"Money, my money!" Xia Houmao yelled as the warehouse on the left was on fire, where all his money bills were stored.
"Master, hurry up, Guan Yu is here!" The attendant led Xia Houmao out.
"Dragon head stone, you must bring it!" Xia Houmao pointed at the box and shouted.
The two men stepped forward to lift the box, and everyone hurried out. There were thick smoke and fire everywhere, and they could faintly hear the shouts of killing. Some people were running for their lives, and some were still robbing wildly, carrying large and small bags.
A troop of cavalry turned around the street. The servants were shocked and threw away the box and ran away. Xia Houmao was so angry that he cursed, but he had no choice but to turn around the busiest back street and saw that all the buildings and shops on both sides were on fire.
Everyone came out of the city with fireworks. Cao Tai organized the remaining troops and met Xiahou Mao. He stamped his feet and said: "This time I have angered the people in the city and brought Guan Yu in. All the previous efforts have been wasted. What should I do?"
Xia Houmao was confused and looked back at the fire. He was completely lost and suddenly burst into laughter.
Cao Tai was surprised and said: "Brother Zilin, are you okay?"
Xia Houmao pointed to the highest flame and laughed: "Burn... they are all burned. Hanyuan Bank is also burned. Liu Qi has lost more than me, hahaha..."
Cao Tai sighed: "Now is not the time to care about gains and losses. Guan Yu will be chasing you soon. Let's go!"
"It's over, all my money is gone..." Xia Houmao suddenly burst into tears again. While crying, he climbed on the horse's back, and Cao Jun retreated in embarrassment.
At this time, Guan Yu had entered the government office and was sitting in command. He neither ordered people to put out the fire nor chased after Xia Houmao.
Zhou Cang said anxiously: "If you don't send troops, that boy Xia Houmao will run away."
Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Young man, let him go!"
Zhou Cang said angrily: "Xiahou Mao made arrogant words and insulted the king. I will cut him into pieces."
Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled and said: "If a tiger doesn't fight with a dog, why bother with him?"
At this moment, Guan Ping hurriedly came in and reported: "Why didn't father send the order to put out the fire?"
Guan Yu snorted slightly: "The fire in a certain heart has not subsided yet, let it burn for a while longer."
Guan Ping said anxiously: "If you burn Ye County again, it will be reduced to ashes. There are many eldest son's properties here."
"Let him go!" Guan Yu stood up slowly and said with emotion: "If a man cannot be famous, everything will be like a passing smoke."
Zhou Cang's face was full of confusion: "Has the anger in the prince's heart disappeared or not?"
Guan Yu laughed and said, "Don't you hear that water is good for all things and don't fight for it? So you can't fight with it?"
Guan Ping frowned and said, "There seems to be no such word in Spring and Autumn."
Guan Yu walked to the door, the night wind blew his robes, and said loudly: "Since Kong Ming gave someone three volumes of the Tao Te Ching last year, I have learned that the best is like water, a good man does not use force, and a good warrior does not get angry, which makes me feel sad. Yan."
Guan Ping and Zhou Cang looked at each other, both extremely shocked. Is this still the formidable Marquis Shouting of the Han Dynasty?
At dawn, Zhang Liao led 5,000 cavalry and rushed to Ye County, hoping to seize the city. However, he was surprised when he approached the city.
I saw camps and tents everywhere around Ye County, with men and horses standing at attention. Guan Yu stood in front of the battle on horseback, and Zhuge Liang stood at the top of the city waving his feather fan. It turned into a front camp position overnight.
Guan Yu stroked his beard and glanced at the surprised Cao Jun, and said loudly: "Wenyuan, are you okay?"
Zhang Liao was filled with surprise and doubt, clasping his fists and saying: "We say goodbye to Xuchang, I haven't seen him for several years, and the majesty of the monarch is still the same as before!"
Guan Yu burst out laughing and said in a deep voice: "Since you know that someone is here, why do you violate the situation?"
"This..." Zhang Liao clasped his fists and said, "I heard that someone was looting Ye County, and a certain person came to quell the chaos. Since the monarch got there first, I will leave."
