The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Yingyin County, Gaoyangli.

The place where the Xun clan lived.

Xun Qian's home.

More than a month ago, Xun Ling suddenly fell ill. It was just a bad stomach, vomiting and diarrhea, but for some reason, perhaps because of his old age, his resistance was not as good as before, but the disease came like a mountain, and it took a long time to heal, and it gradually became a scab. , I have changed several famous doctors in succession, all of them are helpless, the body is not as good as the day, the first time, the mind is still clear, and now, I am in a coma all day, and it is going to die.

Last month, Xun Yu took leave from the prefect and returned home, where he and his elder brothers Xun Yan and Xun Chen waited day and night in front of Xun Wan's bed.

In order to avoid the disaster of the party, Xun Shuang used to live abroad for many years, and he and several brothers in the family had not seen each other for a long time. It was only a few years after he came back. Xun Lang was seriously ill again. , to accompany Xun Qian.

Xun Qian is the parent of the Xun family, although he said that his usual behavior in people and affairs is seen by some "upright gentlemen", sometimes "too smooth" and not upright enough. Serving Tang Heng's request and marrying Tang Heng's daughter as his wife for Xun Yu caused quite a lot of criticism at the time. Can you end well? Moreover, as the patriarch of a clan, even if he does not think about himself, he has to think about the clan, so the "young talented people" in the clan such as Xun Zhen and Xun Yu can understand his difficulties, They all know that for so many years, if it wasn't for his support in the clan, the Yingyin Xun clan would have fallen into the party's scourge long ago.

Before Dangsang, the Xun clan was a famous clan in the prefecture and county, and there were quite a few people in the clan who served as two thousand stone and thousand stone in the court. Several of the Eight Dragons were local county magistrates, but because of the party, they were either imprisoned to death, fled abroad, or dismissed from their homes.

Relatives, friends, and old friends who were close to the Xun family, such as Li Ying, were also imprisoned to death, or imprisoned and deposed.

When there were internal and external troubles, and the wind and rain were shaky, it was Xun Hao who stepped up.

While sticking to the bottom line, he survived in grievances, and finally survived until the cloud opened and the party ban was lifted.

Xun Shuang, Xun Yu, Xun Zhen, etc., relying on their personal reputation and talent, seized the opportunity, and successively got the heavy use of the imperial court, the state and the county. He was sick.

It's fine when he's not ill. His illness is so serious that the Xun clan in Gaoyang suddenly feel that they have no backbone. They all have sad faces, worrying about his illness, even the children of the clan in Gaoyang. Affected by this, there is no motivation to play cheerful games in the past.

And at this time, Xu Zhong, Xun Cheng, Xin Ai and others returned with the crowd and brought the news that Xun Zhen was about to capture and destroy Ye Zhao. It is conceivable that this would be a problem for the unsuspecting clan members of the Xun clan. What a shock. Not long afterward, the news of Ye Zhao's demise spread to Yingyin, and it didn't take too long, just a few days ago, another document chasing Xunzhen came from the county temple.

The current Yingyinling is from a noble family. Like the previous Yingyinlings, he has always been very polite to the Xun clan, a great nobleman in Yingyin County. On the day he received this document, he personally came to Gaoyangli, He visited Xun Shuang, Xun Qu, Xun Yu and others, showed them this edict, comforted them, and said to Xun Shuang: "The public clan is a famous clan in China, and its name is well known in the world, so it is expected that he will not be involved in this. During the incident. It is also written in the edict that only the old Marquis of Yingyin was arrested, and it has nothing to do with the Duke and others. Duke Xun, please relax."

"So the Marquis of Yingyin" said so, but it was because the imperial edict cut off Xun Zhen's title of Marquis of Yingyin.

In the imperial edict, Xun Zhen was charged with "killing without permission".

A person who kills without permission is an act of killing without the approval of the imperial court.

This crime is a big one, but it's not a big one. I think it should be the result of Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and others' activities for Xun Zhen.

After Xun Zhen captured Ye Zhao and before fleeing, he repaired several books and ordered them to be sent to Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, He Yong and others.

