Cao Peng, who was drinking water, squirted out a mouthful of water and choked until he coughed repeatedly.
I hate rabbits, and I hate people calling me 'Brother Rabbit' even more. I'm no better than Lord Rabbit. Cao Peng was startled when he raised his head and saw the girl's appearance clearly, because this girl was really an acquaintance, and he had been with Cao Peng before.
A fate of two sides. The first person to call him 'Brother Rabbit' was the little girl in front of him. At this moment, she was standing timidly outside the hall, with a little doubt in her eyes.
As the saying goes: Men need to be pretty and have a clean body; women need to be pretty and be filial.
That filial piety dress makes the girl look so charming, just like the clear and graceful lotus flower, which makes people suddenly want to love her.
Someone in the Xiahou family died?
Never heard of it...
Cao Peng was confused, but he still got up.
"Are you Xia Houzhen?"
"Um!"
"Mrs. Huan ordered me to take the young lady back to Xudu. I am Cao Peng, who will be the Cavalry Commander."
When Xia Houzhen heard this, a look of joy appeared on his face, "It turns out that my aunt sent someone here... By the way, how is Cang Shu doing now?"
Cangshu is the cousin of Mrs. Huan's eldest son, Cao Chong. Logically speaking, this nickname is usually given after the adult ceremony. However, due to the rapid collapse of ritual music in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, many rules became very loose. Cao Chong
Born in the first year of Jian'an, he is only three years old now. Generally speaking, newborn babies do not start to speak until they are one year old, but Cao Chong was only six months old and could actually say "father".
When he is one year old, he can call Mrs. Huan ‘Aniang’…
Although Cao Chong was not Cao Cao's first son, when he called Cao Cao's "father", Cao Cao was very happy.
The ancients often said that geniuses always have extraordinary performances.
Cao Chong can be regarded as unusual. Therefore, when Cao Chong turned one year old, Cao Chong gave Cao Chong the nickname "Cangshu".
Cao Peng was startled, "Who is Cangshu?"
Unexpectedly, when Xiahou heard this, he immediately showed a vigilant look and stepped out of the hall threshold with one foot.
"Who...are you? Even Cang Shu doesn't know, how could Madam send you here?"
Cao Peng couldn't help but burst into laughter. Just as he was about to open his mouth to explain, he heard a commotion coming from outside the door. Followed by a group of servants and generals, they blocked the door of the living room.
"Young lady, don't be surprised. I am not Mrs. Huan's retainer."
Cao Peng quickly explained: "I used to serve as Hailing Captain in Guangling... Haixi Tuntian Commander Deng Ji is my brother-in-law. What about that, Cao Zhen, do you know? We are sworn brothers. We were in the prison of Xudu back then.
Among them, eight people became sworn brothers, so they were also called 'Little Eight Righteous'."
Xia Houzhen bit his lip gently, and the vigilance on his face became much lighter.
No wonder, although I have met Cao Peng, and I met Cao Peng in Dianwei's mansion, I am not familiar with him after all. God knows Cao Peng's current identity.
However, Xia Houzhen had heard of Xiao Bayi's name.
Cao Peng took out Cao Zhen's letter from his arms, "I was ordered to return home for the crowning ceremony, but Zi Dan wrote and said that when I passed through Qiao County, I would pick up Miss Zhen and return to the capital. So, I really don't know, Cang
Who is Shu... If you don’t believe it, there are letters to prove it.”
A general came forward and took the letter.
Xia Houzhen finished reading the letter and finally dispelled his doubts.
Her cheeks were rosy, and she smiled slightly, "Cangshu is my aunt's eldest son."
Mrs. Huan’s eldest son?
Cao Peng suddenly understood, wasn't he Cao Chong, who was famous in later generations?
Cao Peng had learned the story of Cao Chong calling him an elephant in his previous life. However, whether it was true or not, Cao Peng was not sure. But there was no doubt about the name of the child prodigy. There were studies in later generations that said that if Cao Chong took over the power of Cao Wei, the consequences would be
It may be better than Cao Pi's succession...
But who can say clearly about this kind of thing?
Xiahou Zhen was a little embarrassed and waved his hand to signal the retainers to leave.
"Brother Cao, don't blame me. It's not that I'm suspicious, but... there was a military disaster in Qiao County the year before last, which affected my family, so I had to be careful."
"It's okay!"
Cao Peng smiled, held hands with Xia Houzhen and said, "Since Miss Zhen has trusted me, please prepare.
I need to arrive in Xudu before February 15th, so it is inconvenient to stay in Qiao County for too long. Please be prepared, Miss. I will wait outside the Beicheng Gate early tomorrow morning. Then we will go to Chen County first. Zilian and I
My uncle has made an appointment to stay for about one day and then return to Xudu."
It can be seen that Xia Houzhen is actually very careful.
In this case, Cao Peng simply made it clear to avoid Xiahou Zhen becoming suspicious and wasting his words.
Xia Houzhen said softly: "Then tomorrow at Mao, we will meet outside the North City Gate."
"That's it, farewell!"
