The minds of the ancients were actually far simpler than those of later generations.
Of course, simplicity does not mean stupidity. This involves a problem of dialectics. In fact, Cao Peng did not understand what dialectics was all about in his previous life. Sometimes I feel that using dialectics to make things muddy is confusing right and wrong.
The effect is not bad.
Wang Meng and Cao Ji are both very simple people.
Even though Wang Meng once served as Qu Shuai, his thoughts are not complicated by nature.
Not to mention Cao Ji, who lived for more than thirty years and almost never left Zhongyang Mountain. In Cao Ji's eyes, Cao Peng was pure and filial by nature; in Wang Meng's eyes, he was bold and careful. A thirteen-year-old
A child who can sneak into other people's houses without anyone noticing, then take people's lives, and finally leave quietly... This kind of calmness, this kind of meticulous mind, is definitely not something ordinary people can compare with.
And such people are the ones who do great things!
After daybreak, the two families had left the confines of Zhongyang Mountain.
Originally, one only had to travel westward from Zhongyang Town to Jiyang, and it would take less than five days to arrive.
But Cao Peng thought that it would be too easy to be overtaken by others when going west. Moreover, their family of five relied on their legs to travel; but if the Wuyin County government was pursuing them, they would definitely pursue them on horseback. Two legs, no matter what
It's nothing compared to four legs. In this case, arrangements must be made in advance.
Therefore, Cao Peng suggested that we should go south first, and we would be able to enter Biyang County in about a day.
Biyang County was already under the rule of Liu Biao.
Even if Wuyin County officials discover their whereabouts, they still need to be cautious.
Then heading west from Biyang County, it takes about five or six days to reach Jiyang County... In terms of time, it seems to take an extra two or three days, but in terms of safety, it is better than going directly to Jiyang County.
It is undoubtedly much safer.
"Dad, mother, uncle..."
While resting on the way, Cao Peng explained: "Actually, if we walk from Biyang to Jiyang County, it may not waste time."
Wang Meng was very interested in Cao Peng and couldn't help but ask: "Ah Fu, what do you mean? If we take Biyang, the distance will be increased by at least one third, so how can it not be time-consuming?"
"Biyang is under the rule of Liu Jingzhou, and it is said that it has been relatively peaceful over the past few years.
After we enter Biyang, we try to buy an ox-cart... and then travel by car, which is always much more convenient than walking on two legs."
"Buying a bullock cart?"
When Cao Ji heard this, he immediately shouted.
"You kid is so whimsical... Do you know how much an ox cart costs? We don't have much money, and it will cost money to settle down when we move to your sister's place. You bought an ox cart, are you going to get into trouble?"
Will Queen Yang ask your sister to pay for it?"
After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, there was a shortage of cattle.
The cost of this bullock cart was not low, so Cao Ji was naturally reluctant to spend such unnecessary money.
Cao Peng sighed, "Dad, buying a bullock cart is not just for convenience on the road, it also involves a face issue."
Wang Meng waved his hand to signal Cao Ji to stop talking, and asked curiously: "Ah Fu, why don't you tell me uncle, what are the benefits of buying a bullock cart?"
"Dad, uncle... We have lost our sister and fled to her, but we are not fleeing.
My brother-in-law is also a respectable person in Jiyang. If our past is too shabby, even if he doesn't care, there's no guarantee that the Deng clan won't care either. But if we catch an ox cart, at least on the surface we will be in good times. Brother-in-law
His face was a little better, and even if the Deng clan members were dissatisfied, they wouldn't be too embarrassed.
Dad, it’s just like when you go to a relative’s house, no matter how good the relationship is, but if you go there empty-handed, the treatment will definitely not be the same as if you go there in a gorgeous cart. Besides, if we go there in an ox cart, even if we don’t want it by then.
, can also be sold in Jiyang County.
With my brother-in-law here, are you still worried that we will lose money?"
People often say that if you are poor in a busy city, you will have no one to care about you; if you are rich in the mountains, you will have distant relatives.
