[Three Kingdoms] Carnival

Xudu Prime Minister's Mansion

The early morning light shines through the window screens, spilling a thin warmth.The clothes thrown on the ground kept the messy appearance of last night, and it seemed that the faint fragrance of herbs could still be smelled in the breath.The small stove by the couch is full of laziness and tranquility throughout the year, the curtains are drooping, some people's eyes are still closed, and some people have woken up from their dreams.A corner of the sleeve was held lightly in his hand, he couldn't bear to wake up the dreamer, and with the other hand he reached under the pillow, found a small knife, and wanted to cut off the corner.

"Meng De regards Jia as Dong Shengqing and wants to cut off his robe and sleeves?"

The voice of a newly awakened person will always be a little tired, but his voice is very clear.

Putting the knife back under the pillow, Cao Cao leaned down and asked softly:

"When will you wake up?"

"Just for a while," Guo Jia said with a thin layer of mist in his eyes, "the wound hurts a bit, and I can't sleep."

Cao Cao lifted off the layer of clothes that covered his face, his skin was white to blue, and there were countless welts from his chest to his abdomen. Most of them had been scarred, but the original ferocity was still vaguely visible.He tried the forehead and hands again, the forehead was warm and the hands were cold, but the fever still persisted.

I'm afraid I woke up early, and the pain is severe.

Cao Cao couldn't help thinking about the scene of last night.In order to completely block Yoyo's mouth, Guo Jia, who stayed in the prison for a day and a night before being replaced, just rested in the bumpy carriage for two days before leaving the carriage, and rode into Xudu City with Cao Cao with a normal expression. , to the palace again.When Cao Cao took him to the prime minister's mansion, he was so burned that he was a little delirious, and fell to the ground as soon as the door was closed. Cao Cao was so frightened that he hugged him to the couch and gave him medicine.

Since it is to deceive people's eyes and ears, even Xu Du's doctor is not allowed.

"If Wen Ruo didn't hate me so much..."

When Cao Cao applied the ointment to the red wound, the drowsy Guo Jia repeated similar words over and over, and the hazy mist in his eyes did not know whether it was pain or sadness.Cao Cao said all kinds of things like coaxing his own children, but it is a pity that the weather is calm and the wind is breezy. At this time, he can't get in touch with the person in front of him. The stove is extremely hot, and Guo Jia's body is still shaking.If it weren't for the fear of touching the wound to make things worse, Cao Cao really wanted to rub the person into his arms.

"Lie down in peace, I'll send someone to call Wen Ruo here now. We both know Wen Ruo, and he won't blame you."

"Don't!" Guo Jia, who was so confused that he couldn't hear anything, suddenly became clearer, but his voice softened again in the next second, "If he comes, he will definitely soften his heart...then it's better to hate me...he and Minggong is different..."

What he said was upside down, only Cao Cao could understand it.With Xun Yu's temperament, even if Guo Jia did too much, once he saw Guo Jia's body covered in bruises, he would still feel unbearable.And insisting on the principle can't make Xun Yu forgive Guo Jia for what he has done, so if Xun Yu knows that Guo Jia has been tortured for a day and a night even though Kong Gui was put in prison in the end, He will be forced into a dilemma by justice and giri.

But from beginning to end, Xun Yu did nothing wrong.This dilemma should not be borne by him.

The herbs contained calming ingredients, and Guo Jia gradually calmed down. Before he fell asleep, he held Cao Cao's hand tightly, and his choked voice sounded like a sigh:

"Meng De, Jia Zhen is afraid that one day he will be forced to death..."

"Meng De," Guo Jia's voice brought Cao Cao back to his senses, and he wrapped his hands around Cao Cao's neck, "Just now I wished to cut off my robe and sleeves for Jia, but now I have other thoughts?"

"I was thinking about what you said last night." Cao Cao stuffed Guo Jia's restless crampons back into the quilt, "You said that Wen Ruo would be soft-hearted, and Gu could understand. But you said that Wen Ruo was different from Gu. What's the meaning?"

Guo Jia's expression froze, then he smiled and said, "I'm afraid that Mr. Ming will be jealous of Wen Ruo."

Cao Cao had already seen it through: "Feng Xiao, there is something I have never asked you. Why did the octopus rescue you after you stayed in prison for a day and a night?"

"It happened suddenly, and Jia didn't expect that Fushou would..." Under Cao Cao's slightly stern gaze, Guo Jia lost his voice as he spoke.

