The Three Kingdoms: My Wife is a Great and Good Teacher

"I know." Liu Zhaoqing nodded, his expression slightly serious, "Because besides the eunuch party... there is another cancer in this court."

"So we can't eliminate all the eunuchs at once, because without the eunuchs, the cancer will become even more rampant."

Everyone present was smart, and they knew without Liu Zhaoqing's explanation that the "cancer" was referring to the foreign relative, General He Jin.

"But He Jin just showed goodwill to you in the court. How do you think you should respond?" Cao Cao continued to ask.

"If he is as I expected, I can drive the tiger away and devour the wolf." Liu Zhaoqing said after thinking for a moment.

"Driving a tiger to devour a wolf..." Yuan Shao murmured.

"However, I need to meet him in person and find out his wishes." Liu Zhaoqing said.

"Then I think it should not be far away." Cao Cao thought for a moment and nodded. After all, He Jin had already expressed his good intentions in the court just now.

"If Zhaoqing needs anything, just tell me. Although I, Cao Cao, am not as smart as Wen Ruo, nor do I come from a prestigious family like Sister Benchu, I also have a strong desire to serve my country. If I can witness the rise of the Han Dynasty with my own eyes, I will die without regrets."

Hearing Cao Cao's words, Liu Zhaoqing was also stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Meng De is truly a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty."

"Haha, Sister Benchu ​​did say so. You are somewhat similar to her."

Afterwards, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and Xun Yu began to talk about what Liu Zhaoqing had encountered in the death row and how he had offended the Eunuchs. When they heard that Liu Zhaoqing had been abandoned by Zhang Gong as an example to others, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao sneered.

It was just as Liu Zhaoqing said, Zhang Gong stabbed himself.

Later, Cao Cao also asked about Liu Zhaoqing's two poems and the matter of fuci, which Xun Yu was also very interested in.

Liu Zhaoqing then casually said that he had seen the old site of Apang Palace in Chang'an when he was a child, and had been thinking about it until today, so he wrote this poem.

Then Cao Cao wanted Liu Zhaoqing to rewrite the fu, but there was no paper left in Luoyang, let alone brocade in the restaurant.

But Cao Cao was also bold and simply tore off a piece of his outer robe. Liu Zhaoqing had no choice but to rewrite one and give it to her, and Cao Cao was very happy.

When the banquet was almost over, an unexpected guest arrived.

"He Jin?"

"Yes, I am Wang Kuang, an official in the General's Mansion." A middle-aged man in military uniform and with a goatee bowed to Liu Zhaoqing.

"The general invites Master Zhaoqing to his palace for a chat. I hope you won't refuse."

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao looked at each other, and Xun Yu nodded slightly at this time and whispered in Liu Zhaoqing's ear.

"Wang Kuang is a close confidant of He Jin. He is a chivalrous man who hates the eunuch party."

Instead of sending a family servant or a small eunuch like Zhang Gong did to find him, He Jin directly sent his trusted confidant Wang Kuang. He Jin had already made his attitude clear and expressed his sincerity.

Liu Zhaoqing, who had expected this to happen, naturally would not refuse.

After standing up, Liu Zhaoqing looked at himself and said apologetically.

"I smell of alcohol and my clothes are stained with the blood of eunuchs. Please, General Wang, wait for me to go home and bathe and change clothes before going to the General's Mansion."

"Okay." Wang Kuang nodded, "I'll go with you, Your Excellency."

After Liu Zhaoqing and Wang Kuang left the restaurant, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao fell into deep thought.

"It is a good plan to drive the tiger to devour the wolf, but if both are not present, the tiger will swallow the wolf, or the wolf will swallow the tiger, then we will be in trouble." Yuan Shao said.

Cao Cao nodded, "However, since Zhao Qing has this idea, he must have considered the result. Let's see what results he can achieve by going to the General's Mansion."

Yuan Shao also nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Cao Cao suddenly looked at Xun Yu and asked him how he knew Liu Zhaoqing, and Xun Yu told Cao Cao.