Guan Yu said in a deep voice: "Xiahou Dun has failed to teach his son well, and Huangkou's child is uttering arrogant words. Please take Xiahou Dun to make amends as soon as possible. Otherwise, if someone crosses the Central Plains, I will kill this son to satisfy my hatred!"
Zhang Liao was shocked and said: "The king has great authority in the world, why should he be serious with the younger generation?"
Guan Yu said angrily: "Younger, this junior, has slandered you. If you don't punish me, won't you be laughed at by everyone in the world? In view of our past friendship, I won't fight with you and make friends with you within three days. Otherwise, don't blame Guan for being ruthless." "
Seeing the enemy's strength, Zhang Liao did not dare to delay. He bid farewell to Guan Yu and led his troops to flee. He immediately sent an order to strengthen defenses at the border.
At the same time, someone was sent to report to Xuchang that the Jingzhou army was dispatched. Guan Yu used the excuse to send troops. He was likely to march into the Central Plains and needed to prepare early.
Xia Houmao returned to Xuchang overnight. Several years of hard work had been wasted. He was frightened and angry. He was ridiculed by his two brothers, treated coldly by his wife, and couldn't afford to fall ill.
After hearing the news, Cao Pi took Xiahou Mao to his home and ordered a doctor to examine him. Without Xiahou Mao's help in the past few years, Cao Pi would not have been appreciated by Cao Cao so quickly. After entering Wei Gong, he was directly designated as the heir apparent.
Outsiders all commented that Xiahou Mao and Liang's children were good for nothing but eating, drinking and having fun, but Cao Pi knew that he had made great contributions to the Cao family in the past few years, and he could be said to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens without any complaints.
The day finally got better. Xia Houmao lay on the bed, looked at the roof and murmured: "Autumn, it's autumn again, everything is empty..."
I remember the first time I went to Xiangyang. I encountered strong winds in the Xiangjiang River in autumn and almost died when the boat sank. The fisherman said something: spring dreams and autumn farts are all in vain.
In the past few years, he has been making waves in Ye County, and the scenery has been extremely prosperous. It really seemed like a dream. For a moment, he was so discouraged that he took off the sword on his bedside and prepared to commit suicide.
It happened that Xiahou Ba came to visit. He quickly stopped him and shouted: "Zilin, when you are alive, you should carry the three-foot sword and make great achievements. If you encounter a slight setback, you will commit suicide. How can you still be worthy of being my Xiahou disciple?"
"Second brother..." Xia Houmao's eyes were dull, "I have nothing now, my achievements have not been completed, I have no home to return to, and I feel as if I am dead."
Xiahou Ba said: "Do you still remember that time on the bank of Xiangjiang River, we vowed to avenge our shame? In the past two years, I have practiced martial arts hard, and Ziming has been familiar with the art of war, all in order to make a name for himself. Although your business failed, your credit is still there. The Prime Minister and the Crown Prince know this well, otherwise how could they take you into the house and take care of you?"
"Alas -" Xia Houmao sighed bitterly, looked at the surrounding houses, and said with a wry smile: "Now that things have happened, I am alone, what else can I do?"
Xiahou said overbearingly: "I came today to discuss this matter with my brother. The war in the Central Plains is about to start. Guanzhong is in urgent need of help. Huainan is stocking up troops and horses. It is a time for people to be employed everywhere. As long as the brother cheers up and uses the courage of the younger brother, Zi Ming will do it." Wisdom, if we work together, we will achieve great results.”
Xia Houmao was startled and said doubtfully: "You two each have their own knowledge. I am useless and have never led an army. Why do you need to bring me as a burden?"
Xiahou Ba sighed: "Brother, I don't know. Although Ziming and I intend to lead the army, we don't have enough prestige. Zihuan is worried about letting us go out alone. He has always spoken highly of his brother and has high hopes. As long as you cheer up, If you take the initiative to share his worries, you will surely be put to good use by the prince, and it is not a bad idea to take charge of the military."
"Seriously?" Xia Houmao's eyes lit up and he frowned: "Can I... do it?"
Xiahou Ba said: "You only need to take command and plan and send out troops. It is enough for you and me to assist you!"
"It seems that I can't escape the fate of being a general after all!" Xia Hou took a deep breath and laughed: "Brothers work together, one in culture and one in martial arts, so why worry about not accomplishing great things?"
