Marching east to outside Hangu Pass, Cao Cao led thousands of soldiers and horses to pursue him along the way, and the horses arrived in front of Yijia.
Among the crowd, Cao Cao saw Zhang Han at a glance.
Because he saw Jueying at a glance.
"He rode my Jueying back and forth for eight hundred miles!"
Cao Cao howled in anger.
But when I thought about the emperor driving in front of me, I couldn't blame him.
"Although he marched westward without permission and went deep alone, he was a good boy and had great ambitions in his heart."
Cao Cao knew that although Zhang Han never said those high-sounding words, he was still a Han after all. How could he not care about the Han in his heart?
This trip has gone very far, but it has also achieved great achievements that are difficult to achieve and admire.
"I asked him to guard the west side of the army and clear away the hidden dangers of bandit ambush," Cao Cao sighed in a deep voice. He looked up at Guo Jia with a proud look on his face: "It would be better for him to go directly westward hundreds of miles away and capture the enemy." The emperor brought it back for me!"
Guo Jia responded with a smile. You also did this back then when you went deep into the west to pursue the Holy Driver alone.
And this is also the first time you show a relaxed smile, which shows that you are still thinking about Bo Chang's safety in your heart while you are composing poems boldly.
"Let's go to meet the Emperor."
Cao Cao straightened his clothes, rode forward, and soon arrived in front of the emperor's car.
After dismounting, Cao Cao walked forward, folded his hands, and crawled down in front of the carriage. His armor was pressed against his back. However, after a few uncomfortable movements, Cao Cao still crawled down as usual.
"Your Majesty! Cao Cao, the general of Yanzhou Mu and Dejian, came too late to rescue him, causing your Majesty to suffer for six years! He deserves to be punished with death! Please forgive him!"
This sound was like thunder in the clear sky, which shocked the surrounding ministers and made them feel very emotional.
Six years of trouble began in Luoyang, and the rebellion of Dong and the thieves has been in turmoil for six years.
Finally got to meet the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty!
"Cao Mengde, loyal minister..."
"The princes in the world are all expanding their territories and attacking each other, but he is the only one who treats the people kindly and respects the great Han. This is the virtuous virtue of the ages!"
"Loyal minister Cao Mengde...loyal minister..."
At this moment, I had a slight feeling in my heart, and many people shed tears silently, with sore noses, which suddenly aroused everyone's heartache.
After an unknown amount of time, a trembling lament came from the carriage: "Cao Aiqing, you're not too late."
Immediately, Liu Xie, wearing a black royal robe with wide sleeves and gold sleeves, came out of the car.
He got off the carriage along the wooden ladder handed by the palace man, walked slowly to Cao Cao, bent down and helped him up.
Cao Cao is not tall, but he has a stocky body, a thick beard and dark eyes, and the whole person is extremely powerful.
Moreover, in Cao Cao's eyes, there was no look like those of heroes and bandits staring at treasures, nor was there any helplessness and helplessness in the vicissitudes of life.
His eyes were full of confidence and joy. This was truly the aura of a hero, and he could be so powerful.
"Loyal minister," Liu Xie grabbed Cao Cao's arm heavily and said sincerely.
"My love, it's not too late. I have been waiting for you for a long time. It's a blessing to be able to wait for you today."
Cao Cao may seem majestic, but he is extremely respectful and loyal to the royal family. His grandfather also served four emperors in Changqiu.
He was considered a domestic servant in the Jade Order, but he felt a sense of dependence and closeness.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. In this case, we cannot stay here for a long time. We should pass through Hangu Pass as soon as possible and go to the old capital of Luoyang."
Cao Cao cupped his hands and said, Liu Xie also looked around, seeing countless refugees following him, and more or less all of them were looking at him.
At this time, the march was difficult, and there was no food, honey, or water. It was really necessary to return to Luoyang as soon as possible.
"My dear, can the old capital of Luoyang be repaired?"
