony, why repeat it?" Chen Deng knelt there and raised his head and said: "Deng once betrayed the prime minister, and if he surrendered again, the prime minister not only pardoned his sins and spared his life, but also believed in me. Chen Deng swore I will never betray the prime minister." Cao Cao smiled: "Didn't you say that if Uncle Liu Huang called you again, you might go to him?" Chen Deng knelt there and said: "Deng said that because of his stubborn mouth. Save face for yourself after the city. In fact, the prime minister pardoned my death crime that day, and Deng has made up his mind to never betray the prime minister again. People's hearts cannot be exhausted. Chen Deng knows how good he is." He took off his helmet, removed his headgear, untied his hair, and pulled out his hair. With a swing of the sword, he cut off a strand of hair, and said to Cao Cao: "If Chen Deng has another heart for the prime minister, cutting off his head is like cutting this hair." He put the sword into its sheath, and threw the cut hair to the ground.Cao Cao said: "I have been practicing the ability to be suspicious and employ people all my life. Although I often make mistakes, most of them are right. I dare not say anything else. I just look at you, Chen Deng, and you will not go wrong this time. Alright, Quickly tie up your hair, put on your helmet, and get up, I have something to tell you." Chen Deng obeyed his orders to tie up his hair, put on his helmet, and stood up. Cao Cao said: "I have an important and difficult matter. I need to discuss it with you. A year ago, Gu once published a list of candidates for the prefect of Xudu. After ten days on the list, no one dared to reveal the list to apply for the job. At noon, the list was closed. Before, Cao Pi revealed the list. In the past year, Cao Pi managed Xudu as promised in the list. But this year was not easy. As my father, I have been secretly supporting him. If everything is good, I will accept it. I want him to stop here Leaving the post of prefect, I will use troops to fight with me and experience military affairs. If he takes over my great career after a few years, military experience will be indispensable. There is only one less successor for Xudu prefect. If we want to find such a person, he will be able to truly It is really a rare talent to take down the post of prefect of Xudu and not let Gu worry about it secretly. You should understand what it means when Gu says this. I have served as the prefect of other regions, and I always go to one place to rule one place, and the one who is alone is someone like you. I wonder if you would like to help the lonely one?" Standing there, Chen Deng saluted and said: "The prime minister's meaning is very clear. The post of prefect of Xudu is a signboard for the prime minister to conquer the world. Xudu's great governance is enough to inspire the world to return to his heart. Chen Deng is willing to accept this order, and is willing to serve this loyalty. Let the prime minister down! Chen Deng is willing to issue a military order." Cao Cao said: "Gu likes a sensible person like you. Gu has already identified you. You are really the best candidate for the prefect of Xudu. What makes Gu difficult is how to get a reason to promote you like this. You are dedicating the city in Xuzhou this time. , can only pay off the death penalty of last year's rebellion, and it is definitely not a reason to reuse you. You have to make a new contribution, and you can only open your mouth to promote you." Chen Deng said: "The prime minister and Yuan Shao are likely to go to war in the near future. At that time, the prime minister can send Chen Deng alone. Deng will do his best to thank the prime minister." Cao Cao sighed: "I can tell you frankly that I am really in a hurry to let you make new contributions, but I know that there is no rush. You are interested, and I am also interested. Let's find Chen Deng together. It's time for meritorious service." Chen Deng said: "Chen Deng has another matter to report to the prime minister." Cao Cao asked: "What is it?" Chen Deng said: "On the way from the Xuzhou class teacher to Xudu, Chen Deng inspected the garrison system that the prime minister has implemented over the years. Especially After I arrived in Xudu yesterday, I made a further detailed investigation of the farmland in the suburbs of Xudu. I found that since the prime minister helped the emperor move to Xudu, the farmland system that the prime minister has implemented in the past few years is really a big move. It is this farmland settlement. Years of wars, land barrenness, food shortages, and starvation among the army and the people have resulted in major crises, enabling the prime minister to gain a firm foothold and conquer the world." Cao Cao was very happy when he heard that: "Many people in the world have seen Gu Shan use troops to fight, but not many people see this clearly. If you don't farm, don't provide food and grass support, how many times Gu has fought in the past will have to give up halfway." Chen Deng said: "This time the prime minister