(PS: The new book list is just a cloud! Two more updates will be made today. As long as new and old friends enjoy reading it, and it reaches 200,000 words, I will leave it on the list.)

After rejecting Tao Qian's offer to propose marriage on his son's behalf, the Mi Zhu brothers were naturally prepared to fall out with the Tao family at any time. However, what the Mi Zhu brothers did not expect was that when the draft was drafted the next day, Tao Qian suddenly sent another envoy.

It was said that Xuzhou civil and military officials were summoned to discuss the important matter of establishing a direct heir. Mi Zhu brothers, who had already thought that Tao Qian would delay the decision on the matter, were surprised and happy after hearing the news. After confirming that Tao Qian had indeed summoned all Xuzhou civil and military officials to discuss, Mi Zhu brothers hurriedly

He changed into his official uniform and hurried to Tao Qian's governor's office to discuss matters.

When the Mi Zhu brothers rushed to the Governor's Mansion, most of Xuzhou's civil and military officials had already arrived, but Tao Qian and his son did not show up, so Xuzhou's civil and military officials did not have much taboos. They gathered together in twos and threes, and all they discussed was Tao Qian.

Qian's choice of heir, the Mi Zhu brothers listened separately for a while, and unexpectedly found that except for a few pedantic and stupid bookworms, most of the Xuzhou officials were optimistic about Tao Ying.

The reason for being optimistic about Tao Ying is very simple. Tao Ying is courageous and knowledgeable. He once saved the people of Xuzhou from fire and water. Although the army of gentlemen he formed by himself has not made any achievements, it has not committed any mistakes. At the same time, Tao Ying presides over Wuxian County.

He also did his best in political affairs, which is enough to prove that Tao Ying's political and military abilities are a hundred times better than his cowardly brother Tao Shang. If Tao Qian passes Xuzhou to Tao Ying, then Xuzhou may still have some hope.

But if it were passed to the pottery merchants, Xuzhou's future would be completely bleak.

If the skin is gone, how can the hair be attached? Most civil and military officials in Xuzhou understand this truth, so even Xu Fang, a famous scholar in Xuzhou who almost wears the same trousers as Mi Zhu's brother, was a little shaken in his words, feeling that if Tao Qian was determined

Passing the position of Xuzhou Mu to Tao Ying, who was relatively mature, was actually a helpless choice that was inferior to the superior but more than inferior. It was far better than passing Xuzhou to a potter who was so honest that he couldn't beat a fart with three hammers.

Hearing these comments from Xuzhou officials, brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang inevitably looked at each other. Only then did they realize that their brothers had thought of their colleagues too simply. They usually seemed to be chasing horses and fighting dogs, eating, drinking, having fun, chanting the wind and moonlight, but it was useless.

At the critical moment, I knew each one of them more clearly than the other. It was definitely not as easy as imagined to use them as swords or guns.

"My lord has arrived——!"

At this time, accompanied by a long shout from the guards in the hall, Tao Qian, who had obviously recovered a lot, was wearing the official uniform of the governor, and strode up to the hall with the support of Tao Shang and Tao Ying brothers.

The pottery merchant who took up the official position was still dressed as a Confucian scholar, while Tao Ying was very arrogant, wearing armor all over his body and a black cloak behind him, which seemed a bit majestic and heroic. The civil and military officials in Xuzhou did not dare to neglect, and hurried along.

He raised his hands and bowed, "Greetings, my lord."

"Excuse me, my lords." Tao Qian waved his hand for everyone to stand up. He smiled and said straight to the point: "My lords and generals, I have summoned you to discuss something today. If nothing else, it is the matter of establishing a heir that you earnestly requested the day before yesterday."

All the civil and military officials in Xuzhou were silent, waiting with bated breath for Tao Qian to speak. Tao Qian did not let the officials speak, and said: "Xu Zhizhong is right. Although the old man's condition has improved recently, he is already sixty-three after all.

In his dying years, if we don't establish a legitimate son as soon as possible, if something unexpected happens, civil strife will break out in Xuzhou, so I must establish a legitimate son as soon as possible and take precautions against any eventuality."

