Section 6: The Marquis

At the end of April, Cao Chong came to Xu County. The emperor issued an order to promote him to General of the Chariot and Cavalry, which was considered as a part of his power to replace Lao Cao. At the same time, he signed more than a dozen generals under him in one breath. He wanted to come to Xu County to thank him and offer prisoners to the emperor. Of course, this prisoner was Sun Quan who surrendered, and Sun Quan could really tolerate it. When he saw Zhou Yu, the Wei Wei, the Shi Zhong, and others who served in the court, he could still say hello with a smile, which made Zhang Zhao, who was annoyed, speechless.

The emperor did not give Sun Quan any good face. If Sun Quan did not come to Xu County, it would be of some use. Now he has become a prisoner of others, and there is nothing to do. If Zhang Zhao hadn't been feeling so reluctant to see Sun Quan, he would finally give him a free position and hold Jinwu. The task was to take two hundred cavalry to patrol the imperial city and manage the arsenal. Another bigger task was to save and put out the fire. The emperor also praised him as a Fuchunting Marquis, which made all the things Sun Shangxiang promised to realize.

Sun Quan thanked him so much, and his attitude was very good. He came home that day and went to work the next day. From then on, there was a scene in Xu County - Master Sun Quan, who had blue eyes and purple beards, patrolled the streets.

The emperor was not polite to Sun Quan, but was extremely polite to Cao Chong. He summoned Cao Chong to the palace and comforted him for a long time. He was granted an official position and granted him a title. Then he pulled Cao Chong to the harem to see Cao Jie. Cao Jie was already stool and was unable to move. However, when she saw Cao Chong coming, she was still very happy to greet him.

"My minister Cao Chong pays homage to the queen." Cao Chong bowed far away. Although he didn't want it, he still wanted etiquette. Although Cao Jie was his sister, he was the queen after all, and he could no longer be as careless as his family.

Cao Jie accepted his tribute calmly, and then raised his hand: "General Cao, please get up."

Cao Chong was a little unhappy. In his previous life, when his mother's family came, the girl should have taken out the best things in the house to treat him very enthusiastically, and then pointed her husband around. Uncle and uncle, both uncle and master, that's great. Now he has to kneel down when he sees the girl. Maybe Comrade Lao Cao still has to kneel down when he comes. No wonder Lao Cao stays in Yecheng and doesn't come to Xu County to meet the saint. It turns out that when he gets involved in the word "王名", it feels completely different.

"Brother, please sit down. The courtesy of the public is over. Let's talk about family affection, so we don't need so much etiquette." Seeing that Cao Chong's face was a little unhappy, Cao Jie thought he was tired from rushing to Xu County, so he quickly asked the palace maid to set up a mat and asked Cao Chong to sit down. Although Cao Chong was unhappy, he had to thank him. Da Chichi sat aside, obviously very rude. When the emperor saw it, he frowned, but smiled again, sat aside with a smile on his face.

The brother and sister chatted. Cao Jie asked about the war in Jiangnan and the situation in Yecheng. Speaking of her parents, Cao Jie was a little sad. She had been married in the palace for two years and had only left her parents for two years. Other people's daughter entered the palace and had some chance to visit her. However, her father and mother refused to come. After two or three times, she couldn't even see the personal figure. She came without invitation. Cao Pi often came uninvited and shouted in the palace.

Seeing that Cao Jie was in a bad mood, the emperor smiled and said, "Empress, why are you doing this? Cao Aiqing comes to see you. You should be happier. I know that you miss your parents, so it's okay. When your health recovers after giving birth, I will arrange for you to return."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Cao Jie thanked humbly.

Cao Chong sat for a while, and had no interest in chatting again. He made a statement that he was unwell and retreated early. The emperor was a little unhappy when he saw Cao Jie, but in a blink of an eye, he still stretched his eyebrows and said intentionally or unintentionally: "There are too many wars in Cangshu, and the martial arts are much more powerful, not as weak as before."

Cao Jie frowned gently and smiled silently.

Cao Chong left the palace and took Pang Tong to meet Jia Xu. Jia Xu's house had not changed, and it was still the same courtyard. When Cao Chong came, Jia Xu, who had just left the court, had just sat down on the small building. The incense in the incense burner had just lit, and the fragrance had not yet filled the study. The eldest son Jia Mu came upstairs to report, and Cao Chong, the new general of the chariot, came.

