Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 905 Huns Envoy
Until the end of the banquet that night, Cao Cao did not come.

Two days later, Xun Yu heard that Xu You's matter had been reported to Cao Cao. In the end, he was charged with being drunk and discourteous, and was deprived of his salary for half a year. Things seemed to have passed just like that.

But Xun Yu felt that this matter was not exhausted. Xu You said at the time that he had evidence that Cao Ying was collaborating with the enemy. Whether this matter was true or just drunken nonsense, Xun Yu felt that some people would not let it go. Pass Xu You.

But in fact, Xun Yu was not sure whether Xu You was really drunk when he said this, or whether he was deliberately exposed under Cao Cao's instructions. After all, he could not guess Cao Cao's thoughts now.

Everything is possible, who knows?

But another matter involving the Cao family also caused considerable controversy in private.

Regarding the matter of Cao Cao marrying a girl from the Cao clan to Liu Xie as his concubine, everyone in Cao camp had some different ideas about the candidate.

Everyone knew that Liu Xie was a puppet now, and many people in the Cao family were naturally unwilling to push their daughter into the fire pit. However, there were also those who wanted to use their status to make a fuss, so they ran to Cao Cao to find out.

In the end, Cao Cao gave up their thoughts with one sentence, "It's my own daughter who wants to marry, so where will it be your turn?"

As soon as this statement came out, except for Xun Yu and a few others who had already known the inside story, everyone else realized that Cao Cao actually had this new idea!
But then more doubts came. Cao Cao had many concubines, and many women brought their children to marry into Cao Cao's inner house. For example, General He Jin's daughter-in-law Yin was like this. Then Cao Cao wanted to marry his own child. Or adoptive?

These people were members of the Beixin City envoy. Yuan Xi settled them in Beixin City, but they were not met and received for a long time. Some of them smelled something wrong, so they came to Jicheng to see Yuan Xi.

"I asked Cao Qing to accompany her earlier because of our past friendship. Now that Cao Qing is getting married, it is naturally not suitable to stay with her. Let someone bring Cao Qing back tomorrow."

This abnormality was faithfully recorded by lurking spies from all sides and sent to all parts of the world, including people from Yuan Xi's prosecutor's office.

However, it is indeed not safe for Cao Qing and Mrs. Ding to live in Qiao County, Yuzhou. Hundreds of miles south of it is the Huai River. Beyond the Huai River is the territory of the fierce tiger. I don’t know what Cao Cao thought about leaving his ex-wife and eldest son. Put a woman in such a dangerous place!

Received envoys from more than a dozen tribes coming from Beixin City.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said, "What do you think of Cao Qing?"

Someone inquired and found out that these were the soldiers of Cao's army who had been stationed in Yanzhou to resist the Jizhou offensive. Now they have changed their defenses at the end of the year, which seems normal.

"How about writing a letter to Mrs. Ding first and asking her to send Cao Qing back?"

Cao Cao's eyes flashed, "That's fine, just write a letter and have someone take it to Qiao County."

Cao Cao snorted coldly, "She and I have divorced. Can she take care of my family affairs?"

Now Yuan Xi held a banquet in his annex to entertain the envoys. This time he brought not many people, only Tian Yu and Mi Zhen. At first, some envoys mistook Mi Zhen for Yuan Xi's real wife. They found out after others explained. It was a joke.

Now Mrs. Bian stood in front of Cao Cao with a low eyebrow and cautiously asked this question. After all, this was considered a matter for the back house.

"What!" Mrs. Bian was shocked. She never thought that Cao Cao wanted to marry his eldest daughter?
She said solemnly: "I'm afraid Mrs. Ding won't agree."

She went back all the way full of doubts.

As the New Year approaches, the number of businessmen and visitors in Xudu gradually increases, but those with a discerning eye notice that there seems to be a lot more soldiers around.

Mrs. Bian took the order and left. When she came out, she always felt that this thing was a bit weird, but she couldn't tell what was wrong for a while.

Yuan Xi was naturally happy to see this. It was easier to talk to smart people than stupid people. These envoys who came first were obviously relatively quick-witted.

Mrs. Bian thought to herself that these two people were both stubborn, and they might get into trouble, right?
She whispered: "Wouldn't this be too direct?"

But people with a keen sense of smell felt something strange, because even if the defense was changed normally, the soldiers who were far away in Jizhou should not be dragged back to Yuzhou. This seemed too far.

However, it will take at least a month for this news to reach Beidi. Therefore, Yuan Xi, who is preparing to celebrate the New Year in Jicheng, will naturally not know what happened to Xu Du. After all, he has more important things to do now.

"I will send a car and boat to bring Cao Qing back later. I'll see who dares to stop her."

As the dishes were served one after another, the envoys present also discovered the uniqueness of the dishes. There were no special dishes from the North. Instead, they were all made from the Central Plains and even Jianghuai.

Yuan Xi smiled and said: "I know that you are used to eating roasted lamb and roasted beef, so today I specially let you taste the dishes of the Central Plains."

