Three Kingdoms

Cao Cao sat in the room.

The sun shines in from the outside, forming a spot of light on the wooden floor of the back hall.

Cao Cao stared at the light spot, and then watched this little insect crawl out of nowhere and crawled into the light spot. Then he seemed to feel the light, or Cao Cao's sight, and hesitated in the light spot. , seemed to be retreating a little, but after a while, the little bug continued to move forward.

Cao Cao squinted his eyes and stroked his beard slightly.

The room was silent.

After a while, someone came in from outside. It was Cao Cao's wife Bian. She came in with a bowl of soup. Seeing that Cao Cao was resting with his eyes closed, Bian gently put the soup on the table, then walked around behind Cao Cao, put Cao Cao's head in her arms, and gently Knead Cao Cao's head.

Cao Cao exhaled a breath, then leaned back slightly, feeling that the pain in his shoulders and neck dissipated a little under Bian's kneading. After a while, Cao Cao opened his eyes and held Bian's hand.

"I heard that Yuan Rang is here?" ” Mrs. Bian asked softly, “Do you want to stay and have dinner together? 』

Cao Cao shook his head slightly, let go of Bian's hand, and then picked up the soup on the table, "No, he has something to do and left..."

Cao Cao's voice was tired and hoarse, and then he coughed lightly.

Ms. Bian was slightly surprised, but she covered it up well, then lowered her head and did not ask any further questions.

Cao Cao finished the soup in three gulps and then put it down.

Ms. Bian moved over gently, put away the finished bowl, then stood up and slowly exited the back hall. After turning around the corridor, a maid came forward and took the dinner plate from Bian's hand.

"Tonight, remove the brisket and fish, change it to some light dishes, and cook some rice porridge..." Bian ordered as he walked forward in the corridor.

The servants followed behind, on the outside of the corridor, nodding and bowing, and responded repeatedly.

"Take out the embroidered Sichuan brocade in the warehouse and send it to General Xiahou's wife..." Bian continued, "Send a cart of newly harvested corn as well..."

"Yes, yes... this slave has remembered..."

Mr. Bian nodded, "Just go." 』

The servants quickly went to work.

Mrs. Bian turned around the corridor and looked back slightly.

Something big happened to her husband, but she couldn't ask. Of course, even if he asked, Cao Cao might not tell her.

Bian raised his head slightly and looked to the other side.

The sun is struggling to set on the tiles of the wall, dyeing the tiles bright red...

Xiahou Dun also returned to his home.

The attendant at home stepped forward to help him take off his armor, but Xiahou Dun pushed him away and said, "No, I have to go out later!" Ready your horse! 』

Just wearing armor like this, Xiahou Dun walked into the backyard. His wife came forward and said, "I have met my husband... Is your husband going out?" 』

Xiahou Dun had a good relationship with Cao Cao, so their wives often visited each other. Generally speaking, if it is approaching meal time, the other party will be left to eat, and the other party will not be polite. But this time, Xiahou Dun went to Cao Cao's mansion. Not only did he come back so quickly, but he also didn't take off his leather armor and seemed to be going out. "Prime Minister, Prime Minister... are you okay? 』

After hearing his wife's question, Xiahou Dun's eyes flashed with Cao Cao's bloodshot eyes, his expression moved, and then he smiled: "My lord, I'm well..."

Mrs. Xiahou smiled. When she saw her husband, she seemed to be in a low mood. She thought something had happened to Cao Cao. Since Xiahou Dun said that the Prime Minister was fine, then it was other official matters. She also helped with any troubles on official matters. Not too busy.

Xiahou Dun sat down in the back hall.

The setting sun sets in the backyard, dyeing everything a little red.

On trees, rocks, wooden boards.

There are also people...

Mrs. Xiahou sat next to Xiahou Dun, waiting quietly. She knew he had something to say.

Sure enough, after a while, Xiahou Dun said in a deep voice: "After I go out, you close the house, close the door tightly, let the Xiahou family's children stay at home, and send fewer servants out..."

Xiahou Dun raised his head and looked at the tree in the courtyard with fallen leaves, "This autumn will be eventful...be careful..."

