In the first month of the sixth year of Emperor Zhongping of the Han Dynasty (AD 189), Dong Zhuo proclaimed himself prime minister. From then on, Luoyang's military and political power completely fell into Dong Zhuo's hands.
In December of the same year, Dong Zhuo promulgated the "Reward and Punishment Order." It was said to be a reward and punishment order, but it was actually a decree of intimidation and severe punishment.
Among them, headed by the nobles, if anyone did not pay tribute to the court, he would be whipped 40 times; if he disobeyed, he would be beheaded; if he insulted him in public, the three clans would be killed... Over time, the already scarred Luoyang people became more miserable and complained.
The news resounded throughout the world, and the nobles in Luoyang transferred their assets and moved their families one after another to avoid the tyranny of Dong. In order to appease people's hearts, Dong Zhuo made a lot of money and promoted many people to high positions, including Cao Cao.
After the court meeting that day, Cao Cao returned to his mansion depressedly, and kicked over the brazier with a "bang" kick. Suddenly, dots of fire and charcoal jumped everywhere.
Cao Cao dodged the fire and charcoal with quick eyes and hands, and shouted: "Here comes someone!"
"exist!"
"Clean it up and replace it with charcoal for a fire!"
"yes!"
...
At this time, Cao Cao was extremely anxious. The Master Shangxian and he had not contacted each other for almost two months. He said he had to wait, but the wait was too long.
"No, I can't wait like this any longer."
At this moment, the subordinate outside the door reported: "Sir, the Immortal Master of Situ's Mansion outside the door has made an appointment."
Cao Cao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he didn't think much about it. He shouted loudly: "Please come quickly, please come quickly!"
"Hahaha..." As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, Ma Xiaoquan strode in.
Cao Cao stepped forward, bowed and said: "Master Shangxian, Cao Cao missed the welcome from afar, but I still hope that Master Shangxian will atone for his sins."
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter, Xiao Cao, I'm here today. I think you know what I mean, right?"
Cao Cao rolled his eyes and said, "Sir Shangxian, do you mean that I can leave?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and said: "That's right!"
"This..." Cao Cao was in trouble and said, "Now there are many nobles running around, and Dong Zhuo is ruthlessly seizing wealth. Every city gate is filled with Xiliang cavalry. It may be difficult to get out."
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and rolled his eyes. Cao Cao understood and ordered his servants to retreat.
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and said: "Xiao Cao, have you forgotten that you are now a school captain, and you can now intervene in some of the Gyeonggi work in Luoyang City..."
When Cao Cao heard this, he suddenly became enlightened and quickly said thanksgiving: "Master Shangxian has a wonderful plan. Cao Cao thought that Master Shangxian would ignore Cao for a few days, and he thought he had forgotten Cao..."
Ma Xiaoquan said: "Haha, I have figured this out a long time ago, but it is very vague. The so-called secret cannot be leaked. Only at this point can I say it."
Cao Cao's heart was surging and he thought: I can finally leave. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time.
After bidding farewell to the Immortal, Cao Cao began to prepare his "escape plan".
First of all, Cao Cao followed Ma Xiaoquan's plan: he praised Dong Zhuo during the court meeting, made Dong Zhuo so arrogant, and even promised to send him two female slaves on the spot; second, Cao Cao used his identity as a school captain to decisively move the north of Luoyang City.
The guard of the gate was replaced by his own men; thirdly, Cao Cao took the initiative to make friends with Lu Bu, Guo Si and other generals of Dong Zhuo, paralyzing them and making them think that he and they were wearing the same pants...
That night, Cao Cao followed Ma Xiaoquan's wishes and led Lu Bu, Guo Si and others to the Xiangting Tower to have a good time. When they went out, Lu Bu, who was drunk, put his arms around Cao Cao's shoulders and said: "Meng Mengde
Ah, tell me, who is the most heroic in the world today?"
Cao Cao chuckled and said: "You must be the prime minister!"
Lu Bu hummed twice: "What else?"
Cao Cao was puzzled and made no sound.
"Bohai Governor Yuan Shao!"
Cao Cao curled his lips and looked a little dismissive.
"What? Meng De doesn't believe it?"
Cao Cao pretended to be calm and shook his head.
"The fourth and third prince of the Yuan family, most of the retainers and nobles belong to him. Even the foster father is a little afraid of Yuan Shao..."
Cao Cao listened to Lu Bu's chatter and did not interrupt, but he had secretly made up his mind that if there was a chance, he would definitely compete with Yuan Shao on the battlefield.
After parting with Lu Buyi and his entourage, Cao Cao was not in a hurry to return to his mansion, but went to Situ's Mansion first.
After meeting Ma Xiaoquan, Cao Cao reported the progress of the matter to Ma Xiaoquan.
"Well" Ma Xiaoquan knocked on the desk, "Xiao Cao, you can leave now. Remember, if you meet Lu Bu, you know what to do!"
Cao Cao hummed and asked, "Where is Lord Shangxian?"
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand and said: "I have other things to do. By the way, I will give you this white scroll. Keep it well. There is something I need on the white scroll. If you find something similar,
, just notify me.”
Cao Cao took the white scroll, glanced at it, and put it away.
Seeing Cao Cao put away the blank scroll, Ma Xiaoquan continued: "Xiao Cao, which way do you want to take after escaping Luoyang?"
Cao Cao thought for a moment and said, "We haven't decided yet!"
"Yeah" Ma Xiaoquan listened and knocked on the table gently.
Cao Cao was smart and immediately saw some clues, so he asked: "Master Shangxian, is there something wrong?"
