Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi bowed together and saluted Cao Cao: "Greetings, father!"
"Why did you two arrive just now? Don't you know that there are important arrangements?" Cao Cao asked the two of them with a deliberately sullen look on his face.
"Back to my father, I drank too much yesterday and I still haven't woken up until this morning. Thanks to brother Ziwen who came to the house to help me sober up, I was able to get up, so I came late."
"This is all my fault. Please punish me father, but please don't implicate brother Ziwen." Cao Zhi took a step forward and took the initiative to admit his mistake to Cao Cao.
Hearing that the reason why Cao Zhang was late was to help Cao Zhi sober up, Cao Cao's anger disappeared a lot and he turned to look at Cao Zhang: "Ziwen, why don't you come directly to my house instead of going to Zijian first?"
"Back to father, last night our brothers drank together. Zijian and I were both too drunk and came back drunk."
"This morning I woke up from alcohol. I was worried that Zijian would delay meeting his father before he woke up, so I prepared a sobering soup and went to his house, so I arrived late." Cao Zhang responded to Cao Cao's words.
"Well, I know in my heart that I am thinking about my younger brother. This is how I act like an older brother!" Cao Cao praised Cao Zhang, but glanced at Cao Pi.
Cao Pi understood that Cao Cao was secretly referring to him, so he naturally did not dare to speak out. He could only lower his head and remain silent, feeling angry and regretful in his heart.
Cao Zhang brought Cao Zhi with him, so that his plan to frame Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi not only failed to work, but also attracted Cao Cao's dissatisfaction.
Coupled with Cao Cao's current praise of Cao Zhang, Cao Pi felt that he had lost a handful of rice by stealing a chicken.
When Cao Zhang heard Cao Cao's praise, he remained calm on the surface, but secretly rejoiced in his heart: He made the right bet this time...
…
After returning to the mansion last night, Cao Zhang began to think repeatedly about what Cao Pi's purpose was in getting him and Cao Zhi drunk.
Although Cao Zhang did not know that Cao Pi had inside information about Mrs. Bian, when he thought of Xun Yu's public announcement that the Magi's appointment would be announced at Sikong Mansion the next day, he immediately thought that maybe Cao Cao would arrange subordinates for their brothers.
If he and Cao Zhi are not present, Cao Cao will definitely be unhappy, and Cao Pi will have the opportunity to win better talents, which will definitely play a vital role in the future battle for the heir apparent.
Although Yang Xiu in history failed to help Cao Zhi win in the battle for the crown prince, this had a lot to do with Cao Zhi's own character.
Cao Pi's character is tolerant and treacherous, while Yang Xiu is unyielding and overly exposed in order to achieve his goal.
If Cao Pi really gets Yang Xiu, the combination of the two may not be able to create new sparks, which will bring him a lot of trouble. We must arrive in time to stop Cao Pi from cutting off Yang Xiu.
Cao Zhang then thought that he and Yang Xiu didn't know each other, so when he showed up at Sikong Mansion to compete with Cao Pi, he was not sure of victory.
If he and Cao Pi both show up, but Cao Zhi does not, Cao Cao will definitely think that they are united to plot against Cao Zhi, and his favorability will definitely be reduced.
Those who achieve great things plan in a dark room and fail due to negligence.
Cao Zhang naturally didn't want the good impression he had finally built up in front of Cao Cao to collapse because of a small detail.
Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu had known each other for a long time, and they often exchanged poems and essays. If he proposed to make Yang Xiu his subordinate, Cao Cao would not refuse.
After all, Cao Cao's preference for Cao Zhi is well known to everyone and there is no concealment.
Since Yang Xiu is not sure of victory, and he doesn't want him to fall into Cao Pi's hands, whichever is the lesser of two powers that harm each other, it is better to let him form a combination with Cao Zhi.
In this way, I can still be a good person in front of Cao Cao and Cao Zhi, which is much more advanced than directly fighting for them.
Cao Zhang, who retains forensic knowledge, knows that drinking a lot of honey water can speed up metabolism and is the best hangover tool.
He immediately ordered his servants to prepare honey water, and went to Cao Zhi's mansion before dawn. He kept feeding him, and finally made him wake up from the alcohol, and arrived at Sikong Mansion in time.
Cao Cao's words just now were obviously a compliment to him for bringing Cao Zhi with him, which proved that his judgment and choice were absolutely correct.
