Chapter 53 Chapter Fifty-third: Dabuchen Road

A vulture stood on the rock with its wings folded, gazing at the wind and clouds on the ground. Looking from a distance, you can see the figure of the lonely general Guan Yu. "Keep the general waiting for a long time." Zhang Liao climbed up the mound for the second time panting.He said to Guan Yu full of joy: "General, I sincerely welcome you. The prime minister readily agreed to the three conditions you put forward. Now it's all over, you can go down the mountain with me!" Guan Yu said again: "Oh, no! Please allow me to think again. The request I made just now was just my own idea. Now I feel that it is not reasonable to just do this. If you do not discuss with the Lord's two wives in advance Discuss, this matter will not be easy to handle.”

"This is the end of the matter, I don't think the general needs to think about it anymore." "No, no, it can't be like this. Although they are all weak and weak women, they are relatives who can represent the lord. If I hadn't consulted the two wives, I wouldn't have entered Cao Cao's camp. I After entering Xiapi City from here, first go to visit the two wives, tell them what happened, and then enter Cao Ying after obtaining their consent. In addition, in order to show your sincerity, please first order Cao Cao to let the troops besieged at the foot of the mountain Retreat to a place thirty miles away."

"Then, after these things are done, you will definitely go to the prime minister's camp to express your surrender, right?" "I will definitely go." "Then please wait a little longer." With Guan Yu's promise, Zhang Liao immediately went down the mountain. It didn't take long for Cao Cao to hear Guan Yu's new request from Zhang Liao.He immediately agreed to Guan Yu's request, and ordered the whole army: "The whole army immediately lift the siege and retreat to a place thirty miles away!" The counselor Xun Yu was very surprised when he heard about it. He hurriedly stopped the order and advised Cao Cao: "We don't know what Guan Yu's intentions are. If he changes again, what should we do?"

Cao Cao smiled heartily: "If Guan Yu was a person who broke the contract and broke his promise, how could I agree to his request? If not, it would not be a pity to escape." Guan Yu set up a pergola and watched Cao Jun's retreat from the mountain.Then, he walked calmly to the foot of the mountain with the Qinglong Yanyue Saber in hand, and then rode his horse and galloped across the deserted field.After a while, he arrived at Xiapi City. Seeing that the people in the city lived in peace, he immediately hid in the most hidden place in the city. It was the back pavilion of a deep courtyard.During the day, except for the occasional mournful cry of birds, the surrounding area was silent.

The guards on duty opened the secret door of the two ladies' rooms and led Guan Yu outside the curtain. Liu Xuande's wife, Mrs. Gan, and the concubine, Mrs. Mi, met and said in unison: "Ah, is this General Guan?" The two of them walked out holding the child's hand. "Are the young master and the two wives safe and sound?" Guan Yu kowtowed to the two wives across the steps.Seeing that the two wives were safe and sound, he felt a little relieved.Seeing his uncle and sister-in-law, Guan Yu was so ashamed that he dared not raise his head for a long time. Madam Mi said tearfully: "Last night, the city was destroyed by Cao Jun, and we decided to die. I didn't expect that Cao Cao not only didn't kill us, but protected us with such preferential treatment. General, you have to take care of your health, so that nothing happens. Alright. Please cherish your life and inquire about the whereabouts of the emperor's uncle."

Mrs. Gan also covered her sleeves and wept together. They were all worried about Liu Xuande's life and death.As for what to do in the future, I have no idea at all. Therefore, Guan Yu reported to the two wives in detail the whole process of his negotiations before and after his preparation to surrender to Cao Cao and to find out the whereabouts of the lord.While crying, the two wives asked with wide eyes and some displeasure: "If you follow Cao Cao, even if you know where the emperor uncle is, you can't rush to his side. General Guan, what should we do then?" In ancient China, there was a custom of polygamy.It is very rare for Liu Xuande to have only two wives.

Mrs. Gan is younger than Mrs. Mi and is from Pei County.She is not a beauty, but a sensible woman.If we want to talk about the delicate face of a beauty, it is better to recall the beauty of the young Mrs. Mi who is now a little older.Although she is over 30 years old, she still has the feelings of her first love for Liu Xuande. Back in time, back more than ten years ago, Liu Xuande was still in the adversity of selling shoes and weaving mats. At that time, he was standing on the bank of the Yellow River, waiting for the Luoyang boat, and wanted to buy some tea as a gift for his mother to take home.On the way home, Liu Xuande met a beautiful woman named Bai Furong in the wilderness, and that beautiful woman is now Mrs. Mi.

