Chapter 35 wading in distress

Cao Cao and his party trekked hard, and they passed Zhongmou on the seventh day, and they saw that they were on the ground of Chenliu County in Yanzhou.Lou Yi proposed to go to the post station early, arrange dry food and water bags, rest early today, and cross the Yellow River north in the next day. Everything was arranged properly, and seeing that it was still early, Cao Cao went for a stroll outside the city with everyone.During this visit, I discovered many new things.It turned out that outside Zhongmu City, there were a large group of refugees out of thin air.And these refugees are anything but ordinary.Cao Cao once heard what Qiao Xuan told him, so he had the impression that the refugees must be ragged and hungry, but these people are not. They have the same food and clothing as ordinary people, and even have some tents and sticks to protect themselves .

Cao Cao was wondering inwardly, but he saw the refugee with him suddenly calling out loudly: "Ma Laosan! Why are you here?" Following his shout, a middle-aged man jumped out of the crowd of refugees: "Little Four, Little Five! You are still alive!" Seeing that they knew each other, Cao Cao was surprised that so many people were sleeping outside the city. He was very surprised and went to the side to listen to what they had to say.It turned out that they were fellow villagers, both of whom were husbands from Xiuxi Garden. The old man Ma escaped first. He thought he would never meet again in this life, but unexpectedly they could meet again outside Zhongmou City.After the refugees finished telling the story of the journey, Ma Laosan was very polite, and quickly knelt down to Cao Cao: "Your Excellency, you are a merciful and good official. When I escaped alone, I failed these little brothers. You can save their lives, I kowtow to you."

"It's normal to pity the poor and cherish the elderly, please hurry up!" But Ma Laosan said to those people: "According to me, you guys don't bother your lord any more, just follow me." "Where are you going?" "Now I have returned to Taiping Dao, and I am following them to preach! You follow me, don't talk about whether you enter Dao or not, at least you can eat and drink, so you don't have to trouble Mr. Cao anymore." "We still want to go back to our hometown." "Don't mention going back to your hometown anymore. Now that taxes and taxes have been increased, and the rich families continue to occupy the land, you will not have a good life when you go back. Besides, we all ran out of the West Garden, and the yamen will ask! Even if we escape this catastrophe, what if the emperor's family builds East Garden, South Garden, and North Garden in the future? We will still be arrested. Just follow me, and follow the great virtuous teacher of Taiping Road. Eat." Ma Laosan said.

"What is Taiping Dao?" Cao Cao couldn't help interjecting. "I'm afraid my lord is an official in the Guandong, so you don't often move around in the Guandong?" Ma Laosan said with a smile, "The Taiping Dao is very powerful now! This Taiping Dao was established by Zhang Jiao, a great virtuous teacher of my family. The righteous way of Taiyi, if you learn it, you can be free from disasters and prolong your life. Nowadays, among the eight states of Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, Yu, who don’t know the way of Taiping? Now all There are no less than one hundred thousand congregants in the world, and every family enshrines the portrait of the great virtuous teacher and his old man. Those of us who devoutly follow the great virtuous teacher to travel the world and preach everywhere, can get a charm from his old man, a great blessing! "

"There are no fewer than one hundred thousand followers?" Cao Cao sighed, "I think the world is ignorant, what kind of great virtuous teacher is just a charlatan with a little knowledge of alchemy." "Don't say that! The great virtuous teacher Zhang Jiao is simply a living god," Ma Laosan grinned and chattered endlessly, "He can turn stones into gold, scatter beans into soldiers, spit out lotus flowers, Empty pockets, flying clouds and fog, diving into the sea to fight dragons, pulling nine cows upside down, stealing the sky and changing the sun!" He said while posing.

"You still have a set." Cao Cao waved his hand, "Have you seen all these?" "I haven't seen it before." Ma Laosan drooped his head. "No, why are you talking so lively?" "A great virtuous teacher and student has a majestic appearance, over ten feet tall, star-like eyes, straight nose and wide mouth, white teeth and red lips, big ears facing the bosom, beautiful beard and eyebrows, and a voice like a bell..." Ma Laosan repeatedly said and gestured . "You know him?" "I don't know." Ma Laosan bowed his head again.

