Chapter 208 Intrigue
Guo Tu is a very basic template. In the later Sui and Tang Dynasties, there was a hexagonal Guo Tu, which was Pei Ju, the treacherous official of the Sui Dynasty and the famous official of the Tang Dynasty.
The greatest advantage of people like Guo Tu has always been that they can see into people's hearts, especially the thoughts of their lord, but they do not have a firm stand.
They can always put their own interests and thoughts in line with their master's thoughts.
To put it simply, they will cater to the master without any thought, and then seek their own interests and benefits in the master's plan.
Yuan Shao's refusal to welcome Emperor Xian was regarded as a failure by many people. Among them, Guo Tu, who firmly opposed it, was regarded as a typical example of stupidity.
But few people know that the first person in Yuan Shao's camp to propose welcoming Emperor Xian was Guo Tu.
It was in the winter of this year (195) that Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was chased by Li Jue, Guo Si and others in Caoyang and fled to Hedong.
Yuan Shao specially ordered Guo Tu as an envoy to go to Hedong to meet Emperor Xian.
After Guo Tu returned, he persuaded Yuan Shao to welcome Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, but Yuan Shao refused to comply.
Faced with Yuan Shao's resolute attitude, Guo Tu did not think about how to persuade Yuan Shao to understand the benefits of welcoming the emperor. Instead, in order to cater to Yuan Shao's wishes, he became an opponent of the party.
In the future, Ju Shou and Tian Feng finally persuaded Yuan Shao to welcome Emperor Xian, but Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong interfered together and disrupted the matter.
The reason is simply that the person who made this suggestion now was no longer him, but the Hebei faction.
Since I can’t get this benefit, then neither can the Hebei faction.
As for whether it is beneficial to Yuan Shao, there is not much to worry about.
Therefore, Liu Feng resolutely implemented the policy of preferring to offend a gentleman rather than a villain, and bribed Xin Ping and Guo Tu heavily.
Don’t ask them to speak for you, but just ask them not to stir up slander.
But now it seems that Liu Bei really gave too much. Not to mention Xin Ping, even Guo Tu felt sorry and took the initiative to speak kindly to Liu Bei in front of Yuan Shao.
Guo Tu also ignored his nephew, who was a bit naive. He half changed the subject, and half sincerely asked for advice: "Zhongzhi, the people in Hebei are now proposing to use Xu to control Yang, and they also want to recommend people to go. Runan, do you think we should oppose it?”
“Objection?”
Xin Ping laughed and said happily: "Why should we object?"
Xin Pi also smiled and added: "This proposal of the Hebei people is exactly what they want. Do they really dare to go there? Runan takes office? "
Guo Tu and Guo Yuan suddenly realized that, indeed, as Xin Pi said, Hebei people have no roots in Henan. Even if they have Yuan Shao's support, they are so far away, even if they are really defeated by Liu Bei After being supported, he was just an empty governor, and his real power was probably divided up by the Runan nobles below.
If this is the case, then what Yuan Shao is most worried about, that is, the risk of being occupied by Liu Bei's magpie nest will be greatly increased.
Therefore, even if the people from Hebei really dare to go, Yuan Shao will not agree.
Yuan Shao could only choose scholars from Henan, especially those from Ying and Ru.
If this is the case, Guo Tu is a little eager to try it.
"Zhongzhi, Saozhi, do you think I'm here to recommend myself?"
Xin Ping and Xin Pi sneered in their hearts, Guo Yuan is really stupid, but you, Guo Tu, are just pretending to be stupid.
If I can really go, even if I, Xin Ping, don’t want to go, can’t I let my brother go?
"Of course you can."
But on the surface, Xin Ping strongly supported it: "If Gongze wants to go, Jingjing should fully support it."
Hearing this, Guo Tu was overjoyed. I am very grateful to Xin Ping.
Xin Pi's eyes flickered, and he was a little confused as to why his brother supported Guo Tu so much.
After Guo Tu and Guo Yuan left, Xin Pi asked the doubts in his heart.
Xin Ping said calmly: "You can go back and write a letter to the eldest son. This is the critical moment to seize the throne. As the eldest son's confidant and adviser, how can you go to the south?"
Xin Pi suddenly realized that Guo Tu had already taken refuge with the eldest son Yuan Tan, and was also the most active counselor around Yuan Tan.
Nowadays, the dispute between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang has begun. The two factions have repeatedly fought. How can the eldest son Yuan Tan be willing to let Guo Tu leave?
