At the end of August in the second year of Jian'an, Cao Cao was in Xudu and vowed to defeat the rebels.
With Man Chong, the prefect of Ruyin, as the vanguard, he gathered 8,000 people to garrison Ruyin; Guo Jia was also appointed as the military advisor to offer wine, Sikong Cao and Dong Zhao were appointed as the commander of the army, General Xu Huang was ordered to serve, Pinglu school captain Yu Jin, and Lihu prefect Li were appointed as the vanguard.
Dian, each ordered 10,000 elite troops, divided into three groups, and conquered Yuan Shu...
Cao Cao took charge of the central army, and ordered Dian, Wei, Xu, and Chu to lead the two armies of Tiger Guard and Tiger Guard to go out.
At the same time, Zhendong general Liu Bei, left general Lu Bu and Wuchenghou, and Han and Ming general Sun Ce respectively raised their troops and attacked Shouchun.
For a moment, the world was shaken!
Although Cao Cao had experienced hundreds of battles before, this time, the nature was completely different.
Cao Cao is called to challenge rebellion on behalf of heaven, so he naturally strives to win in one battle. Not only does he want to win, but he also wants to win beautifully and simply.
Otherwise, it is not enough to reflect the prestige of the Han Dynasty.
Some people praised him, but others naturally sneered at him. Although Yuan Shao didn't say anything, he showed a posture of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight; and Jingzhou Liu Biao was not very happy. Although he wanted to send troops to harass Cao Cao, considering his reputation, he finally
Still gave up the idea.
Thirty thousand troops set off in a mighty battle.
On the day when Cao Cao led his troops to conquer Yuan Shu, a convoy quietly left Xudu.
The imperial appointment was finally issued.
He appointed Deng Ji as the order of Haixi and went to Haixi to take up his post that day.
This Haixi County was later the southern gate of Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, and Guannan County.
In the fourth year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he established the Haixi vassal state a hundred and twenty miles south of Haizhou. It was the fiefdom of Li Guangli, the general of the second division at that time. In the third year of the Zhenghe period, Li Guangli surrendered to the Xiongnu, and the Haixi vassal state was changed to Haixi.
County. It was first under the rule of Donghai County, and later belonged to Guangling County.
Pu Yangkai is only in his early forties, but due to various reasons, he looks quite old.
He was born in Chenliu and now works as a teacher in Waihuang County. To be honest, if it weren't for Xun Yu's recommendation, Puyang Kai might not be able to like Deng Ji. His temperament is cold and cold, and he doesn't like to talk much. He usually doesn't like talking.
When I have nothing to do, I just read in my room.
He has good calligraphy and the best "Spring and Autumn" in his life.
In Guo Jia's words, Puyang liked the style of the Six Kingdoms and loved reading Korean poetry.
This Korean poem refers to Korea during the Warring States Period. Isn't there "Zheng Feng" and "Han Feng" in the Book of Songs? Throughout the entire Book of Songs, Puyang Kai only read Korean poems. Because Chenliu was the capital of South Korea at that time.
.Puyang Kaichang thought that he was a remnant of the old Korea... Moreover, he was good at "Zhou Rites" and was very strict with every move he made. He was an old master who paid great attention to etiquette.
Cao Peng always felt huge pressure when he was in front of Puyang Kai.
Seeing him, Cao Peng would think of those old scholars of later generations. They had old-fashioned faces and did not like to talk or smile...
Even Deng Ji had the idea of buying horse bones for a thousand gold at the beginning. Although Cao Peng reprimanded him and woke him up, he did not think that Puyang Kai could be very powerful. People often say,
People have aura! Puyang Kai has such an aura. When you stand in front of him, even if he doesn't say a word, you will feel heavy pressure. Is it righteousness? I can't say for sure...anyway
It makes people feel very stressed. Cao Peng has seen a lot of things in this and past lives, but he still feels a little nervous.
Such an old master must be extraordinary!
This was Cao Peng's first thought when he saw Puyang Kai.
Puyang Kai had originally decided to move his family to Lujiang to join his old friend. However, he gave up the idea after Xun Yu came forward to persuade him.
He said to Deng Ji: "My lord is going to Haixi, and I can also accompany you.
But if I make good suggestions and you don’t accept them, and you can’t give me a suitable reason, then I will voluntarily resign.”
This sentence has the meaning of Sun Tzu's Art of War: "If a general listens to my plan, he will win if he uses it, so keep him; if he doesn't listen to my plan, if he uses it, he will lose, so get rid of him." Since you want me to help you, then you must listen.
My idea. If you don't listen and can't find a reason, then I will leave.
It sounded like he was threatening Deng Ji.
But if you think about it carefully, Puyang Kai did not have his reasons for doing this.
