Three Kingdoms: Heir of Wolong, my father-in-law is Guan Gong

The inner court.

Zhuge Qiao, Mi Fang and Xu Shu sat around the stove.

The barbecue is steaming on the iron grill, and the rich aroma of meat hits your face.

Guan Feng brought warm rice wine again, and the alluring aroma of the wine was refreshing.

Zhuge Pan hid behind Guan Feng and stared at Xu Shu curiously.

"Mr. Xu, this is my wife Guan Feng, whose nickname is Yinping; this is my son Zhuge Pan, whose nickname is A Gou."

"Yinping, Mr. Xu is an old friend of His Majesty. In the sixth year of Jian'an, when His Majesty stationed troops in the new country, he was highly regarded."

"If Mr. Xu had not recommended my father, His Majesty would not have personally honored my father and visited my father three times."

Zhuge Qiaoyan gave a concise and comprehensive introduction.

Guan Feng bowed and said, "Mr. Xu's name is like thunder in the ears of the younger generation."

"When my father was in Jingzhou, he often lamented that when Mr. Xu entered the capital of Xu, he was a pearl covered in dust."

"My father will be delighted if he learns that Mr. Xu has come to Jingzhou."

"This junior entertains Mr. Xu on behalf of my father. If there is anything wrong with me, please forgive Mr. Xu."

Xu Shumu was amazed: "The daughters of monarchs are smart and know etiquette, far better than the daughters of princes and ministers in the Central Plains."

Although Xu Shu's words were intended to be flattering, the words "smart and knowledgeable about etiquette" were also a compliment to Guan Feng's style.

Zhuge Qiao secretly hooked up with Zhuge Pan, who came to Xu Shu and gently tapped Xu Shu's legs.

While beating, he shouted, "Open your heart."

This scene almost made Xu Shu's jaw drop. He quickly stopped him and said, "This is impossible!"

Zhuge Qiao smiled and said: "Mr. Xu, it seems that you and Ah Gou are destined. It will be Ah Gou's blessing if he can gain some enlightenment from Mr. Xu."

Zhuge Pan stared at his big watery eyes and said again: "Open your heart."

Xu Shu was instantly conquered by Zhuge Pan's childish voice: "My knowledge is shallow. If Bo Song doesn't dislike it, I would like to enlighten him."

Mi Fang was about to speak but stopped.

After Guan Feng took Zhuge Pan away, Mi Fang held her forehead and sighed: "Yuan Zhi, you have been deceived by Bo Song."

"Bosong, your child is already two years old. Can you be more honest?"

"If you want Yuan Zhi to enlighten Agou, can't you just say so?"

Zhuge Qiao narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Mi Sikong, life is already so difficult, so don't expose some things!"

"Mr. Xu doesn't object, so why do you need to undermine me?"

Xu Shu was speechless: "Is it appropriate for you to say these words in front of me?"

After Mi Fang's explanation, Xu Shu learned that Zhuge Pan could say the words "happy, heart" in addition to "father" recently.

As for why he is happy, Zhuge Pan has no idea at all!

All I know is that Zhuge Qiao taught this on purpose!
Mi Fang was enlightened and gave all the jade he had collected to Zhuge Pan.

Xu Shu couldn't help but laugh and said: "In terms of cunning, Bo Song has inherited Kong Ming's style."

Zhuge Qiao retorted: "Mr. Xu, my father has always been loyal and loyal. It is inappropriate for you to describe him as cunning."

Mi Fang snorted: "I believe the Prime Minister is loyal, and you say he is generous? Bosong, do you believe it yourself when you say this?"

Laughter began.

Mi Fang asked: "Why did Yuan Zhi suddenly go south?"

Xu Shu was silent for a moment and sighed: "A few years ago, my mother passed away due to illness. I lived in Luoyang in a state of confusion and drunkenness."

"Later I heard that Your Majesty and Cao Cao were demarcating the border on the Han River. I originally intended to go south to see Your Majesty, but I was afraid of making people laugh, so I had no choice but to stay in Luoyang."

