Zhou Yu straightened his clothes and went to the accompanying table to drink and chat with Qiao Mao. Qiao Mao asked about Zhou Yu's family affairs, and Zhou Yu answered them one by one, without hiding anything. Among them, Qiao Mao tried a few words about the situation in the world, and Zhou Yu chose what he thought, and answered concisely. The old and the young chatted for most of the night before Zhou Yu realized that Qiao Mao was really at a critical juncture of life and death.
Three months ago, Qiao Mao falsely entrusted the emperor's imperial edict, summoned the princes of the world to King Qin, and listed Dong Zhuo's eleven crimes. The news was sent by messenger overnight and handed over to Yuan Shao, and the princes from all walks of life formed a coalition army to challenge Dong Zhuo. It doesn't matter whether it is an imperial edict or not, it just needs a pretext.
As soon as the news of the coalition army reached Luoyang, everyone gritted their teeth and hated Dong Zhuo for a long time, because after Dong Zhuo entered Beijing, he allowed the Liangzhou army to plunder him, and took power alone, covering the sky with one hand. The news of Yuan Shao's momentum was like a broken bamboo, and the news of the steady march was very popular. Since then, the big households and common people in Luoyang have all hoped that Yuan Shao will quickly enter the city to rescue the emperor and expel the Liangzhou army.
However, Yuan Shao's coalition forces stopped a hundred miles away, and they stopped for more than a month. They sent a secret envoy to Qiao Mao, explaining that the Taoists were not yet ready, and they had to wait for the princes of Qi to attack Luoyang.
After coming and going, Dong Zhuo had long been suspicious, and began to thoroughly investigate the whole city, lest the officials of the court and the central government would secretly communicate with Yuan Shao. Qiao Mao had the hardest bones, so he naturally became the first object of investigation. So when Qiao Mao returned home, he knew that before Yuan Shao came, he might have to be killed by Dong Zhuo to sacrifice the flag first, so he dismissed his servants and sat at home waiting to die.
The whole city of Luoyang was sealed off, Yuan Shao no longer sent secret envoys into the city, Dong Zhuo wanted to check for any clues, but he just stopped. Don't come to find him bad luck.
Qiao Mao spoke in the middle of the night, although there was a sense of self-deprecation in his words, Zhou Yu felt sad when he heard that this old man put all his hopes on Yuan Shao, why Yuan Shao didn't come for so long? Naturally, the coalition forces are not in one place, and there are many disputes.
"Are you afraid?" Qiao Mao was slightly drunk, "If you are afraid, you can go to Situ's house to hide in time tonight."
Zhou Yu laughed it off and took a sip of wine, thinking about how to contact Sun Ce. Qiao Mao was so drunk that he knocked his head on the desk, drunk. That night, Zhou Yu went back to the guest room to lie down, and gradually had a detailed plan in his mind.
Zhou Yu took out the white falcon from his luggage. The small falcon had been holding back on the road for several days, with a piece of cloth wrapped around its mouth and tied with a bow. Zhou Yu stroked its feathers and whispered a few words. Bai Falcon turned his head, looked at Zhou Yu, and looked around, then jumped out of the window sill, spread his wings and flew away, disappearing into the edge of the dark night.
After Fei Yu left that day, he disappeared. Zhou Yu suspected that it might not be able to find Sun Ce who was stationed outside Hulao Pass, and it might have returned to Changsha. But no matter what, it's always good to leave. With Luoyang's dangerous situation, only birds can fly in and out.
For several days in a row, Zhou Yu tried to inquire from many sources, but there was no news at all, and gradually there were rumors of instability in the palace-someone said that Dong Zhuo was going to completely rob the officials and families in Luoyang and rob the big households, so at this time he could only enter the palace. Can't get out.
The whole of Luoyang became tense overnight, and various rumors spread like wildfire. Zhou Yu went to the market that day, and finally got some clues about Jiangnan silk dealers. Someone replied that he had indeed met a silk dealer from Jiangnan in the West Market of Luoyang. Zhou Yu asked once in the accent, and it was as expected.
