Cao Thief

Chapter 185

Its daybreak!
But it's raining again...

Cao Peng and Chen Qun hurried, and finally arrived at Guangling County before the hour of Chen.

In fact, Dongling Pavilion is not far from Guangling County, but because of the continuous rain, the road is muddy and rugged, making it extremely difficult to walk.

After not sleeping all night, Cao Peng inevitably looked tired.

However, he didn't dare to delay, and after arriving at Guangling, he went straight to Chen's residence.

Chen Qun also looked tired, but he still followed Cao Peng.Xu Xuan and Chen Jiao didn't come over because they were too drunk to wake up yesterday.In front of the Chen Mansion's gate, Cao Peng got off his horse, and Chen Qun also got off his horse, and they climbed up the doorstep with Cao Peng.

After being recruited by Chen Deng, Cao Peng made arrangements overnight.

He ordered Wang Mai to take over the military affairs of Dongling Pavilion, Bu Zhi and Hao Zhao were Wang Mai's deputy, and Xia Houlan accompanied him.

This arrangement naturally has Cao Peng's reason.In fact, it is reasonable to say that Xia Houlan is the oldest, has rich experience, and has the strongest martial arts.He is the most suitable candidate to stay at Dongling Pavilion.But Cao Peng didn't arrange it like this.Firstly, he trusted Wang Mai the most; secondly, he didn't know what Chen Deng was looking for him for. If he couldn't come back for a while, Wang Mai could get more training from the town of Dongling Pavilion.Both Bu Zhi and Hao Zhao are people with outstanding abilities, so there is no need to worry about Wang Mai making mistakes.

It's not that Cao Peng doesn't trust Xia Houlan, but he trusts Wang Mai more than Wang Mai.

But in this way, Xia Houlan might have some ideas.

Cao Peng brought him by his side, which was also a means of appeasement: You see, I didn't even take my brother with me, but I took you with me. I value you very much!
Moreover, Xia Houlan's martial arts is also a guarantee for Cao Peng.

When they came to the gate of Chen's mansion, Cao Peng asked Xia Houlan to wait outside the gate of the mansion, while he followed Chen Qun and walked into Chen's mansion.

Chen Qun was also a resident of the Chen Mansion, and the servants were also very familiar with him, so no one came out to stop him as he walked along.

The two went straight to the main hall, and they heard voices coming from the hall from a distance.

Chen Qun walked into the hall first.

Afterwards, before Cao Peng entered the hall, he saw Chen Deng talking with a man in his forties.

Sitting on the same couch, the two looked very affectionate.

Just looking at this situation, one can tell that this middle-aged man has a lot of background.

As a descendant of a family, Chen Deng is generally very self-confident.Sitting on the same couch is an extremely intimate and equal relationship.

If it is not for the outstanding background, or the balance, it is generally difficult for this phenomenon to occur.

During the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the opposition between the children of the aristocratic family and the concubine of the humble family became more and more obvious.

Even if you are a high-ranking official, even if you are among the three princes, if you are not from the same background, it is impossible to sit and talk at the same table.

I can't remember who it is, but I only remember that an official visited a celebrity during the Jin Dynasty.

The two sat at the same table at the beginning and talked cordially.But when the official left, the celebrity ordered his servants to burn the mat.

The reason is that the background of the officials is too poor.

In Cao Peng's heart, he couldn't help but conjecture: Who is this middle-aged man?
But before he entered the hall, he heard Chen Qun exclaim in surprise: "But Xun Xiuruo?"

As soon as Chen Qun came in, Chen Deng and the middle-aged man stood up.

"Changwen, Yingchuan has been away for a long time, so don't come here without any problems."

The middle-aged man smiled, looked at Chen Qun, and nodded in greeting.

Chen Qun took two steps, stepped forward, clasped his fists with both hands, raised them above his head, and then bowed deeply, "Chen Qun, see you brother..."

"Hahaha, why did my virtuous brother come to be so generous?"

