Kuangfu Han Dynasty

Chapter 31 Claiming to be the best in the world

When Xu Shu was summoned and hurriedly arrived at the county residence from the government office, he saw a familiar figure in the small school outside the hall: clothed in commoner clothes, with his head cut off, but wearing a striking red turban.

This man is about thirty years old, with a few short beards under his chin, and his appearance is as plain as a farmer. Although he is far from ugly, he does not look very smart. He is not the one who attacked him in the toilet last night. Pang Tong?
There were no seats in the small school, and the cold wind blew, so Pang Tong could only stand with his sleeves rolled up.

Seeing this situation, Xu Shu couldn't help but feel sad, because he remembered that in the early years of Jian'an, he, Yingchuan Shi Guangyuan, Runan Meng Gongwei, Boling Cuizhou Pingping studied in Hanbin, and communicated with Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang who lived nearby.Several young people are in their prime and have great expectations for the future. They often hold their knees and roar, talking about their ambitions.

Xu Shu remembered that his fellow villager Shi Guangyuan said: "I should be two thousand stones, ride on the soap and cover Zhu Xi, and govern the county for three years, so that the people can be satisfied and know the rituals and music."

Meng Gongwei said: "I will be the governor and governor of the state, governing the land of thousands of miles! In less than five years, I can eliminate famine in all the counties and forget about the division and travel."

Cui Zhouping was of the highest origin, the son of the late Taiwei Cui Lie, but he did not want to be an official. He only smiled and said: "When the world is stable, I would like to return to Boling, repair the ancestral house, make a career in classics, and study in my spare time." Plowing beans and hoeing beans, remembering the four seasons, not forgetting to advance as an official."

Xu Shu was a passionate young man at the time, and he criticized Cui Zhouping: "Zhou Ping, your great-grandfather Cui Tingbo (Cui Xiang) did say in "Da Zhi" that scholars should not blindly seek official positions when the country is at peace and the world is stable."

"But times have changed. Today in Kyushu, tigers and wolves are rampant, chaos blocks the roads, and ferocity spreads. The people are mourning and dying. If you don't save people from drowning, it is not benevolent! With our talents and knowledge, we can We should imitate the wise men of ancient times, not avoiding the thorns of thorns, but trekking into the world to relieve the difficulties at this time and relieve the people from hanging upside down. How can we just avoid it to protect ourselves?"

Xu Shu took advantage of the situation and talked about his ambition: "I don't dare to say what kind of official I want to be. I just want to find a benevolent and wise leader who cares about the people, and can provide him with strategies and strategies to overcome chaos! When things are done, I will naturally be able to engrave the throne." Xuan Gui, please show your merits."

And what about Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, who are the most talented among them all?Kong Ming first smiled at Xu Shu and others and said: "Zhouping has its own ambitions and cannot be forced. As for the three of you, you can indeed advance to the position of governor or county governor. If Yuan Zhi can stick to his original intention, he may be able to achieve higher achievements." "

They all asked: "What about Kong Ming?"

Zhuge Liang smiled and didn't answer, but considering that he often compared himself to Guan Zhong and Le Yi, I'm afraid his ambition was to be handsome.

And Pang Tong is also amazing. In addition to being good at criticizing characters, he also learned some emperor secrets from Mr. Shui Jing.At that time, Pang Tong first praised Xu Shu's idea, and then boasted loudly to everyone:

"I am wise enough to make decisions, and I am able to measure up enough to cover the shortcomings. Only then can I be able to resist insults."

Then Pang Tong announced: "My ambition is to repeat the career of Liuhou Zhang Zifang! Become the emperor's master!"

Those heroic words seem to still be echoing in my ears.Yes, they all thought that they were the first-class talents in the world and would definitely become the indispensable pillar in the temple and the protagonist that everyone would see!
But now?

"Yuanzhi!"

Pang Tong also saw Xu Shu, took the initiative to say hello to him, and smiled.

