On the seventh day after Wang Zheng fell ill, in order to boost the morale of the army, Yuan Shu personally sent an envoy carrying money, food and brocade to Hefei to express condolences to the laboring army. The envoy was Yang Hong, who offered wine.

Yang Hong had just left Shouchun, and Wang Zheng recovered from his illness the next day. Yuan Shu was delighted to hear this and held a banquet, set up a wine embassy, ​​and all Shouchun officials, both civil and military, gathered and dressed up to attend the meeting.

At night, there are still cars and horses outside the embassy, ​​and there is an endless stream of people coming to the banquet. Every sight is purple, and every eye is crowned. There are crowds of heads, and it is very lively.

When Wang Zheng led Qiao Wan and others to the banquet, Yuan Shu was already waiting in front of the steps.

"Mr. Yuan came very early," Wang Zheng said with a humble smile on his face: "It's really rude for the government to have an elder waiting for you. I hope you can't help me."

"Haha, what Yu Kou said is wrong,"

Yuan Shu was wearing brocade clothes and jade belt today, and his attire was very luxurious. He laughed loudly when he heard this: "At a banquet, we should only discuss the host and guest, regardless of age. I am the host. If I don't arrive earlier than you, my guest, how can I show my sincerity?"

?That would be disrespectful in front of others."

After saying that, he looked at Wang Zheng and asked in surprise: "Yu Kou, today's banquet is to celebrate that the remnants of the grand thief were finally wiped out by us. Since then, Jiangdong has been enjoying banquets all over the sea. The sun and the moon are shining brightly. Why are you and your men wearing armor?"

, as if he were going into battle in military uniform?"

"It's just to celebrate the great victory that I'm wearing a military uniform." Before Wang Zheng could answer, Qiao Wan on the side said, "Don't you hear that you have no clothes and share the same robe with me?"

Yuan Shu was startled at first, but then realized that what Qiao Wan meant was that they were wearing armor, which meant that the entire heavenly army was participating in the celebration banquet. He immediately stood in awe and looked at Wang Zhengdao: "You can already see the leopard in the tube."

, from this detail alone, we can see that you attach great importance to military affairs, and you must also treat your generals with kindness, just like Wu Qi did in the past. No wonder your army is so outstanding in combat power, please!"

"Mr. Yuan is so complimentary." Wang Zheng said modestly: "It's better that Gong Yuan invites you first."

The two looked at each other and smiled, joining hands together.

The venue for this banquet was the largest hall in the embassy, ​​which could accommodate hundreds of people at the same time. As soon as Wang Zheng stepped in, his eyes lit up.

The floor in the hall is covered with a vermilion carpet. On top of the carpet, there are many sandalwood tables, decorated with gold and silver. The interior is hollow and arranged neatly. Red candles are burning high on them. There are a dozen thick red lacquer pillars.

Half are on the left and half are on the right, forming an ellipse around the desks. Next to the pillars, there are tall bronze lamp stands. On each lamp stand, there are at least dozens of bright lamps, which match the red ones on the desks.

The height of the candles corresponds to each other, illuminating the interior with bright lights.

Beside each set of desks, there are several beautiful maids wearing only light clothes and gauze skirts lying on the ground waiting to serve. There is enough space between the desks for people to walk.

Yuan Shu asked with a smile: "How?"

Although Wang Zheng had lived in the embassy for many days, he had never been here before. He immediately praised it repeatedly: "It is really carved and painted, resplendent and magnificent. It is so majestic that it makes people admire it!"

"Hahaha..."

Yuan Shu gently stroked the thin beard under his lips and squinted his eyes slightly, as if he was very pleased with himself. At this time, a civil servant next to him interrupted and said: "My Lord did this in a hurry, and Wang Zhoumu just praised it? Could it be that he never did anything in Xuzhou?"

Have you ever lived in such a scene?"

"Indeed not."

Wang Zheng told the truth that banquets in the Han Dynasty were extremely cumbersome and even required a lot of etiquette. On the one hand, he found it troublesome, and on the other hand, Xuzhou was full of waste, and Wang Zheng was more willing to spend his financial resources on other aspects.

However, he continued to praise Yuan Shu: "The political ethics are weak and there are not many talents under his command. Although Xuzhou has been in charge of pastoral care for recent years, it has not been able to change the decline of Xuzhou. I am often worried about this. Talking about the wealth and prosperity, today's

Xuzhou is not as far away as Yangzhou."

