Although it had just snowed heavily, since entering Yanzhou, Xin Ping had been arriving at Chenliu. Along the way, he had not seen a single human skeleton that had been frozen to death, not even a homeless person.
"This is simply... unimaginable!" Xinpi's heart was so shocked that he could not express it.
Yan Feng, who accompanied Xinpi to Xuchang, seemed to have seen through Xinpi's thoughts.
Yan Feng, wearing a cloak and a mask, came to Xinpi and said: "One million households in Yanzhou, 600,000 households in Xuzhou, plus 400,000 households in Nanyangjun, Huainan, Yingchuan, and Runan, under the rule of Prime Minister Cao
, so far there has not been a reported case of death due to hunger and cold.”
When Xin Pi heard this, he opened his mouth slightly and remained silent, thinking: "If I didn't report it, would it really mean that I didn't freeze to death and starve to death? This is impossible to say..."
Yan Feng seemed to have seen through Xin Pi's thoughts again, and continued: "Every county has my shadow guard secretly monitoring it. No official can deceive the superiors and deceive the subordinates."
Yan Feng's tone seemed a bit deep and cold, and Xin Pi couldn't help but shudder, "Supervise... supervise all officials?"
If this is the case, that would be terrible! If they exercise the duty of supervising hundreds of officials, then these people don’t have the best hands and eyes?
Seeing that Xin Pi had some misunderstandings, Yan Feng explained again: "Of course we are not supervising all officials... We will only develop peripheral members among grassroots officials, and they only have the right to check for leaks and fill in the gaps to pass on information...
And in order to avoid favoritism and fraud, there are usually several hidden lines in one place that are unknown to each other.
As long as we compare the information they sent us one by one, the real situation will probably be clear."
Yan Feng's words made Xin Pi nod silently, "It seems that Prime Minister Cao still knows how powerful it is. With your help, the Prime Minister will be able to understand the situation in various places in a timely manner and will no longer be deceived by local officials.
"
"No, we do not belong to Prime Minister Cao Cao." To Xin Pi's surprise, Yan Feng said that they did not belong to Cao Cao.
Xinpi seemed a little unbelievable and said: "Such an important and powerful institution does not belong to the Prime Minister? Then who are you loyal to?"
To be honest, Xinpi is a little confused now. He has such great power in Cao Cao's territory, but it doesn't belong to Cao Cao himself?
Yan Feng couldn't help but sit up straight and said: "Mr. founded us. He once told us that we are only loyal to the people of the world!"
"People of the world?!"
"That's right...we all come from the common people, from ordinary people...we are the children of the people, and we should be loyal to the people!"
"Such remarks are unheard of!" After a while, Xinpi sighed with emotion. "Oh, by the way, the gentleman you are talking about is..."
"The current hussar general, Chen Liuhou, Lu Yan and Lu Changsheng!"
"Sure enough, it's him!" Xin Pi sighed in his heart, "Looking at the world, I'm afraid this is the only person who truly puts the people first.
With him here, it may be even harder for the family to restore its past glory than to reach heaven!"
He sighed slightly in his heart and said: "I don't know whether it is good or bad to surrender to Cao Cao... But even Chen Gong has let go of Cao Cao. Maybe there is something going on here that outsiders don't understand."
...
Yingchuan,Xuchang.
Cao Cao slowly put down the secret letter sent from Chenliu one day in advance, smiled at Cai Yan who was writing urgently at his desk not far away, and said, "Did you know? Yuan Tan's envoy has now arrived at Chenliu County.
He is now thinking that I can send troops to Jizhou."
Cai Yan raised his head and said in a calm tone: "I'm afraid it's not as simple as Meng De said."
Cao Cao ignited the secret letter in his hand on the flame of the candle. Looking at the slowly burning letter, he chuckled and said: "Of course... what Yuan Tan wants in his heart is nothing more than to let me, old Cao, be the leader."
The spear in his hand helps him deal with Yuan Shang, who is increasingly in conflict with him."
Cai Yan was obviously a little surprised, but more confused, "Since you know everything, why do you still want to receive his envoy?"
Cao Cao laughed and said: "Yuan Tan wants to make me, Cao Cao, a spearman, but he doesn't even know how much he is worth!"
Seeing the old Cao Zhizhu in control, Cai Yan glanced at his mouth and said: "It's really miserable to deal with you guys..."
Cao Cao came to Cai Yan, gently put his arm around his shoulders, and said: "This is all the idea of Fengxiao, Zhicai and Gongda. I am an honest man."
"Don't make trouble, I'm sorting out the teaching materials." Cai Yan slapped away Cao Cao's increasingly dishonest hand and said.
Cao Cao didn't succeed and asked angrily: "Are you going to stay up until midnight again tonight?"
Cai Yan raised his head, glanced at Cao Cao, but did not answer.
"Well... I don't know what kind of magic power the Three-Character Classic has, to make you so addicted..." Cao Cao shook his head and walked out of Cai Yan's room with his hands behind his back, "Oh... tonight is too long.
..."
The next day.
Xin Pi and Yan Feng arrived at Xuchang City.
The two of them and a dozen followers and guards behind them were all on horseback, and their formation was quite eye-catching.
There were city gate guards who wanted to step forward to stop him, but a shadow guard behind Yan Feng had already stepped forward and handed over his badge.
After checking that the waistbands were correct, the guards allowed them to enter the city. However, horses were not allowed in the city, so Yan Feng, Xin Pi and others could only dismount and walk.
After about a stick of incense, they arrived in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
There were servants waiting outside the prime minister's house. When they saw Xin Pi and Yan Feng arriving, they immediately greeted them with smiles on their faces and said, "Please, gentlemen! The master has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Xinpi and Yanfeng followed the servants to the reception hall.
Before anyone walked in, Cao Cao's hearty laughter could already be heard, "Hahaha! Cao looked forward to the stars and the moon, and finally he has come to you, Mr. George!"
Hearing that Cao Cao came out, Yan Feng's mission was successfully completed.
He cupped his hands towards Cao Cao and said, "Elan Feng has met the Prime Minister. My subordinates have completed their tasks and will go back to the wine festival."
"Don't leave in a hurry. Ang'er happens to be at home. He often says that he still has many things to ask you."
"This..." Yan Feng was a little embarrassed, but Lao Cao said indifferently: "Ang'er is also half of Mr. Lu's disciples, and you are also half of Mr. Lu's disciples. Classmates exchange knowledge, who dares to talk too much?
?”
Yes, if anyone talks too much, you, Lao Cao, will tear his mouth off, right...
Yan Feng couldn't resist Cao Cao, so he had to clasp his fists and say: "I obey my orders..." Then he followed his servant to the backyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
After making arrangements for the meeting, Cao Cao looked at Xin Pi again.
Boss Cao's fiery eyes immediately made Xinpi feel that the air around him was heating up.
Xinpi had never experienced such enthusiasm as that of Lao Cao. He immediately bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, Xinpi, please see the Prime Minister!"
Cao Cao helped Xin Pi up with both hands, and after looking at him with smiles for a while, he took his hand and walked into the hall, "Come on, come on, Cao has already prepared fine wine and delicacies for Mr. Xin.
Let’s only talk about romance today, not serious business!”
"I believe you are a ghost!" Xin Pi cursed in his heart, but he also cooperated with Cao Cao on the surface.
"Hahaha!" Xinpi also laughed and replied: "The prime minister is so hospitable, I am flattered!"