Fire can illuminate the night sky, but it cannot drive away the darkness in people's hearts. What's more, if there is not even this little bit of fire, how many people can hold on to the flickering light in their hearts?
Just when Fei Qian defeated Cao Jun's camp in Anyi, in the Luliang Mountains, a group of people were taking advantage of the darkness to go to Linfen Pingyang.
Everyone in this group of people looked exhausted and exhausted.
If you just look at the dust, maybe it doesn't matter. After all, who doesn't have to work hard on the road of life?
As long as there is hope in your heart, there will be light in your eyes and your head will not lower.
But the problem is that almost all of these people have their heads lowered, and there is not much brilliance in their eyes.
Just like young cows and horses always like to raise their heads, laugh and swish their hooves away, clamoring that there is a place for horses in the world, but they don't know that they just change their bosses one after another, while those older cows and horses,
Most of them are hunched over and can no longer look up into the distance, because they all know that if they don't work, they won't even have salt or rice.
Cao Xiu, whose face was as dark as water, was among this group of people.
Nowadays, he has a pale face and dark circles under his eyes. Not only has he lost the spirit of giving up on others that he had when he set off from Shandong, but he even has a bit of a sinking and dead air, like a walking zombie!
Cao Xiu didn't dare and didn't want to recall what happened just an hour ago, but the blood on his body was still telling him, mocking him, and made him involuntarily think of...
Complex and chaotic emotions impacted Cao Xiu's brain.
Everything seems to be caused by that letter, but everything should be more than just that letter.
…
…
Fei Qian, Fei Qian...
Cao Zhao, Cao Zhao!
Two different names, but now they come together.
This simply made Cao Xiu's heart beat like a knife.
Could it be that because I was busy with matters outside the family, I lacked the guidance to Cao Zhao?
Could it be that Cao Zhao was deceiving himself when he said he understood it before?
Could it be that the Hussar used some treacherous trick, or was Cao Zhao under some kind of coercion?
Cao Zhao actually wrote a letter to persuade him to surrender!
When Cao Xiu got this letter, he couldn't believe his eyes!
But the letter did use Cao Zhao’s seal and Cao Zhao’s handwriting...
At that time, Cao Xiu felt his head buzzing as he stared at the word "Cao Zhao" on the signature.
He knew Cao Zhao's habit of signing autographs.
Cao Zhao likes to make the "Zhao" curl very long. Because when he was young, Cao Zhao said it looked like his father's cloak...
But now, Cao Xiu's cloak was torn, torn, dirty and smelly.
But if your body is dirty, it’s okay. If your heart is dirty, it’s a big problem!
Loyalty, filial piety and righteousness!
When Cao Zhao was young, Cao Xiu told him that in order to be a good person, you must first understand loyalty, filial piety and justice!
"What is loyalty, filial piety and righteousness?" At that time, Cao Zhao, who was young, opened his eyes and was very confused.
"This..." Cao Xiu also had a headache at the time and didn't know how to explain it to Cao Zhao.
After all, it is said to be "loyal to the king and patriotic". Has Cao Zhao ever met the "king"? Or does it mean that Cao Zhao knows what "country" is? It is already remarkable that little Cao Zhao can know what "home" is.
"A country is an enlarged family..." Cao Xiu tried to explain the concept of "country" to the little Cao Zhao, "Many, many families come together to form a country."
"So there are many parents, younger brothers and sisters in this country?" Cao Zhao asked.
Cao Xiu nodded, "That's right."
"So are these my parents, brothers and sisters?" Xiao Cao Zhao asked again.
"No." Cao Xiu shook his head.
"Then... what if they all want to be my parents?" Cao Zhao suddenly discovered a bright spot.
"This, probably not."
"What if it does?"
Cao Xiu suddenly found that he couldn't explain it, so he waved his hand and said, "When you grow up, you will understand this..."
The little Cao Zhao seemed to understand but not quite.
But now the old and tired Cao Xiu understood that the young Cao Zhao at that time inadvertently told the truth about the country of Han Dynasty!
Everyone wants to be a father or a master!
No one wants to be a son or a grandson!
Even though the officials of the Han Dynasty said that they were asking for orders and speaking out for the people, when they turned around and sat down, they became the officials of their parents.
