Rolling thunder was flowing among the thick dark clouds, illuminating the meeting hall of the city lord's palace with light and darkness.
The dinner party has ended, and Liu Bei, Lin Zhe and others have returned to their residence. However, the civil and military ministers around Cao Cao have not dispersed. Everyone's expressions are quite solemn, and they seem to be caught in some kind of entanglement.
"Today's dinner is over, what do you think of Fengxiao?"
Guo Jia frowned and said, "I can't see clearly..."
"Can't you see through it?" Cao Cao exclaimed. This was the first time he heard Guo Jia say that there was something he couldn't see through!
You must know that Xi Zhicai recommended Guo Jia to him when he was seriously ill. In the past, no matter what the problem was, as long as he asked, Guo Jia would have a corresponding solution. However, now for a young man, he said he was not sure.
It’s really strange!
Guo Jia clenched his fists and said slowly: "This boy was extremely arrogant and arrogant at the dinner today, but Jia had an illusion that this young man was not acting like that at the dinner. He seemed to be hiding something..."
"Where did Fengxiao come from?"
Xun Yu was relatively stable and did not dare to make a direct judgment.
"Eye!"
"The look he gave me was wrong!"
"This..." Xun Yu hesitated, "For Fengxiao to make such a judgment based on just one look, it seems a bit..."
"More than that!" Guo Jia shook his head, interrupted Xun Yu's words, and then explained:
"At the dinner party, this son advanced and retreated in a measured manner, and his narration was well-organized. Faced with the persecution of General Xiahou, he did not change his expression and showed no fear, which shows his tenacity!"
"In this case, how could he possibly provoke General Xiahou?"
When Cao Cao heard this, he quite agreed. Then he hesitated and said, "No matter what this son's plan is, his plan today is quite pertinent!"
"Welcome the emperor but not the ministers, make friends from far away and attack those close to you..."
"This strategy almost coincides with Feng Xiao and Wen Ruo. Since we know that this son is not a creature of the pond, Feng Xiao should pay more attention to him in the future. If possible, it would be a good idea to take the opportunity to win him over!"
"only!"
Guo Jia hugged his fists and immediately accepted the job.
He was already interested in Lin Zhe, but after what happened today, his interest in Lin Zhe became even deeper.
...
...
Xuchang, Cao Mansion.
Cao Cao and Liu Bei sat opposite each other, folded the towel in their hands twice, then picked up the hot wine bottle in their hands and poured a cup of hot wine for Liu Bei opposite.
Since the dinner that day, Liu Bei and Lin Zhe had almost no movement, and seemed to really stay in Xuchang with peace of mind. On the other hand, Cao Cao was very busy every day, not only to renovate the emperor's residence, but also to consider the placement of courtiers and the expedition of the army.
..
Things were complicated and many, so the attention paid to Liu Bei was slightly reduced.
Everything was almost ready today, and Cao Cao finally had time, so he sent someone to Liu Bei's mansion to invite him over.
"It has been quite a while since Xuande came to Xuchang, so how come he didn't mention anything about borrowing troops for revenge?"
In fact, Cao Cao has wanted to ask Liu Bei this question for a long time. These days, he has been waiting for Liu Bei to take the initiative to ask it.
However, after waiting for more than ten days, Cao Cao couldn't bear it anymore, so he held a banquet in person and planned to ask the whole story.
Upon hearing Cao Cao's inquiry, Liu Bei's eyes showed a trace of sadness, and his tone became lower.
"Let Meng Degong know that Xuzhou has been in war for many times and the people's livelihood is exhausted. Although Bei hates Lu Bu, how can he bear it if war starts again due to his own anger?"
"What do the people of Xuzhou deserve?"
Lin Zhe had expected that Cao Cao would ask this question, so he helped Liu Bei come up with a plan in advance.
As for Liu Bei, he was dedicated to helping the Han Dynasty, but he was even more worried about the people.
As he said, helping Cao Cao capture Lu Bu may relieve his anger for a while, but it will cause serious harm to the people of Xuzhou.
So there is some truth in what he said.
