At this moment, Cao Cao had just returned to Luoyang. Yuan Shao transferred him in a hurry and did not prepare for the requisition of money and food. He could only use his own connections to get it together. As a result, by the time of the Luoyang coup, he could only recruit two thousand strong men, let alone lead troops back to the capital. Fortunately, on the day of the coup, his father Cao Song sent his younger brother Cao De to send a message to Cao Cao, asking him to return to Beijing immediately. Cao Cao then traveled through the stars and nights and finally rushed back to the capital on the second day of September.
On the way, Cao Cao also hurriedly inquired about the news. The news in Luoyang changed almost every day. When he learned that Yuan Shao had escaped, Cao Cao was worried and couldn't help but said to Cao De Taixi: "The two of them left Beijing on the original road. It looks like we are going to fight to the death with Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo, an old man from Liangzhou, has great power now, but how does he know how to govern the country? I think the country will soon be in chaos."
But when he returned to Luoyang from Mengjin, he saw the long ruins by the river along the way. He couldn't help but stop for a moment and found two fragments of a poem and chanted: "The wind cracked the shogunate flag, and the blood stained the levy's clothes." He then told Cao De. Said: "Qiao Gong once made a name for me and said that this person must be the one who can bring peace to the world. Now I see this situation and this scene, but I have achieved nothing. How can I not make people sad?"
But after all, he was not a sentimental person. He just sighed a few words and then rode into the city again. When he returned home, he met his father first. Since Cao Song retired from the post of Taiwei, he has been idle at home, hanging out with his concubines all day long. When Cao Cao saw him, he was sitting on the bed, his face was red, his lips were purple, and he was breathing hard with his mouth open. The brocade robe could not cover the flesh on his belly, and he looked like he was overindulging in lust.
Cao Song was both happy and worried when he saw his son. He called his son to him and told him: "The political situation is now controlled by Dong Zhuo, which is not a good day. The day before yesterday, the imperial censor disturbed the dragon clan and disturbed the king to visit the Taiwei. , reported some illegal things to the Liang people in the capital, and hoped that the Taiwei would advise his subordinates. Unexpectedly, he forgot to learn the sword from time to time, so the Taiwei punished him for some reason, dragged him to the street, and beat him to death with sticks. Too cruel! You are My friend Yuan Shao, it's better to stay away, I've already thought about it, we will go to Xuzhou to take refuge in a few days." Cao Cao said thoughtfully on the side.
However, many things were beyond his control. Even with the achievements of the First Emperor, he could not avoid sudden death in the sand dunes. Cao Song's prayers were ultimately in vain. Cao Cao bid farewell to his father and sat back in his room. Before he could take a few sips of hot water, Dong Taiwei's envoy came to the house and said that there was a recruitment order from Cao Cao. When the envoy saw him, he read out: "Captain Cao The power plans have changed, the young man has become famous, and the late emperor has also entrusted him with important responsibilities. Today, the Taiwei Assistant is trying to revitalize the government, and the school captain is specially summoned to join the throne."
After the envoy finished reading, he smiled and said to Cao Cao, "I wonder what Mr. Cao's intention is?" He asked what it was, but there was only one choice. Cao Cao knew it well, so he replied to the envoy: "Please wait a moment, envoy." Then he left the room to report back. Father, Cao Song froze when he heard about this unforeseen disaster. It took him a long time to shake his hands and hold his son's wrists. He lamented again and again: "I can't even hide. Is it because of my father's affairs that I want to sacrifice you to the flag?" Cao Song His adoptive father was Cao Teng, a regular servant. Although Cao Teng was not like Zhang Rang, he was despised by Qingliu because of this, and he was very upset about this.
Cao Cao comforted his father and said, "Benchu and I have always been good friends. Nothing happened to Benchu. What can I do?" Cao Song shook his head and said, "This is different, this is different." He patted his son on the shoulder and said to him "Wait a moment." He moved his huge body behind the screen. Cao Cao heard a ding-dong-dong-dong turning sound. When his father came back, he had a toothache look on his face and held a long bar in both hands. It's like a thing, wrapped tightly with cloth, about three feet long. Seeing him stretch out his slightly trembling hand, Cao Cao untied the cloth impatiently and laboriously, gradually revealing what was inside.