A few months ago, the leader of the silk seller heard that the commercial road to the west was not peaceful. He wanted to sell the silk in Luoyang and go south to Shu County as soon as possible. However, Luoyang was also in turmoil. Li, continue westward. However, if you want to catch up, you have to go through a lot of checkpoints. Without any connections, it is difficult to move an inch, so Zhou Yu had to ask for the pass document again.
"When did you leave?" Wang Yun leaned forward and asked Zhou Yu thoughtfully.
"According to them, it was the third day of last month," Zhou Yu said, "walking the eight paths of Taihang."
"That should be leaving Hangu Pass." Wang Yun said.
Zhou Yu asked again: "Master Situ...can you contact the defenders over there? I just ask for a handwritten letter from Situ to express my gratitude to Sir Situ for his kindness. The younger generation dare not bother with the rest."
"Why do you take it to heart?" Wang Yun smiled and said happily, "I don't know how many days I can live with this old bone. I can write letters to you and save a few people. It's just my best effort. Get the ink."
The servant stepped forward to serve the pen and ink. Zhou Yu was so grateful in his heart that he never noticed that a maid looked at him a few more times. Zhou Yu kept thinking in his mind, came here to ask for a letter from Wang Yun, how to go next, how to seek escape, accidentally caught a glimpse of the extremely beautiful woman, took a few more glances, but felt nothing in his heart. It feels like I only appreciate it for a moment as a flower or a painting.
"This is Diao Chan, my husband's righteous daughter." Wang Yun introduced.
"I'm rude." Zhou Yu realized that he was a little rude, and hurriedly apologized to the woman.
Diao Chan smiled slightly, knelt down beside the couch, rubbing ink for Wang Yun with his sleeves twisted. He whispered: "You have the letter from Mr. Zhou, but how do you go out of the city? Grand Master Dong will not let you go out."
At this moment, something crashed into the hall.
"Fei Yu!" Zhou Yu immediately caught the flying falcon, but he didn't expect to find it here. There was a strip of cloth on Fei Yu's feet, which seemed to have writing on it, and Zhou Yu took Bai Falcon away before he could take a closer look. Wang Yun was also sensible and didn't ask too many questions. After writing the letter and sealing it, Diao Chan took it over, and the father and daughter exchanged looks, tacitly understanding each other.
Zhou Yu was preoccupied, walked out of the courtyard, unfolded the cloth strip Fei Yu had brought back, and saw that there was a line of words written in blood on it.
Brother, you must not enter Luoyang. If you are already in Luoyang, you must go to vote for Lv Bu and Lv Fengxian. After three days, the battle drum will be called, and I will come to the city to find you. Ten million. Brother Fu.
Zhou Yu frowned immediately, not knowing what Sun Ce meant. If it wasn't for the familiar handwriting, Zhou Yu would have thought that the letter had been intercepted and set a trap, just waiting for him to jump in.
A voice sounded from behind: "Young Master Zhou."
Zhou Yu immediately put away the cloth, turned around and bowed, "Miss Wang."
Diao Chan's face was calm, and she said in a low voice: "Father asked me to send the young master out."
Zhou Yu understood, knowing that Wang Yun's family must also be under surveillance, with many eyes and ears, Diao Chan sent it out and chatted a few words, but it was not easy to arouse suspicion.
"I heard that Mr. Zhou is from Jiangzuo?" Diao Chan said with a smile, "I can't tell at all."
Although Zhou Yu was born in Shu County, he was tall, eight feet long, and did not look like a Southerner at all. However, the handsome and soft lines of his face revealed that he was indeed a Southerner.
"Since my grandfather's generation," Zhou Yu replied, "I have lived in Shu County, but looking back on the family tree of my ancestors, during the Warring States Period, the family was from the north."
Diao Chan nodded and said, "I heard from my adoptive father, Mr. Zhou was originally from a family of doctors?"
"Just kidding." Zhou Yu said, "my late father knew a little bit about the art of acupuncture and stone, but after he entered the court and became an official, he didn't see a doctor for a long time. When it was passed on to me, most of the skills had been lost."
Diao Chan hummed, and said, "My adoptive father often praised Zhou Shibo's consummate skills when he worked with Zhou Shibo. Occasionally, he suffered from rheumatism, head wind and other diseases, which were treated by Zhou Shibo."