"Ziwen, Zijian, you are here at the right time. I am preparing to arrange the citrons for you three brothers, so we can listen together."
"Yes!" Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi agreed, retreated to Cao Pi, and waited quietly for Cao Cao's decision.
Cao Pi glanced at the two of them helplessly, and he already had a bad premonition.
"Dezu (Yang Xiu's name), I heard that you and Zijian have known each other for a long time, and often discuss poetry together. Is this true?" Cao Cao asked Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu quickly responded respectfully: "Back to Sikong, my subordinates indeed often discuss poetry and songs with Mr. Zijian."
Cao Cao nodded: "Since you are so familiar with Zijian, you will definitely get along more harmoniously with him, then you will follow him and become his subordinate from now on!"
Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu looked at each other and smiled, both very happy, and saluted Cao Cao together: "Thank you Sikong."
Hearing that Cao Cao ignored his previous request and directly gave Yang Xiu to Cao Zhi, Cao Pi felt unspeakably annoyed.
Cao Zhang had already expected this, and his face did not change at all, and he still stood quietly in place.
Cao Zhen muttered unconvinced: "Obviously it was Zihuan who proposed Yang Xiu first..."
Cao Cao glared at Cao Zhen and said coldly: "No matter how good the master is, his apprentice must have high enough qualifications to teach him!"
Cao Pi was well aware of Cao Cao's preference for Cao Zhi, and knew that there was no point in arguing anymore. He quickly grabbed Cao Zhen and signaled him to stop talking. He respectfully said to Cao Cao: "What my father said is that I am not very talented and wise, and I am indeed worthy of him." He cannot match Dezu’s talent and learning.”
Cao Pi then acted magnanimously, turned to Cao Zhi and said, "Zijian, congratulations! With Dezu's help, you will definitely make rapid progress."
Cao Zhi was simple by nature and hurriedly returned the gift to Cao Pi: "Thank you, brother!"
Cao Cao glanced at Cao Zhang, who had no expression at all, nodded slightly, and then continued to announce: "Zihuan, I heard that you have a close relationship with Liu Zhen and Wu Zhi, so I will assign them both to you as subordinates." good?"
Cao Pi understood that Cao Cao felt that he had been embarrassed in public, so he did a favor and gave both of them to himself as compensation.
Although both of them were only rated as second-class, fortunately they have a good relationship with me and are loyal enough. It is always better than having someone unfamiliar to me.
Cao Pi quickly responded: "Thank you father."
Liu Zhen and Wu Zhi also hurriedly thanked Cao Cao.
Cao Zhang saw that Cao Cao had completed the distribution for Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, and then he stepped forward and said, "Father, I fell in love with Sima Lang, the eldest son of Sima Gong in Jingzhao Yin, and I begged my father to let Boda (Sima Lang's name) do the work." My vassal."
Since you can't get Yang Xiu, it's better to choose Sima Lang. This will have more reasons to contact Sima Yi more and win him over.
Everyone present was slightly startled when they heard that Cao Zhang wanted Sima Lang.
Although Sima Bada was well-known, Sima Lang only got second place in the Yuedan Review. Cao Zhang's offer to hire him was beyond everyone's expectations.
In fact, Cao Cao originally arranged for Cao Zhang to be Zhao Yan, who had won the first class, but now Cao Zhang took the initiative to ask for Sima Lang, which surprised him.
"Boda, are you willing to follow Ziwen?" Cao Cao asked.
Sima Lang hurriedly took a step forward: "Master Ziwen is extremely talented. It is an honor for me to be his subordinate. How dare you disobey your orders?!"
Cao Cao nodded: "Since you two have similar interests, let's arrange it this way."
Cao Zhang and Sima Lang thanked each other and then returned to their seats.
"Everyone's duties have been arranged. From now on, you will perform your duties and serve the court with all your heart." Cao Cao continued.
"What I want is not only civilian politicians who can govern the government, but also generals who can gallop on the battlefield and defeat the enemy. The weather is getting warmer, which is a good time for hunting."
"I'm going to arrange a hunt in the outskirts of Xudu seven days later. I will set a prize for this hunt and use the quantity and difficulty of everyone's prey as the evaluation criteria. It can also be regarded as an assessment of everyone's riding and shooting abilities."
Cao Cao then announced plans to hold a hunt.
Everyone responded in unison: "Here!"
