Chapter 50 Section VIII
The Xuzhou Zheng Mansion was silent.The back garden is even more peaceful.In the back garden, the small courtyard where Paeoniae Alba is practicing Taoism for a hundred days without speaking is particularly quiet.Bai Shao sat cross-legged in the room alone, her eyes drooping slightly, her face serene.The incense burner in the house is burning incense, and the cigarettes are curling up.There is a piano on the piano case, brushes and paper are spread on the table case, and calligraphy and paintings are hung on the wall.
Chi Shao, Ma Wu, and Xiao Cui hurried through the back garden, their expressions seemed to be of great importance.
As usual, Chi Shao was dressed in fiery red, which was very dazzling when walking in the back garden.Came to the small courtyard where Bai Shao practiced.Came to Bai Shao's room again.Entering the door again, the three walked lightly.See Bai Shao sitting quietly with his eyes slightly lowered.Ma Wu called softly: "Miss." Bai Shao looked up at the three people in front of her.Ma Wu asked cautiously: "Miss today has reached the 90th day of her 100-day silence practice, do you still want to go to Xudu?"
Bai Shao squinted her eyes and thought for a while.Ma Wu, Chi Shao, and Xiao Cui all stared at her nervously.
Bai Shao finally shook his head slowly.Ma Wu asked: "Don't want to go?" Bai Shao paused for a while, then slowly shook her head.Ma Wu said: "I don't know whether to go or not?" Bai Shao nodded slightly, and then slightly stretched out her hands, both of which were empty.Ma Wu said: "Going or not going?" Bai Shao nodded again.Ma Wu said: "If that's the case, I'll let you know what my lord thinks, after a hundred days of cultivation." Bai Shao nodded in agreement.Ma Wu looked around Chi Shao and Xiao Cui, and then said to Bai Shao: "Miss, I want to go back to my hometown for a few days, and Xiao Cui hasn't been back for many years, and wants to go with me. My lord has said, send another maid to serve Miss, do you think it's okay?"
Xiao Cui looked at Bai Shao with complicated emotions.Bai Shao thought about it for a while, then she nodded her head.
Chi Shao added another sentence: "Sister, Steward Ma's hometown is the hometown of martial arts. I've always been curious and wanted to follow along. I can't come to see you these days." Kindly, as an older sister, she lowered her eyes as usual, and nodded quietly.Ma Wu said: "Then we're leaving today. This is farewell to Miss. Let's talk about it until the 100th day with peace of mind." Ma Wu and Xiao Cui saluted and bid farewell to Bai Shao.Xiao Cui suddenly knelt down again, and said to Bai Shao: "I've been with Miss for many years, and it's really hard not to be able to serve Miss these days. Let Xiao Cui kowtow to Miss and say goodbye." As she spoke, she bumped her head on the ground very hard. Knocked loudly.Bai Shao smiled kindly, and waved Xiao Cui to get up, meaning why this is so.Xiao Cui got up and walked out with her father.Reluctantly, Chi Shao comes up and grabs Bai Shao's hand, as if to say goodbye for a long time.
Bai Shao reached out and stroked her sister's hair, looked at her, stroked her forehead and cheek lightly, straightened her hair again, and smiled lovingly.Tears welled up in Chi Shao's eyes.Bai Shao shook her head, meaning it was not like this, and then gently wiped away the tears on Chi Shao's cheeks.Chi Shao stretched out his arms to hug Bai Shao, let go quickly, and said: "Sister, Chi Shao has gone." Saying this, she turned around resolutely, and left in a hurry with Ma Wu and Xiao Cui who were standing there waiting.
At this time, a convoy of a dozen or so carriages and hundreds of cavalry guarded in front of the gate of the Zheng Mansion.The leading general sat on the horse and waited quietly.
In Zheng's mansion, Chi Shao is stepping up to change clothes.She took off the scarlet red she was accustomed to wearing in the past, and changed into a lotus root white dress.Xiao Cui helped her re-dress her.Chi Shao looked at the bronze mirror.Xiao Cui said: "Second Miss, you will be exactly the same as the Eldest Miss when you change your clothes." Chi Shao said: "Twins look the same in the first place, and if they dress the same, they will be exactly the same." Xiao Cui said: " Then you have to talk and behave the same. The eldest lady is Wen, the second lady is Wu, and both are civil and military." Chi Shao looked at the mirror and changed his expression, and said in Bai Shao's tone: "I have studied for dozens of days, this point of speech and manner Can you still learn from it? Remember, Xiao Cui, there will be no distinction between the eldest lady and the second lady in the future, just the young lady. You should not show any flaws." Xiaocui exclaimed: "Miss, these few words are really authentic. I'm sorry, the energy of wind, fire, and fire is gone, like, like, even Cao Cao can't tell the difference." Chi Shao glanced at Xiao Cui very whitely, and then said very whitely : "Look at you girl, you're making such a fuss."
Outside the main gate of the Zheng Mansion, the convoy was still waiting quietly.The leading general reined in his horse and wandered around for a few steps, then sat on his horse and looked at the gate of Zheng's mansion without moving.Hundreds of soldiers were also standing beside their horses, ready to mount and set off at any time.
In Zheng's mansion, Chi Shao, Ma Wu, and Xiao Cui are saying goodbye to Zheng Kangcheng in the study.
Zheng Kang's idiom said to Chi Shao earnestly: "Your trip, you must have succeeded in killing Cao, but it must be very difficult to retreat." Early in the morning, when Cao Cao was in court, he and a group of civil and military officials were not in the prime minister's mansion. When the housekeepers saw me, they all knew that the master was practicing the skill of keeping silent for a hundred days, and no one dared to talk too much. Settle down in the small courtyard where my sister lives first, Cao Cao will come to see me alone, at that time," Chi Shao said, pulling out a silver hairpin from her head, and with a wave of her hand, it was like a flying arrow nailed into the pillar of the house "I took the opportunity to kill him, and then Xiaocui and I slipped out of the back garden. Xiaocui was familiar with the place, got into the carriage that the horse steward was preparing to get off, and ran out of Xudu city. There were relatives of the horse steward outside the city. Hide there. As soon as Cao Cao died, his hills would be in chaos. In a few days, we would run away when Yuan Shao and other princes came to fight. He ended up in front of him," Chi Shao said, pulling out a silver hairpin from his head, and nailing it to the pillar with a wave of his hand, "afterwards, he will be chopped into meat paste by Cao Cao's left and right sides, and he will die with Cao Cao. One is to avenge the murder of his father. , and the second is to support the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty."
Zheng Kangcheng said: "Did Chi Shao say what you said, or Bai Shao?"
