A night of silence.
Cao Cao slept until three o'clock in the morning before he woke up and got up to dress. Under the quilt, Pan Jinlian managed to hold himself up and said in a hoarse voice: "Wait a minute, sir. I will dress you when the slave family gets up."
Cao Cao turned around and slapped his hand on the high point of his waist and hips: "It's already soft and turned into a puddle of water. Why force yourself to hold on? Just sleep peacefully. I'll talk to you again when I come back from my work."
Pan Jinlian gave a gentle "hmm" and then said: "Then you come back early, I will prepare a few side dishes today."
Seeing how careless she was, Cao Cao laughed, pulled her head over and kissed her, saying, "Then I'll do some shopping, and I'll bring a few brothers here to pay my respects."
After that, he walked downstairs, washed his mouth and face, took his sword and went out. The sun shone on his face, the spring breeze was slightly cold, and he felt full of energy.
At a tea shop on the corner of the street, Lu Fang, Guo Sheng, and Zheng Tianshou were sipping tea soup with a few companions. When they saw Wu Da go out, they hurried over, clasped their fists and said with a smile: "Brother, are you resting well?"
Cao Cao smiled and said: "I have been working hard for several days, and I have washed my hands overnight. Let's go. First, I will familiarize you with Yanggu County. In the evening, we will all come to my house for a drink."
Now he took everyone on a walk through the streets and alleys of the county to get familiar with the streets, and then took them to inspect his own store. He asked for the account book, threw it to Zheng Tianshou to look through, and told the shopkeepers that this is what will happen in the future. Business manager.
I was busy until evening, and took a few people back to my home on Zishi Street.
Pan Jinlian opened the door and came in. Lu Fang, Guo Sheng, and Zheng Tianshou all sang aloud: "Little brother pays homage to sister-in-law."
Seeing that these were all extraordinary-looking young men, Pan Jinlian didn't dare to raise her eyes to take a closer look for fear of offending Cao Cao. She just smiled and said: "Since my elder brother's brother is one of his family members, please take a seat. We will have dinner and dinner soon." That’s good.”
After that, he went back to the busy kitchen. Not long after, exquisite dishes were brought to the table, and a jar of wine was opened and poured into the bowls one by one.
Lu Fang and others all praised: "What a virtuous sister-in-law."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Jin Lian, we are all brothers, you also come to the table and have a drink together."
After hearing this, Pan Jinlian washed her hands, went to the table, poured a glass of wine, and said, "Although my uncle is a good man, as the saying goes, a good man still needs help. I only hope that my brothers will help him more in the future. I can't thank you enough." , I will reward you with this thin cup of wine."
After finishing speaking, he took a sip and drank it dry.
Lu Fang smiled and said: "Sister-in-law is so generous. Please rest assured, sister-in-law. Now that I have recognized my brother as my master, I will fight to the death to keep him safe." After that, the three of them each took a bowl of wine.
Cao Cao pulled Pan Jinlian's hand and smiled and said: "She looks more and more like a mistress. These brothers of mine are all knowledgeable and good men. If you didn't have outstanding character, how could you respect you? Come on, you can keep watch these days. Family is not easy, so I’d like to toast you.”
Pan Jinlian was filled with joy when she heard this. She hurriedly picked up the wine glass, clinked it with him, and drank it all in one gulp.
She drank two glasses of wine in a row, and two blushes suddenly appeared on her cheeks, making her look more and more charming.
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Are you in a hurry? Let's eat some vegetables to calm down."
Guo Sheng said enviously: "My brother and sister-in-law are so affectionate. If I have a wife in the future, it would be great if I can be as harmonious as my brother and sister-in-law."
Cao Cao laughed and said: "Brother, you are handsome and capable. You are far better than my brother. Why worry about not having a beautiful woman to match you? If you are in a hurry to find a wife and let your sister-in-law act as a matchmaker, which daughter in Yanggu County will not love you? This beloved man?"
Guo Sheng was embarrassed and covered his face with his wine bowl. Everyone laughed.
Cao Cao then pointed at Zheng Tianshou and said: "Jin Lian, soon I and my two brothers Lu Fang and Guo Sheng will go to the rivers and lakes to visit many heroes. If you have something to do at home, go and find me, Zheng Tianshou, brother Zheng." Let him take care of all our business. Don't forget that he is a gentle man, but his martial arts skills are extraordinary and he will be able to handle everything properly."
Zheng Tianshou picked up the wine and said, "How dare you act like a brother and praise me? Sister-in-law, I have something to do in the future, but please give me your instructions." After that, he raised his head and drank.