Cao Cao found it ridiculous: "You have never seen him, how do you know this?" "I heard that! I haven't seen it, but some of us here have seen it." Ma Laosan pointed to the refugee team behind, "The great virtuous teacher is virtuous, humble, compassionate, kind to the people, and saves the people... ..." "Big brother!" Seeing him bragging about Zhang Jiao endlessly, Cao Cao hastily interrupted, "Is this great virtuous teacher in the team?" Ma Laosan laughed again: "There are so many missionary teams in the world, why is his old man here?"

"Then why do you believe this?" "I have gained the real benefits of the Taiping Dao. I have to believe it! Last year I ran out of the West Garden to beg all the way back to my hometown, but I didn't know that the land was taken over by local tyrants. The Yamen sent people to arrest me, so I had to escape from my hometown again. There was no food to drink, and I was caught in the rain on the way, and fell ill on the side of the road. The great missionary Ma Yuanyi, who was catching up with Taiping Road, led the team to pass by, and saved my life with great mercy. He also wrote After burning a few talismans and drinking them, I recovered from my illness within three days! The kindness of saving my life should be repaid by a spring, but I have no money and no ability. I have become a master, and it is a little bit of my heart to honor him when I am free."

Cao Cao smacked the taste: "I think your way of peace is not simple! Does the imperial court ignore this private preaching?" Ma Laosan gave him a blank look: "This is not a crime! It is said that the old man, the emperor, has heard about it a long time ago, and he didn't send anyone to take care of it at all. He also said that our great virtuous teacher is guiding the people to be good! Who cares?" ? Even the eunuchs in the palace believe this." These words aroused Cao Cao's contemplation, and seeing that their old friends spoke only Jizhou dialect when they met, he called Lou Yi and the two to go back to the post station first.

Lou Yi saw that he was frowning all the way and kept silent, so he hurriedly asked, "What's the matter with you, my lord?" "I'm thinking about this Taipingdao thing." "There seems to be nothing wrong with this Taiping Road." Cao Cao shook his head: "You don't understand the power of this. Regardless of whether this Zhang Jiao is really capable or not, it's scary to think that he has so many followers. Although they are all poor people without money, there are so many of them. Once you have power, you will have power. The more power you have, the more you can't let go, and your heart will rise with the tide. Back then, I was also a poor man in Zhao Guangwu, and my ambition was just to be a king and earn a marquis. What happened later? ?According to Hebei’s acquisition of the bronze horse, the heart is big! Besides, so many people rely on you for food and clothing, pointing to your wealth and fortune, and they want to climb the scales of the dragon and attach the wings of the phoenix. This is a little bit of "riding a tiger is hard to get off" It’s not adulterated, do you think that’s what you mean?”

