Section 2: Secret Battle

Cao Chong stayed in Jiangling for only two days, hurriedly looked at Jiangling's city defense and then headed north to Xiangyang. When he was in Dangyang, he only stayed with Man Chong for one night, discussed the relevant defense, and left Dangyang. At the end of September, he arrived in Xiangyang. Xiangyang was busy with autumn harvest. Although it was already dark, there were still many busy farmers in the fields nervously collecting food with a little light at dusk. Few people even noticed Cao Chong and his party hurriedly walking under the escort of the Iron Armored Army on the official road.

Cao rushed into Xiangyang City, and the wheels pressed on the wide bluestone streets of Xiangyang City, making a creaking sound. On both sides of the road, the lights among the people were lit one by one, and tired and happy figures were shaking under the lights. The men who had been busy for a day were talking and laughing loudly, calling the wives to serve some side dishes, drink a few sips of coarse wine, and eliminating the fatigue of the day.

In the center of Xiangyang City, in front of the General’s Mansion in Zhennan, Xun Wenqian and Cai Ji held hands and waited quietly at the door, staring at the long road in front of the mansion. The lights of the people on the road made the bluestone road mottled, but they were quiet and soundless.

"Sister..." Cai Ji took Xun Wenqian's hand and shouted anxiously.

"Don't worry, I've been waiting for so long, is there still a little time left?" Xun Wenqian smiled, glanced at Cai Ji, and then turned to stare at the end of the road.

"Hmph!" Cai Ji pouted and shook his body helplessly. Just as he was about to say something, Xun Wenqian suddenly pinched her hand and shouted softly: "Here is here!"

Cai Ji was overjoyed and stood on tiptoe to look forward, but the road was still empty and there was no one. She put down her heels and was about to complain, but she saw a war horse suddenly appearing at the end of the road, coming quickly towards the door of the mansion. After a while, she ran to her eyes. The tiger soldier on the horse gently whirled and tied the reins. The horse neighed and stopped, and took two steps. She just rushed to Xun Wenqian. The tiger soldier turned over and got off the horse and knelt down on one leg: "Madam, the young master has entered the city, and you will be there soon."

Xun Wenqian let out a sigh of relief and said lightly: "I understand."

Cai Ji was very happy, almost jumped up, broke free from Xun Wenqian's hand, lifted the corner of her skirt and smiled at Cai Qiner, "Let's go and welcome me." Xun Wenqian looked at her excited look, shook her head helplessly, letting them both go, turned around and signaled, and immediately two maids followed her.

After a while, Cao Chong's carriage came down to the front of the mansion under the escort of the tiger soldiers. The curtain opened, Cao Chong held the hand of the happy Cai Ji, got out of the car with a smile, walked to Xun Wenqian, who was smiling faintly, reached out and pulled up the hand she held in front of her chest, smiled gently, and walked towards the mansion.

"Mr. Zhongyu is in the mansion. Is he in good health recently?" Cao Chong turned his head and looked at Xun Wenqian with a little blushing face.

"Here." Xun Wenqian pursed her lips and leaned against Cao Chong. Looking at Cao Chong's dusty face under the light, she couldn't help but feel a little emotional. After not seeing him for a year, Cao Chong became darker, taller, and thicker, and more like a man. Seeing that she was ecstatic, Cao Chong couldn't help but smile, holding her hand and pinching it hard. Xun Wenqian blushed and responded quickly: "There is Doctor Ji's attendant, and Master Hua's Five Animal Show. Master Zhang comes to check it from time to time. It is impossible for Bo to think well. He is now energetic. He competes with those people in the academy every day, and he still feels inconvenient to live in the mansion. He thinks that the teaching house next to the academy will be moved over as soon as it is done."

Cao Chong smiled and pulled the two ladies slowly. When he entered the inner courtyard, he saw Xun Yue standing on the steps, stroking his beard and looking at him with a smile. His tall and thin body was straight under the lamp. Although his face was thin, it was shiny and bright. He was indeed in good spirits. He let go of his hand and stepped forward and bowed to salute: "My nephew Cao Chong, have you ever seen Cong Bo. Cong Bo has always been good?"

