The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Xun Zhen is currently in power in the central government, and because the court moved to Xuxian, he has always been loyal, modest and steady, and successfully presided over the two major events of farmland and Shangji. The trust of the Association has also gained the support and obedience of many ministers, including Sikong Zhaowen, Dahonglu Ronghe, etc., indirectly or directly. The only people who oppose him are Yang Biao and Dong Cheng. It’s nothing more than a person, he has already established a firm foothold in the court, and his power has gradually been stabilized. Therefore, although he is on vacation, the courtiers, the sons of important ministers in the court, and even the scholars with the right surname from other prefectures are still in the sun. There are many, but Xun Zhen, in order not to criticize people for "forming a party for personal gain", has already given Xu Chu, Dian Wei, Zhuge Jin, Yuan Zhongqing, Zuo Bohou and other people in charge of his house and other affairs. He explained that there was no important military and political affairs, except for Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu and others, no one who asked to see him was there.

At this time, when he heard that Zhuge Jin said that Kong De wanted to see him, Xun Zhen was a little stunned, and then he knew that Kong De must have told Zhuge Jin that there were important military and political affairs to report, so Zhuge Jin would come to inform him, so he Asked Zhuge Jin, he said, "Why does he ask for permission?"

Zhuge Jin replied, "In response to what Duke Ming said, I would like to ask him, but he refused to say it, but said that there are important matters that must be reported to Duke Ming in secret."

"What's the matter?"

Xun Zhen stopped writing in her hand, half raised her face, and thought for a while, her mind suddenly moved, she thought of something, and she thought, "Could it be because of this?" Then he instructed Zhuge Jin, saying, "Call him to see him."

Zhuge Jin complied with his promise and went out to pass on Xun Zhen's order.

After a while, Zhuge Jin turned back and brought a person in from outside the courtyard.

This man followed Zhuge Jin to the steps in front of the porch. Before he had climbed the steps, he bowed down to the ground and said in a loud voice, "Your servant Kong De, I will see Duke Ming."

Xun Zhen looked across the deep lobby and in front of the corridor, and saw from a distance that Fu Bai was dressed in grand clothes. A thin chicken, knowing that this person is Kong De, raised his voice a little and said gently: "Kong Gong, please get up, and come to the hall."

The person who bowed down and worshiped this person was Comte.

After hearing Xun Zhen's words, Kong De got up from the ground, slapped the dust, went up the steps, went to the corridor, took off his shoes, bent over and stepped over the threshold before entering the hall, bowing down again, but again. Big gift.

Xun Zhen smiled and said, "The old friendship between your father and me is a rare sight in recent years, but in the early years, my father took good care of me, and I have never forgotten it. You don't need so much courtesy, please sit at the table."

Kong De complied with the promise, and still saluted meticulously. After the ceremony, Naifang got up.

There were more than ten seats on each side of the hall. The one in front near where Lord Xun Zhen was seated had single seats on both sides, and the rest were consecutive seats.

Kong De did not choose a seat close to Xun Zhen's throne, but chose a seat not far from Xun Zhen. After bowing, he pleaded guilty, and then sat down on it—the whole process was very respectful.

Many years ago, when Xun Zhen and Kong De first met, Kong De was in his forties or fifty years. After ten years, Kong De is now in his sixties. Compared with the time when he met Xun Zhen at the beginning of the year, his beard and hair were already gray and his hair was gray. It's also a lot thinner, and the bun under the crown is almost barely tied.

After the maid served Kong De with the soup, Xun Zhen put down the writing brush, signaled that Zhuge Jin did not have to sit with him, and told him to go by himself. Afterwards, he smiled and said to Kong De, "It's been a long time since I've seen you Gong De. I used to be in Yuzhou, and I was in Xuzhou, so I don't often hear the public's orders. Now I am in Xuxian with my father. A few days ago, I was thinking of visiting the public's house and having a good talk with him. Don't be idle!" Looking at the sparse bun on Kong De's head and the gray beard on his chin, he asked, "What is the spring and autumn of this year?"