In this case, it is not that the Xin family does not support it, but that Guo Tu cannot leave on his own. Not only will he not be able to become the prefect of Runan, he will also owe the Xin family a favor.
At that time, Guo Tu may have to support Xinpi in going to Runan.
Xinpi couldn't help but admired: "Brother, what a clever plan!"
Following that, Xinpi said with some lack of confidence: "Brother, if I can really go to Runan, what should I do? I'm afraid I'm not qualified. Ah."
Xin Pi is still somewhat self-aware. Although he is considered a famous scholar in Yingchuan, he is only a junior after all. Not to mention being compared with Xun Wenruo and Zhong Yuanchang, even Chen Qun and Chen Changwen are famous above him. superior.
The people in Runan have always considered themselves number one in Henan, and he was really a bit conceited.
Xin Ping sighed, and asked his silly younger brother, "You went to Runan, could it be that you really did it for the Yuan family?"
Xin Pi was dumbfounded. It was not for the Yuan family, but for our Xin family?
But our family does not have such great strength.
When Xin Ping saw Xin Pi's reaction, he knew that his brother was having wild thoughts again, so he could only continue to analyze: "If you can go to Runan, Brother Yu has a plan that can save you from danger."
< br>Xinbi hurriedly said: "Please give me some advice, brother."
"This strategy is to simply rely on Liu Xuande. My brother will cover up the matter in Hebei. You only need to keep your face." As long as you are loyal to Hebei, I think Liu Shijun will be happy with it."
As soon as Xin Ping came up with the best idea, Xin Pi's jaw suddenly dropped: "Brother, what are you..."
Obviously, words such as betrayal were swallowed by Xin Pi, and he didn't want to Use this vocabulary to describe your brother.
“Hey, we abandoned our family business and came to Hebei to join Yuan Shao. We really had no choice.”
They were swept away and completely defeated. How could we all go northward?"
"We had no choice before, but now we have such an opportunity."
Xin Ping stared at Xin Pi and said, "It's fine if you can't win over the governor of Runan. If you really win, you must not underestimate Liu Bei, let alone compete with him for the real power in Runan. Otherwise, you will not only die without a burial." I am afraid that our Xin family will be implicated for you.”
“Brother!” I admire Liu Bei very much.
But I never expected that Xin Ping would speak so highly of Liu Bei.
Seeing his brother's disbelieving look, Xin Ping revealed some news to him: "You have admired Fengxiao very much in the past. Do you know that Fengxiao has invested in Liu Shijun?" Under his command.”
Xin Pi looked shocked. He and Guo Jia were also very familiar with each other. They were relatives of each other. Guo Jia was good friends with his brother and often came to Xin Ping's house to drink. Naturally, they were no strangers to each other.
Xin Pi also admired Guo Jia's talent and vision.
I didn’t expect that Guo Jia would abandon Yuan Shao and replace Liu Bei.
When he thought of Guo Jia's eyes, Xin Pi couldn't help but admire his brother, and murmured: "It's so true."
Xin Ping sneered: "It's more than that. Therefore, Chen Qun, Chen Changwen, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Zibu, Zhang Hong, Zhang Zigang, Chen Deng, and Chen Yuanlong are all talented people in the world, and they all came to Liu Bei without exception. Do you still think Liu Bei is mediocre? He wanted to protect the country and the people, but he wanted to be safe in a corner, but the reality was that he helped Lu Xiang retire Guo Gong, helped Liu Yao control Yuan Shu, supported Chen Gui to take over Pei State, and surrendered Guo Gong, so that he recommended Zang Xuangao as the prime minister of the city. All these are not inferior to Ming Gong.”
Speaking of this, Xin Pi clicked his tongue and marveled: "In the past, in the plains, Liu Bei was slightly defeated by the eldest son. Except for the martial arts of his brothers, there was nothing special about him. I didn't expect that after going to Xuzhou, he was actually a hidden dragon ascending the Yuan. , It’s like being reborn.”
Xin Ping nodded: “No matter what, Liu Xuande has become powerful, and with Guo Fengxiao there, we have an old friendship, and we must not cut off the connection.”
< br>Xin Pi responded respectfully: "Yes, brother."
****************
Cai Yan put down the letter in his hand. It was a letter left by Kong Rong, her father Cai Yong's best friend.
The letter informed Cai Yan that he could live there with peace of mind and that Liu Xuande was a gentleman and the master of benevolence.
At the same time, Kong Rong also said that if it were not for the unrest in Qingzhou and the difficult roads, he would have wanted to take her to Beihai.
