Cao Ang was in a good mood today. He was sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard and playing a small tune. He felt happier than drinking a large bucket of iced Coke on a daily basis, because today was the monthly holiday of the cavalry camp. Cao Ang was so happy that he woke up late at night and only got up when it was almost noon. After he got up, he was in a good mood, just like today's weather. He suddenly had the idea of writing a few terms, just like Cao Cao and Cao Zhi, to leave their names in history. Although Cao Ang knew a lot about history, the ink in his stomach was really limited. It was like killing him to ask him to write a Chinese poem. After a long time, he could not produce a fart. In the end, he could only resentfully throw down his brush and inkstone and walk out to cool down.
Sitting in the garden, Cao Ang, who was drinking the fragrant tea offered by Chuanzhong and reading the Six Secret Arts, felt very comfortable. Li Nv, Xu Nv, and the others were busy in the garden from time to time, adding some vitality to the quiet garden.
Just as Cao Ang was enjoying this rare pleasure, Yang Yuan ran over and reported,""Eldest Young Master, the young masters are here.”Cao Ang was stunned when he heard this. He hurriedly stood up and said,"Hurry up and go back. Just say that I'm not here!"
"Big Brother ~" Just as he finished speaking, he heard laughter coming from outside the garden, mixed with the shouts of a group of boys. Cao Ang grinned bitterly. It seemed that his rare holiday would be ruined just like that.
Three youths ran into the garden excitedly. The two in front of them were Cao Pi and Cao Zhang. As for the older youth behind them, he was Cao Cao's adopted son, Cao Zhen. Back when Cao Cao and Chen Liu raised an army, Cao Zhen's father, Qin Shao, recruited soldiers for him. Later, he was killed. Cao Cao pitied Qin Zhen for losing his father when he was young, so he adopted him. Treat him as if he were his own.
Cao Ang looked at the three boys walking in front of him and could not help but smile bitterly. He had already been in Sikong Manor for several months. As long as he had the slightest leisure time, he would be pestered by Cao Pi and Cao Zhang. The pain he suffered was really not worth mentioning.
"Second brother, third brother, true brother, why are you here?”At this point, Cao Ang had no other choice. From an objective point of view, sometimes Cao Ang even felt that practicing martial arts with his two brothers was more tiring than practicing martial arts with Xiahou Yuan.
"Big brother, I'm so angry!" Cao Pi was sitting on a stool with an angry look on his face. His small, long eyes were filled with anger. Little Cao Zhang was also standing at the side with a rather unhappy expression.
"Haha, second brother, who provoked you to this extent?”Cao Pi opened his mouth in anger, but he did not continue. Cao Ang shook his head helplessly and turned to Cao Zhen behind him."True brother, what happened?”
Cao Zhen was about 13 or 14 years old, slightly older than Cao Pi. Perhaps because he was the adopted son, Cao Zhen was very sensible. He was also very diligent in reading and practicing martial arts. Although they had only met a few times, Cao Ang had a good impression of his adopted brother. Compared to Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, who were always lively and always in trouble, Cao Ang liked Cao Zhen more.
" Elder brother, just now, my two younger brothers and I happened to see a zither on the streets of the southern city. The strings were clear and wooden. With a glance, we could tell that it was definitely not an ordinary item. Lady Bian likes music and usually likes to play the zither and dance. When the two younger brothers saw that the zither seemed to be an extraordinary item, they wanted to buy it with a large sum of money to show their respect to Lady Bian. However, the woman holding the zither was stubborn and refused to give up the zither in her hand no matter what. When she saw that her younger brother insisted on buying it, that woman actually rushed out and even…Knocked down on the street…"
Cao Ang couldn't help but smile when he heard this. These two stinky brats were a little too overbearing. There were still things in this world that could be forcefully bought and sold? Sigh, that's true. The two of them had been favored by the heavens since they were young. Although Cao Cao had taught his children strictly, the two of them had gotten whatever they wanted. No one had ever contradicted them in front of them. Today, Cao Pi had made a fool of himself on the street. It was no wonder that the two of them were so angry.