When they discovered that the purpose of Kong Gui and Fushou was to lure Guo Jia to Xudu alone, the plan to use Kong Gui as a scapegoat came into being.With Kong Gui as the scapegoat, no matter what Fushou does in the end, it is impossible to use Guo Jia to involve Cao Cao.However, although it was inconvenient for Guo Jia and Cao Cao to communicate, this arrangement had long been tacitly understood. As early as the morning of the incident, Kong Gui, whose tongue had been cut off by Xi Wu, was secretly sent to Xudu by Weed.Even if it is inconvenient to do things in Xudu, it will not be a day or a night late.

In fact, Cao Cao knew the reason without Guo Jia's answer.The octopus has never asked about right or wrong, and only obeys orders. In Xudu, it is to obey Guo Jia's orders.Deliberately delayed for a day and a night, let the octopus bring him to Cao Cao who was covered in bruises instead of unscathed, in order to let Cao Cao remember that scene deeply.Cao Cao is different from Xun Yu.Xun Yu never thought of turning his back on the Han Dynasty, even if Guo Jia was seriously injured, he would not change his mind; however, Cao Cao and the Han Dynasty have already drifted apart with the times, and Guo Jia only needs to add fuel to the situation, and it will happen naturally.

"Ming Gong is different from Wen Ruo, because no matter what Jia does, Ming Gong will never dislike Jia." He was as eloquent as Guo Jia, racking his brains for a long time before he said such a perfunctory love words to excuse himself , but for Cao Cao, especially Cao Cao who listened to Guo Jia's raving all night, it really works.

"...the next time is not an example."

Cao Cao didn't believe that Guo Jia didn't expect him to be able to see through this bitter scheme, but Guo Jia certainly concluded that even if it was a conspiracy, it would definitely work.

Because, he will really feel distressed.

After reconfirming that the wound would not open again, Cao Cao tucked the quilt over Guo Jia, and got up to dress and tie his hair.Wrapped in a thick quilt, Guo Jia only had his head exposed: "Where is Ming Gong going?"

"Go to Shangshutai." Cao Cao said, "How to write the edict sent to Xiliang, I have to think carefully with Wen Ruo."

"Since Ma's father and son dare to come, they will definitely not be able to escape." Guo Jia said, "By the way, Mr. Ming, don't forget to send a letter to Yecheng. The opportunity is rare, so it's better to solve it once."

"Gu knows." With a good hair, Cao Cao sat back on the edge, "You just have a good rest in the house, Gu will ask someone to bring you food, and wait for Gu to come back in the evening."

"Tsk," Guo Jia frowned, "What Mr. Ming said, seems to have tormented Jia last night, so that Jia couldn't even get out of bed."

"When you are well, as you wish."

————————————————————

Xiliang Military Camp on the outskirts of Yecheng

"Father," Ma Chao, in military uniform, lifted the curtain and strode into Ma Teng's military tent, "We have been stationed here for five days, and the scouts sent to Yecheng also went back and forth five or six times. Now, when did father give the order to attack the city?"

Seeing his son in such a hurry, Ma Teng was relieved and worried at the same time.I am gratified because Ma Chao is so brave and warlike, he really deserves to be a good son of the Ma family in Xiliang; I am also worried because Ma Chao's impulsive and belligerent temperament is naturally the most suitable for the battlefield, but it is easy to hide from the open spear, but hard to hide from the back. Defense, outside of the battlefield, I am afraid it will inevitably suffer a big loss.

He is already old, and the family business is always left to his son.But now the situation is precarious, the Han Dynasty and Cao Cao are all staring at each other, and Ma Chao is young and vigorous, and the city is not enough, he really can't let go.

Seeing Ma Chao's eagerness to move, Ma Teng couldn't help sighing, and was about to persuade his son not to act rashly, when a soldier outside the tent reported that an envoy had come from Yecheng.

"How many people are here?" Ma Teng asked.

"Reporting to the general, there are only two people."

Ma Chao was delighted when he heard it: "You are so brave. There are only two people who dare to come here. Are you afraid that we will kill them? I'll go and have a look."

"Meng Qi." Ma Teng frowned and stopped Ma Chao, then turned to the soldiers and said, "Bring those two into the tent."

After a while, the soldiers brought the two men to the tent.One of them looked young, while the other was wearing a bamboo hat and couldn't see his face clearly, but seeing his slightly hunched back and staggering steps, he must be old with white temples.The courier in Yecheng was actually this old man and one young man, which made the Ma family and his sons unable to guess Cao Jun's thoughts, but they also felt a little contemptuous.

But when the old man took off the bamboo hat, Ma Teng was shocked.Although he hasn't seen it for many years, he can't forget this chilling face——

It's Jia Xu.