At this time, Chi Shao immediately changed Bai Shao's tone, Wen Wen said quietly: "Even if I am going to die, I am not afraid of death. If I am not afraid of death, why should I be afraid of death?" Zheng Kangcheng nodded affirmatively.Xiaocui went to pull out the two silver hairpins on the pillars of the house, but did not pull them out.Ma Wu went up and pulled hard, but he didn't move.Chi Shao walked over and pulled out all at once.Xiao Cui took the two silver hairpins and inserted them on Chi Shao's head.At this time, Zheng Kangcheng looked at Chi Shao with some embarrassment, and said: "Kill Cao, and the history of Qianqiu will record your deed." Ma Wu said: "My lord, if you can really kill Cao, the Cao family's army will definitely kill Cao." The Zheng family will be washed with blood." Zheng Kangcheng said: "I'll just wait and see. Originally, I'm already at the end of my life, so I just need to pay for it. Well, I'll personally send you out on the road." Zheng Kangcheng said, Chi Shao, Ma Wu and Xiaocui went out together.Zheng Kangcheng said as he walked: "Steward Ma, Xiaocui, you father and daughter are also going through fire and water this time." Ma Wu said: "Miss, my lord has given up their lives, and we father and daughter are not ambiguous." He hugged Xiaocui and walked a few steps.
Outside the gate of the Zheng Mansion, the motorcade was still waiting quietly.The leading general riding on the horse suddenly saw the door of the mansion open, and immediately got off his horse, and saw Zheng Kangcheng, "Bai Shao", Ma Wu, and Xiaocui walking out surrounded by the servants.Ma Wu pointed to the vehicle in front of the door and said to Zheng Kangcheng, "Xiaocui is the first car to accompany the lady, and I will escort the luggage cart in the back. The other cars are the souvenirs that the adults gave Prime Minister Cao." Zheng Kangcheng nodded: " Well organized and impeccable.”
The leading general came up to greet Zheng Kangcheng and "Bai Shao" and said: "Master Zheng, Master Master, at the end of the day, under the order of Lord Xuzhou Inspector Lei, lead five hundred troops to escort Master Master to Prime Minister Xu Du's residence." Kang Cheng nodded calmly. "Bai Shao" also nodded empathetically, and got into the car under the service of Xiao Cui and others.The leading general said to "Bai Shao" who had already boarded the car: "I know that the master is still practicing the Hundred Days of Silence, if you have any orders, you can let the steward Ma and his daughter pass them on, and the general will be there at any time along the way. The governor is eight Baili urgently sent a letter to the Prime Minister's Mansion in Xudu, the master will leave today, and the prime minister will know the news tomorrow. We will have to travel for a few more days to arrive in Xudu." "Bai Shao" nodded his head in the car.Xiaocui said for her, "Master, let's go immediately." Over there, Ma Wu also got into the car.
The leading general got on his horse and with a wave of his hand, the five hundred cavalry all got on their horses and escorted the convoy back and forth to set off.
Zheng Kangcheng stood motionless at the gate and watched the convoy disappear into the distance.
At night, in Kunning Palace, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty talked with Empress Fu and Concubine Rong together.
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty paced slowly in the palace with his hands behind his back.Empress Fu took the hand of Concubine Rong who was sitting close to her and gently stroked it. While watching Emperor Han Xian stop and go, she seemed to be talking to herself or to Concubine Rong: "I just like to touch women. Hands. Concubine Rong's hands are as moist as Concubine Dong's, and they are very comfortable to the touch." Since Fu Rongmei was conferred the title of Concubine Rong, her demeanor has obviously become a little more blessed than before, but she still looks very cautious when she sits next to Empress Fu.
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty stopped, looked at Empress Fu and Concubine Rong, and said, "You two really look like sisters, and Concubine Rong has shown a little bit of dignity after becoming a concubine. Empress, the head of the country and your brother will come to see me in a while, Rong The concubine has already admitted to Fu's family, so she doesn't have to avoid it." Emperor Xian of the Han then said to Concubine Rong: "Concubine Rong, participate in the secret between me and the king, do you have the guts to be a swordsman?" Concubine Rong touched her breast At this time, he said smoothly: "The concubine was born as your majesty's man and died as your majesty's ghost. There is nothing to be afraid of." Han Xiandi praised: "OK." Empress Fu touched Concubine Rong's hand and said: " Sister Rong should not intervene. Concubine Dong has been killed for being involved in a coup in the palace, and you are the only girl left. You can’t get involved if you can, and you really can’t avoid it.” Emperor Han Xian was stunned, and didn’t talk.Empress Fu said: "The father-in-law and the others are coming soon, please step back, Rongmei."
Concubine Rong stood up, bowed to Han Xiandi and Empress Fu and retreated.A few palace maids and eunuchs standing far away from the corner came up to escort Concubine Rong out of the palace gate.There had long been eunuchs waiting outside with lanterns.Huang Fu also led the eunuchs to meet him, and said: "Ms. Concubine Rong, I will show you a few steps." Concubine Rong said, "Eunuch Huang is the most considerate." Huang Fu smiled openly when he heard this, nodded and bowed and said: " A slave is someone who wholeheartedly serves Concubine Rong." A few eunuchs holding lanterns led Fu Wan and Fu Jian to walk across the courtyard.Huang Fu immediately said to Concubine Rong: "Let them send Concubine Rong back to the bedroom, I have to wait on the emperor and queen."
Concubine Rong nodded and left surrounded by several eunuchs and court ladies.
Huang Fu hastened a few steps to meet Fu Wan and Fu Jian, and they went to Kunning Palace together.
In Kunning Palace, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was still pacing and stopping.He said to Empress Fu, "Why did you let Concubine Rong leave, and why are you worried about her?" Empress Fu said, "Although she is the grandniece of Dong Zhuo, she must belong to His Majesty now. I follow the interests and feelings in front of me, but we must take precautions in everything." Han Xiandi said: "Dong Zhuo's family has no enmity with me. It was Wang Yun and Lu Bu who killed him. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao used to oppose I passed Dong Zhuo, but I have nothing to do with Dong Zhuo's death." Empress Fu said, "It's nothing to do with it. It's because people's hearts are unpredictable and changeable. It's better to be more careful about everything." At this time, Huang Fu came in to report: "I want to report to the emperor. , the Taiwei Fu Wan, and the Chariot General Fu Jian kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress."
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "Show them to come in." Then he sat down majestically.
Father and son Fu Wan and Fu Jian entered the door, kowtowed to the ground, and said in unison: "My minister Fu Wan (Fu Jian) kowtows to Your Majesty and the Queen." Emperor Han Xian waved his hand and said, "Master, Fu Jian. I have said a long time ago that when the father of the country is old, he will be exempted from the big gift when he sees me in the future." Empress Fu said politely to the side: "Father, since your majesty has already made a decree, you will be exempted from the big gift in the future. This is the first time you come to the palace. When meeting His Majesty, it is right to kowtow a few more times." After Fu Wan got up, Fu Jian listened to Empress Fu and kowtowed to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty a few more times, saying: "Fu's family inherits the emperor's grace, so I should do as many kowtows as possible." Yes." Han Xiandi waved his hand again, and Fu Jian stood up.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty gave the two of them a seat and made another gesture. Huang Fu waved his hand, and all the court ladies and eunuchs who stood far away from the corner retreated with him.
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "You did not encounter any questioning or trouble when you entered the palace? After Cao Cao killed his uncle Dong Cheng and Concubine Dong last time, he left a message to the general guarding the palace. If my relatives and clans enter the palace without his permission, Kill without pardon." Fu Wan said: "It's tight for a while, and it's loose for a while. I just come and go often, and I'm used to it there. Otherwise, if I come here occasionally, it's like coming to His Majesty to plan some kind of conspiracy."
