Cao Zhang proposed a three-year period in consideration of the current situation, to stabilize his position and to deal with the competition between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi with peace of mind, and also to protect Xia Houjuan from being involved in danger.
Another reason is that Xia Houjuan is only twelve or thirteen years old after all.
Although in this era, women of this age can also get married.
But after all, he came from time travel and had received modern civilization education, so he really couldn't do anything to a young girl.
"I am willing, even if it is thirty years, I will wait!" Xia Houjuan firmly raised his head and looked at Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang was so moved that he couldn't help but open his arms and hug the petite girl in his arms.
Xia Houjuan leaned into Cao Zhang's arms, feeling his generosity and warmth, and smiled happily.
The two hugged each other tightly, as if there was nothing else in the world, quietly enjoying the warmth that belonged to them.
"Cough...cough..." Xiahou Ba on the side couldn't help but cough a few times.
After hearing his reminder, Cao Zhang and Xia Houjuan came to their senses and hurriedly separated.
Xia Houjuan lowered his head in embarrassment, and two wisps of red clouds appeared on his cheeks.
"Ziwen, I heard everything you said to Juan'er today. One day in the future, if you dare to treat Juan'er badly, don't blame me as your brother for not sparing you." Xiahou Ba reminded Cao Zhang.
"Don't worry Zhong Quan, I will live up to Juan'er in this life." Cao Zhang responded very seriously.
"Juan'er, Ziwen is fine, let's go back." Xiahou Ba greeted Xiahou Juan.
Xia Houjuan nodded lightly, then looked back at Cao Zhang with a look of reluctance.
"Zhong Quan, I need your help with two things." Cao Zhang saw the two of them leaving and hurriedly said to Xiahou Ba.
"We brothers still talk like this between us? Your business is my business. Tell me, what do you need me to do?" Xiahou Ba agreed immediately.
"My second brother is dead, and my father arranged for us to keep a vigil for him. I can't leave Xu Du for the time being."
"But this matter is very urgent. I hope you can arrange for someone to go to Changshe County in Yingchuan County to find someone for me."
"Isn't it just to find someone? Leave it to me. What's this person's name?" Xiahou Ba asked.
Cao Zhang introduced: "His name is Xu Fu (Xu Shu's real name). After killing someone in the late Zhongping Dynasty, he changed his name and went elsewhere. But he also has a younger brother named Xu Kang who stayed with their mother in Changshe. You You must help me find their mother and son."
When thinking of candidates for counselors, Cao Zhang first thought of Xu Shu.
Xu Shu in history, before Zhuge Liang came out, as a military advisor helped Liu Bei defeat Cao Jun's attacks many times.
After surrendering to Cao Cao, his final official positions were You Zhonglang General and Yu Shi Zhongcheng, which shows that he also has certain political abilities.
Such talents are exactly what Cao Zhang needs most now. However, judging from the time, he should be studying with Sima Hui in Jingzhou at this time.
But he was extremely filial. Historically, it was because Cao Cao kidnapped his mother that he left Liu Bei and joined Cao Cao.
Although Cao Zhang was unwilling to follow Cao Cao's example and blackmail Xu Shu, it was a good way to win over Xu Shu through Xu's mother, so he immediately hoped that Xiahou Ba would help find Xu's mother.
"Who is this Xu Fu? Why are you so anxious to find him?" Xiahou Ba asked with confusion.
Cao Zhang pretended to be mysterious and responded: "The secret must not be leaked. I can't tell you yet. In short, just help me find his mother's residence, but don't alert them."
"Okay, I understand, what is the other thing you want to say?" Xiahou Ba agreed.
Cao Zhang approached Xiahou Ba and said in a low voice: "The second thing is that you help me select a group of loyal and obedient servants from Xiahou's family and replace all the servants in my house now."
The original owner had been drunk with Cao Shuo the night before, and was sent to the bed of Princess Wannian in the palace courtyard, but no one stopped him.
This shows that the servants around Cao Zhang have long been bribed by Cao Pi to cooperate with his actions.
In order to prevent them from cooperating with Cao Pi to frame him in the future, it is imperative to replace them all.
"I will replace all my personal servants for you, and they promise to be loyal." Xiahou Ba agreed without asking any further questions.
Cao Zhang patted Xiahou Ba's shoulder gratefully. The brotherhood between them made it unnecessary for him to say any more words of thanks.
"Ziwen, it's not too late. I'll make arrangements right now. You go back home first, and I'll bring someone over later." Xiahou Ba said goodbye to Cao Zhang and flew on his horse.
Cao Zhang took Xia Houjuan's hand and walked to her horse. He bent down and hugged Xia Houjuan directly from the princess. He gently placed her on the horse's back and helped her sit firmly.
"Juan'er, be careful on the way back." Cao Zhang warned Xiahou Juan.
"Brother Ziwen, you must protect yourself and don't let Juan'er worry." Xiahou Juan warned Cao Zhang worriedly.
Her eyes were slightly red, and she was obviously reluctant to meet Cao Zhang just now, but they were about to be separated again.
Cao Zhang looked at Xia Houjuan's pitiful appearance and softly chanted: "Slender clouds make tricks, flying stars spread hatred, and silver men are far away in darkness."
"When the golden wind and jade dew meet, they will win over countless others in the world."
"Tenderness is like water, good times are like dreams, and you can bear to look at the Magpie Bridge on your way back."
"If love lasts for a long time, how can we stay together day and night?"
"Ziwen, what are you talking about? Now there are clouds, now stars, and now they are from Magpie Bridge. What do you mean?" Xiahou Ba was confused and asked doubtfully.
"Brother, you usually know how to dance with guns and sticks, but you just don't want to study hard."
"On the surface, this passage is about the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, but it actually praises steadfast and loyal love. This is what Brother Ziwen wants me to feel at ease..." Xia Houjuan's voice slowly became smaller, and he looked at Cao Zhang and lowered his head in embarrassment. head.
"Ziwen only knows how to lead troops in battles. When will he be able to recite poems and compose poems? I don't know where he copied this sentence from." Xiahou Ba responded unconvinced.
"This poem is very touching and full of tenderness, but it is written in double tone, fifty-six characters, oblique rhyme. It seems that no one has ever used this kind of tune." Xia Houjuan muttered quietly.
"That's right, this is a kind of poetry created by me. I named it Queqiao Immortal. I also wrote this poem myself, and it's called "Magpie Bridge Immortal. Explain.
Cao Zhang's face did not change color and his heart did not beat. He fully demonstrated the excellent qualities of a word carrier and generously appropriated the works of later generations of literati as his own.
"Did you create it? When did you have this ability?" Xiahou Ba didn't believe what Cao Zhang said at all.
"What's the matter, if Zihuan is allowed to create "Ping Tiao" and "Yange Xing" in "Xianghe Ge", I can't concentrate on research and create a kind of Ci Pai myself?" Cao Zhang said plausibly.
"That's right, brother Zihuan and brother Zijian are both good at poetry and song. Why can't brother Ziwen and their compatriots write such beautiful words?" Xiahou Juan also echoed and refuted Xiahou Ba.
It was really the married girl who threw the water away, and now she started to help her husband suppress her brother.
Xiahou Ba looked helpless when faced with the attack from the two men.
"Okay, I can write, I can write. Let Ziwen write for you every day. Now go back and do business." Xiahou Ba urged.
Xia Houjuan nodded, turned around and looked at Cao Zhang again, and repeated softly: "If our love lasts for a long time, how can we stay together day and night?"
She urged her horse forward, and Xiahou Ba also urged his horse to follow.
Cao Zhang stood there, watching the two people gradually disappear from sight, then turned and left...
