the next day.
Xu Shu arrived as expected.
Cao Ang had already told Cao Cao about Xu Shu, and Cao Cao was pleasantly surprised for a while when he learned that he could recruit people from Liu Bei's side.
It’s noon this day.
Chen Zhou arrived at Cao's house. After waiting for a short time, he saw Cao Gu bringing people in. When they arrived in the hall of Cao's house, Cao Cao and Cao Ang were also waiting.
"Xu Shu, meet Prime Minister Cao!"
When Xu Shu came to Xudu, he had to be polite.
In addition, near Wancheng, the man in black he saw was Chen Dao, which made Xu Shu doubt his life and couldn't believe it was true. His mental state was not very good. It was good to be able to remain calm in front of Cao Cao. .
However, when Xu Shu arrived in Xudu, he was more concerned about his mother.
"Yuan Zhi, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Cao Cao smiled warmly and said, "Please sit down!"
Xu Shu shook his head, indicating that he did not want to sit down, and asked, "Excuse me, Prime Minister Cao, where is my mother?"
Now, he just wants to see Xu's mother.
Even if there is something to discuss with Cao Cao, it must be done after seeing Xu's mother.
Cao Cao said: "We admire Yuan Zhi's filial piety. Zixiu will arrange for someone to take Yuan Zhi to see the old lady first."
He didn't force anything, he just needed to get Xu Shu, so that Liu Bei would have one less person who could help him. As for how to conquer Xu Shu in the future, and how to get Liu Bei's information from Xu Shu, he would wait until he had time.
Cao Ang arranged for two servants to take Xu Shu down quickly, and then told Cao Cao what happened on Xu Shu's way back.
"I didn't expect that Liu Da'er, who is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness, can be so cruel sometimes."
Cao Cao laughed and said, "According to Du Zhi's plan, wouldn't it be easy for us to conquer Xu Yuanzhi?"
Chen Zhou nodded and said: "Normally speaking, it is indeed easier, but we can also use this incident to add fuel to the flames and take the opportunity to discredit Liu Bei's reputation. Although the effect is not very great, it can make Liu Bei troubled for a long time. "
What Liu Bei values most is the benevolence and righteousness that he has maintained for many years.
When your benevolence and righteousness are discredited, you will indeed feel panicked and entangled, as if your true self is about to be torn apart.
Cao Cao said: "This is simple. Zixiu arranges it. Regarding Xu Yuanzhi, if he continues to refuse to obey, what should we do?"
Chen Zhou said: "If he is not obedient, he cannot be reused. Just put him under house arrest in the city. Even if he wants to be killed, he will have to wait until Xu Shu's affairs have gradually calmed down and people outside will no longer pay attention to him."
After hearing these words, Cao Cao probably knew what to do.
"I'll think of a way first and have a chat with Xu Yuanzhi to see if I can convince him. If not, how about I take over after he's gone?"
Cao Cao was eager to try and personally persuade Xu Shu to surrender.
Chen Zhou agreed: "Of course it's no problem."
He had met Xu Shu, but it wasn't really that good. Maybe he had met too many historical celebrities and he was immune to Xu Shu's feelings. Maybe he would be a little surprised when he saw Zhuge Liang.
——
Xu Shu was taken outside Cao's house and into a courtyard.
Xu's mother was placed here, and there was a group of soldiers guarding her outside. Under normal circumstances, even if Xu Shu came back, she would not be able to escape.
Thinking of the upcoming meeting with his mother, Xu Shu temporarily put aside all his thoughts about Liu Bei. When he entered the house and saw Xu's mother, his eyes lit up and he walked over and said, "Mother, I have made you suffer."
Xu's mother sighed: "You are really back!"
She knew what Cao Cao's people were going to do after they captured her.
Xu Shu nodded and said: "I got Prime Minister Cao's letter. I was afraid that my mother would be wrong, so I will be back soon. I hope my mother is fine."
"You shouldn't have come back!"
Xu's mother got up, patted him on the shoulder, and said solemnly: "Uncle Liu Huang has spread his righteousness all over the world. He is also a nobleman of the Han Dynasty. He is determined to help the Han Dynasty and pacify the world. Prime Minister Cao... is just a thief who deceives the emperor and ignores his superiors!"
In the previous family letters, Xu Shu often told Xu's mother that Xu's mother knew how she helped the Han Dynasty when she was around Liu Bei.
However, now that Liu Bei was mentioned, Xu Shu's mentality completely changed. He shook his head and sighed: "Mother, I think I have seen the wrong person. Mr. Shui Jing has also seen the wrong person. Uncle Liu's benevolence and righteousness are only superficial, but secretly he is an insidious person." Villain."
He told his mother everything about the assassination.
"Is this happening?"
Xu's mother was also shocked, unexpectedly, and asked, "Could it be some kind of trick?"
Xu Shu affirmed: "Absolutely not. I have seen it with my own eyes. Chen Shuzhi and I have a very good relationship. We will never admit the wrong person."
Then they were silent.
"Yuan Zhi, what should you do next?"
Xu's mother asked again.
Xu Shu said: "I can't do anything next, and I don't want to do anything. I just want to stay with my mother. It would be best if Prime Minister Cao allows us to leave. If we can't leave, then we will stay with my mother here."
His heart was dead and he didn't want to do anything else.
I just want to be filial.
Xu's mother thought for a while and didn't say anything else, so let's do it!
——
After Chen Dao returned, he found Chen Gong and told Chen Gong about the failure of the mission.
This result was completely beyond Chen Gong's expectations.
"Has Yuan Zhi really seen your face?"
Chen Gong asked immediately.
Chen Dao nodded.
It's okay if you can't see it, but if you see it, things will become serious. Liu Bei wants to assassinate Xu Shu and doesn't want Xu Shu to go to Xudu with his secret.
"I never thought that Cao Jun would come to rescue Yuan Zhi, and Cao Cao valued Yuan Zhi so much."
Chen Dao didn't know what to do to remedy the situation.
Everything is unexpected.
"Mr. Gongtai, what should we do?"
Chen Dao asked worriedly.
Chen Gong thought it would not be such a coincidence, but the facts were before his eyes, and there was almost no possibility of recovery. He said: "I was wrong in this matter, and it has nothing to do with my uncle. I will go to the Lord to admit my mistake. If I want to be punished, I am the only one to be punished.”
There is no other way but to admit my mistake.
"I'll go with sir."
Chen Dao said.
It was not their intention to be self-defeating. They just wanted to keep Xu Shu, giving up filial piety and only wanting to be loyal.
When they arrived at Liu Bei's house, as soon as they entered the door, they saw Liu Bei saying anxiously: "Gongtai, I was just looking for you, something big happened!"
"What's the big deal?"
Chen Gong asked.
Liu Bei said helplessly: "People outside are spreading rumors that Yuan Zhi was assassinated on his way to Xudu. The assassin was Shu Zhi. I asked Uncle Zhi to kill Yuan Zhi. They say I am hypocritical. What should I do?"
Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation of his life. Now that his benevolence and righteousness have been tarnished, he is extremely anxious.
This is absolutely not allowed to happen.
However, he did not send anyone to kill Xu Shu.
Chen Gong and Chen Dao: "..."
They also felt that Cao Cao's good methods used what Liu Bei was most worried about to easily disturb Liu Bei's mood.
When it comes down to it, it's all their fault.
"Uncle Zhi, do you think it's ridiculous?"
"How could I possibly let you do such a thing?"
Liu Bei sighed.
Chen Dao lowered his head and admitted his mistake: "Master, I'm sorry! The rumors outside are not rumors."
