Xia Houwei understood, turned around and walked to the door, looked around to make sure there was no one, and then closed the door tightly.
"Today at dusk, just before the city gate was locked, two caravans left the city from Xiyang Gate and Dongyang Gate respectively."
Although there were no outsiders, Xia Houmao still lowered his voice and said, "When the time comes, you can disguise yourself and follow the caravan from Dongyang Gate and leave Luoyang."
After a pause, he said specifically, "Don't worry, the caravan is flying the banner of Sima Mansion, and no one will stop it."
Even if Xia Houxuan was careful about Mount Tai collapsing before his eyes without changing his expression, he was slightly startled when he heard Xia Houmao's words:
"Sima's Mansion? Taifu's Mansion?"
These words seemed to scratch Xia Houmao's itch, but he saw a slightly proud look on his face: "Exactly!"
Xia Houxuan frowned:
"How can the caravan sent by my uncle carry the flag of the Taifu Palace? Isn't this asking for death?"
In today's Luoyang City, every gate is guarded by Sima's cronies. How can they not recognize someone else who is pretending to be one?
No matter how desperate he was to escape from Luoyang City, he would not resort to such despicable means.
"No, no!" Xia Houmao's face became more and more proud, "This is not a caravan from my residence secretly flying the flag of Taifu's house, but this is the request of Taifu's house."
"What's the meaning?"
Are the two Sima brothers crazy?
Flying your own flag and sending people out of the city?
Against yourself?
Xia Houmao chuckled:
"Your uncle and I don't have any other abilities, but my ability to manage the industry is something that few people can match."
"Over the years, the great... ahem, the good things from the Han Dynasty that entered Guandong must be attributed to me."
"I think back then, even the late emperor asked me to find ways to raise raw materials for the army..."
Although he had misappropriated military rations from Guanzhong in his early years and hindered the Longyou Battle.
But didn’t the late emperor just transfer himself away from Guanzhong, and even finally sent himself to be the governor of Qingxu Province? (Chapter 659)
Why?
Isn’t it just because of your ability to do business?
Taking good things and selling them in the East can not only help appease and make good friends with the Guandong family, but also take the opportunity to raise money and food.
It's a pity that he escaped the first disaster, but he couldn't escape the second disaster.
Taichu did not give the emperor face in public and offended Cao Rui.
Zhong Quan (i.e. Xia Houba) "surrendered to the enemy" again. I heard that Xiaoguan's 100,000-strong army was almost wiped out in the first battle, and it was precisely because of his responsibility.
I was dedicated to doing business in Qingxu and Qingzhou, but one day Cao Rui uncovered an old account of selling military rations in Guanzhong, and I was inexplicably recalled to Luoyang.
From then on, the Xiahou clan declined.
Enter his mother's!
When you need to use your Aweng, act magnanimously. When you don't need to use your Aweng, just turn your face and deny anyone.
You deserve to be betrayed by the Cao family!
"Time is urgent, don't be wordy, get to the point, get to the point quickly!"
Xia Houwei, who closed the door and turned back, reminded Xia Houmao.
Xia Houmao, who was about to sigh, felt a little resentful and had to swallow the unnecessary words:
"Anyway, you also know that I actually have some trading channels in the Han Dynasty, and many of the wealthy families in Qingxu and Xuzhou are also on good terms with me."
"Do you think that over the past few years, Sima Yi has had more than 100,000 or 200,000 troops guarding here in Henan, with adequate food and clothing, all of which were provided by food stored in Taicang and provided by Xuchang?"
"In fact, there is me and my contribution to this!"
Xiahou Mao pointed to his nose:
"Over the years, the caravans in my house have been going back and forth. Apart from being unable to cross the border because of the tense war, they rarely rest throughout the year. In fact, they are all used to make money for the Sima family to raise troops."
When Xia Houmao mentioned this matter, he felt a little indignant:
"Sima Yi is not a good person either. He used my caravan to transport rare items from the west, and then transported them to Shandong and Hebei for sale in the name of the Sima family."
