On July 13th, Tao Ying, who had left Pengcheng for more than three months, returned to Pengcheng with thirty Qingqi. Tao Ying suddenly decided to come back this time, without informing anyone in advance, including Tao Qian.

With a sound, he temporarily handed over the Junzi Army to his cousin Tao Ji. He set off from Wuxian County in the early morning and arrived in Pengcheng just after Shenshi in the afternoon.

Tao Ying had no choice but to come back. Tao Ying received news that on July 11th, Zhizhong Xu Fang took advantage of the opportunity of all the officials in Xuzhou to gather at the governor's office, and suddenly proposed to Tao Qian the matter of establishing a direct heir, suggesting that he should be over six years old.

Tao Qian, who was ten years old and frail and sickly, had an heir early, and directly suggested that Tao Qian make his eldest son Tao Shang his heir. Although Xu Fang was unknown in the history of the Three Kingdoms, he was famous in Xuzhou during Tao Qian's time, and was the same as the murdered prefect Zhao of Guangling.

Yu was also called the Second Horseman of Xuzhou, and his reputation among the scholars in Xuzhou even far surpassed that of Wang Lang and Zhang Zhao who were both from Xuzhou - and of course surpassed Zhuge Zhengtai. Therefore, after Xu Fang took the lead, he immediately

He won countless responses from Xuzhou officials, and some civil and military officials echoed his words, instigating Tao Qian to make the pottery merchant his heir.

Xuzhou officials headed by Xu Fang put their hot faces on their cold buttocks. As the saying goes, there is no better son than a father. No one knows the virtues of his eldest son Tao Shang better than Tao Qian, and no one knows better than Tao Qian the way to pass Xuzhou to Tao Shang.

Therefore, Tao Qian almost without hesitation rejected the request of Xu Fang and others. But Tao Qian made another mistake at this time, that is, Tao Qian did not declare categorically that he would not consider establishing a direct heir for the time being, but instead mentioned Tao Ying's name.

Xuzhou officials were asked to compare the merits of Tao Shang and Tao Ying - of course, this does not rule out that Tao Qian felt that he should really consider the issue of establishing a legitimate son, so he compared his two sons.

Tao Qian mentioned Tao Ying's name, which naturally played into the hands of brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang. The two brothers took the lead and counted the various cups and cups brought by the deposed elders and established young ones in the past dynasties. They firmly opposed Tao Qian's choice of coffee table and asked Tao Qian to

Don't hesitate to wait and see, you should immediately establish the pottery merchant as your direct heir, so that you can inherit the position of Xuzhou Mu in the future. Xu Fang also led a large group of rotten scholars to support him, resolutely opposed Tao Qian to abolish the elder and establish the younger, and encouraged Tao Qian to immediately establish the pottery merchant and handle the matter.

Tao Qian, who was neither straightforward nor strong, was speechless.

To the disappointment and surprise of Mi Zhu brothers and others, when their plan seemed to have a glimmer of hope, Tao Qian's eldest son Tao Shang, who did not hold any official position, received the news and went straight to the lobby of the governor's office, stating that he had no intention of succeeding to the throne.

, and also asked Tao Qian to confirm Tao Ying, who had made great contributions to Xuzhou, as his direct descendant, and let Tao Ying succeed him in the future. As the elder brother, he was willing to be his younger brother's accomplice and lackey. However, he was firmly opposed by the Xuzhou civil and military officials headed by the Mi Zhu brothers.

Later, Tao Ying's good brother Tao Shang actually drew his sword and committed suicide to show that he had no intention of seizing the heir. Tao Qian took the opportunity to stop Tao Shang and Xuzhou officials and decided not to consider the matter of establishing a heir for the time being.

The turmoil temporarily subsided. After receiving such news, Tao Ying naturally had to rush back to Xuzhou.

He hurried into Xuzhou City and hurried back to his home. As soon as Tao Ying entered the door, he bumped into Tao Qian's number one confidant, Cao Hong. Seeing Tao Ying's sudden appearance, Cao Hong, who had not received any news beforehand, was naturally shocked and hurriedly

He came forward and saluted and said: "The last general, Cao Hong, has met the young master. When did the young master return to Xuzhou? Why does the last general know nothing about it?"

"I just arrived. I came back in a hurry. I didn't report it to my father in time, so the general didn't know." Tao Ying answered concisely, and then asked: "General Cao, where are my father and my brother now? I want to see them?"

