Many things in this world cannot be judged by right and wrong. They are just different positions. From Cao Cao's point of view, his actions were only to protect himself. At the same time, he did not proclaim himself emperor and usurp the Han Dynasty. This can be regarded as the most benevolent and righteous thing.

In other words, without him here, there would be no one in the world who would be emperor and king. But from the standpoint of the emperor of the Han Dynasty, Cao Mengde's self-respect and self-reliance is treason. It is impossible to say who is against whom.

Wrong, it can only be said that it is a fate that affects people and the situation forces it.

After hearing what Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai said, Kong Rong sat dumbly in his seat, looking extremely painful, closing his eyes and saying nothing.

Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai just looked at him with determination and said nothing.

After a long time, Kong Rong sorted out the messy thoughts in his mind, sighed softly, looked at Cao Cao with a complicated expression, and said calmly: "Are you here for Bahou this time?"

"That's right!" Cao Cao nodded: "Now that Yuan and Yuan are powerful, if I want to help the emperor revitalize the Han Dynasty, I must get their help, and I hope that brother Wenju will give up his love."

Kong Rong nodded gently: "Although I received help from the lord, he only wanted to repay his kindness. I can't make the decision for him, but I can persuade him for you. However, you have to promise me three things."

"Brother Wenju, it's okay to say it." Cao Cao looked happy and said quickly.

"First, I want you to promise that you will not proclaim yourself king or emperor during your lifetime. You will not humiliate your emperor, but you must treat him with courtesy and maintain the dignity of the Han Dynasty." Kong Rong did not make excessive demands, but

Relatively compromised.

Cao Cao frowned when he heard this, but still said: "I can promise the former, but for the latter, as long as the emperor does not do anything excessive, I will do it, but if the emperor bullies me..."

Kong Rong nodded slightly: "Okay."

"Secondly, Qingzhou is exhausted now. Due to Lu Bu's forced conquest, there are very few young people and the people are poor. I hope you can treat it kindly and not be too militaristic to give the people a way to survive." After serving as an official in Beihai for so many years, plus

The Kong family was originally based in Qingzhou, and Kong Rong was very affectionate towards the local people.

"Do your best."

"Thirdly, Bahou is brave and loyal. I hope you can treat me kindly, and you can repay me for the kindness of protecting me for so many years."

"This is natural." Cao Cao said: "Since he has joined a certain person, he will definitely reuse him, and his reputation as a descendant of Lord Wu'an will not be in vain."

Kong Rong nodded gently: "I know Bahou, he is a descendant of Lord Wu'an, but the family military book was lost in the war, and there is only half a volume of martial arts. I hope you can return it after you get it, Mr. Cao."

Cao Cao nodded: "But I don't know where it is. If I get it, I will return it."

A cunning look flashed in Kong Rong's eyes, and he smiled and said: "The whereabouts of the lost half-volume of martial arts are unknown, but the family's military history has been discovered."

"Where?" Cao Cao said with some interest. It would be of great benefit to have a look at the family military manual left by Bai Qi.

"Yuan Shu's subordinate Gao Shun, the trap he practiced is the book of war." Kong Rong said.

The excitement on Cao Cao's face suddenly faded away, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at Kong Rong unkindly: "Brother Wenju, are you joking?"

"Of course not." Kong Rong affirmed: "The military book left by Bai Qi is the soul of the army trapped in the camp. The two are one. After Cao Gong gets it, he hopes to return it to Bahou."

Seeing Kong Rong's look like he won't let go until he agrees, Cao Cao felt a pain in his temples. As expected, none of these Confucian scholars were good, and they felt bad, especially the current head of the Kong family, who was even more bad.

.

How can that be a book of war? That is an entire army of top military souls!

Cao Cao is well aware of the horror of being trapped in the camp. When Xiahou Dun's army was beaten, it was unable to fight back. Even the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were helpless against it. They are definitely the top troops in the world. Even Cao Cao coveted them.