"Gong Xuande is extremely benevolent and righteous!"
There was a hint of surprise in Cao Cao's eyes. Liu Bei's answer was unexpected.
However, since Liu Bei is not in a hurry, if he acts too eagerly, he will easily be noticed as abnormal.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao raised the wine bottle in his hand and said with a smile: "Don't mention this, just drink!" It seemed that the question just now was really just mentioned inadvertently when the two of them were chatting.
Liu Bei also raised a toast to welcome him. The two of them had a lively conversation, and laughter could be heard from time to time in the room...
The banquet lasted until evening, and there were more than one group of singers, dancers and actors.
Cao Cao was very good at persuading him to drink, but Liu Bei's steps were a little frivolous and his eyes were a little blurry. Looking at Cao Cao again, he actually fell unconscious, lying on the table and murmuring non-stop.
It's getting late.
After the guards sent Liu Bei away, they found that Cao Cao, who had been lying on the table unconscious, suddenly regained consciousness and frowned as he looked in the direction Liu Bei left.
"What does Fengxiao think of this matter?"
Hearing this voice, Guo Jia walked out from the screen behind him, clasped his fists and said: "Xuan Degong's words do not seem to be false, but they are somewhat sincere. This person seems to have no grudge against Lu Bu's taking over Xuzhou."
..."
"But Jia doesn't believe it..."
"If this is really the case, is he willing to remain under the master for a long time?"
Guo Jia was talking to himself and analyzing, but he didn't get the answer in his heart. He continued:
"But there is one thing that Jia can be sure of!"
"Oh?!" Cao Cao waved his hand, indicating to Guo Jiadan that it was okay to speak.
There were only two people here, Guo Jia and Cao Cao, so Guo Jia didn't hold anything back and went straight to the point:
"Liu Xuande is a hero. If my lord doesn't take action now, he will be in great trouble in the long run!"
After hearing this, Cao Cao fell into deep thought, then shook his head, and did not agree with Guo Jia's view.
"Xuande Gong came to help him when he was in a state of poverty. It is precisely because he has a reputation as a hero. If someone kills him, it will be a harm to the virtuous man!"
"If the wise and resourceful people in the world heard about it, wouldn't they stop moving forward? Killing one person and extirpating oneself from the world. If you don't do this, you won't dare to do it again!"
"If this were not the case, Chen Gongtai would never betray me..."
Cao Cao's eyes revealed a hint of reminiscence, and then he said:
"I have my own concerns about this matter, and I'm tired of Fengxiao. Why don't we go back home to rest first!"
...
...
But it’s Liu Bei’s side.
As soon as he returned home, Lin Zhe took Zhao Wu to greet him.
As soon as the cold wind blew, Liu Bei, who was still a little confused, suddenly became more awake.
"I've troubled you to wait so long, but I feel quite guilty..."
Lin Zhe did not answer, but took the towel from Zhao Wu behind him and handed it to Liu Bei.
"When Cao Cao met with my lord today, did he mention the incident in Xuzhou?"
There was a hint of joy in Liu Bei's eyes, and he praised: "Xian Yun really did everything possible. Although Meng Degong only mentioned this matter inadvertently, I can tell that he attaches great importance to this matter!"
That's it...
The corners of Lin Zhe's mouth raised slightly and he couldn't help but smile. Everything that happened to Liu Bei was, at least for now, part of his plan.
In order to ensure the safety of his lord, he must reduce Cao Cao's attention to him. Only in this way can he fish in troubled waters and make profits from it.
The best way to reduce one person's attention to another person is to directly divert his attention.
In this case, he can no longer keep a low profile. As long as he attracts Cao Cao's attention to himself, he will pay much less attention to his lord.
That's why Lin Zhe deliberately acted arrogant at the banquet that day.
Of course, the more amazing he performs, the more likely Cao Cao will be afraid of his lord, but...
If the lord has no intention of revenge at all and everything is his own idea, then everything is a different matter.
So next, it’s finally your turn!
It just so happens that Guo Jia is always hanging around me recently, so it’s time to have a chat with him!