"What? You're saying that Zhou Buyi captured Wu Zhi?" Cao Pi leaped up from his seat and questioned his subordinate.
"Reporting to Second Young Master, Zhou Buyi did indeed capture Sir Wu Zhi and even threw him into prison!"
"Preposterous!" Cao Pi was enraged. "How dare Zhou Buyi capture my men!"
"Zhou Buyi said that Sir Wu Zhi was corrupt and bent the law, embezzling the army's provisions. Even if he was Second Young Master's subordinate, he would still capture him. He also said that he would send Sir Wu Zhi to King Wei for him to deal with!"
Bam! Cao Pi slammed his palm on the table. It was clear how furious he was.
"How did he capture Wu Zhi? Tell me everything you know! A purple-haired, blue-eyed man next to Cao Pi questioned his subordinate.
"Yes!" The subordinate slowly recounted everything that had happened. It turned out that Zhou Buyi had not gone after Wu Zhi in the beginning. Instead, he had gone to Nan Dun, Xiang Cheng, and Qiao County to look for Wu Zhi. It was Wu Zhi who had courted death. He had held a banquet of his own and dared to spout nonsense at the banquet.
This time, Zhou Buyi had conveniently dealt with Wu Zhi.
"Second Young Master, Zhou Buyi isn't here for Wu Zhi. He's here for you!" Sun Quan said to Cao Pi with a smile.
"Nandun, Xiang City, and Woodcutter County!" With each city mentioned, Cao Pi's face turned gloomier. This was because the provisions of these cities had all been taken away by Cao Pi.
As for where the provisions had gone, it wasn't because Cao Pi had taken bribes or bent the law. Instead, it had gone to Xun Yu in Liaodong.
Cao Pi had spent a large sum of money to buy the hearts of the people, but his salary wasn't enough. Even if he added some filial piety, it still wouldn't be enough. Thus, Cao Pi had set his sights on the army's provisions. This was called robbing Peter to pay Paul.
This batch of provisions from Nandun, Xiang City, and Woodcutter County was supposed to be allocated to Cao Cao's army. After a few days of delay, Cao Pi planned to get some provisions from some landowning households to fill the gap.
He hadn't expected Zhou Buyi to discover it.
"Damn it!" Cao Pi angrily kicked the tea table. "Men, take Wu Zhi's family into custody. Find someone to pass a message to Wu Zhi. If he dies, then his whole family can live. If he's still alive, then don't blame me!"
Cao Pi was giving up on Wu Zhi, abandoning the general to protect the chariot.
"Second Young Master, it's too late!" Sima Yi also spoke up. "Second Young Master, this is a letter from the Lord! Please take a look, Second Young Master! "
Sima Yi handed a letter to Cao Pi.
Cao Pi opened the letter. Written on it was' To My Son Cao Pi '. It was written in Cao Cao's handwriting. It said that because Cao Cao already had provisions, he asked Cheng Yu to help Cao Chong complete the provision.
"What!" Cao Cao panicked. Cao Cao actually sent Cheng Yu here.
"When was this letter delivered?" Cao Pi asked anxiously.
"Three days ago!"
"It's over!" Cao Pi suddenly collapsed to the ground. If it was delivered three days ago, then it meant that Cheng Yu was about to arrive in Runan. In that case, Cao Pi would not be able to hide anything.
Cao Cao could not kill Cao Pi, but he would definitely give up on him.
"No, no!" Cao Pi was unwilling. He was an ambitious person. How could he be willing to give up the position in his hands?
In the past, he could not compete with Cao Ang. Now, he could not even compete with Cao Chong.
"Second Young Master, there is still a way!" Sun Quan suddenly spoke up.
"What method? Speak, speak!" Cao Pi was like a person from Luo River who had grasped at the last straw as he shouted loudly.
"No, if you use this plan, Second Young Master, you can't turn back!" Sima Yi stopped Sun Quan.
Sun Quan warned Sima Yi with the corner of his eyes.