captured Xuzhou and also occupied the Huainan area. I heard that the prime minister wants to move the people of Huainan to the Xudu area to farm fields and reclaim wasteland?" Cao Cao said: "Yes. Is this wrong?" Chen Deng said : "Who did the Prime Minister use to farm the fields in the past? Either the Yellow Turban Army that was incorporated, or the refugees, or the defeated troops that surrendered and their families. These people had no fixed place to live and had no land to survive. It was just right for them to farm and reclaim wasteland. Now it is inappropriate to relocate people who have land and residences to garrison the land. The people cherish the land, and the land will be relocated. It is impossible to change. It is easy to go forward, but it is difficult to move against it. Those who are happy should take it, and those who do not want it should not be forced. If you force it The people who migrated to Huainan will be chaotic and changeful." Cao Cao frowned, tapped the case with his finger, thought for a long time, and said, "What you said is very true. I am anxious to expand the farmland. If you are anxious, chaos will inevitably arise." Chen Deng continued: "Expanding the farmland does not mean forced relocation. The most important thing is to attract people from other places." Cao Cao asked: "How to attract people?" Chen Deng said: "First of all, we need to reduce taxes to encourage new farmers." Cao Cao said: "This has already been done. Anyone who farms and reclaims wasteland, Only half the tax is collected in the first year, and the full tax is collected in the second year." Chen Deng said: "Such a tax reduction is not enough to attract the people of the world. It should be completely tax-free in the first year, half tax in the second year, and half tax in the third year. The full tax can only be collected. The raw land is not mature until the third year, and the full tax is not collected until the third year, so that refugees from all over the place can be encouraged to come here to cultivate wasteland. In the third year when the mature field is planted, no one will collect the full tax rather than give up.” Cao Cao nodded in thought: "What else is there to say?" Chen Deng said: "The more important thing is that the tax is more and the tax is less. According to Chen Deng's investigation, the prime minister is now farming in Xudu, and the people who farm the farm use the government's cattle to farm. The officials take eight. If the cattle from the government are not used for farming, the harvest will be divided into three and seven, the people will take three, and the officials will take seven. This division must be changed." Cao Cao asked: "How to change it?" Eight to four to six, and three to seven to five to five, that is, if the people in the farmland use the cattle of the government to cultivate, the harvest will be four or six, and the people will take four of them, and the officials will take the six; In this way, the people in the fields will be happy." Cao Cao thought while listening: "If this is the case, the people will naturally be happy, but the government's tax collection will be greatly reduced. How will it be used for the war and the court? "Chen Deng said: "When the division is changed, the hard work of the people in the farms doubles. Originally, when the 28th and 37th, farming was just for making ends meet. This change has the hope of getting rich. In the first year, the government will not only collect a lot of food, but will instead collect more grain, and the increase will increase year by year, plus the refugees from all over the country will bring the old and the young to the prime minister’s land to cultivate the fields, and it is no lie that the warehouses are full.” Cao Cao is still examining: "Is that true?" Chen Deng said: "When Deng was the prefect in Guangling and other places, he tried every one of these kinds of farming. After changing the 28 and 37 openings to 46 and 55 openings, If the government does not collect enough food, you can behead it to thank the world." Cao Cao's eyes lit up: "If you have tried it, then you will not doubt it. The world's affairs are the most taboo to talk about military affairs on paper. If you have tried this new policy of farming, you will dare Act boldly." Chen Deng said: "The prime minister uses soldiers like gods. If the reform of the farm system is carried out, it will take two to three years or four to five years. When I met the prime minister, I had already written the New Deal for Tuntian in the report." As he spoke, he took out a report from his bosom and presented it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was overjoyed, took the note and put it on the table, patted it and said: "Chen Deng's move surpasses all military achievements. Gu will make a reply to your note tonight, and I will ask you to be named Xu Du when I go to court tomorrow." The new prefect takes over Cao Pi, and he lives in the first rank. In this way, you will manage the farmland around Xudu yourself, which is justified. Today, I have Chen Deng's