Chapter 0007 The First Expedition

Currently, various warlords in the Guandong region have received letters from Qiao Mao, falsely claiming to be the Three Dukes of the capital. As a result, they have begun to raise troops in various locations. As far as is known, the Governor of Bohai, Yuan Shao, and the Governor of Henei, Wang Kuang, are both stationed in Henei. Additionally, Zhang Yang from Shangdang has brought three thousand troops to join forces. Zhang Miao, Liu Dai, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, Bao Xin, Cao Cao, and others have gathered their troops in Suanzao. Yuan Shu and Sun Jian are stationed in Luyang, while Kong Jun is stationed in Yingchuan.

Thank you for your concern, Brother Mi. By the way, about the money I borrowed from your family last time...

A few days ago, Mi Fang had already arranged for troops to be stationed here, and at this moment, he is specifically waiting for the Tao merchants

Brother, what are you mumbling to yourself over there

Mi Fang was taken aback to see this young master wearing a stern expression... Is this fellow a bit forgetful? We had just agreed that the Mi family would form an alliance and support him, yet after just a few days of not seeing him, he shows no enthusiasm at all. Is he truly foolish or just pretending to be oblivious?

The陶商 was also left speechless by this statement, as it seems somewhat difficult to describe.

Mi Fang clicked his tongue and said: "Young Master, noble people tend to forget things. I am Mi Fang. On that day when you visited my elder brother at the Mi residence, I was the one who guided you. Have you forgotten, Young Master?"

There is no way... to force a duck onto a shelf; I have no choice but to try, which may be the consequence of having been too idle before... The person who was too idle does not seem to be me... I am just the one taking the blame...

As for the Tao merchant, he received the order to be appointed as the military supervisor, along with an iron military supervisor's token.

The potter raised his hand to wipe away the sweat, wondering if Tao should use such a metaphor for his father's feelings towards him, whether it would provoke divine retribution.

Ten miles west of the city lies the encampment of the five thousand troops led by Mi Fang

Who is this guy? A traitor! A Han traitor! ... A lackey! ... ... The last time at the Mi residence, he even openly mocked me!

Tao bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes

Hmm. The potter remains very indifferent

Ceramic merchant: "... ..."

Mi Fang was a bit taken aback by Tao Shang's rapid change, momentarily at a loss for words: "Is, is that so? Where have I lost weight? I feel like I have actually gained a few pounds... The young master has been exhausting himself for Xuzhou, toiling and worrying, which is why he has lost weight. This time coming to the military camp, I must make sure to replenish properly."

The potter turned around, patted Tao Ying's shoulder, and comforted him, saying: "Second brother, don't worry, elder brother will definitely not die. If I die, all the family assets will belong to you, right? Elder brother will not let it be so easily taken advantage of by you."

"Mi brothers, truly gentlemen, it is fate."

Tao Ying's expression is very cute: "What should I say then?"

You just need to know

Upon hearing this, Tao Ying's expression was almost as if he were about to cry: "Brother, that won't happen! You won't die!"

The potter sighed and suddenly realized that no matter how much he studied, this matter ultimately remained unsolvable

The position of Zhonglangjiang can be considered a relatively prestigious official title that Tao Qian could appoint after establishing his government. Although the boundaries of power are quite ambiguous, it is evident that Tao Qian indeed took this opportunity to support the Mi family.

similar to the meaning of appreciation

The potter shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "I’m afraid that won’t work... My father has only two sons, one must go to war while the other must stay to guard the home. In case the one who goes to battle meets with misfortune, at least there will be one successor to ensure that the family does not face issues of inheritance."

Oh! Tao Ying nodded, seemingly enlightened: "So it seems... elder brother, our father truly worships you today with utmost reverence"

"Young Master, have you mistaken the person? Please think carefully, you visited my home some time ago... You still owe my family money, don't you remember... 10,000 coins," Mi Fang cautiously reminded.

Elder brother, are you really planning to lead the troops to deal with Dong Zhuo on behalf of father? Tao Ying's expression remained quite endearing

Elder brother, you are truly impressive! Just a few words earlier left our father speechless. I noticed the way he looked at you; he genuinely seems quite fond of you.

... ...

It would have been better if Mi Fang had not said anything; however, upon hearing this, Tao Shang felt quite unconvinced.

Hmm. The potter responded indifferently, as a form of greeting.

