Cao Thief

Chapter 256 The Old Woman (Ask for a Monthly Ticket!)
puff!
Cao Peng, who was drinking water, spat out a sip of water, and was choked and coughed again and again.

I hate rabbits, and I hate people calling me 'Brother Rabbit' even more. I'm not much better than Master Rabbit.Raising his head and seeing the girl's appearance clearly, Cao Peng was also taken aback.Because this girl is really an acquaintance, and she also had a double-sided relationship with Cao Peng.The first person to call him 'Brother Rabbit' was the little girl in front of him.At this moment, he was standing timidly outside the hall, with a little doubt in his eyes.

As the saying goes: A man should be pretty with a suit of soap, and a woman should be pretty with three points of filial piety.

That filial piety dress made the young girl charming and charming, just like the lotus flower that was rippling but not demonic, it made people suddenly want to love her.

Xiahou's family, someone died?
I haven't heard of it...

Cao Peng was puzzled, but he got up anyway.

"You, are you Xia Houzhen?"

"Ok!"

"Mrs. Huan ordered me to pick up Miss and return to Xudu. I'm Cao Peng, and I will be the captain of the cavalry."

Xia Houzhen heard this, and a look of joy appeared on his face, "It turns out that my aunt sent someone over... By the way, how is Cang Shu?"

Cangshu is the cousin of Mrs. Huan's eldest son, Cao Chong.It stands to reason that this character is usually obtained after the coming-of-age ceremony.However, due to the rapid collapse of rituals and music at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, many rules became very loose.Cao Chong was born in the first year of Jian'an, and he is only three years old now.Generally speaking, newborn babies don't start to learn to speak until they are one year old, but Cao Chong was only six months old, and he was able to say 'Daddy'.

When he was one year old, he could call Mrs. Huan 'A Niang'...

Although Cao Chong was not Cao Cao's first son, when he called Cao Cao 'Daddy', it made Cao Cao very happy.

The ancients often said that geniuses always have extraordinary performances.

Cao Chong is also considered unusual.Therefore, when Cao Chong was one year old, Cao Cao gave Cao Chong the word "Cangshu".

Cao Peng was taken aback, "Who is Cangshu?"

Unexpectedly, when Xiahou heard this, he immediately showed vigilance, and stepped back from the threshold of the hall with one foot.

"Who... are you? Even Cang Shu doesn't know, how could Madam send you here?"

Cao Peng couldn't help but burst out laughing, and was about to explain when he heard a commotion outside the door.Followed by a group of servants and generals, they blocked the door of the living room.

"Don't blame Miss Zhen, I am not Mrs. Huan's retainer."

Cao Peng quickly explained: "I used to be Hailing Commandant in Guangling... Deng Ji, Commandant of Haixi Tuntian, is my brother-in-law. So what, Cao Zhen, do you know? We are sworn brothers with me. We were once in Xudu Prison Among them, eight people became sworn brothers, so it is also called 'Xiao Bayi'."

Xia Houzhen bit his lip lightly, and the vigilance on his face decreased a lot.

No wonder, even though he met Cao Peng, he met Cao Peng in Dianwei's mansion.But after all, I'm not familiar with him. God knows Cao Peng's current identity.

However, Xia Houzhen had heard of Xiao Bayi's name.

Cao Peng took out Cao Zhen's letter from his bosom, "I was ordered to return home for the crowning ceremony, but Zidan sent a letter saying that when I passed through Qiao County, Miss Jie Zhen would return the capital. So, I really don't know, cang Who is Shu... If you don't believe it, there are letters to prove it."

A family will come forward and take the letter.

Xia Houzhen read the letter, and finally dispelled his doubts.

With flushed cheeks, she gave a slight blessing, "Cang Shu is the eldest son of my aunt."

Mrs. Huan's eldest son?
Cao Peng suddenly understood, isn't that the well-known Cao Chong in later generations?

The story of Cao Chong calling an elephant was learned by Cao Peng in his previous life.But whether it is true or not, Cao Peng is not too clear.But the name of the child prodigy is beyond doubt.There have been studies in later generations, saying that if Cao Chong took over Cao Wei, the result may be better than Cao Pi's succession...

But who can say clearly about this kind of thing?
Xiahou was really embarrassed, and waved his hand to signal his retainers to retreat.

"Brother Cao, don't blame me. It's not that I'm suspicious, but... Qiao County was hit by a military disaster the year before last, which affected my family, so I have to be more careful."

"It's all right!"

Cao Peng smiled, put his hands together and said to Xia Houzhen: "Since Miss Zhen has believed me, please prepare.

I need to arrive in Xudu before February [-]th, so it is inconvenient to stay in Qiao County for too long.Please get ready, miss. I'll be waiting outside the North City Gate tomorrow morning.Then we went to Chen County first, and I made an appointment with Uncle Zilian to stay for about a day before returning to Xudu. "

It can be seen that Xiahou is really careful.

That being the case, Cao Peng simply made his words clear, lest Xia Houzhen doubt and waste his tongue when the time comes.

Xia Houzhen said softly: "Then tomorrow at Maoshi, we will meet outside the North City Gate."

