Walking along the tree-lined path in the back garden of Huben Mansion, Cao Peng's doubts became more and more serious, and he couldn't help but ask.
"It's almost there!"
Dian Wei chuckled and did not answer directly.
After passing through the garden path, you saw a small archway. The two wooden doors were closed tightly. Dian Wei stepped forward, reached out and pushed the door open.
"Afu, come with me."
Cao Peng remembered that behind this arch was Cao Cao's Sikong Mansion Garden.
Dianman mentioned it to him before, and he also saw Xia Houzhen running towards him from behind this arch.
What does Dian Wei mean by bringing me to Cao Cao's garden? Could it be that the person he just said he wanted to take me to see is Cao Cao?
In my heart, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
But then I thought about it, I haven't caused any trouble recently, so what should I be afraid of?
But when he thought of facing Cao Cao directly, Cao Peng felt nervous for no reason. Although his whole family worked for Cao Cao, and Cao Peng had met Cao Cao, but when they met, they never had any direct contact. This kind of
It feels like the feeling I had when I first went to work and went to see the leader in my previous life. I was nervous and uneasy, and at the same time there was a trace of doubt: Cao Cao is so good, why does he want to see me?
As Dian Wei walked through the arch, he heard the sound of singing and dancing of silk and bamboo coming from the garden.
At the entrance of the garden path, Cao Peng saw Xu Chu.
"My nephew has met his uncle."
Cao Peng stepped forward and saluted.
Xu Chu had no expression on his face and just nodded with Cao Peng.
"Afu, hurry up and come over, my lord has been waiting for a long time."
It is indeed Cao Cao!
Cao Peng felt a sudden twitching in his heart.
He took a deep breath and stepped onto the path. When he entered the path, Dian Wei stopped and stood guard outside with Xu Chu.
The sound of singing and dancing is getting closer and closer.
You can see a pavilion in the distance. Cao Cao is kneeling on a couch with a desk in front of him.
In front of the pavilion, there was kabuki dancing.
However, Cao Peng didn't understand most of this kind of dance.
"Afu, come and sit."
Cao Cao saw Cao Peng, laughed loudly, and waved to him.
Cao Peng quickly quickened his pace and came to the pavilion, only to find that Cao Cao was not alone in the pavilion. There was also Cao Zhen and a young man sitting next to him.
Xia Houzhen was guarding a row of trees and was concentrating on warming the wine.
Cong is a tool for warming wine, which was very popular in the Han Dynasty. Generally, there is a Congtai in every wine shop. Most of the people guarding the Congtai are women. On the one hand, it can warm wine to take care of business, and on the other hand, it can warm wine and take care of business.
To attract guests. Most of the towers were originally black, but some embellishments would be added to the homes of the rich and powerful. For example, the tower in this pavilion is inlaid with a layer of white sand and pebbles, which is quite elegant.
Speaking of towers, they are originally furnished in the marketplace.
However, after the story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru, many powerful people would also set up towers in their homes to add elegance.
Therefore, another profession was derived, called 円女.
Being able to scald a good wine is also a skill. Many women also learn this technique of scalding wine while practicing nühong.
Xia Houzhen raised his head and smiled at Cao Peng.
Seeing the smile on Xia Houzhen's face, Cao Peng's nervousness suddenly disappeared.
He believed that if something really happened, Xia Houzhen would definitely give him a hint. Since Xia Houzhen looked relaxed, he thought it wouldn't be a big deal.
"Cao Peng, who holds a humble position, comes to see Sikong."
Cao Peng stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
In fact, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the theory of kneeling three times and knocking nine times had not yet appeared, and people mostly met casually. Even when discussing matters in the court, they were not as strict as those in later TV dramas. They were mostly in groups of three or five, and
You can move around at will. You can sit or stand at will. It's very casual.
Cao Peng saluted so solemnly that Cao Cao was startled.
He laughed dumbly and said: "Afu, this is home, why should we be so polite? Sit down quickly."
But Cao Peng still solemnly performed the courtesy, then bowed slightly and sat down aside.
"Uh... I'll call you Ah Fu, that's okay."
Cao Cao looked at Cao Peng with a smile, and asked softly with a kind look on his face.
"Of course you can."
"Zidan, I don't need to introduce you. You also know Xiaozhen; this is my Zipi, who is four years younger than you and is already twelve years old. Speaking of which, you can be considered the same generation. I came to see you today and there is nothing to do. The main thing is
Thank you for escorting my grandmother all the way."
Cao Pi?
Cao Peng looked at the young man in surprise.
But he saw Cao Pi looking at him curiously...
Cao Pi is not tall, maybe less than 160 centimeters. But he has a rare calm demeanor, unlike ordinary teenagers of the same age.
The two made eye contact, and Cao Pi smiled slightly.
Cao Peng also smiled and immediately made eye contact with Cao Zhen.
There seemed to be some shame in Cao Zhen's eyes, and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at Cao Peng.
This can't help but make Cao Peng a little strange.
"Ah Fu, I once heard someone say that when you were in Guangling, you wrote the "Inscription on the Humble Room"?"
