Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 972: Long separation
When it comes to how to arrange family members, whether it is in this era or hundreds or thousands of years later, all forces have a similar set of unspoken rules.

Almost all of Cao Cao's subordinate officials and their families were placed in the rear base camp, and most of them were in Xudu. This was not only for safety, but also a guarantee from the subordinates to their lord.

Because in the future, if they surrender to the enemy and become enemies of their previous lord, their family members and heirs will be severely punished, and they may even be exterminated.

Therefore, placing family members within the controllable range of the lord is a form of showing loyalty. This kind of declaration of name, which is related to blood ties, is an important factor affecting the decisions of subordinates.

This has nothing to do with the character of the lord, and even a more lenient method of disposal will be counterproductive. This is why many people in later generations still surrendered even if Liu Bei treated others with kindness. After all, Liu Bei did not kill his family members, and he would surrender if he surrendered. Disaster for the family.

This can also explain why when Guan Yu flooded the Seventh Army, Yu Jin was able to surrender, but Pang De could not surrender, because Yu Jin was an old man and had made enough contributions to Cao Wei in the past few decades. Even if he surrendered, he could offset the death penalty of his family members. What's more, Yu Jin only surrendered and did not take refuge with Liu Bei, and was imprisoned afterwards.

But Pang De was different. He was an old general of Ma Chao, he was already under suspicion, and he didn't have much merit. In order to save his family, he had no choice but to die, and there was only one way to die.

This practice was used before the Han Dynasty, and even thousands of years later, the feudal dynasty also followed this practice. The more family members were placed in the rear, the less likely they were to betray.

In contrast, if one puts all his family members on the border where he is fighting the enemy, it will arouse suspicion, because if he has other intentions, he may take his family members and surrender to the enemy at any time.

This kind of thinking is reasonable and speaks directly to people's hearts. This is one of the reasons why Chongzhen found Yuan Chonghuan guilty when he tried Yuan Chonghuan's case in the Ming Dynasty.

Because Mao Wenlong, who was accused of treason and murder by Yuan Chonghuan, his only son has been living in Hangzhou and cannot go anywhere even if he wants to leave.

Yuan Chonghuan's family members, including his mother, wife and children, were secretly sent to Ningyuan, the border area where the Ming Dynasty and Hou Jin Dynasty fought, instead of staying in his hometown in Guangdong.

Therefore, according to common sense, it is obvious who has the bigger problem. Of course, some people say that Yuan Chonghuan is magnanimous, but at least at that time in the Ming Dynasty, not many people believed this kind of statement.

Yuan Xi put away the letter and prepared to write a reply to Zhang Liao later, agreeing with his approach. This kind of tacit understanding between the lord and his subordinates would make his subordinates think too much if he refused.

He said to everyone: "Please discuss the specific matters in the past few days. We must send troops before the Jiangdong mission arrives so that they can find no excuse."

The three of them agreed, and Guo Jia stood up to say goodbye and went back. Yuan Xi walked all the way to the door. During the process, he pulled Guo Jia and said, "How was your health recently, sir?"

Guo Jia smiled and said: "It's hard for you to still think about me. The Jianghuai area has a pleasant climate and there are many fine wines and prostitutes."

He realized that he had made a mistake and hurriedly covered it up. Yuan Xi looked helpless, but he still hadn't restrained himself enough!
Yuan Xi knew that Guo Jia had a tough temper and was not easy to persuade, so he had to say: "Sir, you should pay more attention to your health. I still have many important things entrusted to you."

Guo Jia said indifferently: "Don't worry, I rarely cough this year. I was just afraid that Yuan Hua was being alarmist, haha."

Yuan Xi had no choice but to give a few more instructions before watching Guo Jia leave.

He turned back and together with Zhuge Liang asked Lu Xun about the defense during Shouchun. When asked about Taishi Ci, Lu Xun looked worried and said, "General Taishi went to the upper reaches of the Huai River to train troops and set up defenses the day before yesterday. He is very strong." , The effect of the previous injury cannot be seen on his face, but according to my guess, his body is not as good as before. "

Yuan Xi said: "How can you see it?"

Lu Xun said without hesitation: "In this year, I have never seen General Taishi perform martial arts."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi felt a little heavy in his heart. If this was really the case, Tai Shici's health would indeed be in serious trouble.

Thinking that Taishi Cishi was injured in the battle at Chaohu, Yuan Xi felt even more unhappy. He said in a deep voice: "This will speed up the progress with Jiangxia."

"Contact Huang Zu as soon as possible. He has lost his waterway now and his navy is useless. We need as many navy generals as he has. Accordingly, I will send infantry and cavalry to help him defend the land route."

Lu Xun and Zhuge Liang believed that. Now under the Jiangdong offensive, all Jiangxia crossings were lost, and both sides were blocked inland for city attack and defense. Under this situation, the navy generals could not show their strengths, but if their generals could be mobilized to Shouchun, they could assist Yuan Xi. Counterattacking Jiangdong might be able to revitalize Jiangxia's situation.

With the help of Yuan Xijun, who has a strong land combat capability, Huang Zu can stop Jiangdong's land offensive. He is now being suppressed miserably by Jiangdong, and he should not refuse this proposal either emotionally or rationally.

Everyone discussed for a whole day before sorting out the situation in Jianghuai County. Seeing that it was getting late, Yuan Xi asked the two of them to go back to rest, and then he took the people back to his mansion in the city.

