Three Kingdoms

Yecheng.

Chen Qun woke up very early. He stood in the backyard, raising his head and looking at the sky.

The clouds in the sky were thick, and something seemed to be brewing.

Chen Qun looked at the clouds, as if he wanted to see the face of the sky clearly through the gaps in the clouds, or as if he wanted to tear the clouds apart to see the shadows hidden behind them, or the accumulated thunder.

Is it true that everything under the sky is just like a stupid dog?

Chen Qun smiled slightly, then lowered his head.

On the stone slab where Chen Qun was standing, two or three ants crawled.

Either because of the cold, or because they were looking for food, or for some other reason, the ants crawled on the stone slab, and then they touched Chen Qun's shoes.

Chen Qun tilted his head slightly and looked at the ants.

An ant touched Chen Qun's shoe, then turned around and crawled away.

The other one didn't seem to be willing to give in, and started to circle around. As it circled, it kept bumping into Chen Qun's shoes, as if trying to lift Chen Qun's shoes that were blocking the way.

Chen Qun raised his feet slightly, exposing some gaps.

The ants crawled in.

"Is Mr. Chen here?" ! ” Outside the courtyard gate, an attendant loudly reported, “Your Majesty Xun is coming! Thirty miles away from Yecheng! 』

Chen Qun was stunned for a moment, dropped his feet, and quickly walked away, "Xun Lingjun?" Why is he here? Quick, prepare the vehicle, let Rong change clothes, and go out of the city to greet you! 』

Chen Qun took some officials and went ten miles out of the city to meet Xun Yu.

"Is Changwen okay? Xun You smiled gently, as if he was seeing a friend he hadn't seen for many years, expressing his joy from the bottom of his heart.

Chen Qun bowed his hands in greeting and smiled cordially, saying, "We haven't seen each other for a long time. Qun is very worried about me." I got to see Brother Wen Ruo today, and he was really more elegant than before! 』

The surrounding officials, big and small, were also smiling, bowing their hands in greetings.

As for the ordinary people, they were separated by soldiers at a distance and were not allowed to advance or retreat. Anyway, they had to wait until Chen Qun and Xun Yu left before the road could be restored.

Fortunately, Xun You didn't stay outside for long. After chatting with Chen Qun for a while, they went back to Yecheng in the same car.

After arriving in the main hall of the government office and briefly meeting the officials in Ye City, Xun or said straight to the point: "This time someone came to Ye City, there is a room in northern Hebei and western Liaoning. There are many military leaks, so we should get rid of them immediately." Of……"

Chen Qun frowned slightly.

Is it necessary to have such a businesslike tone?

"If there are spies who cause trouble, we should naturally work together to capture them to eliminate the trouble." ” Chen Qun didn’t ask silly questions about why he saw it. After a moment of silence, he quickly nodded and said, “Please give me your order, and everyone in Yecheng will obey it.” 』

Both of them spoke very politely, even with a strange reserve.

Chen Qun can be regarded as recommended by Xun or. The reason why it is "calculated" is because even if Xun or Chen does not recommend, Chen Qun will recommend himself. It is just earlier and later, or the starting position in the official career is higher and lower. The difference is not much.

Xun may be able to take the initiative to recommend Chen Qun to Cao Cao, and Chen Qun must accept this recommendation.

According to the inspection system of the Han Dynasty, Chen Qun owed Xun or a favor.

For people like Xun He and Chen Qun, the things they owe money are small, and the things they owe favors are big. Therefore, Chen Qun does not expect Xun He to come here because of official business, but hopes that he can borrow this Opportunity returns the favor, at least a small part.

Unfortunately……

However, dealing with spies is indeed official business.

It is not surprising at all that there are spies operating in Yecheng or Jizhou, and Chen Qun would not be surprised at all.

In any dynasty, especially those like the Han Dynasty, which have not yet separated their families, it is normal for me to have you, and for you to have me. After all, noble families are all brothers living apart, and there are many parties involved. To say that there is no coincidence in this Several spies interact with each other, just like an official wearing a jade pendant worth 100,000 yuan, openly claiming that he is innocent. Can you believe it?