Zhou Yu hurriedly said: "Miss, you are joking. Even Hua Tuo, a genius doctor, can't cure this chronic disease such as rheumatism. The only thing I can do is to temporarily dissipate the wind and evil with acupuncture and moxibustion. To cure a disease, we should pay attention to prescribing the right medicine, but if the disease is right, it will naturally be cured." One shot is effective, but to recover, how much depends on the individual... What? Has Mr. Situ recently... "
Diao Chan frowned slightly, obviously she was worried. Seeing her worried look, the only thing Zhou Yu could think of was Wang Yun's poor health. However, Diao Chan shook her head slightly, and said with a smile: "My adoptive father is safe, thanks to your concern."
Zhou Yu didn't know what it meant, but Diao Chan seemed to have something to say, so she changed the subject and said in a low voice, "Now everyone in Luoyang is in danger, and the doctors have all escaped. If Mr. Zhou knows medical skills, I would like to ask you something..."
"But it's okay to say." Zhou Yu finally understood that it must be Diao Chan's friends who need to ask for medical advice, so she cut straight to the point, "But I don't have a medicine box, and I don't have medicinal materials at hand, so I can only try my best."
At that moment, Diao Chan showed a relieved expression and said, "Young master, don't worry, please come with me."
Zhou Yu followed Diao Chan around the back garden and headed for the secluded side yard. Diao Chan said in a very low voice: "This righteous man went to the palace three days ago, tried to assassinate Dong thief in the name of presenting a knife, and escaped from the palace. Now the whole city of Luoyang is blocked, and the righteous man is wounded again. Mr. Zhou will do his best, whether he succeeds or not, But it's fate."
Zhou Yu thought he was just an ordinary doctor and patient, but unexpectedly he was a traitor in Dong Zhuo's eyes. Diao Chan and him have never known each other, and based on Zhou Yu's family background, they trust each other with life and death. If she goes to inform him, Diao Chan and Wang Yun's family will undoubtedly die, which shows Diao Chan's courage and courage.
Diaochan pushed open the door while speaking, and said in a low voice: "This righteous man never likes to talk, so I ask Mr. Zhou to forgive me...Meng Degong, I have invited the doctor here for you."
When Zhou Yu was restless, he pushed open the door, smelled a smell of blood, and met the person inside.
Diao Chan took the medicine box, and the three of them stood in the room, silent.
"That's all." The man was still drinking, put the glass aside, and replied, "Life and death are destiny, don't force it."
Zhou Yu looked at the assassin, only to see that he was less than seven feet long, full of beards, and could not tell his age clearly. He was already in the middle age. His eyes were sharp and energetic, as if he had the wisdom and vigilance to penetrate people's hearts, and half of his face was hidden. In the shadows, the thick and powerful arm was naked, and purple-black blood leaked from the bandage, wrapping around the left side of the chest.
The man sat carelessly, with his legs spread apart, one hand on his lap, and the other holding a jug, pouring himself a drink.
Although Zhou Yu has not yet reached the realm of reading countless people, he can still distinguish a person from his appearance. This person is determined to be a person with a rough temperament and a heroic spirit. He dared to enter the palace alone to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and he imitated Jing Ke's feat of assassinating Qin. , could not help but feel admiration.
"Junior Zhou Yu's name is Gongjin."
"Cao Cao, how old is old Cao Chi, just call me Brother Meng De." The strong man said casually, "Are you a descendant of Zhou Yi?"
As he spoke, he looked at Zhou Yu with both eyes, and Zhou Yu said, "Exactly."
When the eyes of the two met, it seemed as if they had traveled through thousands of years, covering a vast expanse of land. At this moment, Zhou Yu had to admire this person in his heart. However, he never imagined that one day, when Chibi's blood stained the river red and the fire burned all over the world, he would look at this person with emotion again across the magnificent battlefield of bloodshed. It seems that the endless years and the lofty ambition to conquer the world are all in such a glance.
"Hurry up." Diao Chan whispered, "Young Master Zhou, I'm sorry to trouble you."