The middle-aged man took a step forward and supported Chen Qun, with a wider smile on his face.

"When did brother come to Guangling?"

Chen Deng said with a smile: "You just left yesterday, and Hugh arrived just now."

"Ah...I didn't know that my brother came here, but I failed to clean up my brother's dust. I hope my brother will forgive me."

The middle-aged man chuckled, held Chen Qun's arm, and talked very cordially.

Cao Peng stood at the entrance of the hall, feeling a little embarrassed.It's not good for him to come in, it's not good if he doesn't come in, and it's not easy to speak out, disturbing the three people's greetings.

Fortunately, Chen Qun still remembered Cao Peng, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, he said to Chen Deng, "Yuanlong, what is the matter that you hurried to find Youxue?"

Chen Deng also saw Cao Peng, but he didn't say hello.

When Cao Peng heard what Chen Qun said, he quickly bowed and said, "Cao Peng is here at the Dongling Pavilion. He has been ordered to come here to meet the prefect."

This is a rule!
Chen Deng is an official and the master, so it is impossible for him to speak first.

Chen Deng can only respond after a subordinate official speaks first.

"Youxue, come in."

Chen Deng beckoned Cao Peng to come in, and then said to Chen Qun: "It's not that I'm looking for Youxue, but Hugh Ruo calls the name and wants to see Youxue."

"what?"

Both Cao Peng and Chen Qun couldn't help being startled.

Chen Qun asked suspiciously, "Brother, what are you doing with Youxue?"

The middle-aged man put away his smile, looked at Cao Peng solemnly, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, "You are Cao Peng?"

"Exactly."

Cao Peng was a little puzzled.

He didn't know the middle-aged man in front of him, and he didn't know why the middle-aged man was looking for him.

Fortunately, Chen Qun was quick-witted, saw Cao Peng's confusion, and continued to introduce: "Youxue, come and meet the third brother first."

Three brothers?Whose third brother?
Cao Peng is even more confused!

But since Chen Qun said so, he still has to go forward to salute, imitating Chen Qun's appearance, and saluting, "Cao Peng pays homage to the third brother."

"puff-!"

Chen Qun couldn't help laughing.

The middle-aged people couldn't help but laugh too.

"Youxue, the third brother is my name. Why don't you... However, it's not impolite for you to call the third brother Xiuruo. Wen Ruo and his uncle and grandson also have a deep friendship. You can call the third brother this way. It makes sense. Come, come, let me introduce you, this is the third brother Xun Wenruo, Xun Yan."

Cao Peng was stunned when he heard this!

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Xun family came out in large numbers of talented people.

Starting from Xun Shu, he got the name of "Shenjun" and was praised as one of the four elders of Yingchuan.Xun Shu had eight sons named Xun's Eight Dragons, all of whom were talented and famous.Under the Eight Dragons, there are three brothers Xun Yu, Xun Yan, Xun Chen, and Xun Yue and Xun Zhongyu.Under Xun Yu, there are people like Xun You and Xun Gongda.It can be said that the Xun family has no mediocrity in the four generations.Xun Yan did not appear in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so Cao Peng was not impressed.But it has been more than a year since he was reborn in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and he has stayed in Xudu for half a year, and most of the people he has made friends with are extraordinary.

Cao Peng had heard of Xun Yan's name, saying that he was eloquent and full of tricks.

And Xun Yu's second brother, Xun Chen, who is now serving under Yuan Shao's tent, is also a remarkable person.

As for Xun Yu's eldest brother, he is not actually Xun Yu's real brother.He was talking about Xun Yu's cousin, that is, Xun Yue and Xun Zhongyu...

This person is elegant, noble, and talented.During the reign of Emperor Ling, eunuchs lived in seclusion because of their power.In the first year of Jian'an, after Cao Cao welcomed the emperor, he recruited Xun Yue as the servant of the Huangmen, and moved to the secretary and supervisor to serve in the middle.His official position is not inferior to Xun Yu's.

