Xiaoqi

At this moment, Tao Qian's face was dark, but neither happy nor angry, his sunken eyes were sharp, but he didn't intend to blame him.

After staring quietly at Tao Shang for a while, Tao Qian asked softly, "Shang'er, in all honesty, how do you think your talent compares to that of General Li Li?"

"The general is wise and powerful. He commanded an army of 40 Xiliang at the age of a weak crown. He governed the three states of Xiliang. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the army was extremely strong. The child is beyond the reach of the dust and feels ashamed." replied.

Chapter 564 Tao Gongzu's swan song

Tao Qian was noncommittal, and continued to ask: "How is it compared to Cao Cao in Yanzhou?"

"This,,, is not as good as it is." The potter's cheeks were red, and he replied with great difficulty.

At this time, the pottery merchant already felt bad, and looked up at his father Tao Qian in fear, feeling surprised in his heart.

He couldn't understand why his father asked knowingly, how can he be compared to the general Li Li, and as for Cao Cao in Yanzhou, even his father is not Cao Cao's opponent, how can he be Cao Cao's enemy?However, he already faintly felt that there was something in his father's words, and this questioning was definitely not without reason, and there must be a deep meaning in it.

"How is it compared to Sun Jian's son, Sun Ce?" Tao Qian did not give up, but still asked with a deep expression.

The Tao merchant looked hesitant and thought about it: "Sun Ce has great ambitions and is unwilling to let others down. He has repeatedly tried to support himself, but he has been frustrated one after another. Now he leads the people to serve under Yuan Shu's tent. His bravery is far better than that of a child, so we don't know how he is ruled by martial arts." , the fortune is not good, and there is still no place to stand. Therefore, my child,,,,,,, "

"You are not as good as him!" Tao Qian suddenly interjected before the pottery merchant could finish his sentence, "Sun Ce has always had great ambitions, so he is naturally not a person who would be willing to be inferior to others. Kicked out of Xuzhou? However, Sun Ce has high martial arts skills and extraordinary bravery. His martial arts is not inferior to that of his father Sun Jian, but even better. In troubled times, such ambitious but brave and resolute people will rise to the top sooner or later. Just waiting for an opportunity, he will be able to dive out of the abyss and become a blockbuster. Therefore, it is not because of my father's ambition and other people's aspirations to destroy my son's prestige. Compared with Sun Ce, you are far inferior to him. If my son can be [-]% like Sun Ce, why My father will fully support my son in taking Xuzhou, and start to eliminate people with different ideals in the territory early. It is a pity that my son can't govern the state and county, control the officials, and the military can't protect the environment and the people. He is in command to conquer the Quartet. Hey, what a shame! "

"My son is guilty. Please calm down, father." The potter's face changed upon hearing this, his cheeks were as pale as snow, and his eyes were full of resentment.But instead of confronting his father face to face, he stood up and sat on the edge of the sickbed, patting Tao Qian's back lightly, for fear that he would lose his body in anger.

After his father's expression calmed down and his breathing became smoother, the potter said in a low voice, "I don't know what my father said? My child is dull, please explain clearly to my father."

Tao Qian sat up leaning on the bed and looked sideways at the potter.He said softly: "Father knows that you have already guessed it, but he is unwilling to accept it. My son is extremely loyal and filial. It is a pity that today's world is in chaos. The strong are respected. My son's martial arts and martial arts are all mediocre, and there is nothing outstanding. In troubled times, those who have no great talents but occupy high positions will surely suffer disaster , not only his own life will be lost, but the family members will also be implicated in disaster. The disaster will affect the whole family."

