Jiao He's position was suddenly lifted to infinite height.
This made Kong Rong feel a little confused.
Qingzhou belongs to the Guandong region and is also a coastal area. Before the Yellow Turban Army wreaked havoc, it was indeed regarded as an important economic town in the world.
Controlling the lifeline of the salt industry, it can provide the court with a large amount of tax revenue every year. If it was said at that time that Qingzhou's decadence would lead to instability in the world, this statement was somewhat correct.
But today is different from the past.
After being plowed by the Yellow Turban Army, Qingzhou had long since become tattered and fragmented. Only the eastern coast was spared and suffered less damage due to its narrow location.
The rest of the counties have long been in ruins.
Such a dilapidated Qingzhou can only be said to be insignificant to the overall structure of the world.
What's more, the world is not chaotic enough. It has already become a pot of gruel. What does this have to do with Qingzhou?
Xu Shi saw doubts and confusion on Kong Rong's face. Cao Ang immediately took a step forward and came to Kong Rong, then looked directly at Kong Rong, and then explained in a persuasive tone.
"The land of Qingzhou may not matter to others, but to me and the entire Cao family, it is a very critical place."
"Because this place is adjacent to Yanzhou and located to the east of Yanzhou. It is the rear area of our Cao family."
"Only if this place is as stable as a mountain and as peaceful as a rock, can the stability of Yanzhou be guaranteed. If there is a small chaos here on the third day and a big chaos on the tenth, then when our Cao family wants to do something, we will only I feel constrained.”
"So incompetent people like Jiao He are just a malignant sore in my eyes. Only by digging it out and replacing it with a piece of good meat can we feel safe and comfortable."
…………
He listened to Cao Ang's explanation.
Kong Rong couldn't help but nodded repeatedly.
I roughly understood the logic in the words, and also understood the importance of Qingzhou to the Cao family. Only by stabilizing the rear can we use our fists in the front.
But what does this have to do with the world?
Since the topic was deep, Kong Rong didn't think so much when speaking. He stood up and asked Cao Ang.
"Qingzhou is indeed located behind Yanzhou. Once Qingzhou is settled, Yanzhou will be safe. This is the right reason."
"I just apologize for the offence. Whether Yanzhou is stable or not, and whether the Cao family can safely free up their hands and feet, has anything to do with the overall situation of the world."
"Could it be that in Zixiu's eyes, the land of the Cao family can already represent the world?"
The last sentence was a bit unkind.
The atmosphere suddenly became sharp.
However, Cao Ang didn't care.
Just in an understatement, he stretched out his hand and pointed to the west, and then explained meaningfully.
"The place where the Cao family has the same surname naturally cannot represent the general trend of the world. The stability and prosperity of Yanzhou cannot determine whether the imperial court is strong or not."
"But the reason why I connected the two is because my father, Cao Cao, and I planned to unite our troops and march westward to Chang'an after the spring, raise Yi soldiers to attack the Dong traitors, and use King Qin's army to welcome back the emperor. The unfinished work of attacking Dong Lijun at the beginning!"
…
Speaking of which.
Cao Ang deliberately paused for a few seconds.
Giving Kong Rong enough time to digest the information, he deliberately whetted his appetite.
Then I witnessed with my own eyes that Kong Rong suddenly raised his head, his pupils shrank violently, his eyes protruded outward, and his face was filled with an inexplicable look of horror.
in this way.
Cao Angcai continued with satisfaction.
"Only when Yanzhou has no worries, my father and I can free up our hands without any worries and mobilize most of the troops in the state to march across two to three thousand miles to expedition to Chang'an, the western capital."
"On the other hand, if Qingzhou continues to be in chaos, Yanzhou's rear is unstable, and trouble may arise at any time, thus affecting the foundation of our Cao family, then I will never agree to mobilize troops."
"After all, defeating the Dong thief and welcoming back the Emperor is a great undertaking, but if we don't even keep the foundation, then it's all just talk."
"As long as Qingzhou is not under control, I will not send troops to move westward, and I will not leave any chance to any potential threats!"
…
"Wow!"
A sound of wind blowing violently due to the swing of the robe suddenly sounded in the house.
I saw that Kong Rong, who could still maintain his demeanor and was somewhat reserved and elegant as a scholar-official, appeared in front of Cao Ang as if teleporting.
His eyes were fixed on Cao Ang.
The chest was heaving violently back and forth, and when Kong Rong breathed, he could hear a sound similar to that of a bellows, which was a bit scary.
Just if you look carefully.