"The master is recuperating in the back room. You can see him when he goes there." Cao Hong also answered quickly. Then Cao Hong hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said: "As for the eldest son, you will be afraid of the second master for a while."

I can't see him anymore - the eldest son has been invited to the mansion for a banquet by brother Mi Biejia, and he won't be able to come back until it gets dark at least."

"Going into battle shirtless? I really can't wait." Tao Ying snorted coldly, cupped his hands to Cao Hong and said: "Thank you, general, for your advice. Then Tao Ying will go to visit his father first, and then visit the general in the evening."

"Master, please go slowly." Cao Hong returned the salute, but Tao Ying did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked his soldiers to bring a small package. He held it in front of Cao Hong, Tao Qian's close confidant and the boss of the Danyang soldiers, and said with a smile: "

General Cao, I almost forgot, this is some local product Tao Ying brought to you from Wu County, please give it a try, General."

"Young Master is too polite. Who is Cao Hong? How dare I let you bring gifts?" Cao Hong pretended to give in, but Tao Ying forced the package into Cao Hong's hand. After taking the small package, Cao Hong's hands couldn't help but

As it fell, Cao Hong's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly whispered: "Young master, Cao Hong doesn't dare to take this position."

"General Cao, you don't have to be polite. Tao Ying is not with his father, and his father is old and sick. He relies on the general and his brother to take care of him at all times. This is Tao Ying's way of thanking the general for his father." Tao Ying's mouth felt like honey, and he lowered his voice.

He said in a loud voice: "General, please don't worry. The gifts inside were stolen by Tao Ying from the gangster's lair in Qilu. They are clean."

"Taking care of the bandits?!" Cao Hong was shocked and blurted out: "Sir, is it you who is looking for the bandits..."

"General Cao was joking, considering that it is more than a hundred miles away from Wu County and is in Xiapi County. How can Tao Ying come to eradicate it?" Tao Ying said with a smile: "Speaking of which, Tao Ying was also planning to ask Cao Ying

The general asked, is it the work of General Xu in Xiapi that all the bandits in Qulu County died overnight? If so, General Xu is amazing. Three or four hundred bandits, they died in one night.

We wiped them all out and not a single one escaped."

Although Cao Hong is known as a slanderous villain in Xuzhou, he is definitely not stupid. After hearing Tao Ying's words, he thought about it and quickly answered with understanding: "Young master guessed it right, it is the masterpiece of General Xu Dan."

, Cao Hong has just found out about this matter and is planning to report it to the Lord and ask the Lord to order a reward for General Xu Dan."

"It's indeed General Xu. Tao Ying really guessed it right." Tao Ying smiled happily and said goodbye to Cao Hong. But after taking two steps towards the backyard, Tao Ying felt something in his heart and felt that he had to test his advantage.

The eldest brother turned to Cao Hong and said, "General Cao, could you please send someone to Biejia Mansion later to inform Tao Ying's brother that Tao Ying has returned?"

Cao Hong rolled his eyes while holding the heavy small package, and quickly nodded and replied: "Second Young Master, don't worry, the general will arrange for someone to go to Biejia Mansion soon to let the Eldest Young Master know that the Second Young Master has returned."

All the way into the back room where Tao Qian was, Tao Ying saw Tao Qian sitting next to the desk at first sight, looking through the mountains of bamboo slips. Tao Ying did not dare to neglect, and hurried to kneel down in front of the desk.

, saluted and said: "My son Tao Ying, I'm here to pay my respects to my father. I haven't seen you for more than a hundred days. Is my father in good health?"

"Ying'er, are you back?" Seeing his second son suddenly appearing, Tao Qian was startled at first, then quickly stood up, picked up Tao Ying with both hands, and asked happily: "When did my son return to Pengcheng? Why not?"

Send someone to inform my father, and he and your brother will go outside the city to greet you?"

"The child misses his father and decided to return to Pengcheng to visit his father at the last minute, so he didn't have time to report to his father." Tao Ying was talking casually while carefully looking at Tao Qian's current situation. What made Tao Ying relieved was that Tao Qian had not seen him for more than three months.

Qian's condition has improved significantly, his asthma and cough have been significantly reduced, his face is a little more rosy, and he is much more energetic - from this, it can be judged that this cheap dad will not hinder him in the short term.

.

When Tao Ying was looking at Tao Qian, Tao Qian was also looking at his son whom he hadn't seen for many days. After a hundred days apart, Tao Ying had obviously lost weight, but his body looked much stronger. He no longer looked like he had more flesh and less bones.