"Not only did he earn money and food, but he also took the opportunity to secretly communicate with the rich and powerful. I really don't think I knew about it! Otherwise, he could have captured Jizhou so easily..."
"Okay! It's over!" Xia Houwei shouted lightly, interrupting Xia Houmao again, "Let's get to the point!"
Xia Houmao let out a dissatisfied "tsk" and held back a sentence:
"The key point is that this time, there is a batch of goods that need to be sent to the east, and it is relatively urgent. There is also a caravan that wants to try its luck in the west."
Speaking of this, Xia Houmao could not help but complain:
"I guess it was after Sima Yi captured Jizhou, so he wanted to test the reaction of the three aristocratic families in Yanzhou, Qingzhou and Xuzhou."
Xia Houwei glanced at Xia Houmao. This time, he did not interrupt Xia Houmao's words.
Because he felt that Xia Houmao's words were quite reasonable.
No matter what reason Sima Yi used to capture Jizhou, it is an unchangeable fact that he did not obtain the emperor's edict in advance.
If we say that before, Sima Yi and the general had some concerns and were somewhat secretive.
So this time the Jizhou incident almost brought the contradiction into the open.
This also means that the internal struggle in Wei has reached a fever pitch, forcing all parties to prepare to take sides.
"Now that Sima Yi is not in Luoyang, and Master Sima is seriously ill and unable to take charge, the person in charge is Sima Zhao."
"Sima Zhao is not as talented as his brother, and he is not as vicious as his brother. He has the intention to do great things, but he is indecisive about his likes and dislikes."
The more Xiahou Mao talked, the more excited he became:
"Luoyang has been in chaos and chaos these days. Who is missing? This is the first time he has taken over the matter. He probably has no clue and can only follow the usual routine. This gives us a rare good opportunity."
Although Xia Houmao only knew how to do business to make money for the Sima family over the years, in fact, he used this relationship to explore many ways in secret.
For a long time, Sima Yi focused on training Sima division, while Sima Zhao could only be ordered to run errands.
Now that Sima Zhao suddenly took power, he didn't have much practical experience at all and was already in a hurry.
Unfortunately, the Han army in the west will attack the city at any time, and the east side has to help Sima Yi win over the wealthy families. How can there be time for Sima Zhao to study and prepare slowly?
As for Sima Yi, the city of Luoyang is useless now anyway, so he doesn't feel bad even if his son gets spoiled.
If you are not bad at playing, you can still practice your skills and accumulate some experience.
As the saying goes, if a wise man thinks a lot, he will make a mistake; if a fool thinks a lot, he will gain something.
For a novice like Sima Zhao, facing the current situation, it is almost natural for him to make mistakes while busy.
Xia Houmao, the great rat in the country, has been running the rat tunnel for many years. When he saw the light of hope in the gap in front of him, he naturally had to work hard to get into it.
"That's right." Xiahou Wei said, "We, the Xiahou clan, have been trapped in Luoyang for a long time. We wanted to leave before but couldn't."
"Seeing that the army of Western thieves is coming sooner or later, if we stay here any longer, we may be in trouble. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, it is better to leave the land of right and wrong as soon as possible."
When Xia Houxuan heard this, his originally calm and indifferent expression finally changed.
Unlike Xia Houxuan who had a grudge against the Cao family, although Xia Houxuan had offended Cao Rui, and because of his status as a leader of metaphysics, he was implicated by the "Glorious Eucalyptus", which resulted in the entire Cao Rui era being suppressed.
But Cao Shuang, the general in charge of state affairs now, is his cousin!
After Cao Shuang came to power, he repeatedly asked Sima Yi for help, and even promoted Sima Shi and Sima Zhao without holding their noses. This shows that he still values Xia Houxuan, his cousin.