"Ah...it was something I did by chance when I was in my humble job."
Cao Cao smiled and said, "As I said, this is a family banquet, you don't need to be formal. Don't call yourself 'humble job, humble job'. Speaking of which, you can also be regarded as my son and nephew...relax a little. I originally wanted to invite Juan Shi to come."
, but now he is supervising the construction of weapons and equipment in Xingyang, and he can't get out of his way for a while. It rained last night, and when I was walking in the garden, I saw the green plum blossoms on the branches. Suddenly I felt that during the battle for Zhangxiu last year, there was a lack of water on the way, and the soldiers all felt thirsty. I
He had a plan in his mind and pointed with his whip, saying: There is a plum grove ahead... When the sergeant heard it, his mouth was filled with saliva, so he was not thirsty. Now that he saw these plums, he couldn't help but appreciate them. As he was free and had nothing to do, he invited three or five of his nephews to come.
Cooking wine and enjoying plum blossoms is also a pleasure."
With these words, Cao Cao implicitly acknowledged the fact that Cao Jin was a member of his tribe.
However, this matter still needs to be certified after Cao Ji returns.
Cao Zhen and Cao Pi quickly stood up and said, "Thank you father (uncle) for your love."
Only Cao Peng did not respond.
Sitting blankly behind the bill, my mind was in a mess.
Discussing heroes while cooking green plum wine?
I'm just kidding, how could it be like this?
The story of boiling green plums and drinking wine to discuss heroes is taken from Chapter 21 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In later generations, it can be said that it is known to all women and children. However, the people who boiled green plums and drank wine to discuss heroes were Cao Cao and Liu Bei. But now, Liu Bei is not sitting here, but instead
Became myself and Cao Zhen Cao Pi?
Where is Liu Bei?
"Afu, Afu?"
"Ah, Sikong..."
"Huh?" Cao Cao's thick eyebrows knitted together and his face darkened.
Xia Houzhen winked at Cao Peng. Cao Peng immediately woke up and changed his words: "Uncle!"
Cao Cao smiled and said, "I heard from my grandmother that you are the descendant of Gonghou, the fourth generation of Marquis of Pingyang. Speaking of which, you can also be regarded as a descendant of our clan. At that time, Hou Zong of Pingyang was implicated by the prince, which caused the Cao family to suffer. The four sons of Gonghou came and went.
They settled in Qiao County, while your ancestors lived in Nanyang. I once ordered someone to check the genealogy, and it turns out that your ancestor Cao Min is indeed... Ah Fu, I told you that today is a family banquet, so don't be restrained."
"My nephew understands."
Cao Pi suddenly said: "If the mountain is not high, there will be immortals, and if the water is not deep, there will be dragons. This is a humble house, but I am virtuous... Brother Youxue, I once heard Mr. Xiuruo say that you are excellent in poetry and prose. Today in the garden
The scenery is pleasant and the singing and dancing are beautiful, so why not compose a poem?"
Cao Pi, the founder of Jian'an style of writing in later generations.
The three fathers and sons of the Cao family are famous for their literary talent. Needless to say, Cao Cao, Cao Zhi is even more famous. Even Cao Pi is also outstanding in literary talent.
He opened his mouth to invite poems, which immediately made Cao Cao interested.
"Yes, Ah Fu, why don't you compose a poem?"
"this……"
Cao Peng scratched his head, feeling a little headache.
This is poetry for the occasion, and you can’t just steal a poem and get away with it.
He closed his eyes, got up after a while, wandered a few steps in the pavilion, and suddenly opened his eyes: "Everyone says Luoyang is good, and tourists only visit Luoyang. The spring water is as green as the sky, the pavilions sleep listening to the rain, and the people beside them are like the moon.
, The bright wrists are covered with frost and snow. Don’t return to your hometown before you are old. Returning to your hometown requires breaking your heart.”
Then, Cao Peng sat down again.
Cao Pi was stunned, looked at Cao Peng, and said after a moment: "The spring water is as green as the sky, and the pavilion listens to the rain and sleeps... It's good, but it doesn't seem to suit the situation."
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao sighed and said with his palms: "I understand Ah Fu's intention.
However, the matter of returning to the clan is not a matter of leisure. It needs to be carefully considered after your father returns. But Ah Fu, don't worry, I will always keep it in my heart."
This poem "Bodhisattva Man" was written by Wei Zhuang, a poet from the Tang Dynasty.
Cao Peng changed "Jiangnan" in the original poem to "Luoyang". During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Luoyang was the imperial capital. Now, Luoyang is dilapidated and Xu County is the capital. This Luoyang alludes to Xudu.
Everyone says that the Imperial Capital is good and that it is suitable for people to grow old in the Imperial Capital.
The water in spring was blue, and the woman next to the tower was radiant... which exactly matched Xia Houzhen's portrayal at this time. Xia Houzhen subconsciously lowered his sleeves, and his little face turned red.
Do not return to your hometown until you are old; when you return to your hometown, you will miss the imperial capital again.
