"Tick-tock! Tick-tock!" A dozen knights all in white, holding soul-drawing flags, galloped to the south gate of Ye City.
Yuan Shao's second son, Yuan Xi, as the new lord of the four states, carried the coffin back to Yecheng, and at the same time arranged for his subordinates to arrange civil and military affairs and arrange the specific funeral arrangements in Yecheng.
Yuan Shao was one of the Three Dukes. During the funeral ceremony, all officials in the dynasty should wear white single clothes without wearing white hats. Close the city gates and palace gates, and give special gifts to show respect.
But due to the special situation, all officials are in Xuchang, so we can't send a letter to Cao Cao and let them mourn Yuan Shao, right? Therefore, we could only settle for the next best thing, and ordered the officials of the four states to wear white clothes. The entire mourning period in Hebei lasted for three months, during which no entertainment or marriage was allowed.
The order was dictated by Yuan Xi and written in Chen Lin's own handwriting. He wrote a letter overnight and reported it to the emperor, asking Yuan Xi to take over Yuan Shao's position and lead the general, Taiwei, Jizhou Mu, and take charge of the important military and political affairs of the four states.
This kind of memorial is purely a formality, and at the same time it can disgust Cao Cao. As for whether the imperial court agrees or not, Yuan Xi will sit firmly in this position. Of course, if he can get the approval of the imperial court and get a justifiable name, what is the difference? All strong.
At this time, the soldiers on the walls of Yecheng were also extremely sad, but it was not entirely fake. After all, Yuan Shao was quite popular in Hebei and he cared about peace.
The flags were changed to black and white. Shen Pei and Xin Ping, the landowners who stayed behind in Yecheng, together with other officials who stayed behind, also wore plain hemp and went out of the city to welcome the coffin of the former overlord Yuan Shao and the new heir Yuan Xi.
After the meeting, more than two thousand horses came from the south. Yuan Xi, the new lord of the four states, came slowly in the center of the team, guarding Yuan Shao's coffin.
At this time, the hearts of all the officials were fluctuating, especially Xin Ping's party, who were even more frightened. After a tedious soul-inviting ceremony. Everyone took Yuan Shao's coffin to the Prefectural Mufu.
Mrs. Liu, who received the news of Yuan Shao's death, burst into tears and fainted twice.
After finally setting up the mourning hall, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang and Mrs. Liu still had to keep vigil for Yuan Shao.
Here are the Chinese etiquette, the ultimate expression of filial piety, which is the funeral, offering sacrifices to the dead to comfort the living. The Jin Dynasty founded by Emperor Taizong Xuanwu and Yuan Xi may have been a little less loyal, but this filial piety is not sloppy at all. For example, Li Mi wrote the petition.
In fact, the two thousand cavalry escorting Yuan Shao's coffin were Yuan Xi's cavalry camp. At this time, Yuan Xi had not been able to effectively control Jizhou, so he led these elites back to Yecheng to calm down the situation and appease the floating people. People's hearts.
After returning to Yecheng, the first order he issued was to let Yan Liang and Shenpei take over the army and defense of Yecheng. After all, the emperor was not the same as the courtier, so he needed to rearrange some of his cronies.
Chen Lin quickly walked into the mourning hall. He came to Yuan Xi and said: "Major General, the entire army in Hebei has crossed the river. According to your arrangement, Ju Yi's more than 10,000 troops will be left to garrison along the river to defend Puyang. . Zhang Xiu has also rushed to Liyang to station troops with Gao Lan to defend Cao Cao. General Chunyu Qiong will return to Yecheng soon."
"Well, I understand, where's my brother? Didn't the people sent out convey the news?" Yuan Xi asked loudly.
All the civil and military personnel in the mourning hall were attracted by Yuan Xi's angry shouts, waiting for Chen Lin's answer.
Chen Lin felt their gazes. He stepped forward and replied, "Young General, the eldest son is stationed in Liyangpo, east of Yecheng, and is sending troops to raise food. He said that he would settle the military affairs before coming to attend the funeral..."
"Humph, what kind of military service does he have? It's more important than guarding his father's body!" Yuan Xi shouted loudly, "Isn't this what a son of man does if his father dies but doesn't go to the funeral? Mr. Kong Zhang, please send someone to invite him again. If it doesn't work once, it's okay. twice."
Chen Lin agreed and retreated.
"Brother's move is against filial piety. How will you respond?" Yuan Xi looked at everyone and asked quietly.
Everyone below didn't understand the dirty things going on between the two brothers, so how could they dare to make any rash comments.