It's just that the Han Dynasty was not very particular about some sporadic espionage operations, or the leakage of military intelligence that was not too important. On the one hand, it is because of the difficulty of transmitting information, and on the other hand, the timeliness is too poor. It is very likely that after the information has been transmitted with all the effort, the front line has been ignited.

So many times, these spies are just like those guys who made trouble in Chang'an before. They plagiarize advanced technologies and processes, embezzle copyrights, and then send them back for piracy.

And sometimes the two parties will form a certain tacit understanding, such as the spies in the caravan. As long as it is not too excessive, generally speaking, these informants will not spend time and energy to deal with it.

After all, there are caravans coming to Yecheng, and there are also caravans going to Chang'an.

So is it Xun or, no, is Cao Cao planning to make some big move...

But it's not very similar. After all, Cao Cao has just finished dealing with Xu County and is still steadily expanding the results of Yingchuan and Yuzhou. The possibility of a large-scale invasion is very small.

So is it to cut off Fei Qian's spying on Xu County or Yuzhou and Jizhou, and to cover up Cao Cao's actions in Xu County?

This is also unlikely. After all, this matter is very noisy. Even if spies are not dispatched, ordinary people can know one, two, three, four, five, six, so there is no point in covering it up.

"I don't know where you want to start?" ” asked Chen Qun.

Xunyou smiled and said, "Zhongmu." 』

On the whole, whether it was Cao Cao's or Jiangdong's spies, compared to Feiqian's people, they did not do a very good job.

Not only is it bad to be a spy, but it is also bad to be a spy.

Just like the last time Lu Hong returned home defeated in Yecheng...

Therefore, this time we not only want to capture Fei's spies lurking in northern Jizhou and western Liaoning, but also follow the clues to learn more about the structure of Fei's spies in order to learn and grow.

Of course, this is something on the surface. As for what's underneath, there's no need to talk about it on the table.

"Zhongmu?" ” Chen Qun was a little confused, because he had not received any information about any abnormality in Zhongmou. Could it be that there was something that Xun knew but he did not know?

This is somewhat interesting.

Chen Qun cupped his hands and said, "If you have any orders, I will certainly obey them." 』

Xun You waved his hand and said, "I just want to inform Zhang Wen to avoid misunderstanding... Okay, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave first..."

Chen Qun naturally said that he wanted to keep Xun He, at least to have a dinner party or something like that with Feng Xichen, but Xun He refused, saying that he came here just to catch spies. If everyone around him knew about it, what else would he catch?

With such a hat on him, Chen Qun would naturally find it hard to persuade him.

Xun or he didn't plan to stay in Yecheng, after all, Yecheng was too big. If a city is large, there will be many people, and if there are many people, the eyes will be cluttered. Even if you are defensive, you may not be able to defend against it. After all, some people not only like to see more things they shouldn't see, but also like to say more things they shouldn't say. of……

Chen Qun sent Xun or away.

Chen Qun looked at Xun You who had just arrived in Yecheng and left in a hurry, and some messy thoughts could not help but arise in his heart.

"Searching for spies...hehe..."

A slight smile appeared on Chen Qun's lips, and he figured it out.

Is this just an excuse?

What's the real reason?

In fact, when Xun left Yuzhou and Yingchuan at this time, was it a bit of an escape?

Escape the responsibility that you should have stood up for, the pain of Yingchuan being hurt, and the heavy burden that you should shoulder as the leader of the Yuzhou gentry?

"The winter sun is fierce and the wind is blowing..."

Chen Qun couldn't help but mutter something softly, and then turned around and could only continue to face the matters at hand.

Even if Chen Qun knew this was possible, what could he do? Xun might not be able or dare to do it, but would Chen Qun dare to do it? Go and stand against Cao Cao?

Apparently, neither can he.

Perhaps, this is the hidden reminder that Xunhe came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

Looking at the ants on the ground, people can easily decide whether they live or die.