"Okay, okay, okay." Xun Yue laughed, reached out to hold Cao Chong's hand, looked up and down and said with a smile: "Our General Zhennan has become more and more majestic. He has grown a lot taller this year. He is a real seven-foot man."

Cao Chong smiled, held Xun Yue's arm and walked in, and said as he walked, "Confucius's family, why bother to joke with me? However, Confucius has not seen him this year, and his complexion has become better and better. It seems that Ji Ping has not bragged, and Confucius has not had any problem living for another ten years."

Xun Yue laughed loudly, patted Cao Chong and held his hand and said, "Thank you for this. If you hadn't let me come to Xiangyang, maybe I'd have buried my bones and hadn't had the chance to discuss current affairs with so many heroes, nor would I have the chance to reflect on my academics. When I was old, I still felt that my studies were inadequate. The saint said, 'I'll die in the morning and evening', and I'd have no regrets even if I die now."

Cao Chong helped Xun Yue to his seat and sat down. Then he lifted up his clothes and sat opposite Xun Yue, signaling Xun Wenqian and others to sit down, and then smiled and said, "Can you make Cong Bo feel that there are shortcomings in your studies. It seems that Xiangyang Academy is really lively these days. I wonder if I have a chance to meet a grand event."

Xun Yue waved his hand and smiled, "If you have the chance, you have the chance, you are back just in time. You are quarreling over the past two days. I said Cang Shu, your female husband is indeed extraordinary. He is worthy of being Cai Boyi's daughter. His profound knowledge and elegant words are beyond ordinary people's expectations. There are so many Confucian scholars in Xiangyang, but no one can refute her. Now I finally understand why you recommended her to the emperor as the young tutor of the prince. If she weren't a woman, even I would have wanted to recommend her to the emperor."

Cao Chong laughed: "It's okay to be a woman. Being the prince's young tutor is about knowledge, so why bother with men and women?"

Xun Yue laughed: "You are the only one who can regard the distinction between men and women in the Han Dynasty so lightly. You cannot demand too high from others. Even if you want to change customs, you will come step by step."

Cao Chong didn't say much, nodding, probably: "I wonder what issues are being discussed in Xiangyang Academy these days?"

When Xun Yue mentioned this, he suddenly became energetic. He put down the chopsticks in his hand, pounced on his fingers and said, "The first question is, of course, whether the fire virtue of the Han Dynasty has reached an unsustainable time. Now everyone has no objection. Looking at the lively scene in Xiangyang, no one has mentioned anything more than earth to replace fire. The second question is the issue of the power of the monarch and the prime minister. Everyone is reflecting on the various disadvantages since Emperor Guangwu voided the three dukes, discussing the restoration of the three dukes in Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing. Since the Prime Minister and the Censorate have been restored, should the Taiwei be further established..."

Xun Yue said the truth, glanced at Cao Chong, but Cao Chong was still smiling and looked at Xun Yue who was talking nonsense. When he saw Xun Yue stop, he raised the wine glass in his hand and smiled: "Which uncle said while drinking, the wine will not smell good if it is cold."

A trace of confusion flashed in Xun Yue's eyes. What he said just now was not casually. You should know that Cao Cao was the prime minister and asked to restore the ancient system. However, the ancient system not only included the prime minister and the censor, but also the Taiwei who held military power. Although Cao Cao was nominally prime minister, he actually served as the Taiwei. In addition, the Censor Xi Lu just followed his orders and acted with the three dukes. In fact, Cao Cao had the final say. If the ancient system was really to restore it, Cao Cao would be a little unreasonable if he wanted to arrest the military and political forces. Xun Yue raised his words at this time, mainly to test Cao Chong's reaction, but Cao Chong had no reaction at all, which was quite unexpected. Seeing Cao Chong urged him to drink, he had to raise his glass and drink it, and then slide the topic to the next one.

