"So it's Mr. Ma.”Cao Ang gently cupped his hands towards Ma Jun and sighed in his heart. This Ma Jun could be considered as a strange talent during the Three Kingdoms period. Unfortunately, he did not reveal his talent. Moreover, strange and lustful tools were not valued in this era. Otherwise, with his talent that was not inferior to Mo Di, Wang Er, and Zhang Heng, he would not have been appointed as an official during the reign of Emperor Ming of Wei.
Looking at this shy and inarticulate person in front of him, Cao Ang began to calculate in his heart," Since your ancestors are from Yongzhou, why did you come to Jianghuai?”
Ma Jun's face was slightly red as he continued to say in detail,"To be honest, my family is poor. I went out to travel and also to find a place where I can use my lascivious skills.”When he said the word 'lascivious skill', Ma Jun's face turned slightly pale.
Cao Ang lightly nodded his head upon hearing this. Then, he smiled and said,"Brother De Heng, there's no need to be like this. There's no such thing as a trivial skill in the world. As the saying goes, 360 lines, every line produces…Xiao Lian." Seeing Ma Jun's puzzled expression, Cao Ang's face turned slightly red. He then stuck his head out and said softly,"I admire Brother De Heng very much. I wonder if Brother De Heng is interested in coming to my residence. I will definitely not disappoint Brother De Heng and let you display your talent.”
Ma Jun could not help but be stunned when he heard that. Then, he said foolishly,"Who are you, brother? How dare you say such big words?”Cao Ang smiled and said seriously,""To be honest, I am Cao Ang, also known as Zi Xiu. The current Sikong Cao Cao is my father.”
When Ma Jun heard this, his face instantly turned even paler. After standing there for a moment, he hurriedly stood up and said,"So it's Young Master Cao! Ma... If Ma Jun was rude just now, please forgive him!”
Cao Ang smiled and made a 'shh' gesture to Ma Jun, then asked in a low voice,"Does Brother De Heng trust me now?”Ma Jun nodded shyly and said,""Of course I trust you. Ma Jun felt honored to be a guest official under the young master.”
Cao Ang smiled and waved his hand, continuing,"Brother De Heng can temporarily be a guest of Cao Ang's residence. I will ask people to look for all kinds of machinery and tools for you to read. Cao Ang hereby swears that in the future, I will find an opportunity for you to display your talents!”
After promising Ma Jun, Cao Ang immediately led Ma Jun back to Shouchun City. In the next few days, Cao Ang would always talk to Ma Jun whenever he had nothing to do, discussing some things related to mechanics. Cao Ang didn't know much about this, but he made full use of it. When they talked, Cao Ang would intentionally or unintentionally infuse some of the effects of the weapons invented in the Han Dynasty into Ma Jun, such as Liu Ye's Thunderbolt Chariot, Ma Jun's later invented Pai Shui Chariot, Zhuge Liang's crossbow, and the south-pointing chariot that had appeared in the Western Han Dynasty and was made by Zhang Heng in the Eastern Han Dynasty, but had been lost until now. Although it was not of any substantial help to Ma Jun, it had unconsciously opened up his train of thought, which would be of great benefit to him in the future when he became the most important 'Traps Hero' among the Six Arts Heroes supported by Cao Ang.
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Cao Cao's army was stationed in Shouchun. Xun You took over the migration of the people from Yanzhou to Huaibei, as well as the distribution of land. He also gathered refugees from all directions to increase the population in the territory as the foundation. Cao Cao wanted to cross the Huai River, but Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu dissuaded him from doing so. Yanzhou was a battleground and could not be left for too long. If the battle dragged on, it might not be beneficial to the army and the people. It would be better to return to Xudu for the time being and wait for the wheat to ripen in spring. When the army has enough food, we can attack.
Cao Cao agreed with Xun Yu's words. After the matter of Shouchun's wasteland was settled, he immediately wanted to return to Xudu. Before the Cao army returned to Xudu, Cao Ang met a person who made him deeply wary!
When Cao Cao's army returned to Xudu, Zhang Xiu of Wancheng had already led his troops across the Huai River and was stationed at Runan's border to wait for Cao Cao. The other person who came with him was Liu Bei, the herdsman of Yuzhou who was now attached to Cao Cao!
"Greetings, Duke Ming!" In Zhang Xiu's camp in Runan, Zhang Xiu was already waiting at the entrance of the camp. When he saw Cao Cao, Zhang Xiu hurriedly bowed to greet him. Cao Cao slowly got off his horse, his hands behind his back. He walked leisurely to Zhang Xiu and nodded slowly. However, what really caught Cao Ang's attention were the three people beside Zhang Xiu.
One of the three people in front of the tent walked in front, while the other two walked behind. The leader was dressed in a light purple robe. He had a kind face, white face, and long beard. His thick eyebrows were bright, and his smooth skin did not have the slightest wrinkle.
As for the two people behind him, they were tall and mighty. They were dressed in light green and gray military attire respectively. The person in green had high cheekbones and thick eyebrows. His long beard was like a dark waterfall. His eyebrows were bright and spirited, and his broad square face was imposing without anger. As for the other person, he was dressed in tight black clothes. He had a rough tiger beard, slightly sunken eyebrows, and a piercing gaze. His robust body seemed to be filled with an explosive force that could jump up at any time. Although the two of them were just standing there quietly, the fierce aura that seemed like they were hunting tigers and leopards had unknowingly made Cao Ang unable to forget it.
