On Yiyou Day, May 24th, the third day after Chen Caozhi returned to Beijing, he, Ran Sheng, Lu You and others went to Gushu to meet Huan Wen. In the afternoon of the 28th, they arrived at the foot of Bailu Mountain outside Gushu City and met Huan Wen.
Gu Kaizhi and others from the army were sent to greet him. Gu Kaizhi was still cheerful and smiling. He jumped off his horse and shook hands with Chen Caozhi. He said with a smile: "The wind and frost in the north have damaged me, but Zizhong's style is even better than before. It must be because he is pampered. When will he invite me to travel far away?"
Travel to Jizhou and appreciate the majestic mountains and rivers of Hebei?"
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Last year, Gao Shizhong was the imperial envoy. Why didn't Changkang go with him? He traveled 20,000 miles."
Gu Kaizhi sighed sadly and said: "What a pity, I didn't know about this in Xifu, otherwise I would have asked Duke Huan to let me go as an envoy." He still sighed, but with a smile on his face he said: "Zizhong, have you seen my little Weiqing?
, Do you think they are the true couple of your uncle?"
Chen Caozhi laughed and told the story of two little babies who fell down after meeting each other in the Lu Mansion the day before yesterday. Gu Kaizhi also laughed.
At this time, an official from the West Government came over to greet Chen Cao and said, "Chen Cao, do you still remember me?"
Chen Caozhi looked at this short but clear-faced young official, who looked vaguely familiar, and said, "I seem to have seen him in Wang Youjun's mansion, but I'm not sure."
The weak-headed official laughed and said, "Chief Chen really has a photographic memory. I was only thirteen years old at that time, but Governor Chen still has an impression of me!" He bowed to the ground and announced his name: "King Xun of Langya, Wang Yuanlin, now.
As the chief secretary of Xifu."
Chen Caozhi quickly returned the courtesy and said: "It turns out to be Brother Yuan Lin, disrespectful."
Wang Xun was born into a famous family in Langya. His grandfather was the famous Dao Wang, and his father Wang Qia was the most famous among Dao Wang’s sons. Wang Xizhi once said that Wang Qia’s calligraphy was not inferior to his, but it was a pity that he lived a short life. Chen Caozhi went to Wu
Wang Qia had passed away before he went to school in the county. Wang Xun's mother, Gou, was also a famous female calligrapher at that time. Xie Daoyun had asked Gou for advice when she was young. Wang Xun was a rare and talented man with a clear mind. He was seventeen years old this year.
Huan Wen was appointed as the chief clerk of the military mansion. His chapters, tables, books, notes, articles, and messages were all written in one stroke without being drafted. His writing style was elegant and his diction was gorgeous, and he was highly valued by Huan Wen——
Chen Caozhi was not polite to say disrespectful to Wang Xun, who was only seventeen years old. Wang Xun's calligraphy post "Bo Yuan Tie" preserved by later generations is a rare calligraphy treasure second only to Lu Ji's "Pingfu Tie".
The treasure of the hall——
As a descendant of the Wang family of Langya, Wang Xun was surprisingly respectful to Chen Caozhi, almost flattering him, and said: "When I was still alive, my uncle Cong Shuyi repeatedly praised Chen Caoshi's calligraphy that others could not match. I would like to express my gratitude to Chen Caozhi."
I have been asking for advice for a long time, and now I am glad that the governor Chen has returned. How lucky it is." I personally lead Chen Cao's reins -
Wang Xizhi has passed away, Wang Xianzhi is not good at making friends, and Wang Biaozhi is old, so Chen Caozhi does not have much contact with the Wang family of Langya. He does not understand why Wang Xun is so enthusiastic. He suddenly remembered that his sister-in-law Ding Youwei told him the day before yesterday that the Wang family of Langya
There was a young man named Mu Run'er who was beautiful and talented. I asked Xie Shao to come here to inquire about whether he wanted to propose to Run'er. Could it be this Wang Xun, who was also about the same age——
Thinking like this, Chen Caozhi looked at Wang Xun a few more times. In addition to his short stature, Wang Xun had good looks and facial expressions. Chen Caozhi looked at Ran Sheng again. Ran Sheng was eight feet tall. Wang Xun
Only about 6 feet 7 inches, slightly shorter than the tall Run'er, and incomparable to the tall and majestic Ran Sheng. He thought to himself: "Run'er's marriage is really troublesome. If you can't be high, you can't be low.