"The third is the issue of the Five Classics." Xun Yue wiped his beard, "This matter started from the academy textbooks. Song Zhongzi always used ancient textbooks in the academy. Later, after Wang Jingxing, Zhong Changjingli and others came, they had quite objections, thinking that our dynasty took modern textbooks as the right way, and ancient textbooks were misleading people's children, so they proposed to change it. This proposal caused everyone's controversy, and the past disputes over ancient textbooks were all reprimanded by this matter."

Cao Chong burst into laughter, after making a long time, you are still quarreling every day, the classical scriptures, ancient scriptures, and now a small group of people make things in Xiangyang Academy, but I spent so much money. He is really a scholar. He pondered for a moment and said, "What's the point of controversy about this matter? The five scriptures were published in the third year of Xiping. Mr. Cai Boyi wrote the Shi Taixue and published it in the world. Is there any need for debate?"

Xun Yue smiled and said, "You don't know that Cai Boyi is a talented person, but he is familiar with ancient scriptures. At that time, some people said that he had too many ancient scriptures and was not suitable for the teachings. Moreover, the Imperial Academy in Luoyang was burned by Dong Zhuo, and the stone scriptures were already incomplete. Emperor Xiaoling was also at a loss, which caused chaos in the court. The prefectures and counties rose up and almost destroyed the Han Dynasty. The stone scriptures became an excuse for being said. It would be natural to propose the redefinition of the Five Classics at this time."

Cao Chong raised his brow and couldn't help but get angry. It turned out that you said the scriptures were excuses and factions were the main reason. He was a little unhappy, but he was not good enough to show it in front of Xun Yue. He could only smile and said, "Even the disciples of the saints can't figure out these things. If you want to continue fighting like this, I'm afraid it won't be able to fight for it in a short time. The academy has to wait until you agree to use the textbooks. I'm afraid I can't wait and find a feasible way."

Xun Yue nodded and sighed, "You are right. These are all disputes of interests. You can't mislead the serious matters. You should give the textbooks first. Let's put the disputes in scriptures aside for the time being."

Cao Chong did not want to mention these things anymore, so he talked about the war in Yizhou and asked Xun Yue for some methods to govern Yizhou. Seeing that he was a little bored, Xun Yue tacitly stopped mentioning the matter of Xiangyang Academy, and instead followed Cao Chong's words and talked about the situation in Yizhou. The two talked about the hour of Hai, and then they had a good time and parted.

Xun Wenqian sent Xun Yue away, turned around and helped the half-drunk Cao Chong into the bedroom, washed him with Cai Ji and others, took him to the bed, washed him again, then changed his clothes and went to bed. However, Cao Chong looked at the roof with his eyes open, and was silent in his heart, and couldn't help but smile, "What's wrong, what's wrong? Isn't it because there is no familiar person around him who can't sleep?"

Cao Chong turned his head and glanced at Xun Wenqian, grinning silently: "You know it's not for this, why bother to joke with me? I just think that Xiangyang Academy looks lively, but it's a bit indifferent and not practical. So many young talents are a great time to serve the country, but because of the differences between ancient and modern scriptures, it's a bit worthless. It's contrary to my original intention of establishing Xiangyang Academy and letting them debate in the academy with such great pressure."

"You can't say that. Although there is nothing that can be used immediately, it is related to the direction of governing the country and the future rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. How can you take it lightly?" Xun Wenqian gently shook the palm fan and said disapprovingly: "They are too vain, but you are too pragmatic, and they are not in line with the doctrine of the mean of the saints."

Cao Chong smiled: "Even a saint can't do the mean way, so why should he have to be too demanding on people? What's wrong with being pragmatic? Without real affairs, how can you stabilize the world and benefit the people? Just rely on those Confucian scholars to talk big about it?"

Xun Wenqian frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Okay, you and Cong Bo dare not argue. Are you here to argue with me now? You are tired after rushing to such a day, so you should take a break quickly. It's not too late to say anything tomorrow. Cang Shu, Cong Bo is right. The matter of changing customs cannot be done overnight. You are still young and have time. Why bother to be anxious for a while? You must know that hasteness will not be achieved."

