"I can give you an order so that you can pass through Nanlin Mountain's defense."
A moment later, Cao Cao's voice came again, causing Liu Xian to look at him respectfully.
However, after hearing this, he still wondered: "Why do you still need the Prime Minister's order? What kind of military affairs are you performing outside?"
Cao Cao nodded and said, "Yes, he is secretly training troops and building armaments in the Nanlin Mountain Camp. These are secrets that cannot be known to others."
"On the surface, Jizhou and I are at peace with each other, but in fact, there are undercurrents and tit-for-tat confrontations. A war will break out at any time. Shizong should have noticed it a long time ago."
Liu Xian was noncommittal. He was well-read and memorized, well versed in history books and etiquette. He was a rather traditional Confucian scholar who didn't like fighting. When he heard Cao Cao's words, he looked worried.
With this move, Duke Cao entrusted the matter to a person who was secretly training troops. I couldn't pry anymore. If I knew his secret, I might not be able to leave.
Or, if something leaks out in the future, these things will be blamed on me. What do you think... Once I go to Nanlinshan Military Camp, I may not be able to stay out of it in the future.
Liu Xian understood in his heart, but he felt that he couldn't make up his mind and didn't know how to make a decision.
If he makes friends with Zhang Han and he is in Nanlin Mountain, once the military training begins, he will not return for several months or even half a year. He only comes back occasionally to accompany his family. It is possible that the monarch's family has already taken him over.
Very troublesome.
I'm afraid that Duke Cao didn't want to return those war horses and commercial supplies at all, so he said this.
Just when Liu Xian felt that this matter might not be settled anymore, Cao Cao said again: "This order, you just need to pass the pass and let him meet you in the front camp. There is no need to go further, otherwise if you see it Training in the camp is also very inconvenient, sir, do you think this arrangement is okay?"
"Okay, of course!" Liu Xian was pleasantly surprised, then nodded quickly, and his view of Cao Cao also changed.
Before, I only thought that he was majestic and spoke very little. There was a certain power in his words and deeds, and even in his every move.
Now after listening to Cao Cao's words, I just feel like a spring breeze, and there is a warmth in my heart.
He is worthy of being the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty. His reputation for benevolence is widely spread. Apart from his poor background, he can be called a kind and benevolent person in the world. He actually considered this for me.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. This will make it easier for me to discuss with you."
"Well, go ahead," Cao Cao said with a smile, "Bo Chang is my son-in-law. I know his character very well. He has always been clear about grudges and very sensible. If the truth is correct, he will not embarrass you."
"The reputation of the prince has already been heard by me for a long time. The prime minister's ability to find such a son-in-law who rides on a dragon may become a good story in the history of history."
"Haha..." Cao Cao laughed kindly, raised his hand slightly to show humility, sent someone to escort Liu Xian all the way out, and arranged a carriage to send him there.
The roads outside the city are spacious, especially after entering the Nanlin Mountain area and following the creek. The six major roads are flat and suitable for horseback riding.
It was a galloping road that led directly to the military camp. It must have been paved a few months ago. Mr. Liu could still see traces of earth and rocks on the road. There were sparse grasses on both sides of the road that could not reach the horses' hooves.
There was a slight breeze blowing all the way, and there was a slight warmth from the sun, which was quite comfortable.
Not long after they arrived at the pass camp, the soldiers knew the man driving the horse, so he approached to inquire. After telling his intention, he asked Liu Xian to enter the pass camp first. The cavalry would go and report immediately.
Liu was first invited to a wooden courtyard and rested in the front yard of the wooden house. He sat in front of a round wooden table. The courtyard had a good view and he could see the distant scenery through the wooden fence.
The grass is still growing, the warblers are flying, and the creek is gurgling. It is really pleasant to train soldiers in this place.
Compared with the frontier fortress, it is really a world of difference.
Mr. Liu felt much more comfortable, and he did not feel irritated or anxious about waiting. Not long after, he heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance, and he slowly got up and walked outside.
Seeing three war horses running towards them, a handsome young man dressed in dark red clothes and with his hair in a ponytail came into view.
To his left and right were a strong and fierce general with a fierce look in his eyes.
On the right is a gentle old man, unsmiling and full of energy.
After the three people came, the leading young man cupped his hands and said, "Hello, sir, I am Zhang Han."
"Don't drive Mr. Liu from Jingzhou. Liu Shizong has met the Marquis of Qingting."
"Just call me Bo Chang," Zhang Han raised his hand, and then asked Mr. Liu to sit down at the table.
"Why are you here, sir? I'm busy with military affairs, so I'm afraid I can't stay any longer. Please tell me, sir."
"The king is quick to speak quickly," Liu Xian praised with a smile, remembering Cao Cao's previous words in his heart.
Han is a straight-tempered and reasonable person. He should be a straightforward person. It would be bad if he twists some words.
