Three Kingdoms: Cao Ying's mastermind, from nine to five

Chapter 304 Hiding Your Heart, Be Like Liu Bei

"Let's go," Zhang Liao clasped his fists at Huang Zhong, turned around and left quickly, and the soldiers and horses rolled away in less than a quarter of an hour.

His cavalry traveled very fast, and it would probably take less than three days to catch up with Xu Zhen, or to protect him secretly to prevent him from going so dangerously.

400 people, thinking about it, is too thin. Zhang Liao wished to transfer all 3 people under his command. Gao Shun and Dian Wei may not be able to withstand so many assassinations.

After all, people have ulterior motives, if you guard against them, how can you guard against them all? !
"Father!"

Inside the Shucheng Government Office, Huang Xu asked puzzledly: "What if Che Qi did this on purpose?"

Huang Zhong stared, "It's a joke, if this is done deliberately, why didn't you tell me in advance? Instead, send my army away?!"

"Yeah, it's just that we don't want us to go, so we send out the army!"

Huang Xu's ponytail is shaking, his face is white and handsome, and his body is straight. He has learned marksmanship under Zhao Yun's command these years, and Huang Zhong personally taught archery at home. Now he is also a fierce general.

There are few opponents in the army, and the younger generation respects him quite a lot.

There are already more than 3000 people who can lead the army, and they have made a lot of achievements on weekdays, but they like to hang out with Zhuge Liang, so their thoughts are more or less affected, or they have to be taught.

Huang Zhong was stunned, his eyes moved a little, and he coughed immediately, "I don't care about it, anyway, Che Qi didn't say anything, so we can't let him be alone in danger, it's too dangerous!"

"Stop asking so many questions! Hurry up and do your part!"

"I know, pick me up!"

Huang Xu smiled helplessly. Since General Zhang Liao had already left, it was useless to say anything now. He could only wait for him to go to the front of the car and dispatch 2000 more people, which should be able to protect him along the way.

Before coming to Shucheng, Huang Xu had already figured out one thing. When Che Qi left, he was scolded by the prime minister, and because of public anger, he transferred him to Youzhou.

Prepared the emperor's edict, and transferred from Jizhou Mu to Youzhou Mu and Bingzhou Governor.

The combination of these two places is not as prosperous as Jizhou.

In this way, on the surface, it seemed that the prime minister was furious, and he took action to rectify it, and accused Che Qi of public revenge, which made Jingzhou scholars immediately celebrate.

But of course a small number of people know that there is no anger, but it is deliberate, and the two of them have already thought of these strategies.

Therefore, this trip of the Tiger and Leopard Riders was only sent for thirty miles.

In the middle, Nanyang County and Runan County, no soldiers and horses came out to meet them. This section of the journey is relatively dangerous, because there are only 400 horses and horses.

Why such an arrangement? !

Huang Xu knew in his heart that this was probably another strategy, and at the same time, the Cao family had to act secretly, or some people wanted to see if Cheqi hadn't fought a war for so many years, whether he could still use troops and fight in person .

Perhaps, there is also Cao's temptation to Che Qi.

This trip, probably because of Bo Yun's treacherous and unpredictable situation, the hearts of all parties can be easily tested. Moreover, once they are really assassinated, how the soldiers under Che Qi's command will react is actually very important.

If you want to see it, then this time is enough.

As for what Cheqi is thinking... Huang Xu can't guess, but he has always believed that Xu Cheqi will never let himself be imprisoned.

"Father, after picking up the people, after we arrive in Runan, we still need to send troops to the ferry to meet the riders," Huang Xu thought for a long time, before leaving.

"Know it!"

Huang Zhong grinned a few times, looked at his son with relief, and muttered: "This kid, now he actually knows to give me orders, and even used his troops. Alas, it's better than before."

At the beginning, Huang Xu was a terminally ill person who was about to die, and now he is still alive, which is very rare.

……

Xiangyang.

In the backyard of the government office, Cao Cao recently handed over political affairs to Guo Jia and Xun You, while he rested safely at home. After sending Bo Wen away, all the officials in Xiangyang City have begun to devote themselves, and they dare not slack off at all.

Therefore, after taking over Jingzhou, it is really much easier. Cao Cao doesn't have to do anything, and he can sit back and relax.

But now, Cao Anmin came to send him an intelligence letter, which he hadn't opened and read, so Cao Cao laughed when he picked it up.

"Assassinate, assassinate, blatantly assassinate my favorite Bowen, these people really deserve to die."

Cao Cao accepted the letter and put it in the inner pocket of his clothes, his face was not much moved, as if he saw an ordinary message.

Cao Anmin left after sending the letter, and bowed to Cao Pi. In the courtyard, only Cao Cao, Cao Pi and his son were left. The scene was very quiet for a while, and no one spoke.

