Chapter 34 Pingding Hebei

The building will be completely unsupported. Although the high-ranking officials have some talents in civil and military affairs, Bingzhou is surrounded after all, and the soldiers are exhausted and food and grass are exhausted.He struggled for half a year, and until March in the eleventh year of Jian'an, the guard of Huguan was exhausted and finally offered the city to surrender, and the natural danger of the state was lost.Gao Gan went to the court of the Huns to ask for help. Shan Yu Huchuquan learned from the last battle of Pingyang and dared not fight Cao Cao again.Bingzhou has been trapped for a long time and the generals are unwilling to fight again. Cao Jun almost took down the counties and cities without bloodshed. The captain who captured the robbers saw through and was immediately beheaded——Bingzhou was pacified.

Recalling the past when Yuan Shao opened up Hebei, he fought hard for nearly ten years before he came to Ji, Qing, You, and the four prefectures. It was only because his sons fought among themselves that it was difficult to carry on the great cause, so they handed over the foundation of Hebei to others. Yuan's vigorous rule was like a flash in the pan. It ended bleakly.Changing flags, resetting officials, winning people's hearts, measuring land, everything changed again.Not only did all the land in the prefectures and counties become cheaper for Cao Cao, but even Yuan Shao's shogunate mansion became the property of the Cao family. The widowed Mrs. Liu was politely "invited" out long ago, but Cao Cao's wives and concubines were in high spirits. Moved in, and since then the new owner has replaced the old owner, this city of Ye with mysterious prophecies has become Cao Cao's home... Carved beams and painted buildings, splendid halls, countless pavilions, maids and servants shuttle like a cloud, and the subordinates are engaged in work Filled with houses, this State Shepherd's Mansion is even more magnificent than the Sikong Mansion in Xudu.However, it still maintains its true colors. Although the mansion is large, all the furnishings and utensils are unpretentious.

Cao Cao was finally able to straighten his waist and command the Central Plains in a big way. He sat in the hall with a proud face and listened to the good news from his old and new subordinates. This kind of satisfaction was really comfortable. At this moment, it was none other than the all-powerful leader of the Black Mountain Army, Zhang Yan, who kowtowed like walking on thin ice in the hall at this moment. He finally led the people out of the deep mountains and old forests, and bowed to Cao Cao's feet.It is said that this person was originally surnamed Chu, who was nimble and good at riding and shooting, so he was nicknamed "Flying Swallow". He fought fiercely with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, and he was considered a momentary hero.But now kneeling at Cao Cao's feet like a cowardly old farmer, he can no longer recall the heroic spirit of the past-there are thirteen states in the world (thirteen states, Sili, Jizhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, Yanzhou , Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Yizhou, Liangzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou. By the eleventh year of Jian'an, Cao Cao occupied the seven states of Sili, Ji, Qing, Bing, Yan, Xu, and Henan, and most of Youzhou was controlled by him. Liangzhou Ma Teng, Han Sui, etc. are nominally under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, and Yangzhou is also involved in the area north of the Yangtze River), Cao Cao himself sits in the land of seven states in the north and south of the Yellow River, and his influence also involves Xiliang, Jianghuai, and Youyan. Who in the world is not afraid of such power?

"Duke Ming issued a government decree to change Yuan's tyrannical government. Only four liters of land tax is paid per mu. Hebei can have a benevolent lord and a mighty army. How can the people of Montenegro not surrender?" Zhang Yan's words are beautiful. Words, but it is also a clear conscience.There are 100,000 people in the Montenegrin Peasant Army in name, but in fact most of them are old and weak women and children. Only one out of ten of them can really go to the battlefield, and they are already dying.Now that the tax has been reduced to such a low level, who will rebel?More importantly, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have completely different attitudes towards the peasant army.In addition to Montenegro, the peasant army that was active in Hebei back then included Liu Shi, Qingniujiao, Huanglong, Zuoxiao, Guo Daxian, Li Damu and other dozens of large and small teams, all of which were wiped out by Yuan Shao.But Cao Cao didn't kill the peasant uprisings. Of course, he wanted to keep these people farming for food, but after all, the relationship with the peasant army was not enmity but not enmity.So Zhang Yan vowed not to surrender to Yuan Shao, but he could accept Cao Cao.

