Xudu Palace.
Cao Cao held a banquet in the palace in the name of the emperor to celebrate Yang Ling and Cao Ang's triumphant return.
Night had just fallen, and the huge palace was already crowded with people.
Almost all the Chinese, civil and military officials of the DPRK were present.
"Everyone, be quiet, I have something to say!"
Cao Cao glanced at the emperor Liu Xie, who was sitting on the stage blankly like a puppet on strings, then picked up the wine glass and stood up with a smile.
As soon as Cao Cao was about to speak, the hall that was buzzing with discussion immediately fell silent.
"This time Mr. Yang Ling conquered Huainan and won a complete victory. It can be said that he has made great achievements. In addition to the reward from the court, I also plan to betroth my daughter to him."
Cao Cao paused and looked at Yang Ling with a smile.
"I wonder if Mr. Yang is willing?"
For a moment, all eyes were focused on Yang Ling.
He could feel envy, jealousy, contempt, hatred...all kinds of emotions.
Sigh, I had tried every possible means to escape from the factional struggle, but I didn't want to end up getting involved in it.
Yang Ling sighed in his heart, stood up quickly, cupped his hands and said,
"Your love has a beautiful appearance, smart appearance, and a beautiful heart. It is truly a blessing for me to marry her!"
"That's good!"
Cao Cao put his palms in his hands and laughed and said,
"From today on, we are a family!"
"Congratulations, General!"
"Today we not only pacified Huainan, but also got such a good son-in-law. It can be said to be a double happiness!"
"Yes, with the help of a genius like Mr. Yang, the general will be able to bring peace to the world just around the corner!"
All the officials started to flatter him one after another.
Seeing the crowd surrounding Cao Cao like stars over the moon, as if he was the lord of the world, Liu Xie felt depressed and unwilling.
He subconsciously looked at Fu Shou aside,
"After the banquet is over, remember to call Yang Ling!"
"His Majesty……"
Just as Fu Shou was about to say something, he was rudely interrupted by Liu Xie. He sneered and said,
"You've already slept with him anyway, so what's the harm in sleeping with him again?!"
When Fu Shou heard this, his pretty face was filled with humiliation, but he said nothing more.
At this moment, Liu Ye stood up and came out of the crowd.
When everyone was wondering what he was going to do, he walked up to Jia Xu and sneered,
"Mr. Wenhe is indeed very calculating! I lost the bet I made with you earlier. Today I apologize to you in front of all the civil and military officials!"
Liu Ye said, bowed to Jia Xu, turned around and walked away.
Because Cao Cao sent Yang Ling to Huainan, Jia Xu did not express his opinion. As a result, he was squeezed out by Liu Ye, so he made a bet with Liu Ye.
Now that Yang Ling had won a great victory, Liu Ye naturally lost.
It's just that Jia Xu didn't expect that Liu Ye would apologize to him in public, which made him, who has always been low-key, a little embarrassed.
Seeing everyone's eyes looking at him, Jia Xu coughed lightly and said with some embarrassment,
"Mr. Ziyang is too polite. In the final analysis, Mr. Yang Ling is the only one who is talented."
Yang Ling's face darkened.
You old Yinbi, why did the matter between you and Liu Ye involve me again?
Jia Xu suddenly changed the topic and said with a smile,
"However, although Mr. Yang Ling and Mr. Zi Xiu contributed to the pacification of Huainan this time, in the final analysis, it was the general who had a sharp eye and strategized."
"Therefore, I sincerely request your Majesty to reward your Majesty!"
Everyone was stunned and couldn't help but curse in their hearts. This Jia Wenhe really knew how to flatter Cao Cao.
But despite the scolding in their hearts, they all nodded in agreement.
"Yes, what Mr. Wenhe said makes perfect sense!"
"The general has done a great job and deserves a heavy reward!"
Cao Cao put down the wine glass in his hand. Although he smiled and said nothing, his eyes flashed at Liu Xie.
Liu Xie's heart skipped a beat and he quickly forced a smile and said,
"Mr. Wenhe is absolutely right. In your opinion, how should the general be rewarded?"
Jia Xu smiled faintly,
"It is better to restore the position of prime minister and promote the general to prime minister."
As soon as this was said, the hall became quiet again.
From the time when Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty became emperor, the post of prime minister was abolished and the power of the prime minister was divided among the three Dukes.
The general was originally located below the three princes, but in the later period due to his great power, he was placed above the three princes.
Previously, Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to Xudu and was named a general.
Yuan Shao, who was named Taiwei, was very angry about this.
The power of the general is already overwhelming, but Jia Xu even proposed to appoint Cao Cao as prime minister, which is equivalent to monopolizing power and is no different from a monarch!
This Jia Xu is indeed a poisonous person!
Once this plan comes out, won't the Han Dynasty be destroyed when Cao Cao takes full control of power in the future?
Not to mention how angry Liu Xie was!
It's just that all the Han officials who were previously loyal to him have been killed in the Yidai Edict.
At this moment, no one objected, and Cao Cao stared at Liu Xie again.
Forced to have no choice, Liu Xie could only laugh and said,
"Mr. Wenhe... what he said is exactly what I meant. General, listen to your orders!"
Cao Cao then slowly stood up and cupped his hands towards Liu Xie.
"I'm here!"
"From today on, I will make you the prime minister!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best to serve Your Majesty and the great man!"
Cao Cao smiled.
After the ceremony, many officials came forward one after another to congratulate Cao Cao.
"Where is Yang Ling?"
Cao Cao shouted.
Yang Ling stood up and stepped forward, smiling and saying,
"Prime Minister, my subordinates are here."
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction and said,
"It's all because of you that I can serve as prime minister this time!"
"Prime Minister, you're welcome. This is not the result of my work alone. It is really the result of the joint efforts of Master Zixiu, General Wenyuan and General Zilong."
Yang Ling said modestly.
"By the way, speaking of which, where is General Wenyuan?"
Cao Cao asked with a smile.
Yang Ling turned around and nodded to Zhang Liao who was standing aside.
Zhang Liao hurriedly stepped forward, saluted, and said respectfully,
"I will finally meet the Prime Minister!"
Cao Cao looked him up and down and smiled appreciatively,
"Good! General Zhang Wubai is indeed powerful in Xiaoyaojin and captured Sun Zhongmou alive!"
"I plan to promote you to be a lieutenant general and give you the title of Marquis of Guannei. What do you think?"
The fact that Zhang Liao used 500 men to attack the 30,000 Jiangdong army and captured the enemy's general naturally caused a sensation when news returned to Xudu!
When people praised him, they also gave him the title Zhang Wubai.
Cao Cao loved such a fierce general very much!
"Thank you, Prime Minister!"
Zhang Liao looked calm and saluted Cao Cao to thank him.
The more Cao Cao looked at it, the more he liked it. He couldn't help but said to Yang Ling who was standing aside,
"Sir, you are truly the greatest talent in the world, and you have discovered such a talent."
After continuously discovering top talents such as Huang Zhong, Jia Xu, Gan Ning, and Zhang Liao for Cao Cao, everyone was quite impressed by Yang Ling.
"The Prime Minister has given you too much praise. This is just the duty of a subordinate."
Yang Ling smiled.
Everyone drank and had fun again, until the night got dark, and then they dispersed.
Yang Ling and Zhao Yun were just about to leave the palace when they saw a eunuch coming out of the corner and blocking their way.
"I've seen you, sir, General!"