Mrs. Mi had been kept at Liu Hui's house in Mount Wutai. After waiting for a long time, Liu Xuande finally welcomed her home and made her his concubine. Mrs. Mi has a six-year-old son, but he is weak and sick. Judging from today's situation, Liu Xuande's mother is the luckiest.She passed away peacefully, without any worries in her heart. Now, apart from two wives and a sickly child, Liu Xuande's family has only servants and servants. Liu Xuande didn't know why, but let his two wives and a sick child live in fear in other people's city walls.The two wives admired him, and even though they were captives, they still eagerly looked forward to meeting their husbands as soon as possible.In this world of cruel wars between men and men, it is really too difficult for the weak women living in the deep garden.

Guan Yu patiently explained to the two wives: "Please don't worry about this matter. Although I say surrender, it is by no means a simple surrender. I put forward three conditions and have a strict agreement with Cao Cao. I I specially added this article, saying that if you know the whereabouts of the lord, you can leave without saying goodbye, and rush to the lord's command immediately. Therefore, when that time comes, I, Guan Yu, will definitely accompany you to meet the lord. Before that, I hope You must be mentally prepared to endure for a long time in the enemy's territory."

The two wives were moved by Guan Yu's sincerity, but said with tears in their eyes: "Well, we can only count on this." Not long after, Guan Yu came slowly to Cao Cao's camp with more than ten remnants of cavalry. Cao Cao walked out of the gate to meet him in person. Such an extraordinary courtesy made Guan Yu unexpected, and he hastily prostrated himself on the ground. Cao Cao also treated each other with courtesy. Guan Yu couldn't kneel down and said, "I can only express my heart with such a big gift." Cao Cao asked with a bright expression: "General, why do you pay such attention to etiquette?"

