Zhang Wei agreed, thinking that if Xia Houmao dared to say this in Guan Yu, he would probably be hacked to death.
Xiahou Mao frowned and said, "What is the purpose of Liu Qi forming an alliance with Sun Quan and dispatching troops to Jiangxia?"
Zhang Wei cupped his fists and said, "I don't know the reason for this matter. You'd better report it to General Zhang Liao."
"Hmph, Zhang Liao doesn't want to get any benefits from me anymore!" Xia Houmao snorted coldly.
Zhang Wei said hurriedly: "Young Master must not act on impulse when it comes to national affairs."
Xia Houmao smiled and said: "Don't worry, I will send someone to Xuchang for this matter."
Zhang Wei breathed a sigh of relief, asked for some more money, and went to Jiangxia to inquire about the news.
Xia Houmao sent someone to deliver the news. Cao Pi received the secret report in Xuchang and immediately discussed it with the guard general Man Chong.
Man Chong couldn't understand why Jiangxia soldiers and horses could only send troops to Jiangdong. Could it be that the two alliances were deliberately bluffing to attack the east and attack the west?
Everyone was unaware of the movements of the Jingzhou army and became increasingly cautious. They sent people to tell Zhang Liao to strengthen his defenses, and at the same time sent troops to closely monitor the Dabie Mountain area to prevent anyone from sneaking into the hinterland of Yuzhou.
Within a few days, the security in Runan was strengthened, and more cavalry patrols were dispatched. There were patrol horses galloping on all the roads and important roads to be on guard against Nanyang soldiers and horses.
At this time, Xun Yu had resigned from Yecheng and quietly crossed the river to go south. All the civil and military personnel in Cao's camp were busy preparing for war. Chen Qun and others who had planned to receive condolences had to give up temporarily.
On this day, the horse and carriage arrived at Chenliu and stayed at an inn. Xun Yu recalled that he had helped Cao Cao raise an army to attack Dong Zhuo, destroy Lu Bu, and defeat Yuan Shao. The lights of swords and shadows seemed like a dream.
As the sun was about to set, Xun Yu stood in front of the window, looking at the distant mountains, and the sound of fighting and iron horses seemed to ring in his ears.
When he was lost in thought, the entourage came with one person, it was Cao Chun's personal guard. He handed over the package, saying that it was the prime minister who shared the reward, and asked Xun Yu to open it with his own hands.
Xun Yu thanked him, returned to his room, opened the package, and saw a food box inside. He saw Cao Cao's notes on the seal, and wondered secretly. When he opened the food box, he was shocked to find that it was empty.
Bang——
On the lid of the food box, Xun Yu took two steps back and stood firm while holding on to the table. After a while, he sighed, shook his head and murmured: "If you don't eat Han Lu, it's all in vain..."
As the sun set, the light in the room dimmed, half of Xun Yu's face reflected in an unclear gray color, and the light in his eyes became weaker and weaker. He closed his eyes and left two lines of clear tears.
"Rat poison, cockroach poison. Rats can't escape after eating them. Cockroaches will die on the spot after eating them——"
In the dead silence, a salesman passed by on the street, beating gongs and shouting loudly.
Xun Yu came to his senses and told his entourage: "There was a mouse in the house just now. Go buy two packs of mouse medicine."
The attendant hurriedly said: "Master, why don't you change rooms?"
"No need!" Xun Yu sighed and waved his hands: "I'll leave early tomorrow morning, there's no need to bother."
The entourage went downstairs and bought two packages of medicine, one package was placed under the table and the other was placed under the bed. Xun Yu asked everyone to leave and not to disturb them unless called.
The lanterns were on and the night was getting colder. Listening to the noise on the street outside, Xun Yu sighed again, touched the food box, stood up, changed his clothes, and tidied up his appearance.
Half an hour later, he took the rat poison from under the table and poured it into a tea cup. After drinking the tea, he lay calmly on the bed, closed his eyes and waited for death.
At the fourth watch, a fire suddenly broke out in the restaurant. People nearby rushed to rescue, but it was too late. The fire lit up the whole city and burned most of the second floor of the restaurant.
At dawn the next day, Xun Yu's followers knelt down and cried loudly. They only carried out the charred corpse from the dilapidated room, which was already beyond recognition, like half a dead tree.
