At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 253: The painful loss of limbs, the last message on the deathbed

Xi Zhicai had not eaten for three days in a row. Suddenly he heard that the general had mobilized all his troops to attack Guanzhong in order to force Cao Cao to hand over Hua Tuo.

Xi Zhicai, who had sunken eye sockets and a haggard face, recalled every bit of his acquaintance with Zhou Qi, and a soft color appeared in his dull eyes.

After being together for so long, no matter how good Zhou Qi is at hiding, Xi Zhicai has long discovered that his lord often seems to be righteous and unyielding, but in fact he has a heroic attitude and puts interests first in everything.

Xi Zhicai was quite pleased to be able to lose his usual reason for his own sake and instead raise troops to attack Guanzhong regardless of everything.

At least, my protagonist's blood is still cold, and he has lived up to Xi Zhicai's hard work for so many years.
"Zhong'er, please invite the general to come and talk."

Xi Zhicai said softly when he saw Xi Zhong coming all the way to Shu County and caring for his 16-year-old son with all his heart.

Since Xi Zhong arrived in Shu County, he has been by Xi Zhicai's side day and night, not daring to neglect him in the slightest.

During this period, Xi Zhong almost only slept for one or two hours every day, and was visibly haggard.

Hearing this, Xi Zhong didn't ask any further questions. He bowed to his father, then turned around and went to see the general.

At this time, Zhou Qi looked at Du Ji and Chen Wen who were kneeling next to them, with an ugly expression on their faces.

It turned out that since Zhou Qi ordered the mobilization of soldiers and horses from Jing and Yang states to rush to Wuguan to force Cao Cao to hand over Hua Tuo, Du Ji and Chen Wen, who received the news, hurriedly came to visit and asked Zhou Qi to withdraw his orders.

Because everyone with a discerning eye knows that it is not wise to raise troops to attack Guanzhong at this time.

Civil servants remonstrate to death, generals fight to death.

Du Ji knelt on the ground and said, "Of course we know your lord's love for your military advisor, but there is a saying in the art of war: a general must not raise an army out of anger."

"My lord must be wise and know that a large-scale attack on Guanzhong at this time will not only be very likely to fail, but will also affect this year's spring plowing and the grand strategy that my lord has set before."

"Besides, even Zhang Zhongjing can't do anything about the military advisor's illness. Even if Hua Tuo comes in person, it's hard to say whether it can be cured."

"It is unwise to raise hundreds of thousands of troops to march north because of the slim chance, in vain for the vitality of millions of people in the two states. Please take back your life, my lord!"

Chen Wen also advised: "The plan for the year is spring. If the general insists on attacking Guanzhong regardless of the people's spring plowing, he will lose the hearts of the people. Please think twice before you act!"

After listening to the two men's advice, Zhou Qi couldn't help but look ugly, but he didn't know how to retort.

He also knew that his move was too willful, but when he thought of Xi Zhicai's deteriorating health, he felt extremely anxious.

Du Ji and Chen Wen both did what ministers should do, and there was nothing wrong with the people they advised. Even though their words were not pleasant, Zhou Qi could not express his anger at them.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little tense, someone suddenly reported to Xi Zhong, the son of Xi Zhicai, asking for an audience.

Zhou Qi's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he left Du Ji and Chen Wen behind. He hurried to the door to greet Xi Zhong in person, held his hand and asked, "But what's wrong with Zhicai's health?"

Xi Zhong bowed deeply to Zhou Qi and said, "Thank you for your concern, my lord. My father's health has not deteriorated. I just want to see my lord."

After hearing this, Zhou Qi breathed a sigh of relief, then ignored Du Ji and Chen Wen and followed Xi Zhong directly to visit Xi Zhicai.

Upon seeing this, Chen Wen was about to catch up and say a few words, but was held back by Du Ji.

"Why did Du Shijun stop me?"

Chen Wen looked at Du Ji with doubt on his face.

Du Ji said softly: "My lord is so angry that you and I can't stop him, but the military advisor can."

Chen Wen's expression moved slightly and he asked, "Did Shijun Du say that the military advisor would dissuade the lord from using troops against Guanzhong?"

Du Ji nodded and said: "Even you and I can see the disadvantages of sending troops to Guanzhong at this time. How can we not see it with the wisdom of a military advisor?"

"The military advisor has been his right-hand man since he followed the lord. He always puts the lord's interests first in everything. How can he just watch the lord abandon his official duties for personal reasons?"

"Dean Chen, don't be anxious. If even the military advisor can't persuade my lord, you and I won't be able to change anything even if we die to remonstrate."

"Just relax and wait for the results."

But it was said that in order to get rid of Du Ji and Chen Wen, Zhou Qi hurriedly left with Xi Zhong and came to visit Xi Zhicai.

After meeting Xi Zhicai, Zhou Qi couldn't help but feel a little sad when he saw his haggard appearance, and hurriedly stepped forward and held Xi Zhicai's hands.

