Chapter 1280 Using one’s body as bait
For Xia Houmao, a poisonous woman and a cheap maid might kill him at some point.
But the big man's trading channels can not only protect his life, but also ensure that he has enough food and clothing.
Which one is important and which one is light, and which one should be given up? Anyone with normal intelligence knows how to choose.
Xia Houxuan could not help but let out a long sigh when he saw that Xia Houmao had made up his mind and thought about the current situation of the Wei Dynasty.
Everyone has his or her own ambitions, and what my uncle said is not unreasonable.
He himself can be "fluctuated by all things without being tired of himself", detached from things, and indifferent to life and death, but he cannot require others to be as unafraid of life and death as he is.
After thinking about this, Xia Houxuan quickly regained his energy:
"That's good. We have all three lines of the Xiahou family and put them into one place each."
“If any one branch regains its momentum in the future, the disciples of the remaining two branches may be able to take advantage of it.”
“Opposite to pole!”
Xia Houmao on the side quickly swallowed the tea in his mouth and nodded repeatedly:
"I went to Zhongquan this time. In fact, it can be regarded as abandoning my family and career and going there to start over. Isn't it just to leave one more choice for our Xiahou family?"
Xia Houwei resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
My second brother is in Han. Doesn’t it count as a choice anymore?
Xia Houxuan's reaction was rather calm.
He just glanced at his uncle.
Alas, while the Han Dynasty was becoming more and more powerful, the Wei Dynasty was busy with party disputes and divisions.
Putting aside the position, choosing Han at this time may not be a wise choice.
It's just my uncle's ability...I don't know if he can gain a foothold in Han Dynasty?
But I remembered that there was another person over there in Han.
Xia Houxuan looked at Xia Houwei again, opened his mouth, but ultimately did not mention it.
Time was very tight and the matter was urgent. Since the three of them had made their own decisions, they did not say anything else. After discussing some key details and agreeing on a time, they went back to their homes to prepare.
Xia Houxuan returned to the back hall, summoned his wife Li Huigu, and told her what had happened.
If it were an ordinary woman, she would probably be frightened.
Most of those who are stronger and more assertive can only follow Alang's arrangements, pack their things, and make preparations silently.
Li Huigu is different. As the wife of a leader of metaphysics, she has a similar temperament to Xia Houxuan, so she is naturally outstanding.
She is a monastic.
That’s right, Li Huigu practiced Taoism.
The practice of Taoism during the Three Kingdoms period did not mean that one had to abandon one’s family and children.
It is precisely because Li Huigu practiced Taoism that her temperament has always been indifferent, which is quite compatible with Xia Houxuan, who is devoted to aloofness.
After listening to Xia Houxuan’s arrangements, she nodded calmly, and then asked:
“The caravan sent by my uncle is crowded, and no matter how hard we try to hide it, there will inevitably be omissions when there are women and children in the caravan, so what should we do?”
Xia Houxuan smiled and said:
"In the past few months, how many families have left Luoyang and fled to other places? Large families can organize their own security guards, while ordinary families can only travel in groups."
“It’s a rare opportunity to be able to follow the caravan now. Isn’t it normal to have women and children among them?”
"Besides, the caravan is flying the flag of the Taifu Palace. Unless there is an order, who will search it?"
Not to mention the times of war, even in times of peace, travelers should travel together.
Otherwise, if you walk alone to a place with few or no people, you will disappear inexplicably.
Looking at Alang’s relaxed and carefree face, Li Huigu looked calm:
"What about Alang? If Alang stayed in Luoyang, have you ever thought about the consequences?"
Xia Houxuan was startled and looked into Li Huigu’s clear eyes:
"Why did Mr. Xi say this?"
Li Huigu sighed softly:
“The matter about my sister-in-law has already put Alang and Master Sima at odds with each other. However, Alang is too famous and Master Sima has no excuse, so he doesn’t dare to do anything to Alang easily.”
The sister-in-law mentioned by Li Huigu is Xia Houxuan's biological sister.
At the same time, she also gave birth to five daughters to Master Sima, but they were poisoned by Master Sima himself and claimed to be Xia Houhui who died violently.
Li Huigu is not an ordinary woman, she has a lot of experience.
When a plague broke out in Luoyang in the early years, she even went to the outside of the city to collect herbs to treat the people.
If we say, Xia Houxuan has a great reputation among the literati in Wei.
His wife Li Huigu was benevolent in giving orders to the people.
In addition, Xia Houxuan and her husband have been married for many years, and they have a similar mind. At this time, Xia Houxuan's thoughts are probably not hidden from her:
“Now our mansion is surrounded by the eyes and ears sent by the Sima clan. If Alang wants to send us out of the city, he will definitely do something to attract the attention of the Sima clan, right?”
