Tao Qian was noncommittal and continued to ask, "How is it compared to Yanzhou Cao Cao?" ”

"It's not as good as 、、、." The potter's cheeks flushed, and he replied with great difficulty.

At this time, the potter was already feeling bad, and looked up at his father Tao Qian with a frightened expression, and was surprised in his heart.

He couldn't understand why his father asked knowingly, how could the general Li Li be comparable to himself, as for Cao Cao in Yanzhou, even his father was not Cao Cao's opponent, and how could he be Cao Cao's enemy? However, he already vaguely felt that there was something in his father's words, and this inquiry was by no means without reason, and there must be a deep meaning in it.

"How is it compared to Sun Jian's son Sun Ce?" Tao Qian didn't stop there, and still asked with a deep expression.

The pottery merchant looked hesitant and pondered: "Sun Ce has great ambitions, is unwilling to be subordinate, and has repeatedly tried to support the army to stand on his own, but he has been frustrated one after another, and now he has led the people to serve under Yuan Shu's account. His people are far braver than children, and it is unknown how Wenzhi is, and his luck is not good, and he still has no place to stand. Therefore the child 、、、、、、"

"You're not as good as him!" Without waiting for the Tao Shang to finish speaking, Tao Qian suddenly interjected: "Sun Ce has great ambitions, so naturally he is not a subordinate of the people, otherwise his father would have received him for reuse under his command, how could he be driven out of Xuzhou?" However, Sun Ce's martial arts are strong and brave, and his martial arts are not under his father Sun Jian, but even better. In troubled times, such ambitious but brave and resolute people will have a day to get ahead sooner or later, and only one opportunity will be able to sneak out of the abyss and make a splash. Therefore, it is not for the sake of my father and others to destroy my son's prestige, compared with Sun Ce, you are far inferior to him. If my son can have seven points worthy of Sun Ce, my father will fully support my son to withdraw Xuzhou, and start to eliminate people with different aspirations in the territory as soon as possible. It's a pity that my son's Wen can't govern the prefectures and counties, control the subordinate officials, and the military can't protect the territory and the people, so he will go out to conquer the Quartet. Hey, in vain! ”

"The child is guilty. Father, please, be angry. The potter's face turned pale as snow when he heard this, and his eyes were full of resentment. But he didn't confront his father in front of him, but got up and sat on the edge of the hospital bed, patting Tao Qian's back gently, for fear that he would be angry.

After his father's face softened a little and his breath was smooth, the potter said in a low voice: "I don't know what my father meant?" The child is dull, ask the father to make it clear. ”

Tao Qian sat up against the bed and looked sideways at the potter. He said softly: "My father knows that you have guessed it, but he doesn't want to accept it." My son is loyal and filial, kind-hearted, sincere, and quite gentlemanly. If you are born in a peaceful and prosperous world. My son inherited Yu Yin and could not succeed to the position of Xuzhou pastor. It's a pity that the world is chaotic now. The strong are respected. My son's martial arts are all modest, and there is nothing outstanding. In the troubled times, those who do not have great talents and strategies but are in high positions will suffer disasters, not only their own lives will be guaranteed, but they will also implicate the small clansmen in distress. Woe to the door. ”

Speaking of this, Tao Qian gently patted the back of the pottery merchant's hand and said in a low voice: "When Liu Bei led his troops to rescue Xuzhou last year, his father began to pay attention to this person. It's been almost a year now. He came from a humble background, but he was ambitious, tenacious, and well-rounded. In addition, this person is brave and brave, and there are two righteous brothers who follow him, so sooner or later he will do something. However, as the general said in the letter, Liu Bei is kind-hearted and ruthless, and he is now respectful to your brothers, which is to ask for his father, and he needs to fund grain, grass and cities for his father to live and grow his strength. When he is truly full-fledged, he may not still take your brother seriously, and then you will have to rely on yourself.

Now Liu Bei has 20,000 soldiers and horses in his hands, and then Guan Yu and Zhang Fei help each other, and his wings are gradually growing. Therefore, half a year ago, his father pretended to give way to Xuzhou, so as to test his heart, at that time, he was in the way, and he was new to Xuzhou, and he had no foundation, so he refused against his will. In the past six months, Liu Bei has traveled around and made friends with the Xuzhou scholars, especially with the Mi brothers who are in charge of my Xuzhou ordnance, money and grain. How could this be concealed from his father's eyes, and his large-scale recruitment of soldiers and horses was also expected by his father. Since he coveted Xuzhou so deliberately and fulfilled him for his father, what did it matter if he gave him the position of Xuzhou pastor? ”

"No, father!" Finally heard Tao Qian say his mind, the two brothers Tao Shang and Tao Ying were shocked when they heard it and hurriedly dissuaded them.

But seeing that the potter said eagerly: "Xuzhou is the territory that my father has worked hard to manage for many years, how can he give it to outsiders?" ”

"That's right!" Tao Ying answered: "Over the years, my father has worked hard for the six counties of Xuzhou, and until now he is still working hard for the safety of Xuzhou, so that he is seriously ill. But now his father wants to give up the great Xuzhou to Liu Bei, and the child does not dare to agree with this move, and he can't agree to it no matter what! ”

Compared with the words of the pottery merchant, Tao Ying was extremely excited and indignant.

His father Tao Qian didn't mention that Liu Bei had a close relationship with the Mi family, and when he mentioned this matter, Tao Ying was angry and resentful.

