Three Kingdoms

After Cao Cao left Yecheng, he received Xun Yu's seal on the way. After receiving the stamp, he did not take any immediate action.

Undoubtedly, as a tycoon, Cao Cao still had a good way of employing people. Cao Cao's attitude towards talents has always been "employing people without doubting them". This is his advantage, but of course it is also his shortcoming, because in addition to this half sentence, there is another half sentence called "do not trust people who are suspicious". Cao Cao's employment strategy has indeed brought him a lot of benefits, and it is also the basis for him to move to a higher position.

But now, Cao Cao found that these foundations were not stable.

Because Cao Cao suffered repeated betrayals in his early days, he almost had an extremely stubborn obsession with his backbone. This may be the same as Cao Cao's real pain of being cut off from food, so he also likes to cut off other people's food channels.

The issue of talent is actually a similar issue for Cao Cao.

Although Xun Yu's instructions were very clear and important, they were not sufficient for Cao Cao, at least not enough to make Cao Cao determined to do this.

Even a bad ship has three points, not to mention that Cao Cao thinks that his warship is not a bad ship?

Under such circumstances, is it necessary to dismantle the ship and build a new warship?

Even if Cao Cao is willing to bear the risks involved, is his own warship willing to bear the pain?

No one likes pain. No matter how much sugar I have eaten before, it is still excruciating pain when I have to drink the bitter medicine. The various "complaints" Cao Cao has received now are enough to prove this point.

Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to Qiao County to rectify the Xiahou clan of the Cao clan. These clansmen were the younger ones and the older ones. They came in a swarm to deliver letters to Cao Cao. They even sent people to complain to Cao Cao. As for what Cao Cao did when he was a child. Those who pooped and peed on their hands were all very polite, and some directly reprimanded Cao Cao for being unfaithful, unfilial, and ignoring his hometown...

At the same time, Jizhou Li Pan and others also began to mobilize various means to encourage the elderly in the countryside to come to Cao Cao, wave their crutches, and reprimand Cao Cao for what he did. This made Cao Cao very angry and helpless at the same time.

Because these father-in-laws are not direct beneficiaries. In Yuzhou and Jizhou, because they were the places where the Eastern Han Dynasty culture flourished, there were indeed many "talents" in the local areas. These talents may not have much ability to govern the country, but they did not lack the ability to evaluate.

It's like "Yuedan Commentary".

No one likes their leader to be unreasonable, so Cao Cao must not become the so-called "unreasonable leader" among ordinary officials.

The ideal state that Cao Cao wants to achieve is for the Cao Xiahou family to seize military power, consolidate power, and ensure Cao Cao's stable status, and then tend to the local gentry of the Cao Xiahou family to take care of people's livelihood, provide logistical support, and develop production, and then the general The gentry, or the gentry with opposing sentiments, were among those who were controlled and suppressed.

But in the face of real interests, no matter how much sentiment you have about family and country, it seems like a joke.

Don’t the people of the Cao and Xiahou clans understand the necessity of rectifying the administration of officials?

But the problem is that you can rectify others, but you can't rectify yourself. As for how Cao Cao could be convinced by others when he was in a dilemma or even a difficult situation, these people didn't care, they only needed to protect their own interests.

This situation of being unable to reason, reconcile, and give in will inevitably lead to the inevitable violent conflict between the two parties.

Just before the conflict broke out, Xiahou Dun found Cao Cao.

"Brother..."

Xiahou Dun saw Cao Cao's tired look and didn't know what to say for a moment. Xiahou Dun originally wanted to persuade Cao Cao, but when he saw Cao Cao, he found that some of the words of comfort he had prepared could not be uttered.

Cao Cao did not meet Xiahou Dun inside the Chinese army tent in the camp, but outside the camp. This place is not far from Wuchaoze. Because it is rich in water and grass, it has always been the main point where soldiers are stationed.

The autumn wind is bleak.

Cao Cao wore a crown, but some gray hair was visible on his temples. Perhaps because of staying up late, or perhaps because of the stress of these days, Cao Cao obviously did not have a good rest, and there were some dark bags under his eyes.

