"Everyone, have you thought it through? This is our only chance!"
At this moment, Dong Cheng looked at the expressions of these people left and right, his expression extremely solemn.
Moreover, his hands were trembling slightly.
They had planned to kill Cao Cao not long after they entered Xudu because they had personally seen Cao Cao do the same thing as the other dukes after he received the emperor.
He was no different from Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si. They both toyed with the Emperor and controlled the power of the entire court.
How to promote, demote, appoint and dismiss officials, Cao Cao had the final say. Even the School Affairs Office was under the jurisdiction of his advisor, Xi Zhicai.
If that was the case, then there would be two Emperors in the court. Liu Xie would be the Emperor in name, but in reality, Cao Cao would be the one to listen to the orders of the officials.
This way, they would have nowhere to go.
They did not want to see such a situation happen.
Because they were the aristocrats, and the leaders of the aristocrats, the Eastern Han and Western Han dynasties, four hundred years old.
The gentry had always occupied an extremely important position. It was precisely because of their existence that they were known as the disciples of the gentry.
After obtaining the status and power of the aristocrats, they didn't want to let it go. Even after a few times of party prohibitions, they didn't retreat.
Back in the village, the teachers of the aristocrats, the identity of the daughter of the aristocrats, and the election of filial piety and honesty in various places also occupied a pivotal position.
"Everyone, have you thought it through?"
"Yes, this old man has no other choice. Many of the officials have already sent letters to Yuan Shao, saying that they are willing to welcome him when Xuchang is captured in the future.”
"I'm related to Yuan Shao's family by marriage. My wife is Yuan Shao's younger sister, so I'm naturally writing to him. I'm worried that Cao Cao will kill me as a sacrifice before the expedition, just like how Dong Zhuo killed Yuan Kui.”
He said it casually and even had a smile on his face. However, the hidden danger was not completely impossible. What if Cao Cao was really ruthless and washed the court with blood to prevent future troubles?
" Hehe." Dong Cheng laughed dryly. This person was slightly old and not very strong. He was slightly fat, and it seemed that he had been working too hard recently, so he did not have the time to tidy his beard. He looked a little decadent.
At this moment, he laughed dryly and suggested,"I think that if everyone is willing to contribute and help the Han Dynasty clear out the bandits, why don't we write an alliance letter? This alliance letter will definitely receive the emperor's edict.”
Hearing this, Yang Biao was stunned for a moment. Then, he thought about it carefully for a long time. He kept feeling that he had seen this so-called alliance letter somewhere before.
Moreover, he often heard people mention it. After a moment, he seemed to have thought of something, so he stared at Dong Cheng in surprise and asked in confusion,"Imperial Decree, could it be you…"
"Not bad!"
Dong Cheng spread his hands apart and flapped his wide sleeves a little. He then folded them in front of his chest calmly and closed his eyes as he nodded." I was the one who gave Liu Bei the imperial edict.”
"I was the one who gave Liu Bei the genealogy of his clan.”
"Which sentence of this edict isn't something the emperor wants to say but doesn't dare to say!”
Dong Cheng spread out the edict and placed it on the table. It was written in blood, describing the oppression the Emperor Liu Xie suffered in the palace and Cao Cao's pressure.
He defined Cao Cao as someone who tried to usurp the Han Dynasty, just like Dong Zhuo.
However, Cao Cao was much smarter than Dong Zhuo, and he didn't anger the Imperial Court. Instead, he took every step he took, slowly nibbling away at the royalist faction's power in the Great Han Dynasty.
This was also the reason why there was a real disagreement.
At this moment, Yang Biao was incomparably shocked. This so-called belt decree was indeed a fake decree.
The problem was that Tian Zi was only twelve years old. Even if he was fifteen or sixteen in a few years, what could he do?!
After killing Cao Cao, would the emperor not be manipulated by others?
"Everyone, sign this agreement. Otherwise, it will be difficult to succeed. No one among us can tell on you.”
"Hmm…"
Yang Biao and Sima Fang looked at each other. They knew that they couldn't refuse.
Therefore, they could only write their names in their hearts and hang them under the list of the imperial edict, letting Dong Cheng receive them in his arms.
At this moment, the old man Ji Ping had a benevolent smile on his face as he served a bowl of wine to the lords. He said in a hoarse and gentle voice,"In the past, Dong Zhuo wreaked havoc in Jingdou. Cao Mengde bent down to serve the thief, but he also hid the heart of a hero. He failed to assassinate Dong Zhuo and fled.”
