When Cao Cao's family was arranged to live in the former Sikong Mansion, the pottery merchant met with the two ladies, Ding and Bian.
Although he and Cao Cao are currently at odds with each other, the harm will not harm his wife and children, and he and Cao Cao were brothers back then. Some things should not be too inhumane.
"If you two ladies have any requests, what you want to eat or any daily needs, you can send someone to tell people outside the house. If you can do it, Tao will do it." Tao Shang told Mrs. Ding and Mrs. Bian who were in charge.
Made a promise.
Mrs. Bian once met the pottery merchant. She said to him: "I thank the prime minister."
The pottery merchant waved his hand and said: "There are some things that I can't say who is right or wrong. The relationship between me and Brother Meng De is not a personal grudge. It's just that we are in our own positions and can't help ourselves."
Mrs. Ding was very reasonable: "The Prime Minister and Sikong are incompatible with each other. Under such circumstances, it is already very generous to treat us women and children like this... At least, compared to our own treacherous son, the Prime Minister, an outsider, is much better."
Mrs. Bian's face suddenly turned red, and her eyes began to sparkle with tears again.
Looking at their looks, the pottery merchant thought for a while, but finally did not tell them about Cao Zhi's death.
After all, under such circumstances, the pottery merchant felt that it would be too cruel to say this.
He said goodbye to Mrs. Ding and Mrs. Bian, and asked Pei Qian to send someone to guard the Sikong Mansion day and night to prevent outsiders from entering. Then he returned to his temporary residence.
When he arrived at the study, Chen Deng was waiting for him inside.
"Prime Minister, we have received a letter from the school affairs office. Cao Cao's army has arrived at the western border of Yanzhou."
Tao Shang grinned lightly and said, "Qianzhao, Tian Yu and Zhang Lu's troops were all driven back by Cao Cao?"
Chen Deng nodded and said: "Yes, compared to Cao Cao himself, these people are too different. They are no match at all. Even if Li Ru is there, it is useless. Zhang Lu has returned to Hanzhong now, and
Qianzhao and Tianyu have also withdrawn their troops and returned to Bingzhou."
Tao Shang nodded and said, "Where is Cao Cao's army pointing?"
Chen Deng walked to the picture in the room and said: "Cao Cao's troops are heading east from Luoyang, aiming at Chenliu. It seems that he wants to save Chenliu from Cao Ren's danger first, and then use Chenliu as a starting point.
, recapture the lost city of Yuzhou."
"Then we will stop him at Chenliu." Tao Shang gently tapped Chenliu's city with his hand: "The three armies marched towards Chenliu, met with the besieging soldiers there, and fought a decisive battle with Cao Cao... Back in Qufu, my company and Cao Cao
The three Liu's coalition forces are no longer afraid, so how can we still be afraid of his single army?"
Chen Deng smiled bitterly and said: "At the beginning, there was some suspicion of scheming between Cao Cao and Liu Biao, but now that he has lost his beloved son, I am afraid that he will try his best to fight the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must deal with it cautiously."
Tao Shang frowned and said, "What you said makes sense. As the saying goes, Cao's army is bound to win. I'm afraid Cao's army now may not be comparable to what it was before."
Chen Deng continued: "In addition, Xuchang City also needs to be guarded carefully. Although Xun Yu has surrendered to the prime minister, whether this person can be trusted... After all, he and Cao Cao had an irreversible friendship in the past."
"You stay!" Tao Shang said to Chen Deng: "You stay in Xuchang, and I will allocate you soldiers and generals. Xun Yu needs to be used, but after all, he has been the master and servant of Cao Cao for so many years, and in fact,
, there is no big hatred between them... I can rest assured only if you are at the helm of Xuchang City."
Chen Deng bowed his hand and said: "Deng will definitely fulfill his mission. Then Prime Minister, when he goes to Chenliu to fight against Cao Cao, he must be careful."
The pottery merchant smiled and nodded, saying: "Don't worry, although you have to stay in Xuchang City and can't help me, the one hiding in Chenliu City is still ready to go."
…
Yanzhou's western border, Cao Cao's camp.
Cao Pi knelt on the ground, kowtowed hard, and cried.
As for Cao Cao, who was sitting in the main seat, his eyes were dull, his mouth was open, and he was speechless for a long time.
Not long after, Cao Cao's expression suddenly changed, and he let out a painful cry from his throat.
The sound was like the howl of a wolf, making people tremble all over.
But I saw tears welling up in Cao Cao's eyes instantly, and big drops of tears dripped down his cheeks and onto his clothes.
"Zhi'er! My Zhi'er! You're not even eleven years old yet! Damn Tao, how could you be so cruel!"
Cao Pi sobbed: "Father, please kill me. I am useless. I failed to protect my fourth brother and my mother!"
"Bastard, what are you talking about!" Cao Cao cried bitterly and stamped his feet angrily: "What's the point of killing you? My father has already lost Zhi'er. If I kill you again,
Isn't it a tragic loss of two sons? Now all my father's wives and children have fallen into the hands of the pottery merchant. If I kill you, won't our Cao family be extinct?"
Cao Pi cried heartbreakingly: "But the child is useless, the child does not deserve to live in this world!"
Cao Cao wiped away his tears and said: "If you feel really guilty, then work with your father to think carefully about how to save your mother, how to save your brothers, and how to avenge your fourth brother!"
Cao Pi moved forward on his knees, came to Cao Cao, hugged his thigh, and cried: "Father!"
Seeing the sincere affection between father and son, all the generals and ministers of the Cao family present were moved to tears.
Only Yu Jin looked sideways at the father and son, and unconsciously reached out to touch the two broken arrows in his arms. After hesitating for a long time, he finally sighed secretly and decided not to say anything.
Some things are so important that once they get involved, the consequences will be disastrous. Since the person is dead, he can't afford to cause such trouble.
When he was young, after Cao Cao finished crying, he saw a ferocious look on his face and said: "Send an order to Zhong Yao and ask him to prepare white clothes and white armor for me in Luoyang City. The soldiers of the three armies have taken revenge, and I want to kill the pottery merchant."
, level Jinling City!”
When the generals heard this, they stood up and shouted: "No!"
…
After some reorganization, Cao Cao's main force began to head westward, heading straight for the boundary of Chenliu.
Like Cao Cao, Cao Ren, who was guarding the city, was also inexplicably sad after learning about Cao Hong's death.
Cao Ren locked himself in his room and did not appear in front of anyone for three consecutive days.
When he appeared on the fourth day, Cao Ren looked haggard, with a sallow complexion, heavy dark circles under his eyes, and an unshaven beard, making him look as haggard as he wanted.
All the generals in Chenliucheng were shocked when they saw this situation.
Everyone wanted to ask for some inside information, but Cao Ren refused to answer.
He just arranged the court meeting as usual, asked about the recent city defense situation, and ordered the generals to perform their duties and guard the city carefully.
Cao Ren said nothing about the rest.
After Bao Zhong and Bao Tao returned to their military bases, they told Guo Jia, who was among the soldiers in disguise, about the incident.
After hearing this, Guo Jia smiled and said: "Cao Ren is a person who values affection and righteousness. It seems that he and Cao Hong have a very deep relationship! Yes, now is indeed a good opportunity for you to establish a friendship with him."