Cao Thief

Chapter 35 Hong Niangzi's Invitation (22)

The wind is getting stronger.

The little cloud in the sky has turned into a thick cloud, covering the sky.The wind roared, and the blizzard raged... The dark sky merged with the sea of ​​snow, and nothing could be seen.

In the south is Judu Ferry, where a ferry is moored.

A tall pole was inserted into the bow of the boat, and the lanterns swayed in the wind, flickering on and off.

A carriage came slowly from a distance and parked at the ferry.

Zhang Wanzhen got out of the car and boarded the ferry with Zhang Guanshi.The coachman drove the carriage to the boat under the snowflakes.Several boatmen also went to help, and the ferry was noisy and lively, and the horses neighed continuously.

"Uncle Zhang, why are there two sinks next to Cao's melting furnace?"

Zhang Wanzhen stood at the door of the cabin, looking at the slightly chaotic ferry, and suddenly asked softly.

Guanshi Zhang froze for a moment, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Miss, how can I guess the mystery here? Even a talented woman like you can't see the clue, let alone me... However, I think setting up two sinks It's no big deal, maybe they will be useful in the future?"

"Hee hee, using two sinks at the same time, how could it be for future planning?

And the water in the sink is definitely not water... Although I can't guess the mystery inside, I can be sure that it has something to do with Cao Peng.

Uncle Zhang, have you noticed that Cao Peng is different from ordinary people?He has a lot of weird ideas and is a very interesting guy.I'm trying to figure out now, what exactly is in the sink?Why bloom?What special purpose? "

It's windy and snowy...

But he couldn't hide the desire for knowledge in the girl's eyes.

Manager Zhang couldn't help shaking his head secretly.

This young lady is really different from other girls.I spend all day studying some strange and weird things, and my mind is full of whimsical ideas.But her father actually let her go... After all, he is also a celebrity in Jingxiang, how could he teach such a daughter?

Of course, this is just what Guanshi Zhang thinks about.

He dare not say it...

Not to mention him, I'm afraid even the patriarch of his own family would not go to make irresponsible remarks.

Although the Zhang family is very famous in Nanyang County, but in terms of strength, compared with the family behind this young lady, there is a world of difference.

Forget it, she's interested if she's interested!
If she doesn't tell me, why should I be such a bad person?
Thinking of this, Zhang Guanshi felt a lot more relaxed, "Miss, didn't you say that you want to learn boxing from Cao Peng? Just ask him when the time comes."

Yao's nose turned up, and the girl snorted.

"That guy is very ghostly, if there is a secret hidden in it, he may not tell me.

But it's okay, if he doesn't tell me, I can find out by myself... Oh, and one more thing.After we go back, ask uncle to prepare a yard for me, I want to do something.But don't tell my father about this, or he will nag me again..."

"This, the villain understands."

Manager Zhang couldn't help laughing, and nodded in agreement.

"Miss, the ship is about to sail, you'd better stay in the cabin, don't catch the cold."

"Uncle Zhang, it hasn't been long anyway, I'm just here to look at the snow scene, you can go about your business and don't bother to take care of me."

The girl is not very old, but perhaps because of her background, there is an irresistible force in her words.

Guanshi Zhang thought about it for the same reason, so he didn't say anything more.He went to the stern and called out, "Hurry up, hurry up... the snow looks like it's going to get bigger, let's not delay any longer. Park the car... watch your horses, let's sail!" "

The ferry slowly left the ferry and headed for the other side of the river.

The girl looked at the snow scene, but she thought about another question in her mind: What secrets are there in the sink?
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The next day, Cao Peng got up early.

When Dai Yi walked out of the room, he saw a vast expanse of whiteness in front of him, and felt ethereal in his heart.

I did a few chest-expanding movements, and moved my legs and feet.First, he rinsed his mouth with green salt, then took a basin of warm well water and washed his face.

It seems that I have to find a way to make a toothbrush.

Although it is good to gargle with green salt, I have no habit of toothbrush after all.

"Ah Fu, let's go!"

Deng Ji called Cao Peng's name at the gate.

Cao Ji slept late last night, but before Cao Peng went to bed, he told him to go to the county town to buy some charcoal and come back.

From now on, this family will be handed over to Cao Peng sooner or later, and he will have to learn to deal with some things slowly.Originally, Wang Meng said that he could buy it, but Cao Ji refused.After coming to Jiyang for such a long time, it is also time for Cao Peng to get familiar with the environment here...

Strange to say!
If it was the past, Cao Ji would never raise any objections.

But even after a fight with Ma Yu that day, Cao Ji gradually changed.

For example, he began to learn to make up his mind and began to try to say 'no' to others.This was unimaginable before.His somewhat cowardly character, the kind of character that abuses good people, makes Cao Ji always passive to make changes.But now, he started to take the initiative to change, which is definitely a good thing for the whole Cao family.After all, Cao Ji is now the head of the family...