Yuan Shu on the side felt very happy when he heard this. In his opinion, Wang Zheng's words were a disguised admission that he was not as good as his own in terms of domestic affairs and people's livelihood.

You must know that even though the whole city has been boasting recently, he still knows in his heart who really defeated Sun Ce. On the one hand, he is certainly grateful for his foresight in forming an alliance with Wang Zheng in advance, but on the other hand, regarding the military strategy shown by Wang Zheng,

As well as the strength of the heavenly army under his command, Yuan Shu was also secretly awe-inspiring and even more ashamed of himself.

Now that he has finally regained some ground in the civil service, doesn't it make him feel happy?

He became more and more proud and took the initiative to show off: "Does Yu Kou know where the largest guild hall in the city is?"

No need to ask, it must be in the old Chu Palace...

Wang Zheng complained secretly, thinking, with your nature of being so happy for success, even if you were not in the palace before, you must be here now, but he said: "I think it must be here."

"No, no."

Yuan Shu smiled and said: "It is in my palace. The area is twice as big as this one. When Yan Xiang was here before, he gave me a name and called it "Zhongyuan".

The original intention was to hold a celebration banquet there.”

"It's just that Yu Kou, you are ill and can't go out, so you just gave up. It doesn't matter. When you set off back to Xuzhou in a few days, I will hold a banquet in Zhongyuan to see you off. How about it?"

Wang Zheng smiled and said: "Young Master Yuan has such a good intention, how dare you disobey me?"

Nowadays, he has mastered the art of keeping his emotions and anger a secret. He seemed to have not heard Yuan Shu's words, "I'll wait for you to leave in a few days", and he still laughed and laughed.

This banquet was specially to celebrate the war, so no one brought their family members. Wang Zheng and Yuan Shu sat side by side in the front, and their ministers sat on their left and right respectively. As usual, the civil servants were on the left and the military generals.

On the right, Wang Zheng watched with his eyes. Most of the people who came to Shouchun were the ones he had met at the last reception banquet. The few extra faces were naturally Feng Feng, Gan Ning and others.

After waiting for a while, everyone was seated at the table. Yuan Shu first picked up the wine glass and made a toast.

There was nothing much to say in the toast, it was just a cliché. It was nothing more than thanking Wang Zheng for leading the army to help quell the chaos. If Xuzhou needs it in the future, Yangzhou will definitely go all out and will not refuse. Finally, he quoted a line from the Book of Songs: "

Give me papaya and give me gold in return."

Wang Zhengzhenyi stood up, and his response was even more polite and cordial. He first reiterated that Xuzhou and Yangzhou are allies and a family: "Xuzhou and Shouchun are neighboring countries and friends. They are close at hand. They should help each other."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands and the guard held a box in both hands, hunched over and stepped forward.

Staring at Yuan Shu, Wang Zheng continued: "This year, someone from Yuzhou sent a letter to Zheng. There was something sent with the letter that was said to be the property of Mr. Yuan. Today is the right time to return it to its original owner."

"My old things?"

Yuan Shu was startled when he heard the words. He then thought of the Yuzhou that Wang Zheng was talking about. He already had a guess in his mind. When he opened the box, he saw that it was a standard long sword. The sword had a dark body and a simple appearance. The sword's spine was inlaid with gilt.

There are two seal script inscriptions named Zhiqu.

"Performing the song... Xuanqu Hu Qi..."

Yuan Shu held up the long sword, with a look of reminiscence in his eyes, and murmured: "Yes, it is indeed an old thing of mine."

The two Han Dynasties inherited the Qin system, and the same was true in the military system. The army was divided into the central army and the local army, and the central army was divided into the northern army and the southern army. Because the two palaces of Weiyang and Changle were located in the south of Chang'an City, the army commanded by the Weiwei was called the southern army.

Army, and the other Central Army is responsible for guarding the palace walls, city gates, and suburbs in the northern part of Chang'an City, so it is called the Northern Army.

The highest officer of the Northern Army is Zhongbao Xiaowei. He has a name that is more familiar to later generations, which is Zhijinwu!

There are many subordinate officers under Zhijinwu, such as the Tunqi Xiaowei in charge of the cavalry, the Infantry Xiaowei in charge of the Shangliyuanmen Tunbing, the Yueqi Xiaowei in charge of the cavalry elite, and the Xuanqu Huqi (Hongnu cavalry) in charge. Captain Changshui.

