Three days later, Dong Cheng arrived at Cao Zhang's residence as scheduled.
Cao Zhang stood in front of the mansion gate, watching Dong Cheng's slowly approaching figure. His eyes were deep and his slightly drooped brow revealed his inner thoughts. Dong Cheng had a smile on his face and seemed relaxed and happy, but Cao Zhang knew in his heart that this transaction was not an easy thing for him.
Although he always kept a smile on his face, Cao Zhang knew in his heart that his heart must be bleeding.
Entering the main hall of Cao Zhang's residence, Dong Cheng solemnly handed over a silver box. Cao Zhang took the box and placed it gently on the table, gently stroking the pattern on the silver box with his fingers.
Dong Cheng handed the money to Cao Zhang and said with a smile: "Sir, this is the fifty million silver taels you need. I hope it will help with the reconstruction work."
Cao Zhang didn't speak immediately. His eyes stayed on the cash box for a moment before turning to Dong Cheng.
"General Dong, thank you for your hard work. Now your mission has been completed. This money will be used to rebuild Luoyang and Tuntian. I believe it is good news for the people." Cao Zhang's voice was cold.
Dong Cheng frowned slightly, but quickly restored his smile, "Yes, I hope that people's lives can be improved. But... this is indeed a huge sum of money, and I have to pawn many precious antiques. I just scraped together enough silver."
Cao Zhang raised his eyebrows. He did not doubt Dong Cheng's words because he had already checked the account books and there was indeed such a pawn record.
However, this also fully illustrates Dong Cheng's greed. After all, it was less than two years since he followed Emperor Xian from Chang'an to Xudu, and at that time, in order to escape the pursuit of Li Jue and Guo Si, they carried very few items with them.
This shows that the money was collected by Dong Cheng after he arrived in Xudu. Now he is forced to take it out and use it to rebuild Luoyang and farmland. It can be regarded as taking from the people and giving back to the people.
"You don't need to explain. I know you have put in a lot of effort to collect this amount, but you have to know that this is not your personal wealth, but the hard-earned money from the people." Cao Zhang said indifferently and his eyes were sharp.
Dong Cheng's smile froze. He did not expect that Cao Zhang would blame him so directly, "Young master, of course I understand the origin of this money. I will definitely change my past mistakes and work seriously for the court and the emperor." "
Cao Zhang's eyes softened slightly and he said, "I hope General Dong can keep his word. I hope you can always remember that we must put the interests of the people first."
Dong Cheng nodded quickly and said humbly: "Yes, I will always put the interests of the people first and will never have any selfish motives."
Cao Zhang nodded: "Okay, thank you for your hard work, General Dong. You can go back."
Dong Cheng was relieved. He knew that Cao Zhang was not satisfied with his performance, but he still had to say with a smile: "Master, I have expressed my sincerity. Sikong, please give me a few more kind words."
"Don't worry, General Dong. My father will definitely feel your sincerity and loyalty to the court." Cao Zhang responded with a pun.
After receiving Cao Zhang's reply, Dong Cheng felt at ease and hurriedly said goodbye.
"Come here, send this money to Master Cao Pi's house immediately!" Cao Zhang didn't hesitate at all, and immediately told his servants to give the money to Cao Pi.
…
After Cao Pi received the money, he understood that Cao Zhang was urging him to set off.
After returning from the school office, he had packed his bags and was ready to go.
Now that the money was in place, he did not dare to delay at all, and immediately took Cao Zhen to visit Cao Cao.
In the study room of Sikong Mansion, Cao Cao sat in front of the desk, looking deeply at Cao Pi and Cao Zhen in front of him.
He stared at Cao Pi closely, as if he wanted to see through his heart with his eyes.
Cao Pi understood that although no evidence of his collaboration with the enemy was found in the end, and Cao Cao and Cao Zhang let him go, Cao Cao must have been full of doubts about him in his heart. The already tense relationship between father and son had hit rock bottom at this time. .
Cao Pi closed his lips tightly and stared at Cao Cao firmly, as if he wanted to pour all his determination and gratitude into it, and then knelt down in front of Cao Cao: "Father, I am grateful to my father for being so tolerant and forgiving his son's sins. This time When my son goes to Luoyang, he will definitely work hard to build the old capital and farm a lot of land, and he will never let his father down!"
Cao Cao stared at his son silently, with a hint of guilt in his eyes.
In fact, he knew very well in his heart that Cao Pi became what he was today because of his own character and the rebellion caused by not liking him very much since he was a child and always beating, scolding and reprimanding him.
But no matter what, Cao Pi is considered one of the most capable among his sons, and now that he is the eldest son, Cao Cao himself has not made up his mind about who will inherit his position in the future.
He did not respond to Cao Pi, but looked at Cao Zhen aside: "Zidan, are you going to Luoyang with Zihuan?"
Cao Zhen replied respectfully: "Yes, father. I have already agreed with Zihuan that we will go to Luoyang together and be jointly responsible for the construction and farming work. The two of us brothers will definitely work together to complete what my father has entrusted!"
"Okay, now that you have agreed, let's go." Cao Cao said to Cao Zhen gently, "Rebuilding Luoyang and Tuntian is an arduous task, especially raising military rations is the top priority. But you have to remember Remember, be pragmatic in everything you do. Don’t ignore your body just to prove yourself or in a rush to achieve success. You must know how to adjust your rhythm and protect yourself.”
Cao Cao did not respond to Cao Pi, but gave Cao Zhen some instructions.
Cao Zhen immediately nodded in response: "Yes! Thank you father for your teaching!"
Cao Pi felt angry after listening to Cao Cao's words. He still doesn't understand why he is so disliked by Cao Cao. Even when he is about to travel far, he is unwilling to say a word to him.
"Okay, I have nothing more to say. If you are ready, leave early!" Cao Cao waved his hand, indicating that the two of them could leave.
Cao Pi and Cao Zhen bowed together to salute Cao Cao and prepared to exit.
"Don't forget to visit your mother before you leave. Your mother is worried after traveling thousands of miles, but she still misses you very much!" Cao Cao shouted loudly when the two were about to go out.
Cao Pi and Cao Zhen quickly turned around and responded respectfully: "Yes!"
Cao Cao waved his hand again, and then the two left.
Cao Cao looked at the two people walking away and sighed helplessly.
In fact, only he knew in his heart that what he just said to Cao Zhen was meant for Cao Pi.
As a father, when he saw his son making mistakes, he was filled with anger and wanted to teach him a lesson.
But seeing his son traveling far away, he was actually more or less reluctant to let go. However, his relationship with Cao Pi made it impossible for him to say those words of care and love in person, so he could only use this roundabout way. way to express your feelings.
From the state of Cao Pi's departure, Cao Cao understood that he must not have understood his intentions. But his firm eyes made Cao Cao feel that Cao Pi was holding back some energy in his heart and must make some achievements in Luoyang to prove himself.
Cao Cao slowly recovered his emotions, and all preparations were being carried out in an orderly and step-by-step manner. He could also quietly prepare to expand eastward and recover Xuzhou occupied by Lu Bu...