Tao Qian first sent a letter, falsely claiming to the various lords that he was old and ill, and therefore unfit for a military expedition. He could only send his son, Tao Shang, to serve in the army and attend the alliance. After receiving the lords' reply, he immediately instructed Tao Shang and Mi Fang to draft a strategy and discuss the matter of military deployment

Tao was listening to Tao Shang muttering to himself when he suddenly said: "Elder brother, I have just heard the term 'five bodies cast to the ground' for the first time today. What metaphor does it represent?"

Young Master, have you mistaken me for someone else? It is I! Mi Fang! We have met before! You, my elder brother, and I have been together...

In this way, Mi Zhu's desire to intervene in the military affairs of Xuzhou was realized, but at the same time, the Cao family also intervened in the financial matters that the Mi family had always been responsible for

The merchant was taken aback: "Who might you be, Your Excellency?"

What is meant by "unsuccessful expedition"? This is it

The carriage arrived at the gate of the command post, and the merchant Tao presented the military inspection token. The soldiers respectfully guided the carriage into the military camp and led the merchant Tao to the command tent

"Second brother, it is not my intention to criticize you, but you truly ought to be sent back to your mother's womb to start over... 'Admiration'... can this term be applied to me and our father?"

Let us go. The potter's eyes were slightly sore, but he did not linger. As soon as the whip cracked, the horse-drawn cart slowly moved towards the outskirts of the city.

After a while

As he got onto the carriage, Tao Shang caught a glimpse of Tao Qian secretly standing by the door railing, silently bidding him farewell. Although it was merely a silhouette, Tao Shang could discern from the reflection on the ground that the figure leaning on a cane resembled a gnarled old tree, showing no signs of strength or uprightness, as if it had already been hollowed out.

My father, Tao Qian, was a scholar and held several positions, serving as the governor of a province, with a reputation that was not insignificant... I, Tao Shang, am also of gentlemanly character... Since I am a gentleman, how can I lower my own worth and engage in empty flattery with such base and despicable people

Mi Fang waved her hand generously and said, "I will make the decision for my brother, no need to repay!"

Young Master! As Tao Shang entered the command tent, he saw the plump Mi Fang running eagerly towards him, clasping his hands in greeting: "Young Master! It has been a long time!"

One day later, the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, issued an order to appoint Mi Fang, the brother of Mi Zhu, as the General of the Central Army, assigning him as the main commander for the upcoming expedition. He was to lead a total of 5,000 troops, including cavalry, infantry, and crossbowmen, to convene with the feudal lords and march westward to attack Dong Zhuo. At the same time, he arranged for Cao Chuo, the brother of Cao Bao, to serve as the granary officer, assisting Mi Zhu in overseeing the logistics of supplies for the western campaign

The corner of the potter's mouth began to twitch

Tao Shang looked at his younger brother with helplessness, feeling a cold sweat for his innocence and naivety

Tao Shang had little in terms of possessions, and most of what he owned actually belonged to Tao Qian. Aside from his clothing, the only asset he could claim as his own was the 10,000 coins borrowed from Mi Zhu. After much contemplation, Tao Shang ultimately decided to take that money with him. In times of poverty, wealth on the road could prove beneficial; should he find himself captured in the event of a battlefield defeat, having this money might just buy him a chance at survival

Upon exiting the main hall, Tao Yingyi snapped out of his earlier daze and began to chatter incessantly.

Under the counsel of Tao Shang, the Mi family and the Cao family did not even have time to consider Tao Qian's instigation, but instead began to frantically devise countermeasures, thus slowly creating rifts between them

Historically, Mi Fang followed Liu Bei for nearly twenty-five years, yet in the final battle at Xiangfan, he betrayed his lord, indirectly leading to the death of Guan Yu. How can one reconcile such disloyalty and breach of trust in serving one's sovereign

Hmm? Ah? Mi Fang felt a bit confused; it seemed that Young Master Tao's attitude towards him was somewhat overly indifferent, quite different from the sunny and cheerful demeanor he had displayed during their last encounter at his home

Worship? Not quite... Admiration? Also not fitting... Reverence? Somewhat more appropriate... Or perhaps prostration?

Elder brother, shall I go with you?

Elder brother, you are truly good to me

... ...

Holding the packed belongings, preparing to leave for the military camp to report, the butler Tao Hong and the second brother Tao Ying sent him off at the door, both old and young crying as if they were attending a funeral, as if Tao Shang would never return from this departure, which made Tao Shang feel quite aggrieved in his heart

Isn't this Mi Fang, my brother? I must have been seeing things just now... It seems like you have lost some weight after not seeing you for many days.