Yuan Shu's first formal official position after he was elected as a filial piety and incorruptible officer was the captain of Changshui, and this long sword was the sword he used at that time.

Seeing Yuan Shu fall into silence, Wang Zheng on the side also stood quietly and waited, not wanting to disturb him with any words.

He threw this object just to stir up Yuan Shu's memories. Now that the plan was completed, he naturally hoped that Yuan Shu's memories would be as clear as possible.

Captain Changshui, that was probably the most high-spirited and reckless moment in Yuan Shu's life, right?

The spring breeze is so proud that the horse's hoofs are broken, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day!

The two of them said nothing, and the others did not dare to speak. For a moment, the huge palace suddenly became quiet, and the only sound was the clear sound of candlelight.

After a while, Yuan Shu drew out his long sword, stroked the blade and said slowly: "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."

"I remember that I gave this sword to Liu Pi when I first met him. We fell in love with him immediately, and we got up together and gave it to him. By the way..." He paused and looked up at Wang Zheng: "Is Liu Qushuai okay now?"

Forehead...

Wang Zheng looked at Yuan Shu helplessly: "Did Mr. Yuan forget? At the beginning of this year, Xiahou Dun led his army from Xudu and besieged Kunyang Heyi. Liu Qushuai went to rescue him, but he was ambushed and was defeated and died. Already."

"died..."

Yuan Shu was startled at first, then finally remembered and sighed: "Yes, I have remembered it. At the beginning of the year, Xiahou Dun invaded Liu Pi, Huangjun and other Yuzhou Yellow Turbans. This sword must have been the messenger Liu Pi sent to I brought it to you when I asked for help. I wanted you to send troops to ask for help for my sake."

"Zheng is also from the Yellow Turbans," Wang Zheng said calmly, "Without Mr. Yuan's relationship, he would have helped fellow-travelers who were suffering."

"Yes, you did send troops to rescue. You are so benevolent and righteous to the imperial guards." Yuan Shu sighed with emotion: "It's a pity that although he blocked Xiahou Dun, he was too late to save Liu Pi. Xiahou Dun... this beast really deserves to be killed!"

"Xiahou Dun is just following orders." Wang Zheng said calmly: "Don't worry, Mr. Yuan, the day when the culprit will be killed is not far away!"

oh?

Hearing this, Yuan Shu's heart was moved. Who else could the so-called culprit be? Of course it was Cao Cao. So what did Wang Zheng mean by this? Didn't he say that he had given up the plan to surprise Xudu?

Just as he was about to ask, Wang Zheng had already picked up his wine glass and said: "Mr. Yuan, as well as all the other gentlemen, I have seen the recent months of Shouchun. I have been warmly entertained by you all, and I feel ashamed to receive it. Now I have recovered from my illness. I will wait for Mr. Yuan's envoys." After the review, it will be transferred back to Xuzhou within three to five days."

"In these troubled times, things are going wrong. After we say goodbye, we will never be far away, and we don't know when we will see each other again. I should drink this wine with you all."

The meaning of his words, if you savor them carefully, it is not like farewell. If there is any meaning of farewell, Yuan Shu couldn't help but asked in shock: "Yu Kou, tonight we are celebrating the great victory ahead, why did you say this?"

"Mr. Yuan also knows that apart from paying respect to Shouchun, he originally wanted to discuss important matters with Mr. Yuan, attack Xudu by surprise, and please the emperor."

Wang Zheng sighed leisurely: "Unexpectedly, the sun is not shining, Cao's thieves are already alert, and it is difficult to carry out a surprise attack."

"Forehead..."

Hearing this, Yuan Shu's face turned red again. He didn't know how to answer, but he saw Wang Zheng's eyebrows raised. In an instant, there was no trace of gloom on his face anymore, but he could see the surge of pride and ambition:

"But are things in the world difficult or easy? If you do it, the difficult ones will become easy; if you don't do it, the easy ones will also become difficult!"

He raised the wine glass high, held the glass in his left hand, pressed the sword in his right hand, looked around, and gave birth to a heroic spirit that looked down upon all things: "Although the political virtue is weak and the talent is fresh, he is also a dignified man. When a man is born in troubled times, he should mention three things."

The ruler sword can achieve unparalleled achievements!"

"An unparalleled feat... But Yu Kou, are you..." Yuan Shu said in disbelief: "Is it possible to attack from the front?"

Wang Zheng said categorically: "Exactly!"
To be continued...