Hua Xin left, and Cao Cao still sat alone in the cold pavilion.
But at this moment, the wine in his stomach was chilling his liver and gallbladder, and his mood was very different now. Cao Cao was a little less hesitant about the future.
As he sang in his short song:
"Singing to wine, how much life is like! Just like morning dew, there will be many hardships in the past. Generosity should be used to make worries unforgettable. How to relieve worries? Only Du Kang."
Yes, life is in a hurry, and ten thousand years is too long to seize the day.
Soon, Hua Xin came back again, bringing with him Shen Pei, Gai Tong, Xian Yufu, and Gongsun Yue. Their residences are all near the shogunate, so they can be reached in a short time.
Hua Xin did not tell the real reason why Cao Cao called them here, but only told everyone that Cao Cao was going to hold a lecture banquet.
This shows Hua Xin's meticulousness.
Although Hua Xin felt that these plain generals could listen to advice and would not do stupid things irrationally. However, be careful in everything.
If a few of them listen too much, listen to their wives, concubines or confidants say some stupid things, and then start a mutiny, wouldn't it be impossible for him, Hua Xin, to escape the involvement?
So Hua Xin didn't say a word about what Cao Cao wanted to do.
As for whether this means I can't help but judge these people? Hua Xin has a clear conscience. After all, it was quite interesting to give these people room to maneuver under so much pressure from Cao Cao.
So, when these people came in, they didn't know what was going to happen.
But as soon as they entered, they saw armored soldiers everywhere inside and outside the garden, all of them were Xu Chu's tiger guards, and they felt that the lecture was too grand.
They did not doubt this, because back then Guangwu often summoned the generals to listen to the sutras, and sometimes Guangwu even came to speak in person.
It's snowing heavily now, and the generals have nothing to do. It's understandable that Cao Cao is giving a lecture.
But when they arrived at the park, they began to wonder that something was wrong, because there were only four of them. Although the four of them are not very close, they all have one identity, that is, they are all former Pingyuan generals.
So they figured it out. They were looking for the four of them specifically.
But at this time, they still didn't think about the matter in that direction. They only wondered if there was something wrong with the plain front line.
When the four of them arrived, they saw that four straw mats had been placed in the Han Pavilion, and a brazier was placed next to each mat.
It seems that we are really looking for the four of them.
The four of them greeted Cao Cao first, and then found places to sit down.
Not surprisingly, the one sitting on Cao Cao's left hand is Shen Pei.
And he did his best. As soon as he took his seat, he asked Cao Cao first:
"Mr. Cao, is this something unexpected happened on the Pingyuan front line? If that's the case, let's skip the lecture and let's talk about business directly."
Hua Xin over there knew he was going to suffer as soon as he heard this.
Sure enough, after hearing such rude words from Shen Pei, Cao Cao's face turned a bit ugly.
Cao Cao was still ladling tea soup with a long ladle. He wanted to give the four people a taste of this good tea first. Now he put down the long ladle and said coldly:
"Okay, let's get straight to the point."
Gai Tong below was the most alert. He noticed something was wrong and shouted first:
"Mengde, don't listen to the nonsense about the trial. I think it's good to listen to the scriptures. We warriors can't conquer the world right away. We should also study the "Spring and Autumn". It will also be used in trials and prisons. .”
Gai Tong's relationship with Cao Cao was the best among the four, so after he said these words, Cao Cao's expression improved a lot.
But Gai Tong didn't know that Xu Chu, who was standing guard under the pavilion at this moment, was slandering:
"None of these dog slaves respect the master. One calls him Cao Gong, and the other Meng De, but none of them calls him Lord. If we, Lao Xu, are to do this, we can kill them all. I guarantee that not a single one of them will be killed. Unjustly accused.”
Among the four people here, Gongsun Yue is the bravest and has the strongest sense. He suddenly noticed Xu Chu's flash of murderous intention, and his skin crawled all over his body. He had secretly pressed his hand on the case, planning to use the case to kill him if anything went wrong.
Gongsun Yue was originally a great husband in the border areas like his brother Gongsun Zan, but he was hit by an arrow in the battle of the plains. Although he was snatched back by the Yi followers in the end, he still had a big arrow scar on his face.
When he was nervous at this moment, the arrow scar was like a centipede, squirming ferociously, so scary.
But Cao Cao didn't see it, so he started directly:
"Originally, I wanted to ask you to come and listen to the scriptures, but since you don't want to, let it go. Then let's talk about a difficult problem of ours."
In the current atmosphere, as long as you are not stupid, you will know that there is something wrong.
Xian Yufu was the most obedient among the four, and now he took the initiative to talk to Cao Cao:
"I wonder what the Lord is worried about? If the general can find something to do, I will not give up even if I die."
Cao Cao glanced at Xian Yufu, paused, and said:
"Lao Cao, I haven't been able to sleep recently. This migraine is getting worse."
