Xia Houxuan was sitting in front of the sandalwood table in Hemingxuan at the moment, looking at the beautiful hairpin in small regular script on the letter in his hand.
Eighty or nine years ago, Amo, the little black dog adopted by Xia Houxuan, had long since grown into a big dog. At this moment, it was nestling quietly in front of Xia Houxuan's case, sticking out its tongue and observing the smoky man in front of him. Boshan incense burner.
Yu Huan and Shanjun were competing in martial arts in the garden with Xia Houxuan's two cousins, Xia Houfeng and Xia Houxian.
Over the years, Yu Huan, under the guidance of Xia Houxuan, has read through the classic articles and military strategies of various pre-Qin schools. In terms of martial arts, Yu Huan has already become quite proficient in the Yu family swordsmanship inherited from his family over the years. Compared with his grandfather Yu Jin and uncle Yu Gui, although he is still slightly behind, among the younger generations, he is Yu Huan's swordsmanship is already considered a masterpiece.
Xiahou Feng usually liked calligraphy. As for swordsmanship and martial arts, although he had the foundation of Xiahou's internal skills, after all, he had been neglected for a long time, so it was naturally difficult for him to compete with the brave and diligent Yu Huan.
As for Xia Houxian, among all the direct grandchildren of General Xia Houyuan, he has been the most intelligent since he was a child. In addition, he has always been quite diligent in practicing martial arts, so he and Yu Huan can be regarded as a good match and will meet a good talent.
Xuncan and He Kui were sitting under the eaves of the corridor, drinking wine and watching the competition between the three of them with great interest.
Xia Houxuan in the hall was full of sorrow at the moment, so he was not interested in the lively competition outside, but continued to study the letter in front of him.
This is the letter from my sister Yuanrong that I just sent home.
It's just that the content of this letter is too obscure, and Xia Houxuan hasn't yet understood its deep meaning.
"My brother Taichu personally opened the door.
I haven’t visited my brother since Qixi Festival. I wonder if he is okay?
My brother once said that Amo often suffers from thirst. Recently, my sister saw honey in Jiuzifang. It tastes very sweet, just like drinking ice, and it can eliminate heat and poison. Brother, you can send someone to buy this medicine.
Sister, Yuan Rong’s handwriting. "
But why did Amo suffer from thirst?
Xia Houxuan couldn't figure out for a moment why Yuanrong said a sentence of nonsense in the letter.
What's more, Xia Houxuan has lived in Jiuzi's room since he was a child. He has never heard of any honey named Gan Bing.
Thirst disease...
Xia Houxuan had no reason to think of Cao Zhang, King of Rencheng, who died suddenly in the capital during the early Huang Dynasty, and what his father had said about the death of Commander Cao Chun.
He also suddenly remembered the hidden words he often played with his sister when he was a child.
Sweet... ice... poison... medicine...
Did Yuanrong find a poison? Did she mean this?
Yuanrong was so deliberately concealing it in her letter, obviously she was wary of someone.
"My sister Yuanrong, please give me your blessing.
Brother, everything is fine. Brother will pay attention to what my sister says. It's been cold lately, so don't forget to put on some extra clothes. I hope my sister will treasure them.
Brother Taichu, handwritten. "
After Xia Houxuan finished writing the reply, he walked to the courtyard and handed the letter to his younger brother-in-law He Kui, and told He Kui to deliver the letter to Zijin, Hui'er's personal maid in Sima Mansion.
He Kui has always been calm and reliable. After taking note of Xia Houxuan's instructions, He Kui and Xun Can said goodbye and left Xiahou Mansion.
Night fell and the rain continued to fall.
Xia Houxuan suddenly felt that the autumn in Luoyang was getting colder and colder.
It rained like this for a full month.
The autumn wind from the north is constantly carrying the autumn rain from the north.
One autumn rain and another cold, this continuous heavy rain brought a complete chill to the imperial capital Luoyang.
The Yishui River and the Luoshui River also began to surge. The river water even soaked the city moat canal, and even half a foot of the city wall was soaked in water. Residents in the suburbs also moved their homes to higher ground to avoid flooding.
―――
September is the month of great floods.
