Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Xu Tian's Hunt

After Huandu's army left Xiapi City, they returned to Xuzhou first.The people along the way gathered together to see off Cao Cao and his soldiers. Among the people, a group of old people knelt down on the road and crawled to Cao Cao's horse.They pleaded with Cao Cao: "We sincerely hope that Master Liu Xuande will stay and serve as the state shepherd here. This way we can get rid of Lu Bu's tyranny, and we can farm and do business with peace of mind. It is a great joy. But now everyone is worried about Master Liu Xuande. Is it going to leave here, so everyone is sad." Cao Cao immediately replied: "Please don't worry. Mr. Liu has made a great contribution this time. He and I went to Beijing to pay homage to the emperor. He will return to Xuzhou soon."

After hearing Cao Cao's words, the people along the way immediately cheered. Cao Cao did not expect that Liu Xuande's prestige had been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and he suddenly felt a little jealous of Liu Xuande.But on the surface, he still smiled, turned his face to Liu Xuande and said: "Liu Shijun, I like that you have such a good people. Come back early after you go to Beijing to pay homage to the emperor, and govern Xuzhou as before. People can live a peaceful life.” After a period of time, the three armies finally returned to Xudu triumphantly. According to the usual practice, Cao Cao rewarded the meritorious soldiers and asked the people in the capital to hold a three-day celebration.Therefore, for several days in a row, the Chaomen street corner in the capital was very lively, full of celebratory laughter.

Liu Xuande's hostel is located on the left side of the Prime Minister's Mansion.Cao Cao specially gave Liu Xuande a mansion to show his courtesy. Not only that, the next day when he changed into court clothes to pay homage to the emperor, he specially invited Liu Xuande to go out together in a carriage. Every household in the capital burned incense and cleared the road, and knelt down to greet Cao Cao and Liu Xuande's chariots.One of them secretly said after seeing Cao and Liu riding in the same car: "This is another special case." After entering the imperial confinement, the emperor authorized Liu Xuande, who was prostrating at a distance at the foot of the steps, to enter the palace for questioning.

After the routine questioning, the emperor went on to ask: "Where is your ancestor from?" "yes……" Liu Xuande wept deeply, and for a moment he felt that his chest was filled with thousands of words and he could not speak, so he bowed his head in shame. He remembered the poor days when he lived in a thatched hut in Lousang Village, made a living by weaving mats, and depended on his mother. Recalling this, Tears flowed even more. The Son of Heaven was surprised to see that Liu Xuande was only shedding tears, and asked again, "Why are you weeping when I ask about your ancestors?"

"Regarding this matter, Rong Chen reported..." Liu Xuande straightened his clothes, and answered carefully: "Just now, thanks to His Majesty's edict, the envoy can't help but think of those unforgettable sad things. In fact, this minister is the great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing, the grandson of Liu Xiong, and the son of Liu Hong, after King Jing of Zhongshan. Liu Xuande. The ancestor of Zhongxing, Liu Zhen, was once conferred the title of Marquis of Lucheng Ting in Zhuo County. Due to bad luck and family fortune, it is even more difficult for this generation of minister. Terrified, I can't help crying when I think of my long life experience, please Your Majesty forgive me for my disrespectful attitude."

The emperor widened his eyes in surprise and said, "So, are you also from our Han family?" He quickly ordered someone to bring the genealogy of the imperial court, and asked Zong Zhengqing, an official in charge of royal family genealogy, to read the relevant records in the genealogy aloud.Zong Zhengqing read aloud the names of Liu Xuande's ancestors: "Emperor Jing gave birth to fourteen sons, and the seventh son was Liu Sheng, King Jing of Zhongshan. Sheng gave birth to Liu Zhen, Marquis of Lucheng Ting. Zhen gave birth to Liu Ang, Marquis of Pei. Hou Liuying. Yingsheng..."

Liu Xuande listened carefully, thinking that this descendant of the royal family is me today.When he thought that he would also ascend to the court of the emperor today, he only felt that the blood in his body was boiling like never before... Comparing with the genealogy handed down from generation to generation in the Han Dynasty, Liu Xuande's status as a descendant of Emperor Jing's seventh son has been clarified.The descendants of King Jing of Zhongshan, the seventh son of Emperor Jing, once served as local officials in the imperial court, and they were honored as local wealthy families for several generations.However, during the rise and fall of the various kingdoms, Liu Xuande's family lost its title and became ordinary civilians.Until the two generations of his grandfather, they were reduced to relying on selling shoes and weaving mats to make a living, barely making ends meet.