At this moment, Cao Cao is completely victorious: "In the past, the world was chaotic and benevolent, and Yuan Shao's violence and cruelty to the people forced people to rebel. It is an act of kindness that you surrendered today. I have appointed you to the imperial court. You are the general of Pingbei, and you are granted the title of Marquis of An Guoting." The official is not small, and the position of Hou has also been earned, but whether he has real power or not is another matter.Zhang Yan kowtowed and thanked: "Thank you for your magnanimity and Cao Gong's cultivation. As the leader of the people in Montenegro, I am very fortunate to be able to find a way out for these 100,000 starving people... But I still have a heartfelt request. My My family, wife and children have been in the mountains for a long time, and my hometown Zhending County has no property, so please ask Mr. Cao to open Hong En again, and allow my family to settle down in Xudu, so that they can enjoy wealth and honor."

As soon as this remark was made, Xu You and Lou Gui, who were accompanying him, looked at Zhang Yan with strange eyes—I really didn't expect that such a thief would have such calculations.This is not enjoying wealth, this is sending hostages!How can a person who once owned hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses die in peace if he doesn't give Cao Cao some excuses?This old boy is really good at talking, and he is obviously sending hostages, but he still acts like he is begging Cao Cao.In fact, it's not surprising, they are all people who have experienced the coldness of the world, and even a rough man can become a smart person through experience!

Cao Cao naturally agreed, and went along with the flow: "Very good, but it's not appropriate to ask them to stay away from their homeland, because they can't even hear the local accent. In my opinion, don't go to Xudu, and settle down in Yecheng. There are plenty of decent mansions, and the general can do whatever he wants." Pick! The old man paid for the general’s repairs.” In the future, the Cao family’s headquarters will be changed to Yecheng, so there is no need to send hostages to Xudu. "Don't dare to be, dare not be..." Zhang Yan kowtowed repeatedly, "If you don't have any errands, I will..."

"Go, let's go! The general will feel at ease if the family arrangements are done early." In fact, Cao Cao himself can feel at ease. Zhang Yannuo retreated, and when he reached the entrance of the hall, he was walking towards Lu Zhao, the general of Pingbei, who respectfully retreated to the side to make way for the young general.Lu Zhao entered the door and reported: "My lord, the three sets of furniture found in the Yuan family's treasury the day before yesterday were sent to Mrs. Bian. The set of gold silk carvings is too luxurious for my wife, and the one made of moso bamboo is said It was too simple, so I chose the yellow pine wood set." Lu Zhao was born as a slave in the family, so he can do chores inside and outside. "The wife also said: "The one who takes the upper one is greedy, and the one who takes the lower one is a fake, so I choose one of them." "

"Yeah." Cao Cao nodded, satisfied with Bian's choice, but didn't say anything - the three princes of the dynasty didn't praise their wives in public. If he doesn't praise others, Lou Gui hastily raised his thumbs: "Madam is really virtuous, she complements Duke Ming!" Cao Cao couldn't help smiling, and told Lü Zhao, "I'm sure all the family members will come here, and you won't be free. You go and order a banquet in the back hall, and invite all the wives to come, and ask Zihuan and his wife to come out to accompany them." When they came, the husband and wife were friendly, and they gave birth to a son named Cao Rui just over a year after they passed through the door. Cao Cao loved him a lot.

"No." Lu Zhao went to do it. Xu You said with a smile: "Oh my brother, it's really a new owner for the old owner. In the past, Yuan Shao's wives and concubines were fighting each other in this mansion, and some of the servants would say that the house's feng shui is not good. Now your wife and children can enjoy themselves here. , it can be seen that Yuan Shao's fortune is weak, and he can't control this place. I think he is not as good as you not only in fighting, but also in managing the family! Hahaha..." Cao Cao was delighted to hear this, but he said: "Let's talk about something serious. We must find out where Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi settled after they escaped from beyond the Great Wall. The root cause of this disaster must be eliminated. There is also the Liaodong Gongsun Kangyue. The more restless you are, the more you even send a general Liu Yi to negotiate with the pirate Guan Cheng, do you really want to snatch Qingzhou from the old man?"

