Cao Thief

Chapter 268 Greengage Boiled Wine (13) [-]
"Uncle, who are you taking me to see?"

Walking along the tree-lined path in the back garden of Huben Mansion, Cao Peng's doubts became more and more serious, and he couldn't help asking.

"It's coming!"

Dian Wei chuckled, but didn't answer directly.

After crossing the garden path, there is a small archway.The two wooden doors were closed tightly, Dian Wei stepped forward and pushed the door open with his hand.

"Ah Fu, come with me."

Cao Peng remembered that behind the arch was Cao Cao's Sikong Mansion Garden.

Dianman mentioned it to him before, and also saw Xia Houzhen running over from behind this arch.

What does it mean that Dian Wei brought me to Cao Cao's garden?Could it be that the person he said just now that he would take me to meet is Cao Cao?

In my heart, I couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive.

But thinking about it again, I haven't caused any trouble recently, so what are I afraid of?
But at the thought of facing Cao Cao directly, Cao Peng felt nervous again for no reason.Although his family all worked for Cao Cao, and Cao Peng also met Cao Cao.But after seeing each other, there was no positive contact.This feeling is just like the feeling when I went to see the leader when I just went to work in the previous life, nervous, apprehensive, and at the same time there is a trace of doubt: Cao Cao is very good, why do you want to see me?
Following Dianwei through the arch, he heard the sound of silk and bamboo singing and dancing coming from the garden.

At the entrance of the garden path, Cao Peng saw Xu Chu.

"Nephew has seen uncle."

Cao Peng stepped forward to salute.

Xu Chu didn't show any expression on his face, just nodded with Cao Peng.

"Ah Fu, hurry up, the lord has been waiting for a long time."

It really is Cao Cao!
Cao Peng felt a sudden twitch in his heart.

He took a deep breath and stepped up the path.When Dian Wei walked into the path, he stopped and stood guard with Xu Chu.

The sound of singing and dancing is getting closer.

A pavilion can be seen in the distance, Cao Cao is kneeling on the couch, with a table in front of him.

In front of the pavilion, there are kabuki dancing.

But for this kind of dance, most of Cao Peng can't understand it.

"Ah Fu, come sit down."

When Cao Cao saw Cao Peng, he laughed and waved to him.

Cao Peng quickened his pace and came to the pavilion, only to find that Cao Cao was not alone in the pavilion, but Cao Zhen and a young boy were sitting beside him.

Xia Houzhen was guarding a row of tea, and was concentrating on warming the wine.

Lu, a tool for warming wine, was extremely popular in the Han Dynasty.In general restaurants, there are loam terraces.Most of the guards on the platform are women.On the one hand, it can warm wine and take care of business, on the other hand, it can attract guests.Lotais were mostly black at first, but some embellishments will be added in the homes of the rich and powerful.For example, the loam platform in this pavilion is inlaid with a layer of white sand and pebbles, which is quite elegant.

Speaking of the loam terrace, it was originally a decoration in the market.

However, since the story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru happened, many dignitaries and dignitaries also set up loam terraces in order to add elegance.

Therefore, another profession was derived, which was named as a prostitute.

It is also a skill to be able to scald a good wine.Many women will also learn the skill of scalding wine while practicing female red.

Xia Houzhen raised his head and smiled slightly at Cao Peng.

Seeing the smile on Xia Houzhen's face, Cao Peng's nervousness disappeared without a trace.

He believed that if something really happened, then Xia Houzhen would definitely hint at him.Since Xia Hou really looked relaxed, it would not be a big deal.

"Humble Cao Peng, kowtow to Sikong."

Cao Peng stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

In fact, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, the theory of kneeling three times and knocking nine times had not yet appeared, and people met each other more casually.Even when discussing matters in the court, it is not as strict as in the TV dramas of later generations.Most of them are in groups of three or four, and they can move around at will.Or sit or stand, very casual.

Cao Peng's salute so solemnly made Cao Cao startled.

He laughed dumbly and said: "Ah Fu, this is home, why do you have to be so polite, please sit down."

But Cao Peng still went through the etiquette solemnly, then bowed slightly, and sat down beside him.

"Uh... I'll call you Ah Fu, it's okay."

Cao Cao looked at Cao Peng with a smile, and asked softly with a friendly expression on his face.

"Naturally."

"Zidan, I don't need an introduction, you know Xiaozhen; this is my son Pi, who is four years younger than you, and twelve years old. Speaking of which, you are also a generation. I came to you today, and there is nothing wrong. Mainly It’s thanks to you for escorting grandma all the way.”

Cao Pi?

Cao Peng looked at the boy in surprise.

But Cao Pi was also looking at him curiously...

Cao Pi is not tall, maybe less than 160 centimeters.But there is a rare calm demeanor, unlike ordinary teenagers of the same age.

The two made eye contact, and Cao Pi smiled slightly.

Cao Peng also smiled, and immediately made eye contact with Cao Zhen.