Yuan Shao's people all turned pale in surprise when they received the letter. No one thought that Xun Zhen would be so bold and dare to attack Zhao Zhong's clansmen. At the right time, Yuan Shao always has the will to punish the eunuch, so he simply used this matter as a stone to ask the way, to test the chances of the gentry winning if he confronted the **** at this time, so he did his best to persuade him. Jin, together with many officials and ministers in the DPRK, tried their best to run for Xun Zhen, and argued with reason. In the end, Xun Zhen only got one charge of "killing without permission".

Having said that, the reason why Xun Zhen was only able to get one charge of murder is that Yuan Shao and others had the power in it, but he also acted cautiously and carefully.

From the arrest of the Ye Zhao people, to the trial, to the conviction, except for the final murder, the whole process is completely in line with the procedure, and all the charges are based on evidence, and after copying Ye Zhao's family property, He didn't take any of it, and put it all into the treasury of the county government.——There is a serious situation of false accounting among the Ye and Zhao people. If the amount is small, not only will some punitive measures be taken, but all the extra property will be confiscated. In fact, every time this time, it is often when the county officials make a fortune. Even at this time, when faced with Ye and Zhao's piles of family, more than hundreds of millions, Xun Zhen was not tempted and would not take anything. He was so cautious and self-cleaning that Zhao Zhong naturally couldn't catch him. He was full of anger, but he could only admit it while pinching his nose, making concessions to Yuan Shao and others, and only convicted Xun Zhen of murder.

If it were placed before the first year of Zhongping, a single crime of murder would definitely not be enough, but now there are riots everywhere, thieves and soldiers are everywhere, and the Qiang Hu rebelled. , but also had to use a large number of scholars again, in order to be able to calm down the chaos, which is why the eunuchs also had to give in slightly to the scholars.

If we say that before the first year of Zhongping, the situation between eunuchs and scholars was one-sided, with the rise of the Yellow Turbans, scholars gradually had the ability to compete with eunuchs.

The publication of this edict, both Xun Zhen and Yuan Shao, can be said to be very happy. For Xun Zhen, the crime is not very serious, but the clan will not be held accountable. For Yuan Shao, he tried to find out what the scholars are now The power has been greatly increased compared to the past.

However, although this crime can be serious or trivial, after all, it is a crime of "killing without permission". If it is to be investigated, it is to ignore the rules of the imperial court, and it is necessary to be "sent to the capital by the threshold". Once it arrives in the capital, it will be Zhao Zhong's Even if Yuan Shao's people were watching over him, it would be easy to kill anyone in that deep prison, so Xun Zhen still had to continue to flee.

Ying Yinling only read from the imperial edict that Xun Zhen had fled with the seal on it. He wondered if Xun Zhen had come back, but remembered that Xun Cheng, Xin Ai, and others had returned with a large number of righteous congmen some time ago. He asked, "Duke Xun, where is the Marquis of Yingyin now?"

Xun Shuang gave a wry smile and said in his heart: "When I first met Zhen, I thought he was very heroic, and I was happy that Xun's family had a thousand miles of horses, but I didn't realize that he did such a big thing!" He answered truthfully. Said, "Zhenzhi has been an official in Jizhou for many years since General Huangfu asked for the yellow turban. He has never returned home. The clan only communicates with him by letters, but like the county prince, he does not know where he is now."

Xun Shuang is a gentleman, Ying Yinling felt that he should not deceive himself, after listening to his answer, he was relieved, and his face felt relieved.

Although Ying Yinling came from a scholar and respected the Xun family, he was also a minister of the imperial court. The imperial edict came down, he could not ignore it, but the reason why Xunzhen was hunted down by the imperial court was because he had captured Ye Zhao, which, according to scholars, was an earth-shattering act of loyalty and justice. If Xunzhen escaped at home, he would have But they can't be arrested either. As a result, the public and private can't be taken into account, and it becomes a dilemma.

In the end, the best outcome he could think of was to follow the example of Guo Yi, the commander of the Qiang Qiang who was ordered to arrest Fan Pang, "release the seal" and propose to escape together with Xun Zhen.

But once you run away, it will be a long way off. Who knows how long you will run away? So, he was very reluctant.

