Xun Yu pondered for a moment and sighed, "If I go to Jingzhou, I am afraid that my family will be affected and innocent people will be harmed. I can't bear to save one person and bring disaster to the whole family."
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I have my own arrangements for this matter. Can we talk while we walk?"
Xun Yu sighed helplessly and went ahead with Zhuge Liang. Liu Qi followed them happily like a child who had found a treasure.
When planning in Xiangyang before, Zhuge Liang said that in dealing with Xun Yu, one must be clever but appear simple, and use the most direct and sincere approach to rescue him.
With Xun Yu's status and wisdom, sweet words and cunning schemes would be counterproductive. The only way to gradually change him is to receive him first, treat him with sincerity and allay all his concerns.
Therefore, Liu Qi took advantage of Xiahou Mi's false formation and used his caravan to directly kidnap the person first. As long as he could persuade him not to seek death, and get rid of this idea, everything would turn around.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Chen Dao had already been waiting with his men. He rode out of Xiong'er Mountain on horseback and went directly to Longzhong via Luyang. He arranged Xun Yu at Zhuge Thatched Cottage in Wolong Hill.
This place is isolated from the world and has a quiet environment, which is most suitable for quiet cultivation. Invite Huang Chengyan, Sima Hui and others to come and keep you company occasionally to help Xun Yu ease his worries. Even if he is unwilling to participate in destroying Cao, staying alive is always useful.
Although Cao Cao went north, this small test revealed that Zhang Liao's defense in Runan was very tight and almost leak-proof. It was like an iron wall. Liu Qi also gave up the plan to send troops and waited for Zhou Yu to succeed before waiting for an opportunity to march into the Central Plains.
The entire Jiaozhou territory surrendered, Jiangnan was stable, and the number of merchant caravans heading to Nanyue doubled, including those from Yizhou, Hanzhong, Jiangdong and other places, all converging to the south.
As the situation in the Central Plains began to change again, the aristocratic families, seeing that the situation was not good, had begun to secretly transfer their property. Naturally, transferring to Jingzhou was the most convenient way, and a large amount of resources poured into Jingzhou through caravans.
Xiangyang, Jiangling, Changsha and Jiangxia connect the east, west, south and north, and are developing very rapidly. Jiangling even has a tendency to surpass Xuchang.
Liu Qi had a rare moment of free time, and when he found out Xi Xuan was pregnant, he couldn't help but feel happy. At that moment, he felt like he had put down roots in this world.
In the days that followed, they worked even harder. Wouldn't it be a waste if they didn't plant seeds on such fertile land
However, he also had a doubt in his mind at this time. Was it him who cheated on Liu Qi, or was it Liu Qi who cheated on him
But no matter what, starting a family and continuing the family line are every man's duties, and descendants are the continuation of life.
If you work hard all your life but have no inheritance, it is as if you have lived in vain. No matter how famous you are, in the end there may be no one to build even a handful of earth to build upon.
In Liu Qi's opinion, the so-called carpe diem and DINK freedom in later generations are all the result of drinking too much toxic chicken soup. When you regret it and lose everything, it will be too late.
Although he felt resentful in his heart, he still had to pretend to be happy and cheerful, continuing to make chicken soup and dragging others into it.
While Liu Qi was immersed in the joy of continuing the family line, Cao Cao was worried about his heir.
After Cao Ang's death, Cao Cao believed that among his sons, only the talented Cao Chong could inherit his career, but Cao Chong also died young.
Among his sons and daughters, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi are the most outstanding. Cao Pi is good at dealing with people, but is a bit narrow-minded. Cao Zhi is extremely smart, but lacks in politics.
He was promoted to Duke of Wei this time in order to consolidate his foundation, but the delay in deciding the position of the crown prince had become a concern for Cao Cao.
When the army reached Youbeiping and the vanguard had reached Qinglong Pass, they were about to engage in a battle with the Xianbei. Suddenly, Cao Chun came with an urgent report that Xun Yu had received the food box and died in a fire in the inn that night.
"Wen Ruo - why are you doing this?" Upon hearing the news, Cao Cao looked up to the sky and sighed, suddenly feeling regretful. Perhaps this matter was done too hastily.
Cao Chun also sighed: "Xun Gong devoted all his efforts to the country, but he was burned to death and his body was incomplete. It is really a pity."
"Hmm?" Cao Cao's eyes were slightly stern, and he immediately suppressed his sad expression. He said in a deep voice: "Wen Ruo cherishes his reputation the most, and he will never commit suicide. I'm afraid there is something fishy about this matter."