"
Chen Caozhi shook his head. He couldn't think too much about these things at this time. He should gather his energy to deal with Huan Wen and his son, as well as Murong Chui.
Chen Caozhi entered Gushu City and went directly to the General's Mansion to meet Huan Wen. He presented the treasures brought from Hebei, which were the national utensils of the Yan State that Chen Caozhi had obtained from Yecheng. There were armillary spheres, sun and earth gauges, and records.
Drums, guide wheels, these national utensils were hidden in the secretary's warehouse of Ye Palace. Huan Wen had not searched them when he was in Yecheng. When he saw them, he was overjoyed. Chen Caozhi did not present these utensils to the Emperor Sima Yu of Jiankang, but instead presented them to him.
The intention of giving it to him is self-evident. Huan Wen immediately ordered people to put these national utensils away, and most of his dissatisfaction with Chen Caozhi for contributing a large amount of money and silk to the court was immediately eliminated——
Chen Caozhi has not seen Huan Wen for almost two years. When people reach old age, they age very quickly. Huan Wen now is really different from the one he was during the Northern Expedition the year before last. His calm purple stone eyes have lost their luster, and his face is slightly dull.
He was swollen, but for some reason, the aging Huan Wen seemed a little inexplicably excited. Could it be because he had obtained the national weapon of the Yan State?
Huan Wen sat on his bed, looked at the young and handsome Chen Caozhi, and said with emotion: "I am very envious of Chen Zizhong's majestic appearance. Recalling the joyful grudges and grudges when he was young, it suddenly seems like a dream."
When Huan Wen was young, he once broke into his enemy's mourning hall alone with his sword in hand, and killed his enemy's son with his own hands. He had a heroic spirit and was a hero for a lifetime. However, he could not withstand the ravages of time. His old age was pitiable——
Chen Cao said: "Ming Gong is still in good health. Cao Zhi looks forward to following Ming Gong to attack Guanlong again, unify the nine states, and achieve eternal hegemony."
Huan Wen smiled and said: "Murong Chui also suggested taking advantage of the victory to sweep Guanlong, but Fu Jian has already surrendered and the enemy has no name."
Chen Caozhi also knew that Huan Wen no longer had the energy to attack Qin, but Murong Chui's suggestion to attack Qin was obviously not all for the sake of the Jin Dynasty. Murong Chui deliberately made friends with Huan Xi, naturally because Huan Xi was Huan Wen's son and would be the emperor in the future.
, with Huan Xi’s foolishness and Murong Chui’s wisdom, there will be great disaster in Jiangdong——
Chen Cao said: "Ming Gong, Murong Chui is not a tamable person. How can Ming Gong entrust him with the important task of being the Sima of Yuzhou!"
Huan Wen said: "My son Bo Dao admires the talents of Murong Chui and his son, and Murong Chui lives in the east of the Yangtze River. He has always been cautious and has not shown any different intentions. Yuzhou is not a border state. What can the Sima of a mere state do, so he is appointed."
Chen Caozhi said sincerely: "The prince is the wish of the Ming Dynasty, but I can't help him with foreigners. Although the prince is at odds with me due to trivial matters, my loyalty has not changed. I want to resign from Jizhou and return to Jiangdong to assist the prince. I only hope that the prince will
Don’t reject me in the past.”
Huan Wen had many eyes and ears in Jiankang, and the news that Chen Caozhi told Emperor Sima Yu that he wanted to return to the court as an official had been sent back to Gushu two days ago——
Huan Wen said slowly: "Since Chen Yu doesn't want to live in Hebei, I will agree to your request and let you return to the court and serve -" When he said this, his purple stone eyes stared at Chen Caozhi for a moment, observing Chen Cao's subtleties.
expression.
Chen Caozhi raised his eyebrows with joy, bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Ming Gong."
Huan Wen nodded and asked: "The commander-in-chief of Jizhou and Hebei should have someone with all-around civil and military skills in charge. Since Chen Yu has resigned, who should be his replacement?"
Chen Caozhi pondered: "Jianwei General Tan Xuan and Huaiyin Prefect Mao Husheng may be able to take on this responsibility."