"I didn't expect Mr. Jia to be the driver. Sir, please sit down." After Ma Teng finished speaking, some soldiers prepared a seat for Jia Xu.The young man carefully supported Jia Xu to sit down.

Ma Chao looked at his father's polite appearance and was very puzzled.He has heard of Jia Xu's deeds. Back then, he voted for Dong Zhuo and then the Han Dynasty. He helped Li Jue and Guo Si slaughter Chang'an, and then helped the emperor flee to Luoyang. He planned to kill Cao Cao's eldest son, but he was still in Cao Yingfeng From the beginning of raw water, high-ranking officials have rich salary, brocade clothes and jade food.Of course he knows that those who can do this must not be taken lightly, but he doesn't feel the need for his father to be so respectful, but since Ma Teng keeps stopping him with his eyes, he can't say anything, so he can only be calm.

Jia Xu kept coughing until everyone in the tent got a little impatient, he finally stopped, and said slowly: "I haven't seen you for many years, the general is still strong. Cough cough, cough cough" he coughed again, "Sorry Well, the old man is getting old and can't hold on. If you have anything to say to the general, just talk to him." After finishing speaking, he coughed and pointed to the young man standing beside him.

Ma Teng had no choice but to be patient, and turned to the other person: "What's the matter, you two, you might as well explain it clearly."

The young man smiled slightly and said, "Sir and I came here for two reasons. The first one is to help Prime Minister Cao convey a message to the general. The prime minister said that Yecheng is located in the Central Plains and has a pleasant climate, which is far better than Xiliang. In a place of bitter cold, I hope the general can bring his family to live in Yecheng."

Ma Chao sneered: "I know that Cao Ah has no good intentions! He doesn't even look at it, who is being sent to the city now, and dares to say such words!"

"Prime Minister Cao's kindness, I appreciate it." Ma Teng's words were much gentler than Ma Chao's, "But the soldiers and I are already used to the life in Xiliang, and if we live in the Central Plains for a long time, we will not get used to it."

"The general came to Yexia, isn't it for the purpose of leading troops to enclose?" The young man's eyes showed just right doubts, "Could it be that, as Kong Gui said, the general intends to attack each other with the intention of rebelling?"

Kong Gui.

Ma Teng grasped this key very sensitively.He dared to lead troops into the Central Plains this time precisely because Kong Gui said conclusively in his letter to Xiliang that the civil strife in Yecheng could be conquered in one fell swoop.But when he really arrived in the Central Plains, Tan Ma reported several times that the gates of Yecheng were closed and the security was heavy, and Kong Gui never heard from him again.He had [-] Xiliang soldiers under him, of which Qiang soldiers accounted for [-]%, and Han Sui was stationed in Xiliang to supply food and grass, so even though the situation was different from what he expected, Ma Teng was not too panicked. Watching the Qiang soldiers burn, kill and loot around Yecheng before retreating, it was not a waste of time.

But being labeled as treason is a bit outweighed.

"Kong Gui? I remember that he seems to belong to Yang Qiu. He was sent to the capital for Yang Qiu half a year ago, and he hasn't returned yet. How did he have something to do with the rebellion?" There must be some misunderstanding, I will ask Yang Qiu to ask."

"Kong Gui entered the palace privately to murder Her Majesty the Empress, and was caught by His Majesty on the spot. No one else could frame him." The young man said, "As for Yang Qiu—he might not be able to come."

As soon as the words fell, the eager voice of the soldier came from outside the tent:

"General! General Yang Qiu was assassinated and died!"

"What?!" Ma Teng stood up suddenly, as if he wanted to rush to check, but stopped abruptly after a few steps, looked at Jia Xu and the young man, "You guys did it?!"

Under Ma Teng's ferocious gaze, Jia Xu still closed his eyes and meditated, as if all the disputes had nothing to do with him.So the young man could only answer Ma Teng: "The general should be clear, if we really have the ability to kill people in your barracks, it won't be Yang Qiu who died."

And it should be Ma Teng.

"Then how did you predict the future?" Ma Teng's voice was filled with anger, and he was completely different from the polite expression just now, "I am the most loyal person in Xiliang. If you did Yang Qiu's death, I respect that Mr. Jia would not Move him, but you... I will let you be buried with Yang Qiu."

As soon as Ma Teng finished speaking, Ma Chao pulled out the knife from his waist and slashed it across the man's neck: "In Xiliang, before death, the person buried with him must first chop his hands and stamp his feet, then peel off the skin and light the sky lantern, and use the skull Take witch wine. I think you have thin skin and tender flesh, so I told you honestly, what kind of medicine is sold in the gourd?!"