Can……
But this cannot be the reason for Cao Zhao to betray and surrender to the enemy!
Cao Xiu was puzzled and felt ashamed.
If the son doesn’t teach, it’s the father’s fault!
In the shame, nameless karma surged.
How could Cao Zhao do this?
Could it be that Cao Xiu gave him some kind of example?
Both of Cao Xiu's parents died. Cao Xiu carried the coffin for thousands of miles, but he never thought about changing his surname or asking for honor! He was born with the surname Cao, and died with the same surname Cao! How many hardships he endured, how much he chewed, how many tears he shed.
, wipe it dry, and swallow it!
Without parental discipline, one may seem to have gained "full" freedom, but in fact he has received "necessary" suffering!
Although Cao Xiu's "words" may not be as profound and subtle as those great Confucians' words, as for "examples", Cao Xiu consciously did not teach Cao Zhao any opportunism, cowardice and slippery!
But why did Cao Zhao betray the Cao family and join the Hussars?!
Why?
Cao Xiu couldn't understand it at all.
Even after seeing Cao Zhao's "letter of persuasion to surrender", Cao Xiu still felt it was ridiculous. Is this the child he taught "by example"?
He doesn't believe it!
In other words, Cao Xiu couldn't believe it!
At that time, this was the only thought left in Cao Xiu's mind.
After the initial shame, anger, and suspicion, Cao Xiu began to think that Cao Zhao might have written the letter under coercion. There might be some key information hidden in the letter, so he endured his anger and carefully
Read it carefully and carefully again.
However, at this moment, the road came.
…
…
The night is cold and the wind is cold.
Cao Xiu was blown by the wind and sand hit his eyes. He closed his eyes slightly, but the bloody color that filled the air at that time could not be eliminated...
…
…
"Ah haha, did you hear your son's letter?" The voice arrived first before the Luzhao people arrived.
In the past few days, Lu Zhao had been very depressed, and the more depressed he became, the more resentful he became. The anger that gradually accumulated in his heart naturally became more and more intense.
Lu Zhao originally thought that after he finished beating Wen Xi, he could go back.
This is the annual task given to him by Dahan Cao Group Co., Ltd. Even if the input-output ratio of Luzhao is not good, it is finally completed!
Wenxi is now "beaten" and under the control of Cao Jun. This is always a fact, right?
As for Wenxi now being in ruins, that is another matter.
Just like performance is performance, manpower is manpower. Although there are some connections between the two, it cannot be said that they are completely equal!
But now Lu Zhao feels that his "performance" is up to standard, but Cao Xiu comes over to ask what "manpower" Wen Xi has!
Does this make sense?
If you need both "performance" and "manpower", then you have to either provide enough resources or give ample support initially. As a result, you, Cao Xiu, arrived late and then said that Wenxi's "manpower" was not up to standard?
But when the mission was originally given, was it Wenxi's "performance" or Wenxi's "manpower"?
Oh, I’m just saying I want them all now, so why didn’t I make it clear before?
Are you afraid that if you make it clear, no one will come to take this task?
The key is that Lu Zhao thinks that Cao Xiu is holding him hostage, threatening him, and also wants him to be cannon fodder. Lu Zhao has no objection to letting others act as cannon fodder, as long as he is not found on his head, and now those ordinary cannon fodder are all
Either he ran away or died, and it was Lu Zhao's turn to be cannon fodder. Can Lu Zhao be willing to do so?
Therefore, along the way, Lu Zhao often muttered some sarcastic remarks, and the further north he went, the more dissatisfied he became.
No supplies, no supplies, still no supplies!
Isn’t this Cao Xiu leading him to death?
Now I heard that Cao Xiu received a letter from his son Cao Zhao, and the key was to get it from the hussar scouts!
How could Luzhao not come?!
Even if it’s not for any reason, I know that nothing will come out of the discussion, but it’s still necessary to get rid of the resentment in my heart!
So Lu Zhao smiled more and more arrogantly, "General Cao! What... what is this? Your son is so filial! Even though there are thousands of mountains and rivers separated, the affection between father and son cannot be stopped! General Cao, hurry up!"