all-round talent in civil and military affairs, and I am really favored by heaven." Chen Deng said: "Thank you, Prime Minister, for your appreciation. Although Chen Deng has gone astray, he has finally found his lord. There is one more thing I want to tell the prime minister. I heard that the prime minister has hired a new person, surnamed Zhu and named Liu, who is Zhu Si, the housekeeper. Brother." Cao Cao said, "Yes. Zhu Liu defected to me, and I have appointed him as the deputy housekeeper in the prime minister's mansion. When he was alone in the campaign, he served as the chief accountant and grain and grass director of the Chinese army with the army. Why, is there anything wrong with using this person?" Chen Deng said: "Zhu Liu, Chen Deng has dealt with him before. He is in the grain business. He is considered a good man in business. But why he defected to the prime minister this time, the prime minister must not know." Cao Cao nodded to show that he was listening.Chen Deng said: "Zhu Liu is addicted to gambling. It is said that last year, he lost all his family property earned for many years in a big gamble, and owed tens of millions of gambling debts. Gambling debts must not be owed, and you must pay with your life. This is the rule in casinos. Rules. Zhu Liu had no way to escape, so he hid here with the prime minister. Whether it is appropriate to use such desperadoes, the prime minister will learn from him." Cao Cao nodded frequently after hearing this: "Gu is also thinking, is he a good businessman who came to join Gu, is he trying to gain fame? You said that he came here to avoid debts, so Gu feels relieved. Since ancient times, the way of employing people is not sticking to one pattern. , even though they are thieves, as long as they are useful, they should give full play to their talents. It is difficult to conquer the world and rule the world if people do not make full use of their talents." Just as he was talking, Zhu Liu came up. He looked at the one-on-one conversation between Cao Cao and Chen Deng, rolled his eyes slightly, and said, "It's time for the prime minister to eat." Cao Cao said to Zhu Liu, "This Chen Deng Do you know General Chen?" Zhu Liu bowed his hands to Chen Deng and said, "General Chen Deng, we met before." Chen Deng also bowed his hands in return. Cao Cao said to Chen Deng: "Chen Deng, you will stay and have dinner with Gu today." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty went down to the court and got on the golden chariot. All the eunuchs and the Huben army who pulled the golden chariot shouted "Long live the court to drive", and the golden chariot moved forward slowly.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty sat on the golden chariot with a gloomy expression.Walking to the gate of the harem, the tiger chariot army stopped in formation and stood guard outside the gate of the harem.All the eunuchs shouted in unison, "Long live, drive to Kunning Palace" while pulling the golden chariot into the harem.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty looked at the palaces and pavilions on both sides, indifferent.When he arrived in front of Kunning Palace, everyone shouted "Long live to Kunning Palace" in unison, and he got off the golden chariot under the wait of everyone.Huang Fu and all the eunuchs welcomed him into Kunning Palace. Empress Fu came up to meet him, looked at Emperor Han Xian and said, "Your Majesty seems to be displeased." Emperor Han Xian waved his hand slightly and said, "You can leave Huang Fu, and the rest will leave." Huang Fu nodded and bowed to wait. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty sighed, and said to Empress Fu: "Uncle Liu Huang couldn't help fighting. Within three or four days, the three cities of Xiaopei, Xuzhou, and Xiapi were captured by Cao Cao. Uncle Liu Huang and Zhang Fei fled without knowing where to go. Guan Yu actually surrendered. I followed Cao Cao. Today I recommended him to the palace, and I had no choice but to make him a partial general. Cao Cao sent troops to Xuzhou to attack Liu Bei this time, which can be said to be majestic to the world." Empress Fu said: "No matter how majestic he is, he still has to stand up to your majesty. Your name?" Emperor Xian of the Han said angrily: "What's the use of having a name if it's not worthy of the name?" Empress Fu said in relief: "Your Majesty, don't think too narrowly about everything. This orthodox title can only be enjoyed by one person in the world. Cao Cao has thousands of troops, and he can accomplish nothing without the title of His Majesty. In the long run, after all, Your Majesty wins, Cao Cao loses, Your Majesty survives, and Cao Cao dies." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said, "I have listened to such reassuring words for more than a year, and I have heard them repeatedly but failed." Empress Fu said: "As long as you don't fail once, Cao Cao's order It's over. Your Majesty didn't see that Cao Cao's life was hanging by a thread, and he was in danger. First, Yang Diao shot an arrow at him. Although he was not killed, he was also shot. Uncle Guo and others wanted to kill the traitor Although the party was not successful, it was almost successful. The imperial physician Ji Ping wanted to poison and kill Cao, but his success was on the verge of failure. As for Liu Bei's rebellion against Cao, Yuan Shao wanted to send troops to attack Cao. This happened one after another. What are you afraid of? Even Cao Cao dare not harm you. There is no one in the world who can harm His Majesty. Your Majesty only needs to endure for a long time, and someone will eventually get rid of Cao Cao. Therefore, when Your Majesty fights with Cao Cao, success will only come sooner or later, and there is no chance of failure." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty nodded with relief when he heard this: "The empress is right." Huang Fu took the opportunity to intervene at this time: "I report to the emperor, the queen's words are very reasonable. According to the secret report, Liu Huangshu has defected to Yuan Shao. If Liu Huangshu joins forces with Yuan Shao and makes each other even more powerful, then Cao Cao will not be an opponent." Han Xiandi's eyes lit up "Is there any news?" Huang Fu continued: "I also heard that Bai Shao, the chief minister of the prime minister, stayed in Xuzhou Zheng's mansion this time and did not return to Xudu. Isn't this also a wind direction?" Han Xiandi asked: "What wind direction?" Huang Fu flattered him, saying, "As the saying goes, people follow the wind and turn the rudder. It turns out that those who follow Cao Cao have found another way out. Don't they have a judgment on winning or losing in the world?" Han Xiandi said: "That Bai Shao, I still can't figure out what her intentions are." He looked at Empress Fu and said, "Didn't you also work hard on this master book? I haven't seen any response." Empress Fu glanced at Emperor Han Xian, but didn't answer. talk.But Huang Fu continued, "According to the secret report, someone will take Cao Cao's head in a short time." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was pacing and pacing in the palace, then he turned around and looked at Huang Fu: "Is this statement accurate?" Huang Fu said: "The slave has been secretly operating for the emperor for many years. The source of the news is accurate." Huang Fu paused for a while, then observed Empress Fu again, and then said to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty: "The empress just made it clear that Cao Cao's life is hanging by a thread. The people in the world want his head There are so many things. Although they have repeatedly failed, as long as there is one implementation, Cao Cao will die. As the queen said, the emperor's success will only come sooner or later." Hearing this, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was relieved, sat down magnanimously, and said: "Get ready to pass on the meal. Besides," he remembered something, and said, "I don't hear about Huang Er now." Huang Fu answered carefully "Didn't he escape to Prime Minister Cao Cao's mansion?" Han Xiandi waved his hand and said in a strategic manner, "That was not my negligence. To tell you the truth, it was my countermeasure." Empress Fu glanced at Han Xiandi with some dissatisfaction.Huang Fuha was there, checked the expressions of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and Empress Fu, and then said carefully: "This slave has already figured out such a wise arrangement by the emperor." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "You are right. You have repeatedly said and failed. As long as one is implemented, Cao Cao will die." Cao Cao dined with Chen Deng in the back hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the servants waited on him. Dishes are served one by one.Cao Cao and Chen Deng drank wine, ate and talked together. A large purple wooden tray came in at Huang Erduan, and on the wooden tray was a large plate with a whole fish in it.When Cao Cao saw Huang Er, he stared at him, "Why are you?" Huang Er said, "The kitchen is short-staffed at the moment, so I'll help serve the food." Cao Cao glanced at Huang Er carefully, and raised his chin as a sign Yes, let him serve.Just at this time, Zhu Liu rushed in with a few strides, and shouted: "Huang Er, why are you meddling indiscriminately?" Turning his eyes alertly, he stretched out his hand and said, "Bring me up." Huang Er refused to say, "The Prime Minister has already let me go up." Cao Cao was disturbed, and said, "Quickly up and down." Zhu Liu insisted not Let Huang Er come up, stretch out his hand and say, "Here." Huang Er was helpless, and handed the wooden tray to Zhu Liu, but suddenly took out a sharp knife from under the fish tray, turned around and went straight to Cao Cao.When it was too late, Zhu Liuyi hooked Huang Er to the ground, then put down the tray, took a step to step on Huang Er, grabbed Huang Er's arm instead, grabbed the sharp knife in his hand, and shouted He shouted: "Come on!" A servant rushed in and grabbed Huang Er firmly. Zhu Liu gently placed the sharp knife he had taken on the table in front of Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked at Huang Er who was kneeling on the ground by everyone, and smiled coldly: "You really couldn't hold your breath, you jumped out in a hurry. Say, who sent you to kill the orphan?" Huang Er was held there , rather than surrender, said: "This prime minister can't ask." Cao Cao said: "Could it be that the emperor sent you here?" Huang Er said: "The prime minister can understand. I am a dignified person who is close to the emperor. I am not sent by the emperor. Who can make me move? If you don't succeed, you will be benevolent. Please tell the emperor that I, Huang Er, died in Cao's house like this." Cao Cao sneered: "You think I will really fulfill you and let you die resoundingly ? Killing you is nothing more than killing a fly." Cao Cao ordered after finishing speaking, "Pull him down and kill him, and make sure he dies silently. Anyone who leaks the news will be killed without mercy." The crowd pulled Huang Er down , Huang Er was still screaming, someone had already strangled his mouth with a towel, and dragged him out like a dead dog. Zhu Liu said to Cao Cao: "Prime Minister, Zhu Liuyi's negligence for a while surprised you." Cao Cao said: "Zhu Liu, you have made a contribution today. There are people waiting here, so you can go down." Zhu Liu put the plate of fish in front of Cao Cao, picked up the sharp knife and put it on the tray, glanced at Chen Deng, and was about to step back, when he suddenly remembered something, took out some envelopes from his pocket and presented them to Cao Cao: " Here are some urgent matters, and General Cao Pi wants me to forward them to the prime minister." After saying that, Zhu Liu went down.Cao Cao looked at Zhu Liu's receding back and said to Chen Deng: "Just now you said whether it was inappropriate to use Zhu Liu. Let's not talk about the long-term. Today he guarded against Huang Er, which shows that it is not wrong for Gu to use Zhu Liu today. Employing people Although it is best to be reliable in the long run, if you can use it for a while, you have to use it for a while. After all, there are very few people who are reliable in the long run. For example, some people say that Guan Yunchang will not be used by me in the end, and he will go to Liu Bei sooner or later , but I used it today, and I have no regrets today.” Chen Deng said: "The prime minister's employment of people is like the prime minister's use of soldiers, which can be described as superb." Cao Cao said: "Three points for truth, seven points for the award." As he spoke, he browsed through several envelopes one by one, and took out one of them: "This is from the master, so you must read it first." Open the envelope, take out the letter and read it up and down, his face changed drastically.He sighed, looking sad.Chen Deng looked at him puzzled.Cao Cao said: "The letter from the master is to stay in Zhengfu, Xuzhou, to practice Taoism for a hundred days without speaking, and within a hundred days to meditate and meditate quietly. If you stop caring about human relationships and worldly affairs, you won’t come to Gu here anymore, and you will escape from the world.” Cao Cao shook his head when he said this, “Chen Deng doesn’t know, this master Yu Gu can’t do it for a day now. Lack. I told my left and right after the court today, without such a person who can talk to me, I really have no intention of eating and drinking." Chen Deng said: "The prime minister values ​​the master book so much, she will come back." Cao Cao folded the letter and put it in front of Chen Deng: "You see her last sentence is cryptic, I wonder if you can understand it?" Chen Deng saw that it was six words: "Human fungus square two or three." Chen Deng read it many times, frowning and shaking his head in puzzlement.Cao Cao said: "It is rare for someone to understand these words except for the lonely. What is a person? The character "人" is a person with one stroke and one stroke. It is also a person with one stroke and one horizontal. The person with one stroke and one horizontal is added with a wooden character, which is the Zhu character. .Er, square, Fang Ye, Fang Zi. Two, three, six. People, wood, ear, square, two, three, are actually three words: Zhu Fang Liu. Zhu Fang Liu is Fang Zhu Liu Ye. You see, the master is more worried about Zhu Liu than you are." Chen Deng felt a little terrified. Cao Cao said: "This master book is often clever without anyone noticing it. That day Qin Qingtong Xueye, a slave of Dong Cheng's family, fled to the prime minister's mansion. I was traveling in low clothes and eating mutton soup pancakes with the master book in a small restaurant. See Qin Qingtong ran across the street in the snow. At that time, he didn't care about it, but the master suddenly felt uneasy and insisted on returning to the mansion early. This is how he stopped Qin Qingtong before the family members of the Dong family chased him away. The doctor Ji Ping poisoned him and was also guarded by the master. Live. Today she reminded me to guard against Zhu Liu, so I have to think about it seriously."