Feeling Yang Ling's encouraging eyes, Cao Yuan calmed down and said in a slightly childish voice,
"My dear friends... please get back on your feet!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone bowed and saluted again.
Surrounded by Yang Ling and others, Cao Yuan was elected as the new king in front of Cao Zhiling and officially became the third emperor of Cao Wei!
However, since Cao Zhi’s funeral has not yet been completed, Cao Yuan’s enthronement ceremony will be postponed for the time being!
After ascending the throne and becoming the new emperor, Cao Yuan issued a series of political orders in accordance with Yang Ling's wishes.
He respected Empress Dowager Bian as the Empress Dowager, and gave Cao Zhi the posthumous title of Emperor Wen, and the temple name of Gaozu!
In addition, he ordered a general amnesty for the world, and also gave many rewards to Pang Tong, Xu Shu and others!
As for Yang Ling, Cao Yuan followed the advice of Pang Tong and others and promoted Yang Ling from a general to a first-level Sima.
In addition, his title was also changed from Duke Dingnan to King of Qi!
Although this move was against etiquette, neither Empress Dowager Bian nor the ministers had any objections.
joke.
Yang Ling made great contributions to Cao Wei's success.
Not to mention, he still holds great power and is the true father of the emperor!
Who dares to have any objection?
Yang Ling did not refuse Cao Yuan's reward and accepted it happily!
After everything was taken care of, night fell quietly.
As Cao Zhi's nominal son, Cao Yuan stayed in the mourning hall to guard Cao Zhi's spirit!
Yang Ling came to the side hall and discussed political affairs with Pang Tong and others.
"General, oh no, I should call you Your Highness King Qi now."
Pang Tong joked.
"Shi Yuan is so brave now that he dares to take pleasure in Gu Xun!"
Yang Ling pretended to be angry.
Everyone laughed when they heard this.
After some joking, Pang Tong also got down to business.
"During the time when King Qi left the capital, the world was at peace and the people were living and working in peace and contentment, but nothing major happened."
"Shixie from Jiaozhou sent someone to express his willingness to surrender to the Wei Dynasty."
Yang Ling nodded slightly and hummed,
"Shi Xie is a bit discerning. It's best if he takes the initiative to submit. Otherwise, after Liu Bei is dealt with, it will be his turn next."
"Shi Yuan, Wen Hui and you guys will discuss how to incorporate Jiaozhou into our Great Wei region!"
Pang Tong and others nodded, indicating that they accepted the order.
"Oh, by the way, my subordinates sent people to search Yizhou, but no trace of Sun Quan and others was found on the island."
Pang Tong frowned.
After hearing this, Yang Ling was also a little confused.
When Sun Quan was defeated at Yangzhou, he lost track of him after he took a boat out to sea.
According to calculations, he was either going to Jiaozhou or Yizhou Island.
But at present, no trace of Sun Quan has been found in Jiaozhou or Yizhou.
Could it be that Sun Quan took a boat to go north to join Gongsun Kang?
In history, Sun Quan, the Emperor of Wu, and Gongsun Kang had an affair, and they even named Gongsun Kang's son Gongsun Yuan as King of Yan.
It is not impossible for Sun Quan to flee to Liaodong and join the Gongsun family!
"Shi Yuan, do you think it is possible for Sun Quan to go to Liaodong?"
"My subordinates' thoughts are consistent with those of King Qi. Since no trace of Sun Quan has been found in Jiaozhou or Yizhou, it is very likely that he went north to defect to Gongsun Kang!"
Pang Tong said in a deep voice.
"If that's the case, then tell the school affairs office to ask them to find out more about Liaodong!"
Yang Ling ordered.
Although the overall situation in Jiangdong is now decided, it is still necessary to eradicate Sun Quan in order not to cause more trouble in the future.
Pang Tong had his whole family wiped out by Sun Quan and had a deep hatred against him, so it was most appropriate to leave this matter to him.
"Subordinates take orders!"
Pang Tong was solemn and honest.
Everyone discussed for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, Yang Ling asked Pang Tong and others to leave first.
After they left, Yang Ling pondered for a moment and then ordered,
"Zhou Cang, go and invite Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Xia Houshang."
"Here!"
Zhou Cang took the order and left.
Not long after, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Xia Houshang arrived hand in hand!
"Meet His Highness King Qi!"
Cao Xiu and others saluted Yang Ling.
"We're all on our own, so you're welcome. Please sit down!"
Yang Ling greeted.
The three of them sat down as instructed, but they all looked a little confused and didn't understand why Yang Ling called them here.
"You guys have been idle at home these days, don't you resent Gu?"
Yang Ling asked with a chuckle.
After Cao Pi was deposed and Cao Zhi ascended the throne as the emperor, as clan generals who were highly trusted by Cao Pi, although Cao Xiu and others were not in danger, they were transferred out of the army and took up idle positions in the court.
Hearing Yang Ling's question, Cao Xiu and others felt their hearts tighten.
They looked at each other, and Cao Xiu said cautiously,
"This is an imperial decree. As ministers of the Wei Dynasty, we should abide by the decree. How can we resent the general for this?"
Yang Ling smiled noncommittally, changed the topic and said,
"Now the world has not yet been unified. Liu Bei is separatist in Yizhou in the west, Xianbei is eyeing him in the north, and Gongsun Kang in Liaodong is also an ambitious man!"
"Now is the time for the imperial court to hire people. I think you are all great talents. It would be a pity to abandon them."
"Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to allow you to continue to contribute to the country. What do you think?"
Cao Xiu and others were stunned, they couldn't believe their ears!
They originally thought that as Cao Pi's close confidants, they would never have the chance to be reused in this life.
Unexpectedly, Yang Ling didn't care, but actually recommended them.
How could this not surprise Cao Xiu and the others.
Seeing the surprised expressions on several people's faces, Yang Ling's mouth turned up slightly, revealing a smile.
Although Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen and others were once close confidants of Cao Pi, they still respected Yang Ling.
When Cao Pi put Yang Ling under house arrest, they also wrote many times to plead for Yang Ling.
Later, he went to find the Queen Mother Bian and asked the Queen Mother Bian to come forward to persuade Cao Pi.
Not long after Cao Pi was deposed, Liu Bei attacked Hanzhong, so Yang Ling had to put them aside for the time being.
Now that older generals such as Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun have fallen one after another, it is time for Cao Xiu and others to take the stage!
Moreover, Yang Ling came from a later generation, and he knew very well that if the power of the clan was too strong, it would lead to the Eight Kings Rebellion like the Jin Dynasty!
But if the power of the gentry were overwhelming, it would easily lead to Sima Yi usurping Wei.
And if you want to ensure stability, the best way is to check and balance!
Yang Ling plans to reuse Cao Xiu and others, not only because of their talents, but also because he hopes to play a stabilizing role in the politics of Cao Wei!
"Why, don't you want to?"
Yang Ling said with a smile.
"Thanks to His Highness the King of Qi's love, we should break our bodies to pieces to repay the great Wei Dynasty!"
Cao Xiu and others came to their senses and said in unison.
They are all ambitious people, so naturally they don't want to sit idle and waste their time!
"That's good, you go back and make preparations. After a while, I plan to conquer Yizhou, and you will be required to accompany him."
Yang Ling smiled.
Several people saluted respectfully again, and when they were about to leave, they saw a look of hesitation on Cao Xiu's face.
"King Qi, I don't know whether I should talk about the matter of my last general."