But is there a being in the sky who can decide someone's life or death without caring?

Chen Qun looked up at the sky and remained silent for a long time.

……(〒︿〒)……

"Zhongmu?" 』

Lu Hong sat in front of Xun You with some restraint.

Xun You nodded slightly, without any impatience.

As for the IQ of ordinary people, Xun may still take a little care of it.

But only slightly.

This does not mean that Xun or will lower his standards for Lu Hong, because this behavior is tantamount to insulting Xun or himself.

Under Xun You's calm gaze, there was a slight sweat on Lu Hong's forehead, as if the temperature of the brazier next to him was too high and the temperature was too high.

"I dare to ask your Majesty, why don't you start from... this, don't you start from General Xiahou...?" Lu Hong asked stammeringly. He was somewhat unwilling to be humiliated by Xia Houyuan last time.

"In Xiahou's army?" ” …』

If Lu Hong cannot correct his position, then Xun or will lower Lu Hong's rating again, from average + to average -, and Xun or feels that if Lu Hong is blinded by hatred, he will not even be able to think. If words are lost, then there may be little value left in waste utilization.

Lu Hong swallowed.

Although Xun Yu's voice was said to be gentle, Lu Hong was somewhat aware of something ominous in it. Lu Hong originally wanted to say that he already had "conclusive" evidence to show that there was indeed a spy spying on military affairs in the Xiahou Army. But when the question came to him, Lu Hong suddenly felt that if he said it, something might happen. Something not so great.

So Lu Hong swallowed back what he was about to say, and then said, "What are your orders?" 』

Xun You still said in a calm tone, "Thoroughly investigate the Zhongmu smuggling caravan... I suspect that there are spies among the caravan!" 』

Lu Hong lowered his head and said, "I obey your order." 』

Xun Or nodded slightly and watched Lu Hong leave, just like looking at a tree, a stone, an insect, or a dog, without any emotion.

Lu Hong lowered his head and retreated all the way.

Although Lu Hong is not as intelligent as Xun Yu, he is also a human being, with human emotions and desires, sadness and anger.

He is both sad and angry right now.

He is a nobody.

Ever since childhood.

Fan Yang's Lu family is very famous, but that is someone else's Lu family.

Just like people with the surname Ma are indeed rich, but most people with the surname Ma can only hold back the average.

When Lu Hong was young, the only thing he relied on was reading. At that time, he thought that as long as he studied hard, he could change his destiny. However, Lu Hong discovered that no matter how hard he tried, he could not catch up with those guys who were born with jade in their mouths or gold in their teeth. If you don't study or work hard, you will still live a better life than Lu Hong.

Why?

Why is this happening?

Lu Hong didn't understand, but the confusion he didn't understand did not hinder his eagerness to climb up. He looked around and flattered him. As long as he could become an official, he would have no problem selling his butt. But even if he wanted to sell his There are people who are fairer and tenderer than him and sell better.

Until he met Cao Cao.

I don’t know whether Cao Cao thought Lu Hong had any talents, or what qualities Lu Hong showed that satisfied Cao Cao. Anyway, Lu Hong got the position of school administrator, and then he immediately returned to his hometown where he grew up and paid homage. His unknown ancestor then looked at the guy in the county with jade in his mouth and gold in his mouth, bowing his head in front of him with a smile on his face.

At that time, Lu Hong felt very smooth.

Also very proud.

Unfortunately, smoothness and success are all temporary.

In the blink of an eye, Xia Houyuan slapped him hard and woke him up, making Lu Hong understand that there are counties above the township, counties above the counties, and countries above the counties...

I was in the countryside, showing off my authority in front of those guys, shouting and shouting, and got the tail of those guys to please me, but if I go to the next level, what can I do?

In other words, what am I?

A person and a knife?

Or, a dog?

Lu Hong made sure that he was not a knife.

Because the knife does not require eating and drinking.

Then I can only choose between humans and dogs.

