sovbooks Chapter 69 Even if it means bowing and kowtowing three times, I will still persuade my son-in-law to
Chapter 69 Even if it means bowing and kowtowing three times, I will still persuade my son-in-law to
Chapter 69 Even if I have to kowtow three times and bow nine times, I will still persuade my son-in-law to come out of seclusion!
"That Cao Mengde actually dared to kill the Second Young Master Yuan! Wasn't he cutting off his own escape route?!" Zhen Yao came back to his senses and asked excitedly.
The servant said, "Young Master, according to the rumors, Lord Yuan suspects that Cao Cao killed Second Young Master Yuan on the advice of a man named Gu Cheng."
Upon hearing this name, Zhen Mi's bright eyes widened slightly. "Gu Cheng?" Zhen Yao's eyes were blank. "I've only heard of Xun Yu or Guo Jia under Cao Cao. Who is Gu Cheng?" "Brother, you usually only care about chasing after women and don't care about the affairs of the world. Could it be that you haven't even heard of Gu Cheng?" Zhen Bi's tone was slightly sarcastic.
Zhen Yao became increasingly curious and asked urgently, "Who exactly is this Gu Cheng? Tell me quickly, little sister." "Gu Cheng is rumored to be a mysterious and extraordinary person behind Cao Cao." "This man is so intelligent that he is almost supernatural, and his plans are flawless. He has repeatedly offered Cao Cao ingenious strategies."
"Cao Cao's defeat of Zhang Xiu, Liu Biao, and Yuan Shu, the killing of Guan Yu at Xiaopei, and the annihilation of Lü Bu at Xiapi—all were due to this man's ingenious strategies." "Even in the recent Battle of Hanoi, Cao Cao's eldest son was able to break through Ju Yi's vanguard and capture Yuan Xi alive; it's said that this was also his plan." "Now everyone in the world calls Gu Cheng a reincarnation of Zhang Liang, a strategist reborn!" "Such an extraordinary person, brother, you've never even heard of him?" Zhen Bi recounted the various rumors about Gu Cheng as if they were his own treasures. Zhen Yao gasped, completely stunned. After a long while...
Zhen Yao finally recovered his senses and said in a trembling voice, "There really is such a divine being in this world? How is that possible!" "Whether we believe it or not, this divine being exists." "No wonder Cao Cao dared to kill Yuan Xi. He was probably confident that with Gu Cheng as his strategist, he would definitely defeat Yuan Shao in the decisive battle between Yuan and Cao, so he dared to kill Yuan Xi to show that he had no other choice!"
Zhen Bi sighed softly.
Zhen Yao fell silent, his brows furrowed, and anxiety began to creep into his eyes.
"So, in this decisive battle between Yuan and Cao, Yuan might not win, and Cao might not lose." "If my Zhen family is tied to the Yuan family, and Cao wins, when the reckoning comes, won't my Zhen family be doomed?" Zhen Yao pondered silently, lost in thought.
Sudden.
A glint of light flashed in his eyes as he muttered, "It seems I have to go to Xuchang and try to secretly establish a relationship with one of Cao Gong's sons, so I can hedge my bets."
Xudu, the Sikong Mansion.
Cao Cao was discussing with Cao Ang and Guo Jia how to persuade Gu Cheng to come out of seclusion.
"Sikong's killing of Yuan Xi will surely enrage Yuan Shao, and his army's southward march will be imminent."
"Time is of the essence. The Minister of Works must persuade Prince Liheng to come out of seclusion and join the army to advise on military strategy in order to have a good chance of winning," Guo Jia solemnly advised in the battle against Yuan Shao.
Cao Cao stroked his beard and nodded: "Before Yuan Shao sends his troops, no matter what means he uses, even if I have to kowtow three times and kowtow nine times, he must persuade my son-in-law to come out of seclusion."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Dian Wei hurriedly entered, cupped his hands, and said, "Minister of Works, urgent news from Hebei: Yuan Shao has assembled 100,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, and has announced his oath-taking ceremony in Ye City before marching south."