Tan Xuan and Mao Husheng were both members of Huan Wen's old tribe in Jingxiang. Both of them were good at using troops.
Huan Wen's sullen face relaxed, and his suspicions about Chen Caozhi were relieved. He smiled and said: "This matter can be discussed later. Tan Xuan, although Mao Husheng is good at using soldiers, he is not as good as Chen Cao in governing state affairs, so he has to do something else."
In search of good talents, Chen Pengqi first came to Jiankang to supervise me and urge the court to grant me a royal title——"
Chen Cao said: "I have been away from Qiantang for three years, and I feel really uneasy about not being able to add a handful of soil to my parents' graves. Please grant me a three-month period and allow me to return to my hometown to worship my ancestors, and then return to Jiankang to serve Duke Ming."
Huan Wen smiled and said: "Chen Yu's pure filial piety is known to the world. How can I refuse your invitation? You can just return to Jiankang in early September."
Chen Caozhi said loyally again: "Ming Gong, I would like to say one more thing. Murong Chui and his son are only going to join their horses and let them go to Nanshan. Don't let him take charge of the army."
Huan Wen nodded and said, "I understand. Chen Yu has been traveling hard and is dusty, so he should go take a bath first and then go to the banquet."
Huan Wen asked Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng to stay in the guest room in the outer courtyard of the general's mansion so that they could be introduced to him.
When Huan Wen met with Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng, Ran Sheng only answered some of Huan Wen's questions about Youzhou's military affairs. The rest of the time he listened quietly to the conversation between his brother and Huan Wen, feeling secretly worried for his brother. At this time,
He resigned and asked in a low voice: "Brother's words are too sincere. If Da Sima really wants to let my brother return to Jiankang to serve, how should he deal with it?"
Chen Cao smiled and said: "About the end of August, there will be news from Luoyang to Xifu. Fu Jian will join forces with Tuoba Shiyiqian to briefly merge the prefectures and Jizhou."
Ran Sheng was surprised: "Seriously?"
Chen Cao said: "It's unnecessary. This is something I've been wary of."
Ran Sheng sighed in admiration: "Brother, you really have a plan. It turns out that this was what I secretly discussed with General Shen when we were in Luoyang!"
…
That night, Huan Wen held a banquet in the General's Mansion in honor of Chen Caozhi, Ran Sheng, Lu You and others, as well as Huan Wen's six sons Huan Xi, Huan Ji, Huan Xin, Huan Yi, Huan Wei and Huan Xuan were all present. Princess Nankang passed away on the fourth day of last year.
On the ninth day of the lunar month, his father died in his mother's death, and the service lasted for one year. Therefore, the six brothers of Huan Xi have now left the service and can participate in the banquet. Huan Xi is also preparing to leave Gushu and go to Chen County to take up the post of governor of Yuzhou——
Huan Xuan, the son of Li Jingshu, was almost three years old. Although Huan Xuan was young, his speech was clear, his appearance was delicate and cute, and he was taller than other children of the same age. Huan Wen loved this young son very much and let Huan Xuan sit beside his father's bed.
, chatting and laughing with Huan Xuan in a low voice from time to time.
Huan Xi regarded Chen Caozhi as an enemy, and wanted to make an excuse not to come to the banquet, but after thinking about it, he came anyway. Seeing that Chen Caozhi was still handsome, and hearing that Princess Xianbei also followed Chen Caozhi to Jiankang, old hatred came to his heart.
The arrow scar on his left cheek was purple and black, and he thought to himself: "Chen Caozhi, let's see how proud you will be!"
Chen Caozhi noticed Huan Xi's hateful gaze and responded with a smile. However, he also noticed that Huan Wen's second son Huan Ji also hated him. He couldn't help but be surprised. Although his relationship with Huan Ji was not good, it was not bad either.
Could it be that Huan Ji was bewitched by his brother and became angry with him?
Chen Caozhi didn't know that Huan Ji now knew why his wife, Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an, disliked him. Sima Daofu fell in love with Chen Cao's beauty because he met Chen Cao once in Situ's Mansion before marrying him.
How can you not hate Huan Ji who despises him?
Chen Caozhi offended Huan Wen's two sons because of the two women, Sima Daofu and Murong Qinchen. The conflict has become increasingly intense, and things are about to change.