At this time, Gai Tong said sincerely:
"Meng De, didn't you say before that there was a famous doctor named Hua Tuo? He couldn't cure your migraine either?"
Cao Cao shook his head:
"It's true that Hua Yuanrang is a miracle doctor, but his heart is far away. He stayed in our army for a while and then wandered away again. As for my migraine, I also asked many people to see it. There is a saying My favorite.”
Everyone was silent and listened to Cao Cao:
"He said that my migraine is a mental illness. As long as I get rid of the troubles in my heart, my migraine will get better."
At this time, the four of them stopped talking, and even Xian Yufu stopped talking.
Because there is no fool here, everyone knows that the troubles in Cao Cao's heart are related to the four of them, otherwise there would be no such scene and words.
No one said anything, so Cao Cao dropped his words on the ground. But Cao Cao was not embarrassed, so he just started the game:
"I need to be cured of my trouble sleeping on my side. I need to get rid of this heart disease. You all are silent, do you think my heart disease has something to do with you?"
Cao Cao looked around at the four people and suddenly laughed:
"You are doubting me."
As soon as these words came out, Shen Pei and the other four people were shocked because these words were really too serious. I wonder, what is that? The beginning of disaster.
So, the four of them knelt down on the mat to apologize:
"I don't dare to wait."
Cao Cao did not spare it, and then said:
"You don't dare, but you don't want to."
At this time, the four of them did not dare to say any more. They all fell on the ground and did not dare to express their anger.
As for the good news, when Cao Cao finished speaking, Xu Chu suddenly turned around again and looked at the four of them with eager eyes.
With Xu Chu's appearance, there was no doubt that he would come up and crush the heads of these four people in the next moment.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense.
Hua Xin, who was originally optimistic about the situation, now had dry lips.
Suddenly, Cao Cao laughed heartily, patted the table and said with a smile:
"Don't panic. You have done a great job for me, Cao Cao. Without your help, I, Cao Cao, would not be in this situation. Besides, you and I have fought side by side on the battlefield of Pingyuanjin, where we fought together in mountains of corpses and seas of blood. So don’t panic. I, Cao Cao, never attack those who have done something good for me.”
"It's just that you have to understand me in the end. Do you know that it has been a long time since I, Cao Cao, enjoyed the days when you and I are drinking here? Now, our family fortune has grown, people's hearts have changed, and we have more worries. ”
"Sometimes we unconsciously think that the happiest time in life is when we have two or three thousand soldiers. At that time, we can just fight hard. But no, we are now a hundred thousand people. If we can't unite as one, we will be scattered. . In such troubled times, it is destined to be annexed." At this time, Shen Pei, who had been silent, suddenly said:
"We already know what Mr. Cao means. I only hope that Mr. Cao will take pity on our hard work and show us a way out."
Cao Cao did not directly answer the judge, but raised his head and looked at the cold pavilion, and then said:
"Did you know that I once composed a short song, and I have a sentence for everyone."
With that said, Cao Cao stood up, walked past the four judges who were kneeling on the ground, passed through the rows of armored and armed tiger soldiers, and walked outside the Han Pavilion.
In the heavy snow, Cao Cao looked up and let the frost and snow sprinkle on his face.
Then he yelled at Xu Chu, who had been protecting him:
"Here comes the sword!"
Then a ray of cold light passed through the frost and snow and fell on Cao Cao's hand.
Cao Cao flashed a sword, and then he was holding a sword. The cold light of the sword reflected his heroic face. Cao Cao couldn't help stroking the sword and admired:
"The sword is a good sword, and its name is 'Yitian'; the sky is a good sky, and it is a 'good time'. If we don't dance with the sword now, when will we wait?"
Then, Cao Cao used the cold light in his hand, and he followed the sword, as powerful as a swimming dragon, and as graceful as a startling giant. In the wind and snow, one person dances with a sword, the cold light shines across the nine states, and the five-foot-long pride cannot be concealed.
What is even more amazing than this sword dance is the sonorous short song:
"Singing to wine, how much is life! Just like the morning dew, there will be many hardships in the past. Generosity should be shown with generosity, and worries will be unforgettable. Why can only Du Kang relieve worries?"
After singing, he pointed his sword at a tiger warrior, who was a Kansai warrior, and continued to sing in a voice as rough as an iron lute:
"Young Qing Zijin, my heart lingers. But for the sake of you, I have been pondering it till now. The deer roars, eating the apples in the wild. I have a guest, playing the harp and the sheng."
Then there was another man from Qingzhou, singing with the heroic spirit of mountains and seas:
"It's as bright as the moon, when can you stop. Worry comes from it and cannot be cut off. The more you cross the border, the more you use it, the more you use it. The more you talk about the swallow, the more you remember your old kindness."
Without any advance arrangements, these warriors who had been with Cao Cao for a long time had already imprinted Cao Cao's tanka in their hearts and regarded it as the most sacred sound.
