Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3440: The Dove Cao Feng
The Book of Songs was almost the first thing that all the children of the Han Dynasty's aristocratic families learned.

Because most of the poems in the Book of Songs are in the form of overlapping sentences, they are easy for children to recite, and naturally become a basic skill required for most children of the gentry.

Just like the nine-year compulsory education in later generations, it is all very basic knowledge, which basically only requires reading and reciting and being able to write from memory. As for the meaning of it, there is no rigid requirement.

Cao Zhao certainly knew where the sentence "Why not ten thousand years?" came from, but he felt that Cao Xiu mentioned this sentence to say that he was not a "virtuous gentleman."

He believed that Cao Xiu could not be a "virtuous gentleman", so he placed his expectations on Cao Xiu to become a "virtuous gentleman". The problem was that Cao Zhao had never thought about becoming a "virtuous gentleman"!
What is the term "gentleman"? It's so annoying. Whoever wants to be one can be one!
But facing Cao Xiu's gaze, Cao Zhao couldn't say that he didn't want to be a "gentleman", so he just lowered his head and said in a very low voice: "Child... I understand..."

"What did you find out?"

When Cao Xiu looked at Cao Zhao's appearance, he couldn't help but frown.

Whenever he talked about serious matters, Cao Zhao would lower his head.

It’s already this late and you’re still pretending like this!
Bow your head, bow your head!
If you lower your head, won't the enemy's sword chop you down? !
"Lift your head!"

Cao Xiu couldn't help but raise his voice a little louder.

Cao Xiu's voice attracted the cavalry soldiers on duty outside and they couldn't help but take a look.

Cao Zhao suddenly felt very embarrassed. He hoped that Cao Xiu would not scold him in front of outsiders. However, Cao Zhao did not say what he wished. He just kept his head down and said nothing.

Cao Xiu simply couldn't understand why Cao Zhao had to bow his head, because Cao Xiu had never bowed his head in his entire life.

If he was going to bow his head, why would he have to carry the coffin for thousands of miles? Wouldn't it be easier and less laborious to just find a random family to eat some charity?
What's the point of bowing your head when there are wind, rain, snow, thieves and bullies along the way?
Having lost his father’s protection at a young age, Cao Xiu could only hold his head high and shoulder the responsibility of the entire family at the age of twenty!
So Cao Xiu simply couldn't understand why he had to bow his head?!
You can lose your life, but how can you lower your head so easily? !

Perhaps sensing Cao Xiu's anger, Cao Zhao reluctantly raised his head.

Just a little bit.

Cao Xiu took a deep breath and controlled his emotions.

I don’t know why, but when facing other people, Cao Xiu can basically control his emotions, but when facing Cao Zhao, he easily loses control of his emotions.

"I have seen that only the cavalry can be called "virtuous gentlemen". I am here now to deserve the words "Why not ten thousand years"..." Cao Xiu looked at Cao Zhao and said slowly, almost word by word, "Now I see you here, although I am happy, I am also worried. You should know that if you don't make progress in your studies, you will regress! We are getting older, and you are still young. You need to know that there is a long time to come. How can you slack off?"

Cao Zhao replied, "Yes, yes, my child will learn from you."

Cao Xiu frowned, "Do you really understand?"

"I understand." Cao Zhao answered without hesitation.

Cao Zhao originally thought that he came to see Cao Xiu to talk about father-son affection, such as not seeing each other for a long time and missing each other very much, and then ask about his health and see if he had any injuries, and finally eat well, drink well and rest well, so that father and son can be good together, hahaha, wouldn't it be better?

I didn't expect that when we met, he would ask about academic matters, and asked whether he understood or not, whether he understood or not...

What's not to understand?
If you see that the cavalry is good, just stay. Why are you making up excuses for yourself? It's just nonsense.

Before Cao Zhao surrendered, he had many obstacles in his heart, and felt this and that, but after he really took off Cao's robe, he knew the taste of it...

Well, I am so happy.

First of all, where was Cao Zhao before?

On Lone Mountain.

This era is not like the later era where people drive supply trucks to the mountains, say how great it is to camp, and live stream people catching crabs and clams with their bare hands...