"Your Majesty, I am here to ask for 1,660 horses from Jingzhou Army. Please return them to me, Your Majesty."
Zhang Han frowned: "When did I take your Jingzhou army and horses? Sir, please don't slander my name!"
Dian Wei gasped for breath and said impatiently: "I thought I had a friend here, but I didn't expect that it was a young person? Can you smear my reputation as a prince?"
"Since two months ago, my lord has been training troops in Nanlin Mountain. He has never been to Jingzhou."
Liu Xian immediately bowed his hands and said with a very reserved smile: "General, don't be impatient. I am not a dirty trick. Please listen to what I have to say."
Zhang Han looked attentive, raised his hand and said, "Sir, please speak."
At the same time, he glanced at Dian Wei and said softly: "Dian Wei must not make any mistakes. Put away the handle of the halberd."
"snort."
Dian Wei stood with a halberd in his hand, glaring angrily, as majestic as a divine soldier in a temple.
Liu Xian's Adam's apple rolled, and he said slowly: "Previously, a group of military horses from Jingzhou passed through this place. They were purchased from Xiliang. However, they were attacked by bandits when passing through the Wuyin area. No one has returned to Jingzhou so far."
"Wu Yin?" Zhang Han was even more surprised. He turned around and glanced at Jia Xu and Dian Wei, and then said in surprise: "Strictly speaking, after passing Luyang, you are in Jingzhou."
I beg to differ! Liu Xian was the first to be sulky in his heart, but he couldn't say this openly. This was true according to the previous maps, but now all Cao's troops are stationed here.
Even Nanyang was Cao's army, and now it was in Jingzhou.
After Liu Xian woke up, he felt something was wrong. This Junhou... seemed to be pretending to be crazy.
"Junhou, after being robbed here, we lost more than 1,600 Xiliang horses and countless money and goods. Jingzhou has suffered heavy losses."
"These troops and horses were originally intended to be transported to Xiangyang to defend the territory and the nine counties of Jingxiang."
"Yeah," Zhang Han nodded repeatedly, with a serious and even slightly concerned look on his face: "Then, sir, you should go find the bandits, or ask Liu Jingzhou to send troops to suppress the bandits. How can you ask me to return it?"
"This, this is not very reasonable. Why do you want me to repay Jingzhou after you lost your war horse? It would have been fine before, but recently my family property has been used for disaster relief, and I really can't come up with the money."
"Ah, Lord?" Liu Xian's hands and feet trembled, and a chill slowly crawled up from the soles of his feet, "I heard that you have just achieved some success in suppressing bandits in Nanshan, and what you gained are war horses and commercial goods. This This is an achievement that your Majesty praises, this——"
"That's right," Zhang Han took over, "But, what I got from suppressing the bandits was the profit from the war. What does it have to do with your loss of horses in Jingzhou?"
Liu Xian: "..."
"This is the same batch!!"
For a moment, Liu Xianfang actually agreed with Zhang Han's statement, but he quickly reacted and shouted out of control.
"How can these be the same batch?" Zhang Han and Dian Wei both cast strange looks.
"This is what we gained from the war. When we submit the military report, what we will show to His Majesty is the capture."
"You were robbed by bandits, so you should report the loss."
"Using our profits to make up for your losses is more cost-effective than robbery, right? Are you being unreasonable?"
I'm not being reasonable! ? What's your point! You, you said I was unreasonable! !
Liu Xian felt depressed for a moment, a little out of breath, and felt bad all over. Didn't Mr. Cao say that Zhang Han was the most reasonable?
Is that how it makes sense?
This is completely unreasonable. The profits he gained and the goods and horses we lost were all from the same batch. If there were no bandits, wouldn't it mean that they all robbed them?
Liu Xian didn't know the truth yet. In fact, there were no bandits. This was just a false pretense to frustrate Jingzhou.
Of course, most of the areas south of Luyang and north of Nanyang are where Cao's army is stationed, and they have no way to investigate.
The best solution now is that Liu Xian accuses mountain bandits and ineffective governance of the territory of the country and raises troops to investigate. Of course, there is an excuse.
Their own merchant horses were not well protected, so why should they come here to ask questions?
Speaking of this, Liu Xian was speechless. He did not expect that Zhang Junhou, the most reasonable person, would actually say such a thing.
Now my heart is still a little turbulent. If it were not at the gate of his camp, I would have to fight him.
Are you deceiving me that the Confucian scholars in Jingzhou are elegant but not martial? In fact, I can also play well.
Liu looked at Zhang Han first, then at Dian Wei, and decided to endure them.
At this moment, Zhang Han asked: "Sir, are you here to make friends, or to raise troops to investigate crimes?"
Liu Xian narrowed his eyes, suppressed all his unhappiness, and said, "Of course it's to make friends!"
"I heard that your lord has great righteousness, makes many wise friends, and has good connections. How can I not come and see you when I get to Xudu?"