Lou Yi's smile also froze. "Think about Zhang Jiao carefully." Cao Cao said meaningfully, "The lower ones use strength, the middle ones use wisdom, and the upper ones use people! An ordinary commoner has won so many hearts. In the land of Guandong, Qing, Xu, You , Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, Yu, so many people respect him, how can this continue? Xu Shao in Kuaiji, at most, won the hearts of the people in one county, and he dared to rebel. I think sooner or later Today, the Taiping Road will become a serious problem for my confidants! It’s a pity that today’s people don’t accept loyal advice and don’t take this Zhang Jiao seriously. You see, these refugee teams have all reached the edge of Yanzhou. How to clean up!" Lou Yi pondered: "The young ones don't understand these things, but the young ones understand that wars are not easy to fight." "That's right! The Qiang people have been making trouble in Xiliang, and now Xianbei is disturbing our northern border. If the Central Plains rebels, the great Han world will be in danger." Cao Cao sighed, "It's a pity that I can't report to the court on my way out now. Apply for this matter.” Speaking of this, Cao Cao suddenly felt that he was too conceited. In terms of seniority, how could those ministers with higher official positions not mention this matter? So what? "My lord, the common people followed Zhang Jiao just to earn a living. If everyone could live and work in peace and contentment, who would follow him to leave their homes and wander around?" "Yes!" Cao Cao thought it made sense, "When I arrive in Dunqiu County, I must let the people live a stable life. I also hope that those few beggars will not be trapped, even if they follow me to Dunqiu, we will How about finding a livelihood for them in the yamen?" Lou Yi is not very optimistic: "It's hard to say, they are all poor people in one place, and they still want to be together. After all, Taipingdao can give them food and drink now, and let them live together. The common people don't care who is in charge. It’s up to you! Whoever gives them a way to live, whoever makes everyone live a good life, follow whoever they are!” Cao Cao couldn't help shaking his head: "I have suffered too little, and I still don't understand the hearts of the people!" Sure enough, when those refugees returned to the post at night, they all said that they would follow Ma Laosan and the others, and thanked Cao Cao for taking them all the way.Cao Cao was not easy to stop, so he let them go. Early the next morning, all the refugees kowtowed to Cao Cao and left with tears.The refugee team went south, and Cao Cao and three servants continued to go north.Leaving Zhongmu, we went northwest for half a day and arrived at the ancient crossing of the Yellow River. I saw that the river was calm and covered with cold, the small boats were broken by ice sporadically, the north wind gusts could not stop the waves, and the crossing people were miserable and tight their skirts.It was the first time for Cao Cao to go north to Heshuo. He didn't know that the Yellow River was also frozen, which was quite refreshing. Lou Yi hurriedly explained: "Your Excellency, I have never been to Hebei. This place has four distinct seasons, and it is much colder than Guanzhong in winter. The ground is so frozen that even a pickaxe cannot be inserted. It is too cold, and the river in this section is too cold. It goes to the northwest, so it will be frozen at this time of year every year. This year is not bad, I heard from the old man in my family that people can walk on the frozen ice in the coldest year." Cao Cao couldn't help nodding: "One place is less than one place, and ten places are less than nine. If you are still in the capital, how do you know the customs here? No wonder I said that I changed boats from Mengjin and went by water, but you blocked me. So you have already I expected the river to freeze!" "My lord, from now on we are going to Hebei. The folk customs there are not as good as here. There are few nobles in brocade clothes, and there are many poor people and local tyrants. We have few people, but we need to be more careful." "Hahaha..." Cao Cao looked up to the sky and laughed, "Since you have an official position, why not break into him? There are many righteous men in Yanzhao. I think that Le Yi led the army to break through Qicheng, Li Mu fought against the strong army alone, and Lin Xiangru threatened the King of Qin with Mianchi. Gongsun Longtong entered the Xiongguan Pass. Aren’t these people all heroes and chivalrous men from Hebei? Let’s cross the river!” There is no big boat in the barren ancient ferry, it is just a small boat for ordinary ferrymen, and it needs to be divided into two boats.Lou Yi pulled the horse and brought the pair of big sticks to cross first, and the two servants accompanied Cao Cao behind.The small boat swayed and carried Cao Cao slowly, while the north wind howled on the river and rolled up his cloak.Cao Mengde looked at the land of Hebei, so excited that he boarded the ship and wrote a poem.It said: 〖The country is different, and it is mid-winter in Heshuo. Flowing and floating, it is difficult for boats and boats to travel. The cone can't penetrate the ground, and the sound is profound. The water does not flow, but the ice is firm. Scholars and hermits are poor, while brave men are poor. My heart often sighs and complains, and I feel so sad. Fortunately even zai!Sing to Yongzhi. 