"Yuan Rang... Look, to the north is Jizhou and to the south is Yuzhou..." Cao Cao stretched out his hand and pointed in the direction, "East, west... I remember that I was sitting in the forest with Benchu ​​discussing the world. Thinking about the way Guangwu revitalized the Han Dynasty, thinking that whoever conquers the Central Plains will conquer the world... But unexpectedly, my thoughts were spoken out by Benchu... Haha, so..."

"At that time, I replied to Brother Ben Chu, "I have the intelligence of the world at my disposal and control it with the Tao, and I am omnipotent"..." Cao Cao chuckled, "I think Yuan Rang also knows what I mean..."

Xiahou Dun nodded slightly and remained silent.

Just like when Yuan Shao asked Cao Cao, "If things are not sorted out, how can we rely on them?" Yuan Shao didn't want to listen to Cao Cao's advice and asked Cao Cao for his strategy. Cao Cao immediately said, "I will let the world's intelligence be used to control the country." It is impossible to do anything." It was not to listen to Xiahou Dun's suggestions, or to ask what strategy should be adopted.

Yuan Shao expressed his thoughts, and it was indeed his overall strategy. Then Yuan Shao implemented it well, at least in the early stages. But why did it go further and further away from his original strategy?

Especially when Yuan Shao was fighting with Cao Cao, compared with when he was fighting with Gongsun Zan, it was like a different person. The previous decisiveness, bravery, and even judgment on the battlefield were gone.

At first, Cao Cao felt lucky, and even thought that Yuan Shao was incompetent, but later he slowly discovered that the hesitation that Yuan Shao showed in his actions was now Cao Cao's turn...

Now it was Cao Cao's turn to hesitate.

Different people, but the same thing.

Different time and space, but similar troubles.

"If you want to achieve great things, you must have a group of people who really want to do things..." Cao Cao seemed to be saying to Xiahou Dun, but also seemed to be saying to himself, "But if there is a person who really wants to do things, there will be more People who don’t want to do anything but just want to drink, seduce and get rich..."

"This moment is just like that moment. ” Cao Cao pointed at himself, his smile somewhat bleak, “Look, these are invisible shackles, making me feel like I am among thorns! If you are afraid of pain, it will hurt more! The more immobile it is, the less able it is to move! If I really don't take action, won't I continue to follow the old path of Brother Benchu? ! 』

"Let's do it," Cao Cao said softly, "While we are not old yet...heirs, if we work harder, we will all have something..."

"..." Xiahou Dun was silent for a long time. In the end, he didn't say anything. He just bowed his hands solemnly and said, "My lord, I obey the order!" 』

……《(;Д`)》……

In Qiao County, many people think that Xiahou Dun's efforts to rectify the clan's violations of law and discipline are like a gust of wind, which dazzles people and then eventually passes away.

However, the situation suddenly took a turn for the worse, far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

"The whole city is under martial law?" 』

Xiahou Zizang asked with some confusion.

He heard the news that his father had left, and just when he felt that he could change his form, break away from the good baby state, and let himself go again, but when he was asking people to prepare some "fun" things, he heard that the whole city The news of martial law suddenly shocked me.

The servant who hurriedly came to deliver the message did not bother to wipe his sweat and said breathlessly: "Replying to the Third Young Master, yes, martial law is under martial law, the whole city is under martial law!" It was an emergency martial law order that was just issued this morning, and now all city gates have been closed. No one is allowed in or out! 』

"ah? ! Xiahou Zizang raised an eyebrow, "Why is the martial law enforced?" Haven't you heard of any thieves causing trouble? 』

"I don't know...it doesn't seem to say why martial law is required. It's just that the whole city is under martial law and no one can enter or leave..."

Xiahou Zizang didn't understand very much.

Generally speaking, curfews and martial law are completely different things. Sometimes no one takes the curfew seriously, just like some people are caught drinking and driving without any record, but martial law is different. It is like there is a live camera broadcasting next to it, in case something is said that should not be said Not only will it cause trouble to you, but it will also cause trouble to others.

