Three Kingdoms

In the Festival Hall of the General's Mansion, the candlelight swayed slightly, like ripples.

In the courtyard in front of the festival hall, in an unknown corner, there were some chirping sounds of insects, rustling up and down in the night wind.

The sunset had been setting for a while, but Cao Cao still had no intention of eating, and even the servants who came to inquire were chased away.

The sky gradually darkened, and the stars were looming among the clouds.

Cao Cao looked at the sky in the distance, frowning, wondering what he was thinking.

In the festival hall, whether it is the arrangement of tables, the tiger patterns on the screen, the vermilion pillars, or the dark blue utensils, everything seems to be trying hard to show the majesty of the general.

majesty?

The majesty of a general?

Cao Cao sneered, and his gentle laughter melted into the night wind before reaching the festival hall. .

The night wind blew Cao Cao's gray hair on his temples under the crown of Jin Xian, and also gently touched the red and black court robe on Cao Cao's body.

Since Xun Yu and others left, Cao Cao has not gone out or changed his clothes.

Such a complete set of formal clothes will not make people feel comfortable like a wide robe with big sleeves, but more restraint. Although the Jinxian crown is calm and majestic, it can also be a bit tight on the scalp. Although the red and black court clothes are solemn and restrained, it can also make the shoulders tired. The wide multi-colored ribbons look mighty and can also make the waist a little tight.

So, is this the price we should pay?

Thin footsteps could be heard from the corridor, and a moment later, two smaller figures appeared in front of the festival hall.

Father Cao Pi took Cao Zhi and bowed down in front of the festival hall. The children paid homage to their father.

Cao Cao suddenly raised his head and realized that the sky had turned completely dark and it was already nightfall.

come in.

Cao Cao waved his hand, and suddenly felt that the arm that had been supporting his body was sore and numb, and he couldn't lift it up. He couldn't help but jump in his heart, he was getting old.

Cao Pi came in with Cao Zhi and performed the fainting ceremony to Cao Cao.

Father, after hearing that his father had not eaten yet, Cao Zhi said seriously, please take care of your health.

Haha, Cao Cao smiled and said, I understand, my father will eat it soon.

Cao Cao felt a little more relaxed and ordered his attendants to add two candles to make the festival hall brighter.

Candlelight also costs money. When he was a boy, he wore bright clothes, angry horses, lackeys and flying eagles, and played with expensive things. But when he got older, he would have to save even a candle. If Cao Pi and Cao Zhi hadn't come, Cao Cao would have felt that he only needed to light one. , is enough.

The money I spent when I was young was not earned by myself, so I didn’t feel bad about it. When I was young, I didn’t think too much because someone helped me think, so I didn’t feel tired. When I was young, no matter how reckless I was, I ran forward, because someone was protecting me, so I didn't feel sad.

And now?

Cao Cao looked at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, and suddenly thought of Cao Hong and his son Cao Zhen.

To be honest, doesn't Cao Cao know what Cao Hong and his son did?

But what can be done?

Several Xiahou brothers only want to make achievements on the battlefield. Only Xiahou Dun can help to some extent, but Xiahou Dun can't be allowed to sell goods and subsidize military expenses?

If Cao Hong hadn't shouldered this burden, there's no way Cao Cao would have weighed the armor and weapons he gave to his generals.

I heard from Fei Qian that even generals stationed outside the customs can receive armors and shirts according to time, one set in winter and one set in summer. If they are broken on the battlefield, they can be repaired for free!

Money

When I was young, money was a bastard. Now, money is a family member, brothers and clan members, political power, soldiers’ pay, etc. It is the basis of these things.

But I am very short of money.

I also understand why I am short of money, but the problem is that every time I prepare to do something, I always encounter something else!

It’s like right now!

The darkness around the festival hall seemed to be boundless, and the candlelight beside Cao Cao could only block the area in front of him, but it was unable to illuminate the deeper places, making Cao Cao unable to distinguish clearly. Underneath the chaos of the night, what lurks are humans or ghosts?