Buy charcoal as early as possible.

Cao Peng led Da Hua and walked out of the house with Deng Ji.

"Ah Fu, wait for me."

Wang Mai put on his clothes and caught up, and said with a smile, "I'll go with you."

"You don't practice anymore?"

"I'm tired of practicing alone. I'll go buy charcoal with you first, and then come back and practice together."

Cao Peng didn't care, so he nodded, leading the horse and walking side by side with Deng Ji.

"Brother-in-law, are you busy these two days?"

Deng Ji rubbed his reddened nose, let out a breath, and said with a smile: "Magistrate Kuai has gone back to Xiangyang, and he will not be able to return until fifteen years later. There is nothing to do in the public house these two days, except for some simple official duties. Outside of that, there's basically nothing to do."

"Hehe, I guess after this year, I'm afraid I'll be busy."

"possible……"

Deng Ji is a man of practical work, not good at drilling.

But because of Cao Peng's relationship, Kuai Zheng took good care of him.

Deng Cai was exiled to villages and towns, and has never returned.Ma Yu was imprisoned and has not been punished.

It is estimated that when Kuaizheng came back from Xiangyang this time, he should have some results... Cao Peng was not too worried, he seemed very relaxed.

Chatting with Deng Ji all the way, before we knew it, we arrived outside Jiyang County.

"Uncle Sun, I'm going to find you."

Before entering the city, I saw a middle-aged man running towards me.

Cao Peng had seen this man before, and vaguely remembered that he was also from Deng Village, and he was Deng Ji's uncle in terms of seniority.name?Cao Peng really didn't remember clearly, but when he saw the middle-aged man, he still respectfully saluted and said hello.

The middle-aged man returned the salute slightly, then pulled Deng Ji and said, "Hurry up, County Magistrate Kuai returned last night, and called everyone early in the morning to discuss something important."

"Magistrate Kuai is back?"

"Yeah, I came back last night when it was snowing heavily... let's go, Magistrate Kuai is waiting for us."

Deng Ji quickly agreed, turned around and said to King Cao Peng: "Ah Fu, Hutou, you two have been walking along this road, and when you see three old locust trees, turn right, about a mile or so, that is Che’ergou. Find a man named Wei Lan, his charcoal is the best.”

"understood!"

Deng Ji didn't dare to delay any longer, and hurried into the city with the old official.

Cao Peng and Wang Mai looked at each other, and led the horse along the road Deng Ji said.

While walking, Cao Peng was thinking about things.

It stands to reason that Kuai Zheng returned home years ago, so he should have stayed there until after offering sacrifices to his ancestors.In this year and month, offering sacrifices to ancestors during the New Year is a major event, and without any special reason, it is impossible to be absent at will.Unless, Kuai was ostracized by his family, or was punished.

But it seemed impossible. If Kuai Zheng was punished, it would be impossible for him to stay in his seat in Jiyang County.

This shows that something big must have happened!
Cao Peng desperately remembered, suddenly stopped, and said to himself: "Could it be that Cao Cao is going to attack Wancheng?"

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao felt threatened from the rear because Zhang Xiu occupied Wancheng and formed an alliance with Liu Biao.So the ongoing battle of Xuzhou was hastily ended, and the returned troops intended to attack Zhang Xiu.But Cao Peng is not sure about the exact time, but he only remembers that it was the second year of Jian'an.

It is the end of the first year of Jian'an, and Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao have formed an alliance!
If calculated according to this time, Cao Cao should send troops to Nanyang County in the next year.

"Ah Fu, what did you just say?"

"Uh...nothing!"

Cao Peng smiled and said to Wang Mai: "Let's go, let's buy the charcoal quickly and go to practice."

"it is good!"

Wang Mai still looked indifferent, and excitedly led the horse forward.

Cao Cao is going to attack Wancheng?
This should be a fight against Wancheng. Cao Cao won first and then lost, and suffered heavy losses.So what benefit can I get from this matter?Cao Peng thought about it, but found that at this time, he seemed to be only a bystander, watching the development of the situation.

Could it be that he ran over and told Cao Cao: Zhang Xiu will rebel, and then your son, your nephew, and your generals will all die in battle?
Not to mention whether I can see Cao Cao, even if I do, if I say these things in front of Cao Cao, I'm afraid my life will be lost...

But just look at it like this?
Cao Peng felt a little pity again!
Damn, without fame and strength, it is really a painful thing...

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Cheergou is a village with 28 households.

Every household here relies on burning charcoal for a living, and winter is the busiest time.

Cao Peng and Wang Mai quickly found Wei Lan's residence, bought two large baskets of charcoal, and set foot on their way home.Prices in the late Eastern Han Dynasty were not low, especially when Dong Zhuo was a disaster for the world, he issued a large amount of undocumented money, which caused prices to skyrocket.It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars for a grain of dendrobium. Many people may not be able to afford a stone of grain with their savings for a lifetime. In the end, they have to choose the method of exchanging seeds and eating to survive.

