About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 31 Tea Can Be Empty, But the Kingdom Cannot Be Continued (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets)

The wind is coming late at night.

Fallen leaves swept across the stone table as Liu Fang and Qiao Xuan sat facing each other under the old tree.

Qiaozhu was led by Xu Feng into the depths of the grass. The children's laughter and play gradually faded into the distance, with only the intermittent chirping of crickets remaining.

Do you still remember the "Golden-backed General"?
That was Qiao Zhu's precious darling, but he had been on edge during the kidnapping and hadn't realized the problem yet.

Now that the crisis has passed safely, Qiaozhu is getting more and more upset, and this topic is not suitable for him to be discussing right now.

The Sancang states, "The four directions and the space above and below are called the universe, and the past and present are called the cosmos."

Just now, Xu Feng promised Qiao Zhu that he would at least catch one "General Yu" for him, so Qiao Zhu skipped and ran after Xu Feng.

The steam rising from the teacups on the stone table dissipated in the gradually cooling breeze.

Neither of them spoke for a moment, but they simply watched as the last wisp of golden-red light faded from the horizon.

When Liu Fang brought Qiao Zhu back unharmed, Qiao Xuan already knew that Liu Fang was involved in the matter.

There were many people outside just now, and Liu Fang and Qiao Xuan tacitly agreed not to discuss this matter.

At this moment, Liu Fang gazed at the frost at Qiao Xuan's temples...

This game is finally going to be played out.

"Bridge Master..."

He tapped the stone table with his fingertips. "To be honest, I was the one who orchestrated this."

For Liu Fang, or rather for Cao Mengde...

The principle in employing people has always been: once you employ them, you must trust them.

If the people he employs do things poorly, he will not shift the blame onto his subordinates.

Qiao Xuan paused in his teacup, then looked up with eyes as deep as a still pool, showing no surprise but a hint of relief.

He stroked the covered bowl, saying, "I am very pleased that Yuanyi Gong spoke so frankly."

Liu Fang smiled, a smile tinged with relief.

"Fortunately, the young master is safe and sound, but in this situation, Qiao Gong has also been dragged into it."

Qiao Xuan waved his hand, signaling him to continue.

A cry of surprise came from Qiaozhu in the distance, presumably having found a cricket, but it was muffled by Xu Feng's low rebuke in the evening breeze.

"Just now at Huangfu's residence, we discussed the border and the threat from the barbarians, but we all left half a sentence unsaid..."

"Especially that great victory against the Xianbei, Qiao Gong, do you know that this was bait used by the Hu people?"

Qiao Xuan's brows furrowed suddenly, but both of them tacitly avoided mentioning Xia Yu, who had achieved a great victory but was ambushed and killed.

Liu Fang drew a semicircle on the stone table with his fingertip:

"Tan Shihuai has unified the grasslands and established the Xianbei royal court. Now he is preparing his troops and horses to destroy our great Han..."

In the hazy tea smoke, Qiao Xuan stared intently at the sharp glint in Liu Fang's eyes.

He wouldn't question the truth of the matter.

Since Liu Fang was able to say this, he must have had some basis and confidence in it.

He opened his mouth several times, but in the end it seemed he was asking Liu Fang, but also seemed to be asking himself:
"If war?"

Liu Fang said decisively, "Defeat is inevitable."

"But this battle, sooner or later, is unavoidable."

Qiao Xuan gently placed the teacup on the stone table, making a clear, melodious sound.

"For Duan Jiming?"

Four words revealed the crux of the matter.

Liu Fang nodded, his gaze falling on the dappled shadows of the trees on the stone table:

"After this great victory, Duan Jiong will probably submit ten memorials to His Majesty, requesting a northern expedition."

Qiao Xuan was now certain of his guess:
"I have served in the same court as Duan Jiming for many years and we have both fought on the frontier, so I know him to some extent."

Despite saying that, there was a hint of helplessness in her voice.

He knew Duan Jiong's fierceness; he was the kind of guy who would chase and hack away at any Hu person he saw for thirty miles.

He was not one to seek quick success or instant benefits; in a sense, he was a pure and loyal subject, wholeheartedly dedicated to eliminating the threat of the Hu people for the Han Dynasty.

But now the Han Dynasty's treasury is empty, the Qiang rebellion has not been quelled, and it is about to launch a northern expedition against the Xianbei. Is it really driving this old carriage off a cliff?

Liu Fang, noticing Qiao Xuan's increasingly somber expression, changed the subject:
"Does Qiao Gong know that Duan Jiming is about to be transferred to the position of Prefect of Yingchuan?"

This news didn't come from elsewhere; in my past life's memories, Duan Jiong was transferred around this time.

Qiao Xuan's pupils contracted slightly, and he suddenly understood.

