Cao Cao entered Wei Gong and was granted the title of Jiuxi. He was not praised and worshiped, and he entered the court without any tendency. He went to the palace with swords and shoes. When the news came out, the world was shocked.
In Xiangyang Academy, famous scholars such as Song Zhong, Fu Xun, and Wang Can all cursed and accused Cao Cao of being rebellious and disobedient. Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo even went so far as to collectively petition for orders to send troops to the north to attack the rebels.
Liu Qi ignored these arrogant fanatics. Many of them surrendered when Cao Cao took control of Jingzhou, and later even advised him to become the king of Wei.
Although Liu Qi, Zhuge Liang and others were worried about the court, they were more concerned about the purpose of Cao Cao's move.
In the past two years, Cao Cao has suffered repeated defeats. Although he regained Guanzhong, it was not enough to boost morale, and his prestige was not as good as in previous years. Ordinarily, he should not do such a thing at this time to be reviled by the world.
There are essential differences between dukes, kings and marquises. This is a true state within a state. It has almost the same system as the emperor. It can appoint officials and ministers within the territory and form its own power.
This means that those civil and military officials loyal to the Cao family are no longer Han ministers, but Wei ministers. The subordinates and troops have all changed their surnames to Wei, and the court has become a real empty frame.
After everyone sat facing each other for a long time, Liu Qi broke the silence and asked: "Cao Cao is a powerful man in the world, and he did such a treacherous and unethical thing at the cusp of the storm. Could it be that he knew that he was destined to die soon?"
Xu Shu nodded and said, "Thief Cao is indeed preparing for his funeral. The northern expedition to Xianbei is just a bluff."
Pang Tong sneered and said: "Yuan Zhi's words are right. Cao Cao has been seriously ill for a long time. If we don't make preparations in advance, once he dies unfortunately, there will be great chaos in the territory."
Zhuge Liang retracted his stunned gaze, shook his feather fan, and sighed with emotion: "Cao Cao's disobedience is clearly revealed. Unless this thief is eliminated, the Han Dynasty will not be able to prosper."
There has been endless discussion in later generations about whether Cao Cao had the intention to become emperor, but judging from his move to become King of Wei, at least he was unwilling to hand over power and still wanted to control the court.
If there is no feudal state, once Cao Cao dies, Cao Pi can only inherit the title of marquis, and other official positions and military power will be returned to the court, just like the civil strife in the Xiliang army after Dong Zhuo's death.
But with a feudal state, it has its own system. As long as a heir is designated, the foundation can be passed on. Sun Quan later surrendered to Wei and was granted the title of King of Wu, which was the path he took.
However, if one sits in the center and controls power, while the other seeks asylum as a vassal king, the endings are quite different.
Liu Qi sighed: "The traitor Cao has usurped power, and the world will be shaken. There will be chaos in the court. I am worried that those loyal and good people in the Han family will be harmed again."
In fact, when the news came that Cao Cao had ascended the throne, the first thing Liu Qi thought of was Xun Yu.
The person who committed suicide because of an empty food box must have felt so desolate and desperate in his heart, and it will make future generations sigh with regret.
Zhuge Liang sighed: "Cao's thieves moved their capital to Yecheng. We are helpless. What can we do?"
Liu Qi said: "If I try to rescue one person, do the three of you have any good ideas?"
"Who?" The three of them looked at Liu Qi at the same time. This move was completely beyond their expectations.
Liu Qi said slowly: "Xun Yu, Xun Wenruo!"
The expressions of the three people changed drastically, and they looked at Liu Qi in surprise. Isn't this just a dream?
"Difficult!" Zhuge Liang was stunned for a moment, then shook his feather fan and closed his eyes.
"Will Xun Yu be killed?" Xu Shu took a breath and frowned: "Is this possible?"
"Impossible!" Pang Tong took a sip of wine, "Xun Yu is a subordinate of Cao Cao, comparable to Zhang Liang and Xiao He. How can he save him?"
Liu Qi said: "If there is one person among Cao Cao's confidants who is loyal to the imperial court and loyal to the Han Dynasty, this person is Xun Wenruo."
Zhuge Liang let out a long sigh and said slowly: "Liang has heard of Xun Lingjun for a long time. This person has a heart for the Han Dynasty. Now that Cao Cao's thief has taken over, Xun Yu will definitely dissuade him, and the emperor and his ministers will naturally have their own suspicions. Cao Cao is suspicious by nature and would rather betray the world. With this suspicion, I am afraid that Duke Xun’s death will not be long.”
