At the end of the second year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao and the Central Army established a new organization, the Weapon Commandant Office, to be in charge of the deployment of new weapons. Liu Ye was the Weapon Commandant, in charge of all matters related to fine weapons, and Ma Jun was the Deputy Commandant, in charge of Meteor Hall, which specialized in designing weapons and military supplies. In the long war that followed, the Weapon Commandery and Meteor Hall became the Cao Clan's right-hand men, attracting the attention of all the vassals and foreign races outside Han.
On the night of New Year's Eve, in the spacious main hall of Sikong Mansion, there was a huge black table facing the front. The red and yellow bird patterns carved on the table were smooth and beautiful, lifelike, and fresh and simple. Dozens of tables were arranged on both sides of the lacquer table, and delicious dishes were placed on the table by the maids who came and went.
On the west side of the table was the young and handsome leader of the Cao clan, led by the older Cao Ang. Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, Xiahou En, Xiahou Shang, and the younger Cao Zhi were chatting happily, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious. Cao Pi was in high spirits, and he started to talk about poems and essays, attracting the attention of his younger brothers. Seeing this, Cao Pi became even more excited and high-spirited. Cao Ang, who had been silent all this while, couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. This brat really did have the qualifications to be a leader.
The dancing in the hall was wonderful. The dancers finally finished dancing under the lead of Cao Cao's beloved concubine, Lai Ying 'er. Lai Ying' er was Cao Cao's beloved concubine. In the past, she was a famous courtesan in Luoyang, the capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty. With her beautiful singing voice and beautiful dance, she conquered Cao Cao's heart.
"Mm." After the dancers left, Cao Cao stood up with a slightly drunk expression. He raised the cup in his hand and smiled, saying,"Hehe, another year has passed. Ever since I raised my army, I have flattened the Yellow Turban, wiped out the bandits, and eliminated the evil. In the blink of an eye, many years have passed. Fortunately, with the help of all the relatives and friends of the clan, the Cao family and the Xiahou family have today's glory!”
Cao Cao smiled and drank a mouthful of wine with everyone. Then, he turned to the group of clan youths and looked at them for a while before saying,"I'm already forty years old. Although I can't be considered old, I'm already past my prime. Today is the festive season, and I feel very comforted to see all of my clan's juniors being so handsome. As members of the Cao family and the Xiahou family, you should take it as your duty to sweep the four seas, flatten the world, and protect the country and expand its territory. If you can do this, then we as parents, old and happy.”
When the Cao clansmen heard this, their eyes lit up, and their bodies flew in the air. Their faces were lit up with excitement. Only Cao Ang seemed to have slipped away again. His gaze was erratic, making it difficult for others to figure it out.
"Master Ming is right!" Xiahou Dun, who was sitting opposite him, slowly stood up.""In the future, the world will be under your control, protecting the country. From the looks of it, you should follow your elder brother's example! Conquering bandits and building military achievements! In this way, we will live up to the name of our race's athletes!”
Cao Ang didn't react much at first, but then he suddenly realized that Xiahou Dun was talking about him. He hurriedly stood up and waved his hand."Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Uncle."
Xiahou Dun shook his head and smiled. Now that you are the general of the Great Han Dynasty, you are not inferior to my uncle. If it wasn't for your true talent, even if you are the son of Ming Gong, you would never be able to accept this title.”
Cao Ang knew that Xiahou Dun was telling the truth, so he didn't say anything. He just nodded and smiled. Xiahou Dun glanced at Cao Ang a few times, then turned around and said,""Ming Gong, Zi Xiu is now a general and a champion. If I don't have any trusted guards by my side, it's not too…"
Cao Cao exchanged a deep glance with Xiahou Dun and instantly understood what he meant. Although Cao Ang had risen to fame after being conferred the title of Champion County Marquis, he was also in the middle of a crisis. If he did not have a close guard when he went out in the future, it would indeed not be safe. Moreover, it would be too shabby if he did not have a single advisor in his residence.
Cao Cao didn't answer Xiahou Dun directly. He only raised his hand slowly and said,""Today is the end of the year.”Then, as he laughed, he walked to Xiahou Dun's table in a seemingly casual manner and said softly,""After the New Year, you can order someone to collect the names of the talents of the famous families and send them to the General's Estate for Zixiu to choose for himself."
————
After the new year, Cao Ang began to get busy again. According to Shi Huan, the beginning of the new year was usually a busy time for training soldiers. The cold had just passed, and spring was the time when the soldiers were the most lazy. During this period, as a general, he couldn't relax in training his soldiers. With Shi Huan's assistance, Cao Ang began a new year's training.
For Cao Ang, the arduous training and strict spear practice had become an indispensable part of his life. He had been practicing Xiahou Yuan's spear technique for eight months, and he was now quite familiar with it. After all, he had been taught by a famous general. Coupled with Cao Ang's innate advantages, he was much better than others, especially the reverse spear technique. Cao Ang was extremely familiar with it, and even Xiahou Yuan, who rarely praised him, couldn't help but praise him.
"En, not bad, not bad." Looking at Cao Ang fiercely pulling and breaking the Two-Dan Bow, Xiahou Yuan gently nodded and walked over.""Your strength has increased by quite a bit. Although it's not the best, you're strong enough to pull down the Duke of Two Heavens.”Cao Ang thought to himself, If you f * cking knew that I do inhuman training at home every day, you wouldn't say that.
For the Cao Ang of the later generation, in order to survive, it was necessary to train his physical strength. Every day, he would run with weights and train his muscle system. He had almost never stopped. Fortunately, there were a lot of precious medicines and tonics in the mansion. Otherwise, any body would collapse.