However, Qiao County has always been peaceful. Not to mention the bandits and gangsters in the surrounding area, even the local gangsters dare not cause trouble easily. Ever since General Hussar sent his army eastward and approached Xu County, there has been no martial law in Qiao County. Pass.

Xiahou Zijiang asked in surprise: "Is it possible that the hussar is here again?" Bypassed the front army defense line and attacked us? 』

Xiahou Zizang categorically denied: "This is absolutely impossible!" Nowadays, from Hanoi to Yingchuan, and then to Jingzhou, there are checkpoints and beacons on all roads, big and small. If the hussar army is dispatched, no matter how fast it moves, can it be faster than the beacons can send messages? Moreover, even if the troops were dispatched from Guanzhong, everyone would ride thousands of miles of horses, traveling a thousand miles a day and eight hundred nights, but it would still take a day or two to get here! Why is there no news at all? 』

Having said this, Xiahou Zizang turned his attention to his servant: "When you went out, was there any information about this in the county government?" 』

The trusted servant shook his head: "No, there is no additional explanation in this martial law order. I also went to people I knew to inquire about it. They said they just received the order and they didn't know what was going on outside... 』

Xiahou Zijiang asked: "By the way, where are the city guards?" Is there any movement in the armory? 』

"The guards are just stationed, and there is no other action," the servant replied, "There seems to be no movement in the armory in the city." 』

"This is strange..." Xiahou Zizang frowned.

If a foreign enemy is really approaching, then the government office in the city should ask the soldiers responsible for the garrison to prepare relevant defensive measures, and open the ordnance room to prepare the equipment for defending the city. As a result, it has only issued a simple martial law order, but no other measures have been taken. Any measures are really questionable.

Xiahou Zijiang hesitated and said: "Third brother, do you think this matter is related to the incident a few days ago?" 』

In the past two days, when Xiahou Dun dealt with the illegal and disciplinary matters of his clan members, he not only encountered opposition from his clan members, but also endured overt and covert confrontations from some elders in the countryside. The village elders around Qiao County are basically all related to the Cao family and the Xiahou family in some way, especially the Cao family, who have many relatives who are all twisted and twisted. If they are all cleaned up one by one, wouldn't they have to be cleaned up sooner or later? On their heads?

Therefore, when Xiahou Dun handled the matter, it was not so smooth. Either the three elders persuaded him, or the evidence of the crime disappeared, or the victim recanted his confession. Anyway, everything seemed to be OK...

Xiahou Zizang asked: "Why...why do you think this matter is related?" Why? 』

"Third brother, think about it, this order comes from the county government office, and in this county government office, without clear instructions from above, would you dare to do this? Xiahou Zijiang said, "What's more, just after dad left, many people in the city started to jeer... Maybe the prime minister is coming!" 』

"The Prime Minister is coming?" ! ” Xiahou Zizang was startled, “This is not a joke! 』

Xiahou Zizang wandered around twice, then stopped and said, "Go and inquire again!" quick! There is no need to go to the street to ask, go directly to the county government office and ask! Go find out what you are doing! etc! You probably won’t be able to see anyone if you go, so I’d better go there by myself! 』

After all, servants are servants. Even servants of the Xiahou family are still servants. Therefore, they may pay tribute to the Xiahou family on weekdays. However, if something really happens, the identity of the servant cannot be ascertained.

Xiahou Zizang walked out of the courtyard quickly, and then hurried to the county government office in Qiao County.

There must be something behind this inexplicable martial law order that he didn't understand, which made him vaguely nervous.

As soon as he reached the street, Xiahou Zizang felt that he was not the only one who was nervous.

There were very few pedestrians on the street. The few ordinary people were all hurriedly walking with their heads down and trotting quickly. They had obviously received the warning and were rushing back to their homes.

