burning beans

After being silent for a while, Cao Pi said: "Dr. Kong has always been upright, with fierce words and outspokenness. I'm afraid there will inevitably be some words that are not very respectful to the court."

Cao Zhi raised his face: "But father..."

Holding Cao Zhi's next words with one hand, Cao Pi shook his head: "You understand it in your heart, don't you? Otherwise, why did you sneak out to pay homage to Dr. Kong?"

Guanghua's eyes dimmed: "It's really my father... But why... Dr. Kong is just a literati..."

For a while, he was afraid to look into Cao Zhi's eyes. Cao Pi squatted down, extinguished the unburned incense candle, buried it in the soil, picked up a glass of wine, turned his wrist, and sprinkled it in the soil. Two cups, stood up, handed Cao Zhi a cup, and said: "May Dr. Kong have a good journey."

Silently drinking what was in the cup, Cao Zhi looked up at the sky and murmured: "Zihuan... Tell me, can we win this time..."

Cao Pi frowned slightly: "Liu Biao is dead, Liu Cong is incompetent, and Liu Bei has no soldiers. This Jingzhou is already in my father's pocket."

Repressing the ominous premonition in his heart, Cao Zhi nodded.A gust of wind blew through with the coolness of autumn, and Cao Zhi couldn't help shivering.Seeing this, Cao Pi hurriedly took off his cloak and put it on Cao Zhi, complaining: "It's cold, I don't know how to wear more when I go out at night. Okay, go back quickly."

Without refusing, Cao Zhi tightened his cloak, and obediently followed Cao Pi back to the camp.

In September, Cao Jun arrived in Xinye.Caressing the talisman that represents the ruler of Jingzhou, Cao Cao smiled silently: Unexpectedly, this Jingzhou came without any effort...

A few days later, Cao Jun entered Xiangyang.Hearing that Liu Bei had withdrawn to the south, Cao Cao personally led [-] fine cavalry and pursued him all the way.In a few days, Liu Bei was defeated in Changbanpo, Dangyang, and his troops were greatly rewarded.Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and others led dozens of cavalry to escape to Hanjin, where they joined Guan Yu and crossed the Mianshui River. They met Liu Qi's tens of thousands of sailors and arrived at Xiakou with him.

On the other hand, Cao Jun arrived in Jiangling smoothly.The defenders of Jiangling surrendered without a fight. Cao Cao represented Liu Cong as the governor of Qingzhou, together with Kuai Yue and other 15 people, he was named Liehou. Destroy Jiangdong in one fell swoop and unify the south.The generals were also gearing up, as if Cao Jun's banner had been planted in Jiangdong. Only counselor Jia Xu persuaded: "The prime minister has now recovered the land of Hannan, and the power is shaking the world. At this time, it is better to rely on the richness of the land of Jingchu. If you recruit wise men and care for the common people, then Jiangdong will not be recruited by the prime minister." Cao Cao refused, and continued to train his navy.

Although it was a bit warmer than Ye City, shortly after entering November, snowflakes still quietly began to fall in the streets and alleys of Jiangling City.On this day, the sky was fine, and the thin layer of snow on the side of the road reflected the winter sun, revealing a bit of warmth.Along the Yangtze River, a row of warships lined up one after another, and every few ships were connected by iron cables.At this time, many soldiers were practicing on the deck, which was almost unaffected by the undulating waves like a flat ground.Standing by the river, Cao Zhi couldn't help but widen his eyes: "This way you won't be afraid of seasickness..."

"Yes." Cao Pi rode his horse and came to Cao Zhi's side, watching the rolling Yangtze River, his eyes gradually became distant: "I never thought that my father's ambition is not limited to Jingzhou..."

Cao Zhi smiled and said, "Isn't it good? The world has been in chaos for so long, and it needs to be unified."

Shaking his head, Cao Pi said: "Naturally, the world must be unified. It's just that the Sun family in Jiangdong has two generations of management, with a deep foundation and a wealth of talents. Now it has formed an alliance with Liu Bei and Liu Qi. Our army is far away. The outcome of this is really unpredictable. .”