However, Xia Houxuan's reputation was too great, and Sima Yi was also afraid that Xia Houxuan would go to assist Cao Shuang and make a bad start for the world's scholars, so he was unwilling to agree to release him.
Now that I have the opportunity to leave Luoyang and go to Xuchang to express my ambition, it is impossible to say that Xia Houxuan is not moved.
It's just that after a rare look of excitement appeared on his face, it quickly dissipated.
Then, unexpectedly, the two of them shook their heads:
"No, I can't leave."
Xiahou Mao and Xiahou Wei were stunned and asked in unison:
"Why?"
Xia Houxuan let out a long sigh:
"The Sima family monitors me very strictly. If I follow, I'm afraid I will be discovered by them before I leave Luoyang."
"Not only will I not be able to leave, I'm afraid my two uncles will also be unable to leave."
It was Cao Rui's intention that the Xiahou clan be trapped in Luoyang.
The biggest trigger was Xiahou Ba's "turning into a traitor".
Therefore, when Cao Rui was there, the Xiahouwei clan was the most closely guarded.
Later, Cao Rui fled Luoyang under strong pressure from General Guan. After Luoyang was taken over by Sima Yi, the people monitoring the Xiahouwei family became a little embarrassed.
When Cao Rui died of illness, Sima Yi and Cao Shuang divided and ruled Luoyang and Xuchang. Sima Yi ostensibly followed Cao Rui's instructions.
In fact, in order to strengthen his control over Luoyang, he wanted to keep the people left behind by Cao Rui safe.
Xiahou Ba betrayed Cao Wei, what does it have to do with me, Sima Yi?
On the contrary, the people left by the emperor to monitor me have been under my eyes, which makes me feel even more uncomfortable.
After all, if you can monitor the Xiahou family, you can naturally monitor the Sima family, right?
As a result, the number of people under surveillance on the Xiahouwei clan became smaller and smaller, and they became more and more relaxed.
Not to mention Xia Houmao.
I had already made atonement for my sins in Qingxu Province, but I didn't expect to be implicated.
Later, he flattered the Sima family, not to mention gaining Sima's trust, but after so many years of kneeling and licking him, at least Sima Yi and his son would not be too wary of Xia Houmao.
On the contrary, Xia Houxuan, although initially hated by Cao Rui, still had the position of Yulin Supervisor.
At most, it is just that he will not be promoted, and it will not reach the stage of being placed under surveillance.
Unexpectedly, after Cao Rui's death, because of his great reputation and close relationship with Cao Shuang, he was tabooed by the Sima clan and was closely monitored.
Thinking of these, Xia Houxuan only felt that there was nothing more ridiculous in the world than this.
I wanted to enter the court and serve the country, but I was actually put under guard in the capital of Wei Dynasty.
Da Wei, what happened?
As soon as he thought of this, Xia Houxuan's original joyful mood suddenly disappeared without a trace, and was replaced by a tone of sadness.
I saw him saying to Xia Houmao:
"I'm grateful for my uncle's kindness. Xuan is here to thank you, but I'm afraid I won't be able to leave. If your uncle can have mercy on my family, please escort my wife and children out of Luoyang. Xuan is under the yellow soil. I also express my gratitude for my great kindness."
Who would have expected that when Xia Houmao heard this, his face changed slightly and he looked a little embarrassed:
"Well, Taichu, this time, we will go separately. I plan to follow the caravan from Xiyang Gate."
"It's better, it's better than this. You entrust your wife and children to Ji Quan and let him take them to Xuchang."
"Uncle, when you leave Xiyang Gate, you are heading west. If you want to go to Xuchang, you have to at least make a big circle around Luoyang. Not only is it a waste of time, but it also delays the journey."
"If someone from the Sima clan is chasing them, they probably won't be able to escape..."
Xia Houmao's eyes were wandering and he did not dare to look directly at Xia Houxuan. He just said with a guilty conscience:
"You don't have to worry about me about this. I have my own way, and if everyone goes together, the risk is high. It's better to go separately."