With a humble smile on his face, and his wrinkles were squeezed like a flower, Kong De replied to Xun Zhen, "Returning to Duke Ming, I am sixty-three this year!"

Xun Zhen couldn't help sighing: "I think back then, when I first met my father, I was not yet standing, justice was in my prime, time was passing like a white horse, my father had passed his sixtieth year, and I was in my thirties and a half, and I was nearing the age of no doubts. !...I don't know how your body is? Are you all okay?"

"Thank you Duke Ming for your concern. Although I am in my twilight years, my health is still fine, I have no major problems, and I feel that I have enough energy! I think I can still be loyal to the court and do my best for Duke Ming!" Although Kongde was old and thin, his words were arrogant and dry.

Maybe it's because the rush is not fragrant, but the more reason is that Kong De's personality is not pleasing to Xun Zhen. When Sun Jian was still alive in the early years, he was Sun Jian's government official, but he In Xun Zhen's opinion, he is quite suspicious of betraying Xun Zhen to seek glory, and at the same time, it is also to avoid causing Sun Jian's suspicion and unhappiness, so although the two of them are old friends, Xun Zhen and him are still friends. The relationship between them has always been the hot side of Kong De and the weak side of Xun Zhen.

After listening to Kong De's words, Xun Zhen smiled and said with a short beard: "You can be said to be old and not old, but old and firm! Well, now there is turmoil at home and the Han family is in a troubled season, and it is precisely the kind of morality that you need. When a person with both talents and talents will serve the Han family faithfully, I am also willing to work with the public to share the same morality, assist the sages, smash the rebels, stabilize the Quartet, and restore the great Han!"

Kong De hurriedly smiled and said: "How can I be of the same mind and common morality with Duke Ming? If I can climb the tail of the phoenix and help the Han family for Duke Ming, I will be able to contribute a little bit of strength and even a little credit. Satisfied."

Xun Zhen stroked her short mustache, smiled, and said, "Kong Gong, I heard Zhuge Jin say that there is something important to do in Gong Yan, do you want to tell me?"

Kong De put away his smile, turned solemn, and said, "If you reply to Duke Ming, I do have an important matter to report to Duke Ming."

Xun Zhen said, "What's the matter?"

Kong De turned his face, glanced outside the empty hall, retracted his gaze, lowered his voice, and said, "Ming Gong, a few days ago, Shi Zhongxiu called me and asked me something, is General Wei? You have a private discussion with Zhang Xian, the prefect of Changsha, to take Jingzhou. ... Dare to ask Duke Ming, I don't know if General Wei and Zhang Xian were involved in this matter. Does Duke Ming know about it?"

It was exactly as Xun Zhen guessed. Comte came to see him for this.

Xun Zhen said calmly, "Has Zhicai asked you about this? Bo Fu and Zhang Xian are seeking Jingzhou? I don't know."

How could Kong De not know that what Xun Zhen said was true?

But because of the relationship between Xun Zhen and Sun Ce, Xun Zhen was indeed not comfortable admitting that he knew about it.

Kong De then let Xun Zhen speak, without asking any further questions, much less poking out Xun Zhen's lack of telling the truth, so he followed Xun Zhen's words and said: "So Duke Ming didn't know about this. , I didn't know anything about it when Shizhong Xijun asked me about it, but after Xijun asked me about it, I took it to heart and went back to Pingyu. After many investigations, I finally found out! After I find out, I will hurry back to Xu County. I only arrived in Xu County this afternoon, and I didn’t dare to stop, so I came to see Duke Ming.”

Speaking of which, Comte stopped his words.

Xun Zhen said, "What did you find out?"

Kong De then continued, saying, "Report to Duke Ming, General Wei and Zhang Xian, the prefect of Changsha, passed through the Huanjie, and privately discussed the matter of wanting to take Jingzhou, really!"