Frowning, the previous ominous premonition came to his mind again. Cao Zhi shook his head, trying to expel the negative thoughts, but Cao Zhang sneered and said: "Second brother, you worry too much. Before breaking Yuan Shao, When we fought against Karasuma, didn’t we win in the end under such harsh conditions? What’s more, we came prepared this time, and our troops were several times stronger than the opponent’s, so why worry about Jiangdong’s injustice?”

Sighing, Cao Pi said with some helplessness: "Ziwen, you have such a temper...you are crowned, why are you still shouting and shouting all day long..."

Cao Zhang snorted softly, seemingly disapproving.

In December, Cao Cao led his water army down the river, pointing his sword at the east of the river.At the same time, the Sun Liu coalition army also went up the river.When the two armies were about to confront each other, something unexpected happened to Cao Cao's army—the plague.

I don't know if it was affected by the plague. As soon as he confronted Zhou Yu's Shui Keng, Cao Cao was defeated. He hurriedly collected his troops and marched in Wulin to confront the Sun Liu coalition across the river.

This night, the moon and stars are sparse.Jiangbei, Cao Ying, in front of a camp separated by a fence, Cao Pi found Cao Zhi who was standing silently: "Why did Zhi'er come here? It's easy for me to find."

In order to prevent the spread of the plague, the infected soldiers were quarantined, and doctors and cooks prepared medicines and provided three meals a day.Even so, the number of people infected is still increasing every day.Cao Zhi looked at the silent camp in front of him and the tense guards at the door, and felt a trace of sadness in his heart: "Zihuan... the doctor said that the epidemic was mainly caused by the inaccuracy of the soil and water. What about the retreat? You look at these soldiers, they can only be imprisoned here every day, and they can't go to battle when they are on the verge of battle. It's so pitiful..."

Cao Pi was dumb for a moment, and after a long time, Fang said: "Does Zhi'er still remember the poems that his father wrote at the banquet a few days ago?"

Cao Zhi nodded: "'Duke Zhou vomits and feeds, and the world returns to his heart', how could he not remember such generosity? But... water warfare is not our strong point, and now the epidemic is prevalent. We lost the first battle, I'm afraid..."

Cao Pi gently embraced Cao Zhi, and said: "Even so, our military strength is still stronger than the opponent's, and there will be a general from the opponent to vote tonight. Although the process is difficult, Jiangdong can still be captured."

"Huang Gongfu (Huang Gai's characters)..." Cao Zhi murmured, the wind picked up, and a strand of Cao Pi's hair brushed Cao Zhi's cheek. Cao Zhi raised his head and looked at the night sky in the south in a daze: "The wind direction changes Is it..."

Cao Pi raised his head: "The southeast wind..."

On the broad river, dozens of small boats loaded with burning firewood rushed into Cao Jun's fleet with the east wind roaring like a fire dragon. Flames ignited everywhere they went, and the warships were connected by iron chains. , It was difficult to separate for a while, but the fire spread rapidly, and after a while, half of the river surface was dyed red, and even the stone wall on the opposite bank was also red.

At this time, Cao Jun’s camp was in chaos. The fire took advantage of the wind, and the wind assisted the fire. The fire on the warship was like a poisonous snake, gradually swallowing the dry village on the shore. Many soldiers wanted to jump into the water to survive, but they pushed Drowning in crowding.The soaring flames illuminated the pain, panic and despair on the faces of the soldiers, and mercilessly mocked Cao Jun who was struggling in vain in the water and fire.

The sharp arrows carried flames and shot into Cao Ying, and the winter air began to become scorching hot. But at this moment, Cao Cao's heart was as cold as falling into an ice cave as he watched the fleet approaching from the south bank.

In a trance, there seemed to be a voice urging in my ear: "Prime Minister, this place can't be defended anymore, get out quickly."

His eyes gradually gained focus, and the familiar faces in front of him were full of anxiety and worry. Cao Cao settled down, closed his eyes tightly, and opened them again, with a trembling voice: "Send the order, The whole army retreats to Nanjun."