Liu Qi said: "Xun Yu had the talent of a king, but he died just like that. I, a great man, lost a beam. Isn't it a pity?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head and smiled bitterly: "But I'm afraid that this gentleman is naturally upright and will die to clarify his ambition. My advice is useless."
Liu Qi said, "Xun Yu was devoted to planning for the Han Dynasty. Now that he has seen Cao's thief's ambition, he will regret it. I will give him a chance to make a difference. I invite him to work together to help the court and re-establish the Han Dynasty to fulfill his ambition." Isn’t it beautiful?”
Zhuge Liang sat up straight, thought for a moment, and then shook his head and said: "It's hard to move his heart with just a few words. If you send someone to persuade him, Cao Cao's thieves will be watching in secret. It's hard for a young man to express his sincerity, and a noble man may never come back."
"I want to go there in person?" Liu Qi looked at Zhuge Liang, "How sincere is this?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Absolutely not!"
"General, respect yourself!"
The three people stood up at the same time and surrounded Liu Qi to deny it three times.
"Everyone, please sit down! I'm just discussing this matter." Liu Qi didn't expect their reaction to be so big.
Zhuge Liang sighed: "The general cares about the Han Dynasty, and we all know his love for talents, but if he abandons the Han Dynasty and ignores the safety of the Han Dynasty because of one person, it is foolish to think that it is not a wise move."
Xu Shu advised: "General, please don't forget about Sun Ce. Now the foundation has been decided, and the great cause has not been completed, so you must not take any risks."
Pang Tong also hummed slightly and said: "Although Xun Yu has great talent, it is insignificant compared to the great cause of revitalizing the Han Dynasty. He helped Cao Cao do bad things back then. Kong Ming's talent is ten times better than his, so why bother to sacrifice the near for the distant?"
Liu Qi said: "Don't I know these three talented people? It's just a pity that such a loyal person was killed. If there is a chance of survival, we should try our best to save it. If Duke Xun is rescued from the quagmire, the confidence of the people with lofty ideals will be greatly increased. The traitor Cao Cao has been defeated and his reputation has been ruined, and the hearts of the people in the world are waxing and waning. Kong Ming can also lead the troops with peace of mind, and no longer has to be constrained by matters in the rear. I will send troops in three directions to pacify the Central Plains as soon as possible, and rescue King Qin is just around the corner."
The three of them still shook their heads in unison, and Liu Qi's confidence was also frustrated. The difficulty of executing something that was denied by the three major think tanks was tantamount to seeking death.
Just when he was feeling regretful, Shi A sent a secret report. Cao Cao sent troops to the north. Xun Yu said that he was ill and did not accompany him, so he resigned and went home to recuperate. He had already left Yecheng.
Liu Qi suddenly felt hopeful and asked again: "The traitor Cao has gone to Youzhou. If Xun Yu crosses the river and goes south, is there any chance to rescue him?"
Zhuge Liang thought for a moment and asked, "General, really want to rescue this person?"
Liu Qi nodded and said: "This matter is of great benefit to me both publicly and privately, and it is urgent and cannot be delayed."
Seeing that Zhuge Liang had had thoughts, Xu Shu hurriedly advised: "Kong Ming, you are always cautious in doing things. You must make a decision before acting. You must not take risks."
Pang Tong looked sideways at Zhuge Liang: "If something goes wrong, can you, Wolong, bear the consequences?"
Liu Qi said: "Don't worry, everyone, I will never risk going deep into the enemy's territory. I will only go to support them to show my sincerity. The terrain of Funiu Mountain is complex. If used properly, there is a lot to be done."
Zhuge Liang sat for a while, then stood up and walked to the table, took out three copper coins and threw them down. He didn't move for a long time.
Pang Tong said impatiently: "This is a national matter. How about the good or bad luck of An Neng using your Taoist skills?"
"Good or bad luck is unpredictable!" Zhuge Liang turned around, his eyes flashing, and said slowly: "But there is a glimmer of hope, maybe we can give it a try!"
"Crazy!" Pang Tong stood up, his nostrils turned up in anger, "Do you know the consequences?"
Xu Shu knew Zhuge Liang's character very well and would never talk nonsense, so he asked: "What's the plan?"