But what surprised Xu Shu was that it was not a wry smile to cover up the embarrassing situation. Pang Shiyuan's face was still full of confidence, as if today's cold reception had not wiped out the burning ambition of the young man in his heart!

Several military guards on duty were watching. It would be too false to pretend not to know each other at this time. Xu Shu had no choice but to go over and hand over his hand: "Shi Yuan has arrived early."

After saying this, Xu Shu remembered that Pang Tong actually wanted to be "reused" by Cao Cao and wanted to help him do evil!He couldn't help but feel angry, so he deliberately sarcastically said:
"There is a banquet in the hall with hot wine and warm wine, but why didn't Shi Yuan go in and had to stand alone outside for a long time in the cold wind? Or is it that Prime Minister Cao didn't invite you to the table?"

Pang Tong was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then he retorted mercilessly: "I have to do this because I look down on others. Besides, Yuan Zhi, how can you make fun of me? I don't think you are a guest here, just a guest." Just a running official."

"Pang Shiyuan, you..." His attack power was very strong, and Xu Shu laughed angrily at him.

Pang Tong blew his beard and stared: "What, what I said is wrong?"

Yes, two people. Now, one family is in danger, standing outside the lively banquet like a henchman; while the other is a bereaved dog that has lost its owner. The other family has tied a rope and is not able to escape, and is being shouted around. .

"Humph!" Xu Shu flicked his sleeves, looked furious, turned around and walked towards the hall, thinking to himself:
"What I experienced today is just like when Han Xin was under Shi Yu. His official position was no more than a doctor, and his position was no more than a halberd... But it was different for me under the command of the 'King of Han'. Xuande Gong undressed me, gave me food, and listened to his words. , the monarch and his ministers also have the same aspirations.”

"Although I endured the great humiliation today, it is to imitate Su Qin's death, and to repay the kindness of the Lord Ming."

Of course, Pang Tong had no choice but to save his family, but this also made Xu Shu feel like he was facing a formidable enemy!If Feng Chu is also used by Cao Cao, then their chances of winning will be even lower. Xu Shu must find a way to cut off Pang Tong's path to officialdom.

But another thing made Xu Shu feel gratified: Although he hadn't seen Pang Tong for many years, he was still the same puffer fish covered in spines. When others said something bad about him, he would give up in return!This was the familiar way the two bickered in the past.

"Shi Yuan has not changed." With his back to Pang Tong, Xu Shu smiled.

Then, Xu Shu calmed down and looked forward. Wu Wei opened the door of the hall, and Cao Cao was waiting on the main seat to ask him something.

"I haven't changed either!"

……

"Yuanzhi, you still have time to teach children how to calligraphy. Could it be that you don't discuss Cao's history too much? Should I ask George to arrange more official duties for you?"

As soon as they met, Cao Cao asked Xu Shu this question.

But Xu Shu didn't panic. He had already thought of his response and said calmly:

"Prime Minister, I was fortunate enough to read Yang Ziyun's "Dharma Statement" from Mr. Shui Jing. It said, "Children of croaking, each recognizes his relatives; each learns from his own master in the study of slander."

"I had a master-disciple relationship with Zhang Shao when we were in Xinye. He took Zhang Yide under his tutelage. Now he is far away from his parents. Apart from his uncle's Xiahou family, the closest person is me, the master. In addition, this boy also I know that if I take the initiative to study, although I have a little more official duties, how can I be cruel and not teach him?"

"The Dharma Precepts also says, Master! Master! The role model for people is also the destiny of children. The teacher is the foundation that enables young children to get rid of evil and become good, and to settle down and live a good life. I will squeeze out a little bit of it after writing. Time is just the effort of breaking branches for a boy; but for Zhang Shao, it may be the meaning of Mount Tai that forged the foundation of his virtue and knowledge." Xu Shu pointed to Xia Houba: "Now there is Lord Zhongquan studying for his nephew. This is a good story that demonstrates the virtues of relatives, so I dare to ask the prime minister to fulfill it!"

