Chapter 56 Section VI

In the darkness before dawn, I rushed in the palace under the guidance of several eunuchs holding lanterns.At this time, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, who was about to go to the early court, was pacing up and down in the palace with his hands behind his back.Empress Fu and Concubine Rong sat together, and Empress Fu picked up Concubine Rong's hand and stroked it as usual, and at the same time looked at Emperor Hanxian worriedly with Concubine Rong.Huang Fu bowed his waist and stood aside cautiously.Emperor Xian of Han stopped, flicked his sleeves and said, "I have only one peace left today. Cao Cao will lead his army back to Xudu today. As usual, he will stay in the base camp overnight. He will come to court tomorrow morning. From now on, I will go to court every day." The upper court will be stabbed in the back again." Emperor Xian of Han flicked his sleeves again, and walked a few steps, "Such an amazing Yuan Shao, why can't he resist Cao Cao's beating, is it true that Cao Cao is so powerful?"

Just as he was talking, it was reported outside: "The head of the country kowtowed to the emperor after he fell down." When Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty heard this, he was excited and said: "The former national patriarch was so anxious to enter the palace in the morning, there must be something important to report, let him come in." Huang Fu said loudly: "Come in after Fu Wan." , Hastily kowtowed: "Long live, long live, long live, Your Majesty! I come to report the great news to Your Majesty." Emperor Han Xian's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he waved his hand at Concubine Rong, who stood up and retreated to the back up.Emperor Xian of the Han took his seat and said, "What's the good news? What's the good news when Cao Cao's class teacher comes back? Let's get flat." Fu Wan got up and said eagerly, "Cao Cao will never come back." Emperor Xian of the Han sat up and said, "Why do you say that? Tell me?" Fu Wan said, "Cao Cao was shot by an arrow when he was leading the troops to attack Wuchao at night. The arrow was poisonous, and now he died because of the poison." : "This kind of news, don't talk nonsense, it must be reliable." Fu Wan said: "The news is extremely reliable. After Cao Cao was shot by an arrow, he was able to lead his army to defeat Yuan Shao. It must be because the toxicity has not yet occurred. Just after Yuan Shao was beaten away, he It can’t be done. Either because of fear of Yuan Shao’s counterattack, or because of the chaos of our own army, we have kept the mourning in secret, and probably won’t be mourning until Xu Du can control the situation in the court.”

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty judged in astonishment.Queen Fu was also thinking about it in a blink of an eye.Huang Fu was even more stunned. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty came back to his senses and asked: "What evidence is there to prove this news?" Empress Fu also said: "This kind of thing should not be heard." I don’t know. The theory of Cao Cao’s poisoned arrow attack may be unfounded. But Cao Cao led the army to triumph, and he must ride on his horse in a show of strength, right?” Han Xiandi nodded: “Of course.” Fu Wan said: “According to the news from Guandu Some people said that when Cao Cao's army retreated from Guandu and returned triumphantly, they did not see Cao Cao, but saw a snow-white hearse in the army, escorted by thousands of soldiers in white." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty heard this, thought for a while, and asked: "Who made the report?" See it with your own eyes?" Fu Wan said: "I saw it with my own eyes, and I have checked it." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty asked again: "Is it true that the reporter saw it with his own eyes?" Fu Wan said: "I pledge my life, it is indeed what I saw with my own eyes. .”

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty turned his head to look at Empress Fu, and Empress Fu said schemingly: "Defend Yuan Shao externally and defend the imperial court internally. Cao Cao is dead, so it is very possible to keep the funeral secret for the time being." Fu Wan added: "The reporter I also saw with my own eyes that in front of thousands of teams wearing white to escort the hearse, the leader is Cao Pi on horseback." Fu Queen thought for a moment, and said: "It seems that the people under Cao Cao were afraid that the tree would fall and the monkeys would disperse, so they jointly pushed forward. Cao Pi took over, so they naturally had to keep the mourning secret, fearing that the court would be shaken up and down, they had to return to Xudu to control the situation before they could mourn."

When Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty heard this slap on the throne, he stood up suddenly: "The monkeys will disperse if the tree falls. How long can they last? Cao thief, Cao thief, you are finally dead. Let's see if you can still bully me!" Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was a little ecstatic after saying that, he flung his sleeves behind his back, and strode back and forth in the palace. After walking for a while, he suddenly stopped, looked up to the sky and smiled and said: "Cao Cao, Cao Cao, you are wasting your time. If you continue to fight, It's a pity that you can't stop an arrow from taking your life." Han Xiandi happily pointed at Empress Fu: "From now on, I am the real emperor, and you will become the real empress." Another finger and Fu finished: "You too. He will become the real head of the country that the people of the country will look up to, and he will also become the real lieutenant in charge of military power." Fu Wan stood there and bowed his hands repeatedly: "It all depends on Your Majesty's Tianwei." Han Xiandi pointed again Huang Fu: "You eunuch will serve me until you become famous."

Huang Fu nodded and bowed his waist and said: "The history books will not keep it, and I will leave a slave." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was so excited that he threw off his sleeves and danced wildly a few times, then gradually calmed down, and thought of something, he stopped and said: "The gang of monkeys pushed Cao Pi to succeed Cao Cao. Cao Pi is young, I am afraid Can't you handle it?" Fu Wan said: "Of course." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty thought of something again, came to his mind, sat down and said: "If he is successful in his youth, and he can't handle it for a while, what should he say? Look at him in the past two years. Being a general, being the prefect of Xudu, and being an imperial envoy inspecting the four directions, I have experienced enough." Fu Wan did not expect Emperor Han Xian's thoughts to come so quickly, and immediately said: "It is much more tender than Cao Cao." Emperor Han Xian began Worried: "What if Cao Pi is young and crazy, and wants to abolish me?" Fu Wan was a little stunned when he heard that: "No way? He may not even be able to control the situation, maybe he will fall apart in a few days because of his incompatibility in martial arts and martial arts. gone."