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty nodded: "What's the important matter when the head of state comes this time?"
Fu Wan looked around vigilantly, and then said to Emperor Xian of the Han in a low voice: "I have already contacted Yuan Shao directly, and he asked someone to bring a secret oral message." When Emperor Xian of Han heard this, he also looked at the doors and windows of the palace warily, Then he leaned forward a little and asked, "Is it reliable? How to ensure the truth?" Fu Wan said, "Yuan Shao has three major military advisors, Guo Tu, Xu You, and Shenpei. Shenpei is Yuan Shao's first confidant, the so-called military advisor. Military division. The person who came to Xudu to contact in secret this time is the son of the judge." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty opened his eyes wide when he heard this: "Really?" There is nothing wrong with him going back and forth." Han Xiandi nodded.Fu Wan went on to say: "The oral secret letter brought by Yuan Shao is concise and to the point: 1. If he captures Xudu and destroys Cao Cao, he will return the government to His Majesty. Your Majesty will not only be the only Majesty in the world, but also the real Majesty."
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty opened his eyes even wider: "This one is very important."
Fu Wan said: "The prime minister of the imperial court and all civil officials below the prime minister are at the discretion of His Majesty to appoint and remove. Yuan Shao is still only his general and in charge of the military." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty nodded in thought.Fu Wan went on to say: "Second, Yuan Shao said that he is in charge of military power and only cares about things outside of Xudu. He will command His Majesty to conquer the princes who do not obey the emperor's order, eliminate alien parties, and level the sea. The guards in Xudu, including the emperor The defense of the city is at the discretion of His Majesty."
When Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty heard this, he was excited: "This one is very important."
Fu Wan went on to say: "Third, Yuan Shao passed a secret letter saying that the old officials in the court, except Cao Cao's best friends, will be pardoned by His Majesty the first term. Cao Cao's best friends will be severely punished." Emperor Xian of Han rubbed his fists and said: "This article is very appropriate." Fu Wan went on to say: "Fourth, Yuan Shao said that he will send millions of troops within a year to attack Xudu and destroy Cao Cao. He is determined to win. I hope that your majesty will be calm and calm, and wait for the change." Han Xiandi heard this, right fisted He slapped his left palm hard, and said: "Very good!" He stood up and paced back and forth uncontrollably. After walking for a while, he stopped and said, "At that time, will Yuan Shao's words not count?" Before she could speak, Empress Fu answered, "We'll talk about it at that time. After Yuan Shao destroyed Cao Cao, Han Sui and Ma Teng in the west, Liu Biao in the south, and Sun Ce in the east will all come to the court to make contact. At that time, it's not up to His Majesty to manipulate you. Balance the world."
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty squinted his eyes and nodded earnestly, then took two steps, stopped and said to Fu Wan: "It's too risky to do things like Guojiu Dong Cheng in the future." Fu Wan said: "There is no risk this time. You only need to wait for Yuan Shao to use his strength. Your Majesty can attack here, retreat or defend, and if there is no excuse, just wait for Yuan Shao to destroy Cao."
Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty sat down thoughtfully, and asked again: "What news did they bring?"
Fu Jian said: "The son of the judge said that there is a special business that no one in the world knows is going on in secret. There is a sharp knife that is now close to Cao Cao's neck." Empress Fu exchanged glances, and then said to Fu Jian: "I've heard of this saying too, but I don't know which sharp knife it is?"
In the twilight, a team of cavalry escorted the convoy of "Bai Shao" to Xudu City.The leading generals on horseback scanned the passing villages and fields on both sides.Accompanied by Xiaocui, the "Bai Shao" in the car raised the curtain and looked at the morning scenery passing by outside the car and the cavalry ahead.When the road turns, you can still see many vehicles and hundreds of cavalry behind. "White Peony" looked dignified.
In the Prime Minister's Mansion in Xudu City, Cao Cao was pacing up and down in the lobby.Xun You was by his side.
Cao Cao said: "I was very happy to learn that the master book arrived at Xudu a few days earlier after a hundred days of silent work. I couldn't go to court today because of illness, so I waited for the master book to arrive in the middle school." Xun You said, "At midnight yesterday, it was reported that The convoy is fifty miles away from Xudu, and it must arrive this morning." Cao Pi hurried in.Cao Cao asked: "Where is the convoy?" Cao Pi said: "It has arrived in the eastern suburbs of Xudu, and it will arrive soon." Cao Cao seemed excited, pacing and stopping, and said: "Where are the stewards Zhu Si and Zhu Liu? ?” Zhu Si and Zhu Liu came in at this moment.Cao Cao said to them: "Both housekeepers and deputy housekeepers, have you settled down to welcome the master?" Zhu Si said: "It's all settled. The small courtyard where the master lived was sealed off as soon as she left. Everything is cleaned up. Everything has been arranged." Cao Cao nodded and said, "I thought it would be too late to go to the court and see you again, but I don't want to go to the court, so it's better not to go to the court." Xun You said: "The prime minister is a man of temperament, so The arrangement makes sense."
On the outskirts of Xudu, the convoy was still galloping.The city tower of Xudu can be seen from a distance.The leading general waved his hand, and hundreds of riders and carriages slowed down and stopped.The leading general rode up to the first car that "Bai Shao" was riding in, and said, "Report to Master, the city of Xu is already in front of us. Take a break at this time, let Master straighten up his attire, and then go straight into the city." , Go straight to the Prime Minister's Mansion." Xiaocui's voice inside said: "The master is known." The leading general then reported: "According to the news that the Prime Minister just arrived, the Prime Minister did not go to the morning court today, and he is waiting at the Prime Minister's Mansion."
In the car, "Bai Shao" and Xiao Cui were completely stunned when they heard this arrangement.
Xiaocui watched the leading generals ride away, and asked "Bai Shao": "What should I do?"Xiaocui said: "Anyway, you are practicing the skill of keeping silent for a hundred days. When you meet face to face, if you laugh but don't answer everything, you go back to the master's room to rest. The prime minister will come alone later, and then wait for the opportunity to act." "Bai Shao "Nod.
The convoy rectified a bit, the leading general waved his hand, and started galloping again.
At this time, Cao Cao was also pacing up and down in the prime minister's mansion without stopping.
Five hundred cavalrymen escorted more than ten chariots into Xudu, galloped through the streets of the city, and finally stopped in front of Xiangfu.The gate of Xiangfu is heavily guarded, as always.The leading general reined in his horse and stopped in front of the door, and reported loudly: "The governor of Xuzhou sent troops to escort the master to the master." Zhu Si had already led dozens of family members out to greet him.
Xiaocui lifts the curtain first and gets out of the car, and then gets off with "Bai Shao".Here Zhu Si has already ordered the servants and maids to pick up the "White Peony".Zhu Si said: "The master is finally back. The prime minister didn't go to court today and has been waiting in the lobby." "Bai Shao" nodded.Xiao Cui immediately said to her: "Steward Zhu, the master knows, and said that steward Zhu has worked hard." Zhu Si said: "I know that there are still a few days left for the master to keep silent for a hundred days. The master only needs to signal, and I am here to serve you at any time." Ma Wu also got off the back car earlier, and said to Zhu Si: "Housekeeper Zhu, it is fate that Ma Wu meets you again." Then he pointed to the cars behind and said, "The two cars behind are the master's luggage. The next few cars are Xuzhou souvenirs sent by Mr. Zheng to the prime minister." Zhu Si nodded while directing his family Ding Hu to embrace "Bai Shao" and Xiao Cui to go up the steps and enter the gate.
