Chapter 4: Zhou Gong's Remnant Dream, Long Zi's Fighting the Wall
The East Palace is located one mile east of the Imperial Palace, with direct access to the Yunlong Gate of the Inner Palace to the west, making the connection with the palace extremely convenient.
Qi Gong Cao Rui is the eldest son of His Majesty. But for some reason, His Royal Highness, the eldest son of the Emperor, who is almost sixteen years old, has not yet been canonized as the crown prince.
However, being able to live in the East Palace at least shows that he is the most promising one among the candidates for the throne.
Cao Xi has been waiting in the pavilion outside the hall since he entered, and he is already a little impatient. His eldest brother Cao Shuang has been a playmate with Qi Gong since childhood, so the brothers have always been with the East Palace. Close communication.
It was not that Qi Gong was deliberately neglecting him today, it was just that he came at the wrong time, just in time for His Highness Cao Lin, the Fifth Highness, to pay a visit to the East Palace.
Cao Xi played with the porcelain cup in his hand, thinking a lot. He thought to himself: Although His Highness Cao Lin is young, he has always been deeply loved by His Majesty and has never concealed his ambition to compete for the throne. Therefore, he and His Highness Qi Gong Our relationship has never been good, so why are you free to come to the East Palace today?
Cao Xi slowly approached the main hall of the East Palace with curiosity...
In the main hall of the East Palace, Cao Rui sat upright on the throne. The expression on his face was as calm as lake water, as calm as his father's. However, his soft brows were very similar to his mother's, making him a little more gentle. .
Sitting in front of the east-facing table, a handsome young man of twelve or thirteen years old was serving himself tea and sipping. Looking at his clothes, although he was not a prince, he knew that his status was not low.
He is Cao Rui's serving son, Cao Zhao, and his father is the Dongyang Tinghou, Zhennan generals Cao Xiu and Cao Wenlie, known as the Cao family's "thousand-mile horse".
On the side, sat an arrogant young man wearing a vermilion gauze robe, a white curved collar, and a white gauze tunic with a white edge.
This is His Royal Highness Cao Lin, the fifth son of the emperor.
The imperial robes he wears when traveling far away are the clothes used by the crown prince and other kings. Cao Lin is neither a prince nor a king, which shows his arrogance and arrogance.
Cao Rui seemed to be careless, but in fact he was thinking about how to deal with his fifth brother Cao Lin. Thinking that he, a fifteen-year-old boy, had to be so deliberate when talking to his brother, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Brother, why are you sighing?" Cao Lin asked quietly, holding the cyan porcelain cup in his palm, with a somewhat provocative tone.
Cao Rui heard the other party's strange aura. He probably also knew the purpose of Cao Lin's visit today. Recently, there were rumors in the palace that his mother, Queen Zhen, fell out of love with His Majesty because of her complaints. Cao Lin usually hated him. , now I will naturally look for opportunities to humiliate myself.
"Actually, it's only a matter of time before Her Majesty the Queen falls out of favor." Cao Lin smiled and picked up the tea cup. His understatement made people feel uncomfortable: "Brother, you don't need to take it to heart." [Note 1] : During the Three Kingdoms period, the queen was respectfully addressed as Her Highness.]
Sure enough! Cao Rui suppressed the anger in his heart and forced out a stiff smile: "The queen is Gu's mother. It is Gu's duty to worry about Her Highness the Queen's affairs, so I won't worry about you Lin."
This sentence is extremely clever, implying that he is the Queen's legitimate son, and the other party is the son of a concubine, so he has no right to make irresponsible remarks here.
Seeing Cao Rui's clever response, Cao Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, raised his tea cup and took a sip. He understood that today Cao Lin came to humiliate and make things difficult for His Highness Qi Gong. If His Highness made a mistake in his anger or got into a fight, then When the news reaches His Majesty's ears, it may be a fatal blow to both the Queen and Cao Rui!
