Taking office

Cao Zhen, Xu Yi and Dianman were sitting in the study.

The three of them were all dressed in white clothes, with white ribbons on their heads, and looked solemn. Hu Zhao, on the other hand, frowned and sat quietly beside him without saying a word.

The atmosphere in the study was dull and almost suffocating.

When Cao Peng walked in, Cao Zhen and the other three stood up at the same time.

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother? Why are you three here?" Cao Peng asked softly with an ominous premonition in his heart.

The three of them, Cao Zhen, are in typical filial piety attire.

But Cao Peng didn't know who they were wearing mourning for.

Hu Zhao stood up and said: "Three young generals, you can talk, I will go out first."

"Thank you Mr. Kong Ming."

Cao Zhen saluted Hu Zhao, but Hu Zhao just nodded and walked out of the study. The moment he passed by Cao Peng, Hu Zhao let out a faint sigh. This sigh made Cao Peng's heart suddenly sink.

, the ominous premonition also became stronger.

"Three brothers, you guys..."

Hu Zhao walked out of the study, and Cao Peng forced a smile and asked.

But before he could finish speaking, Cao Zhen said softly: "Ah Fu, the fourth child is gone."

"ah?"

"Gong Zuo, let's go!"

Gongzuo is Zhu Zan's cousin. Cao Peng couldn't react at the moment and stared blankly at Cao Zhen and the others.

"You mean..."

"Ah Fu, at the end of last month, the prince was poisoned to death in the Northern Lieutenant's Office."

There was a buzzing in his ears, and Cao Peng was a little confused. This time he understood clearly, Zhu Zan was dead! To be honest, the relationship between Cao Peng and Zhu Zan was not as close as Cao Zhidian, Man, Xu Yi, and Wang Mai.

and Deng Fan. But they kowtow to each other and they are brothers for life. Zhu Zan has a calm personality and is very friendly. Although he doesn't have much contact with Cao Peng, he is very close to Cao Peng.

Zhu Zan, how could he die?

"Brother, what exactly is going on?"

Perhaps because he had experienced too many things, Cao Peng quickly regained his composure.

He asked in a trembling voice, staring directly at Cao Zhen.

"It's still unclear. On the day Gong Zuo was killed, it happened very suddenly. According to the servants in the mansion, he was no different from usual that day. After going home, he had dinner, washed up with his nephew for a while, and then went back to the flower hall to check the official documents. Suddenly

Hearing his shouting, by the time his family arrived, Gongzuo had already...

According to the investigation, Gong Zuo died of poisoning.

But so far, the murderer is still missing."

Being poisoned? Cao Peng covered his face with his hands, rubbed them gently, and said nothing for a long time.

"My Lord has deposed the Luoyang Order and dismissed General Yuan Rang from his post.

Now, Yuan Shao and Chen troops in Hebei are watching with eager eyes. What happened in Luoyang also made the lord extremely worried. Therefore, the lord ordered Cheng Zhongde to be the Yin of Henan and Chen Qun to be the order of Luoyang. He also ordered a thorough investigation of the case and ordered Chen Qun to find it as soon as possible.

Murderer, calm the panic."

Noriman said softly, and then closed his mouth.

Cao Zhen continued: "Ah Fu, I know you are studying now, but when Chen Changwen took over the seal and ribbon, he put forward conditions to the lord. He said that you must take over the position of Lieutenant in the North of Luoyang...otherwise he will

I have no confidence in solving the case and finding the murderer. Guo Jijiu also agreed and said that you are the most suitable candidate. After hesitating for a long time, my lord finally made up his mind to appoint you as an official."

"Let me serve as the Northern Lieutenant of Luoyang?"

The three of them, Cao Zhen, nodded in unison and looked at Cao Peng with hopeful eyes.

Cao Peng did not respond immediately, but slowly walked to the table and sat down.

He took a long breath and closed his eyes. In his mind, he couldn't help but think of the scene when the eight people became sworn brothers in Xudu Prison.

When the clouds stop and the moon falls, we are not happy to be together across the mountains and rivers; the old rain and the spring breeze make us strengthen our ambitions through the years.