When Xia Houxuan heard Xia Houmao's words, he instinctively felt something was wrong, and when he saw the other person's expression.
He seemed to have thought of something, and straightened up suddenly, staring at Xia Houmao:
"Uncle, you...could it be...that you are going to surrender to a thief!?"
Probably because this incident was too frightening, Xia Houxuan's face changed drastically at this time, no matter how much he insisted on detached body and mind.
"What are you going to do? You're going to go to the thieves. I'm not going to the thieves. I'm going to go to the thieves. I'm going to go to the thieves. Do you understand?"
After Xia Houxuan ruined his plan, Xia Houmao simply stopped pretending:
"I heard that Zhongquan (Xiahou Ba) has always been doing well in the Han Dynasty. I am going to seek refuge with him. Taking refuge with him is not considered surrendering to a traitor..."
After speaking, he muttered something unclear.
Still surrendering to thieves?
With the current situation in the world, we still don’t know who the thief will be in the end!
"Uncle!" At this time, Xiahou Xuan no longer cared about any cultivation and bearing. He took a step forward with excitement, "We, the Xiahou family, have shared honor and disgrace, life and death with the Cao family since the beginning of Emperor Wu's rebellion."
"After the founding of the Wei Dynasty, the favor shown to us, the Xiahou clan, could not be greater. Now that the country is in trouble, uncle, instead of repaying the kindness of the country, you are going to join the bandits."
"I'm sorry for the great kindness of Wei Dynasty, I'm sorry for Xiahou Xianggong, and I'm hurting my clan members. You, you, you, how can you do this?"
If the other party had not been his uncle, Xia Houxuan would have scolded him like a beast, careless about human relations and ignorant of morality.
"Implicated? What implicated! When my two good brothers falsely accused me, did they ever think that they would kill me?"
It was okay not to mention the clansmen, but when he mentioned the clansmen, Xia Houmao suddenly became a little irritable:
"If I don't go west, why should I go east to Xuchang to look for that poisonous woman and maidservant? What's the difference between that and seeking death? Instead of going to Xuchang to seek death, I might as well stay in Luoyang and wait to die!"
The "poisonous woman and cheap maid" in Xia Houmao's mouth is naturally the eldest princess of Qinghe who is his nominal wife - now she should be called the eldest princess of Qinghe.
In her early years, the eldest princess of Qinghe, because of jealousy, she conspired with Xia Houmao's two younger brothers to frame Xia Houmao.
Coupled with the incident of selling grain in Chang'an, Xiahou Mao was almost killed by Cao Rui.
After this incident, Xiahou Mao, Princess Qinghe and his wife turned against each other.
A beauty who keeps improving even more, and a beauty who is unwilling to be left alone.
As for Xia Houmao and his two younger brothers, they are basically strangers.
This is almost a taboo pain that cannot be mentioned in front of Xia Houmao.
Cao Rui hurriedly visited the east, and after Xuchang died of illness, the Cao family members who stayed in Luoyang were basically the political hostages of the Sima family.
Under such circumstances, the eldest princess of Qinghe, who ranked high in the clan, was naturally frightened and kept trying to go to Xuchang. (Chapter 1083 and 1087)
Anyway, I don’t know what means she used to actually get the Tai Fu Mansion to relent, and finally got what she wanted.
Although the eldest princess of Qinghe was implicated a lot last year because her retainer was a Western thief.
But Cao Shuang did not excessively pursue the responsibility of Princess Dachang.
After all, it is most common for the three kingdoms of Han, Wei, and Wu to send each other to work carefully.
No one can guarantee when or where the enemy's detailed plans will appear.
Yinfan, who was sent by the late emperor to fight against the Wu invaders, and Guo Xun, who was sent by Sima Yi to fight against the Western bandits, which one did not accomplish great things in the enemy's country?
