Cao Cao's hand paused slightly, then he smiled and said: "Liu Qi is also considered a hero of the world, and he congratulates him for his contribution to defeating Xianbei. He will never do such an unscrupulous thing... Oh my, I almost missed a big event!"
Suddenly he remembered that he had not finished writing the letter, so he put the pineapple cake back first, wrote it in a hurry, and handed it to Yang Xiu with instructions: "Since Liu Qi has a congratulatory gift, Dezu can go to Hefei first to return the gift, and then go to see him in the name of paying filial piety." Sun Quan, with such a legitimate name, you can avoid the pain of evading interrogation."
Yang Xiu stepped forward to take it: "It is disrespectful to come and not return. This is what my subordinates meant."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, paused and wrote another line of words, placed it on the brocade box, ordered all the generals to rest, and returned to the back hall.
Cao Chunzheng stepped forward to throw away the brocade box. When he saw the words on it, he wondered, "What does this mean?"
Everyone was about to disperse, but when they heard the words, they all came together again, and saw the three words "Yihe Cake" written on the brocade box, and they were all confused.
Just when he was guessing, he saw Yang Xiu laughing loudly, and he stepped forward to open the brocade box, divided it with a silver spoon, took one and put it into his mouth.
It was too late for Cao Chun to stop him, so he scolded: "Dezu is too bold, are you not afraid that this cake is poisonous?"
Yang Xiu laughed loudly and said: "Liu Qi gave gifts to congratulate Jingbian for his achievements. This is a state matter. To poison the meritorious officials is not what a gentleman would do!"
Seeing that what he said was similar to Cao Cao's, and seeing that the color of the silver spoon was as usual, Cao Chun couldn't help but believe it a little more, and still complained: "Even so, this is a gift from Liu Qi to the king, and Dezu should not split it privately."
Yang Xiu pointed at the note and smiled: "Your Majesty has already given an order. This cake is a reward for us. How dare you disobey the order?"
Cao Chun frowned and said, "What's the explanation for this?"
Yang Xiu picked up the note and turned it around in front of everyone, and said with a smile: "The king clearly states: One person can eat a piece of cake. Please don't let down the king's kindness!"
"Oh, that's it!" Cao Hong's eyes lit up, he licked his lips and took a piece first. He nodded while eating: "Not bad, not bad, it tastes great!"
Everyone was curious and stepped forward to get food. In a blink of an eye, there was only an empty box left, and they left reluctantly after savoring the lingering fragrance.
Cao Cao turned back to the back hall and suddenly felt that he was very sorry not to eat pineapple cake. No matter how it tasted, it was made by Sun Shangxiang himself. Since Liu Qi was determined to be in the world, how could he openly poison and be reviled by the world?
The more I thought about it, the more regretful I felt, and I ordered someone to go to the lobby to get the food box. I saw Cao Chun coming back with an empty box, telling everyone that he had just finished sharing the food with everyone.
Cao Cao's face darkened and he said displeasedly: "This is what Liu Qi gave to his orphans. How can you split it up privately?"
Cao Chun then told Yang Xiu's explanation of the words on the box and praised: "This boy is really smart and can understand the prime minister's mind. His intelligence may be comparable to Guo Fengxiao!"
"Young man..." Cao Cao sighed with emotion, but there was no emotion or anger on his face.
Just now, he wanted to let the guards taste a piece first, and then share it with everyone if there was no abnormality, and then laugh at them for not seeing through his brilliance to show his quick thinking, but he didn't expect that Yang Xiu saw his intention and all was divided.
If Guo Jia really did this, he would naturally be happy and feel like a close friend. But when Yang Xiu first arrived, he was so smart that he couldn't help but feel disgusted. Do you and I have a good relationship?
Looking at the empty brocade box, Cao Cao took a deep breath and asked, "How does the pineapple cake taste?"
Cao Chun smiled and said: "It's soft and sweet, something I've never encountered in my life."
Seeing Cao Chun smashing his mouth with endless aftertaste, Cao Cao became more and more regretful and sighed: "That was done by Mrs. Sun herself."
Yang Xiu had just entered the official career and was very high-spirited. He didn't know that he had violated Cao Cao's taboo. He left the military camp the same day after receiving the gift and rushed to Hefei to see Liu Qi.