Huarong Road, the muddy road after the snow thawed is undoubtedly worse for Cao Jun who is suffering from hunger and cold at the moment.As soon as the horse's hoof stepped on it, it was stuck in the mud and it was difficult to pull it out. Every step forward seemed to consume all its strength.Cao Cao's eyes were full of bloodshot eyes. Ever since he started his army, he defeated Yuan Shao, Ding Karasuma, and pacified Jingzhou. When was he ever in such a mess?Ahead, a wounded soldier fell unsteadily into the mud, struggled for a few times but was unable to get up again, the soldier walking beside him stopped for a while, and then moved forward woodenly. go forward.Cao Cao reined in his horse and looked ahead in a daze. The sky was gray, just like everyone's state of mind at the moment.Gradually, the advancing team stopped, and everyone turned their heads to look at their commander.

Sighing, Cao Cao said slowly, "Let the weak soldiers find some withered grass nearby and spread it on the road, it will be easier to walk."

The generals were silent for a while, then dispersed silently with a tacit understanding, and went to make arrangements.

With the hay to pave the road, the horse was finally able to move forward more smoothly.The soldiers who carried the grass and paved the road were already weak, and after this tossing, their steps were even more frivolous and difficult to move forward.More and more people fell into the mud, Cao Zhi's eyes widened, and he couldn't stop the tears rolling down his face like broken beads.

Another bale of grass was spread on the ground, and the man who carried the grass fell to his knees on the ground as soon as his legs went limp, as if he was panting, and behind him, the man on a tall horse seemed to be extremely tired. , didn’t notice that there was another person on the ground in front of him, and the horse’s hoof stomped heavily. The person didn’t even have time to snort before being stepped into the mud. The people and horses behind him seemed to be unaware, and continued to step on the person’s corpse. go.

Unable to bear it any longer, Cao Zhi yelled: "Wait a minute..." But before he finished speaking, he felt a hand on his own, forced his words back, turned his head, But I saw Cao Pi shaking his head gently towards himself.

Cao Zhi was puzzled: "Second Brother..."

Cao Pi still shook his head, and pointed to the other side of the road with his other hand.Cao Zhi looked in the direction of his finger and immediately covered his mouth.The corpses of soldiers were already scattered in the mud, and the horses ruthlessly stepped on their bodies that seemed to be still warm, turning them into better paving stones than dry grass.In the muddy water, one hand twitched, wondering if the owner of the hand was trampled in pain, and the next moment, he was stepped into the mud by a hoof, and Cao Zhi seemed to have heard the sound of "cracking" bones breaking.

"How come..." Muttering, Cao Zhi suddenly felt his body lighten up, and when he came back to his senses, he was already on Cao Pi's horse.Pressing his head into the same warm embrace with warm palms, Cao Pi whispered: "Don't look, Zhi'er, don't look...it's okay, it will pass soon, it's okay..."

Even so, Cao Pi still felt a drop of hot liquid dripping on his neck, and then slowly slipped into his clothes along the neckline, all the way to his heart.

Abandoning the hometown, leaving the house, traveling thousands of miles from the army.

Riding through the thorns and thorns, seeking rice paddies, walking sideways alone, the road is narrow (narrow).

Tigers and leopards are shaking, chickens are frightened and birds are lost, and groups (groups) are screaming for each other.

Climbing Nanshan, but stepping over the rocks, the trees are overgrown and gloomy.

Sleeping with wormwood, shaded by pines and cypresses, weeping and raining on the pillow mat.

With the travel list, the sun falls a little bit.Melancholy and self-pity, regret each other.

In the battle of Chibi, Cao Cao was defeated by the combined forces of Sun and Liu, and led his troops back to the north.And Jingzhou was also divided among Cao, Sun and Liu.Cao Cao occupied Nanyang and Nanjun in the north, Sun Quan occupied Jiangxia in the east, and Liu Bei occupied Lingling, Guiyang, Wuling, and Changsha.

At the same time, Liu Bei listed Liu Qi as the governor of Jingzhou.The following year, Liu Qi died of illness, and Liu Bei was elected as the shepherd of Jingzhou.