"Liu, Guan, Zhang!" After Cao Ang had been reborn, he had seen many big shots and big scenes, but he had never been so nervous. Looking at Liu Bei and his brothers, Cao Ang could not help but swallow his saliva. His palms were sweating. These three would be Cao Wei's greatest enemies in the future!
Liu Bei, who was wearing a purple robe, stood quietly at the side. After Cao Cao comforted Zhang Xiu, he slowly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Cao Cao." Liu Bei greets you, Duke Ming."”
As soon as Liu Bei finished speaking, Cao Cao laughed out loud,""Xuande, I am late. I will drink three cups of wine as punishment.”Liu Bei hurriedly shook his head and smiled." Ming Gongxiu wants to mock me. Liu Bei is truly terrified."”Cao Cao laughed out loud, then held Liu Bei's arm and stepped into the tent. Cao Ang was slightly stunned. Even if Liu Bei was currently affiliated with Cao Cao, why did Cao Cao and Liu Bei seem to have such a good relationship? Could this be the subconscious mutual appreciation?
Cao Ang did not have time to think carefully. He followed the crowd into the tent. Looking carefully, Zhang Xiu had set up nearly twenty separate tables in the big tent. Each table had wine utensils, wine and food.
When everyone was seated, Cao Cao smiled and raised his wine cup. He looked at the people below and said,"The reason why we were able to defeat the rebels and preserve the reputation of the Han Dynasty was because we were blessed by the emperor and relied on your lives. Let's drink this wine together!"
Everyone stood up and drank together. After they sat down, Cao Cao turned to Liu Bei and smiled,""Duke Xuande, I've troubled you to personally lead this campaign. I feel really bad."
Hearing this, Liu Bei shook his head lightly and said seriously,""How can Ming Gong say such words? I have received your concern and have been given a place to live. I have never forgotten your great kindness day and night. The sun and moon can be used as a mirror. Now that I have received your kindness to attack the rebels together with you, even if I die on the battlefield, it will be difficult to repay your kindness.”
After Liu Bei finished speaking, Cao Cao sighed softly. Cao Ang, who was at the side, secretly shook his head. It was too amazing! He had never seen the real person before, so he really didn't know. The words just now might not mean much to others, but when Liu Bei said it, not only was it emotional, but there was also no lack of heroic spirit in it. It was touching and heartfelt. If Cao Ang didn't know what kind of person Liu Bei was, he would definitely be attracted by Liu Bei's unique personality and temperament.
The people in the tent were all quite emotional when they heard this, but after Cao Ang's careful observation, there was only one person who was not among them! Guo Jia remained calm, but the disdain and ridicule in his eyes were extremely clear. Cao Ang immediately remembered this in his heart.
Cao Cao sighed and smiled,""Xuande and I are brothers! There's no need to be so polite." Liu Bei shook his head lightly, then stood up and said politely,""I have specially come today to apologize to Ming Gong!”
Cao Cao was surprised and asked,"Why do you say that?"”Liu Bei waved his hand lightly and Guan Yu walked out of the tent. After a while, Guan Yu returned to his tent with two wooden boxes in his hands and presented them to Cao Cao.
"Ming Gong, these are the heads of Yang Feng and Han Xian. The two of them received the emperor's edict to be the herdsmen of Langye and Yidu. I shouldn't have meddled with them. However, since the two of them took office, they didn't cultivate virtue and harassed the people. I had no choice but to order my two sworn brothers to kill them. Liu Bei privately beheaded officials, the crime is very serious, now specially to Ming Gong to plead guilty!”
Halfway through Liu Bei's words, Cao Ang's mouth had already opened wide. Back in Xudu, Cao Ang had known about Yang Feng in a private conversation with Cao Cao. Han Xian was ordered by Cao Cao to be killed by Liu Bei. Now, he had turned around and pleaded for forgiveness in front of everyone, pushing Cao Cao out of the matter. This was clearly a loyal minister who took responsibility for the Lord. At this moment, Cao Ang even began to have some doubts about history. If this Liu Bei was really pretending, wasn't his shrewdness a little too deep?
As expected, Cao Cao's lips unconsciously curled into a smile. He stood up and said,""Liu Bei is a hero for the country. What crime is there?”
Liu Bei bowed and said,"Thank you for your atonement."”Cao Cao nodded and stood up,"" Liu Bei, Yuzhou is a tired place after a long battle. I'm afraid it's not a place for you to stay for a long time. You and Lu Bu used to be close friends, but because of your brother's matter, there were some conflicts. I want to write a letter to Lu Bu to mediate between the two of you and ask him to allow you to return to Xiaopei. What do you think?"”
As soon as he finished speaking, all of Cao Cao's confidants, including Liu Bei, knew that Cao Cao wanted to deal with Lu Bu! And Liu Xuande was the first chess piece! Cao Cao's words were to let Liu Bei camp in Xiaopei as an outpost, and more importantly, to test Liu Bei's intentions!
Without any hesitation, Liu Bei cupped his fists and said,"I will listen to your orders." After Cao Cao heard Liu Bei's words, he carefully sized him up for a while before slowly nodding his head. On the other hand, Cao Ang, upon hearing Liu Bei's words, looked at Liu Bei with a deep sense of vigilance and wariness!
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