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty thought of more worries: "If Cao Pi falls apart, what will happen to the world?" Empress Fu spoke from the side: "Isn't Your Majesty just waiting for this day?" Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "Waiting is waiting, but after Cao Cao died, I found out that there are many new troubles. Yuan Shao must reorganize his troops and attack Xudu again. When Cao Cao was there, he said, My Majesty is the only Majesty, the real Majesty." ;There is really no Cao Cao. Is he more domineering than Cao Cao by coercing the emperor to order the princes?" Fu Wan said: "Yuan Shao has lost power this time, and his power has long since died." Emperor Xian of the Han said worriedly: "If Yuan Shao's power is weak, Han Sui and Ma Teng in the west must see the situation and make up their minds, while Liu Biao in the south and Sun Quan in the east of the river may disagree with each other and fight fiercely."

Empress Fu said: "Didn't your majesty say that when the time comes, you just need to be condescending and balance the north, south, east, and west." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty shook his head and said: "I have experienced Dong Zhuo's rebellion, and I have been proclaimed emperor to this day. I know that many things are easier said than done. When there is Cao Cao, be angry. Today there is really no Cao Cao. If I fail, I will be a wandering emperor again. The princes are robbing and robbing." At this time, the sky was already bright, Fu Jian rushed into the palace under the guidance of several eunuchs, and rushed to the Qian'an Palace of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. The golden chariot had already stopped there.

In the palace, Huang Fu walked up to Emperor Han Xian and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, the golden chariot has arrived, and it's time to go to court." Emperor Han Xian said irritably: "Cao Cao is gone, what are I afraid of? If you want to go to court, go to court." If you don’t want to go to court, you don’t go to court. If you want to go to court, you don’t go to court. If you want to go to court, you don’t go to court. If you want to go to court, you don’t go to court. , I was stunned after I finished.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said to Fu Wan: "Fu Jian is here again. Could it be that he has the latest information? Tell him to come in."

Fu Jian came in and kowtowed to the ground. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty asked anxiously: "The head of the country reported that Cao Cao was dead. What news do you come to report? Talk with your body." Fu Jian knelt there and kowtowed repeatedly: "I dare not get up, and I dare not say." Han Xiandi said: "Why?" Empress Fu stared at Fu Jian, seeing that something was wrong: "What happened?" Jian looked up at Fu Wan who was standing aside, and said, "Father, things have changed." He said, shaking his head.After hearing this, his complexion changed suddenly, and he also knelt down to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.Emperor Xian of Han said sharply: "What do you mean?" Fu Jian boldly said: "Cao Cao is not dead." Emperor Xian of Han said: "What kind of a bastard is this?" Fu Jian kowtowed again and again: "Cao Cao was indeed hit by an arrow, but It was not a poisonous arrow. When he led his troops back to Xudu, Cao Cao did not ride a horse. Only now did he find out that he was riding in the same car with the chief secretary Bai Shao. There were indeed thousands of soldiers wearing white escorting the two hearses, but that was not the case. Cao Cao died, but Bai Shao's grandfather Zheng Kangcheng and his younger sister Chi Shao were killed by Cao Jun's random arrows when the two armies were fighting..."

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and Empress Fu were all stunned.Huang Fuli also froze there. Fu Wan and Fu Jian threw their bodies to the ground and remained motionless. After a while, Huang Fu whispered, "Your Majesty, let's go to court as usual." In the main hall, the officials kowtowed and congratulated the completion of "Long live the emperor, long live, long live".Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, looked down calmly and said: "All the ministers are flat." All the civil and military officials stood up and stood in separate shifts.The head official of the palace declared loudly: "If there is something to do, go to work, and if there is nothing to do, roll up the curtain and retreat." At this time, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty spoke first: "The prime minister led the army to triumph, so it may be today or tomorrow? Civil and military officials came out of the city to greet them, or..." Guo Jia went out to play and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the ministers have just received the prime minister's urgent report. The prime minister has led the army to the suburbs of Xudu ahead of schedule. Catch up with the court." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was a little shocked when he heard this, and all civil and military officials were also shocked. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "Prime Minister Cao didn't take off his armor and directly led the generals to the court. Why is it so hasty?" Kong Rong came out of the class and said: "In the past, most of the prime minister's teachers first stationed in the base camp in the suburbs of Xudu to rest overnight, and then went to court the next morning. The prime minister did not stop marching last night, and came straight to the court this morning. Report to His Majesty as soon as possible. Moreover, I heard that Yuan Shao fled in a big defeat. Not only did he discard the many treasures and utensils that he carried with the army, but he also discarded a gold-locked mahogany box. The box was full of private letters between Wen and Wu of our dynasty and Yuan Shao. The Prime Minister is here today The court will deal with it." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was shocked.The audience was terrified.Fu Wan, Fu Jian, Yang Xiu, Zhao Yan and others were ashamed all of a sudden.Many civil and military officials were obviously uneasy. Kong Rong waved his hand outside the hall, and immediately hundreds of warriors came in and stood with their swords on both sides of the hall. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was shocked: "Why is this, Aiqing?" Kong Rong said: "Since the prime minister wants to deal with the person who secretly communicated with Yuan Shao in court, it is necessary to prevent accidents." Yang Gang waved to the outside of the hall again, and there were generals outside the hall who waved again. Not long after, a group of burly soldiers brought two charcoal red cauldrons and set them in the hall.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and all the officials were horrified. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty opened his eyes wide and asked, "Why is this? Yang Gang, you are the Minister of Rites. Why are you so courteous?" Yang Gang said, "Prime Minister Cao ordered the court to pre-set the fire." Then he said: "Even if there is a minister who secretly commits the crime of treason with Yuan Shao, he will be imprisoned and punished for the crime, but why should he use a cauldron to cook?" Chen Deng came out of the class and said: "Extraordinary things require extraordinary laws. Why did the prime minister order this way? We will know as soon as he arrives." At this time, the officials in front of the palace reported loudly outside the palace: "Prime Minister Cao led all the civil servants and military generals into the gate of Xudu City, and they are rushing to the court." The palace heard it very clearly, and Kong Rong still repeated the report to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. again.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty pretended to be calm: "The prime minister has won such a great victory this time. Since I have no time to lead all the officials out of the city to meet him, should I lead civil and military officials to meet him at the Meridian Gate at this moment?" Kong Rong said, "I'm afraid it's too late." Emperor Xian of the Han said: " Then Aiqing hurried out of the palace to greet her, and announced my dictation that the prime minister had won a big victory. I should have personally led all the officials out of the city to greet her, but now that the prime minister arrives first, today the prime minister and the triumphant civil and military officials will all be exempted from the big ceremony when they enter the palace." Kong Rong worshiped: "Rong led the decree." Kong Rong came out of the palace and hurried to the Meridian Gate, and the guards on both sides stood in awe. As soon as he arrived at the Meridian Gate, Cao Cao led civil servants and military generals to enter the gate in a dignified manner. After Kong Rong greeted him and saluted, he declared: "Your Majesty ordered that today the prime minister will be exempted from the ceremony when he leads a triumphant civil and military court to enter the palace." Cao Cao nodded and led the crowd forward without stopping.The official in front of the hall stood on the high steps outside the hall gate, saw Cao Cao and others approaching from a distance, and reported loudly to the hall: "Prime Minister Cao has led all the civil and military soldiers into the Meridian Gate." In the main hall, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty sat on the throne, drinking tea from a cup, his hands were shaking, and the tea overflowed. The officials in front of the hall reported loudly again: "Prime Minister Cao has arrived—" Kong Rong led, and Cao Cao led Xun You, Cao Pi, Li Dian, Xu Chu, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang and other civil and military heroes to enter the palace.Cao Cao went straight to the throne of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, bowed his hands and said: "Since your Majesty has a goal first, I will play directly without the ceremony. Today, I led the army to return triumphantly, and now I will lead the civil servants and generals who went to court to report the victory over Yuan Shao. There are already Xun You, Xu Chu, Li Dian, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Cao Pi and others here, as well as the new military adviser Xu You, and the two newly appointed generals Gao Lan and Zhang He are waiting outside the hall. Your Majesty, please allow them all to enter the court. Hall." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "The invitation you sent from Guandu is to confer titles on three people. I have decreed that the three people will be entrusted with the title, and you can immediately announce the three people to enter the palace." Xu You, Gao Lan, and Zhang Yun enter the palace." The officials inside the palace announced, and the officials in front of the palace announced again outside the door. Xu You, Gao Lan, and Zhang He entered the hall and kowtowed in front of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "I have a decree today that the prime minister and his triumphant civil and military officials will all be exempted from the ceremony." Xu You knelt there and said, "When I meet the emperor for the first time, the ceremony must not be avoided." Bar." As soon as the three of them thanked En and stood up, Cao Cao said to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty: "The same thing has been seized, and I want to invite Your