"Last year, Meng Gongwei came to see me and said that Bo Song had negotiated terms with Sima Yi to allow me, Meng Gongwei and Shi Guangyuan to return to His Majesty."

"Meng Gongwei has teachers, friends and elders in Luoyang. It is a time of wealth and wealth, so he does not want to leave."

"Shi Guangyuan is a close friend from my hometown. After learning about this incident, he wanted to go to Chang'an with me. However, I have done something immoral and I feel guilty and dare not go to Chang'an to see His Majesty."

"This year, Cao Pi forcibly moved the scholars and people to Yecheng, and some of them stayed in Luoyang."

"I originally wanted to live in seclusion in Luoyang, but suddenly I heard that His Majesty personally came to Luoyang."

"I was frightened, so I asked Shi Tao to go to Chang'an with the people of Luoyang. I asked Shi Tao to say that I was dead; I said goodbye to Shi Tao and returned to Yingchuan."

"I was bored staying in Yingchuan. I also heard that Bosong had set up charity houses in Nanyang and Nanxiang, and Guan Junhou also went to Chang'an."

"I thought that no one in Jingzhou would be able to recognize my face, so I wanted to hide in Bosong for a while."

Zhuge Qiao understood Xu Shu's mood very well.

Disloyalty due to filial piety would have tarnished Xu Shu's reputation. After serving in the Wei Dynasty, but betraying the Wei Dynasty and joining the Han Dynasty, Xu Shu would have a reputation of being capricious.

The most important thing is: Xu Shu is suspected to have participated in Cao Pi's persuasion to proclaim himself emperor.

The secret behind this was unknown to Zhuge Qiao.

Looking at Xu Shu's words and deeds, there must be something unspeakable in it.

"Yuan Zhi, Your Majesty knows your intentions and won't care about it." Mi Fang was rarely serious.

Xu Shu sighed softly: "Your Majesty doesn't care, but I do!"

"Brother Zifang, Bosong, please hide what happened in Jingzhou for me."

"If I figure it out one day, I will go to Chang'an to see His Majesty."

Mi Fang looked at Zhuge Qiao.

Zhuge Qiao still has to make up his mind on this matter.

Zhuge Qiao raised the small wine jar and said with a smile, "I already understand what Mr. Xu means."

"It's just that this is a private matter, and a public matter is a public matter; Mr. Xu has to take advantage of keeping my mouth shut."

Xu Shu said: "You are smart, I will teach you carefully."

Zhuge Qiao chuckled: "The teaching thing is because Agou and Mr. are destined, and it has nothing to do with me. Mr. Xu, please don't confuse these two things."

Has nothing to do with you?

Without your encouragement, what does your two-year-old son know about enlightenment?

Xu Shu once again experienced Zhuge Qiao's "cunning": "What do you want to ask?"

"Although I have been in the north for more than ten years, my status is not enough to allow me to learn too many military secrets."

Zhuge Qiao took off a skewer of barbecued meat and evenly sprinkled the seasonings on the barbecued meat: "Mr. Xu, have you ever seen Cao Pi in Luoyang?"

Xu Shu nodded: "Of course I have seen it before."

Zhuge Qiao handed the roasted meat sprinkled with condiments to Xu Shu: "Do you think Mr. Xu has a long life for Cao Pi?"

Xu Shu didn't know why, so he pondered for a moment and said, "Cao Pi, I can't see his face clearly."

"Before he succeeded to the throne as King of Wei, Cao Pi was humble and gentle, and his behavior was also elegant. Judging from his words and deeds, his demeanor can be seen as elegant."

"However, after Cao Pi ascended the throne, he became irritable and irritable."

"Not only did Zhen Mi die, turning father and son against each other, he also imprisoned Nanyang Governor Yang Jun on the grounds that 'the city is not happy'."

"It is really strange that he was as humble as Fusu before he ascended the throne, and as cruel as Hu Hai after he ascended the throne."

Zhuge Qiao asked again: "I once heard someone say that before Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, in order to relieve the heat, he floated sweet melons in clear springs and drowned plum blossoms in cold waters."