After hearing this, Cao Cao laughed and said, "It's really fate."

"But... Zhao Qing doesn't seem to be very old?" Cao Cao asked puzzledly.

"Not big." Xun Yu nodded and replied, "But Zhao Qing already has a family in Pingyuan."

"Oh? Is that so?" After Cao Cao took a sip from the wine jar, he paused for a while, then a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"That's fine."

Yuan Shao raised his eyebrows, and Xun Yu didn't understand what Cao Cao meant by this. It was like the previous "for her liking" meant that Liu Zhaoqing's character and behavior were for her liking, or something else?

Captain Cao’s intentions are hard to fathom.

Chapter 3.5: A Boy Is Not Worthy of Being a PartnerK

Liu Zhaoqing had to go through a lot of hardships before he could return home.

His own reputation in Luoyang was too loud, and the news that he "killed two eunuchs with one Fu" had spread more and more widely in just half a day. If someone shouted loudly "This man is Zhao Qing", people from all directions would definitely block the streets.

But fortunately, there was no developed Internet in that era, and most of the people in Luoyang had only heard of Zhao Qing's name but had never seen him. In addition, Wang Kuang was guarded by several armored soldiers, which made passers-by afraid to approach for a while.

After returning to Xun Mansion very smoothly and telling the old servant that Xun Yu was still attending a banquet at Cao Cao's place, Liu Zhaoqing took a bath, changed his clothes quickly, and went out to meet Wang Kuang immediately.

"General, thank you for keeping me waiting." Liu Zhaoqing said to Wang Kuang who was waiting by the door.

Wang Kuang shook his head, his expression still very solemn. He cupped his hands and said, "Please get in the carriage, and try not to show up in public."

It turned out that while Liu Zhaoqing was bathing and changing clothes, Wang Kuang found a car to drive over.

After getting on the carriage, Wang Kuang drove it himself, heading for the General's Mansion, with eight elite soldiers holding spears following quickly on both sides of the carriage.

"Is this also the general's order?" Liu Zhaoqing asked Wang Kuang outside the curtain while sitting in the carriage.

"Well, you just executed the eunuch party, which might cause their revenge, so the general asked me to send you to the palace safely."

Liu Zhaoqing nodded, then thought of what Xun Yu had said about Wang Kuang's character. He felt that Wang Kuang should have a good impression of him, and perhaps he could find out He Jin's attitude towards him in advance.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Zhaoqing asked, "General Wang, do you know why the general wants me to come this time?"

"I don't know about this." Wang Kuang said, "The general must have been influenced by his advisers and invited you to come."

"Although the general was born in a humble family and was originally a butcher, he became rich after his sister became the queen. He gradually built up his career from a court official to the general of the court. The general was also generous in recruiting talents from all over the country. Although there were those who refused, there were also outstanding people like Kuai Yue who responded."

Wang Kuang thought about it and felt that this should be something he could talk about, so he continued, "And if I am not mistaken, the reason I invited you this time should be because of Kuai Yue and Kuai Yidu's advice."

"Kuai Yue..."

Liu Zhaoqing really didn't expect to meet this famous scholar from Xiangyang, Jingzhou in Luoyang. The two Kuai Shi brothers were also quite active in the late Han Dynasty in their previous life. However, now it seems that he has not yet become an adviser to Liu Biao, a member of the royal family, but has responded to the imperial edict to become a member of the staff in the general's mansion.

“However, you don’t have to worry too much.” Wang Kuang said as he drove.

"People outside the country say that the general is cruel, but that's because he must be ruthless to the Ten Attendants and the nobles. However, the general rarely makes things difficult for outstanding people such as great Confucian scholars and famous scholars. For example, Zheng Xuan, Bian Rang and other great Confucian scholars refused to leave the mountains upon receiving the general's order, and the general never made things difficult for them."

"You have now single-handedly killed two eunuchs, and you have great righteousness in your heart, working for the country and the people. Not only does Kuang Wuji respect you, but the general is also equally happy about it."

As He Jin's subordinate, Wang Kuang must have glorified He Jin, but according to Liu Zhaoqing, He Jin was indeed much better at treating talents than the Ten Attendants.