Fortunately, Xun Zhen "knows the interest" and didn't come back.

Seeing Xun Shuang's worried face, he quickly turned his face back, and said solemnly: "Although I have never met the old Marquis of Yingyin, I have heard people's words for a long time, and I know that he is heroic and generous, and has many friends... Duke Xun , you don't have to worry, now that the Marquis of Yingyin has done such a loyal and beautiful thing, who in the world does not know its name? Not to mention that he has a lot of friends, even if he has no friends, it should be no problem. When I save him, in his name today, everywhere he goes, he will be greeted by scholars, don’t you see Zhang Jian’s affairs in the past?”

Xun Shuang was a kind gentleman. He sighed and said, "If you are Zhang Jian, you might as well escape into the mountains."

In terms of his views on Zhang Jian, he agrees with Xun Zhen, and they both disapprove of Zhang Jian's involvement in countless gentry because of him, resulting in "the state and prefecture being broken down".

After sending Ying Yin Ling away, Xun Shuang ordered Xun Cheng to be summoned.

Xun Cheng bought a lot of land around Yingyin earlier and built a few villages. After Xu Zhong and others led the Yi Cong back, they divided most of the Yi Cong into several parts, and Xu Zhong, Xin Ai and others led them to separate them. He lived in these villages, including Xixiang Zhuangzi. In addition, Xu Zhong gave Xun Cheng more than 100 elites, and Xun Cheng took him to live in Gaoyang.

Outside the county, Xu Zhong, Xin Ai, etc. were in charge, patrolling day and night, and whenever they saw a strange face, they would come forward and interrogate them; Taking into account both internal and external, the only purpose is to prevent Zhao Zhong from sending dead soldiers to assassinate.

Xin Ai and Xu Zhong were outside the county and it was difficult to call them, so Xun Shuang only called Xun Cheng.

When Xun Cheng arrived, Xun Shuang, Xun Qu, Xun Yu and others asked Xun Zhen what they said when they sent Xun Cheng back.

In fact, Xun Cheng reported the words Xun Zhen said to Xun Shuang and the others one by one when he came back, so asking again now is just for comfort.

Xun Qu sighed and said, "I really didn't expect that a prudent and cautious person like Zhenzhi would do such a thing! He has a bright future, but why did he miss his future?"

Xun Qu, Xun Shuang, and Xun Yu didn't know that the eunuch's demise had been just a few years ago, so they didn't know why Xun Zhen went to the Zhao clan in Zhuye County, even if it was to get the name, in their opinion, it didn't have to be so violent. , Doing this is completely self-defeating future, and Xun Zhen's previous steady and down-to-earth style of behavior is completely different.

Xun Yu was speechless.

It seemed that Xun Qian was already in critical condition, and Xun Shuang, Xun Qu, and Xun Yu dared not tell him about it. Must be able to hear it.

Xun Shuang thought about Xun Li's critical illness, and said to himself, "The third brother is critically ill, and if Zhenzhi does something that offends Chang Shi again, I'm afraid there will be instability in the clan."

Thinking of this, he put away his worries, looked outside, and said calmly, "Wen Ruo, go get me the "Yi"..." After speaking, he slowly stood up from the seat.

Xun Qu and Xun Yu were inexplicable and looked at each other, Xun Qu asked, "What does Uncle want to do with the Book of Changes? Is it for the divination of Zhen Zhi?"

"What divination!"

"What is that to do?"

"Today the sun is just right, the wind is clear, and I am going to study under the tree in the courtyard."

It is in Xun Shuang's house at the moment. There is a big tree in his yard by the window. The branches and leaves are dense, covering the shade. At this time, the weather is neither cold nor hot. It is very comfortable to sit under the tree and read. .

Xun Qu was impatient. Hearing these words, he immediately complained, "Uncle is really good-natured. I can still sit down and read at this time!"

"What's wrong with reading the "Book of Changes"? It is the preface to the "Book of Changes", where the gentleman lives. The sages are like Confucius. If anything is lost."

"Uncle! Zhenzhi..."

"Has Zhenzhi been arrested?"

"...It's never happened. Uncle didn't know it. As soon as he executed Ye Zhao, he immediately left Wei County and walked in disguise. Even you and I don't know where he went, let alone the imperial court?"