Majesty and all civil and military officials to witness it in court." As he spoke, he raised his hand lightly, and Xu Chu immediately stepped out of the hall, and then Waving to the steps outside the hall, two lieutenants were standing at the foot of the altar and waiting quietly. At this time, they carried a golden lock mahogany box and picked up the steps again.Xu Chu led the two lieutenants into the hall, and with a wave of his hand, the second lieutenant placed the mahogany box in front of all the officials.Cao Cao pointed to the golden lock mahogany box and said to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty: "This golden lock mahogany box is what Yuan Shao carried with him. When he led the army, wherever Yuan Shao went, he took this box. There is only one thing in it, that is, Letters from civil and military officials in Xudu and Yuan Shao secretly communicated. During the war, they were seized in Yuan Shao's Chinese army tent. Xu Chu was the first to discover such letters in the box. The minister immediately ordered the box to be locked and sealed. All are presented in front of His Majesty. For the details of this box, Your Majesty can ask Xu You, Zhang He, and Gao Lan. They were all close friends of Yuan Shao before, so they must know the details." At this time, Xu You went out to play and said: "Your Majesty, this box is indeed owned by Yuan Shao, and it is indeed full of letters secretly communicated with him by the civil and military officials of Xudu. Yuan Shao once treated me as the examiner and Guo Tu. Generals Zhang He and Gao Lan must have heard about it once to show off." Both Zhang He and Gao Lan also said: "It is true." Emperor Xian of Han pretended to understand and nodded. Cao Cao turned his head and asked Xu Chu, "Xu Chu, when this box was seized, who has seen the letters in it?" The deputy general, "bring it to the prime minister and report." Cao Cao then asked: "Who wrote those letters you saw?" Xu Chu replied: "Chu didn't remember exactly." Cao Cao asked: "Later How to lock and seal the box?" Xu Chu replied: "At that time, the prime minister ordered the box to be locked and sealed, and we immediately locked and sealed it. The prime minister returned the order, and no one was allowed to open it unless the prime minister ordered it." Cao Cao said to the civil and military officials : "Everyone can check whether the seal is intact, and whether the date written on it is clear?" Kong Rong, Chen Deng, Yang Gang, Guo Jia and others looked at it and nodded.Cao Cao pointed out again: "Taiwei Fu Wan, Cheqi General Fu Jian, Minister of Rites Yang Xiu, Yi Lang Zhao Yan, please check." A few people walked over trembling slightly, took a cursory look, and nodded in agreement. Cao Cao said: "Now, I ask Kong Rong, the censor of the Zhongcheng, and the Taiwei to unpack it." Kong Rong started calmly, but his hands trembled a little after he fell down, and the seals were removed one by one. Cao Cao said, "Open the box!" Xu Chu inserted the key into the lock and opened the lock.Kong Rong opened the lid of the box.Cao Cao said: "Is it true that the civil and military officials of Xudu secretly passed Yuan Shaozhi's letter? Please Taiwei Fuwan check it at will without giving out his name." After looking at the two letters, they put them back into the box, nodded and said, "It is indeed a letter from Yuan Shaozhi secretly." Cao Cao looked at Fu Wan and asked, "The general trend of the world is that those who follow the trend will prosper, and those who go against the trend will perish, right?" Fu Wan said submissively: "Yes." Cao Cao glanced at Fu Wan and the others, and then turned to Han Xiandi: "Can your Majesty issue an order to let the ministers deal with it?" "The general trend is the general trend, and those who can't see clearly will inevitably go against the trend. When Yuan Shao was strong, I, Mr. Cao, hesitated in my heart. If everyone left a way for themselves to retreat, what is the crime? Now I have received the imperial edict. Dispose of it, all letters to Yuan will be burned at the court!" Everyone was shocked.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was also shocked.Fu Wan, Fu Jian, Yang Xiu, Zhao Yan and others were even more shocked. Only Guo Jia knew that he would smile like this, and whispered to Yang Gang and Chen Deng beside him: "I know that the prime minister must be like this. If you want to manipulate, you should take it first, and then take it first." Weifu is over, please burn it with your own hands." Xu Chu pointed, and the two lieutenants carried the mahogany box close to the middle of the two big cauldrons burning with charcoal fire.Kong Rong and Fu Wan went up, each took out the letter from the box, and threw it into the cauldron fire.The cauldron was blazing, and gray smoke curled up. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty watched the fire from top to bottom.Hundreds of officials watched the fire. Kong Rong and Fu Wan each kept a cauldron burning, and the light of the cauldron reflected people's expressions in different ways. This time is not too short. Finally, Kong Rong and Fu Wan clapped their hands and said: "The letter has been burned." Cao Cao ordered Fu Jian, Yang Xiu, Zhao Yan and others to check if there was any letter left in the box, and the three of them went to have a look After a while, the box is empty.Cao Cao waved his hand, and Xu Chu ordered the second lieutenant to carry the empty box out of the hall.All the burly men carried the two big tripods out of the hall. The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became relaxed.