Liu Qi took charge of Jingzhou at the age of eighteen. He shocked the world in the battle of Nanyang and promoted talents. In just three to five years, he also captured Yizhou and Dingguanzhong. He has already become a role model for young people. Yang Xiu has long wanted to meet him.
Moreover, Yang Xiu also guessed that he was wary of Cao Cao's expedition this time, so he even tried to contain his old father Yang Biao.
Since Zhong Yao and Xun You rebelled against Cao Xianghan, Cao Pi no longer trusted any foreign ministers, especially Yang Biao and other accompanying veterans, who were closely monitored.
After Cao Cao returned to the court, he became the king of Wei, and then sent the three daughters Cao Xian, Cao Jie and Cao Hua to the palace and hired them as nobles. The purpose is self-evident.
Yecheng was already in turmoil, so Yang Xiu took the initiative to invite Ying to Jiangdong not just to express himself, but also had an unknown secret and wanted to take the opportunity to meet Liu Qi privately to discuss important matters.
Unexpectedly, Liu Qi happened to congratulate Liu Qi before leaving, and Cao Cao ordered him to return the gift. This was really a pillow when he fell asleep. This saved a lot of trouble, and he could go to see Liu Qi openly. He couldn't help but sigh that the way of heaven was clear, as if there was divine help.
Yang Xiu couldn't help but feel excited. He looked up to the sky and murmured: "If everything is really God's will, it shows that Han Zuo is not absolutely right!"
Not long after I arrived at the Hefei camp, I saw warships shuttled back and forth on the Feishui River, cities and forts were built on both sides of the river, and the Wu army was training in full swing with murderous intent.
When Yang Xiu arrived at the government office, he saw a Confucian general waiting surrounded by soldiers. He was wearing soft armor and had a sword hanging on his waist. He looked very brave. He guessed it was Liu Qi.
No introduction is needed, Yang Xiu quickly stepped forward and saluted: "Your Majesty, Yang Xiu, pays homage to General Liu on the orders of the Prime Minister!"
Liu Qi had already received the news. Seeing that Yang Xiu addressed Cao Cao with his official position and regarded himself as a Han minister, he couldn't help but nodded secretly and said politely: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Cao Cao is very knowledgeable and talented. When I saw him today, he really showed his temperament. Are you okay with your majesty and the old lieutenant?" "
"Thanks for your concern, my father is in peace!" Yang Xiu was secretly happy when he saw that Liu Qi only asked about the emperor and not about Cao Cao. He cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is in good health. I hope that the general will meet you soon and tell you about the pain of separation."
"It has been more than ten years since I left Luoyang. I have missed the emperor for a long time!" Liu Qi also sighed. Seeing that there were followers behind him, he couldn't say more and invited Yang Xiu and his party to enter the palace.
A banquet had already been held in the government office, and Zhuge Jin and Kan Ze, famous people from Jiangdong, were accompanying him. Although Yang Xiu was not very old, he came on behalf of the emperor, and the etiquette was indispensable. The entourage was arranged to rest in a side hall.
During the banquet, they talked about court matters that were neither salty nor bland. After drinking for three rounds, Yang Xiu said bluntly: "I am here, and I have been ordered to go to Jiangdong to express my condolences to Wu Guotai. I wonder if the general can do it conveniently?"
Liu Qi smiled lightly and said: "The Cao family and the Sun family have a good relationship with each other during the Qin and Jin Dynasties. It is natural to express condolences. This is a matter of human ethics. Is there any reason why we should not allow it?"
Yang Xiu's eyes gleamed slightly, and he asked slowly: "General, aren't you afraid that my meeting with Sun Quan in private will cause trouble?"
"An extraneous treachery?" Liu Qi looked calm, looked at Zhuge Jin and the two of them and smiled: "Liu has always been honest and honest in his work. He has been entrusted by the Marquis of Wu to lead Jiangdong on his behalf. What should he be afraid of?"
Zhuge Jin nodded and said: "The matter in Jiangdong was decided jointly by Wu Hou and us. Sir, you are a smart man, so don't believe in the public opinion."
Yang Xiu snorted slightly, put the wine glass on the table, the wine splashed out, and said in a deep voice: "What if I go to see Sun Quan on the order of Prime Minister Cao?"
Liu Qi paused slightly while picking up the vegetables, then laughed and said, "Sir, he got drunk after just three or five drinks, picking up the vegetables!"