In ancient times, this chariot was just like the cars of later generations. Even driving a Poussin can make people feel a bit of respect.
Wang Meng nodded repeatedly and praised: "Brother, Ah Fu is more thoughtful than us. In my opinion, just buy a bullock cart."
Mrs. Zhang feels even more sorry for her son!
After driving all night, Cao Peng's face was sallow and he looked very tired.
In addition, I received five guan of money from Cheng Ji, so I was somewhat confident. So after Wang Meng expressed his stance, Mrs. Zhang immediately agreed.
"You're a tough guy, just listen to Peng'er's ideas.
Peng'er is a well-educated and literate person, so he must have thought more carefully than you.
What he said is right, although we are seeking refuge with Anan, we are not fleeing. Apart from anything else, we must preserve Anan's face and not let her be looked down upon in the clan."
Cao Ji is not a very independent person. If it were just Cao Peng, he might still agree.
But since even Wang Meng said this, Cao Ji had to seriously consider it. He had always respected Wang Meng and felt that Wang Meng was knowledgeable and capable. But this time, he was implicated because of his own family, so Wang Meng's opinion became particularly important.
...Yes, we can’t let Anan be underestimated!
"Okay, that's the decision."
After Cao Peng finished coming up with his idea, he ran to the side to rest.
With his current status, he can only make suggestions. As for whether they can be adopted? He believes that with Wang Meng's knowledge, he can see the clues.
Wang Mai and Wang each took a piece of cake and ate it with big mouthfuls.
"Afu, what are your plans for the future?"
"after?"
Wang Mai swallowed the pancake, wiped it on his clothes with his hands, looked at the adults beside him who were discussing things, and said softly: "I mean what do you want to do after you settle down with Sister Nan?"
"And you?"
Wang Mai bit his lip, hesitated for a moment and then said, "I want to join the army."
"Surfing into the army?"
"Yes, a real man should hold a murderous sword and achieve immortal achievements. Now that Cao Gong serves as the emperor and makes Xudu the capital, it is the time for me to serve the country."
Cao Peng put down the cake and stared at Wangmai for a long time.
He sighed softly, "Brother Hutou, are you willing to listen to my advice?"
"you say!"
"I know that you are highly capable, and I also know your intentions.
But now is not the time for you and me to join the army... I think that now, you and I should learn our skills and make ourselves stronger.
Learn martial arts and sell your goods to the emperor's family.
But if your goods are not good, you won’t be able to sell them at a good price.
Look at the heroes of the world, which one is not very powerful? Let’s not talk about far away, let’s talk about Wuyin County... A small county magistrate forced us to leave our hometown. Do you know the reason? Our skills are not good enough, we
Your reputation is not big enough, otherwise how can you be so rampant as a young adult? Moreover, even if you and I join the army now, if no one recommends us, we can only start as small soldiers. If you are at the forefront in the battle, you will also earn credit.
Not much. If things go on like this, before you become successful and famous, you will become a lonely soul without an owner.
Brother Hutou, listen to me, let’s learn our skills for a few more years. When our skills are good and our reputation becomes big, maybe Guild Cao will come to us in person and ask us to do things. Think about it, it’s your own unknown past
Well, is it better to be invited?"
Wang Mai's eyes sparkled, showing excitement.
"Ah Fu, will Mr. Cao really come to invite us?"
"As long as we have real skills, Mr. Cao will definitely come to invite us."
Wang Mai couldn't help but giggle and nodded repeatedly.
As for Cao Peng, he closed his eyes and recuperated his energy... He seemed to be very calm.
But in fact, Cao Peng's thoughts kept coming and going.
To say that the most promising person in the future is Cao Cao. But it is not an easy task to gain a foothold in Cao's camp...
Even if Cao Cao introduces an order to promote talents in the future, if he has no real ability, how can he stand firm.
It is really not a good opportunity to vote for Cao Cao now.
Historically, Cao Cao's life was not very easy at this stage in history.