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was about to speak when Zhao Yan suddenly came out of the class and said: "Your Majesty, there is something I really don't understand today, so I want to find fault with the prime minister." Keeping up with his train of thought, he asked, "Is there something Zhao Yilang doesn't understand?" Cao Cao looked at Zhao Yan coldly. Zhao Yanda continued to play without hesitation: "Since Prime Minister Cao can burn so many letters that secretly communicated with Yuan Shao today, and let the past be ignored, why did he have to punish the crime of Taiwei Yang Biao back then? There is only a correspondence between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shu." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty asked: "Zhao Yilang, what do you mean..." Zhao Yan said: "If it is right to burn letters today, it would be wrong to pursue Yang Biao back then. If Yang Biao was pursued back then As it should be, it is wrong to burn the letter today. I will question Prime Minister Cao's different practices from time to time." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said calmly: "What do you want to say, Prime Minister Cao?" Cao Cao was even more calm: "It can be said that this is a moment and that is a moment. I always like to say this sentence. If I add another sentence, it is one thing and another thing. Why did Yang Biao secretly communicate with Yuan Shu back then, but today pardon everyone for secretly communicating with Yuan Shao?" There are three reasons. First, although Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu both had the intention of disobedience, but Yuan Shu privately hid the jade seal of the former king, and openly proclaimed himself emperor and king. But he did not proclaim himself emperor publicly, and he still led the imperial court to confer the title of Great General, which is considered within the rules. Therefore, Yang Biao’s knowledge of Yuan Shu is different from this person’s knowledge of Yuan Shao. The crime is different. Second, the law does not blame the public. This Although the words are not true, sometimes they have to be modified. If there is only one person in the court who communicated with Yuan Shao's letter, the minister must do it now; but so many people secretly communicated with Yuan Shao, it is true that they cannot be punished at the same time. The minister also thought about it. Check the letters one by one and treat them differently, but it must be difficult to distinguish the seriousness and improper handling; it may be more appropriate to burn them all. 3. The minister is trusted by His Majesty to preside over the government. In those years, there were enemies inside and outside. Dong Cheng, Liu Bei and other treacherous parties conspired against each other. At the time when there were many dangers at that time, it was not enough to deal strictly with Yang Biao's secret collaborators. Now that Yuan Shu is dead, Yuan Shao is defeated, the external enemy is gone, and the internal enemy Dong Cheng and his like have already been executed. The minister presides over the government far more freely than in the past, so it is enough to practice the law of tolerance." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty nodded and said: "The prime minister's words are reasonable. At that time, Gu once suggested to give Zhao Yilang a death-free card, but the prime minister disagreed." Cao Cao continued: "I still don't issue a death-free card to anyone today. The crime is serious. This should not be abandoned. But in the future, the country will be governed according to the law, with both leniency and strictness, and we will try our best not to kill the civil and military ministers who have committed crimes." Han Xiandi waved his hand very sublimely: "This can be said in one stroke. The prime minister returned triumphantly, There must be something big to play." Cao Cao said: "The things I played are as follows: 1. The list of rewards for meritorious deeds for this great victory is just like what I wrote in the memorial. I hope your Majesty will play it. 2. I originally wanted to take advantage of the victory in Guandu to continue attacking Jizhou and Bingzhou, Youzhou, and Qingzhou counties, but considering that the soldiers are exhausted and the people are exhausted, and urgently need to recuperate, so the class teacher is planning to conquer Yuan Shao next year and unify the entire north within one or two years. 3. After that, water conservancy can be built, the Yellow River can be greatly controlled, and the promotion of Tuntian. In the past, I occupied Henan and Yuan Shao occupied Hebei, so I could not build water conservancy projects like this. Fourth, after that, I sent troops to the south, attacking and pacifying at the same time, appease those who bowed their heads and profess ministers, and confiscated those who did not. Fifth, reform the government, reward Diligence and punishment for laziness, selection of virtuous people and elimination of bad ones, governance of officials and governance of the country, enriching the country by benefiting the people, and strengthening the army by enriching the country. When the national treasury is sufficient, we are going to properly build and renovate the palace for your majesty, and hold a beauty pageant in the world to add more concubines and talented women for your majesty, so as to enrich the palace." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty's eyes lit up when he heard this, he was obviously overjoyed, but he concealed it, shook his head and said, "It's better to secure the country first and take care of the people's livelihood." Cao Cao said: "Your Majesty has to follow the wishes of the public, and it should be so." At this time, all civil and military officials said in unison: "It should be so—" Han Xiandi laughed: "The prime minister really told a scene of peace. I heard that you hit an arrow in Wuchao, it was a poisonous arrow, and I was quite worried." Cao Cao stretched his left shoulder and said, "I did hit an arrow, but it wasn't a poisonous arrow. I can't If you die, I will rule the world for His Majesty." Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty said: "I know that virtue is weak and talents are weak, and I will carry up the orthodoxy of the Han family under heaven's command. I only need to hold a banner of the Han Dynasty for the prime minister and the virtuous ministers, and the rest depends on the strength of the prime minister and the ministers." Another day, before the end of the fourth watch in the morning, the sky was still dark, and there were lanterns hanging in front of the gate of the Cao Mansion in Xudu. Zhu Si led hundreds of family members and lined up carriages in front of the gate.Surrounded by several servants, Zhu Si commanded: "The first one is the car that the master is riding in. The second and third are the hearse of Zheng Kangcheng and Chi Shao, and the next one is the luggage cart and truck of the master. , all lined up." The convoy quickly lined up on the street with shaking lights. At this time, the lamps and candles in Cao Cao's study were bright, and Cao Cao and Bai Shao sat facing the tables full of wine, vegetables and fruits.Cao Cao said: "Tonight is so short, I haven't slept through the night, it's almost dawn, the fourth watch has passed, and the fifth watch is coming. Alas, the so-called life and death in life are difficult." Bai Shao sat there quietly, not moving and not saying a word .The two had already stopped eating, Cao Cao raised his glass and said, "One more drink." Bai Shao shook his head. Cao Cao said: "After returning to Xuzhou to bury my grandfather and sister, the master can guard the mausoleum for a hundred days." Bai Shao shook his head: "As I said, it needs to be guarded for three years." Cao Cao said: "Let's guard for one year." " Bai Shao lowered his eyes and repeated: "It will take three years." Cao Cao waved his hand: "Let's talk about it then." Bai Shao could not be vague: "That is also three years." Cao Cao stared at Bai Shao: "What about after three years?" Bai Shao said thoughtfully: "I guess I won't come back to the prime minister again." Cao Cao waved away such a heavy topic, and laughed: "Don't talk about it, in this study, I remembered that I met you for the first time two years ago. I twisted your arm to verify whether you were an assassin, but I lost money." Many are not." Bai Shao's eyes were in a trance and he remembered the past, and said in his memory: "Don't bully anyone." Cao Cao went on to expand the topic: "The first time we met was like candlelight. Gu took out the sword with fish intestines and showed you its sharpness. The sword cut like a bamboo shoot, and you were horrified." Bai Shao was still immersed in the memories of the past: "That fish intestine sword really came into use later on. My grandfather said that no one person or thing will appear in the world for no reason. This is true." Cao Cao continued to expand the topic: "Then why did you appear in Cao's mansion? " Bai Shao recalled and sighed: "This matter is really hard to say, it can be hard to say." Cao Cao laughed as much as he could, and said, "God sent you to save my life? Once to prevent the imperial doctor Jiping from being poisoned, and once to prevent the assassination of Zhu Liuxing, the chief accountant of the Chinese army." Bai Shao didn't respond to Cao Cao's jokes, and his eyes were still Some trance.Cao Cao went on to say in a lively manner: "The first time you showed your talents in the Cao Mansion, you had to give Cao Pi a face-to-face instruction. First, you secretly wrote the four characters "face-to-face instruction." The word 'face-to-face teaching opportunity', let him be surprised first." Cao Cao looked at Bai Shao, and then continued, "Once again, when someone questioned you during the civil and military discussions, you read the meeting record all the way, and your words were sharp. refute them all to pieces." Cao Cao looked at Bai Shao, saw that there was no response, and continued, "Also, that time when Kong Rong was drinking in the back garden of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Kong Rong commented on Gu's poem "Duan Ge Xing" and made a statement. Arrogant, you refuted Kong Rong's comments all over the article, making him as a literary star eclipsed, and he actually got down on the spot and knelt down to propose to you, which is really ridiculous." Cao Cao said and laughed. But Bai Shao smiled in the recollection, and then said with a sad expression: "The prime minister wants to make me happy at this moment, but if you try to make me happy again, it will be hard to come back once you leave this time." Cao Cao stopped talking and laughing, and looked at Bai Shao helplessly: "Why?" Bai Shao said: "After practicing Taoist silence for a hundred days, I feel that people live in the world, which is very empty. At that time, if I didn't worry that Zhu Liu would lurk beside the prime minister and might harm the prime minister, I might not come back." Cao Cao nodded. Said: "Taoism is good at talking about the word nothingness, and its ancestor Lao Tzu pioneered it. Gu Ze loves to say a word, one time and another time. This time when the teacher came back, he said this to His Majesty in the court. I will tell you this today. Words. Your two close relatives have passed away, and it is inevitable to feel nothingness in your heart at this moment. As time goes by, your mood will naturally change. I still want to say something to you without worrying about it. I just remembered that your majesty During the field hunting years ago, that Majesty ran up to you and opened the peacock. You wanted to be the peacock king." Bai