It was late autumn at this time, and there was a heavy rain on the way back to Shu County. Zhou Yu regretted it after walking out for three days. The road was muddy and the weather turned cold. Zhou Yu knew in his heart that he should not have refused Sun Ce's request to send troops to escort him. However, Sun Ce left his post without authorization, and Sun Jian had to be beaten with military sticks when he returned. Since the day I met Sun Ce, I have caused countless troubles for him, so if I can do less, I can do less.
Zhou Yu was tall and strong, and with a group of merchants, he pushed the cart on the road under the heavy rain and got soaked. On the way, I ate ginger soup to dispel cold, lest I get sick before I got home.
After half a month's journey, the weather was good and sometimes bad. It was originally agreed to take the convoy back to Shu County, so they had to rush to Shouchun and wait for Sun Ce to join Yuan Shu. However, if you catch the wind and cold at home, you will have to stay at home for several months... Zhou Yu's head hurts when he thinks about it.
Fortunately, although there were many difficulties and numerous obstacles along the way, they finally arrived home safely and smoothly. When they arrived in Shu County, the whole town was a sensation.
Zhou Yu returned home exhausted, and his mother was waiting.
"Come back?" Mother Zhou said.
"I'm back." Zhou Yu said, "I brought all the cars back, and there are not a few people missing."
People kept coming to thank him outside, and Zhou's mother was obviously worried. As soon as her son came home, she let go of her worries, went back to the house, changed into a solemn robe, and walked out of the courtyard.
"Lady Zhou!"
"Master Zhou."
"The Zhou family is very kind..."
Mother Zhou signaled everyone not to speak, and then bowed down to the villagers.
At this moment, the whole courtyard was in a commotion, Zhou Yu hurriedly supported his old mother, and followed her to pay respects to the folks three times.
"My son grew up in Shu County," Zhou's mother said earnestly, "I have to be taken care of by the local parents and folks. It is because of you that the silk shop can have its current scale. It is my duty to contribute to it at this moment. How to bear the burden?" Got a word of thanks?"
"After the deceased husband passed away, I relied on all the neighbors. Now I should replace the late husband and the ignorant children. I am grateful for the kindness of everyone who has taken care of me." Zhou's mother smiled, "Folks, please go back. Don't ask for any life-saving grace." Let me mention it again. If there is anything on weekdays, please come and tell me."
Everyone thanked them again and again, and then left the gift and left.
That night, Zhou's mother looked at Zhou Yu's face carefully under the lamp, and kept touching his head, and sighed: "The messenger from the Sun family came here and reported the letter to me first, so my mother can't sleep these few days. some."
Zhou Yu told his mother about going to Luoyang this time, and Zhou's mother remembered it again and explained: "Someone from Qiao's family also came to ask how you are doing and whether you have come back from Luoyang. It seems that the prefect Qiao has been worried too much. very."
Zhou Yu nodded. The mother and son were speechless for a while. After a while, Zhou's mother got up, looked at the raindrops on the porch, and said, "This time, we can't repay the kindness of the Sun's family. Bofu has always been a good boy. He came to our house since he was a child. Your father likes him very much, and General Sun has always taken care of us..."
"... Bofu doesn't know how to say anything about kindness." Zhou Yu took a sip of hot tea and said, "Mother, I promised him, and it's time to go to Shouchun."
"That's exactly what you should say." Zhou's mother replied, "Mother has been worried about you for the past two years. When she heard this, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. I am not afraid that you will be left alone to take care of me, but I am afraid that you will miss your home and waste your time." , A lifetime of mediocrity is the end of this life.”
"Mother." Zhou Yu's eyes immediately turned red.
Zhou's mother sat down with a smile and said: "Your father was an old friend with General Sun when he was alive. Now his son has grown up, and my son has also grown up. Even if my son is not as good as General Sun, he still knows what to do." What to do, you have ambitions in your chest. Mother has seen that you have been at home in the past few years. Although you have to take care of business and take care of housework, mother knows that those are not what you really want to do, don’t you? "
"But I don't worry about you." Zhou Yu said, "I don't know if the prefect of Changsha will stay in Shouchun for a long time."