After hearing what Cao Rui said, Cao Lin's lips turned purple with anger, and he dropped the tea cup heavily on the table. He then sneered: "However, Her Royal Highness the Queen is really extremely generous and admirable. Master Meng said: 'Wealth and honor cannot be fornicated, and poverty and lowliness cannot be removed.' I hope Her Majesty the Queen can continue to maintain it!"
Wealth cannot be lascivious, poverty cannot be transferred! Cao Rui's eyes turned red instantly, and he gritted his teeth to endure it. Is he laughing at his mother who is now in a high position but not favored by her? Is he laughing at his mother who once had a low status?!
so what!
Where did he, Cao Lin, have the qualifications to be so presumptuous!
Veins popped up on Cao Rui's forehead, and he clenched his fists tightly. Cao Zhao was shocked when he saw this, and quickly left the table. He was already prepared. Once Cao Rui loses control, he will risk his life to hold him back. He must not Let Cao Lin succeed!
"Squeak..." At this critical moment, the wooden door of the main hall slowly opened, and the three of them saw a child dressed in black and Hufu walking in. It was Cao Xi.
"You never thought that His Highness Cao Lin, as a prince, would be so rude and ridiculous, don't you feel ashamed and shameful?" Cao Xi directly attacked without any polite words. Cao Lin was already angry with Cao Rui, and he was worried at this time. He was venting his anger everywhere, thinking that Cao Xi was nothing more than a concubine of a distant clan, so there was nothing to be afraid of, so he stood up and punched him! Cao Xi was taken aback and hurriedly dodge, while Rui and Zhao also hurriedly came to protect him.
Unexpectedly, Cao Lin used too much force and was dodged by Cao Xi. His center of gravity slipped and he fell to the ground. In the chaos just now, he broke several tea sets, and there were broken porcelain pieces everywhere on the ground, so Cao Xi Lin was suddenly thrown and bruised all over his body!
"Cao Rui... How dare you let someone hit me!" Although Cao Lin was covered with injuries, his eyes were full of pride: "I will tell my father right now!" After saying this, Cao Lin calmly said He stood up slowly and limped out of the hall.
Cao Rui and Cao Zhao looked at each other and knew that disaster was inevitable.
"Brother Xi...you have caused a big disaster this time!" Cao Zhao sighed helplessly.
"This matter is not Xidi's fault." Cao Rui frowned deeply: "It was Cao Lin who took action first, but this time Cao Lin returned with injuries. I'm afraid it is unreasonable..."
"Brother Yuan Zhong..." Cao Xi looked down at the messy cases and broken porcelain pieces on the ground, and stayed there for a long time.
The appointed time has not yet arrived. Xia Houxuan left the palace gate and hurried to the agreed place. He looked at the treasure he had asked for from His Majesty. This was the Baipi Lumo Sword that Your Majesty had treasured for many years. It was given to him today. It can be seen that His Majesty's reliance on his father remains as strong as before.
At Sihui Road, Cao Xixi was quietly waiting for Xia Houxuan, looking very lonely.
Xia Houxuan was very surprised. This boy was always late, but this time he was waiting for him here in advance. As he got closer, he realized that Cao Xi's expression was very ugly. Thinking about what happened in the palace in recent days, He had already roughly guessed the reason.
"Axuan..." Cao Xi looked at his cousin as if asking for help: "His Royal Highness Cao Lin was in the East Palace. He had a scuffle with me and was injured. Now he probably went to His Majesty to complain. What should I do?"
"Ah?..." Xia Houxuan, who originally thought it was a trivial matter, was startled. He understood that what His Majesty is most taboo about today is brothers fighting against each other. But now that the matter is over, let's make his cousin happy first.
"Don't worry, His Highness Qi Gong will handle these matters." Xia Houxuan smiled, raised the device in his hand, and pulled out half of the blade: "Brother Xi, look, what is this."
Cao Xi's eyes were instantly attracted, and he saw the Lumo Sword, emitting a dazzling red dragon-pattern halo under the sunlight. He looked at the Lumo Sword inscription engraved on the sheath, written by His Majesty himself:
Shuoliangdao, when Hu Lianqiu was in power, opened up all the scales and horns, and was able to do whatever he wanted to do. He would keep it forever, use it to defend himself, and use it to control others. [Note 2: "Dian Lun": "Prince Pi of Wei made hundreds of swords."
