Farmer of Shu Han

As Cao Shuang's second brother, Cao Xi naturally did not need to inform when he entered the General's Mansion.

Cao Xi led Sima Zhao and went straight into the front hall, took him to a warm room, and then said to Sima Zhao:

"Zi Shang, please wait here for a while, I will go to see the general now."

Sima Zhao, who finally recovered a little blood color, said to Cao Xi gratefully:

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."

Cao Xi waved his hand and turned to leave.

Outside the mansion, water turned into ice, but at this time, the living room of the General's Mansion was warm as spring, and the banquet was in full swing.

In broad daylight, candles as thick as forearms were lit around the living room-this is a good thing that even the imperial palace does not have now.

After all, the emperor hurriedly inspected Qiao County, and everything was simple.

How could he have built a new palace in Xudu in advance before the previous emperor's eastern tour to Xudu?

General Cao Shuang was arrogant and arrogant, accompanied by three dogs in Taichung. On each table, there was a brocade table cloth and various exquisite utensils.

The wine pot is made of rare jade, which is warm and delicate. The surface is engraved with delicate peony patterns. As the wine is poured in, it seems that the peony is also blooming in the pot.

The wine cup is as thin as a cicada's wing, crystal clear, and light as if it can dance with the wind.

The chopsticks are carved from ivory, each pair is unique, and are engraved with exquisite flower and bird patterns, as if they are a miniature of nature.

The chopstick holder is made of jade, which is emerald green and complements the ivory chopsticks.

The delicacies on the plate are either served with a silver spoon or set off with a gold plate, showing nobility and luxury.

Those silver spoons and gold plates have been carefully polished by craftsmen and are symbols of royal identity and status.

At this time, they are held in the hands of the general and Taichung Sangou without any care.

There are beautiful women around them.

They were dressed in thin gauze, either clinging to them in a flattering manner or teasing their hearts in a frivolous manner, with their smiles full of vulgarity and frivolity, trying to cater to the decadence and corruption of this banquet.

Holding the beauties in their arms, several of them were already drunken, holding their wine glasses and drinking wine wantonly, with debauchery and unruliness on their faces.

And Taichung Sangou's eyes were flashing with greed and desire, staring closely at the dancers dancing to the music.

These swaying and graceful dancers were specially selected from the palace by the general and trained.

In particular, some of them were the talents of the previous emperor.

When they thought of their identities, they were extremely hot in their hearts.

If they were in other places, Taichung Sangou would not dare to do such obscene and vulgar things to Cao Rui's talents no matter how brave he was.

But it was different in the general's mansion.

Not only is there courage, but it is also very big.

The whole living room was filled with the strong smell of wine and powder, which made people feel suffocated.

However, the general and his confidants were extremely intoxicated in this decadent atmosphere and could not extricate themselves.

They had just mixed the secret medicine in the wine and drank it, which made them more and more restless, their bodies were hot and excited.

Seeing that the banquet was about to reach the last step, everyone came to be frank.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open with a "bang", and a gust of cold wind wrapped the visitor into the hall.

General Cao, who was only wearing a light robe, shuddered involuntarily.

He was immediately furious and was about to scold, but who would have thought that it turned out to be his own second brother.

So he suppressed his anger, slowed down his voice, and asked:

"When did Uncle Zhao return to the city? Why didn't you tell me in advance, so that I could send someone to pick you up."

As the commander of the central army, Cao Xi was in charge of the six armies and was elected.

Moreover, this man is quite knowledgeable and knows the law. Compared with Cao Shuang who indulges in pleasure and even doesn't bother to go to court, he is still conscientious.

As the end of the year is approaching, he has specially gone to the military camp outside the city these days to summon the generals in the camp and appease the people.

Unexpectedly, he heard about Sima Zhao as soon as he returned to the city. He didn't stop for a moment and rushed over immediately.

Glancing at the decadent hall, Cao Xi frowned inadvertently.

Regarding his brother's increasingly absurd behavior, he has not failed to persuade him, and he has repeatedly advised him to stop.

He even wrote three books, explaining the disaster caused by arrogance and lust, and the words were very earnest, and he entrusted his brothers to hint at Cao Shuang.

Cao Shuang also knew that it was for his own sake, and he was very displeased.

Cao Xi was deeply worried when he saw Cao Shuang didn't listen.

Especially when he saw the three dogs in Taichung who were disheveled, his eyes hid a little disgust.

But he also knew that Ding Mi and others were his brother's right-hand men.

The elder brother was able to monopolize power, and several of his brothers were able to hold important positions, mostly because of the planning of these three people.

The last time he persuaded Cao Shuang, Cao Shuang was already unhappy. Now that he was in front of everyone, he naturally couldn't say anything more.

