Chapter 25 Chapter 23 "White Mian Lang" Cao Cao

Cao Cao was young.Although his image has suddenly grown tall recently, he is still a white-faced guy after all. Since he first served as Luoyang Northern Captain at the age of 20, his talent has been recognized in a few years, and he ranks among the young and strong military officers of the imperial court.In the chaotic and eventful situation in the palace, he never stumbled, and his position was gradually consolidated.At a young age, he was in the company of senior officials of the old and new forces, and he had grown into a member of the court without knowing it. He emerged early and stood out from the crowd.

As Wang Yun said at the secret meeting, Cao Cao came from a famous family, and it is said that he was a descendant of Cao Shen, the prime minister of the early Han Dynasty. He was born in Qiao County, Peiguo (now Bozhou, Anhui). His father Cao Song resigned from the palace and left the field early. Now he lives in Chenliu (southeast of Kaifeng, Henan). Although he is old, he is still alive. His father, Cao Song, saw "this son's phoenix eyes", and he doted on Cao Cao since he was a child among many children. The so-called phoenix eyes are as thin and bright as the eyes of a phoenix.

When he was a boy, Cao Cao was a beautiful boy with fair skin, black hair, red lips and bright eyes, neither fat nor thin.What's more, the teachers in the schoolhouse and the villagers were all afraid of his genius, saying: "This kid is terrifying!" This has happened before.The young Cao Cao knew everything about learning, but he never saw him chewing on books one day.He likes hunting, hunting down wild animals with a bow and arrow.He was precocious and recruited a few unscrupulous boys to abduct village girls.Do not do business all day long. "This son doesn't learn well!" Uncle worried about Cao Cao's future, quietly advised his father. "You dote on him too much, you must. In the eyes of the father, he only sees the child's good talents, but not the child's treacherous talents."

It just so happened that his father Cao Song often heard about Cao Cao's bad deeds, so he called Cao Cao to come to his side, severely reprimanded him, and taught him a lesson all night. Uncle came again the next day.Cao Cao collapsed in front of the door, in pain like a convulsion. The uncle was upright, but he didn't know that Cao Cao was pretending to be sick, so he ran into the house in panic and told his father. His father, Cao Song, also had his favorite son Cao Cao ill, and his complexion changed drastically. He rushed over and saw Cao Cao playing in front of the door, just like usual.

"Cao Cao! Cao Cao!" "What is it, father?" "Are you okay? Your uncle just told me that you have convulsions and you look scary. It's a big deal. He told me to come out and have a look. I was terrified and ran out to see you..." "Oh... why does uncle like to lie? I'm not good..." "This kid is weird." "Uncle is to blame. It seems that your interest is lying, and you like to watch people be frightened. People in the village also said, boy, is there something about you that annoys your uncle? Everything says I am a swinger, naughty It's a ghost, there's a convulsion, and it's flaunting everywhere." Cao Cao said innocently.

After this incident, Cao Cao's father no longer believed his younger brother's words. "How spoiled, this father!" Cao Cao got carried away with complacency, became more and more villainous, played pranks, and let loose every day. Cao Cao did not have a proper job before the age of twenty. Although he had a family property and was a descendant of a famous family, he was a troublesome young man just as his uncle predicted. However, Cao Cao is hated by many people, but at the same time he has a chivalrous demeanor and is quite popular. "People are smart." "You can tell Cao Cao that if something happens, you can rely on it."

At that time, Qiao Xuan and He Yong were different, and they regarded Cao Cao's vertical and horizontal strategies as geniuses. "The world is in chaos today. One day, it will become a mess, and it will eventually be cleaned up. At that time, there must be extraordinary people. Maybe, in the future, it will be someone like him who can bring peace to the world." At young people's gatherings, some people even said so seriously. Once, Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao: "You are not famous yet, but I think you are a promising young man. If you have a chance, you can associate with Xu Zijiang."

"Son, who is he?" Cao Cao asked. "This person is very good at judging people, and he is also a scholar." "It's just for viewing." "It's not so low. It's a more discerning character critic." "Interesting. Visit him." One day, Cao Cao visited Xu Zijiang.There are many disciples and guests present.Cao Cao reported his name and wanted to hear his outspoken "Cao Cao Comment".However, Zijiang just glanced at him coldly, contemptuously and did not answer seriously. "Hmph..." Cao Cao also showed his satirical skills to the fullest, teasing: "Sir, you often spot small fish in the pond, but you have never seen a giant whale in the sea in this room."

Only then did Xu Zijiang reveal his incomplete teeth from behind his thin and black lips like a pedant's, and he replied, "Zhuzi! Why did you say that! You are a capable minister in order to rule the world, and a traitor in troubled times." Upon hearing the answer, Cao Cao said, "A traitor in troubled times!...Yes." After all, I am satisfied. soon.At the age of twenty, he was appointed as a captain of the north. This is the guard of the palace.When he first took office, he strictly abided by the rules, and the offenders, even high-ranking officials, were severely punished.Once, even a relative of Jian Shuo, who was once rampant for a while, broke the ban and walked around the forbidden gate with a knife at night, but he was still scolded by Cao Cao.

"That weak-crowned police officer, once he commits a crime, he will show no mercy." Cao Cao became famous instead.Not long after, he was promoted to captain of cavalry, and when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in the local area, he was incorporated into the expeditionary army and moved to Yingchuan and other places. He was always equipped with eye-catching red flags, red saddles, and red armor. gallop across the battlefield.Even Liu Xuande and his subordinates Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who met Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao in the Yingchuan Grassland were dumbfounded and said, "Who is that?!"

