Cao Thief

Chapter 288 The Mystery of Poisoning
Although Cao Peng tried his best to cover it up, Chen Qun could still feel the anger in his heart.

What a dismount, what a big fire!Are these people not afraid of being exposed?Or is there something behind it, deliberately provoking?
Chen Qun couldn't tell why!

But he knew that the situation in Luoyang was delicate.

Aristocratic families, powerful and distinguished families...the royalist ones, Yuan Shao's ones, and even those who planned for himself, are intertwined and intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish.Back then, Dong Zhuo's fire not only burned down the ancient capital of Luoyang, but also burned up people's loyalty.

No one seems to care about etiquette, justice, integrity and shame, and what everyone pursues is their own interests.

Little Luoyang City, a game of chess in the world!
Chen Qun sighed in his heart, and at the same time, endless curiosity arose: Cao Peng, how will he deal with it?
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Not only Chen Qun was curious, but many people were paying attention.

The big fire in Weiku Mansion in the north was not so much to show Cao Peng off, but rather to test Cao Peng's bottom line.

They wanted to find out what kind of personality this new Luoyang North Captain had.

Is it tough or weak?Is he as cautious as the former Northern Captain Zhu Zan, or is he as tyrannical as Cao Cao in his early years?
Different responses, Luoyang people will give different countermeasures.

In short, the meaning of this fire is not trivial...

But to everyone's surprise, Cao Peng didn't react violently, nor did he take any action.As if nothing had happened, on his first day in office, Cao Peng ordered the repair of the courtyard wall of Weiqian Hall in the north, and ordered people to count the losses of the Treasury.

Other than that, nothing happened.

Cao Peng, don't accept the move!

This also confuses many people.You must know that Cao Peng, the northern lieutenant, has an extraordinary meaning, and behind it represents Cao Cao's interests.He didn't do anything, even Chen Qun couldn't guess Cao Peng's thoughts.Cao Peng, what are your plans?
"Intend?"

In the early morning, Cao Peng hugged the moon in his arms in a tiger hug posture, his back was slightly arched, and his whole body was like a full bow.Like a hungry tiger pouncing on food, the body crawls on the ground, stretching the fascia as much as possible.When the fascia was stretched to the extreme, he put his hands on the ground, bounced up, and paused backwards. The joints of the whole body shifted, and a series of empty explosion sounds came out.

Xia Houlan, who stood watching from the side, couldn't help taking a big step back.

The moment Cao Peng got up, he felt a faint murderous aura.In the murderous aura, there seemed to be a tiger's aura mixed, which made Xia Houlan's heart tremble.When she was in Luhun Mountain, Xia Houlan had broken through the calm and entered the marrow washing stage.It's just the same as Cao Peng's previous situation. After entering the marrow washing, he seemed to have lost the direction of his practice, and he didn't know how to continue practicing.

Now, seeing Cao Peng's early success, Xia Houlan is also a little envious.

Back then, Tong Yuan put all his thoughts on Zhao Yun and didn't pay much attention to Xia Houlan.

There are some exercises that Zhao Yun can teach to Xia Houlan, but there are still some exercises that Zhao Yun would not dare to teach without Tong Yuan's nod.

Cao Peng received his merit, took the cloth towel from Bu Luan, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Stretching his body, he said to Xia Houlan: "Zi You, take Li Xian and Da Ya out for a walk, see if you can get in touch with Shi A, ask him some news... However, I guess Shi A may not be It will be in Luoyang, otherwise he will come to the door yesterday. If you can’t find Shi A, don’t worry, go to the market, listen more and talk less, maybe you will have unexpected gains.”

"Here!"

"Xiao Luan, let Xiao Huan fetch the roster of government servants later, I want to have a look.

Also, find two craftsmen, I need them to craft something.No matter who visits today, I will never see any visitors. "

"Yes."

After Cao Peng ordered, he took a sip of water, then came to the training ground again, and picked up a strong bow of about three stones.

I saw him calm and relaxed, bowing to the full moon...

Seeing that Cao Peng had no other orders, Xia Houlan turned and left.

Bu Luan stood on the sidelines, quietly looking at Cao Peng's back, that beautiful pink dimple suddenly flushed red, very attractive.

After practicing, it was Chen Shi, and Cao Peng went back to his study after taking a rest.Guo Huan had already finished tidying up the study room, and arranged all kinds of documents by category. The roster requested by Cao Peng had already collapsed on the documents.She was waiting for greetings outside the study, while being a female celebrity.It's almost the beginning of autumn, and the weather is turning cold, so we have to change our clothes.But Cao Peng came in a hurry this time, and didn't bring much change of clothes.Guo Huan was dexterous, so she got angry at the female celebrity's thoughts, and she worked every stitch with a very serious attitude.

Throughout the noon, the Weiguan Yamen in the north seemed exceptionally quiet.

At noon, Xia Houlan came back.

"My lord, you guessed right, Shi Aguo is not in Luoyang."

