The scribe in white stopped and asked, "I wonder why Mr. Yuan called me to my office?"
"Do you recognize me sir? Don't you know your surname?" Yuan Xi also asked.
"Who knows the name of Second Young Master Yuan?" The scholar in white smiled slightly and said, "I am Chen Qun and Chen Changwen from Yingchuan."
"It turns out to be Mr. Changwen. When I was in Beijing in the past, I met your father once. I wonder where Chen Shizhong is now?" Yuan Xi quickly returned the greeting.
He secretly exclaimed. Unexpectedly, Chen Qun, the auxiliary minister of the Wei State in history, actually lived in the same villa in Xiapi. Chen Qun's nine-level Zhongzheng system ushered in clan politics, which continued until the Tang Dynasty for nearly four hundred years.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I'm thinking about it. A few years ago, the Xiliang army invaded Yingchuan, and I and my father were taking refuge in the East China Sea of Xuzhou. Now, the Yanzhou army invaded Xuzhou, and Meng Tao envoys took care of me. I and my father are taking refuge here temporarily," Chen Qun replied. .
Yuan Xi nodded and said, "I didn't expect that due to a military accident, I and Chen Shizhong would meet again here. Please sir, take me to visit Chen Shizhong."
Yuan Xi silently remembered that in history, Chen Qun did take refuge with his family in Xuzhou. Liu Bei appreciated his talents and conquered many places, but Chen Qun, a son of a noble family, did not appreciate it.
Chen Qun agreed and took Yuan Xi and others to a courtyard in the annex. After Chen Qun went to report, Yuan Xi was invited in.
Chen Ji is already an old man in his sixties. Although his beard and hair were gray, he did not look like he had been sick for a long time as Chen Qun told Liu Bei.
"Shizhong Chen, this junior Yuan Xi is polite!" Yuan Xi saluted.
"Oh, second young master, come and sit down!" Chen Ji quickly asked Chen Qun to greet Yuan Xi, Guo Jia and Jia Xu to sit down.
"Do you still remember Shizhong Chen?" Yuan Xi asked.
Chen Ji stroked his long beard and said with a smile: "It must have been the year when I resigned, the young master and your father came to see me off. You were only eleven or twelve years old at that time, but you were already a famous young talent in Luoyang."
Recalling the old events in Beijing, Yuan Xi also smiled and said, "It's rare that Chen Shizhong still remembers me. I didn't expect to see you again in this foreign country of Xuzhou after not seeing you for several years."
"Old, old!" Chen Ji sighed, "I don't know if these old bones will be buried in this foreign land."
"I just heard from Master Ling that you are ill. Is it serious? I have several famous doctors in Qingzhou. If Chen Shizhong doesn't give up, he can come to treat your illness." Yuan Xi said.
"Well, it's an old problem with my legs and feet. It's not too much of a problem. It's just that I can't walk on a rainy day. He exaggerated in his long article." Chen Ji said with a frown: "Young master always calls me my official position. Isn't it wrong?" Are we separated? Your father and I are old friends who were officials in the same dynasty. You might as well call me uncle."
"Then let me call you Chen Shibo!" You can establish a relationship with Chen Ji. Yuan Xi naturally couldn't ask for it.
Chen Ji smiled and asked: "Young Master brought troops to help Tao Gongzu repel the enemy, right? I wonder what the fighting situation is like outside?"
Yuan Xi sighed and shook his head, "Cao Cao is sure to invade Xuzhou during this natural disaster. I don't bring many troops and horses, which will not be enough to turn the tide of the battle. And Cao Cao's troops are fierce and fierce, and Xiapi may not be able to defend it. Tao Shijun will order the evacuation soon."
"Ah! What should we do?" Chen Ji exclaimed.
"Chen Shibo, be at ease. You might as well come to our army when you evacuate Xiapi. This will ensure that your family is safe." Yuan Xi suggested.
"Ah, Xianyi, you have troubled yourself, but I just don't know where you and Tao Shijun will go after evacuating Xiapi?" Chen Ji asked again.