The young master felt that at the same time, Tao Qian also carefully discovered that his youngest son's hands had a thick layer of calluses. It can be seen that during the military training in Wuxian, this son must have regarded himself as a new recruit.

The officers and men of the Junzi Army train together, and at the same time they have to take care of military affairs and Wuxian government affairs. The hard work and complexity are beyond the imagination of outsiders.

"Okay, okay, okay." Satisfied, Tao Qian patted Tao Ying's shoulder repeatedly and praised him, then smiled and said: "My son, actually, as a father, I think you should come back, but I didn't expect you to come back so quickly.

Come on, it seems that my son’s information is also very well-informed. Okay, okay.”

Tao Ying blushed a little and explained shamelessly: "Father misunderstood. In fact, it didn't happen. The child had already planned to come back to visit his father. It's just that he was too busy with military and political affairs and couldn't spare the time."

"It doesn't matter, my father is in much better health now, so I don't need to worry too much about my son." Tao Ying smiled kindly, not bothering to expose the hypocrisy of his biological son, and said with a smile: "Besides, my son doesn't often write to ask about his father.

Are you sick? As long as you have this heart, being a father is already very satisfying."

With that said, Tao Qian pushed Tao Ying to sit down on the other side of the desk. Then Tao Qian sat down in front of Tao Ying. He smiled and asked Tao Ying straight to the point: "My son came back in a hurry, but for the Xuzhou Baidu event the day before yesterday?"

Is there a request from the official to establish an heir for my father?"

"I don't dare to deceive my father. This is why I came here." Tao Ying didn't need to pretend to be stupid in front of Tao Qian, he just nodded and admitted.

"Then what are my son's plans?" Tao Qian smiled and asked: "As a father, if you follow the request of hundreds of officials and make your brother his heir, will my son agree or oppose it?"

"My child objects." Tao Ying's direct opposition made Tao Qian extremely surprised and a little dissatisfied. Fortunately, Tao Ying added: "Father, my child is not opposed to his father's heir because he is competing with his brother for the legitimate throne. He just thinks that if

If the father establishes an heir, then no matter whether the father establishes an elder brother or a child, he will fall into the trap of the big-eared thief."

"Liu Xuande's plot?" Tao Qian raised his silver eyebrows and said, "My son, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak out."

"The boy boldly stated it." Tao Ying didn't know if Tao Qian had seen through Liu Bei's trick, so he said slowly and carefully as much as possible: "In my opinion, the officials in Xuzhou asked my father to establish an heir, and it must be someone behind the scenes."

The thief is instigating, and once the father falls into the trap and declares an heir, no matter whether the father chooses the brother or the child, he will play into the hands of the big-eared thief and provide an opportunity for the big-eared thief to invade Xuzhou. Father, I wonder if you have any idea about this.

aware?"

Tao Qian remained calm and said, "My son, you can tell me in detail. There is no need to ask my father's opinion."

"The boy obeys the order." Tao Ying was even more cautious and said: "The boy thinks that if his father makes his brother his heir, then the big-eared thief will definitely try his best to win over his brother. He will first use wine, sex and wealth to corrupt him, flattery and flattery, and try his best to please his brother and win the prize.

The elder brother trusted him, and then instigated the brotherhood between the elder brother and the child, and instigated the elder brother and the child to fight against each other, and the big-eared thief took advantage of the opportunity to reap profits."

"At that time, if the child loses his composure, becomes greedy for his father's position as a state pastor, and does something treacherous and rebellious, then the Big-Ear thief will immediately come out and kill the child with force, weakening the power of our Tao family. Big-Ear Thief

It would be easy for the thief to capture Xuzhou again. And if the boy calms down and is willing to serve his brother as the leader, the big-eared thief doesn't care. As long as the big-eared thief controls his brother, he can use his brother's name to deprive the boy of his military power first, and then

The boy was exiled to a remote area, far away from Xuzhou. He was even killed directly to eliminate future troubles, and then framed the blame on his brother, and then raised troops to seize the city in the name of revenge for the boy. For the big-eared thieves, it was also a quick way to capture Xuzhou.

count."

Tao Qian smiled and asked: "My son, is your brother really so easily controlled and manipulated by others?"

Tao Ying also smiled and replied in a low voice: "Father, I secretly believe that if my father had not been worried about this matter, he would have established his brother as his legitimate son long ago."