The hall fell silent instantly. Guo Jia and Cao Ang looked solemn and turned to Cao Cao. "What was bound to happen has finally happened." Cao Cao stood up, put his hands behind his back, and gazed in the direction of Ye City, as memories of the past flooded his mind.
"Back then, I shared the same ideals as Yuan Shao, joining forces to eliminate the eunuchs. What true loyalty we shared! Who would have thought that ten years later, we would go from comrades-in-arms to mortal enemies, destined to fight to the death!" Cao Cao recalled the past with deep emotion. "Father!" Cao Ang, however, was less sentimental, urgently saying, "Yuan Shao's army is marching south faster than we anticipated. We can't delay any longer; we must ask my brother-in-law to come out of seclusion!"
Cao Cao's expression tightened slightly, and he fell into deep thought. After a long while...
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "I will accompany you to the Gu family. You should first ask him to come out of seclusion. If he still refuses, I will then reveal my identity as the Gu family and ask him to come out of seclusion."
"I understand," Cao Ang said, bowing.
The father and son made a plan, immediately changed into casual clothes, and left Xudu discreetly, heading straight for the Gu family manor in the eastern suburbs.
Gu Family Manor.
When the sun was high in the sky, Gu Cheng finally came out of his room and went to the courtyard to bask in the sun.
After several months of separation, neglecting Cao Jie and the other two at home, he naturally had to fulfill his duties as a husband upon his return. However, even though he was strong and healthy, he couldn't help but feel a little tired after these few nights. "Young master, this is ginseng soup made with Liaodong ginseng. Please drink it while it's hot to nourish your body," Diao Chan said, bringing a bowl of ginseng soup to Gu Cheng.
"Why did you suddenly start making me ginseng soup all of a sudden? What's the point of nourishing my body?" Gu Cheng asked, puzzled.
"Young Master has been separated from his wives for several months, and the longing between them is hard to bear. Young Master will inevitably have to endure some hardship, so he should naturally nourish his body." Diao Chan's smile held a special meaning.
Gu Cheng suddenly realized, and couldn't help but say with relief, "It's still my Chan'er, she understands me best." As he spoke, he gently stroked Diao Chan's delicate nose. "Young Master~" Diao Chan called softly, her eyes lowered in a gentle smile, full of joy. She had just finished a bowl of ginseng soup when Xu Chu entered the courtyard, bowing and saying, "Young Master, someone has come to visit again." "Could it be that Young Master Cao again?" Gu Cheng's brows furrowed.
Xu Chu smiled and said, "Young Master, you guessed half right. Young Master Cao has indeed arrived, but accompanied by your father-in-law." "How did those two end up together?" Gu Cheng suddenly became alert, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. These two were people he absolutely had to see, so he had no choice but to order them to be invited in. A short while later…
Cao Cao and Cao Ang entered the courtyard together. At this time, Cao Cao was a merchant of the Yang family, whose status was vastly different from Cao Ang's. Naturally, he could only follow behind Cao Ang and had to put on a respectful and courteous demeanor.
"Young Master, Father-in-law, what's going on here..." Gu Cheng stepped forward, his eyes filled with bewilderment and surprise.
Cao Cao feigned apology and said with a smile, "My dear son-in-law, I've never told you this, but actually, my biggest backer in the court is this young master Cao."
Gu Cheng suddenly realized what was going on and said with a wry smile, "Father-in-law, why didn't you tell me sooner? You kept this from me for quite a while." Cao Cao looked ashamed.
Cao Ang then said, "Brother Gu, please don't blame your father-in-law. I was the one who instructed him to keep my identity a secret. He had no choice."
Gu Cheng was just saying it casually; he certainly wouldn't really blame Cao Cao. Immediately, Gu Cheng invited the two into the hall. Once they were seated, tea was served.
Gu Cheng was about to speak.
Cao Ang then stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Gu, there's no need to ask. I've come today to seek your advice on how my Cao family should deal with Yuan Shao's army marching south!"