Cao Cao was stunned for a moment and then smiled: "Your Majesty, the old capital of Luoyang, whether it is the palace or the city wall, is a huge fortification, it cannot be built overnight, I am afraid it will take several years to be fully repaired."
"So long!" Liu Xie was confused and asked quickly: "Then, my beloved, can you build a palace first so that the Duke, the palace maids, and my concubines and maids can live in and take care of their daily lives?"
"The Luoyang Palace is so luxurious, and it cannot be built overnight. Moreover, if His Majesty lives in Luoyang, I will not be able to deploy troops for defense, for fear of being spied on by thieves."
"As for where, we still have to discuss it with the minister before making a decision."
After hearing this, Liu Xie was full of disappointment, but he understood that he had no choice but to do this.
He turned around and got into the carriage. After Cao Cao left, he looked around for Zhang Han.
After seeing him riding Jueying on the side of the carriage, he shouted loudly: "Zhang Bochang, Dian Wei, come to the front army to clear the way!"
"No, no!" Liu Xie stuck his head out again, showing his expectation for Cao Cao, and said with a smile: "Aiqing, can you let Zhang Aiqing escort me around my car?"
Cao Cao glanced at Zhang Han in surprise, and then generously handed over his hand: "No problem."
But he still pulled Zhang Han aside and scolded him with a stern look on his face: "Didn't I tell you not to run too far?"
"I was the one who took the lead. I got the news first and knew that the opportunity was not to be missed. The soldiers were quick and valuable. It had nothing to do with others." Zhang Han looked calm and solemnly clasped his fists.
Cao Cao's face suddenly turned cold, and for a moment he looked a little gloomy.
When Dian Wei saw this, he felt warm in his heart. Although it was indeed his husband who wanted to send troops to the west, it was rare for him to do so calmly.
He immediately cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Cao, Dian is also involved."
Cao Cao immediately turned to look at Dian Wei and shouted: "I guessed it was you!"
"As the commander-in-chief of the guard camp, you should adhere to military discipline. You must not leave your post without permission, you must not send troops on your own, and you must not play those tricks of 'generals who are not subject to military orders abroad'!"
"When you go back, go get the ten army sticks yourself as a warning to others!" Cao Cao puffed his beard and stared at him.
ah?
Dian Wei's body suddenly stiffened, and he didn't know how to respond. He felt as if he had stepped into a pit, but there was no evidence.
Just now, sir, it seemed that he spoke uprightly and shouldered the responsibility himself, right?
It doesn't look like he's being fake, he should be sincere!
Well, it's not wrong for me to stand up and speak for my husband. It's a matter of great righteousness and I shouldn't be afraid of sticks and sticks.
When Dian Wei Niu got angry, he waved his hand and said angrily, "Okay, I'll go get the ten army sticks."
"No need!" Cao Cao yelled and cursed again, "You have also made great achievements, killed countless enemies, and welcomed the emperor back! Your merits and demerits are equal to each other, and you will not be held accountable!"
Cao Cao spoke to everyone and quickly absolved Dian Wei of his guilt.
"No, I'll go back and get ten army sticks, one yard at a time."
Dian Wei was not stupid either. He could withstand the blows of the Ten Army's sticks, and his skin would even be broken and bleed, but his flesh would not be torn apart. When the emperor came back, he would not be rewarded with a few hundred gold, so he would be spared.
Cao Cao twitched the corner of his mouth and stared at Dian Wei fiercely. The civil and military officials around him were also looking at them, and Guo Jia's expression was also very exciting.
"You, if you want one, just get a hundred military sticks!" Cao Cao puffed his beard and glared. He couldn't beat Dian Wei. Dian Wei was not one of his own.
Dian Wei, who was so stupid, really wanted to agree immediately after hearing this, but Zhang Han suddenly pulled him back, "No, no, no, no, no, no."
"Go back to Luoyang!" Cao Cao rolled his eyes at Dian Wei angrily, dumbfounded and as stupid as an ox!
Just as he turned around and left, Dianwei was still panting like an ox. He didn't know why he was upset. Anyway, he was scolded for no reason and felt uncomfortable.