As I get older, my courage seems to be gradually declining. As the number of physical problems increases, especially my waist, which is not as good as before, I feel tired more and more easily, and I feel more and more overwhelmed.

Back then, when Cao Cao faced Dong Zhuo and faced difficulties, the courage he showed, although it is not that it can be said that the people of the world worshiped him, it at least affected Xun Yu and Guo Jia, and now?

Do you still have the courage to face the seemingly endless thorns?

Xun Yu also had a hidden meaning in his previous discussion, which was that he hoped that Cao Cao could understand the key points of the moment. Just like when Cao Cao faced Dong Zhuo in Suanzao, the main threat was from Dong Zhuo's side, and It's not like Tao Qian, Liu Dai, or even Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu at that time. It was clear that as long as brothers joined forces, they could run rampant in the world, but they just didn't do it and became short-sighted and only focused on the petty profits of the surrounding people. generation.

This is what Xun Yu meant.

This may also be the idea of ​​the Yingchuan nobles.

Don't mess with me, we are brothers. Look, over there, in Guanzhong, is Cao Cao's enemy!

At the time of Suanzao, various princes had their own agendas. Tao Qian wanted to kill Zhang Chao, Liu Dai wanted to kill Qiao Mao, Yuan Shao wanted to plot against Han Fu, and Yuan Shu just stared at Yuan Shao.

Is it true that these people all end badly? These princes talked about the great interests of the country, but in fact they were only thinking about their own petty thoughts. What happened in the end?

At that time, only Cao Cao took the stand of the Han Dynasty, pointed to the biggest contradiction of the Han Dynasty at that time, and suggested that he should temporarily put aside his internal conflicts and work together to deal with foreign enemies. It was precisely in this way that Cao Cao showed outstanding talents that surpassed other princes at that time, which attracted Xun Yu and others to join him.

But this time, Xun Yu may also want to express the same meaning. He still hopes that Cao Cao can understand, stand up, and point in the right direction, turning the originally internal contradiction to the outside, that is, in the direction of Yu Fei Qian. .

And is this correct?

Cao Cao turned to look at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi and asked: Have you slacked off on your homework these days?

The child did not dare to relax. Cao Pi said.

me too! I worked hard! Cao Zhi replied with his little face raised.

Cao Cao showed a smile, nodded and said, then I will test you.

The corners of Cao Pi's eyes twitched covertly, but his voice remained calm as he asked his father to give the question.

Father, please give me a question! Cao Zhi smiled and added, "I can't say anything that I haven't memorized!"

Hahaha Cao Cao smiled and said to Cao Zhi, what have you carried? Is there an Analects of Confucius? What about the left pass? Also? Well, do you know about Bai Gong's rebellion?

Cao Pi's pupils trembled. It was just a slight contraction of his pupils. If his pupils really trembled at every turn, he might be a patient with epileptic cerebral palsy.

Cao Zhi, who was on the sidelines, was obviously more relaxed. He thought of the relevant people first and asked: Bai Gong wins?

Cao Cao nodded slightly, but could he memorize it?

Without saying a word, Cao Zhi began to recite aloud: Well, Prince Jian of Chu was slandered, and his father from the city fled to the Song Dynasty; he also caused the Hua clan's rebellion to start with Zheng. Zheng people are very kind. He was also in Jin Dynasty and planned to attack Zheng with the Jin people in order to recover Yan. The people of Zheng returned to their original state. The people of Jin sent a spy to Zimu, and asked him to go and look forward to it. Zimu abused his private town, and the people of the town complained. The Zheng people came to the province and got the Jin spy Yan, so they killed Zimu. His son called Sheng, in Wu

good! Cao Cao nodded, interrupted Cao Zhi, then pointed at Cao Pi and continued.

Well, this Cao Pi cleared his throat and delayed a little. Well, his son said Sheng. In Wu, Zixi wanted to call him. Ye Gong said: I heard that Sheng also believes in and is brave, and does not do anything disadvantageous. He gave up all the borders and made Wei Fan Yan. Ye Gong said: Zhou benevolence is called faith, and following righteousness is called courage. When I heard that I won, I would like to reply, but if I ask for death, is it really selfish? Repeating words is not faith; anticipating death is not courage. You will regret it! Fu Cong, summoned him and sent him to Wu Jing as Duke Bai.

