Nanzheng City.
"The general is incompetent, please punish me, general!"
Ma Chao, who was wearing sackcloth and mourning, knelt down to Yang Ling with a sad look on his face.
Looking at him in the hall, Yang Ling frowned!
Before the Battle of Hanzhong broke out, he ordered Ma Teng to send troops to support.
But at that time, the Qiang Di and other barbarians in Liangzhou were incited by Liu Bei, and Ma Teng had no time to take action.
No problem, Yang Ling ordered Ma Teng to guard Wudu County, which borders Yizhou, to prevent Liu Bei from sending troops to attack Longyou!
However, Ma Teng was too careless and did not take Yang Ling's words to heart.
When Liu Bei led his men to a surprise attack on Xi County, he had no time to react and was defeated and died!
Before Ma Chao led his troops to support his father, Yang Ling warned him to be careful of Liu Bei's ambush!
But Ma Chao, who was overwhelmed by the pain of losing his father, was also defeated by Yang Ling!
How can this not make Yang Ling angry?
As far as the public is concerned, Ma Teng died heroically in battle, and Ma Chao had many military exploits in the past.
Personally speaking, one is Yang Ling's father-in-law and the other is his elder brother-in-law.
It's really hard for Yang Ling to deal with them!
As if seeing his embarrassment, Zhang Liao stood up on the side and said,
"General Meng Qi is eager to avenge his father, and he was ambushed by Liu Bei just now. I hope the general will forgive him this time because of his filial piety!"
"Yes, General, please have mercy!"
"General Meng Qi is so brave that he can make meritorious service in the future!"
Zhao Yun and others who were good friends with Ma Chao also began to plead for him.
"Forget it! Considering that Meng Qi you have many military exploits in the past, and there are so many people interceding for you, I will give you a lighter sentence!"
"From today on, I will demote you to the rank of Marquis of Guannei and reduce the number of fiefs!"
"For those soldiers who died in battle, in addition to the imperial court's death pension, you must also compensate their families!"
Ma Chao made the mistake of underestimating the enemy and killed thousands of soldiers.
If he is not punished, others may not be convinced.
But considering his past achievements, one should not be too harsh on him.
In the end, Yang Ling lowered his title, reduced his fiefdom, and asked him to compensate the families of the soldiers who died in the battle.
Everyone was relieved when they heard Ma Chao's punishment.
With Ma Chao's ability, as long as he can go to the battlefield in the future, it will be easy to obtain military exploits, and a mere title will be nothing.
"General Meng Qi, why don't you thank the general!"
Zhao Yun on the side reminded.
"Thank you, General, for not killing me!"
Ma Chao also knew in his heart that Yang Ling was giving him a gentle punishment, so his words were filled with gratitude!
"Okay, for now, bury your father alive! Later I will ask the court to reward your father generously."
When Ma Teng was mentioned, Yang Ling's expression softened a lot.
Although Liu Bei was let go due to carelessness, Ma Teng had helped Yang Ling a lot before.
Whether it is money or effort, there is no ambiguity.
Yang Ling was previously under house arrest by Cao Pi and secretly notified Ma Teng to raise troops.
Ma Teng did not hesitate at all and immediately drove away the court officials, saying that he would cut off all contact with the court until Yang Ling was released!
Besides, since the other person has already passed away, there is nothing to care about, just take care of yourself!
"Thank you, General!"
Ma Chao bowed and saluted again!
…
As the Battle of Hanzhong ended, it was time for Yang Ling to return to Luoyang.
After all, Cao Zhi's funeral affairs and the support of the new king are waiting for Yang Ling to handle!
As for Hanzhong, Yang Ling ordered the construction of five roads, Qishan, Chencang, Baoxie, Tangluo, and Ziwu, to strengthen the connection between Guanzhong and Hanzhong.
With black gunpowder to open roads, several mountain roads can be built in up to half a year.
In addition, Yang Ling asked Zhang Liao to guard Nanzheng, and Yu Jin and Zhang He to guard Yangping Pass to prevent Liu Bei's counterattack.
After everything was settled, Yang Ling took Zhao Yun, Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, Zhang Lu, Zhang Qiying and others on the road back to Luoyang!
He did not choose to return to Luoyang from Guanzhong, but took a boat along the Han River, first arrived in Jingzhou, then went all the way north, and finally returned to Luoyang!
Outside Luoyang City.
Officials headed by Pang Tong, Gao Rou and Xu Shu were all waiting at the city gate.
Seeing Yang Ling and others returning, they stepped forward one after another and said in unison,
"Congratulations to the general on his triumphant return!"
Yang Ling turned over and dismounted. Seeing that many familiar faces were missing among the courtiers, he couldn't help but feel a little complicated.
Not long after he sent troops to conquer Zhang Lu, the older generation of advisers and generals such as Jia Xu, Xiahou Dun, and Xia Houyuan fell one after another!
This situation reminded Yang Ling of what Boss Cao said during his lifetime:
"Old friends are dying one after another, like leaves falling in the wind!"
However, birth, old age, illness and death are the normal conditions of life!
Yang Ling just sighed, then gathered his mood and walked towards the palace with a group of officials.
Although it had been more than a month since Cao Zhi's death, Yang Ling, who was in charge of the government, had not returned, so Cao Zhi's funeral was suppressed.
The coffin containing his body has been stored in an underground ice cellar. Fortunately, it has not rotted.
Yang Ling returned today, and the coffin was carried to the palace.
After Yang Ling finished paying his condolences, Pang Tong, who served as Situ, took the initiative and said,
"It is true that a country cannot live without a king for a day. Now that His Majesty has passed away, we should establish a new king!"
"What Situ said is absolutely true!"
Taiwei Gaorou nodded and agreed,
"Since His Majesty has passed away, according to etiquette, the Crown Prince should succeed you!"
As early as when Yang Ling adopted his son to Cao Zhi, Cao Zhi made Cao Yuan the prince.
Now that Cao Zhi has passed away, Cao Yuan should succeed him.
Seeing Pang Tong and Gao Rou singing harmony, everyone in the court naturally knew that this was what Yang Ling meant.
"I agree with Situ and Taiwei's opinions!"
"I second the proposal!"
"I hope the Queen Mother will agree!"
All the ministers agreed.
Everyone's eyes turned to Queen Mother Bian in the hall.
Ever since Cao Pi was deposed, Cao Zhi ascended the throne as emperor, and adopted Cao Yuan as his successor, Empress Dowager Bian knew very well that sooner or later such a day would come!
Whatever!
In any case, Cao Yuan is Cao Qing's son, and he was adopted by Cao Zhi, so he can be considered a Cao family after all!
Letting him ascend the throne as emperor is the most suitable choice for both the Cao family and Yang Ling!
Empress Dowager Bian thought about this, nodded slightly and said,
"The Aijia is ready! I wonder what the general wants?"
"Reporting to Her Majesty the Queen Mother, I have no objection!"
How could Yang Ling refuse to support his son to become emperor?
So with the unanimous consent of everyone, it was finally decided to make Cao Yuan the new king of Cao Wei!
Not long after, Cao Yuan came to the main hall surrounded by a group of eunuchs.
"Let us pay homage to His Majesty!"
The ministers saluted Cao Yuan one after another, and the roaring sound like a tsunami shocked the young Cao Yuan!
Seeing that his son was a little overwhelmed, Yang Ling coughed lightly and cast an encouraging look at him.
Don't be afraid, son, your father is behind you to support you!