However, since Dong Zhuo's death, the situation has also begun to improve.

Liu Biao is not a person who does big things, but in terms of governance, he does have some means.

First of all, he abolished the Wuwen coins issued during Dong Zhuo’s period (the small coins cast during Dong Zhuo’s period, with a diameter of 1.2-1.5 cm and a weight of 0.5-1 gram. The words five baht were also engraved, but because of the blurred characters, they were later ridiculed as Wuwen coins. money), using a full value of five baht, so that the price will drop quickly.Later, he joined forces with the Jingxiang family to reward farming and build water conservancy, which gradually stabilized Jingzhou's rule.

From this point of view, Liu Biao is not bad.

Originally Cao Ji asked Cao Peng to buy a basket of charcoal, but considering the upcoming war, Cao Peng still bought an extra basket.

It seems that we have to buy more food to store up...

Cao Peng muttered in his heart: Once the war starts, Jiyang will definitely be affected.When the price soars, it may be another trouble.

After returning home and unloading the charcoal, Wang Mai led the horse into the stable.

Cao Peng was about to discuss with Cao Ji about storing grain, but before he entered the hall, he heard a burst of laughter from inside.

have a guest!
And it's a familiar guest, Mrs. Hong.

Ever since Ma Yu's incident, Mrs. Hong and Cao Ji's family have been very close.

Although this woman has no culture, she is a person with sharp eyelids.She can see that Deng Ji's family will definitely develop in the future, so she will come to help the Cao family if there is anything to do.After coming and going, under Mrs. Hong's deliberate hospitality, she became more and more intimate with Mrs. Zhang and Cao Nan.

"Yo, Mr. Xiao Lang is back!"

When Mrs. Hong saw Cao Peng coming back, she immediately greeted him warmly.

"Big brother, it's not your fault... How can you let Xiao Langjun go out in such a cold day? Just tell me if there is anything going on in the future. Anyway, my family has nothing to do, so just let him go. Sit down quickly , sit down and go out for a while, it's hard work..."

Mrs. Hong was smiling all over her face, making Cao Peng a little at a loss.

After seeing Li, Cao Peng was thinking of calling Cao Ji out to talk about something, but he heard Mrs. Zhang ask: "Peng'er, please sit down first, I have something to ask you."

"Mom, what's the matter?"

"I heard that every morning, you play with Hutou on the river beach behind. What do you do?"

Cao Peng was stunned for a moment, "Didn't do anything?"

"Are you practicing martial arts?"

"Uh... yes!"

This kind of thing cannot be hidden, and Cao Peng has no intention of hiding it.

However, he did not tell anyone that he taught Wang Mai to practice boxing.

So no matter Cao Ji or Zhang family, I thought Cao Peng was practicing martial arts with Wang Mai.

Wang Meng noticed some clues, but Wang Mai didn't say anything, and he wouldn't ask...

It is faintly felt that after Wang Mai and Cao Peng practiced martial arts together, they made great progress.Wang Meng is very clear about his own situation.The things he taught Wang to buy could not achieve such an effect.Presumably Cao Peng pointed out?This may sound absurd, but Wang Meng was not surprised.Back then, Cao Peng studied with an alchemist, maybe that alchemist had great supernatural powers and taught Cao Peng the magic method of the immortal family?
Mrs. Zhang said with a smile: "Peng'er, it's like this.

During the days when our family came to Dengcun, your aunt of the Hong family helped a lot.She has a son, Deng Fan, who you should have met... who is about the same age as you. Your aunt of the Hong family came to me just to discuss, and wanted Deng Fan to practice martial arts with the two of you. "

Madam Hong had an awkward smile on her face, as if she was a little embarrassed.

"Xiao Langjun, I also know that this is a bit presumptuous.

It's just that the boy in my family, seeing that he is getting old, is idle all day long, causing trouble everywhere.If he was asked to learn crafts from his father, he would not like it, saying that he was not promising; if he was asked to study, he didn't have the ability.I heard that the two young gentlemen have good skills, so I wanted him to learn from you... This war is in chaos, you can practice some fists, maybe you can even fight for a family..."

Cao Peng was stunned!
"I need to ask Uncle Wang about this matter."

Cao Ji said: "Your Uncle Wang said it, it depends on what you mean... If you want, he has no objection.

Peng'er, your aunt has helped us a lot. When our family was in trouble, your sister also owed her to take care of you. You can figure it out yourself. "

Damn, it's up to me to figure it out?
Your old man has already talked about this, what else can I do?
Cao Peng knew about Deng Fan, but he had no impression.

So I thought about it, and said to Mrs. Hong: "Auntie, if Brother Deng is willing, then let's come together!"

The smile on Mrs. Hong's face suddenly became brighter.

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(End of this chapter)