"Can't turn back? Do you mean I can turn back now? " Sun Quan said coldly. "Second Young Master, you and I are the same. We were born at the wrong time. I have an older brother, you also have an older brother. If only our older brothers were not so outstanding! But you are luckier than me. Your older brother is dead. This position in the imperial court should be yours. Why should it be given to that brat who was born a dozen years ago? If the older brother can't beat him, will he lose to the younger brother? "Sun Quan tempted Cao Pi one by one.
"That position is mine. It is mine. No one can take it away!" Cao Pi's eyes lit up.
Cao Pi and Sun Quan were the same. If they did not have the right, they could die elsewhere.
"Sigh!" Sima Yi sighed. He knew that he could not stop Cao Pi, or rather, he could not stop Sun Quan.
… …
In Runan, Yuzhou.
"Good, good. That Cao Pi really dares to embezzle our provisions. I've already gone to take a look. Nan Dun, Xiang City, and Woodcutter County don't have any provisions at all. The granaries are so empty that even rats can run around!" Zhou Buyi complained to Cao Chong who was sitting on the main seat after arriving at Runan's mansion.
"Nandun, Xiangcheng, and Woodcutter County have no provisions at all?" Cao Chong, who had been writing calligraphy at the side, stopped when he heard Zhou Buyi's words.
"Hmph, how could it be fake?" Zhou Buyi told him how he had arrived at the three places, how he had secretly investigated, and how he had coerced and bribed Cao Chong to open up the granaries of Nandun, Xiangcheng, and Woodcutter County. There were so few provisions that even rats were starving to death.
"That can't be!" These three places had originally been garrisoned by Cao Jun to guard against Yangzhou's troops. It could be said that other places could go without provisions, but not this place.
"Buyi, have you found out where the provisions have gone?" Cao Chong asked Zhou Buyi with a grave expression.
"I have already found out. It is said that the provisions have been sent to the north!" Zhou Buyi replied.
"The north?" Cao Chong frowned. The north was supposed to be an important place for grain production. There had not been any famine recently. How could the provisions have been transferred there?
"Could it be?!" Cao Chong thought of a place. "The provisions have been transferred to Minister Xun?"
This was the only explanation. These provisions were sent to Liaodong. But didn't Liaodong's provisions have already been sent to Liaodong by his father?
"Second Brother, he touched Liaodong's provisions?" Cao Chong finally understood that Cao Pi was robbing Peter to pay Paul.
"Second Brother, Second Brother!" Cao Chong smiled bitterly.
"Cang Shu, Lord Cheng Yu is coming to Runan under Prince Wei's orders!" Zhou Buyi said to Cao Chong.
"Mr. Cheng Yu is coming?" Cao Chong asked.
"Yes, as long as I tell Mr. Cheng Yu about this, I'd like to see how Cao Pi will cover it up!" Zhou Buyi said proudly.
"Buyi, is this really okay?!" Cao Chong hesitated. After all, this was not a good thing.
"Cang Shu, are you afraid? Have you forgotten about Madam Huan? "Zhou Buyi said to Cao Chong.
"Mother?!" The appearance of a loving mother appeared in Cao Chong's eyes. Lady Huan's appearance appeared in Cao Chong's eyes. Lady Huan was Cao Cao's concubine. Calling her a concubine was overestimating her. She was the child of Cao Cao's willful drunkenness.
If Madam Huan had not given birth to Cao Cao's children, she would have been given to others by Cao Cao like those dancers.
Even if Cao Chong was born, it would be difficult for him. After all, his status was the lowest.
Later, Cao Chong met Zhou Buyi. These two children with outstanding IQ were completely in Cao Cao's eyes. When Cao Cao saw that Cao Chong could make the chickens dance at such a young age, he gradually liked Cao Chong. In addition, Cao Chong looked more and more like Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang.
Cao Cao put all the guilt he felt for Cao Ang on Cao Chong. In this way, Madam Huan was really called Madam.