"According to the records of the genealogy, it is correct to say that you are my uncle. I didn't know it at first. In fact, I never dreamed of it until now. Now I have an uncle like Liu Xuande." The emperor said excitedly.He was not only generally happy, but even shed tears.And from time to time, it shows the joy of encountering each other. As a result, the two parties became commensurate again with the names of uncle and nephew.As a show of courtesy, the emperor invited Liu Xuande to a banquet in the side hall, and gave Cao Cao to attend with him. The emperor made an exception and drank a few more glasses of wine, and Long Yan soon showed a slightly drunken expression.All the attendants knew that it was rare to see such an expression on the part of the emperor. Looking at Liu Xuande who didn't know what was going on, perhaps an indescribable light of hope lit up in the emperor's heart, right?

Since Xuchang was the capital of the Han Dynasty and the imperial court was established, it is said that for the prosperity of the king and the revival of the Han Dynasty, when the emperor and all the people jointly bless him, his complexion should be very happy, but what his attendants see is often to the opposite.For some reason, the Son of Heaven was often unhappy, with gloomy eyes all day long, without a hint of cheerfulness and happiness. Today, however, is a rare exception.At the banquet, the emperor finally smiled from the bottom of his heart.The attendants wondered to themselves: The emperor never smiles, why did he show such a happy smile today?

According to the will of the emperor, Liu Xuande was granted the title of General Zuo and Tinghou of Yicheng by Jin Dynasty.Since then, Liu Xuande has been respectfully called "Uncle Liu Huang" both inside and outside the court. Of course, Liu Huangshu's name did not bring him all happiness. At this time, the most powerful party was Cao Cao, who held military and political power in the prime minister's mansion, and his minister Xun Yu and other generals. "You know, the Son of Heaven now respects Liu Xuande as his uncle, and no one has more trust in him... In the future, he may become a great harm to the prime minister, and we are all secretly worried about this."

