Wei Ni

"General, you don't want to go?!"

After Xia Houhui claimed not to go to Xuzhou to conduct a dangerous sneak attack, the first person to react was not Li Changshi, but Le Liang, who had just stayed out of the incident.

Because he wants to go!
Having served in the army for many years, he knew that the soldiers in the army were particularly disgusted by a sudden general.

Even his previous service in the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry could not offset this resistance.

Therefore, in order to be able to use the Huainan cavalry like an arm and a finger in the future, he extremely hoped to have a victory to prove himself, so that his cavalry would recognize him as an airborne cavalry commander who was not a deputy to a regular position.

So, why wasn't he extremely anxious about Xia Houhui giving up his plan to attack Xuzhou?
"Zi Shan has never served in Huainan, so he doesn't know anything about it."

Xia Houhui, who had already made up his mind to retreat in order to advance, explained with a smile, "The person who thieves Governor Wu and fights Qingxu is Sun Shao and Sun Gongli. Although he has no great achievements, he is better at being cautious. He has been in the army for decades without any success." There was a defeat. Because he sent out scouts widely, he was very careful about our troops in Wei Guoqing, Xu and Huainan, and he was very cautious. Therefore, I thought that driving hundreds of miles to achieve success would not be successful. It is of great benefit to the current situation, but if we fail, we will lose countless cavalry. This is not advisable. Moreover, the climate in Huainan is warm and rainy, which is not conducive to raising horses. There are also few cavalry in the garrison, so we cannot force it and waste our fighting power. "

uh~
Hearing this, Leliang, who looked eager, was speechless.

He was really not familiar with the Huainan battlefield at all, so he couldn't even find words to argue.

Li Changshi, who was listening quietly at the side, couldn't help but nod.

In fact, when he heard about Man Chong's decision, he didn't agree with it.

But when he raised objections, Man Chong responded with one sentence, saying: "Chang Shi Su Lai was friendly with Zhi Quan, but I still don't know what kind of evil person this Zhu Zi is!"

It also made Li Changshi directly change his mind.

Because the emperor Cao Rui had privately asked the two of them to look after Xia Houhui a few years ago, and he had already revealed his intention to reserve talents for the country. Now even the tiger and leopard cavalry generals have been assigned to him as generals!
Therefore, no matter how strict Man Chong was in enforcing the law, he would not disregard Xiahou Hui's military law regardless of the emperor's wishes.

This brings up a problem——

What if Xiahou Hui becomes restless again after having five hundred cavalry?

Rather than make it difficult in the future, it would be better to find a way to let him "restless" and take away his right to command the cavalry, which would be the lesser of two evils.

Therefore, now that Xia Hou Huineng voluntarily refused to take risks, he was playing into Li Changshi's ambitions.

"Now that Zhiquan has said it, I will go and harass General Manchu again."

Immediately, he said this and strode away in a hurry, as if he was afraid that Xia Houhui would change his mind.

And when he was about to leave the office, he didn't forget to turn around and tell Le Liang, "General Le, don't leave in a hurry. After I look for General Man, I will decide whether the five hundred cavalry will return or stay in Shangcai." "

"only."

Leliang stood up and responded.

After seeing Li Changshi's back disappear around the corner, he looked back at Xia Houhui and said somewhat gloomily, "I just arrived in Huainan and I am not familiar with everything. I hope the general can give me more advice."

Anything else need to be mentioned?
As long as you enter the cavalry song and see the Hundred Refined Sword on Jiang Ban's body, you will know that no one will resist you.

Xia Houhui smiled secretly in his heart.

But he didn't point it out, but gave it a try, "If you need me to point out something, I'll make a decision after Zishan reaches the cavalry song."

After saying that, he nodded to the confused Leliang and left in a hurry.

He wanted to see if Cao Zuan had left Shouchun City.

It was not because of greed that he thought of Cao Zuan's wealth.

Instead, I wanted to ask the scholars in Anfeng County about the status of their merging into the county soldiers to see if there was any possibility of using stones from other mountains to attack jade.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he walked out of General Zhengdong's office, he saw Cao Zuan wandering not far away, as if waiting for someone.

Are you waiting for me?

Is it because you haven’t been bothered by me for too long, so you dislike the fact that your family’s wealth is too rich?
"Desi is lingering here."

As he strode over, Xia Houhui greeted him, but when he saw a hint of sadness in Cao Zuan's eyebrows, he stopped joking and asked with concern, "But what are you worried about?"

You know, Cao Zun is a straightforward person and never carries his troubles to the next day.

"I'm waiting for you, something's up."

Nodding, Cao Zuan went straight to the topic as always, "Zhi Quan, follow me to a small house in the city to get together."