"Okay, that's very well said." Tao Qian nodded and said, "I have actually had this intention for a long time. Even before the Cao Thief Rebellion, I had thought about establishing a direct heir, but the two old men

My sons, Tao Shang and Tao Ying, were both mediocre and useless, with little talent and little virtue, and they were embarrassed to take on big responsibilities, so I gave up the idea. Later, I proposed to transfer Xuzhou to Liu Bei and Liu Xuande twice, but they were rejected.

The opposition of the young master and the general..."

Speaking of this, Tao Qian suddenly pointed at Mi Zhu and sighed: "For example, Mi Zhu, Mi Biejia, firmly opposed Lao Chan's transfer of Xuzhou to Xuande Gong. Mi Biejia also persuaded Lao Chan that Lao Chan's two sons have the talent.

Although it is thin, it is not necessarily better when you are young. In the same way, if you are naughty when you are young, you may be late in blooming. Therefore, I suggest that I give these two dogs a little more time and wait until they are carefully observed before making a decision. I just listen.

After receiving Mi Biejia's suggestion, I gave up my plan to immediately give Xuzhou to Xuande for the third time."

"Pfft!" Tao Ying almost laughed out loud - the conscience of heaven and earth, Tao Qian's words really were not taught by Deputy Director Tao.

"Is there such a thing?" There was also some commotion in the Xuzhou Baiguan train. Everyone rushed to turn their attention to Mi Zhu, and some people yelled in their hearts, "Shameless thief, not only riding on two boats, but also treating me

Pushed out to be the best! Old slippery guy, he’s just as good as his own!"

"My lord." Mi Zhu became anxious and quickly raised his hands and said, "My lord, when did Mi Zhu say such a thing? Why doesn't Mi Zhu remember it?"

"Don't be humble. It's all in the past. There's no need to mention it anymore." Tao Qian shook his head like a young son and blamed Mi Zhu for his role in protecting the Lord. Then Tao Qian turned to the tent next to him.

Former captain Cao Hong ordered: "Cao Hong, bring those things up."

"No." Cao Hong agreed, and quickly brought a dark iron box and placed it in front of Tao Qian. Mi Zhu, Cao Bao and other Xuzhou officials looked at it intently, and were surprised to find that the iron box contained three copper locks and had a sticker on it.

The seal was made of Caihou paper, with the date written on it, and Tao Qian's seal of Xuzhou Mu. All the officials in Xuzhou couldn't help but wonder, "This iron box is so grand, what is in it?"

"Since ancient times, due to the issue of direct heirship, I don't know how many civil strife have been caused, and I don't know how many people have been killed and their lives have been reduced to five steps." Tao Qian said slowly and heavily: "Thank you, Mi Bieji, for your wonderful ideas and wisdom.

, gave Lao Chan a great inspiration, helped Lao Chan solve this big problem, and also helped the princes of the world solve this big problem. Lao Chan even thought that with this trick, you could even go down in the annals of history forever and remain famous forever.

.”

Everyone turned their attention to Mi Zhu. They really couldn't understand what Tao Qian meant by this. Why did he praise Mi Zhu so much, who was almost openly on Liu Bei's side? Mi Zhu himself was even more confused and asked quickly:

"My lord, what inspiration did Mi Zhu give you? Why doesn't Mi Zhu remember it?"

"Mi Bieji, please stop being modest." Tao Qian said with a smile: "Yesterday at noon, I summoned you alone. Although you didn't say it explicitly, your words hinted at me to adopt this plan. I know

Your reason is that both Shang'er and Ying'er are the sons of Lao Chan. You can't favor one over the other. You invited Duke Xuande to Xuzhou. You really can't express your opinions publicly on the issue of Lao Chan's heir apparent. It doesn't matter, Lao Chan doesn't mind.

"

"I mind!" Mi Zhu roared in her heart, "What kind of medicine is sold in your gourd, old Tao Qian? If these ambiguous words reach Mr. Xuande's ears, what will Mr. Xuande think?!"

"Father, the boy dared to interrupt, what plan did Mi Biejia hint to his father?" Tao Ying asked Tao Qian curiously before Mi Zhu asked.