"Zhicai, it's my incompetence that prevented me from finding a good doctor."

At this time, Xi Zhicai's hands were dry and weak, but he still held Zhou Qi's hands with his backhand, and said with a smile: "I feel that I have no regrets in this life if I can win your lord's concern."

"Life passes by in a hurry, and sooner or later you will have to leave."

"If I hadn't met my lord, perhaps I would still be just borrowing money from an unknown scholar from a poor family, and I might not have the chance to use what I have learned in my life."

"It is because of my lord's trust and respect that I have been able to leave a little name in the world in just a dozen years."

"With this, my heart is enough!"

When Zhou Qi heard this, he thought of the ups and downs the two had experienced over the years. He couldn't help but hold Xi Zhicai's hands tightly and wept secretly.

Seeing his lord look like a daughter, Xi Zhicai said seriously: "I will have no regrets in my life if I can win my lord's love."

"I heard that my lord is preparing to mobilize all the troops from Jing and Yang states to attack Guanzhong because Cao Cao detained Hua Tuo. Is this possible?"

Zhou Qi quietly wiped away his tears but did not speak.

Xi Zhi then understood and advised: "It is said that when a man is about to die, his words are kind, and when a bird is about to die, his song is sad."

"I haven't been able to eat for three days and my health is deteriorating. It's clear that I don't have much time left."

"Let's not talk about the disadvantages of launching a large army to attack Guanzhong at this time. Even if the lord can force Cao Cao to hand over Hua Tuo as he wishes, how much time will it take?"

"Even if Cao Cao is forced to agree, how long will it take for Hua Tuo to reach Shu County from Chang'an?"

"At that time, I'm afraid Hua Tuo hasn't arrived yet, and I have already left first."

Xi Zhicai also knew that with Zhou Qi's wisdom, it was impossible not to think of this.

Even so, he was still angry and raised troops. This was actually because he had no way to vent the anger in his heart and wanted to vent his anger on Cao Cao.

The moment Zhang Zhongjing announced that he was helpless, almost everyone knew that Xi Zhicai's life had entered a countdown.

not to mention.

As Du Ji said, even if Hua Tuo comes in person, he may not be able to cure Xi Zhicai.

Hearing this, Zhou Qi, who had just wiped away his tears, felt his eyes sore again, and said with a choked voice: "Zhicai has been by my side since he was young, and he has gone through countless hardships with me hand in hand, and finally laid such a foundation." .”

"Today's great cause has not been accomplished, and Zhicai has not yet enjoyed the fruits of victory, so he has to leave this world before me."

"It's not that I don't know that there is little hope of saving Zhicai, but I'm not willing to do it!"

At this point, Zhou Qi hugged Xi Zhicai and couldn't bear it anymore, so he cried bitterly.Few people understand the friendship between Zhou Qi and Xi Zhicai. The relationship between the two has long surpassed that of monarch and minister, and they can be regarded as life-and-death friends who have known each other since they were young.

Without Xi Zhicai’s painstaking advice and suggestions over the years, Zhou Qi would never have achieved what he has achieved today.

In daily life, Xi Zhicai is both a teacher and a friend to Zhou Qi.

As Zhou Qi's status continued to improve, even those who were the first to follow him, such as Xiang Hong and Chen Wen, gradually felt the majesty of Zhou Qi's monarch and gradually placed themselves in the position of ministers.

Only Xi Zhicai can always maintain his original intention and get along with Zhou Qi.

Xi Zhicai's behavior not only did not offend Zhou Qi, but instead gave him an indescribable sense of intimacy.

Perhaps Xi Zhicai is the only one left in this world who can truly get along with Zhou Qi as a friend.

He cherishes this hard-won friendship.

If Xi Zhicai is gone, Zhou Qi may truly transform into a tycoon who puts his interests first.

Xi Zhicai hugged Zhou Qi tightly, patted the other person's back gently, and said nothing more.

I don't know how long it took, but Zhou Qi finally controlled his emotions. After tidying up his appearance, he said, "Don't worry, Zhicai. I will revoke the previous order."

"You must take good care of yourself!"

Xi Zhicai's dry and bloodless face finally showed a bright smile.

In this way, Zhou Qi changed his order overnight and revoked his previous order.

Fortunately, because the matter was too urgent and this was Lujiang County, military orders needed to be conveyed through Du Ji's messengers.

Du Ji was good at making his own opinions immediately. He temporarily withheld the general's order, and then dragged Chen Wen to come to dissuade him.

Therefore, the military order has not yet left Shu County at this time.

After Zhou Qi withdrew his military order, he stayed with Xi Zhicai almost every day and saw with his own eyes that his body was gradually losing weight.

For seven consecutive days, Xi Zhicai could not eat and could hardly drink water.

Only when Xi Zhong dipped his chopsticks in some wine and brought it to Xi Zhicai's mouth, the other party would have some appetite and could barely survive the past few days relying on the wine.

On the night of the eighth day, Xi Zhicai finally failed to survive and passed away suddenly at the age of less than 40.