This is the person.Cao Cao, Captain Xiaoqi. Cao Cao took over Wang Yun's famous seven-treasure sword and vowed to assassinate Dong Xiangguo.When he returned home that night, he lay on the bed with Qibaodao in his arms. What kind of dream did he have? the next day.Cao Cao came to the prime minister's mansion as usual. "Where is Xiangguo?" He asked the little official. "Just entered the small pavilion and rested in the academy." So he went straight to Xiaoge and said hello. Dong Xiangguo was lying on the bed, drinking tea.Lu Bu stood aside. "You're late." Dong Zhuo scolded Cao Cao when he saw him. In fact, the sun was already high, and the work of the various departments of the Prime Minister's Mansion had come to an end, and it was time for lunch break. "Sorry! My thin old horse, walking very slowly..." "Are there no good horses?" "No. My salary is so small that I can't afford a good horse if I want to." "Lü Bu!" Dong Zhuo called back. "Choose a suitable horse from my stable for Cao Cao to use." "Yes." Lu Bu walked out of the pavilion. Cao Cao thought, "That's great!" His heart skipped a beat.Dong Zhuo was very brave and extremely powerful. "In case you miss..." He proceeded cautiously, looking for his moment.Dong Zhuo is fat and will get tired if he sits on the bed for a long time. At this time, Dong Zhuo lay down on the bed with his back to Cao Cao. "When will you wait! This is a gift from God!" Cao Cao screamed in his heart, grabbed the Qibao knife, pulled it out with a whiz, hid it behind his back, and approached the bed. At this time, the famous knife flashed, and it was reflected in the mirror on the wall next to Dong Zhuo like a sun flame. Dong Zhuo sat up in shock, with sharp eyes, he asked, "Cao Cao, what was the flash just now?" Cao Cao didn't have time to take back the treasured sword. He was taken aback for a moment, and said calmly, "Oh, I recently got a rare and famous sword, and I'm here to present it to you. If you like it, please wear it. Please come here, I wiped it quietly, and the light will shine immediately." Room full." There was no panic at all, and he handed over the treasured sword as he spoke. "Oh...bring it to me to see." Dong Zhuo was holding it in his hand and looking at it when Lu Bu came back. Dong Zhuo seemed to like it very much, and said: "It really is a good knife. How about it, this knife?" Then he showed it to Lu Bu. Cao Cao immediately said, "This is the scabbard. How beautiful the seven treasure inlay is!" As he spoke, he handed the scabbard to Lu Bu. Lu Bu remained silent, put the knife into its sheath, held it in his hand, and urged Cao Cao, "Go and see the horse." Cao Cao said: "Okay. Accepted, thank you!" After speaking, he walked quickly to the courtyard, stroked the mane of the steed brought by Lu Bu, and said, "Ah! What a steed! I really want to ride it in front of Xiangguo." After hearing this, Dong Zhuo was finally fooled and said, "Okay, let's try." With permission, Cao Cao flew on his horse with a "hey" sound, raised his whip and lowered his whip, and galloped away to the gate of the prime minister's mansion without turning back. "Are you still not coming back?" Dong Zhuo felt strange. "You said it was a test ride, where did you go? Cao Cao." He muttered several times. Only then did Lu Bu speak, and said, "Prime Minister, he will probably never come back again." "What's the matter?" "Judging from his behavior when he presented the treasured sword to you just now, it is really suspicious." "Well. I also felt a little bit wrong with his actions at the time." "It's his luck that you gave him the horse. Maybe he has already fled in a hurry." "Since this is the case, this guy can't be left alone. Pass on Li Ru! Call Li Ru first!" Li Ru came and listened carefully to what had happened, and said, "This is terrible, it's like letting a leopard out of its cage. His wife and children are all outside the capital, and he must have come here for Xiangguo's life." "Damn guy! Li Ru, what should I do?" "Send to his place at once, and say that you have summoned him. He will come to you if you have no intention of doing so. However, he may not be at home." For the sake of prudence, six or seven cavalry soldiers were sent on duty at the moment, and the result was exactly as Li Ru expected. According to the report of the soldiers on duty later: "Just now, Cao Cao galloped out of the east gate on a yellow-haired horse, and the soldiers on duty chased after him. Finally, he caught up with him at the gate leading to the outside of the city and asked him. Cao Cao said: "I was ordered by the prime minister urgently." I went out suddenly. You stopped me and delayed the urgent matter. I don’t know how the prime minister will punish you in the future!” "That's it!" Dong Zhuo blushed with anger on his face, "Smart guy! He is always cared for and loved, but he is so arrogant and unruly that he dared to betray me. This bastard, dismembered Wan Duan will not let go of his hatred! Li Ru!" "exist." "Draw his appearance and clothing, post it everywhere, and order him to be arrested!" "Take orders." "It is said that those who captured Cao Cao alive were made Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, and those who presented Cao Cao's head to the prime minister's mansion were rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold." "Arrange immediately." "Wait! Also," Dong Zhuo added just as Li Ru was about to step back, "I think this plan was definitely not done by Cao Cao alone. There must be accomplices involved." "certainly." "This will make the matter even more serious. While chasing Cao Cao, he must be screened through a sieve in the capital. Once the suspect is caught, he will be tortured immediately." "Yes. Don't slack off, start as soon as possible." Li Ru strode away, summoned the servants of the arresting office, issued orders, and arranged a strict arrest operation.