Zhou Yu came back to his senses, stepped forward to inspect Cao Cao's injuries, and saw that most of his body was skin trauma, but the arrow had penetrated his body and was deeply implanted under his ribs, which would hurt his lungs by a few centimeters.
Zhou Yu untied Cao Cao's bandages and poured wine on his wounds. Cao Cao was stubborn and lay on the bed without moving. Zhou Yu handed him the wine, and Cao Cao drank it while waiting for Zhou Yu to draw his arrow.
"Your father has passed away?" Cao Cao asked.
"Yes." Zhou Yu said lightly, "Three years ago."
Cao Cao drank by himself, and asked, "Are you going to become an official in Beijing? I'm afraid this world will be hard to go away."
Zhou Yu stuck his finger into Cao Cao's wound, his hands were covered with blood, and replied: "Go to Beijing to see the situation, I don't want to repeat my father's old ways..."
"The world is going down, people's hearts are falling." Cao Cao said leisurely, "I advise you, don't stay in Beijing for a long time..."
As Cao Cao gritted his teeth and grunted, Zhou Yu pulled out the arrow, and blood spurted wildly. He immediately blocked it with a cloth, and his hand was full of blood. Diao Chan put the Jinchuang medicine bottle in Zhou Yu's hand.
"People are in troubled times, I'm afraid they can't help themselves." Zhou Yu replied casually, "If you can leave, you will leave early. Didn't Master Cao stay?"
Cao Cao couldn't help panting, his face was pale, Zhou Yu quickly sprinkled Jinchuang medicine. At this moment, the chaotic voices of soldiers sounded outside.
"Master Wang, please stand aside..."
Zhou Yu became alert immediately, and looked at Diao Chan questioningly, Diao Chan signaled her composure, and said, "I'll deal with it."
Diao Chan pushed the door open and came out, closed the door, and came to the corridor, only to see Wang Yun angrily shouting in the main courtyard: "You...you are too courageous!"
"I'm offended, Lord Wang." A military general walked in lazily, wearing a black lin brocade robe and a martial crown on his head. With a bit of amber gold in it, he stood there, standing out from the crowd, taller than all his subordinates.
"I have no choice but to be an official." Just listen to the general said, "Teacher Dong ordered that the assassin must be found today."
"General Lu." Wang Yun leaned on a cane with both hands, stood in front of him, and said coldly, "Could it be that Marquis Mei still suspects that I can't protect the assassin?"
"Lord Situ doesn't know something." Lu Bu replied, "Three days ago, an assassin stabbed Grand Master Dong in the name of offering a knife. We got the news that this guy is still in the city right now, so he offended you. Search!"
Wang Yun's face changed slightly, Lv Bu's men had dispersed into the house and began to search, Lv Bu nodded towards Wang Yun, he didn't intend to talk to him any more, and went straight into the corridor.
At this time Diao Chan came out from the corridor, and the two almost ran into each other. Lu Bu subconsciously raised his hand and grabbed Diao Chan. Diao Chan's face turned pale, and she saluted, "I've seen the general."
When Diao Chan raised her head, she met Lu Bu's eyes, and both of them fell silent.
Wang Yun followed Lu Bu, seeing this, he said: "This is the little girl Diaochan, Diaochan, she hasn't complained to the general yet."
"Offended." Diao Chan whispered.
"No...it's okay." Lu Bu's indifferent face suddenly felt unnatural for a moment, but within a few breaths, he covered up his embarrassment.
"Why don't you let the little girl accompany the general and go in to have a look?" the old and cunning Wang Yun immediately said, and pointed his eyes at Diao Chan.
"Alright." Lu Bu said coldly, "I'll let you lead the way, let's go."
Diao Chan saluted again, then led Lu Bu around the corridor towards the side room. Lu Bu walked behind Diao Chan, scrutinized her from head to toe, wanted to say something for a while, but didn't know how to start the topic. Unexpectedly, Diao Chan suddenly stopped in front of her, but Lv Bu couldn't hold back, and almost ran into her again.
Diao Chan turned around and said, "General, this is my room... I don't know..."
Lu Bu waved his hands and said, "Forget it, let's go to the backyard."