Due to heavy rain, the 30,000 southern troops and horses led by General Sima Yi were still stationed in Shangyong City on the southwest border of Wei and Shu. They were unable to move forward and join forces with General Sima Cao Zhen in Nanzheng as originally planned.
The 20,000-strong army led by Zhang He was also unable to advance due to heavy rain blocking the road, and was forced to stay on Baoxie Road.
At this time, only the 50,000 Yongliang troops led by Great Sima Cao Zhen were still marching tenaciously in the rain. These 50,000 troops had a common goal at this moment, which was to follow Great Sima Cao Zhen through the Ziwu Valley and arrive at Hanzhong South Zheng competed with Shu general Zhuge Liang to expand territory and make contributions to the Wei Dynasty!
Although it took them more than a month, they only completed half of the journey.
But even though Ziwu Valley has been in disrepair for a long time, and heavy rain has blocked the road, it seems impassable, but they unanimously believe that Ziwu Valley can definitely be passed through!
"Soldiers, hold on!" Cao Zhen was still unwilling to ride on the umbrella cover, and was only willing to brave the rain with the soldiers. However, he was already old after all, and even a strong man could not survive the rain for more than a month. The rain will make you sick, not to mention Cao Zhen, who has been in the army for half his life and has a long history of illness.
Finally, on a day of heavy rain, Cao Zhen, who was wearing a raincoat like the soldiers, fell ill in the middle of the march.
In fact, Cao Zhen is the backbone of this Yongliang army and the driving force for everyone to continue to persevere. If Da Sima had not fallen ill, maybe they could really cross this narrow and muddy valley. But now, Cao Zhen fell, and all the soldiers were panicked and discouraged. They didn't know whether they should continue in one go. Moving forward, it’s better to fix things in place.
Just when everyone was at a loss, Lieutenant General Cao Zhen and two brothers, Cao Shuang and Cao Xi, took the place of Cao Zhen and unanimously made a decision to stay put and wait for Da Sima's condition to improve and the rain to subside before making any plans to advance or retreat.
In front of Xingying's hospital bed, two brothers, Cao Shuang and Cao Xi, were accompanying their father.
After the military doctor accompanying the army took Cao Zhen's pulse, he specifically told Cao Shuang and Cao Xi brothers repeatedly not to let Da Sima get angry, and then left the camp.
"Shuang'er, Xi'er..."
Cao Zhen was lying on the hospital bed at the moment. He changed his majestic appearance from before. He coughed violently and said with a wry smile:
"As a father, I have spent half of my life on horseback. I didn't expect that... when I am old, I will die on this bed... cough cough cough..."
"Father, don't talk nonsense."
Cao Shuang grabbed his father's hand, which had become extremely hard and rough from holding the bow and sword for many years, and said slowly:
"My father is very energetic. He will definitely get better as long as he has a good life for about half a month."
Cao Xi tried hard to control his emotions and prevent tears from bursting out of his eyes.
Cao Zhen looked at his two sons, just smiled bitterly, nodded, and said no more.
―――
Shangyong, in the general's palace, Sima Yi is reading a letter sent from Luoyang Mansion. This is a letter of greetings from his daughter-in-law Xia Houhui, Wang Yuanji and others. However, there are more than just this letter sent from the manor. share.
What Sima Yi was reading at this time was another letter sent by Yu Po in the mansion.
"For the record, head of the family, except that the young lady accidentally discovered 'Gan Bing' a few days ago, there is nothing special about it.
Servant, Yu family. "
An imperceptible and sinister look flashed across Sima Yi's face.
At this time, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, who were accompanying their father on the expedition, walked into the camp:
"General Qi, there is news from someone over at Ziwu Valley."
"Ziwu Valley..." Sima Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, put the letter into his sleeve, and said in a deep voice: "Let him come in."
The person who entered the tent was an ordinary soldier accompanying the camp. He was the person Sima Yi arranged to go to Cao Zhen to inquire about the situation.
"Reporting to the general, Grand Sima, because he has been marching in the rain with his soldiers for months, his old illness has relapsed, and the army is now stranded in Ziwu Valley."
"How is Great Sima's condition? Do you know?" When Sima Yi heard that Cao Zhen was seriously ill, he suddenly felt that this might be an opportunity, an opportunity for him to become the top military and political leader of the Wei Dynasty.