The Xiahou family's escape from Luoyang could not be concealed for long.
Sima Shi will definitely discover Alang’s purpose by then, how can he be lenient?
Xia Houxuan looked at Li Huigu, his eyes showing warmth that had never been shown to outsiders. He stretched out his hand and gently stroked Li Huigu's hair:
“If you and your children can leave Luoyang safely with my life, why should I be afraid of my death?”
Li Huigu raised her head, her face was still as elegant as a chrysanthemum, her eyes were clear and solid.
Xia Houxuan also stared at her, as if he wanted to carve everything about her into his heart:
“If, I mean if, something bad happens to me...”
At the same time, his hand slid down to Li Huigu's face, and his thumb slid gently, as if he wanted to integrate the touch of the two of them into his own flesh and blood.
His voice floated and seemed to be in my ears:
"You just find a good family to marry. I've already told my uncle that they can take care of the child."
Li Huigu blinked and suddenly smiled. The smile on her face was like a gentle ripple on a calm lake:
"I am a noble wife at the age of fourteen, but my face is still shy. She lowers her head to the dark wall and never calls her a thousand times. At the age of fifteen she raises her eyebrows, wishing to be with dust and ashes. I always keep my letter holding the pillar, how can I go up to the husband's platform?"
Although Feng Mingwen was a mortal enemy of the Wei Dynasty, he had to admit that he was indeed the most brilliant literary talent after King Chen Si (i.e. Cao Zhi).
The original name is "Changganxing", and it is often called "Poems of Childhood Sweethearts" by the world. It describes a woman's thoughts.
Li Huigu read a few lines from the poem. The words were not stated clearly, but her thoughts were revealed.
When Xia Houxuan heard these lines of poetry, his eyes became hot and tears almost fell.
Li Huigu raised her hand and pressed it on the back of Xia Houxuan's hand, her eyebrows became gentle:
"If something unexpected happens to Alang, I will try to raise the child, go to the mountains to practice Taoism, or treat the sick and suffering people. I still feel that there is not enough time in my life, so why waste time by remarrying?"
Although Li Huigu spoke softly, Xia Houxuan, who was familiar with her, knew that once she made up her mind, she would never change it.
He couldn't help but hold her in his arms.
The two hugged each other quietly for a while, and then separated.
“I’ve gone to clean up.”
"good."
Li Huigu turned around and left three times a step. Xia Houxuan watched her back intently as she disappeared around the corner.
—
At dusk, Xia Houxuan appeared at the door of Taifu's Mansion and handed a greeting note to the concierge:
If it had been anyone else, the concierge would have simply refused.
But Xia Houxuan's reputation made the concierge dare not neglect him.
After a while, Sima Zhao appeared in Xia Houxuan's field of vision.
“Taichu! Taichu, why did you come here?”
Sima Zhao’s face was filled with surprise, joy, and even some disbelief.
Seeing Sima Zhao's appearance, a trace of guilt flashed in Xia Houxuan's eyes.
Different from Sima Shi, although Xiahou Xuan and Sima Zhao were not close friends, they were not estranged either.
Sima Zhao, on the other hand, had some respect and closeness for Xia Houxuan, a famous "Four Cong" scholar.
“I heard that Zhonghujun (i.e. Sima Division) was ill, so I came to visit him.”
"Taichu is determined, determined! Zhao thanks my brother!"
Sima Zhao had some emotion in his tone.
Sima Zhao is naturally aware of the grudges between Sima Shi and Xia Houxuan.
But no matter what, the relationship between the two people was that of brother-in-law and uncle.
In Sima Zhao's opinion, Taichu's magnanimity to put aside his past grudges and come to visit was indeed rare.
When others come, it may be suspected of flattery.
But with Taichu’s reputation and status, why should he cater to the Sima family?
“I wonder how the Central Guards Army’s condition is?”
Sima Zhao hesitated for a moment, then his face quickly returned to its natural state:
"Wuyouer, I just need to rest. Taichu, please come with me to talk."
When Sima Zhao said this, he concealed it very well. He turned sideways and held his hands, while his eyes avoided Xia Houxuan.
Xia Houxuan nodded and followed Sima Zhao into the inner hall of the mansion.
“My wife is proficient in medical skills, so I have collected some rare medicinal materials in my house. I just don’t know if they will be useful for the Central Guards’ illness.”
Before the host and guest took their seats, Xia Houxuan took out a small wooden box and handed it to Sima Zhao.
Sima Zhao took it over unexpectedly and then thanked him:
“Taichu is interested, please sit down.”
Xiahou Xuan sat down as he was told, then shook his head:
"It's not that they are intentional or not, but that the Western bandits are approaching and the people of Luoyang are unstable. This is the time when the Central Guards need to step forward."