"Do you still want Madam Huan to go back to that cold place? Do you want her to continue to be a servant or can't even be a servant? "Zhou Buyi continued.
"No, Second Brother, why would you do that?"
"Cang Shu, don't you understand? If Cao Pi ascends the throne, the others can live, but not you! "Zhou Buyi shook his head and said.
Cao Chong is too smart. Among Cao Cao's many sons, none of them are as smart as Cao Chong. None of them are as popular as Cao Chong.
In this case, do you think Cao Pi will dare to let Cao Chong live?
"Haha, I was born in an imperial family. Family ties are exchanged for prosperity. So what if I have a brother?" Cao Chong said this self-deprecatingly.
"Buyi, I'll leave the matter of Mr. Cheng Yu to you!" Cao Chong said to Zhou Buyi.
"Hmm?" Zhou Buyi was stunned at first, but then he understood. After all, Cao Chong was Cao Pi's younger brother. It was not suitable for him to be the one to expose Cao Pi. In this case, Zhou Buyi would be the bad guy. Cao Pi? Haha, you can only blame yourself for being born at the wrong time.
"I'm tired!" Cao Chong waved his hand and said to Zhou Buyi.
Zhou Buyi also knew that it was not good to disturb Cao Chong, so he nodded and left.
As soon as Zhou Buyi left Cao Chong's residence, someone rushed to Cao Chong's residence. "It's urgent! Hurry up! I'm looking for the Young Master! "
"Who are you? Don't you know that the Young Master is already asleep? "The guard in Cao Chong's residence scolded.
"I'm from Prince Wei's residence. I have an important matter to discuss with the Young Master!"
"Prince Wei's subordinate?" Cao Chong's subordinates did not dare to delay and immediately welcomed the person in. "Wait a moment, the Young Master will be here soon!"
Cao Chong was not feeling well today, so he went to bed early. Who knew that he would be disturbed by someone?
"San Bao?" Cao Chong saw the person and immediately shouted. "Aren't you with Mother?"
San Bao was arranged by Cao Chong to serve Madam Huan.
"Young Master, Young Master!" San Bao cried as soon as she saw Cao Chong.
"What's wrong? Stand up and speak! "Cao Chong felt a knot in his heart and subconsciously knew that something was wrong.
"Third Young Master, San Bao is useless, useless! Madam, Madam! "
"What's wrong with my mother?!"
San Bao struggled for a long time before she spoke. "Madam is sick!"
"Sick?" Cao Chong frowned. His mother was still fine when he left. How could she fall ill so suddenly? He looked at San Bao who was looking left and right. Cao Chong said to San Bao, "San Bao, look at me when you speak. Is my mother really sick?"
"I, I, I, I didn't see Madam. Second Young Master said that Madam was sick!" San Bao looked into Cao Chong's eyes with guilt.
"Phew!" Cao Chong took a deep breath. "Okay, I know. You may leave!"
"Men, bring me a horse quickly!"
"Young Master? It's so late? Where are you going? "
"I'm leaving the city and returning to Xu Du!"
…
The next morning, Zhou Buyi woke up early and went to the city gate to welcome Cheng Yu's arrival.
Zhou Buyi stood happily outside the city gate. As long as the current Mister Cheng Yu came and told him everything about Nan Dun, Xiang City, and Woodcutter County, Cheng Yu would naturally report it to King Wei. In this way, Cao Pi would really have to bear the consequences.
"He's here, he's here!" Someone on the watchtower had already sent news that Cheng Yu had arrived!
"Everyone, follow me to welcome Mister Cheng Yu!" Although Zhou Buyi was young, he walked in front. It was true that one's ambition did not depend on one's age. Talented people always led the way wherever they went.
Cheng Yu's horse slowly came over.
"Welcome, Lord Cheng Yu. Thank you for your hard work!" Zhou Buyi stepped forward and said.
Cheng Yu also alighted from the carriage. He couldn't help but nod as he looked at Zhou Buyi. Although this young man was young, he was extremely polite. Coupled with his talent and appearance, he would definitely be an extraordinary person in the future.