"Today, I, Ji Ping, am willing to imitate Cao Mengde and kill this thief. I will let him have a taste of what it means to return the favor.”
……
Night, Hanshou Pavilion Marquis Manor.
Guan Yu lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep.
In his heart, he was only thinking about the Golden Roll.
"Sigh, Xu Zhen, what kind of talent does he have to actually be number one?”
"Forget it, I don't like these false titles. I've lived my entire life for righteousness. No matter how brave he is, I won't envy him. Being able to be with big brother is the only joy in life.”
"Hehehe, he's just number one. He doesn't live up to his name!”
Guan Yu chuckled a few times before closing his eyes and continuing to sleep.
After sleeping for a while, she suddenly turned over." But why is he first!”
"There's actually such an indifferent person in the world? Back then, he could have made contributions and made us look at him in a different light, treating him as a brother, but he didn't show it? Did he hide it so deeply, or did he not have the heart to fight, so he never revealed it?”
"Forget it, I'm not envious…"
Guan Yu tried to persuade himself, but he still felt very awkward.
He simply sat up and went to the desk in the room. He sat down on the futon and lit the oil lamp.
He then lit a fire in the furnace and lit it up. Now that it was the end of the year, spring would begin. When the new year's spring arrived, a great battle would begin.
At that time, the most important thing was how he would repay the favor.
Prime Minister Cao has shown me great kindness.
"Eh? This venison is not bad!"
Guan Yu took a bite. Although it was a little cold, the taste was still there.
"It smells so good."
Guan Yu ate something and changed his clothes. Since he couldn't sleep, he thought that he might as well go out for a walk. As soon as he went out, he bumped into an old acquaintance.
Jian Yong.
"Zi Jing?"
"Brother Guan, you're really impressive. You're ranked fifth on the current ranking list, the fifth most powerful general in the world.”
"Zijing, why are you here?"
Jian Yong was tall like the wind, his beard fluttering in the wind. His face was cold and solemn, but he was thin. He only bowed deeply and said expressionlessly,""I came here to chase after you.”
"I didn't expect you to become a Lord in Prime Minister Cao's hands.”
Guan Yu blushed.
Jian Yong had followed Liu Bei for a longer time than the two of them.
Because Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were only seen after Liu Bei started to weave mats and sell shoes to make a living.
As for Jian Yong, he had followed Liu Bei ever since he returned from his studies.
"I originally wanted to seek help from an old friend to find Ah Bei's whereabouts.”
"Now that I see you, it's the same.”
"However, I wonder how much kindness you have received here?”
Guan Yu looked left and right, then narrowed his eyes. He placed a hand on his beard and stroked it gently. He had already made up his mind.
He stepped back and made way for her." Let's talk at home. I have a lot to ask you too.”
Jian Yong's heart skipped a beat. According to his estimation, if he came and said these seemingly sarcastic words, Guan Yunzhang would definitely blush.
However, Guan Yu did not. This meant that he did not feel much guilt towards Ah Bei.
Why was this? Could it be that Cao Cao's kindness was too great and he was now living a life of luxury?!
Jian Yong bowed deeply and followed Guan Yu into the mansion.
Guan Yu's life was quite simple. He usually wore old clothes. Moreover, after the Green Dragon Crescent Blade was melted, his current weapon was only a sword bestowed by Cao Cao.
There wasn't much furniture in the house, and it wasn't very luxurious. However, in a corner of the house, there was a thousand gold coins.
There were also tens of thousands of money, cloth, and so on. They were all bestowed by Cao Cao, so he did not dare to touch them at all.
As for the beautiful women who kept coming over, Guan Yu had them serve him in the residence. After midnight, he would sleep alone and didn't dare to get close to them, even though some of them were indeed very beautiful.
Guan Yu only admired it from afar.
When they arrived at the house, the two of them sat opposite each other. Jian Yong sized them up along the way. When he saw the house, he couldn't help but sigh," The Lord is a true person."”
" Don't call me that," Guan Yu said calmly,""Just call me Chief Yun. Zijing, where did you come from?”
"Yangzhou was lost. I don't know where the Third General went, but with his abilities, nothing bad should have happened to him. My lord…oh, Ah Bei, he fled into the forest.”
"Big brother, didn't you come looking for us?”Guan Yu couldn't help but sigh. In the past half a year, he had been sending out many people to gather information.
He personally led his team to search for Liu Bei more than ten times, but they still could not find him. It was as if he had evaporated into thin air.
"I don't know either."
Jian Yong's expression changed slightly and he continued,""Why did you join Prime Minister Cao?”
