[Three Kingdoms] Seven steps into wetness

Guo Jia invited Xun Yu to drink.

They finally went to Guo Jia's mansion, found a big elm tree, and ordered the servants to set up tables and drinks, and drink freely.

Xun Yu held up the wine glass, looked at the clear wine, smelled the fragrance of the surroundings, couldn't help giggling and said: "Among so many of us, you like drinking the most. I advised you before that drinking alcohol hurts your health, but you don't like it." Listen. You'll be fine later, look at what you look like after being sick for so long."

Guo Jia shook his head and laughed: "Master Hua said that I was not acclimatized to the environment, why did you blame it on the wine?"

Xun Yu glanced at him: "If you don't drink all the time, go for walks in your free time, and practice swordsmanship, how can you be in such poor health? If it wasn't for your poor health, would you be so seriously ill?"

Guo Jia smiled helplessly: "You are right, I won't argue with you."

"I'm afraid it's your unreasonable reasoning, you can't compete with me."

Guo Jia said: "Do you still remember that when Sun Quan gave the lord an elephant as a gift, you and I bet who can name this elephant."

Xun Yu put down his wine glass: "Of course I remember. I said that the one who can be weighed must be Mr. Chong, but you said it was Mr. Zhi. Then, you lost."

Guo Jia sighed: "Yeah, I have never lost a bet with others, and I lost this one time to you. You, not only won't let me go, but also banned me from drinking for a year!"

Xun Yu narrowed his eyes.Although he asked Guo Jia, his eyes were extremely determined: "Are you really going to stop drinking for a year?"

Guo Jia raised his eyebrows, and there was no trace of embarrassment or sadness on his face, but rather a complacent expression: "Of course not."

Xun Yu laughed loudly: "I think the fourth son must have suffered a disaster!"

Guo Jia drank the wine, played with the wine glass as it should be, and said: "He caused me to lose the bet, so naturally he has to compensate me."

Guo Jia chatted and laughed with Xun Yu for a long time.After a long time, it was getting late and the wine was about to run out.

Xun Yu finally said, "Aren't you going to persuade me?"

Guo Jia closed his eyes and smiled.He first poured Xun Yu a glass of wine, then poured himself another, and drank it all down: "Do you need me to persuade you?"

Do you need it?

Even though Xun Yu is old and his mind is not clear, he still clearly knows what he wants.This is a deep-rooted obsession, and it is also the only guiding light that supports him on this long and bewildered life journey.

He and Cao Cao should not have gone the same way.It's a pity that he couldn't see clearly at that time, so he walked with him.But even though he had been with Cao Cao for so long, he still had to part ways.

This is the conflict between ideal and reality.The choice of defending ideals or succumbing to reality is only in Xun Yu's mind.

There is no need to persuade, and it is useless to persuade.

Xun Yu also laughed.He poured himself another glass of wine and drank it down: "Oh, it's useless to be old, and you actually forgot what you are best at!"

Xun Yu took another sip of wine, and laughed until tears fell: "Old, Xun Yu is already old! In this round, he should also retire."

When people are old and cannot keep up with the pace of history, they should have retired long ago.Even if he didn't realize it before, even if he felt unwilling... even if there were still too many things to do.

Retire, or die.

This is something that only Xun Yu can decide, it has nothing to do with others, and it has nothing to do with anyone.Even Cao Cao couldn't force him to change his decision.

The only thing he can do is to pass a glass of wine to his friend when he is sad.

——How to relieve worries, only Du Kang.

Guo Jia looked at a glass of sake and suddenly thought of many things.

Including the first time he was recommended by Xun Yu to join Cao Ying many years ago, or the three of them often drank together after that, or when I don’t know when, the three of them never drank together again.

To this day, only he and Xun Yu are talking and laughing happily together.

Even if the laughter is far away, when I look back in the future, my face will be full of tears.

Xun Yu laughed again for a long time.After a long time, his smile gradually disappeared.He sighed, half-sadly said: "It's a pity that the world is unpredictable..."

Guo Jia's movements stopped.

Because of these six words, he thought of something.

He thought of Cao Zhi who used to pretend to be cute and stupid when he was a child, trying to fool him in front of him; when he was seriously ill, Cao Zhi tried his best to take care of him; he.

It's been a long, long time since he has been taken care of like this.

He felt happy, warm, and moved... Even in the end, he couldn't control his love for this young man in his heart.

But so what?

Cao Zhi is not an ordinary person, he cannot be raised by his side; Cao Zhi is not Cao Cao, it is impossible to disregard the rules of the world and stand side by side with him.He couldn't even bear Cao Cao's anger.

He was more than average, too many chains.But compared to the superior person, it lacks too much power.

Why should we be together, why should we be wrong.

Unfortunately, things are unpredictable.