Jia Xu was a little surprised. He was stunned for a moment, and looked out from the window. Cao Chong was arching his hand and standing solemnly in the courtyard. Pang Tong stood behind him, with a very respectful expression.

"Why is he here?" Jia Xu asked Jia Mu in confusion.

Jia Mu was also confused. He thought for a while and said, "Why do you have to be suspicious? Since he has come, my father always has to meet him. You can't just let him stand in the yard like this. I have already said that my father is at home. If he is asked to wait too long, it would be inappropriate."

Jia Xu glanced at Jia Mu, stroked his beard and thought for a while, "Since that's the case, I'll go and change my clothes, and then come. You can welcome him to the hall." Jia Mu responded and went down hurriedly. However, Jia Xu pondered for a while, his gray eyebrows trembled for a long time, then sighed, got up and went downstairs.

Cao Chong chatted with Jia Mudong in the hall for a long time, but he didn't say what he wanted. He didn't get up to greet him until he saw Jia Xu appearing at the door with a smile, and bowed and said, "Sir, can you always be nice?"

Jia Xu smiled slightly and bowed back: "If you are caring for the general, you will be mediocre, eat and drink well, and you will be in good health."

Cao Chong was happy, and Xu helped Jia Xu to sit down, and then he sat opposite him. Then he straightened his body and bowed again, "I am afraid that the gentleman will not be at peace from now on. The emperor issued an order to order my troops to enter Guanzhong and pacify Xiliang. The troops were already being summoned and would go to Guanzhong at the end of August. Mr. is a native of Xiliang. He is familiar with the local situation and is resourceful and has unparalleled plans. He cannot fight. He asked the emperor to order his troops to be my think tank. He also asked him not to refuse."

When Jia Mu heard this, he was overjoyed and turned to look at Jia Xu. However, he saw that Jia Xu's expression was still. The smile on his face faded a little. He didn't say anything, but just looked at Cao Chong quietly, with a clear look in his slightly narrowed eyes.

Cao Chong smiled faintly, looked at Jia Xu calmly, and listened to his answer.

Jia Xu thought for a while before speaking, "Is the general going to take Xiliang?"

"That's right." Cao Chong nodded and responded.

"Xiliang..." Jia Xu shook his head and sighed long: "It's not easy to win. The general is still young and has won all Jiangnan in five or six years. It is already a great martial arts. With time, he will become the Grand Marshal and the general will be expected. Why should he win Xiliang again? If he wins, General Yu will be no good. If he loses, he will be humiliated. "

Cao Chong was silent for a moment and smiled: "What the gentleman said is very, if we only talk about Chong's reputation, it is too difficult to take Xiliang, and there is a possibility that the gains will not be worth the loss. However, Chong's pursuit of Xiliang is certainly the reason why the young man is the first to be the blood, but more of it is to contribute his strength to restore the territory of our Han Dynasty. Chong is not talented, he has a little knowledge of military tactics, and has a small record. He cannot see the wars in Xiliang, and the people of Xiliang cannot live and work in peace and contentment. Countless people in Xiliang cannot go home in life, and even die have to bury their bones in a foreign land. Therefore, without considering the rudeness, he asked the emperor to order troops to enter Xiliang, and I hope that the gentleman can help me." After saying that, he was convinced and delivered a great gift.

When Jia Xu heard Cao Chong say the previous words, he remained silent, just listened quietly, with a faint smile on his face. However, when he heard Cao Chong's words behind him, the long-hidden heartache in his heart was suddenly touched.

He was from Guzang, Wuwei. He went out to travel when he was young. Except for returning to his hometown once due to illness, he had been away from his hometown for forty years. He was born in a chaotic world. He wanted to serve the country with his own strategy and follow the example of his fellow countryman Duan Bing to make unparalleled achievements with his own strength. Therefore, he traveled thousands of miles to Luoyang to become a palace and serve the emperor, hoping to have the opportunity to offer loyal advice and tricks to the emperor. Unexpectedly, Emperor Xiaoling had no intention of national affairs at all. He only knew to trust eunuchs like Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who were obsessed with the sensation and horses, and even opened a market in the harem and drove a donkey to travel. Although his fellow countryman Duan Bing had great military achievements, he could not be promoted. In the end, he could only rely on bribing those eunuchs to fulfill his wish. Although he was a senior official, he had lost his reputation.