After Zhou Qi learned the news, he didn't cry or say anything. He just stayed by Xi Zhicai's side quietly.

For three consecutive days, Zhou Qi didn't say a word, and the silence made everyone feel terrible.

It wasn't until Xi Zhicai was buried that Zhou Qi summoned his subordinate Wen Wu and said in a dry voice: "I want to express my gratitude to the emperor, and I will make Zhicai a Yihou and his son Zhong a Guanneihou."

Everyone was shocked when they suddenly heard the news.

You must know that in the two states of Jing and Yang today, only Zhou Qi has been granted the title of marquis, and no one among the others has been granted the title of marquis no matter how outstanding their merits are.

If we look at Xi Zhicai's contribution and the fact that the other party has died of illness, it would be nothing to pursue the title of Yihou.

What surprised everyone the most was that Xi Zhong, who was only sixteen years old and had not made any meritorious service, was awarded the title of Marquis, and his title was higher than that of all the civil and military officials in Jingzhou.

Although everyone was shocked, no one dared to say anything.

Everyone knows that the general prefers Xi Zhicai, and it is reasonable for Aiwujiwu to transfer his feelings to Xi Zhicai.

As for unclear rewards and punishments, that's not the case.

In the final analysis, if a drama loyalist can be made a marquis, he will still suffer from the shadow of Xi Zhicai. With the merits of Xi Zhicai, it is only a matter of time that he will be granted the title of marquis.

Most importantly.

The fact that Xi Zhicai was granted the title of Yihou and his son Xi Zhong was granted the title of Liehou also made Jingzhou's civil and military capital feel at ease.

They know that as long as they are loyal to the general and make contributions in this troubled world, even if they die in the future, they can still be named a general and have a wife and son.

If the general can grant Xi Zhicai the title of Marquis of Yi today, he may grant them titles in the future, and even his children may also be granted the title of marquis.

Everyone followed Zhou Qi and worked hard. In addition to using what they had learned in their lives, wasn't it just to make achievements and gain a wife?
Therefore, Du Ji, Chen Wen, Dian Wei, Zhou Yu and others, instead of discouraging Zhou Qi's move, strongly supported it.

After the news reached Xiangyang, the civil and military officials in Jingzhou were very rare in uniting their opinions and all agreed with the matter.

The envoy rushed to the court to pay a visit to the emperor. Zhou Qi also sent someone to inform Yuan Shu and Liu Bei.

Yuan Shu and Liu Bei did not make trouble in this matter. Instead, they sent envoys to express their condolences. Even the emperor sent angels to express the merits of Xi Zhicai, and then awarded seals and ribbons to him and Xi Zhong.

After the funeral, Zhou Qi was still in a very low mood and often dreamed of Xi Zhicai in his dreams.

Every time he wakes up, Zhou Qi feels blocked in his heart when he thinks of Xi Zhicai, who died young.

On the day when Xi Zhi was only seven years old, Xi Zhong suddenly came to visit Zhou Qi and presented a letter with both hands.

"This is a letter written by my father before he died. I am not allowed to open it privately. I must give it to the Lord with my own hands!"

Zhou Qi took the letter, rubbed Xi Zhong's head, and said: "After returning to Xiangyang, you will observe filial piety to Zhicai, and study hard during this period. After the filial piety period is over, you will almost reach the age of crown."

"At that time, my uncle chose a cousin name for you, and then took you with him to practice."

"I hope that your achievements in the future will not be inferior to your ambition and talent!"

Xi Zhong choked and nodded, thanked Zhou Qi and left.

Zhou Qi opened the suicide note left by Xi Zhi. After reading the contents, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

In the letter, Xi Zhicai did not mention his funeral or loyalty at all, but wrote three things, which were full of Xi Zhicai's worries about Jingzhou's future.

The content is roughly as follows:

"I know that my lord is not very satisfied with the imperial examination system. He wants to promote the talents of poor families and promote the imperial examination selection system that was discussed before."

"Although this is a good move, it will shake the foundation of the family. If it is promoted rashly, there will be endless troubles."

"I secretly think that my lord should take his time and gradually promote academies teaching so that ordinary people have the opportunity to study. When the general situation is established, the world is settled, and the wings are full, it will not be too late to promote the imperial examination."

"In addition, the strategy of conquering the kingdom of Bashu Tianfu first from the south to the north cannot be shaken."

"Today, Runan is in ruins, Yanzhou is thousands of miles away from people, and Guanzhong has been devastated by war. But Yizhou is the land of dragon prosperity, with the largest population in the world, and it is possible to achieve hegemony."

"When the world is uncertain, the lord can compromise with the aristocratic families. One day the world will be settled. If there is no decision, not only will it be difficult to implement the imperial examination, but the new dynasty will also follow the footsteps of the Han Dynasty, and both the court and the place will be controlled by the aristocratic families."

"This letter was written by me and put into the public's words. After reading it, I burned it - Zhicai's last work!"

(End of this chapter)