Zhou's mother said: "Go ahead, go to the ends of the earth, if you don't worry about leaving your mother, then mother will sell the shop, build a roll, and follow you. Your father is a good man, and my son will definitely be able to make a career. Come on. Haven't you heard anyone say it? In this world, for any man, there are always two people who single-mindedly believe that he is a great person, one is his mother, and the other is his wife. "
Zhou Yu was amused and laughed, and said: "Success, I will leave tomorrow, when I am at home..."
"Don't worry." Zhou's mother said, "You just need to be a good person and do things seriously when you are outside. Mother is at home, and she will be happy to hear it. She always looks forward to seeing you. When mother arrives in Shouchun in the future, you will be well praised. Is this the truth?"
With red eyes, Zhou Yu nodded and looked at her mother.
Mother Zhou touched Zhou Yu's head and hugged him.
Zhou Yu originally wanted to leave for Shouchun the next day, but the wind and cold entered his body along the way, and he relied on his will to hold on, and the medicine suppressed him. After returning home, he breathed a sigh of relief, and developed a fever that night, which turned out to be seriously ill.
The next day, Zhou's mother woke him up and touched his forehead, which was hot. Knowing that it was not a trivial matter, she hurriedly invited a famous doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The house was in a state of turmoil for several days, when Lu Su heard that Zhou Yu had returned home, he came to see it in person, and then went to Gushan to invite the dumb monks, who took medicine and acupuncture, tried his best to relieve Zhou Yu's condition.
But Zhou Yu was so sick that he was unconscious, and he was still thinking about meeting Sun Ce in a month's time. Afraid of delaying the schedule, he wanted to get up and go out several times, but in the end he was punched by Lu Su, and he finally felt at ease.
"Do you really like Sun Bofu?" Lu Su sat beside Zhou Yu's bed, cutting a section of ginseng.
Zhou Yu rolled his eyes at him weakly, his throat was burning hot, his nose was still blocked, and he didn't have the energy to tease him back and forth.
"What official position did the Sun family allow you?" Lu Su asked again.
Zhou Yu didn't answer.
"How many stones do you eat?"
Zhou Yu remained silent.
"How many households are sealed?" Lu Su asked again.
"..."
"Do you think you are Xiao He?" Lu Su said, "Leave as soon as you fool around."
Zhou Yu said: "Can you be quiet and cut your hands carefully."
Lu Su laughed to himself, and said: "If the Sun family is expected to become a king and dominate, do you think you can see through the fun? Li Si, Han Feihuo, Qubing—Bai Qi, Han Xin, Lu Buwei—"
Zhou Yu: "..."
Zhou Yu said ill, "Lu Zijing, your mouth has been a little poisonous lately."
Lu Su didn't speak, and went to cut the ginseng. Zhou Yu looked at the top of the tent in a daze, and after a while Lu Su said again: "If it wasn't for becoming a king and dominating the world, what are you going to do?"
Zhou Yu replied, "Sun Bofu is not such a person."
Lu Su smiled, and said, "I'll give you a word, to be wise and safe."
"Thank you." Zhou Yu replied, "Although your words are not pleasant, I know you are doing it for my own good."
Lu Su poured the ginseng slices into the pot solemnly, boiled the ginseng soup, and lay down on the couch that night, and fell asleep with Zhou Yu. In the early morning of the next day, Zhou Yu drank ginseng soup and took Panchuan with him. His face was still pale from the illness, fearing to wake up his mother, he left Shu County alone in the misty mountains and rivers.
"Let's go, take care." Zhou Yu replied.
"Be careful on the road." Lu Su said, "Send someone to deliver a letter if you have something to do."
From this day on, Lu Su moved to stay at Zhou Yu's house. Zhou's mother got up early in the morning, and Lu Su went to say hello. Zhou's mother knew that her son was sick and on the road, and she looked helpless.
"I'm still sick." Lu Su said, "I can't persuade you."
Zhou's mother said: "Let him go, he has the same temperament as his father, and has a hot temper, that's all."
Lu Su laughed.
