[Three Kingdoms] Seven steps into wetness

September in Xuchang is another golden autumn.

Cao Zhi finished his martial arts practice in the afternoon and returned home slowly.

Passing through the downtown area, he saw someone riding a horse to commit an attack, and he suddenly had the idea of ​​fighting the cavalry, so he stepped forward to block the fallen man.Raising his sword, he rolled up the man's long whip, and even caught him off guard, he pulled off the horse.

That man was Empress Fu's nephew who couldn't beat her. After careful inspection, he recognized that he was Cao Cao's son, and ran away.

Cao Zhi was naturally in a good mood.But soon, he was depressed by the man who followed him crookedly a few dozen steps behind him.

That is the person who was bullied earlier.Seeing that Cao Zhi saved him, he followed him step by step, not knowing what to do.

At the end of this street, you will reach the Cao Mansion.Cao Zhi staggered his steps and slowly disappeared into the bushes beside him.

At the end of the street is a moat.Camphor willows are lush by the river, and the mottled light and shadow just cover his figure.

The person behind him also followed in.

Cao Zhi looked at him for a long time, saw that he was just an ordinary little beggar who was messed up and even exuded a strange smell, and said helplessly, "Why did you follow me?"

The little beggar wiped off the blood on his chin with his dirty hands that were still shaking, and said slowly: "Three years ago, you caught the little one who was stealing money, and sent someone to take away the little one's father... the adoptive father, and you also sent someone to take away the little one who was stealing money. I spared my little life. Today, I rescued my little one from the whip of that villain again... I would like to repay you like a cow or a horse!"

He speaks extremely humble and shabby.But the more so, the firmer his tone became.

repay?

Cao Zhi felt even more weird.

He stared at the person who was trembling even standing up, and recalled some things about this person in his mind.

Three years ago, the thief stole Cao Chong's money and was discovered by him.Then, instead of punishing him, Cao Chong gave him the money bag. He even guessed that he was being coerced, and then sent someone to arrest the trafficker behind the scenes.

He remembered that the trafficker was split by a car.As for these homeless beggars, I don't know if I ever knew.

Might need to look it up.

Cao Zhi was suspicious, and his tone became more contemptuous, arrogant, and mocking: "I took your adoptive father away, and instead of hating me, you said you wanted to repay me?"

The little beggar suddenly knelt down.

Cao Zhi frowned when he heard the muffled sound of his knees landing on the ground.Seeing him resting on the ground with one hand, the other hand hanging unnaturally at the side, he kowtowed to himself with difficulty, and then heard the little beggar's voice like mosquitoes and ants: "The little adoptive father took us... more than a dozen innocent people... Children without father and mother gather together and come out to beg every day. Only, only those who get the money can have food... The little one hates him in his heart, and it depends on you, young master, that the little ones can escape his control ..."

The little beggar's twisted hand was dislocated, and the pain became more and more intense along the way.But in fact, the pain he suffered in the past ten years was worse than the severed limbs. He only clenched his teeth and forced himself to swallow the groan he was about to utter.

He was used to suffering and despair.

I have my own memory, and I never know who my parents are, where I came from, and why I am alive.That dark life is like running away day after day, even if he is adopted later, he just becomes a tool, not a person.

Maybe... the person in front of him can help him escape from the desperate situation.

With this answer in his heart, he could hardly restrain his longing, and even followed him all the way.

Cao Zhi gently closed his long eyelashes: "You look like you can't even walk, how can you repay me?"

The little beggar still gritted his teeth and said: "The little one is willing to be an ox or a horse, I just ask the young master to save the little one!"

"I'm not indifferent to your pleading, so I'll tell you the truth—oh, unfortunately, the person who saved you in the past was not me, but my sixth brother."

The little beggar was stiff all over.

He stared at Cao Zhi in a daze, as if he didn't understand the difference.

The autumn wind blew by, and the water on the side of the river was slightly rippling, and it was a bit cold to blow on people.

Cao Zhi couldn't wait for the follow-up, so he wanted to turn around and leave.However, the moment he turned around, the little beggar gritted his teeth fiercely and bent down to kowtow again: "My adoptive father was arrested only because of the benefactor who caught the little one when he was stealing money! What's more...today benefactor rescued him The little one, it can be seen, it can be seen that Engong's family are good people... I beg Engong to save the little one, and give the little one a bite of food..."