Zhang Han pinched his back and hurriedly chased after him: "My lord, there is another person who I'm afraid I want to invite you to meet."
Cao Cao looked back at him and said suspiciously: "Who!?"
"Dian Wei and I rescued Cai Yong's daughter, Cai Yan."
He told Cao Cao all the news that Cai Yan was almost kidnapped by the Southern Huns cavalry.
Of course, I omitted the matter of obtaining a large amount of Wei's property, and only talked about how difficult it was for me.
"At that time, I was exhausted, and Jueying's hooves were trembling, but I heard that there was the daughter of the master's teacher on this trip, how could I not go to rescue her?"
Zhang Han was full of emotions, his eyes were filled with mist, he was so excited that he believed it, and his eyes were filled with tears.
"So, I resolutely decided to give the order to pursue! I was seen moving around, my body was as light as a swallow——"
"Okay, okay," Cao Cao couldn't listen anymore and quickly grabbed Zhang Han's arm, "I will definitely get a generous reward when I go back. Take me to see Zhaoji."
"One more thing," Zhang Han put away his expression and said seriously.
Cao Cao frowned impatiently and said with his hands behind his back: "Say! Hurry up!"
"Please be kind to my aunt, don't treat her lightly, treat her with the courtesy of an old friend, and treat her with kindness and kindness, and place her in Yingchuan."
"I want you to teach me!? Give it back to my aunt."
I'll give you both a nest.
Cao Cao leaned back slightly helplessly. Cai Yong's disciples and former officials were all over the world, and many people respected him. If he could tell the heroes of the world that he treated Cai Yong's daughter generously and courteously, it would be an opportunity to win the respect and admiration of Confucian scholars, and he could gain countless rewards. Famous.
Zhang Han took Cao Cao to the carriage in the queue at the rear. Cai Yan quickly came down to salute. Although he was elegant and cool, he was still a little embarrassed and embarrassed to see Cao Cao again.
"Cai Zhaoji, a civilian woman, has met Mr. Cao."
"Zhao Ji, I have known you since you were a child. Now I see you again. My old friend has passed away... Master Cai, I have always admired you. He taught me a lesson back then, and he recommended you to his connections several times. I was able to be recommended in my early years. This recommendation is My kindness will never be repaid in this lifetime."
"In that case, you should follow me to Yingchuan. You should only repay the kindness and never treat me unfairly."
"Thank you, thank you Mr. Cao," Cai Zhaoji bowed, her expression unchanged. For her now, she is no longer happy and comfortable because of the comfort of fine clothes and fine food.
Having enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear, and a place to stay, even if it is just a thatched hut, you can be with the scriptures every day, and you don’t have to worry about being alone.
…
In Luoyang City, when the emperor's car arrived, Xun Yu took the Hanoi county officials, as well as the officials and local residents who had arrived in advance, and went out of the city to welcome the emperor's return.
There was joy and peace, but the construction of Luoyang had not yet begun. There was no money from the previous orders to be transferred to Chang'an, and there was no response to the orders from the princes to transfer money and grain.
In the entire Luoyang City, nothing has changed, just like the flow of the river has never changed.
The ruins are covered with dust and crumbling dust. There is no scene of prosperity at all, and it is even uninhabitable. Back then, a fire burned Luoyang into ashes, leaving only the crumbling city walls.
Seeing this scene, Liu Xie had lost the idea of moving in again.
He looked at the city with an unspeakable desolation in his heart. He knew that this place was uninhabitable, and it was expected that the situation would not be fully repaired for several years. He wanted to restore the prosperity of the past...
Disaster.
Even if there are villagers to settle around, it is not the era of great Confucianism.
"Alas, the prosperity of the past will never be restored in a hundred years..."
Liu Xie called Cao Cao, Dong Cheng, Zhong Yao, and Taiwei Yang Biao, who had followed from Hongnong, and asked about the future plans.
How to choose and where to go first.