"I don't know the specific situation, but I seem to have heard from the military doctor that Da Sima should not lose his temper or get angry. Other than that, I really don't know anything else."
"Very good... very good..." Sima Yi's eyes flashed, and he understood that his opportunity had indeed come.
After everyone in the tent left, Sima Yi took out some military reports and yellowed old letters. A white-haired old scholar was called from outside the tent.
These are the letters that Sima Yi once received from Zhuge Liang, the general of Shu. Some of them were to win over him, some were to greet him, and even more, some were to humiliate him.
However, these are not important. What is important is that these letters contain the handwriting and seal of Shu Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.
"Luo Sheng." Sima Yi looked at the yellowed letter on the case and said to the old man: "This time, I will trouble you again."
"I am willing to serve you." The old man bowed to Sima Yi with great humility. He was naturally a capable person, so he was valued by Sima Yi and became an important guest.
Although no one in the court would know his skills and fame. However, in the world of martial arts, Luo Sheng's name, "Wonderful Brush and Divine Engraving", is well-known.
Because he has two unique skills, one is to imitate handwriting so vividly that the fake can be mistaken for the real; the second is to engrave the seal based on the seal, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.
"Then, I'll leave it to you." Sima Yi smiled proudly, handed a long article and Zhuge Liang's seal to the old man, and patted Luo Sheng on the shoulder.
After a few days, in the Ziwu Valley, the rain force not only did not weaken, but also tended to increase.
The morale of the Yongliang army was weakened because of this, and many people wanted to leave this ghost place as soon as possible.
"Report..." Outside the Great Sima's camp, a messenger strode into the tent, half-knelt on the ground, and said loudly: "Report to the Great Sima, our people captured a Shu army in the valley, that Shu army Claiming to be a messenger sent by Shu general Zhuge Liang, he also said that he had an important letter that needed to be conveyed to Da Sima."
"If you have any letters, please submit them." Cao Zhen, whose condition has improved slightly, is sitting on the couch at the moment. He took a brocade box from the accompanying soldiers and opened it.
There was indeed a letter in the box.
Cao Zhen took a look at the handwriting and seal on the envelope and felt that it looked familiar. He recalled it for a while before he remembered that it was the handwriting of Zhuge Kongming, the Prime Minister of Shu.
He slowly opened the envelope, and the words inside suddenly came into view:
"Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty and Marquis of Wuxiang, wrote to the Grand Sima Cao Zidan: He is a general who can go and conquer, be gentle and strong; he can advance and retreat, he can be weak and strong. He who cannot move is like a mountain, and it is difficult to move. Measuring is like yin and yang; infinite is like heaven and earth, substantial like Taicang; vast like the four seas, and dazzling like three rays of light. To predict droughts and floods in astronomy, one must first know the stability of geography; to observe the expected meeting of the battle formation, to guess the shortcomings and lengths of the enemy. Sorry, you have no knowledge. The descendants, go up against the sky; help the rebels who usurped the country, and claim the title of emperor in Luoyang; march the remnant soldiers in the skew valley, and encounter the rain in Chencang; the land and water are poor, the men and horses are rampant; throw away the armor in the suburbs, abandon the swords and guns all over the land; the heart of the governor Collapse and bile, the generals are scurrying and wolves are busy! How can I enter the hall of the prime minister's house without seeing the father in Guanzhong! The historian recorded it with his pen, and the people spread it with their mouths: Zhongda heard the formation and was vigilant, Zidan looked at the wind and Forget it! Our troops are strong and our horses are strong, our generals are like tigers and dragons; we can sweep Qinchuan into Pyongyang, and swamp Wei into a wasteland!" [Note 1]
[Note 1: This letter is selected from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". 】
Cao Zhen looked at this ironic letter and was filled with grief and anger. He thought that Cao Zidan, who had been a soldier for half his life, had never retreated in a hurry before a confrontation?
But now, I am sick, my soldiers are distracted, I have failed the king's trust, and I am even ridiculed by the enemy generals!
At this moment, Cao Zhen felt his blood surge, and then his vision went dark. He said "Wow" and spit out a mouthful of blood!