Cao Zhi looked at him with great interest, and the smile on his lips became more and more weird.

——Walking on the road in Qingtian and Bairi, suddenly a person appeared on the road kneeling down to express his loyalty to him, what should he think?

Are you proud of your fate of "subduing a younger brother with a shock of the tiger's body, and then gods block and kill gods and Buddhas to block and kill Buddha", or do you think it is a bit inexplicable and funny?

Cao Zhi naturally found it very funny.

He couldn't help laughing, and the laughter startled a little oriole hidden on the willow branch, and fled away quickly with its wings fluttering.

The little beggar suddenly raised his head, staring blankly at the young man's mocking smile, half panicked and half resentful, he trembled involuntarily.

He guessed wrong?Could it be that the people in front of them are as full of benevolence and morality as those ordinary scholar-bureaucrats, but treat them as ants and don't bother to care about their lives?

Cao Zhi smiled for a moment, but there was no smile in his eyes: "Do you really want to follow me?"

"Yes!" Before Cao Zhi finished speaking, the little beggar's eyes lit up again, and he said almost word for word, "As long as I can survive, I would like to treat my benefactor as a reborn parent! There is a sea of ​​fire under the mountain, as long as you can use the small one, repay the benefactor!"

"What's your name?"

The little beggar's voice was already very soft, and the cold sweat on his forehead washed away pale marks on his face: "The little one doesn't have... a name."

His parents died during the war, and even his "adoptive father" was captured and executed by Cao Chong's men.People like them, even their lives are cheap, so they don't need a name.

"what do you want to do?"

The little boy's forehead was already dripping with cold sweat, and his lips had already been bitten by himself, looking bloody and bloody: "As long as I can survive, I will do whatever benefactor asks me to do!"

His face was covered with stains, and the blood dried and coagulated at the jaw.The clothes he wore were like two pieces of rags put together, revealing his bony arms and thighs covered in dust and dirt... However, these messes failed to cover his eyes.

——These eyes are very bright, and they are full of persistence and longing for survival that are almost overflowing.

Cao Zhi's heart moved slightly.

It suddenly occurred to him that Wang Qi asked him a few years ago why he wanted to learn martial arts. Are his eyes so charming?

As he thought about it, he said, "Maybe, you can go to a place..."

Before he finished speaking, Cao Zhi's smile subsided.

——He smelled a vaguely scented scent.

There are hundreds of flowers blooming in summer, and it is normal to have fragrance on the river bank.This fragrance is not as striking as ordinary fragrances, but when I smell it suddenly, my drowsy mind clears up a little.

In normal times, Cao Zhi would definitely not care about this fragrance.But at this moment, his pupils were suddenly covered with a little tenderness and sympathy.

He quickly untied the money bag, poured out the 23 coins, handed all the copper coins to the little beggar without hesitation, and said helplessly: "You are so pitiful. Alas...it's a pity that I only have so much, so I will give it all to you! You Your hands don’t look very good, remember to go to the No.30 house in Xu Lane to see a doctor.”

The little beggar suddenly looked up at him, and his cheeks twitched involuntarily.

He looked at the young man in front of him in disbelief who was dressed in a simple and hidden luxury, and he didn't seem to understand why the person who was indifferent to him before became so... naive in an instant?

Cao Zhi's expression is really just right for innocence and cuteness.

It seems that he is a young master who doesn't care about world affairs, and he will sigh and mourn when he hears some tragic events.

Cao Zhi's voice was so gentle that it almost dripped: "Go quickly, although 23 Wen is not enough, but at least it can help you a little bit."

The little beggar's expression became more and more bewildered.Seeing only growing concerns and worries in the young boy's eyes, he finally took the 23 Wen coins with his trembling and intact hand.He kowtowed again, got up staggeringly, and staggered away.

This little boy who didn't even have a name dragged his broken body and disappeared from sight.

Cao Zhi looked at him for a long time before he sighed sadly: "Oh, these beggars are really pitiful!"