He was riding on the horse, thinking that he could see Xiao Qiao and Feng Shi again. He was quite happy, but also a little guilty. After all, he left in a hurry, thinking that he would be back soon. As a result, the battles became more and more frequent, and as soon as he left, he was almost there. It's a bit irresponsible to leave people here for two years.

Yuan Xi arrived at the mansion all the way. Mi Zhen had already arrived at the mansion to meet the girls. At this time, she and Feng had already greeted her. Yuan Xi saw that Xiao Qiao was not there and knew that the situation of the two girls was different from Feng. Her previous identity was gone, and now she was officially the concubine of Yuan Xi, so she naturally had no scruples. And Xiao Qiao was still an unmarried girl, so she was naturally not suitable to show her face on such occasions.

He jumped off the horse and smiled at Feng: "I haven't seen you for a long time, madam. I miss you so much." Feng quickly returned the gift, while Mi Zhen snickered at the side and said: "Husband, you really surprised me. I thought that the inner house in Jicheng was outrageous enough. , I didn’t expect these people from Shouchun to be even more amazing.”

Yuan Xi saw Mi Zhen making fun of him, so he interrupted and said with a smile: "The water network here in Shouchun is dense, especially after the water channels of Huai River and Chao Lake were widened, the Huai River has been connected with the Yangtze River, and the trade routes will become more prosperous in the future. You're busy."

"In addition, I have to use troops. I'm afraid we will all be here in Shouchun for a year and a half."

"If the business is too busy for you, let Mrs. Feng help you. After all, you are not an outsider."

The two women agreed quickly. Mi Zhen went to her room on the pretext of sorting out the accounts she had brought. When Yuan Xi saw everyone around him walking away, he took Feng's hand and whispered, "Miss me." Are you done yet?”

Mrs. Feng's face was full of joy, "My husband is so cruel, it took him so long to be gone."

"But I know that my husband is constantly fighting outside. Every time I go to battle in person, I have been worried. Now that I see that my husband is safe, I feel extremely happy."

Yuan Xi saw that even though two years had passed, Feng's behavior had become more charming. He couldn't help but put his hands around Feng's waist. Feng's body became weak and she managed to stop and said: "The two ladies are also very worried about their husbands. But I don’t have enough face to come out, husband, do you want to go and have a look?”

"I'll go back to the house first, and I'll be waiting for my husband at any time."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "You're interested, that's fine. You go back to the house and wait while I go see them."

According to his memory, he walked to the place where Big and Little Qiao lived. Along the way, he passed the courtyard path and found that the scenery had changed a lot. He almost lost his way. He couldn't help but sigh. Unknowingly, two years had passed, and for Feng and Little Qiao, this How many prime years does a young woman like this have in her life?

As he approached the courtyard, Yuan Xi heard the faint sound of plucked piano strings. He slowly approached, and the sound of the piano became clearer and clearer. It was not until he reached the door that Yuan Xi stopped and listened quietly. .

He could tell that this was Da Qiao playing. Compared with Xiao Qiao, Da Qiao preferred this kind of slow and long piano music, and the turns were gentle when playing, which was completely different from Xiao Qiao's refreshing and crisp style.

The sound of the piano is like a mountain stream, jumping and flowing between the undulating rocks, stirring up clear and snowy water, as if flowing from the distant mountains to the quiet courtyard at the feet of Yuan Xi, circling the green sycamore trees in the courtyard several times, Like a dancing girl with nimble steps, she twisted her slender waist and walked towards Yuan Xi in a circling dance.

Da Qiao in the room seemed to hear Yuan Xi's footsteps. There was a slight pause in the sound of the piano, as if the dancer had taken the wrong step, but then she immediately recovered and danced gracefully, with a complicated skirt, like a Butterflies fluttering up and down.

The sound of the piano slowly stopped until it was completely quiet.

Yuan Xi walked to the door and said softly: "Long time no see, I'm back."

The door slowly opened, revealing Da Qiao's beautiful face. In Yuan Xi's eyes, Da Qiao, who was wearing a dark red dress, was even more beautiful than before, and there was a hint of resentment between his eyebrows. color.

Da Qiao's face was calm, he lowered his head, gathered his clothes and saluted, and said softly: "I have met the envoy, and I am very happy to see that the envoy is well."

Yuan Xi also bowed slightly and saluted: "Me too, the girl is safe, which is better than anything else."

Da Qiao's body trembled, and then he raised his head, with a smile as if nothing had happened at the corner of his mouth.

"I am very happy that you can come back."

Yuan Xi whispered: "I promised you that I would come back no matter what."

The two of them stood quietly, the summer breeze blowing in the courtyard, bypassing the sycamore trees, passing over the green space, touching the flowers and bringing up the green hair.

Da Qiao was startled to feel that his hanging hair brushed Yuan Xi's cheek, and then he realized that the distance between the two of them was too close without realizing it. His face suddenly turned red, and he took a step back, but almost tripped over the threshold.

Yuan Xi reached out and grabbed her sleeve. Only then did Da Qiao stand firm. The two looked at each other for a moment and couldn't help laughing at the same time.

The happy laughter of the two people spread far away, flew into the sky, crossed the courtyard wall, and spread to the courtyard next door. Through the gap of the closed window, it spread to Xiao Qiao's boudoir.

Xiao Qiao was closing the door tightly at this time, lying on the couch, holding a pillow in her arms and sulking. A faint laughter came from her heart, and she couldn't help but want to go out, but in the end she forced herself to stop.

She thought angrily, "Young master, you have no conscience, you haven't come back for so long, I won't see you this time!"
(End of this chapter)