"We should send someone to reprimand the eldest son for his unfilial sins, and then let him come back quickly for the funeral." Cui Yan replied. He was upright by nature, and his answer was based on common sense.
"Mr. Ji Gui is right!" Yuan Xi looked around at the civil and military personnel below, and suddenly asked in surprise: "Why don't you see Xin Zhongzhi?"
Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads, saying they didn't pay attention.
Yuan Xi was horrified and ordered in a deep voice: "Zhongkang takes my handwritten letter and orders the four gates of Yecheng to be closed under martial law. Then quickly send someone to Xin's house to ask Mr. Xin to come over. Hurry."
Xu Chu agreed and immediately sent his guards to deliver the order.
Everyone was also surprised and confused. More than two quarters of an hour later, the herald ran into the mourning hall.
"Report to the Major General that Xin Zhongzhi has left the city with his wife and children!"
The atmosphere in the mourning hall was heavy and strange, and everyone looked at Yuan Xi. But Yuan Xi's face was filled with uncertainty. After giving a few instructions, he retreated to a side room in the back hall.
After a while, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Liu Ye, Gu Yong, Xu You, Feng Ji, Shen Pei and other close associates of Yuan Xi were brought here by the guards to discuss matters.
"The Xin family has a huge fortune and it is impossible to escape at once. Now that the city gate is closed, we can send troops to arrest the remaining members of the Xin family." Feng Ji suggested. He wished he could wipe out all the Xin Ping party members. After all, they were considered political enemies.
"Young General, the eldest son is setting up troops to grab food in the east of Yecheng. This means that he wants to flee north to Youzhou. You must be on guard, Young General!" Xu You hinted and reminded.
"Oh? How to defend yourself? Brother, he wants to resist. Are you going to capture him on the spot?" Yuan Xi asked in return. It's unjustifiable that his father, Yuan Shao, killed his siblings just after his death. He was just a bitch setting up a memorial arch.
No wonder later generations commented that Emperor Taizong Xuanwu and Emperor Yuan Xi were mean and hypocritical.
Xu You rolled his eyes and said knowingly, "As the saying goes, strike first to gain advantage and strike later to suffer disaster, as long as it doesn't hurt his life. Otherwise, once the eldest son returns to Youzhou, we will face a fierce internal fight! "
Guo Jia also nodded, signaling Yuan Xi to make a decision that morning. Seeing that his subordinates were unanimous in their opinions, Yuan Xi looked cold and ordered: "Send orders to Taishi Ci and Duan Pixi. Immediately lead Wuhuan's sudden cavalry to attack the central army of Youzhou. Yuan Tan must be captured alive! This general will live!" "
After thinking about it, Yuan Xi ordered again: "Take Gao Lan and Zhang Xiu to guard Liyang, take Zhang He as the main general, and Guo Huai as the deputy general. Let them lead the Qingzhou army after crossing the river and immediately go north to Youzhou, supplemented by my general order. , we must capture Zhuoxian and Jixian! There can be no mistakes!"
"Ah! Major General, the soldiers and horses crossing the river are in urgent need of rest and recuperation. Is it too hasty to send them to Youzhou at this time?" Feng Ji asked worriedly. This is also common sense.
"Mr. Feng and Mr. Zhengnan, please arrange the supply of food and grass along the way. Soldiers need to be quick. Before the eldest brother returns to Youzhou, it is the best time to send troops to raid. Otherwise, once we get into a tough battle, it will be a long and protracted battle. Worry." Yuan Xi said firmly. He is still very confident in his Qingzhou Army.
Yecheng, Zhoumufu
In the past few days, Yuan Xi received a report from his teacher Zhang Hong, saying that Sima Yi was a great talent. Although he had a bad heart, but if he controlled it properly, he would be as handsome as Wang Jian.
Yuan Xi could not deny it, but if he was a little careless, he might set himself on fire. However, Yuan Xi had this confidence. When the three emperors of the Cao family were alive, Sima Yi was diligent and conscientious. He was sure that he was a long-lived person and that Li Shimin could control it. Li Shiji and Yuan Xi believed in themselves and could also suppress Sima Yi.
"Sima Zhongda, Sima Yi, you are finally here. I have been waiting for so long, and I finally see you coming out of the mountain. This way my wait is not in vain!" Yuan Xi thought to himself.
But he is no longer the fledgling child. After several years of ups and downs, fighting in the north and south, he has long been trained in city government and strategy.
Learn martial arts well and sell them to the emperor's family.
In this era of war and chaos, who among the people with lofty ideals would not want to assist the Ming Lord and display their ambitions?