Cao Pi went out to greet "Bai Shao": "Master, father is waiting for you in the lobby."
"Bai Shao" saw the heroic Cao Pi head-on at such a close distance, his eyes could not help but flashed and jumped for a moment.That was the spark that was planted in Xuzhou more than a year ago, but she immediately concealed the instant fiery passion that belonged to Chi Shao, restored the calmness of "White Shao", and nodded slightly to express her response to Cao Pi.
As soon as he entered the gate of the mansion, Cao Cao came out from the lobby surrounded by Zhu Liu and other servants.
When Cao Cao saw "Bai Shao", he bowed his hands and said, "Looking forward to the stars and looking forward to the moon, I finally hope that the master is back." "Bai Shao" expressed his understanding of this humor, and smiled and nodded.Xiao Cui added on the side: "The master must also be looking forward to the prime minister. If you practice the hundred-day kungfu to be pure-hearted, you won't come back." Cao Cao looked at "Bai Shao" with a smile and said: "After a hundred days of practice, I will never come back." With daily Taoism and homework, people have indeed changed, their appearance has not changed, but their demeanor has changed." "Bai Shao" smiled slightly, and shook his head disapprovingly.Xiao Cui said: "Every change is inseparable from its origin. No matter how much it changes, it will still be the lady of the Zheng family and the master of the prime minister." Cao Cao laughed.Zhu Liu watched "Bai Shao" vigilantly behind Cao Cao, and added: "I also see that the master book has changed." Cao Cao turned to look at Zhu Liu with a smile: "What changes?"
Zhu Liu stared at "Bai Shao": "It's the same as what the prime minister said, similar in shape but not in spirit."
This remark is obviously more serious than what Cao Cao said just now.The words were serious, somehow aroused Cao Cao's doubts.With this doubt, he looked at "White Peony". "Bai Shao" was calm and smiling at first, and let it go, but at this moment he hesitated, and raised his hands to straighten his temples.Zhu Liu had been standing behind Cao Cao, and at this moment he stepped in front of Cao Cao, facing "Bai Shao" and said, "Master, what's the matter?" "Bai Shao" put down his hand and shook his head slightly with a smile.Xiao Cui immediately said to her, "Master has been exhausted all the way, and now I have to go back to my room to change clothes and settle down." Cao Cao immediately said, "Housekeeper, send Master to the residence immediately to settle down." Then, Cao Cao said to "Bai Shao": "I'll just wait for you to settle down, and then I'll visit the door, and then we'll talk about receiving the wind and so on."
"Bai Shao" nodded, and went down under the embrace of Xiaocui and other maids.
As soon as the group of people left the courtyard, Zhu Liu approached Cao Cao and said in a low voice, "It seems that the visitors are not friendly."
Cao Cao froze for a moment, rolled his eyes and thought hard, then suddenly realized, nodded with gloomy eyes: "I understand." Then pointing to Cao Pi, he ordered: "Let the soldiers take down the so-called chief book immediately." Dazed: "Why?" Cao Cao said: "Fake." Cao Pi was still surprised.Cao Cao said: "Thanks to Zhu Liu's reminder, this master book looks similar, but its spirit is not. The appearance is exactly the same, but there is a murderous look on the face. Even if the real master book practices the skill of keeping silent for a hundred days, it will definitely not be murderous to Gu Gu. This is the Zheng family. The fake ones are the real ones, and they have been replaced."
Cao Pi understood what he heard, and immediately drew out his sword. With a wave of his hand, dozens of soldiers from the family followed him.
Zhu Liu also took the lead bravely and chased after him together.They quickly caught up with the group of "Bai Shao".
Cao Pi shouted: "Housekeeper Zhu, as well as the servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion, are all dispersed. I am waiting for the order of the Prime Minister to arrest the false master." Zhu Si and many servants who supported "Bai Shao" were all dumbfounded.Cao Pi repeated the call again.Zhu Si looked at "Bai Shao" on the left and Cao Pi on the right, but he was still in a daze.Cao Pi shouted for the third time: "Get out quickly, don't violate the Prime Minister's order!" Zhu Si and other servants dispersed in a daze, exposing "Bai Shao" and Xiao Cui in the center. "Bai Shao" violently pushed Xiao Cui aside, then jumped out of the encirclement with a leap.Cao Pi led his men in hot pursuit.The four female generals who were the bodyguards for Bai Shao also came up to meet them, Cao Pi issued an order: "Prince Prime Minister Jun ordered, capture the false master."
"Bai Shao" was surrounded, and several soldiers came forward to arrest her.She kicked down several of them one after another, and ran away.Cao Pi and Zhu Liu chased at the forefront. "Bai Shao" circled around in the winding corridor looking for a way to escape, a soldier chased her, she pulled a silver hairpin from her head, waved a shot, hit the soldier's throat, the soldier fell to the ground, and his helmet rolled aside.Zhu Liu rushed forward to capture "Bai Shao", but "Bai Shao" pulled out a hairpin from his head and waved his hand to shoot, Zhu Liu turned his head to dodge anxiously, was shot in the shoulder, and slipped to the ground. "Bai Shao" picked up the sword in the hand of the fallen soldier, and tried to run again.
Cao Pi blocked it head-on with his sword, pointed at the soldiers who were chasing up behind him and said to "Bai Shao": "Surrender soon!" "Bai Shao" replied: "Get out of the way, I don't want your life!" Cao Pi died Get in there. "Bai Shao" touched the head, then waved his hand, Cao Pi flashed, the shot was actually empty. "Bai Shao" turned his head and ran again, Cao Pi led his men in hot pursuit, "Bai Shao" waved his hand again, Cao Pi flashed, but the shot was still empty.At this time, the soldiers gradually surrounded "Bai Shao" to death in the corridor area.Cao Pi said, "Are you ready?" "Bai Shao" shouted in Chi Shao's voice, "Cao Pi, don't push me too far! I really don't want your life!" Tears burst out as he spoke.Cao Pi stared blankly at her for a moment, and then said stubbornly: "Put down your sword and surrender." Kicking his foot into the air, he raised his hand, and a silver hairpin nailed the helmet to the pillar.Cao Pi was stunned.More soldiers surrounded them, bent their bows and took aim at "Bai Shao". "Bai Shao" looked at Cao Pi panting.
Cao Pi said: "Thank you girl for letting me die. I won't hurt you. Come down quickly."
Dozens of soldiers around drew their bows, and all their arrows pointed at "Bai Shao".
More soldiers came for reinforcements, and the arrows with full bows were densely aimed at "Bai Shao", and all the swords, guns, swords and halberds were surrounded and pointed at her. "Bai Shao" was still panting slightly and staring at Cao Pi.Cao Pi said again: "Put down the sword, let's surrender." Then, he waved his hand and pressed down on the crowd, and the soldiers aimed the arrows on the bow at the feet of "Bai Shao". "Bai Shao" looked around, seeing no way out, put the sword on the ground and folded his hands behind his back.Several soldiers took the rope.