Sometimes, Xun Yu or Liu Ye would whisper such concern to Cao Cao and remind Cao Cao to pay attention.But Cao Cao often refused to accept it. Instead, he said with a smile: "My brother Xuande and I have a very different relationship. Why did he want to kill me?" Liu Ye reminded more eagerly: "The Prime Minister thinks so, but I have carefully observed Liu Xuande, and I think he must be an unrivaled hero in the future. We don't know whether he will always be at the disadvantage of the Prime Minister, so I hope that even if the Prime Minister agrees with him He is a brotherhood and cannot be taken lightly." In order to show his generosity, Cao Cao said seriously to Liu Ye: "Whether you like it or hate it, you can only know after 30 years of friendship. What's more, the so-called good friend or bad friend may all change because of your own attitude." Cao Cao didn't seem to care when he said this. As a result, Cao Cao and Liu Xuande became more and more intimate, and they often rode in the same car at court and sat at the same table at banquets. One day, Cheng Yu came to a pavilion in the prime minister's mansion and had a secret talk with Cao Cao. Cheng Yu has always been regarded as his confidant by the ambitious Cao Cao.He often discussed world affairs with Cao Cao. "Prime Minister, it is natural to do what should be done, isn't it the time? Why do you still hesitate?" Cheng Yu asked harshly. Cao Cao pretended not to know and asked deliberately, "What are you talking about?" "It is to implement hegemonic reforms. It has been a long time since kingly politics was abolished. Today, the world is in chaos and the people are suffering from it. Therefore, the world is looking forward to implementing a hegemonic rule of power." The implication of Cheng Yu's words clearly contained the meaning of ignoring the imperial court's rebellion.Cao Cao neither denied nor blamed this, but just said: "It's still early." Cheng Yu added: "Now that Lv Bu has also perished, the world is shaking. Those talented and bold heroes are deeply confused about where to go, so the current society is in a state of chaos. if……" Cao Cao opened his slender phoenix eyes and loudly expressed his disapproval. His voice overwhelmed Cheng Yu's words, "Don't say random words. There are still many old ministers in the imperial court. If the time is not ripe for implementation now Things, on the contrary, will bring disasters to yourself. Just wait and see the result." Although Cao Cao said so, in fact, the ambition of being more than a minister has already sprouted in his heart. This is an indisputable fact.He didn't let Cheng Yu speak out about it, but he thought for a moment. After a while, he raised his head, revealing a red light all over his face, as if he had a clear understanding of this, his slender eyes were as piercing as usual.He said to himself, "That's true. I've been so busy with the war that I don't even have time to go hunting. I'm going to invite the emperor to participate in Xu Tian's hunt, so as to test the officials' support." Cao Cao quickly made up his mind. So he immediately prepared eagles and dogs, transferred the army outside the city, and then entered the palace to tell the emperor about hunting.He played: "The weather has been fine these days, and the air in the suburbs is fresh. I implore Your Majesty to go to Xu Tian and hunt with the officials. I don't know what the holy will is?" The Son of Heaven shook his head and said with some displeasure: "Go hunting? Saints don't like field hunting, so I don't like to do it either." Cao Cao patiently explained: "Sages may not like hunting, but ancient emperors were not like that. In spring they inspected fat horses and strong soldiers, in summer they inspected crop seedlings, in autumn they went boating on the lake, and in winter they hunted and practiced martial arts. The land of the people, and the establishment of the imperial prestige. I don't pretend to be presumptuous, and boldly express my feelings. Your Majesty lives in the deep palace and rarely goes out. I am deeply worried about your majesty's health. I think that it is an eventful autumn in the world. Your majesty and all the ministers Ministers should pay attention to physical fitness in addition to state affairs. Going to the countryside to breathe fresh air to cultivate awe-inspiring spirit is the top priority." After listening to Cao Cao's words, the emperor couldn't think of words to decline.Cao Cao's strength and strong character are not reflected in a certain form and language, but through invisible momentum to coerce the emperor. The emperor asked helplessly: "Then, when will we go out?" Although the emperor looked listless, he agreed to the hunting request.But how did he know that Cao Jun had already prepared military vehicles outside the palace, so it was imperative to go out to hunt.Although others didn't know the inside story, the emperor understood Cao Cao's intentions. He was so frightened that he trembled all over, and finally he had no choice but to issue an edict suddenly: "Please accompany me to hunt with Uncle Liu Huang." In this way, the emperor rode out of the palace gate on a free horse with a carved bow in his hand and a golden arrow in his hand. Since that morning, Cao Cao had deployed a large number of troops outside the city, and the entry and exit of the forbidden gates were also different from usual. Liu Xuande, who had been working in the Weifu early in the morning, saw the emperor riding out of the palace, and immediately followed him, personally serving the emperor. The happy horse holds the bridle. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and other people also held bows, arrows, swords and halberds, and joined the ranks of retinues with Liu Xuande. Accompanying the Royal Hunter is said to have more than 100,000 riders.The long column of cavalry and infantry meanders from the palace gate all the way through the capital. Like stars flowing, and like colorful clouds circling the sun, people, regardless of age or age, endured the sultry weather and gathered on the roadside to watch the spectacular scene of the Son of Heaven hunting. "Look, that's Uncle Liu Huang." Although there are a large number of soldiers patrolling the road, people still can't help talking in whispers. That day, Cao Cao rode a famous horse called "Yellow Claw Feidian" and was dressed in a gorgeous hunting attire, closely following the emperor.Before and after Cao Cao are his confidant generals, each with their own weapons, striding forward, surrounded by the emperor and Cao Cao, and the ground is full of people.The officials of the imperial court couldn't accompany the emperor at all, so they had to follow from a distance, walking boredly. The brigade finally arrived at the emperor's hunting ground.Xu Tian was tightly surrounded by 100,000 hunters within a range of more than 200 li.The emperor held a carved bow and golden arrows, and reined his horse in the wild.He looked back at Liu Xuande and said, "Uncle Huang, I am hunting today for fun. I think if Uncle Huang also likes