In the mountains, even though Cao Zhao had a higher status, he still lived a hard life. He had to skip meals, alternately eat cold and hot meals, and even when he took a shit he had to be careful not to let any insects or snakes crawl out of the grass.

The living conditions now are not only much better than in the mountains, but we also have meat!
The quantity is not much, but it is real beef and mutton!

Secondly, Cao Zhao also relaxed.

Anyway, he surrendered according to orders. In simple terms, he has no responsibilities and no psychological burden.

Young people don’t have such heavy thoughts. Even if they feel a little unhappy at the beginning, they will forget about it after eating, drinking and sleeping. It is another beautiful day and a new beginning.

In addition, the most crucial point is that I finally don’t have to get up early every day to practice martial arts.

As a surrendered general, firstly, there were no such conditions, and secondly, there was no such necessity.

On the contrary, reading is a good way, but how can Cao Zhao really calm down and read?
So Cao Zhao even had a little idea in his heart that was unknown to others and difficult to announce to the public...

All of the above factors combined together, when Cao Xiu asked Cao Zhao "Do you understand?", Cao Zhao naturally thought that Cao Xiu was looking for a suitable reason and excuse for his surrender.

What's not to understand?

The Hussars are "virtuous gentlemen", so why don't we follow them and "live forever"?

I understand. I understand so well!

Cao Xiu frowned deeply, "Go back and think about it carefully... If there is anything you don't understand about the classics, you can also go to General Yuan Rang... Although General Yuan Rang is in the army, he is also well-read and has some insights... If you don't understand, you should learn more and ask more questions, so that you can improve... Understand?"

"I understand. I understand, my child." Cao Zhao replied without saying a word.

Cao Xiu sighed deeply, "Okay, I hope you really understand."

Cao Xiu waved his hand.

Cao Zhao hurriedly got up and said, "I'll take my leave now."

Cao Zhao didn't even look at Cao Xiu.

Perhaps if you look at it more, you can see the emotions hidden deep in Cao Xiu's eyes, those things that cannot be expressed clearly...

It's a pity that Cao Zhao would rather watch the eating, drinking, playing, and the maids' raised buttocks than take a closer look at his father.

It’s not that Cao Zhao disliked Cao Xiu or thought that the old man was nagging every day, but because Cao Zhao knew that he was just trying to please his father and was afraid that his father would find out.

But in fact, could Cao Xiu not know that Cao Zhao was just being perfunctory?
How Cao Xiu hoped that Cao Zhao could really "understand", but in the end, Cao Zhao didn't even turn his head, and left like a horse that had broken free from its reins, shaking his head and wagging his tail, with some joy and relief.

"call……"

Cao Xiu let out a long breath and closed his eyes.

I hope Cao Zhao can really understand in the future...

hope so.

……

……

You Wen Si was rubbing his fingers slowly.

This was his subconscious behavior when he saw something "interesting".

It's like a hunter discovering his prey.

"Why didn't you report this earlier?!" The voice of the officer was chilling.

Below Youwensi, the postmaster kept wiping the sweat off his face with his sleeves, as if he was about to be melted by Youwensi's gaze. The postmaster stammered, "I came right after I finished my work. I was not delayed at all..."

"But it's too late!"

The officer of the Ministry of Information interrupted the stationmaster rudely and flicked the paper with his fingers, "Your responsibility is not to entertain them well! Don't you understand what is the real business?"

The postmaster bowed his head deeply, "Little one, little one...I understand, I understand, next time...No, no, there will definitely not be a next time, I will definitely remember it, I will remember it!"

"Can you please remember this? It's not just words..."

Youwen Si Gongshi snorted, then stood up, which scared the stationmaster.

The postmaster kowtowed immediately, "No, no, no, please give me one more chance, one more chance! I will definitely, definitely..."

"What are you doing?" The official in charge of the Ministry of Justice was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "How can I make a decision on such a big matter? I am going to report to the governor. What do you think I am going to do?"

Upon hearing this, the stationmaster let out a long sigh, "I thought... I thought..."

"I heard that the killing was indeed a bit heavy when the Ministry of Public Security was eliminating traitors, but it was not to the point of being indiscriminate and unclear, right?"

The official from the Ministry of Information shook the paper in his hand and said, "You can stay here temporarily tonight until I come back from the envoy... It saves us from sending people back and forth and alerting the thieves..." "Yes, yes, yes..."