"Bai Shao" said to Cao Pi: "Don't let them touch me, you do it, I won't hurt you again."
Cao Pi looked at "Bai Shao", and "Bai Shao" also looked at him.Cao Pi came up and tied "Bai Shao" with ropes.The surrounding soldiers are still surrounded.Cao Pi's binding movements were slow, steady, and caring.
Whenever "Bai Shao" glanced at him, Cao Pi felt a little uncomfortable avoiding her gaze.
Cao Cao's couch has been moved from the lobby to the steps outside the door, and Cao Cao sits in the courtyard.Cao Pi tied up the "White Peony" and brought it up.Ma Wu and Xiao Cui were also tied up and brought up together.All the soldiers surrounded them.Cao Cao was interrogated in court.He looked "Bai Shao" up and down, and then said: "You are the twin sister of Bai Shao, right? Her name is Bai Shao, and you are called Chi Shao. Isn't it good?" Chi Shao dressed as Bai Shao stood there for a while. Say nothing.Cao Cao nodded and said: "It's exactly the same, just one Wen and one Wu. White peony and red peony are two kinds of herbs. The white peony nourishes blood, and the red peony promotes blood. They really deserve their names. Let me ask you first, who are you here to kill me? Instigated?" Chi Shao raised her head and remained silent.Cao Cao said: "I know it even if you don't tell me, it must be your grandfather Zheng Kangcheng who ordered it."
Cao Pi presented the helmet and silver hairpin nailed to the porch pillar by the red peony root in front of Cao Cao.
Cao Cao moved the silver hairpin nailed to the helmet a little, and said: "I heard that you just let my son Cao Pi die, why?" Chi Shao remained silent.Cao Cao said: "What's the point of saying this?" Chi Shao said: "The sin of a father deserves death, and there is no need for a son to take his life." Cao Cao asked: "What else? Why did you put down two people in front and kill me One general, you hurt my deputy housekeeper, and you let my son Cao Pi alone?" Chi Shao raised her head and said fearlessly: "I love him as a young hero!" As soon as the words came out, Cao Cao, Cao Pi and the people around were all shocked. Stunned.Everyone looked at Chi Shao, and then at Cao Pi.Cao Cao looked at Chi Shao: "As soon as we met this time, did you fall in love with it?" Chi Shao said angrily, "I've fallen in love with it a long time ago!" Cao Cao asked suspiciously: "Early?" Chi Shao snorted: "Last year One arrow from Xuzhou didn't kill you!" Hearing this, Cao Pi and the others all stared at Chi Shao.Cao Cao nodded: "You were also the assassin that time? The general Zhang Liao who didn't shoot Gu, but almost shot him...Okay, just be brave."
Cao Cao paused for a moment, then asked again: "I still want to ask, the three of you came together to murder Gu, does the master know?" Chi Shao held her head high and remained silent.Cao Cao pointed to Xiao Cui and asked: "Xiao Cui, answer, you are here to murder Gu, does the master know?" Xiao Cui bowed her head and remained silent.Cao Cao looked at her and didn't talk to her for a while.Everyone is watching.Cao Cao said: "Xiaocui, there are creditors for debts, and enemies for enemies. Ordinary people do things bravely. As long as you say this, do you know that you have come to murder me like this?"
Xiao Cui lowered her eyes and remained silent for a while, then finally slowly shook her head.
Cao Cao was very concerned about this answer, and in order to confirm, he asked: "Why doesn't she know?" Xiaocui said: "Missy has not finished her practice of keeping silent for a hundred days, my father told her to go back to her hometown and take me with her. Miss said, she also wants to go to the hometown of martial arts with her." After Xiao Cui finished speaking, Chi Shao glanced at her.Cao Cao finally understood what he heard, and nodded his head: "If I come to the master, I won't know, and I won't agree with you to do this." Chi Shao said, "I don't know, but it doesn't mean I don't agree." Cao Cao smiled sarcastically: "If she agrees, why don't you let her know; if you don't let her know, you must think she doesn't agree." Cao Cao stood up from his seat and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, "The others don't care, As long as I know for sure that you and the other masters of the plot don't know, that's enough." He stopped in front of Xiao Cui and Chi Shao, and said to Xiao Cui: "Just because of your truth, I will spare the three of you today. capital offense."
Cao Cao paused, then asked again: "Xiao Cui, if you tell Gu the truth again, will the master come back?"
Xiaocui lowered her eyes and shook her head.Cao Cao was stunned: "Is she not coming back?" Xiao Cui said, "I once asked the eldest lady if she would go back to Xudu, and she shook her head. Asked if she would not return to Xudu, she shook her head again. Head." Cao Cao asked nervously, "What does she mean?" Xiaocui then replied with lowered eyes, "Ask her again if she doesn't know, and she nodded." Cao Cao said to himself, "She doesn't know if she will come back or not." ?” Xiao Cui nodded clearly.
Cao Cao paced back and forth in the courtyard, and everyone stood around watching him.
Cao Cao stopped suddenly, and said to the three of Chi Shao: "Gu will not kill you, nor will I torture you to extract confessions. I will just lock you up, and immediately go to the Xudu Zheng's mansion to write the book, and ask the master to come back. As soon as the master arrives at the prime minister's mansion, I'll let you three go immediately." Chi Shao said stubbornly: "My sister won't come back." Cao Cao said: "Then it's up to you." Then he ordered: "Come on!" Cao Pi replied: "No ’” Cao Cao said to Cao Pi, “Immediately take them down and lock them up in the mansion, but wait for the master to come back.” Cao Pi waved his hand and led the soldiers to escort Chi Shao, Xiao Cui, and Ma Wu away.
Cao Pi led people to escort Chi Shao and the three of them through the promenade and garden in the prime minister's mansion, and came to a courtyard surrounded by high walls.Entering the courtyard, the houses inside are neat and the doors and windows are secure.Cao Pi ordered Xiaocui and Ma Wuxian to be untied, and each of them was locked in a room with an iron lock on the door.Then he untied Chi Shao and shut him into the main room, and locked the door with a big lock.Then Cao Pi waved his hand, and many generals in and out of the courtyard surrounded and guarded strictly.A general pointed to the house where Chi Shao was imprisoned and said: "This shouldn't be loosened, she can fight well, it's dangerous." Cao Pi said: "Just strengthen the guard." He looked back at the room where Chi Shao was imprisoned.Chi Shao was looking out through the crack of the door in the dark of the room, watched Cao Pi give some orders, then turned and left the yard.
Chi Shao lightly shook the solid door, and then shook the windows. The windows were all covered with iron railings, and through the crack of the door, he looked at the densely packed soldiers in and out of the courtyard.She sighed and leaned against the wall.
Cao Pi hurried through the garden and the corridor, and then returned to the courtyard in front of the lobby.Cao Cao was still sitting in the courtyard in front of the main hall, with the steward Zhu Si and military advisor Xun You standing beside him.There are still some servants standing on both sides of the courtyard.Cao Pi said to Cao Cao: "Report to my father, the three assassins are all in custody." Cao Cao nodded slightly.
