Chapter 48 first quarter

Liu Xie slowly raised his fist, punched it in the air, and then quickly retracted it. With a wrong foot, he turned around and took a lunge.Beside him, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang, who had just recovered from a serious illness, also imitated the appearance of the emperor and boxed.Cao Zhang played the most seriously, with every move and style quite methodical, Cao Zhi seemed to lack interest, and Cao Pi sometimes played casually, and sometimes played very seriously-it depended on whether Fu Shou was watching or not. It was Madam Bian's suggestion to learn boxing from the Son of Heaven.Ever since Cao Pi was cut by Wang Yue in Jitian, he has been in poor health. Mrs. Bian heard that the emperor knows a boxing method called "Wu Qin Xi", which can strengthen the body, so she begged Cao Pi to learn it, and Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang naturally followed suit. coming.

However, the fact that the Son of Heaven was to teach boxing was out of place, and spreading it would arouse criticism, so a compromise method was adopted: the Son of Heaven practiced boxing every morning, and the three children watched beside him, so it was not considered teaching. Liu Xie punched down with a set of punches, and his whole body was steaming.He took the towel from Leng Shouguang and wiped the sweat from his forehead.The three children also stopped their moves, looked at each other, and laughed "hee hee".Mrs. Bian ordered three bowls of lotus seed soup to be brought for them to drink.

"Is your body better?" Liu Xie asked with his hands behind his back.Cao Pi replied respectfully: "Thanks to your majesty's blessings, I'm all right." Liu Xie saw the scar on his neck, which was still scarred, like a gray-brown silk thread passing around his neck, and thought that this child was really lucky. .If Wang Yue's sword strength was half a point higher, he would never survive. However, Cao Pi's complexion was obviously very bad at this time, his cheeks were sunken, his eye circles were darkened, and his face had an unhealthy light yellow layer.After all, he was just a child, and Wang Yue's sharpness that was infinitely close to death was entangled in the depths of his mind like a poisonous snake, which made him still have nightmares and sleepless nights.

Mrs. Bian saw it and was anxious in her heart, so she had to ask the emperor to teach some techniques for strengthening the body.After all, it was the emperor who immediately helped Cao Pi after he was assassinated.Mrs. Bian has always been grateful to Wuji for this bit of incense, and deliberately made her sons get closer to the emperor. Cao Pi himself is not so grateful to the emperor. He is in the rebellious period, and he always feels that his mother's words are too exaggerated and cannot be fully believed.The more Mrs. Bian spoke good things about the emperor, the more he felt disapproving—it was obviously just selling to my father, not a lifesaver.

Driven by this kind of psychology, Cao Pi learned boxing carelessly.There is only one reason why he insists on coming here every day: Fu Shou. When the Son of Heaven was fighting, Fu Shou always watched quietly, and then personally brought a bowl of lotus seed soup at the end.Cao Pi often looks at her graceful body obsessively, and sometimes he can intersect with her eyes, filling his chest with joy and relieving his pain.Cao Pi even felt that he didn't need to take any medicine, as long as he could get close to Fushou and smell her fragrance, he could dispel the haze. At this time, the sound of footsteps came, Cao Pi's body froze, and his breathing became short of breath.Fu Shou walked over, but this time she held two bowls of porridge in her hand.She handed a bowl to Liu Xie, then turned to Cao Pi and Mrs. Bian and said, "Today, I cooked a little too much. Your Majesty told the eldest son to eat some too, so as to nourish his body."

Cao Pi's heart beat wildly, and there were countless answers in his mind, but none of them were perfect, and they might make Fushou look down on him.Fu Shou saw Cao Pi's face, smiled sweetly, and handed the bowl to him: "Master Cao, drink it while it's hot." Cao Pi was tongue-tied and motionless. "Pi'er, Your Majesty the Queen is talking to you." Mrs. Bian reminded from the side.Cao Pi just woke up like a dream, first took the bowl, and then wanted to salute to thank him, his hands were so messed up that he dropped the porridge bowl to the ground with a "crash".