Duan Jiong not only maintained close relationships with many powerful eunuchs, but also had many supporters in the court due to his achievements over the years.

Yingchuan was the ancestral home of prominent families such as the Xun and Chen clans.

If, through a deal involving mutual benefits, Duan Jiong gains the support of the scholars of Yingchuan, along with the strong backing of eunuchs and officials in the court, then the Northern Expedition will likely be a done deal.

The tea on the stone table had long since gone cold, yet no one bothered to refill it.

Liu Fang reached out and pressed down on the back of Qiao Xuan's hand, which was resting on the stone table: "I know that this action is unworthy of Lord Qiao, but if we delay any longer, and if we really mobilize the entire nation for a northern expedition... then it will be too late."

Qiao Xuan looked up and said, "So..."

"Is Yuan Yigong trying to put pressure on Duan Jiming? Or perhaps..."

"Forced Duan Jiming to his death."

"As for the Luoyang Rebellion, I, as the Prefect of Henan... am also unable to remain uninvolved."

Although he revealed the entire scheme, Qiao Xuan's gaze was exactly like that of someone looking at their own nephew...

There was only relief, not a trace of blame.

Liu Fang stood up and bowed deeply to Qiao Xuan:

"Please forgive me, Mr. Bridge."

Everyone knows that Duan Jiong and Wang Fu, one inside and one outside, were in cahoots to commit evil.

Although Liu Fang did not mention Wang Fu, considering that his elder brother, the King of Bohai, was executed along with his entire family by Wang Fu on charges of treason, it is likely that Liu Fang was implicated.

Presumably, after eliminating Duan Jiong, the next step will be to take action against Wang Fu.

With this incident, none of Duan Jiong and Wang Fu's cronies from that incident will be able to escape.

This royal uncle is truly cunning.

……

In the distance came the sound of Qiaozhu stomping his feet in frustration, probably because a cricket had crawled into a crack in the rock.

Qiao Xuan waved his hand, whether laughing at the child or mocking himself, it was unclear.

"Lord Yuanyi, how are you guilty?"

Before he finished speaking, Qiao Xuan had already stood up, leaning on the stone table, and said, "It should be me, Lord Xie Yuanyi."

His back wasn't as straight as a young man's, but when he bowed deeply, it drooped like a pine tree:

"Compared to the prosperity of Luoyang, I envy the sun setting over the pass on the other side even more."

"Therefore, I thank Lord Yuanyi for allowing me to extricate myself from this spider web of Luoyang."

"I've wasted decades of my life, seen countless faces, but rarely have found true sincerity..."

"Although you did not explain the details, what I saw was that you ultimately protected my child."

Therefore, Xie Yuanyi and his brother did not deceive each other with false words, but treated each other with sincerity.

At this point, Qiao Xuan's voice softened.

He looked at the wind chimes hanging under the eaves, which he had tied to the bamboo bridge yesterday.

“In the past, I also had lofty ambitions, full of youthful vigor.”

"He had a second son, whom he named Yu, hoping that he would be like a roc, spreading his wings for thousands of miles."

"He had a young daughter, whom he named Lan, hoping she would remain chaste and upright."

"Unexpectedly, my eldest son died young, and after years of ups and downs in my official career, I am now old and no longer courageous."

"If I have another son, I will name him Bamboo, whether it's for a clear stream or for a life of leisure..."

"In short, we don't want him to step into this conflict again."

As each word fell, a sharp glint gradually appeared in Qiao Xuan's eyes.

"Over the years, I have retreated again and again, hiding and dodging... but today's events seem to have struck me like a thunderbolt."

"The situation is dire, like an arrow released from a bow; under such circumstances, where can one find refuge?"

"Therefore, I thank Lord Yuanyi three times for his guidance and kindness..."

"As a subject of the Han dynasty, though I am old, how can I possibly retreat!"

In the distance came Xu Feng's voice urging Qiao Zhu, and the child's unwilling grumbling was mixed with the tinkling of the wind chimes under the corridor.

A gentle breeze swept by, infusing the two of them with warmth.

nation……

If the country is on the verge of collapse, what will become of a family?

Can……

Once you decide to enter the game, you're destined to be like an arrow shot from a bow, with no turning back.

As soon as Qiao Xuan finished speaking, Liu Fang was suddenly speechless.

Just like when they first met, Qiao Xuan slowly walked up to Liu Fang.

His palm landed heavily on Liu Fang's shoulder. "The teacup can be refilled when it's empty..."

"But if the Han dynasty falls, it will be difficult to rebuild it."

The silver strands at Qiao Xuan's temples fluttered in the wind, "This old man..."

"It can still shield Yuanyi from a few more gusts of wind."

(End of this chapter)