Yuan Xi hesitated for a while and said: "Cao Cao is so aggressive that he will annex Xuzhou and plot to kill Tao Shijun. I have suggested that Tao Shijun temporarily stay away from Qingzhou until my father can free up his time. Then fight back to Xuzhou."
"I didn't expect that after just a few years of peaceful life, Xuzhou would turn into a fierce place of war again." Chen Ji couldn't help but sigh.
"Chen Shibo, now that Hebei has been pacified by my father, Qingzhou and Jizhou are still relatively stable places. You may wish to settle there." Yuan Xi invited.
"Well, I'm just afraid that it will trouble the young master."
"If Chen Shibo is there, you can come and settle in Qingzhou, and I can visit you from time to time and ask for advice." Yuan Xi said.
Chen Ji thought for a while, Xuzhou was experiencing war disasters one after another, and he really couldn't stay there any longer. Nowadays, the only place that is relatively stable is Hebei, except for Jingyi, which lives in a corner.
"Thank you, Second Young Master, for making arrangements for my family. I'm very grateful." Chen Ji said politely.
"In any case, Chen Shibo just rest assured. When we evacuate Xiapi, I will have a group of soldiers escort your family to leave first. At that time, I will arrange for you, Shibo, to return to Qingzhou by sea ship." Yuan Xi said.
"Sea ship! Is this a mission?" Chen Ji asked in surprise.
Chen Qun came to his father's side and said: "Now that Xuzhou is full of Cao Cao's troops, the sea route is relatively safe. I'm afraid Tao Shijun will also take the sea route to Qingzhou to avoid trouble. The second master has taken good care of our family by making this arrangement."
"Oh! Well, sir, you have arranged it." Chen Ji said gratefully.
Yuan Xi smiled slightly, as long as Chen Ji's family also went to Qingzhou to avoid trouble, Chen Qun would not be able to escape. Historically, Chen Qun served as Zhongcheng, the imperial censor of Cao Wei, and later served as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Minister of Ling, the general of the army, the leader of the army, and the official in charge of the affairs of the court.
After Cao Pi's death, Chen Qun still received the imperial edict to assist in government. He can be said to be a veteran of the Three Dynasties. He formulated the etiquette and official systems for Cao and Wei. He was loyal and devoted to his duties and was a talented person in governing the world.
After a pause, Yuan Xi asked again: "Did Liu Xuande also come to visit Chen Shibo just now? When did you become friends with him?"
"Alas, there is no friendship." Chen Ji waved his hands with a disdainful expression and said, "Because of our family's reputation, he came here to recruit Zhang Wen again and again."
"The Chen family is a prominent family in Yingchuan, so it's not surprising that he came to recruit brother Changwen." Yuan Xi replied.
"Huh, is it just that little peddler?" Chen Ji's disdain became even more obvious, "A villager from a small place flaunts himself around by claiming to be a Han clan clan member. I don't know if it's true or not."
Yuan Xi was not surprised by Chen Ji's resistant reaction. Most of these people who came from famous families in this era were arrogant and arrogant. Many of them look down on everyone except the famous noble families, as if they are naturally superior to others.
But because of this, Yuan Xi thinks highly of Liu Bei even more. In this era, he can finally be one of the three in the world. It is much more difficult than Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Jian and others to start. Therefore, Yuan Xi, like Cao Cao, instinctively treats Liu Bei. More fear.
Yuan Xi was not surprised by Chen Ji's resistant reaction. Most of these people who came from famous families in this era were arrogant and arrogant. Many of them look down on everyone except the noble family, as if they are inherently superior to others.
At that time, people also regarded the noble family members as an honor. People in the noble family regarded themselves very highly, and marriages between families should also pay attention to being well-matched. Like the Yuan family, a big gentry with four generations and three fathers, no matter how bad the children in the family are, others will still give them some respect.
This is also the reason why Chen Ji was arrogant and perfunctory towards Liu Bei, but treated Yuan Xi with courtesy. No wonder people later said that Yuan Xi had a good background, so it was easier to succeed than others. This is partly true, but it is not entirely true. A good background but no ability will still be eliminated by history. The Yuan family and the Liu family in history, Erzhu's family is full of problems, and there are many factors.