In addition to this factor, there is another more important reason that cannot be said:
If it weren't for the rebellion of the Western traitors and spies in the eldest princess's house, Sima Yi would have lost Luoyang's last barrier, Shaandi, leaving Luoyang undefendable.
I am afraid that if General Cao loses Xiangyang, he will become the target of thousands of people.
So after this incident, the eldest princess of Qinghe was scolded by Cao Shuang in the name of the emperor's edict, and Tang Muyi was reduced and banned from the mansion. The matter was considered over.
After all, no matter how high General Cao's status is, he is also a clan member of the Cao family.
As for the eldest princess, few people can compare with her in the clan's generation.
In addition, she does not pose a threat to General Cao's dictatorship like the Queen Mother.
So naturally it’s a small punishment but a big warning!
Xia Houmao is different.
He fled to Xuchang at this time, and he was no different from a lost dog.
The eldest princess mainly had lingering resentment towards him, so if she did something small, Cao Shuang would most likely pretend that she didn't see it.
When the time comes, Xia Houmao might just do what he said, no different from seeking death.
He is greedy for money and does not understand military strategy, but he is not a fool.
Xia Houxuan was startled when he heard what Xia Houmao said and saw the other party's appearance.
Just now, in his desperation, he had forgotten this section.
Subconsciously he looked at Xia Houwei beside him.
Xia Houwei smiled bitterly and shook his head silently.
It was obvious that there had been some discussion or even argument between him and Xia Houmao before coming here.
Xia Houxuan fell to the ground slumped, feeling a sadness gradually filling his chest, and murmured:
"How could it be so? How could it be so..."
Da Wei, why did he become like this?
In the past, a minister ordered the Pei family to surrender to the traitors, and now the Xiahou family, who shared weal and woe with the Cao family, fled westward. What happened to the Wei Dynasty?
Xia Houwei was silent and unable to answer.
He had already argued with Xia Houmao about this question, and also asked himself, but also received no answer (Chapter 1123).
Xia Houmao, on the other hand, broke the jar and sat down with an indifferent expression, pouring a cup of tea to himself.
how so?
Of course it’s a question of body type!
There must be something wrong with the system of the Wei Dynasty. Otherwise, how could the Wei Dynasty, which was so close to unifying the world, begin to fall apart and lose people's hearts in less than twenty years?
For Xia Houmao, the so-called eldest princess just gave him an excuse not to go to Xuchang.
At least you can do some business with the big man in Luoyang. Although it is to help the Sima family make money, with the convenience of the caravan, you can naturally enjoy a lot of good things from the big man on weekdays.
What does Xuchang have?
If you go to Xuchang, you will definitely not be able to do business, and you will not be able to bring hundreds of beauties to your house. What’s the point of waiting all day long for others to give you scraps?
Zhong Quan was captured by the Han in front of the formation, but he lived there happily. I, the son-in-law of a great Wei master, took the initiative to run over, could it be worse?
Even if it's leftovers, Da Han's is more delicious than Da Wei's!
Deep in Xia Houmao's heart, there is still a secret that cannot be told to anyone:
Over the years, the caravans in my house have been able to bring back so many good things from the big men. Do you really think they are giving me face?
Someone must have been secretly connecting me!
During the late emperor's reign, the story of the eldest princess raising a handsome face was circulated among the elite circles, making Xiahou Mao a joke.
The dignified master-in-law of Wei could not do anything to the eldest princess. How could he not deal with a pretty boy who had escaped from the west and had no foundation?
As long as Xia Houmao can risk his life, even if he beats him to death in the street, the eldest princess will probably not dare to make this matter a big deal.
In addition to the dirty things the eldest princess had done before, with Cao Rui's temperament, it was impossible to blame the eldest princess.
But Xia Houmao did not take action, but endured it.
Not only did I endure it, but I endured it for many years.
Why?
She is just a poisonous woman and a lowly maid, and she is just being toyed with. How can she be compared with the trading channels of a big man?
PS: A big chapter of 5,500 words is not too short, right?
