Cao Cao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Liu Qi is also a contemporary hero, and he congratulated me on my victory over the Xianbei. He would never do such a despicable thing... Oh, I almost made a big mistake!"
Suddenly remembering that the letter was not finished, he put the pineapple cake back, picked up the pen and wrote hastily, then handed it to Yang Xiu and instructed: "Since Liu Qi has sent a gift, Dezu can go to Hefei to return the gift first, and then go to see Sun Quan in the name of mourning. This way, you can avoid the pain of being interrogated."
Yang Xiu stepped forward and took it: "It is impolite not to return the favor, and this is what I meant."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, paused, picked up the pen and wrote a line of words, placed it on the brocade box, ordered his generals to rest, and went back to the back hall.
Cao Chun was about to throw the brocade box away when he saw the words on it and asked in confusion, "What does this mean?"
Everyone was about to leave, but when they heard what was said, they came closer again. They saw the words "Yihe Su" written on the brocade box, and they were all puzzled.
Just as he was guessing, he saw Yang Xiu burst into laughter, walked forward to open the brocade box, divided the pills with a silver spoon, took one and fed it to his mouth.
It was too late for Cao Chun to stop him, so he scolded him, "Dezu is too bold. Aren't you afraid that this pastry is poisonous?"
Yang Xiu laughed out loud and said, "Liu Qi sent a gift to congratulate him for his contribution to the pacification of the border. This is a matter of state. Poisoning a meritorious official is not what a gentleman does!"
Cao Chun saw that what he said was similar to Cao Cao's, and saw that the silver spoon was the same color as usual, so he couldn't help but believe it a little more, but still complained: "Even so, this is a gift from Liu Qi to the king, and Dezu shouldn't split it privately."
Yang Xiu pointed at the piece of paper and said with a smile: "The king has already issued an order. This pastry is a reward for us. How dare Xiu disobey the order?"
Cao Chun frowned and asked, "How do you explain this?"
Yang Xiu picked up the note and turned it around in front of everyone, then said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please write this: One piece of pastry per person. Please don't let your Majesty down!"
"Oh, that's it!" Cao Hong's eyes lit up, he licked his lips and took a piece, nodding as he ate, "Not bad, not bad, it tastes great!"
Everyone was curious and came forward to take food. In a blink of an eye, only an empty box was left. Only then did they leave reluctantly, savoring the lingering fragrance.
Cao Cao went back to the back hall and suddenly felt it was a great pity not to eat the pineapple cake. No matter how it tasted, it was made by Sun Shangxiang herself. Since Liu Qi had ambitions to rule the world, how could he openly poison the cake and be cursed by the world
The more he thought about it, the more regretful he felt, so he ordered someone to go to the lobby to get the food boxes, but he saw Cao Chun returning with an empty box, reporting that he had just shared the food with everyone.
Cao Cao's face darkened and he said unhappily, "These are the gifts Liu Qi gave me. How can you split them privately?"
Cao Chun then told Yang Xiu about how he explained the words on the box, and praised him, "This boy is indeed smart and can understand the Prime Minister's mind. His intelligence may be comparable to Guo Fengxiao!"
“Young people…” Cao Cao sighed, his face showing no emotion.
Just now he had wanted to let the guards taste a piece first, and if there was nothing unusual, he would share it with everyone else, and then laugh at them for not being able to see through his brilliance, thus showing off his quick wit. However, he did not expect that Yang Xiu saw through his intention and shared it all.
If it was really Guo Jia who did this, he would naturally be happy and feel like he had found a soulmate. However, Yang Xiu had just arrived and was already thinking himself a smart guy, so he couldn't help but feel disgusted. How could I be friendly with you
Looking at the empty brocade box, Cao Cao took a deep breath and asked, "How does the pineapple cake taste?"
Cao Chun smiled and said, "It's so soft, fragrant and sweet. I've never tasted anything like it in my life."
Seeing Cao Chun smacking his lips as if savoring the experience, Cao Cao felt even more regretful and sighed, "That was made by Madam Sun herself."
Yang Xiu had just entered the official career and was full of high spirits. He did not know that he had violated Cao Cao's taboo, so he left the military camp on the day he received the gifts and rushed to Hefei to meet Liu Qi.
