In Xuchang City, Cao Cao was once again angered by Liu Qi and suffered a headache, rolling on the bed.
Cao Chun and several other doctors were extremely anxious but they had no idea what to do. Hua Tuo, the only one who could relieve the pain, was out practicing medicine and had disappeared.
The next day, Cao Cao summoned Xun Yu, Cheng Yu and others to discuss the matter. Cao Cao's face was gloomy and he asked, "Liu Qi is too bullying. How can we save Zixiao?"
Cheng Yu had already thought of a countermeasure and replied, "Since ancient times, people have exchanged hostages for pawns or redeemed people with money and goods, but never exchanged cities for people. Although General Cao is in a high position, he is not worth a city, let alone the emperor. Liu Qi did this on purpose. First, it is a delaying tactic so that he can deploy in Nanyang leisurely. Second, it is to demand a high amount of money and goods. You can send another envoy to negotiate and redeem General Cao with money and goods, and you will surely succeed."
"How can this be tolerated?" Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "I swear to conquer Nanyang."
Being schemed and threatened by a cowardly and incompetent junior, Cao Cao, as the prime minister, felt extremely insulted.
Now he is helpless and afraid of the consequences, but Cao Cao's anger is no less than when he massacred Xuzhou.
Cao Cao sent envoys to Nanyang for negotiation for the second time, and he sent another 30,000 troops to Runan, ready to march south at any time.
At this time, Niu Jin reported that the person who planned for Liu Qi was named Shan Fu.
After getting rid of Cai Mao, Liu Qi went to Shuijing Villa and pursued Shan Fu under the moon, which had become a famous story in Jingzhou.
"Chasing a virtuous man under the moon? This is just like Xiao He chasing Han Xin, just to gain fame and reputation!" Cao Cao smiled coldly and asked, "Who is Shan Fu?"
Niu Jin shook his head and said he didn't know. He only knew that this person had stayed in Xiangyang for two months, was not valued by Liu Biao, and went to Shuijing Villa. It was very likely that he was Liu Qi's aide.
Xun Yu frowned and said, "There are many famous people in Jingzhou, but I have never heard of Shan Fu. He often appears in Shuijing Villa and is proficient in strategy. He may be a hidden master!"
When everyone was puzzled, Cheng Yu suddenly laughed and said, "I remembered something. This person is not Shan Fu, but a pseudonym! When he was young, he was a knight and loved to learn fencing. Because he killed someone, he changed his name and devoted himself to learning. This person is Xu Shu of Yingchuan, with the courtesy name Yuanzhi."
"Oh? Zhongde knows this person?" Cao Cao asked, "How does Xu Shu's talent compare to yours?"
Cheng Yu replied: "Ten times more than Yu."
"How could Liu Qi deserve the help of such a talented person?" Cao Cao frowned and said in a deep voice, "This person cannot be kept."
Cao Chun clasped his fists and said, "I will immediately send someone to assassinate Xu Shu. If we get rid of this man, Liu Qi won't have to worry about anything."
Cao Cao was about to nod when he heard Cheng Yu say with a smile, "Xu Shu is good at fencing and has great talent, how can he be easily defeated? Why don't you recruit him to serve under your command?"
Cao Cao pulled off the towel on his head and asked anxiously, "Zhongde, do you have a plan?"
Cheng Yu twirled his beard and nodded slightly, signaling to send the people around him away so that he could have a private discussion with Cao Cao.
It is the time of spring ploughing, and Nanyang is full of life. Looking around, there are fertile fields, beautiful houses, and interconnected roads.
As the largest county, Cao Cao had been promoting military farming here for several years, and it had already taken shape, but Liu Qi took advantage of it.
Population is the first strategic resource, and Liu Qi also attaches great importance to people's livelihood. Nanyang is not only the imperial hometown, but also known as the "granary of Zhongzhou". He issued an order to exempt this year's taxes so that the people can have children and support their families with peace of mind. There will be additional rewards for those with three or more sons, regardless of gender.
In just half a month, a marriage craze swept through the counties of Nanyang. After the busy farming season, the sounds of singing and dancing could be heard everywhere. Everyone was busy getting married and having children, and they were busy day and night.