After all, He Jin needed famous scholars to serve him. The consequence of killing great scholars or prominent families might be that he would be alone and his team would be ruined.

However, Liu Zhaoqing was not worried about any danger in this trip. Now he had the support of the "Son of Heaven" and great scholars such as Lu Zhi and Zheng Xuan behind him, so he was not alone.

What worries Liu Zhaoqing is whether He Jin can see at this time that now is a great opportunity to kill the Ten Eunuchs and at least kill only two or three of the remaining ten.

You know, even Liu Hong understood that He Jin was not a very smart person. That was why he recruited He Jin to check and balance the Ten Attendants and the gentry, and to wipe out the Jiazi Army at the same time.

Liu Zhaoqing doubted whether He Jin could make a reasonable judgment at this point in time.

Naturally, he could not tell Wang Kuang about these doubts directly. Soon, Liu Zhaoqing felt the carriage slowly stop.

After Wang Kuang got off the car, he told Liu Zhaoqing that they had arrived at the General's Mansion.

Compared with the residences of Zhang Rang and the other ten eunuchs, the General's Mansion was actually not much inferior. It was equally luxurious and huge. I wonder if the wealth inside was as much as that of Liang Ji in the previous dynasty, who had stored up 300 million.

After thanking Wang Kuang, Liu Zhaoqing walked through the gate guarded by several elite soldiers and entered the General's Mansion.

The corridors and gates of the mansion are also guarded by elite soldiers.

The biggest difference between He Jin and the Ten Eunuchs is that the Ten Eunuchs possessed political power, while the foreign relative He Jin possessed elite soldiers and generals and enormous military power.

Led by his servant, Liu Zhaoqing walked less than a hundred steps and passed by at least twenty elite soldiers who exuded murderous aura.

When they arrived at the third floor of the main building of the mansion, the servants' pace slowed down, and Liu Zhaoqing realized that they were almost there.

"Hahaha!"

Sure enough, before he even stepped into the room, He Jin's laughter was heard from the room.

General He Jin fought on the battlefield and was naturally a great man.

"Look who's here?!"

The door of the room was pulled to the sides by the servants inside, and Liu Zhaoqing saw the burly He Jin and the martial arts advisers sitting in two rows in front of a table filled with delicacies.

A banquet is being held in the General's Mansion. Needless to say, why the banquet is being held is a big deal.

"Is this Liu Zhaoqing?" A civil servant looked at Liu Zhaoqing in surprise and said, "It's too much..."

He Jin laughed again: "Too young, right?"

"Not only are you all surprised, I was also surprised when I first saw him, but Zhao Qing is no ordinary man. What you and I have been waiting for for years, he accomplished today!"

Although He Jin was laughing, the civil and military officials were not stupid and immediately looked ashamed.

At this time, Liu Zhaoqing stepped forward and saluted He Xing: "I greet the general."

"Oh, there's no need to do that. I'm not some pedantic scholar. There's no need for me to bow for everything. Besides, you're no longer a commoner. Although His Majesty hasn't issued the specific title, your title of marquis has been confirmed. You can finally be looked at with respect by those nobles."

He Jin behaved very enthusiastically and easily, which was quite different from his bad reputation known throughout the world. Of course, he was just pretending, and it was obvious that he was trying to win over others.

Liu Zhaoqing understood that this was a gesture of goodwill to himself, or to the new forces behind him.

He killed two eunuchs with one move, showing his strength and making people take him seriously.

"Zhao Qing thanks the general for his praise, but Zhao Qing was able to get rid of Zhang Gong and Song Dian thanks to the general's calligraphy from the morning court. Without it, Zhao Qing would have no chance to write poetry even if he had brocade, let alone kill the eunuchs."

Simple polite words made people feel comfortable, so He Jin was naturally very happy.

At this time, Liu Zhaoqing discovered that the strategist he had met in the court before raised the wine cup to He Jin. He Jin stopped smiling and waved his hand.

The attendant beside him immediately said, "General, you are tired. Today's banquet is over."