Diao Chan led Lu Bu out of the arch and walked towards the backyard. The two stood by the pond. The autumn wind blew and the pond was covered with fallen leaves. An old servant was sweeping the floor outside the door.
"It's only this big," Diao Chan said, "This is the study room, does the general want to go in and have a look?"
When the soldiers were about to come in, they saw that Lu Bu was in the backyard, so they stopped to search. Lu Bu said to one of them, "I ordered you not to search the lady's boudoir."
The person outside the door answered yes, Diao Chan's heart was beating wildly, and when she turned her head, she noticed that Lu Bu was watching her.
"Why are you nervous?" Lu Bu asked indifferently, looking at Diao Chan's face.
Diao Chan didn't answer, and walked to the edge of the pool. Lu Bu stood behind her, and Diao Chan stared at the pool of autumn water.
"Let me ask you a question." Lu Bu said, "Has Cao Cao been here before? To be honest, he has."
Diao Chan said: "What do you mean, General? There is absolutely no such thing."
The corner of Lu Bu's mouth slightly twitched, and he looked towards the backyard door.
A hand stretched out from the window sill in the room, and wiped cleanly towards the window edge.
"No?" Lu Bu replied, then turned around, strode up the railing of the corridor, jumped down, stood in front of the door, and pushed open the door.
The room was empty, the windows faced the stables in front of the back door, the autumn wind passed through the hall, and there was still a little bloody smell in the air. Lu Bu stood in front of the window, under the window sill in front of the house, hiding Zhou Yu, whose hands were covered in blood, and Cao Cao, who was leaning against the wall to drink. Cao Cao twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, and gave Zhou Yu a thumbs up, indicating that he did a good job.
Lu Bu lowered his head, looked at the window sill, and wiped it with his fingers, but there was no dust from footprints.
Diao Chan followed her in, Lu Bu turned his head, stared at her, and after a while passed her without saying a word, Diao Chan hurriedly said, "General, my father asks the general to stay and have a glass of wine."
Lu Bu glanced at her sideways, as if he wanted to leave. After a while, he agreed to Diao Chan's invitation, and said casually, "Set up a bar."
At the same time, Zhou Yu and Cao Cao came out in a panic, and both of them let out a long breath.
"I must leave the city as soon as possible." Cao Cao whispered.
"You have to rest for a while." Zhou Yu said, "If you go out like this, you will soon fall into the enemy's hands."
"You go with me." Cao Cao said.
"Going to see Yuan Shao?" Zhou Yu looked around, thinking that if he could go to Yuan Shao's coalition army, he would be able to meet Sun Ce. "Come on, come with me." Zhou Yu made sure that there were no secret sentries nearby, and then led Cao Cao to Qiao Mao's residence.
"Yuan Shao is not a planner," Cao Cao said, "I have to go back to Xuzhou first and meet Tao Qian."
Zhou Yu didn't answer, Cao Cao said again: "Looking at your courage and careful thinking, you are not a dormant person with a long sword hanging from your waist. It can be seen that your martial arts are enough to protect yourself. With you escorting me on the road, the two of us can be safe."
Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, then shook his head, and said, "I'm sorry that I can't escort Mr. Cao on the road because of the unfinished business here."
Cao Cao smiled slightly and said without forcing him, "This is the mansion of the prefect Qiao? I'm going to find him."
Zhou Yu nodded, took him to the outside of Qiao Mao's hall, opened the door, and let Cao Cao in, Qiao Mao was shocked immediately. Zhou Yu closed the door outside again, leaving a hall for the two to talk, and put their hands on the hilt of their swords to prevent accidents.
After a while, he heard Cao Cao and Qiao Mao's laughter, knowing that there was no problem, he left in peace.
That night Cao Cao temporarily stayed at Qiao's mansion and drank with Qiao Mao until late at night. Zhou Yu tossed and turned, thinking about Sun Ce's letter, what does it mean to find Lu Bu? Could it be that Lu Bu is one of his own!
He didn't dare to vote rashly, so he recruited the white falcon's feathers, wrote a letter to Sun Ce to inquire, and let the white falcon fly out. According to the direction it flew away, it should be in the area of Hulao Pass.