Well, Cao Cao nodded and said, very good, all good. So is this Bai Gongsheng good or bad? What did you do?

I know! Cao Zhi raised his head and said, Bai Gongsheng is a bad person! He doesn't remember gratitude!

Cao Cao nodded and continued.

Zheng Guo took his father in and treated his father very well. However, his father plotted against Zheng Guo. This was unjust. Cao Zhi talked eloquently, and so did he himself. The state of Chu called him back and entrusted him with important tasks. However, he insisted on attacking Zheng and eventually rebelled.

Well, Cao Cao nodded, then turned to look at Cao Pi, what about you? Do you think so too?

Cao Pi couldn't help but want to slap Cao Zhi. After telling him everything, he had anything else to say, but he couldn't help but say it. After pondering for a moment, he said: Although it seems like this on the surface, you still have to carefully consider what's behind it. For example, why did Prince Jian leave the State of Chu, and why did Prince Jian’s son go to the State of Wu? Why did Zheng Guo treat Prince Jian well, but Prince Jian still didn't care, etc.

Haha, that’s interesting. Cao Cao nodded, with a look of approval on his face. Thinking of these, he has already advanced to a higher level. Come on, keep talking.

Cao Pi was just talking. How could he straighten out the complex and perverted relationships between so many monarchs and ministers during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period? He also didn't know the conflicts of interest between King Ping of Chu and Yin Zixi and others, let alone Ye Gong and Zhen Yingu's behavioral logic was only superficially general, so when Cao Cao asked him to say something specific, he was inevitably a little stuck.

This crown prince was built because his father captured the daughter of Qin, so Cao Pi stuttered and couldn't express his ideas. Then Zheng Guo's power declined, so he was good at crown prince building. Then, well, this is what the child thought of.

Cao Cao lowered his eyes slightly, then smiled and said: Not bad!

Cao Cao was silent for a while, then raised his head and looked into the distance. King Chu Ping broke his promise to marry a Qin girl and was humiliated by being whipped to death. , if King Ping of Chu had known this, what would he have done?

The prince Jian lived in the state of Zheng and treated him well. Cao Cao continued: The state of Zheng is located between Jin and Chu. Just by the way

As for Bai Gong's victory over Cao Cao, he said with some emotion, "If you say that you are brave, you can fight in battle and defeat Wu Yushen, and you will also be in trouble with Ying. If you say that he is trustworthy, guard the border, speak out his wishes, and he will do what he says, haha. Can it be said that he is brave and trustworthy?"

Cao Cao let out a long sigh and remained silent for a while. After a while, he turned to look at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi and said, "Okay, go back. You guys should rest early."

Cao Pi took a breath, nodded quickly, bowed his head with Cao Zhi, and prepared to leave. Just when Cao Pi was about to leave the festival hall, he suddenly heard Cao Cao say again: By the way, I heard that you have many unfulfilled intentions, Pi'er. You might as well take a closer look at this matter in the next two days and write a policy statement.

Cao Pi swallowed his saliva and the boy took the order.

The footsteps of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi gradually disappeared in the corridor.

Cao Cao was silent for a while, then sighed softly again.

Previously, Cao Cao used the Bai Gong Rebellion to evaluate Cao Pi and Cao Zhi because Cao Cao truly felt that the current situation was like history repeating itself.

Were there many palace rebellions during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period?

And in these times of rebellion, who benefits?

It benefits no one.

There is a saying that when gods fight, common people suffer, and eventually the gods themselves suffer as well. If you are even slightly dissatisfied, you will go to war as you please and kill with blood and flesh everywhere. Then what? The victor just put down the blood-stained sword, turned around and sat down on the throne, and soon the next avenger was welcomed.

Who can represent justice?

No one.

Can only good people possess benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom and trust?

Careers and conspirators can also have such characteristics.

For example, Shi Qi would rather die than tell the whereabouts of his master's body. Isn't it considered honest and brave? But he was one of the culprits of the Bai Gong Rebellion.

