Chapter 55: Going Home (2/2)

  Wei Yan's idea was actually very simple.

  He hoped that Cao Peng could join him in surrendering to Cao Cao, so that they would be able to support each other in the future. The fate of Xiahou Lan also weighed on Wei Yan's mind. In any case, he was from the White Horse Volunteers, one of the most elite units in the land.

  Xia Houlan's martial arts skills were actually not too bad either.

  Although he is still inferior to Wei Yan, if he has a good origin, he will be reused wherever he is placed.

  However, he was first blamed by Gongsun Zan and later became a common general under Xiahou Dun's command, not being utilized to his full potential.

  Wei Yan began to feel grateful to Cao Peng. If it hadn't been for Cao Peng, he would have gone over to Cao Cao with his head covered, and wouldn't that be the same as Xiahou Lan?

  If Cao Peng also defected to Cao Cao, wouldn't it be better for him to have someone to discuss with? At least that's better than him fighting alone on the other side.

  Cao Peng woke up again, and it was already dark outside.

  The swelling on his back had dissipated by more than half. At least wearing armor was no longer a problem, although he still couldn't engage in intense exercise, he could ride horses and hurry along the road.

  Dian Wei told his idea to Cao Peng.

  Cao Peng will naturally not go against...

  He is also considering the problem of how to go home. Nowadays, Dianwei and others are willing to walk with him, and they can take care of each other on the road, at least to ensure his safety. So, Cao Peng almost didn't think about it and agreed. Of course, apart from considering his own safety, Cao Peng had another idea. He was not clear about the current situation at home, if only if...

  Of course, if everything goes well, everyone will be delighted.

  But if something unexpected happens, having one more person by your side can provide some extra security.

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  That night, Cao Peng and others set off on their journey.

  Dawanggang is far from Wancheng, but it is still under the jurisdiction of Wancheng. Who knows when something will happen?

  So, taking advantage of the night, the four people set out on a winding and turning escape route.

  For Cao Peng, it's also the road back home...

  As Wei Yan said, the road west is not difficult.

  At this time, all of Zhang Hua's attention was focused on the Yu Shui Riverbank, and he didn't even notice his own backyard. Along the way, they didn't encounter any major troubles. Wei Yan came up with an idea to change into the uniforms of the Wan Cheng army. This wasn't too difficult a task, as when they passed through a small town, Wei Yan and Xia Houlan snuck into the local government office and stole several sets of uniforms from the warehouse. However, these uniforms seemed a bit heavy for Cao Peng! Fortunately, he was not seriously injured, otherwise it would have been another troublesome affair.

  In Niugu County's Niuma Market, Xia Houlan bought two inferior horses.

  Four men and four horses, almost unimpeded, arrived at Tuan Water. Along the way, although they encountered some soldiers and horses, Wei Yan came forward to smooth things over. That extremely rustic local accent of Nanyang Commandery was hard for people to harbor any suspicions about them. After changing direction at Tuan Water, they walked for another whole day before arriving at Rang County.

  For safety reasons, Cao Peng and others did not enter the city.

  Go straight from outside the city of Rang County and head towards Anzhong.

  After passing through Yang County, it was actually equivalent to leaving the jurisdiction of Zhang Yi. But there was still a problem, that is, clothes and horses had to be changed.

  Two Western Coolies horses, both bearing the insignia of the Wan City Army, were easily spotted as flawed.

  Even if Zhang Yu and Liu Biao are allies, the sudden appearance of several armed soldiers from Wan City under Liu Biao's rule will still trigger a conflict.

  So, Cao Peng suggested selling off the Western Liang horse!

  There is a vehicle and horse market at the junction of Rang County and Anzhong.

  Wei Yan came forward and used two Western Liang horses to exchange for 180 guan of five-zhu money. Originally, privately buying and selling warhorses was a forbidden thing. However, due to the lack of horses in Jingzhou, Liu Biao turned a blind eye to the horse trade. The horse market at the border of Rang County and Anzhong was itself a black market tacitly acknowledged by Liu Biao. Here, you have goods, I have money, who cares about the origin of the goods? Which family of merchants can stand firm in this black market without relying on the backing of the Jing Xiang aristocracy?