"Oh?"

"Yesterday at noon, Shi A left...According to his disciple Miao Xu, he was summoned temporarily by the second son of Xu Du, so he left in a hurry."

"Second Prince summoned?"

Cao Peng sneered, "It's really timely for the Second Prince to call."

It is impossible for Cao Pi to easily summon Shi A at this time.Because Cao Peng knew that Cao Cao was planning to challenge Yuan Shao.After entering June, as the drought in Yuzhou eased, Cao Cao began to deploy the confrontation with Yuan Shao.According to Chen Qun, Cao Cao has ordered Zang Ba to attack Qingzhou, occupy Qijun, Beihai and other places, and has consolidated Cao Jun's right wing, leaving Yuan Shao's nephew Gao Gan to send troops to attack from the east.

Yu Jin continued to garrison the south bank of the Yellow River, while Zhang Liao garrisoned Yewang. On the one hand, he could monitor the movement of Yuan Shao's army from Bingzhou to the south, and on the other hand, it could also form a strong containment of Jizhou.Then Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Dun to garrison Fangshan, and ordered Man Chong to send troops to pretend to attack Rang County to increase the deterrence of Jingzhou's troops.At the same time, Cao Ren and Cao Hong were ordered to prepare for an attack, intending to send troops to attack Runan Liu Bei.

Xu Huang took over the white horse, echoing Xia Houyuan.

According to the development of this situation, Cao Peng can vaguely guess the possible changes that will happen next.

The Battle of Guandu must be the Battle of Guandu!

In my memory, after Cao Cao pacified Lu Bu, the Battle of Guandu happened immediately.

Cao Peng can't remember the exact time, but based on the current situation, it can be inferred that the battle of Guandu is imminent.

As the second son of Cao Cao, after Cao Ang's death, Cao Pi has become the focus of Cao Cao's training.

At this time, I greeted Shi A to come over. Could it be that he wanted Shi A to be a bodyguard?Cao Peng met Cao Pi, and even Cao Pi, although young, was very scheming.Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for Cao Pi to summon Shi A at this time.Then when Shi Ah left, it became quite interesting.

"Forget it, since he's gone, let him go."

Cao Peng strolled in the courtyard, and said to Xia Houlan: "That apprentice Shi A...what's his name?"

"Miao Xu."

"Well, did Miao Xu say something else?"

Xia Houlan thought for a while, "Miao Xu said that since the young master left, nothing serious has happened in Luoyang. By the way, that Zhu Dao and Chi Zhong fought swords several times, which caused several moderate conflicts. Other than that, I haven't heard of any abnormalities..."

Congratulations?Chi Zhong?
"Why are they fighting swords?"

"Hehe, it is said that Zhu Dao went to the Chrysanthemum Nunnery to find trouble for the Yue Anzhu. Chi Zhong stood up for the Yue Anzhu, so there was a dispute."

Chrysanthemum Temple?
In Cao Peng's mind, the graceful but coquettish bhikkhuni suddenly appeared.

However, he immediately put the bhikkhu behind him, sat down on a square stone, and meditated silently.

Shi A left Luoyang at this time, which shows that he more or less knew some inside information.According to Shi A's previous performance, he should have taken the initiative to contact Cao Peng.And leaving suddenly shows that Shi A has scruples in his heart.It is not easy to make Shi A feel scruples.

Who could it be?

Luoyang noble family?

Bah, the Luoyang nobles are almost dead!
That is the power of aristocrats entrenched in Luoyang City?

It seems unlikely... Chen Qun's appointment as Luoyang Commander was actually an exchange between Cao Cao and a high-ranking lord.In other words, Luo Yang's high-ranking family is unlikely to cause trouble for Cao Peng.Because doing so is tantamount to not giving Chen Qun face...

In any case, Chen Qun was born in the Chen family of Yingchuan, and his status also predestined him to be the representative of the noble family.

To embarrass Chen Qun, isn't it embarrassing yourself?
Cao Peng shook his head lightly, trying to hide the thought.

It's not the Luoyang wealthy family, nor is it a high-ranking big family!So what power is there that can make Shi A afraid?

Cao Peng found that this matter was not as simple as he imagined.In Luoyang City, there seems to be an invisible big hand hiding, manipulating everything in the dark.Such a mysterious and huge power really made Cao Peng palpitate!Just imagine, how brave are these people who dare to poison Zhu Zan and set fire to the Weifu Yamen in the north?There is another question, why did these people poison Zhu Zan!

Cao Peng had an intuition that the person who set the fire and the person who poisoned Zhu Zan had a very close relationship, and they might even be the same group.

"By the way, has the treasury's losses been counted?"

Guo Huan hurried forward and said softly, "It's been counted."

"What's the loss?"

"There is no loss at all. According to the guard, the house that was on fire was full of sundries and nothing important."

"is it?"

Cao Peng sat blankly, staring straight at the row of houses in front of him.

Suddenly, he stood up and walked towards the house.