He was discouraged and then returned home after he was sick. Not long after, he heard the news that Duan Jing was killed and the clan was destroyed, which made him even more desperate. Later, he joined Dong Zhuo's tent, but Dong Zhuo became a traitor. Dong Zhuo died. He thought he could be polite from now on, but Wang Yun wanted to kill all the people of Xiliang. In order to save his life, he made Chang'an fall into a catastrophe. Then he threw himself into Li Jue, Duan Wei, and Zhang Xiu. He no longer had the enthusiasm to serve the country and just wanted to save the life of the family in the troubled times.

Now in Xu County, he is just a Taizhong doctor, but he is satisfied. At least he doesn't have to live a life of fear every day. However, as he grows older, he has a more and more wish. He doesn't know whether he can return to Guzang and take a look at the mountains and waters of his hometown. He doesn't know if he can have the opportunity to be buried in his ancestral grave and return to his roots.

Today, when Cao Chong talked about taking Xiliang, he knew that Xiliang was not easy to fight, and Cao Chong was even more difficult to fight. Cao Chong's battlefield was not only in Xiliang, but also in Yecheng. His enemies were far more than the fierce Ma Chao and the cunning Han Sui, but more than his brother Cao Pi. Jia Xu did not want high-ranking officials or wealth, and he did not want to involve Cao Chong's struggle for the throne. In his opinion, although Cao Chong was very glorious, he might not be able to win steadily. More importantly, he felt that although Cao Chong respected the emperor on the surface, he did not have the awe of the imperial power in his heart. He was very likely to embark on the road of usurpation. He did not have the ability to stop Cao Chong's usurpation and maintain the great Han Dynasty, but he did not want to contribute his strength to Cao Chong's usurpation, so he did not want to go to Xiliang. But when he heard Cao Chong's words that made the people of Xiliang have a family to return, he was a little moved, and a hint of sadness appeared on his face.

In a moment, he decided to make up his mind, go back to Xiliang. He is so old that God knows that one day he will not get up, so what else should I be afraid of. He raised his hand and helped Cao Chong up: "General, you don't have to be such a big gift. Xu is over 60 years old, and the only thing he deserves is death. Since the general intends to recover Xiliang, Xu should accompany the general and his party. Even if he is short-sighted and clumsy and cannot contribute to the general, he is willing to use the general's power to bury his hometown. There will be no regrets in this life."

"So, thank you, Mr. Cao Chong stood up and smiled, "Although Mr. Hun is over 60 years old, he is energetic and has a fairy spirit. It is a little earlier to become immortal. Chong himself dared to ask Mr. Hun to accompany him, recover Xiliang, cross the Western Regions, restore the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains of Emperor Xiaowu, and reproduce the prosperous glory of our great Han Dynasty."

Jia Xu was stunned, then laughed: "The general has an order, but he dares not follow each other. Xu is willing to take this body for the general to drive away."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Jia Xu and Cao Chong had a great chat, so he asked his second son Jia Fang to come out to pay homage to Cao Chong. Cao Chong saw that Jia Xu's two sons looked not stupid, but they were definitely not talented, but they were just more realistic. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. It seemed that Jia Xu was reluctant to be a fox, at least he didn't want his son to be a fox, and no tricks in his belly were passed on.

Cao Chong and Jia Xu made a date for goodbye, then left some gifts and said goodbye to Jia Xu. After Cao Chong left, Jia Xu said to Jia Mu who showed joy in front of him: "You clean up and divide the family tomorrow. You will be responsible for whether you stay here or whether you are lucky or not. As for visiting him, letting him return to Guzang, whether he is dead or alive, it depends on his fortune."

Jia Mu was shocked. In his opinion, the most popular general of the chariot came to his house to ask his father for help. It was a good time to make a fortune. Why did his father seem to have arranged his funeral to die?

"Father?"

"Don't say more." Jia Xu did not explain to him: "Just do what I said."

"No!" Although Jia Mu was puzzled, he knew that his father was probably not wrong, so he had to nod.

Cao Chong left the Jia Mansion and went to Xi Lu Mansion to ask Xi Lu for some knowledge. Then he went to see Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao separately, and finally went to see Liu Xian and Zhou Buyi's mother. Only then did he remember that Zhou Buyi had been away for six years, and he couldn't help but feel a little worried. Logically speaking, although he went to Daqin far, three or five years was enough to walk back and forth. Could it be that something was wrong on the way? Cao Chong felt more and more worried as he thought about it. He immediately called Zhang Song and asked him to inquire among the Daqin merchants who came to participate in the Xiangyang Expo to see if there was any news about Zhou Buyi and Qian Sihai, the merchant of the Caesar family. Zhang Song received the order and arranged it immediately.