These words were quoted from scriptures and were watertight. Cao Cao nodded slightly and said: "As for this, if I don't agree, wouldn't I become a villain who hinders children from studying, prevents you, a teacher, from teaching, and ruins Zhong Quan's reputation? Already?"

"However, it is not up to you two to approve or disapprove this matter. I will also test your disciples."

Cao Cao said to the stunned food officer Wang Jie: "Bring Zhang Shao here."

From the beginning to the end, none of the guests in the hall figured out who the Zhang Shao Cao Cao was talking about or where he was. It wasn't until Wang Jie came over with the waiter boy who was warming the wine in the corner that they suddenly realized it.

Cao Cao asked Zhang Shao: "Boy, children like to be lazy and play. Besides, you are now working as a servant and a servant, and you are tired from running around every day. Why do you still want to learn from Xu Yuanzhi?"

Zhang Shao showed no stage fright and calmly said: "Prime Minister, if in the past, Shao was lazy by nature, how could he have the idea to take the initiative to learn from me? It's not because the Prime Minister sets an example in the camp!"

"Because of me?" Cao Cao found it interesting.

"Exactly!" After hearing too much about Wang Can and others' flattery towards Cao Cao, Zhang Shao was now well versed in the tricks of high-level flattery, so he pretended to be innocent and said: "Because every time Shao goes to the driving place, he can see When the prime minister comes, he can't put down the scroll, and sometimes he is so absorbed in reading that he even forgets to eat."

"And Shao also heard from his uncle that although the prime minister is in the army and talks about military strategies with his staff during the day, he still thinks about the subtle words and great meanings of the scriptures at night without feeling tired."

"Shao heard a saying taught by Mr. Xu, which is 'When you see a talented person, think about him', which means that when you see a talented and virtuous person, you should look up to him, and the Prime Minister is the diligent and exemplary person that Shao sees! "

"Although Shao has a lot of chores as a food official, how can he be busier than the prime minister who has many things to do every day? The prime minister is already past his destiny and has a wealth of knowledge, but he is still so eager to learn. I am enlightened and have no ink in my heart. It is exactly what I should do How can you dare to be playful and lazy when you are so advanced?"

After Zhang Shao said this, Cao Cao was even happier. He accepted Zhang Shao's flattery and said proudly: "I'm right, I am old and eager to learn."

Although Cao Cao came from a wealthy family, his family's academic heritage was not strong. In Cao Cao's own words, he "had neither the teachings of the Three Disciples nor heard of court language."Therefore, Cao Cao also indulged in chivalrous debauchery when he was a child. Although he was not interested in classics, he liked miscellaneous studies such as military art, history, and poetry. He was also well-read, and the older he got, the more devoted Cao Cao was to learning.

Cao Cao turned around and said with emotion to his old friend Cai Mao: "As the saying goes, when a person is young, he is eager to learn, and when he is long, he is forgetful. Among the people who were ministers to me and De Gui in Luoyang in the past, when they grew up and were able to be diligent scholars, I was the only one. With Yuan Boye of Runan."

The Yuan Boye mentioned by Cao Cao was Yuan Shao's elder brother Yuan Yi. He was also a great man at that time. His knowledge included many books, he was in charge of hundreds of families, he was talented at climbing high places, and he was well-known for seeing things. He got along well with Cao Cao.

Yuan Yi also served as the prefect of Shanyang, and together with Cao Cao and others, he launched an army against Dong. Unfortunately, he later got involved in the internal fighting between brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and was appointed as the governor of Yangzhou by Yuan Shao. However, at that time, Yangzhou was Yuan Shu's territory. Yuan fought and Yuan Yi was brutally killed by the rebels.

Yuan Yi died halfway, but Cao Cao's eagerness to learn continues, especially in the study of military strategy. After 20 years of personally commanding combat practice, he has used the theory to a proficient level and has reached the level of writing books. .Cao Cao copied and collected various military strategies, titled "Jie Yao", and annotated thirteen chapters of "Sun Wu". He distributed these summaries to his generals for study.

