burning beans

Summer passed and autumn came, and the days passed smoothly, but under the peaceful court, an undercurrent gradually surged.

In the Xun Mansion, Xun Yu, who has served as the minister for more than ten years, quietly watched Dong Zhao, the visiting Sikong offering wine. Wisps of green smoke slowly drifted from the incense burner in the corner, and the seemingly invisible fragrance permeated the air. In the midst of it, it is refreshing and almost forgets the worries of the world.However, at this moment, this beloved thing can't exert its usual effect, and a cloud of cloud hangs over Xun Yu's heart, but more is a sense of desolation and absurdity.

In the face of Xun Yu's silence, Dong Zhao couldn't understand the inner thoughts of this important minister who had assisted Cao Cao for twenty years and was called "my son's house" by Cao Cao, so he said again: "If the Han Dynasty declines, if Without a prime minister, I am afraid that he would have died at the hands of the rebellious ministers. After all these years, the prime minister defeated Yuan Shao, settled Liaodong, and Anxiliang, and finally had the peace of the north. The achievements and achievements made by the prime minister are also counted in the king's heart. Jue Guogong, it is not inappropriate to give Jiuxi more."

The faint fragrance is faint, Xun Yu's eyes are flickering, and Wang Mang received Jiuxi in the past, what happened?Usurpation of power, chaos in war, could it be that... the hand on the knee gradually clenched the hem of the clothes: I thought I found someone who could revive the Han Dynasty, but in the end it attracted a wolf? For more than 20 years, I have exhausted my energy and thought, but in the end, I am working for a tiger?Is everything I have done for so many years wrong... Ever since the emperor ushered in, that person's power has grown day by day, so many old ministers have died at his hands over the years, do I really not feel it?No, no, it's just that I have been deceiving myself... I don't want to believe it, I can't believe it... How ridiculous, I thought everything was for the court, but in the end I became a sinner, Xun Wenruo, Xun Wenruo, you are a big one Joke... no, no, I can't go any further...

The hand holding the hem of the clothes gradually loosened, Xun Yu lowered his eyes, picked up the teacup on the desk and took a sip, the fragrance but slightly bitter taste passed through his throat, Xun Yu put down the teacup, raised his head, and stared straight at Dong Dong. Zhao opened his mouth and said: "Duke Cao raised his army to rule the country, uphold loyalty and sincerity, and guard against the reality of concessions. A gentleman stands in the world with virtue. In the name of the Duke of the state, it is really inappropriate for him to be gifted by Jiuxi."

Dong Zhao opened his mouth and wanted to say something more, but when he met Xun Yu's substantive gaze, his heart trembled, and the words were swallowed. He picked up the teacup and took a sip as if to cover up, saying: " Since Lingjun said so, then follow what Lingjun said."

Xun Yu seemed relieved and said no more.Dong Zhao felt bored, so he got up to say goodbye, and when he turned around, he heard Xun Yu whisper: "Although we were born in troubled times, we should put loyalty first, and we must not do things that are notorious for thousands of years. , making me laugh out loud."

Dong Zhao paused, and said: "I am ashamed to make you so righteous." After saying that, he strode away without looking back.

One room is fragrant, one room is lonely.

Xiangfu, Yongshi Terrace, Shuixie, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi are sitting and playing chess.The breeze was blowing, the clothes were fluttering, and the black hair was slightly fluttering.Rubbing the chess piece in his hand, Cao Zhi said, "Father doesn't seem very happy today, what happened?"

Cao Pi paused the chess piece in his hand, then dropped it as usual, and said casually: "It's nothing, it's just that the matter of adding Jiuxi has to be postponed."

He said lightly on this side, but Cao Zhi on the other side shook his hand, and the chess piece fell directly on the table: "Father wants to add Jiuxi?"

Looking down, Cao Pi said slowly: "Nowadays, the whole court, although they are Han officials in name, in fact, most of them obey their father's orders. It is only a matter of time before they enter the state and add Jiuxi."