Guan Yu said: "I have already received your kindness of not killing me, and today I have received such gracious reception from you." "The reason why I didn't harm the general was completely moved by the general's loyalty. In addition, it is not surprising that we treat each other with courtesy. I am a minister of the Han Dynasty, and you are also a minister of the Han Dynasty. Show respect and salute the other party's ambition and integrity. You don't have to be so humble. Well, now go to the camp with me." Cao Cao strode ahead, leading the way for Guan Yu personally. When Guan Yu passed by, he saw with his own eyes that the attendants in Cao Cao's camp were very busy, as if they were preparing a feast of golden cups and jade cups.The guards who lined up around the nave greeted Guan Yu as soon as they saw him. Although he is a surrendered general, he is treated like a distinguished guest.After Cao Cao introduced Guan Yu into the middle hall, he did not show any contempt.The guest of honor began to talk calmly. Cao Cao said: "Today is really a pleasant and good day. I, Cao Cao, have finally realized the dream I have been pursuing so hard. This is more joyful than winning ten states and counties in one fell swoop. General Guan, how do you feel about this?" "I can only answer with one word - shameless." "What you said is reasonable. But the sentence is not very appropriate. Seeing people without face generally refers to the generals who are usually defeated in the world. As for General Guan, he is a famous surrender. He will never insult the general's reputation, but practice it. The true meaning of being courteous." "Through General Zhang Liao just now, I put forward three conditions that require the prime minister's promise. I am grateful for your solemn promise. I will never forget the prime minister's great kindness." "Don't worry, the promise between soldiers is like gold and iron, and it will never change. Although I am also a person with low morals, in order to inspire the world, I once again swear that I will never do anything that violates the promise. conditions again." "Thank you very much! You have already made an oath just now, so I don't need to say more. In addition, let me reiterate that if I know the whereabouts of the old master Liu Xuande in the near future, please allow me to leave without saying goodbye and go directly to the old master, even if I go through fire and water. Don't hesitate. Then I won't be able to stay by your side." "Haha! General Guan, it seems that you are still doubting my sincerity, Cao Cao, please don't worry..." As Cao Cao said this, his laughter was mixed with a different kind of sour taste. Cao Cao changed the subject and said again: "I have prepared a feast in the pavilion over there. I will introduce my generals and staff to you there. Come with me." Cao Cao stood up first and led Guan Yu towards the pavilion where the banquet was arranged. All the generals and staff members raised their glasses and shouted long live, and finally got drunk.Guan Yu, who was usually red-faced, now looked even more complex than before. Taking advantage of the wine, Cao Cao said to Guan Yu: "General Guan, the person you want to see may have become a corpse in the rebel army. I think it's better to sacrifice his soul and pay tribute to him quietly." Guan Yu seemed to be even more drunk. He stroked his long beard, which had become even darker due to the effect of alcohol, and said with a smile, "If I knew, I must not be with the prime minister anymore, right?" "Why do you say that? If Liu Xuande has already died in battle, you have nowhere to go." "No, Prime Minister." Guan Yu straightened his broad chest again, "My beard will turn into a crow and fly to find the dead body of the old master." Guan Yu felt that what Cao Cao said was definitely not a joke, but he had nothing to do now, so he had to joke with each other. Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed, "Really? Haha! That's right! If your beard can grow wings, you will probably become ten crows." Cao Cao's words caused roars of laughter. In this way, Cao Cao first resolved the war in Xuzhou.On the second day, he led the main force of the army to embark on the triumphant return journey early. Guan Yu took care of the lord's two wives to get into the car. Together with more than 20 former subordinates, he guarded the two wives' car at every step. A few days later, Cao Cao's army returned to Xudu. After returning to Xudu, all the generals returned to their respective camps.In order to facilitate daily care, Guan Yu got a guest house in the city from Cao Cao, and let his two wives live there. The museum is divided into two courtyards, inside and outside.Two wives lived in the inner courtyard, and Guan Yu and other soldiers lived in the outer courtyard.Beside the two courtyard gates, more than 20 soldiers alternately stand guard all day long. When Guan Yu had nothing to do, he often came to the guard's hut to read, and sometimes he stood guard on duty instead of soldiers who were short-handed. After returning to Beijing, the first thing Cao Cao has to do is to sort out military affairs.In addition, internal and external government affairs are piled up like a mountain, waiting for him to make a judgment as soon as possible. Cao Cao has a passion for politics that surpasses ordinary people.At this time, the New Culture Movement centered in Xudu was developing vigorously, and the lives of the people were effectively improved. The reforms in industry and agriculture had achieved remarkable results, and the progress in welfare was even more impressive. Seeing the achievements made under his rule, Cao Cao couldn't help saying with emotion: "Only politics is the great cause that can realize the highest ideal in human behavior." Cao Cao was convinced of this.Year after year, his interest and enthusiasm for politics continued to grow. Recently, with the war finally coming to an end, he had had a rare moment of leisure for himself.Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and asked his courtiers, "By the way, how did Guan Yu live after he entered Beijing?" The courtiers replied: "Guan Yu never went to the streets except when he went to the prime minister's mansion. He just guarded the residence of the two wives wholeheartedly. He was like a watchdog, guarding the hut next to the gate all day long. Those who often come to Family members who go outside the courtyard often see Guan Yu reading in the house." After hearing about Guan Yu's living conditions, Cao Cao secretly praised him, and said to himself sympathetically, "It's not surprising, it's not surprising. Maybe it's because the hero is depressed." A few days after Cao Cao expressed sympathy for Guan Yu, he suddenly asked Guan Yu to take a carriage into the palace. Cao Cao personally accompanied Guan Yu into the palace to pay homage to the emperor.Since Guan Yu was originally an accompanying minister, he could not go to the hall, but could only stand at the foot of the steps to pay respects. The emperor knew Guan Yu's name very early on, especially when he heard that he was the brother-in-law of his favorite Uncle Liu Huang, so he looked down and said, "He is really a promising soldier, give him the official position he deserves." !" Cao Cao decided on the spot to make Guan Yu a partial general. Guan Yu remained silent all the time. After thanking him for his kindness, he immediately withdrew. Not long after, Cao Cao held a festive dinner for Guan Yu to celebrate his imperial appointment, and invited all civil and military officials to attend. At the dinner, Guan Yu sat in the guest's seat. "I respect General Guan!" Cao Cao took the lead in toasting Guan Yu. That night, Guan Yu had been drinking in silence, and there was no change in his expression, whether he was happy or confused. After the banquet, Cao Cao specially ordered several close officials: "You send General Guan back to the mansion." At the same time, he rewarded Guan Yu with 100 pieces of silk, 50 pieces of brocade embroidery, as well as many gold and silver artifacts and treasures of pearls and jade.Cao Cao ordered people to carry these rewards on horses and deliver them to Guan Yu's mansion. However, Guan Yu didn't appreciate it.In his eyes, those jewels, jade, gold and silver were just like rubble, so he didn't keep any of them, and transported them all to the inner courtyard where the two wives lived. "Cao Cao sent people to bring these things." Guan Yu presented all the rewards to the two wives and said respectfully. When Cao Cao heard about it, he praised him greatly: "He is indeed a man of noble character." From then on, Cao Cao respected him even more. A small banquet in three days and a big banquet in five days.Cao Cao made every opportunity to entertain to get close to Guan Yu.Since ancient times in China, there have been good stories about military commanders and corporals. There are so-called metaphors of gold for getting on the horse and silver for getting off the horse, but Cao Cao's attitude goes even further than this. Cao Cao also specially selected ten beauties in the capital, and told them in a more emphatic tone: "As long as I can please General Guan, I can satisfy your requirements." Cao Cao personally rewarded Guan Yu with those charming beauties, and Guan Yu didn't seem to dislike it either.After a rare drunk, he laughed and said, "This, this. I feel like I am in a garden, beautiful, so beautiful, I didn't even have time to look at it." While drinking, he took all those beauties home. . However, as soon as he got home, he immediately sent ten beauties to the inner courtyard of the two wives as maids.