After saying that, Xiahou Dun stood up and said, "It's almost done. The horse should be ready." When I leave, the family will be left to you. 』

"Husband...you, where are you going?" 』

Xiahou Dun did not look back, "Go kill people." 』

Mrs. Xiahou's pupils dilated and she was stunned for a moment. However, when she saw Xiahou Dun was about to walk out of the backyard, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Husband!" 』

Xiahou Dun turned around.

"I, I am waiting for your husband to come back..." Mrs. Xiahou bowed slightly and saluted, "I have learned a new soup, and I will ask your husband to taste it when the time comes..."

Xiahou Dun nodded, then took the bag handed over by the guard, clasped it on his head, and walked into the brilliance of the setting sun.

…(???)…

Under the sunset.

Dead trees.

Residual wine.

One is sitting upright and the other is lying down.

Guo Jia groaned and smacked his lips, "How can we relieve our worries?" Only good wine! A bottle of fine wine and everything is worry-free! Two bottles of fine wine, I own the world! Three bottles of fine wine make a difference in the world! Fine wine... Hehe, four bottles of fine wine, Wen Ruowen can't stop talking! 』

Facing Guo Jia's teasing, Xun Yu held a bottle of wine in his hand as if facing a glass of poisoned wine, "...Why must we kill people?" 』

"Why? ” Guo Jia burst into laughter.

For Guo Jia and Xun Yu, some of Cao Cao's military actions were actually impossible to bypass them. But the lack of bypass made Xun Yu and Guo Jia even more helpless, mainly Xun Yu.

Is it possible that the soldiers were sent out for the autumn outing?

The sword is out of its sheath. If there is no blood, the sword will be dull.

This year, a lot of things happened.

"If we dig more holes, this house will collapse..." Xun Yu was like a diligent farmer, trying his best to maintain this shack with air leakage from all sides, but now, it feels like all his previous efforts have failed. About to turn into nothing.

It is not only those outside the house who are destroying the house, but also those inside the house who are demolishing the home.

Things seemed to take a turn for the worse all of a sudden.

But it seems to be inevitable.

During this year, due to the overall turmoil in the Han Dynasty, on the one hand, it was necessary to catch up with Fei Qian's armament technology and increase military expenditures. On the other hand, many years of agricultural and mulberry foundations and transportation equipment also needed to be invested in repairs. Although Under Xun Yu's careful calculation, he dealt with the past year after year, but the current events made his patchwork and wall-building completely useless.

The conflict between Yingchuan and Cao Cao completely broke out.

He was currently thinking about an order he came over yesterday.

The order came very suddenly, and it was about banditry nearby.

It is said that a thief appeared near Yingshui...

However, because Emperor Liu Xiedu is in Xu County, the surrounding bandits and thieves have been wiped out again and again, and in the official document issued yesterday, there was an additional group of "bandits". It was said that there was a group of The thieves who were dissatisfied with Wang Hua had seriously disturbed the stability of Yingchuan, and because the Yingchuan field soldiers needed to take care of the autumn harvest, they took an expedient measure and temporarily sent Xiahou Dun to Yingchuan to suppress the bandits.

Things are extremely weird.

But Xun Yu realized almost immediately that this was not a bandit...

Maybe they can be regarded as another kind of "bandit", but why use soldiers?

Once the soldiers are dispatched, the situation will become serious.

After all, if it was really an ordinary bandit, why bother using Xiahou Dun? Some of the nearby armies and county soldiers in the counties were drawn out and then led by a mid-level military academy. How could Xiahou Dun be allowed to take action?

Xun Yu even felt that this was Cao Cao's last warning.

As for who warned...

Xun Yu felt bitter in his mouth while holding the wine bottle.

How are you going to spend this day?

Xun Yu knew Yingchuan's problems, and he also knew what Cao Cao wanted. He even understood what the emperor Liu Xie longed for, but in this world, how could it be possible to completely cover everything? What's more, these people all want the same thing, profit.

In other words, the authority to obtain benefits.

Has the "banditry" nearby really reached this level?

Xun Yu asked himself.

Then he found that he couldn't answer, as if he didn't know why Fei Qian was able to reconcile those desires, those interests, and related authorities in Guanzhong...