In Cao Zhen's eyes, there seemed to be some shame, and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at Cao Peng.

This can't help but make Cao Peng feel a little strange.

"Ah Fu, I have heard people say that when you were in Guangling, you wrote "The Inscription of the Humble Room"?"

"Ah... that's what I did by chance during my humble job and leisure time."

Cao Cao smiled, "I've said it all, this is a family banquet, you don't need to be cautious. You don't need to call yourself 'lowly, lowly'. Speaking of it, you can be regarded as my nephew... Take it easy. I wanted to invite Jun Shi to come , but now he is in Xingyang to supervise the manufacture of weapons, and he can't get away for a while. Last night, it was raining, and I was walking in the garden at the hour of the hour. With a plan in mind, he said with a false finger of a whip: "There is a plum forest in front... The sergeant heard it, and his mouth was full of saliva, so he was not thirsty. Seeing this plum now, I must reward it. It is just that I have nothing to do, so I invite three or five nephews, Cooking wine and admiring plum blossoms is also a pleasure."

Cao Cao's words implicitly admitted the fact that Cao Ji was a member of his clan.

It's just that this matter still needs to be certified after Cao Ji returns.

Cao Zhen and Cao Pi got up quickly, "Thank you father (uncle) for your kindness."

Only Cao Peng did not respond.

Sitting blankly behind the desk, his mind was in a mess.

Greengage cooking wine is a hero?
Damn it, how could it be like this?
On Heroes with Green Plum and Wine, taken from Chapter 20 of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.In later generations, it can be said that all women and children know it.However, it is Cao Cao and Liu Bei who talk about heroes when they cook green plums and cook wine.But now, instead of sitting here, Liu Bei is replaced by himself and Cao Zhen Cao Pi?
What about Liu Bei?
"Ah Fu, Ah Fu?"

"Ah, Sikong..."

"Huh?" Cao Cao's thick eyebrows were knit together, and his face darkened.

Xiahou really winked at Cao Peng, Cao Peng immediately came to his senses and quickly changed his words: "Uncle!"

Cao Cao smiled, "I heard from my grandmother that you are the descendant of the fourth grandson of the Marquis of Pingyang. Speaking of which, you are also a child of my family. Back then, the Marquis of Pingyang was implicated by the prince, which made the Cao family suffer. Settled in Qiao County, but your ancestors lived in Nanyang. I ordered people to check the genealogy, and your ancestor Cao Min did indeed have someone... Ah Fu, I said today is a family feast, don’t be restrained."

"My nephew understands."

Cao Pi suddenly said: "If the mountain is not high, there will be immortals, and if the water is not deep, there will be dragons. This is a humble room, but my virtue... Brother Youxue, I have heard that Mr. Xiuruo said that you are both excellent in poetry and prose. Today in the garden The scenery is pleasant, the singing and dancing are so beautiful, why not compose a poem?"

Cao Pi, the founder of Jian'an style of writing in later generations.

Cao's father and son are three people with great literary talent.Needless to say Cao Cao, Cao Zhi is even more famous, and even Cao Pi has outstanding literary talent.

He opened his mouth to invite poems, which immediately aroused Cao Cao's interest.

"Yes, Ah Fu, why don't you write a poem?"

"This one……"

Cao Peng scratched his head, feeling a little headache.

This is a poem for the occasion, and it's not like stealing a poem casually to get away with it.

He closed his eyes, got up after a while, wandered a few steps in the pavilion, and suddenly opened his eyes: "Everyone says that Luoyang is good, but tourists are only as old as Luoyang. The spring water is as clear as the sky, and the pavilion listens to the rain. , the bright wrists are covered with frost and snow. When you are not old, don’t return to your hometown, and you need to break your heart when you return to your hometown.”

Then, Cao Peng sat down again.

Cao Pi was stunned, looked at Cao Peng, and said after a while: "The spring water is as clear as the sky, and the pavilion listens to the rain...It's good, but it doesn't seem to be suitable for the occasion."

Unexpectedly, Cao Cao let out a long sigh, stroked his palms and said, "I already understand Ah Fu's intentions.

However, the matter of returning to the clan is not an idle matter. It needs to be discussed in the long run after your father returns.But Ah Fu, don't worry, I will always keep it in mind. "

This Bodhisattva Man was written by Wei Zhuang, a poet of the Tang Dynasty.

Cao Peng changed "Jiangnan" in the original poem to "Luoyang".During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Luoyang was the capital of the emperor, but now, Luoyang is dilapidated, and Xu County is the capital.This Luoyang is meant to allude to Xu Du.

Everyone says that the imperial capital is good, and that it is suitable for people to grow old in the imperial capital.

The water is blue in spring, and the woman next to the loam terrace is radiant...just in line with Xia Houzhen's portrayal at this time.Subconsciously, Xiahou lowered his sleeves, his face flushed red.

When you are not old, don't return to your hometown; after returning to your hometown, you will miss the imperial capital again.