"Go to Yingchuan County. Yingchuan is in our hinterland. Five rivers flow through it. Among them, the Ying River is long and can be inexhaustible for hundreds of years. In the north is the important land of our Dongjun County, in the south is the large Runan County, and our army is stationed in the east and west. Within the range.”
After Cao Cao finished speaking, everyone else showed doubts, especially Dong Cheng.
He looked at Cao Cao with a half-smile. He had received a letter from Dong Zhao before, and he thought he and Cao Cao were acquaintances.
However, the matter was too serious to agree to casually. He raised his hand and asked: "Mr. Cao, where is the best place to settle in Yingchuan?!"
"Well, we should find a place where no aristocratic people live, where water and land are accessible, and where the terrain is gentle."
Cao Cao answered fluently.
"That's the hinterland of Duke Cao. If he goes there, if Duke Cao can support himself in the future..." Dong Cheng mentioned this matter just right, also to test Cao Cao's thoughts.
As a result, Cao Cao smiled calmly and said: "Then find a place where you can station all the soldiers and horses on one side, and then the emperor will select officials and appoint them. The Huben, Changshui, Tunqi, infantry, Yueqi and other school captains will not join the army. The selected person will lead both inside and outside the imperial city, and will be recognized by His Majesty. My soldiers and horses will still fight for Your Majesty and be stationed outside."
"All the officers in the imperial city can do this."
Cao Cao made a huge concession in one breath, as if he was avoiding suspicion, and his intentions were completely different from those of Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si.
He was so generous, as if he was really helping the people and not competing for power with them at all.
These words made Liu Xie's expression soften a lot. He could be so magnanimous, speak softly, and beg sincerely.
It's different from those tigers and wolves.
"Then, then... In this case, Duke Cao is really a loyal minister who cares about my great man..."
Dong Cheng took a sneak peek. He was still examining it, because although Cao Cao was kind, this kindness was not towards him.
President Dong Cheng felt that the way Cao Cao looked at him contained an indescribable sharpness in his kindness, as if hiding the rough sea of night.
At this moment, Zhong Yao, who was on the other side, twirled his beard for a long time, his deep eyes suddenly moved, and said: "Everyone, how is Lu Yang?"
"Luyang is located in the south of Luoyang. You can overlook Luoyang in the distance. The terrain is gentle on the left and right, and there are several warehouses for storing grain."
"Furthermore, after the soldiers and horses of Yang Feng and Han Siam return from resisting Guo Si's army, they can rush to Luyang first."
Cao Cao smiled calmly, nodded and said: "Okay, this way we can check and balance each other, so as not to be suspected by you."
After everyone discussed, they each took a few steps back. In their opinion, Yang Feng and Han Xian could check and balance Cao Cao and maintain a stable situation.
Moreover, Cao Cao also had to take care of the two states, so he probably didn't have any extra troops.
He has a hundred thousand soldiers and horses to guard the territory, how many more can he have to guard the surroundings of Luyang and compete with the two generals?
Fortunately, Cao Fei and Yuan brothers are not so well-connected and well-known, so they may be easier to deal with.
…
That night, Cao Cao and his confidants Wen and Wu found the map in the temporary military tent.
Several places they had thought of before were not in line with the current marching route.
As for Luyang, which is far from the Yingchuan border, if it is located here, it will be equivalent to the west side of the imperial city, and it will definitely be occupied by these ministers.
And they have the Emperor's Talisman Festival in their hands, which can continuously collect food from Dingtun and cannot be ignored.
"This is to guard against me." Cao Cao said calmly.
Guo Jia's face turned stern, his eyes were lowered, and his energy suddenly flashed. He stood up and said with cupped hands, "Yang Feng and Han Xian are both traitors."
"They will definitely rob the holy chariot, and we can escort the chariot eastward into the hinterland of Yingchuan."
Cao Cao's eyes were slightly vacant, and he nodded secretly: "Fengxiao is deeply in my heart. After I go east, where do you think I should be placed?"
Guo Jia sighed, couldn't help but glance at Zhang Han, and said helplessly: "Only Xu County has the best terrain."
(End of chapter)