"It has nothing to do with you, no questions are allowed, and no private inquiries are allowed!" Tao Qian scolded his son, "Step back, I am discussing important matters with you as a father, you are a child with a yellow mouth, don't interrupt!"

"Promise, I admit my guilt." Tao Ying retreated dejectedly.

Being interrupted by Tao Ying, blocking Mi Zhu's opportunity to ask questions, Tao Qian took the opportunity and continued: "My lords, you must be very strange, why did Mi Biejia hint this clever plan to me? For no other reason than this.

Because of these two unscrupulous old men, one of them is honest, cowardly and useless, and the other is bold, brave and foolhardy. No matter which one of them I appoint as my legitimate son, it will inevitably ruin Xuzhou and the Tao family. If I ask Xuan

The Duke of Virtue gave up to Xuzhou three times, but he was also afraid that these two unfilial sons would have evil thoughts and cause trouble. It was really a dilemma."

Speaking of this, Tao Qian paused and said quickly: "Mi Biejia's method is good. Mi Biejia cleverly inspired me and asked me to hide the document of succession in the iron box, affix a seal and add another

Put three copper locks on it, and then secretly give the three keys to three important ministers in Xuzhou. After a hundred years of aging, these three important ministers can get together, open the iron box in public, take out the document of succession and read it out in public.

, support the new governor of Xuzhou! In this way, all hidden dangers can be eliminated."

"Wonderful!" Many Xuzhou civil and military officials who reacted quickly exclaimed. They all said that although this method of passing the throne was unknown in ancient times and modern times, it almost eliminated all the hidden dangers of direct succession, which not only ensured the smooth transfer of Xuzhou, but also avoided

After the establishment of the legitimate son, the issue of the enthronement of the legitimate son and the safety of the legitimate son can be said to be an ingenuity that achieves multiple things with one stone.

"Did I come up with this idea?" Mi Zhu himself was even more surprised, thinking that it was I who hinted such a brilliant idea to Mr. Tao Qian? After being surprised for a long time, Mi Zhu finally came to his senses and secretly shouted: "

Oops! Mr. Tao Qian has sealed the document of succession and will publish it after his death. What else can Xuande and I do to instigate the two young brothers Tao Shang and Tao Ying to fight and fight each other? Mr. Tao Qian,

How could you come up with such a wicked and bad idea?!"

"My lords, please take a look." Tao Qian held up the iron box and showed it in public while saying seriously: "I can tell you clearly that after my death, I have three choices for the successor. One is my eldest son, Tao Shang, and the other is Tao Shang, my eldest son.

It is Tao Ying, the second son of the old man, and the third is Xuzhou benefactor who is stationed in Xiaopei. A hundred years from now, I will open the iron box and take out the document of my succession. No matter whose name is written on it, you must act as if you are assisting me.

, I tried my best to assist him and supported him as the governor of Xuzhou, remember?"

"We will remember your lord's order." All the civil and military officials in Xuzhou replied together.

Tao Qian nodded with satisfaction, and then sent word to his confidant Cao Hong, ordering him to put the iron box on the beam of the hall of Xuzhou Governor's Mansion with his own hands. He also told Cao Hong to take good care of it and not let anyone touch it. He was the loyal lackey of the old Tao family.

Cao Hong respectfully agreed and immediately arranged for Tao Mansion guards to take turns guarding.

After placing the documents of succession, Tao Qian took out three new keys with red ribbons from his sleeves and showed them to the public. Then Tao Qian said: "These three keys are to open the iron box where I hide the documents of succession."

The keys are of extraordinary importance, I must give them to the three most trusted ministers of Xuzhou for safekeeping, so - Mi Zhu, Mi Farewell."

Tao Qian called out twice, and Mi Zhu came to his senses. He said that Tao Qian was going to get a key for him to keep, so he hurriedly stepped out of the queue and handed it over, "Mi Zhu is here."

"Mi Biejia, you are right." Tao Qian held up the three keys and said slowly: "Although these three keys are small objects, their significance is extremely important. They cannot be given in public, otherwise, they may be given to others.

People bring endless troubles and troubles. Therefore, I have decided to respect your opinion. I will secretly give these three keys to each of them and entrust them to the important ministers of Xuzhou in my mind for safekeeping. I also want to thank you and thank you for your consideration for me.