Then he pushed aside the willow branches and patted off the remaining grass clippings on his body, before going home.

But he froze again.

——Xun Lingjun, who was praised by everyone for his extraordinary bearing, was standing less than ten steps away from him, looking at him with a smile.Xia Feng caressed gently, and the familiar and quite comfortable fragrance on Xun Yu's body also dispersed with the wind: "Xun Yu has met the fourth son."

Cao Zhi blinked subconsciously.

Xun Yu also blinked.

Then Cao Zhi seemed to have come to his senses, with a trace of embarrassment suddenly appearing on his face, and he bowed respectfully: "Cao Zhi has seen Mr. Xun...has Mr. Xun seen it?"

This expression and tone are like a child who has done something wrong and is afraid of being known by his parents. It is cute and annoying.

Xun Yu smiled and said: "Xun Yu heard the change in the bushes and heard that the fourth son gave the money to the beggar. It's not strange to look at the fourth son."

Cao Zhi touched his nose, and his little face flushed a little: "How could Cao Zhi blame Master Xun?"

"The fourth son is benevolent and kind, but 23 Wen may not be able to save this little beggar."

Cao Zhi was a little sad: "Maybe... Although the money can't save him, it can make Cao Zhi feel better. Cao Zhi probably can't save anyone, but it's good to have a clear heart."

Do you have no shame in your heart...

Xun Yu paused.He chewed these four words silently for a moment, then bent his lips and smiled: "Xun Yu is planning to walk around, I wonder if it is convenient for the fourth son to accompany him?"

"Cao Zhi is more respectful than obedient."

Going for a walk with Xun Yu is actually a relaxing and enjoyable thing.

First of all, in his eyes, he is just an 11-year-old boy.Even though Cao Cao went to war these days, they often asked Xun Yu for news and were asked a few words.Moreover, Xun Yu's personality is gentle and elegant. First, he will not force him to compose poems, and second, he has never been addicted to alcohol.Now walking with Xun Yu, all he has to do is "walk".

But today it's slightly different.

——Xun Yu's expression was too peaceful before, and he didn't know how much he had heard before.

He couldn't ask.

Not only could he not ask, but he had to act nonchalantly, as if he really just gave the little beggar 23 Wen.

... I don't know if that guy will go to the place he said.

Cao Zhi thought about it a few times, but his expression was still modest.He found a topic at random: "When will father come back?"

Xun Yu glanced at him, thought for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come back in a short time."

"Ah... how long will it take?"

He frowned slightly, and his eyes gradually filled with sadness and thoughts of his father being away from home.

Seeing this, Xun Yu smiled slightly: "Speaking of this war, Xun Yu thought of one thing. Xun Yu has followed the lord for many years, but every time the lord fights, he is always troubled by food and grass."

Cao Zhi's frown deepened.

Two years ago, Xuchang starved to death due to lack of food, which was so fresh in the memory that almost no one in Xuchang wanted to recall it again: "Could it be that there is food shortage again this time?"

Xun Yu's smile remained unchanged: "That's not true."

Cao Zhi blinked again.

"Yuan Shao was defeated last year, and his strength has already become strong. Now he entrusts his affairs to his third son, Yuan Shang, but turns a blind eye to his eldest son, Yuan Tan. The dispute between Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan has made Yuan Jun's strength more and more weak."

"However, even if Yuan's army is in decline, it will be difficult for the lord to capture Yuan's army in a short period of time. If the time is delayed until winter, our army will be troubled by the army's rations. From this point of view, the fourth son thinks, should our army conquer Yi at all costs? state?"

"...Ah? Why did Master Xun ask Cao Zhi this question?"

Xun Yu paused.He narrowed his eyes slightly, and said with a smile: "Because Xun Yu has read the articles written by the Fourth Young Master. With the thoughts of the Fourth Young Master, Xun Yu will definitely gain something."

Cao Zhi was shocked.

——Xun Yu actually read the article he wrote, and even thought that his thoughts were strange, so he came to ask him for the answer?

Then, did his ambiguous and perfunctory answers these days make Xun Yu suspicious, and even think that he had some intention?

He was horrified in his heart, but solemn on his face.