"Where's Young Master?" Cheng Yu looked around but did not see Cao Chong.
"Young Master is not feeling well. He's not acclimatized!"
"Mm!" Cheng Yu nodded. He thought Cao Chong was ashamed to see him. After all, Cao Chong had messed up the matter and delayed the delivery of provisions to Cao Jun's camp.
However, this time Cheng Yu did not come to blame him. Cao Cao had asked him to come and help.
Cheng Yu did not insist. There would be a time when they would meet.
"My Lord, this is not the place to talk. Let's enter the city!"
"Lord Zhou, please!"
"Lord Cheng, please!" Cheng Yu walked in front of the group of civil and military officials from Runan who were about to enter the city.
"Lord Cheng Yu!" A voice came from behind. A middle-aged scholar came over with a group of people.
Zhou Buyi's eyes widened. "Wu Zhi?"
After exchanging pleasantries with Cheng Yu, this person who should have been locked in prison smiled and cupped his fists at Zhou Buyi. "Oh, it's Lord Zhou!"
"Why are you here?!" Zhou Buyi was puzzled.
"Haha, Lord Zhou, Runan is also the city of His Highness Prince Wei!" Wu Zhi said with a smile.
The group entered the city and half a day passed just like that.
"Preposterous, preposterous!" Zhou Buyi was furious. As usual, he went to Cao Chong's mansion.
The people in the mansion did not stop him because he was Cao Chong's regular guest.
"Cang Shu, did you know? That Wu Zhi, he was actually released by someone. Hmph, has this Cao Pi really reached this point? Wu Zhi is waiting. Even if he is released, I have a way to send him in! Cao Pi, hmph, just you wait! "After talking for a long time, Zhou Buyi realized that Cao Chong did not respond to him.
This was Cao Chong's study. Cao Chong usually stayed here.
"Hm?" Zhou Buyi looked around the bookshelves but did not see Cao Chong.
Zhou Buyi walked out of the study and asked the people below, "Where's your Young Master?"
"Young Master went out last night!" the two maidservants replied.
"Went out? Where did he go? "Zhou Buyi was puzzled.
"We don't know!" The two maidservants did not know about this.
"Alright, there's nothing else for you. You may leave. By the way, where is Butler Cheng?" Zhou Buyi strode away after getting the butler's location from the maidservants.
"Young Master Zhou, our Young Master went back to Xudu last night!" Butler Chen said to Zhou Buyi.
"Went back to Xudu?" Zhou Buyi was stunned. Why did he go back?
"It's San Bao. She said that Madam Huan is unwell, so she urgently summoned Young Master back!" Butler Cheng said.
"Oh, by the way, this is a letter for you from Young Master!" Butler Cheng handed over a letter to Zhou Buyi.
"A letter?" Zhou Buyi opened it and began to read it carefully.
At the beginning of the letter, it said, "Please don't doubt me, Brother. If you read this letter, I would have already left. Please don't worry, Brother …"
"Stupid! Stupid!" Zhou Buyi was enraged when he read the letter. It said that Madam Huan was sick and he, Cao Chong, had to rush back in time.
When they left Xudu, Madam Huan had accompanied them for several miles. How could she be sick? And seriously ill!
"Damn it!" Zhou Buyi immediately ordered his men to arrange a horse and chased after Cao Chong.
Cao Chong was worried about his mother, but he rode in a carriage. Zhou Buyi rode on a warhorse and spurred it to chase after him.
Finally, he caught up with Cao Pi in the previous generation.
"Cao Chong, stop right there!" Zhou Buyi stopped in front of the carriage.
"Stop!" Cao Chong waved his hand and stopped the carriage.
"You still came!" Cao Chong seemed unwilling to show his face. He sighed and said to Zhou Buyi outside the carriage.