Cao Chong also felt that he was talking too heavily, and smiled with a sarcasm, bent over, put his head rest on Xun Wenqian's legs, and closed his eyes. Xun Wenqian gently brushed away the messy hair on his temples, touching his face with his slender fingers, slowly shaking the palm fan in his hand. In a short while, Cao Chong heard Cao Chong's even snoring sound. She looked down and Cao Chong leaned on her legs, putting one hand under his cheek, holding her waist, curling up, revealing a baby-like smile.

No matter how far she can dominate the world, she is still a fifteen-year-old child. Xun Wenqian smiled knowingly, and the little unhappiness in her heart just now disappeared. She bowed her body, looked at Cao Chong's face gently, and wrapped her hand around and hugged him in her arms.

The door sounded softly, Xun Wenqian turned around and saw Cai Ji quietly leaning into her head. She gently used the palm fan in her hand to make a move. Cai Ji stuck out her tongue, tiptoed over, took a look in Xun Wenqian's arms, and chuckled, "Sister, my husband is asleep like this, but it looks quite like my nephew."

"Too much." Xun Wenqian smiled and gave her a blank look: "Isn't sleeping so late? Why are you running to me for? Are you worried about me?"

Cai Ji shook his head quickly and smiled silently: "No way I have it. I am used to sleeping with my sister every day. I can't sleep alone at once. Seeing that the lights are on, I come over to talk to my sister."

"Little girl, I don't know your little thoughts." Xun Wenqian pointed and said, "Don't go there, just sleep here today. Anyway, I'm very spacious here."

"Hehe, thank you sister." Cai Ji kicked his shoes, walked around Cao Chong, lay down next to him, and sighed quietly, "He is fine. He drank too much and went to bed as soon as he came back. It's so lucky, but he let his sister sit so hard."

"You're just talking too much." Xun Wenqian gently patted Cai Ji with the palm fan in her hand. The two of them jokingly said a few words. Xun Wenqian closed her smile and said, "Husband is back. Have you prepared all the tributes you have prepared?"

"It's already all, just wait for him to check it out." Cai Ji opened his mouth and blew it, turning over and pressing it behind Cao Chong: "I'm so tired, let's talk about it tomorrow."

Xun Wenqian burst out laughing and sat quietly for a while. Seeing that the two little people were asleep, she gently picked up Cao Chong and put him flat, got up and blew out the bronze lamp next to her, leaving only a fire head, burning silently in the dark night.

Although Cao Chong scolded Zuo Ci heartlessly, he had to admit that Zuo Ci's forgetfulness technique was good for his physique. Although he was very tired yesterday, he became energetic after sleeping for a night. He got up in the morning to practice fists and kicks Sun Shangxiang who was not energetic for a while. Cai Ji rubbed his eyes and got up. As soon as he went out, he saw Sun Shangxiang leaving the martial arts venue with a flat mouth and drooping his head. Sun Pin'er and several female guards followed behind with bitter faces and served carefully.

"Miss, Mrs. Sun seemed to have not had a good sleep yesterday, and she was shaking when walking today." Cai Qin'er saw Cai Ji's inexplicable appearance, and hurriedly came up and smiled and described Sun Shangxiang's listless look this year. Cai Qin'er glanced at Sun Shangxiang who was sitting aside. She was happy, but she didn't show any expression. She took the towel from Xun Xiaoqing's hand and walked to Sun Shangxiang lightly, and said with concern: "Sister, please wipe your sweat and don't catch a cold. After a while, I'll invite you to my new restaurant for breakfast."

Sun Shangxiang's eyes were dark and her face was very bad. She looked up at Cai Ji, grinned and smiled, but she was not as arrogant as usual. She took the towel and wiped it, and said weakly: "Thank you sister."