On the order of Xun Zhen, Xi Zhicai tested Kong De, Gao Cheng and others respectively. , he really doesn't know. Xi Zhicai didn't ask anything, he had already reported all this to Xun Zhen. ——Might as well say one more thing, Xi Zhicai’s temptation to Gao Cheng, Kong De, etc., really did not expect to be able to ask anything. Tell Sun Ce that Xun Zhen already knew about this, so that Sun Ce can best give up the plan of "seeking Jingzhou with Zhang Xian".

But then again, regardless of whether Xi Zhicai found out about it or not, Xun Zhen had already made sure that Cai Mao would not tell lies. Nine times out of ten, it must have happened. Therefore, when he heard Kong De's words, it was true. Not surprised, he looked calm and said, "Oh? Is there really such a thing?"

Kong De said: "Yes, Duke Ming. In order to find out whether this matter is true or not, after I returned to Pingyu, I used various excuses to meet with General Wei, Gong Qiucheng, and several of Wu Jing's trusted officials. , and then attacked and inquired attentively, and finally got the answer from the drunken official from the official who claimed to be the public enemy. This is indeed true! Duke Ming, who is said to be the master of General Wei, won the defense The general credits, since his official admits that this is the case, then there is no doubt about it, it must be there!"

"Your Excellency is really bothering. ... But it's strange, why did Bofu want to plan Jingzhou? Is it because he did something unsatisfactory in his post as the prefect of Yuzhou, so he wanted to change Jingzhou? If he really wants to do this, he can talk to me. It!" Xun Zhen said lightly, and said to Kong De with a smile, "Kong Kong, I already know about this."

Kong De asked, "Dare to ask Duke Ming, how do you want to deal with this matter?"

Xun Zhen said: "It's mid-winter now, and next year's Zhengdan celebration is just around the corner, Bofu should come to Xu County early next month. After he arrives, I will take the time to ask him in person, if he is there. The prefect of Yuzhou is not doing what he wants, so he wants to change the leadership of Jingzhou, so I will make suggestions to the sage to see if he can get his wishes."

Xun Zhen's answer was beyond Kong De's expectations, but on second thought, it was understood by Kong De.

It was said that it was beyond Kong De's expectations, because Xun Zhen's answer was too easy and simple, saying that it could be understood by Kong De, or that sentence, with the relationship between Xun Zhen and Sun Ce, Xun Zhen really couldn't be in the "outsider" Say the rest before you.

Kong De knew that he was not Xun Zhen's confidant. After all, he was now a subordinate of Sun Ce in name. In addition to Sun Jian, and he was also an "old official" of the Sun family for two generations, Xun Zhen might be on guard against him. It is not surprising. Therefore, there was no dissatisfaction because Xun Zhen regarded him as an "outsider", but he took the initiative to confide his heart to Xun Zhen, saying: "Ming Gong wants to ask General Wei in person, but he wants to change and lead Jingzhou. , so I managed to satisfy General Wei's desire, and his love for General Wei really made me envious, but Duke Ming, although the friendship is good, but in my humble opinion, it would be inappropriate to do so."

"What's wrong?"

Kong De said: "Liu Jingsheng is now the shepherd of Jingzhou, and I heard that he was quite favored by the Jingzhou gentry in Xiangyang. If Duke Ming was to represent General Wei and transfer Jingzhou, Liu Jingsheng would be dissatisfied. One of them is that Yuan Shu is entrenched in Nanyang. The purpose is that sooner or later, it will be a problem for the court. Liu Jingsheng is in Jing and can play a role in checking and balancing Yuan Shu in the court. If the Duke Ming declares that General Wei is the governor of Jingzhou, it is very likely that he will start an internal strife with Liu Jingsheng first, which will be detrimental. The second one. For this reason, I secretly thought that although Duke Ming’s friendship was good, it would be inappropriate to do so.”

Comte's analysis is eloquent, and what he said is indeed the truth.

Xun Zhen laughed and asked Kong De, "So, from the public's point of view, how should I handle this matter?"