Zhu Liu came, covering his freshly bandaged shoulder with one hand.Cao Cao pointed to Zhu Liu and said to Zhu Si: "You brother, you are another hero today." Zhu Liu walked up and presented a silver hairpin to Cao Cao: "Thank you villain for dodging quickly, otherwise it would not be the shoulder that was pierced. , but the throat." Cao Cao took the silver hairpin, twisted it in his hand, looked at it, then picked up the helmet hat that was put aside, with a silver hairpin tied on it, and Cao Cao pulled the silver hairpin back and forth. Liao Ba: "This Chi Shao is amazing! Two sisters, one is Wen Dajia and the other is Wu Dajia. Together, they are both civil and military." Cao Cao paused for a moment, and then said to Zhu Liu: "Chi Shao just met the lonely face, and saw the lonely pair. Her demeanor changed a little bit of doubt, and she raised her hands to straighten her temples. It seemed that she wanted to kill Gu at that time. Being blocked by you, Gu escaped this catastrophe. This is your first achievement today, Zhu Liu. Then, You also reminded the loner that he is not good, and made the lone realize it. This is the second merit. Finally, you chased Chi Shao together with Cao Pi’s soldiers, and your shoulder was injured. This is the third merit. Huang Er's assassination is still a merit, and the credit is not small." Zhu Liu cupped his hands and said, "As long as the prime minister trusts, Zhu Liu swears to serve the prime minister to the death. I'm afraid the prime minister will doubt the villain." Cao Cao shook his head: "Where did you start talking about this? "Zhu Liu said: "The last time Xuzhou was conquered to attack Liu Bei, the Prime Minister asked the villain to accompany the army as the account manager and grain and grass director of the Chinese Army. This time when I went to Guandu to fight Yuan Shao, the Prime Minister did not let me join the army. "
Cao Cao didn't expect Zhu Liu to be so eloquent, so he was speechless for a while.
朱六却接着说：“朱六也确有令丞相可疑之处，今日披肝沥胆对丞相坦言交代。我本是生意人，因为好赌，欠债几千万，逃命到丞相府来，投奔四哥。如此亡命之徒，易让人生疑。”曹操略点点头：“你说明白就好，此事孤不介意。”朱六看了看站在一旁的荀攸、曹丕等人，接着说道：“我虽亡命，但对丞相赤胆忠心。四哥引荐我，我若对丞相不忠，连四哥都对不起。更何况丞相如此力排众议信用小人，小人安能不竭忠报效？此次丞相未让朱六随军总管中军帐，朱六虽明知丞相是疑人不用，然小人无怨，谁让自己来路卑下。小人只想一而再、再而三效死力报效丞相，以博丞相信任。如终不得信任，小人也无怨无悔。”曹操听罢思忖了一下，说道：“这番话算是披肝沥胆。孤这里人多嘴杂，听了些七言八语，有点疑你是可能的。疑过了，就不疑了。下次出征，你还随军总管中军帐，在孤身边侍候。”朱六说道：“别人在丞相这儿添话，小人不怕。但我知道，这次必是主簿添话，这来头就非同一般。”
曹操略皱眉：“你这等话还是不讲为好。”
朱六说道：“朱六倒要犯忌讳，在这里死谏一回。”说着扑通给曹操跪下，叩首道，“此次赤芍三人来害丞相，主簿必是知情者。小人以命担保。”曹操愣了。朱六接着说道：“丞相审问时，小翠说主簿对阴谋不知情，实是包庇主簿。”曹操警戒地问：“为何？”朱六说：“包庇了主簿，也就救了他们自己。丞相你想，如主簿也参与了阴谋，丞相连主簿都杀了，还能放过赤芍、小翠他们吗？但若主簿清白，丞相心一软，手一宽，为了主簿，还不放生他们？小翠包庇了主簿，也就逃了自己死罪，这谁看不清楚？”
曹操眯着眼摇头：“主簿不可疑，不得疑。她救孤多次。”