Sima Zhao's face felt a little hot when he heard this.
He naturally knows what has happened in Luoyang these days.
But his prestige is far inferior to Sima Shi.
Coupled with the means and skills, it is even more incomparable.
Not to mention the sharpness of the Western bandits' troops, not to mention Sima Shi, even Sima Yi would not dare to plunder his tassel.
How could Sima Zhao, who started in **** mode, give Luoyang officials enough confidence?
So chaos and panic in Luoyang are almost inevitable.
No matter how many reasons there are, they cannot hide the fact that these situations only occurred after Sima Zhao took charge of Luoyang.
If it were someone else, Sima Zhao would probably suspect that the other person was mocking him.
But he knew that Xia Houxuan would not do this. If he really meant this, he would probably say it directly.
Guo heard Xia Houxuan continue to say:
"Although I am at odds with Ziyuan, I came to deliver medicine to him this time, not for any other purpose, but for the sake of Wei."
Speaking of this, Xia Houxuan sighed:
"Luoyang is the capital of the Wei Dynasty after all. If it is taken away by the Western thieves, the morale of the Wei army and people will be severely damaged."
Looking at Sima Zhao, he continued:
"The Grand Tutor must also know this, but why hasn't he returned to Beijing for so long?"
“Taichu’s words are really rude!” Sima Zhao had a wry smile on his face.
He didn't believe that others didn't know. Xiahou Taichu didn't know that he was in charge of Luoyang at this time.
Xia Houxuan naturally understood what Sima Zhao meant and said bluntly:
“My son is loyal, tolerant and wise, and is a good scholar. Given time, he will definitely be able to appoint talents and make great achievements. It’s a pity..."
Xiahou Xuan paused for a moment.
Sima Zhao quickly asked: "What's the pity?"
Even the most famous people in the world may not be able to catch Xiahou Taichu's eyes.
I never thought that I would receive such high praise from the other party today. If word spreads in the future, my reputation will definitely reach a higher level.
"It's a pity that my experience is a little bit shallow. If I can have a few more years of experience, Zhongda can add another helping hand!"
Sima Zhao couldn't help but grin after hearing this, but he realized that Xia Houxuan was talking about "a few more years of experience", not about his current self.
He looked at Xia Houxuan, his eyes burning, and he almost said, "As a great talent in Taichu, why don't you come into the house to help?"
Just thinking that even his own master failed to convince the other party, Sima Zhao couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
When the words came to my lips, they turned into:
“I have received the award at the beginning of the year, and I am ashamed that I do not deserve it.”
As he spoke, his face changed to a slightly sad look:
“My lord is currently far away in Yecheng, and my brother is ill and needs to rest. Everything in Luoyang is extremely chaotic. As Taichu said, although Zhao has good intentions, he often makes mistakes while busy, alas!”
Looking at Xia Houxuan with some hope, "Based on Taichu's opinion, what should I do?"
Xia Houxuan was silent for a moment, then shook his head:
“To be honest, I have been thinking about how to resolve the current crisis in Luoyang these days.”
“Of course,” Xia Houxuan sighed, “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t have any clue, unless...”
Xia Houxuan looked at Sima Zhao, "Unless the Taifu leads the army back and takes advantage of the bandits' unpreparedness to recapture Hangu Pass, otherwise, we can only fight to the death with the bandits under Luoyang City."
"This is impossible. The imperial court has issued an edict, asking your Majesty to supervise the military affairs of Jizhou." Sima Zhao shook his head, "Besides, there is a road leading to Jizhou from Bingzhou. Your Majesty also needs to be on guard against the Western bandits from Bingzhou. How can we lead the army back?"
As for a decisive battle with the Western bandits at the gates of Luoyang City, that is even more impossible.
Who doesn’t know that the Western thieves are extremely sharp and difficult to resist?
In the past, my lord was under Chang'an City, and with the support of the entire Wei Dynasty, no one thought of a decisive battle with the Western thieves.
Now that Xuchang is constantly constrained, how can you lead the army back to Luoyang under the city of Luoyang to make a final stand with the Western bandits?
It is indeed the last resort.
Winning is just maintaining the status quo.
If he loses, the Sima family may never recover.
If it were Sima Zhao himself, he would not be able to make this choice.
Xia Houxuan naturally knew that this method would not work at all.
However, he did not come here this time to discuss with Sima Zhao how to defend Luoyang.
He just wanted to delay time and attract attention at the same time.
Xiahou Xuan knew that he was the one who worried the Sima family the most among the three Xiahou clans.
As long as he appears openly and walks on the street, even if he does nothing, it is enough to distract the spies.
"What Zishang said is not wrong." Xia Houxuan sighed, "What about Yi Zishang's intention?"
(End of this chapter)