During this period, Yang Jun recommended several talents, among whom Guo Youzhi and Du Ji left a deep impression on Liu Qi and he both gave them important positions.
Guo Youzhi was a person recognized by Zhuge Liang. Although he had almost forgotten the "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital", Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun still remembered it clearly.
Yang Jun was good at evaluation, and each recommended person had a comment on his name list. He praised Guo Youzhi for his ability and talent, and for being a just and upright person, and sent him to Fancheng to manage money and grain.
Du Ji was from Duling, Guanzhong. Although he came from a prominent family, it had long since fallen into decline. He fled to Nanyang to avoid the chaos. He had served as the Gongcao of Jingzhao and the Cheng of Hanzhong Prefecture. He was a very filial person and good at litigation. He was appointed as the Facao and the military advisor.
"Is the great General Cao Ren only worth this little money?" In the government office, Liu Qi sneered as he looked at Cao Cao's letter.
The messenger hurriedly said, "General Cao is now a prisoner, and cannot be treated the same as before. I hope the general will be lenient."
"Thirty thousand coins, five hundred pieces of cloth, it seems the Prime Minister doesn't want me anymore!" Liu Qi's face darkened, he slammed the letter on the table, and sneered, "I don't care about these mere treasures, you can take General Cao's head back!"
"General, you must not do that!" The messenger was shocked and knelt down hurriedly and said, "The Prime Minister said that if you disagree, you can make another delivery. I will send another letter to discuss it, but you need some time."
"Tell Boss Cao that if you want to use money to redeem me, then show your sincerity!"
Liu Qi smiled gently and said, "Remember this: 300,000 dan of grain and 2,000 war horses. I only want grain, not money or cloth."
"This..." The messenger looked at Liu Qi in astonishment. Although he didn't understand what Boss Cao said, he felt that the smile on his face was not a good thing.
"Why don't you get out of here?" Liu Qi waved his sleeves and said, "If you don't get a reply within ten days, you'll just have to wait to collect Cao Ren's body!"
The messenger got up and left in a panic. Liu Qi handed the letter to his personal soldiers and said, "Give this letter to Cao Ren and let him know that he is not important in Cao Cao's heart."
The guards left, and Huang Zhong came in in casual clothes, clasped his fists and said, "The military advisor is waiting outside the mansion gate."
"Let's go!" Liu Qi left the house, and together with Xu Shu and his group of ten people, they left Wancheng and headed south.
Now Cao Cao was afraid to send out troops, and was training troops with Guan Zhang and others. Liu Qi had nothing to do, so he wanted to take advantage of this free time to go to Longzhong.
I have sent people to recruit him once before, but Zhuge Liang did not respond. This was expected. I wonder if I can see him if I visit him in person this time.
I believe Zhuge Liang was already aware of the Battle of Nanyang. Liu Qi had just shown his potential and had a stronger foundation than Liu Bei. Wouldn't he be able to impress him
Liu Qi was riding a horse at a gallop, and his mood fluctuated with the ups and downs of his horse. He was thinking about how to respond if Zhuge Liang also visited him three times at his cottage
Not long after arriving in Longzhong, we saw that it was surrounded by mountains and had beautiful green hills and clear waters. It was indeed far away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Xu Shu pointed to the distance and said: "The front is Wolong Hill. Kong Ming built a hut at the foot of the hill and farmed there."
Liu Qi looked and saw that the mountain was winding and undulating, with white clouds floating on the mountain, shaped like a sleeping dragon, quiet and elegant.
We urged our horses to the top of the hill. At the foot of the hill was a small village with a gurgling stream and neatly arranged bamboo forests and fields.
On a warm spring day, farmers are busy farming as they shuttle between the fields. There are oxen and sheep plowing, chickens crowing and dogs barking. It seems like a leisurely and relaxed life. I just wonder if this place pays taxes or not.
The appearance of natural purity and beauty becomes vulgar once it is involved with worldly matters, just like hanging underwear among flowers.
Liu Qi's eyes stopped at the green bamboo forest, where a thatched cottage appeared. The courtyard was quite large. He pointed and asked, "This must be where Wolong lives."