Now Zhang Shao was focusing on this point to praise, which just scratched Cao Mengde's itch. Since he felt comfortable being praised, Cao Cao was in a good mood, so he smiled and said: "In this case, I will allow you to 'see the wise', but You have to make good time and don't delay Yuan Zhi's official duties."

"Thank you, Prime Minister!"

Zhang Shao's plan succeeded and he thanked Xiahou Ba together.Cao Cao also asked Xin Pi to send an order to the captain stationed in Dangyang County, asking them to send an extra fan of pork and a piece of silk to Xu Shu's mother every month, and said to Xu Shu: "This is the bundle I made for the Xiahou family." Xiuye."

This behavior of treating the Xiahou family as one of his own made Xiahou Ba feel honored, and Zhang Shao felt even happier.Xu Shu and I secretly planned to cause a big wave of Cao Jun. Cao Cao would have to spend money to thank us in turn?Zhang Shao can only promise that he will work hard to make Cao Cao's tuition worthwhile. Meng De is old and eager to learn, so I will teach you what it means to be unsatisfactory in life.

Cao Cao seemed to still have more to say, and pointed at Zhang Shao and asked the guests: "You are quite good at judging people. What do you think of this boy's words? Can he be called a 'wonderful boy'?"

Prodigy, holy boy, and prodigy are all names given to children who are naturally intelligent, but the degree is different. The first two are amazing, while the latter are only slightly clever.

Xu Shu stood to the side and shook his head secretly. It was funny that Cao Cao only saw Zhang Shao's humble appearance and thought that this was all his wisdom.Only Xu Shu, who was surprised time and again by Zhang Shao's great wisdom and bravery that day in the Dangyang courtyard, understood the child's true ability.

Xu Shu thought to himself: "Ashao is more than just a 'wonder'? In my opinion, even gods and saints are not enough to describe him!"

While Cao Cao and the guests were commenting on Zhang Shao, Xu Shu quietly walked around the banquet, came to the desk of his boss Xin Pi, and handed him a bamboo slip in his sleeve:
"Brother George, this is the news that the shogunate just received. Yindu went to the city to set up the rear army's camp outside the city to offer wine, and he returned in the evening. After discussion, the officials felt that it was better to inform the Prime Minister first, so Fushun brought it to him Leave it to Brother George."

"Oh?" Xinpi took it and took a look, frowning slightly.

……

Looking at the other side, Zhang Shaofang's words are sophisticated, his logic is clear, and his allusions are one after another, and he uses them correctly. Considering his age, compared with his peers, he is definitely "odd".

Seeing that Cao Cao seemed to like him, Dou Fu agreed: "Prime Minister, this boy is young and knows how to imitate the virtuous and learn from others. In the future, he will definitely be able to learn the classics and become a scholar."

"Perhaps there is also a military strategy." Cao Cao laughed and introduced: "You don't know, but he is Zhang Fei's son."

After Zhang Shao's identity was revealed, everyone was shocked. How could the dignified Xiahou family marry Cao Cao's enemies?

Wang Can and others had seen Zhang Fei who accompanied Liu Bei to a banquet when they were in Xiangyang, and their impression of him was that of a vulgar martial artist.Zhang Fei wanted to talk to celebrities like them, but everyone was unwilling to pay attention to him, which made Zhang Fei very angry.

Now that they learned that Zhang Fei, a rough man, actually gave birth to a smart child, they all found it incredible. Wang Can shook his head and commented: "The son is not like the father."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shao turned his head and looked at Wang Can's face carefully, and then responded with a smile: "Does the king have a son?"

After Wang Can nodded, Zhang Shao smiled even brighter: "In this case, Wang Jun's son may not be able to inherit your talents, but in appearance, he must be similar to Wang Jun, right?"

(End of this chapter)