Speaking of this, Tao Qian gently patted the back of the potter's hand, and said in a low voice: "Last year when Liu Bei led his troops to rescue Xuzhou, my father began to pay attention to this person. It has been nearly a year now. He came from a humble background, but He has great ambitions, a tenacious mind, and a comprehensive approach to people and affairs. In addition, this person is extremely brave, and he has two sworn brothers following him, so he will do something sooner or later. However, as the general said in his letter, Liu Bei is a kind-hearted man. Ruthless, I am very respectful to your brothers right now. That is what I want from my father. I need to help my father with food, grass and cities so that he can live and grow stronger. When he is truly full-fledged, he may not think of you brothers. , until then everything can only depend on yourselves.

Now Liu Bei has [-] soldiers and horses in his hands, and with the help of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, his wings are getting richer. Once he turns against him and strikes, our Xuzhou will be in danger.Therefore, half a year ago, he pretended to give Xuzhou to Xuzhou for his father to test his heart. At that time, he was out of favor, and he had just arrived in Xuzhou and had no foundation, so he refused against his will.In the past six months, Liu Bei has traveled around and made friends with powerful Xuzhou gentry, especially with the brothers of the Mi family who are in charge of my Xuzhou military equipment, money and food.How could these be hidden from the father's eyes, and his wanton recruitment of soldiers and horses was also expected by the father.Since he covets Xuzhou so deliberately, and simply fulfills him for his father, what's the point of giving him the position of shepherd in Xuzhou? "

"No, father!" Finally hearing Tao Qian's words, Tao Shang and Tao Ying brothers were shocked when they heard the sound, and hurriedly tried to dissuade them.

But the potter said eagerly: "Xuzhou is the territory that my father has worked hard for many years. How can I hand it over to outsiders?"

"That's right!" Tao Ying chimed in and said, "For many years, my father has worked hard and painstakingly for the six counties of Xuzhou, and he is still working hard for the safety of Xuzhou, so that he can't afford to be seriously ill. But now my father wants to hand over the huge Xuzhou Rang and Liu Bei, I don't agree with this move, and I can't agree to it no matter what!"

Compared with the words of the pottery merchant, Tao Ying seemed particularly excited and aggrieved.

Father Tao Qian didn't mention Liu Bei's close relationship with the Mi family, but when he mentioned this, Tao Ying was filled with anger and resentment.

According to Tao Ying's knowledge, Mi Zhu, the head of the Mi family, intended to marry his younger sister, Mi Huan, to Liu Bei as his concubine, so that they could form an in-law relationship.For this reason, Mi Zhu subsidized Liu Bei with a large sum of money and food in private, so that he could recruit soldiers, buy horses, build armaments, and expand his strength wantonly.The reason why Liu Bei and Mi Huan are not yet married is because of Tao Qian's affection, they are afraid that they will be too flamboyant and make Tao Qian suspicious.

After learning of this incident, Tao Ying was so angry that he couldn't eat for several days and was filled with righteous indignation.Liu Bei is more than 30 years old, fully twice as big as Mi Huan, and he can be Mi Huan's father.Moreover, Mi Huan was still a concubine when she married Liu Bei, because Liu Bei had already married and married a wife.But even so, Mi Zhu would rather send his younger sister to Liu Bei as his concubine than marry him, Tao Ying, as his wife.With such behavior, how can Tao Ying endure this bad breath, how can he not be angry?

It's really deceiving!

At this moment, when Tao Ying heard that his father was going to hand over Xuzhou to Liu Bei, it was like a thunderbolt from the blue sky that made his mind roar, and he was out of his mind.Therefore, he flatly vetoed it, and his attitude was extremely firm, as if he was incompatible with Liu Bei.

"Ying'er doesn't need to say too much, this matter has been decided by the father, so there is no need to discuss it again!" Looking up at his youngest son Tao Ying's expression of displeasure, Tao Qian did not let go at all, and said in a deep voice without doubt.