The world is currently in chaos. Bandits are swarming everywhere, rebellions are rising everywhere, and princes from all walks of life are fighting endlessly.
On the contrary, under Liu Bei's governance, Xuzhou was able to maintain peace and order, allowing Cai Yan not to think too much and just stay well in Xuzhou.
Cai Yan still admired Kong Rong's character and recognized his knowledge. He had already decided to listen to his opinion and live in Xuzhou for a while.
After putting down the letter, Cai Yan's eyes turned to the paper on the desk.
These papers were all white, with a well-proportioned and smooth surface. They were smoother and more delicate than all the papers Cai Yan had seen, which made her unable to help but feel curious.
Cai Yan was only nineteen years old at this time, which was the most beautiful and brilliant time for women.
Cai Yan's appearance is very outstanding, but what is more outstanding than her appearance is her unique temperament.
A pair of bright mirror-like eyes are starry, soft and graceful, and beneath the quiet and elegant appearance, there is an indomitable and tenacious heart.
"Madam, Liu Shijun and Liu Gongzi are here." "I understand."
When Cai Yan heard this, he got up and came to the door to greet Liu Bei and Liu Feng personally.
Although the Eastern Han Dynasty was far less strict than the protection between men and women in later generations, it did not prohibit widows from remarrying at all.
However, the Eastern Han Dynasty did not support Heli. This is because marriages between noble families often have a strong political marriage color.
In a political marriage, politics is the primary thing and marriage is just the medium.
Therefore, it was quite difficult to get a divorce in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was even more difficult for a woman to initiate a divorce.
As for Cai Yan, she had three marriages in her life, but she was still praised by others. In the end, she was even included in the biographies of women by feudal men. This shows how outstanding Cai Yan's talents and learning are.
“I pay homage to Duke Ming.”
After seeing Liu Bei, Cai Yan immediately saluted and paid homage, saying thanks: “I am fortunate to be rescued by Duke Ming. If not, I might have suffered a terrible fate. The barbarians are plundering.”
Not long after Cai Yan was picked up, news of the Southern Huns descending through Yanmen and plundering Hedong also spread. Many mounted refugees even caught up with Cai Yan and his party.
At this time, they had already arrived at the Yellow River. There were boats waiting for them. After crossing the Yellow River, they finally escaped the threat of the Huns.
Liu Bei stepped aside to avoid Cai Yan's great gift. At the same time, he whispered harmoniously: "Ms. Cai's words are serious. Xuzhou can get a wife to come, and the people will be happy."
In Yuan Dynasty Before the Tang Dynasty, Niangzi was not a synonym for wife. Before the Tang Dynasty, Niangzi specifically referred to an unmarried girl.
A mother is also a good girl, a girl’s name.
During the Eastern Han, Three Kingdoms, Wei, Jin, and even the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the term "lady" generally refers to unmarried girls.
Cai Yan is now only nineteen years old, and she is a widow who lost her husband.
Liu Bei called the other party Lady Cai with kindness, which was reasonable.
After the two parties finished the ceremony, they entered the living room and sat down separately.
Then Liu Bei coughed dryly at Liu Feng.
The latter straightened his body and said: "Ms. Cai, I have already answered the question you asked my father the day before yesterday."
When Cai Yan heard this, a trace of anxiety flashed across his beautiful face, implying that Urging: "Please let me know my identity."
Liu Feng cupped his hands and said: "According to Zhang Miao, the prefect of Chenliu, Lady Cai's sister is Cai Gong's cousin, and Lady Cai's uncle, Mr. Cai Zhi He took her and went south to Jingzhou. "
"That's it."
Cai Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't see her sister or her uncle's house in Chenliu. The building was empty, which made Cai Yan worried.
After arriving in Xuzhou, from the first moment she met Liu Bei, she asked Liu Bei to help find out the whereabouts of her sister and uncle.
I just didn’t expect that the news would come out so soon.
After hearing that his sister was safe, Cai Yan breathed a sigh of relief and became more relaxed.
The faint sense of caution that I had maintained before has relaxed a lot.
“I originally wanted to tell Madam Cai about this, but it happened that Madam Cai also sent someone to invite my father, so we happened to be together.”
Liu Feng then asked: "I wonder why Madam Cai invited my father to come here?"
Cai Yan hesitated for a while and then firmed up his determination: "I have been shielded by your envoy. "I have nothing to repay."
