Chapter 40 The Loyal Ministers of Old

  Liu Bei returned to his own mansion in Xudu, still feeling confused and disoriented. Today's events were truly incomprehensible. What was Cao trying to do? Was he trying to intimidate him? It was all so chaotic!

  Just as Liu Bei was deep in thought, Zhang Fei shouted loudly outside the door: "Brother, I've caught this ungrateful thing for you, brother, come out, hurry up!"

  At the sound of Zhang Fei's loud shout, Liu Bei hurriedly ran out and saw that Mi Zhu was being tied up by Zhang Fei and brought over. Seeing Liu Bei, Zhang Fei shouted: "Big brother, look! I've brought this ungrateful thing here!"

  Liu Bei looked and was stunned for a moment, then shouted loudly: "Third brother, what are you doing? Don't let go of Zi Zhong, you're being too arrogant!"

  Upon hearing Liu Bei's rebuke, Zhang Fei widened his eyes and asked: "Big brother, his sister is Cao Cao's daughter-in-law, we've all been sold out, why do you still want to let him off?"

  Liu Bei slapped his palm and scolded: "Third brother, you're being too presumptuous! Release Zi Zhong, otherwise I'll deal with you according to military law!"

  Zhang Fei covered his face, resentfully using a dagger to cut off the ropes on Zuo Ci's body. Zuo Ci touched his arms and bowed his hands, saying: "Master, I am ashamed of myself!"

  Liu Bei looked at Zuo Ci and said calmly: "Zi Zhong, come with me."

  "Yes, milord."

  Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang entered the study, leaving Zhang Fei and Guan Yu behind. Zhang Fei rubbed his face and said: "Second brother? Why didn't you help me say a word!"

  Guan Yu shook his head and said: "Third brother, you are too impulsive, you need to train more." (Zhang Fei? Are you really a traitor?)

  Liu Bei entered the study and sat down separately with Mi Zhu. Liu Bei asked: "Is Zizhong's sister really Cao Mengde's daughter-in-law?"

  "What?"

  "My lord, Zizhong just found out that his sister has become Cao Ang's wife. My lord, isn't it a mess?"

  "Zi Zhong didn't need to say more, Xuande knew that Zi Zhong was also helpless. After hearing the news about his sister, Zi Zhong still went to Cao Cao to ask for an official position. Xuande did not try to retain him, but thinking of the friendship with Zi Zhong in Xuzhou, Xuande couldn't help but feel sad." After finishing speaking, Liu Bei started wiping away tears and looked at Zuo Ci with sorrow. Indeed, Liu Bei's empire was won through tears!

  Zhang Fei saw Liu Bei's crying appearance, was deeply moved, then knelt down on the ground and said: "My lord, my lord has shown kindness to me, I will not betray you, please do not say such things again, I swear to die for my lord!"

  Liu Bei grasped Zhu Ge's hand and said with tears streaming down his face: "Xuande will not betray you, Zhong'er!"

  Then the two sat down hand in hand, and Zou Zhu said: "Master, I heard that you had some trouble at the Si Kong Mansion?"

  Liu Bei recounted his encounter at the Sima's residence and then asked, "Zi Zhong? What do you think Cao Cao is trying to do? If he wants to kill us brothers, why not just take action directly, what's the point of this?"

  After hearing this, he smiled and said: "My lord, I think Cao Cao is also unclear about this matter. It should be entirely the doing of that little scoundrel Lü Bu."

  "Is it Lü Rui? The young marquis, Cao Cao's adopted son?"

  "Not bad, Master, Lü Rui, Cao Cao's adopted son, was clever since childhood, but didn't like studying. He only liked unusual skills and had a special fondness for rare and strange things. Also, because he rendered meritorious service in saving Cao Song, he was extremely favored in the Cao family. Therefore, Master, it should be that among your three brothers, their military prowess shook the world, Lü Rui harbored greedy thoughts, which led to the affair of the Minister's residence."

