Cao Cao listened to Cao Zhi's recitation, his face full of appreciation and admiration.
Cao Zhang was also secretly convinced. After all, he was really capable. He created something original in such a short time, and he couldn't compare with it.
Cao Zhang also understood that Yang Xiu pushed Cao Zhi out at this time just to please Cao Cao. The purpose was self-evident.
I originally thought that Cao Pi was the only opponent, but now Yang Xiu appeared and began to offer advice to Cao Zhi. Obviously, Cao Zhi will also join the fight for the crown prince in the future, and he has another strong opponent.
But now that we are about to go on an expedition, we can only work hard to win first. When we return from victory, we can then plan carefully how to deal with Cao Pi and Cao Zhi's flanking attack at the same time...
Yang Xiu listened to Cao Zhi reciting and watched Cao Cao's expression change. He knew that this poem had deeply moved Cao Cao, and a proud look appeared on his face involuntarily.
He knew that his method of finding wisdom out of desperation had achieved results. Cao Cao still fully appreciated Cao Zhi's talent, which showed that Cao Zhi still had a chance to win the heir apparent in the future.
"When compiling a list of strong men, you are not allowed to care about personal interests. You sacrifice your life to go to the national disaster and treat your death as if you are returning home!" Cao Zhi finished the last sentence impassionedly.
"Good!" Cao Zhang was the first to express his admiration, "Zijian's poem is so soul-stirring and magnificent. My brother's blood boiled after listening to it. This expedition will definitely boost morale and return victoriously!"
"Thank you for the compliment, brother!" Cao Zhi sincerely thanked Cao Zhang.
"Well, one gave me a cloak, and the other gave me poems. Ziwen, your brother and brother are both considerate of you. Which one of them do you like better?" Cao Cao looked at Cao Zhang and asked with a smile.
Cao Cao's question contained a hidden mystery, and it was actually testing Cao Zhang's attitude towards the two of them.
Naturally, Cao Zhang did not want to publicly reveal the conflict between himself and Cao Pi at this time, and responded with a smile: "Whether it is my brother's cloak or my brother's heroic poem, they are both thoughtful and equally important and precious in my heart. Distinguish between high and low.”
Cao Cao laughed loudly after hearing this: "Ziwen, you are really good at talking, and you can't offend anyone. Zihuan's cloak is very considerate, but in my opinion, it is still a bit inferior to Ziwen's poems."
Cao Cao's words clearly favored Cao Zhi and suppressed Cao Pi.
Cao Pi's face instantly became ugly, but he didn't dare to get angry, so he could only lower his head and remain silent.
Cao Zhang couldn't answer the question, so he could only lower his head and remain silent.
Cao Zhi has a simple personality, but when he heard Cao Cao's praise, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.
A fast horse galloped from a distance. It was a scout sent by Cao Zhang in advance to find out the news.
The scout came to Cao Zhang and Cao Cao, bowed his hands and reported: "Report, we have found out the news. Li Jue led the army to attack Luoyang, but the defenders were defeated and abandoned the city and surrendered. Li Jue's army has entered Luoyang."
After hearing the scout's report, Cao Cao's expression changed slightly and he waved his hand to signal the scout to retreat.
Cao Zhang, however, had a calm expression and did not show too many emotional changes. He turned to Cao Cao and said, "Father, the rebels have entered Luoyang. It is no longer necessary to delay. My son is going to lead his troops."
Cao Cao nodded.
"Zhong Quan!" Cao Zhang greeted loudly.
Xiahou Ba Ce immediately stepped forward and responded: "The general is here!"
"I order you to be the vanguard, lead three thousand soldiers and horses to clear the way, and arrive at Luoyang City thirty miles east of Luoyang City within five days to set up camp. Without my order, you cannot attack the city or start a war with the enemy!" Cao Zhang gave the order to Xiahou Ba.
Xudu is about three hundred miles away from Luoyang, and it takes five days to arrive, which is a reasonable speed.
"Here!" After Xiahouba led the troops, he saluted Cao Cao and led his troops to leave first.