Both Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang were taken aback, and quickly shrank away, knowing that their mother was about to curse again.Sure enough, Mrs. Bian raised her eyebrows and reprimanded Cao Pi loudly for his gaffe.Fu Shou smiled and tried to persuade him that it was okay for a child to break a bowl, so don't put more pressure on him, so Mrs. Bian shut up and apologized to Fu Shou. Cao Pi didn't hear these voices at all, and his mind was completely confused.At this moment, there was a bunch of paper in his palm.When Fushou handed him the lotus seed porridge just now, it was placed in the depression at the bottom of the porridge bowl.

Cao Pi waited until he returned to his bedroom before stretching his fists and spreading out the ball of paper.This was a ball of paper held by Fushou's hand, and he even smelled a few strands of sweet fragrance. There were only a few words written on the note: "Afternoon, Qingmei Pavilion." Green Plum Pavilion is a scene in the backyard of Sikong Mansion. The garden is not big, with plum trees all over the place, and there is a small pavilion in the middle, which can only accommodate two or three people.Green Plum Pavilion has a unique position in Xudu, it represents a kind of recognition, a kind of symbol, only those who are most valued by Mr. Cao are eligible to have a drink with him in this garden.So far, except for Xun Yu and Guo Jia, the only person who has entered the pavilion to have a drink with Mr. Cao is Uncle Liu Huang.

This morning Cao Pi was living like a year, he had no intention of doing anything, and repeatedly guessed in his mind why Fushou asked him alone.As soon as the sun passed the zenith, Cao Pi couldn't wait to run to the Qingmei Pavilion. After waiting for a while, Fu Shou finally appeared.Cao Pi was overjoyed. He first carefully supported the bun, then took two steps forward, and suddenly his pupils shrank.It turned out that behind Fushou, there was another person who was Liu Xie, today's son. What is he?Cao Pi's hot fire was suddenly extinguished by cold water.He looked at Fushou sadly, and greeted the emperor bitterly.

"I want to talk to you." Liu Xie said straight to the point, and then he waved his hand to make Fushou stand outside the pavilion.This simple action showed that the emperor was very aware of Cao Pi's feelings for the queen, and used this feeling to trick him into Qingmei Pavilion.Cao Pi couldn't help feeling guilty and annoyed. "Your Majesty, please give me an explanation, and I will listen with all my ears." Cao Pi replied, with a rather angry tone in his tone. Liu Xie walked slowly into the pavilion, sat on the stone pier, and asked Cao Pi to sit down too.Cao Pi found a stone pier on the opposite side, sat on half of his buttocks, and stood upright.Liu Xie pointed at the empty stone platform: "I heard that Cao Sikong likes to treat guests here with green plum wine, what is the allusion?"