It turned out to be a long sword, set in a scabbard painted ink. The hilt is made of iron, with dark stripes painted with paint. Cao Cao took the sword and felt it heavy in his hand. It was heavier than he expected. Cao Song sat back on the bed and said with shining eyes: "I know you like swords, so I spent a lot of money to buy this sword. I wanted to give it to you at the end of the year, but now I think there is no chance. They say warriors like weapons, you When you meet the Taiwei, give him this sword. When he is happy, he might even reward you with a high official position!"
Cao Cao was surprised when he heard this. He loved collecting swords, and the Yitian Sword on his belt was worth thousands of gold. What kind of sword could make his father value it so much? He held the scabbard tightly with his left hand and the hilt with his right hand. He pulled it out hard and the sword flew out from the scabbard with a cold light, like a silver dragon.
The body of the sword is decorated with dragon and tiger patterns, and there are engraved characters on it. The characters are in seal script, and the characters are pointed and delicate, with a very classical charm. Cao Cao recognized and read at the same time. From the direction of the sword hilt downwards, there were four words written: "Those who commit crimes against strong men."
There was nothing underneath. He turned over the other side and found that there were also four small characters written in seal script between the patterns of dragons and tigers leaping. He read them out and said: "Even if it is far away, it will be punished!"
The sword chanted softly in the air, and the sound of hundreds of years of gold and iron seemed to hit his face. Cao Cao couldn't help but dance the sword in the air, feeling happy and surprised in his heart. He called the sword by its name: "It's Chen Tangjian!"
Two hundred years ago, Chen Tang defeated the Xiongnu and killed the Zhizhi chanyu in the Western Regions, so he used the finest iron from Xisai to make this sword. During Shizu's reign, Ma Yuan was marching to the south. Shizu gave this sword to General Fubo and encouraged him to serve the country. However, after Ma Yuan's death, the Ma family gradually declined. Ma Yuan's grandson Ma Kang was killed because he was involved in the case of General Dou Wu. , the sword disappeared. Unexpectedly, his father rediscovered the sword. Cao Cao stroked the sword again and again. He liked it very much and smiled at Cao Song: "My lord, you are interested. But don't worry, my lord. How can Dong Zhuo use this sword? I will definitely be able to escape unscathed, lord." Just wait for my news." After saying that, he turned and left. Cao Song couldn't stop him from behind, so he could only stamp his feet in the room and sigh.
Cao Cao put the sword into the sword case and kept it, and then followed the envoy to Xianyang Garden, riding fast all the way. When he was about to reach the gate of the garden, he saw a head hanging on the gate. It looked familiar, but the hair obscured the face, making it difficult for him to recognize it. The messenger knew his question and explained to him: "That is the rider in front of me." The chariots and horses cannot prevent the change of the two palaces. If the Taiwei wants to punish his relatives, he will cut the corpse into pieces in the chariot and hang the head here as a tribute to the world."
Cao Cao's hair stood on end when he heard this, but he was sharp-minded. Seeing the carriages and horses parked in front of the garden, he knew that Dong Zhuo was trying to win people's hearts. As long as he was cautious, he would not suffer any disaster. He straightened his clothes and followed the envoy step by step. Looking at the officials coming and going in the garden, he saw many familiar faces: Han Rong, the son of Han Shao, the fourth chief of Yingchuan, Wang Zhang, the eight chefs, Qin Zhou, Hu The mother class also includes Liu Biao of Baji, Yinxiu of Nanyang Yin family, and Wu Xun of Wu family in Nanyang. These are either world-famous or prominent families in the imperial hometown. It is really rare to gather together now.