Xun Yu picked up the wine bottle and drank it all in one gulp. He didn't know whether it was because he held it for too long that the wine had oxidized too much, or whether he was in a terrible mood. Anyway, this wine was very bitter.

Bitters.

……o(TωT)o ……

Ying Yin.

In the dusk, the light and shadow swayed.

"Brother Guo, I will help you with the things you asked me to do." How can you thank me? 』

Outside, they are the county magistrate and the county magistrate, superiors and subordinates, but in private, they are as close as brothers.

Half-brother.

"Brother!" How can the younger brother just "give instructions" to his elder brother to do things? Doesn't this offend my little brother? ” Guo Feng chuckled, his rat beard trembling wildly, “It’s just a request, a request. What does brother want? Even if I go up to the sky to catch the moon or go to the sea to catch turtles, my little brother will do it without hesitation! 』

"You are Yingyin's God of Wealth. Forget it about the Nine Heavens Moon and the Deep Sea Turtle," Zhong Hong said with a smile, "But this autumn's taxes... must be paid in full..."

Guo Feng's eyes narrowed. "Brother, didn't you say you want to repay the loss and disaster?" 』

"right! ” Zhong Hong said, “Of course we must report the losses caused by the disaster! And we also need to let the higher-ups know that we have been hit by a disaster and have a huge deficit! 』

"Then what?" 』

"It will be difficult for the surrounding counties to complete the work," Zhong Hong laughed and said, "If we can still pay taxes in full after the disaster... wouldn't it make it more obvious that you and I are capable and morally superior?" Look, we have worked so hard for the sake of the government and the country..."

Guo Feng swallowed.

Zhong Hong smiled and patted Guo Feng on the shoulder, "I heard that you have gained a lot of new land... Tell me, these prodigal untouchables have sold their good ancestral property at such a low price!" How unfilial! Don’t know how to cherish it! 』

"Hehe, hehe. Yes, yes, my brother is right. ” Guo Feng smiled along with him.

Zhong Hong nodded, as if he was still expressing this emotion, "Do you think these unfaithful, unfaithful and unfilial untouchables will go back on their word and regret it when the time comes?" Look, I took your money, but after a while, I said it was too cheap and I didn’t want to! You said, is it annoying to meet one, two, seven or eight such guys? 』

Guo Feng's beard was trembling and he lowered his head to hide the fierce look in his eyes.

"Loyalty, filial piety, etiquette and trustworthiness are the foundation of being a human being. ” Zhong Hong smiled and blinked, as if to eliminate the hidden things in his eyes, “We are parents, but just like parents, we cannot take too much care. After all, a loving mother is like a loser. She is always helping and taking care of her. Where can we find talents? Where can I know about this ups and downs? What's more, if Yingyin is like this, what about Yingchuan? 』

"Of course, I have also received some care..." Zhong Hong continued, "It's just that for some things, you still have to bear heavy responsibilities and show your ability and responsibility... I know, this tax is a bit difficult. , but... I will remember it. If something big happens, I can still help. After all, you and I are brothers, how can we just sit idly by and ignore it? right? 』

Guo Feng shook his face and put together a smile, "Yes, yes, brother is right..."

"Haha, that's it. As long as the tax is enough," Zhong Hong said meaningfully, "everything else is trivial!" Look, up and down Yingchuan, who can contribute to the court? Who else is loyal to the country? Like Wuyang County, Ye County is at the bottom every year in taxes, and even has to allocate subsidies from the court. It's really embarrassing! If I... I would have died of shame on the spot! 』

"Yes, yes, brother is right..." Guo Feng responded, and after pondering for a moment, "Although I have collected a little bit of land, the manpower is still somewhat insufficient... These untouchables would rather go to the wilderness to become refugees." , even unwilling to be my younger brother’s tenant! It’s simply ignorant...』

"Hahaha, this is a trivial matter..." Zhong Hong said with a smile, "Do you still need me to talk about it?" Don’t worry, as the saying goes, as long as taxes are sufficient, everything will not be a problem! 』

The two looked at each other for a moment, then laughed together again.

Outside the back hall, a servant came in a hurry and kowtowed outside the hall.

Guo Feng recognized him as his own attendant, so he apologized, walked out of the hall, and listened.