Cao Cao was observing the vegetation and flowers planted in the courtyard. Cao Pi heard about the assassination, but he didn't dare to ask more questions, so he stood quietly waiting for his father to speak.

He knew that his father would definitely open his mouth to talk about this matter, but it would definitely wear down his patience. The main reason was that Cao Pi had thought of some news before, so he couldn't pretend to be ignorant.

Cao Zhen is no longer in Xiangyang, and he knows about it.

"Zi Huan," Cao Cao finally spoke after an unknown amount of time, interrupting all of Cao Pi's thoughts. He coughed twice to clear his throat, and immediately approached, bowed down and said, "Father."

"Assassination of Xu Bowen, did you participate?"

"Me? Why did I assassinate my brother? Father, what are you asking?" Cao Pi replied blankly, with a wry smile, his feet began to tremble slightly.

However, the reaction is very subtle and will not be noticed. His father has always been like this, and he likes to use these words to torture him. Strange problem.

He treats himself differently than he treats his elder brother, as if the two have completely different positions in his heart.

"No? You and Zidan have a very good relationship. I heard the news two days ago that Zidan has left Xiangyang and led troops to patrol the north of Nanyang to destroy the local bandits. It is said that they are mountain people in the Bowang area. bandits, so we sent troops to suppress them."

"It seems that there is such a thing."

Cao Pi recalled for a moment, as if remembering.

Cao Cao chuckled, "What are you hiding? Don't I know what you're doing? It's just an attempt to kill Bowen."

"Bowen has made great achievements in his life, especially in my Cao family. It can be called a great kindness. If it is ordinary suppression, of course it will not work. Even if I want to punish him for making mistakes, it can only be revealed."

"If so, he can be seriously injured, or even stabbed to death! It can make my Cao family really have no worries. Now, among all the princes in the world, he is the only one, Xu Zhen, who is my Cao family's heart trouble! Right? !"

Cao Cao laughed easily, and Cao Pi suddenly looked dazed, "I don't know what my father is talking about, isn't my brother a benefactor of my Cao family?"

"In these years, the achievements made are unparalleled."

Cao Pi slightly opened his dry lips, his complexion gradually turned pale, as if he didn't understand, and he was a little worried.

Cao Cao took a deep look at him and chuckled again, "It's okay, if you can succeed, I will definitely not punish you, but reward you secretly."

"Why?" Cao Pi asked curiously with a look on his face.

"It is indeed time for Bowen to let go of his military power a little bit. Similarly, I also want to see which generals under his command will work for him if he is assassinated."

"Rare opportunity."

"You guys have done a good job. You, including you, have a long-term vision and started to plan for the Cao family. In the future, Zihuan can also have a contribution to this family business."

Cao Cao nodded approvingly, and Cao Pi smiled. This is a rare compliment from his father, and he couldn't help scratching his head for a while, "It's all thanks to Uncle Zixiao."

"really."

Cao Cao's tone was cold, and suddenly the whole courtyard seemed to be like frost, and the temperature froze instantly. Cao Pi was dumbfounded for a moment, and when he looked at his father again, there was no smile on his face.

It was full of ice-cold anger. This kind of anger was not an outburst visible on the outside at all, but the ice and snow hidden in his heart. Even the trembling of his beard showed his uncontrollable killing intent in his heart.

"Father, father..."

Cao Pi's smile froze.

I was still smug just now, this expression is clearly deceiving me... Father is trying to trick me! !
"Say! Whose idea is it!"

Cao Cao drank coldly, and habitually touched the sword with his left hand, but he didn't have a sword on his body, but this action scared Cao Pi to the ground directly.

"Uncle Zilian's letter! It was sent from Xuzhou, and the secret letter was delivered to Uncle Zixiao. Then Uncle Zixiao discussed with Zidan, and the two planned to do it!"

"From Xiangyang to 500 people, my father will definitely not find out! Then more than [-] people will go south from Xuzhou and Yangzhou! Dress up as bandits and intercept them! You can ambush along the way, assassinate or seriously injure my brother!"

"It's better to be seriously injured! Or to be captured alive. You don't have to kill brother in the future. If you fail, you can still evacuate! Anyway, it's clear that this time it's Jingzhou gentry!"

"We will never be suspected, we are all dead soldiers in the army!"

Cao Pi is very straightforward, he knows his father too well.

Either don't admit it, once you are noticed, you must not die, otherwise it will lead to even greater disasters.

This kind of thing will not allow him to punish the elders of the clan. After all, the matter has not happened yet, and if flying cavalry is sent to chase it, it can be stopped.

"Although I knew about it, it was Zidan who informed me, and I didn't participate. The only guilt is, no, I didn't stop..."

"A bunch of idiots!"

Cao Cao shouted angrily, found his new sword not far away, pulled it out awkwardly, put it on Cao Pi's neck, stared at him condescendingly and bored, and said in a deep voice: "You really, Didn't participate?!"

"no!"