  Later, Wei Yan spent another 30 guan in Che Ma Shi and bought a carriage.

  The car is good, and the workmanship is extremely fine.

  They put on two worn-out horses and the four of them changed their clothes again. Thus, Cao Peng transformed himself into a magnificently dressed Jiang Xia Huang Gongzi.

  Wei Yan became a charioteer and changed his name to Huang Bu She.

  Wei Dian became a bodyguard and was called Wei Dian.

  Xiahou Lan was handsome in appearance. After changing into a set of clothes, he became elegant and refined, and thus became the accountant of the Jiangxia Huang family, known as Huang Lan.

  In short, when the four people entered the jurisdiction of Anzhou County, they all changed their appearance.

  "Ah Fu, this idea of yours isn't bad at all."

  Wei Yan drove the horse-drawn carriage with a smile on his face.

  Dian Wei sat beside Wei Yan, also with a relaxed expression.

  Xiahou Lan was a bit unhappy. Because Cao Peng picked up a few strands of his hair and stuck them to his mouth, it was very uncomfortable all the way.

  He even thought that Cao Peng did it on purpose, avenging himself for being beaten by him.

  But he had to admit that with this mouth stuck on a goatee, changed into a white long gown, sitting there, it really did have some semblance of an accountant.

  Eight silver spears, Long Que's big knife, and Dian Wei's pair of iron halberds were all placed in the horse carriage.

  Cao Peng sat in the car, with a noble and elegant demeanor. However, for most of the time, he walked along the Twelve Brocade Stitches to seek early recovery as soon as possible.

  "Brother Wei, we have already passed Anzhong, which way should we go?"

  Wei Yan swung his whip and it cracked loudly in mid-air.

  "Tonight we rest at the foot of Apricot Blossom Mountain, and tomorrow morning head north. By around noon, we should be able to bypass Neyang County and arrive at Nanjiu Village."

  For some reason, Cao Peng's heart skipped a beat.

  After passing Nan, it's gathered, it's Jiuyang...

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  Apricot Blossom Mountain, located fifteen miles from Neyang County.

  Locals have the saying "Look up to Apricot Blossom Mountain, and dip your feet in Orchid Brook". These Apricot Blossom Mountains and Orchid Brook waters are Niyang's two great scenic spots. Apricot Blossom Mountain has strange peaks and steep cliffs, majestic and beautiful, and because of the surrounding clouds, it is layered and towering, with unpredictable changes; Orchid Brook water gushes out in a torrent, full of interest and charm.

  Under a bright moon, Lian Creek surrounds Apricot Blossom Mountain, with the mountain and water complementing each other, becoming even more beautiful.

  Cao Peng stopped by the side of Lan Creek, silently watching the creek water rushing.

  Standing here, you can see Neyang Ancient City in the distance. In Cao Peng's mind, a beautiful face with a hint of a smile and a hint of anger appeared.

  His eyes were somewhat desolate and his mind was racing. He knew that this matter had nothing to do with her, but everything seemed to have originated from her.

  Cao Peng let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face.

  Behind him, the bonfire was burning fiercely.

  Wei Yan and Xiahou Lan had both fallen asleep.

  Dian Wei sat beside the bonfire, staring blankly into space.

  Cao Peng walked over and sat down beside him, staring at the bonfire in a daze...

  "A Fu, is there something on your mind?"

  "Ah!"

  "Are you worried about your parents?"

  Cao Peng raised his head and saw Dian Wei's big black face. At this time, on that fierce and evil-looking face, there was a hint of concern.

  "Dian Ge, you'd better stop smiling!"

  "Why?"

  "Didn't anyone tell you that your smile is even uglier?"

  The smile on Dian Wei's face suddenly froze.

  These days of traveling together have made him like Cao Peng even more.

  This is a kind of love without any entanglement of interests, it's a kind of love from the elder to the younger.

  What about Cao Peng? When speaking with Dian Wei, he didn't have too many reservations. He was a very down-to-earth person and also very simple-minded. Speaking with him was even more relaxing than when with Wei Yan. Sometimes, Cao Peng would still tease Dian Wei a couple of times, but Dian Wei never got angry.