Liu Xian lived a good life. Although Cao Pi made a fuss in Xu County and killed many people, it had no effect on him, because it was Cao Cao's will to re-exercise the Huang-Lao arts, and even Cao Pi did not dare to obstruct him. Cao Pi's actions instead made the emperor understand his situation and felt that although it was a bit inappropriate to implement the Huang-Lao arts, it was better than someone to cut off his head. Compared with the arrogant Cao Pi, Cao Chong, who supported the Huang-Lao arts, was quite cute, and even he liked Liu Xian much.

When he heard Cao Chong's visit, Liu Xian hurriedly came out. After a while of hustle and chatted with him, Cao Chong asked to visit his girl, Zhou Buyi's mother. Zhou Buyi's mother was covered in white hair and sat in front of the window. Even Cao Chong didn't get up to greet him. Cao Chong was surprised to find that her eyes were blind, turbid, and her eyes were like fish eyes, and she didn't move.

"She..." Cao Chong was very surprised.

"Oh..." Liu Xian sighed and led Cao Chong out of the door: "Women's view, because they miss Yuanzhi, they have cried every day in the past two years, and their eyes are... "Liu Xian shook his head and kept silent.

Cao Chong was silent. He looked back at Liu, who was stunned in front of the window, and wanted to speak but stopped.

…………

May in Xu County is lively. First, Cao Chong, the youngest general of the Han Dynasty, pacified Jiangnan and offered prisoners to court. Then, the annual Xiangyang Expo is about to be held. The Prime Minister asked for an order and decided to hold a streamlined version of the Expo in Xu County after the Xiangyang Expo. The scale is smaller than that of Xiangyang, but the grade is not bad. Only goods that won the prize at the Expo can be qualified to come to Xu County. The emperor was very happy and issued an order for Henan Yin to rectify the official road. A large area was cleared in front of Xu County for the convening of the Expo. The farmers who had just finished plowing in the spring were summoned to serve. This time the emperor gave mercy and inherited General Cao's invitation. Those who went to serve could receive wages. Although it was a little less, it was better than before.

For a time, Xu County was very lively. Then, good news came from the palace. Empress Cao Jie successfully gave birth to a prince. The emperor was very happy and immigrated the world and gave the people the title of title. The people could not help drinking for three days. They were also awarded Prime Minister, General Cao Cao, King Wuping, and the additional town was added to 40,000 households. They were granted the title of General Cao Pi, General Cao Zhang, General Cao Zhi, and the literary servant of Cao Zhi, and the Marquis of General Cao Chong, Guangling County, and the food was 10,000 households.

Xu County has become a sea of ​​joy.

The new general of the chariot and cavalry, Cao Chong, the Marquis of Guangling, could no longer stay in Xun's Mansion. Cao Cao came to order him to take his place in Xu County to have a big banquet for guests in Xu County. Cao Chong had no choice but to return to the Cao family's mansion in Xu County. Fortunately, Cao Pi lived here some time ago and was well-tied. Cao Chong went in and expanded it, and finally could have a banquet to entertain guests in the courtyard. The people of Xiangyang, headed by the navy governor Cai Mao, heard that Cao Chong was promoted and was granted a marquis, and they all sent great gifts one by one. Carts full of gifts drove towards Xu County along the newly built official road, and soon filled the treasury of the Cao Mansion. Xun Wenqian, Cai Ji and others also rushed to Xu County, because Cao Cao said that this mansion would be Cao Chong's home from now on.

Cao Chong was busy in a mess, but he couldn't get rid of himself. He had to keep going like a top. Fortunately, except for Sun Shangxiang, his wives were unable to help, and they all took on their own duties and shared a lot of affairs, so he didn't mess up. He went to hug his daughter and son and played mahjong with his mother when he had time.

In mid-May, Cao Chong, who had finally finished working in Xu County, received a new task. The Prime Minister wanted to visit Xiangyang in person to attend the event, and Cao Chong accompanied him. Cao Chong was so angry that he heard that he had no choice but to follow Cao Cao to Xiangyang. This time he did not bring so many people with him. Xun Wenqian and Cai Ji were pregnant, and Dashuang had to take care of the children. Only Sun Shangxiang and Xiaoshuang were fine, and they were all with Mrs. Huan. Time was limited, and they were very fast all the way. Fortunately, the road along the way was well repaired and convenient and fast. Especially after entering the Jingzhou border, the road was wide and flat, which made Comrade Cao nod and praised frequently.