The stationmaster replied hurriedly, and when he looked up again, he saw that the official from the Youwen Division had already walked away.

"The killing was a bit heavy... How could it be heavier... This, this is just like... like..."

The stationmaster suddenly shuddered, and then slapped his mouth lightly.

……

……

In Anyi City, Pei Hui raised his head slightly and looked at the lintel of Anyi Government Office, feeling somewhat emotional.

Hedong has now officially entered the era of cavalry.

Pei Hui has a gentle personality, which is his advantage and also his disadvantage. Therefore, he is not good at fighting with others, but is more suitable to serve as a bridge of communication.

The Anyi government office was originally where old man Pei worked as an executive director, but now that Xun Chen is here, naturally it has to be given to Xun Chen.

Like most city defenses, Anyi Prefecture Yamen is also part of the inner city defense system in Anyi City.

A tall wall separates it from the outer city.

The walls are basically made of high-quality blue bricks, which are thick and sturdy.

The palace is connected to all the main roads in the city, and there are four watchtowers at the four corners. Guards with bows and arrows monitor the surroundings day and night.

After Xun Chen took control of Anyi, he turned it into the core of Hedong. Officials ran back and forth day and night, and from time to time, fast horses would rush out upon receiving an order.

This also shows from one aspect Xun Chen's current administrative efficiency, pragmatic attitude, and how busy he is.

Pei Hui shook his head slightly and sighed.

When compared to others, I am really inferior to them.

If he were to do these things, he would definitely not work as hard as Xun Chen. If he could handle 70% or 80%, he would definitely not handle 80% or 90%. If he could delay it for two days, he would definitely not finish it on the same day...

So now Pei Hui feels both admiration and helplessness, and he also has an inner feeling that he doesn't know how to describe.

When Pei Hui came to pay a visit to Xun Chen, it was actually already very late. However, because Xun Chen had been working until late at night in recent days, the guards on duty outside and the clerks coming and going were not surprised to see Pei Hui arriving late at night.

After Pei Hui finished the examination, he walked into the courtyard and walked along the long corridor to the main hall with ease.

Because Pei Hui had a mild temper and a bit of a third party status, Xun Chen asked him to deal with the placement of Cao's military schools, surrendered, and prisoners. Pei Hui did a good job, but there were still some things that he felt were difficult to handle, so he came to Xun Chen.

Pei Hui saw that the main hall was brightly lit and couldn't help but sigh again. He felt that if it were him, he would definitely not be able to be so diligent. Working such long hours every day was simply killing him!

He walked to the door and asked the servant to announce it.

As a result, the attendant saw him and said, "It's just right, the envoy is looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Pei Hui was a little surprised, but he quickly nodded and walked into the main hall.

Soon, Pei Hui knew why Xun Chen was looking for him, because there was another person in the main hall...

There are people from the Ministry of Information.

Pei Hui's eyes exchanged with those of the Youwensi staff and they greeted each other.

Xun Chen didn't even raise his head, but just waved his hand, motioning Pei Hui to sit down.

After Xun Chen finished the work at hand, he asked his servants to bring up some hot drinks as a treat for the two of them.

Xun Chen sipped his drink and asked, "Is there anything wrong with the surrendered generals of Cao's army?"

Pei Hui put down the bowl and said, "At present, it seems that everything is stable. There are guards on duty at the residence."

Xun Chen nodded, pulled out a piece of paper from the corner of the desk and handed it to Pei Hui.

Pei Hui took it and saw that it was a record of Cao Xiu's meeting with Cao Zhao.

It records when Cao Xiu met Cao Zhao and what he said.

Pei Hui glanced at it and said, "There is no discrepancy between this record and the report from the guards... I wonder what happened, sir?"

Pei Hui also received a copy, but it was not as detailed as this one.

His subordinates also reported, but they only gave a general idea of ​​the content, without any specific detailed sentences.

You Wensi, it's really...

Xun Chen glanced at Pei Hui and asked, "Don't you think there's anything wrong?"

Pei Hui was stunned for a moment, "This..."

Pei Hui read it again, but still couldn't see any problem.