  "What?" Liu Bei was speechless. If he had known, he would have argued strongly and taken the weapons back. Speechless! He was really speechless. The three brothers' weapons were gone just like that.

  Liu Bei sighed and said: "It's really miscalculated, unexpectedly being calculated by a child. Zi Zhong, what do you think I should do in Xudu?"

  "My lord, having heard of your performance in the hunting grounds, you already know it clearly in your heart. Why must you ask Zizhong?"

  "Haha, he who knows me is Zizhong!"

  "The young master, the great young master has brought Lady Rou here to see you."

  Cao Ang has arrived? Come and see for yourself, what's going on here? Cao Ang is much older than Cao Pi and the others, and also much older than myself. He's been following Cao Cao on his southern and northern campaigns for a long time, so there's a generation gap. He definitely won't be like Cao Pi and the others who follow Lv Rui around everywhere. He's just an elder brother with rules to follow, without any common interests. So why has he come to see me today?

  Lü Rui changed into a new set of clothes and went out to meet Cao Ang, the eldest son of the Cao family, who might be the future heir of Cao. He wanted to build a good relationship with him.

  "Hello, older brother!"

  "Has Rui Di arrived? Elder brother has just returned to the mansion, it's a good opportunity to take a look at Rui Di."

  No way, when did Cao Ang become so obsequious? Nainai's, Little Cao's flattering face is just like his father Cao Mengde's treacherous face! Indeed, a son is like his father! Flattering without reason is nothing but thievery!

  "Sister-in-law!"

  "Hello, little brother!"

  Is Mei's family here too? "Elder brother, it's been a long time since we last met. I've followed Zhongfu to battles everywhere and have been appointed as the Central Lang General. Little brother congratulates elder brother on this occasion!"

  "Thank you for your concern, brother. Now that you're here, I have a favor to ask of you."

  Haha, I knew it. "Brother, please speak, Xiao Neng can handle it, and will definitely help brother with your worries."

  "Rui's younger brother knew that Mei Shi's older brother Mei Zhu had arrived in Xudu."

  "Little brother knows, Mi Zhu has followed Liu Bei and arrived at Xuchang. Uncle is still planning to give Mi Zhu an official position."

  "Rui Di, you also know that Mei Shi has entered our Cao family, but her elder brother is still unaware. Now, Father has invited Mei Zhu to the Sima Mansion for a meeting. Brother wants to show his respect to Mei Zhu and heard that Rui Di has many rare treasures in his hands?"

  Looking at Cao Ang's appearance, Lü Rui was speechless. Isn't it just to please the eldest uncle? Do you need to be so eager? Old Cao and Young Cao are both of this virtue, like a pimp!

  Lü Rui smiled and said: "So that's how it is, I don't know what you want, brother. Whatever little brother has, he will definitely give to big brother." Zou Zhan was the richest man in the world, shouldn't he lack anything? What would Zou Zhan like?

  "Brother Rui," said Mei Shi, "my elder brother has only one hobby, which is collecting ancient tiger tallies, especially those from the Autumn period of the Warring States."

  No way, Zou Yu actually likes collecting this? Tiger tally? The only proof of ancient generals' command, Zou Yu actually likes collecting this? He's refined and courteous, could he be a battle-loving type? Or is he a masochist, enjoying following Liu Dae around on his wild adventures.

  Lv Rui said to Ling'er, "Ling'er, go and bring me the small red box in my room." Inside was the Tiger Tally of the Autumn of the Warring States given to Lv Rui by Cao Jin.

  A small box was placed in front of Lü Rui, and after taking out a tiger tally, he said: "Brother, this is the best preserved and most exquisite tiger tally in my hands. I'll give it to you."

  Cao Ang happily accepted the Tiger Tally and said: "Thank you, younger brother. I will remember this." After that, he left with Zhen Ji.