He tried his best to restrain the chills all over his body, while thinking about Xun Yu's meaning.

Xun Yuruo was suspicious of him, but he didn't say it in front of others, but at this moment.Do you want to warn yourself, or just want to hear his truest thoughts?

And should he follow Xun Yu's words, or continue to play dumb?

Xun Yu was still waiting for the boy's answer.

When he received the letter, he naturally saw Cao Gong's worries.But he felt that Tan and Shang's two armies should be vulnerable at this time, and he also felt that the army rations should not be wasted here, and it happened to be used to test Cao Zhi.

Xun Yu had read Cao Zhi's article and was also surprised by the arguments in it.But whenever he tested him and Cao Pi, what he said was general, and he was never better than Cao Pi, let alone Cao Chong.

If you start to hide your clumsiness at this age...

He heard the young boy ponder for a moment, and said: "Sir, once taught Cao Zhi, Zhuangzi once said, 'When two tigers eat cattle, they must fight for food. If they fight, they must fight. The big one will be injured, and the small one will die. Stab it from the wound, and one action will be named as two tigers'."

"So Cao Zhi feels that Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang are now fighting like two tigers. If so, why do we need to waste manpower and material resources to attack them? Why don't we want to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, and wait for one to die and one to be injured, and then use elite soldiers What about pressure? Cao Zhi thinks that in this way, our army’s food, grass, casualties and Yuan’s army will not be the same, and we will be able to wipe out Yizhou at the least cost.”

When Cao Zhi said this, his face was filled with high spirits: "Even, when they were fighting, my father could take the opportunity to wipe out Jingzhou Liu Biao in one fell swoop!"

Xun Yu said nothing, but just looked at Cao Zhi.

The young man's clear and soft voice still echoed in his ears, Xun Yu looked at this ordinary boy he defined as ordinary in the backlight.

Cao Gong's fourth son, looks not at all like Cao Gong, but more like Bian's.However, at the age of 11, he can be seen to be handsome and handsome in the future; and from some of his speeches and articles, it can be seen that his disposition is not like Cao Gong, but more like Guo Jia's strangeness.

Why would such a child be defined as ordinary by him?

Xun Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, and finally heard his own voice say: "Jingzhou has been peaceful and strong for a long time. If the Lord rushes to attack Jingzhou, it will be like Yuan Jun's attack in the past, and it will be a protracted and bitter battle."

"Uh..." Cao Zhi was at a loss for words, he frowned in distress, and said apologetically, "Cao Zhi didn't think well enough."

The sun has finally set, and it's time for Cao Zhi to return home.

He turned around under Xun Yu's uncertain gaze, and returned home calmly as always.

He knew that Xun Yu was still looking at him.

Yang Xiu had heard of Xun Yu's test about him and Cao Pi.But it wasn't until a few days ago that he told himself that Xun Yu had read the article he had written.

In other words, Xun Yu either didn't believe in his own articles, or didn't believe in his usual actions.

Now that you know that you have attracted their attention, why bother to pretend to be low-key?In this era when everyone is a zhiduo and almost a demon, can he really hide himself until he has enough strength, and then make a blockbuster surprise with a strong posture?

--it's out of the question.

No matter what Yang Xiu and Guo Jia's intentions were, no matter what the reason for Xun Yu's words, they were all reminding him that instead of pretending to be stupid, it is better to show a little bit of wisdom and inadequacy.

An 11-year-old boy should also have due pride.

Cao Zhi's back has disappeared, and Xun Yu also looked away.

He didn't ask some questions before, but it doesn't mean he didn't doubt it.Even if you give people money, why hide in the bushes?And if the two tigers were to fight each other, how could it be a preparation for conquering Liu Biao?

This young man became inexplicably confused.

Thinking of this, Xun Yu took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

——The position of the first son has been established since ancient times to avoid the young.However, looking at Mr. Cao's heirs, no matter Cao Zhang, Cao Chong or Cao Zhi, they are not good people.What's more, Cao Gong loves Cao Chong the most now, and Cao Pi's chances of winning are not great at all.

Look at today's dispute between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang...

What will happen to the position of the son of the world in the future?