Similarly, Bai Gongsheng can be regarded as frank and sincere. He speaks outright about what he wants to do. Couldn't it be said that his words and deeds are consistent?

What exactly are these qualities that are often praised by people, such as loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, integrity, courage, etc.?

Having these qualities is one thing, but doing something with them is another.

Therefore, when standing on the outside, it is like watching the scenery. These battles for power and interests are like dramas, staged and ended. Pointing, criticizing, and arguing are actually insignificant.

But if you are in the middle of the game

Just like now.

Xun Yu couldn't let go of the children of the Yingchuan gentry, just like King Chu Ping couldn't let go of Qin's daughter, just like Prince Jian couldn't bear humiliation, just like Bai Gongsheng couldn't forget revenge.

In turn, the same goes for Cao Cao.

It was great when I was young. There were so few burdens on me then.

As we get older, our burdens become heavier and our courage becomes less and less.

No one will let go easily. It is easy to say it, but it is difficult to do it. If King Ping of Chu can measure up to Prince Jian, if Prince Jian can measure up to Zheng, and if Duke Bai Sheng can measure up to Yin Zixi, when the time comes, who will measure whom?

It's just like

When Cao Cao was young, when he watched Zuozhuan, he saw the heroes in it, who loved and hated each other, and wished he could replace them with his own body, roaming the battlefield and dominating the world. After experiencing some setbacks, I read Zuo Zhuan again. I saw the intrigues and sinister plots in it, and suddenly realized it. I held the book and read it carefully, pondering it carefully, hoping to learn more about cunning and strategizing.

Now, Cao Cao looked back and thought about Zuo Zhuan, and seemed to have a new understanding, but this understanding made him feel distressed, tired, and sad.

General Qi

A guard reported softly in the hall that the military advisor came to offer wine and dare to ask the general

Cao Cao came back to his senses and pondered for a moment, calling!

A moment later, Guo Jia arrived under the festival hall and saw that Cao Cao was still wearing his daytime court clothes and had not changed into casual clothes. His heart sank.

Hahahahahaha Cao Cao laughed, walked forward, took Guo Jia's hand, and walked into the festival hall together. He asked Guo Jia to sit down. If you know that you are here as a filial piety, you should prepare some wine and food! It’s just that it’s getting late now, so I’ll leave this inconvenience until the next day! Someone come! Let’s bring some hot drinks to ward off the cold with Fengxiao!

Boss Cao seemed to have no worries at all between his brows and eyes. He was smiling and reading some idle books in the hall. If he hadn't come here as a courtesy, he wouldn't have known it was already night!

Guo Jia lowered his head, cupped his hands and said, "I am so stupid that I failed to take care of my lord's worries. I feel very guilty." I came up with a plan by accident, forgetting that it was late, and rashly asked for a meeting, disturbing the master's elegant mood. It's really

Hahaha, what kind of elegance is it? It's just a leisurely pastime. Cao Cao waved his hand, and I don't know how to be a filial piety. Well, drink this cup first, and then come back if you don't want to be late. Please!

Wait until the servant retreats.

Cao Cao waited for a while, and then asked Guo Jia again as if he didn't care.

Guo Jia lowered his voice slightly and said, "My lord, I heard that Lu Bu was the first to regain the Western Regions. He took the lead and fought in the Thirty-Six Kingdoms."

Cao Cao hummed and moved his eyebrows slightly.

I also heard that the rebellion of the Western Qiang was caused by Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan, Taishi Ci and Taishi Ziyi. Guo Jia continued to say, I don’t know whether it is true or not.

Cao Cao took a breath, looked at Guo Jia and said: Filial piety means

Guo Jia cupped his hands and said, "If you have merit, you should be rewarded. Of course the hussar has merit, but if Lu Fengxian conquered thousands of miles and reopened the Western Regions, he should also be granted a title!" He can be given the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the same rituals as the three divisions, and he can uphold the festival, open a government office and set up a government to control Zhang Wenyuan in the Western Regions. Taishizi has determined that the Western Qiang have meritorious service. Hou