Liu Qi took charge of Jingzhou at the age of 18. He made the world famous with the battle of Nanyang. He promoted talented people to important posts. In just three to five years, he took Yizhou and pacified Guanzhong. He had long become a role model for young people, and Yang Xiu had long wanted to meet him.
Moreover, Yang Xiu guessed that Cao Cao was wary of this expedition and wanted to restrain his old father Yang Biao.
Ever since Zhong Yao and Xun You rebelled against Cao and joined the Han, Cao Pi no longer trusted any foreign ministers, especially old ministers like Yang Biao, who accompanied him and kept him under close surveillance.
After Cao Cao returned to the court, he was promoted to King of Wei. He then sent his three daughters, Cao Xian, Cao Jie and Cao Hua, into the palace and made them noble ladies. His purpose was self-evident.
Yecheng had long been in turmoil, so Yang Xiu volunteered to go to Jiangdong not just to show off, he had another unknown secret, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet with Liu Qi in private to discuss important matters.
Unexpectedly, when he was about to leave, Liu Qi came to congratulate him on his achievement, and Cao Cao ordered him to return the gift. This was like a pillow when he was sleepy. This saved him a lot of trouble and he could meet Liu Qi openly. He could not help but sigh that the will of heaven was clear and he seemed to have divine help.
Yang Xiu could not help but feel overwhelmed, and he looked up to the sky and murmured, "If this is really all God's will, then it shows that the Han Dynasty should not end!"
Not long after arriving at the Hefei camp, they saw warships shuttling back and forth on the Feishui River, with cities and fortifications built on both sides of the river. The Wu army was training vigorously and full of murderous intent.
When Yang Xiu arrived at the government office, he saw a Confucian general waiting surrounded by soldiers. He was wearing soft armor and had a sword hanging from his waist. He looked very heroic and brave. Yang Xiu guessed that it was Liu Qi.
No introduction was needed. Yang Xiu stepped forward and saluted: "Your servant Yang Xiu is here to see General Liu on the orders of the Prime Minister!"
Liu Qi had already received the news. Seeing Yang Xiu address Cao Cao by his official title and considering himself a Han minister, he could not help but nod secretly and returned the greeting, "I have heard that you are knowledgeable and talented. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary. Your Majesty and the old commander are all well?"
"Thank you for your concern. My father is well!" Yang Xiu was secretly happy to see that Liu Qi only asked about the emperor and not Cao Cao. He clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is in good health. I hope that the general will see you soon to talk about the pain of separation."
"It has been more than ten years since we parted in Luoyang, and I have missed the emperor for a long time!" Liu Qi also sighed, and seeing that there were followers behind him, he did not say much and invited Yang Xiu and his party into the mansion.
A banquet had already been set up in the government office, with the famous Jiangdong scholars Zhuge Jin and Kan Ze attending. Although Yang Xiu was not very old, he came as a representative of the emperor and could not lack in etiquette, so the entourage were arranged to rest in a side hall.
During the banquet, they talked about some trivial matters in the court. After three rounds of wine, Yang Xiu said bluntly, "I am here to pay my respects to Wu Guotai in Jiangdong. I wonder if the general can help me?"
Liu Qi smiled faintly and said, "The Cao family and the Sun family have a good relationship. It is only natural to offer condolences. This is a matter of human relations. How can we not allow it?"
Yang Xiu's eyes were slightly stern, and he asked slowly, "General, aren't you afraid that my private meeting with Sun Quan will cause trouble?"
"Are you creating trouble?" Liu Qi remained calm, looking at Zhuge Jin and the others and said with a smile, "I have always done things in an upright and aboveboard manner, and I have nothing to be ashamed of. I have been entrusted by the Marquis of Wu to lead Jiangdong, so what do I have to fear?"
Zhuge Jin nodded and said, "The matter of Jiangdong was jointly decided by the Marquis of Wu and us. Sir, you are a smart person, don't believe in the rumors."
Yang Xiu snorted slightly, slammed his wine glass on the table, and the wine splashed out. He said in a deep voice: "If I am sent by Prime Minister Cao to see Sun Quan, what should I do?"
Liu Qi paused for a moment as he picked up the food, then laughed and said, "Sir, you're already drunk after just three or five cups. Pick up the food, pick up the food!"