"If I didn't come, would you have gone to Xudu to die?" Zhou Buyi was furious. Madam Huan was sick? Madam Huan's illness was fake. Cao Pi's illness was real. However, Cao Pi's illness was mental illness, while Cao Chong's illness was mental illness.
"Buyi, you and I have known each other for many years!" Cao Chong said indifferently to Zhou Buyi outside the carriage.
"It's been four years!" Zhou Buyi said to Cao Chong.
"It's been four years!" Cao Chong seemed to be emotional. "Back then, we didn't know each other until we fought!"
Four years ago, the two of them were still little brats. They were still wet behind the ears. As the saying goes, newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. In addition, the two of them were originally heavenly geniuses. When these two little geniuses were together, it was natural for them to fight against each other. No one was willing to submit to the other. Who would have thought that the two of them would become best friends in the end?
"Buyi, you are a talented person. There are only a few people in the world who can compare to you. Even Sir Feng Xiao wanted to take you as his disciple. However, you are smart. Do you think that I, Cao Chong, am a fool?" Cao Chong said indifferently to Zhou Buyi outside the carriage.
"This trip to Xu Du bodes ill rather than well. Believe me. Cangshu, come back with me. As long as we expose Cao Pi, he won't be able to make things difficult for Aunt Huan anymore. His Highness Prince of Wei will naturally uphold justice for us!" Zhou Buyi was still persuading Cao Chong. Rather than persuading, it was better to say that he was pleading.
"Buyi, I believe you. However, I am also a son. I can't do that to my second brother!" Cao Chong said to Zhou Buyi outside the carriage. Xudu was a trap. Cao Chong would definitely die if he went there. However, even if that was the case, he was still a son.
"You! Cao Chong, you coward! You trash! Today, I will beat you awake! " Zhou Buyi directly rushed to the carriage. Cao Chong's guards wanted to stop him, but they were stopped by Cao Chong.
Zhou Buyi rushed into the carriage and grabbed Cao Chong's neck.
"Tell me, have you forgotten our original oath? Have you forgotten our original intention? Who was the one who said that the world would no longer look down on you? Who was the one who said that he would bring glory to Aunt Huan? Have you forgotten?! "Zhou Buyi angrily slapped Cao Chong.
Cao Chong did not dodge and took the hit. Zhou Buyi was so angry that one could imagine the strength of the slap. Blood flowed out of Cao Chong's mouth.
Zhou Buyi's heart immediately ached.
"Have you hit me enough?" Cao Chong looked at Zhou Buyi indifferently. That gaze made Zhou Buyi's heart ache.
"If you have, you can leave!"
"You!" Zhou Buyi pointed at Cao Chong. He was so angry that he could not speak.
"I misjudged you!" Zhou Buyi immediately got on his warhorse and was about to leave. He was really disappointed in Cao Chong.
"I will return this to you. From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other!" Zhou Buyi said as he took out a straw amulet. This was the gift they had given each other back then.
Cao Chong smiled bitterly as he watched Zhou Buyi leave. Something called tears flashed in the corner of his eyes.
He picked up the amulet from the ground. How could he forget four years? It had been from the beginning of their first meeting.
"I am Zhou Buyi. What about you?"
"I am Cao Chong!"
"Cao Chong, remember this. From now on, you are my brother. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, I will make them pay the price!"
"Yes!"
"Buyi, I am sorry. I have let you down. Perhaps you are the real Long Dahai after leaving me. With your talent, you can go anywhere in the world. I am sorry that I can't accompany you anymore!" Cao Chong picked up the straw amulet. This was the amulet they had given to each other back then. Back then, one of them was from a humble family in Jingzhou while the other was the son of an unpopular concubine. How could they have valuable things? This amulet was the most precious thing they had.
Cao Chong knew that he might have really hurt Zhou Buyi's heart. Xudu was not far away. Even if it was a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, Cao Chong had to go there because his mother was waiting for him there.
"Mother, I am coming. With me around, you won't suffer! Let's go! "Cao Chong's carriage continued on its way to Xudu.
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