Cao Chunyan said: "This is what my confidant said with his own eyes, it can't be false."
"Absolutely impossible!" Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Wen Ruo has always been a perfectionist. If he wanted to commit suicide, he would only take poison or hang himself to preserve his body. He would not allow any flaws to be left behind. How could he set fire and hurt innocent people?"
Cao Chun's expression changed slightly: "What does the Prime Minister mean?"
"Send someone to investigate this matter immediately!" Cao Cao calmed down quickly and ordered: "The people Xun Yu contacted and the things he did in the inn must be investigated. In addition, Xun Yu's relatives, including guests and correspondence, must be closely monitored. Invite more coroners to perform an autopsy. If it cannot be confirmed that it is Xun Yu's body, this matter must not be left unresolved."
Cao Chun went to make arrangements immediately. Cao Cao walked out of the tent and looked at the vast waves of the East China Sea. He suddenly felt insignificant and powerless.
Riding my horse to the coast, I looked back at the undulating Yanshan Mountains, which looked like a coiled python; and I gazed out at the boundless sea and the crashing waves against the shore.
Standing on the bank with his back to the ground, Cao Cao said to himself, "It is not something Wen Ruo could do to escape from the shell. Is it an accident or a human plot?"
While he was thinking about it, Cao Zhang in front sent someone to report that the Murong tribe of the Eastern Xianbei had sent an envoy to meet him and negotiate with Cao Cao.
Cao Cao waved his hand without hesitation and said, "Behead the messenger immediately and sacrifice the flag, and march the troops out of the border."
Dong Zhaoyan said: "The Murong tribe came to pay their respects first, perhaps they want to make peace, why not comfort them?"
Cao Cao snorted coldly, "The Hu people are fickle. If you appease them a little, they will become more vicious and arrogant. When a large army approaches them, they will be afraid and ask for peace. If we don't send troops, we won't be able to establish our authority."
Dong Zhao offered a suggestion: "The Murong tribe is seeking peace. We can use this strategy to alienate the Xianbei tribes and make them kill each other. Wouldn't that be more convenient?"
Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled, "The nature of the Hu people is like that of jackals. If I use a trick, they will not be convinced and will rebel again in the long run. This time I will lead my elite troops straight to the northern desert and flatten the Xianbei Mountains, so that they will not dare to look directly at the Central Plains again!"
Dong Zhao was shocked and said, "If the Prime Minister goes deep into Mobei, I am afraid that the people in the Central Plains will be in turmoil. If Gongsun Kang of Liaodong takes the opportunity to cut off my way back, what should I do?"
"Since I have sent out the troops, I have already made arrangements!" Cao Cao looked at the sea with his hands behind his back, watching the sparkling water. He said in a loud voice, "If I were to go to the Xianbei Mountains in person, would it be better to engrave the stone on Yanran Mountain?"
Dong Zhao bowed and said: "If the Prime Minister can accomplish this extraordinary feat, it will be comparable to Fenglangjuxu, and will surely be remembered for eternity."
"Although my ambitions have not been fulfilled, my name will go down in history!" Cao Cao laughed loudly towards the sky. At this moment, he felt his mind was enlightened. All his worries disappeared into thin air, and he strolled leisurely along the shore.
Suddenly I saw a turtle crawling slowly and leisurely on the beach. I couldn't help but feel inspired to recite aloud:
“Although the tortoise lives a long time, it still has its end.
The flying snake rides on the mist, but eventually turns into dust.
An old horse in the stable still has a thousand miles to go.
The martyr is still full of ambition in his old age.
The time of waxing and waning is not only in the sky;
The blessing of health and happiness can bring you eternal life.
I am so lucky that I can sing to express my feelings. "
"What a good poem! What a good poem!" Dong Zhao clapped his hands in praise.
Cao Cao turned around and asked, "How does my poem compare to Liu Qi's "The Crow Flies South"?"
Dong Zhao laughed and said, "Liu Qi's poem is flashy but not substantial. It is just a painless groan for fame. Prime Minister's words are the essence of life. Only a great hero who has experienced many hardships can say such words."
"I really like what you said!" Cao Cao laughed and walked back to the tent with brisk steps.
He immediately wrote down the poem he had just composed, and then wrote three secret letters, which he ordered to be sent to Xuchang and given to Cao Pi, Cao Ren, and Jia Xu respectively.