"He also likes to eat sugar cane and often uses it as a staff."

"I also like to eat sweets very much on weekdays. I wonder if these rumors are true?"

Xu Shu thought for a while and said, "I don't know much about Cao Pi's fondness for sweets."

"But the sweet melons float in clear springs, the plum blossoms sink in cold water, and they often use cane as a staff. The rumors are true."

Zhuge Qiao looked at Mi Fang again and smiled: "Mi Sikong, you have resigned as the prefect of Nanjun. You must be quite boring on weekdays, right?"

Mi Fang had a dark face: "It's not boring! I'm very leisurely! I enjoy singing and dancing every day, and I'm as happy as a god."

Don't think that I don't know what's going on in your mind. You've tricked me so many times over the years.

I'm just greedy, not stupid!

Seeing this, Zhuge Qiao sighed: "A month of Sikong is really nothing worth boasting about."

"If it were me, I would definitely enter Chang'an with great merit and stay in the position of Sikong for ten or eight years."

"The world will be filled with peaches and plums, and no one in the world will recognize you."

Mi Fang took out a skewer of barbecued meat and bit into it fiercely.

I, Mi Fang, will never be tempted.

Zhuge Qiao glanced at Mi Fang and said, "If this thing is done, how much money will be made? Oops, I can't even calculate it."

"It's a pity that Bo Yue is in Longyou. Otherwise, letting Bo Yue handle this matter will get twice the result with half the effort."

“In arithmetic, there is no one better than Bethjo.”

Mi Fang's bite of meat stalled.

make money?

arithmetic?

next moment.

Mi Fang smiled broadly and personally fetched a skewer of barbecue for Zhuge Qiao: "I just wanted to play with you because the days lately have been too boring."

"I wonder if Bo Song has any interesting ideas? Can you tell me about them?"

Xu Shu chewed the roast meat carefully and smiled without saying a word.

Seeing that Mi Fang took the bait, Zhuge Qiao said: "The cane is mostly produced in Jingnan, Jiaozhou and Yangzhou."

"There are also people who make soybean juice, and its sweetness is not weaker than that of dates, chestnuts, jelly, and honey."

"However, the current craftsmanship for making soybean juice is too crude to be refined."

"I have a secret method for making sugar from soybean juice. Not only can I make a large amount of sugar, but the sugar I make is crystal clear like ice crystals, so it's called rock sugar."

"Such a rare thing, the powerful people in the north must be willing to spend huge sums of money to buy it."

Mi Fang's breathing became rapid.

Mi Fang, who was born as a businessman, understands the preciousness of this secret method very well.

Sugar is a precious and scarce commodity.

If crystal clear rock sugar can be made from soybean juice, it will have a huge impact on the sugar market in the north.

soon.

Mi Fang calmed down again: "Bosong, the north is dangerous. If I go, won't there be no bones left?"

"Money is important, but life is even more important."

Zhuge Qiao smiled and said, "Mi Sikong, you have been idle for so long that you have forgotten the essence of business."

"What do you have, Your Majesty? There are Shu brocades, jacquard damask brocades, rock candy that is about to be released, and precious things that neither Cao Pi nor Sun Quan can imitate!"

"What is your Majesty short of? Lack of food!"

"What does Cao Pi have? He has war horses, iron ore, food, and a large amount of strategic materials."

"What does Cao Pi lack? He lacks Shu brocade, he lacks jacquard damask brocade, he lacks sugar."

"What does Sun Quan have? He has food!"

"What's wrong with Sun Quan? He's short of war horses and iron ore!"

"Selling Shu brocade, jacquard damask brocade, rock sugar and other precious items into the north, Cao Pi will strictly investigate the items obtained by Han merchants in the north because he hates your majesty."

"It is almost impossible to obtain strategic materials such as war horses, iron ore, and grain from Cao Pi."

"However, Cao Pi hates Your Majesty, but wants to win over Sun Quan."

"Sun Quan is a man who forgets his righteousness when he sees profit."