Sighing in his heart, he could only bow to Cao Shuang and say:

"Brother, there are people kneeling outside the mansion, wanting to explain something important. Didn't the servants report it to you?"

"Ah, you mean Sima Zhao," the drunk Cao Shuang said nonchalantly, "I was deliberately leaving him alone."

"Brother!" Cao Xi subconsciously took two steps forward when he heard it:

"Sima Zishang came for the matter of Hebei. Once Hebei is lost, without Sima Yi to hold back the Han army, we will be pressed by the Han army in the west and north, and the Wu bandits will repeatedly invade the north in the south."

"At that time, there will be enemies on three sides and no way to the east. What can we do?"

Cao Shuang slammed the wine glass on the table with a "clang", and some of the wine in the glass spilled out and splashed on the table.

I saw Cao Shuang's face sinking and he asked:

"Uncle Zhao, do you think that I, a great general, don't even know this?"

Cao Xi saw Cao Shuang angry and quickly lowered his head: "I don't dare."

"Commander, you have just returned from outside the city. In a hurry, you don't know the reason why you are here. It is normal."

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a little tense, He Yan quickly stood up to smooth things over:

"The general just wants to show off Sima Zhao and make him suffer. This is selfish."

"But as far as private matters are concerned, as far as public matters are concerned, how could the general be so confused about the country's affairs?"

"That's right." Cao Shuang then spoke again, "That old thief Sima has always had a rebellious heart, and he has always disobeyed the imperial court."

"He often opposes me and even wants to kill me. I can't wait to kill him."

Cao Shuang was filled with hatred when he thought of the old thief Sima who crossed the state border without permission and came to Yecheng with his troops, hoping to take advantage of the late emperor's talented people who he sent to Yetai to practice singing and dancing.

"This time, I just beat the Sima family, and it will make some people remember it for a long time."

As he said that, he glanced at Cao Xi and said, "I didn't take that Sima Zhao into prison, which can be regarded as a mercy."

When Cao Xi heard this, he was shocked and thought that he was going to make things worse, so he quickly tried to dissuade him:

"Brother, please don't hurt Sima Zishang. If something happens to this person in Qiao County, it will not only be true, but it may also force him to rebel against Sima Yi."

Cao Shuang grabbed the wine glass, drank it again, and snorted: "I know, that's why he has the opportunity to kneel outside the mansion and plead for Sima Yi."

Cao Xi hesitated to speak, opened his mouth, and couldn't help but remind him: "But brother, would it be... inappropriate to let him kneel outside the house for outsiders to see?"

At this time, He Yan interrupted again:

"Hey, you are leading the army, what's wrong with this? Who knows that Sima Yi has repeatedly rebelled against the general?"

As he spoke, he, who had oily hair and a pink face, turned red. As he spoke, he twisted his body, as if he was suppressing his physical discomfort.

Among the few people, this person was the most lustful, and he had just drank the most secret aphrodisiac.

If Cao Xi hadn't barged in, he would have vented his anger on the late emperor's talents.

At this time, my mouth was dry, and I just wanted to get rid of this mess brought by Cao Xi as soon as possible so that the banquet could continue:

"Now that Hebei is in trouble, you send your son to plead for mercy. How shameless? If you don't give it a good beating and just agree to this person's request, then everyone will follow the example of the old thief in the future, not knowing the importance of it, and rushing against the general, the general Where is the prestige?”

Cao Xi was speechless.

Although he felt that this approach was somewhat inappropriate, for a while, he didn't know how to refute it.

"Okay, okay, I have my own sense of discretion in this matter. Uncle Zhao, you just came back from outside the city. It's cold and tired, so you should go back and rest first."

Cao Shuang waved his hand and said firmly.

Cao Xi sighed, silently saluted, and then withdrew.

As soon as the door closed, he faintly heard the lewd sounds starting to come from inside again.

He shook his head and turned to leave.

Sima Zhao, who had been waiting in Nuange for a long time, saw Cao Xi turning around and rushed forward to greet him, asking anxiously:

"How about the leader of the army? General, would you like to see me?"

"General..." Cao Xi hesitated for a moment before replying, "General, there are still important things to do. I'm afraid I have to meet with you."

When Sima Zhao heard this, he was half disappointed and half expected. He nodded and pretended to be relaxed:

"It doesn't matter. The general is not free. I will wait in front of the mansion. I believe that one day, the general will be free to receive me."

Cao Xi quickly took Sima Zhao's hand and advised:

"Why is it necessary for Zishang to do this? Although the general has no time to see you, I have already inquired for you. The general intends to send troops to help Hebei. Zishang can just wait for the news."

When Sima Zhao heard this, his worries turned into joy, and he held Cao Xi's hand:

"Is this true?"

"How dare I deceive you about such a big matter?"

Sima Zhao asked again: "But I don't know when the reinforcements will set off?"