"Zhenzhi hasn't been arrested, so is Zhao Changshi going to blame my clan?"

"The county magistrate just showed me the edict, and it has nothing to do with my clan."

"Zhenzhi hasn't been arrested, and it has nothing to do with my clan. Why do you make a fuss when you hear that I read "Yi"?"

Xun Qu was dumbfounded, then said, "Aren't you worried about Zhenzhi?"

"Zhenzhi is a wise man. From the moment he executed the Zhao family in Ye County, he immediately put the seal on the county and sneaked into the rivers and lakes. It can be seen that he must have thought deeply about this matter, and there must be a way back. Worried?"

It would be a lie to say that he was not worried about Xun Zhen, but Xun Li was critically ill. As the most virtuous and respected old man in the clan, if he could not stabilize his position, the clan would definitely feel uneasy after hearing about Xun Zhen arresting and destroying Ye Zhao. , there may be trouble, so he must hold on.

Xun Yu pondered and said, "Although there is no crime against my clan in the edict, Zhao Changshi has great power and has always been domineering. His clan was almost destroyed by Brother A, but Uncle, the clan must guard against him."

Xun Qu said, "What do you mean?"

"Zhao Changshi may send assassins to our clan to make trouble."

Xun Shuang said: "Zhenzhi has foreseen this for a long time. You look inside and outside the county seat, inside and outside Gaoyang, the righteous people sent by Zhenzhi back home are everywhere, and they protect this place like a golden soup. What are you afraid of? He smiled and said to Xun Cheng, "With Zhongren here, you don't have to worry too much."

Xun Cheng has been in the army for many years, and he has been in battle for a long time. Compared with when he left home, he is much more capable and brave. He said in a deep voice, "But if I am here, there will be no chaos in Gaoyang."

Xun Shuang smiled and said, "That's it! ..., Wen Ruo, go get me a book, Zhong Ren, I've been sitting here for a long time, my legs and feet are a little numb, come out with me and beat me."

Xun Yu and Xun Cheng agreed.

After going outside, Xun Shuang instructed Xun Qu again, pointed at the courtyard door, and said, "Go and open the courtyard door~www.wuxiaspot.com~ to ventilate."

Xun Qu complied with the promise.

The gate of the courtyard opened wide, and anyone who passed by Xun Shuang's house could see Xun Shuang leaning under the tree in the courtyard in front of the window, reading the Book of Changes, Xun Qu and Xun Yu stood behind him, Cheng knelt in front of his feet and beat his legs for him, quite a picture of leisurely leisure.

From this day on, in addition to visiting Xun Wan's condition, Xun Shuang lived and studied at home every day. His calmness and ease had unknowingly affected Xun Qu, Xun Yu, and Xun Cheng, as well as others in the Xun clan. People, even after learning the shocking news of Xun Zhen's arrest and extermination of Ye Zhao, there was no great anxiety or disturbance in the Xun clan.

Xun Zhen was not at home. There were only Chen Zhi, Concubine Chi, and Tang Er. After the news of Xun Zhen arresting and destroying Ye Zhao, Xun Qu was worried that they would panic, so they would come every few days.

Although Chen Zhi, Chi Mai, Tang Er and other daughters were closely guarded by Xu Zhong and others, Chi Mai and Tang Er were still panicked and worried, as Xun Qu expected, but Chen Zhi acted as usual, at least when When she was in front of outsiders, she was nothing.

At the earliest, Xun Qu wanted to comfort Chen Zhi a few words, but she didn't care that Chen Zhi was not afraid, she said: "If the husband is fine, then the concubine will wait for her to return home, and if the husband is convicted, the concubine will go to the prison with her , what are you worried about?"

Xun Qu was amazed, and said to Xun Yu and Xun Cheng in private, "I'm not as good as a woman! Zhenzhizhen married a beautiful woman."

Speaking of which, Chen Zhi was younger than Maid Chi and Tang Er. She usually couldn't see it, but now she can see that she is far better than the children of Chi and Tang in dealing with things. In turn, she, the mistress, will forgive her from time to time. Both of her.