That's it, without asking if Xia Houhui was free now, he just pulled him over.

Xia Houhui has long been used to this.

Naturally, there is no grudge, but I am becoming more and more curious.

Nowadays, Huainan's military affairs only urge soldiers to be on guard, and the emperor Cao Rui knew Cao Zuan's temperament and never affected him with temple affairs, so what could possibly make him so mysterious?

Is it possible that there is discord in the reform of the scholar family in Anfeng County?

With speculation, Xiahou Hui asked in a low voice on the way, "Desi came to me, is there any change in Anfeng's implementation of the scholar family reform?"

"No."

Cao Zuan did not turn his head away and cherished his words like gold.

Well, Xia Houhui also fell silent.

When I was young, I went to the small house that Cao Zuan built when he first came to Huainan.

It was a very small house, and it was in a dilapidated state because no one had taken care of it since Cao Zuan had moved to Anfeng. Not only were there sparrows nesting under the eaves, and spider webs were everywhere in the corners, but even the dead weeds in the courtyard were still vaguely there. The traces of snakes and rats are also very consistent with the desolate scene of Huainan that has been ravaged by war.

The only clean place is the front of the hall, which is paved with wooden planks.

That was the result of Wang Qiao and several soldiers who had just hurriedly cleaned up. They also found two desk tables with a corner gnawed by rats and a slightly musty reed mat for a banquet. The wine was warming between the two cases, and a little lamb was roasting further away. The faint tongue of fire kept licking the plump young meat, letting the fat drip onto the red and white charcoal fire, making a sizzling sound. There are wisps of green smoke, which makes people move their index fingers.

Xia Houhui suddenly felt a little hungry.

"The governor has returned."

Wang Qiao greeted Cao Zuan when he came up, and then saluted Xiahou Hui, "General Xiahou, I haven't seen you for a long time."

"It's been a while."

Xia Houhui also smiled and nodded, "After Zisong followed Desi to work in Anfeng, his style seems to be even better than before."

In response, Wang Qiao smiled like a spring breeze. As Cao Zuan's friend and confidant, he also rose to become the county magistrate.

Moreover, Cao Zuan liked military affairs but did not tolerate writing documents, so he could also be said to be the king of Qiao. He was the unnamed and real governor of Anfeng, and his power was naturally cultivated.

"Zhiquan, don't be polite, please take a seat."

Cao Zuan, who strode over and sat down, interrupted their reminiscence and greeted the soldiers, "Go and share the meat. I'm hungry."

"only."

Several soldiers also took advantage of the situation and got busy.

First, cut the lamb apart with a small dagger, pick out the plump and juicy parts and bring them to Cao Zuan and Xia Houhui one by one, and then take the rest to the far corner and squat down to share the food.

But Wang Qiao had no intention of avoiding the table. Instead, he sat down beside the two tables and poured wine for them both with a ladle.

It can also be seen from this that Cao Zuan has almost unreserved trust in him.

"Child right, drinking wins."

Cao Zuan raised his wine cup to invite him to drink. After drinking it all, he bowed his head to the table and started to feast.

He has not changed his habit of eating before talking.

It also made Xia Houhui unable to find a chance to invite him back for a drink, so he simply concentrated on eating until he was full.

However, after he was full of wine and meat, Xiahou Hui rinsed his mouth and hands and came back to sit upright for a long time, but Cao Zuan sat still without any intention of speaking.

There seemed to be a bit of embarrassment on his face, which had been tanned and translucent for a long time.

What happened that made it difficult for Cao Desi, who had never had any scheming, to talk about it?

Seeing this, Xia Houhui thought for a moment and then took the lead and said, "Desi, you and I have known each other for a long time and we are close friends. Now if you have something to say, you can speak out. Why are you so hesitant and silent?"

indeed.

Although the two of them could not be said to be in love, they got along quite well when they worked together before, and they even used their achievements to kill generals to offset loans. It cannot be said that they disregarded military law and acted in collusion, but they are worthy of the name.

"Ugh"

Hearing this, Cao Zuan sighed leisurely and lowered his voice and said, "Zhiquan knows it. I have never paid attention to temple affairs, and I have no intention of fighting for power. Regardless of whether I came to Huainan or took office as the governor of Anfeng. , Your Majesty has told me to do good to Zhiquan and strive to promote Zhiquan's methods for reforming the scholarly family, but I have never forgotten it."

Well, just what?
Xia Houhui said nothing, nodded gently and waited for the next words.

"It's just that a few days ago, my brother wrote a letter and asked me to find an opportunity to send a message to Zhiquan."

Cao Zhao?

What does he want to tell me?
Could it be that he and Qin Lang and Cao Shuang have always been on good terms, so he asked you to sever ties with me?