The precious sword,..., is also called the Lumo sword, also known as the dragon scale sword. "It is three feet and two inches long, shaped like a dragon pattern, and is called dragon scale."
It's a dragon scale! Cao Xi couldn't help being surprised.
At that time, Prince Pi chose the best craftsmen from Chu and Yue to build more than ten fine weapons. The Baipilumo knife in front of him was three feet and two feet long and shaped like a dragon. It is exactly the dragon scale that is the most beloved item of His Majesty today.
Brother, he actually asked for it for himself.
"Brother Xi, does this count as compensation for the sword that I cut off last time?"
"Okay, then shall we go to the restaurant in Qingmingmen, cousin?"
"Idiot, you forgot that Chen Hou Cao Ren was promoted to general. We are going to Chen Hou's house to congratulate him. We will have enough food for you then."
"Great!"
Suddenly there was another burst of laughter and laughter on the streets of Luoyang, like a warm wind, adding a bit of warmth to the whole city of Luoyang.
This summer seems to be hotter than in previous years.
Even the cool moon that had just risen could not eliminate the sultry summer heat.
The East Palace is as quiet as ever.
Cao Rui, who had just returned from the Chonghua Hall in the palace, was staring at the letters on the case in a daze. The fragrance of Xinyi in the room made him a little dizzy, so he opened the carved wooden window a slit.
He thought that his father would punish him severely, and he was even ready to be demoted, but... his father only punished himself, copied the Analects of Confucius, and kept in mind the principle of respect between brothers, friends, and brothers.
It’s not that he thought he was punished too lightly, it’s just that his father didn’t punish him severely this time. I’m afraid he wanted to hold his mother responsible! In this case, wouldn’t it be playing into the plans of Qiu Zhaoyi and Cao Lin, their mother and son?
Thinking about this, Cao Rui couldn't sit still. How about... he should go into the palace again and explain clearly to his father the whole story. He was about to get up and change his clothes when he saw a maid coming in a hurry.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is here."
―――
"Third brother, please lend me your dragon scale sword to play with." Cao Xun felt bored and came to the back garden. When he saw the sword being wiped in Cao Xi's hand, he immediately became interested.
Cao Xizheng was so absorbed that he didn't notice anyone entering the back garden. His fourth brother's sudden words startled him.
"Ah Xun, it turns out it's you," Cao Xi coughed lightly: "If you don't go to study, what are you doing here?"
"Third brother, I have already mastered the "Sima Fa" you taught me to read." Cao Xun patted his chest proudly: "If you don't believe it, I will recite it to you." [Note 3: "Sima Fa": a military work from the pre-Qin period.
, it was written about the Warring States Period, and was compiled into a book by Sima Ranju, the general of the Qi State during the Warring States Period.]
Cao Xi nodded. He had four younger brothers. The fourth brother, Cao Xun, was good at military service, and the sixth brother, Cao Yan, liked poetry. Therefore, the matters of poetry, writing, riding and shooting were rarely worried about.
As Cao Xun spoke, he began to shake his head and memorize the book, but Cao Xi seemed a little absent-minded.
I heard that brother Yuan Zhong was punished after meeting the saint today. I wonder how he is doing now...
"In the ancient times, benevolence was the basis, and justice was called justice. If justice is not obtained by intention, power comes from war. Power comes from war, not from people in the middle. Therefore, it is okay to kill people to bring peace to others. Attack the country and love its people.
It is possible to attack; to stop the war by fighting, even though it is possible to fight. Therefore, benevolence sees kinship, righteousness sees theory, wisdom sees reliance, courage sees oneself, faith sees trust. If you get love inside, you defend it, and if you get power outside, you get it.
Zhan Ye..."
Cao Xi was still thinking a lot and frowning. This matter was all caused by his interference. Otherwise, he would go to the East Palace to see Brother Yuan Zhong later.