Everyone drank and ate, and talked about the affairs of the world. Until the wine was full of wine, Cao Cao, Lu and Guo made an appointment to meet tomorrow, and then sent them out and went back to their respective places.
Back in the house, Pan Jinlian made a cup of strong tea to let Cao Cao relieve his hangover. She rolled up her sleeves and started washing pots and dishes, wiping the table and sweeping the floor. After everything was done, she took a small bench and sat down in front of Cao Cao. , talking to him.
Cao Cao reached out and took her hand. He felt that his fingers were cold, so he took both of her hands and covered them. He smiled and said, "It was my negligence. Now the family is not short of money. You have time to find it." If you want, choose a clean and hard-working maid, buy or hire her, and let her do these chores."
Pan Jinlian felt her heart burning and thought to herself: This naughty boy really knows how to love women now. The smile on his face was as bright as a March peach blossom: "We don't have any children, how can we have much to do? I just took care of it. If you want to do big things, keep more money around you."
Cao Cao felt happy after hearing this. He stretched out his hand to touch her face and said, "Little silver woman, how come you have become so virtuous now?"
Pan Jinlian was so shy that she pressed her face into his palm and whispered: "Women all over the world are like this. If you marry a hero, you will be a virtuous wife. As long as the man convinces her, what pain can she not endure? I think that Wang Baochuan suffered in the cold kiln for eighteen years because Xue Pinggui is an upright man. If he were a scoundrel, who would be willing to stay with him?"
If you are an ordinary man, you will be worried after hearing this. How big-hearted is Cao Cao? After hearing this, he nodded repeatedly: "What you said makes sense. In fact, it's not just men and women, but also brothers and ministers. If you meet a real hero and treat him sincerely, why not die for him? If the person in power is stupid, short-sighted, and selfish You are so shallow, and you die for him, that would be extremely stupid."
After sighing, he added: "However, although I will spend a lot of money in the future, I have my own way of making money, and I won't be able to save it on you. Just listen to me, find an honest and reliable maid, and have your own leisure time." Wouldn’t they be happy?”
Pan Jinlian's eyes gradually started to sparkle: "A slave's happiness does not come from leisure, but must be given by her husband..."
When Cao Cao was teased by her, his eyes immediately became serious: "That's all, how can I go out without worrying if I don't feed you..."
That night, in this small building, there was another scene of spring breeze and rain coming in the evening, needless to say.
The next day when Cao Cao got up, Pan Jinlian helped him have breakfast. He got dressed, took some gold and silver, and chose a few gifts to go out. Lu Fang and Guo Sheng brought more than ten men, all leading horses to wait at the door. Cao Cao He said goodbye to Pan Jinlian, asked his companions to bring gifts, and mounted his horse to leave.
More than ten horses rushed out of the county at once, and Lu Fang shouted: "Brother, where are you going on this trip?"
Cao Cao looked to the north and said: "The official Chai of Henghai County in Cangzhou often sends books and gifts. He should have gone to visit him long ago, so let's go to Cangzhou first!"
Lu Fang and others smiled and said: "Xiao Xuanfeng has a great reputation and is generous with his wealth. I just have the chance to meet him."
Cangzhou is no less than 600 miles away from Yanggu County. Cao Cao and others walked for several days before arriving, rested in the city for one night, and set out the next day. After walking for half a day, they arrived at Zhuangzi where Chai Jin lived.
The manor house was extremely vast, surrounded by canals on all sides. There were big weeping poplar trees along the bank, and a row of long white walls were exposed in the shadow of the trees. Outside the main entrance, a wide plank bridge was built across the canal. There were several people on the bridge. The banker was talking and joking when he suddenly saw more than ten people riding horses. They all stood up and shouted: "Wait a minute, who are you waiting for? What are you doing here?"
Lu Fang said loudly: "Are you a guest of Chai Daguan? Go and report to the senior officials and tell them that Wu Mengde, Wu Zhiwu Dalang of Yanggu County, Dongping Prefecture, has made a special trip to pay a visit!"
When the head banker heard this, he immediately beamed with joy: "Grandpa, you are finally here. We officials have to chant my grandpa's name every three days. I don't know how happy this is. Grandpa, wait a moment, the villain is here Go and report to the high officials!"
After saying that, he slapped his buttocks with his heels and ran into the village like flying.
The other villagers also hurriedly stepped forward to lead their horses and helped everyone get off their horses. Cao Cao looked at the surrounding scenery, nodded and said with a smile: "It's a good village, Mr. Chai Daguan is living a life like an immortal."