Xun Yu supported his dizzy head with one hand, and waved it with the other free hand: "That's all, that's all. Let's not talk about this, let's have a good drink today, let's not talk about this!"

No one would have guessed Cao Chong's sudden death, nor could he have guessed that Cao Zhi, who was young and mediocre, would be able to behave like this later.

Even Guo Jia couldn't guess it.

On the day of Cao Zhi's wedding, Yang Xiu held the wine and asked him if he could really hold back and never drink again in the future.At that time he replied: If a person wants to hold back, he must be able to hold back.

But in fact, many things are unbearable.

The only way to get rid of your worries is to drink.

Guo Jia held up the glass of wine and watched quietly.If eight years ago, he hadn't been greedy for those jars of wine, would Cao Zhi not have to work so hard today?

He was wrong, but never had a chance to change it.

Xun Yu waved his hand in front of him: "I said Feng Xiao, didn't you come to drink with me, why did you stay in a daze after drinking half of it?"

Guo Jia came back to his senses and drank it all in one gulp.

No one knows what Guo Jia finally said to Xun Yu.

Not long after, Cao Cao rewarded everyone, promoted or demoted many people.Only Xun Yu is as stable as Mount Tai in the position of Lingjun.Everyone couldn't help wondering whether Cao Cao had forgiven Xun Yu, or whether he had never blamed him at all.After all, as Cao Cao said, they have a 30-year relationship.

However, guessing is guessing. The Xun Mansion, which was once crowded with people, is now nothing but a bird.

In May, when the wheat in Xuchang is ripe, it is the season when the fish in the river lay eggs and need to eat a lot.Cao Pi ordered people to prepare fishing rods and go out fishing on a recent morning when the wind was calm and the clouds were clear.

He didn't know how to fish, but there was a person who liked him, so he also learned to fish with him.

That person is Sima Yi.

When he arrived, the scribe in a navy blue gown was already sitting by the river, waiting for the fish to take the bait.Cao Pi greeted him and started fishing with his rod.

The morning in May is still cool, with a breeze blowing, the lake is slightly rippling, and the ripples are circles.

Cao Pi said, "How many days does Zhong Da plan to fish today?"

A few days ago Sima Yi caught a lot of fish, most of them were grilled and eaten by the lake, only a few big fish that Cao Pi caught were sold back to his father and younger brothers to make fish soup.

Sima Yi looked at the motionless buoy and said slowly, "The fish haven't been caught yet, so how can you guess how many will be caught today?"

Cao Pi smiled slightly: "But I know that Zhongda can catch at least ten fish in two hours."

Sima Yi glanced at him: "Master Pi knows again?"

Cao Pi smiled without saying a word.After a long silence, he said again: "What does Zhongda think of Xun Lingjun's matter?"

Sima Yi said calmly: "Xun Lingjun has been in a high position all year round, and has marriages or friendships with many aristocratic families. If the prime minister wants to move him, it can be said that it will affect the whole body. If there is no perfect planning, there may be great mistakes in the court. Therefore, the prime minister is now hiding it."

Cao Pi smiled as before: "Yesterday my father asked me, if Lingjun stepped down, who would be able to take on such a big responsibility. Zhongda thinks, once Lingjun comes down, who can take up the position of Lingjun?"

Only then did Sima Yi turn his head to look at him.

His appearance was originally extremely handsome.He is only in his early thirties now, and he looks especially good in the bright summer light.He frowned slightly, and raised his eyebrows under Cao Pi's gaze after a while and said, "Mr.

There was a slight glow in Cao Pi's eyes.

Since he became the prime minister's deputy in the first month of last year, he has been getting closer and closer to the center of power.After Xun Yu steps down, there will definitely be a huge vacancy.If someone under Cao Pi's command can occupy it, wouldn't it be even greater for him to grasp the position or power of the son?

And if he doesn't reach out for this position, once people like Yang Xiu, Cui Yan, Guo Jia get it, wouldn't Cao Zhi's position be more stable?

Whether Cao Zhi wanted to seize the position of the son of the world, he no longer wanted to think about it.Cao Zhi's betrayal of him is not measured by whether he covets the position of the son of the world.The matter has come to this point, all Cao Pi can do is to try his best to cut off all Cao Zhi's thoughts and break his wings...

Let's avoid future troubles.

Cao Pi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Then, he said frankly: "Mr. was originally recommended by Mr. Xun Yu. During these years of serving, no matter Cheng Yu, Cui Yan and other famous people, or the court officials, all praised him full of praise. Little literary rafters, it is impossible to learn from Mr. Play one or two!"

Sima Yi chuckled lightly: "Young Master Pi is going to put it on the fire!"

Cao Pi was originally full of confidence.However, when he heard Sima Yi's words, he immediately withdrew the smile on his face and said calmly: "Mr. must be aware of the reverence students have for Mr. So, why did Mr. say that?"