However, Cao Peng really didn't know Xun Yan, and he didn't know why Xun Yan was looking for him.

Seeing Cao Peng's confused look, Xun Yan was delighted.

"Cao Peng, I'll give you a pair of parallel prose.

The first couplet is the sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, and the sound is in my ears. "

Cao Peng was taken aback, and instinctively replied: "Then I care about everything about the Xialian's family, state, and world... Hey, how do you know this?"

This pair of couplets was written by Cao Peng at the door of his study when he was a guest in Dianjiawu.

Since the couplets have not yet appeared at this time, they appear in the article more in the form of parallel prose.He is also entertaining himself, of course, he does not rule out the psychology of wanting to pretend.

But when he first heard Xun Yan say this couplet, he was still shocked.He even instinctively thought: Xun Yan also came here through time travel?

Xun Yan couldn't help laughing when he saw Cao Peng's frightened look.

"Brother, what you just said..."

"Oh, this Yingchuan game has been quite interesting since last year. At first, it was spread from Wen Ruo, and Yingchuan Academy rushed to follow suit... It was only later that I found out that this game was actually played by a 14-year-old boy. Wen Ruo just happened to see it in someone else's residence."

Except for Cao Peng, who in this main hall is not a well-read poet and talented person?
Chen Qun and Chen Deng immediately heard the mystery of this game.

"Third brother, didn't you say that this game was created by Youxue?"

"Hehe, that's right."

Chen Qun turned around suddenly and stared at Cao Peng viciously.

"Youxue, if you have such a good idea, why don't you say it earlier."

"Uh... I forgot!"

Cao Peng thought to himself: How did I know that you like pairs?

But Chen Deng frowned, looking at Cao Peng's eyes, it seemed a little different.

Yesterday, he heard a piece of "Humble Room Inscription", and today, he also learned that parallel prose can be used in this way.

His opinion of Cao Peng also changed a lot, and he even felt that it was wrong to drive Cao Peng to Dongling Pavilion two months ago?

If I had known this kid had this talent, it would be good to stay by my side.

Damn boy, I talked to him a few times before, but I didn't seem to realize that he still has such talent...

For a while, Chen Deng couldn't help feeling a little worried about gains and losses.

Xun Yan motioned Cao Peng to sit down beside him, and then said in a deep voice: "I am ordered by the emperor to go to Jiangdong with Wang Lang, the lieutenant of the Dian Military Academy. Before leaving, Wen Ruo recommended you to me; and then Gongda also Said, if possible, let me take you to Jiangdong together... Even Guo Jia recommended you to me, which makes me feel strange. Your brother-in-law and Feng Xiaoxue came from the same school, I have heard people say it.

It's not surprising that Wen Ruo and Brother Ling also have friendship.

It's just that I have always been a little puzzled, why do Wen Ruo, Gong Da and Feng Xiao value you so much? "

His eyes were like swords, and he looked directly at Cao Peng.

But Cao Peng is very confused...

He roughly understood what Xun Yan meant: Xun Yan was going to Jiangdong as an envoy, so Xun Yu and the others recommended him to Xun Yan.Wait, Xun Yan said just now that he was going to Jiangdong with Wang Lang, the captain of the Dian Military Academy?In other words, Xun Yan is not the leader, but a deputy...

However, what does your mission to Jiangdong have to do with me?

Cao Peng was at a loss, a little confused about Xun Yan's intentions.

He was even more confused about Xun Yan's question, and he didn't know how to answer it.

In fact, Cao Peng had no contact with Xun Yu, Guo Jia or even Xun You.He had met Xun Yu, but had not spoken to Xun Yu; he had seen Guo Jia face to face, and although he had a conversation, it was only a few words.Moreover, the topic at that time also involved Guo Jia's health status. Guo Jia didn't seem very happy... As for Xun You, Cao Peng had never met him, let alone had any special friendship.