Most of the civil officials and military generals stood up, saluted He Jin and left. Those who were able to stay were naturally people whom He Jin trusted.

Is the person holding the wine jar Kuai Yue?

While Liu Zhaoqing was puzzled, the man holding the wine jar spoke up, "I am the chief clerk of the general, Chen Lin. During the morning court session, I saw the elegance of Master Zhaoqing in the court. I am very happy to see him again outside the court."

Liu Zhaoqing was slightly surprised. This person is Chen Lin?

Chen Lin, whose courtesy name was Kong Zhang, was also one of the famous "Seven Sages of the Jian'an Period". He was most famous for the fact that Liu Zhaoqing could immediately remember his name, which was the history of his previous life, when he wrote a manifesto to Cao Cao on behalf of Yuan Shao before the Battle of Guandu.

The manifesto was written in brilliant style, without a single curse word, but it cursed Cao Cao's ancestors, clansmen, and even a dog in his mansion so harshly that Cao Cao's headache was even cured.

During this period, Chen Lin was working under He Jin.

Since this person was Chen Lin, Liu Zhaoqing looked at a counselor on He Jin's right.

The counselor who was slightly thinner than Chen Lin saw Liu Zhaoqing looking at him, and he smiled and bowed, saying, "Kuai Yue, the Eastern Cao official, greets Master Zhaoqing."

"What's the matter? Zhao Qing, you seem very surprised about Yidu and Kong Zhang?" He Jin also asked puzzled.

Liu Zhaoqing immediately explained to He Jin that he had also heard of the reputation of Chen Lin and Kuai Yue in Luoyang.

Because of Liu Zhaoqing's relationship with the great scholar, this explanation is reasonable.

Then Liu Zhaoqing greeted He Jin and his confidants, such as He Miao, and He Jin once again praised Liu Zhaoqing's strategy and courage.

Then, like Cao Cao, he asked Liu Zhaoqing what he was going to do next, and Liu Zhaoqing repeated to He Jin what he had said to Cao Cao.

After listening to this, He Jin looked at Chen Lin.

As his chief clerk, Chen Lin should be He Jin's adviser. This can be seen from the fact that He Jin brought him to the morning court. Chen Lin's suggestions had a great influence on He Jin.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Lin said, "I think what Master Zhao Qing said is not wrong. Your Majesty has changed his mind, and the eunuchs have not yet reacted. In addition, Zhao Qing has already executed two people. This is a good opportunity to seize the opportunity to pursue the victory..."

"But." Chen Lin paused, glanced at Liu Zhaoqing, and continued to say to He Jin, "Cut the snake in half, and the snake can bite people. What's more, the Ten Eunuchs are poisonous creatures. Master Zhaoqing has already killed two of the Eunuchs, which has made them alert. If we go there now, it may provoke them to resist desperately."

"As the military strategy says: Don't pursue an enemy who is desperate. The general has a large army and should wait and see what happens. When your majesty's new strategy becomes clear, we will accumulate strength and respond accordingly. As for Prince Zhaoqing, we should also help him and provide him with elite troops and other assistance."

Liu Zhaoqing's eyelids twitched slightly. This Chen Lin was really smart. He saw his intention to drive the tiger to devour the wolf. He even wanted to turn the tables and let Liu Zhaoqing work for He Jin.

This is indeed an opportunity for He Jin. He Jin should be able to see it, otherwise he would not have listened to Chen Lin's words and stroked his beard and thought.

At this time, Kuai Yue stepped forward, bowed his head to He Jin, and said loudly: "General, I think Kong Zhang's plan should not be listened to!"

"Oh? What do you mean by Yidu?" He Jin said immediately.

"I think we should do our best to kill the eunuchs." Kuai Yue said.

He looked at Liu Zhaoqing and bowed to He Jin again: "Now all the officials in the court have seen Zhang Gong and Song Dian being executed, and the people of Luoyang are cheering for this. The general should take the initiative and wipe out the eunuch party as soon as possible, otherwise by the time they react, the great opportunity will have been missed."