"Let's set off at 00:00 tomorrow! We’ve already agreed, if you’re late, don’t blame me for being ruthless! Lu Hong picked up the wine in front of him and said to his men, "After drinking this bowl, everyone who should sleep will go to sleep!" When things are done and done, I won’t stop until I get drunk! 』

Lu Hong's men started shouting, then they and Lu Hong finished their drinks, and then dispersed one after another.

These men of Lu Hong were all recruited wanderers. Most of them don't have much knowledge, they only know how to fight bravely, and want to exchange their young bodies for wine, meat and money.

The people dispersed and the wine was still there.

Lu Hong lowered his head and stared at the remaining wine without moving for a long time.

After a while, Lu Hong's confidant turned around and said, "School affairs, these guys have taken a break... Ha, they are really capable..."

Lu Hong smiled, and then poured a bowl of wine for his confidant from the wine jar beside him.

Because the wine jar was at its bottom, it was somewhat turbid and did not look good. Moreover, this wine was not originally a good wine, just average. There were relatively many impurities, like small insects floating in the turbid wine.

Lu Hong's confidants took the wine respectfully, and did not express any dissatisfaction because of the turbidity of the wine. For them, it was considered happiness to have a full meal, and to have some extra wine and meat to eat was simply huge. grace.

"Sit down." Lu Hong pointed at the seat, then raised the wine bowl and gestured, "Here, drink..."

The two raised their bowls and touched them slightly, then raised their heads and drank.

The wine wasn't very good, but both of them seemed to enjoy it and laughed.

In fact, most of Dahan's current wines are not good to drink, some are bitter, some are astringent, and some are sour, but at least they are better than those in later generations that added various chemical flavorings. If you don't add methanol, you have some conscience. After all, additives Too much, and it's like drinking ethanol as a placebo, or an anesthetic.

It’s not that there are really good wines made purely naturally, but most people don’t think about it.

Whether it is a big man or in later generations, ordinary people should not think too much about good things.

Liu Biao likes to drink gold wine, and Cao Cao likes to drink peach wine. These two wines are sweet and sour, and they are considered the best drinks for big men at the moment, but they are expensive. Of course, Dahan now has another kind of Drunk Immortal Wine, a drink with added spices, and the price is even more outrageous.

Lu Hong's wine is just ordinary wine. He knows this, just like he also knows that there is a big gap between his talents and Xun Yu and others. Just like the difference between bad wine and peach wine in a bowl, it cannot be made up by sifting a few more times or brewing for a few more days.

"Has there ever been a famine in your hometown?" " Lu Hong turned the wine bowl, and suddenly a seemingly irrelevant topic came up, "My hometown... When I was young, there was one time..."

"Famine..." the confidant said cautiously, "it must be very difficult..."

"Um. Lu Hong nodded and said, "It is indeed difficult." At that time, the Hu people went south and burned their homes. They had no choice but to flee south. There was no food or drink along the way... many people died..."

"School incident..." The confidant looked at Lu Hong with concern, "School incident, are you... okay?" 』Are you suddenly here to remember the bitter and sweet things? What do you mean?

Lu Hong glanced at his confidants and smiled, "It's okay, I just suddenly thought of something... Ah, this is all left here, come on, share it... After drinking, go to bed, we have to get up early tomorrow... …』

"School Secretary, I'm coming, I'm coming..." The confidant quickly stood up, took the wine jar, and then poured out the few remaining wine in the wine jar.

"Drink to win!" ” Lu Hong raised the wine bowl.

After the two of them finished drinking, their confidants also left.

Lu Hong put down his wine bowl and sat blankly for a while.

The road to escape is not easy. Some people died on the way, and then someone would go over and cut off the leg flesh of the person who had just died or was about to die...

"Xun Wenruo...hehehehehe..." Lu Hong's voice was low, like a dog making a low threatening sound in his throat, "You must not know that in order to survive...people will eat anything...like A hungry dog...will eat anything..."

Lu Hong suddenly chuckled nervously. He didn't know whether he was laughing at himself or others, "I have obviously forgotten it... why did I think of it again..."

"Obviously I want to be an individual..."

"Why do you want me to be a dog..."