It is not good to be alone, even though there are many retainers around.
Looking at what Xiahou was really wearing, it seemed that some relative had died, and Cao Peng was not in a good position to stay.
He left Xiahou's house with Gan Ning.
Walking out of the gate of Xiahou's house, he looked at the sky. It was almost midnight.
Cao Peng's stomach began to growl. Judging from Gan Ning's condition, it was probably not much better. The two looked at each other and immediately smiled.
"I heard that there is a Laishui Pavilion in Qiao County. The chefs there make excellent food. Why don't you go and taste it?"
Gan Ning said: "I am willing to follow the wishes of the young master."
Laishui Pavilion is located on the west side of Qiao County.
The back window is adjacent to Laishui, and the scenery is quite pleasant.
The Laishui River is a branch of the Langtang Canal. It is divided in Fule County, Chen County, passes through Chen County, passes through Pei County, and flows into the Huai River.
The water flow is not fast, it is mid-spring, and the willows on both sides of the river are green. The wind blows, carrying a faint fragrance of peach and apricot flowers, which makes people feel refreshed.
Cao Peng and Gan Ning finished their lunch in Lishui Pavilion, which took a full hour.
Look at the light, it’s not too early!
So the two of them walked out of the restaurant and prepared to leave the city and return to the inn to rest.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I left the restaurant, I heard a commotion at the end of the long street.
People shouted that the horse was neighing, and there was a chaos. Some people shouted at the top of their lungs: The horse is frightened, the horse is frightened!
I saw a horse-drawn cart and a chariot running wildly along the long street. In the car, you could faintly see the figure of an old woman, who seemed to have lost her soul with fright.
An old man stood in the middle of the long street, watching the roaring carriage, but he didn't move.
Almost without thinking, Cao Peng shouted, "Xingba, save people!"
As he spoke, he rushed over and threw the old man to the ground. At the same time, Gan Ning also moved to the middle of the long street and rushed towards the frightened horse. He was about to be hit by the horse before he saw it.
, Gan Ning suddenly jumped up, turned around in mid-air, and landed firmly on the horse's back. He reached out his arms and grabbed the frightened horse's neck. He shouted loudly and stood up suddenly. The frightened horse was choked.
Almost suffocating, Xi Yuyu let out a long hiss and stood up.
"Why don't you be more honest with me?"
Gan Ning's arms were as if they were made of iron.
The frightened horse struggled twice and soon calmed down.
At this time, Cao Peng also ran over, jumped on the carriage, and opened the curtain.
There was an old woman with white hair sitting in the car. Her face was pale and she had fainted.
Several servants rushed over and when they saw the old woman's appearance, they couldn't help but panic and shouted loudly, trying to help the old woman out of the carriage.
"Stop it, stop it... Do you want to kill the old lady?"
Cao Peng shouted repeatedly, got into the carriage, helped the old woman and laid her flat, and then pinched the old woman's middle.
"Huh... I'm so scared to death!"
The old woman woke up and let out a sigh of relief.
Cao Peng also breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said: "Old madam, lie down and don't move... take a moment and calm down before talking."
"Young man, was it you who saved me?"
"I can't say I saved him, but I met him at the right time."
As Cao Peng spoke, he put a layer of cushion under the old lady's head.
"Old madam, please stop talking and rest first."
After saying that, Cao Peng stepped out of the carriage and nodded to Gan Ning.
"Xingba, good job."
"Haha, the young master is so skillful."
Cao Peng gave some more instructions to his retainers, then he and Gan Ning got on their horses and headed out of the city.
After a while, the county magistrate of Qiao County arrived with a group of servants. The magistrate looked panicked and stepped forward and said: "Old lady, is it okay?"
"The old lady has recovered and is about to return home."
"Wendu, is that you?"
"Ah, aunt, he is the great-nephew."
"Have you ever thanked the person who saved me by stopping the frightened horse just now?"
"ah?"
The county magistrate was startled and turned to look at the retainer.
"Just now, two strong men stopped the frightened horse and rescued the old lady. But they didn't want to leave their names, so they left... One of them was named Xingba, and the other young man seemed to be a certain young master. Look at his mount
, has an extraordinary origin, a bit like General Miaocai's 'Zhao Yebai'? They left in a hurry, and I was waiting to take care of the old lady, so I couldn't stop them. They seemed to be leaving towards the north gate."
"Xingba? Zhao Yebai?"
The county magistrate was startled again when he heard this.
In the carriage, the old lady called again: "Wendu!"
"Ah, aunt."
The county magistrate hurriedly boarded the carriage. After entering the carriage, he helped the old lady sit down.
"Auntie, the two warriors were walking in a hurry, and the family couldn't stop them. But according to what the family said, my grandnephew can guess the clues."
"oh?"
"At noon, they went to the official office to visit their grandnephews. One of them was named Cao Peng, who was the captain of the cavalry under his elder brother.
They are here to visit General Miaocai’s residence, but I don’t know what the specific matter is. Otherwise, should I invite him over?”
"Haha, since I don't want to leave my name, I guess I don't have any intention of asking for repayment.