Share this son’s letter with all of us! Let’s see if there is any good news!」
Cao Xiu's eyes turned cold, "What does this matter have to do with you?! Let's go handle military affairs and rectify the troops!"
"snort!"
Lu Zhao sat down in a daze.
If it were before, Lu Zhao would probably have reluctantly obeyed orders because of Cao Xiu's identity, but now...
"The military affairs are not urgent!" Lu Zhao said, "Even if we reorganize it, can we get some food and grass from the sky? General Cao..."
Lu Zhao stared at Cao Xiu, "Hahahaha, I heard that this letter from your master... came from the hands of the hussar scouts? General, please explain, why is this letter from your master in the hussar's place?!"
Among Lu Zhao's words, certain words were emphasized very strongly, and the meaning was naturally self-evident.
"..." Cao Xiu was silent for a moment and then said, "My son was defeated and captured, so he wrote the last letter..."
"Huh?" Lu Zhao narrowed his eyes, obviously unwilling to believe it. "In this case, the general should take it out for all of us to see! This is also the great cause of inspiring soldiers, isn't it? General, take it out!"
Of course it was impossible for Cao Xiu to take it out.
"Ah ha ha ha ha!" Lu Zhao laughed, "I can't believe it, I can't believe it, look at you, Cao Zilie, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, you have also done such a thing! If you want to be rich and powerful, why do you need to use our flesh and blood to pave the way?!"
"What do you mean?" Cao Xiu asked in a deep voice.
"That's what I mean!" Lu Zhao didn't give in at all, "You have to surrender, don't use us as a bargaining chip for your promotion and wealth! Tell me, how much reward will you get if you sell us, and what can I give you?
Position?"
Cao Xiu was furious, "That's nonsense!"
"Then bring out the letter and read it!" Lu Zhao refused to give in at all.
"..." Cao Xiu was immediately speechless.
"Humph!" Lu Zhao sneered, "Look, look! I'm right!"
Cao Xiu stood up and said, "I order you to straighten out military affairs and inspect the sentry posts immediately!"
"You've already done this, what else are you pretending to do?! You're nothing but a military service and a sentry!" Lu Zhao also stood up, tit for tat, "Good luck to you! Your surname is Cao! If your surname is not Cao, you're not as good as me."
!』
"What did you say?" Cao Xiu shouted, "How brave! Are you going to disobey the military order?"
"You are going to sell us in exchange for your glory and wealth. What military orders do you want us to obey?!" Lu Zhao yelled, "If you want to surrender, just go! Everyone can get together and disperse! We will go back alone!"
At worst, I would be a bandit in the Luliang Taihang Mountains, and I would be more at ease than being sold to a hussar by you!"
"There is no one in Cao Xiu's army who is greedy for life and afraid of death!" Cao Xiu shouted in a deep voice. He meant that neither he nor his children would surrender, but in fact, as long as Cao Xiu could not take out the letter, he would say anything.
No one will believe it.
"Hahaha! What's wrong with being greedy for life and fearing death? Who doesn't want to live? It's better to live than die! Just allow your child to surrender to save his life, and we have to fight to the death? Why?!" Lu Zhao looked at Cao Xiu with disdain in his eyes,
"You're not as good as me. At least I'm innocent, hahahahaha. I don't want to be that, and I'm just pretending..."
"Bold!" Cao Xiu drew out his sword, "Is it harmful to use my sword?"
Lu Zhao was startled and took a step back quickly, but he quickly reacted and became more and more angry. He grabbed the sword from the soldiers on the side, pulled it out, pointed at Cao Xiu and shouted: "This world,
My surname was not Cao before! My surname is not Cao now! Whoever has the ability will take the seat. This is the way of heaven!"
"Bold! Why don't you stop your hands quickly? I think you have been diligent over the years..."
Cao Xiu also wanted to ease or save the situation, but in fact he forgot one thing, that is, he failed to contact Xiahou Dun in time...
All the preparations that were supposed to be made in Luliang Mountain were not there!
When soldiers are without supplies, they will naturally become anxious, uneasy, and frightened!
And Cao Zhao's letter only triggered these emotions in advance...
If Cao Xiu could find some supplies and make the letter public earlier, he would be able to get away with such treacherous tricks of Hussar in a very contemptuous way.