What is the intention of these three people suddenly jointly recommending themselves?
Cao Peng was puzzled and shook his head blankly.

After staring at Cao Peng for a while, Xun Yan waved his hand suddenly, "Are you coming this time with your followers?"

"Oh, there is only one family general, waiting outside the door now."

"How about this, you and your family will stay in the Chen Mansion tonight, and join me with the brigade early tomorrow morning to go to Jiangdong."

"Here!"

Cao Peng got up and intervened to respond.

He can't do this kind of thing.

Although he is now confiscated by Chen Deng, he belongs to Chen Deng.

But judging from Chen Deng's intentions, there was no objection, which meant that he had agreed.

"Right, one more thing."

Cao Peng was about to go out when he was called by Xun Yan again.

"I heard that you are not weak?"

Before Cao Peng could answer, Chen Qun had already opened his mouth and said: "This is indeed true. You are skilled in swords and horses. You once fought against Song Xian, one of Lv Bu's eight masters, in Xiapi City, and almost killed Song Xian. His skill , is very outstanding, and his generals are not waiting for nothing."

Xun Yan nodded, and shouted at the people outside the main hall: "Come here, fetch that box."

Then he said to Cao Peng: "When I came here this time, your father asked Zidan to give you something."

"My dad?"

Cao Peng was puzzled, not knowing what Cao Ji asked Xun Yan to bring.

At this time, a family general walked in from outside the main hall, holding a long black lacquered wooden box in his arms, and came to Cao Peng.

I took the wooden box from the general, and it was heavy, probably weighing fifty or sixty catties.

Cao Peng frowned and looked at Xun Yan.

But Xun Yan showed surprise, "You can open it and have a look."

Cao Peng nodded, put the long box on the ground, pressed the spring buckle, only heard a light click, and the box cover immediately popped up.The long box is about nine feet five inches, nearly ten feet long.The base is made of red silk, with a pair of big knives fastened on it.This pair of large knives is about eight feet and five inches long, with the handles removed.The handle of the knife is made of black lacquered peach wood, and the stem is locked, and the mouth of the knife is equipped with a black lacquered papaya gauntlet the size of a baby's fist.

This pair of broadswords is slightly different in length, width and narrowness.

One blade is six feet long, and the other is no more than five feet five inches.

And one wide and one narrow, the wide one is about the size of a palm, and the narrow one is only about three fingers.

There is a knife inscription engraved on the spine of the knife: Wuyin and the first month make my son and the crown.

It means that these two knives were made by Cao Ji for Cao Peng's congratulations on getting the crown, and they were completed in the first month of the new year.

The year of Wuyin, that is, the third year of Jian'an.

Last year, Deng Ji had mentioned to Cao Peng that he was going to be a coming-of-age ceremony for him in the third year of Jian'an this year.Presumably Cao Ji was also notified of this incident, so Cao Ji specially made this pair of long knives as a gift for Cao Peng as an adult.

Cao Peng reached out and picked up his two sabers.

But it was found that there was a line of knife inscriptions on the other side of the spine of the knife: Wuyin made Heyi in the first month of the first month.

He Yi is the He Yi Workshop, and it is also the name of the pair of knives.Cao Peng weighed it. The long and wide broadsword weighed about 28 catties, and the short and narrow broadsword weighed about 48 catties, totaling [-] catties.If it was when Cao Peng left Xudu last year, he would definitely not be able to use this pair of river swords.However, after a series of experiences, especially the battle with Lu Bu, Cao Peng has made another breakthrough.

The weight of this pair of big knives was just in hand.

He stood in the hall, wielding his two knives lightly, but he saw the light of the knives shining, and the clouds of the knives were biased.

Although Xun Yan and the others were separated by a certain distance, they could still feel the chill coming from the pair of swords, and they couldn't help applauding at the same time.

And Cao Peng secretly sighed: Dad's knife-making skills seem to have improved a lot compared to before!

(End of this chapter)