〗 Reciting poems and crossing the Yellow River is considered a first-class event, and Cao Cao's mood improved a lot.Lou Yi saw that the two servants were also exhausted, so he handed over the burden and luggage to them, and carried the pair of big sticks himself.The group of people didn't care to stop to use some water and food, and rushed to Fengqiu County to cast a post at dawn. It was also the first time for the two servants to cross the Yellow River, and now that they had no burden, they felt comfortable chatting with Cao Cao immediately. Unexpectedly, after traveling for less than ten miles, I came to a deserted hill and trail, only to hear a burst of shouts, and from behind the hill came out more than 20 men, all wearing ragged cotton clothes, with steel knives and wooden sticks in their hands. "Traveler! Leave your luggage and money!" The leader had a broad shoulders and a round waist, with a dark face and a big stick in his hand. "Who are you, you dare to do such a path-cutting act in broad daylight, aren't you afraid of the king's law?" Cao Cao asked. "What is the law of the king? Which is called the law?" The black man sneered, "I have the final say on this piece of land!" "Bold! How dare you threaten my lord, are you giving up your heads?" Lou Yi also shouted. "Don't talk nonsense, even if you are an official, you still travel in a car, ordering slaves and maidservants, how can you travel on horseback?" "My lord is the county magistrate of Dunqiu, and he has been in office since then." After all, Lou Yi came from a poor background in the market, and knows the rules of these people quite well, "My lord is an upright official, I advise you to get out of the way quickly, so as not to hurt your friendship. If you dare to rob, when my lord takes office, I will send officials to take your locks to the Yamen, and you will be beaten with sticks and sticks, and when the time comes to discipline you, it is easy to think ahead and it is difficult to retreat!" "Hahaha..." the black man laughed, "Such a big tone, who are you scaring? Don't say it's a real county magistrate, or a real county magistrate. Dunqiu and Fengqiu are far apart, and you don't care about me! Like you Wait for the lonely geese and sheep, if you kill them, you will kill them! How about it? Money or life?" Cao Cao saw that this man was fierce and shapeless, and he had quite a lot of people with him, so it must be difficult to deal with it; and seeing that Lou Yi was the only one who could rely on him, the two long legs were trembling with fear, and he knew the crowd The disparity is more ominous than good.He also heard Lou Yi say that he was not going to move, so he simply used his power to suppress them: "Bold thief, my official Cao Cao is the son of Lord Cao, the Jiuqing of the current dynasty. Which one of you dare to move? If you still persist in your obsession, I will go back and report to the old man." , immediately send soldiers to arrest you, and destroy your whole family!" Unexpectedly, the man became even more angry: "It's fine if you don't mention that old man Cao Song. If you mention that shameless corrupt official, I will kill you! I know your surname Cao, but I don't know your surname Cao with a big stick in my hand." . ” After saying that, he raised the big stick in his hand, “Don’t talk nonsense, grab it!” As soon as he gave an order, the group of men rushed over waving their weapons.When the two chiefs met, they didn't care about Cao Cao and ran away; only Lou Yi saw this, and he used a five-colored stick to protect Cao Cao's horse.It was also because of his strong hands that the two big sticks made him dance with each other.He knocked down two of the thieves, Fang Zhi, and the others did not dare to go up again. They surrounded a big circle with their hands, trapping Cao Cao and Lou Yi in the middle. Soldiers have no heads and no courage, especially such mobs.A thief wielding a knife saw that everyone was fighting timidly, so he swung his big knife and jumped out first. He raised the knife and smashed the building.Lou Yi hurriedly took the five-color stick to fight, after all the stick was long, the villain couldn't succeed, but the other thieves moved together when they saw it. Lou Yi's two big sticks flew up and down and played with his life; Cao Cao had no choice but to draw the Qingzhi sword in his hand, and slashed randomly regardless of left and right.Although there are many thieves, they are all stupid.Firstly, Louyi's big stick was used to play airtight and raintight, and secondly, Cao Mengde's green spear was a precious weapon, so they couldn't take much advantage.The big stick on this side will make you