Section 2 Transaction

Zhou Yu slowly learned what happened from the emotional Xiao Qiao.

In the battle of Wulin, Zhou Yu failed to pursue Cao Chong on Huarong Road, and surrounded Jiangling with his men at any time. He did not return to Kuaiji, so naturally he didn't know about Kuaiji. Sun Quan held a grand celebration banquet, not only invited many ministers, but also Mrs. Xie came forward to set up another seat, asking the ministers' wives to attend, and Xiao Qiao was also invited. After the banquet, Sun Quan rewarded the Zhou family with a lot of wealth, which was so rich that it was jealous. Not only that, he also brought Zhou Xun's eldest son into the mansion, saying that he was asking someone to teach him to study, so that he could take care of Zhou Yu casually to relieve his worries.

Xiao Qiao was suspicious at that time, but given that Zhou Yu was carrying heavy troops outside, she probably thought that Sun Quan was just a little worried, so she brought Zhou Xun with her side, one to show her confidants and the other to be a quasi-qualified person. This is also a common thing, and she didn't care too much about it. Later, Sun Quan went to Hefei to defeat, but Zhou Yu won a great victory in Jiangling, and was in great honor. Then Sun Quan sent troops to Jiangxia. After more than a month, things changed. Some gossips appeared in Kuaiji that made people feel uneasy.

At first, it was just saying that Zhou Yu sent troops to Jiangling, not really wanted to take Jiangling, but to have his own troops, so as not to hand over the military power after returning to Jingkou. In order to show his trust, Sun Quan specially sent someone to the mansion to comfort him. Although Xiao Qiao was worried, he could only worry secretly. He only thought that Zhou Yu would withdraw his troops in a few days and the matter would be settled. Unexpectedly, the news became more and more intense. Then he heard that Zhou Yu was defeated in Jiangling, seriously injured and captured. This news was like thunder, which fooled Xiao Qiao. Just when she was in vain, there was another news that Zhou Yu surrendered. Someone saw him accompanying Cao Chong in Xiangyang to parade. The two of them chatted and laughed together, and were very close.

This news made Xiao Qiao restless. She immediately went into the mansion to find Mrs. Xie and asked her to explain to Sun Quan. Mrs. Xie agreed and returned her that Sun Quan did not believe this at all. It must be a rumor, which made her feel at ease. Xiao Qiao was skeptical, and as Zhou Xun's birthday was approaching, she tentatively proposed to take Zhou Xun home. Sun Quan initially agreed. Just when Xiao Qiao was time to pick her up, she said that Zhou Xun was sick, saying that it was an epidemic and was being treated. It would be better not to see her for the time being.

At this moment, Xiao Qiao found that there were many suspicious people outside the house, and someone was following her when she went out. She soon discovered that these people belonged to the school clerk Lu Yi, a person who was very favored by Sun Quan recently. As the news in Kuaiji became more and more bizarre, Xiao Qiao did not dare to go out easily, and it was difficult for Mrs. Xie to see it. Even if she saw it, her tone of speaking was wrong, and the school clerk Lu Yi actually stepped onto the door.

The Zhou Mansion gradually came under house arrest.

Xiao Qiao didn't know the situation outside and had no way to inquire. On the one hand, she was worried about Zhou Yu. On the other hand, she was worried about Zhou Xun, and was frightened. She was frightened by the time she saw that she was haggard all night. She had to spend a lot of money to ask someone to inquire in the mansion. As a result, she was shocked. Sun Quan was furious when he heard the news of Zhou Yu's surrender. The riots were like thunder, and Zhou Xun was not sick at all. It was just that he was under house arrest. Without his orders, Zhou Xun could not leave the mansion.

Xiao Qiao was frightened, but he could not imagine that he had to sit in the mansion. Until one night, someone came to Zhang Zhao's mansion and came to tell her a message. Zhou Yu surrendered to Cao had confirmed. Sun Quan was furious and had already killed Zhou Xun. Then he wanted to kill Zhou Xun. Zhang Zhao and several other ministers rushed to persuade him when they heard the news. Sun Quan insisted on not obeying. Zhang Zhao had no choice but to pester Sun Quan and sent someone to inform Xiao Qiao, asking her to find a way to escape from Kuaiji immediately so that things could not be saved. Just when Xiao Qiao was at a loss, Zhang Zhao's nephew Zhang Fen rushed to Zhou's mansion and took the mother and son out of Kuaiji and handed them over to a group of mysterious friends. He told Xiao Qiao that these people were sent by Zhou Yu to pick them up.