Don't compete with each other for fame and fortune, don't be arrogant with talent and virtue. The golden orchid sworn brotherhood, today the gods look at each other, and the bamboo forest shines brightly, I hope they will be close to each other in the future...

The vows I made that day still ring in my ears, but I don't expect that we have been separated forever.

Xiao Bayi was missing one person, which made Cao Peng feel sad. Slowly, he raised his head, his eyes swept over the faces of Cao Zhen and the other three, and he gritted his teeth and nodded.

"When will you take office?"

"The sooner the better..."

Cao Zhen said, took out a box from the side and handed it to Cao Peng.

"Chen Changwen has gone to Luoyang and is just waiting for you to come and help. Before I set off, my lord asked me to give this to you and said: No need to meet, just go straight to Luoyang."

Cao Peng took the box, hesitated for a moment, and opened it.

Inside, I saw a short sword only about forty-five centimeters long, and a set of seals and ribbons.

The blade is dark red and slightly curved.

The letter contains the inscription: Glory is my life!

Cao Peng was very familiar with this sword. It was one of the thirty-six Tiangang knives that Cao Ji made. After Cao Ji made the Tiangang knives, he never gave it to anyone else except Dian Wei. Now,

The appearance of this Tiangang Sword in front of him also represents...

If you look carefully, you can see the word "Tianxian" engraved on the mouth of the knife.

Tianxian Sword! If ranked according to the Thirty-six Tiangang, this sword ranks fourth.

Cao Peng couldn't help but be surprised and thought to himself: Why does Cao Cao treat me so kindly? You know, Cao Cao has countless generals under his command, not to mention generals with foreign surnames such as Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Li Dianlejin, but just from the Cao family, there are many generals who serve as

Holding important positions.

Cao Hong, the governor of Chen County, Cao Ren, the governor of Liang County, Cao Chun, the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry...

Cao Peng couldn't count the names like this. How many people were staring at the thirty-five Tiangang knives, but he didn't expect...

But at the same time, Cao Peng also realized Cao Cao's thoughts from this mouth of leisure.

The word "idle" also placed Cao Cao's hope for him. Cao Cao clearly meant to tell Cao Peng not to pursue fame and wealth. When wealth comes, it will come. Less machinations and more willfulness...

This is also Cao Cao's expectation for him.

"I'll go back and pack my bags right away. We'll meet at Yamaguchi in half an hour."

Cao Peng closed the box, stood up and said to Cao Zhen and the others.

Cao Zhen and the other three nodded, and did not rush Cao Peng, but led them out of the academy.

When Cao Peng came out of the study, he saw Hu Zhao standing at the door.

"teacher!"

"Has the decision been made?"

"yes!"

Hu Zhao's thin cheek revealed a hint of smile.

He sighed and patted Cao Peng on the shoulder, "If you give me another year, I can teach you everything you have. It's too hasty. In three months, you can only cultivate your energy and calm your mind, but there is no teaching.

I am really ashamed to be a teacher. But I also know that you will definitely leave. You seem to be indifferent and don't care about the outside world. In fact, you are hot inside and are loyal, filial, and committed. You have already achieved Samadhi...

I have prepared several Dharma texts here for you. After you go back, you need to copy and study them carefully.

This volume of "Lun", as well as two Yi books, "Jingshi Yi", "Gui Zang" and "Lianshan", are given to you together. I hope you can study them well."

Generally speaking, gifting books also represents the inheritance of one's legacy.

Especially between teachers and students, teachers giving books to students also indicates that students can become teachers.

Cao Peng was stunned, "Teacher..."

"Youxue, if you want to come back after leaving the mountain this time, I'm afraid it's not up to you to decide.

I just want to give you this before I leave: don’t forget the aspirations you told me when you came.”

"Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the living and the people, carry forward the unique teachings of the past saints, and create peace for all generations."

Hu Zhao smiled even more, "Easier said than done. I hope that no matter where you go in the future, you will never forget the words you said today."

"Students, keep this in your heart."

"Go and create a new world. As a teacher, you should sit in this mountain and wait for good news."

"Here!"

The teacher and student didn't speak much, but they expressed all the emotions they wanted to express.

Hu Zhao is a person with an indifferent temperament, and Cao Peng is not a master who is good at expressing his inner emotions. For them, a few words are enough!
To be continued...