Three Kingdoms: I rely on system loopholes to survive

"But are there any guests?"

As the captain stood in front of the door, he heard Zhong Ji's inquiring voice coming from inside the house.

"There is unrest in the city, and the Minister of Works is worried about the safety of the Grand Commandant, so he sent me here to take care of it."

He stopped the servants from reporting and took the initiative to state his purpose.

"Oh... I'm worried about Sikong, but I have nothing to do."

From inside there came the sound of a table being moved, cloth being shaken and then rolled up, and then the sound of footsteps.

After a while, the door of the study was pushed open, and Zhong Ji walked out slowly: "Maybe he is old, always sleepy and drowsy, and he doesn't know what happened in the city?"

"It's not a big deal, it's all been resolved now."

The captain inadvertently glanced at the open study door behind Zhong Ji, and saw a young man in a blue shirt half-squatting on the ground, apparently sorting out the unfolded bamboo slips and silk books.

Zhong Ji followed his gaze and pointed at the back of the man in blue shirt with some reluctance. He closed the door and lowered his voice, "There are many books in our home. My son has to sort them out whenever he has time. I don't like being disturbed at this time. Please forgive me, Captain."

As he spoke, he gestured to the captain to follow him to the outer room for a chat.

"I heard that those who are obsessed with learning always have some special qualities. The historian learned from Mr. Cai and Mr. Zheng. How strict are they in their studies? It's just that you like quietness a little bit, so what?"

The captain looked at Zhong Ji with great insight and paid his respects.

Although Zhong Ji did not speak, the captain could still feel Zhong Ji's happiness from the changing rhythm of his steps.

"Excuse me, Captain, but does Sikong have something to tell you?"

When they got to the outer room, Zhong Ji sent someone to make tea, with a puzzled look on his face: "Although my son has taught you a few young masters to read a few words, I have never had any personal relationship with the Minister of Works... If there is something going on in the court, I'm afraid there is no need to send someone to visit you, right? This... really confuses and scares me."

In fact, the captain's job was just to come to Zhong's house to confirm whether Zhong Ji was there. He did not have any other instructions, so he was in a dilemma for a moment, not knowing whether he should tell the truth.

"If it's inconvenient to disclose..."

Zhong Ji thought for a moment and said, "I have nothing to do at home anyway. How about I give a few simple instructions to the housekeeper so that my son won't be worried about not seeing me after finishing his books? Then I will go to visit Sikong's house in person. "

The captain thought to himself that since Sikong had asked him to see Zhong Ji, he probably didn't want the general to leave the city. Now that the general wanted to go to Sikong's house, it was exactly what Sikong wanted. Why didn't he accept the offer?
Having made up his mind, the captain took the tea offered by the servant with a smile and said, "I will wait here, and there is no need to worry, General."

Zhong Ji went to the backyard alone. Tan Nu was behind the screen when she heard the voice. She clenched the pottery bottle in her hand with great vigilance. When she saw that the person coming was Zhong Ji, she breathed a sigh of relief, bowed quickly, and continued to persuade: "I am not exaggerating. In fact, given the character of my master, it must have implicated many people. Even if the commander-in-chief did not get involved, it would be difficult to avoid some trouble... What's more, the two girls of the Cai family have left the city, and the historian is probably no longer in Xudu. Although I don't understand why the commander-in-chief wants to stay in this dangerous place, please listen to my humble opinion: it's not too late to leave now!"

As she spoke, she took out the book she had kept in her arms all the way and said, "I don't know what's in it, but it may be useful to the commander."

Zhong Ji opened the book and fell silent when he saw the item inside. He guessed that this must be the escape route prepared by the opera master in Sikong Mansion for his father and son. His silence was not only limited to the emotion for this friendship, but more of a foreseeing of a certain ending.

After all, based on his understanding of that person, he would send this route and route that was obviously prepared without telling Cao Cao to his own house... Combined with his son's concern for his good friend's health, the meaning behind it is self-evident.

But I am going to let down this good intention.

Zhong Ji put the things back into the book, looked at the girl beside him, and bowed slightly: "You risked your life to deliver a message for my father and son. You are really a noble hero."

Tan Nu turned aside, not daring to accept the gift, and bowed her head to say goodbye: "I am honored by the courtesy of the Grand Historian, and I am willing to repay it with my life! The letter has been delivered, and I hope the Grand Historian will take good care of himself. I will go back now. If there is any news, I will also find a way to let the Grand Historian know."

Zhong Ji watched Tan Nu's figure disappear outside the door and couldn't help but sigh. He thought that a woman today could have such integrity. All the officials in the court were eating the Han salary, but how many of them would dare to die for the Han emperor?

Zhong Ji pushed open the door of the study, and saw Wu Zhi still squatting on the floor, sorting out the pile of messy classics over and over again.

"Change your clothes." Zhong Ji bent down to pick up a few books, cleared a path, and walked to Wu Zhi.

Wu Zhi visibly relaxed a little: "It's good as long as the Grand Historian can leave the city successfully."

"Today is really thanks to you."

Zhong Ji took out a book from his sleeve and handed it to Wu Zhi: "I need to ask you for a favor."

He pointed at the book and said, "Take this with you to the South Gate to find Huoqiu. Boheng will be waiting for you two in Jiaozhou. I have some trivial matters to attend to, so I can leave in two days."

Wu Zhi felt something was wrong. He held the book in his hand but did not put it away immediately. "The two of us can do the trivial things. The commander just needs to give orders. Why do you need to do it yourself?"

Zhong Ji smiled and said, "It's a troublesome matter, I'm afraid others can't do it."

Seeing Wu Zhi's worry, Zhong Ji's words were a bit more comforting: "Boheng is alone outside, how can I be at ease? Parents love their children and care deeply about them, how could I do something stupid? If you two don't leave, you will be a burden to me."

Wu Zhi didn't know whether he believed it or not. After a while, he nodded and said, "I will disguise myself and leave from the back door. General, Huo Qiu and I will wait for you outside the city..."

Zhong Ji waved his hand.

Wu Zhi clasped his hands together, turned around and walked out the door.

Outside Xudu City
Zhong Ping, who was sitting in the carriage, sneezed suddenly, and his right eyelid kept twitching up and down.

"Where are we now?"

Zhong Ping lifted the car curtain and stuck his head out to look at the scenery outside.

The carriage was travelling on the official road. Both sides of the flat road were mostly short woods and dead trees, with only occasional glimpses of green.

"It's not far from Xu. At this rate, we can reach Linying in about five or six days."

"Lin Ying..."

Zhong Ping vaguely remembered that this seemed to be the direction to Yingchuan County.

"That means we can go from Yingchuan to Nanyang... and then we can enter Jingzhou."

"But the route I took is said to lead to Dongjun."

Li Xian's eyes were darting around and he interjected cautiously. When he saw Zhong Ping looking at him, he immediately lowered his head, looked at his nose and his heart, and was as quiet as a quail.

"It's not a big problem. At worst, we can go to Hanoi and ask Zhang Yan for some help. Then we can go to Jingzhou. It will just take more time on the way."

Zhong Ping said this while pressing his right eyelid, feeling worried.

Could there be an accident on the road?
Logically speaking, the twitching eyelids were just due to not getting enough rest the day before, but with such outrageous things as time travel and systems existing, there was no guarantee that this was not a warning.

Zhong Ping's thoughts drifted here and there, sometimes he thought of his father, sometimes he thought of the Cai sisters.

The carriage was moving faster, but Li Meng was very skilled and it continued to drive smoothly on the official road.

The sun gradually moved towards the peaks of the distant mountains, and it was about to be evening.

(End of this chapter)