lie down, and the bright green sword on the other side will break as soon as it touches the stick. These people struggle harder and harder. Seeing that the battle tower was still standing, the leader of the black man suddenly turned around and hit Cao Cao with a stick.Cao Cao's eyes were already red now, and he didn't care where the enemy was, he pulled the reins and swung the Qingzhi sword up and down, for fear that they would damage the horse.The man's stick broke when he touched the sword, but he didn't lose his strength, half of the stick hit Cao Cao's left leg heavily.The horse had never been on a battlefield before, and it was startled at this moment. Cao Cao couldn't hold it back in pain, and it slammed its hooves, jumping and jumping. When Lou Yi saw that his master was in danger, he didn't care if someone behind him greeted him with a stick, so he aimed at the black man and hit him in the heart.This blow made the black man stagger, and before he could raise his head, Cao Cao's sword also arrived.In an instant, a red light flashed, and a large piece of scalp with a bun attached to the left ear was cut off! "Ah..." The black man screamed in pain, and the thieves didn't dare to fight any more, they left their hands to protect the guy and ran away. When Cao Cao and Lou Yi saw that they were gone, they didn't dare to neglect them, fearing that more thieves would come back later, they hurriedly urged their horses, strided forward, and headed northwest in a hurry.After running for two miles, the master and servant were so tired that they were out of breath, so they rested. Seeing that Lou Yi was sweating profusely from exhaustion, Cao Cao hurriedly took off his cloak to wear it for him because it was too cold to fear that he would get sick.Only then did he realize that someone had already cut a two-foot-long slash in the cloak, and he couldn't help feeling horrified. He wanted to get off the horse and put it on for him himself, but his left leg hurt so badly that he couldn't even lift it up. "My lord, don't dismount!" Lou Yi took the torn cloak and wrapped it up, "If you dismount, if the thieves come after you right now, we will all be ruined!" "Oh! Where did those two boys go?" "They took the adult's luggage and ran away." "Let's look for them." "Your Excellency is so kind." Lou Yi was a little anxious, "These two people see us being surrounded, how do they think we can survive? The bags are full of money, and they will definitely take the money and flee back to their hometown, no matter whether we live or die Already!" "Ah!" Cao Cao felt sad for a while, "Human favor is so thin!" "My lord is still too rudimentary! There are many hardships along the way. I always carry the money bag and let them carry the stick. I am afraid of their hand. In the end, I was kind-hearted, but they were abducted by them. We have no money!" "It doesn't matter." Cao Cao said as he took out the county magistrate's seal from his bosom, "If you don't lose the seal of the official, everything will be easy to deal with! The official post relies on official seals for food and lodging, let's go to Fengqiu to work quickly. Care about. It is not suitable to stay here for a long time, go! Go!" The two master and servant didn't care to catch their breath, and hurriedly continued to drive northwest.He was also frightened for a moment, he didn't choose his way in a panic, and passed by Fengqiu without realizing it.Seeing that there were still some folk houses in the past, but now they are getting more and more desolate, and it is too late to know that something is wrong.I saw the sky turned gray and cloudy like the bottom of a pot. When the thunder rang, heavy snow like goose feathers began to fall.It was eighty miles away from Changyuan City, and thirty miles away from Fengqiu County. It was deserted, with dry grass everywhere, and the time was getting later and later. Seeing this night, there might be nowhere to go. The snow fell harder and harder, and soon the horseshoes were gone. As soon as it got dark, the north wind blew up again. If they stayed overnight in the wild, they would freeze to death.The master and the servant had no choice but to carry a big stick while the other was wounded and rode a horse. It was like suffering in hell! Cao Cao left Zhongmou County in the morning, and endured the wind and snow until the night became darker. He hadn't had any water or rice all day, and he was clubbed on the leg again. He was already exhausted.In a trance, he recalled that the common people were killed, the thieves cut their paths, and the slaves abandoned each other, and the anger was hard to come out.His mouth was thirsty, and he reached out to touch it, but the water bag was gone again.He had no choice but to grab a ball of snow beside the saddle and rub it into his mouth.In an instant, Cao Cao felt a chill in his heart, his body was like sifting chaff, the sky was spinning, his injured leg was painful and cold, the stars in his eyes were flying wildly, he fell off the horse after shaking twice, and he lost consciousness...