It can be found that behind Kong Rong's seemingly frightened mood, there is a little anxiety and a very uneasy look.
After some posturing.
Kong Rong barely suppressed his inner agitation, forced himself to calm down, and swallowed dryly.
He grabbed Cao Ang's arms with both hands, and then asked cautiously in a tone full of expectations.
"Zixiu, what you just said is true. You and your father really have the idea of marching westward to Chang'an to defeat Dong Zhuo and rescue the emperor and his officials. Isn't this a lie to me?"
Kong Rong would be skeptical when he first heard the news, which is reasonable.
The main reason is that the Kwantung Allied Forces' crusade against Dong Zhuo a few years ago cast a heavy shadow on everyone, causing many patriots such as Kong Rong to no longer believe in the so-called crusade.
So many people gathered together, but nothing was accomplished in the end, allowing Dong Zhuo to run away arrogantly, and even burned down the city of Luoyang in front of everyone's eyes, and then packed up and took away all the valuable things.
At that time, the various princes in Guandong were just watching from the sidelines, each scheming and trying to preserve their strength.
since then.
Many people have lost confidence in the crusade against Dong Zhuo. It is difficult for those like Kong Rong who still have ambition to have hope in this matter.
…………
And after feeling the doubt in Kong Rong's words.
Cao Ang was full of confidence.
He said in an extremely calm voice: "Without concealment, we must raise a large army to attack Chang'an and defeat Dong Zhuo. This is the next important strategy of our Cao family. Unless something big happens, we will never change it easily."
"In fact, welcoming back the emperor, rescuing the officials, restoring the majesty of the Han Dynasty, and demonstrating the court's laws have always been engraved in the hearts of my father and me, but they dare not forget it for a moment!"
"Outside Luoyang City, Alliance Leader Yuan and others had their own excuses and went their own way, refusing to pursue Dong Zhuo. Only my father led all his troops and chased Dong Zhuo out of Hangu Pass without looking back. After exhaustion, I came back depressed."
"Many people must know about this matter. Can it not be seen from this that my father and son of the Cao family are loyal and loyal to the Han Dynasty?"
"Why do you still have doubts?!"
These words are very resounding.
Kong Rong immediately responded with silence.
As the governor of a county, he can be regarded as an upper-middle-class figure in the officialdom. Especially because he has real power in the local area, he has developed ears and eyes that are unimaginable for ordinary officials.
The deeds of Cao Ang's father, Cao Cao, are no small matter.
After the Kwantung Allied Forces were disbanded, what the Cao family and his son did along the way also spread to all parts of the world as if they were given wings as the soldiers and horses returned to their original places.
How could Kong Rong not know anything about this?
Cao Cao and Cao Ang, father and son, two heroes of the same family, are unquestionable loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, and are the respected Optimus Prime of the Han Dynasty.
Be suspicious of them yourself.
It really shouldn't be done.
…………
Think of this.
Kong Rong immediately let go of his hands, took a step back, then bowed his hands in front of his body, and bowed firmly to Cao Ang.
"I was impatient at the moment and said the wrong thing. I hope Zi Xiu will not blame me. You and your father are both members of the Han Dynasty. How can anyone in the world not hear this!"
Faced with Kong Rong's apology.
Cao Ang accepted it calmly.
However, after the ceremony, he still moved calmly and powerfully to help Kong Rong up.
"Wen Ju's official words are serious. I know that you are also a loyal and kind person. You are worried about the imperial court and the country, so you have doubts. This is inevitable."
"I just said that if Qingzhou cannot be stable for a long time and cannot ensure the safety of Yanzhou's rear, then the matter of King Qin's attack on the thieves may have to be put on hold for the time being and postponed for a while."
"After all, only by ensuring that the foundation is not lost can we have the strength to defeat the Dong thief."
That’s all.
Cao Ang didn't say another word.
Instead, he turned around and walked to the table, picked up the tea soup that he had not drank before, held it in his hand and began to taste it carefully, leaving Kong Rong a lot of time to think.
…
And looking at Cao Ang, he held a bowl of mediocre tea soup in his hand, drinking it while looking at it, as if it was some delicious wine.
Kong Rong knew.
Cao Ang is letting himself make a choice.
Should he support the Cao family in seizing control of Qingzhou, recognize and support the Cao family's actual possession of the counties in Qingzhou, or should he continue to adhere to the etiquette in his heart and choose to preserve Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou.
Two paths, both within one thought.
"hiss!"
Kong Rong took a deep breath.
Then he frowned, his expression changed, and he started pacing back and forth on the spot, with thousands of thoughts in his mind.