"When my father was attacking Yuan Shu, the water was cut off halfway. My father told his subordinates that there was a green plum grove in front of them. The subordinates were full of saliva, and their morale was revived. As a result, they defeated the enemy. To commemorate this past event, my father built such a pavilion at home." "Although a gentleman values ​​sincerity, sometimes he deceives others, not to harm them, but to help them. Cao Sikong is flexible, and it can be seen that he is indeed the one who achieves great things." Liu Xie sighed. Cao Pi didn't understand what he meant by saying these things suddenly, and kept silent cautiously.Liu Xie looked at him, and suddenly changed the subject: "Do you think that the 'Five Animal Show' every morning is of no help to you?" "That's right, it's a waste of time." Cao Pi made up his mind and said bluntly, "I see that your Majesty is not serious about practicing that boxing technique." Liu Xie raised his brows slightly, this child is really different, his eyes are very vicious. "Wu Qin Xi" was just an excuse made up to cover up his martial arts, and the way he is fighting now was made up by Liu Xie. "You're right. This 'Wu Qin Xi' is good for strengthening your body, but it's not enough to get rid of the nightmare in your heart." Hearing what the emperor said, a sharp light flashed in Cao Pi's eyes.Ever since he was held hostage by Wang Yue, he has had frequent nightmares.Cao Pi did not admit that he was frightened, but every night, Wang Yue's sharp sword with a breath of death would arrive as scheduled, cut Cao Pi's throat or stomach, and even picked out his eyeballs, making him wake up screaming , Washed with sweat like water. Now the emperor singled out this matter, what exactly do you want to do?laugh at?Still don't have a plan? Liu Xie looked at Cao Pi with a vigilant face, feeling quite emotional.When he used to hunt in the mountains of Wen County, he would sometimes meet injured wolf pups who had lost their mother wolf, and the pups would look like this when they saw people approaching. Liu Xie stroked his knees with his hands, and glanced at the front yard of Sikong Mansion: "Mrs. Bian loves her son dearly, and taught you to rest in bed and take medicine with a pillow. You don't know that this is completely different, and it is a big mistake!" Touched, Liu Xie pointed at the young man in front of him, and said word by word: "Heart disease naturally needs heart medicine to heal. Where is the source of your nightmare? It is the fear of death! If you are in a quiet room, just avoid the trend It will cause fear to breed day by day, and eventually the tail will not go away, and it will be trapped for the whole life. The more you are afraid of something, the more you have to face it. When you are used to seeing the chaos of life and death, and your mind is sharpened like a rock, the little fear in your heart will naturally disappear. So Your way of healing is not resting, but practicing. One day on the battlefield is better than ten years at home." Cao Pi was moved by Liu Xie's words.He has always been impatient with his mother's meticulousness, especially after the assassination, Mrs. Bian even refused to let him out.This restraint made him mentally miserable, but intensified the torment of the nightmare, and he was going crazy. "But Your Majesty, what should I do?" This time Cao Pi asked for advice sincerely.He really didn't want to continue living like this.As long as he can get rid of this heart disease, even if he is sent to the Western Regions. Liu Xie has been waiting for this sentence. He tapped his fingers silently without answering. When Cao Pi asked for the second time, he said slowly: "In a few days, I will go north to Guandu with Guo Jijiu. You want Don't you want to go with me?" Cao Pi raised his head in surprise.He knew that Guo Jijiu was going north, but the emperor wanted to go?Guandu was not a safe place, it was the battlefield where his father had preset for a decisive battle with Yuan Shao. Liu Xie put his middle finger on his lips, and smiled slightly: "Shhh, this is a secret. I will go to Guandu, and I will use my pseudonym Liu Ping. No one will know my real identity." Then he added, seemingly inadvertently, "I heard that Wang Yue will also appear in Guandu. Your nightmare started with him, and it will end with him." This time Cao Pi nodded without hesitation, quite excited in his heart.After all, he is the son of Cao Cao, and the blood flowing in his body is the adventurous blood inherited from his father.But he suddenly thought of something, lowered his head and said in frustration: "But my mother won't let me go. Ever since Wancheng, she has been determined not to let our brother go one step closer to the battlefield." "It's natural for a hen to protect its chicks, but