He, Sima Yi, was also a common man, so he naturally did not want to hide in the mountains and plains, bury his talents and knowledge, and wait for a price to be sold.
At this time, Sima Yi could only take out the letter from his arms angrily, bowed his hands and said: "Sima Yi, the little man, pays homage to General Yuan. I am here to deliver the letter as entrusted by Mr. Zhang Hong!"
But it turned out that during the days when Zhang Hong was in Yecheng, he had been observing Sima Yi for Yuan Xi. In his spare time, Zhang Hong often came to chat with Sima Yi. Through many contacts, he saw that Sima Yi was well-spoken and thoughtful. He is a rare talent.
So Zhang Hong used both kindness and power to win over Sima Yi. Finally, a few days ago, he persuaded Sima Yi, who had just recovered from a "serious illness", to come out and serve Yuan Xi.
So taking advantage of this opportunity to send official documents, Zhang Hong sent Sima Yi to Yecheng to meet Yuan Xi, and took a letter of recommendation from Zhang Hong with him.
To put it bluntly, at this time, after Sima Yi took care of the affairs of Wen County, he got up and came to Yecheng and went to the Prefecture Mufu. When Yuan Xi learned that Sima Yi was coming, he went out of the house to greet him in person, which gave him enough face. The Chinese That's the temper.
"Hahaha, Zhongda, please take a seat quickly!" Two young people who looked friendly on the surface but had their own thoughts in their hearts walked into the main hall of the General's Mansion hand in hand.
Yuan Xi pulled Sima Yi, brought him to his side, and comforted him to sit down. Food and wine were already laid out on the table. Yuan Xi did not show the gloominess he had when he was in Wen County. Instead, he was beaming with joy. He personally filled Sima Yi's cup with wine.
"Zhongda came to my house today. It's really God who helped me. Yuan prepared a little wine to catch the wind and wash away the dust for Zhongda, as a sign of sympathy." Yuan Xi said, raising a glass to drink with Sima Yi, and Sima Yi They also raised their lamps and smiled, their minds were racing rapidly, thinking about each other's thoughts. Yuan Xi, Sima Yi, neither one is a fuel-efficient lamp, and none of them is a free master.
"The general is very complimentary." Sima Yi lowered his head and said as if he was flattered: "It is a great blessing that Sima Yi can be a steward of the general's house and accompany the general. I will have no regrets in this life."
Yuan Xi's heart was clear, but he said humbly: "Oh, Zhongda, how can I say this easily? I invite you here because I want to make you a confidant, how can I treat you like a steward? Isn't it a wise master? Dusty!"
"General, Sima Yi's talents are limited and he is only qualified to be a steward in the palace. If the general does not agree, Yi will have no face to take other posts." Sima Yi said firmly.
Yuan Xi sighed secretly in his heart, but smiled softly on his face and said: "Well, that's the case, whatever, if Zhongda insists on staying with Yuan, I will find a house for Zhongda near the General's Mansion, which is convenient for Zhongda. Da comes to the General's Mansion every day, but you are not worthy of the post of steward. I will appoint you as the Sima of the two thousand guards under Yuan's command, and also serve as the general manager of our General's Mansion, taking charge of all matters in the mansion. I don't know what Zhong Da wants. ?”
When Sima Yi heard this, he immediately lowered his head and said, "Yi thanks the general for his cultivation. I am willing to serve you as a dog and horse."
Yuan Xi waved his hand and chuckled: "You and I, a general and a manager, are quite compatible."
After the two looked at each other and smiled for a moment, Yuan Xi looked at Sima Yi and said: "Now that Yuan Cao is in a confrontation, I wonder what Zhongda has to say about this?" After saying that, Yuan Xi's eyes were locked deeply. Sima Yi.
"The general is joking. Zhongda is a mediocre person. How dare he talk about the affairs of the world." Yuan Xi laughed and said: "Hey? Since you are already half the general manager of my house, Zhongda will never be too modest when talking to me in the future. .”
Sima Yi remained calm when he heard the words, and just lowered his head and said: "Now, the most active areas in the world are Hebei and the Central Plains. The rest have not moved for the time being. From Yi's point of view, if the world is to be settled in the future, the general and Cao Cao must We must fight! In other words, unless one of the generals and Cao Cao is killed, there will never be peace in the world."
Yuan Xi raised his eyebrows when he heard this. Sima Yi was really not taking it easy. He hit the key point in just a few words. Is he really worthy of being a tomb tiger?