But Sima Yi didn't even look at him and asked instead: "Mr. Pi, you know why the prime minister appointed me as a literary minister, but ordered me to communicate with Mr. Pi?"

Cao Pi pondered for a while, then slowly shook his head in Sima Yi's unfathomable eyes.

Sima Yi said: "The first time the prime minister enlisted me to be an official, I blamed my illness on the excuse, which aroused the prime minister's dissatisfaction and suspicion. Later, in the 13th year of Jian'an, when the prime minister ordered me to be an official again, he said that if I was still seriously ill, I would never have to heal. Yes. Therefore, the prime minister’s second appointment as a subordinate is definitely not because of love.”

"When Xia Chu arrived in Xuchang, the prime minister's favorite was not Mr. Pi, but Mr. Chong. If the prime minister really liked him, why didn't he let him associate with Mr. Chong? For one thing, because he suspected his disobedience. Then , to assist Young Master Pi."

After Sima Yi said only a few words, Cao Pi suddenly came to his senses.

In the past, Sima Yi was seriously ill and shied away from becoming an official, he knew it.But he didn't know that his father was so suspicious of him, and he never even thought deeply about why he ordered Sima Yi to associate with him.

He once thought that Cao Cao was training him on purpose, so he ordered Sima Yi to help him.

But never thought, the reality is quite different.

Cao Pi's heart was mostly cold at the moment.

He hesitated: "Sir, you mean that father has never had the slightest trust in Mr. until now?"

Sima Yi sighed and shook his head.

Cao Pi's hands trembled violently.When he swayed, he even swayed with the fishing rod.He clearly felt that there seemed to be a fish hook on the hook, but it disappeared with the shaking.

Cao Pi couldn't care less.He hurriedly asked: "Then, that Zhongda thinks that my father was also testing me yesterday?"

Sima Yi said: "My lord said my name?"

Cao Pi said: "No...I recommended my teacher."

He didn't really want Sima Yi to get the position of Lingjun.After all, Sima Yi's time in Cao Ying was too short, and he didn't have any credit.But in Lingjun's lineage, there are other rather important official positions, and it is these that Cao Pi wants to recommend Sima Yi.

Sima Yi frowned and remained silent.

Seeing this, Cao Pi slowly calmed down.He saw Sima Yi's fishing rod suddenly tremble violently, Sima Yi was not in a hurry, and slowly pulled back the rod, and it turned out to be a big carp weighing seven or eight catties.

At the beginning of the 17th year of Jian'an, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang met with Badong and retreated to Jingzhou.In March, Liu Bei led [-] troops to attack Yizhou in the west.

Zhang Fei, Guan Yu and others captured Baidi and Badong within half a month, and met Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian and others sent by Liu Zhang in Badong.

In May, Liu Zhang's health was not as good as before.Some doctors even asserted that Liu Zhang might not live long if he could not relax.It's enough for him to live in this ever-changing chaotic world for so long.But his son and daughter couldn't. He originally wanted to open the gates of Yizhou and surrender to Liu Bei, but he heard from Liu Gui that Liu Bei's army commander Pang Tong was killed by him in the First Battle of Jiameng. Once he surrendered, Liu Bei would avenge Pang Tong, and So he dispelled Liu Bei's mood to surrender.

He sent a letter to Cao Cao, asking him to send troops.He also doesn't want the position of Yizhou Mu, as long as Cao Cao spares his family and takes good care of his family for the sake of his surrender, that's enough.After Cao Cao received the letter, he ordered Zhong Yao to lead [-] troops from Chang'an into Yizhou to help Liu Zhang destroy Liu Bei.

In July, Sun Quan heard about it.Send [-] soldiers and horses from Jiangxia to Xichuan along the Yangtze River to help Liu Bei.

The situation in Yizhou suddenly rose.

Yizhou is like this, and Xuchang is not giving up much, but it looks very calm on the surface.

In May, Cui Shi, Cao Zhi's wife, died.

Cao Zhi couldn't believe it when he heard the news of Cui's death.He could hardly imagine that the woman who had said to him not long ago that she would never complain or argue had lost her most precious life in this flowery age.

He was stunned for a long time, then suddenly got up and rushed out the door, rode his horse back to Yecheng, and didn't even have time to tell Cao Cao.

After Cao Cao knew about it, he ordered people to chase Cao Zhi quickly to protect him.Then he asked if his grandson was okay, and he sighed after getting an unobtrusive answer.

There is still some distance between Yecheng and Xuchang. Cao Zhi traveled day and night, but in the end he couldn't see Cui Shi for the last time.

What he saw was Cui's memorial tablet and a child born less than ten days old.

Cao Zhi hugged this child who was less than ten days old. This fragile life that seemed to die at the touch of a finger continued his blood.