Shao recalled the past, and absent-mindedly sarcastically said: "The prime minister also said that time, allow him to open the peacock. Screen, you are not allowed to make people cry?" Cao Cao pretended to laugh loudly: "I was also hit by an arrow that time. I knew it was not a poisonous arrow, but I said that it might be a poisonous arrow, which scared you to tears." Bai Shao recalled the distant past, his eyes were in a trance, Then he came back to his senses and smiled sadly: "Prime Minister, the past is unbearable, don't talk about it..." Cao Cao glanced at Bai Shao, stood up and walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, stopped and said, "It's rare not to look back on the past, and it's rare to forget. The master saved the life of the orphan twice, and I will never forget it. I will accompany the orphan to fight hard in Guandu for three months, and I will never forget it." .” Bai Shao sighed: "I shouldn't have saved you and brought so many troubles to the world." After speaking, he paused, thinking of something, tears welled up in his eyes, "I beg the Prime Minister not to talk about the past." Cao Cao nodded and said: "Okay, let's not talk about the past. Let's talk about the present. You go to Xuzhou for the funeral this time, and then guard the mausoleum. Whether it is a hundred days or a year, the governor of Xuzhou will take good care of you. Guard the mausoleum. At the end of the day, I will ask the governor to send troops to send you back, or I will personally lead the troops to pick you up." Bai Shao shook his head.Cao Cao said: "I still have to stay for three years?" Bai Shao nodded affirmatively: "Prime Minister, I didn't say this for a moment, I decided that it must be so. I said that I might not return to Cao's mansion after three years, and it's absolutely not. The prime minister is deceived by false talk. At this time, I feel that the world is empty. Once three years pass, and a thousand days pass, even if there is still concern for the prime minister, it will be wiped out. The prime minister has his own career of conquering the north and the north, and the world is in the past. , the prime minister won’t mention it any more. If you mention it again, it’s really just to make me cry.” Hearing this, Cao Cao looked at Bai Shao speechless for a long time, walked a few steps and stopped, looked at Bai Shao: "Could it be that the past is not in the master's book?" The prime minister went out in modest clothes, it was snowing that day, and he drank mutton soup and ate pancakes at a small restaurant on the street, the prime minister's attire, now that I think about it, it's quite funny." Bai Shao showed a smile of reminiscence.Cao Cao saw it, and immediately said to him: "I pretend to be the master and you pretend to be the young master. I will be your father once." Cao Cao stopped, seeing that Bai Shao didn't feel disgusted, and said, "And Is it worth looking back on the past?" Bai Shao still said with dim eyes: "When I think of you having a headache and pinpointing for you, you looked so pitiful." Cao Cao couldn't help sighing: "The master's words are very kind." Bai Shao glanced at Cao Cao: "I still remember that the prime minister is quite temperamental when he brags." At this time, there were two soft knocks on the door outside, followed by Xiao Cui's call: "Miss." Cao Cao said, "Xiao Cui come in." Bai Shao stood up and said, "I'll go." She walked to the door, Pulling the door out, Xiaocui stood outside the door, it was already twilight outside, and it was snowing at some point, Xiaocui's shoulders were already covered with snow.Bai Shao said: "It's snowing?" Xiao Cui nodded, and then said: "Miss, Housekeeper Zhu and the others are here to load your luggage into the car, don't you mean to leave at dawn? If you have nothing to use , I asked them to move, anyway, it has been packed, I only leave the dressing utensils on the road." Bai Shao said: "Let them move." He said and looked at the dark and hazy yard before dawn.Xiaocui said: "Also, Miss remembers to go back to her room to make up." Bai Shao nodded: "I know." Xiaocui took out the fish intestine sword with sheath from her arms: "You want the fish intestine sword I brought." It was twilight.In front of the gate of the Cao Mansion, the butler Zhu Si was leading the servants to load luggage into the car behind. On the two hearses, two very expensive coffins could be seen more and more clearly.In the distance, the sound of horseshoes approached quickly, and it was Xu Chu who came to the gate of Xiangfu with five hundred cavalry.Xu Chu and all the soldiers wore white cloaks over their armors, white silk was tied on the hairpins of their helmets and hats, and strips of white silk were tied on their spears and spears.Zhu Si said: "General Xu led the troops to escort the master to Xuzhou?" Xu Chu said: "Exactly, it was Chu who asked the prime minister for orders in person. The master is great. Without her, the prime minister has been murdered, and we are already outnumbered." Head." While speaking, the 500 cavalrymen he had brought had parked in an orderly manner in front of and behind the convoy.With a wave of Xu Chu's hand, all the soldiers got off their horses and stood up neatly. In Cao Cao's study, Bai Shao presented the Yuchang Sword to Cao Cao with both hands: "The Yuchang Sword has completed its mission, so return it to the prime minister." Cao Cao declined and said, "You can keep the Yuchang Sword, even if you really don't come back, Also keep it as a souvenir." Bai Shao held the sword in both hands, stopped in mid-air for a long time, took it back, and put the sword in his arms. Cao Cao stood there and said: "Since we parted like this, the master may never come back. I just want to ask you something. When you