"It's just general. Forgive Sima Yi. In the current situation, both Yuan and Cao families have suffered losses, but the general already has a huge advantage. Once the remnants of Yuan Tan are eliminated, the grassland is stabilized, and the Gongsun family is defeated, the general can dominate Hebei. , marching south to conquer the world, there was almost no harassment from the rear, but Cao Cao was different. Yanzhou was the place where the four battles were fought, with Liu Bei in the east, Ma Teng, Han Sui and others in the west, and Liu Biao in the south. It can be said that there are frequent constraints, even though there are amazing talents. , it is difficult to give it a try. In this way, compared to the general, he is at a disadvantage."
Yuan Xi laughed when he heard this and said, "What exactly does Zhongda mean by this?"
Sima Yi said seriously: "What Yi said is to tell the general that the general's top priority now is to attack the remnants of Yuan Tan in the north, stabilize the north, stabilize the grassland tribes, refuse to merge with the state to prevent Cao Cao and the Guanzhong coalition forces from attacking Cao Cao's rule. After the allied forces retreat, the general can implement the Guanzhong strategy to cut off Cao Cao's right arm, and then divide his army into two groups to attack Cao Cao, and great success can be expected."
Yuan Xi couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this, then lowered his head and thought.
At this time, I saw the morning sun shining brightly on the two young people in the hall... It seemed to be praising the two's future achievements, and also seeming to lament the unspeakable waves in troubled times... In this hall: a general and a steward, two people destined to be extraordinary met.
Cao Jun's temporary camp.
"Yuan Shao is really dead?" Listening to the report passed back by the scouts, Cao Cao felt a little sad for some reason.
For a moment, it was as if he was caught by iron pliers. His face was uncertain, as if he couldn't believe it. Although he had made some guesses before and had deceived Yuan Xi, after hearing the news of Yuan Shao's death, Cao Cao felt a little disappointed. They are still friends after all.
Dong Zhuo, Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, and now Yuan Shao, the heroes who were regarded as powerful opponents by Cao Cao in the past, fell one after another, and disappeared in the long river of history with the turbulent waves. World.
The glory of the past and the splendor of the past have all faded away, leaving only a few popular deeds that have become conversation topics in the mouths of one generation after another. Many things in ancient and modern times have been discussed with laughter, and Cao Cao was a little depressed.
In the commander's tent, Xiahou Dun, who was the leader among the generals, heard the words and couldn't help laughing. He raised his hands and said: "Congratulations, my lord, now that Yuan Shao is dead, there is no one in the Hanzhou County who can compete with Lord Sikong! All the heroes of the past are It has withered away. From now on, our army will dominate the world and dominate all the people. It will definitely attack and conquer every battle. No ordinary people in the world will have any rival to our army!"
There was no emotion or anger on Cao Cao's face. He just looked at the scout who reported the report indifferently. After thinking carefully for a long time, he calmly asked. "Who is Yuan Shao's successor?" He needed to confirm.
The scout bowed respectfully: "Back to my lord, the successor to Yuan Shao is his second son, Yuan Xi."
After hearing Yuan Xi's name, many of Cao's generals immediately had strange expressions on their faces. After all, they had suffered losses. Although I was prepared in my heart, it still happened. .
"Yuan Xi." Cao Cao touched his chin gently when he heard this, and said calmly: "It's that boy, haha, in terms of cunning and cunning. But he is much more difficult to deal with than the original one, and we have a headache. ”
When he finished speaking, Xun You came out of his duties, raised his hands to Cao Cao, and said: "My lord, although Yuan Xi is said to be quite cunning, in the final analysis, he is not his direct eldest son, he has an elder brother. He has a younger brother. What's more, three of the four states in Hebei are now in charge of three brothers, which is really the direction of cholera. It is said that Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan has always been brave and arrogant. Ming Gong might as well let the two tigers compete. The food strategy may have miraculous effects!"
"Well, it's difficult to defeat one person, but it's easy to defeat two people." Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction: "The words of publicity are very popular with me, but if you want to instigate tigers and wolves to fight. It needs to be a detailed job, what should be done specifically? What kind of advice does Gongda have on how to act?"
Hearing this, Xun You shook his head slightly and said: "Given the current situation, I don't have any good strategies yet. In the Battle of White Horse, our army suffered a lot of losses. We might as well return to Xudu first, wait for the opportunity, and gauge the situation." Let’s make further calculations.”
After the great Han Sikong Cao Cao returned to Xudu, he went so far as to express his gratitude to the emperor and consecrate Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan as a general, lead the shepherd of Jizhou, and gave him the power to command the military and political affairs of the four states of Hebei.