"...We don't raise armies in winter and summer, so we love the people at the same time. Although our country is big, if we like war, we will perish. Although the world is safe, if we forget to fight, we will be in danger..."
But going to the East Palace at this time might just add to the chaos. Cao Xi sighed.
"The rule of the previous kings was based on the way of heaven, the appropriate establishment of the land, the virtues of the officials and the people, and the correct names and governance of things... Secondly, the wise kings established rituals, music, and laws, which were the five punishments... Six reasons why kings and tyrants ruled the princes:
The land is organized into princes; the princes are pacified with political orders; the princes are recorded with courtesy and trust; the princes are pleased with materials and strength; the princes are defended with herdsmen; the princes are subjugated with military reforms. The princes are united by sharing the same troubles and benefits, and the princes are harmonized by comparing small things to big things... External and internal strife
, animals act like animals, then destroy them.”
Cao Xun actually memorized nearly a thousand words of "Sima Fa·Volume 1·Renben No. 1" in one breath. He originally expected to be praised, but suddenly found that the other party had been lost in thought!
"Third brother!" Cao Xun shouted dissatisfied.
"Huh?... Have you finished memorizing it? Oh... It's very good, but the art of war is more important than being able to recite it..." Before Cao Xi could finish his sentence, the dragon scale in his hand had been taken away by the opponent.
Seeing Third Brother's face instantly filled with displeasure, Cao Xun quickly and cleverly found a topic: "Oh, by the way, Third Brother, why don't you... go take a look outside Qingming Gate?"
"Qingming Gate? What's going on?" Cao Xi has been staying in the mansion for the past few days, so he doesn't know anything.
"I heard that outside Qingming Gate, by the Yangqu River, a gentleman who interprets dreams and reads fortunes recently came here." Cao Xun carefully admired the luster of the dragon scales under the moonlight: "It seems to be called... what is his name Zhou Konghe?"
Come on, many people say that this gentleman’s interpretation of dreams and fortune telling is very effective.”
"Zhou Konghe?" Cao Xi murmured thoughtfully, "Could it be that Le'an County official, Mr. Zhou Xuanzhou?"
―――
Cao Rui entered the main hall and saw that his father's expression was no longer as fierce as before. He instantly breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved.
"I, I pay my respects to my father..." [Note 4: During the Three Kingdoms period, princes called themselves ministers in front of the emperor.]
Before Cao Rui could even get down, Cao Pi helped the child up. His eldest son, who had just turned fifteen and had his hair tied back, still had a childish look on his soft brows, very much like his mother.
Note 5: In ancient times, it was considered the age of adulthood to tie one’s hair at the age of fifteen.】
"I understand, it's not Rui'er's fault." Cao Pi touched the top of the child's hair and said with a smile, "Come, daddy will take you to a place."
After hearing the word 'dad', Cao Rui was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily.
I remember that when he was a child, his father would always take him to the roof and look at the night sky. At that time, his father was not the Supreme One; he would often call his father "daddy".
The stars in the sky twinkle and twinkle, like pairs of clear and innocent eyes...
The emperor climbed up to the top of the palace with great difficulty and touched his forehead with his sleeve: "Rui'er has grown up, but my father is getting old soon."
"How could it happen? I wonder how my father can be considered old when he is still young." Cao Rui supported his father and sat on the ridge of the palace.
"Although people are not old, their hearts are tired..." The emperor sighed, and he looked at the immortal spine beast not far away illuminated by the cold moon. The main hall of the East Palace is not very short. From here, you can not only overlook The entire East Palace, and even the Royal Palace in the distance, can be viewed roughly.
"Rui'er knows that being alone is really tiring."
Cao Rui nodded, seeming to understand. Although he didn't know how the Supreme felt, but for a fifteen-year-old boy, it was indeed very annoying to be immersed in intrigues and intrigues all day long.
"Na Rui'er, don't be a loner in the future."