Finally, Cao Cao, Xu Chu, and all the tiger soldiers sang together:
"The moon and stars are sparse, and the magpie flies south. It circles the tree three times, and there is no branch to lean on. The mountains never get too high, and the sea never gets too deep. The Duke of Zhou spits out food, and the world returns to its heart."
When he sang the sentence "The Duke of Zhou spits out food, the world returns to its heart." Cao Cao burst into tears. He turned to look at the four judges and said with emotion:
"I have the aspirations of the world, and everyone is willing to help me."
The judges present were already distracted by the scene just now.
Cao Cao's pride and ambition to feed the world all conquered Shen Ping's body and mind. He walked to the edge of the Han Pavilion on his knees, gave his head a heavy bow, and shouted:
"I am willing to help my lord help the world even if my bones are shattered."
Cao Cao smiled and said:
"Okay, okay."
After saying that, Cao Cao returned to the Hanting Pavilion without letting go of the Yitian Sword in his hand. He sat on the table and looked to the west, which was the direction of the two capitals.
When the four judges followed Cao Cao's gaze, Cao Cao's ethereal voice came out:
"That is the world of the Han family, and it is the mountains and rivers protected by our fathers and ancestors. It is also the place where we people dream. When I was young, I aimed to conquer the four wars of the Han Dynasty and be a wolf for the Han family. But now, I It’s already Zhendong, but where is the Han family now?”
"Everyone knows that the Han Dynasty is unfair. As a result, the mountains and rivers have been shaken and the artifacts have lost their place. But let me ask, how has the Han Dynasty ever failed us? How many generations of bells and cauldrons have eaten, how many generations of Han Dynasty have been kind and generous, can we repay them? Is it over? ”
As he spoke, he pointed to the kneeling Gai Tong and asked:
"Lao Gai, do you think the Han Dynasty has ever failed you?"
Gai Tong was filled with anger and said in a trembling voice:
"No."
Cao Cao pointed at Xian Yufu and Gongsun Yue:
"You are just border tyrants. Without the generous treatment of the Han Dynasty, would you be where you are today?"
Both of them told the truth:
"Can't."
Finally, Cao Cao walked up to Shen Pei and said this:
"Zhengnan, do you remember what I said when I first met you?"
The judge was speechless.
Cao Cao said:
"I said you are my Han Xin, my general. You don't need to doubt me, and don't think too much. You think I am giving you more military power. Today is not about seizing troops, but releasing them. Seizing troops is based on suspicion. But I want to use you and others. You are all temporary people. What do you want?"
Cao Cao was already excited at this time. He sat on the table with Ji, who was not at all polite, shook his head and said:
"I've been thinking about what I should give you and what you want."
Cao Cao took out something from his arms, which was a gold horseshoe, and then said:
"Do you like wealth? All you want in life is to accumulate more money, enjoy the glitz of the world, and not worry your children and grandchildren. Then I have a lot of money to give you."
Then Cao Cao took out another object from his arms, but it was a gold seal. He said again:
"Are you good for power? What you want is to accompany you in daily life, to wear gold and drag purple, to prancing horses to eat meat, and to support you in front of you. Then I have a gold seal here, which is enough for you."
Cao Cao placed the gold seal next to the gold horse hoof, then smiled and said:
"So is this what you want?"
The four judges and matchmakers did not say anything.
Cao Cao sneered, swept the gold seal and horseshoe gold to the ground, and said:
"But are these? I know what you want. Just like me, Old Cao, you want something special. That is what only heroes can pursue."
"That is the name of eternity."
"Not to mention that life is like a white horse, it only lasts for fifty years. Even a life span like a magical turtle has its end. Therefore, since we can't survive for eternity, we should strive to be famous for eternity. I, Cao Cao, want to be the Duke of Zhou and be able to help the Han Dynasty. From here to there, you also have the ambition of Tuyuntai and want to leave a name in history.”
"And this is what I give you. If I were the Duke of Zhou in the future, you would take photos and roll your name on the cloud platform. Let your descendants bathe in our glory and history."
"So, how do you choose? Do you want the gold and seal on the ground, or do you want a promise from me, Cao Cao, and an opportunity to pursue your dream with me, Cao Cao."
Cao Cao finally finished speaking, breathing heavily.
Finally, Shen Pei, Gai Tong, Xian Yufu, and Gongsun Yue all kowtowed:
"I would like to follow the Lord, help the Han Dynasty, and rebuild the mountains and rivers. The sea will not dry up, and the heart will not change. The stone will not rot, and the will will not waver."
Cao Cao laughed loudly and was full of pride for the future.
This pride also infected Hua Xin on the side, and he couldn't help but admire in his heart:
"The snow sword releases military power and fulfills the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers."
In the middle of this mutual understanding, a hurried step came, bringing the latest battle report from the Taiyuan battlefield.
The northwest wind finally brought the chill to the Central Plains.