Near noon on the second day, Cao Cao returned to Sikong Mansion after retreating from the court.
Cao Cao took off his official robe, put on a long gown, and called the guards to whisper a few instructions.
After a while, Man Chong came to Cao Cao's back hall and bowed to greet him.
"Bo Ning, is there anything unusual at Liu Bei's side?"
"Reporting to Lord Sikong, my subordinates secretly observed Liu Bei for nearly two hours. He seemed a little embarrassed after entering the Sikong Mansion. Then, according to the Lord's instructions, the maid sent a plate of wine and fruit, and invited some of Liu Bei's favorite dancers. He drank with him to add to the fun, and soon Liu Bei was no longer restrained, hugging him from left to right, very...very heroic."
Hearing this, Cao Cao looked at Man Chong in surprise and asked: "They won't be directly in my back garden...that one, right?"
"That's not the case, it's just that my hands are a little dishonest... That's it, until Lord Sikong returns!"
"That's right, Boning, please step back first, thank you for your hard work!"
In the back garden of the capital, everyone at this time had already received the news that Cao Cao was coming. The dancers retreated one after another, leaving only Liu Bei standing respectfully in the pavilion.
Seeing Cao Cao's arrival, he stood up in a hurry. He seemed so nervous that he even knocked the wine glass on the table to the ground.
With a clang, the wine spilled all over the floor. Liu Bei was immediately at a loss and stood there, dumbfounded!
'It's a shame that I still regard Liu Xuande as my own existence. I didn't expect that he would turn out to be such a despicable person. It's really ridiculous! '
Cao Cao had a panoramic view of this scene, and he couldn't help but sneer secretly in his heart, and there was a hint of scorn on his face unconsciously.
"Brother Xuande, I wonder if you are satisfied with these days in Xuchang?"
"Master Sikong is so polite. I worshiped Master Lu in his early years. When I was young, I also wanted to do something to repay the emperor's favor. However, I have been wandering around for most of my life, but I have disappeared and achieved nothing. Now I am already thirty-six. Only these people in Xuchang Over time, Bei finally realized what life is...Sikong...Master Sikong..."
When Liu Bei talked about his excitement, his voice was choked with sobs and he couldn't help himself. Tears flowed down his face in large drops and mixed with the wine on the ground.
Seeing this scene, Cao Cao could not hide his contempt even more, but after all, he was a powerful man at that time, but he did not show it too much. Instead, he took two steps and expressed relief to Liu Bei.
After about a stick of incense, Cao Cao saw that Liu Bei's mood had finally stabilized, and then he revealed the purpose of his visit.
"To be honest with Xuande, I really want to ask for something during this rash visit!"
Hearing this, Liu Bei also clasped his fists slightly and said, "Bei has been treated very kindly by Master Sikong. If you have any instructions, it doesn't hurt to say so!"
"That's it..." Cao Cao didn't pay attention to the wine pot on the ground, pulled Liu Bei to sit down, and then continued: "Xuande, at the moment when our Han Dynasty is declining, there is Yuan Shao in the south and Ma Chao in the west. They are all ambitious. Such a vigorous generation, and that kid Yuan Shu regards His Majesty the Emperor and us as nothing, and openly declares himself emperor, how ridiculous!"
Hearing this, Liu Bei also sighed and his eyes became moist again.
Seeing Liu Bei's expression, the corner of Cao Cao's mouth twitched. He was not in the habit of comforting a grown man one after another, so he hurriedly continued: "As Xuande, a royal relative and the current governor of Xuzhou, Cao Cao is here to represent the people of the world. I ask Duke Xuande to represent my Han Dynasty in conquering Shouchun Yuan Shu. I wonder if Xuande will agree?"
Liu Bei frowned slightly and glanced at the wine bottle on the ground from the corner of his eye, saying nothing.
"To be honest with Xuande, the imperial court has limited troops at the moment, and needs to deal with the traitor Yuan Shao heading south at any time! We have no time to take care of ourselves, and we need people with outstanding abilities like Xuande to step forward! As long as Xuande can kill Yuan Shu for the imperial court and recapture Shouchun, If Xuande has any requests, feel free to put them forward, and Cao Cao will definitely ask for credit from His Majesty the Emperor on Xuande's behalf!"
"...Okay! Since Lord Sikong is full of kindness, I, Liu Bei, am not an ungrateful person. I will live up to the trust of the imperial court. If I am really lucky enough to win Shouchun, I will only ask Lord Sikong to find a mansion for my three brothers in Xuchang. Just have enough food and clothing as you did a few days ago!" Liu Bei bowed and said with emotion.
Cao Cao was very satisfied with Liu Bei's reaction and stepped forward to help him up. The moment Liu Bei stood up, Cao Cao stared into Liu Bei's eyes with sharp eyes and whispered: "Don't Xuande want to imitate Emperor Guangwu and kill me?" Is Wang Mang a traitor to his ministers?"
Hearing this, Liu Bei staggered in fright and fell to the ground. He climbed a few steps and knelt down in front of Cao Cao in panic. He said hastily: "I don't dare! I don't dare! I just want to live in peace and stability for the rest of my life. I really do." yes…"
Seeing Liu Bei frightened and speechless, Cao Cao frowned and asked, "What does Xuande mean by this? Could it be that he is suffering from hysteria?"
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Liu Bei carefully and slowly raised his head. When he saw Cao Cao's expression that looked like a smile but not a smile, he was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head. His submissive attitude made Cao Cao very satisfied.
Cao Cao helped Liu Bei up again, and saw that his clothes were stained by wine, water and mud. Cao Cao ordered his servants to take Liu Bei to change into new clothes, and then asked his servants to clean up and bring food and wine!