Liu Bei hurriedly said politely: "Mrs. Cai, there is no way to repay her. It's just a matter of loyalty to others."
"Mr. Yan feels ashamed."
Cai Yan continued: "It's just that I carry more than a thousand volumes of books with me, and I would like to lend them all to the envoy as a way of repaying you."
At this time, Cai Yan had not experienced the looting by the Xiongnu, and the books she had brought to Hedong were still well preserved, and she brought them to Xuzhou with her.
Although these books were not all Cai Yong left to her, they accounted for at least one-third.
Liu Feng was a little happy. He had been eyeing these books for a long time.
Not to mention anything else, the reputation this batch of books alone can bring is really comparable to the reputation of half a great Confucian scholar.
Unexpectedly, Liu Bei declined the other party's request.
"These books were left to you, Madam Cai, by Mr. Bozhe. How can I take them away from you?"
Liu Bei said righteously and sternly: "Don't worry, Madam Cai, I will keep you in Xuzhou. I respect Mr. Bozhe and have Kong Beihai's trust. No matter what, Madam Cai can rest assured that no one will bother you when you live in Xuzhou."
Cai Yan was moved and secretly made up his mind.
Since Liu Bei did not want to take advantage of others, she could write a copy and give it to Liu Shijun.
So Cai Yan stopped arguing and instead thanked him.
After a conversation, Liu Bei took Liu Feng and said goodbye.
After sending Liu Bei and his son away, Cai Yan took out the Xuande paper sent by Liu Feng, pondered for a while, and began to write silently.
******************
After Gao Shun came out from Zhang Miao's place, he went to the state capital.
Gao Shun had completely understood Zhang Miao's intentions at this time.
His master wanted to use himself and the trapped camp in exchange for Liu Bei's help in rescuing Zhang Chao and the entire Zhang family.
Gao Shun was a little angry at first, but then calmed down.
Because apart from this, Zhang Miao really has no way to rescue his own people.
Just imagine, if Gao Shun were to change places, I am afraid that Gao Shun could only use this method to save his family.
So Gao Shun walked directly towards the state capital next to the Guest House, wanting to ask to see Liu Bei.
At this time, Liu Feng also came back from the Guest House and was reporting the specific situation to his father, including how to communicate with Zhang Miao and how he met Zhang Liao by chance.
Hearing that Gao Shun asked for an audience, Liu Feng suddenly laughed: "Gao Xiaofu came so quickly. It must be that Zhang Mengzhuo was too anxious."
Liu Bei asked with a smile: "Then are we going to see you now or not?"
"Of course we have to see you."
Liu Feng laughed and said: "But father, we have agreed, Gao Xiao Father, you have to leave it to me. As for the trapped camp, if you can’t get it, forget it, but if you can, we will break it down later.”
"Yes!"
Liu Bei pointed at Liu Feng and laughed and cursed: "You are still here wagging your tongue and licking your lips, why don't you hurry up and invite General Gao in."
Liu Feng received the order and took the initiative to go there. The gate greets Gao Shun.
"General Gao, Liu Feng, I have met the general."
Seeing Gao Shun from a distance, Liu Feng took the initiative to greet him: "General, please come in."
When Gao Shun saw Liu Feng, he was very polite, bowed respectfully but somewhat rigidly, and then followed Liu Feng inside.
While walking, Liu Feng peeked at Gao Shun and asked tentatively: "General Gao came here today. I don't know what's going on?"
Gao Shun's calm face was slightly confused. Then he quickly calmed down and replied: "Shun is responsible for the emperor's orders and comes to see Liu Shijun."
Liu Feng was secretly happy. Gao Shun's reaction seemed like good news no matter how you looked at it. .
It seems that Zhang Miao's attack speed is really fast, but it's no wonder, Cao Cao is a madman who massacres the city, especially there is a military law that does not condone encirclement.
That is to say, once the entire city is surrounded by Cao's army, the people in the city will no longer be pardoned. Even if they surrender, there will only be death.
Originally, Cao Cao wanted to engage in psychological warfare. If he was surrounded, he would be dead. In this case, everyone would feel scared and not dare to confront Cao Cao, so they would directly choose to surrender.
Despite this rule of Cao Cao, he overturned countless times.
But one effect was exactly what Cao Cao thought, that is, many county towns surrendered without fighting before Cao Cao's army encircled them.
Now that Cao Cao is encircling Yongqiu County, there is no way Zhang Miao will surrender. It is no wonder that Zhang Miao is so nervous.
(End of this chapter)