Lou Gui didn't take Liaodong's enemies seriously at all: "Although Gongsun Kang has his ambitions, it's not at the right time. The high-ranking officials are sitting in a state, and the army has collapsed wherever they arrive, let alone the border areas of Liaodong County? I command the soldiers and horses, take Brother Yuan Shang first, and ignore him at all." Xu You laughed: "Did you hear the joke about Gao Gan? The one who captured him was Shangluodu Wei Wang Yan. I heard rumors that after Wang Yan captured Gao Gan, her wife cried faintly at home, saying that his husband had originally She is a poor official, and if she makes great achievements suddenly, she will become rich, so what can she do if she marry a concubine and compete with her! Hahaha... the world is full of wives and husbands, but she is afraid of men getting rich and changing wives, what do you say? Ridiculous or not?" Unexpectedly, after finishing these words, Cao Cao's complexion darkened, and then he turned back without saying a word. Lou Gui nudged Xu You, who was still laughing, with his elbow: "You have a bad mouth, you talk nonsense all day long, and you slipped again..." "What a slip of the tongue," Xu You said carelessly, "it's just a joke!" "Joke? Don't you know that Meng De expelled his ex-wife, Ding? How dare you talk about being rich and changing wives, and you don't want to live?" Xu You was dumbfounded, and patted his forehead: "Ouch! I forgot, forgot!" "Hmph!" Lou Gui gave him a squinting look, "I've been talking nonsense all day because of my meritorious deeds, and sooner or later I will cause trouble, so be more careful when you speak in the future!" Xu You was dissatisfied: "Don't just talk about me, you didn't say anything wrong? You just compared yourself with him, and you didn't know that you had an old problem! This mouth will cause trouble for your body!" The bickering guy started bickering again, it's really hard to tell the difference... Cao Cao was indeed stung by the phrase "wealth and wealth change wives"-Wang Yan is just a small captain, and the family affairs are all rumored, so how should the world talk about the three princes of the dynasty?I'm afraid it is inevitable to say that he is ruthless and ungrateful, and he likes the new and dislikes the old!He strolled along the veranda with his head drooping, when suddenly he heard a curling song accompanied by the sound of a piano: 〖There is a beautiful person, and the clothes are fine.The demon is gorgeous, and it is as rich as spring flowers. The beauty is Wei Ye, and the cloud is towering.Play the piano to caress the festival, and sing for me. Clear and turbid, both bright and harmonious.Make fun of today, not to mention others. 〗 "Wonderful! Such beautiful words... Such a sweet singing voice..." Cao Cao couldn't help secretly praising, looking for the sound, he came to the back hall, and saw Cao Pi playing the piano, his daughter-in-law Zhen was singing and dancing, and on the right were Bian and Huan. Mrs. Wang, Qin, Wang, Du, Yin, Zhou, Li and other wives, and the two concubines Zhao and Liu just received are also standing aside; and Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, Cao Chong, Cao Biao, Cao Xuan On the other side were young masters, Cao Jun, Cao Lin and other young masters. Even the two daughters of Cao Jie and Cao Xian also came, He Yan and Qin Lang were also at the banquet, but those who were still in their infancy were not brought. Mrs. Zhen was singing to a wonderful point, when she looked up and saw her father-in-law, her face was blushing with embarrassment, and she hurriedly saluted: "My child sees Daddy." All the wives and children also hurriedly saluted and knelt down. "Everyone get up." The seat was vacant for Cao Cao, and he strode over to look at the dishes on the table. There were only a few delicate fruits and vegetables, no fish, and no wine—presumably Bian's advocacy of frugality was deliberately arranged. of. When Lao Tzu comes, the sons can no longer sit down, and all stand in front of the table in an orderly manner.Cao Cao sat cross-legged: "Newlyweds don't matter big or small, the rules will be discussed later, let's be casual today." He waved to his favorite Cao Chong and five-year-old Cao Lin, one on each side of his left and right legs.Only then did everyone dare to sit down.Cao Chong played with his father's beard and said with a smile, "Did you listen to the song just now?" "Okay! Okay!" As long as Xiao Cao Chong acted