"Silly boy..." Cao Pi looked at the child, his eyes full of pity for a moment. In fact, this child has always been his successor in his mind. However, he didn't want him to become the target of public criticism prematurely, so he did this Letting the position of crown prince remain vacant. Not being established as crown prince can be regarded as a kind of weak freedom.
"Some things cannot be avoided."
Cao Pi raised his eyes and looked at the most dazzling Beichen star in the sky.
"Only when you stand at the highest point can you use the power in your hands to protect those around you and yourself..."
I don't know how long it took, but the child fell asleep on his father's shoulder.
"Daddy..." Cao Rui murmured in his sleep.
The emperor, who was usually as cold as ice, could not control his tears at this moment. The child had not called himself daddy for a long time.
No one can let Rui'er get involved in the disputes in the harem, not even the mother of his own child! Cao Pi secretly made up his mind.
The moon is at its zenith, and the East Palace of Luoyang is surprisingly quiet at the moment. Under the bright cold moon, one can vaguely see the shadows of two people, one big and one small, leaning against each other.
―――
In the east of Luoyang City, the green willow branches and leaves that have been burned by the scorching sun during the day are now floating in the wind under the warmth of the cold moon.
Yangqushui is a section of Luoyang's East Moat. The vendors who were hawking nearby during the day have already returned home, leaving only a few scattered tourists wandering nearby.
Cao Xi hurried outside Qingming Gate and searched for a while on the bank of Yangqushui, but he didn't even see the shadow of the so-called dream interpreter. Could it be that A Xun deceived him? Probably not, maybe, it was. It was too hot during the day, so Mr. Zhou went to a tea shop to enjoy the cool weather.
Cao Xi thought like this and unconsciously walked towards the nearby tea shop.
There were a lot of people gathered in the tea shop, but there was no noise. The boss rolled up his sleeves and poured herbal tea for the tea guests, while talking about something with excitement, so that everyone was silent and listened.
"By the way, Mr. Zhou Xuan Zhou Konghe was a county official in Le'an County more than ten years ago."
"At that time, the Yellow Turbans were rising, and wars were raging everywhere. As for Le'an County, it was later occupied by the Yellow Turbans and fell tragically."
"One day, Yang Pei, the governor of Le'an, had a dream, and Mr. Zhou became famous because he could interpret this dream." The boss said with a dry mouth and took a sip of herbal tea.
"Then what did Grand Shou Yang dream about?" A tea guest couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked.
"Hahahahaha, Governor Yang Peiyang, he dreamed that a man said to himself: 'On August 1st, Duke Cao will arrive. He will give you his staff and drink medicinal wine.'"
"However, the prefect couldn't figure out what the man in the dream wanted to say and how to interpret these sentences. He heard that there was a man named Zhou Xuan named Kong He who was good at interpreting dreams, so he invited Mr. Zhou.
Tell him in a dream. Guess what Zhou Xuan’s explanation was?”
"Mr. Zhou explained: The husband's staff can lift up the weak, and medicine can cure people's diseases. On the first day of the eighth month, thieves will be wiped out!"
"As a result, on August 1 of that year, the army of the late King Cao Gong marched to Le'an and really wiped out the Yellow Turban Army here! Tell me, isn't this Mr. Zhou a man of extraordinary ability?"
"Furthermore, I heard that Mr. Zhou is coming to Beijing this time, but in the inner city of the imperial city and in the palace, I don't know who invited him."
After leaving the tea shop, before the curfew, Cao Xi continued to walk along the Yangqu River. Not far away, after passing the East Market, was the Jianchun Gate not far from the East Palace. Cao Xi thought to himself, how about...
Let’s stop by to see brother Yuan Zhong...
―――
You waited outside the house for a long time before you saw an old servant slowly opening the door.
"Sorry, my master never receives wandering sorcerers." When the old servant saw that he was dressed as a Taoist, he planned to close the door and leave.
"Is Lian Xia no exception?" The man didn't show any sullenness at all, but asked with a smile.
"Your Excellency, who is..." the old servant asked cautiously with hesitation on his face.
"Please tell Brother Yu that my old friend Zhou Konghe is here to visit."