"Chop your hands, stomp your feet, peel your skin...heh." Who would have thought that this remark did not scare the young man, but instead gave him a chuckle, "I hope the general will keep his word, and don't just because that man is his brother. Breaking the 'Xiliang rules'."

Ma Teng's expression changed slightly: "What do you mean?"

"The general's barracks is heavily guarded, not even a fly can fly in, let alone assassins. The only ones who can kill Yang Qiu are the people in the barracks." The young man said slowly, stretching his hand into the barracks leisurely. In his arms, Ma Chao snatched it, only then did he realize that it was just a letter.

"Although he was persecuted by Ma's father and son for many years, he has long admired the holiness and admired Hanwei. He was shocked to hear that Ma's father and son, together with Yang Qiu, Konggui, and others, secretly harbored evil intentions and harmed the palace. Teng has a sense of brotherhood, and he does not dare to abolish the public for personal reasons, which is against the righteousness. Today, a special letter is written to the prime minister, to show Sui's heart..." The following content is very long, but most of it is to instigate Kong Gui The crime of killing the queen was pushed to Ma Teng.At the end of the letter, Han Sui may have felt that the words were empty, but Han Sui also vowed that he would kill relatives righteously and eliminate thieves for the country with his own hands.

It seems that the first thief to be eliminated was Yang Qiu.

"It's just a letter, just to sow discord, do you really think we are fools?" Ma Chao snorted coldly, "Father, don't believe them, you and I are familiar with Uncle Han's characters, which are completely different from those in this letter." Same."

The young man smiled lightly and didn't explain much.

With Zhong Yao in Yecheng, it was not difficult to write a letter after Han Sui's handwriting.Therefore, if the letter was in Han Sui's handwriting, or if the young man in front of him was eager to explain, Ma Teng would not be so hesitant.If Han Sui really wanted to betray him and go to Cao Cao, he wouldn't have written this letter himself, and the one who could kill Yang Qiu in the barracks could only be someone inside the barracks.And those Qiang soldiers, many of them are veterans who have followed Han Sui for many years...

After a long time, Ma Teng kneaded into a ball and said in a deep voice, "Han Sui and I have been brothers for many years, he won't do such a thing."

"Okay." The young man echoed, "The general believes in brotherhood, so I won't say anything more. Why don't you kill me immediately? Whether it's attacking the city or returning to Xiliang, the general chooses the way forward." As he said that, he deliberately met Ma Chao's blade.Ma Chao was startled, the knife didn't even move, and it didn't even move, seeing blood oozing from the wound——

"Meng Qi, put away the knife!" Seeing that Jia Xu never spoke, Ma Teng finally couldn't hold back anymore, "What if I follow what the Prime Minister said?"

"A high-ranking official has a generous salary, no worries about food and clothing, and enjoys wealth and honor." The young man said.

"Then what about Han Sui?"

"Kong Gui is alone, there is no reason to murder the queen. Now that Yang Qiu is dead, since the person who murdered him was not a general, then someone else. As for the court's rules or Xiliang's rules, the generals will choose."

"Okay." Ma Teng nodded, "Please report back to Prime Minister Cao for me. Allow me to think for a few days before giving the prime minister an answer."

"The prime minister is in Xudu right now, and he is not in a hurry for the general's reply." The young man said, "But if we hurry up, a round trip from Yecheng to Xiliang in five days will be enough."

"That's five days." Ma Teng gritted his teeth, "Five days, I will definitely give the Prime Minister a satisfactory answer."

"Then I will act on behalf of Prime Minister Cao and wait for the general's good news."

This young man looked several years younger than Ma Chao, and he never spoke harshly. However, it was this unhurried tone with a hint of coercion that made Ma Teng, who had been on the battlefield for many years , were a bit weaker in terms of momentum, but only showed a little bit of killing spirit, which seemed to be fierce and soft inside.

Such a demeanor is definitely not an ordinary lobbyist.

"Father, how about..." Ma Chao's heart flashed, and he whispered in Ma Teng's ear.Following his words, Ma Teng's eyes became darker, as if he was weighing something repeatedly.

"Cough." At this moment, Jia Xu slowly opened his eyes, "I've got a lot of old bones, and I just don't have enough energy. Why, have you finished talking with the general?"

"It's over."

"It's over, let's go." He waved to the young man, and the young man immediately stepped forward to help him up and walked out of the tent.