At the same time, Zhou Yu's mood was completely different from the last trip when he went north to Shouchun. He was wrapped in thick fur and wore a wolf fur hat. The mist he exhaled dissipated in the early winter morning, and the wild air was extremely fresh.
The accompanying cloth bag carried a heavy four hundred taels of gold, and arrived in Shouchun in less than a few days. It had been more than a month since the princes of the Eighteenth Routes demanded Dong. To Lingjun. Zhou Yu entered the city with a letter of recommendation written by Lu Su. As soon as he entered the city, he felt that the place was magnificent and vast, and it could not be compared with what he saw when he was a child.
Shouchun, located in the north of Shu County, is one of the largest cities in Yangzhou. Since Liu An, the king of Huainan, sealed this place, it is said that Shouchun has the dragon veins of Bagong Mountain in the north. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, and the spring water is clear.
It was early winter, and the people inside and outside the city rested for a year to cultivate and lived and worked in peace and contentment. The flames of war in the Central Plains seemed so far away, and there was a peaceful atmosphere by the Wabu Lake.
Zhou Yu led a horse and walked through the bustling city. First, he inquired about Sun Jian's soldiers and horses along the way. Then he had to pass it on and went to Shouchun mansion.
Shouchun Mansion was Yuan Shu's shelter from the cold in winter, and Yuan Shu renamed this mansion as Empress General's Mansion after he returned from begging Dong. As soon as Zhou Yu entered the mansion, guards came to lead him to the main courtyard, and handed him over to Luqian Secretary. The rockery in the courtyard is ancient and fragrant, and the sound of water flows continuously. The front yard is full of green pines moved from Bagong Mountain. Looking at the tree body, each tree is more than a hundred years old.
The secretary said: "General Empress is discussing matters with Master Xu Gongxu, the prefect of Wu County. Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment."
Zhou Yu nodded, and the servant served refreshments, and asked Zhou Yu to drink tea in the hall. Zhou Yu looked at the furnishings, they were all priceless desks, even the low desks in the gatehouse were made of pomegranate wood, and most of the jade bottles and ivory carvings placed in the shelves were looted from Luoyang.
Zhou Yu's own family is rich, but he has never enjoyed such utensils. Before his death, Zhou Yi warned repeatedly that even if he has a lot of money, it is not as good as being full of poetry. However, Zhou Yu couldn't help but fall in love with seeing so many of them on weekdays.
When it was getting dark, the lights in the mansion were lit, but no one came to summon Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu wasn't angry at all, he just sat quietly, and if it was Sun Ce, he might get up and leave at this time. But what is Yuan Shu's status? Not to mention that I have no official position yet, even if my father was the Luoyang order back then, he could only wait when he came.
Before coming out, my mother couldn't help but think about how my father behaved, worked, and became an official back then.
Zhou Yu thought of Zhou Yi in everything since he was on the road, what would he do, what would he say if his father was with him, so he waited patiently in the hall for a whole afternoon.
Until the lamps were lit in the hall, a steward came to summon him and said, "The general has invited Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Yu knew that he finally had time to see him. When he lived in Shu County, he often heard that Yuan Shu was a talented person. If he wanted to find an official position, he might not be able to find it. But it's no problem to settle down in a mixed place and live temporarily.
"Ouch, Nephew Zhou!"
Before Zhou Yu arrived, he heard a thick middle-aged voice in the main hall, and knew it must be Yuan Shu. Immediately, he changed his face, entered the room with a spring breeze, dressed in the wind and dust, and bowed to Yuan Shu, saying: "Little nephew." Greetings to Yuan Shibo."
"Please get up quickly, please get up quickly—" Yuan Shu stepped forward to help him up, and a middle-aged man beside him laughed and said, "Sure enough, I have to see you."
Zhou Yu took a closer look and saw that it was actually an old acquaintance, Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan and Zhou Yu sighed at each other, Qiao Xuan had gray beard, trembling uncontrollably, couldn't say a word for a while, and said to Yuan Shu, "Nephew Zhou gave his only horse to the old man to escape in the sea of fire in Luoyang. After arriving in Yangzhou, the old and immortal often regret..."