"In my opinion, whether it is food from the North or Central Plains, you must first eat enough, and secondly, eat well. If you don't stick to specific types, you may miss a lot of interesting things."

The envoys knew that today's banquet was extremely important. As the lord of the four states, it was absolutely impossible for Yuan Xi to come to receive them in person for no reason, so they listened attentively and thought about it.

Someone said: "If it can keep our tribe alive, we will be willing to eat whatever we want."

When others heard this, they secretly regretted why others had said this first!

Yuan Xi replied: "Let me ask you, what if one day you get used to eating food from the Central Plains, and someone forces you to go back to eat food from the North with a knife, and you are not allowed to eat food from the Central Plains again?"

The man was dumbfounded and couldn't think of an answer for a while. At this time, someone said: "Then if we don't eat Central Plains food now, will the envoy force us with a knife?" As soon as these words came out, everyone's heart suddenly thought, how could anyone dare? That’s how you talk!

They turned around and found that the speaker was an envoy from a small tribe. He had very broad eyebrows and a long scar on his face. Half of his cheeks were burnt black, and even his beard was uneven. He had obviously suffered something. disaster.

Yuan Xi put down the wooden chopsticks in his hand and stared at him with interest, "Oh?"

"What you said has two meanings. I don't know clearly. Are you unwilling to eat, or do you not like to eat?"

Most envoys who don't know much about Chinese are confused at this moment. What is the difference between these two sentences?
The envoy understood what he was saying, and said without being humble or arrogant: "I don't object to eating Central Plains cuisine, but what should I do if I prefer Northern cuisine?"

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Of course it's okay."

"Everyone is free to eat what they want, but one important thing is that if you want to be accepted by others, you must do as the locals do."

"For example, if you go to the Central Plains and force others to eat Northern food, that will naturally arouse resentment, and vice versa."

After hearing this, the envoy hesitated for a moment, but he still mustered up the courage to speak out: "According to our custom in the North, when a distinguished guest arrives, the host will entertain him with his wife and concubines."

"How can I repay you for this?"

As soon as these words came out, all the envoys were shocked, and they couldn't help but want to get up and run away. They regretted coming with this fool. Opposite them was the lord of the four states, the notorious Ferocious Tiger!

Although the ferocious tiger in front of you looks kind and cheerful, there are probably hundreds of thousands of dead people under his hands. How many of you have the guts to dare to offend him?

Mi Zhen couldn't hide the anger on her face. This barbarian was so rude. Didn't this imply that she could also be used to entertain guests?
Yuan Xi stared at the other side and found that there was no fear in the other side's eyes, so he knew that the other side was naturally not afraid of death if he dared to say such words.

Moreover, concubines in this era did not have a high status and were often used to send each other between their masters, even among the Central Plains nobles.

But this was obviously not in line with Yuan Xi's thoughts. He said: "From my personal point of view, it is very inhumane to entertain wives and concubines."

"When a woman entrusts herself to a man, she hopes to receive his protection and blessing, not for profit or livelihood, as a gift in exchange."

"So I will not accept this kind of custom, whether as a guest or a host."

Just as the man was about to speak, Yuan Xi said again: "You asked a very good question."

"I know what you're thinking, and it doesn't actually contradict what I just said."

"There is a saying in the Central Plains that gentlemen are harmonious but different. So although I do not accept or advocate this practice, I will not directly order a ban."

"I'm not saying who is right or wrong. Whether it is the customs of the Central Plains or the local customs, there are actually bad habits that hinder progress."

"My personal hope is that as life becomes more prosperous and people become enlightened in the future, these bad habits will be slowly abandoned."

"I can't guarantee what it will look like in the future, but what I can be sure of is that the road I see should be wider than what anyone sees now."

After hearing this, the envoys were a little confused, but they understood that Yuan Xi had made some kind of promise, but the envoy still asked: "What do you think are the bad habits of the Central Plains?"

Yuan Xi thought for a while and said with a smile: "I would like to go there, but it is also available in the North. Are you sure you want me to tell you?"

Seeing the man nod, Yuan Xi said: "Slave ownership."

As soon as these words came out, the envoys were quite surprised. The man asked doubtfully: "Don't you have domestic slaves in Youzhou?"

Yuan Xi said: "Yes, but it is gradually decreasing."

"One day, everyone will be able to write their names on the household registration of all people. This is my goal."

The man finally couldn't hold himself back, shook his head and said, "I don't believe it."

"It has been hundreds of years since the Han Dynasty, and there are millions of slaves in the Han Dynasty. I have never seen any exception."

Yuan Xi said aloud: "I know what you mean."

"What I can tell you is that if we can come together for a common goal in the future, work hard for the same thing, and treat each other as comrades-in-arms and peers rather than masters and servants, then if one day I have enough ability, I will Remove the word slave from your tribe’s name.”

As soon as these words came out, all the envoys stood up in shock.

The man also stood up slowly, stared at Yuan Xi and said, "Do you think that the hundreds of years of feud between Han and Huns can be eliminated?"

(End of this chapter)