"Prime Minister Cao, a small banquet every three days and a big banquet every five days. You often reward me, and your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain.”
" However, he also promised me that if I could find my big brother, I would definitely be able to meet him. Therefore, I am willing to join him and not be a prisoner.”
"However, there are a few things I need to ask you.”
Guan Yu took a sip of wine and said.
Jian Yong picked up his bowl and picked up a piece of tender venison with his chopsticks. Then, he poured himself a glass of the fine wine on the table.
He didn't even look at Guan Yu, but he seemed to know what Guan Yu wanted to ask. He said indifferently,""Go ahead."
"Harming Xu Zhen was a scheme that you and big brother set up to make him bear the responsibility of the breach of Gaotang, right?”
"That's right. However, I also gave him fifty coins. At least he can return home.”
"Sigh, what a mistake. Why did you do this? Even if our soldiers were defeated, they would not say anything wrong and would still follow behind. We are all loyal and brave people, so why did you do this?”
Guan Yu's expression was a little emotional. He only thought that if Xu Zhen had made a move back then, it would have been better.
At that time, Xu Zhen himself had planned to follow and fight, but he was suddenly sent away. After that, there was no further news, and they went their separate ways.
This matter was indeed his big brother's fault.
50 coins.
First place and last place.
What a pity.
"The second question, the emperor's edict is a fake edict, isn't it?”
Jian Yong's hand that was holding the wine bowl paused for a moment, but he said bitterly,""Ah Bei didn't tell me about this. He went to see Dong Cheng himself, and we were in Xudu, responsible for investigating the nearby garrison.”
"Later, Ah Bei did say that it doesn't matter if it's true or false.”
Guan Yu heaved a long sigh." Then it must be fake!”
At this point, he had already closed his eyes. Tears seemed to flow down from his eyes as he was extremely vexed.
"Muddle, muddle! I have more than five thousand soldiers under my command. They are all good men. They wanted to serve their country, but who knew that this would be the result…"
" Fake imperial edict! It's actually a fake imperial edict! He deceived more than 20,000 people and sold their lives in Shouchun. They even shouted that they were going to help the Han Dynasty, but the Han Dynasty didn't need this help at all…"
Guan Yu's eyes widened as if his tears were about to run dry. He took a deep breath, sighed, and drank another big bowl of wine.
Then, he looked at Jian Yong and said," The third question. When I was escaping, I saw my big brother hiding under the soldiers. He changed into other people's clothes and ran into the bushes. Did you see him?”
Jian Yong squinted his eyes.
This question, he immediately found it difficult to answer.
At that time, Jian Yong was beside Liu Bei. In a moment of desperation, who could care so much? Being able to live was a good thing. He thought about it for a long time.
He still hadn't thought of what to say.
Guan Yu urged. The wine in his bowl swayed as if his mood was extremely unstable.
"Speak!"
Jian Yong was shocked. Guan Yu was tall and strong, and his prestige was extremely strong. The pressure he gave off was so strong that even if he glared at him with his phoenix eyes, he would be filled with killing intent.
"I saw it. In a moment of desperation, I had no choice.”
"Where's benevolence and righteousness!"
Guan Yu shouted angrily!
When he was captured, he had escorted a dozen young soldiers away. He had fought against Dian, Wei, and Xu Chu, but in the end, he was exhausted and was captured alive. At that time, he was not afraid of death, and he only wanted to die quickly.
Even when Xu Zhen came and asked him to go to the Snow Dragon Cavalry camp, he treated him with courtesy. Other than finding people to pay respects to him and treating him like a dead person, Guan Yu couldn't stand it. He didn't do anything else.
His third brother, Zhang Fei, wished that he could die on the battlefield. If it wasn't for him persuading him, he would have died in the future.
Big brother was full of morality and righteousness, but in a moment of desperation, it was not the kind of desperation that a benevolent person should have.
A truly benevolent person wouldn't do this in a moment of desperation.
At this moment, Guan Yu finally understood what Xu Zhen had said. Any benevolence and righteousness was for the sake of the great cause. Once the cause was accomplished, there was no need for benevolence and righteousness.
Fame was what the nobles and commoners valued the most.
No one was immune to it.
Jian Yong smiled." Second General, why are you asking this?”
This smile was already very forced. Guan Yu was in this camp, accompanied by Cao Cao day and night. Moreover, he could meet the emperor and had many generals by his side. It was normal for him to have other thoughts.
However, my arrival made Ah Bei…
Damn, why am I here? I'll do it!
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