朱六抢话道：“不就是吉平太医下毒吗，此何足证明？小人曾挡黄二，今日又挡赤芍，也算为丞相挡了两次刺客，丞相莫非对小人就完全去疑了？小人倒觉得，丞相还对小人存疑，理所应当。”曹操沉吟了一下，说道：“好了，朱六，孤从今日起不再疑你了。你可下去。但主簿，孤也不疑。”朱六起身道：“只要丞相答应我一直侍候丞相身边，我就什么都不说了。主簿若无歹心，自然相安无事。若她真有害丞相之心，我必为丞相再挡一回，死而无憾。”说着，拿起曹操已然放下的那支银簪，一下扎穿自己掌心，又将其血淋淋地拔出来。曹操及侍立左右的荀攸、朱四、曹丕都愣了。朱六将银簪放下，而后用血手将胸口衣服按红，说道：“今日在丞相面前算是下了血誓。”而后拱手行礼而下。
曹操看着朱六离去的背影思忖了一下，问朱四：“你这兄弟向来如此刚烈吗？”朱四侍候地答道：“向来如此。”曹操略点了一下头，一指放在一旁的那支血簪和那个钉着银簪的头盔对朱四说道：“将这些收拾下去吧。”朱四点点头收拾东西下去了。
曹丕趁机对曹操谏道：“可否把小翠再提出来审审，确认主簿是真的不知情。”曹操摇头道：“我可以信任朱六，但我绝不会再疑主簿。朱六之忠算是行为昭著。但唯主簿之心，我伸手可触，真实不虚。”说着，曹操起身进大堂，荀攸、曹丕一边挥手让家丁将坐榻抬入大堂，一边也跟曹操进到大堂内。曹操当堂入座，拍了拍台案上信笺对曹丕、荀攸说道：“我已发一信，八百里加急送徐州郑府主簿，现说给你们听听。”曹操停了停，诵道：“趁君修炼百日不语功之际，郑府指使君妹赤芍乔装代君赶赴许都。孤满心欢喜，迎接君到。不料等到的是志在杀曹的女刺客。现已将赤芍并同谋马五、小翠三人擒拿扣押。知君必不知情，孤仍诚盼君归。念赤芍是君同胞姐妹，现扣押之三人，只要君归，即行放还。”
荀攸说：“倘若信到徐州郑府，被郑康成扣下，主簿看不到，又将为之奈何？”曹操说：“孤想到这一点了。我给主簿的信封好之后，是放在给徐州刺史雷震的公文中八百里加急送去的。孤令雷震率兵包围郑府，但不得擅自抓人伤人。只须他亲自带兵入郑府，将信当面呈交主簿即可。为震慑郑康成，我令雷震当面向他宣布，赤芍三人行刺已被擒拿。八百里加急今日发，明后日必到徐州。”荀攸听了，转着眼珠点点头：“主公这下等于扣了三个人质，促使主簿归来。如此恩威并重，软硬兼施，恰到好处。”曹操一听倒愣了：“人质？”荀攸说：“是啊。”
曹操疑惑了，想了想，摇头道：“荀军师如此一点破，孤倒觉得不妥了。孤对主簿不可如此。孤要再写一信，八百里加急追送。还是密封放在公文函中，让徐州刺史雷震当面交主簿。”说着拿起面前台案上的毛笔，舔墨铺纸张，又写起信来，边写边念出声：“前去一信，后觉不妥。扣押赤芍三人以待君来，实有以人质要挟君归之嫌。对君，孤断不该如此。现追加此信，明日即派曹丕率兵将赤芍三人护送至徐州郑府，数日可达。为报君恩，孤已赦免赤芍三人害孤之罪，对郑府也再无任何追责。君归不归许都，听任君意。孤无丝毫强勉之心。君去百日之多，孤日日翘首以待，则实为真情。”
曹操写罢念罢放下笔，对曹丕说道：“我准备就派你带兵送人去徐州，主要是让你去徐州一带巡察。明日一早上朝请旨，封你为钦差大臣。徐州一带，北抵袁绍势力范围，南接东南孙策地盘，此番巡视也是对你的历练。我的八百里加急，明后天就到徐州。你这队送人车马，再过几日才到得了。那时你也可登郑府会见主簿，再言其他。”曹丕说：“遵父钧旨。”曹操又提起笔来说道：“我再与徐州刺史雷震指示一二。”说着，又拿起一页信笺，写了几行，而后将给白芍的信放进信封封好，写上“交主簿白芍亲启”。与给徐州刺史雷震的信一并装入公文信封，递荀攸道：“将此封加印，立刻八百里加急发往徐州刺史府。”荀攸要接未接，说道：“主簿若真不回来，又为之奈何？主公近来常常茶饭无心，是否信中再加两句，诸如思君心切，寝食难安，还有近日头风病又犯之类，以动主簿其心。”曹操摇头道：“演苦情戏，以动他人恻隐之心，此种手段，大丈夫所不为也。”荀攸立刻拿着信函点头说道：“丞相诚如主簿所说，质朴无华。攸即去发加急公文，往徐州刺史府。”曹丕紧接着行礼道：“领父钧旨，丕这就去准备明日动身去徐州。”曹操点头。
袁绍大军在武阳一带连营扎寨数十里。
中军营寨中军帐内，袁绍正背着手踱来踱去，左右文臣武将数十人肃立侍候。郭图急匆匆进来禀告：“明公，关云长已从河南许都逃离曹操，过河入了河北。”袁绍说：“这岂不是大好消息，怎看你神情焦虑？”郭图说：“他并非来投袁大将军，是来投刘备的。”袁绍说：“刘备在我这里，他投刘备，即是投我。”郭图说：“刘备现在何处？”袁绍说：“他说要往荆州见刘表，说动刘表共破曹操，我已派他出使荆州了。刘备说得不错，刘表镇守荆湘九郡，兵精粮足，宜与相约，共诛曹操。过去我屡次遣使相约，彼都未肯相从。刘玄德与他同宗，此去必无推阻。”郭图说：“明公中了刘备之计了。他此乃金蝉脱壳计。现据情报，刘备根本未去荆州，已与南来的关羽暗自会合，又寻到他另一个结拜兄弟张飞，张飞收拢了他往日的余部，现已往古城一带竖起大旗另立山头。”
袁绍一听大怒：“刘备大耳贼，耍了曹操，又耍了我，将人人当作过河石，真乃天下第一奸贼。”说着拔出佩剑，狠狠往地上一扎，“我必杀之！”郭图劝道：“当前第一大敌乃是曹操，刘备小小不言可弃之不顾。设法联盟四方诸侯围攻曹操乃当下最要之务。”袁绍略点头听着。郭图接着道：“曹操北向与明公正面相对，西边马腾韩遂，南面荆州刘表，东南小霸王孙策，成合围状。我们需和他们结盟共破曹操。这三方面，数南边荆州刘表最胸无大志，无多大用处。西边马腾、韩遂强悍，但一时还欠胆量。唯东南小霸王孙策兵强马壮，与其结盟甚为要紧。”
袁绍点头：“郭军师可立刻安排得当之人出使江东与孙策沟通。”
正说着，审配又匆匆进来报告：“关羽与刘备暗自相会，另立山头了。”袁绍说：“我已知晓。”审配说：“早知刘备大伪若诚，明公宽宏大量容纳之，他竟如此不仁不义。曰，'积不善之家，必有余殃。'他必死无葬身之地。明公大可不必计较此等小人来去。现有要紧消息禀报明公，已经与许都那个陛下联系上了。”袁绍一下站住：“哦？”而后当中入座，说道，“详情如何？”审配道：“我派我儿为密使去了许都，将大将军的口传密信告之国丈伏完，一拍即合。听那边的口气，朝廷上下远非铁板一块，反曹之人可谓暗潮涌动、汹汹攘攘。明公届时兴兵攻曹，里应外合，胜之必然。”
袁绍拍了拍放在一旁配着金锁的红木箱说道：“汝等看，这个红木箱我随军都带着。”说着打开箱子，指着里面满满的信函说道：“多是许都朝廷上下文武官员暗通我袁绍的来信。”他拿起浮头上的一个信封看了一眼，说道：“这是刚被曹操提名封的礼部侍郎杨修，就是昔日太尉杨彪的儿子给我的信。”袁绍又拍了拍满箱信件，把箱盖哐的一声盖上，再拍了拍箱子说道：“曹操哪里知道，他貌似强盛，实则危如累卵。我这是以众击寡，以强击弱，从容得很。若不从容，我只需把这一箱信函丢弃给曹军，他那里必血洗朝廷，许都朝夕之间就暗无天日。现在要紧的是扩军备战，数月之内一定要踏平河南。”