Etiquette and law are the most important thing. This is a concept that I have firmly believed in for half my life. Whenever I encounter a big event, I will use this as my standard of conduct.
But imperial power is supreme.
Support the emperor, support the court, safeguard the dignity of the royal family, and consolidate the majesty of the Han Dynasty.
This is also one of Kong Rong's lifelong concepts.
Now Cao Ang asked him to make a choice.
It's equivalent to the left hand beating the right hand, and the outcome is determined by the score. How can it not be difficult for others?
…………
The entire study was silent.
Apart from the footsteps walking back and forth, there was no other sound.
This stalemate lasted for about a cup of tea.
Kong Rong just stood still.
The forced choice of either/or finally allowed him to make a judgment. His identity as a royalist and his belief in the supremacy of imperial power trumped the so-called etiquette.
Moreover.
Maintaining the imperial power, slaying the national traitors, welcoming back the emperor, and rescuing officials are all in line with etiquette and the most etiquette thing.
Compare the two.
Jiao He, the little governor of Qingzhou who was originally indifferent and useless, seemed to be insignificant.
If his sacrifice can bring about the rebirth of the Han Dynasty, the return of the Emperor to the throne, and the greatness of the Han Dynasty again, then everything must be worth it.
Perhaps Jiao He himself would feel extremely excited and rejoiced when he learned that he could play such a big role!
Think of this.
Kong Rong no longer hesitated.
Instead, he slowly revealed his answer.
…………
"Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou, advocates the art of witchcraft and is fond of talking and talking without any talent. When he was in office, he repeatedly ignored the life and death of the people and allowed the bandits to slaughter and wreak havoc without caring. He only knew how to live in an ignoble way, shrinking and avoiding disaster for a while."
"If this person is allowed to continue to serve as the governor of Qingzhou, he will only cause endless disasters. The entire state will be destroyed sooner or later by his hands."
"So in my opinion, it is appropriate to invite a wise person to be the governor of Qingzhou to ensure that the officials and people of Qingzhou are united, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and there will no longer be bandits. As for Jiao He, since he is willing to hide, then he Never come out!"
All the famous people of Qing Dynasty.
Then the skill of criticizing people is not sufficient.
The fact that Kong Rong and Mi Heng can play together and that the two of them become close friends is enough to prove that Kong Rong is capable of teasing and is not willing to give in too much.
In his heart, the idea of the supremacy of imperial power overrode etiquette, and he completely decided to side with Cao Ang.
Kong Rong immediately focused and criticized fiercely.
There was no politeness in his words.
In just a few words, the decision was made to sideline or abolish Jiao He's position as governor of Qingzhou and elect another person as governor of Qingzhou.
And this is exactly what Cao Ang wants.
…………
"Wen Ju is fair, sensible, flexible, and considerate of the people. This is the blessing of all the people of Qingzhou!"
"It is true that as you said, since Jiao He is willing to hide, let him not come out again. If you just choose another capable person to be the governor of Qingzhou, I wonder if you have a suitable candidate in mind, Mr. Wen Ju?"
If you act arrogantly at this time and say, "I think so-and-so is good," that would be simply a lack of expression and you don't know how to advance or retreat.
Now that you have decided to choose a side.
Naturally, we have to stand till the end.
Kong Rong immediately shook his head and waved his hands and said: "I am just the prime minister of a county, so I don't know the major events of a state. On the other hand, both father and son are the shepherds of a state. Their vision is unmatched by ordinary people, so they naturally know how to handle people well."
"So, Zixiu can decide on his own as to who will be the governor of Qingzhou. Let me know at that time, and I will come forward to contact the governors of various counties for you and inform Qingzhou."
"If this matter is finalized as soon as possible, we can start the great cause of defeating Dong's thieves and rebuilding the imperial court as early as possible. Wouldn't it be wonderful?"
Now it was Kong Rong's turn to be more active than Cao Ang.
I wish I could overthrow Jiao He as soon as possible, and then tie Qingzhou together and tie it to Yanzhou's chariot, thus prompting Cao Jun to send troops to Chang'an as soon as possible.
Look at the enthusiastic look on Kong Rong's face.
Cao Ang nodded slightly with satisfaction.
It's not worth the effort.
Xiaozhi used emotion and reason, and he also brought out the grand goal of defeating Dong's thieves and rebuilding the imperial court, and finally convinced this old boy.
And Kong Rong's dependence.
It also determines that Qingzhou will completely belong to the Cao family from today on, and there will be no more obstacles.
…………
(End of chapter)