Jin Guogong... the next step is to become a king, right?In this case, Zihuan will inherit the throne in the future, and maybe further... Thinking of this, Cao Zhi was taken aback by himself: how could he have such an idea... He raised his head and glanced at Cao Pi secretly, but saw that he was also looking at him. look at yourself.Startled, blinked, Cao Zhi asked, "Zihuan, you want to be emperor, don't you?"

Cao Pi's whole body was startled, his eyes quickly turned to Cao Zhi with astonishment, and he blurted out, "Why do you ask that?"

When he asked this question, Cao Zhi confirmed his guess, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, wars have been raging and heroes have risen together. The court has no power to control it. It has long existed in name only. Later, my father welcomed the emperor to the Xu, although the government has been reorganized, the power has already fallen into the hands of my father. After so many years, there are some things I didn't understand before, but now I gradually understand that my father has been eradicating dissidents, right? He wants this world to change last name, right?"

Looking at Cao Zhi in disbelief, Cao Pi was dumbfounded for a moment: I thought my younger brother was obsessed with poetry, but unexpectedly he saw all these things in his eyes, and his heart was like a mirror, but he didn't usually talk about it.

Looking at Cao Zhi's eyes with a bit of complexity, Cao Pi didn't know how to answer for a moment, he was silent for a while, and said slowly: "Does Zhi'er think...it's inappropriate?"

Unexpectedly, Cao Zhi shook his head: "Only the capable live in the world. Gaozu was born in a commoner, but eventually ascended to the throne. If it is really the destiny, what's wrong with it?"

"Destiny...?" Cao Pi murmured, then chuckled suddenly, looked at Cao Zhi playfully and said, "Then what does Zhi'er think the destiny is?"

"Whatever the hearts of the people want, what everyone expects, is bound by the fate of heaven."

"So, the so-called Mandate of Heaven is not determined by Heaven, but by the people?"

Cao Zhi was silent, and said for a while: "Historical records often record visions from heaven, but in my opinion, they are just fabricated by later generations to convince the people. Only those who can truly win the world are those who win the hearts of the people."

Hearing this, Cao Pi laughed loudly: "If someone listens to your words, it will be said that you are disrespectful."

After glaring at Cao Pi, Cao Zhi murmured, "Who cares here? It's you..."

Cao Zhi's appearance was spoiled by love, Cao Pi smiled even more heartily, and said: "Hahaha, Zhi'er, you are right. Of course I have a heart, and I still have you in my heart."

The love words came out of his mouth so naturally, Cao Zhi blushed all of a sudden, turned his head away from the person who was smiling beyond image, and muttered: "It's in broad daylight, just talking nonsense." Live happily.

Cao Pi heard it, and simply walked around the desk, and hugged Cao Zhi: "Who is talking nonsense? En?"

Cao Zhi was taken aback, and struggled hastily: "Don't...be careful of being seen..."

Cao Pi didn't let go, but hugged him even tighter, rubbed Cao Zhi's temple hair, and bit his ear as punishment: "You haven't answered me yet. Who are you calling nonsense?"

The more urgent the more he couldn't break free, Cao Zhi had no choice but to beg for forgiveness: "Forget that I said something wrong, okay?"

Who knows that Cao Pi will not let go: "I know I was wrong? If I am wrong, I will be punished."

Knowing that the struggle was hopeless, Cao Zhi simply relaxed his body, leaned into Cao Pi's arms, turned his head, and his four lips touched together naturally.

The action has been repeated countless times, but every time it makes people's heart beat faster.After the two parted breathlessly, Cao Pi fondled Cao Zhi's chin and murmured: "If I am the emperor, I will make you the empress."

There was a trace of sorrow in his eyes, Cao Zhi turned his head slightly, and said to himself: "This is really nonsense, how can there be any reason to make my younger brother the queen..."