As a father, Cao Xiu asked his children to read more and expressed his desire to study poetry and literature and understand the classics. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with that?
Pei Hui himself also liked reading, so when he saw Cao Xiu persuading his children to read more, he naturally thought it was a good thing and didn't think much about it...

But looking at Xun Chen now, is there anything wrong?
"Why not ten thousand years..." Seeing Pei Hui was very confused, Xun Chen asked, "What do you think of this sentence?"

Pei Hui smiled, "This is to praise the cavalry..."

It is normal for a surrendered general to lick his new master.

Moreover, Pei Hui found it quite interesting that Cao Xiu was flattering him like that.

Pei Hui clapped his hands gently, chanted the poem "鸉九" from the Book of Songs, and repeated the words "We are my countrymen, why don't we live forever?" and said, "It is said that a gentleman in the world has the same dignity. In my opinion, this is not an empty statement, which shows his determination to join the cavalry."

Xun Chen listened, nodded slightly, turned around and asked the staff of Youwen Division, "What do you think?"

The official from the Ministry of Information glanced at Pei Hui and said slowly, "There is something fishy going on here."

"Huh?" Pei Hui was inevitably a little embarrassed, but he did not refute immediately or get angry, but waited for the Ministry of Information to explain.

Xun Chen signaled the official from the Ministry of Information to continue.

The official who heard this said, "This poem is likened to the rising of a dove, saying that the young bird flies high, which is a metaphor for the growing strength of the country. On the surface, it is not bad. If I really surrender... I am willing to follow the gentleman's decision and follow the lord's saddle. Shouldn't it be more appropriate to say something about fighting on the battlefield to do my best?"

Pei Hui frowned slightly, "If you say so... defending the title is a bit far-fetched..."

The official of the Ministry of Education laughed and said, "I haven't finished yet... The comparison of a gentleman is not bad... If you say you don't want to fight old acquaintances on the battlefield, it's understandable... But you chose this poem... If you say it's a coincidence, it doesn't seem like it. Is this the only poem in the Book of Songs that encourages learning?"

"This..." Pei Hui hesitated for a moment and nodded, "If that's the case... this poem really doesn't quite fit in with the idea of ​​encouraging learning..."

The official nodded and said, "This is Cao Feng. If he praises Cao Jun, who can be praised? Some say he praises Cao Gonggong, and some say he praises Sikong Cao Shu..."

On the one hand, this poem praises Cao Shu, who served as the Sikong of the Zhou Dynasty and diligently assisted Duke Zhou and King Cheng of Zhou in governing the newly established Zhou Dynasty; on the other hand, Cao Shu patiently taught the people of his fiefdom Cao like a cuckoo nurturing its chicks, cultivating good folk customs, developing agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry, and leading the state of Lu from poverty to prosperity, and the country from weakness to prosperity.

The official of the Ministry of Works continued, "But this metaphor of a cuckoo is often used to describe Cao Shu. The Zuo Zhuan says, "Cuckoo is the Minister of Works." And who is the Minister of Works today who is like a cuckoo? Therefore, I think this metaphor is not about the cavalry, but Cao Mengde. 』

Pei Hui took a breath, "That makes sense... But Cao Zilie's sons are in two different places. If Cao Zilie makes any unusual moves, wouldn't that mean..."

After a pause, Pei Hui frowned and said, "If this is true, how can we prove it?"

Someone heard the official say in a deep voice: "I think it should be in this poem!"

"What do you mean?" Pei Hui asked.

"It's a 'pigeon'. A pigeon abandons its young and occupies another's nest! This is what Cao Zhilie didn't say fully! "Someone heard the official saying, "I think this thief is planning to rebel!"

Pei Hui said hurriedly: "Sir! If you judge a traitor based on his words, it is not appropriate! In speech, whether it is sarcasm, discussion, resentment, or anger, it cannot be considered a crime! The laws of the cavalry are strict, and the crime should be judged based on the actions! If there is rebellious behavior, then it can be convicted of treason!"

Xun Chen thought for a while after hearing this, then nodded and said, "What Wen Ji said is quite pertinent. It is true that we cannot punish him for his speech. However, if we ignore it, we will fail the trust of our lord... It is better to make some arrangements first, just in case..."

Pei Hui was stunned for a moment, "Your Excellency, do you want to arrest Cao Zilie?"

Xun Chen smiled but shook his head.