Xia Houlan and Guo Huan were stunned for a moment, then quickly followed.

This row of houses is also the main building of Weihou Hall in the north.In the middle is a flower hall, with two wing rooms on each side...

Here, it used to be Zhu Zan's residence.

Because Cao Peng came in a hurry, this row of houses hadn't been tidied and cleaned yet, so yesterday Cao Peng lived in the Kuanyuan where he lived when he was a guest in Luoyang last time.When he pushed the door of the Flower Hall, he felt a palpitating aura pervading the hall.

It's no wonder that people have just died, and it is inevitable that there will be a sense of fear in this hall.

Guo Huan's small face was pale, and she looked terrified.

Although Xia Houlan was brave, but standing in the flower hall, she still felt that the wind was blowing, and her scalp was unavoidably numb.

"This is where my fourth brother works!"

Cao Peng didn't realize it, he stood in the middle of the flower hall and looked around.

The case fell to the ground, and the books and documents were scattered all over the place.There were dark blood stains faintly on the ground, which added a bit of terror.

"Fourth brother, I'm Ah Fu, I'm here to see you!"

Cao Peng suddenly shouted loudly.

Xia Houlan shuddered, and Guo Huan stood behind Cao Peng even more nervously, holding Cao Peng's sleeve tightly with his small hands.

"Young master, don't scare me."

"What are you afraid of!" Cao Peng took a deep breath and said to Guo Huan, "Could it be that my fourth brother will kill me... Fourth brother, if you are alive in heaven, please bless me and catch the murderer as soon as possible. Revenge."

The voice echoed in the empty flower hall: revenge, revenge, revenge...

Cao Peng gently rubbed his cheeks, squatted down, and picked up the copybook on the ground.

"By the way, where is the jug and cup my fourth brother drank from now?"

"After Brother Zhu's accident, all his belongings were confiscated by the former Luoyang order and stored in the county government warehouse."

"Ziyou, go to the county government office immediately, and bring all the items that belonged to the northern lieutenant government office, and remember to keep them well."

After finishing speaking, Cao Peng reached out and rubbed Guo Huan's head.

"Clean it up, I'm going to study here tonight."

"Study here?"

Guo Huan trembled and looked at Cao Peng in horror.

Cao Peng smiled slightly, and said softly: "If the fourth brother is alive, maybe he will give me some hints."

Guo Huan, keep silent.

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That night, Cao Peng spent the night in the flower hall.

Two arm-thick butter waxes were lit, illuminating the flower hall transparently.

On the table, the documents and books were placed neatly, a bronze wine pot with carved patterns, and a copper jug ​​with carved patterns were also placed on it.

Cao Peng sat on the couch, looked at the jug and the bronze jue, and fell silent.

He closed his eyes, and the scene of that night flashed through his mind: Zhu Zan, as usual, asked someone to chill a jug of wine, and while drinking, he reviewed official documents.Suddenly, he stood up and spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered, knocked over the case, and spilled the files and books all over the floor... Then, Zhu Zan fell to the ground, and Mrs. Zhu rushed in when she heard the yelling, and took Zhu Calling with praise in my arms...

Opening his eyes, Cao Peng picked up a volume of copybooks and glanced at them.

The above is Mrs. Zhu's statement at that time.

Before he died, Zhu Zan once said to Mrs. Zhu: "Madam, you are confused, confused..."

Who is confused?
Mrs. Zhu confused?
Or is Zhu Zan confused?

What is the meaning of Zhu Zan's strange words?
Also, he was poisoned, so how did the murderer poison him?According to Mrs. Zhu's confession, Zhu Zan's life is not affluent, so there are not many servants in the family.An old housekeeper and two cooks were brought by Mrs. Zhu from her natal family.So many things are taken care of by Mrs. Zhu herself.For example, the wine that Zhu Zan drank every night was also placed on the table after Mrs. Zhu personally iced it with well water... Therefore, if the murderer wants to poison, there are generally several possibilities.First, the wine was poisoned when it was bought; second, the wine was poisoned when it was chilled; third, it was Madam Zhu who injected the poison herself.

Madam Zhu?

It should be impossible!

Cao Peng met Mrs. Zhu, and he could feel the love of Zhu Zan and his wife.

Could it be poisoning in the liquor store?

The wine that Zhu Zan drinks every day is bought from a wine shop in Tongtuo Street, and it is very common wine.

According to the confession, every afternoon, the old housekeeper brought by Mrs. Zhu buys wine in that wine shop... Could it be that the owner of the wine shop poisoned him?

Also unlikely.

Because the old butler said: After arriving at the wine shop, the shop assistant draws wine from a wine tank.The one in the wine tank is open to all customers.

If it was poisoned in a wine shop, it is unknown how many people would die.

As for the ice wine work, Mrs. Zhu did it too, so Cao Peng didn't think about it anymore.

All possibilities are denied, so how did the murderer poison him?
Cao Peng put down the file and fell into deep thought for a long time...

(End of this chapter)