From time to time, soldiers in charge of the garrison ran past in formation, and their footsteps made an unsettling sound on the stone slabs. The sound of the collision of swords, guns and armor made Xiahou Zang's heart beat faster.

On the way to the county government office, Xiahou Zizang kept thinking, what does this martial law order mean?

He has calmed down a lot since he returned to Qiao County. He is not as ridiculous as he was in Xu County. After all, this is his hometown and he cannot go too far. This kind of mentality is also normal, just like some college students in later generations who act like obedient babies at home, but don't care if they attend various parties outside of home and are infected with AIDS.

Xiahou Zizang was walking in a hurry. Although the passing garrison soldiers saw Xiahou Zizang, they did not stop him. Soon he arrived in front of the county government office.

But what surprised Xiahou Zizang was that in front of the county government gate, not only was the gate tightly closed, but there were also two rows of guards wearing armor, swords and shields, blocking the gate tightly.

"I want to see the county magistrate!" ” Xiahou Zizang stepped forward and shouted.

"During martial law, no one is allowed to come or go!" "Someone among the guards shouted, "Get out of here! Under military law, don’t make mistakes! 』

"I am the third son of General Xiahou!" I want to see the county magistrate! ” Xiahou Zizang stepped forward and shouted almost close to the swords and guns raised by the guards, “This is my famous assassin!” Who are you? To whom does it belong? 』

Hearing Xiahou Zizang call out his name, especially Xiahou's name, the guard seemed stunned for a moment, and then his expression changed slightly, but he still stood in front of him. He just gave a slight salute, and then said calmly He said in a tone of voice: "I never thought it would be the Third Young Master in front of me!" excuse me! However, the military order was in place and the county magistrate was handling urgent military affairs and ordered no one to enter. 』

"I also have urgent military matters!" ” Xiahou Zizang also shouted.

"The county magistrate's order is that no one can come in or out for any reason!" ” The guard still refused to let him go.

Xiahou Zizang became more and more confused. He opened his eyes and shouted loudly: "Get out of the way!" If it delays a military plane, can you take responsibility? ! 』

In the past, such scoldings would be effective most of the time, but this time, these guards were unmoved. I don't know whether it was because they felt that Xiahou Zizang could not have any urgent military affairs, or because they were following the orders of their superiors, and Xiahou Zizang had no subordinate relationship with them.

"You..." Xiahou Zizang frowned, "Okay, it's okay if I don't go in. You go and send my famous assassin in personally and let him come out to see me!" 』

The guard shook his head, "Sorry, we can't go in either." 』

"Asshole!" Xiahou Zizang couldn't help but jump, and then suddenly his heart moved, "Since you can't go in, who gave you the order?" 』

"Of course it was the command given by the captain. ” said the guard captain.

"The command was given to you personally by the captain?" ” Xiahou Zang asked again.

"No, I received the order early in the morning. ” The guard captain patted his chest. It was obvious that the order was in his arms.

Xiahou Zizang felt more and more uneasy, "You mean, none of you have ever seen the captain with your own eyes?" 』

The guard turned his head and cast an inquiring gaze on his colleagues. The other guards shook their heads. One of them said, "When we got here, the gate of the county government office was locked and no one came in or out." 』

Something big happened...

Xiahou Zi Zangjian couldn't explain clearly to these single-minded guards, and he couldn't force the attack, because he didn't know how far these guards would go. If they really took action, he would definitely be more serious without a few people. Suffer.

Xiahou Zizang suddenly thought of what his brother Zijiang said just yesterday...

After hearing that Xiahou Dun had left, many people in Qiao County who had been hiding expressed their happiness, and then gathered their friends to hold a grand party to celebrate their escape and avoid this round of reorganization. Cleaning up is like after a storm, you can continue drinking, singing, and dancing again.

Xiahou Zijiang laughed and said that if his father came back at this time, he would be able to take over all the trouble. Then he was beaten by Xiahou Zijiang.

"It's over!" ” Xiahou Zizang suddenly felt something in his heart, and his face turned pale, “It’s hard to say that he really killed a carbine! 』