"Okay, okay!" Yuan Shu waved his hand and said with a smile, "Everyone is back, so there is no need to say any more! Come on, Zhou Yu, this is Xu Gong Xu Shibo, who also had a good relationship with your father back then."
Yuan Shu introduced another middle-aged man in the hall to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu knew that this was Xu Gong, the prefect of Wu County, so he respected him politely. Xu Gong nodded, and Yuan Shu took Zhou Yu's hand and took his seat cordially.
Zhou Yu's ancestors were officials, and his grandfather Zhou Jing was an official to the Taiwei. If it is serious, he and the Yuan family are indeed family friends. Yuan Shu first talked about the friendship with Zhou Yu's ancestors, step by step, and then talked about the big and small events of Zhou Yu's father during his lifetime. Yuan Shu said: "I was going to come to express my condolences about your father, but I couldn't leave for a while..."
Zhou Yu hurriedly said: "At that time, the general's messenger came, my mother was very grateful, and the first thing I did when I came to Shouchun was to visit Yuan Shibo.
Yuan Shu laughed loudly, and even said yes, and said: "I just heard from Mr. Qiao that you are young and talented. You have the courage to sacrifice yourself to save others, and you can escape from Luoyang at that time, young man! I admire you!"
Both Xu Gong and Qiao Xuan laughed, Zhou Yu hurriedly gave in, and when he was about to talk about Sun Ce, he saw Qiao Xuan's eyes hesitated, and he immediately understood, and did not mention the matter of coming to see Sun Jian.
"Zhou Yu," Yuan Shu said happily, "What are your plans for the future?"
Zhou Yu sat on one side of the guest seat and looked up at Yuan Shu.
I saw Yuan Shu's handsome appearance, burly figure, elegant long beard, a white jade maw on his waist, and long robes, his demeanor was really heart-wrenching.
"I have no plans." Zhou Yu said sincerely, "Nowadays, today's life is in turmoil, and Dong thief has not been executed. The whole world is looking forward to Yuan Shibo taking up the big responsibility. My nephew only hopes that this time in Shouchun, I can do my best for Shibo. .”
Yuan Shu sighed, and sighed: "It's rare that you have the heart to live up to your father's name, but now there are more and more disputes, even my Yuan family has something beyond my power, that's all! Let's not talk about it today. I'm very happy that you're here, looking at you, it's like your father is still there, these days, I'm staying in Shibo's residence for the time being, come! Serve wine!"
Zhou Yu let go of the big stone in his heart, knowing that Yuan Shu accepted him. After all, although Yuan Shu received mixed reviews among the feudal lords, a scholar would recruit talents in the name of loving talents, not to mention a big family like the Yuan family.
That night Yuan Shu ordered people to arrange a banquet, and had a drink with Xu Gong and Qiao Xuan. Zhou Yu didn't dare to talk nonsense, so he accompanied the banquet with a smile. It wasn't until the banquet was over that Qiao Xuan took Zhou Yu's hand and gave some instructions, saying that he would come to Zhou Yu for further discussion in the future. Yuan Shu came out staggeringly with a wine glass in his hand, and wanted to count how many people would accompany him for a few more drinks. cup.
Zhou Yu rushed forward to help, but as soon as Xu Gong and Qiao Xuan left, Yuan Shu returned to his usual expression, obviously not drunk.
"Zhou Yu, come with me." Yuan Shu ordered.
Knowing that Yuan Shu treated him as one of his own, Zhou Yu followed behind him into the study. Yuan Shu first inquired about Zhou Yu's home situation in detail, Zhou Yu untied the burden, handed Lu Su to him, took out the presents he had prepared after entering Shouchun, put them in front of Yuan Shu respectfully, and said, "This is what my mother asked my nephew to bring. A little heart for Shibo."
"Hmm." Yuan Shu glanced at the box, which contained a night pearl, and ordered someone to put it away.
Zhou Yu then stood beside Yuan Shu silently, without further words, Yuan Shu asked again: "How is your study of the Confucian classics?"