"So, farewell!"

Lonely men and widows, although there are many retainers around, it is not very good after all.

Seeing that Xiahou was really wearing it, some relatives might have died, and Cao Peng couldn't stay here.

Together with Gan Ning, he left Xiahou's house.

Walk out of the gate of Xiahou's house and look at the sky, it's almost noon.

Cao Peng's stomach began to growl.Judging by Gan Ning's situation, it is estimated that it is not much better.The two looked at each other and immediately smiled.

"I heard that there is a Yishui Pavilion in Qiao County, and the cooks there cook excellent food. Why don't you go and taste it?"

Gan Ning said, "I would like to follow your request."

Yishui Pavilion is located on the west side of Qiao County.

The back window is adjacent to the river, and the scenery is quite pleasant.

Yishui is a branch of Langtang Canal.It diverts in Fule County, Chen County, passes through Pei County through Chen County, and injects Huai River.

The current is not turbulent, it is mid-spring, and the willows on both sides of the river are green.The wind blows, carrying a faint fragrance of peach and apricot blossoms, which makes people feel refreshed.

It took Cao Peng and Gan Ning a full hour to finish their lunch in the Yinshui Pavilion.

Look at Chen Guang, it's not too early!
So the two walked out of the restaurant, preparing to go out of the city and return to the station to rest.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I left the gate of the restaurant, I suddenly heard a commotion at the end of the long street.

People shouted and neighed, and there was a mess.Someone even shouted loudly: The horse is shocked, the horse is shocked!

I saw a horse-drawn cart and a cart row, running crazily along the long street.In the car, one could faintly see the figure of an old woman, who seemed to have lost her soul from fright.

An old man stood in the middle of the long street, watching the roaring carriage, but remained motionless.

Almost without thinking, Cao Peng yelled, "Xingba, save people!"

As he spoke, he rushed over and threw the old man to the ground.At the same time, Gan Ning also moved to the middle of the long street, and rushed towards the startled horse.Seeing that he was about to be hit by the horse, Gan Ning suddenly jumped up, folded in mid-air, and landed firmly on the horse's back.Stretching his arms around the startled horse's neck, he shouted loudly and stood up abruptly.The startled horse was strangled to the point of suffocation, Xi Yuyu let out a long hiss and raised his hooves.

"Don't be honest with me."

Gan Ning's arms are like cast iron.

The startled horse struggled twice, and soon calmed down.

At this time, Cao Peng also ran over, jumped into the carriage, and opened the curtain.

Sitting in the car was an old woman with white hair, her face was pale, and she had passed out.

Several servants rushed over, seeing the appearance of the old woman, they couldn't help panicking, and shouted loudly, trying to help the old woman out of the carriage.

"Stop it, stop it... do you want to kill the old lady?"

Cao Peng kept yelling, got into the carriage, supported the old woman and laid it flat, then pinched the old woman fiercely.

"Huh... I'm so scared to death!"

The old woman woke up and let out a long breath.

Cao Peng also breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly said: "Madam, lie down and don't move... Take it easy first, and calm down before we talk."

"Young man, you saved the old man?"

"It can't be said to be rescued, but it just happened at the right time."

While talking, Cao Peng put a cushion under the old lady's head.

"Old lady, don't talk, rest first."

After finishing speaking, Cao Peng stepped out of the carriage and nodded with Gan Ning.

"Xingba, good job."

"Hehe, the young master is so agile."

Cao Peng gave a few more instructions to his retainers, then got on the horse with Gan Ning, and left the city.

A while later, the county magistrate of Qiao County arrived with a group of servants. The county magistrate looked flustered and stepped forward and said, "Madam, it's all right."

"The old lady has slowed down and is about to return home."

"Wendu, is that you?"

"Ah, auntie, it's the grandnephew."

"Have you ever thanked the person who stopped the startled horse and saved me?"

"what?"

The county magistrate was startled, and turned to look at the retainers.

"Just now two strong men stopped the frightened horse and rescued the old lady. But they refused to leave their names and left... One of them was named Xingba, and the other young man seemed to be a certain young master. Look at his mount , The origin is extraordinary, a bit like General Miaocai's "Zhao Yebai"? They left in a hurry, and I was waiting to take care of the old lady, so I couldn't stop them, and they seemed to be leaving outside the north gate."

"Xingba? Zhao Yebai?"

The county magistrate was startled again.

In the carriage, the old lady called out again: "Wendu!"

"Ah, auntie."

The county magistrate hurriedly boarded the carriage, and after entering the carriage, helped the old lady to sit down.

"Auntie, the two strong men left in a hurry, and the family members couldn't stop them. But according to the family members, the nephew and grandson can guess the clue."

"Oh?"

"At noon, they went to the government office to visit their nephew and grandson. One of them was Cao Peng, who was the captain of the cavalry under the tent of the elder brother of the clan.

They are here to visit General Miaocai's mansion, but I don't know exactly what it is.Otherwise, I will invite him over? "

"Hehe, since he doesn't want to leave his name, he probably doesn't have the intention to ask for a favor.