Cao Ang shook his head and smiled helplessly. Then, he patted Cao Pi's shoulder and said,""Sigh, this is just a small matter, yet you're so angry. Isn't it just a zither? One day, big brother will buy you eight or ten pieces of it.”
Cao Pi turned his head abruptly and complained to Cao Ang,"" Big Brother, you don't know, but that zither is definitely not an ordinary one. I'm afraid there's no one in the entire Xu Capital that can compare to it. Why would I be in such a hurry to buy it for Mother?"That woman is extremely daring to offend me! How can I take this lying down!”
Seeing Cao Pi like this, Cao Ang could not help but smile helplessly. This kid was good in every way, but his personality was really a little angry. Seeing Cao Pi's angry face, Cao Ang's heart turned and said,""Anyway, I have nothing to do today. I will follow him to find that zither. Otherwise, if this kid does anything out of line, it will not be good for father to hear about it.”
Thinking of this, Cao Ang smiled at Cao Pi and said,""Alright, how about big brother get justice for you today? Let's go to South City and reason things out with that woman!”When Yang Yuan heard this, he hurriedly stepped forward and smiled charmingly."This is just a small matter. There is no need to trouble the two young masters. When this lowly one leads a pair of servants over, I will definitely capture that slut with ease…" When he felt Cao Ang's angry gaze, Yang Yuan swallowed his words bit by bit, unable to say anything more.
In the afternoon, the south of Xudu City was still bustling with activity. Cao Ang brought his younger brothers and a group of attendants to and fro in Xudu City to search. Xudu City was extremely lively. The two capitals of the Han Dynasty, Luoyang and Chang 'an, had been destroyed by Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si. On the contrary, Xudu and Ye City in Hebei Province were thriving. The buildings of the horse market, Li market, and Jin market were quite unique. There were shops on both sides of the flat and wide road, and there was almost everything from silk to tea.
Just as Cao Ang was enjoying himself, Cao Pi suddenly tugged at his sleeve and pointed at a corner of a shop in front of him.""Big brother! It's her!" Cao Ang looked up when he heard this and couldn't help but be shocked. That was a woman? If not for Cao Pi's words, Cao Ang would have thought that he was a beggar.
The few of them walked in front of the woman and saw that her hair was unkempt and her clothes were ragged. It was really a tragic sight. Although such pitiful people were everywhere in this chaotic world, there were very few people like them in Xu City. The woman seemed to have fallen asleep, and she was hugging a gray-black object tightly in her arms. It should be the zither that Cao Pi had mentioned, but the woman was hugging it so tightly that the shape could not be seen clearly.
"Hey, hey! Get up, stop pretending to be asleep!" Cao Pi stepped on the woman's shoulder, and the woman immediately woke up from her sleep like a frightened bird. She raised her head suddenly and hugged the thing in her arms tightly when she saw Cao Pi. She said in panic,"Why are you so clingy? I already said I'm not selling this violin!”
Cao Pi's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness. He said coldly,"Sell? Humph! This Young Master is not buying it! Yang Yuan, snatch it for me!" Yang Yuan, who was standing behind him, did not attack immediately. Instead, he looked at Cao Ang with a questioning look.
Seeing Cao Ang gently shake his head, Yang Yuan hurriedly lowered his head and stood aside indifferently. Cao Pi stood with his hands behind his back after he finished speaking. Seeing that Yang Yuan did not make a move for a long time, he could not help but be slightly angry. However, Cao Ang patted his shoulder gently, then squatted down and said to the beggar woman,"Young lady, don't you look like someone from Xu City?”
The woman shrank back slightly and hugged the zither even tighter. Cao Ang couldn't help but be silent in his heart. Do I look like a bad person?" Then, he said to the woman,"Miss, tell me the truth." I see that you don't have anything valuable. This qin is really a burden to you. If you sell it to me, it can solve your urgent needs and fulfill my brother's wish. What do you think?”