Although Cao Cao is a family of eunuchs, after eunuchs, its reputation is far inferior to that of the Yuan family. It was Cao Cao's background that made him appreciate the bitterness of being a child from a poor family, and this led to the emergence of meritocracy.
On the other hand, after all, the Cao family is a generation of officials enshrined by the imperial court. Their political capital is not as good as that of Yuan Shao, but it is much richer than that of Liu Bei. This is also the reason why Chen Qun refused Liu Bei's call in history and then surrendered to Cao Cao.
Speaking of which, Yuan Xi is somewhat convinced of his father Yuan Shao. Although Yuan Shao also comes from a famous family, because he is a commoner, Yuan Shao can also defeat corporals.
Although he has the arrogance of a noble family at heart, he can at least make a show of it. Scholars such as Ju Sue, Tian Feng and Shen Pei were devoted to him. This is not without reason.
"Speaking of which, I have heard of Mr. Ling's talent. Yingchuan is really a talented person." Yuan Xi said with a smile.
"Well, compared to the young master, a puppy is nothing. If he is a wild goose, then the young master is a phoenix chick." Chen Ji said with a smile.
"There is still a shortage of civil servants in Qingzhou. I wonder if Brother Changwen would be willing to take up the post?" Yuan Xi asked tentatively.
"This. There are so many talented people in Qingzhou, but my father is old..." Chen Qun said politely.
"Sigh. Changwen is not young anymore. It's time for him to take up a certain position. Mr. Meng will not give up. When he goes to Qingzhou, I will ask him to be the young master's assistant." Chen Ji said.
"Brother Changwen is such a talented person, how dare I ask him to be a secretary. At least he is a county guard, or he is engaged." Yuan Xi said happily. As long as Chen Ji agrees. Chen Qun could only obey.
Chen Ji smiled and stroked his long beard. Chen Ji is also a famous person, but his official position in the court is not high. Naturally, he wanted to find a good future for his son. At this time, the reputation of the Yuan family and Yuan Shao was unparalleled. Chen Ji naturally wanted his son to board Yuan Xi's big ship so that he could join Yuan Shao later.
Yuan Xi chatted with Chen Ji for a while and then said goodbye to their father and son. Chen Ji asked Chen Qun to send Yuan Xi and others out.
As soon as they came out of the courtyard, Chen Qun bowed his hands to Yuan Xi and others. He said, "Second Young Master, I am deeply grateful to you for taking care of me."
Without waiting for Yuan Xi to reply, Guo Jia smiled and said: "I will be working with Brother Changwen soon. I never expected it!"
Yuan Xi didn't know what was going on, but he could hear the faint sarcasm in Guo Jia's tone.
"We haven't seen you for a few years. Brother Fengxiao, you followed the second young master instead, and now you have become an important minister of a state. But the more important you are in a position, the more you have to be upright!" Chen Qun replied firmly.
Although Chen Qun is a clean and polite person, he is elegant and good at making friends. But he is also unsmiling and fair and outspoken. In fact, the two of them have known each other for a long time. When they were in Yingchuan, both of them were students of Yingchuan Academy. However, Chen Qun came from a prominent family and did not have a close relationship with Guo Jia. Seeing that Guo Jia was dissolute in his daily life, he naturally felt disgusted and disgusted. They are born with different horoscopes, and their historical inertia is really great.
Guo Jia was young and unruly. Except for a few close friends, he did not bother to associate with those famous children. Chen Qun and Guo Jia had bad blood due to several conflicts. At that time, Xun Yu was always around, so they could not quarrel. But we met again after many years of separation. The two of them unconsciously recalled the past.
"Brother Changwen. Are you an old acquaintance of Fengxiao?" Yuan Xi asked.
"In the past, I studied at Yingchuan College with Brother Fengxiao and Brother Wenruo, so we know each other." Chen Qun replied.
"Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign country is something worthy of celebration. Why don't you come over to my place tonight and have a drink together." Yuan Xi suggested. He was vaguely aware of the conflict between the two, and wanted to take this opportunity to resolve it. After all, the two of them were going to work together in the future.
