There was a hint of tension in Cai Yan's eyes, and she relaxed slightly. She smiled slightly and said: "Reporting to the King of Qin, I came to pay my respects. When I was visiting the market, I discovered a bookseller in Luoyang who had a thousand volumes of books from my father's past.
"
"It's just that it's expensive, and I'm short of money, so I can't buy it back."
"This is my father's relic and cannot be left outside. But I have been thinking about it for a long time, but I have no choice but to ask the King of Qin for help, hoping to buy back my father's old book collection to comfort my longing."
A trace of nostalgia appeared on Cai Yan's face.
She misses her father.
With her father here, she didn't need to worry about anything. Now that her father has left, it's very difficult for her to be the head of the household as a woman.
Cai Yan sighed and continued: "When my father was in Luoyang, he had a collection of tens of thousands of books, divided into categories, and there were many books. When Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang'an, most of the family's books were lost during transportation."
"The family settled in Chang'an, leaving only four thousand volumes of books."
"Later, my father was killed, the Cai family declined, and some of the books in the family were lost. Today, there are only two thousand volumes in the family. Looking at the books in the family, I feel ashamed of my father. Now that I got the news, I shamelessly asked the King of Qin for help.
, so that I can buy back the collection of books left by my father."
Originally, Cai Yan was unwilling to come to Prince Qin's Mansion.
The Prince of Qin's Mansion is a place of turbulent undercurrents.
Entering this place, it is easy to get involved in trouble, especially Cao Cao's reputation is not very good. However, Cai Yan saw his father's collection of books left outside, and Cai Yan couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart, so he came to the Prince of Qin's Mansion for help.
After Cao Cao heard this, he looked heroic and said directly: "This matter is my responsibility. Tell me how much it will cost."
"A thousand gold coins!"
Cai Yan answered directly.
"How many?"
Cao Cao blinked and asked again, looking surprised and a little distressed. Although he was the King of Qin and the overlord of one party, he looked very rich, but in fact, he was really not rich.
Even very poor.
Lu Xuan dominated the south, with the richest cities of Yangzhou and Xuzhou, and the stable Jingzhou. What's more, Lu Xuan didn't need to bear the burden of the court or the little emperor.
Cao Cao is different.
The jurisdiction under his control is the poorest Guanzhong and the once turbulent Yanzhou.
Through Cao Cao's unremitting efforts, Guanzhong and Yanzhou were able to achieve stability and live in peace and contentment. However, Cao Cao also had to support the court officials and the royal family. Coupled with his expenses in various places, his money was always very tight.
Otherwise, he would not have arrived in Luoyang and further supported the captain Mojin under his command, letting these people seize the time to work hard and fast.
Cai Yan noticed Cao Cao's attitude.
She hesitated for a moment and then said: "If it is inconvenient for King Qin, just five hundred gold. Because the bookseller only asks for one thousand gold, and I have nothing to do. If there is not enough money, I can raise it myself."
Cao Cao's cheeks twitched and he sighed: "My dear niece, it's hard for me. This time, I can only support you with a hundred gold. Because the expenses of the Qin Palace are very large, and the royal family also has expenses, it is difficult in all aspects.
"
"Besides, don't be deceived. A thousand volumes of books cannot be worth a thousand pieces of gold. Because you are not experienced in the world, the bookseller is so open-minded. If you pay him fifty gold, I guarantee that he will sell it to you."
"If he doesn't sell it, just turn around and leave."
Cao Cao patiently thought about it and explained: "You must not show that you are determined to win, and you must not show that you will definitely buy it. Everything will be easy to handle. It is really that I and Lu Xuan are going to have a decisive battle, and we are short of money."
Cai Yan was a little disappointed after hearing this, but he nodded and said, "Thank you, King Qin."
Cao Cao smiled and shook his head, waving his hands and saying: "When niece Xian is fine, she will come to the palace as a guest more often. After all, you are alone now."
Cai Yan quickly bowed and thanked him again.
Cao Cao changed the topic and asked: "You have been away from the Wei family in Hedong for many years, and Wei Zhongdao has been dead for many years. Do you have anyone you like in these years? If so, tell me. Your father is not here, and as an elder, I can also take your place.
You decide."
Cai Yan hurriedly said: "The King of Qin's kindness is appreciated by me. I'm just used to it. It's good to live a calm life now. It's better than being married and living in a world of chicken feathers."
She stopped lingering and stood up and said: "The King of Qin is busy with everything, so I won't disturb you anymore. I'll take my leave."
Cao Cao nodded.
He looked at Cai Yan's leaving figure with some regret. Fortunately, Cao Cao had always been able to pick it up and put it down, so he immediately forgot about Cai Yan and stood up again to stare at the hanging map.
While Cao Cao was looking at the map, the sound of rapid footsteps was heard, and the attendant reported: "Your Majesty, Shangshu Xun wishes to see you."
"please!"
Cao Cao gave an order.
The attendant went to notify him. After a while, Xun Yu entered the study, bowed and said: "King Qin."
Cao Cao said: "Wen Ruo, are you ready in all aspects?"
Xun Yu looked serious and said: "Both Yuan Shao and ourselves are well prepared. As for Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao will attack Youzhou himself and let Yuan Tan attack Xuzhou."
"We are here, Xiahou Dun, Ma Chao and Yu Jin are going to Yanzhou. After all, Yu Jin comes from Taishan County, is a wealthy family in Taishan County, and is familiar with the situation in Taishan County. With Yu Jin, coupled with the bravery of Ma Chao and Xiahou Dun, Yanzhou can stabilize the situation."
"Other generals will follow you south to Hanzhong. But our people also found out about the situation. Lu Xuan is also dispatching troops to Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Xuzhou and other places."
Cao Cao smiled softly and said: "This is a normal thing. After all, large-scale troop mobilization cannot be concealed. When Lu Xuan learns about our large-scale troop mobilization, he will definitely respond. This time, it is
The decisive battle, defeat Lu Xuan."
Xun Yu nodded and said: "The King of Qin's words are reasonable."
Cao Cao's eyes were sharp and he ordered: "Wen Ruo, I asked Cao Ang to stay in Luoyang to take charge of the situation. Brothers Liu Bei and Zhang Fei will go out with me. Everything in the rear will be left to you. You must guard the rear."
Xun Yu solemnly said: "I will live up to the entrustment of King Qin."
Cao Cao sent Xun Yu away and called Cao Ang again. He gave some instructions and asked Cao Ang to look after the house and assist Xun Yu in his work. Then, Cao Cao took Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, as well as Dian Wei, Xu Huang, Xia Houyuan, Xun You and Cheng
Yu and other civil and military officers left Luoyang and headed west.
Cao Cao's large army had already been reduced to pieces, dispersed and stationed in Chencang County to wait.
Therefore, Cao Cao rode lightly and traveled quickly on horseback. In a short time, he reached Chencang County and joined his 50,000 elite soldiers.
At the same time, Cao Cao received news from Guo Jia that Guo Jia had rebelled against Yang Ang, the guard at Yangping Pass at the entrance to Hanzhong, and waited for Cao Cao's army to arrive. Cao Cao was so happy that he did not stay and led his 50,000 elite troops towards Chencang.