At this time, Liu Bei, who had changed his clothes, also came back. Cao Cao laughed and said: "Mr. Xuande, you and I will get drunk today. This is the governor's token that Cao Cao requested from the emperor on Xuande's behalf. You can take it first." , you will return to Xuzhou on your own early tomorrow morning!"
As he spoke, he threw a sign to Liu Bei. Liu Bei hurriedly caught it, kicked it into his arms with great care, and then sat down to watch the singing and dancing with Cao Cao!
…
Two hours later, a carriage slowly moved forward in the direction of Xuchang. A bohemian young man was leaning in the carriage as if he was concentrating with his eyes closed. At this time, the sound of rapid horse hooves was heard from the opposite side.
The young man's brows were furrowed, as if he was a little annoyed that the other party had interrupted his rest. He opened the curtain and looked towards the place where the sound came from. He saw a horse from the opposite side galloping towards him, approaching quickly.
At the moment when the two horses passed each other, the young man finally saw the other person's appearance clearly. He couldn't help but narrowed his eyes slightly and thought to himself: "What's wrong with him?!"
In this moment, the sound of horse hooves disappeared.
The young man was stunned for a moment, and then immediately ordered the coachman: "Don't go back to your home yet, go directly to Sikong Mansion, hurry!"
A quarter of an hour later, Cao Cao's face was red and he staggered out of the inner house. As he walked, he said, "Fengxiao! You are finally back!"
The young man is none other than Guo Jia and Guo Fengxiao who have been away for nearly half a month!
Guo Jia didn't have time to think too much and asked quickly: "Master Sikong, where is Liu Bei?"
Hearing this, Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook his head and said: "You just had a banquet with me, and now I think he is resting in the mansion... I have ordered him to return to Xuzhou tomorrow and immediately launch an army to conquer Shouchun... Do you have any doubts about Fengxiao?"
Seeing Guo Jia's serious expression, Cao Cao's words gradually slowed down.
Guo Jia shook his head, sighed, and said, "Hey...On his way back to the city, Cai Jia happened to see Liu Bei galloping away. Judging from his route, he must be in Xuzhou!"
Hearing this, Cao Cao sobered up for the most part, frowned and thought for a moment, then asked Guo Jia: "Feng Xiao means... is Liu Bei pretending to show it to us? But... Cao Cao has been observing him specially for two days, especially today. I will tell Liu Bei early in the morning Called over, ordered Boning to secretly observe him from a distance for nearly two hours, and then..."
Cao Cao told Guo Jia the conversation between the two at noon today and Liu Bei's reaction, even Cao Cao's final test sentence, "Don't Xuande want to imitate Emperor Guangwu and kill a traitor like Wang Mang?" 'I told Guo Jia without any reservation.
If Jia Xu is the person He Sian trusts the most, then the person Cao Cao trusts the most is Guo Jia, the only one in front of him! After all, Guo Jia not only has no family behind him, but is also very loyal to Cao Cao. From the time he plotted against Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and others, he devoted himself to helping Cao Cao achieve his great cause!
Guo Jia was also very moved by Cao Cao's frankness. After thinking for a moment, he spoke.
"Jiaguan Liu Bei is definitely not a simple person! The fact that he dared to come to Xuchang alone is enough to show his extraordinary courage. How could he be so frightened by the Lord's few words?"
Cao Cao was one of the wisest men in the world. After hearing Guo Jia's words, he quickly realized that there was something fishy about the matter. Then he narrowed his eyes and stamped his feet suddenly.
"You big-eared thief! How dare you lie to me? Someone is here!"
Seeing this, Guo Jia first waved his hand to signal the guards who were coming to leave first, and then said to Cao Cao: "It is no longer urgent to pursue him at this time. Besides, after inquiring, I found that Xuzhou Chen Deng is not the same person. Guan Yu, Zhang Feidu is invincible with thousands of people, so it is very possible to prepare in advance. Now that the tiger has been released, we need to study countermeasures as soon as possible!"
Guo Jia paused, as if thinking of something, and continued to ask: "I wonder who suggested using Liu Bei's hand to destroy Yuan Shu?"
Hearing this, Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "The person who proposed this plan was Mr. Sima's second son, Sima Yi! Don't worry, Fengxiao, Mr. Sima has been kind to Cao, and his ability to survive the cold winter last year was all thanks to Sima Yi. Make suggestions! So they definitely don’t have any evil intentions! Maybe it’s just because they are too young and think about things poorly!”
'Sima Yi? …'
Guo Jia remembered the name firmly, and then said to Cao Cao: "At this moment, Lord Sikong does not need to worry too much. After all, Xuzhou is a vast plain and there is no danger to defend. Even if Liu Bei returns to Xuzhou, he will not dare to offend his lord easily. Thinking about it, I will continue to attack Shouchun..."
"How do you think Fengxiao should handle it next?"
Guo Jia closed his eyes and meditated. After a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes.
"Master, there is no need to worry, as long as..."
Half an hour later, looking at Guo Jia's leaving figure, Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief.
'I have filial piety, so why worry about failing to achieve great things? '
…
On the other side, Guo Jia returned to his mansion. Since Guo Jia was not married, there were only a few maids and servants in the mansion. After a brief meal, Guo Jia returned to his bedroom.
Lying on the bed, Guo Jia's eyes wandered and he could not sleep for a long time. It was not because of Liu Bei's affairs. After all, in Guo Jia's view, no matter how hard Liu Bei tried, there was no room for development. Jingzhou was run by Liu Biao for many years, and Yangzhou was also imprisoned by Liu Yao. Take control! Even if Liu Bei is as he guessed, he can only defend himself and has no possibility of turning the situation around!
What really made it difficult for Guo Jia to sleep was that during this trip, he unexpectedly saw someone he should have never seen...
Jia Xu!