Kong De refreshed himself and said: "In my humble opinion, it is not difficult to deal with this matter well, that is, to put out the idea of ​​General Wei to seek Jingzhou, without causing a rift with Liu Jingsheng. "

Xun Zhen said, "I would like to hear your high opinion."

Kong De said, "Duke Ming, General Wei has a grudge against Lü Bu for killing his father. Why didn't Duke Ming ask the imperial decree to order General Wei to attack Lv Bu?"

Xun Zhen said, "Tell Bo Fu to sue Lu Bu?"

Kong De asked Xun Zhen today, not only because he wanted to show Xun Zhen his loyalty to Xun Zhen by "revealing that Sun Ce did have plans to conspire in Jingzhou", but also wanted to show Xun Zhen his wisdom. At this point in the conversation, he felt that he had already entered Hong Kong, and his emotions became more and more cheered. He said, "In my humble opinion, if you ask the imperial decree to order General Wei to discuss Lu Bu, Yu Ming will make it public, and there will be two benefits."

Xun Zhen asked, "Which two benefits?"

"Lü Bu is Yuan Shu's minion, and he ordered the generals to attack Lu Bu. Regardless of victory or defeat, he could cut Yuan Shu's power. This is one of the benefits of Duke Ming. Lu Bu is known as 'the red rabbit among the horses, and Lu Bu among the people'. Although General Wei is also brave, he is afraid that he will not be easy to win. Since it is not easy to win, the stalemate between Jiangxia and Runan is not only because General Wei wants to take Jingzhou with Zhang Xian, the prefect of Changsha, but it cannot be realized. The help of Duke Ming is expected to be more obedient to Duke Ming in the future, without thinking about it, which is also beneficial to Duke Ming."

"Kong Kong..."

Kong De respectfully replied, "The subordinate is here."

"Are you provoking me and Bofu?"

Kong De was startled, his smile faded, he didn't care to go to the hall to bow down again, leaned over to the seat, and said, "Duke Ming! De definitely doesn't mean this!"

"Your strategy..."

Kong De said with sincerity and fear: "Ming Gong~www.wuxiaspot.com~ This strategy is a foolish thought of virtue. If it is not available, please abandon it! However, De has no intention of provoking! Please make it clear to the public!"

To be honest, Kong De's strategy is really good, but at the moment when he is showing favor to Lv Bu and dividing Lv Bu and Yuan Shu, his strategy is definitely unusable, but Xun Zhen found Kong through this matter. Although De is not a loyal person, he is still useful. In order not to attack his enthusiasm, he did not reprimand him any more, he slowed down his tone, and just said, "This policy of the public cannot be used."

"Yes, yes. The virtues are dull, ill-considered, and take the liberty to offer advice, begging Duke Ming not to sin!"

Xun Zhen said slowly, "I'm going to set up a little wine at home tonight and drink it with the masters of Zhicai. When the public comes, don't leave, stay and drink a few glasses together. How about you?"

This was really a surprise and then a joy. Kong De was stunned for a while, and the ecstasy surged up. Where would he refuse, he hurriedly responded.

It was late, and after Xi Zhicai arrived, Xun Zhen was in a separate room with them, and told them about the circumstances of the three people they had met with Xian Yuyin today, and also told them what Kong De had confessed and offered to them, and everyone had a discussion. ; Afterwards, adding Liu Bei and Kongde, and feasting in the house, it was not until the third watch that they dispersed, so there is no need to say more.

It is only said that the officials who Sun Ce stayed in Xu County, Kong Delai informed Xun Zhen, and the other one who was kept in Xu County by Sun Ce, who was also called by Xi Zhicai to test, his facial features are Gao Cheng. The day after the banquet at Xunzhen's house, he wrote a letter to Sun Ce.

Two days later, when the letter reached Pingyu, Sun Ce's complexion changed slightly, and he immediately called Wu Jing, Gong Qiuzhen and others to see him.

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