As if afraid that the woman would not believe him, Cao Ang hurriedly continued,""I'll pay a hundred dollars. How about it?" The woman shook her head vigorously and said,""Not selling! I won't sell it for 1,000 or even 10,000!"
"How dare you!" Cao Pi had been holding it in for a long time, but he finally could not hold it in anymore." You're not selling! Alright, then I'll fulfill your wish! Snatch it!" This time, Cao Pi was more careful. He did not look for Yang Yuan, but directly ordered all the servants. These people were not as sensible as Yang Yuan to look at Cao Ang's expression. As soon as Cao Pi gave the order, a group of servants pounced on him like wolves and tigers.
When the woman saw this, she was stunned for a moment before she sobbed and said,"No, no! This charred tail zither is the only thing Miss left for me. I... I won't give it to you even if I die!"
"Stop!" With a loud shout, everyone fell silent. Cao Ang suddenly stood up and carefully looked at the zither in the woman's hand for a long time before slowly saying,"Miss, did you just say 'Scorched Tail Zither?”
The woman could not speak at this moment. She could only sob. When she heard Cao Ang's words, she nodded gently. Cao Ang's heart skipped a beat. Then, thousands of thoughts began to revolve in his mind.
In ancient China, there were four beauties and four famous zither. They were Duke Huan of Qi's bell, King Zhuang of Chu's Roundabout Beam, Sima Xiangru's Green Qi, and Cai Yong's Jiao Wei. It was said that before this burnt tail was made into a zither, it was put into the stove. Later, Cai Yong heard the crackling sound of wood in the fire, so he hurriedly took out the parasol wood from the fire and strung it into a zither. Because its tail was burned, it was called burnt tail.
However, Cao Ang was thinking about another important matter. Cai Yong had died long ago because Dong Zhuo had used him in Luoyang, but he had not been able to get Wang Yun and Xiang Rong. Therefore, this Jiao Wei Qin should have been kept by his descendants. Just now, this woman had said the word "Miss". Could it be?
Thinking of this, Cao Ang hurriedly bowed and asked,""The young miss you mentioned just now is Cai Yong's daughter Cai Yan?”The woman couldn't help but look up at Cao Ang and say,""How do you know my lord's name?”
"As expected!" Cao Ang thought to himself, It seems like Cai Wenji must have let the Xiongnu take it. Could it be that this maid came to Xu Capital alone with this charred tail zither to ask for help from Cao Cao?
Thinking of this, Cao Ang lowered his head and smiled."Miss, to tell you the truth, I am Cao Ang, the son of the current Sikong Lord. My father was once familiar with your Lord and just heard the name of the Jiao Wei Qin, so he asked.”The woman's eyes lit up when she heard this. She said anxiously,"You... Are you the son of Sikong Cao?" Seeing Cao Ang nod slightly, the woman hurriedly bowed to the ground.""I have something to ask of Lord Sikong. Please introduce me to him. If I can see Lord Sikong, I am willing to help you.”
——————
Sikong Manor, study room-" Pa!" A scroll on the table was thrown to the ground by Cao Cao. Cao Ang stood quietly at the side, not moving at all. The beggar girl who was kneeling down was so frightened that her body trembled. She couldn't help but look nervously at the furious Cao Cao.
"Hu Nu is too much!" Cao Cao stood up fiercely. Things were just as Cao Ang had expected. Two years ago, during the Li Guo rebellion, Yang Feng and the others led the South Xiongnu army into the Central Plains to quell the rebellion. The Cai family was attacked, and Cai Yan was captured by the rebel army. She was exiled to the North of the Desert and was the wife of Prince Xian of the Left. As for this woman, she was the daughter of a servant of the Marquis of Gaoyang Village and Cai Yan's personal maid. Cai Yan named her Yu 'er, which matched his own name as' Yan Yu'.