But we can't repay our kindness... By the way, you can ask about his origins, I'm about to return to Xudu to see if we can go the same way."
The county magistrate responded and walked out of the carriage.
Several retainers carefully drove the carriage away, leaving only the county magistrate standing on the long street, looking thoughtful.
"Master, let's go back."
"Well... don't worry, let's go to General Xiahou's home."
Cao Peng and Gan Ning really didn't take this matter to heart.
Gan Ning was a wild and willful person, and it was impossible for him to seek repayment for his kindness. But what about Cao Peng? Naturally, it was even less likely that he would keep it in mind...
Returning to the inn, I first went to the barracks to have a look.
Hao Zhao and Xia Houlan were surrounding Kan Ze, listening to Kan Ze's explanation of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Originally, according to Cao Peng's wishes, Kanze could be given a Haixi County magistrate no matter what, and he could even be arranged to be the chief administrator of the farmland.
What does a farm administrator do?
He is responsible for the specific matters of farming...
Although Deng Ji is the captain of the army and is in charge of the affairs of the army, after all, he cannot do everything personally. Some things must be handled by the people below. Nowadays, the army is not just a small county in Haixi. There are hundreds of them.
The hectares, or even thousands of hectares of land for farming were all controlled by Deng Ji. All aspects of matters also needed people to implement them. The chief secretary of the farming can be said to control the farming materials, population, fields and other tasks.
An important assistant to Captain Tuntian. But Kan Ze seemed to have no interest in this matter.
If he wanted to follow Cao Peng, Cao Peng would naturally not refuse.
As Bu Zhi and others were released, Deng Zhi seemed more willing to stay in Haixi and be Deng Ji's assistant.
After Cao Peng spent a year, the manpower he had recruited was suddenly empty.
Be it Gan Ning, Xia Houlan or Hao Zhao, they are all the kind of people who march and fight. And he really needs someone beside him who can give him advice.
Kan Ze is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
"Mr. Derun, are you explaining the Spring and Autumn Period again?"
Cao Peng entered the military tent and said with a smile.
Xia Houlan and Hao Zhao quickly stood up and saluted, while Kan Ze put down the book and said: "It's just to add a little more fun in my free time."
Xia Houlan and Hao Zhao are not people with outstanding knowledge.
Among them, Xia Houlan is better and knows some characters; while Hao Zhao is in worse condition. He can be said to have mastered Zhang Liao's samadhi in military management and training. He is also very clear about the various tactics of the trapped camp. But he can't read a single big character.
, can’t even write his own name.
Xia Houlan studied under Tong Yuan in his early years, so he has some foundation.
Hao Zhaoze has been in the army since he was a child and grew up in the army. Where did he have the opportunity to become literate?
Therefore, when he settled in Dongling Pavilion, he followed Bu Zhao to learn literacy; later when Kan Ze came over, he began to learn the art of war from Kan Ze.
What Kan Ze awarded Hao Zhao was the extremely popular "Sima Law".
In his spare time, he would also explain "Spring and Autumn" to Hao Zhao, which made Hao Zhao extremely obsessed with it.
"How did things go?"
"Everything goes well. Tomorrow we will cook at Yin time and set off at Mao time."
"So, very good."
Cao Peng chatted with Kan Ze and others for a while in the military tent, and then returned to the inn with Gan Ning.
Nothing happened all night. Early the next morning, after breakfast, Cao Peng and others set up camp and arrived outside the north city gate of Qiao County. Xia Houzhen had already led more than a hundred retainers to wait outside the city gate. However,
To Cao Peng's surprise, the magistrate of Qiao County was also there.
"Magistrate Cao, why are you here?"
The magistrate of Qiao County was named Cao Xing, whose courtesy name was Wendu.
His father, named Cao Yu, is Cao ***’s clan father. The so-called clan father is an elder in the clan, and he has no direct blood relationship with Cao ***.
Cao Yu was also a great figure in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He once worshiped General Wei and was granted the title of Marquis.
Cao Xing and Cao *** are of the same generation, so they can be considered cousins.
When he saw Cao Peng, he stepped forward to join hands and said, "Captain Cao, I'm lucky enough to come here today because I have something to ask for... There is an aunt in the lucky clan who wants to go to Xudu.
Captain, you should know that bandits are rampant in Chen County, Runan, and thieves who used to be peaceful are now ready to take action. If my aunt continues to live in Qiao County, there will always be inconvenience. I heard that Captain Cao is very skilled in martial arts and is surrounded by warriors. Therefore,
I would like to ask Captain Cao to protect my aunt while traveling with me, is that okay?"
Cao Xing’s aunt?
Cao Peng couldn't help but be startled and looked at Cao Xing doubtfully.
He saw Cao Xing turning aside, and a caravan of vehicles came slowly from behind him.
When they came closer, they saw the carriage curtain raised. Xia Houzhen and a gray-haired old woman were sitting side by side in the carriage and smiled at Cao Peng.
"Old lady?"
"Captain Cao, we meet again!"
The old woman in the car nodded slightly towards Cao Peng and showed a kind smile.