These two poems are actually written in reverse.In Cao Cao's view, what Cao Peng expressed was the sorrow and sorrow that he wanted to return to his ancestors but could not.

For Cao Pi, it was the age when young people didn't know how to feel sad, so it was a bit deep.

But Cao Cao can still understand.

Cao Peng smiled and bowed slightly behind the case, which was a response.

"Xiaozhen, add more wine for Ah Fu."

Xia Houzhen promised to make Cao Pengman a nobleman.

Cao Peng thanked him and raised his glass to the brim.

"Ah Fu, Liu Bei has escaped!"

Cao Zhen, who had always been taciturn, suddenly spoke.

Cao Peng didn't have time to swallow a sip of wine, but was choked by Cao Zhen's words and coughed violently.

"Brother Zidan, won't you wait a while to talk about it?"

Xia Houzhen couldn't help but gave Cao Zhen a blank stare, which made Cao Zhen smile bitterly, but he didn't know how to answer.

"Liu Bei ran away? When?"

Cao Zhen said: "Just the day before yesterday...he said he was hunting, so everyone didn't pay attention. Unexpectedly, after he left Xudu with people, he went all the way south. When my uncle got the news, he immediately ordered people to pursue him. But in Juntai Encountering an ambush by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei... After Liu Bei joined his family, he fled. It is said that he led people towards Qingzhou, as if he had defected to Yuan Shao."

After finishing speaking, Cao Zhen took a deep breath, stood up and bowed to Cao Peng.

"Ah Fu, you reminded me before that you want me to pay more attention to Liu Bei.

I thought that you said those words because of the enmity between you and Liu Xuande.Now it seems that you are right.

This person can bear and know how to hide himself.

I was deceived by his appearance and misunderstood you... Ah Fu, I apologize to you. "

Cao Pi sat beside him, looking at Cao Peng curiously.

Cao Peng hurriedly got up to return the salute, "Brother, where did you say that? It was because of my bad attitude that day that... Liu Bei is a hero. You haven't confronted him before, so you don't know him well. You were deceived by him." , It’s nothing, but I’m a bit willful.”

Cao Cao was on the sidelines, silent.

Suddenly, he waved his hand, signaling the kabuki outside the booth to back down.

"Zidan, Ah Fu is right, I can't blame you for this matter, even I was almost confused by Liu Bei.

It's just that Liu Bei left in such a hurry that I didn't have time to react.Ah Fu, tell me, why did Liu Xuande leave? "

After Cao Peng sat down, he suddenly realized: No wonder... So Liu Bei ran away!
However, Cao Peng couldn't think of a reason why Liu Bei fled suddenly.He vaguely remembered that when Liu Bei was growing vegetables, there was a discussion about heroes in cooking wine with green plums.Later, Liu Bei was completely dispelled by Cao Cao's suspicion, and used the pretext of blocking Yuan Shu to occupy Xiapi again.

But it didn't take long before he was beaten to Runan by Cao Cao.

But now, why did he run away?
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Cao Peng didn't know how to answer.

The clothes belt edict, it must be the clothes belt edict... This matter has already happened, but for some reason, Liu Bei left Xudu early.

"Uncle, there is an old proverb in Zhongyang Mountain: If you don't do anything wrong, you won't be afraid of ghosts calling your door.

Liu Bei's sudden escape from Xudu must have done something shameful.And the consequences of this matter are very serious, he is afraid of being known by his uncle, so..."

In the middle of speaking, Cao Peng closed his mouth.

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, and suddenly shouted in a deep voice, "Come on!"

A young general came to the pavilion in a hurry and knelt down on one knee.

"The secret order is public, thoroughly investigate who Liu Xuande walked around with frequently during the time he was in Xudu, and who he had contact with."

"Here!"

The young general got up and left in a hurry.

At this time, suddenly the clouds were deserted, and it seemed that a shower was coming.

"Father, look!"

Cao Pi suddenly pointed to a dragon hanging in the sky, Cao Cao, Cao Peng and Cao Zhen stood up one after another, leaning on the railing to watch.

"Zidan, Youxue, do you know how the dragon changes?"

Come, come, come...

Cao Peng thought to himself, and blurted out: "I don't know the details."

Cao Cao smiled, "Dragon can be big or small, can rise or hide; big can make clouds and fog, small can hide and walk; rise can soar in the universe, and hide can hide in waves. Now spring is heavy, dragon Taking advantage of the changes of the times, it is still possible for people to achieve their ambitions and move across the world. The dragon is a thing, comparable to the heroes of the world...Ada, Zidan, Ah Fu, Kaoxiaoer, etc., in today's world, who can be a hero?"

Cao Peng was dumbfounded when he heard this.

This question is almost the same as that of heroes in the romance novel.

When Cao Cao talked about "dragon", the grandeur was convincing.But the same question, Liu Bei can answer that way, how should he answer it?
Cao Peng pondered for a moment, then said softly: "Peng thinks that Sikong Er is the only hero in the world!"

(End of this chapter)