With such a steel army, he no longer has to worry about his own safety. Even if tens of thousands of troops attack together, they can hold out for a long time and wait for reinforcements. But unfortunately it is in Yuan Shu's hands, and it is not easy to take it back.

?

Cao Cao really wanted to punch Kong Rong in the face, then turn around and leave. But thinking of the situation he was facing now, Cao Cao barely suppressed the anger in his heart, looked at Kong Rong with a determined attitude, and gave a slight

Sigh: "I promise you!"

Cao Cao was not aware of Kong Rong's thoughts. If Yuan Hou was defeated and Wu Anguo took control of the trapped camp, then the emperor's safety would be more secure, and some of Cao Cao's ambitions of proclaiming himself emperor could be dispelled.

Cao Cao himself had no intention of usurping the Han Dynasty and becoming self-reliant, but he was still a little unhappy at being schemed against by Kong Rong, and he secretly said: We'll see!

People's hearts will change. Cao Cao did not believe that his own methods could not match Kong Rong's and that he could not capture Wu Anguo's heart.

"In this way, I would like to thank Duke Cao on behalf of the tyrant. Duke Cao is so wise and loyal to the Han Dynasty, he should be a model for all the princes in the world. I will publicize this matter for you in the world to enhance your reputation and attract scholars from all over the world to vote for you.

"In addition, if Gongsun Zan and Er Yuan want to become emperor, I will not let them go. I will make them infamous and despised by everyone in the world!" Kong Rong stood up and bowed to Cao Cao and said solemnly.

When Cao Cao heard this, his eyes twitched again. Looking at Kong Rong, who had a loyal face, he kept cursing in his heart, but with a warm smile on his face, he cupped his hands and said, "Then Brother Lao Wenju will be here!"

"This is Rong's duty." Kong Rong said softly.

...

After leaving the Confucius Mansion, Cao Cao looked back at this ancient house with a long heritage and quiet style, his eyes full of complexity.

"I didn't expect that a rotten scholar could be so scheming. He is indeed a descendant of Confucius. I misjudged him."

Xi Zhicai smiled slightly: "My lord, why should we care? Although we were tricked by Kong Wenju this time, our goal was achieved, right? What we paid was just some insignificant promises, but what our lord got was a real reward."

He has the support of the Confucian family, the Confucian scholars, and the scholars of the Han Dynasty. This harvest is beyond Zhong’s imagination. This trip is worthwhile!"

"But this support is not in vain. Kong Wenju set a trap for me!" Cao Cao said in an unhappy tone.

Seeing Cao Cao's angry look, Xi Zhicai said with a smile: "This trick is just a fiction, so what's the point? To put it another way, the lord will covet the supreme position in the future, so what if he regrets it when the overall situation is decided?

?Didn’t Gaozu also break his promises many times? What’s more, my lord, do you really have any ideas about that position?"

After saying this, Xi Zhicai looked at Cao Cao with a half-smile.

"Hahaha!" Cao Cao saw Xi Zhicai's eyes, looked up to the sky, smiled, and said happily: "My parents gave birth to me, and they know me Zhicai! Perhaps you are the only one in the world who knows the heart of me, Cao Mengde."

Hearing this, Xi Zhicai smiled softly: "My lord, I deeply admire the great man's loyalty. So what if the world misjudges my lord? Why does my lord need to care about other people's opinions when he acts? As long as he understands it in his heart."

"But what a pity! I don't care if the world sees it wrong, but Wen Ruo... alas, he is not of the same mind after all!" Cao Cao sighed.

Xi Zhicai smiled bitterly in his heart: My lord, Zhicai believes in your loyalty to the Han Dynasty. But is it possible that your descendants will be as loyal to the Han Dynasty as you are and never have any different intentions? You control power for the sake of survival, but in the end this power will inevitably

Pushing his lord to the throne of the Son of Heaven, in the end this big man will still die at the hands of the lord. Such a simple truth, lord, you and Wen Ruo should both know it! But unfortunately, your positions are different, and lord, you have no choice. The country will perish.
Chapter completed!