After all, he is old and has little development in the Central Plains. If you are willing to listen to me, I can still help you. But if you are not willing to listen to me, then why should I stay and waste time? Puyang Kai kneels
If he has a son, he must make plans for his son. Everyone has said their ugly words openly. If they get along, they will be together. If they don't get along, they will go their separate ways. Don't wrong anyone...
Deng Ji felt very uncomfortable at first.
But when I thought about it again, it seemed like it wasn’t a big deal.
If your idea is good, I will listen; if your idea is bad, I will not listen.
If you want to insist on something that I think is wrong, then I'm sorry, let's all call it quits.
So Deng Ji agreed.
But Cao Peng heard something unusual from Pu Yangkai's words. If a person is not really capable, how can he say such words? People who are capable have weird temperaments; those who are not capable have weird temperaments.
Only people can keep their word and obey their advice.
What Deng Ji needs is a helper, not an errand.
If Pu Yangkai didn't have his own ideas, then what's the use of Deng Ji asking for him?
Pu Yangkai's words alone were enough to make Cao Peng look at him with admiration... Pu Yangkai also has a son named Pu Yangyi, who is one year younger than Cao Peng. This time, Pu Yangyi did not come with Pu Yangkai.
, but was arranged by Puyang Kai to go to Lujiang.
Obviously, Pu Yangkai himself was not very optimistic about Deng Ji.
Perhaps, in his mind, Deng Ji would definitely not be able to endure him. As for him, it might not take long for him to leave.
So he sent Puyang Yi to his friend's home in Lujiang.
Deng Ji was helpless about this.
If people are willing to help him, they have already given enough face; it would be a bit unreasonable to buy one and get one free.
In this regard, Cao Peng is also helpless... -
After Pu Yangkai came to Cao Mansion, he still behaved very withdrawn and did not like to talk to others.
Most of the time, he was carefully reading the official documents and information from Haixi County. For example, the local customs, such as the climate conditions there... As for Deng Ji, he would take Cao Peng there to greet him every day. Even though Puyang Kai treated him badly
He didn't pay much attention and didn't show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. Cao Peng followed Deng Ji and secretly observed Puyang Kai, trying to find his flaws...
It's a pity that Puyang Kai has a pure heart and few desires.
Not good at women, not good at money and silk, he is more like a standard ascetic in life.
Every morning he gets up before dawn, exercises, and then reads in the study. After lunch, he takes a nap, which lasts no more than half an hour. After waking up, he starts reading official documents and files. After dinner, he takes a walk nearby for an hour.
After coming back, wash up and go to bed. To use a more fashionable term, you work with the sun and rest with the sun. Life is very regular.
It is indeed not easy to recruit such a person!
As for Deng Ji's fellow countryman Deng Zhi, a letter has been sent to him, but he has still not received a reply.
Can Deng Zhi come over? It’s still a question.
To be honest, Cao Peng was not particularly confident about Deng Zhi coming to help, so he had to focus all his energy on Puyang Kai.
Time passed so fast, in the blink of an eye, Cao Cao raised his troops!
At the same time, the imperial court's appointment was also sent to the Cao Mansion, appointing Deng Ji as the Order of Haixi.
Just as Guo Jia said, Man Chong did not make things difficult for Deng Ji. On the contrary, when he learned that Deng Ji was going to Haixi, Man Chong was very happy. He talked a lot about Deng Ji with the envoys sent by Cao Cao.
Because of this, Cao Cao finally made up his mind.
Cao Ji has taken up his post at Heyi Workshop.
Only mother and daughter Zhang and little Deng Ai, who was just one month old, were left at home.
Deng Juye and his wife stayed in the Cao Mansion in Xudu. Originally, Cao Nan wanted to follow Deng Ji to Haixi County. However, considering that she had just given birth and little Deng Ai was young, she could not live without her mother, so Deng Ji was
Ji refused. In addition, there were still ten maids and ten generals left in the Cao Mansion. Zhou Cang and Xia Houlan took ten heroes from Tufushan and accompanied Deng Ji to Haixi County to take up their posts...
Cao Peng also went with Deng Ji.
Although Deng Ji's original intention was to hope that Cao Peng would stay in Xudu and try to become a disciple of a famous teacher.
But Cao Peng firmly disagreed.
“Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles.
I went to Haixi with my brother-in-law, which can add more knowledge. I have been able to read through "Poetry" and "Lun", and now I am reading "Shangshu". If there is anything I don't understand, I can ask my brother-in-law or Puyang for advice.
Sir, he will definitely teach me."
After Cao Peng finished speaking, he looked at Puyang Kai.
Pu Yangkai's face was cold and cold.
However, from his fleeting eyes, Cao Peng read a hint of appreciation.
"If the young master asks me, I will tell you everything."
During this period, Deng Ji had been in constant contact with Puyang Kai.