the eagle's ambition is everywhere, and it will eventually fly out from under the mother's wings." Liu Xie suddenly slowed down his speech, and his tone became meaningful, "Didn't I just say that? Looking at plum blossoms quenches thirst, so some lies are not against the way of a gentleman." Cao Pi's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, and his pale face became a little more rosy. "Remember, this is our little secret." Liu Xie blinked, raised his sleeve, and touched Cao Pi's little finger silently. After the two of them finished talking, Cao Pi walked out of the pavilion. He glanced at Fushou who was waiting beside him, turned around and left in a hurry.Fu Shou was surprised to find that Cao Pi didn't pay more attention to her this time, and his eyes were not as hot as before, which made her somewhat disappointed. Liu Xie walked out of the pavilion slowly, and Fu Shou stepped forward and asked, "Is it settled?" Cao Pi's cleverness is very confident. Fu Shou praised: "Your Majesty, you are really powerful. After a few words, Cao Pi even ignored me. I can't wait to see the look in his eyes when he left." Liu Xie laughed: "Since Guo Jia asked me to go , wouldn't it be too cheap for him if he didn't add some trophies?" "Your Majesty, don't talk like Yang Dezu..." Fu Shou scolded, while gently twisting his waist.Liu Xie suppressed his smile, and said seriously: "Speaking of which, the child's mental illness really needs to be sharpened in the struggle, and he must be comprehended between life and death. I do this, although it is selfish, it is actually good for him." Fu Shou nodded obediently.This is the established strategy of the Han Dynasty. If Cao Pi's trust can be gained, it will be a great constraint on the Cao family.Since Liu Xie's transformation, his gentle style has not changed, but his actions have become more proactive.The case of Huairou Cao Pi shows the means. As Yang Xiu said, he has got rid of the shadow of his brother and found his own way. Fu Shou looked at Liu Xie's face. The two brothers' handling styles were completely different, but their confident smiles were the same.She was thinking about it, when suddenly Liu Xie lifted her hand. "This place is elegant and quiet, why not stay a little longer and talk about an outing?" Liu Xierou said. It is an old custom in Luoyang for young couples to go out for an outing.Ever since Fu Shou married into the Han family, he has never enjoyed such fun.Hearing Liu Xie talk about it at this time, she thought to herself that it was rare that he could still think about it, and a strange sweetness emerged in her heart, she couldn't help lowering her head, and let her husband lead her into the gazebo. On the tower of the northern city of Xudu, Sima, the guard of the city, saw a horse running hurriedly from a distance, and the speed was not slow.A while ago, Dong Cheng's prison car was robbed. Xu Du was in a state of tension inside and outside. Soon the knight came to the moat, shouting loudly to enter the city.The city guard Sima looked behind him. There were no other soldiers and horses in his field of vision, and there was no dust flying. He relaxed a little and asked him to show his credentials.The knight took out the talisman and hung it up to the city. The city guard Sima looked at it and found that this person was actually a Yilang, and it was also a sign issued by Xi Cao of the Sikong Mansion. This knight is exactly Zhao Yan. With the help of Sima Yi, Zhao Yan escaped from the prison of Sima's family smoothly.He didn't dare to stay too long in Wen County, so he took his horse and rushed back to Xudu overnight.However, his riding skills were not very good, and because he was afraid that Sima Lang would send someone to chase him, he didn't dare to walk on the main road, so he didn't arrive in Xudu until the afternoon of the third day. Along the way, he thought a lot, and when he arrived in Xudu, his eyes were clear, his expression was determined, and he was no longer confused. After the city gate was opened, Zhao Yan flicked the reins and quickly passed through the building opening. As soon as he went out, he suddenly saw three people standing by the front street: one was Guo Jia, the other was Man Chong, and the third was about Guo Jia's age. Weak people. Guo Jia also didn't expect to see Zhao Yan. He was inspecting the city defense with Man Chong and the newly appointed Xu Duling, and was handing over Xu Duwei.He saw Zhao Yan coming back from the outside in a hurry, narrowed his eyes, flicked his fingers, and several spies from Xu Duwei stopped Zhao Yan. When Guo Jia was traveling with Tianzi Weifu a few days ago, he bumped into Zhao Yan leaving Xudu.At that time, he was a "play talent", so he didn't step forward to ask.Seeing him come back in a hurry now, I naturally want