In this way, Xiao Qiao secretly left Kuaiji under the protection of the group of mysterious people, and rushed to Xiangyang day and night to Xuxian. When she came out, for convenience, she brought no one and nothing except her second son Zhou Yin and daughter Zhou Qing. If she hadn't met Da Qiao in Xiangyang, she would not even have changed clothes. If she hadn't been Da Qiao's careful care, she might have been overly sad and died on the way from Xiangyang to Xuxian.

"Zhang Wenjing (Zhang Fen)?" Zhou Yu immediately felt the deceitfulness. He heard that Zhang Fen disappeared in the battle of Hefei. He was missing and had been missing. He didn't know whether he was dead or alive. How could he suddenly appear in Kuaiji? Who is that group of mysterious people?

"Yes, it's Zhang Wenjing. He went to the mansion to see you, and I know him." Xiao Qiao said for a long time, leaning in Zhou Yu's arms weakly, as pitifully as a kitten. Zhou Yu looked at her haggard face, thinking that she had been worried and scared in her life for the past few months. She felt unbearable and didn't speak for a long time, but just pondered the suspicion.

Slowly, he figured it out, and his face gradually turned pale. He gently shook Xiao Qiao in his arms and asked softly: "Madam, are those mysterious people all tall and strong, and have good martial arts?"

"How do you know, husband?" Xiao Qiao raised his head in surprise, thought for a while and said, "Not all, one of them is very short, and it seems to be the same group of people. Husband, are they really sent by you?"

Zhou Yu's face looked like ice, and he forced a smile: "Madam, it was sent by me. Since you have arrived here, please rest with peace of mind."

Xiao Qiao cried bitterly and beat Zhou Yu's chest: "Since you surrendered, why didn't you send someone earlier? It's a pity that my Xun'er..."

Zhou Yu was speechless and had to persuade him softly. Xiao Qiao had not had a sleep for several months, and had been traveling for more than ten days. Now that he saw Zhou Yu, he finally had a backbone. He cried for a while, but couldn't hold on and fell asleep slowly. Zhou Yu gently put her down and took care of the maid next to him carefully. Then he gently left the tent.

As soon as he got out of the tent, he straightened his body, clenched his fists and gasped for a few breaths, and said gritting his teeth: "Take me to see Cao Chong!"

Cao Chong was playing chess with Zhang Song. His chess skills were very weak and he was no match for Zhang Song at all. He lost miserably before the game was reached. He smiled awkwardly: "I can't play anymore, I can't play anymore. I'm frustrated, and you won too much. It's better for Shiyuan or Ziyi to play against you. I'll be a spectator."

"Cao Chong!" Zhou Yu stepped into the tent. When he saw Cao Chong and Zhang Song, he couldn't help but rush up and reached out to grab Cao Chong's clothes. When Cao Chong saw Zhou Yu rushing over like crazy, he immediately turned sideways and gently followed Zhou Yu's arm, and almost fell to the ground. Zhou Yu had not stood firm yet. Dian Man next to him immediately met, pressed his hands on his shoulders, and pressed him tightly on the table in front of Cao Chong.

Cao Chong looked at Zhou Yu with a red face and a thick neck, and he sorted out his clothes. He waved to Zhang Song and others who were a little surprised, signaling them to put the chessboard aside. Then he frowned and said, "What does the Grand Governor mean?"

"Zhuzi, it's you who spread rumors that caused my family to be destroyed. I wish I could eat your meat and drink your blood." Zhou Yu's injuries had not healed yet, and he could not resist Dian Man's strength. He struggled in vain for a while. He had to give up the idea of ​​coming up and beat Cao Chong up and sat down angrily.

"Is it like a governor? It makes you look like a street golfer, and you lose your identity." Cao Chong said softly with a expressionless face: "Come on, tell me what happened, how did I let your family die?"

Zhou Yu, who had just picked up the teacup, was so angry that he slammed the teacup on the table, and got up and rushed over again. Unfortunately, he was pressed down by the tiger soldier behind him and did not stand up for a long time. Instead, he was so suffocated that his wound began to bleed again. He pointed at Cao Chong and shouted: "Sir. Did you take advantage of the time when I was recuperating from the wound and pretend to be me, saying that I had surrendered to you?"

"How could this happen?" Cao Chong's face was innocent, "When did I touch your armor? It was just that Master Deng said that your outfit was pretty good, and he just made a pair of them. This was not OK?"