Looking at Cao Ang, who was sweating profusely, Xiahou Yuan said softly,""That's all for today. You can return to the residence.”"Huh?" Cao Ang was stunned. Uncle, why are you so early today?"
Xiahou Yuan was amused." Why? Are you unhappy that I let you go earlier?" Hmph, don't worry, you'll have to make up for what you've done today. It's just that Ming Gong has arranged some good things for you so that you can go back and be happy.”
Cao Ang looked at the smiling Xiahou Yuan. Although he didn't understand what he meant, he still obediently went back. A short while later, just as they reached the gate of the General's Estate, Yang Yuan ran out with a nervous expression and said,""General, you're finally back! Something big has happened. Come into the residence and take a look!”
Cao Ang couldn't help but feel curious. After getting off his horse, he strode into the mansion. In the main courtyard, there were ten warriors in grey armor standing upright with solemn expressions.
Among the ten people, there were two who took three steps forward. They looked about the same age as Cao Ang, but their bodies were burly and strong. Their faces were rough and spirited, but Cao Ang could not compare to them. If Cao Ang was not mistaken, the armor on these ten people belonged to the Tiger Guards!
Cao Ang steadied his mind and said with a frown,"Who are you? Why did you come to my rear general's manor?" The two leaders looked at each other. Then, one of them stepped forward and bowed."May I know who you are? Can you tell me where the general is now?”
"Far away in the horizon, but right in front of me," Cao Ang said."I am the master of this General Manor.”When the ten people heard this, they instantly knelt down in unison. The leader cupped his fists and said loudly,"Dian Man greets General!" Another young man lowered his head and said,"Xu Yi greets General!"
Cao Ang couldn't help but be stunned. After standing there for a while, he hurriedly helped the two up and said,"Please rise, please rise!" The ten people heard the order and stood up. Dian Man said to Cao Ang,"General, under Lord Sikong's orders, ten of us will be your personal guards to ensure your safety. Please forgive us for offending you!”
Cao Ang suddenly understood what Xiahou Yuan meant by "good things". "I see, I see." Wait a minute... Dian Man, Xu Yi?" Seeing Cao Ang say his name, Dian Man immediately lowered his head and said,"Dian Man is twenty-one years old this year. My father is the commander of the Tiger Guards, Dian Wei. During the battle of Wan City, my father often spoke of the kindness that the general had shown to my father. I heard that Sir Sikong will choose guards for the general, so my father has specially recommended Dian Man!”
On the other side, Xu Yi said softly,""Xu Yi is sixteen this year. My father, Xu Chu, has the honor of protecting the general.”It seemed that Xu Yi was a little taciturn.
Cao Ang was stunned at first, then he fainted. His father must have done it on purpose! He used Dian Wei, Xu Chu as the Tiger Guards 'commander, and even got their son to be his bodyguard leader. What was going on?
However, no matter what, since she was the descendant of a tiger general, she had succeeded since she was young and had martial arts passed down from her family. She definitely wouldn't be bad. The problem was that Xu Yi was only sixteen years old, but she looked like she was thirty. This was really unbearable.
"Alright, alright. With the protection of Big Brother Dian and Little Brother Xu, Cao Ang's future would be much more stable.”Dian Man was so scared that he hurriedly waved his hand and said,""General, don't be like this. How dare we call you brother?”
" Haha," Cao Ang smiled and waved his hand," Brother Dian doesn't need to be so reserved here. Once we enter the General's Mansion, we're family. You see…" After saying that, Cao Ang hit Yang Yuan on the head, almost knocking him over. Ignoring Yang Yuan's aggrieved look, Cao Ang smiled and said,"We're family. It doesn't matter if we fight normally, let alone call each other brothers.”
Dian Man and Xu Yi looked at each other in confusion. Dian Man took out a bamboo slip and said," Before Dian Man came to General Manor, General Xiahou Dun asked me to pass this to General. He also asked me to inform General that the people recorded in this book are all handsome and outstanding talents of the current aristocratic families. If General's disciples are lacking, you can choose carefully from them. He also privately asked me to tell General that the people under me are more capable than many.”
"Essence, not quantity?" Cao Ang muttered to himself and immediately understood. He was telling himself that even if he was Cao Cao's son, he shouldn't be too ostentatious when recruiting aides. After all, his father was the real master of Xu Capital, so he had to be careful.
Cao Ang immediately flipped open the bamboo slip and examined it carefully. The records inside were quite complete, including names, family background, age, and resume. Cao Ang couldn't help but grin. His father was really nice to him.
" Wu Zhi, also known as Ji Zhong, is from Dingtao. He has always been knowledgeable. He is 20 years old, Yang Xiu, also known as Dezu. He is 22 years old and is the son of Yang Biao. He is extremely intelligent…Heh, no matter how smart you are, you will die because of your own mouth…"
Watching Cao Ang read through the book while muttering, Dian Man was curious. What kind of person was this master that he had to protect with his life in the future? It was really strange.
Just as Dian Man was confused, Yang Yuan felt wronged, and Xu Yi was silent, Cao Ang's eyes suddenly fell on a name on the bamboo slip. He could no longer move his eyes. After a while, Cao Ang read it out softly with a trembling voice,"Sima Yi, also known as Zhong Da, eighteen years old, from Wen County, Hanoi. He is the second son of Sima Fang, the former governor of the capital, and the younger brother of Sima Lang, the former imperial censor. He was resourceful and intelligent when he was young."
(After checking Xu Yi's age, I found out that he died in 263. No matter how much he tried to shrink it, the age that Ha Qi had specified for him was a little too old. However, for the sake of the plot, I had to overthink Xu Yi's age. I hope everyone won't blame me.) I'm here to ask for tickets and collectibles, I'm so grateful)
November Book Group
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。