That's right, the premise is to find supplies!
You can't even afford to eat, and you still want to make the people below you behave and be obedient?
This is obviously impossible.
When Lu Zhao saw Cao Xiu in such a situation, he still wanted to make him surrender and obey. Suddenly, all the resentment and hostility he had accumulated for many days came together, and his voice suddenly became shrill and shrill, "Cao Xiu! You leave this for your own child."
It's a way out, but it forces us to a dead end!"
"presumptuous!"
Cao Xiu shouted loudly.
The guards following Cao Xiu also saw that the situation was not good and surrounded him.
"Am I presumptuous?!"
Lu Zhao laughed angrily, "I, Lu Zhao, have worked hard and worked hard without complaining. I have been working as an ox and a horse for you Cao family, no matter how you drive me! Now I just refuse to surrender with you Cao Xiu, and I don't want to be promoted and made rich by you Cao Xiu."
Chips! You, Cao Xiu, are calling me bold and presumptuous! Hahahaha! Is there such a truth in the world?! If you don’t want to be reasonable, then just don’t be! Sons and gentlemen! Those who are willing to let me live freely can just follow me.
Let me go! The world is so big, there is always a place for you, and I will no longer suffer from this slanderous attitude!"
"Don't leave!" Cao Xiu shouted, "I am the leader of an army. All officers and men must obey my orders! Those who rebel against the army must be killed!"
Lu Zhao pulled off the cloak tied to his body and threw it on the ground, "It's okay if you don't obey this bird army! Grandpa is leaving today, who dares to stop me?! If you are brave enough, you can go with grandpa."
Go happily!』
…
…
The firelight flickered and blood filled the air.
Cao Xiu looked at his hands.
There is still blood stains on it.
Lu Zhao wanted to break up the gang at that time, so Cao Xiu naturally refused.
Over time, the verbal dispute escalated into a physical fight.
The road is dead.
Cao Xiu killed him with his own hands.
If they don't kill, the whole army will be in chaos.
But after killing him, the whole army was in chaos.
Because even though Lu Zhao was dead, everyone heard what he said.
Those words, word by word, were like steel knives and sharp swords, piercing Cao Xiu's heart and slashing on Cao Xiu's forehead!
It's not that Cao Xiu has never encountered strong enemies, nor has he been in danger and failed on the battlefield, but his will has always been as strong as steel, and his loyalty to the Cao family has never wavered even a little!
But this time...
Although there are many other people's factors, this letter from Cao Zhao undoubtedly rubbed Cao Xiu's face to the ground! Everything he insisted on and the righteousness he expounded became a joke!
Although Cao Xiu finally killed Lu Zhao and temporarily suppressed the controversy, under the blood dripping, everything seemed to begin to slide into the abyss!
Some soldiers, unwilling to participate in the fight between Cao Xiu and Lu Zhao, sneaked away in the night...
Now the only ones left are Cao Xiu's tribe and a small number of Cao's soldiers.
Cao Xiu changed his route. Instead of going to Taiyuan, he wanted to go to Linfen and Pingyang.
Cao Zhao's letter asking him to surrender...
No, he will never surrender!
If Cao Xiu also chose to surrender, then what did he do all the way and why?
Why are they still working so hard for the overall situation?
Why not just lie down on the ground and enjoy life!
Cao Xiu could no longer understand everything. In his heart, there was only the most helpless fatigue.
There was no food to be found in the Luliang Mountains, so he ate almost everything he could find. In the end, Cao Xiu didn't even know whether he was a human or a ghost, but he still had breath in his heart!
But Cao Xiu knew one thing, his surname was Cao!
Not everyone named Cao is a wimp!
Even if his son surrenders, he will not surrender!
Linfen, Pingyang!
Since his son persuaded him to surrender, he would use his life to teach his son a final lesson...
People need a little backbone and a little toughness!
Even if everyone named Cao retreated and surrendered, he still wouldn't retreat!
He will go to Pingyang, but instead of surrendering, he will pretend to surrender!
He will fight to the death in Pingyang!
He wants everyone in the world to see that the children of the Cao family still have bloody bravery and the spirit of being willing to die rather than surrender!