The moment Cao Pi's body was touched by the sword tip, he trembled suddenly. At this moment, he really felt his father's murderous intention, and his heart was full of despair and grievance.

If I knew it earlier, I wouldn't admit it!
Should have been playing dumb!
Cao Cao stared at the change in his expression, and the tip of the sword pressed in slightly, causing Cao Pi's neck to be pierced, and a drop of blood condensed into blood beads along the tip of the sword.

Feeling the pain, Cao Pi's body began to tremble violently, and he clenched the sides of his clothes with both hands. He didn't know if his father was really angry, or he was teaching himself on purpose.

In short, in his heart now, he is desperate and regretful.

"Really not! I just know!"

"I will ask Zixiao right away. If what he says is different from yours, the death penalty will be unavoidable. As a son of man, you cannot use deception for personal gain."

Cao Pi was biting his lower lip at this moment, his face full of determination, trembling on his knees, his eyes closed tightly and he didn't know how to answer. After a while, he said in a deep voice, "No! Father just ask!"

"That's right," Cao Cao suddenly stretched out another hand and put it on top of Cao Pi's head, "Anyway, you and I didn't participate, and you and I don't know about it."

"Father?"

Cao Pi opened his eyes, then raised his head suddenly, with a slightly surprised and distressed expression.

It turned out that they were still testing me!

"Hmph," Cao Cao sneered, "if you want to hide your heart, you should learn from Liu Xuande, hide it so deeply that no one can see it, even you have to lie to yourself, otherwise, you will be a fool."

"Son, I don't understand what father is talking about..."

Cao Pi seemed to be taught, and bowed his head.

"Don't worry, I won't ask Zixiao."

Cao Cao smiled leisurely, and his smile was still full of kindness.

He patted Cao Pi on the head a few times, and then said, "Water the flowers for me, and the vegetation will be handed over to you."

night.

Cao Cao personally came to the main tent of the barracks, and walked into the big tent with his hands behind his back. At that time, Cao Ren was watching the military intelligence. When he saw Cao Cao, he immediately put down his work and came forward with a smile on his face.

"Prime Minister!"

"Why, came to the barracks today?!"

"Yes, is there something to order? Or is someone making trouble?"

"Well," Cao Cao said in a very ordinary tone, with his hands behind his back, not feeling much about the change of mood, "I just came to ask, how about the assassination of Bo Wen?"

"This, this matter..." Cao Ren's face turned cold.

"I didn't order the assassination, but I asked Zidan and others to covertly protect him along the way, lest Bowen would be plotted against by the Jingzhou gentry. After all, he didn't have many guards along the way."

"Oh, does that Zihuan know about this?"

Cao Cao asked pointedly again, without pestering Cao Ren's statement. After all, this statement was very clever in Cao Cao's view.

Those who understand will not call names, and those who do not understand will praise Cao Ren's secret protection, which is kindness.

If no one knows, that's fine.

This is what the old fox said.

"know."

"Are you involved?"

"No." Cao Ren replied quickly, not daring to keep Cao Cao waiting, "Second Young Master, I didn't participate, but Zidan told me about it."

"Well, good, protect Bo Wen's safety, keep it hidden, don't let him find out, and don't force yourself."

"Here." Cao Ren cupped his hands and watched Cao Cao turn and leave.

After going back and forth, even his back was covered with a lot of cold sweat, and then he was deeply afraid, because he didn't know what the prime minister was thinking now, but he felt that he had become deeper and more powerful than before.

……

Three days later, people gradually increased in the Wuyin area in Nanyang. This is the southeast of Bowang, less than a hundred miles away.

When Xu Zhen arrived here, he found that there were quite a few people following him. At least three groups of people were following, but none of them made any moves.

Every day when he was resting in the march, he would send soldiers and horses, and even personally search for traces nearby, and he would always get something.

During this process, certain abilities and self-discipline values ​​will be distributed into the body as rewards, which will slightly improve Xu Zhen's various abilities.

When thinking, intelligence can be improved.

When running and tired, the strength can be improved.

When the investigation is realized, the understanding of military exploration and investigation can be improved.

Although the effect is very low, almost negligible, but accumulating over a long period of time, it can also increase a lot in a year.

Xu Zhen's current status, including the chariots and the land of the two states, still has 30 soldiers.

All of these make the rewards increase more and more, and the more people in the territory, the better the political performance, and the rewards will also increase.

Now you can get at least 500 self-discipline points a day.

"There are three groups of people, cars and riders, and ferry?"

In front of Xu Zhen, Gao Shun had already checked out the soldiers and horses coming from nearby, but he couldn't find out who the soldiers and horses were.

"Ferry, there is no one I want to see in these three rounds, so don't wait."

Xu Zhen got up and walked ahead first.

They were all Jingzhou gentry, they didn't wear armor and only had knives. These people couldn't pose any threat at all.

(End of this chapter)