Zhong Hong tilted his head slightly, watching the expression on Guo Feng's face change, and his heart began to swirl slightly.

Guo Feng waved his hand and asked his entourage to leave, and then entered the back hall, looking embarrassed, "Brother, there is something urgent at home... uh, a small matter, I need to deal with it..."

"Little things?" ” Zhonghong put down his chopsticks.

Guo Feng nodded, "It's a small matter." 』

Zhong Hong nodded and tried to get up, "Okay!" Brother, give it to you as a gift. 』

Guo Feng quickly stepped forward to stop him, "How dare you bother my brother to send me off?" Brother, sit still, sit still! After the younger brother's affairs are settled, come back and stay drunk with your elder brother! 』

"well! If you don’t get drunk, you won’t return! 』

……?|·?·|?*~……

Night falls.

Everything dimmed.

Guo Feng got off his horse, then walked into the courtyard and said viciously: "Where are the people?" 』

The attendant on the side was bent down, like a piece of human skin that had been folded in half, "Go back to the master, it's inside, take it." 』

Guo Feng walked into the yard and saw a person tied up in the yard. He took a deep breath and said, "You are not treated badly by someone, why do you want to report on someone?" You are also a member of the Guo family, why don't you know how to protect your own clan? 』

The man on the ground squirmed, turned his head, and looked at Guo Feng.

Guo Feng lowered his head and leaned forward slightly, "You are too presumptuous!" Say, what happened today, do you...know that you were wrong? Who else did you tell? If you say so, I will make the decision and spare your life! 』

The man on the ground looked at Guo Feng quietly for a while. After a while, he said, "I'm right." I...have thought it through clearly. 』

There was sudden silence in the scene.

It was as if light and shadow had all condensed at this moment.

"It is the father's fault that the son does not teach." As a parent official and as a village elder of the Guo tribe, I am very sad to see you like this..." Guo Feng slowly broke the silence, "I have been friends with your father for many years... If your father was still alive, I wouldn't have known him. Will allow you to do such a wrong thing... Do you know that this dispute in the court is a matter of life and death! This is not a matter for you alone, this is a matter for the whole family! You have made two big mistakes. First, you do not distinguish between friend and foe, and second, you are benevolent as a woman! If you commit any of these two crimes, you will never be redeemed... Tell me, who did you give those things to? 』

"I..." The man on the ground paused for a moment, "Maybe I am wrong, but you are also wrong..."

"The son does not speak of his father's fault because it is a taboo for the venerable. You should not speak of my fault." ” Guo Feng responded.

"You are not my father. 』

"But I am your uncle!" He is also the parent officer of Yingyin County! ” Guo Feng stared fiercely, “Do you think I am willing to do these things? I have no choice but to do so! 』

"Haha, haha," the man on the ground sneered, "Yes, I have no choice but to collect money, I have no choice but to bend the law, I have no choice but to torture the people, and surround Yingyin..."

"Shut up! Palm mouth! 』

Guo Feng roared, and immediately a servant rushed over, and then slapped the man's mouth.

Amidst the loud voices in the dark night, Guo Feng put his hands behind his back and said plausibly, "There is still a way to do things!" People who don't know how to cater to the officialdom can't even get a foothold. How can they still do something practical for the people? As a human being, you must know how to see clearly the reality of this world. You, a junior, cannot do whatever you want... Just like now, even if you are eloquent on weekdays, can you still say it now? What else can you say? 』

"Woooo..."

Guo Feng slowly bent down and stared at the man, "I originally wanted to give you a chance... Do you know?" If you really make a fuss and you become famous, but a group of people, a large group of people, we will all die! Go to hell, you know? Damn thing! Bury him! 』

Several servants rushed up and dragged the man into the woods in the backyard.

Some voices came over.

Guo Feng clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, "Brother, I'm sorry." Your child is not sensible, he is not sensible, it is your child who is unfilial in the first place...Don't blame me, I am also doing it for the good of the whole family..."

There was a little commotion that lasted for a while, and then calmed down again.

……(:)～……

The sun rose again.

It's like the darkness last night didn't exist at all.

Xiahou Dun sat on the horse, his scales shining in the sun.

Behind him is Cao Cao's core strength.

"Set off! 』

"Target, Yingyin!" 』