Immediately, he calmed down a bit, his eyes showed the caring look that only a loving father can have, and he softly persuaded: "Ying'er likes the younger sister of the Mi family, my father already knew about this, and I mentioned this to Mi Zhu before. It's a pity The brothers of the Mi family were too high-sighted, so they prevaricated and prevaricated on me, and declined this marriage. Besides, as far as my father knows, that Mi Huan is unruly and self-willed. Although she is quite beautiful, she never pretends to you. In this case, Ying'er Why bother to fall in love with her. There are countless beautiful women in the world. Instead of wasting your energy on a woman who doesn't like you, it's better to find a gentle and virtuous woman from a good family to marry. Therefore, let's forget about the past and deal with it in the future My son still needs to restrain his mind, so as not to suffer disaster in the future."

After persuading Tao Ying, Tao Qian said to his eldest son, Tao Shang: "My father has been an official in Xuzhou for many years, and he has devoted himself to benefiting the people of one side. Whatever is beneficial to the people of Xuzhou, my father will definitely do it without hesitation. Nowadays, Only when Xuzhou is handed over to someone with great ambitions like Liu Bei can the lives of the people in Xuzhou be saved from being slaughtered by Cao thieves.

Therefore, the father had no choice but to hand over the huge six counties of Xuzhou to Liu Bei.Only in this way can we not only protect the people, but also take care of our father's reputation throughout his life, and leave a great kindness for you two brothers.In the future, as long as Xuzhou is not lost, Liu Bei will always remember this kindness and treat you two brothers kindly; otherwise, what face does he have to gain a foothold in Xuzhou? "

"Kid, remember father's instructions!" Seeing that Tao Qian had made up his mind, Tao Shang and Tao Ying brothers had no choice but to respectfully accept orders even though they were unwilling in every possible way.

"Well, you will be able to see the true intention of being a father in the future. No matter who wants to occupy Xuzhou, he will have to pay for it. There has never been a good thing in this world." Tao Qian nodded slightly and whispered meaningfully .

Then he turned his head and said to the potter: "Then you go and order Mi Zhu to raise [-] stones of grain and grass and [-] gold to send to Sili. This is the last time that I, Tao Qian, will pay the imperial court. Leave a way out. Shanger, this time you will personally escort the food and grass, bring ten thousand Danyang soldiers to escort along the way, and send your mother to live in Chang'an, which is safer than Xuzhou. If the situation in Xuzhou is in danger in the future, you will go to Xiliang Dedicated to the general, not seeking fame and fortune, but only seeking a safe life."

"This,,, promise, my child obeys!" The pottery merchant respectfully agreed while hesitant to speak.

Tao Qian waved his hands very tiredly, lay down again with the help of the pottery merchant, and said in a weak voice: "There is no need to ask more about this matter. As long as the general knows that the father sent you to personally escort the food, everything will be clear. Remember. , The payment of food and salaries to the imperial court this time is done by order, not as a gift. Go, Shang Er, go and come back quickly, and must return to Xuzhou within two months."

After speaking, Tao Qian gently closed his eyes and fell into a drowsy sleep, with a bit of melancholy and reluctance still hanging on his cheeks, and an unfathomable light of wisdom remained in the wrinkles on his forehead.

Waiting for his father to fall asleep, Tao Shang and Tao Ying brothers got up gently, covered their father with a brocade quilt, and tiptoed out of the inner room.

"Father's order must not be disobeyed, we should obey it." When approaching the gate of the mansion, the pottery merchant suddenly turned his head and said to Tao Ying.

"Well, little brother knows what to do, take care, brother." Tao Ying heard a flash of light in his eyes, and immediately nodded in response.

After the pottery merchant left, Tao Ying's calm face showed a ferocious look, and he gritted his teeth and whispered to himself: "Since the bitch Mi Huan would rather be a concubine than marry me, I really think Tao Ying is weak and can be bullied." Just wait, Liu Bei snatched my woman today, and you will suffer the consequences in the future!"

Chapter 565 Yuan Gonglu Judging the Situation

After the general's mansion.

In the west wing of the other courtyard, a sentry hurried in and headed straight for the main hall of the other courtyard.

"Huh! General, I found it, I found it!"