These two lines of poetry are actually written backwards. In Cao Cao's view, what Cao Peng expressed was the sorrow and sadness of not being able to return to his clan and recognize his ancestors.
For Cao Pi, it was the age when young people don’t know what it’s like to be sad, so it was a bit deep.
But Cao Cao can still understand.
Cao Peng smiled and bowed slightly as a response.
"Xiao Zhen, add some wine for Ah Fu."
Xiahou Zhen agreed and offered Cao Peng a high rank.
Cao Peng thanked him and raised his glass to drink.
"Ah Fu, Liu Bei ran away!"
Cao Zhen, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
Cao Peng didn't have time to swallow his drink. Cao Zhen's words caused him to choke and cough violently.
"Brother Zidan, won't you wait for a while?"
Xia Houzhen couldn't help but give Cao Zhen a roll of his eyes, which made Cao Zhen smile bitterly and didn't know how to answer.
"Liu Bei ran away? When?"
Cao Zhen said: "Just the day before yesterday... he said he was hunting, so no one paid attention. Unexpectedly, after he left Xudu with his people, he went all the way south. When my uncle got the news, he immediately ordered people to pursue him. But at Juntai
Encountered an ambush by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei... After Liu Bei and his family members reunited, they fled. It is said that he led his people towards Qingzhou, seemingly seeking refuge with Yuan Shao."
After speaking, Cao Zhen took a deep breath, stood up and bowed to the ground towards Cao Peng.
"Afu, you reminded me before that you wanted me to pay more attention to Liu Bei.
I thought you said those words because of the grudge between you and Liu Xuande. Now it seems that you were right.
This person is tolerant and knows how to hide himself.
I was deceived by his appearance and misunderstood you...Afu, I apologize to you."
Cao Pi sat aside and looked at Cao Peng curiously.
Cao Peng quickly stood up and returned the greeting, "Brother, where did you start talking about this? I had a bad attitude that day, so...Liu Bei has a heroic appearance. You have never fought with him, so you don't know him. You were deceived by him.
, it’s nothing, but I’m a little willful.”
Cao Cao stood aside, silent and speechless.
Suddenly, he waved his hand, signaling the kabuki outside the pavilion to retreat.
"Zidan, Ah Fu is right, I can't blame you for this, even I was almost deceived by Liu Bei.
It's just that Liu Bei left in such a hurry that I didn't have time to react. Ah Fu, tell me, why did Liu Xuande leave?"
After Cao Peng sat down, he suddenly realized: No wonder... Liu Bei ran away!
However, Cao Peng couldn't think of a reason why Liu Bei suddenly fled. He vaguely remembered that when Liu Bei was planting vegetables, there was a discussion about heroes while cooking green plums. Later, Liu Bei was completely dispelled by Cao Cao, and he used an excuse to stop Yuan Shu, and returned to Yuan Shu.
Occupy Xiapi.
But not long after, Cao Cao beat him to Runan.
But now, why is he running away?
After hearing Cao Cao's question, Cao Peng didn't know how to answer.
The Clothing Edict must be the Clothing Edict... This incident has already happened, but I don't know what caused Liu Bei to leave Xudu early.
"Uncle, there is an old proverb in Zhongyang Mountain: If you don't do anything bad, don't be afraid of ghosts calling at the door.
Liu Bei suddenly fled Xudu, so he must have done something shameful. Moreover, the consequences of this matter were very serious. He was afraid that his uncle would know about it, so..."
Halfway through his words, Cao Peng closed his mouth.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and suddenly shouted in a deep voice: "Here comes someone!"
I saw a young general hurriedly came outside the pavilion and knelt down on one knee.
"Secret orders are issued to conduct a thorough investigation into who Liu Xuande moved around frequently and who he had contact with during his stay in Xudu."
"Here!"
The young general got up and left in a hurry.
At this time, suddenly there were dark clouds, as if a shower was coming.
"Dad, look!"
Cao Pi suddenly pointed at a dragon hanging in the distance. Cao Cao, Cao Peng and Cao Zhen all stood up and leaned on the railing to watch.
"Zidan, Youxue, can you know the changes in dragons?"
Coming, coming, coming...
Cao Peng thought to himself and blurted out: "I don't know the details."
Cao Cao smiled and said, "The dragon can be big or small, it can rise or hide; when it is big, it stirs up clouds and spits out mist; when it is small, it hides and hides; when it rises, it soars in the universe; when it is hidden, it lurks in the waves. It is spring now, and the dragon
Taking advantage of the changes of the times, people are determined to conquer the four seas. The dragon is an object, which can be compared with the heroes of the world...Ada, Zidan, Afu, and so on, let's take a look at the current world, who can be a hero?"
When Cao Peng heard this, he couldn't help but became speechless.
This problem is almost the same as the discussion of heroes in the romance novel.
When Cao Cao talked about "dragon", his magnanimity was impressive. But if Liu Bei could answer the same question like that, how should he answer it?
Cao Peng pondered for a moment and said softly: "Peng thinks that the only hero in the world is Sikong Er!"