The Cai family’s new restaurant is opposite Xiangyang Academy. The three-story brand new restaurant is facing the bustling podium of Xiangyang Academy. Sitting on the window on the third floor, the scenery on the podium is unobstructed. You can clearly hear the voices of those great scholars who are talking, and you don’t have the worry of being sprayed on their faces. It is usually a good position for leisurely Confucian scholars to compete for, and it can be said that it is hard to find a fortune. From this point alone, it can be seen that Cai Mao’s talent in business is indeed extraordinary.

However, today the third floor was packaged by her baby daughter Cai Ji, just to leave a good place for her husband who had been away for a year, and she could eat breakfast while watching the scenery. As for how much Wuzhu money Cai Mao would lose today, it was not included in her consideration.

However, Cai Mao was obviously not the kind of person who could let go of such a great opportunity. He arrived at the restaurant early, set up three tables at the window, and sat opposite Liu Cong, authentically ate a cup of new tea, waiting for Cao Chong's arrival. As soon as he saw the carriage outside the door, he quickly pulled Liu Cong to stand up and rushed to the stairs to meet him, while calling people to bring the prepared tea.

Cao Chong was obviously a little surprised when he saw Cai Mao and Liu Cong standing at the stairs. He looked at Cai Ji next to him, and Cai Ji was also surprised. However, she immediately understood her father's intention and had no choice but to look at Xun Wenqian for help. Xun Wenqian pursed her lips and turned her eyes to Cao Chong. Cai Ji suddenly realized that she immediately leaned against Cai Mao, hugged his arm intimately and smiled: "Ah Weng, why are you anxious? My husband has just returned, so you can let him rest for a day or two. It will naturally go to see you when there is anything wrong. It will not be too late to say it at that time."

Cai Mao was stunned. Seeing his daughter thrust at him, he immediately felt relieved and laughed: "Hahaha, I'm fine, I'm fine, it's Zhongyu and the others who want to see him, so he dragged me over to wait for you."

Seeing them winking, Cao Chong laughed, walked over and pulled Liu Cong up and down and persuaded him: "Zhongyu has lost a lot of weight. Be careful of his health. Don't be too sad. Bo Yu will be uneasy in the spirit of heaven."

Liu Congqiang smiled and lowered his head and said, "Thank you for your concern. I am already satisfied with being able to reconcile with my brother."

Seeing that he was still in a bad mood, Cao Chong sighed helplessly, let go of Liu Cong's hand, turned around and bowed to Cai Mao, "The son-in-law just arrived in Xiangyang last night. He was supposed to go to see his father-in-law, but he was sorry for him."

Cai Mao laughed, and proudly picked up his chin at Cai Ji. He pulled a son-in-law to the window with one hand, and laughed loudly, "Although I don't have a son, I have you two son-in-law, it's enough to comfort my whole life. What's wrong with coming to pick you up? Why should my family be so polite?"

There was a person who came to grab a seat in front of the academy and heard someone in the restaurant talking loudly. Someone turned around and looked at it with an envious and jealous look, while muttering: "I don't know where the gold is. I'm snatching a good position and being crazy. Be careful not to stand firmly and fall down. That's embarrassing."

Someone knew Cai Mao, and the couple whispered to remind him: "Don't be rude. The one in the middle is the boss of the academy, the Grand Commander of the Xiangyang Navy. Next to it is the famous carpenter of the Lehou of Xiangyang, Liu Cong and Liu Zhongyu, formerly the governor of Jingzhou, and now the professor of the mechanical department of Xiangyang Academy..."

Someone next to him immediately took it up: "Was that other person, General Xiao Cao, General Zhennan?"

"Hehehe..." The man laughed and looked back at him: "You are smart, but you are General Cao."

"Tsk tsk tsk... It turns out that he is a young talent. You can tell at a glance that he is a dragon and a phoenix among people. The three of them stand together is the most attractive thing..."

There was a booing sound next to him: "Besides, it is only useful to say this in front of General Xiao Cao. What's the use of saying it here? Do you think you are Xu Zijiang or Xu Wenxiu. Besides, General Xiao Cao was promoted based on his military merits, but you don't want to comment."

"Hahaha... it's right." The person next to him made a kind joke.
Chapter completed!