"Father, don't miss this opportunity..." Ma Chao desperately winked at Ma Teng, but Ma Teng still didn't know what he was hesitating for. He had already put his hand on the handle of the knife, but he never pulled the knife out of its sheath.

"By the way, look at this old man's memory. There is one more thing I should say to the general." The curtain was half lifted, and Jia Xu turned her head tremblingly, "It's getting colder today, general, take care of yourself." Said After finishing, he turned and walked out of the big tent.

At the same time, Ma Teng loosened his grip on the handle of the knife.

"That's it."

————————————————————

When Jia Xu and Cao Pi came out of Ma Teng's barracks, it happened to be sunset.Each of them rode a horse, and walked slowly towards Yecheng.

"Thanks to my husband, I was able to convince Ma Teng so quickly." The matter went smoothly, and Cao Pi was in a very good mood. He didn't even feel pain from the wound on his neck, and he didn't care that Jia Xu only said a few words from beginning to end. "However, what do you mean by that last sentence, sir? I hope you can enlighten me."

"Just say it casually." Jia Xu said, "The dying person means whatever he thinks it means."

"Since my father promised to protect the honor and wealth of the Ma family, I think he will not break his promise."

Jia Xu did not comment on Cao Pi's words.If the Ma clan moved to Yecheng and kept themselves safe, Cao Cao would naturally not deliberately make enemies.But judging from the situation just now, Ma Chao, Ma Teng's son, is obviously not in the pool.As soon as this person has ambitions, he doesn't know the heights of the sky and the depths of the earth. Once he doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth, the defeat of the army is like a disaster and the family is doomed.

This world will only become more and more peaceful, and there will be fewer and fewer plays for him to watch.Let them go.

In fact, if Sima Yi came with Cao Pi, he would definitely tell Cao Pi that although Jia Xu didn't say a few words today, it was Jia Xu who really made Ma Teng decide to join him.The last sentence can be said that "the weather is getting colder" is to remind Ma Teng that when the grass and fields wither in winter, even if they have strong cavalry, they will not have enough fodder to support them; Warn Ma Teng, if he doesn't make a decision early, Han Suineng can kill Yang Qiu, in order to please Cao Cao, maybe he will attack Ma Teng again.All in all, Jia Xu's accumulated prestige to these Xiliang people was already deep. Even if he just sat there and dozed off, it was enough to make Ma Teng fearful and suspicious. Naturally, he was at a disadvantage.

A gust of autumn wind blew by, even Cao Pi couldn't help wrapping his fur clothes tightly around his body.

"This winter is really getting colder every year." Jia Xu sighed suddenly, "This winter, I'm afraid he will have a hard time."

"Huh? What did the sir say—?"

"The person who is less worrying than my own son." Jia Xu sighed again, looking at the sunset in the sky, "Second Young Master, there is something urgent in Xu City, can you go back to the city as soon as possible?"

"Of course. First..."

Before Cao Pi finished speaking, Jia Xu flicked his horsewhip and galloped out.Just now, the trembling dying man suddenly had better riding skills than the cavalry, which really made Cao Pi stunned for three or four seconds before he realized it, and hurried to follow.

Both Jia Xu and Cao Pi's horses were famous horses sent by Xiliang this time, and before the sun completely set, they had already entered the gate of Yecheng.

Jia Xu reined in the horse and said to Cao Pi, "Xu went to Xishi to buy osmanthus cake for Yi'er, so I won't send Second Young Master home."

"Sir, slow down..."

Again, before he finished speaking, Jia Xu had already left.Cao Pi had no choice but to turn his horse's head inexplicably, and rode alone to the prime minister's mansion.

Could it be that the urgent matter Jia Xu mentioned just now was to buy osmanthus cake for Guo Yi?

As soon as this idea came up, it was immediately rejected by Cao Pi.It's really unbelievable that an old poison like Jia Xu would lose his composure for a child's pastries.But in the next second, he thought again, it seems that Wang Can had mentioned to him before that there was a shop selling sweet-scented osmanthus cakes in West Market, and they only sold them until dark...

After learning about Xiliang, Cao Pi was also happy to let himself rest for a while, thinking about some things he had but didn't get.Before he knew it, he had already arrived at the prime minister's mansion, handed over the horse to the servant, he went to greet his mother first, and then returned to his yard.

But never thought that Wu Zhi was waiting in the yard.Seeing that Cao Pi finally came back, he hastily greeted him:

"Zihuan, something serious has happened. Among Kong Gui's secret correspondence, the letters with Zhong Da and Yang Xiu were found. The Prime Minister was furious in Xudu, and ordered them to be imprisoned!"