"Hahaha," Dian Wei laughed immediately after hearing this, and then said angrily: "Well said! As the saying goes, if you have never seen Zhang Bochang in your life, it is useless to call him a hero!"
Zhang Han turned his head and glanced at Dian Wei, "I taught you these words well, but you don't need to use them at this time."
Dian Wei's heroic voice immediately slapped Liu Xian's face. His own family could still praise him so much, so it was shameless to return the favor.
"Your Majesty is indeed a strange man. I will stay in Xudu for more than ten days to show my young nephew the style of our new capital. Maybe he will come to bother me in the future. This matter of military horses and merchant goods is really my duty and I must obey orders. Please don’t be offended by your behavior.”
"Okay," Zhang Han waved his hand and said with a hearty smile: "In that case, sir, you can take your family, relatives and friends to Nanlin Mountain. There is a wonderful pavilion in my building in the mountain, with warm soup and water, where you can have fun for several days. I can accompany you to have fun. "
"Oh?" Liu Xian's eyes lit up. He didn't expect Zhang Han to be so leisurely and elegant, nor did he expect that in the mountains to the south, there were actually buildings, courtyards, and warm soup pools.
The place of warm soup was once known as a place of ghosts and evil spirits. In fact, it was confirmed that it was caused by geothermal heat a hundred years ago.
But few people want to bathe here, and they still use firewood to heat the water.
Only those who are bohemian and free-spirited in nature are not afraid of this and enjoy it to their heart's content.
"As for the military horse matter, I will think of some countermeasures. I won't let you go back without any explanation."
Zhang Han clasped his fists. These words made Liu Xian feel a little relieved. It seems that Junhou is still reasonable. He is also worried that I will not be able to explain when I go back.
"Then, thank you so much, Lord..."
Liu Xian was moved with emotion and bowed deeply.
…
For the next two days, Liu Xian enjoyed himself in the Nanlin Villa. Starting from the mountainside, there are corridors and courtyards, small fences, and in the depths are the hot springs and mountains and waters that Zhang Han said.
The water is actually not hot, just slightly warm, which is quite a wonder. Bathing is of course not allowed, but with the white mist rising in the morning, you can leisurely read and drink by the pool.
It is also a great pleasure.
Liu Xian thought that this was an excellent place to live in seclusion. If he retreated to the mountains and forests in the future, he would also build this courtyard villa. Further up, it would belong to Zhang Han's private villa. It stretched for several miles and had hundreds of houses. You could vaguely see the mountains. Next to the spring, how rich and noble it is.
"It's like a fairyland on earth. You can live high up without being cold, and you can be accompanied by friends. If you can debate scriptures and talk about history, your life will be so comfortable and leisurely."
"That's right." Zhang Han was cooking wine opposite. There were children playing in the courtyard. He looked at the children and smiled and said, "When I am bored, I often come here."
Every time I see gold, silver and jewelry in more than a dozen warehouses in my manor on the mountain, I feel extremely reassured.
"The prince is also a man of leisure and leisure. I thought before that the prince likes to organize troops on the battlefield and hunt in the wild. I was wrong."
"Haha, I am a laid-back person. If we get along with each other for a few more days, sir, you will know." Zhang Han cooked the wine, scooped out the green ants, and carried it over to the seat to sit down.
After waiting for the maid to serve and pour the wine, Zhang Han looked at the children trotting and playing on the bluestone road and asked, "Who is this child?"
"He is my nephew, whose surname is Zhou and whose surname is Yuanzhi. Although he is not old enough yet and has not yet received his first name, I usually call him without question. He is six years old this year. He has followed me since he was a child and treats him as his own son. Teach carefully.”
"Very good," Zhang Han said, looking at the child who was dressed thickly and looked like a little snowman. He had a fair complexion and a mane on his head. He was jumping around as he ran around. He was quite cute.
"This boy is very intelligent. He can read and compose poems at the age of six. He can even read the Book of Songs and Classics. He can also think alone."
genius.
Saying this, Zhang Han suddenly remembered his life, Zhou Buyi...
The talented young man who was supposed to shine, but was killed by Boss Cao because of Cao Chong's death.
The reason is that Boss Cao thought that the remaining Pi and Zhi were unable to control this son and feared that something might happen in the future, so he took him away to accompany Cao Chong.
My brother Chong is now over three years old, and Zhou Buyi is six or nearly seven years old, which is quite appropriate in terms of age.
Thinking of this, Zhang Han glanced at Liu Xian and saw that he was very proud, extremely proud. He should be a young genius who was very satisfied with Zhou Buyi.
Zhang Han chuckled and said: "Sir, this boy has extraordinary talents, but he is still young. Hmm... Listening to sir's tone, I remembered a story."
Liu Xian looked serious, stood up straight and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, please tell me, I would like to hear the details."
(End of chapter)