At least, Cao Peng knew that Cao Cao would face a tragic defeat soon...
A thought suddenly flashed in my mind, but it was just a flash and disappeared immediately! Now is not the time to think about these things. It is better to settle down in Jiyang first and then make plans. At the same time, I have never met this person in my family.
Cao Peng's sister and brother-in-law also developed a strong curiosity.
Ji Yang, Deng family?
After a short rest, the two families set off again.
More than ten years have passed since the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the first year of Zhongping, but the scars left by the war are still vaguely visible.
Walking along the road, sometimes for an hour, you can't see any human beings. In the barren land, you can see exposed bones from time to time... The weather is getting colder and colder. I heard that in the north, like Guanzhong, it has already rained.
There have been several heavy snowfalls, and even Luoyang also received its first snowfall.
The cold weather, the desolate wildness, and the shocking scenes of devastation...
Cao Peng lay on his father's back, feeling endless desolation in his heart.
In his previous life, he lived in a 'prosperous age' and had never experienced the baptism of war. Although he had seen some on TV and in movies, it was never real. But now, he has actually seen the trauma of war.
, couldn't help but sigh softly.
This may be bleak!
But Cao Peng knew that the future would be even more miserable than now...
The Three Kingdoms was certainly a passionate era, but it also produced endless disasters.
I remember reading a book in my previous life that recorded some data from the Three Kingdoms period. Before the Three Kingdoms, there were about 4 million people in the north and nearly 800,000 households. After the fall of Cao Wei, there were only 580,000 households left in the north.
More than two million people. Bashu also had a population of three to four million during this period. However, when the Shu Kingdom was destroyed, only 280,000 households and a population of 960,000 were left. The situation in Jiangdong was relatively better.
Before the Three Kingdoms, there were about 2 million people. After the fall of Soochow, there were still 520,000 households.
It sounds like Soochow is the best!
But in fact, if the Soochow regime had not conquered Shanyue for many years and plundered a large number of people, its population base might not have been stronger than that of Shu.
After the Three Kingdoms, there were five chaotic Chinas...
It was also the darkest period in the history of the Han people. There were only ten Han people in the north, and they were even used as food rations by the foreign barbarians, who called them "two-legged sheep."
Cao Peng suddenly shuddered and subconsciously grasped the collar of Cao Ji's clothes.
"Peng'er, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Although Cao Ji often blamed Cao Peng, in private, he cared about Cao Peng even more than Zhang.
"Dad, I'm fine!"
Cao Peng woke up from his thoughts, quickly forced a smile and answered in a low voice.
"If you feel uncomfortable, you must tell dad...don't hold on to yourself."
Those somewhat blunt words of concern made Cao Peng feel warm in his heart.
Subconsciously, he put his face on Cao Ji's back, closed his eyes, and whispered softly: "Dad, I'm really fine! Really, don't worry."
"It's okay if it's okay, it's okay if it's okay!"
Cao Ji smiled naively and supported Cao Peng with his hand.
"Afu, are you tired?"
Wang Meng suddenly spoke, and then said to Cao Ji: "Brother, I have walked this road before. I remember that after passing the stream in front, there was a carriage and horse post. I don't know if it is still open... but even if it has been abandoned,
We can also make a place to rest, how about we take a rest?"
After walking for almost a whole day, it was getting dark.
Even strong men like Cao Ji and Wang Meng felt a little tired, let alone the Zhang family, a womanly family.
"Okay, let's take a rest.
It’s estimated that Wuyin County won’t be able to catch up, so we don’t have to worry… My dear, if you work harder, we’ll have a rest ahead.”
In this way, Wang Meng opened the way in front, Cao Ji carried Cao Peng on his back, and Wang Mai supported Zhang, advancing one foot deeper and the other shallowly.
When the sun set and the sunset dyed the horizon red, a carriage and horse station appeared in Cao Peng's sight next to a withered maple forest.
At the entrance of the inn, there is a five-meter-long high pole.
A broken lantern swayed in the wind, so eye-catching in the sunset...