"Young Master, I understand your kindness, but the war is about to begin, so there should be no more banquets. If military affairs are delayed, I cannot afford to suffer the consequences." Chen Qun refused.
Yuan Xi was speechless. He didn't expect that Chen Qun was somewhat similar to that old stubborn Tian Feng.
After returning to the room, Yuan Xi asked Guo Jia the reason for the incident.
Guo Jia told the story tactfully and explained: "Although he and I are involved in personal matters, we will not abandon public affairs for personal reasons."
"I didn't expect that a person as cool as Fengxiao would hold a grudge." Yuan Xi said with a smile.
Guo Jia shook his head and smiled bitterly, and said, "It's not that I hold grudges. I just laugh it off after every trouble. It's just that the long article is very rigid, and it always gets on my nerves."
Yuan Xi didn't know how to deal with the two of them. Guo Jia is used to being lazy and dissolute. Monarchs like Cao Cao and Yuan Xi would not tolerate his undisciplined ministers. Chen Qun is an upright man. If such a person served under him, he would definitely prosecute Guo Jia every day.
In fact, Tian Feng, Wang Xiu and others also prosecuted Guo Jia many times, but they were suppressed by Yuan Xi. Furthermore, although Guo Jia was carefree and lazy, he showed his lust in important matters, so Tian Feng and others turned a blind eye.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to live quietly in the future." Jia Xu said with a rare smile.
In Yuan Xi's heart, he prefers ministers like Jia Xu. Not only is he highly intelligent, but he also knows how to deal with others. Not only does he understand God's will well, but he also knows how to protect his family.
Although he is an old fox, he is also a roly-poly in his official career. Although Guo Jia has extraordinary intelligence, he is too bright. If he surrenders to a monarch like Yuan Shao, he may not live long.
Guo Jia shook his head and said: "Although long articles are sometimes rigid, he is a rare political talent. He is proficient in ancient and modern etiquette, laws and official systems, and is good at law enforcement and reasoning. If he is in the court, he must be a minister."
Yuan Xi smiled and said, "It seems that Fengxiao is still his confidant. It would be better for me to persuade you two to reconcile."
"Some things cannot be forced, even if I am willing to reconcile. But Chang Wen will still enforce the law impartially. If I violate etiquette, he will still report it to me." Guo Jiazhi shook his head. He said, "I will not destroy the public land for private purposes. Sir, please be patient."
Yuan Xi breathed out a sigh of relief and said nothing more.
Yanzhou Army Camp.
Cao Cao led a group of personal followers to inspect the soldiers who were busy training outside Xiapi City.
"How is the water hoarding going?" Cao Cao asked.
"General Miaocai is personally supervising, and we can accumulate enough in one day." Cheng Yu, who rushed back to Cao Cao's army, replied.
Cao Cao pointed at Xia Pi City with his riding whip, "Father, please wait. Soon I will take off Tao Qian's son's head to pay homage to you!"
"My lord, Yuan Xi has come to join Tao Qian. He has many talented people under his command. I am afraid that the water attack strategy will be discovered." Xun You reminded.
"So what if they find out?" Cao Cao sneered, "It would be better for them to abandon Xiapi City, at least they don't have to turn the place into a swamp. But without Xiapi, Tao Qian can only shrink to Guangling, so Xuzhou can be defeated at a glance. "
"I'm afraid Tao Qian will seek asylum from the Yuan family and return to Qingzhou or Jizhou with the Qingzhou Army." Xun You reminded again.
Cao Cao fell silent. In fact, there was a tacit understanding between the few of them. Revenge was always a cover. Cao Cao's real enemy was missing. The annexation of Xuzhou was Cao Cao's true purpose.
"Yuan Xi has thousands of troops, what tricks do he want to do!" Le Jin couldn't help but said angrily.
"Although Yuan Xi only has a few thousand troops, he cannot affect the overall situation. I guess he sent troops to Xuzhou. Firstly, he wanted to make a gesture of making friends with Tao Qian, and secondly, he was looking for money and food from the Mi family and Xuzhou." Xun You analyzed.
"Make friends with Tao Qian?" Le Jin said in confusion: "Tao Qian's defeat is imminent, Yuan Xi really made a miscalculation."