"As long as the benefits are sufficient, it is normal for Sun Quan to react in any unbelievable way." "Sell Shu brocade, jacquard damask brocade, rock sugar and other precious items to Sun Quan, and Sun Quan will happily give him food."

"Sun Quan can also sell Shu brocade, jacquard damask brocade, rock sugar and other precious items to Cao Pi. It is not impossible for Cao Pi to win over Sun Quan and appropriately provide some strategic materials such as war horses and iron ore."

"Let Sun Quan, the middleman, make the difference, and the relationship between Jiangdong and Dahan will be closer."

Xu Shu was surprised.

Although Zhuge Qiao only expressed simple business logic, it contained national game.

Cao Pi heard that it was merchants in Liu Bei's territory who were selling sugar to the north, so they would definitely control the strategic materials.

But it was different when Sun Quan sold sugar to the north.

As the person Cao Pi wants to win over, he will inevitably turn a blind eye to strategic materials such as war horses.

Sun Quan, who wanted to conquer the world, had a high demand for war horses.

In Cao Pi's eyes, Sun Quan could not train elite cavalry even if he had war horses.

Therefore.

Not only would Cao Pi not stop it, but he would promote cooperation with Sun Quan.

Selling sugar may seem simple, but it is actually a trade-off between interests.

The only thing I don't understand is why Zhuge Qiao went to such trouble to sell rock candy to the north?
And why do you ask Cao Pi if he likes sweets?

Zhuge Qiao couldn't answer Xu Shu's question.

Or perhaps, Zhuge Qiao's current situation cannot conclude that Cao Pi's early death was related to his fondness for sweets.

Therefore.

Zhuge Qiao used rock candy as an introduction to make Cao Pi curious about this strange thing.

Even if you guess wrong, you can still exchange rock sugar for Jiangdong's grain.

In short, Zhuge Qiao will not lose money.

War is a catalyst for technology, and often a small idea from those in power will make a certain technology mature.

Seeing that there was no danger in selling, Mi Fang became interested.

In essence, Mi Fang still prefers to make money in business.

Although Mi Fang's current wealth is enough to be passed down for several generations, what Mi Fang enjoys now is not the result of making money but the process of making money.

After careful discussion with Zhuge Qiao, Mi Fang went to Nanjun that day to mobilize some people from the chamber of commerce to collect cane in Jingnan and Jiaozhou.

Xu Shu stayed at Zhuge Qiao's house and talked to Zhuge Qiao every day about the human geography of the north and so on.

Zhuge Qiao knew very well.

The next opportunity for the Northern Expedition will have to wait until Cao Pi dies.

If Cao Pi does not die, the seven states of Qingjiyou and Yanyuxu will be twisted into a rope.

But if Cao Pi dies, there will definitely be chaos in the seven states.

therefore.

When this new "change in the world" appeared, Zhuge Qiao had to reserve food and grass and develop technology for the next Northern Expedition as much as possible.

Simultaneously.

Zhuge Qiao also had to deal with force majeure natural and man-made disasters.

February of the fourth year of Zhangwu (224).

Liu Bei handed over the military and political capital of the DPRK to Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang, and went to Hedong County with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Fazheng, Zhao Yun, Chen Dao and five thousand cavalry to liberate the county.

After Liu Bei left, Shi Tao, who had concealed his identity when following Liu Bei back to Chang'an, came outside the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Shi Tao was very confused.

If he meets Zhuge Liang, he will break his promise to Xu Shu.

But without Zhuge Liang, Shi Tao felt that it was hard to let go.

Cao Pi has already gone to Yecheng, and Xu Shu is no longer an official of the pseudo-Wei in name, and cannot be said to be capricious.

Stopped for a long time.

Shi Tao took out the famous thorn in his arms and handed it to the guard at the door: "Please tell me, Prime Minister, that my old friend Yingchuan Shi Tao and Shi Guangyuan would like to see you."

The guard was surprised.

Some scholars who returned to the Han Dynasty wanted to take shortcuts and lied that they were Zhuge Liang's old friends and wanted to show off their talents in front of Zhuge Liang in the hope of being directly reused.