to go forward and question him. "What do you want to do?" Zhao Yan sternly said, "I have some important business to do, and I have to report to Sikong Mansion Xicao." Sikong Mansion West Caojiao is Chen Qun's territory, and there is a force of its own, even Guo Jia can't do anything about it.Zhao Yan didn't want to get entangled with them, so he brought out Chen Qun's name. "Zhao Yilang, let me introduce you. This is Xu Qian and Xu Weichang. He will replace Bo Ning as Xu Duling, and he will take care of him in the future." Guo Jia pointed to the man beside him.Xu Qian had a broad forehead, and with a gentle and clean air, he cupped his hands at Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan clasped his fists to return the salute in a neither humble nor haughty way, and was about to leave when Guo Jia suddenly said, "Zhao Yilang, Xi Caoxuan has not clarified about your trespassing in the palace before. Why did Chen Caoxuan send you out on an errand?" ?” "This matter has nothing to do with Xu Duwei and Jing'an Cao. If you have any questions, please ask Mr. Chen, I will not accompany you." Zhao Yan said coldly, turned and left.With his character, it was the first time that he was so strong.Xu Duwei's spies looked at Guo Jia, Guo Jia shook his head, motioning for them to let him go.After Zhao Yan left, Guo Jia turned around and asked, "Did you two see anything?" Man Chong said: "I checked before, Zhao Yilang was entrusted by the Shaofu to go to various counties in Hanoi to look for hermits. Xi Caozhu issued a talisman and asked him to go to the local area to recommend talents." Guo Jia squinted: "Wei Long, what do you think?" Xu Gan bowed and said: "Hanei County has eighteen counties, and Shang County has five counties: Yewang, Pinggao, Wen, Qinshui, and Chaoge. Even if Zhao Yilang has the technique of splitting himself, it is absolutely impossible for him to be in six days. He visited the whole of Hanoi. His subordinates thought that he must have visited the whole county as a pretense, but in fact he only went to one place.” Guo Jia smiled and said, "You're right. This kid said he wanted to touch his whole body, but in fact he just rushed to a point, which is really unfashionable." He looked away, stopped talking about this topic, and walked forward with his hands behind his back. , Man Chong and Xu Gan followed silently.They walked to a cross street, Guo Jia looked up at the tall wooden flags erected in the street, patted his hand, turned back to Xu Gan and said: "Wei Chang, you used to be my subordinate for military sacrificial wine, this time you are the head of Xu Du Ling, it's not as easy as before. Those old people from Luoyang can't beat, scold, and play all kinds of narrow-mindedness all day long. It's like this wind, which can't move the banner at all, but it always keeps Blowing around. What did Han Shi say? The tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn’t stop. Hehe.” Xu Gan said with a calm smile: "Those people usually specialize in prose and essays, and the students occasionally sing with them. They do what they like, and they have a slight reputation. The Mandarin suppresses them with domineering, and the students use them to attack their hearts. Those who come to the same goal by different routes can keep Xudu safe." These words were quite sarcasm, Man Chong's snakeskin face did not move at all, Guo Jia had a faint smile on his face, and he did not say anything. Xu Qian was known for his literary name when he was offering sacrifices to the subordinates of the wine. The imperial edict questioning Yuan Shao was written by him.Even Kong Rong, Zhao Wen and others praised Xu Qian's literary talents, but their attitudes towards him were very different.It was out of this consideration that Guo Jia appointed him to replace Man Chong. However, Guo Jia is very clear that Xu Qian's "Qingxuan style" style of writing conceals his ambition.Guo Jia quite likes this kind of ambitious people, especially ambitious literati.A brush dipped in poisonous ink is sometimes more effective than snake teeth. Another gust of wind blew, and the flags on the flagpole fluttered.Guo Jia glanced at the two of them and said, "I have something for you to do now. This will be Boning's last task in Xudu, and it will also be your first task for Xu Weichang." Xu Gan responded with cupped fists first, "Master Mandarin has rich experience, with his guidance, there will be no worries." Guo Jia couldn't hear his implication, and replied: "I will go north to Guandu soon, and Bo Ning will also go south to Runan. So this time, I will use Elder Wei as the leader and Bo Ning to assist. Bo Ning, what do you think?" Woolen cloth?" "Everything is subject to the arrangement of the sacrificial wine." Man Chong drooped his eyelids, with a calm expression on his face.