  "I'm an unfilial son!"

  "Why say that?"

  "My mother gave birth to me, my father raised me... I have nothing to repay them, but I always cause trouble for them. When I was young, I had a weak body, and my mother sold the ancestral hairpin to get me a charm water. Unexpectedly, she was framed... In a fit of rage, I killed that person, which made my father and mother leave their hometown and move far away from our native land. Originally thought that after settling down, I could repay them well, but..."

  Cao Peng took a deep breath, and his face showed a painful expression.

  In his past life, his parents were implicated because of him; in this life, it's still the same!

  The closer Cao Peng was to his death, the more painful it became for him.

  He thought of Deng Ji, he thought of Wang Mai... He really didn't know how to face his sister and Wang Meng after going back.

  Dian Wei gazed quietly at Cao Peng, and after a long while, said in a low voice: "Ah Fu, if I were your parents, I would be proud of you."

  "Huh?"

  "I also have a son, that guy never lets me rest easy. Sometimes I get so angry with him, I really want to slap him to death... But he is my son, when he was not born yet, my blood was flowing in his body. Every time he does something, although I scold him on the surface, but deep down inside I am delighted beyond words. I don't know your parents, when I knew they wouldn't blame you."

  "Really?"

  "Of course..."

  "In the future, if I have the chance, I'd actually like to meet that guy who wanted you to slap him to death."

  Dian Wei was taken aback and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  His name is Dian Man, you will have a chance to get to know him in the future.

  Dian Wei said, looking up at the starry sky.

  I don't know, how is it going on over there now?

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  Nothing happened overnight, and early next morning, the four of them set off on their journey home once again.

  The news of the battle in Wan City has already spread here. When Dian Wei learned that Cao Cao had withdrawn his troops and retreated from Nanyang Prefecture the day before, he couldn't help but look at Cao Peng with a few more points of respect. Including Xiahou Lan, they were all secretly shocked, Cao Peng's previous analysis was surprisingly accurate.

  With Cao Cao's defeat at Wan Castle, various local clans in Nanyang began to oppose Cao Cao.

  These forces were previously insignificant. However, when Zhang Liao achieved a great victory and Cao Cao suffered a disastrous defeat and retreated to Wuyin, they became exceptionally powerful.

  Xia Houlan saw a few points of admiration in Cao Peng's eyes.

  On the contrary, Cao Peng looked as calm and peaceful as ever...

  "A Fu, just ahead is Nan Jiu Village!"

  Wei Yan suddenly stopped the horse carriage and turned his head to say to Cao Peng in the carriage.

  "Let's go back."

  Wei Yan's expression turned serious and he said in a low voice, "At the ferry crossing, it seems like there are local militiamen setting up checkpoints! People coming and going all seem to be undergoing inspections."

  Cao Peng heard this and was taken aback for a moment.

  Nan was originally a gathering place without setting up a card, when did this checkpoint set up?

  He hastily walked out of the carriage and stood on the vehicle, looking around. All he saw was that the crowd had gathered at the ferry crossing, with people lined up in two rows, and all passersby were being questioned by the local braves.

  I didn't encounter this situation when I passed by Anzhou before.

  Wasn't it said that Liu Biao and Zhang Yi had already reformed their alliance? Then why was this checkpoint set up again?

  Just as Cao Peng felt puzzled, a team of patrolling militiamen passed by the side of the horse carriage. One of the militiamen inadvertently glanced at the horse carriage and when he saw Cao Peng, he was stunned for a moment. Then he walked to the side of the squad leader, whispered two sentences, the squad leader waved his hand impatiently, and the militiaman immediately left the team and drilled into a nearby sparse forest.

  Just as the patrolmen walked far away, Cao Peng was about to get into the horse cart when the patrolmen suddenly ran out from the sparse woods.

  He strode forward in big steps, and in the blink of an eye he arrived at the front of the carriage. He shouted loudly: "A Fu, why have you come so late? Father and mother told me to wait for you here, I've been waiting for a long time!"

  Cao Peng suddenly heard someone shouting his name, and he couldn't help but shiver with a chill. He quickly turned around and looked at the country hero...

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  It's weekend today, wish everyone a happy weekend!