许攸也匆匆进来，袁绍一指许攸道：“正说扩军备战，你这扩军统领就来了。”许攸说：“招兵买马，扩军备战，日夜抓紧，进展顺利。这次赶来武阳中军营寨见明公，为的是另一件要事。已派人去徐州，终于与郑公郑康成联系好了，明公一直想请他来冀州壮门面，这次他算是松了口。”袁绍说：“郑康成若能来，我必回冀州出城三十里亲自迎接。郑公一到，天下贤士必望风而来。”
袁绍突然想起什么，看着审配说道：“审军师，那桩秘密买卖进行得如何了？上次你说，那把快刀离曹操脖子近在咫尺了，现在呢？”
审配说：“启禀明公，那把快刀就快抹曹贼脖子了。”
第二日，曹丕领旨以钦差大臣身份巡察徐州地区。
他亲率骑兵五百，顺路“护送”赤芍及小翠、马五回徐州郑府。一路上，曹丕领兵急驰。众将士前后左右护送着两辆车。第一辆车其实是经过改装的囚车，外观虽然华丽，但是门和窗户都上着铁栏杆。曹丕骑马与车不时并行，车中赤芍也隔着铁栏杆张望着外面。两人的目光不时相遇。
车马队急驰过田野、村庄，中午到达一片开阔的河滩地。河边有小树林，干涸的河床中央流着一脉小溪。曹丕下令：“休歇片刻，吃饭。”车队停在了河滩上，众骑兵下了马，围在两车周围。将士们有的喂马。有的用火石打火，点着拾来的柴木，支起锅来，舀来小河里的清水烧水，掏出干粮，准备饭食。有的士兵则站在两车附近警戒。曹丕指了指两辆车，对将士们说：“让他们三人也下车休歇。”第二辆车没有铁栏杆，一开车门，马五就下来了。第一辆车打开铁栏杆门，小翠先怯怯地看看车边将士，而后小心下得车来，回身接赤芍。
曹丕略挥一下手，士兵们就警戒着围上来。
赤芍一个纵身跳下车来。曹丕说：“且慢。”在团团包围的将士的警戒下，上来两个兵士用绳索拴住了赤芍的两只脚，她只能小步行走。赤芍白了曹丕一眼：“既然送我回去，还怕我跑吗？”曹丕为难一笑：“怕小姐不识好歹，独自跑回去，哪如这般送你回去省力。”将士们将干粮与烧热的水递给曹丕：“曹将军请用。”曹丕一边接过一边扬下巴示意了一下，又有将士将干粮递给赤芍及小翠、马五。
赤芍一摇头说道：“不吃。”曹丕问：“为何？”赤芍白一眼：“怕他们下毒。”曹丕一笑：“岂敢。”说着将自己手中的干粮递到赤芍手中。
那边有将士在河滩不远处立起一个箭靶，一边休歇，一边练箭游戏，有中靶的，有不中靶的，中靶也多不在靶心上。赤芍看着冷笑了一声。曹丕听见，看了赤芍一眼，自己走过去，拿起随身所带之弓，拔出箭来搭上，一箭射去，接近靶心。众将士喝彩。赤芍又轻蔑地哼了一声。曹丕走过来将弓递给赤芍：“已知小姐身手不凡，还望见教。”赤芍冷冷地瞄了曹丕一眼，将干粮交小翠，拿起弓，小步挪到曹丕刚才射箭处，一伸手，曹丕递她一支箭。她搭上箭，略瞄了一下曹丕：“不怕我射将军？”曹丕摇了一下头。赤芍转身拉弓一箭射去，飞箭直中靶心。众将士登时瞠目。
赤芍又伸手要箭，曹丕又递一支。她远远瞄向站在七八十步外的曹丕副将：“我要射你。”对方吓得要躲，赤芍说：“我只要你盔不要你命。”说着一箭射去，副将躲闪不及，一箭射中头盔，射去了盔上的簪缨。众将士全看呆了。副将拿着被射掉簪缨的头盔看了又看，惊出了一头汗。曹丕赞叹地看着赤芍：“小姐真好身手，不知马上射箭如何？丕常觉站射尚容易，骑马飞驰射准甚难。”赤芍迈了两下腿，绳索拖拽，说：“如何上马？”曹丕示了一下意，上来两个将士为赤芍解绳索。一位副将有些担心：“曹将军，这……”
曹丕说：“不怕她跑，跑了，倒省得我等护送了。”
曹丕又令人将自己的坐骑牵来，交给赤芍。赤芍拿着弓翻身上马，伸手要箭，曹丕摘下箭壶递了上去。赤芍骑着马来回跑着，弯弓搭箭，一箭箭射去，接连几箭皆中靶心。众将士看得目瞪口呆。
曹丕看看箭靶，看看马上的赤芍，连连赞叹。远远地，赤芍弯弓搭箭指着曹丕说：“闭眼。”曹丕闭上眼，赤芍一箭射来，又将曹丕头盔上的簪缨射掉。曹丕看着被射掉簪缨的帽盔，摸了摸头顶，不由叹道：“好个神箭手！”赤芍骑马过来，在曹丕身边勒住，跳下马来，将弓箭还到曹丕手中。曹丕说：“小姐何不投诚？”赤芍说：“投诚谁？”曹丕说：“自然是大汉朝廷。”赤芍冷笑一声：“那是曹操朝廷。灭了曹操，大汉朝廷才恢复正统。”曹丕盯了赤芍一会儿，摇头道：“政见不同。小姐为何如此顽固？”赤芍说：“与国贼势不两立。”曹丕叹了口气，挥手对将士们下令：“休歇好了，出发。”
小翠与赤芍又都上了车，车又关上了铁栏杆门，曹丕示意不再上锁。后面马五也上了车。将士们翻身上马。
车马队再次启程，往徐州方向急驰而去。
徐州刺史雷震率兵两千包围了徐州郑府，而后，亲自率兵数百进入郑府。
郑府守卫大门的家仆们早已大惊失色，有的转身跑进府内紧急禀报，有的壮着胆要上前拦挡，雷震高喝一声：“奉丞相钧旨，带兵入郑府，任何人不得违抗！”将士们将守门家仆们逼靠在一边站住，不得动，留下几人控制住他们，其余人跟着雷震冲入大门。沿途穿庭过院，凡见郑府家仆及郑康成弟子们拦挡及逃窜者，立刻分兵将他们逼停控制住。几个领兵将领不断喝道：“都站原地，不得动弹！”问家仆们郑康成在哪里，大多摇头不答。有个别人胆怯，嗫嚅着说：“在书房。”雷震率兵穿过几个院子，过一片开阔地，将书房团团包围。
郑康成早已得报，这时从容走出书房，站在台阶上。虽然人显衰老，但依然身材伟岸，神态儒雅威严。他背过双手，在左右家仆弟子们的簇拥下问道：“刺史大人带兵入府，有何贵干？”雷震一人上前正色宣道：“郑大人外孙女赤芍，假冒主簿赴许都行刺，连同同谋马五父女二人，已被当场擒拿。今日雷某特奉丞相钧旨率兵包围并进入郑府。”郑康成显然十分震惊，不曾料到许都方面竟已事发。他沉默了一会儿，看着雷震和雷震身后的数百士兵问道：“今日是否要抓捕郑某？”雷震说：“丞相未有此令。丞相命雷某带兵入府只为一事。”郑康成问：“何事？”雷震说：“有丞相亲笔信两封，需交主簿亲启。”郑康成略点头，伸手道：“交我吧。”雷震说：“不可。丞相钧旨，必将其信交主簿亲收亲启，中间不可经任何他人周转。”郑康成听明白了，叹了口气：“怕我等从中拦截。好了，”他一指身边的家仆，“带他去见大小姐吧。”上来两个家仆带路，雷震挥了一下手，留下一半人仍围住书房，自己率兵近百跟着两个家仆往后花园去。
穿行一段不短路径，来到白芍修炼百日不语功的寂静小院。
雷震停住步，示意兵士们也在身后停住。两个家仆跑进去禀告。
过了一会儿，白芍在一个丫环和那两个家仆的陪同下出现在院门台阶上。
雷震上去行礼道：“在下乃徐州刺史雷震，特奉丞相钧旨来见主簿，打扰主簿修炼百日不语功了。”
白芍冷静地看了看眼前阵势，开口说道：“百日已满，练功已毕。刺史大人所来何事？”
雷震答道：“丞相八百里加急，公文中夹有给主簿的亲笔信，怕郑府有人扣押，奉丞相钧旨雷某特带兵进府送信。”说着掏出第一封信，呈递白芍。家仆上来接过交白芍。白芍当场拆封，拿出信件略看，显然有些震惊，但仍镇静。白芍眼露思忖。雷震又拱手行礼道：“主簿看信，想必丞相已实情告之。主簿之妹乔装顶替