But we can't just repay him... By the way, you can inquire about his origin, and I'm about to return it to Xudu to see if it's the same way. "

The county magistrate responded and stepped out of the carriage.

Several retainers drove the carriage away carefully, leaving only the county magistrate standing on the long street with a pensive expression on his face.

"Master, let's go back."

"Well... don't worry, let's go to General Xiahou's house."

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Cao Peng and Gan Ning really didn't take this matter to heart.

Gan Ning is an unrestrained person, it is impossible to ask for repayment; but what about Cao Peng?Naturally, it is even more impossible to keep it in my heart...

Back at the post station, I went to the barracks to take a look.

Hao Zhao and Xia Houlan were surrounding Kan Ze, listening to Kan Ze's explanation of Spring and Autumn.

Originally, according to Cao Peng's wishes, Kanze could be given a chancellor in Haixi County no matter what, and he could even be arranged to be the land master.

What does the head of Tuntian do?

It is responsible for the specific matters of Tuntian...

Although Deng Ji is the captain of Tuntian, he presides over the affairs of Tuntian.But after all, he can't do everything himself, some things must be handled by the people below.Now farming is not just a small county in Haixi.Hundreds of hectares, or even thousands of hectares of land are in Deng Ji's hands.All aspects of things also need people to implement them.The master book of tuntian can be said to control the materials, population, fields and other tasks of tuntian, and it is also an important assistant to the captain of tuntian.But Kan Ze seems to have no interest in this matter.

He wanted to follow Cao Peng, so naturally Cao Peng would not refuse.

With Bu Zhi and others released, Deng Zhi seemed more willing to stay in Haixi and be Deng Ji's assistant.

Cao Peng went through a year, and the manpower he recruited was suddenly empty.

Be it Gan Ning, Xia Houlan or Hao Zhao, they are all the kind of people who march and fight.And beside him, he really needs someone who can advise him.

Kan Ze is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.

"Mr. Derun, are you explaining Chunqiu again?"

Cao Peng entered the army tent and said with a smile.

Xia Houlan and Hao Zhao hurriedly stood up and saluted, while Kan Ze put down the scroll and said, "It's just to add some fun to the leisure time."

Neither Xia Houlan nor Hao Zhao are people with outstanding knowledge.

Among them, Xia Houlan is better and knows some characters; while Hao Zhao's situation is relatively poor. It can be said that Zhang Liao's Gao Shun samadhi is very good at managing and training soldiers.He is also very clear about the various tactics of trapping the camp.But I don't know a single character, and I can't even write my own name.

Xia Houlan studied under Tong Yuan in her early years, so she has some background.

Hao Zhao has been in the army since he was a child, and grew up in the ranks. Where did he have the opportunity to learn to read?

Therefore, when he settled in Dongling Pavilion, he followed Bu Zhi to learn how to read; later Kan Ze came over, and he began to learn the art of war from Kan Ze.

What Kan Ze awarded Hao Zhao was the extremely popular "Sima Fa".

In his spare time, he would also explain "Spring and Autumn" to Hao Zhao, which made Hao Zhao extremely obsessed.

"How are things going?"

"Everything is going well. Tomorrow we will cook at Yinshi and set off at Maoshi."

"So, very good."

In the military tent, Cao Peng chatted with Kan Ze and others for a while, and then returned to the station with Gan Ning.

Nothing happened all night, and early the next morning, after breakfast, Cao Peng and others set up camp and came to the north gate of Qiao County.Xia Houzhen has brought more than a hundred retainers to wait outside the city gate.However, to Cao Peng's surprise, the magistrate of Qiao County was also there.

"Magistrate Cao, why are you here?"

The county magistrate of Qiao County was named Cao Xing, with the word Wendu.

His father, named Cao Yu, was Cao Cao's patriarch.The so-called patriarch is the elder in the clan and has no direct blood relationship with Cao Cao.

Cao Yu was also a great figure at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Zeng Guan worshiped General Wei and was named Liehou.

Cao Xing and Cao Cao are of the same generation, so they can be regarded as cousins.

When he saw Cao Peng, he went up to him and said: "Captain Cao, I'm lucky to come here today, I have a request... There is an aunt in the lucky family who wants to go to Xudu.

The captain should know that the bandits in Chen County in Runan are rampant now, and the former Taiping bandits are now ready to move again.If my aunt continues to live in Qiao County, there will always be inconvenience.I heard that Cao Duwei is highly skilled in martial arts, and he is surrounded by warriors.So I want to ask Captain Cao to protect my aunt and go with me, I wonder if it is possible? "

Cao Xing's aunt?
Cao Peng couldn't help being startled, and looked at Cao Xing suspiciously.

I saw Cao Xing turned sideways, and a team of chariots came slowly behind him.

When I came closer, I saw the curtain of the car lifted.Xia Houzhen and a white-haired old woman sat side by side in the carriage and smiled at Cao Peng.

"Old lady?"

"Captain Cao, we meet again!"

The old woman in the car nodded slightly towards Cao Peng, showing a kind smile.

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Who is the old woman?

Hint, it has something to do with Cao Cao.

See you in the next chapter, and the second update will be presented around eleven o'clock.

(End of this chapter)