Pu Yangkai looks cold and has a weird temperament. But when it comes to knowledge, his knowledge is more solid than Deng Ji.
After all, he is a person who has taught, and his understanding of the traditional "Poetry" and "Lun" is far beyond what Deng Ji can match.
If Pu Yangkai was willing to teach Cao Peng, Deng Ji had no objection. But Deng Ji also had a bottom line: Cao Peng could not accept Pu Yangkai as his teacher.
why?
After all, Puyang Kai still has a bad reputation.
Ah Fu is so smart, he must become a disciple of a big man in the future!
Deng Ji had suffered enough from not having a famous teacher. In his early years, he practiced Xingming. If he could have had a famous teacher, he would not have been miserable.
Cao Peng understood Deng Ji's thoughts, and he actually had a candidate in mind.
However, he didn't know whether that person was willing to accept him...
Facing the dawn, Cao Peng and his party embarked on the eastbound road. Deng Ji took a carriage, and Puyang Kai also had a carriage. In addition to some salutes, there were more stacks of letters and books on the carriage.
Deng Ji tried his best to take away the files and official documents handed over by Xun Yu. He didn't know much about Haixi, so he could learn more about the situation while he was on his way.
Guo Jia said that Haixi is very complicated.
When Xun Yu asked him to go over to accept the appointment, he also said that the land west of Hainan is full of intertwined roots.
Shangshu Xunyou sent someone to tell Deng Ji: "Haixi is the junction of three counties. We must have good relations with the local Jin gentry, especially the Chen family in Guangling."
There were many kind reminders like this. Even Cao Zhen secretly told Cao Peng: "When you get to Haixi, it's best to visit Wei Mi."
The implication is to tell Cao Peng that Haixi is really dangerous!
But how dangerous exactly is it?
Cao Zhen couldn't tell...
"Ah Fu, that old guy is really good at handling things."
Zhou Cang and Xia Houlan led the people in front to clear the way, while Cao Peng, Wang Mai and Deng Fan escorted the car behind.
Wang Mai urged his horse, and rode together with Cao Peng. He murmured in a low voice, and his eyes fell on the second carriage. In that carriage, Puyang Kai was sitting.
"Brother Hutou, stop complaining!"
Cao Peng frowned and scolded: "Mr. Boning is talented and knowledgeable, and he has a wide range of knowledge. We must respect him more in the future. If you continue to nag, go back to Xudu. My fifth brother and I
It’s enough to go…”
Wang Maiyi grinned and held up his hands repeatedly.
"I'm not... Okay, okay, I'll never complain again! Don't let me go back."
Among the Xiaobayi, the one with the deepest affection and the best relationship with Cao Peng was Wang Mai. He didn’t want to scold Wang Mai, but he was alone these days. Although Cao Peng had traveled through the crowd, he knew the mess.
Some, but when it comes to governing the place, he is really not sure. Puyang Kai is undoubtedly Deng Ji's most reliable helper at present. Cao Peng does not want the relationship with him to be too tense.
Wang Mai no longer complains, and Deng Fan naturally won't say anything strange.
The three of them chatted in low voices while following the carriage.
"Third brother was shouting that he wanted to go there the day before yesterday... Well, after staying in Xudu for so long and being separated all of a sudden, I feel a little bit reluctant to leave."
"Are you reluctant to give up Third Brother, or are you reluctant to give up Xu Dufushua?"
"Of course it's Third Brother and the others... No matter how prosperous Xudu is, what does it have to do with me? I practice martial arts all day long, and I don't have much time to play around in Xudu."
Cao Peng smiled and said, "Do you really miss Xu Du?"
Deng Fan suddenly said: "I miss my father and my mother..."
Growing up, Deng Fan has never left his parents. When he went to Haixi this time and was thousands of miles away from Xudu, it was inevitable that he would feel homesick. As soon as he walked out of the city gate of Xudu, Deng Fan started to have a seizure!
Fortunately, he was walking with Cao Peng and others. If he were traveling alone, he might have started to cry by now. Cao Peng did not laugh at Deng Fan, and Wang Mai also showed some concern.
"I miss my dad too...he went on an expedition with the lord today, I don't know..."
In my impression, Cao Cao conquered Yuan Shu and finally won!
But it seems that winning is not that easy, but the loss is not too serious.
"Brother Hutou, don't worry...Uncle Wang is a member of the Tiger Army, and his duty is to guard the central army. He is not charging into battle. What are you worried about?"
"But in the battle of Wancheng, wasn't Dian Zhonglang also the Suwei Zhongjun?"
Wang bought a word and almost choked Cao Peng to death.
Yes, Dian Wei was indeed in the Su Wei army at that time, and he almost lost his life.
Cao Peng scratched his head and said, "Brother Hutou, these are two different things."
"Why are they two different things?"