According to Tao Ying's knowledge, Mi Zhu, the head of the Mi family, intends to marry his little sister Mihuan to Liu Bei as a concubine and form a good marriage. For this reason, Mi Zhu privately funded Liu Bei with a large amount of money and food for him to recruit troops, build armaments, and greatly expand his strength. Now the reason why Liu Bei and Mi Huan have not yet married is because of Tao Qian's affection, for fear that it will be too public, which will arouse Tao Qian's suspicion and cause extraneous branches.

After learning of this, Tao Ying was so angry that he couldn't eat for a few days, and he was filled with righteous indignation. Liu Bei is in his thirties, twice as old as Mihuan, and can be Mihuan's father. Moreover, Mihuan married Liu Bei or became a concubine, because Liu Bei had already married a wife. But even so, Mi Zhu was willing to give his sister Yu Liu Bei as a concubine, and was unwilling to marry him Tao Ying as his wife. With such an act, how could Tao Ying endure this evil breath, how could he not be angry?

It's really deceitful!

At this moment, when Tao Ying heard that his father wanted to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei, it exploded like a thunderbolt in his mind, and his soul was overwhelmed. Therefore, he vetoed it outright, and his attitude was extremely resolute, as if he was incompatible with Liu Bei.

"Ying'er doesn't need to say much, this matter has been decided by his father, and there is no need to discuss it again!" Raising his eyes and seeing his youngest son Tao Ying's face full of resentment, Tao Qian did not let go at all, and said in a deep voice without doubt.

Immediately, his expression eased slightly, and his eyes showed the caring look of a loving father, and he persuaded softly: "Ying'er likes the little sister of the Mi family, and her father has known about this matter for a long time, and her father has mentioned this matter to Mi Zhu before. It's a pity that the Mi family brothers have too high a vision, prevaricate to me, and politely refuse this family business. Besides, as far as my father knows, that Mihuan is brutal and willful, although he is quite beautiful, he never pretends to be a color for you. That being the case, why should Ying'er be coveted with her. There are countless women with the best looks in the world, instead of wasting your energy on such a woman who doesn't like you, it is better to find a docile and virtuous woman from a good family to marry. Therefore, the past is over, and the future should be reined in, so as not to suffer in vain in the future. ”

After persuading Tao Ying, Tao Qian said to his eldest son Tao Shang: "My father has been an official in Xuzhou for many years, and I have tried my best to benefit the people, but whatever is beneficial to the people of Xuzhou, my father will not hesitate to do it." Now, only when Xuzhou is handed over to a person with great ambitions like Liu Bei can the lives of the people of Xuzhou be saved from being slaughtered by Cao thieves.

Therefore, his father had no choice but to give up the huge six counties of Xuzhou to Liu Bei. Only in this way can you not only protect the people, but also take care of your father's reputation for the rest of your life, and leave a great favor for your two brothers. In the future, as long as Xuzhou is not lost, Liu Bei will always remember this kindness and treat you two brothers well; Otherwise, what kind of face does he have to base himself in Xuzhou? ”

"The child remembers his father's instructions!" Seeing that Tao Qian's mind had been decided, the Tao Shang and Tao Ying brothers were reluctant in every way, but they had no choice but to accept the order.

"Well, you will definitely be able to see the true intention of your father in the future, no matter who wants to occupy Xuzhou, they will have to pay the price, there is never a good thing in this world that is not earned for nothing." Tao Qian bowed his head slightly and whispered meaningfully.

Then he turned his head and instructed the pottery merchant: "Then you go to order Mi Zhu to raise 70,000 stone grain and grass and 50,000 gold to send to Sili, this is the last time I Tao Qian will pay food and salary to the imperial court, be loyal to the Son of Heaven, and leave a way back for your brothers." Shang'er, this time you personally escorted the grain and grass, escorted 10,000 Danyang soldiers along the way, and by the way, sent your mother to live in Chang'an, which is safer than Xuzhou. In the future, once the situation in Xuzhou is worrying, you will go to Xiliang to defect to the general, not seeking fame and fortune, but seeking peace in your life. ”

"This 、、、 promise, the child obeys!" The potter replied again and again.

Tao Qian waved his hand slightly very tiredly, lay down again with the help of the pottery merchant, and said weakly: "There is no need to ask more about this matter, as long as the general knows that his father sent you to personally escort the food and salary, he will naturally understand." Remember, this payment of food and wages to the imperial court was an edict, not a gift. Go, Shang'er go and come back quickly, and be sure to return to Xuzhou within two months. ”

After speaking, Tao Qian gently closed his eyes and fell asleep, his cheeks still showing a little melancholy and reluctance, and there was still a trace of unfathomable wisdom in the wrinkles on his forehead.

Waiting for his father to fall asleep, the two brothers Tao Shang and Tao Ying got up gently, covered the brocade quilt for their father, and tiptoed out of the inner room.

"The father's command cannot be disobeyed, and we should obey it." When approaching the gate of the mansion, the potter suddenly turned his head and said to Tao Ying.

"Well, the younger brother knows what to do, take care, brother." Tao Ying's eyes flashed when he heard the sound, and he immediately nodded in response.

After the pottery merchant left, Tao Ying's calm face showed a hideous color, and he gritted his teeth and whispered to himself: "Since Mihuan slut would rather be a concubine than marry me, is it really that Tao Ying is weak and can be bullied?" Wait, Liu Bei snatched my woman today, he will definitely want you to suffer the consequences one day! ”

―――――――――――――― (To be continued)(To be continued......