At first Zhuge Liang received him patiently, but after the news spread, a large number of scholars wanted to take this shortcut.

Zhuge Liang was already busy with official duties, so how could he let these scholars waste a lot of time.

then.

Zhuge Liang established a law and punished those who pretended to be old friends to seek official positions.

This put an end to this evil trend.

The guards of the Prime Minister's Mansion have not met a scholar who claims to be an old friend of Zhuge Liang for more than ten days.

"Sir, do you know the laws governing the appointment of the Prime Minister? If you pretend to be an old friend of the Prime Minister, you will be dealt with carefully." The kind guard reminded.

Shi Tao returned the favor and thanked him: "I, Shi Tao, will not change my name even if I do not change my surname. How can I pretend to be an old friend of the Prime Minister?"

"I expect that the Prime Minister will not only not punish me, but also come to the door to greet me personally."

The guard smiled.

This is even more confident than the previous scholar who pretended to be an old friend of the prime minister!

The guard did not mock Shi Tao. He took Shi Tao's famous assassin and came to the inner palace: "Prime Minister, there is a person outside the palace who claims to be your old friend Yingchuan Shi Tao and Shi Guangyuan."

Zhuge Liang was lowering his head to attend to official duties, and for a moment he didn't hear the guard's words clearly: "Who do you think he is?"

The guard said: "Yingchuan stone, Tao stone, Guangyuan stone."

Zhuge Liang raised his head suddenly, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp: "Who are you talking about?"

The guard was startled: "Prime Minister, he said he is Yingchuan Shi Tao Shi Guangyuan, and he also said you would personally go to the door to greet him. This is his famous assassin!"

Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and grabbed the famous assassin.

After glancing at the content and handwriting of the famous letter, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but laugh: "I was worried that no one would share the government affairs, and Guangyuan came to the door himself."

Done.

Zhuge Liang strode to the gate of the mansion, leaving behind a guard with a surprised look on his face: Prime Minister, did you really go to greet him?

Come to the door.

Looking at the familiar face in front of him, Zhuge Liang smiled even more: "Guangyuan, you are not kind. You have stayed in Chang'an for so long before you came to see me!"

Shi Tao also smiled: "How did Kong Ming know that I didn't come here just recently?"

Zhuge Liang laughed: "As long as you are a scholar who has passed the Wuguan Pass, I have carefully checked his identity and name, and there will never be you!"

Shi Tao couldn't help but think of Zhuge Liang's character: "Kong Ming, you still like to decide all matters by yourself. Isn't it too tiring to do this?"

Zhuge Liang stepped forward and took Shi Tao's hand: "There are too few useful people under my command. Since Guangyuan is here, please share some of the burden for me."

Shi Tao couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Kong Ming, I'm already old enough to know destiny, and I can't compare to your energy."

"What's more, I'm new here, you have the nerve to let me share the burden for you?"

Zhuge Liang entered with Shi Tao on his arm: "Guangyuan walks as fast as flying and is as strong as a tiger. He will have no problem living for another thirty years."

"Help me handle my official duties first. Go to my house tonight and ask Yueying to cook you some good dishes. I'll have a few drinks with you."

Shi Tao's cheek twitched: "Tonight? It's just past noon. Kong Ming, I just arrived and I'm not suitable for handling secrets."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Don't worry, Guangyuan, what I give you are not secrets, just chores."

"Don't worry, it will be finished before Haishi (9 p.m.)!"

For a moment, Shi Tao wanted to beat Zhuge Liang!
Old friends reunited!
This is a reunion of old friends!

Old friends meet again, no wine or food, why should we deal with official business until Haishi?
Why didn't you just say stay up until the early hours of the morning?
How could I be friends with a business maniac like you in the first place?
Without any choice.

Shi Tao could only accompany Zhuge Liang to work overtime at the office.

Zhuge Liang did not lie to Shi Tao, saying that he would finish it before Haishi, but he really would finish it before Haishi.

Not a moment more, not a moment less.

"Today is really fun!"

"With Guangyuan's help, we can finally handle all official affairs properly before Haishi."

Zhuge Liang laughed.