like a baby, Cao Cao's unhappiness would be gone, "Ge Meiqin is good, and the words are even better." After saying that, he glanced at Zhen Shi lightly——now Zhen Mi put on a little whitewash and lightened her eyebrows , wearing a blue floor-to-ceiling dress, which is even more charming and moving.In fact, if Cao Pi hadn't acted quickly, who might have owned this woman. Cao Chong smiled again and said, "Such a good sentence, does Dad know who wrote it?" Cao Cao looked at Cao Pi and said, "Unlike Zihuan's work, he can't write such a delicate work with his skill." One sentence made Cao Pi feel ashamed. Cao Lin was born of the Du family, and he still has a milky voice when he speaks at a young age. He pointed to the east and said: "I know, this is written by Brother Zhi'er!" "Oh?" Cao Cao stared at Cao Zhi in surprise, disbelieving, "You wrote it? Couldn't it be Liu Zhen and Ying Yu who wrote it?" Cao Zhi was sixteen years old, not as tall as Cao Pi, but the two brothers were both born of the Bian family, and they looked very similar. They were as gentle and fair as the brothers, but Cao Zhi's eyes were bigger and more intelligent.Hearing his father's question, Cao Zhi stood up and said, "These poems and prose are all written by children, but they are just children's games. How dare you write them in the office?" It's not very appropriate to write this kind of song for my sister-in-law. Cao Cao didn't notice Cao Zhi's love for the Zhen family, so he said: "Since you said that you wrote it yourself, then write another song for my father to listen to... Sit down and think about it!" Cao Zhi responded, but said: "My child can do it, but please father..." "what?" "The boy is bold, please allow the boy to drink to figure it out." Bian frowned for a while: "Zhi'er! You..." Cao Cao waved his hand: "Don't worry about it! Give him wine... No! Tell the servants to bring more wine, and you can drink too. Today's family banquet is an exception, so don't be too plain." When I was young, the maid brought the wine, and there was a bottle next to each table.After a while, Cao Zhi smiled and said, "I've already made up my mind." "Sing and listen." Cao Zhi looked out the window with a smile on his face, as if he saw spring, and slowly chanted in cadence: 〖Take the clothes out of the middle boudoir, and take two couples of leisurely steps.How lonely is the leisure room, and the green grass is surrounded by terraces. The wind is born in the hole, and the birds fly south.Chun Si'an can be forgotten, sorrow and sorrow are with me. The beauty is far away, the concubine is single and lonely, it is difficult to meet again after a happy meeting, Lanzhi does not value honor. Everyone abandons their old love, how can you live forever.Jisong is a female dill, and the water is like duckweed. The body is enshrined with a belt, and it will not fall day and night.If you always care about Kun'en, you will always be in love with me. 〗 This poem is still about a beautiful woman, but it is a poem about an abandoned woman. The words are beautiful and full of emotion. It is also thanks to how Cao Zhi brewed it. It is really touching.Cao Cao had listened to Xu You's words in front of him, and his face was so dull that he hid it. He didn't want his son's poem to touch the issue of abandoned wives again, so he couldn't help contacting Ding, and he couldn't help but followed him silently: "A happy meeting is hard to come back Yu, Lanzhi doesn't value honor...Everyone abandons old love, how can you live your life...Stop singing!" Cao Zhi was taken aback, and quickly knelt down: "The child is not doing well, please father to punish." Even though he said that, he didn't know where he was wrong. "No!" Cao Cao said with a wry smile, "This poem is very good, it is very beautiful... You not only write the poem well, but you are also very filial. You asked for wine but didn't drink it at all. In fact, you deliberately made up an excuse to make all the mothers You're happy drinking too, right? You're very sensible..." Cao Zhi blushed when he saw the lie was exposed, and heard his father's praise again and again, and all the wives also whispered praises.Cao Pi, however, had an embarrassed look on his face. He looked at Cao Zhi who was smiling reservedly, and then at Cao Chong in his father's arms. For some reason, his heart suddenly felt heavy. Cao Cao felt melancholy, and waved to Zhao and Liu, saying, "Come and sing a song, too." The two women who were born singers quickly declined, and Mrs. Zhao was especially eloquent: "Your young masters and sisters are all here, so how dare we make a fool of ourselves. Isn't this a joke!" "It's okay, let's sing! Just sing old songs, don't sing Zhier's." Cao Cao wanted to change a song to relieve his sadness, but the second wife didn't know it, so she sang: 〖Newly cracked Qi Wansu, as bright as frost and snow. Cut into acacia fans, round like a bright moon. In and out of your sleeves, shake the breeze. I am often afraid that the autumn festival will come, and the coolness will beat the heat. Abandoned donations are in the box, and kindness is in the middle. 