came to Cao's mansion, you must be ordered by Zheng Kangcheng. Why didn't you do it?" The question is very clear, but it is already very clear.Bai Shao looked up at Cao Cao, and said after a while: "Prime Minister, didn't you say it long ago, the Prime Minister has already realized that I can't do this. If you are a good person, give me the sword. It doesn't cost you any money. I have an influence." Cao Cao was pointed out and smiled: "You and I felt that we had a good understanding of each other when we first met, and knew that you didn't have any malicious intentions towards me, let alone murderous intentions. But, I still want to know for sure that the first time you saw me , I have a fish gut sword in my hand, why didn’t I make a move?” Bai Shao said sarcastically, “Apologize for you being polite to me and twisting my arm.” Cao Cao said, “What else?” Bai Shao said: “ Because of your trust in me." Cao Cao said: "There is more?" Bai Shao sighed: "And because of your foolish "Duan Ge Xing", the moon and stars are sparse, and the crow flies south." Cao Cao also asked: "What else?" Bai Shao glanced at Cao Cao, with a trace of teasing in his melancholy: "I thought the Prime Minister looked pleasing to the eye because of the first meeting." Cao Cao's eyes lit up: "Pleasing to the eye?" Nasty; besides, that chin resembles my father's." After Cao Cao listened, he nodded thoughtfully.He paced back and forth in the room a few times, stopped and asked cautiously: "The master has to guard the mausoleum for three years, and it is understandable that he is heartbroken because of the loss of a loved one. But why can't he return to Gu here after three years? Is life really like this?" Nothingness?" Bai Shao said: "Prime Minister, don't ask." Cao Cao looked at Bai Shao for a long time, helplessly, and then asked again: "Then I have another question, I asked it when we first met two years ago, why did you keep asking?" Seeing that Gu is so outspoken and eloquent, at such a young age, where did the courage and wisdom come from? At that time, you said that it was your secret, so there is no comment." Bai Shao lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time: "I asked the second question just now, but it was actually the first question." Cao Cao was stunned: "Why don't you go back to Gu here is the same thing as why you are young and courageous and eloquent?" Bai Shao was silent for a moment, then sighed: "I was really spoiled by my father and my grandfather." Cao Cao stared at Bai Shao and understood: "And these two people are dead...and both died at the hands of my Cao Jun." Bai Shao stared deeply at Cao Cao and said nothing.Cao Cao continued to ponder: "You can't face this matter when you think about it?" Bai Shao lowered her eyes and remained silent.曹操继续道：“说来曹某是杀你至亲三人的仇人。原本杀父之仇未能报，现添至三人之仇，还要陪那个曹某，岂能如此？”白芍叹道：“丞相别说了吧，这些都是又都不是，着实难言。”曹操愣了：“己所不欲，勿施于人，孤不知如何将心比心，才能领会主簿之心。”说罢，摇头叹息许久，而后轻轻揽住白芍，走到琴案旁：“好，不说了。君临行，可否再为孤弹一曲月明星稀乌鹊南飞？” 白芍想了想。凝了凝神。而后在琴案前坐下，低眉信手弹了起来。 外面的雪下得更大了，微微发亮的天光照见院子里白茫茫一片。曹府门口街道上，许褚所领五百兵护送的车队在静等。曹操听着琴声，在屋里踱来踱去，吟诵起他的《短歌行》：对酒当歌，人生几何？For example, the dew in the morning has a lot of bitterness in the past day. Generosity should be generous, and worries and thoughts are unforgettable.Why worry?唯有杜康。 Green Zijin, Youyouwoxin.But for the sake of the king, I have pondered so far. Yo Yo Lu Ming, the apple of the wild food.I have guests, harp blowing Sheng. It's like the moon, when can I stop?Worry comes from it and cannot be cut off. The more you pass through the fields, the more useless you will be.Qi Kuo talked about the banquet, thinking about the old kindness. The moon and stars are scarce, and the black magpies fly south.Go around the tree three times, what branch can you rely on? The mountains never get too high, and the sea never gets too deep.The Duke of Zhou vomits and feeds, and the world returns to its heart. 诗念完了，曹操停了停，最后仰天长叹：“月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，何枝可依？”白芍也弹完了琴，停住手说道：“丞相便去周公吐哺、天下归心吧。”曹操说道：“孤对酒当歌，人生几何，君一走，我何枝可依？汝这一枝，是孤唯一可依者呀。” 白芍说：“丞相将来必有枝可依。” 小翠又在外面轻轻叩门，轻声叫道：“小姐。”白芍站起说道：“临行，我该去梳妆了。”曹操愣愣地看着她，不知所措。白芍看了曹操一眼，略咬咬嘴唇，转身出了书房。她在小翠搀挽下，往自己的小院走去。四个一直护卫白芍的女将士在路上迎候，其中一个对白芍说：“主簿要去徐州？”白芍点头：“两年来，有劳你们费心了。” 曹操站在书房门口，看着白芍在四个女将士护卫下走远，神情落寞。 白芍回到自己的小院，进到自己的房间。 行李已经搬走，房间显得比以往空荡。 她在梳妆台前坐下，小翠给她进行送葬之行的梳妆打扮。头发打开了，白芍从怀中又掏出那把鱼肠剑，放在梳妆台上。小翠吃惊道：“没有还丞相？”白芍说：“此时未还，必有他用。任何一人一物，出现并非偶然，退去也非偶然。鱼肠剑还有最后一用。”小翠十分惊愕：“还有何用？”白芍已将鱼肠剑从剑鞘里轻轻拔出，一片寒光弥漫。白芍又对小翠说道：“再拿笔墨来。” 曹操在大堂里背手踱来踱去，孔融、曹丕、荀攸、郭嘉、杨刚、陈登、许褚、李典、张辽、徐晃等文武要员及管家朱四在旁边侍立。曹操站住说：“孤要亲送主簿出城，至十里长亭。” 孔融想了一下，说道：“主簿护送郑康成及赤芍灵车回徐州，郑康成毕竟是随袁绍而亡命，丞相送此灵车队不妥。我等代丞相送到十里长亭即可。” 曹操面露愠色：“孤并非送跟随袁绍的郑康成之灵车队，我是送主簿的外祖父的灵车队。”孔融说：“即使是主簿的外祖父之灵车队，丞相也不必亲送至十里长亭。”曹操有些火了：“我实是送主簿。关羽，我都追送而去，主簿于我，可是关羽所能比？无她，孤已两次踏上黄泉不归路了。”荀攸冲孔融摆摆手，孔融诺诺而止。荀攸说：“请丞相乘车送别吧。”曹操说：“怕我张扬？孤必骑马。” 白芍披麻戴孝，在小翠及曹府几个丫环的搀扶下，在朱四与众家丁的陪侍下，在那四个女将的护卫下，出了她在曹府的小院。穿过曹府的花园庭院，来到大堂前的庭院，而后在曹操、曹丕、荀攸、郭嘉、孔融等人陪同下，走出曹府大门，在小翠的陪护下上了车队第一辆车。 天已亮，后面的灵车与车队一目了然。 曹操与孔融、郭嘉、荀攸、曹丕等文武要员也都上了马。许褚所带五百披白送葬护兵也都一齐翻身上马。曹操扬了一下下巴，整个车队出发了。 雪下得越来越紧，车队走过许都街道，两边路人靠边观看，少不了街谈巷议。曹操骑在马上岿然不动。车队出了许都城门，一路快行。曹操在风雪中没有言语，荀攸不时扭头看看他。曹操不顾左右。偶尔，小翠掀开车帘，白芍可以看见骑马走在一旁的曹操。曹操偶尔也会转眼看看车内的白芍，彼此尽在不言中。 终于，在风雪弥漫中来到十里长亭。车队停下来，曹操要与白芍最终分手了。 曹操骑在马上，白芍坐在车内。曹操说：“君百日若回，最好。一年方回，也可。必三年才守陵完毕，孤也等你。但凡军政从容，孤还可能去徐州看你。徐州方面的事情，孤都已去令安排好了，一切主簿不用犯愁。”白芍看了看曹操，说道：“丞相保重。”就泪水盈眶，哽咽无语。她示意车队赶紧出发。曹操也便示意许褚出发。 许褚带兵走到前头，其余兵士随后护着车队启动了。 曹操骑马伫立，看着车队远去。曹丕骑马贴近曹操，将一红锦手袋交给曹操：“父亲，主簿临行留下此袋，嘱她走后交父亲。”曹操打开锦袋，先看到那把鱼肠剑，他握在手中愣怔地看了一会儿。又从里面拿出的是一个白色绢包，打开一看，是一缕光润的少女长发，曹操握着白芍的头发又愣怔地看了一会儿。再看，手袋里还有一封信，他将剑与头发放回袋中，取出信来看，是白芍临行写下的四句诗《别君难》—— 青藤伴柏，遇伐两亡；与君相别，我心亦伤。 曾割君发，今存珍念；再割妾发，彼此相偿。 君必英雄，名垂青史；妾自飘零，已无故乡。 悠悠往事，恍然如梦；完璧归赵，唯剩鱼肠。 曹操默默将诗看完，下面还有一行： “又及，丞相勿忧：月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，有枝可依。” 曹操看完这最后一句，仰天悲叹：“有枝可依乎？无枝可依也！孤实是绕树三匝，无枝可依！”接着，悲恸歌曰：“悲哉兮，天云惨淡；伤哉兮，我心凄然；君去兮，乌鹊无依；寻君兮，四望茫然！”孔融、曹丕、荀攸、郭嘉等人在旁听之，皆戚戚然。 曹操抬头遥望白芍车队。车队在大雪中越走越远，消失在茫茫白色中。