Opposite the restaurant, the person who delivered the food box sighed and immediately reported the news to Cao Chun. Cao Cao told them to let them see Xun Yu's actions after receiving the empty food box, but he accidentally caught fire and died.
Xun Yu was burned to death, and the people of Chenliu were shocked. Wu Zhi, the prefect, was shocked when he heard the report. He went to the scene to inspect the incident in person and was so frightened that he fainted on the spot.
When Chen Liu was in panic, a carriage from Maolin Hall had already left the city and headed west, heading straight for Hulao Pass.
The Hulao Gate guard made an inspection and saw Xia Houmao's vehicle, which was also carrying supplies to the Luoyang Palace. He briefly checked it and let it go.
After entering the customs, the car rested in Songshan. That night, the people in the car were removed and sent into Songshan overnight, heading south from Yishui to Yiqueguan.
Xun Yu woke up leisurely, only to hear the chirping of birds in his ears, the waves of pines, and the green pines and cypresses in his eyes, with towering ancient trees, the sky was as blue as a wash, and a beam of sunlight shone down from the branches and leaves, emitting colorful light.
Just as he was wondering, he heard someone say in his ear: "Sir, he finally woke up."
Xun Yu sat up and saw a young man standing behind him. His face was like a crown jewel and he had an extraordinary bearing. He was clasping his fists and saluting.
Xun Yu frowned and said, "Who are you?"
"Liu Qi from Jingzhou is here to greet you sir."
"What?" Xun Yu was shocked. Even though he had experienced so many changes in his life and was not surprised by favors and humiliations, he could not hide his shock at this moment.
He stood up while supporting the ancient pine tree, shook his groggy head, and looked around: "Where is this place?"
Liu Qi smiled and said: "This is deep in Xiong'er Mountain. Sir, you can rest assured that no one will know your whereabouts."
Xun Yu lowered his head and thought for a moment, then made a rough guess: "The person selling rat medicine is the person sent by the general?"
"Exactly!" Liu Qi said: "This is not the place to talk. Sir, can you come back to Xiangyang with me and have a long talk?"
Xun Yu shook his head and sighed: "Although I have made some small mistakes in my life, I have a clear conscience. Although I cannot be loyal to the Han Dynasty, I will never serve the two masters again. I hope the general will do it."
Liu Qi frowned and said: "The Cao traitor has taken over, and his intentions are clear. Sir, he is devoted to the Han Dynasty. He is only loyal to His Majesty and not to Cao Cao. How can he betray his master?"
Xun Yu smiled bitterly: "Cao Mengde raised troops to Chenliu and was determined to fight against the Han Dynasty. However, despite his high position and power, his desires grew so much that he couldn't extricate himself. As an adviser, I failed to prevent the slightest change. I gave early advice and failed to do my duty. How can I continue to live in shame? World?"
"Sir, what you said is wrong!" Liu Qi said: "You know people but don't know their hearts. People's hearts are ever-changing. Who can predict it? You, sir, have the talent of a king. It would be a pity if you die like this. Why don't you help me to witness the Han Dynasty?" Will the family be reborn without losing its reputation for loyalty and integrity?"
Xun Yu shook his head and said: "My heart has long been filled with despair. It is no longer possible to contribute to the country. Only by dying to clarify one's ambition can we achieve success. I hope the general will fulfill my wish."
Seeing that he could not persuade him, Liu Qi asked anxiously: "Where is Kong Ming?"
A man came out from behind the ancient pine tree. He was wearing a Taoist robe and a crane. He looked like an immortal. He cupped his fists and said with a smile: "Xun Lingjun is famous. I have heard about it for a long time. When I saw him today, he was indeed extraordinary. It's just that his magnanimity... is a little off."
Xun Yu frowned slightly and said with a faint smile, "I wonder what Wo Long has to say?"
Zhuge Liang said: "Since ancient times, it is not the master who chooses his ministers, but the ministers who choose the king. In the past, King Zhou was tyrannical, and the disciples left him. Bi Gan remonstrated and died. Confucius said that they were all benevolent. The Ming Gong mediates the court, maintains the order, and bears the trust of the world. , is the pillar of the Han Dynasty. Now that the Han Dynasty is about to prosper, how can we take out the beams and replace the pillars? If the public returns to his heart, then the world's righteous people will respond to the call, and King Qin will rescue him and return Luoyang just around the corner. I hope that the Han Dynasty will be the most important, and the world will be the most important. "