After Cai Yan was kidnapped by the Xiongnu, Yu 'er remembered that Cai Yan treated her like a sister. She thought of how she was alone in Northern Plains and often hugged the Jiao Wei Qin alone. Later, Cao Cao became famous for welcoming the emperor. Yu' er thought that Cao Cao and Cai Yong were old friends and might be able to save Cai Yan and return to Han. She went to Xuchang alone from Yu County, hoping to find an opportunity to meet Cao Cao.
"Lord Sikong, please save my young miss!”Looking at Yu 'er, who was kowtowing on the ground, Cao Cao's heart softened. He recalled that he had been taught by Cai Yong in Luoyang. He was both a teacher and a friend. He talked about ancient literature with Cai Yan and took her as his confidant. He sighed and said,"Yu 'er, you should go and rest first. Regarding Zhao Ji, I will save her to comfort the spirit of Bo Meng in heaven.”
Thank you, Sir Sikong." Looking at the tearful Yu 'er, Cao Cao couldn't help but praise,""What a loyal woman. Men, bring her down to wash up and eat. Take good care of her and don't neglect her!”
After Yu 'er left, Cao Cao lay on the table and rubbed his aching forehead. He then stroked the charred zither with a thoughtful expression. The zither was simple and elegant, with thirteen strings. It was filled with the fragrance of paulownia wood. The body of the zither was mottled, and the tail was charred black. After a while, Cao Cao turned to Cao Ang and said,""Zixiu, this Lady Yu 'er is temporarily staying in your garden. You must make proper arrangements and treat her as a distinguished guest.”
"Yes. Don't worry, Father." Cao Ang bowed to Cao Cao and replied," However, Father, if Miss Yu 'er asks me when I will save Mistress Cai, I don't know what I will say.”
"Sigh, you can just give up perfunctorily.”Cao Cao casually kicked the ball back. Cao Ang couldn't help but curse in his heart, but he still said respectfully,"Yes."
"Ai, the Central Plains is gradually weakening, and the Xiongnu are running rampant. This is not a good omen.”After a moment of silence, Cao Cao sighed. Cao Ang looked at Cao Cao, who was deep in thought, and didn't know if he should speak at this moment. After weighing the pros and cons, Cao Ang finally said slowly,"Father, I believe that the threat the Hu outside the pass pose to the Central Plains is no longer something that can be covered by mere trillions.”
Hearing this, Cao Cao came to his senses and said softly,""Are you referring to the Xiongnu, Qiang, Di, Xianbei, and other Hu tribes?”"So he knows." Cao Ang's heart calmed down.”
Cao Cao slowly sighed,"Ever since Emperor Wu conquered the Xiongnu, the Hu people have been constantly migrating to the Central Plains. Now, they are too big to leave. How could I not know? Moreover," Cao Cao shook his head and sighed."Moreover, now that the Han Dynasty is in decline, it will be difficult for it to have the same pressure as it did in the past. In the long run, our Central Plains will no longer have the power to shake the Hu and sweep the borders.”
Cao Ang nodded." Father, I actually think that in the long run, there will be greater disasters ahead." Right now, the Central Plains is in chaos, and our population is constantly decreasing. As for the foreigners, they are becoming more and more abundant. In the long run, the future of the Central Plains is worrying.”
Cao Cao was silent for a moment before his eyes turned cold. After a while, Cao Cao stood up and said,"But now is not the time. Zixiu, take a look at this.”
Cao Ang hurriedly took the wooden slip from Cao Cao's hand and looked at it carefully. It was a secret letter from a scout of Huainan. It wrote that Yuan Shu and Shouchun had built a palace and an altar, and embroidered yellow and black brocade clothes. It was really disrespectful. When Cao Ang saw this, he sighed in his heart."It's finally here. Yuan Shu is ready to declare himself emperor!”
On the other side, Cao Cao was looking out the window at the sky that was gradually covered in dark clouds. His eyes flickered. After a while, a smile appeared on his lips. He said in a mocking and sorrowful tone,"The heavens are about to change!"
November Book Group
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。