At that moment, his heart was full of satisfaction, joy, and guilt.

He only hugged him for a moment, and the nanny took the baby back on the grounds that the baby was fragile.

Cao Zhi looked around the room.

After he got married, the room changed drastically.Later, he was away for nearly ten months, so he was a bit unfamiliar with this room.All of this was maintained by Cui's previous arrangements, including her dressing table, which have not been removed.

Only the woman who lived here for just one year has been buried in the ground.

Cao Zhi caressed her tablet for a long time, and then said to Luo An: "Go and get a new one. At least the word 'my wife', I should write it myself."

Cui's cemetery is in a green grass field on the side of the mountain outside the city of Yecheng.Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it is a treasure land of geomantic omen.Cao Zhi saved paper money for her, quietly looked at the tombstone for a long time, and said slowly: "Luo An, do you know what madam... what did you like when you were alive?"

Luo An said softly: "Madam usually likes to read and write the Book of Songs, be a female celebrity, and listen to Madam Zhen playing the piano."

Cao Zhi said: "Go and get my qin."

He learned how to play the piano from Yang Xiu when he was young, and even most of them were taught by Cao Pi.But he didn't like it, so he seldom caressed.

Luo'an had gone, Cao Zhi said to the stone tomb indifferently: "A husband doesn't even know what his wife likes to do. Isn't this husband too ruthless?"

No one answered.

Only the beeping of burning candles and the sound of wind blowing, like someone sobbing, lingering in my ears.

After a long time, Luo An fetched the piano.He adjusted the pitch and wanted to ask her which song she likes to hear the most, but in the end he gave up and played "Phoenix Qiuhuang".As for the song, I don't know if it's because the piano has not been used for a long time, the strings of the piano suddenly broke, and the sound of the piano remains.

Cao Zhi stared blankly for a long time, then slowly laughed. "You said before that as long as I remember you forever. How can I forget you for the rest of my life when you treat me like this?"

Even if there is someone I like in my heart, even if I try, I still can't like you... But in this life, I will finally be unable to forget you.

He paused, then slowly said: "You may not know, I have done a lot of things wrong in my life..."

The mistake is that you should not fall in love with someone you shouldn't like when you hide it clearly; the mistake is that even if you like it, you shouldn't be delusional;

It is often said that life is like chess, because both are wrong moves, and every step is wrong.

But life is not a game of chess.

Because the final outcome of playing chess cannot change anyone's life, and because chess pieces have no thoughts, but people do.

Once you take a wrong step...

In the future, you will suffer all kinds of suffering, and you will eventually suffer it yourself.

In July, Cao Cao returned to Ye.

Yang Xiu, Wang Qi, Xun Yun and other friends all came to visit and comfort him.When Guo Yi came, he asked, "Junior brother, how did you feel when your mother left?"

Guo Yi was silent for a long time and said: "When my mother passed away, I only had one thought, that she was finally liberated."

Cao Zhi murmured again: "...relief?"

Guo Yidan said: "One month before she passed away, she couldn't even eat. She drank a little soup every day and relied on the medicinal materials given by the clan. She often stayed awake for several days... I saw her getting worse every day. She became thinner day by day, until she became so thin that she looked like a skeleton. I was afraid of her death at first, but then I was afraid of her life."

Guo Yi paused, and slowly closed his eyes, "But she is still alive, living with difficulty. She is waiting for her father to come back, even if she takes a look at him. It seems that she can rest in peace just by looking at him."

Cao Zhi closed his eyes.

Then, when Cui was dying, was Guo Jia's mother also looking forward to seeing him?

"It's a pity... she still didn't see it in the end."

Only Guo Jia did not come.

When Guo Yi went to Cao's mansion, he stood in front of Cui's tomb for a long time, speechless for a long time.

No one knows what he is thinking, maybe even he himself does not understand why he appears here.

Many years later, Cao Zhi asked Guo Jia why, and Guo Jia said, "I know, you definitely didn't want to see me at that time. So, I asked Yi'er to come and see you. If you're okay, I'm relieved. "

Cao Zhi was silent for a long time.

Then, he said slowly: "Sometimes, if Mister is not so rational, how nice it is."

In August of the 17th year of Jian'an, Liu Zhang's subordinates, Zhong Yao and Liu Bei and Sun Quan fought in Badong.In the past, Badong had been captured by Liu Bei, so he relied on Badong City and rejected Liu Zhang.Liu Zhang couldn't attack for a long time, and Liu Bei had no way to get any closer.

In October, Cao Cao led 20 troops to the southeast to conquer Sun Quan.At the same time, Xun Yu was ordered to work in Qiao County.

When Xun Yu arrived at Qiao County, Cao Cao appointed him as Shizhong and Guanglu Doctor, and he joined the prime minister's military affairs.

Soon, Xun Yu died of illness in Shouchun.