Tao Qian smiled again and said: "Go on, if my father makes you his heir, how will Liu Xuande take advantage of this opportunity?"

"If the father makes the child his heir, it will be more beneficial to the big-eared thief." Tao Ying said with a smile: "First of all, brother Mi Zhu has something to say, saying that since ancient times, abolishing the elder and establishing the younger is the way to cause chaos.

, pulling a bunch of rotten scholars to express their opposition every day, and will not stop until Xuzhou is in a state of chaos and chaos. The big-eared thief also takes the opportunity to get closer to his brother. It is best if he can instigate his brother to seize the legitimate son by force. If not, wait until

When the sky in Xuzhou collapsed, the big-eared thieves also had a God-given opportunity to fish in troubled waters."

Tao Qian leaned against the wall, leaning his body and thinking. After a long time, Tao Qian suddenly smiled and said to Tao Ying: "People say that the father knows the son better than the father. Ying'er, you are really becoming more and more difficult for your father to see through."

, with such scheming, I feel a little ashamed of myself as a father."

"My father has given me the reward, but my son is also using his villain's heart to judge a gentleman." Tao Ying said modestly: "My son is still worried. Maybe he has misunderstood Mr. Xuande. In fact, Mr. Xuande has no such plans."

"My father doesn't know whether Mr. Xuande has these plans." Tao Qian shook his head and said with a smile: "But my son, maybe you really misunderstood Mr. Xuande. Mr. Xuande is a sincere gentleman. Such tricks, or

From the hands of brothers Mi Zhu."

"It's not like I'm looking down on Mi Zhu and Mi Fang. They can't think of such a trick." Tao Ying replied respectfully: "There is no other person in Xuzhou who can come up with such a vicious plan to fish in troubled waters, except Xuande Gong.

.”

"Maybe?" Tao Qian said with a smile: "My son can see through this plan at a glance from a hundred miles away. Could it be that my son can't use such a clever plan?"

Tao Ying was stunned, lowered his head rather shyly, and said: "My child is just a bystander. I am lucky enough to see through this plan. If I really want to arrange such a vicious plan myself, it is really difficult for my child to do it."

Tao Qian smiled again, feeling more and more that this son was too much like him, and then Tao Qian asked again: "Ying'er, now my father has chosen to postpone the establishment of an heir. He neither expressed his intention to make your brother his heir nor announced that he would make you his heir."

Hey, does Mr. Xuande still have a plan to deal with it?"

"Of course." Tao Ying said with a relaxed smile: "And it's already started. Father doesn't know, right? Brother Mi Zhu has invited his elder brother to a banquet. I believe that in a few days, someone will mention the establishment of a legitimate son in front of his father.

If the matter is over, there may be people spreading rumors in Xuzhou City. Anyway, Mr. Xuande will not give up until this topic is heated up."

"Same as my father's analysis." Tao Qian nodded and sighed: "What a pity, Ying'er, why are you the second son of my father?"

"Father, there is no need to feel sorry. Fortunately, the child is only his father's second son, otherwise things might be more troublesome." Tao Ying replied respectfully: "Some people don't see the opportunity to fish in troubled waters, so it's hard to guarantee that they won't have the idea of ​​​​taking it by force. And our Xuzhou army is now

Our vitality is severely damaged, and there are countless hidden dangers inside. It is difficult to win against our opponents in a head-on confrontation."

"You can see this, I am very happy as a father." Tao Qian patted Tao Ying on the shoulder with satisfaction, and said: "But my son can rest assured, Xuzhou is still in the hands of my father, and Xuzhou is still in my father's hands."

If a father doesn't talk about family matters, no one can fish in troubled waters."

"Father has misunderstood the child again." Tao Ying said with a smile: "The child returned to Xuzhou in a hurry this time not because he wanted to persuade his father not to have an heir temporarily so as to leave a chance for the child himself. The child came back this time to solve his father's problems -

The boy has a plan that will make Duke Xuande's scheme fail, shut up all the officials in Xuzhou, and then treat him in his own way, so that Duke Xuande and his close allies will have a rift and become suspicious of each other."

"Is there such a clever plan?" Tao Qian's eyes lit up and he said happily: "What a clever plan my son has, please tell me quickly."

"My child's plan is actually very simple." Tao Ying raised his hand to Tao Qian and said with a smile, "First of all, my child asks his father to choose an heir."
Chapter completed!