"You..." Zhou Yu choked at his answer, his face turned red after a long time, and he cursed: "You are shameless! Then this dwarf went to Jiangdong to pick up my family, are you always sent?

"And!" Cao Chong hummed from his nose disdainfully and withdrew his smile: "The Grand Governor is also a person who knows books and rituals. You should know that a gentleman cannot make bad words without breaking a friendship. It is better to say less bad words. It is better to avoid being hurt by the kindness of the peace. I think the Grand Governor came to disturb our atmosphere in the middle of the night. He wouldn't he be the village woman who cursed her twice, right?"

"Bah!" Zhou Yu spitted: "I have no friendship with you, and I have no kindness to hurt."

Seeing Zhou Yu being furious, Cao Chong couldn't help laughing: "Since that's the case, the governor scolded him, so go back. It's late at night, have a good rest and keep your spirits in good spirits. He will offer prisoners in a few days."

Zhou Yu was so angry that he couldn't help but feel a little surprised when he heard Cao Chong's order to expel the guest. He looked at Cao Chong with indifferent expression and looked him up and down for a long time. He didn't want to believe that Cao Chong had such great effort. He sent Zhang Song to sneak into Kuaiji just to make him die more at ease, and he had no intention of persuading surrender. But Cao Chong in front of him did not look like he was persuading surrender. He had been with him for nearly a month, and he had only said it once in the pavilion that day, and he had no sincerity at all.

He slowly calmed down and picked up the teacup on the table. Only half a cup of tea was left in the teacup. He hesitated for a moment. The tiger man next to him immediately picked up the teapot and filled him with water. Zhou Yu raised his glass and took a sip, and his face slowly returned to whiteness.

"Tell me, what do you want to do to me?"

Cao Chong smiled, he shook his body to make himself sit more comfortable, and then slowly said: "I don't want to do anything, I should say what the governor wants."

Zhou Yu grinned and gently lowered the teacup: "I want you to cancel the prisoner ceremony, and I also want to meet the emperor."

Cao Chong looked at him and didn't say anything for a long time. After a long time, he smiled and said, "I don't count on this."

Zhou Yu stood up, raised his head, looked down at Cao Chong with a look of looking down: "When did you do these two things, and when will you come and talk to me about other things?" After that, he turned around and left, and soon disappeared outside the tent.

Cao Chong laughed, looked at Pang Tong and Zhang Song with a smile on his face and said, "How come this is a bit captive? Are the people in Jiangdong so awesome?"

When Pang Tong and Zhang Song heard this, they thought of another more arrogant prisoner and burst into laughter.

"This... this prisoner offering ceremony was not cancelled just by me, and the emperor was not the one I said he could see just by seeing him. What should I do if you see this?" Cao Chong scratched his head a little. Seeing Zhou Yu's attitude, once he was really treated as a prisoner and showed his appearance in front of everyone, he probably would have to raise Xiao Qiao for him for the rest of his life, although he was very willing. But Xiao Qiao would definitely not be willing, and he might be able to attack him again.

"This... I can only ask the Prime Minister's meaning first, and then the Emperor's meaning." Pang Tong closed his smile and said for a moment.

"He fired the Prime Minister in Wulin. He probably hated him to the core, hoping to see him kneel in front of him and surrender. As for the emperor, it is not just for me to say a few words. I have to find someone who speaks well. Think about it. What should I do about this?"

Pang Tong shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister is not a stingy person. Zhou Gongjin has been captured. Is it not that important to hold a ceremony? If Zhou Gongjin can be surrendered and greatly impacted Jiangdong's momentum, the Prime Minister will definitely not refuse. As for the emperor, Xun Lingjun is the most important. Why not ask him for help?"

Zhang Song also nodded and said, "Zhou Gongjin is very prestigious in Jiangdong. If he surrenders, the people of Jiangdong will be dispersed. However, I guess even if Zhou Gongjin bows his head, he may not be willing to serve the young master. The young master should not have too high expectations."

Cao Chong nodded. He had been mentally prepared for a long time. I don’t have the aura of domineering the king, the beauty is not in my arms, and the heroes don’t worship him. Anyway, it’s not the first time. Compared to being almost killed by Zhao Yun, being scolded by Zhou Yu is considered polite. Although Zhou Yu’s son Zhou Xun was not dead at his hands, he couldn’t escape it. If Zhou Yu turned his face, he would willingly work for him, and he didn’t even believe it.

"Since that's the case, I will go to Xun Lingjun tomorrow to see if I can find the emperor to talk about my relationship. I will push the time for this prisoner's place to go back, and then rush back to Yecheng to meet the Prime Minister."