Cao Xi hesitated for a moment, and then said:

"It's cold today and it may be difficult for the soldiers to travel in the snow. Moreover, the army needs to raise food and grass before going out, so it will take some time."

He comforted: "Sir, just wait with peace of mind. As soon as I have news, I will send someone to inform you immediately."

How could Sima Zhao feel at ease after hearing this?

"The military situation is urgent. I can wait, but I am afraid Hebei cannot wait. Uncle Zhao, I beg you, please help me to persuade the general again. The matter is urgent and it is not advisable to slow down!"

"How could I not know that the military situation is as good as fire and waits for no one?" Cao Xi could only continue to comfort Sima Zhao, "But the weather is cold and the ground is freezing. Even if everyone in the Han army is brave and good at fighting, and has the courage to be unstoppable by ten thousand people, waiting here It’s also difficult to attack the city in bad weather.”

"Furthermore, Taifu Sima is the pillar of the country. He has been in the army for decades, and with the support of many dangerous passes in Taihang, Hebei will be safe for a while."

"Don't worry, Zishang. As soon as there is an opportunity, I will definitely persuade the general again and send reinforcements as soon as possible."

After hearing what Cao Xi said, Sima Zhao could only say:

"Then Zhao will thank the leader in advance."

"We are all doing our best for the country, so why do we need to thank each other?"

After conversing with Sima Zhao, Cao Xi personally sent him back to his residence before parting ways.

This winter is warmer than in previous years, and the wind from Hebei cannot reach Qiao County.

But the north wind in the desert can blow across Yanshan Mountain and reach Hebei.

The men sent by Tuoba Xulu crossed Yanshan Mountain against the north wind. Under the escort of a group of Wei troops, they hurriedly and slowly rushed back to Suotou before the beginning of spring.

"Han is attacking Hebei. Master Sima wants us to send troops to help as soon as possible?"

Unlike Dou Bin, who is dying, and Sima Yi, who is aging and aging, Tuoba Liwei, who is about to be seventy-three, is still full of energy and good spirits.

The majestic body sat in the tent like a big dark bull.

He looked at the messenger lying on the ground with bright eyes and said in a voice like muffled thunder:

"In the past, when I formed an alliance with Taifu Sima, he once told me that there would be no less than two hundred thousand elite soldiers in Hebei."

"Two hundred thousand elite soldiers were protected by the mountains, and there was a natural disaster to help them. Why did he immediately send for help as soon as the Han soldiers attacked?"

"Is it possible that these 200,000 elite soldiers are just improvised generals, or is it possible that Sima Yi is as afraid of Shu as a tiger, as rumored, and that he was frightened when he heard that Han soldiers were coming to attack?"

"Great Kehan, the second prince said the same thing in Yecheng, but Sima Yi said that the Han army went against common sense and invaded Hebei in winter, and they must have ulterior motives."

"Especially that God Feng Wen is the most insidious and cunning. If this thief doesn't make a move, it will be fine. If he does, it will be a poisonous plan. We must be on guard against it!"

After finishing speaking, Sima Yi repeated Sima Yi's analysis of the Han army's dispatch.

He even didn’t forget to flatter him:

"Great Kehan, Taifu Sima also said that Feng Wenshen's use of troops this time went against common sense. I am afraid he also knew that our alliance between Xianbei and Hebei was invincible."

"That's why we want to take advantage of our Da Xianbei to fight against the White Disaster in winter. Thinking that we can't go south to support, we want to defeat Hebei and Da Xianbei one by one."

When Tuoba Li heard this, his face first showed a proud look, then his brows furrowed again, and he looked thoughtfully at the deacon standing beside him.

The deacon in black nodded slightly and said:

"Ke Han, the reason why God Feng Wen is called the God of Plague is not only that this thief is the reincarnation of the Ghost King, who likes to eat human flesh and blood and brings disaster to the world, but also that this thief is far-sighted and extremely insidious. It is indeed necessary to guard against it."

Tuoba Li nodded slightly:

"Yes, no matter where he is, this thief will cause blood to flow there. The King of Ghosts and the God of Plague are what the world calls him. Isn't it unreasonable?"

Thinking about the current grassland, whether it is the western Xianbei or the central Xianbei, they are all poisoned and killed by this person, and almost no one is spared.

Since Mr. Tan Shihuai, even if the Great Xianbei has been divided into four parts and each has its own conquests, the grassland has always been the grassland of the Great Xianbei.

Unexpectedly, a plague god came from the southwest. All the tribes on the grassland were frightened when they heard about it, for fear of being caught and made a blood sacrifice to the plague god.

Thinking of this, Tuoba Liwei couldn't help but feel awe-inspiring:

"In the opinion of the deacon, should we send troops to rescue him?"