"Last time Duke Cao was in Wancheng, it was mainly because... he was careless; but this time, Duke Cao will never make the same mistake again. Moreover, Duke Cao is followed by Guo Jijiu this time. Who is Guo Jijiu? I must have said.
You also know very well, how can you let the lord make the same mistakes again?"
After Wang Mai heard this, he also felt that it made sense.
He immediately showed a smile, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly heard the rapid sound of horse hooves coming from behind, getting closer and closer.
"Ah Fu, Ah Fu, wait for me!"
Cao Peng reined in his horse and turned around to look.
I saw smoke and dust billowing on the road behind me.
A group of cavalry galloped from the direction of Xudu like lightning.
The first two young generals have black horses under their crotches. One is carrying a double halberd and a large axe; the other is holding a bow and an arrow, and a nine-foot dragon bird is stuck upside down on the horse. Behind them, there are twenty cavalry followers.
, and two large cars. When Cao Peng saw these two people, he couldn't help but be stunned.
He turned his horse's head and faced him.
"Second brother, third brother, where are you going?"
The two young generals are Dianman and Xu Yi.
I saw that the two of them were in high spirits, with excitement on their faces.
"Afu, we have decided to go to Haixi County with you."
"ah?"
Noriman nodded repeatedly, "Yes, now that you are gone, Datou and I both feel that Xu has become very boring. The eldest brother has gone to the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and now he has been practicing in the camp all day and has no time at all; the fourth child and the
Lao Liu, one went to Luoyang, the other went to Chang'an...
Datou and I made some calculations and found that there is nothing to do in Xudu anyway, so I might as well go to Haixi with you to gain more knowledge!"
"You want to go to Haixi with me?"
"Yes!" Xu Yi waved her arms excitedly, "I heard that Haixi is in chaos now. It's a good time for my brother to establish his career!"
Could it be that these two people regarded their trip to Haixi as just a fun trip?
"Ah Fu, look, we are all ready! Datou has specially selected twenty tribesmen from the tribe to go with us. Don't underestimate them, they are very powerful. They can all fight! Here we are.
Haixi will definitely be able to help you in the future."
At this time, Deng Ji also heard the commotion behind him.
So he ordered people to stop the carriage and step out to check the situation...
"Afu, what's going on?"
He asked with some dissatisfaction: "We still have to hurry. If we delay any longer, we will miss the place where we stay and sleep in the wilderness when it gets dark."
"Uh...the second brother and the third brother are here!"
Cao Peng smiled bitterly, looked at Deng Ji and said, "Second brother and third brother said they wanted to go to Haixi County with us, and they even brought carriages and horses!"
"What?"
Deng Ji was shocked when he heard this.
Are these two going to Haixi too?
The situation over there is very complicated. If something goes wrong between the two of them, Deng Ji can't afford it.
"Aman, Datou, are you going to Haixi too?"
Xu Yi puffed up her chest on the horse, "Of course... We and Ah Fu are sworn brothers, how can we bear to see him in danger?"
When was I in danger?
Cao Peng cursed in his heart... If you follow me, that will put me in danger!
But people have good intentions and cannot refuse.
Deng Ji still wanted to persuade, so he heard Dian Man say: "Brother Deng, let's go with Ah Fu. My father and the others agree, otherwise Da Tou wouldn't be able to bring people here. If you don't agree, Da Tou and I won't force it."
.You go your own way, Datou and I will go to Haixi by ourselves."
Do Dian Wei and Xu Chu agree?
There is nowhere to check at this time...
But Dianman was right. If Xu Chu didn't agree, Xu Yi probably wouldn't be able to bring his followers.
Puyang Kai suddenly opened the car curtain and said, "Uncle and Sun, since they are going, take them with you. Anyway, you will need manpower when you reach Haixi. The two of them may be able to help... Besides, you don't
Let them go and they will go. If something goes wrong along the way, wouldn't it be more troublesome?"
Deng Ji thought about it and found that this was also the case.
"In that case, just follow...but to be clear, you must obey my orders!"
"This is nature, this is nature!" Dianman said mysteriously: "Brother Deng, we also brought three pieces of armor!"
Cao Peng always felt that these two people were not here to help, but might be causing more trouble.
But since Deng Ji agreed, it was hard for him to object. What Puyang Kai said was correct, Deng Ji indeed had no one in his hands.
"In that case, let's get on the road."
"Let's go, let's go!" Xu Yi shouted, directing the carriage to follow.
Cao Peng fell behind and looked at the excited Dianman and Xu Yi. He couldn't help but said to Wang Mai: "I always feel that they ran away secretly!"
"What should we do?"
Cao Peng scratched his head and said with a wry smile: "What else can we do? We have to keep a close eye on them to keep up with them and not let them cause trouble."
Hopefully, these two guys won’t get into trouble!
Cao Peng could only pray secretly in his heart at this time...