Zhou Yu replied: "My father's legacy should not be neglected, so I should review it from time to time."
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "Are you familiar with the decrees?"
"Yes." Zhou Yu said respectfully.
Yuan Shu said, "Uncle Shi will come up with a question to test you."
Zhou Yu polished ink for Yuan Shu, and Yuan Shu came up with a test question with a stroke of his brush. As expected, it was a combination of the "Ming Jing" and "Ming Law" in the examination. Zhou Yu got the test questions and knew that Yuan Shu was going to test him so that he could arrange a position for him, so he took them aside and wrote with a brush. The writing was very jerky at first, but then he wrote faster and faster, and finished it in one go. In the probation system, "Ming Jing" and "Ming Law" are divided into two subjects, Confucianism and Law are used together, but Yuan Shu's questions include both, Zhou Yu has to take it seriously.
Yuan Shu squinted, with a cup of tea by his hand. Most of the time, Yuan Shu was observing Zhou Yu's thinking expression.
"You sit up straight, you are tall, and your waist looks good." Yuan Shu said suddenly, and then laughed.
Zhou Yu was very embarrassed, and hurriedly said, "Shibo is too famous."
"Did you often get punished by your father when you were young?" Yuan Shu laughed.
Zhou Yu smiled and said: "Yes, when I was young, I learned to write and write, and I was often beaten on the back by his board."
"Hmm." Yuan Shu said, "That's right, the young talent is both talented and handsome."
Zhou Yu smiled modestly, and the study fell silent again. Not long after, Zhou Yu handed in the paper and handed it to Yuan Shu with both hands. He would not be troubled by making a fuss. Yuan Shu just read the beginning, then called someone in, and ordered: "Bring this paper to Yang Hong."
Yang Hong is Yuan Shu's long history, Zhou Yu knew that most likely he was waiting for Yang Hong to arrange a position for him, Yuan Shu said again: "Walk with me in the garden."
Zhou Yu stood up happily.
In the middle of the night, the lights were flickering, Yuan Shu walked in front with his hands behind his back, Zhou Yu respectfully followed behind Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu thought for a while, and said, "Marquis Mei fled westward to Chang'an, what do you think of the situation in Luoyang?"
Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, and said: "Although Luoyang is the capital of the king, after being burned down, it is actually no longer important. Instead, it is Nanyang, which has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times..."
"That's right." Yuan Shu said, "I sent Sun Wentai to Nanyang, and now I have ordered him to stand still. Luoyang is already in ruins, and it will not be slowed down for a while."
"If Shi Bo intends to take Luoyang, he can order General Sun to enter Yangren County, and then divide his troops to guard Hangu Pass." Zhou Yu said, "In this way, except for Ma Teng of Liangzhou, all the princes who want to send troops to fight against Dong have to pass through Hangu Pass area."
Yuan Shu heaved a sigh and said, "It's not as easy as you said for that man Sun Wentai to disobey orders."
"Is the Sun family stationing troops in Luoyang?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Hmm." Yuan Shu was thoughtful.
Zhou Yu continued: "After Emperor Dong Zhuo fled to the west, in fact, Luoyang is no longer of much value. Xuzhou and Jingzhou are strategically important places. According to my nephew, it is better to let General Sun retreat to Nanyang County for the time being."
"Liu Biao will not hand over Jingzhou." Yuan Shu said, "That old fox, the allied forces demanded Dong and refused to fight. Do you think I can make him surrender by issuing an appeasement order?"
Zhou Yu shook his head and said, "Jingzhou will need a battle sooner or later, but it should be sooner rather than later. Liu Biao is a relative of the emperor, and he insists on defending. To put it bluntly, no one's team will stand. It will be unpopular to strike at this time."
Yuan Shu smiled and twirled his beard. Zhou Yu knew that he obviously did not cater to Yuan Shu's wishes in the assessment of the battle situation, so he couldn't help sighing secretly.
"That's all." Yuan Shu was tight-lipped, and said kindly to Zhou Yu, "You go and rest first, and I will send someone to pass you on tomorrow."
Zhou Yu bowed farewell to Yuan Shu.