However, I had quarrels with Cao Shuang, I was distant from Qin Lang in appearance, and I was not close to Xiahou Xian in the clan, but I really had no interactions with him, let alone any power struggle! Moreover, Cao Zuan was appointed as the governor of Anfeng because of his deliberate efforts and could not do without my generous help. Does he want his brother to be known as unkind and ungrateful?
This time Xia Houhui raised his eyebrows and his eyes were full of doubts.

"Cough cough!"

After clearing his throat to resolve the embarrassment, Cao Zuan continued, "Zhiquan, my brother asked me to tell you in private that although he is not close to you, he has no grudges or hostility, and he will help you. I am very grateful for Lei Gong's appointment as the governor of Anfeng. Therefore, he just wants to let you know that my two brothers do not want to and will not be enemies with you in the past or in the future."

Uh!
It turns out that you need to distance yourself first!
When Xia Houhui heard this, he immediately understood - Cao Zhao's sudden show of kindness was actually a warning.

And the reason goes without saying.

He must have been with him all year round. He heard some rumors and knew that someone would be harmful to him, so he made a statement in advance.

As for who is going to be detrimental to him.
Xia Houhui could guess those people who made Cao Zhao eager to distance himself without asking.

Among them, there must be Cao Shuang!
Qin Lang most likely won't be able to run away either.

But I am not sure whether Xia Houxian was involved.

But what Xia Houhui doesn't understand is that he was the one who was wronged during the Northern Expedition to Xianbei, and now they have been going to Huainan for more than a month. Why do they suddenly have the courage to think about it under the eyes of Emperor Cao Rui? What about doing yourself a disservice?
Could it be that something else happened in Luoyang, the capital, in recent months?
Involuntarily, Xia Houhui drooped his eyelids, twirled his beard and pondered.

Cao Zhao, who was waiting for his answer, couldn't hold back anymore. He stood up straight, pointed to the sky and said, "Zhiquan didn't say a word, but he didn't believe what my brother said? Although my brother likes celebrities and romantic people, he also There is no lack of magnanimity among the generals, and there will be no deception of Zhiquan. If Zhiquan still doesn’t believe it, I can swear it in person on my brother’s behalf!”

"Deth doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this."

Xia Houhui, whose thoughts were interrupted, was made to laugh and cry at the sight of this man. He quickly stood up and pressed his hand, saying with a smile, "How can I not believe it? Just as Desi said just now, you and I Although I am not close to my brother Cao Changsi, I have no grievances in the past and no enmity in the recent past. Besides, your brother has the talents of the time. How can you be a person who doesn’t keep your word? I was silent just now because I was grateful to your brother for a moment. There are no words to describe it.”

After saying this, he took a step back and bowed sincerely.

"I also asked Desi to write a letter to convey the message, saying that I will not be indebted to Chang Si for reminding him today, and I will repay him in the future."

"Hey, hey, no need."

This time, Cao Zuan was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly came to help him, "Zhiquan just needs to believe it, why bother to salute and say words of gratitude! Well, don't worry, Zhiquan, I will definitely read every word here." Write a reply to my brother."

After the interlude, the two continued to sit down, drink slowly, and chat.

When the sky was getting dark, Xiahou Hui stood up to say goodbye. When Cao Zuan walked him to the door, he said this, "Zhiquan, you said that since Emperor Wu's surrender, the Xiahou family and the clan are no different, and they are all in love with each other. People, why don’t we be friendly to each other and support the Wei family together?”

Because the power granted by the emperor is limited, but the desires that grow in people's hearts are endless.

Besides, among those who are qualified to stand on the emperor's side, how many of them are as simple-minded and straightforward as you, and have no enthusiasm for power and career?

Xia Houhui responded silently, just giving the answer silently in his heart.

And Cao Zuan didn't seem to think about asking him to answer. He just sighed and added quickly, "Well, I don't want to pay attention to these things. Anyway, my brother knows my temperament and will never let me do this in the future." It’s such an embarrassing thing. It’s getting late, so I won’t stay any longer and just go home.”

"it is good."

Nodding and smiling, Xia Houhui said goodbye, "Desi, Zisong, let's say goodbye today. If you two have some free time, don't forget to come to Shijiabiwu to meet me."

"Go away quickly, I won't go looking for you! If you go, you'll still have to cut your own flesh and sell wine!"

"The one who knows me is Cao Desi! Hahaha~"

There were no words on the way home.

After returning to Shijiabiwu outside the city, Xia Houhui listened to Gou Quan's routine affairs report and patrol of the camp, then returned to the office room, studied ink by lamplight, and wrote a letter to his seventh brother Xia Houhe.

He wanted to figure out what happened that made Cao Zhao want to distance himself. (End of chapter)