"Bo Yan, Jun Lin, Yuan Zhi!" Cao Zhang then called to Xia Hou brothers and Xu Shu, and the three of them hurried forward to wait for their orders.
"The three of you will march with me and lead 6,000 troops and horses to follow Zhong Quan!" Cao Zhang gave the order, and the three of them retreated.
"Gongming! You lead a thousand soldiers and horses to escort the grain, grass and baggage to the rear of the palace. The whole army sets off and must rush to Luoyang within five days." Cao Zhang gave Xu Huang another order.
Cao Cao felt a little uncomfortable listening to Cao Zhang's arrangements, but he still refrained from speaking and just frowned slightly.
After Cao Zhang finished making arrangements, he turned around and saluted Cao Cao: "Father, let's set off!"
Cao Cao nodded slightly.
Cao Zhang saluted Cao Pi and Cao Zhi again.
Cao Pi looked like he was saying goodbye, with tears streaming down his eyes: "Ziwen, father and mother, we will take care of you as a brother! You must take care of yourself and come back safely!"
When it came to the emotional part, he couldn't control it at all and burst into tears.
Cao Cao obviously didn't expect Cao Pi to be so emotional. He looked at him carefully and found that he was crying sincerely, and nodded slightly moved.
Cao Zhi was also very moved when he saw it. He also wanted to learn how to squeeze out a few tears, but he couldn't squeeze them out at all and could only look at Cao Zhang helplessly.
Of course Cao Zhang knew that Cao Pi's tears were crocodile tears, but he had to admire that he was really good at acting. In modern society, even if he couldn't win an Oscar, he would still have no problem being the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Best Actor.
"Thank you, brother, and please take care of yourself!" Cao Zhang responded to Cao Pi. Unfortunately, he really didn't have the ability to shed tears at will, so he simply didn't bother to pretend and remained calm.
After Cao Zhang returned the salute, he waved his hand, and the trumpet of the expedition sounded again. Cao Zhang led the army slowly forward.
Cao Cao and others watched as Cao Zhang led the army gradually away. Cao Pi was still waving with tears in his eyes.
Yang Xiu quietly came to Cao Zhi's side and whispered: "Zijian, how do you feel?"
Cao Zhi came back to his senses, obviously not understanding what Yang Xiu said, and asked in a low voice in confusion: "How does it feel?"
"You two brothers are not ordinary people. The city is very deep!" Yang Xiu said his comments about Cao Pi and Cao Zhang in one sentence.
"Why do you see it?!" Cao Zhi asked.
Yang Xiu whispered in a low voice and pointed at Cao Pi in front of him: "If it were you, how could you cry so deeply?"
Cao Zhi shook his head slightly helplessly.
Yang Xiu pouted again and pointed at the retreating Cao Zhang army: "Then why do you think Mr. Ziwen announced in public that he would arrive in Luoyang within five days?"
Cao Zhi still looked confused and shook his head again: "Is there any problem with this?"
Yang Xiu said confidently: "Just watch, within three days, there will be news of victory!"
"Three days?" Cao Zhi's eyes widened in confusion.
Yang Xiu gently waved his hand to him, signaling him not to raise his voice, and then whispered: "Zijian, don't be impatient, just wait patiently and watch the show."
Cao Zhi looked at Yang Xiu suspiciously and nodded lightly.
Cao Zhi looked at Yang Xiu suspiciously, stopped talking, turned to look at Cao Zhang's army going away, and waved goodbye like Cao Pi...
At a pavilion about fifteen miles west of Xu Du, Xia Houjuan and Guo Zhao, who had changed into casual clothes, were waiting here, looking eagerly in the direction of Xu Du.
"Sister Juan'er, is it true that brother Ziwen asked us to wait for him here?" Guo Zhao asked worriedly while waiting.
"Sister Guo, don't worry. It's really him who told me. He said he had something important to give to you personally. He was afraid of being overcrowded at the city gate, so he specifically told me to take you here to wait for him." Xia Houjuan said in a tone of voice. Responded affirmatively.
After hearing Xia Houjuan's words, Guo Zhao felt more at ease and continued to look up into the distance, eagerly awaiting Cao Zhang's appearance...