Such thoughtfulness. Someone comes and gives Mibie a pair of jade-walled chariots as a reward for his merits."

"No." Cao Hong and other guards from the Tao Mansion agreed and brought a pair of snow-white jade walls that had been prepared before and brought them to Mi Zhu.

Looking at the jade wall in front of her, Mi Zhu was completely turned upside down. She knew that Old Fox Tao Qian was deliberately plotting against her, but she couldn't figure out what kind of medicine Tao Qian Old Fox was selling in his gourd. What kind of pit of fire did he want to push himself into?

When Tao Qian opened his mouth to defend himself, Tao Qian blocked all his chances to defend himself. Mi Zhu, who was only a second-rate strategist in the Three Kingdoms era, was completely helpless.

Completely opposite to Mi Zhu, Xuzhou's civil and military officials had complicated thoughts. They either envied Mi Zhu or admired Mi Zhu, but most of them were filled with hatred and dissatisfaction. Mi Zhu brothers incited and forced Tao Qian to become his heir.

Instigated secretly, Xuzhou officials, either for public or private reasons, finally forced Tao Qian to decide to establish a direct heir. However, Mi Zhu came to Tao Qian and came up with such a bad idea to flatter, which made the civil and military officials who encouraged the direct heir to be scolded and angry.

, it would be weird if the Xuzhou officials who had been fooled by the scheme were not furious. Especially Xu Fang, a celebrity in Xuzhou who was encouraged by the Mi Zhu brothers to become the leader, he wanted to bite the Mi Zhu brothers a few times!

At the same time, everyone, including Mi Zhu's younger brother Mi Fang, agreed on one thing - among the three keys, Mi Zhu, the one who suggested the idea, definitely had one!

The meeting ended quickly, and the Xuzhou civil and military officials dispersed together. Mi Biejia also held the jade wall in despair and left, enduring the complaints from her younger brother. Mi Fang also believed that this good idea was presented to Tao Qian by Mi Zhu.

When going out, Mi Zhu almost tripped over the threshold and made a dog eat his shit. Seeing Mi Zhu's stumbling and embarrassed appearance, Tao Qian, Tao Shang, Tao Ying and his son almost laughed out loud. They finally endured it until Mi Zhu brothers walked out of the door.

Qian and his son finally burst into laughter uncontrollably.

"A thief kills a talented person, why didn't he fall into a trap?" The pottery merchant was actually not so stupid that he didn't understand anything. He laughed wildly with gloating and cursed: "You have evil intentions and want to provoke me and my second brother to fratricide. You should be thrown down."

Lose some front teeth!”

"This time, Mr. Xuande can't even think about suspecting him." Tao Ying also said with a smile: "Originally, as long as you pay a little attention, it is not difficult to see that this is a divorce plan, but our Mr. Xuande is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Even if you are sure,

It's my father's plan to alienate each other, so I still have some doubts in my heart - which side are these two brothers from? Could it be that they just want to give me a little hope and trick me into staying in Xuzhou as a watchdog? "

"What a pity." Tao Qian sighed with a smile, "When I hired him as my assistant, it wasn't entirely because he was the richest man in Xuzhou. I thought he did have some talent and I really wanted to use him. It's a pity, it's a pity."

Tao Ying smiled and said nothing. After several months of familiarity and integration, Tao Ying also basically figured out the general reason for the estrangement between Mi Zhu and the old Tao family - conflict of interest! The Tao family is an outsider in Xuzhou. If they want to stay in Xuzhou,

There are only two choices for the country. One is to be like Liu Biao in Jingzhou, and become one with the local powerful families and share weal and woe; the other is to be like Boss Cao, first subjugate them by force, and then reuse the local gentry, like feeding dogs.

Bones, reward some benefits to share with local nobles, and control the territory with absolute strength.

As for Tao Qian, Tao Qian neither had the force or talent like Boss Cao, nor did he bow to the local tyrants like Liu Biao, so he chose to reuse the Danyang team headed by Cao Bao, Xu Dan and Cao Hong, and use the Danyang team to dominate the Xuzhou area.
To be continued...