Cao Pi trembled and did not dare to say a word.
Cao Cao, however, continued speaking on his own,
"If Zixiu is safe and sound, the position of eldest son will never fall on you."
"Father, I am also very sad about the death of my eldest brother..."
Cao Pi swallowed, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Cao Cao.
"I don't care about anything else. Let me tell you, Yang Ling cannot be touched!"
"He has great ideas, uses troops like a god, and is truly a talented person. Our Cao family's success today is inseparable from his great help!"
"If you inherit the position of father in the future and dare to attack him, only disaster awaits you!"
"You must agree to be your father, and you must treat him with courtesy. Even if you really want to touch him, don't push him too hard!"
Cao Pi was quite dissatisfied with Cao Cao's words.
In his opinion, Yang Ling was indeed a talented person, but he was far from what Cao Cao said.
Even without Yang Ling, wouldn't there still be Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao and other advisers and generals?
But being stared at by Cao Cao's sharp eyes, Cao Pi did not dare to do anything else and said honestly,
"The child promised his father that he would treat his brother-in-law with courtesy. If he breaks this oath, he will be killed by thousands of arrows!"
Cao Cao stared at Cao Pi for a while, then showed a satisfied smile.
"Very good. From today on, you will stay with my father and help him handle political affairs."
"Here!"
Cao Pi lowered his head and tried hard to hide the joy on his face.
He knew very well that Cao Cao was cultivating him as his successor!
…
A few days later, Wei Gong Cao Cao announced to the world that he had appointed his second son Cao Pi as his heir apparent, and asked him to concurrently serve as deputy prime minister to assist in handling political affairs.
As for Yang Ling, Cao Cao also rewarded him generously.
In addition to the common gold and silver jewelry, Yang Ling was also named Chen Liuhou!
"...The man with five senses will make great contributions to the court, and he will be given the title of Marquis Chenliu..."
After announcing the imperial edict, the eunuch didn't stay too long, got up and left Yang Ling's mansion.
Watching his leaving figure, Zhou Cang snorted dissatisfiedly,
"These eunuchs are really snobbish!"
In the past, when Yang Ling was in power, there was a lot of traffic in front of the door, and countless guests came to visit every day.
After Cao Pi, who had a grudge against Yang Ling, was made the crown prince, even the eunuchs were unwilling to stay for fear of being implicated.
"It is human nature to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. There is nothing to complain about."
Yang Ling smiled and turned back to the house.
He cares more about his tobacco cultivation than worldly human affairs.
Before Cao Cao could return to his hometown, Yang Ling sent people to rush back to Xudu to collect the tobacco.
He owns several farms outside Xudu City, where tobacco is grown.
After so long of careful cultivation, it is time to mature.
The farmers on the farm picked the mature tobacco and sent it to Yang Ling's house.
After several days of drying and baking, it's time to enjoy.
Yang Ling carefully rolled some tobacco with tissue paper and lit it with fire.
"hiss……"
He took a nice breath and blew out white smoke rings.
Seeing him enjoying himself so much, Zhou Cang couldn't help but said,
"Sir, is it really so comfortable?"
"No, when have I ever lied to you?"
Yang Ling asked with a smile.
"Can you let me have a taste?"
Zhou Cang was shameless and took the initiative to speak.
"no problem."
Yang Ling said, rolled up another cigarette, lit it and stuffed it into Zhou Cang's mouth.
But Zhou Cang just took a sip and was choked to the point of coughing, even choking on tears.
"Sir, what the hell is this? It's not easy to smoke at all!"
Zhou Cang grumbled and complained.
"It's the same for the first time. You'll get used to it as you go."
Yang Ling smiled and gestured,
"You have to pump it slowly and let it get into your lungs."
Zhou Cang followed Yang Ling's instructions and took another gentle sip, imitating his example.
Sure enough, this time it felt completely different.
He felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction, and even felt a lot more energetic.
"This thing is called a cigarette. It can refresh you and relieve fatigue. It can also relieve stress."
Yang Ling explained,
"But it's okay to have one now and then. If you smoke too much, it's still harmful to your body."
But Zhou Cang didn't take Yang Ling's words to heart at all. After smoking one, he looked at Yang Ling helplessly.
Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only roll up another one and hand it to Zhou Cang.
"Thank you, sir!"
Zhou Cang took it, lit it with a fire stick happily, and started sucking fiercely again.
"Sir, can you give me one to try too?"
Seeing the two of them puffing away, Pei Yuanshao was really jealous.
"no problem!"
Yang Ling was naturally not stingy and rolled one up for Pei Yuanshao again.
With the guidance of two seniors, Yang Ling and Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao got started quickly.
As the three of them puffed away the mist, soon the hall was filled with mist, almost like a fairyland.
When Guo Zhao came over and saw this situation, he was shocked.
"Cough...cough...quick, come quickly, let's go...cough...it's too late!"
"Queen, don't get excited!"
Yang Ling quickly stopped her and explained,
"It's not that we're in trouble, it's that we're smoking."
Only then did Guo Zhao notice that the smoke in the hall came from the cigarettes in the hands of Yang Ling and the others.
"Husband, what on earth are you doing?"
Guo Zhao covered Yao's nose, his beautiful eyes full of doubts.
"You don't have to worry so much."
Yang Ling asked with a smile,
"Come here to see me. What's the matter?"
"Don't you, husband, want to meet Sister Zhen's brother? He has arrived now."
"Oh? Let him come over."
Yang Ling nodded.
Not long after, Zhen Mi's brother Zhen Yan came to the lobby under the leadership of his servants.
As soon as he stepped into the lobby, he was also startled by the smoke-filled situation.
After seeing Yang Ling sitting in the hall, Zhen Yan hurriedly said respectfully,
"I've seen the general with great facial features!"
Zhen Mi's father, Zhen Yi, had three sons and five daughters.
Among them, Zhen Mi is the youngest daughter.
Although Zhen Yan is the second son, his elder brother Zhen Yu died young, so he is no different from his eldest brother.
"Brother-in-law, you don't have to be polite. In fact, I called you here today because I have something to discuss with you."
Yang Ling smiled.
"Master Wushen, please speak frankly."
Zhen Yan said this, but there was a murmur in her heart.
Although thanks to the relationship between Yang Ling and Zhen Mi, after Cao Cao captured Hebei, he did not embarrass the Zhen family.
Not only did Zhen Yan enter the court as an official, but his younger brother Zhen Yao was also promoted as filial and honest.
The Zhen family even moved their family to Xudu City because of this.
But other than that, Yang Ling didn't have much friendship with the Zhen family.
But I called him here today, not knowing what I wanted to tell him to do.
"I have a business that I would like to partner with you on."