As soon as he stepped into the main entrance, the sentry cavalry had no time to take a breather, and immediately said in a hurry, with a hint of joy in his tone.

"What did you find?" Le Jin, who was wearing armor, got up upon hearing the words, walked quickly to the sentry cavalry, lifted him up, and asked anxiously.

"I found General Xiahou!" The sentry cavalry hurriedly replied, afraid of being strangled by the armor and suffocating to death.

"General Xiahou is still alive?" Le Jin let go of his hand, and said inexplicably in surprise, while the sentry cavalry who was lifted by him fell to the ground and screamed "Ouch".

However, when the sentry cavalry heard Le Jin's words, the screams of pain stopped abruptly, Ma Liu stood up, and said in a trembling voice: "This,,, general, it's not that General Xiahou is still alive, but that we found the body of General Xiahou Dun. "

After speaking, the sentry cavalry instinctively took two steps back, lest he would repeat the same mistakes again and be angered by Le Jin.

"Corpse?" Le Jin's expression changed upon hearing this, his face was pale, and he stood at the entrance of the lobby in a daze, as if lost.

"General Xiahoudun was not spared after all, how can I treat the Lord!" After standing there for a long while, Le Jin sighed worriedly.

The sentry cavalry stood at the corner of the door, not daring to make a sound, and walked forward slowly with the soldiers on the left and right of Le Jin, and said softly: "Didn't the lord send me to look for General Xiahou Dun's body this time? Can't explain?"

Le Jin shook his head when he heard the sound, walked slowly to the side and sat down rather melancholy, and said in a deep voice: "You don't know, General Xiahou Dun and Li Li fell into the water together. We have already learned that Li Li is safe and sound a month ago. It can be deduced from this that General Xiahou Dun should not have been killed. Otherwise, why did the thief Li Li survive alone? Therefore, I wrote to my lord that General Xiahou Dun was very likely to be alive, but the lord believed it and ordered me to wait Find General Xiahou Dun.

As of today, we have stayed in Yuan Shu's mansion for nearly two months, searching hundreds of miles along the river, and then searching along the river, and searching thousands of miles of rivers back and forth, which lasted one and a half months.It's hard to find now.But it is not a living person, but a corpse.If this gets into the ears of the lord, then I, Le Jin, will commit the crime of deceiving the lord. This trip is not only useless, but a mistake.What can I do? "

"This,,," the soldiers hesitated for a moment.Good words persuaded: "The general was just speculation before, and he didn't intend to deceive the lord. From the point of view of the general, the lord can also understand. I will not punish the general because of this. Please be at ease, general, and don't worry too much. The most important thing right now The thing is to rush to identify the corpse as soon as possible, to confirm whether it is General Xiahou, and don’t make a mistake again.”

Le Jin nodded slightly, and said in a low voice: "This is the only way to go now. I hope the soldiers are not mistaken, otherwise my days of living in Yangzhou are not over. Until I find General Xiahou. As for how the lord will punish me, I can't control so much for the time being, whether it's a blessing or a disaster, and a disaster can't be avoided. Let's take a step and see!"

After speaking, Le Jin got up, took his weapons and personal soldiers, and followed the sentries out of the mansion through the back door, and rode his horse straight to the river where Xiahou Dun's body was found.

"What did you say, did you find it?"

In the main hall of the front courtyard of the General's Mansion, Yuan Shugao sat on a large handsome seat, accompanied by a beautiful young beauty on the left and right sides, the beauty on the left was pouring wine, and the beauty on the right was fisting her shoulders, hugging her left and right, feeling very comfortable .Under the hall, a scout led by Le Jin's sentry cavalry reported the progress of the search to the respective protagonists and the general almost at the same time.

"It's terrible! It's been nearly two months, and Xiahou Dun's body was still found. How did they confirm the body? How can they be sure that the body is Xiahou Dun's body and not someone else who drowned?" Yuan Shu held the wine bottle in his right hand, asked rather curiously.