  In the evening, Cao held a family banquet, with a very clear purpose, that is to invite Zou Jing to sit down and let Zou and him talk about their brotherly love.

  After the dinner, singing and dancing began. Cao started speaking, Cao said to Zuo Ci: "Zi Zhong, in the past when your younger sister was kidnapped outside Xuzhou, my son came to her rescue, because he didn't know she was your sister, he brought her back to the Cao residence, my son Ao and your sister fell deeply in love at first sight, they got married, I hope you won't blame me."

  Looked at Cao Cao, Cao Mengde? Rescue? Sounds good, but my sister was taken away by you, hum! This revenge I must report!

  Zi Zhong thanked Young Master Hou profusely, saying: "Not only did you save my sister's life, but also found her such a good home."

  Lao Cao, can't you be more magnanimous? You said that I found a daughter-in-law for you, and can't you just let my part go? Zou Jue is not someone to be trifled with, he's a big merchant! Lv Rui also smiled and said: "Zou sir is being polite, our lordship also helped because we saw an injustice."

  Cao left after chatting with Mi Heng for a while, and handed him over to Cao Ang's couple. After all, Mi Heng's sister was Cao Ang's wife. It was time for Cao Ang to take action and recruit talents.

  After Cao Cao left, Cao Ang cupped his hands and said: "Young Master Zhong, I offer you a toast. When you came to Xuchang, I was remiss in my duties, please forgive me!"

  "Zi Xiu has become the brother-in-law of Zi Zhong, and Zi Zhong's sister still needs Zi Xiu to take care of her a lot!"

  Zi Zong was very cold, Cao Ang took out the tiger tally and said: "Brother Zi Zhong, Mi Shi is my wife's family, you must take good care of her. Brother Zi Zhong, this is a gift I give to you!" After finishing speaking, he let his servants send over the tiger tally.

  Meng Zong saw the tiger tally, his eyes lit up, "Good stuff! This is good stuff!"

  Cao Ang saw Zuo Ci's delighted expression and hastily said, "Brother Zicong, my father has the intention of inviting Brother Zicong to enter the Imperial Chancellor's residence. I wonder what your thoughts are on this?"

  Mi Zuo listened and glanced at Cao Ang, saying: "Zi Xiu, a thousand-mile horse is often found, but a Bo Le is not. Zi Zhong was rewarded by Lord Xuande, I just hope to follow Lord Xuande. Lord Xuande and Imperial Counselor are both serving the great Han, so isn't it the same whether Zi Zhong comes to the Imperial Counselor's residence or not?"

  Cao Ang was stunned and speechless. The Cao family serves the great Han, I Zuo Ci serve the great Han, whether or not to go to the residence of the Minister of Works is all the same.

  Meng Zixiao smiled and said, "Zi Xiu, do you know the origin of this Tiger Token? This Tiger Token is the Tiger Token of General Yue Yi from the Warring States period. Now I'll take half of it, and leave the other half with my little sister as a token of our brotherly love. Farewell!"

  After finishing speaking, he ignored Zhao's cries and left alone.

  Looking at the distant figure of Mi Zhu, Lü Bu shook his head. "A loyal vassal will die for his lord", indeed a truly devoted person! Mi Zhu dedicated himself to serving Liu Bei, but what was it for? Fame? Cao Cao could have given him that. Wealth? Mi Zhu didn't lack money. Perhaps it was just because of the deep affection between him and Liu Bei. Thinking this far, Lü Bu couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Mi Zhu, a true loyal minister of old!

  Cao Cao admired Mi Heng even more after hearing about his story. A loyal minister has always been admirable. The Tiger Tally of Prince Xinling? Prince Xinling and the King of Wei were biological brothers, yet he disobeyed orders to besiege Wei and rescue Zhao, which was a discord between brothers. This was also Mi Heng's answer to himself. Cao Mengde, although you are my sister's son-in-law, I do not want to be loyal to you!