〗 This is "Songs of Complaint" written by Ban Jieyu in the past. She was a favorite concubine of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, and later became Emperor Cheng's love for sister Zhao Feiyan. Abandoned donations are in the box, and kindness is in the middle.Cao Cao is really upset, why can't he hide no matter what?He put down his two sons, got up and said, "There are still a lot of official business to do, please enjoy yourself." He sighed and left again.Dejectedly, he strolled into the garden, and suddenly heard someone calling from behind: "Husband..." Looking back - Mrs. Bian followed. "What are you doing out there? Drink with them and tell the children that it's okay to have a good day today." "I know what you think..." Mrs. Bian gently grabbed her husband's wrist. Yes, is there anyone in the world who can understand him better than Mrs. Bian?Cao Cao patted her hand, and the conversation could no longer be closed: "Do you think I am old? Why did I forget about the Ding family when I was fighting outside! Is she still living in Xudu? Back then It should be taken over together, now that it is done like this, where do I put this old face of mine! What can I tell the world to say about me!" He felt guilty towards Ding, but more importantly, he was afraid of being laughed at. Mrs. Bian smiled softly: "I've thought of you for a long time. When I came here, I took her with me. Bian Bing and Ding Fei helped find a small yard for her outside the city, and there are servants to take care of her." "Ah!" Cao Cao was overjoyed, and hugged Mrs. Bian's shoulders, "Good wife, you are so kind... But since you are here, why don't you just bring them into the mansion?" "My sister doesn't want to come." Mrs. Bian shook her head, "If the Ding family hadn't made up lies about moving, she wouldn't even come to Hebei. According to me...you..." She didn't dare to continue. "I'll pick her up!" Cao Cao was no longer obstinate, "I will take her home no matter what, she is my wife after all." "She has a tough temper, so please speak more kind words, but don't quarrel with her. Living at home and making peace with others is the most important thing. It's better for you to be harmonious than anything else." Mrs. Bian repeatedly urged. "Okay, okay, I'll listen to whatever you say. You always speak so nicely." Cao Cao said while stroking Bian's temple hair. "Old couple, what are you doing..." "Oh wife, you have gray hair." Cao Cao was surprised. Bian smiled wryly: "I have passed my forty years, how can I not have gray hair? Go and look in the mirror, there are a lot of gray hairs!" "Hua Tuo is proficient in the art of health preservation. I will ask later to see if there are any tonics you women can take. Alas... the overall situation of the world has been settled. As long as you subdue Karasuma and go south to wipe out Jiangdong, there will be no more wars... When the time comes, let's enjoy the days to come, and I will treat you well." Cao Cao has said this sentence since he was young, and he has said it countless times. Mrs. Bian really didn't dare to hope that such a day would come true, but she still followed him and said, "Ok...okay...but don't just treat us well, but also treat Sister Ding well." In fact, all wives and concubines in the world hope that their husbands love them more, and it is rare for them to persuade their husbands to treat other women well.But Mrs. Bian's cleverness is here. Even if Mrs. Ding comes back, it is impossible for her to restore her old relationship with Cao Cao. No matter whether this matter succeeds or not, it is she who left her husband with a virtuous impression.To say it was a sincere match would underestimate her mind; to say it was a deliberate invitation to pets seemed to violate Bian's kindness and kindness. , Bian and Cao Cao can be described as a perfect match.