hunting, then let's have fun together." Although Liu Xuande was riding on the horse, he put his face on the saddle in fear and bowed down, and replied: "I am very frightened." At this time, the shouts of hunters sounded all around, and a rabbit jumped and ran in the grass. When the Son of Heaven saw the rabbit, he hurriedly said loudly: "The prey is coming, shoot it!" "yes!" Liu Xuande responded, and immediately galloped after the rabbit.When he was almost parallel, he quickly drew his bow and released an arrow, and the white rabbit fell down in the grass immediately after being hit by the arrow. That day, the emperor had been frowning since he came out of the court gate.Now that Liu Xuande shot the rabbit, he raised his eyebrows for the first time, and praised Liu Xuande's shooting skills: "Good shot!" Then, he said to Liu Xuande: "How about I go and inspect that small hill? Uncle Emperor, don't stay too far away from me." As the emperor said, he rode his horse and ran towards the embankment first.Suddenly, a deer jumped out of the thorn bushes at the embankment. The emperor quickly held the carved bow and shot a golden arrow with a "swish".The arrow flew past the antlers. The emperor sighed: "What a pity!" So he shot arrows at the deer one after another, but they missed. The deer ran down the embankment, and perhaps frightened by the hunter's shouts, it jumped onto the embankment again. "Cao Cao, Cao Cao shoot it!" The emperor cried out in a hurry. Cao Cao suddenly rushed to the emperor riding a yellow-clawed BMW. He took the bow and arrow from the emperor's hand, and galloped on the horse while drawing the bow and arrow.It was too late to say it, but it was fast at that time. There was only a sound of strings, and a sharp arrow shot out quickly.The golden arrow shot deeply into the back of the deer, and the deer that was hit by the arrow fell down before running a hundred meters. In the whole hunting ground, from the officials to the generals and infantry, everyone saw the prey hit by the golden arrow. Everyone thought it was shot by the emperor, so they shouted long live with one voice.The sound of long live long live shook the mountains and fields, and lasted for a long time. At this time, Cao Cao galloped up, stood in front of the emperor, and shouted: "I am the one who shoots the arrow!" Then, he raised the emperor's carved bow and golden arrows with both hands, as if he was receiving the congratulations of "long live" from the officials. Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help but turn pale with shock.Cao Cao's arrogant behavior disappointed everyone, especially Guan Yu behind Liu Xuande, who glared at Cao Cao with frowning eyebrows. Guan Yu thought to himself: "Cao Cao, who has no one in his eyes, has behaved so arrogantly that he has despised the emperor." Although he didn't say what was in his heart, the anger was already ignited in his heart, and the blood was boiling with anger, which could not be calmed down for a long time. His hand unconsciously grasped the hilt of the saber. Liu Xuande moved in surprise and stood in front of Guan Yu.Then, he gestured behind his back with his hand, and winked at Guan Yu, trying to appease the angry Guan Yu. Suddenly, Cao Cao looked towards Liu Xuande, and Liu Xuande responded to Cao Cao's gaze with a smile, "It's really wonderful, the prime minister's sharp shot is probably unmatched by anyone." "Haha!" Cao Cao laughed loudly, "You are too much for the prize. Although I am a martial artist, bow and arrow skills are not my strong point. My forte is rather in governing the army. I ruled the country and let hundreds of millions of people live a happy life. As for killing Benlu with an arrow just now, it should be a great blessing to protect the emperor." Although Cao Cao apparently attributed the credit for shooting the deer to the mighty virtue of the emperor, he actually hinted at his own greatness through his eloquent tongue.Not only that, Cao Cao did not return the carved bow and golden arrows to the emperor, as if he had forgotten this important event. After the hunting is over, a bonfire is lit in the field, and the attendants begin to roast the meat of various birds and animals hunted that day.The emperor gave them to the public officials and officials respectively, but everyone was unwilling to eat, and there was still a lingering shadow in their hearts. Soon, the emperor returned to the palace.Liu Xuande also returned to the capital.One night, he quietly called Guan Yu and admonished him, "Why did you look at Cao Cao like that when the Son of Heaven was hunting last time? Fortunately, no one noticed. Recently, do you have any other unsuitable excesses? Behavior?" Guan Yu lowered his head and accepted his brother's criticism honestly.But he quietly raised his head again, and asked Liu Xuande, "I want to ask, did my lord not feel anything about Cao Cao's attitude at that time?" "I don't." "However, why did my lord stop me at that time? I really can't figure it out. Besides, I doubt the inner thoughts of my lord even more. Ever since we enjoyed favorable treatment to keep Xudu, what I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears , are all kinds of things that exaggerate Cao Cao's violent military power. Therefore, he can never be said to be the leader of a general who defends the king's way. He is actually a domineering and domineering villain. No matter how high-ranking or high-ranking official, down to hundreds of thousands of soldiers offend the emperor, stand in front of the emperor, and accept the "Long live" cheers from his subordinates. Seeing his arrogant attitude, others can pretend not to know, but I, Guan Yu, cannot remain silent... Even if there was some kind of punishment, I couldn't bear it. Just thinking about it makes me tremble with rage." "you are right." Liu Xuande nodded slightly.When Guan Yu stated just now, he nodded several times to express his sympathy. "However, at this time, don't you need to think carefully about everything you do here? In order to kill the mouse, throw the utensils at hand at it. You have to fully weigh the value of the rat and the utensils before making a decision. The lives of us sworn brothers should not be cheap. If you improvise and accomplish your goal, but he still has 100,000 soldiers and many generals under his command, we will fight with them Let's turn into the soil of Xu Tian together. If there is a second Cao Cao in the chaos, all our efforts will be in vain. Zhang Fei doesn't know this truth, and you are so short-sighted, which really makes me feel Worry. You have to be careful not to show that kind of anger when you dream or talk in the future." After listening to Liu Xuande's earnest teachings, Guan Yu could no longer raise any rebuttals.However, when he went out alone and faced the bright starry night, he couldn't help sighing, and said to the sky: "If you don't get rid of that traitor today, he will definitely become a disaster tomorrow. I dare to swear that the existence of Cao Cao is a sign of chaos in the world." The biggest source!"