Compared to a year ago, Xun Yu was much thinner, his face was very bad, and his hair was much whiter. When Cao Chong saw him, a little girl was serving him to take medicine. The little girl was very beautiful. Unlike Sun Shangxiang's kind of heroic spirit, her beauty was weak and a pity-worthy weakness. But there was a kind of wisdom and strength between the eyebrows. When she saw Cao Chong, her face was flushed with shame. She stood up and bowed in a hurry, and left with the medicine bowl as if she was running away.

Cao Chong was stunned for a moment and even forgot to salute Xun Yu.

"Cang Shu." Xun Yu called Cao Chong to sit down, looked up and down and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you this year, and you have grown a lot taller. Could it be that the water and soil of Jingzhou support people?"

Cao Chong, who was distracted, then took back his thoughts of following the little girl out of the room and smiled awkwardly: "Let's joke. However, Jingzhou is close to Ruying, and it is also a matter of facts to say that he is a talented person. Ruying is very talented, but I just took a little advantage."

Xun Yu smiled with a hint. He stroked his beard and looked at Cao Chong with satisfaction: "Young man is old and not as good as you look. He led troops to fight at the age of fourteen and made such great contributions in half a year. I am the first person in the history of the Han Dynasty. In time, you will be another general of my Han Dynasty. You can chase Huo directly, but I am afraid that the Prime Minister will be slightly inferior."

When Cao Chong heard that he praised him so much, he quickly said modestly: "Let you be too rewarded. Wei Huo is my idol and my father is my enlightenment teacher. How dare I compare with them?"

Xun Yu laughed: "Cang Shu, don't be too humble. Even if the Prime Minister is here, I will say that. I think he will be very happy. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. You just arrived in Xu County yesterday and will hold a prisoner offering in a few days. I have a lot of things to do, so why do you have time to come to me?"

Cao Chong smiled and said, "It was for the purpose of offering prisoners." He told Zhou Yu about it, and Xun Yu nodded repeatedly: "Since he has the intention to surrender, he should give him a little face. The emperor is humble and was taken care of by the Grand Marshal Zhou when he was in Chang'an. He always wanted to repay him, so he naturally would not make things difficult for him. I will talk about it. It is not too difficult. As for the Prime Minister, it is better to explain it."

"It's so hard for Xun Lingjun." Cao Chong hurriedly thanked him.

"It's okay." Xun Yu waved his hand and smiled, "The emperor loves the rice paper you sent last time. It is used to write and draw every day, and it consumes very quickly. Have you ever sent some more this time?"

Cao Chong chuckled: "No matter how poor my Han Dynasty is, I will not let the emperor have no paper to write. Rice paper can be produced in Xiangyang in large quantities, and thousands of pieces can be produced every day. There is no problem for the emperor to write. Seeing that the sales are good, there are still several workshops preparing to go on the horse."

Xun Yu nodded, looked at his family members who were constantly moving things under the corridor, and joked: "Cang Shu, you have been in Xiangyang for a year and have made a lot of money. Is it not a greedy thing to bring so many things to me?"

Cao Chong raised his head and looked at Xun Yu: "Let the gentleman loves money and gets it well. Although I have made a lot of money, there is no Wuzhu coins that are not clean. Please rest assured. There are many ways to accumulate wealth in the world. Greedy is the most despicable one. Why should I give someone a handle?"

Xun Yu laughed and waved his hands repeatedly, "Cang Shu, I'll joke with you, don't take it too seriously. I know you are clean, and the people from Jingzhou to Jingzhou are spreading your merits and reputations. I can trust you, and the emperor can trust you, and I have praised you in front of us many times."

"I dare not take it, I dare not take it." Cao Chong hurriedly said with a humble opinion, "But this reputation may not be reliable. This person who invites fame is common in the past dynasties, but most of them are people who seek fame. Even if there are honest people, they can only play a role in showing off, which is useless to the country and the people. Too much attention to fame will only cause falsehood. Cui and Mao chose officials first, and the thrift was the first to choose frugality. As a result, the treacherous clothes and cars in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion became a place for refugees. However, isn't it a luxury in private? Qian Sihai, a merchant from the Qin Dynasty, brought dozens of boxes of valuable goods, and sold them all in just a few days in Yecheng and returned with a full load. Those goods cost tens of thousands of yuan, and the land was as expensive as tens of millions. Who bought them? What's the use of buying them back?"
Chapter completed!