As soon as his earlobe hurt, Cao Zhi turned his head to look at Cao Pi in a daze, but his lips were clenched again and his breath was taken away.After a long time, Cao Pi reluctantly let go of him, pressed his forehead together, and said seriously: "Maybe I can't really make you queen, but I will definitely give you the best. As a lesson from heaven and earth, Cao Zihuan will definitely live up to Cao Zijian." !"

A hot current surged in his heart, Cao Zhi opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything, his eyes gradually moistened, but the corners of his mouth were raised, as if he wanted to say a thousand words, but he didn't know where to start. There was a slight "hmm".

Somewhat dissatisfied, he raised Cao Zhi's chin, and Cao Pi smiled and said, "Fool, at this time we should say 'Cao Zijian also lives up to Cao Zihuan', what is 'um'? En?"

Cao Zhi lowered his eyelids: "I..." Before he started to speak, his face was already flushed. Even Cao Pi seemed to feel the heat, but he asked maliciously, "You? What are you? Didn't hear you?" .”

Lifting his eyelids slightly, he took a sneak peek at Cao Pi, but saw the smile in his eyes and a hint of hidden expectation.Ashamed and angry, but also somewhat distressed and soft-hearted, Cao Zhi lowered his head again, and said like a mosquito: "I will not betray you either."

It was obviously a very simple sentence, but it made Cao Pi's heart instantly happy.No longer bullying Cao Zhi, holding his hands, interlocking his fingers, Cao Pi said slowly: "I will remember, you are not allowed to play tricks in the future." After saying that, Cao Zhi didn't want to answer, and kissed him again.

In October of the 17th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao once again led an army in person to conquer Sun Quan.

Qiao County, the hometown of the Cao family, was stationed here when the Cao army passed by.Not far from the main tent, an undecorated tent, second only to the main tent in size, stood quietly and lonely.Inside the tent, there was a faint fragrance, and it was actually a piece of tranquility and tranquility. The separation between the tents seemed to completely cut off the evil spirit of soldiers and swords outside the tent, making people wonder if they were really still in the military camp.

Beside the desk, Xun Yu in plain clothes sat on one side.A wisp of hot air rose slowly from the porcelain cup in his hand, and a unique fragrance of tea lingered in the nostrils, making one feel refreshed and forget all worries.

However, Cao Pi, who was sitting opposite Xun Yu at the moment, frowned slightly, with a faint fragrance floating, but he didn't care to appreciate it, and his tone of voice implied worry: "Lingjun is over half a hundred years old, and he hasn't joined the army for many years. The above table asks you to come to work in the army, I'm afraid..."

Raising his hand to stop Cao Pi's unfinished words, Xun Yu said calmly, "Second Young Master, you should know my heart, why do you need to say more?"

Cao Pi was dumbfounded.After a while, Fang said, "Don't you feel it's a pity?"

Xun Yu paused, but there was no further reaction. He just calmly took another sip of tea, and said slowly: "The second young master is good at riding and shooting. You should know that it is difficult to draw the bow left and right. You should also know that there is no way to draw the bow." The arrow of turning back."

With a lump in his throat, Cao Pi suddenly felt unable to refute.What's strange is that this person in front of him should be a stumbling block to his ambition, but he doesn't feel the slightest bit of resentment towards him, only endless admiration and admiration.Liuxiang Xunling, after all, is a person who can be met but not sought after...

Xun Yu originally thought that he could return to Xudu after serving the army, but Cao Cao enshrined Xun Yu as a servant and a doctor of Guanglu, and took part in the prime minister's military affairs, keeping him in the army.I don't know if it was because of the turbulence of the march that Xun Yu fell ill.When Cao Jun marched to Ruxu, Xun Yu had to stay in Shouchun due to illness. Soon, Xun Yu, known as the "talent of Wang Zuo", died of depression at the age of fifty.

After Xun Yu died, Cao Cao also expressed his condolences, and his posthumous title was "Jinghou".

In the same year, Ruan Yu, one of the seven sons of Jian'an, died of illness.