Ma Xiaoquan glanced at Cao Cao and thought: There is something wrong. There must be something wrong. You will be caught passing by Zhongmu County. Of course, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the "capture and release of Cao" section was changed to Chen Gonghe
In fact, the official history did not specify who Cao Cao was, only that he was an unknown person. Moreover, subsequent demonstrations also proved that the "capture and release of Cao Cao" was not the work of Chen Gong at all.
Ma Xiaoquan asked: "Xiao Cao, I have another question. If someone harms you on the road, what will you do?"
Cao Cao said directly without thinking: "Those who endanger my life will be punished!"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head and said: "No, no, if you can escape, of course you should. Don't be too showy to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Cao Cao nodded in agreement.
After Cao Cao left, Ma Xiaoquan took a long breath and thought to himself: I hope Lu Boshe and his family can survive.
...
Cao Cao returned to his mansion and immediately began the final preparations non-stop.
"Shall I plan the following escape route?"
Cao Cao looked at the night sky, his thoughts uncertain.
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time..."
The next day, Cao Cao got up early for a court meeting as usual, and also took the initiative to show his goodwill to Yi Qian, both civil and military. Naturally, the pro-Dong faction welcomed Cao Cao, while the neutral faction was indifferent. The anti-Dong faction, although they could not do anything big against Dong Zhuo, stood still.
In front of Cao Cao, one person said "Bah" and the other said "Conspiracy with thieves", which made Cao Cao blush.
"Damn it, these old bastards, wait until I leave, who will you scold?"
Cao Cao thought bitterly and exited the court meeting hall.
In the evening, Cao Cao called his lieutenant to his side and asked him to lead all his men to patrol the city south of Luoyang.
"Sir, this..." the deputy general was a little timid.
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "It's okay. Take my seal and lead the people to patrol the city in the south. It's not peaceful there lately. Remember, you must patrol carefully for me."
"Yes!" The deputy general received Cao Cao's seal and walked out happily.
After going out, the deputy general summoned all his men and thought happily: This idiot Cao Cao actually gave me his seal. Haha, then I will become a captain...
Cao Cao watched the deputy general and a group of people gradually go away. He took a long breath, then immediately packed up his belongings and ran to the stable. As soon as he got on the horse, Cao Cao remembered the seven gems he had buckled from the Seven Star Sword a few days ago.
, had no choice but to dismount and go to the house to put the gems into the baggage.
After sneaking out from the back door, Cao Cao ran wildly along the path.
There are two gates in the north of Luoyang City, one is Xiamen and the other is Gumen.
To be on the safe side, Cao Cao replaced all the guards at the two gates with his own cronies.
Cao Cao rode his horse and ran happily. As he was approaching Xiamen, he suddenly heard the noise of weapons not far away, as if something had happened.
Cao Cao did not dare to step forward and take a closer look, so he could only turn his horse's head and run towards the valley gate.
Not far to the right of Gumen is Taicang and the arsenal.
In fact, the last thing Cao Cao wants to come to is Gumen, because Taicang stores food and the arsenal stores weapons. These are important materials for the imperial court. Usually, they are heavily guarded. Sometimes, Lu Bu and others will even come to patrol.
.
"I hope I won't be discovered." Cao Cao drove his horse anxiously and sweating profusely, feeling uneasy in his heart.
At this moment, a bright light suddenly appeared in the darkness, and then a voice came: "No intrusion is allowed in the important place of the imperial court. Who is it? Stop!"
Cao Cao was shocked and felt bad.
Just as he was about to turn the horse's head, he was surrounded by people.
"I will die too..." Cao Cao looked desperately at Gumen, which was still a hundred steps away, and sighed unwillingly.
"Huh? Are you..." Before Cao Cao could react, he heard a familiar voice calling him, "Meng De?"
Cao Cao was stunned, turned around, and looked by the torch light, it was Lu Bu.
"This..." Cao Cao's heart suddenly became frightened: That evil spirit is so powerful, and it can do incredible calculations. He usually looks lazy and careless... "Sneeze" Ma Xiaoquan rubbed his nose and said to himself
He said to himself: "Who is scolding me? Why are you just sneezing today?" Lu Bu drove the red rabbit horse and walked slowly to Cao Cao. Lu Bu asked: "Mengde, it's so late, why are you carrying a baggage?"
Where are you going?”
Cao Cao chuckled twice.
Lu Bu suddenly reacted and shouted: "Huh? Are you trying to escape?"
Cao Cao was startled, remembering Ma Xiaoquan's warning, he rolled his eyes and said quickly: "Fengxian, do you still remember the elegant affairs of the side hall?" Chapter 11 of this volume Lu Bu was stunned, and suddenly remembered something.
"Swish, swish, swish..." Lu Bu couldn't help but draw out his saber, and killed several soldiers around him with lightning speed.
"Fengxian, what are you doing?"
In the darkness, Cao Cao couldn't see Lu Bu's expression clearly, but he heard Lu Bu say: "Mengde, if you want to leave, leave quickly! Don't wait for me to regret it!"
When Cao Cao heard this, how could he not run away? He immediately roared and rode his horse towards the valley gate.
When he arrived at the door, Cao Cao's cronies had already opened the door a crack and were waiting for him. Seeing Cao Cao coming, they quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"grown ups!"
Cao Cao waved his hand, took out two gems from the bag, and handed them to his confidant: "Take the gems and leave quickly. It is not suitable to stay here for a long time!"
The confidant took the gem and said respectfully: "What about my lord?"
Cao Cao said: "You don't need to worry about this! If it's convenient for you, inform the Xiamen's guard and ask him to leave quickly! Those two gems, you and he will have one!"
The confidant nodded and retreated. In an instant, darkness submerged the figure of the confidant.
Cao Cao didn't bother to stop and drove his horse directly through the valley gate.