The envoy brought Cao Cao to Dong Zhuo's wing, raised his hands and said to Cao Cao: "Dong Gong loves talents, Cao Jun must not be timid. Whatever Dong Gong asks, Cao Jun will answer." Cao Cao then noticed that there was a centipede-like scar on the envoy's hand. , he looked at the tall figure of the envoy again, and after returning the courtesy, he couldn't help but curiously asked: "I understand, but I don't know your surname? I see that your brother is so brave, he must be a good general under Dong Gong!"
The rough-looking man was stunned for a moment, and then he said with a shy smile: "I am Zhang Ji, a powerful man in Wuwei. Mr. Cao has praised me too much. How can Zhang be a good general? Under Dong Gong's command, the most capable ones are Li Jue and Guo. How can I rank up to the two captains Si?" As a warrior, he was quite humble and observant of etiquette, which Cao Cao admired and thought that Dong Zhuo did have capable people under his command. He silently wrote down these names and strode into the room.
There were only three people in the wing, two of them were standing around, and one was handling official business at the desk. He recognized that it was Dong Zhuo.
This was not the first time that Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo met. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he led a cavalry team to rescue the Northern Army. He was also present at the Battle of Julu. He also personally participated in Dong Zhuo's surrender, so the two were familiar with each other. Dong Zhuo heard the sound of opening the door and looked up at him from the document. When he saw it was Cao Cao, a smile appeared in his messy beard. He dropped the document and said, "Isn't this Mengde? I haven't seen him for several years, and I still have it." I thought you must have gained a lot of weight while you were recuperating in Beijing, why have you lost so much weight!" 1
Cao Cao also exchanged pleasantries for a while, and the two talked about the current affairs of the government from the war back then. Cao Cao was very sensible and tried his best to belittle He Jin's administration. He also said how Dong Zhuo had adjusted the imperial policy in a timely manner. In addition, his literary talents were rare even in Luoyang City. Therefore, Dong Zhuo was very useful and repeatedly called maids to add wine to Cao Cao.
Just when Cao Cao drank the fourth cup, Dong Zhuo suddenly asked: "Mengde, now Yuan Shao is running for Luoyang, and I want to kill him to show the power of heaven. I don't know what you think about this." As soon as these words came out, the two men The guards also looked at Cao Cao. Cao Cao was sitting on a mountain with a wine cup in his hand, and said slowly to Dong Zhuo: "If Mr. Dong has the ambition to mend the sky, there is no need for Cao Cao to say more."
Dong Zhuo was surprised when he heard this and said with a smile: "Why did Meng De say this?"
Cao Cao put down his wine cup, sat down and said: "There are only two leaders of Qingliu now, one is Chen Chong and the other is Yuan Shao. Chen Chong has been deeply involved in the Imperial Academy for nearly ten years, and everyone in the world regards him as his teacher, while Yuan Shao recommends him as a high-ranking member of the Yuan family. Scholars, high-ranking officials in the court were mostly favored by the Yuan family, and even the Taiwei was once the official of the Taifu. Although Yuan Shao was stupid, the Han Dynasty ruled the country with loyalty and filial piety, and the people killed by Dong Gong were called disloyal. If Dong Gong could forgive him Yuan Shao is in line with the Way of Forgiveness, and Duke Dong’s virtues have been shown to the world. Who dares not to obey him?"
After hearing this, Dong Zhuo closed his eyes for a while. He opened his eyes again, leaned forward to stare at Cao Cao, nodded slightly and said, "I do understand this truth, Meng De. I want to rule the world now, and I am in need of heroes like you. I can't forgive Yuan Shao." It's a small thing, just say it first, you have to help me do something."
Cao Cao didn't know what was going on, but Dong Zhuo was so easy to talk to, which made him overjoyed. He thought that Yuan Shao would not be so happy to serve in the government, so he felt a little more favorable to Dong Zhuo. He immediately agreed and said, "How dare I disobey what Mr. Dong asked me to do?"
The Taiwei smiled when he heard this, and let out a satisfied sound from his throat, like a gluttonous meal of flesh and blood, which suddenly made Cao Cao shudder.