Seeing Shi Tao's downcast face, Zhuge Liang invited Shi Tao into the inner courtyard.

Huang Yueying, who received the news in advance, personally cooked and prepared food and wine for Zhuge Liang and Shi Tao.

"Guangyuan, come and try Yueying's craftsmanship."

"These are all dishes that Boson came up with. You must have never tasted them!"

Zhuge Liang introduced Shi Tao enthusiastically.

Shi Tao was originally worried, but after tasting the delicacies cooked by Huang Yueying, his appetite suddenly came up.

Xu Shu, Shi Tao and Meng Jian who went to Luoyang, except for Meng Jian who had connections and did well in the pseudo-Wei Dynasty, Xu Shu and Shi Tao were just minor officials with low official positions.

It's not that Xu Shu and Shi Tao have no talent, but that after the emergence of the Wei Jiupin Zhongzheng system, Xu Shu and Shi Tao's origins determined their height.

These two people were both knight-errants in the past. Even if they were successful in their studies, they were still despicable beings in the eyes of this group of scholars with extraordinary family backgrounds.

A minor official means a small salary.

Shi Tao had to support his family again, and he had been living in poverty these past few years.

After he was full of wine and food, Zhuge Liang asked: Guang Yuan, where is Yuan Zhi now? "

Shi Tao sighed after hearing this: "I came here just because of this matter; Yuan Zhi feels ashamed of Your Majesty and has no shame to come to see Your Majesty."

Zhuge Liang looked slightly solemn: "Cao Pi persuaded the infantry commander Guan Nei Hou Chenfu to join the imperial army. Is this really Yuanzhi?"

Shi Tao was silent for a moment and said: "Yes, and no."

"In the past, Chen Qun wanted to offer the Ninth Grade Zhongzheng, but Cheng Yu opposed it. Cheng Yu believed that this move went against Cao Cao's meritocratic principle of employing people."

"However, Cao Pi was eager to become emperor and urgently needed to win the hearts of the nobles with the nine-level Zhongzheng limited by Chen Qun."

"Cheng Yu knew Yuan Zhi's talents and his humble background. He was worried that Yuan Zhi would return to His Majesty, so he declared Yuan Zhi to be the Marquis of Guannei, the Infantry Colonel."

"He also used the following tactics to coerce Yuan Zhi into persuading Cao Pi to proclaim himself emperor, and completely put an end to Yuan Zhi's idea of ​​returning south."

"Yuan Zhi knew that he had no face to see His Majesty again, so when His Majesty came to Luoyang to migrate the people, he ran back to Yingchuan."

Zhuge Liang sighed: "Your Majesty has never blamed Yuan Zhi. Instead, he was surprised that Yuan Zhi had the merit of persuading people to advance but was not reused in the puppet Wei Dynasty."

"I'm even more angry that Cao Pi doesn't recognize talents and makes Yuan Zhi suffer humiliation. Yuan Zhi is too worried!"

There was a pause.

Zhuge Liang asked again: "Does Guang Yuan know where Yuan Zhi will go to Yingchuan? I can send someone to deliver the message."

Shi Tao said: "One of the scholars who came to Chang'an recently is an old acquaintance of mine in Luoyang. He said that Yuan Zhi went to Jingzhou, but I don't know where in Jingzhou he went."

Zhuge Liang was surprised and delighted: "What are you saying? Did Yuan Zhi really go to Jingzhou?"

Shi Tao nodded: "The two of them came out of quarantine together, but Jingzhou is too big, and I don't know where Yuan Zhi went."

"With Yuan Zhi's character, he will definitely change his name after going to Jingzhou, making it difficult to find him."

Zhuge Liang laughed: "Yuan Zhi's willingness to go to Jingzhou means that he has the idea of ​​meeting His Majesty."

"I will write a letter to Your Majesty right now. As long as Your Majesty goes to Jingzhou, you will definitely see Yuan Zhi."

"With Bo Song in Jingzhou, it is easy to enter Jingzhou, but difficult to leave Jingzhou."

"This time, he can't run away!" (End of chapter)