The new Nanyang prefect Zhuge Liang and the county magistrate Chen Dao went to the county border to welcome him.

Zhuge Liang lost weight. He only slept for one or two hours a day in the past few months. His energy was so strong that his subordinates complained. With Zhang Song's strong cooperation, he only spent more than two months to find out the illegal operation and tax evasion of the big families in Xiangyang. Then, with the support of Cao Chong and Liu Ba, with the cooperation of several families such as the Cai family, Pang family, and Kuai family, he dealt with several families with serious circumstances, reorganized the business in Xiangyang, and formulated some more reasonable regulations. Not only did he not affect the Xiangyang Expo, he had been preparing for the intensively, but he won unanimous praise from the merchants who came to Xiangyang to attend the event.

However, these achievements were achieved at the cost of his body. In just half a year, Zhuge Liang lost 20 kilograms. His originally fat body is now thin and thin. His tall body looks like a bamboo pole. His originally tailored clothes look a little empty and his face is not good. He is yellow and yellow, his eye sockets are deep, and only his two eyes emit an excited light. But his efforts were not in vain. Cao Chong fulfilled his promise and turned to him as the prefect of Nanyang. Chen Dao, the former prefect of Nanyang, was transferred to the county magistrate, and was in charge of military affairs.

After Zhuge Liang and Chen Dao met Cao Cao, they rushed to Cao Chong's car to report their work. After reading the documents they submitted, Cao Chong said to Zhuge Liang very dissatisfiedly: "The work is done well, but if you do this, you can only serve as the prefect at most. An investigation in Xiangyang can make you so tired. If you are in Nanyang, don't you be exhausted to death? Do everything yourself, what do you have to do with your subordinates? Learn from Master Liu, see how he manages Nanjun, and see how he also promotes the new policy in the four prefectures."

"No." Although Zhuge Liang was scolded by Cao Chong, a young man who was so weak, he felt uncomfortable. He knew that Cao Chong was concerned about him and did not want him to be tired. At the same time, he also showed that Cao Chong was satisfied with his work. He said that he hoped that he would have the energy to do more, of course, to be a bigger official. How could he not be confident and full of energy: "Subordinates should follow his teachings."

"Yeah!" Cao Chong relaxed his face, looked at Zhuge Liang again and said, "I originally wanted to leave you in the mansion to partner with Shi Yuan and Xiaozhi, but you are more enthusiastic about government affairs. I want to go to Xiliang to fight again. After thinking about it, it is better to put you in Nanyang. There are many powerful people in Nanyang, and you can show off your skills, which is also a place for heroes to use. But I still want to remind you that everything is fine and too cautious is not the way to be an official. Just grasp the main things. Bring more people from Xiangyang Academy to share some things."

"Thank you, General." Zhuge Liang was very grateful.

"Well, let your wife come to Nanyang too. Yuzhou, Sili, and Jizhou are about to promote new agriculture. Let your wife set up a workshop in Nanyang to help you, so as not to separate from the two places and fly together." Cao Chong said, adding: "Save the time to have a few children. Only one biological son is too few."

As soon as he said this, Chen Dao next to him couldn't help laughing out loud. Zhuge Liang's face turned red and he quickly responded.

"Okay, go and do your business. Lord Chen and I have a few words to say." Cao Chong waved his hand to Zhuge Liang and asked him to retreat. Zhuge Liang is the prefect and has too many things to be responsible for. The Prime Minister and the Emperor's envoy has also come. This is not a trivial matter and there is no need tolerate any negligence.

"No!" Zhuge Liang bowed and retreated.

"Mr. Chen." Cao Chong waved to Chen Dao and asked him to walk to the front of the car: "I've been idle in Nanyang for the past few years, are you?"

Chen Dao smiled faintly: "It's okay."

Cao Chong smiled and said, "It's not interesting to be a county lieutenant. I'm going to Xiliang. You can go to my side to take over the guards. There are fewer people and only two thousand iron cavalry. You won't feel embarrassed."

Chen Dao was stunned and immediately bowed: "Chen Dao dares not, and he is willing to follow the general to traverse the Western Regions and die without hesitation."
Chapter completed!